Changes in corneal thickness in patients with high-altitude pulmonary edema after systemic oxygen therapy

Purpose: High-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPO) is an acute medical emergency occurring typically in lowlanders, who ascend rapidly to heights of 3000 m or more. It presents with marked dyspnea on exertion, fatigue with minimal-to-moderate effort, prolonged recovery time, and dry cough with manifestations of cyanosis, tachycardia, tachypnea, and temperature which generally does not increase beyond 38.5°C. The condition may be fatal if not treated in time with supplemental oxygen or hyperbaric oxygen or rapid descent to lower altitude. There is paucity in literature on changes in corneal thickness in HAPO. The effect of continued oxygen therapy on corneal thickness has also not been studied in detail. Hence, this study was conducted at high altitude among physician-confirmed HAPO cases. Methods: A case–control study was conducted at an altitude of 11,400 feet. Cases were patients suffering from HAPO and controls were patients admitted in hospital for low back pain, fractures, and minor surgical procedures. Central corneal thickness (CCT) was measured with an ultrasound pachymeter on day 1 of hospitalization and every day of hospital stay. Systemic oxygen concentration was also measured daily. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in corneal thickness between two groups at the onset of illness, but a significant decrease in CCT was found in both right and left eyes in HAPO cases when oxygen levels were increased by giving supplemental oxygen. Hierarchical modeling showed a decrease in 1.3 ?m in CCT with one unit increase in oxygen mmHg in cases. Conclusion: The findings of statistically insignificant difference in CCT between HAPO cases and controls and a decrease in CCT in HAPO cases on being treated with systemic oxygenation are points to ponder about.

Correlates of tobacco-use pattern amongst adolescents in two schools of New Delhi, India.

BACKGROUND: As adolescent tobacco use has been found to be a major predictor of future use, preventive efforts need to be focused on this section of population. OBJECTIVES: To assess the role of knowledge regarding tobacco, risk-taking attitude, peers, and other influencers on tobacco and areca nut use, amongst adolescents. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A school-based cross-sectional study covering two schools. Students of classes IX and XI, of selected schools, participated in the study (n = 596). METHODS: A pretested and validated, close ended, self-administered questionnaire was used. Sociodemographic factors, awareness regarding tobacco, risk-taking attitudes, role of peers and other influencers, and tobacco, areca nut and alcohol use, were studied. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Point estimates, 98% Confidence Intervals, tests of significance, bivariate and multivariate analysis (multiple logistic regression). RESULTS: Almost 42% of tobacco users started before the age of 12 years. Peer pressure, general stress, and media were important influencers. Logistic regression analysis showed that students in public school were using more tobacco [Odds ratio (OR) = 1.85, P = 0.174] and tobacco/areca nut (OR = 1.14, P = 0.02). The difference in use between the genders and class in which studying was statistically not significant. Lesser proportion of those possessing adequate knowledge regarding tobacco used it as compared to those without adequate knowledge (OR = 0.13, P < 0.001) however, possession of adequate knowledge was not a good predictor of areca nut consumption (OR = 0.86, P = 0.585). The most important correlate for tobacco use (OR = 6.41, P < 0.001) and areca nut use (OR = 11.17, P < 0.001) was risk-taking attitude. CONCLUSION: Multi-pronged and concerted efforts targeting children at an early age are required to prevent tobacco and areca nut use among adolescents.

Injection practices in a metropolis of North India: perceptions, determinants and issues of safety.

BACKGROUND: At least 50 percent of the injections administered each year are unsafe, more particularly in developing countries, posing serious health risks. An initial assessment to describe injection practices; their determinants and adverse effects can prevent injection-associated transmission of blood borne pathogens by reducing injection frequency and adoption of safe injection practices. AIMS: To assess the injection practices in a large metropolitan city encompassing varied socio-cultural scenarios. STUDY SETTING AND DESIGN: Field based cross sectional survey covering urban non-slum, slum and peri-urban areas of a large metropolitan city. METHODS AND MATERIAL: Injection prescribers, providers and community members selected by random sampling from the study areas. Pre tested questionnaires assessed knowledge and perceptions of study subjects towards injections and their possible complications. Observation of the process of injection and prescription audit also carried out. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: MS Access for database and SPSS ver 11 for analysis. Point estimates, 95% confidence intervals, Chi Square, t test, one-way ANOVA. RESULTS: The per capita injection rate was 5.1 per year and ratio of therapeutic to immunization injections was 4.4:1. Only 22.5%of injections were administered with a sterile syringe and needle. The level of knowledge about HIV and HBV transmission by unsafe injections was satisfactory amongst prescribers and community, but inadequate amongst providers. HCV was known to a very few in all the groups. The annual incidence of needle stick injuries among providers was quite high. CONCLUSION: A locally relevant safe injection policy based on multi disciplinary approach is required to reduce number of injections, unsafe injections and their attendant complications.

Molecular mechanics simulation of the interaction of estrogen receptor with estrogen regulatory element.

A model for the interaction of 31 amino acid fragment (protein) from DNA binding domain of human estrogen receptor (hER) with a five base pair DNA sequence 5'GGTCA 3' from estrogen regulatory element (ERE) has been obtained using a step-wise procedure based on structural data on model peptides, DNA binding domain of hER, steric constrains imposed by tetrahedral coordination of the Cys sulphurs with zinc ion and classical secondary structural elements. Structure of the protein as well as its complex with DNA is obtained by energy minimization followed by refinement by molecular mechanics. The complex is stabilized by H-bonds between Lys22, Lys26 and Arg27 with DNA bases G2, T3 and T6. Lys22 also made H-bond with the backbone of G2. The backbone of Cys18 H-bonded with N7 of G1. DNA was in distorted B form and showed evidence of protein-induced conformational changes.