Hypertension in Men - An Emerging Public Health Challenge for India: Evidence from National Family Health Survey-4

Background: Men in the 25–54 year age group form the major workforce in developing countries like India. The rising trend of hypertension in this age group is a growing matter of concern. Objectives: This study analyzed secondary data analysis from the National Family Health Survey‑4. Methods: Men in the 25–54 age group (n = 76,410) from 640 districts of the country were included in the study. State and district‑wise trends in hypertension in men along with selected individual lifestyle characteristics were displayed using a geographic information system. Results: The prevalence of hypertension among men in the age group of 25–54 was found to be 35.6% for the entire country. In urban India, the prevalence of hypertension was 38.4% (uncorrected ‑ 40.2%) compared with 33.8% (uncorrected ‑ 34.9%) in rural India. Among the 27,973 hypertensives, 6984 (25%) were the known hypertensives prior to the survey. Out of these only 2403 (34.4%) were taking medicines. The prevalence of tobacco use in any form among the men in this age group was 45.7% (uncorrected ‑ 49%). Conclusion: In conclusion, the study highlights the burden of hypertension in men in the prime age group along with the alarming burden of tobacco consumption and recommends public health and policy interventions targeting both hypertension and tobacco control. It requires urgent attention and specialized strategies in tiding over this epidemic brewing in the workforce of the country

Variations In Blood Pressures Amongst Day School Children And Boarding School Children In Western Maharashtra

Introduction: School children majorly face stress due to the pressure and expectations from their parents besides aca-demics, athletics, etc. It is known that depression, stress increases blood pressure. Such wide variations in blood pres-sure at such a young age can increase the incidence of cerebrovascular accidents, ischemic heart diseases, renal failure and preterm death in the adulthood of such children. This survey will guide the parents and teachers to the various problems student face and how can they help the student cope with it. Method: The blood pressure of each student was taken three times to reduce them to minimise the possibility of errors and the blood pressures of all the students were compared according to their age (13-16 years) and the schooling type (boarders and day scholars). Results:On comparing the prehypertensive stage, the numbers of pre-hypertensives are found to be greater in the age group of 15 years in both day scholars and boarders i.e. 14% and 8% respectively. The on comparing the schooling type the day scholars have a greater number of prehypertensive i.e. 25% than boarders which is 17%. Though pre-hypertensives are higher in the age group of 15 years, but the numbers of hypertensives are more in 14 years of age which is 7% (6% in hypertension stage I and 1% in hypertension stage II) in day scholars and 4% (3% in hypertension stage I and 1% in hypertension stage II) in boarders. In schooling type, a similar trend as that of prehypertension is seen i.e. in day schol-ars 14% students are in hypertension stage I and 3% students are in hypertension stage II making a total of 17% of hypertensive in day scholars. Similarly, in boarders there are 6% in hypertension stage I and 1% in hypertension stage II making 7% hypertensive in boarders, thereby showing a higher percentage of hypertensive in day scholars. Conclu-sion: The study revealed Percentage of students in hypertension stage I and hypertension stage II were found more in day scholars (14% HT STAGE I and 3% HT STAGE II) than boarders (6%HT STAGE I and 1% HT STAGE II) re-spectively. Thus, it can be very well concluded that 17% of day school children and 7% boarders were found to be in hypertensive.

Validated method for estimation of irbesartan in bulk and dosage form by high performance liquid chromatography technique

A simple, specific, accurate and precise new high performance liquid chromatographic method was developed for the estimation of irbesartan in bulk and its developed dosage form. The mobile phase containing acetonitrile: Phosphate buffer pH 3.5 in proportion of 50:50 v/v was employed with flow rate of1.0 ml/min and eluting medium was monitored at 240 nm. The method was validated for linearity, accuracy, precision, limit of detection, limit of quantification and robustness for irbesartan. A linear response was observed in the range of 5- 40µg/ml. Linear regression of absorbance on concentration gave equation y = 101.9x + 195.3 with a regression co-efficient r2 =0.993. The method was validated for different parameters as per the ICH guidelines. The degradation studies were carried out by using the developed method. Thus the method was found to be useful for the determination of irbesartan in bulk as well as for dosage forms.

Effect of Pranayama On Stress and Cardiovascular Autonomic Tone & Reactivity.

BACKGROUND :The stress either physical or mental, leads to cardiovascular morbidity. Newly admitted medical students are likely to be exposed to various stresses like change of environment, demanding medical education and different teaching protocol in a medical college. Pranayama is known since ancient times to relieve stress and stabilize autonomic function of the body. METHOD: The subjects were first M.B.B.S students and the sample size was 59 consisting of 27 males and 32 females. The group of students thus selected was briefed about the study. After the orientation session, informed written consent was taken, stress questionnaire was put and the autonomic function tests were done. This was followed by practice of Pranayama for 2 months, 1 hour/day for 5 days/week and again stress questionnaire was put and the autonomic function tests were performed on the study group. RESULTS AND ANALYSIS: The above tests were done before and after the practice of Pranayama. The results obtained were analyzed using SPSS software. CONCLUSION: The stress level has reduced after 2 months of practicing various pranayama as evident by decrease in total stress score which is highly significant. VLF and LF in n.u have reduced significantly after practice of pranayama signifying reduction in sympathetic drive to heart. HF in n.u has increased significantly after practice of pranayama for 2 months showing the increase in parasympathetic output to the heart. LF/HF ratio reduced significantly after 2 months of practice of pranayama indicating a better sympatho vagal balance with resting balance tilting toward better parasympathetic control.

Effect of pranayama on stress and cardiovascular autonomic function.

The stress either physical or mental, leads to cardiovascular morbidity. Newly admitted medical students are likely to be exposed to various stresses like change of environment, demanding medical education and different teaching protocol in a medical college. Pranayama is known since ancient times to relieve stress and stabilize autonomic function of the body. Therefore it was decided to study effect of Pranayama on stress and cardiovascular autonomic function. The subjects were first M.B.B.S students and the sample size was 59 consisting of 27 males and 32 females. The group of students thus selected was briefed about the study. After the orientation session, informed written consent was taken, stress questionnaire was put and the autonomic function tests were done. This was followed by practice of Pranayama for 2 months, 1 hour/day for 5 days/ week and again stress questionnaire was put and the autonomic function tests were performed on the study group. The above tests were done before and after the practice of Pranayama. The results obtained were analyzed using SPSS software. The stress level has reduced after 2 months of practicing various pranayama as evident by decrease in total stress score which is highly significant. VLF and LF in n.u have reduced significantly after practice of pranayama signifying reduction in sympathetic drive to heart. HF in n.u has increased significantly after practice of pranayama for 2 months showing the increase in parasympathetic output to the heart. LF/ HF ratio reduced significantly after 2 months of practice of pranayama indicating a better sympatho vagal balance with resting balance tilting toward better parasympathetic control.

Effect of pranayama on stress and cardiovascular autonomic tone & reactivity.

BACKGROUND :The stress either physical or mental, leads to cardiovascular morbidity. Newly admitted medical students are likely to be exposed to various stresses like change of environment, demanding medical education and different teaching protocol in a medical college. Pranayama is known since ancient times to relieve stress and stabilize autonomic function of the body. METHOD: The subjects were first M.B.B.S students and the sample size was 59 consisting of 27 males and 32 females. The group of students thus selected was briefed about the study. After the orientation session, informed written consent was taken, stress questionnaire was put and the autonomic function tests were done. This was followed by practice of Pranayama for 2 months, 1 hour/day for 5 days/week and again stress questionnaire was put and the autonomic function tests were performed on the study group. RESULTS AND ANALYSIS: The above tests were done before and after the practice of Pranayama. The results obtained were analyzed using SPSS software. CONCLUSION: The stress level has reduced after 2 months of practicing various pranayama as evident by decrease in total stress score which is highly significant. VLF and LF in n.u have reduced significantly after practice of pranayama signifying reduction in sympathetic drive to heart. HF in n.u has increased significantly after practice of pranayama for 2 months showing the increase in parasympathetic output to the heart. LF/HF ratio reduced significantly after 2 months of practice of pranayama indicating a better sympatho vagal balance with resting balance tilting toward better parasympathetic control.

Influence of agro-waste amendment on soil microbial population in relation to plant growth response.

Introductions of high yielding inorganic fertilizer are not cheap and leave behind a large amount of dry matter for disposal. Thus there is a need to utilize these plant residues to save fertilizers and maintain a satisfactory level of soil fertility. Hence, with the view of in-situ manuring as well as to recycle the agricultural residue, pot experiments were conducted to study the effect of wheat husk amendments on soil microbial population and seedling vigour index (SVI) of wheat. Results of pot experiment showed the improvement in soil fungal population followed by bacterial and actinomycetal counts. Statistical significant increase in plant growth was also recorded as compared to unamended control, which indicates the practical possibility in utilizing wheat husk for improvement is soil fertility

Price of visiting a quack--case reports.

Lot of patients visit quacks for anal canal ailment in the hope of low cost, operation less cure. Most of them face incomplete, infective treatment and suffer from prolonged morbidity. They are shy to come forward to tell about these complications and visit the hospitals only when they are in miserable situation. Two such cases are described here.

Clinical profile of non-O1 strain-O139 of Vibrio cholerae in the region of Ambajogai, Maharashtra.

OBJECTIVES: To study clinical profile of the newly emerged novel strain non-O1, O139 of Vibrio cholerae, in the region of Ambajogai, District Beed of Maharashtra. METHODS: Out of 208 patients of acute gastroenteritis, 41 revealed to be positive for Vibrio cholerae by recommended method of stool examination. All the strains were sent to National Institute of Cholera and Infectious Diseases, Calcutta for confirmation. RESULTS: Out of 41 cases, 12 were of Vibrio cholerae O1, 29 Non-O1, of which nine found to be O139 strain. All patients were from 2-80 years of age with low-socioeconomic status and maximum incidence was in August (64.70%), presented with severe rice watery loose motions. Vomiting was observed in 26 (63.41%), more so in patients of O139 infection (88.88%) than four (33.33%) of O1 infection. Sweating was observed in three patients (33.33%) of O139 infection, cramps in gastrocnemis muscles in three patients (33.33%) of O139 infection and two (16.66%) of O1 infection. Signs of dehydration were mild to moderate in four patients (33.33%) of O1 infection; severe dehydration in six (66.66%), moderate in two (22.22%) and mild in one patient (11.11%) of O139 infection. While dehydration was severe in four (20%), moderate in one (5%) and mild in three patients (15%) of Non-O1 infection (excluding O139 cases). Clinical features were more severe in patients of serotype O139 than the patients of O1 and Non-O1 (excluding O139 cases). However all patients responded to intravenous fluids, oral rehydration and antibiotics (tetracycline) within 24-48 hours without any mortality. CONCLUSIONS: This study reflects the first emergence of Non-O1, strain O139 during the year 1997 with severe and critical clinical features in Ambajogai region causing high morbidity in the form of severe dehydration and peripheral circulatory collapse which requires early and correct diagnosis and prompt treatment.

Autopsy study of infant kidneys in cases of urinary tract anomalies.

The infant autopsies were scrutinised to find the incidence, etiology & significance in terms of fatality of urinary tract anomalies. On analysing 1329 infant autopsies, 24 cases (1.8%) of significant urinary tract anomalies were found. There was marked male predominance. Intrauterine obstruction of urinary tract was the main etiological factor leading to dysplastic changes in the renal tissue. Dysplasia is severe in extent and may be associated with persistent blastemal zones when the obstruction is complete & bilateral in nature.