A study to explore the factors related to treatment seeking delay among adults diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction at KMCH, Coimbatore

Objective The main aim of the study was to explore the factors causing delay in seeking treatment among adult patients diagnosed with CAAs acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and compare the factors between timely and late treatment seeking groups. Method A total of 93 subjects were included in the study diagnosed with AMI interviewed within 48 h of hospitalization. Data were collected from onset of symptoms to arrival at hospital on demography, clinical profile, clinical factors, cognitive factors and social support factors. Subjects were categorized in two study groups i.e. timely treatment seeking group (<120 min from onset of symptoms) and delayed treatment seeking group (>120 min from onset of symptoms). Results The minimum and maximum time took by subjects to seek treatment was 10 and 5450 min, respectively. The mean pain score of subjects who sought delayed treatment (2.2619) is less than those who sought timely treatment (3.3725). The mean knowledge score (12.2754), mean symptom perception (3.6667), mean perceived seriousness (4.7647) is more in subjects who sought timely treatment than those who sought delayed treatment (5.7381), (1.3095), (1.8333) respectively. The mean family support score (57.4492), mean non-family support score (24.902), mean social support score (48.3002) is more in timely treatment group than in delayed treatment seeking group (42.6829), (4.7619), (29.2138) respectively. Conclusion Decreased pain, knowledge about AMI, symptom perception, perceived seriousness respectively and inadequate family & non-family support i.e. social support were the factors related to treatment seeking delay among adults diagnosed with AMI.

Idiopathic renal replacement lipomatosis: A case report and review of literature.

Idiopathic renal replacement lipomatosis is a rare condition in which the renal parenchyma, especially the renal sinus is replaced with adipose tissue with increase in perirenal fat. We report a case of renal replacement lipomatosis presenting as a renal mass clinically. The computed tomography scan revealed low density and nodular masses of adipose tissue within the renal parenchyma. The differential diagnosis before surgery was angiomyolipoma, lipoma, and xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis. After the histological examination and extensive literature search, the diagnosis of renal replacement lipomatosis was made. It is a rare entity and may be missed if not considered due to lack of experience, so we hope that more urologists, radiologists, and pathologists become aware of this entity and recognize it.

Bioactive actinomycetes from Krishna River sediments of Andhra Pradesh.

Sediment samples from Krishna River at Nagayalanka of Andhra Pradesh, India were investigated as a source of actinomycetes to screen for the production of novel bioactive compounds. During our investigation on fresh water actinomycetes from 5 different river sediment samples, a total of 80 actinomycetes were isolated. Out of these 80 isolates, 30 isolates which showed distinct macromorphological characteristics were selected. The antimicrobial and enzymatic activities were studied for all the 30 isolates. The preliminary study for antimicrobial activity by cross streak method indicated that 16 isolates (53.3%) have excellent antagonistic properties. All these 16 isolates were subjected to detailed submerged fermentation studies. It was observed that 12 isolates (40.0%) exhibited antibacterial activity, 9 isolates (30.0%) showed antifungal activity while 5 isolates (16.6%) showed both antibacterial and antifungal activities. All the 30 isolates were also subjected for the determination of enzymatic activities 25 isolates (83.3%) exhibited amylolytic activity while 27 isolates (90.0%) showed proteolytic activity. Among these isolates, six promising isolates were selected for detailed morphological, cultural, physiological and biochemical studies. It was established that these isolates belong to the Streptomyces genus by virtue of their cell wall composition pattern and were identified as strains of different Streptomyces species like S. rochei, S. alanosinicus, S. erumpens, S. griseoplanus, S. gancidicus and S. nigrogriseolus.

Comparison of effects of yoga & physical exercise in athletes.

The effect of pranayama a controlled breathing practice, on exercise tests was studied in athletes in two phases; sub-maximal and maximal exercise tests. At the end of phase I (one year) both the groups (control and experimental) achieved significantly higher work rate and reduction in oxygen consumption per unit work. There was a significant reduction in blood lactate and an increase in P/L ratio in the experimental group, at rest. At the end of phase II (two years), the oxygen consumption per unit work was found to be significantly reduced and the work rate significantly increased in the experimental group. Blood lactate decreased significantly at rest in the experimental group only. Pyruvate and pyruvate-lactate ratio increased significantly in both the groups after exercise and at rest in the experimental group. The results in both phases showed that the subjects who practised pranayama could achieve higher work rates with reduced oxygen consumption per unit work and without increase in blood lactate levels. The blood lactate levels were significantly low at rest.

Effect of yoga on exercise tolerance in normal healthy volunteers.

Twelve normal healthy volunteers (6 males and 6 females) undergoing yoga training for 90 days were studied for the effect of yoga on exercise tolerance. Their ages ranged from 18 to 28 years. The volunteers were taught only Pranayama for the first 20 days and later on yogic asanas were added. Sub-maximal exercise tolerance test was done on a motorized treadmill by using Balke's modified protocol, initially, after 20 days (Phase-I) and after 90 days of yoga training (Phase-II). Pyruvate and lactate in venous blood and blood gases in capillary blood were estimated immediately before and after the exercise. Minute ventilation and oxygen consumption were estimated before and during the test. Post exercise blood lactate was elevated significantly during initial and Phase-I, but not in Phase-II. There was significant reduction of minute ventilation and oxygen consumption only in males in Phase-I and II at the time when the volunteers reached their 80% of the predicted heart rate. Female volunteers were able to go to higher loads of exercise in Phase-I and II.