Study of Inter-Relationship Between Perceived Workplace Discrimination, Job Stress, Mental Well-Being, And Job Performance of Teachers

Background: This study was planned to investigate the consequences of perceived workplace discrimination on job stress, mental well-being, and teachers' job performance in higher education. A conceptual model was proposed to illustrate the relationship between the study variables. Methodology: A correlational research design was adopted, and convenience sampling was used for data collection of 200 teachers. The participants of this study represented different streams of science and arts and were asked to fill questionnaires to collect relevant information on the subject matter. Results: Results show that (a) workplace discrimination is significantly positively related to perceived job stress, negatively related to mental well-being and overall job performance. Further, stepwise regression analysis shows that perceived job stress, job tenure, and workplace discrimination explain significant contributions (job stress emerged as best predictors of job performance) to the job performance of teachers and while job stress and gender explain significant contributions (job stress again emerged as best predictors of mental well-being) to the mental well-being of teachers. Results have been discussed in light of previous studies.

Impact of psychological distress due to COVID-19 pandemic on spouse interpersonal relationships

Background: The novel virus, COVID-19, has proven to be a stressor on many levels due to factors like health, economic disruptions, lockdown, and stay-at-home orders. However, one of the significant stressors has been on relationships, primarily the intimate ones, like between spouses. To investigate the correlation between psychological distress and quality of spouse interpersonal relationships. Methodology: The mixed research design (i.e., qualitative and quantitative methods) was employed on 119 participants between 22-62 years of age, followed by a semi-structural interview of 12 participants, all through virtual snowball mode due to the COVID-19 scenario. Socio-demographic profile, psychological distress scale, and the quality of spouse interpersonal relationships scale and a semi-structural interview schedule were used for data collection. Results: The present study shows that psychological distress is negatively correlated with certain aspects like conflict, criticism, resentment, pressure, dominance, relative power, and exclusion of the quality of spouse interpersonal relationships. On the other hand, a positive correlation was observed with affection, emotional support, reliable alliance, satisfaction, companionship, and approval aspects of the quality of spouse interpersonal relationships. Qualitative results shows that argument with each other, disagreement, point out faults, pressurization for intimation, and violence with partner are some of the most prominent negative effects in their present life while developed understanding to each other, sense of trust, feel good, received love and affection, care for each other, emotional support, help in other household errands, and take care of children and parents are some of the positive aspects seen instead of the psychological distress perceived during this pandemic. Conclusions: COVID-19 has had considerable effects on spousal interpersonal relationships and needs further study

Level of PAX5 in differential diagnosis of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Background & objectives: The PAX5, a paired box transcription factor and B-cell activator protein (BSAP), activates B-cell commitment genes and represses non-B-cell lineage genes. About 14 transcript variants of PAX5 have been observed in human. Any alteration in its expression pattern leads to lymphogenesis or associated diseases and carcinogenesis in non-lymphoid tissues. Its mechanisms of function in pathophysiology of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) are unclear. This study was intended to explore influence of PAX5 in cascade of NHL pathogenesis and diagnosis. Methods: Samples of 65 patients were evaluated by immunohistochemical staining for cellular localization of PAX5, CD19, CD3, cABL, p53, Ras and Raf and by TUNEL assay, RNA-isolation and reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR, Western blot analysis, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) specific staining. Results: B-cell type NHL patients were positive for PAX5, p53, Ras, CD19, Raf and CD3. All of them showed TUNEL-positive cells. The differential expression pattern of PAX5, CD19, p53, CD3, ZAP70, HIF1α, Ras, Raf and MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) at the levels of transcripts and proteins was observed. The LDH assay showed modulation of LDH4 and LDH5 isoforms in the lymph nodes of NHL patients. Interpretation & conclusions: The histological observations suggested that the patients represent diverse cases of NHL like mature B-cell type, mature T-cell type and high grade diffuse B-cell type NHL. The findings indicate that patients with NHL may also be analyzed for status of PAX5, CD19 and ZAP70, and their transcriptional and post-translational variants for the differential diagnosis of NHL and therapy.

Observation on dengue cases from a virus diagnostic laboratory of a tertiary care hospital in north India.

Background & objectives: The epidemiology of dengue fever (DF) is complex in the Indian subcontinent as all the four serotypes are circulating. This study reports observations on dengue cases from a virus diagnostic laboratory of a north Indian tertiary care hospital catering to areas in and around Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. Methods: Serum samples were obtained from suspected cases of dengue referred to the virus diagnostic laboratory during 2011 to 2013, and detailed history was taken on a pre-structured datasheet. All samples were tested for anti-dengue virus (DV) IgM antibodies and DV-non structural protein 1 antigen (NS1Ag) by ELISA. NS1Ag positive samples were tested further by conventional RT-PCR for DV-RNA detection and serotyping. Results: Of the 4019 suspected patients of dengue, 886 (22%) showed laboratory evidence of dengue virus infection. Of these, 19, 17 and 27 per cent were positive in 2011, 2012 and 2013, respectively. Children and adults were similarly affected by dengue in all the three years. Males were more commonly affected than females. The predominant DV serotype detected was DV-2, DV-1 and DV-3 in 2011, 2012 and 2013, respectively. DV-4 serotype was not detected. About half the cases positive for DV infection, showed symptoms of dengue with warning signs/ severe dengue. A distinct seasonality with increase in number of dengue cases in the post monsoon period was seen. Interpretation & conclusions: Change in circulating serotype of dengue virus; a distinct adult dengue involvement; and a remarkable number of cases presenting with severe dengue manifestations are the main findings of this study.

Primary subcutaneous mixed-type liposarcoma of the thigh showing three simultaneous dedifferentiations: Report of an unusual case.

Liposarcoma most commonly occurs in deep soft tissues of the limb and the retroperitoneum; however, its occurrence in the subcutaneous tissue is rare. Mixed-type liposarcoma (MTL) is the rarest subtype. We herein describe a unique case of MTL with three simultaneous dedifferentiations occurring in subcutaneous tissue of left thigh in a 45-year-old male. We briefl y review the pertinent literature and report this case because of extreme rarity.

Antibacterial activity of Eclipta alba (L.) Hassk.

Eclipta alba (L.) Hassk is small branched annual herbaceous plant with a long history of traditional medicines uses in many countries especially in tropical and subtropical regions. The herb has been known for its curative properties and has been utilized as antimytotoxic, analgesic, antibacterial, antihepatotoxic, antihaemorrhagic, antihyperglycemic, antioxidant, immunomodulatory properties and it is considered as a good rejuvenator too. A wide range of chemical compounds including coumestans, alkaloids, thiopenes, flavonoids, polyacetylenes, triterpenes and their glycosides have been isolated from this species. Extracts and metabolites from this plant have been known to possess pharmacological properties. The present study confirmed the antibacterial potential of aerial parts extracts of Eclipta alba in solvents like acetone, ethanol, methanol, aqueous and hexane against selected gram positive and gram negative bacterial species. The antibacterial studies were done by agar well diffusion methods. The MIC and MBC methods were also used. Hexane extract of showed Eclipta alba high antibacterial activity against S.aureus, B.cereus, E.coli, S.typhi, K.pneumoniae,S.pyogenes and P.aeruginosa. whereas acetone, ethanol, methanol and aqueous extracts showed intermediate activity against S.aureus, B.cereus, E.coli, S.typhi, K.pneumoniae, P.aeruginosa, P.mirabilis and S.pyogenes. The inhibitory activities of all the extracts reported were compared with standard antibiotics (Ciprofloxacin 25 μg/ml). An MIC of 90.0μg/ml shown by E.coli and S.aureus was considered to be the best (below 100μg/ml), an MIC of 125.0μg/ml shown by E.coli, K.pneumoni, P.mirabilis and S.typhi was considered to be better (100-500μg/ml) as such by the action of acetone, ethanol, methanol and hexane extracts on test bacterial spp respectively MIC between (500-1000μg/ml) was considered to be good. The aqueous extracts of Eclipta alba showed good activity against S.pyogenes, B.cereus, E.coli and P.aeruginosa. If the dilution was above 1000μg/ml the extract were considered inactive against S.aureus, K.pneumoniae, P.mirabilis and S.typhi. MBC results were similar to MIC results but in the case of MBC the confirmation was made by absence of growth in culture plates after 24 hrs of incubation at 37ºC. A potent antibacterial and hepatoprotective drug could probably be formulated from the plant extract of Eclipta alba to combat the effects of bacterial and hepatotoxic infections.

Reliability & validity of the Malayalam hospital anxiety & depression scale (HADS) in cancer patients.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: The hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) has been widely used on cancer patients as an indicator of psychological morbidity. Though the scale has been used in India, no reports are available on translation of HADS in any Indian language and testing the reliability. The present study describes the translation process of HADS into Malayalam and testing its reliability and validity on psychological morbidity in cancer patients. METHODS: The English version of the HADS was translated into Malayalam and was used in this study. The questionnaire was administered to 240 cancer patients and statistical analysis was carried out using Chronbach's alpha to test the internal consistency of the HADS scale while confirmatory factor analysis was carried out using principal axis factoring with equimax rotation and Kaiser Normalization to test its construct validity. RESULTS: The Cronbach's alpha was found to be 0.81 for the HADS anxiety subscale, 0.71 for the HADS depression subscale, and 0.85 for HADS tool. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) indicated two depression items (i.e., enjoyment and anhedonia) loading onto the anxiety subscale. Clinical caseness for anxiety was observed in 8 per cent, while 11 per cent of the patients had borderline mood disorder. Clinical caseness for depression was identified in 7.6 and 13 per cent of patients were found to have borderline mood disturbances. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: This preliminary validation study of the Malayalam version of the HADS showed it as an acceptable, and reliable measure of psychological morbidity among cancer patients. The prevalence of anxiety and depression in Indian population was low and enjoyment and anhedonia might present as anxiety initially.

Reliability & validity of the Malayalam Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy for Head & Neck Cancer.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: The need for quality over quantity in cancer survival is increasingly being recognised in the developing countries, and the efforts to monitor quality of life (QOL) are increasing. However, the non-availability of a valid and reliable tool in the local language is a common problem. Cross-culturally sensitive tools enable the researchers to compare different patient populations and identify cultural differences and variations. The present study was carried out to translate, validate and test for reliability a reliable QOL tool for the head and neck cancer patient population in a tertiary care hospital in south India. METHODS: The functional assessment of cancer therapy for head and neck cancer (FACT-H&N) was translated into the local language (Malayalam) and tested for reliability in 140 patients of head and neck cancer. RESULTS: The translated tool showed substantial psychometric sensitivity. The Cronbach's alpha for the total FACT-H&N was 0.94. The alpha scores for the five subscales ranged from 0.81-0.92. Significant correlations were observed amongst the total QOL and subscale scores and patient's demographic, disease and treatment variables. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: The Malayalam translation of the FACT-H&N questionnaire was developed, tested and validated. It was found to satisfactorily measure QOL in head and neck cancer patients.

Squamous cell carcinoma in untreated psoriasis: a case report.

Skin cancer developing after treatment for psoriasis is seen more often than expected, however, there has been no report of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma developing in a case of untreated psoriasis. Here, a case has been reported where an untreated psoriasis lesion progressed on to develop squamous cell carcinoma, with a brief review of literature.