A Bibliometric Analysis of Literature on Covid-19 And Mental Health

Purpose: The present study analyzed the existing literature related to COVID 19 and Mental Health by using the technique of bibliometric analysis which may serve as guide-map for future researchers and policy makers. Method: Bibliometric analysis is conducted in the present study by using various techniques like cita-tion analysis, co-citation analysis, co-occurrence of keywords, thematic mapping by using visualization of similarities (VOS) viewer open-source software and R-based bibliometrix. Results: The study highlighted the most significant journals, authors, co-cited authors, institutions, key-words co-occurrence, and most cited articles in the area of COVID-19 and Mental Health on the basis of bibliometric analysis of 149 studies taken from the database of Scopus for the past three years (2020–first quarter of 2022). Also, authors identified few relevant themes such as Economic Effects of COVID-19, COVID-19 and its Impact on Healthcare workers, COVID-19 and its Impact on Patients and General Population as important emerging key areas for further research. Conclusion: We have highlighted significant citations, co-citations and keywords co-occurrence to summarize the literature. The present bibliometric study convincingly confirms the effect of COVID 19 pandemic on mental health and provides enough evidence to advocate formulation of strategies to tackle mental health issues.

Application of Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Modeling of Lamotrigine Using PK-Sim in Predicting the Impact of Drug Interactions and Dosage Adjustment

Objectives To build a lamotrigine (LTG) physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model (LTG PBPK) and compare it to the clinical data from South Asian Indian patients and use this model to understand the drug interactions of LTG and explore the optimal doses. Methods and Material The PBPK model was developed using the PK-Sim software platform and qualified with LTG plasma concentration data from an Indian study. The European population database was chosen as the patient setting in the software. Physiochemical data of LTG and enzyme kinetic data were incorporated from the literature. Dosing protocols were as per the previous study. Interaction models for drug interactions with carbamazepine and valproate were also simulated. Results Most of the model predicted concentration-time profiles of LTG at steady-state were well within the observed concentrations. The developed models were suitably qualified. The drug interaction model was used to assess the impact of induction and inhibition of the pharmacokinetic profile of LTG. Conclusions The predicted plasma concentrations of the developed PBPK models using the European population database were very similar to the data from Indian patients. The developed LTG PBPK models are applicable in predicting the impact of drug interactions and can yield appropriate LTG doses to be administered.

First molecular detection of Tritrichomonas foetus in domestic cats in Klang Valley, Malaysia

@#Tritrichomonas foetus is known to cause chronic diarrhea in the feline species in many different regions of the world. However, there is a paucity of information on T. foetus among cats in Malaysia. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of Tritrichomonas foetus in the pet and stray cat population in Klang Valley, Malaysia. A total of 201 pet and stray cats’ fecal samples were collected in Klang Valley. 24 samples were cultured in the InPouch® TF Feline to observe for motile trophozoites. A nested PCR protocol was used to screen for T. foetus in the collected samples. The prevalence of T. foetus in the cat population in Klang Valley was 33%. There was no association between Tritrichomonas infection and age, sex, breed or management of the cats. However, statistical analysis revealed that stray cats were more likely to be infected with T. foetus compared to pet cats. This study confirmed for the first time the presence of T. foetus among the cat population in Klang Valley, Malaysia.

Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in pet and stray cats in Klang Valley, Malaysia

@#Toxoplasma gondii, a zoonotic protozoan that has a worldwide distribution, is known to infect many warm-blooded vertebrates. The feline species including domestic cats are the definitive hosts for Toxoplama gondii and shed the infective oocyst. There is lack of information on the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in cats in Malaysia. The objective of this study was to determine both the seroprevalence of T. gondii and the prevalence of T. gondii DNA in cats’ feces in Klang Valley, Malaysia. 198 blood and 201 fecal samples were collected from pet and stray cats from the local council, Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL) and University Veterinary Hospital, Universiti Putra Malaysia respectively. The overall seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in cats in the Klang Valley was found to be 5.5%. There was a high prevalence (10.5%) of T. gondii DNA detected in the cat fecal samples in both pet and stray cats suggestive of T. gondii oocyst shedding. Stray cats showed a higher seroprevalence and molecular prevalence of T. gondii than the pet cats. However, comparative analysis using Chi-square test showed no significant difference between both groups (P>0.05). Higher prevalence (10.5%) of cats shedding T. gondii DNA as compared to the seroprevalence (5.5%) was found in the cat population in the Klang Valley. The high prevalence of cats shedding T. gondii DNA is alarming as this may directly reflect the number of oocysts excreted into the environment posing a significant public health hazard.

Detection and distribution of anti-leptospiral antibody among dogs and their handlers

@# The incidence of leptospirosis seems to be on the rise and could be an alarming indirect indication of a global re-emergence. It is a potential public health threat when dogs are speculated to be involved in the transmission of leptospirosis through possible subclinical harbouring of Leptospira spp. and subsequent shedding into the environment. This study aimed to detect anti-leptospiral antibodies among dogs and their handlers using the microscopic agglutination test (MAT). Blood samples from 266 apparently healthy dogs and 194 dog handlers were collected at four working dog organisations and four dog shelters. Serum samples were tested using MAT against 20 leptospiral serovars with a cut-off titre >1:100 (dog) and >1:50 (dog handlers). Seventy dogs (70/266; 26.3%) were seropositive mainly against serovars Icterohaemorrhagiae, Ballum, Bataviae and Javanica (titres ranged: 1:100–1:800). Sixty-seven dog handlers (67/194; 34.5%) were seropositive mainly against serovars Grippotyphosa, Icterohaemorrhagiae and Malaysia (titres ranged: 1:50–1:200). Dogs were seropositive due to exposure, vaccination or active infection. Seropositive dog handlers could indicate exposure or active infection. This shows the potential of dogs in maintaining and spreading the infection in Malaysia. Due to the occupational risk as a result of frequent contact with dogs and exposure to contaminated environments, dog handlers should be made aware of the presence of this zoonotic disease.

Changing Modalities in the Management of Lung Cancer after the Invention of Computed Tomography

Introduction: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality in both men and women. The prevalence of lungcancer is second only to that of prostate cancer in men and breast cancer in women. Lung cancer recently surpassed heartdisease as the leading cause of smoking-related mortality. Most lung carcinomas are diagnosed at an advanced stage, conferringa poor prognosis. The need to diagnose lung cancer at an early and potentially curable stage is obvious. In addition, mostpatients who develop lung cancer smoke and have smoking-related damage to the heart and lungs, making aggressive surgicalor multimodality therapies less viable options.Aim: This study aims to access the role of computerized tomography in the surgical management of carcinoma of the lung.Materials and Methods: This is a prospective study from 2014 to 2019, a period of 5 years. Atotal of 22 cases entered in the study.In this study, we compare both pre-operative computed tomography (CT) image and intraoperative findings and level of operability.Results: CT imaging will continue to play a major role in the evaluation of lung cancer. With the advent of non-invasive imagingmodalities like multi-slice/spiral CT scan, the use of invasive screening and staging procedures including bronchography hasbeen pushed to the periphery of staging workup; a total of 35 patients with carcinoma lung were studied. Seven patients werewith carcinoma lung Stage II, one patient with carcinoma Stage III, and 27 were in Stage IV. Seven patients underwent primarysurgical treatment. Other patients were treated appropriately with chemotherapy or radiotherapy or a combination of both.Conclusion: CT is still the cornerstone of imaging studies in the pre-operative staging and post-therapeutic evaluation of lungcancer. Treatment of lung cancer depends on the cancers specific cell type, how far it has spread and the patient’s performancestatus. CT is very useful for this purpose.

A Study on H1N1 Case in Paediatrics Department of GGH/GMC, Guntur

Introduction: Influenza A (H1N1) virus infection was first seen in Mexico and later spread quickly to United States and worldwide as a pandemic including India. During the H1N1 pandemic of 2009-2010, the number of hospital admissions and mortality rates were high in India as well as globally. The goal of this study was to analyse the clinical and epidemiological profile of Influenza A positive cases which were reported in the flu isolation unit in the hospital during the year 2015 and to examine the epidemiological trends of this disease. Material and Methods: This was a hospital based study conducted in Government general hospital,Guntur Medical College which was a officially designated as swine flu nodal centre since 2009. Children with influenza like illness of category B and C were hospitalised and samples sent for confirmation. Results: Males were more frequently affected (61%) than females (39%). Majority of the children affected with swine flu belonged to the under-five age group (84.5%) and 6-15 years children accounted for only 15.5% of the swine flu cases. Fever, cough and cold (100%) were the most common clinical manifestations followed by S.O.B (25.55%), diarrhoea (11.11%), sore throat (3.33%) and convulsions (2.22%). Majority of the patients belonged to category C (55.56%) followed by category B (44.44%). Peak admissions were in the month of February (36.84%). The mortality rate was very low. Conclusion: This study has shown that the prevalence of Influenza A (H1N1) is high in the under-five children. Fever, cough and cold are the most common presenting symptoms. Though the study was mainly from a nodal hospital, the information collected was for only a limited period. A longer time study is required to understand the seasonal variation of the Influenza virus

Hydro-chemistry of groundwater in a North Indian city and its suitability assessment for drinking and irrigation purposes

Aim: The current study aimed to identify the hydro-geological processes that control the groundwater chemistry. Further, groundwater quality was also evaluated for drinking and irrigation purposes. Methodology: Groundwater samples were collected from a semi-arid region of North India i.e., Ellenabad, Sirsa, Haryana. The samples were analyzed following the American Public Health Association standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater. Results: Most of the groundwater samples of study area fall under hard category. The saline nature of groundwater can be attributed to high concentration of total dissolved salts (340±104 mg l-1). Majority of the groundwater samples showed fluoride concentration below the permissible limit of WHO and BIS (1.0 mg l-1). Multivariate analysis including sodium absorption ratio was calculated to assess the water quality for irrigation purpose and it was found appropriate for majority of crops, except for sensitive plant species. Interpretation: Potability assessment of groundwater showed that more than 40% samples were unacceptable for drinking purpose without any prior treatment, hence, it is essential to conduct a routine monitoring of groundwater to determine its aptness for drinking, domestic and agriculture purposes.

Dedifferentiation of oncocytic epithelial–myoepithelial carcinoma to mucoepidermoid carcinoma in parotid gland: A rare case report

Epithelial–myoepithelial carcinomas (EMCs) account for <1% of all salivary gland malignancies. Till now, 23 cases of dedifferentiated EMC have been reported to the best of our knowledge. However, dedifferentiation of oncocytic EMC to mucoepidermoid carcinoma is extremely rare. A 38-year-old female presented with right post aural swelling 4 cm × 2 cm in size for 6 months. Surgical excision was carried out, and we received partly skin-covered tissue 5 cm × 2 cm in size. Sections examined showed features of oncocytic EMC dedifferentiating into mucoepidermoid carcinoma. Myoepithelial component showed oncocytic change which was highlighted by p63.

Postpartum uterine infection & ovarian dysfunction

Postpartum uterine infections such as metritis, endometritis and mastitis have been considered as underlying causes for ovarian dysfunction in mammals. Almost all mammals, particularly dairy animals are susceptible to postpartum uterine infections, resulting in impaired fertility and economic loss. One of the factors for low fertility in females is ovarian dysfunction, which is exhibited as impaired growth and function of ovarian follicles by the postpartum infection. Immune system of mammals provides a host defence mechanism against pathogenic microbes through the recognition of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and forming inflammasomes. Like immune cells, ovarian granulosa cells also exhibit a similar pattern of cytokine gene expressions on exposure to PAMPs. Genome-wide transcriptomic approaches explored the molecular mechanisms underlying the immune function of buffalo granulosa cells during endotoxin exposure. Understanding the molecular mechanism of ovarian dysfunction due to uterine infection would be helpful to implement various strategies to handle the adverse effects of postpartum uterine disease on fertility by developing potential therapeutics. Therefore, this article focuses on key factors that are responsible for postpartum infection and particularly summarizes the molecular mechanism of infection underlying the ovarian dysfunction in dairy animals.

Effectiveness of algorithm based teaching on recognition and management of periarrest bradyarrhythmias among interns randomized control study

Background and Objectives: Anesthesiologists deal with arrhythmias frequently both inside and outside operating room. Knowledge for recognition of arrhythmias is complex and difficult to impart to students despite various teaching methods suggested previously. The available methods though reported to be effective, are apparently complex and tested only on small groups. We designed an algorithm for recognition of bradyarrhythmias and assessed its effectiveness in recognition of correct rhythm among interns of our hospital

Methodology: This randomised control study was conducted after approval from institutional research committee. Study group included seventy medical students of our university, undergoing compulsory rotatory internship at its constituent hospital and agreed to participate in the study. A teaching session on basic cardiac electrophysiology was conducted for both of the groups. This was followed by a pre-test 15 days later. Immediately after the pre-test, the participants were randomised into two groups and exposed to educational material on recognition and management of bradyarrhythmias based on algorithm approach in group A and power point presentation in group B. Assessment was conducted once immediately following the class and then on day 60. Ability to recognize correct rhythm and time taken to do so along with time taken to verbalize correct treatment was recorded

Results: On day 0 there was no significant difference between the two groups with respect to number of participants who could recognize correct rhythm [p = 0.314]. Mean time taken to recognize correct rhythm was also comparable between the two groups. On day 60, significantly greater number of participants in algorithm group could identify correct rhythm as compared to those in power point based group [n= 22 versus 10; p = 0.007]. Time taken in both groups was comparable on day 0 as well as day 60. Time taken to verbalise correct treatment was also comparable in both groups on both occasions

Conclusion: Algorithm-based approach is more effectively retained as compared to power point based teaching?

Clinical use of misoprostol for cervical ripening before transcervical procedures in non pregnant women: a randomized comparison of vaginal and sublingual administrations.

Background: Endometrial sampling techniques like endometrial biopsy, Fractional curettage, Dilatation & curettage and hysteroscopy are the common gynaecological outpatient transcervical diagnostic procedures for various clinical conditions. Complications encountered during these procedures are often due to difficulties in cervical dilatation. The incidence of these complications can be reduced if cervix is ripened before the procedures. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of 400mcg of misoprostol administered vaginally or sublingually for cervical ripening before transcervical gynaecological diagnostic procedures in both pre and post-menopausal women. Methods: Non pregnant pre and post-menopausal women scheduled for transcervical diagnostic procedures were assigned by computerized randomization to receive 400 mcg of misoprostol, administered either sublingually or vaginally 3-4 hours prior to the procedure. The primary outcome in this study was the pre procedural cervical width as measured by the largest number of Hegar dilators. The side effects related to misoprostol and complications associated with the procedure if any also noted. Results: Patients were randomized to receive sublingual (50) or vaginal (50) misoprostol. The two groups were comparable in terms of age, BMI (body mass index), parity, menopausal status and indications for diagnostic procedures. The mean cervical dilatation in sublingual group was 7.28 ± 2.21 mm and it was 6.57 ± 2.24 mm in vaginal group which was statistically similar among the groups. There were no complications associated with the procedure. Side effects were also comparable among the groups. Conclusion: Even though we found sublingual route is an effective alternate to vaginal administration of misoprostol for cervical ripening before transcervical diagnostic procedures like endometrial biopsy, fractional curettage and dilatational curettage in non pregnant pre and post-menopausal women especially when women feel uncomfortable with vaginal route. However, the optimal dose and time interval remains to be identified. It needs larger randomized control trials are required to prove clinical significance if any.

Plant Spacing and Weed Management Techniques Influence Weed Competitiveness of Drum Seeded Rice (Oryza sativa L.).

Direct wet seeded-rice sown through drum seeder, a potential wise rice production system in the present-day scenario, is subject to severe weed infestation and, therefore, development of a sustainable weed management strategy is crucial for its wide spread adoption. The present study was conducted in kharif 2012 at department of agronomy division with NLR-33358 (SOMASILA) using six planting densities under five weed management conditions. The plant spacing tried were: 20cm x 7cm, 20 cm x 10.5 cm, 20 cm x 14 cm, 20 cm x 17.5 cm and 20 cm x 24.5cm and 20 cm x15cm. with a plant density of 71, 47, 35, 28, 20 and 33 hills m-2, respectively and five weed management practices viz., weedy check (W1), hand weeding at 20 and 40 DAS (W2), cono weeding at 20 and 40 with modified cono weeder (W3), pre-emergence application of anilofos @ 0.375 kg a.i ha-1 followed by post-emergence application of 2, 4 D sodium salt @ 1.0 kg a.i ha-1 20-25 DAS (W4), pre-emergence application of pendimethalin @1.0 kg a.i ha-1 followed by post-emergence application of bispyribac sodium @ 20 g a.i ha-1 30 DAS ( W5). . The experiment was laid out in strip- plot design with three replications assigning weed management techniques in vertical factor and plant spacing in horizontal factor. Direct wet seeded rice field was infested with 12 and 22 weed species, kharif -2012 season having Echinochloa colona, Leptochloa chinensis, Digitaria aescendens, Cyperus iriaand Eleusine indicaas the predominant weeds. Rice spacing exerted significant influence on both weed pressure and yield performance of crop. With the increase in plant spacing weed dry matter decreased but rice yield increased. In this season, among different plant densities, the highest density of 71 hills m-2(D1) resulted in minimum weed density, weed drymatter, and more number of tillers m-2 and maximum drymatter production at all stages of plant growth. closest spacing resulted in maximum weed suppression, but among various rice plant densities, a medium level population of 47 hills m-2 (D2) significantly increased the paddy yield over all other treatments except D1 treatments with a plant density of 71 hills m-2 .The highest grain yield of 3476 kg ha-1 was observed with a plant density of 47 hills m-2 and it was significantly superior to 71, 35, 28, 20 hills m-2drum seeded and 33 hills m-2 transplant paddies. which ultimately produced the highest rice yield. Weed inflicted relative yield loss was also minimized by the closest spacing. Present findings imply rice spacing mostly determines rice-weed competition, and can play a decisive role to minimize weed pressure. Therefore, closer spacing could be considered as a vital tool in the integrated weed management program for direct wet-seeded rice sown through drum seeder.

Clinical and behavioural profile of a rare variant of klinefelter syndrome-48, XXXY.

Klinefelter’s syndrome is a sex chromosomal aneuploidy caused by an addition of X chromosome in males (47,XXY).Variants of this syndrome with X and Y polygamy are of rare occurrence. Here we describe a rare case of 48, XXXY Klinefelter’s variant from South India with a reported incidence of 1 per 17,000 to 1 per 50,000 male births. The presence of an extra X chromosome/s in these individuals has a great impact on the physical and cognitive functions, which could be attributed to gene dosage effects and genes involved in neurogenic development.

Efficacy and tolerability of trandolapril in mild to moderate hypertension--a double blind comparative clinical trial with enalapril in Indian population.

Several large scale clinical trials have demonstrated that angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors offer cardiovascular and renal protection independent of their effects on systolic BP. Trandolapril is a new angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor approved for the treatment of hypertension. The potential advantages of this drug are long duration of action and better tolerability. The objective of the study was to compare the efficacy and tolerability of trandolapril with that of enalapril in mild to moderate hypertension in Indian population. In this double blind, multicentric, parallel comparative clinical study, 120 patients with mild to moderate hypertension were randomly assigned to receive trandolapril 2 mg or enalapril 5 mg once daily for 8 weeks. The attainment of sitting diastolic blood pressure <90 mmHg at the end of 8th week was considered as primary outcome measure and attainment of diastolic blood pressure <90 mmHg or reduction of at least 10 mmHg diastolic blood pressure compared to baseline at any visit was considered as secondary outcome measures. 98.4% patients treated with trandolapril and 92.6% patients treated with enalapril fulfilled the primary outcome measure. 54, 72 and 62% patients on trandolapril and 52, 61 & 64% patients on enalapril fulfilled secondary outcome measure at the end of 2nd, 4th and 8th week respectively. Also trandolapril was better tolerated than enalapril with no significant abnormality in lab parameters.

Detection of L1 (CAM) mutations in X-linked mental retardation: A study from Andhra Pradesh, India.

BACKGROUND : Mental health is an essential ingredient in the quality of life. Recent studies carried out in countries like Germany, USA, France, England and Belgium have provided evidence for the involvement of L1 (CAM) mutations in various X-linked mental retardation syndromes. L1 CAM is a neural cell adhesion molecule belonging to the superfamily of the immunoglobulins and is critical for proper CNS development in humans. AIM: This study was aimed to screen idiopathic mental retardation cases for L1 CAM mutations. MATERIALS AND METHODS : In this study, we screened 15 cases with mental retardation. Genomic DNA from the patients and control subjects was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction using specific primers. RESULTS : In 2 out of 15 patients, mutation was detected between exon 26 and 27. CONCLUSION : It is worthwhile to screen idiopathic mental retardation cases for L1 CAM mutations to reduce genetic morbidity in the population by offering genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis.

Impact of malathion on the biochemical parameters of gobiid fish, Glossogobius giuris (Ham).

There is a dearth of information regarding the changes in heart muscle metabolites induced by pesticides. In the present study, the gobiid fish, Glossogobius giuris, was exposed to sub lethal concentrations of (0.05, 0.25 and 0.5 ppm) organophosphorus pesticide, malathion for short duration (24 to 96 hr). The cardiac muscles showed maximum depletion of glycogen and cholesterol content during 72 and 96 hr after treatment with 0.5 ppm malathion. Whereas a slight fluctuation of protein and glycogen content was observed in low concentration (0.05 ppm) of malathion. The levels of protein showed a significant decrease at high concentration (0.5 ppm) when treated for longer duration (96 hr). The present study reports metabolic dysfunction in response to malathion toxicity in the fish.

Immunological studies in children with hearing impairment.

An immunological study was carried out on 58 children below 14 years of age with sensorineural hearing loss of unknown aetiology. The observed elevated levels of IgE in 25.86% (n = 15) children and antinuclear antibodies in 10.34% (n = 6) children indicate that auto-immune activity has a role in the causation of hearing impairment.