Work Stress and General Well-Being among Faculty Members of Selected Nursing Colleges in Kozhikode during Covid-19 Pandemic

A study was conducted to assess the correlation between work stress and general well-being among faculty members of selected nursing colleges at Kozhikode (Kerala) during Covid-19 pandemic. Quantitative approach with descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. One hundred samples were selected using non-probability convenience sampling. Tools used in the study were questionnaire to assess socio-personal data, the standardised HSE Management Standards Indicator Tool to assess work stress and the standardised General Well-Being Survey. Data collected were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Knowledge Regarding Causes and Ill Effects of Household Air Pollution Among Residents of a Selected Community in Kozhikode (Kerala)

The present study was conducted to assess the knowledge regarding causes and ill effects of household air pollution among residents of selected community in Kozhikode (Kerala). The research design adopted was non-experimental descriptive survey type. The sample was selected using non-probability convenience sampling technique. The data were collected using semi structured questionnaire to assess the knowledge regarding causes and ill effects of household air pollution among residents. The data was tabulated and analysed by descriptive and inferential statistics. The study revealed that majority of the samples (50%) had average knowledge regarding causes and ill effects of household air pollution and 31.7 percent had good knowledge, spiratory illness due to household air pollution.

Influence of Weather Parameters on Foliar Diseases of Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) in Coastal Ecosystem of West Bengal, India

Sesame is one of the most important oilseed crops in India due to mainly its high quality seed oil and antioxidant properties. Occurrence of foliar diseases, like Alternaria leaf spot and Cercospora leaf spot has become a major constraint in recent years for successful and profitable cultivation of sesame. Field experiments were conducted with sesame var. savitri in a factorial randomized block design with three different dates of sowing with 15 days interval and two different plant protection situations (Protected i.e., treated with disease control protocols and unprotected i.e., control), replicated four times, during two consecutive summer seasons of 2018 and 2019 at Agricultural Experimental Farm, Institute of Agricultural Science, University of Calcutta, Baruipur, South 24 Parganas. The diseases incidence was estimated and correlated with the weather parameters. The average of weather parameters viz., maximum temperature, minimum temperature, relative humidity (morning), relative humidity (evening) and rainfall prior to seven days of disease appearance were considered for study the correlation between the weather factors and the disease. In 2018, disease incidences of the plants shown at third date of sowing (26th April, 2018) in both the protected and unprotected plots had significant (P=.05) but negative correlation with maximum temperature. For plants sown at first date of sowing (27th March, 2018) in 2018 had disease incidences significantly (P=.05) and positively correlated with minimum temperature. However, in 2019, except for the relation between disease incidences in the unprotected plots and maximum temperature, all other disease-temperature correlations were non-significant. Disease incidences were positively and significantly correlated with relative humidity (both morning and evening) in all dates of sowing irrespective of experimental years, except with morning relative humidity at first date of sowing in first year. Total rainfall was positively and significantly correlated with disease incidences at all dates of sowing in 2018; however, such relation was non-significant in 2019.

Dyslipidemia and its predictors among adult population: A community‑based study

Background: Dyslipidemia is a key independent modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and one of the main causes of the disease burden in developed and developing countries. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to elicit the proportion of dyslipidemia and its risk factors among the adult population of North 24 Parganas, West Bengal. Materials and Methods: This community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 360 adults during August–October 2017 in Habra, an urban area of West Bengal, India. Sociodemographic data were obtained from structured questionnaire, followed by anthropometric measurement, fasting glucose, and lipid profile estimation. Assessment of dyslipidemia was determined according to the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel (III) guidelines. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were performed to analyze the data using SPSS 16 version. Results: The mean (standard deviation) age of the participants was 43.1 (±12.4) years. About 37.5% were found to have dyslipidemia. Variables which continued to remain significant in the multivariable analysis were less physical activity (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.75 [1.41, 5.39]), ever user of tobacco (AOR = 2.36 [1.12, 4.97]), hypertension (AOR = 2.52 [1.11, 5.71]), abnormal waist-hip ratio (AOR = 43.85 [21.62, 88.92]), and diabetes (AOR = 2.51[1.20, 6.69]) when adjusted for other variables in the multivariable analysis. Conclusion: Dyslipidemia is a known risk factor for CVD. Therefore, all steps must be taken for control and prevention of this disorder.

Spinal Cord Ischemia Secondary to Hypovolemic Shock

A 44-year-old male presented with symptoms of spinal cord compression secondary to metastatic prostate cancer. An urgent decompression at the cervical-thoracic region was performed, and there were no complications intraoperatively. Three hours postoperatively, the patient developed acute bilateral lower-limb paralysis (motor grade 0). Clinically, he was in class 3 hypovolemic shock. An urgent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed, showing no epidural hematoma. He was managed aggressively with medical therapy to improve his spinal cord perfusion. The patient improved significantly, and after one week, he was able to regain most of his motor functions. Although not commonly reported, spinal cord ischemia post-surgery should be recognized early, especially in the presence of hypovolemic shock. MRI should be performed to exclude other potential causes of compression. Spinal cord ischemia needs to be managed aggressively with medical treatment to improve spinal cord perfusion. The prognosis depends on the severity of deficits, and is usually favorable.

Cesarean section for suspected fetal distress, continuous fetal heart monitoring and decision to delivery time.

OBJECTIVE: To find out the efficacy of continuous fetal heart monitoring by analyzing the cases of cesarean section for nonreassuring fetal heart in labor, detected by cardiotocography (CTG) and correlating these cases with perinatal outcome. To evaluate whether a 30 minute decision to delivery (D-D) interval for emergency cesarean section influences perinatal outcome. METHODS: This was a prospective observational study of 217 patients who underwent cesarean section at > or = 36 weeks for non-reassuring fetal heart in labor detected by CTG. The maternal demographic profile, specific types of abnormal fetal heart rate tracing and the decision to delivery time interval were noted. The adverse immediate neonatal outcomes in terms of Apgar score <7 at 5 minutes, umbilical cord thornH <7.10, neonates requiring immediate ventilation and NICU admissions were recorded. The correlation between non-reassuring fetal heart, decision to delivery interval and neonatal outcome were analyzed. RESULTS: Out of 3148 patients delivered at > or = 36 weeks, 217 (6.8%) patients underwent cesarean section during labor primarily for non-reassuring fetal heart. The most common fetal heart abnormality was persistent bradycardia in 106 (48.8%) cases followed by late deceleration in 38 (17.5%) cases and decreased beat to beat variability in 17 (7.8%) cases. In 33 (15.2%) babies the 5 minutes Apgar score was <7 out of which 13 (5.9%) babies had cord thornH <7.10. Thirty three (15.2%) babies required NICU admission for suspected birth asphyxia. Rest 184 (84.7%) neonates were born healthy and cared for by mother. Regarding decision to delivery interval of < or =30 minutes versus >30 minutes, there was no significant difference in the incidence of Apgar score <7 at 5 minutes, cord pH <7.10 and new born babies requiring immediate ventilation. But the need for admission to NICU in the group of D-D interval < or = 30 minutes was significantly higher compared to the other group where D-D interval was >30 minutes. CONCLUSION: Non-reassuring fetal heart rate detected by CTG did not correlate well with adverse neonatal outcome. There was no significant difference in immediate adverse neonatal outcome whether the D-D time interval was < or = 30 minutes or >30 minutes; contrary to this, NICU admission for suspected birth asphyxia in </= 30 minutes group was significantly higher.

Study of parental handling patterns in a primary school of Kolkata.

The intricate pattern of parenting in our socio-cultural context needs evaluation hence this study was done with the objective to reveal the parenting styles of school going children. 141 school children belonging to the age group 6-10 years were included in the study. The Parental Handling Questionnaire a 14-item scale consisting of 10 items of care and 4-items of control was administered to the mothers accompanying the children. Rating was done on a 3-point. The scale showed moderate internal consistency. 5 independent factors with overlapping items of care and control were deduced on factor analysis indicating multidimensional aspects of parenting in our society.

Heart failure and acquired immune deficiency syndrome: report of 2 cases.

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients usually present with prolonged fever, chronic diarrhoea, weight loss and other opportunistic infections. Congestive heart failure is not a usual presentation of AIDS. Here two cases, one a female of 38 years and another a male of 22 years presented with fever and breathlessness. On examination they were found to have features of congestive heart failure. Echocardiography revealed dilated cardiomyopathy. Laboratory investigations suggested human immunodeficiency virus was reactive in both cases with immune deficiencies of different degrees. The first patient expired during hospital stay, but the second one is progressing well with antiretroviral therapy.

Maternal antenatal profile and immediate neonatal outcome in VLBW and ELBW babies.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the antenatal profile of the mother and the immediate neonatal morbidity and mortality till discharge. METHODS: The study was a retrospective analysis of 92 patients of preterm labour who delivered babies weighing RESULTS: A total of 92 mothers in preterm labour at 26 to 34 weeks were admitted and subsequently delivered 70 VLBW babies (< 1500 gms) and 36 ELBW babies (< 1000 gms) including 8 pairs of twins and 3 triplets pregnancies. Majority of the patients (93.4%) were booked. Amongst the various high risk factors for preterm labour, anaemia during pregnancy (32.6%), bacterial vaginosis (26%), gestational hypertension (18.4%) and pervious history of preterm labour (18.4%) were common associations. Calcium channel blocker (Depin) tocolysis was effective in postponing labour from 48 hours to more than 2 weeks. The cesarean section rate was very high (67.3%) in our study. The commoner neonatal complications in both VLBW and ELBW babies were RDS, neonatal jaundice and sepsis. Features of IUGR were seen in both the groups (22.8% in VLBW and 22.2% in ELBW babies). The neonatal mortality rate till discharge was 15.7% in VLBW group and 33.3% in ELBW group. The morality rate was highest in 26 to 30 weeks gestation babies and in babies weighing < 800 gms. CONCLUSION: Antenatal profile of preterm labour in our series showed a number of high risk factors. The identification of common high risk factors is important for appropriate prenatal care. A better neonatal survival rate was possible due to timely intervention, appropriate management and NICU care facility available in our tertiary care centre.

Philadelphia chromosome positive essential thrombocythemia with dilated cardiomyopathy.

We report here an unusual case of a 30-year old male patient with essential thrombocythemia (ET) and dilated cardiomyopathy, who on further investigation was found to have Philadelphia chromosome positive (Ph+) cells in the bone marrow. The reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test on his peripheral blood leucocytes revealed b2a2 transcript of the bcr-abl fusion gene. Literature shows that the boundary line between Ph+ essential thrombocythemia and chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is getting blurred day by day. Each one may be a part of the spectrum of a single clonal proliferative disease. Association of dilated cardiomyopathy with ET has not been reported.

Diploid partial mole with neonatal survival--a case report.

Partial mole is a gestational neoplastic disorder with a reported incidence of 0.005 - 0.01% of all pregnancies. The karyotype in such cases is usually triploid, baring a few exceptions. The diploid partial mole is an extremely rare entity with only few cases being documented in literature. The fetal outcome in such cases is usually poor. We describe a case of partial mole, which terminated at 28 weeks with a live diploid male fetus with good neonatal outcome. Follow-up showed no progression to malignant gestational trophoblastic disease.

Testing of newly developed glycophospholipid antigen for the detection of P. falciparum malaria by laser light immunoassay in endemic and non-endemic areas.

A glycophospholipid (GPL) antigen isolated from Plasmodium falciparum culture supernatant has been tested for its antigenicity. Detection of malaria positive known blood samples and unknown field samples from endemic and non-endemic areas were compared. In this study laser light scattering immunoassay (LIA) was used for the detection of P. falciparum malaria. Test results of control (malaria negative samples from Surat) were compared with known positive samples and unknown malaria positive field samples. A positive correlation has been observed (97%) in falciparum positive samples from laboratory and unknown samples from endemic area (Haldwani) by LIA method using GPL antigen. From the results of the study it was found that GPL antigen has a better antigenic property and can detect almost all the cases of Pf malaria by LIA method.

Prenatal diagnosis of chromosomal abnormalities in women with high risk pregnancies.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Prenatal diagnosis helps in averting the birth of infants with chromosomal abnormalities. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) has been introduced as a potentially powerful tool in clinical cytogenetics. Several studies have reported successful prenatal diagnosis of chromosomal abnormalities in high risk pregnancies using FISH, however there are no reported studies from an Indian set up. Prenatal diagnosis for the detection of chromosomal abnormalities was carried out by conventional cytogenetics in the present study in the foetuses of high risk pregnancies in women attending a tertiary care facility in north India. These cases were further analyzed using FISH, to test the efficiency and utility of this technique for prenatal detection of common aneuploidies. METHODS: A total of 82 women with high risk pregnancies (81 singleton, 1 twin) were included in the study. Prenatal diagnosis was performed in these women using conventional chromosomal analysis (CCA) and interphase or metaphase FISH on chorionic villus or amniotic fluid or cord blood samples. RESULTS: Chromosomal analysis was successful in 80 instances and uninformative in 2. Abnormal karyotypes were detected in five (6.09%) of these women. FISH was successful in all the subjects and the results were in conformity to the cytogenetic results. In the 2 women where cytogenetic analysis was uninformative, results were given on the basis of interphase FISH. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: The study clearly demonstrates that prenatal diagnosis is useful in the detection of chromosomal abnormalities in foetuses of women with high risk pregnancies. FISH is a powerful sensitive molecular cytogenetic technique, through which specific chromosomal abnormalities can be diagnosed/identified rapidly and accurately and may be used as an adjunct to conventional cytogenetic analysis.

An alternative approach for screening active bam HI variants: overexpression in T-7 RNA polymerase based system.

The type II restriction endonuclease, Bam HI, has been overexpressed in E. coli by cloning the Bam HI gene in frame with an E. coli Ribosome Binding Site (RBS) under the T7 promoter of an E. coli expression vector pRSET A. The expression level of Bam HI endonuclease using this construct was found to be higher than that reported of the overexpressing clone pAEK14. Our overexpressing clone, pAABRw in BL21 cells in presence of Bam HI methylase in pMAP6 following induction with IPTG yields about 9.2 x 10(6) units per gram wet cell paste. In vivo activity of the recombinant endonuclease could be confirmed by the SOS induction assay in JH139 cells even in the absence of T7 polymerase and cognate Bam HI methylase because of leaky expression in E. coli. This provides an alternate way to screen the active endonuclease and its variants.

Factors determining the occurrence of unwanted pregnancies.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to identify the factors involved in the occurrence of unwanted pregnancy in women seeking medical termination of pregnancy, and to describe their contraceptive practices. METHODS: A descriptive interview-based study of 402 women seeking abortion was done. Information was gathered regarding demographic variables, contraceptive practices and reasons for the unwanted pregnancy. RESULTS: All the women in our sample were married and multiparous. The husband's unwillingness for contraception and the improper use of condoms was responsible for one-third of all unwanted pregnancies. Lactation was believed to be a protection against pregnancy by 11.3% of women while 6.3% were unaware of any contraceptive method. CONCLUSION: We believe that focusing on these areas in public health programmes will help to decrease the number of unwanted pregnancies.

Evaluation of glutathione and ascorbic acid as suppressors of drug-induced lipid peroxidation.

In different sets of experiment lipid peroxidation induction capacity of two drugs, viz., ceftizoxime sodium, a third generation cephalosporin antibiotic, and acyclovir, an antiviral agent, was studied using goat whole blood as the lipid source. Ceftizoxime sodium caused significant extent of lipid peroxidation. Lipid peroxidation being a toxicity mediating process, such observation may be related to the toxic potential of the drug. Insignificant induction of lipid peroxidation was found in case of acyclovir and this is in good agreement with the safety record of the drug. Glutathione and ascorbic acid could significantly reduce ceftizoxime sodium induced lipid peroxidation, suggesting that free radical scavenging action of antioxidants may be exploited by possible antioxidant co-therapy to reduce iatrogenicity of the drug in persons with impaired endogenous antioxidant defence. Glutathione and ascorbic acid appear to be promising candidates for further investigation in this regard.

Detection of Theileria annulata carrier cattle by PCR.

A simple method for treating bovine blood samples for direct detection of T. annulata in carriers, after polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene is described. The threshold of detection of the PCR-assay was an erythrocytic parasitaemia of 0.00008% corresponding to 16 infected bovine erythrocytes. In 50 known carriers, 42 were positive in PCR, in which 8 cattle revealed presence of T. annulata in stained blood smear under microscope.

Assessment of the need for a training course in rational use of drugs: a cross-sectional pilot study.

Rational use of drugs means need-based use of them keeping in mind the pathological status, therapeutic indices, drugs interactions and adverse drug reactions. Lacunae in the existing undergraduate curriculum cause irrational use of drugs. The present study was undertaken among 2,200 fresh medical graduates from all over the country with a list of questionnaire distributed among them and analysing the answers. The aim was to ascertain the adequacy of present undergraduate curriculum on pharmacology in equipping the doctors on rational use of drugs and to assess the need and feasibility of Refresher's course. More than half (55%) replied prescriptions were not truly rational. Ninety-eight per cent opened Refresher's course is beneficial in rational prescribing. This cross-sectional survey could provide a glimpse of existing undergraduate pharmacology curriculum and its impact on rational prescribing practice. The Refresher's course in the early internship period involving the clinical departments and department of pharmacology is suggested.

Prenatal diagnosis and assessment of fetal malformations by ultrasonography in India.

A multicentre study to assess the status of prenatal diagnosis of fetal malformation in India was conducted. Questionnaires were sent to the teaching hospitals and to centres in the private sector involved with ultrasonography in all the four zones. Data were obtained from 13 centres. Basic level I scans were performed on all pregnant women in 64% centres, whereas level II or targeted scans were performed as routine in 42% centres. Obstetricians performed level II scans in only 35% of cases while rest were performed by radiologists. Malformations of the central nervous system were commonest, accounting for 35-69% of all malformations, followed by genitourinary and gastrointestinal malformations. Malformations of the cardiovascular system were detected in 9.3% as abnormal four chamber view and outlet tract abnormalities, subsequently confirmed on fetal echocardiography. Invasive prenatal diagnosis by fetal blood sampling, chorion villus sampling and amniocentesis for chromosomal analysis of malformed fetuses was performed at 40% centres. At the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, approximately 11,042 ultrasound scans were performed by obstetricians as routine in all pregnant women. A total of 543 malformations were detected accounting for a 4.9% incidence of structural anomalies. A total of 98 cardiovascular malformations were detected in high and low risk pregnant women on fetal echocardiography. No database or registry exists in India to give an actual insight into the problem of congenital malformation and their prenatal diagnosis. It is important to train obstetricians in level I and II ultrasonography, to recognise centres and institutions at national and regional level, and to integrate a network of diagnostic testing. Close liaison between geneticists, radiologists, pediatric surgeons, pediatricians and obstetricians is a must for prenatal diagnosis and management of fetal malformations.

Risk behaviour in an urban and a rural male adolescent population.

BACKGROUND: There is an increasing trend of risk behaviour in adolescents worldwide but very little literature is available in India on this important subject. We surveyed an urban male adolescent population and a comparable rural population to determine the difference in their risk behaviour. METHODS: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted among 199 and 152 male adolescents from an urban village of south Delhi and a rural village in Uttar Pradesh. A pretested semi-structured interview schedule with 36 items was applied on all subjects by trained interviewers. RESULTS: Consuming alcohol, smoking, pre-marital sexual intercourse and consuming bhang (cannabis) were present in 32.2%, 25.1%, 12.5% and 11.5% of the urban village adolescents and in 1.3%, 48.7%, 11.2%, and 16.5% of those residing in the rural village, respectively. About 66.8% of urban and 51.3% of rural adolescents had indulged in physical fights and 12.5% of urban and 6.6% of rural adolescents were in possession of assault weapons such as iron rods, chains or knives sometime in the 30 days prior to the interview. CONCLUSION: The results of our study indicate that there is a high prevalence of risk behaviour in both urban and rural adolescents. However, except for smoking which was more common amongst rural adolescents all the other risk behaviours were more in those residing in urban areas. The reasons for this need to be ascertained, taking the geographical and socio-cultural factors into account, prior to considering the introduction of behaviour modification programmes.