Snakebite and its management in rural West Bengal: The unspoken truth

Background: Snakebite is a common medical emergency in tropical India where agriculture is a major source of earning livelihood. Snakebite has a significant impact on human health and economy. The situation worsens when the majority of snakebite victims adopt harmful practices such as application of tourniquets due to prevalent myths and misconceptions. Objectives: The objective of the study was to study the socio-demographic profile of the study population, to estimate the prevalence of snakebite in the study area, and to assess the knowledge and treatment seeking behavior of the study population regarding snakebite and its management. Materials and Methods: A total of 135 households of Muchisa village of West Bengal were selected by consecutive sampling and one adult member of the household was interviewed with a pre-designed schedule. Results: Majority of the study population were in the age group of 30–60 years (69.5%), females (52.6%), and Hindu (74.8%). Nearly 59.1% (100) of the population were educated up to primary level. Nearly 15.56% of the study population in our study gave a history of snakebite. Nearly 81.1% of study population correctly differentiated between poisonous and nonpoisonous snakebites based on signs and symptoms of the victim. When asked about why snakebite, the villagers said that snakebite when they were touched (57.04%) or hit (33.33%). About 57.78% of the population believed that snakebite can be managed by traditional faith healers (Ojha). The majority preferred tying a tourniquet/similar material above the bite mark. Conclusion: It is essential to communicate about the appropriate management of a snakebite victim to the communities at risk of snakebite.

Learning style and attitude toward computer among Iranian Medical Students

Background and purpose: Presently, the method of medical teaching has shifted from lecture-based to computer-based. The learning style may play a key role in the attitude toward learning computer. The goal of this study was to study the relationship between the learning style and attitude toward computer among Iranian medical students

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 400 medical students. Barsch learning style inventory and a questionnaire on the attitude toward computer was sent to each student. The enthusiasm, anxiety, and overall attitude toward computer were compared among the different learning styles

Results: The response rate to the questionnaire was 91.8%. The distribution of learning styles in the students was 181 [49.3%] visual, 106 [28.9%] auditory, 27 [7.4%] tactual, and 53 [14.4%] overall. Visual learners were less anxious for computer use and showed more positive attitude toward computer. Sex, age, and academic grade were not associated with students' attitude toward computer

Conclusions: The learning style is an important factor in the students' attitude toward computer among medical students, which should be considered in planning computer-based learning programs

[Molecular detection of extended spectrum beta-lactamase [ESBL] genes blaCTX-M, blaTEM and blaSHV in Escherichia coli isolated from water buffalo [Bubalus bubalis] feces in West Azerbaijan province, Iran]

Beta-lactamase enzymes are considered the most important factor of resistance against beta-lactam antibiotics among gram-negative bacteria. In recent years, the production of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases has been prevailed among bacteria, especially bacteria of animal origin, and this is important in terms of public health. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the presence of extended-spectrum beta- lactamase [ESBL]-genes blaCTX-M, blaTEMand blaSHVin E. coli isolates recovered from fecal samples of apparently healthy water buffaloes [Bubalus bubalis] using polymerase chain reaction. In this study, 105 isolates of E. coli, which were obtained from 135 fecal samples of water buffaloes from different areas of West Azerbaijan province [33 isolates from Urmia, 33 isolates from Khoy, 24 isolates from Piranshahr and 15 isolates from Miandoab], were identified using biochemical characteristics as well as 23S rRNA gene amplification. Then, the presence of CTX-M, TEM, and SHVgroups of ESBLgenes were evaluated among the studied E. coli isolates by the PCR method. In the studied isolates, 47 out of 105 E. coli isolates [44.8%] contained blaCTX-M gene and 37 isolates [35.2%] harbored blaTEM gene. Also, 17 isolates [16.2%] contained both blaCTX-M and blaTEM genes simultaneously. According to the results, blaSHV gene was not detected among the studied isolates. Also, no significant difference was seen in distribution of ESBL genes among the studied regions. The results of this study indicate that water Buffalo gastrointestinal E. coli is reservoir for ESBLs, especially CTX-M and TEM types, and this should be considered in terms of public health and the transfer of resistance genes to pathogenic bacteria

Evaluating the extent of pregravid risk factors of gestational diabetes mellitus in women in Tehran

Gestational diabetes mellitus [GDM] is associated with maternal and fetal complications. Specific outcomes in previous pregnancies are considered as risk factors for GDM in the consecutive pregnancies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the pregravid risk factors of GDM in multigravid women. We conducted a retrospective cross sectional study on 114 multigravid women with GDM without previous history of diabetes and compared them with non-diabetic controls. We used modified criteria of Carpenter and Coustan for screening. Risk factors were obtained from medical records of individuals. We found that women of 26 years and older who had previous neonates with birth weight more than 3800 gram and those affected with hypothyroidism or chronic hypertension were at risk for GDM. The difference of the number of preterm birth in GDM women and healthy controls was statistically significant [p=0.05]. There was no significant difference between the numbers of pregnancies, parity, previous fetal and neonatal death and abortion number between patients and the control group. Our results show that maternal age over 26 years, birth weight of previous neonate more than 3800 g, hypothyroidism, chronic hypertension and probably history of preterm birth are significant risk factors for GDM

[Effect of age, gender, years of practice, specialty and number of amalgam restorations on mercury concentration in nails of dentists practicing in Tehran]

Dental professionals are at risk of being exposed to inorganic mercury, through handling amalgam. The purpose of the present investigation was to evaluate the effect of age, sex, years of practice, specialty and number of amalgam fillings on the concentration of mercury in nails of dentists practicing in Tehran. This analytic-descriptive study, conducted between May 2005 and May 2006, involved a randomly selected sample of 100 dentists and 35 controls in Tehran. All participants were asked to provide a nail sample and complete a questionnaire. Mercury was measured by the LECO AMA 254 Advanced Mercury Analyzer [USA] according to ASTM, standard No. D-6722. The LECO AMA254 is a unique Atomic Absorption Spectrometer [AAS] that is specifically designed to determine total mercury contents in various solids and certain liquids without sample pre-treatment or sample pre-concentration. Statistical analysis was performed using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U-tests. Mercury content in nails differed significantly among operative dentists: 0.14-27.27 mg/kg; orthodontists: 0.15-14.53 mg/kg; and controls: 0-1.7 mg/kg [p=0.000]. Age had a significant effect on mercury concentrations [p=0.01]. However, gender [p=0.93], years of practice [p=0.49], number of amalgam fillings [p=0.58] and the studied specialties [p=0.07] did not significantly affect mercury levels. Mercury levels were significantly higher in dentists and correlated with age. High mercury concentrations in some dentists appeared to be related to background exposure from the preparation of amalgam, amalgam residues and spillage of mercury

Synthesis and fungicidal activity of some new imidazoles from 2-[chloromethyl]-1H-benzimidazole

A series of substituted 2-thiomethylbenzimidazoles 2-4, 2-phenoxy-methylbenzimidazoles 5 and 2-aminomethylbenzimidazoles 6 and 7 were synthesized by reactions of 2-chloromethylbenzimidazole 1 with dithiocarbamate, pyrirnidine-2-thiols, phenol derivatives as well as primay aromatic and heterocyclic amines, respectively. Most of the synthesized compounds were screened for their antifungal activity against Botrytis sinerea, Fusarium, solani and Rhizocionia solani fungi. Some of the tested compounds showed 100% inhibition for the fungal growth at concentration ranges from 200-1000 ppm

[Evaluation of two surveillance methods for surgical site infection]

Surgical wound infection surveillance is an important facet of hospital infection control processes. There are several surveillance methods for surgical site infections. The objective of this study is to evaluate the accuracy of two different surgical site infection surveillance methods. In this prospective cross sectional study 3020 undergoing surgey in general surgical wards of Imam Khomeini hospital were included. Surveillance methods consisted of review of medical records for postoperative fever and review of nursing daily note for prescription of antibiotics postoperatively and during patient's discharge. Review of patient's history and daily records and interview with patient's surgeon and the head-nurse of the ward considered as a gold standard for surveillance. The postoperative antibiotic consumption especially when considering its duration is a proper method for surgical wound infection surveillance. Accomplishments of a prospective study with postdischarge follow up until 30 days after surgery is recommended. The result of this study showed that postoperative antibiotic surveillance method specially with consideration of the antibiotic usage duration is a proper method for surgical site infection surveillance in general surgery wards. Accomplishments of a prospective study with post discharge follow up until 30 days after surgery is recommended

Improving purification of coagulation F IX using heparin affinity chromatography and its comparison with ion exchange chromatography

Hemophilia B is a genetic disorder due to deficiency or complete absence of factor IX coagulation factor. Treatment of choice for these patients is use of factor IX concentrates. Therefore, purification of plasma proteins and separation of factor IX have been major objectives for scientists involved in this field. In this respect, purification procedure using ion exchange chromatography is widely used, but in the past decade affinity chromatography was also introduced. The objective of the present study has been to apply both techniques for the purification of factor IX and compare the quality and yield of the product. For the purification procedure, chromatography columns [XK-16], containing DEAE sepharose and Heparin sepharose were used. Factor IX coagulation activity was measured using a one-stage coagulation assay and factor IX antigen was quantified using ELISA technique. The specific activity and relative increase in purity of factor IX was calculated and it was demonstrated that specific activity improved from 3.1 IU/mg using DEAE ion exchange to 29 IU/mg when affinity chromatography was added and purity was increased from 155 to 1450 respectively. The present study demonstrates that addition of an affinity chromatography step using heparin sepharose is a major improvement in the purification of factor IX, where both specific activity and purity are increased considerably

relationship of IL-6 and TNF alpha in serum and gingival cervicular fluid of Egyptian pregnant women with periodontitis to preterm labor

Recent studies have suggested that periodontal disease is a risk factor for preterm labor [PL]. Our objective was to determine if maternal periodontitis could be a risk factor for PL through assessing and correlating the levels of IL-6 and TNF alpha in both serum and gingival crevicular fluid [GCF] from pregnant women in between [20-31] weeks of gestation with and without periodontitis and also to determine if periodontal treatment may have an effect on the level of IL-6 and TNF in GCF and serum to reduce the risk of PL.200 pregnant women with periodontal disease aged 25-35 were enrolled while receiving prenatal care in Antenatal Clinic of Maternal and Child Care of Tanta Hospitals. Women were assigned to control group [n= 40] which are free from any periodontal disease. Study grqup [n= 160] with attachment >6mm, this group included group A [treated group] [n=80] which received periodontal treatment [phase I therapy]. Group B [untreated group] [n=80] which did not receive any periodontal treatment. The level of IL-6 and TNF alpha in both local [GCF] and systemic [serum] was determined by ELISA. Of the 200 women enrolled, 134 were excluded from the analysis for different reasons. The incidence of PL in the treated group was 30% [6/15] but in the untreated group was 80% [18/23], and in the control group was 0%. Multivariate analysis showed that the effect of time changes was strong for plaque index [PI] by IL-6 and lastly GI [1, 0.759, and 0.604] respectively. Periodontal disease appears to be an independent risk factor for PL. Periodontal therapy significantly reduces the level of IL-6, TNF alpha in both GCF and serum which in turn reduce the rate of PL in this population of women with periodontal disease

Study of some cardiovascular changes during oral endotracheal intubation using two methods of induction

The possible changes in arterial blood pressure, heart rate and rhythm during oral endotracheal intubation using two different methods of induction were studied in 40 patients. Patients were divided into two groups. The first group included 20 patients who were induced by thiopentone sodium and gallamine triethiodide. The second group was induced by halothane. Each group was subdivided into two groups, the first of which was premedicated with atropine while the second was not. It was found that laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation were accompanied by the occurrence of cardio-vascular responses in the form of tachycardia, hypertension and dysarrhythmias. Milder changes in heart rate, blood pressure and cardiac rhythm were seen after halothane induction. Atropine premedication augments these changes. It was recommended to with hold atropine premedication except when really indicated