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Background & objectives: Vaccination and natural infection can both augment the immune responses against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), but how omicron infection has affected the vaccine-induced and hybrid immunity is not well studied in Indian population. The present study was aimed to assess the durability and change in responses of humoral immunity with age, prior natural infection, vaccine type and duration with a minimum gap of six months post-two doses with either ChAdOx1 nCov-19 or BBV152 prior- and post-emergence of the omicron variant. Methods: A total of 1300 participants were included in this observational study between November 2021 and May 2022. Participants had completed at least six months after vaccination (2 doses) with either ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 or an inactivated whole virus vaccine BBV152. They were grouped according to their age (? or ?60 yr) and prior exposure of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Five hundred and sixteen of these participants were followed up after emergence of the Omicron variant. The main outcome was durability and augmentation of the humoral immune response as determined by anti-receptor-binding domain (RBD) immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrations, anti-nucleocapsid antibodies and anti-omicron RBD antibodies. Live virus neutralization assay was conducted for neutralizing antibodies against four variants – ancestral, delta and omicron and omicron sublineage BA.5. Results: Before the omicron surge, serum anti-RBD IgG antibodies were detected in 87 per cent participants after a median gap of eight months from the second vaccine dose, with a median titre of 114 [interquartile range (IQR) 32, 302] BAU/ml. The levels increased to 594 (252, 1230) BAU/ml post- omicron surge (P<0.001) with 97 per cent participants having detectable antibodies, although only 40 had symptomatic infection during the omicron surge irrespective of vaccine type and previous history of infection. Those with prior natural infection and vaccination had higher anti-RBD IgG titre at baseline, which increased further [352 (IQR 131, 869) to 816 (IQR 383, 2001) BAU/ml] (P<0.001). The antibody levels remained elevated after a mean time gap of 10 months, although there was a decline of 41 per cent. The geometric mean titre was 452.54, 172.80, 83.1 and 76.99 against the ancestral, delta, omicron and omicron BA.5 variants in the live virus neutralization assay. Interpretation & conclusions: Anti-RBD IgG antibodies were detected in 85 per cent of participants after a median gap of eight months following the second vaccine dose. Omicron infection probably resulted in a substantial proportion of asymptomatic infection in the first four months in our study population and boosted the vaccine-induced humoral immune response, which declined but still remained durable over 10 months
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Background & objectives: The Government of India has initiated a population based screening (PBS) for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). A health technology assessment agency in India commissioned a study to assess the cost-effectiveness of screening diabetes and hypertension. The present study was undertaken to estimate the cost of PBS for Type II diabetes and hypertension. Second, out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE) for outpatient care and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among diabetes and hypertension patients were estimated. Methods: Economic cost of PBS of diabetes and hypertension was assessed using micro-costing methodology from a health system perspective in two States. A total of 165 outpatients with diabetes, 300 with hypertension and 497 with both were recruited to collect data on OOPE and HRQoL. Results: On coverage of 50 per cent, the PBS of diabetes and hypertension incurred a cost of ? 45.2 per person screened. The mean OOPE on outpatient consultation for a patient with diabetes, hypertension and both diabetes and hypertension was ? 4381 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3786-4976), ? 1427 (95% CI: 1278-1576) and ? 3932 (95% CI: 3614-4250), respectively. Catastrophic health expenditure was incurred by 20, 1.3 and 14.8 per cent of patients with diabetes, hypertension and both diabetes and hypertension, respectively. The mean HRQoL score of patients with diabetes, hypertension and both was 0.76 (95% CI: 0.72-0.8), 0.89 (95% CI: 0.87-0.91) and 0.68 (95% CI: 0.66-0.7), respectively. Interpretations & conclusions: The findings of our study are useful for assessing cost-effectiveness of screening strategies for diabetes and hypertension.
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Objectives To determine the average serum periostin level in children with asthma between 6 and 16 y of age, and to fnd out if the levels correlated with markers of eosinophilic infammation, asthma control, and severity. Methods Children under follow-up at a tertiary care centre were enrolled. Children with conditions causing elevated serum periostin other than asthma, or history of systemic steroid use in the past 6 mo were excluded. Serum total IgE and periostin were estimated by ELISA. Results The median (IQR) serum periostin level was 52.6 (45.4, 58.3) ng/mL. Levels did not vary with age, gender, duration of symptoms, positive family history, or history of exacerbations in the last 6 mo. There was no signifcant correlation with anthropometric parameters or their z scores, or markers of eosinophilic infammation in blood including serum total IgE, eosinophil percentage or absolute eosinophil count. There was no diference in median periostin levels of children with diferent asthma symptom control or asthma severity. Conclusions In a group of 26 Indian children with physician-diagnosed asthma, serum periostin showed no signifcant correlation to markers of eosinophilic infammation.
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Green infrastructure and urban development go hand in hand. A network of natural and semi-natural areas, such as parks, green roofs, urban forests, and green walls, is referred to as "green infrastructure" and offers numerous environmental, social, and economic advantages. Green infrastructure may improve biodiversity, lessen the effects of urban heat islands, reduce air and water pollution, and give locals more recreational options. On the other side, urban development describes the process of constructing and increasing urban areas to meet changing urban needs and a growing urban population. Depending on the planning and administration of urban infrastructure, urban development can have either beneficial or bad effects on the environment and human health. Urban development that is resilient, sustainable, and egalitarian can be advanced by green infrastructure. Green infrastructure can be included into urban architecture and planning so that communities can: Green infrastructure can help to improve environmental quality by lowering water and air pollutants, reducing the effects of urban heat islands, and boosting biodiversity. This may result in a healthier, more sustainable urban environment and better environmental quality. Green infrastructure may offer citizens recreational activities as well as chances for learning and community involvement, which can improve quality of life. In addition to promoting social cohesiveness and community resilience, this can improve quality of life. Promote economic development: By luring tourists, assisting neighbourhood businesses, and generating employment in the green industry, green infrastructure can help boost regional economies. Overall, there is a strong connection between urban growth and green infrastructure, and including green infrastructure into urban design and planning can support equitable, resilient, and sustainable urban development.
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Abstract Present study analysed the therapeutic potential of traditionally acclaimed medicinal herb Nanorrhinum ramosissimum, using plant parts extracted with different solvents (10 mg/mL). Shoot extracts exhibited comparatively better antimicrobial properties, in comparison to root extracts. Total phenolic content was estimated, to ascertain its dependency on antioxidant properties of plant extracts. Antioxidant assay revealed promising results in comparison to IC50 value of standard ascorbic acid (52.2±0.07 µg/mL), for methanolic extracts of shoot (61.07±0.53 µg/mL and 64.33±0.33 µg/mL) and root (76.705±0.12 µg/mL and 89.73±0.28 µg/ mL) for in vivo and in vitro regenerants respectively. Correlation coefficient R2 values ranged between 0.90-0.95, indicating a positive correlation between phenolic contents and antioxidant activity. Plant extracts were also able to inhibit DNA oxidative damage again indicating their antioxidative potential. Antidiabetic potential was confirmed by alpha amylase inhibition assay where shoot methanolic extracts (invivo, in vitro) exhibited the best IC50 values (54.42±0.16 µg/mL, 66.09±0.12 µg/mL) in comparison to standard metformin (41.92±0.08 µg/mL). Ethanolic extracts of roots (in vitro, invivo) exhibited the relative IC50 values (88.97±0.32µg/mL,96.63±0.44 µg/mL) indicating that shoot parts had a better alpha amylase inhibition property; thus proving the herb's bioactive potential and its prospective therapeutic source for curing various ailments.
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Plants, Medicinal/adverse effects , Plant Extracts/analysis , Scrophulariaceae/classification , Antioxidants/pharmacology , In Vitro Techniques/methods , Hypoglycemic Agents/agonistsABSTRACT
Background: Stress produces physiological and mental reactions in the body. Stressful life is most common experiences in human life. Mild stress is beneficial in performance but constant high stress may lead to anxiety and depression. Examination stress act as stressor and decreases the performance of student. A stressor is a change in the personal event or an environment that can cause stress. AIM: Present study was done to evaluate the muscle strength variations and fatigue under examination stress among medical students. Material and Method: Study involved 100 healthy boys and girls between 18-21 years of age. Who have no history of tobacco or alcohol consumption. Each students muscle strength was assessed by calculating work done using hand grip dynamometer and Mosso’s ergo graph, once during routine schedule in relaxed state (with no examination) and again during stressed state (during mid- term examination). Result: The amount of work done and handgrip strength was significantly higher on relaxed state compared to during examination. Conclusion: This study suggests that as examinations act as unavoidable stressors, which lead to the variation in the performance of the students. The medical teachers as well as students should be made aware of the negative consequences of stress faced during medical training. Effective relaxation program and psychological counselling services should be provided to students so that they cope better with examination stress.
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Background & objectives: COVID-19 has been a global pandemic since early 2020. It has diverse clinical manifestations, but consistent immunological and metabolic correlates of disease severity and protection are not clear. This study was undertaken to compare seropositivity rate, antibody levels against nucleocapsid and spike proteins, virus neutralization and metabolites between adult and child COVID-19 patients. Methods: Plasma samples from naïve control (n=14) and reverse transcription (RT)-PCR positive COVID-19 participants (n=132) were tested for reactivity with nucleocapsid and spike proteins by ELISA, neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 infectivity in Vero cells and metabolites by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Results: An ELISA platform was developed using nucleocapsid and spike proteins for COVID-19 serosurvey. The participants showed greater seropositivity for nucleocapsid (72%) than spike (55.3%), and males showed higher seropositivity than females for both the proteins. Antibody levels to both the proteins were higher in intensive care unit (ICU) than ward patients. Children showed lower seropositivity and antibody levels than adults. In contrast to ICU adults (81.3%), ICU children (33.3%) showed lower seropositivity for spike. Notably, the neutralization efficiency correlated with levels of anti-nucleocapsid antibodies. The levels of plasma metabolites were perturbed differentially in COVID-19 patients as compared with the naive controls. Interpretation & conclusions: Our results reflect the complexity of human immune response and metabolome to SARS-CoV-2 infection. While innate and cellular immune responses are likely to be a major determinant of disease severity and protection, antibodies to multiple viral proteins likely affect COVID-19 pathogenesis. In children, not adults, lower seropositivity rate for spike was associated with disease severity
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Effect of non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma and ErCr YSGG LASER activation of three fluoride varnishes on surface re-mineralization of enamel A SEM-EDX analysisBackground: Dental remineralization is the process of transporting minerals from the surrounding environment (i.e., saliva and biofilm) into partially demineralized tooth structures. Remineralization can be induced by professional therapies such as fluoride-based treatments that have the highest level of supporting evidence. High-intensity LASER and nonthermal atmospheric pressure plasma therapy have been known to increase the resistance of enamel to demineralization by surface modification. Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate and compare the surface remineralization of enamel using ErCr:YSGG LASER and nonthermal atmospheric pressure plasma (NTP) activation with three different fluoride varnishes. Methodology: Sixty-eight extracted premolars were used which were sectioned mesiodistally to obtain 135 specimens and artificial caries were induced on the experimental surface. They were then randomly divided into three groups (n = 45): MI Varnish (GC Japan), Vanish Varnish (3M ESPE), and Embrace Varnish (Pulpdent). After varnish application, these groups were further divided into three subgroups based on the activation therapy used. Fifteen samples from each group were treated with ErCr:YSGG LASER, 15 samples with NTP, and 15 samples were the control that did not undergo activation. After 9 days of pH cycling, the mean ion concentration of the surface calcium and phosphate ions was recorded using FEG-SEM and EDX analysis. The data were statistically analyzed. Results: One-way ANOVA and post hoc Tukey test accepting P < 0.05 were performed for comparisons between all analyses groups. Vanish Varnish showed a higher Ca/P ratio in LASER, NTP, and control subgroups, followed by MI Varnish and Embrace Varnish. ErCr:YSGG LASER therapy showed an improved Ca/P ratio in all varnishes than NTP therapy and control. Conclusion: ErCr:YSGG LASER therapy showed positive effects toward improving the Ca/P, followed by NTP therapy as compared to control in all three varnishes indicating their role in enhancing the effects of remineralization. Vanish Varnish showed a higher Ca/P ratio indicating better remineralization post activation.
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Background and aims: Drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) is a common and important neurological problem to identify with scope for curative surgical treatment if underlying cause is delineated. There are very few prospective structured studies in our population. This study aimed to look at the neuroimaging profile of DRE presenting in a tertiary care center in South India. Materials and methods: All patients diagnosed clinically as DRE as per International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) criteria and who underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) over a period of 24 months were included in the study. Their clinical and MRI features were documented and analyzed. Results: A total of 150 patients diagnosed with DRE were included in the study. Clinically, 96 of them presented with generalized tonic-clonic seizures (GTCS), 36 with complex partial seizures (CPS), 14 with simple focal seizures, and two each with atonic seizures and focal seizures with secondary generalization. Magnetic resonance imaging (done in 1.5 T) was normal in 32%. In those with abnormal MRI, mesial temporal sclerosis (MTS) was the commonest pathology seen in 41.3%, followed by cortical malformations (6.7%), tumors (2.6%), vascular malformations (2.7%), and other nonspecific lesions (12%). Conclusion: The clinical and neuroimaging profile of DRE showed that DRE is more common in younger age (of less than 30 years); presents mainly with GTCS or CPS; mesial temporal sclerosis is the commonest underlying pathology which was bilateral in 8.6%; temporal lobe lesions predominate (49.3% of all DRE); and cortical malformation, low-grade tumors, and vascular lesions are other important causes.
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Kaphaja Yoni Vyapat is described as a condition where symptoms like Picchila and Sheetala discharge from vagina occurs with Kandu, Mandaruja, Artava-dushti and Pandu. The symptoms of Kaphaja Yoni Vyapat mentioned in Ayurvedic literature appears similar to the clinical features of vulvo vaginal candidiasis. It is the second most common infection among women in reproductive age group with a single incidence of 75%, and two or more episodes in 45% of women. Candida albicans is responsible for 85% to 90% of the vaginal yeast infections. Here an attempt was done to screen, isolate and treat the diagnosed cases of Kaphaja Yoni Vyapat w.s.r to Candida albicans through Nimba Twak Kashaya & Triphala Kashayaprakshalana. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Nimba Twak Kashaya Prakshalana and to compare it with Triphala Kashaya Prakshalana in Kaphaja Yoni Vyapat. 63.09% had complete relief from yoni Srava, 97.9% had complete relief from Yoni kandu, 100% had relief from Yoni vedana, 93.99% had complete relief from vulval rashes, 76.88% had normal vaginal pH, 95% had no candida in vaginal wet mount. Overall 88.23% showed improvement in Group A and 87.38% showed improvement in Group B. Nimba & Triphala has Tikta and Kashaya rasa, Kaphahara, Krimighna, Kandughna and Grahi properties. It has anti-fungal & anti-pruritic action also.Thus Prakshalana with above said drugs directly acted on the vaginal mucosa and enabled easier target specific action and did the inhibitory action against growth of candida albicans.
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BACKGROUND The Covid-19 pandemic has posed a challenge to organizing a safe clinical assessment for postgraduate degree candidates completing the residency programmes in various specialties. Although minimizing the risk of Covid-19 transmission is a priority, fulfilling the objectives of the assessment is equally important. METHODS We conducted this study in the Department of Internal Medicine at our institute. Instead of physically examining patients, case scenarios that included history, clinical and investigational data of the cardiovascular system (CVS) were presented to the candidates. Performance was scored by both the conventional and the CVS objective-structured clinical examination (CVS-OSCE) method and compared. RESULTS Clinical assessment examination of 27 candidates for the degree of Doctor of Medicine showed that the median cumulative score gained in narrating and analysing various differential diagnoses was lower compared to the mean cumulative score gained in arriving at a single correct diagnosis (50% [interquartile range—IQR 39%–64%] v. 79% [IQR 64%–100%], p<0.01). Most of the candidates agreed that case scenarios were good alternatives to the conventional physical examination amidst the pandemic. CONCLUSION CVS-OSCE-based assessment using structured case scenarios is a feasible and effective alternative for clinical skill assessment in high-stake examinations.
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During the last few years India has maximum increase of Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Type 2 diabetes is characterized by high blood sugar, insulin resistance, and relative lack of insulin. There are approximate 72.96 million cases of diabetes mellitus in adult population of India. In modern era single anti-diabetic drug is not sufficient for glucose control. These days multidrug therapy is building its popularity for maintaining glycaemic levels. A 59-year-old female presented with known case of Type 2 diabetes with evidence of polyuria, itching over extremities, and fatigue was poorly controlled despite a drug regimen consisting of oral metformin and glimepiride. Her Blood Sugar level was constantly around 200 mg/dl in spite of having modern medicine with adjusted doses. She has administered Nisha-Amalaki Churna with warm water early in the morning along with standard conventional treatment for 8 weeks. The effect of therapy was evaluated at the interval of 4 weeks for 8 weeks which is done on the basis of objective parameters. Objective parameters were fasting and post prandial Blood Sugar Level. Nisha-Amalaki churna has reduced Blood Sugar Level to normal. It also reduced the dose of conventional drug which may cause side effects with long term use. There is a need for combined multidisciplinary treatment to maintain suggested glycaemic control. Thus, the present case study is to understand the significant effect of Nisha-Amalaki as an adjuvant to standard conventional treatment in chronic uncontrolled type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.
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The diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) is one of the most serious cosmopolitan pests of cruciferous plants. It causes severe damage to crop quality and production, with estimated global losses of 20-40% per year. Consumer preference regarding pest-free and uncontaminated crop, unavailability of highly competitive natural enemies as well as migratory nature of DBM has obligated for the mandatory use of insecticides. The over reliance and indiscriminate use of chemical insecticides to control DBM has lead to development of resistance against almost all the modern insecticides. In addition, it has also developed resistance against most of the Bt strain. To overcome the problem of resistance, there is an urgent need for new and highly efficient method to control DBM which must be eco-friendly, cost effective and has minimum impact on the environment. One of such alternatives is nanotechnology which fulfil all the criteria to become an ideal insecticide or delivery system for insect pest management especially DBM. Nanotechnology offers great improvement in the field of pesticides as it is less toxic, shelf-life enhancement and higher water solubility. Loading of Indoxacarb on nanoparticles are reported to be highly effective they suppressed the activity of detoxification enzymes such as GST, CarE, and P450. Green synthesis of AgNPs, Single walled carbon nano tube (SWCNT) also exhibits larvicidal and pupicidal effect. These are also reported to adversely affect food consumption, growth, pupation and fecundity of P. xylostella.These nanoparticles have been found to be more stable, also the controlled release of active ingredient for a long time and provides target specific control of P. xylostella for solving adverse situations ofthe crop fields like less food security, lesser food productivity and environmental imbalance.
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Introduction: For evaluating the practical knowledge of the students, objective structured practical examination (OSPE) has been used as a tool several times. The assessment of the student’s potential in different ways is a part of medical education. The practical examination is a typical method of assessment of practical and clinical skills but it lacks an assessment of the psychomotor and communication skills of the student. OSPE formats address these lacunae of the current system. However, it is necessary to assess the OSPE from a student’s perspective. The current study is designed to obtain the student’s opinion regarding OSPE as a tool of assessment in practical examinations. Aims and Objectives: To determine the opinion of students about OSPE as a tool among1st -year medical undergraduates to assess the teaching-learning process in anatomy. Materials and Methods: 150 first-year undergraduates of competency-based medical education (CBME) batch of 2019–20 from the Department of Anatomy of MGM Medical College, Aurangabad, India were chosen for assessing practical skills. A structured questionnaire was designed and distributed among them to collect the required data to assess students’ evaluation of the OSPE. Results and Observations: A total of 150 questionnaires were filled by students with a 90% response rate. The majority of the students favored the inclusion of OSPEas as an assessment tool in the final examinations. Conclusion: The study reveals that the majority of the students (68%) have found OSPE as an acceptable tool. The OSPE is reliable for formative as well as a summative assessment for undergraduate medical students.
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Background & objectives: Atypical El Tor strains of Vibrio cholerae are frequently implicated in outbreaks of cholera. It is important to understand genetic variations of such strains which impact clinical and epidemiological outcomes. The present study was carried out to characterize an outbreak of cholera which occurred between July 8 and 13, 2018, in a remote settlement in Nashik district, Maharashtra. Methods: A large number of acute diarrhoea cases were reported in Rahude village, Nashik, Maharashtra since July 8, 2018. Molecular characterization of the isolated strains of V. cholerae was done. Results: 195 cases of cholera were detected from a population of 850 (attack rate 22.9%) with two deaths (Case Fatality Ratio of 1.03). A non-haemolytic polymyxin B sensitive strain of V. cholerae O1 Ogawa was isolated from 5/14 fecal samples. Molecular characterization of the isolates indicated that this strain was an altered El Tor (AET) strain. Deletion of the trinucleotide ‘GTA’ in the rstB gene, a unique feature of classical strains, was observed. Interpretation & conclusions: A cholera outbreak caused by a non-haemolytic polymixin B sensitive AET strain, occurred from July 8 to 13, 2018, in a remote settlement in western India. The molecular characterization of the outbreak strains highlighted an assortment of genetic determinants, stressing the need to monitor the genetic attributes of V. cholerae O1 in outbreaks for better understanding and mapping of clinical and epidemiological changes.
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The harmonious biochemical processes in a healthy individual are due to the balance between essential molecules that are necessary for the maintenance of physiology of the living system. These include energy bio-molecules, co-factors for oxidation to attain energy expenditure, regulatory hormones, and protective immune system. Objectives: Identifying predictive factors for 2DM will be beneficial to developing effective prevention and early detection of the disease. Therefore, the novelty of this study is to evaluate whether infiammatory markers are different in individuals with versus without T2DM. To assess the effect of glucose, insulin, Homeostasis metabolic assessment-estimated insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), lipids on cytokine variables in type 2DM subjects. Materials& Methods: Two hundred and thirty individuals are recruited in to this present study after the approval from Institutional ethical committee for the present study. The study was conducted in the Department of Biochemistry, Malwanchal university, Indore, India. Age & sex matched one hundred and fifteen human non-2DM individuals were taken into healthy control group. One hundred and fifteen subjects, on treatment for 2DM were included in second group.Results: On comparison of age, Tc, and Ldl parameters between 2DM and control group subjects showed insignificant differences, whereas parameters of FBS (t=12.24; df=228; P<0.001) HbA1c (t=16.40; df=228; P<0.05) and insulin mean levels (t=2.70; df=228; P<0.05) showed a significant difference. Decrease in the levels of serum IL-4 was observed in 2DM subjects when compared with healthy control subjects. On the contrary, we observed increase in the values of IL-5 and IL-13 in 2DM subjects when compared with healthy control subjects. In case of IL-10 and IL-12 values, we observed no significance when compared between the group subjects. Conclusion: The present study concludes that there is association of IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13 with relation to 2DM. These cytokines can be used as biomarkers for early identification and diagnosis of secondary complications in 2DM individuals
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Abstract Objective To investigate the effects of combination therapy with cholecalciferol and lansoprazole on residual β-cell function and glycemic control in children with new-onset type 1 diabetes. Methods Children aged 6-12 years with type 1 diabetes were allocated to receive cholecalciferol and lansoprazole (Group 1) or no treatment (Group 2). Children were maintained on their respective insulin regimens and kept records of blood sugar and insulin doses taken. Children were followed at three-month intervals for six months. Changes in mean fasting C-peptide and HbA1c levels, daily insulin doses, fasting blood glucose and mean blood glucose levels from baseline to end of the study were analyzed. Results Twenty-eight children (14 per group) met the eligibility criteria. Fasting C-peptide levels decreased significantly from baseline to study end in both groups (mean decrease -0.19±0.09ng/mL and -0.28±0.08ng/mL, p=0.04 and p=0.001; Group 1 and Group 2 respectively). However, fasting C-peptide level drop was significantly smaller in Group 1 compared to Group 2 (30.6% and 47.5% respectively; p=0.001). Likewise, daily insulin doses decreased significantly in both groups (-0.59±0.14units/kg and -0.37±0.24units/kg respectively; p=0.001). All patients recruited completed the study. No adverse events were reported. Conclusion Combined therapy with cholecalciferol and lansoprazole for six months was associated with smaller decline in residual β-cell function and lower insulin requirements in children with new-onset type 1 diabetes. Preliminary findings of this small-scale study need to be confirmed by larger studies. Registry of Clinical Trials (www.ctri.nic.in) under number REF/2021/03/041415 N.
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Background: The study aimed to compare the psychological impact of COVID-19 pandemic on health care professionals (HCPs). Methodology: It was a cross sectional study carried out on health care professionals (doctors, nursing staff and paramedical HCPs) in India. Depression, generalized anxiety, panic symptoms, hypochondriacal and obsessional symptoms were assessed through questions based on ICD-10 criteria. A pre tested google questionnaire was prepared and its link was sent through various social media. Results: A total of 626 HCPs (385 doctors, 124 nursing staff, 117 Paramedical HCPs) were included in the study. Depression, generalized anxiety, panic symptoms, hypochondriacal symptoms and obsessional symptoms were found in 13.3%, 21.2% 5.1%, 16.5% and 32.6% of the HCPs respectively. Depression, generalized anxiety and panic symptoms were found to be significantly higher in the HCPs of COVID health care facilities (p0.009; p<0.001; p0.035 respectively). Female HCP was associated with depression [OR 2.34 (1.38-3.96); p-0.002] and panic symptoms [OR 3.43 (1.46-8.07); p-0.005]. Generalized anxiety was more common in HCPs working in COVID health care facilities [1.91 (1.20-3.03); p-0.006]. Conclusion: The study concludes that being a female health care professional, doctors and those working in COVID health care facilities were at a higher risk of having poor psychological health.
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Background: Composites are the widely used restorative materials, and over the year, newer restorative composites have been introduced to eliminate the drawbacks of previous ones. The recent advance in restorative dentistry is bioactive restorative materials. However, bacterial plaque formation on these restorations is the primary reason for secondary caries. Aims and objectives: The purpose of this study was to do the comparative evaluation of bioactive restorative composites (Beautifil Flow Plus, Activa BioACTIVE, and Filtek Z250 XT as control) for their antibacterial efficacy under in vitro conditions. Materials and Method: Thirty material blocks were used for this evaluation. Antibacterial efficacy was checked against Streptococcus mutans and observed under confocal laser scanning microscopy. Results: The results showed that Activa BioACTIVE shows maximum number of dead bacteria on the material surface compared to other groups. Conclusion: It can be concluded as it has maximum antibacterial efficacy among tested materials.
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Leigh syndrome is an inherited neurodegenerative disorder of infancy that typically manifests between 3 and 12 months of age. The common neurological manifestations are developmental delay or regression, progressive cognitive decline, dystonia, ataxia, brainstem dysfunction, epileptic seizures, and respiratory dysfunction. Although the disorder is clinically and genetically heterogeneous, the histopathological and radiological features characteristically show focal and bilaterally symmetrical, necrotic lesions in the basal ganglia and brainstem. The syndrome has a characteristic histopathological signature that helps in clinching the diagnosis. We discuss these unique findings on autopsy and radiology in a young infant who succumbed to a subacute, progressive neurological illness suggestive of Leigh syndrome. Our case highlights that Leigh syndrome should be considered in the differential diagnosis of infantile-onset, subacute neuroregression with dystonia and seizures, a high anion gap metabolic acidosis, normal ketones, elevated lactates in blood, brain, and urine, and bilateral basal ganglia involvement.