Impact of COVID-19 on lifestyles related etiquette among nursing staff in India: a cross sectional descriptive e-survey / Impacto de COVID-19 en las etiquetas relacionadas con el estilo de vida entre el personal de enfermería en la India: una encuesta electrónica transversal / Impacto do COVID-19 nos rótulos relacionados ao estilo de vida entre a equipe de enfermagem na Índia: uma pesquisa eletrônica transversal

Objective. To analyze the impact of COVID-19 pandemics on lifestyle-related etiquettes like eating, physical activity, and sleep behavior among nursing staff in India. Methods.A crosssectional descriptive E-survey was conducted among 942 nursing staff. The validated electronic survey questionnaire was used to assess the changes in lifestyle-related etiquette before and during COVID-19 Pandemic. Results. A total of 942 responses (mean age 29.01±5.7years) were collected, 53% of the respondents were men. A slight decline in healthy meal consumption pattern (p<0.0001) and a restriction of unhealthy food items were observed (p<0.0001), and also reduction in physical activity coupled with decreased participation in leisure-related activities was seen (p<0.0001). The stress and anxiety slightly increase during COVID­19 pandemics (p<0.0001). Additionally, social support extended by family and friends to maintain healthy lifestyle-related behaviors also significantly decreased during COVID-19 PANDEMIC pandemics compared to before (p<0.0001). Although the COVID-19 Pandemic slightly reduced the intake of healthy meals and deterred participants from consuming unhealthy food, this this may have led to individual weight loss. Conclusion. In general, there was a negative impact on, lifestyle like diet, sleep and mental health was observed. A detailed understanding of these factors can help to develop interventions to mitigate the harmful lifestyle-related etiquette that has manifested during COVID-19 Pandemic.

Objetivo. Analizar el impacto de la pandemia por COVID-19 en las etiquetas relacionadas con el estilo de vida (alimentación, actividad física y comportamiento del sueño) entre enfermeras de la India. Método. Se realizó un estudio de corte transversal en el que participaron 942 enfermeros de todo el país. Se utilizó un cuestionario electrónico validado para evaluar los cambios en los estilos de vida antes y durante la pandemia por COVID-19. Resultados. La edad media fue de 29.01±5.7años, 53% fueron hombres. En comparación con antes de la pandemia por COVID-19, durante la misma se observó un ligero descenso en el patrón de consumo de comidas saludables (p<0.0001) y se observó una restricción de alimentos poco saludables (p<0.0001, además de una reducción de la actividad física junto con una menor participación en actividades relacionadas con el ocio (p<0.0001). El estrés y la ansiedad aumentaron ligeramente (p<0.0001). Además, el apoyo social prestado por la familia y los amigos para mantener comportamientos saludables relacionados con el estilo de vida también disminuyó significativamente durante la pandemia en comparación a antes (p<0.0001). Aunque la pandemia por COVID-19 redujo ligeramente la ingesta de comidas saludables y disuadió a los participantes de consumir alimentos poco saludables, esto puede haber conducido a una pérdida de peso individual. Conclusión. En general, se observó un impacto negativo en el estilo de vida, como la dieta, el sueño y la salud mental. Una comprensión detallada de estos factores puede ayudar a desarrollar intervenciones para mitigar la etiqueta nociva relacionada con el estilo de vida que se ha manifestado durante la pandemia COVID-19 en los enfermeros en India.

Objetivo. Analisar o impacto da pandemia de COVID-19 nos rótulos do estilo de vida (dieta, atividade física e comportamento do sono) entre enfermeiras na Índia. Método. Foi realizado um estudo transversal do qual participaram 942 enfermeiros de todo o país. Um questionário eletrônico validado foi usado para avaliar as mudanças no estilo de vida antes e durante a pandemia de COVID-19. Resultados.A média de idade foi de 29.01±5.7 anos, 53% eram homens. Comparado com antes da pandemia de COVID-19, observou-se uma leve diminuição no padrão de consumo de refeições saudáveis durante a pandemia (p<0.0001), além de redução da atividade física e menor participação em atividades relacionadas ao lazer (p<0.0001). O estresse e a ansiedade aumentaram ligeiramente (p<0.0001). Além disso, o apoio social fornecido pela família e amigos para manter comportamentos de estilo de vida saudável também diminuiu significativamente durante a pandemia em comparação com antes dela (p<0.0001). Conclusão. Em geral, foi observado um impacto negativo no estilo de vida, como dieta, sono e saúde mental. Uma compreensão detalhada desses fatores pode ajudar a desenvolver intervenções para mitigar a etiqueta prejudicial relacionada ao estilo de vida que se manifestou durante a pandemia de COVID-19 entre enfermeiras na Índia.

Impact of pandemic COVID-19 lockdown on penetrating keratoplasty patients

Purpose: To study the impact of the COVID?19 lockdown on the regular follow?up of keratoplasty patients. Methods: This retrospective interventional case series included 30 patients who had immunological corneal endothelial rejection out of 190 patients who came for post?PKP follow?up between September 15, 2019, and September 30, 2020. The demographics, primary diagnosis, surgical technique, time of presentation, recovery of graft, associated ocular problems, and visual acuity at 1 month were analyzed. Forward stepwise (likelihood ratio) binary logistic regression was used to find significant variables. Results: The study population had 19 males (63.33%) and 11 females (36.67%). The mean age of the study group was 42.83 ± 18.89 (8–80) years. Of 30 patients, 19 (63.3%) presented before and 11 (36.7%) after the COVID?19 lockdown. Overall, 23 (77%) showed a reversal of graft rejection. Logistic regression showed that preoperative indications, large?sized grafts, and deep corneal vascularization were significant risk factors for non?resolution of graft rejection. It was noted that patients who presented to the hospital late had poor recovery (P = 0.002). The delay in the presentation was a significant risk factor for non?resolution of graft rejection (P < 0.01). Z?test for proportions revealed that the difference in the non?resolution of rejection on immediate or delayed treatment in patients presenting during lockdown (P = 0.002) was significant. Conclusion: This article is to highlight the impact of the COVID?19 lockdown on graft rejection recovery of PKP patients due to delays in follow?up. Early treatment helps in the recovery of graft transparency and the reversal of immunological graft rejection. Also, primary diagnosis, deep vascularization, and large?sized grafts were significant risk factors for non?resolution of graft rejection.

Therapeutic Patient Education in Transgender Care

This communication visits the concept of therapeutic patient education (TPE), and explores its relevance to transgender health care. It suggests a novel term, therapeutic education (TE), and defines it as “educational activities essential to the optimization of health, offered by health care providers duly trained in the field of education, designed to help a transgender individual (or a group of individuals and their families) to manage their treatment and prevent avoidable complications, while maintaining or improving their quality of life. It describes the soft and hard skills required for TE, and suggests a classification that can help in structuring TE programs.

Comparative study of CURB-65 and expanded CURB-65 score in community acquired pneumonia in a tertiary care hospital of Assam

Background:Community acquired pneumonia is one of the leading causesof morbidityand mortality in developing countries like India. The presentation of CAP may range from mild pneumonia characterized only by fever and productive cough to severe pneumonia leading to respiratory distress and sepsis syndrome requiring management in ICU. Any delay in ICU admission has been shown to be associated with increased mortality. This study was conducted to compare Expanded CURB-65 with CURB-65 scoring system in a tertiary care centre in Assam for early stratification of patients with CAP based of severity and expected prognosis.Methods: This hospital based prospective study was conducted between September 2020 to August 2021, and a total of 100 patients were taken and followed up form admission to up to30 days. CURB65 and expanded CURB 65 score was calculated for each patientand the accuracy of each score was statistically compared.Results:In our study out of 100 patients mean age of 60�.97 with Mortality rate of 16%. Total 29% patients were need ICU care. The Sensitivity, Specificity, PPV and NPV for predicting mortality and for ICU admission of Expanded CURB-65 score is found to be superior to CURB-65 Score. Conclusions:In comparison to the CURB-65 score system, the expanded CURB-65 score prioritises both clinical and laboratory criteria and is a more reliable marker for evaluating CAP severity and may improve the effectiveness of forecasting death in CAP patients.

Estimation of In-vitro Plasma Protein Binding of Ampicillin in Horses Based on Spectrophotometric Method

Estimation of plasma protein binding (PPB) is of paramount importance in the pharmacokinetics characterization of drugs, as it can cause significant change in volume of distribution, clearance and half-life of the drug. Ampicillin (α-amino benzyl penicillin) is most commonly used drug in equine practice. This study was conducted to determine the extent of PPB of ampicillin in apparently healthy horses (n=6). A simple spectrophotometric method was applied for the determination of ampicillin at 320 nm wavelength, based on acid degradation product of penicillin at 75°C in presence of citrate buffer (pH 5.2) and traces of copper salt. In the study, it was observed that this method permits the detection of ampicillin to a level not beyond 1.0 μg/ml. Various concentrations of ampicillin (3.125, 6.25, 12.5, 25, 50, 100 μg/ml) were prepared in triplicate in pooled plasma collected from healthy animals. In vitro binding of ampicillin to plasma proteins was determined by employing the equilibrium dialysis technique. The study revealed that the plasma protein binding of ampicillin was to the extent of 12.8 ± 0.07 %. Binding capacity of ampicillin to plasma protein (βi) and dissociation rate constant of protein-drug complex (Kβ) in the present study were 0.34 × 10-6 ± 0.02 × 10-6 mol.gm-1 and 0.003 × 10-9 ± 0.0003 × 10-9 mol, respectively in horses. Hence, the study concluded that usage of spectrophotometric method helps in quick, cost effective and efficient results in estimation of PPB for ampicillin

Combined modality treatment: Outcome in patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma

Background: Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) can be treated with combined modality treatment (CMT) to limit long-term toxicities in the early favorable stage. Early unfavorable and advanced stage HL is mainly treated with chemotherapy followed by radiation to the bulky site. This study examines the impact of CMT in early as well as advanced stage HL. Materials and Methods: From 2001 to 2011, 125 patients with Stage I to IV HL were analyzed. Median age of the patients was 25 years (range 12–68 years). CMT, chemotherapy, and radiation alone were given to 51, 64, and 10 patients, respectively. Chemotherapy with doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (ABVD) was given to 100 patients, 6 patients received ABVD-like regimen, and 9 patients received cyclophosphamide, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisone regimen. Radiotherapy (RT) was given to 61 (49%) patients, involved field RT to 55 (90%), and extended-field RT to 6 (10%) patients, respectively. Median radiation dose was 30 Gy (18–40 Gy). Results: All 25 patients with early-stage achieved complete response (CR) with CMT. At a median follow-up of 70 months (range 12–230 months), relapse was seen in two patients (1 local and 1 distant). Of 26 patients with advanced stage, 25 achieved a CR and 1 had stable disease with CMT. Relapse occurred in one patient (distant). In patients with early-stage treated with chemotherapy only ( n = 30, 24%), 9 patients had relapse (4 local and 5 distant) while in those with RT only ( n = 10, 8%), 4 developed distant relapse. In patients with advanced stage treated with chemotherapy only ( n = 34, 27%), 8 relapsed (5 local and distant, 3 distant only). Patients with relapse were salvaged with CMT ( n = 6), chemotherapy ( n = 15), or RT ( n = 3). Two patients have died. Five years' disease-free survival (DFS) in patients with early favorable stage, early unfavorable stage, and advanced stage was 91%, 82%, and 73%, respectively ( P = 0.026). DFS was significantly better with CMT than chemotherapy or radiation alone. Five years' overall survival (OS) was 93%, 92%, and 84%, respectively ( P = 0.139). Second malignancy occurred in 3 (2.4%) patients; carcinoma of the tongue, pseudomyxoma peritonei, and non-HL each, respectively. None of these patients had received prior radiation. Conclusion: CMT improved DFS in patients with HL. OS was similar in all patients irrespective of treatment combinations. The incidence of second malignancy was 2.4%

Ultrasonography guided fine needle aspiration cytology in patients with laryngo-hypopharyngeal lesions / Punção aspirativa por agulha fina guiada por ultrassonografia em pacientes com lesões laríngeo-hipofaríngeas

Abstract Introduction: Laryngeal lesions are usually evaluated by microlaryngoscopy/direct laryngoscopy under anaesthesia for disease mapping and tissue diagnosis. However patients with anticipated airway compromise due to laryngeal mass may require either a protective tracheotomy or emergency tracheotomy to secure the airway. To minimise risk of unplanned tracheotomy and expedite the diagnosis we performed ultrasound-guided transcutaneous fine needle aspiration cytology. Objective: To evaluate the feasibility and performance of ultrasound-guided transcutaneous fine needle aspiration cytology of suspicious/recurrent laryngo-hypopharyngeal masses. Methods: Fine needle aspiration cytology was performed under ultrasound guidance. Twenty- four patients were recruited, of which 17 had a pure laryngeal lesion; 6 patients had laryngo-pharyngeal, and one patient had a base tongue lesion with supra-glottis extension. Results: Out of 24 patients, 21 had positive cytology for squamous cell carcinoma, 2 patients had non-diagnostic cytology (atypical cells) and the other had inadequate tissue for definitive diagnosis. Patients with negative and inconclusive cytology underwent direct laryngoscopy biopsy, which was positive for squamous malignancy. All patients tolerated the procedure well and no adverse events were noted. Conclusion: Although direct laryngoscopy remains the standard of care in evaluation of laryngo-hypopharyngeal lesions, this pilot study has shown that ultrasound-guided transcutaneous fine needle aspiration cytology was feasible as an out-patient procedure, employing safe and sensitive technique enabling rapid diagnosis and avoiding the need for direct laryngoscopy under GA for tissue diagnosis.

Resumo Introdução: As lesões laríngeas são geralmente avaliadas por microlaringoscopia/laringoscopia direta sob anestesia para mapeamento da doença e diagnóstico tecidual. No entanto, em pacientes com comprometimento prévio das vias aéreas devido à lesão laríngea, pode ser necessária uma traqueostomia protetora ou traqueostomia de emergência para assegurar as vias aéreas. Para minimizar o risco de uma traqueostomia não planejada e facilitar o diagnóstico, realizamos punção aspirativa por agulha fina guiada por ultrassonografia transcutânea. Objetivo: Avaliar a viabilidade e o desempenho da punção aspirativa por agulha fina guiada por ultrassonografia transcutânea em lesões laríngeo-hipofaríngeas suspeitas/recorrentes. Método: A punção aspirativa por agulha fina foi realizada sob orientação ultrassonográfica. Foram recrutados 24 pacientes, 17 com lesão laríngea apenas, 6 com lesão laríngeo-faríngea e um com lesão na base da língua com extensão supraglótica. Resultados: Dos 24 pacientes, 21 apresentaram citologia positiva para carcinoma espinocelular, 2 citologia não diagnóstica (células atípicas) e o outro tecido inadequado para o diagnóstico definitivo. Os pacientes com citologia negativa e inconclusiva foram submetidos à biópsia através de laringoscopia direta, que foi positiva para lesão maligna espinocelular. Todos os pacientes toleraram bem o procedimento e nenhum evento adverso foi observado. Conclusão: Embora a laringoscopia direta continue a ser o padrão de cuidado na avaliação das lesões laríngeo-hipofaríngeas, este estudo piloto demonstrou que a punção aspirativa por agulha fina guiada por ultrassonografia transcutânea é uma técnica viável, ambulatorial, segura e sensível, permite rápido diagnóstico e evita a necessidade de laringoscopia direta sob anestesia geral para diagnóstico tecidual.

Role of adenosine deaminase in monitoring tubercular pleural effusion

Background: Tuberculosis is a common cause of pleural effusion especially in countries like India. ADA (adenosine deaminase) is predominantly an enzyme, that catalyses the conversion of adenosine to ionosine. Usually patients with tuberculous pleural effusion have ADA level >40 U/L.Methods: This is a prospective, observational study conducted in Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Gauhati Medical College and Hospital, Guwahati from September 2016 to September 2017. 45 patients with pleural fluid ADA levels >40 U/L were selected with diagnosis of tubercular pleural effusion. Pleural fluid was analysed for cytological, biochemical and microbiological parameters along with ADA and malignant cell cytology. Anti-tubercular treatment (ATT) was started and pleural fluid ADA level were repeated after 15 days of ATT.Results: Pleural fluid ADA levels before the start of ATT intake and after 15 days of ATT intake were statistically analysed. Among 45 patients, 38 were male and 7 females. Mean age of the patients was 45.42±16.43 years. Mean pleural fluid ADA level before starting ATT was 64.49±31.78 U/L. After 15 days of ATT intake mean pleural fluid ADA level was 36.11±10.42 U/L, p value was statistically significant (p<0.05).Conclusions: Pleural fluid ADA significantly decreased after 15days of initiation of anti-tubercular treatment. Pleural fluid ADA can be a useful tool as a follow up biomarker in cases of tubercular pleural effusion

In-vitro Plasma Protein Binding of Marbofloxacin in Healthy and Disease Condition of Buffalo Calves

Marbofloxacin is a broad-spectrum fluoroquinolone antibiotic developed for use in veterinary medicine for the treatment of skin and soft tissue infections in dogs and cats. Plasma protein binding plays a vital role in distribution, elimination and therapeutic effectiveness of drugs. In the present study we evaluated the plasma protein binding of marbofloxacin in healthy and liver dysfunctioned buffalo calves. In vitro binding of marbofloxacin to plasma proteins was determined by employing the equilibrium dialysis technique and further analyzed by High Performance Liquid Chromatography assay. The plasma protein binding for healthy calves ranges between 25.3±0.34% to 30.4±0.40% with an overall binding of 28.66 ± 0.421%. Kinetic constants (βi) and (Kβ) was 2.6±0.12×10-8 mole/g and 1.9±0.08×10-7 mole, respectively. The percentage of plasma protein binding for liver dysfunctioned buffalo calves extended from 24.5 - 30.3% with an overall mean of 28.59 ± 0.693%. The binding capacity of the drug to plasma proteins (βi) and dissociation rate constant of protein drug complex (Kβ) were 2.53±0.13 10-5 mole/g and 1.94±0.09×10-6 mole respectively. There was no significant change observed in plasma protein binding and the kinetic constant of liver dysfunctioned buffalo calves when compared to the healthy group

Role of narrow band imaging in the diagnosis of laryngeal lesions: Pilot study from India

INTRODUCTION: Narrow band imaging (NBI) is a new imaging technique developed to improve the diagnostic accuracy of head and neck cancers by depiction of tumor-specific neo-angiogenesis. The purpose of this study was to assess the value of NBI in the diagnosis of laryngeal lesions. AIM: To assess the sensitivity and specificity of combined white light endoscopy (WLE) and NBI compared with WLE alone in the diagnosis of laryngeal lesions. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Prospective study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty consecutive patients with various laryngeal lesions scheduled for microlaryngoscopic evaluation underwent WLE followed by NBI. Endoscopic NBI findings were classified into five types (I–V) according to the intraepithelial papillary capillary loop features. Types I–IV are considered benign, whereas type V is considered malignant. The observations were compared with histopathology. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for the diagnosis of malignancy (i.e., invasive carcinoma and carcinoma in situ) by means of NBI with WLE were calculated. RESULTS: The sensitivity of WLE combined with NBI (100%) was higher than WLE alone (82.6%) in detecting laryngeal cancers. NBI helped in identifying four malignant lesions missed by WLE alone. Two children with respiratory papillomatosis also demonstrated type V pattern, a potential pitfall, leading to an overall positive predictive value of 92% and a negative predictive value of 100%. CONCLUSION: Combining NBI with WLE increases the sensitivity of detection of laryngeal cancer and its precursor lesions. NBI is also useful in some benign lesions as well as in post-radiotherapy patients.

Post penetrating keratoplasty glaucoma: Cumulative effect of quantifiable risk factors.

Purpose: To ascertain the incidence, identify risk factors and calculate cumulative eff ect of risk factors in patients developing glaucoma following optical penetrating keratoplasty. Materials and Methods: We carried out retrospective analysis of 445 patients, those underwent optical PK and had a minimum follow up of 6 m. Data on post-operative intra-ocular pressure (IOP) recorded at 3, 6, 9, 12 and 18 m or more was analyzed. Various risk factors including age, sex, indications for penetrating keratoplasty, pre-existing glaucoma and type of surgical procedures performed were analyzed by using univariate analysis and logistic regression technique. Results: Ninety (21%) of eyes developed post-PK glaucoma. On applying logistic regression, age, sex, indication of surgery, pre-existing glaucoma were found to be signifi cant risk factors for the development of post-PK glaucoma (P < 0.05). Using logistic regression equation the cumulative risk of developing post-PK glaucoma in an individual patient can be calculated. Conclusions: Male patients, aged more than 40 years, having opaque grafts as an indication and with pre-existing glaucoma were found to be higher risk of developing post-PK glaucoma. Patients at higher cumulative risk for development of post-PK glaucoma may be closely monitored during follow-up.

Maternal serum median levels of alpha-foetoprotein, human chorionic gonadotropin & unconjugated estriol in second trimester in pregnant women from north-west India.

Background & objectives: Triple test as prenatal screening procedure does not form a part of routine health care of pregnant women in India. Hence, median values of triple test biomarkers are lacking for Indian population. This study was undertaken to establish population-specific medians for biomarkers viz. alpha-foetoprotien (AFP), human chorionic gonadotropin (hCGβ), and unconjugated estriol (uE3) for detection of Down’s syndrome, Edward’s syndrome and neural tube defects (NTDs) in pregnant women in north-west India. Methods: Serum biomarker values were derived from 5420 pregnant women between 15-20 wk of gestation who were enrolled for triple test investigations at Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Government Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh, India, between January, 2007 to December, 2009. Median values were calculated for rounded weeks using database comprising pregnancies with normal outcomes only. Simple statistical analysis and log-linear regression were used for median estimation of the biomarker values. Results: The levels of the three biomarkers were found to be ranging from 1.38 to 187.00 IU/ml for AFP, 1.06 to 315 ng/ml for hCGβ, and 0.25 to 28.5 nmol/l for uE3. The age of women ranged from 18 to 47 yr and mean weight was 57.9 ± 9.8 kg. Data revealed that AFP, hCGβ and uE3 medians in our study population were not significantly different from those reported from other countries or when compared ethnically. Interpretation & conclusion: The population-specific median values for the three biomarkers (AFP, hCGβ, uE3) may be used as reference values during prenatal screening in Indian pregnant women.

Fas receptor (CD95) & Fas ligand (CD178) expression in patients with tobacco-related intraoral squamous cell carcinoma.

Background & objectives: Fas receptor and Fas Ligand (FasL) system has been implicated in the resistance to apoptosis, insensitivity to chemotherapy and in providing immune privileged status to most of the tumours. However, no reports are available on Fas and FasL expression in patients with tobacco-related oral carcinoma. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to observe Fas and FasL expression and their correlation with clinicopathological features as well as cell cycle parameters. Methods: Immunohistochemistry for Fas, FasL and DNA flow cytometry for cell cycle parameters was successfully done on 41 paraffin embedded tumour and 10 normal samples. The results were evaluated for possible association of Fas and FasL with clinicopathological features and cell cycle parameters. Results: Weak Fas expression was observed on the cell membrane only in 2 of 41 (5%) oral tumours while FasL immunoreactivity was seen in 26 of 41 (63.4%) tumours. In contrast, all ten normal oral tissues exhibited strong cytoplasmic and membrane Fas receptor immunoreactivity but absence of FasL staining. Older patients, greater tumour size and lymph node positivity were found to be associated with high expression of FasL. Significantly higher (P<0.01) expression of FasL was observed in oral tumours with aggressive DNA pattern like aneuploidy and high S-phase fraction. Interpretation & conclusions: Downregulation of Fas receptor and up-regulation of Fas ligand appear to be an important feature of tobacco-related intraoral carcinoma. Association of FasL expression with advanced clinical stage and aggressive DNA pattern suggests that the Fas and FasL system may be used as an important prognostic variable in patients with tobacco-related intraoral squamous cell carcinoma.

Correlation of cyclin D1 expression with aggressive DNA pattern in patients with tobacco-related intraoral squamous cell carcinoma.

Background & objectives: Cyclin D1 has been strongly implicated in cell proliferation particularly in the G1/S checkpoint of the cell cycle, and prognoses in human malignancies. We investigated the correlation between cyclin D1 overexpression and clinicopathological features as well as cell cycle parameters to understand its clinical significance in patients with tobacco-related oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Methods: Immunohistochemistry for cyclin D1 and DNA flowcytometry for cell cycle parameters was done on paraffin embedded tumour samples from 45 patients with OSCC Results: Higher expression of cyclin D1 was observed only in 30 (66.6%) of 45 cases that correlated with advanced age (P <0.02), higher tumour stage ((P<0.01), histological differentiation and lymph node metastasis (P <0.01). Analysis of nuclear DNA pattern revealed cyclin D1 immunoreactivity in tumours with aggressive DNA pattern such as aneuploidy ((P<0.05) and higher S phase fraction ((P<0.04). Interpretation & conclusions: Higher expression of cyclin D1 in oral cancer appears to be closely linked to cell proliferation, differentiation and lymph node invasion. Pre-operative evaluation of cyclin D1 in biopsy specimen may be useful in planning the most appropriate treatment strategies in patients with tobacco-related OSCC.

Association of air pollution and mortality in the Ludhiana city of India: A time-series study.

Background : With rapid industrialization, the quality of the air is being compromised in several Indian cities. Hence, the effect of air pollution on mortality was studied in the Ludhiana city of Punjab in northern India. Materials and Methods: Air quality and meteorological and mortality data were obtained for 2002-2004. Punjab Pollution Control Board monitored air quality on specific week days at different sites. Respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM) (equivalent of PM 10 ) was measured by the gravimetric method and NOx and SO 2 by chemical method. The estimation of the daily average RSPM level was attempted by combining 24-h average of the monitoring stations working on a particular day. Sahnewal Airport records temperature, dew point, and relative humidity at 8.30 am, 11.30 am, and 5.30 pm. Visibility of fixed landmarks is observed manually every hour from 6.30 am to 6.30 pm. Daily death records were obtained from the civil registration system. The association between visibility as proxy for RSPM and mortality was established using the generalized additive model (GAM) with natural spline smoothers at 6, 3, 3 df in R software with deaths (excluding accidents) as a dependent variable. Smoothers for day of the week, temperature, and relative humidity were also included in the model. Results: Air quality monitoring days for different monitoring stations ranged from 86 to 138 per year. The annual mean RSPM ranged from 226.7 to 269 μg/m 3 , SO 2 from 11.6 to 20.9 μg/m 3 , and NOx from 32.2 to 46.3 μg/m 3 . The mean (SD) temperature was 25.6 (7.9)°C, relative humidity was 58.1 (19.3)%, and visibility was 3398 (1418) m. Overall 28,007 deaths were registered, with an average of 25.4 deaths (SD 5.8) per day. The association between air quality as indicated by visibility (haze) and daily mortality was found to be statistically significant. For every 1 km decrease in visibility at midday, mortality due to natural causes increased by 2.4%. Conclusions: In Ludhiana, air pollution levels were quite high. The air quality (as measured by visibility) was significantly associated with mortality.

Hepatitis C virus: Molecular biology & current therapeutic options.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a small (~55 to 65 nm), spherical, enveloped, hepatotropic RNA virus that causes acute and chronic hepatitis in humans. Persistent virus infection with HCV often leads to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). At present there is neither a selective antiviral therapy nor a preventive vaccine. The only available treatment option is a long-acting pegylated-interferon-alpha, given in combination with nucleoside analog ribavirin, which is not very effective. Molecular studies of HCV began with the successful cloning of its genome in 1989. For many years, research to develop therapeutics was stalled by the inability to grow virus in tissue culture. A major milestone was achieved with the recent development of a robust cell culture system for HCV propagation. HCV proteins assemble and form replication complexes on modified host membranes, called as membranous webs. Even though HCV is detected and targeted by host immune mechanisms, it establishes and maintains a life-long persistent infection. HCV has evolved multiple strategies to survive and persist in hostile cellular environments; and the viral population is known to rapidly change during the course of a natural infection thereby escaping immune surveillance. Rapid mutations also help virus to survive by selecting for the variants which are resistant to antiviral drugs. Although precise mechanisms regulating HCV entry into hepatic cells via receptors remain unknown, HCV also has the capability of direct cell-to-cell transmission. The extremely complex and incompletely understood nature of the HCV lifecycle has complicated the discovery of new therapies. A complete understanding of the functional roles played by the HCV proteins during HCV lifecycle is vital for developing a successful cure. This review deals with current status of efforts in addressing these daunting tasks and challenges in developing therapeutics against chronic and rapidly changing hepatitis C virus.

Does c-erbB-2 expression have a role in medulloblastoma prognosis?

The prognosis of patients with medulloblastoma has remained same for the last two decades. This study evaluated the role of c-erbB-2 expression in medulloblastoma as a prognostic marker. Fifty cases of medulloblastomas were investigated for the expression of c-erbB-2 protein using immunohistochemistry. The expression of c-erbB-2 was correlated with age, histology and disease-free survival (DFS). Thirty-five (70%) tumors were c-erbB-2 positive. Immunoreactivity for c-erbB-2 receptor was observed as mixed cytoplasmic and membrane positivity of tumour cells. The mean DFS in c-erbB-2 positive cases was 19.81 months compared to 48.33 months in c-erbB-2 negative cases. c-erbB-2 positivity was found to be an independent predictor of poor outcome in medulloblastoma (p value < 0.05). No correlation of c-erbB-2 expression was observed with the age of patient and the histological type of tumour. Additionally, c-erbB-4 expression was also evaluated in these tumours. Thirty-three cases showed co-expression of c-erbB-2 and c-erbB-4 proteins. However, c-erbB-4 expression alone was not associated with poor outcome, whereas its co-expression with c-erbB-2 was associated with shorter DFS (p < 0.05).

Hypnosis and pain management.

Nurses have used complementary therapies for many years to relieve anxiety, promote comfort, and reduce or alleviate pain. Physical therapies are most commonly used in our scenario but behavioral approach had been less customary, since familiarity of health personnel is very less (36%) with these techniques (Zaza et al, 1999). Hypnosis is empirically proved best therapy for pain management. Hypnosis is a process involving a hypnotist and a subject who agrees to be hypnotized. Being hypnotized is usually characterized by intense concentration, extreme relaxation and high suggestibility. This paper initially address hypnosis from an historical perspective to give the reader a decent background in which to view current trends in research in the field. Then will explain how hypnosis work followed by the empirical evidences and problems encountered in use of hypnosis when used for pain management.