Immediate psychological impacts on the inmates of a quarantine-isolation facility in North Kashmir: a pilot study

Background: During the current COVID-19 pandemic as part of various control measures quarantine-isolation facilities have been setup throughout India. To the best of our knowledge no study has been done so far on the mental health aspects of the inmates from Kashmir region.Methods: This was a questionnaire based qualitative cross sectional pilot study. A cohort of 301 inmates (196 males and105 females) consented and completed the study questionnaire from March 2020 to June, 2020. The relevant data was statistically analyzed.Results: Short lived negative impacts were seen in a sizeable number of patients. These negative correlates of mental health remained manageable as we followed the guidelines of MOHFW. Only a small percentage of ~ 4% (11 of 301) inmates needed psychiatric consultation and treatment. However they safely completed their mandatory stay period in the facility.Conclusions: Based on the results of our study, we conclude that optimum medical care during the pandemic remains the main focus and rightly so, but nevertheless mental health domain needs to be equally strengthened at the facilities in particular for short term impacts and the community in general for long term impacts.

A note on treatment of hyperthermia in crossbred cattle

Objective: To evaluate effect of iodized oil in crossbred cattle suffering from hyperthermia (heat intolerance syndrome) in Punjab, India. Methods: The present study was conducted in 85 clinical cases of summer hyperthermia in exotic and crossbred cows with rectal temperature of ≥40.56 °C. Haematological examinations of the affected cows (55) showed relatively low haemoglobin, normal differential and total leucocytic count. All the affected cows (85) were treated with three doses of iodized oil (750 mg elemental iodine per dose, 5mL) given at 24 h interval by subcutaneous route in brisket region.Results:coming to normal (38.33 to 38.88 °C) within 5 d of start of treatment. The appetite and milk production was restored by 10th day post treatment.Conclusions: The findings of this study substantiate that subcutaneous administration of Seventy seven (90.58%) cases showed remarkable clinical improvement with temperature three doses of iodized oil given at 24 h interval is effective in decreasing rectal temperature of hyperthermic cattle.

Predictors of intestinal parasitosis in school children of Kashmir : A prospective study.

Objectives: To identify the factors associated with intestinal parasitosis in rural and urban school children of Kashmir. Methods: Single fresh stool samples from rural and urban school children in three age groups: a)5 to < 8 years ,b) 8 to <11 years and c)11-14 years were taken .Various demographic characteristics considered were source of drinking water, type of toilet used and social classes as per the Kuppuswamy social scale. Personal hygiene was assessed by the visiting physician based on length of nails, hair and frequency of bathing. Stool samples were analyzed for detection of motile forms of E. histolytica and microscopic examination under low power detected eggs of intestinal helminths. Concentration methods were used if egg count was low. Results: 274 stool samples from rural school children and 240 samples were taken from urban school children respectively. 214 (46.7%) students had stool tests positive for parasitosis. Ascariasis was the most prevalent parasitosis ( 28%) followed by Giardiasis ( 7%) , Trichuriasis( 5%) and Taeniasis( 4%). There was higher prevalence of parasitosis among rural orphanage children compared to urban orphanage students (76% vs. 48% p <0.05). Highest prevalence of 70% was seen in the age group 8-11years. Students using river/stream water had higher rates of parasitosis compared to those who were using tap water. 202 students were found to have poor personal hygiene and parasitosis was higher in them compared to students with good personal hygiene (p<0.05). Conclusion: Poor environmental sanitation, personal hygiene, type of toilet and water used were associated with recurrent intestinal infestation besides socio economic status. Regular deworming programmes need to be adopted at school level especially in 8-11 years old children to check the surge of intestinal parasites and their subsequent morbidities.

Experience of involvement of IMA members in leprosy elimination after CME conducted during 2004-2005.

Leprosy can affect all age groups. In 1991 the World Health Assembly took major initiative towards global elimination of the disease. It was possible to achieve 90% reduction in leprosy cases all over the world. India is not lagging behind to eliminate leprosy as Government of India, various NGOs and IMA have joined hands to fight the menace aggressively. During the year 2004-05 the IMA organised training workshops on leprosy for private practitioners, who are mostly members of IMA. After the completion of workshops a wrap-up workshop was organised in each state. It was a treat opportunity for the IMA to mobilise its resources to contribute to the national cause.

Angioplasty of congenital pulmonary vein stenosis.

We present a unique case of idiopathic pulmonary vein stenosis in an adult who presented with progressive dyspnea and severe pulmonary arterial hypertension. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the diagnosis. The patient was treated by balloon angioplasty and is well at 6 months post-treatment follow-up. The etiology of pulmonary vein stenosis in this case is difficult to ascertain, but is likely to be congenital.

Acute myocardial infarction secondary to myocardial bridge treated with drug-eluting stent.

We report a case of myocardial bridge in left anterior descending coronary artery associated with acute anterior wall myocardial infarction. The patient had many unusual features like coronary ectasia and atherosclerosis within the myocardial bridge segment. The patient was treated with drug-eluting stent under intravascular ultrasound guidance with good result over 6 months follow-up.

Congenital atresia of left main coronary artery.

We report a rare case of congenital atresia of left main coronary artery in an elderly male presenting with angina and positive stress thallium test. Coronary angiogram showed absence of left main coronary artery in the left aortic sinus. Collaterals from right coronary artery supplied left anterior descending artery and left circumflex artery territories. Despite collaterals, the left anterior descending and left circumflex arteries were rudimentary. Poor size of left-sided arteries precluded any surgical revascularization which is the treatment of choice in this rare entity.

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty in an embolic middle cerebral artery occlusion.

A young lady developed left middle cerebral artery embolism after percutaneous transseptal mitral commissurotomy. She was successfully treated with immediate percutaneous transluminal angioplasty. There was complete recovery of neurological deficit.