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Background: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the axial spine that can manifest with various clinical signs and symptoms. Chronic back pain and progressive spinal stiffness are the most common features of this disease. It is an autoimmune disease which also leads to the involvement of skeletal, cardiac, nervous tissues, and other systemic organs. Aim and Objectives: This study was conducted to assess the correlation between the Bath AS Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) score/visual analog scale (VAS) and various age groups in the patients suffering with AS using standard questionnaire. Materials and Methods: Forty-eight AS patients having BASDAI scores of ?4 were included in this study. The height and weight were taken and responses to the standard questionnaire were recorded. BASDAI Score, body mass index (BMI), and VAS were computed. The patients with history of chronic diseases such as hyper/hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension or the use of any medication such as ?/? blockers, calcium channel blockers, and antiepileptics were excluded from the study. Results: The patients were divided into six different age groups, i.e., 15–20 years, 21–25 years, 26–30 years, 31–35 years, 36–40 years, and 41–45 years. The mean ± SEM values of the BASDAI score in various age groups were 6.8 ± 0.34, 6.3 ± 0.33, 6.2 ± 0.26, 7.1 ± 0.41, 6.5 ± 0.30, and 5.8 ± 0.48, respectively. The mean ± SEM values of VAS are shown in relation to the various age groups, i.e., 15–20 years, 21–25 years, 26–30 years, 31–35 years, 36–40 years, and 41–45 years and the values were 6.88 ± 0.312, 6.58 ± 0.22, 6.55 ± 0.66, 6.00 ± 0.23, 6.72 ± 0.25, and 6.0 ± 0.50, respectively. Conclusion: This study indicates that in the young age group, patients BASDAI score is higher and BMI is lower, and in the older age group, patients BASDAI score is lower and BMI is higher than each other indicating higher disease activity in the younger patients than older patients. An inverse correlation between VAS and age further substantiates our previous finding.
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Introduction: The prevalence of hyperuricemia (HU) and hypouricemia (Hypo-U) is highly variable in different parts of India and there is a lack of data from the Eastern part of Uttar Pradesh. We designed this study in order to know the exact prevalence of HU and Hypo-U. Materials and methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted in Varanasi. Data were collected from newly onset diabetic patients over a period of 1 year. Results: Among the 312 diabetic patients, 12.5 and 19.23% were found to have HU and Hypo-U, respectively. Hypouricemic diabetic patients are phenotypically different. They are characterized by the female sex, higher glycated hemoglobin A1c (GlyHbA1c), higher estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), lower body mass index (BMI), and less insulin resistance. Conclusion: The prevalence of HU and Hypo-U is high in newly-onset diabetic patients. Hypouricemic diabetic patients are phenotypically different. Hence routine screening of uric acid is essential for proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment of hypouricemic diabetic patients.
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Background: Peripheral blood vessels are concerned with sensing the perivascular nociceptive information and signaling it to the higher centers through ipsilateral somatic nerves, thereby regulating the cardiorespiratory parameters by means of vasosensory reflex responses. Aims and Objectives: The present study was conducted to compare the potency of nociceptive responses elicited by bradykinin (BK) with the capsaicin-induced responses. Materials and Methods: Charles-Foster rats were anesthetized with urethane and injected intraperitoneally. After tracheostomy, the right femoral artery was cannulated with a 24G, double ported cannula for administering the chemicals/saline through vertical port and to record the blood pressure (BP) through horizontal port. BP, Electrocardiogram, and respiratory movements were recorded. Results: Injection of capsaicin into a segment of femoral artery evoked instantaneous transient tachypnoeic, hyperventilatory, and hypotensive responses. BK also produced similar pattern of nociceptive responses along with a transient fall in heart rate. In addition, the vasosensory responses produced by BK are of greater magnitude as compared to the capsaicin. Conclusions: BK is more potent in eliciting reflex nociceptive responses as compared to capsaicin. Further, BK has an additional cardioprotective role by slowing the heart, in the events of acute inflammation.
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Introduction: Urban floods were addressed as a separate disaster after the historical 2005 Mumbai floods. Urban flood peaks are 2-8 times and volume 6 times when compared with rural floods. We are now handling multiple disasters simultaneously due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. The river plains of north India are prone to floods in the monsoon season and geographical location of Prayagraj doubles the damage because it faces wrath from two sides. Very few researches have been conducted on urban floods and evidence needs to be generated from the field. Methodology: This qualitative research was planned with an objective to identify the difficulties faced in operating an urban flood relief camp during superimposed burden of COVID-19 Pandemic and to suggest remedial measures from the public health aspect. We conducted in-depth interviews of nodal officers, health staff and beneficiaries of the identified camps. Informed consent was taken from participant after explaining them about the research. Results: The findings from the interviews were categorized into 3phases of flood relief i.e. before the floods, during floods and lastly post flood. The most crucial work before floods is to spread awareness about do’s and don’ts in detail. Next was identification of the local people actually affected by flood. The space and facilities at few centers was low for the population load. Urban flood management needs a major overhauling of public health infrastructure to handle such disasters in future. Conclusion: The officials were working hard to make the homeless feel as if they are on a picnic. The database of beneficiaries should be strengthened and should also include students and labourers, anyone who is a flood victim and not only local flood victims.
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Background: Neuronal studies on diabetes mellitus (DM) were previously based on peripheral and autonomic nerves. With the advent of Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potential (BAEPs), studies on sensory pathways in the central nervous system become easier and more productive. BAEPs is a non-invasive electrophysiological tool to detect retro-cochlear lesion. Hence, it is helpful to detect early Impairment of the auditory nerve and brainstem function. Aim and Objective: DM Type 2 (T2DM) is a known cause of neuropathy and in earlier course, it involves sensory nerves. T2DM runs in families and it has a genetic predisposition. BAEP is one of the methods to find out problems related to hearing by analyzing latencies of waveforms and inter-peak latencies. Hence, BAEPs in apparently healthy subjects with and without family history of T2DM is assessed. Materials and methods: This is a cross-sectional, casecontrol study. We have taken 110 volunteers from MBBS students of IMS, BHU of 17–23 years of age. Those with co-morbid conditions (eg. diabetes and hypertension), neurodegenerative diseases, neuropathy, schizophrenia, and those on ototoxic and neurotoxic drugs are excluded from the study. After taking consent and conducting a preliminary physical examination, BAEPs are recorded using a proper BAEP recording device. Statistical analysis is done using SPSS 2016 software trial version with Chi-square test. Results: The subjects with positive family history of T2DM in paternal grandfather showed deviation in latencies of BAEPs wave I (P < 0.001), wave III (P = 0.019), wave V (P = 0.033), and inter-peak latency between wave I and wave V (P = 0.019) from the normal values in the left ear. The subjects with positive family history of T2DM in paternal grandmother showed deviation from the normal in case of V/I % in the right ear (P = 0.016). Conclusion: The presence of T2DM in families can affect the wave latencies and inter-peak latencies of BAEPs.
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@#Introduction: Pre-operative identification of patients with inadequate hamstring graft for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction is still a subject of interest. The purpose of this study is to correlate dimension of a harvested dimensions graft with patient physical anthropometric variables. Materials and methods: This cohort study included 280 patients (male = 226, female = 54) scheduled for primary anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Interrelationships between quadruple semitendinosus (ST) graft and anthropometric parameters (age, sex, height, weight, and BMI) were assessed using Pearson Correlation test and regression analysis. Difference among gender was analysed using Mann Whitney and t test. The observed graft diameter was also compared with the literature using Bland – Altman plot. Results: Mean age of cohort was 29 years (range, 17-50 years), mean height was 1.69m (range, 1.6-1.9m), mean weight was 75 kg (range, 50-116kg) and mean BMI was 26kg/m2 (range 16.65-40.40kg/m2). Mean quadruple length of harvested ST graft was 7cm (7.1±0.6 cm, range, 5.6- 8.8cm) and mean diameter was 8mm (8.2±0.8mm, range, 6.5-10mm). Only height and weight were significantly correlated with graft length and diameter in both sex (p value <0.05). Female, compared to male, had significantly smaller (p<0.0001) and thinner graft (p<0.0001). There was a strong agreement between the literature and our observed graft diameter, but with an overestimated graft diameter in 18.5% of the cases. Conclusion: Among anthropometric parameter, only height and weight had moderate positive correlation with graft diameter. Males had longer and wider ST graft in contrast to age-matched female group.
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Aim: The aim of the present study was to isolate antifungal protein from seeds of Acacia senegal in order to develop a new, effective and environmental friendly biofungicide.Methodology: Antifungal protein from A. senegal seeds was extracted and purified through ammonium sulphate precipitation, dialysis, ion exchange and gel filtration chromatography. The novel antifungal was characterized employing SDS-PAGE, chitinase activity and antifungal efficacy. The purified protein was also characterized through MALDI-TOF MS/MS. Results: The yield of purified antifungal protein was estimated to be 0.96 mg 25 g-1 seeds and its molecular mass determined by SDS PAGE was 52.9 kDa. The purified protein exhibited antifungal activity against phytopathogenic fungi viz., Macrophomina phaseolina and Fusarium oxysporum also possessed chitinase activity. The purified protein was characterized through MALDI-TOF MS/MS and its spectra revealed 14 peptides with their specific amino acid sequences. Interpretation: The antifungal protein isolated from A. senegal seeds has broad-spectrum antifungal activity with chitinase activity against pathogenic fungi that can be exploited for management of fungal disease as biopesticide to promote sustainable agriculture
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Inverted papilloma of urothelium is a rare benign tumour accounting for 1–2% of all the urothelial lesions. Morphologically, these are of two main subtypes – trabecular and glandular, of which the former subtype is most frequently encountered compared to the latter. The glandular subtype closely mimics cystitis glandularis and urothelial carcinoma with inverted growth pattern. We discuss a case of a 27-year-old male presenting with hematuria. On cystoscopy, he was found to have a bladder mass which was diagnosed as glandular-type of inverted papilloma on histopathology. The image illustrates the histopathology for easy identification and early diagnosis of this rare entity.
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Aim: The present study was undertaken to analyze the extent of genetic variability existing among twenty accessions of Lawsonia inermis, collected from Rajasthan and Gujarat states of India, using gene targeted SCoT, arbitrarily amplified ISSR and nuclear rDNA markers. Methodology: Twenty henna accessions, vegetatively established at the Institute were collected from Rajasthan (7) and Gujarat (13). Twenty-six SCoT and twenty ISSR markers generating distinct, unambiguous and scorable fragments were selected, after preliminary screening for assessment of genetic diversity. Data analysis was performed using NTSYS-pc, GenAlEx 6 and POPGENE version 1.31 programs, and dendrograms were generated using unweighted pair group method for arithmetic mean (UPGMA). The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of ribosomal DNA was amplified using universal primers followed by sequencing and dendrogram generation. Results: SCoT markers revealed lower values of similarity coefficients ranging from 0.87 - 0.93 compared to 0.93 - 0.98 for ISSR. SCoT markers delineated the L. inermis cultivars into three distinct clusters while ISSR markers demarcated them into five clusters. Interpretation: The Gujarat population of L. inermis was richer in genetic diversity than that of Rajasthan. SCoT markers proved better than the ISSR markers for genetic diversity analysis. Substantial variation in ITS-1 region due to SNPs, INDELS and ITS length polymorphism the nucleotide sequences signified its phylogenetic utility in assessing genetic diversity in of L. inermis.
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Barley is a popular cereal crop of nutritious and industrial importance and there is always a scope to improve a particular crop in view of its value and demand. Spatio-temporal studies discuss the diversity level among the existing varieties as well as the trend of genetic variation over a period of time and are useful in designing suitable strategies for genetic enhancement and improvement of a particular crop. Here, we used SSR markers to assess the level of spatio-temporal genetic diversity among fifty diverse released varieties of barley from India. Spatial diversity (0.233±0.16) was higher in varieties having exotic parentage as compared to the indigenous varieties (0.176±0.18) and significant diversity was also observed among the varieties released from different developing centers. There was a rising trend in % polymorphism and other diversity parameters among the barley varieties released before 1960s to 1970s, which may be attributed to the increasing usage of exotic germplasm during these decades. Increase in temporal diversity from 1970s to 1980s and to 1990s was not much as compared to earlier decades, which suggests that more diverse germplasm should be used to widen the genetic base of barley varieties released over the years. Further, structure and AMOVA results revealed strong differentiation among spatial groups, but not between temporal groups. The role of spatio-temporal genetic diversity studies and the importance of periodic monitoring of the varieties released for further crop improvement was emphasized.
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Infectious diseases remain as the major causes of human and animal morbidity and mortality leading to significant healthcare expenditure in India. The country has experienced the outbreaks and epidemics of many infectious diseases. However, enormous successes have been obtained against the control of major epidemic diseases, such as malaria, plague, leprosy and cholera, in the past. The country's vast terrains of extreme geo-climatic differences and uneven population distribution present unique patterns of distribution of viral diseases. Dynamic interplays of biological, socio-cultural and ecological factors, together with novel aspects of human-animal interphase, pose additional challenges with respect to the emergence of infectious diseases. The important challenges faced in the control and prevention of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases range from understanding the impact of factors that are necessary for the emergence, to development of strengthened surveillance systems that can mitigate human suffering and death. In this article, the major emerging and re-emerging viral infections of public health importance have been reviewed that have already been included in the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme.
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Background: Uttar Pradesh is the most populated state of the country having population of 199.581 million and total fertility rate of 3.3 (annual health survey [AHS] 2012�13) with high fertile trajectory. Currently, female sterilization accounts for about 18.4% and male sterilization for 0.3% of all sterilizations in Uttar Pradesh (AHS 2012�13). A strategy to promote men's involvement in effective birth control is needed to reduce the population growth. Since no scalpel vasectomy (NSV) is an easy method but still not being utilized; hence, the purpose of this research is to ascertain various factors of nonutilization of NSV. Objectives: The objective of the study is (i) to determine the barriers among married males for adopting NSV as a method of family planning, (ii) to determine the awareness about NSV, (iii) to suggest measures to increase uptake of NSV by the people. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out. A two-staged multistage random sampling technique was used. Lucknow is divided into eight Nagar Nigam zones. In the first stage, two urban slums from each geographical zone were selected randomly. In the second stage, from each selected slum a sample of 24 eligible households was selected at random to achieve the desired sample size. Results: It was observed that among the study participants maximum 89.2% perceived Sociocultural barriers, while 0.6% of the participants perceived service delivery barriers. However, 14% of the participants also perceived procedure-related barriers as the most important cause for not accepting NSV. Conclusion: Measures should be taken to remove these barriers, and increase uptake of NSV.
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Aim: The study was carried out to assess the overall genetic variability of 60 mango (Mangifera indica) genotypes for important fruit quality and yield characteristics to select better parents for mango breeding programme. Methodology: A total of 17 variables were scored and subjected to multivariate analysis. ANOVA, descriptive statistics, cluster analysis and principal component analysis were used to investigate variability among the genotypes for the selected traits. Results: Significant phenotypic variability was observed for studied traits. Cluster analysis classified all genotypes into two major groups according to shared similarity. Principal component analysis revealed that traits like fruit weight, fruit diameter, pulp content and pulp: stone ratio contributed positively, while fruit shape index, TSS:acid ratio, stone and peel traits contributed negatively for a large proportion of the observed variability. Interpretation: Pusa Arunima, Pusa Shresth, Pusa Lalima, Mallika, Ramkela, Amrapali, Extreema, Neelum, Gulab Jamun, S.B. Alibagh, Tommy Atkins, Primor-de-Amoreira genotypes were found unique for fruit and yield attributing traits, thus making them potential donor parent for fruit weight, fruit color, fruit diameter, fruit shape, pulp and pulp: stone traits in mango hybridization programme.
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Medicinal plants may prove useful in developing plant-based strategies for regulation of male fertility. The present review describes the antifertility potential of certain medicinal plants, viz. Azadirachta indica, Curcuma longa, Allamanda cathartica and Bacopa monnieri in Parkes (P) male mice. The results suggested that treatment with the aqueous extracts of these plants caused reversible suppression of spermatogenesis and fertility in P mice and that there were no signs of detectable toxicity in treated mice. Further research needs to be done to develop plant-based strategies for control of male fertility.
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Background: Stress is a double-edged sword that can either invigorate or decrease the student’s performance. Longer the duration of stress poorer the performance. Nursing students may develop feeling of inadequacy regarding the activities required during professional education which may lead to stress Aims & Objectives: To study the level of stress among undergraduate nursing students of Lucknow city and to determine the risk factors causing stress. Material & Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 380 B.Sc. (Nursing) Students enrolled in government and private colleges of Lucknow city using semi-structured questionnaire and DASS 42 scale Results: 60 percent and 62 percent of total nursing student from government college and private nursing respectively were stressed. There was no statistical difference (p= 0.17) between median stress score of two colleges. Predictor for stress was gender (odds ratio =3.41) Conclusion: The study showed high level of stress among the nursing students from government college and private college. Risk factors which were responsible for stress among students were gender, sharing of room, educational expenses, academic performance, mobile phone and harassment in college.
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Penicillum Marneffi is the third leading opportunistic pathogen in HIV endemic areas. We report a case, with a rare clinical presentation as lump abdomen with newly diagnosed HIV -1 antibody reactive status. A diagnosis was made by endoscopic biopsy of growth in second part of duodenum which on histopathology and culture detected Penicillum Marneffi. He was treated with intravenous amphotericin B for 2 weeks followed by oral itraconazole. This case is reported for its unusual presentation to sensitize clinicians to consider this as an etiology in patients in HIV endemic areas who present as lump abdomen.
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Purpose Proteins constitute a major portion of the organic matrix of human calcium oxalate (CaOx) renal stones and the matrix is considered to be important in stone formation and growth. The present study evaluates the effect of these proteins on oxalate injured renal epithelial cells accompanied by a 2D map of these proteins. Materials and Methods Proteins were isolated from the matrix of kidney stones containing CaOx as the major constituent using EGTA as a demineralizing agent. The effect of more than 3kDa proteins from matrix of human renal (calcium oxalate) CaOx stones was investigated on oxalate induced cell injury of MDCK renal tubular epithelial cells. A 2D map of >3kDa proteins was also generated followed by protein identification using MALDI-TOF MS. Results The >3kDa proteins enhanced the injury caused by oxalate on MDCK cells. Also, the 2D map of proteins having MW more than 3kDa suggested the abundance of proteins in the matrix of renal stone. Conclusion Studies indicate that the mixture of >3kDa proteins in the matrix of human renal stones acts as promoter of calcium oxalate crystal nucleation and growth as it augments the renal epithelial cell injury induced by oxalate. The effect of promoters masks the inhibitors in the protein mixture thereby leading to enhanced renal cell injury. 2D map throws light on the nature of proteins present in the kidney stones. .