Effect of salinity on lipid profile of Cyprinus carpio reared in inland saline water

Aim: The present study was undertaken to investigate the influence of different salinity levels on gonadal tissue and serum biochemical parameters of Cyprinus carpio reared in inland saline groundwater to standardize the optimal salinity level for better maturation and seed production.Methodology: A 90 days experiment was conducted in non-drainable rectangular earthen ponds (n= 8) to study the effects of different salinity (0, 5, 10 and 15 ppt) levels on distribution of lipid class profile in Cyprinus carpio reared in inland saline groundwater. Gonads and serum were collected on 15 days interval and lipid classes, cholesterol, phospholipid and triacylglycerol were analyzed by using extracted total lipid. Results: The concentration of different forms of lipids were significantly influenced by salinity and their concentration increased with development of maturity stages but lowest level was recorded at ovulation or spermiation stages. It was observed that significantly (p < 0.05) highest level of all lipids was found at 0 and 5 ppt compared to 10 and 15 ppt salinity. Interpretation: The present study revealed that various lipid class fatty acids varied according to salinity and maturity stages of C. carpio in inland saline groundwater. Further, it also indicated that C. carpio has a tendency to adapt, survive, tolerate and reproduce in inland saline environment salinity ranging from 0-15 ppt and was found optimal at 5 ppt based on the reproductive ability

Effect of Thermocycling on the Flexural Strength of Various PMMA Resins Reinforced with Different Fibres: An In vitro Study.

Introduction: Fracture of an acrylic resin complete denture base after aging, poses problem for patients, dentists and dental laboratory technicians. This study was performed to determine the effect of thermocycling on the flexural strength of a commercially available, heat-polymerized acrylic denture base material reinforced with glass fibers, carbon fibers, aramid fibers and high (HI) impact resins. Materials and Methods: Forty specimens were made of similar dimension from five groups of materials. Each group had eight specimens. A commercially available heat polymerized P.M.M.A denture base resin was selected as control and PMMA reinforced with glass, carbon, aramid fibres and HI impact resin were compared. All specimens were then subjected to thermocycling before testing. Flexural strength was evaluated with universal testing machine. The results were analyzed with Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) followed by Turkey HSD test. Results: All reinforced specimens and HI impact resins showed better flexural strength than the conventional acrylic resin after thermocycling. Specimens reinforced with glass fibers showed the highest flexural strength, followed by HI impact resin, carbon fibers and aramid fibers. After artificial aging, a significant improvement in the flexural strength of conventional acrylic resin was observed when it was reinforced with glass fibers. Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, incorporation of 2% by weight of glass fibre in PMMA resin exhibited statistically significant maximum flexural strength followed by high impact resin, carbon, polyaramid reinforced P.M.M.A denture base resin. These can readily be used in the fabrication of dentures subjected to heavy masticatory loads.

Fabrication of Hollow Bulb Obturator with Maxillary Partial Denture for Congenital Cleft Palate Defect.

Rehabilitation of congenital cleft palate defect improves the quality of life for the patient as normal as possible. Obturator size depends on defect’s size and volume. The prosthesis should be easy to handle, simple to maintain, biocompatible, light in weight and conventional for future adjustments. This case report describes a cleft palate patient, which was rehabilitated with a hollow bulb obturator.

Use of Cheiloscopy as a Tool for Gender Dimorphism in a Rural Indian Population.

Introduction: The uniqueness of human lip prints can be used for gender dimorphism. Cheiloscopy is an investigational technique under forensic science that deals with the study of uniqueness of lip prints. It has already been established that lip prints are unique to each individual; its comparison at the crime site with that of the suspect might be helpful. Aims and Objectives: The specific aim of this study was to study the lip prints as a tool for gender dimorphism while the specific objective was to evaluate the uniqueness of lip prints. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on a group of 60 Dental students within the age group of 18 to 25 years. The pattern of lip prints was recorded by two methods and classified according to Suzuki and Tsushihashi’s classification. Data was analyzed using SPSS package (version 12) and Chi square test was used to analyze and compare the lip print patterns. Results: It was seen that no two lip prints matched with each other. Type I and I’ pattern was seen only in females; type II pattern showed almost equal distribution between males and females whereas type III, IV was predominant in males. None of the subjects presented with Type V. Conclusion: It was concluded that cheiloscopy can act as a tool for gender dimorphism and both methods of recording lip prints were equally accurate.

Immature Teratoma with Somatic Tumor-Type Sarcoma: A Case Report.

Teratoma is a germ cell tumor seen mainly in neonates and young adults; it contains elements derived from all three germinal layers, with its usual site of occurrence being the ovary and testis and less common sites being several extragonadal locations. This case is of a 10-year-old boy who presented with an asymptomatic mass, heterogenous on ultrasonography and showing enhanced solid areas along with nonenhancing cystic areas on contrast enhanced computed tomography. Cytological diagnosis of malignant mesenchymal tumor was made; however, exact categorization could not be done. After surgical excision, histological and immunohistochemical studies yielded the diagnosis of immature teratoma with somatic malignancy – sarcoma. Teratomas with malignant transformation refer to a form of germ cell tumor in which a somatic teratomatous component becomes morphologically malignant and develops aggressively. These are associated with chromosomal abnormalities i (12p) reflecting germ cell tumor clonality. The occurrence of an identifiable sarcomatous component is a well recognized but distinctly uncommon phenomenon.

Study of the association of metabolic syndrome with schizophrenia in north eastern part of India.

Background: During last several years there has been growing interest in metabolic abnormalities in Schizophrenia. Studies in this context are lacking in this part of India. Aims & Objective: To study the association of metabolic syndrome with schizophrenia in North eastern part of India. Material and Methods: 50 Adult schizophrenic patients diagnosed as per DSM-IV TR Criteria and age and sex matched 50 subjects of control group were included in for prevalence of MetS as per the criteria of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). Informed consent was obtained. The study was approved by local ethical committee. Results: Maximum numbers of subjects were in the age group 21-30 years and males were more than female in schizophrenia group. 14 (28%) patients in schizophrenia group and 6 (12%) subjects in control group had MetS. The mean Serum triglyceride of schizophrenia (153.41 ± 57.26) was significantly higher (p<0.05). Mean BMI of schizophrenia (22.55 ± 4.19) was higher as compared to control group (22.30 ± 3.35). 38 patients (76%) were taking antipsychotics for more than 6 months of duration, in which 14 patients (28%) were found to be having MetS while 24 patients (48%) had no MetS. 2nd generation antipsychotics were taken by 35 patients (70%) in which 14 patients (28%) were found to have MetS while 21 patient (42%) had no MetS. Conclusion: This study showed that prevalence of MetS, risk factors, was more in schizophrenia than control group and it was present more commonly in patients taking second generation antipsychotics.

Maxillary sinus tuberculosis various presentations.

Tuberculosis (TB) of the maxillary sinus is rare. We describe the clinical presentation, management and outcome in two human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seronegative patients with histopathologically confirmed maxillary sinus TB. One of the patients who presented earlier in the course of the disease could be managed with antituberculosis treatment alone, while the other who presented late required surgical intervention as well.

Occurrence of Non-Tuberculous Mycobacterium in clinical samples - a potential pathogen.

Background: Silent presence of non-tuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) has been observed since the last 100 years, but now the increasing incidence of NTM is of great concern for clinical microbiologists as well as clinicians. Although many advanced efforts are being made for identification and control of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, still the silently growing menace of non-tuberculous mycobacteria is receiving negligible attention. Objectives: This study was aimed to find NTMs in positive cultures and identify them up to species level. Material & Methods: During the study period, i.e. from January 2009 to June 2011, a total of 4104 positive cultures were subjected to species identification by different morphological and biochemical tests. All the tests for identification were performed as per standard procedure along with the standard strains of NTM provided by JALMA, Agra. Results: The identification of positive cultures showed 4044/15581 (25.95%) Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex and 60/15581(0.38%) NTM. The mycobacterium species identification results showed that out of total 60 NTM, 21 different species of NTM were found and they belonged to all the four groups of runyon. The most common species identified in this study was M.simiae (07) followed by M.avium(06), M.gordonae(05), M.kansasii(05), M.fortuitum(05), M.chelonae(05), M.pheli(05), M.terrae(04), M.szulgai(02), M.vaccae(02), M.flavescens(02), M. trivale(02), M.malmoense(01), M.scrofulaceum(01), M.intracellulare(01), M.xenopi(01), M.ulcerans(01), M.tusciae(01), M.triplex(01), M.septicum(01), M.mucogenicum(01). Conclusion: The isolation of NTMs from different clinical samples indicated that they may be the causative agents for pulmonary and extra-pulmonary non-tuberculous diseases. Elaborate and focused studies are needed to differentiate NTMs amongst commensal/colonizer, pathogen and laboratory contaminants.

Hollow Maxillary Denture: A Simplified Approach.

It is the dentist’s responsibility to fabricate a prosthesis incorporating stability, retention and support which ultimately provide satisfaction to the patient. But in the critical conditions such as long lip length or severely resorbed ridges with increased inter arch distance, the weight of a maxillary denture is often a dislodging factor. Hence, a light weight denture is required for better retention. This article describes a case of completely edentulous patient successfully rehabilitated with a hollow denture where a simplified technique of fabricating a light weight maxillary denture was used.

Neutral zone and oral submucous fibrosis.

Oral submucous fibrosis is a premalignant condition in which rigidity of the lip, tongue, and palate results in reduced mouth opening and tongue movement. Limited mouth opening, mucosal rigidity, and reduced salivary flow makes prosthodontic procedures difficult in these patients and affects the stability, retention, and the support of removable prostheses. The burning sensation in the mouth that these patients experience reduces the tolerance to prostheses. We report a case of oral submucous fibrosis where the conventional neutral zone technique with certain modifications was utilized to rehabilitate a completely edentulous patient with this condition.

Blunt injuries of chest: A medicolegal analysis.

Chest injuries are always a great challenge for medical professionals as two of the vital organs, which are present there, very often involved & damaged causing excessive bleeding and death. These injuries are usually caused by blunt forces or sharp penetrating weapons. Here in this paper 60 cases of chest injuries by blunt forces are studied for their epidemiological, medicolegal and clinico-pathological aspects. Most of them are adult/ middle aged male between 20-50years of age, hit or run over by heavy vehicles in road traffic accidents. Lungs are lacerated in almost all the cases and internal haemorrhage & shock is the prime cause of death. Heart, aorta & other organs were also involved in substantial number of cases. Though majority of them died within two hours, either on the spot or in the way to the hospital, an attempt is also made to correlate the prognosis & the nature of injuries.

Role of Imprint Cytology in Diagnosis of Lymph Node Lesions.

Introduction: Imprint cytology is proved to be rapid inexpensive tool in the diagnosis of various lymph node lesions. Objective: The present study was conducted to correlate the diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of imprint cytology of various lymph node lesions with histopathological diagnosis. 102 cases were included in the study comprising inflammatory lesion, tubercular lymphadenitis, lymphomas and metastatic carcinomas. Material and Method: From 102 cases of lymph node excision, imprint smears were taken and stained with Hematoxylin & Eosin and Papanicolaou stains. The findings of imprint cytology were then compared with final histopathological diagnosis. Result: When compared with final histopathological diagnosis, imprint smears showed overall diagnostic accuracy of 97.8% with sensitivity and specificity of 95.05% and 98.69% respectively. Accuracy rate for metastatic lymphadenopathy was 100%, whereas, for tubercular lymphadenitis it was 98.04% and for lymphomas 96.04%. Conclusion: Imprint cytology proved to be very useful for diagnosis of metastatic tumour as it gave 100% diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity and specificity. Imprint cytology is also considered to be useful in superficial ulcers to differentiate between benign and malignant lesions without surgical intervention.

A pilot study of same day sputum smear examination, its feasibility and usefulness in diagnosis of Pulmonary TB.

Introduction'. A large number of tuberculosis cases are continuously being reported from India and other developing countries leading to high morbidity and mortality. In spite of many newer tests available for diagnosing a case of tuberculosis, smear microscopy of sputum is still the preferred test under programmatic conditions. The current national and international guidelines recommend two sputum smear examinations in two days for diagnosing cases of tuberculosis, which is time consuming, tedious, needs multiple visits, leading to high dropout of infectious cases. In the background of existing limitations of smear microscopy, we attempted to complete the diagnosis of tuberculosis on same day by serial collection of the spot sputum specimen and analyze its advantages, feasibility and viability. Material & Methods: The study was undertaken by the Department of Microbiology, Lala Ram Sarup Institute of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases during May 2010 to April 2011. Sputum specimens were collected from 330 randomly selected tuberculosis suspects who attended OPD of hospital, patients submitted spot and home collected morning sputum sample in a standard method and spot and additional spot sputum(X- spot) collected one hour after the flrst spot sample as per the proposed front loading method. All the samples received were stained by acid fast Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) stain and examined on the same day. The sputum sample was pooled and cultured in Lowenstein Jensen (U) media in duplicate set of bottles. The results of two different microscopic methods were compared with the gold standard culture test. Results: Out of the total 330 TB suspects, 70.60% were males and 29.39% females. The most common complaint was of cough with sputum (88.18%), chest pain (70.21%), fever (55.15%) and loss of appetite (43.03%). Upon examining the total sputum slides, 18.48 % were positive for acid fast bacilli. The smear positivity was 61/330(l8.48%) by standard methods and in proposed new method 43/330(13.03%). Sensitivity of the standard and proposed new method smear microscopy was 58.25% and 40.07% respectively and specificity was 99.55% in both the methods. Conclusion: Same day smear microscopy for diagnosing tuberculosis by a proposed new method of smear examination in the case of suspected tuberculosis seems not a promising step towards improving the quality of sputum smear examination. The results of sensitivity and specificity of the two approaches were not similar. More than eighty per cent responded in favour of same day sputum delivery system and getting result on same day. This study can be confirmed on larger scale and preference of patients can be examined in peripheral laboratory also before taking it up for consideration in the national tuberculosis programme.

Prevalence of XDR TB cases - A retrospective study from a tertiary care TB Hospital.

Background: The emergence of XDR –TB strains is a major roadblock in the successful implementation of TB control programmes. This further leads to high morbidity and mortality, especially in immuno-compromised patients. Identification and observation of resistance patterns of XDR-TB strains may help clinicians manage MDR-TB cases, the treatment line of which is expensive, time-taking and involves intake of toxic drugs with many side-effects. Our study is aimed to find out the prevalence of XDR-TB among the MDR-TB strains isolated in a tertiary care hospital. Material & Methods: The study population consisted of 223 patients of tuberculosis who were culture positive and Mycobacterium tuberculosis was resistant to Rifampicin and Isoniazid during January 2007 to December 2009. Each patient had submitted two sputum samples i.e. spot and morning. The identified Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex was subjected to drug sensitivity testing by first and second line drugs by proportion and absolute concentration methods as per standard procedure . Results : The results showed that 20.17% strains (45/223) were XDR-TB strains. Most of these strains showed resistance to four drug combination viz. KM, ETH, OFX & PAS (5.82%), KM & OFX (3.13%), OFX, KM and ETH (1.79%), 1.34% strains showed resistance to all the drugs i.e. pan resistance and other combinations in the remaining strains. Nearly 80% of the XDR-TB strains showed resistance to three or more drugs combination pattern. Conclusion: The multidrug resistant TB cases need urgent and timely sensitivity report for second line ATT drugs to help clinicians start proper drug combinations to treat MDR-TB patients.

Geriatric health: Need to make it an essential element of primary health care.

Within the next few decades, we will see an extraordinary increase in the number of older people worldwide. The public health benefit of preventive medicine in old age comes from the compression of the time spent in dependency to a minimum. A community-based, cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the morbidity profile of the geriatric population in a rural area of Maharashtra. A total of 214 subjects, of age 60 years and above, were examined. Data were collected by structured interviews and clinical and laboratory examinations. Out of the total of 214 subjects, 190 were suffering from some or the other diseases and the major morbidities were visual (56%), musculoskeletal (38.3%), respiratory (32.7%), and hypertension (28%). Anemia was present in 62.6%, 5.61% had Diabetes Mellitus and 22.5% were found to be overweight. The average morbidity load was 2.61. The rising morbidities clearly showed that a regular, complete health checkup of the elderly should be embedded in the essential elements of the Primary Health Care. This would reduce the morbidity, improve the quality of life, and facilitate 'Active Aging'.

Assessment of urban air pollution and it’s probable health impact.

The present study deals with the quantitative effect of vehicular emission on ambient air quality during May, 2006 in urban area of Lucknow city. In this study, SPM, RSPM, SO2, NOx and 7 trace metals associated with RSPM were estimated at 10 representative locations in urban area and one village area for control. Beside this, air quality index (AQI), health effects of different metals and mortality were assessed. The 24 hr average concentration of SPM, RSPM, SO2 and NOx was found to be 382.3, 171.5, 24.3 and 33.8 μg m-3 respectively in urban area and these concentrations were found to be significantly (p<0.01) higher by 94.8, 134.8, 107.4 and 129.6% than control site respectively. The 24 hr mean of SPM and RSPM at each location of urban area were found to be higher than prescribed limit of National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) except SPM for industrial area. The 24 hr mean concentration of metals associated with RSPM was found to be higher than the control site by 52.3, 271.8, 408.9, 75.81, 62.7, 487.54 and 189.5 % for Fe, Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, Mn and Cr respectively. The inter correlation of metals Pb with Mn, Fe and Cr; Zn with Ni and Cr; Ni with Cr; Mn with Fe and Cu with Cr showed significant positive relation either at p<0.05 or p<0.01 level. Metals Pb, Mn and Cr (p<0.01) and Cu (p<0.05) showed significant positive correlation with RSPM. These results indicate that ambient air quality in the urban area is affected adversely due to emission and accumulation of SPM, RSPM, SO 2 , NO x and trace metals. These pollutants may pose detrimental effect on human health, as exposure of these are associated with cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, neurological impairments, increased risk of preterm birth and even mortality and morbidity.

Estimation of stature by percutaneous measurements of distal half of upper limb (forearm & hand).

Determination of stature from skeletal / dismembered remains is not new for Forensic Experts. In this study efforts are made to reconstruct stature from distal half of upper limb (forearm & hand), for which standing height and distance between tips of olecranon process and middle finger of right and left arms are measured in 100 adult male and female students of 19 -25 years of age. These measurements are analyzed statistically to establish relation between stature and forearm and hand in form of regression equation and multiplication factor. Multiplication factors are also calculated in the study and these are 3.67 for male and 3.73 for female but their results are less compatible with regression equations.

Effectiveness of Diflubenzuron in the control of houseflies.

Background & objectives: Houseflies are one of the major pest problems worldwide. The current housefly control strategy in the country hinges on the use of Dichlorvos as a housefly larvicide and pyrethrum spray in kitchens/dining areas. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the newer housefly control options in the wake of concerns about human toxicity of Dichlorvos and its continued use in public health. Methods: Efficacy of Diflubenzuron WP and granule formulations (chitin synthesis inhibitor) visà- vis Dichlorvos EC in the control of housefly was assessed in laboratory by adult emergence inhibition after treatment and in field conditions by estimation of density post-application up to three weeks using standard methods. Results: Dichlorvos EC and Diflubenzuron formulations (WP and granule) brought about 100% inhibition of adult emergence under laboratory conditions. However, in the field evaluation, effective suppression of housefly population was brought about by Dichlorvos and Diflubenzuron granule formulation (though delayed). Conclusion: Dichlorvos EC and Diflubenzuron granule formulation are effective housefly larvicides. It is recommended that Diflubenzuron WP formulation be evaluated at a higher frequency to enhance its effectiveness and its use may be considered in conjunction with an initial suppression of housefly adults with an adulticide, e.g. Cyphenothrin, etc.

Penetrating chest injuries: a medicolegal analysis.

Penetrating injuries are one of the commonest methods of committing murder, of which penetrating injuries of the chest/heart are very serious and prove fatal in most of the cases (1). In a post mortem study of penetrating chest injuries at Lucknow, majority of the victims were adult male between 20-50 years of age. In majority of the cases injuries were caused by firearms usually a shot gun. Injuries by knives and daggers were also seen in few cases. Injuries were seen on the front of chest, predominantly on the left side, in majority of the cases. Lungs were damaged in all the cases. Heart; aorta & other thoracic organs were also injured in substantial number of cases. In the cases where heart was found damaged, the right ventricle was injured in majority of the cases. Two-third of the victims died within three hours after getting injuries, either on the spot or in the way to the hospital. All the cases of penetrating chest injuries were homicidal & personal rivalry was the single most common reason behind these deaths.

Epidemiology of Ocular Infection Due to Bacteria and Fungus – A Prospective Study.

A total number of 400 cases of eye infection were studied. Among them, 250 were conjunctivitis (59.2%),120 were keratitis (53.34%) 15 were endophthalmitis (26.67%) and 15 were suffering from other infections (40%). The corneal scrapping, conjunctival swab and biopsy material ( endophthalmitis cases) was collected asceptically. The material was examined using 10% Potassium hydroxide, Gram staining and Giemsa staining. The specimens were cultured on sheeps’ blood agar, chocolate agar and sabourauds’ dextrose agar. In the bacterial cause of eye infection Staphylococcus aureus (19.13%) was the most commonly isolated organism and other pathogens isolated were Streptococcus pneumoniae (10.93%), Streptococcus pyogens (0.55%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (4.92%), Klebsiella species(2.74%), Escherichia colli (1.10%) and Proteus mirabilis (0.55%). Among the opportunistic pathogens, Staphylococcus epidermidis, (19.13%) were the most common isolate followed by Acinetobacter species(2.74%). Alkaligenes faecalis (1.10%), Staphylococcus saprophyticus (0.55%), Staphylococcus cohnii (0.55%), Staphylococcus haemolyticus (0.55%). In the endopthalmitis patients only Pseudomonas aeruginosa (20%) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (6.67%) were isolated. In the fungal keratitis, the total fungal isolates were 32.50%. Among them Aspergillus species (56.42%) was the most common fungus isolated followed by Curvurlaria (17.95%), Cladosporium (7.70%), Candida species (5.13%), Fusarium (5.13%), Alternaria (5.13%), Penicillium (2.57%). Fungal infection is a life threatening condition, which needs early diagnosis and treatment to save the patients’ eye. Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis are still the most common isolates among the known and opportunistic pathogens in ocular infection. Pseudomonas is the most common cause of endophthalmitis. Aspergillus remains most common cause for fungal keratitis.