Histological and Immunohistochemical Studies of Furstenberg’s Rosette in Sheep and Goat

A total of twelve healthy adult Madras Red ewe and Boer local she-goat teats were histologically and immunohistochemically examined. In between the teat canal and teat cistern Furstenberg’s rosette was appeared as modified zone of mucosa thrown into primary and secondary folds. The mucosal folds were lined by a bilayered cuboidal epithelium. Subepithelial area of rosette was composed of numerous lymphocytes, polymorphonuclear leukocytes, macrophages and plasma cells. Mucosa below the Furstenberg’s rosette was lined by stratified squamous keratinized epithelium. Immunohistochemical staining of rosette by CD3 antibody revealed the localization of intraepithelial ‘T’ lymphocytes in the mucosal folds. ‘T’ lymphocytes were also localized in the lamina propria region

Comparative study of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in hemodialysis and non-dialysis CKD patients and their prognostic value

Background: Hypertension and chronic kidney disease are inextricably intertwined. Most patients with hypertension associated CKD die of heart attack and stroke before renal function. Ambulatory BP monitoring provides automated measurements of BP during a 24hrs period while patients engaged in their usual activities including sleep. Recommended normal value include an average daytime BP <135/85mmHg/night time BP <120/70mmHg and 24 hr BP <130/89mmHg. In patients with chronic kidney disease the control of hypertension slows the progression of end stage renal disease. This study was undertaken to define the prognostic role of ABPM in dialysis dependent and non-dialysis CKD patients so that better treatment strategies could be initiated to prevent adverse outcomes.Methods: This prospective cross sectional study was conducted at Aarupadai Veedu Medical College and hospital, Puducherry in both dialysis dependent and non-dialysis CKD patients admitted in both ICU and medical wards. APBM was performed by using the properly validated ambulatory blood pressure monitor. The monitor records BP on the non-dominant arm every 20 minutes while awake and hourly while sleep for a total duration 24hrs in both hemodialysis dependent and non-hemodialysis patients. In hemodialysis dependent patients ABPM was recorded on the second day of hemodialysis.Results: The mean maximum systolic blood pressure in dialysis dependent and non-dialysis CKD patients recorded was 146.23 and 166.12 mmHg respectively. The mean minimum systolic blood pressure in dialysis dependent and non-dialysis CKD patients recorded was 122.11 and 122.45 mmHg respectively. The mean maximum diastolic blood pressure in dialysis dependent and non-dialysis CKD patients recorded was 100.24 and 110.65mmHg respectively. The mean minimum diastolic blood pressure in dialysis dependent and non-dialysis CKD patients recorded was 78.65 and 80.67 mmHg respectively. In our study the prevalence of non-dipping in dialysis and non-dialysis CKD patients were 28% and 16% respectively.Conclusions: Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring is considered the gold standard for the diagnosis of hypertension. Tight BP control is needed to limit the progression of renal disease and lessen cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. To achieve this goal ABPM should be widely adopted in patients with CKD.

A Study of Pap Smears in Reproductive Age Group Women

The aim of the pap smear to prevent progression to cervical cancer. The Pap test, when combined with a regular program of screening and appropriate follow-up, can reduce cervical cancer deaths by up to 80%. In general, screening starts about the age of 20 or 25 and continues until about the age of 50 or 60, typically recommended every three to five years, if results are normal. Aim: The aim of the present study is a study of cervical pap smears was undertaken to identify the inflammatory, precancerous and cancerous lesions among women catering to the rural and urban population. Methods: Present study was conducted on 530 female patients above 20 years attending the Gynecology OPD in Madha Medical College, Chennai, during September 2016 to August 2018. Pap smear was collected according to guidelines. The modified Papanicolaou stain was used in this study which is still the method of choice. Results: Majority of the cervical pap smears were revealed nonspecific inflammation (86.9%) followed by trihomonas vaginalis (7.7%), ASCUS (5%) and carcinoma (0.1%). In inflammation, leucorrhea (89%)is the most common clinical presentation followed by inter menstrual bleeding and bleeding per vaginum (1%) being the least. In Trichomonas Vaginalis, high incidence of leucorrhea and post coital bleeding (22%) are seen and dysmenorrhea (2.5%) is the least common clinical presentation. In ASCUS and carcinoma, bleeding per vaginum is the most common clinical presentation. Conclusion: Community education regarding cervical carcinoma and regular screening with pap smear among reproductive age group women helps to decrease the incidence of carcinoma of cervix.

Correlation of HbA1c with urinary ACR, serum creatinine and eGFR in type-2 diabetes mellitus at Puducherry, South India

Background: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a major emerging clinical health problem in this world. Anemia is a common problem in diabetes. Type 2 DM comprises about 90% of diabetic population of any country.Methods: A cross-sectional study carried out among 125 type 2 diabetic mellitus patients’ area at Department of Medicine Aarupadai Veedu Medical college (AVMC) and hospital, Puducherry during the period from May 2018 to October 2018.The objectives of the study were to evaluate the association of HbA1c with urinary ACR, eGFR and serum creatinine in Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Data was analyzed using the SPSS version 20.0 software.Results: The randomly selected study group comprised 100 type 2 DM patients and 25 control peoples of 35-70 years of age. Type 2 DM patients were evaluated of HbA1c, normotensives or hypertensives. FBS, serum creatinine, urinary albumin and creatinine were estimated. Urinary ACR and eGFR and were calculated. The data result was expressed as mean and standard deviation. A probability value is less than 0.05 and it was considered statistically significant.Conclusions: Type 2 diabetes mellitus patients, HbA1c and duration of diabetes were the strongest predictors of micro albuminuria and age was the strongest predictors of a low eGFR. The diabetes was poorly controlled, making the progression to end stage renal failure in concern patients. They measure the prevention of urinary albumin excretion, development of renal abrasion, smoking termination, strict glycaemic control and initiating lipid lowering therapy.

Prognostic value of ambulatory blood pressure in chronic kidney disease

Background: Hypertension control is essential to prevent macro vascular complications in patients with chronic kidney disease. Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM) is the recognized gold standard for the assessment of hypertension and hence in this study ABPM assessment was done in 50 patients with dialysis dependant CKD to evaluate the adequacy of BP control and prevent adverse events.Methods: This study is a prospective observational study conducted at Aarupadai Veedu Medical College and Hospital, Pondicherry among hypertensive patients with dialysis dependant CKD patients as per standard criteria. A total of 50 patients participated in this study of both gender after obtaining written consent. Patients with coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, acute kidney injury were excluded from this study.Results: Out of the total 50 patients included in this study 72% had early morning dipping in BP and remaining 28% had non-dipping in systolic and diastolic pressure. The mean systolic pressure reached a maximum of 160.95mmHg to a minimum of 113.38mmHg and the mean diastolic pressure with a maximum of 98.47 to a minimum of 62.71mmHg on an overall 24 hours ABPM monitoring. The mean systolic and diastolic pressure was found to be more in the active period than in the passive period.Conclusions: Nocturnal BP is superior to day time BP in predicting CVD outcomes. This study shows both systolic and diastolic pressure variability over 24hrs maximum during night hours (nocturnal hypertension) and non-dipping of early morning BP. Both non-dipping status and nocturnal hypertension are associated with target organ damage and CV risk.

Measures of generalized and central obesity among medical students in a tertiary care teaching hospital

Background: Obesity is a disease process characterized by excessive body fat accumulation which is associated with a large number of debilitating and life-threatening disorders. It is necessary to curb obesity when its beginning in late childhood or adolescence and youngsters. Hence this study is aimed to determine the prevalence of obesity among medical college students.Methods: This is an observational cross-sectional study conducted at Aarupadai Veedu Medical College and Hospital, Puducherry. Height, weight, waist and hip circumference were measured, and BMI and Waist Hip ratio has been calculated according to WHO standards to determine obesity level in students.Results: Out of the total 94 students included in the study 56.4% students were in normal weight, 26.6% overweight, 6.4% were obese and shockingly 10.6 % were in the underweight category. Nearly 81.8% and 79.5% of female and male students respectively were in the substantially increased risk category showing insignificant difference between genders.Conclusions: This study shows that overweight and obesity is prevalent among medical students without much difference in gender basis. Frequent screening might create awareness among students and help them become more self-conscious regarding overweight and obesity.

The Morphometric Study Of Anterior Cruciate Ligament: A Cadaveric Study

Introduction: The anterior cruciate ligament is frequently injured ligament of the knee. It divides into anteromedialand posterolateral budles attached into tibia and femur. This study aimed to measure the length and width of twobundles of ACL separately to observe the morphormetrical difference. Since single or double bundle ACLreconstructive surgical procedure are commonly used by orthopaedic surgeon, our study may help them inhamstring or tendon graft procedures.Material and Methods: The Cadaveric study was conducted in the department of Anatomy at Pondicherry instituteof Medical sciences, Pondicherry from December 2015 – May 2016. Randomly selected thirty cadaveric wasincluded for the study and knees with ACL tear; macroscopic degenerative changes or any evidence of trauma wasexcluded from the study. The data was presented as frequencies and proportions, mean and standard deviations.Statistical significance (p value) was considered at 0.05 levels.Results: There was a statistically significant increase in transverse diameter. We observed P value of transversediameter of anteromedial bundle at tibial attchment (0.01) and (0.05) in anteroposterior diameter of posterolateralat tibial and in middle (0.04) showed a statistically significant increase in transverse diameter.Conclusion: ACL tears are managed surgically by a double bundle or single bundle ACL reconstruction technique.Recently, the anatomic double bundle ACL reconstruction has been found to be better in restoring the intact kneefunction compared to the conventional single bundle surgery when done perfectly. So our study of morphometricmeasurements of ACL can help the surgeons during accurate tendon graft procedure of anterior cruciate ligamentreconstructive surgeries.

Comparison of Immunoprotection of Leptospira Recombinant Proteins with conventional vaccine in experimental animals.

Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease caused by bacteria of the genus Leptospira affecting humans and animals. Untreated leptospirosis may result in severe kidney damage, meningitis, liver failure, respiratory distress, and even death. Virulent leptospirosis can rapidly enter kidney fibroblasts and induce a programmed cell death. Thus, it is a challenge for immunologists to develop an effective and safe leptospirosis vaccine.Here, we compared the commercial canine leptospira vaccine and recombinant proteins (OmpL1 and LipL41) with and without adjuvant in terms of immune response and challenge studies in hamsters and immune response studies alone in experimental dogs. The outer membrane proteins viz., lipL41 and OmpL1 of leptospira interrogans serovars icterohaemorrhagiae were amplified. The primers were designed in such a way that amplified products of OmpL1 and lipL41 were ligated and cloned simultaneously into a single vector. The cloned products were expressed in E.coli BL21 cells. The immunoprotection studies were conducted for both recombinant proteins and commercial vaccine. The challenge experiment studies revealed that combination of both rLip41 and rOmpL1 and commercial vaccine gave 83% and 87% protection, respectively. Histopathological investigation revealed mild sub lethal changes were noticed in liver and kidney in commercially vaccinated group alone. The immune responses against recombinant leptospiral proteins were also demonstrated in dogs.

Mechanism of oil-pulling therapy - In vitro study.

Background: Oil pulling has been used extensively as a traditional Indian folk remedy without scientific proof for many years for strengthening teeth, gums and jaws and to prevent decay, oral malodor, bleeding gums and dryness of throat and cracked lips. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial activity of sesame oil and lignans isolated from sesame oil on oral microorganisms and to check whether saponification or emulsification occurs during oil-pulling therapy. Materials and Methods: The in vitro study was carried out in three different phases: (1) Antibacterial activity of the lignans and sesame oil were tested by minimum inhibitory concentration assay by agar dilution method and agar well diffusion method, respectively. (2) Increase in free fatty acid level of oil and the quantity of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) used up in the titration are good indicators of saponification process. This was assessed using analytical tests for vegetable oils. (3) Swished oil was observed under light microscope to assess the status of the oil, presence of microorganisms, oral debris and foreign bodies. Results: Sesamin and sesamolin isolated from sesame oil did not have any antibacterial effect against oral microorganisms like Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus mitis and Streptococcus viridans. Emulsification of sesame oil occurs during oil-pulling therapy. Increased consumption of NaOH in titration is a definite indication of a possible saponification process. Conclusion: The myth that the effect of oil-pulling therapy on oral health was just a placebo effect has been broken and there are clear indications of possible saponification and emulsification process, which enhances its mechanical cleaning action.

Development and evaluation of calcium alginate beads prepared by sequential and simultaneous methods

The objective of this study was to develop a sustained release dosage form of Trimetazidine dihydrochloride (TMZ) using a natural polymeric carrier prepared in a completely aqueous environment. TMZ was entrapped in calcium alginate beads prepared with sodium alginate by the ionotropic gelation method using calcium chloride as a crosslinking agent. The drug was incorporated either into preformed calcium alginate gel beads (sequential method) or incorporated simultaneously during the gelation stage (simultaneous method). The beads were evaluated for particle size and surface morphology using optical microscopy and SEM, respectively. Beads produced by the sequential method had higher drug entrapment. Drug entrapment in the sequential method was higher with increased CaCl2 and polymer concentration but lower with increased drug concentration. In the simultaneous method, drug entrapment was higher when polymer and drug concentration were increased and also rose to a certain extent with increase in CaCl2 concentration, where further increase resulted in lower drug loading. FTIR studies revealed that there is no interaction between drug and CaCl2. XRD studies showed that the crystalline drug changed to an amorphous state after formulation. Release characteristics of the TMZ loaded calcium alginate beads were studied in enzyme-free simulated gastric and intestinal fluid.

O objetivo deste estudo foi desenvolver forma de liberação controlada de dicloridrato de trimetazidina (TMZ) utilizando transportador plomérico natural em ambiente completamente aquoso. A TMZ foi presa em pérolas de alginato de cálcio preparadas com alginato de sódio pelo método de gelatinização ionotrópica, usando cloreto de cálcio como agente de formação de ligações cruzadas. O fármaco foi incorporado nas pérolas de gel de alginato de cálcio (método sequencial) ou incorporado, simultaneamente, durante o estágio de gelificação (método simultâneo). As pérolas foram avaliadas quanto ao tamanho das partículas e morfologia da superfície utilizando microscopia óptica de SEM, respectivamente. As pérolas produzidas pelo método sequencial apresentaram maior capacidade de inclusão. No método sequencial, a inclusão de fármaco foi maior com o aumento de CaCl2 e da concentração do plímero, mas menor com o aumento da concentração de fármaco. No método simultâneo, a inclusão de fármaco foi mais alta quando as concentrações de fármaco e plímero foram aumentadas e, também, atingiram certa extensão com aumento na concentração de CaCl2, cujo aumento posterior resultou em carga menor de fármaco. Estudos de FTIR revelaram que não há interação entre fármaco e CaCl2. Estudos de XRD mostraram que o fármaco mudou do estado cristalino para o amorfo após a formulação. As características de liberação de TMZ das pérolas carregadas com alginato de cálcio foram estudadas em fluidos simulados, gástrico e intestinal, livres de enzima.

Water quality and phytoplankton characteristics in the Palk Bay, southeast coast of India.

The present study was carried out to determine the water quality in terms of physicochemical characteristics and plankton distribution in the coastal waters of Kattumavadi, Palk Bay for a period of one year from April 2002 to March 2003. Air and surface water temperatures varied from 28 degrees C to 32.50 degrees C and from 27.5 to 32.0 degrees C while light extinction coefficient (LEC) varied between 0.95 and 1.85. Salinity ranged from 26.0 to 34.5 per thousand and the pH ranged between 7.95 and 8.35. Variation in dissolved oxygen content was from 4.15 to 7.18 ml(-1), and the particulate organic carbon (POC) content varied between 0.49 and 2.28 mgCl(-1). Concentrations of nutrients viz. nitrate (2.15 to 8.28 microM), nitrite (0.12 to 0.62 microM), inorganic phosphate (1.28 to 2.15 microM) and reactive silicate (5.15 to 12.52 microM) also varied independently. Chlorophyll a content ranged from 0.28 to 1.48 mg m(-3) and the primary productivity, from 4.19 to 16.08 mgCm(-3) hr(-1). The present study recorded a total of 43 species of planktonic diatoms and two species of blue-green algae. Population density of phytoplankton varied from 18,000 to 34,000 cells l(-1). Percentage composition, of the diatoms showed minimum values during the monsoon season and the maximum values during the premonsoon season.