A Critical Review on Thermo-Sensitive Vaginal Gel for the Foundation of Preparing Thermo-Sensitive Vaginal Gel of PVK (Panchvalkal Kashaya) Extract

RTI (Reproductive Tract Infection) is the vital cause of suffering in women and neonates. According to WHO estimation 340 million new cases of curable STI (Sexually Transmitted Disease) other than HIV/AIDS occurs every year, most of which are occurring in developing countries. Genital tract infection is the prime cause of most gynaecological disease. Vaginal candidiasis is the most common cause of Genital tract infection. It (Vaginal candidiasis) is a common condition and up to 75% of all women suffer at least one episode of this infection during their life time. For treating the pathological condition of genital tract, direct application or self application of medicine is very difficult and the residence time of the medicine is less due to self cleansing properties of vaginal canal. Application of the drug in other route may cause systemic adverse reaction. To overcome this arduous situation, in situ thermo-sensitive gel form has great importance. In this article an attempt have been made for the review of the thermo-sensitive vaginal gel and the scholar has gathered the basic knowledge to develop an Ayurvedic formulation Panchavalkal kashaya thermo-sensitive vaginal gel by this review. This work will be done in School of Pharmaceutical Science, Shoolini University, Solan, HP.

Molecular detection of selected zoonotic respiratory pathogens and the presence of virulence and antibiotic resistance genes via PCR among Kelantan Hajj pilgrims

Aims@#Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) among Malaysian pilgrims are caused by exposure to zoonotic-potential respiratory pathogens, symptomatically and asymptomatically affected by rigorous pilgrimage rituals, overcrowding and other stressors. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, virulence and antibiotic resistance genes of selected zoonotic respiratory pathogens using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays among Hajj pilgrims from Kelantan state, Malaysia.@*Methodology and results@#Throat swab specimens were obtained from 189 Kelantan Hajj pilgrims in 2016 and examined by PCR for the identification of respiratory pathogens. Thirteen samples (6.88%) were positive for Streptococcus pneumoniae and four (2.11%) were positive for Klebsiella pneumoniae. All the samples were negative for Influenza A virus, MERS-CoV and Mycobacterium bovis. One sample was positive for S. pneumoniae virulence lytA gene. One sample was positive for K. pneumoniae virulence magA and K2A genes respectively, and three samples were positive for K. pneumoniae rmpA genes. Ten and seven samples were positive for S. pneumoniae mefA and pbpA antibiotic resistance genes respectively. Two samples were positive for K. pneumoniae blaKPC and blaOXA-48 antibiotic resistance genes. @*Conclusion, significance and impact of study@#This work provided insight into the existence of zoonotic respiratory pathogens inducing Hajj RTIs in Kelantan pilgrims. It showed promising findings for zoonotic studies in Hajj settings. The findings could be relevant in potential control measures for the management of zoonotic infections among Hajj pilgrims.

Study of Profile and Pattern of Information Sought from RTI Applications in a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital of North India

Introduction: The Right to Information Act 2005 is asignificant development in Indian Democratic fabric. ItProvides a platform for Citizens where they have the right togain access to information which is under Public authority. Theaccess to information under the RTI act 2005 includes a rightto obtain Personal medical information generated within thehospitals and their research projects. The citizens are utilizingthe tool of RTI in health care services which has resulted inimproved care and better management of health centers. ThePresent study was conducted in 794 bedded tertiary careteaching hospital with an aim to find out the profile and patternof applications received through RTI act protocol.Material and Methods: This hospital record basedprospective observational study was carried out in Sherikashmir institute of medical sciences (SKIMS), a tertiary carehospital from October 2016 to February 2018. All the RTIapplications received during the study period were selectedfor the study. The data was collected by an investigator afterscrutiny of received applications and was verified from thedesignated PIO.Results: Among 119 applications, 115 cases (96.6%) weresolved by providing required information Among 115 resolvedRTI applications, majority i.e 47(40.8%) of cases wereresolved between 15-30 days, the process of 46 (40%) RTIapplications was expedited by issuing only one (1) reminderto concerned quarters, 105 cases were concluded at PIO levelwhile 10 applicants appealed to First appellant authority (FAA)which happened to be the Medical superintendent of Hospital,most of the applications were for Policy and Personal section(50, 42.01%), most common subject matter was informationregarding a Hospital staff member (21, 17.64%) and amongthe queries, most were information inquiry (83%, 69.74%).Conclusions: Healthcare personnel must acquire, process,store, retrieve and transfer clinical, administrative andfinancial health information. Privacy and confidentiality areimportant issues and their protection in the fiduciary doctorpatient relationship encourages citizens to seek necessarymedical care and disclosure of information is vital if largerpublic interest is involved.

cGAS recognizes HTLV-1 RTI and induces STING-dependent innate immune responses / 中华微生物学和免疫学杂志

Objective To investigate whether cyclic GMP-AMP synthase ( cGAS ) , a cytosolic DNA sensor, could recognize the reverse transcription intermediate and induce the subsequent signaling path-way during the infection of human T cell leukemia virus type 1 ( HTLV-1 ) . Methods Biotin-labeled ssDNA90, a reverse transcription intermediate of HTLV-1, was transfected into HeLa cells and the interac-tion between it and cGAS was detected by co-immunoprecipitation experiments. HeLa cells were co-cultured with HTLV-1-positive MT2 cells and the interaction between cGAS and stimulator of interferon genes ( STING) was analyzed by co-immunoprecipitation experiments. The expression of STING in HeLa cells was silenced by siRNA. cGAS was transfected into the HeLa cells 24 h after the silencing and after 24 h, these cells were co-cultured with MT2 cells for another 24 h. Real-time PCR assay was used to measure the ex-pression of IFN-β, RANTES ( regulated upon activation, normal T-cell expressed, and secreted) , TNF-α, HTLV-1 protein Tax, p19 and HBZ. Immunoblot assay was performed to evaluate the phosphorylation of IRF3 and p65 in HeLa cells. Results cGAS interacted with ssDNA90. cGAS interacted with STING in the cytoplasm. In STING-silenced HeLa cells, cGAS transfection had no influence on the expression of IFN-β, RANTES , TNF-α, Tax , p19 or HBZ , nor did it affect the phosphorylation of IRF3 or p65 . Conclusions cGAS interacted with HTLV-1 RTI ssDNA90 and activated STING-dependent innate immune responses.

Estimating the social and economic burden of road traffic injuries in the Philippines

@#<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>BACKGROUND:</strong> Road traffic injuries (RTI) are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally. Despite underreporting, the scarce Philippine data suggest that RTI pose a significant health problem in the country. It is imperative, therefore, to accurately quantify the burden of RTI in the Philippines.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>OBJECTIVE:</strong> This study aimed to provide the first comprehensive baseline estimation of the socioeconomic burden of RTI in the Philippines for year 2014.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>METHODS:</strong> The study was a mixed method study design that utilized both primary and secondary data. These data were used to construct parameters needed for the modeling estimates. Measure of socioeconomic burden estimated were (1) economic costs, (2) disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and (3) healthy life years (HeaLY).</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>RESULT:</strong> Estimated deaths due to RTI in 2014 were 12,336 translating to 454,650 years life lost due to premature death. Injury episodes from RTI were estimated to be 2,798,088 in 2014 with 186,174 leading to admissions, translating to 56,224 years life lost to disability. The total DALY loss due to RTI in 2014 was estimated at 510, 874, while healthy life years lost were estimated to be 76,215,477.4. The estimated deaths and injuries for that year equaled to direct medical cost of PhP 1.213 B, productivity loss due to premature death of PhP 24.620 B, and productivity loss due to illness of PhP 685 M resulting to a total economic cost of PhP 26.519 B to the society.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>CONCLUSION:</strong> The findings indicate that RTI is an important public health concern in the Philippines with substantial economic and health burden. Investing in preventive measures will likely yield significant economic and health gains for the Philippines.</p>

Self-reported reproductive tract infection/ sexually transmitted infection and health care seeking behavior among the women living in a slum of Kolkata

Background: Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) is a public health problem of significance in most parts of the world. It adversely affects reproductive health in both sexes but its impact on women‟s reproductive health is far devastating. Objectives: The study was conducted to know the prevalence of self-reported STI among the currently married women living in the slum area of Kolkata, the factors related with it and also to study their care seeking behavior following the infection. Materials and methods: This community based descriptive study was conducted by interviewing currently married women residing in a slum of Kolkata. Symptoms of STI and healthcare seeking behavior following the infection were enquired. Symptoms were grouped into complexes and presumptive diagnosis was made. Results: The prevalence of symptoms suggestive of STIs in the study population was found to be 47.8%.The most common symptoms reported by the sufferers were low backache (29.6%), burning micturition (25.2 %), and genital itching (23.5%). All symptoms were more common in the women living in the joint family, having one or more history of abortion. Symptoms of urinary tract infection was more in the age group of >30 years and those with >10 years of marriage. Whereas, vaginitis was more common in <30 years (p= 0.01). Only 49.0% of the sufferers consulted a health facility for Chakrabarti S, Chakrabarti A. Self-reported reproductive tract infection/ sexually transmitted infection and health care seeking behavior among the women living in a slum of Kolkata. IAIM, 2017; 4(4): 46-52. Page 47 treatment and most of them (62.9%) availed health service from the urban health training centre of the area. Conclusion: The present study found high prevalence of self-perceived reproductive morbidity among women in the slum setting. In the study there was no scope of laboratory investigation and was based on recall of the event in preceding three months

Effects of CD4 count level on patterns of respiratory tract infections of HIV-infected patients in Western India.

Background: Individuals with HIV infection are at increased risk for tuberculosis (TB) and other respiratory tract infections (RTIs). The altered CD4 T-cell homeostasis induced by HIV infection may play a key role in the development of respiratory tract infections in HIV -infected patients. Aim: Finding out of mean CD4 count of HIV patients at which they were at higher risk of developing various RTI and accordingly when HAART is to be started in this part of the world. Material and methods: All the 961 HIV infected patients and 300 300 HIV sero-negative patients’ three early morning sputum were screened for routine bacterial and fungal pathogens and even examined for AFB and few of the samples were even cultured on LJ medium All sputum samples’ smears were also examined for PMNLs in Gram’s staining. Results: Out of all these 961 HIV patients, in 349 patients with probable viral RTI etiology, the mean CD4 count was found to be 474.62 + 114.89, followed by mixed polymicrobial RTI (80 patients) with mean CD4 about 392.26 + 87.14. The patients with pure fungal etiology (66), the mean CD4 count was found to be 377.29 + 268.29 followed by 466 patients with pure monomicrobial bacterial RTI the mean CD4 count was about 223.07+_83.21. Conclusion: Very vague co-relationship between pattern of RTIs and CD4 counts had been attempted. Only Fungal and Bacterial RTIs were seen first to establish in even HIV infected patients at very high mean CD4 counts of about 377 + 268.29 and 223.07 + 83.21 respectively, but in both very high prevalence rate had been observed when compared with HIV non-infected patients with probability values of <0.05 and <0.001 respectively. Probable viral etiology of RTI was significantly high in HIV-non infected subjects when compared to HIV -infected RTI patients with probability value P < 0.001.

Empowerment and engagement of SHGs against RTI/STI in Karnataka, India: an interventional study.

Background: Reproductive Tract Infections (RTIs) including Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are ‘silent’ epidemics and are recognized as public health problem and rank second as the cause of healthy life lost among women of reproductive age after maternal morbidity and mortality in developing countries. Development and use of IEC material along with active participation by the community ensures delivery of appropriate information and knowledge to people which in turn empowers them to make informed decisions about their health. Methods: This was a ‘Multi-centric action research demonstration study’ to empower and engage the Self Help Groups (SHGs) women by creating awareness and sustaining interest through lesson plans in the IEC material regarding prioritized problem, required interventions and their access for syndromic recognition of the RTI/STIs. As an intervention, series of workshops were conducted with the help of pre-developed IEC material. 400 households (200 from each intervention and control sites) of SHG women were interviewed for baseline and endline each. Results: Intervention was found effective in the form of a significant improvement in the level of awareness about RTI/STI, correct knowledge about white discharge, capability to identify the symptoms of RTI/STI and health seeking behavior of the respondents. Conclusion: This study provides experience of the feasibility, efficacy and impact of health education interventions and point out that cost-effective strategies for prevention of RTI/STI are needed through information, education, and behavior change.

O modelo RTI - Resposta à intervenção como proposta inclusiva para escolares com dificuldades em leitura e escrita / The model RTI - Response to Intervention as inclusive proposal for school children with disabilities in reading and writing

OBJETIVO: A presente pesquisa objetivou verificar a eficácia de um programa baseado no modelo de RTI - Resposta à intervenção para escolares com dificuldade de leitura e escrita. MÉTODO: Participaram do estudo 14 escolares, sendo 30% do gênero feminino e 70% do gênero masculino, com média de idade de 9,07 ± 0,65 anos de idade, oriundos de sala de aula regular de 3º (50%) e 4º (50%) anos do Ensino Fundamental I pertencentes a duas escolas públicas municipais de uma cidade do interior do Estado de São Paulo. A pesquisa quase experimental abarcou o delineamento de grupo sob seu próprio controle com etapas: pré-ensino-pós-seguimento. Foram utilizados dois instrumentos: Teste de Desempenho Escolar (TDE) para composição da amostra e, PROLEC - Provas de avaliação dos processos da leitura, com 14 tarefas no total. RESULTADOS: Os resultados obtidos foram analisados pelo teste estatístico Teste de Kendall para identificar quais momentos de observação diferem-se dos demais, quando comparados par a par. Os resultados revelaram diferenças estatisticamente significantes na maioria dos pares de variáveis das tarefas analisadas, o que evidencia o ensino de leitura por meio de instruções específicas e vinculadas ao entendimento do princípio alfabético, os escolares com dificuldades em leitura e escrita precisam conhecer o mecanismo do sistema do português, considerando tarefas de identificação letra-som à compreensão de texto. CONCLUSÃO: É importante o investimento em programas que auxiliam tanto o professor, quanto o escolar com dificuldades...

OBJECTIVE: The present research aimed to verify the effectiveness of RTI program for schoolchildren with reading and writing difficulties. METHODS: Participated in this study 14 students 30% being female and 70% male, with an average age of 9.07 ± 0.65 years of age, from regular classroom 3 (50%) and 4 (50%) years of elementary school I belonging to two municipal public schools of a city in the State of São Paulo. Quasi-experimental research spanning the experimental group under your own control with steps: pre, intervention, post, follow-up. Two instruments were used: school performance test-TDE to sample composition and PROLEC-Evidence for the evaluation of processes of reading, with 14 total tasks. RESULTS: The results were analyzed by Kendall test to identify which moments of note differ from others, when compared to the pair, the results revealed statistically significant differences in most pairs of variables analyzed tasks, which highlights the teaching of reading through specific instructions and linked to the understanding of the alphabetic principle, students with difficulties in reading and writing skills they need to know the mechanism of the Portuguese system considering identification tasks letter-sound understanding of text. CONCLUSION: Is important to invest in programs that assist both the professor, as the struggling school...

Prevalence and health-seeking behavior of reproductive tract infection/sexually transmitted infections symptomatics: A cross-sectional study of a rural community in the Hooghly district of West Bengal.

A community-based, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in Purushottampur village of the Singur block, Hooghly, using a pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaire, to find out the prevalence of RTI / STI symptomatics among the general population aged 15 to 49 years, and to assess their profiles and health-seeking behaviors. Prevalence of (Reproductive tract infection) RTI / STI (Sexually transmitted infections) symptoms in the last 12 months was found to be 13.9 and 13.6% among males and females, respectively. The most common symptom was dysuria and vaginal discharge among males and females, respectively. Almost half of the STI symptomatics (52% male, 50% female) did nothing for their symptoms. Better health-seeking behavior was observed among females. About 9.4% of the males and 47% of the females sought advice from the clinic / hospital / health workers. Strengthening of activities of the existing national program among the general population is needed to build a positive health-seeking behavior that will ensure success of the syndromic management of RTI / STI.

Impact of Health Education and Condom Distribution on Incidence of RTI/STI among The Newly Married Urban Poor Women in Delhi.

This study was carried out to find out the impact of a specially designed preventive intervention on menstrual and sexual hygiene practices and incidence of RTI/STI among the newly married women. A community based intervention study with controls was conducted in two resettlement colonies of Delhi. Total 74 subjects in intervention group and 71 subjects in the control group were studied. Each subject was followed up for 9 months every three monthly. The intervention package included education about menstrual and sexual hygiene, RTI/STIs and contraceptive usage, and packets of condoms. RTI/STI was diagnosed using syndromic approach. Only 2 and 8 subjects in the intervention and control group respectively used condoms (p>0.05 after adjustment). Practice of washing genitals improved in the intervention group (p<0.05 both with and without adjustment). 19 (25.68%) women in intervention and 22 (30.99%) in the control group (p=0.478) reported RTI/STI symptoms during study period; after adjusting for other variables OR=0.37 (p=0.007). 57.89% of RTI/STI patients consulted doctor in intervention group as compared to 18.18% in control group (p<0.05). Increasing awareness and providing intervention at the very beginning of sexual life of newly married women can modify some of the high risk behaviors and thus reduce the risk of acquiring RTI/STIs.

Reproductive health of newly married women residing in a resettlement colony of Delhi: A longitudinal study.

During the period immediately after marriage, women are neither assessed for their reproductive health nor given any intervention for the same. A community based longitudinal study was done to assess the status of reproductive health of newly married women in which 71 newly married women were followed for 9 months. Mean age at marriage was 20.24 (19.74-20.74) years. 76.06% were anemic. With time, proportion reporting menstrual complaints and RTI symptoms increased significantly (P<0.05). 29 (40.85%) reported menstrual complaints and 22 (30.99%) RTI symptoms. Only 14 (19.72%) subjects used contraceptive methods. 79% conceived within 9 months of marriage. Only 25% pregnancies got registered in first trimester. Reproductive and nutritional status of the newly married women was unsatisfactory.

Road safety at cross-roads.

With increasing population and increasing vehicular density and with meager infrastructural amenities the 21st century is plagued by yet another important issue Road Traffic Accidents which had in fact become a slow modern pandemic and following a pattern of a secular trend. Road Traffic Accidents (RTA) and Road Traffic Injuries (RTI) consequent to it are on the rise and are a matter of concern as far the loss of life and limb and psycho-socio-economic impact of the event aftermath, on the affected person and his family. The present review article is based on RTI and road safety and brings into focus the theme of the World Health Day (WHD) 2004 which is dedicated to Road Safety.