Knowledge regarding immunization among mothers of under-five children in Uttarakhand

Background: Immunization is one of the most impactful and cost-effective health investments globally that helps in reducing the burden of infectious diseases keeping children safe. Mothers are the major role players with regard to their children’s immunization. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted to assess knowledge regarding immunization among mothers of under-five children in the Doiwala block of Dehradun, Uttarakhand. A total of one hundred mothers of under-five children were conveniently selected through door-to-door survey. A structured knowledge questionnaire on under-five immunization was administered through the interview technique to assess the knowledge of the mothers. Results: Among 100 mothers of under-five children 13% had poor knowledge, 63% had average knowledge and 24% had good knowledge regarding under-five immunization. There was significant association between age, education status and socioeconomic status of mothers with knowledge score regarding under-five immunization. Conclusions: There is a strong need to increase awareness and knowledge about immunization among children; its benefits and importance. There is also a need to educate people especially mothers regarding harmful consequences of incomplete immunization of children.

Marfan's syndrome with aortic valve endocarditis.

Marfans syndrome is an Autosomal dominant disorder of the connective tissues resulting in abnormalities of the musculoskeletal system, cardiovascular system and eyes. It has a prevalence of 1 in 100,000 population1 and occurs in all ethnic groups. It may be familial or due to new mutation (30%), in the fibrillin gene on arm of chromosome 15. It is estimated that one person in every 3000-5000 has Marfans syndrome may have cardiovascular abnormalities and may be complicated by infective endocartditis. About 90% of Marfan patients will develop cardiac complications2. The patient under discussion has musculoskeletal (Tall stature, reduced upper-lower segment ratio, arm-span to height ratio > 1.05, high arched palate) and Cardiovascular features (Severe aortic regurgitation complicated with infective endocarditis).

Effect of forced breathing on ventilatory functions of the lung.

Ventilatory functions were studied in 36 male and 35 female subjects (mean age 18.5 years), who underwent six weeks course in forced breathing. Ventilatory functions were studied in the form of Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Forced Expiratory Volume at the end of one second as % of FVC (FEV1%), Maximum Voluntary Ventilation (MVV), Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) and Breath Holding Time. Some of these ventilatory functions were found to be increased after a course of forced breathing.

Effect of short term 'Pranayam' practice on breathing rate and ventilatory functions of lung.

Thirty three normal male and forty two normal female subjects, of average age of 18.5 years, underwent six weeks course in 'Pranayam' and their ventilatory lung functions were studied before and after this practice. They had improved ventilatory functions in the form of lowered respiratory rate (RR), and increases in the forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume at the end of 1st second (FEV1%), maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV), peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR-lit/sec), and prolongation of breath holding time.

Serum adenosine deaminase in pulmonary tuberculosis, malignancy and non-tubercular respiratory diseases.

The study has been conducted to find out the serum ADA levels in 120 patients with various pulmonary diseases which included patients with tubercular pleural effusion (n = 86), lung cancer (n = 10) and patients with non-tubercular pulmonary diseases like pneumonia, etc (n = 24). Twenty healthy individuals served as control subjects. The mean (+/- SD) of ADA activity was 23.38 (4.47), 7.29 (1.08), 12.71 (1.95) and 2.23 (1.00) units/litre in tuberculosis, malignancy, non-tubercular pulmonary diseases and healthy controls respectively with significant difference between each other (P less than 0.001). Patients with tuberculosis (100%) fall in 97% sensitivity range with a lower cut off limit at 17 units/litre ADA activity, while for malignancy and non-tubercular respiratory diseases, the sensitivity was 90% and 83% respectively. Within the sensitivity limits, the serum ADA activity can be used for the differential diagnosis of pulmonary diseases.

Studies on the lactose character in Salmonella S:41:z10.

A number of plasmids carrying the Lac+ character have been reported. Lac+ character of salmonella S:41:z10:- studied for transfer of Lac+ character to standard Escherichia coli K12 Lac-F- Nalr and Escherichia coli K12 F- Lac- Rifr, failed to transfer in in vitro experiments. Similarly, identification and characterisation of plasmid DNA by agarose gel electrophoresis technique did not show specific plasmid DNA as compared to standard molecular weight plasmids. Plasmid DNA appeared to have been embedded with chromosomal DNA molecule.

Effect of feeding black gram (Phaseolus mungo) on serum lipids of normal & diabetic guineapigs.

When normal and alloxan-induced diabetic guineapigs were given whole seed diet of Phaseolus mungo (black gram) for 4 wk, the blood glucose, serum total lipids, triglycerides and esterified fraction of cholesterol were significantly lowered, while serum phospholipid was unaltered. Total cholesterol/phospholipid ratio also decreased in normal as well as diabetic animals indicating the antiatherogenic nature of P. mungo.

ELISA--its evaluation in diagnosis of tuberculosis meningitis.

Diagnostic utility of an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in hospitalised patients with clinical symptoms suggestive of tuberculous meningitis (94 cases) was studied. CSF Anti-tubercular IgG antibody levels were estimated by ELISA in 44 cases of proven tuberculous meningitis, 24 proven pyogenic meningitis and in 48 non-tuberculous cases. The cut off dilution was established at a CSF dilution of 1 : 1 (undiluted) with positive and negative controls. The ELISA test had a sensitivity of 97.72% and a specificity of 95.35% using MSE antigen. When compared with conventional smear examination and culture isolation from specimens, the ELISA test proved statistically superior in the detection rate or diagnosis of clinically suspected tuberculous meningitis cases (P less than 0.05).

Interaction of EDTA with tributyltin induced cellular toxicity.

Tributyltin inhibited the growth of cells in concentration dependent manner. The inhibitory effect of tributyltin on E. coli was enhanced in the presence of metal ion chelator, EDTA. This was due to EDTA induced increase of permeability of bacterial cell envelope to tributyltin. In case of EDTA treated cells the rate of uptake of tributyltin was more pronounced as compared to control.

Hypoglycaemic and hypolipaemic effects of Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (guar) in normal and diabetic guinea pigs.

Information available in literature is contradictory regarding the glycaemic and cholesterolaemic activities of various legume proteins. Present work deals with the study of the effect of 'Guar' feeding on serum total lipids, free and esterified cholesterol, triglycerides and phospholipids. Normal and alloxan induced diabetic guinea pigs were kept on the whole seed diet of 'Guar' for four weeks. Blood sugar and total lipid levels were found to be decreased significantly in normal and as well as diabetic animals; free and esterified cholesterol levels were also observed to be lowered significantly in normals, whereas esterified fraction alone was found to be lowered in diabetics. Significant fall in the levels of other lipids i.e., triglycerides, phospholipids and total lipids was also noticed.