Effect Of Sex Hormonal Changes On Serum Lipid Profile In Diabetic And Non-Diabetic Indian Females.

Background: Sex hormones and impaired glucose metabolism resulting from Insulin abnormalities are the major important determinants in the development of coronary heart disease (CHD) in females. The present work was envisaged to study the effect of sex hormonal changes on serum lipids in females of different age groups and physiological status i.e. menstruation and menopause. Methodology: The comparisons were made between diabetic females of both the phases (menstruation and menopause) and age matched non-diabetic females. Further comparisons were made between diabetic females of menopause phase and diabetic females of menstruation phase. Results: In the study when comparisons were made between menstruating diabetics and menstruating non-diabetics, the former group showed significant increase in plasma glucose, serum total cholesterol (TC), Triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL) and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) levels. Similarly comparisons were made between menopausal diabetics and menopausal non-diabetics, the former group showed significantly higher levels of plasma glucose, serum TC, TG, LDL and VLDL. However it is noticed that HDL levels did not very significantly in both the comparisons. Also in diabetic menopausal females there is a significant increase in serum TG levels as compared to diabetic menstruating females. Conclusions: In present study, in non-diabetic menopausal females there is a significant increase in plasma glucose, serum TC, TG, LDL and VLDL concentration levels as compared to non-diabetic menstruating females. Also in diabetic menstruating and menopausal females, there is a significant increase in plasma glucose, TC, TG and VLDL levels as compared to non-diabetic menstruating and menopausal females.

Effect of alternative therapy on cardiorespiratory and sensory parameters of chronic type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.

Background: The incidence of diabetes mellitus is increasing every year throughout the world. Yogic exercises with diet therapy can be an easy way of management of diabetes to maintain blood sugar level and prevent various degenerative changes in different systems to remain healthy. Methods: Fifty two known chronic type 2 diabetic patients were managed through yogic exercises and diet therapy for 150 days. Physiological parameters were studied in all subjects. Results: Diastolic blood pressure, positive breath holding time, pain threshold and tactile discrimination showed changes within 15 to 30 days of regime. There was reduction in body weight and respiratory rate. The rise was observed in 40 mm of mercury endurance test and positive breath holding time. Both pain threshold and tactile discrimination showed increase of sensitivities. Conclusion: Improved physiological parameters indicate that yogic exercise, meditation and diet control regularly can manage type 2 diabetes in a natural way avoiding the side effects of oral hypoglycemic medications. Patients should continue the therapy to control the disease life time for better health without oral hypoglycemic medication.

A study of sexual dimorphism of femoral head in Gujarat region.

Various diameters of head of femur have been in use for sex determination. These diameters vary region wise also. Therefore we undertook the study in Jamnagar region of Gujarat. Maximum diameter of the femoral head was measured in 184 dry, normal, adult, human femora (136 male & 48 female) obtained from M. P. Shah Medical College Jamnagar Gujarat. Mean Values obtained were, 43.75 and 40.33 for right male and female, and 43.88 and 40.64 for left male and female respectively. Higher value in male was statistically highly significant (P< 0.001) on both sides. The data was subjected to demarking point (D.P.) analysis. Maximum head diameter identified 11.90% of right male femora and 7.25% of left male femora; in female it identified 4% of left female femora while it was not useful (0.00%) for right female bone. Though the sex of the bone can be determined from head of the femur bone, in itself it is far from conclusive.

Sexual dimorphism of bicondylar width of Femora.

Background: Sexual identification from the skeletal parts is very important medicllegaly as well as anthropologicaly. Present study aims to ascertain values of femoral bicondylar width and to evaluate its possible efficacy in determining correct sexual identification.Methods: Study sample consisted of 184 dry, normal, adult, human femora (136 male & 48 female) from skeletal collections of Anatomy department, M. P. Shah Medical College, Jamnagar, Gujarat. Bicondylar width was considered as maximum distance between medial and lateral femoral condyle, measured with the Vernier caliper. Results: Mean Values obtained were, 76.84 and 72.34 for right male and female, and 76.64 and 72.84 for left male and female respectively. Higher value in male was statistically highly significant (P< 0.001) on both sides. Demarking point (D.P.) analysis of the data showed that right femora with bicondylar width more than 80.20 were definitely male and less than 65.50 were definitely female; while for left bones, femora with bicondylar width more than 80.76 were definitely male and less than 66.53 were definitely female. Conclusions: Bicondylar width identified 22.40% of right male femora and 14.49% of left male femora; it was not useful for female bone.

Impact assessment of IEC campaign during anti-malaria month, June 1998 through KABP study.

To assess the IEC Campaign during anti malaria month (June, 98), a base line KABP study through pre-assessment and post-assessment was conducted in the State of Gujarat (four districts namely Ahmedabad, Dang, Panchmahal and Baroda). The study was carried out based on questionnaire (open and closed) developed by NAMP in the randomly selected population. A rapid assessment of the current level of KABP among a sample of population before and after the observance of anti-malaria month. The results of the KABP study revealed that there is definite impact (between 2.18 to 30%) and change in the KABP of the local people, where intensive and continuous I.E.C. activities are being undertaken. In order to achieve the desired change in knowledge, attitude, behaviour and practice of the respondents, it requires continuous I.E.C. campaign throughout the year. The attitude, behaviour and practice in the hard core areas need special efforts, where maximum efforts are required to bring a change in. It should be taken more intensively in the problematic and hardcore areas on priority basis.

Epidemiological and entomological investigation in dengue outbreak area of Ahmedabad district.

Epidemiological and Entomological investigations conducted in seven affected villages of Sanand and Viramgam Talukas of Ahmedabad district revealed that all age groups and both the genders were affected. 33.33% blood samples of patients showed seropositivity suggesting dengue infection Similarly, Dengue virus antigen was detected in 7 Females Ae. aegypti out of 2 Males and 26 Females tested by indirect immunofluroscent technique. Aedes aegypti population measured by various parameters i.e. Premise index (32.16%), Receptacle index (26.15%) and infested receptacle index (0.36%) were above the critical limit. Aedes aegypti population is susceptible to 5% Malathion. The findings suggest the fever outbreak was of dengue. Co-related evidences indicated the possible role of dengue 2 virus in the outbreak.

A quantification methodology of conversion rate based on field detected RI cases to RII-RIII cases--an approach for an alternative anti-malaria drug strategy.

This paper describes a quantification methodology to find out the conversion rate of RII-RIII cases from RI (Short recrudescence) cases based on parasite clearance time (PCT) and Parasite Recrudescence Time (PRT). This method will facilitate in planning and formulating an alternate drug strategy for malaria control.

Serum calcium, magnesium and inorganic phosphorous levels during various phases of menstrual cycle.

Serum Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg) and Inorganic phosphorous (Pi) were investigated serially during menstrual, follicular, ovulatory and luteal phases of menstrual cycle in 25 healthy medical student volunteers. The result shows significant cyclic variations within physiological limits in all parameters. Ca level was highest during ovulation (P < 0.001) and lowest during luteal phase (P < 0.001) compared to other phases. Exactly opposite result was observed for Ca level. It is lowest during ovulation (P < 0.001) and highest during the luteal phase (P < 0.001). However, the highest level of Pi was seen during menstrual phase (P < 0.001) and lowest during the luteal phase (P < 0.001). These changes are probably brought about under the influence of cyclic variations of the ovarian hormones.

An analytical presentation of drug resistance in Plasmodium falciparum and guidelines to formulate a drug strategy.

The present paper describes the advantage/limitation of presently available 'in-vivo' methods to detect sensitivity status of Plasmodium falciparum to commonly used antimalarial drugs. The paper is based on a retrospective analysis of 890 P. falciparum cases and various parameters used to define the level of drug resistance. The presented quantification methodology with weightage system to different epidemiological variables of resistance may provide a guideline as to the level of parasite resistance, and a switch over to another antimalarial of firstline treatment which is of the considerable importance to provide early diagnosis and prompt treatment to avert the severe cases/deaths due to malaria.

Comparative efficacy of chloroquine and amodiaquine in Plasmodium falciparum strain of north-eastern India.

The present study describes the comparative efficacy of chloroquine and amodiaquine in two different presumptive therapy areas of north eastern India. The study recorded insignificant differences in respect of Mean Parasite Clearance Time (MPCT) of sensitive cases, MPCT and Mean Parasite Recrudescence Time (MPRT) of RI resistant cases and recrudescence rate in chloroquine and amodiaquine therapy areas. It is concluded that amodiaquine is not a superior drug as compared to chloroquine. In the chloroquine resistance area, Plasmodium falciparum developed cross resistance to amodiaquine and this phenomenon appears to be unidirectional. However, amodiaquine may help to slow-down the rate of precipitation of higher grade of resistance.

Plasmodium falciparum sensitivity in "in-vivo" and its distribution in geo-ecological zones of Gujarat.

Plasmodium falciparum sensitivity test in "in-vivo" carried out in 450 patients revealed, parasite clearance in 66.45 percent cases with 25 mgm/kg body wt of chloroquine. Mean parasite clearance time (MPCT) of sensitive and R I, resistant cases reached near parallelism with an early recrudescence in RI cases indicating stabilisation of genetic change in the parasite strain. The analysis of data revealed that proportionately higher resistance was recorded in coastal area having deciduous (wet) forest ecotype followed by plains of deciduous dry forest and semi arid/arid ecotypes.

Importance of mean parasite clearance time and recrudescence time and their role in gradation of Plasmodium falciparum resistance.

The present paper describes the relationship of Mean Parasite Clearance Time (MPCT) and Mean Parasite Recrudescence Time (MPRT) in the epidemiology of Plasmodium falciparum. The role of MPCT in grading the resistance of an area has been discussed. Further, MPRT revealed a positive correlationship with the percentage of RI resistant cases, and showed an increase with age. The ratio of MPRT/MPCT is an indicator of stability status of the resistance.

Changing response of Plasmodium falciparum to chloroquine in West Bengal during 1980-1988.

A total of 314 cases of Plasmodium falciparum malaria studied during 1980-88 in nine times monitoring revealed three RIII foci i.e. two in Jalpaiguri and one in Purulia districts. The studies showed a parasite clearance of 40 per cent and 32 per cent of P. falciparum cases within seventh day in Purulia and Jalpaiguri districts respectively, with a dosage of 25 mg per kg body weight, spread over three days in divided doses. Increase in transmission potential and prolonged drug pressure with single drug have been noted in association with development of resistance. Malaria parasite clearance time (MPCT) value of sensitive and resistant cases reach parallelism and malaria parasite recrudescence time (MPRT) value starts declining, giving an indication of stabilisation of genetic change in the parasite.

Umbilical transillumination: an accurate means to diagnose minimal ascites associated with umbilical hernias.

A new bedside clinical test for the diagnosis of minimal ascites associated with reducible umbilical hernia is described. This test is based on transillumination of the hernial sac in the knee-elbow position. The test is easy to perform and has no equivocal results.

Optimum radiation technique for retinoblastoma in conserved eyes.

The study evaluated 121 consecutive unoperated cases of retinoblastoma in children. They received radiation as the primary treatment for their ocular disease. The stage grouping was done according to Reese classification. Ninety four children had their disease evaluated by CT scan. All except one had imaged lesions in both eyes. In addition, twenty six had thickened optic nerves and twenty one showed chiasmal infiltration. Radiation field selection was based on clinical and CT imaged disease. A tumor dose of 4500c Gy in 16 to 19 fractions over 18 to 24 days was delivered by cobalt teletherapy. The target volume encompassed ora serrata anteriorly and optic chiasma posteriorly in all cases. Tumor response and patient survival was correlated with the initial stage and radiation factors utilised amongst them. Encouraging results were obtained using three field radiation technique with an open anterior field and a TDF between 75 and 90.