Prevalence of hypertension and associated anthropometric indices among the non-medical employees working in medical college Thiruvananthapuram: a cross-sectional study

Background: Hypertension is a major public health problem. Globally 1.28 billion adults aged 30-79 years have hypertension and among this 46% were undiagnosed. Kerala is one state undergoing epidemiological transition and having high prevalence of hypertension. So, we did this study to estimate the proportion of hypertension among non-medical employees of Medical College Thiruvananthapuram. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 202 non-medical employees of medical college Thiruvananthapuram. Data was collected using an investigator administered questionnaire. Anthropometric indices were measured and recorded. Blood pressure (BP) was recorded twice in a gap of 15 min for each participant in sitting position using mercury sphygmomanometer. Mean systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) was calculated to confirm hypertension. Participants those who were already detected as hypertensive and on treatment were also noted. Data was analysed using SPSS software version 27. Results: Prevalence of hypertension in the study population was 61/202 (30.19%). Among the hypertensive 39 (63.9%) were already detected and on treatment and 22 (36.1%) were undiagnosed. Among already detected hypertensive 13 (33.3%) were found to be inadequately treated. Hypertension was found to be associated with waist circumference and BMI. Conclusions: The study population was found to have high prevalence of hypertension and having association with waist circumference and BMI. The rule of halves for depicting the trend of hypertension in study population can be used as a tool to deduce various interventions in the community.

Role of dentifrice in plaque removal: A clinical trial.

Background: The precise role of dentifrice in plaque removal has been debatable. While a considerable volume of literature attributes several beneficial properties and glorifies the role of dentifrice, a small body of researchers questions its efficacy. Lingering doubts are emerging about the plaque removal efficacy of toothpastes and probably a time has come to reassess its role in plaque removal. Aim: The present study is used to evaluate the plaque removal efficacy of dentifrice alone during the manual brushing of teeth. Materials and Methods: In a double blinded 2 Χ 2 crossover study design, 42 subjects had brushed randomly with or without dentifrice under supervision, with a standard dentifrice and toothbrush, after 48 hours of plaque accumulation, for two minutes. Results: Plaque reduction with dentifrice was 57.35% and without dentifrice was 66.19%. This 9% difference was statistically significant ( P ≤ 0.001). Conclusion: Dentifrice use does not enhance plaque removal when used in conjunction with a toothbrush, and instead, may marginally lessen the brushing effect. The role of a toothbrush appears to be more crucial in the maintenance of oral hygiene.

Effects of L-arginine on picrotoxin-induced increase in brain ammonia concentrations and convulsions in rats.

The effect of L-arginine (840 mg/kg) pre- (30 min before challenge) and post-treatment (5 min after challenge) period was tested on picrotoxin-induced increase in ammonia concentrations in brain regions (cerebral cortex, brain stem and cerebellum) and the accompanying convulsive responses in adult male rats. The combined effect of L-arginine and diazepam was also tested against picrotoxin-induced convulsions. Picrotoxin-induced increase in ammonia was reverted partially by L-arginine pretreatment. However, L-arginine pretreatment did not show anticonvulsant effect independently or concurrently with diazepam. On the other hand, L-arginine post-treatment reverted ammonia to control level in all brain regions. A partial but significant inhibition of convulsion responses was found in these animals. The combined effect of diazepam and L-arginine post-treatment was much greater than that produced by these agents independently. These findings suggest that ammonia has a partial but significant participation in the convulsant action of picrotoxin. L-arginine has a potential to revert brain ammonia to control level in picrotoxin-treated animals and thereby it has produced a partial protection. The data further indicate that the duration of action of L-arginine is considerably short and has an additive anticonvulsant action with diazepam.

Independent and combined effects of L-arginine and diazepam on ammonium chloride-induced convulsions in rats.

The independent and combined effects of L-arginine (840 mg/kg) and diazepam (0.75 mg/kg) pretreatment (30 min) were tested on ammonium chloride (400 mg/kg)-induced convulsions in rats. Ammonia concentrations were determined in blood and brain regions (cerebral cortex, brain stem and cerebellum) 30 min after L-arginine or diazepam treatment. Ammonia concentrations were measured at the time of induction of convulsions by ammonium chloride in L-arginine, diazepam or saline pretreated animals. L-arginine and not diazepam decreased ammonia concentrations in control as well as in ammonium chloride-treated animals. However, both the compounds suppressed convulsions elicited by ammonium chloride. Protection produced concurrently by these agents was much greater than that produced by them independently. It is concluded that convulsions caused by hyperammonemic condition can be suppressed either by preventing a rise in brain ammonia to toxic level or by anticonvulsant agents having a GABA potentiating action. A much greater protection can be achieved if agents having these properties are administered concurrently.

Peripheral immune response in albino rats following cerebroventricular and intraperitoneal antigen challenge.

Success in neural tissue transplants at central nervous system suggest that the site may be immunologically privileged. However, this experimental study in which an antigen (Sheep Red Blood Cells) was administered into the third ventricle does not support the above concept. The antibody titre and soluble immune complex levels seen in these animals are similar to the levels seen in animals immunized with the same amount of antigen through the intraperitoneal route. Intraventricular immunization is rather a more potent modulator in decreasing the total WBC count (P < 0.05) and neutrophils (P < 0.001). Further a marked increase in lymphocytes (P < 0.01) in peripheral blood was observed in these animals. Intraventricular immunization also increased the killing power (NBT reduction) of the neutrophils (P < 0.05).