Comparative Study of Soil Properties and Organic Matter Fractions in Organic and Conventional Farms of Kerala, India

Aims: Assessing various soil properties as influenced by organic farming in the selected certified organic and conventional farms of Kerala.Study Design: Ten pairs of certified organic farms and nearby conventional farms were identified from different agroecological zones of Kerala and were analysed for physical, chemical and biological properties.Place and Duration of Study: The research was conducted at College of Agriculture Vellayani, between December 2020 – June 2021.Methodology: Soil samples were collected from these farms and analyzed for soil physical, chemical and biological properties, organic carbon, total nitrogen, C: N ratio and organic matter fractions.Results: Organic farms exhibited lower bulk density (1.15 Mg m-3) and higher values in porosity (41.32%), water holding capacity (52.68%), mean weight diameter (1.87%), and water stable aggregates (73.59%) compared to conventional farms. Additionally, organic farms were found to be higher in electrical conductivity (0.09 dS m-1), cation exchange capacity (5.98 C mol(p+) kg-1), total organic carbon (7.59%), total nitrogen (0.46%), and C:N ratio (16.14) in comparison to conventional farms. The concentrations of fulvic acid, humic acid, and humin are also greater in organic farms, with mean values of 5.45%, 3.56%, and 0.47%, respectively.Conclusion: Organic farming has a significant role in improving the physical, chemical and biological properties of the soil and also total carbon, total nitrogen and the organic matter fractions.

Changing histological spectrum of adult nephrotic syndrome in comparison to previous study: single centre analysis

Background: Glomerular diseases are an important cause of chronic renal failure in developing countries. The spectrum of diseases causing nephrotic syndrome is changing globally in the last few decades. Methods: Patients in the age group 18-60 years with nephrotic syndrome were consecutively included in the study. Renal biopsies were performed in all patients and were subjected to light microscopy, immunofluorescence (IF) and electron microscopy (EM). Results: 189 patients (67% males) were included in the study. The mean age was 43 years. Primary glomerular diseases accounted for 92.5% of cases while lupus nephritis was the most common secondary glomerular disease. Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) accounted for 28.6% of primary glomerular diseases making it the most common cause of nephrotic syndrome. It was followed by membranous glomerulonephritis (MGN) in 13.2%, membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis in 11.2%, diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis in 10.6% and minimal change disease in 9.5%. Conclusions: The biopsy diagnosis of FSGS has increased considerably in last few decades and it is now the most common cause of nephrotic syndrome in adults in North India. MGN is the most common lesion in patients over 40 years of age.

Assessment of Selfie addiction among undergraduate medical Students

Background: Selfie’ means “A photograph that one has taken of oneself or a self portrait photograph typically taken with a smart phone or digital camera and shared via social media”. Considering the dependency on Internet and selfie taking behavior among professional students, the study was undertaken. Aims and Objective- to determine the demographic profile of selfie users and different variables related to selfie taking and posting and its association with risky dangerous selfie. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted among 220 undergraduate medical students were using smartphone. Data was collected and analyzed using SPSS version 21. Results: Male students of middle class family of urban areas were more involved in taking selfie. Females were comparatively spending more time (2-3 hrs) on Internet (X2 =19.494 and p = .001).Total 14% students were taking 3-5 selfie and posted on social media(Statistically significant,X2 =7.882,p =0.019). 19(8.63%) participants admitted of taking dangerous selfie of which male 13(14.0%) more than female 06(8.4%). Conclusion: Age and gender affects the number of selfies one clicks. This is developing a new mental disorder ‘selfitis’ as well as desire to take dangerous selfie. There is need of health awareness programme, IEC regarding importance of healthy life style.

Intraocular lens-sling technique: A safe approach for lens implantation in complicated cataract surgery and secondary intraocular lens implantation

Among 20 million cataract surgeries being performed worldwide every year, approximately 5% are being complicated by posterior capsule rent or zonular dialysis. Intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in such cases with intraoperative complications is quite challenging. Our next course of action is to place the IOL in the ciliary sulcus, however, there is a risk of IOL drop into the vitreous in cases of inadequate support. We have described a novel idea of using a suture material through the dialling hole of a three-piece rigid IOL which can be used as a leash to reduce the risk of IOL drop during implantation in such cases. This technique could also be used during sutureless scleral fixated IOL and retro-pupillary iris claw lens implantation. We found that in 90 consecutive patients where this technique was used, there was no incidence of IOL drop or retinal detachment.

Femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery in Alport's syndrome - A case report

Alport's syndrome with anterior lenticonus poses significant challenges during capsulorhexis with high chances of peripheral extension. We report a case of 23-year-old lady with Alport's syndrome with anterior lenticonus in the left eye that underwent successful femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS). The anterior lenticonus was eccentric nasally; hence, the FLACS capsulotomy was positioned slightly nasally so that the capsulotomy margin was outside the cone base. The distance vision improved from 6/24 to 6/6 at one-month follow-up. In summary, FLACS improved the safety of cataract surgery in an eye with anterior lenticonus and yielded excellent visual outcomes.

Challenges during femtosecond laser assisted cataract surgery with posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens

Femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery was performed in a patient with high myopia, who had undergone posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens surgery (Implantable Collamer Lens, ICL). During docking the machine erroneously focused the laser on the anterior surface of ICL and laser for lens fragmentation was also defocused, which were correctly positioned before laser delivery. During laser application for capsulotomy, air bubbles were entrapped under the ICL prohibiting lens fragmentation. One must be careful during focusing the laser in eyes with ICL. Additionally, gas bubbles under the ICL may lead to difficulties in completion of nuclear disassembly.

An experimental study to evaluate safety/toxicity of intravitreal natalizumab

Purpose: The purpose of this prospective experimental study was to evaluate the safety/toxicity of ?4?1 integrin blockade in rabbit retina using its monoclonal antibody (Natalizumab). Methods: Twelve New Zealand albino rabbits were divided into three groups (n = 4). Unilateral intravitreal injections of three different concentrations of natalizumab were performed in every rabbit of each group (Group A: 0.625 mg, Group B: 1.25 mg, and Group C: 2.5 mg). Baseline electroretinogram (ERG) and fundus photography were performed prior to injection. At days 1, 7, and 21 postinjection, ERG and fundus photography of each eye were performed. At last follow-up, Group C animals with highest drug concentration were sacrificed and the enucleated eyes were evaluated for retinal toxicity using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Results: No difference in ERG responses was observed in eyes injected with low and intermediate concentration of natalizumab between day 0 and day 21. Furthermore, rabbits injected intravitreally with highest dose showed reduction in amplitude of “a” wave (P = 0.0017) and a reduction in amplitude of “b” wave of ERG at day 21 (P = 0.0117). TEM revealed changes in the outer plexiform layer and inner nuclear layer, suggestive of toxicity primarily to the photoreceptor synaptic terminals and bipolar cells. Conclusion: Low-dose (0.625 mg) and intermediate-dose (1.25 mg) intravitreal injection of natalizumab appears safe for rabbit retina. However, functional and anatomical changes were observed in rabbit retina following a high-dose (2.5 mg) intravitreal injection of a monoclonal antibody blocking ?4?1 integrin.

Analysis of serological evidence of different hepatitis viruses in acute viral hepatitis in prisoners in relation to risk factors.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: The present study describes an outbreak of acute viral hepatitis in an institutional population (inmates of a prison) with an aim to delineate the etiological agents of this outbreak and to analyse the clinical, biochemical and serological evidence of different hepatitis viruses in relation to risk factors. METHODS: Fifty patients of acute viral hepatitis identified during the outbreak were evaluated on the basis of history, clinical examination, risk factor distribution, biochemical profile and serological markers for hepatitis A-E infection. Adequate epidemiological data were collected from prison administration including housing of prisoners, food and water supply. RESULTS: Of the 50 patients, 35 (70%) had serological evidence of HEV infection. Evidence of HBV infection was found in 17 patients (34%), HAV infection in 2 (4%) and HCV in 8 (16%) patients. While 16 patients (32%) had evidence of multiple viral infections, none of the viral markers could be detected in 8 patients (16%). One or more risk factor(s) could be identified in more than half of the subjects (26/50; 52%). There were 11 patients who gave history of more than one risk factor while 24 (48%) patients had none of the risk factors. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS: HEV was found to be the major cause of the outbreak and contamination of drinking water supply could be the possible source of infection. This outbreak was seroepidemiologically similar to other outbreaks of hepatitis occurring in the country with HEV being the most common cause. However, there was evidence of multiple viral infections, particularly HBV and HCV in the high-risk predisposed prison population.

Clinical profile of stroke in relation to glycaemic status of patients.

Present study was undertaken in fifty consecutive patients of acute stroke to assess the role of glycemic status on clinical profile of stroke. Majority of patients (76%) were in age group of 41-70 years. The patients were classified into four groups: euglycemics (33), known diabetics (8), newly diagnosed diabetics (6) and stress hyperglycemics (3). Diabetics as well as stress hyperglycemics had higher prevalence of larger sized severe haemorrhagic stroke with poor outcome and there was positive correlation between them.

Metabolic studies in congenital vitamin D deficiency rickets.

Congenital rickets in 3 newborns of mothers with advanced nutritional osteomalacia, healed with maternal breast milk feeding when mothers alone were given calcium supplements and 7.5 mg of intravenous D2 and the mother baby pair protected from sunlight. Maternal plasma biochemistry indicated more severe vitamin D deficiency compared to their newborns (intrauterine foetal priority). The first dose of 7.5 mg of vitamin D3 and calcium supplements to mother healed osteomalacia but did not appear to heal the rickets of their breast fed infants (extrauterine maternal priority for vitamin D). A second dose given at 3 months interval healed the rickets in their infants and the biochemistry of the mother and baby returned towards normal. Congenital rickets developed when maternal bone mineral and vitamin D stores had been completely exhausted. Raised IPTH levels in the newborn suggested that foetal parathyroids were responsive to hypocalcaemic stimulus.