Consumer Studies on Meat Consumption and Processing Pattern through Contact Survey in Different Zones of Ludhiana City

The present study was conducted to study consumption pattern, awareness and hygienic practices adopted for meat and its products in different zones of Ludhiana city through contact survey method. A bilingual (Punjabi and English) questionnaire/interview schedule comprising questions related to meat consumption, processing pattern, awareness of consumers regarding type of meat and hygiene was designed. A total sample size of 800 respondents (256 females + 544 males) was taken for the survey by dividing Ludhiana city into four hypothetical zones, namely; Zone I, II, III and IV by using a random sampling method. The effect of zone of sampling revealed that people from Zone I preferred cold processing while those from zones II, III and IV preferred hot processing of meat. People from the entire four zones were not aware of the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA) in meat industry. Irrespective of the zones, the people were not aware of the government policies for meat production and export in India. The respondents from zone I were comparatively adopting hygienic practices in meat processing than all other zones. It could be concluded that consumers are still not aware about meat processing and hygienic considerations and there is a dire need to educate them about different food laws

A study of fasting lipid profile in chronic kidney disease patients

Background: Dyslipidemia is very much common in chronic kidney disease patients and is responsible for cardiovascular disease (CKD) which is most common cause of mortality in them. So, it is necessary to study the lipid profile in CKD patients to prevent morbidity and mortality.Methods: Subjects each of 50 in number are grouped into healthy controls (group-1), CKD patients without hemodialysis (group-2), CKD patients with hemodialysis (group-3). After fasting of 12 hours, lipid profile is assessed in all cases.Results: In this study, there is increase in Total cholesterol (TC), Low Density lipoprotein (LDL), very Low-Density lipoprotein (VLDL) and Triglycerides (TG) and decrease in High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) in all CKD patients compared to healthy controls (p-value for each parameter <0.001). There is increase in TC, TG and VLDL in diabetic CKD patients compare to non-diabetic CKD patients and p-value for each parameter is <0.05. It was found that TG and VLDL increase and HDL decrease in group-3 compare to group-2 is statistically significant (p-value for each <0.05) and no significant variation in TC and LDL in these groups.Conclusions: Present study demonstrated that there is dyslipidemia in CKD patients irrespective of mode of management, but the derangement is much more common and significant in CKD with hemodialysis group and they are at risk of cardiovascular disease. It is better to start lipid lowering drugs which decreases disease progression and dyslipidemia.

Study of electrocardiographic changes pattern in cases of snake bites in a tertiary care hospital of Mahakaushal area of central India

Background: Snake bite is an occupational hazard for farmers and farm laborers in the Indian subcontinent. Most snake venom can adversely affect multiple organs. Various ECG changes have been reported in a large percentage of cases of snake bite (particularly viper and krait) from time to time. Thus, cardiotoxicity was studied with ECG.Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was carried on 84 patients admitted in Ward/ICU, Department Of Medicine, NSCB Medical College, Jabalpur, India on patients of snake bite reporting from all over Mahakaushal area of central India from March 2017 to August 2018.Results: The commonest manifestation in vasculotoxic snake bite was tachycardia (16.67%). On admission, ECG manifestations were 39.1% in poisonous bites were sinus tachycardia (17.8%), sinus bradycardia (9.5%), nonspecific ST-T changes (5.9%), AV block (3.5%) and sinus arrhythmia (2.3%) of all cases. These ECG changes were 2.3% in nonpoisonous patients. In symptomatic cases mortality was 19% with no mortality was seen in non-poisonous snake bite. There was significant difference between outcome of abnormal ECG group and normal ECG group patients (p <0.005).Conclusions: There is significant impact of snake poisons on cardiovascular profile and ECG can be a useful tool to predict outcome.

Distal Femur Fractures and its Treatment with Distal Femur Locking Plate.

In this prospective study, 50 patients with distal femur fracture were treated using distal femur locking plate. Extra-articular fractures were fixed with minimal invasive technique without exposing the fracture site and intra-articular fractures were treated by open technique. Schatzker and Lambert (1979) criteria is used for functional assessment. In our series majority of the patients were males (70%), predominantly with AO type C fracture. RTA was the major mode of trauma (80%). Average union time was 14.2 weeks and average range of motion was 109.50. According to Schatzker and Lambert's criteria 22 patients had excellent results, 16 patients had good results, 8 patients had fair results and 4 patients had failure. We conclude that this implant should be used in distal femur fractures especially in, fractures with articular extension and comminution. Locking compression plate allows early weight bearing which is an additional advantage for good vocational, mental, social and physical health.

Feasibility study of a novel intraosseous device in adult human cadavers.

Background & objectives: Intraosseous (IO) access is an alternative to difficult intravenous (iv) access during emergency clinical situations. Existing IO solutions are expensive, require power supply and trained manpower; limiting their use in resource constrained settings. To address these limitations, a novel IO device has been developed. The objectives of this study were to evaluate functionality and safety of this device in adult human cadavers. Methods: The ability of the IO device to penetrate the proximal and/or distal tibia was evaluated in three adult cadavers. Subjective parameters of loss of resistance, stable needle hold, easy needle withdrawal and any damage to the device were evaluated during the study. The insertion time was the objective parameter measured. Four sets of radiographs per insertion confirmed the position of the needle and identified complications. Results: A single physician performed 12 IO access procedures using the same device. Penetration of proximal and/or distal tibia was achieved in all instances. It was successful in the first attempt in eight (66.7%) and during second attempt in the remaining. The mean time to insertion was 4.1 ± 3.1 sec. Appropriate insertion of needle in the intra-medullary space of bone was confirmed with radiological examination in 10 (83.3%) insertions. In two occasions after penetrating the cortical layer of bone, the device overshot the intra-medullary space, as detected by radiological examination. Device got bent during insertion in one instance. There was no evidence of needle breakage or bone fracture. The needle could be withdrawn effortlessly in all instances. Interpretation & conclusions: The novel IO device could successfully penetrate the adult cadaver bones in most cases. Further studies are needed to confirm these results on a large sample.

Bilateral Symmetrical Basal Ganglia Calcification with Atypical Presentation: A Case Series.

Physiological intracranial calcification is asymptomatic and is detected incidentally by neuroimaging. Pathological basal ganglia calcification (BGC) is caused by various causes such as metabolic disorders, infectious and genetic diseases, and others. The most common causes of pathological BGC are hypoparathyroidism and pseudohypoparathyroidism. We present three cases of bilaterally symmetrical BGC associated with hypoparathyroidism. All of them presented with seizures as the only presentation without any signs of hypocalcemia and without extrapyramidal features. One should not rule out hypoparathyroidism in the absence of other signs of hypocalcemia and extrapyramidal features. Biochemical analysis pertaining to hypoparathyroidism must be done. Timely treated patients can have a good prognosis.

Pharmacognostic Study of Moringa Concanensis Nimmo Bark.

The present article reveals the pharmacogstic study of Moringa concanensis Nimmo. This plant species belongs to the family Moringaceae. In the view of its medicinal importance and taxonomic confusion, pharmacognostic studies, morphological characteristics, and microscopic studies was carried out to supplement the necessary information for the systematic identification and authentication of this plant, as per WHO guidelines. With this aspect, pharmacognostic investigations of the plant were carried out and reported. This study may help in acceptable identification of this plant among several species for future references.

Anthelmintic potential of herbal drugs.

The present paper deals with the field observations recorded on the traditional indigenous therapeutic applications of the plants Butea monosperma (Lam.) seeds used by the inhabitants of the Sagar district, M.P. (India). Even today a number of plants of the local flora are used for curing various ailments and diseases. The information is given in a tabular form as scientific names of plants in alphabetic order followed by family, part used, effective against, and target animals. Information on local/vernacular names of plants, uses, parts used names of ailments and modes of usage are given in detail. Information on traditional uses and commercial uses as well as biological activities of the related species is included on the basis of the existing relevant literature so as to present a comprehensive account. In this review we compiled available literatures from libraries, scientific journals and online database query’s on plants and remedies used in traditional medicinal systems for such diseases.

A review on plants of genus polygonatum.

Plants of genus Polygonatum (Ruscaceae) are widely used in traditional medicine to cure many diseases such as ageing, antioxidative action, insecticidal, antiherpetic, antinociception and aphrodisiac. A variety of phytoconstituents has been isolated from the Polygonatum species which include lignans, flavonoids, coumarins, steroids, terpenes, fatty acids and aliphatic long chain compounds. Anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antidiarrhoeal, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antimalarial and insecticidal activities have been reported in the extracts of these plants and their phytoconstituents. An overview of the ethnobotanical, phytochemical and pharmacological investigations on the Polygonatum species is presented in this review.

Immunomodulatory effect of Tricosanthes Dioica Roxb

Objective: Aqueous extract of Tricosanthes dioica Roxb.were administered oraly at doses of 100, 200 mg/kg/day for 45 days in wistar albino rats. Immunomodulatory effect and biochemical and haematological changes were tested by standard methods. Results: Aqueous extract of theTricosanthes dioica It enhances the production of RBC, WBC and hemoglobin. It does not affect the biochemical parameters. Conclusion: An oral administration of the aqueous extract of Tricosanthes dioica Roxb. showed immunomodulatory effect in rat. Roxb. showed increasing antibody production in dose dependent manner.

Occurrence of organochlorine pesticides residues in Kuano river of eastern Uttar Pradesh.

Organochlorine pesticides residue (isomers of HCH a, b, g and DDT) in Kuano river water at pre-monsoon and post-monsoon period were analyzed for the period June, 2004 to May, 2006 by TLC method. Results indicated that presence of isomers of HCH (a, b, g) and DDT in both the study years even though the usage of both these pesticides is restricted. The higher concentration of pesticide was found in post monsoon. The total concentration of HCH ranges from 0.0002 to 0.020 μg l-1 and 0.0002 to 0.009 μg l-1 and total DDT concentration ranged from 0.0009 to 0.003 μg l-1 and 0.00 to 0.0010 μg l-1 during first and second year of study, respectively. No temporal or spatial distribution pattern was found perhaps due to presence of multiple and aleatory sources. In most of the samples the pesticides residues detected were much higher than drinking water quality standards. It can be inferred that the environment may be considerably degraded by these compounds, providing additional impact to the biota and bringing a potential risk to human health. More detailed Monitoring/studies have to be carried out on different months with a wider spectrum of pesticides to get a clear base line data for the entire location

Acute hemodynamic effects of sildenafil in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy.

Sildenafil, a phosphodiestrase-5 inhibitor, decreases pulmonary artery pressures (PAP) in patients with idiopathic pulmonary hypertension. There is little data pertaining to its use in unselected patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDCM). A single oral dose of sildenafil (50 mg) was administered to 11 patients (mean age 44.9 +/- 7 years, 7 males) with IDCM with left ventricular ejection fraction < or = 40% in New York Heart Association class II/III at the time of right heart catheterization. There was a significant decrease in pulmonary artery systolic pressure (from 31.5 +/- 9.7 to 19.0 +/- 5.2 mmHg, p < 0.001) and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) (from 3.0 +/- 2.1 to 1.6 +/- 0.8 dyne/s/m(2)/cm(5), p = 0.01) following sildenafil administration. The systemic vascular resistance (SVR) and pulmonary wedge capillary pressure also significantly decreased. No significant differences in heart rate, cardiac index and PVR/SVR ratio were observed. There were no side effects documented. Sildenafil produces favorable vasodilation in both pulmonary and systemic vascular beds with decrease in left ventricular filling pressures, in stable patients with IDCM.

Wiring of tortuous coronary arteries-let the heart do the hard work!

Tortuous coronary arteries pose a special problem for the cardiac interventionists. They are associated with difficulty in advancement of guidewire, balloons and stents across the coronaries with higher complications. We describe an interesting phenomenon of "self advancement of guidewire" in tortuous coronary arteries with an illustrative case.

Preclinical and early clinical experience with a biodegradable polymer-based, rapamycin-eluting, Indian drug-eluting coronary stent: the BIO-RAPID study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the performance of a biodegradable polymer based rapamycin-eluting coronary stent in a porcine model and demonstrate its safety and efficacy in the treatment of patients with de novo coronary stenosis. BACKGROUND: The indefinite presence of the polymer after the implantation of drug-eluting stents may initiate and sustain inflammation and contribute to the occurrence of late complications. METHODS: Seven study stents and 5 polymer-coated (control) stents were implanted in porcine carotid arteries. Histomorphometric analysis was performed 8 weeks after stent implantation. After establishing the safety of the stent in the animal model, a single-center, non-randomized study in patients with de novo coronary artery lesions was performed. Forty-nine stents were implanted in 43 patients. The 6-month clinical follow-up was 91% (39/43) and angiographic follow-up was 67% (29/43). The primary safety endpoint was the occurrence of 30-day major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and the principal efficacy endpoint was the 6-month angiographic late loss and binary restenosis rate. RESULTS: In the porcine model, the study stent showed acceptably low injury, inflammation and fibrin scores. There was a quantitative reduction in neointimal hyperplasia which was not statistically different from the control stent. However, in the first-in-man evaluation, there was significant suppression of intimal growth as evidenced by an angiographic late loss of 0.28 +/- 0.45 mm at 6 months. The restenosis rate was 10.3% (3/297). There was no death, stent thrombosis or myocardial infarction at 30 days or at 6 months. The 6-month target lesion revascularization rate was 3.47 percent; (1/29). CONCLUSION: This preclinical and early clinical experience demonstrates the safety and efficacy of a novel biodegradable polymer-based rapamycin-eluting coronary stent.

Anomalous connection of superior vena cava to the left atrium masquerading as epilepsy: a case report with review of literature.

An 11-year-old girl who presented with recurrent epileptic fits was eventually found to have a superior vena cava draining into the left atrium. There was no atrial septal defect. The patient underwent a successful surgical correction.

Chemosensory processing in the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster: generalization of a feeding response reveals overlapping odour representations.

Insects are capable of detecting, and discriminating between, a very large number of odours. The biological relevance of many of those odours, particularly those related to food, must first be learned. Given that the number of sensory receptors and antennal lobe (AL) glomeruli is limited relative to the number of odours that must be detectable, this ability implies that the olfactory system makes use of a combinatorial coding scheme whereby each sensory cell or AL projection neuron can participate in coding for several different odours. An important step in understanding this coding scheme is to behaviourally quantify the degree to which sets of odours are discriminable. Here we evaluate odour discriminability in the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, by first conditioning individual flies to not respond to any of several odorants using a nonassociative conditioning protocol (habituation). We show that flies habituate unconditioned leg movement responses to both mechanosensory and olfactory stimulation over 25 unreinforced trials. Habituation is retained for at least 2 h and is subject to dishabituation. Finally, we test the degree to which the conditioned response generalizes to other odorants based on molecular features of the odorants (e.g. carbon chain length and the presence of a target functional group). These tests reveal predictable generalization gradients across these molecular features. These data substantiate the claim that these features are relevant coding dimensions in the fruit fly olfactory system, as has been shown for other insect and vertebrate species.