Assessment of temperament in women with stress urinary incontinence: an observational study

This study aimed to explore whether the temperament of the body is related to and can cause stress uiinary incontinence [SUI] in reproductive-age women. Urinary incontinence [UI] is defined as involuntaiy loss of urine. SUIis defined as ''the complaint of involuntary leakage on effort or exertion, or on sneezing or coughing. "In Unani medicine, one of the causes that lead to UI is temperament [mizaj] of the body or organ

This study was a single-center, observational trial conducted at the outpatient department of the National Institute of Unani Medicine, Bangalore, India, between March 2012 and November 2012. A total of60 women presenting with SUI for at least 6 months, who fulfilled the inclusion criteria, were recruited Their general temperament was assessed using aprestructuredproforma designed for assessing temperament that was based on 10 deteiminants [alamat ajnase ashra]

Of 60 patients, sanguine and phlegmatic temperament was found in 31 [52%] and 29 [48%] patients, respectively. None of the patients had choleric and melancholic temperament. Maximum number of women were in the age group of31-40 years [n =38, 63%] in which 55% [n = 17] and 72% [n =21] had sanguine and phlegmatic temperament, respectively. All patients had anterior vaginal wall prolapsed

It is concluded that SUI occurs in reproductive-age women with sanguine and phlegmatic temperament. Also, using objective parameters for temperament assessment and conducting randomized studies with a larger sample size are recommended

Assessment of biodegradability of PVC containing cellulose by white rot fungus

Aims: Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is the most widely used and environmentally damaging plastic. Processing, production and disposal of PVC cause release of toxic chlorine based compounds into environment. The objective of the present study was to assess the biodegradability of cellulose blended PVC by white rot fungi i.e. Phanerochaete chrysosporium. Methodology and results: Biodegradability of the strain for the polymer was tested on plate assay, sturm test, soil burial and shake flask experiments. The biodegradability of the polymer was determined by visual changes, plate assay and carbon dioxide production. Morphological changes in the polymer such as pits, extensive spotting, clear surface erosion, fungal attachment, roughening and deterioration of some parts were observed using scanning electron microscopy. Chemical changes like appearance and shortening of peaks using fourier transform infrared spectroscopy also confirmed the biodegradability of the polymer. Conclusion, significance and impact of study: The present study confirmed that mixing of small amount of cellulose increases the hydrophilicity of the polymer and lead to its microbial degradation and Phanerochaete chrysosporium has great potential for the treatment of solid waste containing plastics.

Wandering ascaris coming out through the abdominal wall

A rare case of ascaris coming out through the anterior abdominal wall is reported here. A 40-year-old female had undergone dilatation and curettage by a quack. On the second day she presented with presented with features of peritonitis. She was explored. Resection anastomosis of the ileum was done for multiple perforations of the ileum. Patient developed a fistula in the anterior abdominal wall which was draining bile-colored fluid. On the 12[th] postoperative day a 10-cm-long worm was seen coming out through the fistulous tract which was found to be Ascaris lumbricoids. Ascaris lumbricoids can lead to many complications ranging from worm colic to intestinal obstruction, volvulus, peritonitis, pancreatitis, cholangiohepatitis, liver abscess and many more. Worm has been reported to come out through mouth, nostrils, abdominal drains, T-tubes etc. But ascaris coming out through the anterior abdominal wall is very rare hence reported here

Mycorrhizoremediation--an enhanced form of phytoremediation / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

Study of plant roots and the diversity of soil micro biota, such as bacteria, fungi and microfauna associated with them, is important for understanding the ecological complexities between diverse plants, microbes, soil and climates and their role in phytoremediation of contaminated soils. The arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are universal and ubiquitous rhizosphere microflora forming symbiosis with plant roots and acting as biofertilizers, bioprotactants, and biodegraders. In addition to AMF, soils also contain various antagonistic and beneficial bacteria such as root pathogens, plant growth promoting rhizobacteria including free-living and symbiotic N-fixers, and mycorrhiza helping bacteria. Their potential role in phytoremediation of heavy metal (HM) contaminated soils and water is becoming evident although there is need to completely understand the ecological complexities of the plant-microbe-soil interactions and their better exploitation as consortia in remediation strategies employed for contaminated soils. These multitrophic root microbial associations deserve multi-disciplinary investigations using molecular, biochemical, and physiological techniques. Ecosystem restoration of heavy metal contaminated soils practices need to incorporate microbial biotechnology research and development. This review highlights the ecological complexity and diversity of plant-microbe-soil combinations, particularly AM and provides an overview on the recent developments in this area. It also discusses the role AMF play in phytorestoration of HM contaminated soils, i.e. mycorrhizoremediation.

Management of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection in Adults in Resource-Limited Countries: Challenges and Prospects in Nigeria

Nigeria has an HIV seroprevalence of 5.0with an estimated 3.5 million infected persons. By June 2005; an estimated 28 - 48;000 or 4 - 8of those requiring Anti-Retroviral Treatment (ART) receive it through various means and support. It is targeted that 350;000 and 1 million persons will be on ART by 2006 and 2009 respectively. Clinical studies on ART have demonstrated virological; immunological and survival benefits comparable to those reported in the developed world. Situation analyses and audits in the country have shown promising and comparable findings to results elsewhere. They have also identified areas of potential concern - rational use of ART; adherence and monitoring. As ART scale up is ongoing there is need for continued technical support; laboratory standardization; commodities management / supply and training of health care workers. Simple guidelines and algorithms for ART; care and monitoring to facilitate rapid scaleup should be developed for use in tertiary and non-tertiary facilities in the country. Preventive and ART services should be fully linked. With considerable funding from many sources there is need for good governance; accountability; coordination and continuous provision of resources with cogent targets and objectives in the scale up as we seek to improve survival; quality of life and productivity of patients in Nigeria