Platelet count and its indices as diagnostic markers of neonatal sepsis: a cross-sectional study

Background: Neonatal sepsis is a critical condition posing a significant threat to newborns globally, particularly in developing countries. The non-specific symptoms and time-consuming traditional diagnostic methods highlight the need for rapid and reliable biomarkers. Recent studies suggest platelet count and indices such as mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet distribution width (PDW) as potential indicators for early diagnosis of neonatal sepsis. This study aimed to assess the correlation between platelet count and its indices and neonatal sepsis.Methods: A hospital-based cross- sectional study was conducted at NICU of tertiary care hospital involving 80 neonates with suspected sepsis. Platelet count, PDW, and MPV were measured and correlated with neonatal sepsis. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software, with a significance set at p<0.05.Results: Of the 80 neonates studied, 22.5% exhibited thrombocytopenia. There was a noteworthy inverse relationship discovered between platelet count and sepsis, while MPV and PDW were higher. Gram-negative organisms were the most common cause of sepsis, out of which E. Coli (63.64%) was the most common.Conclusions: The study confirmed a significant association between platelet count and indices with neonatal sepsis. Platelet count, MPV, and PDW can serve as effective, rapid diagnostic markers, potentially improving early detection and outcomes in neonatal sepsis.

Prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection in India: a systematic review

HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis are the three major infectious diseases that are equivalent to viral hepatitis. The existing research distinguishes between states within the Indian region to study the spread of hepatitis C. The factors that lead to the spread of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) and community-based complex interventions in public health are strongly correlated in this review. The main purpose of this study was to summarize the prevalence of the HCV in India from original research articles published from January 2004 to March 2024. We conducted a systematic search on Web of Science, Science Direct, PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, Medline, and other open-access journals. We evaluated all relevant papers that investigated the prevalence of the HCV. Finally, 20 studies on viral hepatitis published from January 2004 to March 2024 have been selected. Twenty full text publications were obtained and evaluated consisting of 117,661 research participants. Out of 117,661 participants, 3,811 were positive for HCV. Prevalence of hepatitis C was found 3.23%. Most of the male participants were affected by HCV as compared to Females. Blood transfusion, history of intravenous drugs, hospital admission, heterosexual contact, and history of surgeries, were the most common ways for people to contract HCV. To reduce the incidence of viral hepatitis and eradicate the illness, effective public health initiatives are desperately needed. The review's recommendations include creating a uniform public health framework for primary care professionals serving both urban and rural populations, preventing the spread of infectious blood, and appropriately screening high-risk individuals.

Infective keratitis: a concise overview of the clinical characteristics and treatment of keratitis caused by microbial agents

The following document provides an overview of microbial keratitis, a well-known sight-threatening inflammation of the cornea that progresses to the corneal ulcer. Sometimes, such infection is difficult to identify and cure due to the involvement of multiple pathogens implicated in the specific disorders because of similar symptoms and immunological responses. Instead of fungi and protozoa, viruses and bacteria are the most prevalent pathogens that cause microbial keratitis. A virus contains protein-encased genetic material and may infect any living creature, including bacteria and fungi, by replicating inside the host's cell and infecting neighbouring cells. Bacteria are complicated pathogens that may thrive in any media and cause harm to host cells, often through the production of toxins. Fungi are far more difficult; they spread quickly and can cause harm to several organs at the same time if the immune system is compromised. Protozas are found freely in the environment and once invade the cornea, divide quickly and become difficult to identify as well as treat, because of their involvement or in conjunction with polymicrobials. These microbes show common symptoms after invading the cornea although; their common diagnostic procedures show different results to trace out their existence in the tissue. Up to some extent, specific treatment can cure the disease with certain conditions according to a load of microbes, therefore visual status gets hampered, otherwise total loss of the eye takes place due to the endophthalmitis.

Diabetes and the retinal changes in the eye: a threat to the sight

This article discusses the importance of diabetic retinopathy, an eye disease associated with diabetes, which is a systemic disease. The research question addresses the impact of diabetes on the retina of the eye through infection and clinical features. This approach is designed to improve the relationship between early diagnosis and treatment of disease, including laser surgery, corticosteroid injections, and vitrectomy. This article focuses on chronic diabetic retinopathy and eye examination recommendations in the United States and the United Kingdom. To prevent and manage diabetic retinopathy, it is recommended that diabetic patients have regular eye examinations. The results of this study include the importance of good glycaemic control, injections, photocoagulation, and vitrectomy as treatment options. Intravitreal long-acting steroids may also temporarily improve visual acuity by reducing macular oedema. However, long-term use of the drug may cause side effects and may lead to cataracts, steroid glaucoma, and endophthalmitis. It may cause reasons. A recent study of the disease in India shows that the incidence of high blood sugar and its effects on the eye is mainly diabetic retinopathy, including cataracts, neovascular glaucoma and even retinal detachment, which are very dangerous for eye health. Therefore, it is important to inform patients about this disease and perform timely screening because patients need to be informed carefully.

Evaluation of the incidence and risk factors of ocular disorder in primary school children: a cross-section analysis

Background: School health is an essential part of any public health program. Poor vision in childhood can affect school performance and affect children later in life. Pupils can be affected by various eye diseases such as refractive errors, strabismus, color blindness, eyelid problems and cataracts. The aim of this study is to determine the incidence and risk factors of eye diseases in children aged 6-12 years. Methods: This school-based cross-sectional study selected children aged 6-12 years from December 2018 to March 2019 from 09 primary schools in the Kanpur district. The institutional ethical clearance and appropriate permissions from the school authorities were obtained through the medical officer of Kalyanpur PHC and consent 51 from parents. Results: A total of 2,100 students from 09 different schools, 1,070 boys and 1,030 girls, were tested. The most common eye diseases are myopic astigmatism with 16.6% (348 people), myopic astigmatism with 78.2% (272 people), 192 were against the rule astigmatisms, 80 were with the rule astigmatism astigmatisms, followed by simple myopic with 15.2% (53 people) and hypermetropic astigmatism with 1.7% (6 people). The next most common disease is allergic disease with 1.6% (34). The 1.4% (30) of children have strabismus. Blindness 0.26% (5), colour blindness 0.2% (4); eyelid and adnexal disease 0.13% (3) and cataract 0.03% (1) Conclusions: Eye diseases in school-aged children can be easily detected by regular eye examinations; this research shows that vision deficiency is likely to be affected.

Application of student's t-test, analysis of variance, and covariance

Student's t test (t test), analysis of variance (ANOVA), and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) are statistical methods used in the testing of hypothesis for comparison of means between the groups. The Student's t test is used to compare the means between two groups, whereas ANOVA is used to compare the means among three or more groups. In ANOVA, first gets a common P value. A significant P value of the ANOVA test indicates for at least one pair, between which the mean difference was statistically significant. To identify that significant pair(s), we use multiple comparisons. In ANOVA, when using one categorical independent variable, it is called one-way ANOVA, whereas for two categorical independent variables, it is called two-way ANOVA. When using at least one covariate to adjust with dependent variable, ANOVA becomes ANCOVA. When the size of the sample is small, mean is very much affected by the outliers, so it is necessary to keep sufficient sample size while using these methods.

Comparison of ranibizumab alone versus ranibizumab with targeted retinal laser for branch retinal vein occlusion with macular edema

Purpose: To determine the effect of ultra-widefield fluorescein angiography (UWFFA)-guided targeted retinal photocoagulation (TRP) in branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) with macular edema after intravitreal Ranibizumab (RBZ). Methods: 33 eyes of 32 treatment naïve patients diagnosed as BRVO with macular edema were prospectively randomized to 0.5 mg Ranibizumab only (RBZ group) (n = 17) or Ranibizumab with UWFFA-guided laser (RBZ + TRP group) (n = 16). Both groups received three injections at monthly intervals and PRN henceforth. RBZ + TRP group additionally underwent UWFFA-guided TRP of peripheral capillary nonperfusion areas 1 week post injection. Outcome measures included improvement in visual acuity, central subfoveal thickness (CST), and the number of injections required with a minimum follow-up of 9 months. Results: Both groups showed significant improvement in mean BCVA (25.7 ± 8.19 letters, P < 0.001 vs. 23.38 ± 7.56 letters, P < 0.001; in RBZ and RBZ + TRP group, respectively) and reduction in mean central subfoveal thickness (379.12 ± 242.7 ?m, P < 0.001 vs. 253.75 ± 137.9 ?m, P < 0.001 in RBZ and RBZ + TRP group, respectively) at 9 months. The number of injections in the RBZ group (5.76 ± 1.3) was significantly greater than RBZ + TRP (4.06 ± 0.99) (P < 0.001). Both groups had significant improvement in contrast sensitivity and mean deviation on visual fields; however, the difference between the groups was not significant (P = 0.62 and P = 0.79, respectively). Conclusion: UWFFA-guided TRP reduced the number of injections of Ranibizumab in patients having BRVO with macular edema, while maintaining similar benefits in the improvement of BCVA, central subfoveal thickness without deleterious effect on the visual field, and contrast sensitivity.

Choroidal thickness in normal Indian eyes using swept-source optical coherence tomography

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to provide normative database for subfoveal choroidal thickness in Indian eyes using swept-source optical coherence tomography. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study based at a tertiary eye care center in Northern India. Two hundred and thirty eight eyes of 119 healthy subjects were examined in terms of axial length, spherical equivalent, and choroidal thickness. Inclusion criteria included age 19� years, no retinal or choroidal disorder, and patients with clear media and good fixation. Patients with high hypermetropia (>4 D) or myopia (>6 D) or any systemic disease likely to affect choroidal thickness were excluded. Twelve radial line scans were obtained centered on the fovea that were used to calculate choroidal and retinal thickness in 9 early treatment diabetic retinopathy study (ETDRS) zones. Results: The mean age of all the subjects was 28.70 � 11.28 years; mean axial length was 23.63 � 1.96 mm, and mean spherical equivalent was ? 0.92 � 3.08 D. The mean subfoveal choroidal thickness was 299.10 � 131.2 ? and mean foveal thickness was 239.92 � 48.16 ?. A negative correlation was found between subfoveal choroidal thickness and age (r = ?0.0961, P = 0.1392) and axial length (r = ?0.3166, P < 0.001). A statistically significant positive correlation was found between subfoveal choroidal thickness and refractive error (r = 0.2393, P = 0.0002). Conclusion: This study provides normative database for subfoveal choroidal thickness and foveal thickness using swept-source optical coherence tomography. The choroidal thickness measured with swept-source platform is slightly higher than that reported with spectral domain platforms.

Descriptive statistics and normality tests for statistical data

Descriptive statistics are an important part of biomedical research which is used to describe the basic features of the data in the study. They provide simple summaries about the sample and the measures. Measures of the central tendency and dispersion are used to describe the quantitative data. For the continuous data, test of the normality is an important step for deciding the measures of central tendency and statistical methods for data analysis. When our data follow normal distribution, parametric tests otherwise nonparametric methods are used to compare the groups. There are different methods used to test the normality of data, including numerical and visual methods, and each method has its own advantages and disadvantages. In the present study, we have discussed the summary measures and methods used to test the normality of the data.

Chronic Nonmodulated Microwave Radiations in Mice Produce Anxiety-like and Depression-like Behaviours and Calcium- and NO-related Biochemical Changes in the Brain

The present study was aimed to investigate behavioural and biochemical effects of chronic exposure of amplitude modulated and non-modulated microwave radiation on laboratory mice. Chronic microwave exposures were executed with 2.45 GHz of either modulated (power density, 0.029 mW/cm²; specific absorption rate, 0.019 W/Kg with sinusoidal modulation of 400 Hz) or nonmodulated continuous sinusoidal wave (power density, 0.033 mW/cm²; specific absorption rate, 0.023 W/Kg) for 2 hrs daily for 1 month. Mice subjected to non-modulated microwave exposure had significantly increased acetylcholinesterase activity and increased intracellular calcium and nitric oxide levels in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus, and also had increased glucose and corticosterone levels in blood compared to control mice. These non-modulated microwave-exposed mice exhibited anxiety-like and depression-like behaviours. In contrast, mice exposed to modulated microwave for the same period did not show such changes in concomitant biochemical and behavioural analyses. These results suggest that chronic non-modulated microwave, but not modulated microwave, radiation may cause anxiety-like and depression-like behaviours and calcium- and NO-related biochemical changes in the brain.

Detection of Mycobacterium avium subsp. Paratuberculosis in bovine faecal samples by Quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) TaqMan Assay

Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis, the causative agent of Johne’s disease is a degenerative chronic granulomatous disease of bovines. In the present study, quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) using TaqMan chemistry targeting the IS900 sequence of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) was employed for the molecular diagnosis of the disease in bovine faecal samples. Out of 200 bovine faecal samples processed, 7 samples were tested as positive by IS900 qRT-PCR. The sensitivity limit of detection of MAP DNA in faecal samples by qRT-PCR TaqMan assay was found to be 0.05pg. No amplification was observed in other Mycobacterial spp. viz. M. phlei, M. smegmatis, M. intracellulare and M. kansasii.

Derivative Spectrophotometric Methods for the Determination of Zolpidem Tartrate in Tablets.

Two simple, precise and accurate first derivative spectrophotometric methods were developed for the determination of Zolpidem Tartrate in pharmaceutical formulations in phosphate buffer pH 6.8 and acetate buffer pH 4.0. Beer’s law was obeyed over the concentration range 0.5-20 μg/ml in both phosphate buffer (pH 6.8) (Method A) and acetate buffer (pH 4.0) (Method B). The regression equations were found to be y = 0.101x+0.012 (r2 = 0.999) and y = 0.064x+0.009 (r2 = 0.999) in Method A and B respectively. The % RSD in precision studies was found to be 0.28-0.69 (Intra-day) and 0.31-0.73 (Inter-day) for Method A and 0.25-0.82 (Intra-day) and 0.26-0.57 (Inter-day) for Method B respectively. The % RSD in accuracy studies was also found to be 0.14-0.19 (Method A) and 0.18-0.23 (Method B) with percentage recovery 98.67-99.78 and 98.56-99.83 Method A and B respectively.

Global positioning system: A new tool to measure the distribution of anemia and nutritional status of children (5-10 years) in a rural area in south India.

Global positioning system (GPS) is a satellite-based navigation system that is of late being used in health care. Objectives: The aims of the study were to describe the geographical distribution and assess the prevalence of anemia and malnutrition in children aged 5-10 years with GPS. Subjects and Methods: This exploratory study was conducted over a period of 2 months in the rural field practice area of a medical college situated in Bangalore during June-July 2012. Children aged 5-10 years were the study subjects. Results: GPS was used for describing the geographical distribution of anemia and nutrition status on the Google earth map. The prevalence of anemia in the study subjects was 8.7%. The prevalence of underweight, stunting, thinness, and severe thinness among the study subjects was 52.8%, 28.5%, 23.5%, and 29.1%, respectively; however, overweight and obesity were observed only in 0.9% and 1.2% of the study subjects, respectively. Conclusion: GPS was easy to use and was able to demonstrate the actual distribution of morbidity at the household level in the rural area.

Molecular cloning, purification and characterization of thermostable -1,3-1,4 glucanase from Bacillus subtilis A8-8.

A gene encoding a -1,3-1,4-glucanase (CelA) belonging to family 5 of glycoside hydrolases was cloned and sequenced from the Bacillus subtilis A8-8. The open-reading-frame of celA comprised 1499 base pairs and the enzyme was composed of 500 amino acids with a molecular mass of 55 kDa. The recombinant -1,3-1,4 glucanase was purified by GST-fusion purification system. The pH and temperature optima of the enzyme were 8.0 and 60oC, respectively. The enzyme was stable within pH 6.0-9.0. It was stable up to 60oC and retained 30% of its original activity at 70oC for 60 min. It hydrolyzed lichenan, CMC, xylan, laminarin, avicel and pNPC, but was inactive towards cellobiose. The enzyme activity was markedly activated by Co2+ and Mn2+, but was strongly inactivated by Fe3+. The truncated gene, devoid of cellulose-binding domain (CBD) showed 60% of activity and bound to avicel.

Prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection in HIV infected individuals in south India and characterization of HCV genotypes.

PURPOSE: To determine anti-HCV antibodies and genomic subtype of HCV in 1487 confirmed human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive samples. METHODS: A total of 1487 confirmed HIV-positive samples were tested for anti-HCV antibodies by using a third generation ELISA kit (Ortho 3.0) and by RT PCR for HCV. HIV and HCV coinfected samples were selected for HCV genotyping by RFLP and subtyping with NS5-type specific primers. RESULTS: A total of 1487 HIV-infected serum samples were screened for HCV infection, of which, a 1443 (97.04%) were negative and 45 (3.02%) were coinfected. HIV-HCV coinfection was predominant in the age group 41-50 years (51.1%). HCV genotyping and subtyping was done for the 45 HCV RNA-positive specimens of which genotype 1 was observed in 31 (68.8%) and genotype 3 was observed in 14 (31.1%) subjects. Further subtyping analysis showed the genotype 1b in 23 (51.1%), 1a in eight (17.7%), 3a in 10 (22.2%) and 3b in four (8.8%) subjects. CONCLUSION: HIV and HCV seroprevalence is higher in South India, and the most prevalent genotype in coinfection was genotype 1b.

Release of copper from CuT 380A co-incubated with human semen and its effect on sperm function in vitro.

Release of copper and its effect on functional integrity of human sperms in vitro were assessed following co-incubation of semen with CuT 380A. After 30 min of incubation with semen, release of copper ions from CuT 380A was found to be 9.2 to 40 times higher compared to control incubations with PBS. Sperm function tests, when simultaneously performed following loss of motility in sperms (>95%) after 120 min of copper exposure, depicted a significant (P<0.001) reduction in sperm viability and hypo-osmotic swelling (HOS) response. However, the affected sperm populations revealed no significant alterations in other functional tests like acrosomal status or nuclear chromatin decondensation. It is therefore concluded that the high release of copper from CuT 380A drastically lowers sperm motility. viability and HOS response but only marginally affects the acrosome status or nuclear chromatin condensation in short term incubations.

Effect of DENA induced hepatocarcinogenesis on neuroendocrine levels in male rats.

Hepatocarcinogenesis was induced in Sprague Dawley rats by injecting diethylnitrosamine (DENA); 150 mg/kg body weight, ip, a well known liver carcinogen and a mutagenic agent. Concurrent with the induction of hepatocarcinoma, psychological stress was also elicited from the changes in brain neurotransmitters. Noradrenaline and dopamine, the neurotransmitters of sympathetic system were estimated from the whole brain and corresponding hormones T3, T4 and prolactin were estimated from the blood of such rats. The neuroendocrine cascade and the marker enzyme gamma glutamyl transferase were estimated at 7, 14, 21 and 30 weeks. A direct relationship between noradrenaline, T3 and T4 and a reciprocal relationship between dopamine and prolactin were observed, which may be correlated to the carcinogenic effect of DENA.

Epidemiological study of ocular trauma in an urban slum population in Delhi, India.

PURPOSE: To study the epidemiology and clinical profile of victims of ocular trauma in an urban slum population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study, conducted on 500 families each in three randomly selected urban slums in Delhi, collected demographic data for all members of these families, and clinical data for all those who suffered ocular trauma at any time, that required medical attention. Data was managed on SPSS 11.0. RESULTS: Of 6704 participants interviewed, 163 episodes of ocular trauma were reported by 158 participants (prevalence = 2.4%, confidence interval = 2.0 to 2.7) Mean age at trauma was 24.2 years. The association between the age of participants and the history of ocular trauma was significant ( P < 0.001), when adjusted for sex, education and occupation. Males were significantly more affected. Blunt trauma was the commonest mode of injury (41.7%). Blindness resulted in 11.4% of injured eyes ( P = 0.028). Of 6704 participants, 1567 (23.4%) were illiterate, and no association was seen between education status and trauma, when adjusted for sex and age at injury. A significant association was noted between ocular trauma and workplace (Chi-square = 43.80, P < 0.001), and between blindness and place (Chi-square = 9.98, P = 0.041) and source (Chi-square = 10.88, P = 0.028) of ocular trauma. No association was found between visual outcome and the time interval between trauma and first consultation (Chi-square = 0.50, P = 0.78), between receiving treatment and the best corrected visual acuity (Chi-square = 0.81, P = 0.81), and between the person consulted and blinding ocular trauma (Chi-square = 1.88, P = 0.170). CONCLUSION: A significant burden of ocular trauma in the community requires that its prevention and early management be a public health priority.