Tobacco Consumption and Legislations Regarding Tobacco Use in India – Is It Time for A Policy Change?

One of the most consumed and readily available products causing psychological dependence among the population is tobacco and its related products. Though the government of India is undertaking measures to reduce tobacco consumption, factors like easy availability, lack of monitoring of tobacco use among youngsters, low cost and rapid absorption into the central nervous system is prompting people from a young age to the elderly to consume tobacco-related products. Legislative measures to reduce tobacco consumption seldom reach or benefit people as laws differ across States. This increases the prevalence of respiratory diseases like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and lung cancer. This review ar-ticle discusses the status of tobacco consumption in India with emphasis on tobacco-related legislation in States and associated health inequities.

Isolation, Characterization and Screening of Lactic Acid Bacteria from Non-dairy Foods: An Attempt to Unveil their Probiotic Potential

The growing need for probiotics has emerged due to the imbalances in the gut microbiota. Changes in the microflora of the gut lead to various disorders. Hence, the consumption of probiotics is imperative and rewarding. They provide various benefits when consumed, including antagonistic activities against pathogens by lowering pH to inhibit the growth of other microorganisms, disease treatment, and prevention, as well as health restoration and maintenance. This study aimed to isolate, identify, and characterize various Lactic acid bacteria from non-dairy items to determine their probiotic potential. Five isolates were chosen and identified further using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The chosen isolates were then tested in vitro for probiotic properties by employing various tests including tolerance to Bile salt, Sodium Chloride, Phenol, and pH. The culture’s supernatant of these isolates were also tested for their antibacterial efficacy against various pathogens. Five LAB isolates showed resistance to varying concentrations of Bile acid, NaCl, Phenol, and simulated gastric juice. Gelatinase and Hemolytic activities were absent in the isolates. They were resistant to several of the antibiotics examined. They also showed effective antibacterial activity against test pathogens. The isolated strains meet the criteria for being probiotic and safe for human consumption thus conferring various health benefits.

Evaluation of Physiochemical Properties, Thermal Behavior and Phytopharmaceutical Potential of Citrus aurantium’s Essential Oil

The study investigates the therapeutic potential of the Citrus aurantium var. amara essential oil extracted from the blossoms of the bitter orange plant by examining its chemical composition, thermal stability, and potency against infectious disease-causing pathogens. Initially, the volatile components of the essential oil were evaluated by obtaining a chromatographic fingerprint using HPTLC and FTIR spectrum identification. Furthermore, a thermal profile of the essential oil was obtained using the thermogravimetric-differential thermal analysis and differential scanning calorimetric analysis. A predetermined set of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms were used to examine the antibacterial activity of the essential oil. Lastly, its anti-inflammatory activity was assessed using the albumin denaturation assay. The research concluded that the Citrus aurantium var. Amara essential oil exhibits potential therapeutic characteristics which can be further explored through in vivo studies.

Qualitative Assessment of Adherence to Anti-Tuberculosis Medication Among Active Tuberculosis Patients

Background: Non- adherence is one of the major risk factors for the emergence of MDR and XDR TB. It is also one of the key factors responsible for treatment failure, disease relapse, prolonged infection and death. This study was conducted to explore the various factors contributing to non-adherence to the Anti-TB medication. Methods: A qualitative study was done on Adult Pulmonary and extra pulmonary TB patients who were in course of the treatment. A total of 20 patients were enrolled. Socio 杁emographic details and specific questions regarding TB were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. In depth telephonic interviews were conducted among all participants. Results: The study participants comprised between 15 to 68 years of age with a mean age of 36 �.9years. Factors influencing non-adherence to medication were grouped under Patient, medication, Socio-economic and Health care related factors, Motive. Almost all patients reported more than one factor. Conclusion: Increasing the awareness of various TB services in the community may increase knowledge and improve attitude among the patients. Providing more information about the effects of medication may reduce the risk of being non adherent. TB anonymous groups can be organized for patients to discuss their challenges while on treatment.

HISTOLOGICAL SPECTRUM OF NON-NEOPLASTIC LESIONS IN THE LUNG-A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY DONE ON LOBECTOMY SPECIMENS

To study the histolopathological spectrum of non-neoplastic lesions of lung and to evaluate in relation to age, gender and clinico-radiological findings. This study is done over a period of 1 year (Nov 2020 to Nov 2021) in the Department of Pathology, LNMC, Bhopal. Total of 33 lobectomy specimens were studied. Specimens were fixed in formalin and paraffin embedded H&E-stained tissue sections were studied. Special stains (Gomorri's methenamine silver stain and Periodic acid Schiff stain) were done where ever required. Non-neoplastic lesions from 3 (9.09%) women and 30 (90.90%) men, with a median age of 43.86 (Interquartile range: 23-60 years) were collected. Fibrotic interstitial changes comprised the most common category of histologic findings, noted in 20 (60.6%) patients. Most cases consisted of usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) (30.30%), followed by smoking related interstitial fibrosis/SRIF (desquamative interstitial pneumonia like patterns and respiratory bronchiolitis like pattern) (12.12%), non-specific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) (9.09%) and patterns of “undefined” fibrosis (6.06%) such as peribronchial fibrosis, organizing pneumonias and other patterns of fibrosis that did not fall into a recognized category of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia. Granulomatous pathology was identified in 4 (10.81%) patients. On chest X-ray/CT scan chest, majority of lung lesions presented as diffuse and patchy opacities with honeycombing and bronchiectasis. Cigarette smoking was associated with 4 lung lesions. Histopathologic classification plays an important role in separating variable forms of non-neoplastic lung lesions & further subcategorising idiopathic interstitial pneumonia into clinically meaningful categories have important differences in natural history, prognosis, and treatment

Effectiveness Of Modified Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy Compared To Hand-Arm Bimanual Intensive Therapy On Quality Of Upper Extremity Function In Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy Children - An Experimental Study

Background:Hemiplegic Cerebral palsy (CP) impairs hand function leading to inability or difficulty to perform activities of daily living (ADLs). Beside traditional therapies several new techniques like mCIMT & HABIT are in practice which focuses on precise and appropriate targeted results. There is a need to include a treatment protocol which is effective, easy and can be done under parents’ guidance in home setting. Purpose of this study was to find and compare the effect of mCIMT & HABIT on the quality of upper extremity function in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy.Objectives:To study the effects of mCIMT, HABIT and conventional therapy on quality of upper extremity function in hemiplegic cerebral palsy children and to compare the effects of mCIMT, HABIT & conventional therapy on quality of upper extremity function in hemiplegic cerebral palsy children. Material & Methods:The study included 20 children who were diagnosed cases of hemiplegic CP. The experimental groups were given mCIMT and HABIT with conventional therapy and the control group received only conventional therapy.Quality of upper extremity skills test (QUEST) was used as an outcome measure. All groups were evaluated with the QUEST before and after 4 weeks of treatment. Results: The results showed statistical difference in the final QUEST scores(p=0.001) between all the groups as well as difference in dissociated movement, grasp & weight bearing. There was however no difference in protective extension (p=0.704) domain. Also, there was statistically no significant improvement in weight bearing and protective extension within the group while dissociated movement, grasp and QUEST Score showed improvement. Conclusion:This study concluded that mCIMT is more effective than HABIT & CT alone in improving quality of upper extremity function in hemiplegic cerebral palsy children.

Novel technique for traumatic cyclodialysis repair with phacoemulsification and Cionni's ring implantation

A 17-years-old boy presented with cataract, 360° choroidal effusion and disc oedema secondary to chronic hypotony. Gonioscopy and AS-OCT revealed 2 clock hours of cyclodialysis in the superonasal quadrant. The case was successively managed with phacoemulsification with foldable IOL in the bag and Cionni's ring sutured in the superonasal quadrant. Post surgery, the BCVA improved from counting finger 1 meter to 20/40. IOP returned to normal and there was resolution of choroidal effusion and fundus signs. The case highlights the use of Cionni's ring in management of small cyclodialysis cleft by providing internal compression.

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty by right transradial approach in a patient with arteria lusoria.

Though the radial artery is an ideal site of access for coronary interventions, at times anatomical variations make this procedure complicated. We describe one such arterial aberrancy, the retroesophageal right subclavian artery or arteria lusoria, in which the right subclavian artery arises distal to the left subclavian artery. Therefore, approaching through the right radial artery, the catheter has to take a zigzag course through the right subclavian to the descending aorta, and then to the ascending aorta. This often makes it difficult to perform diagnostic angiography. Performing angioplasty by the right transradial approach also becomes a more difficult task and requires greater perseverance and skill. In the case described here, the patient with arteria lusoria had tandem 90% stenosis involving the proximal and mid left anterior descending artery. Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty with stenting of the proximal and mid left anterior descending artery by the right transradial approach was performed, negotiating the loop with two paclitaxel-eluting stents.

Sweet's syndrome preceding carcinoma of the adrenal cortex.

A case of Sweet's syndrome preceding carcinoma of the adrenal cortex is reported. Sweet's syndrome can be a rare premalignant manifestation of carcinoma of adrenal cortex.

An unusual presentation of systemic lupus erythematosus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem connective tissue disease caused by the damage of tissues and cells by pathogenic auto-antibodies and immune complexes. A 27-year-old female presented with chronic diarrhoea was diagnosed as intestinal tuberculosis. But further evaluation diagnosed it a case of SLE and diarrhoea subsided with treatment. The case is reported because of its atypical presentation.

Dissolution of gall-stones in vitro.

An in vitro study on dissolution of 36 gall-stones obtained from 3 patients (12 stones from each patient) was carried out in heparin, bile salt and clofibrate solutions of different strengths. Heparin was found to be a poor solvent while bile salt (sodium desoxycholate) proved better and clofibrate the best solvent in various concentrations used. In addition 3 stones, one from each patient, were placed in normal saline to serve as control.

Can sonography replace splenoportovenography in evaluation of patients with portal hypertension?

Real-time sonography and splenoportovenography were compared in 17 patients with portal hypertension for their relative efficacy and limitations with respect to diameters of portal vessels, visualization of collaterals and demonstration of portal vein occlusion. Sonography was able to diagnose portal vein thrombosis and to differentiate an occluded portal vessel from a patent portal vessel non-visualized due to hepatofugal blood flow in the presence of intrahepatic obstruction. However, sonography had limitations in demonstrating venous structures in the presence of excessive bowel gas or fat, and did not provide the flow patterns and the complete picture of the portal vasculature in a single setting. We conclude that the two procedures are complementary to each other, and if combined in patients with portal hypertension, the portal venous system can be evaluated more thoroughly for surgical treatment.