Complications in Previous/Index Pregnancies: A Predictor of Utilization of Maternal Health Services

Background: Maternal mortality is on decline throughout the world, and still India accounts for around 15% maternal mortality of the world. Most of these deaths are preventable and avoidable if high quality care is given to a women. In order to achieve this it is very essential to examine healthcare needs and identify the demand side barriers in access to healthcare services by the women of reproductive age group. The study was thus planned to assess the current level of utilization of maternal health care services and factors associated with it. Methods: This descriptive, community based, cross-sectional study was conducted in the field practice area of urban health training centre (UHTC) of Department of Community Medicine, J N Medical College, AMU, Aligarh. It was carried out on 211 recently delivered women and the data was analysed using SPSS20. Results: More than 27%women reported some kind of complication in their last pregnancy. The commonest complications were found to be Anemia and Pre-eclampsia/eclampsia. Significant number of women in our study recognised the need of utilizing MCH care only after experiencing complications. Conclusions: A large number of women suffer from complications during pregnancy and complications like anemia go unnoticed, which can have grave complications. Most of the women opt for health care only if they had suffered from any complication during the last pregnancy.

Prevalence Of Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders In Realtion To The Use Of Chewable Tobacco

Introduction:Tobacco has been considered as a major etiological factor in the development of oral potentially malignant disorders. Any form of chewable tobacco is as significant in relation to oral carcinoma as is Smoked tobacco. Objective:To find out the association of Chewable tobacco with Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders.Material Methods: it was a cross sectional descriptive study through a self-structured questionnaire and oral examination by the observer in a sample of 1078 participants.Observations:Chewable tobacco increases 7.5 times more risk for having OPMD than non-chewers. Gutkha is the most common form of smokeless tobacco 115(55.8%) and supari 1(11.1%) is the least common form of smokeless tobacco present in the participants with. Strong association was seen between frequency of tobacco use and occurrence of oral precancerous lesions OPMD.Conclusions and Recommendations:The use of smokeless tobacco was significantly associated wit

Prevalence Of Potentially Malignant Disorders Of Oral Cavity In Adult Population In The Rural And Urban Areas Of Aligarh

Introduction: Oral cancer is a serious problem worldwide. It is sometimes preceded by clinically visible lesions which are called precancerous lesions, and usually culminate in development of oral cancers. Oral malignancies lay a huge burden on the patients, socially as well as economically. Community intervention programs along with involvement if dental health professionals could play a huge role in limitation of the oral malignancies. Aims and objectives: To find out the prevalence of oral potentially malignant disorders in Aligarh, and its association with age and gender. Methods: Community based Cross sectional descriptive study was performed using a pretested questionnaire in a sample of 1078 participant .Systematic Random Sampling was used and the data analysis was done using SPSS24. Results: 25.3% of the participants were found to have clinical features of Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders (OPMD), overall prevalence of OPMD was 19.1% in study participants, more prevalent in age group 46-55 years (28.9%), and in males (33.5%) as compared to females (7.8%). Conclusion and Recommendations: Community intervention programs, and Government aided programs should be put in place to curb this very important public health problem. The role of dental health professionals in motivating the population to limit the consumption of tobacco and tobacco containing products also cannot be undermined.

Health Problem Pattern Among Geriatrics In Aligarh- A Cross Sectional Study.

Background & Objectives: Old age is associated with decline in physical, physiological & cognitive function affecting the quality of life of the elderly population. The robust increase in proportion of elderly has resulted in demographic burden in a developing country like India. To cope up with this burden appropriate & timely intervention is required based on the situational analysis of the health problems faced by the aged population. Objective is to determine the pattern of health problems among geriatric population and to find out the rural- urban difference in health problems, if any. Methodology: The cross- sectional study was done among 450 individuals aged 60 years & above residing at field practice area of Urban Health Training Centre & Rural Health Training Centre, JN Medical College, AMU, Aligarh. The data was obtained through pretested & predesigned questionnaire by selecting individuals using systematic random sampling with PPS. Data was entered & analyzed by SPSS 20. Tests of proportion & Chi square test were applied. P value <0.05 was considered significant. Results: The present study revealed that the most prevalent problem was cataract (79.6%), followed by depression (36.2%), refractive error (31.3%), locomotor problems (23.6%) and hearing loss (16%). No significant rural- urban difference was found among the prevalence of health problems. Conclusion: The study concluded that the magnitude of health problems faced by elderly ranges from low (hearing loss) to high (cataract) that warrants strengthening of the available health care services to tackle the burden of health problems.

Women reproductive health security; role of spousal communication

Around the world, the right to health and especially reproductive health right are far from a reality for many women. Reproductive health is of growing concern today. Reproductive health therefore implies that people are able to have a satisfying and safe sexual life and that they have the capability to reproduce and the freedom to decide if, when and how after to do so. Reproduction is a dual commitment but so after in much of the world, it is seen as wholly the women's responsibility. There are four major problems commonly encountered by women in family planning and contraceptive use: accessibility to family planning information and services, quality of services, gender responsibilities and spousal communication. These problems become major obstacles preventing women from regularity fertility or exercising the reproductive rights. The importance of good health and education to women's well being and that of her family and society cannot be overstated. Spousal Communication is crucial step toward increasing women's participation in improving their health rights. Therefore the study was conducted to investigate the perception of married women about the role of spousal communication in establishing reproductive health security. For this purpose 200 married women of age group 15-45 with having at least one living child were selected through multistage sampling technique from urban areas of district Faisalabad. The study explored in bi-variate analysis that those women who were educated, younger and had a high economic status had a perception that the spousal communication plays a significant role in the development of women's attitude towards their reproductive health security

Transient cortical blindness after coronary angiography and graft study

Transient cortical blindness is extremely rare but usually reversible complication of coronary angiography. We report a case of transient cortical blindness in a 63 year old male patient one hour after native coronary and bypass graft angiography through the right femoral access. A non-contrast enhanced CT and MRI brain scans showed multiple asymmetrical lesions in brain parenchyma in the distribution of posterior cerebral circulation predominantly in the cerebellum and left occipital lobe. Direct contrast neurotoxicity to the sensitive occipital cerebral lobes seemed to be the possible cause but the exact mechanism of cerebral injury remains unknown

Neurological and neuropsychiatric spectrum of wilson's disease in local population

This prospective observational study was conducted in the department of Neurology, King Edward Medical University/ Mayo Hospital, Lahore over a period of six months from July to December 2007. The objective was to study the clinical and laboratory features of Wilson Disease in local population and compare the results with national and International data. All consecutive patients who presented with Wilson's disease during this period were included in the study. Their clinical and laboratory features were recorded and compared with the available National and International data. We collected a total of 10 patients from 5 different families. Eight were confirmed cases examined and investigated by the authors. Two cases were probable and dead siblings of these families in whom clinical features strongly supported the diagnosis of Wilson's disease. Clinical and laboratory data of only confirmed cases was tabulated and compared. Of the eight patients six were males and two females with a male to female ratio of 3:1. Mean age at presentation was 12.6 years with a range of 6 to 19 years. Presenting features were as follows: dysarthria in 6 [75%]; dystonia 5 [63%]; extrapyramidal rigidity and bradykinesia 4 [50%]; emotional lability 6 [75%]; cognitive decline 2 [25%] and signs of chronic liver disease in 1 [13%]. Hepatic functions were abnormal in 1 [13%] while 4 [50%] patients had coarse echo texture of liver on abdominal ultrasound. Serum copper levels were within normal range in 8 [100%] patients. Serum ceruloplasmin was low in 8 [100%] patients. Twenty four hour urinary copper excretion was elevated in 5 [63%], KF ring on slit lamp examination was positive in 8 [100%] patients. CT scan of brain was done in 6 [75%] and showed hypodensity of basal ganglia mainly affecting the putamen and globus pallidus along with subcortical white matter disease in frontoparietal region in 4 [50%] patients. MRI was done in 5 [63%] patients and showed evidence of cortical atrophy with hyperintense signals in thalamif brain stem and basal ganglia in all five patients [100%]. Six confirmed cases belonged to three families and no family history was available in two cases [25%]. History of consanguineous marriage was positive in all [100%] cases. We conclude that Wilson's disease is not an uncommon problem in our population with patients presenting at an early age but with advanced stage of the disease. However, poor recognition is the possible cause of it's under and delayed diagnosis. Wilson's disease in children and young adults can present with neuropsychiatric features alone without any hepatic manifestations. Neuropsychiatric features along with KF ring and a low Serum Ceruloplasmin level are sufficient to establish a diagnosis of Wilson's disease

Cross inoculation studies: Response of Vigna Mungo to inoculation with rhizobia from tree legumes growing under arid Environment

Cross-inoculation experiments were conducted in the greenhouse to test the rhizobia isolated from nodules of seven tree legumes for their effectiveness in Vigna mungo plants. The tree legumes included Albizia lebbeck, Dalbergia sissoo, Leucaena leucocephala, Pithecellobium dulce, Prosopis cineraria, Prosopis glandulosa and Prosopis juliflora, all growing under arid environment. Rhizobia from these legumes formed nodules on the roots of Vigna mungo except isolates from Albizia lebbeck. Dry weight and nitrogen contents of Vigna mungo plants increased significantly [P<0.05] in response to cross inoculation as compared to uninoculated control. Rhizobia from Leucaena leucocephala and Prosopis glandulosa showed significant increase in dry weight [P<0.05] and nitrogen contents [P<0.05] than other inoculated treatments. The natural rhizobia of wild tree legumes growing under arid environment show higher tolerance to prevailing adverse conditions like salt stress, elevated temperatures and drought. These rhizobia may be used to inoculate wild as well as crop legumes cultivated in reclaimed desert lands. These rhizobia may have specific traits that can be transferred to other rhizobia through genetic engineering tools. The cross infection of agriculturally important legumes with isolates from wild legumes may prove a useful means of increasing nitrogen contents within these plants

Medicinal plants as potential sources of drugs for cardiovascular diseases traditional and mineral approaches

Nature has provided man with herbal medicine suiting different conditions and climate. These herbs or medicinal plants have been used in traditional system - or folklore system of medicine for centuries. Traditional system of medicine have provided lead over many of the important drugs used in the modern medicine. Perhaps all basic principles pertaining to human therapy have been derived from plants. Phyto-chemical investigations of these medicinal plants show the presence of flavonoids, glycosides, essential oils, bioactive terpenoids and minerals. For the last few decades great deal of work has been done on pharmacological activity of the organic constituents of these plants but role of minerals in health and disease has attracted attention only recently. Scientific research has established the fact that the relative concentration of several trace elements in the body are altered in all diseases. Possible role of few trace elements are discussed in Table 1. In the present work, three medicinal plants used in cardiovascular diseases in the Unani system of medicine were analyzed for their elemental composition and effectiveness of these drugs have been discussed from traditional, phytochemical and elementological point of view

Comparative study of body composition of four fish species in relation to pond depth

Fish specimen of Labeo rohita, Cirrhinus mrigala, Hypophthalmicthys molitrix and Catla catla were sampled from three ponds of different depths [152 cm, 122 cm and 76 cm] to compare the body composition of these species in relation to pond depth. There was significant [P < 0.001] effect of pond depth on water, ash, organic, fat and protein contents [all% wet and dry body weight]. It was observed that pond depth has significant effect [P < 0.01] on condition factor in pond B [122 cm depth] and no effect in pond A and C. Maximum mean values of body composition were observed in Labeo rohita in all the three ponds. Present study demonstrates that fish cultured in ponds of different depths have different values of protein which can help guide the farmers to select best pond depths to produce protein rich fish

Effect of aluminum and chromium on the germination and growth of two Vigna species

The study deals with the effect of metal toxicity [aluminum, chromium and combination of both the metals] on seed germination, root length, shoot length, seedling length and dry biomass of Vigna radiata and V. sinensis. Chromium adversely affected the seedling by significantly reducing the growth whereas aluminum did not show such effect in both the species. Percentage of germination was good in both the species at different concentration of treatment [aluminum, chromium and combined treatment]. Shoot length was also not much affected in V. sinensis as it was greatly inhibited in V. radiata. Both the species showed the purpling of stem. Dry biomass of V. radiata showed positive effect than V. sinensis. However, dry biomass decreased to a lesser extent when treated with aluminum, chromium and combined treatment as compared to control

Effect of aluminum and chromium on the growth and germination of mesquite [Prosopis juliflora swartz.] DC.

Prosopis seeds were grown under controlled environment in solution of aluminum and chromium at different concentration alone as well as combined together. The effect of these metals was studied on seed germination, root length, shoot length, seedling length and dry biomass. Aluminum and chromium alone, and combined together showed no effects on germination and dry biomass. Chromium alone was found toxic to root, shoot and seedling length. However, application of different concentrations of aluminum increased the root, shoot and seedling growth. It may be concluded that aluminum is not as toxic as chromium, and their combined treatment showed the intermediate effect by ameliorating the impact of one another

Phytotoxic effect of aluminum and chromium on th germination and early growth of wheat [Triticum aestivum] varieties Anmol and Kiran

A greenhouse experiment was conducted to determine the phytotoxic effect of aluminum and chromium on the germination and early growth of two wheat [Triticum aestivum] varieties Anmol and Kiran. Seed were treated with 40, 80, 120 and 160 ppm of aluminum and chromium solution individually and in combined form. Observations were made on seed germination, root, shoot and seedling length, and dry biomass. Seed germination and dry biomass showed no effect of aluminum, chromium and combined treatment. Root, shoot and seedling length of both the varieties showed significant [P<0.05] decrease as compared to control. The growth was also reduced as the concentration of aluminum and chromium increased. Seedling length decreased in both the varieties at all the concentration of different treatment of aluminum, chromium and combined treatment. Attempts are being made in different laboratories to construct novel plants using genetic manipulation technologies that may have a greater tolerance to the presence of toxic metals. The results of the present study may help in understanding the mechanisms involved and their possible use in pytoremediation

Response of wheat plants to sodium and calcium ion interaction under saline environment

Wheat being a glycophyte crop, responds differently to saline-sodic soil environmental conditions. The application of calcium is multidimensional with respect to sodium ion and plant part response. This study was conducted to record the response of shoot and root to sodium and calcium interaction under saline environment. Wheat seed of variety Punjab 85 were raised in quartz sand. Later on the seedlings were transplanted to pots containing Hoagland's nutrient solution along with NaCl at 0 mM. and 50 mM. Calcium was applied as CaSO[4] 2H[2]O at 3 mM. and 6 mM. Under saline conditions shoot showed positive response to sodium ion in the presence of higher calcium. Relative water contents were higher in the root system at 6 mM of CaSO[4]. 2H[2]O under saline condition. Growth responses to potassium and Magnesium in the presence of sodium induced salinity with calcium ion interaction remained variable

Varietals differences in agronomic performance of six wheat varieties grown under saline field environment

Six wheat varieties [SARC-1, SARC-2, SARC-3, SARC-4, LU26S and Punjab-85] were planted in the field to evaluate their comparative performance under saline conditions. LU26S appeared the most salt-tolerant variety and gave the highest grain weight due to its low Na[+] uptake, high K[+]/Na[+] ratio, higher dry weight of shoots and spikes and better grain development. Better exclusion of Na[+] and other ions from the leaves of salt-tolerant variety LU2 6S could also be a reason for its ability to maintain a higher grain weight in the saline soil. Punjab-85 appeared the most salt-sensitive variety as its dry weight of main shoots and spikes were also found to be the lowest. High Na[+] uptake, lower K[+]/Na[+] ratio, lower dry weight of main shoots and spikes and lower 100 grain weight were the main reasons for salt-sensitivity in Punjab-85. Dry weight of shoots, spikes and grain weight of SARC-3 under saline soil conditions was almost similar to the salt-sensitive variety Punjab-85 and could be classified as salt-sensitive. Flag leaf area decreased drastically due to salt stress in all the varieties and this could be a major cause for low yield. There was however, a very low linear correlation between the flag leaf area and the grain weight in pooled data for all the six wheat varieties

Growth and ionic relations of foderbeet and seabeet under saline environments

Growth and ionic relations of fodderbeet [Beta vulgaris] and seabeet [B.maritima] were studied in a greenhouse experiment using garden soil salinized with 200 mM NaCl. Both the species tolerated salinity level of 200 mM NaCl, but seabeet performed better than fodderbeet. Fresh weight of shoot increased significantly [P< 0.01] under higher salt concentration in both the species. Fodderbeet accumulated more biomass under saline conditions than seabeet. Salt treated plants accumulated significantly higher Na+ and Cl- content in shoot compared to untreated control plants. Chloride [Cl-] of seabeet root was significantly higher than shoot; however, chloride content of shoot was significantly lower in fodderbeet. The concentration of these ions was comparatively higher in seabeet root than fodderbeet in the later growth period. Potassium K+ content was low and revealed antagonistic effect with that of Na+ content. Calcium [Ca+2] ions were not significantly absorbed by shoot of both species. A significant effect of treatment by the root has been observed in both species. Magnesium [Mg+2] content of shoot were increased with the time. Seabeet has absorbed more Mg+2 than fodderbeet. The fodderbeet showed a significant salt tolerance during five week growth period. Seabeet is comparatively more salt tolerant. Domesticated cultivars of fodderbeet like Majoral have considerable adaptability in the inland salt affected areas of Pakistan

Comparative efficacy of brown, green and red seaweeds in the control of root infecting fungi and okra

The effect of soil amendment by brown, green and red seaweeds was studied in controlling the root rot infecting fungi of okra seedlings in the greenhouse. The soil amendment with seaweeds Stokeyia indica, Padina pavonia [brown], Solieria robusta [red], at 1% w/w reduced Macrophomina phaseolina, Rhizoctonia solani and Fusarium solani infection on okra roots. Codium iyengarii [green] at 0.5% w/w was effective against F. solani, while at 1% w/w was found phytotoxic. S.robusta showed better control of F. solani infection when used with Pseudomonas aeruginosa than either used alone. S. robusta produced better plant height and fresh weight of shoot than P. aeruginosa. Results of the present study suggest that the use of brown seaweeds S. indica and P. pavonia alone and S. robusta alone or in combination with P. aeruginosa have great potential to control root-infecting fungi of okra with enhancement of plant growth. These seaweeds alone or in combination with P. aeruginosa may be utilized as biological control of root infecting fungi of okra

Spatial pattern of variation in populations of Acacia nilotica in semi-arid environment

Variability among populations was analyzed in five provenances of Acacia nilotica from spatially variable habitats. Populations of A. nilotica developed in response to their habitat conditions. The level of variability was significantly high among the populations. Phenotypic variability was extremely high for leaf and stipular spine characteristics. The nature of morphological variability for vegetative traits appeared environmentally controlled. The differentiation of leaf and stipular spine expression seems to have an adaptive significance for the species in terms of water economy. Although, seed and pod characteristics are genetically controlled showing a lower proportion of variability but these traits supported r and k-selection that may allow the species to survive under a wide array of contrasting habitats. The study suggested that populations of A. nilotica are differentiated in relation to the heterogeneity of environment. These populations became adapted to their habitat through the variability of morphological expressions. The morphologically differentiated populations of the species had allowed them to maintain themselves in a wide array of environmental situations enabling A. nilotica to occupy ample ecological ranges

Germination and seedling growth of corn [Zea mays I.] under varying levels of copper and zinc

The heavy metal tolerance in corn [Zea mays L.] var. 'Neelum' was assessed at germination and seedling growth after having subjected it to different concentrations of CuSO[4] and ZnSO[4]. Germination was not affected by any of the metal tested, whereas initial growth was strongly inhibited by increasing concentrations of ZnSO[4]. Seedlings developed toxicity symptoms in the presence of both metals but more chlorotic and necrotic regions were observed at varying levels of ZnSO[4] than CuSO[4]. The metal accumulation was concentration dependent. Z. mays seedlings accumulated more copper in roots but greater contents of zinc in their shoots. On the basis of results presented here, it can be concluded that the cultivar of the species tested has shown a marked sensitivity to the presence of small amounts of metals present in the growth medium. The data support the assumption that metal sensitivity is probably due to strong tendency of the species to accumulate them. This justifies that the corn variety 'Neelum' is not suitable for the cultivation under situations where water and soil suffer from occasional and / or transitory metal pollution