Effect of Household Air Pollution on Blood Pressure – A Review.

High blood pressure (BP) remains a public health issue of concern in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Cooking with solid biomass fuel is common in LMICs, producing hazardous levels of household air pollution (HAP), and exposure to which results in significant morbidity and mortality. The primary victims are women, who are the immediate users. Therefore, a potential relationship between these factors would have massive public health reverberations. Our objective was thus to perform a literature review of the studies investigating the association between HAP and BP in women. We searched the PubMed, CORE, and Semantic Scholar databases from inception through March 2022 to identify reports investigating the relationship between BP and HAP from solid fuel use. The studies included in this report point to an increased risk of high BP from HAP generated as a consequence of using solid fuels for cooking. Conversely, few studies have reported a negative association between HAP and BP. Notably, this inconsistency and the limited evidence base necessitate confirmation of the association by more extensive and robust studies. Further, this report identifies a need to introduce and implement effective clean cooking solutions for public health benefits.

A review on sentiment analysis in psychomedical diagnosis

As the research in sentiment analysis (SA) has reached the advanced level of maturity, scientific community is exploring possibilities of applying SA in different domains for which huge descriptive data is available. Researcher has developed tools for SA in commercial domains like feedback from customers, review rating of movie, political domains like exit poll prediction from tweets, etc. In medical science, huge data is available which can be used for predictive modelling. Psychomedical diagnosis is an interesting field which deals with exploring behavioural patterns to potential psychological problems. In the domain of medical science, little amount of work has been done in clinical SA. However, the efforts are at an elementary level in the course of research of SA for behavioural psychology. Hence, there is an opportunity of applying SA as the first step towards automatic psychomedical diagnosis of teenagers’ behaviour patterns.

Serum lactate as a prognostic marker in patients with sepsis: a prospective study

Background: A prospective study to estimate the serum lactate levels and as a prognostic marker in patients with sepsis.Methods: 170 patients admitted with sepsis in B.L.D.E. (Deemed to be University) Shri. B. M. Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, Vijayapur from October 2014 to June 2016.Results: In this study the mean serum lactate value of first sample in survivors (146 patients) is 3.8±1.2 and non-survivors (24 patients) is 6.2±1.9 with p value<0.001 which is significant. The serum lactate value of the second sample in survivors (146) is 2.7±1.0 and in non survivors (24) is 6.3±1.8 with p value<0.001 which is significant. The mean value of serum lactate 1st sample collected at the time of admission is 4.1±1.6 and the mean value of serum lactate second sample collected at 24 - 48 hours after admission is 3.1±1.6.Conclusions: Lactate level more than 4 mmol/l, patients are at highest risk of mortality and an aggressive resuscitation strategy shall be warranted. Hence serum lactate is considered as an independent and significant prognostic marker in patients with sepsis and evaluates the treatment outcome.

Perceived difficulties and complications in learners of phacoemulsification: A principal component analysis model

Purpose: To evaluate the difficulty perceived of each step of phacoemulsification and analyze the factors affecting them. Methods: Overall, 12 trainee residents were allotted 10 cases of phacoemulsification of eyes with senile cataract, under a single observer, and the steps of each surgery were rated from very easy to very difficult with a questionnaire. The completion rates of steps and complications of each surgery were noted. Principal component analysis of the responses to the difficulty level questionnaire was conducted to obtain factors resulting in the perceived difficulty. Results: The lowest difficulty scores were for initial step of incision creation (1.63 � 0.84), followed by intraocular lens insertion (2.51 � 0.8). The most difficult step was divide/chop of the nucleus (3.74 � 0.97) followed by phacoemulsification (3.32 � 0.82). Highest completion rates were seen for the initial steps of the surgery and the lowest for divide/chop. We identified two major patterns of difficulty among the trainees � one for steps involving high amount of binocularity and the other, for steps involving high precision of hand control. The rate of complication of our study was within acceptable range. Conclusion: Although trainees have practiced phacoemulsification steps on simulation, real-life situation may bring in unprecedented level of difficulty and challenges, which may be documented and used for targeted improvement of surgical skills. Stereopsis and hand control training should form a major part of training modules of cataract surgery both on simulation and real-life scenarios.

Isolation and purification of lipase from Bacillus subtilis in oil mill.

In this study, the lipolytic Bacillus subtilis was isolated from the oil mill waste by Enrichment technique.The isolated colonies were screened on Tributyrin agar medium, colonies which produce the maximum clear zone of the particular organisms was used for further optimization studies. Among the 3 isolates Bacillus subtilis a single isolate was the subjected to solid state fermentation medium and the enzyme characteristics were studied with respect to pH, temperature and incubation period.The production and lipase activity were found maximum 0.45U/mL at pH, 0.45U/mL at temperature 37°C and 0.41U/mL at incubation period 48 hours. The lipase purification steps involved, 60% ammonium sulphate saturation and ion exchange chromatography with DEAE cellulose. To apparent homogeneity as evident by a single band of 62.2kDa on sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. From the study it was concluded that the commercially important enzyme can be produced by submerged fermentation techniques using frequently available edible oil sources it can be used for the biodegradation of oil effluents.

Osteopetro-Rickets: A Rare Paradoxical Association in an Infant.

Infantile malignant osteopetrosis is a hereditary bone disease with intense positive balance of body calcium. Osteopetro-rickets is a very rare paradoxical association of infantile osteopetrosis and rickets. This is a case report of an infant with osteopetro- rickets. He presented with severe anaemia, splenomegaly, hepatomegaly and clinical signs of rickets. The clinical, biochemical and skeletal survey showed osteopetrosis and rickets. We also describe the pathophysiologic mechanism and various management options.

Tick Induced Facial Palsy.

We report a 3-year old boy with acute onset of left sided facial palsy secondary to tick infestation in the left ear. On 7th day of follow-up, following tick removal, the facial palsy had resolved.

A study on anti-inflammatory activity of the leaf and stem extracts of coccinia grandis L. voigt.

The Aqueous extracts of Coccinia grandis L. Voigt leaves and stem were investigated in chemically-induced inflammation rodents model. The extracts inhibited formaldehyde-induced paw edema in rats. These inhibitions were statistically significant (p<0.05, 0.01, 0.001) as compared to control. Aqueous extract of leaves showed highest activity.

Structure elucidation of a flavonoid glycoside from the roots of Clerodendrum serratum (L.) Moon, Lamiaceae

Apigenin-7-glucoside, C21H20O10 (7-(β-D-glucopyranosyloxy)-5-hydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one), was first time isolated from the roots of Clerodendrum serratum (L.) Moon, Lamiaceae. Structure elucidation of the compound was carried out by ¹H NMR and FAB-MS studies.

Apigenin-7-glucosídeo, C21H20O10 (7-(β-D-glucopiranosiloxi)-5-hidroxi-2-(4-hidroxifenil)-4H-1-benzopiran-4-ona), foi isolado pela primeira vez das raízes de Clerodendrum serratum (L.) Moon, Lamiaceae. A elucidação estrutural da susbtância foi feita através de estudos de ¹H NMR e FAB-MS.

Control and prevention of rat fever (Leptospirosis) outbreak in six villages of Raichur district, Karnataka.

The study describes an attempt to record leptospirosis in Raichur taluk/district, in Karnataka, by serological test such as microscopic test and IgM by ELISA. A house to house survey was done in six villages of Krishna river basin. Cases were interviewed regarding chief complaints like, fever, headache and oliguria, age, sex and treatment given with diclofenac, doxycycline, tetracycline and vitamin B complex. A total of 1516 cases were treated. The age of the patients ranged between 10 and 71 years. Most of them were agricultural workers. Out of 15 blood samples 12 samples sent to DHO Office, 3 were negative for leptospirosis, the density of rats were increased in all villages, the mode of transmission was food and water contamination, duration of incubation period was 5 to 10 days. Health education, for the community was undertaken to take measures against rats. Causative agent may be Leptospirosis interrogans, 3 cases were referred to Civil Hospital, Raichur and Navodaya Medical College, Raichur. Community participation was excellent. This study showed the presence of leptospirosis among the community of 6 villages, the disease is posing health hazards for agricultural workers in Raichur taluka villages.

Effect of substrate feeding on production of fructosyltransferase by Penicillium purpurogenum

Penicillium purpurogenum was found to produce both extracellular and intracellular fructosyltransferase. The organism could also produce sucrose hydrolytic enzyme. Sucrose was found to be the best carbon source for fructosyltransferase production. Maximum intracellular and extracellular fructosyltransferase production was observed after 3rd and 4th day of cultivation, respectively. The enzyme activity was optimum at temperature of 55°C and pH 5.5. The addition of amino acids, like leucine induced slightly the extracellular fructosyltransferase production, where as histidine and leucine had little inductive effect on intracellular fructosyltransferase production. Enhanced production of fructosyltransferase by Penicillium purpurogenum was observed when sucrose content was restored by additional sucrose feeding to the cultivation medium during production period.

Penicillium purpurogenum foi identificado como produtor extracellular e intracelular de frutosiltransferase. O microrganismo também é capaz de produzir uma enzima hidrolítica de sacarose. Sacarose foi identificada como a melhor fonte de carbono para a produção de frutosiltransferase. A produção máxima de frutosiltransferase extracelular e intracelular foi observada após o 3° e 4° dia de cultivo, respectivamente. Atividade ótima da enzima foi observada na temperatura de 55° C e pH 5,5. A adição de amino ácidos, como leucina, induziu ligeiro aumento na produção extracelular de frutosiltransferase, enquanto que histidina e leucina induziram um pequeno aumento na produção da frutosiltransferase intracelular. Observou-se aumento na produção de frutosiltransferase por Penicillium purpurogenum quando a quantidade de sacarose era restaurada por adição do carboidrato ao meio de cultura durante o período de produção.

Isolation of mycobacteria by BACTEC 460 TB system from clinical specimens.

This article reports our experience with the BACTEC 460 TB system in the past five years and its performance characteristics and its advantages over the conventional LJ medium for mycobacterial culture. Clinical specimens (3597) from patients suspected to have tuberculosis were submitted for mycobacterial culture between May 2000 and August 2005 and were processed using the BACTEC 460 TB system. Pulmonary samples were 1568 while the extra pulmonary samples were 2029. BACTEC achieved detection of 681 (18.93%) M. tuberculosis cases (499- pulmonary, 182- extrapulmonary) with a recovery time shorter by 13.2 days compared to conventional method, while 577 (84.7%) were non-tuberculosis mycobacteria. Automated systems can have a great impact and thrust on an early diagnosis of tuberculosis allowing an early and appropriate management of the patient and thereby a better disease outcome.

Scurvy in infantile tremor syndrome.

Infantile Tremor Syndrome is a distinct clinical entity most commonly seen in Indian Subcontinent. Syndrome consists of tremors, mental and developmental retardation, abnormal skin pigmentation and anemia in children between 6 months to 2 years. The etiology is still elusive. Amongst various theories, nutritional theory is the most accepted. So far there are no cases reported of vitamin C deficiency in ITS. In this article, three cases of ITS associated with vitamin C deficiency are reported.

Production of a-Glucosidase by Penicillium purpurogenum

Verificou-se que Penicillium purpurogenum foi capaz de produzir a-glucosidase intracelular, com atividade máxima sobre a sacarose. Vários parâmetros culturais para producão da enzima foram otimizados. Verificou-se que a producão máxima da enzima ocorria após 96 h de cultivo a 30º;C. A adicão dos amino-ácidos histidina e cisteína induziram a síntese da enzima até certo ponto. A temperatura e pH ótimos para atividade da enzima foram 50º;C e 5,5, respectivamente. A a-glucosidase de Penicillium purpurogenum foi estável em pH 2,0, o que torna a enzima ideal para uso na indústria de sucos de frutas e vinhos.

Brucella spondylitis and sacroiliitis in the general population in Mumbai.

OBJECTIVE: 1) To identify patients of brucella spondylitis and sacroiliitis amongst patients of 'infective spondylitis' and 'sacroiliitis', 2) To study clinical and radiographic features and outcome of brucella spondylitis. METHODS: We reviewed 21 patients of infective spondylitis and 12 of sacroiliitis attending our hospital between March and September 2000 and followed them to identify patients of brucella spondylitis and brucella sacroiliitis, using serological tests. RESULTS: 1) Twenty six patients (17 spondylitis and nine sacroiliitis) were detected to have brucella infection to be the cause of their illness. 2) Brucella spondylitis is commonly mistaken for tuberculous spondylitis in our country. Thus leading to a delay in the diagnosis as well as occurrence of angular deformity and neurological deficit, which are reportedly uncommon in this condition. 3) Consumption (or handling) of unpasteurized milk (tabela milk) and occasional animal contact were found to be the source of infection in the general population. 4) Predominantly lumbar spine involvement, end-plate erosion of L4, L3, L5, decreased intervertebral disc space, repair with'formation of an osteophyte, simultaneous involvement of several sites and association of spondylitis with sacroiliitis were important radiographic features. CONCLUSIONS: Brucellosis exists in the general population, high clinical suspicion especially when there is history of animal contact or consumption of unpasteurized milk, familiarity with clinical and radiological features of brucella spondylitis and detection of antibodies to brucella by ELISA will help us detect and treat these patients in time.

Celiac disease in osteoporotic Indians.

OBJECTIVE: 1) The aim of the study was to identify the atypical celiac disease (CD) in a cohort of symptomatic osteoporotic patients, younger than 55 years of age and 2) To study associated clinical and laboratory features and outcome with gluten-free diet. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studied 33 patients (F:M = 28:5), mean age 29 years (range 15-52 years) with osteoporosis (WHO diagnostic criteria, T-score less than -2.5 on DEXA scan) from January 2000 - June 2002. Serological screening for CD was done by detecting circulating IgA antibodies to tissue transglutaminase by ELISA. Patients with presence of antibodies to transglutaminase were subjected to biopsy from the 2nd part of the duodenum by upper GI endoscopy. The biopsies were reported independently by two pathologists who were blinded for the serology report. Measurement of mucosal thickness, crypts and villi were done with an ocular micrometer. Other parameters like complete hemogram, serum iron, total iron binding capacity (TIBC), calcium profile, 25-OH-D, parathyroid hormone (PTH) were evaluated. Assessment of clinical and laboratory parameters was performed within 4-12 weeks of starting gluten-free diet (GFD). RESULTS: Thirteen patients had circulating IgA antibodies to transglutaminase. Intestinal biopsies were performed on 11 patients and were consistent with the diagnosis of CD (total villous atrophy--two, subtotal villous atrophy with crypt hyperplasia--nine). Patients with CD had significant anaemia when compared with non-CD osteoporotic patients. Other important observations in these 11 patients were low serum calcium and phosphorus, low 25-OH-D, high PTH. Significant improvement in clinical and laboratory parameters was noted in all patients within 6-12 weeks of starting GFD. CONCLUSION: Symptomatic osteoporotic patients (younger than 55 years of age) especially with associated anaemia should be investigated for CD. Simple measures like omission of wheat from diet (GFD) lead to significant improvement in symptoms within weeks.

Vitiligo and psoriasis: coexistence with colocalization.

A 20-year-old male patient with vitiligo who developed psoriasis is reported here. There was co-existence of both diseases and co-habitation lesions at places. Clinical heterogenicity of both diseases and new conclusions are discussed.