Morphological study of the spectrum of lesions encountered in the heart and coronaries on autopsy

Background and Objectives: This research study has been carried out to study the various morphological changes in the heart in medicolegal autopsies and to compile data for the frequency of heart diseases found in autopsy cases. Methods: The present study comprised 430 medicolegal autopsy cases. Details of the cases were entered in a proforma prepared for the study. The heart was fixed in 10% formalin, and then, opened along the flow of blood. The findings were based on gross and microscopic examinations. Results: Out of 430 adult hearts, 211 (49.0%) cases showed 253 cardiac lesions; 35 (8.1%) cases of coronary atherosclerosis and 196 (45.5%) aortic atherosclerosis were noted; 7 cases of ischemic lesions (1.6%) were identified; 12 (2.7%) cases of hypertrophy; 2 cases of valve calcification; and 1 of cardiomyopathy were noted. Conclusion: In the present study, among medicolegal autopsies, atherosclerotic disease was the most frequently encountered lesion followed by hypertrophy. The incidence of atherosclerosis was found to be 47.6%. This study shows the high prevalence of atherosclerosis in the population.

Programmed labour compared with expectant management: is it truly a need of new millennium?

Background: The mechanism triggering the initiation of human parturition is still an enigma. At term a series of complex physiological, biochemical and physical processes cascade resulting in delivery of the fetus. This study deals exclusively with comparison of normal labour, induction of labour with prostaglandin, and with augmentation by intracervical insertion of PGE2 tablets, amniotomy and smooth muscle relaxant. Advantages and disadvantages of each of the above methods are compared with expectant management of labour. Aim of this study was to compare pros and cons of programmed labour that to with expectant management.Methods: Study was conducted in Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Bharati Hospital and Research Centre, Pune. It was a prospective randomized clinical trial. 100 pregnant full term women, were selected for each group. At 0 hour primiprost tablet is inserted into the vagina close to the cervix. Frequency of repetition of tablet will be at three hours interval. Patient will be monitored.Results: The youngest one being of age 17 years and the eldest being of age 29 years. In this, we observed those primi and 2nd gravida patients 2-2 tablets each in latent phase and 1-1 tablets in active phase. The induction delivery Interval in primigravida was observed to be of average of 9 hours. While in II Gravida was 6.5 hours, in III Gravida 5.5 hours and in IV Gravida 4 hours.Conclusions: It has been proved beyond doubt that by programmed labour, the patient definitely can get the benefit of decrease in duration of labour.

Effect of intensive lifestyle modification & metformin on cardiovascular risk in prediabetes: A pilot randomized control trial

Background & objectives: Prediabetes is associated with increased prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD). In participants with prediabetes, the effects of exercise and metformin were evaluated on high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), surrogate markers of atherosclerosis and CVD compared with standard care. Methods: In a pilot randomized control trial, the participants were randomized in to three arms: standard care (STD), intensive lifestyle modification (ILSM) or ILSM and metformin (ILSM+Met) and followed up for six months. Monitoring of ILSM was done by a trained healthcare facilitator. hsCRP, CIMT and other relevant parameters were measured before and after intervention. Results: A total of 103 participants were randomized into three arms and followed up for six months. At six months, there was a reduction from baseline in weight and fasting blood sugar (FBS) (P <0.01) in all three arms and a reduction in haemoglobin A1c (P =0.03) only in the ILSM+Met arm. The differences in hsCRP over six months within the STD, ILSM and ILSM+Met arms were ?0.12 (95% confidence interval, ?1.81, 2.08), ?0.58 (?2.64, 0.43) and ?0.11 (?1.84, 1.56), respectively. There was no difference in hsCRP, CIMT (right) or CIMT (left) between the three arms at six months. Interpretation & conclusions: There was a reduction in weight and FBS from baseline in all three arms. There was, however, no difference seen in hsCRP and CIMT in the two intervention arms compared to standard care. Larger studies with long-term follow up need to be done to detect differences in risk markers for CVD in prediabetes.

Assessment Of The Prevalence Of Stress And Its Levels In Students Of A Medical College In Mumbai - A Cross Sectional Study.

Background: Stress in medical students is increasing nowadays & leading to untoward incidences. It is necessary to identify the stress levels & its causes at earliest so that early interventional measures can be adopted. This study aimed to find out prevalence of stress in medical students & to compare level of stress in males and females. Methodology: Total 338 medical students were evaluated for the presence of stress and its levels (mild/moderate/severe) using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10).Gender difference for stress levels was compared using student’s ‘t’ test. Reasons for stress were evaluated by a questionnaire. Results: The total prevalence of stress was 57.9% and the prevalence of severe stress was 10.6%. It was found that level of stress was significantly higher (p<0.05) among females (mean=22.60±7.11) as compared to males (mean=20.86±8.05). The main reason for stress in males was found to be academic problems and in females, problems related to hostel. Conclusion: Overall stress prevalence was 57.9%, which is high and thus needs to be addressed. Females have higher stress than males. The main source of stress in females being hostel problems and in males academic problems. Thus, various programs need to be arranged along with counselling to combat this stress.

Assessment of Sociodemographic Factors Affecting Immunization Status of Children in Age Group of 12-23 Months in a Rural Area.

Background: Immunization is a powerful and cost effective weapon against vaccine preventable diseases. In India ‘Expanded Programme of Immunization, (EPI) was launched in 1978. But today also immunization coverage in India is comparatively low and far from satisfaction. Objectives: 1. To assess immunization status of children in age group between 12-24 months. 2. To study the sociodemographic factors affecting immunization status. Method : 30*7 cluster sampling method was used to assess sociodemographic factors affecting immunization status of children in age group of 12-23 months in rural area of Beed district (Maharashtra) in India. Results : Out of total 210 children surveyed, 165 (78.57%) were fully immunized, 43(20.48%) were partially immunized and 2(0.95%) were unimmunized. Immunization status of child was found not to be associated with the gender and type of family of child. It was significantly associated with religion, place of birth and availability of immunization card. Immunization status of children went on significantly improving as their mother’s education level increased (p<0.05), but fathers education had no influence. Immunization status of children was found directly related to their socioeconomic class and inversely to birth order. The highest (86.25%) coverage for complete immunization was among the children having birth order II. Immunization status went on decreasing as birth order increased and was the lowest (50.00%) among those having birth order V. Conclusion : To improve immunization coverage in rural area improvement in female literacy and female education is necessary. Similarly improvement in socioeconomic status, limiting the family size and increasing hospital deliveries will lead to improvement in immunization coverage. Also parents should be encouraged to preserve immunization cards of their children as long as possible.

"Human immunodeficiency virus serostatus disclosure-Rate, reactions, and discrimination": A cross-sectional study at a rural tertiary care hospital.

Background: From the moment scientists identified Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS), social responses of fear, denial, stigma, and discrimination have accompanied the epidemic. Aims: To assess the rate of disclosure of HIV serostatus, reactions by the HIV/AIDS patients and their spouse, and discrimination faced by the patients. Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted at Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) center of a rural tertiary care hospital, situated in Marathawada region of Maharashtra state from November 2008 to October 2010. Totally, 801 HIV-positive patients coming to ART center for treatment were included after ensuring confidentiality and taking informed consent. A preformed questionnaire was used to enquire about reaction after diagnosis, disclosure, and discrimination faced by the patients. The data analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square test. Results: The most common immediate reaction by the HIV patients after getting diagnosed as seropositive was fear (593, 74.03%) followed by depression (385, 48.06%) and suicidal thoughts (98, 12.25%). Out of 801 patients, 769 (96%) had spouse and of these maximum number of patients (653, 84.92%) had disclosed HIV status to their spouses. Most common immediate reaction by spouse after disclosure was crime (324, 42.13%) followed by horror (294, 38.23%) and anger (237, 36.29%). Maximum number of patients were discriminated by friends (120, 71.01%) followed by discrimination at workplace (49, 67.12%), by neighbors (32, 56.14%), and by relatives (53, 43.80%). Conclusion: Male positives were granted greater acceptance, care, and support by their spouses. More percentage of females discriminated by neighbors, relatives, and friends and at workplace which might be due to factors like customs, morals, and taboos.