Depression and Quality of Life of Parkinson’s disease patients – A hospital-based cross-sectional study

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the levels of depression among patients with Parkinson’s Disease (PD), the factors influencing their levels, and determine their influence on their Quality of Life (QoL). Materials and Methods: The study was conducted at the movement disorders outpatient department, Rajiv Gandhi Government General hospital, where 50 patients with diagnosed PD were enrolled. They were interviewed for their levels of depression and QoL using respective standardized depression and QoL assessment questionnaires. Results: Patients with PD were mostly above the age of 50 and were male. Their levels of depression ranged between normal to mild and borderline depression and their QoL scores were also moderate. Among their QoL domains, the emotional well-being, and cognition of patients were found to be more affected when compared to other domains. Conclusion: The prevalence and severity of depression among patients with PD were mild, but they play an important role in determining their QoL, especially the emotional well-being and cognitive performance of patients.

HPV INFECTION: DOES EDUCATION PACKAGE IMPROVE THE PERCEPTION AND ATTITUDE TOWARDS HPV VACCINE AMONG SCHOOLTEACHERS?

INTRODUCTION: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a non-enveloped virus that causes infections like 'warts' in the genital region & throat which later develops into cancer in the cervix, vulva, vagina, penis/anus and Oropharyngeal cancer. Virus infections contribute as a cause of 15-20% of all human cancers. As per WHO vaccination schedule, it is essential to vaccinate secondary school students between the age group of 11-18 years/above with 2 doses. Aim of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of educational package on HPV infection and Vaccine with regard to Pre and Post assessment among schoolteachers and to determine the level of awareness on Human Papilloma virus infection and to assess the attitude towards administering the HPV vaccine among School teachers. METHODS: A cross sectional study was carried out among 177 schoolteachers in Chennai district. The setting was chosen based on feasibility and availability of adequate samples (C0VID restrictions). The target population for the present study was schoolteachers, Chennai. Systematic random sampling technique was used for selecting the samples. A self-administered questionnaire was administered to assess the level of awareness among schoolteachers. Questions formulated under various domains. The data collection was done over a period of 6 months duration. RESULTS: 20.4% of teachers had fair attitude with less awareness towards HPV vaccination, 4.1% of teachers had good attitude with less awareness towards HPV vaccination.79.6% of teachers had fair attitude with good awareness score regarding HPV infection, 95.9% of teachers had good attitude with good awareness regarding the HPV infection. Statistical analysis using Chi-square test represents the post attitude and post awareness score were good and hence the education package was effective. The study shows the signi?cant difference between pre and post knowledge scores.

Glycosylated hemoglobin as a marker of dyslipidemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in a tertiary care hospital

Introduction: In persons with diabetes, chronic hyperglycemia (assessed by glycosylated hemoglobin level) is related to the development of micro vascular disease; however, the relation of glycosylated hemoglobin to macro vascular disease is less clear. Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is a more stable, accurate parameter of glucose homeostasis than fasting glycemia, thus providing prognostic information in diabetics. However, its role and relationship with CAD remains unclear in nondiabetics. Diabetic patients with accompanied (but often unnoticed) dyslipidemia are soft targets of cardiovascular deaths. Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is a routinely used marker for long – term glycemic control. This investigation is an attempt to evaluate the association between HbA1c and various lipid parameters. Aim and objectives: To know the prevalence of dyslipidemias associated with type 2 DM, To study the impact of the glycemic status on lipid profile in type 2 DM, To evaluate the efficacy of HbA1c as a marker of dyslipidemia in type 2 DM. Materials and methods: Venous blood samples collected from 35 type 2 diabetic patients (20 males, 15 females) and serum analyzed for HbA1c, Fasting blood glucose, Total Cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-C and LDL-C. L/H risk ratio is also calculated. A detailed history with thorough systemic examination was carried out. Hemogram, urinalysis, fasting and blood sugar after 2 h of major meal, HbA1c, lipid profile, performed. Results: We used student t-test and Pearson’s correlation coefficient to find the statistical significance. Result: serum concentration of glycated hemoglobin and all the parameters of lipid A.Valarmathi, Lalbahadur Sastri. Glycosylated hemoglobin as a marker of dyslipidemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in a tertiary care hospital. IAIM, 2017; 4(2): 21-25. Page 22 profile except HDL-C were increased while HDL-C concentration decreased in both the types of DM as compared to that of control. Conclusion: Dyslipidemia is more prominent in type-2 DM than that in type-1 DM. Glycemic control is poorer & its correlation with lipid profile is stronger in type-2 DM.

Study of liver dysfunction in type 2 diabetic patients in private hospital in Cuddalore district

Introduction: Diabetes is a syndrome characterized by disordered metabolism, hyperglycaemia, resulting from low levels of insulin production by beta cells of pancreas. The liver plays a major role in the regulation of carbohydrate metabolism, as it uses glucose as a fuel, it has the capability to store glucose as glycogen and also synthesize glucose from non-carbohydrate source. This key function of liver makes it vulnerable to diseases in subjects with metabolic disorders, particularly diabetes. Aim and objectives: The aim of this study was to find out the liver function test abnormalities in a group of diabetic patients and to determine the factors associated with these biochemical changes. Materials and methods: A total of 30 patients of both sexes suffering from T2DM and 30 age and sex matched normal individuals were selected for the study. The patients with fasting plasma glucose ≥126 mg/dl on 2 occasions were included in the study. Patients with any concomitant diseases which can alter liver function and patient with hepatitis, alcoholic were excluded from the study. Basic Liver Function Parameters Are Estimated Using Standard Methods. Results: The results of the present showed that the ALT, AST,PT and GGT levels in Type 2 Diabetic patients was increased significantly (p<0.01) as compared to normal controls. Conclusion: In conclusion, abnormal liver function results are more common among diabetes patients. Elevated liver enzyme markers are the markers for associated non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in diabetes patients. Testing for ALT and AST, should be carried out to screen underlying fatty liver, especially in male diabetes patients with high BMI.

A Case Report on Abnormal Course of Vena Saphena Parva.

Background: Great saphenous vein and short saphenous veins are the superficial veins of the lower limb. Variations in the superficial veins of the lowerlimb are uncommon. Our case report discusses anomalous course and its abnormal termination of short/small saphenous vein/Vena saphena parva. Materials and Methods: 80 Cadavers, Blade scalpel, Scissors, Forceps, Cotton, Other stationeries. Results: The short saphenous vein deviates the anatomical course without draining into popliteal vein, instead drains into deep femoral vein, femoral vein and Great saphenous vein. Discussion: During a routine dissection with 80 cadavers, an abnormal short saphenous vein was observed in the left lower limb of an aged male cadaver. The origin of small saphneous vein from the dorsum of the foot at the lateral end of the dorsal venous arch and continues behind the lateral malleolus and courses upward along the posterior side of the leg and has to end in popliteal vein but in our continuity of dissection the short saphenous vein has bifurcated into proper short saphenous vein and accessory saphenous vein at the junction of back of leg which drains into great saphenous vein. Conclusion: The knowledge of superficial veins of the lower limb is useful for clinicians during coronary bypass procedures, as these vessels are commonly used in such surgeries. It is therefore, essential for surgeons before harvesting the great saphenous vein to look for the abnormal drainage pattern of the short saphenous vein into the great saphenous vein either directly or through communication veins or with the presence of the Giacomini vein, Accessory saphenous vein.

Multiple extragastrointestinal stromal tumors: a case report.

Gastro-Intestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST) is a non-epithelial, mesenchymal tumor. They most commonly originate from the stomach or small intestine, but in rare examples they involve the omentum in this article, we are reporting a case of multiple extragastrointestinal stromal tumour of the omentum, peritoneum and mesentery which was diagnosed cytologically and confirmed by histopathology and immunohistochemistry.

Analgesic and antimicrobial activity of the dried root extracts of reidia floribunda wight

The analgesic activity of dried roots extracts of Reidia floribunda was studied after the intraperitoneal injection in mice using acetic acid-induced writhing method. After treatment, ethanolic extract produced greater analgesia with maximum analgesic activity than petroleum ether and benzene extracts. Extracts were tested against some gram negative and gram positive micro-organisms by Disc Diffusion method. Ethanolic and chloroform extracts were more effective than petroleum ether extract

Age related changes in Fas (CD95) and Fas ligand gene expression and cytokine profiles in healthy Indians.

Ageing in human and animal models show changes in many aspects of protective immunity, particularly lymphopoenia and progressive decline in immune functions leading to increased frequency of infection and neoplasia. However, the exact mechanism of these defects is still unclear. In this study, elderly subjects showed a decline in CD3+ and CD4+ T-cell subsets as well as serum IL-2 levels. Serum IL-6 was significantly raised while expression of its signaling receptor gp130 was significantly impaired in elderly as compared to the younger ones. Additionally, all the elderly individuals showed constitutive expression of Fas and FasL mRNA; however, none of the younger individuals expressed mRNA transcripts constitutively although induced expression was seen in both the groups. Similarly, frequency of Fas and FasL expressing CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell subsets were significantly (p < 0.001) higher in elderly subjects as compared to the younger ones. Elderly individuals also showed a significantly (p < 0.001) higher frequency of activation induced cell death (AICD). Since interaction of Fas with its cognate ligand (FasL) activates death inducing caspases leading to apoptosis, and gp130 induces anti-apoptotic signal through STAT-3 pathway, these results suggest that the decline in protective immune functions in aged individuals may be related to Fas and FasL mediated apoptosis of peripheral T-cell subsets.

In vitro cytotoxic and antimutagenic effects of protein fractions of cynodon dactylon, aegle marmelos, ocimum sanctum and coleus aromaticususing DLA cell lines

With increasing knowledge of the stages of initiation and development in the natural history of neoplastic diseases and the multiple observations that such stages are likely to be ubiquitous in the natural history of all histogenetic types of neoplasm, it is becoming increasingly important to distinguish chemical agents that act selectively during one or the other of these stages. Several compounds, occurring in food, were tested for antimutagenic effect towards cigarette-smoke condensate [CSC] and Benz [a]pyrene[BaP]. Antimutagenicity was determined in the Salmonella/ microsome test, with tester strain TA 98, in the presence of rat-liver homogenate. The similarity in results for cigarette-smoke condensate and for BaP indicates that a general mechanism may be involved in the inhibition of CSC and BaP- induced mutagenicity

Analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activity of the leaves extract of Acalypha indica

The analgesic activity of the dried leaves' extract of Acalypha indica was studied after oral administration in mice using the acetic acid induced writhing method. The analgesic activity of the various extracts like petroleum ether, chloroform and methanol was studied. There was significant analgesic activity of the extracts of chloroform and methanol whereas petroleum ether's extract does not possess analgesic activity. The anti-inflammatory effect was studied by using histamine included paw oedema for different extracts. All the three extracts showed highly significant effect for this activity. Extracts tested against some gram negative and gram positive micro-organisms by two-fold serial dilution method were found to be devoid of anti-bacterial activity

Neem [Azadirachta indica] extract as antimicrobial agent against bacteria Proteus vulgaris and fungi Candida albicans

Aqueous neem extract, prepared from the neem [Azadirachta indica] bark, was tested against the strain of bacteria Proteus vulgaris and fungi Candida albicans, to examine its efficacy as an antimicrobial activity. The growth inhibitory property of the aqueous extract has been noticed and recorded in terms of zone of inhibition measured in the 24 hrs growth culture using disc plate techniques