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Immunology involves all the defence mechanisms occurring in the body after the invasion of any infectious agent and the ability to resist this infection. The micronutrients like essential proteins, essential amino acids, vitamins (A, B6, B12, C, D, E and folic acid), fatty acids, minerals (iron, selenium, zinc and copper) and certain phytochemicals are of prime importance towards healthy immune system. In addition to these nutritional components, intestinal microflora and certain bacteria (probiotic bacteria) also play an important role in the modulation of healthy immune system. There is an ongoing trend of usage of immunomodulators to combat various chronic diseases like viral diseases, cancers, inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. This review focuses on various immunomodulators available in daily dietary meals, its positive and negative effects on immune system and its role in management of chronic illness as an adjunct to other modalities to achieve positive health benefits with minimal side effects.
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Background: Smartphone usage is gradually escalating among Indian adolescents, which is having adverse consequences on their health and well-being. Awareness regarding adverse health impacts of smartphone usage among adolescents is thus necessary. Aims and Objectives: This study assessed the smartphone usage pattern and perception regarding its health effects among adolescents attending adolescent friendly health clinic (AFHC) at Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 187 adolescents from January to March 2023 at AFHC of Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata selected by systematic random sampling technique. Pre-designed self-administered questionnaire was utilized for data collection. Data were analyzed using SPSS software. Factors associated with the duration of smartphone usage were analyzed using the Chi-square test. Results: Smartphone was used by all the study participants (n = 187). A significant proportion has utilized smartphones for >3-year duration, whereas 114 (60.9%) used them for 1–2 h per day and 56 (29.9%) used them for ?3 h per day. The major adverse health impacts of smartphone usage perceived by the participants were eye symptoms (64.2%), headache (50.8%), and neck pain (46.5%). Gender (?2=12.98, df = 2, P = 0.0012), type of residence (?2 = 7.98, df = 2, P = 0.018), and socioeconomic status (?2 = 34.96, df = 2, P < 0.001) were factors significantly associated with the duration of smartphone usage per day. Conclusion: Smartphone should be optimized to protect the physical and mental well-being of adolescents. Motivation and counselling regarding the adverse effects of smartphone usage is should be given the utmost priority. Generating awareness among parents at the community level through field health workers is also the need of the hour.
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Background: Chronic cardiovascular morbidities are major public health concern. The objective was to as-sess awareness and practice of selfcare activities among patients with chronic cardiovascular morbidity in Burdwan Medical College (BMC) and to explore constraints in selfcare practice. Materials & Methods: A facility-based, explanatory sequential, mixed-method study was conducted in Cardi-ology super-specialty outpatient department of BMC, West Bengal. A calculated sample of 185 patients with chronic cardiovascular morbidity were selected randomly; interviewed with predesigned, pretested schedule (adapted from H-SCALE) for quantitative component. For qualitative component, eight study participants, se-lected purposively, were interviewed with In-depth-interview guide. Multivariable logistic regression was done to find out predictors of selfcare practice. Thematic inductive analysis was done to explore constraints. Results: 73% study participants were aware about overall selfcare practices; 43.8% performed satisfactory overall selfcare practice. Below secondary level educational status [AOR:0.412, 95% CI (0.178-0.956)] and lower & lower-middle socioeconomic status [AOR:0.063, 95% CI (0.017-0.230)] were found to create negative influence on favourable self-care practice. Thematic analysis revealed false belief, lack of motivation, lack of proper knowledge, emotional disturbances and Covid-19 pandemic impact as major constraints in selfcare practice. Conclusion: Selfcare awareness & practice both are low. Interventions are needed to ensure healthy lifestyle of patients.
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Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is one of the most common hemoglobinopathy disorders and is widely prevalent in India, especially in the tribal population. SCD patients are prone to develop recurrent respiratory infections and related complications owing to the microvascular occlusion and impaired immunological response. Objectives: We aimed to determine the prevalence and impact of COVID‑19 in SCD patients from India. Methodology: We conducted a cross‑sectional study in Chandrapur district of Maharashtra, India, between August and October 2021. After taking informed consent, details of 300 SCD patients’ demographic data, history of COVID‑19 testing, infection, symptoms related to COVID‑19 in the past 1 year, hospitalization, complications, mortality, COVID‑19 vaccination, and side effects were recorded. Results: We found that 93 (31%) of SCD patients had influenza‑like symptoms during the COVID‑19 pandemic with symptoms of fever (81.72%), cough (35.48%), sore throat (18.27%), headache (15.05%), and breathlessness(7.52%). Atotal of 13 (4.33%) SCD among 300 SCD were tested as COVID positive. Majority of them were mild cases and the 1st dose of COVID‑19 vaccine was received by 47 (29.37%) of SCD patients and 10 (6.02%) of the patient had received second dose of vaccine. Conclusion: Low incidence of COVID‑19 and milder disease spectrum in our study cohort suggests that there is no increased risk of COVID‑19 mortality and morbidity in SCD patients compared to general population. However, the reason for low COVID vaccination in our study could be due to the fear of complications of COVID vaccine.
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Background: Urinary pathogens develop lesser resistance against Nitrofurantoin than other antimicrobials such as Fluoroquinolones, Cotrimoxazole, and Carbapenems. Aim and Objective: The objective of this study was to estimate the sensitivity pattern of the urinary isolates against Nitrofurantoin in uncomplicated Urinary tract infection (UTI). Materials and Methods: The descriptive cross-sectional study was performed from January 1, 2020, to June 30, 2020, with 759 cases with signs and symptoms of uncomplicated UTI. Aseptically collected midstream urine was inoculated on Nutrient Agar Media, MacConkey’s Agar media, and Blood Agar media for bacterial isolation. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was done by disk diffusion technique on Mueller Hinton Agar (Kirby Bauer technique) as per Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. Results: Out of total of 759 urine samples, in 165 cases bacterial pathogens were isolated (21.73%). Only 17 were resistant to Nitrofurantoin (10.30%) whereas resistance to Fluoroquinolone (Ciprofloxacin) was in 58 isolates (35.15%) and Cotrimoxazole, in 37 isolates (22.42%). Resistance against Carbapenem antibiotics (Imipenem and Meropenem) was found in 29 isolates (17.57%). All the Nitrofurantoin resistant isolates were Gram-negative. Majority of the Nitrofurantoin resistant isolates were Klebsiella pneumonia (8 out of 17, i.e, 47.05%). All Nitrofurantoin resistant isolates were sensitive to Colistin and Tigecycline. Five out of 17 Nitrofurantoin resistant isolates were sensitive to Meropenem and Imipenem (29.41%). The Fischer exact test reveals that Nitrofurantoin is effective against the isolates resistant to Fluoroquinolones, Cotrimoxazole, and Carbapenems. Conclusion: Nitrofurantoin, even today, remains a good choice for empirical therapy for uncomplicated UTI.
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Background: With the rapid rolling out of the information highway, an increasing number of patients are accessing the Internet for medical information. Against this background, the present study was undertaken. Objectives: To ascertain patients' use and opinion on impact of Internet on doctor–patient relationship. Methods: A cross-sectional study was done. A total of 709 patients was interviewed, 307 from urban and 402 from rural field practice areas. Institutional ethical approval was obtained before data collection. Categorical data were summarized by percentages with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Quantitative data were summarized by mean and standard deviation. Associations were explored using odds ratio (OR) with 95% CI for categorical data and two sample t-test for quantitative data. Results: Internet for medical information was used by 50.35% of the patients (95% CI = 46.68, 54.02). More urban patients, i.e., 79.48% used Internet compared to rural patients, i.e., 28.11%. This difference was significant, OR = 9.9 (95% CI = 6.9, 14.0; P < 0.0001). Users of Internet had about 4 years more schooling than nonusers. This was significant, P < 0.0001. More users believed that this trend will improve the doctor–patient relations (51.26%), compared to nonusers (17.05%). This difference was significant, OR = 5.11, 95% CI = 3.61, 7.22, P < 0.0001. Conclusions: A large proportion of patients used Internet to get medical information, significantly more urban patients compared to rural patients. The implication of this is that doctors in times to come will be dealing with patients empowered by online health information.
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Rice blast is one of the most serious diseases in the world. The use of resistant cultivars is the most preferred means to control this disease. Resistance often breaks down due to emergence of new races; hence identification of novel resistance donors is indispensable. In this study, a panel of 80 released varieties from National Rice Research Institute, Cuttack was genotyped with 36 molecular markers that were linked to 36 different blast resistance genes, to investigate the varietal genetic diversity and molecular marker-trait association with blast resistance. The polymorphism information content of 36 loci varied from 0.11 to 0.37 with an average of 0.34. The cluster analysis and population structure categorized the 80 National Rice Research Institute released varieties (NRVs) into three major genetic groups. The principal co-ordinate analysis displays the distribution of resistant and moderately resistant NRVs into different groups. Analysis of molecular variance result demonstrated maximum (97%) diversity within populations and minimum (3%) diversity between populations. Among tested markers, two markers (RM7364 and pi21_79-3) corresponding tothe blast resistance genes (Pi56(t) and pi21) were significantly associated and explained a phenotypic variance of 4.9 to 5.1% with the blast resistance. These associated genes could be introgressed through marker-assisted to develop durable blast resistant rice varieties. The selected resistant NRVs could be good donors for the blast resistance in rice crop improvement research.
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Purpose: Enhanced S-cone syndrome (ESCS), a rare disorder, is often misdiagnosed as other forms of retinal degenerations, which have a poorer prognosis than ESCS. The aim of this study is to report the varied clinical features of ESCS and distinguish it from other similar disorders. Methods: We retrospectively scrutinized the records of patients with confirmed diagnosis of ESCS and analyzed the findings. Results: We included 14 patients (age range 4–39 years) who were confirmed to have ESCS according to pathognomonic electroretinography (ERG) showing reduced photopic, combined responses, and 30 Hz flicker with reduced L, M cone responses and supernormal S cone responses. The disease presented in the 1st decade with night blindness and was almost stationary or minimally progressive. Mid-peripheral fundus changes in form of nummular pigmentary alterations, yellow punctate lesions, and macular schisis were noted. The vision ranged from 6/6 to 6/36 with follow-up ranging from 1month to 22 years. Conclusion: ESCS shows varied clinical features ranging from unremarkable fundus to pigment clumping and atrophic lesions. It has good prognosis with patients mostly maintaining their vision. ERG is diagnostic. More awareness and knowledge about this entity can help to differentiate it from other forms of night blindness.
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Heart failure is a common clinical syndrome and a global health priority. The burden of heart failure is increasing at an alarming rate worldwide as well as in India. Heart failure not only increases the risk of mortality, morbidity and worsens the patient’s quality of life, but also puts a huge burden on the overall healthcare system. The management of heart failure has evolved over the years with the advent of new drugs and devices. This document has been developed with an objective to provide standard management guidance and simple heart failure algorithms to aid Indian clinicians in their daily practice. It would also inform the clinicians on the latest evidence in heart failure and provide guidance to recognize and diagnose chronic heart failure early and optimize management.
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Ovary is one of the common sites of neoplasm in females. They manifest in wide spectrum of clinical, morphological and histological features. Ovary is the second most common site of primary malignancy in female genital tract.
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Ovary is one of the common sites of neoplasm in females. They manifest in wide spectrum of clinical, morphological and histological features. Ovary is the second most common site of primary malignancy in female genital tract.
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Background: Spleen is the largest organ of the mononuclear phagocytic system and is involved in all systemic inflammations, generalized hematopoietic disorders, and many metabolic disturbances. Splenectomy is frequently indicated where diagnosis is already established and the purpose of surgery being largely therapeutic in nature. Objectives: The study aims to highlight the histomorphological patterns in the surgically resected splenectomy specimens received in our centre and to correlate with the clinical indications. Materials and Methods: This was a seven year study of all splenectomy specimens received at histopathology section of Department of Pathology in a tertiary care hospital. All the histopathology slides were reviewed by the authors and the microscopic findings were studied and correlated with clinical data. Results: Twenty two (22) spleen samples were received during the study period with a M:F=1: 1.2 . The age range was 2 years to 60 years. The highest number of splenectomy cases was in the age group of 11-20 years followed by 0-10 years age group. The majority of the cases of splenectomy were indicated for thalassemia (14 cases, i.e. 63.64% of all cases), followed by traumatic rupture and secondary malignancy with 2 cases each (9.09% cases each), one case each for splenic infarct, myelofibrosis, ITP and splenic tuberculosis. Conclusion: Thalassemia was proved to be the commonest indication of splenectomy, followed by traumatic rupture and secondary malignancy in the spleen. Larger studies are needed for better understanding of this important organ and unnecessary splenectomies may thus be avoided
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Background: Spleen is the largest organ of the mononuclear phagocytic system and is involved in all systemic inflammations, generalized hematopoietic disorders, and many metabolic disturbances. Splenectomy is frequently indicated where diagnosis is already established and the purpose of surgery being largely therapeutic in nature. Objectives: The study aims to highlight the histomorphological patterns in the surgically resected splenectomy specimens received in our centre and to correlate with the clinical indications. Materials and Methods: This was a seven year study of all splenectomy specimens received at histopathology section of Department of Pathology in a tertiary care hospital. All the histopathology slides were reviewed by the authors and the microscopic findings were studied and correlated with clinical data. Results: Twenty two (22) spleen samples were received during the study period with a M:F=1: 1.2 . The age range was 2 years to 60 years. The highest number of splenectomy cases was in the age group of 11-20 years followed by 0-10 years age group. The majority of the cases of splenectomy were indicated for thalassemia (14 cases, i.e. 63.64% of all cases), followed by traumatic rupture and secondary malignancy with 2 cases each (9.09% cases each), one case each for splenic infarct, myelofibrosis, ITP and splenic tuberculosis. Conclusion: Thalassemia was proved to be the commonest indication of splenectomy, followed by traumatic rupture and secondary malignancy in the spleen. Larger studies are needed for better understanding of this important organ and unnecessary splenectomies may thus be avoided
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Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) provides a huge economic strain worldwide and is responsible for over 4 million deaths in Europe annually. Atherosclerosis, a key component of CVD, is recognised as an inflammatory process. This clinical pilot-study aimed to compare a range of selective leukocyte, haemostatic and inflammatory biomarkers in patients with CVD to healthy volunteers. Original Research Article British Journal of Medicine & Medical Research, 4(26): 4392-4406, 2014 4393 Patients and Methods: Fifty participants were recruited, 21 patients with CVD (due to atherosclerosis) and 29 healthy volunteers (with no history of CVD or diabetes). All participants for the study provided a non-fasting venous blood sample prior to analysis (n=50). The biomarkers measured included the Cluster of Differentiation 11b (CD11b) cell surface expression in monocytes and neutrophils, neutrophil elastase, fibrinogen, von Willebrand Factor (vWF), protein C and C-Reactive Protein (CRP). Results: vWF levels were significantly raised in CVD patients (186.8±106.6 %vWF:Ag) compared to healthy volunteers (109.9±85.2 %vWF:Ag), (p<0.001). CRP was significantly raised (3mg/dL) in CVD patients compared to healthy volunteers (<3mg/dL), (p=0.036), with the CD11b cell surface expression in monocytes being higher (0.64±0.55 MFI) in CVD patients compared to healthy volunteers (0.37±0.44 MFI), (p<0.005). No differences were observed for protein C, fibrinogen, neutrophil elastase or neutrophil CD11b in CVD patients compared to healthy volunteers (p>0.05). Discussion and Conclusion: Patients with CVD have elevated levels of vWF, CRP and CD11b cell surface expression (monocytes) compared to healthy volunteers. The results of this study support the premise of leukocyte, haemostatic and inflammatory involvement during CVD, and that measuring biomarkers such as vWF and leukocyte CD11b cell surface expression, may aid in the diagnosis and monitoring of patients with CVD. However, further large-scale prospective studies are required to fully understand the relationship between these markers and CVD.
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Goats with their broad feeding habits, adaptation to unfavorable environment, low cost, suitability for small scale production and short reproduction put them at an advantage over cattle and sheep especially for resource poor livestock keepers. Body weight is mostly used to evaluate body development and carcass characteristics in animals. Meat animals visually assessed is a subjective method of judgment. In goats, objective evaluation of body weight and linear body measurements for describing and evaluating size and conformation characteristics can overcome problems associated with subjective evaluation. Hence, the objectives were: a) to evaluate variability in linear body measurements b) to determine best fitted regression model for predicting live weight under field conditions. The study conducted in two districts of Afar National Regional State of Ethiopia used 800 random samples. The effect of district was significant (p<0.05) on body length, chest girth, whither height, pelvic width, and rump height, while body weight, horn length and ear length were non-significant. Sex effect was significant on body weight and other linear body measurements except pelvic width, ear length and rump height. The estimated regression model using a SAS macro, for predicting body weight, included linear effects of horn length, body length, chest girth, whither height, rump height and quadratic effect of chest girth.
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Idiopathic bilateral striopallidodentate calcification or Fahr’s disease is a degenerative disease normally found in the 5-6th decade of life. Here we report one of the youngest cases of sporadic Fahr’s disease presenting at five years of age with minimal clinical features but extensive intracranial calcification, a rarity.
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Imerslund- Grasbeck syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disorder due to selective malabsorption of Vitamin B12 at the level of cobalamin-intrinsic factor receptor mutation in the terminal ileum resulting in megaloblastic anaemia with proteinuria. Early detection of this rare disorder would enable screening and genetic counselling for asymptomatic family members.