Internet addiction induced critical fusion frequency among young adults.

Critical flicker fusion frequency (CFF) is the frequency at which flickering light can be perceived as continuous and it is used to assess the processing of temporal vision. It is of interest to compare critical fusion frequency (CFF) in mild, moderate & severe internet users. Cross sectional observation study was done among 350 professional students. Internet addictions for around 372 professional students & internet addiction was evaluated by Young's scale of Internet Addiction questionnaire in the age group 18-25 years. CFF was measured using an in-house built LED-based CFF M1 Model instrument. A total of 372 participants (in age group 19-22 years) were recruited. Of the participants 65 % of them were mild internet addictors, 48% were moderate and 7% were severe internet adductors. Among the internet usage, the Kruskal-Wallis test showed a significant difference in internet addiction score, duration of internet usage (hours) and average Critical fusion frequency (Hz) (P<0.001). For the average critical fusion frequency (Hz), the Dwass-Steel-Critchlow-Fligner test showed significant pairwise comparisons between the following: (1) mild internet addictor's vs moderate internet addictors and (2) Mild internet addictors versus severe internet addictors (p<0.001). Critical flicker fusion frequency(CFF) as it is an easy, quick, and non-invasive technique used as a general indicator of cortical processing, visual persistence for cognitive flexibility.

Imidazolo and tryptophan-imidazolo hybrid derived ureas/thioureas as potent bioactive agents - SAR and molecular modelling studies.

Herein, we used an imidazole derivative (IMD) which showed promising antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant properties in our earlier investigation. Prompted by this, we converted IMD to hydrazide (IMH) by hydrazinolysis which was derivatized to various ureas (3-7) and thioureas (8-12). On the other hand, IMH was conjugated to Boc-Trp-OH as it has been shown in the past that hybridization of two molecules produced promising biologically active compounds. Boc of the conjugate was removed and further converted into several urea (14-18) and thiourea (19-23) derivatives. All the title compounds so also the starting materials and intermediates were assessed for potential biological applications. The results showed that compounds 3, 4, 8, 9, 14, 15, 19 and 20 were excellent antioxidants as revealed by DPPH, DMPD and ABTS assays. Further, certain analogues like 5-7, 10-12, 16-18 and 21-23 were found to be potent antimicrobials against pathogenic bacteria and fungi whereas good anti-inflammatory activity was obtained for molecules 5-7, 10-12, 16-18 and 21-23. All together, derivatives of the conjugates have shown superior activity over non-conjugated compounds and the former have exhibited potent activity against standard drugs in all the assays. In a quest to understand the binding interactions of the compounds with active site of tyrosine kinase (PDB ID: 2HCK), glucosamine-6-phosphate (GlcN-6-P) synthase (PDB ID: 2VF5) and cyclooxygenase-2 (PDB ID: 1CX2) enzymes, the correlation studies were conducted using molecular modelling which showed good receptor binding interactions with several amino acids of the enzymes. Overall, the current investigation may be considered for the discovery of lead compound(s) for treating multiple disorder conditions using singular molecular entity.

A correlation study of biological activity and molecular docking of Asp and Glu linked bis-hydrazones of quinazolinones.

The present investigation involves the synthesis and spectroscopic and biological activity studies of the bis-hydrazones of quinazolinones derived from aspartic acid and glutamic acid. The antioxidant activities of the compounds were evaluated using DPPH, DMPD and ABTS radical scavenging assays whose results revealed that the IC50 of compounds 6, 7, 11, 12, 20, 21, 25 and 26 was lower than those of the standard references. The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated with a haemolysis assay using a human blood erythrocytes suspension and the results demonstrated that compounds 8, 9, 13, 14, 22, 23, 27 and 28 were excellent anti-inflammatory agents. In addition, the antibacterial and antifungal activities against various clinical pathogens of human origin revealed that compounds 7, 9, 12, 14, 21, 23, 26 and 28 possessed potent antimicrobial properties. Furthermore, to understand the correlation between biological activity and drug-receptor interaction, molecular docking was performed on the active sites of tyrosine kinase (PDB ID: 2HCK), cyclooxygenase-2 (PDB ID: 1CX2) and glucosamine-6-phosphate (GlcN-6-P) synthase (PDB ID: 2VF5) which showed good binding profiles with the targets that can potentially hold the title compounds. The correlation study revealed that compounds containing EDGs (-OH, -OCH3) were excellent antioxidants, compounds with EWGs (-Cl, -NO2) exhibited good anti-inflammatory activity and compounds bearing -OH and -NO2 groups were very good antimicrobials.

A Prospective, Observational Study to Determine the Prevalence and Clinical Profile of Patients of Hypertensive Crisis in a Tertiary Care Hospital.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension can present in crisis form as 'hypertensive urgency'(HU) or as 'hypertensive emergency' (HE). Both the conditions are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. AIM: To evaluate the clinical characteristics, course of illness, end-organ damage and survival outcome in patients with hypertensive crisis. METHODOLOGY: This prospective observational year-long study was conducted after due ethical considerations on 120 adult non-pregnant patients who presented with blood pressure of >180/120 mm Hg in the emergency medical services of a tertiary care hospital. The available data was statistically analyzed using the t-test for continuous variables and chi-square test for categorical variables. RESULTS: Sixty two (51.67%) patients presented with hypertensive urgency and fifty eight (48.33%) with hypertensive emergency. Together they constituted 0.59% of total medical admissions and 18.04% of ICU admissions. Mean age of patients was 48.34 years and 52.48 years in HU and HE groups respectively. Headache (49.2%) and giddiness (43.3%) were the common presenting symptoms. Focal neurological deficit (p=0.001), psychomotor agitation (p=0.024), visual disturbances (p=0.048), oliguria (p=0.036) were noted significantly in patients with HE. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly elevated (p=0.001) in HE as compared to HU. Circadian peaks were noted between 2pm - 4 pm followed by 2am - 4 am and circannual peaks were noted in hot and humid months of May and October. Occurrence of HE was significantly linked with male gender (p=0.037), alcoholism (p<0.001), dyslipidemia (p<0.001) and diabetes mellitus (p<0.001). Cardiac and cerebrovascular end organ involvement was noted in 67.2% each and majority of subjects (69.9%) had more than one organ involvement. Out of total 120 study subjects, 19 (15.83%) died within first 72 hours of admission with mean age of 52.47 years. Negative survival outcome was associated with hypertensive emergencies (p=0.021), smoking (p=0.05), dyslipidemia(p=0.002), diabetes mellitus(p=0.003), cardiovascular (p=0.002) and cerebrovascular involvement(p=0.015). CONCLUSIONS: This study showcases the characteristic features of hypertensive crises in Indian subjects, thus allowing us a better understanding of the natural history of this medical emergency.

Applicability of Two Universally Accepted Mixed Dentition Analysis on a Sample from Southeastern Region of Andhra Pradesh, India.

BACKGROUND: Most of the universally accepted mixed dentition analyses are based on the data derived from northwestern European descent. However, the accuracy of these methods when applied to different ethnic population is questionable. AIM: The present study is aimed to evaluate the applicability of Tanaka and Johnston (TJ) and Moyers (50(th) and 75(th) percentile) mixed dentition analysis in a sample from south-eastern region of Andhra Pradesh, India. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Study models were prepared from a sample of 100 patients (50 males and 50 females) in the age range of 13-15 years. The mesio-distal dimension of the teeth was measured using a Digital Vernier calipers. The actual values of permanent canine and premolars on the casts were compared with the predicted values from TJ and Moyers analysis. The values derived from this study were statistically analyzed using SPSS version 17.0 (IBM, Chicago, USA). Pearson's coefficients were used to evaluate the correlations between the groups of teeth. RESULTS: Overestimated values were noticed in males and females of both arches with TJ equation; Males showed no significant difference at Moyers 50(th) percentile (50/100), in both the arches where as females showed higher values in mandibular arch and underestimated values in maxillary arch. At Moyers 75(th) percentile, overestimated values were noticed in males for both the arches whereas in females lesser values were observed. CONCLUSION: As the values showed significant deviation from TJ and Moyers both at 50 and 75 percentile, its applicability to the present population is limited. So, new regression equations were derived.

Nuclear Factor-Erythroid-2-Related Factor 2 in Aging and Lung Fibrosis.

Aging and age-related diseases have been associated with elevated oxidative stress, which may be related to increased production of reactive species and/or a deficiency in antioxidant defenses. The nuclear factor-erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-mediated antioxidant response pathway maintains cellular reduction-oxidation homeostasis by inducing the transcription of an array of cytoprotective genes. However, there is evidence of impaired Nrf2 response in aging contributing to age-related fibrotic diseases. Herein, we review mechanisms for the dysregulation of Nrf2 signaling in aging. This understanding will pave the way for the design of novel therapeutic strategies that restore Nrf2 signaling to reestablish cellular homeostasis in aging and age-related fibrotic diseases.

Left ventricular non-compaction with viral myocarditis: a rare presentation of a rarer disease.

We report an unusual case of a 22-year-old male who was incidentally diagnosed with isolated noncompaction of the left ventricle (LV) when he was admitted with viral myocarditis. Left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC) is a congenital cardiomyopathy which presents with ventricular dysfunction, cardioembolic manifestations or with arrhythmias. A diagnosis can be made with the commonly available modality of echocardiography but is still often overlooked. There is no specific treatment directed at isolated noncompaction. Treatment is focused on the cause of presentation, with medication aimed at improving ventricular dysfunction, as well as treating and preventing thrombosis and arrhythmia. This is, we feel, the first case report of isolated LVNC presenting with viral myocarditis.

Does occupational health nursing exist in India?

BACKGROUND: Occupational health services are important to develop healthy and productive work forces, which should be delivered through occupational health team. Occupational health nurse (OHN) is an important member of this team and is required to apply nursing principles in conserving the health of workers in occupational settings. PURPOSE: This article attempts to map the occupational health nursing courses in India and design competencies and curriculum for such a course. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Information through the Internet, printed journals, and perspectives of the key stakeholders were the principal sources of data. DISCUSSION: In India, there is a need to initiate a course on occupational health nursing to provide occupational health services for the organized and unorganized sector workforce. A certificate course for occupational health nursing for 3-4 months duration offered through contact session mode can be an opportune beginning. However, to cater employed nurses an online course can be another effective alternative. The theoretical part should essentially include modules on occupational diseases, industrial hygiene, and occupational health legislation, whereas the modules on practical aspects can include visits to industries. Taking into account the existing norms of Indian Factories Act for hazardous units of organized sector an estimated 1,34,640 OHNs are required. CONCLUSION: There is a need-supply gap in the number of occupational health nursing manpower in India, which can be attributed to the absence of any course to train such manpower.

Managing chronic inflammation in the aging diabetic patient with CKD by diet or sevelamer carbonate: a modern paradigm shift.

The maintenance of normal metabolism and body defenses depends on the balance between cellular antioxidant and anti-inflammatory factors. This balance can be disrupted by agents/mechanisms in the extracellular milieu that induce excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inflammation. Cytopathic advanced glycation endproducts, present in ever increasing amounts in the modern diet, are one of the major environmental factors that cause excess ROS and/or inflammation at all ages and induce complications in aging, such as chronic kidney disease (CKD) and type 2 diabetes. Increased ROS and/or inflammation are present in both aging and CKD, and are associated with reduced cellular defenses against ROS and/or inflammation. Affected individuals have reduced defenses against further stress and are predisposed to organ failure, now a well-known phenomenon in aging. Thus, new methods are urgently needed to safely reduce ROS and/or inflammation in the aging type 2 diabetes patient with CKD. Studies of both normal aging and diabetic patients with kidney disease underline the fact that increased ROS and/or inflammation can be managed in these conditions by economical, safe, and effective interventions that reduce the uptake of advanced glycation endproducts by either modifying preparation of food or an oral drug. This communication reviews these data and adds new information on the efficacy of a drug, sevelamer carbonate, required to reduce ROS and/or inflammation in the aging type 2 diabetes patient complicated by CKD. If larger and longer studies confirm the hypothesis that one or both of these interventions reduce progression of CKD, it could represent a new paradigm in the management of complications in the type 2 diabetes patient with CKD.

HTLV infection and strongyloidal hyperinfection syndrome.

Strongyloides stercoralis can affect humans in the form of asymptomatic infections, Strongyloidal hyperinfection syndrome and disseminated Strongyloidiasis depending on the immune response of the host. We report a case of strongyloidial hyperinfection syndrome that subsequently tested positive for HTLV infection.

Prevalence of early childhood caries among 3-5 year old pre-schoolers in schools of Marathahalli, Bangalore.

BACKGROUND: Dental caries among preschool children is still a major public health problem in many developing countries including India. Hence the aim of the present study was to find out the prevalence of Early Childhood Caries among 3-5 year old pre-schoolers in schools of Marathahalli, Bangalore. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross sectional study was conducted on 717 pre-schoolers in 6 schools of Marathahalli. Clinical examination was performed and deft index was recorded using Gruebell's criteria. Early Childhood Caries was diagnosed using Early Childhood Caries Diagnostic Criteria, consistent with the NIDCR workshop statement. Data was analysed using SPSS 15.0 and descriptive statistics was applied. Chi-square test was used to find out the significant differences. The level of significance was taken at P value < 0.05. RESULTS: Prevalence of early childhood caries was 40% with a mean deft of 1.89 (+3.3) and Significant Caries Index score was 5.51. 44.8% of 3 year old had Early Childhood Caries, 35% of 4 year old children and 41% of 5 year old had Early Childhood Caries. Almost, all of deft was due to untreated caries. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study calls for a need to focus on pre-schoolers' oral health and parental education for prevention and early detection of Early Childhood Caries. A high Significant Caries Index in this study population indicates a more targeted approach for high risk pre-schoolers.