Vaccination coverage assessment survey in Mangalore (urban), Karnataka

A vaccination coverage assessment survey regarding the U.I.P. vaccines, among 210 children aged 12-23 months and 210 mothers of infants was undertaken in Mangalore (urban) in February--March 1991, with the specific objectives of assessing the extent of achievement here of the U.I.P. objectives for the vaccine coverages, and identifying the reasons for immunization failures as well the sources of immunization. The sample population was selected by the standard WHO. 30 cluster sampling technique. A door-to-door survey was undertaken in the study population and the data was elicited by interview of mothers (and confirmed from vaccination cards or registers if available). The investigator inquired about DPT 3, OPV 3, one dose each of BCG and Measles vaccine and TT2/B for mothers. The coverages for the individual vaccines were observed as follows (and indicated in parentheses) DPT 3 (91.9%) OPV 3 (92.3%), BCG (91%), Measles vaccine (69.5%) and TT2/B for mothers (94.7%). The drop-out rates from first to third dose of both DPT and OPV were observed to be 2.5%. The major reasons for immunization failures were reported to be unawareness of need, illness of child, and fear of side reaction. Hospitals were availed of more than private sources for immunization services. The universal immunization coverage in Mangalore (urban) was found to be highly satisfactory.     

Topical phenytoin in diabetic ulcers: a double blind controlled trial

Data of 57 patients who completed the trial and 13 who did not, were analysed. With phenytoin, there was a marginal: increase in the reduction of mean ulcer area and acceleration of effect 3rd on 4th week. With control: the number completing the trial was larger: response to treatment was better in grade II ulcers, Table IV. This study has the hall marks of a real clinical trial, has raised the possibility of wound healing properties of phenytoin and confirms the results of others.     

Activation of human mast cells by retrocyclin and protegrin highlight their immunomodulatory and antimicrobial properties

Preclinical evaluation of Retrocyclins (RC-100, RC-101) and Protegrin-1 (PG-1) antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) is important because of their therapeutic potential against bacterial, fungal and viral infections. Human mast cells (HMCs) play important roles in host defense and wound healing but the abilities of retrocyclins and protegrin-1 to harness these functions have not been investigated. Here, we report that chemically synthesized RC-100 and PG-1 caused calcium mobilization and degranulation in HMCs but these responses were not blocked by an inhibitor of formyl peptide receptor-like 1 (FPRL1), a known receptor for AMPs. However, RC-100 and PG-1 induced degranulation in rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-2H3) cells stably expressing Mas related G protein coupled receptor X2 (MrgX2). Chemical synthesis of these AMPs is prohibitively expensive and post-synthesis modifications (cyclization, disulfide bonds, folding) are inadequate for optimal antimicrobial activity. Indeed, we found that synthetic RC-100, which caused mast cell degranulation via MrgX2, did not display any antimicrobial activity. Green-fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged RC-101 (analog of RC-100) and GFP-tagged PG-1 purified from transgenic plant chloroplasts killed bacteria and induced mast cell degranulation. Furthermore, GFP-PG1 bound specifically to RBL-2H3 cells expressing MrgX2. These findings suggest that retrocyclins and protegrins activate HMCs independently of FPRL1 but via MrgX2. Harnessing this novel feature of AMPs to activate mast cell''s host defense/wound healing properties in addition to their antimicrobial activities expands their clinical potential. Low cost production of AMPs in plants should facilitate their advancement to the clinic overcoming major hurdles in current production systems.     

Factors Influencing the Television Viewing Practices of Indian Children

Objectives

To study the effect of socio-demographic factors, parental regulations and maternal television usage on the television viewing practices of Indian schoolchildren.

Methods

Mothers of 6–12 y old children were interviewed using a pre-tested questionnaire at the pediatric outpatient. The television viewing practices of 405 schoolchildren with maternal television viewing and parental television rules were analyzed. Specific television viewing practices considered harmful in the present study were- viewing television >2 h, viewing television just prior to sleep (at bedtime), predominantly viewing general adult channels and using television as an aid to sleep.

Results

35.8 % (n?=?145) of the children viewed television for >2 h on schooldays. 20 % (n?=?81) used television as sleep-aid. 28.1 % (n?=?114) children had televisions in the room they slept. The frequency of parental television rules were with respect to: duration of viewing- 77.5 % (n?=?314), timing of viewing- 63.7 % (n?=?258), content- 35.6 % (n?=?144). The children of families with the rule needing of parental permission to switch on the television [present in 34.8 % (n?=?141) children] had lower harmful television viewing practices: duration of television viewing on schooldays >2 h (23.4 %, n?=?33, P?<?0.001); television viewed just before sleep (39 %, n?=?55, P?<?0.001); use of television as sleep-aid (12.1 %, n?=?17, P?=?0.003). 26.7 % (n?=?108) of the mothers viewed television for >2 h. Linear regression analysis showed association between average television duration of children and average maternal television duration on schooldays (Beta?=?0.246, t?=?5.09, P?<?0.001). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that harmful television viewing practices were significantly more in children with television in bedroom [OR?=?7.49(4.19–13.38), P?<?0.001]. It was reduced significantly by the parental rules on content viewed [OR?=?0.41(0.23–0.72), P?=?0.002]; need of permission to switch on television [OR?=?0.31(0.18–0.53), P?<?0.001] and a higher maternal education [OR?=?0.29 (0.14–0.59), P?=?0.001].

Conclusions

Lower maternal education, increased maternal television usage, presence of television in bedroom resulted in harmful television viewing practices among Indian children. The parental rules that were effective in countering these were the rule on content viewed and needing parental permission to switch on television.     

Sex estimation from foramen magnum dimensions in an Indian population

Identification of skeletal remains is vital in forensic investigations. The need for methods to estimate sex from cranial fragments becomes apparent when only a part of skull is brought for identification. The present research is an attempt to study the sexual dimorphism of the anteroposterior diameter, transverse diameter and area of foramen magnum in a population of costal Karnataka region using statistical considerations. Ninety adult dry skulls of known sex (50 male and 40 female) were included in the study. Morphometric analysis of foramen magnum was conducted using vernier calipers and the area of foramen magnum was calculated. The anteroposterior diameter, transverse diameter and area of foramen magnum are found to be significantly larger in males than females. Binary Logistic Regression (BLR) analysis was performed to derive models for estimation of sex from the different measurements of foramen magnum and Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn for the predicted probabilities obtained from BLR analysis. The predictability of foramen magnum measurements in sexing of crania was 65.4% for transverse diameter and 86.5% for the anteroposterior diameter. For the area of foramen magnum that was calculated using the formula derived by Radinsky and Teixeria, the predicted probabilities were observed to be 81.6% and 82.2% respectively. When anteroposterior and transverse diameter were used together in BLR analysis the predictability of sex increased to 88%. However, considering the overlapping in the male and female values for the foramen magnum measurements it is suggested that its application in sex estimation should be restricted to cases where only a fragment of base of the skull is brought for examination. In such cases, the anteroposterior diameter and area of the foramen magnum can be employed as better tools for sexing the skulls than the transverse diameter of the foramen magnum.     

Prevalence,risk factors and treatment practices in diarrhoeal diseases in south India

Objectives

This study was done to determine the risk factors, management practices and awareness about diarrhoea.

Methods

It was a cross sectional study done in a semi urban and rural areas of South Canara district of India in February 2013. A total of 167 households (575 study population) chosen systematic randomly were visited and one adult member in each house was interviewed. The houses were also inspected to assess the living conditions.

Results

Mean age of study population was 31.1 ± 20.2 years. The period prevalence of diarrhoea was 69 (12 %). Commonest associated symptoms in cases of diarrhoea were fever 30 (43.4 %) followed by abdominal cramps 29 (42 %). Nearly half of the cases with diarrhoea 34 (49.3 %) did not take any medications. Commonest treatment taken was allopathic medicines 26 (37.8 %) followed by home remedies 8 (22.9 %). Age ≤10 years (p < 0.001) was associated with risk of developing diarrhoea using binary logistic regression analysis. Among the 167 participants, awareness level about the disease was poor among 16 (9.6 %) and moderate among 149 (89.2 % participants). Awareness level was more among females (p = 0.001) and literate participants (p = 0.013). One hundred and sixteen (69.5 %) participants were not aware of any sign or symptom of dehydration other than loose stools. Majority of the participants 138 (82.6 %) preferred home remedies as the initial management of diarrhoea. Misconception about fluid restriction in diarrhoea was stated by 12(7.2 %) participants.

Conclusion

Public education program on proper feeding and management practices is required to address the various issues identified and for containment of diarrhoea cases in future.

     

Microfilaria and filarial granulomas from fine needle aspirates: a study of 25 cases

The objective of this study was to assess the role of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) for the diagnosis of filariasis. Cytological smears were studied during 2006-2009. Twenty-five cases with microfilaria were detected: 7 from lymph nodes, 5 from soft tissue, 4 from effusion fluids, 3 from breast tissue, 2 from liver tissue, 1 each from thyroid tissue, a cervicovaginal smear, a hernial sac and a spermatic cord cyst. Embryonated adult worms were seen in four cases and eosinophils were seen in 3 cases. In endemic areas the diagnosis of filariasis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of swelling. This study highlights the importance of screening smears for parasites even in the absence of clinical indications and shows eosinophils are not mandatory to diagnose microfilaria.     

Enhanced Yield of Food Colourant Annatto from Seeds of Bixa orellana L.: The Efficacy of Polyamines Floral Spray

Annatto is one of the important natural food colourant widely used in dairy industry. The efficiency of polyamines on augmentation of annatto pigment production in field cultivated Bixa orellana L. (Achiote) crop has been investigated. Analysis of annatto pigment profile in seeds of harvested fruits indicates an increase in annatto pigment content upon foliar treatment with the three polyamines viz, putrescine, spermidine and spermine over the untreated control plants. The augmentation of total pigment level was in the range of 16?C72, 27.9?C83.7 and 34.5?C70.79?% for floral spray of spermidine, spermine and putrescine respectively over that of water sprayed control flowers of B. orellana plant. Similarly, bixin content was 20.9?C69, 36.2?C56.15, 45.72?C65.32?% for spermidine, spermine and putrescine respectively over control flowers of Bixa plant. The best response for enhanced annatto pigment content (4.17?%) at 60?days after flowering and bixin (3.54?%) was evident with 2.5???M of spermine treatment, next best being 1???M of putrescine. This ensures polyamines as an agriculturally important phytochemical, which is an easily adoptable methodology for enhancing annatto pigment yield in the standing crop, for commercial purposes.