Hemostatic parameters in newborn--II. Sequential study during the first four weeks of life

A sequential study of kaolin cephalin clotting time (KCCT), prothrombin time (PT), thrombin time (TT), plasma fibrinogen and serum FDP was conducted during the first four weeks of life on term and preterm babies. A "physiological dip" of PT and TT was noted inappropriate for gestational age (AGA) babies both term and preterm; in case of KCCT, the dip was significant in term AGA babies only. At the end of four weeks, PT and TT had moderately improved in term babies but showed little improvement in preterm ones; KCCT reached almost an adult value in all babies except in preterm AGA and term LGA (large for gestational age) ones. Plasma fibrinogen showed no "physiological dip" and reached adult level in two to four weeks. Serum FDP levels were appreciably raised in preterm AGA babies only at birth and there too normalised by 72 h.     

Effect of lycoriside,an acylglucosyloxy alkaloid,on mast cells

The effect of lycoriside, an acylglucosyloxy alkaloid from Crinum asiaticum Linn, (family Amaryllidaceae), with or without sitosterol-3-O--D-glucoside, was studied on the rate of degranulation of peritoneal mast cells of albino rats. Lycoriside, at lower concentrations (1–20 µg/ml), in vitro, produced statistically significant protection against Tween 80-induced degranulation, as also to sensitized mast cells challenged with an antigen (horse serum). It also provided protection against compound 48/80-induced degranulation of mast cells when administered in vivo (1–5 mg/kg, po). At higher concentrations (100 µg/ml and above), in vitro, however, it had a mast-cell degranulation effect per se. The addition of sitosterol-3-O--D-glucoside to lycoriside did not modify the effect of the latter compound. The mechanism of the dual response elicited by lycoriside is appraised in view of a concentration-dependent anti- or prerelease effect on mast-cell mediators.     

Depression,sleeping pattern,and suicidal ideation among medical students in Bangladesh: a cross-sectional pilot study

Journal of Public Health - Depression is a major morbidity and the most common mental disorder among the medical students in medical schools globally. Undergraduate students suffer stress more due...     

Community Based Assessment of Unintentional Injuries in a Community Development Block of Purba Bardhaman District,West

BackgroundInjuries are a focus of public health practice because they pose a serious health threat and are preventable. Currently, injury accounts for 14% of all Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) losses for the world''s entire population. In India, unintentional injuries within the home environment have not so far been recognized to the same extent as traffic and work-related injuries among all age groups. With this background, a community based epidemiological study was conducted with the aim to find out the prevalence and epidemiology of unintentional injuries.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted during July 2018 - June 2019 in Bhatar block of Purba Bardhaman District. Cluster random sampling was applied to select required sample of 555 individuals from 24 villages. The study tools used were a predesigned and pretested schedule developed by the researchers with the help of Guidelines for conducting community surveys on injuries by World Health Organization (WHO) and a checklist for assessing household level injury hazard. The study had approval from Institutional Ethics Committee. Chi square test and multivariable logistic regression were performed using SPSS V16.ResultsPrevalence of unintentional injury was 8.8 % in the preceding three months. Multivariable logistic regression revealed that those who were below 18 years of age, severely vulnerable to unintentional injuries and belonged to nuclear families had significantly higher odds of developing unintentional injuries at home.ConclusionUnintentional injury is prevalent in West Bengal. Dissemination of injury prevention information with special focus on household modification is an effective strategy to prevent unintentional injuries.     

Open Classic Latarjet Procedure Performed Using Freehand Technique—Surgical Technique and Outcome

IntroductionLatarjet procedure is commonly performed for recurrent anterior shoulder instability with glenoid side bone loss. Classic Latarjet procedure can be performed using specially designed drill guides, jigs, or by freehand technique. Here we have described a technical note on classic Latarjet procedure performed with freehand technique utilizing simple rulers and caliper. The functional and radiological outcomes of our patients have also been analysed.Material and Methods149 open classic Latarjet procedures were performed using our technique between March 2015 and July 2018. The mean age of the patients was 32.95 years (Range 22–59 years). The functional outcome of the patients was measured using Western Ontario Shoulder Instability (WOSI) and Oxford Shoulder Instability Score (OSIS) at 2 years of follow-up. Screw and graft positioning were studied in 24 consecutive patients with a postoperative computed tomography (CT) scan.ResultsThere was no incidence of recurrent subluxation or dislocation post-surgery. Mean OSIS score increased from 15.63 ± 3.20 preoperatively to 42.44 ± 3.88 postoperatively (p value < 0.05). WOSI score decreased significantly from 62.54% ± 8.24 to 10.26 ± 6.33 postoperatively at 2-year follow-up (p value < 0.05). Postoperative CT scan also showed satisfactory screw placement in all patients.ConclusionOpen Latarjet procedure performed using freehand technique provides good functional and radiological outcomes in patients with recurrent anterior shoulder instability with glenoid side bone loss.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s43465-021-00385-7.     

The respiratory microbiome after lung transplantation: Reflection or driver of respiratory disease?

With the introduction of high-throughput sequencing methods, our understanding of the human lower respiratory tract's inhabitants has expanded significantly in recent years. What is now termed the “lung microbiome” has been described for healthy patients, as well as people with chronic lung diseases and lung transplants. The lung microbiome of lung transplant recipients (LTRs) has proven to be unique compared with nontransplant patients, with characteristic findings associated with disease states, such as pneumonia, acute rejection, and graft failure. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of the lung microbiome in LTRs, not only focusing on bacteria but also highlighting key findings of the viral and the fungal community. Based on our knowledge of the lung microbiome in LTRs, we propose multiple opportunities for clinical use of the microbiome to improve outcomes in this population.     

Luteolin alleviates bronchoconstriction and airway hyperreactivity in ovalbumin sensitized mice

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN: Asthma is an inflammatory disease of the airways and the current focus in managing asthma is the control of inflammation. In this study, we attempted to investigate the anti-asthmatic potential of a plant derived natural compound, luteolin. MATERIAL: We used a murine model of airway hyperreactivity, which mimicked some of the characteristic features of asthma. Male BALB/c mice (8-9 weeks) were used for this study. TREATMENT: Mice (n = 6) were sensitized by intraperitoneal (i. p.) injection of 10 mg of ovalbumin (OVA) on days 0, 7 and 14 followed by aerosol inhalation (5% OVA) treatments daily beginning from day 19 to day 23. To study its preventive effect, luteolin (0.1, 1.0, and 10 mg/kg body weight; daily) was administered orally during the entire period (0 to 23 day) of sensitization. To study its curative effect, mice were first sensitized and then luteolin (1.0 mg/kg body weight daily) was given orally from day 26 to 32. The airway hyperreactivity, immunoglobulin E (IgE) in the sera, and cytokines (IFN-gamma, IL-4 and IL-5) in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were measured. RESULTS: Both during sensitization and after sensitization, luteolin, at a dose of 0.1 mg/kg body weight, significantly modulated OVA-induced airway bronchoconstriction and bronchial hyperreactivity (p < 0.05). Luteolin also reduced OVA-specific IgE levels in the sera, increased interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) levels and decreased the interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-5 (IL-5) levels in the BALF. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that luteolin treatment during and after sensitization significantly attenuated the asthmatic features in experimental mice. Therefore, luteolin could be used either as a lead molecule to identify an effective antiasthma therapy or as a means to identify novel anti-asthma targets.     

Effect of premenstrual stress on audiovisual reaction time and audiogram

A study of weight, auditory reaction time (ART), visual reaction time (VRT) and audiogram was carried out on 105 healthy female subjects between the age of 17-20 years during the premenstrual and post-menstrual phase. A significant increase in weight and prolongation in auditory reaction time (ART) and visual reaction time (VRT) were observed during premenstrual phase. A slight increase in decibel loss was also observed during premenstrual phase in audiogram though not significant. These changes could be attributed to fluid and salt retention due to overain steroids leading to decrease in the processing capability of central nervous system.     

Health of the elderly in a community in transition: a survey in Thiruvananthapuram City, Kerala, India

Results of a survey to assess the health and functional status of the elderly (defined as those who are 60 years or older) in Thiruvananthapuram city, the capital of Kerala state, India, are discussed. As the process of development results in longevity without concomitant economic success, traditional support systems break down. The differences in status of the elderly dependent on gender and socioeconomic class are highlighted. Women are poorer and generally suffer more morbidity than men in old age, even though their death rates are lower. The better-off among the elderly enjoy a quality of life much superior to their poor brethren. Thus, in transitional societies such as Kerala, socioeconomic status and gender play a significant role in determining the quality of life of the elderly, a finding which may have some policy implications.