Assessment of respiratory and sympathetic cardiovascular parameters in obese school children

The study was undertaken to assess the respiratory and sympathetic cardiovascular functions in obese and non obese school children of 12-16 years age group, randomly selected from two schools of Rajpura (Punjab), representing mixed socioeconomic group of Punjabi ethnicity and categorized as obese or controls as per standard criteria for Body Mass Index (BMI). Dynamic lung function tests and pressor response to cold (Cold pressor test) and isometric exercise (Handgrip dynamometer test) were carried out. Statistical analysis comprised students' t-test, at 95% confidence level and simple linear regression analysis. The results indicated significantly higher baseline diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (P < 0.004) in obese children correlating positively with BMI (r = 0.57). Significantly increased DBP response to applied cold stimulus (response/range, P < 0.02 and maximal value, P < 0.001) and borderline response to isometric exercise (P < 0.002) in obese children indicated autonomic instability. The dynamic lung functions were significantly decreased (P < 0.04) in obese subjects and correlated negatively with BMI. Personal data forms of obese children revealed less physical activity and excessive intake of junk foods. Thus it is concluded that obese children have derangement of sympathetic cardiovascular functions and reduced pulmonary functions.     

High performance dental resin composites with hydrolytically stable monomers

Objective

The objectives of this project were to: 1) develop strong and durable dental resin composites by employing new monomers that are hydrolytically stable, and 2) demonstrate that resin composites based on these monomers perform superiorly to the traditional bisphenol A glycidyl dimethacrylate/triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (Bis-GMA/TEGDMA) composites under testing conditions relevant to clinical applications.

Antiviral therapy with nucleotide/nucleoside analogues in chronic hepatitis B: A meta-analysis of prospective randomized trials

Nucleotide/nucleoside analogues (antiviral therapy) are used in the therapy of HBeAg positive and HBeAg negative chronic hepatitis B. We analyzed ten selected randomized controlled with 2557 patients to estimate the effect of antiviral drugs in chronic hepatitis B with compared to placebo. Virological response, biochemical response, histological response, seroconversion of HBeAg, and loss of HBeAg were estimated as primary efficacy measures. The included studies were subjected for heterogeneity and publication bias. The heterogeneity was assessed with χ2 and I² statistics. Publication bias was assessed by funnel plot. Greater rates of improvement obtained in antiviral group for virological response [43.96 % vs. 3.15 %, RR?=?0.57, 95 % CI?=?0.54–0.61, p-value <0.00001], biochemical response [58.37 % vs. 21.87 %, RR?=?0.52, 95 % CI?=?0.48–0.56, p-value <0.00001], histological response [58.99 % vs. 27.13 %, RR?=?0.56, 95 % CI?=?0.50–0.63, p-value <0.0001], seroconversion of HBeAg [10.66 % vs. 5.56 %, RR?=?0.94, 95 % CI?=?0.91–0.97, p-value?=?0.0005], and HBeAg loss [14.59 % vs. 9.64 %, RR?=?0.92, 95 % CI?=?0.88–0.96, p-value?=?0.0002]. The safety analysis were carried out for adverse events such as headache [17.22 % vs. 17.34 %, OR?=?1.09, 95 % CI?=?0.81–1.46, p-value?=?0.58], abdominal pain [16.46 % vs. 14.34 %, OR?=?1.24, 95 % CI?=?0.90–1.72, p-value?=?0.19], and pharyngitis [22.22 % vs. 18.23 %, OR?=?1.12, 95 % CI?=?0.86–1.45, p-value?=?0.40]. Excluding adverse events, all primary efficacy measures shown statistical significant result for chronic hepatitis treatment (p-value <0.05). Antiviral therapy provided significant benefit for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B with no measurable adverse effects.     

Hair dye related acute kidney injury--a clinical and experimental study

We studied paraphenylenediamine (PPD)-related acute kidney injury (AKI) in 81 patients and also in albino rats experimentally. In the patients' group AKI was found in 32.7%. Of them, 81.4% needed dialysis support. The overall mortality was 25.9%. In experimental rats the renal lesions were noted in all and they were glomerular congestion, intertubular (interstitial) hemorrhages, acute tubular necrosis, mesangial proliferation, and intratubular casts. The severity of renal injury appears to be dose dependent.     

Human papillomavirus reactivation following treatment of genital graft‐versus‐host disease

Vaginal chronic graft‐versus‐host disease (cGVHD) is a common complication of stem cell transplantation. Human papillomavirus (HPV) disease can reactivate after transplantation, presumably because of immune factors affecting systemic immunity, such as waning antibody titers, impaired T‐ and B‐lymphocyte responses, and the use of immunosuppressive therapies. However, a relationship between the use of local immunosuppressive agents and HPV reactivation and spread has not been previously described, to our knowledge. A 30‐year‐old woman, 2 years post transplant receiving systemic cyclosporine for cGVHD, was treated with vaginal dilators, topical corticosteroids, and estrogen for vaginal cGVHD. Colposcopy and biopsy for abnormal cytology revealed condylomatous cervicitis. Over the next 4 months, while continuing dilator therapy, linear verrucous lesions developed in the vagina and vulva, and were successfully treated with laser therapy. Use of local immunosuppression and dilators for genital GVHD can enhance spread of HPV infection. Integration of HPV screening and treatment into the care of women with genital cGVHD and development of strategies to manage both conditions simultaneously are warranted.