Women Entrepreneurs- Challenges and Opportunities in India

India is definitely the hub of entrepreneurs worldwide, women are considered to be as equal parameters in development but due to exploitation and subjugation, Indian women have remained at receiving end. Women in India have been neglected a lot; they are not involved in the mainstream of development even though they represent a proportion of population and labor force. Women entrepreneurs are the persons who accept challenges to meet the personal requirements and become economically independent. Position of women and their status in the society is the measuring scale of civilization.Indian women business owners are changing the face of businesses of today, both factually and metaphorically. The energetic growth and spreading out of women-owned businesses is one of the significant trends of the past decade, and all indication is that it will persist unabated. For more than a decade, the number of women-owned businesses has grown at one-and-a-half to two times the rate of all businesses. Even more important, the expansion in revenues and employment has far exceeded the intensification in numbers.This paper throws light on women entrepreneur, who manages small to medium size enterprises. It also examines the problems faced by women in setting and prolongation of their businesses and conflicts faced by them. It also overviews the reasons for starting the business and success they achieved and in the last it examines how the initial problems faced by them are similar with that of women of other countries

HIV seropositivity in high risk individuals and in pulmonary tuberculosis

Background: The association between tuberculosis and HIV has been well known. South Asia especially India is witnessing largest number of new AIDS cases and the epidemic is well established. TB shortens the life expectancy of HIV positive people. Keeping the association between TB and HIV in mind, this study was planned to screen HIV seropositivity in all patients of pulmonary and extra pulmonary tuberculosis. The aim was to study HIV seroprevalence in patients of pulmonary tuberculosis and extrapulmonary tuberculosis of population of Bundelkhand region, India.Methods: 282 patients of pulmonary or extrapulmonary tuberculosis attending OPD or admitted in wards were included in the study as per inclusion criteria over two years.  ELISA was done to detect HIV seropositivity in these patients.Results: A total of 184 patients were male and 98 were female with 16 and 2 patients who were seropositive respectively. Out of 282 patients of pulmonary and extra pulmonary tuberculosis 35 (12.4%) had heterosexual promiscuity. Out of these 15 (42.35%) were HIV seropositive. A total of 115 patients were sputum smear positive for TB and 167 were confirmed as cases of sputum smear negative TB.Conclusions: The prevalence of HIV seropositivity among pulmonary and extra pulmonary TB in the present study was 6.38%. Tuberculosis was associated with an increased incidence of HIV. HIV was associated most with heterosexual promiscuity as a risk factor and presented more with extra pulmonary tuberculosis.

Study of metabolic changes-glycoprotein and phospholipids levels in patients of malaria

Background: In erythrocytic stage, malarial parasites meet their high glucose requirement only by modulating the host cell membrane by increasing transport of sugar across the host cell membrane. This leads to a transmembrane gradient of the substrate and finally leading to alterations of metabolic changes and permeability of RBC membrane. Therefore, the aim of present study was to determine the parameters which reflect the status of RBC membrane and their association with the severity of malaria in a large cohort of known patients of malaria, which was caused by the Plasmodium Species.Methods: Blood sample were collected in EDTA bulb at the time of admission (day-1) and on third day (day-3). The samples were analyzed within 24 hours of collection. Erythrocytic total phospholipid is measured by modified connerty method, Total sialic acid (TSA) is measured by TBA/dimethyl sulphoxide method.Results: The mean levels of erythrocytic phospholipid, plasma TSA and PBSA in the cases of malaria were significantly increase (P<0.001) as compared to those in the control group. In the follow up study the same parameters were studied in patients post anti-malarial treatment day-3. The level of erythrocyte phospholipid, plasma TSA and PBSA were reversed.Conclusions: On the basis of the present study it is suggested that the anti-malarial drug regimen must be supported by antioxidants and trace elements supplementation to improve the status of deviated biochemical parameters towards normalcy

Study of antioxidant status in malaria patients

Background: Oxidative stress plays an important role in the development of metabolic changes in malaria patients. During infection RBCs are exposed to continual oxidative stress. The univalent reduction of oxygen results in a series of cytotoxic oxygen species such as O2-, H2O2, OH•. Objective was to determine the level of oxidative stress in patients suffering from malaria.Methods: The present study was conducted on 551 malaria patients and 211 age-sex matched controls, in department of Biochemistry, C U Shah Medical College, Surendranagar, Gujarat from April 2012 to May 2013.  In stage-I, day-1 malaria patient’s v/s control group, In stage-II, day-3 v/s day-1 after anti-malarial treatment and in Stage-III day-3 v/s day-1 after anti-malarial + antioxidant treatment.Results: The mean erythrocytic activity of SOD, CAT, GST were decreased (0.71±0.25EU, 9.9±2.4μmol/sec, and 11.7±3.9 U/gmHb% respectively), mean level of GSH and MDA were increased (42.1±6.06gm/Hb%, 10.9±2.83 respectively) significantly (P<0.001) as compared to control group. In the follow up study with anti-malarial treatment the mean levels of erythrocytic GSH and MDA (28.7±7.54gm/Hb% and 8.08±1.95nM/L) decreased significantly (P<0.001 and P<0.01 respectively), whereas mean activity of erythrocytic enzymes like SOD, CAT and GST (0.99±0.15 EU, 15.8±2.68μmol/sec and 22.5±5U/gmHb%) were increased significantly (P<0.001) as compared to day-1.Conclusions: Erythrocytic antioxidant enzymes, GSH and MDA may be considered to be reliable biochemical markers for diagnostic and therapeutic potential in malaria

Cadaver dissection and CT correlation of lacrimal sac and nasolacrimal duct: a prelude to endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy.

Objectives and aims of study: To measure the distances of surgically important landmarks from relevant structures by cadaveric dissection and CT scan, as a means for assisting the surgeon to grasp three- dimensional anatomy and as a prelude to endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy. Design: This was a descriptive study (Cadaver dissection/case series) in which data collection was done by measurement of anatomical landmarks in CT scan and cadaver sagittal head sections. Participants: Ten adult cadaver’s head sections (10 right and 10 left sagittally sectioned specimens) fixed with 10% formaldehyde solution Setting: Anatomy, ENT and Radiodiagnosis department of a tertiary hospital. Results: Maxillary line was clearly identified in 15 (75%) and not clear in five (25%) cadavers. The distance between the anterior nasal spine to axilla and anterior nasal spine to genu was noted as an average of 34.89 mm (23.64-44.40) and of 28.15 mm (19.98-37.21) respectively and these measurements also showed positive correlation with corresponding CT measurements. The lacrimomaxillary suture was seen posterior to maxillary line in nine (45%); at maxillary line in eight (40%) and anterior to maxillary line in three (15%) of the cadavers. Maxillary line overlapped the lacrimal sac in 95% cadavers. Thickness of lacrimal bone was found to be an average of 0.25 mm. The distance between the inferior edge of lacrimal sac and inferior turbinate was an average of 7.90 mm. The anteroposterior diameter of lacrimal sac was an average of 7.35 mm. The length of lacrimal sac was an average of 11.72 mm and showed positive correlation with CT scan measurements. The distance between fornix (superior end) of lacrimal sac and axilla of middle turbinate was of 8.88 mm and showed positive correlation with CT scan measurements. More than half of the lacrimal sac was above the axilla in 60% and less than half above the axilla in 40 % of cadavers in our study (seen both in dissection and CT scans). The length of nasolacrimal duct (NLD) was an average of 10.27 mm in length and showed positive correlation with CT scan measurements. NLD was about 4.04 mm anterior to maxillary sinus ostium. Agger nasi was noted in 16 cases (80%). Conclusions Incision performed anterior to the maxillary line and anterior to genu of middle turbinate with 8-9 mm above axilla could be sufficient to expose the lacrimal sac. Maxillary line, Mpoint and axilla are three important landmarks in localization of sac. M point can be used as an inferior limit of surgical exposure of lacrimal sac. Preoperative endoscopic evaluation for the presence of aggar nasi is mandatory in all cases prior to endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy. CT scan appears to be also useful in measuring length of lacrimal sac and nasolacrimal duct

Incidence of bone tumors and tumor like lesions at a tertiary centre - a study of 64 cases

Background: Primary bone tumors are uncommon lesions constituting less than 1% of all cancers. Although open biopsy has high accuracy, it increases risk of tumor dissemination in patients with highly malignant tumors. FNAC eliminates the complications that may occur in surgical procedures and also gives quick results. This study was conducted to determine the spectrum and demographic characteristics of bone tumors and tumor like lesions at a tertiary care centre in western Uttar Pradesh and also to assess the role of FNAC in their diagnosis.Methods: This is a three-year, retrospective as well as a prospective study done on a total of 64 cases. All the cases were subjected to detailed history, physical examination and radiological investigations. FNAC smears were stained with Giemsa and Papanicolaou stain. H and E staining was done for histopathology.Results: Mean age affected was 26 years. Male-female ratio was 2.8:1. Out of total 64 cases of bone tumors and tumor like lesions, maximum was chondrogenic tumors (17; 26.56%), followed by osteogenic tumors (15; 23.44%). Osteochondroma (08; 47.06%), Osteosarcoma (07; 46.66%) and Aneurysmal bone cyst (04; 50.0%) were the most common chondrogenic tumor, osteogenic tumor and tumor like lesion respectively. The most common bone affected was tibia (16; 25.0%), followed by femur (15; 23.4%). Sensitivity and specificity of FNAC as a diagnostic modality were 90.0% and 91.67% respectively.Conclusions: A good correlation is observed between cytological and histological diagnoses which implies that FNAC can be used as a preliminary diagnostic approach to bone tumors, although histopathology remains the gold standard

Assessment of the outcome of fracture intertrochanteric femur treated by trochanteric fixation nail in the elderly population

Background: Intertrochanteric fractures femur in elderly population are more commonly forbidden high morbidity. The surgical stabilization together with early rehabilitation is the main challenge. The elderly population have poor bone mass quality and also the chances of complications like nonunion or implant failure are more with conventional procedures. Stable fixation and early rehabilitation is the main aim in intertrochanteric fractures. The aim is to assess the functional outcome of intertrochanteric fractures femur managed by trochanteric fixation nail (TFN) in the elderly population.Methods: The study includes 40 patients, 30 male and 10 female, with fracture intertrochanteric femur treated with TFN from September 2018 to May 2019 at Yashoda Superspeciality Hospital, Nehrunagar, Ghaziabad. The patients were evaluated at 4, 8, 12 weeks postoperatively and assessed by the Modified Harris hip score. Classification used is AO classification.Results: The mean age of patients was 64 years. The mean duration of surgery was 48±10 min. The Harris hip score was 96.90±4.60, which is better than scores from other implants used for intertrochanteric fractures femur.Conclusions: In this study, we conclude that TFN is a good choice in managing the intertrochanteric fractures, having higher bone union rate and less union time. The period of immobilization is decreased, early weight bearing and less complications

Involvement of G-proteins, calmodulin and tagetitoxin-sensitive RNA polymerase in light-regulated expression of plastid genes (psbA, psaA and rbcL) in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

The regulation of chloroplast gene expression by light involves multiple signaling components. In an earlier study, we demonstrated the role of calcium and phosphorylation in regulating the expression of photosynthesis-related plastid genes, psbA, psaA and rbcL, using rice as a model monocot system. This work has been extended further to examine the possible involvement of heterotrimeric GTP-binding proteins and calmodulin. Vacuum infiltration of 5-day-old etiolated rice seedlings with G-protein agonists, cholera toxin and GTP&#947;S, increased the steady-state transcript levels of the plastid genes. The antagonists/inhibitors of calmodulin action, trifluoperazine and W7, inhibited the light-induced increase in steady-state transcript levels of these genes. The light-regulated expression of photosynthetic genes was also adversely affected by tagetitoxin, a specific inhibitor of plastid-encoded RNA polymerase. These results indicate the involvement of various signaling components in transduction of light signal that probably also recruits PEP to regulate plastid gene expression