Remembering and Forgetting: Archiving Queer and Trans 'south asian' organizing in Toronto

This work considers the ways memory, history, community and activism come together. It is an autoethnography that speaks to the specificities of queer and trans 'south asian' community organizing and activism in Toronto. Queer/Trans 'south asians' in Toronto can be understood as a heterogeneous set of communities whose individual and group-identify formation is socially and spatially constituted. Using a broadly intersectional social justice lens, understanding how queer/trans 'south asians' conceptualize and express their diasporic, sexualized, gendered, and racialized identities allows for a mapping of how these communities 'make themselves' in social landscapes. Informed by community-grounded, self-critical and anti-racist frameworks, this portfolio uses Desh Pardesh, a political arts festival that took place in Toronto at its peak in the 1990s, and introspection about the nature of the archive to explore queer and trans 'south asian' community organizing. Ranging from theoretical, deeply person and creative, this portfolio is praxis in the complex (and messy) realm of community-oriented and community-focused critical work

Celiac disease and pregnancy in Indian scenario

Celiac disease is a chronic lifelong inflammatory condition of gastrointestinal tract specifically the small intestine. We report a case of pregnancy outcome in a patient with celiac disease (gluten sensitive enteropathy) diagnosed during the investigations of recurrent abortions and intermittent diarrhoea since childhood.  A 32 years old patient who had four abortions and loss of a premature baby was diagnosed as celiac disease during investigations of recurrent abortions and diarrhoea since childhood. After stabilisation of disease she conceived spontaneously. Patient had regular follow up in some private institute. She was referred to our hospital as a case of IUGR with color Doppler changes with breech presentation with sluggish fetal movements at 37 weeks and emergency caesarean section was performed. A male fetus with 2.25 kg AS 7, 9 at birth was delivered. The cause of her recurrent pregnancy losses and previous preterm birth was celiac disease. Celiac disease (CD) is an immune-mediated enteropathy caused by a permanent sensitivity to gluten in genetically susceptible individual. It may also lead to serious maternal and fetal complications because of systemic effects of disease however a successful pregnancy outcome is possible when pre-gestational diagnosis is made and proper management of disease during pregnancy is achieved

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis: a rare and life-threatening diagnosis

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare and life-threatening syndrome of excessive activation of immune system. It frequently affects infants from birth to 18 months of age, but is also observed in children and adults of all ages. HLH can occur as a familial or sporadic disorder, and it is triggered by a variety of events, Infection being the most common trigger both in familial and in sporadic cases. Prompt treatment is very critical in cases of HLH, but the greatest barrier is often delay in diagnosis due to the rarity of this syndrome, variable clinical presentation, and lack of specificity of the clinical and laboratory findings. The key clinical features of HLH are high persistent fever, hepatosplenomegaly, blood cytopenia, elevated aminotransferase and ferritin levels, and coagulopathy. A diagnosis of HLH is mostly under-recognized, and is associated with high mortality, especially in adults; thus, prompt diagnosis and treatment are essential. We here present a rare case of HLH in an adult which was non-familial and infection being the trigger causing secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis

A study to compare the diagnostic accuracy of GeneXpert MTB/RIF/assay and its comparison with liquid culture in clinically suspected cases of genital tuberculosis attending outpatient department of tertiary center

Background: Tuberculosis is a major health issue globally despite a declining trend in mortality with effective diagnosis and treatment, an estimated 10.4 million persons developing active TB each year with 1.33 million deaths. Objective of this study was to evaluate role of GeneXpert MTB/RIF/assay in diagnosis of female genital tuberculosis in suspected cases of tuberculosis.Methods: It was a cross sectional study done in department of obstetrics and gynecology in S. N. Medical college Agra for a period of 2 year (July 2017 to October 2019). 70 cases were selected from OPD of department of obstetrics and gynecology, S. N. Medical College Agra who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria after taking proper consent. In all selected cases endometrial biopsy sample was taken using endometrial biopsy curette in premenstrual period. All samples of endometrial biopsy were taken under all aseptic precaution from both corneal ends, anterior and posterior wall and lower part of uterus using endometrial biopsy curette and sample was collected in two separate sterile vials having normal saline and was sent for GeneXpert MTB/RIF/assay and liquid culture simultaneously.Results: Out of total 70 clinically suspected cases of female genital tuberculosis in between 20-45 years of age cough with expectoration 94% was the most common respiratory symptom followed by fever 81%, weight loss 56% and anorexia 54%. Prevalence of genital tuberculosis in active pulmonary tuberculosis patients was 30%. Irregular menstruation, vaginal discharge and pelvic pain were present in 69%, 60% and 52% patients respectively.Conclusions: The overall sensitivity of CBNAAT was 22% and specificity was 77%. The overall sensitivity of liquid culture was 28% and specificity was 71%

Managing dub with progesterone - locally or orally which is a better option?

Background: The levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) is a safe and effective form of contraception used by millions of people worldwide. Other than this, it has many non-contraceptive benefits-treatments for dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB), fibroid uterus, endometriosis and endometrial hyperplasia.Methods: A prospective longitudinal comparative study was carried out at department of obstetrics and gynaecology S.N. Medical College, Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India including 100 women of 20-45 years of age group (comparable in all aspects), with DUB. All cases were subjected to detailed history, examination and baseline investigations- Hemoglobin (Hb), endometrial aspiration, histopathology and ultrasound pelvis (along with endometrial thickness) and PBAC scoring before starting the treatment. Then cases were randomly allocated in two equal groups. In group A LNG-IUS was inserted. In group B cases were prescribed oral medroxy progesterone acetate 10 mg bd from 5th and 25th day of menstrual cycle. Cases were followed at 1 month, 3 months and 6 months after starting treatment. At each follow-up visit primary outcome in terms of subjective assessment by patient, PBAC scores and secondary outcome as Hb levels and side-effects were recorded.Results: Reduction in PBAC Scores, improvement in Hb and reduction in endometrial thickness were seen with both treatment modalities but results were significantly (p <0.0001) better with LNG-IUS group as compared to MPA. LNG-IUS was found to be more effective in endometrial hyperplasia and proliferative type of endometrium.Conclusions: LNG-IUS is a good alternative to oral progesterone therapy for patients of DUB

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravenous bolus versus intravenous infusion of iron sucrose in pregnant women with severe iron deficiency anemia

Background: Objective of present study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravenous bolus iron sucrose for iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy during second and third trimester women presenting at S.N. medical college, Agra.Methods: It was a prospective controlled trial and study was carried out in Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, S.N. medical college, Agra in the year 2014-2016. 100Pregnant women with proved iron deficiency anemia having hemoglobin between 4-9gm/dl was included in this study. Total Iron deficit was calculated by standard formula. Target haemoglobin was 11gm/dl. Iron sucrose was administered by intravenous bolus and intravenous infusion techniques. Hemoglobin was repeated at 2 weeks, 4 weeks and 8 weeks after the last dose of intravenous iron sucroseResults: In Group A (bolus group n=50) 22 women had gestational age >24-28weeks and 20 women gestational age >18-24 weeks, with Mean gestational age of 24.36±3.78 weeks. In Group B (infusion group n=50) most of the patients 24 (48%) had gestational age >24-28 weeks, 18 (36%) had gestational age >18-24 weeks, with Mean gestational age of 24.94±3.51 weeks. Target hemoglobin was achieved in group A in all 50 (100%) cases and in group B in 49 (98%) cases. There were no allergic reactions.Conclusions: This study showed a significant improvement in the hemoglobin of the patients after receiving intravenous bolus and intravenous infusion of iron sucrose. Patients achieved the target hemoglobin of 11gm/dl. Both therapies are safe, effective and faster acting for the treatment of iron deficiency anaemia during pregnancy. The bolus push technique is more convenient to women and care provider, less time consuming as well as cost effective

Phylogeography of mtDNA haplogroup R7 in the Indian peninsula.

BACKGROUND: Human genetic diversity observed in Indian subcontinent is second only to that of Africa. This implies an early settlement and demographic growth soon after the first 'Out-of-Africa' dispersal of anatomically modern humans in Late Pleistocene. In contrast to this perspective, linguistic diversity in India has been thought to derive from more recent population movements and episodes of contact. With the exception of Dravidian, which origin and relatedness to other language phyla is obscure, all the language families in India can be linked to language families spoken in different regions of Eurasia. Mitochondrial DNA and Y chromosome evidence has supported largely local evolution of the genetic lineages of the majority of Dravidian and Indo-European speaking populations, but there is no consensus yet on the question of whether the Munda (Austro-Asiatic) speaking populations originated in India or derive from a relatively recent migration from further East. RESULTS: Here, we report the analysis of 35 novel complete mtDNA sequences from India which refine the structure of Indian-specific varieties of haplogroup R. Detailed analysis of haplogroup R7, coupled with a survey of approximately 12,000 mtDNAs from caste and tribal groups over the entire Indian subcontinent, reveals that one of its more recently derived branches (R7a1), is particularly frequent among Munda-speaking tribal groups. This branch is nested within diverse R7 lineages found among Dravidian and Indo-European speakers of India. We have inferred from this that a subset of Munda-speaking groups have acquired R7 relatively recently. Furthermore, we find that the distribution of R7a1 within the Munda-speakers is largely restricted to one of the sub-branches (Kherwari) of northern Munda languages. This evidence does not support the hypothesis that the Austro-Asiatic speakers are the primary source of the R7 variation. Statistical analyses suggest a significant correlation between genetic variation and geography, rather than between genes and languages. CONCLUSION: Our high-resolution phylogeographic study, involving diverse linguistic groups in India, suggests that the high frequency of mtDNA haplogroup R7 among Munda speaking populations of India can be explained best by gene flow from linguistically different populations of Indian subcontinent. The conclusion is based on the observation that among Indo-Europeans, and particularly in Dravidians, the haplogroup is, despite its lower frequency, phylogenetically more divergent, while among the Munda speakers only one sub-clade of R7, i.e. R7a1, can be observed. It is noteworthy that though R7 is autochthonous to India, and arises from the root of hg R, its distribution and phylogeography in India is not uniform. This suggests the more ancient establishment of an autochthonous matrilineal genetic structure, and that isolation in the Pleistocene, lineage loss through drift, and endogamy of prehistoric and historic groups have greatly inhibited genetic homogenization and geographical uniformity.RIGHTS : This article is licensed under the BioMed Central licence at http://www.biomedcentral.com/about/license which is similar to the 'Creative Commons Attribution Licence'. In brief you may : copy, distribute, and display the work; make derivative works; or make commercial use of the work - under the following conditions: the original author must be given credit; for any reuse or distribution, it must be made clear to others what the license terms of this work are

Implicating genes, pleiotropy, and sexual dimorphism at blood lipid loci through multi-ancestry meta-analysis

Publisher Copyright: © 2022, The Author(s).Background: Genetic variants within nearly 1000 loci are known to contribute to modulation of blood lipid levels. However, the biological pathways underlying these associations are frequently unknown, limiting understanding of these findings and hindering downstream translational efforts such as drug target discovery. Results: To expand our understanding of the underlying biological pathways and mechanisms controlling blood lipid levels, we leverage a large multi-ancestry meta-analysis (N = 1,654,960) of blood lipids to prioritize putative causal genes for 2286 lipid associations using six gene prediction approaches. Using phenome-wide association (PheWAS) scans, we identify relationships of genetically predicted lipid levels to other diseases and conditions. We confirm known pleiotropic associations with cardiovascular phenotypes and determine novel associations, notably with cholelithiasis risk. We perform sex-stratified GWAS meta-analysis of lipid levels and show that 3–5% of autosomal lipid-associated loci demonstrate sex-biased effects. Finally, we report 21 novel lipid loci identified on the X chromosome. Many of the sex-biased autosomal and X chromosome lipid loci show pleiotropic associations with sex hormones, emphasizing the role of hormone regulation in lipid metabolism. Conclusions: Taken together, our findings provide insights into the biological mechanisms through which associated variants lead to altered lipid levels and potentially cardiovascular disease risk.Peer reviewe

Implicating genes, pleiotropy, and sexual dimorphism at blood lipid loci through multi-ancestry meta-analysis

Funding GMP, PN, and CW are supported by NHLBI R01HL127564. GMP and PN are supported by R01HL142711. AG acknowledge support from the Wellcome Trust (201543/B/16/Z), European Union Seventh Framework Programme FP7/2007–2013 under grant agreement no. HEALTH-F2-2013–601456 (CVGenes@Target) & the TriPartite Immunometabolism Consortium [TrIC]-Novo Nordisk Foundation’s Grant number NNF15CC0018486. JMM is supported by American Diabetes Association Innovative and Clinical Translational Award 1–19-ICTS-068. SR was supported by the Academy of Finland Center of Excellence in Complex Disease Genetics (Grant No 312062), the Finnish Foundation for Cardiovascular Research, the Sigrid Juselius Foundation, and University of Helsinki HiLIFE Fellow and Grand Challenge grants. EW was supported by the Finnish innovation fund Sitra (EW) and Finska Läkaresällskapet. CNS was supported by American Heart Association Postdoctoral Fellowships 15POST24470131 and 17POST33650016. Charles N Rotimi is supported by Z01HG200362. Zhe Wang, Michael H Preuss, and Ruth JF Loos are supported by R01HL142302. NJT is a Wellcome Trust Investigator (202802/Z/16/Z), is the PI of the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (MRC & WT 217065/Z/19/Z), is supported by the University of Bristol NIHR Biomedical Research Centre (BRC-1215–2001) and the MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit (MC_UU_00011), and works within the CRUK Integrative Cancer Epidemiology Programme (C18281/A19169). Ruth E Mitchell is a member of the MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit at the University of Bristol funded by the MRC (MC_UU_00011/1). Simon Haworth is supported by the UK National Institute for Health Research Academic Clinical Fellowship. Paul S. de Vries was supported by American Heart Association grant number 18CDA34110116. Julia Ramierz acknowledges support by the People Programme of the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme grant n° 608765 and Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant n° 786833. Maria Sabater-Lleal is supported by a Miguel Servet contract from the ISCIII Spanish Health Institute (CP17/00142) and co-financed by the European Social Fund. Jian Yang is funded by the Westlake Education Foundation. Olga Giannakopoulou has received funding from the British Heart Foundation (BHF) (FS/14/66/3129). CHARGE Consortium cohorts were supported by R01HL105756. Study-specific acknowledgements are available in the Additional file 32: Supplementary Note. The views expressed in this manuscript are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; the National Institutes of Health; or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Peer reviewedPublisher PD