Reporting measles case fatality due to complications from a tertiary care hospital of Kolkata, West Bengal 2011-2013

Introduction: Measles is affecting millions of people in the developing countries particularly in India with significant morbidity and responsible for thousands of death in spite of having a safe, effective, and cheap vaccine. Pulmonary complications account for 90% measles-related death. The objectives of this study were to describe age distribution, clinical features, complications, and clinical outcomes of measles cases in a referral infectious disease hospital of West Bengal. Methods: We conducted a retrospective descriptive study including 584 patients and collected information from record section on demographics, clinical features, complications, and clinical outcomes using data abstraction form. Results: The mean age of 584 measles cases was 3.7 years (±1.2 years). The most common complication was pneumonia (149 cases) followed by diarrhea and encephalopathy. Very severe pneumonia occurred in 34 cases requiring intensive care out of which 13 patients died. The average duration of stay in the hospital was 5.7 days (±3.2 days). Surprisingly, 45 cases admitted to this hospital were <9 months of age with subsequent death in 5 cases. Conclusion: Substantial number of measles cases was seen in zero to <9 months of age group and fatality due to complication was more among them

Age, sex, religion and caste specific goitre prevalence among school children in Berhampore sadar sub-division of Murshidabad District, West Bengal

Objectives: The objective of the present study is to find out the prevalence of endemic goitre among school children of Berhampore sadar sub-division of Murshidabad district. Attempt has also been made to find out the interaction of host factors, viz, age, sex, caste, religion in influencing goitre prevalence among school children during post-salt iodization phase. Background: In post salt iodization phase, endemic goitre was found prevalent all over the India including West Bengal. Prevalence of goitre has been reported in many districts except Murshidabad. Present study is thus undertaken in Murshidabad district. Method: A total of 1566 school children (6-12 yr) were clinically examined for goitre from five C.D.Blocks of the studied region. Age, sex, religion and caste specific goitre prevalence was reported. Body height and body weight is also recorded to observe the growth pattern of the studied school children. Result: Overall result showed that mild degree of goitre endemicity (17.4%) was found. Girls (18.9%) were more affected than boys (15.7%). Goitre was most prevalent in Hindus (19.6%) than Muslim (16.0%) communities. Among the Hindus, general caste (20.4%) students suffered more than scheduled caste and scheduled tribe (18.6%). Conclusion: Present study indicates that goitre is still persist in the region. Result showed that girls were more affected than boys. It may be due to increase physiological demand in females at puberty. Result also showed that goitre was most prevalent in Hindus than Muslim communities and among the Hindus, general caste students suffered more than scheduled caste & scheduled tribe. It might be due to their different environmental adaptability and different dietary habit. Age specific data showed that in initial stage (6 yr) growth pattern is comparably better in boys than girls. The growth rate is high among the girls than boys at the age of 9 yr to 12 yr. It may be due to the high demand of steroid hormones among the girls before menarche

Environmental factors other than iodine deficiency in the pathogenesis of endemic goiter in the basin of river Ganga and Bay of Bengal, India

Background: In iodine-replete basin of the river Ganga and the Bay of Bengal, we studied iodine nutritional status of school children by goiter prevalence and their urinary iodine (UI), iodine content in edible salt, and the bioavailability of iodine through water and its contribution to iodine nutrition. We also studied consumption pattern of common goitrogenic plants by measuring urinary thiocyanate (USCN), hardness of water (calcium and magnesium salt content) and assessed the effect of concomitant exposure of those environmental factors in goitrogenesis. Methods: 4603 children aged 6-12 years were examined for goiter by palpation, 520 urine samples were analyzed for UI and USCN; iodine content was estimated in 455 household salt and 130 water samples tested both for iodine and hardness. Results: The total goiter rate was 35.9%, median UI was 231 ΅g/l, mean USCN was 0.857 ± 0.48 mg/dl, iodine content in water was 44.7 ± 4.1 ΅g/l, 66.4% of salt samples contained iodine (15 ppm), and water was found to be hard. UI was correlated with both the drinking water iodine content and USCN and the degree of hardness in drinking water was associated with goiter prevalence. Conclusions: The studied population has endemic goitre despite iodine sufficiency. The concomitant exposure of a number of environmental factors, i.e., thiocyanate of cyanogenic plant food, hardness of drinking water, and excess iodine from environmental sources other than iodide salt are likely responsible for the causation and persistence of endemic goiter in the region

Hightened Propensity of Self-Inflicted Violence- A Collateral Damage of Covid 19 Pandemic: Review of 3 Cases of Suicidal Cut Throat Injury

COVID 19 pandemic not only affected the physical health of the peoples but also silently damages the mental peace. 3 cases with self-inflicted cut throat injuries have been described in details in this study. All 3 patients were middle aged male. In this study we analyzed the cause behind this and described the wound along with how we managed these. All 3 cases required emergency tracheostomy. As tracheostomy is an aerosol generating procedure, during COVID-19 pandemics it was a challenge for us to undertake tracheostomy procedures safely and manage patients afterwards, minimizing risks of viral transmissions and other nosocomial infections. Multidisciplinary approach is essential in the effective management of injured. This requires the joint effort of the otorhinolaryngologist, the anaesthesiologist and the psychiatrist

Hypovitaminosis D is Associated with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Introduction: Vitamin D deficiency has been shown to cause expression of insulin gene resulting in high insulin synthesis and secretion. It also decreases insulin resistance, thus affecting abnormal glucose metabolism and diabetes. Aim: To estimate total 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels in pregnant women and to find its association with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM). Materials and Methods: Fifty-four antenatal women were randomly enrolled at 24-28 weeks gestation after conforming to exclusion criteria. Serum vitamin D, two-hour 75 grams glucose and postprandial plasma glucose levels were estimated in all women at the time of enrollment. GDM was diagnosed with plasma glucose level >140 mg/dL (Group A). Rest of the women constituted Group B or control group. They were followed up till delivery. Vitamin D status and fetomaternal outcome was evaluated. Results: Hypovitaminosis D was found in 93% of women. There were 38.8% women (n=21) in GDM group compared to 61.2% (n=33) in control group. Vitamin D was significantly low in Group A than B (p-value 0.004). None of the women in Group A had vitamin D levels of 10 ng/mL and above compared to 37.2% in Group B. Severe vitamin D deficient women (levels <5 ng/ mL) had a risk ratio of 5.647 for developing GDM. A negative correlation was observed between vitamin D levels and plasma glucose levels. Conclusion: Hypovitaminosis D was associated with development of GDM

Photoactivated TiO₂ Nanocomposite Delays the Postharvest Ripening Phenomenon through Ethylene Metabolism and Related Physiological Changes in <i>Capsicum</i> Fruit

Capsicum is one of the most perishable fruit which undergo rapid loss of commercial value during postharvest storage. In this experiment our aim is to evaluate the effect of photoactivated TiO2 nano-particle complexed with chitosan or TiO2-nanocomposite (TiO2-NC) on extension self-life of Capsicum fruit and its effect on related morphological, physiological and molecular attributes at room temperature (25 °C). Initially, TiO2-NC coated fruits recorded superior maintenance of total soluble solids accumulation along with retention of firmness, cellular integrity, hydration, color etc. On the extended period of storage, fruit recorded a lower bioaccumulation of TiO2 in comparison to metallic silver over the control. On the level of gene expression for ethylene biosynthetic and signaling the TiO2-NC had more regulation, however, discretely to moderate the ripening. Thus, ACC synthase and oxidase recorded a significantly better downregulation as studied from fruit pulp under TiO2-NC than silver. On the signaling path, the transcripts for CaETR1 and CaETR2 were less abundant in fruit under both the treatment when studied against control for 7 d. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) was also correlated to retard the oxidative lysis of polyamine oxidation by diamine and polyamine oxidase activity. The gene expression for hydrolytic activity as non-specific esterase had corroborated the development of essential oil constituents with few of those recorded in significant abundance. Therefore, TiO2-NC would be reliable to induce those metabolites modulating ripening behavior in favor of delayed ripening. From gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis profile of all tested essential oil constituents suggesting positive impact of TiO2-NC on shelf-life extension of Capsicum fruit. Our results indicated the potentiality of TiO2-NC in postharvest storage those may connect ethylene signaling and ROS metabolism in suppression of specific ripening attributes

Advancements in Urban Environmental Studies : Application of Geospatial Technology and Artificial Intelligence in Urban Studies

Advancements in Urban Environmental Studie

New vegetation type map of India prepared using satellite remote sensing: Comparison with global vegetation maps and utilities

International audienceA seamless vegetation type map of India (scale 1: 50,000) prepared using medium-resolution IRS LISS-III images is presented. The map was created using an on-screen visual interpretation technique and has an accuracy of 90%, as assessed using 15,565 ground control points. India has hitherto been using potential vegetation/forest type map prepared by Champion and Seth in 1968. We characterized and mapped further the vegetation type distribution in the country in terms of occurrence and distribution, area occupancy, percentage of protected area (PA) covered by each vegetation type, range of elevation, mean annual temperature and precipitation over the past 100 years. A remote sensing-amenable hierarchical classification scheme that accommodates natural and semi-natural systems was conceptualized, and the natural vegetation was classified into forests, scrub/shrub lands and grasslands on the basis of extent of vegetation cover. We discuss the distribution and potential utility of the vegetation type map in a broad range of ecological, climatic and conservation applications from global, national and local perspectives. We used 15,565 ground control points to assess the accuracy of products available globally (i.e., GlobCover, Holdridge’s life zone map and potential natural vegetation (PNV) maps). Hence we recommend that the map prepared herein be used widely. This vegetation type map is the most comprehensive one developed for India so far. It was prepared using 23.5 m seasonal satellite remote sensing data, field samples and information relating to the biogeography, climate and soil. The digital map is now available through a web portal (http://bis.iirs.gov.in)