Platelet profile of patients with gestational diabetes

Background: Aim was to evaluate the differences in platelet count and platelet indices between pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and apparently healthy pregnant women.Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed with 68 pregnant women with GDM (cases) and 68 apparently healthy pregnant women (controls) after 24 weeks of gestation. The study groups were compared in terms of demographic, clinical and laboratory characteristics including platelet count and platelet indices.Results: Mean platelet volume (MPV) (p=0.002*) and platelet distribution width (PDW) (p=0.010*) were significantly increased in pregnant women with GDM compared to the apparent healthy pregnant women (p<0.05). MPV was well correlated with PDW (p=0.00). Conclusions: The platelet indices on CBC testing can aid in identification of GDM, and can help to prevent various complications associated with GDM. The clinical relevance of these platelet indices needs further studies

Electrocardiographic pattern in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy

Background: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are a major cause of poor pregnancy outcome and complicate ~6-11% of all pregnancies. When diagnosed during pregnancy, hypertension disorders escalate the maternal risk of placental abruption, cerebrovascular accident and disseminated intravascular coagulation, as well as fetal risk of intrauterine growth restriction, intrauterine death and prematurity. Interpretation of the ECG is an important component in the assessment of cardiovascular adaptations during pregnancy. Methods: In this study, 105 pregnant women (gestational age &gt;20 weeks) with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) in the range of 18 to 45 years of age were recruited and compared with the equal number of age matched normotensive pregnant women. ECG parameters were compared with those of normotensive pregnant women. Results: There was left axis deviation in 28.6% in HDP group as compared to 10.5% in control group, while as 71.4% and 84.8% had normal axis in HDP and control group respectively, 4.85% in control group had right axis deviation there was statistical significant difference between the two (p&lt;0.05). There was statistically significant difference between the two groups in ECG characteristics of T wave flattening or inversion in lead III, T wave in lead V1, V2 and V3, (p&lt;0.05). The mean QTc interval was found to be 440.28±43.62 msec in HDP women and 417.42±21.74 msec in normotensive control pregnant women and there was statistically significant difference between the two groups (p=0.000). Conclusions: ECG abnormalities seen in patients with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) include left axis deviation, T wave abnormalities, an alteration of ventricular repolarization as evidenced by prolongation of ECG parameters, such as QTc

Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio as inflammatory marker for clinical prediction and disease severity evaluation of preeclampsia

Background: Pre-eclampsia (PE) is a multisystem disorder that complicates 4-6% of pregnancies and constitutes a major source of morbidity and mortality worldwide. About 10-15% of maternal deaths are directly associated with PE and eclampsia. The aim of this study is to compare the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) values of mild and severe PE with the healthy normotensive pregnant women, in order to study the predictive role of NLR for PE and whether the NLR value has significant difference between normotensive pregnancy, severe and mild PE. Method: A cross-sectional study conducted from January to July 2022 after proper informed consent and ethical clearance. The study population included 194 pregnant women divided into three groups (97 normotensive, 55 mild PE, 42 with severe PE). All the study participants were statistically compared in respect to NLR and the baseline data including age, parity and gestational age. Results: Maternal NLR in mild PE group was statistically increased when compared to normotensive healthy women (p&lt;0.05). Similarly, NLR was significantly higher in severe PE group when compared with normotensive pregnancy group (p=0.00). A statistically significant positive correlation was also seen between SBP (systolic blood pressure) and NLR in PE group (p&lt;0.05). Conclusions: NLR can be used as an inflammatory marker for clinical prediction and disease severity evaluation of PE but further cohort studies are required to determine and establish its role

Pre-eclampsia and platelet indices: a cross sectional study

Background: Pre-eclampsia is a complex disease process originating at the maternal- fetal interface that affects multiple organ systems. The exact pathophysiology of preeclampsia is not known but it is considered to be associated with endothelial cell dysfunction, increased inflammatory responses and hypercoagulability. The receptors located on platelets are activated in pre-eclampsia by several proteases plus the vasoconstriction associated with preeclampsia leads to platelet activation which can be evaluated by platelet indices like platelet count, mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW) and palteletcrit (PCT). The objective of this study was to compare the platelet count and platelet indices- MPV, PDW, and PCT in patients with pre-eclampsia and normotensive pregnant women.Methods: A cross sectional study which included a total of 204 patients divided into two groups (102 pre-eclampsia and 102 control. The patients were compared for platelet count and platelet indices like MPV, PDW and PCT.Results: The platelet count (PC) was decreased in pre-eclampsia group as compared to control group with statistically significant difference in means between the two groups (p<0.05). The MPV and PDW also showed significant difference between the two groups (p<0.05) with preeclampsia group having increased MPV and PDW values. The PCT value was lower in pre-eclampsia group as compared to control group but it did not reach statistically significant level.Conclusions: In pre-eclampsia patients while as MPV and PDW showed increased value as compared to control group and the difference between the two had statistical significance, platelet count was lower in them and had statistical significance when compared to control group. Therefore these platelet indices and platelet count can be used to predict and prevent complications arising from preeclampsia

Comparison of serum electrolytes with preeclampsia severity: a cross sectional study

Background: Preeclampsia is a common complication of pregnancy that put women and their fetuses at significant risk and result in life long sequelae. The pathogenesis of this important disease is complex as such the role of different serum electrolytes is being investigated as they are considered important for blood pressure regulation.Methods: A hospital based cross-sectional study of 100 diagnosed cases of preeclampsia divided into mild and severe according to latest International Society for the Study of Hypertension in Pregnancy (ISSHP) guidelines and equal number of age, parity and gestational age matched women (n=100), that acted as control group, with singleton normal pregnancies. Data was analyzed in SPSS V:26. Statistical tests to find out mean standard deviation and One-way ANOVA test were applied to find the significance of associations.Results: In severe preeclampsia group, the mean values of Na+, K+ and Cl- were 134.50±4.24, 4.28±0.74, 106.48±3.41 meq/l respectively in comparison to control group which had 135.57±3.29, 4.12±0.53, 108.20±3.19 meq/l respectively. Results from one way ANOVA showed that there was statistically significant difference between means of the three groups for systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), potassium and chloride levels with p<0.05. A post hoc analysis was used to distinguish the differences in means of these parameters.Conclusions: Estimation of readily available serum electrolytes of sodium potassium and chloride during the course of pregnancy can help to identify and treat preeclampsia and thus reduce the burden of morbidity and mortality in pregnant women

Stigmatisation in chronic hepatitis B and C infections-time to debunk the myth!

Background: Hepatitis B and C are chronic diseases with mental and social impacts which can result in poor quality of life. The routes of transmission and lack of education among the masses may cause stigmatisation of the affected patients.  The aim of the study was to document the stigmatisation among chronic hepatitis B and C positive patients. Methods: The 242 patients suffering from hepatitis B and C were included in the study. Stigma experienced from relatives, friends, spouse and health care providers was assessed using a semi structured questionnaire. Results: Majority of the patients were males 174 (72%). The 162 (67%) were hepatitis B infected and 76 (32%) were Hepatitis C infected and 4 were dual infected. Male patients were significantly more affected than females in term of changes in lifestyle (86% versus 61%) and changes in relationship with the spouse (89% versus 16%). Significantly more females than males reported feelings of loneliness and isolation (64% versus 30%). Stigma was marked in terms of disease transmission, with 170 (70%) of patients fearing that they could transmit the infection to others. Marital relationships were affected for 52% of married patients. Around 80% unmarried patients were experiencing delay in getting married. Conclusions: Patients comments showed a sense of family and societal discrimination resulting in feelings of disappointment which could be changed by educational interventions, effective patient and family centric awareness and scientific models of approach

Liver and renal biochemical parameters in preeclampsia: a cross sectional study

Background: Pre-eclampsia is a multisystem disorder of human pregnancy with a genetic predisposition. It occurs more frequently in first pregnancies and leads to elevation in blood pressure and mainly affects maternal renal, cerebral, hepatic and clotting functions. This study evaluated biomarkers of renal and liver function among preeclamptic women. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among 150 preeclamptic women and 150 normotensive healthy pregnant women in hospital. The baseline data comprising age, gestational age, and blood pressure were obtained. Serum urea, creatinine, and plasma levels of liver enzymes ALT and AST, total protein, albumin, globulin and glucose were measured. Results: The plasma total protein, and albumin in preeclamptic group were significantly decreased (p&lt;0.05) when compared with control. There was statistically significant increase (p&lt;0.05) in urea creatinine, glucose, serum AST, and ALT activities in preeclamptic group. Conclusions: Preeclampsia has harmful effects on renal and liver function as shown by alteration of these parameters

Probiotics: mechanism of action, health benefits and their application in food industries

Probiotics, like lactic acid bacteria, are non-pathogenic microbes that exert health benefits to the host when administered in adequate quantity. Currently, research is being conducted on the molecular events and applications of probiotics. The suggested mechanisms by which probiotics exert their action include; competitive exclusion of pathogens for adhesion sites, improvement of the intestinal mucosal barrier, gut immunomodulation, and neurotransmitter synthesis. This review emphasizes the recent advances in the health benefits of probiotics and the emerging applications of probiotics in the food industry. Due to their capability to modulate gut microbiota and attenuate the immune system, probiotics could be used as an adjuvant in hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, cancer, and gastrointestinal diseases. Considering the functional properties, probiotics are being used in the dairy, beverage, and baking industries. After developing the latest techniques by researchers, probiotics can now survive within harsh processing conditions and withstand GI stresses quite effectively. Thus, the potential of probiotics can efficiently be utilized on a commercial scale in food processing industries

Probiotics: mechanism of action, health benefits and their application in food industries

Probiotics, like lactic acid bacteria, are non-pathogenic microbes that exert health benefits to the host when administered in adequate quantity. Currently, research is being conducted on the molecular events and applications of probiotics. The suggested mechanisms by which probiotics exert their action include; competitive exclusion of pathogens for adhesion sites, improvement of the intestinal mucosal barrier, gut immunomodulation, and neurotransmitter synthesis. This review emphasizes the recent advances in the health benefits of probiotics and the emerging applications of probiotics in the food industry. Due to their capability to modulate gut microbiota and attenuate the immune system, probiotics could be used as an adjuvant in hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, cancer, and gastrointestinal diseases. Considering the functional properties, probiotics are being used in the dairy, beverage, and baking industries. After developing the latest techniques by researchers, probiotics can now survive within harsh processing conditions and withstand GI stresses quite effectively. Thus, the potential of probiotics can efficiently be utilized on a commercial scale in food processing industries