A PREVENTIVE APPLICATION IMPROVIZED USING ARID PLANT DERIVATES: NOSOCOMIAL PREVENTIVE REMEDY

ABSTRACTObjective: Epidermis acts as a niche for plethora of infection causing bacteria. It is a necessity to maintain the microbial populations in acceptablelevels to attain hygienic conditions. In this study, an attempt has been made to prepare and test the functioning of antimicrobial cloth using desertplant extracts.Methods: Comparative antibacterial and radical scavenging activity of the aqueous and methanolic extracts from plants namely Saccharumspontaneum, Prosopsis cineria and Balanites aegyptica was tested. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against Staphylococcus aureus MTCC 7443,Streptococcus pneumonia MTCC 655, Escherichia coli NCIM 2642, Pseudomonas aeroginosa MTCC 8295, Bacillus megaterium NCIM 2326, Bacillussubtilis NCIM 2329 ranged from 20 µg to 50 µg for the various extracts utilized. DNAse activity was also checked for the extracts to estimate thepotency of extract for skin damage.Results: Based on the MIC ranges, an excess amount (100 µg) of the extract was loaded on the cotton cloth and check for antimicrobial potential. DNAseactivity was also checked for the extracts to estimate the potency of extract for skin damage. No extract tested was found to have DNA degradationactivity.Conclusion: Based on the manifested results, cotton cloth loaded with 100 µg/cm of crude extracts from Balanites aegyptica may be successfullyused as an antimicrobial cloth. Fabrics capable of sterilization would have potential benefits to reduce disease transfers among hospital populationsand bio‑warfare protection.Keywords: Balanites aegyptica, Antimicrobial, Cotton cloth, Desert plant extract, Skin microflora.

A cross sectional study on the prevalence of diabetes mellitus among adult population in a peri-urban area of West Tripura, India

Background: Diabetes mellitus, a major lifestyle disease is undoubtedly the most challenging public health problem of 21st century with a worldwide prevalence of 387 million (8.3%).  The objective of this study was to get an estimate of the prevalence of diabetes mellitus and associated factors in a sample of adult population in a peri-urban area of West Tripura.Methods: In a cross-sectional study, prevalence of diabetes mellitus was found among adult population of a peri-urban area (Dukli) of west Tripura from April 2016 to May 2016. Multistage random sampling was followed to include 76 participants. Taking house as a sampling unit, every 5th house was chosen for this study. From every selected house, one adult participant was chosen by simple random sampling until desired sample size was attained. Collected data was compiled and analyzed with the help of statistical package for social sciences (SPSS 16.0.). Chi-square, Fischer exact test was applied to find out association.Results: The mean age of the study participants was 42.21±17.65 years, comprised of 23.7% male and 76.3% female. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus was 17.1% among study participants. Diabetes was found highest in 39-58-year age group (37.5%). Males were more affected with diabetes mellitus (22.2%) compared to females (15.5%). The study also revealed a significant association of diabetes mellitus with family history of diabetes mellitus (p value 0.00).Conclusions: Present study showed very high prevalence of diabetes mellitus among adult population. Healthy lifestyle measures might reduce burden of diabetes mellitus which could be evaluated in future research

LDA-Based Industry Classification

Industry classification is a crucial step for financial analysis. However, existing industry classification schemes have several limitations. In order to overcome these limitations, in this paper, we propose an industry classification methodology on the basis of business commonalities using the topic features learned by the Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) from firms’ business descriptions. Two types of classification – firm-centric classification and industry-centric classification were explored. Preliminary evaluation results showed the effectiveness of our method

Role of Neutron Diffraction in Identifying Stoichiometry and Nonstoichiometry in the Compounds

In this chapter we introduce stoichiometry and nonstoichiometry from crystal structure point of view along with some examples. We also discussed about the importance of nonstoichiometry in the application oriented research work and their use in the technological applications. We further discuss the ways to identify stoichiometry through various methods. We then introduce neutron diffraction and briefly describe how neutrons and X-ray interacts with matter and the difference in their interaction with matter. We then focus upon its (neutron) usability to identify nonstoichiometry by using some examples available in the literatures. High-temperature superconductivity-based research has seen the importance of neutron diffraction and scattering in identifying the structural modification which leads to superconductivity in the compounds

A cross-sectional study on morbidity pattern of elderly population residing in a rural area of Tripura

Background: The elderly is one of the most vulnerable and high-risk groups in terms of health and their health seeking behaviour is crucial in any society. A major component of the burden of illness for the elderly derives from prevalent chronic disease. The objective of study aims to find out morbidity pattern of elderly population aged 60 years and above.Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was done in rural areas of Madhupur, Sepahijala district, Tripura from August 2015-January 2016. A total of 260 (elderly aged 60 years and above) study participants were selected by simple random sampling.Results: Majority (52.7%) were between 60-70 years of age, least (1.5%) was in 90-100 years age group. Most of the study population (84.6%) were Hindu and female were more than male (51.9 % vs 48.1%). Majority (38.8%) of them were suffering from two (2) morbidities and 8.1% of study population had 4 and more morbidities. Non-specific generalized weakness was the most common (62.7%) morbidity, followed by gastrointestinal problems (56%) found in geriatric population. Musculoskeletal problems (low back pain, joint pain, osteoarthritis) were 45% followed by anaemia (42%) and impaired vision (36%). Increasing age group and non-smoke tobacco habit among the elderly population was associated with number of morbidities (≥ 3 morbidities/ person) per person (p <0.05).Conclusions: The study showed high prevalence of morbidities among elderly population. Non-specific generalized weakness was one of the most important problems in this age group. We have to find out the underlying cause of this non-specific generalized weakness by further clinical examination and laboratory investigations in future research

Self-medication practices among medical and nursing students in Tripura, India: a mixed-method study

Background: In developing countries like India, self-medication is a common practice because of costly clinical services and easy availability of medicine from pharmacies. There is an increase trend of self-medication among different health professional students apart from general people. This study aims to assess self-medication practice among medical and nursing students in Tripura, India.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate medical and nursing students of Tripura Medical College and Tripura College of Nursing, of Tripura for two months (January- February 2018). A pre-tested, semi-structured schedule was used to collect the required information. The collected data was entered in SPSS version 16.0, represented in proportions and p <0.05 was considered as statistically significant.Results: Overall 353 (88.3%) students of both courses practiced self-medication; prevalence was more among medical (91.5%) than nursing students (85%). Main source of information among medical students were books (90.2%) while 56.5% nursing students replied friends and/or seniors as primary source. Majority (53%) respondents took self-medication for headache (79.2% medical vs 72.4% nursing students) followed by fever (77.6% medical vs 52.4% nursing). Less than half of the respondents (48.5% medical vs 46.5% nursing students) believed that self-medication was harmful; maximum nursing students (71.5%) believed that self-medication is self-care as compare to medical students (56.5%).Conclusions: The study found wide practice of self-medication among students, inappropriate use of which may cause serious health hazards. Promoting education regarding self-medication and making healthcare system available can reduce self-medication practices substantially

Knowledge, attitude and practice about hospital acquired infection among health care personnel in a tertiary care hospital of Tripura

Background: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at increased risk of hospital acquired infections transmitted from both blood-borne pathogens. This study was aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of health care professionals towards hospital acquired infections.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 191 on health care personnel (staff nurses, nursing student, lab technicians, OT assistants, ward girls, and sweepers) available on the day of survey of Tripura Medical College and Dr. BRAM Teaching Hospital, Hapania; data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire and analysed using Microsoft excel.Results: Majority (70.7%%) of the participants belonged to 18 to 25 years age group and were females (75.9%); mostly were Staff Nurses (35.1%) followed by nursing student (31.9%). The present study showed that, 87.4% healthcare personnel have some knowledge about Hospital Acquired Infection (HAI). According to study participants, most common hospital acquired infections was urinary tract infections (60.5%) and nurses were the most susceptible (34.6%) group to HAI. Among participants, 94.8% believed that working in hospital exposed them to infectious diseases and 60.2% were willing to change their working environment to avoid hospital acquired infection. Most of the study participants washed their hands after handling the patients (90.2%).Conclusions: Knowledge about Hospital Acquired Infection is present among health care personnel but there is still lack of adequate quality control practice to prevent Hospital Acquired Infection. Importance of prevention of Hospital Acquired Infection should be emphasized among health care personnel by intensive IEC activities

Detailed epidemiological analysis of cerebrovascular disease, the first study from Eastern India

Background: Prevalence of cerebrovascular diseases (CVD) is rising in India along with its morbid impact. Till now there is no study from Eastern India to reflect the current scenario of cerebrovascular diseases in this part of world. This study destined to know and analyse several epidemiologic factors behind cerebrovascular diseases in Eastern India.Methods: 108 patients who were admitted with symptoms of stroke were analysed based on several parameters. They were investigated, treated and their outcomes were followed.Results: Correlation between clinical findings and radiological confirmation was much more in case of infarction (65%) compared to haemorrhagic cases (22%). Superior division of the middle cerebral artery was the commonest site get involved in infarction cases and internal capsule area is the most commonly involved area in lacunar infarction almost one third of haemorrhagic patients had intraventricular extension. Most common association with this was thalamic bleeding although most common site of haemorrhage was lentiform nucleus. Among the patients with hemorrhage with intraventricular extension 50% were thalamic bleed and 50% were non thalamic bleed (mainly lentiform nucleus). In hospital mortality rate was found to be highest in non-thalamic group (63%). Overall mortality in non-thalamic bleed was higher though not statistically significant.Conclusions: Haemorrhagic CVD is much more prevalent in this part of world compared to western population. Clinico radiologic correlation is much more in ischaemic infarction hypertension and smoking are two strong associations in cerebrovascular diseases.

Effect of Hydroxychloroquine and Azithromycin Combination Use in COVID‑19 Patients : An Umbrella Review

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