Unraveling Genetic Diversity Through Molecular Insights: RAPD Profiling of Hybanthus enneaspermus (L.) F. Muell.

Hybanthus enneaspermus (L.) F. Muell, commonly known as the Indian Violets or Purple Balsam, is a flowering plant belonging to the family Violaceae. It is widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions. It holds cultural and medicinal importance in various traditional systems of medicine. Extracts from different parts of the plant have been traditionally employed to address ailments ranging from respiratory conditions to skin disorders. RAPD (Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA) analysis is a molecular biology technique used to generate fingerprint-like patterns of genomic DNA. In this study, we employ RAPD analysis to investigate the genetic diversity and relationships within species/Population/group of interest. Through the amplification of random genomic regions, we aim to generate informative banding patterns that will serve as molecular fingerprints for the individuals under investigation. This study clearly demonstrates the efficacy of this technique as a robust tool for molecular characterization, underscoring its relevance in contemporary genetic research

Phase-III Randomized trial comparing topical application of natural honey in the management of radiation mucositis among patient undergoing radical radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal cancer

Introduction: Radiation n1ucositis is a very common acute morbidity su fered by almost all patients undergoing radiotherapy to the head and neck region. Mater als and Methods: This is a prospective double blind randomized control trial comparing t pical application of natural honey in mucositis induced by che1no-radiotherapy in nasopl aryngeal cancer. One hundred twenty patients were treated with chemo-radiotherapy usi g cisplatinun1. Radioth~:rapy consists of 70Gy in 35 fractions over 7 weeks period alo g with 30mg parenteral \Veekly cisplatinum was administered. Sixty (60) patients we ·e subjected to j topical application of honey before and after each fractions of radiother~py. The n1ucositis, dysphagia and dry mouth were assessed using RTOG gradink systetn. Weekly body weight n1onitoring, the EORTC QLQ-H&N35 and general EORTb QLQ-C30 questionnaire were recorded before and after radiotherapy. Results: ThJre were 82 1nales and 38 f<~male with a median age of 48 years (I O-S I years) in this studyj The compliance I to honey and placebo application was poor in our patient population with only 49-patients l (40.8°/o) accepted con1plete course; 21 (17.5o/o)-incon1plete and remainir1g refused application including 6-patients developed adverse effects in the fonn ~f bun1ing mucosal pain. The concurrent chemotherapy was accepted in 51 ( 42.5%) patient~, incomplete in 6 7 (55. 8%) patients and not received in 2 ( 1.6%) patients. The quality of life in Head & Neck specific scale changed fron1 42 to 54 points in study arm and 43 tp 54 points in control arn1. The grade4 n1ucositis appeared to be less in honey treated larm co1npared to controls \Vhoever other grades of mucositis or weight changes was equt'vocal in both anns Conclusions: Due to non-co1npliance of topical application of study ag nts, there was no significant difference in mucositis, body weight, dysphagia grade or drt mouth in study and control group of patients. Proper selection of honey, method of ap lication of honey with mucosal adhesion properties might reveal imnprovement of n1ucos tis in future researc

Cervical cancer-associated suffering: Estimating the palliative care needs of a highly vulnerable population

Purpose: To enable design of optimum palliative care for women with cervical cancer, we studied the most common types of suffering and their severity, prevalence, and duration.Methods: We first reviewed the literature on the major types, severity, prevalence, and duration of suffering associated with cervical cancer. We then conducted a modified Delphi process with experts in cervical cancer care to supplement the literature. For each type of suffering, we distinguished between decedents (those who die from cervical cancer in a given year) and nondecedents (those who have cervical cancer in a given year but do not die). By applying the suffering prevalence and duration estimates to the number of decedents, nondecedents, and family caregivers in 2017, we were able to estimate their palliative care needs and the intensity of palliative care needed to respond adequately to this suffering.Results: There is a high prevalence among decedents of moderate or severe pain (84%), vaginal discharge (66%), vaginal bleeding (61%), and loss of faith (31%). Among both decedents and nondecedents, there is a high prevalence of clinically significant anxiety (63% and 50%, respectively), depressed mood (52% and 38%, respectively), and sexual dysfunction (87% and 83%, respectively). Moderate or severe financial distress is prevalent among decedents, nondecedents, and family caregivers (84%, 74%, and 66%, respectively). More than 40% of decedents and nondecedents are abandoned by their intimate partners. Most patients experience some combination of moderate or severe physical, psychological, social, and spiritual suffering. In total, 258,649 decedents and 2,558,857 nondecedents needed palliative care in 2017, approximately 85% of whom were in low- and middle-income countries where palliative care is rarely accessible.Conclusion: Among women with advanced cervical cancer, suffering is highly prevalent and often severe and multifaceted

Challenges and opportunities in mixed method data collection on mental health issues of health care workers during COVID-19 pandemic in India

Background: The present paper describes the key challenges and opportunities of mixed method telephonic data collection for mental health research using field notes and the experiences of the investigators in a multicenter study in ten sites of India. The study was conducted in public and private hospitals to understand the mental health status, social stigma and coping strategies of different healthcare personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic in India.Methods: Qualitative and quantitative interviews were conducted telephonically. The experiences of data collection were noted as a field notes/diary by the data collectors and principal investigators.Results: The interviewers reported challenges such as network issues, lack of transfer of visual cues and sensitive content of data. Although the telephonic interviews present various challenges in mixed method data collection, it can be used as an alternative to face-to-face data collection using available technology.Conclusions: It is important that the investigators are well trained keeping these challenges in mind so that their capacity is built to deal with these challenges and good quality data is obtained

Factors associated with stigma and manifestations experienced by Indian health care workers involved in COVID-19 management in India: A qualitative study

Healthcare personnel who deal with COVID-19 experience stigma. There is a lack of national-level representative qualitative data to study COVID-19-related stigma among healthcare workers in India. The present study explores factors associated with stigma and manifestations experienced by Indian healthcare workers involved in COVID-19 management. We conducted in-depth interviews across 10 centres in India, which were analysed using NVivo software version 12. Thematic and sentiment analysis was performed to gain deep insights into the complex phenomenon by categorising the qualitative data into meaningful and related categories. Healthcare workers (HCW) usually addressed the stigma they encountered when doing their COVID duties under the superordinate theme of stigma. Among them, 77.42% said they had been stigmatised in some way. Analyses revealed seven interrelated themes surrounding stigma among healthcare workers. It can be seen that the majority of the stigma and coping sentiments fall into the mixed category, followed by the negative sentiment category. This study contributes to our understanding of stigma and discrimination in low- and middle-income settings. Our data show that the emergence of fear of the virus has quickly turned into a stigma against healthcare workers

Prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis among the tribal populations in India

IMPORTANCE: There is no concrete evidence on the burden of TB among the tribal populations across India except for few studies mainly conducted in Central India with a pooled estimation of 703/100,000 with a high degree of heterogeneity. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of TB among the tribal populations in India. DESIGN, PARTICIPANTS, SETTING: A survey using a multistage cluster sampling design was conducted between April 2015 and March 2020 covering 88 villages (clusters) from districts with over 70% tribal majority populations in 17 States across 6 zones of India. The sample populations included individuals ≥15 years old. MAIN OUTCOME AND MEASURES: Eligible participants who were screened through an interview for symptoms suggestive of pulmonary TB (PTB); Two sputum specimens were examined by smear and culture. Prevalence was estimated after multiple imputations for non-coverage and a correction factor of 1.31 was then applied to account for non-inclusion of X-ray screening. RESULTS: A total of 74532 (81.0%) of the 92038 eligible individuals were screened; 2675 (3.6%) were found to have TB symptoms or h/o ATT. The overall prevalence of PTB was 432 per 100,000 populations. The PTB prevalence per 100,000 populations was highest 625 [95% CI: 496–754] in the central zone and least 153 [95% CI: 24–281] in the west zone. Among the 17 states that were covered in this study, Odisha recorded the highest prevalence of 803 [95% CI: 504–1101] and Jammu and Kashmir the lowest 127 [95% CI: 0–310] per 100,000 populations. Findings from multiple logistic regression analysis reflected that those aged 35 years and above, with BMI <18.5 Kgs /m(2), h/o ATT, smoking, and/or consuming alcohol had a higher risk of bacteriologically positive PTB. Weight loss was relatively more important symptom associated with tuberculosis among this tribal populations followed by night sweats, blood in sputum, and fever. CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE: The overall prevalence of PTB among tribal groups is higher than the general populations with a wide variation of prevalence of PTB among the tribal groups at zone and state levels. These findings call for strengthening of the TB control efforts in tribal areas to reduce TB prevalence through tribal community/site-specific intervention programs

Determination of microquantities of sulphate by ion exchange spectrophotometry

817-819A simple method for the determination of micro-quantities of sulphate using ion exchange spectrophotometry is reported. Thiocyanate form of the Amberlite- IRA 400 resin is used as the ion exchanger. The optimum conditions such as column length and flow rate have been established. The method has been modified for the determination of sulphate in the presence of interfering halides and sulphide ions. It has been applied to the determination of total concentration of anions in water and soil samples

Histopathological Spectrum of Diseases in Gallbladder

Introduction: Gallstones are the commonest biliary pathology, the incidence ranging from 10% to 20% of the world population. Over 95% of biliary tract disease is attributable to cholelithiasis. Gallbladder stones are known to produce histopathological changes in the gallbladder. Aim: To study spectrum of gallbladder diseases in cholecystectomy specimens and the incidence of various neoplastic and non neoplastic lesions occurring in gallbladder. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted from June 2013 to June 2015 in the Department of Pathology, K S Hegde Medical Academy. A total of 200 cases of cholecystectomy specimens were stained using Hematoxylin and Eosin and evaluated. Results: Gallstones and associated diseases were more common in women within 4th to 5th decade, with a maximum number of patients being 41 to 50 years. Histopathologically the most common diagnosis was chronic cholecystitis followed by acute or chronic cholecystitis. There were 6 cases of acute cholecystitis, 5 cases of cholesterolosis, 2 cases of Xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis and one case each on empyema and carcinoma. In chronic cholecystitis and cholesterolosis female preponderance was observed while in all the other lesions male predominance was seen. Gallstones were present in 130 cases and significantly associated with various lesions. Pigment stones were most common. The present study carried out in our institution showed gallbladder malignancy was uncommon and was seen only in one case. Conclusion: Almost all of the gallbladder lesions are inflammatory in origin, of which the most common disease being chronic cholecystitis in female of 30–40 years presenting with abdominal pain. Thirdly, pigmented gall stones were found to be the most common etiology of chronic cholecystitis and malignancy of the gallbladder in this population is a rare occurrence

Primary Multidrug Resistant Tuberculosis and Utility of Line Probe Assay for Its Detection in Smear-Positive Sputum Samples in a Tertiary Care Hospital in South India

In a high tuberculosis burdened country like India, rapid, cost-effective, and reliable diagnostic tools for tuberculosis are an urgent need of the hour to prevent inappropriate treatment strategies and further spread of resistance. This study aimed to estimate the proportion of new smear-positive tuberculosis cases with primary resistance to rifampicin and/or isoniazid as well as identify the common mutations associated with it. Sputum of 200 newly diagnosed smear-positive cases of 1+ score and above was directly subjected to Line Probe Assay using the GenoType MTBDRplus assay kit. All samples were inoculated onto solid media and 61 samples were inoculated in automated liquid culture also. The Line Probe Assay gave hundred percent interpretable results with 2.5% of the study population showing resistant pattern. Only 1% of the cases were primary multidrug resistant tuberculosis and 1.5% showed isoniazid monoresistance. S531L and C15T were the most common genetic mutations seen for rifampicin and isoniazid resistance, respectively. 40% had absent rpoB wild type 8 band indicating probable silent mutation after clinical correlation. The average turnaround time for Line Probe Assay was far less (3.8 days) as compared to solid and liquid cultures (35.6 days and 13.5 days, resp.)