Evaluation of axial length measurements obtained using three different techniques- applanation A-scan, immersion A-scan and optical biometer

Background: To compare measurements of axial length obtained with manual A-scan, immersion A-scan and optical biometer and assess the accuracy of different techniques of intraocular lens power calculation. Methods: This was a prospective randomized study done in 90 patients over a period extending from November 2019 to October 2020 in the upgraded department of ophthalmology, Government Medical College Jammu. Intraocular lens power was calculated by measuring axial length by three different techniques and further the accuracy of the axial length values obtained were compared. Results: In this study, mean axial length measured by applanation A-scan was 22.86±0.85 mm which ranged from 20.99-24.6 mm and axial length measured by immersion technique ranged from 21.5-24.9 mm with a mean AL of 22.92±0.85 mm. AL measured by non-contact method ranged from 20-25.08 mm with a mean AL of 23.1±0.93 mm. There was a statistically significant difference between all the three techniques regarding the measured AL (p=0.0004). Conclusions: This study concludes that the optical biometry has greater accuracy than ultrasound biometry including applanation and immersion A-scan

TO STUDY IMMUNOMODULATORY EFFICACY OF KARANJA (PONGAMIA PINNATA PIERRE) SEED CHURNA IN SWISS ALBINO MICE

Objectives: The present study was carried out to evaluate the immunomodulatory efficacy of Karanja (Pongamia pinnata Pierre) Seed Churna in aqueous solution. Methods: The animals for this trial were rats of either sex and blood that was used was sheep’s blood. The study was conducted in three groups having 6 rats in each group. First group was control group and tap water was administered to this group orally, second and third group received the test drug aqueous solution at the dose 800mg and 4000mg/kg body weight respectively for 10 consecutive days. The test drug was evaluated for effect on humoral antibody formation, on cell mediated immunity and spleen and thymus weight gain. Histopathological studies were also performed on spleen and thymus in SRBC pre-sensitized rats. Results: The data on the effect of test drug on antibody formation against sheep red blood cells shows marginal statistically non-significant decrease in antibody titre at both lower and higher dose levels. Cell mediated immunity only at higher dose level in 48 hours reached statistically significant level whereas non-significant changes were observed in the weight of spleen and thymus. Conclusion: Karanja seed possess significant cell mediated immunity and non-significant effect on antibody formation and also non-significant effect on spleen and thymus weight gain

ROLE OF NAVGRAHA PLANTS IN MANAGEMENT OF NON- COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), mainly cardiovascular diseases, cancers, diabetes, obesity and chronic respiratory diseases, represent a leading threat to human health and human development in todays world. Medicinal plants have always been the principle sources of medicine worldwide. Ayurvedic medicines share the millennia of Ayurvedic herbs which prevent and effectively treat many non-communicable diseases. These drugs are safe, effective and affordable. We cannot limit the study of Indian plants based on their therapeutic values but we should also consider their use from Astrological point of view. As we all know, in astrology it is believed that there are nine planets which are controlling the destiny of a person and there are certain specified herbs which act as a remedy to treat disastrous effect of planets. To minimize the ill effect of Navgrahas one of the easiest methods is to plant the Navgrah Vatika (garden). It protects from various problems including non-communicable diseases. Astrology along with Ayurveda shows how we can heal ourselves through the herbs corresponding to their particular star. Combining astrology and Ayurveda fruitful results can be obtained. Each plant in this paper corresponds to that particular planet/star which gives energy to that particular person born during that particular star time. Present paper will describe the importance Navgrahavatika, role of planets in health and how these Navgraha plants are useful in prevention and treatment of non-communicable diseases

Menopausal symptoms in rural middle aged women: a community based cross sectional study

Background: Menopause poses a big challenge to the healthy aging of a woman. With growing emphasis on universal health coverage and improving quality of life, it is the need of hour to address the issues population of postmenopausal women to enhance our understanding of women’s experiences during menopause.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted using non-probability purposive sampling and house-to-house visit in randomly selected villages falling under rural Health Block Kot-Bhalwal. 245 postmenopausal women were interviewed in accordance with pretested questionnaire consisting of Sociodemographic data and Greene Climacteric Scale.Results: Muscle and joint pains was the most common complaint (89.0%), followed by feeling tired or lacking in energy (87.4%), difficulty in sleeping (82.5%) and difficulty in concentrating (80.4%). Nearly three-fourth of the study participants reported to be suffering from Irritability (77.6%), feeling tense/nervous (77.5%), Headaches (76.7%), loss of interest in most things (75.9%), feeling unhappy or depressed (74.29%), sweating at night (73.47%), attacks of anxiety, panic (73.5%), pressure or tightness in head (72.6%), and feeling dizzy or faint (71.8%).Conclusions: A higher prevalence of menopausal symptoms was found. However, more research studies are needed to determine rural urban differences in prevalence and severity of the symptoms using a standardized tool on a larger sample in the community setting

Development and validation of a UPLC-MS method for determination of atazanavir sulfate by the “analytical quality by design” approach

A UPLC-MS method for the estimation of atazanavir sulfate was developed using the “analytical quality by design” approach. The critical chromatographic quality attributes identified were retention time, theoretical plates and peak tailing. The critical method parameters established were percent of organic modifier, flow rate and injection volume. Optimization performed using Box-Behnken Design (BBD) established 10 % organic modifier, 0.4 mL min–1 flow rate and 6-µL injection volume as the optimum method conditions. Atazanavir sulfate eluted at 5.19 min without any interference. Method validation followed international guidelines. The method has proven linearity in the range of 10–90 µg mL–1. Recovery was between 100.2–101.0 % and precision within the accepted limits (RSD 0.2–0.7 %). LOD and LOQ were 2.68 and 8.14 µg mL–1, resp. Stress testing stability studies showed atazanavir sulfate to degrade under acidic and basic conditions. The suggested technique is simple, rapid and sustainable.It is, therefore, suggested for routine analysis of atazanavir sulfate

Age-Related Histological Changes in Vena Caval System of Human Foetus and Adult: A Comparative Study

BACKGROUND: It has been documented that cardiac musculature is present in both venae cavae, and they contract together with the atrium, contributing to the pumping mechanism of the heart. So, in the present study, we measured the relative thicknesses of the three histological layers at formation, termination and intermediate levels of the venae cavae along with their histological characteristics.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten foetal and 10 adult cadavers were used. The Superior and Inferior Venae Cavae from all three regions were excised and processed for histology. The qualitative and quantitative features of the vessels were observed and recorded. The data thus obtained was then assessed statistically.RESULTS: In superior vena cava, the tunica intima grows actively especially during late gestation. The tunica media shows active growth. The tunica adventitia growth is significant at the middle and termination levels. In inferior vena cava, the tunica intima grows actively at the level of formation. The tunica media shows the active overall growth during early gestation. The tunica adventitia shows active growth during late gestation. In qualitative analysis the plump, spindle-shaped primitive mesenchymal cells were observed. Muscle and collagen fibers show reciprocal abundance with increasing age, with the former being lesser in amount than the latter in earlier stages. Appearance of vasa vasorum was notable from 2nd trimester. The cardiac myocytes were located in the middle and outer tunics of the superior vena cava.CONCLUSION: Cardiac musculature was absent in the inferior vena; however, the vessel shows advanced rate of overall development

Morphological and morphometric study of the subscapular arterial tree with its clinical implications

Background: Knowledge of anatomy of the subscapular arterial tree is very important as it is commonly used for microvascular grafting to substitute injured portions of the arteries of hands and forearm. So, the study aims to examine the subscapular arterial tree and its variants. Aim and Objectives: To observe the subscapular arterial tree and its variants in the origin and branching pattern as well as to locate the distance of origin of subscapular artery and circumflex scapular artery from various anatomical landmarks. Material and Methods: Twenty-six upper limbs were used in the study. The origin and branches of subscapular artery were noted down. Distance between the various anatomical landmarks and the origin of subscapular and circumflex scapular artery were noted down. Variants in the origin and branching pattern were noted. Results: In five limbs, the 2nd part of axillary artery gave rise to subscapular artery. On the right and left side, the mean distance between the origins of subscapular artery from pectoralis minor was 2.92 and 3.17 cm, respectively. In five limbs, subscapular artery was originating along with posterior circumflex humeral artery and in three limbs with lateral thoracic artery. In two limbs, the 3rd part of axillary artery was giving rise to circumflex scapular artery directly. The mean distance of the origin of circumflex scapular artery from pectoralis minor was 3.53 and 3.83 cm away on right and left side, respectively. On both right and left side, the mean distance of the origin of circumflex scapular artery was 2.18 cm away from the origin of subscapular artery. Conclusion: The measurements on the subscapular artery and its variations will help the surgeons in identifying subscapular artery easily for microvascular arterial grafting

Histogenesis and Histomorphometric study of Human Fetal Small Intestine

Background: Intestine plays a major role for the normal growth of the fetus during the prenatal period. The process of the embryonic development is not quantified histologically. Therefore the main aim of the study was to measure the thickness of all part of the wall of the small intestine that are mucosa, submucosa and muscularis externa and to look for the appearance of the Brunner’s glands and Peyer’s patches in the submucosa of duodenum and ileum.Methods: The present study was carried out on 30 fetuses of gestational ages ranging from 11-36 weeks. Ten fetuses from each trimester were used in the study. Fetal small intestine were dissected carefully, and were separated as duodenum, jejunum & ileum and fixed in formalin solution. The tissue was processed for histology and then slides were stained with Haematoxylin and Eosin. The microscopic features were noted using light microscope.Results: The thickness of the mucosa, submucosa and the muscularis externa was observed to be increased in first trimester, decreased in the second trimester and again increased in the third trimester, which could be because of the increase cell turnover and the arrangement of the collagen fibers as to support the mucosa and the muscularis externa.Conclusion: Thus, the knowledge of the histogenesis and histomorphometry of the human fetal small intestine is crucial for the adult gastroenterologist to appreciate, because of the potential for these early life events to affect the responsiveness of the intestine to physiological or pathological challenges in later life.

India’s missing working women: Tracing the journey of women’s economic contribution over the last seven decades, and during COVID-19

India today is an economic powerhouse on the global stage. However, it faces a queer conundrum. Despite considerable gains in female education, decreases in fertility rates and increasing economic growth, only a fourth of its women are in the labor force, amongst the lowest in the world. Based on analysis of time series data over the last seven decades (1950-2018), this paper finds that women’s labor force and workforce participation rates have secularly declined to their lowest levels since Independence. Women’s wages have consistently been below men, with weighted average wage gaps increasing from 59% in 1993, to 72% in 2018. The fall in labor force participation has been led by women in rural areas, while female unemployment rates have remained higher than men in urban areas. We find that occupational segregation and concentration of women in low-growth sectors, income effect of rising household earnings, increased mechanization and gender gaps in tertiary education and skill training are leading factors behind the observed labor market outcomes. Recent high-frequency data shows that 15 million women lost their jobs in the first month of the COVID-19 induced lockdown. Even as the overall size of the labor force shrunk by 3% between November 2019 to November 2020, the size of the labor force shrunk by 13% for women, vs. 2% for men. Bringing women back to the workforce requires a differentiated approach, targeting different segments, especially informal workers, microentrepreneurs and the formal sector. Therefore, a diverse mix of targeted policy interventions like gender quotas in public works, easier access to credit for female micro-entrepreneurs, preferential procurement for women-owned business, greater flexibility in workplace arrangements and gender targets for skill training among others would help retain and promote workforce participation for women