A cost-effective technique for generating preservable biomass smoke extract and measuring its effect on cell receptor expression in human bronchial epithelial cells.

Nearly half of the world's population uses biomass fuel for the purposes of cooking and heating. Smoke derived from biomass increases the risk of the development of lung diseases, including pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, airway tract infections, and lung cancer. Despite the evidence linking biomass smoke exposure to pulmonary disease, only a small number of experimental studies have been conducted on the impact of biomass smoke on airway epithelial cells. This is in part due to the lack of a standard and easily accessible procedure for the preparation of biomass smoke. Here, we describe a cost-effective and reproducible method for the generation of different smoke extracts, in particular, cow dung smoke extract (CDSE) and wood smoke extract (WSE) for use in a range of biological applications. We examined the effect of the biomass smoke extracts on human bronchial epithelial cell expression of a known responder to cigarette smoke exposure (CSE), the platelet-activating factor receptor (PAFR). Similar to the treatment with CSE, we observed a dose-dependent increase in PAFR expression on human airway epithelial cells that were exposed to CDSE and WSE. This method provides biomass smoke in a re-usable form for cell and molecular bioscience studies on the pathogenesis of chronic lung disease

Thyroid Dysfunction and Associated Risk Factors among Nepalese Diabetes Mellitus Patients

Objectives. To assess thyroid function and associated risk factors in Nepalese diabetes mellitus patients. Methods. A cross-sectional study was carried out among 419 diabetes mellitus patients at B. P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Nepal. Information on demographic and anthropometric variables and risk factors for thyroid dysfunction was collected. Blood samples were analysed to measure thyroid hormones, blood sugar, and lipid profile. Results. Prevalence rate of thyroid dysfunction was 36.03%, with subclinical hypothyroidism (26.5%) as the most common thyroid dysfunction. Thyroid dysfunction was much common in females (42.85%) compared to males (30.04%) p=0.008 and in type 1 diabetes (50%) compared to type 2 diabetes mellitus (35.41%) p=0.218. Diabetic patients with thyroid dysfunction had higher total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol in comparison to patients without thyroid dysfunction. Significant risk factors for thyroid dysfunction, specifically hypothyroidism (overt and subclinical), were smoking (relative risk of 2.56 with 95% CI (1.99–3.29, p<0.001)), family history of thyroid disease (relative risk of 2.57 with 95% CI (2.0–3.31, p<0.001)), and female gender (relative risk of 1.44 with 95% CI (1.09–1.91, p=0.01)). Conclusions. Thyroid dysfunction is common among Nepalese diabetic patients. Smoking, family history of thyroid disease, and female gender are significantly associated with thyroid dysfunction

A cost-effective technique for generating preservable biomass smoke extract and measuring its effect on cell receptor expression in human bronchial epithelial cells

Nearly half of the world’s population uses biomass fuel for the purposes of cooking and heating. Smoke derived from biomassincreases the risk of the development of lung diseases, including pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,airway tract infections, and lung cancer. Despite the evidence linking biomass smoke exposure to pulmonary disease, onlya small number of experimental studies have been conducted on the impact of biomass smoke on airway epithelial cells.This is in part due to the lack of a standard and easily accessible procedure for the preparation of biomass smoke. Here, wedescribe a cost-effective and reproducible method for the generation of different smoke extracts, in particular, cow dungsmoke extract (CDSE) and wood smoke extract (WSE) for use in a range of biological applications. We examined the effect ofthe biomass smoke extracts on human bronchial epithelial cell expression of a known responder to cigarette smoke exposure(CSE), the platelet-activating factor receptor (PAFR). Similar to the treatment with CSE, we observed a dose-dependentincrease in PAFR expression on human airway epithelial cells that were exposed to CDSE and WSE. This method providesbiomass smoke in a re-usable form for cell and molecular bioscience studies on the pathogenesis of chronic lung disease

A cost-effective technique for generating preservable biomass smoke extract and measuring its effect on cell receptor expression in human bronchial epithelial cells

Nearly half of the world’s population uses biomass fuel for the purposes of cooking and heating. Smoke derived from biomassincreases the risk of the development of lung diseases, including pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,airway tract infections, and lung cancer. Despite the evidence linking biomass smoke exposure to pulmonary disease, onlya small number of experimental studies have been conducted on the impact of biomass smoke on airway epithelial cells.This is in part due to the lack of a standard and easily accessible procedure for the preparation of biomass smoke. Here, wedescribe a cost-effective and reproducible method for the generation of different smoke extracts, in particular, cow dungsmoke extract (CDSE) and wood smoke extract (WSE) for use in a range of biological applications. We examined the effect ofthe biomass smoke extracts on human bronchial epithelial cell expression of a known responder to cigarette smoke exposure(CSE), the platelet-activating factor receptor (PAFR). Similar to the treatment with CSE, we observed a dose-dependentincrease in PAFR expression on human airway epithelial cells that were exposed to CDSE and WSE. This method providesbiomass smoke in a re-usable form for cell and molecular bioscience studies on the pathogenesis of chronic lung disease

Prescription patterns of Antibiotics in Acute tonsillitis: Hospital-based study

Introduction: Acute tonsillitis is caused by either viruses or bacteria and is characterized by a sore throat and painful swallowing. About 49% of cases are thought to be caused by Group A beta-hemolytic streptococci. Penicillin should be given empirically after the diagnosis of acute tonsillitis. This study was carried out to find out the prescription pattern of antibiotics among the admitted cases of acute tonsillitis. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Gandaki Medical College Teaching Hospital and Research Centre (GMCTH), Pokhara. All the patients who were admitted for acute tonsillitis in the ENT ward were enrolled in this study. Age, gender, the average number of drugs per prescription, and the most commonly prescribed drug was recorded. Results: There were 320 patients with acute tonsillitis and the mean age was 27.44 ± 11.1 years. Most of the cases were in their twenties. The average number of drugs per prescription was four while the total number of antibiotics used was 520. The single antibiotic was used in 170 (53%) cases and a two-drug combination was used in 91(28.4%) cases. Ceftriaxone was the most commonly prescribed drug. There were 78 (24.3%) cases under monotherapy and 69 (21%) in multitherapy. Conclusion: Among the various effective antimicrobials, ceftriaxone was the most commonly prescribed antimicrobial. The injectable route of antibiotics administration was a widely used method in hospitalized patients in our setting

The role of environmental exposure to non-cigarette smoke in lung disease

Chronic exposure to household indoor smoke and outdoor air pollution is a major contributor to global morbidity and mortality. The majority of these deaths occur in low and middle-income countries. Children, women, the elderly and people with underlying chronic conditions are most affected. In addition to reduced lung function, children exposed to biomass smoke have an increased risk of developing lower respiratory tract infections and asthma-related symptoms. In adults, chronic exposure to biomass smoke, ambient air pollution, and opportunistic exposure to fumes and dust are associated with an increased risk of developing chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer and respiratory infections, including tuberculosis. Here, we review the evidence of prevalence of COPD in people exposed to non-cigarette smoke. We highlight mechanisms that are likely involved in biomass-smoke exposure-related COPD and other lung diseases. Finally, we summarize the potential preventive and therapeutic strategies for management of COPD induced by non-cigarette smoke exposure

EN-BIRTH Data Collector Training - Handbook and Manual

The EN-BIRTH study aims to validate selected newborn and maternal indicators for routine facility-based tracking of coverage and quality of care for use at district, national and global levels. The item contains the EN-BIRTH_Trainer's Manual (14 June 2017) and EN-BIRTH_Training Handbook (23 May 2017)

EN-BIRTH Data Collector Training - Supporting Annexes

The EN-BIRTH study aims to validate selected newborn and maternal indicators for routine facility-based tracking of coverage and quality of care for use at district, national and global levels. The item contains consent forms and participant information, in addition to standard operating procedures (SOP) for adverse clinical events, and managing distress in interviews. The full complement of annex files used during the training can be requested via this site if required

Poor Thermal Care Practices among Home Births in Nepal: Further Analysis of Nepal Demographic and Health Survey 2011

Introduction - Hypothermia is a major factor associated with neonatal mortality in low and middle income countries. Thermal care protection of newborn through a series of measures taken at birth and during the initial days of life is recommended to reduce the hypothermia and associated neonatal mortality. This study aimed to identify the prevalence of and the factors associated with receiving ‘optimum thermal care’ among home born newborns of Nepal. Methods - Data from the Nepal Demographic and Health Surveys (NDHS) 2011 were used for this study. Women who reported a home birth for their most recent childbirth was included in the study. Factors associated with optimum thermal care were examined using Chi-square test followed by logistic regression. Results - A total of 2464 newborns were included in the study. A total of 57.6 % were dried before the placenta was delivered; 60.3% were wrapped; 24.5% had not bathing during the first 24 hours, and 63.9% were breastfed within one hour of birth. Overall, only 248 (10.7%; 95% CI (8.8 %, 12.9%)) newborns received optimum thermal care. Newborns whose mothers had achieved higher education (OR 2.810; 95% CI (1.132, 6.976)), attended four or more antenatal care visits (OR 2.563; 95% CI (1.309, 5.017)), and those whose birth were attended by skilled attendants (OR 2.178; 95% CI (1.428, 3.323)) were likely to receive optimum thermal care. Conclusion - The current study showed that only one in ten newborns in Nepal received optimum thermal care. Future newborn survival programs should focus on those mothers who are uneducated; who do not attend the recommended four or more attend antenatal care visits; and those who deliver without the assistance of skilled birth attendants to reduce the risk of neonatal hypothermia in Nepal