AN ETHNOBOTANICAL SURVEY OF ANTI-MALARIAL PLANTS IN SOME HIGHLY MALARIA AFFECTED DISTRICTS OF ASSAM

Objective: An ethnobotanical survey of potent anti-malarial plants used by different tribes and communities of highly malaria affected seven districts of Assam, India.Methods: Personal discussions and group interviews were held with the traditional practitioners. Samples were collected and authentically identified. Detailed ethno knowledge on the plant parts used and mode of administration of the plant extracts was documented. Literature survey was carried out on identified plant species and analyzed for their medicinal importance.Results: A total of 22 plant species belonging to 20 botanical families were collected and identified from different locations of seven districts of Assam. Different plant parts such as leaves, root, flower, bark etc. were found to process through different basic methods (infusion, decoction, direct mechanical crushing and maceration) for extracting the anti-malarial crude phytochemicals by the traditional healers. Extensive literature on the broad spectrum medicinal values other than anti-malarial activity of the plant species suggested a strong scientific background of selecting those particular plants species by the traditional practitioners.Conclusion: Indigenous plant species with strong claim of the natural source of anti-malarial moieties were identified in the present ethno-botanical survey. All the 22 plant species investigated could be a potential source of new antimalarial therapies.Â

Fire-cracker burn injuries during Diwali, a seasonal and preventable epidemic

Background: Firecracker injuries are common in India, of which the majority takes place during Diwali. This study analyzes the profile of firecracker injuries in the emergency department (ED) of GMCH, Guwahati. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective observational study of all firecracker-related injury patients presenting to our ED 3 days prior and post Diwali from 2016 to 2020. Details of the demographics, cause, and percentage of burns were included. Treatment given for the patients is not mentioned in this study. Results: We received a total number of 195 patients with burn injuries to the ED from 2016 to 2020, 3 days prior and post Diwali, of which 54.3% (106) cases are firecracker-related burn injuries. 46.2% of the cases were under the age of 19 years. Male (71.7%) predominance was noted. The majority of the injuries involved <20% total body surface area (80.2%). It is noted that the right hand (54%) is most commonly involved followed by the face (17%) and torso (17%). Fountain (38%) is observed to be the most common firecracker causing injuries. In 2020, during the COVID pandemic, there were only two reported cases attending to the ED during the specified period. Conclusions: This study has expressed the pattern of firecracker injuries in our place during Diwali. An alarmingly high number of young adolescents with significant upper limb injuries were noted. These injuries are prevalent in the productive age groups. Public awareness and education along with an increase in legislative enforcement are needed for the betterment and well-being of the people during the festival season to prevent the catastrophe

A retrospective study on treatment for postburn contracture of axilla with propeller flap cover at a tertiary care center

Background: The gold standard for burn scar reconstruction is to utilize adjacent skin flaps for the ease of operation and to match the skin characteristics. The objective of this study is to share our experiences using propeller flap cover for “postburn contracture of axilla (PBCA)” release reconstruction. Materials and Methods: This 5-year retrospective observational study was undertaken in the Plastic Surgery Department of GMCH, Guwahati, from 2016 to 2020 with the data available after obtaining the Ethics Committee approval. The patient records and photographs were gathered from the Medical Records and the Plastic Surgery Department of GMCH, Guwahati, respectively. Patients treated with a propeller flap cover were scrutinized. Results: The patients operated for PBCA were 36. There were 12 males and 14 females with a mean age of 21 years. Twelve patients with spared axillary dome skin underwent a central axis subcutaneous pedicle propeller flap. The flaps had dimensions of 8–12 cm in length and 6–9 cm in width. The pedicle was approximately 2–2.5 cm in diameter. The few complications seen included wound dehiscence and delayed wound healing, edge hypertrophy, band contractures, marginal necrosis, and pin cushioning. During follow-up, no recontractures were seen. Conclusions: We conclude that central axis subcutaneous pedicle propeller flap is a simple and effective treatment for mild-to-moderate PBCA with spared axillary dome skin. These flaps provide durable soft tissue cover with enhanced flap survival, functional mobility, and esthetics

Epidemiology of severe scald in 0–5–year-old children at the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Gauhati Medical College and Hospital – A 5-year retrospective study

Background: The 0–5-year-old age group has the highest incidence of scalds. In assessing a child with scalds, it will be beneficial to look at the interactions between the host, substance, mechanism, and environment. These factors have an effect on the degree, percentage, distribution, and pattern of injury sustained by the child. Subjects and Methods: This retrospective study comprised children aged 0–5 years who were admitted to the Burn Unit of the GMCH, Guwahati, with scald wounds between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2021, for a period of 5 years. After receiving ethical committee approval, the records of the patients were gathered from the medical records department of GMCH, Guwahati, during this time period. Results: Majority of the incidences were found in male children aged 9–12 months. Scalds commonly occur in rural areas and indoor at home. The upper lower class had the most scald injuries and parents had a poor educational status. The most common substance was hot water in a vessel. The most common mechanism was for a child to pull a hot water down over themselves. In descending order, children suffered a significantly higher proportion of scalds to the hand, chest, and face. Conclusions: Children should be closely supervised by elders or parents, particularly in the kitchen while at home. Parents and caregivers should receive preventive education and training. All kitchen practices, such as floor cooking, low-level shelves, and keeping hot liquids in easily accessible places, should be avoided to prevent childhood scalds

Reconstruction of lower eyelid defect with mustarde flap: A 5 years retrospective study

Reconstruction of eyelids can be challenging after tumour excisions. Various reconstructive options are available but complete knowledge about the anatomy and its function is important. To restore the function and aesthetic outcome is critically important. Despite many surgical options available: in our paper we want to provide the most reliable and useful method of lower eyelid reconstruction by MUSTARDE flap.Aim: To evaluate the clinical outcome of Mustarde cheek rotation flap in reconstruction of large lower eyelid and cheek defects. Materials and method: It is a retrospective study conducted in the Department of Plastic Surgery, Guwahati,Assam,India Medical College, Guwahati,Assam,India, Assam. 7 patients who underwent Mustarde cheek rotation flap during a period from1st July 2017 to 30th June 2022 are evaluated in this study. Results: All the 7 patients showed favourable outcome with good cosmesis. There was no major complication regarding the flap post operatively. One patient with basal cell carcinoma (BCC) of lower eyelid showed mild ectropion on follow up without corneal exposure. Conclusion: Mustarde cheek rotation flap is a versatile flap for reconstruction of large lower eyelid and cheek defects. It has good cosmetic outcome with minimal patient morbidity

Role of environmental pollutants in liver physiology: special references to peoples living in the oil drilling sites of Assam.

The populations residing near polluted sites are more prone to various types of diseases. The important causes of air pollution are the suspended particulate matter, respirable suspended particulate matter, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide. As limited information is available enumerating the effect of these pollutants on liver physiology of the population living near the polluted sites; in the present study, we tried to investigate their effect on liver of the population residing near the oil drilling sites since birth. In this study, a randomly selected 105 subjects (46 subjects from oil drilling site and 61 subjects from control site) aged above 30 years were taken under consideration. The particulate matter as well as the gaseous pollutants, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide, were analyzed through a respirable dust sampler. The level of alkaline phosphatase, alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase enzymes in serum were measured by spectrophotometer. The generalized regression model studies suggests a higher concentration of respirable suspended particulate matter, suspended particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide lowers the alkaline phosphatase level (p<0.0001) by 3.5 times (95% CI 3.1-3.9), 1.5 times (95% CI 1.4-1.6) and 12 times (95% CI 10.74-13.804), respectively in the exposed group. The higher concentration of respirable suspended particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide in air was associated with increase in alanine transaminase level (p<0.0001) by 0.8 times (95% CI 0.589-1.049) and by 2.8 times (95% CI 2.067-3.681) respectively in the exposed group. The increase in nitrogen dioxide level was also associated with increase in aspartate transaminase level (p<0.0001) by 2.5 times (95% CI 1.862-3.313) in the exposed group as compared to control group. Thus, the study reveals that long-term exposure to the environmental pollutants may lead to liver abnormality or injury of populations living in polluted sites

Role of glutathione S transferase polymorphism in COPD with special reference to peoples living in the vicinity of the open cast coal mine of Assam.

BACKGROUND: COPD may develop due to variation in the functioning of antioxidants along with smoking and environmental factors in genetically susceptible individuals. Since there are different views about the antioxidants responsible for detoxifying xenobiotic compound in the human body whose functional variation may lead to obstructive disease, this associative study has been taken up between GST gene polymorphism and COPD in populations exposed to coal dusts. METHODS: Genotypes of the 70 COPD patients and 85 non COPD patients were determined by PCR based methods followed by multiplex PCR of GSTT1 and GSTM1 genes taking albumin gene as a control. Suspended particulate analyses were determined through the Respirable Dust sampler along with the FTIR analysis of the dust samples from the glass microfiber filters. RESULTS: Dust sampling analysis reveals higher level of respirable suspended particulate matter, non respirable particulate matter, SO2 and NO2 present in air of the study site. FTIR analysis also suggests a higher concentration of organic silicone and aliphatic C-F compounds present in air of the study site and when spirometry was done, low lung function was observed among most of the subjects. GSTM1 null type was significantly associated with low lung function in smoker groups and the presence of at least one active allele (either GSTM1/GSTT1) seemed to have a protective role in the development of COPD. CONCLUSIONS: GSTM1 (null genotype) appeared to be a risk factor for lower lung function in smokers living in the vicinity of coal mines. Apart from polluted environment and genetic susceptibility, mixed coal dust exposure rich in organic silicone and aliphatic C-F compounds also appears to be a factor for the low lung function

Tessier 30 facial cleft

A case of midline cleft of the lower lip with cleft of the mandible and complete duplication of the tongue is reported here. Median cleft of the lower lip, mandible and bifid tongue with ankyloglossia is reported in the literature, but complete duplication of the tongue as part of the Tessier 30 cleft is not yet reported

Developing novel bacterial based bioformulation having PGPR properties for enhanced production of agricultural crops

56-60Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are beneficial rhizobacteria which enhance plant growth as well as the productivity by a variety of mechanisms. PGPR were isolated from the rhizosphere region of som plants (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Machilus bombycina King) maintained at the Central Muga Eri Research and Training Institute, Lahdoigarh, Jorhat. A bacterial based bioformulation was prepared and sprayed over the experimental crops including tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var botrytis), chili (Capsicum annuum) and brinjal (Solanum <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">melongena). Biochemical analysis was done on these PGPR treated crops as well as the untreated crops. The bioformulations prepared from Bacillus cereus (MTCC 8297), Pseudomonas rhodesiae (MTCC 8299) and Pseudomonas rhodesiae (MTCC 8300) was found to be the most effective in increasing the shoot height, number of leaves, early fruiting and total biomass content of the plants after treatment