The Effect of Surface Sizing With Starch on Tensile & Tear

This survey of literature concerning surface sizing has been undertaken in an effort to compile in one paper the importance of surface sizing on strength properties, particularly tensile and tear. The use of starch in the modification of surface characteristics of a writing medium may actually be older than the art of paper manufacture itself. A considerable amount of literature on surface sizing showing the effect on surface improvements of the paper sheet is available, but very little work has been undertaken to study the effect of surface sizing on tensile and tear. Both their strength properties increased on surface sizing with low viscosity oxidized potato starch as compared to high viscosity starch, in which the latter case no significant effect was observed. High viscosity starch did not penetrate the sheet of paper, but rather stayed on the surface. This study showed that calendering after sizing operations should be reduced to a minimum to get improved tensile and tear. Otherwise, both these properties are appreciably reduced

Clinical and biochemical profile of liver abscess patients

Background: Liver comprises 48% of all the visceral abscesses. It is common in India with 2nd highest incidence due to poor sanitation, overcrowding and inadequate nutrition. Worldwide, approximately 40-50 million people are infected annually with amoebic abscesses. This study aims to observe the clinical and biochemical profile of liver abscess patients so that a prompt diagnosis can be made and early treatment can be given.Methods: The study was conducted over a period of 1 year on 50 patients of liver abscess. History and physical examination was done. All patients were subjected to complete hemogram, liver function test, coagulation profile (PT/INR) and USG abdomen. Serology for Entamoeba histolytica and HIV was done.Results: The mean age of the patients was 41.8 years with male preponderance. Amoebic liver abscess (86%) was predominant over pyogenic liver abscess (14%). Alcoholism (52%) and diabetes mellitus (20%) are main predisposing factors in case of liver abscess. Hepatomegaly was found in 80% cases. Elevated ALP, low albumin, increased PT INR points to the diagnosis of liver abscess. The abscesses were predominantly in right lobe (76%) and solitary (66%). Complications seen were ascites (12%) and pleural effusion (6%).Conclusions: Liver abscess should be suspected in patients presenting with prolonged fever and pain upper abdomen specially if patient is alcoholic or has diabetes mellitus. Ultrasonography is an easy and cost effective investigation to diagnose liver abscess. Early and aggressive treatment is the mainstay to prevent complications, morbidity and mortality

Clinical profile of patients with pancytopenia in a tertiary care centre

Background: Pancytopenia is a condition in which all three cell lines i.e. erythroid, myeloid and megakaryocytic are affected resulting in anaemia, leukopenia and thrombocytopenia. It can be a manifestation of a wide variety of disorders which primarily or secondarily affect the bone marrow. Early diagnosis of these conditions will help in implementing the appropriate treatment. The objective of the study was to know the clinical presentation and etiology of patients presenting with pancytopenia.Methods: A one year study from April 2016 to March 2017 was conducted in the department of medicine at a tertiary care centre. Total 32 patients with pancytopenia were studied to determine their clinical features and etiology through relevant investigations.Results: Our study revealed megaloblastic anaemia (46.87%) as the most common cause of pancytopenia, followed by malaria (12.5%). Other causes included hypothyroidism (6.2%), hypersplenism (6.2%), drugs (12.5%) and miscellaneous (9.43%).Conclusions: Megaloblastic anaemia was found to be the major cause of pancytopenia in patients. Other causes of pancytopenia were malaria, drugs, hypersplenism and hypothyroidism. These should be kept in mind while evaluating patients with pancytopenia

COMPARATIVE EFFECT OF BETA BLOCKERS AND ANGIOTENSIVE RECEPTOR BLOCKERS ON BLOOD GLUCOSE LEVEL IN HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS IN UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

Objective: There is highly co-incidence between hypertension and insulin resistance which is the important causative factor to develop diabetes mellitus (DM). There is paucity of data to establish the effect of beta-blockers and ARB on blood glucose level in Indian population. Therefore the present study was planned to search so that confederation among Indian population in a teaching hospital. Methods: The research study was carried out in 85 hypertensive patients without diabetes visiting the OPD of University teaching hospital (Majeedia hospital) New Delhi. Blood glucose levels and drug history of hypertensive patients were observed during four month of study. Results: The gender distribution of hypertensive patients reveals a higher percentage of incidences in males (53%) as compared to females (47%). Hypertensive patient without diabetes mellitus (DM) on beta blockers shows higher incidence of impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) (13.3%) and DM (5%) as compared to patient receiving ARBs as antihypertensive therapy. There was proportionate increase in incidence as the duration of therapy. None of the patients who were on angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) reported any incidence of IGT or DM. Conclusion: Beta blockers  may be the risk factor to develop diabetes mellitus type 2 on long term use as an antihypertensive therapy. There were no any incidence of impaired glucose tolerance or diabetes mellitus found in case of patients taking ARBs as an antihypertensive therapy so it can be safely prescribe in hypertensive patients associated with diabetes mellitus type 2. Key Words: Hypertension, Diabetes mellitus, Impaired glucose tolerance, Beta blockers and ARBs

Drug resistance mutations and heteroresistance detected using the GenoType MTBDRplus assay and their implication for treatment outcomes in patients from Mumbai, India

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Only 5% of the estimated global multidrug resistant TB (MDRTB) load is currently detected. Endemic Mumbai with increasing MDR would benefit from the introduction of molecular methods to detect resistance.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The GenoType MTBDR<it>plus </it>assay was used to determine mutations associated with isoniazid and rifampicin resistance and their correlation with treatment outcomes. It was performed on a convenience sample comprising 88 onset and 67 fifth month isolates for which phenotypic drug susceptibility testing (DST) was determined by the Buddemeyer technique for an earlier study. Simultaneous presence of wild type and mutant bands was referred to as "mixed patterns" (heteroresistance).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Phenotypically 41 isolates were sensitive; 11 isoniazid, 2 rifampicin, 2 pyrazinamide and 5 ethambutol monoresistant; 16 polyresistant and 78 MDR. The agreement between both methods was excellent (kappa = 0.72-0.92). Of 22 rifampicin resistant onset isolates, the predominant <it>rpoB </it>mutations were the singular lack of WT8 (n = 8) and mixed D516V patterns (n = 9). Of the 64 rifampicin resistant fifth month isolates, the most frequent mutations were in WT8 (n = 31) with a further 9 showing the S531L mutation. Mixed patterns were seen in 22 (34%) isolates, most frequently for the D516V mutation (n = 21). Of the 22 onset and 35 fifth month <it>katG </it>mutants, 13 and 12 respectively showed the S315T1 mutation with loss of the WT. Mixed patterns involving both S315T1 and S315T2 were seen in 9 and 23 isolates respectively. Seventeen of 23 and 23/35 <it>inhA </it>mutant onset and fifth month isolates showed mixed A16G profiles. Additionally, 10 fifth month isolates lacked WT2. Five onset and 6 fifth month isolates had both <it>katG </it>and <it>inhA </it>mutations. An association was noted between only <it>katG </it>but not only <it>inhA </it>resistance and poor outcome (<it>p </it>= 0.037); and additional resistance to ethambutol (<it>p </it>= 0.0033). More fifth month than onset isolates had mixed profiles for at least 1 gene (<it>p </it>= 0.000001).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The use of the assay to rapidly diagnose MDR could guide simultaneous first- and second-line DST, and reduce the delay in administering appropriate regimens. Furthermore, detection of heteroresistance could prevent inaccurate "cured" treatment outcomes documented through smear microscopy and permit more sensitive detection of neonascent resistance.</p

Resistant patterns of bacteria isolated from bloodstream infections at a university hospital in Delhi

Background : The choice of antimicrobial therapy for bloodstream infections is often empirical and based on the knowledge of local antimicrobial activity profiles of the most common bacteria causing such infections. Aims : The present study was aimed to investigate frequency of bacterial pathogens causing septicemia and their antimicrobial resistant pattern in hospital admitted patients. Settings and Design : It was a prospective study, conducted at Majeedia Hospital, Hamdard University, New Delhi, India. Material and Methods : We examined prospectively, 168 bacterial strains isolated from 186 clinically diagnosed septicemia cases admitted at a University Hospital in New Delhi, over a period of six months from July 2009 to December 2009. Antimicrobial susceptibility was performed according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI, USA) guidelines. Results : The most frequently identified Gram-positive bacteria were coagulase-negative staphylococci 63.5%, Staphylococcus aureus 23.1%, enterococci 5.8% and alpha-haemolytic streptococci 5.8%. The most frequently Gram-negative bacteria identified were Acinetobacter species 31%, Salmonella typhi 24.1%, Escherichia coli 23.3% and Pseudomonas aeruginosa 13.8%. Coagulase-negative staphylococci showed maximum resistance to cefaclor 57.1% and ampicillin 46.9%. Staphylococcus aureus showed maximum resistance to amoxicillin 100% and ampicillin 91.7%. Acinetobacter species showed maximum resistance to amoxicillin 89.7%, amoxiclav 87.1% and ampicillin 85.7%. Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae showed maximum resistance to ampicillin, 46.4%, 92%, 93.8% and 100%, respectively. Conclusions : Gram-negative pathogens predominated in bloodstream infections. Resistance to most of the antimicrobial agents for a number of pathogens implicated in bloodstream infections, especially in Gram-negative bacteria, has reached worrisome levels and continues to increase

Diagnostic accuracy of Diabetes in Pregnancy Study Group of India criteria for the screening of gestational diabetes mellitus in primary care setting

Introduction: Although the Diabetes in Pregnancy Study Group of India (DIPSI) criterion is recommended by the Government of India guidelines, there is lack of consensus on a universal criterion for diagnosis of gestational diabetes. This has led to a wide variation of pregnant women being diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). The WHO 1999 and International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups (IADPSG) criteria are widely used globally and in India as well. The objective of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of DIPSI criteria in comparison to WHO 1999 and IADPSG criteria for diagnosis of GDM. Materials and Methods: A community-based study was conducted for a period of 1 year. Oral glucose tolerance test was done on 506 pregnant women identified through house-to-house survey. The proportion of GDM cases by WHO, IADPSG, and DIPSI criteria was calculated. The diagnostic accuracy of DIPSI criteria was assessed by calculating sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values taking WHO and IADSPG criteria as gold standard. Results: The prevalence of GDM was 14.2% by WHO criteria, 13% by DIPSI criteria, and 27.3% by IADPSG criteria; 10.3% were diagnosed by all the three criteria. The sensitivity and specificity of DIPSI criteria when the WHO criteria was taken as the gold standard was found to be 86.1% and 99.08%. The sensitivity and specificity of DIPSI criteria when the IADPSG criteria was taken as gold standard was found to be 44.93% and 98.91%, respectively. Conclusion: The prevalence of GDM is found to be much higher by IADPSG criteria as compared to the WHO and DIPSI criteria. The single-step approach DIPSI criteria have good diagnostic accuracy and can be used in epidemiological studies and are feasible for diagnosis of GDM in primary care settings

A pharmacovigilance study in the department of medicine of a university teaching hospital.

The aim of the present study was to monitor adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in the Medicine out patient department (OPD) of a University Teaching Hospital. Method: A prospective evaluation of the ADRs reported in the Department of Medicine of our University Teaching Hospital over a period of 4-months was conducted. Results: During the study period, a total of 600 patients visited the Medicine OPD and 122 ADRs were reported. Out of 122 reports that were identified, a higher percentage of ADRs in males (52.4%) was observed as compared to females (47.5%). Of the 122 ADRs, 50 were found to be mild (41.0%), 49 moderate (40.2%), and 23 severe (18.2%). A total of 71 (58.0%) ADRs were observed in patients receiving 4 or more medications concurrently. Conversely 46 (37.7%) ADRs were detected in patients using 3 or less medicines. The largest number of reports were associated with antihypertensive therapy (39.3%), followed by antimicrobials (31.1%) and antidiabetics (10.7%). Amongst the organ systems affected, gastrointestinal ADRs constituted a major component (24.7%) followed by skin reactions (22.2%). On causality assessment, nearly 29.5% ADRs were considered as probable, 33.6% possible and 6.6% could not be categorised and were placed under unassessable. Conclusion: The present work is the maiden pharmacovigilance study conducted at our university teaching hospital. The data presented here will be useful in future, long term and more extensive ADR monitoring in the hospital and in promotion of rational prescribing and drug use in the hospita

Monitoring of Adverse Drug Reactions Associated with Antihypertensive Medicines at a University Teaching Hospital in New Delhi

Aim To monitor the adverse drug reactions (ADRs) caused by antihypertensive medicines prescribed in a university teaching hospital.Methods:he present work was an open, non-comparative, observational study conducted on hypertensive patients attending the Medicine OPD of Majeedia Hospital, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India by conducting patient interviews and recording the data on ADR monitoring form as recommended by Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), Government of India.Results:A total of 21 adverse drug reactions were observed in 192 hypertensive patients. Incidence of adverse drug reactions was found to be higher in patients more than 40 years in age, and females experienced more ADRs (n = 14, 7.29 %) than males, 7 (3.64 %). Combination therapy was associated with more number of adverse drug reactions (66.7 %) as against monotherapy (33.3 %). Calcium channel blockers were found to be the most frequently associated drugs with adverse drug reactions (n = 7), followed by diuretics (n = 5), and beta- blockers (n = 4). Among individual drugs, amlodipine was found to be the commonest drug associated with adverse drug reactions (n = 7), followed by torasemide (n = 3). Adverse drug reactions associated with central nervous system were found to be the most frequent (42.8 %) followed by musculo-skeletal complaints (23.8 %) and gastro-intestinal disorders (14.3 %). Conclusions:The present pharmacovigilance study represents the adverse drug reaction profile of the antihypertensive medicines prescribed in our university teaching hospital. The above findings would be useful for physicians in rational prescribing. Calcium channel blockers were found to be the most frequently associated drugs with adverse drug reactions