CHANGES IN SERUM TESTOSTERONE LEVELS IN MALES WITH PREDIABETES UNDERGOING METFORMIN THERAPY: A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL STUDY.

Introduction:  Hypogonadism is a commonly encountered condition observed in individuals presenting with both diabetes and prediabetes. Metformin, a pharmacological agent classified as an insulin sensitizer, has received regulatory approval as a therapeutic intervention for individuals who have received a diagnosis of prediabetes. The objective of this investigation is to assess the potential influence of metformin on serum testosterone concentrations in males who have been diagnosed with prediabetes. Materials and Methods:  The study comprised a cohort of 50 male individuals diagnosed with prediabetes. The participants were stratified into two distinct cohorts - Category A, comprising individuals with a baseline serum testosterone level exceeding 300 ng/dl, and Category B, consisting of individuals with a baseline serum testosterone level below 300 ng/dl. The patient's testosterone levels were reassessed following a 3-month course of metformin therapy.  Result:  Substantial improvement in serum testosterone levels was observed among prediabetic men in the hypogonadal group. Both cohorts of participants exhibited amelioration in the manifestation of erectile dysfunction.  Conclusion: Metformin therapy in males with prediabetes has been shown to contribute to the enhancement of testosterone levels.  Recommendation:  According to this study, metformin therapy may be an option for prediabetic men with baseline blood testosterone levels < 300 ng/dl. The improvement in blood testosterone levels and erectile dysfunction symptoms imply that metformin may help prediabetics manage hypogonadism. When contemplating metformin therapy for prediabetes, doctors should examine the patient's risk factors, health, and treatment goals. Further research and clinical studies may reveal metformin's long-term efficacy and safety in treating hypogonadism in this population

Importance of Geriatrics in Psychiatric postgraduate education

Introduction To assess the importance of Geriatrics in Psychiatric postgraduate education Methodology Marks allotted in question papers from Geriatrics in Psychiatry postgraduate examination from a university for a 5-year period was evaluated. Discussion 1-6% of entire theory evaluation was related to Geriatric mental health topics predominantly on dementia and related disorders

Traditional usage of medicinal plants in humans and animals health care and their chemical constituents from hills and valleys of Jammu province, Western Himalaya

84-100In this work, a systematic attempt to explore the ethnobotanical research on native plants of Jammu province located in Western Himalaya and their phytochemical constituents is presented. The village people use locally available plants to cure frequently occurring diseases in their communities and as a tonic to maintain their health. These plants are also responsible for animal health. The main aim of this research was to establish the botanical knowledge on usages of herbal plants through systematic documentation and identification of the species involved, ecological aspects and how they were used in the biological form. During the investigation, the authors explored the entire territory examining 17 different communities. In total, 226 species of plants categorized in 73 families used by the native inhabitants as plants used in their day-to-day life for health care were observed. Scientific names, localized vernacular name, parts used, mode of usages and reported chemical constituents of particular species are reported in this report. The study indicates the existence of a very strong tie between the local people and these particular plants. While studying, the authors found peculiar uses, species, parts used and recipes, which could be very helpful in developing new formulation for human and animal health care

Traditional usage of medicinal plants in humans and animals health care and their chemical constituents from hills and valleys of Jammu province, Western Himalaya

In this work, a systematic attempt to explore the ethnobotanical research on native plants of Jammu province located in Western Himalaya and their phytochemical constituents is presented. The village people use locally available plants to cure frequently occurring diseases in their communities and as a tonic to maintain their health. These plants are also responsible for animal health. The main aim of this research was to establish the botanical knowledge on usages of herbal plants through systematic documentation and identification of the species involved, ecological aspects and how they were used in the biological form. During the investigation, the authors explored the entire territory examining 17 different communities. In total, 226 species of plants categorized in 73 families used by the native inhabitants as plants used in their day-to-day life for health care were observed. Scientific names, localized vernacular name, parts used, mode of usages and reported chemical constituents of particular species are reported in this report. The study indicates the existence of a very strong tie between the local people and these particular plants. While studying, the authors found peculiar uses, species, parts used and recipes, which could be very helpful in developing new formulation for human and animal health care

Assessment of Antisocial Behaviour in the Juveniles

Background: High level of crime, particularly by the people below 18 years, has been a matter of concern for many years. Assessing and preventing the antisocial behaviour in juveniles has become a policy priority.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted on 52 males less than 18 years in an observation home in Bangalore, India. The data was collected in an interview by filling a semi structured questionnaire. Revised Wisconsin Delinquency Risk Assessment Scale (RWDRAS) was filled up simultaneously and then results were analysed.Results: Majority of the offenders were in the age group 16-18 years. In the majority the cause for antisocial behaviour was unknown followed by the family problems and poverty. The RWDRAS identified 47% of the juveniles with antisocial behaviour as low risk group.Conclusion: The Education, counselling and prevention of poverty are some of the preventive measures of antisocial behaviour. There is a need to develop a better criteria and scale for the diagnosis of antisocial behaviour as the presently used RWDRAS failed in 47% of the juveniles

Best Practices for the Ocean Moored Observatories

Real-time spatio-temporal meteorological and oceanographic data, from the Ocean moored observatories, are essential for the precise forecast of the ocean state, climate variability studies and reliable weather prediction. Precise spatio-temporal measurement of subsurface parameters such as temperature, salinity and current are essential to understand the intra-seasonal and inter-annual evolution of monsoons and tropical cyclones. To cater to this time-critical information, moored observatories have to continuously be operational in the harsh marine environment to measure these essential ocean variables. However, bio-fouling and corrosion limits the life time and accuracy of the highly precise measuring instruments. Thus, best practices in these moored observations are essential for long term accurate and cost-effective ocean observation. The Indian moored buoy network which has been operational since 1997, has been providing quality data over the past decade. This paper describes the best operational practices and quality control processes followed in the Indian moored buoy system design, sensor calibration, testing, integration, deployment, retrieval, and data quality control over the past two decades, which has helped to achieve an average meteorological data return of 90%

Fingerprinting of Sahaj Vati, additive for natural lovastatin production

The lovastatin has been used in hypercholesterolemia and heart diseases for therapeutic as well as preventative purposes and it is naturally obtained from filamentous fungi such as Aspergillus through biotechnological approach. The additives in fungal media which enhances the fungal growth should also increase the production of lovastatin. Finger printing of Sahaj Vati, a herbo-mineral formulation comprising mixture of Plumbago zeylanica, Curcuma longa, Shilajeet, Commiphora mukul and Clerodendrum phlomidis powder to be added in medium for fungal growth. The fungal growth activity of both batches of Sahaj Vati was tested for fungal isolate of A. flavus by contact measure through hyphal development restraint test utilizing Potato dextrose agar (PDA) and SMKY medium followed by chromatographic and different techniques for standardization. Sahaj Vati has lower antifungal index & increased the fungal biomass and separation of compound was higher in mobile phase Benzene: Ethyl acetate: Pyridine: 5:4.9:0.1 & Hexane: Chloroform: Pyridine: 2.7:1. Sahaj Vati increased the growth and biomass of A. flauvs which may be used for natural production of lovastatin

Erratum: Global, regional, and national comparative risk assessment of 84 behavioural, environmental and occupational, and metabolic risks or clusters of risks for 195 countries and territories, 1990–2017: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017

Interpretation: By quantifying levels and trends in exposures to risk factors and the resulting disease burden, this assessment offers insight into where past policy and programme efforts might have been successful and highlights current priorities for public health action. Decreases in behavioural, environmental, and occupational risks have largely offset the effects of population growth and ageing, in relation to trends in absolute burden. Conversely, the combination of increasing metabolic risks and population ageing will probably continue to drive the increasing trends in non-communicable diseases at the global level, which presents both a public health challenge and opportunity. We see considerable spatiotemporal heterogeneity in levels of risk exposure and risk-attributable burden. Although levels of development underlie some of this heterogeneity, O/E ratios show risks for which countries are overperforming or underperforming relative to their level of development. As such, these ratios provide a benchmarking tool to help to focus local decision making. Our findings reinforce the importance of both risk exposure monitoring and epidemiological research to assess causal connections between risks and health outcomes, and they highlight the usefulness of the GBD study in synthesising data to draw comprehensive and robust conclusions that help to inform good policy and strategic health planning

Effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor and angiotensin receptor blocker initiation on organ support-free days in patients hospitalized with COVID-19

IMPORTANCE Overactivation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) may contribute to poor clinical outcomes in patients with COVID-19. Objective To determine whether angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) initiation improves outcomes in patients hospitalized for COVID-19. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS In an ongoing, adaptive platform randomized clinical trial, 721 critically ill and 58 non–critically ill hospitalized adults were randomized to receive an RAS inhibitor or control between March 16, 2021, and February 25, 2022, at 69 sites in 7 countries (final follow-up on June 1, 2022). INTERVENTIONS Patients were randomized to receive open-label initiation of an ACE inhibitor (n = 257), ARB (n = 248), ARB in combination with DMX-200 (a chemokine receptor-2 inhibitor; n = 10), or no RAS inhibitor (control; n = 264) for up to 10 days. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome was organ support–free days, a composite of hospital survival and days alive without cardiovascular or respiratory organ support through 21 days. The primary analysis was a bayesian cumulative logistic model. Odds ratios (ORs) greater than 1 represent improved outcomes. RESULTS On February 25, 2022, enrollment was discontinued due to safety concerns. Among 679 critically ill patients with available primary outcome data, the median age was 56 years and 239 participants (35.2%) were women. Median (IQR) organ support–free days among critically ill patients was 10 (–1 to 16) in the ACE inhibitor group (n = 231), 8 (–1 to 17) in the ARB group (n = 217), and 12 (0 to 17) in the control group (n = 231) (median adjusted odds ratios of 0.77 [95% bayesian credible interval, 0.58-1.06] for improvement for ACE inhibitor and 0.76 [95% credible interval, 0.56-1.05] for ARB compared with control). The posterior probabilities that ACE inhibitors and ARBs worsened organ support–free days compared with control were 94.9% and 95.4%, respectively. Hospital survival occurred in 166 of 231 critically ill participants (71.9%) in the ACE inhibitor group, 152 of 217 (70.0%) in the ARB group, and 182 of 231 (78.8%) in the control group (posterior probabilities that ACE inhibitor and ARB worsened hospital survival compared with control were 95.3% and 98.1%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this trial, among critically ill adults with COVID-19, initiation of an ACE inhibitor or ARB did not improve, and likely worsened, clinical outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT0273570

ON THE WEAK SOLUTION OF THE WAVE EQUATION WITH VARIABLE COEFFICIENT

Master'sMASTER OF SCIENCE (RSH-FOS