To find out role of serum ferritin levels as an early predictor of severity of dengue-an observational study

Background: Ferritin is an acute-phase reactant and highly expressed by cells of the reticulo-endothelial system in response to infection and inflammation. Hyperferritinaemia is a hallmark of diseases characterized by extensive immune activation such as malignancy or viral infection, including dengue. Aims and Objectives: To find out if serum ferritin levels can predict the severity of dengue early. Material and Methods: Study design: This was a single centre, prospective observational study done on 50 patients with positive NS1Ag or dengue antibody serology Ig-M and are admitted in Paediatric ward or in Paediatric ICU during study period (December 2019 - May 2021) in tertiary care centre, Karad. Enrolled patients underwent serum ferritin level analysis at time of admission. Serum ferritin levels were later compared with the severity of the dengue disease (According to WHO dengue classification 2009). Statistical Analysis: Data was analyzed using computer software, SPSS-v21, DeLong et al (1988) and Binomial exact. Data was expressed in frequency and percentage as well as mean and standard deviation. A p<0.05 was taken as significant

Does prostate specific antigen act as predictor in benign prostatic hyperplasia? An observational study

Background: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is associated with increase in prostate volume (PV) and increased epithelial production of prostate specific antigen (PSA). Both, PV and serum PSA, offers a non-invasive guide for identifying patients at high-risk of disease progression and making treatment decisions. Objective: To evaluate the serum PSA concentration and PV in cases of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) secondary to BHP. Methods: Two hundred eligible symptomatic BHP patients with LUTS, were recruited into the study. All relevant history, clinical findings, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) category and digital rectal examination grading were recorded. Blood levels of PSA, blood urea and serum creatinine were estimated followed by abdominal and trans-rectal ultrasonography (USG) to assess the size of prostate, PV, the lobes involved and residual urine volume. The results were compiled and analyzed using statistical software R version 3.6.3. Results: The mean age of the BHP patients was 68.22 ± 9.18 years, with 36% suffering from acute urinary retention (AUR). The mean IPSS, PV and PSA levels were 23.80 ± 5.67, 58.40 ± 18.56 cc and 4.61 ± 1.66 ng/mL, respectively. The mean blood urea and serum creatinine levels were 32.02 ± 6.05 mg/dL and 1.10 ± 0.28 mg/dL, respectively

Efficacy and Safety of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) Root Extract in Improving Sexual Function in Women: A Pilot Study

Background. Many women experience sexual dysfunction where there are orgasm disorders and sexual difficulties. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is a herb known to improve the body’s physical and psychological condition. Objective. The purpose of the study was to determine the efficacy and safety of a high-concentration ashwagandha root extract (HCARE) supplementation for improving sexual function in healthy females. Methods. In this pilot study, 50 study subjects were randomized to either (i) HCARE-treated group or (ii) placebo- (starch-) treated group. The subjects consumed either HCARE or placebo capsules of 300mg twice daily for 8 weeks. Sexual function was assessed using two psychometric scales, the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) Questionnaire and the Female Sexual Distress Scale (FSDS), and by the number of total and successful sexual encounters. Results. The analysis indicates that treatment with HCARE leads to significantly higher improvement, relative to placebo, in the FSFI Total score (p<0.001), FSFI domain score for “arousal” (p<0.001), “lubrication” (p<0.001), “orgasm” (p=0.004), and “satisfaction” (p<0.001), and also FSDS score (p<0.001) and the number of successful sexual encounters (p<0.001) at the end of the treatment. Conclusions. This study demonstrated that oral administration of HCARE may improve sexual function in healthy women. The present study is registered in the Clinical Trial Registry, Government of India, with a number CTRI/2015/07/006045

Congenital paraesophageal hiatus hernia with gastric volvulus

Paraesophageal hiatus hernia is rarely seen in the neonatal period. An intrathoracic gastric volvulus complicating such a hernia is rarer. The upper gastrointestinal tract contrast study is diagnostic. Rapid diagnosis and treatment is essential. It avoids lethal complications as gastric dilatation, gangrene and perforation, which in turn may lead to cardiopulmonary arrest

Use of Sodium Chloride IP 0.65% w/v Nasal Spray for Symptom Relief in Patients after Nasal Surgery

Abstract Introduction : The use of nasal irrigation for the treatment of nose and sinus complaints has its foundations in yogic and homoeopathic traditions. There has been increasing use of saline irrigation, douches, sprays and rinsing as an adjunct to the medical management of chronic rhinosinusitis. Treatment strategies often include the use of topical saline from once to more than four times a day

Mutagenicity and safety evaluation of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) root aqueous extract in different models

Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) also called as Indian ginseng, a revered herb from Indian traditional system of medicine is a rejuvenator and tonic (Rasayana) used for its varied benefits. The roots of ashwagandha exhibit properties like anti-inflammatory, aphrodisiac, anthelmintic, astringent, diuretic, stimulant and thermogenic. However, data of ashwagandha on its mutagenic effects are lacking. In the present study, in-vitro genotoxicity tests were used to evaluate the mutagenic potential of Ashwagandha Root Extract (ARE). Concentrations of 0.156 to 5.00 mg/plate ARE were used for conducting Bacterial reverse mutation test (BRMT). For chromosome aberration (CA) test ARE was used in concentrations of 0.25 to 2.00 mg/ml, and for micronucleus (MN) tests ARE concentrations of 500/1000/2000 mg/kg were used. Acute oral toxicity was conducted in Wistar rats (n = 25) as per the OECD guideline (#423) with doses of 500/1000/2000 mg/kg body weight in male Swiss albino mice for morbidity and mortality for 3 days. The BRMT and CA tests were conducted with and without metabolic activation (S9). The study was approved by the institutional ethics committee (IEC) and institutional animal ethics committee (IAEC). ARE failed to show any mutagenic effects up to a dose of 5 mg/plate in BRMT. Also, ARE did not show any clastogenic activity in doses up to 2 mg/ml in CA test and in micronucleus test up to 2000 mg/kg body weight. These results were observed with and without metabolic activation (S9) under the stated experimental conditions. No mortality, morbidity, or any clinical signs were observed up to 3 days following ARE administration. Ashwagandha root extract failed to show any mortality in doses up to 2000 mg/kg oral dosage and did not show any mutagenic (genotoxic) effects in high concentrations