Glycemia and New-Onset Diabetes among COVID-19 Patients with Prediabetes: A Follow-Study of Case Series in India

Studies have shown that COVID-19 patients with prediabetes frequently present with high plasma glucose levels on hospital admission. However, whether the glycemic abnormalities are temporary or persist after recovery from the illness is unclear. We conducted a follow-up study of the case series of 69 COVID-19 patients with prediabetes (HbA1c 5.7–6.4%) who were admitted to a tertiary care hospital in Chennai, India, from May to October 2020 and were discharged alive. Over a mean follow-up of 146.6 (SD: 72.5) days, the mean fasting plasma glucose rose significantly by 16.8 mg/dL (from 119.3–136.1 mg/dL), 2-hr post-prandial glucose by 61.0 mg/dL (from 176.2–237.2 mg/dL), and HbA1c by 0.6% (5.9–6.5%). Of the 49 (84.5%) patients who were discharged with glucose-lowering medications, 40 (81.6%) continued taking them at the first follow-up visit (mean of 50.1 days from admission), and 39 (79.6%) continued taking them at the second follow-up visit (mean of 114.3 days from the first follow-up visit). In addition, 12.1% of patients developed new-onset diabetes after recovery from the illness. These findings underscore the importance of regular monitoring of glycemic parameters in COVID-19 patients with prediabetes after recovery

Stearic acid modified glassy carbon electrode for electrochemical sensing of parathion and methyl parathion

Stearic acid modified glassy carbon electrode for the sensing of parathion and methyl parathion was fabricated. The electrochemical responses for parathion and methyl parathion were investigated by cyclic voltammetry, differential pulse voltammetry and amperometry. The results on stearic acid modified electrode and bare glassy carbon electrode were compared. Higher sensing current was obtained on stearic acid modified glassy carbon electrode. Analytical characteristics of the sensor such as sensitivity, linear dynamic range, lower detection limit and response time were evaluated

ESSENTIAL OILS ARE ENDORSED FOR HIGHER SOLUBILIZATION OF MANY AQUEOUS INSOLUBLE DRUGS

Objectives: Our study focused on improving or enhancing the solubilization effect of many water insoluble drugs that are under the category BCS Class II-IV. Methods: The solubility of ten such drugs was checked in clove and cinnamon oils, owing to their higher solubility capacity. Results: Out of these drugs, carvedilol, followed by, ezetimibe and olmesartan showed good solubilization in both these oils. Conclusion: These oils could thus be used in the development of drug delivery system for the above-mentioned drugs

First Year Medical Students′ AIDS Knowledge and Attitude

Research Question: What is the level of knowledge, sexual practices and attitude of medical students towards AIDS/ HIV. Objective: To assess the knowledge, sexual practices and attitudes of medical students in relation to HIV/AIDS. Study Design: Cross- sectional. Participants: 409 first year medical students. Study variables: Sex knowledge, sexual practices, Attitudes, Risk perception. Results: 92% of the students had heard about AIDS predominantly through mass media. Many students had misconception about transmission of HIV infection should not be allowed to work in the clinic or hospital. 36% of male and 9% of female students admitted indulging in safe sexual practices mostly with their friends

A novel management of vertical root fracture in an endodontically treated mandibular premolar with titanium screw: A case report

Introduction: Vertical root fracture is one of the conditions prevalent in endodontically treated teeth. The treatment options include extraction of the fracture fragment or the affected tooth as a whole. This case report highlights the successful management of vertical root fracture in an endodontically treated mandibular first premolar. Method: Surgical intervention was initiated, and a full-thickness flap was elevated. The separated fracture segment was safely retrieved, and the existing caries were removed and then reattached to the main fragment with the help of a titanium screw. The tooth was rehabilitated with a composite resin core followed by a porcelain-fused metal crown and the patient was followed up for 7 years. Result: The tooth was functional with evidence of new bone formation. Conclusion: Reattachment of the fracture fragments with a titanium screw might be considered as an option for managing vertical root fracture cases with poor prognosis

Is anemia an independent risk factor for postpartum depression in women who have a cesarean section? - A prospective observational study

Abstract Background The symptoms of anemia and depression are very similar suggesting that there may be an association between the two entities. The aim of this study is to assess whether postpartum anemia (PPA) is an independent risk factor for de novo postpartum depression (PPD)in women undergoing elective cesarean section. Methods Women after an uncomplicated term cesarean section were recruited and their hemoglobin and iron status were measured on day 3–5 post section and again at 6 weeks. Postpartum depression was screened using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and functional capacity was assessed with the RAND 12-item Health survey. Results One hundred and three women completed the study. The incidence of probable postpartum depression (PPD) as defined by EPDS score ≥ 10 was 17% at 6 weeks. There was no difference in hemoglobin or iron status in women who had PPD compared to those without (OR-0.69; 95% CI-0.15-2.49). Similarly, there was no significant association between low hemoglobin and maternal functional status (OR -1.03; 95% CI-0.34 - 2.94). Conclusions Neither anemia or low iron stores were found to be an independent risk factors for postpartum depression or decreased postpartum functional capacity in women who undergo an elective cesarean section

Experimental characterization of quaternary blended mortar exposed to marine environment using mechanical strength, corrosion resistance and chemical composition

The durability of concrete is significantly influenced by its binder composition, especially in the presence of aggressive chemical environment. This paper represents a study on the strength, durability, and corrosion resistance of quaternary blended mortar made with Portland pozzolana cement (PPC), ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) and rice husk ash (RHA) exposed to marine environment. Binary blended concrete mix using GGBS and RHA as partial replacement for cement is already well established. Previous research reports several shortcomings in using binary blended and ternary mix including low initial strength and increasing shrinkage strains with increasing percentages of GGBS, silica fume and RHA as partial substitutes for cement. Hence, this study is focused on overcoming the limitations of binary and ternary blended mixes by implementing a quaternary blended mix using GGBS and RHA to partially replace cement. This quaternary blended cementitious system is optimized based on its mortar compressive strength, determined by varying the percentages of GGBS and RHA as substitute for cement. These optimized quaternary mortar specimens are moist-cured for 28 days and then exposed to an artificially prepared marine environment for 180 days. The optimized quaternary blended mortar specimens show improved mechanical strengths, both compressive and flexural. These specimens also exhibit enhanced resistance to chloride penetration, corrosion, and water absorption compared to the control mix after 28 days of water curing. A quaternary blended mortar mix prepared with 70% PPC, 20% GGBS, and 10% RHA exhibits the maximum mechanical strength, resistance to chloride penetration, and corrosion, mass loss and water absorption upon exposure to marine environment up to a period of 180 days. Mineralogical analyses using X-ray diffraction (XRD), chemical bond analyses using Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR) spectroscopy, and microanalyses using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in conjunction with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) are implemented to determine the effects of marine environment exposure on the different mixes. The findings are then used to corroborate the observations from the specimen scale mechanical and chemical characterizations