Prevalence of hypertension among tribals of Jharkhand with chest discomfort

Background: Cross sectional observational comparative study in a tertiary care hospital on Prevalence of Hypertension among tribals of Jharkhand with Chest discomfort.Methods: 102 subjects (53 male and 49 female) were selected for the study, who had presented with chest discomfort and history of Hypertension.Results: In the current study total 102 subjects were taken, 53 were males. Among tribal males prevalence rate of hypertension, using (J.N.C.-7) criteria majority of them (41subjects 77.35%) were Prehypertensive. 8 subjects (15.09%) had normal blood pressure, 3 subjects (5.66%) had stage -I hypertension and only 1 subject (1.88%) had stage-2 hypertension. In females out of 49 subjects 28 subjects (57.14%) were pre hypertensive, 17 subjects (34.69%) were Normotensive and only 2 subjects (4.08 %) had stage -1 hypertension, as well as 2 subjects (4.08 %) had stage-2 hypertension.Conclusions: The prevalence of Hypertension among tribal patients of chest discomfort was found to be prehypertensive in 40.19% and hypertensive in 3.92% among male and among female tribal’s prehypertensive in 27.45% and hypertensive in 3.92%

Role of closed subcutaneous drain in prevention of surgical site infection in perforation peritonitis

Background: Surgery for perforation peritonitis is associated with the highest rates of infective complications, especially surgical site infection. SSI occurs due to failure of obliteration of dead space during abdominal wound closure resulting in formation of hematoma and seroma collection in the surgical wound viz. abdominal wound in cases of perforation peritonitis. This acts as a good culture medium for bacterial organisms to grow and cause wound infection. The bacterial pathogens can be either from intra-abdominal sepsis or nosocomial in origin. Closed suction drains can be used effectively to eliminate dead space in the wound and evacuates the seroma or hematoma collection, thereby reducing chances of SSI and also helps in early detection of SSI by inspecting the nature of drain output. Aim was to evaluate the role of closed suction drains in prevention of SSI in cases of perforation peritonitis. Methods: Comparative study of 60 cases of perforation peritonitis divided into two equal groups (Group A patient with closed suction drain in subcutaneous space vs. Group B patient without closed suction drain). Outcomes of SSI were compared. Results: The incidence of SSI in Group A was 33% whereas in Group B was 70%. 40% cases in SSI in Group A whereas 76% cases of SSI in Group B developed wound dehiscence. Most cases of SSI was diagnosed on POD 2 for Group A and on POD 4 for Group B. Conclusions: The study supports use of closed suction drain in perforation peritonitis for prevention, early detection and appropriate management of SSI

Application of plastic funnel in blast hole to improve blasting efficiency of opencast coal mine at West Bokaro

Blasting being one of the key activities of mining, its efficiency in terms of lower explosives consumption, improved rock fragmentation, decreased fly-rock, reduced noise and vibration level is very much desired for an effective mining operation which can be achieved by maximizing the utilization of explosive energy in the blast hole. Use of ‘reverse plastic funnel’ into the blast hole is one of the techniques for more utilization of explosives energy to improve blasting efficiency. The reverse plastic funnel is placed between explosive and stemming column in the blast hole which eliminates the contamination of explosive from drill cuttings (used for stemming), thus increases the Velocity of Detonation (VoD) of the explosive. Also, the conic shape of funnel creates a ‘Wedge effect’ guiding more of the explosive energy into the rock rather than upward out of the blast hole which helps in utilizing more explosive energy for rock breakage and reducing fly rock generation. In order to establish the benefit, trials were carried out in OB (overburden) benches of opencast coal mine at West Bokaro. In-hole VoD is measured by using Micro Trap VoD Recorder. It was found that the in-hole Velocity of Detonation (VoD) of the explosive is more in blast hole having funnel which means more strength of explosive. It was also observed that the fly rocks generation is negligible from blast holes in which funnels are placed

Acoustoelectric effect in semiconductor superlattice

Acoustoelectric effect in semiconductor superlattice (SL) in the region ql >>1 has been studied. The equation of motion of the lattice has been transformed into a simple form which becomes identical with the dynamic equation for the wave amplitude in the theory of plasma turbulence. A dispersion relation has been derived from the acoustoelectric current J on the constant electric field E. It is noted that when the electric field is negative the current J rises, reaches a peak and falls off. On the other hand, when the electric field is positive the current decreases, reaches a peak and then rises. A similar observation has been noted for an acoustoelectric interaction in a multilayered structure resulting from the analysis of the Si/SiO2 structure. Keywords: acoustoelectric current; acoustomagnetothermal effect; quantum transparency DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/bibechana.v8i0.5013    BIBECHANA 8 (2012) 67-7

Acoustoelectric effect in semiconductor superlattice

Acoustoelectric effect in semiconductor superlattice (SL) in the region ql >>1 has been studied. The equation of motion of the lattice has been transformed into a simple form which becomes identical with the dynamic equation for the wave amplitude in the theory of plasma turbulence. A dispersion relation has been derived from the acoustoelectric current J on the constant electric field E. It is noted that when the electric field is negative the current J rises, reaches a peak and falls off. On the other hand, when the electric field is positive the current decreases, reaches a peak and then rises. A similar observation has been noted for an acoustoelectric interaction in a multilayered structure resulting from the analysis of the Si/SiO2 structure. Keywords: acoustoelectric current; acoustomagnetothermal effect; quantum transparency DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/bibechana.v8i0.5013    BIBECHANA 8 (2012) 67-7

Disruption of APOL1-miR193a Axis Induces Disorganization of Podocyte Actin Cytoskeleton

Abstract APOL1-miR193a axis participates in the preservation of molecular phenotype of differentiated podocytes (DPDs). We examined the hypothesis that APOL1 (G0) preserves, but APOL1 risk alleles (G1 and G2) disrupt APOL1-miR193a axis in DPDs. DPDG0s displayed down-regulation of miR193a, but upregulation of nephrin expression. DPDG1s/G2s exhibited an increase in miR193a and down-regulation of the expression of adherens complex’s constituents (CD2AP, nephrin, and dendrin). DPDG0s showed decreased Cathepsin L, enhanced dynamin expressions, and the intact actin cytoskeleton. On the contrary, DPDG1s/G2s displayed an increase in Cathepsin L, but down-regulation of dynamin expressions and disorganization of the actin cytoskeleton. APOL1 silencing enhanced miR193a and Cathepsin L, but down-regulated dynamin expressions. DPDG1s/G2s displayed nuclear import of dendrin, indicating an occurrence of destabilization of adherens complexes in APOL1 risk milieu. These findings suggest that DPDG1s and DPDG2s developed disorganized actin cytoskeleton as a consequence of disrupted APOL1-miR193a axis. Interestingly, docking and co-labeling studies suggested an interaction between APOL1 and CD2AP. APOL1 G1/G1 and APOL1 G1/G2 transgenic mice displayed nuclear import of dendrin indicating destabilization of adherens complexes in podocytes; moreover, these mice showed a four-fold increase in urinary albumin to creatinine ratio and development of focal segmental glomerular lesions

Assessing performance of the Healthcare Access and Quality Index, overall and by select age groups, for 204 countries and territories, 1990-2019: a systematic analysis from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Background: Health-care needs change throughout the life course. It is thus crucial to assess whether health systems provide access to quality health care for all ages. Drawing from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2019 (GBD 2019), we measured the Healthcare Access and Quality (HAQ) Index overall and for select age groups in 204 locations from 1990 to 2019. Methods: We distinguished the overall HAQ Index (ages 0–74 years) from scores for select age groups: the young (ages 0–14 years), working (ages 15–64 years), and post-working (ages 65–74 years) groups. For GBD 2019, HAQ Index construction methods were updated to use the arithmetic mean of scaled mortality-to-incidence ratios (MIRs) and risk-standardised death rates (RSDRs) for 32 causes of death that should not occur in the presence of timely, quality health care. Across locations and years, MIRs and RSDRs were scaled from 0 (worst) to 100 (best) separately, putting the HAQ Index on a different relative scale for each age group. We estimated absolute convergence for each group on the basis of whether the HAQ Index grew faster in absolute terms between 1990 and 2019 in countries with lower 1990 HAQ Index scores than countries with higher 1990 HAQ Index scores and by Socio-demographic Index (SDI) quintile. SDI is a summary metric of overall development. Findings: Between 1990 and 2019, the HAQ Index increased overall (by 19·6 points, 95% uncertainty interval 17·9–21·3), as well as among the young (22·5, 19·9–24·7), working (17·2, 15·2–19·1), and post-working (15·1, 13·2–17·0) age groups. Large differences in HAQ Index scores were present across SDI levels in 2019, with the overall index ranging from 30·7 (28·6–33·0) on average in low-SDI countries to 83·4 (82·4–84·3) on average in high-SDI countries. Similarly large ranges between low-SDI and high-SDI countries, respectively, were estimated in the HAQ Index for the young (40·4–89·0), working (33·8–82·8), and post-working (30·4–79·1) groups. Absolute convergence in HAQ Index was estimated in the young group only. In contrast, divergence was estimated among the working and post-working groups, driven by slow progress in low-SDI countries. Interpretation: Although major gaps remain across levels of social and economic development, convergence in the young group is an encouraging sign of reduced disparities in health-care access and quality. However, divergence in the working and post-working groups indicates that health-care access and quality is lagging at lower levels of social and economic development. To meet the needs of ageing populations, health systems need to improve health-care access and quality for working-age adults and older populations while continuing to realise gains among the young. Funding: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Neurodevelopmental disorders in children aged 2-9 years: Population-based burden estimates across five regions in India.

BACKGROUND: Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) compromise the development and attainment of full social and economic potential at individual, family, community, and country levels. Paucity of data on NDDs slows down policy and programmatic action in most developing countries despite perceived high burden. METHODS AND FINDINGS: We assessed 3,964 children (with almost equal number of boys and girls distributed in 2-<6 and 6-9 year age categories) identified from five geographically diverse populations in India using cluster sampling technique (probability proportionate to population size). These were from the North-Central, i.e., Palwal (N = 998; all rural, 16.4% non-Hindu, 25.3% from scheduled caste/tribe [SC-ST] [these are considered underserved communities who are eligible for affirmative action]); North, i.e., Kangra (N = 997; 91.6% rural, 3.7% non-Hindu, 25.3% SC-ST); East, i.e., Dhenkanal (N = 981; 89.8% rural, 1.2% non-Hindu, 38.0% SC-ST); South, i.e., Hyderabad (N = 495; all urban, 25.7% non-Hindu, 27.3% SC-ST) and West, i.e., North Goa (N = 493; 68.0% rural, 11.4% non-Hindu, 18.5% SC-ST). All children were assessed for vision impairment (VI), epilepsy (Epi), neuromotor impairments including cerebral palsy (NMI-CP), hearing impairment (HI), speech and language disorders, autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), and intellectual disability (ID). Furthermore, 6-9-year-old children were also assessed for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and learning disorders (LDs). We standardized sample characteristics as per Census of India 2011 to arrive at district level and all-sites-pooled estimates. Site-specific prevalence of any of seven NDDs in 2-<6 year olds ranged from 2.9% (95% CI 1.6-5.5) to 18.7% (95% CI 14.7-23.6), and for any of nine NDDs in the 6-9-year-old children, from 6.5% (95% CI 4.6-9.1) to 18.5% (95% CI 15.3-22.3). Two or more NDDs were present in 0.4% (95% CI 0.1-1.7) to 4.3% (95% CI 2.2-8.2) in the younger age category and 0.7% (95% CI 0.2-2.0) to 5.3% (95% CI 3.3-8.2) in the older age category. All-site-pooled estimates for NDDs were 9.2% (95% CI 7.5-11.2) and 13.6% (95% CI 11.3-16.2) in children of 2-<6 and 6-9 year age categories, respectively, without significant difference according to gender, rural/urban residence, or religion; almost one-fifth of these children had more than one NDD. The pooled estimates for prevalence increased by up to three percentage points when these were adjusted for national rates of stunting or low birth weight (LBW). HI, ID, speech and language disorders, Epi, and LDs were the common NDDs across sites. Upon risk modelling, noninstitutional delivery, history of perinatal asphyxia, neonatal illness, postnatal neurological/brain infections, stunting, LBW/prematurity, and older age category (6-9 year) were significantly associated with NDDs. The study sample was underrepresentative of stunting and LBW and had a 15.6% refusal. These factors could be contributing to underestimation of the true NDD burden in our population. CONCLUSIONS: The study identifies NDDs in children aged 2-9 years as a significant public health burden for India. HI was higher than and ASD prevalence comparable to the published global literature. Most risk factors of NDDs were modifiable and amenable to public health interventions