ASSESSMENT OF METABOLIC SYNDROME: ROLE OF SERUM FERRITIN

ABSTRACTObjective: The aim of the study is to explore the association between serum ferritin level and metabolic syndrome and its components.Methods: Serum ferritin level and metabolic syndrome and its components were measured among 100 study subjects with respect to 25 healthycontrols at Santosh Medical College and Hospital, Ghaziabad. Fasting and post-prandial blood sugar level was estimated by using glucose oxidaseperoxidase(POD)method.Totalcholesterol,triglycerides,andhigh-densitylipoproteincholesterolwereestimatedbyusing cholesteroloxidase(CHOD)-PODmethod,glycerol-3-phosphateoxidase-phenolaminophenazone method, and Phosphotungustate/CHOD-PODmethod,respectively.Low-densitylipoproteincholesterolwasestimatedbyusing Friedewald'sequation. Serum concentrationof ferritinwasestimatedbyusing MicroELISAtestkit.Cases and controlswerecomparedusing Chi-squaretestand unpairedStudent's t-testand p valueswerecalculated.Results: Significant relationship was observed between serum ferritin level and components of metabolic syndrome. Body mass index, blood sugarlevel, and lipid profile were significantly (<0.05) different between the groups. Serum concentration of creatinine and urea was not significantly(>0.05) different between the groups. Serum ferritin level was elevated in case group with metabolic syndrome and this difference was extremelysignificant (<0.01) between the groups.Conclusion: Serum ferritin, key regulator of iron homeostasis, can be used as indicator of progressing risk of metabolic syndrome.Keywords: Dyslipidemia, Ferritin, Insulin resistance

Mapping local patterns of childhood overweight and wasting in low- and middle-income countries between 2000 and 2017

A double burden of malnutrition occurs when individuals, household members or communities experience both undernutrition and overweight. Here, we show geospatial estimates of overweight and wasting prevalence among children under 5 years of age in 105 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) from 2000 to 2017 and aggregate these to policy-relevant administrative units. Wasting decreased overall across LMICs between 2000 and 2017, from 8.4% (62.3 (55.1–70.8) million) to 6.4% (58.3 (47.6–70.7) million), but is predicted to remain above the World Health Organization’s Global Nutrition Target of <5% in over half of LMICs by 2025. Prevalence of overweight increased from 5.2% (30 (22.8–38.5) million) in 2000 to 6.0% (55.5 (44.8–67.9) million) children aged under 5 years in 2017. Areas most affected by double burden of malnutrition were located in Indonesia, Thailand, southeastern China, Botswana, Cameroon and central Nigeria. Our estimates provide a new perspective to researchers, policy makers and public health agencies in their efforts to address this global childhood syndemic

IMPACT OF BIOSOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MOTHER ON BIRTH WEIGHT OF THE NEWBORN

Objective: To find out the impact of biosocial characteristics of the mother on birth weight of the newborn. Study Setting: Three most busy hospitals of District Dehradun. Study Design: Cross sectional descriptive study. Study Period: One year (i.e. from May 2006 to April 2007. Study Population: Pregnant females delivering live infants in the study setting during the period of study. Material & Methods: The study group comprised of 1300 mothers from HIMS Jolly Grant, S.P.S.S. Government hospital Rishikesh and Doon Hospital Dehradun which contributed in equal proportions to the sample. Each hospital was visited for four days in a week till the sample for that hospital was complete and later shifted to the next to follow the same procedure. Interviewing and examination of the mother and the newborn were the main methodologies adopted for the present study. All the mothers who delivered live infants were interviewed within 24 hours after delivery on a pre-designed schedule, and this was followed by the examination of the mother and the new born. Data was collected on a structured and pre-tested questionnaire. Statistical analysis: Data was entered in SPSS (Version 10.0) & Microsoft Excel programme and were subjected for statistical significance. Results: The highest prevalence of LBW was found among mothers aged <18 years (72.2 percent). A decreasing trend in prevalence of LBW was reported with increasing hemoglobin level. Birth interval of <2 yrs was statistically associated with higher prevalence of LBW. There is a rise of LBW cases in parity of > 5. Conclusions: Mothers health and the biosocial factors significantly contribute to the prevalence of low birth weight among the newborns

Prevalence of Hypertension and Risk Factors associated with it in Subjects attending Health Camp in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand

Background: One of the most important causes of death in the world is hypertension and its epidemic seems to be growing. By the year 2025, around 1.5 billion adults will be living with hypertension. Aim & Objectives: To find prevalence of hypertension in subjects attending a health screening camp at SPS government hospital, Rishikesh and to identify various risk factors related to hypertension. Material & Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among subjects attending a health screening camp at SPS Government hospital, Rishikesh. The camp was conducted for seven days period, from 11th October- 17th October, 2017. All subjects that attended the health camp and were either 30 years old and/or above were included in this study. An informed written consent was taken from all subjects that consented to participate in this study after explaining to them the purpose of the study. A questionnaire that was predesigned, pretested, structured was used to obtain demographic data, personal data and history of hypertension in the family, behavioural aspects, including, use of tobacco, alcohol and dietary habits. Blood pressure (BP) and anthropometric measurements were also recorded in this study. Total of 207 people attended the health camp, from which 196 agreed to participate in study. Results: Out of total of 207 people that attended the camp, 196 people gave their consent to participate in the study. In this study, out of 196 subjects 66 (33.7%) were found to be hypertensive. Risk factors like increasing age, family history of hypertension, increased BMI and waist hip ratio, use of tobacco and alcohol and increased blood sugar levels were found to be associated significantly with hypertension. Conclusion: There is high prevalence of hypertension in Rishikesh. Efforts are required to regularly screen for blood pressure at the community level to help tackle this iceberg disease

Determination of minimum instrumentation size for penetration of diode laser against Enterococcus faecalis in root canals using scanning electron microscope: An in vitro study

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine minimum instrumentation size for penetration of diode laser against Enterococcus faecalis in root canals using scanning electron microscope (SEM). Methodology: Fifty-five single-rooted human permanent maxillary anterior teeth were selected. The sterilized specimens were inoculated with 5 μl E. faecalis culture grown in diluted brain–heart infusion broth and incubated at 37°C for 4 weeks. After 4 weeks, 5 samples were selected as baseline group to evaluate the depth of penetration of E. faecalis. Remaining 50 samples were divided into 5 groups based on the apical enlargement size using ProTaper file system: Group 1 – canal preparation done till #F1 size file; Group 2 – canal preparation done till #F2 size file; Group 3– canal preparation done till #F3 size file; Group 4 – canal preparation done till #F4 size file; Group 5 – canal preparation done till #F5 size file. The canals were prepared and then irradiated with 940 nm diode laser at a power setting of 1.5W for 5 s. The procedure was repeated 4 times with intervals of 10 s between each one. All the samples were then transversely sectioned at 2 mm and 5 mm from the apex. Each section was then examined under a SEM to evaluate the depth of penetration of E. faecalis in the baseline group and depth of penetration of diode laser in the experimental groups. The results were analyzed using the two-way ANOVA and Tukey's multiple post hoc test. Results: Depth of penetration of laser was highest in Group 3 in apical third region and was statistically significant when compared to Group 1 and Group 2 in the middle and apical third regions. However, no statistically significant difference was noted between Group 3, Group 4, and Group 5. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the apical instrumentation to a size F3 using ProTaper file system along with irradiation using a diode laser showed a greater depth of penetration into dentin and thus reducing residual microorganisms. Furthermore, conserving as much tooth structure as possible, thereby increasing the predictability of success

Prevalence of Porphyromonas gingivalis and its relationship with herpesvirus in Indian subjects with chronic periodontitis: A cross-sectional study

Background: Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) is a periodontal pathogen that is commonly harbored in the dental plaque of humans. The aim of this study was to look into the prevalence of P. gingivalis and its association with herpesvirus in Indian subjects. This is probably the first study on the association of this bacterium with herpesvirus in Indians. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study consists of 200 subjects, with 100 subjects each in the healthy group and the chronic periodontitis (CP) group. Upon plaque collection, one portion of the samples was immediately plated, on culture media that is selective for P. gingivalis. Total colony-forming units (CFU)/mL from each plate was recorded. The remaining plaque sample was subjected to DNA extraction and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed using specific primers for Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Epstein–Barr virus (EBV). The data are analyzed using the chi-square test, Spearman's rho correlation coefficient, and Mann–Whitney U test. Results: P. gingivalis was detected in 66% of the subjects with CP and in 40% in the healthy group, and this difference was statistically significant (P = 0.00023). The correlation of clinical parameters with P. gingivalis showed a significant positive correlation, indicating that higher levels of clinical parameters were associated with higher CFUs of P. gingivalis in culture. The comparison of the presence of P. gingivalis between herpesvirus-negative and -positive cases showed that CMV-positive cases had significantly higher levels of this bacterium. Conclusions: The results of this study confirmed the earlier finding of P. gingivalis presence in significantly higher levels in CP subjects and in CMV-positive sites. In addition, there was a positive association of the bacterium with clinical parameters