A cross sectional study on the determinants of railway fatalities in different age groups

Background: Over the last few decades many railway accidents and fatalities have occurred in India as well as worldwide. Cities having a high economic activity and are complex spatial structures, are supported by transport systems. The evolution of mass rapid transport system in the form of sub-urban railway network has increased railway casualties in the cities as the railroads pass through residential and commercial zones.Methods:  This cross-sectional observational study was conducted at R. G. Kar medical college and hospital police Morgue attached to the department of forensic medicine and toxicology (FMT), Kolkata on the randomly selected medico legal postmortems over last 4 years.Results: Railway accidents were common in males with mean age group of 38.98 years and was almost identical with the female mean age. The accidents mostly occurred in the office hours during the day time. Chi square test of association gave significant results between the different age groups with sex and grievous injuries sustained the people. Injuries sustained by the train showed that they were found mostly over the head followed by spine and thorax. Major cause of death was due to head injuries.Conclusions: The article gives an idea about the relevant demographic profiles and association with the age-related factors that can be taken up as means to prevent the accidents

SYNTHESIS OF SOME NOVEL TRIAZOLE DERIVATIVES AS SCHIFF BASES AND THEIR ANTIMICROBIAL EVALUATION

Objective: This work involves the synthesis of some novel schiff base derivatives synthesized from p-amino benzoic acid.Methods: A series of 4-[4-(arylidene amino-5-mercapto-4H-[1, 2, 4] triazol-3-yl]-benzoic acid complexes were synthesized from 4-(4-amino-5-mercapto-4H-[1, 2, 4] triazol-3-yl)-benzoic acid by reaction with different aromatic aldehydes. All the synthesized schiff base derivatives were characterized by using analytical techniques (FT-IR, 1H NMR and Mass spectroscopy). The title compounds were evaluated for antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae) and Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and anti-fungal activity against (Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger).Results: Schiff base derivatives 5(a-h) were synthesized in good yields and showed antimicrobial activity, among them, compounds 5c, 5d, 5e and 5f were significantly active against gram positive, gram negative bacterial and fungal strains and rest of compounds showed moderate to weak activity.Conclusion: The Schiff base obtained showed variation in the antimicrobial and antifungal activity, based on the structure of the substituted aromatic aldehydes

A Rare Case of Cerebral Hemangioblastoma Mimicking as Anterior Choroid Plexus Cyst

Abstract A choroid plexus cyst may be present throughout the ventricular system of the brain. A hemangioblastoma is generally found in patients with genetic diseases like Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) syndrome disease, but it can also be found sporadically in the spinal cord, retina and in rare cases in the cerebrum. An eighteen-year-old male subject was referred for autopsy in Kolkata police morgue on 27/02/2017. Two hours before, the patient had been brought to the hospital for severe headache; but before any diagnosis could be made, he collapsed and died. On autopsy, a 4cm fluid filled cyst was found in the anterior portion of third ventricle and sent for histopathological examination. HPE findings were consistent with a hemangioblastoma, which made this case extremely rare. Sudden death due to increased intracranial tension cases should be properly examined for any neuroepithelial tumours like a hemangioblastoma

Association of ABO blood group with severe falciparum malaria in adults: case control study and meta-analysis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Erythrocyte-associated antigenic polymorphisms or their absence have perhaps evolved in the human population to protect against malarial infection. Studies in various populations consistently demonstrate that blood group 'O' confers resistance against severe falciparum infection. In India, Odisha state has one of the highest incidences of <it>Plasmodium falciparum </it>infection and contributes to the highest number of deaths by falciparum malaria. This study aims to evaluate the relationship between ABO blood group and severe malaria in an adult population at the tertiary care centre in Odisha.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A total of 353 <it>P. falciparum </it>infected subjects and 174 healthy controls were screened for ABO blood group. Falciparum-infected individuals were categorized as severe malaria and uncomplicated malaria. Severe malaria was further clinically phenotyped into cerebral malaria, non-cerebral severe malaria and multi-organ dysfunction. A meta-analysis was performed to assess the role of ABO blood group in severe malaria.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Frequency of blood group 'B' was significantly higher in patients with severe malaria compared to the uncomplicated cases (P < 0.0001; OR = 4.09) and healthy controls (P < 0.0001; OR = 2.79). Irrespective of the level of clinical severity, blood group 'B' was significantly associated with cerebral malaria (P < 0.0001; OR = 5.95), multi-organ dysfunction (P < 0.0001; OR = 4.81) and non-cerebral severe malaria patients (P = 0.001; OR = 3.02) compared to the uncomplicated category. Prevalence of 'O' group in uncomplicated malaria (P < 0.0001; OR = 2.81) and healthy controls (P = 0.0003; OR = 2.16) was significantly high compared to severe malaria. Meta-analysis of previous studies, including the current one, highlighted the protective nature of blood group 'O' to severe malaria (P = 0.01). On the other hand, carriers of blood group 'A' (P = 0.04) and 'AB' (P = 0.04) were susceptible to malaria severity.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Results of the current study indicate that blood group 'O' is associated with reduced and 'B' blood group with increased risk of development of severe malaria in Odisha, India. Meta-analysis also supports the protective nature of blood group 'O' from severe falciparum infection.</p

A Rapid, Efficient and Green Method for Synthesis of 3,3&apos;-Arylmethylene-bis-4-hydroxycoumarins without Use of any Solvent, Catalyst or Solid Surface

Abstract: A rapid, efficient and green methodology has been developed for the synthesis of 3,3&apos;-arylmethylene-bis-4-hydroxycoumarins by microwave assisted condensation of aromatic aldehydes and 4-hydroxycoumarin without use of any solvent, catalyst or solid surface

Multifaceted Role of Heme during Severe Plasmodium falciparum Infections in India

Several immunomodulatory factors are involved in malaria pathogenesis. Among them, heme has been shown to play a role in the pathophysiology of severe malaria in rodents, but its role in human severe malaria remains unclear. Circulating levels of total heme and its main scavenger, hemopexin, along with cytokine/chemokine levels and biological parameters, including hemoglobin and creatinine levels, as well as transaminase activities, were measured in the plasma of 237 Plasmodium falciparum-infected patients living in the state of Odisha, India, where malaria is endemic. All patients were categorized into well-defined groups of mild malaria, cerebral malaria (CM), or severe noncerebral malaria, which included acute renal failure (ARF) and hepatopathy. Our results show a significant increase in total plasma heme levels with malaria severity, especially for CM and malarial ARF. Spearman rank correlation and canonical correlation analyses have shown a correlation between total heme, hemopexin, interleukin-10, tumor necrosis factor alpha, gamma interferon-induced protein 10 (IP-10), and monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1) levels. In addition, canonical correlations revealed that heme, along with IP-10, was associated with the CM pathophysiology, whereas both IP-10 and MCP-1 together with heme discriminated ARF. Altogether, our data indicate that heme, in association with cytokines and chemokines, is involved in the pathophysiology of both CM and ARF but through different mechanisms.Indo-French Centre for the Promotion of Advanced Research, Associated International Laboratory Systems (LIA; CNRS), Immunology and Genetics of Infectious Diseases (SIGID), Department of Biotechnology from the Ministry of Science and Technology of India (DBT), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) (intramural funds), Université Lille (doctoral contract), IFCPAR (Raman-Charpak award), College Doctoral Lille Nord de France (AAP n10 award), Fondation des Treille, Conseil Régional du Nord-Pas de Calais

Site-Specific Analysis of the Incidence Rate of Enterotoxigenic \u3ci\u3eEscherichia coli\u3c/i\u3e Infection Elucidates an Association with Childhood Stunting, Wasting, and Being Underweight: A Secondary Analysis of the MAL-ED Birth Cohort

Asymptomatic infection by fecal enteropathogens is a major contributor to childhood malnutrition. Here, we investigated the incidence rate of asymptomatic infection by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) and assessed its association with childhood stunting, wasting, and being underweight among children under 2 years of age. The Malnutrition and Enteric Disease birth cohort study included 1,715 children who were followed from birth to 24 months of age from eight distinct geographic locations including Bangladesh, Brazil, India, Peru, Tanzania, Pakistan, Nepal, and South Africa. The TaqMan array card assay was used to determine the presence of ETEC in the nondiarrheal stool samples collected from these children. Poisson regression was used to estimate the incidence rate, andmultiple generalized estimating equations with binomial family, logit link function, and exchangeable correlation were used to analyze the association between asymptomatic ETEC infection and anthropometric indicators such as stunting, wasting, and being underweight. The site-specific incidence rates of asymptomatic ETEC infections per 100 child-months were also higher at the study locations in Tanzania (54.81 [95% CI: 52.64, 57.07]) and Bangladesh (46.75 [95% CI: 44.75, 48.83]). In the Bangladesh, India, and Tanzania sites, the composite indicator of anthropometric failure was significantly associated with asymptomatic ETEC infection. Furthermore, a significant association between asymptomatic heat-stable toxin ETEC infections and childhood stunting, wasting, and being underweight was found in only the Bangladesh and Tanzania sites

Site-Specific Analysis of the Incidence Rate of Enterotoxigenic \u3ci\u3eEscherichia coli\u3c/i\u3e Infection Elucidates an Association with Childhood Stunting, Wasting, and Being Underweight: A Secondary Analysis of the MAL-ED Birth Cohort

Asymptomatic infection by fecal enteropathogens is a major contributor to childhood malnutrition. Here, we investigated the incidence rate of asymptomatic infection by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) and assessed its association with childhood stunting, wasting, and being underweight among children under 2 years of age. The Malnutrition and Enteric Disease birth cohort study included 1,715 children who were followed from birth to 24 months of age from eight distinct geographic locations including Bangladesh, Brazil, India, Peru, Tanzania, Pakistan, Nepal, and South Africa. The TaqMan array card assay was used to determine the presence of ETEC in the nondiarrheal stool samples collected from these children. Poisson regression was used to estimate the incidence rate, andmultiple generalized estimating equations with binomial family, logit link function, and exchangeable correlation were used to analyze the association between asymptomatic ETEC infection and anthropometric indicators such as stunting, wasting, and being underweight. The site-specific incidence rates of asymptomatic ETEC infections per 100 child-months were also higher at the study locations in Tanzania (54.81 [95% CI: 52.64, 57.07]) and Bangladesh (46.75 [95% CI: 44.75, 48.83]). In the Bangladesh, India, and Tanzania sites, the composite indicator of anthropometric failure was significantly associated with asymptomatic ETEC infection. Furthermore, a significant association between asymptomatic heat-stable toxin ETEC infections and childhood stunting, wasting, and being underweight was found in only the Bangladesh and Tanzania sites