Coping strategies and impact of disease among people living with HIV/AIDS: A qualitative study

Objective: The current study was undertaken to qualitatively investigate the coping strategies and impact of disease in HIV/AIDS patients. Methodology: The study was conducted at the Divisional Headquarters Teaching Hospital, Mirpur, Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The hospital is a divisional hospital for three districts namely Mirpur, Kotli, and Bhimber catering to a population of approximately 1.5 million. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions were conducted with twenty HIV/AIDS patients. For the analysis, the Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis technique was used. The major domain of the impact of HIV/AIDS was further divided into nine major themes. The other major domain was coping with HIV/AIDS which included themes of spiritual coping, problem-focused coping, and avoidance coping. Results: Findings highlighted depression among people living with HIV/AIDS. The first sub-theme was the positive aspect which explains the family attitude towards illness as now they have become more caring and supportive towards the participant. The impact of disease is multifaceted including social, emotional, financial, and occupational. The participants were more inclined towards spiritual coping and problem-focused coping as compared to the avoidance coping. Conclusion: The findings of the study highlighted the need of the assessment and management of the participants through a psychologist. HIV/AIDS patients need counseling and awareness on the disease and the things to consider while on treatment to cope with the stress. They must be provided the updated information on HIV/AIDS. The management of HIV/AIDS patients requires that issues of psychological stresses be coped with professionalism

Association of central obesity with risk factors for cardiovascular disease in North Indian population: A case - control study

Background: Central obesity is a leading cause of insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and Cardiovascular Disease (CVD). Central obesity may act as an independent predictor for CVD. Aim and Objectives: To study the correlation of central obesity among obese patients with the risk factors for CVD. Material and Methods: In this case-control study, 50 non-obese and 50 obese subjects aged between 30-70 years were enrolled. Biochemical parameters: Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS), Glycated Hemoglobin (HbA1c), Total Cholesterol (TC), Triglyceride (TG), High-Density Lipoprotein-Cholesterol (HDL-C) and Low-Density Lipoprotein-Cholesterol (LDL-C) were estimated along with Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP), Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP), Body Mass Index (BMI) and Waist Circumference (WC). Value of p less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Mean of FBS, HbA1c, TC, TG, LDL-C, SBP, DBP, BMI, and WC were significantly raised in obese compared to non-obese (p<0.01). However, the mean of HDL-C was significantly low in obese compared to non-obese (p<0.01). A significant positive correlation was found between age and WC (r=0.426, p<0.01), TC and TG (r=0.628, p<0.01), TC and LDL-C (r=0.934, p<0.01), TG and LDL-C (r=0.647, p<0.01) among obese. However, a significant negative correlation was found between TC and HDL-C (r=-0.453, p<0.01), TG and HDL-C (r=-0.323, p<0.05), and HDL-C and LDL-C (r=-0.510, p<0.01) among obese. Linear regression analysis model was found significant. Conclusion: Result showed that WC is an independent predictive marker for CVD. Further study is needed in larger sample to strengthen the hypothesis

Evaluation of serum adipokines (omentin-1 and visfatin) in coronary artery disease at a North Indian hospital

Objective. Adipose tissue is considered to be an endocrine organ that secretes bioactive substances known as adipokines that contribute to the pathophysiology of metabolic and coronary diseases related to obesity. In this study, various novel biomarkers, such as inflammatory markers that are pro-inflammatory (visfatin) and anti-inflammatory (omentin-1), as prognostic indicators for people with coronary artery disease (CAD) were investigated

Development and characterisation of MMT-reinforced polyacrylonitrile-pullulan nanofibers for controlled permeation of isotretinoin

AbstractDrug nanofibers play a crucial role in ameliorating therapeutic effects, reducing toxicity, and increasing the bioavailability of drugs. This study was aimed at the fabrication of isotretinoin-loaded MMT-reinforced bi-polymeric (PAN/PU) nanofibers with varying concentrations of isotretinoin. In this study, montmorillonite (MMT)-reinforced cross-linked polyacrylonitrile and pullulan nanofibers combined with varying amounts of isotretinoin were fabricated through an electrospinning approach and investigated for their drug permeation potential. PAN-PU nanofibers were successfully integrated with the isotretinoin. The incorporation of isotretinoin into the nanofibrous structure was confirmed by FTIR and XRD. TGA study indicated the stability of the fabricated nanoparticles. The SEM results showed the beaded and smooth morphology of nanofibers. Formulation with a higher drug concentration had a non-significantly (p > 0.05) higher swelling ratio. Drug-loaded polymeric nanofiber erodes at a slower rate as compared to drug-free nanofibers. The ex-vivo permeation study of nanofibers revealed that the drug was not released all at once, but rather gradually and consistently over the period of 24 h, indicating a controlled release of the drug. In addition, the drug concentration in the nanofibers affected the permeation of the drug. According to the findings, isotretinoin-loaded MMT-reinforced bi-polymeric (PAN/PU) nanofibers with varying concentrations of isotretinoin were successfully fabricated. The fabricated nanofibers (PAN/PU) showed a promising potential for controlled permeation of drugs through rabbit skin

The B-cell receptor in control of tumor B-cell fitness: Biology and clinical relevance

6nononenoneCasola S.; Perucho L.; Tripodo C.; Sindaco P.; Ponzoni M.; Facchetti F.Casola, Stefano; Perucho, L.; Tripodo, C.; Sindaco, P.; Ponzoni, M.; Facchetti, F

SARS-CoV-2 vaccination modelling for safe surgery to save lives: data from an international prospective cohort study

Background: Preoperative SARS-CoV-2 vaccination could support safer elective surgery. Vaccine numbers are limited so this study aimed to inform their prioritization by modelling. Methods: The primary outcome was the number needed to vaccinate (NNV) to prevent one COVID-19-related death in 1 year. NNVs were based on postoperative SARS-CoV-2 rates and mortality in an international cohort study (surgical patients), and community SARS-CoV-2 incidence and case fatality data (general population). NNV estimates were stratified by age (18-49, 50-69, 70 or more years) and type of surgery. Best- and worst-case scenarios were used to describe uncertainty. Results: NNVs were more favourable in surgical patients than the general population. The most favourable NNVs were in patients aged 70 years or more needing cancer surgery (351; best case 196, worst case 816) or non-cancer surgery (733; best case 407, worst case 1664). Both exceeded the NNV in the general population (1840; best case 1196, worst case 3066). NNVs for surgical patients remained favourable at a range of SARS-CoV-2 incidence rates in sensitivity analysis modelling. Globally, prioritizing preoperative vaccination of patients needing elective surgery ahead of the general population could prevent an additional 58 687 (best case 115 007, worst case 20 177) COVID-19-related deaths in 1 year. Conclusion: As global roll out of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination proceeds, patients needing elective surgery should be prioritized ahead of the general population