Acute pancreatitis associated with dengue fever: An interesting and rare complication of dengue virus

In humans, infections with dengue viruses range from mild fever with thrombocytopenia to life-threatening forms like vasodilatory shock with hemorrhagic manifestations. Of the many complications known of dengue fever, pancreatitis is a rarely discussed event. We would like to present a rare and unusual complication of this common disease. A 17 year old female with past history of tuberculosis was admitted with complains of pain abdomen and fever along with thrombocytopenia. Besides features of dengue fever, the presence of typical abdominal pain, high serum amylase, ultrasound, and computerized tomography scan features suggested the diagnosis of an acute pancreatitis. This complication developed in the initial phase of the illness. The patient had mild-to-moderate pancreatitis that recovered uneventfully with conservative treatment. The awareness of this complication in dengue fever is necessary for timely management of patients which will aid in reducing mortality

New corona virus: is just a tip of iceberg?

The world is again experiencing a global viral epidemic of zoonotic origin. As of March 30, 785807 confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and 37820 deaths had been reported in more than 120 countries. Strenuous efforts are being made by various countries of the world to halt transmission through shutting down transport, quarantining entire cities and enforcing the use of face masks. International flights have been cancelled and affected cruise ships quarantined. As in all outbreaks, there is an urgent need to develop effective diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines. Several experimental diagnostic platforms are already in use in China and elsewhere. The whole-genome sequence of SARS-CoV-2 has been obtained and shared widely. Several potential treatments have been proposed, however, no antiviral treatment has been approved for the novel coronavirus, and despite two outbreaks of novel coronaviruses in the past two decades, vaccine development is still in its infancy

A COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS OF DRUG PRESCRIBING PRACTICES OF DOCTORS AND COMPLETENESS OF PRESCRIPTION IN A GOVERNMENT MEDICAL COLLEGE IN NORTHERN INDIA

Objective: This study was designed to analyze the drug prescribing practices of doctors and completeness of prescriptions in a government medical college in Northern India. Methods: A total of 2155 prescriptions were evaluated for adequacy of information related to prescribed drugs and completeness of information related to patients and doctors. Results: The weight of the patient was written only in 1.90% prescriptions. The diagnosis was not written on 43.85% prescriptions. A total number of drugs prescribed in all the prescriptions was 6998. The average number of drugs per prescription was found to be 3.25±0.24. Out of these, 64.10% were prescribed by brand names. About 69.14% of drugs were prescribed in the form of tablets. Route of administration was not found to be mentioned for 86.08% drugs. For 53.90% drugs, dose was not mentioned. The name of the prescribing doctor was mentioned in 1.95% prescriptions only. Conclusion: The study revealed that many prescriptions lacked crucial components of information pertaining to the drugs prescribed and the prescribing doctor. There is a vast scope for improvement by the prescribers

COMPARISON OF THE EFFECTS OF ANTIDEPRESSANTS ON COGNITION FUNCTIONS IN PATIENTS OF MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDERS IN TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN HARYANA

Objective: Depression is one of the most common mood disorders. Patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) usually present alterations in various cognitive functions. Several cost-effective interventions have shown favorable recovery and positive outcomes in the care and management of depression. The objective of the study was to compare the effect of fluoxetine (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), and venlafaxine (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors) on cognitive functioning in patients with MDD. Methods: This prospective, single-blinded, randomized, and comparative interventional clinical study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital in Haryana. Fifty-two patients of MDD (ICD-10) were randomly divided into two groups: Group F and Group V, allocated to receive fluoxetine and venlafaxine, respectively. The assessment was done during the enrolment and at the end of the 3rd, 6th, 9th, and 12th weeks of treatment using the ABC-Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) Scale. Statistical Analysis Used: The intragroup analysis was performed using repeated measures ANOVA while intergroup analysis was performed using unpaired “t”-test. p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Mean HAM-D score was clinically as well as statistically significant at the end of the 12th week of treatment as compared to baseline in both the groups while on the intergroup comparison, there was no statistically significant difference in both groups. The mean MoCA score was (25±2.19) in Group F and (23.76±6.97) in Group V at the end of the 12th week. On intergroup analysis at the 12th week, a statistically significant improvement in cognitive functions was observed in patients Group F as compared to Group V (p<0.05). Conclusions: The study of fluoxetine comparatively better improves cognition functions as compared to venlafaxine

Cross-sectional study of effect of adiposity and hypertensive states on airway dynamics

Background: Adiposity and hypertensive states are major burden for community. It causes many health-related issues, including problems related to respiratory system. It is proposed that pulmonary functions can be affected in obese hypertensive and obese normotensive adults compared to non-obese normotensive adults. The objective of the study was to find out the effect of adiposity and hypertensive states on the airway dynamics.Methods: About 30 male obese normotensives and 30 male obese hypertensive subjects were selected as study participants. 30 age-controlled non-obese, normotensive males were selected as controls. All participants were in the age group of 40 to 60 years. The pulmonary functions measured were FVC, FEV1, FEV1% and PEFR. All the participants performed 3 attempts of spirometry and maximum among the three recordings were used for analysis. ANOVA followed by Post hoc analysis to find out any significant differences between these groups. Spearman’s rank correlation was used.Results: There was a statistically significant differences in BMI between the group I and group II and III. There was a significant difference in SBP and DBP between obese normotensive (group II) and obese hypertensive (group III) subjects. There were significant decline in % predicted values of PFT parameters, on comparing obese normotensive and obese hypertensive when compared to non-obese normotensive participants. There were statistically significant negative correlations between age and FEV1 as well as BMI and PEFR.Conclusions: There was a significant decrease the pulmonary functions in obese normotensive and obese hypertensive adults in comparison to non-obese normotensive adults. It can be concluded that body weight and adiposity as well as high blood pressure creates deleterious effect on airway dynamics

Molecular Characterization of Heat Shock Protein 70-1 Gene of Goat (Capra hircus)

Heat shock protein 70 (HSP 70) plays a vital role by bestowing cytoprotection against diverse kinds of stresses. The ubiquitous HSP 70 proteins are the most abundant and temperature sensitive among all the HSPs. The present paper has characterized HSP70-1 cDNA in goat (Capra hircus). Total RNA isolated from goat peripheral blood mononuclear cells was reverse transcribed to cDNA that was used for amplification of HSP 70-1 gene. PCR product (1926 bp) was cloned in pGEM-T easy vector and sequenced. Sequence analysis revealed 1926-bp-long open reading frame of HSP 70-1 gene encoding 641 amino acids in goat, as reported in cattle. At nucleotide level, goat HSP 70-1 was found to be 96–99% similar to that of sheep (partial), cattle, and buffalo whereas the similarity at amino acid level was 95–100%. Nonsynonymous substitutions exceeding synonymous substitutions indicate the evolution of this protein through positive selection among domestic animals. Goat and sheep appear to have diverged from a common ancestor in phylogenetic analysis. Predicted protein structures of goat HSP 70 protein obtained from deduced amino acid sequence indicated that the functional amino acids involved in chaperoning through ATPase hydrolytic cycle and in uncoating of clathrin coated vesicles are highly conserved

Investigating Flavonoid Extracts from Medicinal Plants: Evaluating their Anti-Cancer Potential, Mechanisms, and Synergistic Impact on Colon Cancer

Colon cancer, the leading cause of global cancer-related mortality, demands innovative therapeutic approaches to combat its formidable impact. This empirical study embarks on a quest to unlock novel avenues for colon cancer treatment by investigating the anti-cancer potential of flavonoid extracts sourced from medicinal plants. Our research journey commences with an in-depth examination of the staggering global burden imposed by colon cancer and the inherent limitations of current therapeutic regimens. In response to this pressing challenge, we spotlight the emerging enthusiasm for natural compounds, specifically flavonoids, as transformative agents within the realm of cancer research and therapy. In our pursuit of innovative solutions, we meticulously select medicinal plants celebrated for their flavonoid-rich content and extract these bioactive compounds with precision. Rigorous phytochemical analyses unveil the specific flavonoids at play. In a series of in vitro experiments employing colon cancer cell lines, we uncover a compelling narrative of concentration-dependent cytotoxicity, underscoring the remarkable anti-proliferative attributes of these extracts. Moreover, our investigations reveal that flavonoid extracts possess the remarkable capability to induce apoptosis, substantiated through Annexin V/PI staining and caspase activation assays. As we delve deeper into mechanistic insights, a rich tapestry unfolds, elucidating the intricate modulation of pivotal apoptosis-related pathways by these natural compounds. This study not only furnishes compelling evidence of flavonoid extracts' anti-cancer potential against colon cancer but also underscores the pivotal role of natural compounds in the ever-evolving landscape of cancer research, offering a beacon of hope for pioneering therapeutic strategies. The journey has only begun, and further investigations, alongside rigorous clinical trials, are warranted to harness the full therapeutic potential of flavonoid-based interventions in colon cancer management, potentially redefining the paradigm of cancer treatment

The power of narrative persuasion: how an entertainment-education serial drama tackled open defecation and promoted contraceptive use in India

Television and radio serial dramas have been used as an effective entertainment-education (EE) strategy to address complex health and social issues around the world. In this article, we analyse India’s experience with the EE television serial, Main Kuch Bhi Kar Sakti HoonSeason 3 (I, A Woman, Can Achieve Anything, hereafter MKBKSH-3), broadcasted in 2019. Produced by Population Foundation of India, MKBKSH-3purposely employed principles of narrative persuasion to tackle open defecation, promote contraceptive use, and advocate for gender equality in a deeply entrenched patriarchal system. As part of a larger programme evaluation, we conducted data collection using two complementary methods: (1) field experiments in Uttar Pradesh’s Kanpur Dehat district with repeated measures among viewers and non-viewers; and (2) viewer surveys through the popular interactive voice response system with callers from across 28 states and union territories. Wherever possible, we kept questions consistent to help triangulate research findings. Our results indicate a significant increase in toilet ownership and decrease in open defecation among MKBKSH-3viewers. Further, MKBKSH-3’scharacters and storylines helped raise awareness of injectable contraceptives, and viewers—both male and female—displayed an increased likelihood of moving toward adopting contraceptives that were promoted. These empirical findings add to the growing literature on the value of entertainment-education serial dramas as enabling media for social and behaviour change.publishedVersio