Comparative evaluation of colposcopy, cytology and histopathology for diagnosis of cervical lesions

Background: Cervical cancer is the fourth most frequent cancer globally in women with an estimated 570,000 new cases and 311,000 deaths in 2018 representing 6.6% of all female cancers. To correlate the cytology, colposcopy and histopathology of cervical lesions in patients attending gynaecology OPD in a tertiary care centre, Ghaziabad.Methods: 208 women were enrolled from Gynaecology OPD of Santosh Medical College and Hospital, Ghaziabad, irrespective of their chief complaints. Women aged 19-80 years were included in the study group. Those with pregnancy and already diagnosed or treated with CIN, Cervical cancer or Cervical HPV infection were excluded from the study. PAP-smear was taken for all the patients followed by colposcopy without waiting for PAP-smear report. Cervical biopsy was taken from patients with abnormal colposcopic findings (90 patients).Results: Majority of women were in age group 30-39 years. 37.5% had unhealthy, 21.6% had hypertrophied cervix and only 9.1% had normal cervix. It was found that PAP -smear has a sensitivity of 33.33%, specificity of 92.59%, accuracy of 68.89%, positive predictive value of 75% and negative predictive value of 67.57%. Test parameters calculated for colposcopy revealed that it has sensitivity of 73.33%, specificity of 92%, PPV of 64.7%, NPV of 94.52% and accuracy of 88.89%.Conclusions: The results from the current study conclude that it is better to use cytology and colposcopy together as part of routine screening for cervical cancer rather than pap smear alone in order to detect maximum number of lesions

Genetic diversity analysis in the Hypericum perforatum populations in the Kashmir valley by using inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSR) markers

Assessment of genetic variability among the Hypericum perforatum populations is critical to the development of effective conservation  strategies in the Kashmir valley. To obtain accurate estimates of genetic diversity among and within populations of H. perforatum, inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSR) markers were used. The study was aimed to check, whether ISSR fingerprinting may be a useful tool for studying genetic variations among H. perforatum populations in the Kashmir valley (India). A total of 15 ISSR primers were tested with the 20 genotypes of H. perforatum. The ten informative primers were selected and used to evaluate the degree of polymorphism and genetic relationships within and among all the H. perforatum populations. ISSR of 20 genotypes analysis yielded 98 fragments that could be scored, of which 71 were polymorphic, with an average of 7.1 polymorphic fragments per primer. Number of amplified fragments varied in size from 150 to 1650 bp. Percentage of polymorphism ranged from 60% to a maximum of 100%. Resolving power ranged from a minimum of 7.7 to a maximum of 14.3. Shannon indexes ranges from 0.166 to 0.389 with an average of 0.198 and Nei’s genetic diversity (h) ranges from 6.98 to 9.8. Estimated value of gene flow (Nm = 0.579) indicated that there was limited gene flow among the populations. The genetic diversity (Ht) within the population of 0.245 was clearly higher than that of among population genetic diversity (Hs= 0.115), indicating an out-crossing predominance in the studied populations. Analysis of molecular variance by ISSR markers indicated that over half of the total variation in the studied populations (58%) could be accounted for by differences among the 8 divisions, with a further 42% being accounted for by the variation among populations within a division.The dendrogram grouping the populations by unweighted pair-group method with arithmeticaverages (UPGMA) method revealed eight main clusters. In conclusion, combined analysis of ISSR markers and hypericin content is an optimal approach for further progress and breeding programs.Keywords: Hypericum perforatum (St. John's Wort), inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSR) markers, unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic averages (UPGMA), Nei’s genetic diversityAfrican Journal of Biotechnology, Vol. 13(1), pp. 18-31, 1 January, 201

Defining the Impact of Metabolic Stress and the loss of NOD2 in Epithelial-microbial Interaction

Reduced ATP levels and irregular mitochondrial structures have been found in gut epithelia in some IBD patients, suggesting that metabolic stress could be an etiologic factor. At the same time, Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-containing protein 2 (NOD2) depletion is an important susceptibility trait for IBD. As a result, in our study, we assessed if loss of NOD2 further reduces epithelial barrier integrity under conditions of metabolic stress, instigated by the addition of the oxidative phosphorylation un-coupler, dinitrophenol (DNP). T84 (human colon cell line) cells treated with non-invasive E. coli + DNP (16 hrs) showed a significant increase in NOD2 protein. The increase in intracellular bacteria in both wild-type (WT) and NOD2 knock-down cells (NOD2 KD) was dependent on reactive oxygen species (ROS) and resulted in MAPK ERK 1/2 pathway activation; this was determined by adding an antioxidant (mitoTEMPO) or an ERK (U0126) inhibitor. While there was an increase in internalized E. coli in cells, no change was seen in the internalization of bead levels or dead E. coli suggesting that reduced killing of the bacteria was the primary cause for the increased numbers of bacteria in the NOD2 KD epithelia. This conclusion is reinforced by evidence of attenuated autophagy in NOD2 KD T84 cells. Neutrophils are potent contributors to IBD. IL-8 is a major neutrophil chemoattractant and signaling molecule; IL-8 levels have been shown to be elevated in IBD patients. As such, we assessed whether metabolic stress induced heightened IL-8 secretion. T84 cells exposed to DNP yielded heightened IL-8 secretion after 16 hrs compared to cells treated with E. coli alone in a time-dependent manner. Secretion significantly declined after mitoTEMPO treatment. Bacteria- derived products are necessary for IL-8 secretion; no response was seen to bead co-treatment, but persisted after T84 cells were treated with dead E. coli. IL-8 secretion is dependent on endosome maturation and cytoskeletal rearrangement; administration of chloroquine or cytochalsin D both significantly reduced IL-8 levels. Finally, IL-8 secretion is MyD88 dependent, implicating TLR signaling in the epithelial cell response to metabolic stress in a commensal rich environment. Taken together, we offer a three-hit hypothesis: lowered barrier function, as a result of metabolic dysfunction is amplified in the absence of NOD2, resulting in increased numbers of live intracellular bacteria. Bacterial presence in the intestinal epithelial cells provokes the release of the neutrophil chemotactic chemokine, IL-8, resulting in inflammation. In NOD2 depleted patients, greater levels of internalized bacteria yield a potent inflammatory effect, given that the antimicrobial effects of both macrophages and Paneth cells are compromised

A study of health care seeking behavior of elderly in the rural area of Eastern Uttar Pradesh

Background: Ageing is a complex process, influenced by many factors. The present study was conducted to assess health seeking behavior ofelderly. Materials & Methods: The present study was conducted on 540 elderly aged 60 years and above of both genders. A through clinicalexamination was performed. Type of morbidity was recorded. Results: Out of 540 subjects, males were 380 and females were 160. Commonmorbidities in elderly was diabetes mellitus seen in 280, hypertension in 265, Cancer in 110, vision impairment in 340, gastroenterology in 315,respiratory in 470, cereberovascular in 180, musculoskeletal in 480 and genitourinary in 235 subjects. The difference was significant (P< 0.05).120 seek no medication, 220 self medication, 80 traditional, 110 allopathic and 50 ayurvedic. Conclusion: Authors found that there is rise inelderly people in the country in last couple of years. Common morbidities in elderly was diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cancer, visionimpairment, gastroenterology, respiratory, cereberovascular, musculoskeletal and genitourinary ailments

Surrogate markers of insulin resistance: A review

Insulin resistance is a hallmark of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases, and leads to many of the abnormalities associated with metabolic syndrome. Our understanding of insulin resistance has improved tremendously over the years, but certain aspects of its estimation still remain elusive to researchers and clinicians. The quantitative assessment of insulin sensitivity is not routinely used during biochemical investigations for diagnostic purposes, but the emerging importance of insulin resistance has led to its wider application research studies. Evaluation of a number of clinical states where insulin sensitivity is compromised calls for assessment of insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is increasingly being assessed in various disease conditions where it aids in examining their pathogenesis, etiology and consequences. The hyperinsulinemic euglycemic glucose clamp is the gold standard method for the determination of insulin sensitivity, but is impractical as it is labor- and time-intensive. A number of surrogate indices have therefore been employed to simplify and improve the determination of insulin resistance. The object of this review is to highlight various aspects and methodologies for current and upcoming measures of insulin sensitivity/resistance. In-depth knowledge of these markers will help in better understanding and exploitation of the condition

Hypothalamic pituitary dysfunction in acute nonmycobacterial infections of central nervous system

Background and Objective: Acute and chronic central nervous system (CNS) infections are not uncommon in tropical countries and are associated with high morbidity and mortality if specific targeted therapy is not instituted in time. Effects of tubercular meningitis, a form of chronic meningitis on hypothalamic pituitary axis, are well known both at the time of diagnosis and after few months to years of illness. However, there are few reports of pituitary dysfunction in subjects with acute CNS infections. Therefore, this study was aimed at evaluating the pituitary hormonal profile in patients with nonmycobacterial acute meningitis at the time of presentation. Materials and Methods: This prospective case series study included 30 untreated adult patients with acute meningitis, meningoencephalitis, or encephalitis, due to various nonmycobacterial agents, admitted and registered with Lok Nayak Hospital, Maulana Aazd Medical College, New Delhi, between September 2007 and March 2009. Patients with preexisting endocrine diseases, tubercular meningitis and patients on steroids were carefully excluded from the study. The basal pituitary hormonal profile was measured by the electrochemilumniscence technique for serum cortisol, luetinizing hormone (LH), follicular stimulating hormone (FSH), prolactin (PRL), thyrotropin (TSH), free tri-iodothyronine (fT3), and free thyroxine (fT4). Results: The cases (n = 30) comprised of patients with acute pyogenic meningitis (n = 23), viral meningoencephalitis (n = 4), brain abscess (n = 2), and cryptococcal meningitis (n = 1). The mean age of patients was 28.97 ± 11.306 years. Out of 30 patients, 14 (46.7%) were males and 16 (58.1%) were females. Adrenal insufficiency both absolute and relative was seen in seven (23.3%) and hyperprolactinemia was seen in nine (30.0%) of the patients. One study subject had central hypothyroidism and seven (23.3) showed low levels of LH and/or FSH. None of patients showed clinical features suggestive of central diabetes insipidus. Conclusion: Acute infections of the CNS are associated with abnormalities in the pituitary hormone profile. Further studies are required to evaluate the hypothalamic pituitary axis using dynamic tests and imaging by MRI

Green approach for the synthesis of 4-coumarin-4<i>H</i>-pyrans from 4-formylcoumarins and their antibacterial study

<p>A series of 4<i>H</i>-pyranocoumarin derivatives have been successfully synthesized under eco-friendly condition using triethylamine as a catalyst in short reaction time with excellent yield at room temperature. All the synthesized compounds were characterized by spectral analysis and screened for their antibacterial activity against <i>Escherichia coli</i> and <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>, the results are quite promising.</p

Retracted: Knowledge, attitude, and practice of contraception among women attending a tertiary care hospital

The article "Knowledge, attitude, and practice of contraception among women attending a tertiary care hospital" is retracted by the Editor-in-Chief, due to violation of the policies and practices of International Journal of Reproduction, Contraception, Obstetrics and Gynecology. The article is retracted due to dispute in authorship

Adenosine deaminase and protein tyrosine phosphatase activities in liver and peritoneal macrophages of streptozotocin induced diabetic mice

Adenosine deaminase and protein tyrosine phosphatase activities in liver and peritoneal macrophages were estimated in control, streptozotocin induced diabetes and insulin treated diabetic groups of Swiss albino mice. Both the enzyme levels were elevated while glycogen content decreased in the liver of diabetic group of animals as compared to controls, while in insulin treated group, they were comparable to control levels. In macrophages also, both adenosine deaminase which plays an important role in their maturation and protein tyrosine phosphatase enzyme involved in their activation were high in diabetic group, whereas in insulin treated diabetic group, the values were comparable to control levels