Synergistic effect of metformin and fenugreek on the lipid profile of type-II diabetic patients

Background: Fenugreek is a traditional herb which has great relevance in the world since time immemorial due to its multifarious uses. Besides being a rich source of nutrition, it also finds place in the cure of certain pathological conditions. One of its highly beneficial effects is have been observed on the lipid profile of the hyperlipidemic patient. This study was thus undertaken to see the hypolipidemic effect of fenugreek seeds in patients of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM) as add-on therapy with metformin.Methods: An open-labelled comparative study of 12 weeks duration was conducted on patients (randomly divided in 2 groups of 30 each) of Type 2 DM. Group 1 was given metformin 500 mg twice a day while group 2 was given 500 mg of metformin along with fenugreek seed powder capsule, 1gm thrice a day. Evaluation for fasting lipid profile estimation was done at the beginning and at the end of the study. Student’s t-test (paired and unpaired) was applied for statistical analysis.Results: After 12 weeks of treatment, there was significant improvement in the lipid profile of both the groups. However, group 2, that received fenugreek along with metformin showed statistically greater improvement as compared to group 1 which received only metformin.Conclusions: This study shows the beneficial effects of fenugreek seeds on lipid profile in patients of Type 2 DM and can be used as an add-on therapy with metformin in controlling the lipid profile of Type 2 DM

Surgical management of caesarean scar pregnancy: a case report

Caesarean scar ectopic is one of the rarest of all ectopic pregnancies. The incidence of caesarean scar pregnancy (CSP), which was extremely rare till recent times, has been rising steadily. Case have more of such cases being published in medical literature now. It is defined as when a blastocyst implants on a previous caesarean scar. The incidence of caesarean scar ectopic has increased due to increase in number of caesarean deliveries. Early diagnosis of this can be done by using ultrasound. It is very important because a delay can lead to increased maternal morbidity and mortality. Early diagnosis leads to prompt management and improves the outcome by allowing preservation of future fertility. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has important role when sonography is equivocal or inconclusive before therapy or intervention. Case are reporting a rare case of G2P1l1 with previous one caesarean delivery, diagnosed as caesarean scar ectopic pregnancy with the help of sonography. Patient underwent laparotomy and on histopathological examination caesarean scar pregnancy was confirmed. Due to the rarity of this condition, there are no specific guidelines available for its management

To study the efficacy and tolerability of fenugreek seed powder as add-on therapy with metformin in patients of type-2 diabetes mellitus

Background: Fenugreek, an ancient herb has been known for its culinary and medicinal value in Indian Subcontinent. Its seeds, rich in fibers and phytochemical compounds, have been investigated for their hypoglycemic and multiple benefits. This study was thus undertaken to assess the anti-hyperglycemic effect of fenugreek seeds in patients of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM) as add-on therapy with metformin.Methods: An open-labelled comparative study of 12 weeks duration was conducted on patients (randomly divided in 2 groups of 30 each) of Type 2 DM. Group 1 was given metformin 500 mg twice a day while group 2 was given 500 mg of metformin along with fenugreek seed powder capsule,1 gm thrice a day. Weekly evaluation for fasting and post-prandial blood sugar was done. HbA1c estimation was done at the beginning and at the end of the study. Student’s t-test (paired and unpaired) was applied for statistical analysis.Results: After 12 weeks of treatment, there was significant fall in fasting, as well as postprandial blood sugar and HbA1c levels in group 1 and group 2. However this improvement was statistically more significant in group 2 when compared to group 1.Conclusions: This study shows the beneficial effects of fenugreek seeds on glycemic profile in patients of Type 2 DM and can be used as an add-on therapy with metformin in management of Type 2 DM

Relationship between breastfeeding and the incidence of diarrhoea in children aged 6-24 months

Background: Diarrhoea is still a global problem with high mortality. Children who are malnourished or have impaired immunity have the highest risk of diarrhoea. Exclusive breastfeeding in infants is known could protect the babies against diarrhoea. Objective: This study aims to determine the relationship between exclusive breastfeeding with the incidence of diarrhoea in children aged 6-24 months. Methods: This is an observational study where the data collected during August-November 2017 at Padang Bulan Primary Health Care. The subjects are a mother who has children between 6-24 months. The primary data was obtained through interviews using a validated structured questionnaire. The relationship between exclusive breastfeeding and the incidence of diarrhoea were analysed using Chi-square. Statistical analysis was performed in 95% coefficient interval (alpha=0,05). Results: Amongst 98 children, 53.1% are female. Children who have received exclusive breastfeeding were 53 children (54.1%). The number of children who had diarrhoea was 68.4% while many diarrhoea frequencies were 49%. Only 29 children (29.6%) had diarrhoea with exclusively breastfeeding, while 38 children (38.8%) had diarrhoea without exclusive breastfeeding. There is a relationship between exclusive breastfeeding to the incidence of diarrhoea in children aged 6-24 months (p= 0,002). Conclusion: There is a significant relationship between exclusive breastfeeding and the incidence of diarrhoea in children aged 6-24 months

Synthesis, characterization and antitumor activity of 2-methyl-9-substituted acridines

AbstractIn the field of antitumor DNA-intercalating agents, 9-anilinoacridines play an important role due to their antiproliferative properties. Several cancer chemotherapeutics such as amascrine and nitracrine have been developed as anticancer agents. In the present study, several 2-methyl-9 substituted (AS 0–8) acridines were synthesized by nucleophilic substitution of 2-methyl-9-chloroacridine (AS) with aromatic amines. The structures of novel compounds were determined using spectroscopic methods. Three compounds were evaluated for antiproliferative activity against A-549 (Human, small cell lung carcinoma) and MCF-7 (Human, breast cancer) cell lines using the MTT assay. Compound AS-2 showed higher in vitro cytotoxic activity against A-549 and MCF-7 cancer cell lines with CTC50 187.5 and 212.5μg/ml respectively. The cancer cell cytotoxicity of acridines against A-549 cell line was found to be more active than MCF-7 cell line

Spectrum of lymph node lesions on cytology in rural Haryana: a retrospective analysis

Background: Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) is a simple, rapid, cost effective and reliable technique which can be used as a routine outpatient department (OPD) procedure and first line of investigation in diagnosing a variety of superficial and deep lesions. Lymphadenopathy is of great clinical significance and the underlying cause may range from a treatable infectious etiology to malignant neoplasms. In this study, we describe the diagnostic utility of FNAC in the assessment of lymph node lesions with an emphasis on the diagnosis of non-neoplastic, benign and malignant neoplastic processes. Cytomorphological patterns of tuberculous lymphadenitis were also observed.Methods: This was a retrospective study and a total of 736 patients including all age groups and both sexes presenting with palpable or deep lymph nodes in FNAC clinic of our institute over a period of 2 years were included in our study. FNAC was conducted with 22-24 Gauge disposable needles attached to 20c.c syringes. Smears were fixed in 95% ethyl alcohol and stained with Papanicolaou stain. Leishman stain was done on air dried smears. Ziehl- Neelsen (ZN) staining was done wherever required.Results: Out of 736 aspirations from lymph nodes, the most frequent cause of lymphadenopathy was found to be Tuberculosis with 419 cases (56.92%). The next frequent diagnosis was reactive lymphadenitis with 193 cases (26.22%) followed by metastatic lymphadenopathy in 47 cases (6.38%). A diagnosis of lymphoproliferative disorder was rendered in 20 cases (2.71%). In 10 cases (1.35%) FNAC was inconclusive.Conclusion: In our study, the predominant cause of lymphadenopathy was tuberculous lymphadenitis, seen in more than half of total cases, followed by reactive lymphadenopathy and malignant neoplasms. FNAC was helpful in establishing the diagnosis in 98.65% of the cases.

Phytosociological observations on tree species diversity of an urban tropical dry deciduous forest of central India

We analyzed phytosociological characteristics of a tropical dry deciduous forest located in an urban environment of Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM) Campus in the capital city of Bhopal of Madhya Pradesh state, Central India. A Comparison has been made among the tree community characteristics during the years 1988, 2002 and 2020 in terms of tree species composition, stem density, basal area and Importance Value Index (IVI). At the time of establishment of the institute in 1988, the forest area resembleda degraded dry scrubland. Due to continuous care/protection, plantation activities, degraded forest recovered remarkably, ecological processes evolved favorably with canopy cover reaching over 60% in some patches and about 50% in general over most part of the campus. During last two decades, tree density increased from 319 to 525 stem ha-1 indicating an increase of 64% whereas basal area increased from 18470.79 cm2 ha-1 to 29782.31 cm2 ha-1,an increase of about 61%. Leguminaceae family represented 26.4% of the tree community followed by Combretaceae (11.76%). Shannon-Weiner index (1.31), Simpson index (0.93) and evenness index (0.85) are within the reported ranges for similar forest type of dry deciduous nature in India. Theresults of the presentstudy will help forest managers in conservation planning of urban tropical forest ecosystem of central India

Epidemiology of brucellosis in cattle and dairy farmers of rural Ludhiana, Punjab.

Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease imposing significant impacts on livestock production and public health worldwide. India is the world's leading milk producer and Punjab is the state which produces the most cattle and buffalo milk per capita. The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiology of bovine brucellosis to provide evidence for control of the disease in Punjab State, India. A cross-sectional study of dairy farms was conducted in humans and livestock in rural Ludhiana district using a multi-stage sampling strategy. The study suggests that brucellosis is endemic at high levels in cattle and buffalo in the study area with 15.1% of large ruminants testing seropositive and approximately a third of dairy farms having at least one animal test seropositive. In total, 9.7% of those in direct contact with livestock tested seropositive for Brucella spp. Persons that assisted with calving and/or abortion within the last year on a farm with seronegative livestock and people which did not assist with calving/abortion had 0.35 (95% CI: 0.17 to 7.1) and 0.21 (0.09 to 0.46) times the odds of testing seropositive compared to persons assisting with calving/abortion in a seropositive farm, respectively. The study demonstrated that persons in direct contact with cattle and buffalo in the study area have high risk of exposure to Brucella spp. Control of the disease in livestock is likely to result in benefits to both animal and public health sectors

A cross-sectional study on COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy at peri-urban areas in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India

Vaccination is a potential public health solution for the prevention of infection. It reduces the severity of symptoms in case of COVID-19. Despite the availability of vaccines, some people are hesitant to be vaccinated. The objectives of the study were to measure the proportion of vaccine hesitancy among the peri-urban population and identify its determinants. An adult population of 303 from two peri-urban areas in the field practice area of Urban Health Training Centre, Rama Medical College were interviewed from 22nd February 2021 to 25th March 2021. Epicollect 5 was used for collecting data and STATA 16 was used for analysis. Multivariable logistic regression was applied to compute the adjusted odd ratio (95% confidence interval) to find out the determinants of vaccine hesitancy. Three Cs model guided tools of data collection and analyses. More than one fourth (28%) of the participants were vaccine-hesitant whereas 34.6% of participants had no confidence in the vaccine. Other reasons were complacency (40.6%) and convenience (35.9%). Vaccine hesitancy was significantly associated with gender [AOR = 2.40 (1.12-5.16)] and trust in government [AOR = 0.18 (0.08-0.45)] but no association with age group, political affiliation and source of information about the vaccine.  It is important to build the trust of people in vaccines, make it convenient and resolve the issues that are making them complacent. The health system needs to involve non-governmental organisations to reach out to those for whom there are issues of availability and approach

Minerals and chelated-based manganese fertilization influences the productivity, uptake, and mobilization of manganese in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in sandy loam soils

Manganese (Mn) is an essential micronutrient in plants, and it is necessary for hydrolysis in photosystem II, chlorophyll biosynthesis, and also chloroplast breakdown. Limited Mn availability in light soil resulted in interveinal chlorosis, poor root development, and the development of fewer tillers, particularly staple cereals including wheat, while foliar Mn fertilizers were found efficient in improving crop yield as well as Mn use efficiency. In the above context, a study was conducted in consecutive two wheat growing seasons for screening of the most effective and economical Mn treatment for improving the yield and Mn uptake in wheat and to compare the relative effectiveness of MnCO3 against the recommended dose of MnSO4 for wheat. To fulfill the aims of the study, three manganese products, namely, 1) manganese carbonate MnCO3 (26% Mn w/w and 3.3% N w/w), 2) 0.5% MnSO4·H2O (30.5% Mn), and 3) Mn-EDTA solution (12% Mn), were used as experimental treatments. Treatments and their combinations were as follows: two levels of MnCO3 (26% Mn) @ 750 and 1,250 ml ha−1 were applied at the two stages (i.e., 25–30 and 35–40 days after sowing) of wheat, and three sprays each of 0.5% MnSO4 (30.5% Mn) and Mn-EDTA (12% Mn) solution were applied in other plots. The 2-year study showed that Mn application significantly increased the plant height, productive tillers plant−1, and 1,000 grain weight irrespective of fertilizer source. The results of MnSO4 for grain yield wheat as well as uptake of Mn were statistically at par with both levels (750 and 1,250 ml ha−1) of MnCO3 with two sprays at two stages of wheat. However, the application of Mn in the form of 0.5% MnSO4·H2O (30.5% Mn) was found more economical than MnCO3, while the mobilization efficiency index (1.56) was found maximum when Mn was applied in MnCO3 with two sprays (750 and 1,250 ml ha−1) in the two stages of wheat. Thus, the present study revealed that MnCO3 can be used as an alternative to MnSO4 to enhance the yield and Mn uptake of wheat