Metal tolerance in halotolerant bacteria isolated from saline soil of Khambhat

Five halotolerant bacteria were isolated from saline soil of Gujarat. Their identification and characterization with respect to optimum pH and salt concentration, and metal tolerance was carried out. Among all isolates Virgibacillus salarius exhibited better metal tolerance/resistance. In certain cases stimulatory effect of metal ions on growth was also observed. Such organisms can serve as a good model for study of stress response among prokaryotes, and can also be explored for their potential of bioremediation of metal polluted saline sites with alkaline pH

Functionalized MCM-48 as Carrier for In Vitro Controlled Release of an Active Biomolecule, L-Arginine

The present chapter describes the synthesis, characterizations, and application of MCM-48 functionalized by an inorganic moiety, as a carrier. MCM-48 functionalized by 12-tungstophophoric acid (TPA) (TPA-MCM-48) and L-arginine was loaded into pure as well as functionalized MCM-48. Both the materials were characterized by various physicochemical techniques and evaluated for in vitro release of L-arginine at body temperature under different conditions. A study on release kinetics was carried out using first-order release kinetic model, while the mechanism were by Higuchi model. Further, to see the influence of TPA on release rate, release profile obtained from pure and functionalized MCM-48 was compared

Seroprevalence of HIV in blood donors at tertiary care center, M.Y.H. Indore, India

Background: Transfusion of blood has become an important mode of transmission of infections such as human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis B to the recipients. Blood transfusion is a boon in medical era if properly screened. The aim of study was to determine the seroprevalence of HIV donors in blood bank at M.Y.H. Indore.Methods: The study was conducted in the blood bank, M.Y.H. Hospital, Indore. Total 115775 donors attending blood bank were included in the study. All the donor samples were screened for detection of antibodies for human immunodeficiency virus by microwell Enzyme Linked Immunosorption Assay (ELISA) method. The seroprevalence of HIV infection among the donors was determined over a period of five years since January 2013 to December 2017.Results: Total 115775 blood donors were recorded. Out of total 115775 blood donors included in the study, replacement donor were 10766 (9.29%) while voluntary donor were 105009 (90.70%). In the duration of five-year study period, total 80 cases (0.06%) were reactive to HIV. Out of total 115775 blood donors included in the study, maximum cases i.e. 22 (0.08%) cases were found to be positive for HIV infection in year 2017. Out of 10766 replacement donors included in the study, 64 cases (0.59%) were reactive to HIV infection. While out of 105009 voluntary donors, 16 cases (0.01%) were found to be reactive to HIV infection. Voluntary donors are more as compared to the replacement donors. Number of HIV positive patients were found to more in replacement donor as compared to the voluntary donors.Conclusions: The seroprevalence of HIV is low in this study and hence it is concluded that the more the number of voluntary donors, the less the number of HIV positive cases. Voluntary donors can be motivated by proper health education and high quality screening programs

A cross sectional study to evaluate serum calcium levels among pregnant women and it's association with preeclampsia and delivery outcomes at tertiary care Hospital Bikaner, Rajasthan

Background: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, including preeclampsia complicates about 10% of pregnancies worldwide. Preeclampsia is one of the major cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. According to the National Health Portal of India, the incidence of preeclampsia is reported to be about 8-10% among pregnant women. The present study was aimed to compare mean serum calcium levels in preeclamptic and normotensive pregnant women at third trimester of gestation and assess relationship between maternal serum calcium levels, severity of disease and overall maternal and perinatal outcome.Methods: This was a cross sectional study conducted on 200 females divided into two groups (i.e. Study and Control Group) from 1st November 2019 to 31st October 2020. Informed consent was obtained for subjecting. Detailed history and clinical examination were performed. Serum calcium level was measured in both groups by spectrophotometric method.Results: Mean serum calcium level in study group (preeclamptic) was 7.84±0.74 mg/dl while in control group (normotensive) mean serum calcium level was 9.68±0.97 mg/dl. Serum calcium level was significantly lower in preeclamptic women than normotensive pregnant women (p<0.001).Serum calcium showed significant negative correlation with systolic and diastolic blood pressure.Conclusions: This study concludes that hypocalcaemia may have a role in aetiology of preeclampsia and adverse maternal and perinatal outcome. Thus intake of calcium supplements may help in reduction of incidence of preeclampsia especially in a population of a developing country

Impact of oral contraceptives on periodontal health

Background: Oral contraceptives pills (OCPs) are common and a convenient form of contraception. The use of hormonal contraceptives by women has been considered to influence gingival and periodontal disease progression.Aim: This study was conducted to assess the effect of oral contraceptive pills on the periodontal health.Materials and method: A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted among 200 females aged 18 years and above of Jaipur city. The study subjects were divided into two groups i.e. contraceptive users and non-contraceptive users, each group consisted 100 females. Data was collected using Modified WHO Performa (1997). Periodontal status was examined using Com- munity Periodontal Index (CPI) and Loss of Attachment (LOA). Chi-square test and one sample t-test was used for statistical analysis and P value was set (p&lt; 0.05) as significant.Results: Mean CPI score in subjects and non-contraceptive users was 2.34+ 0.81 and 1.16+ 0.89 respectively. Mean LOA score in each group was 0.28+ 0.45 and 0.19+ 0.50 respectively.Conclusion: Oral Contraceptive pills had adverse effects on periodontal health.Keywords: Oral contraceptive, community periodontal index, loss of attachment, periodontal healt

The Voice of Vedanta in British Romanticism and American Transcendentalism: A Select Study of Wordsworth and Whitman

ABSTRACT The purpose of the proposed paper is to infuse the words and the works of the two literary maestros wh

Clinical Profile of Neoplastic and Non-Neoplastic Lesions of Ovary: A Prospective Observational Study from Central Indian population

Background: Most Indian population-based cancer registries have reported a gradual rise in the ovarian cancer incidence over the years. These neoplasms exhibit a spectrum of genetic background, much more varied than any other gynecological condition and present a big challenge to a gynecological oncologist. Therefore, proper recognition and classification of such pelvic masses is important for appropriate therapy and better prognosis. Objectives This study aimed to look at the demographics and clinical profile of various ovarian lesions in the local population of the central India. Patients and Methods: A prospective observational study was carried out on the surgically resected ovarian samples that were referred to the Pathology department over two and half year. A total of 100 ovarian cases were included. Relevant clinical information regarding age, bleeding, pain in abdomen, menstrual history, histopathological examination reports were recorded. Results: Out of 100 cases of ovarian lesions, majority were neoplastic lesions. Most of the cases of non-neoplastic ovarian lesions belonged to 31-40 years’ age group, whereas most cases of neoplastic ovarian lesions belonged to 41-50 years’ age group. Most common presenting symptom was abnormal uterine bleeding in non-neoplastic cases. But neoplastic cases presented mainly with abdominal pain. Conclusion: Majority of the ovarian lesions in central India population present after second parity, are benign in nature and present with abnormal uterine bleeding, whereas malignant ovarian lesions mainly present with abdominal pain and after 40 years of age

Role of cetrorelix in the prevention and treatment of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome: a prospective case control study

Background: Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) has intrigued clinicians for many years because of its devastating consequences. As an iatrogenic condition resulting from elective ovarian stimulation in the quest for pregnancy, the need to completely prevent the syndrome is evident. Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist Cetrorelix has found to be effective in treatment of OHSS and some studies have found it to be helpful in prevention of this condition. Hence, we designed a hospital-based study to investigate the effect of Cetrorelix in preventing and treating OHSS in in-vitro fertilization – embryo transfer (IVF–ET) patients at risk of OHSS undergoing long and short protocol. Methods: The study includes total 102 patients undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation COS for IVF/ICSI. All cases were stimulated using long and short protocol. Depending on whether a GnRH antagonist was given after ovum pick-up (OPU) the patients were divided in two groups: Cetrorelix (antagonist) group (n=51) and control group (n=51). The study group was treated with Cetrorelix 0.25 mg for 5 days commencing on the day of ovum pick up. Results: Incidence of mild OHSS was significantly higher (p=0.01) whereas moderate to severe OHSS was significantly lower in the antagonist group (p&lt;0.05). None of the patients had critical OHSS. Conclusions: GnRH antagonist Cetrorelix administration in early luteal phase in patients undergoing long or short protocol is effective in prevention and treatment of OHSS

Impact of oral contraceptives on periodontal health

Background: Oral contraceptives pills (OCPs) are common and a convenient form of contraception. The use of hormonal contraceptives by women has been considered to influence gingival and periodontal disease progression. Aim: This study was conducted to assess the effect of oral contraceptive pills on the periodontal health. Materials and method: A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted among 200 females aged 18 years and above of Jaipur city. The study subjects were divided into two groups i.e. contraceptive users and non-contraceptive users, each group consisted 100 females. Data was collected using Modified WHO Performa (1997). Periodontal status was examined using Community Periodontal Index (CPI) and Loss of Attachment (LOA). Chi-square test and one sample t-test was used for statistical analysis and P value was set (p&lt; 0.05) as significant. Results: Mean CPI score in subjects and non-contraceptive users was 2.34+ 0.81 and 1.16+ 0.89 respectively. Mean LOA score in each group was 0.28+ 0.45 and 0.19+ 0.50 respectively. Conclusion: Oral Contraceptive pills had adverse effects on periodontal health. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ahs.v19i1.56 Cite as: Prachi S, Jitender S, Rahul C, Jitendra K, Priyanka M, S D. Impact of oral contraceptives on periodontal health. Afri Health Sci. 2019;19(1). 1795-1800. https:// dx.doi. org/10.4314/ ahs. v19i1.5

Economic evaluation of shortened, bedaquiline-containing treatment regimens for rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (STREAM stage 2): a within-trial analysis of a randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND: The STREAM stage 2 trial assessed two bedaquiline-containing regimens for rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis: a 9-month all-oral regimen and a 6-month regimen containing an injectable drug for the first 2 months. We did a within-trial economic evaluation of these regimens. METHODS: STREAM stage 2 was an international, phase 3, non-inferiority randomised trial in which participants with rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis were randomly assigned (1:2:2:2) to the 2011 WHO regimen (terminated early), a 9-month injectable-containing regimen (control regimen), a 9-month all-oral regimen with bedaquiline (oral regimen), or a 6-month regimen with bedaquiline and an injectable for the first 2 months (6-month regimen). We prospectively collected direct and indirect costs and health-related quality of life data from trial participants until week 76 of follow-up. Cost-effectiveness of the oral and 6-month regimens versus control was estimated in four countries (oral regimen) and two countries (6-month regimen), using health-related quality of life for cost-utility analysis and trial efficacy for cost-effectiveness analysis. This trial is registered with ISRCTN, ISRCTN18148631. FINDINGS: 300 participants were included in the economic analyses (Ethiopia, 61; India, 142; Moldova, 51; Uganda, 46). In the cost-utility analysis, the oral regimen was not cost-effective in Ethiopia, India, Moldova, and Uganda from either a provider or societal perspective. In Moldova, the oral regimen was dominant from a societal perspective. In the cost-effectiveness analysis, the oral regimen was likely to be cost-effective from a provider perspective at willingness-to-pay thresholds per additional favourable outcome of more than US$4500 in Ethiopia,$1900 in India, $3950 in Moldova, and$7900 in Uganda, and from a societal perspective at thresholds of more than $15 900 in Ethiopia,$3150 in India, and $4350 in Uganda, while in Moldova the oral regimen was dominant. In Ethiopia and India, the 6-month regimen would cost tuberculosis programmes and participants less than the control regimen and was highly likely to be cost-effective in both cost-utility analysis and cost-effectiveness analysis. Reducing the bedaquiline price from$1·81 to $1·00 per tablet made the oral regimen cost-effective in the provider-perspective cost-utility analysis in India and Moldova and dominate over the control regimen in the provider-perspective cost-effectiveness analysis in India. INTERPRETATION: At current costs, the oral bedaquiline-containing regimen for rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis is unlikely to be cost-effective in many low-income and middle-income countries. The 6-month regimen represents a cost-effective alternative if injectable use for 2 months is acceptable. FUNDING: USAID and Janssen Research & Development