Cardiac troponin I as mortality predictor in acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Background: Comorbidities are important determinants of outcome and quality of life of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The risk of cardiovascular events in COPD patients is three to five-fold high. COPD is often associated with right ventricular hypertrophy and pulmonary hypertension. Various studies have associated levels of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) with severity and duration of acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD). The objective of the present study was to assess the usefulness of serum cTnI as mortality predictor in AECOPD patients.Methods: An observational, prospective and non interventional study was conducted in 50 patients with AECOPD admitted in the pulmonary medicine emergency or ward of a tertiary care hospital of Northern India. AECOPD was diagnosed according to Global Initiative for chronic obstructive lung disease guidelines. cTnI levels were estimated within 24 hours of admission by method based on chemiluminiscence along with routine investigations. Levels ≥ 0.01ng/ml were taken as positive. The patients were followed up for 30days for outcome in terms of mortality and morbidity. Data was entered and analyzed by SPSS package and two sided p values<0.05 were considered statistically significant.Results: The serum cTnI was found to be positive in 34% of patients with AECOPD. The in- hospital mortality was significantly low in patients having cTnI <0.01ng/ml as compared to patients with cTnI ≥0.01ng/ml. The patients with cTnI levels ≥0.01ng/ml had significantly higher mean PaCO2 levels and higher requirement for invasive or noninvasive ventilation during hospital stay as compared to patients having cTnI <0.01ng/ml (p=0.04 and 0.016 respectively).Conclusions: Levels of cTnI≥0.01ng/ml may be considered as a biomarker to predict mortality in AECOPD patients

Self inflicted human teeth bites: a case report

Human infighting has been a part of our civilization since times immemorial. These incidences may go unnoticed or may attract attention of law enforcing agencies depending upon the severity of the offence. Though weapons are generally employed to inflict injuries, rare cases have been reported in literature where human teeth have been used to serve this purpose. Human bites may be self inflicted or self suffered in connivance with others to level an allegation against an adversary. We are presenting here such a case where such injuries were produced to bring a false charge against a neighbor

PHARMACOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF HYDROALCOHOL AND CHLOROFORM EXTRACTS OF NYCTANTHES ARBOUR-TRISTIS L. FOR ANTIOXIDANT, ANTI-INFLAMMATORY AND ANALGESIC ACTIVITY

Objective: The study was designed to evaluate the anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity of hydroalcohol (HA) and chloroform (CH) extracts of the whole plant of Nyctanthes Arbour-tristis L in laboratory animals.Methods: HA and CH extracts of the whole plant were prepared by Soxhlet apparatus for 72 h and subjected to preliminary phytochemical screening and in-vitro and in-vivo anti-oxidant activity. The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by employing carrageenan induced paw edema in rats and analgesic activity was evaluated using acetic acid induced writhing test and tail flick method in mice.Results: The preliminary phytochemical analysis of extracts indicated the presence of terpenoids, flavonoids, phenols, tannins, alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, fats and fixed oils, proteins and amino acids. HA and CH extracts were found to possess strong in-vitro and in-vivo antioxidant activity. Oral administration of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg of HA and CH extracts significantly attenuated paw edema in rats. The percentage inhibition of glacial acetic acid induced writhing in HA and CH extracts was found to be 19.78%, 38.45%, 50.52% 47.22%, 63.06%, 72.55% at 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg dose respectively. Similar results were observed in the tail flick model indicating the analgesic activity.Conclusion: The results showed that HA and CH extract of Nyctanthes arbour-tristis L. Produced significant antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity in rats and mice respectively.Â

Retrospective study to assess the prevalence of overweight and obese women delivering at tertiary care centre in Pune

Background: Obesity is a modern-day epidemic affecting women in reproductive age group. Increase in obesity in pregnant women is associated with increased rates of complications.Methods: A retrospective study was conducted based on available hospital data between January 2020 and March 2020. Pregnant women who have had their first visit at this centre before 20 weeks period of gestation were included and were classified into normal body mass index (BMI), overweight and obese. The rates of caesarean delivery, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), assisted reproductive techniques (ART) for conception and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admissions were studied.Results: A total of 582 pregnant women were included in the study. The estimated prevalence of obesity was 29.3% (n=171) whereas 27.8% (n=162) were overweight. There was statistically significant association seen between obesity and caesarean delivery rates, HDP, NICU admission.Conclusions: The results reveal high prevalence of obesity in pregnant women. There is a need for a comprehensive and clinically effective approach to tackle obesity.