A cross-sectional study to assess the morbidity pattern of ocular diseases in out-patient department of ophthalmology at a tertiary care hospital

Background: In developing countries like India lower socioeconomic status and lack of proper eye care are responsible for increase in the number of preventable and avoidable causes of blindness as compared to developed countries of the world. One-third of India's blind population lose their eyesight before 20 years of age. Therefore, early detection and treatment of ocular morbidity is important. The best option to reduce ocular morbidity is to bring eye care services to their doorsteps in the form of outreach programs. The aim of the study was to assess the morbidity pattern of ocular disease in the region, which will show the trend of ocular morbidities in our society and help to provide basic data for planning and provision of adequate eye care services, appropriate treatment and intervention for management of these diseases.Methods: This was a prospective and cross-sectional type of study which has been conducted in Department of Ophthalmology, Geetanjali Medical College and Hospital. For the study, total of 600 patients who attended OPD of Ophthalmology, GMCH, Udaipur have been taken in the duration of 1 year i.e. 2013-2014.Results: Out of 600 patients majority (50.67%) of the patients were found to be in the age group of 30-60 years and there was no sex preponderance as ratio of male to female was found to be 1.2:1 among the patients which shows that common eye diseases are usually not sex linked but may be linked with age. Distribution of diseases treated in OPD showed that allergic conjunctivitis (43.33%) was the most common disease followed by infective conjunctivitis (14.00%) which was found to be the second most common problem. Other common ocular diseases were anterior blepharitis (12.33%), stye or hordeolum externum (7.5%) and vernal conjunctivitis (6%).Conclusions: It has been observed that allergic conjunctivitis is the most common disease due to hot and dry environment, dust and more of pollution due to marble mining in the region. Thus this study gives the picture of morbidity pattern of ocular disease in the region which is helpful in planning and management.

Ewing’s sarcoma as second malignancy following a short latency in unilateral retinoblastoma

Second malignancies, mostly in the form of bone sarcomas, are known to occur in hereditary retinoblastomas, which usually present with bilateral disease. Only 2 cases of Ewing’s sarcoma have been reported in the literature following sporadic unilateral retinoblastoma. A 5-year-old boy presented to our hospital with Ewing’s sarcoma of the right humerus (proven by biopsy and immunohistochemistry) following successful treatment of retinoblastoma of the left eye with enucleation and chemotherapy 2 years previously. He was treated with 2 cycles of chemotherapy followed by radiation therapy. At 15 months follow-up, the tumor had reduced in size and the child had a good functional outcome. The cumulative risk of second malignancies in retinoblastoma survivors is 32%. Ninety-eight percent of second malignancies occur in patients with bilateral retinoblastoma. Germ line mutations have been considered in sporadic tumors occurring bilaterally and multifocal unilateral sporadic tumors. Bone and soft tissue sarcomas are the most common second malignancies. Radiation therapy increases the risk of developing a second malignancy in the irradiated field. Unilateral retinoblastomas, which comprise the majority of retinoblastomas, are not immune from the development of second malignancies. Close follow-up of all retinoblastomas—even in the early period—can improve the outcome by facilitating the early detection and aggressive treatment of second malignancies

A cross-sectional study to assess the morbidity pattern of ocular diseases in out-patient department of ophthalmology at a tertiary care hospital

Background: In developing countries like India lower socioeconomic status and lack of proper eye care are responsible for increase in the number of preventable and avoidable causes of blindness as compared to developed countries of the world. One-third of India's blind population lose their eyesight before 20 years of age. Therefore, early detection and treatment of ocular morbidity is important. The best option to reduce ocular morbidity is to bring eye care services to their doorsteps in the form of outreach programs. The aim of the study was to assess the morbidity pattern of ocular disease in the region, which will show the trend of ocular morbidities in our society and help to provide basic data for planning and provision of adequate eye care services, appropriate treatment and intervention for management of these diseases.Methods: This was a prospective and cross-sectional type of study which has been conducted in Department of Ophthalmology, Geetanjali Medical College and Hospital. For the study, total of 600 patients who attended OPD of Ophthalmology, GMCH, Udaipur have been taken in the duration of 1 year i.e. 2013-2014.Results: Out of 600 patients majority (50.67%) of the patients were found to be in the age group of 30-60 years and there was no sex preponderance as ratio of male to female was found to be 1.2:1 among the patients which shows that common eye diseases are usually not sex linked but may be linked with age. Distribution of diseases treated in OPD showed that allergic conjunctivitis (43.33%) was the most common disease followed by infective conjunctivitis (14.00%) which was found to be the second most common problem. Other common ocular diseases were anterior blepharitis (12.33%), stye or hordeolum externum (7.5%) and vernal conjunctivitis (6%).Conclusions: It has been observed that allergic conjunctivitis is the most common disease due to hot and dry environment, dust and more of pollution due to marble mining in the region. Thus this study gives the picture of morbidity pattern of ocular disease in the region which is helpful in planning and management.

Analysis of microchannel heat exchanger based on channel geometry

The use of air conditioning in heating ventilating and air-conditioning (HVAC) industry has risen steadily over the last few decades. The goal of the system is to provide a comfortable indoor environment by the process of removal or addition of heat. There are various systems and components which have been in constant use over the years and have evolved with the needs of the user and the environment too. In this research paper attempt have been made to study microchannel heat exchangers in condenser section of package units. The idea is to see how an increase in cross-sectional area through the microchannel increases the area of heat transfer. The effect of grooved cross-section which results in increase of rate of cooling for a fluid flowing through the channel have been studied. R-32 (Freon Refrigerant) is considered as refrigerant along with water for the study using CFD analysis. Two designs were considered for the study considering circular cross section and the grooved cross section considering the channel geometry. From the results of CFD analysis, it can be stated that grooved cross section has performed better in terms of heat transfer and temperature drop as compared to circular cross section

The clinical profile of obstructive lung diseases patients attending tertiary care hospital in Nanded, Maharashtra: an observational study

Background: Obstructive lung diseases as asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) have considerable morbidity and mortality globally. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) remains a major public health problem. It is projected to rank fifth in 2020 in burden of disease worldwide, according to the WHO study. Aim and objectives was to evaluate clinical profiles of obstructive lung diseases patients attending tertiary care hospital.Methods: The data was collected from 112 obstructive lung diseases patients presenting to OPD of pulmonary medicine department from January 2009 to August 2010. Research tool comprised of questions about demographic characteristics, past or presenting symptoms, general and systemic examinations. For statistical analysis MS Excel and SPSS 16 were used.Results: Overall 72 (64.28%) were smokers. 63 (56.25%) were suffering from COPD and 49 (43.75%) were asthmatic. Breathlessness was found as most common symptom in 53 (84.12%) COPD and in 45 (91.83%) asthma patients. Among COPD patients, 26 (41.26%) were of moderate obstruction whereas in asthma patients, 17 (34.69%) were of moderate obstruction and 16 (32.65%) were of severe obstruction as per Pulmonary Function Tests (PFT).Conclusions: Males were most commonly affected in obstructive lung diseases. COPD was common after 35 years of age where as asthma occurs mostly before 35 years of age. Smoking was most common etiological factor. Breathlessness was the most common presenting symptom. Family history of asthma was most common risk factor for asthma patients. Most of the patients with both COPD as well as asthma had moderate type of obstructions

Virtual Prehabilitation in Patients With Cancer Undergoing Surgery During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Protocol for a Prospective Feasibility Study

BackgroundSince the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, preoperative care, also termed prehabilitation, has become increasingly relevant due to the decreasing functional and psychosocial health of patients with cancer, which is a result of the pandemic restrictions. Concurrently, access to telehealth has improved; telehealth comprises all remote care delivery facilitated by information technologies (ie, virtually). ObjectiveThe aim of this protocol is to describe the rationale and methodology for a major trial investigating the feasibility and safety of multimodal virtual prehabilitation services (ie, teleprehabilitation). MethodsThis single-arm feasibility trial aims to recruit 100 patients with cancer to receive teleprehabilitation throughout their preoperative period. The inclusion criteria are as follows: (1) 18 years of age or older, (2) scheduled for elective cancer surgery and referred by a surgeon, (3) medically cleared by the referring physician to engage in physical activity, and (4) have a good comprehension of the English or French language. Feasibility will be assessed by documenting recruitment, adherence, and retention rates, in addition to patients’ motives for not participating in the trial, low participation, or discontinuation. The secondary outcome of safety will be assessed by reporting program-related adverse events. ResultsThe Montreal General Hospital Foundation funded the project in August 2020. The protocol was then approved by the Research Ethics Board of the McGill University Health Centre in January 2021 (ID No. 2021-6730). The first patient was recruited in March 2021, and recruitment is expected to end in September 2022. As of March 2022, 36 patients have been recruited, including 24 who have completed their participation. No adverse events have been reported. Data collection is expected to conclude in November 2022. Data analysis will be performed, and the results will be published by the beginning of 2023. ConclusionsThis trial will provide guidance on the use of telehealth in the administration of prehabilitation services. The trial will provide a large amount of information that will respond to gaps in the literature, as there are minimal reports on the use of telehealth rehabilitation and prehabilitation services among elderly populations and in acute contexts, such as the preoperative period. Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT0479956; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04799561 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)DERR1-10.2196/2993

Development of relationships between swelling and suction properties of expansive soils

In this paper, an attempt is made to correlate swelling properties of expansive soils with their suction properties. To achieve this, both swelling, using a conventional oedometer apparatus, and suction, by dew point potentiameter, WP4, properties were measured on different soils used in the study. With the help of data obtained from experimental investigations, plots were drawn against individual swelling parameters (viz., swelling potential, S, swelling pressure, Sp, & free swell index, FSI) vs. suction property like (a) air-entry value, AEV, (b) initial suction, ψi, (defined as suction measured at natural water content that is determined at the time of collection of a soil from the field) and (c) suction measured at optimum water content, ψOMC, in order to develop generalised empirical relationships between swelling and suction properties. It has been observed that AEV and ψOMC exhibits a linear relationship with S and Sp, whereas ψi exhibits a tri-linear relationship with S and a linear relationship with Sp, respectively. The study finds that AEV and ψi, the former parameter is to estimate Sp & FSI, and the latter one is to estimate S of a soil, are the best useful suction parameters to relate them with the swelling properties. Additionally, efforts were also devoted to predicting the swelling properties (viz., swelling potential and swelling pressure) from suction properties by adopting to an artificial neural network (ANN) modelling tool. Overall, the results demonstrate that resorting to suction properties is a quite promising option for predicting the swelling properties of expansive soils. © 2016 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group

A cross sectional study to assess knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) towards animal bite management and vaccination against rabies, amongst interns in a tertiary care hospital of Kolhapur, Maharashtra

Background: Rabies disease continues to be most feared of all communicable diseases. Rabies is a zoonotic disease & transmitted by animal bites, mainly dogs. India accounts for 59.9% of rabies deaths in Asia and 35% of deaths globally. One of the important factors associated with successful treatment is the knowledge of the care giver in the correct management of animal bites and vaccination against rabies. Objectives: i) To assess the knowledge towards animal bite management, and (ii) To study the knowledge, attitude & practices regarding pre and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) of rabies amongst interns in a D. Y. Patil Medical College, & Hospital, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, a tertiary care teaching hospital. Material and Methods: i) Study design - An observational - cross sectional, knowledge, attitude & practices (KAP) study. ii) Tools used - Predesigned, pretested, structured questionnaire based survey in interns on animal bite wound management and pre & post-exposure prophylaxis for rabies. iii) Study population – Interns working in D. Y. Patil Hospital, Kolhapur during study period, iv) Statistical tests – mean, percentage and other statistical analysis was conducted by using Microsoft- Excel.&nbsp