Correlation between vitamin D and lipid profile in patients with ischemic stroke

Background: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between serum vitamin D level and lipid profile in ischemic stroke patients.Methods: 217 patients with ischemic stroke were selected for analysis between ages 45 and 80 years admitted at our hospital from January 2014 to December 2015. Measurement of serum vitamin-D concentration was made by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Confounding variables like diabetes, hypertension, smoking, alcohol, tobacco, BMI, CRP, S. uric acid, duration of sunlight exposure, prior history of drug intake or fracture and S. calcium were considered. 200 age and sex matched controls were taken. The source of data was questionnaires and multiple linear regression analysis and correlation analysis were used.Results: A positive correlation was seen between vitamin D and serum cholesterol, VLDL, LDL, triglycerides, cholesterol/HDL ratio and LDL/HDL ratio but inverse correlation between vitamin D and HDL.Conclusions: In ischemic stroke patients increase in vitamin D is associated with increase in atherogenic lipids

Tibialis anterior muscle hernia : a case of chronic, dull pain and swelling in leg diagnosed by dynamic ultrasonography

BACKGROUND: Symptomatic muscle hernias are not uncommon in the lower extremities and are a rare cause of chronic leg pain. They are most commonly seen in the tibialis anterior muscle, occurring through fascial defects, usually after trauma. There are about 200 cases of muscle hernias described in the literature. The diagnosis is challenging as most of the patients present with non-specific chronic leg pain. Dynamic muscle ultrasonography at rest and at stress is often used for the diagnosis. CASE REPORT: We describe a case of tibialis anterior muscle hernia presenting with persistent dull pain and swelling along the anterior aspect of the leg on straining the leg muscles. Dynamic ultrasonography was performed, which showed a defect in the fascial sheath of the muscle through which the tibialis anterior muscle herniated and produced a focal bulge along the anterior aspect of the leg. Based upon physical examination and dynamic ultrasonographic findings, a diagnosis of tibialis anterior muscle hernia was made. CONCLUSIONS: Tibialis anterior muscle hernia is a rare diagnosis and should be included in the differential diagnosis in a patient with chronic leg pain and swelling. Dynamic ultrasound is crucial in confirming the diagnosis and should be done on straining the muscles of the affected limb

Effect of anti-epileptic drugs on cognitive functions: a prospective study in individuals with newly diagnosed complex partial seizure and generalized tonic clonic seizure

Background: Epilepsy, the third most common neurologic disorder, deteriorates cognitive functions of the patients. Approximately 1% of the world’s population is suffering from epilepsy. Opinions regarding impact of anti-epileptic drugs on cognition are divided. So, this study was designed to assess the impact of anti-epileptic drugs on cognitive performance of patients with complex partial seizure and generalized tonic clonic seizure in Department of Medicine, at Government Medical College, Surat, Gujarat, India.Methods: In present study, cognitive functions were assessed in 50 patients of newly diagnosed complex partial seizure and generalized tonic clonic seizure coming to the Department of Medicine, Surat. The cognitive functions were evaluated by Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination (ACE)-III, which assessed memory, attention, fluency, language and visuo-spatial abilities. Follow-up was done after six months of baseline.Results: Baseline and Follow-up data from 50 patients were analysed. Patient treated with anti-epileptic drugs showed significant improvement in memory, attention, language and visuo-spatial abilities whereas improvement in fluency was not significant. Paired t-test and Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test were used to analyse the data. For statistical analysis of data SPSS 19.0 software was used.Conclusions: The available data indicate that the anti-epileptic drugs on short-term administration do not adversely affect cognitive function in patients with newly diagnosed CPS and GTCS. Importantly, the data suggest that the effects exerted by AEDs could depend on factors linked to patient characteristics and individual susceptibility and to comment on those factors further studies are needed

To study the relation between spontaneous bacterial peritonitis and serum ascitis albumin gradient in chronic liver disease patients

Background: About half the patients with cirrhosis develop ascites during 10 years of observation. The present study was designed to study the relation between spontaneous bacterial peritonitis and serum ascites albumin gradient in chronic liver disease patients.Methods: This prospective observational study was done in 55 patients with chronic liver disease attending IPD of tertiary hospital. Based on investigation findings, patients were divided into two groups: Group A-Patients with sterile cirrhotic ascites, Group B- Patients with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. Detailed history, examination and relevant investigation were done. Data was collected, recorded and statistical calculation was done using in Microsoft excel 2007.Results: Most common presenting symptoms of SBP patients were increasing ascites refractory to treatment (90%), followed by peripheral edema (80%). Jaundice and hepatic encephalopathy was found in 75% and 65% respectively. Serum and ascites albumin levels were lower in Group B (2.54±0.33 and 0.43±0.23 g/dl respectively) as compared to Group A (2.85±0.36 and 0.91±0.31 g/dl respectively) and it was statistically significant. The Mean±SD of SAAG for group A and group B was (1.94±0.36) and (2.09±0.47 g/dl) respectively. This difference was statistically not significant.Conclusions:Study conclude that the development of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in chronic liver disease patients with sterile ascites is directly proportional to ascitic fluid albumin and serum albumin concentration whereas occurrence of SBP is not affected by variation in SAAG ratio if it is already higher than 1.1 g/dl.

A study to know the serum total testosterone levels in type II diabetes mellitus male patients from North India

Background: Diabetes mellitus is major public health issue facing the world in present century and the prevalence of type 2 diabetes is increasing explosively.  There are various diabetes related complications, one of which is low testosterone levels in men. This study was designed to estimate the serum testosterone level in male patients of type 2 diabetes mellitus.Methods: The patients of type -2 diabetes mellitus were picked up from out-patient and in-patients section of the hospital at random.Results: Seventy male  patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were enrolled during the study period. The mean age of study population was 56.36±10.26 years (range 36-70), while that of control group patients was found to be 39.80±7.92years. Family history of diabetes was present in 14 (22.2%) patients. The mean HbA1c in study group was 8.83±1.95 %, which was significantly higher as compared to control group with HbA1c 4.82±0.40 %. Among study group, lower serum total testosterone level was observed in 85.7 % cases and normal level in 14.3 % cases. Among control group, lower serum total testosterone level was observed in 6.7 % cases and normal level in 93.3 % cases.Conclusions: The present study highlighted that significant difference in serum total testosterone level has been observed between cases and control groups (X2 =55.7, P=0.0001)

Congenital Anomalies of the Gastrointestinal Tract

The gastrointestinal system anomalies in the newborn infants are not uncommon and are due to either embryogenesis defects or intrauterine vascular accidents resulting in a compromise of fetal blood circulation to specific system organs. The symptoms generally present within first 1–2 days of life and are mostly referable to intestinal obstruction, manifesting as vomiting, feeding difficulty and distension of abdomen. Other defects may have distinct signs and symptoms and variable time of onset. Some defects may be diagnosed antenatally during prenatal maternal care. The investigations include radiography, magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound and in a majority of cases clinical presentation and plain radiography may provide adequate diagnostic information. The outcomes of surgical repair are variable and depend upon the original pathological defect. Here, the common anomalies are described with their clinical presentation, surgical repair techniques and outcomes

A study regarding the availability and utilization of water supply and sanitation practices in rural Amritsar, Punjab, India

Background: Access to safe water and sanitation practices is an important issue of health and development at local, regional and national levels. The government has come up with various facilities regarding the water supply and sanitation but there are various factors which curtail their utilization. The present study deals with the extent of utilization and factors impeding the utilization of such services at the village level.Methods: The present impeding cross-sectional study was carried out in village Nagkalan, Amritsar, where the eldest adult member present in the house at the time of the visit was interviewed. Every house of the village was visited during the period of January 2017 to December 2017, and a total of 1123 families were included in the final analysis. Thereafter, data was compiled and analyzed.Results: Out of total 1123 families, only 31.4% were using government water supply (tap water); while 42.7% had no government connection at all and used submersible as their sole source of water supply. 20.2% did not have a toilet at their house and therefore practiced open defecation; out of which majority families belonged to lower socio-economic status (statistically significant). Out of total 896 families having a toilet at their house, there were only 30 families (3.4%) who responded that some of the family members practice open defecation. Also, only 6.1% of the respondents were aware about the functions of Village Health Sanitation and Nutrition Committee (VHSNC).Conclusions: More number of families (42.7%) were dependent on submersible pump as sole source of water supply. 20.2% lacked separate toilet facility, mostly belonging to lower socio- economic status. Only 6.1% were aware regarding the VHSNC. All the families disposed of their household waste on the roads

Radiation Tolerant Life Forms and Methods Used to Remediate Radioactive Wastes from Soil

The expanding nuclear industry has led to increasing radioactive waste in the environment. Exposure to these wastes causes considerable irreversible damage to the organisms, some of them being even lethal. Conventional methods like incineration, wet oxidation, and acid digestion have been used for radwaste treatment to control this. Apart from them, other organic methods like bioremediation are being widely applied by scientists. Many bacteria, fungi, algae, and plants are observed to possess remediating properties. Hence, these are now used on a large scale to treat the radioactive matter as quickly and effectively as possible. Techniques like bioaccumulation, enzymatic reduction, bioprecipitation, or phytoremediation methods such as phytoextraction and phytostabilization involving such organisms with remedial abilities have successfully removed the radioactive matter to an extent from the contaminated site. Further research is needed to increase the efficiency of the techniques and help remove radionuclides in an environment-friendly manner