Evaluation of axial length measurements obtained using three different techniques- applanation A-scan, immersion A-scan and optical biometer

Background: To compare measurements of axial length obtained with manual A-scan, immersion A-scan and optical biometer and assess the accuracy of different techniques of intraocular lens power calculation. Methods: This was a prospective randomized study done in 90 patients over a period extending from November 2019 to October 2020 in the upgraded department of ophthalmology, Government Medical College Jammu. Intraocular lens power was calculated by measuring axial length by three different techniques and further the accuracy of the axial length values obtained were compared. Results: In this study, mean axial length measured by applanation A-scan was 22.86±0.85 mm which ranged from 20.99-24.6 mm and axial length measured by immersion technique ranged from 21.5-24.9 mm with a mean AL of 22.92±0.85 mm. AL measured by non-contact method ranged from 20-25.08 mm with a mean AL of 23.1±0.93 mm. There was a statistically significant difference between all the three techniques regarding the measured AL (p=0.0004). Conclusions: This study concludes that the optical biometry has greater accuracy than ultrasound biometry including applanation and immersion A-scan

TO STUDY IMMUNOMODULATORY EFFICACY OF KARANJA (PONGAMIA PINNATA PIERRE) SEED CHURNA IN SWISS ALBINO MICE

Objectives: The present study was carried out to evaluate the immunomodulatory efficacy of Karanja (Pongamia pinnata Pierre) Seed Churna in aqueous solution. Methods: The animals for this trial were rats of either sex and blood that was used was sheep’s blood. The study was conducted in three groups having 6 rats in each group. First group was control group and tap water was administered to this group orally, second and third group received the test drug aqueous solution at the dose 800mg and 4000mg/kg body weight respectively for 10 consecutive days. The test drug was evaluated for effect on humoral antibody formation, on cell mediated immunity and spleen and thymus weight gain. Histopathological studies were also performed on spleen and thymus in SRBC pre-sensitized rats. Results: The data on the effect of test drug on antibody formation against sheep red blood cells shows marginal statistically non-significant decrease in antibody titre at both lower and higher dose levels. Cell mediated immunity only at higher dose level in 48 hours reached statistically significant level whereas non-significant changes were observed in the weight of spleen and thymus. Conclusion: Karanja seed possess significant cell mediated immunity and non-significant effect on antibody formation and also non-significant effect on spleen and thymus weight gain

ROLE OF NAVGRAHA PLANTS IN MANAGEMENT OF NON- COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), mainly cardiovascular diseases, cancers, diabetes, obesity and chronic respiratory diseases, represent a leading threat to human health and human development in todays world. Medicinal plants have always been the principle sources of medicine worldwide. Ayurvedic medicines share the millennia of Ayurvedic herbs which prevent and effectively treat many non-communicable diseases. These drugs are safe, effective and affordable. We cannot limit the study of Indian plants based on their therapeutic values but we should also consider their use from Astrological point of view. As we all know, in astrology it is believed that there are nine planets which are controlling the destiny of a person and there are certain specified herbs which act as a remedy to treat disastrous effect of planets. To minimize the ill effect of Navgrahas one of the easiest methods is to plant the Navgrah Vatika (garden). It protects from various problems including non-communicable diseases. Astrology along with Ayurveda shows how we can heal ourselves through the herbs corresponding to their particular star. Combining astrology and Ayurveda fruitful results can be obtained. Each plant in this paper corresponds to that particular planet/star which gives energy to that particular person born during that particular star time. Present paper will describe the importance Navgrahavatika, role of planets in health and how these Navgraha plants are useful in prevention and treatment of non-communicable diseases

FOLK MEDICINE AMONG TRIBE PEOPLE- A REVIEW

Today ancient Ayurvedic texts have been researched and a lot of hidden knowledge has been brought to surface light and Ayurveda is becoming one of the leading scientific way of preserving and promoting a healthy life. On the other-hand we do not know much about another type of medicine which is more ancient, equally efficacious and widely practised by its adherents: Folk medicines. Folk medicine was practised during Atharva-Vedic period and it is still practised in 21st century by tribal people, villagers and even by some people of cities who still adheres to their ancestor knowledge in India. Folk medicine has its own concept of causation of disease, diagnostic techniques and treatment. In history of Indian medicine little or almost no attention has been given to folk medicine, on the other-hand tribal and village people believe in folk medicine as it fits in with their culture and way of thinking. If we want that these people can derive benefit from Ayurveda or Modern medicine then we have to take pain to see that today’s medicine is presented to them in such a way that it is ‘acceptable’ to them. We can make it ‘acceptable’ only if we know what they believe in. So here effort was made to recollect knowledge about folk medicine in india so that it not remain patchy and inadequate and helps to promote healthy life

Menopausal symptoms in rural middle aged women: a community based cross sectional study

Background: Menopause poses a big challenge to the healthy aging of a woman. With growing emphasis on universal health coverage and improving quality of life, it is the need of hour to address the issues population of postmenopausal women to enhance our understanding of women’s experiences during menopause.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted using non-probability purposive sampling and house-to-house visit in randomly selected villages falling under rural Health Block Kot-Bhalwal. 245 postmenopausal women were interviewed in accordance with pretested questionnaire consisting of Sociodemographic data and Greene Climacteric Scale.Results: Muscle and joint pains was the most common complaint (89.0%), followed by feeling tired or lacking in energy (87.4%), difficulty in sleeping (82.5%) and difficulty in concentrating (80.4%). Nearly three-fourth of the study participants reported to be suffering from Irritability (77.6%), feeling tense/nervous (77.5%), Headaches (76.7%), loss of interest in most things (75.9%), feeling unhappy or depressed (74.29%), sweating at night (73.47%), attacks of anxiety, panic (73.5%), pressure or tightness in head (72.6%), and feeling dizzy or faint (71.8%).Conclusions: A higher prevalence of menopausal symptoms was found. However, more research studies are needed to determine rural urban differences in prevalence and severity of the symptoms using a standardized tool on a larger sample in the community setting

Age-Related Histological Changes in Vena Caval System of Human Foetus and Adult: A Comparative Study

BACKGROUND: It has been documented that cardiac musculature is present in both venae cavae, and they contract together with the atrium, contributing to the pumping mechanism of the heart. So, in the present study, we measured the relative thicknesses of the three histological layers at formation, termination and intermediate levels of the venae cavae along with their histological characteristics.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten foetal and 10 adult cadavers were used. The Superior and Inferior Venae Cavae from all three regions were excised and processed for histology. The qualitative and quantitative features of the vessels were observed and recorded. The data thus obtained was then assessed statistically.RESULTS: In superior vena cava, the tunica intima grows actively especially during late gestation. The tunica media shows active growth. The tunica adventitia growth is significant at the middle and termination levels. In inferior vena cava, the tunica intima grows actively at the level of formation. The tunica media shows the active overall growth during early gestation. The tunica adventitia shows active growth during late gestation. In qualitative analysis the plump, spindle-shaped primitive mesenchymal cells were observed. Muscle and collagen fibers show reciprocal abundance with increasing age, with the former being lesser in amount than the latter in earlier stages. Appearance of vasa vasorum was notable from 2nd trimester. The cardiac myocytes were located in the middle and outer tunics of the superior vena cava.CONCLUSION: Cardiac musculature was absent in the inferior vena; however, the vessel shows advanced rate of overall development

Development and validation of a UPLC-MS method for determination of atazanavir sulfate by the “analytical quality by design” approach

A UPLC-MS method for the estimation of atazanavir sulfate was developed using the “analytical quality by design” approach. The critical chromatographic quality attributes identified were retention time, theoretical plates and peak tailing. The critical method parameters established were percent of organic modifier, flow rate and injection volume. Optimization performed using Box-Behnken Design (BBD) established 10 % organic modifier, 0.4 mL min–1 flow rate and 6-µL injection volume as the optimum method conditions. Atazanavir sulfate eluted at 5.19 min without any interference. Method validation followed international guidelines. The method has proven linearity in the range of 10–90 µg mL–1. Recovery was between 100.2–101.0 % and precision within the accepted limits (RSD 0.2–0.7 %). LOD and LOQ were 2.68 and 8.14 µg mL–1, resp. Stress testing stability studies showed atazanavir sulfate to degrade under acidic and basic conditions. The suggested technique is simple, rapid and sustainable.It is, therefore, suggested for routine analysis of atazanavir sulfate

Morphological and morphometric study of the subscapular arterial tree with its clinical implications

Background: Knowledge of anatomy of the subscapular arterial tree is very important as it is commonly used for microvascular grafting to substitute injured portions of the arteries of hands and forearm. So, the study aims to examine the subscapular arterial tree and its variants. Aim and Objectives: To observe the subscapular arterial tree and its variants in the origin and branching pattern as well as to locate the distance of origin of subscapular artery and circumflex scapular artery from various anatomical landmarks. Material and Methods: Twenty-six upper limbs were used in the study. The origin and branches of subscapular artery were noted down. Distance between the various anatomical landmarks and the origin of subscapular and circumflex scapular artery were noted down. Variants in the origin and branching pattern were noted. Results: In five limbs, the 2nd part of axillary artery gave rise to subscapular artery. On the right and left side, the mean distance between the origins of subscapular artery from pectoralis minor was 2.92 and 3.17 cm, respectively. In five limbs, subscapular artery was originating along with posterior circumflex humeral artery and in three limbs with lateral thoracic artery. In two limbs, the 3rd part of axillary artery was giving rise to circumflex scapular artery directly. The mean distance of the origin of circumflex scapular artery from pectoralis minor was 3.53 and 3.83 cm away on right and left side, respectively. On both right and left side, the mean distance of the origin of circumflex scapular artery was 2.18 cm away from the origin of subscapular artery. Conclusion: The measurements on the subscapular artery and its variations will help the surgeons in identifying subscapular artery easily for microvascular arterial grafting

Histogenesis and Histomorphometric study of Human Fetal Small Intestine

Background: Intestine plays a major role for the normal growth of the fetus during the prenatal period. The process of the embryonic development is not quantified histologically. Therefore the main aim of the study was to measure the thickness of all part of the wall of the small intestine that are mucosa, submucosa and muscularis externa and to look for the appearance of the Brunner’s glands and Peyer’s patches in the submucosa of duodenum and ileum.Methods: The present study was carried out on 30 fetuses of gestational ages ranging from 11-36 weeks. Ten fetuses from each trimester were used in the study. Fetal small intestine were dissected carefully, and were separated as duodenum, jejunum & ileum and fixed in formalin solution. The tissue was processed for histology and then slides were stained with Haematoxylin and Eosin. The microscopic features were noted using light microscope.Results: The thickness of the mucosa, submucosa and the muscularis externa was observed to be increased in first trimester, decreased in the second trimester and again increased in the third trimester, which could be because of the increase cell turnover and the arrangement of the collagen fibers as to support the mucosa and the muscularis externa.Conclusion: Thus, the knowledge of the histogenesis and histomorphometry of the human fetal small intestine is crucial for the adult gastroenterologist to appreciate, because of the potential for these early life events to affect the responsiveness of the intestine to physiological or pathological challenges in later life.

EchoFusion: Tracking and Reconstruction of Objects in 4D Freehand Ultrasound Imaging without External Trackers

Ultrasound (US) is the most widely used fetal imaging technique. However, US images have limited capture range, and suffer from view dependent artefacts such as acoustic shadows. Compounding of overlapping 3D US acquisitions into a high-resolution volume can extend the field of view and remove image artefacts, which is useful for retrospective analysis including population based studies. However, such volume reconstructions require information about relative transformations between probe positions from which the individual volumes were acquired. In prenatal US scans, the fetus can move independently from the mother, making external trackers such as electromagnetic or optical tracking unable to track the motion between probe position and the moving fetus. We provide a novel methodology for image-based tracking and volume reconstruction by combining recent advances in deep learning and simultaneous localisation and mapping (SLAM). Tracking semantics are established through the use of a Residual 3D U-Net and the output is fed to the SLAM algorithm. As a proof of concept, experiments are conducted on US volumes taken from a whole body fetal phantom, and from the heads of real fetuses. For the fetal head segmentation, we also introduce a novel weak annotation approach to minimise the required manual effort for ground truth annotation. We evaluate our method qualitatively, and quantitatively with respect to tissue discrimination accuracy and tracking robustness.Comment: MICCAI Workshop on Perinatal, Preterm and Paediatric Image analysis (PIPPI), 201