Cytological screening for cervical cancer in women of reproductive age group

Background: Cervical cancer is a malignant neoplasm arising from cells of cervix uteri. It is the second most common cancer among women worldwide, affecting about 16 per 1,00,000 women each year.Methods: A cross sectional study of 400 women of reproductive age group (21-49 years) attending Lady Goschen Hospital and KMC Hospital, Attavar, Mangalore was conducted, and women were screened for the presence of cervical cancer by Pap smear. The results were analyzed with respect to age distribution, age at marriage, parity, symptoms and per-speculum findings. Pregnant women and women with active infection of the genital tract were excluded from the study population.Results: The age range was 21 to 49 years. Mean age was 38.14 years. Of the 400 women, 398 were married and majority of these, 237 (59.5%), got married between 21-25 years. Menstrual irregularity was the most common presenting symptom, 150/400 (37.5%). Abnormal per speculum findings were seen in 102/400 (25.5%). 17 of 400 Pap smears were abnormal, of which 1 (0.25%) was AG-FN, 2 ASCUS (0.5%), 3 (0.75%) ASC-H, 1 (0.25%) LSIL, 7 (1.75%) HSIL and 3 (0.75%) SCC. Mean age for cancer cervix patients was 42.33 years.Conclusions: Pap smear screening, which appears to be the most feasible and affordable mode for control of carcinoma cervix in developing countries like India, should be carried out in all women of reproductive age group

Determination of microbial load, total Phenolic and flavonoids contents in polyherbal formulation “yograj guggulu vati”

Yograj guggulu vati (YGV), a polyherbal formulation is recommended for the management of diseases like arthritic, anodyne or analgesic, spasm, muscle relaxant, flatulence, digestive problem, cough, hyperglycaemia, fat burner and obesity. Though Yograj guggulu vati is widely used for the treatment of diseases in Ayurvedic System of Indian Medicine, but till date, it’s Phenolic and flavonoids contents and contamination studies have not been carried. In the present article, we evaluated the total phenolic and flavonoids contents and contamination of YGV. Total phenolic contents were evaluated by Folin Ciocalteu reagent. Aluminum chloride colorimetric method was used for the determination of total flavonoid contents. Contamination study such as microbial load was also performed. Microbial load study revealed that total bacterial counts and total fungal counts were under limits. The total phenolic content and total flavonoid content were 190.16 mg/g and 20.87 mg/ g dry extract respectively. Microbial load studies showed that the formulation has a good quality and purity. Presence of abundance phenolic and flavonoids compound indicated that YGV can be used for different biological activities. Keywords: Microbial load, Yograj Guggulu Vati, total phenolic content

The COVID-19 Pandemic and Mental Health

The COVID-19 crept in silently and subsequently spread at a rapid pace ultimately progressing into a pandemic with a high rate of morbidity, mortality, loss of income and sustained social isolation for billions of people. This sudden human tragedy required heavy adjustment and was difficult to adapt quickly as we humans are gregarious in nature and always need social connect in our lives especially during a crisis. History has shown that mental health impact of pandemics outlasts the physical impact. In general, mental health and related issues are not recognized in public and with global pandemic these silent and insidious issues can be either misdiagnosed or go unnoticed completely

Hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus co-infection among outdoor patients and indoor patients of tertiary care institute, Bathinda, Punjab, India

Background: Hepatitis virus infections have many serious consequences like chronic hepatitis, fulminant hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma and liver cancer. Serological test is thus necessary to identify hepatitis virus in the body. An observational study was conducted with an objective to detect hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies by rapid card tests and to find the prevalence of co-infection with hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses from January 2019 to June 2019.Methods: Blood samples were received from patients irrespective of age and sex, constituted the material for the present study. All samples were tested on hepacard and tri-dot card for the detection of hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus and results were interpreted as per Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines.Results: Out of 3488 samples, 254 samples were positive for hepatitis virus infection. Out of these 254 samples positive for hepatitis viruses, 22 (0.6%) patients were positive for hepatitis B virus and 232 (6.6%) patients were positive for hepatitis C virus. Only 2 (0.7%) of these patients showed co-infection with both viruses.Conclusions: Male patients showed more positivity of hepatitis virus as compared to females. Patients were more from outpatient department (OPD) as compared to inpatient department (IPD). Hepatitis virus infection was found to be highest in the age group 21-40 and lowest in the age group above 80 years. Both the co-infected patients were males and from IPD.

Knowledge and self-efficacy among healthcare providers towards novel tobacco products in Japan

Several new tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products (HTPs), have become highly prevalent in Japan. As safety data continues to evolve, healthcare providers are considered important sources for product use, yet little is known about provider knowledge or self-efficacy to counsel patient about novel tobacco product use. This cross-sectional study used data from a Japanese Association of Smoking Control Science (JASCS) online survey of physicians, pharmacists, nurses, and public health practitioners (N = 277) to assess provider knowledge of novel tobacco products and self-efficacy to counsel patients about product use. Correlates of knowledge and self-efficacy were also assessed. More than half the sample had received previous training in treating tobacco use, but 62% of respondents had no knowledge of HTPs; 80% of respondents indicated that they occasionally or always provide smoking cessation support. Overall knowledge of HTPs was low (41.4% correct) with higher knowledge for HTPs containing nicotine (89% correct) vs. HTPs emitting no carbon monoxide (25%). Self-efficacy to counsel patients about novel tobacco products was low on a scale ranging from 10 to 70 (Mean = 31.2; Standard Deviation = 16.7). Greater knowledge of HTPs was associated with male gender, higher rates of training at JASCS and previous learning about HTPs at JASCS. (p < 0.05). The results suggested that healthcare providers' knowledge and self-efficacy regarding novel tobacco products remains low in Japan, but additional training may improve it

Gingival bleeding and pocket depth among smokers and the related changes after short-term smoking cessation

Background: Smoking is associated with the deteriorating health of the gingiva and periodontium. The long-term beneficial effects of smoking cessation on oral health are well known. However, the effects of short-term smoking cessation on gingival bleeding and periodontal pocket depth are unknown. The purpose of the present study was to determine the effects of short-term smoking cessation on gingival bleeding and periodontal pocket depth. Methods: Dentate smokers with a mean age of 56.9 ± 14.4 years at an outpatient smoking cessation clinic participated in this study. A professional dentist checked the periodontal pocket depth and gingival bleeding. Patients visited the smoking cessation clinic on their first visit and 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks (three months). The gingival assessment was re-performed in those who succeeded in smoking cessation 3 months after the baseline. Results: The baseline data of 83 patients showed that an increase in pocket depth was associated with increasing age and the amount of smoking. A significant increase in gingival bleeding (p = .031) and increase in pocket depth (p = .046) were observed 3 months after the baseline in patients who successfully quit smoking (n = 14). Conclusion: Short-term smoking cessation increased periodontal pocket depth and gingival bleeding. These findings may reflect healing processes that occur in the healthy gingiva. Implications: Study findings will be useful to advise patients during smoking cessation programs. Dentists can inform patients that an initial increase in gingival bleeding and pocket depth could be associated with smoking cessation. Such advice will prevent patients from any apprehension that may cause them to recommence smoking

Nephroprotective potential of Polyalthia longifolia roots against vancomycin-induced renal toxicity in experimental animals

This study was done to investigate the possible nephroprotective effect of an ethanolic root extract of Polyalthia Longifolia (PL) on vancomycin-induced nephrotoxicity using curative and protective models. Vancomycin (150 mg/kg, intravenous) was given to healthy Wistar albino rats in the curative model before the start of treatment, whereas the protective group received vancomycin at the conclusion of the 10-day treatment procedure. Animals were divided into six groups for both models; group I served as the normal control, while groups II, III, IV, V, and VI were kept as toxic control, standard (selenium, 6 mg/kg), LDPL (low dose of PL 200 mg/kg), HDPL (high dose of PL 400 mg/kg), and HDPL + selenium (interactive) groups, respectively. Renal biomarkers [(uric acid, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum proteins], and blood electrolyte levels were measured for all tested groups. When compared to the vancomycin group, the HDPL significantly (p &lt; 0.01) showed greater effectiveness in lowering the BUN, potassium, and calcium levels. Additionally, in the curative model, there was a significant (p &lt; 0.05) decrease in the blood levels of uric acid, creatinine, BUN, potassium, and calcium in the animals who received the combination of selenium and HDPL. Both LDPL and HDPL did not provide any distinguishable effect in the protective model, but groups that received HDPL with selenium did provide detectable protection by significantly lowering their levels of uric acid, BUN, serum potassium, and total serum protein in comparison to the vancomycin control group. These findings indicate that, whether administered before or after renal damage is induced, the Polyalthia longifolia root extract provided only modest protection to nephrons, which require selenium support to prevent vancomycin-induced kidney damage

BERBERINE: A POTENT ADJUVANT IN PSORIASIS NANOTECHNOLOGY

Psoriasis is a multi-factorial disease represented by complex atomic scenes and cellular pathways that lead to abnormal cell development. The normal mixture has a clear target and limited cytotoxicity; in this sense, it can support the further development of new therapies for the treatment of this flexible disease. Berberine is an individual of the original berberine alkaloid family. It mainly exists in the roots, trunks and barks of various trees and has anti-psoriatic activity. In any case, according to the berberine organization, limited bioavailability and low assimilation rate are the two main obstacles, because only 0.5% of the ingested berberine is consumed in the small digestive tract, and this rate is when it enters the intestines. It is further reduced to 0.35%. Nano-based details are seen as the best way to increase the assimilation rate because substances accumulated at the nano-level can be quickly absorbed in the intestine. Useful methods based on nanotechnology have been developed to solve these problems to ultimately achieve greater sufficiency in the treatment of various diseases. The investigation introduced and essentially examined the anti-proliferative effects of berberine and nanotechnology-based repair technology for nano-scale transportation of berberine. Finally, we will thoroughly analyze and examine the current methods and promising viewpoints of the recent transportation of this alkaloid

Keratinization and mucogenesis in the epidermis of an angler catfish Chaca chaca (Siluriformes, Chacidae): A Histochemical and fluorescence microscope investigation

The present study describes keratinization and mucogenesis in the epidermis of an angler catfish Chaca chaca, using a series of immunochemical, fluorescence and histochemical methods. The epidermis is primarily mucogenic and shows characteristic specialised structures at irregular intervals. These structures are identified keratinized in nature. The superficial layer epithelial cells in the keratinized structures often detach from the underlying epithelial cells and exfoliate either singly or in the form of sheet. This is associated to provide protection by removing silty depositions, pathogens, and debris along with exfoliated keratinized cells/sheets periodically to keep the skin surface clean. Mucogenic epidermis is equipped with the mucous goblet cells and the club cells. Nevertheless, these cells are not discernible in the keratinized structures. This suggests an inverse relationship between mucogenesis and keratinization in the epidermis of the fish. The mucogenic epidermis is involved in the secretion of different classes of glycoproteins. These include glycoproteins with oxidizable vicinal diols, glycoproteins with O-sulphate esters and glycoproteins with sialic acid residues without O-acyl substitution. Secretion of these glycoproteins on the surface are associated to control the acidity of the acidic glycoproteins, to protect the skin surface against bacterial, viral infection and other pathogens, and help in lubrication to protect against abrasion during burrowing. Epidermal keratinization and glycoprotein characterization are associated with the physiological adaptations in relation to the characteristic habit and habitat of the fish

SOLUBILITY ENHANCEMENT OF GLIBENCLAMIDE USING MESOPOROUS SILICA

Glibenclamide is a BCS Class II drug and poses a major problem during formulation development. In the present study, adsorption onto various carriers was used to enhance the solubility of glibenclamide. It was observed that solubility of glibenclamide was greatly enhanced by adsorbing onto mesoporous silica. The increase in solubility of poorly soluble drugs is often associated with the generation of supersaturation, which results in the risk of drug precipitation. HPMC E5 was used as precipitation inhibitor to maintain sink condition for a longer duration. A 32 full factorial design was adopted to optimize the ratio of glibenclamide (X1) and mesoporous silica as a carrier (X2) and the effect of different ratios was studied on percent yield, percent drug loading, and percent drug release. X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) and Differential scanning calorimetry studies were performed to investigate any possible interaction in between glibenclamide and mesoporous silica. An optimum batch of drug adsorbate was used to prepare immediate-release tablets. The tablets prepared were evaluated for thickness, uniformity of weight, hardness, friability, in-vitro disintegration time, and in vitro drug release study