bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Studies on the safety profiles of a Siddha preparation -Thirithodamathirai
Authors: R. Madhavan  , N. J. Muthukumar  , C. Savariraj Sagayam  , C. Davidraj  , S. Sriram  , Perumal Rajalakshmi , P. Brindha
Published: September 2022

Introduction and Aim: Thirithodamathirai (TTM)is aherbo metallic formulation of Siddha system of medicine also called as Veeramathirai or Mukkutra mathirai. Therapeutically it is recommended for all types of fever, delirium, and lung infections. It has only two ingredients namely veeram(Mercuric chloride,20%)and pepper seeds (80%). In this study, Veeram was detoxified and the test sample Thirithodamathirai prepared as per the instruction given in the classical siddha text Siddha vaithiyathirattu. It is a highly poisonous substance and if prepared improperly will have toxic effects.
 
Materials and Methods: Plant materials used to detoxify the toxic effect of veeram are bitter gourd, milk, lemon juice and tender coconut. In the present study, the method using lemon juice was used in the detoxification procedure. After detoxification, veeramwas used in preparing the mathirai. This research work focuses on studying the safety profiles of Thirithoda mathirai by carrying out in vivo single dose toxicity studies in female Wistar rats. Thirithoda mathirai was dissolved in purified water, was administered to the experimental animals at a dose level of 50, 300 and 2000 mg/kg body weight and were observed for 14 days.
 
Results:Single dose oral administration of the mathirai at a dose of 50 mg/kg caused no harmful toxic effects on the body mass / body weight changes and food intake in Thirithodamathirai treated female rats. Dose levels of 300 and 2000 mg/kg showed 33.3 and 100% mortality respectively.
 
Conclusion:The acute oral LD50 of Thirithodamathirai for Wistar rats was observed to be 500mg/kg body weight.
Correlation between six-minute walk test and sit-to-stand test in COPD patients
Authors: P. M. Anbumaran  , S. Swetha  , Prasanth G.  , Sakthi Sangeetha V.  , V. Gangadharan
Published: September 2022

Introduction and Aim: Six Minute Walk Test (6MWT) and spirometry are commonly used tests to assess the functional status of the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases (COPD) patients. However, many other simpler tests like Sit to Stand Test (STST) are also available. This study is done to assess the utility of STST in comparison to 6MWT to evaluate the functional status of COPD patients in our hospital.
 
Materials and Methods: This study is a prospective and an observational study conducted on 50 COPD patients. Each patient underwent spirometry and subjected to 6MWT and STST. Quadriceps femoris muscle powers are measured for every patient before start of study. During the test, dyspnoea grade, Pulse rate, respiratory rate, saturation and blood pressure were measured.
 
Results: In this study group mean age was 60.38±11.09 years, mean FEV1 55.24% ±16.18% and then 6MWT and STST were correlating with each other. On comparing parameters hemodynamic parameters before and after performing 6MWT and STST for 30 seconds. There is significant correlation between 6MWT and STST using Pearson’s correlation. However, there is a negative correlation between FEV1 and both 6MWT and  STST.
 
Conclusion: Sit to stand test is less time consuming, repeatable and easy to perform. STST can also determine the functional status of COPD patient similar to Spirometry and Six-minute walk test. Hence, STST can be an alternative test for Spirometry and 6MWT in COPD patients in a limited resource facility.
Construction of Rajini Samuel diagrammatic representation method for ABG interpretation
Authors: A. Jamuna Rani
Published: September 2022

Introduction and Aim: The advancement in the field of diagrammatic representation for diagnosis of acid base disturbances is not significant. A graphical tool was published by Rajini Samuel for ABG interpretation using standard base excess, the ratio (HCO3 - Std HCO3) / H2CO3 and parameter (pCO2- 40 mm of Hg) in a four quadrant graph. In the present study this diagrammatic representation is constructed and utilized for the diagnosis of acid base disorders.
 
Materials and Methods:One hundred and fifty arterial blood gas samples were classified into various acid base disturbances and the respiratory and metabolic disorders are again subdivided into uncompensated, partially compensated and fully compensated based on compensatory mechanisms. A four quadrant graph was constructed to analyse the various acid base disorders.
 
Results:This diagrammatic representation appears to be easier and much simpler to be widely utilized at the bed side in clinical practice.
 
Conclusion: ABG interpretation plays an essential role for aquicker and easier interpretation may help in saving the life of the patients. This diagrammatic representation method may serve as an useful diagnostic tool to interpret the results easily.
Knowledge, attitude and practice of healthcare ethics among final year medical and nursing students at a college in South India
Authors: Ashwini K.Shetty  , Ravi Vaswani
Published: September 2022

Introduction and Aim: The basic knowledge about health care ethics is very much necessary for both medical and nursing students before they start dealing with patients. The aim of the study is to assess the knowledge of, attitude and practice of health care ethics among final year medical and nursing students and to compare the same among these students.   Methodology: The cross sectional study was done using a validated questionnaire on 75 students each from final year MBBS and nursing. The collected data was interpreted using appropriate statistical methods like percentages, proportions. Chi square test was used for comparison, p<0.05 was considered statistically significant.   Results: The medical and nursing students included in our study had significant knowledge about medical ethics like autonomy where there is respect to patient and his decisions regarding treatment plans. The students lacked sensitivity on issues of paternalism. Majority of respondents also felt that any wrong doing by health care professional should be conveyed to the patient. Respondents had inclination towards learning ethics and wanted it in their respective curriculum.   Conclusion: This study demonstrates the paucity in knowledge of health care ethics among medical and nursing students. Respondents had an inclination to study ethics of health care.
Prevalence and socioeconomic status of osteoarthritis among adult population in and around Chennai: A case study
Authors: Raja Lakshman Raj , Giridharan Bupesh , Sakthivel Vasanth , Pandian Tamizharasi
Published: September 2022

Introduction and Aim: One of the more common degenerative illnesses in the adult population is osteoarthritis (OA). Many etiological agents are responsible for this common disorder like aging, calcium deficiency, inflammatory syndromes, etc.,With reference to this, preventive measures can be adopted by proper diagnosis and treatment at the right stage. The goal of this research was to evaluate the causes of osteoarthritis of the knee in adults and to identify the inflammatory biomarkers.
 
Materials and Methods: A population?based, case study among 600 adultsattending local hospitals  inChennai and Kanchipuram district, Tamilnadu, India, was cross-examined from January 2017 to December 2018. All the data related to the study were collected by the postgraduate students, skilled health workers according to thedirection of thecorresponding author. Printedquestionairesand informed approval were obtained from all study participants. Diagnosing criteria for OA wereadopted from the Rheumatology College of America, and it was confirmed and verified in the region.
 
Results: Around 600 adult patients were questioned, with 27.1 % having knee OA.The following measures like age, tobacco habit, illiteracy, lower socioeconomic class, positive family history of OA, diabetes, and hypertension were found to be highly linked with OA knee significantly in age greater than 50 in females (P < 0.05).
 
Conclusion: The risk of OA was high in this area and serum biomarkers were evaluated. In the present study,  the IL-2,IL-5,IL-6, and IL-10 were considered as biomarkers for osteoarthritis in acute and chronic stages. As a result, an effective preventative approach is required to reduce this burden.
Deciphering the association between Covid vaccine side effects and menstrual cycle
Authors: S.A. Priya , Sinha Nimisha , Mehta Prisha , Malenahalli Chandrashekarappa Smitha
Published: September 2022

Introduction and Aim:  In light of the ongoing pandemic Covid -19 and vaccination drive, our study intended to observe the association of reported side effects of Covid vaccine to menstrual cycle. There is no research done about covid vaccine effects on menstrual cycle.
 
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional online questionnaire-based study was conducted on females aged between 18-45 years who had received at least one dose of the Covid vaccine. The google form containing the questionnaire adhered to the CHERRIES guidelines for online surveys, was circulated for 10 days and had 14 questions on the menstrual cycle, Covid vaccines and their side effects. Out of the 886 responses obtained, 129 did not meet our inclusion criteria and hence, 757 responses were considered for statistical analysis. The data were subjected to descriptive, Chi-square tests.
 
Results: The data showed a significant (p=0.027) association of age with side effects of the Covid vaccine, with the younger age group experiencing more side effects than the older age group. The side effects of the Covid vaccine did not show association (p=0.34) to menstrual cycle phases nor there was significant (p= 0.87) disturbance to the menstrual cycle post-vaccination.
 
Conclusion: As there were no association of Covid vaccine effects to menstrual cycle, our study may allay apprehension in women who are going to take Covid vaccine and update guidance to health professionals during vaccination drive.
Molecular characterization of Dr/Afa genes prevalent among multi drug resistant Escherichia coli isolated from urinary tract infections
Authors: Asmaa Samir Mohsin  , Haider Alsakini Ali , Munim Radwan Ali
Published: September 2022

Introduction and Aim: Escherichia coli strains are derived from several phylogenetic groups and have an array of virulence factors such as fimbrial adhesins, which are expressed by the Dr/Afa gene clusters and contribute to overcoming diverse defense mechanisms, resist drugs, and causing disease. The study sought to ascertain the prevalence of the Dr/Afa genes and resistance patterns among E. coli isolated from patients suffering from recurrent urinary tract infections. 
Materials and Methods: In this prospective cross-sectional study, a maximum of 500 mid-stream urine samples were collected from UTI patients identified at medical centers in Baghdad, Iraq. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests and polymerase chain reaction were used to determine the resistance pattern and gene distribution among isolates, respectively, as well as biochemical tests to diagnose isolates.  
Results: Research data revealed that recurrent urinary tract infections were associated with the pathogen E. coli (43.88%), followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (12.82%). The results demonstrated significant antibiotic resistance patterns among isolates associated with recurrent UTIs and the most common antibiotic resistance was observed with penicillin (81.4%), followed by 81 (68.6%) sulfonamides and 63 (53.4%) fluoroquinolones. Molecular studies of the Dr/Afa operon using polymerase chain reaction, revealed several genotypes for genes within the operon. Among isolates studied the prevalence of the gene draA gene was 62 (52.5%), draB 41 (34.7%), draC 66 (55.9%), draD 65 (55.1%), draE 64 (54.2%), and draP 95 (80.5%). Furthermore, XDR and MDR-resistant phenotypes were significantly prevalent in isolates harboring hetero Dr/Afa fimbriae.
Conclusion: The results of this study indicate an inverse correlation between the presence of antibiotic resistance patterns and the prevalence of Dr/Afa genes wherein, the isolates with fewer fimbrial adhesion genes were found to be highly resistant. This study implies the Dr/Afa genes involvement in developing UTIs, suggesting that they might be associated with antibiotic resistance and  recurrent UTIs.
Doxycycline inhibits SARS-CoV-2 replication in vitro
Authors: Yethindra Vityala , Tagaev Tugolbai , Imankulova Asel , Kaliev Marat , Orozalieva Bakyt , Niyazalieva Mira , Zhumabekova Altynai , Krishna Priya Kanteti  , Kuruva Poojitha Sai
Published: September 2022

Introduction and Aim: We examined the effect of pre- and/or post-infection doxycycline on human nasal epithelial cell viability and SARS-CoV-2 (clinical strain IHUMI-3) replication in vitro. 
Materials and Methods: Human nasal epithelial cells, an in vivo SARS-CoV-2 target, were derived from healthy donor nasal epithelial stem/progenitor cells via in vitro differentiation. The cells were exposed to doxycycline at 0, 0.1, 0.5, 1, 5, 10, 50, and 100 ?M before and/or after IHUMI-3 inoculation to determine the optimal inhibitory concentration. Viral replication was evaluated using quantitative reverse-transcription PCR, and doxycycline 50% cytotoxic concentration (CC50) and half-maximal effective concentration (EC50) were calculated. The peak serum concentration (Cmax) resulting from typical oral (100 or 200 mg) or intravenous (100 mg) doxycycline doses was estimated, and the Cmax/EC50 ratio was calculated as an index of potential clinical utility. 
Results: Doxycycline exhibited low cytotoxicity (CC50 > 100 ?M) in human nasal epithelial cells and inhibited SARS-CoV-2 replication (EC50: 5.2 ± 3.3 ?M) in a dose-dependent manner when administered pre- and/or post-infection. Reasonable oral or intravenous doses will help achieve effective concentrations in vivo. 
Conclusion: Early administration of this well-characterized, safe, and accessible drug may limit person-to-person transmission and prevent progression to severe coronavirus disease.
Dietary interventions in Parkinson’s disease: An update
Authors: Sujith Pavan  , Prabhu Arvind N , Gorthi Sankar Prasad , Shetty Vignesh , Rajesh Vidya , Hegde Asha , Ballal Mamatha
Published: September 2022

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder mostly affecting the elderly population. Nutritional status, dietary habits, and physical activity are closely associated with PD clinical symptoms. Based on scientific evidence, lifestyle adjustments are being considered as therapy approaches in various chronic diseases. Dietary modifications are an additional treatment strategy for managing motor and non-motor symptoms in PD. This review focuses on the latest nutritional interventions with protein restriction, Mediterranean and ketogenic dietary modification, probiotic utilisation, and their impact on PD.
Geospatial analysis and hotspots of diarrheal cases among under-five children within a rural district of Karnataka, India
Authors: D' Mello Mackwin Kenwood , Badiger Sanjeev , Sudeep Kumar  , Kumar Nanjesh , D'Souza Neevan , Purushothama Jagannath
Published: September 2022

Introduction and Aim: Diarrhea is a significant public health problem, resulting in nearly 16% of child deaths below the age of five, globally. This study was undertaken to find the relation between geographical variance in diarrheal prevalence and spatial dependence among under-five children of Karkala taluk of Karnataka State, India, between 2015 to 2018.
 
Materials and Methods: Data on registered diarrheal cases among under-five children between April 2015 and March 2018was obtained from the State Department of Health and Family Welfare. The thematic maps were prepared for the study area using data available at the village level. The GeoDa software was used to carry out spatial data analysis and spatial autocorrelation. Spatial dependence was analyzed through the Global Moran's Index and Local Indicators of Spatial Association (LISA).
 
Results: Three thousand eight hundred ninety-four under-five children were recorded with diarrhea in Karkala taluk with a mean annual rate of 123.6/1000 diarrheal cases. There was an increase in diarrheal incidence during the study period with peak trends being seasonal. Global and Local spatial correlation analysis detected several hot and cold spot clusters among villages in Karkala taluk.
 
Conclusion: Diarrheal incidence among under-five children is highly seasonal and spatially clustered. The spatial analysis helps decide preventive measures for identified clusters and determines the observed heterogeneity of diarrheal infection.
Asymptomatic pancreatic heterotopia in an incidental Meckel's diverticulum – A rare case report
Authors: Abena Hidangmayum  , Kishan Prasad H. L.  , Jayaprakash Shetty K.  , Shreesha Khandige
Published: September 2022

Pancreatic heterotopia is a rare, unusual finding where pancreatic tissues are found out of the normal anatomical location. Various studies have documented an incidence of 0.5 to 13% in autopsy. The reports on pancreatic heterotopia presence is rare, with an incidence estimated to be around 0.2% of all upper gastrointestinal surgeries. The heterotopic pancreas occurs frequnetly in the stomach, duodenum and proximal jejunum. Remote cases of  pancreatic heterotopia in Meckel's diverticulum is a rare finding. These heterotopias are  often clinically silent and are an  incidental findings  upon pathological examination or autopsy.
A unique presentation of anomalous posterior intercostal veins, hemiazygos vein and left superior vena cava
Authors: RajilaRajendran HannahSugirthabai , Gnanasundaram Vaithianathan , Balaji Thotakura
Published: September 2022

The venous anomalies of thorax are common, but the only drainage of 1st and 2nd posterior intercostal veins on both sides into the internal vertebral venous plexus with no communication to the azygos system is reported for the first time. The common hemiazygos vein is singular receiving all the posterior intercostal veins on the left from 4th to the 11th with subcostal on the left side. This vein drains into azygos on the right. It also connects on the cranial end via an anomalous vein to the Left SVC. This anomalous vein also receives the left 3rd posterior intercostal vein. On the right, the azygos system is normal.
A study of cardiovascular profile in patients with primary hypothyroidism
Authors: Akshay Kumar  , Prabhu M. Mukhyaprana , Bhat Nitin , Weena Stanley
Published: September 2022

Introduction and Aim: Raised cardiovascular morbidity is common among patients with primary hypothyroidism. Study of electrocardiogram (ECG) and echocardiography (ECHO) and correlation with lipid profile may help in early detection of cardiovascular diseases in hypothyroidism. By this study, we aimed at studying the cardiovascular profile in patients with primary hypothyroidism and correlating ECHO and ECG changes in primary hypothyroidism with the LDL cholesterol. 
Materials and Methods: This was a single centre cross-sectional observational study. All patients diagnosed with primary hypothyroidism were included. The laboratory parameters pertaining to primary hypothyroidism were recorded. ECG and ECHO were noted and correlated with lipid profile.  
Results: Total 240 subjects were selected according to inclusion and exclusion criteria, of which males were 25% and females 75%. Mean ± SD of LDL-C among subjects having ST-T changes was 160.98 ±14.86. Mean ± SD of LDL-C among subjects having no ST-T changes was 128±10.15. Unpaired student t test was used to compare mean of lipid profile in patient having ST-T changes with patients having no ST-T changes. A strong correlation was observed between LDL cholesterol and ST-T changes in ECG (P value =0.001)
Conclusion: Diastolic dysfunction is more common than systolic dysfunction in primary hypothyroidism. LDL levels were high in patients with primary hypothyroidism who had ST-T changes in electrocardiogram. Levothyroxine replacement causes decrease in Total as well as LDL cholesterol in primary hypothyroidism. ECG changes correlated with abnormal lipid profile in patients with primary hypothyroidism.
Correlation of salivary biomarkers with anthropometric indices for cardio-metabolic risk screening in professional undergraduates
Authors: Bindiya Satish  , Gowda K. M. Damodara , Mohd Ehtesham Ali Farooqui
Published: September 2022

Introduction and Aim: The onset of cardio metabolic disorders in the later parts of adult life requires development of early screening techniques. The current study is an approach to design and evaluate the easy-to-use method for the diagnosis of cardio metabolic disorders.
Materials and Methods: The current study was performed after the institutional ethical approval. Fifty-two healthy but, obese volunteers aged 17-25 years with BMI ?25.0 were included. Salivary cortisol level was estimated by ELISA. Salivary ?-amylase was measured by kinetic enzyme assay. Data was expressed as Mean ± SD.  The association between anthropometric parameters with salivary cortisol and salivary amylase was done by Pearson correlation test. p value< 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: Salivary cortisol in male and female subjects did not show significant correlation (p>0.05) with anthropometric parameters except BMI. Similarly, salivary amylase did not show significant correlation (p>0.05) with Waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), A body shape index (ABSI), Body Round Index (BRI) and Physical Fitness Index (PFI).  The correlation of Waist to hip ratio (WHR) was found to be significantly correlated (p=0.01) with salivary amylase level whereas, the BMI and Body fat % was negatively correlated with salivary amylase level.
Conclusion: The newly proposed anthropometric parameters such as WHtR, ABSI, BRI, and PFI did not proved as ideal parameters for early prediction of cardio metabolic disorders in both genders.
The role of probiotic supplementation on insulin resistance in obesity associated diabetes: A mini review
Authors: Saha Seeme , Rahman S M Niazur , Alam Nazmun Nahar
Published: September 2022

Obesity and diabetes are two metabolic disorders linked by an inflammatory process named insulin resistance (IR). Various research on the role of gut microbiota in developing obesity and its associated disorders has led to the growing interest in probiotic supplementation. Considering the life-threatening complications of diabesity this mini review explored the effects of probiotic supplementation on IR in obesity associated diabetes. This review is based on recent articles from 2005-2020, studying the role of probiotic supplementation on glucose and insulin parameters in healthy and diabetic mouse model. Probiotic supplementation altered the gut microbiota composition, increased short chain fatty acid production, and decreased pro inflammatory cytokines. Additionally, they decreased intestinal permeability, circulating lipopolysaccharides and metabolic endotoxemia, hence improved insulin sensitivity and reduced obesity. Although multi-strain probiotic supplementation showed greater benefits than single strain interventions, variations in the concentration of probiotics used and the duration of treatment also influenced the results.  Probiotic supplementation could manipulate the gut microbiota by reducing intestinal permeability, inflammation and ameliorate IR and obesity associated diabetes in animal models which requires further long-term clinical studies in humans.
Analysis of smear patterns in tubercular lymphadenitis by fine needle aspiration cytology in a tertiary care hospital
Authors: Amina Mukhtar  , Saldanha Crysle
Published: September 2022

Introduction and Aim: India accounts for the highest number of extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB), frequently manifested as lymphadenitis. Our study is designed to evaluate cytological patterns of tubercular lymphadenitis in FNAC, a rapid diagnostic procedure among patients in a tertiary care hospital presenting with lymphadenopathy. Materials and Methods: A total of 193 patients were detected with tubercular lymphadenitis in a 3-year cross-sectional study. Chi-square test was done to analyze the patterns of tubercular lymphadenitis in FNAC and its association with Acid fast bacilli staining. Results: The highest frequency of tubercular lymphadenitis was observed in cervical lymph nodes 125/193 cases (64.77%). Pattern B (epithelioid granuloma with necrosis) 94 cases (48.7%) constituted the predominant pattern. AFB positive smears were graded as follows, grade 1 +: 28.6%, grade 2 +:47.6%, grade 3+: 23.8%. Grade 3 AFB positivity was observed among HIV (four cases) positive patients.   Conclusion: FNAC is a minimally invasive procedure in patients with Tuberculous Lymphadenitis, an extra pulmonary manifestation of Mycobacterial tuberculosis.
3-Nitrotyrosine (NT) levels in serum and its association with insulin resistance in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: Biomarker role of NT in the assessment of oxidative stress mediated impending vascular complications in nephropathy
Authors: Meka Farid Babu  , A.R. Srinivasan , Benerji G.V.
Published: September 2022

Introduction and Aim: 3-Nitrotyrosine (NT) has been recognized as a marker of oxidative stress in diabetes mellitus. NT has also been studied in diverse metabolic conditions. The aim of our study was oriented towards the role of NT as a predictor of oxidative stress mediated impending nephropathy in diabetes mellitus and that with reference to albuminuria.
Materials and Methods: A total of 150 type 2 diabetics in the age group   35 - 50 years were enrolled as three groups, comprising 50 each, based on albuminuria. 50 healthy age and gender matched subjects constituted the control group. Serum NT and Insulin were assessed by ELISA. HbA1c was quantitated by immunoturbidimetric method and microalbumin was assessed by turbilatex method. Routine biochemistry was enabled through ERBA EM-200 fully automated analyzer. Stringent quality control was affected.  The study was begun following approval accorded by the competent committees.
Results: NT levels were positively correlated with albumin-creatinine ratio and insulin resistance. NT could be used as a predictor of impending vascular complications in diabetic nephropathy. 
Conclusion: NT levels could act as a predictor of oxidative stress mediated diabetic nephropathy in the light of albuminuria.
Evaluation of phenol ammonium sulfate basic fuchsin and auramine O staining by pot technique for the detection of acid-fast bacilli among patients suspected of pulmonary tuberculosis
Authors: Druti Hazra  , Krithika M.  , Shenoy Vishnu Prasad , Kiran Chawla
Published: September 2022

Introduction and Aim: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major public health concern with its high incidence and mortality. In developing countries, smear microscopy continues to be the primary diagnostic tool for the diagnosis of TB. Sputum samples processing under resource-limited settings could be hazardous, which urges  safe and efficient smear microscopy techniques. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of two different pot methods: Phenol ammonium sulfate (PhAS) auramine O and PhAS basic fuchsin in comparison to the conventional Auramine O method. 
Materials and Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Microbiology with 74 sputum samples. All sputum samples were processed using the Auramine O method PhAS auramine O and PhAS basic fuchsin staining methods. Microsoft Office Excel (Microsoft, Redmond, WA, USA) was used to maintain and analyze all the data.
Results: A total of 8 (10.7%) samples were positive for AFB and 67 (89.3%) samples were negative, according to routine auramine O method and pot methods. Pot methods showed a 100% sensitivity and specificity compared to the conventional Auramine O method. In terms of sputum smear grading, the direct smear using auramine O showed better results compared to pot methods.
Conclusion: Pot methods like PhAS basic fuchsin and PhAS auramine O are efficient to detect AFB in sputum smears by reducing the risk of laboratory-acquired infections.
A novel approach to treat polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) patients
Authors: Dev Dipanjan , Dutta Pritika
Published: September 2022

The precise underlying pathophysiology for the progression of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) remains unclear. Eminent scientists and clinicians normally target the given clinical symptoms to curtail the syndrome in a given period. For years, multiple varied techniques have been developed and followed to treat this disorder. A novel non-invasive, pain-free treatment ‘Neurotherapy’ has been highlighted in this article that can be considered as a boon in the field of treatment and healing. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Neurotherapy in a patient with PCOS. A regular case of PCOS with ultrasonography denoting bilateral ovarian cysts is hereby discussed. Post the therapy, ultrasound reports have shown no trace of cysts in both the ovaries thereby concluding that this novel therapy can be very fruitful in treating one of the most common gynaecology related female problems, without any side effects or after-effects.
Correlation of biomarker cortisol with fatigue and quality of life among men and women with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease
Authors: S. Deepa , Kumaresan A.  , Prathap Suganthirababu  , Surya Vishnuram
Published: September 2022

Introduction and Aim: Fatigue is the prodromal symptom occurring as the earliest symptom even before motor symptoms. It has been unidentified, which also proves to be an untouched symptom for intervention. Little has been understood how men and women feel fatigued. The objective of this study is to find the correlation between fatigue and quality of life among men and women with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (PD). 
Materials and Methods: Recommended scale for fatigue as fatigue severity score and a biomarker salivary cortisol was correlated against the quality-of-life questionnaire as PDQ-39 among 25 PD male and female patients.
Results: Females are found to show significantly higher values compared to males in PDQ and salivary cortisol. F values are significant for PDQ and salivary cortisol only (p < 0.01) when compared to the H/Y scale (‘r’ = 0.420).
Conclusion: Females reported more fatigue and poor quality of life. Salivary cortisol can be a useful biomarker to measure and infer the level of fatigue which had been only feeling reported by the patients until now.
Comparison of various RBC indices and Glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase activity in patients with and without malaria
Authors: Pandurangi Ulka , Biswas Monalisa , Shetty Prajna P , Belle Vijetha Shenoy
Published: September 2022

Introduction and Aim: Malaria is endemic in many parts of India. Glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is known to protect against malaria. G6PD deficient individuals afflicted with malaria when treated with primaquine, the first line oxidant drug of malaria, encounter adverse to fatal complications due to acute precipitation of hemolytic anemia. There is a need to assess RBC indices in malaria, its implications in G6PD deficiency, and its acute manifestations. The aim of this study was to compare and correlate various RBC indices and G6PD activity in patients with and without malaria and to find a prevalence of G6PD deficiency in a tertiary care hospital.
 
 
Materials and Methods: The present study was carried out by the Biochemistry Department of Kasturba Medical College, Manipal in 363 participants (with malaria and without malaria).  Mann Whitney U test and Spearman’s Rank correlation were employed to assess group differences and correlation, respectively.
 
Results: 218 cases of malaria in 365 days from a tertiary care hospital in South India is an alarming incidence and annuls the fact that the malaria prevalence is relatively low in South India. Complete blood counts and red blood indices did not show any statistically significant difference between the study groups. No statistically significant correlation was found between G6PD activity and RBC indices in the present study.
 
Conclusion: No significant differences between hematological indicators and malaria with or without G6PD deficiency hint towards the necessity of G6PD tests for radical treatment of malaria as hematological indices are unable to predict the defective enzyme activity.
Sex hormone receptors and glioblastoma
Authors: Ashwini K  , Shilpa S. Shetty  , Ananthan Raghotham  , Suchetha Kumari N.  , Praveen Kumar Shetty
Published: September 2022

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the primary brain tumor of the central nervous system which is most common and the most aggressive of all other types of tumors. Current therapy for GBM involves surgical removal (excision) of the tumor followed by radiotherapy with concomitant and adjuvant therapy with temozolomide. Despite the improvement in therapy for GBM, survival of the patients remains poor, only up to 1 year. Treatment for GBM is limited due to the presence of blood brain barrier which prevents the entry of molecules with molecular weight >500 Dalton. Various gene mutations or over expressions lead to GBM growth. Evidence from the earlier reports suggest that epidermal growth factor receptor is overexpressed in 60% of GBM. Interestingly, recent studies have suggested the involvement of sex hormones in the development and progression of GBM though the underlying mechanism of action of these hormones is poorly understood. In this review, we discuss the role of sex hormones and their receptors, a contributing factor in the development of GBM
Molecular identification of intracellular survival related Brucella melitensis virulence factors
Authors: Halah abdulkaliq Awadh  , Zainab Noori Hammed  , Sahib Hamzah Sawsan , Tahreer Hadi Saleh  , Bahaa Abdullah Laftaah AL-Rubaii
Published: September 2022

Introduction and Aim: Brucellosis is an important zoonotic disease caused by Brucella spp. which is an intracellular gram-negative bacterium. Brucella melitensis lacks the "traditional" virulence factors such as exotoxins or cytolysins, but is capable of persisting intracellularly and evading the immune system. This study aims to identify B. melitensis using PCR and discover genes associated with its severity for early detection and therapy. 
Materials and Methods: Ten ml of unclotted blood sample was collected from each patient (n=100) suspected to be infected with brucellosis. The Castaneda technique was used to inoculate blood samples onto Brucella Basel agar with a selective supplement and tryptone soy broth in a diphasic flask. Biochemical tests were used in identifying the isolated colonies. B. melitensis isolates were further confirmed by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique using, primers targeting a specific region (IS711 gene) of the genome. Multiplex PCR was used to determine the four virulence related genes (lps B, mgtA, omp25, CBG) in all positive samples.
Results: Brucella melitensis was detected in 9% (9/100) of the blood samples. Among the virulence factors, LpsB and mgtA, were detected in all the isolates while, the genes omp25 and CBG were detected in 66.6% and 55.5% of the isolates, respectively.
Conclusion: Brucellosis could be diagnosed rapidly using molecular techniques. PCR technique could also be used in identifying the Brucella virulence related genes lpsB, mgtA, CBG, and omp25 that are crucial to the bacterium's pathogenicity in the intracellular environment.
The reliability of TIRADS classification in predicting thyroid malignancy based on ultrasound findings in Mosul city
Authors: Abeer Wali Ahmed  , Saad Muwafaq Attash  , Mohammad Harith Mohammad Zacki Al Saaty
Published: September 2022

Introduction and Aim: Ultrasound of the thyroid gland is a routine procedure. Nodules are the most common disorders seen and analyzed by ultrasound. The study purpose was to show how accurate ultrasonography was at identifying benign from malignant nodules using (Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System TIRADS) categories. High-frequency ultrasonography scanning of the neck and thyroid glands offers useful information and anatomical images. 
Materials and Methods: This study involved 495 patients who were subjected to a thyroid ultrasound imaging from December 2019 to December 2020. The ultrasound and evaluation was performed by a professional Radiologist by means of a transducer with linear-array (between 5 - 12 MHz) (DC-30, Shenzhen Mindray Bio-Medical Electronics Co., Ltd). Nodules detected were evaluated for composition, echogenicity, boundary, shape and echogenic foci. Each attribute was recorded using the standardized scoring system provided by the ACR Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (ACR TI-RADS). The scores obtained, were used in classifying the nodules as TI-RADS 1, 2, 3, 4a, 4b, and 5 to define risk levels of malignant nodule. 
Results: TIRADS approach was used to assess the thyroid ultrasound data obtained and the nodules categorized created on ultrasound features such as irregular edges, shape, tall rather wide, hypo echogenic, calcified, and vascular. The TIRAD 3 category was the most common accounting for about 251 cases (52.73 percent of the calculated diagnostic results, which included specificity (50%), sensitivity (96.59%), positive (97.21%) and negative (55.17%) predictive values. The study revealed 26 (4.25%) of the nodules to be cancerous.
Conclusion: Since the TIRADS system of categorization is a good technique for predicting malignancies in thyroid nodules, we employ ultrasound as the first diagnostic tool for efficiently finding and classifying thyroid nodules.
Impact of COVID-19 pandemic lockdown on the mental health status of Indian undergraduate health professional students
Authors: Thalanjeri Padmini , Balakrishnan Grrishma , Bangera Shobith , Biju Nada , Balasubramaniyam Kalpana
Published: September 2022

Introduction and Aim: The psychological effects of the COVID-19 outbreak and related lockdown measures among the Indian population are less known. Undergraduate students are prone to mental health problems making them more vulnerable to the impact of the pandemic and its lockdown. This study sought to determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown on the mental health status of undergraduate health professional students of a tertiary care setup. 
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried on undergraduate health professional students of a private Deemed-to-be University. 246 participants took part in this study. A questionnaire was provided as a Google form containing 26 questions. It captured the main dimensions of mental health-related issues in undergraduate students. Paired ‘t’ test was employed to compare the mental health status of the participants before and during the lockdown. 
Results: A significant majority of our participants experienced stress during the lockdown. There was no significant effect of gender, the number of household members, or prior mental health challenges on the mental status of the students. COVID-19 updates on central government introduced mobile application significantly decreased stress but reports from television/radio and social media significantly contributed to stress. Students engaged in online academic activities of more than four hours per day were significantly stressed.
Conclusion: Undergraduate health professional students in our study were significantly more stressed during the lockdown as compared to the pre-lockdown period. Academic online activity also significantly contributed to stress with more than four hours of online engagement precipitating severe stress.
Vitamin B status and its impact in post-menopausal women: A review
Authors: Samuel Stefy , Manokaran Kalaivani , Nayak Kusumakshi , Rao Gayathri M , Kamath U Saritha
Published: September 2022

Menopause is an age-related naturally occurring phenomenon in women. Women generally attain menopause between the 40-58 years of age, during which they undergo several physiological changes that have an impact on their daily activities. The deficiency of B vitamins occurs mainly due to the dietary pattern, absorption and blood loss which may leads to health problems such as cognitive decline, osteoporosis, physical and mental imbalance.  This review evaluated the published evidence on the vitamin B status and its impact in post-menopausal women. Selected data sources were searched for relevant literature (2010-2020) and included as per the set criteria using Prisma guidelines. The NIH quality questionnaire tool was used to rate the articles. Finally eleven articles were included for full length review having reports on the impact of B vitamins on bone loss, cognitive decline and physical activity. Existing evidences show that there is no association between B vitamins and bone loss. Very few studies are available which concluded association of B vitamin with cognitive decline and physical health.  More studies are required to address this research gap.
Compound odontomas – A roadblock to tooth eruption and shedding: A case series
Authors: Mokashi Pratima R. , Shetty Rajmohan , Bhandary Srikala
Published: September 2022

The most prevalent type of odontogenic tumours are odontomas, which are typically asymptomatic. This study describes three cases of compound odontomas identified in children as a result of dislodgement or over-retention of primary anterior teeth and/or swelling of the cortical bone. In each of these situations, the lesions were surgically excised. The outcomes obtained show that an early detection of odontomas enables the use of a less expensive and complex treatment and ensures a better prognosis. This article provides in-depth information on the categorization, prevalence, diagnosis, treatment, and epidemiology of odontomas, which interfere with the patterns of tooth eruption and shedding as well as overall occlusion.
Association between six-minute walk tests with lung diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide in chronic respiratory disease: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Shanmugapriya K.  , Parivakkam Mani Anbumaran , Gururaj Prasanth , Balakrishnan Hariprasad
Published: September 2022

Introduction and Aim: Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a heterogeneous disorder that share common clinical, radiographic, and physiological features. Most patients with ILD usually experience an exertion – induced dyspnea as first symptom. A noticeable change in oxygen saturation was noticed in ILD patients while exercise. The study objective was to ascertain the functional parameter that correlates best with ILD by comparing age, sex, and smoking history with different ILD pattern.
Materials and Methods: A proforma (including Six Minute Walk Test and Pulmonary Function Test with lung diffusion capacity) for one-year period (September 2014 - November 2015) was taken for the 40 included participants. The study includes patients with Interstitial Lung diseases diagnosed by clinical, radiological and spirometric parameters. The study tests the sensitivity and the specificity of six-minute walk test versus lung carbon monoxide diffusing ability. 
Results: A total of 40 participants were included (19 were males and 21 were females). 12 were smokers and 28 were non-smokers. 20 patients belonged to Usual Interstitial Pneumonia (UIP) pattern, 14 were Non-Specific Interstitial Pneumonia (NSIP) and 6 were others. The mean±SD spirometric parameters were FEV1/FVC=101.71±16.752, FVC=55.29±17.322, FEV1=57.66 ± 20.246. 
Conclusion: There was no statistical significance between age, gender, smoking and ILD patterns. Spirometer and diffusion capacity indices co-relate best with NSIP pattern of ILD in our study. In a resource limited setting, clinical and radiological assessment of ILD with six-minute walking distance and spirometry should or need not be supplemented by DLCO for severity assessment.
Adiponectin and the expression of BAX and caspase 3 in high-fructose - induced testicular injury in albino mice
Authors: Hameed Ahmed F. , Fatal Ghassan A. , S. Akkila Sameh , S. Ibrahim Maryam
Published: September 2022

Introduction and Aim: The increase in the prevalence of obesity and metabolic syndrome in recent decades has been correlated with high consumption of high-fructose and high-fat diets and has been associated with increased rates of male infertility. The aim of this study was to investigate how high fructose diet exerts its effect upon testicular morphology in addition to examine the potential effects of adiponectin treatment in restoring the architecture of seminiferous tubules through the expression of immunohistochemical markers BAX and caspase-3.
Materials and Methods: Twenty-five adult albino mice were divided into three groups: In Group 1, mice fed with diet contained high concentration of fructose followed by adiponectin injection, Group 2, the mice fed with high concentration of fructose diet and received a saline placebo injection, and Group 3 (control) was nourished a regular food for 8 weeks. The parameters studied included changes in animal body weight, testicular spermatogenesis index, spermatogonia count, apoptotic index, exfoliative epithelium percentage and immunohistochemical scores for testicular BAX and caspase-3 expression.
Results: Animals on high fructose diet showed increase in body weight which was markedly reduced by adiponectin treatment. High fructose diet also resulted in reduced spermatogenesis index and spermatogonia count with increased apoptotic and epithelial exfoliation indices. High fructose diet was also associated with high-fructose induced obesity and significantly associated with increased BAX and caspase-3 expression alleviated by adiponectin treatment.
Conclusion: High-fructose intake induces obesity and obesity-related reduction in male fertility by reducing spermatogenesis and enhancing testicular cell apoptosis via different pathophysiological mechanisms. Such effects and mechanism can be reversed and corrected with adiponectin treatment.
An Immunohistochemical study of CD83 positive dendritic cell density in human benign and malignant uterine specimens
Authors: Ramachandran Kalpana
Published: September 2022

Introduction and Aim: Dendritic cells (DCs) are heterogenous group of accessory cells that function as specialized forms of antigen-presenting cells in human body. A thorough knowledge of the DC population of the human uterus, especially the CD83 population would be very useful for an effective understanding of the immune protection of the endometrium during different phases of menstrual cycle and in the pathological conditions of the uterus. Materials and Methods: A prospective study was conducted in a tertiary care referral medical college hospital in South India. Women in the age group of 35 to 50 years, who underwent hysterectomy were included in the study. Immunohistochemical study on the presence of mature CD83+DCs was carried out in the processed uterine specimens. The number of CD83 cells/20 high power fields in each of the specimen was calculated and reviewed by two independent reviewers. Results: About 43 hysterectomy specimens obtained from patients undergoing hysterectomy for benign and malignant conditions of uterus were included in the study. Fibroid uterus was the most common indication for hysterectomy. The minimum and maximum DCs were 12 and 720 DCs per 20 HPF respectively, with an overall mean of 109.28. The mean DCs amongst benign specimens was 1.2 DCs and in the malignant specimens was 22.65 DCs per HPF, with a P value of 0.0001.  Conclusion: Mature dendritic cells are seen in abundance in malignant and pre-malignant tissues of human uterus. A reduction in number of CD83+ DCs was observed in patients with proliferative and secretory endometrium.