bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Teoría de la mente y empatía en niños y niñas con diagnóstico de Síndrome de Asperger
Authors: Zuluaga Valencia Juan Bernardo , Marín Correa Lizeth Yamil , Becerra Espinosa Ana María
Published: November 2017

Objetivo: describir el comportamiento de los resultados obtenidos en distintas pruebas de evaluación de Teoría de la Mente (Test de expresiones faciales, Test de Sally y Ann, Historias extrañas de Happé y Faux Pas) y el Test Coeficiente de Empatía y Sistematización para niños de 4 a 11 años de Baron-Cohen; además pretendió determinar si existía una correlación entre los constructos de Teoría de la Mente y Empatía. Método: de tipo cuantitativo, empírico-analítico, exploratorio-descriptivo y de campo, donde se tomó como muestra para el grupo de casos a 8 niños y 2 niñas, entre los 7 y los 11 años de edad, diagnosticado(a)s con síndrome de Asperger, asistentes a procesos terapéuticos en un Instituto de Desarrollo Integral, mientras que para el grupo control seleccionó a 8 niños y 2 niñas de una Institución educativa pública de Manizales, no diagnosticado(a)s con síndrome de Asperger, equiparados con el grupo de casos respecto a género y edad; ambos grupos contaron con el respectivo consentimiento informado de sus padres o acudientes legales. El análisis estadístico se realizó a través de las pruebas U de Mann Whitneyy Chi-Cuadrado. Resultados: corroboraron diferencias poblacionales en las pruebas, donde el grupo control obtuvo mejores puntajes que el grupo de casos en general; sin embargo no fue posible encontrar una correlación entre la Teoría de la Mente y la Empatía. Conclusión: se sugieren nuevas investigaciones con muestras de mayor tamaño para evitar la dispersión de los datos.
Vivir con VIH: experiencias de estigma sentido en personas con VIH
Authors: Guevara-Sotelo Yurany , Hoyos-Hernández Paula Andrea
Published: November 2017

Objetivo: Reconocer los significados colectivos y subjetivos que un grupo de personas con VIH tiene respecto a vivir con la enfermedad. Método: Cualitativo explicativo con diseño narrativo. Los datos fueron recolectados a través de tres grupos de discusión conformados por 16 personas con VIH, hombres y mujeres entre los 22 y los 49 años de edad, que viven en la ciudad de Cali. Resultados: Los significados de los participantes giran en torno al vivir el VIH, en relación con el estigma sentido, el estigma real, el estigma percibido y el autoestigma. La experiencia del estigma se relaciona directamente con la percepción que los participantes tienen de sí mismos y la construcción de su autoimagen y autoconcepto se transforma dependiendo de la forma en que se asume la enfermedad; finalmente, las estrategias de afrontamiento que se utilizan se basan en el cuidado de la imagen, en evitar el malestar emocional y sentirse apoyados por alguna persona cercana a ellos. Conclusión: Los hallazgos de la presente investigación permiten evidenciar que el VIH es producto de diversas situaciones en cadena, en donde las representaciones sociales construidas alrededor de la enfermedad constituyen un factor central en el afrontamiento y en la forma de vivirlo colectivamente, realizar una intervención desde temáticas como la memoria colectiva, la identidad colectiva y la reconstrucción de la identidad podría permitir resignificar y potencializar la imagen que las personas con VIH tienen de sí mismas y del grupo social al que pertenecen.
Salud mental como efecto del desarrollo psicoafectivo en la infancia
Authors: Bustos Arcón Viana Ángela , Russo de Sánchez Ana Rita
Published: November 2017

Objetivo: Comprender cómo el concepto de salud mental se relaciona con las nociones de interferencias en el desarrollo y recuperación psicoafectiva. Método: El presente artículo tiene como método la revisión documental. Es un estudio sistemático, metódico y organizado de textos, artículos y documentos sobre el tema estableciendo un análisis del concepto de salud mental como efecto del desarrollo psicoafectivo a la luz de la teoría psicodinámica, y las categorías analíticas corresponden al concepto de salud mental, interferencias en el desarrollo y recuperación psicoafectiva. Resultados: La salud mental en la infancia y adolescencia es una preocupación reciente, pues se ha incrementado la incidencia de trastornos mentales en esta población. Las interferencias en el desarrollo se constituyen como dificultades en el curso esperado del desarrollo infantil repercutiendo en la salud mental. En Colombia, niños, niñas y adolescentes se ven expuestos a problemáticas que alteran el desarrollo psicoafectivo e impiden el despliegue de las potencialidades humanas y la consolidación de la personalidad. Conclusión: Se comprende que la salud mental es el efecto de los procesos de integración madurativo-constitucionales, mientras que las interferencias en el desarrollo como: abuso, maltrato, negligencia, abandono, entre otras, representan alteraciones en dicho proceso, pues afectan las condiciones biopsicosociales de los niños y niñas, por lo que la recuperación psicoafectiva se propone como una posibilidad para reestablecer la salud emocional y el balance óptimo indispensable para la superación de la adversidad y el curso esperado del desarrollo.
Déficit de Memoria Operativa en los Trastornos del Neurodesarrollo
Authors: Delgado Mckay Xochitl , Zapata Zabala Maryoris
Published: November 2017

El presente artículo es una revisión sistemática que busca presentar el estado actual de este proceso cognitivo en los diferentes trastornos del neurodesarrollo, se retomó el constructo de memoria operativa de Baddeley y Hitch (1974), teniendo en cuenta su desarrollo, los sistemas que lo componen y las diferentes funciones que realiza este proceso cognitivo en el ser humano.Seguido de esto se continúa con la presentación de los diferentes trastornos del neurodesarrollo según el Manual Diagnóstico y Estadístico de los Trastornos Mentales y la prevalencia de estos en Colombia. Por último, se analizará la memoria operativa en cada trastorno del neurodesarrollo, cuáles son los componentes más afectados en cada uno de ellos y las posibles causas que se ven asociadas a la alteración.
The Mechanism of Protracted Wound Healing on Oral Mucosa in Diabetes. Review
Authors: Abiko Yoshihiro , Selimovic Denis
Published: November 2017

Diabetic patients increase their body’s susceptibility to infection and diabetes is a risk factor for periodontal diseases and oral infection. Although many studies showed the mechanism of impaired wound healing in diabetes, there are still arguments to shed light on what kind of factors, including local and systemic factors are involved in the protracted wound healing. This review article summarizes reports on the wound healing in diabetes and discusses the mechanism of the protracted wound healing of the oral mucosa in diabetes. Delayed vascularization, reduction in blood flow, decline in innate immunity, decreases in growth factor production, and psychological stresses may be involved in the protracted wound healing of the oral mucosa in diabetics.
Successful Percutaneous Septal Alcohol Ablation After Surgical Myectomy
Authors: Kulić Mehmed , Spužić Muhamed , Tahirović Elnur , Šehović Šejla , Mujačić Vedad , Zorman Darko , Velebit Vladimir
Published: November 2017

Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) is a primary, usually familial and genetically fixed myocardial hypertrophy, with dynamic left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. An alternative to surgical myectomy in the treatment of severe, drug refractory, HOCM is percutaneous transluminal septal myocardial ablation (PTSMA). We report a case of 24 year old female patient who had the first septal myectomy but because of progression of her disease, the percutaneous treatment of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy was performed. A year after the PTSMA the patient was without of symptoms.
Endothelin-1 Induced Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation is Mediated by Cytochrome P-450 Arachidonic Acid Metabolites
Authors: Ljuca Farid , Drevenšek Gorazd
Published: November 2017

Endothelins (ETs) are a family of three peptides (ET-1, ET-2, ET-3) that are implicated in the physiological control of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) and myocardial contractility and growth. ET-1 is vasoactive peptide that acts via ET-A receptors coupling inducing vascular smooth muscle cell contraction. ET-1 is involved in the development and maintenance of hypertension.Aim of this study was to investigate whether ET-1 can induce vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation through arachidonic acid (AA) metabolites formed via cytochrome P-450 (CYP-450). VSMC proliferation was measured by [3H]thymidine incorporation in cultured cells treated by ET-1 (10 to l00 nmol/L) in presence of different inhibitors of CYP-450 (17-ODYA 5 μmol/L), lipoxygenase (LO) (baicalein 20 μmol/L) and cyclooxygenase (COX) (indomethacin 5 μmol/L). ET-1 (10 to 100 nmol/L) induced VSMC proliferation and this effect was attenuated by CYP-450 inhibitor (17-ODYA) and lipoxygenase (LO) inhibitor (baicalein) but not by cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor (indomethacin). CYP-450 and LO metabolites of AA, 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (HETE) and 12-HETE increased [3H]thymidine incorporation in VSMC. Inhibitors of MAP kinase (PD-98059 50 μmol/L) and cPLA2 (MAFP 50 μmol/L) attenuated ET-1 as well as 20-HETE induced VSMC proliferation. These results suggest AA metabolites via CYP-450 mediates ET-1 induce VSMC proliferation.
In Vitro Research of the Alteration of Neurons in Vagal Core in Medulla Oblongata at Asphyxic Deaths
Authors: Haliti Naim , Islami Hilmi , Elezi Nevzat , Shabani Ragip , Abdullahu Bedri , Dragusha Gani
Published: November 2017

The aim of this study was to research the morphological changes of neurons in the vagus nerve nuclei in medulla oblongata in asphyxia related death cases. Morphological changes that were investigated were mainly in the dorsal motor respiratory center (DMRC), nucleus tractus solitarius (nTS) and nucleus ambigus (nA) in the medulla oblongata. In our research, the autopsy material from asphyxia related death cases was used from various etiologies: monoxide carbon (CO), liquid drowning, strangulation, electricity, clinical-pathological death, firing weapon, explosive weapon, sharp and blunt objects and death cases due to accident. The material selected for research was taken from medulla oblongata and lungs from all lobes. The material from the medulla oblongata and lungs was fixed in a 10% solution of buffered formalin. Special histochemical methods for central nervous system (CNS) were employed like: Cresyl echt violet, toluidin blue, Sevier-Munger modification and Grimelius. For stereometrical analysis of the quantitative density of the neurons the universal testing system Weibel M42 was used. The acquired results show that in sudden asphyxia related death cases, there are alterations in the nuclei of vagal nerve in form of: central chromatolysis, axonal retraction, axonal fragmentation, intranuclear vacuolization, cytoplasmic vacuolization, edema, condensation and dispersion of substance of Nissl, proliferation of oligodendrocytes, astrocytes and microglia. The altered population of vagus nerve neurons does not show an important statistica! significarne compared to the overall quantity of the neurons in the nuclei of the vagus nerve (p<0,05).
Oxidative Stress in Cataractogenesis
Authors: Cekić Sonja , Zlatanović Gordana , Cvetković Tatjana , Petrović Branislav
Published: November 2017

The aim of our study was to compeer levels of antioxidative agent -total SH groups and the finale product of lipid peroxidationmalondialdehyde (MDA) in serum, and glutathione (GSH) and MDA in nucleocortical parts of lens after extracapsular extraction of cataract. Patient were (38 with cataract and 38 controls) matched by sex and years of life. Diagnosis of cataract was established by complete ocular examination. All results are expressed as mean ± S.D. A Student’s t-test was used to estimate differences between the groups. The level of significance was p<0,05. Total sulfhydryl groups were determined in serum by the method of Ellman as well as GSH content in nucleocortical parts of lenses using the method of Sedlak and Lindsay. Lipid peroxidation, evidenced by formation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), was determined in nucleocortical parts of the lens and in serum. Our results show a statistical significance in concentration of total SH groups (225,37±82,19μmol/L, controls 311,03±60,37μm0l/L p<0,05) and MDA (20,24±8,12, and controls 8,73±2,53μmol/L, p<0,001) in serum among patients with age related cataract and controls. There was no statistical significance in concentration of total SH groups and MDA in serum among patients with different type of age related cataract and in nucleocortical parts of lens. The present study concludes that there is a statistical significance in concentration of total SH groups and MDA in serum among patients with age related cataract and controls, but there were no statistical significance in concentration of GSH and MDA in serum and nucleocortical parts of lens in patient with different type of cataract.
Enumeration of bacteria and cyanobacteria by flow cytometry v1
Authors: Shimabukuro Eric
Published: November 2017

Seawater is collected and preserved to be analyzed in lab using an InFlux Flow Cytometer with the Spigot software package. The populations targeted for enumeration are Prochlorococcus, Synechococcus, unclassied pico-eukaryotes (cells sized around 1μm), and heterotrophic non-fluorescing bacteria. Each sample is divided in two, with one aliquot analyzed for autofluorescence and the other for heterotrophic bacteria stained with SYBR Green I. In both cases, excitation is produced using stacked 488nm and 457nm lasers. The data is analyzed using FlowJo (v10) to determine cell concentrations (cells/mL).
Module-scale simulation of forward osmosis module-part B: Modified Spiral-Wound
Authors: Bilad Muhammad Roil
Published: November 2017

Forward osmosis (FO) is an attractive technology that offers advantages especially for treatment of challenging feeds in comparison to other membrane technologies. Substantial developments of membrane material have been shown recently. To support further development of FO process, a larger scale study via membrane module development is required to accurately envisage the most critical factors to be exploited to realize the promises. In this study, we applied a mass-transfer model coupled with the mass conservation and area discretization to simulate the performance of modified spiral-wound (MSW) modules (10 sheets of 1x1m). The study focuses on the spatial flux profile in a full-scale module as function of operational mode: co- vs counter cross current and membrane orientations (active-layer facing feed (ALFS); solution and active layer facing draw solution, (ALDS)). Results show that all modes offer almost similar average flux of about 9-10 L/m2h, but the co-current flows have much higher flux ranges (≈43%). The latter is expected to worsen membrane fouling resistant due to mal distribution in hydraulic loading. An operation with counter current and ALFS and counter current flow is then recommended because it offer similar flux but lower spatial flux ranges (7%).
Use of Carbon Nano-Fibers in Cementitious Mortar
Authors: Awan Muhammad Maqbool Sadiq , Soroushian Parviz , Ali Arshad , Awan Muhammad Yousaf Saqid
Published: November 2017

Cementitious materials, especially those with higher compressive strengths, provide relatively low toughness, tensile strength and strain capacity, and are susceptible to cracking under load and restrained shrinkage effects. These drawbacks were overcome through development of multi-scale reinforcement systems comprising carbon nanofibers and microfibers for high-strength cementitious mortars. Multi-scale reinforcement of the high-performance mortar produced significant gains in the flexural strength and toughness, and abrasion and impact resistance. Microstructural investigations were also conducted in order to provide insight into the structure and failure mechanisms of high-performance cementitious mortars with multi-scale reinforcement.
Influences of Size and Amount of Colloidal Template and Droplet Diameter on the Formation of Porous-structured Hyaluronic Acid Particles
Authors: Nandiyanto Asep Bayu Dani , Okuyama Kikuo
Published: November 2017

Combination of spray drying and templating method has been reported as one of the best method to produce porous pharmaceutical particles. However, current development reports have shown successful formation of porous particles with improper information on what mechanism occurs during the synthesis process and what process parameters involve the creation of particles with controllable pore structures and morphologies. In this report, influences of spray-drying parameters (i.e., size and amount of colloidal template, and droplet diameter) on porous particle fabrication were investigated. Hyaluronic acid (as a model of pharmaceutical drug host component) and polystyrene spheres (as a model of template) were used. The experimental results showed that the spray-drying parameters strongly influenced the external morphology (i.e., spherical and doughnut-shaped), particle outer diameter (from 300 to 2000 nm), and porous configuration (i.e., number of hole cavities and pore sizes (from 100 to 300 nm)) of particles. To qualitatively explain our synthesis strategies to get porous structure, the proposal of the particle formation mechanism was added.
Evaluation of prescribing pattern of antidiabetic drugs in medicine outpatient clinic of a tertiary care teaching hospital
Authors: Kumar Vineet , Topno Manmeet , Gari Manju , Bansal Megha , Chakraborty Kishor , Lal Shreya , Varshney Manisha , Mahato Sumit Kumar
Published: November 2017

Background: Diabetes is rapidly gaining the status of a potential epidemic in India with more than 62 million diabetics currently diagnosed with the disease. Drug utilization studies are of paramount importance for the optimization of drug therapy and promote rational drug use among health care providers. The aim of this study was to investigate the drug utilization pattern in type-2 diabetic patients. The objective of the study was to analyse the prescribing pattern of anti-diabetic drugs in a tertiary care hospital.Methods: A prospective, cross-sectional study was carried out in medicine outpatient clinic of tertiary care hospital, RIMS Ranchi for a period of 7 months. The data was analysed using WHO core indicators and Microsoft Excel 2013.Results: The total number of encounters surveyed was 94. Avg no of drugs per prescription was 3.04. Percentage of drugs prescribed by generic name was found to be 34.2%. Percentage of prescriptions was a) with antibiotics was 27.6%, b) with insulin was 14.89%, c) from essential drugs list 44.05%. Most common co morbid disease was found to be hypertension present in 27.6% cases.Most commonly use drug was found to be metformin followed by glimepiride.Conclusions: Implementation of WHO core prescribing indicators by the prescribers would help us to reduce the cost, to recognize and prevent potentially dangerous drug- drug interaction and antibiotic resistance.
The pattern of self-medication practice among undergraduate medical students of tertiary care hospital, Andhra Pradesh, India
Authors: Rachamanti Ramya , Bano Zaheda
Published: November 2017

Background: According to World Health Organization resources, Self-medication is selection and use of drugs to treat self-diagnosed disorders or symptoms which includes the usage of non-prescription drugs. It is widely seen among undergraduate students especially in developing countries like India. Our objective of the study is to know the pattern of self-medication practice among undergraduate medicos in medical college attached to tertiary care hospital.Methods: This is a Prospective, cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study conducted among 184 medical students of 5th Semester in pharmacology lecture gallery, Guntur Medical College and Hospital, A.P. India. Among 200 students of 5th semester, 184 students gave the written consent for the study and submitted the given questionnaire. Fourteen questionnaires were incomplete and so the remaining 170 were analysed.Results: Results showed that 126 (74%) respondents practiced self-medication. The main health issues for seeking self-medication were found to be upper respiratory tract infection as reported by 39 students (31%) followed by diarrhea (32 students) (25%), fever (23 students) (18%). Drugs commonly used were analgesics (32%) followed by antibiotics (24%). The reasons for practicing self-medication were mild illness for 66 students (52%) and time-saving for 35 students (28%).Conclusions: Though the self-medication practice is inevitable, drug authorities and health professionals need to educate students about the pros and cons of practicing self-medication.
Geriatric prescription analysis with respect to “STOPP” and “START” criteria: a descriptive study in the Indian scenario
Authors: Murthy Mangala B. , Jagtap Krishna , Burute Shreyas R. , Ramanand Sunita J. , Pore Shraddha M. , Patil Praveenkumar T.
Published: November 2017

Background: Patients; sixty-five years of age and above, are a special risk group as far as drug prescribing is concerned. Prescription irregularities in such patients may be hazardous. STOPP/START criteria are considered as the most up to-date set of explicit criteria for evaluating geriatric prescriptions. To analyse geriatric prescriptions in a tertiary care centre with respect to STOPP/START criteria and WHO core drug prescribing indicators so as to get an idea of pattern of drug prescription in geriatric patients as well as frequency of potentially inappropriate prescriptions. Descriptive cross-sectional study in a tertiary care hospital.Methods: All inpatients aged 65 years and above who were prescribed at least one allopathic medication and consented to participate in the study were included and patients admitted for medical emergencies were excluded. Demographic data and details of drugs prescribed were collected from prescription chits and indoor case papers.Results: There was a high frequency of polypharmacy, prescription of antimicrobials and injections. Proportion of patients receiving at least one potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) as per STOPP criteria was 21.01%. Proportion of patients subjected to at least one potential prescribing omission (PPO) as per START criteria was 33.33%. Proportion of patients exposed to potentially inappropriate drug prescriptions as a whole (PIPs=PIMs+PPOs) was 46.37%. Statistical analysis used as descriptive statistics like numbers and percentages were used for data analysis.Conclusions: With regards to geriatric prescribing, adherence to WHO core prescribing indicators, prescription of drugs as per STOPP and START guidelines are indicative of scope for improvement.
A prospective comparative study to assess the efficacy and safety of sertraline and methylcobalin with pregabalin and methylcobalin in patients suffering with depression due to diabetic neuropathic pain
Authors: Sivasankari V. , Manivannan E. , Priyadarsini S. P.
Published: November 2017

Background: Diabetic neuropathic pain produces mood swings thereby creating emotional disturbances ranging from mild anxiety to severe depression when the disease progresses for 10 years or more. The existing treatment includes Tricyclic antidepressants, Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, anticonvulsants, Dual Reuptake Inhibitor antidepressant, topical agents like capsaicin, lignocaine, gabapentin. Yet the psychological component has to be treated with the antidepressants. Even though SSRI’s like sertraline has shown some promising results as analgesic but could works better as an antidepressant. Hence, this work emphasizes some promising role of sertraline as an adjuvant to methylcobalin and other medications in the management of depression due to diabetic neuropathic pain.Methods: A total of 100 consecutive patients of both sex between the age group of 18-65 years with painful diabetic neuropathic pain with signs and symptoms depression were recruited and randomized into two groups. Statistical methods: Data were tabulated, and results were analyzed. Chi-square test was used to analyze demographic data of the study population. Depressive score was analyzed at baseline and 12th week by using Student’s t-test and Analysis of Co variance. A p value of <0.05 was considered as statistically significant.Results: Group I patients showed an improvement of symptomatology where the number of patients shifted from mild to minimal depression. This is critically less in Group II.Conclusions: The combination of sertraline with methylcobalin showed a promising outcome with improvement of symptoms of painful diabetic neuropathic pain in Indian patients.
Profile of cutaneous adverse drug reactions of carbamazepine
Authors: B. Meenakshi , Devi P. Nirmala , M. Radha , M. B. Abdul Rahuman , K. Shantaraman
Published: November 2017

Background: Carbamazepine, a commonly used antiepileptic drug is known to produce adverse effects including dangerous reactions like cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions such as drug induced hypersensitivity syndrome (DHS), Stevens Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). The FDA released a warning that serious and potentially fatal skin reactions may occur after carbamazepine in patients positive for the HLA-B*1502 allele which occurs almost exclusively in patients with ancestry across broad areas of Asia, including South Asian Indians. This study profiles the cutaneous adverse drug reactions reported in this institute over a period of 3 years.Methods: This retrospective study was conducted at Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital by analysing patient case records based on adverse drug reactions reported between August 2014 and July 2017 in the adverse drug reaction monitoring centre. The age, gender, diagnosis, type of cutaneous ADR, duration of treatment, seriousness of reaction and outcome were recorded and analysed.Results: Among the total 25 reactions 36% were benign and 64% were severe reactions. According to Pharmaco vigilance Program of India 80% of the reactions were serious and 20% non serious. The commonest benign skin reaction was maculopapular eruption. SJS and TEN were the two very serious reactions which affected 8 patients totally. Exfoliative dermatitis was reported in 7 patients and Drug Hypersensitivity Syndrome (DHS) in one patient.Conclusions: Severe cutaneous reactions occur after carbamazepine and prevention of ADR requires prediction of predisposition which requires special studies of HLA or genomic assessment. These are the issues of interest for future research.
Evaluation of the protective effect of Prunus amagdylus against aluminium chloride induced neurochemical alterations and spatial memory deficits in rats
Authors: Bhatia Nitish , Kaur Gurkiran , Bhatia Guneet , Kaur Narinder , Rahar Sandeep , Lalit . , Dhawan Ravi Kumar
Published: November 2017

Background: The present study was designed to evaluate the protective effect of Prunus amagdylus nut kernels against aluminium chloride induced spatial memory deficits in rats.Methods: Plant material was extracted, and extracts were evaluated for anti-oxidants by DPPH method. Animals were divided into four groups of five animals each. Group 1 was normal group and was kept undisturbed. Group 2 was administered with Aluminium Chloride (4.2mg/kg i.p) for 21 successive days. Group 3 and 4 were pre-administered with Prunus amygdalus methanolic extract at dose 0.5 and 1mg/kg/ p.o) one hour prior to aluminium chloride administration. The memory parameters (both acquisition and retrieval) were evaluated using Morris water maze. After behavioural studies, the animals were sacrificed by decapitation and braintissue thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), glutathione (GSH) and catalase activity were measured. Brain tissues from all the groups were histopathologically evaluated using Haematoxylin-eosin staining.Results: Administration of Aluminium chloride resulted in severe memory deficits and neurochemical alterations as was indicated by significant increase in Transfer Latency (TL) time on Morris water maze and increase in the brain tissue TBARS levels in the control group animals. There was significant reduction in the GSH and catalase levels indicating decreased anti-oxidant defence. Histopathologically, control group animal brain tissue showed signs of neuroinflammation. All behavioural and neurochemical and histopathological changes were prevented to a significant extent in the animal groups pre-treated with Prunus amygdalus extract.Conclusions: Methanolic extract of Prunus amaygdalus possesses protective activity against aluminium chloride induced neurotoxicity and associated memory deficits.
Drug utilization pattern in out-patients with respiratory tract infections in a rural teaching hospital: a prospective observational study
Authors: Pal Paramita , Bhattacharyya Dipankar , B. N. Kokila , M. Herle , Ghosh Anoljyoti , Sen Sukanta
Published: November 2017

Background: Respiratory tract infections are common clinical problems in the general population. Antimicrobials are the mainstay in the management and irrational use of them may increase resistance to bacteria and the total cost of treatment. Objectives: To evaluate the pattern of drug prescriptions for respiratory tract infections in Medicine and Pediatric outpatient departments of a rural teaching hospital.Methods: Over a period of 18 months, 391 prescriptions of outpatients with respiratory tract infection were collected. The drugs prescribed, their dose and duration of treatment were recorded. DU 90% was calculated.Results: The mean (±SEM) age of the patients was38.55±0.9 years and there were 204 (52.1%) men and 187 (42.1%) women. The most common disorder among the patients was acute rhinitis (61.1%) while the least common was acute bronchitis (1.3%). Microbial culture and sensitivity was done in 23 patients and Klebsiella pneumonia (8.2%) and enterococcus (0.07%) was the most common and least common organism respectively. Penicillins (50.9%), cephalosporins (26.7%), antitubercular drugs (8.5%), macrolides (4.8) constituted DU 90%. Monotherapy was advocated in 91.7% and multidrug therapy in 8.3% of patients. The average number of antimicrobials prescribed per prescription was 0.52. Two thirds (67.6%) of the prescribed drugs were from the national list of essential medicines 2011 (NLEM).Conclusions: Penicillins and cephalosporins were the commonly used antibiotics for respiratory tract infection in outpatients of a rural teaching hospital and two thirds of the prescribed drugs were essential medicines.
Evaluation of anxiolytic activity of encapsulated flax seed oil alone and as an adjuvant in Swiss Albino mice
Authors: Patil Krishnagouda , Reddy Suneel Kumar , D. Rahul H. , S. Latha , M. Santhosh Kumar
Published: November 2017

Background: Anxiety is a psychological and physiological state characterized by somatic, emotional, cognitive, and behavioural components with displeasing feeling of fear and concern. Among all the antianxiety drugs benzodiazepines are commonly employed drugs for the treatment but they do have limitations. Considering the high prevalence of anxiety disorders and lack of an ideal anxiolytic drug, search for better anxiolytic drugs continue. Medicinal plants are an inexhaustible source and continue to get explored in the search for new drugs.Methods: Antianxiety activity of Flax seed oil was evaluated in mice using Light-Dark Arena model and Elevated Plus Maze model. Encapsulated Flax seed oil (10ml/kg and 20ml/kg), Diazepam (1mg/kg), Normal saline (10ml/kg) and combination of Encapsulated Flax seed oil and Diazepam (10ml/kg + 1mg/kg) were given orally to the randomly divided 5 groups of 6 animals each. Number of entries and time spent in light arena of Light-Dark Arena model and in open arm of Elevated Plus Maze model were noted and compared among the 5 groups. Observations were analysed using ANOVA and Post hoc Tukey’s test.Results: Encapsulated Flax seed oil alone as well as an adjuvant to Diazepam showed significantly increased number of entries and time spent in light arena of Light-Dark Arena model (<0.05). It also showed significantly (<0.05) increased time spent but not number of entries in open arm of Elevated Plus Maze model.Conclusions: Encapsulated Flax seed oil showed anxiolytic property in Light-Dark arena model and Elevated plus maze model.
The clinical value of measuring antiphospholipid antibodies in high risk primigravidae and nullipara, a case control study
Authors: Mansy Amr A. , Al-Gizawi Nermeen N. , Gaballah AbdEl-Latif , El-Sawi Noha AbdEl , AL-Gendi Wessam
Published: November 2017

Background: Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune thrombophilic condition that is marked by the presence in blood of antibodies that recognize and attack phospholipid-binding proteins, rather than phospholipid itself. The clinical manifestations of APS include vascular thrombosis and pregnancy complications, especially recurrent spontaneous miscarriages and, less frequently maternal thrombosis. Obstetric manifestations of APS are not restricted to fetal loss. Current APS criteria include preterm labour, oligohydramnios, neonatal complications as prematurity-estimated at 30-60% and more common in SLE patients, intrauterine growth restriction “IUGR”, fetal distress and rarely fetal or neonatal thrombosis, associated maternal obstetric complications as pre-eclampsia/eclampsia and HELLP syndrome, arterial or venous thrombosis and other aPL-related complications as placental insufficiency.Methods: The study included 90 primigravida and nullipara during their first trimester antenatal care visits, divided into 2 groups after signing a well-informed consent to declare their willing to participate in the study. All selected cases and control group were subjected to demographic data, thorough history taking, clinical examination focused on arterial blood pressure, body mass index, laboratory investigations fasting and random blood glucose level, serum analysis of anti-phospholipid anti bodies by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) including anticardiolipin antibodies (ACL), anti β2-glycoprotein I antibodies (Anti β2 GPI) and citrated sample for lupus anticoagulant test (LA).Results: We can conclude from the current study that aPLs namely lupus anticoagulant is significantly more common in high risk primigravidae having obesity, hypertension and diabetes mellitus than those without risk factors.Conclusions: aPLs antibodies as lupus anticoagulant is significantly more common in high risk primigravidae having obesity, hypertension and diabetes mellitus than those without risk factors.
Adjunctive IV tranexamic acid versus topical tranexamic acid application of the placental bed for prevention of postpartum hemorrhage in women with placenta previa: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Shady Nahla W. , Sallam Hany F.
Published: November 2017

Background: Placenta previa one of the famous etiology of excessive blood loss during and after cesarean section. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of prophylactic adjunctive IV versus topical tranexamic acid (TA) on calculated and measured blood loss during and after caesarean section due to placenta previa compared with standard IV oxytocin alone.Methods: In this double-blind randomized controlled trial, 120 women were undergoing caesarean delivery for placenta previa (PP) were randomly allocated to receive 10 IU oxytocin IV after placental delivery, or receive 1 gm tranexamic acid IV just before skin incision plus 10 IU oxytocin IV after placental delivery or received 10 IU oxytocin IV after placental delivery plus 2 gm topical tranexamic acid applied on placental bed. The main outcome was to measure blood loss during and 4-hour post caesarean delivery.Results: 120 women were enrolled (n = 40 in each group). Both groups of women received IV tranexamic acid (Group II) and topical tranexamic acid (Group III) showed great reduction in intraoperative and 4 hours post-operative blood loss compared with (Group I) which received 10 IU oxytocin only (P = 0.0001, 0.0001, 0.0001, 0.0001), so the overall estimated blood loss in group II and III showed highly reduction compared with group I (P = 0.0001, 0.0001).Conclusions: Prophylactic adjunctive TA topical application on the placental bed or iv administration reduces blood loss during and after caesarean delivery in women with a placenta previa. novel application of topical tranexamic acid on the placental bed is effective in reduce intraoperative and postoperative bleeding in comparison with IV route with elimination of theoretical risk of thrombi embolism complication with IV rout.
Factors associated with caesarean section at Bukavu Provincial Hospital in Democratic Republic of Congo
Authors: Philémon Mulongo Mbarambara , Julie Mwamini Chumbika , Ntakwinja Mukanire , Célestin Kyambikwa Bisangamo , Théodore Mvula Mwantito
Published: November 2017

Background: Caesarean section is the most common major surgery performed on women Worldwide. Even if caesarean can be useful for mother and foetus, it can provoke some medical and social complications like infection, expensive cost and maternal death. This study aimed at determining the factors associated with caesarean section in Bukavu, at the Provincial Hospital.Methods: Data were collected retrospectively by exploring the files of childbirth established systematically for each pregnant woman. 466 files were exploited including 233 caesarean s (case) and 233 vaginal delivery (control). The normal childbirth which followed a caesarean was served as control. This study was a case-control. Logistic regression was used to model factor associated with caesarean section.Results: During the study period, there were 2170 deliveries in which 491 of them by caesarean section (22.6%). The factors associated with the caesarean section at the Provincial Hospital in Bukavu town were foetal distress, bleeding in the third trimester of the pregnancy, previous caesarean section, referral status and the moment of delivery (day shift).Conclusion: This study recommends an adequate monitoring of the pregnancy and training of professionals in best practices; implementation and technical audit of caesarean with feedback can significantly reduce the rate of Caesarean section in this hospital. Also, allocation in equipment suitable for the treatment of pregnant women is necessary.
Fetomaternal outcome in sickle cell hemoglobinopathy in a tertiary care centre of North Kerala, India
Authors: D'Couth Smitha , Kalam Suneetha
Published: November 2017

Background: Pregnancy is a serious burden to women with sickle cell disease (SCD). Our centre is the only tertiary care referral centre in the public sector which caters to the districts of Wayanad and the Nilgiris which has the maximum prevalence for SCD in South India. Hence this study was conducted to assess complications in pregnancy and maternal and perinatal outcome among women with SCD.Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted by reviewing the medical records of all the pregnant women with SCD who had delivered in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Government Medical College, Kozhikode from January 2014 to December 2016.Results: There were 72 antenatal women with SCD during the study period with a prevalence of 0.15%. 54.17% (n = 39) patients were HbSS (sickle cell anemia), 44.44% (n = 32) were HbAS (sickle cell trait) and 1.39% (n = 1) were HbS-β thalassemia trait. There was increased risk of obstetric complications like gestational hypertension (16%), preeclampsia (11.11%), eclampsia (5.56%), HELLP syndrome (4.16%), intrauterine growth retardation (38.89%), and oligohydramnios (18.06%). Medical complications observed were mainly anaemia (76.38%), vasoocclusive crisis (18.05%), acute chest syndrome (5.56%) and infections like urinary tract infection (8.33%) and pneumonia (5.56%). The incidence of low birth weight babies (56.94%), low Apgar score (14.49%) and neonatal ICU admissions (31.88%) were high. There was no maternal mortality, but perinatal mortality was high (6.94%).Conclusion: Pregnancy in SCD is associated with an increased maternal morbidity and high perinatal mortality due to obstetric and medical complications.
Evaluation of role of laparoscopy in determining etiology of infertility
Authors: K. R. Hema , H. S. Lalitha
Published: November 2017

Background: Although population explosion is a major problem in India, infertility appears to be a problem in 5-15% of Indian population. All these patients require evaluation. Laparoscopy plays a valuable role in the diagnosis of infertility. After thorough clinical examination and specific investigations, diagnostic laparoscopy is performed to detect patency of tubes, morphological defects in uterus, ovaries and tuboperitoineal factors. This study was conducted to assess the role of diagnostic laparoscopy in the investigation of female infertility and to evaluate the various causes of infertility like endometriosis, PCOD tubal and peritoneal factors, uterine anomalies, tuberculosis etc. by using diagnostic laparoscopy.Methods: Study was carried out in 60 infertile patients attending outpatient department of hospitals attached to Sri Siddhartha Medical College Hospital, Tumkur.  Both primary and secondary infertility patients who were anxious to conceive and undergo diagnostic laparoscopy were evaluated. Those who were not willing and who were contraindicated for the procedure were excluded.Results: Diagnostic laparoscopy was performed in 72% of primary and 28% of secondary infertility patients. Majority of the patients of primary infertility were in age group 21-25 years and that of secondary were between 26-30 years. Majority of patients in both the groups had duration of 1-5 year of infertility. In our study tubal factors (50%) contributed to majority of the infertility causes. Complication rate was minimum and was comparable to other standard studies.Conclusions: Laparoscopic is the gold standard for diagnosing tubal and peritoneal disease, endometriosis and other pelvic pathology, because no other imaging technique gives the same degree of sensitivity or specificity. Hence diagnostic laparoscopy is an indispensable tool in the evaluation in the evaluation infertility.
Comparing the effectiveness of liquid based cytology with conventional PAP smear and colposcopy in screening for cervical cancer and it’s correlation with histopathological examination: a prospective study
Authors: Shanmugapriya N. , Devika P.
Published: November 2017

Background: Cervical cancer remains worldwide the second most common cancer among women and is unique among human cancers, entirely attributable to infection. Although routine cytological screening has resulted in large reduction in the cervical cancer burden in our country, still the incidence rates continue to be unabated for want of effective screening programs.Methods: This is a prospective study which was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. The study included 200 women who were randomly selected attending gynecologyOPD and who fulfilled the inclusion criteria. All the selected patients were subjected to pap smear, LBC and colposcopy and histopathology done for suspected cases.Results: The differences of sensitivity and specificity between LBC, PAP smear and colposcopy in detection of premalignant lesions were analyzed using the chi square test. The sensitivity of LBC (89.5%) was significantly higher than sensitivity of PAP smear (47.37%). P <0.001. The specificity of PAP smear (95.06%) was higher than LBC (77.16%). The statistical analysis between LBC and PAP smear; LBC and colposcopy were significant (P=0.000<0.05).Conclusions: Liquid based cytology increases the sensitivity of cervical cancer detection and its ability to do molecular testing using the same sample. LBC also improves sample quality by reducing the number of unsatisfactory smears, reduces the number of false negative smears, causes reduction in interobserver bias and less time consuming.
Effect of Indian women’s exposure to warning messages on intention to quit smokeless tobacco
Authors: Begum Shahina , Schensul Jean J. , Nair Saritha
Published: November 2017

Background: Media campaigns have been shown to affect intention to quit the use of smoked tobacco and quit behaviour among men. However, despite warning messages on tobacco packages and delivered via mass media, such campaigns have had limited reach and effect on women’s use of smokeless tobacco (SLT) and SLT use among Indian women is increasing. This paper explores the association between selected warning messages conveyed through different media mechanisms and intention to quit smokeless tobacco among women of reproductive age in Mumbai.Methods: A cross-sectional community survey was conducted in a representative sample of 409 daily smokeless tobacco (SLT) women users aged 18- 40 years in a low-income community in Mumbai during 2011-2012. The paper utilizes information on socio-demographic characteristics, types of tobacco use, exposure to different types of warning messages and intention to quit collected through a researcher-administered structured questionnaire. Univariate and bivariate analysis were carried out to examine the influence of warning messages on intention to quit SLT use.Results: Half of the women correctly interpreted the image of scorpion on the SLT product as ‘causing cancer’. About 36% women were exposed to warning messages on television and 67% of women intended to quit SLT. Correct interpretation of the significance of the scorpion sign on SLT packets was not significantly associated with intention to quit SLT use. However, the likelihood of intention to quit was significantly higher among those who were exposed to warning messages on television than their counterparts.Conclusions: Since anti-tobacco campaigns on television were significantly associated with the intention to quit but warnings on package tobacco were not, expansion of anti-tobacco messaging on television targeted and tailored to women should further increase quit intentions and over time, with effective cessation programs in place, have an impact on quit behaviour.
Effect of anemia on pregnancy outcome: a prospective study at tertiary care hospital
Authors: Upadhyay Chintan , Upadhyay Nisha
Published: November 2017

Background: Iron deficiency anaemia during pregnancy leads to preterm birth, low birth weight and small-for-gestational age babies and increases incidence of postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) and the reason for the incidence of PPH is higher in India compared with the rest of the world. The objective of this study was to find association between maternal anaemia and neonatal complications and to find long term morbidity and mortality of babies born to anaemic mothers.Methods: It is a prospective study done at Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Medical College and Hospital, Bangalore during October 2009 to October 2011. All subjects were analyzed in full details and haemoglobin estimation done during 1st visit, at 30th week and 36th week of gestation.Results: Study observed moderate anaemia observed in almost 53.0% cases followed by mild (29.5%) and severe (17.5%) respectively. Risk factors present in 58.0% cases and maternal complications in puerperium observed in 14.5% cases. High incidence of adverse foetal outcome in the form of preterm (20%), IUGR (28%), NICU admission (25.5%) and IUD (3%) seen in present study. Study found association between space between pregnancy, LSCS and fetal outcome with severity of anaemia. Ensuring maternal iron sufficiency during gestation is the most cost-effective method of preventing perinatal iron deficiency and related morbidities.Conclusions: Iron supplementation during pregnancy in iron deficient mothers improves iron status during pregnancy and postpartum period, thus providing some protection against iron deficiency in the subsequent pregnancy. Proper antenatal care is the basic requirement for prevention, early detection and treatment of anaemia.