Background: Disability is one of the major public health problems in the developing countries. Eighty percent of the disabled reside in rural areas. Disability prevalence studies carried out in rural India are very few. Thus, studying the prevalence of disability in a rural community will be a useful contribution in proper health planning for the disabled. Objectives: To determine the prevalence and distribution of disability in terms of age, gender, education, religion, socioeconomic status, and types in a rural community of Bareilly. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the villages of Bithri Chainpur and Nawabganj Blocks of Bareilly District. A house to house survey was conducted in 25 villages. Chi-square test was used for statistical analysis. Results: The overall prevalence of disability was found to be 37.0% (333 out of 900). One hundred and fifty-nine individuals had multiple disabilities. The most common type of disability was visual (27.33%), followed by locomotor disability (10.0%), hearing (9.66%), speech (4.0%), and mental disability (3.66%). The prevalence was found to be higher among males and those aged above 60 years. Higher prevalence was also found among the illiterates and those belonging to low socioeconomic strata. Conclusion: The prevalence of disability was high in the study population. Better health policies, programs, and preventive measures to reduce the burden of disability in a rural community should be framed.

[ABSTRACT]  [FULL TEXT]  [PDF]  [Mobile Full text]  [EPub] [CITATIONS]

Objectives: To study the spectrum of hematological disorders in children at a tertiary care centre in Kolkata, India. Settings: This study was conducted at the department of Paediarics and the department of Pathology of Dr. B. C. Roy PGIPS, Kolkata. The study period was from January 2012 to December, 2014. Methods: A retrospective analysis of charts of those patients who underwent bone marrow examination (aspiration) was made. Charts were analyzed in detail regarding history, examination and investigations. All findings were entered on a standard proforma. Results: BMA from 200 patients were analyzed. Nutritional anemia contributed highest number of cases among the nonneoplastic group. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia was the commonest malignant hematological disorder in the present study. Conclusion: Common haematologic disorders in our setting are nutritional anaemias and leukaemias. There is need to expand the scope of laboratory investigations beyond morphology.

[ABSTRACT]  [FULL TEXT]  [PDF]  [Mobile Full text]  [EPub] [CITATIONS]

Background: Malaria is one of the main causes for morbidity in India and many of the tropical countries. Dakshina Kannada in Karnataka is one of the Malaria endemic districts. Various efforts to contain the transmission of this deadly disease by National Vector Borne Disease Control Program (NVBDCP) has been effective up to an extent. Methods: A retrospective report based study over a period of ten years was conducted in Dakshina Kannada district. The community based data of confirmed cases of malaria was collected and analysed. Results: Highest cases of Malaria were recorded in 2005 (16,154) . The incidence of Malaria ranged from 26% to 85% in the last ten years. The magnitude of Plasmodium falciparum %(Pf%) ranged from 6.8%-30.9%. Conclusion: Prevalence of malaria has been on a declining trend but some of the malariometric indices have been on a fluctuating trend. This is indicative of a multidisciplinary approach to curb the disease.

[ABSTRACT]  [FULL TEXT]  [PDF]  [Mobile Full text]  [EPub] [CITATIONS]

A 35-year-old male diagnosed with alcoholic liver disease (ALD) presented in outpatient department of Kayachikitsa with the complaints of yellowish discoloration of eyes, skin and dark urine, generalized itching, pale stools. Reduced appetite, nausea and disturbed sleep as alcohol withdrawal symptoms since 1-month. The modalities of treatment adopted were Nitya virechana (regular purgatives), Dronapushpi (Leucas cephalotes Spring.) Anjana (medicated collyrium) and shamanoushadhi (palliative drugs). The total duration of the treatment including follow-up was 80 days. After the comprehensive Ayurvedic intervention, there was a complete remission of symptoms with normal hematological parameters. Hence presenting this case is an evidence to demonstrate the effectiveness of Ayurvedic treatment in ALD.

[ABSTRACT]  [FULL TEXT]  [PDF]  [Mobile Full text]  [EPub] [CITATIONS]

Filariasis is endemic in tropical countries. Though commonly affects lymphatic system, the majority are asymptomatic and even amicrofilaremic, i.e. may not show microfilariae in blood. Uncommonly, filaria may affect other body tissues. Herein, we report a case where a 10-year-old boy form Orissa presented with pyrexia of unknown origin for 6 months. He had a moderate degree of pallor and lymphadenopathy. Blood examination showed moderate anemia and mild pancytopenia. Other blood tests, fine needle aspiration cytology of lymph node including radiological investigations were inconclusive. Bone marrow examination incidentally demonstrated microfilaria and adult worm was detected in lymph node biopsy. The boy recovered fully with antifilarial drug and hematinic.

[ABSTRACT]  [FULL TEXT]  [PDF]  [Mobile Full text]  [EPub] [CITATIONS]

Background: Diabetes is one of the most common diseases around the world and its prevalence is continuously increasing. It is seen that many patients of diabetes with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) have low serum level of Vitamin D. The aim of the study is to identify the correlation between serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and MCI in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. This cross-sectional study was conducted at P.B.M. Hospital, Bikaner, Rajasthan, India. Method: In this study, 100 type 2 diabetic patients were enrolled in which 47 were male and 53 were female. For measuring the cognitive impairment in patients, we used montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) test. After evaluating all the patients with MoCA test, 43 patients were found to have MCI with MoCA score <26 and 57 patients were considered as no MCI (MoCA score ΃26). Data obtained were analyzed using student t-test, Chi-square test, and Pearson's correlation coefficient. Results: After analyzing all the patients clinically, it was found that diabetic patients with MCI had low level of serum Vitamin D (21.97 ± 7.063 ng/ml vs. 41.17 ± 11.544 ng/ml, P value 0.0001). It was also found that diabetic patients with MCI had longer duration of diabetes (156.42 ± 58.950 months vs. 40.11 ± 36.198 months, P value 0.0001), poor blood sugar control (glycated hemoglobin [HbA1C] level 9.18 ± 1.137% vs. 7.93 ± 0.462%, P value 0.0001). Conclusion: The MoCA score was positively correlated with log ₁₀ [25(OH) D] with correlation coefficient r = +0.512 (P = 0.001). The association of MoCA score was found negative with duration of diabetes (r = ­0.103), and positive with HbA1C (r = +0.003), and P values were 0.444 and 0.984, respectively.

[ABSTRACT]  [FULL TEXT]  [PDF]  [Mobile Full text]  [EPub] [CITATIONS]

The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has a significant role in embryogenesis. EMT is also implicated as a fundamental step development of invasive phenotypes associated with progression of cancer. EMT confers the cancer cells with migratory and invasive properties that allow them to come into the stroma, which creates a conducive environment for cancer progression and metastasis. Moreover, acquisition of EMT is linked with resistance to chemotherapy that could lead to recurrences and enhance the morbidity and mortality related to cancers. Consequently, EMT has been associated with carcinogenesis, invasion, metastasis, recurrence, and chemoresistance. Research into EMT and its role in cancer pathogenesis has advanced in a rapid pace, but since its participation shows considerable variation among different cancer types and the exact mechanism operative in different cancers remains ambiguous; EMT continues to be a significant issue for research. In this review, we present an overview of EMT, its role in cancer progression and the clinical implication of its identification.

[ABSTRACT]  [FULL TEXT]  [PDF]  [Mobile Full text]  [EPub] [CITATIONS]

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) are uncommon spindle cell sarcomas originating from the pleuripotent cells of neural crest or Schwann cells. Head and neck region, the extremities and peripheral nerve trunk roots are its common locations. Sporadic type is a rare variant than the neurofibromatosis-1 associated type of MPNST. This study presents a case of giant, sporadic, and high-grade MPNST of right shoulder in a 48-year-old female.

[ABSTRACT]  [FULL TEXT]  [PDF]  [Mobile Full text]  [EPub]

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD) or histolytic necrotizing lymphadenitis is a rare form of cervical lymphadenopathy that commonly affects young women. It is an idiopathic, self-limiting disease usually presenting with lymphadenitis, fever, and weight loss. I hereby report two cases of KFD, both of them presented with lymph node enlargements in the neck region. Excision biopsy was done after a trial of antibiotics, which gave a pathological diagnosis of KFD. KFD closely mimics, systemic lupus erythematosus and lymphoma, clinically and histologically. Although KFD is a benign disease, it has to be differentiated from these two diseases to avoid unnecessary chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery.

[ABSTRACT]  [FULL TEXT]  [PDF]  [Mobile Full text]  [EPub]

Umbilical cord is the lifeline of the fetus connecting it to the mother. It provides nutrition, oxygen, various trophic factors, and hormones from the mother to the fetus. Knotting of the umbilical cord is relatively a rare occurrence and is of two types. True knot of the umbilical cord is a serious condition which can result in fetal distress and catastrophic neonatal complications. We report a case of true umbilical cord knot, in a 28-year-old second gravida, which was diagnosed after elective cesarean section. The knotting was not found during her routine ante-natal scans. The newborn did not have any complications due to the knotting. Although prenatal diagnosis of a true knot is challenging, newer imaging techniques are promising.

[ABSTRACT]  [FULL TEXT]  [PDF]  [Mobile Full text]  [EPub]

Calciphylaxis denotes the presence of cutaneous gangrene secondary to the ischemic necrosis caused by vascular calcification. This is seen in patients with end stage renal disease, especially those using the renal replacement therapy. We recently encountered an elderly patient with long standing type 2 diabetes who presented with diabetic foot disease. The evaluation revealed extensive vascular calcifications along with diabetic nephropathy. In this report, we present the case details along with the interesting aspects of the calciphylaxis.

[ABSTRACT]  [FULL TEXT]  [PDF]  [Mobile Full text]  [EPub]

[FULL TEXT]  [PDF]  [Mobile Full text]  [EPub]

The importance of evidence in health care teaching in order to orient the practitioners to the great amount of scientific information, and to support clinical decisions, is well established in health care, including density. The practice of evidence-based medicine is a process of lifelong, self-directed, problem-based learning which leads to the need for clinically important information about diagnosis, prognosis, therapy and other clinical and health care issues. Nowadays the practice of dentistry is becoming more complex and challenging because of the continually changing dental materials and equipments, an increasingly litigious society, an increase in the emphasis of continuing professional development, and information explosion and the consumer movement associated with advances on the internet. Aim of evidence-based practice is the systematic literature review, which synthesizes the best evidences and provides the basis for clinical practice guidelines.

[ABSTRACT]  [FULL TEXT]  [PDF]  [Mobile Full text]  [EPub]

Background: Asthma is the most common chronic childhood disease being increasingly diagnosed in recent years. A review estimating the prevalence of bronchial asthma in the Indian children concluded the burden to be high than previously understood. There is paucity of data from Punjab, and no study from Ludhiana has estimated the true prevalence of asthma in urban area. Objective: To determine the prevalence and risk factors for childhood asthma using questionnaires and pulmonary function tests. Material and Methods: This was a questionnaire based cross-sectional study over a period of 1.5 year in the age group of 5-15 years studying in three schools of urban Ludhiana. The data were analyzed b STATA Software (version 16, college station Tx, USA). P < 0.05 was considered as significant. Results: The retrieval of questionnaire I was possible in 80% of the 2500 distributed. The prevalence of asthma was calculated as 7.5% (95% confidence interval, 5.2-10.5). The mean age of the children with asthma was 8.67 ΁ 2.62 years. The most common symptoms reported by the cases were wheezing and seasonal allergy. No predilection for sex, socioeconomic status, and pet at home was noted. The family history of asthma and allergy, family history of smoking were emerged as significant risk factors. Conclusions: The prevalence of asthma in the urban schools of Ludhiana was found to be 7.5% which was much higher than previously reported. Age groups 5-8 years were commonly affected. Family history of asthma or allergy, and smoking history were found to be significant risk factors for development of asthma.

[ABSTRACT]  [FULL TEXT]  [PDF]  [Mobile Full text]  [EPub]

Background: In Ayurveda, Oja, being one of the most distinctive concepts is a factor of prime importance related to vitality. Ayurveda depicts the definition, types (Para, Apara); site (Hridaya- Heart, sarvashariravyapi - presence in cellular level), quantity (vindu-in drops), function (bala-vitality) and its derangement etiology etc. of Oja. Various researchers based on their own ideas have given its modern parlance with immunity and stem cell etc. Objective: To decipher the fundamental concept of Oja vis-ΰ-vis endoplasmic reticular function. Material and Methods: A critical analysis of information on Oja from available Ayurvedic literatureand endoplasmic reticular function form modern Physiology texts. Result: 'Endoplasmic reticulum(ER)' is a multifunctional membranous organelle forming a network in the whole body and is responsible for lipid biosynthesis, calcium storage and protein folding and processing. Etiological factors of Ojadushti (dysfunction) are (Abhighata-may be environmental stress), (shoka-mental stress), (shrama-physical stress, etc) which share similarity with stressors that disrupt function of ER ultimately leading to ER stress causing lifestyle disorders. Achieving cellular homeostasis is now being emphasized in the management of various diseases, in conventional medicine. The cellular homeostasis is dependent largely onproper folding of proteins where as in proper folding results into accumulation of misfolded proteins ultimately enhancing cellular death. Scientific reports on vayathapanaherbs like Amalaki, Punarnava, Guduchi etc. to alleviate ER stress can be give an evidence to correlate the ER with Oja. Conclusion: The present hypothesis gives an insight to decipher a novel concept of Oja and its relation with Endoplasmic reticulum.

[ABSTRACT]  [FULL TEXT]  [PDF]  [Mobile Full text]  [EPub]

Background: Classical texts explain the Agnikarma in detail for the management and eradication of various ailments with the limitation to understand its application and standardized methodology for each ailment. Ganglions are the most common cystic swellings, especially found in dorsum aspect of wrist which is well known for recurrence. Hence, to avoid the complications of surgery and to reduce the social burden of the patient, an effort is made to establish and modify the Agnikarma methodology in ganglion. Methods: 30 patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria of ganglion were randomly selected and divided into Group 1 and Group 2 comprising of 15 patients each. Clinical sign and symptoms were given suitable grades according to their severity and assessed based on relief after treatment. The results showing P value < 0.05 were considered as statistically significant in this study. Results: After the treatment by Agnikarma on post-operative first day there was no change in pain, size of swelling was significantly resolved by 100% and tenderness was significantly increased. Complete relief (100%) was found in pain, size of swelling and tenderness on post-operative Seventh day. On first month size of swelling was increased by 28%. Pain was significantly reduced after three months by 92% and size of swelling was increased by 43%. Interpretation and Conclusion:

1. Recurrence was seen in the patients treated with Agnikarma but there was significantly reduction in the size after three months
2. This technique avoids the scar mark to the cosmetic area compared with conventional ganglionectomy
3. Hence, this technique can be still modified for minimal invasive technique.

[ABSTRACT]  [FULL TEXT]  [PDF]  [Mobile Full text]  [EPub]

Many lesions that occur in the jaw present with a similar radiographical appearance and it is often difficult to differentiate among them. Despite the development of various cross-sectional imaging modalities, the radiograph still remains the first, and the most important investigations. Some diseases have typical radiographical signs and findings that are particular to a specific disease. The aim of this review is to describe collective esoteric knowledge, about various radiographic signs associated with the orofacial region.

[ABSTRACT]  [FULL TEXT]  [PDF]  [Mobile Full text]  [EPub]