Tramadol Induced Ovarian and Uterine Changes in Albino Rats

Tramadol at the dose levels of 1mg and 3mg/100g body weight was administered to normal cycling rats for 20 days through intraperitoneal routes. At autopsy on 21st day significant reduction in the ovarian, uterine and body weight was observed. Histological observations showed decrease in the number and size of Graafian follicles, corpora lutea and increase in the atretic follicles in the ovary. The uterus showed absences of endometrial glands, decrease in the height of myometrium, endometrium and its epithelial cells. The total protein and glycogen content of the ovary and uterus is decreased whereas the cholesterol content is increased. The hypothalamo-hypophyseal gonadal axis is prominent regulator of reproductive activities in animals through neuro-endocrine regulation. In this study action of tramadol on ovary and uterine parameters is discussed.

A cost-effective computer-vision based breast cancer diagnosis

In the last decade, there have been extensive reports of world health organization (WHO) on breast cancer. About 2.1 million women are affected every year and it is the second most leading cause of cancer death in women. Initial detection and diagnosis of cancer appreciably increase the chance of saving lives and reduce treatment costs. In this paper, we perform a survey of the techniques utilized in breast cancer detection and diagnosis in image processing, machine learning (ML), and deep learning (DL). We also proposed a novel computer-vision based cost-effective method for breast cancer detection and diagnosis. Along with the detection and diagnosis of breast cancer, our proposed method is capable of finding the exact position of the abnormality present in the breast that will help in breast-conserving surgery or partial mastectomy. The proposed method is the simplest and cost-effective approach that has produced highly accurate and useful outcomes when compared with the existing approach.

Association of Household Wealth Index, Educational Status, and Social Capital with Hypertension Awareness, Treatment, and Control in South Asia

OBJECTIVE

Hypertension control rates are low in South Asia. To determine association of measures of socioeconomic status (wealth, education, and social capital) with hypertension awareness, treatment, and control among urban and rural subjects in these countries we performed the present study.

METHODS

We enrolled 33,423 subjects aged 35-70 years (women 56%, rural 53%, low-education status 51%, low household wealth 25%, low-social capital 33%) in 150 communities in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh during 2003-2009. Prevalence of hypertension and its awareness, treatment, and control status and their association with wealth, education, and social capital were determined.

RESULTS

Age-, sex-, and location-adjusted prevalence of hypertension in men was 31.5% (23.9-40.2%) and women was 32.6% (24.9-41.5%) with variations in prevalence across study sites (urban 30-56%, rural 11-43%). Prevalence was significantly greater in urban locations, older subjects, and participants with more wealth, greater education, and lower social capital index. Hypertension awareness was in 40.4% (urban 45.9, rural 32.5), treatment in 31.9% (urban 37.6, rural 23.6), and control in 12.9% (urban 15.4, rural 9.3). Control was lower in men and younger subjects. Hypertension awareness, treatment, and control were significantly lower, respectively, in lowest vs. highest wealth index tertile (26.2 vs. 50.6%, 16.9 vs. 44.0%, and 6.9 vs. 17.3%, P < 0.001) and lowest vs. highest educational status tertile (31.2 vs. 48.4%, 21.8 vs. 42.1%, and 7.8 vs. 19.2%, P < 0.001) while insignificant differences were observed in lowest vs. highest social capital index (38.2 vs. 36.1%, 35.1 vs. 27.8%, and 12.5 vs. 9.1%).

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows low hypertension awareness, treatment, and control in South Asia. Lower wealth and educational status are important in low hypertension awareness, treatment, and control.

Spectral Analysis of Sounds of <i>Saxicoloides fulicata</i> (Indian Robin)

The present study focused on recordings of sounds of Saxicoloides fulicata (Indian robin) from Kalaburagi distract, Karnataka state. The study was undertaken during the Many 2012 to April 2013. During the study period about 50 samples of sounds of Indian robin were recorded and spectral analysis was performed subjected to sound samples. the study results indicate that, three types of sounds were identified and with significant variations in their structural hierarchy with distinct high and low frequencies.

Spectral Analysis of Sounds of <i>Saxicoloides fulicata</i> (Indian Robin)

The present study focused on recordings of sounds of Saxicoloides fulicata (Indian robin) from Kalaburagi distract, Karnataka state. The study was undertaken during the Many 2012 to April 2013. During the study period about 50 samples of sounds of Indian robin were recorded and spectral analysis was performed subjected to sound samples. the study results indicate that, three types of sounds were identified and with significant variations in their structural hierarchy with distinct high and low frequencies.

Primary Productivity of Kumshi Reservoir, Kalaburagi District, Karnataka

In the present investigation, primary productivity of Kumshi reservoir of Kalburagi District has been studied for the period of two years (2012-2014). The results reveals that, gross primary productivity of Kumshi reservoir followed an increasing trend through the northeast monsoon season towards summer season, whereas, net primary productivity of Kumshi reservoir is followed a more or less similar trend of increasing towards northeast monsoon season and summer season, while community respiration of reservoir also followed a similar trend of oscillation increasing trend towards summer and northeast monsoon season during the study period.

Prevalence of a healthy lifestyle among individuals with cardiovascular disease in high-, middle- and low-income countries: The Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology (PURE) study

IMPORTANCE

Little is known about adoption of healthy lifestyle behaviors among individuals with a coronary heart disease (CHD) or stroke event in communities across a range of countries worldwide.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the prevalence of avoidance or cessation of smoking, eating a healthy diet, and undertaking regular physical activities by individuals with a CHD or stroke event.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology (PURE) was a large, prospective cohort study that used an epidemiological survey of 153,996 adults, aged 35 to 70 years, from 628 urban and rural communities in 3 high-income countries (HIC), 7 upper-middle-income countries (UMIC), 3 lower-middle-income countries (LMIC), and 4 low-income countries (LIC), who were enrolled between January 2003 and December 2009.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Smoking status (current, former, never), level of exercise (low, <600 metabolic equivalent task [MET]-min/wk; moderate, 600-3000 MET-min/wk; high, >3000 MET-min/wk), and diet (classified by the Food Frequency Questionnaire and defined using the Alternative Healthy Eating Index).

RESULTS

Among 7519 individuals with self-reported CHD (past event: median, 5.0 [interquartile range {IQR}, 2.0-10.0] years ago) or stroke (past event: median, 4.0 [IQR, 2.0-8.0] years ago), 18.5% (95% CI, 17.6%-19.4%) continued to smoke; only 35.1% (95% CI, 29.6%-41.0%) undertook high levels of work- or leisure-related physical activity, and 39.0% (95% CI, 30.0%-48.7%) had healthy diets; 14.3% (95% CI, 11.7%-17.3%) did not undertake any of the 3 healthy lifestyle behaviors and 4.3% (95% CI, 3.1%-5.8%) had all 3. Overall, 52.5% (95% CI, 50.7%-54.3%) quit smoking (by income country classification: 74.9% [95% CI, 71.1%-78.6%] in HIC; 56.5% [95% CI, 53.4%-58.6%] in UMIC; 42.6% [95% CI, 39.6%-45.6%] in LMIC; and 38.1% [95% CI, 33.1%-43.2%] in LIC). Levels of physical activity increased with increasing country income but this trend was not statistically significant. The lowest prevalence of eating healthy diets was in LIC (25.8%; 95% CI, 13.0%-44.8%) compared with LMIC (43.2%; 95% CI, 30.0%-57.4%), UMIC (45.1%, 95% CI, 30.9%-60.1%), and HIC (43.4%, 95% CI, 21.0%-68.7%).

CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE

Among a sample of patients with a CHD or stroke event from countries with varying income levels, the prevalence of healthy lifestyle behaviors was low, with even lower levels in poorer countries.

Determinants of rapid progression to immunodeficiency syndrome among people infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Kerala, India

CONTEXT

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection progresses in almost all infected persons to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). The aim of the study was to find out the determinants of rapid progression of immunodeficiency among people infected with HIV in Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala, India.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN

The study design used was case control. The setting of the study was antiretroviral treatment (ART) centre of Government Medical College and the self-help group of HIV patients located at Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Cases were people having any one or more of the AIDS defining clinical conditions within 3 years from the diagnosis of HIV infection. Controls were people diagnosed as having HIV at least 3 years ago and with no AIDS-defining clinical conditions till the date of the study. Sample size was 149 with a control case ratio of 1.5:1.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED

Mean (standard deviation) and proportions were used to describe the data. Chi-square test and t test were done to test the hypotheses. Binary logistic technique was used to find out the predictors of the outcome.

RESULTS

A regression (Binary Logistic) model was used to predict the progression. Fungal infection of nail [adjusted Odds Ratio (OR), 6.4 (1.4, 28.9)] and oral candidiasis [adjusted OR, 2.6 (1.1, 6.4)] were the clinical conditions significantly associated with rapid progression. The significant social factors included non-exposure to professional counseling [adjusted OR, 7.1 (2.0, 24.5)] and the feeling of being stigmatized - felt as preoccupation with thoughts that they are gossiped about and the increase in visitors to "check them out" [adjusted OR, 26.1 (4.9, 138.4)]. The protective nutritional factors in the model were frequent consumption of legumes [adjusted OR, 0.12 (0.04, 0.36)], eggs [adjusted OR, 0.29 (0.09, 0.93)], and plenty of oral fluids [adjusted OR, 0.18 (0.07, 0.47)].

CONCLUSIONS

An approach incorporating the clinical, social, and nutritional factors may retard the progression of HIV infection.

Ecology and abundance of zooplankton in Karanja reservoir

The present work aims to study the Zooplankton seasonal distribution and diversity in Karanja reservoir, Bidar district for the period of two years from October 2001 to September 2003. We have recorded 36 species of which, 15 species belongs to rotifera, 11 species belongs to cladocera, nine species belongs to copepoda and ostracoda three species. Among zooplankton, particularly rotifera was the dominant group throughout the study period and highest count was recorded in the month of March 2003. Cluster analysis was also revealed by dendrogram and Shannon diversity index is also presented. Zooplankton community is also correlated with physicochemical parameters.

Concentration of heavy metals in Karanja reservoir, Bidar district, Karnataka, India

In this study, some heavy metals concentrations (Zn, Pb, Fe, Mn, Cu, Ni) and other physico-chemical parameters were studied during October 2001 to September 2003 in Karanja reservoir, Bidar district. Water quality parameters were collected monthly basis whereas heavy metals were analyzed by Atomic Adsorption Spectrometer (AAS). Heavy metals have shown within the permissible limits, except Fe and Ni were recorded higher values in southwest monsoon, where as Mn has showed higher concentration in northeast monsoon in and summer. All other physico-chemical parameters are with in the permissible limit. Water is moderately hard and reservoir is productive.

Chemistry of groundwater in Gulbarga district, Karnataka, India

Groundwater quality of Gulbarga District is extensively monitored for two years of study period from October 1999 to September 2001. Twenty-five different sampling stations were selected for the study purpose in the city and five selected villages in the district. Gulbarga districts lies in the northern plains of Karnataka State, covers an area of 16,244 km2 and lies between 16 degrees-11' and 17 degrees-19'N latitude and 76 degrees-54'E longitude The study revealed that the water sources in the area are heavily polluted. The major water quality parameters exceeding the permissible limits during all the seasons are total hardness, calcium hardness, magnesium hardness, alkalinity and MPN (Bacterial count) and other parameters have shown distinctive variation in different stations and season. Most of these parameters are correlated with one another. Statistical analysis of the data is presented.

A study of CSF catecholamine and its metabolites in acute and convalescent period of encephalitis

AIMS

To evaluate cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) catecholamine (CA) and its metabolites in encephalitis patients in acute and convalescent period and correlate these with clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Patients with acute encephalitis diagnosed on the basis of clinical, CSF, MRI and virological parameters underwent detailed neurological evaluation including Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) and Dystonia Rating Scale. Cranial MRI was carried out and CSF dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE), 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), homovanillic acid (HVA) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5HT) levels were estimated by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). The CSF catecholamine levels were compared with convalescent phase as well as with controls. These levels were also correlated with parkinsonian features, dystonia and radiological abnormalities.

RESULTS

There were 29 encephalitis patients; whose age ranged between 2 and 65 years, 4 were females and 11 children. 25 patients had Japanese encephalitis (JE) and 4 nonspecific encephalitis. The mean GCS score was 8 and 13 had seizures. Movement disorders were present in 13 patients and included parkinsonian features in 5, dystonia in 1 and combination of both in 7 patients. MRI revealed abnormalities in 15 out of 21 patients and included thalamic lesion in 10, globus pallidus in 4, putamen in 5, caudate in 4 and midbrain in 9 patients. In acute stage NE, DOPAC, 5HT and HVA levels were significantly lower compared to controls. NE levels significantly correlated with dystonia and thalamic lesions. Convalescent CSF study revealed significantly lower levels of DOPAC compared to acute phase. CSF catecholamine levels in encephalitis patients with and without movement disorders were not significantly different.

CONCLUSION

In encephalitis, catecholamine and its metabolites are lower in acute and convalescent phase. Norepinephrine level correlates with dystonia and thalamic lesions.

Incidence of hereditary Citrullinemia and bovine Ieucocyte adhesion deficiency Syndrome in Indian dairy cattie (BOS TAURUS, BOS INDICUS) and buffalo (<i>BUBALUS BUBALIS</i>) Population (short communication)

Abstract. PCR based Screening of the cattle and buffaloe bulls for Bovine Lcucocyte Adhesion Deficiency Syndrome (BLAD) and Citrullinemia genetic disorders were carried out. A total of 330 cattle belonging to 4 breeds and 135 buffaloes of 3 breeds were genotyped. One young Holstein bull was detected as carrier (0.67%) for mutation at codon 86 in the argininosuccinate synthetase gene locus. Two young Holstein bulls were diagnosed as heterozygous (1.33%) for the BLAD locus. So far no carriers were detected in the indigenous cattle and buffalo breeds.

Psoriasis: current concepts and new approaches to therapy

Psoriasis is a common disorder characterized by marked increases in keratinocyte proliferation, abnormal patterns of keratinocyte differentiation, prominent alterations in dermal capillary vasculature and the presence of dermal and epidermal T cells, monocytes/macrophages and neutrophils. It is now known that psoriasis can occur due to abnormalities in essential fatty acid metabolism, lymphokine secretion, free radical generation, lipid peroxidation and eicosanoid metabolism. It is possible to suppress almost completely psoriatic lesions by judicious use of methotrexate, cyclosporine A, and eicosapentaenoic acid. Our studies have shown that in patients with psoriasis there is an increase in the generation of free radicals with an alteration in essential fatty acid metabolism and that side-effects of anti-cancer drugs can be blocked by essential fatty acids in vivo. Thus, essential fatty acid metabolism seems to play a crucial role both in the pathogenesis and treatment of psoriasis.