|
|
|
Volume-8 (2009);
Issue 2 (April-June) Published on Sep 8, 2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009;2-1
Review |
Anil Kumar MN, Pai NB, Raveesh BN, Rajagopal R, Shivarudrappa NKM,
Siddika N.
Etiology and Management of Sexual Dysfunction. |
|
Abstract: Sexual dysfunction is the impairment
or disruption of any of the three phases of normal sexual functioning,
including loss of libido, impairment of physiological arousal and loss,
delay or alteration of orgasm. Each one of these can be affected by
an orchestra of factors like senility, medical and surgical illnesses,
medications and drugs of abuse. Non-pharmacological therapy is the main
stay in the treatment of sexual dysfunction and drugs are used as adjuncts
for a quicker and better result. Management in many of the cases depends
on the primary cause. Here is a review of the major etiological factors
of sexual dysfunction and its management.
Key words: Sexual dysfunction,
Erectile dysfunction, Premature ejaculation, Impaired libido |
|
|
This Article |
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009;2-2
Review |
Prakash M, Shetty MS, Tilak P, Anwar N.
Total Thiols: Biomedical Importance And Their Alteration In Various Disorders. |
|
Abstract:
Thiols are the organic compounds that
contain a sulhydryl group. Among all the antioxidants that are available
in the body, thiols constitute the major portion of the total body antioxidants
and they play a significant role in defense against reactive oxygen
species. Total thiols composed of both intracellular and extracellular
thiols either in the free form as oxidized or reduced glutathione, or
thiols bound to proteins. Among the thiols that are bound to proteins,
albumin makes the major portion of the protein bound thiols, which binds
to sufhydryl group at its cysteine-34 portion. Apart from their role
in defense against free radicals, thiols share significant role in detoxification,
signal transduction, apoptosis and various other functions at molecular
level. The thiol status in the body can be assessed easily by determining
the serum levels of thiols. Decreased levels of thiols has been noted
in various medical disorders including chronic renal failure and other
disorders related to kidney, cardiovascular disorders, stroke and other
neurological disorders, diabetes mellitus, alcoholic cirrhosis and various
other disorders. Therapy using thiols has been under investigation for
certain disorders.
Key words: Thiols, antioxidants, glutathione, free
radicals, kidney diseases, cysteine-SH, γ-glutamyl cycle |
|
|
This Article |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009;2-3
Original Article |
Dixit S, Bhagawat AK, Raghunath D, Taneja G.
Evaluation of the
Needs of People Living with HIV / AIDS in Selected Districts of State
of Madhya Pradesh, India: Findings from a Preliminary Study. |
|
Abstract: Introduction:
Evaluating the needs of People Living with HIV / AIDS (PLHA) and providing
them with adequate care and support is important in combating the Acquired
Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) epidemic. Objectives:
The study was conducted to ascertain the needs of PLHA, the support
obtained and required, extent of involvement in programs related to
HIV and evaluate the impact of Government programs as perceived by PLHA. Methods:
A cross sectional study was conducted on 150 PLHA in the districts of
Indore, Neemuch and Ujjain in the state of Madhya Pradesh (India) using semi-structured
interview schedules. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 12.0. Results:
The major support available to the patients is the free Anti-Retroviral
Therapy (ART) available at Government health care centers. The other
supports obtained from self help groups and NGOs were medicines for
opportunistic infections, nutritional supplements, traveling allowance
to ART center for monthly doses, free monthly ration and school fees
for one child in the family. The major support required were an educational
plan for children, free investigations at hospitals, decentralization
of ART centers and adequate employment opportunities. Involvement of
PLHA in health programs was minimal: the reasons for non-involvement
being unwillingness, fear of disclosure and lack of opportunity. The
respondents stated that Government policies have had a positive impact
and changed the perception of the society towards HIV patients. Conclusion:
PLHA have a number of unmet needs and a collaborative attempt from the
government and support groups is needed to meet the needs of PLHA.
Key words: ART center, Needs, PLHA |
|
|
This Article |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009;2-4
Original Article |
Vasava B, Chudasama RK, Godara NR, Srivastava RK.
Sickle cell disease status among school adolescents
and their tribal community in South Gujarat. |
|
Abstract: Objectives: to create awareness, to screen samples of school adolescents and then
to reach their community through them by doing surveillance for sickle
cell disease. Design:
Field based cross-sectional study. Settings:
St Xavier`s high school and Vanraj high school of Umarpada taluka of
Surat district. Subjects:
School adolescents, their parents and friends. Method:
After taking permission from school authority, blood samples of 948
school adolescents were taken for DTT test and then for electrophoresis.
Blood samples of motivated parents and friends of those adolescents
found positive for DTT was taken in subsequent visit and results were
communicated to them. Results:
Blood samples of 948 school adolescents, out of 1081 were tested for
DTT test. It was positive in 242 samples, giving a prevalence of 25.5%
for sickle cell disease. On subjecting the positive blood samples to
electrophoresis, the proportion of sickle cell trait and sickle cell
disease was found to be 92% and 8% respectively. Then electrophoresis
was done in 64 parents and friends, 24 (37.5%) of them were found positive
of which, 14 (58%) were having sickle cell trait and 10 (42%) having
sickle cell disease. Conclusion:
approaching community can be possible through school adolescents for
conduction of surveillance of sickle cell anemia.
Key words: Adolescents, Sickle cell disease, Sickle cell trait, Tribal, Gujarat |
|
|
This Article |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009;2-5
Original Article |
Dongre AR, Deshmukh PR, Garg BS.
An Approach
to Monitor and Initiate Community Led Actions for Antenatal Care in
Rural India – A Pilot Study. |
|
Abstract:Objective:
Utilization of antenatal care in rural India is far from universal.
It requires monitoring and identification of specific needs at field
level for timely corrective actions. To pilot test the triangulation
of rapid quantitative (Lot Quality Assurance Sampling) and qualitative
(Focus Group Discussion) monitoring tools for ensuring antenatal care
in a community based program. Methods: The present study was
undertaken in surrounding 23 villages of Kasturba Rural Health Training
Centre (KRHTC), Anji, which is also a field practice area of Mahatma
Gandhi Institute of Medical Science (MGIMS), Sewagram. The monthly monitoring
and action system of the study was based on the rapid quantitative monitoring
tool (Lot Quality Assurance Sampling, LQAS)to find out poor performing supervision areas and overall antenatal
service coverage and the qualitative methods (Focus group discussions
(FGDs), and free listing) for exploring ongoing operational constraints in the processes for timely
decision making at program and community level. A trained program supervisor
paid house visit to 95 randomly selected pregnant women from 5 supervision
areas by using pre-designed and pre-tested questionnaire. For poor performing
indicators, semi structured FGDs and free listing exercise were undertaken
to identify unmet service needs and reasons for its poor performance.
Results: Registration of pregnancy within 12 weeks improved from
24.2% to 29.5%. The consumption of 100 or more IFA tablets during pregnancy
significantly improved from 6.9% to 16.4%. There was significant improvement
in awareness among pregnant women regarding danger signs and symptoms
during pregnancy. Over three months period, the overall
antenatal registration improved from 253 (67%) to 327 (86.7%).
Conclusion: The present field based monitoring and action approach
constructively identified the reasons for failures and directed specific
collective actions to achieve the targets.
Key words: LQAS, Focus group discussion, Monitoring, Antenatal care, Community
action |
|
|
This Article |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009;2-6
Original Article |
Rajeev A, Latif S.
Study of the
Knowledge, Attitude and Experience of Medical Tourism among Target Groups
with special emphasis on South India. |
|
Abstract: Medical tourism
aims at providing cost-effective customized health care in collaboration
with the tourism industry in distant locations wherein the hospitality
component is handled efficiently so that fixing appointments, making
arrangements for accommodation and other logistics become hassle-free
for the patient. This allows more concentration on the procedure at
hand and the interaction between the medical fraternity and the patient
becomes smoother. Even communication barriers disappear. More and more
hospitals in India are gearing up to provide such services to neighbouring
countries and even to the developed nations across the world.
The purpose
of this study was to study the knowledge, attitude and experiences of
the population of a suitable cross-section regarding the emerging scenario
of medical tourism with special interest vis-à-vis Non Resident Indians
(NRIs) specifically to the state of Karnataka and Mangalore in particular.
It was found that compared to the locals (kannadigas or non-kannadigas),
the Non-resident Indians were more dissatisfied with the health care
facilities available in their proximity. Though a majority of them do
have medical insurance, it still looks as if the care is more cost-effective
when sourced to India. Also it was found that a vast majority of the
NRIs had undergone procedures/ surgeries compared to the locals, the
reasons not being very evident in the study. NRIs are more aware of
the potential of medical tourism through their communication with the
medical fraternity as well as the general public. And finally it was
found that 11.1% of NRIs have really utilized the services of medical tourism.
An e-mail survey which was also conducted among a number of foreigners yielded
the interesting fact that they indeed had a greater awareness regarding medical
tourism with an emphasis on health tourism. The reason why these foreigners
opted for medical tourism was due to the substandard medical care available in
their locality, rather than due to the cost of medical care as such.
Key words: Medical tourism, Karnataka, Mangalore
|
|
|
This Article |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009;2-7
Original Article |
Nimbarte SB, Deshmukh PR, Mehendale AM,
Garg BS.
Effect of duration of cough
(≥ 3 weeks Vs ≥ 2 weeks) on yield of sputum positive tuberculosis
cases and laboratory load. |
|
Abstract: Background
& objective: Early detection
and prompt treatment is the basis of tuberculosis control through reducing
the reservoir of infection. The objective of the present study was to
study the effect of reducing the screening criteria of chest symptomatics
from existing ≥ 3 weeks to ≥ 2 weeks on case detection of smear
positive tuberculosis and laboratory load. Methods:
The present cross-sectional study was carried out at General Out-Patient
Department (GOPD) of Kasturba Hospital, Sewagram. All the chest symptomatics
with cough of two weeks or more than two weeks duration attending in
GOPD were screened for pulmonary tuberculosis by examining the three
sputum smears in designated microscopy center as per RNTCP guidelines.
The data was entered and analyzed using epi_info 6.04d. Results: Number of sputum
positive cases detected using RNTCP guideline (cough ≥ 3 weeks) for
screening the chest symptomatic for AFB was 104. When, the screening
guideline was modified from cough ≥ 3 weeks duration to cough ≥
2 weeks duration, it yielded 138 cases. The yield of sputum positive
cases of tuberculosis was increased by 32.7%. This also increased the
laboratory load by 54.8%. Conclusion: The modifications
of existing screening criteria from cough ≥ 3 weeks to cough
≥ 2 weeks increased the yield of sputum positive cases by 1.3
times and the laboratory (microscopy center) load by 1.5 times.
Key words: Smear-positive tuberculosis; Chest symptomatic; Cough duration; Yield;
Laboratory load |
|
|
This Article |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009;2-8
Original Article |
Adiga U, Adiga MNS.
Total Antioxidant
Activity in Normal Pregnancy. |
|
Abstract:
Objective: Pregnancy
is a state, which is more prone for oxidative stress. Various studies report development
of a strong defence mechanisms against free radical damage, as the pregnancy progresses.
Aim of our study is to assess the antioxidant status by measuring the total
antioxidant activity. Methods: Total antioxidant
activity was assayed by Koracevic’ et al’s method, with the plasma of twenty five
pregnant women (with normal blood pressure) as test group and twenty five age matched non-pregnant
women as control group. All complicated pregnancies are excluded from
the study. Results: Highly significant
decline (P< 0.001) in antioxidant activity was observed in pregnant women with a value
of 1.40 ± 0.25mmol/l, as compared to controls, 1.63 ± 0.21 mmol/l. Conclusion: Reduction
in total antioxidant activity could be due to the fall in individual antioxidant levels. But several
studies report an elevated enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants during pregnancy.
Any way total antioxidant activity is not a simple sum of individual antioxidants, but
the dynamic equilibrium & cooperation between them. So inspite the rise in individual
antioxidants , total antioxidant activity may be low. Further studies need to be
done with antioxidant activity as a marker of complicated pregnancies like pregnancy
induced hypertension.
Key words: Pregnancy, Antioxidant activity, Oxidative stress |
|
|
This Article |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009;2-9
Case Report |
Bist SS, Varshney S, Singh RK, Bhagat S, Gupta N.
Primary Non-Hodgkin's malignant
lymphoma of the sinonasal tract. |
|
Abstract:
Primary non-Hodgkin’s
lymphomas (NHL) of the sinonasal tract are rather uncommon entities.
Morphologically and radiographically, sinonasal lymphomas are difficult
to distinguish from other malignant neoplasms or non- neoplastic processes.
They have a variable presentation from fulminant destructive manifestations
to chronic indolent type of disease and may mimic as carcinomas and
invasive fungal infection respectively. We report a case of primary
NHL involving sinonasal tract in elderly female, which was clinically
and radiologically mimicking as sinonasal malignany and was proven as
NHL on histological examination and confirmed by immunohistochemistry.
A high index of suspicion, appropriate histopathological examination
and immunohistochemistry is necessary to differentiate sinonasal lymphomas
from other possibilities. Failure to do so may miss the diagnosis and
delay appropriate treatment.
Key words: Sinonasal
lymphoma, Non Hodgkins lymphoma, Immunohistochemistry |
|
|
This Article |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009;2-10
Case Report |
Adeleke SI.
Food poisoning
due to yam flour consumption in Kano (Northwest) Nigeria. |
|
Abstract:Food poisoning
is known to occur sporadically from time to time due to poor hygienic
preparations. Its occurrence rarely assumes epidemic proportion. The
objective was to report the occurrence of food poisoning due to yam
flour among three families which occurred almost in quick succession
between March and July 2007 among three families in Kano. They presented
with diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, convulsion and loss of consciousness.
They all recovered within 48hours of admission. Investigations indicated
that the use of certain lethal preservatives for the processing of the
yam flour might be responsible. Poisoning
from consumption of yam flour should be a differential diagnosis of
acute seizure disorders or occurrence of vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal
pain in the tropics. It is recommended that education on proper processing
of all food products in view of the public health implication.
Key words: Food
poisoning, Yam flour, Kano |
|
|
This Article |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009;2-11
Case Report |
Phadikar A, Deb AR, Das C, Chaudhuri P, Majumdar A.
Placental site Trophoblastic Tumor with Pulmonary and Brain metastases. |
|
Abstract:A
rare case of Placental Site Trophoblastic Tumor with multiple metastases was
managed with initial chemotherapy (EMA-CO) and radiotherapy followed by surgery
with good prognosis.
Key words: PSTT,
EMA-CO |
|
|
This Article |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009;2-12
Case Report |
Das C, Mukherjee G, Pati S, Naskar A.
Missing Broken Needle during
Caesarean Section. |
|
Abstract:Breakage of the
needle and missing while repairing the uterine wound during cesarean section is
an uncommon event. Subsequently it was removed under fluoroscopic guidance on
the 7th postoperative day.
Key words: Broken Needle,
Foreign body, Caesarean section |
|
|
This Article |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
