Introduction: The levels of blood pressure (BP) are important as it is a potential risk factor that predisposes towards cardiovascular disease (CVD) when the levels are high. After the introduction of the term prehypertension by Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC7) (2004), there are heightened interests on the correlation between high-normal levels of BP with CVD risk factors. Methodology: A questionnaire containing information about eating habits, family history and social habits was given out. Other than that, anthropometric measurements were taken according to the protocol provided by the United States Institutes of Health. Results: There were a total of 87 respondents that participated in the study. The overall prevalence of prehypertension and hypertension was 40.2% (46.9% - males; 32.7% - females) and 2.3% (male) respectively. Also, it was found that 57.1% of male and 40% of female with increased WC and 75% of male and 33.3% of female with increased WHR have prehypertension. It was also found that subjects with a positive family history of hypertension, diabetes and stroke have a higher tendency towards prehypertension. Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of prehypertension among males compared to female and that there are positive correlations between the CVD risk factors with prehypertension.

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

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

Background: Stone mines of Western Rajasthan are famous worldwide for its sandstone and white marble. In the drought-stricken state of Rajasthan (in particular in its Western part) mining provides essential support to livelihood generation to more than 2 million people. Mineworkers in these mines work in unsafe conditions, are underpaid, undernourished and suffer with various health problems like silicosis and tuberculosis. This inspired us to estimate the morbidity profile of the mine workers in Jodhpur district of Rajasthan. Material and methods: Using purposive sampling, 221 workers who responded to an appeal for health check up at the various mines and/or at the residential habitats were selected and conducted between August 2009 and April 2010. The collected data was analyzed by using Epi Info3.4.1. Results: Age group of the workers was from 15 to 84 years. 28.6 % of workers were below the age of 30 years. 80 % and 52% of workers were addicted to tobacco and alcohol respectively. 25.33% of workers had past history of tuberculosis treatment. The various complaints of the workers were breathlessness (32.1%), chest pain (24.4%), cough (31.7%) etc. The miners were suffering from chronic respiratory tract infection (21.3%), silico-tuberculosis (11.3%), had digestive tract problem (24.4%), joint problems (23.3%) etc. Conclusions: Looking at poverty, lack of opportunity for other employment for livelihood, lack of health & legal monitoring, absence of treatment for silicosis etc., enormous efforts are required to prevent silicosis in new generation and handle the old cases in a humane manner. But preventable nature of conditions along with huge support of NRHM, voluntary organizations and research together can make a difference in these long lasting problems

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

Objective: To evaluate the protective effect of ethanolic extract of dried seeds of Coriandrum sativum L. (C.sativum) in acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis in rats. Methods: Male Wistar rats were divided into various treatment groups (n=5). The animals were administered with 2ml of acetic acid (4% v/v) via intrarectal route to induce colitis. Prednisolone (2mg/kg) was used as a standard drug and C.sativum was administered at a dose of 100 and 300 mg/kg p.o. Macroscopic scoring, colon weight to length ratio, colonic superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), reduced glutathione (GSH), lipid peroxidation (LPO), myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels and histopathological changes were recorded after the treatment regimen of 11 days. Results: Intrarectal instillation of acetic acid caused significant (P<0.05) increase in colon weight to length ratio, LPO, and MPO levels; and significant (P<0.05) decrease in the levels of SOD, CAT and GSH levels. Pretreatment with C.sativum (100, 300 mg/kg, p.o.) exhibited significant (P<0.05) reversal of all the above biochemical parameters and significantly reversed the histopathological changes induced by acetic acid treatment. Conclusion: The present investigation demonstrates the potent therapeutic value of C.sativum (100, 300 mg/kg, p.o.) in the amelioration of experimental colitis in rats. The beneficial effect of C.sativum could be attributed to its antioxidant effect.

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

First Metatarsal head bears the major part of the transmitted forces in foot in weight bearing and gait. Hence managing first metatarsal head fracture needs a sound approach to achieve a good post injury functional life especially in a young active individual. JESS Fixator working on principle of ligamentotaxis has been used in fractures at various other sites. Same principle can also be used for intra articular fractures of first metatarsal head as described in the presenting case of a young male labourer. Thus it is an innovative method to address such vital fractures as well.

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

Cancer oesophagus is the ninth most common cancer and is the sixth most common cause of cancer related deaths in the world. It usually presents in advanced stage with loco-regional node and visceral involvement. Bone metastasis is uncommon. Here we are reporting a case of a 55-year-old male, with progressive dysphagia to solids and semisolids for 1 year. Rigid endoscope guided biopsy confirmed that histology was well differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. Computed Tomography (CT) scan of the neck and thorax revealed oesophageal malignancy with enlarged neck lymph nodes on left side and metastasis in left greater wing of sphenoid, part of temporal bone and lateral wall of the orbit and abutting the left lateral rectus muscle. Literature search revealed that bony metastases are very infrequent and small bones are usually spared. This case is noticeable for rarity in terms of metastatising to unusual sites.

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

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

Introduction: Adolescent population at the crossroad of childhood and adulthood start to pick lifestyle related risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Methods: To find out the prevalence of lifestyle associated cardiovascular risk factors and risk correlates a study was conducted among 452 adolescent students of class IX-XII of four higher secondary schools; males 247(54.64%), females 205(45.36%) using a predesigned, pretested, semi-structured questionnaire to find out cardiovascular risk factors viz. smoking, physical activity, dietary practices; blood pressure, weight, height was measured; BMI was calculated. Result: Hypertension was in 12.61 percent adolescents (male 16.59%, female 7.80%; private schools 19.27% Government aided schools 7.69%). Overweight was in 7.74 percent (male 8.90%, female 6.34%; private schools 15.62%, Government aided schools 1.92%). Obesity was in 3.98 percent (male 4.04%, female 3.90%; private schools 8.85%, Government aided schools 0.38%). Insufficient physical activity was in 15.70 percent (female (23.41%), male (9.31%); double in private (21.87%) than Government aided schools (11.15%). Of the 1.32 percent smokers, all were male (2.42%) and from private schools (3.12 %). Mean systolic blood pressure was 112.08±13.51 mm Hg; mean diastolic blood pressure was 72.49±8.51 mm Hg. Consumption of obesogenic foods more than three servings per week and at least three days in a week were fast food (55.53%), sweets(44.46%), ghee and butter(22.56%), red meat(6.41%), cold drinks(3.09%), ice cream(4.86%); protective foods were fruits (57.74 %) and vegetables ( 84.29%).Significant difference existed in risk factors between gender and schools. Conclusion: Our study findings indicated that prevalence of lifestyle related risk factors for cardiovascular diseases were hypertension, physical inactivity, overweight or obesity in rural Bengal that calls for optimum intervention strategies to be expanded.

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

Background: Cryotherapy is commonly used in physical therapy with many known benefits; many patients are treated with cryotherapy, but the effects of cryotherapy on sensation and pinch strength are not conclusive. The purpose therefore was to know the effects of cryotherapy on sensation and pinch strength. Methods: An experimental study, thirty females, aged 18 to 26 years participated. Baseline measurements were taken for sensation and pinch strength. Participants were asked to immerse their hand in 100 of cold water for fifteen minutes; post Cryotherapy measurements of TPD and pinch strength were taken. Aesthesiometer used to measure TPD and pinch gauge hydraulic dynamometer was used to measure pinch strength. Results: Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test was used for analysis. The z-scores although negative, TPD sensations for thumb and finger were not statistically different pre and post experiment, p value 0.458 and 0.154 respectively. Pinch strength was reduced after application of Cryotherapy, baseline value for pinch strength was (2.33±0.877) and post experiment (1.95±0.834), p value is 0.02. Conclusions: TPD not affected; Pinch strength significantly decreased immediately after cryotherapy.

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

Aim: To find out using the Berlin questionnaire the presence of high risk of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) in patients of hypertension and to find its relation with severity of hypertension. Methods: All patients of essential hypertension undergoing treatment in our institute were included in the study. All patients filled up the Berlin questionnaire. The questionnaire was scored for positivity and the data was analysed for rate of positivity and relationship with severity of hypertension. Results and discussion: 964 patients were included in the study. Majority of the patients were male and mostly in the sixth decade of life. 522 cases were positive for high risk of OSAS in terms of Berlin questionnaire. Analysis of data showed the proportion of males was more, the patients were older and BMI was more among the Berlin positive cases as compared to Berlin negative cases. Analysis also revealed that Berlin positivity rate was higher in patients with higher severity of hypertension as deemed by the use of more than one anti hypertensive drug as compared to hypertensive patients using only one anti hypertensive drug. These results reaffirm the significant association of OSA with the development and increase in severity of hypertension as reported in contemporary literature. Conclusion: Greater proportion of patients with severe hypertension had OSA than those with mild or no hypertension. Hence it should be investigated in the general work up of hypertensive patients.

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

Background & Aim: Periodontal dressings are commonly used following surgical procedures due to varied reasons. Though several studies have been done on periodontal dressings, not many have stressed upon the microbial load due to plaque retention. This study was undertaken to evaluate the use of the periodontal dressing following routine periodontal flap surgery to no dressing, in terms of added microbial load due to increased plaque retention. Methods: 20 patients from the Dept. of Periodontics, K. M. Shah Dental College and Hospital, undergoing flap surgical procedures in bilaterally identical areas were selected. Following the flap surgical procedure, half the area (20 sites) was given a periodontal dressing (test group) and the other half (20 sites) was left undressed (control group). Sutures were removed at day 7 from both the sides and plaque samples from the sutures were taken for culture on nutrient agar and blood agar and were assessed for colony forming units (CFU). Results: The cultures from the test group showed higher CFU on both blood and nutrient agar (p<0.05) as compared to the control. The mean debris index for the control group, was 1.2 and that for the test group was 2.8 (p<0.05). Conclusion: Periodontal dressings facilitate debris and microbial growth and add to the microbial load of the surgically dressed areas.

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

Incorporation of soft tissue consideration, retention, changing trend in appliance design and treatment biomechanics has led to a lot of controversy in decision of extraction in orthodontics. Hence an attempt was made to review the orthodontic considerations for the choice of extraction in an orthodontic treatment. The literature was refined with the advanced search option for case reports, meta-analysis, and randomized control trial, retrospective and prospective studies. We observed that extraction of second premolar was more advantageous in orthodontic treatment.

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