Introduction: In the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Program (RNTCP), microscopic examination of sputum for acid-fast bacilli (AFB) is currently the backbone for the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis. Studies have shown liquefaction and concentration of sputum by 5% sodium hypochlorite is useful in providing increased sensitivity and safety for the handling of specimens. Objective: To assess the utility of the 5% Sodium hypochlorite concentration method in increasing the sensitivity of smear microscopy for detection of AFB for diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis. Methods: The study included a total of 1000 sputum samples from 500 patients with suspected pulmonary tuberculosis. Direct smears were prepared from the sputum samples as per RNTCP guidelines. The remaining sputum was used for bleach concentration and smears prepared from the concentrated material. Both smears were stained by Ziehl-Neelsen staining and screened for acid-fast bacilli and graded according to the RNTCP guidelines. Results: A total of 158 samples (15.8%) from 89 patients were positive by a routine direct method whereas by concentration method 236 samples (23.6%) from 143 patients were found positive diagnosing additional 54 patients. The gain in sputum smear positivity of 7.8% over the routine method is highly significant (p=0.0000, χ2= 270) with a 10.8% increase in case detection. Conclusions: Improvement in the sensitivity of smears microscopy will be useful in case detection of tuberculosis especially in resource-poor countries. The increased positivity of microscopy by bleach method indicates that would prove useful if included in the RNTCP to improve case detection. Keywords: Concentration; smear positivity; sodium hypochlorite; tuberculosis.
Introduction: India has undergone a remarkable demographic transition over the period time. Socioeconomic status indicators including education, income, and occupation are associated with coronary heart disease risk factors, morbidity, and mortality. Objective: To assess the socioeconomic status and diet restriction in patients with coronary artery diseases. Methods: The present study was a type of observational study conducted on total 200 subjects in Dhiraj Hospital, Sumandeep Vidyapeeth from August-2019 to July-2020 after ethical approval. Out of which 100 were coronary artery diseases and 100 were healthy controls. Patients with other than coronary artery diseases were excluded from the study, data were collected with the help of a pre-validated questionnaire and analyzed by SPSS-16 software. Results: Eighty-nine subjects with coronary artery diseases and seventy-five healthy controls were physically inactive. Eighty-five subjects with coronary artery diseases do not have any diet restriction, however, fifty-nine subjects had exposure to only primary education. Conclusion: Majority of the subjects were from a rural area, there were high illiteracy levels so there was low awareness. Patients could come to know the importance of physical activities and how to maintain a normal weight by following a dietary regimen to minimize the risks of disease.
Introduction: Type 2 diabetes mellitus, a prevalent global health problem, is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Metformin, the most widely used hypoglycemic agent can lead to a deficiency of vitamin B12. Very less information is available regarding the relationship between metformin therapy and vitamin B12 deficiency in the Nepalese population. Objectives: The study aims to evaluate the level of vitamin B12 in cases of diabetes mellitus under metformin therapy and to access the relationship of serum vitamin B12 level with the duration of metformin therapy. Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study with 300 diagnosed diabetes mellitus cases under metformin therapy were enrolled in the study after the consent was taken. The prior ethical clearance was taken and the duration of the study was from December 2021 to June 2022. Results: The study showed 78% (n=234) of the total diabetic cases under metformin therapy had lower vitamin B12. In 50-60 years, age group, 91% of them were vitamin B12 deficient. Vitamin B12 deficient cases were more with the increase in duration and dose of metformin therapy. All the diabetics who were under medication for 16-20 years had lower vitamin levels. About 94% (n=200) of the diabetics taking more than 1000 mg/day were vitamin B12 deficient whereas only 39% (n=34) of diabetics taking less than 1000mg/day were found to be deficient. Conclusions: Vitamin B12 is deficient in diabetics under long-term and higher doses of metformin therapy. Diabetic patients who are undergoing metformin treatment should monitor their vitamin B12 status as they are more prone to vitamin B12 deficiency.
Introduction: Depression disorder has significant potential morbidity and mortality, contributing to suicide, incidence and adverse outcomes of medical illness, disruption in interpersonal relationships, substance abuse, and lost work time. Objectives: The present study was designed to study the anti-depressant activity of the seeds extract of Zanthoxylum armatum using a forced swim test and tail suspension test on Swiss albino mice. The anti-depressant activity of the seeds of Zanthoxylum armatum was assessed using Chronic Unpredictable Mild-Stress (CUMS) induced depression in mice. Methods: The animals were treated with the methanolic extract of seeds of Zanthoxylum armatum orally at two doses of 100, 200mg/kg body weight for eight days after CUMS induced depression in mice. The results demonstrate that Methanolic extract of seeds of Zanthoxylum armatum has got anti-depressant potential. Results: The study showed that the extract of Zanthoxylum armatum had significant antidepressant activity. Microsoft Excel was used to calculate the mean ± SEM and one-way ANOVA followed by a turkey multiple comparison test was used to analyze the results. The seed extract presented significant antidepressant activity in mice (p<0.05). Conclusions: This study was conducted to explore the antidepressant activity of seeds extracts of plant Zanthoxylum armatum in CUMS induced mice.
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