Mass drug administration (MDA) with annual single dose of DEC and Albendazole is being carried out in India to achieve the National Health Policy goal of elimination of lymphatic filariasis by 2015. The study was conducted in the districts of the Union territory of Puducherry for processes evaluation of round of MDA conducted in 2012. We have conducted household surveys to assess the coverage of drug distribution and consumption, also to identify the reasons for non compliance and to make necessary recommendations for improving programme implementation. Cluster sampling method was followed for the household survey by circulating pre-tested questionnaire. Statistically sufficient numbers of samples were collected in all clusters of districts which are geographically separated. There was a significant variation between reported and assessed coverage. The coverage was comparable between the districts but significantly higher in rural areas compared to urban areas that may be due to acceptability of the drug by the rural people. Above 52% of target population have consumed the drug and consumption was significantly higher in the rural areas. Mahe region recorded a low consumption rate of between 19-42% in different wards, this may be due to misconception of people of Mahe that drugs which are given free of cost are of low quality. Selective intake of albendazole was noticed in Mahe.

BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: Gallbladder perforation is a rare but potentially fatal disease. We herein present our clinical experience in diagnosis and management of 32 cases of gallbladder perforation. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted with inclusion of all cases of gallbladder perforation that presented to our hospital from January 2012 to November 2014. Cases of traumatic gallbladder perforation and patients younger than 12 years of age were excluded from this study. RESULTS: This study included 32 patients (13 males and 19 females). The mean age of patients was 55.9 years. Gallbladder perforation was most common in the 5th and 6th decade of life. The mean age of patients with type I, II, and III gallbladder perforation was 57.0 years, 57.6 years, and 49.8 years, respectively. The most common site of perforation was the fundus, followed by the body and Hartmann's pouch (24 : 5 : 2). Most of the type I gallbladder perforations were diagnosed intraoperatively, type II gallbladder perforations were diagnosed by enhanced abdominal computed tomography, and type III gallbladder perforations were diagnosed during laparoscopic cholecystectomy converted to open cholecystectomy for cholelithiasis. Mortality was highest in patients with type I gallbladder perforation. The mean hospital stay was 10.1 days, 6.4 days, and 9.2 days in patients with type I, II, and III gallbladder perforation, respectively. The histopathologic analysis in 28 patients who were operated on showed acute cholecystitis in 19 cases, acute-on-chronic cholecystitis in 4 cases, chronic cholecystitis in 4 cases, and mucinous adenocarcinoma of the gallbladder in a single case. CONCLUSIONS: Gallbladder perforation represents a special diagnostic and surgical challenge. Appropriate classification and management are essential.
Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous ; Cholecystectomy ; Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic ; Cholecystitis ; Cholecystitis, Acute ; Cholelithiasis ; Classification ; Diagnosis ; Gallbladder* ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Male ; Mortality ; Retrospective Studies

Prospective case series.

Prospective case series.

Gelam honey was reported to exhibit anti-oxidative, anti-tumour and anti-inflammatory properties against many types of cancer. The main aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of Gelam honey on the oxidative stress level of human lung cancer cells. IC50 of Gelam honey was identified by treating A549 cells with different doses of honey (50-200 mg/ml). The cells were divided into four groups and induced with stress using hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) accordingly: control, H2O2, Gelam honey, H2O2 + Gelam honey. After 24 hrs of treatment, oxidative stress markers such as malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonyl, were determined. Induction of oxidative stress significantly increased the levels of MDA (p<0.05) but had no effect on protein carbonyl levels. Treatment with Gelam honey was found to reduce MDA levels (p<0.05) in A549 cells exposed to H2O2 but had no effect on the level of protein carbonyl. Interestingly, Gelam honey treatment alone had no effects on the levels of MDA and protein carbonyl. In conclusion, Gelam honey reduces lipid peroxidation but not protein oxidation in human lung cancer cells subjected to oxidative stress.