Objective:To evaluate the antibacterial activity of the leaf extracts of Cestrum diurnum, Ocimum sanctum, Carcica papaya, Solanum villosum, Vitex negundo, and Clerodendron inerme against two gram positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus MTCC 2940 and Bacillus subtilis MTCC 441) and two gram negative bacteria (Escherichia coli MTCC 739 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa MTCC 2453). Methods: The sensitivity of two gram positive and two gram negative pathogenic multi-drug resistant bacteria to extracts of leaves of six medicinal plants used as popular medicine in India was studied in vitro by the disk diffusion method and minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC). Results: All the bacterial strains were found to be sensitive to aqueous, n-hexane and ethanol extracts. But, it is evident that the organic extracts were comparatively more effective than aqueous extracts. Conclusions: It can be concluded that the leaf extracts of the six medicinal plants possess antibacterial activity against human pathogens.

A cross-sectional study was conducted with the aim to explore the present status of birth preparedness and complication readiness in rural area of West Bengal and determine the possible factor(s) influencing their knowledge and practice regarding this concern. Thirty villages with homogenous characteristics were identified by cluster sampling methods from a rural block (Bhatar, Burdwan district, West Bengal) of India on April 2013 to November 2013. From every cluster 7 mothers who had delivered baby within the last year and were available first, interviewed consecutively using a guided questionnaire adapted from JHPIEGO Maternal and Neonatal Health Programme survey tools. Multivariate logistic regression was applied in analysis to predict how much the independent variables influenced the birth preparedness of mothers. 62.4% mothers were found to be well prepared. Trained birth attendants and health facilities were identified before delivery in 81.9% and 78.1% cases respectively. Mode of transportation for complication management or delivery was pre-decided by about 60% of family. Only 35.7% family saved money for the same purpose. Logistic regression revealed that well preparedness increased 11 times with every new pregnancy, but it did not depend on caste and education status of the mothers. The overall birth preparedness status of the rural mothers is poor and they acquire more knowledge regarding birth preparedness from their self experience rather than from existing health system. ​
Parturition ; Rural Population ; India

Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS), or allergic granulomatosis, is a rare disease manifested by tissue infiltration, hypereosinophilia and vasculitis. Renal involvement may be seen in up to 50% of cases. We report the case of a 25-year old man who presented with a history of fever for two months, tingling, numbness, and paraesthesia of the upper limbs and left lower limb, along with diarrhoea for one month and an inability to walk for the past seven days. Serial laboratory investigations helped to reach the final diagnosis of CSS with mononeuritis multiplex, and skin, pulmonary and gastrointestinal involvement with hypertension. This is due to renal involvement in the form of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis without any nephrotic range proteinuria, which is a very rare clinical entity. The patient's symptoms were relieved after the administration of an unconventional mode of therapy.
Adult ; Biopsy ; Churg-Strauss Syndrome ; complications ; diagnosis ; Fever ; Glomerulosclerosis, Focal Segmental ; complications ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Kidney ; pathology ; Kidney Diseases ; complications ; Male ; Proteinuria ; diagnosis ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Skin ; pathology ; Treatment Outcome

p style=text-align: justify;strongOBJECTIVES:/strong To assess effects of type 3 thyroplasty on outcomes of voice quality in puberphonia.METHODS:br /Design:/strong Prospective cohortbr /strongSetting:/strong Tertiary Referral Hospitalbr /strongParticipants:/strong Six patients with puberphonia who failed voice therapy, aged 16-25 years, who consulted at the ENT Outpatient department between September 2010 and September 2012, underwent type 3 thyroplasty.Pre-operative and 6-month post-operative voice analysis by voice recordings, Voice Handicap Index (VHI), GRBAS score and real time acoustic analysis (perturbation) using Dr Speech software (University version 4.0, Voice Tech Corporation, USA [Tiger Electronics] with habitual fundamental frequency (FO), jitter % and shimmer % as parameters were performed.Results: Mean pre-operative VHI and GRBAS scores were 53 and 75.67, respectively, whereas post-operative scores were 29 and 25.00, respectively. (P-value for VHI was 0.004 and that of GRBAS was 0.00). On acoustic analysis, mean pre-operative habitual fundamental frequency (FO), jitter % and shimmer % was 245.82 Hz, 0.21 and 2.34, respectively, whereas post-operative mean was 140.78 Hz (P=0.00), 0.19 (P=0.04) and 1.52 (P=0.00), respectively.Conclusion: The mainstay of treatment of puberphonia is voice therapy. Thyroplasty provides a suitable management option in those cases who fail to respond by voice therapy./p
Human ; Male ; Adult ; Young Adult ; Adolescent ; Laryngoplasty ; Surgical Procedures, Operative ; Voice Quality ; treatment