1.Haematological and biochemical markers as predictors of dengue infection
The Malaysian Journal of Pathology 2015;37(3):247-251
Dengue is a viral infection which has become a serious problem in recent years. It is a major cause
of mortality and morbidity. The present study is a prospective, hospital-based, observational study
done from August 2014 to October 2014. The objective of our study was to consider whether dengue
infection can be suspected based on haematological and biochemical findings. The study included
100 patients positive for dengue infection. Complete hemogram, transaminases for liver injury,
blood urea and serum creatinine levels for renal assessment were performed for these patients. The
most common haematological findings were thrombocytopenia, leucopenia, an increase in the mixed
cell fraction of the leucocytes and the presence of reactive lymphocytes. Biochemical parameters
like the aminotranferases, blood urea and serum creatinine levels were significantly raised. Hence,
a platelet count of <100,000 cells/μl, leucopenia of <4000cells/μl and aspartate aminotransferase
levels of >82.2 U/L can be considered as predictors of dengue infection.
2.Antimicrobial activity of leaf extracts of Justicia adhatoda L. in comparison with vasicine
Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine 2012;(z3):1556-1560
Objective: To ascertain the antimicrobial activity of methanolic leaf extracts of Justicia adhatoda and vasicine against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Serratia marcescens, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans and Aspergillus flavus. Methods: The antimicrobial activity of the concentrated leaf extracts of J. adhatoda was evaluated by determination of the diameter of zone of inhibition against bacteria and fungi. 25μg ml-1 concentration was used to check the antimicrobial activity of plant extracts and vasicine. Minimum inhibitory concentrations and minimum microbicidal concentrations were determined against all the pathogens. Sensitivity of the pathogens was also checked with four standard antibiotics, ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin for bacteria and nystatin and amphotericin B for fungi. Results: The phytochemical studies revealed the presence of alkaloids in the extracts were active against both bacteria and fungi. Studies on the minimum inhibitory concentration of the extracts on the test organisms showed that the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum microbicidal concentrations were demonstrated against Serratia marcescens, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the highest minimum inhibitory concentration was exhibited against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcuspyogenes, Klebsiella pnuemoniae. Among fungi Aspergillus flavus showed lowest minimum inhibitory concentration whereas Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans showed highest minimum inhibitory concentration. Conclusion: The present study revealed that J. adhatoda has broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity and a potential source of antimicrobial agents that could be useful for chemotherapy and control of infectious diseases.
3.Role of serum sodium levels in prediction of seizure recurrence within the same febrile illness
Jayashree Nadkarni ; Ila Binaykiya ; Utkarsh Sharma ; Rashmi Dwivedi
Neurology Asia 2011;16(3):195-197
Background & Objective: Febrile seizure is the most common seizure disorder in the paediatric age
group and often recurs within the fi rst twenty four hours. It has been observed that children with
recurrent febrile seizure have lower serum sodium levels.
The study was conducted to ascertain the role of serum sodium as a predictor of seizure recurrence
within the same febrile illness. Methods: 70 children admitted for febrile seizure between 6 months
to 5 years were included in the study; they were divided into two groups, those with a single episode
of seizure and the remaining were children with recurrent seizures. An age and sex matched group
of 35 children with fever but no convulsion were the controls. Serum sodium levels were evaluated
in all the children. Results: There was no signifi cant difference in the mean serum sodium between
the study group and controls. The mean serum sodium level of children with recurrent seizures is
signifi cantly lower than the mean serum sodium level of children with a single seizure (134.31SD
3.79 versus 138.2 SD 3.66 mmol/l, p<0.01).
Conclusion: Measurement of the serum sodium in a child with febrile seizures helps in predicting
seizure recurrence within the same febrile illness.
4.Antioxidant activity of Palmarosa essential oil (Cymbopogon martini) grown in north Indian plains
Kapil LAWRENCE ; Reena LAWRENCE ; Dharmendra PARIHAR ; Rashmi SRIVASTAVA ; Abhishek CHARAN
Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine 2012;(z2):888-891
Objective: The present study deals with the in vitro study of antioxidant activity of essential oil from Palmarosa (Cymbopogon martini) of family gramineae. Methods:The in vitro study of antioxidant activity of Palmarosa essential oil has been done by using DPPH assay, Nitrogen oxide assay, reducing power assay, β-carotene bleaching assay and FRAP method. Results: IC50 values observed for DPPH and NO assay were 0.125 mg/mL and 12.5 μg/mL, respectively.In beta carotene bleaching method, the oil showed 93.15% bleaching for the first hour and it increased to 51.1% in second hour. There was a constant increase in the reducing activities with the increase in concentrations in both reducing activity and FRAP mehods. In all the methods BHT and Gallic acid were kept as standards. Conclusions: The results clearly indicate that Palmarosa essential oil is effective in scavanging free radical and has the potential to be powerful antioxidant.
5. A critical analysis of rising intolerance and growing polarisation: Lynching
Journal of International Pharmaceutical Research 2019;46(4):402-405
“Fear of law and veneration for the Scomm and of the law constitutes the foundation of a civilized society. Lynching is an affront to the rule of law and to the exalted values of the Constitution itself. We may say without any fear of contradiction that lynching by unruly mobs and barbaric violence arising out of incitement and instigation cannot be allowed to become the order of the day.”-Tehseen S. Poonawalav. Union of India The term ‘Law’ do not just have a mere existence rather is being enacted and enforced for the betterment of the public at large. For benefits of the citizens various basic rights has been conferred upon them and accordingly their social behaviour is being regulated. Citizens in return is required to mandatorily abide by the enforced laws. From the era of divinity, the study of various religion has always laid emphasis on to the laid down norms to regulate the human conduct in the society. Law has been the crucial part of this man-made society. The very basic purpose of law is to keep a check upon the actions of the individual and to protect the society from various criminal activities. But Lynching, an act, comprising of violence which sets aside the laid down laws is gradually becoming a fear for the public at large. It signifies that people are seeking for instant justice for any form of crime thereby creating a threat to the existing laws which are meant to preserve and protect the society. Nothing else can define the act of Lynching in a best possible way then this statement given by Mahatma Gandhi: “an eye for an eye can turn the whole world blind.”.
6.Valsalva retinopathy during end stage labour:considerations for treatment (a case report)
Konstantinos I PAPAGEORGIOU ; Rashmi G MATHEW ; Alexanoer S IOANNIDIS ; Ajay, SINHA ; Petros S ANDREOU
International Eye Science 2007;7(3):621-622
AIM: To discuss the options for treatment (conservative versus surgical) in cases of Valsalva Retinopathy, reported during pregnancy.METHODS:We report the case of a healthy pregnant woman, who developed a dense premacular subhyaloid haemorrhage, in the right eye following a normal spontaneous vaginal delivery. She was managed conservatively.RESULTS: At 3 weeks the haemorrhage had contracted and the vision was HM but by the 6th month, the haemorrhage had resolved and vision returned to 6/5 in the right eye.CONCLUSION: Most cases of Valsalva retinopathy resolve spontaneously. Authors have shown the beneficial effect of Nd:YAG membranotomy of the internal limiting membrane.Early vitrectorny has also been advocated, as it delaminates the membrane which can act a scaffold for neovascularization.
7.Mycological study of dermatophytosis in a part of South India
Raghavendra Rao Morubagal ; Rashmi Padmanabha Mahale ; Sowmya Govindanahalli Shivappa ; Tejashree Anantharajaurs ; Madhuri Kulkarni
Malaysian Journal of Microbiology 2017;13(1):1-5
Aims: Epidermophyton, Microsporum and Trichophyton are the genera of dermatophytes causing superficial mycoses.
These infections are on rise due to increase in immunocompromised patients and favorable environmental conditions
in countries like India. The present study was undertaken to identify dermatophytes causing superficial fungal infection
by microscopy and culture techniques which helps in accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment of cases.
Methodology and results: Samples were collected from affected sites after cleaning the affected surface with 70%
alcohol. All samples were microscopically examined for presence of hyphal structures by digesting in 10% to 40% KOH
solution. All samples were inoculated into Sabouraud dextrose agar with chloramphenicol and Sabouraud dextrose
agar with cycloheximide and chloramphenicol and incubated at room temperature for four weeks. Tease mount
technique and slide culture technique were used for identification of dermatophytes. One hundred and ten samples
from clinically suspected dermatophytoses which includes 77(70%) from male and 33(30%) from female patients were
processed for identification of dermatophytes. Samples were subjected to microscopy and culture. In 61 samples
(54.54%) fungal hyphae were seen by direct microscopic examination (KOH). Fifty six samples (50%) yielded
dermatophyte growth in culture. Trichophyton rubrum was the predominant species isolated followed by T. violaceum
and T. mentagrophytes.
Conclusion, significance and impact of study: Accurate and rapid diagnosis of superficial fungal infection is
essential for proper management of cases. Direct microscopy is very good method for routine diagnosis, however
culture remains gold standard.
Arthrodermataceae
8.Hematopoietic Stem Cells Culture, Expansion and Differentiation: An Insight into Variable and Available Media
Pooja YADAV ; Ravina VATS ; Afsareen BANO ; Rashmi BHARDWAJ
International Journal of Stem Cells 2020;13(3):326-334
Owing to differentiation and self-renewal capacity, hematopoietic stem cells clasp potentiality to engender all blood cell types, leading to their immense competence to play a diverse role in therapeutic applications. Although these stem cells are the most investigated and exploited until now, further research is still essential to comprehend their nature, fate, and potential. Enhanced usage of hematopoietic stem cells in research and therapeutics intensified the requirement of expansion and differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells under in vitro conditions. Since these cells remain in senescence for a prolonged period before isolation, selection of appropriate growth medium along with supplements and culture conditions are crucial to initiate their cell division and to designate their destiny. The precise equilibrium between self-renewal and differentiation of stem cells sustained by exclusive medium along with special growth or differentiation factors is accountable for generating diverse cell lineages. Maintenance of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell lines along with the advancement of research work generate an inexorable demand for production and commercialization of specialized stem cell culture media, with or without serum along with specific growth factors and supplements. Media commercialization for precise stem cell types, culturing and differentiation is a cost-effective developing field. Here in this review, we are assembling various types of hematopoietic stem cell self-renewal, expansion and differentiation media along with supplements and culture conditions, either developed and used by various scientists or are available commercially.
9.An Exploratory Study of Peripheral Vestibular System in Users of Personal Listening Devices
Teja Deepak DESSAI ; Kaushlendra KUMAR ; Rashmi J. BHAT
Journal of Audiology & Otology 2025;29(1):22-30
Background and Objectives:
The widespread use of mobile phones and personal listening devices (PLDs) poses potential health risks, particularly noise-induced hearing loss. Among younger generations, high-volume PLD use is associated with auditory and vestibular system changes. Clinical vestibular testing, including vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP) and the video head impulse test (vHIT), may reveal peripheral vestibular impacts from prolonged PLD exposure at volumes over 60%. This study examines VEMP and vHIT results in individuals with normal hearing who have had extended high-volume PLD exposure.
Subjects and Methods:
A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted on individuals aged 15-24 years. All the participants had normal pure tone thresholds with “A” type tympanogram, present acoustic reflexes, and history of PLD usage. Participants were divided into groups according to PLD exposure of <1 year (group A), 1.1-2 years (group B), 2.1-3 years (group C), and 3.1-4 years (group D). The output sound pressure level (dB SPL) near the tympanic membrane was measured. Furthermore, cervical VEMP, ocular VEMP, and vHIT were assessed.
Results:
The VEMP and vHIT findings were statistically analyzed and compared across groups. The peak-to-peak amplitudes of VEMP showed a statistically significant difference between groups A and D.
Conclusions
Potential subclinical damage to the otolith organs can be associated with increased PLD exposure. No damage to the semi-circular canals was observed as the participants used lower dBA values by the PLDs.
10.An Exploratory Study of Peripheral Vestibular System in Users of Personal Listening Devices
Teja Deepak DESSAI ; Kaushlendra KUMAR ; Rashmi J. BHAT
Journal of Audiology & Otology 2025;29(1):22-30
Background and Objectives:
The widespread use of mobile phones and personal listening devices (PLDs) poses potential health risks, particularly noise-induced hearing loss. Among younger generations, high-volume PLD use is associated with auditory and vestibular system changes. Clinical vestibular testing, including vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP) and the video head impulse test (vHIT), may reveal peripheral vestibular impacts from prolonged PLD exposure at volumes over 60%. This study examines VEMP and vHIT results in individuals with normal hearing who have had extended high-volume PLD exposure.
Subjects and Methods:
A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted on individuals aged 15-24 years. All the participants had normal pure tone thresholds with “A” type tympanogram, present acoustic reflexes, and history of PLD usage. Participants were divided into groups according to PLD exposure of <1 year (group A), 1.1-2 years (group B), 2.1-3 years (group C), and 3.1-4 years (group D). The output sound pressure level (dB SPL) near the tympanic membrane was measured. Furthermore, cervical VEMP, ocular VEMP, and vHIT were assessed.
Results:
The VEMP and vHIT findings were statistically analyzed and compared across groups. The peak-to-peak amplitudes of VEMP showed a statistically significant difference between groups A and D.
Conclusions
Potential subclinical damage to the otolith organs can be associated with increased PLD exposure. No damage to the semi-circular canals was observed as the participants used lower dBA values by the PLDs.