Effectiveness of Educative Session on Knowledge, Attitude and Practice, on Diabetes and Dyslipidemia, of Patients Attending a Private Medical College Hospital in South-India

Introduction Diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia are non-communicable diseases that can be prevented and controlled by maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) in patients will provide information of much importance in Advocacy (to set guidelines by the Healthcare providers), Communication (increase awareness in subpopulation), and Social mobilization (improve services and expand community support). The study aimed to assess the effectiveness of an educative session on Knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) in patients attending a private medical college hospital on diabetes and dyslipidemia in the South-Indian population. Methodology The study was cross-sectional which included 100 patients (41 female and 59 male) of 18-50 years of age attending the hospital and the Central clinical laboratory for various disease conditions. A self-administered questionnaire on personal aspects and diabetes and dyslipidemia was collected. Result Among the study participants, 18% completed school education, 74% completed under-graduation, and 8% completed post-graduation. The frequency of livelihood showed 84% from rural and 16% from an urban background. Nearly 71% were active and 29% were sedentary performing self-activity. The source of information regarding the treatment of patients was also obtained from the patients to implement the same in advocacy. The knowledge of the study group on various aspects including the causes, symptoms, tests, complications of diabetes mellitus, lipid profile, dietary fiber, and exercises was analyzed. We found clarity of explanation about diabetes improved well after the educative session. Around 80% of responders believed that both fiber and routine exercises would contribute to preventing diabetes. Analysis of the attitude and practice revealed a significant knowledge of practicing proper diet, exercises, and routine health care after the educative session. Conclusion We conclude that healthcare providers shall focus on educating the patients according to their needs with the knowledge to have positive attitudes on healthy lifestyle practices in addition to the appropriate treatment.

Assessment of Psychological Stress Associated with COVID-19 Lockdown in the Urban Adult Population of India

Background: COVID-19, the unprecedented deadly pandemic has turned the world topsy-turvy. It has affected all the people like poor and rich, young and old, educated and uneducated, male and female with detrimental consequences. People who are in quarantine and/or lockdown are likely to develop a wide range of symptoms like psychological stress, irritability, anxiety, depression etc. Hence, this study was undertaken to assess the psychological effects of COVID-19 lockdown among adult population residing in Chennai, India. This study is a cross sectional descriptive study carried out in Chennai, India. A structured questionnaire was developed containing 25 questions related to the emotional disturbance, depression, self-concept, physical problems, cognitive changes and role performance and 7 questions related to the demographics. An online survey was conducted using a structured questionnaire using a non-probability snowball sampling technique. A total of 579 responses were received. The findings of the present study revealed that, among 579 respondents, more than half of the respondents 320(56.3%)were under severe psychological stress, 192(33.2%) respondents that is one third of the people had moderate psychological stress and remaining were having mild psychological stress. The study also revealed that there was a statistically significant association of psychological problems associated with demographic variables. Our Study revealed that people living in Chennai had severe psychological problem due to theCOVID-19 lockdown. This highlights the importance and immediate need for the development special intervention programmes for the people with psychological problems due to the COVID-19 lockdown.

The Utilization of Three-Dimensional Technology for an Accurate Diagnosis and Precise Treatment Planning in the Field of Orthodontics

The first important step in orthodontic treatment is an accurate diagnosis and precise treatment planning to correct the malocclusion. This process entails a proper examination and understanding of the nature of malocclusion and the anomaly of the underlying structures. The emergence of three dimensional (3D) technology has transformed the field of orthodontics. The present article aims to take into account some of the applications of 3D technology in the field of orthodontics.

A Brief Overview on Probiotics: The Health Friendly Microbes

Probiotics are defined as non-pathogenic live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer health benefits on the host. Association of probiotics with human beings has a lot of history. Well known as 'health-friendly bacteria', they are widely used commercially as a functional food. The popularity of probiotics has gone exponentially high due to an increasing number of clinical trials, supporting their beneficial effects. Several in vivo and in-vitro experimental evidence supports strain-specific and disease-specific probiotic efficacy to prevent and ameliorate antibiotic-associated diarrhoea, traveller's diarrhoea, ulcerative colitis, and many more. Besides, numerous recent studies have reported that probiotics could have a significant effect in alleviating various metabolic, lifestyle and diet-related disorders like obesity, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome Strains of Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus and Saccharomyces boulardii are the most commonly used as probiotics. Safety, efficacy, pathogenicity, infectivity, intrinsic property, virulence factors are to be addressed during probiotic selection. The underlying mechanisms of probiotics effects are still not fully elucidated and have been under intensive research. Numerous diverse, strain-specific probiotic mechanisms have been proposed, which include early colonization of perturbed microbes, competitive exclusion of pathogens, short-chain volatile fatty acid production, alteration of gut pH, immunomodulation and many more. Considering the remarkable influence on human health, probiotics seem to be alluring attractive agents to promote human health conditions and to improve the quality of life against several diseases. This review discusses the current documentation and recent advances on probiotics and their possible health attributes, in scientific literature, focusing on diverse, heterogeneous, and strain-specific mechanisms of action. Randomised human controlled clinical trials are needed to reconfirm its safety and beneficial effects.

Immediate Effect of Chin Tuck Exercises on Craniovertebral Angle and Shoulder Angle Among Collegiates with Forward Head Posture

Forward head posture (FHP) is the forward movement of the head that is caused by improper postural awareness and often results in muscular imbalance that causes pain. The forward head posture is found to be influenced by Craniovertebral Angle (CV) and shoulder angle (SA) that in turn causes rounded shoulder. These biomechanical changes prove to be a hindrance in maintaining neutral head posture and affects the structural integrity. A sample size of 43 were taken according to the selection criteria and the FHP was assessed through plumb line. Double tape was used as markers at tragus of the ear, C7 vertebrae and acromion process. Photos were taken and analyzed using AUTOCAD 2017 software and the results were obtained. A positive association found between the pre and post test results for CV angle with P=0.0001(P<0.05) and no significant association between the pre and posttest for SA with P=0.2 (P>0.05). The craniovertebral angle can be altered with the chin tuck exercises but has no effect on the shoulder angle, hence having no influence over the rounded shoulders but has some effect over the forward head posture.

Assessment of Psychology, Behaviour and Self-Medication Potential Among Indian People During CovID-19 Pandemic

Aim: This research work was done during the Indian festive season of 2020 to assess the attitude, mentality and psychological pattern of Indians. Also, the effect of yoga and meditation in combating the Covid-19 pandemic related stress was analyzed in the present research work. As Paracetamol and Diclofenac are OTC medications which are widely available without doctor’s prescription, the potential of self-medication for these drugs amidst the pandemic need to be studied, this study further attempted to analyze the rate and extent of self-medication of these drugs among Indians. Materials and Methods: An e-questionnaire survey bearing questions on pandemic-related mental stress, sleep duration, yoga, meditation practice, and extent of self-medication in combating the pandemic was floated to the residents of Bengaluru to collect their response. The collected data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software version 17. Results: A mixed response regarding their stress, anxiety, and fear expressed on a higher scale was the same before or during Covid could be perceived. The sleep pattern before and during CoVid had no significant variation (p>0.05) and appeared the same. All the respondents agreed that they spend considerable time with electronic gadgets during the Covid lockdown period. Most of the respondents (60%) practice yoga and meditation occasionally or daily. The high rate of self-medication with Paracetamol and Diclofenac drugs among Indian people in the current pandemic situation shows they are OTC and readily available. The self-medication practice is of real concern as it may cause a long-term impact on the consumers.

Anti-Diabetic Activity of Polypeptide-K Isolated from Momordica Charantia: A Retrospective Study of 142 Cases

Diabetes Mellitus occurs when the pancreas fails to produce sufficient insulin, or the body is unable to use the insulin produced effectively. In order to regulate the blood glucose of diabetic patients, Diabegard®, a herbal antidiabetic medicine and daily supplement, contains polypeptide-k which exists in the seed of Momordica Charantia (bitter gourd) was prescribed. Purpose: A retrospective study is therefore done with the aim to examine the effectiveness of Diabegard®, polypeptide-k in regulating the blood glucose and cholesterol level of diabetic patients who took Diabegard® for four weeks with a dose of 60 mg per day. Methods: A database record of 105 male and 37 female (ages 25-81) treated with Diabegard®, polypeptide-k was assessed. The effectiveness of Diabegard®, polypeptide-k in blood glucose regulation was determined based on four aspects: gender, three different age categories, four different categories of duration of the disease and five different categories of severity of the disease. The Pearson's correlation was used to find the correlation among variables. Paired sample t-test was used to compare the means of pre- and post-treatment of blood glucose level. One-way ANOVA was used to compare the means of different groups for each aspect. Results: Result showed that age and duration of disease (r2=0.469), pre-treatment of blood glucose and post-treatment of blood glucose (r2=0.606) showed positive relationship. Both paired sample T-test of pre-and post-treatment of blood glucose showed significant difference (p<0.05). Categories with very mild (7 mmol/L), severe (13.9-19.4mmol/L) and very severe (>19.4mmol/L) diabetes showed significant difference (p<0.05). Other tests showed no significant difference. Conclusion: In conclusion, this present retrospective study showed that Diabegard®, polypeptide-k was effective in controlling blood glucose level of all diabetic patients especially in patients with mild (26.87% reduction), severe (40.43% reduction) and very severe diabetes (49.27% reduction).

Regulatory Requirements of Quality Assurance Program in Nuclear Medicine – Review of the Procedures

The quality assurance program ensures that the entire radiological system and associated equipment are functioning properly and optimally. To this end, it is essential that a quality assurance program be in place in each medical facility where ionizing radiation sources are used, to verify the proper functioning of these instruments as well as the radionuclides measured in nuclear medicine. In addition, the procedures of the quality assurance program must comply with regulatory requirements and international recommendations. The method of this study is to review the regulatory requirements adopted by different countries regarding the quality assurance program procedures as well as various recent scientific works and those published by the International Atomic Energy Agency. In addition, to compare the radiation protection requirements of the procedures of the mentioned works; exposure justification and optimization, quality control, registration system, professional training and audit system and to suggest improvements. The result of the review study, add a procedure to the quality assurance program, so that the quality assurance attempts to cover all procedures involving sources of ionizing radiation, thus ensuring compliance with the standards of radiological safety in nuclear medicine facilities.

Effects of Industrial Waste Fish Oil Administration on Interleukin-6 (Il-6) Expression at Mice Colon being Induced by Azoxymethane (AOM) and Dextran Sodium Sulphate (DSS)

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the world’s third most cancer and the second highest mortality rate. The searching for new anti-inflammation substances with less adverse effects than aspirin for chemoprevention and adjuvant chemotherapy of CRC is running. The most notable one is fish oil containing omega 3. Kusmardi, et al. studied that industrial waste fish oil omega-3 level comes close enough to conventional fish oil industry. Study aims to reducing the level IL-6 on mice colon tissue being induced CRC using AOM/DSS by fish oil administration. Thirty male Swiss Webster mice are grouped into six treatments: positive control (aspirin), negative control (physiological saline), normal, high dose (fish oil 6mg/kgBW), medium dose (fish oil 3mg/kgBW), dan solvent control (corn oil). Colon tissue was stained using anti IL-6 antibody. Ten photos per slide were taken by microscope (400x), analyzed for the IL-6 expression by ImageJ®, and quantified for H-score. Data was analyzed using SPSS 24.0 (CI 95%) and p-value <0.05 is consider significant. Data are not normally distributed with median of 161.64 (119.4-260.67). Kruskal-Wallis test is significant in addition with Mann-Whitney test shows only high dose group has significant difference to negative control (p=0.008), medium dose (p=0.016) dan and solvent control (p=0.008). No significant difference reported between high dose and positive control group (p=0.69). High dose industrial waste fish oil can lower IL-6 expression in mice colon tissue induced CRC using AOM/DSS.

Analysis of Hospital Lethality of COVID-19 in Mexico

Background. COVID-19 has caused 244,830 deaths in Mexico. Evaluating the severity of this contingency is possible if the hospital fatality rate of COVID-19 is described because hospitalized patients present more severe conditions. Objective. To analyze the fatality of COVID-19 in hospitalized patients. Methods. A quantitative, descriptive, analytical, cross-sectional, and retrospective study was conducted using open database from Ministry of Health in Mexico. Results. The analysis included 71,189 discharges from patients diagnosed with COVID-19 in the Mexican Ministry of Health Hospitals during 2020. Of them, 27,403 were due to death, predominantly in men and age groups from 50 to 69 years. The general hospital fatality due to COVID-19 was 38.49%, a hospital fatality of 40.75% in men and 35.03% in women. The 55-to-99-year-old age groups, Baja California, Puebla, and Coahuila had a higher hospital fatality than the general fatality. Conclusion. Besides the deaths caused directly by COVID-19 (those that occurred due to respiratory failures), many deaths were indirect in persons with comorbidities exacerbated by this disease. Access to health services, social changes derived from job loss, home protection, and changes in social dynamics, facts expressed in the general mortality excess, cannot be quantified in our study. There are similar patterns with other persons infected worldwide: this disease is more severe for males and older age subjects.