Recent Articles

Hydrotherapy, as the name suggests is the most ancient method of treating diseases by using water in its various forms. The use of water for therapy has been around for hundreds of years. The cold wet sheet pack is one of the common hydrotherapy techniques used for reducing body weight. There have been no documented studies conducted to scientifically evaluate this effect. This study is an attempt to examine the effect of cold wet sheet pack on body temperature. Application of cold wet sheet pack for particular duration increases the body temperature by utilization of calories thus may leads to reduction of bodyweight. Thirty healthy volunteers were randomly selected from medical students enrolled in a naturopathic programme. The participants were of both sexes aged between 18 and 25 years under normal Body mass index (18.5-25). A cold (20 oC± 1 oC) wet sheet pack has given to each of the participants for one hour duration. The outcome measures were resting blood pressure, body temperature and pulse rate. 30 Participants were successfully completed the study, all participants have shown a raise in body temperature after intervention which was statistically significant (P=0.003). There is no significant change in blood pressure and pulse rate. Also there was a week positive correlation between body mass index and body temperature. A cold wet sheet pack for one hour has shown a raise in body temperature, which indicate that the cold wet sheet pack have a role in reducing body weight by utilizing the calories. However, these observations are based on a short term single arm pre-post design on healthy students. A cold wet sheet pack has been demonstrated in this study to have a significant effect in increasing body temperature and shows perspiration by utilization of calories. Large scale randomized control trials in obese patients over a longer period are warranted to conform the results which was uncovered in this study.

In this paper, we introduce the notion of a complex interval which is significant for interval-valued data and interval-based signal processing. First, we present the space of complex intervals and investigate the quasilinear structure of the space of complex intervals. We observe that this space is Hilbert quasilinear space with a set-valued inner product.

In order to detect if there is any correlation between the level of total and specific Chlamydia serology titre and the degree of tubal disease at laparoscopy in sub fertile women and to compare the results with a control group. A retrospective controlled clinical study was conducted in a hospital setting (both inpatient and outpatient clinic). A total of hundred and twenty two sub fertile women who underwent laparoscopy/tubal surgery in the period between January 2011-January 2014 were included. This included 40 women with positive Chlamydia Trachomatis specific titre (group 1), 40 with positive Chlamydia serology total titre only (group 2) and 42 women with negative Chlamydia serology titre (control group). Chlamydia serology titre was measured by ELISA. The differentiated Chlamydia specific titres were measured using Microscopic Immunofluorescence Assay (MIF) to determine the immunity status. The Chlamydia Trachomatis IgG titres were classified for the purpose of the study into normal (=1/64). Laparoscopic grading of tubal disease was performed into grades 1-3 according to the severity of the tubal damage which was compared to the Chlamydia titre. Pearson`s correlation test was used as a descriptive measure.

Realistic assessment of the yield and nutritional value of baobab as well as the elucidation of its inhibitory action against oxidative stress were the targets of the study. An average baobab tree can yield 80kg fruits, 14kg pulp, 23kg seeds and 130kg leaves per year. Despite considerable variability, the leaves outstrip in mean Ca (1241 mg/100g dry sample), Fe (40mg/100g dry sample) and ß-carotene (135μg/100g dry sample) content.

Background: Echocardiography and lung ultrasound are important tests for assessing left the ventricular function in patients presented to the emergency department with acute pulmonary edema. Chest ultrasound is becoming an important tool in diagnosing acute pulmonary edema. Aim: To investigate the relationship between the B profile on ultrasound chest and Spectral tissue Doppler echocardiography (E/e’ratio) in patients presented with the suspicion of acute pulmonary edema. Methods: This paper reports a prospective observational study of 61 consecutive patients, which was presented with symptoms and signs of pulmonary edema and B - profile detected by echocardiography with a 5 MHz curvilinear probe. Critical care physicians trained in ultrasound examination performed echocardiography and chest ultrasounds.

To determine the causes of wildlife morbidity and mortality in East Tennessee, we performed a retrospective analysis using 14,303 records from cases presented to the wildlife clinic of the University of Tennessee between 2000 and 2011. The cases were first categorized into herptile (includes reptiles and amphibians), mammal, or avian and then classified into 1 of 20 groups based on the primary admitting/presenting sign. The top reasons for presentation were trauma, found abandoned/orphaned, hit by automobile, cat-related injury, and dog-related injury. Overall mortality was 45.3% for the herptile cases, 57.6% for mammal cases, and 65.1% for avian cases. There are a variety of reasons animals were presented to the clinic, and some appear to be attributed to anthropogenic factors such as automobiles (n = 1253) and habitat destruction (n = 218), while the origin of others, such as trauma and disease remain unknown. This study confirms the importance of monitoring wildlife morbidity and mortality as an indicator of ecosystem health and of focusing efforts to reduce the anthropogenic threat on native habitats and resident wildlife populations.

Temperature and size dependence magnetic moment of zigzag (n, 0) (n= 4, 6, 8, 10) copper oxide nanotubes (CuO NTs) have been computed by using a standard density functional theory. The computational work carried out by employing spin polarized generalized gradient approximation with revised Perdew Burke Ernzerhoff type parameterization along ab-initio approach. Bond length, binding energy and total magnetic moment have been analyzed and found that the bond length decreases at first and become saturated with increasing size of the nanotube.

Aim: In the present study we aimed to determine the prevalence of thyroid cancer and the clinicopathological properties of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) in a patient population undergoing dialysis for end-stage renal failure (ESRF). Material and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all thyroid ultrasonography (USG) examinations performed between January 2007 and December 2015 to determine the incidence of nodular thyroid disease in ESRF and normal patient populations. For both patient groups, differences between patient and tumor characteristics were evaluated in patients diagnosed to have PTC.

Introduction: Yersinia pestis, the etiologic agent of plague, has caused major pandemics in human history and continues to be both a natural and bioterrorist threat to human populations. Plague exists in nature in either an epidemic or enzootic state. Geographic models of the epidemic state have primarily been developed using flea and reservoir species, however little is known of the enzootic state and potential cryptic reservoir species and few endemic models have been produced.

A food allergy usually occurs when the body reacts abnormally to a food. The symptoms of food allergy may range from mild to severe. The onset of food allergy usually begins in the childhood, but it can occur at any age. The onset of allergy may vary from minutes to several hours. Reactions to foods are not limited to ingestion reactions only, but even a tiny amount of the allergy-causing food can trigger signs and symptoms such as digestive problems, hives or asthma.

Chikungunya is a viral disease caused by positive sense single stranded RNA virus. High fever, myalgia, arthralgia, body rashes are the characteristic features of Chikungunya transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. We aim to demonstrate that dominant epitopes of envelope E2 protein can be used for diagnostic purposes as well as vaccine design. Multiple Antigenic Peptide (MAP) approach was used based on B and T cell epitopes of E2 protein. Humoral and cell mediated responses were studied in outbred and inbred H-2d mice. Different groups of mice were immunized intramuscularly with or without adjuvant (CpG ODN and murabutide) in PLGA microspheres. MAP entrapped in microspheres with CpG ODN showed highest IgG peak titer (2,98,000) with IgG subclass, mostly IgG2a/2b distribution. MAP’s antisera showed significant immunoreactivity with individual peptides. During thymidine incorporation assay for T cells, all the MAPs showed high lympho-proliferative response. Cytokine profile was dominated by Th1 and Th17 response. Thus, all the MAPs showed high humoral and cell mediated response with CpG/ murabutide adjuvant. MAP’s antisera showed significant in vitro neutralization of CHIKV strain in vero cells.

Viruses are obligate intracellular parasites that require living cells in order to replicate. Cell culture for propagation and identification of viruses is an important component of the clinical virology laboratory. In general, diagnostic tests can be grouped into three categories: direct detection, virus isolation and serology. Direct examination methods can usually give a result either within the same or the next day. Immunofluorescence is widely used for the rapid diagnosis of virus infections by detection of virus antigen in clinical specimens and detection of virus-specific antibodies.

Objective: Concomitant chemoradiation (RCT) represents the standard of care for locally-advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).Nevertheless induction chemotherapy (IC) followed by RCT is currently an attractive approach. Some trials showed a survival benefit of this therapeutic strategy. The aim of this study was to analyze complete clinical response (CCR) after IC and to assess its impact on disease control and survival.

Concurrent scalp, skull, lung and bone metastasis from follicular thyroid carcinoma is a very rare event. We herein present the case of a 37- year’s old lady, who presented to us with huge scalp swelling that proved to be metastasis from a follicular thyroid carcinoma. The metastatic workup disclosed bilateral lung metastasis and additional metastasis in right iliac crest and 6th rib. The course of her disease was relentless. Although follicular thyroid carcinoma has an excellent prognosis, the presence of metastatic disease leads to a very dismal prognosis.

Background and Objective: In response to low consumption levels of fruits and vegetables (F&V) by Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants, the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona created the Double Up SNAP (DUSP) farmers’ market (FM) incentive program to examine its impact on awareness of and access to FM, and F&V purchase and consumption in Pima County, AZ.

This study was designed to assess the nutrition status of the elderly in Ondo State Nigeria. Random sampling techniques were used to select 1155 elderly for this study. Socio-demographic characteristics, clinical assessment, food consumption pattern, anthropometric measurements of the elderly were determined. Data entry and analysis were done with the use of scientific instruments. This involved the SPSS version 17. It detailed the analytical tools, including frequencies, percentage and correlations. The result showed that Intake of nutrients by the elderly was shown to be inadequate.

An age-appropriate, culturally sensitive Nutrition and Physical Activity Education Model (NPAEM) for cancer risk reduction was developed and implemented. NPAEM was underpinned by the social-cognitive theory. Participants (N=86) were 8 to 11-year-old students from public elementary schools in Macon County, Alabama. The NPAEM comprised of 11 topics and activity/worksheets. Lesson plans, evaluation and hands-on activity/worksheets were developed. The 15-week intervention was cross-sectional, with a pre- and post-assessment design and weekly 45-minute lessons.

Research has suggested that poor insight in patients with schizophrenia is associated with poorer treatment compliance. One factor ontributing to poor insight may be neurocognitive deficits. The aim of the current study is to explore the relationship between cognitive insight, clinical insight, treatment adherence, executive functions and sustained attention within patients with schizophrenia. The study was conducted on 41 patients with schizophrenia using the Beck cognitive insight scale, the schedule for assessment of insight, the drug attitude inventory and two neuropsychological tests.

Cholesterol granuloma (CG) is a foreign body reaction to the deposition and inadequate drainage of cholesterol crystals that are frequently found in association with chronic diseases. The clinical symptoms are non-specific. The differential diagnosis of CG includes cysts, mucocoeles and neoplasms. Radiological and histopathological findings are essential for diagnosis of CG. In this report it is aimed to introduce a case of CG in antrochoanal polyp with its clinical and histopathological findings.

Generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) is an acute and uncommon form of psoriasis, representing about 3% of all psoriasis cases. Triggers may include streptococcical infections, emotional stress, vaccinations and exposure to medications such as penicillin. Systemic therapy is often necessary for GPP, since it may rapidly evolve, leading to significant and potentially fatal complications. Here, we describe the case of a 5-year-old male presenting with diffuse erythema, confluent scaly plaques and painful pustules localized on the trunk and limbs. Systemic manifestations such as fever, general lymphadenopathy and arthritis were also observed. To date, no standardized treatment guideline exists for infantile acute generalized pustular psoriasis. Our patient responded successfully to cyclosporine treatment within 4 weeks without any side effects. Thus, cyclosporine could be considered a useful agent in cases of pediatric GPP, keeping in mind its side effect profile in child population.