Journal Issue: Volume: 11, No 1, Issue 41, JAN-MAR, 2013
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Volume
Number
Issue Date
2013
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
1812-2027
Journal Volume
Articles
Comparative Study of Microscopy and Polymerase Chain Reaction for the Diagnosis of Suspected Visceral Leishma- niasis Patients in Nepal
(Kathmandu University, 2013) Pandey, K; Mallik, AK; Pyakurel, S; Pun, SB; Pandey, BD
ABSTRACT
Background
Visceral leishmaniasis is potentially fatal protozoan diseases caused by Leishmania
donovani. Nepal is an endemic region in which visceral leishmaniasis causes a major
public health problem in the lowland areas that border the endemic areas of Bihar
state in India. Accurate diagnosis to inform treatment is a first step in achieving the
goal of visceral leishmaniasis elimination from South East Asian regions by 2020.
Objective
The objective of the present study was to compare between the Microcopy and
polymerase chain reaction for diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis.
Methods
In the present study, 236 bone marrow aspirations were collected from suspected
visceral leishmaniasis patients in Janakpur Zonal Hospital, Dhanusa district, Terai
region of Nepal in between 2003-2007. We evaluated bone marrow samples
by microscopic examination with subsequent testing of the same sample by
polymerase chain reaction and sequence analysis.
Results
Giemsa’s solution stained bone marrow slides stored for over five years were used
for polymerase chain reaction amplification. The result showed that 71% were
polymerase chain reaction positive and 56% were microscopic positive. Out of
104 microscopic negative bone marrow samples, 15% of samples were positive by
polymerase chain reaction.
Conclusion
Polymerase chain reaction could make a very good option for diagnosis by using
less or non-invasive material from visceral leishmaniasis patients in endemic areas
of Nepal.
KEY WORDS
Diagnosis, microscopy, Nepal, polymerase chain reaction, visceral leishmaniasis
Thyroid Hormone levels in Highlanders- A Comparison Be- tween Residents of Two Altitudes in Nepal
(Kathmandu University, 2013) Nepal, O; Pokhrel, BR; Khanal, K; Gyawali, P; Malik, SL; Koju, R; Kapoor, BK
ABSTRACT
Background
The endocrine changes related to altitude adaptation in human have attracted
physiologists around the globe for long. A number of high altitude studies to detect
the physiological changes have been performed now and then. But, the study
to see the hormonal changes to compare populations residing at different high
altitudes is a scarce. Hence, we have performed a study in native populations of
different high altitude comparing changes in thyroid hormones in western Nepal.
The Jharkot population included in this study is at altitude of 3760m and Jomsom
population at 2800m height from sea bed.
Objective
The study is to compare changes in thyroid hormones at two different high altitude
natives.
Methods
To compare thyroid status between high altitude natives at two different altitudes
a cross sectional study is performed by random sampling method. The blood
sample was collected in a vacutainer from fifty eight individuals after obtaining the
informed consent of participants. The blood collected from antecubital vein was
centrifuged in an hour and the serum obtained was used for biochemical analysis of
free triiodothyronine, free thyroxine and thyroid stimulating hormone.
Results
Mean free thyroxine (fT4) of Jharkot population is significantly larger (p = 0.001)
than Jomsom population. Mean thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) with p =
0.597, does not indicate the difference between this two population. There is no
significant difference between mean free triiodothyronine (fT3) of Jharkot and
Jomsom population (p = 0.345).
Conclusion
The rise in free thyroid hormone at high altitude is not dependent on the thyroid
stimulating hormone released from anterior pituitary. The rise in free thyroxine
is found at higher altitude and no difference in fT3 level is detected in population
studied at high altitudes.
KEY WORDS
Free triiodothyronine, free thyroxine, TSH, high altitude, t-test
Inter- Relationship Between Rheumatoid Arthritis and Peri- odontitis
(Kathmandu University, 2013) Rajkarnikar, J; Thomas, BS; Rao, SK
ABSTRACT
Background
Periodontal medicine defines a rapidly emerging branch of Periodontology
focusing on establishing a strong relationship between periodontal health and
systemic health. It is speculated that the major common dysregulation which links
Periodontitis with Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is being played by the mediators of
immune inflammatory response.
Objectives
To determine whether there is any relationship between periodontal disease and
Rheumatoid arthritis.
Methods
A total of 100 patients were included for the present study which was divided into
two groups: one group (cases) included 50 patients attending the Department
of Orthopedics, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal who were diagnosed of
Rheumatoid arthritis. Another subject population included 50 patients as controls
attending the Department of Oral Medicine, Manipal College of Dental Sciences,
Manipal with age and gender matched with those of rheumatoid arthritis group.
Specific measures for periodontitis included plaque index, gingival index, number of
missing teeth, and radiographic alveolar bone loss scores. Measures of rheumatoid
arthritis included health assessment questionaires, levels of C-reactive protein
(CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). Various periodontal parameters
were compared between the cases and controls.
Results
The average alveolar bone loss was statistically more severe in Rheumatoid arthritis
(RA) group than in the controls although there were similar plaque index in both the
groups. The gingival index was statistically higher in the RA group. The Erythrocyte
Sedimentation Rate (ESR) and C- Reactive Protein (CRP) levels of RA patients were
also significantly associated with the severity of periodontal disease.
Conclusion
There was a significant association between Rheumatoid arthritis and Periodontitis
which may be due to a common underlying deregulation of the inflammatory
response in these individuals.
KEY WORDS
Periodontitis, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory disease, ESR, CRP
Premarital Sex Behaviors Among College Youths of Kathmandu, Nepal
(Kathmandu University, 2013) BC, GB; Basel, PL
ABSTRACT
Backgroud
Unhealthy premarital sex behavior leads to several health problems namely;
sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), Human Immune Virus and Acquired Immune
Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS), unwanted pregnancies, abortions and maternal
deaths. Unwanted pregnancies and unsafe abortions are rampant in Nepal despite
introduction of legal provision for safe abortion since 2003. Lately, unsafe sex
and sex without condoms and drinking before sex is increasing in trend in youth
population. The primary aim of this study was to explore the factors associated
with premarital sex behaviors.
Objectives
The main objective of the study was to identify the premarital sex behaviors and
related factors among college youths in Kathmandu, Nepal.
Methods
Descriptive and explorative study of size 230 college youths aged between 18-
24 years. Data were collected by self-administered questionnaire from February
26 to March 15, 2012. The reliability of the questionnaire was ensured by using
Cronbach’s alpha.
Results
Late youths of age 20-24 were more likely to experience premarital sex than early
youths of age 18-19 years old. Urban youths were less involved in premarital sex
behavior than rural youth. Youths having negative attitudes towards premarital sex
were more likely to experience premarital sex than a positive attitude. Youths who
had good relationship with their parents had less premarital sex experience than
youths having poor relationship with their parents.
Conclusion
One fifth of college youth had premarital sex experience where alcohol drinker had
higher premarital sex experience than non-drinker. Youths having good peer norms
were significantly less likely to experience premarital sex behaviors than youths
having poor peer norms.
KEY WORD
Alcohol drinking, college youths, Nepal, peer norms, premarital sex