Journal Issue: Volume: 18, No 1, Issue 69, JAN.-MARCH, 2020
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Volume
Number
Issue Date
2020
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
1812-2027
Journal Volume
Articles
The Pathway of COVID-19 Pandemic Fear: An Experience from General Practice, Germany
(Kathmandu University, 2020) Ulrich, Freitag
NA
Effects of Cold Stimulation Induced Pain on Cardiopulmonary Parameters: A Gender Based Study
(Kathmandu University, 2020) Jha, RK; Amatya, S
ABSTRACT
Background
Cold pressor induced pain elicits sympathetic responses which can be monitored by
measuring blood pressure, heart rate and respiratory rate after exposure to the cold
stress.
Objective
This study was done to evaluate gender difference in acute pain induced by cold
pressor test on blood pressure, heart rate and respiratory rate of healthy individuals.
Method
Our study was cross sectional study with the sample size of 40 including 20 male
and 20 female undergraduates. Acute pain was induced by immersion of hand in
cold water at 4oC. Changes in blood pressure, heart rate and respiratory rate were
recorded by the digital sphygmomanometer and AD Instruments (Model: ML856,
Serial: T26-4025) and analysis was done by Lab Chart 7 Pro v 7.3.3 respectively. Acute
pain parameter like pain threshold was also recorded. Statistical analysis was done by
using Paired “t” test and non-parametric test.
Result
The present study enrolled 40 participants, aged between 18 – 24 years, and body
mass index from 15.78 – 36.06 kg/m2. The respiratory rate was increased in both
males (17.30±3.19 to 19.0±3.21, P=0.01) and females (18.60±1.98 to 19.90±2.82,
P= 0.01) however significant increase in heart rate was only found in females
(77.80±8.07 to 80.70±7.80, P=0.03) after cold pressor test. The systolic as well as
diastolic blood pressure did not increase significantly after cold pressor test. The pain
thresholds ranged from 25.2 to 105.8 seconds (61.60±23.26, male Vs. 52.69±18.49,
female, p = 0.188).
Conclusion
Our findings point towards autonomic adjustments suggesting more of sympathetic
over activity immediately after cold pressor test.
KEY WORDS
Blood pressure, Cold pressor test, Heart rate, Respiratory rate
Comparative Efficacy of Fexofenadine Versus Levocetrizine Versus Desloratadine via 1% Histamine Wheal Suppression Test
(Kathmandu University, 2020) KC, S; Aryal, A; Adhikary, M; Karn, D
ABSTRACT
Background
Urticaria and allergic dermatoses remains a great challenge to treating dermatologist.
Histamine is the major mediator in such disorders. Antihistamines as levocetrizine,
fexofenadine and desloratadine are often used to treat such conditions. Ability of
antihistamines to suppress the allergic response helps to evaluate the efficacy of the
medicine.
Objective
To compare the efficacy of levocetrizine versus fexofenadine versus desloratadine in
suppressing histamine induced wheals in adults.
Method
One hundred and two healthy adult volunteers completed the study. Subjects
were randomized into 3 groups using an envelope method. First group received
fexofenadine (N=36), second group received levocetrizine (N =37), and third group
received desloratadine (N=29). Pretesting was performed by skin prick test with
histamine 1% (positive control) and normal saline (negative control). Wheal size was
recorded before and after the treatment (at 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 24 hours).
Result
At 30 minutes and 1 hour fexofenadine showed statistically significant wheal
suppression than levocetrizine and desloratadine (p=0.0016). However by 2 and
4 hours all three antihistamines; fexofenadine, levocetirizine and desloratadine
showed significant suppression of wheal. Whereas at 24 hours desloratadine showed
greater wheal suppression than levocetrizine and fexofenadine (p= 0.014).
Conclusion
The results of the present study showed that fexofenadine presented early onset
of action but longer suppression of wheal size was seen with desloratadine as
compared to other antihistamines. These potentials could be employed in clinical
aspects; depending upon the response needed.
KEY WORDS
Desloratadine, Fexofenadine, Levocetrizine
Multi-drug Resistant and Extended Spectrum β-lactamase Producing Salmonella Species Isolated from Fresh Chicken Liver Samples
(Kathmandu University, 2020) Adhikari, S; Khadka, S; Sapkota, S; Sharma, BR; Ghimire, A; Chalise, M; Gurung, D; Kunwar, S
ABSTRACT
Background
Emergence of antibiotic resistance among microbes contaminating the fresh meat
products is a global public health concern as they can be easily transmitted to
humans through their consumption and contact.
Objective
The current study was conducted to determine the distribution of antimicrobial
resistance among Salmonella species isolated from fresh chicken liver samples with
special emphasis on extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) production.
Method
A total of 200 fresh chicken liver samples were cultivated for the isolation of
Salmonella and further subcultivated to detect extended spectrum beta-lactamase
production among them. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) was done by disk
diffusion method using a panel of 7 antimicrobials.
Result
Out of 200 samples analyzed, 61 (30.5%) samples harbored Salmonella species out
of which 15 (7.5%) samples showed the presence of Salmonella Typhi. A significant
association was noted in the incidence of Salmonella with various factors pertaining to
the butchers, such as age, sex, literacy rate, practices of washing knives and chopping
board, wearing aprons and gloves and type of water used (p < 0.05). Salmonella
isolates were highly sensitive to amikacin (82.0%) and least sensitive to tetracycline
(3.3%). All the isolates were resistant to colistin. Sixty (98.4%) isolates were identified
as multi-drug resistant (MDR). The total number of extended spectrum beta-
lactamase producers reported among Salmonella isolates was 29 (47.5%).
Conclusion
The results indicate that the fresh chicken liver samples sold in Bharatpur Metropolis
are reservoirs of multi-drug resistant Salmonella, including extended spectrum beta-
lactamase producers, that could potentially be transmitted to the humans by direct
contact or through inadequate cooking.
KEY WORDS
Antimicrobial susceptibility testing, Extended spectrum beta-lactamase, Fresh
chicken liver samples, Multi-drug resistant, Salmonella
Influence of Body Mass Index (BMI), Age and Gender on Stages of Varicose Vein in Newly Diagnosed Cases Following Screening Doppler in Outpatient Clinic
(Kathmandu University, 2020) Shrestha, B; Karmacharya, RM
ABSTRACT
Background
Varicose vein is one of the most common venous diseases which affect superficial
veins especially of lower limb. This disease is characterized by prominent dilated
veins, feeling of heaviness, itchiness, pigmentation, ulceration depending upon the
stage of the disease.
Objective
This study was conducted to know how Body Mass Index, Age and Gender influence
staging of varicose veins in our context.
Method
This is a cross sectional hospital based study conducted at Dhulikhel Hospital,
Kathmandu University Hospital from April 2018 to March 2019. Patients with signs
and symptoms of varicose vein were included in the study. Informed consent was
taken from each patient and data collection done by filling the proforma.
Result
This study comprised 135 lower limbs with varicose vein from 108 patients.
Male:Female ratio was 1.4:1. Mean age of patients was 44.47±12.65 (17-81) years.
Significant correlation was found between increasing age and progression in Clinical
staging of Varicose vein according to Clinical classification (p<0.05). Mean Great
Saphenous Vein diameter at knee was found significantly higher in patients with
more than five years of symptoms Mean Body Mass Index was not very different in
different Clinical stage of Varicose veins.
Conclusion
This study showed that the Clinical Staging of Clinical Etiological Anatomical and
Pathophysiological classification of varicose vein is significantly related to age. The
mean diameter of Great Saphenous Vein at the level of Knee is significantly related
to the duration of symptoms. However, the influence of Body Mass Index and gender
on stages of varicose vein could not be established.
KEY WORDS
Age, Body mass index, Doppler, Gender, Varicose veins