Journal Issue: Volume: 9, No 1, Issue 33, JAN-MARCH, 2011
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Volume
Number
Issue Date
2011
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
1812-2027
Journal Volume
Articles
Shifting The Paradigm: Nepal as a Potential Leader in The Field of Medical Education
(Kathmandu University, 2011) Karmacharya, Biraj Man
NA
Prevalence and Risk Factors for Hypertension in Adults Living in Central Development Region of Nepal
(Kathmandu University, 2011) Chataut, J; Adhikari, RK; Sinha, NP
ABSTRACT
Background
Hypertension is the commonest cardiovascular disorder and now regarded as
major public health problem. It is a precursor to major diseases like myocardial
infarction, stroke, renal failure etc. There are very limited community based data
on hypertension in Nepal, so, information on the prevalence of hypertension in the
population is desirable.
Objectives
To estimate the prevalence of hypertension and to explore the risk factors
associated with hypertension.
Methods
In a cross sectional study , a total of 527 subjects (males n=214 and females
n=313) participated in our study (age ≥18 years). The participants underwent
anthropometric measurement and blood pressure and answered a pretested
questionnaire. Hypertension was defined as per JNC VII criteria.
Results
Overall prevalence of hypertension was 22.4% (males: 32.7% and female: 15.3%).
Age specific prevalence of hypertension showed significant progressive increase
in blood pressure ranging from 8% to 35%. Almost 40% of hypertensives did not
know about their status. Bivariate analysis showed significant relationship of
hypertension with gender, age, literacy, physical inactivity, body mass index (BMI),
smoking and alcohol consumption. Multivariate analysis excluded literacy but all
other risk factors continued to show positive association with hypertension.
Conclusion
Being elderly, less physical activity, obese/overweight, smoking and alcohol
consumption are significant risk factors of hypertension. Therefore, intervention
measures are warranted emphasizing on modifiable risk factors such as smoking,
alcohol consumption, physical activity and obesity to prevent hypertension.
KEY WORDS
cross-sectional study, hypertension, JNC VII criteria, prevalence, risk factors
katG (SER 315 THR) Gene Mutation in Isoniazid Resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis
(Kathmandu University, 2011) Marahatta, SB; Gautam, S; Dhital, S; Pote, N; Jha, AK; Mahato, R; Mishra, S; Poudel, BH; Ramasoota, P; Kaewkungwal, J; Singhasivanon, P
ABSTRACT
Background
Isoniazid (INH) together with Rifampicin (RFP) forms the cornerstone of a short
chemotherapy course for tuberculosis (TB) treatment. Mutation at codon 315 of
katG gene is most prevalent in isoniazid resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis
(MTB) and is high in area with high TB incidence. Polymerase Chain Reaction
Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) has been found to be a
reliable and effective tool for the identification of the specific gene alteration.
Objective
The objective of this study was to screen Ser315Thr mutation of KatG gene of INH
resistant MTB strain by PCR-RFLP technique.
Methods
Altogether 37 INHr MTB isolates obtained from German Nepal Tuberculosis Project
(GENETUP) Kathmandu Nepal was included in the study. Deoxyribonucleic Acid
(DNA) extraction was performed according to protocol of SORPOCLEAN™ from the
culture isolates. Amplification of the fragment with katG codon 315 was performed
in a Biometra Thermocycler using primers. The amplified fragment was cleaved with
MspI. The restriction fragments obtained were electrophoresed in a 2% agarose gel
and were visualized using transilluminator.
Results
The katG Ser315Thr mutation was observed in 23 (62.2%) out of 37 INH resistant
isolates. The drug susceptibility profile of INHr MTB isolates showed all isolates
to be resistant to INH and RFP whereas 26 and 27 MTB isolates were resistant
to Ethambutol (EMB) and Streptomycin (S) respectively. Seventeen (17) patients
were harbouring katG gene mutated strain among Ethambutol and Streptomycin
resistant cases.
Conclusion
The study identified high prevalence of Ser315Thr mutation in katG. The isolates
harbouring this mutation were also simultaneously resistant to RFP. Ser315Th could
be a potential genetic marker for predicting MDR-TB.
KEY WORDS
Isoniazid resistant MTB, katG gene, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, PCR-RFLP,
mutation.
Tissue Polypeptide Specific Antigen as a Marker used to Determine the Liver Diseases
(Kathmandu University, 2011) Paul, D; Biswas, R; Habib, SH
ABSTRACT
Background
Tissue polypeptide specific antigen and its specific M3 epitope are increased
in malignant as well as in some benign diseases. The level of tissue polypeptide
specific antigen in serum is related mostly to proliferation capacity rather than
tumor mass and cell necrosis.
Objective
The aim of this study was to evaluate the levels of tissue polypeptide specific antigen
and other tumor markers in patients with liver cirrhosis, chronic active hepatitis
and hepatoma to determine if tissue polypeptide specific antigen is important to
other tumor markers in hepatoma patients.
Methods
Ninty-seven patients and 30 controls were included in the study. The patients were
divided into three subgroups as cirrhosis, hepatoma and chronic active hepatitis.
The levels of tissue polypeptide specific antigen, carcinoembryonic antigen, CA19.9,
alpha-fetoprotein and transaminases were determined in all patients.
Results
Tissue polypeptide specific antigen levels were significantly higher in all patients
than in the control group (p<0.005) According to Kruskal-Wallis test with regard to
subgroups, the differences in mean values of tissue polypeptide specific antigen and
alpha-fetoprotein were significant (p<0.0001 for both). There was a low correlation
between tissue polypeptide specific antigen and alpha-fetoprotein in the cirrhotic
and hepatoma groups, but these were significantly correlated in the chronic active
hepatitis group. The correlation coefficient between tissue polypeptide specific
antigen and transaminases in all patients was low.
Conclusions
Tissue polypeptide specific antigen is efficient for determining primary hepatoma
patients and also that this marker is specific for proliferation of cells.
KEY WORDS
liver diseases, marker, tissue polypeptide specific antigen