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Dengue and chikungunya have been endemic in India but have the tendency to cause periodic epidemics, often together, wherein they are termed ‘syndemic’. Such a syndemic was observed in 2016 in India which resulted in a further scarcity of already resource-poor specific diagnostic infrastructure even in many urban conglomerates. A cross-sectional study was thus conducted, on 978 fever patients that consulted the ICMR-NIMR fever clinic, New Delhi, in September 2016, with an objective to identify symptom/s that could predict chikungunya with certainty. The overall aim was to rationally channelize the most clinically suitable patients for the required specific diagnosis of chikungunya. Based on their clinical profile, febrile patients attending NIMR’s clinic, appropriate laboratory tests and their association analyses were performed. Bivariate analysis on 34 clinical parameters revealed that joint pain, joint swelling, rashes, red spots, weakness, itching, loss of taste, red eyes, and bleeding gums were found to be statistically significantly associated predictors of chikungunya as compared to dengue. While, in multivariate analysis, only four symptoms (joint pain in elbows, joint swelling, itching and bleeding gums) were found in statistically significant association with chikungunya. Hence, based on the results, a clinician may preferably channelize febrile patients with one or more of these four symptoms for chikungunya-specific diagnosis and divert the rest for dengue lab diagnosis in a dengue–chikungunya syndemic setting.

Despite clinical and pathological distinctions between malaria and hypertension, accumulated epidemiological and evolutionary evidence indicate the need of deeper understanding how severe malaria contributes to elevated hypertension risk. Malaria is said to exert strong selection pressure on the host genome, thus selecting certain genetic polymorphisms. Few candidate polymorphisms have also been reported in the RAS (ACE I/Dand ACE2 rs2106809) that are shown to increase angiotensin II (ang II) levels in a combinatorial manner. The raised ang II has some antiplasmodial actions in addition to protecting against severe/cerebral malaria. It is hypothesized that RAS polymorphisms may have been naturally selected over time in the malaria-endemic areas in such a way that hypertension, or the risk thereof, is higher in such areas as compared to non-malaria endemic areas. The purpose of this review is to gain deeper insights into various sparse evidence linking malaria and hypertension and suggesting a way forward.

AbstractGenetically Indians seems to have a great tendency to develop heart trouble. In addition, stressful lifestyles and unhealthy diets of urban population are the reasons for heart disease. The aim of the study is to analyze the impact of different factors like lifestyle, food habits, environmental pollution and lipid level on coronary artery disease. Total 168 cases having some cardiac symptoms were included in this study. Detailed histories of cases were taken by questionnaire. Serum lipid profiles were compared between urban and rural cases. Study showed that triglycerides level (p<0.001), total Cholesterol (p<0.05) and low density lipoprotein level (p<0.001) were significantly high in urban population than rural. Presence of hypertension (52.94%) and diabetes (49.41%) were higher in urban population. The results showed that stressful unhealthy lifestyle and uncontrolled fatty diet plays a major role in coronary artery disease.

AbstractDown syndrome is mainly numerical change of chromosome 21 which is found 1 per 1200 live births in India. Chromosomal analysis is necessary for primary diagnosis. Socio-economic factor may affect indirectly in case of Down syndrome patient. Previous miscarriage of mother is related with the next birth of Down syndrome baby. After screening 218 genetically abnormal cases, 45 cases were diagnosed as Down syndrome, in Genetics Department of Ramakrishna Mission Seva Pratishthan. Detailed clinical and socio-economical history and anthropometric measurement were taken from these particular patients. Maximum cases of Down syndrome are from Socio-economically deprived area. Stunting growth is found in Down syndrome cases. 75.56% mothers have previous reproductive wastage.