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Introduction: Drug abuse is a global public health issue that poses significant challenges to healthcare systems particularly in intensive care units (ICU). This study aims to assess the clinical profile and outcomes of drug abuse patients admitted to ICU of a tertiary care hospital in North India. Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted over period of 3 years involving drug abuse patients admitted to the ICU. Demographic data, clinical characteristics, substance abuse patterns, co-morbidities, severity scores and outcomes were recorded. Results: A total of 35 patients were included in the study. All patients were males with a mean age of 29.1(± 11.68). 25 patients were from rural areas. 42.8% were unemployed. Most of the patients (85.7%) were unmarried. 34.3% were students. Mean APACHE II score on ICU admission was 13. Most of patients were admitted for heroin overdose (60%). All 35 patients admitted in ICU had low Glasgow coma scale (GCS< 7). 32 (91.4%) patients had associated respiratory failure. 7 patients had cardiovascular instability. 4 (11.4%) patients developed multi-organ failure during the ICU stay. Mean duration of ICU stay was 3.4 (± 2.68). 23 (65.7%) patients got extubated within 24 hours of ICU admission. 4 patients expired (11.4% mortality) in study group. Sepsis was cause of death in one patient, 3 patients died of multi-organ failure Conclusion: Most of the overdose was due to opioids specifically of heroin. CNS depression was found in all drug overdose patients followed by respiratory failure. Multi organ involvement have poor outcome. Mortality ensued in 11.4% of admitted patients as a result of sepsis and multi-organ failure. Majority of the patients had good outcome especially patients who presented early to healthcare facility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Burkholderia is an important opportunistic pathogen in hospitalised and immunocompromised patients. It is responsible for approximately 0.6% of all Ventilator Associated Pneumonia (VAP). Burkholderia cepacia (B. cepacia) is a resilient organism, capable of survival in environments devoid of significant nutritional resources. Authors have come across many cases of B.cepacia in hospital for the last six years. Aim: To know the prevalence and microbiological profile of Burkholderia infection in tertiary care hospital, Srinagar, India. Materials and Methods: The present retrospective study was carried out in the Department of Microbiology, Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India, from January 2013 to October 2018. The records of all patients diagnosed with B.cepacia in Intensive Care Unit (ICU), wards, and Outpatient Department (OPD) were reviewed. Identification was done by Vitek 2. Descriptive analysis was done and data was presented as percentages. Results: The number of cases showed a steady rise from 2013 through 2016 and the peak number of cases occurred in the year 2016. Then, again the numbers started to decline. Surgical ICU was the most common location (n=490) where the cases were detected. Most of the isolates were sensitive to cotrimoxazole, ceftazidime, tigecycline and levofloxacin and moderately sensitive to minocycline and meropenem. Conclusion: Burkholderia is no longer restricted to patients with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) and can affect patients in ICU setting and that the mortality from the infection remains high in our part of the world. Further studies are needed to be carried out to address this issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protophormia is a genus of Calliphoridae well known species in the cold climatic areas of the Holarctic region. In the present study, Protophormia terraenovae (Robineau-Desvoidy) has been documented as new record from the trans-Himalayan region of cold arid desert Kargil Ladakh (UT), India. It has been found that this species is fairly distributed throughout Kargil, Ladakh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of braconid wasp, Meteorus rubrum Ahmed & Shamim sp. nov. (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Meteorinae), is described from India. The new species is closely related with M. dichomeridis (Wilkinson, 1930) and M. kotanni (Maeto, 1986). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Macrocentrus Curtis, 1833 is extensively dispersed with 238 species known worldwide. Including this new species, eight species of Macrocentrus are known from India. This genus is characterized by following characters: Antenna often about as long as or somewhat longer than the body (but sometimes distinctly shorter), with 24-61 segments, apical segment with distinct spine or without a spine. In the present study a new braconid, Macrocentrus hayati sp. nov. is described and illustrated from Jammu and Kashmir (UT), India. Specimens were collected from the grass (Cynodon) and weeds near the vegetables like brinjal, potatoes and beans through net sweeping. The collected material was transferred to glass vials containing 70% ethyl alcohol and brought to the laboratory for further studies. The study will help to boost the knowledge of Braconid parasitoids (living weapon) which play a key role in controlling the harmful pests, ultimately resulting in the increase of the yield of crops and other economic commodities like food grains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The crabronid wasp species Stigmus convergens Tsuneki, 1954 is newly recorded from India. A key to the Indian species is also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: More than 24% of the world's population, are infected with soil-transmitted helminth infection. Aim: To assess the helminthic load & efficacy and safety of various antiheliminthics. Methods: A total of 400 patients who met the inclusion criteria were recruited after proper consent. Subjects were divided into Four groups (100 each) randomly & receive different anti-helminthic drugs. Cure rate and egg reduction rate was used as a primary outcome measure. Three weeks later two more stool samples were analyzed by two methods 1) Direct Smear method & 2) Concentration method. On follow-up, each group were randomly assigned a single dose of albendazole (single 400 mg dose), mebendazole (100 mg, BD×3 days), pyrantel pamoate (11 mg/kg orally once) and ivermectin (0.2 mg/kg orally once) using a randomization procedure. The data was statistically analysed. Observations: Among 400 patients, 63% were 5-19 years of age, 68% were male, 73.5% were from rural areas, 71% were literate, 62% were in the low income group, 58% reported closed sanitation, 6.75% were having low BMI, 26.25% were having High Absolute Eosinophilic Count before treatment, 77.5% were non-anaemic. 92.5% did not have icterus. In the present study it was seen that the difference among the four drugs was statistically significant as per demographic variables. Significant decrease of worm load after treatment were comparable with each other. However, Presence of Worm across papillae seen after upper GI endoscopy and persistent biliary ascariasis was comparable in all the four drug groups. Overall, the efficacy of anthelmintic drugs was excellent and statistically significant (p<0.001). Conclusion: Albendazole and mebendazole having cure rates of 90% and also reducing the mean egg count by 90%. Also treatment of school children every 4 monthly may be necessary in high endemic areas, like ours. All these drugs which we used in our study are safe and no significant side effects were observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The present study is an attempt to explore the association between kitchen indoor air pollutants and physiological profiles in kitchen workers with microalbuminuria (MAU) in north India (Lucknow) and south India (Coimbatore).Methods: The subjects comprised 145 control subjects, 233 kitchen workers from north India and 186 kitchen workers from south India. Information related to the personal and occupational history and health of the subjects at both locations were collected using a custom-made questionnaire. Worker lung function was measured using a spirometer. Blood pressure was monitored using a sphygmomanometer. Urinary MAU was measured using a urine analyzer. Indoor air monitoring in kitchens for particulate matter (PM), total volatile organic compounds (TVOC), carbon dioxide (CO2) and carbon monoxide (CO) was conducted using indoor air quality monitors. The size and shape of PM in indoor air was assessed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used to detect organic or inorganic compounds in the air samples.Results: Particulate matter concentrations (PM2.5 and PM1) were significantly higher in both north and south Indian kitchens than in non-kitchen areas. The concentrations of TVOC, CO and CO2 were higher in the kitchens of north and south India than in the control locations (non-kitchen areas). Coarse, fine and ultrafine particles and several elements were also detected in kitchens in both locations by SEM and elemental analysis. The FTIR spectra of kitchen indoor air at both locations show the presence of organic chemicals. Significant declines in systolic blood pressure and lung function were observed in the kitchen workers with MAU at both locations compared to those of the control subjects. A higher prevalence of obstruction cases with MAU was observed among the workers in the southern region than in the controls (p < 0.01).Conclusions: Kitchen workers in south India have lower lung capacities and a greater risk of obstructive and restrictive abnormalities than their north Indian counterparts. The study showed that occupational exposure to multiple kitchen indoor air pollutants (ultrafine particles, PM2.5, PM1, TVOC, CO, CO2) and FTIR-derived compounds can be associated with a decline in lung function (restrictive and obstructive patterns) in kitchen workers with microalbuminuria. Further studies in different geographical locations in India among kitchen workers on a wider scale are required to validate the present findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Dental caries is a common oral disease among children. There are various factors that influence caries development. Parents and family environment influence oral health behaviours among children. Dental Anxiety is a common hindrance in seeking dental treatment. Mothers' dental anxiety may act as a barrier to seek professional advice about their children's caries experience. Aim: To evaluate dental anxiety among mothers and its possible relationship with caries experience in their children in Udaipur city, India Setting and Design: The sample was selected from those attending Darshan Dental College and Hospital, Udaipur for dental treatment. The study period was from June 2014 to November 2014. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was designed. A total of 187 mother-child pairs were recruited for the study. The children's age ranged from 3-14 years. Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS), Hindi version, was used to evaluate dental anxiety among the mothers that categorizes the dental anxiety into five levels. Demographic detail such as age, educational level, and family income was also collected. The World Health Organization (WHO) criteria was utilized for the diagnosis of dental caries in children. DMFT (Decayed, missing and filled teeth) and DMFS (Decayed, missing and filled surfaces) scores were then calculated. Statistical Analysis: Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0 was used to interpret data. Maternal anxiety scores taken as mean MDAS were compared with various independent variables. Statistical tests were used to compare maternal anxiety and children's caries experience. A p value equal or less than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: Almost half (49.7%) of the mothers reported as being 'fairly anxious 'or 'very anxious'. There was a significant (p=.001) difference in maternal dental anxiety level in relation to age of the children. Mothers of younger children reported higher anxiety scores. Similarly, mothers with lesser education and lesser family income reported higher anxiety scores. The mean decayed score in children of very anxious mothers and phobic mothers was significantly (p=.001) higher as compared to the children of the mothers with lower anxiety levels. Conclusion: There was a strong positive association between maternal dental anxiety and children's dental caries experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of this study was to highlight various anomalies associated with undescended testis and to determine how much work up is necessary for this condition. Material and Methods: The study was conducted in the department of Pediatric Surgery SKIMS Srinagar, Kashmir. All patients between 0-14 years of age who attended out patient department (OPD) from January 2002 to December 2003 with maldescent of testes were included in the study. Detailed relevant history and physical examination findings were recorded in all the cases. Baseline investigations were performed along with ultrasonography of the abdomen. In relevant cases other investigations like intravenous urography, micturating cystourethrography, CT scan and laparoscopy were performed as and when indicated. Results: A total of 250 cases of undescended testis were registered during this period. Maximum number of cases were in the age group of 5-10 years. In 130 (52%) cases the right testis was undescended while 75 (30%) had left sided undescended testis and 45 (18%) had bilateral undescended testis. Maldescended testis comprised 11% of the admissions. The majority of cases were having gestational age of 37 weeks or more. The associated anomalies picked up on investigations included duplication of upper urinary tract (3.2%), hydronephrosis and polycystic kidney (0.8% each), horseshoe kidney, ectopic kidney, crossed renal ectopia (0.4% each) Posterior urethral valves, Prune belly syndrome (0.4%) and spina bifida (0.4%). On detailed clinical examination of genitalia several abnormalities were picked which included hydrocele, hypospadias, hernia, chordee, micropenis and ambiguous genitalia. Conclusion: We recommend ultrasonography to be done in all cases of undescended testis in addition to a thorough history and physical examination. Intravenous pyelography, micturating cystourethrogram, CT scan and other investigations should be performed selectively based on history, physical examination or ultrasound findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Darwin wasp subfamily Lycorininae is newly reported from India with the description of a new species, Lycorina sehgali. A taxonomic key to the identification of Indomalayan and Palaearctic species is given along with the illustration of L. ruficornis, L. spilonotae and L. triangulifera.

Background: Increasing resistance against Helicobacter pylori has resulted in reduced eradication rates., Objective: This study aims to determine whether eradication rates for H. pylori infection with sequential therapy is better than standard triple therapy., Patients: Patients with endoscopy documented peptic ulcer and H. pylori infection confirmed by histology and rapid urease test., Intervention: Patients were randomized into two groups; 134 received standard triple therapy (pantoprazole 40 mg, clarithromycin 500 mg and amoxicillin 1 g each administered twice daily) for 10 days and 138 received sequential regimen (pantoprazole 40 mg plus amoxicillin 1 g twice daily for 5 days followed by 40 mg pantoprazole, 500 mg clarithromycin, and 500 mg tinidazole each administered twice daily for 5 days). Eradication was confirmed by histology and rapid urease test. Compliance and adverse effects were determined by the recovery of empty medicine strips and questioning., Results: The eradication rates with sequential therapy were significantly greater than with standard therapy on both intention-to-treat analysis (76.0 % vs. 61.9 %, p = 0.005; difference, 14.1 % [95 % CI, 6.5-19 %] and per protocol analysis (84.6 % vs. 67.4 %, p = 0.002; difference, 17.2 % [95 % CI, 8.5-23.5 %]). The incidence of side effects did not differ between the two therapy groups. One patient in standard therapy discontinued treatment due to side effects., Limitation: Cultures were not performed. Loss to follow up was 5.2 % in standard therapy and 6.5 % in sequential therapy., Conclusion: Sequential therapy was significantly more effective than standard therapy for eradicating H. pylori infection in peptic ulcer disease in Asian patients. Side effects were similar.