Envenoming by venomous snake evokes a life-threatening response. Rapid diagnosis of acute hemorrhagic disorders, neurorespiratory, renal, and hemodynamic failure subsequent to snake bite and their rapid interventions saves life. Early administration of the appropriate dose of potent snake antivenom along with adjuvant treatment, proper care of the wound, correcting electrolyte imbalance, tissue oxygenation, and maintenance of adequate nutrition may help rapid recovery.

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Aim: To identify prevalence of skin diseases and to determine the risk factors of skin diseases among the adult population of rural Central India. Materials and Methods: It was a community-based, observational study in which we prospectively recruited general population in and around Wardha beginning October 1, 2011, through March 2012. The main focus was to study population of 10 years and above. Results: Eczema was the most common dermatosis accounting for 22% participants and among them almost 60% sufferers were female. Fungal infection presented in 13.0% of all the affected participants and was found more in male participants (58%) than in female (42%) among those affected with fungal infection. Eczema, benign skin tumors, and pigmentary disorders were more common in participants aged 51 years and above accounting to 52.7%, 9.4%, and 6.3%, respectively. Fungal infection and acne were more in adolescent age group accounting to 17.4% and 30.4%, respectively. Conclusion: Hence, we concluded that of the entire study population prevalence of skin diseases was 60%. Our study brought a higher prevalence of eczema in female and fungal infection in male. Eczema, benign skin tumors, and pigmentary disorders were more common in participants aged 51 years and above, and fungal infection and acne were more in adolescent age group. Adolescents suffered predominantly from fungal infections and acne due to pubertal changes. Various causes such as environment, overcrowding, and poor living conditions are major factors and not only adolescents or old age group but also entire population between 21 and 50 years of age were found to be suffering more commonly from eczema and infective dermatoses.

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Introduction: Neonatal septicemia is a major cause of mortality and morbidity. Surviving neonates can have significant neurologic sequelae, septic shock or hypoxemia. The spectrum of bacteria that cause neonatal septicemia varies in different parts of the world. The management of these infections is being complicated by the emergence of antibiotic resistance. The aim of this study was to determine the etiology, clinical characteristics and outcome of neonatal septicemia cases. Materials and Methods: During a 1-year study, 257 clinically suspected cases of neonatal sepsis were enrolled and classified as early onset septicemia (EOS) and late onset septicemia (LOS) based on appearance of signs and symptoms, i.e. within or after 72 h, respectively. Blood culture was performed using BACTEC 9240, isolates were identified by standard techniques and antibiotic susceptibility was performed as per the CLSI guidelines. Risk factors associated with neonatal sepsis were recorded and analyzed with respect to culture-proven sepsis. Results: In both suspected and culture-proven sepsis cases, majority of the neonates were male, pre-term and low birth weight babies. The prevalence of EOS and LOS was 82.4% and 17.5%, respectively. Culture positivity was seen in 7.8% of the cases. In culture-proven septicemia, 55% neonates presented with EOS and 45% presented with LOS. Gram positive isolates were more as compared with Gram negative isolates. The most common isolates were S. aureus, S. epidermidis and E. coli. All Gram positive isolates were sensitive to vancomycin and linezolid, while carbapenems and polymyxin B were the most effective drugs in the Gram negative isolates. Mortality was higher in LOS as compared with EOS cases, and the difference was statistically significant. Conclusion: Gram positive pathogens were predominant in septicemia. Vancomycin and linezolid were the most effective antibiotics for Gram positive isolates and carbapenems for most effective Gram negative organisms.

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India continues to have the persisting environmental problem of disposal of expired, unused, unwanted medicines. Since this has not been studied well, the exact repercussions, therefore, are not hitherto known fully. There are no laws in country worthy of handling this problem. The municipal corporations handling the waste have not been sensitized to it. The media are insensitive to it, and populations are disorganized to take up the issue. Hence, the environment continues to suffer and will end with higher complication of human life and environment.

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Over the last three decades, aluminum phosphide has emerged as an important pesticide agent being sued for self-harm in India is well as other countries. High mortality is due to severe mitochondrial dysfunction leading to disruption of cellular respiration leading to tissue hypoxia and organ dysfunction. In spite of a lot of research, no definitive anbtidote is available, and the treatment remains largely supportive.

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Poisoning with organophosphorus (OP) compounds is a global public health problem. According to World Health Organization (WHO), 3 million cases of pesticide (mainly OP compounds) poisoning occur every year, resulting in an excess of 250,000 deaths. Of these, about 1 million are accidental, and 2 million are suicidal poisonings. The incidence has steadily increased in the recent past and has reached a level in the developing countries, where it can be called a "social calamity." Diagnosis is mainly on clinical grounds. The wellknown antidotes of OP poisonings are atropine and oximes. However, investigations over the recent years have introduced new adjunct therapy and cheap medications such as sodium bicarbonate and magnesium sulfate as well as antioxidants that should be considered for the management of OP poisoning. While efficacy of atropine is clinically proven, clinical experience with pralidoxime has been controversial. A lot of new modalities of management like K-oximes, hemoperfusion, and Fresh frozen plasma are under evaluation. Prevention still appears to be the best modality of management. Appropriate legislations and pesticides control are recommended for the developing countries to prevent occupational, accidental, and intentional poisonings.

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Background: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is emerging as a nosocomial pathogen by producing metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs) and acquiring resistance to many antimicrobial agents. The infections caused by metallo-beta-lactamases producing P. aeruginosa (MBL-PA) are associated with higher rates of mortality, morbidity, and overall healthcare costs. Aim: The aim of the study was to find the incidence of MBL in P. aeruginosa isolates and their antimicrobial resistance pattern. Material and Methods: A total of 180 non-duplicate P. aeruginosa isolates from various clinical specimens between April 2016 and March 2017 were subjected to susceptibility testing by disc diffusion test as per the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines 2015. Imipenem and meropenem resistant isolates were selected for the detection of MBL production by disc potentiation test and modified Hodge test. Results: Out of 180 isolates of P. aeruginosa, MBL was detected in 36 (20.00%) isolates. Resistance was significantly higher in the MBL-PA with 94.44% resistance to aztreonam followed by cefoxitin (91.66%), piperacilline/tazobactam and cefepime (80.55%). The prevalence of multidrug-resistant and possible extensively drug-resistant isolates was significantly higher among the MBL group as compared to that in the non-MBL group [50.00% vs. 11.11% and 5.55% vs. 0.69% (P = <0.05)]. None of the isolates were pan drug resistant. Conclusions: Increasing prevalence of MBL-PA producing isolates in hospital settings makes it important to perform routine detection of MBL strains for the purpose of infection control and for minimizing the adverse outcome of infection.

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Introduction: The resistance to antimicrobial agents among staphylococci is an increasing problem. This has led to renewed interest in the usage of macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B (MLSB) antibiotics to treat Staphylococcus aureus infections. Clinical failure has been reported due to multiple mechanisms that confer resistance to MLSB antibiotics. The present study was aimed to detect inducible clindamycin resistance among S. aureus isolates and to study the relationship between clindamycin and methicillin resistance. Materials and Methods: During a period of 1 year, a total of 593 S. aureus isolates from various clinical specimens were included in the study. Antimicrobial susceptibility test was done by Kirby-Bauer's disc diffusion method as per Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. For detection of inducible clindamycin resistance, D test using erythromycin and clindamycin as per CLSI guidelines was performed, and three different phenotypes were interpreted as methicillin-sensitive (MS) phenotype (D test negative), inducible MLSB (iMLSB) phenotype (D test positive), and constitutive MLSB phenotype. Results: Of the total 593 S. aureus isolates, majority were obtained from pus (31.1%) followed by blood and body fluids (27.3%). All the isolates were sensitive to vancomycin, teicoplanin, and linezolid. Out of 306 (51.7%) erythromycin resistant isolates, 280 (91.5%) were methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and 26 (8.5%) were methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA). iMLSB phenotype in 33.3%, MS phenotype in 44.8%, and constitutive MLSB phenotype was observed in 21.9% of isolates. Inducible clindamycin resistance was almost equal among MRSA and MSSA isolates. Conclusion: D test should be included as a mandatory method in routine disc diffusion testing to detect inducible clindamycin resistance in staphylococci for the optimum treatment of patients.

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Background: The present study was aimed to see the effect of practice on visual information processing speed. Reaction time is one of the important physiological parameters, which gives information how fast and quickly person responses. Reaction is purposeful voluntary response to different stimuli as visual stimuli. Visual reaction time (VRT) is the time required to response to visual stimuli. Materials and Methods: The VRT was measured by the multiple choice apparatus in subjects. Simple reaction time and choice reaction time measured. Reaction time was measured in two sessions. In the first session, VRT was measured without practice of task and in the second session VRT was measured after practice of task. The results were statistically analyzed and were recorded as mean ± standard deviation and Student's paired t-test was applied to check the level of significance. Result and Conclusion: In the present study, we found that VRT was less after practice for both simple and choice VRT tasks. Reaction time decreases by practice. Skills can be improved by practice. In daily life majority of work is done by the use of visual information. By the practice of an important task time required for stimulus identification and response can be decreased. Practice is useful for driving vehicles. It is helpful to students, as they have identification of bones, instruments, graphs and viva questions in examination of various medical subjects. Hence by practice students can identify, understand and answer quickly.

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Background: Even after more than 3 decades of implementation, the success of integrated child development services (ICDS) program in tackling maternal and childhood problems still remain a matter of concern. The present study was conducted to assess issues related to Anganwadi worker (AWW) and Anganwadi center (AWC) including infrastructure facilities. Materials and Methods: A total of 60 AWCs were selected including 46 AWCs from a rural area and 14 AWCs from an urban area during April 2012 to March 2013 from 12 districts of Gujarat. Five AWCs were selected from one district. Information on AWWs background characteristics, along with infrastructure and other services delivered at AWCs were observed and recorded. Results: Majority (66.7%) AWCs building were owned by state and 73.3% AWCs having pucca type of building. Almost two-third (65%) AWWs had >10 years of experience. Induction training was given to only 1 AWW (7.1%) in an urban area. Poor findings were reported for regular health checkups (30%), immunization (10.0%), referral slips availability (18.3%), and referral of sick children (8.3%). Significant number of 6 months to 3 years age group and 3 to 6 years in rural areas received services from Anganwadi. Similarly, significant number of pregnant mothers (P < 0.00), lactating mothers (P < 0.00) and adolescent girls (P < 0.00) in rural areas compared to urban areas received Anganwadi services. Nutrition and health education day was observed in 81.7% AWCs. Conclusion: The performance of AWCs and maternal and child health services delivered by AWCs still needs improvement. Coordinated steps catering to different services provided at the centers are needed to optimize the functioning of the ICDS scheme.

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Background: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is commonly associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) though its prevalence is not well studied. We conducted a prospective study of prevalence of NAFLD in patients with type 2 DM and its relation with Insulin Resistance. Materials and Methods: 100 patients of Type 2DM attending Tertiary care center in South Gujarat were evaluated. Abdominal ultrasonography was performed to determine the presence of fatty liver. For assessment of Insulin Resistance, Homeostasis Model Assistant - Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) and Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index (QUICKI) were calculated. A probability value of P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The study group (n = 100) was divided into a NAFLD group (n = 45) and a non-NAFLD group (n = 55). The prevalence of NAFLD was 45%. The NAFLD subgroup had higher prevalence of obesity (measured by BMI), central obesity (measured by waist circumference and waist hip ratio), higher HbA1c, higher triglyceride levels. HOMA-IR and QUICKI indexes for Insulin Resistance were significantly higher in NAFLD group than Non NAFLD group (P value 0.03, 0.04). Conclusion: The prevalence of NAFLD is high in patients of Type 2 DM. Insulin resistance seems to be correlated with the presence of NAFLD among T2DM patients.

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The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Global Strategy for Women's, Children's and Adolescents' Health provides a unique opportunity for accelerated action for the health of adolescents. Investment in adolescent health is also essential to achieve the 17 SDGs and their 169 targets, each of which relates to adolescent development, health or well-being directly or indirectly. India has the largest adolescent population in the World. The health status of an adolescent determines the health status in his/her adulthood. Many serious diseases in adulthood have their roots in adolescence. The main health issues faced by the adolescents include: Mental health problems, early pregnancy and childbirth, (HIV/STI) and other infectious diseases, violence, injuries, malnutrition and substance abuse. To achieve wholesome adolescent health, we need to have a multidimensional approach covering all the adolescent health problems with special emphasis on mental health, behaviour change communication towards healthy lifestyle and positive social environment to acquire life skills.

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Appropriate and rational use of blood/components is essential for ensuring availability for the needy as well as preventing risks of transfusion-transmitted diseases and saving resources. Rational use means providing the right blood or products, in the right quantity, to the right patient and at the right time, bridging demand, and supply gap. The safety, adequacy, and effectiveness can only be achieved if unnecessary transfusions can be prevented. Further, risk can be reduced, but cannot be eliminated completely. Alternative to banked blood, autologous blood donation, normovolemic hemodilution, and intraoperative cell salvage should be considered as possible options. Recombinant factor VIIa is a new adjunct for treatment of massive hemorrhage and should be considered, if available.

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Background: The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence of obesity, overweight, and thinness and compare it using different growth standards among schoolchildren and adolescents. Material and Methods: Anthropometric measurements of all students of four schools from 3^rd to 12^th standards were taken. Prevalence of overweight, obesity, and thinness was measured and compared using four standards – Agarwal 2001 standards, revised Indian Association of Paediatrics (IAP) 2015, World Health Organization (WHO) 2007, and International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) standards. Results: A total of 1496 children including 79.1% boys and 20.9% girls participated. Prevalence of obesity was reported 9.1% by Agarwal standards, 14% by IAP standards, 11.1% by WHO standards, and 5.1% by IOTF standards. Overweight children prevalence was reported more (19.1%) with IAP standards, followed by 17% with Agarwal standards, 15.8% with IOTF standards, and 15.3% by WHO standards. Prevalence of obesity and overweight was high among boys than girls in all three standards. A good level of agreement found among IAP 2015 standards with Agarwal and WHO 2007 standards considering four categories. The agreement was improved further up to 0.90 when compared to two combined categories – overweight/obese versus normal weight/thinness. Conclusion: High prevalence of obesity and overweight was reported with IAP 2015, Agarwal, and WHO 2007 standards in the age group of 8–18 years. Good agreement was found for revised IAP 2015 with Agarwal and WHO 2007 standards for measuring obesity and overweight. There was an underestimation of obesity with IOTF standards.

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Introduction: Acute Upper Gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) is one of the common causes with which the patients present to emergency. The upper gastrointestinal (UGI) endoscopy remains a crucial tool in identification of UGIB. The aim of the present study was to determine the endoscopic profile of UGIB in adult population of rural central India admitted with history of UGIB (hemetemesis and/or malena). Methods: This prospective, cross sectional study was conducted in rural hospital in central India and we enrolled all consecutive patients aged 18 years and above who were admitted in the hospital ward with the history of UGIB. After obtaining the demographic data, all patients underwent clinical examination, laboratory investigations and video-endoscopy. We used Student's t test to compare means, Chi-square test to compare proportions and Mann-Whitney test to compare medians. P value <0.05 will be considered significant. Results: The mean age of our study population (N = 118) was 46.2 years. Among 118 patients who underwent endoscopy, 47.4% had esophageal varices, 27.1% had portal hypertensive gastropathy, 14.4% had gastric erosions, 5.9% each had duodenal ulcers and esophagitis, 5% had gastric ulcer disease, 4.2% each had Mallory-Weiss tear and had gastric malignancy, 1.7% had esophageal malignancy and 16.1% had normal endoscopic findings. Conclusion: Esophageal varices were the most common cause of UGIB in the adult population of rural central India presenting with UGIB, when diagnosed by video-endoscopy.

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Thermology is the study and application of bio-thermal process to assess health or disease while thermography is a technique of measurement of skin temperature distribution on the body over a given period of time. It is a noncontact, noninvasive method that utilizes the heat from an object to detect, display, and record thermal patterns and temperature across the surface of the object and it employs images and visually evaluates the thermal changes. The principle of thermography is based on the amount of blood circulation at different layers of the skin, as it varies, the temperature also changes accordingly. Consequently, disorders that affect the blood flow too result in abnormalities in temperature distribution and these when evaluated will provide valid diagnostic information. Thermography is being used to detect various pathological conditions in the medical and dental field. Various orofacial conditions in which thermography can be used are chronic orofacial pain, temporomandibular joint disorders, quantification of thermal insult to pulp, assessing inferior alveolar nerve deficit, and detection of herpes labialis in prodromal phase. Here, we discuss with the history, basics, and various applications of thermography in dentistry.

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While providing health services, (preventive, curative, rehabilitative), health care personnel (HCP) face hazards. Developments in medical science provide some safety, still modern technology has made health care very complex with many hazards. Biological (viruses, bacteria, and parasites) and chemical (disinfectants, drugs, and diagnostics) therapeutic modalities in health delivery are leading to many disorders in HCP. Needle prick injuries, radiation exposure, violence, psychiatric disorders, stalking by patients, and suicides are common. HCP are at high risk for musculoskeletal disorders, due to patient handling, compounded by increasing number of obese patients. With increase in workload because of human immunodeficiency virus, hardships have increased. Despite potential for exposure to hazards, many HCP lack awareness about prevention. Also the system is not conducive, policies of prevention not clear, inaccessibile, or there is attitude problem. Hence, HCP continue to suffer, more in developing countries. Health managers need to ensure that health care is geared toward assessment of hazards suffered by HCP, there reasons, and do everything possible for prevention.

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In this age of noncommunicable diseases, communicable diseases still contribute 30% of disease burden in India. Hundreds of epidemics occur each year and we fail to respond and contain most of them. Apart from various biological and behavioral public health interventions, we need to closely look at the structural intervention, that is, the legal framework to review health system preparedness. Although India has a number of legal mechanisms to support public health measures in an epidemic situation, they are not being addressed under a single legislation. The Epidemic Act 1897 is a century old blunt act which needs a substantial overhaul to counter the rising burden of infectious diseases both new and old. Issues like definition of epidemic disease, territorial boundaries, ethics and human rights principles, empowerment of officials, punishment, etc., need more deliberations and warrant a relook.

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Antiphospholipid syndrome is being increasingly recognized as a disease with a myriad of clinical manifestations ranging from recurrent thrombosis and pregnancy morbidity to valvular lesions, transverse myelitis, thrombocytopenia and hemolytic anemia. It may be primary or secondary, i.e., associated with other autoimmune diseases. The latest classification criteria (Sydney 2006) recognize just three tests to define this syndrome-lupus anticoagulant, anticardiolipin antobodies and anti β2 glycoprotein 1 antibodies. Treatment of thrombotic events involves lifelong anticoagulation with vitamin K antagonists like warfarin. Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS) with only pregnancy morbidity is treated with thromboprophylaxis using heparin during pregnancy and postpartum for 6 weeks. Catastrophic APS occurs in approximately 1% of APS, and is characterized by microvascular thrombosis (thrombotic storm) and organ dysfunction. In this review we discuss the pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of the APS.

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Substance use has been present in India since many millennia, and the type and pattern of substances being abused have seen changes over time. In the review, we look at the traditional recreational substance and then describe the newer and emerging recreational drugs in India.

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Hair dye poisoning has emerged as one of the major causes of deliberate self-harm in the rural areas of developing world. This systematic toxicological literature reviews the pathophysiology and clinical features of hair dye poisoning.

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