Molecular and Clinical Features of Heterogeneous Vancomycin-Intermediate in Tertiary Care Hospitals in South India.

Objectives: This study aimed to detect heterogeneous vancomycin-intermediate (hVISA) among methicillin-resistant (MRSA) isolated from healthcare-associated infections and identify staphylococcal cassette chromosome (SCC) types.

Methods: This study was conducted from February 2019 to March 2020 and included patients admitted in 4 tertiary care hospitals in Karnataka, India. Isolation and identification of MRSA were done using standard bacteriological methods.

Modulatory effect of 900 MHz radiation on biochemical and reproductive parameters in rats.

In the present study, the effect of 900 MHz radiation exposure on blood biochemical and reproductive parameters was evaluated in adolescent rats. Male albino Wistar rats (8-10 weeks of age) were exposed to 900 MHz radiation (1hr/day, power density - 146.60 µW/cm2) from a mobile phone for 28 days.

Beneficial Effects of (Finger Millet) on Hematological Parameters, Body Mass Index, and Scholastic Performance among Anemic Adolescent High-School Girls (AHSG).

Adolescence is a period characterized by rapid physical, emotional, and mental growth and changes potentially resulting in health challenges. Anemia, which is a fairly common complication in this age group, is reported to negatively affect the cognitive ability of adolescents. Traditionally, (Finger millet: ), a cereal available in India, has been recommended as nutritional supplement to combat anemia because of its high protein and mineral content as well as anti-microbial property.

Tri-phasic fever in dengue fever.

Dengue fever is an acute febrile illness with a duration of 2-12 days. Our observational study observed the 24-h continuous tympanic temperature pattern of 15 patients with dengue fever and compared this with 26 others with fever due to a non-dengue aetiology. A tri-phasic fever pattern was seen among two-thirds of dengue fever patients, but in only one with an inflammatory disease.

Radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation exposure effects on amygdala morphology, place preference behavior and brain caspase-3 activity in rats.

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the changes in amygdala morphology and emotional behaviors, upon exposure to chronic RF-EMR in adolescent rats. Four weeks old male albino Wistar rats were exposed to 900 MHz (power density:146.60 μW/cm2) from a mobile phone in silent-mode for 28 days.

Gerbode Ventricular Septal Defect -A Rare Cardiac Anomaly Associated with Genetic Variants in Indian Population- A Case Series.

Gerbode defects are rare Ventricular Septal Defects (VSD) constituting approximately one percent cases of congenital heart diseases. The genetic predispositions towards the Gerbode Defect (GD) have remained an unexplored area of study till date. We investigated the genotype-phenotype correlation in patients with Gerbode VSD.

Possible cause for altered spatial cognition of prepubescent rats exposed to chronic radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation.

The effects of chronic and repeated radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RFEMR) exposure on spatial cognition and hippocampal architecture were investigated in prepubescent rats. Four weeks old male Wistar rats were exposed to RF-EMR (900 MHz; SAR-1.15 W/kg with peak power density of 146.

Psychomotor functions at various weeks of chronic renal failure in rats.

In chronic renal failure there is a gradual retention of substances in the tissues and body fluids, called as uremic retention toxins, which can bring about a number of biochemical activities in the body. Chronic renal insufficiency also leads to progressive behavioural conflict. Uremic toxins can affect both the central and the peripheral nervous system.

Appraisal of the effect of brain impregnation duration on neuronal staining and morphology in a modified Golgi-Cox method.

Background: Golgi-Cox staining method is considered as one of the best neurohistological and fascinating staining techniques to reveal the cytoarchitecture of the brain. Requirement of longer time (more than a month), laborious section processing steps, requirement of sophisticated equipment's and costly ready to use kits limits extensive use of this technique.

New Method: The need for a modified staining technique is to overcome some of these hurdles.

Analysis of emotionality and locomotion in radio-frequency electromagnetic radiation exposed rats.

In the current study the modulatory role of mobile phone radio-frequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR) on emotionality and locomotion was evaluated in adolescent rats. Male albino Wistar rats (6-8 weeks old) were randomly assigned into the following groups having 12 animals in each group. Group I (Control): they remained in the home cage throughout the experimental period.

Lipoprotein (a) and other Lipid Profile in Patients with Thrombotic Stroke: Is it a Reliable Marker?

Background: Cerebrovascular disease (CVD) and coronary heart disease (CHD) cause 40%-50% of deaths in developed countries with CVD causing 10%-12% of deaths. Though increased Lipoprotein (a) is a risk factor in developing CHD, its role is poorly defined in etiopathogenesis of CVD.

Aims: To find the association of lipoprotein (a) and lipid profile in thrombotic stroke patients after acute phase.

Effect of radio-frequency electromagnetic radiations (RF-EMR) on passive avoidance behaviour and hippocampal morphology in Wistar rats.

Introduction: The interaction of mobile phone radio-frequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR) with the brain is a serious concern of our society.

Objective: We evaluated the effect of RF-EMR from mobile phones on passive avoidance behaviour and hippocampal morphology in rats.

Materials And Methods: Healthy male albino Wistar rats were exposed to RF-EMR by giving 50 missed calls (within 1 hour) per day for 4 weeks, keeping a GSM (0.

Effect of varying durations of pyramid exposure - an indication towards a possibility of overexposure.

Miniature replicas modeled after the Great Pyramid of Giza are believed to concentrate geoelectromagnetic energy within their cavities and hence act as antistressors in humans and animals. Although there are not many reports of adverse effects of 'overexposure' in the pyramid, subjects have claimed to feel uneasy after certain duration of staying in the pyramid. The present study was aimed to analyze the effects of prolonged pyramid exposure on plasma cortisol level, markers of oxidative damage and antioxidant defense in erythrocytes of adult female Wistar rats.

Modified uremic rat model - A tool for uremic studies in rats.

Experimental model of chronic renal failure in rats have been described by many authors and has also been widely used in various studies. Many of these methods used highly sophisticated instruments which was difficult in our settings. The resection model was ideal in our experimental set-up, but this model had the risk of excessive bleeding and hypovolemia.

Seasonal variations in markers of stress and oxidative stress in rats.

High ambient temperature has been reported to increase oxidative stress by increasing lipid peroxidation and decreasing antioxidant defence in transition dairy cows. It is also known to cause an increase in plasma cortisol levels in goats, European hedgehog and human volunteers. High levels of glucocorticoids have been reported to decrease blood glutathione and erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activity in rats.

Serum total glutathione-s-transferase levels in oral cancer.

We conducted a study wherein serum total glutathione-s-transferase levels were measured in patients (n = 27) with various stages of biopsy proven oral cancer (squamous cell carcinoma) and age and sex matched healthy human volunteers (n=10). In all patients with oral cancer, serum total glutathione-s-transferase was measured before the onset of treatment. There was a significant increase in serum total glutathione-s-transferase levels in patients with stage IV oral cancer as compared to stage II (P = 0.

Influence of alignment of the pyramid on its beneficial effects.

The present study was aimed to find out whether a change in the alignment of the pyramid from the north-south axis causes any variation in the effects produced by it on plasma cortisol levels and markers of oxidative stress in erythrocytes of adult-female Wistar rats. Plasma cortisol and erythrocyte TBARS levels were significantly lower whereas erythrocyte GSH was significantly higher in rats kept in pyramid that was aligned on the four cardinal points--north, east, south and west, as compared to normal control rats. Although there was a significant difference in the plasma cortisol level between normal control group and the group of rats kept in randomly aligned pyramid, there was no significant difference between these two groups for the other parameters.

Housing in pyramid counteracts neuroendocrine and oxidative stress caused by chronic restraint in rats.

The space within the great pyramid and its smaller replicas is believed to have an antistress effect. Research has shown that the energy field within the pyramid can protect the hippocampal neurons of mice from stress-induced atrophy and also reduce neuroendocrine stress, oxidative stress and increase antioxidant defence in rats. In this study, we have, for the first time, attempted to study the antistress effects of pyramid exposure on the status of cortisol level, oxidative damage and antioxidant status in rats during chronic restraint stress.

Can serum Glutathione-S-transferase levels in carcinoma cervix be a predictor of radiation response?

We conducted a pilot study wherein serum Glutathione-S-transferase levels were measured before and after radiotherapy in carcinoma cervix patients and correlated with response to treatment during a two-year follow-up period. Out of 17 patients who received radiotherapy, 9 showed a significant decrease (p<0.005) while 8 showed significant increase (p<0.

Effect of housing rats within a pyramid on stress parameters.

The Giza pyramids of Egypt have been the subject of much research. Pyramid models with the same base to height ratio as of the Great Pyramid of Giza, when aligned on a true north-south axis, are believed to generate, transform and transmit energy. Research done with such pyramid models has shown that they induced greater relaxation in human subjects, promoted better wound healing in rats and afforded protection against stress-induced neurodegnerative changes in mice.

Lipid peroxidation and antioxidant systems in the blood of young rats subjected to chronic fluoride toxicity.

Wistar albino rats were exposed to 30 or 100 ppm fluoride in drinking water during their fetal, weanling and post-weaning stages of life up to puberty. Extent of lipid peroxidation and response of the antioxidant systems in red blood cells and plasma to prolonged fluoride exposure were assessed in these rats in comparison to the control rats fed with permissible level (0.5 ppm) of fluoride.