Indian Journal of Medical Sciences

Sciatic nerve is the largest nerve and a branch of sacral plexus that controls hamstrings and all muscles of the lower limb below the knee. We are reporting a bilateral variant formation of the sciatic nerve found in a male human cadaver. The commencement of single sciatic nerve trunk formation was found to be in the lower gluteal region instead of the pelvic region. All the roots of the sciatic nerve, namely, the lumbosacral trunk (L4, L5), S1, S2, and S3 were observed to remain separate up to the lower part of the gluteal region...

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a common marrow stem cell neoplasm characterized by the presence of the Philadelphia (Ph) chromosome in more than 90% of patients. Studies have shown that CML can be associated with various other cytogenetic abnormalities. 5-10% of these cases can show complex translocations involving other chromosomes in addition to Ph chromosome. Here, we report a Ph-positive CML patient with a hyperdiploid karyotype who presented clinically in chronic phase but progressed to blast crisis in spite of treatment with Imatinib...

Yellow nail syndrome is a rare entity of unknown etiology. Classically, it consists of a triad of slow-growing yellow nails of fingers and toes, lymphedema, and pulmonary manifestations mainly pleural effusion. Other pulmonary manifestations also have been described in the literature such as bronchiectasis, recurrent pneumonias, bronchitis, and sinusitis. This paper describes a case of yellow nail syndrome which did not have the classic triad of the condition; he presented with progressive yellow hand and toe nails intermittent lymphedema, bronchctasis, and sinusitis without pleural effusion...

INTRODUCTION: Cardiac toxicity after self-poisoning from ingestion of yellow oleander seeds is common in Eastern Sri Lanka. OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical manifestations, cardiac arrhythmias, electrolytes abnormalities and outcome of management using currently available treatment, Poisoning Unit, Tertiary Care Hospital in Eastern Sri Lanka. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied 65 patients [Mean age : 23(± 0.43)yrs], (Male: Female=27:38) with yellow oleander poisoning (YOP) admitted to a Poisoning Unit, Tertiary Care Hospital in Eastern Sri Lanka from January to December 2011...

BACKGROUND: The first Millennium Development Goal to "eradicate extreme poverty and hunger" implied reducing by 50% the prevalence of underweight status among children younger than five years between 1990 and 2015. AIM OF WORK: This study investigates the prevalence and determining factors of anemia and malnutrition among children of Albasra village, one of the Egyptian villages, to produce directives for a management program. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All inhabitants aged between six months and 15 years (397 children) were subjected to a structured interview, clinical assessment, anthropometric assessment, and laboratory examination...

BACKGROUND: Meditation in its various forms is a traditional exercise with a potential benefit on well-being and health. On a psychosomatic level these exercises seem to improve the salutogenetic potential in man.Especially the cardiorespiratory interaction seems to play an important role since most meditation techniques make use of special low frequency breathing patterns regardless of whether they result from a deliberate guidance of breathing or other mechanisms, for example, the recitation of specific verse...

The world population with an increase of 75% will be 10 billion by 2050. Current contraception methods have difficulties, and there is no safe and ideal way of contraception. Contraception, which based on immunocontraception stimulation, is a modern method presentation. This study is going to review and examine the response of anti-sperm anti-body in serum and uterus secretions, and resultant infertility induction rate. Despite of current different contradictions in the field of mature sperm protein capability in infertility induction, the results of this study showed that, immunocontraception stimulation is the best way of infertility induction...

Hemoglobin A1C is used to screen and diagnose diabetes but measurement of glucose in the blood is subject to several limitations, many of which are not widely appreciated. Blood glucose testing should be taken into consideration before taking the patient to be diabetic on the basis of abnormal HbA1c values.

Bernard Soulier Syndrome is a very rare congenital bleeding disorder characterized by deficiency in glycoprotein Ib (Gp Ib) which is vital for clot formation. We present a case of 21-year-old girl with onset of menorrhagia since 4 months. She was investigated and diagnosed to be a case of AML-M4 with associated Gp Ib deficiency.

BACKGROUND: The study aimed to validate and compare the Siriraj score, Guy's hospital score, Greek score, and Besson score in a group of stroke patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We assessed the stroke scores and compared them to computed tomography (CT) scan of brain. RESULTS: Two hundred stroke patients (129 ischemic stroke) were included. For ischemic stroke, sensitivity and specificity were 71% and 92% (Siriraj score), 73% and 98% (Greek score), 59% and 87% (Guy's hospital score), and 65% and 98% (Besson score), respectively...

INTRODUCTION: Elderly population contributed to 7% of total population of India in 2001 and it will rise to 9% by 2016. In 2010,100 million people were aged above 60 years and by 2020 it will be 177 million. Ageing process is as such complex and multi-factorial. Chronic morbidities like diabetes and hypertension are becoming common health problems among the geriatric population. AIM: To assess the prevalence of diabetes and hypertension among geriatric population in a rural community of Tamilnadu...

AIM: To assess the clinical utility of Serum adenosine deaminase, gamma glutamyl transferase and alkaline phosphatase in carcinoma breast patients for diagnostic and prognostic purpose. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty clinically and histopathologically confirmed female patients of the age group of 30-65 years served as cases and 30 normal healthy females in the same age group served as controls. The parameters were estimated by standard biochemical methods. RESULTS: The activities of serum ADA, GGT and ALP were significantly increased in carcinoma breast patients when compared to controls...

BACKGROUND: Because of the overlapping MCV, MCH and HbA 2 values in BTT and non-BTT subjects our laboratory determined own cutoffs. AIMS: To establish cutoff values by investigating the parents of thalassemia major children and to assess the degree of anemia in BTT subjects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Study includes 179 parents of thalassemia major children (BTT cases) and 287 non-BTT controls. Samples were analyzed on an electronic hematology analyzer...

BACKGROUND: Hemodialysis treatment is a costly procedure that requires specific resources. It has a considerable burden on patients, caregivers, and healthcare system. The aim of this study was to estimate the economic burden borne by the Ministry of Health (MOH) in Jordan, with a focus on direct medical, direct non-medical, and indirect cost. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted at MOH hospitals in Jordan, from August to November 2010. A total of 138 patients and 49 caregivers were involved in the study...

OBJECTIVE: To study the cases of obstetric hysterectomy performed over a period of 1 year (January 2008 to December 2008) in tertiary care center to estimate the incidence, indications, and maternal outcome following the procedure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 20 cases of emergency obstetric hysterectomies performed during the study period. RESULTS: During the study period, there were 11,356 deliveries and 20 emergency hysterectomies were done, giving an incidence of 0...

BACKGROUND: The effect of inhaled fluticasone propionate (FP) and salmeterol (SM) on tracheal responsiveness (TR) to methacholine and lung pathology of sensitized guinea pig was examined. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six groups of guinea pigs (n = 7) were sensitized to ovalbumin (OA). Three groups were subjected to inhaled FP and SM, one group during (A), one group after sensitization (for 18 days, B) and other group during sensitization but with 18-days delay before measurements (C)...

BACKGROUND: Increasing life-expectancy and decreasing birth rate have led to an increase in the elderly population worldwide so that the aging population is considered one of the biggest public health concerns in the present century which demands more attention to this vulnerable group. Therefore, the present study was done to determine the effect of a healthy lifestyle program on elderly's health in Arak. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This quasi-experimental intervention study was carried out on 60 elderly citizens of Arak...

CONTEXT: It is established that glycemic control measures involving diet and oral medication reduces glycated hemoglobin concentration (HbA1c) in type 2 diabetic patients. AIMS: To determine whether glycemic levels after diabetic treatment is affected by age, gender, obesity, and diabetic duration in type 2 diabetic patients. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A total of 52 type 2 diabetic patients participated in a 12-week diabetic management therapy involving oral medication (metformin) and lifestyle intervention (diet)...

Qualitative research refers to, a range of methodological approaches which aim to generate an in-depth and interpreted understanding of the social world, by learning about people's social and material circumstances, their experiences, perspectives, and histories. Requires researchers to become intensely involved, often remaining in field for lengthy periods of time. The greatest value of qualitative research is its ability to address questions of relevance to public health knowledge and practice which are difficult to answer satisfactorily using quantitative methods...

Ipomoea aquatica (I. aquatica) (Convolvulaceae) is commonly grown green leafy vegetable found throughout India, Ceylon, Tropical Asia, Africa, and Australia. Traditionally, I. aquatica used as carminative agent and lessens inflammation, and is useful in fever, jaundice, biliousness, bronchitis, liver complaints, etc., I. aquatica is a rich source of vitamins, minerals, proteins, fibers, carotenes, and flavanoids with many health benefits. The objective of this review is to highlight the pharmacognostical, phytochemical, and pharmacological information of this plant...