Pondicherry

In this work, sediments collected from a 150-m deep litho-section of a coastal region and encompassing Quaternary, Tertiary and Cretaceous sedimentary formations were studied for arsenic distribution and other trace and redox sensitive elements. Arsenic concentration in the sediments is found to vary from <0.5 to 30 mg·kg-1 and showed an increasing trend with the depth. The highest As content is observed at a depth of 129-131 m bgl belonging to Cretaceous formation. Though XRD studies do not indicate any arsenic mineral in sediments, positive correlations between As-Fe and S, as well as ESEM-EDS and TXRF studies confirm the presence of As sorbed to FeS mineral...

Statins are HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors prescribed for lowering cholesterol. They can also inhibit inflammatory responses by suppressing isoprenylation of small G proteins. Consistent with this, we previously found that fluvastatin suppresses IgE-mediated mast cell function. However, some studies have found that statins induced pro-inflammatory cytokines in macrophages and NK cells. In contrast to IgE signaling, we show that fluvastatin augments IL-33-induced TNF and IL-6 production by mast cells. This effect required the key mast cell growth factor, stem cell factor (SCF)...

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INTRODUCTION: Forty-four percent of global cases are predicted to occur in the Indian sub-continent, but less than 2000 cases have been reported. Though the number of predicted cases in India is reported to be high, lesser numbers are being reported due to a lack of diagnostic capabilities and poor awareness of the disease. AIMS: We aimed to estimate the number of cases of melioidosis over a 5-year period, the proportion of non-survivors, and map the geographical regions of the patients...

Hakura Hashimoto described Hashimoto's Thyroiditis (HT) in 1912. In HT, there occurs formation of antibodies against the self (thyroid), which causes enlargement of the thyroid gland as a whole and decreased thyroid hormone levels. Most of the patients with HT are given medical line of management (hypo/hyperthyroidism). The indications for surgical line of management for HT are due to pressure symptoms over the trachea and oesophagus, pain in the thyroid gland and for chance of malignancy. Surgical treatment gives complete relief from pain and pressure symptoms and also prevents the risk of malignancy...

Yoga is sometimes interpreted as medical therapy and the evidence from biomedical research indicates that it can be useful in a broad range of health conditions. Yoga, however, can also be pursued as a process-oriented contemplative practice. This article draws on participant observation-based research with yoga practitioners at two hospitals, one in Pondicherry, India, and one in Fukui, Japan. It explores how patients and their families at these healthcare institutions are invited to move without anticipating an outcome and to cultivate attitudes such as contentment and non-violence...

PURPOSE: To report the spectrum and the factors affecting the visual outcome of ocular injuries associated with maxillofacial trauma. METHODOLOGY: A prospective observational study was carried out from January 2019 to June  2020 on patients of maxillofacial trauma at a rural tertiary care centre, in Pondicherry, India. Detailed history was obtained. Investigations including imaging was done as indicated. Predictors of eye injuries and prognostic factors for vision were assessed...

INTRODUCTION: Peripheral neuropathy is a common microvascular complication in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus with a prevalence of around 50%. OBJECTIVES: This prospective observational cross-sectional study was done to assess serum calprotectin levels among diabetic patients with peripheral neuropathy as compared to those without neuropathy. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 126 diabetic patients attending the out-patient department of JIPMER Hospital, Pondicherry from July 2017 to January 2019...

Anosmia and ageusia are the first and maybe the only symptom in patients affected with COVID-19 especially if the patient is paucisymptomatic. This aim of this study was to determine the demographic details of patients with anosmia, prevalence of anosmia and the time taken for it to resolve in patients who are positive for COVID-19 and took treatment in our hospital. Cross Sectional Study. Patients with real time polymerase chain reaction (RTPCR) positive nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabs, who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were included in the study...

Stake holders meet on "Identification and Detection of Entamoeba histolytica " was conducted on July 21, 2019 at Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth Deemed-to-be-University, Pondicherry. This programme was of national importance, since the amoebiasis is being increasingly reported from different parts of India because of poor socioeconomic conditions and sanitation levels. Experts in amoebiasis research across India attended this meeting. This meeting was conducted with an objective to frame the guidelines on the identification and detection of E...

PURPOSE: Rural screening camps in India historically have focused on detection of cataract and uncorrected refractive error. This study aimed to increase detection, referral, and follow-up for posterior segment diseases (PSDs) in rural eye camps using a novel technology-driven eye camp model. DESIGN: A clustered nonrandomized trial in the catchment area of Aravind Eye Care System (AECS) Pondicherry, to compare 2 eye camp models: the traditional AECS eye camp model and the novel, technology-driven, eye camp model...

This second annual edition of MycoNews starts with a message from IMA President Wieland Meyer regarding the steps being taken to legally incorporate the Association in Switzerland. News is provided on progress in the arrangements for IMC12 (Amsterdam 2022), release of the State of World's Plants and Fungi report, mycology under the Coronavirus pandemic, and two new biodiversity initiatives in The Netherlands. Reports are presented from the: 1st International Symposium on Tropical African Mycology (Benin 2019); Recent Advances in the Biodiversity, Biology, and Biotechnology of Fungi (Pondicherry 2019); the 4th International Malassezia Workshop (virtual 2020); Dutch Design Week (2020), and UK Fungus Day (2020)...

Background: Early detection of cervical cancer can significantly reduce the associated morbidities and mortality. However, uptake of screening for cervical cancer in India is not encouraging. Objectives: To assess the awareness about cervical cancer, willingness, and barriers for undergoing screening of cervical cancer among women in urban Pondicherry. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among women of 30-65 years in urban Pondicherry during January - July 2019...

PURPOSE: To assess whether routine fundus photography (RFP) to screen for posterior segment disease at community eye clinics (vision centers [VCs]) in India increases referral to centralized ophthalmolic care. DESIGN: Stepped-wedge, cluster-randomized trial. PARTICIPANTS: Patients aged 40 to 75 years and those aged 20 to 40 years with a known history of hypertension or diabetes mellitus presenting to 4 technician-run VCs associated with the Aravind Eye Care System in India...

PURPOSE: To determine if preoperative and perioperative music exposure reduced patient self-rated anxiety and physiologic indicators of stress during first-time phacoemulsification cataract surgery in the high-volume setting. SETTING: Aravind Eye Care System, Pondicherry, India. DESIGN: Prospective single-masked randomized controlled trial. METHODS: Patients were provided music before and during first-time phacoemulsification in one group and patients underwent surgery without music in another group...

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus are more prone to thyroid disorders. Hypothyroidism in them leads to an aggravation of microvascular complications. Diabetic patients with hypothyroidism also are at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Screening for thyroid dysfunction in diabetic patients will allow early treatment of hypothyroidism. The aim of this study was to assess the level of thyroid dysfunction in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and to identify the association of thyroid dysfunction with diabetic complications...

PURPOSE: To determine whether there is a benefit to adjuvant corneal cross-linking (CXL) for bacterial keratitis. METHODS: This is an outcome-masked, randomized controlled clinical trial. Consecutive patients presenting with a smear-positive bacterial ulcer at Aravind Eye Hospitals at Madurai, Pondicherry, and Coimbatore in India were enrolled. Study eyes were randomized to topical moxifloxacin 0.5% or topical moxifloxacin 0.5% plus CXL. The primary outcome of the trial was microbiological cure at 24 hours on repeat culture...

Cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with diabetes as it is associated with a high risk of cardiac arrhythmias. Objectives: This prospective observational cross-sectional study was done to estimate the prevalence of CAN in patients with type 2 diabetes and to study its association with serum omentin and leptin levels. Methods: This study included 100 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus attending the outpatient department of JIPMER Hospital, Pondicherry, India, from January 2017 to December 2018...

Haloarchaea are salt-loving archaea and potential source of industrially relevant halotolerant enzymes. In the present study, three reddish-pink, extremely halophilic archaeal strains, namely wsp1 (wsp-water sample Pondicherry), wsp3, and wsp4, were isolated from the Indian Solar saltern. The phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences suggests that both wsp3 and wsp4 strains belong to Halogeometricum borinquense while wsp1 is closely related to Haloferax volcanii species. The comparative genomics revealed an open pangenome for both genera investigated here...

&lt;b&gt;Background:&lt;/b&gt; Mucormycosis is a rare fungal infection affecting people with impaired immunity. The aim of this study is to shed light on the epidemiology, incidence, and outcome of patients with mucormycosis hospitalized at a tertiary care center in Pondicherry. &lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Methods:&lt;/b&gt; We conducted a retrospective chart review between January 2008 and January 2018. All patients with proven or probable mucormycosis were included. &lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Results:&lt;/b&gt; A total of 24 patients were included...