International Archives of Integrated Medicine

9-12

Authors: Aparna Pandey, Jayesh P. Warade

Introduction: The definitive diagnosis of Tuberculosis is established when typical histological features can be demonstrated or mycobacteria can be isolated from the body fluids or from sputum or from gastric lavage. Various other methods, such as gel electrophoresis, radiometric assay and polymerase chain reaction are also available. It is well documented that isolation of mycobacteria and culture is difficult and time consuming and other tests are complex and technically more demanding. In this study, we correlated the results of QuantiFERON-TB Gold test with tuberculin skin test and sputum positivity. Material and methods: Total 150 subjects were included in this study. The clinical features and detailed history of each case was recorded in a standard format including exposure to infection and physical examination. Patients were tested for QuantiFERON-TB Gold. Results: The results obtained in this study showed that single method for diagnosis of tuberculosis patients may not be able to detect all the positive cases of tuberculosis. Whereas combining two methods for the diagnosis of tuberculosis patients is more advantageous way for the detection of tuberculosis patients. The combination of tuberculin skin test along with the QuantiFERON-TB Gold test had yield 96.6% cases as positive in our study which is far better than using a single test. Conclusion: Use of QuantiFERON-TB Gold test for the diagnosis of tuberculosis is superior to conventional methods of diagnosis, above which the QuantiFERON-TB Gold test in combination with tuberculin skin test yields the maximum number of true positive cases of tuberculosis. The levels of new markers, serum interferon gamma (IFN-γ) after stimulation by foreign antigen by QFT test and combining it with tuberculin skin test yields a good amount of true positive cases of tuberculosis even in latent cases.

18-26

Authors: Manjinder Kour, Harsimran Singh, Jagdeep Kaur

The study aims to evaluate in vitro anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of hydroalcoholic extract of leaves of Valeriana jatamansi. In addition, the phytochemical screening of the extract had been carried out. The anti-oxidant activity was compared with the ascorbic acid standard whereas anti-inflammatory activity was compared with diclofenac sodium. Phytochemical screening evaluated the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, phenols, tannins and terpenoids. With the increase in the concentration of extract, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory property increased. IC50 value of plant extract revealed that the extract has more potent antioxidant activity as compared to Vitamin C which may be attributed to the presence of flavonoids, tannins and phenols in the extract.

31-35

Authors: Ashfaq ul Hassan, Rohul Afza Kaloo, Pervez Shah, Masood Tanver, Obaid, Muneeb ul Hassan, Zahida Rasool

Aneurysms or Dilatations in the vessels which are prone to rupture occur at bifurcations of large arteries at the base of brain. Rupture occurs into the sub-arachnoid space in the basal cisterns and into parenchyma of the brain. 80-90% of these aneurysms occur at circle of Willis. Commonest types are the Berry’s aneurysms and commonest sites are at Junction of anterior communicating artery with anterior cerebral artery and bifurcation of middle cerebral artery.

39-43

Authors: Virendra Goyal

We presented here a case of acute nitrobenzene poisoning in which effective clinical evaluation and timely management in form of repeated intravenous methylene blue and blood transfusions played a vital role to save a life. It is very important to take care of patient who presented late after heavy exposure form the secondary cycling of nitrobenzene from body stores. Clinicians should be aware of this uncommon, but treatable and potential serious poisoning of nitrobenzene. Methemogobinemia can leads to high mortality but effective treatment with methylene blue is preferential.

58-65

Authors: Pragnesh Parmar, Gunvanti B. Rathod, Sangita Rathod, Ashish Parikh

Nature is everywhere surrounding us in different form. It includes single cell structure to extremely complex, living or non living, substance or creature. One of the important part of nature is diatoms – unicellular algae which are usually present in water sources like lake, pond etc. Death due to submersion of body into water is known since ages. Diatoms study in case of drowning death is very useful for forensic investigators. It is one of the best example in which nature helps to solve the crime. In present article, we discussed about diatoms, diagnosis of drowning death and length of submersion of body in water with help of diatoms, collection, identification and preservation of diatoms for forensic analysis.