Comparative evaluation of serological tests used for the diagnosis of rickettsial diseases prevalent in the temperate region of North India

PurposeThe clinical manifestations of rickettsial diseases mimic other endemic infections with similar presentations thus posing a serious challenge to clinicians for their diagnosis. For the diagnosis of rickettsial disease serological tests like Weil Felix, ELISA and IFA are used. There are limited studies that have evaluated different serological tests for the diagnosis of rickettsial diseases. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to evaluate the ELISA and Weil Felix test for the diagnosis of rickettsial diseases prevalent in this region.MethodsSamples from 281 patients clinically suspected of rickettsial diseases were tested for spotted fever group (SFG), typhus group (TG) and scrub typhus group (STG) by Weil Felix, ELISA and IFA was taken as the gold standard. Baseline titers and cut-off ODs were calculated by taking samples from healthy blood donors.ResultsThe sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value of Weil Felix test ranged from 30% to 44%, 83.46%–97.86%, 9%–77%, 92–96% respectively. The sensitivity and specificity, positive and negative predictive value of ELISA ranged from 80.77% to 96.15%, 96.33%–98.43%, 70.21%–88.64%, 92.89%–99.60% respectively. Maximum cross-reactions were observed between SFG and STG by the Weil Felix test and between STG and TG by ELISA.ConclusionsELISA was found to be sensitive and specific for the diagnosis of rickettsial diseases. It is easy to perform, does not require a technical expert for result interpretation and a large number of samples can be processed at a time.     

Practical approaches to labelling terminal alkynes with deuterium

Base catalysed exchange with sodium hydroxide, calcium oxide or N,N,N,N-tetramethylguanidine in deuterium oxide is a viable procedure for the preparation of terminally deuterated alkynes for those alkynes stable to strong base. The use of silver perchlorate as a catalyst is an alternative practical option when labelling alkynes which are sensitive to base or contain functionalities which would lead to labelling elsewhere in the molecule. Labelling with this catalyst takes place smoothly at ambient temperature in a mixture of N,N-dimethylformamide and deuterium oxide.     

Polyphenolic Fractions from Three Millet Types (Fonio,Finger millet,and Pearl millet): their Characterization and Biological Importance

BackgroundAs antioxidant-rich plant foods, cereals can impede lipid and starch breakdown in the human body, are germane to diabetes management.ObjectiveWe aim to identify newer sources of phytochemicals and health-promoting constituents desirable antidiabetic and antioxidant properties.MethodsThree millet types i.e. fonio (Digitaria exilis), finger millet (Eleusine coracana), and pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) available locally were investigated for antioxidant ability employing these assays i.e. DPPH, ABTS, H₂O₂, antidiabetic ability employing these assays i.e. α-amylase, α-glucosidase and inhibitory property on glycosylation formation. Preliminary characterization tools were employed i.e. UV-Visible spectroscopy (UV–visible) and Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) for the polyphenolic confirmation.ResultsThe absorbance intensity range 325–425 nm confirmed that polyphenolics are present in the three millet types; most of the biological results showed the activities are dose-dependent. Fonio millet extract revealed the highest activity against hemoglobin glycosylation (29.469 ± 0.399%) which compared favorably with the standard (acarbose) (29.354 ± 1.607%). Fonio millet extract also showed the best antioxidant activity (significantly higher% inhibition value = 47.909 ± 3.472) and the pearl millet revealed the least antioxidant activity (significantly lower% inhibition value = 44.910 ± 3.597) both at a concentration of 500 mg·ml^?1, though all the millet extracts showed activity towards this assay better than the standard (19.883 ± 2.485%). Fonio millet extract displayed a significantly higher percentage inhibition of α-amylase and glucosidase (43.729 ± 0.410% and 55.835 ± 2.198%) than finger millet (39.002 ± 1.604%; 43.971 ± 5.849%) and pearl millet (33.223 ± 2.708%; 30.845 ± 2.841%), respectively.ConclusionThe polyphenolic extracts from these millet types have therapeutic potentials, which may play significant roles in type 2 diabetes prevention and management, and hence these millets, especially fonio and finger millet, have the potential to be utilized as functional foods.     

经络艾灸防治乳腺癌根治术后患侧上肢水肿的效果评价

目的观察循经艾灸预防乳腺癌患者根治术后上肢水肿的效果。方法采用便利抽样法选取乳腺外科乳腺癌根治术的患者150例,随机分为对照组和观察组,每组75例。对照组行常规护理,观察组在对照组基础上在手术侧上肢循经艾灸。于术前1 d、术后第14天和术后1个月,测量两组患者患侧上肢水肿程度。结果观察组术后患侧上肢水肿发生率低于对照组(P<0.05)。结论术后循经艾灸可有效预防乳腺癌根治术后患侧上肢水肿,提高患者舒适度。     

股骨头坏死愈胶囊与双磷酸盐治疗股骨颈移位骨折术后股骨头缺血性坏死临床研究

目的：观察比较股骨头坏死愈胶囊与双磷酸盐治疗股骨颈移位骨折术后股骨头缺血性坏死（ANFH） 的临床疗效。方法：选择本院收治的股骨颈移位骨折术后ANFH 患者55 例，按随机数字表法分为观察组30 例及对照组25 例。2 组术后均给予常规对症治疗，在此基础上观察组给予股骨头坏死愈胶囊治疗，对照组给予双磷酸盐阿仑膦酸钠治疗，连续治疗6 个月后，比较2 组临床疗效、疼痛情况、髋关节功能及功能独立性恢复情况，并检测其血常规、肝肾功能情况以判定药物的安全性。结果：治疗总有效率观察组90.48%，明显高于对照组67.65%，差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）；治疗后，2 组疼痛视觉模拟评分法（VAS） 较治疗前下降，观察组VAS 评分低于对照组，差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）；治疗后，2 组髋关节功能评分（Harris） 评分、功能独立性评定量表（FIM） 评分较治疗前升高，观察组Harris 评分、FIM 评分均高于对照组，差异均有统计学意义（P＜0.05）；2 组治疗期间均未出现药物不良反应。结论：股骨头坏死愈胶囊治疗股骨颈移位骨折术后ANFH，与单用双磷酸盐治疗比较，有利于提高临床疗效，能有效缓解患者疼痛，改善髋关节功能，恢复功能独立性，且药物安全性高。     

卡马西平联合盐酸洛美利嗪治疗原发性偏头痛的疗效观察

目的:探讨卡马西平联合盐酸洛美利嗪治疗原发性偏头痛的疗效观察。方法:选取2017年9月~2018年1月收治的98例原发性偏头痛患者进行随机对照实验,分为观察组和对照组,各49例。对照组给予盐酸洛美利嗪胶囊治疗,观察组在对照组基础上给予卡马西平治疗。对比两组治疗前后匹兹堡睡眠质量指数量表评分、视觉模拟评分法疼痛评分及血清一氧化氮和内皮素-1水平变化。结果:治疗后两组匹兹堡睡眠质量指数量表评分、视觉模拟评分法疼痛评分均低于治疗前,且观察组显著低于对照组(P<0.05);两组血清一氧化氮和内皮素-1水平均较治疗前显著降低,且观察组低于对照组(P<0.05)。结论:对原发性偏头痛患者行卡马西平联合盐酸洛美利嗪治疗,可显著缓解患者疼痛,改善睡眠质量,调节血清指标。     

护士应用体外膜肺氧合技术核心能力评价指标的构建

目的 构建一套科学、系统的护士应用体外膜肺氧合（extracorporeal membrane oxygenation,ECMO）技术的核心能力评价指标,为护士的培养、考核和能力评价提供参考依据。 方法 通过文献回顾、半结构式访谈形成护士应用ECMO技术核心能力评价指标初稿,2021年2月—4月,采用德尔菲法对6个省份的25名专家进行问卷函询,运用层次分析法确定各级指标权重。 结果 共开展2轮函询,问卷有效回收率分别为90.00%、92.59%,第2轮函询专家的权威系数为0.886,肯德尔和谐系数为0.205（P<0.001）。最终构建的评价指标包括临床专业知识、临床实践技能、评判性思维能力、专业发展能力、沟通协调能力、管理能力、个人特质7个一级指标、19个二级指标、70个三级指标。 结论 构建的护士应用ECMO技术核心能力评价指标具有较高的科学性和可靠性,对护士的培养、考核和能力评价具有指导意义。     

知信行评价体系对初产妇产褥期母婴照护能力的影响

目的 构建初产妇知信行评价体系并探讨其对初产妇产褥期母婴照护能力的影响。 方法 选取2017年2月-2018年2月在我院产科分娩的120例初产妇为研究对象,采用随机数字表法将其分成研究组和对照组,每组各60例;对照组采取常规护理和健康宣教,研究组应用知信行评价体系,比较2组产褥期健康知识水平及母婴照护能力。 结果 干预4周后,研究组产褥期一般知识、新生儿护理知识及母乳喂养知识水平均高于对照组(t=8.373,P<0.001; t=9.495,P<0.001; t=13.946,P<0.001);产褥期母婴照护行为能力高于对照组。 结论 应用知信行评价体系对初产妇开展针对性干预,有助于提升产妇的康复知识水平及新生儿照护知识和技能,保障母婴安全,具有重要社会价值和临床意义。