Communities Of North-East India Research Articles

Abstract C133: The missing cancer and palliative care in displaced community in Northeast India

Abstract Introduction: Cancer is a chronic illness needing long treatment. This includes late toxicity management in case of cure and palliative care if cure is a distant possibility. Northeast part of India shares international border with Bangladesh and both sides had witnessed geopolitical uncertainty since India’s independence in 1947. Unrest and military rule in East Pakistan made the citizens to flee to India which continued even after the creation of the new country Bangladesh in 1971. However, the poor migrants are not eligible under the public health scheme due to lack of proof of citizenship. Methods: We have analyzed the public health scheme and issues of migrants in Northeast India after observing discontinuity in care. Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) is a national public health insurance scheme of the Government of India that aims to provide free access to health insurance coverage for low- income earners in the country. The scheme is applicable to Indian citizens. In 2019 Government of India passed the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) to provide Indian citizenship to the illegal migrants who entered India on or before 31st December 2014. However, the exercise to identify migrants as per the Act is a tedious process and not yet over.: Results: Until the exercise of granting citizenship under the Citizenship Amendment Act is done, the poor migrants who have no proof of citizenship cannot take benefit under AB PM-JAY scheme. Unfortunately, some internally displaced Indian citizens are lacking proof of citizenship and many of them are suffering from chronic illnesses and cancer, however neither afford to pay for treatment nor eligible to get free treatment under AB PM-JAY scheme. Conclusions: Northeast India migrant issue is a special situation where poor migrants from other country and some displaced poor Indians are not eligible to get cancer care under public health insurance scheme. The Citizenship Amendment Act provides a solution by granting citizenship. However, the tedious process is taking long time and no solution being offered in the interim period. Citation Format: Suryakanta Acharya. The missing cancer and palliative care in displaced community in Northeast India [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 17th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2024 Sep 21-24; Los Angeles, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2024;33(9 Suppl):Abstract nr C133.

A Cross-sectional Study on the Perceived Stress and Coping Strategies and Their Correlation in the Homosexual and Bisexual Community in North-East India

Abstract Background: Homosexuality and bisexuality have long been prevalent in all parts of the world including India. Many efforts have been put to destigmatize and to make the lives of these people better, and it is no longer considered pathological in the diagnostic systems. Still, they experience higher stigma, discrimination, marginalization, violence, and trauma throughout their lives. Thus, research is needed to evaluate the level of stress and how they cope with it. Objectives: The objectives were to study the sociodemographic profiles of the participants and to explore the stress-coping skills among lesbians, gays, and bisexuals. Methods: It was a cross-sectional descriptive study with a sample size of 50, including 18-year and older homosexual and bisexual participants, with the employment of a snowball sampling technique. A semi-structured sociodemographic pro forma, Klein Sexual Orientation Grid, Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and Brief Coping with Problem Experienced scales were applied. Results: The mean age of participants was 23.620 ± 3.630. There were 36 (72%) gay, 8 (16%) lesbian, and 6 (12%) bisexual participants. On estimation of stress, 15 (30%) participants had low stress, 27 (54%) had moderate stress, and 8 (16%) participants had high levels of stress. Among coping strategies, the highest mean was for self-distraction (5.70 ± 1.51), followed by acceptance (5.32 ± 1.20). A significant positive correlation between the PSS scores was found with self-blame and avoidant coping strategies. Conclusion: People with homosexual and bisexual orientation are likely to experience higher levels of stress, so it becomes vital to have more research in this field.

Study of Autonomic Function Changes in Patients with Generalized Anxiety Disorder in an Ethnic Community of North East India

Study of Autonomic Function Changes in Patients with Generalized Anxiety Disorder in an Ethnic Community of North East India

Perceptions, health seeking behavior and utilization of maternal and newborn health services among an indigenous tribal community in Northeast India-a community-based mixed methods study.

Evidence suggests that healthcare utilization among tribal communities in isolated regions can be influenced by social determinants of health, particularly cultural and geographical factors. The true mortality and morbidity due to these factors in remote tribal communities are often underestimated due to facility-dependent reporting systems often difficult to access. We studied the utilization of health services for maternal and newborn care and explored how cultural beliefs, perceptions, and practices influence the health-seeking behavior (HSB) of an indigenous tribal community in Northeast India. Within a concurrent triangulation design, the combined results from 7 focus group discussions and 19 in-depth interviews, and the 109 interviews of mothers from a community-based survey were interpreted in a complementary manner. The qualitative data were analyzed using a conceptual framework adapted from the socio-ecological and three-delays model, using a priori thematic coding. Multivariable logistic regression was carried out to identify factors associated with home delivery. Only 3.7% of the interviewed mothers received the four recommended antenatal check-ups in health centers, and 40.1% delivered at home. Mothers residing in the villages without a health center or one that was not operational were more likely to deliver at home. HSB was influenced significantly by available finances, the mother's education, low self-esteem, and a strong belief in traditional medicine favored by its availability and religious affiliation. The community sought health services in facilities only in emergency situations, determined primarily by the tribe's poor perception of the quality of health services provided in the irregularly open centers, locally available traditional medicine practitioners, and challenges in geographical access. National schemes intended to incentivize access to facilities failed to impact this community due to flawed program implementation that did not consider this region's cultural, social, and geographical differences. The health-seeking behavior of the tribe is a complex, interrelated, and interdependent process framed in a medical pluralistic context. The utilization of health centers and HSBs of indigenous communities may improve when policymakers adopt a "bottom-up approach," addressing structural barriers, tailoring programs to be culturally appropriate, and guaranteeing that the perceived needs of indigenous communities are met before national objectives.

Clerodendrum colebrookianum Walp: An Insight into its Pharmacology, Expository Traditional Uses and Extensive Phytochemistry

Introduction: Clerodendrum colebrookianum Walp (Family, Verbenaceae) is one of the beneficial medicinal plants, used by the traditional people of this Northeast region of India due to its cardioprotective action and most widely known as “Nefafu” in Assam, “Arun” in Nagaland and “Phuinum” in Mizoram. Clerodendrum colebrookianum is found extensively in the South as well as Southeast Asia. The Mizo natives of the Northeast, India expanse of India claim that the hypertensive populace's minor occurrence in the middle of their society member is because of the habitual ingestion of this medicinal plant as vegetables. Aim: This review summarizes the ethnopharmacology, selected scientific evidence on the pharmacological properties and phytochemistry of Clerodendrum colebrookianum Walp. This plant is generally considered the most significant herbal variety practiced in the therapy of hypertension by various communities of Northeast India. Methods: The review covers literature about the evidence-based ethnopharmacology, therapeutic potential, and phytochemistry of Clerodendrum colebrookianum Walp. Literature was collected from non-English journals and English from scientific databases via electronic search (Elsevier, Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, Springer, Web of Science, Wiley online library) and Ph.D. thesis databases. Results: Evidence suggests that the extracts and some compounds from. Clerodendrum colebrookianum Walp possesses abdominal pain, anthelmintic, antidote, blood purifier, colics in infants, cough, diabetes, diarrhea, and dysentery, gastric disorders. It also has cardioprotective potential, which is a valid scientific basis for consuming it for health benefits in the northeast region of India. Conclusion: Scientific evidence suggests that Clerodendrum colebrookianum Walp's immense potential to treat diabetes, hypertension, and other chronic diseases.

Epidemiologic Risk Factors for Variation in Age at Natural Menopause: Shreds of Evidence from a Tribal Community in North-East India

In the coming decades, the proportion of Indian women aged 45 years and above is anticipated to rise dramatically and, women could expect to spend nearly 30 years in the post-menopausal years. There is scanty menopausal research to identify the risk factors of early and late menopause in North-East India. This research was conducted in the rural parts of the flood-prone area of Dhemaji district of Assam in North-East India in 2017. Five hundred sixteen women aged 43–61 years were found eligible to participate in the study (response rate 93.48%). Women were categorized into four groups based on menopausal age: early menopausal (40–44 years), relatively early menopausal (45–49 years), 50–51 years (reference category), and 52 years and above as late menopausal. 15.12% women reported being early menopausal. In univariate analysis, statistically significant association was found between age at menopause and occupational status, age at sexual union, age at first and last childbirth, oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) used, nulliparity, regular consumption of traditional rice beer, mother’s age at menopause, and high levels of chronic and routine stress. Multiple regression analysis revealed occupation, mother’s natural menopausal age, age at first sexual entry, regular consumption of traditional rice beer, moderate to high levels of routine and chronic stress, age at last birth, acceptance of OCPs for at least 5 years, and parity as potential epidemiologic risk factors of early and late menopause.

A Study of Nodular Skin Lesions with Special Reference to the Ethnic Population of Northeast India in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Background: Nodular skin lesions vary significantly in size and colour/pigmentation. Most of these clinically resemble soft tissue lesions. Histopathology plays key role in categorizing the lesions based on which course of treatment is planned. The present study aims to find out incidence and variation of skin nodules and correlate the clinico-pathological details with special reference to ethnic population of Northeast India.
 Methods: The study is a retrospective and descriptive study conducted for a period of 2 years at a tertiary care centre. The clinical and demographic details were retrieved and H&E slides are studied for histomorphology.
 Result: A total of 50 cases were studied out of which five cases were diagnosed as malignant tumours and 45 cases were diagnosed as benign tumours. Seventeen cases (34%) of tumours with follicular differentiation, eight cases (16%) of melanocytic tumours, nine cases (18%) of vascular and neural tumours, thirteen cases (26%) of tumours with apocrine and eccrine differentiation, two cases (4%) of epidermal tumors and one case (2%) of tumour with sebaceous differentiation were included under the present study. Tumors with follicular differentiation, the most commonly encountered tumor in the present study, were seen in the fourth to sixth decades of life and seen more commonly among women. A total of 18 (36%) cases belonged to ethnic tribal communities of North-east India, out of which seven were tumors of follicular differentiation, five were melanocytic tumours and six were tumors of eccrine differentiation.
 Conclusion: H&E-stained sections stand as the most important tool for diagnosing and differentiating skin nodular lesions. A significant percentage (36%) of the lesions in the present study have been seen in the ethnic population of the Northeast region of India.

How traditional agriculture contributes to the global narrative for sustainability: A case study from a community in Northeast India

Among food practices that foster climate resilience, traditional agricultural practices of Indigenous communities have been recognized and noted in recent times. These forms of agriculture include shifting cultivation and its adaptations across com­munities in the tropics. However, the policy narra­tive around shifting cultivation is rooted in its mis­understanding, as it was once seen as primitive and backward. New research and a reinterpretation of existing research present challenges to long-held policies that have discouraged and deterred the practice of shifting cultivation. With the onset of this new narrative is a call to action that seeks a rethinking by policymakers and governance actors around the nature and merits of traditional agricul­ture. Through the case study of Meghalaya, a small hilly state in the Northeastern region of India large­ly inhabited by Indigenous Peoples, this paper aims to provide the dominant narrative at the local con­text, evidence of the adaptations in shifting cultiva­tion that contribute to sustainability, and the need to rethink policy relating to shifting cultivation at the local level.

Flood Resilience of Housing Infrastructure Modeling and Quantification Using a Bayesian Belief Network

Resilience is the capability of a system to resist any hazard and revive to a desirable performance. The consequences of such hazards require the development of resilient infrastructure to ensure community safety and sustainability. However, resilience-based housing infrastructure design is a challenging task due to a lack of appropriate post-disaster datasets and the non-availability of resilience models for housing infrastructure. Hence, it is necessary to build a resilience model for housing infrastructure based on a realistic dataset. In this work, a Bayesian belief network (BBN) model was developed for housing infrastructure resilience. The proposed model was tested in a real community in Northeast India and the reliability, recovery, and resilience of housing infrastructure against flood hazards for that community were quantified. The required data for resilience quantification were collected by conducting a field survey and from public reports and documents. Lastly, a sensitivity analysis was performed to observe the critical parameters of the proposed BBN model, which can be used to inform designers, policymakers, and stakeholders in making resilience-based decisions.

An integrated approach for modelling and quantifying housing infrastructure resilience against flood hazard

Housing infrastructure is a basic human need and thus should be resilient against natural disasters. Therefore, an effective resilience-based framework for housing infrastructure is required to enhance the endurance capacity of housing and for effective recovery. Involving an expert opinion is also required for the representation of the nonlinear, complex relationship between the flood resilience parameters for housing infrastructure. In this work, initially, a hierarchical flood resilience model for housing infrastructure is developed using the decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) and the interpretive structure modeling (ISM) methods. The relationships among various resilience parameters related to flood hazards are obtained using integrated DEMATEL and ISM following the data received from expert opinions. Next, a flood resilience-based decision-making framework is developed integrating DEMATEL, ISM, and Bayesian Network (BN) methods. A field survey collects all the postdisaster data to feed in the BN model, capturing the interrelationship among the resilience parameters. Finally, the developed framework is implemented for a community in northeast India for flood resilience assessment and risk-informed decision making. It has been observed from the result that the resilience of the housing infrastructure for most of the surveyed places are extremely low, which means houses of those areas should be immediately strengthened. The evaluated resilience values provide the vulnerable scenarios of housing infrastructure of that community against flood hazards, which help the public authority of that community. Additionally, the identification of the most sensitive parameter/s among all considered parameters helps in decision making for future hazards.

Thiocyanate in excess develops goiter followed by auto immune thyroid diseases even after effective salt iodization in a rural community of north east India

PurposeSalt iodization in Manipur of north-east India failed to prevent endemic goiter, therefore an in depth study carried out to evaluate thyroid functions of goitrous subjects in a randomly selected region. MethodsGoiter survey conducted in children and women of reproductive ages by palpation followed by measurement of urinary iodine, thiocyanate and house-hold salt iodine to evaluate iodine nutritional status and consumption pattern of bamboo-shoots (BS). In all grade-2 goitrous subjects, free thyroxine, triiodothyronine, TSH, TPO and Tg antibodies, thyroid volume and echogenecity by ultrasonography and cytomorphology of thyroid by FNAC studied. ResultsStudy population was 2486 children and 1506 women, goiter prevalence was 12.59% and 16.27% respectively; median urinary iodine and mean thiocyanate were 166 µg/l and 0.729 ± 0.408 mg/dl while salt iodine was ≥30 ppm. Serum thyroid hormones and TSH profiles of all grade-2 goitrous subjects showed 16.21% were subclinically hypothyroid, 2.16% overt hypothyroid, 4.86% subclinically hyperthyroid and 6.48% overt hyperthyroid, serum TPO- and Tg-antibodies found positive in 41.62%. Ultrasonographic results showed 24% had enlarged thyroid and 86.4% hypoechoic. Cytomorphological studies showed prevalence of colloid goiter (41.08%), lymphocytic thyroiditis (37.83%), Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (8.10%), autoimmune thyroiditis (4.32%), sub-acute thyroiditis (2.16%) and 1.62% each papillary, medullary carcinoma, simple diffused hyperplasia and adenomoid nodular goiter. ConclusionsGrade-2 goitrous individuals in this mild goiter endemic region were affected by hypo- and hyperthyroidism with hypoechoic thyroid and thyroiditis. Thiocyanate that originates from BS even in presence of adequate iodine developed goiter and led goitrous population towards such diseases.

Review artitle Review: Traditional ecological knowledge of tribal communities of North East India

Abstract. Tynsong H, Dkhar M, Tiwari BK. 2020. Review: Traditional ecological knowledge of tribal communities of North East India. Biodiversitas 21: 3209-3224. Traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) refers to the knowledge, innovations and practices of indigenous and tribal people relating to the understanding of structure and functioning of neighboring natural ecosystems and their use for human welfare. In this paper, we have reviewed the literature relating to TEK held by the tribal and other traditional societies of North East India. The region is very rich in TEK pertaining to species, ecosystems, and their interactions including their sustainable management and utilization in forestry, fisheries, agriculture, food, crafts, dye, and health care. Some of these TEK based knowledge systems are at par or even superior to the resource management practices evolved under the ambit of modern knowledge. Though a substantial chunk of TEK of tribal communities of North East India has been documented, huge treasures of such knowledge remain unreported and hence are on the verge of being lost.

Empowering Women Weavers by Up-Gradation of Handloom Industry of Assam through Microfinance

Handloom industry is the back bone of various indigenous communities of North East India, particularly Assam. Weaving techniques have been passed on to the next generation by a mother to her daughter in majority households in Assam. However this tradition is almost on the verge of extinction except in a few specific areas where still women consider weaving as a part of their daily work. Due to the better connectivity between urban and rural areas and rising demand for traditional attires, weaving has become a source of income for those people who are still engaged in the age old skill. However scarcity of finance makes them helpless to increase the quality and supply of hand woven fabric in Assam. Microfinance can be highly effective in reviving and upgrading the handloom industry of Assam. The paper tries to analyse the impact of microfinance in enhancing the handloom industry of Assam, particularly in the lower Brahmaputra valley and eventually empowering the women folk socio-economically. Exploratory Factor analysis has been used to find out important factors which contribute to the socio-economic condition of women weavers. To measure whether microfinance has improved the handloom industry of Assam and hereby enhancing the socio-economic condition of the weavers, descriptive statistics has been used. It has been found that women weavers that are benefited under microfinance programme have eventually got empowered socio-economically.

Human carriage of cefotaxime-resistant Escherichia coli in North-East India: an analysis of STs and associated resistance mechanisms.

To determine the prevalence of Escherichia coli STs and associated resistance mechanisms carried by the community in North-East India. E. coli (108) were isolated from sewage collected from 19 sites across the city of Silchar by plating on MacConkey agar with/without selection (50 mg/L cefotaxime). Species identification was confirmed by MALDI-TOF MS for 82 isolates. Common resistance mechanisms were determined by WGS of pooled E. coli isolates. PFGE combined with specific probes determined the presence of common resistance mechanisms in all isolates. Phylotypes, multilocus STs, core-genome multilocus STs, resistance genes and virulence genes were determined by in silico analysis of 38 genomes. Analysis of isolates collected without selection (n=33) indicated that cefotaxime resistance in E. coli was 42% (14/33) and estimated meropenem resistance at 9%. The remaining 58% (19/33) were additionally susceptible to ampicillin, trimethoprim, ciprofloxacin and aminoglycosides. The most common ST among the cefotaxime-resistant E. coli was ST167 (29%), followed by ST410 (17%) and ST648 (10%). E. coli ST131 was absent from the collection. Sixty-three isolates were resistant to cefotaxime and harboured blaCTX-M-15 [54% (34/63)] or blaCMY-42 [46% (29/63)], of which 10% (6/63) harboured both genes. Carbapenem resistance was due to blaNDM-5, found in 10/63 cefotaxime-resistant isolates, and/or blaOXA-181, found in 4/63 isolates. NDM-5 was encoded by IncX3 and/or IncFII plasmids and CMY-42 was mostly encoded by IncI plasmids. NDM-5 appears to have replaced NDM-1 in this region and CMY-42 appears to be in the process of replacing CTX-M-15.

High-Sensitivity Detection of Human Malaria Parasites by the Use of Rapid Diagnostic Tests and Nested Polymerase Chain Reaction in Burdened Communities of North East India

Background and Objectives: The study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of malaria through microscopy and rapid diagnostic test (RDT) analysis performed locally and the accuracy evaluated by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for diagnosis of Plasmodium falciparum from hotspot regions of North East (NE) India. Materials and Methods: One thousand one hundred and seventy-three blood samples were collected for identification of P. falciparum infection using microscopy and RDT analysis. DNA was extracted from whole blood using QIAamp DNA blood mini kit, and nested PCR was performed to confirm P. falciparum for evaluating sensitivity and specificity from various epidemiological surveys and geographical areas of NE India. Results: Of 1173 symptomatic malaria suspected patients, 15.6% (183/1173) patients were diagnosed as malaria positive by RDT and 67.94% cases (53/78) with microscopy. Of 183 malaria-positive patients, 42.62% (78/183) were diagnosed with P. falciparum and 84.61% (66/78) further confirmed to be P. falciparum positive by nested PCR. High sensitivity (97.9%) and low specificity (2.03%) of the RDT and high sensitivity (99.1%) and low specificity (0.9%) in microscopy against nested PCR results was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Epidemiological comparisons expressed highest incidences in Manipur (51.11%) followed by Meghalaya (48.93%) and Assam (35.16%). Overall incidence rate among the genders was observed to be higher in males than in females. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that PCR, RDT and microscopy can potentially determine hotspots at moderate transmission intensities, but PCR testing has a diagnostic advantage as transmission intensity falls. Therefore, malaria control programs should consider PCR testing when the prevalence of infection is low.

Antioxidant-Activity and Physicochemical Indices of the Rice Beer Used by the Bodo Community in North-East India

ABSTRACTRice beer Jou is used by the Bodo community of North-East India for their livelihood. Joubidwi (JB, fresh rice beer), Joufinai (JF, stored rice beer), and Jougwran (JG, distilled rice beer) are the three varieties of Jou prepared by Bodos through the process of fermentation of rice with a locally prepared starter culture Amao. Herein, antioxidant activities and physicochemical characteristics such as color, bitterness, pH, alcohol content, protein content, and carbohydrate content of all types of Jou have been reported. Beer color (2.58 ± 0.18 to 78.05 ± 0.21 European Brewing Convention [EBC]), bitterness (3.71 ± 0.08 to 21.34 ± 0.23 European Bitterness Unit [EBU]), pH value (3.75 ± 0.25 to 4.32 ± 0.03), ethanol content (43.42 ± 0.57 to 127.85 ±2.06 mg/mL), and protein content (0.35 ± 0.01 to 0.79 ± 0.06 mg bovine serum albumin equivalents (BSAE)/mL) are gradually increased from fresh JB to 15 month old JF. Antioxidant activity (0.86 ± 0.04 to 2.20 ± 0.02 mg/mL in ascorbic acid equivalents [ASAE]), polyphenol (2.63± 0.00 to 4.18± 0.00 mg/mL in gallic acid equivalents), and flavonoid content (10.04 ± 0.29 to 28.95 ± 1.71 mg/mL in quercetin equivalents [QAE]) are also increased gradually with the storage period. A negative correlation of carbohydrate content with storage is observed. JG with 332.92 ± 2.55 mg /mL ethanol is the highest ethanol containing beverage among the three types of Jou.

Fractured Christianity amongst the Tangsa in Northeast India—Bible Language Politics and the Charm of Ecstatic Experiences

ABSTRACTThis paper examines the proliferation of Christian denominations among the small Tangsa community in Northeast India. While resentment over the language chosen by the Baptist Church for the official Tangsa Bible triggered the initial fissures, the recent arrival of Pentecostal and charismatic churches has brought about further divisions. These divisions have not helped the cause of pan-Tangsa unity. However, in the everyday lives of most Tangsa, it is the Christian/non-Christian divide that is more relevant. Hence, the Tangsa situation is different from that of the neighbouring Mizo and Naga communities, in which Christianity has become a defining part of their identities.

Edible ferns and fern–allies of North East India: a study on potential wild vegetables

The North East India houses around 130 ethnic tribal communities which exhibits unique tradition, dialect and culture. These communities collect edible plants from wild forming a common practice for livelihood and subsistence even today. Of the varieties of plant consumed, ferns and fern–allies also constitute an important food supplement. An inventory survey was conducted in order to assess the wild edible ferns and fern–allies which are used as vegetables by various ethnic communities of North East India. Altogether, twenty-three (23) ferns and fern–allies are found to be edible, and used in preparing various cuisines. Four species viz. Diplazium esculentum (Retz.) Sw., Huperzia phlegmaria (L.) Rothm., Huperzia squarrosa (G. Forst.) Trevis. and Nephrolepis cordifolia (L.) C. Presl were cultivated in small scale for consumption and horticultural purposes, while the rest of the species were directly harvested from wild habitat. Role of these ferns in local cuisines, other reported uses and bioactive components were discussed. The study also emphasises on future development of ferns and its allies as potential vegetables in North East India.

Study on Antibacterial Activity of the Bark of Garcinia lanceifolia Roxb.

Garcinia lanceifolia Roxb. is an important and endemic medicinal plant of Assam which has been used by various ethnic communities of Northeast India to treat various disorders like dysentery, dyspepsia, and biliousness. The plant is considered to be containing much medicinal value and is also eaten raw or made into pickles by the local people. Our present study has been focused on the evaluation of the antibacterial activity of the methanolic extract of the bark of Garcinia lanceifolia which may lead us to a scientific evidence of the use of this plant in cases of dysentery and diarrhoea.

Detection of early small airway obstruction in male adult smokers of an ethnic community in north east India

Background: Cigarette smoking causes small airway obstruction (SAO) and is the harbinger of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, the prevalence of SAO is reported to vary in different ethnic population and with amount of smoking. Respiratory symptoms are reported to be not reliable for determining early airway obstruction Objective: To find out the relationship of respiratory symptoms and amount of smoking with SAO detected by using spirometer among the smokers of an ethnic community. Materials and Methods: In all, 100 male adult current smokers of the Meitei community of Manipur in north east India performed the spirometry test. Results of forced expiratory flow rate at 25-75% (FEF 25-75%) , forced expiratory volume in 1st second (FEV 1 ) and percentage ratio of FEV 1 to forced vital capacity (FVC), i.e., (FEV 1 /FVC)% were used for determining SAO. A modified validated questionnaire was used for labeling respiratory symptoms of obstructive nature. Statistical analysis was done to test independence of symptom with SAO and also of amount of smoking (in pack year) with presence of SAO. Result: In all, 37% of the total study group ( n = 100) were detected as having SAO and 49% of the total as having one or more respiratory symptoms. In all, 29.2% of the smokers who smoked less than 3 pack years ( n = 65) were detected having SAO, whereas 51.4 % were observed among those smoking more than 10 pack years ( n = 35). SAO varies directly with pack year significantly ( P P > 0.05). Conclusion: The findings of this study revealed that SAO is common among smokers of the Meitei community. It also supports others' studies, done obviously in different ethnic community, in which development of SAO directly varies with amount of tobacco smoking. Respiratory symptoms would not be reliable in the detection of SAO in this ethnic group also.