Acute toxicity of lake water to fishes

The present study investigates the acute toxicity of Hussainsagar lake water to fishes. In this context, experiments were conducted on three species of fishes (Cyprinus carpio, Tilapia mozambica and Lebistus reticularis), using 5, 10 and 20% volume of Jeedimetla nallah wastewater and were observed for the signs of survival within the specified period of time. The TLm value for 96 hours test period was found to be 17%. Similarly Toxicity studies were carried out on Hussainsagar lake water with dilutions varying from 10-100%. Absence of mortality during 96 hours of test period indicates that there is no acute toxicity of Hussainsagar lake water to fishes.     

Global survey of haplotype frequencies and linkage disequilibrium at the RET locus

We have constructed haplotypes based on normal variation at six polymorphic sites-five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and one short tandem repeat polymorphism (STRP)-at the RET locus for samples of normal individuals from 32 populations distributed across the major continental regions of the world. The haplotyped system spans 41.6 kilobases and encompasses most of the coding region of the gene. All of the markers are polymorphic in all regions of the world and in most individual populations. Expected heterozygosities for the six-site haplotypes range from 82 to 94% for all populations studied except for two Amerindian groups from the Amazon basin at 61 and 76%. Individual populations had from four to eight haplotypes with frequencies exceeding 5%. In general, African, southwest Asian and European groups have the highest numbers of total and of commonly occurring haplotypes; the lowest numbers are observed in Amerindian populations. Overall linkage disequilibrium (LD) for the five SNP sites was very significant (P相似文献   

Giant hepatic regenerative nodules in Alagille syndrome

Pediatric Radiology - Children with Alagille syndrome undergo surveillance radiologic examinations as they are at risk for developing cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. There is limited...     

Synergistic therapeutic potential of dexamethasone and L-arginine in lipopolysaccharide-induced septic shock

BACKGROUND: Dexamethasone (DEX) is demonstrated to have anti-inflammatory properties and known to induce hemodynamic improvement in sepsis and septic shock. L-arginine (L-arg), a semi-essential amino acid, depending on its metabolic pathway, becomes very essential in stress situations such as heatstroke, burns, sepsis, trauma, and wound healing. The aim of this study was to evaluate the synergistic therapeutic effect of DEX and L-arg in rescuing the mice from experimental septic shock induced by bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The experiments were designed to delineate the molecular mechanisms responsible for the increased therapeutic benefit of the combination therapy (CT) in LPS-induced septic shock. METHODS: Acute endotoxemia was induced in Swiss male mice by i.p. injection of LPS (18 mg kg(-1)) at 0 h. LPS-treated mice were divided into four groups. The first group (DEX group) received DEX (2 mg kg(-1)) i.p. at +2 h of LPS. The second group (L-arg group) received L-arg i.p. at a dose of 120 mg/kg at +6 h of LPS injection. The third group (CT group) received DEX (2 mg kg(-1)) at +2 h LPS followed by L-arg at +6 h of LPS injection. The fourth group received saline in place of L-arg or DEX (LPS group). A sham group was also included, where normal mice received saline in place of LPS or L-arg or DEX. At +6 h, mice from sham group, LPS group, and DEX group were sacrificed at +24 h. Mice from sham group, DEX group, L-arg group, and CT group were sacrificed to examine various parameters associated with LPS endotoxemia. RESULTS: The CT with DEX followed by L-arg significantly increased the survival of mice injected with a lethal dose of LPS. Monotherapy with either DEX or L-arg given at the same dose and time did not increase the survival of the mice injected with LPS. DEX administration could significantly reduce the levels of serum TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IFN-gamma, aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT), alanine aminotransferase (ALAT), and nitrite. DEX also down-regulated the expression of liver-inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and up-regulated the levels of serum anti-inflammatory cytokines like TGF-beta1 and IL-4, hepatic and splenic arginase, in LPS-injected mice. The enhanced therapeutic effect of CT correlated with reduced pathological symptoms, decreased Th1 cytokines, increased TGF-beta1 and arginase levels compared to the mice administered with either of the monotherapies. The CT group had significantly increased expression of hepatic Hsp 70 and reduced septic shock associated histopathology, in lung and liver, compared to the mice treated with either DEX or L-arg. CONCLUSIONS: The therapeutic combination therapy with DEX and L-arg, at the appropriate dose, time, and sequence of administration, changed the cytokine profile, in favor of reducing the inflammatory response. The significantly enhanced survival observed in the CT group was accompanied by an increased hepatic Hsp 70, hepatic arginase, splenic arginase, and decreased organ injury. This novel concept of combined therapy could form the basis of an effective therapeutic approach in the treatment of sepsis and septic shock.     

Long-term outcomes of phacoemulsification cataract surgery performed by trainees and consultants in an Australian cohort

Background: It is unclear whether differences exist in surgical complication rates and long‐term visual acuity outcomes between patients whose phacoemulsification cataract surgery was performed by ophthalmological trainees and those performed by consultants. Design: Prospective clinical cohort study. Participants: 1851 participants of the Cataract Surgery and Age‐related Macular Degeneration study, aged ≥64 years, had cataract surgery performed at Westmead Hospital, Sydney. Methods: Surgical complication rates and visual acuity at 24‐month postoperative visits were compared between patients who were operated on by trainees and those operated on by consultants. Main Outcome Measures: Surgical outcomes included operative complications recorded in surgical audit forms and 24‐month postoperative visual acuity. Results: Of 1851 patients, 1274 (68.8%) were reviewed 24 months after surgery. Of these, 976 had data on the type of surgeon who performed the operation. After excluding 152 challenging cases and three cases operated on by first‐year trainees at the beginning of their training, 821 patients were included in this study, of those, 498 were operated on by trainees and 323 by consultants. Habitual visual acuity ≥6/12 was achieved in 77.3% (n = 385/498) and 74.3% (n = 240/323), respectively, of the two groups of patients 24 months postoperatively. Of 514 patients who had surgical audit data, the major complication rate was numerically greater, but not significantly different for the 330 trainee‐operated (6.1%) patients, compared with the 184 consultant‐operated patients (2.7%, P = 0.091). Conclusions: We found relatively comparable complication rates and visual outcomes after 2 years between patients operated on by ophthalmological trainees and those by consultants, in a cataract surgical cohort at Westmead Hospital.     

Considerations for Incorporating “Well-Being” in Public Policy for Workers and Workplaces

Action to address workforce functioning and productivity requires a broader approach than the traditional scope of occupational safety and health. Focus on “well-being” may be one way to develop a more encompassing objective. Well-being is widely cited in public policy pronouncements, but often as “. . . and well-being” (e.g., health and well-being). It is generally not defined in policy and rarely operationalized for functional use. Many definitions of well-being exist in the occupational realm. Generally, it is a synonym for health and a summative term to describe a flourishing worker who benefits from a safe, supportive workplace, engages in satisfying work, and enjoys a fulfilling work life. We identified issues for considering well-being in public policy related to workers and the workplace.Major changes in population demographics and the world of work have significant implications for the workforce, business, and the nation.1–8 New patterns of hazards, resulting from the interaction of work and nonwork factors, are affecting the workforce.1,2,8–11 As a consequence, there is a need for an overarching or unifying concept that can be operationalized to optimize the benefits of work and simultaneously address these overlapping hazards. Traditionally, the distinct disciplines of occupational safety and health, human resources, health promotion, economics, and law have addressed work and nonwork factors from specialized perspectives, but today changes in the world of work require a holistic view.There are numerous definitions of well-being within and between disciplines, with subjective and objective orientations addressing such conceptualizations as happiness, flourishing, income, health, autonomy, and capability.12–22 Well-being is widely cited in public policy pronouncements, but often in the conjunctive form of “. . . and well-being” (as in health and well-being). It is rarely defined or operationalized in policy.In this article, we consider if the concept of “well-being” is useful in addressing contemporary issues related to work and the workforce and, if so, whether it can be operationalized for public policy and what the implications are of doing so. We discuss the need to evaluate a broad range of work and nonwork variables related to worker health and safety and to develop a unified approach to this evaluation. We discuss the potential of well-being to serve as a unifying concept, with focus on the definitions and determinants of well-being. Within this part of the discussion, we touch on topics of responsibility for well-being. We also explore issues of importance when one is incorporating well-being into public policy. We present examples of the incorporation of the principles of well-being into public policy, and the results thus far of the implementation of such guidance. We describe research needs for assessing well-being, particularly the need to operationalize this construct for empirical analysis. We aim to contribute to the ongoing efforts of occupational safety and health and public health researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to protect working populations.     

Human ketosteroid receptors interact with hazardous phthalate plasticizers and their metabolites: an in silico study

Phthalic acid esters or phthalates are ubiquitous environmental pollutants known for their adverse health effects in test animals and, of late, in humans. Thus, in this molecular docking study – using Glide (Schrödinger) – the molecular interactions of 31 ligands, including 12 diphthalates, their monophthalates and phthalic acid with selected human ketosteroid receptors, i.e., androgen (hAR), progesterone (hPR) and glucocorticoid (hGR) receptors were explored and their binding affinities were compared with that of corresponding natural steroids and a known endocrine disrupting xenobiotic, bisphenol A (BPA). Mostly, diphthalates and monophthalates showed the potential for antisteroidal activity by interacting with hAR, hPR and hGR. Of them, diphenyl phthalate showed the highest G score (–7.70 kcal mol^–1) with hAR, and the crucial amino acid (aa) residues in the ligand binding domain (LBD) of this receptor involved in the molecular interactions were Phe 764, Leu 704, Asn 705 and Thr 877. The mono‐iso‐decyl phthalate showed the highest G score (–8.36) with the hPR, and the crucial aa residues in the LBD interactions were Arg 766 Gln 725 and Phe 778. The mono‐iso‐decyl phthalate also showed more affinity (–8.44) towards hGR than the natural ligand, and the aa residues in the LBD interactions were Gln 570 and Met 604. In addition to these, some other phthalates established comparable interactions with certain aa residues located in the LBD of these receptors, which resulted in higher G scores. Contrastingly, BPA and some natural ligands tested in this study showed lower G scores with these receptors than certain phthalates reported herein, i.e., certain phthalates are more toxic than the proven toxic BPA. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Key considerations for optimization of formulation and melt-extrusion process parameters for developing thermosensitive compound

The melt-extrusion process is currently applied in the pharmaceutical field in the manufacturing of a variety of dosage forms and formulations, including solid dispersions. Though this technology is considered efficient and continuous, there are potential challenges of which, additional thermal degradation of drug substance because heat stress and shear forces are of a primary concern. This paper attempts to understand the impact of thermal and/or mechanical components of the melt-extrusion process on the stability of a thermosensitive drug substance during scale-up. The overall degradation profile of the drug substance was correlated with the various physical changes made to the extruder as well as the process temperature. The results suggested that the degradation profile of a thermosensitive drug substance could be controlled by proper design of screw assemblies and by optimization of screw rotations per minute, process temperature, and feed rate during development and scale-up.     

Menstrual pattern among adolescent girls of Pokhara Valley: a cross sectional study

Background

Menstruation is a normal physiological process occurring every month throughout the reproductive age of the females. However, significant variation in menstrual pattern is observed among adolescents. The objective of this study was to determine menstrual pattern among adolescent girls of Pokhara Valley.

Method

A cross sectional study was conducted in seven schools of Pokhara Valley. A total of 260 adolescent girls were included in the study. Girls were requested to complete questionnaire containing 19 items. Selected girls voluntarily agreed to answer questionnaire under the supervision of the researcher and then the data was analyzed.

Results

Mean age of the girls was 14.0?±?1.3 years. Mean age at menarche was 12.2?±?0.9 years. The mean cycle length of the subjects was 34.8?±?11.8 days. It was observed that as many as 167(64.2%) girls had irregular menstrual cycle and significant association was found between regularity of menstruation and ethnicity. Seven (2.7%) girls had a menstrual cycle length shorter than 21 days, 60(23.1%) had cycle longer than 35 days and 193(74.2%) had a normal cycle length between 21 and 35 days. Majority 231(88.8%) had normal duration of menstruation. Dysmenorrhoea was reported by more than half of the girls and significant association was found between severity of dysmenorrhoea with school absenteeism and treatment needed.

Conclusion

Dysmenorrhoea was the most common menstrual problem among adolescent girls. Girls’ school attendance was affected due to menstrual pain. Girls with severe dysmenorrhea needed medical treatment. Irregular menstruation was reported by more than half of the girls and significant association was found with the ethnicity.

     

Antihyperlipidemic effect of aqueous extract of Plumbago zeylanica roots in diet-induced hyperlipidemic rat

This study examined the antihyperlipidemic effect of the aqueous extract of Plumbago zeylanica Linn. (Plumbaginaceae) roots in diet-induced hyperlipidemic rats. The oral administration of the aqueous extract at the dose of 20, 40, and 80?mg kg^?1 were found to ameliorate the hyperlipidemic condition as evidenced by a reduction of cholesterol and triglyceride levels. The standards fenofibrate (20?mg kg^?1) and atorvastatin (8?mg kg^?1) were also found to exhibit significant (p?<?0.05) cholesterol and triglyceride lowering effect. Further, the aqueous extract at all doses demonstrated a significant (p?<?0.05) increase in fecal cholesterol excretion indicating a reduction in intestinal cholesterol absorption. Additionally, the activity of lipogenic enzymes like HMGCoA reductase in the liver remained significantly (p?<?0.05) low on treatment of aqueous extract (80?mg kg^?1), thus decreasing the cholesterogenesis. The aqueous extract (20, 40 and 80?mg kg^?1) also significantly (p?<?0.05) reduced the total lipid content in the liver. Moreover, the aqueous extract demonstrated a potential antioxidant capacity in DPPH and TBARS in vitro antioxidant assay. Thus the results suggest a beneficial role of aqueous extract of Plumbago zeylanica roots in ameliorating the hyperlipidemic condition leading to atherosclerosis.