Reorganization of water distribution system of Greater Jammu using computer software OPT DIS

Water supply in old Jammu city is not evenly distributed due to undulating terrain and increase in population density. A study was undertaken to suggest measures for improvement to the distribution system. The paper presents results of analysis carried out using computer package OPT DIS developed at NEERI for optimal design of distribution sytem including system augmentation and reorganization measures needed for the design year 2021. The analysis of zone 1 of the distribution network indicates that seven pipes need alteation to cater to the demand for the year 2006 and fifteen pipes need replacement for the year 2021. New pipelines (13 nos.) are to be provided in parallel to the existing pipes in Upper Reach and 28 pipes in Lower Reach to ensure the service standards of 225 lpcd with minimum residual head of 17 m. Efficient algorithm for augmentations of water supply systems comprising combination of dead-end and loop network are having much wider application in developing countries. The software OPT DIS developed at NEERI was found to be extremely powerful and user friendly for addressing such systems with varying demand pattern, peaking factor, pipe condition, water supply modes and design horizones.     

Effect of ethanolic extract of leaves of Paederia foetida Linn. on acetic acid induced colitis in albino rats

Objectives:

To evaluate the effect of ethanolic extract of leaves of Paederia foetida on acetic acid induced colitis in albino rats.

Materials and Methods:

Ethanolic extract of Paederia foetida (EEPF) was prepared by percolation method. Acute toxicity test was done by using Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development guidelines. Albino rats were divided into four groups of five animals each. Groups A and B received 3% gum acacia. Groups C and D received EEPF 500 mg/kg body weight (BW) and 5-aminosalisylic acid 100 mg/kg BW respectively. Colitis was induced by transrectal administration of 4% acetic acid on 5^th day. All animals were sacrificed after 48 h of colitis induction and distal 10 cm of the colon was dissected. Colon was weighed for disease activity index (DAI) and scored macroscopically and microscopically. Biochemical assessment of tissue myeloperoxidase (MPO), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) was done in colonic tissue homogenate and malondialdehyde (MDA) was estimated in serum.

Results:

P. foetida showed significant (P < 0.05) reduction in DAI, macroscopic and microscopic lesion score as well as significant (P < 0.05) improvement in MPO, MDA, CAT, and SOD level as compared to Group B.

Conclusions:

The ethanolic extract of leaves of P. foetida showed significant amelioration of experimentally induced colitis, which may be attributed to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant property.KEY WORDS: Antioxidant, colitis, Paederia foetida     

Comparison of health effects between individuals with and without skin lesions in the population exposed to arsenic through drinking water in West Bengal, India

A study was conducted to explore the effect of arsenic causing conjunctivitis, neuropathy and respiratory illness in individuals, with or without skin lesions, as a result of exposure through drinking water, contaminated with arsenic to similar extent. Exposed study population belongs to the districts of North 24 Parganas and Nadia, West Bengal, India. A total of 725 exposed (373 with skin lesions and 352 without skin lesions) and 389 unexposed individuals were recruited as study participants. Participants were clinically examined and interviewed. Arsenic content in drinking water, urine, nail and hair was estimated. Individuals with skin lesion showed significant retention of arsenic in nail and hair and lower amount of urinary arsenic compared to the group without any skin lesion. Individuals with skin lesion also showed higher risk for conjunctivitis ((odd's ratio) OR: 7.33, 95% CI: 5.05-10.59), peripheral neuropathy (OR: 3.95, 95% CI: 2.61-5.93) and respiratory illness (OR: 4.86, 95% CI: 3.16-7.48) compared to the group without any skin lesion. The trend test for OR of the three diseases in three groups was found to be statistically significant. Again, individuals without skin lesion in the exposed group showed higher risk for conjunctivitis (OR: 4.66, 95% CI: 2.45-8.85), neuropathy (OR: 3.99, 95% CI: 1.95-8.09), and respiratory illness (OR: 3.21, 95% CI: 1.65-6.26) when compared to arsenic unexposed individuals. Although individuals with skin lesions were more susceptible to arsenic-induced toxicity, individuals without skin lesions were also subclinically affected and are also susceptible to arsenic-induced toxicity and carcinogenicity when compared to individuals not exposed to arsenic.     

'Every mother is a mini-doctor': ethnomedicinal uses of fish, shellfish and some other aquatic animals in Bangladesh

Aim of the study

This research article examines the zootherapeutic uses of fish, shellfish and some other aquatic animals in two fishing villages in Bangladesh-one floodplain and one coastal.

Materials and methods

The floodplain fishing village Volarkandi is located within the Hakaluki wetland ecosystem in the northern Bangladesh and is inhabited mostly by Muslim fishers, whereas the coastal fishing village Thakurtala is located on Moheskhali island and most of the inhabitants are caste-based Hindu fishers. Participatory techniques were used to collect and validate information from the key informants.

Results

The research revealed that, historically, fishers have used fish and other aquatic animals not only as food items for nutrition, but also to solve a host of physical problems and diseases. Fish and shellfish are widely used for their galactogogue and aphrodisiac properties, for quick recovery from long-time sickness, to enhance the ‘intelligence level’ of children, and to prevent and treat a host of diseases like night blindness, chicken pox, dysentery, piles, muscular inflammation, fistula, malaria, skin diseases and ‘big belly’ syndrome in children. Depending on the objective of the use, different parts of the animal body, its derivatives, or the whole animal are used. The research also clarified different forms of the recipes used. The socio-cultural construction of the ethnomedicinal uses and the distinct gender roles of the fisherwomen were analyzed.

Conclusion

The research revealed that the aetiologies and the preventive measures against folk illness are socio-culturally embedded and such indigenous medical systems grow and are sustained as a situated body of knowledge within the boundaries of a typical world view framed by local culture and biodiversity.     

Childhood cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa: an unusual presentation

A 6-year-old boy presented with post-burn like cutaneous scars over the buttocks and the back of thighs, following skin ulceration. Cutaneous polyarteritis (CPA) was diagnosed based on the histopathological examination of the skin biopsy specimen from one of the scars. Such a presentation of childhood CPA, to our knowledge, is not documented in the English literature.     

A Young Child with Eosinophilia,Rash, and Multisystem Illness: Drug Rash,Eosinophilia, and Systemic Symptoms Syndrome After Receipt of Fluoxetine

Drug rash, eosinophilia, and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome is a severe systemic hypersensitivity reaction that usually occurs within 6 weeks of exposure to the offending drug. Diagnosis is usually straightforward in patients with pyrexia, skin rash, hepatitis, and eosinophilia with a preceding history of exposure to agents often associated with DRESS syndrome, such as aromatic anticonvulsants and sulfa drugs, but diagnosis of DRESS may still be a challenge. We report a 4‐year‐old child with probable DRESS syndrome complicated by multiple hematologic complications that developed 1 month after exposure to fluoxetine, a drug not known to be associated with such severe reactions.     

Active immunization with a detoxified endotoxin vaccine protects against lethal polymicrobial sepsis: its use with CpG adjuvant and potential mechanisms

BACKGROUND: An experimental vaccine for sepsis, composed of detoxified Escherichia coli J5 lipopolysaccharide (LPS) complexed with the outer membrane protein (OMP) of Neisseria meningitidis group B, induces anti-core glycolipid antibody and has been tested in pilot studies in human volunteers. METHODS: Mice were immunized with the LPS-J5/OMP vaccine with or without synthetic oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) containing unmethylated CpG motifs as a vaccine adjuvant (CpG ODN). The efficacy of the vaccine-induced antibody response was tested in a cecal ligation and puncture model. RESULTS: Immunization resulted in a >20-fold increase in anti-core glycolipid antibody levels, which were further increased 5-fold by the addition of CpG ODN, compared with the levels in mice in the control group. The vaccine provided a survival advantage after a cecal ligation and puncture was performed (P < .01) and significantly decreased the levels of bacteria in organs. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) anti-core glycolipid antibodies were decreased in mice to a significantly greater extent than were levels of total circulating IgG or IgG to the OMP part of the vaccine complex, suggesting specific epitope binding and clearance. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that the detoxified LPS-J5/OMP vaccine induces high levels of antibody against the core glycolipid of LPS and functions in vivo to promote clearance of gram-negative bacteria and improve the outcome of experimental polymicrobial intra-abdominal sepsis.     

Covalent Polymyxin B Conjugate with Human Immunoglobulin G as an Antiendotoxin Reagent

Polymyxin B (PMB) is a cyclic decapeptide antibiotic which also binds and neutralizes endotoxin. Unfortunately, PMB can be considerably nephrotoxic at clinically utilized doses, thereby limiting its utility as a therapeutic antiendotoxin reagent. We sought to change the pharmacokinetics and toxicity profile of PMB by covalently linking it to a human immunoglobulin G (IgG) carrier. Conjugates of PMB with IgG were prepared by EDAC [1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide]-mediated amide formation. Analysis by dot enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with an anti-PMB monoclonal antibody showed that the purified conjugate contained bound PMB. The IgG-PMB conjugate reacted with lipid A and J5 lipopolysaccharide in Western blot assays in a manner comparable to that of whole antiserum with anti-lipid A reactivity; unconjugated IgG had no reactivity. The PMB bound in the conjugate retained its endotoxin-neutralizing activity compared to that of unbound PMB as evidenced by its dose-dependent inhibition of tumor necrosis factor release by endotoxin-stimulated human monocytes in vitro; unconjugated IgG had no activity. By this assay, the PMB-IgG conjugate was determined to have approximately 3.0 μg of bound functional PMB per 100 μg of total protein of conjugate (five molecules of PMB per IgG molecule). The PMB-IgG conjugate was also bactericidal against clinical strains of Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumoniae relative to unconjugated IgG with MBCs of <4 μg of conjugate per ml for each of the tested strains. The conjugate appeared to be nontoxic at the highest doses deliverable and provided statistically significant protection from death to galactosamine-sensitized, lipopolysaccharide-challenged mice in a dose-dependent fashion when administered prophylactically 2 h before challenge. However, neither free PMB nor the PMB-IgG conjugate could protect mice challenged with endotoxin 2 h after administration. This suggests that these reagents can play a role in prophylaxis but not in therapy of sepsis. These experiments demonstrated that the PMB-IgG conjugate retains bound yet functional PMB as evidenced by its endotoxin-neutralizing activity both in vitro and in vivo. Further work is required to define the role that this or related conjugate compounds may play in the prophylaxis of endotoxin-mediated disease.     

Survival in Persons With Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury Receiving Structured Follow-Up in South India

Objective

To assess the survival in persons with traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) receiving structured follow-up in South India.

Design

Retrospective study.

Setting

Rehabilitation center.

Participants

Persons with traumatic SCI (N=490) residing within a 100-km radius of the institute who were managed and regularly followed up by the rehabilitation center between the years 1981 and 2011.

Interventions

Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measures

Survival rates and mortality risk factors. Measures were estimated using the product limit (Kaplan-Meier) method and the Cox model.

Results

The survival rate after SCI was 86% after 5 years, 71% after 15 years, and 58% after 25 years. Survival of persons with complete high cervical injury is substantially low compared with other levels of SCI. Level of injury and extent of lesion (Frankel classification and/or American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale) play a significant role in predicting survival of this population.

Conclusions

Survival rates of regularly followed-up persons with SCI from this study show promising results, though survival rates are lesser when compared with studies from developed countries. Better understanding of the predictors, causes of deaths, comprehensive rehabilitation, community integration, and regular follow-up could possibly assist in improving survival rates.