Plasma catecholamine levels and neurobehavioral problems in Indian firefighters

Firefighting is a stressful and hazardous job. Persons engaged in firefighting are highly exposed to work-related stress as well as to smoke containing a host of chemicals potentially harmful to human health. In order to elucidate whether firefighting affects neuroendocrine and behavioral responses of firefighters, plasma catecholamine (CA) levels and the prevalence of neurobehavioral symptoms in 62 firefighters (all males, mean age 43 yr) and 52 control subjects matched for age and sex were examined in this study. Self-reported neurobehavioral symptoms data were obtained from a questionnaire survey and personal interview. Concentrations of epinephrine (E), norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine (DA) in plasma were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. Compared with matched controls, the firefighters showed higher prevalence (p<0.05) of neurobehavioral symptoms such as burning sensation in the extremities, tingling and numbness, transient loss of memory, and depression, but no significant difference was recorded in the prevalences of anxiety, vertigo and dizziness. The firefighters demonstrated a more than two-fold (p<0.05) rise in plasma levels of E and NE, but the plasma DA level was relatively unchanged. Controlling age and smoking as possible confounders, firefighting was found to be associated with raised E (OR=2.15; 95% CI, 0.98-4.52), and NE levels (OR=2.24 95% CI, 1.22-3.61). In conclusion, the job of firefighting appears to be associated with stimulation of sympathetic activity and a rise in the prevalence of neurobehavioral symptoms.     

A semi-longitudinal study on physical growth of primary school children in Delhi

Summary Anthropometric measurements of weight, standing height, sitting height and circumference of head, chest, upper-arm and calf of primary school children (5–10 years) in Delhi are presented. The differences in the growth pattern of boys and girls are brought out. The growth pattern of of children in relation to different socio-economic classes is discussed. From the Survey on Morbidity and Mortality, Growth and Development and Nutritional Status of Primary School Children at Delhi, under Indian Council of Medical Research. Postal Address: Flat 32, Shankar Market, New Delhi-1.     

A longitudinal study on physical growth of children of different birth weight groups from birth to 5 years

Summary A statistical analysis of the physical growth of 1858 children of different birth weight groups in an urban community of Delhi, during the age period from birth to 5 years, is presented. The relative growth pattern of weight, height, head and chest circumferences is discussed. The literature related to the subject is briefly reviewed. From the Longitudinal Morbidity and tality Survey of Children Unit, Indian Council Medical Research, Postal Address: Flat 32, mkar Market, New Delhi-1.     

Use of josamycin in the eradication of meningococcus

Because of their in vitro and in vivo activity on Neisseria meningitidis, good salivary and tonsillar tissue levels, high safety and non-penetration through the meningeal barrier, macrolides are agents of choice for treating Meningococcus carriers. To assess the value of josamycin for eliminating Meningococci in carriers, we carried out a 14-month study with bacteriological control. 27 carriers identified (throat specimens) among contacts of 28 children with meningococcal meningitis hospitalized in Pediatrics at the Amiens and Toulouse CHU (teaching hospitals) were treated. Josamycin was given in a dosage of 50 mg/kg/day in children and 2 g/day in adults, in two divided doses daily, for six days. Bacteriologic control at the end of treatment showed that every study patient was free of Meningococci. In vitro, strains recovered from carriers were inhibited by josamycin at concentrations of 0.25 to 1 microgram/l. Given its safety and efficacy, josamycin is well suited to prophylaxis of meningococcal infections.     

Apoptotic-inducing activity of novel polycyclic aromatic compounds in human leukemic cells

Persistent but relatively limited research has been devoted to the use of compounds related to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) as anticancer agents. In previous reports, we have described the cytotoxicity of a number of new and novel PAH against human cancer cell lines. However, the involved molecular mechanisms of inducing cell death were not elucidated. In the current study, we describe the apoptotic pathway as apparently playing a crucial role in induced cell death in human leukemia Jurkat T cells by several diamide and diamine PAH that contain chrysene as their core aromatic ring system. Structure-activity relationships were analyzed. Importantly, no effect was demonstrated in a normal, non-transformed line of human natural killer cells. These results provide additional evidence for the potential chemotherapeutic use of PAH.     

Prevalence of Chiari I malformation and cerebellar ectopia in patients with pseudotumor cerebri

BACKGROUND: Chiari I malformation (CM) may be present pre-surgically in pseudotumor cerebri (PTC) patients. Whether inferior tonsillar displacement (ITD) is coincidental or linked to increased intracranial pressure is unclear. This study aimed to identify the prevalence of both CM and cerebellar ectopia (CE) (ITD below the foramen magnum > or = 5 mm and 2-4 mm, respectively) in PTC patients. METHODS: Retrospective review combined with prospective assessment of 68 PTC patients with available brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans and reports. Data collected included patient demographics, height, weight, co-morbid conditions, and medications. MRIs were analyzed for cerebellar tonsillar position, and results were compared with original reports. RESULTS: Of 68 PTC patients, 60 (88%) had normal position of the cerebellar tonsils and 8 (12%) had ITD by report. Of the latter group, 4 were identified as CM and 4 as CE. On review of MRIs, however, 16 patients (24%) had ITD, 7 having CM and 9 having CE. All patients with ITD were female, most were overweight or obese, and most had presumed idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). CONCLUSION: ITD exists pre-surgically in a significant percentage of PTC patients. ITD is most common in obese or overweight women with presumed IIH. In fact, this subset of patients may actually represent a secondary form of PTC and may benefit from correction of ITD to restore normal intracranial pressure.     

Genipin crosslinked curcumin loaded chitosan/montmorillonite K-10 (MMT) nanoparticles for controlled drug delivery applications

Abstract

Here, we have reported the influence of MMT and genipin in releasing curcumin from the Genipin crosslinked Chitosan/MMT nanoparticles, prepared by ionic gelation method. The nanoparticles were characterised using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-Ray Diffractometry (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Zeta potential and average diameter of the nanoparticles were found in the range 32–47?mV and 430–560?nm. Swelling and release of curcumin from the nanoparticles increased with the decrease in pH of the medium, MMT, and genipin content. Curcumin released from the nanoparticles reduced the viability of MCF-7 and Hep G2 cells as compared to untreated cells. The nanoparticles increased the level of reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase level in human PBMCs and decreased the level of Lipid peroxidation suggesting an enhanced protection against cellular damage. Lower pH and higher MMT concentration in the nanoparticles improved the mucoadhesive properties.     

Fractal dimension of chromatin texture of squamous intraepithelial lesions of cervix

The aim of this study was to explore the role of fractal dimension (FD) of chromatin texture in routinely stained Papanicolaou's smears and to distinguish the different grades of cervical intraepithelial lesions and normal cervical cells. We selected 14 each cases of normal, low grade cervical intra epithelial lesions (LSIL), and high-grade cervical intra epithelial lesions (HSIL) of Papanicolaou's stained cervical smears. Fractal dimension of the pseudo three-dimensional grey image of the nuclear chromatin was measured in 140 nuclei of each group. Mean FD of the normal cases, LSIL cases, and HSIL cases were 2.4225 ± 0.06410, 2.5159 ± 0.03291, and 2.5905 ± 0.06840, respectively. ANOVA test showed significant differences of mean FD in all these three groups (P < 0.000). Fractal dimension of the chromatin texture is easy to perform and can be done in routinely stained Papanicolaou's smear. It is reproducible and gives valuable information about the chromatin texture of the nucleus. In future, this promising variable can be incorporated along with other image morphometric features for accurate classification of dysplastic cells in cervical smear.