Cadmium-induced antioxidant defense mechanism in freshwater teleost Oreochromis mossambicus (Tilapia)

Antioxidant defenses consisting of catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), xanthine oxidase (XOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and glutathione S-transferase were estimated in liver and kidney of freshwater fish subjected to a sublethal concentration of cadmium chloride (Cd2+), i.e., 5 ppm. The aim of the study was to evaluate the role of antioxidant defenses during cadmium-induced oxidative stress. Significant elevations in liver and kidney of all of the above detoxification enzymes were evident from the 7th day onward, were maintained until the 15th day, and then decreased slightly on the 30th day of exposure to cadmium stress. Between the two tissues studied, liver recorded higher activity for all enzymes except GPX, which was elevated significantly in kidney (82.85%). Both liver and kidney recorded more or less similar increases of SOD (86.61% and 86.32%, respectively), and XOD (86.41% and 84.19%, respectively). The findings indicate that tissue glutathione-dependent enzymes as well as other antioxidant enzymes function in protection against Cd2+ toxicity and that these antioxidants provide a first line of defense against Cd2+ before the induction of any metallothionein synthesis occurs.     

Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) Screening Program: 7 Years Experience in Early Detection of Cervical Cancer and Pre-Cancers in Rural South India

Cervical cancer continues to be a major public health problem in India in the absence of wide spread organised cervical screening programs. Visual inspection of the cervix with acetic acid (VIA) is an effective, inexpensive screening test that can be combined with simple treatment procedures for early cervical lesions, provided by trained health workers. We report 7 years experience in early detection of cervical cancer and pre-cancers using the VIA test in a community-based program in rural Andhra Pradesh, India where there are no existing organised cervical screening programs.

Materials and Methods:

Eligible women aged between 26 and 60 were opportunistically screened by trained health wor kers using the VIA test. Women who tested positive were further evaluated and those with cervical lesions were treated either by cryotherapy in the screening clinic or referred to a higher center.

Results:

A total of 18,869 women were screened by a single round of VIA testing with a positive rate of 10.75%. Biopsy proven high-grade squamous intraepithelials (HSILs) were 90 (0.48%) and low-grade squamous intraepithelials (LSILs) were 43 (0.28%). The overall prevalence of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 2+ lesion rate is 1.05%. A total of 312 (1.65%) cryotherapies were done and 49 women underwent hysterectomy.

Conclusions:

VIA by trained female health workers is a safe, acceptable, and effective test that can save lives from cervical cancer even in remote areas with few resources. These results have important implications for efficient service delivery in cervical screening programs in low-resourced settings.     

Military Sexual Assault and Homeless Women Veterans: Clinical Correlates and Treatment Preferences

BackgroundBoth homeless women and women who have experienced military sexual assault (MSA) are at high risk of serious psychological sequelae. However, little is known about the combined impact of MSA and current homelessness on psychological distress, or about distinctive treatment preferences among homeless female veterans affected by MSA.MethodsThis observational study compared clinical symptoms, pre-military experiences, and treatment preferences among 509 female veterans with and without MSA who enrolled in 11 VA Homeless Women Veterans Programs.ResultsOver one third of participants (41.1%) reported MSA. In multivariate analyses, homeless female veterans who reported MSA endorsed greater severity of PTSD and other psychiatric symptoms. Those who had experienced MSA were more likely to report interest in treatment, and treatment focused on safety was reported as especially attractive.ConclusionsAmong homeless female veterans, MSA is associated with greater mental health symptoms and greater interest in safety-focused treatment. Services targeting the needs of homeless MSA survivors should be encouraged.     

Risk factors for cervical dysplasia in Kerala, India

A study in Kerala, India, confirmed the importance of genital hygiene in the fight against infections that have a role in the development of cervical dysplasia and cancer. Many women cannot afford sanitary pads, while adequate facilities for washing after coitus are often unavailable. Health education, satisfactory living standards, and the empowerment of women are prerequisites for reducing the incidence of cervical dysplasia.     

Fetal macrosomia as a risk factor for shoulder dystocia during vacuum extraction

Objective: Vacuum extraction of a macrosomic fetus is considered a risk factor for shoulder dystocia (SD). We evaluated maternal and fetal outcomes following vacuum extraction of macrosomic infants.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study conducted in two large teaching hospitals. All deliveries of macrosomic infants by vacuum extraction and vaginal delivery were compared. The primary outcome measure was SD. Secondary outcome measures were severe perineal lacerations and postpartum hemorrhage. For statistical analysis, we used McNemar’s test and χ² or Fisher’s exact tests. Odds ratios were analyzed via a logistic regression model.

Results: From 2003 to 2013, there were 6019 (5.45%) deliveries of macrosomic fetuses, and 230 (0.21%) were delivered by vacuum extraction. There were 23 (10%) and seven (3.04%) cases of SD in the study and control groups, respectively. The risk of SD was significantly higher in the study group (p?>?0.05). We found a significant association between SD and vacuum delivery [p?=?0.003; OR?=?3.54 (95% CI: 1.49–8.42)]. The composite adverse neonatal outcome rate was 6.5% (15/230) and 1.7% (4/230) in the study and control groups, respectively (p?=?0.009).

Conclusion: Vacuum extraction of a macrosomic infant is a risk factor for shoulder dystocia but not for postpartum hemorrhage or severe vaginal tears.     

Legal teenage abortions in a Swedish population in the 1970s

The number of teenage abortions increased sharply in the early 1970s but gradually decreased from 1975, in absolute numbers as well as in relation to population figures. Teenage abortions now constitute 15% of the total number of abortions. However, the percentage of teenage pregnancies that are terminated by legal abortion is constantly increasing. As the preservation of childbearing function is of paramount importance in teenagers, a low complication rate is essential. Complications occurred in 7% of the cases studies, and the effects of complications of legal abortion on the later obstetric history are discussed. In 14% of the cases a second pregnancy was also terminated artificially. The repeat abortion rate is discussed, with special reference to the contraceptive method used.     

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Association Contributes to Cr Accumulation and Tolerance in Plants Growing on Cr Contaminated Soils

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi are well known root symbionts in heavy metal polluted soils. To assess AM fungal association and their contribution to the host plants naturally growing on a highly chromium (Cr) contaminated soil, the present study has been undertaken. The soil of the study site was contaminated with 32,562 ppm Cr coming from tannery industry. The study site was dominated by Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers., Parthenium hysterophorus L., Croton bonplandianum Baill and Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC. High mycorrhizal colonization (31–83%) and low spore population (5–11 spores/g) was recorded. The diversity of AM fungi was very low because of stress caused by Cr. Only seven AM fungal isolates have been recovered. Funneliformis mosseae, Rhizophagus intraradices, Funneliformis geosporus and Glomus sinuosum have been recovered from two hosts, while, Rhizophagus fasciculatus, Glomus aggregatum and Acaulospora scrobiculata from single host only. Cr accumulation in the roots were analyzed through AAS and correlated with various mycorrhization parameters. The results of correlation through PCA showed that, various mycorrhization parameters were under strong influence of Cr accumulation in the roots. Furthermore, all the AM fungi showed certain adaptive features like compact sporocarp, thick spore wall, sloughing outermost wall layer and formation of water stable aggregates. Low species diversity, high mycorrhizal colonization, presence of adaptive features and strong correlation of mycorrhizal parameters with the Cr accumulation in the roots clearly indicated that, these AM fungi have contributed to the Cr accumulation and tolerance to the host plants in Cr sludge deposit.

     

Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Potential of Natural Colouring Pigment Derived from Bixa orellana L. Seed Aril

Natural colourants with bio-potential are of great commercial demands as we are moving away from the hazardous and toxic chemical dyes. Bixa orellana L. a representative of Bixaceae is rich in bixin and nor-bixin pigments which could be explored for various applications. In the present study, extraction and characterization of bixin and its associated pigment from the aril of the B. orellana L. seeds were performed using various spectroscopic techniques. Spectroscopic analysis and Gas chromatographic profiling of the pigment were performed to understand the present pigments. Toxicity was evaluated through in silico method. The major component, bixin and nor-bixin were proved to be non-toxic, non-carcinogenic and non-mutagenic through in silico methods. The pigment was found to be a potent antioxidant as well as bactericidal against opportunistic bacteria. It was found that bixin extract was a potential antioxidant and bactericidal agent. Hence it could be used for imparting bactericidal potential for cellulosic materials like papers or textiles in biomedical applications.

     

Periodontal Status and High‐Sensitivity C‐Reactive Protein Levels in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome With and Without Medical Treatment

Background: Recently, some studies have revealed the effect of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) on gingival inflammation. This cross‐sectional study attempts to assess the periodontal status and systemic inflammation of women receiving medical treatment for PCOS and women newly diagnosed with PCOS. Methods: A total of 126 participants comprising 41 newly diagnosed patients with PCOS (PCOS‐N), 45 patients with PCOS on medical treatment (PCOS‐MT), and 40 systemically healthy controls (control group [CG]) were examined. Periodontal parameters, anthropometric parameters, and serum levels of high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hsCRP) were recorded. Results: Women with newly diagnosed PCOS had increased sites with bleeding on probing (BOP), probing depth, clinical attachment level (CAL), waist circumference (WC), hsCRP, and prevalence of periodontitis compared with control and PCOS‐MT groups (P ≤0.05). On partial correlation analysis after controlling for confounders, BOP and CAL correlated positively and significantly with hsCRP (P = 0.01 and P = 0.005). Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that BOP and CAL (dependent variable) (P = 0.009/R² = 0.05 and P = 0.005/R² = 0.07, respectively) had significant association with hsCRP. Furthermore, hsCRP, when considered as outcome, also exhibited association with CAL and WC (P = 0.002/R² = 0.07 and P = 0.04/R² = 0.106). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the PCOS‐N group had 2.88 times increased likelihood of having moderate periodontitis (adjusted odds ratio 2.88, 95% confidence interval 1.18 to 6.98). Conclusions: Women with newly diagnosed PCOS may have increased prevalence and likelihood for periodontitis, with higher measures of periodontal inflammation and breakdown than those on medical treatment for PCOS and systemically healthy females. Furthermore, periodontal breakdown might depend on systemic inflammation and vice versa.     

Serum protein profile studies of cervical cancers in monitoring of tumor response to radiotherapy using HPLC-LIF: A pilot study

ObjectiveExploration of the feasibility of serum protein profiles for monitoring tumor radioresponse in cervical cancers using HPLC-LIF system.Materials and methodsTwenty-one subjects were recruited in the study. Out of them 7 were healthy, 14 were cervical cancer patients who undertook fractionated radiotherapy (RT) with 2 Gy per fraction over 25 fractions, for 5 weeks followed by 2 applications of intracavitary brachytherapy once a week.Blood collected from above subjects was processed to obtain serum. Serum chromatograms of ‘normal’ (n=7) and conspicuous probes before RT (n=14, ‘malignant’) and 24 h after second fraction of RT (n=13, ‘2-RT’), were recorded using an In-house-built HPLC-LIF set-up. Data were analyzed in two approaches: (1) classical method using relative intensities of selected peaks, (2) principal component analysis (PCA).Clinical assessment of tumor radioresponse was carried out 4 months after first fraction of RT and the degree of the tumor shrinkage was determined as an index of radioresponsiveness (complete response (CR): 100% shrinkage, partial response (PR): ≥50% shrinkage, and no response (NR): ≤50% shrinkage) which was further correlated with the analysis of 2-RT serum chromatograms.ResultsNormal vs. malignant chromatograms demonstrated pronounced differences in the 800–1800 s region. Malignant vs. 2-RT chromatograms showed minute variations in the 1300–1800 s region. Our analysis, in both of the approaches, produced clear differentiation between ‘normal’ and ‘malignant’, whereas differentiation between ‘malignant’ and ‘2-RT’ was minimal. Clinical evaluation of the tumor radioresponse yielded that out of 13 patients (one patient discontinued the radiotherapy) ten showed CR, two showed PR and one NR. In case of prediction of tumor radioresponse, analysis of the 2-RT chromatograms produced only minor differentiation among CR, PR and NR groups.ConclusionProtein profiling of serum samples differentiated ‘normal’ from ‘malignant’, but could not differentiate ‘malignant’ from ‘2-RT’. Also this technique has limited application in prediction of tumor radioresponse.