Pulmonary Function Abnormalities Associated with Exposure to Automobile Exhaust in a Diesel Bus Garage and Roads

In Kolkata city the road transports are maintained by private and Government organization. A major work force belonged to the State Transport Corporation (KSTC), Government of West-Bengal. The pollution caused by these vehicles affects the workers health and caused different types of respiratory problems. This study was undertaken to assess the pulmonary function status of these workers. City KSTC garage workers were investigated and categorically divided into two group: garage mechanics and the (2) those transporting the passengers (drivers and conductors). Vital capacity (VC), forced vital capacity (FVC) and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) were recorded by Spirovit-SP-10 (Schiller Ltd, Switzerland) and Wrights Peak Flow Meter (UK) on 236 workers. The different flow volumes, FEV₁, FEV_1%, and flow rates, FEF_02–121, FEF_25–75%, etc. were calculated. The administrative people had higher PFT than the other categories. Drivers and conductors have almost equal mean PFT values but mechanical workers had slightly higher. PFT values according to different age ranges and duration of exposure showed gradual decrement as age and duration of exposure increased. Non-smokers had higher lung volumes compared to smokers and ex-smokers. Restrictive, obstructive and combined types of impairments were noticed in 28.4%, 1.7% and 2.9%, respectively, workers. The restrictive impairment was found to be 30.4% in conductors, 28.9% in drivers, 27.9% in mechanics and 21.7% in administration people. Obstructive type of impairment was found to be 2.9% in both drivers and conductors. The effect of pollution by dust and fumes may be responsible for these pulmonary function impairments, restrictive impairments being greater.     

Differential deletions of chromosome 3p are associated with the development of uterine cervical carcinoma in Indian patients.

BACKGROUND: Deletions in chromosome 3 occur frequently in uterine cervical carcinoma (CA-CX). The common consensus regions deleted during CA-CX development are not well defined, and have not been correlated with tumour progression. AIMS: To define specific regions of chromosome 3 deleted during development of CA-CX and to correlate these with clinicopathological data. METHODS: Deletion mapping of chromosome 3 was done in seven cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and 43 primary CA-CX samples using 20 highly polymorphic microsatellite markers. RESULTS: Deletions of chromosome 3 were significantly associated with tumour progression. High frequencies (33-53%) of loss of heterozygosity (LOH) were found in 3p26.1, 3p22.3, 3p21.2, and 3p13, suggesting the location of putative tumour suppressor genes (TSGs) in these regions. Among these four regions, deletions in 3p21.2 were suggested to occur early during CA-CX development. A significant correlation was found between LOH at 3p26.1 and 3p22.3 with tumour progression from stage I/IIB to stage III/IV. No association was found with the highly deleted regions and human papillomavirus positivity, parity, or menopausal status. Microsatellite size alteration was seen in only seven of the samples. However, rare biallelic alterations were seen in and around the highly deleted regions. Loss of normal copy of chromosome 3 and interstitial alterations in chromosome 3p were seen in some samples. CONCLUSION: These four regions on chromosome 3p may be differentially deleted during specific stages of CA-CX development. The putative TSGs located in these regions may have a cumulative effect on tumour progression.     

Alteration of blood pressure among the donors in a blood donation camp

Anxiety can alter the cardiovascular parameters. In the present study, among the normotensive donors, the effect of anxiety on alteration of blood pressure and heart rate was assessed. Blood pressure and pulse rate were recorded in the volunteers just before blood donation and the results were compared with the blood pressure and heart rate recorded previously (one week before the camp) in the same population. There was a rise of both systolic and diastolic blood pressure with a significant increase in pulse rate just before blood donation. As the donors had previous experience of blood donation; the mental stress just before blood donation can be regarded as known stress -- which caused increase in norepinephrine secretion leading to peripheral vasoconstrictions and rise in diastolic blood pressure. Anxiety through sympathetic stimulation increased the heart rate, cardiac output and systolic blood pressure.     

Aetiological studies on hospital in-patients with acute diarrhoea in Calcutta

Bacterial enteropathogens and rotavirus were sought in 356 cases with acute diarrhoea admitted to the Infectious Diseases Hospital, Calcutta. One or more pathogens were isolated from 74.7% of the cases. Single enteropathogens could be detected from 66% and multiple enteropathogens from 8.7% of the patients. Vibrio cholerae biotype El Tor, rotavirus, V. parahaemolyticus, and enteropathogenic and enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli were the major pathogens detected. Rotavirus was detected from 7.6% of the cases. A higher rate of detection of rotavirus was seen in children younger than two years. Campylobacter jejuni could be isolated from the faeces of six (15%) of 40 cases either as a single pathogen or in association with V. cholerae biotype El Tor.     

Hepatoprotective and immunomodulatory properties of Tinospora cordifolia in CCl4 intoxicated mature albino rats

Effect of Tinospora cordifolia extract on modulation of hepatoprotective and immunostimulatory functions in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) intoxicated mature rats is reported here. Administration of CCl4 (0.7 ml/kg body weight for 7 days) produces damage in the liver as evident by estimation of enzymes such as serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamate pyruvate transminase (SGPT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) as well as serum bilirubin level. CCl4 administration also causes immunosuppressive effects as indicated by phagocytic capacity, chemotactic migration and cell adhesiveness of rat peritoneal macrophages. However, treatment with T. cordifolia extract (100 mg/kg body weight for 15 days) in CCl4 intoxicated rats was found to protect the liver, as indicated by enzyme level in serum. A significant reduction in serum levels of SGOT, SGPT, ALP, bilirubin were observed following T. cordifolia treatment during CCl4 intoxication. Treatment with T. cordifolia extract also deleted the immunosuppressive effect of CCl4, since a significant increment in the functional capacities of rat peritoneal macrophages (PM phi) was observed following T. cordifolia treatment. The results of our experiment suggest that treatment by T. cordifolia extract may be the critical remedy for the adverse effect of CCl4 in liver function as well as immune functions.     

Spinal coning after lumbar puncture in a patient with undiagnosed giant cervical neurofibroma

Lumbar puncture in the presence of an intracranial tumor with raised intracranial pressure is known to have catastrophic consequences due to herniation of intracranial contents through the tentorial hiatus or foramen magnum. There are relatively few case reports about the same sequence of events when lumbar puncture is performed below the level of a complete spinal block. The mechanism of such deterioration is also subject to conjecture as the spinal cord (unlike the uncus or cerebellar tonsils) is tethered by the dentate ligament and roots on either side, and is hence less mobile. We present one such case of spinal coning and review the available literature.     

Functional improvement and social participation through sports activity for children with mental retardation: a field study from a developing nation

Background: While the positive effect of sports and exercise on physical and psychological well being is well documented within the general population, the effects of sports on the functional ability of a child with mental retardation are limited. Objectives: To determine if sports activities have been detrimental in improving functional ability in sample of children with mental retardation based in Kolkata, a metropolis in India. Study Design: Field level study. Methods: Six sports associations registered under the Sports Authority of India for training children with mental retardation were shortlisted on the basis of four criteria. From the register, every third name (gender irrespective) belonging to the second (12-15 years) and third (15-21 years) subclasses (out of the four categories laid down in the Special Olympics participation rules) against a constraint of at least two years active attendance in the sports facility for the child was selected. A sample of 31 children was drawn and the WHO Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0) 12-item version was administered to the caregiver-teacher-coach team of the sample. Relative changes in scores between the point when the survey was conducted and the point when the child joined the sports facility was used as the dependent variable for regression analysis. The number of years in active sports, in school age of the respondent and base score of the children when they joined school were the independent variables. Results: For seven of the WHODAS 2.0 12-item attributes, the number of years in sports activities was found to have a statistically significant effect (p < 0.01) on the functional well being of children with mild to moderate mental retardation. The number of years in school was also another statistically significant factor (p < 0.01) responsible for this improvement. The children, however, perceived of being not welcome in community activities, but participated in activities meant exclusively for them. Conclusions: This small study showed that the proposition that number of years in sports activities was a significant factor responsible for improving the functioning of children with mild to moderate mental retardation. Clinical relevance WHODAS 2.0 12-item version has been a useful tool to monitor the effect of intervention (sports activity in this case) on the functional abilities of children with mild to moderate mental retardation. From a developing nation perspective with people with disabilities having very limited access to rehabilitation, this study would find its clinical relevance in the use of sports as an inexpensive and indigenous rehabilitative measure to promote the health and well being of people with disabilities as proposed in community-based rehabilitation guidelines (2010).