JOP. 2009 Nov 5;10(6):651-6.
Girish BN, Rajesh G, Vaidyanathan K, Balakrishnan V.
Department of Gastroenterology, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences. Cochin 682 041, Kerala, India.
CONTEXT: A major role of the pancreas in zinc homeostasis has been suggested. OBJECTIVE: To assess erythrocyte zinc status in chronic pancreatitis and to correlate it with pancreatic exocrine and endocrine insufficiency. PATIENTS: One hundred and one patients with chronic pancreatitis (34 alcoholic chronic pancreatitis, 67 tropical chronic pancreatitis) were prospectively studied. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Disease characteristics and imaging features were recorded. Erythrocyte zinc was estimated by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Exocrine insufficiency was assessed using polyclonal antibody ELISA for pancreatic stool elastase1. Endocrine insufficiency was assessed by serum glucose levels and insulin requirement. RESULTS: Erythrocyte zinc was significantly lower in chronic pancreatitis patients than in the controls (26.5+/-9.5 microg/g Hb vs. 38.0+/-6.6 microg/g Hb; P<0.001), and in tropical chronic pancreatitis than in alcoholic chronic pancreatitis (25.0+/-10.4 microg/g Hb vs. 29.6+/-6.5 microg/g Hb, P=0.001). In chronic pancreatitis patients who had exocrine insufficiency, erythrocyte zinc positively correlated with stool elastase1 (r=0.587, P<0.001). Erythrocyte zinc levels were significantly lower in diabetic patients as compared to non-diabetics (P=0.036). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates zinc deficiency in chronic pancreatitis patients, and that zinc deficiency correlates with exocrine and endocrine insufficiency. Further studies may clarify the possible benefits of zinc supplementation in chronic pancreatitis.
PMID: 19890187 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Saturday, 30 January 2010
Monday, 25 January 2010
In vitro cytocompatibility evaluation of a thermoresponsive NIPAAm-MMA copolymeric surface using L929 cells
J Mater Sci Mater Med. 2010 Jan 22. [Epub ahead of print]
Varghese VM, Raj V, Sreenivasan K, Kumary TV.
Tissue Culture Laboratory, Division of Implant Biology, Biomedical Technology Wing, Sree Chithra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Trivandrum, Kerala, India.
Scaffold free tissue constructs are preferred in tissue engineering as they overcome all the problems associated with scaffolds. Stimuli responsive polymers enable generation of scaffold free multilayered tissue constructs which would in turn reduce the use of biomaterials in vivo. In this study, we investigated cytocompatibility and thermoresponsiveness of a copolymer of N-Isopropylacrylamide and Methyl Methacrylate. Thermoresponsive surfaces were prepared by coating tissue culture polystyrene with the copolymer solution in isopropanol. Mammalian fibroblast cells (L929 cells) readily adhered on the copolymer. The viability and cellular activity was ensured through Neutral red staining, MTT assay, Tritiated thymidine uptake assay and Immunofluorescent staining for cytoskeletal organisation. Incubation under lower critical solution temperature of copolymer resulted in intact detachment of cells. To conclude, in-house synthesized cytocompatible smart culture substrate intended for tissue engineering was developed using a cost effective and simple technique. Moreover, presence of methyl methacrylate in the copolymer reduced the lower critical solution temperature facilitating extended in vitro manipulation time. As the copolymer is insoluble in water, the copolymer could be polymerised without additional crosslinkers.
PMID: 20094902 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Varghese VM, Raj V, Sreenivasan K, Kumary TV.
Tissue Culture Laboratory, Division of Implant Biology, Biomedical Technology Wing, Sree Chithra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Trivandrum, Kerala, India.
Scaffold free tissue constructs are preferred in tissue engineering as they overcome all the problems associated with scaffolds. Stimuli responsive polymers enable generation of scaffold free multilayered tissue constructs which would in turn reduce the use of biomaterials in vivo. In this study, we investigated cytocompatibility and thermoresponsiveness of a copolymer of N-Isopropylacrylamide and Methyl Methacrylate. Thermoresponsive surfaces were prepared by coating tissue culture polystyrene with the copolymer solution in isopropanol. Mammalian fibroblast cells (L929 cells) readily adhered on the copolymer. The viability and cellular activity was ensured through Neutral red staining, MTT assay, Tritiated thymidine uptake assay and Immunofluorescent staining for cytoskeletal organisation. Incubation under lower critical solution temperature of copolymer resulted in intact detachment of cells. To conclude, in-house synthesized cytocompatible smart culture substrate intended for tissue engineering was developed using a cost effective and simple technique. Moreover, presence of methyl methacrylate in the copolymer reduced the lower critical solution temperature facilitating extended in vitro manipulation time. As the copolymer is insoluble in water, the copolymer could be polymerised without additional crosslinkers.
PMID: 20094902 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Dynamics of growth and weight transitions in a pediatric cohort from India
Nutr J. 2009 Nov 23;8:55
Raj M, Sundaram KR, Paul M, Sudhakar A, Kumar RK.
Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Kochi, Kerala, India. drmanuraj@gmail.com
BACKGROUND: There is paucity of information regarding time trends of weight status in children from rapidly developing economies like India. The aim of the study was to analyse the dynamics of growth and weight transitions in a cohort of school children from India. METHODS: A population of 25 228 children was selected using stratified random sampling method from schools in a contiguous area in Ernakulam District, Kerala, India. Weight and height were measured at two time points, one in 2003-04 and another in 2005-06. The paired data of 12 129 children aged 5-16 years were analysed for the study. RESULTS: The mean interval between the two surveys was 2.02 +/- 0.32 years. The percentage of underweight, normal weight, overweight and obese children in the year 2003-04 were 38.4%, 56.6%, 3.7%, and 1.3% respectively. The corresponding figures in year 2005-06 were 29.9%, 63.6%, 4.8% and 1.7% respectively. Among the underweight children, 34.8% migrated to normal weight status and 0.1% migrated to overweight status. Conversion of underweight to normal weight predominated in urban area and girls. Among the normal weight children, 8.6% migrated to underweight, 4.1% migrated to overweight and 0.4% migrated to obesity. Conversion of normal weight to overweight status predominated in urban area, private schools and boys. Conversion of normal weight to underweight predominated in rural area, government schools and boys. Among the overweight children, 26.7% migrated to normal weight status, 16.4% became obese and 56.9% retained their overweight status. Of the obese children, 6.2% improved to normal weight status, 25.3% improved to overweight status and 68.5% remained as obese in 2005-06. There was significant difference in trends between socio demographic subgroups regarding conversion of underweight status to normal weight as well as normal weight status to overweight. CONCLUSION: The study population is experiencing rapid growth and nutritional transitions characterised by a decline in the underweight population coupled with an escalation of the overweight population. The heterogeneous nature of this transition appears to be due to differences in socio demographic factors.
PMCID: PMC2784800
PMID: 19930643 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Raj M, Sundaram KR, Paul M, Sudhakar A, Kumar RK.
Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Kochi, Kerala, India. drmanuraj@gmail.com
BACKGROUND: There is paucity of information regarding time trends of weight status in children from rapidly developing economies like India. The aim of the study was to analyse the dynamics of growth and weight transitions in a cohort of school children from India. METHODS: A population of 25 228 children was selected using stratified random sampling method from schools in a contiguous area in Ernakulam District, Kerala, India. Weight and height were measured at two time points, one in 2003-04 and another in 2005-06. The paired data of 12 129 children aged 5-16 years were analysed for the study. RESULTS: The mean interval between the two surveys was 2.02 +/- 0.32 years. The percentage of underweight, normal weight, overweight and obese children in the year 2003-04 were 38.4%, 56.6%, 3.7%, and 1.3% respectively. The corresponding figures in year 2005-06 were 29.9%, 63.6%, 4.8% and 1.7% respectively. Among the underweight children, 34.8% migrated to normal weight status and 0.1% migrated to overweight status. Conversion of underweight to normal weight predominated in urban area and girls. Among the normal weight children, 8.6% migrated to underweight, 4.1% migrated to overweight and 0.4% migrated to obesity. Conversion of normal weight to overweight status predominated in urban area, private schools and boys. Conversion of normal weight to underweight predominated in rural area, government schools and boys. Among the overweight children, 26.7% migrated to normal weight status, 16.4% became obese and 56.9% retained their overweight status. Of the obese children, 6.2% improved to normal weight status, 25.3% improved to overweight status and 68.5% remained as obese in 2005-06. There was significant difference in trends between socio demographic subgroups regarding conversion of underweight status to normal weight as well as normal weight status to overweight. CONCLUSION: The study population is experiencing rapid growth and nutritional transitions characterised by a decline in the underweight population coupled with an escalation of the overweight population. The heterogeneous nature of this transition appears to be due to differences in socio demographic factors.
PMCID: PMC2784800
PMID: 19930643 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Tuesday, 19 January 2010
Effect of 980-nm diode laser and 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser on the intervertebral disc--in vitro and in vivo studies
Photomed Laser Surg. 2009 Aug;27(4):547-52.
Jayasree RS, Gupta AK, Bodhey NK, Mohanty M.
Department of Imaging Sciences & Interventional Radiology, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences & Technology, Trivandrum, Kerala, India. jayashreemenon@gmail.com
OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to histologically evaluate the thermal changes in bovine intervertebral discs caused by 980-nm diode and 1064-nm Nd:YAG lasers. Further aims were to standardize the technique for in vivo animal research and to study its efficacy for clinical practice. BACKGROUND: When conservative methods fail, surgery has so far been the only measure for severe back pain due to disc prolapse and herniation. Recently, the minimally invasive technique of laser disc decompression has become more popular because it has advantages over open surgery in properly selected cases. METHODS: In vitro studies were done with Nd:YAG and diode lasers (1064 and 980 nm, respectively) on bovine intervertebral discs using a bare fiber tip or a focusing lens attached to a fiber tip. These studies were followed by in vivo studies in a canine model using a Nd:YAG laser with a bare fiber tip. Autopsies were done immediately and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 mo after ablation and the histopathology of excised discs was evaluated. RESULTS: Depending upon the depth of ablation and the intensity of charring and carbonization, a standardized energy density and pulse duration were identified. CONCLUSION: Nd:YAG laser with initial delivery of 40-W laser power and a reduced power of 10-15 W thereafter, delivering a total energy density of 1500-2000 J/cm(2) using a bare fiber tip, is recommended for clinical applications.
PMID: 19694506 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Jayasree RS, Gupta AK, Bodhey NK, Mohanty M.
Department of Imaging Sciences & Interventional Radiology, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences & Technology, Trivandrum, Kerala, India. jayashreemenon@gmail.com
OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to histologically evaluate the thermal changes in bovine intervertebral discs caused by 980-nm diode and 1064-nm Nd:YAG lasers. Further aims were to standardize the technique for in vivo animal research and to study its efficacy for clinical practice. BACKGROUND: When conservative methods fail, surgery has so far been the only measure for severe back pain due to disc prolapse and herniation. Recently, the minimally invasive technique of laser disc decompression has become more popular because it has advantages over open surgery in properly selected cases. METHODS: In vitro studies were done with Nd:YAG and diode lasers (1064 and 980 nm, respectively) on bovine intervertebral discs using a bare fiber tip or a focusing lens attached to a fiber tip. These studies were followed by in vivo studies in a canine model using a Nd:YAG laser with a bare fiber tip. Autopsies were done immediately and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 mo after ablation and the histopathology of excised discs was evaluated. RESULTS: Depending upon the depth of ablation and the intensity of charring and carbonization, a standardized energy density and pulse duration were identified. CONCLUSION: Nd:YAG laser with initial delivery of 40-W laser power and a reduced power of 10-15 W thereafter, delivering a total energy density of 1500-2000 J/cm(2) using a bare fiber tip, is recommended for clinical applications.
PMID: 19694506 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Learning from each other: cross-cultural insights on palliative care in Indian and Australian regions
Int J Palliat Nurs. 2009 Oct 23;15(10):499-509.
McGrath P, Holewa H, Koilparampil T, Koshy C, George S.
This article presents the findings of a cross-cultural research project that explored similarities and differences between palliative care service provision in Kerala, India and South-East Queensland, Australia, to inform a process of mutual learning for service development. Three major points of difference that can inform this process of mutual learning were identified: 1) an understanding of the significance of honesty in information-giving to the patient, 2) recognition of the importance of palliative care specialists providing education to mainstream health professionals, and 3) appreciation of the need for palliative care to be cognizant of the socio-economic impact of dying-especially for families experiencing poverty-by embracing strategies for financial and material support. The findings highlight the effectiveness of a cross-cultural collaboration between health professionals and researchers in South-East Queensland, Australia and Kerala, India.
PMID: 20081722 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
McGrath P, Holewa H, Koilparampil T, Koshy C, George S.
This article presents the findings of a cross-cultural research project that explored similarities and differences between palliative care service provision in Kerala, India and South-East Queensland, Australia, to inform a process of mutual learning for service development. Three major points of difference that can inform this process of mutual learning were identified: 1) an understanding of the significance of honesty in information-giving to the patient, 2) recognition of the importance of palliative care specialists providing education to mainstream health professionals, and 3) appreciation of the need for palliative care to be cognizant of the socio-economic impact of dying-especially for families experiencing poverty-by embracing strategies for financial and material support. The findings highlight the effectiveness of a cross-cultural collaboration between health professionals and researchers in South-East Queensland, Australia and Kerala, India.
PMID: 20081722 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Monday, 18 January 2010
Single Polymer Photosensitizer for Tb(3+) and Eu(3+) Ions: An Approach for White Light Emission Based on Carboxylic-Functionalized Poly(m-phenylenevin
J Phys Chem B. 2009 Sep 25. [Epub ahead of print]
Single Polymer Photosensitizer for Tb(3+) and Eu(3+) Ions: An Approach for White Light Emission Based on Carboxylic-Functionalized Poly(m-phenylenevinylene)s.
Balamurugan A, Reddy ML, Jayakannan M.
Chemical Sciences and Technology Division, National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology, Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), Thiruvananthapuram-695019, Kerala, India, and Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), NCL Innovation Park, Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pune 411008, India.
Here, we have demonstrated a facile molecular approach to generate white light emission by combining carboxylic functionalized poly(m-phenylenevinylene)s polymeric architectures with lanthanide beta-diketonate complexes. The new class of carboxylic functional conjugated polymeric materials was custom-designed from phenyl propanoic and acetic acids and structurally characterized by NMR, FT-IR, and MALDI-TOF spectroscopic techniques. The designed conjugated polymers were employed for the synthesis of lanthanide complexes in the presence of acetyl acetone (acac) as coligand and investigated their photophysical properties. For comparison, carboxylic-anchored oligo-phenylenevinylene (OPV) was also designed, characterized, and utilized for the synthesis of lanthanide complexes in the presence of acetyl acetone as coligand. Investigations revealed that carboxylic functionalized polymeric material with Eu(3+)-beta-diketonate complex exhibits unique magenta emission when excited at 310 nm. On the other hand, carboxylic functionalized polymeric material with Tb(3+)-beta-diketonate complex shows bright sky-blue emission. Interestingly, when Eu(3+) and Tb(3+) were incorporated into polymer backbone in equimolar ratio along with acetyl acetone as coligand, exhibited a white emission with CIE 1976 color coordinates x = 0.28, y = 0.34. The intrinsic quantum yield and lifetime of Ln(3+) complexes have been evaluated. The singlet and triplet energy levels of the antenna chromophore ligands have been calculated and the probable energy transfer mechanisms in Ln(3+) complexes have also been discussed. The effect of polymer structure and spacer effect on the photosensitizing of Tb(3+) and Eu(3+) ions was also investigated.
PMID: 19780548 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Single Polymer Photosensitizer for Tb(3+) and Eu(3+) Ions: An Approach for White Light Emission Based on Carboxylic-Functionalized Poly(m-phenylenevinylene)s.
Balamurugan A, Reddy ML, Jayakannan M.
Chemical Sciences and Technology Division, National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology, Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), Thiruvananthapuram-695019, Kerala, India, and Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), NCL Innovation Park, Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pune 411008, India.
Here, we have demonstrated a facile molecular approach to generate white light emission by combining carboxylic functionalized poly(m-phenylenevinylene)s polymeric architectures with lanthanide beta-diketonate complexes. The new class of carboxylic functional conjugated polymeric materials was custom-designed from phenyl propanoic and acetic acids and structurally characterized by NMR, FT-IR, and MALDI-TOF spectroscopic techniques. The designed conjugated polymers were employed for the synthesis of lanthanide complexes in the presence of acetyl acetone (acac) as coligand and investigated their photophysical properties. For comparison, carboxylic-anchored oligo-phenylenevinylene (OPV) was also designed, characterized, and utilized for the synthesis of lanthanide complexes in the presence of acetyl acetone as coligand. Investigations revealed that carboxylic functionalized polymeric material with Eu(3+)-beta-diketonate complex exhibits unique magenta emission when excited at 310 nm. On the other hand, carboxylic functionalized polymeric material with Tb(3+)-beta-diketonate complex shows bright sky-blue emission. Interestingly, when Eu(3+) and Tb(3+) were incorporated into polymer backbone in equimolar ratio along with acetyl acetone as coligand, exhibited a white emission with CIE 1976 color coordinates x = 0.28, y = 0.34. The intrinsic quantum yield and lifetime of Ln(3+) complexes have been evaluated. The singlet and triplet energy levels of the antenna chromophore ligands have been calculated and the probable energy transfer mechanisms in Ln(3+) complexes have also been discussed. The effect of polymer structure and spacer effect on the photosensitizing of Tb(3+) and Eu(3+) ions was also investigated.
PMID: 19780548 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Early growth and markers of cardiovascular risk in Keralan children in the Integrated Child Development Scheme
Public Health Nutr. 2009 Sep 22:1-7. [Epub ahead of print]
Early growth and markers of cardiovascular risk in Keralan children in the Integrated Child Development Scheme.
Brown N, Sasidharan CK, Fisher D.
Salisbury District Hospital, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP2 8BJ, UK.
OBJECTIVE: Low birth weight is associated with increased lifelong morbidity. Kerala has a renowned, low-cost, maternal-child health system in which is couched universal access to the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS), central to which is community-based maternal-infant nutritional supplementation. We assessed whether children in this environment showed enhanced birth weight and postnatal growth and whether the evolution of early markers of CVD was attenuated in comparison to contemporaries from other states. DESIGN: A part retrospective, part prospective cohort study in which children (n 286) born in 1998-2000 in Calicut were identified from Anganwadi records. They were traced at 6 years and underwent full anthropometry and blood pressure measurements at 6 and 8 years. RESULTS: Mean birth weight (2.86 (sd 0.40) kg) was greater than in Indian contemporaries but consistently <-1sd below the National Center for Health Statistics reference median throughout childhood. Birth weight significantly predicted body mass (BMI) at 8 years. Lower birth weight was strongly predictive of a higher waist:hip ratio (WHR) indicative of adverse central (coelomic) fat distribution (P < 0.01). Faster weight gain in infancy was weakly predictive of a lower WHR (P = 0.59), but faster late childhood growth at 6-8 years was non-significantly predictive of adverse WHR. CONCLUSIONS: At 8 years of age, children in Calicut participating in the ICDS have greater birth weight and relative attenuation of the evolution of early CVD markers compared with children in apparently comparable states. The relative contributions of the ICDS and other factors inherent to Kerala cannot be inferred from the present study.
PMID: 19772693 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Early growth and markers of cardiovascular risk in Keralan children in the Integrated Child Development Scheme.
Brown N, Sasidharan CK, Fisher D.
Salisbury District Hospital, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP2 8BJ, UK.
OBJECTIVE: Low birth weight is associated with increased lifelong morbidity. Kerala has a renowned, low-cost, maternal-child health system in which is couched universal access to the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS), central to which is community-based maternal-infant nutritional supplementation. We assessed whether children in this environment showed enhanced birth weight and postnatal growth and whether the evolution of early markers of CVD was attenuated in comparison to contemporaries from other states. DESIGN: A part retrospective, part prospective cohort study in which children (n 286) born in 1998-2000 in Calicut were identified from Anganwadi records. They were traced at 6 years and underwent full anthropometry and blood pressure measurements at 6 and 8 years. RESULTS: Mean birth weight (2.86 (sd 0.40) kg) was greater than in Indian contemporaries but consistently <-1sd below the National Center for Health Statistics reference median throughout childhood. Birth weight significantly predicted body mass (BMI) at 8 years. Lower birth weight was strongly predictive of a higher waist:hip ratio (WHR) indicative of adverse central (coelomic) fat distribution (P < 0.01). Faster weight gain in infancy was weakly predictive of a lower WHR (P = 0.59), but faster late childhood growth at 6-8 years was non-significantly predictive of adverse WHR. CONCLUSIONS: At 8 years of age, children in Calicut participating in the ICDS have greater birth weight and relative attenuation of the evolution of early CVD markers compared with children in apparently comparable states. The relative contributions of the ICDS and other factors inherent to Kerala cannot be inferred from the present study.
PMID: 19772693 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Effect of 980-nm diode laser and 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser on the intervertebral disc--in vitro and in vivo studies
Photomed Laser Surg. 2009 Aug;27(4):547-52.
Effect of 980-nm diode laser and 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser on the intervertebral disc--in vitro and in vivo studies.
Jayasree RS, Gupta AK, Bodhey NK, Mohanty M.
Department of Imaging Sciences & Interventional Radiology, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences & Technology, Trivandrum, Kerala, India. jayashreemenon@gmail.com
OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to histologically evaluate the thermal changes in bovine intervertebral discs caused by 980-nm diode and 1064-nm Nd:YAG lasers. Further aims were to standardize the technique for in vivo animal research and to study its efficacy for clinical practice. BACKGROUND: When conservative methods fail, surgery has so far been the only measure for severe back pain due to disc prolapse and herniation. Recently, the minimally invasive technique of laser disc decompression has become more popular because it has advantages over open surgery in properly selected cases. METHODS: In vitro studies were done with Nd:YAG and diode lasers (1064 and 980 nm, respectively) on bovine intervertebral discs using a bare fiber tip or a focusing lens attached to a fiber tip. These studies were followed by in vivo studies in a canine model using a Nd:YAG laser with a bare fiber tip. Autopsies were done immediately and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 mo after ablation and the histopathology of excised discs was evaluated. RESULTS: Depending upon the depth of ablation and the intensity of charring and carbonization, a standardized energy density and pulse duration were identified. CONCLUSION: Nd:YAG laser with initial delivery of 40-W laser power and a reduced power of 10-15 W thereafter, delivering a total energy density of 1500-2000 J/cm(2) using a bare fiber tip, is recommended for clinical applications.
PMID: 19694506 [PubMed - in process]
Effect of 980-nm diode laser and 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser on the intervertebral disc--in vitro and in vivo studies.
Jayasree RS, Gupta AK, Bodhey NK, Mohanty M.
Department of Imaging Sciences & Interventional Radiology, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences & Technology, Trivandrum, Kerala, India. jayashreemenon@gmail.com
OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to histologically evaluate the thermal changes in bovine intervertebral discs caused by 980-nm diode and 1064-nm Nd:YAG lasers. Further aims were to standardize the technique for in vivo animal research and to study its efficacy for clinical practice. BACKGROUND: When conservative methods fail, surgery has so far been the only measure for severe back pain due to disc prolapse and herniation. Recently, the minimally invasive technique of laser disc decompression has become more popular because it has advantages over open surgery in properly selected cases. METHODS: In vitro studies were done with Nd:YAG and diode lasers (1064 and 980 nm, respectively) on bovine intervertebral discs using a bare fiber tip or a focusing lens attached to a fiber tip. These studies were followed by in vivo studies in a canine model using a Nd:YAG laser with a bare fiber tip. Autopsies were done immediately and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 mo after ablation and the histopathology of excised discs was evaluated. RESULTS: Depending upon the depth of ablation and the intensity of charring and carbonization, a standardized energy density and pulse duration were identified. CONCLUSION: Nd:YAG laser with initial delivery of 40-W laser power and a reduced power of 10-15 W thereafter, delivering a total energy density of 1500-2000 J/cm(2) using a bare fiber tip, is recommended for clinical applications.
PMID: 19694506 [PubMed - in process]
Could a strong alkali deproteinization replace the standard lysis step in alkaline single cell gel electrophoresis (comet) assay (pH>13)
Mutat Res. 2009 Jun 26. [Epub ahead of print]
Could a strong alkali deproteinization replace the standard lysis step in alkaline single cell gel electrophoresis (comet) assay (pH>13)?
Kumar PR, Cheriyan VD, Seshadri M.
Low Level Radiation Research Laboratory, Radiation Biology and Health Science Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre
The alkaline version of single cell gel electrophoresis (Comet) assay is widely used for evaluating DNA damage at the individual cell level. The standard alkaline method of the comet assay involves deproteinization of cells embedded in agarose gel using a high salt-detergent lysis buffer, followed by denaturation of DNA and electrophoresis using a strong alkali at pH>13 [Exp. Cell. Res. 175 (1988) 184-191]. However, a recent report showed that a strong alkali treatment results in simultaneous deproteinization of cells and denaturation of genomic DNA [Mutat. Res. 607 (2006) 205-214]. This study was carried out to test whether the strong alkali deproteinization of cells could replace the high salt-detergent lysis step used in the standard method of the alkaline comet assay. Peripheral blood lymphocytes from 3 healthy individuals were irradiated with gamma rays at doses varying between 0 and 10 Gy. Following irradiation, the comet assay was performed according to the standard alkaline method (pH>13) and a modified method. In the modified method, agarose embedded cells were treated with a strong alkali (0.3M NaOH, 0.02M Trizma and 1mM EDTA, pH>13) for 20minutes to allow deproteinization of cells and denaturation of DNA. This was followed by electrophoresis using the same alkali solution to obtain comets. DNA damage expressed in terms of comet tail length, percentage of DNA in comet tail and tail moment obtained by the standard alkaline method and the modified method were compared. In both methods, DNA damage showed a good correlation with the dose of gamma ray. The results indicate a satisfactory sensitivity of the modified method in detecting radiation-induced DNA damage in human peripheral blood lymphocytes.
PMID: 19563911 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Could a strong alkali deproteinization replace the standard lysis step in alkaline single cell gel electrophoresis (comet) assay (pH>13)?
Kumar PR, Cheriyan VD, Seshadri M.
Low Level Radiation Research Laboratory, Radiation Biology and Health Science Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre
The alkaline version of single cell gel electrophoresis (Comet) assay is widely used for evaluating DNA damage at the individual cell level. The standard alkaline method of the comet assay involves deproteinization of cells embedded in agarose gel using a high salt-detergent lysis buffer, followed by denaturation of DNA and electrophoresis using a strong alkali at pH>13 [Exp. Cell. Res. 175 (1988) 184-191]. However, a recent report showed that a strong alkali treatment results in simultaneous deproteinization of cells and denaturation of genomic DNA [Mutat. Res. 607 (2006) 205-214]. This study was carried out to test whether the strong alkali deproteinization of cells could replace the high salt-detergent lysis step used in the standard method of the alkaline comet assay. Peripheral blood lymphocytes from 3 healthy individuals were irradiated with gamma rays at doses varying between 0 and 10 Gy. Following irradiation, the comet assay was performed according to the standard alkaline method (pH>13) and a modified method. In the modified method, agarose embedded cells were treated with a strong alkali (0.3M NaOH, 0.02M Trizma and 1mM EDTA, pH>13) for 20minutes to allow deproteinization of cells and denaturation of DNA. This was followed by electrophoresis using the same alkali solution to obtain comets. DNA damage expressed in terms of comet tail length, percentage of DNA in comet tail and tail moment obtained by the standard alkaline method and the modified method were compared. In both methods, DNA damage showed a good correlation with the dose of gamma ray. The results indicate a satisfactory sensitivity of the modified method in detecting radiation-induced DNA damage in human peripheral blood lymphocytes.
PMID: 19563911 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Saturday, 16 January 2010
What determines nutritional recovery in malnourished children after correction of congenital heart defects
Pediatrics. 2009 Aug;124(2):e294-9. Epub 2009 Jul 5.
What determines nutritional recovery in malnourished children after correction of congenital heart defects?
Vaidyanathan B, Radhakrishnan R, Sarala DA, Sundaram KR, Kumar RK.
Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Center, Kochi, Kerala, India. baluvaidyanathan@gmail.com
BACKGROUND: Malnutrition is common in children with congenital heart disease (CHD), especially in developing countries. OBJECTIVE: To examine the impact of corrective intervention on the nutritional status of children with CHD and identify factors associated with suboptimal recovery. METHODS: Consecutive patients with CHD in a tertiary center in South India were evaluated for nutritional status before and 2 years after corrective intervention. Anthropometry was performed at presentation and every 6 months for 2 years, and z scores were compared. Malnutrition was defined as a weight-for-age, height-for-age, and weight/height z score <-2. Determinants of malnutrition were entered into a multivariate logistic regression analysis model. RESULTS: Of 476 patients undergoing corrective intervention (surgical: 344; catheter-based: 132) z scores of less than -2 for weight for age, height for age, and weight/height were recorded in 59%, 26.3%, and 55.9% of patients, respectively, at presentation. On follow-up (425 patients [92.5% of survivors; 20.63 +/- 13.1 months of age]), z scores for weight for age and weight/height improved significantly from the baseline (weight: -1.42 +/- 1.03 vs -2.19 +/- 1.16; P < .001; weight/height: -1.15 +/- 1.25 vs -2.09 +/- 1.3; P < .001). Height-for-age z scores were not significantly different. Malnutrition persisted in 116 (27.3%) patients on follow-up and was associated with a birth weight of
What determines nutritional recovery in malnourished children after correction of congenital heart defects?
Vaidyanathan B, Radhakrishnan R, Sarala DA, Sundaram KR, Kumar RK.
Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Center, Kochi, Kerala, India. baluvaidyanathan@gmail.com
BACKGROUND: Malnutrition is common in children with congenital heart disease (CHD), especially in developing countries. OBJECTIVE: To examine the impact of corrective intervention on the nutritional status of children with CHD and identify factors associated with suboptimal recovery. METHODS: Consecutive patients with CHD in a tertiary center in South India were evaluated for nutritional status before and 2 years after corrective intervention. Anthropometry was performed at presentation and every 6 months for 2 years, and z scores were compared. Malnutrition was defined as a weight-for-age, height-for-age, and weight/height z score <-2. Determinants of malnutrition were entered into a multivariate logistic regression analysis model. RESULTS: Of 476 patients undergoing corrective intervention (surgical: 344; catheter-based: 132) z scores of less than -2 for weight for age, height for age, and weight/height were recorded in 59%, 26.3%, and 55.9% of patients, respectively, at presentation. On follow-up (425 patients [92.5% of survivors; 20.63 +/- 13.1 months of age]), z scores for weight for age and weight/height improved significantly from the baseline (weight: -1.42 +/- 1.03 vs -2.19 +/- 1.16; P < .001; weight/height: -1.15 +/- 1.25 vs -2.09 +/- 1.3; P < .001). Height-for-age z scores were not significantly different. Malnutrition persisted in 116 (27.3%) patients on follow-up and was associated with a birth weight of
Clinical profile of Chikungunya in infants
Indian J Pediatr. 2009 Feb;76(2):151-5. Epub 2009 Mar 28.
Clinical profile of Chikungunya in infants.
Valamparampil JJ, Chirakkarot S, Letha S, Jayakumar C, Gopinathan KM.
Department of Pediatrics, Institute of Child Health, Government Medical College, Kerala, India.
OBJECTIVE: To define the clinical manifestations of Chikungunya infection in infants. METHODS: The inclusion criteria was fever (defined as axillary temperature > 99.6 degrees F) with any one of the following features; seizure, loose stools, peripheral cyanosis, skin manifestations or pedal edema in children less than one year. Details of disease from onset of illness till admission were noted and a thorough clinical examination was done at the time of admission. Daily follow-up was performed and the serial order of appearance of clinical features was noted till complete recovery. The sera collected from patients after the 7th day of onset of fever was analyzed for specific chikungunya antibody by IgM antibody capture enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: Fifty six (56) infants were laboratory confirmed for chikungunya, consisting of 34 (60.71%) males and 22 (39.29%) females. 4 (7.14%) infants were less than 1 month of age, 39 (69.64%) 2-6 months old and 13 (23.21%) 7-12 months old. Fever was invariably present, but associated constitutional symptoms in infants consisted of lethargy or irritability and excessive cry. The most characteristic feature of the infection in infants was acrocyanosis and symmetrical superficial vesicobullous lesions were noted in most infants. Erythematous asymmetrical macules and patches were observed which later progressed to morbiliform rashes. The face and oral cavity was spared in all observed patients. CONCLUSION: An entirely different spectrum of disease is seen in infants with chikungunya as compared to older children who need to be carefully observed for. The morbidity and mortality of the disease may be avoided by the rational use of drugs and close monitoring of all infants.
PMID: 19330303 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Clinical profile of Chikungunya in infants.
Valamparampil JJ, Chirakkarot S, Letha S, Jayakumar C, Gopinathan KM.
Department of Pediatrics, Institute of Child Health, Government Medical College, Kerala, India.
OBJECTIVE: To define the clinical manifestations of Chikungunya infection in infants. METHODS: The inclusion criteria was fever (defined as axillary temperature > 99.6 degrees F) with any one of the following features; seizure, loose stools, peripheral cyanosis, skin manifestations or pedal edema in children less than one year. Details of disease from onset of illness till admission were noted and a thorough clinical examination was done at the time of admission. Daily follow-up was performed and the serial order of appearance of clinical features was noted till complete recovery. The sera collected from patients after the 7th day of onset of fever was analyzed for specific chikungunya antibody by IgM antibody capture enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: Fifty six (56) infants were laboratory confirmed for chikungunya, consisting of 34 (60.71%) males and 22 (39.29%) females. 4 (7.14%) infants were less than 1 month of age, 39 (69.64%) 2-6 months old and 13 (23.21%) 7-12 months old. Fever was invariably present, but associated constitutional symptoms in infants consisted of lethargy or irritability and excessive cry. The most characteristic feature of the infection in infants was acrocyanosis and symmetrical superficial vesicobullous lesions were noted in most infants. Erythematous asymmetrical macules and patches were observed which later progressed to morbiliform rashes. The face and oral cavity was spared in all observed patients. CONCLUSION: An entirely different spectrum of disease is seen in infants with chikungunya as compared to older children who need to be carefully observed for. The morbidity and mortality of the disease may be avoided by the rational use of drugs and close monitoring of all infants.
PMID: 19330303 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Clinical profile of Chikungunya in infants
Indian J Pediatr. 2009 Feb;76(2):151-5. Epub 2009 Mar 28.
Clinical profile of Chikungunya in infants.
Valamparampil JJ, Chirakkarot S, Letha S, Jayakumar C, Gopinathan KM.
Department of Pediatrics, Institute of Child Health, Government Medical College, Kerala, India.
OBJECTIVE: To define the clinical manifestations of Chikungunya infection in infants. METHODS: The inclusion criteria was fever (defined as axillary temperature > 99.6 degrees F) with any one of the following features; seizure, loose stools, peripheral cyanosis, skin manifestations or pedal edema in children less than one year. Details of disease from onset of illness till admission were noted and a thorough clinical examination was done at the time of admission. Daily follow-up was performed and the serial order of appearance of clinical features was noted till complete recovery. The sera collected from patients after the 7th day of onset of fever was analyzed for specific chikungunya antibody by IgM antibody capture enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: Fifty six (56) infants were laboratory confirmed for chikungunya, consisting of 34 (60.71%) males and 22 (39.29%) females. 4 (7.14%) infants were less than 1 month of age, 39 (69.64%) 2-6 months old and 13 (23.21%) 7-12 months old. Fever was invariably present, but associated constitutional symptoms in infants consisted of lethargy or irritability and excessive cry. The most characteristic feature of the infection in infants was acrocyanosis and symmetrical superficial vesicobullous lesions were noted in most infants. Erythematous asymmetrical macules and patches were observed which later progressed to morbiliform rashes. The face and oral cavity was spared in all observed patients. CONCLUSION: An entirely different spectrum of disease is seen in infants with chikungunya as compared to older children who need to be carefully observed for. The morbidity and mortality of the disease may be avoided by the rational use of drugs and close monitoring of all infants.
PMID: 19330303 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Clinical profile of Chikungunya in infants.
Valamparampil JJ, Chirakkarot S, Letha S, Jayakumar C, Gopinathan KM.
Department of Pediatrics, Institute of Child Health, Government Medical College, Kerala, India.
OBJECTIVE: To define the clinical manifestations of Chikungunya infection in infants. METHODS: The inclusion criteria was fever (defined as axillary temperature > 99.6 degrees F) with any one of the following features; seizure, loose stools, peripheral cyanosis, skin manifestations or pedal edema in children less than one year. Details of disease from onset of illness till admission were noted and a thorough clinical examination was done at the time of admission. Daily follow-up was performed and the serial order of appearance of clinical features was noted till complete recovery. The sera collected from patients after the 7th day of onset of fever was analyzed for specific chikungunya antibody by IgM antibody capture enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: Fifty six (56) infants were laboratory confirmed for chikungunya, consisting of 34 (60.71%) males and 22 (39.29%) females. 4 (7.14%) infants were less than 1 month of age, 39 (69.64%) 2-6 months old and 13 (23.21%) 7-12 months old. Fever was invariably present, but associated constitutional symptoms in infants consisted of lethargy or irritability and excessive cry. The most characteristic feature of the infection in infants was acrocyanosis and symmetrical superficial vesicobullous lesions were noted in most infants. Erythematous asymmetrical macules and patches were observed which later progressed to morbiliform rashes. The face and oral cavity was spared in all observed patients. CONCLUSION: An entirely different spectrum of disease is seen in infants with chikungunya as compared to older children who need to be carefully observed for. The morbidity and mortality of the disease may be avoided by the rational use of drugs and close monitoring of all infants.
PMID: 19330303 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Guild structure, diversity and succession of dung beetles associated with Indian elephant dung in South Western Ghats forests
J Insect Sci. 2006;6:1-12.
Guild structure, diversity and succession of dung beetles associated with Indian elephant dung in South Western Ghats forests.
Sabu TK, Vinod KV, Vineesh PJ.
PG and Research Department of Zoology, St. Joseph's College, Devagiri, Calicut, Kerala, India. sabukthomas1@gmail.com
The diversity, guild structure and succession of dung beetles associated with Indian elephant dung is described in a deciduous forest site in Western Ghats, a hot spot of diversity in India. Dung beetles were collected using baited pitfall traps and from exposed dung pats in the forest at intervals of 1, 3, 5, 7, 15 and 21 days. Twenty-one dung beetle species belonging to the 3 major functional guilds were recorded. Abundance of dwellers was high compared to rollers deviating from earlier reports on the high abundance of rollers in the afrotropical regions. Dweller Drepanocerus setosus and tunneler Onthophagus bronzeus were the most abundant species. Dung pats aged 3-5 days attracted the highest abundance of dung beetles. Bray Curtis similarity index indicated low community similarity between different stages of succession. Species richness and abundance of tunnelers increased with dung age and decreasing moisture up to a threshold level, followed by a decrease. Rollers and dwellers did not show any significant relationship with dung moisture content. Further research is needed to estimate the dung beetle community associated with the dung pats of other mega herbivores as well as of elephant dung in other forests of the Western Ghats.
PMID: 19537983 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Guild structure, diversity and succession of dung beetles associated with Indian elephant dung in South Western Ghats forests.
Sabu TK, Vinod KV, Vineesh PJ.
PG and Research Department of Zoology, St. Joseph's College, Devagiri, Calicut, Kerala, India. sabukthomas1@gmail.com
The diversity, guild structure and succession of dung beetles associated with Indian elephant dung is described in a deciduous forest site in Western Ghats, a hot spot of diversity in India. Dung beetles were collected using baited pitfall traps and from exposed dung pats in the forest at intervals of 1, 3, 5, 7, 15 and 21 days. Twenty-one dung beetle species belonging to the 3 major functional guilds were recorded. Abundance of dwellers was high compared to rollers deviating from earlier reports on the high abundance of rollers in the afrotropical regions. Dweller Drepanocerus setosus and tunneler Onthophagus bronzeus were the most abundant species. Dung pats aged 3-5 days attracted the highest abundance of dung beetles. Bray Curtis similarity index indicated low community similarity between different stages of succession. Species richness and abundance of tunnelers increased with dung age and decreasing moisture up to a threshold level, followed by a decrease. Rollers and dwellers did not show any significant relationship with dung moisture content. Further research is needed to estimate the dung beetle community associated with the dung pats of other mega herbivores as well as of elephant dung in other forests of the Western Ghats.
PMID: 19537983 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Self-Assembled Cylindrical and Vesicular Molecular Templates for Polyaniline Nanofibers and Nanotapes
J Phys Chem B. 2009 Jul 30. [Epub ahead of print]
Self-Assembled Cylindrical and Vesicular Molecular Templates for Polyaniline Nanofibers and Nanotapes.
Anilkumar P, Jayakannan M.
Chemical Sciences and Technology Division, National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram-695019, Kerala, India, and Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), NCL Innovation Park, Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pune 411008, India.
We report a soft template approach based on a custom-designed novel surfactant-cum-dopant for size and shape tuning of polyaniline nanomaterials such as nanofibers and nanotapes via emulsion and dispersion polymerization routes. A new amphiphilic 4-(3-dodecyl-8-enylphenyloxy) butane sulfonic acid was synthesized by ring-opening of butanesultone with renewable resource cardanol. The new amphiphilic dopant forms spherical micelles in water and its critical micelle concentration was determined by dye encapsulation and surface tension methods. In the emulsion route, the amphiphilic dopant complexed with aniline to produce cylindrical micellar aggregates that template exclusively for polyaniline nanofibers. The dispersion of aniline + dopant in water/toluene solvent mixture produces vesicles that selectively template for polyaniline nanotapes. The mechanism of the polyaniline nanomaterials formation was investigated by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM). DLS of the polymerization templates in water proved the presence of micrometer range aggregates, and TEM images confirmed the shape of the cylindrical and vesicular templates. The polyaniline nanomaterials were found soluble in water and polar organic solvents for structural characterization and composition analysis by (1)H NMR spectroscopy. Absorbance spectra of the nanomaterials showed free carrier tail above 900 nm in the near IR region for the delocalization of electrons in the polaron band corresponding to expanded conformation of polyaniline chains. Wide angle X-ray diffraction showed two new peaks at low angle region with d-spacing of 26.5 and 13.6 A corresponding to lamellar ordering of polyaniline chains followed by interdigitations of the amphiphilic dopant in the nanomaterials.
PMID: 19642663 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Self-Assembled Cylindrical and Vesicular Molecular Templates for Polyaniline Nanofibers and Nanotapes.
Anilkumar P, Jayakannan M.
Chemical Sciences and Technology Division, National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram-695019, Kerala, India, and Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), NCL Innovation Park, Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pune 411008, India.
We report a soft template approach based on a custom-designed novel surfactant-cum-dopant for size and shape tuning of polyaniline nanomaterials such as nanofibers and nanotapes via emulsion and dispersion polymerization routes. A new amphiphilic 4-(3-dodecyl-8-enylphenyloxy) butane sulfonic acid was synthesized by ring-opening of butanesultone with renewable resource cardanol. The new amphiphilic dopant forms spherical micelles in water and its critical micelle concentration was determined by dye encapsulation and surface tension methods. In the emulsion route, the amphiphilic dopant complexed with aniline to produce cylindrical micellar aggregates that template exclusively for polyaniline nanofibers. The dispersion of aniline + dopant in water/toluene solvent mixture produces vesicles that selectively template for polyaniline nanotapes. The mechanism of the polyaniline nanomaterials formation was investigated by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM). DLS of the polymerization templates in water proved the presence of micrometer range aggregates, and TEM images confirmed the shape of the cylindrical and vesicular templates. The polyaniline nanomaterials were found soluble in water and polar organic solvents for structural characterization and composition analysis by (1)H NMR spectroscopy. Absorbance spectra of the nanomaterials showed free carrier tail above 900 nm in the near IR region for the delocalization of electrons in the polaron band corresponding to expanded conformation of polyaniline chains. Wide angle X-ray diffraction showed two new peaks at low angle region with d-spacing of 26.5 and 13.6 A corresponding to lamellar ordering of polyaniline chains followed by interdigitations of the amphiphilic dopant in the nanomaterials.
PMID: 19642663 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
NBO analysis and vibrational spectra of 2,6-bis(p-methyl benzylidene cyclohexanone) using density functional theory
Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc. 2009 Jun 16. [Epub ahead of print]
NBO analysis and vibrational spectra of 2,6-bis(p-methyl benzylidene cyclohexanone) using density functional theory.
Padmaja L, Amalanathan M, Ravikumar C, Hubert Joe I.
Centre for Molecular and Biophysics Research, Department of Physics, Mar Ivanios College, Thiruvananthapuram 695015, Kerala, India.
Vibrational analysis of the 2,6-bis(p-methyl benzylidene cyclohexanone) [PMBC] compound was carried out by using NIR FT-Raman and FT-IR spectroscopic techniques. The equilibrium geometry, various bonding features and harmonic vibrational frequencies of PMBC have been investigated with the help of B3LYP/6-31G(d) density functional theory method. The optimized geometry clearly demonstrates cyclohexanone ring chair conformation is changed into half-chair conformation. The shortening of C-H bond length and blue shifting of the CH stretching wavenumber suggest the existence of improper weak C-Hcdots, three dots, centeredO hydrogen bonding, which is confirmed by the natural bond orbital analysis. The Mulliken population analysis on atomic charges and the HOMO-LUMO energy are also calculated.
PMID: 19640777 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
NBO analysis and vibrational spectra of 2,6-bis(p-methyl benzylidene cyclohexanone) using density functional theory.
Padmaja L, Amalanathan M, Ravikumar C, Hubert Joe I.
Centre for Molecular and Biophysics Research, Department of Physics, Mar Ivanios College, Thiruvananthapuram 695015, Kerala, India.
Vibrational analysis of the 2,6-bis(p-methyl benzylidene cyclohexanone) [PMBC] compound was carried out by using NIR FT-Raman and FT-IR spectroscopic techniques. The equilibrium geometry, various bonding features and harmonic vibrational frequencies of PMBC have been investigated with the help of B3LYP/6-31G(d) density functional theory method. The optimized geometry clearly demonstrates cyclohexanone ring chair conformation is changed into half-chair conformation. The shortening of C-H bond length and blue shifting of the CH stretching wavenumber suggest the existence of improper weak C-Hcdots, three dots, centeredO hydrogen bonding, which is confirmed by the natural bond orbital analysis. The Mulliken population analysis on atomic charges and the HOMO-LUMO energy are also calculated.
PMID: 19640777 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Cost-effectiveness of oral cancer screening: results from a cluster randomized controlled trial in India
Bull World Health Organ. 2009 Mar;87(3):200-6.
Cost-effectiveness of oral cancer screening: results from a cluster randomized controlled trial in India.
Subramanian S, Sankaranarayanan R, Bapat B, Somanathan T, Thomas G, Mathew B, Vinoda J, Ramadas K.
RTI International, Massachusetts, MA, United States of America. ssubramanian@rti.org
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate oral cancer screening by visual inspection. METHODS: A cluster randomized controlled trial was initiated in Trivandrum district, Kerala, India. Of 13 population clusters, seven were randomly allocated to three rounds of screening between 1996 and 2004, while standard care was provided in six (control arm). An activity-based approach was employed to calculate costs associated with various components of the screening trial. Information on the resources used and on clinical events in each trial arm was derived from trial databases. Total costs for each cluster were estimated in 2004 United States dollars (US$). The incremental cost per life-year saved was calculated for all eligible individuals and for high-risk individuals (i.e. tobacco or alcohol users). FINDINGS: The proportion of oral cancers detected at an early stage (i.e. stage I or II) was higher in the intervention arm than the control arm (42% versus 24%, respectively). The incremental cost per life-year saved was US$ 835 for all individuals eligible for screening and US$ 156 for high-risk individuals. Oral cancer screening by visual inspection was performed for under US$ 6 per person. CONCLUSION: The most cost-effective approach to oral cancer screening by visual inspection is to offer it to the high-risk population. Targeted screening of this group will ensure that screening can be offered at a reasonable cost in a limited-resource setting.
PMID: 19377716 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
PMCID: PMC2654641
Cost-effectiveness of oral cancer screening: results from a cluster randomized controlled trial in India.
Subramanian S, Sankaranarayanan R, Bapat B, Somanathan T, Thomas G, Mathew B, Vinoda J, Ramadas K.
RTI International, Massachusetts, MA, United States of America. ssubramanian@rti.org
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate oral cancer screening by visual inspection. METHODS: A cluster randomized controlled trial was initiated in Trivandrum district, Kerala, India. Of 13 population clusters, seven were randomly allocated to three rounds of screening between 1996 and 2004, while standard care was provided in six (control arm). An activity-based approach was employed to calculate costs associated with various components of the screening trial. Information on the resources used and on clinical events in each trial arm was derived from trial databases. Total costs for each cluster were estimated in 2004 United States dollars (US$). The incremental cost per life-year saved was calculated for all eligible individuals and for high-risk individuals (i.e. tobacco or alcohol users). FINDINGS: The proportion of oral cancers detected at an early stage (i.e. stage I or II) was higher in the intervention arm than the control arm (42% versus 24%, respectively). The incremental cost per life-year saved was US$ 835 for all individuals eligible for screening and US$ 156 for high-risk individuals. Oral cancer screening by visual inspection was performed for under US$ 6 per person. CONCLUSION: The most cost-effective approach to oral cancer screening by visual inspection is to offer it to the high-risk population. Targeted screening of this group will ensure that screening can be offered at a reasonable cost in a limited-resource setting.
PMID: 19377716 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
PMCID: PMC2654641
Physical and functional properties of arrowroot starch extrudates
J Food Sci. 2009 Mar;74(2):E97-104.
Physical and functional properties of arrowroot starch extrudates.
Jyothi AN, Sheriff JT, Sajeev MS.
Central Tuber Crops Research Inst, Sreekariyam, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India.
Arrowroot starch, a commercially underexploited tuber starch but having potential digestive and medicinal properties, has been subjected to extrusion cooking using a single screw food extruder. Different levels of feed moisture (12%, 14%, and 16%) and extrusion temperatures (140, 150, 160, 170, 180, and 190 degrees C) were used for extrusion. The physical properties--bulk density, true density, porosity, and expansion ratio; functional properties such as water absorption index, water solubility index, oil absorption index, pasting, rheological, and textural properties; and in vitro enzyme digestibility of the extrudates were determined. The expansion ratio of the extrudates ranged from 3.22 to 6.09. The water absorption index (6.52 to 8.85 g gel/g dry sample), water solubility index (15.92% to 41.31%), and oil absorption index (0.50 to 1.70 g/g) were higher for the extrudates in comparison to native starch (1.81 g gel/g dry sample, 1.16% and 0.60 g/g, respectively). The rheological properties, storage modulus, and loss modulus of the gelatinized powdered extrudates were significantly lower (P < 0.05) and these behaved like solutions rather than a paste or a gel. Hardness and toughness were more for the samples extruded at higher feed moisture and lower extrusion temperature, whereas snap force and energy were higher at lower feed moisture and temperature. There was a significant decrease in the percentage digestibility of arrowroot starch (30.07% after 30 min of incubation with the enzyme) after extrusion (25.27% to 30.56%). Extrusion cooking of arrowroot starch resulted in products with very good expansion, color, and lower digestibility, which can be exploited for its potential use as a snack food.
PMID: 19323747 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Physical and functional properties of arrowroot starch extrudates.
Jyothi AN, Sheriff JT, Sajeev MS.
Central Tuber Crops Research Inst, Sreekariyam, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India.
Arrowroot starch, a commercially underexploited tuber starch but having potential digestive and medicinal properties, has been subjected to extrusion cooking using a single screw food extruder. Different levels of feed moisture (12%, 14%, and 16%) and extrusion temperatures (140, 150, 160, 170, 180, and 190 degrees C) were used for extrusion. The physical properties--bulk density, true density, porosity, and expansion ratio; functional properties such as water absorption index, water solubility index, oil absorption index, pasting, rheological, and textural properties; and in vitro enzyme digestibility of the extrudates were determined. The expansion ratio of the extrudates ranged from 3.22 to 6.09. The water absorption index (6.52 to 8.85 g gel/g dry sample), water solubility index (15.92% to 41.31%), and oil absorption index (0.50 to 1.70 g/g) were higher for the extrudates in comparison to native starch (1.81 g gel/g dry sample, 1.16% and 0.60 g/g, respectively). The rheological properties, storage modulus, and loss modulus of the gelatinized powdered extrudates were significantly lower (P < 0.05) and these behaved like solutions rather than a paste or a gel. Hardness and toughness were more for the samples extruded at higher feed moisture and lower extrusion temperature, whereas snap force and energy were higher at lower feed moisture and temperature. There was a significant decrease in the percentage digestibility of arrowroot starch (30.07% after 30 min of incubation with the enzyme) after extrusion (25.27% to 30.56%). Extrusion cooking of arrowroot starch resulted in products with very good expansion, color, and lower digestibility, which can be exploited for its potential use as a snack food.
PMID: 19323747 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Factors associated with traumatic dental injuries among 12-year-old schoolchildren in South India
Dent Traumatol. 2009 Jul 9. [Epub ahead of print]
Factors associated with traumatic dental injuries among 12-year-old schoolchildren in South India.
David J, Astrøm AN, Wang NJ.
Centre for International Health, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Bergen.
Abstract - Aims: To assess the prevalence of, and correlates of traumatic dental injuries among 12-year-old schoolchildren in Kerala. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional, two-stage cluster sampling technique was used. The sample size included 838 12-year-old school children. Traumatic dental injuries to the anterior teeth were evaluated clinically by one examiner. Teeth examined were maxillary and mandibular incisors and canines. The children answered a structured questionnaire on sociodemographics, subjective oral health assessments and behavioural aspects. Results: Six per cent of the 12-year-old school children had traumatic dental injuries to the anterior teeth. The right central incisors were most frequently affected. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that boys (Adjusted Odds Ratio (Adj OR) = 2.2, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 1.1-4.1) and children who disagreed that good marks in school were important to them (Adj OR = 2.3, 95% CI = 1.2-4.3) had a higher probability of having traumatized teeth than other children. Conclusions: The prevalence of traumatized anterior teeth among 12-year-olds in Kerala was low compared with other studies. Being male and negative about future career were associated with a higher probability of having a traumatized tooth.
PMID: 19614932 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Factors associated with traumatic dental injuries among 12-year-old schoolchildren in South India.
David J, Astrøm AN, Wang NJ.
Centre for International Health, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Bergen.
Abstract - Aims: To assess the prevalence of, and correlates of traumatic dental injuries among 12-year-old schoolchildren in Kerala. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional, two-stage cluster sampling technique was used. The sample size included 838 12-year-old school children. Traumatic dental injuries to the anterior teeth were evaluated clinically by one examiner. Teeth examined were maxillary and mandibular incisors and canines. The children answered a structured questionnaire on sociodemographics, subjective oral health assessments and behavioural aspects. Results: Six per cent of the 12-year-old school children had traumatic dental injuries to the anterior teeth. The right central incisors were most frequently affected. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that boys (Adjusted Odds Ratio (Adj OR) = 2.2, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 1.1-4.1) and children who disagreed that good marks in school were important to them (Adj OR = 2.3, 95% CI = 1.2-4.3) had a higher probability of having traumatized teeth than other children. Conclusions: The prevalence of traumatized anterior teeth among 12-year-olds in Kerala was low compared with other studies. Being male and negative about future career were associated with a higher probability of having a traumatized tooth.
PMID: 19614932 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Synthesis and characterization of iodinated polyurethane with inherent radiopacity
Biomaterials. 2009 Jul 11. [Epub ahead of print]
Synthesis and characterization of iodinated polyurethane with inherent radiopacity.
Kiran S, James NR, Joseph R, Jayakrishnan A.
Polymer Processing Laboratory, Biomedical Technology Wing, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Satelmond Palace Campus, Trivandrum 695 012, Kerala, India.
The synthesis and characterization of polyurethane (PU) with excellent radiopacity for medical and allied applications are reported. Bisphenol-A (BPA) was iodinated to obtain 4,4'-isopropylidinedi-(2,6-diiodophenol) (IBPA) which was used as a chain extender for the preparation of a radiopaque PU. The PU was prepared by reacting 4,4'-methylenebis(phenyl isocyanate) (MDI), poly(tetramethylene glycol) (PTMG) and IBPA in 2.2:1.2:1 molecular ratio and is characterized by infrared spectroscopy (IR), thermogravimetry (TGA), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and X-radiography. X-ray images showed that the PU prepared using IBPA as the chain extender is highly radiopaque. An in vitro cytotoxicity test using L929 mouse fibroblast cells shows that the PU is non-cytotoxic. The outlined synthesis of a PU with radiocontrast properties opens up the possibility of synthesizing many different kinds of radiopaque PUs with desirable range of physical properties exploiting the versatility in their chemical synthesis.
PMID: 19596151 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Synthesis and characterization of iodinated polyurethane with inherent radiopacity.
Kiran S, James NR, Joseph R, Jayakrishnan A.
Polymer Processing Laboratory, Biomedical Technology Wing, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Satelmond Palace Campus, Trivandrum 695 012, Kerala, India.
The synthesis and characterization of polyurethane (PU) with excellent radiopacity for medical and allied applications are reported. Bisphenol-A (BPA) was iodinated to obtain 4,4'-isopropylidinedi-(2,6-diiodophenol) (IBPA) which was used as a chain extender for the preparation of a radiopaque PU. The PU was prepared by reacting 4,4'-methylenebis(phenyl isocyanate) (MDI), poly(tetramethylene glycol) (PTMG) and IBPA in 2.2:1.2:1 molecular ratio and is characterized by infrared spectroscopy (IR), thermogravimetry (TGA), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and X-radiography. X-ray images showed that the PU prepared using IBPA as the chain extender is highly radiopaque. An in vitro cytotoxicity test using L929 mouse fibroblast cells shows that the PU is non-cytotoxic. The outlined synthesis of a PU with radiocontrast properties opens up the possibility of synthesizing many different kinds of radiopaque PUs with desirable range of physical properties exploiting the versatility in their chemical synthesis.
PMID: 19596151 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Effects of mono and di(n-butyl) phthalate on superoxide dismutase
Toxicology. 2009 Jul 28;262(1):38-42. Epub 2009 Apr 19.
Effects of mono and di(n-butyl) phthalate on superoxide dismutase.
Prasanth GK, Divya LM, Sadasivan C.
Department of Biotechnology and Microbiology, Kannur University, Kerala, India.
Di(n-butyl) phthalate (DBP) is a plasticizer used in the manufacture of several industrial and household articles. They get easily released to the environment and may cause adverse effects to living organisms. Effects of DBP and its metabolite monobutyl phthalate (MBP) on superoxide dismutase (SOD), an antioxidant enzyme, have been studied. When SOD was incubated with varying amount of DBP the activity of the enzyme was decreased proportionate to the concentration of the phthalates added. A similar result was observed with MBP also. These indicate that the DBP and MBP possess concentration dependent inhibitory effect on SOD. The mode of interaction of DBP and MBP has also been investigated using modeling and docking studies. The docking results showed that both DBP and MBP can bind in the active site of SOD and can make hydrogen bonds with the active site residue R143. This residue is crucial in the binding of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during its conversion to hydrogen peroxide and molecular oxygen. This may perhaps explain the inhibitory effect of DBP and MBP on SOD.
PMID: 19386278 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Effects of mono and di(n-butyl) phthalate on superoxide dismutase.
Prasanth GK, Divya LM, Sadasivan C.
Department of Biotechnology and Microbiology, Kannur University, Kerala, India.
Di(n-butyl) phthalate (DBP) is a plasticizer used in the manufacture of several industrial and household articles. They get easily released to the environment and may cause adverse effects to living organisms. Effects of DBP and its metabolite monobutyl phthalate (MBP) on superoxide dismutase (SOD), an antioxidant enzyme, have been studied. When SOD was incubated with varying amount of DBP the activity of the enzyme was decreased proportionate to the concentration of the phthalates added. A similar result was observed with MBP also. These indicate that the DBP and MBP possess concentration dependent inhibitory effect on SOD. The mode of interaction of DBP and MBP has also been investigated using modeling and docking studies. The docking results showed that both DBP and MBP can bind in the active site of SOD and can make hydrogen bonds with the active site residue R143. This residue is crucial in the binding of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during its conversion to hydrogen peroxide and molecular oxygen. This may perhaps explain the inhibitory effect of DBP and MBP on SOD.
PMID: 19386278 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Bioinspired mineralization and cell adhesion on surface functionalized poly(vinyl alcohol) films
Acta Biomater. 2009 Jun;5(5):1647-55. Epub 2008 Dec 24.
Bioinspired mineralization and cell adhesion on surface functionalized poly(vinyl alcohol) films.
Sailaja GS, Sreenivasan K, Yokogawa Y, Kumary TV, Varma HK.
Biomedical Technology Wing, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram 695012, Kerala, India.
Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) films, when surface functionalized by phosphorylation, induced biomimetic nucleation and growth of calcium phosphate in a simulated physiological environment. The surface phosphorylation on PVA was ensured by attenuated total reflectance infrared spectroscopy. The morphology of the calcium phosphate phase grown on surface-phosphorylated PVA (PPVA) was analysed using scanning electron microscopy coupled with an energy-dispersive X-ray detector. The primary nucleation of calcium phosphate occurs in 3 days and secondary nucleation occurs after 10 days. The energy-dispersive X-ray analysis shows that the Ca/P ratio of the coating increases with time of exposure to the simulated physiological fluid and reaches 1.67 at 10 days. The PPVA supports in vitro cell adhesion and promotes in vitro biomineralization in the presence of cells, evaluated using human osteosarcoma cells.
PMID: 19195945 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Bioinspired mineralization and cell adhesion on surface functionalized poly(vinyl alcohol) films.
Sailaja GS, Sreenivasan K, Yokogawa Y, Kumary TV, Varma HK.
Biomedical Technology Wing, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram 695012, Kerala, India.
Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) films, when surface functionalized by phosphorylation, induced biomimetic nucleation and growth of calcium phosphate in a simulated physiological environment. The surface phosphorylation on PVA was ensured by attenuated total reflectance infrared spectroscopy. The morphology of the calcium phosphate phase grown on surface-phosphorylated PVA (PPVA) was analysed using scanning electron microscopy coupled with an energy-dispersive X-ray detector. The primary nucleation of calcium phosphate occurs in 3 days and secondary nucleation occurs after 10 days. The energy-dispersive X-ray analysis shows that the Ca/P ratio of the coating increases with time of exposure to the simulated physiological fluid and reaches 1.67 at 10 days. The PPVA supports in vitro cell adhesion and promotes in vitro biomineralization in the presence of cells, evaluated using human osteosarcoma cells.
PMID: 19195945 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Direct lactic acid fermentation: focus on simultaneous saccharification and lactic acid production
Biotechnol Adv. 2009 Mar-Apr;27(2):145-52. Epub 2008 Oct 31.
Direct lactic acid fermentation: focus on simultaneous saccharification and lactic acid production.
John RP, G S A, Nampoothiri KM, Pandey A.
Biotechnology Division, National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology, CSIR, Thiruvananthapuram--695019 Kerala, India. rojanpj@yahoo.co.in
In the recent decades biotechnological production of lactic acid has gained a prime position in the industries as it is cost effective and eco-friendly. Lactic acid is a versatile chemical having a wide range of applications in food, pharmaceutical, leather and textile industries and as chemical feedstock for so many other chemicals. It also functions as the monomer for the biodegradable plastic. Biotechnological production is advantageous over chemical synthesis in that we can utilize cheap raw materials such as agro-industrial byproducts and can selectively produce the stereo isomers in an economic way. Simultaneous saccharification and fermentation can replace the classical double step fermentation by the saccharification of starchy or cellulosic biomass and conversion to lactic acid concurrently by adding inoculum along with the substrate degrading enzymes. It not only reduces the cost of production by avoiding high energy consuming biomass saccharification, but also provides the higher productivity than the single step conversion by the providing adequate sugar release.
PMID: 19013227 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Direct lactic acid fermentation: focus on simultaneous saccharification and lactic acid production.
John RP, G S A, Nampoothiri KM, Pandey A.
Biotechnology Division, National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology, CSIR, Thiruvananthapuram--695019 Kerala, India. rojanpj@yahoo.co.in
In the recent decades biotechnological production of lactic acid has gained a prime position in the industries as it is cost effective and eco-friendly. Lactic acid is a versatile chemical having a wide range of applications in food, pharmaceutical, leather and textile industries and as chemical feedstock for so many other chemicals. It also functions as the monomer for the biodegradable plastic. Biotechnological production is advantageous over chemical synthesis in that we can utilize cheap raw materials such as agro-industrial byproducts and can selectively produce the stereo isomers in an economic way. Simultaneous saccharification and fermentation can replace the classical double step fermentation by the saccharification of starchy or cellulosic biomass and conversion to lactic acid concurrently by adding inoculum along with the substrate degrading enzymes. It not only reduces the cost of production by avoiding high energy consuming biomass saccharification, but also provides the higher productivity than the single step conversion by the providing adequate sugar release.
PMID: 19013227 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
High prevalence of undetected thyroid disorders in an iodine sufficient adult south Indian population
J Indian Med Assoc. 2009 Feb;107(2):72-7.
High prevalence of undetected thyroid disorders in an iodine sufficient adult south Indian population.
Usha Menon V, Sundaram KR, Unnikrishnan AG, Jayakumar RV, Nair V, Kumar H.
Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi 680026.
India is in the transition phase from iodine deficiency to iodine sufficiency, and this is expected to change the thyroid status of the population. The thyroid status and auto-immune status of adult Indian population in the postiodisation phase is largelyunknown, and this study was conducted to answer this question. A cross-sectional population survey was conducted in two phases among the residents of urban coastal area of central Kerala. The initial phase included a house-to-house survey of 3069 adults (>18 years of age), selected by cluster sampling method. From the surveyed population, 986 subjects underwent further physical examination and biochemical evaluation for thyroid function, thyroid autoimmunity status and iodine status. The total prevalence of goitre was 12.2% and median urine iodine excretion was 211.4 mcg/l (mean 220.3 +/- 99.5 mcg/l) indicating iodine sufficiency. Thyroid function abnormalities were present in 19.6% of subjects. Subclinical hypothyroidism was present in 9.4%. Among the population with normal thyroid function, 9.5% and 8.5% respectively had positive anti-TPO and anti-TG antibodies. Among those with thyroid dysfunction, 46.3% had positive anti-TPO and 26.8% were anti-TG positive. A significant proportion of this iodine-sufficient adult population had thyroid disorders. Further studies are required to characterise the reasons for this high prevalence. Iodine deficiency as well as thyroid dysfunction should both be the focus of public health strategies in susceptible populations.
PMID: 19585813 [PubMed - in process]
High prevalence of undetected thyroid disorders in an iodine sufficient adult south Indian population.
Usha Menon V, Sundaram KR, Unnikrishnan AG, Jayakumar RV, Nair V, Kumar H.
Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi 680026.
India is in the transition phase from iodine deficiency to iodine sufficiency, and this is expected to change the thyroid status of the population. The thyroid status and auto-immune status of adult Indian population in the postiodisation phase is largelyunknown, and this study was conducted to answer this question. A cross-sectional population survey was conducted in two phases among the residents of urban coastal area of central Kerala. The initial phase included a house-to-house survey of 3069 adults (>18 years of age), selected by cluster sampling method. From the surveyed population, 986 subjects underwent further physical examination and biochemical evaluation for thyroid function, thyroid autoimmunity status and iodine status. The total prevalence of goitre was 12.2% and median urine iodine excretion was 211.4 mcg/l (mean 220.3 +/- 99.5 mcg/l) indicating iodine sufficiency. Thyroid function abnormalities were present in 19.6% of subjects. Subclinical hypothyroidism was present in 9.4%. Among the population with normal thyroid function, 9.5% and 8.5% respectively had positive anti-TPO and anti-TG antibodies. Among those with thyroid dysfunction, 46.3% had positive anti-TPO and 26.8% were anti-TG positive. A significant proportion of this iodine-sufficient adult population had thyroid disorders. Further studies are required to characterise the reasons for this high prevalence. Iodine deficiency as well as thyroid dysfunction should both be the focus of public health strategies in susceptible populations.
PMID: 19585813 [PubMed - in process]
Amplification of plant beneficial microbial communities during conversion of coconut leaf substrate to vermicompost by Eudrilus sp
Curr Microbiol. 2009 Jul;59(1):15-20. Epub 2009 Mar 11.
Amplification of plant beneficial microbial communities during conversion of coconut leaf substrate to vermicompost by Eudrilus sp.
Gopal M, Gupta A, Sunil E, Thomas GV.
Central Plantation Crops Research Institute, Kasaragod, Kerala, India. mgcpcri@yahoo.co.in
The population densities of 15 microbial communities in the coconut leaves + cow manure mixture (10:1 ratio, w/w) and pure cow manure, gut contents of the earthworm, Eudrilus sp., reared on the above substrates and vermicompost produced by the worm were studied. The enumeration was done by dilution plate and most probable number method using several selective and semi-selective microbial media. In the vermicompost produced from coconut leaves + cow manure (CLV) mixture, 9 out of 15 microbial communities, particularly the plant beneficial ones, were amplified whereas five communities were amplified in case of pure cow manure (CMV). The CLV contained significantly high population of fungi, free-living nitrogen fixers, phosphate solubilizers, fluorescent pseudomonads, and silicate solubilizers. The CMV was preponderant with aerobic heterotrophic bacteria, actinomycetes, and Trichoderma spp. Spore formers were present in similar numbers in both the vermicomposts. Presence of Azotobacter was detected only in CMV. The results obtained in this study suggest coconut leaf litter to be a good alternative for cow manure for the production of vermicompost, especially in the areas where coconut is grown in plenty.
PMID: 19280258 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Amplification of plant beneficial microbial communities during conversion of coconut leaf substrate to vermicompost by Eudrilus sp.
Gopal M, Gupta A, Sunil E, Thomas GV.
Central Plantation Crops Research Institute, Kasaragod, Kerala, India. mgcpcri@yahoo.co.in
The population densities of 15 microbial communities in the coconut leaves + cow manure mixture (10:1 ratio, w/w) and pure cow manure, gut contents of the earthworm, Eudrilus sp., reared on the above substrates and vermicompost produced by the worm were studied. The enumeration was done by dilution plate and most probable number method using several selective and semi-selective microbial media. In the vermicompost produced from coconut leaves + cow manure (CLV) mixture, 9 out of 15 microbial communities, particularly the plant beneficial ones, were amplified whereas five communities were amplified in case of pure cow manure (CMV). The CLV contained significantly high population of fungi, free-living nitrogen fixers, phosphate solubilizers, fluorescent pseudomonads, and silicate solubilizers. The CMV was preponderant with aerobic heterotrophic bacteria, actinomycetes, and Trichoderma spp. Spore formers were present in similar numbers in both the vermicomposts. Presence of Azotobacter was detected only in CMV. The results obtained in this study suggest coconut leaf litter to be a good alternative for cow manure for the production of vermicompost, especially in the areas where coconut is grown in plenty.
PMID: 19280258 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Friday, 15 January 2010
Improved performance of a biomaterial-based cation exchanger for the adsorption of uranium(VI) from water and nuclear industry wastewater
J Environ Radioact. 2009 Mar;100(3):250-7. Epub 2009 Jan 25.
Improved performance of a biomaterial-based cation exchanger for the adsorption of uranium(VI) from water and nuclear industry wastewater.
Anirudhan TS, Radhakrishnan PG.
Department of Chemistry, University of Kerala, Kariavattom, Trivandrum 695 581, Kerala, India. tsani@rediffmail.com
The amine-modified polyhydroxyethylmethacrylate (poly(HEMA))-grafted biomaterial (tamarind fruit shell, TFS) carrying carboxyl functional groups at the chain end (PGTFS-COOH) was prepared and used as an adsorbent for the removal of uranium(VI) from water and nuclear industry wastewater. FTIR spectral analysis revealed that U(VI) ions and PGTFS-COOH formed a chelate complex. The adsorption process was relatively fast, requiring only 120 min to attain equilibrium. The adsorption kinetic data were best described by the pseudo-second-order equation. The equilibrium adsorption data were correlated with the Sips isotherm model. The maximum U(VI) ions uptake with PGTFS-COOH was estimated to be 100.79 mg/g. The complete removal of 10mg/L U(VI) from simulated nuclear industry wastewater was achieved by 3.5 g/L PGTFS-COOH. The reusability of the adsorbent was demonstrated over 4 cycles using NaCl (1.0M)+HCl (0.5M) solution mixture to de-extract the U(VI). The results show that the PGTFS-COOH tested is very promising for the recovery of U(VI) from water and wastewater.
PMID: 19168265 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Improved performance of a biomaterial-based cation exchanger for the adsorption of uranium(VI) from water and nuclear industry wastewater.
Anirudhan TS, Radhakrishnan PG.
Department of Chemistry, University of Kerala, Kariavattom, Trivandrum 695 581, Kerala, India. tsani@rediffmail.com
The amine-modified polyhydroxyethylmethacrylate (poly(HEMA))-grafted biomaterial (tamarind fruit shell, TFS) carrying carboxyl functional groups at the chain end (PGTFS-COOH) was prepared and used as an adsorbent for the removal of uranium(VI) from water and nuclear industry wastewater. FTIR spectral analysis revealed that U(VI) ions and PGTFS-COOH formed a chelate complex. The adsorption process was relatively fast, requiring only 120 min to attain equilibrium. The adsorption kinetic data were best described by the pseudo-second-order equation. The equilibrium adsorption data were correlated with the Sips isotherm model. The maximum U(VI) ions uptake with PGTFS-COOH was estimated to be 100.79 mg/g. The complete removal of 10mg/L U(VI) from simulated nuclear industry wastewater was achieved by 3.5 g/L PGTFS-COOH. The reusability of the adsorbent was demonstrated over 4 cycles using NaCl (1.0M)+HCl (0.5M) solution mixture to de-extract the U(VI). The results show that the PGTFS-COOH tested is very promising for the recovery of U(VI) from water and wastewater.
PMID: 19168265 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Epidemiology of Japanese encephalitis in context with Indian scenario
J Indian Med Assoc. 2008 Oct;106(10):660-3.
Epidemiology of Japanese encephalitis in context with Indian scenario.
Dhillon GP, Raina VK.
National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, Delhi.
Japanese encephalitis (JE) has been prevalent in various countries of East and South-East Asia since long. In India, JE virus activity was, however, first detected in 1952 through sero-epidemiological surveys in Nagpur district of Maharashtra and Chingleput district of Tamil Nadu. Japanese encephalitis as a disease was first reported in 1955 when cases of JE occurred in Vellore and Pondicherry in southern India. The virus was however, not recovered from man until 1958 when three isolations were made from the brain tissue of cases of encephalitis. This served to confirm JE as a case of encephalitis in India. Until early 1970s, the disease was reported only from southern India with periodic focal reports of its occurrence. A major outbreak resulting in 763 cases and 325 deaths [case-fatality rate (CFR)--42.6%] was reported from Bankura district of West Bengal in 1973. Subsequently, the disease spread to other states and caused a series of outbreaks in different parts of the country. In 1978, cases were reported from 21 states/UTs. Currently disease is reported from the states of Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Goa, Haryana, Karnataka, Kerala, Mahrashtra, Manipur, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Nagaland. Till 2007 103389 AES/JE cases and 33729 deaths (CFR 32.62%) have been reported since 1978. Government of India launched vaccination campaign in highly endemic states of Assam, Karnataka, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh in 2006 and in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu in 2007 and 2008 respectively which has resulted in reduced incidence of JE in these states.
PMID: 19552100 [PubMed - in process]
Epidemiology of Japanese encephalitis in context with Indian scenario.
Dhillon GP, Raina VK.
National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, Delhi.
Japanese encephalitis (JE) has been prevalent in various countries of East and South-East Asia since long. In India, JE virus activity was, however, first detected in 1952 through sero-epidemiological surveys in Nagpur district of Maharashtra and Chingleput district of Tamil Nadu. Japanese encephalitis as a disease was first reported in 1955 when cases of JE occurred in Vellore and Pondicherry in southern India. The virus was however, not recovered from man until 1958 when three isolations were made from the brain tissue of cases of encephalitis. This served to confirm JE as a case of encephalitis in India. Until early 1970s, the disease was reported only from southern India with periodic focal reports of its occurrence. A major outbreak resulting in 763 cases and 325 deaths [case-fatality rate (CFR)--42.6%] was reported from Bankura district of West Bengal in 1973. Subsequently, the disease spread to other states and caused a series of outbreaks in different parts of the country. In 1978, cases were reported from 21 states/UTs. Currently disease is reported from the states of Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Goa, Haryana, Karnataka, Kerala, Mahrashtra, Manipur, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Nagaland. Till 2007 103389 AES/JE cases and 33729 deaths (CFR 32.62%) have been reported since 1978. Government of India launched vaccination campaign in highly endemic states of Assam, Karnataka, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh in 2006 and in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu in 2007 and 2008 respectively which has resulted in reduced incidence of JE in these states.
PMID: 19552100 [PubMed - in process]
A prospective study on the cost-effective utilization of long-term inpatient video-EEG monitoring in a developing country
J Clin Neurophysiol. 2009 Apr;26(2):123-8.
A prospective study on the cost-effective utilization of long-term inpatient video-EEG monitoring in a developing country.
Chemmanam T, Radhakrishnan A, Sarma SP, Radhakrishnan K.
R. Madhavan Nayar Center for Comprehensive Epilepsy Care, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Trivandrum, Kerala, India.
To investigate diagnostic value, therapeutic benefit and cost-effective utilization of video-EEG monitoring (VEM) in a comprehensive epilepsy program in a developing country. The authors prospectively recruited all patients who underwent long-term (> or =3 hours) inpatient VEM during a 10-month period. The cohort was followed to gather information about the proportion of patients in whom long-term management was altered by VEM and resultant impact on direct health care costs. Out of 143 study subjects (median age 22 years), 102 (71.3%) were referred for presurgical evaluation. The median duration of VEM was 61 hours, and median number of events recorded per patient was 3. Video-EEG monitoring helped to clarify the epilepsy syndromic diagnosis in 123 of 132 (93.2%) patients referred with the diagnosis of epileptic seizures. Video-EEG monitoring confirmed coexistent complex partial seizures in 4 of 11 (36.4%) patients with a referral diagnosis of psychogenic nonepileptic events. During mean follow-up period of 2.2 years, 48 patients (33.6%) underwent epilepsy surgery. A significant decrease in antiepileptic drug polytherapy, and minimization in recurring direct medical and nonmedical costs occurred. In addition to immediate diagnostic usefulness, VEM contributes significantly to long-term therapeutic and economic benefits for patients with difficult to diagnose and treat paroxysmal events.
PMID: 19279502 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
A prospective study on the cost-effective utilization of long-term inpatient video-EEG monitoring in a developing country.
Chemmanam T, Radhakrishnan A, Sarma SP, Radhakrishnan K.
R. Madhavan Nayar Center for Comprehensive Epilepsy Care, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Trivandrum, Kerala, India.
To investigate diagnostic value, therapeutic benefit and cost-effective utilization of video-EEG monitoring (VEM) in a comprehensive epilepsy program in a developing country. The authors prospectively recruited all patients who underwent long-term (> or =3 hours) inpatient VEM during a 10-month period. The cohort was followed to gather information about the proportion of patients in whom long-term management was altered by VEM and resultant impact on direct health care costs. Out of 143 study subjects (median age 22 years), 102 (71.3%) were referred for presurgical evaluation. The median duration of VEM was 61 hours, and median number of events recorded per patient was 3. Video-EEG monitoring helped to clarify the epilepsy syndromic diagnosis in 123 of 132 (93.2%) patients referred with the diagnosis of epileptic seizures. Video-EEG monitoring confirmed coexistent complex partial seizures in 4 of 11 (36.4%) patients with a referral diagnosis of psychogenic nonepileptic events. During mean follow-up period of 2.2 years, 48 patients (33.6%) underwent epilepsy surgery. A significant decrease in antiepileptic drug polytherapy, and minimization in recurring direct medical and nonmedical costs occurred. In addition to immediate diagnostic usefulness, VEM contributes significantly to long-term therapeutic and economic benefits for patients with difficult to diagnose and treat paroxysmal events.
PMID: 19279502 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Could a strong alkali deproteinization replace the standard lysis step in alkaline single cell gel electrophoresis (comet) assay (pH>13)
Mutat Res. 2009 Jun 26. [Epub ahead of print]
Could a strong alkali deproteinization replace the standard lysis step in alkaline single cell gel electrophoresis (comet) assay (pH>13)?
Kumar PR, Cheriyan VD, Seshadri M.
Low Level Radiation Research Laboratory, Radiation Biology and Health Science Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Kollam-691 001, Kerala, India.
The alkaline version of single cell gel electrophoresis (Comet) assay is widely used for evaluating DNA damage at the individual cell level. The standard alkaline method of the comet assay involves deproteinization of cells embedded in agarose gel using a high salt-detergent lysis buffer, followed by denaturation of DNA and electrophoresis using a strong alkali at pH>13 [Exp. Cell. Res. 175 (1988) 184-191]. However, a recent report showed that a strong alkali treatment results in simultaneous deproteinization of cells and denaturation of genomic DNA [Mutat. Res. 607 (2006) 205-214]. This study was carried out to test whether the strong alkali deproteinization of cells could replace the high salt-detergent lysis step used in the standard method of the alkaline comet assay. Peripheral blood lymphocytes from 3 healthy individuals were irradiated with gamma rays at doses varying between 0 and 10 Gy. Following irradiation, the comet assay was performed according to the standard alkaline method (pH>13) and a modified method. In the modified method, agarose embedded cells were treated with a strong alkali (0.3M NaOH, 0.02M Trizma and 1mM EDTA, pH>13) for 20minutes to allow deproteinization of cells and denaturation of DNA. This was followed by electrophoresis using the same alkali solution to obtain comets. DNA damage expressed in terms of comet tail length, percentage of DNA in comet tail and tail moment obtained by the standard alkaline method and the modified method were compared. In both methods, DNA damage showed a good correlation with the dose of gamma ray. The results indicate a satisfactory sensitivity of the modified method in detecting radiation-induced DNA damage in human peripheral blood lymphocytes.
PMID: 19563911 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Could a strong alkali deproteinization replace the standard lysis step in alkaline single cell gel electrophoresis (comet) assay (pH>13)?
Kumar PR, Cheriyan VD, Seshadri M.
Low Level Radiation Research Laboratory, Radiation Biology and Health Science Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Kollam-691 001, Kerala, India.
The alkaline version of single cell gel electrophoresis (Comet) assay is widely used for evaluating DNA damage at the individual cell level. The standard alkaline method of the comet assay involves deproteinization of cells embedded in agarose gel using a high salt-detergent lysis buffer, followed by denaturation of DNA and electrophoresis using a strong alkali at pH>13 [Exp. Cell. Res. 175 (1988) 184-191]. However, a recent report showed that a strong alkali treatment results in simultaneous deproteinization of cells and denaturation of genomic DNA [Mutat. Res. 607 (2006) 205-214]. This study was carried out to test whether the strong alkali deproteinization of cells could replace the high salt-detergent lysis step used in the standard method of the alkaline comet assay. Peripheral blood lymphocytes from 3 healthy individuals were irradiated with gamma rays at doses varying between 0 and 10 Gy. Following irradiation, the comet assay was performed according to the standard alkaline method (pH>13) and a modified method. In the modified method, agarose embedded cells were treated with a strong alkali (0.3M NaOH, 0.02M Trizma and 1mM EDTA, pH>13) for 20minutes to allow deproteinization of cells and denaturation of DNA. This was followed by electrophoresis using the same alkali solution to obtain comets. DNA damage expressed in terms of comet tail length, percentage of DNA in comet tail and tail moment obtained by the standard alkaline method and the modified method were compared. In both methods, DNA damage showed a good correlation with the dose of gamma ray. The results indicate a satisfactory sensitivity of the modified method in detecting radiation-induced DNA damage in human peripheral blood lymphocytes.
PMID: 19563911 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Thursday, 14 January 2010
Challenges in the management of epilepsy in resource-poor countries
Nat Rev Neurol. 2009 Jun;5(6):323-30. Epub 2009 May 19.
Challenges in the management of epilepsy in resource-poor countries.
Radhakrishnan K.
R. Madhavan Nayar Center for Comprehensive Epilepsy Care, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Trivandrum, Kerala, India. krk@sctimst.ac.in
Of the 50 million people with epilepsy worldwide, around 80% reside in resource-poor countries, which are ill-equipped to tackle the enormous medical, social and economic challenges posed by epilepsy. The capability to identify people with epilepsy and provide cost-effective care is compromised by widespread poverty, illiteracy, inefficient and unevenly distributed health-care systems, and social stigma and misconceptions surrounding the disease. Several studies have reported that a large proportion of patients with epilepsy in resource-poor countries never receive appropriate treatment for their condition, and many, although diagnosed and initiated on treatment, soon discontinue treatment. The high cost of treatment, a lack of availability of antiepileptic drugs, and superstitious and cultural beliefs contribute to a large epilepsy treatment gap. A substantial proportion of the current burden of epilepsy in resource-poor countries could be minimized by educating the public about positive features of life with epilepsy, informing primary and secondary physicians about current trends in the management of epilepsies, scaling up routine availability of low-cost antiepileptic drugs, and developing cost-effective epilepsy surgery programs. A comprehensive epilepsy care model should consider the marked heterogeneity of the disorder and its variable effects on the patient, family and community.
PMID: 19455183 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Challenges in the management of epilepsy in resource-poor countries.
Radhakrishnan K.
R. Madhavan Nayar Center for Comprehensive Epilepsy Care, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Trivandrum, Kerala, India. krk@sctimst.ac.in
Of the 50 million people with epilepsy worldwide, around 80% reside in resource-poor countries, which are ill-equipped to tackle the enormous medical, social and economic challenges posed by epilepsy. The capability to identify people with epilepsy and provide cost-effective care is compromised by widespread poverty, illiteracy, inefficient and unevenly distributed health-care systems, and social stigma and misconceptions surrounding the disease. Several studies have reported that a large proportion of patients with epilepsy in resource-poor countries never receive appropriate treatment for their condition, and many, although diagnosed and initiated on treatment, soon discontinue treatment. The high cost of treatment, a lack of availability of antiepileptic drugs, and superstitious and cultural beliefs contribute to a large epilepsy treatment gap. A substantial proportion of the current burden of epilepsy in resource-poor countries could be minimized by educating the public about positive features of life with epilepsy, informing primary and secondary physicians about current trends in the management of epilepsies, scaling up routine availability of low-cost antiepileptic drugs, and developing cost-effective epilepsy surgery programs. A comprehensive epilepsy care model should consider the marked heterogeneity of the disorder and its variable effects on the patient, family and community.
PMID: 19455183 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Screening for Psychological Distress in Palliative Care: Performance of Touch Screen Questionnaires Compared with Semistructured Psychiatric Interview
J Pain Symptom Manage. 2009 Aug 17. [Epub ahead of print]
Screening for Psychological Distress in Palliative Care: Performance of Touch Screen Questionnaires Compared with Semistructured Psychiatric Interview.
Thekkumpurath P, Venkateswaran C, Kumar M, Newsham A, Bennett MI.
Psychological Medicine Research (P.T.), Edinburgh Cancer Research Centre, Edinburgh, United Kingdom; Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre (C.V.), Kerala, India; Leeds Partnerships Foundation NHS Trust (M.K.), Leeds, United Kingdom; Leeds Psychosocial Oncology and Clinical Practice Research Group (A.N.), Leeds Institute of Molecular Medicine, St. James' University Hospital, Leeds, United Kingdom; and International Observatory on End of Life Care (M.I.B.), Institute for Health Research, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom.
This study examined the criterion validity of computer-based screening tools (Distress Thermometer [DT], Brief Symptom Inventory-18 [BSI-18], and General Health Questionnaire-12 [GHQ-12]) in detecting any form of psychological distress in palliative care patients, compared with a semistructured psychiatric interview, Schedules for Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry (SCAN). Patients aged 18 years or older referred to specialist palliative care services in Leeds completed the computer-based screening tools before SCAN interview by psychiatrists who were blind to screening results. SCAN interviews generated International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) psychiatric diagnoses. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis compared the performance of screening tools with SCAN interview in identifying cases of distress. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and area under the curve (AUC) were calculated. Of the 226 eligible patients during the study period, 174 consented and 150 completed the study. Fifty-one (34%) patients satisfied ICD-10 criteria for a psychiatric diagnosis, adjustment disorder being the most common one (22%). On ROC analysis, DT, BSI-18, and GHQ-12 showed an AUC of 0.729, 0.729, and 0.755, respectively. At optimum cutoff values, sensitivity and specificity were 0.77 and 0.59 for DT, 0.78 and 0.62 for BSI-18, and 0.77 and 0.61 for GHQ-12, respectively. These data indicate that more than one-third of palliative care patients experience psychological distress. The three touch screen-based screening tools performed equally well in identifying distress compared with a psychiatric interview. The single-item DT is as good as longer screening tools, with an optimum cutoff of 5 in this population. Depressive disorders may be rarer in this population than commonly thought, in comparison to adjustment disorders.
PMID: 19692204 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Screening for Psychological Distress in Palliative Care: Performance of Touch Screen Questionnaires Compared with Semistructured Psychiatric Interview.
Thekkumpurath P, Venkateswaran C, Kumar M, Newsham A, Bennett MI.
Psychological Medicine Research (P.T.), Edinburgh Cancer Research Centre, Edinburgh, United Kingdom; Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre (C.V.), Kerala, India; Leeds Partnerships Foundation NHS Trust (M.K.), Leeds, United Kingdom; Leeds Psychosocial Oncology and Clinical Practice Research Group (A.N.), Leeds Institute of Molecular Medicine, St. James' University Hospital, Leeds, United Kingdom; and International Observatory on End of Life Care (M.I.B.), Institute for Health Research, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom.
This study examined the criterion validity of computer-based screening tools (Distress Thermometer [DT], Brief Symptom Inventory-18 [BSI-18], and General Health Questionnaire-12 [GHQ-12]) in detecting any form of psychological distress in palliative care patients, compared with a semistructured psychiatric interview, Schedules for Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry (SCAN). Patients aged 18 years or older referred to specialist palliative care services in Leeds completed the computer-based screening tools before SCAN interview by psychiatrists who were blind to screening results. SCAN interviews generated International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) psychiatric diagnoses. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis compared the performance of screening tools with SCAN interview in identifying cases of distress. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and area under the curve (AUC) were calculated. Of the 226 eligible patients during the study period, 174 consented and 150 completed the study. Fifty-one (34%) patients satisfied ICD-10 criteria for a psychiatric diagnosis, adjustment disorder being the most common one (22%). On ROC analysis, DT, BSI-18, and GHQ-12 showed an AUC of 0.729, 0.729, and 0.755, respectively. At optimum cutoff values, sensitivity and specificity were 0.77 and 0.59 for DT, 0.78 and 0.62 for BSI-18, and 0.77 and 0.61 for GHQ-12, respectively. These data indicate that more than one-third of palliative care patients experience psychological distress. The three touch screen-based screening tools performed equally well in identifying distress compared with a psychiatric interview. The single-item DT is as good as longer screening tools, with an optimum cutoff of 5 in this population. Depressive disorders may be rarer in this population than commonly thought, in comparison to adjustment disorders.
PMID: 19692204 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Effect of 980-nm diode laser and 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser on the intervertebral disc--in vitro and in vivo studies
Photomed Laser Surg. 2009 Aug;27(4):547-52.
Effect of 980-nm diode laser and 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser on the intervertebral disc--in vitro and in vivo studies.
Jayasree RS, Gupta AK, Bodhey NK, Mohanty M.
Department of Imaging Sciences & Interventional Radiology, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences & Technology, Trivandrum, Kerala, India. jayashreemenon@gmail.com
OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to histologically evaluate the thermal changes in bovine intervertebral discs caused by 980-nm diode and 1064-nm Nd:YAG lasers. Further aims were to standardize the technique for in vivo animal research and to study its efficacy for clinical practice. BACKGROUND: When conservative methods fail, surgery has so far been the only measure for severe back pain due to disc prolapse and herniation. Recently, the minimally invasive technique of laser disc decompression has become more popular because it has advantages over open surgery in properly selected cases. METHODS: In vitro studies were done with Nd:YAG and diode lasers (1064 and 980 nm, respectively) on bovine intervertebral discs using a bare fiber tip or a focusing lens attached to a fiber tip. These studies were followed by in vivo studies in a canine model using a Nd:YAG laser with a bare fiber tip. Autopsies were done immediately and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 mo after ablation and the histopathology of excised discs was evaluated. RESULTS: Depending upon the depth of ablation and the intensity of charring and carbonization, a standardized energy density and pulse duration were identified. CONCLUSION: Nd:YAG laser with initial delivery of 40-W laser power and a reduced power of 10-15 W thereafter, delivering a total energy density of 1500-2000 J/cm(2) using a bare fiber tip, is recommended for clinical applications.
PMID: 19694506 [PubMed - in process]
Effect of 980-nm diode laser and 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser on the intervertebral disc--in vitro and in vivo studies.
Jayasree RS, Gupta AK, Bodhey NK, Mohanty M.
Department of Imaging Sciences & Interventional Radiology, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences & Technology, Trivandrum, Kerala, India. jayashreemenon@gmail.com
OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to histologically evaluate the thermal changes in bovine intervertebral discs caused by 980-nm diode and 1064-nm Nd:YAG lasers. Further aims were to standardize the technique for in vivo animal research and to study its efficacy for clinical practice. BACKGROUND: When conservative methods fail, surgery has so far been the only measure for severe back pain due to disc prolapse and herniation. Recently, the minimally invasive technique of laser disc decompression has become more popular because it has advantages over open surgery in properly selected cases. METHODS: In vitro studies were done with Nd:YAG and diode lasers (1064 and 980 nm, respectively) on bovine intervertebral discs using a bare fiber tip or a focusing lens attached to a fiber tip. These studies were followed by in vivo studies in a canine model using a Nd:YAG laser with a bare fiber tip. Autopsies were done immediately and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 mo after ablation and the histopathology of excised discs was evaluated. RESULTS: Depending upon the depth of ablation and the intensity of charring and carbonization, a standardized energy density and pulse duration were identified. CONCLUSION: Nd:YAG laser with initial delivery of 40-W laser power and a reduced power of 10-15 W thereafter, delivering a total energy density of 1500-2000 J/cm(2) using a bare fiber tip, is recommended for clinical applications.
PMID: 19694506 [PubMed - in process]
Risk factors according to estrogen receptor status of breast cancer patients in Trivandrum, South India
Int J Cancer. 2009 Oct 1;125(7):1663-70.
Risk factors according to estrogen receptor status of breast cancer patients in Trivandrum, South India.
Dey S, Boffetta P, Mathews A, Brennan P, Soliman A, Mathew A.
Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA. subhojit@umich.edu
Estrogen receptor (ER) status is an important biomarker in defining subtypes of breast cancer differing in antihormonal therapy response, risk factors and prognosis. However, little is known about association of ER status with various risk factors in the developing world. Our case-control study done in Kerala, India looked at the associations of ER status and risk factors of breast cancer. From 2002 to 2005, 1,208 cases and controls were selected at the Regional Cancer Center (RCC), Trivandrum, Kerala, India. Information was collected using a standardized questionnaire, and 3-way analyses compared ER+/ER- cases, ER+ cases/controls and ER- cases/controls using unconditional logistic regression to calculate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. The proportion of ER- cases was higher (64.1%) than ER+ cases. Muslim women were more likely to have ER- breast cancer compared to Hindus (OR = 1.48, 95% CI = 1.09, 2.02), an effect limited to premenopausal group (OR = 1.87, 95% CI = 1.26, 2.77). Women with higher socioeconomic status were more likely to have ER+ breast cancer (OR = 1.48, 95% CI = 1.11, 1.98). Increasing BMI increased likelihood of ER- breast cancer in premenopausal women (p for trend < 0.001). Increasing age of marriage was positively associated with both ER+ and ER- breast cancer. Increased breastfeeding and physical activity were in general protective for both ER+ and ER- breast cancer. The findings of our study are significant in further understanding the relationship of ER status and risk factors of breast cancer in the context of the Indian subcontinent.
PMID: 19452528 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Risk factors according to estrogen receptor status of breast cancer patients in Trivandrum, South India.
Dey S, Boffetta P, Mathews A, Brennan P, Soliman A, Mathew A.
Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA. subhojit@umich.edu
Estrogen receptor (ER) status is an important biomarker in defining subtypes of breast cancer differing in antihormonal therapy response, risk factors and prognosis. However, little is known about association of ER status with various risk factors in the developing world. Our case-control study done in Kerala, India looked at the associations of ER status and risk factors of breast cancer. From 2002 to 2005, 1,208 cases and controls were selected at the Regional Cancer Center (RCC), Trivandrum, Kerala, India. Information was collected using a standardized questionnaire, and 3-way analyses compared ER+/ER- cases, ER+ cases/controls and ER- cases/controls using unconditional logistic regression to calculate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. The proportion of ER- cases was higher (64.1%) than ER+ cases. Muslim women were more likely to have ER- breast cancer compared to Hindus (OR = 1.48, 95% CI = 1.09, 2.02), an effect limited to premenopausal group (OR = 1.87, 95% CI = 1.26, 2.77). Women with higher socioeconomic status were more likely to have ER+ breast cancer (OR = 1.48, 95% CI = 1.11, 1.98). Increasing BMI increased likelihood of ER- breast cancer in premenopausal women (p for trend < 0.001). Increasing age of marriage was positively associated with both ER+ and ER- breast cancer. Increased breastfeeding and physical activity were in general protective for both ER+ and ER- breast cancer. The findings of our study are significant in further understanding the relationship of ER status and risk factors of breast cancer in the context of the Indian subcontinent.
PMID: 19452528 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Health-related quality of life in rheumatoid arthritis patients in South India
Singapore Med J. 2009 Aug;50(8):800-3.
Health-related quality of life in rheumatoid arthritis patients in South India.
Mathew AJ, Antony J, Eremenco S, Paul BV, Jayakumar B, Philip J.
Department of Internal Medicine, Medical College Hospital, Trivandrum, Kerala 695011, India. ashishjacobmathew@gmail.com
INTRODUCTION: Assessment of health-related quality of life (HRQL) has been gaining much importance in the care of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This study was aimed at assessing the HRQL of patients with RA in South India. METHODS: HRQL of consenting RA patients, on disease-modifying anti-rheumatoid drugs (DMARDs) and attending a rheumatology clinic, was assessed using a self-filled Malayalam version of the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-F) version 4 questionnaire. RESULTS: 50 patients were assessed out of 58 responses. The mean duration of the disease was 7.29 years. 46 patients (79.3 percent) had tried complementary and alternative medicines (CAM). The HRQL score in patients who were put on DMARDs within six months of symptoms was significantly higher (p-value is equal to 0.008). CONCLUSION: HRQL in patients treated early by DMARDs is significantly higher in this region, where a good proportion of patients seek the CAM for treatment of RA.
PMID: 19710980 [PubMed - in process]
Health-related quality of life in rheumatoid arthritis patients in South India.
Mathew AJ, Antony J, Eremenco S, Paul BV, Jayakumar B, Philip J.
Department of Internal Medicine, Medical College Hospital, Trivandrum, Kerala 695011, India. ashishjacobmathew@gmail.com
INTRODUCTION: Assessment of health-related quality of life (HRQL) has been gaining much importance in the care of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This study was aimed at assessing the HRQL of patients with RA in South India. METHODS: HRQL of consenting RA patients, on disease-modifying anti-rheumatoid drugs (DMARDs) and attending a rheumatology clinic, was assessed using a self-filled Malayalam version of the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-F) version 4 questionnaire. RESULTS: 50 patients were assessed out of 58 responses. The mean duration of the disease was 7.29 years. 46 patients (79.3 percent) had tried complementary and alternative medicines (CAM). The HRQL score in patients who were put on DMARDs within six months of symptoms was significantly higher (p-value is equal to 0.008). CONCLUSION: HRQL in patients treated early by DMARDs is significantly higher in this region, where a good proportion of patients seek the CAM for treatment of RA.
PMID: 19710980 [PubMed - in process]
The prevalence, risk factors and awareness of hypertension in an urban population of Kerala (South India).
Saudi J Kidney Dis Transpl. 2009 Jul;20(4):685-9.
The prevalence, risk factors and awareness of hypertension in an urban population of Kerala (South India).
Vimala A, Ranji SA, Jyosna MT, Chandran V, Mathews SR, Pappachan JM.
Department of Medicine, Kottayam Medical College, Kerala, India.
To determine the prevalence and possible risk factors for hypertension and prehypertensive state in Trivandrum City of Kerala (South India) using Joint National Committee (JNC) VII criteria, a team of trained fourth year medical students conducted a 10% random household survey in certain wards of the City. Households were selected using a random start and interval and all the members above the age of 10 years were interviewed using a standard questionnaire. The blood pressure (BP) was measured twice in each participant and the mean value of the two measurements was taken. A total of 482 individuals (212 males and 270 females) were interviewed in the survey. Overall prevalence of hypertension was 47% (n = 226) with equal sex ratio; 109 (21.6%) had stage-I hypertension, 45 (9.34%) had stage-II hypertension and 72 were taking drug treatment. Only 55 (11.4%) individuals had normal BP, while 201 (41.7%) were prehypertensives. Only 81 (16.8%) hypertensive patients were aware of their disease. Among the parameters such as dietary habits, physical activity, educational standards, salt intake, and diabetes mellitus, only high salt diet (P= 0.03) and diabetes mellitus (P= 0.004) had a significant association with hypertensive state. In conclusion, the prevalence of hypertension is high but the awareness is low in our community, and intervention is necessary to impose control measures and to improve awareness.
PMID: 19587522 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
The prevalence, risk factors and awareness of hypertension in an urban population of Kerala (South India).
Vimala A, Ranji SA, Jyosna MT, Chandran V, Mathews SR, Pappachan JM.
Department of Medicine, Kottayam Medical College, Kerala, India.
To determine the prevalence and possible risk factors for hypertension and prehypertensive state in Trivandrum City of Kerala (South India) using Joint National Committee (JNC) VII criteria, a team of trained fourth year medical students conducted a 10% random household survey in certain wards of the City. Households were selected using a random start and interval and all the members above the age of 10 years were interviewed using a standard questionnaire. The blood pressure (BP) was measured twice in each participant and the mean value of the two measurements was taken. A total of 482 individuals (212 males and 270 females) were interviewed in the survey. Overall prevalence of hypertension was 47% (n = 226) with equal sex ratio; 109 (21.6%) had stage-I hypertension, 45 (9.34%) had stage-II hypertension and 72 were taking drug treatment. Only 55 (11.4%) individuals had normal BP, while 201 (41.7%) were prehypertensives. Only 81 (16.8%) hypertensive patients were aware of their disease. Among the parameters such as dietary habits, physical activity, educational standards, salt intake, and diabetes mellitus, only high salt diet (P= 0.03) and diabetes mellitus (P= 0.004) had a significant association with hypertensive state. In conclusion, the prevalence of hypertension is high but the awareness is low in our community, and intervention is necessary to impose control measures and to improve awareness.
PMID: 19587522 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Blood Pressure Distribution in Children
Indian Pediatr. 2009 Sep 3. pii: S097475590800123-1. [Epub ahead of print]
Blood Pressure Distribution in Children.
Raj M, Sundaram KR, Paul M, Kumar RK.
Departments of Pediatric Cardiology and Biostatistics, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Kochi, India. Correspondence to: Dr Manu Raj, Clinical Assistant Professor (Pediatrics), Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Kochi, Kerala, India. drmanuraj@gmail.com.
Objective: To determine blood pressure distribution in schoolchildren and to derive population specific reference values appropriate for age, gender and height status. Design: Cross sectional observational study. Setting: Schools in Ernakulam district, Kerala, India, during 2005-06. Methods: Stratified random cluster sampling method was used to select the children. Blood pressure and anthropometric data were collected from 20,263 students of 5-16 years age. Three readings of blood pressures of each child were taken by mercury sphygmomanometer and mean was taken for analysis. Blood pressure percentiles in relation to gender, age and height were estimated from a non-overweight population of 18,931 children using polynomial regression models. Results: Children from study population have higher diastolic pressures for both sexes than international standard across all age groups. For systolic blood pressure, girls showed higher values than the international standard while for boys, the difference appears to be minimal. Conclusions: Blood pressure distribution in children from our study population demonstrates a different pattern in comparison to existing international reference. Higher blood pressure values in the study population are of considerable public health significance.
PMID: 19736371 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Blood Pressure Distribution in Children.
Raj M, Sundaram KR, Paul M, Kumar RK.
Departments of Pediatric Cardiology and Biostatistics, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Kochi, India. Correspondence to: Dr Manu Raj, Clinical Assistant Professor (Pediatrics), Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Kochi, Kerala, India. drmanuraj@gmail.com.
Objective: To determine blood pressure distribution in schoolchildren and to derive population specific reference values appropriate for age, gender and height status. Design: Cross sectional observational study. Setting: Schools in Ernakulam district, Kerala, India, during 2005-06. Methods: Stratified random cluster sampling method was used to select the children. Blood pressure and anthropometric data were collected from 20,263 students of 5-16 years age. Three readings of blood pressures of each child were taken by mercury sphygmomanometer and mean was taken for analysis. Blood pressure percentiles in relation to gender, age and height were estimated from a non-overweight population of 18,931 children using polynomial regression models. Results: Children from study population have higher diastolic pressures for both sexes than international standard across all age groups. For systolic blood pressure, girls showed higher values than the international standard while for boys, the difference appears to be minimal. Conclusions: Blood pressure distribution in children from our study population demonstrates a different pattern in comparison to existing international reference. Higher blood pressure values in the study population are of considerable public health significance.
PMID: 19736371 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Cohort Profile: The PROLIFE study in Kerala, India
Int J Epidemiol. 2009 Sep 8. [Epub ahead of print]
Cohort Profile: The PROLIFE study in Kerala, India.
Soman CR, Shahulhameed S, Ramankutty V, Vijayakumar K, Kunjukrishnapillai R, Ajayan K, Sajikumar S; for the PROLIFE study group.
Health Action by People, Trivandrum, Kerala, India.
PMID: 19740760 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Cohort Profile: The PROLIFE study in Kerala, India.
Soman CR, Shahulhameed S, Ramankutty V, Vijayakumar K, Kunjukrishnapillai R, Ajayan K, Sajikumar S; for the PROLIFE study group.
Health Action by People, Trivandrum, Kerala, India.
PMID: 19740760 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Changes in structural attributes of plant communities along disturbance gradients in a dry deciduous forest of Western Ghats, India
Environ Monit Assess. 2009 Aug;155(1-4):393-405. Epub 2008 Jul 18.
Changes in structural attributes of plant communities along disturbance gradients in a dry deciduous forest of Western Ghats, India.
Anitha K, Joseph S, Ramasamy EV, Prasad SN.
School of Environmental Sciences, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, Kerala 686560, India. anithasacon@gmail.com
Changes in tree and understory plant diversity and community composition in two sites at different disturbance levels were studied on the Anaikatty hills, Western Ghats. Systematic sampling using small scale permanent quadrates (50 x 20 m for trees, 5 x 5 m for shrubs/saplings, 1 x 1 m for herbs/seedlings) enumerated 3,376 individuals of trees (106 species), 8,599 of individuals shrubs (122 species) and 16,659 individuals of herbs (145 species). Among the two sites, species richness and diversity were highest for low disturbed stand (98 and 3.9, respectively) compared to high disturbed site (45 and 2.71, respectively). Result of cluster analysis showed that two distinct clusters were formed on the basis of disturbance of the area in concordance with our field observation. A total of 37 species were common to both sites, sixty one species exclusively found in low disturbed site and eight species were pertained to highly disturbed site. Mann-Whitney test based on Monte Carlo approximation at 95% confidence levels indicated that both populations were not entirely different. The clear difference was only observed for average basal area of trees, density of seedlings, number of species, density and diversity for shrubs and number of species and diversity for herb. The species composition were different in two stand i.e., Nothopegia racemosa-Albizia amara-Maba neilghrrensis in low disturbed stand and Albizia amara-Pleiospermium alatum-Bauhinia racemosa in high disturbed stand. The major disturbance factors identification using spearman rank correlation indicated that the disturbance in low disturbed habitats were mostly from past logging followed by cutting and illicit felling and grazing, while in high disturbed habitats, it was human presence, past logging and lopping and fuel wood collection.
PMID: 18636338 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Changes in structural attributes of plant communities along disturbance gradients in a dry deciduous forest of Western Ghats, India.
Anitha K, Joseph S, Ramasamy EV, Prasad SN.
School of Environmental Sciences, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, Kerala 686560, India. anithasacon@gmail.com
Changes in tree and understory plant diversity and community composition in two sites at different disturbance levels were studied on the Anaikatty hills, Western Ghats. Systematic sampling using small scale permanent quadrates (50 x 20 m for trees, 5 x 5 m for shrubs/saplings, 1 x 1 m for herbs/seedlings) enumerated 3,376 individuals of trees (106 species), 8,599 of individuals shrubs (122 species) and 16,659 individuals of herbs (145 species). Among the two sites, species richness and diversity were highest for low disturbed stand (98 and 3.9, respectively) compared to high disturbed site (45 and 2.71, respectively). Result of cluster analysis showed that two distinct clusters were formed on the basis of disturbance of the area in concordance with our field observation. A total of 37 species were common to both sites, sixty one species exclusively found in low disturbed site and eight species were pertained to highly disturbed site. Mann-Whitney test based on Monte Carlo approximation at 95% confidence levels indicated that both populations were not entirely different. The clear difference was only observed for average basal area of trees, density of seedlings, number of species, density and diversity for shrubs and number of species and diversity for herb. The species composition were different in two stand i.e., Nothopegia racemosa-Albizia amara-Maba neilghrrensis in low disturbed stand and Albizia amara-Pleiospermium alatum-Bauhinia racemosa in high disturbed stand. The major disturbance factors identification using spearman rank correlation indicated that the disturbance in low disturbed habitats were mostly from past logging followed by cutting and illicit felling and grazing, while in high disturbed habitats, it was human presence, past logging and lopping and fuel wood collection.
PMID: 18636338 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Effect of water quality parameters on the distribution of Pleuromamma (Copepoda-Calanoida) species in the Indian Ocean: a statistical approach
Environ Monit Assess. 2009 Aug;155(1-4):373-92. Epub 2008 Aug 20.
Effect of water quality parameters on the distribution of Pleuromamma (Copepoda-Calanoida) species in the Indian Ocean: a statistical approach.
Jayalakshmy KV, Saraswathy M, Nair M.
National Institute of Oceanography (CSIR), Regional Centre, Cochin 18, P.B. No.1913, Kerala, India. kvjayaparam@yahoo.co.in
The region between 10 degrees N and 10 degrees S latitude was known to be congenial for distribution of Pleuromamma species. Diel and ontogenetic migrations were observed for Pleuromamma xiphias. Multivariate analyses such as factor analysis on species' abundance and predictive step-up multiple regression models of water quality parameters: temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen and their first order interaction effects on Pleuromamma species' abundance, were carried out in the regions, off 10 degrees N, 10 degrees N to 10 degrees S, 10 degrees S to 30 degrees S, along the Somali Coast (38 degrees S-40 degrees S) and a fifth region along the western boundary of the above four regions. Relation between Pleuromamma species' abundance and the water quality parameters showed a decreasing trend in the variability explained (VE) from region 1 (VE = 55.19%) to region 4 (VE = 31.15%) in the models, indicating that the influence of other ecological factors was of higher significance in the south than in the north, with a north south gradient. Indices of diversity (Shannon-Weaver) and evenness (Heips) were calculated and lognormal distributions fitted for these indices were found to be a good fit (p < 0.05). The five regions were compared, based on critical ratio of the diversity index. Shannon-Weaver diversity showed higher values during night collections than day collections, justifying the tendency for diurnal variations. Diversity and dominance were highly (r = 0.95) correlated. A multilinkage cluster analysis by group averaging method for the species, based on the standardised values of log(10) (X + 1) transformed species' abundance, showed that Pleuromamma indica, Pleuromamma gracilis and Pleuromamma abdominalis were not segregated in any of the five regions. Bray and Curtis (1957) coefficient of similarity for the species in the five regions combined together, showed 50% similarity for the cluster containing circum-global species, Pleuromamma piseki, P. gracilis, P. abdominalis and P. borealis. The species, P. indica and P. xiphias entered this cluster at 22% similarity level. Multivariate factor analysis by row normalisation (for species) and column normalisation (for stations), using varimax rotation to simple structure for unique grouping of species as well as stations, carried out in the five regions, showed that the maximum number of species' clusters were obtained in region 2, indicating a higher variability in the ecological conditions in this region than in the other four regions. The significance of the factor model and the differential factor groups of species were also determined in the studied regions. On a broader scale, based on the ecological aspect, the first four regions could be reduced to two regions, viz, region 1 including the north off 10 degrees N, Central Indian Ocean and the area of subtropical convergence, and region 2 consisting exclusively of the equatorial region between 10 degrees N and 10 degrees S based on distribution of Pleuromamma species. The plot of the species abundance with respect to latitude also showed such a demarcation.
PMID: 18712613 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Effect of water quality parameters on the distribution of Pleuromamma (Copepoda-Calanoida) species in the Indian Ocean: a statistical approach.
Jayalakshmy KV, Saraswathy M, Nair M.
National Institute of Oceanography (CSIR), Regional Centre, Cochin 18, P.B. No.1913, Kerala, India. kvjayaparam@yahoo.co.in
The region between 10 degrees N and 10 degrees S latitude was known to be congenial for distribution of Pleuromamma species. Diel and ontogenetic migrations were observed for Pleuromamma xiphias. Multivariate analyses such as factor analysis on species' abundance and predictive step-up multiple regression models of water quality parameters: temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen and their first order interaction effects on Pleuromamma species' abundance, were carried out in the regions, off 10 degrees N, 10 degrees N to 10 degrees S, 10 degrees S to 30 degrees S, along the Somali Coast (38 degrees S-40 degrees S) and a fifth region along the western boundary of the above four regions. Relation between Pleuromamma species' abundance and the water quality parameters showed a decreasing trend in the variability explained (VE) from region 1 (VE = 55.19%) to region 4 (VE = 31.15%) in the models, indicating that the influence of other ecological factors was of higher significance in the south than in the north, with a north south gradient. Indices of diversity (Shannon-Weaver) and evenness (Heips) were calculated and lognormal distributions fitted for these indices were found to be a good fit (p < 0.05). The five regions were compared, based on critical ratio of the diversity index. Shannon-Weaver diversity showed higher values during night collections than day collections, justifying the tendency for diurnal variations. Diversity and dominance were highly (r = 0.95) correlated. A multilinkage cluster analysis by group averaging method for the species, based on the standardised values of log(10) (X + 1) transformed species' abundance, showed that Pleuromamma indica, Pleuromamma gracilis and Pleuromamma abdominalis were not segregated in any of the five regions. Bray and Curtis (1957) coefficient of similarity for the species in the five regions combined together, showed 50% similarity for the cluster containing circum-global species, Pleuromamma piseki, P. gracilis, P. abdominalis and P. borealis. The species, P. indica and P. xiphias entered this cluster at 22% similarity level. Multivariate factor analysis by row normalisation (for species) and column normalisation (for stations), using varimax rotation to simple structure for unique grouping of species as well as stations, carried out in the five regions, showed that the maximum number of species' clusters were obtained in region 2, indicating a higher variability in the ecological conditions in this region than in the other four regions. The significance of the factor model and the differential factor groups of species were also determined in the studied regions. On a broader scale, based on the ecological aspect, the first four regions could be reduced to two regions, viz, region 1 including the north off 10 degrees N, Central Indian Ocean and the area of subtropical convergence, and region 2 consisting exclusively of the equatorial region between 10 degrees N and 10 degrees S based on distribution of Pleuromamma species. The plot of the species abundance with respect to latitude also showed such a demarcation.
PMID: 18712613 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Impact of closed-suction drain in preperitoneal space on the incidence of seroma formation after laparoscopic total extraperitoneal inguinal hernia re
Surg Laparosc Endosc Percutan Tech. 2009 Jun;19(3):263-6.
Impact of closed-suction drain in preperitoneal space on the incidence of seroma formation after laparoscopic total extraperitoneal inguinal hernia repair.
Ismail M, Garg M, Rajagopal M, Garg P.
Department of General and Laparoscopic Surgery, Moulana Hospital, Perintalmanna, Kerala, India.
PURPOSE: To study the effect of closed suction drain in preperitoneal space on seroma formation after laparoscopic total extraperitoneal repair (TEP). METHODS: A closed suction drain-12G was put through the midline 5 mm port incision and removed with in 24 hours of operation in TEP repair. The results were compared with a group with TEP without any drain. RESULTS: In 929 patients (1753 hernias), drain was put in 849 patients (1607 hernias) and no drain was put in 80 patients (146 hernias). Follow-up ranged from 9 to 45 months. Seroma formation was significantly lower in the drain group (12/1607; 0.75%) compared with the nondrain group (22/146; 15.1%) (P<0.0001). Both the groups were comparable in pain scores, conversion to open, hospital stay, and days taken to return to normal activity and recurrence rates. There was no infection in either group. CONCLUSIONS: Drain after TEP significantly reduces the incidence of seroma formation without increasing the risk of infection or recurrence.
PMID: 19542859 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Impact of closed-suction drain in preperitoneal space on the incidence of seroma formation after laparoscopic total extraperitoneal inguinal hernia repair.
Ismail M, Garg M, Rajagopal M, Garg P.
Department of General and Laparoscopic Surgery, Moulana Hospital, Perintalmanna, Kerala, India.
PURPOSE: To study the effect of closed suction drain in preperitoneal space on seroma formation after laparoscopic total extraperitoneal repair (TEP). METHODS: A closed suction drain-12G was put through the midline 5 mm port incision and removed with in 24 hours of operation in TEP repair. The results were compared with a group with TEP without any drain. RESULTS: In 929 patients (1753 hernias), drain was put in 849 patients (1607 hernias) and no drain was put in 80 patients (146 hernias). Follow-up ranged from 9 to 45 months. Seroma formation was significantly lower in the drain group (12/1607; 0.75%) compared with the nondrain group (22/146; 15.1%) (P<0.0001). Both the groups were comparable in pain scores, conversion to open, hospital stay, and days taken to return to normal activity and recurrence rates. There was no infection in either group. CONCLUSIONS: Drain after TEP significantly reduces the incidence of seroma formation without increasing the risk of infection or recurrence.
PMID: 19542859 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Hydro-chemical assessment and groundwater recharge mechanism in the humid tropics: a case study
J Environ Sci Eng. 2008 Oct;50(4):263-70.
Hydro-chemical assessment and groundwater recharge mechanism in the humid tropics: a case study.
Hameed AS, Prasad NB.
Centre for Water Resources Development and Management, Kunnamangalam P.O., Kozhikode - 673 571, Kerala, India.
The study related to assessment of various chemical constituents in the groundwater, their origin and suitability for human use has been carried out in the Chaliyar river basin of Kerala (India). Groundwater samples were collected from 27 open dug wells and 7 bore wells, and analyzed. Piper tri-linear classification was followed in segregating the data with respect to source of dissolved constituents in groundwater. Most of the wells fall within the no dominant ion zone in the piper diagram, indicating the equal distribution of alkalis and alkaline earths. High level of dissolved solids, with the presence of chloride and sulphate, was observed in a few wells in the coastal region, which may be due to the salinity intrusion from the sea. The groundwater quality was found fairly good and potable in the lateritic midland region, except for a few wells, which were having significant level of nitrate and/or chloride. An attempt has been made to understand the source of groundwater recharge in the basin using environmental tritium as a tracer. It has been observed that the groundwater is predominantly recharged through rainfall, as evidenced from the level of tritium close to that of local precipitation.
PMID: 19697760 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Hydro-chemical assessment and groundwater recharge mechanism in the humid tropics: a case study.
Hameed AS, Prasad NB.
Centre for Water Resources Development and Management, Kunnamangalam P.O., Kozhikode - 673 571, Kerala, India.
The study related to assessment of various chemical constituents in the groundwater, their origin and suitability for human use has been carried out in the Chaliyar river basin of Kerala (India). Groundwater samples were collected from 27 open dug wells and 7 bore wells, and analyzed. Piper tri-linear classification was followed in segregating the data with respect to source of dissolved constituents in groundwater. Most of the wells fall within the no dominant ion zone in the piper diagram, indicating the equal distribution of alkalis and alkaline earths. High level of dissolved solids, with the presence of chloride and sulphate, was observed in a few wells in the coastal region, which may be due to the salinity intrusion from the sea. The groundwater quality was found fairly good and potable in the lateritic midland region, except for a few wells, which were having significant level of nitrate and/or chloride. An attempt has been made to understand the source of groundwater recharge in the basin using environmental tritium as a tracer. It has been observed that the groundwater is predominantly recharged through rainfall, as evidenced from the level of tritium close to that of local precipitation.
PMID: 19697760 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Early growth and markers of cardiovascular risk in Keralan children in the Integrated Child Development Scheme
Public Health Nutr. 2009 Sep 22:1-7. [Epub ahead of print]
Early growth and markers of cardiovascular risk in Keralan children in the Integrated Child Development Scheme.
Brown N, Sasidharan CK, Fisher D.
1Salisbury District Hospital, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP2 8BJ, UK.
OBJECTIVE: Low birth weight is associated with increased lifelong morbidity. Kerala has a renowned, low-cost, maternal-child health system in which is couched universal access to the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS), central to which is community-based maternal-infant nutritional supplementation. We assessed whether children in this environment showed enhanced birth weight and postnatal growth and whether the evolution of early markers of CVD was attenuated in comparison to contemporaries from other states. DESIGN: A part retrospective, part prospective cohort study in which children (n 286) born in 1998-2000 in Calicut were identified from Anganwadi records. They were traced at 6 years and underwent full anthropometry and blood pressure measurements at 6 and 8 years. RESULTS: Mean birth weight (2.86 (sd 0.40) kg) was greater than in Indian contemporaries but consistently <-1sd below the National Center for Health Statistics reference median throughout childhood. Birth weight significantly predicted body mass (BMI) at 8 years. Lower birth weight was strongly predictive of a higher waist:hip ratio (WHR) indicative of adverse central (coelomic) fat distribution (P < 0.01). Faster weight gain in infancy was weakly predictive of a lower WHR (P = 0.59), but faster late childhood growth at 6-8 years was non-significantly predictive of adverse WHR. CONCLUSIONS: At 8 years of age, children in Calicut participating in the ICDS have greater birth weight and relative attenuation of the evolution of early CVD markers compared with children in apparently comparable states. The relative contributions of the ICDS and other factors inherent to Kerala cannot be inferred from the present study.
PMID: 19772693 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Early growth and markers of cardiovascular risk in Keralan children in the Integrated Child Development Scheme.
Brown N, Sasidharan CK, Fisher D.
1Salisbury District Hospital, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP2 8BJ, UK.
OBJECTIVE: Low birth weight is associated with increased lifelong morbidity. Kerala has a renowned, low-cost, maternal-child health system in which is couched universal access to the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS), central to which is community-based maternal-infant nutritional supplementation. We assessed whether children in this environment showed enhanced birth weight and postnatal growth and whether the evolution of early markers of CVD was attenuated in comparison to contemporaries from other states. DESIGN: A part retrospective, part prospective cohort study in which children (n 286) born in 1998-2000 in Calicut were identified from Anganwadi records. They were traced at 6 years and underwent full anthropometry and blood pressure measurements at 6 and 8 years. RESULTS: Mean birth weight (2.86 (sd 0.40) kg) was greater than in Indian contemporaries but consistently <-1sd below the National Center for Health Statistics reference median throughout childhood. Birth weight significantly predicted body mass (BMI) at 8 years. Lower birth weight was strongly predictive of a higher waist:hip ratio (WHR) indicative of adverse central (coelomic) fat distribution (P < 0.01). Faster weight gain in infancy was weakly predictive of a lower WHR (P = 0.59), but faster late childhood growth at 6-8 years was non-significantly predictive of adverse WHR. CONCLUSIONS: At 8 years of age, children in Calicut participating in the ICDS have greater birth weight and relative attenuation of the evolution of early CVD markers compared with children in apparently comparable states. The relative contributions of the ICDS and other factors inherent to Kerala cannot be inferred from the present study.
PMID: 19772693 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Single Polymer Photosensitizer for Tb(3+) and Eu(3+) Ions: An Approach for White Light Emission Based on Carboxylic-Functionalized Poly(m-phenylenevin
J Phys Chem B. 2009 Sep 25. [Epub ahead of print]
Single Polymer Photosensitizer for Tb(3+) and Eu(3+) Ions: An Approach for White Light Emission Based on Carboxylic-Functionalized Poly(m-phenylenevinylene)s.
Balamurugan A, Reddy ML, Jayakannan M.
Chemical Sciences and Technology Division, National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology, Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), Thiruvananthapuram-695019, Kerala, India, and Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), NCL Innovation Park, Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pune 411008, India.
Here, we have demonstrated a facile molecular approach to generate white light emission by combining carboxylic functionalized poly(m-phenylenevinylene)s polymeric architectures with lanthanide beta-diketonate complexes. The new class of carboxylic functional conjugated polymeric materials was custom-designed from phenyl propanoic and acetic acids and structurally characterized by NMR, FT-IR, and MALDI-TOF spectroscopic techniques. The designed conjugated polymers were employed for the synthesis of lanthanide complexes in the presence of acetyl acetone (acac) as coligand and investigated their photophysical properties. For comparison, carboxylic-anchored oligo-phenylenevinylene (OPV) was also designed, characterized, and utilized for the synthesis of lanthanide complexes in the presence of acetyl acetone as coligand. Investigations revealed that carboxylic functionalized polymeric material with Eu(3+)-beta-diketonate complex exhibits unique magenta emission when excited at 310 nm. On the other hand, carboxylic functionalized polymeric material with Tb(3+)-beta-diketonate complex shows bright sky-blue emission. Interestingly, when Eu(3+) and Tb(3+) were incorporated into polymer backbone in equimolar ratio along with acetyl acetone as coligand, exhibited a white emission with CIE 1976 color coordinates x = 0.28, y = 0.34. The intrinsic quantum yield and lifetime of Ln(3+) complexes have been evaluated. The singlet and triplet energy levels of the antenna chromophore ligands have been calculated and the probable energy transfer mechanisms in Ln(3+) complexes have also been discussed. The effect of polymer structure and spacer effect on the photosensitizing of Tb(3+) and Eu(3+) ions was also investigated.
PMID: 19780548 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Single Polymer Photosensitizer for Tb(3+) and Eu(3+) Ions: An Approach for White Light Emission Based on Carboxylic-Functionalized Poly(m-phenylenevinylene)s.
Balamurugan A, Reddy ML, Jayakannan M.
Chemical Sciences and Technology Division, National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology, Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), Thiruvananthapuram-695019, Kerala, India, and Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), NCL Innovation Park, Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pune 411008, India.
Here, we have demonstrated a facile molecular approach to generate white light emission by combining carboxylic functionalized poly(m-phenylenevinylene)s polymeric architectures with lanthanide beta-diketonate complexes. The new class of carboxylic functional conjugated polymeric materials was custom-designed from phenyl propanoic and acetic acids and structurally characterized by NMR, FT-IR, and MALDI-TOF spectroscopic techniques. The designed conjugated polymers were employed for the synthesis of lanthanide complexes in the presence of acetyl acetone (acac) as coligand and investigated their photophysical properties. For comparison, carboxylic-anchored oligo-phenylenevinylene (OPV) was also designed, characterized, and utilized for the synthesis of lanthanide complexes in the presence of acetyl acetone as coligand. Investigations revealed that carboxylic functionalized polymeric material with Eu(3+)-beta-diketonate complex exhibits unique magenta emission when excited at 310 nm. On the other hand, carboxylic functionalized polymeric material with Tb(3+)-beta-diketonate complex shows bright sky-blue emission. Interestingly, when Eu(3+) and Tb(3+) were incorporated into polymer backbone in equimolar ratio along with acetyl acetone as coligand, exhibited a white emission with CIE 1976 color coordinates x = 0.28, y = 0.34. The intrinsic quantum yield and lifetime of Ln(3+) complexes have been evaluated. The singlet and triplet energy levels of the antenna chromophore ligands have been calculated and the probable energy transfer mechanisms in Ln(3+) complexes have also been discussed. The effect of polymer structure and spacer effect on the photosensitizing of Tb(3+) and Eu(3+) ions was also investigated.
PMID: 19780548 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Wednesday, 13 January 2010
Curcumin analogue inhibits lipid peroxidation in a freshwater teleost, Anabas testudineus (Bloch)--an in vitro and in vivo study
Fish Physiol Biochem. 2009 Aug;35(3):413-20. Epub 2008 Oct 25.
Curcumin analogue inhibits lipid peroxidation in a freshwater teleost, Anabas testudineus (Bloch)--an in vitro and in vivo study.
Manju M, Sherin TG, Rajasekharan KN, Oommen OV.
Department of Zoology, University of Kerala, Kariavattom, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, 695581, India.
The effect of a synthetic curcumin analogue (salicylcurcumin) on fish lipid peroxidation was investigated in both in vitro and in vivo conditions using a teleost model Anabas testudineus (Bloch). Curcumin analogue inhibited the formation of lipid peroxidation products and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) content at the three concentrations (10(-2) M, 10(-3) M and 10(-4) M) in vitro. TBARS content was reduced by 80% in the liver and 68% in brain by the higher concentration of salicylcurcumin. For in vivo study, salicylcurcumin (0.5%) was supplemented along with the basal feed for a period of 60 days. It produced a 60% reduction in liver TBARS content. The antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD) was stimulated, whereas catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were inhibited. Glutathione (GSH) was reduced and glutathione reductase (GR) unchanged. Even though there was an increase in SOD activity, the CAT and GPx did not increase accordingly, maybe due to the direct scavenging of H(2)O(2) by salicylcurcumin. The protein content also increased in the curcumin-fed animals, indicating a positive growth-promoting effect. Therefore, it would be beneficial to supplement salicylcurcumin along with the aquaculture feed in order to help the fish to cope with adverse conditions in the environment. This would increase the survival rate, disease resistance and ultimately the growth rate.
Publication Types: Comparative Study
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
PMID: 18953661 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Curcumin analogue inhibits lipid peroxidation in a freshwater teleost, Anabas testudineus (Bloch)--an in vitro and in vivo study.
Manju M, Sherin TG, Rajasekharan KN, Oommen OV.
Department of Zoology, University of Kerala, Kariavattom, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, 695581, India.
The effect of a synthetic curcumin analogue (salicylcurcumin) on fish lipid peroxidation was investigated in both in vitro and in vivo conditions using a teleost model Anabas testudineus (Bloch). Curcumin analogue inhibited the formation of lipid peroxidation products and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) content at the three concentrations (10(-2) M, 10(-3) M and 10(-4) M) in vitro. TBARS content was reduced by 80% in the liver and 68% in brain by the higher concentration of salicylcurcumin. For in vivo study, salicylcurcumin (0.5%) was supplemented along with the basal feed for a period of 60 days. It produced a 60% reduction in liver TBARS content. The antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD) was stimulated, whereas catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were inhibited. Glutathione (GSH) was reduced and glutathione reductase (GR) unchanged. Even though there was an increase in SOD activity, the CAT and GPx did not increase accordingly, maybe due to the direct scavenging of H(2)O(2) by salicylcurcumin. The protein content also increased in the curcumin-fed animals, indicating a positive growth-promoting effect. Therefore, it would be beneficial to supplement salicylcurcumin along with the aquaculture feed in order to help the fish to cope with adverse conditions in the environment. This would increase the survival rate, disease resistance and ultimately the growth rate.
Publication Types: Comparative Study
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
PMID: 18953661 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Genetic variation and population structure of endemic yellow catfish, Horabagrus brachysoma (Bagridae) among three populations of Western Ghat region
Mol Biol Rep. 2009 Sep;36(7):1779-91. Epub 2008 Nov 2.
Genetic variation and population structure of endemic yellow catfish, Horabagrus brachysoma (Bagridae) among three populations of Western Ghat region using RAPD and microsatellite markers.
Abdul Muneer PM, Gopalakrishnan A, Musammilu KK, Mohindra V, Lal KK, Basheer VS, Lakra WS.
National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, Cochin Unit, CMFRI Campus, Cochin, Kerala, India. pmamuneer@gmail.com
Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and microsatellite markers were applied to evaluate the genetic variation in endemic and endangered yellow catfish, Horabagrus brachysoma sampled from three geographic locations of Western Ghat, South India river systems. In RAPD, of 32 10-mer RAPD primers screened initially, 10 were chosen and used in a comparative analysis of H. brachysoma collected from Meenachil, Chalakkudy and Nethravathi River systems. Of the 124 total RAPD fragments amplified, 49 (39.51%) were found to be shared by individuals of all 3 populations. The remaining 75 fragments were found to be polymorphic (60.48%). In microsatellites, six polymorphic microsatellite loci were identified by using primers developed for Pangasius hypophthalmus, Clarias macrocephalus and Clarias gariepinus. The identified loci were confirmed as microsatellite by sequencing after making a clone. The nucleotide sequences of 6 loci were published in NCBI genbank. The number of alleles across the six loci ranged from 4 to 7 and heterozygosities ranged from 0.07 to 0.93. The mean number of alleles and effective number of alleles per locus were 5.00 and 3.314, respectively. The average heterozygosity across all investigated samples was 0.72, indicating a significant deficiency of heterozygotes in this species. RAPD and microsatellite methods reported a high degree of gene diversity and genetic distances depicted by UPGMA dendrograms among the populations of H. brachysoma.
Publication Types: Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
PMID: 18979230 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Genetic variation and population structure of endemic yellow catfish, Horabagrus brachysoma (Bagridae) among three populations of Western Ghat region using RAPD and microsatellite markers.
Abdul Muneer PM, Gopalakrishnan A, Musammilu KK, Mohindra V, Lal KK, Basheer VS, Lakra WS.
National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, Cochin Unit, CMFRI Campus, Cochin, Kerala, India. pmamuneer@gmail.com
Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and microsatellite markers were applied to evaluate the genetic variation in endemic and endangered yellow catfish, Horabagrus brachysoma sampled from three geographic locations of Western Ghat, South India river systems. In RAPD, of 32 10-mer RAPD primers screened initially, 10 were chosen and used in a comparative analysis of H. brachysoma collected from Meenachil, Chalakkudy and Nethravathi River systems. Of the 124 total RAPD fragments amplified, 49 (39.51%) were found to be shared by individuals of all 3 populations. The remaining 75 fragments were found to be polymorphic (60.48%). In microsatellites, six polymorphic microsatellite loci were identified by using primers developed for Pangasius hypophthalmus, Clarias macrocephalus and Clarias gariepinus. The identified loci were confirmed as microsatellite by sequencing after making a clone. The nucleotide sequences of 6 loci were published in NCBI genbank. The number of alleles across the six loci ranged from 4 to 7 and heterozygosities ranged from 0.07 to 0.93. The mean number of alleles and effective number of alleles per locus were 5.00 and 3.314, respectively. The average heterozygosity across all investigated samples was 0.72, indicating a significant deficiency of heterozygotes in this species. RAPD and microsatellite methods reported a high degree of gene diversity and genetic distances depicted by UPGMA dendrograms among the populations of H. brachysoma.
Publication Types: Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
PMID: 18979230 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Socio-economic inequalities in child health: Recent evidence from India
Glob Public Health. 2009 Sep 23:1-16. [Epub ahead of print]
Socio-economic inequalities in child health: Recent evidence from India.
Joe W, Mishra US, Navaneetham K.
Centre for Development Studies (CDS), Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India.
This paper analyses the Indian National Family Health Survey (2005-2006) data to present certain broad descriptive features of child health inequalities in India and their distribution across well-defined socio-economic groups classified by gender and sector-of-origin, and their dispersal across space. This study finds that poorer sections of the population are beleaguered with ill health whether in the quest for child survival or due to anxieties pertaining to child nutrition. The concentration index value for the indicators of under-five mortality, full immunisation and underweight outcomes at the national level is calculated to be -0.159, 0.204 and -0.158, respectively. The other disturbing finding here is that there are reigning regional and gender disadvantages irrespective of the developmental status of the State. This study would not only help policymakers to recognise these persistent inequalities but also would help understand health performance at the state and regional levels thus facilitating targeting intervention.
PMID: 19787520 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Socio-economic inequalities in child health: Recent evidence from India.
Joe W, Mishra US, Navaneetham K.
Centre for Development Studies (CDS), Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India.
This paper analyses the Indian National Family Health Survey (2005-2006) data to present certain broad descriptive features of child health inequalities in India and their distribution across well-defined socio-economic groups classified by gender and sector-of-origin, and their dispersal across space. This study finds that poorer sections of the population are beleaguered with ill health whether in the quest for child survival or due to anxieties pertaining to child nutrition. The concentration index value for the indicators of under-five mortality, full immunisation and underweight outcomes at the national level is calculated to be -0.159, 0.204 and -0.158, respectively. The other disturbing finding here is that there are reigning regional and gender disadvantages irrespective of the developmental status of the State. This study would not only help policymakers to recognise these persistent inequalities but also would help understand health performance at the state and regional levels thus facilitating targeting intervention.
PMID: 19787520 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
An evaluation of radiation exposures in a tropical phosphogypsum disposal environment
Radiat Prot Dosimetry. 2009;135(3):211-5. Epub 2009 May 30.
An evaluation of radiation exposures in a tropical phosphogypsum disposal environment.
Haridasan PP, Pillai PM, Tripathi RM, Puranik VD.
Environmental Assessment Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Health Physics Unit, IREL, Udyogamandal, Kerala 683 501, India. haripadmam@gmail.com
Environmental radiological aspects of phosphatic fertiliser production with particular reference to disposal of phosphogypsum at two sites in India are examined. Concentration of uranium and its decay products in the rock phosphate and products are presented. External gamma exposure and inhalation of radon and progeny are found to be the major routes of exposure to public in phosphogypsum disposal environment. An estimate of the committed effective dose to a representative person gives an average additional dose of 0.6 mSv annually in the study sites.
PMID: 19483206 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
An evaluation of radiation exposures in a tropical phosphogypsum disposal environment.
Haridasan PP, Pillai PM, Tripathi RM, Puranik VD.
Environmental Assessment Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Health Physics Unit, IREL, Udyogamandal, Kerala 683 501, India. haripadmam@gmail.com
Environmental radiological aspects of phosphatic fertiliser production with particular reference to disposal of phosphogypsum at two sites in India are examined. Concentration of uranium and its decay products in the rock phosphate and products are presented. External gamma exposure and inhalation of radon and progeny are found to be the major routes of exposure to public in phosphogypsum disposal environment. An estimate of the committed effective dose to a representative person gives an average additional dose of 0.6 mSv annually in the study sites.
PMID: 19483206 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Which One Is Preferred: Myers-Saito Cyclization of Ene-Yne-Allene or Garratt-Braverman Cyclization of Conjugated Bisallenic Sulfone? A Theoretical and
J Am Chem Soc. 2009 Oct 13. [Epub ahead of print]
Which One Is Preferred: Myers-Saito Cyclization of Ene-Yne-Allene or Garratt-Braverman Cyclization of Conjugated Bisallenic Sulfone? A Theoretical and Experimental Study.
Basak A, Das S, Mallick D, Jemmis ED.
Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur 721 302, India, Department of Inorganic and Physical Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560 012, India, and Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Thiruvananthapuram, CET Campus, Thiruvananthapuram, 695 016 Kerala, India.
A competitive scenario between Myers-Saito (MS) and Garratt-Braverman (GB) cyclization has been created in a molecule. High-level computations indicate a preference for GB over MS cyclization. The activation energies for the rate-determining steps of the GB and MS cyclizations were found to be the same (24.4 kcal/mol) at the B3LYP/6-31G* level of theory; thus, from the kinetic point of view, both reactions are feasible. However, the main biradical intermediate GB2 of the GB reaction is 6.2 kcal/mol lower in energy than the biradical MS2, which is the main intermediate of MS reaction, so GB cyclization is thermodynamically favored over MS cyclization. To verify the prediction by computational techniques, bisenediynyl sulfones 1-4 and bisenediynyl sulfoxide 17 were synthesized. Under basic conditions, these molecules isomerized to a system possessing both the ene-yne-allene and the bisallenic sulfone. The isolation of only one product, identified as the corresponding naphthalene- or benzene-fused sulfone 8-11, indicated the occurrence of GB cyclization as the sole reaction pathway. No product corresponding to the MS cyclization pathway could be isolated. Though the theoretical prediction showed a preference for the GB pathway over the MS pathway, the exclusive preference for GB over MS cyclization is very striking. Further analysis showed that the intramolecular self-quenching nature of the GB pathway may play an important role in the complete preference for this reaction. Apart from the mechanistic studies, these sulfones showed DNA cleavage activity that had an inverse relation with the reactivity order. Our findings are important for the design of artificial DNA-cleaving agents.
PMID: 19824673 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Which One Is Preferred: Myers-Saito Cyclization of Ene-Yne-Allene or Garratt-Braverman Cyclization of Conjugated Bisallenic Sulfone? A Theoretical and Experimental Study.
Basak A, Das S, Mallick D, Jemmis ED.
Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur 721 302, India, Department of Inorganic and Physical Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560 012, India, and Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Thiruvananthapuram, CET Campus, Thiruvananthapuram, 695 016 Kerala, India.
A competitive scenario between Myers-Saito (MS) and Garratt-Braverman (GB) cyclization has been created in a molecule. High-level computations indicate a preference for GB over MS cyclization. The activation energies for the rate-determining steps of the GB and MS cyclizations were found to be the same (24.4 kcal/mol) at the B3LYP/6-31G* level of theory; thus, from the kinetic point of view, both reactions are feasible. However, the main biradical intermediate GB2 of the GB reaction is 6.2 kcal/mol lower in energy than the biradical MS2, which is the main intermediate of MS reaction, so GB cyclization is thermodynamically favored over MS cyclization. To verify the prediction by computational techniques, bisenediynyl sulfones 1-4 and bisenediynyl sulfoxide 17 were synthesized. Under basic conditions, these molecules isomerized to a system possessing both the ene-yne-allene and the bisallenic sulfone. The isolation of only one product, identified as the corresponding naphthalene- or benzene-fused sulfone 8-11, indicated the occurrence of GB cyclization as the sole reaction pathway. No product corresponding to the MS cyclization pathway could be isolated. Though the theoretical prediction showed a preference for the GB pathway over the MS pathway, the exclusive preference for GB over MS cyclization is very striking. Further analysis showed that the intramolecular self-quenching nature of the GB pathway may play an important role in the complete preference for this reaction. Apart from the mechanistic studies, these sulfones showed DNA cleavage activity that had an inverse relation with the reactivity order. Our findings are important for the design of artificial DNA-cleaving agents.
PMID: 19824673 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Mass drug administration against filariasis in India: perceptions and practices in a rural community in Kerala
Ann Trop Med Parasitol. 2009 Oct;103(7):617-24.
Mass drug administration against filariasis in India: perceptions and practices in a rural community in Kerala.
Aswathy S, Beteena K, Leelamoni K.
Department of Community Medicine, Amrita School of Medicine, AIMS Ponnekkara PO, Kochi, Kerala 682 041, India. aswathys@aims.amrita.edu
In India, annual rounds of mass drug administration (MDA) based on diethylcarbamazine and albendazole are used to control filariasis, which is a major public-health problem. In December 2007/January 2008, a few weeks after one such MDA, a household survey was conducted in the Ernakulam district of Kerala to evaluate coverage and compliance. After one member aged >14 years from each of 599 households was interviewed, coverage of the last MDA was estimated to be 77.0% and compliance only 39.6%. Most (67.4%) of the interviewees were not aware of the term 'mass drug administration' but 20.9% of the others thought that MDA prevented the occurrence of filariasis. Most (62.3%) of those interviewed said that they obtained information about MDA from television or radio programmes and/or newspapers and most (66.3%) considered MDA to be useful (only 5.0% said that MDA were not useful, the other interviewees saying that they did not know whether MDA were useful or not). Those who had not ingested the tablets given to them in the last MDA said that they were fearful of the drugs (39.4% of the non-compliers), were too ill to take the drugs (22.5%) or had misconceptions about the aims of the MDA (12.5%). Only 2.7% of the interviewees who had ingested the distributed tablets reported adverse effects and these were mild (fever, drowsiness, swelling/oedema and/or vomiting) and only occurred within 24 h of tablet ingestion. In a univariate analysis, individual compliance in the last MDA was found to be positively associated with perceived benefits to the individual (P<0.001), the perceived usefulness of MDA (P=0.001) and certain study wards within the panchayat (P=0.032). It therefore appears that communication exercises targeted at the areas with relatively low compliance and designed to improve perceptions of the benefits and usefulness of MDA against filariasis could be the key to a successful control programme.
PMID: 19825283 [PubMed - in process]
Mass drug administration against filariasis in India: perceptions and practices in a rural community in Kerala.
Aswathy S, Beteena K, Leelamoni K.
Department of Community Medicine, Amrita School of Medicine, AIMS Ponnekkara PO, Kochi, Kerala 682 041, India. aswathys@aims.amrita.edu
In India, annual rounds of mass drug administration (MDA) based on diethylcarbamazine and albendazole are used to control filariasis, which is a major public-health problem. In December 2007/January 2008, a few weeks after one such MDA, a household survey was conducted in the Ernakulam district of Kerala to evaluate coverage and compliance. After one member aged >14 years from each of 599 households was interviewed, coverage of the last MDA was estimated to be 77.0% and compliance only 39.6%. Most (67.4%) of the interviewees were not aware of the term 'mass drug administration' but 20.9% of the others thought that MDA prevented the occurrence of filariasis. Most (62.3%) of those interviewed said that they obtained information about MDA from television or radio programmes and/or newspapers and most (66.3%) considered MDA to be useful (only 5.0% said that MDA were not useful, the other interviewees saying that they did not know whether MDA were useful or not). Those who had not ingested the tablets given to them in the last MDA said that they were fearful of the drugs (39.4% of the non-compliers), were too ill to take the drugs (22.5%) or had misconceptions about the aims of the MDA (12.5%). Only 2.7% of the interviewees who had ingested the distributed tablets reported adverse effects and these were mild (fever, drowsiness, swelling/oedema and/or vomiting) and only occurred within 24 h of tablet ingestion. In a univariate analysis, individual compliance in the last MDA was found to be positively associated with perceived benefits to the individual (P<0.001), the perceived usefulness of MDA (P=0.001) and certain study wards within the panchayat (P=0.032). It therefore appears that communication exercises targeted at the areas with relatively low compliance and designed to improve perceptions of the benefits and usefulness of MDA against filariasis could be the key to a successful control programme.
PMID: 19825283 [PubMed - in process]
Causes and Patterns of Loss of Permanent Teeth among Patients Attending a Dental Teaching Institution in South India
J Contemp Dent Pract. 2009 Sep 1;10(5):E057-64.
Causes and Patterns of Loss of Permanent Teeth among Patients Attending a Dental Teaching Institution in South India.
Anand PS, Kuriakose S.
AIM: The aims of the present study are to determine the causes and pattern of loss of permanent teeth among patients attending a dental teaching institution in southern India. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Data collected from patients attending the outpatient wing of the Sri Sankara Dental College, Kerala, during a three month period was used for the study. The cause for extraction was classified as follows: (1) caries and its sequelae, (2) periodontal disease, (3) orthodontic purposes, (4) impactions, (5) prosthodontic purposes, and (6) other reasons. RESULTS: A total of 1791 permanent teeth were extracted of which 708 (39.5%) teeth were extracted due to caries and its sequelae, 508 (28.4%) due to periodontal disease, 347 (19.4%) for orthodontic purposes, 29 (1.6%) due to impactions, 155 (8.7%) for prosthodontic purposes, and 44 (2.5%) for other reasons. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study suggest caries and periodontal disease are the major causes of tooth mortality in the study population. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Data regarding the causes of tooth loss indirectly provides invaluable information on the pattern of oral health in a population which can be utilized for planning public health policies designed to address the burden of oral diseases.
PMID: 19838611 [PubMed - in process]
Causes and Patterns of Loss of Permanent Teeth among Patients Attending a Dental Teaching Institution in South India.
Anand PS, Kuriakose S.
AIM: The aims of the present study are to determine the causes and pattern of loss of permanent teeth among patients attending a dental teaching institution in southern India. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Data collected from patients attending the outpatient wing of the Sri Sankara Dental College, Kerala, during a three month period was used for the study. The cause for extraction was classified as follows: (1) caries and its sequelae, (2) periodontal disease, (3) orthodontic purposes, (4) impactions, (5) prosthodontic purposes, and (6) other reasons. RESULTS: A total of 1791 permanent teeth were extracted of which 708 (39.5%) teeth were extracted due to caries and its sequelae, 508 (28.4%) due to periodontal disease, 347 (19.4%) for orthodontic purposes, 29 (1.6%) due to impactions, 155 (8.7%) for prosthodontic purposes, and 44 (2.5%) for other reasons. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study suggest caries and periodontal disease are the major causes of tooth mortality in the study population. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Data regarding the causes of tooth loss indirectly provides invaluable information on the pattern of oral health in a population which can be utilized for planning public health policies designed to address the burden of oral diseases.
PMID: 19838611 [PubMed - in process]
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)