Search

The observational cross-sectional study conducted on a sample of 100 women workers who volunteered, outlines their cardio-respiratory and musculo-skeletal profile before, during and at end of work. In addition, information on their health status in general was collected in advance.Contrary to expectation, there was no significant change in respiratory function. However, the musculo-skeletal problems were found to be abundantly present with pain in 91% of the subjects. Region-wise mapping of pain revealed that postural pain in low back was present in 47% while in neck was 19%. Scapular muscles on the right side were involved in stabilizing shoulder, which never went overhead. On the contrary, left shoulder was raised as high (>90 degrees) in spinning action, while pulling thread. This muscle work involved trapezius, deltoid and triceps action concentrically in lifting and while coming to starting position slowly, eccentrically. There was no pause since the wheel continued to spin the thread continuously, unless a worker opted to stop the work. Accordingly, left wrist and hand were in holding contraction while the right wrist and hand holding the handle were also in a fixed position with wrist in flexion with supinated forearm. Though the overall job was light as per peak HR, there was pain due to fatigue and grip strength weakened by around 10%, at the end of the day's work. In conclusion, pain and fatigue were found to be the main problems for women in the spinning section of the small-scale industry under this study. Women have to take up dual responsibility of a full-time job as well as the domestic work. It was considered that ergonomic factors such as provision of a backrest and frequent rest periods could remediate the musculo-skeletal symptoms.

The transit mission wastewater may represent a future graywater, in which toilet waste is separated from other household waste streams, and dilution water is minimal. A loading rate study indicated that denitrification is stoichiometrically limited, and nitrification was kinetically limited. Denitrification stoichiometry was developed by deriving hypothetical molecular formulas of organic carbon inputs to be represented by the relative proportions of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen. The derived stoichiometry was validated against experimental data by adjusting the values of fe and fs and multiplying the total dissolved organic carbon loss across the system by the overall R equation and then comparing the total nitrogen removed in the reaction to experimentally observed total nitrogen removal. The nitrification stoichiometry was similarly validated by multiplying the R equation by the ammonium-nitrogen removed and then comparing the NO(x)-N formed in the equation to actual NO(x)-N production values. The fs values for the denitrifying and nitrifying bacteria were 0.33 and 0.15, respectively.

Otic neuronal precursors are the first cells to be specified and do so in the anterior domain of the otic placode, the proneural domain. In the present study, we have explored the early events of otic proneural regionalization in relation to the activity of the Notch signaling pathway. The proneural domain was characterized by the expression of Sox3, Fgf10 and members of the Notch pathway such as Delta1, Hes5 and Lunatic Fringe. The complementary non-neural domain expressed two patterning genes, Lmx1b and Iroquois1, and the members of the Notch pathway, Serrate1 and Hairy1. Fate map studies and double injections with DiI/DiO showed that labeled cells remained confined to anterior or posterior territories with limited cell intermingling. To explore whether Notch signaling pathway plays a role in the initial regionalization of the otic placode, Notch activity was blocked by a gamma-secretase inhibitor (DAPT). Notch blockade induced the expansion of non-neural genes, Lmx1 and Iroquois1, into the proneural domain. Combined gene expression and DiI experiments showed that these effects were not due to migration of non-neural cells into the proneural domain, suggesting that Notch activity regulates the expression of non-neural genes. This was further confirmed by the electroporation of a dominant-negative form of the Mastermind-like1 gene that caused the up-regulation of Lmx1 within the proneural domain. In addition, Notch pathway was involved in neuronal precursor selection, probably by a classical mechanism of lateral inhibition. We propose that the regionalization of the otic domain into a proneural and a non-neural territory is a very early event in otic development, and that Notch signaling activity is required to exclude the expression of non-neural genes from the proneural territory.

Background: Recently, it has been shown that increasing body mass index (BMI) in asthma is associated with reduced exhaled NO. Our objective in this study was to determine if the BMI-related changes in exhaled NO differ across asthmatics and controls, and to determine if these changes are related to increased airway oxidative stress and systemic levels of leptin and adiponectin., Methods: Observational study of the association of BMI, leptin, and adiponectin with exhaled nitric oxide (NO) and exhaled 8-isoprostanes in 67 non-smoking patients with moderate to severe persistent asthma during baseline conditions and 47 controls. Measurements included plasma levels of leptin, adiponectin, exhaled breath condensates for 8-isoprostanes, exhaled NO, pulmonary function tests, and questionnaires regarding asthma severity and control., Results: In asthmatics, BMI and the ratio of leptin to adiponectin were respectively associated with reduced levels of exhaled NO (beta = -0.04 [95% C.I. -0.07, -0.1], p < 0.003) and (beta = -0.0018 [95% C.I. -0.003, -0.00034], p = 0.01) after adjusting for confounders. Also, BMI was associated with increased levels of exhaled 8-isoprostanes (beta = 0.30 [95% C.I. 0.003, 0.6], p = 0.03) after adjusting for confounders. In contrast, we did not observe these associations in the control group of healthy non-asthmatics with a similar weight distribution., Conclusion: In adults with stable moderate to severe persistent asthma, but not in controls, BMI and the plasma ratio of leptin/adiponectin is associated with reduced exhaled NO. Also, BMI is associated with increased exhaled 8-isoprostanes. These results suggest that BMI in asthmatics may increase airway oxidative stress and could explain the BMI-related reductions in exhaled NO.

Incorporation of the 21st amino acid, selenocysteine, into proteins is specified in all three domains of life by dynamic translational redefinition of UGA codons. In eukarya and archaea, selenocysteine insertion requires a cis-acting selenocysteine insertion sequence (SECIS) usually located in the 3'UTR of selenoprotein mRNAs. Here we present comparative sequence analysis and experimental data supporting the presence of a second stop codon redefinition element located adjacent to a selenocysteine-encoding UGA codon in the eukaryal gene, SEPN1. This element is sufficient to stimulate high-level (6%) translational redefinition of the SEPN1 UGA codon in human cells. Readthrough levels further increased to 12% when tested in the presence of the SEPN1 3'UTR SECIS. Directed mutagenesis and phylogeny of the sequence context strongly supports the importance of a stem loop starting six nucleotides 3' of the UGA codon. Sequences capable of forming strong RNA structures were also identified 3' adjacent to, or near, selenocysteine-encoding UGA codons in the Sps2, SelH, SelO, and SelT selenoprotein genes.

We report the translational readthrough levels induced by the aminoglycosides gentamicin, amikacin, tobramycin, and paromomycin for eight premature stop codon mutations identified in Duchenne's and Becker's muscular dystrophy patients. In a transient transfection reporter assay, aminoglycoside treatment results show that one stop codon mutation is suppressed significantly better (up to 10% stop codon readthrough) than the others; five show lower but statistically significant suppression (< 2% stop codon readthrough); and two appear refractory to aminoglycoside treatment. Readthrough levels do not substantially vary between different sources of gentamicin, and, for this set of mutations, the efficiency of termination at the premature stop codon mutation does not appear to correlate with disease severity.

Objective: To evaluate patient acceptance of an automated medical information system specific to headache., Background: Studies suggest that automated tools may help health care delivery systems to be efficient and effective, but patient satisfaction remains a major concern., Methods: We adapted our software reuse reference model and Unified Modeling Language to apply the domain model to the headache population. Patients with headache were tested both to validate the system and to evaluate patient satisfaction and headache management with an automated system., Results: The mean age of all study participants was 44 years. Over 95% of the participants were satisfied or strongly satisfied with the Automated Medical Information System., Conclusions: The results strongly suggest that patients are willing and able to use nontraditional sources, such as the Automated Medical Information System, to learn about their illnesses.

Purpose: Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS, endotoxin) is a potent stimulator of inflammatory responses and is likely to contribute to microbial keratitis and to the pathogenesis of sterile corneal ulcers. The purpose of the present study was to identify specific mediators of endotoxin-induced keratitis., Methods: The corneal epithelium of BALB/c, C3H/HeJ, and C3H/HeN mice was abraded, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa endotoxin (10 microg in 1 microL) was added. Stromal thickness and haze were measured by in vivo scanning confocal microscopy, and neutrophil recruitment determined by immunohistochemistry., Results: Pseudomonas endotoxin induced a significant increase in stromal thickness and haze compared with untreated control corneas at each time point examined, and the severity coincided with neutrophil infiltration into the corneal stroma. Furthermore, systemic depletion of neutrophils completely abrogated endotoxin-induced increases in stromal thickness and haze, indicating an essential role for these cells. Expression of platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule (PECAM)-1 on vascular endothelium and production of macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-2 in the corneal stroma were also significantly elevated after exposure to endotoxin, and antibody blockade inhibited neutrophil recruitment to the cornea and abrogated endotoxin-induced increases in stromal thickness and haze. In LPS-hyporesponsive C3H/HeJ mice, PECAM-1 and MIP-2 were not upregulated after exposure to endotoxin, and endotoxin-induced keratitis did not develop in these mice., Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that endotoxin-induced keratitis is regulated by toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4)-dependent expression of PECAM-1 and MIP-2, which are essential for recruitment of neutrophils to this site and for development of endotoxin-induced stromal disease.

We evaluated coronary stenting in nine patients with clinically severe, angiographically documented spasm refractory to aggressive pharmacologic management. No patient subsequently developed unstable ischemia requiring hospitalization as a consequence of recurrent spasm within the stent. Mechanisms of therapeutic failure included both persistent spasm and spasm in a different artery in one patient. Restenosis occurred in three patients who subsequently underwent repeat revascularization. In the rare, carefully selected patient, stents may represent an adjunct in the management of focal coronary artery spasm, although currently medical therapy remains the standard initial approach., (Copyright 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)

Objective: Social factors and prevalent norms in the community determine the proportion of teenage pregnancy in the community. In the light of high risk associated with teenage pregnancy, the socio-cultural determinants, which influence the conception among teenagers in Nepal, need to be understood. These determinants may be modified by suitable interventions to reduce teenage pregnancy. Aim of this study was to examine the socio-cultural determinants of teenage pregnancy in eastern Nepal., Methods: A case-control study design was selected for comparing the education, economic status, family support and freedom towards conception among teenagers as compared to higher age group women., Result: Seventy adolescent pregnant women were compared with seventy primigravida women in the 20 to 29 years age group. The teenage pregnant women were less educated, had poor economic background, more likely to have accidental pregnancies as compared to the other group and more likely to have love marriages. Husbands were more likely to decide about continuation of pregnancy. They had less psychological and social support from the family., Conclusion: Marriage at young age and pregnancy during teens are associated with less social acceptance and poor support in the family.

The source of exhaled carbon monoxide (CO) and the relationship to airway inflammation are not clear. If CO is produced by the inflamed airway, we hypothesized that inflammation induced by allergen challenge would increase exhaled CO of atopic asthmatics. Eight atopic asthmatics underwent whole lung allergen challenge. CO, nitric oxide (NO), oxygen, and carbon dioxide (CO(2)) were measured simultaneously in exhaled breath which was collected into Mylar balloons before (baseline), immediately after, and at subsequent times after allergen. NO was higher in asthmatics than control subjects at baseline, increased further in seven of the eight asthmatics after allergen, and was inversely correlated to specific conductance. In contrast, exhaled CO of asthmatics was not higher than that of control individuals at baseline, decreased immediately after allergen, and returned to baseline levels during the late asthmatic response. Thus, allergen-induced airway inflammation did not lead to increased exhaled CO in asthma.

Cardiac allograft vasculopathy is the leading cause of death after the first year of transplantation. Treatment outcomes with medication, balloon angioplasty, bypass surgery, and retransplantation have been disappointing. We present our initial experience with stenting of the left main coronary artery in the setting of allograft vasculopathy.

Primary tumours of the heart and pericardium are extremely rare. Cardiac lipomas account for only 10% of all primary cardiac tumours. A case of surgically proven pericardial lipoma demonstrated by ultrasound, CT and MRI is presented here.

A case of atrial myxoma presenting with syncope evaluated by echocardiography and MRI is described. Cine gradient-echo MRI demonstrated atrial myxoma as a very low signal intensity mass indicating the presence of haemosiderin.

Objectives: Cell mediated immunity (CMI), cytokines and humoral immunity have been implicated in the pathogenesis of invasive amoebiasis., Methods: The role of cytokines--tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin 2 (IL-2) in blood and pus aspirate was studied in 20 patients of amoebic liver abscess (ALA), before and after treatment and 10 controls., Results: The mean TNF-alpha levels (pg/ml) in the controls and before treatment in the patients in serum and pus were 24.3 +/- 11.6, 28 +/- 14.5 and 161.2 +/- 81.3 (p < 0.002) respectively. The mean IL-2 levels (pg/ml) in the controls, serum and pus aspirate in the patients prior to treatment were 10.3 +/- 8.5, 39.2 +/- 26.1 and 117.0 +/- 65.9 respectively. The levels in the patients after therapy, increased to 47 +/- 25.7 (p < 0.001) and 134 +/- 59.4 (p < 0.01)., Conclusions: The higher levels of TNF-alpha and IL-2 in the pus aspirate compared to blood pre treatment, supports the role of locally released cytokines in the target organ i.e. liver in amoebiasis. The rise in values observed after therapy are indicative of increased macrophage activity due to CMI occurring late in the course of the disease which may contribute to disease limitation and localisation in amoebiasis. The study suggests that locally released cytokines play an important role in the pathogenesis of ALA.

We report a patient with an infected hepatic hydatid cyst, which spontaneously ruptured into the inferior vena cava, with resultant thrombosis of the inferior vena cava, and left renal, right common iliac and right external iliac veins.

Granulomatous mediastinitis is a rare condition, and tuberculosis and fungal infections are the most important causes of this potentially lethal condition. Tuberculous mediastinitis usually presents with fever, cough, dyspnoea and rarely, florid features of obstruction to intra-thoracic structures are seen. A case of tuberculous mediastinitis presenting as a suprasternal lump, a rare presentation, is described here.