Assessment of teratogenecity and embryotoxicity of sludge from textile industries at Pali (India) in Swiss albino mice exposed during organogenetic period.

The present investigation was carried out to assess the teratological effects of in-utero exposure of sludge leachate from textile and dyeing industries located in Pali, Rajasthan. Sludge was collected at the combined effluent treatment plant (CETP). Two groups of 10 pregnant Swiss albino mice each, were given sludge leachate of 1/10 and 1/100 dilutions with water ad libitum from 6th day to 15th day of gestation covering the critical period of organogenesis. Cesarean sections were performed on day 18 of gestation and all foetuses were examined for reproductive and teratological tests. Sludge induced maternal toxicity was evidenced by significant increase in leachate consumption, reduction in body weight gain and reduction in fur of the body. Developmental toxicity was evidenced by a significant decrease in foetal weight per litter increase in the number of resorptions and an increase in total number of foetuses showing bone retardation and skeletal variations (specially of skull, sternebrae and vertebrae). The leachate of the sludge that is being dumped in the open areas of the town Pall seems to elicit teratogenic as well as embryotoxic potential as indicated by the findings of the present investigation.

Interobserver agreement in the diagnosis of cervical smears.

The present study was carried out to reveal the magnitude of individual variation in the diagnosis of Pap smears between two cytoscreeners and their compatability with cytopathologists and subsequent final diagnostic comparison with biopsy in 1,17411 cervical smears collected from different hospitals of Delhi during ten-year period. Smears diagnosed as dysplasia at initial level by any one of the cytoscreeners were screened by cytopathologists for confirmation of diagnosis. An overall agreement of 94.9 percent was observed between two screens. 79.5 percent was agreement between screeners and cytopathologists. An agreement between cytology and histology in the diagnosis of dysplasia and malignancy were found to be 61.9 percent and dysplasia and malignancy were found to be 61.9 percent and 40.1 percent respectively. From the above study, it was observed that consistency among the two screeners was fairly acceptable. Keeping this observation in view, we can possibly practice two tier screening in place of three.

Clinical ventilatory functions and immunological studies in bronchial asthma.

Clinical characteristics, ventilatory functions and serum immunoglobulins (IgG, IgM and IgA) were assessed in 30 asthmatic patients. Sixty per cent patients belonged to early onset group ie, had onset of disease before 30 years of age. Seasonal asthmatics formed the largest group (56.6%) followed by perennial (26.6%) and irregular (16.6%) type. On the basis of ventilatory function tests, maximum number of cases (15) had asthma of moderate severity, followed by mild (12 patients) and severe forms (3 patients). Mean serum levels (mg%) of IgG (1631.93 +/- 270.71) and IgM (233.82 +/- 86.93) were significantly elevated in asthmatics as compared to controls. Higher serum IgA levels were observed in bronchial asthma patients (257.58 +/- 81.06) as compared to controls (225.69 +/- 49.75), but this rise was not statistically significant. Duration, periodicity of asthmatic attacks and the severity had no influence on the levels of the above three mentioned immunoglobulins, but it was observed that patients who had associated other allergies and positive family history of atopic disorders exhibited higher serum IgA and IgM levels, compared to those who had no such history. This difference was however not seen in serum IgG levels.

Dapsone drug compliance study among leprosy patients: a comparison between qualitative and quantitative methods.

The methods currently employed to monitor self-administration of dapsone have been evaluated by comparing the results of the qualitative spot test and quantitative DDS/creatinine ratio test. Random urine samples of 242 leprosy patients, periodically attending the Leprosy Clinic were tested. Although a good correlation between the results of the two tests was evident, the DDS/creatinine ratio technique appeared to be more sensitive than the spot test. The concentration of DDS and its metabolites in urine specimens found to be negative by the spot test, ranged from 3.32-12.37 micrograms of DDS/mg creatinine. The spot test was found to be more specific and stays to be the method of choice, when rapidity and reproducibility are the prime objectives, and sensitivity can be marginally compromised. Acidification of urine prior to the spot test was found to be desirable to rule out false negative and false positive reactions.