Noise Induced Hearing Loss in Hard Rock Miners of Kadapa, A.P. India.

Background: Noise is excessive, unwanted sound stimulus in the atmosphere produced by extraneous sources resulting in permanent pathological changes in the inner ear, the cochlear nerve and its ganglia. It is one of the constituents of atmospheric pollution. Noise in the vicinity of workplaces is termed as occupational noise trauma which is imminent in workers in certain industries and unavoidable in them, but preventable to some extent. The present study is to measure such audiological threshold values to correlate the pathological changes in the workers with the help of audiometry. The aim of the study is to measure the noise levels in the industry and its effect on hearing capabilities of miners working there with audiological data and to formulate effective preventive measure for them. Methods: Miners from a Hard Rock cutting industry near Kadapa, A.P. are chosen and divided into 2 groups depending upon their work experience between 3 to 14 years. Audiometry is performed to record their Air Conduction thresholds in both ears at all the frequencies, before and after working hours. The data are analyzed and looked for statistical significance. Results: Miners with less than 7 years work experience had smaller temporary threshold shifts compared to miners above 7 years experience. The base level A.C threshold values were higher compared to miners with less than 7 years experience. The threshold shift was mostly observed in the frequency 6000KHZ, in both the ears. The average of mean thresholds of Air Conduction was found to be higher in the higher frequencies. Conclusion: Prolonged exposure to noise levels above 85dB for 8 hours in a day, 6 days per week for 3 to 14 years results in hearing loss due to permanent changes in the inner ear. Higher frequencies are more affected than the lower frequencies with higher base level thresholds. All the frequencies showed temporary threshold shifts ranging from 1.69 to 4.37dB when recorded immediately after the working periods. There was statistical significance observed for all frequencies in both ears for the threshold shifts with a P value less than 0.05.

In-vitro Anti-Inflammatory Evaluation of Crude Bombax ceiba Extracts.

Aims: The present work was decided to evaluate the in-vitro anti-inflammatory activity of crude extracts of Bombax ceiba in order to characterize the role of this extract in affecting the inflammatory process. Study Design: Extraction of B. ceiba bark, phytochemical screening, and evaluation of invitro anti-inflammatory activity. Methodology: Petroleum ether, ethanol and aqueous extracts of B. ceiba barks were prepared by maceration technique and subjected to preliminary phytochemical tests. The in-vitro anti-inflammatory activity of all extracts (1000 mcg/ml) was assessed by HRBC membrane stabilization method. Results: Ethanol extract showed significant (p<0.001) response followed by aqueous extract (p<0.01) when compared with standard, diclofenac potassium (50 mcg/ml). Conclusion: The study suggests that the extracts possess enough potential to reduce inflammation by in-vitro and directs the importance of further research and development of novel anti-inflammatory agents.

Downstaging of cervical cancer.

Globally cervical cancer is the fifth most common cancer and of estimated 460,000 new cases each year three quarters occur in developing countries. In India annually 16% of the world's total cases occur and only 5% are reported in the early stages. Downstaging is defined as a process of screening for cancer using clinical approaches for early detection of this disease. This is distinct from screening test and results in detection of the disease at a less advanced stage in the absence of screening. This experimental approach is applicable in developing countries where cytological screening is not possible in the near future. In this method paramedical staff trained for minimum period will be able to identify any abnormality including suspicious cervix and refer the case early to centres where facilities exist for treatment of premalignant and malignant lesions, including educating the women regarding risk factors, symptoms of the disease and prophylaxis. This experimental methodology recommended by WHO for developing countries like India has to be evaluated by monitoring various ongoing projects where visual inspection screening method is used. The results are collected which include feasibility, compliance, costing, referral methodology, difficulties in implementation, specificity, sensitivity, positive predictive value and drawbacks. The methodology of visual inspection and modified aided visual inspection, frequency and results of various studies in the Indian scenario is for recommendation of downstaging in MCH care. This is to be implemented in rural areas taking into consideration their cultural background and available infrastructure since cytology screening is not possible to cover even 20% of the existing cases in the near future.