Evaluation of some risk factors for ischaemic heart disease under a matched pairs case-control design.

A pair-wise matched case-control study was carried out in 200 male patients of ischaemic heart disease (IHD). The cases were matched with an equal number of controls in respect of the variables viz., age and socio-economic status. The objective was to quantify the risk of developing IHD for some of the leading risk factors under the univariate and multivariate situations. The analysis revealed that of the factors (smoking, overweight, hypertension, diabetes, serum cholesterol and family history) considered, the smoking habit of the individual, presence of family history of the disease and overweight were the significant risk factors responsible for the development of the disease. The estimated odds ratios were found to be 3.29, 2.60 and 2.00 respectively.

Evaluation of susceptibility status of Culex quinquefasciatus larvae to few organophosphorus insecticides based on logistic regression analysis.

A laboratory trial was carried out at Pune to evaluate the effectiveness of five types of larvicides viz. Malathion, Temephos, Fenthion, Dichlorvos and Fenitrothion against Culex quinquesfasciatus larvae. The expected number of mortality at various dose levels for the five types of insecticides were estimated separately using logistic regression model. Based on the fitted model, the estimated dose level corresponding to the 90 percent mortality (LC90) was obtained for each insecticide. Approximate 95 percent confidence intervals for the LC90 dose, in each case, has been provided. The analysis revealed that out of all the five types of insecticides included in the study, fenthion was the most effective. The estimated value of LC90 in this case was the lowest and is equal to 0.007 mg/L. The effectiveness of temephos, dichlorvos and fenitrothion was found to be approximately same and malathion was the least effective. The results were found to be comparable with that obtained under probit method.

Calcium channel blockers and the CVS reflex responses during lower body suction.

Nine normal men (mean age 27.6 yr) were exposed to continuous lower-body suction pressure (LBSP) of -20 to -50 mmHg (for 5 min at each level) on four different occasions after having consumed a single oral therapeutic dose of either diltiazem, nifedipine, verapamil, or a placebo, randomly, in a single blind manner. The suction was applied at 12.30 pm in all experiments, while the medications were administered in such a manner so that their expected peak plasma levels would have been achieved at the time of suction application. The cardiovascular reflex effects commenced at a pressure of -30 mmHg, and peaked at -50 mmHg. The increases in the heart rate for all treatments at -50 mmHg was statistically similar (about 16-20 beats/min). The systolic BP fell by about 9 mmHg for the placebo experiments, and this change was not different from the changes produced by the 3 Calcium channel blocker treatments. The diastolic BP increase was about 3 mmHg. The Cardiac index did not vary significantly. Our results suggest that the commonly used Ca++ channel blockers do not adversely affect orthostatic tolerance.

Laboratory evaluation of some larvicidal agents against Anopheles culicifacies in Pune.

A laboratory study to evaluate some larvicidal agents against Anopheles culcifacies was carried out. The findings of this study brought out that the larvae of this species were highly susceptible to temephos, fenthion, Paris green and Mosquito Larvicidal Oil (MLO) in that order. The LC50 values in respect of these larvicides were 0.0009 ppm, 0.0081 ppm, 0.029 ppm and 0.015 ml respectively and LC90 values were 0.0018 ppm, 0.022 ppm, 0.11 ppm and 0.046 ml respectively.

A case control study of cancer cervix patients attending Command Hospital, Pune.

A case control study was undertaken with the objective to determine the association of certain host factors like marital status, age at first marriage, duration of married life, parity, literary status and genital hygiene, in the subsequent development of cancer cervix. A total number of ninety-two cases and an equal number of control subjects, under matched case control design, were studied at Command Hospital, Pune over a period of nine months. Salient findings of this epidemiological study have been highlighted in this communication. Few of the risk factors viz early age at first marriage, longer duration of married life, increased and early parity, low educational status and poor genital hygiene were found to have played significant role in the subsequent development of carcinoma cervix.

Medico-social profile of male teenager STD patients attending a clinic in Pune.

A study of 250 male teenager STD cases was carried out to determine the association between certain medicosocial factors e.g. age, type of infection, educational status, source of infection, knowledge about mode of acquiring infection and prophylaxis etc. Salient findings of the study such as gonorrhoea being the commonest type of STD, curiosity being the main reason for first sexual exposure and prostitutes being the major source of infection have been highlighted in this communication.

A study of morbidity pattern among prostitutes attending a municipal clinic in Pune.

The findings of the present study revealed that out of 200 prostitutes attending a clinic for various ailments, 81.50% were suffering from sexually transmitted diseases (STD) thus posing a potential risk of transmitting these diseases to their clients. Syphilis was found to be the commonest STD afflicting 36.80% of the respondents, the next common being the chancroid (31.28%); 5.52% of the respondents were found to be suffering from concomitant venereal infections. The other important communicable diseases with which some respondents were found to be afflicted, included--tinea infection (3 cases), scabies (2 cases), leprosy (2 cases), pulmonary tuberculosis (4 cases) and upper respiratory tract infection [3 cases). Thus, the prostitutes remain an undisputed potential source of infection not only of STDs but also several other communicable diseases. Therefore, their continuous surveillance, early diagnosis, appropriate treatment and subsequent follow-up should be meticulously carried out. On the other hand the public, particularly the sexually promiscuous individuals must be imparted vigorous health education to avoid exposure to this source.