Groundwater arsenic contamination and associated health risks in Bihar, India

The extent of groundwater arsenic [As] contamination and associated health-risks were studied in the four villages: Chaukia and Terahrasiya [Vaishali]; Mamalkha and Masharu [Bhagalpur] in Bihar, India. Groundwater samples were tested using the standard Silverdiethyledithiocarbamate method at 520nm by Thermo UV-1 spectrophotometer. The As levels in both the districts exceeded the WHO standard of 10microg/L for drinking water with a maximum value of 20microg/L in Vaishali and 143microg/L in Bhagalpur. However, the FAO standard of 100microg/L of As for irrigation water was only exceeded in Bhagalpur. The calculated range of the hazard index [HI] for Vaishali was 0.9 to 10, and for Bhagalpur was 10.40 to 40.47. Both ranges exceed the accepted normal toxic HI of 1.00. The cancer risk was derived as 1-5/1000 people to 5-16/10,000 people in Vaishali, and 7-21/1000 and 5-16/1000 people in Bhagalpur. Prevalence of skin pigmentation was double in Vaishali in comparison to Bhagalpur. The analysis of principal components showed that only two components had a fundamental role in defining variance for cancer risk assessment. A more extensive screening of As contamination of groundwater and a follow-up clinical study are necessary to accurately assess the likelihood of As-related cancers in these districts

A Virulent Salmonella enterica Serovar Enteritidis Phage SE2 with a Strong Bacteriolytic Activity of Planktonic and Biofilmed Cells

Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis is one of the major food borne pathogens. Utilizing lytic bacteriophages against this pathogen can be a new and effective approach for the prevention of food-contamination and food-borne infection. In this study, we isolated and characterized a Salmonella Enteritidis specific lytic bacteriophage (phage SE2). The bacteriolytic activity of planktonic and biofilmed cells against an antibiotic resistant strain of Salmonella Enteritidis was also evaluated. Phage SE2 revealed an efficient bacteriolytic effect with biofilm dispersing ability and could maintain its virulence even at extreme pH and temperature. It can be a potential biotherapeutic agent against Salmonella Enteritidis.

Silica exposure and serum angiotensin converting enzyme activity

Silicosis is known in industrial workers for centuries. Till recently, the mainstay of its diagnosis and progress was clinical examination of the respiratory system, pulmonary function test and chest radiography. Several biomarkers such as serum angiotensin converting enzyme [ACE] activity have been examined to determine the extent of silicosis. To elucidate the effect of age, gender, duration of exposure to silica dust, smoking habit, and pulmonary function status on the serum ACE activity among quartz stone workers without disease. A cross-sectional study was carried out on 134 [111 men and 14 women] workers of quartz stone crushing units were studied. Standard diagnostic criteria were used for diagnosing silicosis and tuberculosis. Pulmonary functions of the participants were also assessed. The mean +/- SD age for participants was 26.1 +/- 6.3 years [26.6 +/- 6.3 for men and 21.9 +/- 4.3 for women]. The mean +/- SD duration of exposure was 1.1 +/- 1, 9 years. In the present study, only one case of silicosis and eight cases of tuberculosis were found. The mean +/- SD serum ACE levels for those with and without respiratory disease were 68.44 +/- 11.61, and 66.9 +/- 14.4 IU/L, respectively [p>0.05]. We could not observe any association between serum ACE activity and age, gender, duration of exposure, smoking habits and pulmonary function status. However, elevated levels of serum ACE was found in a solitary case of silicosis

Knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about menarche of adolescent girls in Anand district, Gujarat

A questionnaire survey of knowledge, attitudes and beliefs towards menstruation was made in 22 schools in Anand district, Gujarat state. Of 900 schoolgirls aged 11-17 years, only 38.5% felt comfortable about menarche and only 31.0% believed that menstruation was a normal physiological process. Many [37.2%] had not been informed about menarche before its onset and 48.2% felt they were not mentally prepared. The major sources of information were the mother [60.7%] or an elder sister [15.8%]; teachers and others relatives played a small role. In this area of India, many families continue the custom of celebrating the first menarche and observing social restrictions