Musculoskeletal disorders and mental health related issues as occupational hazards among dental practitioners in the city of Bengaluru: a randomized cross-sectional study.

Background: Like in any profession, dentistry is also plagued by many occupational health hazards. Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) and mental health related issues are very common among dental practitioners. Objectives: A survey was conducted to find the prevalence of these two occupational health hazards among dental practitioners in Bengaluru city. Materials and methods: A questionnaire survey was carried out among 150 randomly chosen dental practitioners in Bengaluru. Questions included their identification details and information about symptoms of MSD and mental health related issues experienced by them in the last 6 months. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis was carried out in the present study. Chi-square and Fisher test were used to find the significance of the study parameters on categorical scale. Results: MSD and mental health related issues were found to have a prevalence of 82% and 75.3% in our study. Conclusion: The implementation of preventive measures is necessary, in view of the high incidence of these disorders in the fraternity of dental practitioners.

Prescription pattern of drugs in pregnancy induced hypertension in a tertiary care hospital.

Background: The objective of this study was to evaluate the prescription pattern of drugs in pregnancy induced hypertension in a tertiary care hospital. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted by department of Pharmacology in collaboration with the Department of Obstetrics in Kamineni Institute of Medical Sciences, Narketpally after taking permission from the Institutional Review Board. WHO basic indicators were indicators were used for studying the prescribing pattern of drugs. Results: Out of the total prescriptions studied the most commonly prescribed antihypertensive was Methyldopa, followed by Nifedipine. Amlodipine, Atenolol and Magnesium sulphate were the other drugs prescribed. Majority drugs prescribed were from category B and C. Single drug therapy was prescribed in 46.94% patients. The use of fixed dose combinations was low. Conclusion: The incidence of single drugs therapy and two drugs was high. Irrational prescriptions were few. The present pattern of prescriptions can be improved by advocating rational drug prescription and awareness regarding safe use of drugs to the obstetricians.

Iron deficiency anaemia in sickle cell disorders in India.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) is uncommon in individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD) because of availability of an adequate iron source potentially from increased red cell turnover and from blood transfusions. Also, iron deficiency anaemia can often go unnoticed because the sickle cell disease patients are already anaemic. Iron deficiency in sickle cell patients may result in lowering the intracellular haemoglobin concentration and this may ameliorate sickling. The present study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia and the response of iron supplementation in sickle cell disorders in tribal population of the four States viz. Maharashtra, Gujarat, Orissa and Tamil Nadu. METHODS: A total of 8434 individuals (7105 AA, 1267 AS and 62 SS) were tested for zinc protoporphyrin/haem (ZPP/H) ratio and haemoglobin levels. Twenty two sickle cell anaemia (SS), 47 sickle cell trait (AS) and 150 normal control (AA) individuals who were iron deficient, were given iron therapy for a period of 12 wk and the laboratory investigations were repeated at the 13th wk. RESULTS: Sixty seven per cent of subjects with sickle cell anaemia and 26 per cent with sickle cell trait had elevated ZPP/H ratios (>80 micromol/mol) as against 22.8 per cent of normal individuals. The elevated ZPP/H ratios is an indicator of microcytic anaemia of iron deficiency. Following iron therapy, an improvement in the Hb levels and ZPP/H ratios was observed in both sickle cell disorders and normal individual cases. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: This study suggests that iron deficiency anaemia is an important problem in Indian sickle cell anaemia patients and iron supplementation should be given only in proven cases of iron deficiency anaemia.

The effect of antidepressants on serum melatonin levels in endogenous depression.

OBJECTIVES: 1. To assess the serum melatonin levels in patients suffering from endogenous depression and the effect of pharmacological therapy. 2. To establish possible correlation between the height from the mean sea levels and the patients suffering from endogenous depression. METHODS: Forty patients, 18 males and 22 females, suffering from endogenous depression (according to DSM IV criteria), aged 48.3 +/- 12.32 years were evaluated and serum melatonin level was assayed between 9-10 am. They were not on any drugs/medication, which was likely to alter serum melatonin level for one month prior to study. The serum melatonin levels were assessed at 0, 3, 6 and 12 months while they were continued to be treated. It also included 30 controls of the matched age and sex and satisfying the inclusion criteria. The possible correlation was also studied between the serum levels and the height from the mean sea level at which the patients reside. RESULTS: The two groups were comparable at the beginning of the study. The serum melatonin levels started falling from three months onwards (from 9.99 +/- 3.59 pg/nl to 8.49 +/- 3.16 pg/nl; p < 0.05). However, the decline was maximum between 3-6 months (from 8.49 +/- 3.16 to 5.589 +/- 1.96; p<0.05). The serum levels became stationary beyond six months. Highest melatonin levels were observed in patients residing at an altitude of 6001-8000 metres (14.32 +/- 2.68 pg/ml; p < 0.05) followed by 4,001-6,000 meters (11.137 +/- 2.62 pg/ml; p < 0.05). However, the levels were almost stationary below 4,000 metres (p = 0.05). CONCLUSION: 1. Higher serum melafonin values were observed in patients suffering from endogenous depression. 2. Morning serum melatonin values decreased with pharmacological therapies. 3. Patients living at higher altitudes had higher serum values for the hormone.

Evaluation of the genetic variability of 13 microsatellite markers in native Indian pigs.

We analysed polymorphism of 13 microsatellites in two Indian domesticated pig types (North Indian and Northeast Indian). Heterozygosity, polymorphism information content, and probability of identity of two random individuals were calculated for all microsatellites in both types. The number of alleles observed at a locus varied between five and 12. The evaluated microsatellites exhibited a very high heterozygosity and polymorphism information content. The probability of identity of two random individuals from different populations taking into account all the 13 microsatellites was as low as 3.51 x 10(-19). On the basis of these results, we propose that these microsatellite markers may be used with reliability for studying the genetic diversity and for identification of individuals in Indian pig types.

The role of Wobe-Mugos in reducing acute sequele of radiation in head and neck cancers--a clinical phase-III randomized trial.

Oral enzymes act as a potent antiinflammatory, antiedematous agents thereby decreasing acute toxigenic effect of radiation and increasing compliance, quality of life of our patients. Fifty patients were randomized 25 allocated in enzyme and radiotherapy arm, 25 in radiotherapy alone. Pre RT and post RT biopsies were taken from both arms. In our study it was found that there was clinical, histopathological as well as statistical significant difference in both arms. The enzyme arm patients had mucostis of grade I in 76%, grade II in 12%, grade III in 8% while as 8% had grade I, 68% grade II, 24% had grade III in RT arm alone. In enzyme patients skin reactions of grade I in 72%, 20% had grade II, 8% had grade III. In control arm 12% had grade I, 76% had grade II, 8% had grade III skin reaction.

Abnormal pattern of lung functions in rubber factory workers.

The influence of suspended particulate matter, benzo(e) pyrene, benzo(e) pyrene and benzo(a) anthracene concentration on pulmonary lung functions ie, residual volume, total lung capacity, residual volume/total lung capacity, forced residual capacity were studied in 667 rubber factory workers during 1990-91. The respirable fraction of the particulate size (< 0.5 micron) showed high mean concentration of suspended particulate matter, benzo(a) pyrene, benzo(e) pyrene and benzo(a) anthracene in the compounding section (group III), when compared with vulcanising (group II) and packing loading (group I) units. While comparing the lung functions amongst these groups, the higher results of residual volume, residual volume/total lung capacity ratio, forced respiratory capacity and lower values of total lung capacity were observed in group III workers as compared with other two groups. And also these results seem to be correlated with the high pollutant concentrations to which group III workers were exposed, and reflect a clear combination of obstructive and restrictive pattern of lung functions in them.

Gas chromatographic detection of anaerobic bacteria from environment.

A rapid method of detection of anaerobic bacteria in environment using gas chromatograph is described. Metabolically produced volatile and non-volatile fatty acid by the anaerobic bacteria are detected gas-chromatographically. Using this technique anaerobic bacteria are detected from soil, air, laboratory and operation theatre environments and drinking water samples. In the polluted drinking water apart from drug resistant E. coli, Clostridium difficile is isolated indicating faecal pollution of drinking water from cases of antibiotic associated pseudomembraneous colitis. The method has great significance in detection of anaerobic bacteria in environment especially in the management of war wounds.