Predictors and Functional Outcomes Associated With Longitudinal Trajectories of Anxiety and Depression from 2 to ≥36 Months After Moderate to Severe Traumatic Brain Injury.

This study investigated longitudinal trajectories of anxiety and depressive symptoms following moderate-severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), predictors of the trajectories, and associations with 1-year return to productivity. One hundred forty-eight patients with moderate-severe TBI were assessed at 2, 5, 12, and ≥36 months post-injury on the Beck Anxiety Inventory and the Beck Depression Inventory. Clinical interviews obtained information about demographics, injury characteristics, and 1-year return to productivity. Latent growth mixture modeling identified trajectories of anxiety and depression across time. The three-step method identified predictors of trajectories, and χ2 analyses determined associations between trajectories and 1-year return to productivity. Analyses revealed that four-class models of anxiety and depression best fit the data. Most individuals had stable minimal (67%) or low (18%) levels of anxiety over time. Two other subsets of individuals were classified by anxiety that worsened rapidly (7%) or improved in the 1st year but worsened by 3 years post-injury (9%). Similarly for the depression trajectories, most individuals had stable minimal (70%) or low (10%) levels of depression over time. Others had depression that worsened rapidly (12%) or was delayed, with onset 1-year post-injury (8%). Predictors of worsening anxiety and depression included younger age, less education, and male gender. Those with worsening anxiety or depression were less likely to return to productivity by 1-year post-injury. There is a significant burden of anxiety (15%) and depression (20%) in the 3 years after moderate-severe TBI. Future research targeting at-risk patients may help to improve quality of life and functional recovery.

Assessment of urban air pollution and it's probable health impact.

The present study deals with the quantitative effect of vehicular emission on ambient air quality during May 2006 in urban area of Lucknow city. In this study SPM, RSPM, SO2, NOx and 7 trace metals associated with RSPM were estimated at 10 representative locations in urban area and one village area for control. Beside this, air quality index (AQI), health effects of different metals and mortality were assessed. The 24 hr average concentration of SPM, RSPM, SO2 and NOx was found to be 382.3, 171.5, 24.3 and 33.8 microg m(-3) respectively in urban area and these concentrations were found to be significantly (p < 0.01) higher by 94.8, 134.8, 107.4 and 129.6% than control site respectively The 24 hr mean of SPM and RSPM at each location of urban area were found to be higher than prescribed limit of National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) except SPM for industrial area. The 24 hr mean concentration of metals associated with RSPM was found to be higher than the control site by 52.3, 271.8, 408.9, 75.81, 62.7, 487.54 and 189.5% for Fe, Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, Mn and Cr respectively. The inter correlation of metals Pb with Mn, Fe and Cr; Zn with Ni and Cr; Ni with Cr; Mn with Fe and Cu with Cr showed significant positive relation either at p < 0.05 or p < 0.01 level. Metals Pb, Mn and Cr (p < 0.01) and Cu (p < 0.05) showed significant positive correlation with RSPM. These results indicate that ambient air quality in the urban area is affected adversely due to emission and accumulation of SPM, RSPM, SO2, NOx and trace metals. These pollutants may pose detrimental effect on human health, as exposure of these are associated with cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, neurological impairments, increased risk of preterm birth and even mortality and morbidity.

Profile of noise pollution in Lucknow city and its impact on environment.

Automobiles, construction, festivals, factories, stations, diesel shades, garages and workshops are sources of noise. Vehicles are increasing enormously beyond the carrying capacity of the road. Study was carried out at 12 locations with sound level meter to assess day time and night time noise levels of Lucknow city. In residential areas, noise ranged between 67.7 to 78.9 and 52.9 to 56.4; in commercial cum traffic areas 74.8 to 84.2 and 68.2 to 74.9 and in industrial areas 76.9-77.2 and 72.2-73.1 dB(A) during day and night time respectively. Values were higher than their prescribed standards which may pose a significant impact on quality of life.

Synthesis of 4-aryl-7,7-dimethyl-1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-octahydroquinazoline-2-one/thione-5-one derivatives and evaluation as antibacterials.

A novel, ecofriendly, one pot solvent free method for the synthesis of 4-aryl-7,7-dimethyl-1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-octahydroquinazoline-2-one/thione-5-one derivatives is described which devoids the use of any organic solvents and auxiliaries. All the synthesized compounds were screened for their in vitro antibacterial activity against standard strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

1-Aryl-4,6-diamino-1,2-dihydrotriazine as antimalarial agent: a new synthetic route.

Some novel derivatives of 1-aryl-4,6-diamino-1,2-dihydrotriazines have been synthesized using neat technology under microwaves. These were tested in vitro against both sensitive and resistant Plasmodium falciparum strains for antimalarial activity.

Cancer chemotherapy and heterocyclic compounds.

The search for pharmacological approaches to neoplastic disease has made some impressive gains started after 1940 when the antileukemic activity of nitrogen mustard was discovered during world war II. It is generally accepted that neoplastic transformation is related to genes alteration or oncogene activation, so the progress in the development of the new drugs for treatment of malignant diseases has been rapid, both in revealing pathobiology of the diseases and discovery of new drugs. In addition attempts have been made to define optimal combinations, treatment strategies and patient support measures. Cancer chemotherapy is now of established value and a highly specialized field. Among the modifications to the family of antitumor compounds, heterocyclic organic compounds have been extensively applied by many groups in order to modify the reactivity profile. Pyrrole, pyrimidine, indole, quinoline and purine are few classes of heterocycles which showed interesting cytotoxicity profiles. The updated material related to these modifications has been rationalized and ordered, in order to offer an overview of the argument.

Environmental impact of noise levels in and around opencast bauxite mine.

Until recently, noise pollution has not been paid adequate attention as air, water and land pollution. In order to assess (predict) the impact of bauxite mine noise on employees health and in and around bauxite mine environment, general noise sources and equipment noise were monitored. All these noise sources were compared with prescribed standard noise levels laid down by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Data has also been compared with reference site, north block hill top which is barren and virgin plateau/top covered with grass only and free from human interference. Equipment noise levels were much higher than the other zone of the mine which does not have the corresponding standards. Rock breaker recorded the highest noise level with 73.1 +/- 14.2 to 89.5 +/- 10.1 dB (A) while from ripper dozer it was least with 61.0 +/- 17.3 to 76.2 +/- 6.2 dB (A). Meteorological parameters did not have much influence upon equipment noise up to 100 feet from the source.

Antifungal activity of solventlessly synthesized organomercurials.

A series of new barbituryl/thiobarbituryl substituted organomercurial derivatives 3a-i have been synthesised from pyrimidine derivatives 1a-c and arylmercuric chloride 2a-c over K(2)CO(3) under microwave irradiations (MWI). This solventless synthesis apart from eliminating organic solvent from workup step, also gave improved yield as compared to the conventional heating, with reaction time reduced from hours to minutes. The prepared compounds were tested against A. niger and A. flavous for their antifungal activity and were found to posses good activity.

Microwave assisted solid support synthesis of novel 1,2,4-triazolo[3,4-b]-1,3,4-thiadiazepines as potent antimicrobial agents.

An environmentally benign and economic synthesis of 1,2,4-triazolo[3,4-b]-1,3,4-thiadiazepines is described from readily accessible substituted 2-mercapto-1-amino triazoles and substituted chalcones on basic alumina that are accelerated by exposure to microwaves. The reaction time has been brought down from hours to seconds with improved yield as compared to conventional heating. The method reported herein is devoid of the hazards of solution phase reactions. All the synthesised compounds were tested for their in vitro antibacterial and antifungal activity. Some compounds showed significant antimicrobial properties. The best activity was observed with compounds 3a, 3c, 4a and 4d.

Microwave induced synthesis and antibacterial activity of cephalosporin derivatives using solid support.

Reaction of 7-amino-3-[5'-methyl-1',3',4'-thiadiazol-2'-ylthiomethyl]cephalo-sporanic acid with heterocyclic amines using basic alumina under microwave irradiation (MWI) afforded new cephalosporin analogs in shorter reaction time with improved yield as compared to conventional heating. All the synthesised compounds were tested for their in vitro antibacterial activity, using cefotaxime and cephalothin as reference drugs. All compounds showed significant in vitro antibacterial activity against E. herbicola, P. vulgaries, and Z. mobilis.

Alumina-supported synthesis of antibacterial quinolines using microwaves.

7-(5'-Alkyl-1',3',4'-thiadiazol/oxadiazol-2'-ylthio)-6 -fluoro-2,4-dimethylquinolines and 3-formyl-2-(2'-hydroxy- 1',4'-naphthoquinon-3'-yl)-4-methyl/6-methyl/7-quinolines have been synthesised by the reaction of 5-alkyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol/oxadiazol-2-thiols with 7-chloro-6-fluoro-2,4-dimethylquinoline and by the reaction of 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone with 2-chloro-3-formyl-4-methyl/6-methyl/7-methyl/8-methylquinolines respectively on basic alumina using microwaves, the reaction time has been brought down from hours to seconds with improved yield as compared to conventional heating. The compounds were tested for their in vitro antibacterial activity. All compounds showed promising antibacterial activity. The best activity was observed by compounds 3a and 3f.

Synthetic strategies and medicinal properties of beta-lactams.

More than five decades since the Discovery of Penicillin, the chemistry and biological activity of b-lactams continue to attract the wide spread attention of research workers. Owing to high efficacy and extremely safe toxicological profile, they are agents of choice in the current therapeutic index for the bacterial infectious diseases. Tremendous efforts have been made into synthesis and structural modification of the beta-lactam nucleus to increase antimicrobial activity and pharmacokinetic performance. These efforts resulted in the development of ampicillin, amoxicillin and a group of cephalosporins as clinically effective therapeutic agents. However the rapid emergence of bacterial strains resistant to most generally used members of this class of compound stimulated research for novel beta-lactams, stable to beta-lactamase and possess high potency, broad spectrum of activity both in vitro and in vivo. The mode of action of beta-lactams is to inhibit an enzyme transpeptidase , penicillin binding proteins, critical in the production of bacterial cell wall.

The fluorinated quinolones.

Following the discovery of nalidixic acid in 1962, numerous structural modifications have been made to the quinolone nucleus to increase antimicrobial activity and improve pharmacokinetic performance. A major advance occurred during the 1980's with the discovery that a fluorine at position-6 conferred broad and potent antimicrobial activity, (e.g. norfloxacin) but still with relatively less activity for Gram-positive and antiaerobic organisms than Gram-negative bacteria. Subsequent developments produced quinolones with further improvements, predominantly in either solubility (e.g. ofloxacin), antimicrobial activity (e.g. ciprofloxacin) or prolonged serum half-life (e.g. pefloxacin). Recent modifications have attempted to achieve an optimal blend of favourable properties together with minimal potential for undesirable side-effects. The mode of action of quinolones is by blocking of the bacterial enzyme gyrase. This enzyme is responsible for the coiling and supercoiling of the DNA within the cell. When this enzyme is inhibited, DNA transcription, which results in protein synthesis, and DNA replication, which results in cell division, are inhibited. Improvements in antimicrobial activity combined with adequate blood and tissue concentrations do offer expectancy of enhanced therapeutic efficacy for new derivatives in those infections by organisms which are 'marginally' sensitive to currently used quinolones. The possibility of resistance emerging in these organisms during treatment should also be reduced.

Occupational phosphine exposure in Indian workers.

To evaluate the health effects of occupational phosphine exposure, 22 workers engaged in fumigation of stored grains were subjected to a clinical and environmental study. These workers were used to placing aluminum phosphide tablets on the stacks of grains and covering it with a gas-proof plastic cover. The mean age of the workers was 48 years (range 24-60) and mean duration of exposure 11.1 years (range 0.5-29). After fumigation they reported minor symptoms, which included cough (18.2%), dyspnoea (31.8%), tightness around the chest (27.3%), headache (31.8%), giddiness, numbness and lethargy (13.6% each), anorexia and epigastric pain (18.2% each). The abnormal physical signs included bilateral diffuse rhonchi and absent ankle reflex each occurring in one worker. Motor nerve conduction velocity of median and peroneal nerves, and sensory conduction velocity of median and sural nerves were normal. Phosphine concentration in the work environment ranged from 0.17 to 2.11 ppm. Occupational phosphine exposure in the workers was associated with mild to moderate symptoms, which were transient. However, to assess the chronic effects, long-term follow-up is recommended.