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Biomedical subjects

A Shukla

Publications and source records attributed to A Shukla.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Respiratory disorders, skin complaints, and low-back trouble among tannery workers in Kanpur, India.

In a cross-sectional survey health complaints among 418 laborers in 15 Indian tanneries were studied. Low-back pain (61%), asthma (38%), dermatitis (23%), and chronic bronchitis (14%) were the most frequently reported complaints in the 12 months prior to the survey. In general, beamhouse workers reported the highest prevalence but only chronic low-back pain was significantly elevated compared with workers in the finishing departments. When using individual exposure estimates, clear associations were presented among manual lifting over 20 kg and low-back pain (OR = 3.5) and skin exposure and dermatitis (OR = 2.6). Frequent lifting of loads was also associated with self-reported asthma. About 44% of the laborers reported at least one period of sickness absence, and 17% were involved in a serious occupational accident that required a visit to the local physician. Logistic regression analysis showed that sickness absence occurred more often in small tanneries (OR = 2.7) and also was significantly associated with low-back pain (OR = 3.3) and occupational accidents (OR = 2.2). This epidemiologic survey on health complaints in tannery workers is among the few in occupational populations in low-income countries. For many reasons these populations are easily overlooked. The results of this descriptive study indicate that there is a clear need for epidemiologic surveys in these countries to obtain information on working conditions and associated health problems.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Depletion of reduced glutathione, ascorbic acid, vitamin E and antioxidant defence enzymes in a healing cutaneous wound.

In the present investigation the involvement of free radicals in a self-healing cutaneous wound has been demonstrated. The levels of different enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants have been studied in 2,4,7 and 14 days old wounds and compared with normal skin. Except for glutathione reductase (GR), all other enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants were found to decrease following wounding. The decrease was 60-70% in superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) at 2, 4 and 7 days, while in the case of catalase (CAT) the decrease was 40-60% during this period. Although a complete recovery in the activity of CAT was observed, SOD and GPx did not recover completely and GST was found to be slightly elevated on 14th day post wounding. Non-enzymatic antioxidants viz, ascorbic acid, vitamin E and glutathione were also found to decrease to about 60-70% and except glutathione none of them was found to recover completely at 14th day postwounding. Interestingly thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) expressed as malondialdehyde (MDA) equivalent, a marker of lipid peroxidation, decreased following wounding which could be because of meagre availability of lipid substrate and/or of ascorbic acid. The results indicate that wounding results in loss of different free radical scavengers both enzymatic and non-enzymatic which either partially or completely recover following healing.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Nitric oxide-dependent blood-brain barrier permeability alteration in the rat brain.

The role of nitric oxide (NO), a well known vasodilator, in the regulation of blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability is not clear. Therefore, the present study was planned to assess the role of NO-releasing compounds like sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and the active metabolite of molsidomine, SIN-1, as well as a precursor on NO, L-arginine, on this physiological barrier. The permeability was assessed by using several tracers. All three agents increased the permeability of BBB to the tracer. The increase in permeability caused by L-arginine was not blocked by N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME). L-Arginine-treated brains did not show an elevation of nitrite content, thus ruling out the possibility of NO generation and its involvement in BBB permeability alteration. It is concluded that NO itself causes an increase in the permeability of BBB. However, arginine-induced opening is not NO mediated.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Cadmium-induced alterations in blood-brain barrier permeability and its possible correlation with decreased microvessel antioxidant potential in rat.

1. Male albino rats of 21 days age were exposed to 10 p.p.m. cadmium (CdCl2 salt) in drinking water, ad libitum, for 90 days. It increased the brain cadmium levels by 76% (P < 0.05) and 165% (P < 0.001) respectively at 30 and 90 days of exposure compared to controls. 2. Cadmium increased blood-brain barrier permeability of fluoroscein dye (24%, P < 0.02) and the levels of brain microvessel malondialdehyde (31%, P < 0.01) at 90 days of exposure. However, these parameters did not alter significantly at 30 days of exposure. 3. Increased activities of microvessel superoxide dismutase (18%, P < 0.02), glutathione peroxidase (20%, P < 0.01) and catalase (28%, P < 0.01) were observed at 30 days of exposure. 4. The continuation of the Cd treatment for 90 days decreased the levels of superoxide dismutase (30%, P < 0.001), glutathione peroxidase (23%, P < 0.005), catalase (25%, P < 0.005), glutathione reductase (18%, P < 0.02), vitamin E (20%, P < 0.01), glutathione (26%, P < 0.01), ascorbic acid (18%, P < 0.05) and ceruloplasmin (13%, P < 0.05) in the microvessal preparation compared to controls. 5. It appears that Cd-induced blood-brain barrier dysfunction may be related to the depletion of microvessel antioxidant substances along with increase in lipid peroxidation at 90 days of exposure.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1996

Industrial Counseling: Linking Occupational and Environmental Health in Tanneries of Kanpur, India.

This paper describes an occupational health program in tanneries in Kanpur, India. The program was instituted as part of a bilateral cooperative effort of India and The Netherlands focusing on providing engineering solutions to prevent industrial waste and community sewage from polluting the Ganges river. The occupational health program was linked to the environmental activities by adopting the concept of industrial counseling. This method aims to increase production and product quality of enterprises and at the same time improve working conditions in these enterprises. The tanneries in Kanpur were targeted for industrial counseling by the Indo-Dutch Environmental and Sanitary Engineering Project Kanpur- Mirzapur under the Ganga Action Plan. Recovery of chrome from wastewater, automation of hydraulic press machines, use of an air-pollution-prevention system in the spray-painting section, and automation of transport are examples of measures used to increase productivity and improve leather quality. Working conditions were improved by adding local exhaust ventilation, mechanizing material transfer, instituting safer procedures for storage and use of toxic materials, and introducing breathing apparatus for operations done in confined spaces to prevent hydrogen sulfide intoxication. The linkage of occupational health problems to environmental issues proved to be effective in drawing attention to working conditions. Also, the application of simple survey techniques to identify and evaluate environmental and occupational hazards substantially increased awareness of these hazards and comprehension of the need to adopt changes among employers, workers, and occupational health professionals. The article discusses the core elements of this successful program.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1996

Body mass index of tannery workers in Kanpur, India.

During two cross sectional surveys in 1988 and 1994 the body mass index among tannery workers in Kanpur, India and its association with exposure to chemicals, dust and awkward ergonomic conditions, socio-economic and health status were studied. Fifty six per cent of the workers had in 1988 a BMI of less than 18.50, the cut-off value for malnutrition. In 1994 the proportion of malnourished workers had decreased to 41 per cent, being statistically significant lower than in 1988. Workers with a high exposure to lifting weights of more than 20 kg had significantly lower BMI than workers without this exposure. No other differences in mean BMI were found between workers without exposure to chemicals, dust and other awkward ergonomic conditions and workers with high or very high exposures, nor did the mean BMI of workers with occupational related conditions such as dermatitis, work related respiratory symptoms and low back pain differ from those without these conditions. There was no association between mean BMI and industrial modifications. In the 1994 survey workers who took sick leave in the year prior to the survey, workers of small/medium sized tanneries and workers without an ESI card had significantly lower BMI than workers without sick leave, workers of large tanneries and workers with an ESI card. Mean BMI of labourers with a monthly income of less than Rs 550 was significantly lower than that of tannery staff not engaged in leather work in this income group. No association was found between mean BMI and smoking, use of alcohol, educational level and income. The nutritional status of labourers in developing countries deserves more attention within the field of occupational health and safety.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Cytogenetic studies in ataxia telangiectasia & their use in prenatal diagnosis.

Cytogenetic studies were carried out in obligate ataxia telangiectasia (AT) heterozygotes, AT homozygotes and control subjects. Rate of chromosomal aberrations and the frequency of micronuclei were examined before and after radiation (100 rads). Significant differences in the rate of chromosomal aberrations and micronuclei were observed among heterozygotes, homozygotes and controls. The same methods were then applied for prenatal diagnosis of AT using amniotic cell culture in two families.

Ataxia Telangiectasia↗
PubMed1995

Nitric oxide modulates blood-brain barrier permeability during infections with an inactivated bacterium.

The objective of the present investigation was to study the involvement of NO in regulating the permeability of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) during infections, since NOS is known to be induced following infections. The administration of inactivated Escherichia coli (a source of lipopolysaccharide) or poly (I:C), an interferon inducer, to rats increased the permeability of BBB significantly. This increase was found to be potentiated in the presence of L-arginine, a substrate for NOS, while D-arginine had no such effect. N-nitro L-arginine methyl ester, an inhibitor of NOS, and dexamethasone, an inhibitor of NOS induction, blocked the E. coli-induced effects. These results suggest that during infections, NOS inductions causes the release of large quantities of NO, resulting in increased BBB permeability.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled Canadian multicenter trial of two doses of synthetic surfactant or air placebo in 224 infants weighing 500 to 749 grams with respiratory distress syndrome. Canadian Exosurf Neonatal Study Group.

In a multicenter, double-masked, placebo-controlled rescue trial conducted at 12 Canadian hospitals, two 5 ml/kg doses of a synthetic surfactant or air placebo were administered to 224 infants with birth weights of 500 to 749 gm who had established respiratory distress syndrome and an arterial/alveolar oxygen tension ratio of less than 0.22. The first dose was given between 2 and 24 hours of age; the second dose was given 12 hours later to the infants continuing to receive mechanical ventilation. Infants were stratified at study entry by birth weight and gender. Infants receiving synthetic surfactant showed significant improvements in alveolar-arterial oxygen tension gradient, arterial/alveolar oxygen tension ratio, and oxygen and ventilator requirements through day 7. In the group randomized to synthetic surfactant, significant improvements were seen in oxygen requirements at the first time point measured (2 hours; p = 0.02), in the alveolar-arterial oxygen tension gradient by the second time point measured (6 hours; p = 0.03), and in mean airway pressure after 6 hours. Overall mortality at 28 days was not significantly different in the two groups (50% vs 46%, air placebo group vs synthetic surfactant group; p = 0.586). Similarly, neither the incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (37% vs 30%, air placebo group vs synthetic surfactant group; p = 0.089) nor the incidence of survival without BPD through 28 days (17% vs 26%, respectively; p = 0.070) was significantly different in the two groups. No significant differences in the incidence of safety-related outcomes or in adverse effects such as apnea or pulmonary hemorrhage were noted. These findings indicate that rescue therapy with synthetic surfactant results in physiologic improvements in very tiny premature infants, but improvements in overall mortality or other complications of respiratory distress syndrome were not documented in the sample evaluated.

Air↗
PubMed1995

Status of antioxidants in brain microvessels of monkey and rat.

Levels of certain antioxidants namely reduced glutathione (GSH), ascorbic acid (Vit C), alpha-tocopherol (Vit E) and antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione reductase (GR) were compared in monkey and rat brain microvessels which constitute the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The BBB of both the species contains appreciable amounts of the antioxidants to protect against oxidative damage. The level of protection in rat seems to be more efficient than monkey since rat microvessels contain higher concentrations of some of the bio-antioxidants. The comparative status of enzymatic and non-enzymatic protective system against oxidation in the brain microvessels has been discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

A clinical and cytogenetic study of Turner syndrome.

Forty five case of Turner syndrome diagnosed in the Genetics Clinic, between January 1986 and December 1993, were analyzed. The most commonly observed karyotype was 45, X (44.4%), followed by 45, X/46, XX mosaicism (24.4%). Less frequently demonstrated karyotypes were 45, X/46, X, i (Xq) mosaicism and 46, X, i (Xq) (13.3%). Mosaicism for chromosome was seen in 6.7% of patients. Patients with 45, X karyotype had short stature (85%), dysmorphic facies (60%), delayed appearance of secondary sexual characters (100%) and primary amennorhea (100%). Those with 45, X/46, XX mosaicism were less often dysmorphic and presented with either primary or secondary amenorrhea. Patients with 45, X karyotype were younger at diagnosis and had a significantly shorter mean adult height than those with 45, X/46, XX mosaicism. The phenotype in patients with other karyotypic abnormalities was similar to the 45, X group. Short stature and primary or secondary amenorrhea occurring together in a female strongly suggests the possibility of Turner syndrome, which should be confirmed by chromosomal analysis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Allergic fungal sinusitis: incidence and clinical and pathological features of seven cases.

Allergic fungal sinusitis, like allergic bronchopulmonary fungal disease, is a noninvasive inflammatory process. It manifests as recurrent nasal polyposis. Histologically the characteristic feature is the presence of thick mucin with dense collections of degenerating eosinophils and Charcot-Leyden crystals (allergic mucin). Demonstration of fungal hyphae in allergic mucin is diagnostic of the disease. We reviewed 85 cases of nasal polyposis operated upon during a period of four years. Allergic fungal sinusitis was diagnosed in seven (8.2%) cases on the basis of presence of allergic mucin and fungal hyphae. History of previous nasal polypectomy was present in four of the seven cases, and in six of the remaining 78. There were no clinical or radiological features that could distinguish the cases of allergic fungal sinusitis from the rest. Aspergillus fumigatus, Mucor and Cladosporium were cultured from one case each.

Adult↗