19 research outputs found
The synergistic effect of taurine and caffeine on platelet activity and hemostatic function
Several studies have shown the deleterious effects of energy drinks, containing taurine and caffeine, on cardiac health. This study aimed to examine synergistic effect of taurine and caffeine on platelets and haemostasis because platelet hyperactivity is a known predictor of cardiovascular diseases. Blood from twelve healthy volunteers aged 18 – 60 years was incubated with 500 µM taurine and 700 µM caffeine individually or together. Platelet activity was evaluated using platelet aggregation assays induced by ADP and collagen, and, haemostatic function by coagulation profile testing, glucose, lipid profile and inflammation marker C- reactive protein assessment (CRP). The optimal time and doses of taurine and caffeine required to inhibit platelet hyperactivity in vitro were established. A combined action of lower doses of taurine and caffeine (T+C) inhibited platelet aggregation, induced by ADP and collagen, greater than taurine or caffeine individually (p < 0.05). Taurine and T+C increased prothrombin clotting time (PT) significantly (p < 0.05), while caffeine alone decreased PT (p <0.05). Caffeine alone increased CRP (p < 0.05). No significant change was observed in lipid parameters. These data support our hypothesis that, synergistically lower concentrations of taurine and caffeine, found in much higher concentrations in energy drinks, may be instrumental in reducing platelet activity and prolongation of clot formation
Estimation of annual risk of tuberculosis infection (ARTI) among children aged 1–9 years in the south zone of India
OBJECTIVE: To estimate the annual risk of tuberculosis
infection (ARTI) among children aged 1–9 years in the
south zone of India.
SETTING: The survey was carried out in a representative
sample of villages and census enumeration blocks of
towns in four south Indian states, as a part of a nationwide
tuberculin survey.
DESIGN: Six districts were selected through systematic
random sampling. Four hundred and twenty rural clusters
and 180 urban clusters were selected from these districts
on the basis of the rural–urban ratio in the entire
zone. To obtain the required sample of 12 000 children
without bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination,
51 000 had to be covered. Eighty-five children from each
cluster were tuberculin tested and read for reaction sizes.
The ARTI was computed from the estimated prevalence
of TB infection among children without a BCG scar.
RESULT: Among 52 951 children registered for the
study, 50 846 (96%) had a tuberculin test result. The
BCG coverage for the study population was about 65%.
Among 17 811 children without a BCG scar, the prevalence
of infection was 5.9% (95%CI 4.0–7.7%); the corresponding
ARTI was 1.7% (95%CI 0.7–1.4%).
CONCLUSION: The estimated ARTI for the south zone
is 1.0%, as compared to the national average of 1.7%
used for programme evaluation. This baseline information
should be useful for the assessment of future trends