Radio frequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR) from GSM (0.9/1.8GHz) mobile phones induces oxidative stress and reduces sperm motility in rats

INTRODUCTION: Mobile phones have become indispensable in the daily lives of men and women around the globe. As cell phone use has become more widespread, concerns have mounted regarding the potentially harmful effects of RF-EMR from these devices. OBJECTIVE: The present study was designed to evaluate the effects of RF-EMR from mobile phones on free radical metabolism and sperm quality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male albino Wistar rats (10-12 weeks old) were exposed to RF-EMR from an active GSM (0.9/1.8 GHz) mobile phone for 1 hour continuously per day for 28 days. Controls were exposed to a mobile phone without a battery for the same period. The phone was kept in a cage with a wooden bottom in order to address concerns that the effects of exposure to the phone could be due to heat emitted by the phone rather than to RF-EMR alone. Animals were sacrificed 24 hours after the last exposure and tissues of interest were harvested. RESULTS: One hour of exposure to the phone did not significantly change facial temperature in either group of rats. No significant difference was observed in total sperm count between controls and RF-EMR exposed groups. However, rats exposed to RF-EMR exhibited a significantly reduced percentage of motile sperm. Moreover, RF-EMR exposure resulted in a significant increase in lipid peroxidation and low GSH content in the testis and epididymis. CONCLUSION: Given the results of the present study, we speculate that RF-EMR from mobile phones negatively affects semen quality and may impair male fertility

Recent advances in the analytical methodology of some clinically important compounds

Here we have endeavored to document the recent advance,, developments, and modification, of the analytical methodology of some of the clinically important compounds. Selectivity has been exercised to limit the survey and evaluation only to a very few compounds, specifically vitamin B1, vitamin B6, carbonates, and phosphates. They have been chosen by virtue of their importance in clinical or pharmaceutical chemistry. First of all, the analytical methods for the compounds in question are not highly accurate, as the methods quite often are cumbersome and time consuming. Secondly, it is our hope that this would prove to be an excellent guide for future scientists who are interested in doing further study in this field. We have discussed the chemical basis of the analytical methods. Instrumental and procedural details have been kept to a minimum. It is difficult to draw a demarcation line between the old and the recent developments. But emphasis has been given to the publications that have appeared during the last decade and a half and up to December, 1975, and at the same time we have selected earlier references whenever it was pertinent

Pattern of dermatology referrals in a tertiary care center in North East India

Background: Dermatologists besides providing service to patients in the outdoors, also play a vital role in the care of inpatients admitted to dermatology unit and other departments. The aim of the study was to evaluate the pattern of referrals sent to the dermatology department by other departments. Methods: A retrospective study was carried out on 487 patient referrals requested to department of dermatology, of Regional institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal, Manipur for a period of 5 years from January 2005 to December 2010.  The department maintains a consultation register where the demographic details, specialty requiring dermatological consultation, time frame between admission and referral request and diagnosis, investigation and treatment of the patients were entered.  Patients were evaluated within few hours from the time of consultation. Procedures such as skin biopsy, fungal culture or KOH smears etc. were performed wherever required. All these information’s entered in referral register were collected from register. All the patients entered in register from January 2005 to December 2010 were selected and none were excluded. Ethical approval was obtained from research ethics board. Data were entered in IBM SPSS statistics 21 for Windows (IBM Corp. 1995, 2012). Descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentages, mean with standard deviation and median were used. Analysis was done using Chi-square test to check the significance between proportion and p value<0.05 was taken as statistically significant. Results: A total of 487 consultations were recorded. Most (48.3%) consultations were received from general medicine, followed by surgery (14.4%), gynecology (9.4%), chest medicine (5.54%) with the least from PMR (1.23%) and psychiatry (1.84%). Infectious skin diseases were most common (37.5%) followed by eczema (22.3%) and drug reactions (11%). Among infections viral infections topped the list (Herpes simplex- 35.9%), among eczema chronic eczematous dermatitis (22.9%). Among drug reaction severe cutaneous adverse drug reaction was present in 12 cases. Conclusions: Dermatology referrals can enhance the dermatological knowledge of non-dermatologists to diagnose and manage common dermatoses thus improving overall patient care

Socio-economic analysis of finfish culture in cages in coastal waters of Kerala, southwest coast of India

Cage culture of finfish is becoming a popular alternate source of livelihood in Vembanad Lake in Kerala, India. A study was conducted during November to December, 2016 to assess the socio-economic status of the farmers practicing cage culture in Kerala and the resultant economic benefits. Data on demographic features, farming activities, specific culture and farm management practices, economics and problems related to cage farming were collected from 36 active farmers of the Ernakulam District. Etroplus suratensis (Pearl spot), Lates calcarifer (Asian sea bass), and Genetically Improved Farm Tilapia (GIFT) were the major species culture

Polymorphism study of TLR4 gene in crossbred cattle of Kerala

The present study was conducted to identify single nucleotide variations in exon 3 region of the bovine Toll-Like Receptor gene (TLR4) associated with somatic cell score (SCS) in crossbred cattle of Kerala using polymerase chain reaction-single stranded conformational polymorphisms (PCR-SSCP) technique. Blood samples were collected from 200 lactating crossbred cattle in different farms of Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (KVASU) and field centres of ICAR- FPT scheme, KVASU. Genomic DNA was isolated and polymorphisms were identified by SSCP analysis. The 231 bp fragment of exon 3 in TLR4 gene was found to polymorphic and two genotypes viz. CC and CD were obtained with frequencies 77 per cent and 23 per cent respectively. The frequencies of C and D allele in crossbred were found to be 0.88 and 0.12. On sequencing, C to T transition had led to one non-synonymous change at 2021th position of ORF. Cattle with CC genotype were associated with significantly lower SCS (p≤0.05) as compared to CD genotype. The association between TLR4 polymorphism and SCS described in this study suggests the possible role of SNP during mastitis infection. Thus, could be employed as a useful marker for genetic selection to promote mastitis resistance in dairy cattle

Retort processing of traditional chicken biriyani and its microbiological quality

Traditional dishes such as chicken biriyani are relished by many and consumed in almost every celebration. The lifestyle changes and rapid urbanisation calls for the development of readyto- eat processed foods, which are safely processed and neatly packed. Retort processed shelfstable foods are an alternative to such a demand. In the study conducted, the retort processing conditions of traditional chicken biriyani was standardised and commercial sterility of the product was analysed. Microbiological parameters such as aerobic and anaerobic plate counts were assessed on 0th, 30th, 60th, 90th and 120th days of storage. The commercial sterility test was satisfactory and the microbiological analysis revealed an absence of bacterial colonies throughout the storage study. The highly perishable, traditional product was sterile on all days of storage study and was suitable as a shelf-stable product for mass production

Servelle-Martorell syndrome with extensive upper limb involvement: a case report

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Microbial quality of retort processed traditional Kerala chicken curry

The present study was carried out at the Department of Livestock Products Technology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pookode and ICAR - Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, Kochi to develop retort processed traditional Kerala chicken curry and to evaluate its microbial quality. Traditional Kerala chicken curry was prepared using boneless chicken breast pieces and with a gravy of roasted coconut, spices and condiments. The product was packed in multilayer laminated pouch, which was then hermetically sealed and processed in an over-pressure retort. Accurate time-temperature standardisation was done to maintain sterility. The pouches were checked for commercial sterility after processing. The product was stored at ambient temperature and microbiological evaluation was conducted on days 0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 of storage. The curry showed no aerobic and anaerobic growth on different days of storage and did not spoil till day 120