Study the pattern of dermatoses among workers in cashew nut industry and to assess the protective efficacy of rubber finger glove as a barrier in patients with dermatoses

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION: Workers in the cashew factory develop severe dermatitis over the hands following contact with cashew nut shell oil liquid. Less severe irritant dermatitis occurs over other areas such as forearm, V area of neck, face, chest, exposed midriff and feet. We examined 40 workers, all of whom showed the dermatitis in various severities involving mostly the hands. Since some workers used finger gloves while working and the others didn’t use the gloves, we examined 15 workers who use the gloves and 15 workers who did not use the gloves and compared the severity between both the groups. Since the gloves protected only the fingers, we compared the severity over each finger of worker who use rubber finger gloves and who did not use the gloves. The right index finger, right middle finger, left middle finger, right ring finger, left ring finger, right little finger and left little finger showed significantly less severe dermatitis among the rubber finger glove users when compared to those who did not use the finger gloves. (Table 7) The right thumb, left thumb and the left index finger showed relatively less severe dermatitis among those who used the rubber finger gloves. But the difference was not statistically significant. (Table 7) This could be because these fingers exert more pressure and may subject to more friction resulting in relatively frequent damage of the protective finger gloves which may permit the contact of the finger with the cashew nut shell oil liquid. In these fingers we intend to conduct a study using double layered gloves for better protection. We conclude that, use of finger glove offers significant protection for glove users when compared to those who do not use the gloves. We plan to undertake in vitro and vivo studies to find more suitable and acceptable gloves for all the workers

Eco-biology and fisheries of the whelk, Babylonia spirata (Linnaeus, 1758) and Babylonia zeylanica (Bruguiere, 1789) along Kerala coast, India

The two species of whelks, B. spirata and B. zeylanica were never found to coexist. The hydrographic parameters like temperature, salinity, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate of surface and bottom water were similar between the sites of the two whelk beds. pH, dissolved oxygen, phosphate and total suspended solids of surface and bottom water showed significant variations among zones. Total organic carbon of sediment was analysed for all the stations and significant variations were observed between S; and S2 and N2 and S; Significant variation in sediment texture between B. spirata and B. zeylanica beds was observed. The sediment texture in the B. spirata bed was silt-loam at all stations, while in the B. zeylanica bed, it was sand-loam at S; (10-20 m) and sandy at S; (20-30 m). In the north zone, Babylonia spirata was present at both the sites N; and N2 and in the southern zone at S; at a low density and was absent in S; B. zeylanica was observed only at site S2 (2 no/l0m2). The density of B. spirata varied among sites and maximum density was observed at N2 (6 no/l0m2) and minimum at S1 (0.04 no/l0m2). The density of B. zeylanica was low compared to the density of B. spirata at the same depth in the north zones. Length composition of B. spirata population in the two zones was similar, dominated by adult whelks. Females dominated the population in north zone, while males dominated the population at S1_ B. zeylanica inhabited only the deeper regions of south zone and the population was dominated by adult whelks and females out numbered males. B. spirata abundance was high in areas with more silt and TOC, and showed negative relationship with sand composition. B. zeylanica density increased with sand and significant negative relationship observed with clay, silt and TOC

Validation of body fat measurement by skinfolds and two bioelectric impedance methods with DEXA - the Chennai Urban Rural Epidemiology Study [CURES-3]

Background and Objective: Although Asian Indians have been shown to have increased body fat compared to Europeans, there have been very few studies in Asian Indians validating the various methods available for body fat measurement. The aim of this study was to test the validity of body fat measured by two commercial impedance analyzers (leg-to-leg and hand-held) as well as by skinfolds with Dual Energy Xray Absorptiometry (DEXA) as the reference method in a population based study in southern India. Methods: Body fat percentage (BF%) was measured in 162 South Indian urban men (n=76) and women (n=86) randomly selected from the "Chennai Urban Rural Epidemiology Study" (CURES), an ongoing population based study of a representative population of Chennai. The mean age of the subjects was 45.1 ± 9.0 years and the body mass index ranged from 16.4 - 34.4 kg/m2. Percentage body fat was measured using DEXA, segmental impedance (leg-to-leg: BF%IMP-LEG; and hand-held BF%IMP-HAND) using the manufacturer's software and skinfolds using the prediction equation from the literature (BF%SKFD). Results: Body fat (%) determined by the leg-to-leg method (BF%IMP-LEG 35.10 ± 7.26) and the skinfolds (BF%SKFD 35.77 ± 6.06) did not differ significantly from the reference method DEXA (BF%DEXA 35.82 ± 8.33), but the hand-held impedance method (BF%IMP-HAND 31.38 ±6.24) showed significant difference (p < 0.001). The bias for estimation of body fat (%) for the bioimpedance leg-to-leg, hand-held and skinfolds were 0.73 ± 5.70, 4.45 ± 4.83 and 0.06 ± 5.86 respectively. All the three methods showed a fairly good correlation with DEXA (BF%IMP-LEG : r = 0.741, p<0.001; BF%IMP-HAND : r = 0.817, p< 0.001; BF%SKFD : r = 0.710, p< 0.001). Conclusion: The study shows that in urban south Indians, measurement of body fat by the leg-to-leg impedance and the skinfold method have better agreement (lower bias) with DEXA than the hand-held impedance. However, all three methods (skinfolds, the leg-to-leg bioelectric impedance and hand-held impedance) show a fairly good correlation with DEXA

Methodology in molecular genetics and its applications to diabetology

This article does not have an abstract

Stock assessment and management options for whelks along south-eastern Arabian Sea

Two species of whelks viz., Babylonia spirata and Babylonia zeylanica belonging to the family Buccinidae are commercially fished from Kollam, south-west coast of India, since early 1990’s and are exported from India under the trade name ‘Baigai’. The species is present all through the year in the fishing grounds, caught as by-catch in shrimp trawlers and is a targeted fishery from April to June, when more than 50% of the annual whelk catch is taken. B. zeylanica dominates the whelk catch (61% of the annual catch). The average catch rate in the modified trawlers for whelk was 400 kg unit-1 day-1. Following the von Bertalanffy growth function, asymptotic length and growth rate were estimated as 68.7 mm and 1.08 respectively for B. spirata and as 76 mm and 1.15 respectively for B. zeylanica. The L50 estimated for B. spirata and B. zeylanica were 35.2 and 41.7 mm respectively. The optimum length of capture and mean generation time were 40 mm and 0.55 years for B. spirata and 44 mm and 0.48 years for B. zeylanica respectively. The annual mean length of B. spirata showed an increase from 37.4 mm in 2001 to 40.1 mm in 2002 and multiple cohorts have been observed. The relative yield-per-recruit analysis shows that, present rate of exploitation of B. spirata has reached the optimum and that of B. zeylanica has nearly attained the optimum. The faster growth rate, early maturity and continuous breeding behaviour explain the sustained fishery of B. spirata and B. zeylanica under a high fishing pressure along Kollam coast

Association of depression with complications of type 2 diabetes - the Chennai Urban Rural Epidemiology Study (CURES - 102)

Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between depression and diabetic complications among urban south Indian type 2 diabetic subjects [T2DM]. Methods: T2DM subjects [n= 847] were recruited from the Chennai Urban Rural Epidemiology Study [CURES], a population based study in Chennai (formerly Madras) in South India. A previously validated depression questionnaire [PHQ-12 item] was administered. Four field stereo retinal colour photography was done and diabetic retinopathy [DR] was classified according to the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study grading system. Neuropathy was diagnosed if the vibratory perception threshold of the right great toe, measured by biothesiometry, was ≥20. Nephropathy was diagnosed if urinary albumin excretion was ≥300 μg/mg creatinine. Peripheral vascular disease [PVD] was diagnosed if an ankle-brachial index was <0.9. Coronary artery disease [CAD] was diagnosed based on a past history of documented myocardial infarction and/or electrocardiographic evidence of Q wave and/or ST segment changes. Results: Of the 847 T2DM studied, 198 (23.4%) were found have depression. The prevalence of depression was significantly higher among diabetic subjects with DR (35.0% vs 21.1%,p<0.001), neuropathy (28.4% vs15.9%,p=0.023), nephropathy (35.6% vs 24.5%,p=0.04) and PVD (48.0% vs 27.4%,p<0.001) as compared to subjects without these complications. DR, neuropathy, nephropathy, and PVD were associated with depression even after adjusting for age, gender, duration of diabetes and glycated haemoglobin. DR (Odds ratio [OR] =2.19, Confidence interval [CI]:1.45-3.51,p<0.001) was associated with depression even after adjusting for neuropathy and nephropathy. There was also a significant association between depression and neuropathy, after adjusting for retinopathy and nephropathy (OR=2.07,CI:1.41-3.04,p<0.001). There was a significant association of depression with nephropathy but this was lost (OR=1.71, CI: 0.87-3.35,p=0.119) after adjustment for retinopathy. PVD (OR=3.52,CI:1.94- 6.40,p<0.001) remained significantly associated with depression even after adjusting for CAD. However, there was no significant association of depression with CAD (OR=0.73, CI:0.42 -1.27, p=0.264). Conclusion: Among Asian Indians, the prevalence of depression is higher in T2DM subjects with retinopathy, neuropathy, nephropathy and PVD compared to those without the respective complications

Importance of controlling diabetes early - The concept of metabolic memory, legacy effect and the case for early insulinisation

Most of the microvascular complications of diabetes are related to the degree and the length of exposure to hyperglycaemia. New data from the follow-up studies of the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial- the Epidemiology of Diabetes Intervention and Complications Study (DCCT- EDIC), and the United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS) emphasize the role of glycemic control early in the course of the disorder and its value in prevention of later complications. The phenomenon of ongoing beneficial effects on diabetic complications after a period of improved glycemic control even if followed by a return to usual (often poorer) metabolic control has been described as representing "metabolic memory" by the DCCT/EDIC investigators and as a "legacy effect" by the UKPDS investigators. This article reviews these concepts and explores the role of early use of insulin as a tool to achieve good glycemic control in type 2 diabetes

The Chennai Urban Rural Epidemiology Study (CURES) - study design and methodology (Urban Component) (CURES - 1)

The report of World Health Organization (WHO) shows that India tops the world with the largest number of diabetic subjects. This increase is attributed to the rapid epidemiological transition accompanied by urbanization, which is occurring in India. There is very little data regarding the influence of affluence on the prevalence of diabetes and its complications particularly retinopathy in the Indian population. Furthermore, there are very few studies comparing the urban / rural prevalence of diabetes and its complications. The Chennai Urban Rural Epidemiology Study (CURES) is designed to answer the above questions. CURES is initially planned as a cross-sectional study to evolve later into a longitudinal study. Subjects for the urban component of the CURES have been recruited from within the corporation limits of Chennai City. Chennai (formerly Madras), the largest city in Southern India and the fourth largest in India has been divided into 10 zones and 155 wards. 46 wards were selected by a systematic random sampling method to represent the whole of Chennai. Twenty thousand and one individuals were recruited for the study, this number being derived based on a sample size calculation. The study has three phases. Phase one is a door to door survey which includes a questionnaire, anthropometric, fasting capillary blood glucose and blood pressure measurements. Phase two focussed on the prevalence of diabetic complications particularly retinopathy using standardized techniques like retinal photography etc. Diabetic subjects identified in phase one and age and sex matched non-diabetic subjects will participate in these studies. Phase three will include more detailed studies like clinical, biochemical and vascular studies on a sub-sample of the study subjects selected on a stratified basis from phase one. CURES is perhaps one of the largest systematic population based studies to be done in India in the field of diabetes and its complications like retinopathy, nephropathy and neuropathy

Incidence of Diabetes and Pre-diabetes in a Selected Urban South Indian Population (Cups - 19)

Abstract Objectives: Several cross-sectional studies have reported on the prevalence of diabetes in India. However, there are virtually no longitudinal population-based studies on the incidence of diabetes from India. The aim of the study was to determine the incidence of diabetes and prediabetes in an urban south Indian population. Methods: The Chennai Urban Population Study [CUPS], an ongoing epidemiological study in two residential colonies in Chennai [the largest city in southern India, formerly called Madras] was launched in 1996; the baseline study was completed in 1997. Follow-up examination was performed after a mean period of 8 years. At follow-up, 501 [47.0%] subjects had moved out of this colonies and were lost to follow-up. Of the remaining 564 individuals, 513 [90.9%] provided blood samples for biochemical analysis. Regression analysis was done using incident diabetes as dependant variable to identify factors associated with development of diabetes or pre-diabetes. Results: Among subjects with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) at baseline [n=476], 64 (13.4%) developed diabetes and 48 (10.1%) developed pre-diabetes (IGT or IFG). The incidence rate of diabetes was 20.2 per 1000 person years and that of pre-diabetes was 13.1 per 1000 person years among subjects with NGT. Of the 37 individuals who were pre-diabetic at baseline, 15 (40.5%) developed diabetes [incidence rate: 64.8 per 1000 person years], 16 (43.2%) remained as pre-diabetic and 6 (16.2%) reverted to normal during the follow-up period. Regression analysis revealed obesity [Odds Ratio (OR): 2.1, p=0.001], abdominal obesity [OR: 2.23, p<0.001] and hypertension [OR: 2.57, p<0.001] to be significantly associated with incident diabetes. The Indian Diabetes Risk Score (IDRS) showed the strongest association with incident diabetes [OR: 5.14, p<0.001]. Conclusion: The study shows that the incidence of diabetes is very high among urban south Indians. While obesity, abdominal obesity and hypertension were associated with incident diabetes, IDRS was th

Climate change impacts on coastal lakes: an evaluation of the impact on Vembanad, Chilka and Pulicat lakes and their resources

Bivalves play key role in ecosystem stabilisation due to inherent filter feeding capability and clams are important components of soft bottom benthic communities. In the Tuticorin Bay, mass mortality of fishes and shellfishes was observed in Februay 2008. The probable cause for the large scale mortality has been indicated as increased levels of ammonia (Asha et al., 2009). A rapid survey was conducted in the bay to assess the impact on the bivalve fauna