Respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function in paint industry workers exposed to volatile organic compounds: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Several epidemiological studies have examined the respiratory consequences of occupational exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs). However, their effects on paint industry workers in organised and unorganised occupational sectors vary. The present systematic review and meta-analysis aim at evaluating the respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function of paint industry workers from various occupational sectors exposed to VOCs.

Asymptomatic Extrahepatic Portal Venous Obstruction: A Case Report.

This report describes a case of extrahepatic portal venous obstruction (EHPVO) with esophageal varices that would have led to significant bleeding if left untreated or inadequately managed. A 56-year-old diabetic and hypothyroid female visited our medical outpatient clinic to be assessed for pancytopenia and easy fatiguability. She experienced acute calculus cholecystitis 24 years ago, which was treated with a partial cholecystectomy.

Effect of Volatile Organic Compounds on Pulmonary Functions Among Paint Industry Workers of Unorganized Sectors.

Background Paint industry workers are constantly exposed to paints and organic solvents that contain a substantial quantity of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Exposure to VOC emissions could result in pulmonary, neurobehavioral, and hematological consequences. Limited studies have been undertaken in India to assess the health consequences of VOCs among paint industry workers in unorganized sectors.

Implementation of surface mechanomyography as a novel approach for objective evaluation of phasic muscle stretch reflexes in people with type 2 diabetes.

Introduction: Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is the most common complication of diabetes producing metabolic disruptions in the peripheral nervous system. Alteration in the predictable nature of tendon reflexes is the most common indicator suggesting the possibility of diabetic neuropathy. Evaluation of tendon reflexes is a part of various clinical scoring systems that assess neuropathy.

A review on hypo-cholesterolemic activity of seeds and its extracts.

(N. sativa) (Family Ranunculaceae) is a popular therapeutic herb in many parts of the world. It is widely used in traditional medical systems such as Unani, Ayurveda and Siddha.

Associations between household air pollution and reduced lung function in women and children in rural southern India.

Half of the world's population still relies on solid fuels to fulfill its energy needs for cooking and space heating, leading to high levels of household air pollution (HAP), adversely affecting human health and the environment. A cross-sectional cohort study was conducted to investigate any associations between: (1) HAP metrics (mass concentration of particulate matter of aerodynamic size less than 2.5 μm (PM ), lung-deposited surface area (LDSA) and carbon monoxide (CO)); (2) a range of household and socio-demographic characteristics; and (3) lung function for women and children exposed daily to biomass cookstove emissions, in rural southern India.

Exposures to fine particulate matter (PM) and birthweight in a rural-urban, mother-child cohort in Tamil Nadu, India.

Background: Exposure to PM (fine particulate matter View Article and Find Full Text PDF

"I Had a Little Bit of a Bloke Meltdown…But the Next Day, I Was Up": Understanding Cancer Experiences Among Aboriginal Men.

Background: Although cancer in indigenous populations is receiving increased research attention, there is a gap in understanding the particular experiences of Aboriginal men.

Objective: The aim of this study is to integrate a range of primary and secondary accounts of the experiences of Aboriginal men in engaging with a cancer diagnosis and treatment in Australia.

Methods: Secondary analysis of qualitative interviews (n = 54) conducted between 2008 and 2011 revealed recurrent themes regarding the cancer experiences of Aboriginal men in a subset of participant interviews (n = 23).

HCV knowledge among a sample of HCV positive Aboriginal Australians residing in New South Wales.

Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are overrepresented in both the prevalence and incidence of the hepatitis C (HCV). HCV knowledge has been associated with a range of positive health behaviours. HCV knowledge has previously been investigated as a single construct; however examining different knowledge domains (i.

Assessment of phagocytic activity of neutrophils in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Aim: To assess the phagocytic activity of neutrophils in subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Background/need Of Study: There is a paucity of data in relation to phagocytic function in COPD. By this multidisciplinary study, a better understanding about the etiology of lung destruction among COPD patients is being sought.

The role of Aboriginal community attachment in promoting lifestyle changes after hepatitis C diagnosis.

This research assessed whether greater attachment to an Aboriginal community buffers against the negative effects of stigma and promotes positive health outcomes. Aboriginal Australians ( = 203) living with hepatitis C completed a survey assessing community attachment, stigma, resilience, quality of life, treatment intent, hepatitis C knowledge and positive lifestyle changes. A stronger sense of community attachment was associated with greater resilience, increased quality of life, less hepatitis C-related stigma and with increased lifestyle changes after diagnosis.

Experiences of diagnosis, care and treatment among Aboriginal people living with hepatitis C.

Objective: Aboriginal Australians are disproportionately affected by hepatitis C (HCV). There are a range of barriers to HCV care, often beginning with poor diagnosis experiences. Little research exists on the experiences of Aboriginal Australians living with HCV.

Establishing integrated rural-urban cohorts to assess air pollution-related health effects in pregnant women, children and adults in Southern India: an overview of objectives, design and methods in the Tamil Nadu Air Pollution and Health Effects (TAPHE) study.

Introduction: In rapidly developing countries such as India, the ubiquity of air pollution sources in urban and rural communities often results in ambient and household exposures significantly in excess of health-based air quality guidelines. Few efforts, however, have been directed at establishing quantitative exposure-response relationships in such settings. We describe study protocols for The Tamil Nadu Air Pollution and Health Effects (TAPHE) study, which aims to examine the association between fine particulate matter (PM2.

Anatomy research under the knife of medical ethics.

There is increased awareness and anxiety in conducting research for publication and at the same time ignorance about getting Ethical Committee clearance at least in Anatomy Departments among Basic Medical Sciences. While people are actively presenting papers, collect data, Indian Council for Medical Research guidelines does not cover aspects pertaining to Anatomy oriented research activities. This review article is an eye opener for fraternity in the medical field, especially in anatomy.

Care and treatment of hepatitis C among Aboriginal people in New South Wales, Australia: implications for the implementation of new treatments.

Introduction: Despite Aboriginal Australians being over-represented in populations of people living with hepatitis C (HCV), there is a dearth of research to guide policy and programme development in the area of care and treatment, particularly relating to new HCV treatments.

Method: In-depth interviews were conducted with 39 people identifying as Aboriginal Australians and living with HCV in New South Wales.

Results: Participants' experiences were characterised by a lack of detailed or appropriate information provided at diagnosis, high levels of stigma associated with HCV and low overall knowledge of HCV as reported for themselves and their communities.

Effect of cigarette smoking on nasal mucociliary clearance: A comparative analysis using saccharin test.

Background: Nasal mucociliary clearance (NMC) system transports the mucus layer covering the nasal epithelium towards nasopharynx by ciliary beating at a frequency of 7-16 Hz. NMC is altered by septal deviations, upper respiratory infections, and drugs. Few studies have revealed significant depression of ciliary activity in smokers.

Evaluation of Salivary Profile among Adult Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients in South India.

Background: A lack of consensus on the possible association between diabetes and salivary dysfunction motivated us to conduct this investigation on the salivary parameters in diabetic and non diabetic subjects. This could also make the use of saliva as an alternative to that of blood in the diagnosis/monitoring of diabetes mellitus.

Objectives: To compare the salivary flow rates and the salivary physical and biochemical parameters of diabetic (D) and non diabetic (ND) subjects.

Health literacy in relation to cancer: addressing the silence about and absence of cancer discussion among Aboriginal people, communities and health services.

Cancer outcomes for Aboriginal Australians are poorer when compared with cancer outcomes for non-Aboriginal Australians despite overall improvements in cancer outcomes. One concept used to examine inequities in health outcomes between groups is health literacy. Recent research and advocacy have pointed to the importance of increasing health literacy as it relates to cancer among Aboriginal people.

"I can't do this, it's too much": building social inclusion in cancer diagnosis and treatment experiences of Aboriginal people, their carers and health workers.

Objectives: Social inclusion theory has been used to understand how people at the margins of society engage with service provision. The aim of this paper was to explore the cancer care experiences of Aboriginal people in NSW using a social inclusion lens.

Methods: Qualitative interviews were conducted with 22 Aboriginal people with cancer, 18 carers of Aboriginal people and 16 health care workers.

One size fits all? The discursive framing of cultural difference in health professional accounts of providing cancer care to Aboriginal people.

Objectives: Cancer is the second biggest killer of Aboriginal Australians. For some cancers, the mortality rate is more than three times higher in Aboriginal people than for non-Aboriginal people. The Aboriginal Patterns of Cancer Care Study explored barriers to and facilitators of cancer diagnosis and treatment among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in New South Wales.

Prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in rural women of Tamilnadu: implications for refining disease burden assessments attributable to household biomass combustion.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the 13th leading cause of burden of disease worldwide and is expected to become 5th by 2020. Biomass fuel combustion significantly contributes to COPD, although smoking is recognized as the most important risk factor. Rural women in developing countries bear the largest share of this burden resulting from chronic exposures to biomass fuel smoke.

Air pollution from household solid fuel combustion in India: an overview of exposure and health related information to inform health research priorities.

Environmental and occupational risk factors contribute to nearly 40% of the national burden of disease in India, with air pollution in the indoor and outdoor environment ranking amongst leading risk factors. It is now recognized that the health burden from air pollution exposures that primarily occur in the rural indoors, from pollutants released during the incomplete combustion of solid fuels in households, may rival or even exceed the burden attributable to urban outdoor exposures. Few environmental epidemiological efforts have been devoted to this setting, however.

Evaluation of mucociliary clearance among women using biomass and clean fuel in a periurban area of Chennai: A preliminary study.

Background: Nasal mucociliary clearance (NMC) plays a crucial role in the defense of the airways against inhaled substances and is affected by various factors. The effect of particulate matter on NMC in women using biomass fuel has not been well studied.

Aim: This cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the NMC time in biomass fuel users and compare it with that of clean fuel users.