AIM:To compare the efficacy of pentoxifylline and prednisolone in the treatment of severe alcoholic hepatitis, and to evaluate the role of different liver function scores in predicting prognosis. METHODS:Sixty-eight patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis (Maddrey score ≥ 32) received pentoxifylline (n = 34, group Ⅰ) or prednisolone (n = 34, group Ⅱ) for 28 d in a randomized double-blind controlled study, and subsequently in an open study (with a tapering dose of prednisolone) for a total of 3 mo, and were followed up over a period of 12 mo. RESULTS:Twelve patients in group Ⅱ died at the end of 3 mo in contrast to five patients in group Ⅰ. The probability of dying at the end of 3 mo was higher in group Ⅱ as compared to group Ⅰ (35.29% vs 14.71%, P = 0.04; log rank test). Six patients in group Ⅱ developed hepatorenal syndrome as compared to none in group Ⅰ. Pentoxifylline was associated with a significantly lower model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score at the end of 28 d of therapy (15.53 ± 3.63 vs 17.78 ± 4.56, P = 0.04). Higher baseline Maddrey score was associated with increased mortality. CONCLUSION:Reduced mortality, improved risk-benefit profile and renoprotective effects of pentoxifylline compared with prednisolone suggest that pentoxifylline is superior to prednisolone for treatment of severe alcoholic hepatitis.

Objectives Lung function tests have become an integral part of assessment of pulmonary disease. Diseases of the respiratory system induced by occupational dusts are influenced by the duration of exposure. The aim of the study is to investigate the impairment of lung function and prevalence of respiratory symptoms among the rice mill workers. Methods A total of 120 rice mill workers from three districts of Karnataka were included in this study. Fifty urban dwellers from the same socio-economic level were selected as controls. The study included clinical examination, assessment of respiratory symptoms, pulmonary function test, measurement of peak expiratory flow rate, absolute eosinophil count, ESR estimation, total IgE estimation and radiographic test. Results The present study has shown that the rice mill workers complained of several types of respiratory disorders like phlegm (40.8 %), dyspnea (44.2 %), chest tightness (26.7 %), cough (21.7 %), and nose irritation (27.5 %). Rice mill workers exposed to dust presented significantly (p \ 0.05) lower levels of FVC (3.44 ± 0.11), FEV 1 (2.73 ± 0.15) and PEFR (304.95 ± 28.79) than the controls. The rice mill workers are having significantly higher absolute eosinophil counts, total IgE and ESR than control groups. The hematological findings suggest that the harmful effects may be linked to both non-specific irritation and allergic responses to rice husk dust among rice mill workers. Conclusion Dust exposure in the working environment affects the lung function values and increased the respiratory symptoms among the rice mill workers.

Garlic supplementation may be beneficial in patients with HPS for the reversal of intrapulmonary shunts as well as reducing hypoxemia and mortality.

A simple numerical method based on Chebysev technique is proposed to calculate the propagation characteristics of single mode fibers having arbitrary index profiles. The method also formulates a linear relation of K,(W)/Ko(W) with 1/W. The method predicts the normalised fiber parameters and field functictions in the core and cladding as well for step and parabolic index fibers excellently.

This study was undertaken among 100 randomly selected bus conductors from 2 routes. A questionnaire study based on the modified Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire, assessment of physical and physiological parameters, analysis of working postures and a detailed work study were performed. The analysis revealed that conductors had a work schedule of 16-18 h each day; the duration of work could vary from 15 to 20 days at a stretch. Discomfort leading to musculoskeletal disorders mainly affecting the leg (93.3%), knee (83.3%), shoulder (80%) and back areas (56.7%) had the highest 12-month prevalence rates and increased day by day. The conductors also suffered from extreme physiological stress due to prolonged working hours in hazardous standing posture conditions, excessive work pressure and minimum rest between trips. Consequently, all those factors affected their health and work performance.