Long term exposure to solvents and air pollutants can lead to deleterious effects on respiratory, haematological and thyroid functioning. The aim of this study was to investigate whether chronic exposure to solvents like benzene and pollutants like carbon monoxide in petrol filling workers had adverse effect on blood parameters, thyroid and respiratory functions. The study group consisted of 42 healthy, non-smoker petrol filling workers, aged 20–50 years with work (exposure) duration from 2–15 years while 36 healthy subjects of the same age group served as controls. Physical examination and measurement of pulmonary functions by portable electronic spirometer were performed. Complete blood pictures (CBP) were determined by normal haematology lab procedure and hormones by Chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA) light absorption techniques. There was a significant decrease in the lung volumes and capacities; the restrictive pattern was more prevalent in the workers when compared with the control groups. But in the workers exposed for long period (more than 10 years) the restrictive pattern was changed to mixed pattern. A significant increase in haemoglobin (Hb) (>16 mg %) and red blood cells (RBC) (5.4 million cells/mm3) were observed in workers with longer period of exposure when compared with the control subjects (14.483 mg% and 4.83 million cells/mm3 for Hb and RBC respectively). White blood cell count except eosinophils and platelets were significantly lower in workers compared to controls. Marked increase in the tetra iodothyroinine (T4), free thyroxine (T4F) level and significant decrease in thyroid stimulating hormones (TSH), and tri-iodothyronine (T3) were observed between long term exposed and non – exposed groups. Till now researchers focused only on the effect of solvents in workers professionally exposed to solvents without considering the effect of concomittant air pollution. The result obtained from present study indicates that there is a significant toxic effect of solvents and air pollutants on workers exposed for longer duration. Improved detection and prevention technologies are needed to answer environmentally related health questions for petrol filling workers.

No abstract

Background:The alterations in extracellular calcium level may influence intracellular calcium level and possibly play a role in the pathogenesis of essential hypertension.Aim:The purpose was to find out the association between serum calcium levels and hypertension; and to compare the serum calcium levels between normotensive controls, hypertensive subjects on calcium channel blockers, and hypertensive subjects on antihypertensive medication other than calcium channel blockers.Materials and Methods:Thirty one individuals including normotensives (n = 12) and hypertensives (n = 19) were enrolled for the study and their blood pressure recorded. Hypertensive group was sub divided into two: hypertensives on calcium channel blockers and hypertensives on antihypertensive medication other than calcium channel blockers. Serum calcium levels were measured by Accucare Calcium Arsenazo III kit. Differences between the groups were analyzed using ANOVA.Results:No significant difference in serum calcium level was found between normotensive and hypertensive groups; and no correlation was found between calcium levels and the blood pressure. Also the difference in serum calcium levels in hypertensive group on calcium channel blockers and those on antihypertensive other than calcium channel blockers was insignificant.Conclusions:Serum calcium levels are tightly regulated. Subtle changes in serum levels do not affect blood pressure.

Aim: Over the years, large number of studies have examined the possible relationship between the blood group type and infection. The present study was aimed at observing the pattern of the ABO blood group distribution among the pulmonary tuberculosis patients from the Andhra region of the Andhra Pradesh state, India. Methods:The ABO blood grouping and Rhesus typing were performed by using the standard slide agglutination reaction in 100 patients with a clinical and a radiological evidence of pulmonary tuberculosis and in 1400 healthy controls.Results: A significant association was observed between the incidence of tuberculosis and the blood groups B and AB (P values are 0.048 and 0.03 respectively). The association between the incidence of tuberculosis and the blood groups A and O (P values are 0.249 and 0.069 respectively) was found insignificant. However, a significant association between the incidence of tuberculosis and a positive Rhesus antigen was observed in the blood group A (P value is 0.009). But there was no significant association between the incidence of tuber culosis and a positive Rhesus antigen with the blood groups B, AB and O. Conclusion:The present study showed that there was an association between tuberculosis and the blood groups B and AB in this region of the Andhra Pradesh state.

Background: Sleep apnea is a condition that interrupts breathing while sleeping, usually caused by an obstruction blocking the back of the throat so that the air cannot reach the lungs. The brief cessation in breath automatically forces individuals to wake up and restart breathing. This can happen many times during the night, making it hard for the body to get enough oxygen, and impacts the sleep quality. It is the most common type of sleep disorder breathing.