Chemical and biological characterization of air particulate matter 2.5, collected from five cities in China

Fifteen polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in PM2.5 samples collected in five different cities (Hong Kong (HK), Guangzhou (GZ), Xiamen (XM), Xi'an (XA) and Beijing (BJ)) in China in the winter 2012-13 [corrected] were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The biological effects of organic extracts were assayed using the human bronchial epithelial cells BEAS-2B. All sixteen priority PAHs can be found in the PM2.5 samples of XA and BJ, but not in HK, GZ and XM, demonstrating the differential spatial source and distribution of PAHs. Our results showed that the total PAHs ranged from 3.35 to 80.45 ng/m(3) air, leading by BJ, followed by XA, XM, GZ and HK. In the cell culture study, transcript levels of pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6), CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 were found to be induced in the treatment. The cells exposed to extracts from XA and BJ demonstrated significant migratory activities, indicating a sign of increase of tumorigenicity.

Goldenhar syndrome - a case report

Goldenhar syndrome is a developmental abnormality of 1st & 2nd branchial arch involving the craniofacial microsomia with ocular & vertebral abnormality. Though most of the cases are sporadic, some familial association is also found in autosomal dominant or recessive manner. Teratogenic effect of some toxic substances may lead to the condition. Ocular abnormalities are epibulbar dermoid, lipodermoid & coloboma. Otic defects are preauricular tags, microtia, anotia & conductive hearing loss. Cardio-pulmonary & genitourinary abnormalities are common associations. Here we have described the case of a 10 years old girl had ocular, auricular & vertebral changes consistent with Goldenhar syndrome, she was managed with multidisciplinary approach and she was symptomatically improved but corrective surgery was planned as schedule of respective department.

A study on socio-economic and intermediate variables on fertility

"In this paper an attempt has been made to examine fertility differentials of currently married rural women [in Bangladesh] by their socioeconomic (viz, education of women, land ownership and family type) and demographic (viz, age at the first marriage, duration of breast feeding and duration of post partum amenorrhoea for the child) characterisation. This study is based on data collected from 995 currently married women of childbearing age. It has been found that women's (i) level of education (ii) age at first marriage (iii) duration of breastfeeding and (iv) duration of post-partum amenorrhoea, are inversely related with fertility. Joint family shows higher fertility than that of nuclear family and land ownership reveals [a] U-shaped relationship with fertility."