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Volume 6 (3); 25 September, 2016
Research Paper
Environmental Cognitive Neuro-toxicology: A Perspective.
Kumar Pandey A.
Asian J. Med. Pharm. Res., 6(3): 14-23, 2016.; pii:S2252043016000004-6
Abstract
Human asset of social brain is an evolved system that draws upon focal as well as global connected brain mechanisms. These are dynamic and flexible anatomical routes operated for co-operation and co-ordination in intelligent behaviors. Different cues and inputs from environmental and human social interaction are understood by refereeing to mental assets which determine the appropriate response. The focal and global connections are now subject to view with functional neuro-imaging technology. Brain mapping approaches are now adding to the comprehensive understanding of neurophysiology. The technology driven scientific advances have disclosed serious threat of environmental pollutants for the complex, dynamic but delicate neural architecture operating the social brain. The dreads are worst at early developmental stages and later in aging phase of population. It is a huge challenge of quality of human beings, society and life. There is myth also that Hitler’s hatred arose in such very contexts. The need for befitting response to the challenge by medical fraternity is urgent. This narrative attempts to briefly introduce neuro-physiological and neuro-toxicological perspectives in this context for general reading among medical basic science and clinical educators and students. The descriptive review is based on PubMed search with single keywords as well as phrases relevant to real life domain. The interdisciplinary perspectives also indicate the research vistas and development of preventive and corrective interventions.
Keywords: Social cognition, Cognitive neuroscience, Neuronal networks, Environmental toxicology, Neurotoxicology
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Research Paper
Soil-Transmitted Helminth Infections and the Associated Risk Factors in Pre-Primary School Children, Kiwangwa Rural Ward, Bagamoyo District, Tanzania.
Dinesh Kumar D, Ratna Kumari K, James J K, Bala Sekharan C.
Asian J. Med. Pharm. Res., 6(3): 24-31, 2016.; pii:S2252043016000005-6
Abstract
Pre-primary school children remain hard to reach the mass drug administration programmes in control of soil-transmitted helminth infections. In the present study, the stool samples of 115 pre-primary school children in Kiwangwa rural ward, Bagamoyo district, Tanzania were studied in order to determine the prevalence and intensity of soil-transmitted helminths and their relationships with the associated risk factors. The samples were analyzed with the Kato-Katz technique. The intensity of infections was categorized according to the World Health Organization limits as light, moderate or high. The overall mean prevalence was found to be 3.8%. Regarding the intensity, among the 115 pre-primary school children four children were found positive. One student had co infection of Ascaris lumbricoides and hookworm with light intensity, two children had moderate intensity infection of hookworm and one child had moderate intensity infection of Ascaris lumbricoides. The prevalence of soil-transmitted helminth infection was higher in children who did not have: treated water for domestic use, own toilet facilities, practice of wearing shoes and washing hands before eating and after defecation. This study highlights the importance of hygiene in pre-primary school children as an additional opportunity for mass drug administration programme in Tanzania. In addition, community participation in providing health education to children at home should be improved as well as the risk factors such as toilet facilities, hand washing facilities, water for domestic use to avoid and reduce the transmission of soil-transmitted helminths.
Key words: Prevalence, Intensity, Soil-transmitted helminths, Ascaris lumbricoides, Pre-primary school, Risk factors
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