Assessment of natural radioactivity and function of minerals in soils of Yelagiri hills, Tamilnadu, India by Gamma Ray spectroscopic and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) techniques with statistical approach.

Gamma Ray and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic techniques were used to evaluate the natural radioactivity due to natural radionuclides and mineralogical characterization in soils of Yelagiri hills, Tamilnadu, India. Various radiological parameters were calculated to assess the radiation hazards associated with the soil. The distribution pattern of activity due to natural radionuclides is explained by Kriging method of mapping. Using FTIR spectroscopic technique the minerals such as quartz, microcline feldspar, orthoclase feldspar, kaolinite, montmorillonite, illite, and organic carbon were identified and characterized. The extinction coefficient values were calculated to know the relative distribution of major minerals such as quartz, microcline feldspar, orthoclase feldspar and kaolinite. The calculated values indicate that the amount of quartz is higher than orthoclase feldspar, microcline feldspar and much higher than kaolinite. Crystallinity index was calculated to know the crystalline nature of quartz. The result indicates that the presence of disordered crystalline quartz in soils. The relation between minerals and radioactivity was assessed by multivariate statistical analysis (Pearson's correlation and cluster analysis). The statistical analysis confirms that the clay mineral kaolinite and non-clay mineral quartz is the major factor than other major minerals to induce the important radioactivity variables and concentrations of uranium and thorium.

Dietary factors as determinants of hypertension: A case control study in an urban Indian population.

Hypertension, an important risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD), is often associated with certain dietary habits which can either adversely affect or decrease blood pressure. Several Western studies have documented the role of diet, especially excess energy, both quality and quantity of fat and salt, in the aetiopathogenesis of chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes and CHD. Indians are particularly susceptible to these chronic diseases. A study was therefore undertaken to investigate the role of dietary factors in relation to hypertension. A total of 158 newly diagnosed cases were selected from the out-patient department of the 1000-bed Osmania General Hospital along with 172 age and gender-matched controls. A detailed diet history was collected and validated. An energy adjustment method was adopted by transforming the data on a log scale as all the nutrients depended upon the intake of energy. A total of 86 hypertensives and 79 controls participated in the study. Among those classified as hypertensives, men reported higher intakes of dietary fat and salt while women reported higher intakes of dietary protein and salt. Risk calculated by Odds ratio revealed that higher intakes of fat, protein and salt increase the risk for hypertension. Multivariate stepwise logistic regression identified salt as the risk factor in men and protein as the risk factor in women. These results suggest a role for dietary fat, protein and salt in hypertension.

Abdominal adiposity and metabolic alterations in hypertension -a case control study.

Indians are particularly susceptible to chronic diseases like hypertension, diabetes and coronary heart disease. Several Western studies have documented the role of obesity, especially the role of regional adiposity, and associated metabolic aberrations in the aetiopathogenesis of these chronic diseases. However, there is a paucity of information on the Indian sub-continent. This study was therefore undertaken to investigate the role of regional adiposity and metabolic abnormalities in hypertension. Subjects, aged between 30-50 years, attending the out-patient department of Osmania General Hospital {1000 beds), which caters to middle and low income group of people located at Hyderabad City in India, were screened for hypertension. A total of 158 newly diagnosed subjects were selected along with 172 age and gender matched controls. Body mass index (BMI), waist hip ratio (WHR), total body fat and percentage of body fat were calculated from the anthropometric parameters. Biochemical parameters like serum lipids and plasma glucose and insulin (at fasting as well as 2 h post load glucose) were determined in a subsample of 78 hypertensives and 74 controls. Hypertensives had significantly higher body weight, body fat, BMI and WHR as compared to controls in both men and women. No differences were observed in lipid profile. Plasma glucose, fasting as well as 2 h post load, was significantly higher in both hypertensive men and women. Though there were no differences in plasma insulin at fasting, insulin level at 2 h post-load was elevated in hypertensive women. Higher glucose levels, despite elevated insulin levels, suggested insulin resistance. The calculated odds ratios revealed that increased BMI, WHR, plasma triglycerides, and 2 h post load glucose increased the risk for hypertension in both women and men. Insulin was identified as a risk factor only in women. These results suggest a role for regional adiposity and insulin resistance 1000 in the development of hypertension in the Indian sub-continent.