Serum Copper and Plasma Protein Status in Preterm Delivery.

Background: Preterm delivery is a major obstetric related problem in Bangladesh. Micronutrient deficiency especially deficiency of copper may affect pregnancy, delivery and outcome of pregnancy. Reduced serum copper concentration of the pregnant mother may have some role in resulting preterm delivery. Objectives: To observe serum Cu and protein status in preterm mother and their neonates. Methods: This cross sectional study was carried out in the Department of Physiology, Sir Salimullah Medical College and Mitford Hospital, Dhaka, between January and December 2009. A total number of 136 subjects were included in this study, and were divided into control (n=82) and study (n=54) groups. Of the control group, 28 were non pregnant women age ranged between 20-30 years, taken for reference value and another 54 were full term group, also treated as control, were sub-divided into normal full term mother (n=27) and their respective neonates ( n=27). Another 54 were preterm group, considered as study group, were sub-divided into preterm mothers (n=27) and their respective neonates (n=27). Age of preterm and full term mothers were between 20-40 years. All the subjects belonged to lower socioeconomic status. The pregnant women were selected from the labor ward of Sir Salimullah Medical College and Mitford Hospital and non pregnant women were from personal contact. Serum copper level was estimated by spectrophotometric method, to observe its level in these groups of study subjects. Serum total protein, albumin and globulin levels were estimated by usual laboratory technique in order to observe the availability of binding proteins as well as their nutritional status. Again, anthropometric data and blood hemoglobin level of the preterm and full term mother and birth weight of their respective neonates were measured to observe their nutritional status. Correlation of maternal serum copper concentration with that of neonatal blood and also with birth weight of the neonates were done to observe their relationship. Statistical analysis was done by Independent-Samples ‘t” test and Peaeson’s correlation coefficient tests as applicable. Results: Mean serum Cu, total protein and albumin levels were significantly (p<0.001) lower in preterm mother and their neonates in comparison to those of full term mother and their neonates respectively. Whereas, mean serum globulin level showed no statistically significant difference among the groups. Mean birth weight of preterm neonates was significantly lower in comparison to that of full term neonates. Again, maternal serum copper level showed negative correlation with that of neonatal blood but positive correlation with birth weight of their neonates in both full term and preterm mother, though these relationships were not statistically significant. Conclusions: The present study revealed hypocupremia and hypoproteinemia in pre-term delivery mother and their neonates. This hypocupremia may be due to poor maternal protein status.

FVC, FEV1 And FEV1/FVC% In Type-1 Diabetic Male And Their Relationships With HbA1c.

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic and debilitating disease. Its complications give rise to micro and macrovascular diseases which affect eyes, kidneys, heart, blood vessels, nerves and also lungs. There may be a relationship between type-1 diabetes and reduced lung function. Objectives: To observe FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC % and their relationship with HbA1C in type-1 diabetic male in Bangladesh. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in the Department of Physiology, Sir Salimullah Medical College, Dhaka from January to December 2009. A total number of 60 male subjects, from 18-30 years of age was taken and was divided into control and study groups. Among them study group was consisted of 30 type-1 diabetic male patients. Control group was consisted of 30 apparently healthy age, sex, BMI and socioeconomic status matched non-diabetic subjects. All the subjects belonged to lower socio-economic status. For assessment of lung function, FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC % of all the subjects were measured. All of theses tests were done by spirometric method by using a digital Spirometer. Again, to observe glycemic control of blood, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels of diabetic patients were also measured by usual laboratory technique. Data were analyzed by Independent-Samples ‘t’ test and Pearson’s correlation coefficient test as applicable. Results: FVC (p <0.001), FEV1 (p < 0.001), and FEV1/FVC% (p < 0.05) were significantly lower in type- 1 diabetic patients in comparison to those of apparently healthy non-diabetic male. Again FVC and FEV1 had significant (p < 0.001) negative correlation but FEV1/FVC% had non-significant positive correlation with HbA1c. Conclusion: Impairment of some lung functions may be found in type-1 diabetic male which may be due to poor glycemic control.

Parasympathetic Nerve Function Status During Different Phases Of Menstrual Cycle In Healthy Young Women.

Background: Autonomic nerve function status may be changed during follicular and late luteal phases of menstrual cycle due to fluctuations of serum estrogen and progesterone levels. This alteration in autonomic nerve functions may affect cardiovagal control and usually associated with decreased parasympathetic activity in late luteal phase. Objective: To observe the parasympathetic nerve function status during follicular and late luteal phases of menstrual cycle and also their relationships with serum estrogen and progesterone levels in healthy young women. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in the Department of Physiology, Sir Salimullah Medical College (SSMC), Dhaka from 1st January 2009 to 31st December 2009. A total number of thirty (30) apparently healthy unmarried women age ranged from 20-25 years were studied in both follicular (phase A, control) and late luteal (phase B, study) phases of menstrual cycle. Simple autonomic nerve function tests like heart rate (HR) response to valsalva maneuver (valsalva ratio), HR response to deep breathing, HR response to standing (30th:15th ratio) were done to assess parasympathetic activity and serum estrogen and progesterone levels were also measured by AxSYM method. All these tests were performed in both follicular and late luteal phases of menstrual cycle of the same subject. Data were analysed by paired student’s ‘t’ test and Pearson’s correlation coefficient test as applicable. Results: Mean values of both HR response to valsalva ratio and HR response to standing (30th:15 th ) were non-significantly decreased but HR response to deep breathing was significantly (p<0.05) decreased in late luteal phase than those of follicular phase. Conclusion: From this study it can be concluded that parasympathetic activity is decreased in late luteal phase of menstrual cycle.

Reduced Vision with Erythrocyte G6PD Enzyme Status Among The School Children of Dhaka City.

Background: Globally more than 123 million people have impaired visual status due to reduced vision (visual acuity <6/6m) and many of them results into complete or partial blindness. The situation is more crucial in case of children whose reduced vision is usually remain undetected. Apparently healthy children with reduced vision may also found with asymptomatic erythrocyte G6PD enzyme deficiency. Objective: This study has been designed to detect the presence of reduced vision among apparently healthy school children of Dhaka city and also to measure their erythrocyte G6PD enzyme level. Method: This cross sectional study was carried out in the Department of Physiology, Sir Salimullah Medical College (SSMC) during the period of 2007-2008. For this purpose 500 children irrespective of sex and aged 6 to 12 years was selected as study population from different schools of Dhaka city. Children were grouped according to their visual status using Snellen’s letter chart (1862). Erythrocyte G6PD enzyme was measured by Spectrophotometric method. Children with normal visual acuity (6/6m) were grouped as group- A (control) and those with reduced visual acuity (<6/6m) were in group B. Erythrocyte G6PD enzyme level was measured and compared between the groups. Results: Statistically significant (p<0.05) number of children (12.8%) were detected to have reduced vision when compared with that of normal vision. Reduced vision was present in most of the male children & it was bilateral type of reduced vision. Mean erythrocyte G6PD enzyme level was almost similar in both groups and no significant (p>0.05) difference was observed when compared between them. Conclusion: This study revealed that reduced vision may present in apparently healthy children. So, earlier detection of reduced vision can help to minimize the visual complications in childhood age. This study also revealed that there is no association between reduced vision and G6PD enzyme deficiency.

Serum Zinc Status During Different Trimesters of Gestation.

Background: Hypozincemia may be found in different trimesters of pregnancy. Gradual alteration of this micronutrient status during pregnancy is associated with increased maternal and infant mortality and morbidity. Objective: To measure serum zinc level of pregnant women in different trimesters in order to find out their micronutrient status. Method: This cross sectional study was carried out in the Department of Physiology, Sir Salimullah Medical College, Dhaka between 1st January 2010 to 31st December 2010. 90 normal pregnant women, age ranged from 20 to 30 years were included in the study group (Group-B) which was further divided into group B1 consisting of 30 different pregnant women in 1st trimester, group B2 consisting of 30 different pregnant women in 2nd trimester and group B3 consisting of 30 different pregnant women in 3rd trimester. Age matched 30 apparently healthy nonpregnant women (Group A) were also selected by for comparison. Serum zinc level was measured by Spectrophotometric method and serum total protein and albumin levels were estimated by standard laboratory technique. Statistical analysis was done by using ANOVA & Spearman rank Correlation as applicable. Result: In this study, serum Zn level was significantly lower in 1st (p<0.01), 2nd and 3rd trimester (p<0.001) of pregnant women in comparison to that of non-pregnant women. Again, this value was significantly (p<0.001) lower in 3rd trimester than those of 1st and 2nd trimesters of pregnant women. Moreover, serum Zn concentration showed negative correlation (r=-0.621) with different trimesters of gestation and this correlation was statistically significant (p< 0.001). Conclusion: This study reveals that gradual hypozincemia was observed in pregnant women from 1st to 3rd trimester of gestation.

FVC, FEV1 and FEV1/FVC% in Patients with Depressive Illness and their Relationships with the level of Depression.

Background: Depressive illness is a common psychological disorder which affects various organs including lungs. Many studies have reflected decreased lung functions in patients with depressive illness. Objective: The present study was undertaken to measure some pulmonary function parameters in diagnosed female patients with depressive illness to evaluate their lung functions status. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in the Department of Physiology, SSMC, Mitford, Dhaka, from 1st July 2009 to 30th June 2010 on 30 female patients with depressive illness, age ranged from 20- 40 years. Depressed patients (study group) were divided into patients with minor depressive illness (group-B1) and patients with major depressive illness (group- B2). For comparison, 30 age and BMI matched apparently healthy subjects (control group-A) were also studied. The study groups were selected from the Out Patient Department of Psychiatry, SSMC, Mitford, Dhaka and the control group was selected by personal contact. Pulmonary function parameters like FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC%, of all subjects were measured by digital spirometer. Statistical analysis was done by using appropriate method as applicable. Results: All the pulmonary function parameters except FEV1/FVC% were significantly (p<0.001) lower in patients with depressive illness in comparison to those of control. Again, pulmonary function parameters like FVC (p<0.01), FEV1 (p<0.05) showed significant negative correlation with the level of depression in patients with major depressive illness. Conclusion: This study reveals that some pulmonary functions may be reduced in patients with depressive illness especially in major depressive patients which is negatively related with level of depression.

Sympathetic Nerve Function Status in Follicular and Late Luteal Phases of Menstrual Cycle in Healthy Young Women.

Background: Autonomic nerve function status may be changed during follicular and late luteal phases of menstrual cycle due to fluctuations of serum estrogen and progesterone level. Objective: To observe the sympathetic nerve function status during follicular and late luteal phases of menstrual cycle and their relationships with serum estrogen and progesterone in healthy young womens. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in the Department of Physiology, Sir Salimullah Medical College, Dhaka from 1st January 2009 to 31st December 2009.A total number of thirty (30) apparently healthy unmarried women with age ranged from 20-25 years were investigated. Two simple autonomic nerve function tests, like fall of systolic blood pressure (SBP) on standing and rise of diastolic blood pressure (DBP) during handgrip were done to assess sympathetic activity. Serum estrogen and progesterone levels were also measured by AxSYM method. All these tests were performed in both follicular and late luteal phases of menstrual cycle. Data were analysed by paired student’s ‘t’ test and Pearson’s correlation coefficient test as applicable. Results: Mean resting heart rate was significantly (p<0.01) increased in late luteal phase than that of follicular phase. Mean resting systolic blood pressure was significantly (p<0.01) increased and resting diastolic blood pressure was non-significantly increased in late luteal phase than those of follicular phase. Again, significantly (p<0.05) increased value of fall of systolic blood pressure after standing from lying and non-significant increased value of rise in diastolic blood pressure after sustained handgrip were observed in late luteal phase. The mean value of serum estrogen was non-significantly and serum progesterone was significantly (p<0.001) increased in late luteal phase than those of follicular phase. Conclusion: From this study it can be concluded that sympathetic activity is increased in late luteal phase of menstrual cycle. In addition, increased sympathetic activity during late luteal phase might be the cause of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) in some women.