Effect of Maturity And Birth Weight On Umbilical Cord Blood Lipid Profile: A Fetal Programming Phenomenon

Background:The recent research on "fetal programming hypothesis" has totally revived the mechanistic understanding of triggering factors responsible for development of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). As deranged lipid profile is associated with increased predisposition to atherosclerotic CVDs, we planned to study effect of fetal maturity and birth weight on umbilical cord blood lipid profile. Methods: A hospital based cross sectional study including 200 neonates satisfying inclusion criteria was carried out. The umbilical cord blood samples of selected neonates were collected and analysed for lipid profile (Total Cholesterol (TC), Triglycerides (TG), High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C), Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-C) and Very Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (VLDL-C)) in order to be compared among groups of neonates based on maturity and birth weight. Results: The preterm neonates had statistically significant higher levels of umbilical cord blood TC, TG, LDL-C and VLDL-C (with P values of 0.025, 0.001, 0.045, 0.007 and 0.045 respectively) while lower but statistically insignificant (p value of 0.131) levels of HDL-C in as compared to full term neonates. The low birth weight neonates also had statistically significant higher levels of TC, TG, LDL-C and VLDL-C (P values of 0.001, 0.032, 0.00001 and 0.032 respectively) but statistically significant (P value of 0.034) lower levels of HDL-C in umbilical cord blood as compared to normal birth weight neonates. Conclusion: The results suggest that prematurity as well as low birth weight have deleterious effect on umbilical cord blood lipid profile resulting in more atherogenic lipid levels. This could be regarded a triggering factor responsible for development of CVDs in later life. This observation not only conciliates with fetal programming hypothesis but also indicates that its effect is evident (in the form of altered lipid profile) even at the birth in such programmed neonates.

Metabolic syndrome in adult population of rural Wardha, central India.

Background & Objectives: Prevalence of metabolic syndrome is high among Asians including Indians. Scarce information is available about the magnitude of metabolic syndrome in rural areas and hence present study in rural area of Wardha district, central India. Methods: In 300 randomly selected subjects, blood pressure and anthropometric measurements such as height, weight, waist circumference and hip circumference were noted. Blood sample was collected after overnight fasting and was subjected to biochemical quantification such as fasting blood sugar, total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-C, VLDL-C and LDL-C. Data were analyzed using ATP-III definition as well as by modifying the waist circumference cut-offs as per Asia-Pacific guidelines. Results: Overall metabolic syndrome as per ATP-III criteria was observed in 5.0 per cent adult rural population. When ATP-III criteria were modified using waist circumference cut-offs recommended by Asia-Pacific guidelines, metabolic syndrome was seen in 9.3 per cent. It was 10.7 per cent among females and 8.2 per cent among males. Receiver operating characteristic curve was plotted to find out the best cut-off of BMI to identify the individuals with metabolic syndrome. The best cut-off for BMI came out to be 23.32 kg/m2. Interpretation & conclusions: The magnitude of metabolic syndrome was low among rural adults of Wardha as compared to reported values in urban areas. BMI of 23.32 kg/m2 and higher was found to predict significant risk of metabolic syndrome in these study subjects. However, studies with larger sample need to be conducted to confirm these findings.

One-step purification and characterization of cellulase-free xylanase produced by alkalophilic Bacillus subtilis ash

A purificação de uma etapa e caracterização de uma xilanase livre de celulase de uma linhagem recentemente isolada alcalofílicos e moderadamente termofílico de Bacillus subtilis ASH. Xilanase foi purificada à homogeneidade de 10,5 vezes, com ~ por cento de recuperação 43 através de cromatografia de troca iônica através de CM- Sephadex C -50. A enzima purificada revelou uma única banda no gel SDS-PAGE com uma massa molecular de 23 kDa. Ele mostrou um pH ótimo de 7,0 e manteve-se estável na faixa de pH 6,0-9,0 . A temperatura ótima para atividade da enzima foi 55 º C. A xilanase purificada não perder nenhuma atividade até 45 º C , no entanto, manteve 80 por cento e 51 por cento de sua atividade após pré-incubação a 55 º C e 60 º C , respectivamente. A enzima obedecido Michaelis- Menton cinética para xilano de madeira de bétula com aparente km 3,33 mg / ml e Vmax 100 UI / ml. A enzima foi fortemente inibida por Hg2 +, Cu2 + , enquanto reforçada por Co2 + e Mn2 +. A enzima purificada pode ser armazenado a 4 º C por seis semanas sem nenhuma perda de atividade catalítica. A purificação mais rápido e econômico da xilanase livre de celulase de B. subtilis ASH por um passo-a processo juntamente com a sua estabilidade sensível a alta temperatura e pH alcalino torna potencialmente eficazes para aplicações industriais.

Antioxidant vitamin levels in sickle cell disorders.

BACKGROUND: Sickle cell disorder is a haemoglobinopathy prevalent in the Vidharbha region of Maharashtra, central India. With recent evidence of oxidative stress in sickle haemoglobinopathy, a possible deficiency of antioxidant vitamins was suspected. METHODS: We measured plasma vitamin E, vitamin C and beta-carotene levels in persons with heterozygous (n=80) and homozygous sickle cell state (n=20), and suitable healthy controls for these groups (n=100 and 66, respectively) in a community-based study in the villages near our institution. RESULTS: Subjects with heterozygous sickle cell trait had lower vitamin E levels than their respective controls (p < 0.05). Subjects with homozygous sickle cell disease had lower levels of all three vitamins (p < 0.05). Vitamins E and C levels showed a significant positive correlation in both forms of sickle cell disorder. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that there is depletion of the antioxidant vitamins, particularly in severe forms of sickle cell disorder. A trial of administration of therapeutic doses of vitamin E in this condition is warranted.