Assessing the Practical Differences in LDL-C Estimates Calculated by Friedewald, Martin/Hopkins, or NIH Equation 2: An Observation CrossSectional Study

Objective@#Low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) remains a clinically important cholesterol target in primary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The present study aimed to assess the practical differences among three equations utilized for the estimation of LDL-C: the Friedewald, the Martin/Hopkins, and the NIH equation 2. @*Methods@#Blood lipid measurements from 4,556 noninstitutionalized participants, aged 12 to 80, were obtained from the 2017-2020 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey study. We 1) assessed the differences between three calculated LDL-C estimates, 2) examined the correlations between LDL-C estimates using correlation coefficients and regression, and 3) investigated the degree of agreement in classifying individuals into the LDL-C category using weighted Kappa and percentage of agreement. @*Results@#The differences in LDL-C estimates between equations varied by sex and triglyceride levels (p<0.001). Overall, the mean of absolute differences between Friedewald and Martin/ Hopkins was 3.17 mg/dL (median=2.0, 95% confidence interval [CI] [3.07–3.27]). The mean of absolute differences between Friedewald and NIH Equation 2 was 2.08 mg/dL (median=2.0, 95% CI [2.03–2.14]). Friedewald correlated highly with Martin/Hopkins (r=0.991, rho=0.989) and NIH Equation 2 (r=0.998, rho=0.997). Cohen’s weighted Kappa=0.92 between Friedewald and Martin/Hopkins, and 0.95 between Friedewald and NIH equation 2. The percentage of agreement in classifying individuals into the same LDL-C category was 93.0% between Friedewald and Martin/Hopkins, and 95.4% between Friedewald and NIH equation 2. @*Conclusion@#Understanding the practical differences in LDL-C calculations can be helpful in facilitating decision-making during a paradigm shift.

Typology and credibility of Internet health websites originating from Gulf Cooperation Council countries

The quality of information available on health websites in the Gulf Cooperation Council [GCC] countries has not been comprehensively assessed. From November to December 2012 we retrieved all functional health-related websites [n - 925] originating in GCC countries. Data on authorship, language, date, information content and type of site were recorded. A novel website checklist was developed based on the credibility and trust criteria of the Internet assessment organization Health On the Net Foundation [HON]. Only 5 sites [0.5%] fulfilled all checklist categories. All websites except one were in English or Arabic languages. Only 10.1% of websites posted a privacy policy, 2.7% stated the authorship of information, 51.0% disclosed website ownership, 80.6% provided contact details and 58.5% dated information. Only 1.7% reported their advertising policy and 23.5% revealed sponsorships. GCC health website owners should consider working with the HON or similar organizations to meet internationally recognized credibility criteria

Pharmacological and toxicological investigation of coded Unani formulation UNIM-211

The Pharmacological and toxicological investigation of the aqueous extract of coded compound Unani formulation UNIM-211 was undertaken to evaluate its efficacy and safety in experimental animals. Hypoglycemic activity of the drug extract was evaluated in alloxan induced diabetic rats. Drug extract only at a dose of 3 gm/kg significantly reduced the blood glucose level after 8 days of treatment. The hypoglycemic effect of drug extract was compared with standard hypoglycemic agent glibenclamide. The drug extract is found to be less effective in lowering the blood glucose level in diabetic rats when compared with glibenclamide. The acute toxicity study carried out in albino mice revealed that it tolerated a dose of 10 gm/kg of drug extract and animals showed no abnormal sign and symptoms and no overnight mortality when observed for 24 hours after drug treatment. The investigation of subacute toxicity revealed that the aqueous extract of the drug at doses of 1 gm/kg and 3 gm/kg showed no change in the parameters of liver function test and lipid profiles, but a significant increase in blood urea level was observed at both the doses of the drug. The haematological studies revealed no significant change in percent haemoglobin, ESR, but a significant change in TLC and DLC was observed at a dose level of 3 g/kg. The organ to body weight ratio of liver, heart and spleen remained unaltered but a significant increase in the organ to body weight ratio of kidney at a dose of 3 g/kg was observed. These results show that the drug is effective in lowering alloxan induced blood glucose level only at high dose, and it is quite safe except some adverse effect on kidney

Evaluation of diuretic activity of musli safed [chlorophytum arundinaceum baker] in albino rats

Musli Safed [Chlorophytum arundinaceum Baker] powder in triturated form has been evaluated for its diuretic activity at dose levels of 1 g and 3 g/kg in albino rats. The diuretic effect of the drug has been compared with standard diuretic agent frusemide [Lasix]. It was found that Musli Safed possesses the efficacy to bring about significant increase in urine output at the dose level of 3 g/kg. Continuous treatment of the animals with Musli Safed for a week resulted in significant increase in the urinary concentrations of Na[+], K[+] and Cl[-] at the close of 3 g/kg. These findings indicate that Musli Safed is a good diuretic agent

Association between anemia and grading of arsenicosis

Chronic arsenic toxicity has been recognized as a typical form of arsenicosis which is defined by the experts of International Health Organization as a chronic health condition arising from prolonged ingestion of arsenic above the safe dose for at least six months, usually manifested by characteristic skin lesions of melanosis and keratosis, occurring alone or in combination, with or without the involvement of internal organs The present study evidences that the occurrence of skin manifestation varies form pigmentary changes, progressing to keratosis and even may lead to malignancy. The findings obtained obviously illustrate interlink between dynamics of severity of anemia and the promotion of the viable development of dermatological grading of arsenicosis

Unplanned urbanization: assessment through calculation of environmental degradation index

Urbanization is an inevitable phenomena for the country like Bangladesh. The push and pull factors help to migrate people from rural area to urban area. As a result haphazard and unplanned urbanization create environmental degradation. Survey data reveals that inadequate solid waste disposal services, lack of adequate public water supply, traffic congestion, water logging, air pollution, noise pollution, hill cutting are the main problems in the city area. Concentration of dust as well as SOx, NOx exceeded the allowable limit at the selected points. Groundwater level of Sylhet city has a considerable lowering over the last few decades. It has lowered from 3380 mm below ground in 1982 to 7880 mm below ground. Sylhet is located in highly seismic risk zone but most of the buildings and other structures in this area are constructed without considering earthquake risk. Environmental degradation index was calculated based on economical condition of the country

Glomerulonephritis presented as acute severe renal failure [ASRF]

To investigate the aetiology, clinical features, histological diagnosis and response to treatment of patients with glomeulonephritis presenting as acute renal failure [ARF] or rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis [RPGN]. Of the 66 patients with ARF, admitted in the Nephrology department of BSMMU, Dhaka in the period January 1998 to June 1999, 19 presented clinically as RPGN. They were evaluated for histological diagnosis and clinical outcome. There were 11 males and 8 females with a mean age of 31 +/- 4.62 years. The mean arterial B.P. was 103 +/- 6.8 mmHg, urinary total protein 2.7 +/- 1.9 gm/24 hours, urinary RBC 12 +/- 3.8 per high power field. Mean blood urea was 118.9 +/- 11.76 mg% and S.creatinine 7.78 +/- 4.3 mg%. Immunohistological findings revealed crescentic GN in 8 [42.11%], glomerulonephritis without crescent 11[57.89%] and granular deposition of the immunoglobulin and complement in 11 [73.33%] cases. Patients were treated with methyiprednlsolone for 3 days followed by oral prednisolone and cyclophosphamide as per schedule protocol along with acute haemodialysis through temporary venous catheter. Nine [47.37%] patients died, 6 [31.57%] improved and 4 [21.10%] developed CRF. The study showed that among the patients with ARF, 28% presented with RPGN. The prognosis was uniformly had, although 1/3rd improved with appropriate and early treatment

Molecular mechanisms involved in human platelet aggregation by synergistic interaction of platelet-activating factor and 5-hydroxytryptamine

Our recent studies have shown that co-activation of Gq and Gi proteins by 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and adrenaline show synergism in human platelet aggregation. This study was conducted to examine the mechanism(s) of synergistic interaction of 5-HT and platelet activating factor (PAF) in human platelets. We show that PAF, but not 5-HT, increased platelet aggregation in a concentration-dependent manner. However, low concentrations of 5-HT (2 microM) potentiated platelet aggregation induced by subthreshold concentration of PAF (40 nM) indicating a synergistic interaction between the two agonists and this synergism was blocked by receptor antagonists to either 5-HT or PAF. 5-HT also potentiated the effect of PAF on thromboxane A2 (TXA2) formation and phosphorylation of extracellularly regulated mitogen-activated protein kinases (ERK1/2). The synergism of 5-HT and PAF in platelet aggregation was inhibited by calcium (Ca2+) channel blockers, verapamil and diltiazem, phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor, U73122, cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor, indomethacin, and MEK inhibitor, PD98059. These data suggest that synergistic effect of 5-HT and PAF on human platelet aggregation involves activation of PLC/Ca2+, COX and MAP kinase pathways.

Molecular mechanisms involved in human platelet aggregation by synergistic interaction of platelet-activating factor and 5-hydroxytryptamine

Our recent studies have shown that co-activation of Gq and Gi proteins by 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and adrenaline show synergism in human platelet aggregation. This study was conducted to examine the mechanism(s) of synergistic interaction of 5-HT and platelet activating factor (PAF) in human platelets. We show that PAF, but not 5-HT, increased platelet aggregation in a concentration-dependent manner. However, low concentrations of 5-HT (2 microM) potentiated platelet aggregation induced by subthreshold concentration of PAF (40 nM) indicating a synergistic interaction between the two agonists and this synergism was blocked by receptor antagonists to either 5-HT or PAF. 5-HT also potentiated the effect of PAF on thromboxane A2 (TXA2) formation and phosphorylation of extracellularly regulated mitogen-activated protein kinases (ERK1/2). The synergism of 5-HT and PAF in platelet aggregation was inhibited by calcium (Ca2+) channel blockers, verapamil and diltiazem, phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor, U73122, cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor, indomethacin, and MEK inhibitor, PD98059. These data suggest that synergistic effect of 5-HT and PAF on human platelet aggregation involves activation of PLC/Ca2+, COX and MAP kinase pathways.

Direct ultramicro determination of estradiol

A modified method for ultramicro analysis of estradiol [E2] in pharmaceutical preparations and biological fluids was described in this study. The method depended on the use of alkaline phosphatase conjugate and magnetic separation of the free and bound fractions followed by direct colorimetric measurement. The sensitivity was 40 pmol/L and the range was 0.04-8 nmol/L. Coefficient of variation [CV] ranged from 1.1 to 4.2% for intra- and 1.3 to 5% for inter-assay. The method was applied for analysis of E2 suspension and determination of serum E2 level after local cream application. It correlated well with the BP 93 and radioimmunoassay [RIA] methods [r=0.96 and 0.94]