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Background: All types of smoking have been associated with cervical neoplasia, and the long-term of use tobacco products and intensity of smoking could influence cervical carcinogenesis. The aim of this study is to identify the association between smoking and the presence of colposcopical and cytological abnormalities in cervix uteri.Methods: An observational case-control study was applied on 100 patients to investigate this relationship. The patients were divided into two groups, smokers’ group (70) cases and nonsmokers’ group (30) cases. All of the patients have been submitted to colposcopy and Papanicolaou smear. Comparison of colposcopic and cellular findings between both groups was done.Results: Authors found that there was a significance difference in the rate of abnormal colposcopical findings between two groups. This rate in smokers’ sample was 45.7% and in the second was 26.7% with p-value=0.04. Additionally, there was no significance difference in the rate of abnormal cytological findings. This rate in smokers’ group was 32.9% whereas in the second was 23.4% with p-value=0.6.Conclusions: This study data suggests that smoking increases abnormalities in papanicolaou smear and colposcopy.
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Background: Osteocalcin, has high affinity for calcium. In osteoporotic women, deficiency of calcium may lead to lowering of the formation of hydroxyapatite crystals. Thus, in the state of hypo mineralization, free osteocalcin available in the circulation. Therefore, present study was designed to evaluate significance of serum osteocalcin in diagnosis of osteoporosis, and relationship between Serum Osteocalcin and BMD (Bone mineral Density) in post-menopausal females with osteoporosis and without osteoporosis.Methods: One hundred and forty seven post-menopausal women between age 45 to 80 years attending the hospital OPD were studied. To be eligible for the study they had to have been postmenopausal for at least one year. The diagnosis of osteoporosis was made based on T-Scores (BMD) at the lumber spine (L1 to L4 and femaral neck) by DEXA (GE lunar Densitometer). Serum osteocalcin level was estimated by LIAISON osteocalcin assay. Patients with chronic conditions affecting skeletal health and patients on drugs affecting the skeleton were excluded from the study.Results: Serum osteocalcin level in post-menopausal female without osteoporosis was 9.87±1.04ng/ml, while post-menopausal female with osteoporosis had 22.62±2.25ng/ml suggesting significant increase in bone marker level in osteoporotic females (p<0.05.) Correlation study between BMD and osteocalcin showed strong Negative Correlation (r=-0.77, p<0.05).Conclusions: Serum osteocalcin can be considered as a specific marker of osteoblast function as its levels have been shown to correlate with bone formation rates. Thus, serum osteocalcin can be used for diagnosis and monitoring of response to therapy and this may be the better predictor than BMD.
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Background: Major illness requiring hospitalization in poor family makes the family poorer with further tragic outcomes. In that view, Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojna (RSBY) by GOI and Mukhyamantri Amrutam (MA) Yojna by Gujarat Government were launched for Below Poverty Line families. Aims & Objectives: To assess knowledge and utilization regarding these two schemes amongst the registered families. Material & Methods: A community-based survey was carried out in a block of Gandhinagar using 30 clusters sampling. Sample size was calculated taking RSBY utilization rate 2.0%. Results: 98.4% had RSBY card & 83.7% had MA card. Common reasons for not having card were either “card not issued/people did not go to collect card” or “were unaware about the schemes/ card”. Only 1.5% families had valid RSBY cards. Knowledge regarding both the schemes (when & where to use, benefit amount etc.) was very poor (20- 25%). RSBY & MA utilization among valid card holders for last 1 year was 1.2% & 0.2% per enrolled member respectively in last 1 year. In both RSBY & MA, 30 – 40% beneficiaries had out of pocket expenditure, mainly towards transport & food. Few had towards medicines and/or investigations. However, most were satisfied with the services. Conclusion: Looking to the poor knowledge, it is important to carry out IEC activities to make people aware about the schemes which will help increase the utilization.
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ABSTRACTBackground: Nigella sativa, a widely used medicinal plant throughout the world belongs to family ranunculaceae. Its Seeds and oil have a long history of folklore usage in various traditional systems of medicines and food. This study was performed to evaluate the protective effect of Nigella sativa oil (NSO) on kidney when simultaneously given with colistin sulfate (CS) which induces tubular damage in rats.Methods: Animals were treated for 7 days: Group I (n=6) with normal saline and CMC, Group II, III and IV with 300.000IU/kg/day of CS (n=6). Group III and Group IV with NSO at the dose of 1 and 2ml/kg per orum prior to CS administration. All the animals were sacrificed on 8th day. Afterwards, the plasma creatinine (pCr), blood urea, renal tissue level of malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH) and renal histology were performed.Results: Colistin sulfate induced tubular damage, increased the plasma creatinine (pCr), blood urea and MDA levels and decreased the reduced glutathione (GSH). However, simultaneous treatment with Nigella sativa oil at the dose of 1ml/kg and 2ml/kg for one week produced dose dependant improvement in tubular damage and reduced the biochemical alteration.Conclusions: It could be concluded that, Colistin sulfate induced nephrotoxicity is ameliorated by NS oil especially in higher dose of (2ml/kg). This nephroprotective effect is ascribed to free radical scavenging and potent antioxidant activity in Nigella sativa.
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PURPOSE: The robotic system for surgery was introduced to gastric cancer surgery in the early 2000s to overcome the shortcomings of laparoscopic surgery. The more recently introduced da Vinci Xi® system offers benefits allowing four-quadrant access, greater range of motion, and easier docking through an overhead boom rotation with laser targeting. We aimed to identify whether the Xi® system provides actual advantages over the Si® system in gastrectomy for gastric cancer by comparing the operative outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all patients who underwent robotic gastrectomy as treatment for gastric cancer from March 2016 to March 2017. Patients' demographic data, perioperative information, and operative and pathological outcomes were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 109 patients were included in the Xi® group and 179 in the Si® group. Demographic characteristics were similar in both groups. The mean operative time was 229.9 minutes in the Xi® group and 223.7 minutes in the Si® group. The mean estimated blood loss was 72.7 mL in the Xi® group and 62.1 mL in the Si® group. No patient in the Xi® group was converted to open or laparoscopy, while 3 patients in the Si® group were converted, 2 to open surgery and 1 to laparoscopy, this difference was not statistically significant. Bowel function was resumed 3 days after surgery, while soft diet was initiated 4 days after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: We found no difference in surgical outcomes after robotic gastrectomy for gastric cancer between the da Vinci Xi® and da Vinci Si® procedures.
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Humans , Diet , Gastrectomy , Laparoscopy , Operative Time , Range of Motion, Articular , Retrospective Studies , Stomach NeoplasmsABSTRACT
Background: To evaluate the nephroprotective effect of ethanolic extract of leaves of Aloe barbadensis against gentamicin induced nephrotoxicity in albino rats. Methods: In the present study 24 albino rats of 120-150gm were taken and these rats were divided into four groups. Group I and II served as vehicle control and negative control groups respectively. While group III (EEAB150) and IV (EEAB300) served as treatment groups, which were treated with 150 and 300mg/kg/day of ethanolic extract of Aloe barbadensis, 1 hour before each dose of gentamicin administration for 8 days. On the 8th day of Gentamicin administration (80mg/kg/day, i.p) blood samples for BUN, serum creatinine, urine creatinine and total protein were taken while the rat kidneys for antioxidant assay and histology were obtained. Results: In group II nephrotoxicity was confirmed by significant elevation of BUN and Serum creatinine while urine creatinine and total protein is significantly decreased compared to group I , while in treatment groups III and IV there is significant attenuation of elevated BUN and S. creatinine while urine creatinine and total protein tends to increase compared to group II. Also, there was significant changes observed in antioxidant markers in the treatment groups III and IV. Improvement in renal function was also confirmed by histology of rat kidneys. Conclusion: Ethanolic extracts of leaves of Aloe barbadensis possess nephroprotective effect against gentamicin induced nephrotoxicity.
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Abstract Securigera securidaca (L.) Degen & Döefl., Fabaceae, has been widely used in the Iranian, Indian and Egyptian folk medicine as antidiabetic and anti-hyperlipidemic remedy. Phenolic profiling of the ethanolic extract (90%) of the flowers of S. securidaca was performed via HPLC-DAD-MS/MS analysis in the positive and negative ion modes. The total polyphenols and flavonoids in the flowers were determined colorimetrically, and the quantification of their components was carried out using HPLC-UV. Total phenolics and flavonoids estimated as gallic acid and rutin equivalents were 82.39 ± 2.79 mg/g and 48.82 ± 1.95 mg/g of the dried powdered flowers, respectively. HPLC-DAD-MS/MS analysis of the extract allowed the identification of 39 flavonoids and eight phenolic acids. Quantitative analysis of some flavonoids and phenolics (mg/100 g powdered flowers) revealed the presence of isoquercetrin (3340 ± 2.1), hesperidin (32.09 ± 2.28), naringin (197.3 ± 30.16), luteolin (10.247 ± 0.594), chlorogenic acid (84.22 ± 2.08), catechin (3.94 ± 0.57) and protocatechuic acid (34.4 ± 0.15), in the extract. Moreover, the acute toxicity, hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of the extract were investigated using alloxan induced diabetes in rats in a dose of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg bwt. The ethanolic extract was safe up to a dose of 2000 mg/kg. All tested doses of the flower extract showed marked decrease in blood glucose level by 31.78%, 66.41% and 63.8% at 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg bwt, respectively, at p < 0.05. Regarding the anti-hyperlipidemic effect, a dose of 400 mg/kg of the flower extract showed the highest reduction in serum triacylglycerides and total cholesterol levels (68.46% and 51.50%, respectively at p < 0.05). The current study proved the folk use of the flowers of S. securidaca as anti-diabetic and anti-hyperlipidemic agent which could be attributed to its high phenolic content.
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To evaluate vitamin D levels in Saudi newborns utilizing umbilical cord samples, and to benchmark the results with international figures. This cross-sectional study was carried out at King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia between November 2013 and March 2013. Vitamin D levels were assessed in the umbilical cord of healthy term neonates born above 2.5 kg from healthy pregnant mothers. Gestational age [GA], birth weight, gender, levels of sun exposure, and consumption of vitamin D rich food data were collected. Our primary outcome was the percentage of newborns with vitamin D deficiency [vitamin D level below 25 nmol/l]. Association of vitamin D deficiency with sun exposure and consumption of vitamin D rich food was tested using a Chi-squared test. Umbilical samples of 200 newborns were obtained. The average birth weight was 3.2 kg. Deficient vitamin D levels were detected in 59% of the sample. Almost 90% of included newborns had vitamin D levels below 50 nmol/l. We found no association of vitamin D deficiency status to level of sun exposure or to consumption of vitamin D rich food. Vitamin D deficiency is very common in Saudi newborns at hospital, and is consistent with regional data. Efforts to assess and treat vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy and provide adequate supplementation to newborns are necessary to rectify such a public health concern
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To assess the serum levels of copper, zinc, iron, and lead in patients on maintenance dialysis. This cross-sectional study performed at King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia between September 2011 and October 2012 included 42 patients with end stage renal disease on hemodialysis [HD], 18 patients on peritoneal dialysis [PD], and 18 normal controls. Serum copper, zinc, and lead levels were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, and serum iron was determined by spectrophotometric determination. The median serum copper level in HD patients [20.5 nmol/L; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 17.52-22.39; interquartile range [IQR]: 16.40-24.20] was higher [p=0.001] than the controls [14.30 nmol/L; 95% CI: 9.72-16.91; IQR: 9.70-17], and the PD patients [15.60 nmol/L; 95% CI: 14.17-16.66; IQR: 14.10-16.70]. Although no different from PD patients` serum levels of zinc in HD patients [9.50 nmol/L; 95% CI: 7.83-12.09; IQR: 7.00-14.40] were lower than controls [13.20 nmol/L; 95% CI: 10.65-15.22; IQR: 10.58-15.35; p=0.03]. Copper/zinc ratio in HD patients was 2.4, 2.5 in PD patients, and 0.88 in controls. The serum iron levels in HD patients [10 mmol/L; 95% CI: 8.03-11.96; IQR: 7-14.50; p=0.003], and PD patients [10 mmol/L; 95% CI 6.56-14.43; IQR 5.50-15; p=0.03] were lower than controls. Serum lead levels in PD patients [0.11 umol/L; 95% CI: 0.02-0.14; IQR: 0.02-0.14] were lower than HD patients [0.18 micro mol/; 95% CI: 0.15-0.21; IQR: 0.13-0.25; p=0.005], and controls [0.15 micro mol/L; 95% CI: 0.07-0.24; IQR: 0.06-0.25; p=0.04]. Alterations in serum trace elements emphasize the need for monitoring trace elements in patients receiving maintenance dialysis
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Aim: To investigate the antioxidant and antimicrobial potential of Chloroform and Pet ether extracts of Manilkara zapota (MZCE, MZPE), Polyalthia longifolia (PLCE, PLPE), Abroma augusta (AACE, AAPE) Ficus hispida (FHCE, FHPE), Vitex negundo (VNCE, VNPE) plants. Study Design: In vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pharmacy, School of Science & Engineering, Southeast University, Banani, Dhaka between June 2011 and March 2012. Methodology: In vitro antioxidant activity was performed using DPPH radical scavenging, nitric oxide (NO) scavenging, reducing power, total antioxidant capacity, total phenol and total flavonoid content determination assays. The antimicrobial assay was performed by disc diffusion method using kanamycin and Nystatin as the standard. Results: The most prominent antioxidant activity was observed with PLPE in DPPH radical scavenging test (IC50 =191.308 ± 28.450 μg/ml) as opposed to that of standard ascorbic acid (IC50= 43.129 ± 1.181μg/ml). In total antioxidant capacity method, FHCE showed the highest activity (837.558 ± 110.835 mg ascorbic acid/g). The total phenolic and flavonoids content were determined by Folin–Ciocalteu Reagent and aluminum chloride colorimetric method respectively. The highest total phenols & total flavonoids content were found in VNPE (180.434 ± 142.19 mg Gallic acid/g & 1265.255 ± 165.593 mg quercetin/g, respectively). The ferric reducing capacity of the extracts was strong and dose dependent manner. PLPE displayed the highest antimicrobial actions against Bacillus megaterium (40 mm). Conclusion: Comparison of different plant extracts used in the present study in various tested models showed wide variations in phenolic content and varying degrees of radical scavenging & reducing capacity. The obtained results indicate that investigated plants could be potential sources of natural antioxidants & antimicrobial agents and can be used for infectious diseases.
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Background: Garo is one of the largest indigenous communities of Bangladesh. Adolescence is a golden period of time for nutritional promotion. Adolescent nutrition did not receive adequate attention in Bangladesh. Tribal people like the Garo are even more unaware about the importance of adolescent nutrition. Objectives: To find out physical growth as well as nutritional status among adolescent Garo children in Sherpur district on the basis of anthropometric indices. Methods and materials: This cross sectional descriptive study was conducted among 384 adolescent Garo children (boys and girls) aged 10- 18 years. A structured pre-tested questionnaire and a checklist were used to collect data through interview. Anthropometric survey of randomly selected adolescent was carried out and compared against the NCHS/WHO reference indicators such as BMI-for-age, Height-for-age and Weight-for-age. Standard methods were applied to measure the height and weight of the adolescent and BMI was calculated. Associations of nutritional status with socio-economic status, maternal working status, family type and family size were determined. Results: In most of the age groups it is notable that the mean height and weight of both boys and girls were lower than the WHO/NCHS standards. The prevalence of thinness, stunting and underweighting was 49.74%, 15.1% and 7.29% respectively. Conclusions: Significant association between malnutrition and socio-economic parameters was observed. So socio-economic status, maternal working status, family type and family size are important determinants of nutritional status of adolescent. Therefore, comprehensive programmes are required to be undertaken for the overall nutritional development of the Garo population with special focus on the adolescents.
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Strongyloides stercoralis is a common intestinal parasite in tropics and subtropics. In Bangladesh, prevalence is likely to be high due to poor sanitation. Clinical presentations are frequently nonspecific. However, in immunosuppressed individuals, infection becomes overwhelming and may disseminate and results in high rates of mortality. Unless a high index of suspicion, this readily treatable disease may be missed. Here we report a case of hyperinfection with Strongyloides stercoralis in a patient who was on corticosteroid treatment. A 45 years old male was admitted in Gastroenterology department of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) with the complaints of abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea for 2 weeks. He was on prednisolone 60 mg with omeprazole 40 mg daily for 4 weeks for his eyelid drooping prior to the development of abdominal symptoms. Physical examination revealed a severely malnourished, moderately anemic patient with muscle wasting, angular stomatitis, desquamated skins of feet and hands. Abdominal examination revealed generalized tenderness with moderate ascites. Investigations revealed Hb-7.4 gm/dl with normal WBC count (eosinophil-11% before steroid therapy), S.albumin-19gm/l with prolonged prothrombin time and hypokalemia. USG of abdomen revealed moderate ascites. Endoscopy of upper GIT showed congestion and multiple erosions in the stomach and also in the duodenum. Biopsy from the duodenum revealed adult Strongyloides stercoralis on the surface, larva and ova in the duodenal crypts. The patient was treated with 10 days of oral ivermectin along with blood transfusion, correction of nutritional status and electrolyte imbalance. Patient was discharged home after a total of 20 days of hospitalization.
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Communication skills are considered a significant component in a nurse-patient relationship and can influence the quality care outcome. The purpose of this study is to examine the difference in perception between nurses and patients related to the perception of nurses' effectiveness in practicing communication skills. This is a descriptive - correlational study that utilized a sample of 180 nurses and 178 patients from three major hospitals representing three health care sectors in Jordan. Data were collected in regards to the perception of nurses' effectiveness in practicing communication skills. Nurses had higher levels of perception of effectiveness in practicing communication skills [M=4.03, SD=.22] than their patients [M= .63, SD=.21] and this difference was statistically different [t=- 10.84, p< .001]. No statistical differences were found between patients and nurses in regards to personal and demographic characteristics [P> .05]. Recommendations: It is recommended that there should be programs to improve nurses' communication skills, with further research to evaluate its effectiveness. More work is needed to improve nurses' ability to evaluate their communication skills and their impact on patients' quality of care
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Chlamydia trachomatis is considered a major aetiological agent of conjunctivitis in newborns. The objective of the present study was to determine the aetiology of neonatal conjunctivitis and clinico-epidemiological correlates of chlamydial ophthalmia neonatorum. Fifty-eight newborns with signs and symptoms of conjunctivitis were studied. Conjunctival specimens were subjected to Gram staining, routine bacteriological culture, culture for Neisseria gonorrhoeae and direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) staining for diagnosis of C. trachomatis infection. C. trachomatis was detected in 18 (31%) neonates. Findings suggest that since C. trachomatis is the most common cause of neonatal conjunctivitis, routine screening and treatment of genital C. trachomatis infection in pregnant women and early diagnosis and treatment of neonatal Chlamydial conjunctivitis may be considered for its prevention and control.
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This study aimed to evaluate the effect of antibiotic combination between beta-lactams and aminoglycosids with another group of antibiotics. Fifty isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were identified using different microscopic, cultural characteristics and biochemical tests. Eight isolates [16%] were from burn infections, 20 [40%] from urinary tract infections, 16 [32%] from burn infections and 6 [12%] from otitis media cases. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests and minimal inhibitory concentration MIC were performed. Pseudomonas aeruginosa exhibited [100%] resistance to amoxicillin, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid and cefazolin. While percentages of resistance to carbenicillin, cefotaxime and ceftazidime were [84%], [80%] and [78%] respectively. Resistance percentages to gentamycin, tobramycin, piperacillin, amikacin and ciprofloxacin were [52%], [26%], [24%], [6%] and [4%] respectively. All isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were highly sensitive [100%] to aztreonam, cefepime, imipenem, peofloxacin and ofloxacin. Combinations of ciprofloxacin with gentamycin and ceftazidime gave interesting results against the local bacterial isolates in reducing their MIC values. Gentamycin and ceftazidime gave an obvious decrease in MIC values after combination of these drugs and used against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The study shows that the combination of beta-lactams and aminoglycosids with ciprofloxacin is highly effective in treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections
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Humans , Aminoglycosides , Anti-Bacterial Agents , Drug Therapy, Combination , Drug Synergism , Ciprofloxacin , Pseudomonas Infections/drug therapy , Treatment Outcome , Drug Resistance, Bacterial , Microbial Sensitivity TestsABSTRACT
To assess the level of patients satisfaction with primary health care PHC services in health centers affiliated to Riyadh Military Hospital RMH, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 3 PHC centers, affiliated to Riyadh Military Hospital RMH, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, over 2 months period in 2006, data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire to assess patients' overall satisfaction with PHC services and their level of satisfaction with 5 PHC domains: reception services, accessibility, continuity of care, communication, and enablement. Seven hundred questionnaires were distributed yielding 86.6% response rate, 39.6% of our patients were 20-30 years old, 51.5% of the respondents were females, 76.4% were married and 34.5% of them showed a medical visit frequency of a minimum of 8 times per year. The domains of PHC with the highest level of reported satisfaction was enablement 70.6%. The poorest level of satisfaction was at the continuity of care 56.3%. The mean score of satisfaction with reception was 70.0%, communication 69.2%, and accessibility to care was 62.4%. The overall satisfaction level was 64.2%. Patients of older age were more satisfied with PHC services than their younger counterparts p-value <0.001 and patients with lower education level were more satisfied p-value<0.001. Patients' satisfaction was inversely related to their average annual visit frequency to PHC centers p-value =0.015. There was no relation found between patients' satisfaction and their gender, marital status, occupational status, and their average monthly income. The level of satisfaction with PHC services in health centers affiliated to RMH is relatively low, results identified areas in which quality improvement is required, mainly accessibility and continuity of care
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Humans , Male , Female , Primary Health Care , Cross-Sectional Studies , Surveys and Questionnaires , Age Factors , Socioeconomic Factors , Health Services/standardsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Child health in developing countries including Nepal is a matter of serious concern as the prevalence of malnutrition among children continues to be high with 48.6% of children under five in Nepal being underweight. Since infant feeding practices adopted by mothers play a major role in influencing health of these children, there is a need to study the infant feeding practices prevalent in different areas in order to have pragmatic approaches to solve this problem. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross sectional study was conducted among mothers who attended the immunization clinics of 18 wards of Pokhara municipality area. They were interviewed with a semi-structured questionnaire on various aspects of infant feeding. RESULT: A total of 168 mothers were interviewed and prevalence of breastfeeding was 99.4% (167). Only 43.5% of the mothers initiated breastfeeding within one hour of birth and 60.5% were practicing exclusive breastfeeding at 5 months. Almost 40% of the mothers started complementary feeding before the recommended age of 6 months and 22.5 % delayed introduction of complementary feeding beyond the recommended age. CONCLUSION: Breast feeding practices adopted by mothers of Pokhara urban area are still lacking in terms of late initiation of and early starting of complementary feeding. There is a need to educate the mothers regarding proper infant feeding practices.
Subject(s)
Adult , Bottle Feeding/statistics & numerical data , Breast Feeding/statistics & numerical data , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Mothers , Nepal , Surveys and Questionnaires , Urban Population , WeaningABSTRACT
The placenta has been implicated in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is more common in multifetal gestations which have an increased placental mass compared to singleton pregnancies. Detecting the effects of preeclampsia on the availability of enzymes in the full term placenta. Two groups of placentae were taken from full term pregnant women immediately after labour, each consisting of ten placentae. The first group are placentae obtained from women having an uneventful pregnancy with no history of disease or complication [as a control group] while the second group consists of placentae obtained from women with a history of preeclampsia. The materials were obtained from Al-Batool and Al-Khansaa Teaching Hospitals in Mosul, between February and July [2006]. Significant histochemical changes were detected in the placentae of the second group when compared with those from the first group, such changes result from syncytial damage and destruction affecting the preeclamptic placentae, leading to the loss of alkaline phosphatase enzyme with an increase in the amount of the degenerating acid phosphatase enzyme
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Humans , Female , Histocytochemistry , Pre-Eclampsia/pathology , Pre-Eclampsia/physiopathology , Pre-Eclampsia/enzymologyABSTRACT
Patients with severe sickle cell anemia [SCA] have a higher potential for oxidative damage due to chronic redox imbalance in red blood cells that often leads to hemolysis, endothelial injury and recurrent vaso-occlusive episodes. This study evaluated the plasma levels of vitamins A, C and E as indicators of antioxidant status. In addition, serum levels of zinc and copper were also estimated. Twenty-five adult patients with severe sickle cell anemia [12 males and 13 females aged 29.72 +/- 12.94 years] and 25 matched controls were studied. Plasma levels of vitamins A, C and E were measured by HPLC technique. Serum zinc and copper levels were measured by atomic absorption spectrometry. There was a significant decrease in plasma levels of vitamins A, C and E and in serum levels of zinc in patients with SCA as compared with controls [P<0.0001]. Serum copper levels were significantly elevated compared with controls [P<0.0001]. These findings emphasize the significant deficiencies of the antioxidant vitamins A, C and E and the trace element zinc along with the significant elevation of serum copper in patients with severe sickle cell disease. Further studies are needed to find out whether supplementation of antioxidant vitamins and zinc may ameliorate some sickle cell disease complications