A study of the different learning styles of the present first professional MBBS students at United Institute of Medical Sciences, United Medicity, Prayagraj, India

Background: The study is designed to evaluate the different learning styles of the present first professional MBBS students. Students were requested to complete the visual-aural-read/write-kinesthetic (VARK) questionnaire at VARK-LEARN.COM. Results of the questionnaire were collected by email and analyzed using Microsoft Excel. We found that 68.2% had multimodal learning preferences and 31.7% had single learning preference. Aims and Objectives: The objective of this study is to analyze the different learning styles of MBBS 1st year students of United Institute of Medical Sciences, Prayagraj, using the VARK questionnaire. Materials and Methods: This study includes the informed consent taken from each student before participating. The Institutional Ethics Committee approved the study. Copyright permission was taken from the website vark-learn.com, from VARK Learn Limited, New Zealand. One hundred and two students had consented, and out of them, 85 students participated in the study. The students were asked to complete the questionnaire on the website. The data on their learning styles were collected and analyzed using Microsoft Excel. Results: Out of 85 Students, 58 (68.2%) had multimodal learning preferences. Of these, 28.2% of students had four-part VARK or quadrimodal preferences, 28.2% of students had bimodal, and 11.7% had trimodal learning preferences. Twenty-seven (31.7%) had single learning preferences, and, out of these 27 students, 17 (20%) had kinesthetic, 6 (7.05%) had visual learning preferences, and 4 (4.7%) students had aural learning preferences. Conclusion: With the help of this study, we concluded that most of the students who participated in our study are multimodal learners, and out of the students who had a single learning preference, most had kinesthetic learning preferences.

Comparative evaluation of cost-effectiveness of alpha blockers prescribed in patients with non-neurogenic lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia

Background: Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) due to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) is a common problem among aging men. Several classes of drugs are efficacious and safe, but the first-line treatment is with alpha-1 adrenergic blockers. They provide symptomatic relief and have to be taken for a longer duration to sustain the effect. The preferred alpha-blockers among the stockpile should be efficacious, tolerable, and also cost-effective. Aim and Objective: This study focuses to compare the cost-effectiveness of various alpha blockers prescribed in patients with LUTS-BPH. Materials and Methods: An observational study of 78 patients who were newly diagnosed with LUTS-BPH from April 2014 to May 2015 was conducted. Patients were followed up at 4 weeks and at 12 weeks after the drugs had been prescribed. Efficacy assessment was done on basis of change in International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) score over 12 weeks. Average cost-effectiveness ratio of different alpha-blockers prescribed was evaluated and compared with Mann-Whitney U test in order to find the most cost-effective alpha-blocker in the study. Results: All patients were prescribed alpha-blockers either alone or in combination with other drugs. Tamsulosin was prescribed to n = 46, Silodosin to n = 16 and Alfuzosin to n = 16. The efficacy in terms of Mean change in IPSS after 12 weeks of study was 11.34 ± 5.23 for Tamsulosin, 11.70 ± 5.9 for Silodosin and 10.87 ± 4.77 for Alfuzosin and average cost-effectiveness ratio was 108.74, 183.07 and 127.50 for Tamsulosin, Silodosin, and Alfuzosin, respectively. Conclusion: Tamsulosin was the most cost-effective drug among the prescribed alpha-blockers. Since all the prescribed alpha-blockers had comparable efficacy so we concluded that the most cost-effective drug should be preferred for long-duration treatment.

Spectrum of cardiovascular diseases with increasing age and its association with geriatric syndromes

Objective: The burden of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) is highest among the older adults, who are often carriers of various geriatric syndromes. Studies evaluating CVDs among the old adults in the low? and middle?income countries are limited. This study was conducted to assess the frequency of CVDs and their risk factors among the older population and their association with geriatric syndromes. Subjects and Methods: In this cross?sectional study, 200 health?care seeking adults aged ?75 years were subjected to routine comprehensive geriatric assessment (assessment for functionality, cognition, depression, frailty, and various geriatric syndromes) and a detailed cardiovascular evaluation using electrocardiography, chest X?ray, echocardiogram, HbA1c level, fasting lipid profile, thyroid function test, serum homocysteine level, and serum NT?pro?BNP. Results: The overall frequency of CVDs in this study was 76%. Polypharmacy, multi-morbidity, cognitive impairment, depression, frailty, and impairment of basic and instrumental activities of daily living were present in 50.5%, 91.5%, 6.5%, 10%, 30.5%, 24.5%, and 55% individuals, respectively. CVDs were significantly associated with increased risk of geriatric syndromes (multi?morbidity [odds ratio (OR) 3.61, confidence interval (CI) 1.13 – 11.54, P = 0.030], polypharmacy [OR 5.46, CI 2.23 – 13.34, P = 0.001] and frailty [OR 3.29, CI 1.01 – 10.64, P = 0.047]). Conclusion: The prevalence of CVDs and their risk factors among the older population was high and significantly associated with increased risk of geriatric syndromes. These observations further strengthen the need for routine geriatric assessment and integrated management of geriatric syndromes in older patients with CVDs.

Formulation And Evaluation Of Herbal Tablet Containing Hydro-Alcoholic Extract Of Achyranthes Aspera Linn. (Roots) Used For The Treatment Of Vaginal Infection

Vaginal infection include irritation, itching and swelling are very frequent and common among women due to various un-hygienic issues including a major fungus causing infection is Candida species. According to Ayurveda several herbs are used to cure women disorders, though there proper documentation and validation need to be established. It has increasingly deserved a special attention among the medical community. In spite of the presence of Candida species as a human commensal, alarming rates of local and systemic infections have been observed, varying from moderate to severe impact. The present investigation aims to formulate and evaluate herbal tablet containing hydro-alcoholic extract of Achyranthes aspera Linn. (Roots). Various batches F1 to F8 were prepared using different ratio of ingredients and were evaluated as per IP. The data obtained indicate that F7 have excellent results when compared with other formulation codes.

Prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in India & way forward

Deficiency of vitamin D or hypovitaminosis D is widespread irrespective of age, gender, race and geography and has emerged as an important area of research. Vitamin D deficiency may lead to osteoporosis (osteomalacia in adults and rickets in children) along with calcium deficiency. Its deficiency is linked with low bone mass, weakness of muscles and increased risk of fracture. However, further research is needed to link deficiency of vitamin D with extra-skeletal consequences such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, infections and autoimmune disorders. The causes of vitamin D deficiency include length and timing of sun exposure, amount of skin exposed, latitude, season, level of pollution in atmosphere, clothing, skin pigmentation, application of sunscreen, dietary factors and genetic factors. The primary source is sunlight, and the dietary sources include animal products such as fatty fish, food items fortified with vitamin D and supplements. Different cut-offs have been used to define hypovitaminosis D and its severity in different studies. Based on the findings from some Indian studies, a high prevalence of hypovitaminosis D was observed among different age groups. Hypovitaminosis D ranged from 84.9 to 100 per cent among school-going children, 42 to 74 per cent among pregnant women, 44.3 to 66.7 per cent among infants, 70 to 81.1 per cent among lactating mothers and 30 to 91.2 per cent among adults. To tackle the problem of hypovitaminosis D in India, vitamin D fortification in staple foods, supplementation of vitamin D along with calcium, inclusion of local fortified food items in supplementary nutrition programmes launched by the government, cooperation from stakeholders from food industry and creating awareness among physicians and the general population may help in combating the problem to some extent.

An unusual hydrops in keratoconus

A young 19-year-old male was referred for the management of acute hydrops in the left eye. During follow-up, other eye cornea developed edematous bands as if hydrops was developing at two parallel sites. Edema progressed very slowly and new edema bands continued to develop. This creeping type of hydrops took 4 months to develop into typical hydrops. To the best of our knowledge, hydrops has always been reported to develop in an acute manner and at a single site. Our case is unusual because hydrops progressed very slowly and developed at multiple sites in a creeping manner.

Oscillometric Blood Pressure in Indian School Children: Simplified Percentile Tables and Charts.

Background: Data on blood pressure recorded by oscillometric method is limited. Objective: To develop simplified tables and charts of blood pressure recorded by oscillometric method in children. Design: Cross-sectional. Setting:Ballabhgarh, Haryana. Participants: Healthy school-children. Main outcome measures: Blood pressure measured by oscillometric method. Results: The study group included 7,761 children (58.4% males) with mean (SD) age of 10.5 (2.8) years. Age and gender were used to create simplified percentile tables and charts, as height was seen to explain very little variability of either systolic or diastolic blood pressure. Formulae for SBP and DBP thresholds for hypertension were derived as [110 + 1.6 x age] and [79 + 0.7 x age], respectively, with 1 mm Hg to be added for females. 95th percentile values suggest simple levels indicating hypertension to be 120/80, 125/85 and 135/90 at ages of 5, 10 and 15 years, respectively. Conclusions: Simplified reference tables and charts, formulae for SBP and DBP, and simple convenient thresholds may be useful for rapid screening of hypertension using oscillometric method.

Antigen sequence typing of outer membrane protein (fetA) gene of Neisseria meningitidis serogroup A from Delhi & adjoining areas.

Background & objectives: Meningitis caused by Neisseria meningitidis is a fatal disease. Meningococcal meningitis is an endemic disease in Delhi and irregular pattern of outbreaks has been reported in India. All these outbreaks were associated with serogroup A. Detailed molecular characterization of N. meningitidis is required for the management of this fatal disease. In this study, we characterized antigenic diversity of surface exposed outer membrane protein (OMP) FetA antigen of N. meningitidis serogroup A isolates obtained from cases of invasive meningococcal meningitis in Delhi, India. Methods: Eight isolates of N. meningitidis were collected from cerebrospinal fluid during October 2008 to May 2011 from occasional cases of meningococcal meningitis. Seven isolates were from outbreaks of meningococcal meningitis in 2005-2006 in Delhi and its adjoining areas. These were subjected to molecular typing of fetA gene, an outer membrane protein gene. Results: All 15 N. meningitides isolates studied were serogroup A. This surface exposed porin is putatively under immune pressure. Hence as a part of molecular characterization, genotyping was carried out to find out the diversity in outer membrane protein (FetA) gene among the circulating isolates of N. meningitidis. All 15 isolates proved to be of the same existing allele type of FetA variable region (VR) when matched with global database. The allele found was F3-1 for all the isolates. Interpretation & conclusions: There was no diversity reported in the outer membrane protein FetA in the present study and hence this protein appeared to be a stable molecule. More studies on molecular characterization of FetA antigen are required from different serogroups circulating in different parts of the world.

Mental/ psychological disorders in children and their therapy as per Ayurveda.

Mental disease has been recognized throughout history in every civilization of the world though its significance is understood and its treatment has evolved in significantly different directions. Psychological and mental disorders involve physiological and/or genetic components in children but the etiology of some psychological disorders in children is unknown. Mental retardation, learning disorders, communication skills disorders and pervasive developmental disorders (such as autistic disorder) etc. comes under these category. The treatment of psychological and mental disorders requires special attention. Ayurveda involve various treatment component as part of kaumarabhria for such conditions like; herbs, yoga, panchkarma and use of various traditional formulation like; Medhya Rasayanas. Ayurveda enhances mental ability, learning disorders, behavioral therapy through natural techniques etc. This article shares some traditional approaches of treating mental disorders in children.

Reproductive factors and risk of breast cancer: A Review.

Breast cancer is one of the most common incident cancer and cause of death from cancer in women. It is known that several factors that influence hormonal status (e.g., age at first child birth) or are markers of change in hormonal status (e.g., age at menarche and age at menopause) are associated with the risk of breast cancer. Reproductive factors are known risk factors for breast cancer that probably act early in life. They point toward endogenous estrogens as likely player in the initiation, progression, and promotion of breast cancer. An attempt has been made in this article to review the scientific data published in Indexed journals on the role of reproductive factors in breast cancer.

Association between domestic violence and unintended pregnancies in India: Findings from the National Family Health Survey-2 data.

Background. Violence against women, especially by their husbands, is a serious public health issue that is associated with physical, reproductive and mental health consequences. The association between physical violence and unintended pregnancies has not been explored in India. Methods. Data were drawn from the second round of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-2), India conducted in 1998–99. Unintended pregnancy, defined as a pregnancy that was not wanted at the time of conception, was the dependent variable. A set of independent covariates such as age, place of residence, education, working status, religion, standard of living index, type of family, number of surviving sons, use of contraceptive methods, pregnancies terminated and physical mistreatment by the husband were evaluated using a step-wise multiple logistic regression model. Results. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that women who had been physically mistreated by their husbands were 47% (OR 1.47; 95% CI 1.25–1.72) more likely to experience unintended pregnancies. Conclusion. Preventing physical violence against women by their husbands could reduce unintended pregnancies.

Circulating angiogenic factors in pregnancies complicated by pre-eclampsia.

Background. Pre-eclampsia is an inflammatory disorder characterized by diffuse endothelial dysfunction possibly secondary to impaired trophoblast invasion of the spiral arteries during implantation. It is associated with alterations in maternal serum concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), placental growth factor (PlGF) and soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1). We did a case–control study to ascertain whether pre-eclampsia is associated with changes in serum concentrations of VEGF, PlGF and sFlt-1 in Indian patients. Methods. Serum samples were obtained from 40 women with pre-eclampsia and 40 normotensive, non-proteinuric pregnant women. The levels of VEGF, PlGF and sFlt-1 were analysed using ELISA. Results. In the sera of pregnant women with pre-eclampsia, the levels of sFlt-1 were significantly higher than those in the sera of normotensive, non-proteinuric pregnant women (median 11 295.25 v. 2936.2 pg/ml, p<0.0001), whereas there was a significant reduction in the levels of free VEGF (mean [SD] 170.53 [36.56] pg/ml v. 254.61 [47.39] pg/ml, p<0.0001) and PlGF (mean [SD] 236.77 [93.70] pg/ml v. 744.98 [168.55] pg/ml, p<0.0001). Conclusion. An increase in sFlt-1 levels and a simultaneous decrease in free VEGF and PlGF levels in the sera of women with pre-eclampsia as compared with normotensive, nonproteinuric pregnant women suggest that an imbalance between the levels of these pro- and anti-angiogenic factors may have a role to play in the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia.

Responses of cyanobacterium Anabaena doliolum during nickel stress.

Growth and biochemical responses of heterocystous nitrogen fixing cyanobacteria Anabaena doliolum were studied upon exposure to various concentrations of nickel (0.1 to 100 mM) for duration of upto 4 days, in view of its tolerance. The growth of the cyanobacterium was increased in terms of cell density (O.D), heterocyst frequency, chlorophyll-a, carotenoid and c-phycocynin upto moderate exposure (10 mM for 96 hr of Ni treatment). Protein and total non protein thiol were measured as stress responsive metabolites and frequency of heterocyst and spores were observed in responses to Ni. The present study demonstrated that the tested cyanobacterium exhibited dose specific responses of metal towards studied different morphological, physiological and biochemical parameters.

Chromium (VI) induced phytotoxicity and oxidative stress in pea (Pisum sativum L.): Biochemical changes and translocation of essential nutrients.

Due to widespread industrial use, chromium (Cr) is considered a hazardous environmental pollutant. It is known to inhibit plant growth and development. The present study provides the evidence of the phytotoxicity of this metal on the pea (Pisum sativum L. cv Azad) plants. The plants of pea (Pisum sativum L.) were grown in refined sand under different concentrations i.e. 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4 mM of Cr (VI) in order to study the effect on growth and yield, photosynthetic pigments, relative water content, non-reducing sugar and protein with activity of certain enzymes like catalase, peroxidase, starch phosphorylase and ribonuclease. The analysis of the results showed that photosynthetic pigments (68.68%), relative water contents (62.77%), non-reducing sugar (66.66%) and protein (81.57%) were decrease along with reduction in plant height (52.69% ) and leaf area (50.81%) of the pea plants. However, in response to various concentration of Cr exposed plants showed significant induction of reducing and total sugars with enzymes like catalase, starch phosphorylase and ribonuclease. The translocation of Cr in various part of pea plant have been found in order of root> stem> leaves>seeds which ranged between 34.8 to 217.3 mg g-1 d.wt. (dry weight) in roots, 6.5 to 173.13 mg g-1 d.wt. in shoot, 4.2 to 74.43 mg g-1 d.wt. in leaves and 0.94 to 8.64 mg g-1 d.wt. in seeds, that is also reflected by the transfer factor of Cr from refined sand to tested species.

Clinical correlation of multiple biomarkers for risk assessment in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Biochemical markers are useful for the prediction of future cardiovascular events in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The independent as well as the combined prognostic value of elevated troponin-T, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP) on the Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) risk score and on the short-term prognosis were evaluated in a cohort of ACS patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: In an unselected, heterogeneous group of 80 patients with ACS (i.e., unstable angina [USA] or non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction [NSTEMI]), the levels of troponin-T, hs-CRP, and NT-pro-BNP were analyzed. The correlation between elevation of different biomarkers with TIMI risk score and their impact on 30-day major adverse cardiac events was sought. The levels of hs-CRP were significantly higher in patients who had angina as their predominant complaint (3.67 mg/dl vs. 1.67 mg/dl: p < 0.01), while levels of NT-pro-BNP was higher in those patients who had any element of heart failure at presentation (2616.39 pg/ml vs. 1068.3 pg/ml; p < 0.01). Troponin-T was highest in patients who had an element of both heart failure and angina at presentation (p < 0.01). The TIMI risk score expectedly had a positive and strong correlation with elevated troponin-T, but had no correlation with elevation of hs-CRP and NT-pro-BNP in isolation. However, when any two biomarkers were elevated, the patients were in the intermediate risk group as per TIMI risk score irrespective of troponin-T-elevation. When all the three biomarkers were elevated, the risk equaled the high-risk category of TIMI risk score. Elevated hs-CRP (3.40 mg/dl vs. 1.38 mg/dl; p < 0.001) and troponin-T (2.37 ng/ml vs. 1.23 ng/ml; p < 0.001) at baseline correlated independently with the occurrence of re-ischemia, while elevated NT-pro-BNP alone correlated significantly with the development of heart failure within 30 days of follow-up (4247.76 pg/ml vs. 1210.86 pg/ml; p < 0.01). The highest risk of death from any cardiovascular cause within 30 days of follow-up was significantly higher when all the three biomarkers were elevated. CONCLUSION: The use of NT-pro-BNP, hs-CRP, and troponin-T in combination appears to add critical prognostic insight to the assessment of patients with ACS.

Monitoring oxidative stress across worsening child pugh class of cirrhosis.

CONTEXT :Oxidative stress has been increasingly implicated in the pathogenesis and progression of cirrhosis. AIMS :We studied oxidative stress in patients with cirrhosis by measuring markers reflecting pro-oxidant (serum malondialdehyde-MDA) and antioxidant factors (RBC catalase-CAT, superoxide dismutase-SOD and blood reduced glutathione-GSH) factors. The level of oxidative stress was also assessed with respect to functional compromise of liver, as determined by Child Turcotte Pugh (CTP) scoring. DESIGN :Case-controlled retrospective study. MATERIALS AND METHODS :Twenty-three patients of cirrhosis along with 23 age and sex matched healthy controls were studied. Exclusion criteria were concurrent use of anti-oxidant drugs; co-existing diseases like DM, CKD; alcohol use, gastrointestinal bleed or blood transfusion within previous 2 weeks. Besides routine investigations, MDA, CAT, SOD and GSH levels were measured and compared with controls. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS :Continuous variables were recorded as mean +/- SD; ANOVA-f test, followed by Tukey's test, was used to evaluate the significance of difference (P < 0.05) among groups. RESULTS :Mean age of patients was 41.04 +/- 12.3 yrs. Patients showed a significant increase in MDA {control 3.31 +/- 0.25 (95% CI 3.21-3.41), Child B 6.30 +/- 0.4 (95% CI 6.03-6.53), Child C 8.05 +/- 0.66 (95% CI 7.29-8.81) nmol/l} and a significant decrease in levels of SOD {control 845.13 +/- 36.44 (95% CI 829.92-860.34), Child B 582.91 +/- 42.12 (95% CI 557.45-608.32), Child C 489.5 +/- 17.66 (95% CI 479.3-499.7) U/gm Hb}, CAT {controls 2.54 +/- 0.22 (95% CI 2.45-2.63), Child B 1.93 +/- 0.23 (95% CI 1.72-2.14), Child C 1.46 +/- 0.10 (95% CI 1.40-1.52) U/ gm Hb} and GSH {controls 6.52 +/- 0.25 (95% CI 6.42-6.52), Child B 3.85 +/- 0.18 (95%CI 3.74-3.96), Child C 2.99 +/- 0.30 (95% CI 2.82-3.16) mmol/ gm Hb}. CONCLUSIONS : Oxidative stress is associated with the development and progression of cirrhosis.

Progression of chronic pulmonary tuberculosis in mice intravenously infected with ethambutol resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Purpose: Ethambutol (EMB) is an important first line drug, however little information on its molecular mechanism of resistance and pathogenicity of resistant isolates is available. Present work was designed to study virulence of the EMB resistant M. tuberculosis strains and the host responses in-vivo on infection of EMB resistant M. tuberculosis using Balb/c mouse model of infection. Methods: Three groups of Balb/c mice (female, age 4-6 wk; 21 mice in each group) were infected intravenously with 106 CFU of M. tuberculosis H37Rv and two EMB resistant clinical isolates. Age and sex matched control animals were mock inoculated with Middlebrook 7H9 broth alone. At 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, and 70 days post-infection three animals from each group were sacrificed by cervical dislocation and lung tissue was collected for further analysis. Results: Infection with EMB resistant M. tuberculosis led to progressive and chronic disease with significantly high bacillary load (p=0.02). Massive infiltration and exacerbated lung pathology with increased expression of IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha was observed in lungs of mice infected with EMB resistant strains. The present study suggests that infection with EMB resistant M. tuberculosis leads to chronic infection with subsequent loss of lung function, bacterial persistence with elevated expression of TNF-alpha resulting in increased lung pathology. Conclusion: These findings highlight that EMB resistant M. tuberculosis regulates host immune response differentially and its pathogenicity is different from drug sensitive strains of M. tuberculosis.

"Poor man's risk factor": correlation between high sensitivity C-reactive protein and socio-economic class in patients of acute coronary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Inflammation has been proposed as one of the factors responsible for the development of coronary artery disease (CAD) and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs CRP) at present is the strongest marker of inflammation. We did a study to assess the correlation of hs-CRP with socio-economic status (SES) in patients of CAD presenting as acute coronary syndrome (ACS). METHODS: Baseline hs-CRP of 490 patients of ACS was estimated by turbidimetric immunoassay. Patients were stratified by levels of hs-CRP into low (<1 mg/L); intermediate (1-3 mg/L) or high (>3 mg/L) groups and in tertiles of 0-0.39 mg/L, 0.4-1.1 mg/L and >1.1 mg/L, respectively. Classification of patient into upper (21.4%), middle (45.37 percent) and lower (33.3%) SES was based on Kuppuswami Index which includes education, income and profession. Presence or absence of traditional risk factors for CAD diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia and smoking was recorded in each patient. RESULTS: Mean levels of hs-CRP in lower, middle and upper SES were 2.3 +/- 2.1 mg/L, 0.8 +/- 1.7 mg/L and 1.2 +/- 1.5 mg/L, respectively. hs-CRP levels were significantly higher in low SES compared with both upper SES (p = 0.033) and middle SES (p = 0.001). Prevalence of more than one traditional CAD risk factors was seen in 13.5%, 37.5% and 67.67 percent; in patient of lower, middle and upper SES. It was observed that multiple risk factors had a linear correlation with increasing SES. Of the four traditional risk factors of CAD, smoking was the only factor which was significantly higher in lower SES (73%) as compared to middle (51.67 percent;) and upper (39.4%) SES. We found that 62.3%, 20.8% and 26.5% patients of low, middle and upper SES had hs-CRP values in the highest tertile. Median value of the Framingham risk score in low, middle and upper SES as 11, 14 and 18, respectively. We observed that at each category of Framingham risk, low SES had higher hs-CRP. CONCLUSION: We conclude from our study that patient of lower SES have significantly higher levels of hs-CRP despite the fact that they have lesser traditional risk factors and lower Framingham risk. These findings add credit to our belief that inflammation may be an important link in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis and its complications especially in patients of low SES who do not have traditional risk factors.

Arsenic accumulation in root and shoot vis-a-vis its effects on growth and level of phytochelatins in seedlings of Cicer arietinum L.

Arsenic (As) contamination of water and soil has become a subject of prime interest due to its direct effect on human health through drinking water and food. In present study two varieties (CSG-8962 and C-235) of chickpea, Cicer arietinum L., which is a major supplementary food in many parts of India and a valuable source of protein, has been selected to estimate the level of arsenate in root and shoot of five day old seedlings vis-à-vis effect of arsenate on seedling growth and induction of thiols including glutathione (GSH) and phytochelatins (PCs) and their homologues. Both varieties accumulated arsenate to similar levels and most of the metalloid was confined to roots, only about 2.5% was translocated to shoot. Plant growth was also not affected significantly in both the varieties. Arsenate exposure significantly induced the levels of thiols including PCs and homophytochelatins (hPCs). The induction of thiols was much higher in roots than shoots and was greater in var C-235 between the two tested ones. Thus, both varieties tolerated and detoxified arsenic through chelation with GSH, PCs and hPCs, primarily in roots, however var C-235 performed better