Evaluation of the effect of conventionally prepared swarna makshika bhasma on different bio-chemical parameters in experimental animals.

Swarna makshika (chalcopyrite) bhasma (SMB) has been used for different therapeutic purposes since long in Ayurveda. The present study is conducted to evaluate the effect of conventionally prepared SMB on different bio-chemical parameters in experimental animals, for providing scientific data base for its logical use in clinical practice. The genuine SMB was prepared by following classical techniques of shodhana and marana most commonly used by different Ayurvedic drug manufacturers. Shodhana was done by roasting raw swarna makshika with lemon juice for three days and marana was performed by 11 putas. The experimental animals (rats) were divided into two groups. SMB mixed with diluted honey was administered orally in therapeutic dose to Group SMB and diluted honey only was administered to vehicle control Group, for 30 days. The blood samples were collected twice, after 15 days and after 30 days of drug administration and different biochemical investigations were done. Biochemical parameters were chosen based on references from Ayurvedic classics and contemporary medicine. It was observed that Hb% was found significantly increased and LDL and VLDL were found significantly decreased in Group SMB when compared with vehicle control group. This experimental data will help the clinician for the logical use of SMB in different disease conditions with findings like low Hb% and high LDL, VLDL levels.

Effect of prenatal exposure of alcohol in the morphology of developing rat embryo.

The objective this study was to observe the morphological changes in developing rat embryo exposed to alcohol in utero. Virgin female Wistar rats in experimental group (n=15) were given 20% (v/v) alcohol two weeks before mating and throughout the gestational period through oral route. The controls (n=15) were also maintained and were given the tap water. On gestational day 15 (GD15) and 19 (GD19), five rats from each group were sacrificed by cervical dislocation and the abdomen was incised to expose the uterine horn. The number of implantation sites and resorptions were counted and recorded. The body weight and length of the fetuses were also recorded. The litter size and body weight of the newborn were also recorded at the time of birth from the remaining dam. The incidence of resorption was higher in alcohol treated group than in control which was found to be 25% and 8.7% at days 15 and 19 respectively. The body weight and length of fetuses were found to be decreased and was significant at GD15 (p<0.001 for weight and p<0.05 for length). Similarly, the litter size and body weight of newborn were also found to be decreased significantly (p<0.05 for litter size and p<0.01 for body weight). The present study shows that the maternal consumption of alcohol during pregnancy has adverse effect on fetal viability and development of growing embryo.

Etiology and clinical profile of pediatric cataract in a tertiary care center of Eastern Nepal.

Cataract is one of the leading causes of blindness in children. There are very few studies from Nepal on pediatric cataract. The present study is an attempt to get information on clinical profile and etiology of cataract in pediatric age group with an emphasis on preventable factors. A hospital based cross sectional study was carried out in a tertiary referral hospital in Eastern region of Nepal. After obtaining detail history, all children upto 14 years of age with cataract underwent examination under slit lamp or the operating microscope. Cataract is broadly classified into traumatic and non-traumatic groups. TORCH test for rubella, random blood sugar, urine reducing substance, chromosomal analysis were done in children with non-traumatic cataract Out of 172 children 34 (88%) had non-traumatic and 65 (12%) traumatic cataract. The mean age was 5.63 +/- 3.59 years and 7.39 +/- 3.94 years in non-traumatic group and traumatic group respectively. 8 (9.82%) patients with non-traumatic cataract were below the age of one year. Among non-traumatic cataract, 42 (37.50%) had hereditary, 9 (8.03%) had systemic syndromes, 5 (4.46%) had cataract due to maternal infection, 3 (2.67%) had metabolic disorder. While 11 (9.82%) cataract were associated with other ocular dysmorphology, cause was not ascertained in 31 (idiopathic). 11 (9.82%) had complicated cataract. 24.1% (n=27) of children with bilateral cataract had nystagmus at the time of presentation to hospital. In traumatic group, play related injuries were more common than household injuries. A very few children were below one year of age at the time of presentation to hospital. Establishing pediatric vision screening program in the primary health posts, genetic counseling, maternal immunization, health education to school children and use of safety glasses are some important measures that could prevent cataract blindness in our children.

Utility of phenotypic dermal indices in the detection of Down syndrome patients.

Down syndrome (DS) is the most common cause of mental retardation. The frequency of DS patients is about 1:800 and is mainly because of the presence of extra copy of chromosome number 21. Dermatoglyphic has been well established as a diagnostic aid in number of diseases having hereditary basis. Dermatoglyphic data was obtained by the use of ink and prints on a paper, from 15 cytogenetically confirmed patients of Down syndrome attending to the genetic clinic at BPKIHS. The data were correlated and compared with equal number of controls. Dermatoglyphic prints were used to evaluate the variation in the fingerprint patterns, the presence of simian crease and the difference in 'atd' 'dat' and 'adt' angles between the control and the DS patients. The results showed that both the 'atd' and 'adt' angles differed significantly from the control group. The dactylography study revealed higher incidence of loops and lower incidence of whorls in the DS patients as compared with the controls. This method is non-invasive and cost effective. The observed changes in the 'atd' and 'adt' angles plus the fingerprint patterns in the dermatoglyphic study proved that this simple technique could be a valuable tool for selecting patients of DS for cytogenetics analysis.

Knowledge about human genetics among school students of eastern Nepal.

School students from 10 to 19 years of age are adolescents. Adolescent girls are usually exposed to consequences of early marriage, pregnancy and increased responsibility. Genetic disorders are important issues to persons of the reproductive age group. History-taking and screening-tests could uncover risk factors that require diagnostic testing during pregnancy. Therefore, the present survey was conducted among 707 school students (55.6% males, 44.4% females) to find out their knowledge about human genetics. Data were collected as written responses to a close-ended questionnaire. The knowledge of students about human genetic was found to be poor. The majority of students was not aware of the prevalence of genetic disorders in the community. Many students (75%) felt that genetic laboratory facilities and counseling services are necessary in this country. More than half of the students did not know the name of a hospital where genetic laboratory services are available. The study indicates that there is a need to introduce the basics of human genetics in the school curriculum and to implement strategies for awareness programs about genetic disorders and their early detection for possible intervention.

Diagnostic role of conventional cytogenetics and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in chronic myeloid leukemia patients.

INTRODUCTION: The limitation of cytogenetic analysis is that the Ph chromosome cannot be detected in clumped metaphase or in interphase cells. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is a highly sensitive molecular genetic technique, which enables to detect break point cluster region--Abelson (BCR-ABL) complex and minimal residual disease in all Ph positive CML patients not only in metaphase but also in interphase cells. AIMS: To detect Ph chromosome in CML patients by the use of conventional cytogenetics and FISH. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The bone marrow samples were collected in heparinised syringe from 35 diagnosed CML patients and transported to cytogenetic laboratory for chromosomal analysis. Conventional karyotype was prepared by direct harvesting and short-term culture. The FISH analysis was carried out on interphase cells of two patients to confirm the cytogenetic diagnosis. RESULTS: Out of 35 CML patients, 17 (49.9%) were 100% Philadelphia positive, 10(28.5%) were 50-70% Ph+ mosaics and 3(9%) were 100% Ph negative. In 5 patients (14.25%) cytogenetic analysis failed to confirm the presence or absence of Ph chromosome. FISH was carried out in interphase cells from bone marrow preparations of two patients. The signals for BCR-ABL fusion gene was absent in Ph- negative CML patients. In Ph positive patients, the FISH analysis detected BCR-ABL fusion gene seen as a yellow signal on interphase cells. CONCLUSION: Conventional cytogenetics is a useful method for detection of Ph chromosome in metaphase stage of cell division. FISH can be used in interphase stage of cell division for the same purpose.