Status of lipid peroxidation and plasma iron level in bronchial asthmatic patients.

Low antioxidant levels and oxidative stress due to airway inflammation may be determinant of asthma severity. The study was conducted to find the extent of lipid peroxidation and change in the levels of plasma iron in asthmatic patients with severity of disease. Study included 155 asthmatic and 156 healthy volunteers of the age groups 18-45 of either sex. Asthmatic patients were grouped into mild, moderate and severe groups on the basis of Forced Expiratory Volume in first second percent (FEV1%). Level of plasma malondialdhyde (MDA) was used as index of lipid peroxidation. A significant increase (P<0.01) in plasma MDA and plasma iron levels was found in asthmatic subjects as compared to controls. There was maximum increase in plasma MDA and iron levels in moderate asthmatic group. A positive correlation between plasma MDA and iron (r = +0.3) has been found in asthmatic patients. An increased plasma iron levels in asthmatics may contribute to aggravate lipid peroxidation.

Leber's amaurosis with nephronophthisis and congenital hepatic fibrosis.

We describe a case of Leber's amaurosis in a one-year-old girl with unusual presentations. She presented with small clue like tachypnea and nystagmoid novement of eyeswhich when pursued revealed involvement like hepatic, renal and retina.

Diabetes mellitus in an infant.

Onset of diabetes in the first year of life is uncommon, most cases being those of transient diabetes of the newborn. We report the case of a child who presented at 10 weeks of age with diabetic keto-acidosis, and continues to be insulin dependent at 18 months.

Lipid peroxidation in haemorrhagic shock and after transfusion of blood in dogs.

The present study was carried out on mongrel dogs. Haemorrhagic shock of different severities and duration was produced by exsanguination from an artery. After the required duration of shock, two third of the volume of blood withdrawn was transfused back into the animal. Effect of haemorrhage and reperfusion of blood after haemorrhagic shock on lipid peroxidation was assessed by measuring plasma malondialdehyde (MDA). Severity of shock was assessed from the haematocrit values. There was a significant increase (P < 0.05) in plasma MDA level after blood transfusion in a group having 40 mm Hg blood pressure as magnitude of shock and one hour as duration of shock (Group II) only. Haemotocrit value was also significantly low (P < 0.05) in this group after haemorrhagic shock. Results are suggestive of lipid peroxidation with ischaemic reperfusion in severe and long duration of shock.

Papillary cystic neoplasm of the pancreas, diagnosed by fine needle aspiration cytology--a case report.

A case of papillary cystic neoplasm of the pancreas diagnosed by fine needle aspiration cytology is presented surgical removal of the pancreatic tumour and histological study confirmed the cytologic diagnosis. A brief review of the literature and emphasis on cytological and histological features are discussed.

Sonographic evaluation of gall bladder in acute viral hepatitis.

Twenty children of acute viral hepatitis were subjected to ultrasound of gall bladder in acute and recovery phase. Increased wall thickness, reduced volume and abnormal echo-texture of gall bladder contents were the findings in the acute phase. A normal ultrasound of gall bladder was restored in most of the patients within 2-4 weeks.