Role of Antioxidant Trace Elements in Thermal Burns.

Burn injury is a medical problem as well as a social burden on the national health service. In developing countries. After major burns patients can develop nutritional deficiencies including trace element (TE) deficiencies various complications, such as delayed wound healing, influence the clinical course of such patients. In this study we estimated copper (cu), Zinc (sn), selenium in serum and glutathione peroxidase levels in 20 patients and 20 controls. Trace element levels decreased. Significantly (p<0.05) in burn patients (cases) compared to controls. Whereas glutathione peroxidase activity increased in cases. Based on the critical role of plasma Zn and Cu rate in wound healing and their relationship in decreasing the burn injury by estimating the this we can take start with early trace element supplementation for better wound healing.

Study of Serum Total Calcium, Ionized Calcium and Total Protein Concentrations in Postmenopausal Women.

Menopause and ageing is associated with accelerated loss of cortical bone. Osteoporotic fractures are common cause of morbidity and mortality in adult Indian women due to ageing. This study was conducted to evaluate the levels of serum calcium, ionized calcium and total protein levels in postmenopausal women and to assess its relation with ageing. Study includes 70 women (40 post menopausal and 30 premenopausal women) serum alkaline phosphatase, serum calcium, ionized calcium and total proteins, serum albumin were estimated in both cases and controls. There is decrease in serum calcium in postmenopausal; women when compared to premenopausal women. There was no significant change in ionized calcium in both cases and controls. ALP is highly significant P<0.001. In postmenopausal women suggesting there is high alkaline phosphotase activity in postmenopausal women as a result of the inhibitory effects of estrogen on bone turnover rate which is dependent on age and body mass index. Decrease in serum albumin was seen in postmenopausal women which is the reason for decrease in serum calcium level which is inturn related to ageing effect.

Correlation Between Serum Paraoxonase Activity and High Density Lipoprotein Levels in Type2 Diabetes Predisposing to Aterosclerosis.

Human serum paraoxonase is physically associated with HDL and has been implicated in the detoxification of organophosphates and possibly in the prevention of LDL lipid peroxidation and therefore retards atherosclerosis. HDL levels are inversely related to the risk of developing atherosclerosis. We investigated the serum activity and concentration of paraoxonase and HDL levels in 104 subjects (42 diabetic patients without complications, 42 controls, 20 diabetic patients with complications.). Paraoxonase activity was found to be lower in diabetic patients than in controls. Similarly there was reduction in HDL levels in cases suggesting a positive correlation between HDL and paraoxonase levels.

Clinical significance of urine myoglobin in high voltage electrical burns.

Electrical burns constitute a relatively large proportion of burns . Electrical current causes complex, unprecedented and unpredicted injuries. Serious tissue damage and mortality is caused by high voltage among all types of electrical burns . Myoglobinuria induced acute renal failure is a potentially lethal consequence of electrical injury. The present study was conducted to evaluate the role of urine myoglobin in the early prediction of acute renal failure in electrical burns. Study includes 21 patients of high volatage electrical burns underwent four different Renal parameters i.e blood urea, serum creatinine, serum potassium and urine myoglobin levels. Blood urea , and serum potassium levels were deranged in five patients of high voltage electrical burns who went into acute renal failure. Whereas urine myoglobin levels were deranged in all twenty one patients with high voltage electrical burns.

Study of biochemical bone turnover markers in postmenopausal women leading to osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is the term used for diseases that cause a reduction in the mass of bone perunit volume and is one of the dreaded afflictions of ageing. Osteoporosis increases bone fragility and susceptibility to fractures. This silently progressing metabolic bone disease is widely prevealent in India. This study was conducted to evaluate the role of biochemical bone turnover markers in postmenopausal women to assess the risk of osteoporosis. Study includes 70 women (40 postmenopausal, 30 premenopausal women) serum estradiol, serum alkaline phosphatase, urinary hydroxyproline were estimated in both cases and controls. There is decrease in serum estrodiaol levels in postmenopausal women when compared to premenopausal women estrogen deficiency induces bone loss similarly ALP is highly significant P<0.001 in prostmenopausal women suggesting that there is high alkaline phosphate activity in postmenopausal women as a result of the inhibitory effects of estrogen on bone turnover rate which is dependent on age and body mass index. Increased excretion of urinary hydroxyproline is due to increase in bone loss and this was a characteristic feature of immediate postmenopausal period.

Study of Serum Cholinesterase levels in fish Clarias batrachus (Linn.) exposed to pesticides carbaryl and phorate.

Study of the Serum Cholinesterase levels (SchE) in the freshwater catfish Clarias batrachus when exposed to sub lethal dose of pesticides phorate and carbamate, was attempted in this paper. SchE levels decreased in the fish exposed to both the pesticides, the depletion being more pronounced with phorate. These results can be due to impairment of nervous system, liver damage as well as myocardial infarction. Similar findings were not only reported in experimental organisms but also found in human beings working in agricultural fields and pesticide manufacturing plants. Hence it is imperative that suitable occupational health and preventive measures need to be undertaken.

Opportunistic infections following renal transplantation.

Opportunistic infection is common following renal transplantation. Prompt diagnosis and management can be life saving. Four different types of opportunistic respiratory infections diagnosed at our center during the period of January 1998 to December 2000 are discussed. Of the four cases one had Aspergillus, second had Sporothrix, third had Nocardia and fourth case Actinomyces species. Microbiologist has an important role to play by being aware of such opportunistic infections and helping the clinician to make early aetiological diagnosis.

Effect of pesticides carbaryl and phorate on serum cholesterol level in fish, Clarias batrachus (Linn).

Freshwater edible catfish Clarias batrachus (Linn.) was treated with sublethal concentration of two different groups of pesticides- carbaryl, a carbamate and phorate, an organophosphate for 24 ,72 ,120 and 168 h. The disorders of lipid metabolism were observed in serum. Cholesterol levels in the serum decreased significantly throughout the exposure period with both the pesticides. These results indicate one significant manifestation of the toxic response from the fish under the stress of pesticide exposure.

Pesticide induced alterations of non-protein nitrogenous constituents in the serum of a fresh water cat fish, Clarias batrachus (Linn.).

A freshwater cat fish was exposed to sublethal concentrations of two pesticides--carbaryl, a carbamate and phorate, an organophosphorus pesticide for 24, 72, 120 and 168 hr. The alterations in the serum profile of non protein nitrogen compounds demonstrated an increase in urea, uric acid and creatinine throughout the experimental period.

Pulmonary infections after kidney transplantation.

OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively analyse the epidemiology, aetiology, temporal profile and outcome of lung infection following kidney transplantation. METHODS: Out of 142 consecutive renal transplant (RT) recipients who underwent live donor transplantation from June, 1990 to May, 1998, 43 (33%) had serious infection requiring hospitalisation of which 27 were pulmonary. All such pneumonia were included for retrospective analysis. All had a minimum follow up of six months (if alive) and were on triple drug immunosuppression. All had detailed and appropriate investigations for definitive diagnosis. RESULTS: The aetiological agents were Gram negative bacterial infection (2), Gram positive bacterial infection (1), nocardia (2), tuberculosis (10), aspergillosis (2), mixed bacterial and fungal infection (4), Pneumocystis (2) and unconfirmed (4). Four patients had pneumonia because of probable nosocomial exposure. Radiologically lobar/segmental pneumonia was observed in five, nodular lesion six, reticulonodular lesion eight, patchy consolidation five and pleural effusion three. Nodular pneumonias were due to aspergillosis or nocardiosis. Four patients developed secondary cavitation. Pulmonary infections were significantly associated with leucopenia (8/27) (p < 0.01) but not with renal dysfunction (creat > 2 mg%), diabetes, old age or additional immunosuppression (p > 0.05). There were 11 deaths. Mortality was related to failure to reach diagnosis (3) and delayed institution of therapy (6 patients). Pneumonia within first six months had a higher mortality (9/16) compared to late pneumonia (2/11). Immunomodulating virus (CMV 4, HEP B 2) was present in six patients of whom four succumbed. CONCLUSION: Pulmonary infection is a common and serious post-transplant infection requiring hospitalisation, is associated with high mortality. Patients with leucopenia are predisposed to these infections. Prophylaxis for Pneumocystis, Nocardia and tuberculosis needs strong consideration to reduce mortality of such infection. Nosocomial exposure risk needs careful consideration in outbreaks of opportunistic infection.