Comparison Study Of Serum Magnesium Levels In Healthy Non–Pregnant Women, Normal Pregnancy And In Pre Eclampsia

Background: Pre eclampsia occurs in 3-5% of pregnancies and is an important cause of fetal and maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate changes in serum magnesium in healthy young women, normal pregnancy and in preeclampsia in their third trimester. Materials and Methods:The study population consisted of 120 subjects divided into three groups with each group comprising of 40 subjects. Serum magnesium level was estimated by fully automatic analyzer in healthy non pregnant women (Group-1), normotensive primigravida (Group2) and preeclamptic primigravida in third trimester (Group-3). The results were analysed using statistical test ANOVA. At p value < 0.05, results were considered significant. Results:The mean serum magnesium levels were 2.71 + 0.24 mg/dL, 1.90 + 0.21 mg/dL and 1.64 + 0.26 mg/dL respectively in healthy young women, normal pregnancy and in preeclampsia. There was a significant decrease in the serum magnesium levels in the normal pregnancy as compared to those in the nonpregnant women and the level is significantly decreased further in preeclampsia. Conclusion: Decreased serum magnesium levels in pregnancy may be associated with increased risk of developing preeclampsia. Changes in the serum levels of magnesium can be used as an effective marker in the early diagnosis of pre eclampsia

Protective role of vitamin E on drug-induced neuropathy.

Background: The objective of this study was to look into the protective role of vitamin E (Vit.E) on drug induced neuropathy. Methods: The study involved 18 albino rats; rats were divided into 3 Groups; Group 1 control (n = 6), Group 2 - anti leukemic drugs treated rats (n = 6), Group 3 - anti leukemic drugs and Vit.E treated rats (n = 6). Anti leukemic drugs which included vincristine (VCR), L asparaginase (L Asp), doxorubicin (ADR), prednisolone (PDN), were administered to Group 2 and Group 3 rats according to acute lymphoblastic leukemia treatment regimen (MCP841). Group 3 rats were given in addition to the anti leukemic drugs, Vit.E (100 mg/kg bodyweight/orally) daily. Tests for neuropathy were done using tail clip method, tail flick method, hot plate method on the 2nd week and tail clip method on 4th week of therapy. Results: At the end of 2nd week by tail clip method and tail flick method the mean reaction time of the anti leukemic drugs alone treated group (Group 2) was increased showing the development of neuropathy. The mean reaction time of the anti leukemic drugs + Vit.E treated group (Group 3) showed a reduction in the reaction time, showing the protective role of Vitamin E. Hot plate method done at the end of 2nd week showed a decrease in mean reaction time in Group 2 rats compared with Group 3. This could be due to the hyperthermalgesia by VCR. Group 3 was protected by Vit.E. Conclusion: Observations showed a protective role of Vit.E on drug induced neuropathy.

In vivo interactions of entomopathogenic fungi, Beauveria spp. and Metarhizium anisopliae with selected opportunistic soil fungi of sugarcane ecosystem.

In the present study, the interactions of entomopathogenic fungi viz., Beauveria bassiana, Beauveria brongniartii and Metarhizium anisopliae among themselves and three other opportunistic soil fungi from the sugarcane ecosystem namely, Fusarium saachari, Aspergillus sp. and Penecillium sp. were assayed in vivo against Galleria mellonella larvae. The tested fungi were co-applied on IV instar G. mellonella @ 1x 107 ml-1, in combinations of two, at the interval of 24 hrs either preceding or succeeding each other to assess their efficacy and sporulation rates. Results showed that often mortality rates did not correspond to the spore harvest of the mortality agent and presence of other fungus may be antagonistic. The efficacy of B. bassiana (90%) and B. brongniartii (100%) was not enhanced further but was negatively affected in most combinations with other fungi. In case of M. anisopliae compatibility was higher, resulting in higher mortality by application of B. bassiana before (100%) or after (83.3%) M. anisopliae than when it was applied alone (70%). During sporulation, B. bassiana faced the most intense competition from M. anisopliae (2.75x106 larva-1) and enhancement due to F. sacchari irrespective of sequence of application. In case of B. brongniartii, sporulation was lowest in the combination of B. brongniartii preceding M. anisopliae (1.83 x106 larva-1) and B. brongniartii succeeding B. bassiana (1.58x106 larva-1). Of all fungi tested, except F. sacchari (65.33 x 106 larva-1) all the other species affected sporulation of M. ansiopliae with the least in treatment of B. bassiana application following M. anisopliae. Similar kind of interaction was observed during sporulation of soil fungi when combined with entomopathogenic fungi, though individually they could not cause mortality of larvae.

Differential gene expression during early embryonic development in diapause and non-diapause eggs of multivoltine silkworm Bombyx mori.

Quantification of the differential expression of metabolic enzyme and heat-shock protein genes (Hsp) during early embryogenesis in diapause and non-diapause eggs of the silkworm B. mori was carried out by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Data analysis revealed that, the phosphofructokinase (PFK) expression started at a higher level in the early stage (6 h after oviposition) in non-diapause eggs, while in diapause induced eggs, it started at a lower level. However, the PFK gene expression in diapause eggs was comparatively higher than in non-diapause eggs. PFK facilitates use of carbohydrate reserves. The lower level of PFK gene expression in the early stage of diapause induced eggs but comparatively higher level of expression than in non-diapause eggs is due to enzyme inactivation via protein phosphorylation during early embryogenesis followed by de-phosphorylation in later stage. The sorbitol dehydrogenase-2 (SDH-2) gene was down regulated in diapause induced eggs up to 24 h and its expression levels in diapause induced eggs coincided with that of PFK gene at 48h in non-diapause eggs. During carbohydrate metabolism, there is an initial temporary accumulation of sorbitol which acts as protectant. The down regulation of SDH-2 gene during the first 24 hours in diapause induced eggs was due to the requirement of sorbitol as protectant. However, since the diapause process culminates by 48 h, the SDH-2 gene expression increased and coincided with that of PFK gene expression. The trehalase (Tre) gene expression was at a lower level in diapause induced eggs compared to non-diapausing eggs. The induction of Tre activity is to regulate uptake and use of sugar by the tissues. The non-diapause eggs revealed maximum expression of GPase gene with major fluctuations as well as an overall higher expression compared to diapause induced eggs. The diapause process requires less energy source which reflects lower activity of the gene. Heat shock protein (Hsp)genes (Hsp20.4, 40, 70, and 90) revealed differential levels of expression in both the eggs at all stages of embryonic development. The present study thus provides an overview of the differential expression levels of metabolic enzyme and Hsp genes in non-diapause and diapause induced eggs of multivoltine silkworm B. mori within 48 h after oviposition, confirming the major role of in early embryogenesis.

Changes in selected biomarkers in freshwater teleost fish, Cyprinus carpio var. communis exposed to sublethal concentrations of chromium sulphate toxicity.

The toxicity of chromium sulphate on plasma electrolytes (Na+, K+, Cl-) level and Na+, K(+)-ATPase activity of an economically important fish, Cyprinus carpio var. communis was evaluated. During sublethal treatment, plasma sodium level was increased, whereas plasma chloride level decreased throughout the experimental period. Plasma potassium level increased upto 10th day and then declined in the rest of the study period. The Na+, K(+)-ATPase activity decreased upto 15th day of treatment and slowly recovered showing significant increase upto 25th day of treatment. The significant changes in the plasma electrolytes levels and Na+, K(+)-ATPase activity can serve as a valuable biomarker of pollutant exposure and effects.

Acute abdomen in patients receiving chemotherapy.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the incidence of acute abdomen in patients receiving chemotherapy and to evaluate the factors affecting the clinical decision-making. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of surgical oncology references for the patients developing acute abdomen while receiving chemotherapy was carried out. A surgical oncologist reviewed each referral and a full work-up was carried out. Surgical interventions were carried out as and when deemed necessary. Response to treatment, whether surgical or conservative, was used as main outcome variable. RESULTS: Mean age of the patients was 37 years (7-58 years). Half of the patients were receiving chemotherapy for lymphoproliferative disorders, 13 for haematological malignancies and 3 for ovarian cancer. Clinical diagnosis was of acute appendicitis in 13, paralytic ileus in 9, typhilitis in 3 and intestinal perforation in 2, acute intestinal obstruction in 3, and obstructed hernia and intussception in one each. Six patients underwent surgery. Two patients expired postoperatively of progressive septicaemia and multi-system organ failure. CONCLUSION: Evaluation of cancer patients on chemotherapy is difficult. Tenderness, presence of peritoneal signs and absence of exaggerated bowel sounds are most important clinical signs, however they may be blunted by progressive neutropenia or corticosteroid administration. Decision to operate, should be made with extreme caution as mortality and morbidity after surgery is high.