Levels of Liver Markers in Textile Processing and Dyeing Industry Workers

Background: The textile dyeing industries has been condemned as being one of the world’s most offenders in terms of pollution. The workers from textile processing and dyeing industry are exposed to various processing chemicals, dyes and different pollutant for long term which may causing hazardous effects on various organs like particularly lung, liver, kidney have become important issue and less data available which explain the effects of these chemicals on biochemical parameters. Aim and Objectives: The aim of this study is to estimate the levels of Liver function markers in textile processing and dyeing industry and healthy controls. Materials & Methods: In this study, 95 subjects working in textile processing and dyeing industry more than 5 years and 95 healthy controls of both gender matching in age and sex were included. The analysis of biochemical parameters was done by using standard grade reagents and chemicals. Serum Bilirubin, Serum Glutamate Oxaloacetate Transaminase (SGOT/AST), Serum Glutamate Pyruvate Transaminase (SGPT/ALT), Alkaline Phosphatase, Serum Protein, Albumin, were assayed by autoanalyzer using diagnostic reagent kit. Results: In the present study Mean of serum bilirubin, SGOT, serum SGPT and alkaline phosphatase is more in Textile processing and dyeing  industry workers than controls. There was no significant change in mean difference of serum proteins, serum albumin and serum globulin (P > 0.05) but highly significant change seen in serum albumin (P = 000) as compared to control. Conclusion: Significant changes were observed for various parameters like serum bilirubin, SGOT, SGPT, alkaline phosphatase, serum proteins are associated with the increased risk of dysfunction of the liver among the textile processing and dyeing industry workers. Increased awareness and early diagnosis of the exposure to toxic substances in textile processing and dyeing industries are essential for performing prompt management, improving clinical outcomes.

Early Clinical Exposure: A Tool To Learn Biochemistry: A Small Group Study.

Abstracts: Background: Didactic lectures occur as passive transmission of knowledge to 1st MBBS students. Biochemistry studied by such lectures becomes difficult to remember and recall. Retention rate is more when learner is actually involved in the learning process by doing. To bridge the gap between the existing teaching methodology and that required for competency based approach, we thought about early clinical exposure as an active learning method. Methodology: Total 50 students visited hospital for active learning, to observe and note down the information about his history, laboratory investigations, and treatment from physician’s interaction with patient. Diabetes mellitus - the clinical condition related to topic ‘Carbohydrate metabolism’ was selected for this activity. Nonparticipating students considered as control group. Pre & post test results were compared in control as well as in study groups. Post test results of both groups were compared to evaluate the effectiveness of new teaching – learning method over the traditional one. Results: Difference between pre and post test results of control group was nonsignificant, while those of the study group were highly significant (p < 0.0001). Post test results of study group were improved with high significance (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: In ‘container –dispenser’ type of didactic lectures students were not able to retain sufficient knowledge only by passive transmission. Hence there was no improvement in the performance of control group. Hospital scenario and the observation of physician and patient interaction provides, stimulus rich environment for learning. This stimulus may help them to correlate the knowledge acquired in the didactic lectures to clinical context. So there was significant improvement in the post test score of study group than pre test score, and also than post test score of control group. This active learning method, presented herein has proved to be an attractive and useful approach to facilitate the teaching –learning biochemistry.

Motivation of 1st MBBS Student’s by Active Learning with the Help of Poster Presentation Competition.

Background: All the metabolic pathways, reactions, regulations… Biochemistry seems to be very difficult for 1stMBBS students. Consequently most advanced topics, without a strong basis, difficult to learn, understand, remember and recall. Hence there is no motivation to go ahead for subject studies and leads to difficulty in correlating the knowledge of Biochemistry with clinical conditions. Aims & objectives: i)To improve the 1stMBBS student’s learning process by active participation in poster presentation competition. ii) The students should be able to study the Biochemistry actively, interestingly. Material & Methods: From 150 students, 30 groups each with 5; were formed. The topics selected for the poster presentation competition were having clinical application. Pre-test viva was conducted before, and post-test after the poster presentation. Posters were assessed, by the subject expert and 2 senior teachers. Three best posters were awarded. Results: Improvement in performance of students in post-test (Mean6.993 ± S.D. 1.358) after the poster presentation was highly significant than the pretest poster presentation was highly significant than the pre-test (Mean4.779± S.D. 1.447) (p<o. 00). Group discussion allows student to recognize meanings, express themselves in the language of the subject. The students gain a degree of self-direction & independence in their studies. Conclusion: Poster presentation proved that, it is a useful tool for the motivation of 1st MBBS biochemistry students for studies;& helpful to prepare students to satisfy their clinical responsibilities. Take Home Message: Such type of motivation when used for all 3 basic subjects of MBBS will be helpful to build the basics of the student.

Osteopontin: A Novel Protein Molecule.

Osteopontin (OPN) is phosphorylated sialic acid –rich non-collagenous bone matrix protein. OPN is found in several biological fluids including human plasma, serum, breast milk and urine.OPN was named for its function as a bridge between cells and minerals. OPN has been implicated as an important factor in bone remodeling. Osteopontin is expressed in immune cells, including macrophages, neutrophils, dendritic cells with varying kinetics. OPN influences cell mediated immunity and has Th 1 cytokine functions .OPN is overexpressed in cancers of lung, breast, colorectal, stomach and ovary.OPN is found in atheromatous plaques within arteries. OPN plays an important role during both acute and chronic inflammation. OPN is upregulated in tissues during several pathological process including atherosclerosis, valve stenosis, myocardial infarction and rheumatic arthritis. OPN is a key cytokine regulating tissue repair. OPN’s plasma levels are elevated in overweight and obesity.