Effect of Tai-chi on Disequilibrium of Aging (Presbystasis)

Background: Tai Chi Chuan (meaning Supreme Ultimate Force), popularly known as Tai Chi is an internal Chinese martial art practised for both defence and health purposes. Materials and methods: We selected 4 male persons of age group between 65 and 72 years with presbystasis. All of them had been treated with medication and good rest for a period of more than 6 months without much relief. We planned to evaluate the efficiency of Tai Chi through comparison of functional test of balance (Romberg test) and the perception of balance and falls by using Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) questionnaire obtained prior and following the Tai Chi course. Results: All the patients observed not only significant improvement in the balance, they also got more confidence in walking, running, bending and from the fear of falling. They were re-examined after one month (total 12 weeks of exercises) with Romberg test (to rule out bias by the patients) and DHI questionnaire. There was a significant improvement in the Romberg test and there was significant decrease in the DHI score from average 63.5 (severe dizziness) to 43.5 (moderate dizziness) Conclusion: The findings of the Tai Chi in the rehabilitation of balance problem in the elderly persons found to be very effective. Tai Chi is easy to carry out and very comfortable for the older people. They can practice the exercises at home, at outdoor without much effort and difficulty

Effect of UV-C on thylakoid arrangement, pigment content and nitrogenase activity in the cyanobacterium Microchaete sp.

The effect of UV-C radiation on thylakoid arrangement, chlorophyll-a and carotenoid content and nitrogenase activity of the cyanobacterium Microchaete sp. was studied. Chlorophyll-a and carotenoid content increased gradually up to 48 h of UV-C exposure but declined with longer exposures. Nitrogenase activity decreased moderately with 6 to 12 h exposure and decreased substantially afterwards. When cells exposed to UV-C for 12 to 24 h, grown under fluorescent light for 144 h, nitrogenase activity increased to levels greater than in the control cells. The exposure of UV-C treated cells to fluorescent light, however, did not result in recovery of pigment content. In Microchaete sp. cells treated with UV-C for 144 h, thylakoid membranes became dense, were aggregated into bundles, and were surrounded by spaces devoid of cytoplasm.

Laurence-Moon-Bardet-Biedl syndrome.

Laurence-Moon-Bardet-Biedl syndrome is a rare, genetically heterogeneous, autosomal recessive inherited disorder with wide variability in expression. We report a case of Laurence-Moon-Bardet-Biedl syndrome with typical phenotype in conjunction with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. The diagnosis had been missed until the patient presented at our hospital.

Biochemical studies of liver & liver microsomes in envenomated rats.

Some biochemical parameters of liver and liver microsomes were studied in albino rats following administration of cobra and viper venoms at dose of 2 mg/kg body weight. The total protein content in cobra venom treated (CVT) animals and DNA and RNA contents of liver and liver microsomes were almost unaltered in both the venom treated animals while total protein content was significantly reduced in viper venom treated (VVT) animals. Alkaline and acid phosphatases activities of whole liver showed significant increase in both the venom treated animals whereas the rise in cholinesterase activity in CVT animals was not significant. Lactic acid content was significantly higher in CVT animals compared to either VVT animals or controls. The glycolytic enzymes viz., aldolase, phosphohexose isomerase and lactate dehydrogenase measured in hepatic microsomal fraction were significantly reduced while alanine and aspartate aminotransferases and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase activities of liver microsomes were significantly elevated in both the venom treated animals compared to controls.

Changes in lipid profiles of brain of albino rats following envenomation.

Effect of high doses of cobra venom (150 micrograms/120 +/- 20 g body weight) and viper venom (300 micrograms/120 +/- 20 g body weight) on total lipid, triglyceride, phospholipid, cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) of brain of albino rats was studied. Total lipid (TL) triglyceride (TG) and phospholipid (PL) are decreased in both viper and cobra venom treated groups while cholesterol (C), and LDL-C are increased in both the groups in relation to controlled ones. HDL-C content was almost unaltered. Decrease in triglyceride and phospholipid may be due to effect of lipases and phospholipases whereas increased cholesterol and LDL-C may be attributed to lysis of cell membrane.

Effect of envenomation on enzymes of brain of albino rats.

Effects of high doses of cobra venom, (150 micrograms/120 +/- 20 g body wt) and viper venom (300 micrograms/120 +/- 20 g body wt) on aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), acetylcholinesterase (ACh) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) of brain of albino rats were studied. While AST, LDH, ACh and ALP activities increased in both viper and cobra venom treated rats, ALT decreased in both groups compared to control.