Limitation of glucose oxidase method of glucose estimation in jaundiced neonates.

The most widely used method for estimation of plasma glucose is that adopted by Trinder's using glucose oxidase-peroxidase (GOD-POD) system. This method gives much lower blood glucose values with blood samples of neonatal jaundice (plasma bilirubin level > 10 mg/dL) of age 10 +/- 5 daysthan with samples of neonates of the same age group without jaundice or older children suffering from other diseases like acute respiratory distress, septicemia.

Dynamic stabilization devices in the treatment of low back pain.

Soft stabilization has an important role in the treatment of the degenerative lumbar spine. Fusion of one or two motion segments may not make a big difference in the total range of motion of the lumbar spine, but preserving flexibility of a motion segment may prevent adjacent segment disease and may permit disc replacement, even when facet joints need to be excised. A favourable environment is created in the motion segment by unloading the disc and permitting near normal motion, the disc may be able to repair itself or may supplement reparative potential of gene therapy.

Biochemical profile of erythrocyte membrane of jaundiced neonates.

Studies in newborn humans have demonstrated alteration in the lipid, phospholipid and cholesterol content when compared with age-matched control. Membrane bound (Na+ + K+)ATPase activity is found to be significantly increased in jaundiced neonates. Alteration in membrane permeability characteristics in jaundiced neonates causes severe microenvironmental changes in red blood cell profile.

AIDS in India: recent trends in opportunistic infections.

The first case of AIDS in India was reported in 1986. Subsequently, a surveillance system was developed in 1987. The data from this surveillance activity suggest that the HIV infection has now spread to the general population and to all parts of the country, except Arunachal Pradesh in North-eastern India. With the changing scenario of the AIDS epidemic, a host of opportunistic infections add to the present endemic state of some already existing infections like tuberculosis. This report analyses the AIDS cases in India, reported to the National AIDS Control Organization over the years between 1986 to 1997. A total of 3,551 AIDS cases had been reported till 31st May 1997. Tuberculosis (pulmonary and extrapulmonary) is the major opportunistic infection affecting 62% of the cases followed by candidiasis seen in 57% of the patients. In 1997, of the 390 AIDS cases analysed, tuberculosis (pulmonary and extrapulmonary) accounted for 56.5% of the total cases whereas candidiasis was seen in 61% of the cases. An increasing trend was observed with tuberculosis from 58% in 1986-1992 to 68.5% in 1995. No trend could be established in the case of candidiasis, though, a high prevalence of 66% was seen in the cases between 1986 and 1992. An increase was also observed in cases of PCP, cerebral toxoplasmosis and Kaposi sarcoma. In the AIDS cases, chronic diarrhea (76%), weight loss (87%) and fever (85%) appeared to be the major presenting symptoms. But, of the 390 AIDS cases reported in 1997, only 47% of them were suffering from chronic diarrhea. With increase in the number of AIDS cases, India is burdened with a dual epidemic of HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis. The National AIDS Control Organization in India, is involved in training clinicians and laboratory personnel in the diagnosis and management of the AIDS cases. With better diagnosis of the opportunistic infections, especially diarrhea, in AIDS patients, a better picture will emerge regarding the opportunistic infections which would help clinicians and health planners to tackle the AIDS epidemic in a more effective manner.

Jaundice in new born and erythrocyte and plasma antioxidant defence system.

Alteration in the antioxidant defence mechanism of erythrocytes with rise in serum unconjugated bilirubin level in neonates has been observed. The cellular glutathione level was found to be significantly low. The activity of glutathione reductase in erythrocyte increased to combat the cellular loss of reduced glutathione in neonatal jaundice. In plasma fraction the level of glutathione (reduced) was found to be significantly higher with lowering of glutathione reductase level. Glutathione peroxidase was reduced in cellular level whereas an increase was observed in plasma fraction. Gamma glutamyl transpeptidase level was barely detectable in erythrocyte whereas an increase was observed in plasma fraction. In all the cases erythrocyte G-6-PDH activity level was found within normal limits.

Interaction of organophosphorus insecticides phosphamidon & malathion on lipid profile & acetylcholinesterase activity in human erythrocyte membrane.

The organophosphorus insecticides phosphamidon and malathion were found to inhibit the activity of human acetylcholinesterase in vitro, in the human erythrocyte membrane. Lineweaver-Burk analysis indicated that the insecticide induced inhibition of acetylcholinesterase activity was uncompetitive in nature. The total lipid, cholesterol and phospholipid contents of erythrocyte membranes were reduced following phosphamidon and technical malathion treatment, while the level of lipid peroxidation was raised following malathion treatment.

Utilization of maternal services in west Bengal.

A study was conducted in selected blocks of West Bengal to assess the utilization of available maternal health services specially immunization, antenatal care and other services. Coverage with two doses of tetanus toxoid levels varied between 58.6 to 86.7% but it fell far short of Universal Immunization Programme target of 100%. Drop out rates were slightly higher in the rural areas. It was observed that in 5 out of 7 blocks more than 55% of the deliveries were conducted either at hospital or Primary Health Centre by health personnel. However, untrained dais predominated over the trained dais in conducting deliveries in most of the areas. This indicates the poor availability or utilization of the latter.

Effect of malathion on antioxidant defence system in human fetus--an in vitro study.

Malathion under in vitro condition even at lower concentration (250 ppm) altered the level of enzymes associated with glutathione cycle and antioxidant defence system in human fetal brain and liver. Such changes involved alterations in glutathione status and extent of lipid peroxidation. The inhibitory effect of malathion was dose dependent in case of human fetal brain and was more vulnerable than fetal liver. This alteration (inhibition or activation) was maximum in case of tissues from fetuses of early period of development, suggesting greater susceptibility of human fetus towards this organophosphorus insecticide.

Effects of organophosphorus insecticide phosphomidon on antioxidant defence components of human erythrocyte and plasma.

Effect of organophosphorus insecticide, phosphomidon (250 and 500 ppm) on human erythrocyte and plasma were studied in vitro to get insight into the cellular antioxidant defence mechanism and malondialdehyde formation. The antioxidant defence system of erythrocyte was altered as evident by depression of glutathione reductase, glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase, whereas the level of reduced glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase, superoxidedismutase and catalase were stimulated. In the case of plasma fraction, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-s-transferase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, superoxide dismutase and levels of reduced glutathione were significantly depressed and the malondialdehyde formation and catalase activity were elevated indicating the less adaptive response of plasma to protect it from oxidative damage.

Effects of aspirin and paracetamol on ATPases of human fetal brain: an in vitro study.

In vitro effects of aspirin and paracetamol at the doses 200, 400, 600, 800 nmole/mg protein on ATPases activity were studied in the cerebrum and cerebellum of human fetus covering the age range from 10 weeks to 32 weeks of gestation. Both aspirin and paracetamol inhibit Na+K+ ATPase and Mg2+ ATPase in a dose dependent manner. The inhibition of Na+K+ ATPase and Mg2+ ATPase activity which may affect the release and uptake of biogenic amines in CNS, hinders the maturation of human fetal brain.

Age-related changes of glycogen metabolism in human fetal heart.

The changes in the activities of three important glycogen metabolising enzymes, viz. glycogen synthetase, glycogen phosphorylase and alpha-D-glucosidase, along with glycogen content have been measured in adult human heart and human fetal heart collected at 13-36 weeks of gestation. At an early period, particularly 13-16 weeks of gestational age, the activity of glycogen synthetase and glycogen content were found to be maximum. However the activity of glycogen phosphorylase remained constant throughout the gestation and that of alpha-D-glucosidase showed a peak at 25-28 weeks of gestation, thereby indicating that fetal heart tissue has the capacity to utilise glycogen for energy.

Biochemical studies on the in vitro effect of doxepin on Mg2+ & Na+, K+)-ATPases of human foetal & adult brain.

The in vitro effect of doxepin at 10, 50 and 200 micrograms/mg protein on Mg2+ and (Na+ K+)-ATPases (EC 3.6.1.3) activities of human foetal and adult brain (crude homogenate of cerebrum and cerebellum) were studied at 10-30 wk of gestation. Both Mg2+ and (Na+, K+)-ATPases of human foetal and adult brain were found to be inhibited by doxepin in a dose dependent manner. The inhibitory effect neither varied with respect to the region (i.e., cerebrum and cerebellum) nor with the gestational ages. Inhibition of ATPases activity by doxepin may affect the release and uptake of biogenic amines in the CNS, which may hamper the maturation of brain.

In vitro effect of lorazepam on Mg2+ and (Na+,K+) ATPases of human foetal brain.

Lorazepam (LZ), a benzodiazepine group of drug, inhibits Mg2+ and (Na+,K+) ATPases (EC 3.6.1.3) activity of human foetal and adult brain. The inhibitory effect neither varied with respect to the region (i.e. cerebrum and cerebellum) nor with the age of the foetus. The inhibition of ATPases activity indicates that the neuronal transmission processes, may be affected and raises the possibility of developmental disturbances.