Effects of subchronic fluoride exposure through drinking water on renal toxicity and the expressions of STIM1 and ORAI1 in renal tissues in mice / 环境与职业医学

Background It has been found that fluoride may cause cell damage by inducing intracellular calcium overload. Store-operated calcium entry (SOCE) plays an important role in maintaining intracellular calcium homeostasis, but the effect of fluoride on renal SOCE is unknown. Objective To explore the renal toxicity and the expression levels of the key proteins of SOCE, stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1) and calcium release-activated calcium modulator 1 (ORAI1) in the kidney tissues of mice exposed to fluoride subchronically. Methods Twenty male ICR mice were randomly divided into four groups with five mice in each group, including 0 (control group), 0.3, 3, and 30 mg·L−1 fluoride groups. The mice were given drinking water containing designed fluoride for 12 weeks. Body weight and liver and kidney organ coefficients of the mice were measured after the exposure; histopathological changes of the mouse kidney were observed; 24 h urine was collected at the end of 12 weeks of exposure to determine the levels of urine creatinine (UCr), urine calcium (UCa), albumin (ALB), and β2-microglobulin (β2-MG); the protein expression levels of STIM1 and ORAI1 in the kidney were detected by Western blotting; the fluorescence co-localization of STIM1 and ORAI1 was used to further verify the expression levels of STIM1 and ORAI1. Results After the exposure, there were no differences in body weight as well as liver and kidney organ coefficients among the groups (P > 0.05). Under optical microscope, the renal tubular cell showed degeneration, apical protrusion, shedding, and dilation in the 3 and 30 mg·L−1 fluoride groups. There was no statistical difference in UCr among the mice in each group (P > 0.05). Compared with the control group, the levels of UCa adjusted by UCr in the 3 and 30 mg·L−1 fluoride groups were (0.075±0.014) and (0.081±0.012) mol·mol−1 (represent by UCr per mol), which had a rising trend but showed no statistical difference. No difference was identified in the level of ALB among the groups (P > 0.05). The levels of β2-MG showed difference in different exposure groups, and the level of urine β2-MG in the 30 mg·L−1 fluoride group was (0.077±0.014) g·mol−1, higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). Based on the results of Western blotting, the protein expression levels of STIM1 and ORAI1 showed significant differences among the groups (F=18.411, 6.853; P=0.001, 0.013); compared with the control group, the expression levels of STIM1 protein increased in the 3 and 30 mg·L−1 fluoride groups (P < 0.05), and the protein expression level of ORAI1 in the 30 mg·L−1 fluoride group was increased (P < 0.05). The fluorescence co-localization results of STIM1 and ORAI1 showed that the expressions of STIM1 and ORAI1 were up-regulated in the 3 and 30 mg·L−1 fluoride groups. Conclusion Subchronic exposure to fluoride through drinking water can up-regulate the expression levels of STIM1 and ORAI1 in renal tissues and induce renal injury.

The effect of store-operated calcium entry inhibitor on liver and kidney injury induced by paraquat / 中华急诊医学杂志

Objective:To investigate the effect of SKF96365, store-operated calcium entry (SOCE) inhibitor, on liver and kidney injury induced by paraquat (PQ).Methods:A549 cells were cultured in vitro and divided into the control group (DMSO group, SKF 2 μmol/L group, and SKF 10 μmol/L group) and PQ group (PQ+DMSO group, PQ+SKF 2 μmol/L group, and PQ+SKF 10 μmol/L group). The nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) in A549 cells was detected by luciferase reporter gene technique. The mouse model of PQ poisoning was constructed and divided into the control group, SKF group, PQ group and PQ+SKF group. In the PQ group, mice were injected with 50 mg/kg PQ intraperitoneally; in the SKF group, mice were injected intraperitoneally with 10 mg/kg SKF96365 for 3 days. Mice in the PQ+SKF group received 50 mg/kg intraperitoneal injection of PQ once and 10 mg/kg intraperitoneal injection of SKF96365 daily for 3 days. On the fourth day, the mice were sacrificed, and the liver and kidney tissues were taken. The histopathological changes of liver and kidney tissues were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining, and the apoptosis of liver and kidney tissues was observed by TUNEL staining. One-way analysis of variance was used to compare the mean values of normally distributed measurement data between groups. Comparisons between groups were performed using the least significant difference t-test. Results:The luciferase reporter gene technology showed that NFAT was significantly activated in the PQ group. After pretreatment with SKF96365, NFAT activation decreased sharply in a dose-dependent manner. HE staining showed that the outline structure of liver and kidney tissues in the PQ groups were unclear, cells swelled and a large number of inflammatory cells infiltrated; in the PQ+SKF group, liver cell swelling and inflammatory cell infiltration decreased significantly. TUNEL staining showed that the apoptotic cells in liver and kidney tissues increased in the PQ groups, and the apoptosis decreased remarkably in the PQ+SKF group.Conclusions:SOCE inhibitor SKF96365 can significantly reduce the liver and kidney injury caused by PQ.

Role of calcium-independent phospholipase A2 in contraction of intrarenal artery smooth muscle / 中国药理学通报

Aim To investigate the role of calcium-independent phospholipase A2(iPLA2)in calcium regu-lation of intrarenal artery smooth muscle contraction.Methods The method of measuring the tension of isolated arterioles was used to explore the effect of bromoenol lactone(BEL), a specific inhibitor of iPLA2, on the tension of the intrarenal arteries in mice induced by different calcium channels, and the laser confocal calcium measurement technology was used to investigate the effect of BEL on the intracellular calcium influx mediated by arachidonic acid-mediated calcium channels.Results The intrarenal artery concentration dependent contractile response induced by the vasoconstrictors phenylephrine and 5-hydroxy tryptamine was inhibited by BEL(P<0.01).The contraction curve induced by CaCl2 was also inhibited by BEL(P<0.05).In the calcium-free K-H solution incubated with nifedipine, the intrarenal artery vasoconstriction caused by the release of sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium and the calcium influx of the SOC channel induced by CaCl2 was inhibited by BEL(P<0.05).BEL significantly inhibited the external calcium influx mediated by the ARC channel of human aortic smooth muscle cell lines incubated with nifedipine(P<0.01).Conclusions iPLA2 mediates the contractile response of intrarenal arteries by regulating the functions of L-type calcium channels, sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium release, SOC channels and ARC channels.

Effects of total flavonoids of Rhododendra simsii on ameliorating brain injury via G protein-coupled SOCE pathway mediated by STIM and Orai in subacute phase of ischemia/reperfusion / 中国药理学与毒理学杂志

OBJECTIVE To explore the effect of total flavonoids of Rhododendra simsii (TFR) on improving cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury (CIRI) and its relationship with STIM/Orai-regulated operational Ca2+influx (SOCE) pathway. METHODS Oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) PC12 cells were used to simulate CIRI in vitro, and the intracellular Ca2+ concentration and apoptosis rate of PC12 cells were detected by laser confocal microscope and flow cytometry, respectively. The regulation of STIM/Orai on SOCE was analyzed by STIM/Orai gene silencing and STIM/Orai gene overexpression. The CIRI model was established by MCAO in SD rats. The activities of inflammatory cyto?kines IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-αin serum were detected by ELISA. The pathological changes of ischemic brain tissue and the infarction of rat brain tissue were detected by HE staining and TTC staining. The protein and mRNA expression levels of STIM1, STIM2, Orai1, caspase-3 and PKB in brain tissue were detected by Western blotting and RT-qPCR, respectively. RESULTS The results of in vitro experiment showed that the fluorescence intensity of Ca2+ and apoptosis rate in PC12 cells treated with TFR were significantly lower than those in OGD/R group, and this trend was enhanced by SOCE antagonist 2-APB. STIM1/STIM2/Orai1 gene silencing significantly reduced apoptosis and Ca2+overload in OGD/R model, while TFR combined with overexpression of STIM1/STIM2/Orai1 aggravated apoptosis and Ca2+overload. In the in vivo experiment, TFR significantly reduced the brain histopathological damage, infarction of brain tissue, the contents of IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-α in the serum in MCAO rats and down-regulated the expression of STIM1, STIM2, Orai1 and caspase-3 protein and mRNA in the brain tissue, and up-regulated the expression of PKB. The above effects were enhanced by the addition of 2-APB. CONCLUSION The above results indicate that TFR may reduce the contents of inflammatory factors and apoptosis, decrease Ca2+ overload and ameliorate brain injury by inhibiting SOCE pathway mediated by STIM and Orai, suggesting that it has a protective effect against subacute CIRI.

Application of coding navigation index and specialized placement scheme for surgical instruments / 中华医院管理杂志

As the operation volume in hospitals is increasing year by year, surgical instruments are widely used, which pose a great challenge to the daily management of surgical instruments. The authors investigated the existing problems which occurred in the management of surgical instruments, and came out with instruments coding navigation index and specialized placement scheme for the operating room as solutions. The specific measures included dividing sterile items into specialized categories, setting cabinets respectively for specialized and general subjects, building equipment coding and identification, establishing surgical instruments navigation index and carrying out training program, to serve as reference for efficient and fine management of surgical instruments.

Role of Ca / 中国药理学通报

Aim To investigate the role of Ca

Prevalence of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli from broilers at conventional and kosher abattoirs and retail stores / Prevalencia de Campylobacter jejuni y Campylobacter coli en carcasas de pollo procedentes de frigoríficos, faena tradicional y kosher, y de locales de expendio

Abstract We studied and compared the prevalence of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli in chicken carcasses from conventional and kosher broiler abattoirs and retail stores. The prevalence of thermotolerant Campylobacter-positive carcasses was 94.0 (kosher) and 32.0% (conventional) (p< 0.0001), while the prevalence of samples contaminated with C. jejuni, C. coli and simultaneously with both species was 36.0, 2.0 and 56.0% (kosher) and 26.0, 4.0 and 2.0% (conventional) (p< 0.0001), respectively. Samples of chicken carcasses (n = 25) and food contact surfaces (tables, n = 25; knives, n=25) from 25 retails were collected and risk quantification was performed. Retails were categorized as high-risk (n = 11), moderate-risk (n = 11) and low-risk (n = 3). Nineteen (76.0%) carcasses, 20 (80.0%) tables and 18 (72.0%) knives were Campylobacter-positive. Retails and abattoirs proved to be sources of carcass contaminaron with Campylobacter spp. Carcasses from kosher abattoirs were mostly contaminated with Campylobacter spp., whereas C. coli was the most prevalent species isolated from carcasses in retail stores.

Resumen El objetivo del estudio fue determinar y comparar la prevalencia de Campylobacter jejuni y Campylobacter coli en carcasas de pollo obtenidas en frigoríficos por faena convencional y kosher, y en locales de expendio. La prevalencia de Campylobacter spp. termotolerante fue del 94,0 (kosher) y del 32,0% (convencional) (p< 0,0001). La prevalencia de muestras contaminadas con C. jejuni, C. coli y con ambas especies fue del 36,0, del 2,0 y del 56,0% (Kosher) y del 26,0, del 4,0 y del 2,0% (convencional) (p< 0,0001), respectivamente. Se tomaron muestras de carcasas (n = 25) y superficies (tablas, n = 25; cuchilla, n = 25) en 25 locales. Los locales fueron categorizados como de riesgo alto (n = 11), moderado (n = 11) y bajo (n = 3). Diecinueve (76,0%) carcasas, 20 (80,0%) tablas y 18 (72,0%) cuchillas fueron positivas para Campylobacter spp. Frigoríficos y locales fueron fuente de contaminación de carcasas con Campylobacter spp. La prevalencia de Campylobacter spp. fue mayor en carcasas kosher. Campylobacter coli fue la especie más prevalente en carcasas de locales.

Resveratrol inhibits Ca

BACKGROUND@#Resveratrol has been shown to inhibit platelet aggregation. However, the mechanism for this action of resveratrol remains to be clarified. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the Ca@*METHODS@#Ca@*RESULTS@#Thapsigargin-induced Ca@*CONCLUSIONS@#The results suggest that resveratrol inhibits thrombin-induced platelet aggregation through decreasing Ca

ABC, VED and lead time analysis in the surgical store of a public sector tertiary care hospital in Delhi

Background: An efficient inventory control system would help optimize the use of resources and eventually help improve patient care. Objectives: The study aimed to find out the surgical consumables using always, better, and control (ABC) and vital, essential, and desirable (VED) technique as well as calculating the lead time of specific category A and vital surgical consumables. Methods: This was a descriptive, record-based study conducted from January to March 2016 in the surgical stores of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. The study comprised all the surgical consumables which were procured during the financial year 2014–2015. Stores ledger containing details of the consumption of the items, supply orders, and procurement files of the items were studied for performing ABC analysis and calculating the lead time. A list of surgical consumables was distributed to the doctors, nursing staff, technical staff, and hospital stores personnel to categorize them into VED categories after explaining them the basis for the classification. Results: ABC analysis revealed that 35 items (14%), 52 items (21%), and 171 items (69%) were categorized into A (70% annual consumption value [ACV]), B (20% ACV), and C (10% ACV) category, respectively. In the current study, vital items comprised the majority of the items, i.e., 73% of the total items and essential (E) category of items comprised 26% of all the items. The average internal, external, and total lead time was 17 days (range 3–30 days), 25 days (range 5–38) and 44 days (range 18–98 days), respectively. Conclusions: Hospitals stores need to implement inventory management techniques to reduce the number of stock-outs and internal lead time.

Progress of STIM1, a dynamic calcium signal transducer, in cardiovascular diseases / 中国病理生理杂志

Stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1) is a transmembrane protein of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) , a Ca2+ transducer in ER that activates the store-operated calcium channel.Through Orai1 protein, STIM1 adjusts the intracellular and extracellular calcium concentration.This way is called a store-operated Ca2+ entry.STIM1 plays a key role in phenotypic transformation of vascular smooth muscle cells, proliferation of endothelial cells, myocardial hypertrophy and myocardial fibrosis to regulate lots of cardiovascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis, congestive heart failure and systemic hypertension.STIM1 is closely related to cardiovascular diseases through calcium signal.The research progress of STIM1 in cardiovascular diseases is mainly discussed in this article.

Docosahexaenoic acid reduces adenosine triphosphate-induced calcium influx via inhibition of store-operated calcium channels and enhances baseline endothelial nitric oxide synthase phosphorylation in human endothelial cells

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an omega-3-fatty acid, modulates multiple cellular functions. In this study, we addressed the effects of DHA on human umbilical vein endothelial cell calcium transient and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) phosphorylation under control and adenosine triphosphate (ATP, 100 µM) stimulated conditions. Cells were treated for 48 h with DHA concentrations from 3 to 50 µM. Calcium transient was measured using the fluorescent dye Fura-2-AM and eNOS phosphorylation was addressed by western blot. DHA dose-dependently reduced the ATP stimulated Ca²⁺-transient. This effect was preserved in the presence of BAPTA (10 and 20 µM) which chelated the intracellular calcium, but eliminated after withdrawal of extracellular calcium, application of 2-aminoethoxy-diphenylborane (75 µM) to inhibit store-operated calcium channel or thapsigargin (2 µM) to delete calcium store. In addition, DHA (12 µM) increased ser1177/thr495 phosphorylation of eNOS under baseline conditions but had no significant effect on this ratio under conditions of ATP stimulation. In conclusion, DHA dose-dependently inhibited the ATP-induced calcium transient, probably via store-operated calcium channels. Furthermore, DHA changed eNOS phosphorylation suggesting activation of the enzyme. Hence, DHA may shift the regulation of eNOS away from a Ca²⁺ activated mode to a preferentially controlled phosphorylation mode.

Application of three methods in occupational health risk assessment of automobile 4S shop / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

Objective@#To choose various occupational health risk assessment of the mature methods at home and abroad respectively occupational health risk assessment was carried out on the 4s stores, to explore different risk assessment methods on the 4 s shop the applicability of the occupational health risk assessment.@*Methods@#Chemical was applied on the harmful factors of occupational health risk assessment technology guideline in the composite index method, quantitative cancer risk assessment method using the guidelines for the harmful factors of occupational health risk assessment of chemical technology of composite index method, quantitative cancer risk assessment method, international commission on mining and metals (ICMM) occupational health risk assessment quantitative method and the occupational-disease-inductive operation classification to evaluate chemical factors in 4S store, Combined with on-site occupational health investigation to compare with the result of risk assessment and analysis of international mining and metals (ICMM) committee occupational health risk assessment quantitative method and the occupational-disease-inductive operation classification of 4S store to evaluate chemical factors, combined with on-site occupational health investigation comparison and analysis the result of the risk assessment.@*Results@#Except for 6 times, the results of ICMM matrix method and comprehensive index method were consistent, which were all higher than job classification. The other results were job classification of >of ICMM matrix method >comprehensive index method or job classification of >of ICMM matrix method.@*Conclusion@#When the concentration of occupational-disease-inductive factors is lower than 1/2 limit, the risk assessment results tend to be ICMM quantitative >composite index method >operation classification. When the occupational-disease-inductive factors were involved with triphenyl, the quantitative non-carcinogenic risk assessment method was more likely to reach the conclusion that the occupational health risk was unacceptable.

Effects of Simulated Microgravity on Function of SOC Channels in Osteocytes MLO-Y4 / 医用生物力学

Objective To study the effect of simulated microgravity on activity of the store-operated calcium (SOC) channels in osteocytes and its possible mechanism, so as to elucidate the potential mechanism of weightlessness bone loss. Methods Osteocytes (MLO-Y4) as the experimental subjects were divided into simulated microgravity (SM) group and normal gravity group (CON). After rotating for 24 h and 48 h, confocal microscope was used to detect the intracellular calcium ion concentration level to reflect activity of the SOC channels after thapsigargin (TG)-induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) depletion. Immunofluorescence staining was used to observe the distribution of ER membrane protein IP3R and spectrin membrane skeleton, in order to preliminarily explore the possible mechanism of functional changes of SOC channels. Results During the period of calcium release from ER, ［Ca2+］i had no significant difference between SM group and CON group for 24 h and 48 h; while during the period of extracellular calcium influx by SOC channels, ［Ca2+］i of SM group had significant differences in the first 4 minutes for 24 h, as well as in the whole time for 48 h. Compared with CON group, the spectrin membrane skeleton of SM group was gathered at the rim of membrane, while ER membrane protein IP3R of SM group was gathered at the nuclear envelope of ER. These two tendencies were more obvious for 48 h. Conclusions The stimulated microgravity could inhibit activity of SOC channels in osteocytes. Changes in the distribution of the spectrin membrane skeleton and ER membrane protein IP3R under the simulated microgravity might reduce the activity of SOC channels by affecting the conformation coupling process between the membrane and ER.

Saline Water Salting and Drying Technology of Gastrodiae Rhizoma / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:Fresh tubers of Gastrodiae Rhizoma were harvested at the right time. A saline water salting and drying technology was developed for obtaining the medicinal materials of Gastrodiae Rhizoma in the place of origin and avoiding rot and mildew. Method:Fresh tubers of Gastrodiae Rhizoma were dug in Yiliang,Yunnan,Dejiang,Guizhou,and Chenggu,Shaanxi,the experiments of natural drying,and saline water salting and drying were carried out in the place of origin and Beijing. After the dirt was removed,the samples were tiled in a container immediately,added with varied proportions of saline water (0.03-0.10 g·mL-1 NaCl in water),hermetically pickled for 6-15 d. after being soaked and rinsed with water,the samples were put in a cool ventilated place or under sunshine to prepare dried medicinal materials of Gastrodiae Rhizoma. We described the appearance characteristics,measured the moisture content,gastrodin and nitrite. And the appearance was observed after storage in a simple warehouse for one year later. Result:Fresh tubers of Gastrodiae Rhizoma from three origins were naturally dried,the surface of gastrodia tubers became black,decayed and moldy,then we could not get dried medicinal materials. The appearance and the content of gastrodins in the medicinal materials of Gastrodiae Rhizoma processed by saline water salting and drying technology met the requirements for Gastrodiae Rhizoma in the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China 2015 and relevant standards of nitrite in salted food in National Food Safety Standard Determination of Nitrite and Nitrate in Foods,Hygienic Standard for Preserved Vegetables,Green Food-Soybean Paste and Salted Vegetable. Conclusion:The saline water salting and drying technology is developed to make medicinal materials of Gastrodiae Rhizoma quickly from fresh tubers of Gastrodia elata in the place of origin and Beijing. The metamorphism had not been observed after being stored in simple warehouses for one year. This technology can guarantee the quality of Gastrodiae Rhizoma, and provide a new method for the filed processing of Gastrodiae Rhizoma.

Role of Ca2+ in hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction / 中华危重病急救医学

In acute hypoxia, pulmonary vascular will contract and divert blood to better ventilated area to optimize ventilation/perfusion matching, which is known as hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV). In chronic hypoxia, irreversible pulmonary vascular remodeling can be induced, characterized by pulmonary artery middle smooth muscle cells and the outer fiber cell hyperplasia in luminal stenosis and pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH) eventually. Furthermore, PAH can cause increased ventricular afterload, and right heart failure in severe cases. Pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell (PASMC) elevated Ca2+ concentration is one of the most important factors of its contractions, proliferation and migration. Recent studies on Ca2+ promoting in HPV were summarized in order to provide evidence for clinical prevention of hypoxia and therapeutic PAH.

Involvement of Orai1 in tunicamycin-induced endothelial dysfunction

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is mediated by disturbance of Ca²⁺ homeostasis. The store-operated calcium (SOC) channel is the primary Ca²⁺ channel in non-excitable cells, but its participation in agent-induced ER stress is not clear. In this study, the effects of tunicamycin on Ca²⁺ influx in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were observed with the fluorescent probe Fluo-4 AM. The effect of tunicamycin on the expression of the unfolded protein response (UPR)-related proteins BiP and CHOP was assayed by western blotting with or without inhibition of Orai1. Tunicamycin induced endothelial dysfunction by activating ER stress. Orai1 expression and the influx of extracellular Ca²⁺ in HUVECs were both upregulated during ER stress. The SOC channel inhibitor SKF96365 reversed tunicamycin-induced endothelial cell dysfunction by inhibiting ER stress. Regulation of tunicamycin-induced ER stress by Orai1 indicates that modification of Orai1 activity may have therapeutic value for conditions with ER stress-induced endothelial dysfunction.

Resveratrol reduces store-operated Ca2+ entry and enhances the apoptosis of fibroblast-like synoviocytes in adjuvant arthritis rats model via targeting ORAI1-STIM1 complex

BACKGROUND: Resveratrol was reported to trigger the apoptosis of fibroblast-like synoviocytes In adjuvant arthritis rats but the subcellular mechanism remains unclear. Since ER stress, mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress were involved in the effects of resveratrol with imbalance of calcium bio-transmission, store operated calcium entry (SOCE), a novel intracellular calcium regulatory pathway, may also participate in this process. RESULTS: In the present study, Resveratrol was found to suppress ORAI1 expression of a dose dependent manner while have no evident effects on STIM1 expressive level. Besides, resveratrol had no effects on ATP or TG induced calcium depletion but present partly dose-dependent suppression of SOCE. On the one hand, microinjection of ORAI1 overexpressed vector in sick toe partly counteracted the therapeutic effects of resveratrol on adjuvant arthritis and serum inflammatory cytokine including IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and TNF-α. On the other hand, ORAI1 SiRNA injection provided slight relief to adjuvant arthritis in rats. In addition, ORAI1 overexpression partly diminished the alleviation of hemogram abnormality induced by adjuvant arthritis after resveratrol treatment while ORAI1 knockdown presented mild resveratrol-like effect on hemogram in rats model. CONCLUSION: These results indicated that resveratrol reduced store-operated Ca2+ entry and enhanced the apoptosis of fibroblast-like synoviocytes in adjuvant arthritis rats model via targeting ORAI1-STIM1 complex, providing a theoretical basis for ORAI1 targeted therapy in future treatment with resveratrol on rheumatoid arthritis.

Unbound Iron Binding Capacity (UIBC) – An Alternative Lab Parameter for Iron Stores?

Introduction:Iron is a component of a number of proteins including haemoglobin, myoglobin, cytochromes and enzymes deficiency of which leads to iron deficiency anemia and excess in iron overload. There is a panel of tests to assess iron status in the body. A low serum iron & ferritin with an elevated TIBC are diagnostic of iron deficiency. While a low serum ferritin is virtually diagnostic of iron deficiency.AS ferritin is an acute phase reactant, it may not be a good marker for iron overload.The objective of the study was to find out whether UIBC is an alternative lab parameter of iron storage/ overload compared to ferritin.Methodology:In a retrospective study conducted, data of 118 patients were collected, who were categorized as iron deficient and those with iron overload. Ferritin, UIBC and serum iron were assayed and remaining parameters were calculated.ROC curves were constructed using SPSS version 16 software.Results:Area under the curve (AUC) for ferritin as a marker of iron storage, AUC for UIBC, serum iron, TIBC and transferrin were 0.108,0.607,0.098,0.098 respectively. In patients with iron depletion, it was observed that AUC was 0.371 and 0.566 respectivelyfor ferritin and UIBC respectively.

Knowledge and perception about generic drugs in patients coming to OPD of tertiary care centre

Background: In an era of rapidly rising health care costs generic medicines provide a less expensive alternative to branded medicines. In addition to reducing the overall health care expenditure, it has been shown to improve adherence. Objective was to study knowledge and perception about generic drugs among patients coming to outpatient department of tertiary care centre.Methods: After ethical approval a cross sectional questionnaire based study was conducted. Patients (n=71) were interviewed according to questionnaire in vernacular language by investigator to fill questionnaire.Results: About 28% people think that price of generic drug is less than a branded drug while nearly 61% of people don’t know of it. Only 18.85% participants had taken generic medicine. Trusting efficacy of generic drugs only 30 participants were in favour it. Even they have not seen or heard publicity of generic drugs (61.97%). They (60.56%) opined that generic drugs never prescribe in our country.Conclusions: Limitation in knowledge and perception about generic medicines has been seen among participants.