ABSTRACT
Polyion-counterion interactions in sodium carboxymethylcellulose-ethylene glycol-water ternary system have been investigated with special reference to their variations with the polyelectrolyte concentration, the medium relative permittivity and the temperature using electrical conductance measurements. The experimental data have been analyzed on the basis of a model for semidilute polyelectrolyte conductivity which takes into account the scaling arguments proposed by Dobrynin et al. Concentration-dependent moderate counterion condensation (24-33%) was observed. Counterion condensation is found to be spontaneous which depends upon the EG-content of the medium and the temperature. A major proportion of the current is transported by the carboxymethylcellulose polyions. The results further demonstrated that the monomer units experience more frictional resistance in solution as the EG-content increases or as the temperature decreases.
Subject(s)
Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium/chemistry , Ethylene Glycol/chemistry , Water/chemistry , Electric Conductivity , Solutions , Solvents/chemistry , Temperature , ThermodynamicsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Serum nitric oxide (NO) has emerged as a fundamental signal associated with the endothelial dysfunction in type 2 diabetes. AIMS: To compare serum nitric oxide level among type 2 diabetic patients along with other biochemical parameters and to compare it with that of normal population in Sikkim. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This prospective study was carried out in the Biochemistry Department in a tertiary care teaching hospital in Sikkim on 50 type 2 diabetics compared to 100 non-diabetics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The un-hemolyzed blood sample was collected for estimation of biochemical parameters. Griess reaction was used for indirect assay of stable decomposition products in serum(serum nitrite and nitrate levels) as an index of NO generation. The comparison of different parameters between cases and control was done by using Student's t-test. RESULTS: There was significant difference when age- and sex-matched cases and controls were compared in regard to waist circumference and body mass index. The values of fasting and postprandial serum glucose, and lipid profile between study group and control group differed significantly. The mean serum level of NO in the study and control group was 43.83 ± 11.3 µmoles/L and 58.85 ± 12.8 µmoles/L respectively, and this difference was statistically significant. CONCLUSION: To sum up, serum NO was observed significantly low in diabetic participants as compared to control, along with difference in other biochemical parameters.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The prevalence of childhood bronchial asthma and allergic disease has increased in developed countries. Studies have identified asthma among Indian children. Still, there is paucity of information on the overall prevalence of childhood asthma in India. OBJECTIVE: To assess time trends and the overall prevalence rate of bronchial asthma among Indian children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Literature search for data sources was done through an extensive search in indexed literatures and website-based population survey reports. Fifteen epidemiological studies were identified on the development of asthma in Indian children from 300 potentially relevant articles. A broad criterion to define both allergic and non-allergic descriptions of asthma in Indian children was formed. Moreover, in the absence of universally accepted criteria by reporting of prevalence by researchers, weighted average data was considered during calculations of prevalence rates, irrespective of the criteria for diagnosis. Statistical analyses used were mean and median. RESULTS: Wide differences in samples, primary outcome variables, lack of consistency in age category, rural-urban variation, criteria for positive diagnosis, and study instruments confounded the outcome variables. The mean prevalence was 7.24 +/- SD 5.42. The median prevalence was 4.75% [with IQR = 2.65 - 12.35%]. Overall weighted mean prevalence was found to be 2.74. Childhood asthma among children 13 - 14 years of age was lower than the younger children (6 - 7 years of age). Urban and male predominance with wide inter-regional variation in prevalence was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that the burden of bronchial asthma in Indian children is higher than was previously understood.
