Association of Superoxide Dismutase Level in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

Several biomarkers involved in oxidative stress may influence polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Superoxide dismutase (SOD) has been commonly identified as dismutase enzyme catalyzes the conversion of superoxide to hydrogen peroxide and elemental oxygen, and could serve as an important biomarker in this direction. The objective of the present study to determine the precise role of SOD levels in women with PCOS using a meta-analysis approach. The electronic databases like PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Sciences, Clinical trial.gov, Cochrane Database of Systematic Review were searched for obtaining relevant studies on the association of SOD level in women with PCOS. Pooled standardized mean difference with 95% CI was computed using the DerSimonian and Liard method. A total of 267 articles were screened, out of which 12 articles fulfilled the inclusion criteria of the present meta-analysis involving 558 cases and 529 controls. Analysis including overall studies observed a higher SOD level (statistically non-significant) in women with PCOS compared to controls (SMD 0.35, 95% Cl -0.91 to 1.62, P = 0.58), however, statistically significant higher SOD levels were noted in studies using serum as a source of sample (SMD 1.53, 95% CI 0.25 to 2.81, P = 0.019). In conclusion, women with PCOS exhibited increased SOD levels compared to controls suggesting that the byproduct of oxidative damage is expected to be increased in women with PCOS.

Genetic gain for rice yield in rainfed environments in India.

The complexity of genotype × environment interactions under drought reduces heritability, which determines the effectiveness of selection for drought tolerance and development of drought tolerant varieties. Genetic progress measured through changes in yield performance over time is important in determining the efficiency of breeding programmes in which test cultivars are replaced each year on the assumption that the new cultivars will surpass the older cultivars. The goal of our study was to determine the annual rate of genetic gain for rice grain yield in a drought-prone rainfed system in a series of multi-environment trials conducted from 2005 to 2014 under the Drought Breeding Network of Indian sites in collaboration with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). Our results show a positive trend in grain yield with an annual genetic yield increase of about 0.68 % under irrigated control, 0.87 % under moderate reproductive stage drought stress and 1.9 % under severe reproductive stage drought stress due to breeding efforts. The study also demonstrates the effectiveness of direct selection for grain yield under both irrigated control as well as managed drought stress screening to improve yield in typical rainfed systems. IRRI's drought breeding programme has exhibited a significant positive trend in genetic gain for grain yield over the years under both drought stress as well as favorable irrigated control conditions. Several drought tolerant varieties released from the programme have outperformed the currently grown varieties under varied conditions in the rainfed environments on farmers' fields.

Marker Assisted Gene Pyramiding (MAGP) for bacterial blight and blast resistance into mega rice variety "Tellahamsa".

Bacterial blight (BB) and fungal blast diseases are the major biotic constraints that limit rice productivity. To sustain yield improvement in rice, it is necessary to developed yield potential of the rice varieties by incorporation of biotic stress resistance genes. Tellahamsa is a well-adapted popular high yielding rice variety in Telangana state, India. However, the variety is highly susceptible to BB and blast. In this study, simultaneous stepwise transfer of genes through marker-assisted backcross breeding (MABB) strategy was used to introgress two major BB (Xa21 and xa13) and two major blast resistance genes (Pi54 and Pi1) into Tellahamsa. In each generation (from F1 to ICF3) foreground selection was done using gene-specific markers viz., pTA248 (Xa21), xa13prom (xa13), Pi54MAS (Pi54) and RM224 (Pi1). Two independent BC2F1 lines of Tellahamsa/ISM (Cross-I) and Tellahamsa/NLR145 (Cross-II) possessing 92% and 94% recurrent parent genome (RPG) respectively were intercrossed to develop ICF1-ICF3 generations. These gene pyramided lines were evaluated for key agro-morphological traits, quality, and resistance against blast at three different hotspot locations as well as BB at two locations. Two ICF3 gene pyramided lines viz., TH-625-159 and TH-625-491 possessing four genes exhibited a high level of resistance to BB and blast. In the future, these improved Tellahamsa lines could be developed as mega varieties for different agro-climatic zones and also as potential donors for different pre-breeding rice research.

A Study on the Correlation Between the Body Mass Index (BMI), the Body Fat Percentage, the Handgrip Strength and the Handgrip Endurance in Underweight, Normal Weight and Overweight Adolescents.

INTRODUCTION: The handgrip strength and endurance have evolved as an important tool for the assessment of the nutritional status and as a marker of the muscle quality. In underweight as well as overweight individuals, there is the possibility of a change in the muscle quality. So, we undertook this study to find out the correlation between the BMI, the Body Fat percentage and the Hand grip strength and endurance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundered eighty students in three BMI ranges-underweight (BMI≤ 18.49), normal weight (BMI- 18.5- 24.99) and overweight (25-29.99) were included according to the WHO guidelines. The body fat percentage was measured by using a bioelectric impedance. The handgrip strength and the handgrip endurance were recorded by using an INCO handgrip dynamometer. The statistical correlation was done by using ANOVA. RESULTS: In males, the handgrip endurance was better in normal weight individuals, but among the females, the underweight females had a better handgrip endurance, but the difference was statistically insignificant (p>0.05). In both males and females, there was a statistically significant difference in the handgrip endurance, with the maximum grip endurance in the normal weight group and the minimum grip endurance in the overweight group (p< 0.05). The correlation between the BMI, the body fat percentage and the handgrip endurance was complex and different for males and females. CONCLUSION: The underweight and overweight groups had a lower grip strength and endurance than the normal weight group in males, but not in females. The correlation was weak and it suggested that on both sides of the normal BMI, the hand grip endurance tended to decrease in males as well as in females. The increase in the body fat percentage might decrease the handgrip endurance but not the handgrip strength.

Comparison of shear bond strength of aesthetic restorative materials.

AIM: The present study was conducted to determine and compare the shear bond strengths of Conventional glass ionomer; Resin-modified glass ionomer; Polyacid-modified composite and Composite Resin, and to assess and determine the mode of failure (adhesive, cohesive, mixed). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Occlusal dentin of 40 extracted human teeth were randomly divided into four groups of ten teeth, each based on the restorative materials tested as follows: Group I: Conventional Glass Ionomer Cement (Control); Group II: Resin-modified Glass Ionomer Cement; Group III: Polyacid-modified Composite Resin; Group IV: Hybrid Composite Resin. The bonded materials were subjected to shear bond strength (SBS) testing in a Instron Universal Testing Machine (UTM) at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min. The bond failure location was examined by the use of a stereomicroscope at 10× magnification. The mean SBS of Groups I-IV obtained was 3.81, 9.71, 11.96 and 18.16 MPa, respectively. Comparison of mean shear bond strengths of all groups was done by one way ANOVA test and comparison of means in between groups by the Student's t test. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that the compomer restorative materials show higher shear bond strength than conventional glass-ionomer and resin-modified glass-ionomer, but less than composite resin.

Quercetin, a bioflavonoid, protects against oxidative stress-related renal dysfunction by cyclosporine in rats.

Nephrotoxicity is the most common and clinically important side effect of cyclosporine (CsA). Recent evidence suggests that reactive oxygen species (ROS) play an important role in CsA nephrotoxicity. This study was designed to demonstrate the role of oxidative stress and its relation to renal dysfunction and to investigate the effects of quercetin, a bioflavonoid with antioxidant properties, in CsA-induced nephrotoxicity. Quercetin (0.5 and 2.0 mg/kg i.p.) was administered 24 h before and concurrently with CsA (20 mg/kg s.c.) for 21 days. Tissue lipid peroxidation was measured as thiobarbituric acid reacting substances (TBARS). Renal function was assessed by estimating plasma creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine and urea clearance. Renal morphological alterations were assessed histopathologically. Pretreatment with CsA (20 mg/kg s.c.) for 21 days produced elevated levels of TBARS and deteriorated renal function as assessed by increased plasma creatinine, BUN and decreased creatinine and urea clearance as compared to vehicle-treated rats. The kidneys of CsA-treated rats showed severe striped interstitial fibrosis, arteriopathy, glomerular basement thickening, tubular vacuolization and hyaline casts. Quercetin (2 mg/kg) markedly reduced elevated levels of TBARS and significantly attenuated renal dysfunction and morphological changes in CsA-treated rats. It is likely that quercetin, due to its antioxidant properties, prevented CsA-induced ROS and consequently CsA nephrotoxicity. These results clearly demonstrate the pivotal role of oxidative stress and its relation to renal dysfunction, and also point to the therapeutic potential of the natural antioxidant quercetin in CsA-induced nephrotoxicity.

A new phorbol diester from Aleurites moluccana.

A new phorbol diester, 13-O-myristyl-20-O-acetyl-12-deoxyphorbol (1), has been isolated from the benzene extract of the heartwood of Aleurites moluccana. In addition, hentriacontane, 6,7-dimethoxycoumarin, 5,6,7-trimethoxycoumarin and beta-sitostenone are being reported for the first time from this species.

Brachial plexus and related lesions after median sternotomy.

A prospective study was undertaken in 459 cases, undergoing open heart surgery which necessitated media sternotomy, to see the frequency of brachial plexus and peripheral nerve related complications in the upper limbs. Seven cases (1.53) had such complications. These included lower trunk injury (3 cases), ulnar neuropathy at the elbow (3 cases), and radical neuropathy at the level of radical groove (one case). The youngest patient was aged 12 years and the remaining 6 patients were more than 30 years of age. There was no relation between the type of heart disease and these complications. The difference between patients with or without preparation of the internal mammary artery for graft was not significant. All the complications occurred on the left side. Ulnar and radical nerve palsy could be due to the positioning of the left limb. The barchial plexus injury was related to retraction of the sternum during operation. AA : Y.

Thrombolysis in left-sided prosthetic valve occlusion: immediate and follow-up results.

Thrombolytic therapy is used increasingly for prosthetic valve thrombosis. Fear of peripheral embolism has limited its use in left-sided valve occlusions. Thirty-eight patients with prosthetic valve occlusion were treated with thrombolytic agents on 44 occasions. Duration of thrombolytic therapy was individualized. Patients were followed up with clinical, echocardiographic, and cine-fluoroscopic evaluation. Average time from onset of symptoms to presentation was 9.7 days. The anticoagulation status was inadequate in 70% of instances. The majority (75%) were in functional class IV, 8 of them being in shock. Overall success was seen in 88.6%: immediate complete success in 18 and partial in 21. Nine of those with partial success had delayed opening of the leaflets. There were nine instances of rethrombosis and one instance of re-rethrombosis; 6 patients received repeat thrombolysis with success in 5. Seventy-six percent (29/38) of the patients were surviving at the time of reporting. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates the feasibility of thrombolytic therapy for left-sided prosthetic valve occlusion. Delayed opening is common in patients with initial partial success. Rethrombosis remains a major problem.

Utilisation pattern and managerial issues--a study of emergency medicine department at Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad.

The emergency medicine department (EMD) is one of the youngest department in the Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS). The study was conducted for a period of six months from it's inception, since November 01st 1992. The physical facilities, staffing, policies and procedures, work load and cost analysis were studied, and conclusions and suggestions were given. Total patients attended at EMD in the six months were 6,884, out of whom 3,484 were admitted into the hospital for further treatment. Cost analysis showed a net gain of Rs. 78.80 per patient.

A study of four major areas in out patient department of NIMS with special reference to patient satisfaction.

A study of patient satisfaction was undertaken in four major Out-patient Departments of General Medicine, Cardiology, Orthopaedics and Neurology which accounts for nearly 70-80% of the Out-patient visits. The study was conducted through distribution of structured questionnaire for a period of six months with a total sample of 300 questions. Keeping in view the working hours, registration pattern, waiting time of various services, the work load and the patient's satisfaction for various services were studied. Some bottlenecks such as lack of flow concept and lack of adequate floor space were identified. Appropriate statistical tests (Chrisquare) were applied in assessing the patient's satisfaction and appropriate recommendations were made accordingly.

Functional status of bio-medical engg. departments in tertiary care hospitals--a comparative study.

The Bio-medical Engineering departments of two major hospitals having high-tech equipment needed for routine day to day patient care were compared with respect to their staffing pattern, proficiency, frequency of failure of major and minor equipment and predictable/non-predictable 'Down time' of the selected equipment using non-parametric statistical test. The study shows that Bio-medical Engineering Department (BME) of our Institute though not full fledged as compared to Hospital 'B' however showed better results in bringing down the down time both in major, minor equipment. The major cause of failure of equipment in both the hospitals was found to be rough handling, the need for imparting training to physicians, nurses, paramedical personnel dealing with bio-medical equipment and its role in preventive maintenance is discussed. Based on the study recommendations were made for preventive maintenance, purchase policy and linked to the policy of administration. Recommendations were made to bring down the Down time to acceptable limit though not for complete elimination.