Changes in blood and erythrocyte membrane parameters in sodium pentosan polysulphate treated urolithiatic rats

The effect of sodium pentosan polysulphate (SPP), was studied in relation to certain blood and erythrocyte membrane parameters in calcium oxalate stone forming rats. Calcium oxalate stones were induced by feeding the rats with 3% w/w sodium glycollate. Fibrinogen, haemoglobin and serum protein levels did not show any variation with the treatment procedures. Serum mucoprotein and protein bound carbohydrates-hexosamine and sialic acid-were increased significantly in the rats receiving calculogenic (CPD) and attained nearly normal levels with SPP treatment. In contrast, hexuronic acid level was decreased in the CPD group and SPP administration increased the level of hexuronic acid in the treated groups. Erythrocyte membrane Ca²⁺-ATPase activity was increased in stone forming rats and SPP administration brought a reduction in the above enzyme activity. Changes in Membrane Mg²⁺- and Na⁺, K⁺-ATPases were minimal. Membrane cholesterol and phospholipids were also raised significantly in stone formers, SPP treatment reduced the membrane cholesterol levels in both controls and stone formers. Phospholipids were also decreased moderately. The above observations suggest that SPP is safe for administration in urolithiatic condition without adverse effects.     

Filarial antibody and antigen detection in different clinical conditions in an endemic area

The study was conducted in filarial endemic area for various clinical presentations and diagnosis of occult filariasis. A total of 157 cases of various clinical presentations namely tropical pulmonary eosinophilia, monoarthritis, polyarthritis, glomerulonephropathy, tenosynovitis, inguinal lymphadenopathy, generalised lymphadenopathy, retroperitonial lymphadenopathy, endomyocardial fibrosis and acute conjunctivitis were screened for filarial antigen and antibody by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Out of 157 cases, 107 cases were positive for antigen or antibody, suggesting the role of filarial infection in these clinical presentations. All the 107 cases were treated with diethylcarbamazine citrate (DEC) and some of the patients who were followed showed relief in signs and symptoms. Hence assay of filarial antigen and/or antibody may be useful for diagnosing occult filarial syndromes for better management and further appropriate treatment.     

Relationship between serum phenytoin and creatinine levels in grand mal epilepsy

Serum phenytoin levels were measured in grand mal epilepsy patients receiving diphenyl hydantoin. The drug levels were correlated with various biochemical parametres. A linear relationship between the levels of diphenyl hydantoin and creatinine was observed. This positive correlation coefficient was found to be statistically signifficant. This correlation may be related to a positive Jaffe’s reaction seen with the chromogen diphenyl hydantoin.     

N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase,alanine aminopeptidase and protein: Creatinine ratio as early indicators of diabetic microangiopathy

The urinary excretion patterns of N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAG), alanine aminopeptidase (AAP) and protein/creatinine ratio (UP/UCR) were studied in 133 diabetic subjects under treatment, 7 patients with established diabetic nephropathy (DN) and 79 carefully selected (age-matched) healthy subjects. NAG, AAP and UP/UCR were highly elevated in DN, while in diabetics urinary NAG levels correlated well with the degree of long-term metabolic control indicated by glycosylated hemoglobin (GHB or Hba1). Both AAP and UP/UCR were found to be more sensitive than NAG, but less specific. Urinary NAG and AAP assays thus offer simple, sensitive and non-invasive techniques for prognostic indication of the onset of microangiopathic changes in long-term diabetic subjects.     

Relative subcellular distribution of calcium activated neutral protease in skeletal muscle of duchenne muscular dystrophy patients

Calcium—activated neutral proteases (CANP) were examined in the subcellular fractions of the skeletal muscle from Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients and healthy individuals. Both and m CANP were detected in subcellular fractions of skeletal muscle. An increase in the quantity of CANP in subcellular particles of DMD muscle was observed. A 33 fold rise in the concentration of calcium in nuclei of dystrophic muscle was noted followed by cytosol, myofibrils, microsomes and mitochondria.     

Biochemical changes in polymorphonuclear leucocytes in patients suffering from diabetes

The microbicidal capacity of polymorphonuclear leucocytes of diabetic and control subjects was evaluated by estimating the release of lysosomal enzymes viz beta-glucuronidase, lysozyme, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, in response to a particulate stimulus-serum treated zymosan (STZ). The cells untreated and pretreated with cytochalasin B were exposed to STZ The total enzyme activities were estimated after cell lysis. The total enzyme activities were not altered in diabetic subjects as compared to control subjects. The release of lysosomal enzymes by cells pretreated with cytochalasin B was high as compared to untreated cells. The release of lysosomal enzymes from the cells isolated from diabetic patients, untreated and pretreated with cytochalasin B was reduced as compared to controls. The findings of the present study that the total lysosomal enzyme activities are normal while the release of these enzymes in response to stimulus is impaired in diabetics, suggest that the bactericidal capacity of these cells which involves phagocytosis is impaired in these patients.     

Hypocholesterolemic effect of the hypoglycaemic principle of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum) seeds

A potent hypoglycaemic principle was isolated by us earlier from the seeds of fenugreek. We have now investigated its hypocholesterolemic effect. Hypercholesterolemia was induced in two groups of rabbits (5 each) by feeding orally cholesterol 100 mg/kg/day for one week. From 8th day group I animals (controls) received the same dose of cholesterol for 4 more weeks. Group II animals (treated) were given along with the same dose of cholesterol fenugreek principle at 50 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks. Fenugreek principle not only prevented the elevation of serum cholesterol, (LDL+VLDL)c, triacylglycerols and the ratios of total cholesterol/HDLc and (LDL+VLDL)c/HDLc, but also brought down most of these values. Blood glucose levels were normal. The study shows that the same hypoglycaemic principle has hypocholesterolemic effect also.     

Serum and tissue levels of zinc,copper, magnesium and retinol in prostatic neoplasms

Zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), magnesium (Mg) and retinol levels were studied in serum and tissue of the patients with prostatic carcinoma (Ca), benign hyperplasia (BHP) and control subjects. Zinc and retinol levels were low in both serum and tissues of patients with carcinoma, while in BHP, both zinc and retinol level were decreased. Copper levels were high in serum and tissues of both BHP as well as carcinoma patients. Magnesium levels were elevated in both serum and tissues of cancerous patients. The results indicate that Zn, Cu, and Mg metabolism is disturbed in malignancy.     

Serum super oxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in urinary disorders

Evaluation of serum SOD and MDA level was done in 21 first episode renal stone formers, 9 recurrent stone formers, 20 patients with obstructive uropathy other than urolithiasis and 12 patients with urinary infection. Twenty-two healthy volunteers were taken as controls. The level of SOD in respective groups was 2.12±0.84, 2.78±0.85, 1.42±0.31, 1.98±0.70 and 2.32±0.62 units/ml and of MDA was 2.61±1.07, 2.69±1.15, 1.65±0.33, 1.33±0.34 and 1.55±0.48 n mol/ml respectively. The results indicate increased peroxidative stressin nephrolithiasis only. Since SOD level was normal in all groups, this increased peroxidative stress in nephrolithiasis should be due to factors other than this one.     

Iron deficiency and anemia in vegetarian mothers and their newborns

Blood haemoglobin, serum iron, iron binding capacity, transferrin saturation and ferritin levels were determined in two groups of mothers as well as their cords—strict vegetarians (lactovegetarians) and non-vegetarians (omnivores), closely comparable in age, weight, parity and gestation period but differing in their diet and food habits. All these parameters, except total iron binding capacity, were found to be significantly lower in vegetarian mothers and their cords as compared to nonvegetarian mothers and their cords, respectively, despite receiving supplemental iron for six months. Further, there was a greater incidence of anemia and iron deficiency in mothers consuming only vegetarian diet. Moreover, a significant correlation existed between mother's ferritin to cord ferritin confirming that maternal iron deficiency does affect neonatal iron status. All these observations suggest that strict vegetarian mothers as well as their newborns have a greater incidence and risk of anemia and iron deficiency.     

Effect of diabetic serum factor on polymorphonuclear leucocyte membrane hydrophobicity and particle internalisation

Membrane hydrophobicity and slalidase activity of normal Poly morphonuclear Leucocyte were significantly enhanced when incubated with DSF. As a consequence, internalisation ofE. coli andS. aureus (opsonised or unopsonised) were greatly dimnished, internalisation ofE. coli being higher in either category. Although, increase in hydrophobicity of the membrane correlated well with the time of decrease of particle internalisation (both at 30 min.), enhancement of sialidase activity did not coincide with the said alterations.     

Effect of intrauterine contraceptive device on concentration of inorganic phosphorus and cholesterol in human uterine fluid

Uterine fluid, basically the endometrial secretion, is in dynamic exchange by influx and efflux with the oviducal and cervical fluids. During investigation the uterine fluid of both parous and IUCD women was collected and evaluated for inorganic phosphorus and cholesterol. The results of parous women were compared with the results of IUCD women. The trend of fluctuation in inorganic phosphorus concentration during different phases of menstrual cycle were same in both parous and IUCD women. But there was an increase in concentration in case of IUCD women in all stages of the menstrual cycle. After comparison with parous women a decrease in uterine fluid cholesterol concentration during proliferative period and increase during luteal period of IUCD women was observed. This increase in inorganic phosphorus and decrease and an increase in cholesterol concentration in IUCD women might be responsible in making uterine fluid environment unfavourable for sperm survival and blastocyst implantation.     

VCO sweep-rate limit for a phase-lock loop

Phase-lock loops (PLLs) serve important roles in phase-lock receivers, coherent transponders, and similar applications. For many of these uses, the bandwidth of the loop must be kept small to limit the detrimental influence of noise, and this requirement makes the natural PLL pull-in phenomenon too slow and/or unreliable. For each such case, the phase-lock acquisition process can be aided by the application of an external sweep voltage to the loop voltage controlled oscillators (VCOs). The goal is to have the applied sweep voltage rapidly decrease the closed-loop frequency error to a point where phase lock occurs quickly. For a second-order loop containing a perfect integrator loop filter, there is a maximum VCO sweep-rate magnitude, denoted here as R_m rad/s², for which phase lock is guaranteed. If the applied VCO sweep rate is less than R_m, the loop cannot sweep past a stable phase-lock point, and it will phase lock. On the other hand, for an applied sweep-rate magnitude that is greater than R_m, the PLL may sweep past a lock point and fail to phase lock. In the existing PLL literature, only a trial-and-error approach has been described for estimating R_m, given values of loop damping factor ζ and natural frequency ω_n. Furthermore, no plots exist of computed versus ζ and versus ζ (B_L denotes loop-noise bandwidth). These deficiencies are dealt with in this paper. A new iterative numerical technique is given that converges to the maximum sweep-rate magnitude R_m. It is used to generate data for plots of and versus ζ, the likes of which have never appeared before in the PLL literature.     

Mixed control of uncertain jumping time-delay systems

In this paper, we investigate a class of linear continuous-time systems with Markovian jump parameters. An integral part of the system dynamics is a delayed state with time-varying and bounded delays. The jumping parameters are modeled as a continuous-time, discrete-state Markov process. Employing norm-bounded parametric uncertainties and utilizing the second-method of Lyapunov, we examine the problem of designing a mixed controller which minimizes a quadratic performance measure while satisfying a prescribed -norm bound on the closed-loop system. It is established that sufficient conditions for the existence of the mixed controller and the associated performance upper bound could be cast in the form of linear matrix inequalities.     

Bounded p-valent Robertson functions defined by using a differential operator

Let denote the class of functions analytic in U={z:|z|<1} which satisfy for fixed M, z=re^iθ∈U and

     

Increased plasma zonulin in patients with sepsis

Introduction:

Zonulin is a eukaryotic protein structurally similar to Vibrio cholerae’s zonula occludens toxin. It plays an important role in the opening of small intestine tight junctions. The loss of gut wall integrity during sepsis might be pivotal and has been described in various experimental as well as human studies. Increased levels of zonulin could be demonstrated in diseases associated with increased intestinal inflammation, such as celiac disease and type 1 diabetes. We therefore investigated the role of plasma levels of zonulin in patients with sepsis as a non-invasive marker of gut wall integrity.

Materials and methods:

Plasma level of zonulin was measured in 25 patients with sepsis, severe sepsis or septic shock according to ACCP/SCCM criteria at the first day of diagnosed sepsis. 18 non-septic post-surgical ICU-patients and 20 healthy volunteers served as control. Plasma levels were determined by using commercially available ELISA kit. Data are given as median and interquartile range (IQR).

Results:

Significantly higher plasma concentration of zonulin were found in the sepsis group: 6.61 ng/mL (IQR 3.51–9.46), as compared to the to the post-surgical control group: 3.40 ng/mL (IQR 2.14–5.70) (P = 0.025), as well as to the healthy group: 3.55 ng/mL (IQR 3.14–4.14) (P = 0.008).

Conclusion:

We were able demonstrate elevated levels of plasma zonulin, a potential marker of intestinal permeability in septic patients. Increased zonulin may serve as an additional mechanism for the observed increased intestinal permeability during sepsis and SIRS.     

Differential subordinations and argument inequalities

The main object of the present paper is to investigate certain properties of multivalent functions associated with a linear operator .     

On the asymptotic behavior of solutions of certain second-order differential equations

In this paper, the second order non-linear differential equation

     

Stability and boundedness properties of certain second-order differential equations

In this paper, we investigated the differential equation