Platelet mono amine oxidase and plasma dopamine beta hydroxylase activity in patients with Schizophrenia

The activity of monoamine oxidase in platelets and of dopamine beta hydroxylase in plasma was determined in patients with schizophrenia. The activity of both the enzymes was found to be considerably decreased in patients with schizophrenia when compared to the levels noted in healthy subjects.     

PCT as a Prognostic Marker in Cardiac Patients with Neutropenic Sepsis: Two Case Reports

Procalcitonin (PCT) is an innovative and highly specific marker for diagnosis of clinically relevant bacterial infection and sepsis. PCT supports early diagnosis and Clinical decision making. A retrospective study of two classical cases of neutropenic sepsis with elevated PCT levels in cardiac ICU was done. PCT was analyzed using Elecsys Brahms PCT kit. Serum PCT levels <0.5 ng/ml and ANC <1,000/mm³ was taken as cutoff. The first patient had initial high levels of PCT 100 ng/ml, TLC 13,600/mm³ and ANC 12,250/mm³. It was followed by drop with subsequent rise in PCT levels and drop in TLC 1,000/mm³ and ANC 70/mm³. The second patient had normal PCT 0.116 ng/ml, TLC 5,600/mm³ and ANC 4,420/mm³ levels followed with sharp increase in all the values with subsequent drop in TLC 2,000/mm³ and ANC 880 cells/mm³. Both the patients died of neutropenic sepsis with multiorgan failure. The case reports showed the correlation of PCT with TLC and ANC levels in predicting the mortality of patients with neutropenic sepsis in cardiac ICU.     

北方农村地区火墙兼生活热水系统应用实验研究

火墙系统包括炉灶(或火炉)、火墙、烟囱,作为一种建筑传统供暖系统,近年来,依然是新疆大部分农村地区民居采用的主要供暖形式。目前使用的火墙,建造多以经验为指导,性能参差不齐,普遍存在排烟温度高,能耗大,能源利用率低的缺点。本文针对上述缺点,提出了供暖火墙兼生活热水系统,即在原有火墙中加入了生活热水加热铜盘管。在不同室外温度下,满足室内热舒适性条件下,对该系统的能源利用率进行了实验研究并与传统火墙进行了对比。实验结果表明,供暖火墙兼生活热水系统的新式火墙能在保证室内热舒适性的同时又可以用烟气加热生活用水,降低了排烟温度,明显提高能源利用率,具有现实的推广和深入研究的意义。     

经皮冠状动脉介入术后护理进展

文章从经皮冠状动脉治疗(PCI)的相关知识、术后的一般护理、病情观察、拔除鞘管的护理、抗凝治疗护理、并发症的预防、心理护理及康复指导方面对经皮冠状动脉介入术后的护理进展进行了综述。     

Elevated plasma levels of selective cytokines in COVID-19 patients reflect viral load and lung injury

A recent outbreak of pneumonia in Wuhan,China was found to be caused by a 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV or SARS-CoV-2 or HCoV-19).We previously reported the...     

Evaluation of serum zinc level and plasma SOD activity in senile cataract patients under oxidative stress

An imbalance in the systemic redox status leading to oxidative stress has been an important factor in development of senile cataracts, which is reflected by an increase in serum TBARS and a decrease in plasma SOD activity. Zinc has been an important cofactor required for structural stability of SOD. In the present study the role of serum zinc level and plasma SOD activity was analyzed in senile cataract patients showing significant oxidative stress. Serum TBARS, plasma SOD and serum zinc level was measured in thirty randomly selected senile cataract patients against properly matched controls. Although, the analysis of means showed a significant increase in serum TBARS and decrease in plasma SOD and serum zinc level in cases, but plasma SOD was found to be just significantly correlated (p=0.05) with the serum zinc only in the cases. The results of partial correlation studies and multiple regression analysis, also, showed only a significant correlation and predictable dependence between serum TBARS and plasma SOD, excluding any role of serum zinc level. The present study concludes that it is chiefly the plasma SOD activity, but not the serum zinc level, that determines the proneness of the patients for development of senile cataract.     

X-linked adreno leukodistrophy: Profiles of very long chain fatty acids in plasma and fibroblasts in eigth Serbian patients

X-linked adrenoleukodistrophy is a severe neurodegenerative disorder with impaired very long chain fatty acid metabolism. The disease associated ABCD1 gene encodes a peroxisomal membrane protein which belongs to the superfamily of ATP-binding cassette transporters. We investigated eight male X-ALD patients diagnosed among 142 suspected patients referred for investigation. Plasma levels of very long chain fatty acids were measured at our laboratory using capillary gas chromatography. Eight cases of childhood X-ALD were diagnosed. This is the first published series of Serbian patients with X-ALD. In addition, diagnosis identifies carriers, which could be benefit for genetic counselling and prenatal diagnosis.     

浅谈以药学服务为核心的高职药理学教学改革途径

以药学服务为核心的高职药理学教学方案是以开发和发展药学服务为中心出发,强调了药学服务的重要性,在原有基础上对传统高职药理学教学方案进行改革。高职药理学教学方案的改革过程要以社会需求和学生的就业方向为标准,做到教学过程与工作需求的结合。通过开展情境教学、案例教学、模拟教学等方式,让学生在课堂学习的过程中更加直观地认识和了解职业需求。对动物教学实验和药房教学内容进行优化改革,以第二课堂的形式丰富教师的课堂教学内容,使得以药学服务为核心的高职药理学教学改革方案更加适应当代社会的发展需求,让学生在社会中更具竞争力。     

皮肤瘙痒症中糖尿病患者的调查研究

皮肤瘙痒症中内因-系统性疾病以糖尿病最为常见,也是常易被忽略的疾病之一。本研究通过对临床上皮肤瘙痒症患者的血糖情况进行调查,发现皮肤瘙痒症中糖尿病或糖耐量异常患者占13.8%,其血糖升高主要以餐后2小时为主,提示临床上应予重视皮肤瘙痒症患者的血糖情况,以免漏诊糖尿病患者。     

Antioxidant status in patients with acute myocardial infarction

Free radicals play an important role in the pathogenesis of tissue damage in many clinical disorders, including atherosclerosis. Antioxidants protect the body from damage caused by free radicals. In this study we investigated oxidative stress, antioxidants and inflammatory molecules in patients with acute myocardial infarction. This study has been carried out on 106 patients with acute myocardial infarction, (89 men and 17 females). The control group consisted of 50 healthy, age-matched subjects (40 men and 10 females). Levels of Glucose, lipid profile, glutathione reduced, glutathione peroxidase, Superoxide dismutase, Glycosylated hemoglobin, fibrinogen, vitamin C, vitamin E, malondialdehyde, ceruloplasmin, adenosine deaminase, lysozyme and sialic acid were measured. Malondialdehyde and ceruloplasmin levels were significantly high and antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E, glutathione reduced, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase were significantly decreased in diabetic and non-diabetic AMI patients as compared with control (p<0.001). Inflammatory markers showed significant rise in diabetic patients as compared with controls. Our results clearly show increased inflammation and oxidative stress in patients with acute myocardial infarction. Depression of antioxidant system in these patients confirms this conclusion.     

Glycoprotein components in the serum of patients with cancer breast

The levels of total sialic acid, lipid bound sialic acid and fucose were estimated in the sera of patients with benign and malignant tumours of breast. An increase was noted in all the three parameters, with a more marked increase in malignancy, when compared with benign and controls. Consequent to surgery, there was an elevation in the serum levels of the above parameters than the values prior to surgery and a decline was noted two months after surgery although none of the values reached the normal range. These results suggest a close association of the glycoproteins with the tumour burden and further signify their role in early detection and staging of cancer breast.     

Lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

The changes in the erythrocyte lipid peroxidation products (MDA), levels of glutathione (GSH), ascorbic acid and plasma vitamin E (non enzymatic antioxidant parameters) and activities of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GP_X), catalase in erythrocytes and plasma glutathione - S - transferase (GST) activity were estimated in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. This work was undertaken to assess oxidative stress and anti oxidant status in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. It was observed that there was a significant increase in erythrocyte MDA levels, activities of SOD, GP_X, plasma GST and a significant decrease in erythrocyte GSH, ascorbic acid, plasma vitamin E levels and catalse activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis when compared to controls. The results of our study suggests higher oxygen free radical production, evidenced by increased MDA and decreased GSH, ascorbic acid, vitamin E and Catalase activity, support to the oxidative stress in rheumatoid arthritis. The increased activities of antioxidant enzymes may be a compensatory regulation in response to increased oxidative stress.     

Changes in serum copper levels in patients with malignant diseases undergoing radiotherapy

Present study repots changes in serum copper levels (SCL) in various neoplastic diseases undergoing radiotherapy. We estimated SCLs in 140 individuals comprising of 90 previously untreated patients with various malignancies and 50 healthy controls. Patients received radiation in doses of 40–70 Gy in 4–7 weeks. SCLs were again estimated in patients following irradiation. The mean SCL was significantly higher (P<0.001) in cancer patients as compared to healthy controls. It declined significantly (P<0.001) following irradiation. However, it remained significantly higher as compared to healthy controls (P<0.01). Highest fall in SCL was seen in complete clinical responders and least in non-responders to radiation treatment. Serial estimation of SCLs may be useful in the treatment monitoring of the neoplasms undergoing radiation treatment.     

Oxidative stress and antioxidant status in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia

Chronic myeloid leukemia is a myeloproliferative disorder with a unique rearrangement, the Philadelphia chromosome. Oxidative stress, a pervasive condition of an increased number of reactive oxygen species, is now recognized to be prominent feature of various diseases and their progression. Thus antioxidants, which control the oxidative stress state, represent a major line of defense regulating overall true state of health. The relationship between antioxidants status and levels of well-known markers of oxidative stress that are measured as lipid peroxides and oxidized proteins reflect better health indices and postures. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of oxidative stress in pathophysiology of Chronic myeloid leukemia by measuring the circulating plasma lipid peroxide levels in terms of malonyldialdehyde, total lipid hydroperoxide and oxidized proteins as protein carbonyl whereas antioxidant status were estimated in terms of reduced glutathione and total thiol in plasma of Chronic myeloid leukemia patients. The present study included 47 Chronic myeloid leukemia patients and 20 age-and sex-matched healthy subjects. Out of 47 Chronic myeloid leukemia patients, 31 were in chronic phase (CML-CP) and 16 in accelerated phase (CML-AP). The median age of Chronic myeloid leukemia patients was 33 years and that of controls was 32 years. Oxidative stress and antioxidant status in plasma were evaluated by spectrophotometric procedures. There was a significant increase (p<0.05) in plasma malonyldialdehyde, total lipid hydroperoxide and protein carbonyl levels in Chronic myeloid leukemia patients as compared to healthy subjects. Our results also showed that plasma malonyldialdehyde and protein carbonyl levels were markedly elevated (p<0.05) in both chronic phase (CML-CP) and accelerated phase (CML-AP) as compared to healthy volunteers. Antioxidant status was found to be significantly decreased (p<0.05) in Chronic myeloid leukemia patients and its phases as compared to healthy participants. It could be concluded that oxidative stress may be associated with the pathophysiology of Chronic myeloid leukemia.     

Plasma and erythrocyte magnesium levels in patients with preeclampsia/eclampsia

Plasma and erythrocyte magnesium levels were estimated in preeclampsia and eclampsia. Mean plasma as well as erythrocyte magnesium concentrations were found to be significantly lowered than the controls. Hypomagnesemia was directly related with the severity of the disease. Plasma calcium concentration however, was not significantly altered.     

Monitoring oxidative stress in patients with non-alcoholic and alcoholic liver diseases

Ethanol-induced liver injury may be linked, at least partly, to an oxidative stress resulting from increased free radical production and/or decreased antioxidant defence. Distinguishing alcoholic and non-alcoholic liver disease has important implications. This study looked at the possible changes between alcoholic and non-alcoholic liver diseases by examining the presence of oxidative damage, as monitored by several parameters relating to oxidative stress. Lipid peroxides concentration, superoxide dismutase activity and glutathione S-transferase activity increased, where as glutathione content, glutathione peroxidase activity and glutathione reductase activity decreased among the tested subjects in comparison to normal healthy group. Determination of these parameters may be valuable in the evaluation of liver disease. However, oxidative stress related enzymes and non-enzymes can not be utilized as a marker for alcoholic liver diseases, as these parameters responded in the same way after liver is damaged irrespective of their cause. Their level may help in determining the degree of liver damage. Degree of oxidative injury was similar in patients with non-alcoholic liver disease and in moderate drinkers; while significantly higher in heavy drinkers. The differences between the groups might be based on the type of liver pathological condition rather than its etiology (i.e. alcohol and non alcohol related causes).     

Effect of corticosteroids on elevated intracellular sodium, plasma lipid peroxide levels and reduced Na+, K+-ATPase activity in patients of bronchial asthma

In view of several reports that there is a lack of balance in free radicals in case of bronchial asthma (1) the effect of free radicals on cell membrane was studied by estimating the membrane bound protein Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase activity and the intracellular sodium level in patients of bronchial asthma before and after a short course (one week) of oral corticosteroid (prednisolone 0.75–1mg/kg body weight) therapy. Results showed that there is a definite statistically significant rise in free radical level and intracellular sodium level and a significant lowering of Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase activity in case of untreated bronchial asthma. After short course of therapy with oral corticosteroids, the free radical level and intracellular sodium level decreased significantly, together with a significant rise of the Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase activity. Also, a significant negative correlation (r=−0.74) between the lipid peroxide level and the Na⁺,-K⁺-ATPase activity was found in these cases.     

Some oxidative stress related parameters in patients with head and neck carcinoma

Forty cases of head and neck cancer were studied for plasma superoxide dismutase, malondialdehyde and thiol levels and results were compared with a group of forty normal healthy volunteers. Mean plasma superoxide dismutase activity was not found to be altered while malondialdehyde concentration was significantly higher when compared with the control group. On the other hand, mean thiol level was significantly lowered. The data suggests increased level of oxidative stress in patients with head and neck cancer.