A comparative study on oxidative stress and antioxidant status in ischemic stroke patients with and without diabetes

The study was conducted to find out the extent of lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status in ischemic stroke patients (ISPs) with and without diabetes. Malondialdehyde (MDA) was studied as a marker of lipid peroxidation. Glutathione (GSH), uric acid and ceruloplasmin were estimated to study the antioxidant potential of ISPs. Significantly higher levels of MDA were found in both the groups of ISPs and the increase in MDA was more in ISPs without diabetes. GSH levels were decreased significantly in both the groups of ISPs and maximum decline was found in ISPs with diabetes. Uric acid levels were significantly increased in both the groups of ISPs. Ceruloplasmin levels were increased significantly in ISPs without diabetes, whereas its levels were slightly decreased in ISPs with diabetes. A negative correlation was found between MDA and the antioxidants GSH, uric acid and ceruloplasmin in ISPs with diabetes. This study suggests that there is an association between ischemic stroke and increased oxidative stress and the antioxidant potential is impaired in both the groups of ISPs with and without diabetes.     

Effect of Vitamin B<Subscript>12</Subscript> and Folate on Homocysteine levels in colorectal cancer

Folate and cobalamin (Vitamin B₁₂) are two essential micronutrients involved in one-carbon metabolism, which affects heart disease, neural tube defects and cancer. Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, the key enzyme involved in one carbon metabolism produces methyl tetrahydrofolate from methylene tetrahydrofolate, which in turn donates methyl group to homocysteine to generate methionine. There exist two common low function polymorphic variants of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene involving nucleotides 677 C→T and 1298 A→C, which are associated with hyperhomocysteinemia. These polymorphisms are also linked with increased risk for certain cancers such as breast cancer and at the same time providing a protective effect on colorectal cancer. In this case control study, we have evaluated levels of folic acid, vitamin B₁₂ and homocysteine in patients with colorectal cancer. Folate and homocysteine levels did not differ significantly between the two groups; however an increasing trend was noticed with increase in homocysteine levels. Vitamin B₁₂ levels were increased in cases compared to control group.     

Lead toxicity as a result of herbal medication

Awareness about the toxic effects of non-essential metals is still lacking in developing countries. Lead is one among them, which ranks second in the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry’ s top 20 lists of toxic metals. Some of the herbal medicines prepared from certain roots and leaves are known to contain this toxic metal at alarming levels. We have a case of a person who suffered from the toxic effects of lead such as vomiting and colicky abdominal pain after consuming a herbal remedy for Jaundice treatment. This went unrecognized initially because of the presence of multiple problems like Malaria and Renal calculi. Lead poisoning as causative factor for anemia, vomiting and colic were confirmed only when blood lead concentration was estimated. A combination of chelation therapy and nutritional supplementation was found to be useful in reducing the body lead burden.     

Association of hyperhomocysteinemia to alcohol withdrawal in chronic alcoholics

This study is conducted in chronic alcoholics to assess the association of an Individual’s level of serum homocysteine with the success of achieving alcohol deaddiction in the patient. The patients’ nutrition status is also assessed. 50 chronic alcoholics admitted to a deaddiction center were inducted into the study. Patients underwent an 8 weeks holistic program to promote rehabilitation from alcoholism. All the patients were addicted to alcohol for 8 – 10 years. Of the 50 patients enrolled, 39 of them completed the 8 weeks program including complete abstinence from alcohol during this period. Fasting blood samples were collected on admission and again after 8 weeks of alcohol abstinence for analyses of serum homocysteine and serum prealbumin, transferrin, total proteins and albumin, gammaglutamyl transferase (GGT) and alanine transaminase (ALT). Of the 50 patients enrolled in the study, 39 completed the 8 weeks rehabilitation program. 11 patients discontinued within 2 weeks of admission. During the 8 weeks of complete alcohol abstinence, patients were given a balanced diet and multivitamin supplements. A significant improvement in their nutritional status was noted by the elevation of serum levels of prealbumin, transferrin, total proteins and albumin. Serum homocysteine levels decreased significantly (p<0.002) to normal levels from previous hyperhomocytenemia. This was accompanied by decrease in serum GGT and ALT levels indicating improved liver functions. Serum estimation of homocysteine in chronic alcoholics is important to assess whether the patient will have a successful rehabilitation. Normal homocysteine levels are achieved after dietary changes and abstinence from alcohol. Timely correction of hyperhomocysteinemia also provides successful rehabilitation.     

Predictors of learner satisfaction in an academic computer conference

This study tested the Adult Distance Study Through Computer Conferencing (ADSCC) model developed by Eastmond (1994), to determine if learner readiness, online features, and CMC‐related learning approaches are associated with learner satisfaction in an academic computer conference. All three variables were correlated with learner satisfaction and online features emerged as the best predictor of learner satisfaction. Results indicate interrelationships between the three variables. The ADSCC model was a good predictor of learner satisfaction. It provided a useful framework for understanding learner satisfaction by showing how to categorise the different components that influence satisfaction in an academic computer conference.     

Egg-laying preference for ethanol involving learning has adaptive significance inDrosophila melanogaster

To study the influence of negative or positive experience of the ingestion of ethanol in femaleDrosophila with thefast form of the Adh gene on the acceptance of a medium containing this substance as site for egg laying, flies raised on a medium without alcohol were kept (1) on a regular medium, (2) on a medium supplemented with ethanol, (3) on a medium supplemented with 4-methylpyrazole (4-MP, an inhibitor of the enzyme ADH), and (4) on a medium containing both ethanol and this inhibitor. Whereas theDrosophila exhibited no spontaneous egg-laying preference for ethanol, a preference was induced by the ingestion of this substance, which also led to an increase in the number of eggs laid. By contrast, ingestion of ethanol, associated with the inhibitor, reduced the number of eggs laid and led to an avoidance of ethanol-containing media. Flies treated with ethanol and 4-MP exhibited signs of sickness (reduction in locomotor activity and loss of balance). The egg-laying preference for the ethanol results from learning linked to the metabolic utilization of this alcohol. The adaptative significance of this learning is discussed.     

Ludwig Prandtl and boundary layers in fluid flow

In 1904, Prandtl proposed the concept of boundary layers that revolutionised the study of fluid mechanics. In this article we present the basic ideas of boundary layers and boundary-layer separation, a phenomenon that distinguishes streamlined from bluff bodies.