Heart-Type Fatty Acid-Binding Protein,in Early Detection of Acute Myocardial Infarction: Comparison with CK-MB,Troponin I and Myoglobin

The study aimed to investigate whether heart-type fatty acid binding protein (H-FABP) measurement provides additional diagnostic value to that of conventional cardiac markers in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) within first 6 h after the onset of symptoms. The study included 120 subjects: 60 AMI cases and 60 age and sex matched controls. The cases and controls were further divided into 2 subgroups depending on the time since onset of chest pain as (1) subjects within 3 h and (2) between 3 and 6 h of onset of chest pain. In all the cases and controls, serum H-FABP concentration was measured by Immunoturbidimetric method, serum Troponin I and myoglobin concentrations by Chemiluminescence immunoassay and serum CK-MB concentration by Immuno-inhibition method. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of H-FABP were significantly greater than CK-MB and myoglobin but were lesser than Troponin I in patients with suspected AMI in both within 3 h and 3–6 h groups. Receiver operating characteristic curves demonstrated greatest diagnostic ability for Troponin I (AUC = 0.99, p < 0.001) followed by H-FABP (AUC = 0.906, p < 0.001) within 3 h and 3–6 h after the onset of chest pain. In conclusion, the diagnostic value of H-FABP is greater than CK-MB and myoglobin but slightly lesser than troponin I for the early diagnosis of AMI within first 6 h of chest pain. H-FABP can be used as an additional diagnostic tool for the early diagnosis of AMI along with troponin I.     

Biochemical effects of various pesticides on sprayers of grape gardens

A total of 85 healthy male pesticide sprayers in grape garden exposed to different class of pesticides for 3 to 10 years were compared with 75 controls matched for age with respect to serum cholinesterase, serum total protein, albumin, AST, ALT, hematological parameters such as Hb, Hct, RBC and serum lipid peroxidation. Serum lipid peroxidation was estimated in the form of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) produced. Significant decrease was observed in serum cholinesterase, serum total proteins, albumin and hematological parameters viz. Hb, Hct and RBC. Significant increase in lipid peroxidation, AST, ALT, was observed in exposed group when compared with control. These results suggest that the long term exposure of various pesticides on sprayers of grape garden affect liver, heme biosynthesis and decrease serum cholinesterase.     

Evaluation of reference intervals of serum lipid profile from healthy population in Western Maharashtra

Fasting samples of 914 subjects from healthy population were analyzed for total cholesterol, triglyceride and three major fractions of lipoproteins i.e. high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low lipoprotein cholesterol and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. The values obtained were (in mg/dl) 165.7±30.2,88.36±31.2, 44.86±10.68, 101.66±29.8 and 18.11±7.35 respectively. When these subjects were grouped according to the age and sex, no appropriate differences were observed between most of the groups. Triglycerides were found to be low and HDL cholesterol was high in female when compared with male of similar age. Beyond age 40 years cholesterol level and low density lipoprotein cholesterol was found to be gradually increased in case of women. Minor difference was observed with dietary pattern. Present study suggests that clinical evaluation of patient should be made on the basis of these reference values for Western Maharashtra population.     

Study of Serum Homocysteine, Folic Acid and Vitamin B12 in Patients with Preeclampsia

The present study was carried out to evaluate the occurrence of association between homocysteine, folic acid and vitamin B(12) in patients with preeclampsia. Fifty preeclamptic patients from gynecology ward were studied for estimation of serum homocysteine, folic acid and vitamin B(12) over a period of October 2007 to June 2010. Serum homocysteine and folic acid, and vitamin B(12) were determined by means of Immulite 1000 analyzer. The statistical analysis of study group of preeclampsia compared with normotensive control group, showed significant alterations in serum homocysteine, folic acid and vitamin B(12) concentrations in preeclampsia. Inverse association between serum homocysteine and folic acid, and vitamin B(12) levels were observed in preeclampsia. The present study found hyperhomocysteinemia and deficiency of folic acid and vitamin B(12) along with increased blood pressure as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in preeclampsia.     

Biochemical Effects of Lead Exposure on Systolic &; Diastolic Blood Pressure,Heme Biosynthesis and Hematological Parameters in Automobile Workers of North Karnataka (India)

The purpose of this study was to find out the effect of lead exposure on systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heme biosynthesis related and hematological parameters of automobile workers. For this study 30 automobile workers were selected and compared with 30 age matched healthy control subjects. Significantly increased blood lead (364%, P < 0.001) and urinary lead (176%, P < 0.001) levels were observed in automobile workers (study group) as compared to controls. Systolic blood pressure (5.32%, P < 0.05) and diastolic blood pressure (5.87%, P < 0.05) were significantly increased in the automobile workers as compared to controls. The significantly decreased non-activated erythrocyte δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (δ-ALAD) (−18.51%, P < 0.01) and activated δ-ALAD (−13.29%, P < 0.05) levels were observed in automobile workers as compared to normal healthy control subjects. But the ratio of activated/non-activated δ-ALAD was significantly increased (43.83%, P < 0.001) in automobile workers as compared to controls. Excretions of δ-aminolevulinic acid (83.78%, P < 0.001) and porphobilinogen (37%, P < 0.001) in urine were significantly increased in the study group as compared to the controls. In automobile workers heamoglobin (−11.51%, P < 0.001), hematocrit (−4.06%, P < 0.05), mean corpuscle volume (−3.34%, P < 0.05), mean corpuscle hemoglobin (−5.66%, P < 0.01), mean corpuscle hemoglobin concentration (−7.67%, P < 0.001), red blood cell count (−14.6%, P < 0.001) were significantly decreased and total white blood cell count (11.44%, P < 0.05) increased as compared to the controls. The results of this study clearly indicate that the absorption of lead is more in automobile workers and it affects on blood pressure, heme biosynthesis and hematological parameters observed in this study group.     

Biochemical Effects of Lead Exposure on Battery Manufacture Workers with Reference to Blood Pressure, Calcium Metabolism and Bone Mineral Density

Lead is one of the most widely scattered toxic metals in the environment and used by mankind for over 9,000 years. Lead in the environment may be derived from natural or anthropogenic sources. In humans, lead can cause a wide range of biological effects depending upon the level and duration of exposure. The purpose of this study was to find out the effect of lead exposure on systolic and diastolic blood pressure, serum calcium, ionized calcium, phosphorus, parathyroid hormone and vitamin D and examine the overall effect of all these parameters on the bone mineral density of battery manufacture workers. For this study ninety battery manufacture workers were selected and divided in three groups depending upon duration of lead exposure. Group I—workers with duration of lead exposure 1–5 years, Group II—workers with duration of lead exposure 6–10 years and Group III—workers with duration of lead exposure more than 10 years. Each group consisted of thirty workers. Thirty age matched healthy control subjects were taken for comparison. Demographic, occupational and clinical data were collected by using questionnaire and interview. The venous blood samples were collected from the study groups and normal healthy control group. At the time of blood collection random urine samples were collected in amber coloured bottles. The biochemical parameters were estimated by using standard assay procedures. Statistical analysis of the data was done using independent student‘t’ test for parametric variables. Values were expressed as mean ± standard deviation (SD). P values of 0.05 or less were considered to be statistically significant. The blood lead levels and urinary lead levels of all workers were significantly increased (P < 0.001) in proportion to the duration of lead exposure as compared to controls. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure were significantly raised (P < 0.001) in all three study groups of battery manufacture workers as compared to controls. Serum Calcium, Ionized calcium, phosphorus were significantly decreased (P < 0.001) in all the three study groups. Serum vitamin D levels were lowered (P < 0.01) and serum PTH was increased (P < 0.01) in workers as compared to controls. The results of this study clearly indicate that the absorption of lead is more in these workers which adversely affects blood pressure, disturbs calcium and phosphorus metabolism which further impairs mineralization of bone resulting in decreased bone mineral density observed in these workers. Lead toxicity is still persistent in battery manufacture workers though they are using sophisticated techniques in these industries. There is a need to protect the workers from the health hazards of occupational lead exposure.     

Accreditation of engineering education: review,observations and proposal for global accreditation

In engineering education, the accreditation and assessment of academic programmes is vital in order to maintain the quality and the status of engineering graduates, and hence the technical workforce. Results of a survey of the relevant literature and observations indicate that various accreditation models have been developed regionally, as well as internationally but most of these models seem to be non-uniform, too complex, non-transparent and, moreover, non-precise. This leads to confusion and growing concerns about the mutual recognition and global mobility of the engineering profession. As a result, there is an urgent need for a systematic global model of engineering accreditation that can be used to assess global professional skills and attributes of engineering graduates. The aim of the current paper is to present a brief review of existing accreditation systems implemented in engineering education worldwide as well as to describe the methodology for developing a global accreditation model in engineering education. Various existing accreditation models in engineering education are briefly discussed in this paper and the strengths and weaknesses of these models are outlined and presented. The need for the global accreditation model has been justified and the methodology for the development of the model is outlined with its advantages listed in the paper.     

Effect of Vitamin E Supplementation on Biochemical Parameters in Pesticides Sprayers of Grape Gardens of Western Maharashtra (India)

The aim of this study was to see the biochemical effects of pesticides on sprayers of grape gardens before and after 15 days of vitamin E supplementations in Western Maharashtra (India), who were occupationally exposed to various pesticides over a long period of time (about 5 to 15 years). Blood samples were collected from all study group subjects for biochemical parameters assays before and after 15 days of vitamin E supplementation. Sprayers of grape gardens were given 400 mg of vitamin E tablet/day for 15 days. After 15 days of vitamin E supplementation to sprayers of grape gardens, we observed significantly decreased aspartate transaminase (10.88 %, P < 0.05, r = 0.88), alanine transaminase (25.92 %, P < 0.01, r = 0.46) and total proteins (3.32 %, P < 0.01, r = 0.33), whereas, no statistically significant change was found in serum acetyl cholinesterase, C-reactive proteins, albumin (ALB), globulins and ALB/globulin ratio as compared to before vitamin E supplementation. Sprayers of grape gardens, who received vitamin E supplementation, showed significantly decreased serum lipid peroxide (LP) (18.75 %, P < 0.001, r = 0.63) and significantly increased RBC-superoxide dismutase (SOD) (12.88 %, P < 0.001, r = 0.85), RBC-Catalase (CAT) (24.49 %, P < 0.001, r = 0.70), plasma ceruloplasmin (CP) (4.6 %, P < 0.01, r = 0.80), serum zinc (4.57 %, P < 0.01, r = 0.83) and serum copper (4.37 %, P < 0.01, r = 0.79) as compared to values before vitamin E supplementation. These results showed that vitamin E supplementation has ameliorating effects on these transaminase enzymes, suggesting that it may have a protective effect on liver, from pesticides induced damage. In this study vitamin E supplementation might have decreased LP levels by breaking chain reaction of lipid peroxidation. Present results indicate that vitamin E plays a crucial role in restoring the antioxidant enzymes such as SOD, CAT and CP, in population exposed to pesticides. This helps to enhance its antioxidant ability. Therefore, it is suggested that farmers, pesticide applicators, workers in the pesticide industry and other pesticide users, who come in regular contact with pesticides, may be benefited by supplementation with vitamin E.     

Correlation between lipid peroxidation and non-enzymatic antioxidants in pregnancy induced hypertension

The present study was designed to evaluate the lipid peroxidation and non-enzymatic antioxidants in pregnancyinduced hypertension (PIH) compared with healthy normal pregnant and non-pregnant as controls. 75 cases were studied of which 25 were normal healthy controls (Group A), 25 healthy pregnant women (Group B) of third trimester and 25 were PIH (Group C) of the same trimester. In PIH, malondialdehyde a lipid peroxidation product was significantly increased as compared to normal pregnant and non-pregnant controls. The nonenzymatic antioxidants like reduced glutathione, Vitamin-E, Vitamin-C and Vitamin-A were significantly decreased in normal pregnants as compared to controls. A further significant decrease was noticed in PIH compared to normal pregnants. A significant negative correlation was detected between lipid peroxidation and non-enzymatic antioxidant levels. Our study clearly indicates a relationship between elevated lipid peroxidation, decreased non-enzymatic antioxidant in PIH. The measurement of non-enzymatic antioxidants in plasma may be useful predictor of the likely development of PIH.