Effect of intraperitoneal administration of carbohydrates on simulated altitude tolerance in rats

Intraperitoneal administration of glucose (20%), Sucrose (20%) and mannitol (15%) to the rats, at a dose of 5ml/100g body weight 3 hrs. prior to hypoxic exposure (simulated high altitude 10,973m, 32°C) significantly increased the hypoxic tolerance. Intraperitoneal administration of these solutions resulted in accumulation of transudate fluid in the peritoneal cavity. A decrease in the excretion of urine, increase in hematocrit value, haemoglobin level, blood viscosity and serum protein were observed. Moisture content of lungs amongst other tissue was found to be decreased. Results are suggestive that dialysis across the peritoneal membrane might have removed some material from the blood in the peritoneal fluid which might have been responsible for the increased hypoxic tolerance.     

Adenosine deaminase levels in cerebrospinal fluid as a diagnostic test for tuberculous meningitis in children

Adenosine deaminase activity (ADA) was estimated in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 30 patients of tuberculous meningitis (TBM) and 10 patients each of partially treated pyomeningitis (PTM), aseptic meningitis (AM) and pyogenic meningitis (PM). Mean ADA levels in CSF of TBM patients were higher (18.22 U/L) as compared to 6.28 U/L, 3.43 U/L and 7.98 U/L in PTM, AM and PM respectively. This difference of ADA values in CSF between TBM and other types of meningitis was statistically significant (p<0.01) different. Sensitivity and specificity of ADA levels in CSF of children to diagnose tuberculous meningitis was 66.6% and 90% respectively at 10 U/L cut off of ADA levels in CSF. ADA levels in CSF could also differentiate PTM, AM and PM from TBM with a specificity of 90%, 100% and 80% respectively.     

Sialic acid in cardiovascular diseases

Sialic acid, the acylated derivatives of 9-carbon sugar neuraminic acid, present as terminal component of oligosaccharide chains of many glycoproteins and glycolipids, has been recognized to be involved in the regulation of a great variety of biological phenomena. Studies have shown that serum sialic acid predicts both coronary heart disease and stroke mortality and reflects the existence or activity of an atherosclerotic process. Most of the studies have shown an elevation in serum sialic acid concentration in coronary heart disease and a positive correlation between the raised serum sialic acid and the severity of the coronary lesions is observed. However, a few contradictory reports are also available. Racial differences in serum sialic acid have also been reported and correlated with international differences in the prevalence of atherosclerosis. Reduced sialic acid content of platelets, erythrocytes and lipoproteins may play important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Elucidation of the mechanism of alternation in sialic acid concentration may throw more light on its potential clinical utility. Hence more studies are needed to designates sialic acid as a cardiovascular risk factor/marker.     

Salivary glycoproteins as indicators of oral diseases

The present study deals with the estimation of total carbohydrate, protein bound carbohydrate, bound fucose and sialic acid along with total protein in disease conditions like gingivitis, periodontitis and their comparison with the normals. The neutral hexose values in gingivitis (8.08±2.20mg/100mg protein) and periodontitis (12.5±2.16mg/ 100mg protein) decreased significantly when expressed per 100 mg protein compared to normals (19.8±1.89mg/100mg protein). This might be because of higher protein concentration in these two clinical conditions. The ethanol insoluble hexose values were significantly reduced in both these conditions compared to controls (3.71±1.64,5.91±1.63,7.65±0.86mg/100mg protein respectively). The ethanol soluble hexose values were also found to be drastically reduced. This decrease in saliva appears to be characteristic feature of oral diseases. In gingivitis and periodontitis fucose level was found to be increased compared to normals when expressed as a function of salivary volume. However in terms of protein concentration the values in gingivitis (2.95±1.59), periodontitis (3.26±0.98) and normals (3.20±0.50mg/100mg) were not different. Sialic acid in ethanol insoluble fraction of salivary samples mg/100mg protein was found to be significantly reduced in both gingivitis (0.78±0.33) and periodontitis (0.95±0.31) compared to controls (1.92±0.33)     

Assessment of Hematological Parameters in Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients

The aim of the study was the assessment of hematological parameters in pulmonary tuberculosis patients. Forty patients diagnosed with tuberculosis were recruited from the Institute of Thoracic Medicine on the basis of history, clinical examination, chest radiography, sputum examination and related laboratory parameters and were compared with age and sex matched healthy volunteers (n = 40). Hematological parameters and CRP in tuberculosis patients were determined. The mean values for serum hemoglobin level, RBC count and platelet count in PTB was found to be less (p < 0.001). Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), plasma C-reactive protein, WBC count in PTB subjects was increased (p < 0.001 for ESR & CRP, p < 0.05 for WBCs) and all were statistically significant. This study demonstrated that serum hemoglobin level, RBC count and platelet count was decreased in tuberculosis patients whereas ESR, CRP and WBC count was increased when compared with healthy controls.     

HPLC method for amino acids profile in biological fluids and inborn metabolic disorders of aminoacidopathies

Quantification of total and individual amino acids in biological fluids such as plasma, urine and cerebrospinal fluid has an important diagnostic implication in laboratory medicine. The present paper describes protocols for the assay of total amino acids by modified method based on dinitrophenyl and HPLC profile involving pre-column derivatization with o-pthalaldehyde (OPA) derivatization, respectively. The method, based on the alkylation of-SH groups prior to OPA derivatization of amino acids followed by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography, provide a comprehensive profile of more than twenty amino acids (including-SH group containing) in a single run lasting about 45 minutes. The present study, apart from establishing the normal profile of amino acids in plasma of Indian sub population, also presents HPLC profile for some of the rare amino acidopathies.     

Impact and Sustainability of E-Government Services in Developing Countries: Lessons Learned from Tamil Nadu, India

We find that the presence of village Internet facilities, offering government to citizen services, is positively associated with the rate at which the villagers obtain some of these services. In a study of a rural Internet project in India, we identify a positive correlation for two such Internet services: obtaining birth certificates for children and applications for old age pensions. Both these government services are of considerable social and economic value to the citizens. Villagers report that the Internet based services saved them time, money, and effort compared with obtaining the services directly from the government office. We also find that these services can reduce corruption in the delivery of these services. After over one year of successful operation, however, the e-government program was not able to maintain the necessary level of local political and administrative support to remain institutionally viable. As government officers shifted from the region, or grew to find the program a threat, the e-government services faltered. We argue that this failure was due to a variety of Critical Failure Factors. We end with a simple sustainability failure model. In summary, we propose that the e-government program failed to be politically and institutionally sustainable due to people, management, cultural, and structural factors     

Biochemical activity of selenium and glutathione on country made liquor (CML) induced hepatic damage in rats

The serum and hepatic enzymes of rats were studied after exposed to country made liquor (CML) along with two chelating agents (glutathione and Selenium). There was a significant increase in several serum enzyme levels (viz., aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, sorbitol dehydrogenase, glutamate dehydrogenase, bilirubin) and decrease in various hepatic enzymes (Succinic dehydrogenase, Glucose 6-phosphatase, 5'Nucleotiease, Acid phosphatase, Acid ribonuclease, Cytochrome P-450) due to repeated administration of CML (2ml/100g of body weight). Results of this study revealed that the GSH and Se could give a significant protective action in serum and hepatic enzymes of CML exposed rats.     

Addressing Health Disparities in the Undergraduate Curriculum: An Approach to Develop a Knowledgeable Biomedical Workforce

Disparities in health and healthcare are a major concern in the United States and worldwide. Approaches to alleviate these disparities must be multifaceted and should include initiatives that touch upon the diverse areas that influence the healthcare system. Developing a strong biomedical workforce with an awareness of the issues concerning health disparities is crucial for addressing this issue. Establishing undergraduate health disparities courses that are accessible to undergraduate students in the life sciences is necessary to increase students’ understanding and awareness of these issues and motivate them to address these disparities during their careers. The majority of universities do not include courses related to health disparities in their curricula, and only a few universities manage them from their life sciences departments. The figures are especially low for minority-serving institutions, which serve students from communities disproportionally affected by health disparities. Universities should consider several possible approaches to infuse their undergraduate curricula with health disparities courses or activities. Eliminating health disparities will require efforts from diverse stakeholders. Undergraduate institutions can play an important role in developing an aware biomedical workforce and helping to close the gap in health outcomes.     

How Much of Library and Information Science Literature Qualifies as Research?

There is an extensive amount of Library and Information Science (LIS) writing produced each year. While there is general awareness regarding the variety of journal literature, there is no certainty on the percentage of the collection that we can call research. This project is an important first step in answering the question. A content analysis of the LIS academic/scholarly journals at the Simmons College Library was conducted. The research level collection of LIS literature makes the library an ideal candidate for this study. The latest issue of each journal subscribed to for fiscal year 2012–2013 containing academic/scholarly content was analyzed. Each article was analyzed to determine: 1) if it was research or non-research, 2) the method used to collect data for the study in the article, and 3) the subject terms or keywords associated with the article. 105 journal titles were identified out of 177 periodicals. In the 1880 articles analyzed from these, 16% qualified as research. Surveys were found to be the most popular research method used. This study will benefit students, faculty, and staff with research requirements as well as librarians who guide patrons through a search for research literature.