Role of oxidative stress and antioxidants in aetiopathogenesis and management of oral submucous fibrosis

Lipid peroxidation product, malonaldehyde (MDA) and antioxidants were estimated in plasma and erythrocytes of 34 cases of oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) of different grades with equal number of healthy controls to evaluate the association of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and OSMF. While plasma MDA was found to be significantly higher in patients (3.3±0.4 nmole/ml, P<0.001) as compared to controls (2.4±0.5 nmole/ml), plasma beta carotene and vitamin E levels were found to be decreased significantly in patients (81.7±14.3 μg/100 ml, P<0.001; 9.3±0.9 mg/L, P<0.01 respectively) with respect to healthy controls (110±20.8 μg/100 ml and 10.1±1.2 mg/L). The decrease in beta-carotene and vitamin E was found to be more significant in OSMF grade II and III than in grade I. After 6 weeks of oral administration of beta-carotene and vitamin E, patients showed increase in plasma level of these two antioxidants along with decrease in MDA level associated with clinical improvement.     

Association of Resistin with Insulin Resistance and Factors of Metabolic Syndrome in North Indians

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of interrelated common clinical disorders. The role of resistin in insulin sensitivity and MetS is controversial till date. So, the aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship of plasma resistin levels with markers of the MetS in Indian subjects. In a case control study, total 528 subjects were selected for the study. 265 (194 male and 71 female) were cases (with MetS) and 263 (164 male and 99 female) were controls (without MetS). Required anthropometric measurements and calculations were carried out accordingly. All the Biochemical estimations were carried out according to standard protocol. Resistin level was measured by the standard protocol (By ELISA i.e. enzyme linked immunosorbent assay) as illustrated in the kit. Insulin level was also measured by the standard protocol as illustrated in the kit and insulin resistance was calculated by the standard procedures. Plasma resistin levels were significantly higher in cases compared with controls (male = 13.05 ± 4.31 vs. 7.04 ± 2.09 ng/ml; p ≤ 0.001 and female = 13.53 ± 4.14 vs. 7.42 ± 2.30 ng/ml; p ≤ 0.001). Plasma resistin levels were well correlated with waist circumference, glucose, triglycerides, waist/hip ratio, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, high density lipoprotein, total cholesterol, serum low density lipoprotein, serum very low density lipoprotein, insulin and insulin resistance. Plasma resistin levels were elevated in presence of the MetS and were associated with increased metabolic risk factors.     

Immunobiology of trophoblast cells

A female patient who had two primary cancers was investigated. Biochemical analysis of patient's serum for different parameters indicated an alteration in the metabolic process. Prognostically, the patient has shown favourable clinical features.     

Antitubercular activity of garlic (allium sativum) extract on combination with conventional antitubercular drugs in tubercular lymphadenitis

Based on our demonstration earlier that ethanol extract, water extract and a compound purified from garlic possessedin vitro antitubercular activity against drug resistant and susceptibleMycobacterium tuberculosis, we tried the effect of garlic extract in 30 patients of tubercular lymphadenitis. For ethical considerations, two groups of patients, 30 each, were given antitubercular therapy (ATT) consisting of isoniazid, rifampicin, ethambutol and pyrazinamide for 30 days. For the next 15 days (31 to 45 days) group 1 patients received 3–6 garlic pearls per day in addition to ATT while group 2 patients received ATT only. From 46th day onwards both the groups received ATT only for 6–8 months. Antitubercular activity of the serum samples collected on 45th day was assessed by its effect on the growth ofM. tuberculois. The serum of group 1 patients showed significantly much higher antitubercular activity than that of group 2 patients. Further, there was relief of dyspeptic symptoms caused by ATT therapy in patients of group 1 with garlic plus ATT therapy but no change in group 2 patients with ATT only. Liver function and hematological tests were normal in both the groups after 6 months of therapy. Garlic extracts or compounds have a good potential as antitubercular(s) drug if given as a supplement to ATT.     

The Dawkins Higher Education Plan: its Rationale and Implications

The Dawkins Plan is rapidly transforming the Australian higher education landscape. This paper explains its rationale. Like any controversial policy, there are winners and losers form this plan. These are brought out in the paper.     

Changes in serum seromucoid following compensatory hyperparathyroidism: A sequel to chronic fluoride ingestion

This study was conducted to find out the possible underlying mechanism of various manifestation of fluorosis, a disease caused by excess ingestion of fluoride. For this the fluoride belt of Jaipur district was selected. The parameters selected were serum Parathyroid hormone, the levels of which are directly affected by fluoride intake. The levels of serum seromucoid, serum and leucocyte ascorbic acid, serum sialic acid (SSA) reflects ground substance metabolism. The study was conducted on two hundred children, selected from four areas (50 from each area) consuming water containing 2.4, 4.6, 5.6 and 13.6 mg/l of fluoride. Drinking water fluoride and serum fluoride were measured by Ion selective electrode method. Serum parathyroid by RIA and all other parameters were measured spectrophotometrically. The results revealed an increase in levels of fluoride, parathyroid hormone and seromucoid in serum with increasing water fluoride concentrations. Serum Calcium and serum ascorbic acid were found in normal range, how ever leucocyte ascorbic acid were decreased. A high positive correlation among fluoride concentration in drinking water and serum parathyroid hormone (r=0.967), and, serum parathyroid hormone and serum seromucoid concentration (r=0.935) was also observed The results indicated that secondary hyperparathyroidism due to hypocalcemic stress caused by excess fluoride ingestion disturbs normal metabolism of ground substance in calcified tissues of the body reflected as altered levels of the components of ground substance in the serum.