Effects of chronic ethanol consumption in blood: A time dependent study on rat

Alcohol consumption and health outcomes are complex and multidimensional. Ethanol (1.6g / kg body weight/ day) exposure initially affects liver function followed by renal function of 16–18 week-old male albino rats of Wistar strain weighing 200–220 g. Chronic ethanol ingestion increased in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances level and glutathione s-transferase activity; while decreased reduced gluatathione content and activities of catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase in a time dependent manner in the hemolysate. Though superoxide dismutase activity increased initially might be due to adaptive response, but decreased later. Elevation of serum nitrite level and transforming growth factor-b₁ activity indicated that long-term ethanol consumption may cause hepatic fibrosis and can elicit pro-angiogenic factors. However, no alteration in vascular endothelial growth factor-C activity indicated that ethanol consumption is not associated with lymphangiogenesis. Therefore, we conclude that long-term ethanol-induced toxicity is linked to an oxidative stress, which may aggravate to fibrosis and elevate pro-angiogenic factors, but not associated with lymphangiogenesis.     

Oxidative stress in cases of chronic fluoride intoxication

This study was conducted to find out the level of oxidative stress and effect of supplementation of vitamin C, D and Calcium on levels of SOD, serum and urinary fluoride in children residing in endemic fluorosis area. For this the fluoride belt of Jaipur district was selected. The parameters selected were Super oxide dismutase, serum fluoride and urinary fluoride. The study was conducted on one hundred children, selected from four areas (25 from each area) consuming water containing 1.2, 2.4, 5.6 and 13.6 mg/l of fluoride. Drinking water fluoride, serum and urinary fluoride were measured by Ion selective electrode method. Serum SOD by Xanthine oxidase method using kit of Ransod (kit cat. No. SD125). The post treatment values showed a significant reduction in serum fluoride and SOD. Urinary fluoride levels increased significantly in post treatment stage. The results revealed a normal SOD levels in all groups but an increasing trend was observed with increasing fluoride concentration. Treatment with Calcium, Vitamin D and Vitamin C showed a significant reduction in serum fluoride and SOD and increase in urinary fluoride. A high positive correlation between pretreatment and post treatment group was observed in serum fluoride, SOD and urinary fluoride (P < 0.05). The study indicated an increasing oxidative stress in cases of fluorosis with increasing drinking water fluoride concentration. Treatment with Calcium, Vitamin D and Vitamin C resulted a significant reduction in serum fluoride and SOD and increase in urinary fluoride.     

Clinicopathological spectrum of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease among patients in Kerala

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and its more aggressive form, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis are entities that are becoming more and more interesting to the medical community in general. A total of 93 Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients (64 male and 29 female) within the age range between 28 to 63 years were studied. All of them showed elevated alanine aminotransferase level (104.07 ± 56.04). Aspartate aminotransferase level (58.13 ± 31.96) was elevated more than its normal level in 82% cases and AST to ALT ratio was found 0.59 ± 0.26. Predisposing factors were diabetes mellitus (37%), obesity (13%) and hyperlipidemia (41%). In addition, 32% of the subjects were overweight.18% of the patients had elevated serum bilirubin. Our findings recommend a lower cutoff value than suggested by the World Health Organization for overweight and obesity among this racial-ethnic group.     

A test strip for the estimation of urea in serum

We have developed a biostrip for determination of urea in serum. The test strip is based on enzymatic assay where urease has been immobilized on the chromatographic paper along with chromogen, phenol red. The chromogen is easily soluble in water and does not require other components for the color change. Serum urea reacts with urease and water to liberate ammonia and carbon dioxide. The liberated ammonia changes the pH of the reaction medium, which is monitored by the chromogen phenol red. A single step working reagent strip has been developed and the reaction is completed within 50 seconds at room temperature. With this test strip urea concentration is measured in serum as low as 0.15 g/L. The speed and convenience of determining urea in serum by this strip instantly makes it well suited for individuals, physicians and emergency centres.     

Dynamic Changes in Circulatory Cytokines and Chemokines Levels in Mild to Severe COVID-19 Patients

Immune dysregulation is a key feature of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). However, disparities in responses across ethnic groups are underappreciated. This study aimed to determine the relationship between chemokines and cytokines and the severity of COVID-19. Multiplex magnetic bead-based Luminex-100 was used to assess chemokine and cytokine levels in COVID-19 patients at admission (day-1) and after 4 days. The mean age of the patients recruited was 54.3 years, with 19 (63.3%) males. COVID-19 patients had significantly lower lymphocyte, monocyte, hemoglobin and eosinophil levels than controls (p < 0.05). COVID-19 patients showed significantly higher neutrophil levels than controls (p < 0.05). The baseline levels of IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and IFN-α/γ significantly increased in COVID-19 patients (p < 0.05). Chemokine levels (IP-10, MCP-1, MIG, and CCL-5) were significantly in COVID-19 patients. IL-8, IP-10, and MIG levels were significantly higher in the patients with severe COVID-19 (p < 0.05). Individuals with mild COVID-19 showed significantly higher levels of INF-α, IL-2, IL-6, and IL-8, whereas IL-10 levels were significantly lower (p < 0.05). TNF-levels decreased significantly in individuals with severe COVID-19, whereas IL-6, IL-8, and MIG levels increased (p < 0.05). After 4 days, INFα-, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, IP-10, and MIG levels were significantly higher in patients with mild disease, whereas IL-6, MIG, and TNF-αlevels were significantly higher in patients with severe disease (p < 0.05). Thus, we conclude that COVID-19 is characterized by INF-α/γ, IL-6, IL-10, IP-10, MCP-1, MIG, and CCL5 dysregulation. IL-8, MIG, and IP-10 levels distinguish between moderate and severe COVID-19. Changes in INF-α, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, IP-10, and MIG levels can be used to monitor disease progression.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12291-022-01108-x.     

An extension of the technology acceptance model in the big data analytics system implementation environment

Research on the adoption of systems for big data analytics has drawn enormous attention in Information Systems research. This study extends big data analytics adoption research by examining the effects of system characteristics on the attitude of managers towards the usage of big data analytics systems. A research model has been proposed in this study based on an extensive review of literature pertaining to the Technology Acceptance Model, with further validation by a survey of 150 big data analytics users. Results of this survey confirm that characteristics of the big data analytics system have significant direct and indirect effects on belief in the benefits of big data analytics systems and perceived usefulness, attitude and adoption. Moreover, there are mediation effects that exist among the system characteristics, benefits of big data analytics systems, perceived usefulness and the attitude towards using big data analytics system. This study expands the existing body of knowledge on the adoption of big data analytics systems, and benefits big data analytics providers and vendors while helping in the formulation of their business models.     

Hyperinsulinemia and Hypoadiponectinemia are Associated with Increased Risk for Occurrence of Ovarian Cancer in Non-diabetic Women of North Indian Population

Ovarian cancer has been emerged as a most common and lethal gynecological malignancy in India. High serum insulin and low adiponectin have been associated with increased risk of ovarian cancer. But their role in development of ovarian cancer is conflicting and little evidence is available. We aimed to evaluate blood levels of insulin and adiponectin in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) patients and their association with the risk to develop EOC. The study included following three groups; Group 1: fifty cases of cytohistopathologically confirmed cases of EOC, Group 2: fifty age matched cases of benign ovarian conditions and Group 3: fifty ages matched healthy controls with no evidence of any benign or malignant ovarian pathology as ruled out by clinical examination and relevant investigations. Cytohistopathologically confirmed and newly diagnosed cases of EOC and benign ovarian cancer were included in this study. The median value of fasting serum insulin was significantly high (15.0 µlU/ml, P = 0.02) and adiponectin were significantly low (5.1 µg/ml, P < 0.001) in ovarian cancer patients compared to benign ovarian tumors and healthy controls group. A significant increase risk of ovarian cancer was found in high tertile (≥ 18.7 µlU/ml) of serum insulin level (OR = 2.7; 95% CI = 1.00–6.67, P = 0.04) and lower tertile (≤ 5.45 µg/ml) of adiponectin level (OR = 3.2; 95% CI = 1.10–9.71, P = 0.03). High serum insulin level and low adiponectin levels were significantly associated with increased risk for development of ovarian cancer.     

Theorema Aureum — 1

Are there perfect squares which on division by 7 leave remainder 3? Are there perfect squares which on division by 3 leave remainder 7? (A “remainder of 7” on division by 3 is the same as a remainder of 1.) The answers: ‘NO’ and ‘YES’, respectively. These facts are stated by number theorists as follows: 3 is a quadratic non-residue modulo 7; 7 is a quadratic residue modulo 3. The notion of quadratic residue is far reaching, and the key theorem here is the Law of Quadratic Reciprocity, first stated by Euler in 1783, but without proof, and first proved by Gauss, in 1796. The theorem is easy to state but is mysterious, as it reveals a connection between two questions that appear unconnected. Let p, q be distinct odd primes; then the questions are: “Is p a quadratic residue modulo q?” and “Is q a quadratic residue modulo p?” Gauss had a high regard for this result and called it Theorema Aureum, the Golden Theorem. Though it has been proved in many different ways, it retains its mystery. In this two part article we give three proofs of the theorem. The first one, described in this part, is based on group theory.