Age and sex related variations in the levels of tear proteins in healthy Indian people

In 150 healthy Indians, aged 10 months to 84 years, levels of total proteins. IgA, IgG and lysozyme in tears have been estimated to find age and sex, related variations. No sex related changes, were observed but levels increased significantly with advancing age upto 30 years, remained stationary between 31–45 years, and started declining thereafter, Immunoglobulin G was quantifable in 26% cases only. Furthermore, tear samples with high concentrations of total proteins had high level of IgA and lysozyme.     

Erythrocyte aldehyde dehydrogenase activity in alcoholics and non-alcoholics and its value as a Biochemical marker in alcoholism

Erythrocyte aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity in a normal reference population from North India was determined from results of 22 healthy subjects (12 male and 10 female). We compared these data with results of 19 alcoholic patients (13 male and 6 female). The mean erythrocyte ALDH activity of male and female alcohol abusers was 16.2% and 20.9% lower than the mean values for healthy subjects, respectively (P<0.001 and <0.01). It is proposed that erythrocyte ALDH activity may be a useful clinical chemical marker of alcohol abuse and alcoholism.     

Bone mineral content and bone density in Indian females

Bone mineral content and bone density of 234 females were measured using single photon absorptiometry technique on Computerised Bone Density Scanner-1100. The bone mineral content and bone density showed a decreasing trend with advancing age. There was no significant decrease in bone mineral content and bone density during pregnancy.     

A note on growth of superconductivity patents with two new indicators

Patent statistics may be indicative of growth and evolution of technologies in relation to a scientific field or sub-field of research. In this paper annual growth of patents in the field of superconductivity has been studied. The data in five-yearly cumulation have been set against research papers on superconductivity to show comparative growth of basic research and technological development. Two simple indicators have been devised to understand the apparent influence of basic research on technology and trends of relative growth.     

Serum and amniotic fluid mucoproteins in normal and toxaemic pregnancy

Serum and amniotic fluid mucoprotein concentrations were estimated in normal and toxaemic pregnant women. The levels were found to be higher in preeclampsia and eclampsia than the normal controls. Comparatively higher concentrations were observed in amniotic fluid than serum. Data suggest that the estimation of serum and amniotic fluid mucoproteins may be useful in assessing the severity of toxaemia of pregnancy and fetal well being.     

Clinical utility of serum thyroglobulin in acute haemorrhage into the thyroid

Seven cases of suspected haemorrhage In pre-existing adenoma or cyst in the thyroid showed serum thyroglobulin (tg) levels phenomenonly elevated. The serum tg leveis reduced remarkably within one to three montha. During this period all patients were treated with thyroxin. It is concluded that serial serum thyroglobulin determinations may be useful in confirming the clinical suspicion of haemorrhage in the thyroid.     

Lack of precision in HbA1c values on variant II in cases of hemoglobin Q India

This study was carried out to check the precision of HbA_1c values on Bio-Rad Variant II in cases of a rare hemoglobin variant Q India. The study was carried out over a three month period on samples collected for HbA_1c estimation. Seven out of eleven patients showed variable results of HbA_1c with a very high and unacceptable intraday mean coefficient of variation (CV) of 9.93%. We conclude, that the results of HbA_1c on Variant II can not be reported without adversely affecting HbA_1c as a marker of long-term glycemic control in patients who have hemoglobin Q India. The HbA_1c value of these patients needs to be assessed by a different instrument/method or the glycemic control be monitored by an alternate test like serum Fructosamine.