Alumni giving: The influences of reunion,class, and year

We analyzed fifty years of inflation-adjusted data on the Annual Giving program of Princeton University. Most of the variation in both average size of gifts and percentage of class giving can be explained with simple models having three factors: reunion number, class identity, and fiscal year. Besides providing insights into factors influencing donations, these models provide a way to unmask features that are not evident in the raw data, such as trends in giving behavior and exceptional performances by particular classes in particular years.     

Xanthelasma Palpebrarum-clinical and biochemical profile in a tertiary care hospital of Delhi

Xanthelasma Palpebrarum is the most common of the xanthomas with asymptomatic, symmetrical, bilateral, soft, yellow, velvety, polygonal papules around the eyelids. Xanthelasmas may be associated with hyperlipidemia. This prospective study included 66 clinically diagnosed patients with Xanthelasma Palpebrarum and 50 controls with non-inflammatory skin disorders. Serum triglyceride, cholesterol, HDL, LDL and VLDL estimated in all cases indicated that patients with Xanthelasma Palpebrarum have underlying lipid abnormalities.     

A study of serum zinc, selenium and copper levels in carcinoma of esophagus patients

The association of serum trace elements like selenium, zinc and copper has been found in different types of cancer. This study was conducted to see the serum level of these three trace elements in cancer esophagus patients. Biopsy confirmed cancer esophagus, 24 patients (12 males, 12 females, mean age 54.5±11.65 year with 23 healthy subjects (16 males, 7 females, mean age 44 ±13.82 years) were included in this study. Both control and study group patients were of same socio-economic status and dietary habits. Serum zinc and copper level were estimated using standard absorption spectrometer technique and serum selenium by Hydride generation method. We observed significant low serum levels of zinc and selenium while high level of serum copper in carcinoma esophagus patients, as compared with normal healthy controls. This shows an association of serum selenium zinc and copper with cancer esophagus.     

Effect of vitamin C and E activity on surgically removed cataractous human lens epithelium cells

Oxidative stress has been proposed as a common underlying mechanism of cataractogenesis. Experimental and observational data suggest that micronutrients like vitamin C and vitamin E with antioxidant capabilities may retard the development of age-related cataract. Effect of these factors on lens epithelium cells, center of lens metabolic activities, is not completely elucidated. The aim of present study was to examine the effect of vitamin C and E on surgically removed lens epithelium cells of patients with cataract. Capsulorhexis samples were collected from 170 patients, admitted for cataract surgery. Catalase specific activity was estimated in lens epithelium cells with and without vitamin (C or E) treatment at different concentration for different time duration. Student’s t-test was employed for data analysis. We observed that in ex-vivo condition, a) both vitamin C and E bring about a decrease in catalase activity in lens epithelial cells. b) vitamin C showed toxic effect at high concentration. c) 100μM was the optimum concentration at which both vitamins showed maximum antioxidant activity. It was concluded that both vitamin C and E has direct effect on lens epithelium cells. At optimum concentration, they can reduce oxidative stress in these cells thus can support to prevent or delay cataract development.     

Normal delivery induced stress alters glutathione peroxidase and TNF-α in elderly primigravidas mononuclear cells

To probe the glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity coupled to ROS and TNF-α levels in younger versus elderly primigravidas. Monocytes were isolated from blood of young and elderly primigravidas after 12 hrs, 24 hrs and 14 days postpartum. Age-matched healthy female donors served as controls. Thereafter, the above monocytes were subjected to evaluation of GPx activity, levels of pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α and reactivity/specificity towards anti-TNF-α antibody. Suppression in GPx activity with simultaneous enhancement of TNF-α levels in monocytes was observed after 12 hrs and 24 hrs of spontaneous labor pain-induced maternal delivery through normal vaginal route. Conversely, an enhancement of GPx activity and decrease in TNF-α levels were observed on day 14 of postpartum, thereby indicating reversal of the impaired neutralizing mechanisms. The antioxidant network combating ROS was stronger in younger primigravidas. Capability of TNF-α and ROS suppression was somewhat lesser in elderly primigravidas even 14 days of postpartum via normal vaginal route. The capability of GPx activity enhancement with simultaneous suppression in ROS and TNF-α, decreases in elderly primigravidas. This may act as one of the important parameters leading to a variety of complications encountered by elderly primigravidas.     

Study of Metabolic Syndrome and Its Risk Components in Patients Attending Tertiary Care Center of Uttarakhand

Metabolic syndrome is a complex of metabolic factors which includes central obesity, insulin-resistance, dyslipidemia and hypertension. Metabolic syndrome is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. This study aimed to know the rate of metabolic syndrome in outpatients presenting to medicine department of our hospital and their profile. The metabolic syndrome was diagnosed using International Diabetes Federation criteria. The parameters analyzed included age, sex, blood pressure, BMI, fasting plasma glucose, HDL and triglycerides. The rate of metabolic syndrome was 21.1 % in our study. The younger population was most susceptible to metabolic derangements. Further, females were found to be affected more than males. The extremely significant parameters were deranged fasting plasma glucose, HDL, triglycerides while hypertension was found to be insignificant. Being overweight maybe a strong predictor for presence of metabolic syndrome in our region of study, and all overweight persons should be assessed and appropriately treated to prevent future cardiovascular events.