Free Radical Status in Retinopathy of Prematurity

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a major cause of blindness in children. Free radicals are implicated in the development of this retinopathy. We studied the role of free radicals in ROP and enrolled 60 preterm neonates at 30–32 weeks age. Thirty neonates predisposed to development of ROP, were placed in study group and 30 normal neonates in control group. Malondialdehyde and antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) were measured in blood spectrophotometrically. Both the groups were followed-up to 40–42 weeks age. Serum MDA levels, erythrocyte SOD and plasma GPX were significantly high in study group at 30–32 weeks as compared to control group. At follow up visit significant increase in MDA level and decrease in SOD and GPX level among the study group was seen. This disturbance in equilibrium of oxidant and antioxidant status initiates an inflammatory process in retinal tissue leading to development of ROP.     

Correlation of bone mineral density with biochemical markers in post menopausal women

To evaluate the magnitude of bone loss in postmenopausal women and to study the effect of a selective estrogen Receptor Modulator, raloxifene, on bone loss by quantitative ultrasound of calcaneus and serum bone specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP). Postmenopausal women with ostesopenia/osteoporosis were assigned randomly to receive placebo (n=30) or raloxifene (60mg/d, n=30) with calcium (500mg/day) and vitamin D (250 IU/day). The bone mineral density (BMD) and BAP levels were measured at the beginning of therapy and six months later. They were subjected to statistical analysis (t test, p value) using SPSS statistical package. 70% of postmenopausal women suffered from osteopenia/osteoporosis. After raloxifene therapy, there was improvement in the BMD but this was not statistically significant (p>0.05). There was a fall in the value of serum BAP by 26.6% (p<0.05). Raloxifene has a favourable effect on bone turnover as evident from changes in BMD and a significant fall in serum BAP.     

Detection of Helicobacter pylori using nested polymerase chain reaction in gastric biopsy samples

Helicobacter pylori remains a controversial organism with regards to humans, its epidemiology still unclear nearly two decades after discovery. The present study was undertaken to estimate the prevalence of the organism in the gastrointestinal tract in symptomatic and asymptomatic subjects to understand its precise natural history in India. A total of 154 specimens were a part of the study. These included gastric biopsies from peptic ulcer disease and Non ulcer dyspepsia subjects, as visualized on endoscopy, saliva and stool samples from apparently normal healthy adults. Nested polymerase chain reaction was performed using the primers Hp1, Hp2, Hp3 targeting 16S rRNA gene. A prevalence of 65.1%, 100%, 66.7%, and 73.3% respectively was observed by polymerase chain reaction. No association was observed between the H.pylori status and the disease condition of the patient.     

Characteristics of the College Geometry Course for Preservice Secondary Teachers

Based on 30 syllabi and 108 questionnaire responsesfrom randomly selected U.S. colleges and universities,college geometry courses were analyzed with respect tocontent, pedagogy, and assessment. About 40% of thecourses start with elementary axioms and emphasizeEuclidean geometry or a mix of Euclidean andnon-Euclidean geometry; 23% employ a survey approach;and 20% employ an analytic or projective geometryapproach. In about 63% of the courses, the instructorlectures most or all of the time; in 36% of thecourses a substantial amount of class time is devotedto group work; and about 27% of the courses reflectnearly all the characteristics of good mathematicsteaching as defined by the NCTM Professional TeachingStandards. In most courses, in-class examinations,homework, and a final examination are the primaryevaluation tools; in about half of the courses atleast one alternative assessment contributes to thefinal grade. Common characteristics are evident butwide diversity exists also. A typical geometry coursedid not emerge from the data.