Modulation of convulsive threshold of pentylene tetrazole by zinc

In the present study which was aimed to see the effect of zinc on pentylenetetrazole induced convulsive threshold in rats we found that zinc sulfate 100 μg intracerebroventricularly) and pentylenetetrazole (50 mg/kg intraperitoneally) produced dose related seizure activity; however, pretreatment with zinc decreased the threshold, increased the severity, incidence of multiple seizures and total duration of pentylenetetrazole induced seizures. Diazepam (5 mg/kg intraperitoneally) pretreatment increased the threshold and lowered the incidence of convulsions in zinc induced seizures which further confirms that the convulsive effect of zinc is through inhibition of gamma aimino butyric acid.     

Assessment of oxidative stress and antioxidant status in age related cataract in a rural population

Oxidative stress was assesed by estimating lipid peroxidation product (LPO) in the form of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), enzymatic antioxidants in the form of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and nonenzymatic antioxidant vitamins e.g. vitamin C, β carotene and vitamin E in either serum or plasma or erythrocytes in 190 cases of age related cataract in the age group of 50–80 years. 190 cases were grouped into three morphological types namely, 73 cases of cortical, 77 cases of posterior subcapsular and 40 cases of nuclear cataract and values of LPO and antioxidants were compared with 78 cases of age matched healthy control groups. Plasma TBARS levels were cataract cases when compared with control groups. There were no significant differences in the erythrocyte levels of catalase and plasma levels of Vit E between cataract cases and control groups. No significant changes of parameters were seen among three different morphological types of age related cataract. The present study shows that the oxidative stress may play an important role in the age related cataract.     

An extended chemical analysis of gallstone

Chemical composition of gall stones is essential for aetiopathogensis of gallstone disease. We have reported quantitative chemical analysis of total cholesterol bilirubin, calcium, iron and inorganic phosphate in 120 gallstones from haryana. To extend this chemical analysis of gall stones by studying more cases and by analyzing more chemical constituents. A quantitative chemical analysis of total cholesterol, total bilirubin, fatty acids, triglycerides, phospholipids, bile acids, soluble proteins, sodium potassium, magnesium, copper, oxalate and chlorides of biliary calculi (52 cholesterol, 76 mixed and 72 pigment) retrieved from surgical operation of 200 patients from Haryana state was carried out. Total cholesterol as the major component and total bilirubin, phospholipids, triglycerides, bile acids, fatty acids (esterified), soluble protein, calcium, magnesium, iron, copper, sodium, potassium, inorganic phosphate, oxalate and chloride as minor components were found in all types of calculi. The cholesterol stones had higher content of total cholesterol, phospholipids, fatty acids (esterified), inorganic phosphate and copper compared to mixed and pigment stones. The mixed stones had higher content of iron and triglycerides than to cholesterol and pigment stones. The pigment stones were richer in total bilirubin, bile acids, calcium, oxalate, magnesium, sodium, potassium, chloride and soluble protein compared to cholesterol and mixed stones. Although total cholesterol was a major component of cholesterol, mixed and pigment gall stone in Haryana, the content of most of the other lipids, cations and anions was different in different gall stones indicating their different mechanism of formation.     

Lotka's law and institutional productivity

The present study aims at determining the applicability of Lotka's law, negative binomial distribution and lognormal distribution for institutional productivity, in the same way as it is to authors and their productivity in the field of engineering sciences and the patents filed by industrial firms in laser S&T. The study indicates that non of the three distributions are applicable for institutional productivity in engineering sciences. However, Lotka's law holds good for full as well as truncated set of data for the patents filed by industrial firms.     

Changes in serum copper levels in patients with malignant diseases undergoing radiotherapy

Present study repots changes in serum copper levels (SCL) in various neoplastic diseases undergoing radiotherapy. We estimated SCLs in 140 individuals comprising of 90 previously untreated patients with various malignancies and 50 healthy controls. Patients received radiation in doses of 40–70 Gy in 4–7 weeks. SCLs were again estimated in patients following irradiation. The mean SCL was significantly higher (P<0.001) in cancer patients as compared to healthy controls. It declined significantly (P<0.001) following irradiation. However, it remained significantly higher as compared to healthy controls (P<0.01). Highest fall in SCL was seen in complete clinical responders and least in non-responders to radiation treatment. Serial estimation of SCLs may be useful in the treatment monitoring of the neoplasms undergoing radiation treatment.     

Evaluation of Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Status in Pregnant Anemic Women

The present study was conducted to investigate the oxidant–antioxidant status in iron deficient pregnant anemic women. One hundred thirty pregnant women with iron deficiency anemia (IDA) were divided into three groups, namely mild (50), moderate (50) and severe (30) anemic along with pregnant healthy women as controls (50). The complete blood count, plasma lipid peroxidation products, enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants were measured according to respective protocols. The levels of complete blood count, iron, ferritin along with antioxidant enzymes namely catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and reduced glutathione were significantly reduced in all IDA groups. However, the level of oxidized glutathione, lipid peroxides, protein carbonyls, conjugated dienes were found significantly increased in all anemic patients. Antioxidant vitamins, namely C, E and A were also found significantly decreased in IDA patients. On the basis of our results, it may be concluded that IDA tends to increase the pro-oxidant components, which may result in various complications including peroxidation of vital body molecules resulting in increased risk for pregnant women as well as fetus.     

hs-CRP and oxidative stress in young CAD patients: A pilot study

Premature coronary artery disease (CAD) is common in India. We, therefore, studied oxidative stress, dyslipidemia, and high sensitivity-C reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels in young CAD patients. Present study consisted of male CAD patients below 40 years and age and sex matched healthy controls (n=30 each). Fasting blood samples were analyzed for serum lipid profile, malondialdehyde, antioxidant enzymes and hs-CRP levels. Dyslipidemia was observed in 90% of the young CAD patients, of which 72.2% showed increased serum triglycerides and decreased HDL-cholesterol. LDL-cholesterol levels were high in 77.8%. Serum malondialdehyde and hs-CRP levels were increased significantly (p<0.0001) as compared to controls. hs-CRP levels were in high risk range in all the young patients. However, glutathione peroxidase activity was reduced significantly (p<0.05). Our data suggests that elevated hs-CRP levels along with dyslipidemia and oxidative stress adds to the predictive value of premature CAD in young Indians.     

Effectiveness of training health professionals in literature search skills using electronic health databases--a critical appraisal

The objective was to assess the effect on health professionals' skills of one to eight hours literature search and retrieval training from electronic health databases. We searched: Cochrane library (2002; Issue 3), MEDLINE (1977-2002/5), EMBASE (1980-2002/7); CINAHL (1982-2002/5); ASSIA (1982-2002/7), BNI (1994-2002/5), ERIC (1985-2002/6); LISA (1969--current), NRR (2002, Issue 2), the world-wide-web and references. The selection criteria consisted of randomised controlled trials, controlled before and after, and controlled cohort studies in comparison with no training. The intervention had to be one to eight hours training in literature search and retrieval skills for health professionals. The outcome was the effect on health professionals' literature search and retrieval skill levels measured through reliable instruments. For data collection and ana-lysis, one reviewer extracted data and assessed the quality of the studies and the second reviewer checked it. The results indicate that there is some evidence of positive impact on health professionals' skill levels in literature searching and they find the training useful. In conclusion, the size of the positive effect is debatable as only three small and methodologically weak studies met the inclusion criteria and out of those only two showed the positive effect.     

Metabolic Bone Profile of Healthy Adult North Indian Population from Chandigarh Urban Bone Epidemiological Study (CUBES)

We aimed to estimate metabolic bone profile in a large cohort of healthy, adult Indian population to generate reference standards of serum calcium, phosphate and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), 25 (OH) Vitamin D and iPTH, and also to find out the prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency in healthy population. Apparently healthy people in the age group of 20–80 years, residing in the union territory of Chandigarh were chosen. Fasting samples for serum calcium, phosphate, albumin, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), 25 (OH) D and iPTH were collected and were processed on the same day. We recruited 930 healthy subjects from different subsectors of Chandigarh. Final analysis was done for 915 subjects. Out of this, 530 (58%) were women and 385 (42%) were men. The study participants were divided into two groups, less than and more than 50 years for the men and pre and post-menopausal for the women. The serum calcium, phosphate, ALP and iPTH were significantly higher in the post-menopausal women compared to the pre-menopausal women. The median plasma 25 (OH) D in men and women was 12.5 ng/mL and 14.3 ng/mL, respectively. 25 (OH) D deficiency was seen in 65.4% of individuals. 25 (OH) D levels co-related negatively with iPTH levels (r = − 0.4, p < 0.0001), and showed an increasing trend with age. We have thus presented metabolic bone profile of healthy, adult north Indian population. These reference values can be used for diagnosis and monitoring of various MBDs. Vitamin D deficiency is still rampant in our population in spite of increasing awareness.     

A review of key parameters for effective electrophoretic deposition in the fabrication of solid oxide fuel cells

This paper reviews recent progress in electrophoretic deposition (EPD), particularly in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). EPD is a simple, cost-effective, and geometrical flexible colloidal process. With its excellent control of thickness and other morphological characteristics, it is favored for the fabrication of SOFCs because each component layer of an SOFC has different requirements. However, the effectiveness of EPD is closely related to the suspension stability and EPD processing parameters. Maintaining a stable suspension and optimizing the EPD processing parameters are essential to achieve a dense and uniform deposition layer. Key parameters in maintaining the suspension stability are generally categorized into colloidal related parameters, including particle size and solid loading, and suspension media related parameters, including dielectric constant and conductivity. The effects of these parameters are often reflected by the zeta potential of the suspension, which can be manipulated by using charging agents to maintain a stable state. The deposition time and applied voltage are key parameters in optimizing the EPD process through their effects on the deposition rate. The effects of these parameters on particle surface charges and on the EPD mechanism are discussed.