Pesticides-induced biochemical alterations in occupational North Indian suburban population.

Pesticides are used in agriculture to protect crops from insects-pests. Most of the field workers of North Indian population are exposed to commonly used insecticides. In the present study, pesticides induced oxidative stress as well as alterations in the level of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in a total of 70 male healthy agricultural sprayers, exposed to pesticides for about 5 years, were studied and the results were compared with 70 controls.

Expression and localization of sPLA2-III in the rat CNS.

Phospholipases A(2) (PLA(2)) are enzymes that cleave the sn-2 bond of membrane phospholipids to yield free fatty acids and lysophospholipids. Secretory PLA2-III (sPLA(2)-III) has been suggested to be important for neuronal differentiation, growth and survival, and is highly expressed in the spinal cord. The aim of this study is to elucidate its expression and distribution in different regions of the adult rat CNS.

Effect of carbofuran on some biochemical indices of human erythrocytes in vitro.

Pesticides are used in agriculture to protect crops. Its widespread use in agriculture represents a threat not only to the environment but also to human populations exposed to them. Erythrocytes serve as an excellent model system to study the interaction of pro-oxidants.

A study on the distribution of different carnitine fractions in various tissues of bovine eye.

The aim of the present investigation was to study the distribution of various carnitine fractions in different bovine ocular tissues. Different ocular tissues were homogenized and their carnitine content was determined. The carnitine fractions studied include short chain carnitine, long chain carnitine, acyl carnitine and free carnitine.

Cardiac metabolism in hypertrophy and heart failure: implications for therapy.

The heart consumes huge amounts of energy to fulfil its function as a relentless pump. A highly sophisticated system of energy generation based on flexibility of substrate use and efficient energy production, effective energy sensing and energy transfer ensures function of the healthy heart across a range of physiological situations. In left ventricular hypertrophy and heart failure, these processes become disturbed, leading as will be discussed to impaired cardiac energetic status and to further impairment of cardiac function.

Short- and long-term changes in blood miRNA levels after nanogold injection in rats--potential biomarkers of nanoparticle exposure.

Context: Increased use of engineered nanoparticles may result in exposure of workers and consumers, making them a health concern.

Objective: To identify potential blood miRNA biomarkers after intravenous gold nanoparticle (AuNP) exposure.

Materials And Methods: miRNA microarray analysis was carried out on blood of rats at 1 week and 2 months after injection.

Identification of potential biomarkers of gold nanoparticle toxicity in rat brains.

Background: Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are finding increased use in therapeutics and imaging. However, their toxic effects still remain to be elucidated. Therefore this study was undertaken to study the biochemical effects of AuNPs on rat brain and identify potential biomarkers of AuNP toxicity.

Effect of sodium fluoride and magnesium chloride on different hydroxyproline fractions in rat liver.

Sodium fluoride (NaF) is used for prevention of caries in the form of fluoridated drinking water, fluoride tablets etc. In the present study, the effect of NaF-induced alterations in hydroxyproline (Hyp) and collagen was investigated in rat liver. The effect of pretreatment with MgCl2 on NaF-induced changes in liver Hyp and collagen was also studied.

Peritonitis caused by Mycobacterium abscesses in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

Nontuberculous mycobacteria are an uncommon cause of peritonitis in patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. We report two cases of peritonitis caused by Mycobacterium abscesses from a single center, which were successfully treated. In endemic areas of tuberculosis, Zeil Neilsen staining should be part of the initial evaluation to allow early detection.

Effects of docosahexaenoic Acid on neurotransmission.

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is the major polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) in the brain and a structural component of neuronal membranes. Changes in DHA content of neuronal membranes lead to functional changes in the activity of receptors and other proteins which might be associated with synaptic function. Accumulating evidence suggests the beneficial effects of dietary DHA supplementation on neurotransmission.

Asymmetric focal pericardial thickening causing physiologically significant constrictive pericarditis.

A 34-year-old woman presented with refractory ascites and edema. Echocardiography revealed normal left ventricular function with a restrictive diastolic filling pattern. Tissue Doppler velocities of the mitral annulus were normal.

Preventing delirium in older people.

Background: Delirium can have serious consequences, including increased hospitalisation and risk of death, and worsening dementia.

Aim: To explore the feasibility of preventing delirium in care homes for older people.

Method: An enhanced educational package targeting care home staff was developed.

Publication bias in epidemiological studies.

Communication of research findings is the utmost responsibility of all scientists. Publication bias occurs if scientific studies with negative or null results fail to get published. This can happen due to bias in submitting, reviewing, accepting, publishing or aggregating scientific literature that fails to show positive results on a particular topic.

Transcatheter closure of a mechanical perivalvular leak using real-time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography guidance.

A 47-year-old female with symptomatic mitral stenosis from a prior undersized mitral annuloplasty ring underwent mitral valve replacement with a mechanical valve. Later, she developed heart failure from a severe paravalvular leak (PVL). Because of the excessive mortality risks from a possible third open heart procedure, the patient was instead referred for transcatheter PVL closure.

Clinically significant drug-drug interaction between tacrolimus and phenobarbital: the price we pay.

Purpose: The case of a 57-year-old male who experienced acute renal transplant rejection due to subtherapeutic tacrolimus levels as a result of drug interaction with phenobarbital.

Summary: Drug interactions with tacrolimus due to its metabolism through the CYP 450 3A4 enzymatic pathway have led to several reports of altered tacrolimus levels, which can lead to acute rejection in renal transplant recipients. We describe the case of a 57-year-old male initiated on immunosuppressive therapy with tacrolimus in addition to his anticonvulsant medications.

Mothers' knowledge about EPI and its relation with age-appropriate vaccination of infants in peri-urban Karachi.

Objectives: To evaluate the relation between the knowledge of mothers about EPI vaccinations and their infant's coverage. Effect of other socio-demographic variables on mothers' knowledge and child's coverage was also assessed.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted, utilizing World Health Organization's thirty-cluster sampling strategy.

Effect of different doses of sodium fluoride on various hydroxyproline fractions in rat serum.

Human beings are exposed to fluoride through its occurrence in the environment and its presence in various products. The present study was carried out to study the effect of acute doses of sodium fluoride on the body collagen in rats. To evaluate this effect the concentration of collagen breakdown products like different hydroxyproline fractions were determined in serum following the exposure of rats to various concentrations of sodium fluoride.

Protective effect of magnesium chloride on sodium fluoride induced alterations in various hydroxyproline fractions in rat lungs.

Frequent absorption of the fluoride causes tooth decay, damage of kidneys, bones, nerves and muscles. The present study was carried out to study the reported protective effect of magnesium chloride on sodium fluoride (NaF) induced alterations in rat lung hydroxyproline/ collagen content. To study the dose response of NaF following groups were studied: (i) normal rats (ii) placebo group, (iii) rats treated with two different doses of NaF.

Stop Delirium! A complex intervention to prevent delirium in care homes: a mixed-methods feasibility study.

Background: delirium is likely to be particularly common in care homes, given the clustering of known risk factors in these settings. Preventing delirium should result in significant benefits, including better quality of care and improved outcomes for residents.

Objective: to test the feasibility of 'Stop Delirium!', an intervention to prevent delirium in care homes for older people, and to optimise parameters to inform the design of a future trial evaluation.