Current Scenario of Clinical Diagnosis to Identify Inborn Errors of Metabolism with Precision Profiling for Expanded Screening in Infancy in a Resource-limited Setting.

Inborn errors of metabolism (IEM) are a diverse collection of abnormalities that cause a variety of morbidities and mortality in children and are classified as uncommon genetic diseases. Early and accurate detection of the condition can save a patient's life. By aiding families as they navigate the experience of having a child with an IEM, healthcare practitioners have the chance to reduce the burden of negative emotional consequences.

Deficiency of folate and vitamin B increases oxidative stress in chronic pancreatitis patients.

Background: Folate and vitamin B are involved in metabolic reactions for combating oxidative stress. We measured erythrocyte folate and plasma vitamin B and compared these with blood antioxidants - erythrocyte glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and plasma vitamin C - and marker of lipid peroxidation, thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS), in chronic pancreatitis (CP) patients.

Methods: One hundred and seventy-five CP patients (91 tropical, 84 alcoholic) and 113 healthy controls were recruited.

GROUNDWATER AND DRINKING WATER RADON CONCENTRATIONS IN THE COASTAL AND INTERIOR AREAS OF CHENNAI METRO CITY AND ITS IMPACT ON PUBLIC HEALTH.

One hundred forty-eight water samples were collected from in and around Chennai and 222Rn concentrations were measured using radon emanometry method. The average 222Rn concentration was estimated to be 6.88, 2.

Nanomedicine in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Atherosclerosis-A Systematic Review.

Background: Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory condition causing very high morbidity and mortality. It is characterized by accumulation of plaques within arteries. Nanomedicine is an emerging field of medicine utilizing nanotechnology for advanced imaging and therapy.

Attitude of bachelor of dental surgery students and interns toward teaching-learning process in Government Dental College, Kottayam, Kerala, India.

Introduction: The educational environment affects the academic performance of students. One of the most widely utilized tools for measuring the educational environment is Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM). The objective of the study was to assess the attitude toward study environment, as measured using DREEM questionnaire, and to find out the differences in perception of various batches of dental students.

A randomized study of coconut oil versus sunflower oil on cardiovascular risk factors in patients with stable coronary heart disease.

Background And Rationale: Coronary artery disease (CAD) and its pathological atherosclerotic process are closely related to lipids. Lipids levels are in turn influenced by dietary oils and fats. Saturated fatty acids increase the risk for atherosclerosis by increasing the cholesterol level.

Alterations in the levels of plasma amino acids in polycystic ovary syndrome--A pilot study.

Background & Objectives: Plasma amino acid levels are known to be altered in conditions like sepsis and burns which are situations of metabolic stress. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a condition which affects a woman throughout her life, is said to be associated with metabolic stress. This study was undertaken to assess if there were significant alterations in the levels of plasma amino acids in women with PCOS.

Urinary proteomics and metabolomics in the diagnosis of pediatric disorders.

Proteomics is the study of structures and functions of proteins, while metabolomics is the study of small-molecule metabolites in the cells, tissues, and organs of the organism. Proteomic technologies have wide applications in medical field. The current revolution in proteomics has led to the discovery of several new protein markers for various disorders.

Diet, nutrient deficiency and chronic pancreatitis.

The aetiopathogenesis of chronic pancreatitis (CP) appears to be multifactorial with interplay of genetic and environmental factors such as alcohol, smoking and diet. Dietary factors in the form of a fat- and protein-rich diet are important cofactors in the aetiopathogenesis of alcoholic pancreatitis. Malnutrition used to be a hallmark in tropical pancreatitis.

Composition of plasma and atheromatous plaque among coronary artery disease subjects consuming coconut oil or sunflower oil as the cooking medium.

Objectives: Coconut oil, which is rich in medium-chain saturated fatty acids, is the principal cooking medium of the people of Kerala, India. Replacement of saturated fat with polyunsaturated fat is effective in reducing serum cholesterol levels. However, the effect of substituting coconut oil with sunflower oil on the fatty acid composition of plaque has not been thoroughly investigated.

Organ Specific Tumor Markers: What's New?

Tumor markers are molecules produced in the body in response to cancer. An ideal tumor marker should have high sensitivity and specificity, should be cheap, and should be easily detected in body fluids. Identification of novel markers is important and it is expected that with the advent of newer technologies, more reliable markers will be discovered.

Diagnosis of major organic acidurias in children: two years experience at a tertiary care centre.

Organic acid disorders are inherited metabolic disorders in which organic acids accumulate in tissues and biological fluids of affected individuals. Classical organic acidurias include methylmalonic aciduria, propionic aciduria, isovaleric aciduria and maple syrup urine disease (MSUD). They are considered the most frequent metabolic disorders among severely ill children.

Organic acidurias: an updated review.

Organic acidurias are an important class of inherited metabolic disorders arising due to defect in intermediary metabolic pathways of carbohydrate, amino acids and fatty acid oxidation. This review summarizes the current knowledge about the important organic acidurias in the Indian population. Specifically, diagnosis and principles of treatment of organic acidurias are covered.

Assessment of cassava toxicity in patients with tropical chronic pancreatitis.

Background And Aim: There have been conflicting reports on the role of cassava ingestion in tropical pancreatitis (TCP). In this study we aimed to estimate cyanogens detoxifying enzyme rhodanese, thiocyanate and sulfur containing amino acids in cassava consumer as well as cassava non-consumer TCP patients and healthy controls and compare the same.

Methods: Eighty-six TCP patients and 90 healthy controls were recruited.

Assessment of oxidative status in chronic pancreatitis and its relation with zinc status.

Background: Oxidative stress-induced free radicals have been implicated in the pathology of chronic pancreatitis (CP).

Aim: We aimed to estimate oxidative stress and antioxidant status in tropical chronic pancreatitis (TCP) and alcoholic chronic pancreatitis (ACP) and correlate with zinc status.

Methods: One hundred and seventy-five CP patients (91 TCP, 84 ACP) and 113 healthy subjects were prospectively studied.

Impact of integrated amrita meditation technique on adrenaline and cortisol levels in healthy volunteers.

THE OBJECTIVE WAS TO FIND OUT THE EFFECT OF INTEGRATED AMRITA MEDITATION TECHNIQUE (IAM) ON THE STRESS HORMONES: adrenaline and cortisol. One hundred and fifty healthy subjects were randomized into three groups. Blood was collected at 0 hour, 48 hours, 2 months, and 8 months after the first visit.

Alterations in plasma amino acid levels in chronic pancreatitis.

Context: Dietary proteins and amino acids can modulate pancreatic function.

Objective: Our aim was to estimate the levels of plasma amino acids in chronic pancreatitis patients and study their relationship with disease characteristics as well as exocrine and endocrine insufficiency.

Patients: One hundred and seventy-five consecutive adult patients with chronic pancreatitis: 84 patients with alcoholic chronic pancreatitis and 91 patients with tropical chronic pancreatitis.

Fecal elastase1 and acid steatocrit estimation in chronic pancreatitis.

Background: Measurement of pancreatic exocrine function and steatorrhea in chronic pancreatitis in the clinical setting has not received much attention.

Aim: To assess pancreatic exocrine function and fecal fat excretion in a cohort of patients with chronic pancreatitis.

Methods: Stool elastase1 levels were measured in 101 patients using polyclonal ELISA and acid steatocrit was measured in 86 chronic pancreatitis patients.

Chronic pancreatitis is associated with hyperhomocysteinemia and derangements in transsulfuration and transmethylation pathways.

Objectives: Homocysteine has been implicated in vascular dysfunction and thrombosis, as well as inflammatory conditions. This study was aimed to find out whether chronic pancreatitis (CP) is associated with hyperhomocysteinemia and derangements of transmethylation and transsulfuration pathways.

Methods: We estimated homocysteine and its metabolites in 45 alcoholic CP patients, 45 tropical CP patients, and 48 healthy controls.

Zinc status in chronic pancreatitis and its relationship with exocrine and endocrine insufficiency.

Context: A major role of the pancreas in zinc homeostasis has been suggested.

Objective: To assess erythrocyte zinc status in chronic pancreatitis and to correlate it with pancreatic exocrine and endocrine insufficiency.

Patients: One hundred and one patients with chronic pancreatitis (34 alcoholic chronic pancreatitis, 67 tropical chronic pancreatitis) were prospectively studied.

BRCA1 and BRCA2 germline mutation analysis among Indian women from south India: identification of four novel mutations and high-frequency occurrence of 185delAG mutation.

Mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes profoundly increase the risk of developing breast and/or ovarian cancer among women. To explore the contribution of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations in the development of hereditary breast cancer among Indian women, we carried out mutation analysis of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes in 61 breast or ovarian cancer patients from south India with a positive family history of breast and/or ovarian cancer. Mutation analysis was carried out using conformation-sensitive gel electrophoresis (CSGE) followed by sequencing.

Consequences of alcohol consumption on neurotransmitters -an overview.

Alcohol one of the important products of the global addiction alters brain function by interacting with multiple neurotransmitter systems, thereby disrupting the delicate balance between inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmitters. Alcohol positively reinforces drinking by producing a mild euphoria. The reinforcing effects of alcohol are mediated by several neurochemical systems and are associated with some of the behavioral manifestations of intoxication.

Comparison of lipid profile and antioxidant enzymes among south Indian men consuming coconut oil and sunflower oil.

In this study, we compared the lipid profile and antioxidant enzymes of normal and diabetic subjects consuming two different types of oil as cooking medium. 70 normal, healthy subjects were taken as controls and 70 subjects with Type 2 diabetes were recruited in patient group. Each group was further subdivided into two subgroups of 35 subjects each, consuming coconut oil and sunflower oil respectively as cooking medium.