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The present study was performed, to analyse the inter-relationship among trace elements: Iron, copper and zinc in pregnancy. Eighty-four pregnant women were compared with 30 age matched nonpregnant healthy controls. Fasting blood samples were analysed for heamoglobin, iron, copper and zinc. On the basis of Hb concentration (<10g/dl) and iron levels(<50microg/dl), the pregnant women were sub-grouped as anaemic, non-anaemic, Iron deficient anaemic and non-iron deficient anaemic. The level of copper was found to be significantly higher in iron deficiency anaemia, when compared to non-iron deficiency anaemia (p<0.05), and in non-anaemic pregnant women, compared to non-anaemic non-pregnant women (controls).The level of zinc is also significantly lower in Iron deficiency anaemic pregnancy, when compared to the other groups. There is evidence of influence of pregnancy, on the level of trace elements in blood. This could be a result of competitive inhibition in the absorption of trace elements in the intestine, or an effect of hormonal changes (insulin, oestrogen), during pregnancy. A judicious supplementation of micronutrients, during pregnancy, especially in iron deficiency anaemia, is essential.

When provided individually, both the serotonin (5-HT(1A))-receptor agonist 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) and environmental enrichment (EE) enhance behavioral outcome and reduce histopathology after experimental traumatic brain injury (TBI). The aim of this study was to determine whether combining these therapies would yield greater benefit than either used alone. Anesthetized adult male rats received a cortical impact or sham injury and then were randomly assigned to enriched or standard (STD) housing, where either 8-OH-DPAT (0.1 mg/kg) or vehicle (1.0 mL/kg) was administered intraperitoneally once daily for 3 weeks. Motor and cognitive assessments were conducted on post-injury days 1-5 and 14-19, respectively. CA1/CA3 neurons and choline acetyltransferase-positive (ChAT(+)) medial septal cells were quantified at 3 weeks. 8-OH-DPAT and EE attenuated CA3 and ChAT(+) cell loss. Both therapies also enhanced motor recovery, acquisition of spatial learning, and memory retention, as verified by reduced times to traverse the beam and to locate an escape platform in the water maze, and a greater percentage of time spent searching in the target quadrant during a probe trial in the TBI + STD + 8-OH-DPAT, TBI + EE + 8-OH-DPAT, and TBI + EE + vehicle groups versus the TBI + STD + vehicle group (p ≤ 0.0016). No statistical distinctions were revealed between the TBI + EE + 8-OH-DPAT and TBI + EE + vehicle groups in functional outcome or CA1/CA3 cell survival, but there were significantly more ChAT(+) cells in the former (p = 0.003). These data suggest that a combined therapeutic regimen of 8-OH-DPAT and EE reduces TBI-induced ChAT(+) cell loss, but does not enhance hippocampal cell survival or neurobehavioral performance beyond that of either treatment alone. The findings underscore the complexity of combinational therapies and of elucidating potential targets for TBI.

Introduction: Human infections caused by Aspergillus brasiliensis have not yet been reported. We describe the first two known cases of fungal keratitis caused by Aspergillus brasiliensis., Case Presentations: A 49-year-old Indian Tamil woman agricultural worker came with pain and defective vision in the right eye for one month. Meanwhile, a 35-year-old Indian Tamil woman presented with a history of a corneal ulcer involving the left eye for 15 days. The fungal strains isolated from these two cases were originally suspected to belong to Aspergillus section Nigri based on macro- and micromorphological characteristics. Molecular identification revealed that both isolates represent A. brasiliensis., Conclusion: The two A. brasiliensis strains examined in this study were part of six keratitis isolates from Aspergillus section Nigri, suggesting that this recently described species may be responsible for a significant proportion of corneal infections caused by black Aspergilli. The presented cases also indicate that significant differences may occur between the severities of keratitis caused by individual isolates of A. brasiliensis.

Purpose: To report 2 cases of keratomycosis caused by Aspergillus tubingensis., Methods: The therapeutic courses were recorded for 2 male patients, 52 and 78 years old, with fungal keratitis caused by black Aspergillus strains. Morphological examination of the isolates was carried out on malt extract agar plates. A segment of the beta-tubulin gene was used for molecular identification. Antifungal susceptibilities were determined by the E test method for molds and the broth microdilution technique National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards M38-A., Results: A 52-year-old man presented with complaints of pain and redness in the right eye. The patient was successfully treated with natamycin and econazole eyedrops, itraconazole eye ointment, and oral ketoconazole. A 78-year-old man presented with total corneal necrosis in the right eye. A therapeutic keratoplasty was performed, and topical natamycin and econazole were applied. At the postoperative visit after 3 weeks, almost the full corneal graft was clear with formed anterior chamber. Black Aspergillus strains were isolated from the corneal scrapings of both cases and initially identified as Aspergillus niger based on culture characteristics. Sequence analysis of a segment of the beta-tubulin gene revealed that the isolates are representatives of A. tubingensis., Conclusions: Aspergillus tubingensis is closely related with A. niger, the differentiation of these 2 species is difficult by classical morphological criteria. To our knowledge, the presented cases of fungal keratitis are the first reports on ocular infection caused by A. tubingensis.

We report a case of Aspergillus tamarii keratitis. Ocular injury was known to be a predisposing factor. Topical natamycin and econazole treatment and subsequent systemic ketoconazole treatment proved effective. The isolate was identified by morphological characteristics and sequence analysis as A. tamarii, a member of Aspergillus section Flavi not hitherto reported from keratomycosis.

The boron-atom insertion reaction of nido-9,11-I(2)-7,8-C(2)B(9)H(9)(2-), with the HBCl(2):SMe(2) complex yields closo-4,7-I(2)-1,2-C(2)B(10)H(10), 1, in excellent yield. Although the two boron atoms (B3 and B6) nearest to the carbon atoms in 1 are equally available for attack by nucleophiles, the boron-degradation reaction of 1 with alkoxide ion occurs only at the B6 vertex, yielding regioselectively [(CH(3))(3)NH][nido-2,4-I(2)-7,8-C(2)B(9)H(10)], 2. The molecular structures of 1 and 2 have been determined by X-ray diffraction studies. Crystallographic data are as follows. For 1, monoclinic, space group P2(1)/n, a = 6.9199(19) Angstroms, b = 23.9560(7) Angstroms, c = 7.2870(2) Angstroms, beta = 94.081(4) degrees, V = 1204.9(6) Angstroms(3), Z = 4, rho(calcd) = 2.18 g cm(-3), R = 0.020, R(w) = 0.0610; for 2, orthorhombic, space group Pca2(1), a = 14.1141(7) Angstroms, b = 7.0276(4) Angstroms, c = 16.4602(9) Angstroms, V = 1632.7(15) Angstroms(3), Z = 4, rho(calcd) = 1.81 gcm(-3), R = 0.022, R(w) = 0.0623.

Purpose: Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an important nosocomial pathogen. We report the prevalence and antibiotic susceptibility pattern of MRSA in major southern districts of Tamilnadu., Methods: A total of 7172 clinical specimens and 1725 carrier screening samples were collected from different centers and subjected to MRSA screening using conventional microbiological methods. Subsequently the antibiotic sensitivity test was performed for the confirmed MRSA isolates., Results: Out of 906 strains of S. aureus isolated from clinical and carrier samples, 250 (31.1%) and 39 (37.9%) were found to be methicillin resistant respectively. Almost all clinical MRSA strains (99.6%) were resistant to penicillin, 93.6% to ampicillin, and 63.2% towards gentamicin, co-trimoxazole, cephalexin, erythromycin, and cephotaxime. All MRSA strains (100%) of carrier screening samples had resistance to penicillin and about 71.8% and 35.9% were resistant to ampicillin and co-trimoxazole respectively. Multidrug resistance was observed among 63.6% of clinical and 23% of carrier MRSA isolates. However, all strains of clinical and carrier subjects were sensitive to vancomycin., Conclusion: The determination of prevalence and antibiotic sensitivity pattern of MRSA will help the treating clinicians for first line treatment in referral hospitals.

Zoonotic filariasis caused by Dirofilaria repens, a parasite of carnivores occurs mainly in countries surrounding Mediterranean region. The infection occurs in and around eye among animal handlers through vector transmission. We are reporting a case of human Dirofilariasis affecting subtenons region in a 63 year-old woman from Coimbatore, South India. The purpose of this article is to review the clinical course and management of ocular Dirofilariasis.

Thirty-five coagulase negative Staphylococcus (CoNS) cultured from corneal ulcer were speciated and antibiotic sensitivity tested. S epidermidis was the commonest isolate and it was sensitive to ampicillin and vancomycin.

Purpose: This study analyses the prevalence, demography, predisposing factors and seasonal variation of Acanthamoeba keratitis., Methods: A retrospective review of all cases presenting with keratitis at the cornea clinic, Aravind Eye Hospital, Coimbatore, from August 1997 to July 2003, was done for screening patients with a provisional diagnosis of Acanthamoeba keratitis. Their records were further analyzed for microbiological details. Cases with culture proven Acanthamoeba keratitis were included for epidemiological analysis., Results: From a total of 4519 patients who attended cornea clinic 32 (33 eyes) patients were confirmed to be positive for Acanthamoeba keratitis. Twenty cases (62.5%) were males. Majority (18; 54.2%) of the Acanthamoeba keratitis eyes reported corneal trauma by solid objects. No peak period was observed in a year, as the number of cases was almost uniform in all months., Conclusion: This study indicates the increasing prevalence of Acanthamoeba keratitis among non-contact lens users in this region during the 6-year period.

Background & Objectives: Pneumolysin, a toxin produced by Streptococcus pneumoniae is associated with virulence and is found in all invasive isolates. Its role as a diagnostic tool has recently been exploited. Most of the methods used are based on molecular techniques and are not cost-effective. The present study was undertaken to evaluate a simple, rapid and cost-effective method to detect pneumolysin in CSF as a diagnostic test for pneumococcal meningitis., Methods: A total of 75 CSF samples from children with presumptive diagnosis of acute pyogenic meningitis or encephalitis were subjected to Gram stain, culture and pneumolysin detection by Cowan 1 staphylococcal protein A co-agglutination technique., Results: Pneumolysin was detected in 26(78.8%) of 33 culture proven CSF samples and 4(9.5%) of 42 culture negative samples. Antigen detection by Co-A had a specificity of 90 per cent and a sensitivity of 79 per cent when compared with culture. Compared to Gram stain, pneumolysin Co-A had a specificity and sensitivity of 91.0 and 92.0 per cent respectively., Interpretation & Conclusion: Detection of pneumolysin was found to be a simple, low cost antigen detection assay for rapid diagnosis of pneumococcal meningitis, for routine use in the developing countries.

Extracellular fluid protein (ECFP) of Streptomyces species SS07 has been used to reduce water soluble azo dyes and the carcinogenic amines released have been compared with that from chemical reduction. The effect of temperature, pH and contact time on the recovery of amines using ECFP was studied. The ECFP releases carcinogenic amines at a pH of 9.2 and a temperature of 37 degrees C for a contact period of 24 h. The reduction products were analyzed with HPLC and their structures confirmed by LC-MS and GC-MS. It was observed that both the ECFP and chemical reduction methods released similar type of amine products. In the case of dye samples, compared to chemical reduction, 5-20% increase in the release of carcinogenic amines by ECFP was observed. The percentage of amine products released by chemical reduction was higher for leather garment samples compared to ECFP treatment.

Analysis of carcinogenic substances is a high-priority area. Carcinogenic arylamines draw the analyst's attention because dyes and pigments are in production and used in large volumes. Identification of carcinogenic isomers of arylamines employing micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC), a mode of capillary electrophoresis was studied as it offers better scope for separation science. Mixed micellar modes of MEKC techniques were employed to achieve acceptable analyses. Success of this analytical method was proved by real-sample analysis, which confirmed that this is a promising technique for the arylamine species.

The pattern of lipid profiles and organic constituents of cardiac and serum tissues of rabbits were studied on treatment with cholesterol, zinc and zinc + cholesterol. Total carbohydrate and total protein levels were decreased with elevated lipid levels in cholesterol fed rabbits. However, the zinc and cholesterol + zinc fed rabbits showed decreased lipid fractions in cardiac and serum tissues leading to reduced atherosclerotic process in rabbits. These results suggest that the zinc is acting as a hypolipidaemic and anti atherogenic agent in experimental rabbits.

A preliminary study was conducted to identify the carriers of beta hemolytic streptococci (BHS) among school children. BHS were identified, grouped by latex agglutination test and tested for susceptibility to penicillin, erythromycin and cefazolin from their throat swabs. Prevalence of BHS was found to be 21.6% with group G (43.2%) as the predominant group followed by group A (28.8%). All the isolates were sensitive to the antibiotics tested. Health cards were issued to the carriers of group A beta hemolytic streptococci.

The antioxidants and lipid peroxidation products are being extensively studied because of their potential importance and pathogenetic role in several non-communicable diseases like cardiovascular diseases and cancer, but the data on hypertension is scanty. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the levels of lipid peroxidation and antioxidants besides dislipidemia changes among 32 newly diagnosed male hypertensives by comparing them with an equal sample of normotensives. Significant increase in serum lipid peroxide levels and decrease in antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase and vitamins E and A were observed among hypertensives than the controls. Hypertensives had higher total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, body mass index and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels than normotensives. The percentage prevalence of hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and obesity was higher in study subjects. Obese hypertensives had significantly higher levels of lipid peroxides and lipids with no change in antioxidant status than normal-weight hypertensives. Our results suggest that hypertensive patients may have elevated lipid peroxidation, lipids and reduced protection from antioxidants, which may contribute to the propensity in such patients to develop cardiovascular diseases, and to correct this, antioxidant supplementation besides weight reduction may be helpful to reduce the severity of burden.

Antibody levels against pneumolysin, a virulence factor in pneumococcal infections were evaluated by a neutralization test, using crude pneumolysin. A study population of 28 hospitalised children with culture proven pneumococcal meningitis and pneumonia were tested for detection of antipneumolysin antibodies in their serum. Results were compared with age and sex matched controls who were admitted with infections other than pneumococcal. Geometric mean titer (GMT) of antipneumolysin in serum of patients with pneumococcal infections showed a significant difference when compared with controls, GMT of 196.1 and 185.2 were noted in patients with meningitis and pneumonia respectively, in contrast to a titer of 40.32 among controls. A difference of more than 4-fold antibody titers between patients and controls was considered significant. Detection of antipneumolysin in serum can therefore be considered as a useful laboratory investigation in diagnosing invasive pneumococcal infections.

Analyses of body fluids in clinical chemistry laboratory are subject to a number of interferences that affect the analytical accuracy. The interferents arise from exogenous sources like drugs and additives as well as such endogenous sources like lipemia, hemolysis and icteria. Our studies demonstrate matrix interference in the form of analytical blas between serum and aqueous matrix calibrators. The clinical chemist should constantly be aware of this factor. Correction of interferences is recommended as an integral part of the quality assurance program.

Selecting the correct method for routine analysis by 'method evaluation' is an important component of quality assurance. It is a step-wise procedure that evaluates various analytical parameters like accuracy, precision etc of the given method. Finally reference intervals are established for selected population. We evaluated an enzymatic method for serum creatinine. The results show that it is an acceptable method based on the above mentioned criteria.

DNA polymerase beta, a 38kD protein is essentially considered to be a repair enzyme at least with respect to some forms of DNA damage. Through northern and western blotting, it was found that mRNA and immunologically reactive molecules of DNA-polymerase beta are reduced by 30% and 20% respectively in old rat brain as compared to the young. However, activity gel assay and immunotitration revealed a 50% reduction in the activity in old brain. These data are taken to indicate accumulation of catalytically inactive molecules of DNA-polymerase beta in rat brain with age.

Melting temperatures (Tm) of the DNA isolated from young, adult, and old rat brain neurons and astrocytes were recorded under different conditions. There was a rise in Tm and decrease in hyperchromicity in the old when compared to the young and adult. Single and double strand breaks were assessed by using nick translation type incubation of DNA with E. coli Pol I and addition of nucleotides at the terminal 3'-OH by calf thymus terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase. Results show that DNA from old brain cells is more compact in conformation. However, there is also an increase in the number of single and double strand breaks with age in both neuronal and astroglial DNA.

The interaction of insecticide combinations of monocrotophos and quinalphos on Anabaena torulosa, by the criteria of absorbance (OD) and packed cell volume (PCV) of the culture, content of chlorophyll a, phycocyanin, carotenoids, total protein, DNA and RNA, heterocyst differentiation and nitrogen fixation, were assessed. In general, monocrotophos and quinalphos, in combination, interacted significantly yielding three different responses viz., additive, antagonistic or synergistic. The nature of the interaction found with OD and PCV was nearly the same for a particular concentration of the insecticides. However, no consistent interaction was observed with respect to carotenoids and phycocyanin. The three types of interaction were noticed for total protein, DNA and RNA. Interestingly, the insecticide combinations at lower concentrations yielded all interaction responses for heterocyst frequency and nitrogenase activity. But, higher concentrations, in combination, resulted in synergism for heterocyst differentiation and nitrogen fixation.

Experiments were carried out in rabbits to determine the effects of prolonged treatment of cadmium (8 mg/kg/day) for a period of 6 months on histopathological changes and biochemical alterations of lipid profiles in various tissues compared to normal rabbits. No ECG changes were observed before and at the end of cadmium treatment. Histopathological studies of the coronary artery revealed atherosclerotic changes. Total lipids, cholesterol, free fatty acids and phospholipids were significantly increased in heart and kidney, but decreased in serum and liver. Triglyceride content was increased significantly in heart and kidney with a significant depletion in liver and serum. It is postulated that atherosclerotic changes in rabbits probably occurred through toxic effects of cadmium but the exact mechanism needs to be elucidated.

The chronic treatment of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) with 7,8-dimethyl-10-(3-chlorobenzyl) isoalloxazine [CBI], 7,8-diethyl-10-aminol isoalloxazine [DEAI], enduron (methyclothiazide) and amiloride were studied for their effects on blood pressure and cardiac contractile protein ATPase activities. After 35 weeks of treatment all the above antihypertensive agents showed a decrease in blood pressure in the SHR (p less than 0.01). Chronic treatment with CBI, DEAI, enduron, and amiloride significantly improved the myofibrillar ATPase activity at all pCa2+ concentrations (p less than 0.01). Furthermore, CBI, DEAI, enduron, and amiloride drug treatments enhanced actin-activated myosin ATPase activity (p less than 0.01). The Ca2(+)-activated myosin ATPase activity was significantly elevated after treating with CBI and DEAI (p less than 0.01). These results suggest that the antihypertensive agents used in this study helped in reducing the blood pressure with a subsequent increase in myocardial contractile protein ATPase activity.

Mean arterial blood pressure (MABP), heart rate (HR), stroke volume index (SVI), cardiac index (CI), systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI), and central venous pressure (CVP) were measured in conscious, freely moving, sham-operated (SO) and chronically adrenalectomized (ADX) rats. After 3 weeks of ADX, the rats exhibited hypotension, tachycardia, and diminished SVI and CI. From 3 to 6 weeks after surgery, the HR decreased and SVRI increased. These changes were obscured when the same measurements were obtained in the same rats under enflurane anesthesia. Cardiovascular responses to an epinephrine (0.4 microgram/kg/min) infusion were measured in conscious SO and ADX rats. The magnitude of change from baseline to peak was similar in all groups, indicating that ADX did not alter the responsiveness of the cardiovascular system to epinephrine. The peak MABP response to epinephrine in ADX rats was significantly below that of SO control rats, suggesting that ADX impaired the ability of the cardiovascular system to maintain normal arterial blood pressure. No differences were found in plasma concentrations of Na+, K+, Cl-, PO4 =, or hematocrit that would help to explain the effect of long-term adrenalectomy. The data underscore the cardio-depressant effect of enflurane anesthesia, demonstrate the importance of a conscious rat model in studying the effects of ADX on the cardiovascular system, and emphasize that the full effects of ADX occur over a period of several weeks.

Electrical stimulations were applied to the gastrocnemius muscle of intact frog. Rana hexadactyla (Lesson) for short-term (SMS) and prolonged (PMS) periods. Short-term muscular stimulations resulted in decreased glycogenolysis and glycolysis with depleted glycogen and lactic acid contents in the muscles and increased lactic acid content in the blood. The activity levels of SDH and MDH were decreased in SMS muscles. Prolonged muscular stimulations, on the other hand, increased glycogenolysis and glycogenolysis was suggested to be due to stepped-up glycogenesis. Tissue oxidative metabolism was also correlated with regulation of activities of enzymes concerned with anaerobic pathways.