ASSESSMENT OF DYSLIPIDEMIA IN TYPE II DIABETES MELLITUS WITH SECONDARY COMPLICATIONS

Objective: The main aim of the present study was to investigate the levels of lipid and lipoproteins in causing secondary microvascular complications in diabetic patients. Patients of Type II diabetes mellitus are highly susceptible to various complications due to long-term persistence of hyperglycemic state in the body. Thus, it is imperative to study the effect of hyperglycemia on lipids as their subsequent oxidation can lead to complications such as nephropathy, neuropathy, and retinopathy in diabetics which can further lead to macrovascular complications in the body. Methods: The diabetic patients were divided into two groups, based on the presence/absence of secondary microvascular complications, namely, nephropathy, retinopathy, and neuropathy. Two types of cases were included in the study, on the basis of duration, namely, 0–5 years and 5–10 years duration. Blood samples were collected and levels of hemoglobin and glycated hemoglobin were determined. The biochemical parameters, namely, random blood sugar, cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoproteins, low-density lipoproteins (LDLs), and very LDLs were estimated. Results: The lipid levels altered in diabetic patients, leading to the dyslipidemia and the cumulative effect of hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia leads to the oxidative stress in the body. The increased oxidation of lipids may lead to the occurrence of microvascular complications in the body. Furthermore, dyslipidemia has been found more prevalent in males as compared to females. Conclusion: Due to the increased prevalence of diabetes in India, funding of this study would suggest that there is a need to accelerate the importance of monitoring lipid levels in diabetes. Diabetic patients should routinely monitor their glycemic status, renal, and lipid profile to avert microvascular complications associated with diabetes mellitus

EVALUATION OF LIVER AND LIPID PARAMETERS IN CHOLELITHIASIS

Objectives: The objectives of the present study were to compare the biochemical parameters in gallstones patients and controls and to study the differences in their levels in male and female patients. Methods: The patient data were collected from the Navpreet Hospital, Amritsar. All the demographic data and ultrasonographic features were noted in a pre-structured pro forma of cholelithiasis patients. The blood sample was collected in aseptic conditions and serum biochemical parameters of liver (serum glutamic oxaloacetate transaminase [SGOT] and serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase [SGPT]) and lipids (cholesterol and triglyceride) were investigated in the patients. Results: In this study, it was found that cholelithiasis is more prevalent in females (76%) as compared to females (26%). The SGOT and SGPT levels were higher in 20–40 years age group females with a mean of 78±7.12 and 70±5.34 mg/dl, respectively. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) level also increases in female patients with a mean of 106±5.36 mg/dl. Same pattern was observed for bilirubin and lipid levels. Conclusion: The prevalence of gallstones was found more in females than males. Serum cholesterol, triglyceride, SGOT, SGPT and ALP, and bilirubin play a major contributing role in the formation of gallstone in females. Incidence of gallstones is most often correlated with dietary factors, obesity or overweight, sedentary lifestyle, eating high fat and cholesterol diet, eating low-fiber diet, having a family history of gallstones, and having liver disease

INTERRELATIONSHIP OF THYROID HORMONES, OBESITY, AND PROLACTIN IN INFERTILE WOMEN

  Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate and compare the level of thyroid hormones, namely, triidothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and prolactin in blood serum of infertile women with normal healthy subjects in Amritsar region of Punjab, India. A number of complications arise from the dysfunction of hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, which leads to the hormonal disturbances in female reproductive system. Certain disorders such as obesity and thyroid hormone imbalance are highly prevalent and lead to various complications in pregnancy such as polycystic ovary syndrome. These disorders lead to the infertility and ultimately constitute a major physiological stress. A multidimensional diagnostic approach is imperative in evaluating these disorders. In the present study, the association between thyroid hormones and prolactin has been reviewed in infertile women which is a prerequisite to work up for infertility in Punjab.Methods: Hemoglobin levels were estimated in the blood serum of healthy controls and infertile women by the method of Sahli. The levels of serum T3, T4, TSH, and prolactin were determined by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay using Cobas e 411 analyzer according to the instruction manual.Results: Majority of infertile women were found to have hypothyroidism and hyperprolactinemia which can be correlated with infertility. This condition might respond to the treatment for their hormonal and prolactin levels, and fertility can be restored.Conclusion: The measurement of TSH and prolactin should be done at an early stage of infertility rather than more invasive procedures involved in the treatment of infertility in women

Effect of high blood pressure on thyroid and lipid profile of pregnant women

Background: Hypertension is common medical problem encountered during pregnancy, complicating up to 10% pregnancies. Hypertension is defined as the systolic blood pressure ≤140 mmHg and a diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mmHg on two separate measurements at least 4-6 hours apart. During pregnancy thyroid demand changes with increased iodine uptake and synthesis of thyroid hormone. Serum from pre-eclamptic women had both a higher ratio of free fatty acid to albumin and increase up take of free fatty acids, which are further esterified to triglyceride. The aim of the present study was to evaluate thyroid hormone, lipid profile and urine albumin in hypertensive pregnant women and its comparison with normotensive pregnant womenMethods: Total 90 samples were collected from Beri Maternity Hospital and Civil Hospital, Amritsar. Blood samples were analysed for biochemical parameters viz. lipid profile and thyroid profile. Urine samples were also analysed for presence of albumin.Results: From the study it has been revealed that thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels increased in hypertensive pregnant women mean (4.26±1.1µ/ml). The total cholesterol (234.56±14.2mg/dl), triglyceride (138±16.96mg/dl), HDL (50.7±7.4mg/dl), LDL (156.2±17.11mg/dl) and VLDL (27.7±3mg/dl) was found altered in hypertensive pregnancy as compared to normotensive pregnancy. The albumin excretion was seen in 13.3% hypertensive pregnancies.Conclusions: TSH were elevated in hypertensive pregnant women due to the effects of estrogen. Among all the parameters of lipid profile, total cholesterol, TG, LDL and VLDL has been increased significantly in hypertensive pregnant women as compared to normotensive pregnant women due endothelial dysfunction.

RELATIONSHIP OF SEMINAL FRUCTOSE AND SERUM PROLACTIN LEVELS IN INFERTILE MEN

Objective: Male infertility refers to a male’s inability to cause pregnancy in a fertile female. Infertility is a widespread problem for about one in five infertile couples. Male infertility is usually caused by a problem that affects either sperm production or sperm transport. The aim of the study was to evaluate prolactin levels in the serum and comparing the levels of fructose in the semen of infertile males and normal healthy controls of reproductive age of 20–45 years respectively. Methods: Hemoglobin (Hb) level in the blood of both groups was calculated by Sahli’s method using Sahli’s Hemoglobinometer. The Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) was determined using the modified Westergren’s method and total leukocyte count (TLC) in the blood was determined by microdilution method. Semen analysis was performed by the method specified in the World Health Organization Laboratory Manual. Morphology and motility of sperm and their counts were determined by microscopy. Fructose drop test in semen was estimated colorimetrically by the Semen Fructose Estimation Kit and determination of serum prolactin involved the use of Electrochemiluminescence immunoassay using Cobas e 411 analyzer. Results: Hb in infertile males was less than healthy controls. However, ESR in infertile men was considerably high and TLC, serum prolactin levels did not show much variation in infertile men. Seminal analysis of infertile men revealed high fructose levels and low sperm count with decreased motility. Conclusion: The concentration of seminal fructose in control group is lower than infertile males. High fructose levels in infertile men and less sperm count indicate oligozoospermia

ROLE OF COMBINATION DRUG THERAPY FOR MANAGEMENT OF HYPERTENSION WITH INCREASING AGE

Objective: In South Asia, hypertension is the third highest factor contributing in public health burden of disease and major risk factor for coronary artery disease especially in women and old age people. The study was aimed to determine the role of gender and age (20–80 years) on severity of hypertension to design an effective schedule for management of hypertension. Methods: The levels of serum cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoproteins (LDL), and blood pressure (BP) of 240 hypertensive patients were monitored. Cholesterol, TG, and HDL levels were detected using ERBA Reagent kit of Transasia Bio-medicals LTD by CHOD-PAP, glycerol phosphate oxidase trinder End point, and polyvinyl sulfonic and polyethyleneglycol-methyl ether based methods, respectively. Results: The BP and levels of serum cholesterol, TG and LDL were increased in both the genders after 40 years of age. However, the rise in levels of these parameters was more in females in comparison to males. A hypertension management schedule involving (BP)/Cholesterol lowering drugs and lifestyle changes for period of 60 days showed that combination drug therapy was more effective than monotherapies of same drugs used at higher dosages. Conclusion: Hypertensive patients strictly followed the prescribed healthy food and exercise schedule showed improvement in their BP and lipid profile even with limited drug intervention

STUDY OF ELECTROLYTES AND LIVER FUNCTION TESTS IN CHRONIC ALCOHOLISM

Objective: Alcohol abuse is considered one of the major health issue in India, which can impair the electrolyte balance in chronic patient of alcoholism. In the present study, investigation has been conducted to estimate the levels of calcium, magnesium, SGOT, SGPT, total protein and urea in the chronic alcoholic patients and their comparison was determined with normal healthy controls.Methods: A total of 50 male alcoholics consuming variable amount of alcohol from more than past 5 years in the age frame of 30–70 years were taken. Equal number of age-matched normal healthy individuals without the family history of any disease served as controls. Levels of magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), and other biochemicals, namely urea and total protein, transaminases, namely serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase and serum glutamate pyruvic transaminase were estimated colorimetrically in all the subjects consuming variable amount of alcohol.Results: Alcoholics were found to have lower magnesium, calcium, and total protein levels as compared to non-alcoholics, whereas transaminases were higher in alcoholics, predicting hepatocytes injury. Catalytic activity of alcohol dehydrogenase produced highly reactive acetaldehyde forming adducts with membrane proteins, leading to organ damage. Alcohol disturbed the electrolytes balance produced hypomagnesia and hypocalcemia and severely affected liver function tests.Conclusion: Magnesium levels and other related parameters could be considered as diagnostic predictors of alcohol-related toxicity. Age advances the alcohol-related health consequences, and this could be due to the cumulative effect of reduced intestinal absorption, dietary deficiencies, and alcohol toxicity

Dietary Patterns and Breast Cancer Risk: A Multi-Centre Case Control Study among North Indian Women.

Evidence from India, a country with unique and distinct food intake patterns often characterized by lifelong adherence, may offer important insight into the role of diet in breast cancer etiology. We evaluated the association between Indian dietary patterns and breast cancer risk in a multi-centre case-control study conducted in the North Indian states of Punjab and Haryana. Eligible cases were women 30⁻69 years of age, with newly diagnosed, biopsy-confirmed breast cancer recruited from hospitals or population-based cancer registries. Controls (hospital- or population-based) were frequency matched to the cases on age and region (Punjab or Haryana). Information about diet, lifestyle, reproductive and socio-demographic factors was collected using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. All participants were characterized as non-vegetarians, lacto-vegetarians (those who consumed no animal products except dairy) or lacto-ovo-vegetarians (persons whose diet also included eggs). The study population included 400 breast cancer cases and 354 controls. Most (62%) were lacto-ovo-vegetarians. Breast cancer risk was lower in lacto-ovo-vegetarians compared to both non-vegetarians and lacto-vegetarians with odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) of 0.6 (0.3⁻0.9) and 0.4 (0.3⁻0.7), respectively. The unexpected difference between lacto-ovo-vegetarian and lacto-vegetarian dietary patterns could be due to egg-consumption patterns which requires confirmation and further investigation

Constraints on the χ_(c1) versus χ_(c2) polarizations in proton-proton collisions at √s = 8 TeV

The polarizations of promptly produced χ_(c1) and χ_(c2) mesons are studied using data collected by the CMS experiment at the LHC, in proton-proton collisions at √s=8  TeV. The χ_c states are reconstructed via their radiative decays χ_c → J/ψγ, with the photons being measured through conversions to e⁺e⁻, which allows the two states to be well resolved. The polarizations are measured in the helicity frame, through the analysis of the χ_(c2) to χ_(c1) yield ratio as a function of the polar or azimuthal angle of the positive muon emitted in the J/ψ → μ⁺μ⁻ decay, in three bins of J/ψ transverse momentum. While no differences are seen between the two states in terms of azimuthal decay angle distributions, they are observed to have significantly different polar anisotropies. The measurement favors a scenario where at least one of the two states is strongly polarized along the helicity quantization axis, in agreement with nonrelativistic quantum chromodynamics predictions. This is the first measurement of significantly polarized quarkonia produced at high transverse momentum