Effect of Detoxified Jatropha Cake on Hepatic and Renal Function following Long Term Feeding to Mice

Jatropha curcas belongs to the family Euphorbiaceae and is distributed in many tropical and subtropical countries. The toxicity of the whole seed Jatropha curcas has been known for a long time. Jatropha plant is used as a source of biodiesel. In addition to being a source of oil, Jatropha also provides seed-cake and is a by-product of oil extraction that serves as a highly nutritious and economic protein supplement in animal feed. It also contains many toxic components like phorbol ester, lectins, saponin, curcin, HCN etc. In the present study, we detoxified whole Jatropha cake by subjecting to various solvent extraction, alkali and heat treatment. After processing, cake was dried and animal baits were prepared by mixing different percentage of detoxified (JCMD) and non detoxified cake (JCM). Long term (90 days) animal feeding trials and toxicological evaluations was carried out. Animals were sacrificed at various time intervals for toxicity evaluation. The toxicity study result revealed that 10% (w/w) detoxified (JCMD) baits fed group animals survived till the 90 days and did not show any significant changes in various clinical parameters related to hepatic and renal function while in 10% non detoxified (JCM) fed groups mortality starts on 6th day of feeding and no animal was survived beyond 9th day. The result of long term feeding trials and toxicity study reveals that 10% detoxified Jatropha cake can be supplemented in animal’s diet after detoxification

Association of dyslipidemia, increased insulin resistance, and serum CA 15-3 with increased risk of breast cancer in urban areas of North and Central India

Objective: This study aims to determine the association of dyslipidemia and increased insulin resistance (IR) with increased breast cancer (BC) risk. Materials and Methods: The study group comprised 110 premenopausal and 143 postmenopausal, untreated female BC patients in the age range of 29–72 years. Control group consisted of 117 premenopausal and 141 postmenopausal healthy females in the age range of 23–75. Approximately 8-ml blood samples were drawn to measure various biochemical parameters. Serum glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol were measured. Very low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (VLDL-C) and LDL-C were calculated using Friedewald's formula. Serum insulin and serum CA 15-3 were estimated by immune enzymatic assay. IR was assessed using homeostasis model assessment IR index (HOMA-IR). Results: Clinical variables in the case and control groups were compared using the unpaired Student's t-test. The crude and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated by binary logistic regression analysis. Pearson's correlation analysis was used to determine the association between CA 15-3 and variables of interest. Total cholesterol, TG, LDL, VLDL, serum glucose, serum insulin, HOMA-IR, and serum CA 15-3 were significantly higher (P < 0.001) in BC patients compared to those in controls. Significant adjusted ORs with 95% CI were found to be fasting glucose, total cholesterol, and TGs. We also found a significant positive correlation between total cholesterol, TG, LDL, serum glucose, serum insulin, HOMA-IR, and serum CA 15-3. Conclusion: This study confirms the association between dyslipidemia, IR, and increased BC risk

Study of the Stability of Various Biochemical Analytes in Samples Stored at Different Predefined Storage Conditions at an Accredited Laboratory of India

Background: Storage of serum and other blood products is often necessary in laboratories because of technical issues or to preserve samples for subsequent research purposes. The aim of this study was to determine whether the stability of biochemical analytes is affected by storage conditions. Materials and Methods: A total of 17 biochemical analytes in the sera of ten patients were examined following storage. Subsequent to determining the baseline measurements, the serum of each patient was aliquoted and stored at −20°C for 7, 15, and 30 days and then analyzed for stability. The results were compared with the initial analysis measurements obtained from fresh samples. Mean changes compared to baseline (T0) concentrations were evaluated both statistically and clinically. Results: Our results show that sodium, potassium, urea, creatinine, uric acid, total calcium, phosphorus, direct bilirubin, total bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, total protein, albumin, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels were stable under all conditions. Serum amylase was the only analyte demonstrating instability following prolonged storage; amylase levels changed significantly (both statistically and clinically) at 7, 15, and 30 days (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Most common biochemical analytes, except for amylase, showed adequate stability in serum following 30 days of storage at −20°C. Serum amylase analysis should be conducted on the same day that the sample is received in the laboratory

Age group and gender-wise comparison of obesity indices in subjects of age group 18-25 years

Aim: To assess age group and gender-wise comparison of obesity indices in subjects of age group 18-25 years. Methodology: A total of 250 subjects in age ranged 18-25 years of both genders were enrolled. A physical examination along with measurement of weight in kilograms and height in meters was recorded and BMI was calculated. Results: There were 65 males and 25 females in age group 18-20 years, 40 males and 45 females in age group 20-22 years and 45 males and 30 females in age group 23-25 years. There were 42.5% non- obese (males- 47.5%, females- 37.5%), 16% overweight (males- 13.5%, females- 18.5%), 28.5% obese (males- 25%, females- 32%) and 13% morbid obese) males- 14%, females- 12%). Maximum non- obese (60%) were seen in age group 18-20 years, overweight (20%) in age group 18-20 years, obese (38%) in age group 20-22 years and morbid obese (18%) in age group 23-25 years. A significant difference was observed in both genders (P&lt; 0.05). Conclusion: Obesity was most prevalent in females as compared to males. Age group 20-22 years had maximum obese subjects