Association of vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphism with blood lead levels in occupationally lead-exposed male battery workers in Delhi – National capital region, India

236-244Lead is a well-known environmental pollutant due to its widespread industrial uses and persistent nature. Studies have underlined the toxicities caused due to occupational exposure to lead and have also reported the association of blood lead levels (BLL) with Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) gene polymorphism; however, such data is scarce from India. This maiden attempt aims to investigate the association of different VDR polymorphic variants on BLL in the north-Indian lead-exposed population. We recruited 100 occupationally lead-exposed battery workers (LEBW) and 100 non-lead exposed controls (NLEC). BLL, serum Vitamin D, calcium and phosphorous levels were measured. Further, VDR polymorphisms namely, FokI, TaqI, ApaI, and BsmI polymorphic variants were studied. Results demonstrated that BLL was significantly increased in LEBW as compared to NLEC. Chi-square test results show that frequencies of Ff FokI VDR genotype and bb BsmI VDR genotype were significantly more in LEBW as compared to NLEC (P =0.02 and 0.03, respectively). Furthermore, FF, aa and bb genotype showed the highest BLL in LEBW indicating higher lead levels in some VDR polymorphisms

Association of vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphism with blood lead levels in occupationally lead-exposed male battery workers in Delhi – National capital region, India

Lead is a well-known environmental pollutant due to its widespread industrial uses and persistent nature. Studies have underlined the toxicities caused due to occupational exposure to lead and have also reported the association of blood lead levels (BLL) with Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) gene polymorphism; however, such data is scarce from India. This maiden attempt aims to investigate the association of different VDR polymorphic variants on BLL in the north-Indian lead-exposed population. We recruited 100 occupationally lead-exposed battery workers (LEBW) and 100 non-lead exposed controls (NLEC). BLL, serum Vitamin D, calcium and phosphorous levels were measured. Further, VDR polymorphisms namely, FokI, TaqI, ApaI, and BsmI polymorphic variants were studied. Results demonstrated that BLL was significantly increased in LEBW as compared to NLEC. Chi-square test results show that frequencies of Ff FokI VDR genotype and bb BsmI VDR genotype were significantly more in LEBW as compared to NLEC (P =0.02 and 0.03, respectively). Furthermore, FF, aa and bb genotype showed the highest BLL in LEBW indicating higher lead levels in some VDR polymorphisms

Ethics in Laboratory Medicine: An Overview of Considerations for Ethical Issues

Several ethical issues exist within the diagnostic medical laboratory. The major ethical challenges such as; consent, confidentiality, codes of conduct, conflict of interest, lab utilisation, proficiency, and direct access testing are some times more prevalent in resource-limited settings. Presently, decisions regarding diagnosis and patient’s treatment are commonly taken on the basis of outcomes and interpretations of laboratory test results. Therefore, ethics plays a significant role in laboratory medicine. Apart from the lab results, laboratory staff is another important aspect of the laboratory. Hence, it is highly recommended that knowledge of ethics helps to protect confidence; operational integrity, capability, impartiality, and safety of the staff. Many countries and their professional societies have developed policies and guidance material with regard to ethical issues in the area of laboratory medicine. The organizations specially; International of federation of clinical chemistry (IFCC), American Association of Clinical Chemistry (AACC) and International Organization for Standardization (ISO) have defined ethical recommendations for clinical laboratories. They are, in general, outlined the responsibilities of laboratory professionals towards their profession, the patient, and the society. However, implication of ethical standards and guidelines are vary between different cultures, geographies, and according to available resources. In this chapter, we have mentioned the ethical consideration of IFCC, AACC and ISO 15189:2012 with regard to laboratory medicine and also addressed the various ethical issues that arises day to day in laboratory medicine in the current scenario

Nucleotide Sequencing and Identification of Some Wild Mushrooms

The rDNA-ITS (Ribosomal DNA Internal Transcribed Spacers) fragment of the genomic DNA of 8 wild edible mushrooms (collected from Eastern Chota Nagpur Plateau of West Bengal, India) was amplified using ITS1 (Internal Transcribed Spacers 1) and ITS2 primers and subjected to nucleotide sequence determination for identification of mushrooms as mentioned. The sequences were aligned using ClustalW software program. The aligned sequences revealed identity (homology percentage from GenBank data base) of Amanita hemibapha [CN (Chota Nagpur) 1, % identity 99 (JX844716.1)], Amanita sp. [CN 2, % identity 98 (JX844763.1)], Astraeus hygrometricus [CN 3, % identity 87 (FJ536664.1)], Termitomyces sp. [CN 4, % identity 90 (JF746992.1)], Termitomyces sp. [CN 5, % identity 99 (GU001667.1)], T. microcarpus [CN 6, % identity 82 (EF421077.1)], Termitomyces sp. [CN 7, % identity 76 (JF746993.1)], and Volvariella volvacea [CN 8, % identity 100 (JN086680.1)]. Although out of 8 mushrooms 4 could be identified up to species level, the nucleotide sequences of the rest may be relevant to further characterization. A phylogenetic tree is constructed using Neighbor-Joining method showing interrelationship between/among the mushrooms. The determined nucleotide sequences of the mushrooms may provide additional information enriching GenBank database aiding to molecular taxonomy and facilitating its domestication and characterization for human benefits

EVALUATION OF IN VITRO HEPATIC TOXICITY OF LEAVES OF PTEROSPERMUM ACERIFOLIUM (L.) WILLD.

Objective: The objective of the study was to determine the in vitro hepatic toxicity profile of methanolic extract of leaves of Pterospermum acerifolium (L.) Willd. (MEPA) using a mammalian hepatic cell line (HepG2). Methods: To assess its in vitro hepatic toxicity, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay using MEPA at a concentration of 25 μg, 50 μg, 100 μg, 200 μg, and 300 μg was carried out. Sorafenib tosylate was used as the standard agent to assess cytotoxicity. Results: The inhibitory concentration 50 (IC50) value for HepG2 cell lines was determined after 24 h. Thereafter the cytotoxicity study was again performed with the ½ IC50, IC50, and 2IC50 doses of MEPA. Experimentally, the IC50 was found to be 150.42 μg/ml for HepG2 using MEPA. A dose-dependent cytotoxicity and reduction in optical density were also observed with incremental MEPA administration. Conclusion: The cytotoxic potential of MEPA was found to be much less than that of sorafenib tosylate. Thus, MEPA shows in vitro cytotoxicity in mammalian hepatic cells (HepG2) at a concentration as low as 100 μg

A Comparative Review of ICMR, WHO, and EMA Guidelines for Good Clinical Laboratory Practices

With the advancement of clinical research and the increased burden on laboratory services, there is an unmet need for guidelines regarding proper laboratory functioning and reliable data generation. Several organizations from all over the world have published guidelines for these clinical and research laboratories. Good Clinical Laboratory Practices (GCLP) are stepwise procedures aimed at strengthening the quality of test results produced by all clinical laboratories engaged in human sample analysis. In this article, we attempt a comparison of the GCLP guidelines recently issued by the Indian Council of Medical Research with the guidelines released by the World Health Organization and the European Medicines Agency. Also, we have included and discussed several suggestions that, if included, will lead to the strengthening of the laboratory practices used for both research and patient care for overall improvement in the Indian healthcare system

Comparison Between Measured and Calculated Free Calcium Values at Different Serum Albumin Concentrations

Introduction: Free ionic calcium is the metabolically active component of total calcium (TCa) in blood. However, most laboratories report TCa levels that are dependent on serum albumin concentration. Hence, several formulae have evolved to calculate free calcium levels from TCa after adjustment for albumin. However, free calcium can directly be measured using direct ion selective electrodes rather than spectrophotometric methods used in autoanalyzers. Objectives: This study compares the levels of free calcium obtained by measurement by direct ion selective electrode (ISE) and the one calculated as a function of TCa by formulae. Materials and Methods: A total of 254 serum samples submitted to clinical biochemistry laboratory of a tertiary care hospital were analyzed for total protein, albumin, and TCa by standard spectrophotometric methods and for free calcium by direct ISE. Three commonly used formulae viz. Orrell, Berry et al. and Payne et al. were used to calculate adjusted TCa. Calculated free calcium was obtained by taking 50% of these values. Results: A significant difference (P < 0.05) was observed between calculated free calcium by all the three formulae and measured free calcium estimated by direct ISE using paired t-test and Bland–Altman plots. Conclusion: Formulae for predicting free calcium by estimating TCa and albumin lacks consistency in prediction and free calcium should be evaluated by direct measurement

A Review on Conversion of Biomass to Liquid Fuels and Methanol through Indirect Liquefaction Route

Global urbanization and industrialization are energy-intensive processes. Among different energy resources, fossil fuels meet more than 80 % of the energy demand. The factors such as the depletion of fossil fuel reserves, the unstable price of fossil fuels, and the emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs) due to the burning of fuels draw researchers’ attention towards the development of renewable and sustainable fuels. In this context, biomass may fill the gap between energy demand and petroleum availability in the foreseeable future. Moreover, half of this bioenergy comes from conventional uses of biomass, primarily in cooking and heating, as well as within small-scale industries (such as charcoal kilns and brick kilns). The Biomass-to-Liquid (BTL) technology using Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) and the Methanol process offers advantages over the traditional use of biomass. The FT/Methanol process is a propitious route to produce carbon-neutral, ultra-clean fuels that generate regulated emissions, including NOx, SOx, and PM. In this article, we have reviewed the processes of biomass gasification, syngas cleaning and conditioning, FTS and methanol synthesis