Plasma Atrial Natriuretic Peptide as a non-invasive biochemical marker of dyspnoea in congestive heart failure patients

Plasma Atrial Natriuretic Peptide (ANP) levels on exercise were measured in 10 male patients suffering from  congestive heart failure and 10 male subjects not presenting with any cardiac problems. A standardised 12min  walking test was performed with ANP venous levels measured by radioimmunoassay pre and post exercise.  Normal subjects aged 36 ± 6 yr manifested a non-significant increase of plasma ANP level from 5.2± 0.3 to 7.2  ± 0.2 pg/ml (P=0.15). The same exercise was also associated with a non- significant decrease from 64.6 ± 0.3 to 55.4 ± 0.2 pg/ml (P=0.34) in the Class II & III NYHA classification heart failure patients (mean age = 65 ± 5 yr). Our biochemical data showed a correlation (r=0.68, P=0.04) with a mean dyspnoea score assessed by a 10 graded visual analogue scale in the control group (mean score = 1) and an increased from 1.6 to 6.4 in the heart failure patients. In conclusion, as compared to normal adults, heart failure patients are characterised by a high ANP level at rest with a decrease in ANP levels on a dyspnoea-producing exercise.Keywords : ANP, congestive heart failure, dyspnoea, visual analogue scale, exercise

Analysis of urinary calculi in Mauritius

Urinary calculi are often small and can be composed of many different constituents. The highly variable composition has led to the development of different chemical and physical methods for calculi analysis. In Mauritius, urinary calculi are routinely analysed for cations and anions using qualitative wet chemical spot tests as outlined in standard textbooks of clinical chemistry. However these procedures have been found not to be very accurate and reliable. The present study reports a comparative study of analysis of urinary calculi obtained after surgery from patients in Mauritius using wet chemical tests, spectrophotoscopic and analytical methods. Our results show that the spectrophotoscopic and analytical techniques are more sensitive and reliable for renal stone composition. Based on these findings we propose that in addition to routine chemical tests, analysts should also consider using spectrophotoscopic and analytical techniques for further characterisation of the different constituents of renal stones.Keywords : Stone analysis, urinary calculi, wet chemical tests, spectrophotometry, calcium, oxalate, phosphate

Effects of genistein, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, on light adaptive cellular and synaptic plasticity in the outer retina of a teleost fish (carp)

The effects of genistein, a protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor, on light adaptation-induced morphological (cellular  and synaptic) plasticity were studied in the retina-eyecups of carp (Cyprinus carpio). In particular, the effects of genistein on the photomechanical movements of cones and the spinules of horizontal cells were   quantitatively evaluated. The data suggested that genistein significantly blocked both light adaptive processes. It is concluded, therefore, that light adaptation of  the teleost retina could involve activation of tyrosine  kinases(s). This conclusion agrees with previous findings that multiple neuromodulators and protein kinases control retinal light adaptation.Keywords : Genistein, tyrosine kinase, light adaptation, plasticity, cone, photomechanical, movement,  horizontal cell, spinules, retina, carp

Plasma Cardiolipin in Postmenpausal Women in Mauritius

Data concerning the relationship between anti-cardiolipin antibodies and several diseases including myocardial infarction are not readily available for Mauritius. Anticardiolipin antibodies were measured using commercially available ELISA kits. Haematological profiles were measured using a Coulter Counter in the study population. Our study revealed significantly higher IgG and IgA levels as well as a strong correlation between decreased platelet levels and increased anticardiolipin status in the women during postmenopause. It is concluded that abnormal cardiolipin level could be an important risk factor for cardiovascular accidents among postmenopausal women in Mauritius. (Afr J Reprod Health 2001; 5[2]: 135-138) RÉSUMÉ Cardiolipine du plasma chez les post ménopausées à Maurice. Les données concernant le rapport entre les anticorps anticardiolipides et plusieurs maladies y compris l'infarctus du myocarde ne sont pas facilement disponibles pour Maurice. Les anticorps anticardiolipides ont été mesurés à l'aide des trusses ELISA qui sont disponibles à titre commercial. Des profils hématologiques ont été mesurés à l'aide d'un compteur de Coulter chez la population étudiée. L'étude a révélé de manière significative des niveaux plus élevés de IgG et IgA aussi bien qu'une forte corrélation entre les niveaux inférieurs de plaquettes et le statut élevé d'anticardiolipide chez les femmes au cours de la ménopausées. L'étude conclut que le niveau anormal cardiolipide peut être un facteur important de risque pour les accidents cardiovasculaires chez les post ménopausées à Maurice. (Rev Afr Santé Reprod 2001; 5[2]: 135-138) KEY WORDS: Plasma, cardiolipin, postmenopause, Mauritiu

Is fibrinogen a reliable haemostatic marker for monitoring possible risks of thromboembolic events in smokers?

With the increasing incidence of smoking in Mauritius, the present work was designed to investigate the  potential effects of smoking on blood coagulation parameters. The present study is based on data collected from 118 male participants that consisted of 100 smokers and 18 non-smokers. Blood coagulation parameters included measurements of fibrinogen level, activity of cofactor VIII and prothrombic activity by using commercially available colorimetric kits. Analysis of variance showed that fibrinogen levels in smokers were significantly higher than in the non-smokers (P<0.05). However there were no statistically significant differences for the other haematological parameters measured for both the control and smokers (P>0.05). We thus concluded that fibrinogen could be a reliable marker for monitoring risks of thromboembolic events in  smokers.Keywords : Haematology, smoking, fibrinogen, thromboembolic events

Macro Minerals Deficiencies In Pregnant Mauritian Women

During pregnancy there is usually a great fluctuation in the level of bone markers in the body. The level of some  of these elements may fall in the case of plasma calcium, inorganic phosphorus and magnesium while markers such as plasma alkaline phosphatase increases. Plasma calcium, inorganic phosphorus and magnesium levels were measured using commercially available kits in 20-40 years pregnant and non-pregnant women. Total  plasma alkaline phosphatase was measured by a continuous spectrophotometric method. All data were  analysed using Excel. Based on our findings, we concluded that the observed fall in plasma calcium, inorganic phosphorus, magnesium and an increase in extracellular fluid volume that normally accompanies pregnancy.Key words: bone, markers, pregnancy, health, Mauritius

Trace Elements (Zn & Cu) And Plasma Proteins Status In Mauritian Pregnant Women

During pregnancy there is usually a fluctuation in the levels of trace elements in the body. The level of  copper for example may rise whilst that of zinc may fall. Plasma zinc and copper levels were measured in pregnant and non-pregnant women (mean age 25±6 and 23±5 years respectively). A commercially  available kit was used for the direct determination of zinc while copper assay was performed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Total plasma proteins, albumin and globulin levels were also measured by colorimetric method using commercially available kits. Plasma zinc and copper levels in pregnant women were found to be 99.3 ± 10.8 g/dl and 180 ± 31.4 g/dl respectively compared to mean values of 111.8 ± 7.2g/dl for zinc and 153.2 ± 15.2 for copper g/dl in the non-pregnant group. Plasma proteins were also significantly lower (p<0.05) in the pregnant individuals. Mean values of 63 ± 8.7g/l for total plasma  proteins, 37.2 ± 4.7 g/l for albumin and 25.8 ± 10.7g/l for globulin were obtained for the pregnant women. In the controls, total protein level was 79.6± 3.8 g/l, albumin level was 43.4 ±2.6 g/l and globulin 36.1 ± 5 g/l. In conclusions, our findings indicate that high level of copper during pregnancy may be responsible  for the lowering of zinc level since these two metals are known antagonists. In addition, lower levels of  albumin and globulin that are all carriers of zinc in the body may also be implicated in the lower zinc level during pregnancy.Key words: zinc, copper, total proteins, pregnancy, albumin, globulin

Clinical Findings in Rheumatic Disorders in Mauritius

A retrospective hospital-based study (1996 - 2002) was conducted in Mauritius to evaluate clinical findings  among seventy-six patients referred for detection of HLA-B27. We analysed clinical data with respect to  HLA-B27 status and sex. Inflammatory back pain (60.5 %) and peripheral arthritis (56.6%) were the most frequent disease manifestations. Heel pain was the commonest peripheral enthesopathy noted among the  study population. HLA-B27 positive patients had significantly more hip (p = 0.005), knee (p = 0.033) and heel  involvement (p = 0.039). Females had significantly more inflammatory back pain (p = 0.037). In conclusion, clinical findings in Mauritian patients suffering from HLA-B27 associated rheumatic disorders vary according to  HLA-B27 status and sex.Key words: HLA-B27, sex, rheumatic disorders, Mauritius