Synergistic impact of -linolenic acid and -tocopherol on in vitro maturation and culture of buffalo oocytes

Abstract The objective of the current study was to investigate the synergistic impact of -Tocopherol and -Linolenic acid (100 µM) on IVM and IVC of Nili Ravi buffalo oocytes. Oocytes were obtained from the ovaries of slaughtered buffaloes within two hours after slaughter and brought to laboratory. Buffalo cumulus oocyte complexes were placed randomly in the five experimental groups included; GROUP 1: Maturation media (MM) + 100 µM ALA (control), GROUP 2: MM + 100 µM ALA + 50M -Tocopherol, GROUP 3: MM + 100 µM ALA + 100M -Tocopherol, GROUP 4: MM + 100 µM ALA + 200 M -Tocopherol and GROUP 5: MM + 100 µM ALA + 300 M -Tocopherol under an atmosphere of 5% CO2 in air at 38.5 °C for 22-24 h. Cumulus expansion and nuclear maturation status was determined (Experiment 1). In experiment 2, oocytes were matured as in experiment 1. The matured oocytes were then fertilized in Tyrodes Albumin Lactate Pyruvate (TALP) medium for about 20 h and cultured in synthetic oviductal fluid (SOF) medium to determine effect of -Linolenic acid (100 µM) and -Tocopherol in IVM medium on IVC of presumptive zygotes. To study the effect of -Linolenic acid (100 µM) in IVM media and increasing concentration of -tocopherol in the culture media on early embryo development (Experiment 3), the presumptive zygotes were randomly distributed into the five experimental groups with increasing concentration of -tocopherol in culture media. Higher percentage of MII stage oocytes in experiment 1(65.2±2.0), embryos at morula stage in experiment 2 (30.4±1.5) and experiment 3 (22.2±2.0) were obtained. However, overall results for cumulus cell expansion, maturation of oocyte to MII stage and subsequent embryo development among treatments remain statistically similar (P > 0.05). Supplementation of -tocopherol in maturation media having -Linolenic acid and/or in embryo culture media did not further enhance in vitro maturation of oocyte or embryo production.

Resumo O objetivo do presente estudo foi investigar o impacto sinérgico do -tocoferol e do ácido -linolênico (100 µM) na MIV e CIV de oócitos de búfala Nili Ravi. Os oócitos foram obtidos dos ovários de búfalos abatidos duas horas após o abate e levados ao laboratório. Complexos de oócitos cumulus de búfalo foram colocados aleatoriamente nos cinco grupos experimentais incluídos; GRUPO 1: Meio de maturação (MM) + 100 µM ALA (controle), GRUPO 2: MM + 100 µM ALA + 50 µM -tocoferol, GRUPO 3: MM + 100 µM ALA + 100 µM -tocoferol, GRUPO 4: MM + 100 µM ALA + 200 M -tocoferol e GRUPO 5: MM + 100 µM ALA + 300 M -tocoferol sob uma atmosfera de 5% de CO2 em ar a 38,5 °C por 22-24 h. A expansão cumulus e o estado de maturação nuclear foram determinados (Experimento 1). No experimento 2, os oócitos foram maturados como no experimento 1. Os oócitos maturados foram então fertilizados em meio de Tyrode's Albumina Lactato Piruvato (TALP) por cerca de 20 h e cultivados em meio de fluido oviductal sintético (SOF) para determinar o efeito do ácido -linolênico (100 µM) e -tocoferol em meio IVM em IVC de presumíveis zigotos. Para estudar o efeito do ácido -linolênico (100 µM) em meio IVM e aumentar a concentração de -tocoferol no meio de cultura no desenvolvimento inicial do embrião (Experimento 3), os presumíveis zigotos foram distribuídos aleatoriamente nos cinco grupos experimentais com concentração crescente de -tocoferol em meios de cultura. Maior porcentagem de oócitos em estágio MII no experimento 1 (65,2 ± 2,0), embriões em estágio de mórula no experimento 2 (30,4 ± 1,5) e experimento 3 (22,2 ± 2,0) foram obtidos. No entanto, os resultados gerais para a expansão das células do cumulus, maturação do oócito para o estágio MII e desenvolvimento embrionário subsequente entre os tratamentos permanecem estatisticamente semelhantes (P> 0,05). A suplementação de -tocoferol em meios de maturação com ácido -linolênico e / ou em meios de cultura de embriões não aumentou ainda mais a maturação in vitro de oócitos ou a produção de embriões.

Synergistic impact of α-linolenic acid and α-tocopherol on in vitro maturation and culture of buffalo oocytes.

The objective of the current study was to investigate the synergistic impact of α-Tocopherol and α-Linolenic acid (100 µM) on IVM and IVC of Nili Ravi buffalo oocytes. Oocytes were obtained from the ovaries of slaughtered buffaloes within two hours after slaughter and brought to laboratory. Buffalo cumulus oocyte complexes were placed randomly in the five experimental groups included; GROUP 1: Maturation media (MM) + 100 µM ALA (control), GROUP 2: MM + 100 µM ALA + 50µM α-Tocopherol, GROUP 3: MM + 100 µM ALA + 100µM α-Tocopherol, GROUP 4: MM + 100 µM ALA + 200 µM α-Tocopherol and GROUP 5: MM + 100 µM ALA + 300 µM α-Tocopherol under an atmosphere of 5% CO2 in air at 38.5 °C for 22-24 h. Cumulus expansion and nuclear maturation status was determined (Experiment 1). In experiment 2, oocytes were matured as in experiment 1. The matured oocytes were then fertilized in Tyrode's Albumin Lactate Pyruvate (TALP) medium for about 20 h and cultured in synthetic oviductal fluid (SOF) medium to determine effect of α-Linolenic acid (100 µM) and α-Tocopherol in IVM medium on IVC of presumptive zygotes. To study the effect of α-Linolenic acid (100 µM) in IVM media and increasing concentration of α-tocopherol in the culture media on early embryo development (Experiment 3), the presumptive zygotes were randomly distributed into the five experimental groups with increasing concentration of α-tocopherol in culture media. Higher percentage of MII stage oocytes in experiment 1(65.2±2.0), embryos at morula stage in experiment 2 (30.4±1.5) and experiment 3 (22.2±2.0) were obtained. However, overall results for cumulus cell expansion, maturation of oocyte to MII stage and subsequent embryo development among treatments remain statistically similar (P > 0.05). Supplementation of α-tocopherol in maturation media having α-Linolenic acid and/or in embryo culture media did not further enhance in vitro maturation of oocyte or embryo production.

Liming effects of poultry litter derived biochar on soil acidity amelioration and maize growth.

Crop production in acid soils is facing enormous challenges due to low soil quality associated with an increase in the acidification rate and aluminum toxicity. Despite comprehensive prior work with biochar application on nutrient availability and crop productivity in acid soils, little information is available about the recommendation or standardization of biochar application rates that are more suitable for soil fertility improvement under different soil environments (physico-chemical properties) for maximizing the benefits of biochar applications and minimizing the potential environmental risk. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of poultry litter (PL) and poultry litter biochar (PLB) in ameliorating the fertility of acid soils through incubation and pot experiments. The soil was amended with different materials as follows; lime (1 g kg-1), PL (5, 10 and 15 g kg-1) and PLB (5, 10 and 15 g kg-1) along with control (non-amended). A pot experiment was also conducted using similar treatments to observe the responses of maize crop to the different amendments. The results indicated an increase in the pH and a decrease in exchangeable acidity in lime, PL and PLB amended soils. Lower soil pH, base cations and soil available phosphorus (P), and higher exchangeable acidity were found in control than the amended soils. Compared to PL and lime, PLB achieved greater increase rate in soil pH and reduction rate in soil exchangeable acidity with increased soil exchangeable base cations. An increase in soil available calcium (Ca) was observed in the lime treatment, while in PL and PLB treatments, there was an increase in soil available Ca, magnesium (Mg), potassium (K) and P. Application of the amendments increased availability of nitrogen (N), P, K, Ca and Mg relative to the control for maize in the pot experiment. When PL and PLB amendments were compared, it was found that the PLB was the best choice for the amelioration of acid soils as well as nutrient uptake by maize plants. It is suggested that application of PLB at the rate of 15 g kg-1 is suitable for maize growth in acid soils.

Antioxidant activity of Nigella sativa Seeds Aqueous Extract and its use for cryopreservation of buffalo spermatozoa.

The free radical scavenging activity (RSA) of Nigella sativa extract and its efficiency for cryopreservation of buffalo spermatozoa was investigated. In experiment 1, Nigella sativa extract was prepared and evaluated for RSA using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl assay. The results showed increased pattern of RSA at 1%-5% of Nigella sativa extract. In experiment 2, buffalo semen from three bulls (24 ejaculates) was incubated at 0%, 0.1%, 0.3%, 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5% and 6% extract to assess in vitro tolerability to Nigella sativa in terms of progressive motility (PM). Buffalo spermatozoa showed tolerance to all levels; rather, sperm PM was increased at 1%-4% extract. In experiment 3, semen from three bulls (24 ejaculates) was cryopreserved with 0%, 1%, 2%, 3%, 4% and 5% of Nigella sativa extract. Sperm PM and plasma membrane integrity (PMI) were evaluated after dilution and cooling, while PM, PMI, viability and DNA integrity were evaluated after thawing. Nigella sativa extract at 4% in extender improved (p < .05) post-dilution, post-cooling and post-thaw sperm quality. In conclusion, Nigella sativa extract at all concentrations (1%-6%) showed antioxidant activity and its supplementation at 4% in extender improved buffalo sperm quality at all stages of cryopreservation.

Evaluation of α-linolenic acid for freezability and in vivo fertility of Nili Ravi (Bubalus bubalis) buffalo semen.

Alpha linolenic acid (ALA) is integral component of cell membrane that protects the cell in stressful events and involves in many metabolic pathways. It was hypothesized that ALA have the ability to protect the structural and functional integrity of buffalo spermatozoa during freeze-thawing. Therefore, study was designed to evaluate ALA supplementation (0, 5, 10 and 20 ng/mL) in extender on freezability and in vivo fertility of buffalo bull spermatozoa. Semen from three adult Nili-Ravi buffalo bulls of similar age was collected with artificial vagina (42 °C) for five weeks (replicates; N = 30). Qualified semen ejaculates (>1 mL volume, >60% motility; >0.5 billion/mL concentration) were diluted with tris-citric acid extender containing 0.0 (control), 5.0, 10.0 and 20.0 ng/mL ALA at 37 °C and cryopreserved following established protocol. Sperm motility and plasma membrane integrity were recorded higher (P < 0.05) in extender containing 5.0 ng/mL of ALA compared to control. Nevertheless, sperm viability, live dead ratio and chromatin integrity were observed higher (P < 0.05) in all experimental extenders with ALA compared to control. The number of abnormal sperm reduced significantly in all experimental extenders having ALA. A total of 539 artificial inseminations were performed with the best evolved extender having ALA (5.0 ng/mL; 272 inseminations) and control (267 inseminations). In vivo fertility rates of buffalo semen were recorded higher (P < 0.05) with extender containing ALA (5.0 ng/mL) (58%) compared to control (46%). In conclusion, supplementing 5.0 ng/mL ALA in extender improved the post-thaw quality and in vivo fertility of cryopreserved Nili-Ravi buffalo bull semen.

Cryopreservation Of Nili-Ravi Buffalo Bull Sperm in Cryodiluent Supplemented with Lolium perenne Protein Preparations.

BACKGROUND: Semen from the Nili-Ravi buffalo bull, Bubalus bubalis, shows poor survival after freeze storage compared to bovine (Bos taurus and Bos indicus) semen. Freeze-susceptibility distinctions in these two genera have been attributed to differences in sperm membranes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We measured the impact of protein preparations derived from a frost-resistant perennial grass, Lolium perenne, with ice recrystallization inhibition activity on the low temperature storage of B. bubalis semen. RESULTS: When the L. perenne preparations (0.1, 1, 10 µg/mL) were added to buffalo semen [2 ejaculates per bull (N=3) per replicate (r=3)] in Tris-citrate extender (50×106sperm mL-1), there was no impact on semen quality, as measured by sperm motility and plasma membrane integrity, after storage at 4 degree C (P>0.05). However, when semen supplemented with the grass proteins (0.1 and 1 µg mL-1) was evaluated after freezing and storage in liquid nitrogen for 24 h, post-thaw sperm progressive motility and plasma membrane integrity was higher (P<0.05) than in control samples. Post-thaw sperm viability and sperm acrosome integrity was similar (P > 0.05) to controls. CONCLUSION: The improvement in cryopreserved buffalo sperm progressive motility and plasma membrane integrity suggests that the use of these easily-made preparations may improve fertility after cryopreservation and offers the prospect of improved conception rates after artificial insemination with cryopreservation.

In Vitro Determination of Minimum Inhibitory Concentration of Aqueous Garlic Extract and Imipenem against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli.

An interventional study was performed to determine and compare the MICs of aqueous garlic extract (AGE) and Imipenem against standard strains of Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 & Eschericha coli ATCC 25922. The study was conducted in Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics in collaboration with Department of Microbiology, Mymensingh Medical College, Mymensingh, Bangladesh from July 2014 to January 2015. The MIC of AGE and antibiotic Imipenem were determined with the help of broth dilution method. The MIC of AGE was determined as 400µg/ml and 700µg/ml against Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli respectively and the MIC of Imipenem was 1µg/ml against Staphylococus aureus and 1.5µg/ml against Escherichia coli. The MICs of Imipenem was much lower in comparison to MICs of AGE for the test organisms. The subculture study showed the same results with that of the primary isolates. From the study it was clearly observed that AGE have anti bacterial effect but is not potent like antibiotic Imipenem. In this regard active ingredient present in garlic needs to be separated & purified for further study.

An evaluation of serum magnesium status in pre-eclampsia compared to the normal pregnancy.

Pre-eclampsia is a disease which causes significant maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality, especially in the developing countries. Despite numerous studies, the etiology of pre-eclampsia has not yet been fully elucidated. Although several evidences indicate that various elements such as serum Magnesium, Calcium etc. might play an important role in pre-eclampsia. The present study prospectively determines and evaluate whether maternal serum levels of magnesium has any association with pre-eclampsia or not. It was a cross sectional study carried out in the Department of Biochemistry, Mymensingh Medical College from July 2009 to June 2010. A total of 108 subjects were selected with the duration of pregnancy from 28th week of gestation to term of which 42 were normal pregnant women (as control) and 66 were pre-eclamptic (34 with mild and 32 with severe preeclampsia) admitted in the Obstetrics and Gynaecology department of Mymensingh medical college hospital. Serum Magnesium level was determined in the laboratory by colorimetric method using recommended commercial kit. Student's unpaired t-test was used to see the statistical significance of the difference between the mean values of the estimated parameters. The mean serum levels of Magnesium in normal pregnant group was 1.91±0.08mg/dl, mild pre-eclamptic group was 1.8±0.11mg/dl,and in severe pre-eclamptic group was 1.75±0.10mg/dl. The mean serum Magnesium of women with mild pre-eclampsia as well as severe pre-eclampsia was significantly (p<0.001) decreased in comparison to that of the control. A significant (p<0.05) decrease in serum magnesium was also found in subject with severe pre-eclamptic compared to that of the mild pre-eclamptic. So, these results indicate that reduction in serum levels of magnesium during pregnancy might be a possible contributor in the etiology of pre-eclampsia and supplementation of this element as diet or drugs may be of value to prevent pre-eclampsia.

Soya-lecithin in extender improves the freezability and fertility of buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) bull spermatozoa.

Egg yolk is routinely used as a cryoprotectant in semen extenders. However, it may contain cryoprotective antagonists, and there are hygienic risks associated with its use. Proteins of plant origin, like soya-lecithin, lack these hazards. The aim of this study was to use soya-lecithin as a cryoprotectant in extender and to investigate its effects on in vitro quality and in vivo fertility of buffalo semen. Semen from three buffalo bulls was frozen in tris-citric extender containing 5.0%, 10% or 15% soya-lecithin or 20% egg yolk. Sperm motility, plasma membrane integrity and viability were assessed post-dilution, pre-freezing and post-thaw. In Post-dilution and pre-freezing, the values for motility, plasma membrane integrity and viability remained higher (p ≤ 0.05) in extenders containing 10% soya-lecithin and control compared with extender containing 5% and 15% soya-lecithin. However, motility, plasma membrane integrity and viability were higher (p < 0.05) in extender containing 10% soya-lecithin compared with control and extenders containing 5% and 15% soya-lecithin. Semen from two buffalo bulls was frozen in tris-citric extender containing either 10% soya-lecithin or 20% egg yolk. Higher (p < 0.05) fertility rate was recorded in buffaloes inseminated with semen containing 10% soya-lecithin (56%) compared with 20% egg yolk (41.5%). The results suggest that 10% soya-lecithin in extender improves the freezability and fertility of buffalo bull spermatozoa and can be used as an alternate to egg yolk in cryopreservation of buffalo semen.

Birthweight of the babies delivered by chronic energy deficient mothers in National Nutrition Program (NNP) intervention area.

An operational research was done to explore the effect of targeted food supplementation by comparing the birthweight of the babies of two areas (intervention & nonintervention). This record-based study was carried out in Kapasia and Savar upazila of Dhaka division, relying on the primary organizational data of 565 mothers. In the National Nutrition Program (NNP) area only fifty percent moderate to severe malnourished [Chronic Energy Deficiency (CED) II & III] mothers were preferably targeted for onsite food support while 34 of them managed to complete the full course. The mean (+/- SD) BMI of the supplemented mothers were lower (16.21 +/- 0.77) kg/m2, than non-supplemented mothers in Kapasia (17.14 +/- .82) kg/m2 and Savar 17.03 +/- 1.19) kg/m2 area. The mean (+/- SD) birth-weight for non NNP (Savar) category Mean (+/- SD) 2470+/- 366.03 grams, for NNP (Kapasia) non-supplemented group 2720.18 (+/- 368.63) grams and in Kapasia good supplemented group it was 2752.94 (+/- 344.86) grams. Supplemented and non-supplemented mothers of NNP mothers were four times more likely to deliver normal birthweight babies [odds ratio with 95%CI 3.84 (2.01, 7.34)] and [odds ratio with 95%CI 3.90 (2.17, 7.01)] than mothers of control area when adjusted for sociodemographic variables. Birth weight status improved with better CED levels. Birth weight adjusted for CED status, had no significant association with food supplementation. In this study, the basic findings were food supplementation could not increase birth-weight significantly as other effects contributed to improve birthweight were removed. As fully supplemented CED III mothers gave birth almost same weighted babies in comparison to the babies of CED I mothers; the recovery from the probability of being less weighted than the current status might be considered as a potential effect of food supplementation.

In vitro evaluation of liquid-stored buffalo semen at 5°C diluted in soya lecithin based extender (Bioxcell®), tris-citric egg yolk, skim milk and egg yolk-citrate extenders.

This study was designed to compare the quality of liquid-stored buffalo bull spermatozoa in soya lecithin based extender Bioxcell(®) (BIOX), milk (MILK), tris-citric egg yolk (TEY) and egg yolk-citrate (EYC) extender at 5°C. Semen was collected from five Nili-Ravi buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) bulls of 6-7 years of age with artificial vagina over a period of 3 weeks (two consecutive ejaculates once in a week). Semen ejaculates having more than 60% motility were pooled, split into four aliquots, diluted (37°C; 10 × 10(6) motile spermatozoa/ml), cooled from 37 to 5°C in 2 h (0.275°C/min) and stored for 5 days. Sperm motility, viability, plasma membrane integrity (PMI) and normal acrosomal ridge were studied at first, third and fifth day of storage. Higher values of progressive sperm motility (%), sperm viability (%), sperm PMI (%) and normal apical ridge (%) were observed in BIOX, MILK and TEY extenders at first, third and fifth day of storage than EYC extender. Progressive sperm motility, sperm viability and sperm PMI in BIOX(®) extender were not different from MILK and TEY extenders at 1st and third day storage period. However, at fifth day of storage, the values for these parameters remained significantly higher (p<0.05) in BIOX(®) compared with MILK, TEY and EYC extenders. At fifth day of storage, the semen quality parameters for Bioxcell(®) were comparable to those with MILK and TEY extenders at third day of storage. In conclusion, motility, viability and PMI of buffalo bull spermatozoa remained similar in Bioxcell(®) , milk and TEY extender at first and third days of storage at 5°C. Yet, the values for the aforementioned parameters in Bioxcell(®) were higher compared with milk, TEY and EYC extender at fifth day of storage at 5°C.

Control of coliform bacteria detected from diarrhea associated patients by extracts of Moringa oleifera.

The aims of this study were to determine the total population of coliform bacteria in the samples collected from diarrhea associated patients from the local area of Bangladesh and to examine the antibacterial efficacy of leaf extracts of Moringa oleifera (Moringaceae) against the isolated coliform bacteria. The coliform bacteria detected in these samples by some microbial-biochemical tests such as Escherichia coli, Shigella dysenteriae, Salmonella sp., Enterobacter sp., Klebsiella pneumoniae and Serratia marcescens. The total isolation rate of coliform bacterial species was ranged from 38.01-3.51%. At the concentration of 300 ig/disc, the organic extracts of hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of Moringa oleifera leaf exhibited a remarkable antibacterial effect against all the tested bacterial pathogens. The zones of inhibition against all the tested bacterial pathogens were found in the range of 8.0 to 23.2 mm, along with their respective minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values ranging from 62.5-1000 ig/mL. The results obtained in this study suggest that the extracts from Moringa oleifera leaf can be a source of natural antimicrobials with potential applications in pharmaceutical industry to control coliform bacteria.

Effect of oral zinc supplementation on the growth of preterm infants.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect of oral zinc supplementation on growth of preterm infants. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Dhaka Shisu Hospital (Tertiary care hospital). SUBJECTS: 100 appropriate for date preterm infants weighing between 1000 to 2500 g were randomized to receive zinc and multivitamin supplement (Group I; n=50) or only multivitamin supplement (Group II). INTERVENTION: Zinc supplementation was given 2mg/kg/day for 6 weeks along with multivitamin in Group I and only multivitamin to Group II. PRIMARY OUTCOME VARIABLE: Increment of weight and length. RESULTS: At enrollment, serum zinc (62.1 ± 12.4 ug/dL in Group I and 63.1 ± 14.6 ug/dL in Group II) and hemoglobin levels (14.9 ± 2.4 g/dL in Group I and 14.4 ± 1.7 g/dL in Group II) were almost similar in both groups. Serum zinc levels were in lower limit of normal range. After supplementation, serum zinc and hemoglobin levels were significantly higher in Group I (105 ± 16.5 ug/dL) than Group II (82.2 ± 17.4 ug/dL) (P<0.05). Weight, length and head circumference were comparable in both groups at enrollment. Significant differences in weight gain and increment in length were found in first and second follow up between two groups but OFC increments were not significant (P>0.05). Reduction of morbidity was apparent in zinc supplemented group. No serious adverse effect was noted related to supplementation therapy. CONCLUSION: Zinc supplementation for preterm low birth weight babies is found effective to enhance the growth in early months of life.

Role of vitamin E supplementation on serum levels of copper and zinc in hemolytic anemic patients with G6PD deficiency.

Vitamin E scavenges free radicals and may prevent destruction of RBC in Glucose6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficient hemolytic anemia, where changes in copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) may act as additional contributory factors for hemolysis. In the present study changes in serum Cu and Zn and role of vitamin E supplementation on these changes were observed in hemolytic anemic patients with G6PD deficiency. This study was conducted in the Department of Physiology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka during July 2005-June 2006. For this, 102 subjects with age ranged 5-40 years of both sexes were included in the study. Among them 68 were G6PD deficient patients, of whom 34 were in supplemented group and 34 were non-supplemented group. The supplemented group received vitamin E for 60 consecutive days at a dose of 800 IU/day for adult and 400 IU/day for children < or =12 years (4 times daily). Age and sex matched 34 apparently healthy subjects with normal G6PD level were taken to observe the base line data (healthy control) and also for comparison. All the G6PD deficient patients were selected from the Out Patient Department (OPD) of Hematology, BSMMU, Dhaka, and all the healthy subjects from personal contact. Blood G6PD level was done by spectrophotometric method and serum Cu, Zn levels by atomic absorption spectrophotometric method. To observe the availability of binding proteins serum total protein, albumin, globulin and A:G ratio were done by standard laboratory techniques. All parameters were measured on day 1 of their 1st visit and also on day 60 in deficient groups. Data analysis was done by appropriate statistical method. Serum Cu was significantly (p<0.001) higher but serum Zn, total protein, albumin, A/G ratio were significantly (p<0.001) lower in G6PD deficient groups in comparison to those of healthy control on day 1. After vitamin E supplementation, values of these parameters were comparable with those of healthy control in supplemented group in comparison to those of their pre-supplemented and non-supplemented groups both on day 1 and day 60. So, vitamin E supplementation has got its effective role in restoration of normal serum concentration of Cu and Zn in this group of patients.

Serum zinc level in preterm low birth weight babies and its comparison between preterm AGA and preterm SGA babies.

Low birth weight (LBW) is a major child health problem in Bangladesh and continuing to great threat to child health and child survival in Bangladesh. LBW is a silent emergency but crisis is real and its persistence has profound and frightening impact on neonatal mortality. This observational study was conducted in Dhaka Shishu Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh during July 2004 to June 2005. Serum zinc levels were estimated between two groups: group-I preterm AGA (n=50), group II preterm SGA (n=50) babies. Blood samples were collected from the study population in neonatal unit and serum zinc levels were measured by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry in Atomic Energy Center, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Observed data were made comparison among groups by Students 't' test. It was observed serum zinc level (60.2+/-15.2) in group I and (62.1+/-12.4) in group II. Serum zinc level was in lower limit of normal range in both groups with more lower level in preterm AGA babies but their difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05). So zinc supplementation may enhance the growth of preterm LBW babies in their early months of lives.

Dexamethasone attenuates acute macromolecular efflux increase evoked by smokeless tobacco extract.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether dexamethasone attenuates the acute increase in macromolecular efflux from the oral mucosa elicited by an aqueous extract of smokeless tobacco (STE) in vivo, and, if so, whether this response is specific. Using intravital microscopy, we found that 20-min suffusion of STE elicited significant, concentration-related leaky site formation and an increase in clearance of fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled dextran (FITC-dextran; mol mass 70 kDa) from the in situ hamster cheek pouch (P < 0.05). This response was significantly attenuated by dexamethasone (10 mg/kg iv). Dexamethasone also attenuated the bradykinin-induced leaky site formation and the increase in clearance of FITC-dextran from the cheek pouch. However, it had no significant effects on adenosine-induced responses. Dexamethasone had no significant effects on baseline arteriolar diameter and on bradykinin-induced vasodilation in the cheek pouch. Collectively, these data indicate that dexamethasone attenuates, in a specific fashion, the acute increase in macromolecular efflux from the in situ oral mucosa evoked by short-term suffusion of STE. We suggest that corticosteroids mitigate acute oral mucosa inflammation elicited by smokeless tobacco.

Comparative efficacies of pivmecillinam and ampicillin in acute shigellosis.

The clinical efficacies of pivmecillinam and ampicillin were compared in a randomized double-blind trial in the treatment of acute shigellosis. Of 44 adult male patients, all culture positive for Shigella strains, 22 patients received 400 mg of pivmecillinam and 22 patients received 500 mg of ampicillin every 6 h. Both drugs were administered orally for 5 days. Four patients receiving ampicillin were infected with Shigella strains that were resistant to ampicillin but susceptible to pivmecillinam, and two patients receiving pivmecillinam were infected with Shigella strains resistant to both ampicillin and pivmecillinam. The mean duration of diarrhea in all patients receiving pivmecillinam was 3.3 days compared with 4.5 days in patients receiving ampicillin (P less than 0.05). When patients infected with the resistant strains were excluded, the mean duration of diarrhea in patients receiving pivmecillinam was 3.2 days compared with 4.1 days in patients receiving ampicillin. The patients infected with strains susceptible to both antibiotics had mean durations of fecal excretion of Shigella strains of 1.2 days for those treated with pivmecillinam and 1.4 days for those treated with ampicillin. The patients infected with organisms resistant to both drugs had longer durations of diarrhea and fecal excretion of Shigella strains. The results suggest that pivmecillinam is as effective as ampicillin and can be a useful drug for the treatment of shigellosis.