Development of a heating reactor for a continuous flow-through application in urea measurement.

In most biochemical analyses, a flow-through heating arrangement is needed to reduce the reaction time or maintain a constant temperature. A rectangular reactor is described that is constructed of aluminium, is hollow inside and is filled with silicone oil. The glass coil through which the solution flows is immersed in the silicone oil. The heater, a Peltier-effect heat pump, on one side and the temperature sensor on the other side of the reactor body are embedded for heating and temperature control. The brief performance evaluation of the reactor is discussed by measuring the absorbance of urea concentration at different temperatures.

Development of a photometric system for continuous flow analysis.

Most chemical analyses carried out in a clinical laboratory are colorimetric. An improved photometric system is described where a tungsten lamp is the light source, a photo-diode is the detector and a microcontroller 8051 is used for processing and displaying absorbances. The performance characteristics of the instrument are reported. The parameters investigated are photometric linearity, precision and instrumental drift.

Development of a microprocessor-based biochemical sampler.

Modern medicine requires patients to be treated on the basis of precise data, which are often obtained from electronic equipment. An inexpensive and portable microprocessor-based sampler developed by the authors is described. It is comprised of the following units: sample plate assembly, probe-drive linkage system, wash fluid receptacle, timing system and 8085A microprocessor.

Blood lead in children and its determinants in Nagpur, India.

In a community-based cross-sectional study of 297 children aged 6 months to 6 years in an Indian city, the authors assessed the prevalence of elevated (> or = 10 microg/dL) blood lead (PbB) levels, their risk factors, and the lead contents in potential environmental sources. Mean PbB was 18.4 microg/dL +/- 16.5. The prevalence of elevated PbB was 67%. Anticipated risk factors for elevated PbB were living in houses painted with lead-based paint, odds ratio (OR) 6.42 (1.75, 23.6; p = 0.005), recent exposures to lead-based paint, OR 2.61 (1.07, 6.66; p = 0.03), and the use of the eye cosmetic ma," OR 2.63 (1.24, 5.56; p = 0.01). Unanticipated results were effect of upper caste as a risk factor, OR (adjusted) 1.85 (95% CI = 0.96, 3.57; p = 0.06), and the lack of effect of traffic, parental occupational exposure, or nutritional status. Analysis of various environmental sources such as paint, pencils, crayons, and clay revealed high lead levels. These results demonstrate the existence of a major environmental health problem in Indian children, with risk factors that differ from those in other countries.