Assessment of subclinical left ventricular systolic dysfunction in patients with asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis with preserved left ventricular systolic function by three-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography.

OBJECTIVES: Left ventricular dysfunction and remodeling can occur as a result of aortic valve stenosis (AS). Three-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (3D-STE) can detect early left ventricular myocardial dysfunction even before ejection fraction declines. The purpose of this study was to look at the relationship between various myocardial strain parameters measured by 3D-STE in asymptomatic severe AS patients from Bangladesh. METHODS: This study included 46 patients with asymptomatic severe AS but preserved LV systolic function (mean age 50.11 ± 12.66 years, LVEF 63.78 ± 3.95%, AS group) and 33 healthy subjects with no cardiovascular disease (mean age 48.21 ± 4.53 years, LVEF 65.15 ± 3.13%, control group). 3D-STE was used to measure left ventricular global myocardial strain parameters such as peak systolic longitudinal strain (PSLS), circumferential strain, radial strain, and area strain. RESULTS: The AS group had significantly thicker interventricular septum and posterior ventricular wall than the control group (1.49 ± .19 cm vs. .81 ± .09 cm, p < .001; 1.73 ± 1.71 cm vs. .81 ± .10 cm, p = .003, respectively.) In the AS group, the Indexed Aortic Valve Area (AVA) was significantly lower than in the control group. (.29 ± .10 vs. 2.03 ± .18, p < .001, respectively). In terms of LVEF (p = .102), left ventricular end diastolic volume (p = .075), or left ventricular end systolic volume (p = .092), no significant inter-group difference was found. However, global PSLS (-10.75 ± 2.27 vs. -16.42 ± 2.76, p < .001), circumferential strain (-14.26 ± 3.40 vs. -16.64 ± 2.56, p = .001), area strain (-22.70 ± 4.19 vs. -26.45 ± 9.90, p = .024) and radial strain (32.20 ± 8.77 vs. 41.00 ± 7.52, p < .001) in the AS group were significantly lower than in the control group. CONCLUSION: Our findings showed reductions in left ventricular global myocardial strains, particularly PSLS in patients suffering from asymptomatic severe AS in Bangladesh; this is consistent with other studies. Reduced area strain, detectable with 3D-STE, is also consistent with that pattern.

Efficient carbon and nitrogen transfer from marine diatom aggregates to colonizing bacterial groups.

Bacterial degradation of sinking diatom aggregates is key for the availability of organic matter in the deep-ocean. Yet, little is known about the impact of aggregate colonization by different bacterial taxa on organic carbon and nutrient cycling within aggregates. Here, we tracked the carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) transfer from the diatom Leptocylindrus danicus to different environmental bacterial groups using a combination of 13C and 15N isotope incubation (incubated for 72 h), CARD-FISH and nanoSIMS single-cell analysis. Pseudoalteromonas bacterial group was the first colonizing diatom-aggregates, succeeded by the Alteromonas group. Within aggregates, diatom-attached bacteria were considerably more enriched in 13C and 15N than non-attached bacteria. Isotopic mass balance budget indicates that both groups showed comparable levels of diatom C in their biomass, accounting for 19 ± 7% and 15 ± 11%, respectively. In contrast to C, bacteria of the Alteromonas groups showed significantly higher levels of N derived from diatoms (77 ± 28%) than Pseudoalteromonas (47 ± 17%), suggesting a competitive advantage for Alteromonas in the N-limiting environments of the deep-sea. Our results imply that bacterial succession within diatom aggregates may largely impact taxa-specific C and N uptake, which may have important consequences for the quantity and quality of organic matter exported to the deep ocean.

Fimbristylis aestivalis Vahl: a potential source of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors.

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is an inducible enzyme that accelerates the biosynthesis of PGs during inflammation and has emerged as an important therapeutic target for anti-inflammatory drugs. Natural compounds may serve as a source of inspiration for pharmaceutical chemists and a foundation for developing innovative COX-2 inhibitors with fewer side effects. Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify the potent COX-2 inhibitor and anti-inflammatory activity of the Fimbristylis aestivalis whole plant extract (FAWE). The plant extract was found dominant with rosmarinic acid followed by catechin hydrate, syringic acid, rutin hydrate, (-) epicatechin, quercetin, myricetin, and catechol. FAWE exhibited considerable dose-dependent analgesic efficacy in all analgesic test models. FAWE also showed promising anti-inflammatory potential in carrageenan-induced inflammations in mice. This result was corroborated by molecular docking, revealing that the aforesaid natural polyphenols adopt the same orientation as celecoxib in the COX-2 active site. On the other hand, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were performed between the most abundant components (rosmarinic acid, catechin hydrate, and syringic acid) and COX-2. Based on hydrogen bonding, RMSD, RMSF, radius of gyration, PCA, and Gibbs free energy landscape analysis, the results demonstrated that these compounds are very stable in the active site of COX-2, indicating substantial COX-2 inhibitory activity.

Dynamic changes of mitral annulus in patients with degenerative mitral regurgitation and chronic atrial fibrillation undergoing mitral valve reconstruction.

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to assess structural and dynamic changes in the mitral annulus in patients before mitral valve reconstruction for degenerative mitral regurgitation with or without chronic atrial fibrillation. METHODS: One hundred and fifty one consecutive patients undergoing mitral valve reconstruction for mitral regurgitation due to myxomatous disease between July 2013 and May 2016 were included. Of these, 117 had a sinus rhythm (SR group) and 34 had chronic AF (AF group). Patients who underwent aortic surgery and were found to have no underlying cardiac valve disease nor coronary artery disease were included as the control group (n = 20). Real-time three-dimensional trans-esophageal echocardiography (3D-TEE) was used to assess mitral annulus shape, size, and movements. RESULTS: Annular areas in the control group were the smallest of the three groups and changed considerably through the cardiac cycle. Mean anteroposterior and intercommissural diameter measurements in the SR group were significantly larger but oscillated less than in the control group. Those diameters were the largest in the AF group and oscillated very little. Dilatation of the annulus in the AF and SR groups was accompanied by flattening and marked loss of oscillation in the height-to-intercommissural-width ratio which should peak in early systole. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with degenerative mitral regurgitation undergoing mitral valve surgery, preoperative chronic atrial fibrillation is associated with more progressed annular remodeling, characterized by marked enlargement of annular area, circumference, and anteroposterior diameter.

All That Glitters Is Not Grit: Three Studies of Grit in University Students.

The present research looked at the importance of the concept of grit in University students based on a mixed-method approach. Study 1 comprised 440 University students. All were given the Grit Scale, the Perceived Stress Scale, the short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale, the Office of National Statistics Well-being items and the Self-Control Scale. Levels of grit were significantly higher in female students, older students and postgraduates. Grit correlated highest with self-control. Study 2 looked at 340 University students. In addition to measuring self-control, mental well-being and grit, measures of resilience and mindsets were also added. A construct validity test of the Grit Scale showed that high grit scorers had significantly higher levels of self-control and mental well-being, were more resilient and were more likely to have a more growth oriented mindset. Grit varies with age and is most closely associated with the concept of self-control. The third study was a qualitative investigation with 10 successful graduates. Semi-structured interviews were coded using thematic analysis. Three broad themes emerged. The first, Passion and Perseverance, included themes of having short and long terms goals, resilience, dedication, and endurance. The second, Self-Control, included time management, self-awareness, prioritizing tasks and knowing strengths and weaknesses. The third theme identified was Positive Mindsets. This included having a positive attitude toward learning, the importance of feedback and constructive criticism and that success is not materialistic. The qualitative research has helped "unpack" concepts from the grit research and may enable University tutors to guide students better. Though these studies were only conducted in one English University, they have been stepping stones in our quest to discover what are the most important factors in determining student academic success? The development and piloting of our new Uni-Stride Scale, is the next step in this process.

Transcript profiling of two potato cultivars during glycoalkaloid-inducing treatments shows differential expression of genes in sterol and glycoalkaloid metabolism.

Steroidal glycoalkaloids (SGA) are sterol-derived neurotoxic defence substances present in several members of the Solanaceae. In the potato (Solanum tuberosum), high SGA levels may render tubers harmful for consumption. Tuber SGA levels depend on genetic factors, and can increase as a response to certain stresses and environmental conditions. To identify genes underlying the cultivar variation in tuber SGA levels, we investigated two potato cultivars differing in their SGA accumulation during wounding or light exposure; two known SGA-inducing treatments. Using microarray analysis coupled to sterol and SGA quantifications, we identified a small number of differentially expressed genes that were associated with increased SGA levels. Two of these genes, encoding distinct types of sterol Δ24-reductases, were by sense/antisense expression in transgenic potato plants shown to have differing roles in sterol and SGA metabolism. The results show that an increased SGA level in potato tubers during both wounding and light exposure is mediated by coordinated expression of a set of key genes in isoprenoid and steroid metabolism, and suggest that differences in this expression underlie cultivar variations in SGA levels. These results may find use within potato breeding and quality assessment.

Seasonal variation in nifH abundance and expression of cyanobacterial communities associated with boreal feather mosses.

Dinitrogen (N2)-fixation by cyanobacteria living in symbiosis with pleurocarpous feather mosses (for example, Pleurozium schreberi and Hylocomium splendens) represents the main pathway of biological N input into N-depleted boreal forests. Little is known about the role of the cyanobacterial community in contributing to the observed temporal variability of N2-fixation. Using specific nifH primers targeting four major cyanobacterial clusters and quantitative PCR, we investigated how community composition, abundance and nifH expression varied by moss species and over the growing seasons. We evaluated N2-fixation rates across nine forest sites in June and September and explored the abundance and nifH expression of individual cyanobacterial clusters when N2-fixation is highest. Our results showed temporal and host-dependent variations of cyanobacterial community composition, nifH gene abundance and expression. N2-fixation was higher in September than June for both moss species, explained by higher nifH gene expression of individual clusters rather than higher nifH gene abundance or differences in cyanobacterial community composition. In most cases, 'Stigonema cluster' made up less than 29% of the total cyanobacterial community, but accounted for the majority of nifH gene expression (82-94% of total nifH expression), irrespective of sampling date or moss species. Stepwise multiple regressions showed temporal variations in N2-fixation being greatly explained by variations in nifH expression of the 'Stigonema cluster'. These results suggest that Stigonema is potentially the most influential N2-fixer in symbiosis with boreal forest feather mosses.

N2-fixation, ammonium release and N-transfer to the microbial and classical food web within a plankton community.

We investigated the role of N2-fixation by the colony-forming cyanobacterium, Aphanizomenon spp., for the plankton community and N-budget of the N-limited Baltic Sea during summer by using stable isotope tracers combined with novel secondary ion mass spectrometry, conventional mass spectrometry and nutrient analysis. When incubated with (15)N2, Aphanizomenon spp. showed a strong (15)N-enrichment implying substantial (15)N2-fixation. Intriguingly, Aphanizomenon did not assimilate tracers of (15)NH4(+) from the surrounding water. These findings are in line with model calculations that confirmed a negligible N-source by diffusion-limited NH4(+) fluxes to Aphanizomenon colonies at low bulk concentrations (<250 nm) as compared with N2-fixation within colonies. No N2-fixation was detected in autotrophic microorganisms <5 µm, which relied on NH4(+) uptake from the surrounding water. Aphanizomenon released about 50% of its newly fixed N2 as NH4(+). However, NH4(+) did not accumulate in the water but was transferred to heterotrophic and autotrophic microorganisms as well as to diatoms (Chaetoceros sp.) and copepods with a turnover time of ~5 h. We provide direct quantitative evidence that colony-forming Aphanizomenon releases about half of its recently fixed N2 as NH4(+), which is transferred to the prokaryotic and eukaryotic plankton forming the basis of the food web in the plankton community. Transfer of newly fixed nitrogen to diatoms and copepods furthermore implies a fast export to shallow sediments via fast-sinking fecal pellets and aggregates. Hence, N2-fixing colony-forming cyanobacteria can have profound impact on ecosystem productivity and biogeochemical processes at shorter time scales (hours to days) than previously thought.

High cell-specific rates of nitrogen and carbon fixation by the cyanobacterium Aphanizomenon sp. at low temperatures in the Baltic Sea.

Aphanizomenon is a widespread genus of nitrogen (N2)-fixing cyanobacteria in lakes and estuaries, accounting for a large fraction of the summer N2-fixation in the Baltic Sea. However, information about its cell-specific carbon (C)- and N2-fixation rates in the early growth season has not previously been reported. We combined various methods to study N2-fixation, photosynthesis and respiration in field-sampled Baltic Sea Aphanizomenon sp. during early summer at 10°C. Stable isotope incubations at in situ light intensities during 24 h combined with cell-specific secondary ion mass spectrometry showed an average net N2-fixation rate of 55 fmol N cell(-1) day(-1). Dark net N2-fixation rates over a course of 12 h were 20% of those measured in light. C-fixation, but not N2-fixation, was inhibited by high ambient light intensities during daytime. Consequently, the C:N fixation ratio varied substantially over the diel cycle. C- and N2-fixation rates were comparable to those reported for Aphanizomenon sp. in August at 19°C, using the same methods. High respiration rates (23% of gross photosynthesis) were measured with (14)C-incubations and O2-microsensors, and presumably reflect the energy needed for high N2-fixation rates. Hence, Aphanizomenon sp. is an important contributor to N2-fixation at low in situ temperatures in the early growth season.

Modeling the Effect of pH and Temperature for Cellulases Immobilized on Enzymogel Nanoparticles.

Production costs of cellulosic biofuels can be lowered if cellulases are recovered and reused using particulate carriers that can be extracted after biomass hydrolysis. Such enzyme recovery was recently demonstrated using enzymogel nanoparticles with grafted polymer brushes loaded with cellulases. In this work, cellulase (NS50013) and ß-glucosidase (Novozyme 188) were immobilized on enzymogels made of poly(acrylic acid) polymer brushes grafted to the surface of silica nanoparticles. Response surface methodology was used to model effects of pH and temperature on hydrolysis and recovery of free and attached enzymes. Hydrolysis yields using both enzymogels and free cellulase and ß-glucosidase were highest at the maximum temperature tested, 50 °C. The optimal pH for cellulase enzymogels and free enzyme was 5.0 and 4.4, respectively, while both free ß-glucosidase and enzymogels had an optimal pH near 4.4. Highest hydrolysis sugar concentrations with cellulase and ß-glucosidase enzymogels were 69 and 53 % of those with free enzymes, respectively. Enzyme recovery using enzymogels decreased with increasing pH, but cellulase recovery remained greater than 88 % throughout the operating range of pH values less than 5.0 and was greater than 95 % at pH values below 4.3. Recovery of ß-glucosidase enzymogels was not affected by temperature and had little impact on cellulase recovery.

Impact of enzyme loading on the efficacy and recovery of cellulolytic enzymes immobilized on enzymogel nanoparticles.

Cellulase and ß-glucosidase were adsorbed on a polyacrylic acid polymer brush grafted on silica nanoparticles to produce enzymogels as a form of enzyme immobilization. Enzyme loading on the enzymogels was increased to a saturation level of approximately 110 µg (protein) mg(-1) (particle) for each enzyme. Enzymogels with varied enzyme loadings were then used to determine the impact on hydrolysis rate and enzyme recovery. Soluble sugar concentrations during the hydrolysis of filter paper and Solka-Floc with the enzymogels were 45 and 53%, respectively, of concentrations when using free cellulase. ß-Glucosidase enzymogels showed lower performance; hydrolyzate glucose concentrations were just 38% of those using free enzymes. Increasing enzyme loading on the enzymogels did not reduce net efficacy for cellulase and improved efficacy for ß-glucosidase. The use of free cellulases and cellulase enzymogels resulted in hydrolyzates with different proportions of cellobiose and glucose, suggesting differential attachment or efficacy of endoglucanases, exoglucanases, and ß-glucosidases present in cellulase mixtures. When loading ß-glucosidase individually, higher enzyme loadings on the enzymogels produced higher hydrolyzate glucose concentrations. Approximately 96% of cellulase and 66 % of ß-glucosidase were recovered on the enzymogels, while enzyme loading level did not impact recovery for either enzyme.

Conversion of exogenous cholesterol into glycoalkaloids in potato shoots, using two methods for sterol solubilisation.

Steroidal glycoalkaloids (SGA) are toxic secondary metabolites naturally occurring in the potato, as well as in certain other Solanaceous plant species, such as tomato, eggplant and pepper. To investigate the steroidal origin of SGA biosynthesis, cut potato shoots were fed cholesterol labelled with deuterium (D) in the sterol ring structure (D5- or D6-labelled), or side chain (D7-labelled), and analysed after three or five weeks. The labelled cholesterol and presence of D-labelled SGA were analysed by GC-MS and LC-MS/MS, respectively. When feeding D-labelled cholesterol solubilised in Tween-80, labelled cholesterol in free form became present in both leaves and stems, although the major part was recovered as steryl esters. Minor amounts of D-labelled SGA (α-solanine and α-chaconine) were identified in cholesterol-treated shoots, but not in blank controls, or in shoots fed D6-27-hydroxycholesterol. Solubilising the labelled cholesterol in methyl-ß-cyclodextrin instead of Tween-80 increased the levels of labelled SGA up to 100-fold, and about 1 mole% of the labelled cholesterol was recovered as labelled SGA in potato leaves. Both side chain and ring structure D labels were retained in SGA, showing that the entire cholesterol molecule is converted to SGA. However, feeding side chain D7-labelled cholesterol resulted in D5-labelled SGA, indicating that two hydrogen atoms were released during formation of the SGA nitrogen-containing ring system. Feeding with D7-sitosterol did not produce any labelled SGA, indicating that cholesterol is a specific SGA precursor. In conclusion, we have demonstrated a superior performance of methyl-ß-cyclodextrin for delivery of cholesterol in plant tissue feeding experiments, and given firm evidence for cholesterol as a specific sterol precursor of SGA in potato.

Boreal feather mosses secrete chemical signals to gain nitrogen.

The mechanistic basis of feather moss-cyanobacteria associations, a main driver of nitrogen (N) input into boreal forests, remains unknown. Here, we studied colonization by Nostoc sp. on two feather mosses that form these associations (Pleurozium schreberi and Hylocomium splendens) and two acrocarpous mosses that do not (Dicranum polysetum and Polytrichum commune). We also determined how N availability and moss reproductive stage affects colonization, and measured N transfer from cyanobacteria to mosses. The ability of mosses to induce differentiation of cyanobacterial hormogonia, and of hormogonia to then colonize mosses and re-establish a functional symbiosis was determined through microcosm experiments, microscopy and acetylene reduction assays. Nitrogen transfer between cyanobacteria and Pleurozium schreberi was monitored by secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). All mosses induced hormogonia differentiation but only feather mosses were subsequently colonized. Colonization on Pleurozium schreberi was enhanced during the moss reproductive phase but impaired by elevated N. Transfer of N from cyanobacteria to their host moss was observed. Our results reveal that feather mosses likely secrete species-specific chemo-attractants when N-limited, which guide cyanobacteria towards them and from which they gain N. We conclude that this signalling is regulated by N demands of mosses, and serves as a control of N input into boreal forests.

Effect of hemicellulase addition during enzymatic hydrolysis of switchgrass pretreated by soaking in aqueous ammonia.

The focus of this study was to determine the effect of supplementing cellulase with hemicellulase during enzymatic hydrolysis of switchgrass pretreated by soaking in aqueous ammonia (SAA) under a range of conditions. SAA was performed using 15% aqueous ammonia for 8 or 24h at temperatures of 40 or 60°C. The combined effect of cellulase and hemicellulase loadings on glucose yield during enzymatic hydrolysis was modeled for each pretreatment condition. Glucose yields greater than 85% of theoretical were achieved for pretreatment at 40°C for 24h and for 60°C for 8h. Hemicellulase supplementation was not sufficient to achieve these glucose yields at lower severity SAA pretreatment. High severity SAA pretreatment also led to low yields despite improved delignification.

Synthesis of hydroxylated sterols in transgenic Arabidopsis plants alters growth and steroid metabolism.

To explore mechanisms in plant sterol homeostasis, we have here increased the turnover of sterols in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) and potato (Solanum tuberosum) plants by overexpressing four mouse cDNA encoding cholesterol hydroxylases (CHs), hydroxylating cholesterol at the C-7, C-24, C-25, or C-27 positions. Compared to the wild type, the four types of Arabidopsis transformant showed varying degrees of phenotypic alteration, the strongest one being in CH25 lines, which were dark-green dwarfs resembling brassinosteroid-related mutants. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of extracts from wild-type Arabidopsis plants revealed trace levels of α and ß forms of 7-hydroxycholesterol, 7-hydroxycampesterol, and 7-hydroxysitosterol. The expected hydroxycholesterol metabolites in CH7-, CH24-, and CH25 transformants were identified and quantified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Additional hydroxysterol forms were also observed, particularly in CH25 plants. In CH24 and CH25 lines, but not in CH7 ones, the presence of hydroxysterols was correlated with a considerable alteration of the sterol profile and an increased sterol methyltransferase activity in microsomes. Moreover, CH25 lines contained clearly reduced levels of brassinosteroids, and displayed an enhanced drought tolerance. Equivalent transformations of potato plants with the CH25 construct increased hydroxysterol levels, but without the concomitant alteration of growth and sterol profiles observed in Arabidopsis. The results suggest that an increased hydroxylation of cholesterol and/or other sterols in Arabidopsis triggers compensatory processes, acting to maintain sterols at adequate levels.

A Comparative Study Between Laparoscopically Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy and Vaginal Hysterectomy: Experience in a Tertiary Diabetes Care Hospital in Bangladesh.

OBJECTIVE: The study was undertaken to compare the efficiency and outcome of Laparoscopic Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy (LAVH) and Vaginal Hysterectomy (VH) in terms of operative time, cost, estimated blood loss, hospital stay, quantity of analgesia use, intra- and postoperative complication rates and patients recovery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 500 diabetic patients were prospectively collected in the study period from January 2005 through January 2009. The performance of LAVH was compared with that of VH, in a tertiary care hospital. The procedures were performed by the same surgeon. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in terms of age, parity, body weight or uterine weight. The mean estimated blood loss in LAVH was significantly lower when compared with the VH group (126.5±39.8 ml and 100±32.8 ml), respectively. As to postoperative pain, less diclofenac was required in the LAVH group compared to the VH group (70.38±13.45 mg and 75.18±16.45 mg), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: LAVH, is clinically and economically comparable to VH, with patient benefits of less estimated blood loss, lower quantity of analgesia use, lower rate of intra- and postoperative complications, less postoperative pain, rapid patient recovery, and shorter hospital stay.

Deficiency of cellulase activity measurements for enzyme evaluation.

Switchgrass was used as a model feedstock to determine the influence of pretreatment conditions and biomass quality on enzymatic hydrolysis using different enzyme products. Dilute sulfuric acid and soaking in aqueous ammonia pretreatments were used to produce biomass with varied levels of hemicellulose and lignin sheathing. Pretreated switchgrass solids were tested with simple enzymatic hydrolysis and simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) with three commercial enzyme products: Accellerase 1000 (Genencor), Spezyme CP (Genencor)/Novozyme 188 (Novozymes), and Celluclast/Novozyme 188 (Novozymes). Enzymes were loaded on a common activity basis (FPU/g cellulose and CBU/g cellulose). Despite identical enzyme loadings, glucose yields were significantly different for both acid and alkaline pretreatments but differences diminished as hydrolysis progressed for acid-pretreated biomass. Cellobiose concentrations in Accellerase treatments indicated an initial beta-glucosidase limitation that became less significant over time. SSF experiments showed that differences in glucose and ethanol yields could not be attributed to enzyme product inhibition. Yield discrepancies of glucose or ethanol in acid pretreatment, alkaline pretreatment, and acid pretreatment/SSF were as much as 15%, 19%, and 5%. These results indicate that standardized protocols for measuring enzyme activity may not be adequate for assessing activity using pretreated biomass substrates.

Effect of carvedilol on adrenaline-induced changes in serum electrolytes in rat.

Circulating catecholamine that is increased in early phase of myocardial infarction alters serum electrolyte levels which might predispose to serious ventricular arrhythmias. In this study the effect of pretreatment of carvedilol on adrenaline-induced changes in the serum electrolytes (Mg2+, K+, Ca2+, Na+) was evaluated in rats. Adrenaline was administered at a dose of 2 mg/kg body weight subcutaneously 2 injections 24 hours apart and serum electrolytes were estimated at 12 hours, 24 hours and 7 days after the 2nd injection of adrenaline. Adrenaline administration initially caused hypomagnesemia, hypokalemia, hypocalcemia and hyponatremia, which were restored to normal spontaneously within 7 days. Pretreatment of carvedilol orally at a dose of 1 mg/kg body weight for 2 weeks significantly prevented initial reduction in serum electrolyte levels induced by adrenaline. It was concluded that prophylactic use of carvedilol might prevent the serious consequences of myocardial infarction as sudden cardiac death due to arrhythmia caused by electrolyte changes.

Health and socioeconomic effects of groundwater arsenic contamination in rural Bangladesh: new evidence from field surveys.

This report discusses the health and socioeconomic problems that have recently emerged in the Bangladesh countryside because of arsenic contamination of the groundwater. A survey found that men in rural households are generally found to be more susceptible to arsenicosis than women. The survey also indicated that villagers with lower annual income are more likely to experience arsenicosis. About 60 percent of the respondents indicated a willingness to pay up to a dollar of their monthly income for safe water. More than 70 percent of women were found to be willing to walk for five minutes to collect safe water. Awareness campaigns conducted over the last decade seem to have been effective for villagers. Overall, findings from the survey paint a picture of a gradually evolving social and health scenario in rural Bangladesh that health officials must heed to safeguard the public health of the rural public.

Newborn screening in Bangladesh.

Newborn screening started in Bangladesh in 1999. The programme started as part of a regional project of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to screen for congenital hypothyroidism (CH). In the beginning the IAEA helped the country with equipment, filter papers, reagents, training and expert services. Since 1999, 2 pilot projects to screen newborns for CH were completed. Under these projects some 30,000 newborns were screened and 16 were identified with hypothyroidism. The government of Bangladesh approved a national project in July 2006 to screen newborns in some selected areas of the country for CH. Under the project some 200,000 newborns will be screened and laboratory facilities for newborn screening will be increased. Bangladesh has a large population of about 140 million. With the current birth rate some 2 million new births take place every year. The socio-economic situation of the country is also different. Per capita income of the country is one of the lowest in the world. About 85% of babies are still delivered at home. As such newborn screening is a big challenge for Bangladesh. However, the country is trying to overcome these challenges.