Subjects Of Same Age Group Research Articles

A comparative study of lung functions in non-smoker COPD patients from various localities with healthy subjects

Background & Objectives: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is the illness with airflow obstruction caused by emphysema, chronic bronchitis, or a combination of both the disorders. It is the third leading cause of death worldwide. Between 20 and 40% of all COPD patients across the globe are never smokers. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs) in non-smoker COPD patients and compare their results with normal healthy subjects. The study also intended to check the variations in lung function of COPD patients living in urban & rural areas.
 Materials & Methods: The study was conducted by performing PFTs in 50 non-smoker COPD patients (28 from urban & 22 from rural areas) & comparing them with 50 non-smoker healthy subjects of same age group excluding ex-smokers. Various parameters of PFTs like FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, PEFR & MVV were assessed & compared. For statistical data analysis unpaired t-Test was applied.
 Results: The mean values of PFT parameters such as FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, PEFR & MVV are very significantly differed between COPD patients & healthy subjects (p<0.01). Although the data is not statistically significant between total COPD patients, urban & rural COPD patients, mean values of above PFT parameters are higher in total COPD patients than urban while higher in rural compared to total COPD patients (p>0.05). The mean values of above PFT parameters are not significant statistically between urban & rural COPD patients (p>0.05).
 Conclusion: The study indicates that as compared to normal subjects, in patients of COPD there is great reduction in mean values for FVC, FEV1, PEFR, FEV1/FVC%, & MVV irrespective of their residing location which is suggestive of an increase air way obstruction with reduced values of various PFT parameters. The study also shows that there is no significant difference in mean values of various parameters between urban & rural areas.

STUDY OF ASSOCIATION OF RESISTIN AND LEPTIN WITH THYROID HORMONES IN HYPOTHYROID PATIENTS

Objective:The present study was aimed to evaluate the levels of resistin and leptin in hypothyroid patients and to find a possible association of thyroid hormones with resistin and leptin. Material and Methods:The present study was conducted on 100 previously diagnosed hypothyroid (PDH) patients (38 Males & 62 Females) and 100 newly diagnosed hypothyroid (NDH) patients (44 Males & 56 Females) attending the outpatient clinics or admitted in wards of J.L.N. Hospitals, Ajmer. 100 healthy control subjects of same age group of either gender were selected for the study. Blood samples were drawn from patients and controls, after overnight fast of at least 8 hours. Estimation of Serum Leptin, Resistin, free T3, free T4, and TSH was done by using Enzyme- Linked Immunosorbant Assay (ELISA) technique. Differences in the parameters among the groups were analyzed by ANOVA test followed by its Tukey HSD post hoc analysis. Correlations between variables were tested using the Pearson rho (r: Correlation coefficient) correlation test. Results:Findings of the present study shows that the levels of serum fT3 (1.79 ± 0.29 pg/mL) and serum fT4 (0.34 ± 0.11 ng/dL) were significantly lower in NDH group compared to PDH group (fT3 = 3.00 ± 0.32 pg/mL & fT4 = 0.81 ± 0.15 ng/dL) and control group (fT3 = 3.12 ± 0.31 pg/mL & fT4 = 0.85 ± 0.11ng/dL) whereas serum TSH levels were significantly higher in NDH group (40.59 ± 13.55 μIU/mL) compared to PDH group (5.34 ± 1.47 μIU/mL) and control group (3.23 ± 1.04 μIU/mL) [Table 1 Figure 1]. Serum leptin levels were significantly higher in NDH group (21.37 ± 6.44 ng/mL) compared to PDH group (16.51 ± 4.47 ng/mL) and control group (11.15 ± 5.29 ng/mL) [Table 2]. A highly significant variation (p<0.0001) in the levels of serum leptin was found between the groups. Serum resistin levels were significantly higher in NDH group (14.50 ± 2.72 ng/mL) compared to PDH group (11.33 ± 1.59 ng/mL) and control group (7.78 ± 1.19 ng/mL) [Table 2]. Highly Significant difference (p<0.0001) in resistin levels was found between the groups. Conclusion: It was suggested that thyroid dysfunction does not affect the leptin levels and also thyroid hormones were not involved in the synthesis and secretion of leptin. Further studies are required to gain more insight into the relationship between leptin and thyroid dysfunction. Resistin shows a significant correlation with thyroid hormones which indicate that serum resistin might be considered as a confirmation extra test for the early detection of atherosclerosis and atherosclerosis induced conditions in hypothyroid patients.

Study of Parasympathetic Activity in Newly Diagnosed Patients of Moderate Depression Using High Frequency of HRV

Introduction: - Heart Rate Variability (HRV) is a noninvasive technique to measure parasympathetic activities of heart. In this study, we measured the Parasympathetic activity in newly diagnosed patients of moderate depression by High Frequency (HF) parameter of HRV.Depression is the leading cause of mental disability and by the year 2020, depression is projected to reach 2nd place of the ranking of disease disability-adjusted life year (DALY). Objective: Parasympathetic activity in newly diagnosed patients of moderate depression. Method:- this study was planned on 40 newly diagnosed male patients of moderate depression according to ICD-10 (the international classification of diseases-10) taken from department of Psychiatry PGIMS Rohtak and 40 healthy males subjects of same age group. High Frequency (HF) parameter of HRV was recorded by using RMS polyrite machine. Result: - The HF (ms 2 ) component in frequency domain of HRV in patients of moderate depression in group II (166.55±41.48) compared to normal subject in group I (179.48±41.68) which reduced but not significantly. The HF expressed in normalized unit (HFnu) and group II (35.30±12.58) were compared to Group I (38.74±1276) and (Table 5) which reduced but not significantly. And HF expressed in power percent (HFpp) and values of group II (18.83±5.04) were compared to the Group I (20.58±5.02), the reduction was not significant. Conclusion:-We found that Parasympathetic activity was not reduced significantly in patients of moderate depression. So the parasympathetic activity is not a problem to cause cardiac disease in patients of moderate depression.

Electrodiagnostic (EDX) Predictors of Sensory Neuropathy in Primary Hypothyroidism and its Association with Age and Body Mass Index (BMI): A Cross Sectional Study

Introduction: - Heart Rate Variability (HRV) is a noninvasive technique to measure parasympathetic activities of heart. In this study, we measured the Parasympathetic activity in newly diagnosed patients of moderate depression by High Frequency (HF) parameter of HRV. Depression is the leading cause of mental disability and by the year 2020, depression is projected to reach 2nd place of the ranking of disease disability-adjusted life year (DALY). Objective: Parasympathetic activity in newly diagnosed patients of moderate depression. Method:- this study was planned on 40 newly diagnosed male patients of moderate depression according to ICD-10 (the international classification of diseases-10) taken from department of Psychiatry PGIMS Rohtak and 40 healthy males subjects of same age group. High Frequency (HF) parameter of HRV was recorded by using RMS polyrite machine. Result: - The HF (ms2) component in frequency domain of HRV in patients of moderate depression in group II (166.55±41.48) compared to normal subject in group I (179.48±41.68) which reduced but not significantly. The HF expressed in normalized unit (HFnu) and group II (35.30±12.58) were compared to Group I (38.74±1276) and which reduced but not significantly. And HF expressed in power percent (HFpp) and values of group II (18.83±5.04) were compared to the Group I (20.58±5.02), the reduction was not significant. Conclusion:-We found that Parasympathetic activity was not reduced significantly in patients of moderate depression. So the parasympathetic activity is not a problem to cause cardiac disease in patients of moderate depression.

An Ascending Aortic Haemodynamic Comparison Between Normotensive and Hypertensive Subjects

<p><strong>Background:</strong> Systemic hypertension, a common disorder with potentially serious complications, exerts ill effects through structural and functional modifications of arterial wall. Haemodynamics play an important role in the development of atherosclerosis. Local hemodynamic temporal pressure and wall shear stress are important for understanding the mechanisms leading to various complications in cardiovascular function.</p><p><strong>Objectives:</strong> Since we could not find such a study in literature involving Indian population, this prompted us to investigate and establish the relationship between the blood pressure and the ascending aortic pulse wave parameters in normal individuals and compare the same with hypertensives.</p><p><strong>Material and Methods:</strong> A case control study was done in a tertiary care hospital involving 25 hypertensive parents and further compared with 25 normotensive subjects of same age group acting as control. The GE ̶ P 100 Doppler echocardiography machine was used to study acceleration time, deceleration time, ejection time, ejection fraction, peak flow velocity and pressure gradient in hypertensives and compared the same with age matched normotensive. Also ascending aortic diameter was mapped at the annulus.</p><p><strong>Results:</strong> The results of our study confirmed our assumption that in hypertensive the ascending aortic haemodynamic parameters are abnormal and both systolic and diastolic blood pressure does exert a statistically significant influence on the Doppler parameters of ascending aorta. The acceleration time, deceleration time, pressure gradient and ejection time showed statistically significant increase in hypertensives when compared to normotensive. At the same time the ejection fraction and the ascending aortic diameter showed a statistically significant decrease than normotensive.</p><p><strong>Conclusion:</strong> We would conclude to say that the Doppler parameters of ascending aortic blood flow are abnormal in hypertensives. This altered haemodynamics may lead to further ill effects by way of altered peripheral haemodynamics. This Doppler evaluation of ascending aortic blood flow can be developed as a clinical tool for evaluating hypertensives and assessing the benefit of treatment of hypertension.</p>

Plasma Free Fatty Acid as a Risk Factor for Cardiac Arrhythmias in Cases of Stable Angina and Acute Myocardial Infarction

Acute myocardial infarction carries a high mortality among cardiac patients. The discovery of the fact that certain enzymes like CPK, LDH liberated into circulation following necrosis of the myocardial cells came as boon for physicians and patients. There has been a constant search of different parameters for the diagnosis and management of Coronary Artery Diseases (CAD). The present study was undertaken to investigate a possible relation between the changes in plasma free fatty acid (FFA) concentration and incidence of cardiac arrhythmia in patients with coronary artery disease. Fifty cases (25 males and 25 females) of acute myocardial infarction were selected for the present study. All the patients were in the age group of 40–70 years. For the control group fifty (25 male and 25 female) subjects of same age group were selected from patient's relatives and friends. Plasma free fatty acid concentration was estimated by Titrametric method of Trout et al. (1960), a modified version of Dole (1956). Statistical Analysis: The statistical analysis of the data of the present study was done by using SPSS, version 14.0.1 was used. Our study showed that the patients with a striking elevation (above 1200 μeq/L) had an increased prevalence of serious arrhythmias and disorder of conduction. On the basis of present study, it is worth to say that in all cases with high level of serum free fatty acid should be closely monitored for early and timely detection of development of various cardiac arrhythmias.

Estimate the Levels of Copper in Serum Samples of Hepatitis C Patients at Different Stages after Interferon-α Therapy

In this study, we evaluated the copper (Cu) levels in serum samples of patients infected by hepatitis C virus (HCV) at different stages and examined the changes in its content before and after interferon α (IFN-α) therapy with related to healthy subjects. The 199 HCV patients of both genders at different stages including (acute, fibrosis and cirrhosis) were enrolled in this study, who have completed IFN-α treatment and were followed for at least 1 year after the end the therapy. We have also evaluated the changes in biochemical parameters before and after treatment. Blood samples were collected from patients before and after treatment of IFN-α therapy. For comparative purposes healthy subjects of same age group (30-50) were also selected. The trace level of Cu in serum samples was determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry after preconcentration by dual-cloud point extraction method. It was observed that after INF-α treatment the level of Cu in serum samples of HCV patients were reduced in decreasing order such as acute> fibrosis> cirrhosis.

Intra ocular pressure in normotensive and hypertensive subjects of same age group

Intra ocular pressure (IOP) is pressure exerted by aqueous humour. Aqueous humour maintains shape and nutrition of the eye ball. IOP is affected by various factors. Systemic hypertension affects formation and circulation of intra ocular fluid. Elevated IOP may lead to glaucoma and then to blindness. In this study intra ocular pressure and blood pressure were compared in normotensive and hypertensive subjects of same age group. 100 male and female subjects of age group 45- 55yrs with normal blood pressure and 100 male and female subjects of age group 45-55yrs with newly diagnosed hypertension were included in the study. IOP measured using Perkin’s applanation tonometer. Blood pressure measured in supine position. Statistical analysis was done by Pearson’s coefficient correlation and unpaired‘t’ test. Mean IOP recorded in both right and left eye was equal. IOP showed linear correlation with systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure. Mean IOP in hypertensive was more than mean IOP in normotensive subjects. Elevated systemic blood pressure is responsible for raised IOP which can progress to glaucoma. So to increase awareness regarding ocular complications of hypertension is important.

Distribution of Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, and Sodium Levels in Biological Samples of Pakistani Hypertensive Patients and Control Subjects

The abnormal metabolism of metal ions plays an important role in health and disease conditions, and studies about them have been attracting significant interest. The aim of our study was to assess the essential minerals (calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), and sodium (Na)) in biological samples (scalp hair, blood, urine) of 387 hypertensive males and females, age 30-60 years, in an urban population together with 439 non-hypertensive subjects of same age group and residential areas. The element concentrations were measured by means of an atomic absorption spectrophotometer after microwave-induced acid digestion. The validity and accuracy was checked by conventional wet acid digestion method and using certified reference materials. The overall recoveries of all elements were found in the range of 99.1-99.9% of certified values. The results indicated significantly lower levels of Ca, Mg, and K in the biological samples (blood and scalp hair) of hypertensive patients, when compared to controls of both genders. The level of Na was found to be high in biological samples of hypertensive patients as compared to controls. The deficiency of Ca, Mg, and K may be synergistic with risk factors associated with hypertension. These data present guidance to clinicians and other professionals who will be investigating the deficiency of essential micronutrients in biological samples (scalp hair and blood) of hypertensive patients.

Arsenic in water, food and cigarettes: A cancer risk to Pakistani population

Inorganic arsenic (iAs) in drinking water and food items has been associated with lung and bladder cancers in several countries including Pakistan. In present study water, food items were collected from Arsenic (As) endemic areas (southern part of Pakistan) during 2008–2012, to evaluate its impact on the health of local population. Exposure of As was checked by analyzing biological samples (blood and scalp hairs) of male lung and bladder cancer patients (smokers and non-smokers). For comparative purpose the healthy subjects of same age group and residential area as exposed referents (EXR) and from non-contaminated area (Hyderabad, Pakistan) as non-exposed referents (NER) were also selected. As concentration in drinking water, food and biological samples were analyzed using electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. The validation of technique was done by the analysis of certified reference material (CRM) of blood and hair samples. The As contents in drinking water and food were found 3–15-folds elevated than permissible limits, where as in biological samples; EXR have 2–3-folds higher than NER and cancer patients have 5–9-folds higher than NER. The significant difference was observed in smokers (P < 0.01). The outcomes of the study revealed that As levels were elevated in blood and scalp hair samples of both types of cancer subjects as compared to referents (P < 0.001). It was observed that the lung cancer patients (LCP) have 20–35% higher levels of As in both biological samples as compared to bladder cancer patients (BCP) due to smoking habit. This study has proved the correlation among As contaminated water, food and cigarette smoking between different types of cancer risks.

Distribution of Copper, Iron, and Zinc in Biological Samples of Pakistani Hypertensive Patients and Referent Subjects of Different Age Groups

The abnormal metabolism of metal ions plays an important role in health and disease conditions, and studies about them have been attracting significant interest. The aim of our study was to assess the trace metals (copper (Cu), iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn)) in biological samples (scalp hair, blood, urine) of 387 hypertensive males and females, age range 30 - 60 years, from an urban population and 439 non-hypertensive subjects of same age group and residential areas. The element concentrations were measured by means of an atomic absorption spectrophotometer after microwave-induced acid digestion. The validity and accuracy was checked by conventional wet acid digestion method, using certified reference materials. The overall recoveries of all elements were found in the range of 95.2 - 98.7 % of certified values. The results indicated significantly lower levels of Cu, Fe, and Zn in the biological samples (blood and scalp hair) of hypertensive patients when compared to referents of both genders while the levels of these elements was found to be high in urine samples of hypertensive patients as compared to referents. The deficiency of Cu, Fe, and Zn may be synergistic with risk factors associated with hypertension. These data present guidance to clinicians and other professionals who will be investigating the deficiency of essential micronutrients in biological samples (scalp hair, serum, and blood) of hypertensive patients.

An Ascending Aortic Haemodynamic Comparison between Normotensive and Hypertensive Subjects

Background : Systemic hypertension, a common disorder with potentially serious complications, exerts ill effects through structural and functional modifications of arterial wall. Haemodynamics play an important role in the development of atherosclerosis. Local hemodynamic temporal pressure and wall shear stress are important for understanding the mechanisms leading to various complications in cardiovascular function. Objectives : Since we could not find such a study in literature involving Indian population, this prompted us to investigate and establish the relationship between the blood pressure and the ascending aortic pulse wave parameters in normal individuals and compare the same with hypertensives. Material and methods : A case control study was done in a teritary care hospital involving 25 hypertensive patients and further compared with 25 normotensive subjects of same age group acting as control. The GE P 100 Doppler echocardiography machine was used to study acceleration time, deceleration time, ejection time, ejection fraction, peak flow velocity and pressure gradient in hypertensives and compared the same with age matched normotensive. Also ascending aortic diameter was mapped at the annulus. Results : The results of our study confirmed our assumption that in hypertensive the ascending aortic haemodynamic parameters are abnormal and both systolic and diastolic blood pressure does exert a statistically significant influence on the Doppler parameters of ascending aorta. The acceleration time, deceleration time, pressure gradient and ejection time showed statistically significant increase in hypertensives when compared to normotensive. At the same time the ejection fraction and the ascending aortic diameter showed a statistically significant decrease than normotensive. Conclusion : We would conclude to say that the Doppler parameters of ascending aortic blood flow are abnormal in hypertensives. This altered haemodynamics may lead to further ill effects by way of altered peripheral haemodynamics. This Doppler evaluation of ascending aortic blood flow can be developed as a clinical tool for evaluating hypertensives and assessing the benefit of treatment of hypertension.

Plasma Free Fatty Acid Concentrations as a Marker for Acute Myocardial Infarction

Acute myocardial infarction carries a high mortality among cardiac patients.The discovery of the fact that certain enzymes like CPK, LDH liberated into circulation following necrosis of the myocardial cells came as boon for physicians and patients. There has been a constant search of different parameters for the diagnosis and management of CoronaryArtery Diseases (CAD). The present study was undertaken to investigate a possible relation between the changes in plasma free fatty acid (FFA) concentration and acute myocardial infarction. Fifty cases (25 males and 25 females) of acute myocardial infarction were selected for the present study. All the patients were in the age group of 40-70 years. For the control group fifty (25 male and 25 female) subjects of same age group were selected from patient's relatives and friends. Plasma free fatty acid concentration was estimated by Titrametric method of Trout et al., (1960), a modified version of Dole (1956). The statistical analysis of the data of the present study was done by using SPSS, version 14.0.1 was used. Our study showed a significant increase in plasma FFA in the first 24 hours of acute myocardial infarction with subsequent normalisation on the 7th day.The difference between the first and the seventh day was statistically significant. The FFA were found raised in cases of acute myocardial infarction.On the basis of present study, it is worth to say that estimation of serum free fatty acid should be done routinely at the earliest opportunity in all cases of acute myocardial infarction.

Comparison of urinary iodide determination in female thyroid patients by two techniques

Iodine deficiency affects a substantial portion of the world’s population, provoking severe health problems as well as important economic losses to the region in which this condition is found. In present study, evaluated the levels of urinary iodide (UI) and thyroid hormone status in female hypothyroid patients (HPs) and control subjects of same age group 16–30 years. The UI in HPs was measured by means of a Potentiometric method after microwave-assisted acid digestion, and compared the results with those obtained by the Sandell-Kolthoff method. The validity and accuracy was checked by using certified reference materials. The significantly lower concentration of iodide in the urine samples of the female goiter patients were observed as compared to control/referents subjects (p < 0.001). Serum thyroid status thyroid stimulating hormone, free triiodothyronine and free thyroxin were significantly lower in female patients as compared to control females (p < 0.003). The proposed method was relatively rapid, precise, accurate, efficient, as well as cost effective by using inexpensive equipment.

Levels of Arsenic, Cadmium, Lead, Manganese and Zinc in Biological Samples of Paralysed Steel Mill Workers with Related to Controls

The determination of essential trace and toxic elements in the biological samples of human beings is an important clinical screening procedure. This study aimed to assess the possible effects of environmental exposure on paralysed male workers (n = 75) belonging to the production and quality control departments of a steel mill. In this investigation, the concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, lead, manganese and zinc were determined in biological samples (blood, urine and scalp hair samples) of exposed paralysis and non-paralysed steel mill workers. For comparative purposes, unexposed healthy subjects of same age group were selected as referents. The elements in the biological samples were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry prior to microwave-assisted acid digestion. The validity of the methodology was checked by the biological certified reference materials. The results indicate that the level understudy elements in all three biological samples were significantly higher in paralysed workers of both groups (quality control and production) as compared to referents (p < 0.01). The possible connection of these elements with the aetiology of disease is discussed. The results also show the need for immediate improvements of workplace ventilation and industrial hygiene practices.