Guruprasad Rao

Maternal and fetal indicators of oxidative stress during intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR)

The present study demonstrates the possibility of increased lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation in both maternal and fetal erythrocytes as markers of oxygen radical activity during intrauterine growth retardation. The erythrocyte MDA levels were significantly elevated in mothers of IUGR babies when compared to controls (p<0.01). The endogenous protein damage due to oxidative stress was significantly higher in IUGR mothers when compared to controls (p<0.05). Similarly the proteolytic activity in erythrocyte lysates against oxidatively damaged hemoglobin was significantly increased in mothers of IUGR babies compared to controls (p<0.001).In fetuses born with IUGR, both lipid peroxidation and proteolytic activity were significantly increased when compared to normal newborns (p<0.01).The result of this study indicates that oxidative stress was induced both in IUGR babies and their mothers which is manifested as increased lipid peroxidation and protein oxidant damage.

Seasonal Variations in Markers of Stress and Oxidative Stress in Rats

High ambient temperature has been reported to increase oxidative stress by increasing lipid peroxidation and decreasing antioxidant defence in transition dairy cows. It is also known to cause an increase in plasma cortisol levels in goats, European hedgehog and human volunteers. High levels of glucocorticoids have been reported to decrease blood glutathione and erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activity in rats. Although institutional animal houses in research laboratories of developed countries maintain animals in air-conditioned rooms at constant temperature, the same is not true of animal houses in the developing countries especially those belonging to smaller institutions and this could affect the results of the experiments being conducted on these animals. The present research study was done to assess the effects of seasonal variations on the status of erythrocyte oxidative damage, antioxidant defence and plasma cortisol levels in adult female Wistar rats. Rats were kept in their home cages and were left in non-air-conditioned procedure rooms in two different seasons, Hot season (March-May) and Cool season (June to September). Erythrocyte Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and plasma cortisol levels were significantly increased in rats exposed to high ambient temperature and humidity of the hot season as compared to the rats of the cool season. Erythrocyte reduced glutathione levels, erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities were significantly decreased in the hot season group of rats. The results of our experiments showed that exposure of adult female Wistar rats to high ambient temperature and humidity of the hot season increases neuroendocrine stress, oxidative stress and decreases antioxidant defence in them.

Effect of varying durations of pyramid exposure — an indication towards a possibility of overexposure

Miniature replicas modeled after the Great Pyramid of Giza are believed to concentrate geoelectromagnetic energy within their cavities and hence act as antistressors in humans and animals. Although there are not many reports of adverse effects of ‘overexposure’ in the pyramid, subjects have claimed to feel uneasy after certain duration of staying in the pyramid. The present study was aimed to analyze the effects of prolonged pyramid exposure on plasma cortisol level, markers of oxidative damage and antioxidant defense in erythrocytes of adult female Wistar rats. Rats were divided into three groups, normal controls (NC, n=6) that were maintained under standard laboratory conditions in their home cages, pyramid exposed group-2 (PE-2, n=6) & pyramid exposed group-4 (PE-4, n=6) where the rats were housed under the pyramid for 6 hours/day for 2 weeks and 4 weeks respectively. Plasma cortisol and erythrocyte TBARS levels were significantly lower in both PE-2 and PE-4 rats and erythrocyte GSH levels and GSH-Px activity were significantly higher in them as compared to the NC rats. There was no significant difference in the results for these parameters between the PE-2 and PE-4 rats except for erythrocyte GSH-Px activity which was significantly more in the PE-2 rats than in the PE-4 rats. Although these results don’t confirm any adverse effects of prolonged exposure in pyramids, they indicate a possibility of such adverse effects.

Audio–Visual Aid in Teaching “Fatty Liver”

Use of audio visual tools to aid in medical education is ever on a rise. Our study intends to find the efficacy of a video prepared on “fatty liver,” a topic that is often a challenge for pre‐clinical teachers, in enhancing cognitive processing and ultimately learning. We prepared a video presentation of 11:36 min, incorporating various concepts of the topic, while keeping in view Mayers and Ellaway guidelines for multimedia presentation. A pre–post test study on subject knowledge was conducted for 100 students with the video shown as intervention. A retrospective pre study was conducted as a survey which inquired about students understanding of the key concepts of the topic and a feedback on our video was taken. Students performed significantly better in the post test (mean score 8.52 vs. 5.45 in pre‐test), positively responded in the retrospective pre‐test and gave a positive feedback for our video presentation. Well‐designed multimedia tools can aid in cognitive processing and enhance working memory capacity as shown in our study. In times when “smart” device penetration is high, information and communication tools in medical education, which can act as essential aid and not as replacement for traditional curriculums, can be beneficial to the students.

Risk Awareness and Usage of Child Insurance Plan with Special Reference To HdfC Standard Life Insurance Company in India

Every asset has a value for its owner and also for those who are benefited with the existence of that asset. Insurance is concerned with the protection of economic value of assets. Every asset has normally an expected lifetime. During this period it is expected to perform and provide income/comfort to the owner. The owner being aware of this plans the things in such a way that by the time the expected lifetime of the asset expires he is ready with the funds required for its replacement. In this way he ensures that the value or income from the asset is not lost. Well, this appears to be a fine arrangement provided the asset completes its expected lifetime. All assets carry the risk of beingdestroyed or dam aged. But all assets may not necessarily get destroyed or damaged. Only in a few instances, the probability turns out to be true and the asset gets actually lost or destroyed by accident or some other unfortunate event before the completion of its expected life time. The owner and those deriving benefits from the asset will suffer because the arrangement to make available its substitute is not yet ready. Insurance is helpful in mitigating such adverse consequences. To sum, assets are insured as they are likely to be lost or made non functional through an accidental occurrence.