Sabyasachi Sircar

A preliminary study on the influence of glutathione S transferase T1 (GSTT1) as a risk factor for late onset Alzheimer's disease in North Indian population

INTRODUCTION Oxidative stress plays key role in pathogenesis of Alzheimers disease. Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs), a family of phase-II isoenzymes, play a critical role in providing protection against electrophiles and products of oxidative stress. Among different classes of GSTs, GSTM1 (Mu) and GSTT1 (theta) are found to be genetically deleted which results in decreased expression of the concerned enzyme. This study aims at preliminary analysis of the frequency of deletion of GSTM1 and GSTT1 and their association with late-onset Alzheimers disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS In this study, association of the deletion type polymorphism of GST M1 and T1 as possible risk factors for dementia of Alzheimers type was studied in 50 patients and 100 controls. Dementia was diagnosed by Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) criteria, Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) scale. Genotyping was done by multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Associations between null genotype of either GSTM1 and GSTT1 or both with Alzheimers disease were analyzed by Chi-Square test. RESULTS Deletion of GSTT1 was found significantly associated with Alzheimers disease (χ(2)=5.08, p=0.02*). CONCLUSIONS The odds of Alzheimers disease in null GSTT1 is found to be increased by 2.47 times in comparison to positive GSTT1.

Role of uterine artery velocimetry using color-flow Doppler and electromyography of uterus in prediction of preterm labor

Aim:  To evaluate the role of Doppler waveforms of uterine vessels and electromyography (EMG) of the uterus in predicting preterm labor.

Effect of Sub Maximal Dynamic and Static Exercises on QTc interval in Healthy Young Men.

INTRODUCTION The QTc interval depends largely on cardiac repolarization since the duration of cardiac depolarization is fairly constant in the normal heart. QTc at rest as well as during exercise has many clinical implications. In this study, we have compared the relative effects of dynamic and static exercise on QTc. AIM To measure QTc interval in young men at rest and also assess how it is further modulated by submaximal dynamic and static exercises. MATERIALS AND METHODS This observational study was conducted in the Department of Physiology on 30 non-obese young men randomly selected from the students of our institute after obtaining the consent and institutional ethical clearance. Continuous blood pressure monitoring and ECG recording was done in the subjects. Baseline (pre-exercise), post submaximal dynamic (Harvards step test) and post submaximal static exercise (hand-grip exercise) recordings of ABP and ECG were taken for analysis. The measured QT interval was corrected for heart rate using the formula of Bazett et al., {QTc=QT/RR(1/2)}.Statistical analysis was done using Graph pad Prism 5 software (California, USA). The baseline and post-exercise data were compared using paired t-test. A p<0.05 was taken to be statistical significant. RESULTS There were statistically significant increases in HR, SBP, DBP and QTc interval after dynamic exercise in comparison to the baseline values (p<0.05). Significant increase in HR (p<0.05) with no significant change in QTc and other cardiovascular parameters were recorded following static exercise (p>0.05). CONCLUSION Significant increase in QTc interval was observed after dynamic exercise, however, no change in QTc was observed following static exercise, and hence we conclude that static exercises may not be useful in assessing the cardiovascular status of an individual or in predicting cardiovascular events.

Polymorphism of glutathione-s-transferase (GSTM1 and T1) in dementia of Alzheimer's type in North Indian population: A preliminary study

University School of Medicine, Suwon, Republic of Korea; Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon, Republic of Korea; MunGyeong Jeil Hospital, Mungyeong-si, Republic of Korea; Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam-si, Republic of Korea. Contact e-mail: maumom@gmail.com

Anatomy through serial stereo-schemata: a holistic approach

Serial stereo-schemata is an innovative instructive aid in anatomy which prioritizes the elucidation of the broad anatomic relationships. It blends four key elements: schematic conversion, three-dimensional illustration, holistic representations and serial sequences. The following work relates to a concise series of 15 plates depicting the gross anatomy of the central nervous system. Preliminary survey suggests that the method is likely to find favour with those needing a quick recapitulation of the subject.