Serum uric acid,serum cholesterol and personality

This study investigated the relationship between serum uric acid concentrations, serum cholesterol and personality scores of the undergraduate students of Punjab University, Chandigarh, India. Two groups (Group A and Group B) of subjects were carefully selected on the basis of various criteria. They donated 5 ml of blood which was analyzed for uric acid and cholesterol concentrations. The Maudsley Personality Inventory was used to assess personality traits. Subject's extraversion scores were found to be related with their uric acid concentrations in Group B and in the Combined Group, even after controlling for the effect of cholesterol. Results have been discussed in terms of the nature of the biochemical variables involved. Further experimental research, involving subjects from different backgrounds, using different measures of personality, motivation and performance is suggested.     

A comparison of chelator-facilitated metal uptake by a halophyte and a glycophyte

Phytoextraction is the use of plants to remove contaminants, in particular metals, from soil via root uptake and translocation to the shoots. Efficient phytoextraction requires high-biomass plants with efficient translocating properties. Halophytes characteristically accumulate large quantities of salts in above ground tissue material and can have high biomass production. It has been speculated that salt-tolerant plants may also be heavy metal tolerant and, further, may be able to accumulate metals. This study compared growth and metal uptake by a halophyte, Atriplex nummularia, and a common glycophyte, Zea mays, in a mine-tailing contaminated soil:mulch mixture. Two chelators, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and rhamnolipid, were used to facilitate plant metal uptake. Despite a lower growth rate (2% growth/d) in the contaminated soil, the halophyte accumulated roughly the same amount of metals as the glycophyte on a mass basis (30-40 mg/kg dry wt). Neither plant, however, hyperaccumulated any of the metals tested. When treated with EDTA, specific differences in patterns of metal uptake between the two plants emerged. The halophyte accumulated significantly more Cu (2x) and Pb (1x) in the shoots than the glycophyte, but root metal concentrations were generally higher for the glycophyte, indicating that the halophyte translocated more metal from the root to the shoot than the glycophyte. For example, Zn shoot-to-root ratios ranged from 1.4 to 2.1 for Atriplex and from 0.5 to 0.6 for Z. mays. The biodegradable chelator rhamnolipid was not effective at enhancing shoot metal concentrations, even though radiolabeled chelator was found in the shoot material of both plants. Our results suggest that halophytes, despite their slower growth rates, may have greater potential to selectively phytoextract metals from contaminated soils than glycophytes.     

Safety of a new extensively hydrolysed formula in children with cow's milk protein allergy: a double blind crossover study

Background

Formulae for infants with cow's milk protein allergy (CMA) should be based on extensively hydrolysed protein. 'Extensively' however is not strictly defined. Differences in molecular weight and peptide chain length may affect its clinical outcome. We studied the safety of a new extensively hydrolysed casein based formula (Frisolac Allergycare^®: FAC) for children with IgE mediated CMA.

Methods

Thirty children, aged 1.5 – 14.8 years old (median 4.9 years) with persistent CMA were enrolled in this double-blind reference product (Nutramigen^®: NUT) controlled crossover study. All had positive skin prick tests (SPT) and IgE mediated allergy, showing immediate reactions after ingestion of small amounts of milk. Twenty-five children also had positive radio allergen sorbent tests (RAST) to cow's milk. Formulae provided consisted of 80% elementary formula in combination with 20% reference or test product. Crossover periods lasted for two weeks. From both products molecular weight (MALDI-TOF method and HPLC) and peptide chain length distribution (adapted Edman degradation) were determined.

Results

Maximum molecular weights of NUT and FAC are 2.1 and 2.56 kDa, respectively. The contribution of free amino acids and small peptides <0.5 kDa is 46% for FAC and 53% for NUT. About 50% of the protein fraction of both products consists of peptides longer than four amino acids. Three children did not complete the study. The other children all tolerated FAC very well; no adverse reactions were reported.

Conclusions

The new extensively hydrolysed casein-based formula (FAC) can safely be used in children with IgE mediated cow's milk allergy.

     

Functional outcomes of acrylic intraocular lenses in pediatric cataract surgery

PURPOSE: To evaluate the functional outcomes of in-the-bag implantation of acrylic intraocular lenses (IOLs) with posterior continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis (PCCC), without PCCC, with PCCC and anterior vitrectomy, and with PCCC and optic capture in pediatric cataract surgery. SETTING: Pediatric Ophthalmology Service, Guru Nanak Eye Centre, New Delhi, India. METHODS: Forty-two eyes of 25 children were included in this prospective study. All eyes had in-the-bag implantation of an AcrySof IOL (Alcon). Twenty-five eyes had had an anterior continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis (ACCC) (Group A). Seventeen eyes had PCCC along with ACCC (Group B), 4 had anterior vitrectomy combined with PCCC (Group C), and 6 had PCCC with IOL optic capture through the PCCC (Group D). Secondary opacification of the visual axis, visual acuity, and possible complications were observed and analyzed. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 78 months (range 36 to 144 months). The mean follow-up was 13 months (range 6 to 18 months). Four eyes (16%) in Group A developed visually significant posterior capsule opacification (PCO) involving the central visual axis and required secondary capsulotomy. All eyes in Groups B, C, and D had a clear visual axis at the last follow-up and did not require a secondary procedure. Minimal postoperative inflammation (ie, aqueous flare and IOL deposits ) was seen in all groups. The mean preoperative decimal best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in Groups A, B, C, and D was 0.095, 0.055, 0.174, and 0.039, respectively. Postoperatively, the BCVA was 0.54, 0.66, 0.66, and 0.66, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: An optimal-sized ACCC followed by in-the-bag implantation of a foldable acrylic IOL helped maintain a clear visual axis by delaying the onset of PCO and leading to milder PCO. The benefits of a foldable acrylic IOL in pediatric cataract surgery can be increased by combining it with PCCC, with or without anterior vitrectomy, or with optic capture of the IOL.     

The cost-effectiveness of pneumococcal conjugate vaccination in Australia

Background: Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, 7 valent (PCV7) is the most costly vaccine yet considered for publicly funded programs. In mid 2001, Australia funded PCV7 for high-risk groups only (indigenous children and children with certain underlying medical conditions). World wide, non-industry-funded studies and studies using cost-utility measures are sparse. We undertook an independent economic analysis of PCV7 compared with no vaccination in the non high-risk Australian childhood population using cost-utility and cost-effectiveness measures. Methods: The incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD), non-bacteraemic pneumonia and otitis media was estimated using representative urban Australian data, or by extrapolation from comparable industrialised countries. A decision-analytic model was developed for a hypothetical birth cohort using the age-specific vaccine coverage from the Californian randomised controlled trial of PCV7. Health outcomes were measured by life-years saved and deaths and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) averted. In line with government guidelines, only direct costs were considered in 1997-1998 Australian dollars. Results: For a birth cohort of 250,000, the gross cost of vaccination is $ 78.6 million. Subtracting treatment cost savings, the net cost (discounted) is $ 61.7 million. In undiscounted terms, vaccination prevents 13.7 deaths, 11.2 (82%) from IPD and the remainder from non-bacteraemic pneumonia. The discounted cost per death avoided is $ 5.0 million, per life-year saved $ 230,130 and per DALY averted $ 121,100, giving a break-even vaccine price of $ 15.40 per dose. These estimates are most sensitive to the unit cost per dose of vaccine, estimates of incidence and vaccine efficacy against non-bacteraemic pneumonia and the discount rate. The cost per DALY reduced to $ 81,000 with a discount rate of 3% rather than 5% and to $ 90,000 with the most favourable assumptions concerning pneumonia reduction. Discussion: With a vaccine price of $ 90 per dose, mid-range estimates of impact against non-bacteraemic pneumonia, and discount rate of 5%, a PCV7 program for infants not at high risk of IPD is at the upper limit of cost per DALY previously approved under Australian pharmaceutical funding guidelines. The impact of PCV7 against non-bacteraemic pneumonia is poorly defined, but its importance to cost-effectiveness in resource rich and resource poor settings warrants further studies or analysis to give greater precision to this outcome.