Journal of Biochemistry and Biophysics

Living organisms have evolved protecting systems to protect themselves against oxidative stress and to prevent damage from these toxic agents. They have developed several enzymatic and non-enzymatic mechanisms to detoxify these very active compounds. Enzymatically, oxygen radicals are removed mainly by the action of four enzymes: superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase. Superoxide dismutases (SODs) are metalloenzymes that catalyze the conversion of superoxide molecules to hydrogen peroxide and molecular oxygen and therefore form one of the cell’s major defense mechanisms against oxidative stress. This review will discuss superoxide dismutase, structure function and mechanism

Keywords: Superoxide dismutase; Free radicals; Oxidative stress; Enzymes; Metalloenzymes.

Mine workers are exposed to harsh working condition as they carry out numerous activities with variable exposure which is hazardous to their health in various ways. This study was conducted on 97 randomly selected workers from two different mines of Maharashtra for the assessment of health status. To determine the health status of each worker, weight and height was measured by standard procedure and underwent medical examination and various clinical investigations. Data analysis was performed using Microsoft excel and online Graph Pad statistical software. Majority (80.4%) of the workers belonged to the age group of 30-50 years. Comparatively underweight (22.6%) workers were found more as compared to overweight and obese (12.3%) workers. 30.9% workers had hearing loss of which 9.27% had noise induced hearing loss (NIHL). 8.24% workers had respiratory impairment. Overall prevalence of anaemia was found to be 19.5%. Electrocardiography (ECG) results showed 11.3% workers had significant ECG changes. 19.5% workers were having high blood pressure while one worker each had diabetes and hypertriglyceridemia. 6.18% workers had refractive error. Urine analysis showed that 1 (1.03%) worker was having glycosuria and 5 (5.15%) workers having urinary tract infection. On evaluation of chest X-rays no case of pneumoconiosis and other abnormality was found in the mine worker. Present study suggests that NIHL and respiratory impairment is an important health problem in these mine workers. There is need of periodical medical examination of workers and awareness programme to educate mine workers regarding occupational and nonoccupational problems should be regularly arranged.

Keywords: Mining Industry; Mine worker; Health status; Respiratory impairment; NIHL.

Healthcare is a sector which is highly demanded and used by the public. There is scope of better diagnosis, treatment and surgeries in healthcare. The healthcare industry is spread worldwide. Medical tourism enabling citizens of various countries to interact with each other and also save lives by opting better healthcare facilities. Healthcare saw major changes during past few decades. The invention of X-rays brought a visible change in this sector. The Magnetic Resonance Imaging-MRI, Computational Tomography-CT scan, Robotic Surgeries are some area of advancement in Healthcare. The invention of camera and its further advancement in output like High Definition-HD quality, Liquid Crystal Displays-LCDs, Light emitting diodes-LEDs are incorporated in the various medical diagnostic instruments. The present review study is focussing on the various advancements in healthcare with emphasis on robotic surgeries. The medicine and healthcare sector becoming more and more advanced in technology, since last many decades. As there is advancement in surgery and the technology the surgeons become more specific while performing surgery. Laser surgery is one of the examples of it. In this surgery laser light is used for surgical procedure. Use of machine like robots can now become possible in various areas of health care and medicine. The robots which can be used by doctors may be classified on basis of work they performed. The various categories that may include in the robotic doctors are Surgical Robots, Rehabilitation Robots, Bio-Robots, Tele-Presence Robots, Pharmacy Automation, and Disinfection Robots.

Keywords: Liquid Crystal Displays-LCDs; Light emitting diodes-LEDs; Robotic Surgeries; Tele-Presence Robots; Pharmacy Automation.

Background: Nephrotic syndrome causes a great morbility and mortality among the children. It is a characterized by massive loss of urinary protein along with risk of altered calcium metabolism. The aim of present study was to assess the serum calcium and vitamin D level in childhood Nephrotic Syndrome and try to find out correlation of biochemical parameters as severity in same subjects. Material and Methods: The present study was case-control study. Total 110 subjects were included and divided into two groups. Group I consisted 55 subjects of childhood Nephrotic Syndrome in the age group 1-10 years while Group II consisted of age and sex matched 55 normal healthy individuals who served as control with no history of childhood Nephrotic Syndrome. Serum levels of calcium, vitamin D were estimated in all the subjects under study. Other biochemical parameters like serum total protein, albumin, and creatinine were measured in all subjects. Values were expressed as mean ± standard deviation. SYSTAT version 12 software was used for statistical analysis. Comparisons of study groups to control groups were done by applying student t test. Results: Serum calcium and vitamin D level were decreased a childhood Nephrotic Syndrome compared with controls. Mean values of serum total protein, albumin, and creatinine were significantly (p<0.0001) lower in childhood Nephrotic Syndrome compared with controls. Conclusion: In the present study, It can be concluded that, childhood Nephrotic Syndrome is associated with abnormalities in the level of serum calcium and vitamin D. Serum total protein, albumin, and creatinine may be used as biochemical markers to determine severity of childhood Nephrotic Syndrome and it may beneficial for better management and for developing new treatment strategies.

Keywords: Childhood Nephrotic Syndrome; Calcium; Vitamin D.

Background and Objectives: Preeclampsia is a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy associated in the second Trimester of the pregnancy characterized with recent-onset of hypertension and accompanying proteinuria. It affects nearly 5% of all pregnancies, producing substantial maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Kidney injury is one of the complications of preeclampsia complicating the management. Therefore this study intended to find the utility of estimating cystatin C in preeclampsia patients. Material & Methods: 42 preeclampsia patients and equal number of age and gestation age matched normal pregnant women were enrolled for the study. Blood pressures were measured and mean blood pressure values were recorded. Serum cystatin C and creatinine were estimated. Estimated GFR was calculated using MDRD equation. All the observations were tabulated and analysed statistically using software. Results: Cystatin C in pregnant women with preeclampsia and in normal pregnant women was found to be 0.91±0.22 and 0.56±0.16 mg/dl respectively. The difference was statistically significant (p<0.01).Serum cystatin C levels significantly correlated with blood pressure, serum creatinine levels and eGFR values. Conclusion: Thus, cystatin C can be utilised to assess the renal function in preeclampsia complicated pregnancy.

Keywords: cystatin c; Preeclampsia; Pregnancy; Renal marker.

The effect of thiamine hydrochloride against lead induced acute toxicity was experimentally studied in rats. Hematological parameters such as WBC count and differential count were determined and a decrease in their levels were observed throughout study period in the lead acetate induced animals. Cholesterol level was also found to be decreased throughout the period of study, in lead acetate induced animals. Biochemical alterations were reversed on treatment with thiamine hydrochloride due to its ameliorative role in lead induced rats.

Keywords: Lead acetate; Thiamine hydrochloride and WBC Count.