Introduction: Malaria is one of the most common Parasitic infection prevalent worldwide especially in India, South Asia and Africa. About 250 million cases and approximately One million deaths of malaria reported per year worldwide. Oxidative stress (O.S.) has been implicated as possible mediator of thrombocytopenia in malarial patients. All eukaryotic cells, specially immune effector cells generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) as a mean to combat invading microbes i.e. via the ' Oxidative burst', which increases the oxidative burden on the microbe to lethal levels. An excess of ROS such as superoxide anions, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), hydroxyl radicals and /or RNS, such as nitric oxide (NO) and peroxynitrite (ONOO-) creates a potentially dangerous situation known as oxidative or nitrosative stress respectively. Aim: Present study aims to study the status of serum Malondialdehyde and Glutathione Peroxidase activity in hemolysate among the patients with Malaria. Materials and Methods: This is cross-sectional observational study on 200 non-treated malaria patients, compared with 100 normal individuals. Out of total 200 malaria patients 96 were plasmodium (P) vivax & 104 were P falciparum diagnosed cases. Results: Mean MDA level in the P. Vivax malaria cases was 12.29 + 0.32 micromole/L which was found to be higher compared to the controls with mean MDA level is 6.55+ 0.24 micromole/L, whereas the mean MDA level in P. Falciparum malaria cases was 13.5+ 0.18 micromole/L which was higher compared to the controls with mean MDA level of 6.55+ 0.24 micromole/L. Conclusion: The present study on malaria explains the role of oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of malaria which is a multifactorial phenomenon and represents an important aspect of the intricate and complex host- parasite relationship. Oxidative stress is aggravated by reduced effectiveness of the antioxidant defence system; hence it is advised to provide antioxidant supplements through diet that can reduce the disease severity and risk of death during infection.

Background: Lead is the toxic heavy element in the environment. Human exposure to lead and its compounds occurs mostly in lead-related occupations such as car repair, battery manufacturing and recycling, refining, smelting. Lead is a highly poisonous metal affecting almost every organ in the body. Lead inhibits necessary enzymes required for heme synthesis, and this results in increased levels of delta-aminolevulinic acid (δ-ALA) excretion through urine. Aim: To estimate the urinary δ-ALA acid levels in garage workers as an index of lead exposure. Materials and methods: This is a cross-sectional study in Mumbai from different suburban localities. The study was done on 72 garage workers of age group between 18 years and 50 years with their brief history related to lead exposure. Their urine samples were analyzed for δ-ALA by Ehrlich method. Results: According to our observation, it was found that out of 72 urine samples 19 samples (26.38%) have urinary δ-ALA levels below reference value (<5 mg/L), while 53 samples showed increased urinary δ-ALA levels (73.61%); out of these, 45 workers (84.90%) fall in the moderate-to-high exposure level category (5 or >5 to 20 mg/L), 8 workers (15.09%) fall in the dangerous-very high exposure level category (20 or >20 to 40 mg/L). Conclusion:The prevalence of lead exposure among our study population is 73.61%. Clinical significance: We conclude that there is high prevalence of lead exposure in garage workers in Mumbai, and necessary precautions need to be taken to avoid it.

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Lead is a toxic heavy metal whose widespread use has caused extensive environmental contamination and health problems particularly in children and women of reproductive age. It affects multiple body systems, including the neurologic, hematologic, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and renal systems. Recent studies have shown that lead, has the potential to harm not only the young and the occupationally-exposed, but also older people and females with in the reproductive age. They may have been exposed to lead while working in unregulated occupations, or they may have encountered more lead in the environment on a daily basis. The Aim of the present study is to estimate urinary δ-ALA levels in heterogenous population of females in the reproductive age as an index of lead exposure. This cross- sectional study was conducted on randomly chosen 80 females of reproductive age from different areas of Mumbai with brief history related lead exposure. The morning first mid stream urine samples were collected with all standard precautions and analyzed for δ-ALA using modified Ehrlich’s reagent method. Out of the 80 samples – 69 samples (86.25%) urinary δ-ALA had levels above reference level i.e. (< 5mg/l). This is alarming. The reasons for this exposure may vary and we could not find a single cause for such a high level exposure, but we can say that it is closely related to the duration of exposure. Hence it is to conclude that it is difficult to stop lead exposure completely but by taking necessary precautions and providing health education we can reduce the lead exposure and its ill effects on health.

Background: Minerals and trace element content of human milk have been a matter of concern among nutritionist in relation to the availability of the essential elements to the new born. Mineral and trace elements occur in the body in a number of chemical forms, such as inorganic ions and salts, or as constituents of organic molecules, for example proteins, fats, carbohydrates and nucleic acids. There is a paucity of data on the effect of nutrition on the composition of trace elements in milk and its effect on the infant. Hence a comparison made between the trace element and mineral such as sodium, potassium, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, calcium in milk of malnourished and well-nourished mothers in order to determine the effect of maternal nutrition on the quality of milk and its effect on the growth and physical development of the new-born.Methods: Around 100 mothers were enrolled in the study after obtaining prior informed consent. They were divided into 2 groups-group I had 50 malnourished mothers and group II had 50 well-nourished mothers. The pre-fed milk sample which was collected was stored at - 20℃ until it was processed. It was thawed and analysed for copper, zinc, iron, magnesium, sodium, potassium and calcium.Results: The mean levels of trace elements (iron and zinc) and minerals (sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium) were slightly more among well-nourished than malnourished women. Values of only copper were significantly higher in the colostrum of well-nourished as compared to that of the malnourished mothers.Conclusions: The parameters of weight, height weight/height ratio and hemoglobin varied significantly between the well-nourished and malnourished mothers. The difference in milk content of malnourished and well-nourished mothers is not significant for sodium, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc. However, copper levels were significantly higher in well-nourished mothers.