Pre-eclampsia is the most common medical complication of pregnancy associated with increased maternal and infant mortality and morbidity. Its exact etiology is not known, although several evidences indicate that various elements might play an important role in pre-eclampsia. This study was carried out to analyze and to compare the concentration of calcium, magnesium, and zinc in the serum of women with pre-eclampsia and in normal pregnant women. Fifty clinically diagnosed patients with pre-eclampsia (25 with mild and 25 with severe pre-eclampsia) and 50 normal pregnant controls were enrolled in this study. The serum calcium, magnesium, and zinc levels were estimated with an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The mean serum levels of calcium, magnesium, and zinc in normal pregnant group were 2.45 +/- 0.18 mmol/L, 0.79 +/- 0.13 mmol/L, and 15.64 +/- 2.4 micromol/L, respectively, while in mild pre-eclamptic group, these were 2.12 +/- 0.15 mmol/L, 0.67 +/- 0.14 mmol/L, and 12.72 +/- 1.7 micromol/L, respectively. Serum levels in severe pre-eclamptic group were 1.94 +/- 0.09 mmol/L, 0.62 +/- 0.11 mmol/L, and 12.04 +/- 1.4 micromol/L, respectively. These results indicate that reduction in serum levels of calcium, magnesium, and zinc during pregnancy might be possible contributors in etiology of pre-eclampsia, and supplementation of these elements to diet may be of value to prevent pre-eclampsia.

The effectiveness and success of antitubercular therapy is mainly measured by identifying the organism in sputum. In certain patients, especially in geriatric patients, available tuberculosis tests are not satisfactory and do not provide enough information on the effectiveness of antitubercular therapy, as the symptoms might be confused with the existing symptoms of ongoing diseases. Therefore, 60 diagnosed and randomly selected patients with tuberculosis were included into this study. The patients with other associated diseases likely to influence serum copper and zinc were not included in the study. The estimations of serum copper and zinc were done in healthy volunteers and in tubercular patients before the start of treatment and after 4 wk of antitubercular treatment. The average plasma concentration of serum copper and zinc in healthy volunteers were 102 +/- 20 microg/dL and 96 +/- 18 microg/dL respectively. In tuberculosis patients, serum copper and zinc levels were 123.65 +/- 9.98 microg/dL and 64.14 +/- 3.97 microg/dL, respectively, before the start of treatment, which came down to 116.23 +/- 4.27 mug/dL and 74.31 +/- 3.60 microg/dL, respectively, after 4 wk of antitubercular treatment.

Diarrhea is, in reality, as much a nutritional disease as one of fluid and electrolyte loss. Children who die from diarrhea, despite good management of dehydration, are usually malnourished and often severely so. In this study, we determined the serum levels of zinc and copper before and after standard oral rehydration solution (ORS) therapy in children with acute diarrhea and correlated it with diarrheal duration and severity. One hundred ten children suffering from acute diarrhea were included. Serum zinc and copper levels of these children were estimated at the time of enrollment and after treatment with standard ORS therapy. This study shows that children suffering from acute diarrhea show a statistically significant decrease of 13.1% and 12.8% in serum zinc and copper concentrations, respectively, compared to normal. These levels further decrease by 22.6% and 22.4%, respectively, after treatment with standard ORS therapy. Our study shows that children with the lower plasma zinc and copper levels suffered with more severe and longer duration of diarrhea. Zinc and copper supplementation could be added to standard ORS therapy for the reduction in morbidity and mortality associated with acute diarrhea in children.

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Background: The aim of this study was to know the pattern & rationality of antimicrobial prescription by dental practitioners. Methods: It was questionnaire based cross sectional study. A total of 175 questionnaires were distributed to dental practitioners working in a tertiary care Dental College & Hospital and private practitioners in Jaipur (Rajasthan). The questionnaire contained questions about years of practice, diagnosis for which antimicrobial were prescribed, dosage and duration of antimicrobial drugs for prophylaxis, acute and chronic conditions, patient compliance & adverse effects. Data was expressed as counts and percentages. Results: Out of 175 questionnaires distributed, 150 were included in the study. 78% dentists had practices less than 5 years duration. Most common indications for which antimicrobials were prescribed were abscess, cellulitis, irreversible pulpitis, and acute gingivitis. Most common antimicrobials used for prophylaxis were Amoxycillin and Metronidazole. For the treatment of acute and chronic conditions, Amoxycillin, Metronidazole, Ofloxacin and Ornidazole alone or in combination were used. Only 20% dentist advised culture & sensitivity tests. 74% patients completed the recommended course of antimicrobials. 56% patients reported adverse drug reactions (ADRs) with the most common being nausea and vomiting, but only 13% dentists reported them to proper authorities. Conclusions: In this study, Amoxycillin and Metronidazole were the most common drugs used for the management of oral diseases, but were prescribed without culture & sensitivity in most cases. 56% patients reported ADRs, but only 13% dentists reported them to proper authorities. Appropriate measures need to be taken to promote rational prescribing and ADR reporting. [Int J Basic Clin Pharmacol 2013; 2(3.000): 311-314