Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) conformation and stability play an important role in brain function. Earlier studies reported alterations in DNA integrity in the brain regions of neurological disorders like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. However, there are only limited studies on DNA stability in an aging brain and the factors responsible for genomic instability are still not clear. In this study, we assess the levels of Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe) and Zinc (Zn) in three age groups (Group I: below 40 years), Group II: between 41-60 years) and Group III: above 61 years) in hippocampus and frontal cortex regions of normal brains. The number of samples in each group was eight. Genomic DNA was isolated and DNA integrity was studied by nick translation studies and presented as single and double strand breaks. The number of single strand breaks correspondingly increased with aging compared to double strand breaks. The strand breaks were more in frontal cortex compared to hippocampus. We observed that the levels of Cu and Fe are significantly elevated while Zn is significantly depleted as one progresses from Group I to Group III, indicating changes with aging in frontal cortex and hippocampus. But the elevation of metals was more in frontal cortical region compared to hippocampal region. There was a clear correlation between Cu and Fe levels versus strand breaks in aging brain regions. This indicates that genomic instability is progressive with aging and this will alter the gene expressions. To our knowledge, this is a new comprehensive database to date, looking at the levels of redox metals and corresponding strand breaks in DNA in two brain regions of the aging brain. The biological significance of these findings with relevance to mental health will be discussed.

Multisystem disorders of unknown aetiology characterized by development of HTN to the extent of 140/90 mm Hg or more with Proteinuria after 20 th wk of pregnancy in a previously normotensive and non proteinuric patient. May appear before 20wks in cases of hydatidiform mole, acute polyhydramnios and multiple pregnancies. BP≥ 140/90 mm Hg before pregnancy or diagnosed before 20 weeks gestation not attributable to gestational trophoblastic disease (OR) Hypertension first diagnosed after 20 weeks gestations and persistent after 12 weeks postpartum. In chronic HTN, the foetus is more prone for growth restriction, preterm delivery, and death of foetus. 50% of the cases belong to The Labetalol Group, while the other 50% comprise The Nifedipine Group, selected randomly. Each group comprised a total of 62 cases, 50 of them are Mild PIH cases while the other 12 cases are the cases of Severe Hypertension, Imminent Eclampsia, Eclampsia, Placental Abruption etc. Most of the cases of Labetalol Group progressed up to term, of which one case crossed the EDD. This woman was discharged at her request and she reported to the hospital only after crossing the EDD. As many as 69.35% (43 cases) delivered vaginally in Labetalol Group, whereas the Caesarean section rate for Nifedipine group is about 48.39%. Emergency Caesarean section rate was 25.80% in Labetalol group where as it was 37.10% in the Nifedipine Group.