Aims:To compare the metabolic activity of peripheral neutrophils in patients diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with that of healthy, nonsmoking volunteers.Materials and Methods:Venous blood samples were taken from patients diagnosed with COPD as well as from healthy nonsmokers. Each sample was subjected to the nitro blue tetrazolium (NBT) test in which neutrophils exhibiting elevated metabolic activity were detected by light microscopy. The test was repeated after stimulation with Escherichia coli (E. coli) endotoxin with fresh samples. Neutrophils showing dye uptake were then counted in each case.Results:We found that the mean numbers of activated neutrophils without and with the addition of endotoxin were 19% and 23%, respectively, in the control group and 56% and 62%, respectively, in the test group. Two-sample t-test statistic revealed that there was a significant (P < 0.01) increase in neutrophilic metabolic activity in patients with COPD as compared to that in healthy volunteers. This significance remained even after stimulation using E. coli endotoxin.Conclusion:The results hint at a potentially relevant pathogenic mechanism in COPD related to the metabolic activity of neutrophils. By exhibiting enhanced metabolic activity, neutrophils in the COPD patients are more likely to be involved in damaging lung tissues.
Forty-four health professionals exchanged approximately 492 email messages during the discussion. One main concern expressed within the group was that the medical curriculum was not in tune with the health care needs of the society and reforms in the curriculum should be based on research. Most fellows felt that their work in education research was not appreciated in their schools. Participants felt that education research was done for altruistic reasons and only by self-motivated faculty. Participants also said that regulatory bodies were not concerned about the quality of education and its related research. Measures that could improve education research also emerged during the discussions. Interactive online discussions elicited important issues about education research in India. Participants noted that there is no recognition or rewards to encourage faculty to conduct education research. They also said that there is need to educate faculty about changes elsewhere in medical education and to make them more aware of education research generally.
Neutrophils or polymorphonuclear leukocytes are critical to host defense against pathogens. Increasing evidence indicates that thyroid hormones also play an active role in immune mechanism while there is very little literature regarding effects of thyroid stimulating hormone on functional features of neutrophils. In this cross-sectional study, we evaluated the phagocytic, chemotactic, candidacidal, and respiratory burst activity of neutrophils in subclinical hypothyroid and euthyroid subjects. Phagocytosis and metabolic function of the neutrophils was assessed using Nitro-blue tetrazolium test. Chemotaxis, directional movement of the PMNs was measured using the N-Formyl methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine as chemoattractant. Phagocytic activity was evaluated by exposing leukocytes to candida suspension and counting the number of candida ingested and killed. Microbicidal activity of neutrophils was assessed by the ability of leukocytes to kill Candida albicans in both subclinical hypothyroid and euthyroid subjects. Our study demonstrated that chemotactic and mean phagocytic activity was significantly less in those with subclinical hypothyroidism as compared to euthyroid control group (p = 0.005 and 0.045 respectively). Respiratory burst activities of both unstimulated and stimulated neutrophils were relatively reduced in subclinical hypothyroidism (p value of 0.08 and 0.07). Candidicidal activity was similar in both groups. We conclude that a raised TSH level is associated with altered functional characteristics of neutrophils.
BACKGROUND: Elevated Intraocular Pressure (IOP) causes a mechanical stress situation, leading to damage of neurons in retina and their axons resulting in progressive loss of visual field and blindness seen in Glaucoma. Changes in IOP are directly and significantly associated with changes in systemic blood pressures. Blood pressure increases with age in most populations, especially so after menopause. Menopausal women with hypertension are at increased risk of developing elevated IOP. There are limited data about association of moderate changes in blood pressure that often go with treatment for hypertension with IOP. This work was undertaken to study the effect of moderate systemic hypertension on IOP in postmenopausal women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 40 Normotensive and 40 Hypertensive postmenopausal women participated in the study. All participants satisfied inclusion and exclusion criteria and gave informed consent. Participants underwent detailed clinical and ophthalmologic examination and IOPs were measured using Schiotz Indentation Tonometer. RESULTS: Mean IOP was 15.28+/-2.54 mmHg in normotensive and 19.47+/-3.37 mmHg, in moderately Hypertensive women. IOP was significantly increased (P<0.001**) among the hypertensive post menopausal women compared to normotensives. Subjects with higher SBP had significantly higher IOP (p < 0.001). The mean IOP also showed a significant correlation (p value of 0.001**) to the total number of years after attainment of menopause. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated IOP was seen in postmenopausal women with moderate hypertension associated with treatment. It is therefore essential that postmenopausal hypertensive women are screened regularly for increases in IOP, the only modifiable risk factor for Glaucoma. KEY WORDS: Elevated Intraocular pressure, moderate hypertension, post menopausal women, Glaucoma, Schiotz Indentation Tonometer, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure (6) It is also seen that changes in IOP are directly and significantly associated with changes in systemic blood pressure. (7,8) In India more than 60 million women are in the age of 55 yrs because of aging population.(9) With women living longer than before, a majority would spend one third of their life in postmenopausal age. Blood pressure increases with age in most populations, especially after menopause there is a sharp increase in the prevalence of hypertension in women. (10) It is evident that postmenopausal women are at increased risk of developing elevated IOP and glaucoma because of presence of multiple risk factors mentioned above. It is seen that of those with glaucomatous visual field loss, less than 50% have received an appropriate diagnosis or treatment according to population surveys. (11,12) Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in women.(13) and medical intervention has been successful in lowering blood pressure and the subsequent risk of the systemic sequel of high blood pressure. There are limited data about association of IOP to moderate changes ...
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