Introduction PTS (pneumatic transport system) is extensively being used in modern hospitals for rapid transportation of blood samples and other specimens. However, it has a potential impact on blood components, which should be investigated and nullified accordingly. This study was part of a correction program aimed at reducing hemolysis. It was done by comparing paired samples transported manually and by PTS. Materials and Methods This study was initiated to monitor the impact of PTS on hemolysis of clinical biochemistry blood samples. It was performed in two phases—before and after the corrective action taken. Phase I: done after PTS installation but before the corrective action was taken. Duplicate samples from 100 healthy individuals were collected, one set transported by PTS and the other by human carriers. Both sets were assessed for 25 biochemistry analytes, hemolysis index (HI), and acceleration profiles using a data logger. Corrective measures were then taken, followed by phase II of the study. In phase II, the sample size and study design remained the same as phase I. All the test results of PTS and hand-carried samples were statistically analyzed for any significant difference. Result In phase I, all the hemolysis-manifesting parameters, LDH (lactate dehydrogenase), potassium, AST (aspartate transaminase), and phosphorus, were raised in PTS samples as compared with the manual samples. Their differences were significant as the p-values were 0.001, 0.000, 0.025, and 0.047, respectively. The differences for LDH and potassium were clinically significant as well. HI (9%) and peak acceleration (15.7 g) were high in PTS samples.In phase II, no statistically significant difference between paired samples was found for all biochemistry parameters except for a few which were clinically nonsignificant. For PTS samples, HI was 2.5% and the peak acceleration was 11.2 g, whereas for manual samples, HI was 2%. Conclusion Evidence of hemolysis was found in PTS samples as compared with handheld samples, which was resolved after several corrective actions were taken. Thereafter, PTS became reliable for sample delivery in a routine biochemistry laboratory. Hence, each hospital should scrutinize their PTS for its effects on sample integrity to get rid of PTS-induced preanalytical errors.

Diabetic nephropathy is a complication of diabetes mellitus. This present study investigates the status of copper and magnesium in diabetic nephropathy cases to establish a possible relation. Forty patients of diabetic nephropathy participated in the study as cases. Forty age- and sex-matched healthy individuals served as controls. Blood samples were collected from both cases and controls for determination of FBS, PPBS, HbA1c, microalbumin, copper, and magnesium levels. The mean concentrations of FBS, PPBS, HbA1c, and microalbumin of cases were significantly higher than that of controls. The mean magnesium levels of cases (1.60 ± 0.32 meq/L) were significantly lower than controls 2.14 ± 0.16 meq/L (p < 0.05). But the mean copper levels of cases, 165.42 ± 5.71 μg/dl, shows no significant difference with controls, 166.6 ± 5.48 μg/dl, (p > 0.05).The findings in the present study suggest that hypomagnesemia may be linked with development of diabetic nephropathy.

Transient global amnesia (TGA) is an isolated amnesic syndrome with normal neurological examination where patients remain alert and communicative with no loss of personal identity; however, they experience striking loss of memory for recent events and an impaired ability to retain new information. TGA could be triggered by venous congestion and there is evidence of association between younger patients and history of migraine. Most episodes last 2-12 h and the recurrence rate of future amnesic events is very low.

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BACKGROUND: Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) may be influenced by lifestyle behavior, acquired during transition in student life at university. Health is a major concern globally. The developing counties are facing a double burden of disease, both communicable and NCD. This study is aimed to assess the lifestyle and its associated factors that can affect the health status of medical and nursing students. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among medical and nursing students of Sasaram, Bihar, by universal sampling. The study population consisted of 303 medical and 233 nursing students. The 536 students in the study, included 195 from rural areas and 341 from urban areas. Simple Lifestyle Indicator Questionnaire was used and Chi-square statistics was computed to determine the association of demographic variables with lifestyle behavior using Epi InfoTM 7 analysis software. RESULTS: Mean age and body mass index were 21 ± 2.59 years and 22.12 ± 3.77, respectively. After statistical analysis utilizing the Chi-square test, it was shown that the difference was found to be nonsignificant (P > 0.05) in all the following variables, such as gender, age, marital status except in designation, and alcohol and tobacco intake which showed the difference to be highly significant. CONCLUSIONS: The maximum number of students in the study population showed intermediate healthy lifestyle (57.1%), despite being the upcoming health-care providers of future. Fruits were rarely present in diet in 82%, no physical activity in 21.2%, and tobacco and alcohol were consumed by 11.7% and 13%, respectively. Targeted intervention for healthy diet, physical activity, stress, tobacco, and alcohol reduction can lead to healthy lifestyle. Independence and autonomy gained in the transition phase in student life needs guided supervision to raise responsible adults. It may help to assist or to plan accordingly in future to improve lifestyle of the students.