OBJECTIVE: Six Sigma is one of the most popular quality management system tools employed for process improvement. The Six Sigma methods are usually applied when the outcome of the process can be measured. This study was done to assess the performance of individual biochemical parameters on a Sigma Scale by calculating the sigma metrics for individual parameters and to follow the Westgard guidelines for appropriate Westgard rules and levels of internal quality control (IQC) that needs to be processed to improve target analyte performance based on the sigma metrics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study, and data required for the study were extracted between July 2015 and June 2016 from a Secondary Care Government Hospital, Chennai. The data obtained for the study are IQC - coefficient of variation percentage and External Quality Assurance Scheme (EQAS) - Bias% for 16 biochemical parameters. RESULTS: For the level 1 IQC, four analytes (alkaline phosphatase, magnesium, triglyceride, and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol) showed an ideal performance of ≥6 sigma level, five analytes (urea, total bilirubin, albumin, cholesterol, and potassium) showed an average performance of <3 sigma level and for level 2 IQCs, same four analytes of level 1 showed a performance of ≥6 sigma level, and four analytes (urea, albumin, cholesterol, and potassium) showed an average performance of <3 sigma level. For all analytes <6 sigma level, the quality goal index (QGI) was <0.8 indicating the area requiring improvement to be imprecision except cholesterol whose QGI >1.2 indicated inaccuracy. CONCLUSION: This study shows that sigma metrics is a good quality tool to assess the analytical performance of a clinical chemistry laboratory. Thus, sigma metric analysis provides a benchmark for the laboratory to design a protocol for IQC, address poor assay performance, and assess the efficiency of existing laboratory processes.

Background: Aegeline (AG) is a natural hydroxyamide which has not been explored in depth for its potential applications in food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. Accordingly, in this study, the property of AG as antioxidant, anti-hypercholesterolemic, and an anti-aging component was explored. The hepatoprotective effect of AG on hypercholesterolemic rats was investigated for health care benefits as a hypocholesterolemic drug vs Atorvastatin (AV) for the first time.Objective: The objective was to delineate the mechanism of action of AG in impeding high cholesterol diet (HCD) induced hepatic steatosis in a rat model with special reference to antioxidant status and expression of Nuclear Factor Kappa B (NF-κB) mediated cell adhesion molecules.Methods: Thirty-six Wistar rats were divided into six groups. The pathology group rats were fed with HCD for 16 weeks and treatment groups rats were fed with HCD for 12 weeks and further supplemented with AG/AV for another 4 weeks. In vivo and in vitro experiments were carried out to find out the relative markers of the pathological condition likely Malondialdehyde (MDA), Oxidized LDL (Ox-LDL), and CRP levels were determined. Standard biochemical parameters were carried out. The expression profile by Western blot analysis was performed to assess the levels of NF-κB, Interleukin 6(IL6) and vascular cell adhesion molecule1 (VCAM1), in the hepatic tissues of various experimental groups. Additionally, histopathological examination of liver tissue sections was carried out.Results: AG administration effectively decreased the oxidative stress induced by HCD as evidenced by MDA levels. Furthermore, the lowered levels of Ox-LDL and CRP in AG administered rats deem it to be a potent anti-inflammatory agent. Compared to AV, AG had a pronounced effect in down-regulating the expression of cell adhesion molecules.Conclusion: Thus, this study validates AG to be an effective stratagem in bringing down the oxidative stress induced by HCD and can be deemed as an anti-hypercholesterolemic and anti-steatotic agent.Keywords: Aegeline, Atorvastatin, liver, hypercholesterolemia, aging

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Background: Childhood asthma appears to be increasing in prevalence despite advancements in the care of asthma. In asthma, local as well as systemic inflammation contributes to the pathogenesis. Thus successful management depends on controlling this inflammation by appropriate doses of inhaled corticosteroids. High sensitivity C reactive protein (hsCRP) is an easily measurable marker of inflammation and its level can be used as a diagnostic tool in assessing control of asthma. The objective of this study was study the correlation of serum hsCRP levels with asthma control in childrenMethods: It is an observational study conducted in the Pediatric asthma clinic of a Government Medical College in south India. The study population consisted of 75 asthmatic children aged 5-15 years. Children with persistent asthma were classified into three groups based on GINA guidelines. Serum hsCRP levels were measured in all the three groups.Results: Among the 75 children 33% belonged to controlled group, 35% to uncontrolled group and 33% to partly controlled group. There was a significant difference in hsCRP levels between controlled and uncontrolled groups. The mean value of hsCRP in controlled group was 0.93±1.3 mg/L whereas in the uncontrolled group it was 2.73±2.46 mg/L. Higher levels of hsCRP were found in the uncontrolled asthma group.Conclusions: There is an inverse correlation between hsCRP levels and asthma control in children. High hsCRP levels have a potential to be used as a surrogate marker for poor control of asthma and can thus be used as a guide for adjustment of dosage of inhaled corticosteroids.