Urinary Calcium Excretion Pattern in Preeclampsia

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the urinary calcium excretion pattern in preeclampsia and to establish the relation between severity of preeclampsia and urinary calcium excretionMethods: This was a case-control study conducted at Paropakar Maternity and Women’s Hospital, Kathmandu from January to June 2015. There were 88 patients equally divided in each group. 24 hours urine calcium was analyzed by ortho-cresophthalin-complexone method (OCPC) and urinary proteinuria was analyzed bedside by sulphosalicylic acid. Results were analyzed using SPSS 17. P value of < 0.05 was considered as significant.Results: Preeclampsia was found to occur commonly among the nulliparous patients (59%). The patients with MAP with ≥ 110mmHg excreted less calcium in their urine in comparison to the patient with MAP < 110mmHg (73.55mg/24 hrs VS 92.79 mg/24 hr). Daily calciuria was decreased with the increase in proteinuria (91.43 mg, 76.19mg and 54.02mg in 1+, 2+ and 3+ respectively). The 24 hours urine calcium excretion in term preeclamptic patient was significantly reduced in compared to the normotensive term pregnant women (77.92 mg ± 48.61mg VS 117.66mg ±69.21 mg, p <0.001).Conclusion: Preeclamptic patients excrete significantly lower amounts of calcium in urine and it may be a marker of the severity of preeclampsia.

The impact of proteinuria on serum levels of trace elements in sickle cell disease patients

Micronutrient deficiency has been recognized as a serious complication in sickle cell disease (SCD) patients and the impact of proteinuria on the levels of trace metals has not been evaluated in our setting. This study evaluates the impact of proteinuria on serum levels of copper, iron, zinc and magnesium in SCD patients. Serum Iron, Zinc, copper and magnesium were assayed by colorimet-ric methods. Urine protein was initially assayed using urinalysis dipstick method while those that were positive for macro-albuminuria were re-evaluated using sulphosalicylic acid colorimetric tech-nique. Out of the 100 SCD patients, 29 had macro-albuminuria while 71were negative for macro-albuminuria. Serum levels of copper in SCD patients was higher (p˂0.001) than that in controls, while serum levels of zinc, iron and magnesium were lower (p˂0.001) in SCD patients compared to that of the control group. The levels of copper (p<0.02), iron (p<0.05) and magnesium (p<0.05) were significantly lower in SCD patients with proteinuria while Zinc (p<0.02) was significantly higher in SCD patients with proteinuria compared to those without proteinuria. Proteinuria corre-lated negatively (p<0.001) with copper while magnesium, iron and zinc correlated positively with proteinuria in SCD patients. Proteinuria in SCD patients impacted on the levels of measured trace metals and magnesium. The levels of these metals may be routinely determined in this group of patients.Keywords: Proteinuria, sickle cell disease, trace metals, magnesium, copper

Adsorption studies of Malachite green on 5-sulphosalicylic acid doped tetraethoxysilane (SATEOS) composite material

Batch adsorption studies are reported for the removal of Malachite green from an aqueous solution using 5-sulphosalicylic acid doped tetraethoxysilane (SATEOS) composite material, prepared in our laboratory previously.

Inhibitor chymotrypsynowy nasion wiechliny łąkowej (Poa pratensis) [Chymotrypsin inhibitor from Poa pratensis seeds]

A chymotrypsin inhibitor was isolated from <em>Poa pratensis</em> seeds. The inhibitor showed also antytriptic activity. It is a termostable protein, soluble in water, sodium chloride, but insoluble in 5% trichloracetic acid and 0.15 M sulphosalicylic acid.