Objective: The placenta connects and separates two genetically distinct individuals: the mother and the fetus. There is no placental-fetal barrier blocking lead transport, placing the fetus at high risk from lead exposure. The placenta has been investigated as a possible indicator of environmental exposures. Recent studies have been focused on the interaction between toxic and essential metals in placenta as there is little information on the levels of lead and essential metals in human placental tissue in Indian scenario. Material & Methods: The present study was designed to determine the status of lead and some essential metals in placental tissue of women residing in and around, Lucknow, India. Sixty pregnant women attending the local maternity home in the city were recruited to determine the concentrations of lead (toxic metal) and zinc, copper, iron & calcium (essential metals) using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Results: The mean±SD levels of placental lead was 0.35 ± 0.30μg/g which is lower than those reported in Australia (0.56μg/g) & Poland (0.50μg/g), and slightly higher than Spain (0.11μg/g). The mean ± SD (range) of placental zinc, copper, iron & calcium was found to be 7.67± 2.99 μg/g (0.47-13.75), 1.03 ± 0.55 μg/g (0.49-3.41), 76.42 ± 20.13 μg/g (17.67-135.25), 90.46 ± 112.47 μg/g (1.77-420.5) respectively. On the basis of parity, placental lead level was significantly higher (p<0.05), while copper and zinc were significantly lower (p<0.05, p<0.01 respectively) in multipa-rous cases as compared to nulliparous. Placental lead levels had significant negative correlation with zinc levels (r= -0.35, p<0.05). Conclusion: The results suggested that increased lead level affect the essential metal level and its level increased with parity whereas, there was a depletion of maternal stores of essential elements (Zn, Cu, Fe and Ca) with increasing parity. Key Words: Placenta; Lead; Essential metals; parity; Atomic Absorption Spectrometer DOI: 10.3126/ajms.v1i2.3199Asian Journal of Medical Sciences 1 (2010) 32-36

In the present study, Liquid chromatography was Coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) coupled with QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe). The development of an analytical technique based on dispersive solid phase extraction (dSPE) has opted for the simultaneous detection of fluoxetine and sertraline hydrochloride at six distinct concentrations in the simulated gastric fluid. The antidepressants were identified and quantified using (ESI+) mode. With limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) of 9.42 -10.40 ng/ml and 28.15 - 31.23 ng/ml, respectively, for each analyte, the process was validated. With an R2 > 0.998, the linear calibration curve between 5 to 200 ng/ml was obtained. Moreover, the method exhibited exceptional accuracy and robustness with a recovery range between 70-120% according to SWGTOX guidelines. In addition, this study provides a reliable and efficient approach to extracting and identifying antidepressants from gastric fluid.