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Biomedical subjects

A Konar

Publications and source records attributed to A Konar.

14 recordsLinked to original sources

Sarcoma-like mural nodules in ovarian mucinous cystadenomas--a report of two cases.

Sarcoma-like mural nodule is a very rare occurrence in a mucinous tumour of the ovary. Two such nodules having morphologically benign features with osteoclastic giant cells, in the wall of mucinous cystadenoma are described. In addition, these nodules exhibited reactive vascular proliferations. The sarcoma-like nodules are associated with a favourable outcome and must be distinguished from other malignant nodules composed of sarcoma or anaplastic carcinoma that may also occur in the wall of mucinous ovarian tumours.

Adult↗

Analysis of differentially expressed genes in hyperthyroid-induced hypertrophied heart by cDNA microarray.

Experiments were carried out to identify the altered genes in hyperthyroid rat heart and their influence on the functions of cardiac myocytes. Chronic treatment of rats with 3,5,3' triiodo-L-thyronine (T3) resulted in a prominent increase in the size of the left ventricle with increased wall thickness and reduced chamber volume leading to concentric cardiac hypertrophy. The heart weight to body weight ratio (HW/BW) in hyperthyroid rats was increased by about 58% over that of normal rats. Using cDNA microarray comprising 588 genes, we compared the differences in mRNA expression of hyperthyroid and normal rat heart. Based on a threshold of greater than 10% change, about 37 genes were found to be regulated by T3. Further analyses by Western blotting, Northern blotting and real-time quantitative RT-PCR of some of the genes confirmed the microarray results. The T3-altered genes encode various types of proteins related to metabolism, matrix and cytoskeletal structures, growth factors, transcription factors, Ca(2+)-channels etc. The physiological significance of one of these altered proteins in hyperthyroid heart, insulin-responsive glucose transporter (GLUT) type 4 (GLUT4), was studied in detail. The expression of GLUT4 was drastically reduced in the ventricular tissues of hyperthyroid heart. Insulin-induced glucose uptake in hyperthyroid cardiomyocytes was reduced significantly, indicating the impaired glucose transport in cardiac cells. Interestingly, a few genes such as GLUT4, cytochrome P450 isoforms, superoxide dismutase (SOD), collagens, matrix metalloproteinases (MMP), tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases etc. which had not been reported earlier were found to be altered in hyperthyroid heart. Our results show some new aspects of hyperthyroid heart which will be important in assessing the pathophysiology of hypertrophied cardiomyocytes.

Animals↗

Transcatheter therapy of intravisceral bleeding.

Intravisceral bleeding is a life-threatening situation demanding fast and active steps to control, unless it stops spontaneously as in a few lucky patients. A surgical approach is a major intervention with its associated procedural risks when the site is in organs other than the spleen. The transcatheter approach helps in precise location and embolization of the bleeding site; it is a more practical approach that has been known for the past 2 decades to be effective and provide good long-term results. However, the transcatheter approach has been reported in fewer than 200 cases in the literature. Our small series of 43 cases shows initial success of 95% and a fatal early recurrence of only 2.4%. Non-hemorrhagic etiology (sepsis, head injury, etc.) was the major cause of early death (14.6%) among the successfully embolized cases. Long-term follow-up shows recurrence (4.8%) only in the group of chronic etiology. Transcatheter embolization of intravisceral bleeding with Gel-Foam and/or poly-vinyl alcohol particles is a swift, effective and precise method of treatment without major operational hazards.

Embolization, Therapeutic↗

Natural history of severe duodenal ulcer disease.

BACKGROUND: A subset of patients with chronic duodenal ulcer has severe ulcer diathesis in the form of frequent relapses and complications like perforation and hemorrhage. We observed the effect of drug treatment on the natural history of this subset. METHODS: Of 526 patients diagnosed to have chronic duodenal ulcer by endoscopy, 23 patients with severe diathesis were available for long follow-up (mean period 36 months). Each patient was assessed clinically and endoscopically every 2 months for at least 12 months and then every 3 months or when symptomatic. Helicobacter pylori status was assessed during endoscopy. The effect of antisecretory drugs and anti-H. pylori therapy on natural history was determined. RESULTS: Thirteen of 23 patients (56%) had refractory ulcers; six responded to double dose of H2-receptor antagonists (H2RA) for 8 weeks and six to omeprazole 40 mg daily for 4-8 weeks. Of 20 patients (87%) who were H. pylori-positive, 15 completed triple-drug therapy; of these, 10 patients eradicated H. pylori. These 10 patients were followed up for 24 months; there were no ulcer relapses within the first 12 months but 8 of them relapsed between 12 and 24 months (total number of relapses 8). Reinfection with H. pylori occurred in 3 patients. In the other 10 patients who remained H. pylori-positive, there were 19 episodes of ulcer relapse in 7 patients over 24 months, in spite of maintenance therapy with H2RA (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Refractoriness in patients with severe ulcer disease is usually episodic and amenable to larger doses of omeprazole or H2RA. Anti-H. pylori therapy improves the natural history but its effect in preventing ulcer relapse is short lasting (less than 12 months). Recurrence of infection is a problem in our population.

Adult↗

Fate of [14C]coumaphos after dermal application to lactating goats as a pour-on formulation.

Two lactating Nubian goats were dermally treated with [14C]coumaphos (O-[3-chloro-4-methyl-2-oxo-2H-benzopyran-7-yl] O,O-diethyl phosphorothioate) as a 4% active ingredient pour-on formulation. Doses were administered, along the dorsal midline from withers to sacrum, at a rate equivalent to 14 mg of coumaphos/kg of body weight. During the 7 days after treatment, an average of less than 0.1, 4.7, and 1% of the administered dose was eliminated in the milk, urine, and feces, respectively. When goats were killed after 7 days, about 45% of the administered radiocarbon remained on the hair and skin, and this consisted almost entirely of intact coumaphos. Residues in selected tissues collected after 7 days were, in every case, less than 1 mg of coumaphos equivalent/kg of tissue, with highest residues in adipose tissue, followed by residues in kidney and liver. In milk, residue amounts plateaued after about 2 days and remained relatively constant at about 0.1 mg of coumaphos equivalent/kg of milk. Residues in adipose tissue and in milk consisted mainly of unmetabolized coumaphos. In urine, most radiocarbon was present as metabolites of coumaphos, but in feces, most radiocarbon was present as the intact parent compound. Coumaphos was absorbed slowly and at a constant rate after dermal application to lactating goats as a pour-on formulation.

Adipose Tissue↗

Protein losing enteropathy as a sole manifestation of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

We describe a patient who presented with oedema and hypoproteinaemia which was proved to be due to protein-losing enteropathy. Extensive gastrointestinal investigations failed to discover any definitive cause. He subsequently developed tuberculous inguinal lymphadenopathy but although treated for tuberculosis the protein-losing state persisted. Later on he developed renal failure due to obstructive nephropathy. Laparotomy was carried out and it disclosed the diagnosis of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, treatment of which cured the protein-losing state.

Adult↗

Response to low-dose interferon in chronic liver disease due to hepatitis B virus infection.

BACKGROUND: Interferon is at present the only effective therapy for chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Data regarding its efficacy in India are scant. The present study was undertaken to assess the efficacy of low-dose interferon in chronic liver disease due to HBV infection. METHODS: Twenty four patients with histologic evidence of chronic hepatitis with or without cirrhosis, and persistent elevation of serum aminotransferases and persistent positivity for HBsAg and HBeAg for more than six months, were included. Fourteen patients were treated with interferon alpha-2b, 3 million units thrice weekly for 16 weeks; ten patients who could not afford the drug were followed up as controls without specific therapy. Patients were examined weekly for the first 4 weeks, followed by two weekly for 12 weeks and then every two months. Blood tests for viral markers and liver biochemistry were done at 0, 4, 8, 12, 16 weeks and then at two-month intervals for at least one year after therapy. Patients who cleared HBeAg were followed up for 2.2 (1-4) years for HBsAg clearance. RESULTS: HBeAg clearance occurred in 9 patients (64%) in the interferon group, and in one control patient (p < 0.01). HBsAg clearance occurred in only one patient in the treatment group during follow up of mean 2.4 years. No patient in the control group cleared HBsAg. Patients having high ALT level at the beginning of treatment had significantly higher HBeAg clearance rate (7 of 7) than patients with low ALT levels (2 of 7; p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Low-dose interferon therapy is effective in attaining HBeAg, but not HBsAg, clearance in chronic HBV infection.

Adult↗