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Biomedical subjects

A P Narang

Publications and source records attributed to A P Narang.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

Role of fibronectin in diagnosis of malignant ascites.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the role of ascitic fluid fibronectin in the diagnosis of malignant ascites. Fibronectin is a glycoprotein which plays an important role in regulating the organisation of the cell cytoskeleton and cell morphology. Ascitic fluid samples from 35 patients, 20 with portal hypertension (Group-I) and 15 with malignant ascites (Group-II) were analysed for proteins, cell counts, fibronectin levels and malignant cell cytology. Mean ascitic fluid fibronectin level was found to be significantly higher in malignant ascites as compared to portal hypertension (p < 0.001). At a cut off value of 94.67 microg/ml, the sensitivity, specificity, positive accuracy, negative accuracy and overall diagnostic accuracy was found to be 100%, 95%, 93.8%, 100% and 97.1% respectively.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Arsenic adulteration in Indian tobacco.

Sixty samples of smoking and chewing tobacco from subjects in and around Ludhiana, Punjab were tested for arsenic content. No significant difference between the two groups could be detected. The probable role of arsenicosis in neuropathy and liver disease in the Indian population is discussed.

Arsenic↗
PubMed1994

Appraisal of the thyroid function tests: the Ludhiana experience.

In a series of 4,366 patients screened at Ludhiana, Punjab, the incidence of hypothyroidism was of the order of about 20 per cent and of hyperthyroidism about 15 per cent in both sexes. The female-to-male ratio was a little over 3:1. These statistics conform broadly to conventional Western figures. The relevance of the thyroid function tests in detecting subclinical thyroid disorders in relation to other systems cannot be overemphasised.

Female↗
PubMed1991

Copper and zinc levels in maternal and fetal cord blood.

Serum copper and zinc were estimated in 44 mothers and their cord blood at term. The results were compared with 40 age-matched non-pregnant females and 67 males. The mean serum copper in the nonpregnant female group and in males was 114.6 (SD 30.43) and 111.3 (SD 30.79) micrograms/dl, whereas in mothers immediately after delivery it was 135.3 (+/- 26.26) micrograms/dl, which was significantly higher than the female control group (P less than 0.01). In fetal cord blood, it was 35% as compared to maternal blood. Serum zinc in control females and males was 112.8 (+/- 11.94) and 109.9 (+/- 15.69) micrograms/dl, respectively. In mothers it was 102.9 (+/- 17.04) micrograms/dl which was significantly lower than the female controls. In fetal cord blood, it was 98.6 (+/- 12.10) micrograms/dl. No significant difference could be obtained between maternal serum zinc and cord blood levels.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Levels of copper and zinc in depression.

The study was undertaken to estimate plasma copper and zinc in thirty-five depressed patients. Two blood samples were drawn from each patient, one before starting treatment and the second after recovery from depression. The results were compared with the thirty-five normal healthy individuals. The mean plasma copper in controls, depressed patients and in patients after recovery were 106.82, 122.14 and 104.22 micrograms/dl, respectively. The copper levels in patients when depressed were significantly higher as compared to controls and after recovery from depression. The mean plasma zinc levels in controls, depressed patients and after recovery were 115.80, 107.62 and 125.68 micrograms/dl, respectively. No significant difference could be obtained between control and depressed patients. However, the values were significantly higher in recovered patients compared to patients with depression.

Copper↗
PubMed1989

Serum copper levels in gastrointestinal tract (GIT) cancer.

Cancer of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) is very commonly encountered in Kashmir Valley of India. Serum copper and ceruloplasmin levels were investigated in 75 patients with GIT cancer, 42 non-GIT cancer and 75 normal healthy controls. The mean serum copper in the control group was 1,078 (S.D. 0,296) mg/L, while in patients with GIT and non-GIT cancers, it was 1,738 (S.D. 0,675) and 1,449 (S.D. 0,501) mg/L. Copper in both types of cancers showed significant increase (p less than 0.001). It was significantly higher in GIT cancers (p less than 0.01) as compared to non-GIT cancers. Ceruloplasmin in controls was 379 (S.D. 51) mg/L, while in GIT and non-GIT cancer patients the values were 363 (S.D. 75) and 364 (S.D. 77) mg/L, respectively. No significant difference could be found in either of the groups. In Kashmir Valley, the copper content in body tissues is likely to be on the high side because copper utensils are widely used by the general population. Water and milk samples stored in copper vessels and salt tea prepared in copper vessels showed markedly high levels of copper.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Total acidity, pH and ethanol contents in illicit liquor (Indian home made brew).

'Home made brew' (illicit liquor) is often consumed in rural areas of India. Forty-six such alcohol samples were collected from different areas to assess total acidity, pH and ethanol content. The mean ethanol content was 16.47% (v/v) (range 1.11-36.88%). Total acidity ranged between 0.56 and 10.88 with the mean of 2.85 g of sodium hydroxide/l. The mean pH was 4.20 (range 2.70-9.41).

Alcohol Drinking↗
PubMed1987

Levels of arsenic in alcohol-related liver disease.

Increased levels of arsenic were found in serum and urine and in hair and nails of patients suffering from alcohol-related liver disease (ALD). Various surveys were conducted in different places to find the cause for high arsenic in ALD. It was found that patients were consuming 'home made brew' which was contaminated with arsenic.

Alcoholic Beverages↗
PubMed1987

Levels of arsenic in Indian opium eaters.

Intake of opium is very common in India. The contraband material is generally contaminated with arsenic. Most often opium eaters present with neuropathy and hepatomegaly. Arsenic was estimated in serum, urine, nails and hair of opium eaters with and without neuropathy. Arsenic was also estimated in various opium samples. Arsenic was significantly higher in serum, urine, nails and hair of opium addicts when compared to controls. The opium samples analysed showed varyingly high amounts of arsenic.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Arsenicosis in India.

Consumption of the hepatotoxin arsenic is very common in certain geographical areas of India and occurs as a result of the intake of arsenic contaminated water, vegetables, adultered opium, ayurvedic and indigenous medicines, and "home made brew". Arsenic levels were estimated in livers obtained after autopsy from patients of idiopathic cirrhosis, alcoholic cirrhosis, Indian childhood cirrhosis, non-cirrhotic portal fibrosis, fulminant hepatitis and Wilson's disease. Significantly increased levels of arsenic were found in all diseased livers investigated when compared with values obtained from control groups. The study suggests that elevated levels of arsenic may be associated with liver disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Impairment of drug elimination in patients with liver disease.

An attempt has been made to investigate drug elimination in patients with liver disease. Antipyrine was chosen as a model drug. The patients were divided into three groups depending upon clinical, biochemical, radiologic and histologic findings; (1) mild (Idiopathic portal hypertension, extrahepatic portal vein obstruction and Gilbert's syndrome); (2) moderate (Budd-Chiari syndrome and amoebic liver abscess); (3) severe (acute hepatitis, chronic active hepatitis and cirrhosis). A prolongation in antipyrine half-life (t1/2) was observed in 108 patients with liver disease (24.59 +/- 1.72 h) as compared to 12 controls (11.63 +/- 0.86 h). Similarly, metabolic clearance rate was decreased in all liver disorders. Among liver function tests, antipyrine t1/2 showed a significant correlation with serum albumin and prothrombin time index. After phenobarbitone administration, antipyrine clearance studied in 37 patients showed a significant decrease in t1/2 and an increase in MCR. Antipyrine t1/2 in 26 patients after recovery was comparable to those of controls.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Levels of arsenic in liver cirrhosis.

The present studies were conducted to determine the arsenic levels in liver specimens obtained at autopsy from human subjects suffering from liver cirrhosis. Arsenic content was determined using the neutron activation analysis technique. Increased levels of arsenic were found in cirrhotic liver samples including alcoholic cirrhosis. Various surveys were conducted in different places to find the cause for high arsenic in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis. It was found that patients were consuming 'home-made brew' which was contaminated with arsenic. The study suggests that elevated levels of arsenic may be associated with liver damage in cirrhotic patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

In vitro drug metabolism in humans with different liver diseases.

In vitro drug metabolism studies were carried out in 97 patients with liver disease. Drug-metabolizing enzymes (aminopyrine N-demethylase and bilirubin UDP-glucuronyl transferase) were estimated in livers obtained at the time of biopsy with a Menghini needle. The patients were divided into three groups depending on clinical, biochemical, radiologic, and histologic findings: (i) mild (non-cirrhotic portal fibrosis and extrahepatic portal vein obstruction), (ii) moderate (Budd-Chiari syndrome and amebic liver abscess), (iii) severe (acute hepatitis, chronic active hepatitis, and cirrhosis). Aminopyrine N-demethylase was decreased in all liver disorders as compared to ten control liver samples. Bilirubin UDP-glucuronyl transferase was significantly lower in all liver disorders except for amebic liver abscess and extrahepatic portal vein obstruction. Both the enzymes in (i) and (ii) groups were significantly higher than in group (iii). A significant correlation was obtained between the two enzymes.

Aminopyrine N-Demethylase↗