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Biomedical subjects

A Sahai

Publications and source records attributed to A Sahai.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Laparoscopic pyeloplasty and pyelopyelostomy for ureteropelvic junction obstruction in a duplicated collecting system.

Ureteropelvic junction obstruction can be associated with renal anomalies. We present a case of symptomatic ureteropelvic junction obstruction associated with a duplicated collecting system that was successfully treated by laparoscopic pyeloplasty and concomitant pyelopyelostomy. The operative time was 210 minutes, and the blood loss was 20 mL. The inpatient stay was 4.5 days, and the patient returned to work after 28 days. Subsequent renograms confirmed improvement in renal function and resolution of obstruction. After 1 year, the patient remained asymptomatic. This is a feasible minimally invasive procedure for this condition that requires advanced reconstructive and intracorporeal suturing skills.

Adult↗

Synchronous colectomy and caesarean section for fulminant ulcerative colitis: case report and review of the literature.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) affects women of all ages, with a peak incidence in the third and fourth decades, at the prime of their reproductive years [Baiocco PJ, Korelitz BI (1984) The influence of inflammatory bowel disease and its treatment on pregnancy and fetal outcome. J Clin Gastroenterol 6(3):211-216]. We describe a case of fulminating UC at 28 weeks' gestation treated by combined emergency subtotal colectomy and caesarean section with excellent foetal and maternal outcome. A treatment algorithm is suggested, and the literature surrounding inflammatory bowel disease in pregnancy is reviewed.

Adult↗

Laparoscopic management of cryptorchidism in adults.

OBJECTIVES: Little is reported on the management of impalpable testis in adults. We present the impact of laparoscopy in this patient group. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twelve adult patients have been referred to our centre over the last year, with impalpable testis. Pre-operative assessment was by either ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or both. Quality of life and patient satisfaction were assessed by validated SF8 and client satisfaction (CSQ-8) questionnaires. Patients were also administered a self constructed questionnaire specifically looking at the impact of a laparoscopic service on their condition. RESULTS: The mean age was 29 yrs (range: 19-36). Two patients declined treatment. Of ten patients undergoing transperitoneal laparoscopy, five had intra-abdominal testes treated by laparoscopic orchidectomy (none malignant), two had the vas going into the deep ring and needed inguinal orchidectomy for an impalpable nubbin while in three cases there were blind ending vessels and vas. SF8 scores for physical HRQoL were unchanged but mental scores were significantly improved (p < 0.03). All patients were completely satisfied with a mean CSQ-8 score of 30.6 out of a possible 32. The majority of patients indicated that the availability of a laparoscopic service had prompted them to seek medical advice. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic examination and orchidectomy is a safe and reliable procedure. Excellent patient satisfaction and quality of life are achievable. In particular mental health scores improve as previous uncertainty is removed. The advent of laparoscopy has encouraged adult patients to seek advice regarding a condition that has been present since childhood. We advocate the use of laparoscopy in evaluating and treating adult patients with maldescended testes.

Adult↗

Botulinum toxin for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms: a review.

AIMS: To review the available literature on the application of botulinum toxin in the urinary tract, with particular reference to its use in treating detrusor overactivity (DO). METHODS: Botulinum toxin, overactive bladder (OAB), detrusor instability, DO, detrusor sphincter dyssynergia (DSD), and lower urinary tract dysfunction were used on Medline Services as a source of articles for the review process. RESULTS: DO poses a significant burden on patients and their quality of life. Traditionally patients have been treated with anti-cholinergic drugs if symptomatic, however, a significant number find this treatment either ineffective or intolerable due to side effects. Recent developments in this field have instigated new treatment options, including botulinum toxin, for patients' refractory to first line medication. Botulinum toxin, one of the most poisonous substances known to man, is a neurotoxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. Botulinum toxin injections into the external urethral sphincter to treat detrusor sphincter dyssynergia has been successfully used for some years but recently its use has expanded to include voiding dysfunction. Intradetrusal injections of botulinum toxin into patients with detrusor overactivity and symptoms of the overactive bladder have resulted in significant increases in mean maximum cystometric capacity and detrusor compliance with a reduction in mean maximum detrusor pressures. Subjective and objective assessments in these patients has shown significant improvements that last for 9-12 months. Repeated injections have had the same sustained benefits. CONCLUSIONS: Application of botulinum toxin in the lower urinary tract has produced promising results in treating lower urinary tract dysfunction, which needs further evaluation with randomised, placebo-controlled trials.

Anti-Dyskinesia Agents↗

Eosinophilic cystitis and its management.

Eosinophilic cystitis (EC) is a rare clinicopathological condition characterized by transmural inflammation of the bladder predominantly with eosinophils, associated with fibrosis with or without muscle necrosis. The cause of EC remains unclear, although it has been associated with various aetiological factors, such as allergy, bladder tumour, bladder trauma, parasitic infections and chemotherapeutic agents. EC is, probably, caused by the antigen-antibody reaction. This leads to the production of various immunoglobulins, which, in turn, cause the activation of eosinophils and initiates the inflammatory process. The most common symptom complex consists of frequency, haematuria, dysuria and suprapubic pain. Cystoscopy and biopsy are the gold standard for diagnosis. Additional laboratory evidence supporting the diagnosis includes proteinuria, microscopic haematuria and peripheral eosinophilia, the last one occurring in few patients. There is no curative treatment for this condition. Current treatment modalities include transurethral resection of the bladder lesion along with non-specific medical therapy, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents or steroids. Because the lesion tends to recur in spite of the above therapy, long-term follow-up is mandatory.

Algorithms↗

Laparoscopic ureteroneocystostomy for benign lower ureteric stricture: case study and literature review.

The surgical treatment of distal ureteric strictures depends on their length and aetiology. Laparoscopic procedures in this setting are uncommon. We describe a laparoscopic non-refluxing ureteroneocystostomy for a symptomatic distal ureteric stricture performed on a 26-year-old man. The operation was carried out successfully without complication. Blood loss was 100 ml with an operating time of 250 min. He was discharged on the fourth day and returned to work after 11 days. Retrograde ureterography and cystography after 1 month showed no evidence of obstruction or reflux. At 3 months, an intravenous urogram showed excellent drainage and at 6 months the patient remained asymptomatic. We advocate the use of laparoscopic ureteroneocystostomy for benign distal ureteric stricture refractory to endoscopic procedures. In symptomatic patients, it is a feasible, safe, minimally invasive procedure with all the added benefits of laparoscopy compared with open repair. A non-refluxing anastomosis is preferable. Reconstructive and intracorporeal suturing skills are needed to carry out this procedure.

Adult↗

A comparison of sonourethrography and retrograde urethrography in evaluation of anterior urethral strictures.

AIM: This prospective study was undertaken to evaluate the abnormalities of the male anterior urethra using high-resolution ultrasound (sonourethrography) and to compare the efficacy with that of retrograde urethrography (RGU) using operative findings as the gold standard. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy patients with symptoms of lower urinary tract obstruction underwent RGU followed by sonourethrography. The sonologist was blinded to the findings of RGU. The parameters studied were compared with the intra-operative findings as gold standard, and the sensitivity, specificity and overall accuracy for the procedures were calculated. Chi-square test and kappa statistics were used where appropriate. RESULTS: All patients found to have urethral stricture disease by RGU were also detected by sonourethrography and confirmed intra-operatively. In the estimation of stricture length, RGU showed a lower sensitivity (60-80%) for lengths 1-4 cm, compared with sonourethrography (73.3-100%). Spongiofibrosis was detected by sonourethrography with a sensitivity of 77.3-83.3%. All the false tracts and calculi detected at sonourethrography were confirmed at surgery, whereas RGU showed a low sensitivity in their detection. The complications encountered during the procedures were pain, urethral bleeding and contrast intravasation. The frequency of pain during RGU was greater (p < 0.001); however, the difference in frequency of bleeding after the two procedures was not significant (p < 0.5). CONCLUSION: RGU and sonourethrography are equally efficacious in detection of anterior urethral strictures. Further characterization of strictures in terms of length, diameter and periurethral pathologies, like spongiofibrosis and false tracts, is done with greater sensitivity using sonourethrography as compared with RGU, with the added benefit of lower incidence of complications.

Hemorrhage↗

Rational use of anti-snake venom (ASV): trial of various regimens in hemotoxic snake envenomation.

BACKGROUND: Viperine snake bites cause hemotoxicity in the form of coagulation dysfunction. Optimal dose requirement of anti-snake venom (ASV) and duration of therapy in such situation have not yet been fully explored. Our aim in this study was to compare two low-dose continuous infusion regimes with the standard high dose intermittent bolus regime in treating systemic envenomation and preventing its recurrence. METHODS: A prospective interventional study was conducted on 90 adult patients with snake bite with hemotoxicity. Patents were allocated into three treatment regimes, each regime being tried on 30 patients. Regimen I (standard high dose regimen) consisted of conventional, intermittent bolus dosage of 100 ml of ASV as a loading dose followed by 50 ml every six hours till whole blood coagulation time (CT) became normal. Regimen II consisted of 30 ml of ASV as a loading dose followed by 30 ml continuous infusion every six hours till two CTs at an interval of six hours were normal and a further dose of 30ml over 24 hours. Regimen III was similar to Regimen II in all aspects except that loading dose was 70 ml (instead of 30 ml). RESULTS: In patients with mild envenomation, even though the average requirement of ASV was only marginally lower in Regimen II (128.6 ml) as compared to in Regimen I (137.5 ml), one patient on Regimen I had relapse of coagulation dysfunction. In patients with moderate envenomation, average requirement of ASV was 221.3 ml and 179 ml in Regimens II and III respectively, which was much less than in Regimen I (343.8 ml) (p values 0.05 and 0.01 respectively). Further, no patient receiving Regimen III had relapse of coagulation dysfunction. In severe envenomation, average dose of ASV required was almost similar in Regimens II and III, i.e., 213.7 ml and 233.7 ml respectively, as compared to 433.3 ml required in Regimen I (p values 0.02 and 0.001 respectively). However, time lapse for CT normalization was only 18 hours in Regimen III as compared to 23.6 hours and 24 hours in Regimens I and II respectively. CONCLUSION: Regimens consisting of continuous intravenous infusion of ASV i.e., Regimen II in mild envenomation and Regimen III in moderate and severe envenomation are likely to make significant saving of ASV and reduction of recurrence of coagulation dysfunction.

Adult↗

Attitudes of medical and dental students to dissection.

Guy's, King's, and St. Thomas's School of Medicine encourages students to learn anatomy from human dissection. Today, there is a worldwide move of anatomy-based teaching away from dissection to prosection. This study investigates how attitudes toward dissection vary with gender and ethnicity. We assessed students' reactions and concerns regarding the dissecting room, any coping strategies they use to combat them, and analyzed effective methods of teaching anatomy to medical and dental students. Three questionnaires were distributed amongst 474 first-year medical and dental students before dissection and 1 week and 12 weeks after exposure to the dissecting room. Over the 3 months we found significant changes in the concerns of students about dissection. There were also significant differences (P < 0.05) between medical and dental students, males and females, and students of differing ethnic backgrounds, which persisted over 12 weeks. Both medical and dental students found tutorials and textbooks of most value in learning anatomy. Dental students found prosection more useful than medical students (P < 0.001) though neither group demonstrated a significant preference for prosection over dissection. Of concern, 7% reported recurring images of cadavers and 2% insomnia after commencing dissection. Interest in the subject matter and discussion were the commonest methods used to combat stress. This study contributes to the ongoing debate about the value of the dissecting room in the medical school curriculum.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

Acute polymorphic psychotic disorder: diagnostic stability over 3 years.

OBJECTIVE: Acute polymorphic psychotic disorder without symptoms of schizophrenia (APPD) in ICD-10 is unique in many characteristics. This study aimed at investigating the diagnostic stability of APPD over 3 years. METHOD: Forty-five patients with first episode APPD were followed up and assessed at regular intervals over a period of 3 years. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients were females. Average age of the sample was 26.9 years. Thirty-three cases retained their index diagnosis of APPD, while 12 cases required diagnostic revision: 10 to bipolar affective disorder and the rest to unspecified non-organic psychosis. Shorter duration of illness (<1 month) and abrupt onset (<48 h) predicted a stable diagnosis of APPD. CONCLUSION: APPD is a relatively stable diagnosis and argues for a distinct diagnostic entity.

Acute Disease↗

Acute pancreatitis and bacterial translocation.

Infectious complications are the most frequent and severe complications of acute narcotizing pancreatitis (AP) with a mortality rate up to 80%. Although experimental and clinical studies suggest that the microbiologic source of pancreatic infection could be enteric, information in this regard is scant. This study evaluated bacterial translocation (BT) using mild and severe models of AP. Mild AP was induced by 6-hr continuous intravenous infusion of cerulein, while severe AP was induced by additional infusion of glycodeoxycholic acid into the biliopancreatic duct. BT was evaluated with organ cultures performed when animals were killed (24 hr). To confirm the gastrointestinal origin of the translocating microorganisms, fluorescent microspheres were also given to the animals in drinking water 24 hr before induction of AP. At the time of death beads were counted with a (fluorescence-activated cell sorter) (FACS) in peritoneal lavages and with fluorescent microscopy in frozen sections of the pancreata. Morphology of the distal small bowel showed significant changes in the animals with AP compared to controls, such as reduction of villus high and altered microvasculature. Mild AP induced BT to the pancreas in 100% of the animals, compared to pancreata from control groups. Severe AP induced increased BT to the pancreas. BT to liver and spleen was also significantly increased with AP. The presence of fluorescent microspheres confirmed their enteric derivation. This study provides evidence for the enteric origin of microorganisms responsible for pancreatic infectious complications during AP. The evidence of BT after laparotomy suggests an increased risk of infections with the association of these conditions. This could provide an explanation for the high mortality associated with laparotomy in course of AP.

Animals↗

Hypoxia and high glucose cause exaggerated mesangial cell growth and collagen synthesis: role of osteopontin.

The effect of hypoxia on the proliferation and collagen synthesis of cultured rat mesangial cells was examined under normal-glucose (NG, 5 mM) and high-glucose (HG, 25 mM)-media conditions. In addition, a role for osteopontin (OPN) in mediating these processes was assessed. Quiescent cultures were exposed to hypoxia (3% O(2)) and normoxia (18% O(2)) in a serum-free medium with NG or HG, and cell proliferation, collagen synthesis, and OPN expression were assessed. Cells exposed to hypoxia in NG medium resulted in significant increases in [(3)H]thymidine incorporation, cell number, and [(3)H]proline incorporation, respectively. HG incubations also produced significant stimulation of these parameters under normoxic conditions, which were markedly enhanced in cells exposed to hypoxia in HG medium. In addition, hypoxia and HG stimulated the mRNA levels of type IV collagen, and the combination of hypoxia and HG resulted in additive increases in type IV collagen expression. Hypoxia and HG also stimulated OPN mRNA and protein levels in an additive fashion. A neutralizing antibody to OPN or its beta(3)-integrin receptor significantly blocked the effect of hypoxia and HG on proliferation and collagen synthesis. In conclusion, these results demonstrate for the first time that hypoxia in HG medium produces exaggerated mesangial cell growth and type IV collagen synthesis. In addition, OPN appears to play a role in mediating the accelerated mesangial cell growth and collagen synthesis found in a hyperglycemic and hypoxic environment.

Animals↗

Hypoxia stimulates osteopontin expression and proliferation of cultured vascular smooth muscle cells: potentiation by high glucose.

We examined the effect of hypoxia on proliferation and osteopontin (OPN) expression in cultured rat aortic vascular smooth muscle (VSM) cells. In addition, we determined whether hypoxia-induced increases in OPN and cell proliferation are altered under hyperglycemic conditions. Quiescent cultures of VSM cells were exposed to hypoxia (3% O(2)) or normoxia (18% O(2)) in a serum-free medium, and cell proliferation as well as the expression of OPN was assessed. Cells exposed to hypoxia for 24 h exhibited a significant increase in [(3)H]thymidine incorporation followed by a significant increase in cell number at 48 h in comparison with respective normoxic controls. Exposure to hypoxia produced significant increases in OPN protein and mRNA expression at 2 h followed by a gradual decline at 6 and 12 h, with subsequent significant increases at 24 h. Neutralizing antibodies to either OPN or its receptor beta3 integrin but not neutralizing antibodies to beta5 integrin prevented the hypoxia-induced increase in [(3)H]thymidine incorporation. Inhibitors of protein kinase C (PKC) and p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase also reduced the hypoxia-induced stimulation of proliferation and OPN synthesis. Exposure to high-glucose (HG) (25 mmol/l) medium under normoxic conditions also resulted in significant increases in OPN protein and mRNA levels as well as the proliferation of VSM cells. Under hypoxic conditions, HG further stimulated OPN synthesis and cell proliferation in an additive fashion. In conclusion, hypoxia-induced proliferation of cultured VSM cells is mediated by the stimulation of OPN synthesis involving PKC and p38 MAP kinase. In addition, hypoxia also enhances the effect of HG conditions on both OPN and proliferation of cultured VSM cells, which may have important implications in the development of diabetic atherosclerosis associated with arterial wall hypoxia.

Animals↗

Glial growth factor-2 promotes the survival, migration and bromodeoxyuridine incorporation of mammalian neural crest cells in caudal neural tube explant cultures.

Using an in vitro assay system, we found that GGF-2 increases the number of nascent trunk neural crest cells (NCC) present in the dorsal outgrowth derived from E12 caudal neural tube explants. Data is presented which suggests that this increased outgrowth was due to a combination of GGF-2 mediated effects, including its ability to promote (A) NCC survival by decreasing the percentage of NCC that undergo cell death via a mechanism involving DNA fragmentation, (B) the initial phases of NCC migration, (C) mitosis of peripherally migrating NCC. We also show that GGF-2 can promote the long-term survival of NCC in the absence of the neural tube. An immunohistochemical analysis indicates that NCC express erbB-2 and erbB-4 neuregulin receptors.

Animals↗

Osteopontin mediates hypoxia-induced proliferation of cultured mesangial cells: role of PKC and p38 MAPK.

BACKGROUND: We previously reported that hypoxia induces the proliferation of cultured mesangial cells mediated by the stimulation of intracellular calcium and the activation of protein kinase C (PKC). In the present study, we examined the roles of mesangial cell specific growth factors (platelet-derived growth factor and endothelin-1) and osteopontin (OPN) in hypoxia-induced proliferation of mesangial cells. In addition, we determined the effect of hypoxia on p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase activity and the roles of both PKC and p38 MAP kinase in hypoxia-induced alterations in OPN and mesangial cell growth. METHODS: Quiescent cultures of mesangial cells were exposed to hypoxia (3% O2) or normoxia (18% O2) in a serum-free medium, and [3H]-thymidine incorporation, OPN protein and mRNA expression, and p38 MAP kinase activity were assessed. RESULTS: Hypoxic-conditioned medium mimicked the effect of hypoxia on thymidine incorporation, suggesting the release of diffusable growth promoting factor(s) by hypoxia. Neither anti-endothelin-1 nor anti-platelet-derived growth factor-neutralizing antibodies had an effect on increased thymidine incorporation induced by hypoxia. However, blocking the effects of OPN either with anti-OPN antibody or its beta3 integrin receptor antibody completely prevented the hypoxia-induced increase in thymidine incorporation. Hypoxia also stimulated OPN protein and mRNA levels. Hypoxia caused an acute activation of p38 MAP kinase, which was inhibited by both verapamil and an inhibitor of PKC (calph C). PKC inhibitor and an inhibitor of p38 MAP kinase (SB203580) reduced the hypoxia-induced stimulation of both OPN and cell growth. CONCLUSIONS: These studies provide, to our knowledge, the first evidence demonstrating the role of OPN in hypoxia-induced proliferation of mesangial cells. In addition, hypoxia causes an activation of p38 MAP kinase in a calcium- and PKC-dependent manner, and the activation of PKC and p38 MAP kinase appears to be involved in the stimulation of both OPN and mesangial cell proliferation induced by hypoxia.

Animals↗

Dose and frequency of anti-snake venom injection in treatment of Echis carinatus (saw-scaled viper) bite.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the adequacy of initial standard dose of 100 ml of polyvalent anti-snake venom (ASV) and subsequent doses of 50 ml in correcting coagulation dysfunction in cases of viperine bite and to find the incidence of recurrence of coagulation dysfunction. The other objective was to correlate total requirement of ASV with initial coagulation profile. METHODS: Forty two adult patients of Echis carinatus bite with features of systemic envenomation, admitted over a period of 18 months, were monitored every six hours with bed-side clotting time (CT) and were given an initial standard dose of 100 ml of ASV intravenously. Further doses of 50 ml were administered six hourly until coagulation profile normalised or whenever a recurrence of coagulation dysfunction observed. RESULTS: Twenty one (50%) of 42 patients who received initial standard dose of 100 ml of ASV required a subsequent 50 ml of ASV. Ten (23.8%) of them required a further 50 ml on subsequent test (making the total requirement at least 200 ml). Sixteen (72.7%) of 22 patients who had incoagulable blood at entry required further dose of anti-snake venom (after initial 100 ml), six required 150 ml and ten 200 ml or more before CT returned to normal. Recurrence of venom antigenemia as evidenced by prolonged clotting time was noticed in 15 patients (35.7%). The mean dose requirement of anti-snake venom was 179.2 ml. CONCLUSIONS: Total requirement of anti-snake venom correlated positively with degree of coagulation dysfunction at entry. Hence patients having incoagulable blood at entry should be administered higher initial dose of ASV i.e., 150-200 ml. If needed as judged by CT, subsequent dose of ASV in patients having still incoagulable blood should be 100 ml (and those having mild dysfunction 50 ml) until total correction occurs Recurrence of coagulation dysfunction was observed in approximately one-third of patients and thus, CT should be monitored even after total correction.

Adult↗