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Biomedical subjects

D Basu

Publications and source records attributed to D Basu.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Synthesis and sintering of biomimetic hydroxyapatite nanoparticles for biomedical applications.

Synthesis of monodisperse nanoparticles with uniform morphology and narrow size distribution as achieved by nature is a challenge to materials scientists. Mimicking the process of biomineralization has led to the development of biomolecules mediated synthesis of nanoparticles that overcomes many of the problems associated with nanoparticle synthesis. Termed as biomimetics this paradigm shift in the philosophy of synthesis of materials is very advantageous for the design-based synthesis of nanoparticles. The effect of concentration of a protein named bovine serum albumin on particle size, morphology and degree of crystallinity of biomimetically synthesized hydroxyapatite particles, has been studied. Results establish 0.5% protein as the required concentration to produce 30-40 nm sized hydroxyapatite particles with an optimum degree of crystallinity as required for biomedical applications. These particles synthesized under certain stringent conditions are found to have stoichiometric calcium:phosphorus ratio of 1.67 and exhibit restricted grain growth during sintering.

Biomimetic Materials↗
PubMed2005

Crystal arthropathy of the lumbar spine: a series of six cases and a review of the literature.

There have been very few reports in the literature of gout and pseudogout of the spine. We describe six patients who presented with acute sciatica attributable to spinal stenosis with cyst formation in the facet joints. Cytopathological studies confirmed the diagnosis of crystal arthropathy in each case. Specific formation of a synovial cyst was identified pre-operatively by MRI in five patients. In the sixth, the diagnosis was made incidentally during decompressive surgery. Surgical decompression alone was undertaken in four patients. In one with an associated degenerative spondylolisthesis, an additional intertransverse fusion was performed. Another patient had previously undergone a spinal fusion adjacent to the involved spinal segment, and spinal stabilisation was undertaken as well as a decompression. In addition to standard histological examination material was sent for examination under polarised light which revealed deposition of urate or calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystals in all cases. It is not possible to diagnose gout and pseudogout of the spine by standard examination of a fixed specimen. However, examining dry specimens under polarised light suggests that crystal arthropathy is a significant aetiological factor in the development of symptomatic spinal stenosis associated with cyst formation in a facet joint.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Substance-dependent women attending a de-addiction center in North India: sociodemographic and clinical profile.

BACKGROUND: Treatment-seeking is limited in women substance abusers. Studying the sociodemographic and clinical profile of treatment-seeking substance-dependent women can help us to understand the problem better and respond appropriately in terms of primary and secondary prevention strategies. AIM: To study the sociodemographic and clinical profile of women attending a de-addiction centre in North India. DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY: Retrospective structured chart review of 35 women substance abusers. RESULTS: The results indicated that a typical subject was urban (86%), married (63%), nuclear family (60%), based housewife (57%), educated up to school completion (54%), and having poor social support (57%). The common substances were opioids (60%), followed by alcohol (17%), and tobacco and benzodiazepines (11.5% each). The mean age at onset of substance use was 30.5 years, the mean duration of use was 9 years and mean duration to develop dependence was 5.5 years. The common reasons for initiating use were medical (63%) and curiosity (34%). Comorbidity profile was: physical illness (34%), psychiatric illness (23%) and dependence on another substance (14%). Only 20% had a family history of substance dependence. The social impairment ranged from 77% for social to 40% for financial and none for legal aspects. A typical subject had followed up 4.2 times in 8.4 months, while 54% were abstaining, 40% were continuing their substance dependence at the last follow up. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the development of substance dependence in women is a combination of genetic, personal, and social vulnerability factors, including the drug culture of the social milieu and the poor social support. Comorbidity and impairment are common features.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Hepatopulmonory syndrome--an uncommon and severe complication of certain liver diseases.

Hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) is charaterised by arterial hypoxaemia found mainly in association with chronic liver disease (most commonly cirrhosis of liver) but also rarely with acute liver diseases like fulminant hepatic failure or Budd-Chiari syndrome. The purpose of this article is to present an uncommon but grave complication mostly associated with cirrhosis of liver and to differentiate this entry from cyanotic heart diseases or certain lung conditions. Investigations include history and physical examination, certain biochemical tests, upper gastro-intestinal (GI) endoscopy, abdominal ultrasonography, liver biopsy and venacavography in appropriate cases. Finally, the suspected cases underwent arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis and contrast enhanced echocardiography (CEE) for confirmation of the diagnosis of HPS. Of the 123 cases of cirrhosis of liver, three cases of HPS (2.4%) were found-all of them being males. Also one male patient with inferior vena cava (IVC) obstruction amongst other causes presenting with HPS was encountered. As of now, no medical treatment has been proved to be useful and liver transplant remains the only hope for this disorder.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Unusual presentation of sickle cell anaemia--paraplegia in a fifty year old man.

A fifty-year-old male patient presented with bilateral lower limb paraplegia. He was subsequently found to have sickle cell anaemia. The patient showed good response to treatment. Central nervous system complications in sickle cell anaemia are well known. However paraplegia has rarely been documented in sickling disorders. We report this case because of rarity of sickle cell anaemia presenting in old age with paraplegia.

Anemia, Sickle Cell↗
PubMed2004

Three discrete areas within the chromosomal 8p21.3-23 region are associated with the development of breast carcinoma of Indian patients.

Deletion in the 22.9 -Mb chromosomal (chr.) 8p21.3-23 region has been shown to be necessary for the development of breast carcinoma (CaBr). In this study, we have attempted to detect the minimal deleted region(s) in the chr.8p21.3-23 region in 62 primary breast lesions having 56 CaBr tumors and six other breast lesions of Indian patients using 15 microsatellite markers. The loss of heterozygosity (LOH) was observed for at least one marker in 96.4% (54/56) of the CaBr samples. Three discrete minimal deleted regions with high frequencies of LOH (39-65%) were identified in the chromosomal 8p23.1-23.2 (D1), 8p23.1 (D2) and 8p 21.3-22 (D3) regions within 2.03, 0.41, 2.47 Mb, respectively. No significant correlation was observed with the high deleted regions and the different clinicopathological parameters. Interestingly, 51.8% (29/56) CaBr samples showed either loss of chr.8p or interstitial deletions in this arm, indicating the importance of chr.8p in the development of CaBr. The pattern of allelic loss in the bilateral lesions had indicated that the lesions were clonal in origin and probably the deletion in the D3 region was the early event among the D1-D3 regions. Thus, our data have indicated that the D1-D3 regions could harbor candidate tumor suppressor gene(s) (TSGs) associated with the development of CaBr.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Platelet large cell ratio in the differential diagnosis of abnormal platelet counts.

Platelet volume indices, estimated by automated blood cell analyzers, are useful in the diagnosis of various conditions with abnormal platelet counts. Platelet count (PLT), Platelet large cell ratio (P-LCR), Platelet distribution width (PDW) and mean platelet volume (MPV) were studied in 779 patients with normal platelet counts, 74 patients with high platelet counts and 41 cases with low platelet counts. P-LCR was significantly decreased in patients with thrombocytosis than in normal while it was increased in thrombocytopenia. In patients with high counts, P-LCR was significantly decreased in reactive thrombocytosis than neoplastic thrombocytosis. P-LCR was increased in destructive thrombocytopenia than those with hypoproliferative thrombocytopenia though it was not statistically significant. P-LCR was inversely related to platelet count and directly related to PDW and MPV. Platelet large cell ratio if properly utilised can be a good aid in the differential diagnosis of conditions associated with abnormal platelet counts.

Blood Platelets↗
PubMed2004

Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria with onset in childhood: a case report.

A twelve-year-old boy presented with recurrent episodes of anemia. Complete blood counts showed pancytopenia. Bone marrow was hypercellular with erythroid hyperplasia and depleted stores of iron. Positive Ham's test and sucrose lysis test revealed that he had paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria. There was a delay of nearly two years in the diagnosis in this patient. Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria is rare in childhood. It must however be considered in a child who presents with unexplained anemia or bone marrow failure so that an early and accurate diagnosis is reached.

Age of Onset↗
PubMed2003

Courses of substance use and schizophrenia in the dual-diagnosis patients: is there a relationship?

BACKGROUND: Interrelationship of schizophrenia and substance use is complex and multifactorial. Examining the influence of various psychoactive substances on course of patients with pure dual-diagnosis schizophrenia may help to solve this riddle. AIM: To examine the relationship of the courses of substance use and schizophrenic symptomatology in substance abusing "dual-diagnosis" patients with schizophrenia. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Outpatient Deaddiction and Treatment Center of a tertiary care hospital with a retrospective design. METHODS AND MATERIAL: Twenty-two substance abusing dual-diagnosis patients with schizophrenia were investigated regarding the course of substance use (abuse/dependence, use, non-use) and that of schizophrenia (psychotic, non-psychotic, in remission). A graphical representation of course of schizophrenia and substance abuse was made and their relationship studied by superimposition of respective graphs. STATISTICS: The Friedman two-way analysis of variance of ranks was applied to see the relationship between time spent by patients while on and off various substances. RESULTS: In five cases, the onset of schizophrenia preceded the onset of substance use. In seven out of 22 subjects, the schizophrenic exacerbation was clearly preceded by increase in substance abuse in the preceding two-twelve months. In none of the subjects decrease in substance use led to a decrease or increase in schizophrenic symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Although substance use disorder preceded the onset of schizophrenic illness in the majority, and increase in substance abuse preceded schizophrenic exacerbation in one-third of dual-diagnosis patients, overall there was no evidence that the course of substance use was associated with that of schizophrenia after both disorders were diagnosed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Comparison of temperament and character profiles of anesthesiologists and surgeons: a preliminary study.

BACKGROUND: Given the high levels of stress in anesthesiologists and also their close working liaison with surgeons, it may be worthwhile to compare the personality profiles of these two groups of professionals. AIM: To compare the personality profiles of surgeons and anesthesiologists, using a well-standardized and validated instrument. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Survey (cross-sectional) on surgeons and anesthesiologists working in several medical institutes in India. MATERIAL & METHODS: The self-report Temperament and Character Inventory, 125-item version (TCI-125) was mailed out to an incidental sample of surgeons and anesthesiologists working in medical institutes in India. Of the 200 questionnaires sent (100 to anesthesiologists and surgeons each), 93 completed responses were returned (46 anesthesiologists, 47 surgeons; return rate 46.5%). STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Student's unpaired 't' test; P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The mean scores of anesthesiologists vis-a-vis surgeons on the various temperament dimensions were Novelty seeking: 8.6 vs. 9.2; Harm avoidance: 7.3 vs. 8.1; Reward dependence: 8.1 vs. 8.0; and Persistence: 3.0 vs. 3.1, respectively. Similar scores for the character dimensions were Self-directedness: 16.9 vs. 15.9; Cooperativeness: 17.5 vs. 16.5; and Self-transcendence: 7.0 vs. 6.7, respectively. There was no significant difference between the surgeons and anesthesiologists on any of the temperament and character variables of personality chosen for the study. CONCLUSION: Personality measures did not differ significantly between surgeons and anesthesiologists in this preliminary investigation. If replicated on a larger and more representative sample, the findings have clinical relevance to improve the working relationship between these two groups of closely working professionals.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Leptospirosis and Weil's disease in eastern India.

Leptospirosis is characterised by a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations varying from inapparent infection to fulminant fatal disease. Severe leptospirosis characterised by profound jaundice is referred to as Weil's disease. In the present study 20 patients of leptospirosis, of which 7 belonged to Weil's disease, were diagnosed based on the demonstration of IgM antileptospira antibody and supported by clinical correlation and appropriate biochemical markers. Overall, the male and female ratio was 17:3 and the same ratio for the Weil's disease was 6:1. The most common presentation involved fever, malaise and myalgia. Conjunctival congestion was found in 75% of the cases and jaundice was encountered in 90% of the cases. The prognosis of all these patients, including that of Weil's disease was excellent. Early recognition and initiation of antibiotic therapy were found to be important.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Pathological long-bone fractures in residents with cerebral palsy in a long-term care facility in South Africa.

A high incidence of long-bone fractures has been observed in children and young adults with quadriplegic cerebral palsy in residential care. This study aimed to determine factors that contribute to these fractures and to institute preventive treatment. Twenty individuals (12 males, eight females) of a cohort of 88 residents with spastic quadriplegia in residential care in Gauteng, South Africa who had sustained fractures were compared with a random sample of age-matched control participants (10 males, 10 females) from the same facility. Participants ranged in age from 6 to 29 years (median 17.5 years). The majority of fractures were in the upper extremities. There was radiological and biochemical evidence of rickets and osteomalacia in both groups. However, the severity of the disease was more pronounced in the group with fractures. There was a significant relation (p=0.002) between the number of fractures and the use of anticonvulsant therapy (ACT). Three months of vitamin D administration (calciferol 5000 iu/day) resulted in a marked clinical improvement. There were no fractures during this period in either group. In addition, the mean serum calcium (Ca) and phosphate (Pi) levels increased (Ca from 2.17 to 2.35 mmol/L and Pi from 1.13 to 1.66 mmol/L) and mean total alkaline phosphatase level decreased (from 1123 to 423 U/L). We concluded that vitamin D deficiency was the major factor contributing to the occurrence of fractures in this population. Unless sunlight exposure can be guaranteed, vitamin D supplementation should be considered for children and adults in residential care, especially if they are on ACT, even in areas with year-round sunshine.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Two MHC surface amino acid differences distinguish foreign peptide recognition from autoantigen specificity.

KRN T cells can recognize two self MHC alleles with differing biological consequences. They respond to the foreign peptide RN(42--56) bound to I-A(k) or alternatively initiate autoimmune arthritis by interacting with a self Ag, GPI(282--294), on I-A(g7). Five surface amino acid differences between the two MHC molecules collectively alter which peptide side chains are recognized by the KRN TCR. In this study, it is shown that mutation of only two of these residues, alpha 65 and beta 78, in I-A(k) to their I-A(g7) counterparts is sufficient to allow recognition of the TCR contacts from GPI(282--294). To provide a detailed mechanism for the specificity change, the distinct contributions of each of these two mutations to the global effect on peptide specificity were analyzed. The alpha65 mutation is shown to broaden the spectrum of amino acids permissible at P8 of the peptide. In contrast, the beta 78 mutation alone blocks KRN TCR interaction with I-A(k) and requires the simultaneous presence of the alpha 65 mutation to preserve recognition. In the presence of the alpha 65 mutation, the beta 78 residue broadens peptide recognition at P3 and prevents recognition of the P8 L in RN(42--56), thus producing the observed specificity shift. These results localize the functionally relevant differences between the surfaces of two self-restricted MHC molecules to two residues that have counterbalanced positive and negative contributions to interaction with a single TCR. They highlight how subtle structural distinctions attributable to single amino acids can stand at the interface between foreign Ag responsiveness and pathogenic autoreactivity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2001

Insulin alone can lead to a withdrawal of meiotic arrest in the carp oocyte.

Meiotic arrest of oocyte in an Indian carp, Labeo rohita Ham. has been found for the first time to be withdrawn by insulin only. Addition of insulin to oocytes in vitro caused germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD), one of the first visual markers to determine initiation of the final maturational process. Under the influence of insulin the germinal vesicle (GV) of the oocyte migrated towards the animal pole, reached the micropyle and then dissolved (GVBD). By using different concentrations of insulin i.e., 0.063, 0.63, 6.3 and 12.6 mM, optimum amount required was found to be 6.3 mM. Induction of GVBD by insulin could be blocked by cycloheximide (Chx), a translation inhibitor, while actinomycin D (AcD) had no effect suggesting non-involvement of transcriptional activity in this process. Addition of the maturation-inducing steroid 17alpha,20beta-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (DHP) stimulated (P<0.01) GVBD of carp oocytes and its combination with insulin showed an additive effect. Gonadotropin (GtH) caused GVBD but its effect was greatly augmented by insulin. Our results demonstrate that not only can insulin alone induce GVBD in carp oocytes, but it also augments the stimulatory effect of DHP or IGF-I or GtH on GVBD. This information will be important in hormonal manipulation during induced breeding of carp.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Testing the stress-vulnerability hypothesis in ICD-10-diagnosed acute and transient psychotic disorders.

OBJECTIVE: To examine if family-history-positive (FHP) vis-à-vis family-history-negative (FHN) probands with ICD-10-diagnosed acute and transient psychotic disorders (ATPD) differ significantly with respect to number of life events and cumulative stress score prior to the onset of ATPD. METHOD: Forty probands with ICD-10-based clinical diagnosis of acute and transient psychotic disorders were studied with respect to: (a) history of psychiatric disorders in first-degree relatives, and (b) antecedent life events and cumulative stress. The FHP and FHN probands were compared on the latter variables using Mann-Whitney U-test. RESULTS: FHP probands reported significantly less number of total life events compared to FHN probands (P = 0.006). Similarly, FHP probands had significantly less stress score than FHN probands (P = 0.002). There were no significant demographic or clinical differences between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The findings support the stress-vulnerability hypothesis in the aetiology of ATPD.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2001

Quality of life in schizophrenia in India: comparison of three approaches.

OBJECTIVE: To compare ratings of quality of life in patients with established schizophrenia in Chandigarh, India, in both subjective and objective view points and between patients' and relatives' ratings. METHOD: Subjective and objective quality of life was assessed in 38 patients with schizophrenia using the Quality of Life Interview - Brief Version and WHO Quality of Life - Bref scale. Key family members were also interviewed using the same scales. RESULTS: Subjective and objective quality of life are moderately well correlated (r = 0.43) and similar agreement was found between patients and relatives (r = 0.46). CONCLUSION: Although quality of life is characteristically measured with subjects, the use of objective measures of quality of life and key informants of patients provide useful proxy measures.

Adolescent↗