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Biomedical subjects

D Gupta

Publications and source records attributed to D Gupta.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Clinical significance of patent paraumbilical vein in patients with liver cirrhosis.

A patent paraumbilical vein (PUV) is a frequent finding in patients with cirrhosis when studied by duplex Doppler ultrasound. There is controversy regarding the clinical significance of this finding. We studied 50 patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension as evidenced by the demonstration of esophageal varices on endoscopy. All 50 patients were evaluated for a significant PUV (diameter of > or =3 mm) using duplex Doppler sonography. The patients were divided into two groups based on the size of esophageal varices (group A with small varices, N = 30; group B with large varices, N = 20). A significant PUV was seen in 21 (42%) patients. The patients with portosystemic encephalopathy had a significantly greater prevalence of PUV (70%) than those without (32%, P < 0.02). Of the group with large esophageal varices, 6 (30%) had a significant PUV, while in the group with small varices, 15 (50%) had a significant PUV (P > 0.05). In no patient with large varices did the PUV diameter exceed 6 mm, while in as many as six patients with small varices, the PUV diameter exceeded 6 mm. A significantly enlarged PUV seen on duplex Doppler ultrasound in cirrhotics may have important hemodynamic consequences. Besides predisposing the patient to portosystemic encephalopathy, it may also offer some protection against formation of large varices. In particular, a very large patent PUV (> or =6 mm) might identify a subgroup of patients with small varices and thus a lesser likelihood of variceal bleeding.

Adolescent↗

Small lymphocytic lymphoma with perifollicular, marginal zone, or interfollicular distribution.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) typically involves nodal or extranodal tissues as a diffuse proliferation with pseudofollicular growth centers obliterating normal architecture. We describe 16 cases of CLL/SLL in which the neoplasm was confined to the marginal zone, perifollicular, or interfollicular regions surrounding benign lymphoid follicles in either nodal or extranodal sites. Twelve of 12 (100%) patients with adequate staging data had disseminated disease (Stage III or IV) at presentation. Eight of the 16 (50%) patients had absolute peripheral lymphocytosis (range, 5 to 30 x 10(9)/L). Pseudofollicular growth centers were identified in 14 of 16 cases (87.5%). Immunophenotypic studies revealed that the tumor cells were positive for CD20 (16/16) and CD5 (11/11) in all cases examined. CD23 was positive in 12 of 14 (86%) interpretable cases. IgM and IgD were positive in 13 of 14 (93%) and 10 of 10 (100%) interpretable cases, respectively. All cases were negative for CD3 (16/16), CD45RO (16/16), CD10 (15/15), and cyclin D1 (15/15). We conclude that CLL/SLL can have unusual patterns of involvement, including marginal zone, perifollicular, and interfollicular patterns that can be difficult to recognize histologically. Thirteen of 16 (81%) cases in this study were misinterpreted by the referring pathologists. Recognition of proliferation centers coupled with demonstration of a CD5+ CD23+ B-cell immunophenotype establishes the correct diagnosis of CLL/SLL.

Adult↗

The central domain of bovine submaxillary mucin consists of over 50 tandem repeats of 329 amino acids. Chromosomal localization of the BSM1 gene and relations to ovine and porcine counterparts.

We previously elucidated five distinct protein domains (I-V) for bovine submaxillary mucin, which is encoded by two genes, BSM1 and BSM2. Using Southern blot analysis, genomic cloning and sequencing of the BSM1 gene, we now show that the central domain (V) consists of approximately 55 tandem repeats of 329 amino acids and that domains III-V are encoded by a 58.4-kb exon, the largest exon known for all genes to date. The BSM1 gene was mapped by fluorescence in situ hybridization to the proximal half of chromosome 5 at bands q2. 2-q2.3. The amino-acid sequence of six tandem repeats (two full and four partial) were found to have only 92-94% identities. We propose that the variability in the amino-acid sequences of the mucin tandem repeat is important for generating the combinatorial library of saccharides that are necessary for the protective function of mucins. The deduced peptide sequences of the central domain match those determined from the purified bovine submaxillary mucin and also show 68-94% identity to published peptide sequences of ovine submaxillary mucin. This indicates that the core protein of ovine submaxillary mucin is closely related to that of bovine submaxillary mucin and contains similar tandem repeats in the central domain. In contrast, the central domain of porcine submaxillary mucin is reported to consist of 81-amino-acid tandem repeats. However, both bovine submaxillary mucin and porcine submaxillary mucin contain similar N-terminal and C-terminal domains and the corresponding genes are in the conserved linkage regions of the respective genomes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Thrombolytic therapy for prosthetic valve thrombosis: short- and long-term results.

BACKGROUND: Thrombolytic therapy (TT) has evolved as an alternative to surgery for prosthetic valve thrombosis (PVT), but its utility in patient management is still debated and the long-term results are not available. METHODS: From 1990 through 1999, we treated 110 consecutive patients (52 men, mean age 35.4 +/- 10.8 years) of left-sided obstructive PVT (96 mitral, 14 aortic) with TT (streptokinase in 108, urokinase in 2) according to a specified protocol of prolonged infusion. Serial echo Doppler parameters were monitored in all patients to guide the duration of TT and to quantify its efficacy. Ninety of the 102 survivors of the index episode were followed up for a mean period of 31.3 +/- 27.8 months (range 1-112 months). RESULTS: Complete hemodynamic response (on cinefluoroscopy and echo Doppler criteria) was seen in 90 (81.8%) episodes, partial response in 11 (10%), and failure in 9 (8.2%). The mean duration of TT was 42.8 +/- 20.4 hours. Five of the 7 patients who were initially seen in cardiogenic shock/overt pulmonary edema died during therapy. After these patients were excluded, the rate of complete response did not differ among patients with New York Heart Association class I/II (80%), class III (86.3%), or class IV (81.5%). The response rate also did not vary with the type, position of prosthesis, duration of symptoms, or time lag since surgery. There were 21 (19.1%) embolic episodes during therapy, including 6 strokes. These were significantly more frequent in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) (odds ratio on multivariate analysis 2.3, 95% confidence interval 1.3-3.9, P =.01). On follow-up, there were 25 recurrences of PVT, of which 20 again received TT with a complete response in 14 (70%). At 5 years the actuarial survival was 85.2% and the event-free survival was 61.5%. The presence of chronic AF was a significant predictor of recurrence of PVT (odds ratio 2.2, 95% confidence interval 1.2-3.9, P =.008). CONCLUSIONS: TT is effective in the majority of patients with PVT but is associated with a high rate of embolism, especially in patients with AF. Excluding patients with cardiogenic shock/overt pulmonary edema (in whom TT is largely ineffective), the success of TT does not vary with the New York Heart Association class, duration of symptoms, or other patient variables. The recurrence rates of PVT are high after even successful TT, especially in patients with AF.

Adolescent↗

Management of biliary tract disease in heart and lung transplant patients.

BACKGROUND: Preexisting gallstones and pharmacologic alterations in both bile lithogenicity and immune function may predispose organ transplant recipients to the complications of biliary calculi. METHODS: Records of all 178 patients undergoing heart, lung, or heart-lung transplantation at our institution between 1980 and 1998 were reviewed. Patients with biliary tract disease were grouped as follows: group I, pretransplantation diagnosis and treatment; group II, pretransplantation diagnosis and posttransplantation treatment; group III, normal pretransplantation biliary tree with posttransplantation diagnosis and treatment; group IV, unknown pretransplantation biliary status with posttransplantation diagnosis and treatment. Comparison among groups was made with regard to ultrasound findings, presentation, indication for operation, procedure, and outcome. RESULTS: Of the 141 patients undergoing pretransplantation and/or posttransplantation ultrasound surveillance, the prevalence of abnormal ultrasonography was 36%. All patients in group I (n = 11) underwent elective intervention without complication. Of the 14 patients (groups II through IV) undergoing posttransplantation operation, intervention was mandated by acute complications of biliary tract disease in 7. The mortality rate in these 7 patients was 29%. CONCLUSIONS: Cholecystectomy in the posttransplantation period is often required emergently and has a high mortality. Posttransplantation surveillance of the biliary tree is crucial because of the high rate of de novo stone formation. All biliary calculi should be eradicated electively in stable patients before transplantation and on diagnosis after transplantation.

Adolescent↗

High-resolution CT in renal transplant patients with suspected pulmonary infections.

OBJECTIVE: This prospective study was carried out to assess the usefulness of high-resolution CT (HRCT) of the chest in immunocompromised renal transplant patients with suspected pulmonary infections. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-one consecutive renal transplant patients with clinically suspected pulmonary infections underwent chest radiography, HRCT and other tests including bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). HRCT was performed using a high spatial frequency algorithm with 2-mm-thick sections at 10-mm intervals from apices to domes of the diaphragm. The findings on chest radiography and HRCT were interpreted by two thoracic radiologists and the usefulness of HRCT was evaluated. The images were interpreted independently by two radiologists, who were blinded to the findings of other imaging modalities and the final diagnosis. Any differences regarding the imaging findings were resolved through consensus. RESULTS: Final diagnosis was obtained in 17 patients, and no cause for symptomatology was established in 4 patients. The spectrum of infections included pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) in 11 patients, cytomegalovirus pneumonia (CMV) in 2 patients, cryptococcal and streptococcal pneumonia, pulmonary aspergillosis and esophageal candidiasis in 1 patient each. Compared to chest radiography, HRCT revealed additional findings in 11 patients. HRCT findings were suggestive of underlying infection in 11 patients. The final diagnosis coincided with HRCT diagnosis in all but 1 patient. HRCT findings were non-specific in 3 patients and normal in 7. The findings were concordant in 19 cases. The results were not in agreement in only 2 cases. CONCLUSION: HRCT can provide useful information and suggest the diagnosis in a significant proportion of renal transplant patients with pulmonary infection.

Adult↗

Prevalence of inter-institutional anatomic pathology slide review: a survey of current practice.

Multiple studies have demonstrated discrepancy rates between original and review histopathologic diagnoses of up to 30% with a mean of approximately 10%. In view of these rates of discrepancy, several authorities, including the Association of Directors of Anatomic and Surgical Pathology, have recommended in-house review of all outside materials before commencement of therapy. We used a mail survey to determine the degree of compliance with these recommendations among pathology groups in the United States. Mail surveys were sent to six randomly selected hospitals from each state (300 total). The survey included demographic questions, including surgical pathology caseload, size of hospital (beds), and type of hospital (community-general, non-academic-tertiary care, or academic-tertiary care). The survey asked whether the hospital required review of all outside slides before the performance of surgery. If not, was such a policy encouraged but not required. The survey also asked whether in-house review of outside cases had disclosed any significant differences in pathologic diagnoses. Finally, the survey questioned whether any discrepancies between an internal and external surgical pathology diagnosis had been discovered following radical surgery. One hundred twenty-six usable responses were obtained. Fifty-five of these were from hospitals self-described as community-general, seven were from hospitals describing themselves as non-academic-tertiary care, and the remaining 61 hospitals described themselves as academic-tertiary care institutions. Sixty-three institutions stated they had a requirement for in-house review of outside material, with 46 of 61 academic-tertiary centers having such a requirement. Thirty-seven of 55 community-general hospitals did not require in-house review of outside material before surgery could be performed. One hundred ten of the 126 institutions returning surveys either encouraged or required review of outside material. Ninety-five institutions reported that they had at least one outside case in which their diagnosis was significantly discordant with that rendered by the referring pathologist. Sixty (48%) of the 126 institutions reported at least one case in which a discrepancy was found between the outside biopsy diagnosis and the internal diagnosis rendered on material obtained by radical surgery. Approximately half of all responding institutions have a requirement for in-house review of outside material prior to surgery. A majority of institutions requiring such review have found discrepancies between the in-house diagnoses and those rendered by referring laboratories.

Diagnostic Errors↗

Radioisotope bone scanning in pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis.

A 30-year-old woman was examined for a history of exertional breathlessness, swelling of her feet, and a mild dry cough of 4 to 5 months' duration. Her symptoms developed during the last month of her pregnancy, with gradually increasing dyspnea, swelling of the feet, and reduced urinary output. There was no history of expectoration, hemoptysis, chest pain, or tuberculosis. General physical examination showed no evidence of clubbing of the nails or lymphadenopathy. Chest auscultation revealed a few end-inspiratory crepitations at both lung bases. Bronchial alveolar lavage showed calcium particles, whereas results of the transbronchial lung biopsy were consistent with alveolar microlithiasis.

Adult↗

Analysis of static pulmonary mechanics helps to identify functional defects in survivors of acute respiratory distress syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the utility of static lung pressure-volume measurements in identifying and categorizing pulmonary function test defects in survivors of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SETTING: Pulmonary function laboratory at a tertiary referral hospital in northern India. PATIENTS: Six survivors of ARDS reporting for their first follow-up visit after discharge. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Spirometry and whole body plethysmography were performed to evaluate lung volumes and to collect static lung pressure-volume data; the latter were subjected to monoexponential analysis. Three patients had a restrictive ventilatory defect as evidenced by diminished vital capacity and total lung capacity, but only one had reduced static lung compliance. The other two patients had reduced recoil pressure at total lung capacity, suggestive of respiratory muscle weakness. Two other patients with normal lung volumes had reduced static lung compliance. Exponential analysis of pressure-volume data in the three patients with reduced static lung compliance was consistent with reduced distensibility and loss of lung units in one patient each. Additionally, two patients had high values for shape constant of the exponential curve, indicative of air space distention. CONCLUSIONS: Detailed analysis of static pressure-volume data can identify pulmonary function abnormality and categorize the dominant mechanism responsible for restrictive ventilatory defects in survivors of ARDS, even in patients with normal lung volumes. In addition to lung fibrosis, neuromuscular weakness also contributes to decline in pulmonary function.

Adolescent↗

Sarcoidosis in developing countries.

Sarcoidosis is seen in different parts of India and other developing countries with almost similar frequency as in the West. It was largely due to lack of awareness and non-availability of investigations for diagnosis that the disease was reported to be rare in the past. A combination of clinical, radiologic, and histologic criteria are used to diagnose sarcoidosis. A confident exclusion of other causes of granuloma formation, especially tuberculosis, is required. Absence of mycobacteria and of caseation in the histologic specimens and presence of skin anergy to tuberculin help make a diagnosis. Transbronchial lung biopsy obtained with the help of fiberoptic bronchoscopy is positive in about 80% of patients. Corticosteroids are used to treat patients with symptoms and those showing active organ involvement. Aggressive treatment is required for patients with acute and severe pulmonary, cardiac, ocular, or neurologic involvements.

Adult↗

Soluble CD14 enhances membrane CD14-mediated responses to peptidoglycan: structural requirements differ from those for responses to lipopolysaccharide.

The purpose of this study was to identify the functional significance of the binding of soluble CD14 (sCD14) to bacterial peptidoglycan (PGN) and to compare the structural requirements of sCD14 for the binding to PGN and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and for sCD14-mediated enhancement of PGN- and LPS-induced cell responses. sCD14 did not facilitate the responses of membrane CD14 (mCD14)-negative pre-B 70Z/3 cells to PGN, although it facilitated the responses of these cells to LPS and although mCD14 facilitated the responses of 70Z/3 cells to PGN. sCD14 enhanced mCD14-mediated cell activation by both PGN and LPS, but only the responses to LPS, and not to PGN, were enhanced by LPS-binding protein. Four 4- or 5-amino-acid-long sequences within the 65-amino-acid N-terminal region of sCD14 were needed for binding to both PGN and LPS and for enhancement of cell activation by both PGN and LPS. However, deletions of individual sequences had different effects on the ability of sCD14 to bind to PGN and to LPS and on the ability to enhance the responses to PGN and to LPS. Thus, there are different structural requirements of sCD14 for binding to PGN and to LPS and for the enhancement of PGN- and LPS-induced cell activation.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗

Epidemiology of pneumothorax in England.

BACKGROUND: Little is known of the epidemiology of pneumothorax. Routinely available data on pneumothorax in England are described. METHODS: Patients consulting in primary care with a diagnosis of pneumothorax in each year from 1991 to 1995 inclusive were identified from the General Practice Research Database (GPRD). Emergency hospital admissions for pneumothorax were identified for the years 1991-4 from the Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) data. Mortality data for England & Wales were obtained for 1950-97. Analyses of pneumothorax rates by age and sex were performed for all data sources. Seasonal and geographical analyses were carried out for the HES data. RESULTS: The overall person consulting rate for pneumothorax (primary and secondary combined) in the GPRD was 24. 0/100 000 each year for men and 9.8/100 000 each year for women. Hospital admissions for pneumothorax as a primary diagnosis occurred at an overall incidence of 16.7/100 000 per year and 5.8/100 000 per year for men and women, respectively. Mortality rates were 1. 26/million per year for men and 0.62/million per year for women. The age distribution in both men and women showed a biphasic distribution for both GP consultations and hospital admissions. Deaths showed a single peak with highest rates in the elderly. There was an urban-rural trend observed for hospital admissions in the older age group (55+ years) with admission rates in the conurbations significantly higher than in the rural areas. Analysis for trends in mortality data for 1950-97 showed a striking increase in the death rate for pneumothorax in those aged 55+ years between 1960 and 1990, with a steep decline in the 1990s. Mortality in the younger age group (15-34 years) remained low and constant. CONCLUSION: There is evidence of two epidemiologically distinct forms of spontaneous pneumothorax in England. The explanation for the rise and fall in mortality for secondary pneumothorax is obscure.

Adolescent↗

Role of MD-2 in TLR2- and TLR4-mediated recognition of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria and activation of chemokine genes.

MD-2 is associated with TLR4 on the cell surface and enables TLR4 to respond to LPS. TLR2 without MD-2 does not respond to pure protein-free endotoxic LPS, ReLPS, and lipid A. MD-2 enables TLR2 to respond to non-activating LPS, ReLPS, and lipid A, and enhances TLR2-mediated responses to Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, protein-containing LPS, peptidoglycan, and lipoteichoic acid. MD-2 enables TLR4 to respond to a wide variety of endotoxic LPS partial structures, Gram-negative bacteria, and Gram-positive lipoteichoic acid, but not to Gram-positive bacteria, peptidoglycan, and lipopeptide. MD-2 physically associates with both TLR4 and TLR2, but the association with TLR2 is weaker than with TLR4. Also, MD-2 and TLR2 and TLR4 enhance each other's expression. The highest induced genes in human monocytes stimulated with Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial cell wall components are chemokine genes, and IL-8 is the highest induced chemokine. Both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria activate TLR2-->MyD88-->IRAK-->TRAF-->NIK-->IKK-->NF-->kappaB signal transduction pathway that induces transcription of the IL-8 gene. Therefore, TLR2 is a functional receptor for both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and it induces activation of IL-8.

Animals↗

Study of the prevalence of asthma in adults in North India using a standardized field questionnaire.

Prevalence of asthma was calculated using a Hindi adaptation of the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (IUATLD)-1984 questionnaire. The questionnaire was administered to patients with and without asthma to select specific items to define asthma. Questionnaire validity was tested against physician-diagnosed asthma in 753 individuals in the field, with sensitivity and specificity of 63.1% and 98.8%, respectively. The field prevalence study was conducted among 958 men and 1158 women. True population prevalence, calculated from the observed prevalence using specificity and sensitivity of the questionnaire, was 3.94% in urban men, 3.99% in rural men, and 1.27% in both urban and rural women.

Adolescent↗

Primary bilateral mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma of the breast with atypical ductal hyperplasia and localized amyloidosis. A case report and review of the literature.

Primary non-Hodgkin lymphoma of the breast is a rare disease. Primary mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma is even rarer, and bilateral involvement is exceptional. We describe a case of primary bilateral breast mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma with bilateral atypical ductal hyperplasia and bilateral localized amyloidosis in a 64-year-old woman with a history of arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus and its clinical, histologic, and immunohistochemical features. Microscopic examination of the breast lesion showed dense periductal and perilobular small and plasmacytoid lymphocytes with eosinophilic amyloid in the vessels and the stroma. Bilateral single foci of atypical ductal hyperplasia were also noted. Fine needle aspiration showed small and large lymphocytes and plasma cells. Molecular analysis demonstrated a heavy chain immunoglobulin H gene rearrangement. Flow cytometry studies showed an abnormal B-cell population. The combined histologic, paraffin immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, and molecular results were considered diagnostic for low-grade mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma. The patient underwent bilateral local breast radiation without other organ or site involvement.

Amyloidosis↗

Cloning, sequencing, and expression of the hepatitis E virus (HEV) nonstructural open reading frame 1 (ORF1).

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) causes enterically transmitted epidemic and sporadic viral hepatitis affecting millions of people in the developing world. Different geographical isolates of HEV show a high degree of homology at the nucleotide and amino acid levels. The approximately 7.2 kb RNA genome has three open reading frames of which ORF1 is predicted to code for the viral nonstructural polyprotein. The expression, processing and properties of the nonstructural ORF1 polyprotein have not been reported so far. In this study, the complete HEV ORF1 was reconstructed from overlapping fragments amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of total RNA isolated from the bile fluid of a rhesus monkey experimentally infected with HEV isolate from an epidemic. The complete assembled ORF1 was sequenced using HEV specific primers. The ORF1 polyprotein was expressed in E. coli, in a cell free translation system and in HepG2 cells, and was characterized by western blotting and immunoprecipitation using acute phase patient serum as well as polyclonal antibodies raised against defined parts of the ORF1 polyprotein. The nonstructural polyprotein of HEV was expressed as a 186 kDa protein. No processing was observed into discrete units, either in-vitro based on a kinetic analysis, or in HepG2 cells based on immunoprecipitation.

Animals↗