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Biomedical subjects

G Kapoor

Publications and source records attributed to G Kapoor.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Characterization of a new bacteriocin produced from a novel isolated strain of Bacillus lentus NG121.

The new bacteriocin is produced from Bacillus lentus NG121 isolated from Khameera - a traditional fermented food from Himachal Pradesh, India which has been reported for the first time in the literature to produce bacteriocin and exhibited very high activity units of 20 x 10(5) AU (Arbitrary Units)/ml. This bacteriocin was partially purified and was further characterized to assess its preservation characteristics. It showed strong antimicrobial activity against the most challenging and serious test indicators like Listeria monocytogens and Staphylococcus aureus. There was a drastic decrease up to 70% in viable cells of the indicators within the first 10 h of adding partially purified bacteriocin thus proving its bactericidal action. It could withstand the high heat of 100 degrees C for 10 min of heating time without losing any activity. A wide range of pH tolerance i.e. from 5.0-10.0 was expressed by this bacteriocin. It was found completely sensitive to proteolytic enzyme trypsin. The unique combination of all the above mentioned characteristics makes the bacteriocin of newly isolated Bacillus lentus NG121, a food grade bacteria, highly desirable for preservation of different food items in the food industry.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Brush cytology: an adjunct to diagnostic upper GI endoscopy.

Endoscopic brush cytology (EBC) was performed in antral and duodenal brushings of children subjected to upper GI endoscopy for the detection of H. pylori (Hp) and trophozoites of Giardia lamblia (Glt) in addition to routine endoscopic grasp biopsy (EGB). It was hospital based prospective study. EBC was performed in children subjected to upper GI endoscopy with a sheathed cytology brush. Mucosal brushings were collected from antrum, body of the stomach and second or third part of duodenum by gently rubbing the surface of the brush with the mucosal wall in all the directions, brush withdrawn and brushings performed on a glass slide. The smears were placed in 95% ethyl alcohol and later examined for Glt and Hp using Giemsa and Hematoxylin & Eosin stain. EGB was taken from antrum, body of the stomach and duodenum from sites other than those used for brushings. One hundred and seventy children between 1-13 years (median age = 5 years) were subjected to upper GI endoscopy for malabsorption (n = 94), recurrent abdominal pain (n = 49), failure to thrive (n = 16) and recurrent vomiting/regurgitation (n = 11) and EBC was performed in addition to routine EGB. Thirty five children (20.4%) were colonized by Hp, 14 (8.2%) were detected to have Glt and in 6 cases (3.5%) both Hp as well as Glt were detected. Out of 41 cases colonized by Hp, 24 cases (58.5%) were detected by EGB and 27 cases (65.8%) were detected by EBC. Out of 20 children in whom Glt were detected from their duodenum, the detection was by EBG in 12 cases (60%) and by EBC in as many as 19 cases (95%). Comparison of EGB and EBC suggested that detection rates with EBC were higher than EGB. Detection by EBC was significantly higher for Glt than Hp. There were no complications attributed to EBC and procedure time for endoscopy was not significantly prolonged. On the contrary, detection of Hp and particularly Glt in higher proportion of cases with the help of EBC was helpful in their appropriate management. Our results suggest that EBC is a safe and useful tool to enhance the value of diagnostic endoscopic procedure when used in combination with routine EGB.

Animals↗

Secondary acute myelogenous leukemia in patients previously treated for childhood renal tumors: a report from the National Wilms Tumor Study Group.

PURPOSE: This review characterized cases of secondary acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) occurring after treatment of renal neoplasms on protocols of the National Wilms Tumor Study Group (NWTSG) between October 1969 and December 1991. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The NWTSG database was reviewed for cases of secondary AML and for WT1 status of the affected patients. Referring institutions were contacted by a confidential letter requesting pathology reports, results of immunophenotyping, cytogenetic, and molecular analyses, and details concerning treatment of AML. RESULTS: Of the 5,278 patients treated during the study period, 43 had second malignant neoplasms, and 7 of these 43 had AML. At the time of diagnosis of Wilms tumor, the median age of the seven patients (4 boys) was 3.2 years. Five of the seven renal neoplasms had favorable histologic characteristics. The most common French-American-British morphology was M5. One patient had bilateral tumors, and two were treated for recurrent Wilms tumor. All patients received chemotherapy regimens that included doxorubicin (6) or etoposide (1), and six were treated with infradiaphragmatic irradiation. The median latency period from initial diagnosis of the renal neoplasm to development of secondary AML was 3 years (range, 1.2-4 yrs). One patient had the translocation t(9:11)(p22;q23); WT1 status was not noted for any of the seven patients. CONCLUSIONS: The development of secondary AML in this subset of patients after treatment of renal neoplasms may reflect the interaction of the effects of treatment and possible genetic predisposition toward cancer.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Serum tumor necrosis factor for monitoring response of hepatic veno-occlusive disease to pentoxiphyllin--a case report.

Hepatic veno-occlusive disease (VOD) is the second most common cause of death after autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT). A patient with multiple myeloma undergoing ABMT developed classic features of hepatic VOD. He responded to treatment with pentoxiphyllin. Serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF) levels showed remarkable correlation with the severity of VOD and response to therapy.

Adult↗

Secondary ANLL with t(11;19)(q23;p13) following etoposide and cisplatin for ovarian germ cell tumor.

This is a case report of a ten year old girl with ovarian germ cell tumor who was successfully treated with BEP chemotherapy. She developed acute myloid leukemia, AML-M5 with t(11;19)(q23;p13), 29 months after being off therapy. She received a cumulative dose of 2000 mg/m2 of etoposide and 400 mg/m2 of cisplatin. The association of etoposide and therapy related leukemia is reviewed.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

Essential thrombocythemia in an infant.

PURPOSE: To report the unusual occurrence of essential thrombocythemia (ET) in a 5-month-old infant. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The child was referred by her pediatrician for a high platelet count detected on routine blood testing. The child was asymptomatic except for failure to thrive. Diagnostic tests to rule out secondary causes of thrombocytosis as well as myeloproliferative syndrome were done. RESULTS: The platelet count persisted at > 1,000,000/microliters, and no secondary cause could be established. The bone marrow aspirate and biopsy showed normal cellularity, no fibrosis, orderly maturation, and normal morphology of all three cell lines, with only an increase in the number of megakaryocytes. A diagnosis of ET was established as per the Polycythemia Vera Study Group criteria. In view of the young age of the patient and asymptomatic course of the disease, we decided to observe the child only, reserving antiplatelet agents for use in the event of a thromboembolic or hemorrhagic episode. CONCLUSIONS: This is the youngest known child with ET. We believe that conservative observation is warranted in an asymptomatic child. The child is currently doing well and is asymptomatic 4.5 years after diagnosis.

Female↗

Low incidence of CNS relapse with cranial radiotherapy and intrathecal methotrexate in acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the incidence of isolated central nervous system (CNS) relapses in patients of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) treated with a protocol containing cranial irradiation and intrathecal methotrexate as CNS directed therapy. DESIGN: Prospective non randomized study. SETTING: Department of Medical Oncology, Tata Memorial Hospital. SUBJECTS: 623 children of ALL on MCP 841. METHODS: CNS relapse was diagnosed, if upon examination of the CSF, more than 50 cells/microliter were observed, or a count of 5 cells which were unequivocally lymphoblasts. RESULTS: The incidence of isolated CNS relapse was 1.75% with the use of this treatment. Age, sex, white blood cell count, platelet count, lactic dehydrogenase and immunophenotyping were not significantly related to isolated CNS relapse. CONCLUSION: A low incidence of isolated CNS relapse demonstrates the adequacy of the presymptomatic CNS therapy.

Adolescent↗

Calla positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia after etoposide-based therapy for Ewing's sarcoma.

This is an unusual and interesting case report concerning a 10 year old boy with an initial diagnosis of Ewing's sarcoma of the right tibia. He was successfully treated with a chemotherapy regimen consisting of vincristine, cyclophosphamide (cumulative dose 7200 mg/m2), doxorubicin, etoposide (cumulative dose 2700 mg/m2) and cisplatin and local radiotherapy to the tibia. After an interval of 37 months he developed CALLA positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia with 11q23 chromosomal abnormality. The possible roles of etoposide and cyclophosphamide are discussed.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

Pediatric germ cell tumor. An experience with BEP.

PURPOSE: This study is an analysis of our experience with bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin (BEP) chemotherapy, in pediatric germ cell tumors (GCTs). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included all children (age < 16 years) who were registered between May 1988 and May 1993 with a histologically confirmed diagnosis of GCT and received BEP chemotherapy. In addition to the clinicopathological features, the response rate, survival rate, and toxicity were analyzed. RESULTS: There was a total of 56 patients, of whom 22 had an ovarian tumor and 17 each had a testicular or an extragonadal tumor. Histologically, endodermal sinus tumor was the most common type (62%). Tumor markers were increased in 89% (50 of 56). Complete responses were observed in 89.1% (49 of 55) and partial responses in 10.9% (6 of 55) of the evaluable patients. Five-year actuarial survival was 83% and progression free survival was 93%. Median follow-up was 18 months. Median survival is not yet reached. The chemotherapy was well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: From the present report, it is apparent that BEP chemotherapy is very effective and well tolerated in children with GCT. The data probably suggests that conservative surgery, when combined with effective chemotherapy, can result in cure of the majority of children with GCTs.

Adolescent↗

Nutritional disorders in adolescent girls.

Four hundred and fifty four adolescent girls (11-18 years) were screened for nutritional disorders by anthropometry (weight, height and triceps skinfold measurements), clinical examination and hemoglobin estimation. Of these, 56% belonged to high socio-economic groups (Group A) and the rest (44%) to lower middle class (Group B). A large number of girls from Group B were undernourished (35.5% had weight/height2 less than the fifth percentile of reference standard) stressing the need for nutritional screening, nutrition and health education. Obesity was prevalent in 3.1% of Group A adolescents. Goitre grade I or more was observed in a high proportion of Group B girls, stressing the need for continued consumption of iodized salt in Delhi. Anemia appears to be a major health problem in adolescent girls in both groups (47, 56% in Groups A and B, respectively) underlying the ned for iron supplementation along with health education.

Adolescent↗

Triceps skinfold thickness in adolescents.

The triceps skinfold thickness (TSF) was measured in 1000 healthy adolescents aged 11 to 18 yr. Measurements were made with the Standard Harpenden skinfold caliper. Females at all ages studied had thicker skinfolds than their male counterparts. Significant differences in skinfold fat were observed between the high and low socio-economic groups, in both sexes. TSF thickness among girls showed a steady gain throughout adolescence. In boys however, there was a dip in TSF followed by a slow rise, the final thickness being somewhat lower than the prepubertal value. TSF was found to have no correlation with height but good positive correlation with weight and wt/ht2 (body mass index). Hence it may be regarded as a reliable indicator of obesity in this age group, where variable pubertal growth makes nutritional assessment difficult.

Adolescent↗

Histopathological changes in the ovary following acute and chronic low-level tritium exposure to mice in vivo.

Swiss albino mice were exposed to various doses of tritiated water, either through intraperitoneal injection (acute) or orally (chronic) for various lengths of time. The ovaries were examined for qualitative histopathological and quantitative changes in the number of oocytes. All experimental groups displayed varying degrees of dose dependent radiolesions. It was found that chronic irradiation was more damaging than multiple weekly injection, which in turn was more damaging than a single injection. Also, radiosensitivity varied with the age of the mice.

Administration, Oral↗