PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

G M Rao

Publications and source records attributed to G M Rao.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Plasma antioxidant vitamins in brain tumors.

Plasma levels of vitamins A, E and C were analyzed in 102 patients with different types of brain tumors. A follow-up study was done with 27 postoperative patients. On comparison with plasma from normal individuals, vitamin A and E were decreased, but the decrease was statistically insignificant. Vitamin C levels remained in the normal range. In a comparative study of preoperative and postoperative cases, plasma vitamin A levels in postoperative glioma patients were significantly higher than those in the pre-operative state. There was no significant difference in the plasma level of vitamins C and E. The results of the present study suggest that the plasma antioxidant vitamins are not altered effectively in brain tumor cases.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Role of antioxidant enzymes in brain tumours.

Erythrocyte antioxidant enzymes were analysed in 100 patients with intracranial neoplasm and in 47 controls. There was a significant decrease in RBC glutathione reductase (GRx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in most types of brain tumor cases. Patients with acoustic neurinoma showed a significant reduction in selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase (Se-GPx) activity. A decrease in catalase (CT) activity was seen in most of the brain tumor patients but remained statistically insignificant when compared to controls. A significant increase in plasma ceruloplasmin concentration was observed in patients with glioma. These enzymes were also studied in 27 post-treatment cases. GRx activity returned to normal levels in these patients. RBC SOD and plasma ceruloplasmin levels showed a tendency to return to normal. Hence, a marked decrease in the antioxidant enzymes may have a role in the genesis of considerable oxidative stress in patients with brain tumors.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Marked perisplenitis in gastric carcinoma.

We report a patient with gastric carcinoma with marked perisplentis, on gross appearance resembling secondary deposit. On sectioning, the spleen showed a solitary metastasis in the red pulp.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1996

Respiratory effects of occupational exposure to asbestos.

Ventilatory capacities of 73 Libyan men working in the Asbestos-Cement Pipe factory in Jenzur, a residential area near Tripoli, Libya and those of 73 age-matched healthy Libyan men unexposed to asbestos were determined. The mean values of forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) for men unexposed to asbestos were 3.89 +/- 0.084 and 3.64 +/- 0.082 liters respectively. The respective values for men exposed to asbestos were 3.62 +/- 0.082 and 3.29 +/- 0.097 liters. Thus, there has been a significant decrease in the ventilatory function of the men exposed to asbestos as compared with age-matched unexposed counterparts.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Oxytocin induces intimate behaviors.

After decades of classic research on its secretion from the neurohypophysis and its potential effects in the uterus and the gland, oxytocin has, in the last 15 years, been proven to be centrally distributed neuropeptide with a broad spectrum of behavioral effects. Of particular interest are reports of potent effects of oxytocin on many reproductive and social behaviors such as maternal behavior, female sexual receptivity (lordosis), penile erection, male mounting behavior and side by side contact. The nonapeptides promote a large number of key behavioral interactions between conspecifics than any other class of neuropeptides. Nonapeptides may trigger the appropriate intraspecific affiliative behavior under broad range of reproductive and social conditions.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Blood pressure levels in diabetes mellitus.

Levels of fasting plasma glucose, body mass index, serum total lipids, serum total cholesterol, serum triglycerides and blood pressure of 177 Libyan diabetic patients were determined. The respective mean values were 212.4 +/- 5.6 mg/dl, 26.6 +/- 0.45 kg/m2, 825.7 +/- 20.5 mg/dl, 176.4 mg/dl, 144 +/- 5.8 mg/dl and 135.3 +/- 1.7/83 +/- 0.89 mm Hg. The mean levels of all variables except plasma glucose are significantly higher in the female patients than their male counterparts. Correlations were present between blood pressure levels and age/body mass index/serum total lipids. There was a significant correlation between systolic pressure levels and the duration of diabetes. Serum cholesterol and serum triglyceride levels correlated with diastolic blood pressure levels only.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Serum electrolytes and osmolality in diabetes mellitus.

Fasting plasma glucose levels, serum osmolality and serum concentrations of sodium and potassium were determined in 73 Libyan diabetic patients attending the outpatient clinic of the Diabetes Hospital, Tripoli, Libya. The respective mean values were 234.8 +/- 9.7 mg.dl-1, 288.5 +/- 2 m0sm.L-1, 134.7 +/- 0.8 mEq.L-1 and 4.2 +/- 0.07 mEq.L-1. Statistically significant correlations were present between fasting plasma glucose and serum osmolality as well as the concentrations of serum sodium and potassium. There is is an increase in osmolality and levels of sodium and potassium concentration with an increase in plasma glucose concentration.

Blood Glucose↗
PubMed1992

Diabetes mellitus in Libya: a retrospective study.

The records of the Diabetes Hospital, Tripoli, Libya for the years 1961-1983 were examined and the available particulars relating to 24,962 diabetic patients (12,486 males + 12,476 females) registered during this period were obtained. The highest number of male and female diabetic patients were in the age group 40-50 years and the highest number of obese diabetic patients also belong to this age group. There was a gradual increase in the number of diabetic patients visiting the Diabetes Hospital with the highest number in 1983. The increase has been both in the type I and type II patients. In 1983, 15% of the diabetic patients belong to type I diabetes. Family history of diabetes appears to be an important factor in the onset and manifestation of type II diabetes. Patients with diabetes in the family have a lower mean body mass index and fasting blood glucose level as compared with those of patients without known case of diabetes in the family. This may be due to greater alertness, early diagnosis of the disease and steps taken to control blood glucose levels and body weight in the case of patients with family history of diabetes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Respiratory effects of occupational exposure to tobacco dust.

The ventilatory capacities of 195 tobacco factory workers exposed to tobacco dust and 190 Libyan men not exposed to tobacco dust were measured. In both groups, the forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s were found to be correlated with age, stature, sitting height and body surface area. Those exposed to tobacco dust have decreased ventilatory capacity values as compared with age-matched unexposed workers. The duration of exposure to tobacco dust does not appear to have any significant effect on the ventilatory function. There was no significant difference in the lung function test values between the smokers and nonsmokers in both groups. The flow-volume curves were constructed for the unexposed and exposed groups of workers. At 25% FVC, in the group exposed to tobacco dust, there was a decrease in air flow by 20.8% as compared to age-matched normal unexposed Libyans. This indicates that the small airways are affected by exposure to tobacco dust. Flow-volume curves are useful in the assessment of lung function status.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Secondary diabetic complications and biochemical parameters.

The mean values of body mass index, haemoglobin A1, serum protein, total lipids, triglycerides, lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, amylase and beta-glucuronidase and heart rate and blood pressure and blood urea levels of Libyan diabetic patients with secondary complications are significantly higher than those of the patients without secondary complications. However, the mean values of fasting blood glucose, serum cholesterol and beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase of patients without complications are higher than those of the patients with secondary complications. The duration of diabetes in patients with secondary complications was 10.2 +/- 1 years while that of patients without complications was 5.2 +/- 0.65 years. The significance of these results is discussed.

Blood Pressure↗
PubMed1989

Effects of microamperage, medium, and bacterial concentration on iontophoretic killing of bacteria in fluid.

Prevention of nosocomial urinary tract infections by iontophoresis is addressed. An iontophoretic generator was used to provide microamperage (10 to 400 microA) to vials containing either synthetic urine or supplemented synthetic urine. Bacteria were added to vials, and parameters of growth, bacterial killing, and multiple electrode materials were examined. Escherichia coli and Proteus species were both inhibited and killed at various microamperages and with several electrode types, the most efficient being gold-gold as the anode-cathode combination. Klebsiella pneumoniae in supplemented synthetic urine was least inhibited in growth, and higher microamperage (200 to 400 microA) was most effective in killing the bacteria. Bacterial growth reduction and killing were directly related to increasing microamperage and were inversely related to bacterial concentration.

Bacteria↗
PubMed1989

Spirometric standards of Libyan boys and girls.

Ventilatory capacities of 578 Libyan boys and 527 Libyan girls aged between 12 and 21 years were measured. The data of forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) were analyzed by logarithmic regressions on age, standing height (stature), sitting height, body mass index and body surface area. The prediction formulae for pulmonary function in Libyan boys and girls were calculated. Standing height (stature) appears to be marginally better than sitting height as an index of body size in explaining the variance in ventilatory capacity of Libyan boys and girls. Libyan boys and girls have a greater proportional leg length than their British counterparts. Their mean values of FVC and FEV1 are lower than those of British children by about 13%. About 10% of Libyan boys are smokers. Below 14 years of age, there were no smokers. A steady rise in number of smokers from the age of 14 years reaching 41% at 21 years of age was observed. No smokers were reported from the Libyan girls. There was no statistically significant difference in the mean FVC or FEV1 between the smokers and nonsmokers.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) levels in diabetes mellitus.

The activities of serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) in 72 Libyan diabetic patients were determined. The respective mean values were 24 +/- 1.1 U/L and 23.03 +/- 0.87 U/L. Significant correlations were found between the activities of GOT or GPT and fasting blood glucose, age, body mass index, heart rate and blood pressure levels. The mean values of GOT and GPT in diabetic patients with secondary complications were significantly higher than those without complications. On the other hand, patients with family history of diabetes have higher mean values of GOT and GPT when compared with those without diabetes in the family.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1989

Serum beta-glycosidases in diabetes mellitus.

Levels of fasting blood glucose, serum beta-glucuronidase and beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase in 47 Libyan diabetic patients were determined. The respective mean values were 254.5 +/- 11 mg/dl, 74 +/- 5.7 Sigma units/ml and 171.8 +/- 25.5 microM PNP/dl. The mean body mass index and duration of diabetes of the patients were 30.5 +/- 0.91 kg/m2 and 7.5 +/- 1.16 years, respectively. Statistically significant correlations were found between fasting blood glucose and serum beta-glucuronidase levels (r = 0.65; p less than 0.001) and also between fasting blood glucose and beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase levels (r = 0.58; p less than 0.001). The activities of these two enzymes increase in serum with increasing fasting blood glucose levels. Patients with positive family history of diabetes have higher activities of these two enzymes than those without positive history of diabetes in the family. Patients with secondary complications have both enzymes elevated as compared with patients without secondary complications. Female patients have higher beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase activity and lower beta-glucuronidase activity than males. Age and duration of diabetes do not appear to have any effect on the activities of these enzymes.

Acetylglucosaminidase↗