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Biomedical subjects

I J Singh

Publications and source records attributed to I J Singh.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Behavioural and hematological responses of Cyprinus carpio exposed to mercurial chloride.

The static bioassay experiments were conducted to study the hematological and behavioural responses of Cyprinus carpio after exposure to mercuric chloride. Three different concentrations i.e. 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 ppm of mercuric chloride (HgCl2) were used for 8, 16, 24, 48, 72, 96 and 124 hrs for evaluating behavioural responses. Hematological responses were assessed after 60 days exposure to 0.1 ppm of HgCl2. The changes in body colour, movement, sluggishness or activeness, disbalance etc. constituted the observations on behavioural responses. Hematological parameters included total erythrocyte (TEC) and leukocyte (TLC) counts and hemoglobin (Hb) levels. Body colour had changed in all groups after 48 hours. The fish exposed to 0.5 ppm HgCl2 did not show any abnormal activity except colour change throughout the experiment. Though no sign of distress was observed initially in groups exposed to 1.0 and 1.5 ppm HgCl2 but abnormal posturing, disbalance and sluggishness became apparent after 72 hrs and all specimens of 1.5 ppm group had died within 124 hours. TEC and Hb levels decreased whereas TLC increased in both male and female specimens of C. carpio after exposure to 0.1 ppm HgCl2 for 60 days. These observations indicated that mercurial toxicity even at low levels, caused adverse effects on body colour, behavioural responses and hematological parameters like TEC, TLC and hemoglobin levels in C. carpio.

Animals↗

Seasonal ovarian cycle in freshwater teleost, Labeo rohita (Ham.) in Tarai region of Uttaranchal.

Seasonal ovarian cycle, based on histophysiological changes, and correlative variations in liver were studied in an Indian major carp, Labeo rohita reared in captivity under ambient environmental conditions in Tarai region of Uttaranchal. The oocyte features used for marking ovarian cycle included nuclear-ooplasmic ratio, yolk vesicle incorporation into ooplasm, number and size of nucleolus and differentiation of follicular layer. Based on these features the ovarian cycle in L. rohita was divided into five phases i.e. resting, preparatory, pre-spawning, spawning and post-spawning/regression. The resting and preparatory phases were characterized by the dominating presence of chromatin-nucleolar and yolk-vesicle stage oocytes. The pre-spawning phase ovary was marked by the prevalence of yolk globule stage oocytes having cortical alveoli and differentiating follicular wall. The oocytes containing densely packed yolk-granules and large masses of yolk vesicles and also exhibiting germinal vesicle movement (GVM) signified the ovary of spawning phase. The ovary in regression phase contained pre-ovulatory atretic oocytes and significant number of oogonia. The histophysiological changes in liver showing augmented biosynthetic activity during preparatory and pre-spawning phases seemed well correlated with the gonadal development. The increasing water temperature and day-length apparently was favourable for the gonadal development in L. rohita.

Animals↗

First ovarian maturity and recovery response in common carp, Cyprinus carpio after exposure to carbofuran.

The present study embodies the observations on duration (45, 75 and 105 days) dependent effects of toxicologically low concentration (16 ppm) of a carbamate pesticide, carbofuran, on first ovarian maturity with correlative recovery response by withdrawal of treatment for 30 days in virgin yearlings of common carp, Cyprinus carpio var. Communis. In control fish histological organization of ovary and changes in gonado-somatic index (GSI) revealed the initiation of oocyte differentiation and development at the commencement of experiment in December-January and peak of maturation with fully grown yolky oocytes was attained by the time of termination of experiment in the end of March. In carbofuran exposed groups ovaries exhibited retardation of development and growth evident by significantly decreased GSI and predominace of immature oocytes passing through nuclear-cytoplasmic degeneration of variable magnitude. Severity of degenerative changes was more pronounced with prolonged duration. In recovery group ovaries had experienced regeneration as clued by the presence of oocytes of differential stages including vitellogenic and fully grown oocytes. In liver histopathological changes coupled with significant decrease in hepato-somatic index (HSI) attributed hepatic inactivation in all exposure groups whereas in recovery group an increase in HSI value with marked sign of hepatic reactivation was evidenced. No significant change in values of condition (CF) and somatic condition (SCF) factors substantiated the over all normal health of fish. Lipid and water content of ovary, liver and muscle registered the significant decrease at 105th day of exposure with concomitant augmented value for recovery group. These observations suggest that the commercial formulation of carbofuran, even at this toxicologically low concentration, is equally capable of affecting the first ovarian maturity with associated physiological implications but with reversibility in toxicity by withdrawal of pesticide exposure attributing regeneration in affected organs in due course time.

Animals↗

Carbofuran induced impairment in the hypothalamo-neurohypophyseal-gonadal complex in the teleost, Channa punctalus (Bloch).

The effect of chronic exposure to carbofuran (4.5 ppm in static water) for six months on the gonadal histophysiology and hypothalamo-neurohypophyseal complex was studied in Channa punctatus. Experimental observations revealed significant inhibition of gonadal development with associated degenerative abnormalities as evidenced by ovarian and testicular histology and reduced gonadosomatic index. Degenerative changes in ovary were exihibited by stage I (oogonium) and stage II (immature/non-vitellogenic) oocytes as marked by perinuclear ooplasmic lysis, clumping and dissolution resulting in disintigration of nuclear material altogether attributed to complete degeneration of such oocytes. Testicular deleterious changes included degeneration of spermatogenic elements and necrosis of interstitial cells of Leydig. Correlative histophysiological changes were also observed in the pituitary gonadotrophs and hypothalamic, nucleus pre-opticus, neurons that were smaller, inactive and less in number with associated necrosis. Corresponding to the changes in nucleus pre-opticus neurons, significant inhibition of brain monoamine oxidase enzyme activity was also recorded in treated group. These observations suggest that carbofuran even at low concentration level under long-term exposure is capable of inducing retardation of gonadal development which might have been mediated through the impairment of the hypothalamo-neurohypophyseal-gonadal axis in this species.

Animals↗

Randomised controlled trial of aminosidine (paromomycin) v sodium stibogluconate for treating visceral leishmaniasis in North Bihar, India.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy and tolerability of aminosidine compared with sodium stibogluconate for treating visceral leishmaniasis. DESIGN: Randomised, unblinded, controlled trial with 180 day follow up. SETTING: Kala-Azar Research Centre, Brahmpura, Muzaffarpur, Bihar, India. SUBJECTS: People of either sex aged 6-50 years with symptoms and signs suggestive of visceral leishmaniasis (fever, loss of appetite, enlarged spleen) with leishmania amastigotes detected in Giemsa stained aspirates of spleen or bone marrow. INTERVENTIONS: Aminosidine at three daily doses (12, 16, and 20 mg/kg) for 21 days and sodium stibogluconate 20 mg/kg/day for 30 days. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Laboratory measures of efficacy: parasite count, haemoglobin concentration, white cell count, platelet count, serum albumin concentration. Clinical measures of efficacy: spleen size, fever, body weight, and liver size. Measures of safety: liver and renal function tests, reports of adverse events. RESULTS: Of the 120 patients enrolled (30 per treatment arm), 119 completed treatment and follow up. Cure at end of follow up was achieved in 23 (77%), 28 (93%), and 29 (97%) patients treated with 12, 16, and 20 mg aminosidine/kg/day respectively, and in 19 (63%) patients given sodium stibogluconate. At 16 and 20 mg/kg/day, aminosidine was significantly more active than sodium stibogluconate in both clinical and laboratory measures of efficacy. No significant clinical or laboratory toxicity occurred in any treatment group. CONCLUSIONS: A 21 day course of aminosidine 16 or 20 mg/kg/day should be considered as first line treatment for visceral leishmaniasis in Bihar.

Adolescent↗

Direct agglutination test for early diagnosis of Indian visceral leishmaniasis.

In a prospective study, 80 cases of fever with hepatosplenomegaly, anemia and leucopaenia coming from the hyperendemic zones for visceral leishmaniasis of North-Bihar, India were screened and subjected to bone marrow or splenic puncture for demonstration of Leishman-donovan bodies (LDB) and DIRECT AGGLUTINATION TEST (DAT) with antigen prepared by Harith et al. 59 cases were confirmed for Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) by demonstration of LDB in which DAT was also positive in different titres ranging from 1:1600 onwards. Out of 21 cases in which the bone marrow was negative for parasite, DAT was positive in 10 cases. 8 Out of 10 cases responded to WHO regimen of treatment with sodium stibogluconate (SSG). Remaining two cases who did not respond to this therapy became positive for parasites on subsequent splenic aspirate. They were treated with pentamidine isethionate and were cured. 11 out of 80 cases showing a titre of 1:400 or lower in DAT, 6 proved to be cases of enteric fever and 5 of malaria. Thus DAT using Harith's antigen was found to be 100% sensitive and specific in detection of early cases of Indian VL.

Adult↗

Combination therapy in Kala-azar.

128 untreated cases of Kala-azar were divided in 4 equal groups of 32, Group A was treated with Sodium Stibogluconate (SSG) in the dose of 20 mg/kg/body wt. for 30 days. Group B was treated SSG plus allopurinol in the dose of 20 mg/kg/body wt. orally in divided dosage for 30 days. Group C received SSG plus Ketoconazole 600 mg orally in divided dosage for 30 days. Group D in addition to SSG also received levamisole in single oral daily dose of 13 mg/kg/body wt. for 30 days. Response of Group B, C and D was compared to Group A. Results from this study revealed combination of allopurinol with SSG to be statistically not superior to SSG alone.

Adult↗

Study of sympathetic innervation of cranial bones by axonal transport of horseradish peroxidase in the rat: preliminary findings.

This study performed by intraneuronal tracing directly demonstrates the presence of sympathetic postganglionic fibers in the cranial vault of the rat. Superior cervical sympathetic ganglia were injected with horseradish peroxidase (HRP), and after a 48-hour period, to permit anterograde axonal transport, the animals were sacrificed after in situ perfusion. An area of the calvaria that included portions of the frontal and parietal bones was fixed, decalcified and sectioned. HRP-containing axons were localized in the developing frontal and parietal bones of the calvaria. Adrenergic innervation was not demonstrated in sutural tissue (superior sagittal, coronal or metopic) by this technique. To our knowledge, this study is the first to trace sympathetic nerve fibers in the rat calvaria by intra-axonal transport of HRP.

Animals↗

Fibroblast growth factor: effects on osteogenesis and chondrogenesis in the chick embryo.

In vivo effects of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) on osteogenesis were evaluated in the chick embryo. Autoradiographic studies of 3H-proline labeling over bone matrix indicated that 24 h after treatment on day 11, FGF stimulated osteogenic cell proliferation, while inhibiting the production of bone matrix collagen. However, 4 days after multiple doses of FGF, the large pool of newly formed osteogenic and chondrogenic cells expressed their function with the increased formation of matrix. The data provide in vivo evidence of the effects of exogenous FGF on osteogenesis and also point to a possible role for FGF both in embryonic osteogenesis and in fracture repair.

Animals↗

Clinical response to the use of the HTR polymer implant in human intrabony lesions.

Fifteen patients, men and women aged 18 to 65 years, were treated for periodontitis. Each patient had at least two bilateral intrabony defects; one was designated the experimental site and the other the control site. Both sites were surgically debrided, but one osseous defect received an HTR polymer implant. Patients were followed for 12 months postoperatively. Maximum pocket reduction occurred within 2 months of initial therapy in both experimental and control sites. Initially, pocket reduction was significantly greater in implanted sites than in control sites, but this difference did not occur subsequently. At the end of the 12 months, pocket reduction responses were similar at control and implanted sites.

Adolescent↗

Nerve growth factor in skeletal tissues of the embryonic chick.

This study demonstrates, via immunohistochemistry and bioassay, the presence of NGF in embryonic bone and cartilage of the chick. Embryos were killed on days 6-9 of incubation at 12 h intervals, and on days 10-18 at 24 h intervals. Paraffin-embedded sections of hind limbs or buds were immunostained with a polyclonal antibody against NGF and the biotin-avidin-horseradish peroxidase technique. Immunostaining was positive in both bone and cartilage, with cartilage staining more intensely. For bioassay, bones from the hind limbs of 9- and 12-day embryos were fast-frozen, lyophilized, and homogenized with Medium 199 (M199). Dorsal root ganglia from 8-day embryos were cultured for 24-36 h with rooster plasma, M199, and varying concentrations of bone homogenate. Significant neurite outgrowth was seen, with the greatest response elicited by 12-day bone homogenate. Addition of anti-NGF to the cultures abolished neurite outgrowth. The results indicate that NGF is present in cartilage and bone of the chick embryo; it may determine the density of sympathetic innervation to the developing skeletal tissues.

Animals↗

The early effects of surgical sympathectomy on bone resorption in the rat incisor socket.

Earlier studies have shown that one week after sympathectomy in the rat, both bone apposition and resorption are significantly altered. Resorption in the incisor socket was now examined 1, 3 and 5 days after surgical sympathectomy. Morphometric analyses indicated that the total resorbing surface, active resorbing surface and number of osteoclasts per socket were increased one day after sympathectomy; the area and length of the bone surface of the socket were not significantly altered. Sympathetic denervation thus affects bone resorption within the first few hours after surgery.

Alveolar Process↗

Fibroblast growth factor in chick osteogenesis.

In vivo effects of FGF on osteogenesis in the chick embryo were evaluated. Day-11 embryos were injected with FGF followed by radiotracers. 3H-thymidine labelling of osteogenic cells was significantly higher following FGF administration; 3H-proline labelling over bone matrix was greater in the controls. Cartilage cells and matrix were sparsely labelled indicating a low level of metabolic activity. These data provide the first in vivo evidence that FGF stimulates osteogenic cell proliferation, while inhibiting production of bone matrix collagen. A role for FGF in embryonic osteogenesis and in fracture repair is suggested.

Animals↗

Epidemiology of gastro-intestinal and respiratory tract diseases in rural areas of Varanasi (India).

The pattern of gastro-intestinal (GIT) and Respiratory tract (RTI) diseases in rural areas of the Varanasi district, U.P. (India) was studied from the outpatient (OPD) attendance between July 1985 to June 1986. Out of a total of new patients, 19.71% had respiratory diseases in contrast to 27.9% with GIT disease. A decreasing trend was observed in attendance rates as age advanced. The difference in age distribution of males and females was statistically significant. The attendance rates for GIT diseases were higher in female (29.16%) than in males (25.16%) whereas in RTI, the rates were higher in males (19.39%) than in females (18.77%). The attendance rate was found to be higher in rainy season (23.59%) followed by summer (14.50%). Diarrhoea (15.44%) and upper (URTI) respiratory tract infection (19.93%) occupied the major recorded episodes.

Adolescent↗

Healing of experimentally produced lesions in articular cartilage following chondrocyte transplantation.

Articular cartilage is known to have limited ability to heal once injured, and attempts to heal lesions in cartilage have yielded equivocal results. The following experiments were performed to investigate healing in cartilage transplantation of chondrocytes grown in vitro. The knee joint of the New Zealand White rabbit was used as the experimental model. An initial baseline study was made to determine the intrinsic capability of cartilage for healing defects that do not fracture the subchondral plate. A second experiment examined the effects of autologous in vitro grown chondrocytes on the healing rates of these defects. The results were evaluated by qualitative and quantitative light microscopy. In control defects not grafted with chondrocytes, 6 weeks after the initial defect was created, there was little repair. Macroscopic and histological findings were consistent with an osteoarthritic pathology such as synovitis and "cell nests." Macroscopic results from grafted specimens displayed a marked decrease in synovitis and other degenerative changes. Defects which had received transplants had a significant amount of cartilage reconstituted (82%) compared to ungrafted controls (18%). Controls showed a healing rate comparable to that obtained in the initial baseline study.

Animals↗

Effect of surgical sympathectomy on bone remodeling at rat incisor and molar root sockets.

Sympathectomy was carried out in 4-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats by unilateral surgical removal of the superior cervical ganglion. Sham-treated rats served as controls. All rats were injected with tetracycline hydrochloride at surgery as well as 36 hr prior to sacrifice. Rats were killed at 7, 14, or 21 days following sympathectomy. Mandibular periosteal and endosteal surfaces were analyzed by fluorochrome morphometry. Osteoclasts were identified by acid phosphatase staining, and incisor and molar root sockets were analyzed morphometrically. Following sympathectomy, periosteal and endosteal apposition as well as the rate of mineralization were significantly lower. At the same time, a significant increase in the number of osteoclasts per socket as well as in active and inactive bone resorption surfaces was also seen. All parameters, however, returned to normal values 2-3 weeks after sympathectomy. The data provide the first direct quantitative evidence that sympathetic neurons modulate bone resorption and bone remodeling in vivo.

Animals↗

Autoradiographic evaluation of circadian periodicity in cell proliferation in the periodontal ligament of the young mouse.

Five-week-old BNL male mice were maintained on a 12-h light/dark cycle, subcutaneously injected with [3H]-thymidine 1 h before death and killed every 3 h for 24 h. Autoradiographs were made from demineralized, paraffin-wax embedded sagittal sections of maxillae. The labelling index was calculated for fibroblast-like cells of the periodontal ligament mesial to the first molar. A bimodal distribution of labelled cells was seen. Labelling index was highest at 0900 h (light period); a second, lower, peak was seen at 2400 h (dark period). Cell proliferation was significantly increased during the light period. The increased activity during the dark period may represent a superimposed secondary, ultradian, rhythm, differences in periodontal cell subtypes or may be related to the feeding and activity cycle of the mouse. Thus there is a 24-h cyclic rhythmicity in the proliferation of periodontal-ligament cells in the mouse.

Animals↗