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Biomedical subjects

K C Singhal

Publications and source records attributed to K C Singhal.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Effect of oral zinc supplementation on copper and haemoglobin levels in pregnant women.

In the present study, pregnant women in different trimesters of pregnancy were randomly allocated to untreated control group (Gp A; n = 58), and zinc treated group (Gp B; n = 104). Both groups were administered ferrous sulphate 60 mg, and folic acid 5 mg, twice daily throughout the period of study. Gp B subjects were also administered 45 mg elemental zinc, in a single daily post lunch dose. Maternal blood and urine samples collected in each trimester, and at the time of delivery, and blood taken from the umbilical cord were tested for Cu levels. Maternal Hb was also estimated. In Gp A, mean serum Cu increased significantly from 117.15 +/- 2.12 micrograms/dl in I trimester to 138.57 +/- 0.92 micrograms/dl in III trimester (P < 0.001). In Gp B, serum Cu declined significantly from 115.64 +/- 1.12 micrograms/dl in I trimester to 111.10 +/- 0.99 micrograms/dl in III trimester (P < 0.001). Urinary Cu declined significantly from 47.24 +/- 2.31 micrograms/24 hrs in I trimester to 37.43 +/- 2.06 micrograms/24 hrs in III trimester (P < 0.01). Zn treatment did not alter differentially the serum Cu levels in anaemic and normohaemic subjects. Gp B cord blood serum Cu was significantly lower as compared to respective controls, significance being proportional to duration of zinc administration. Hb levels increased significantly in all subjects. Increase in Hb in Gp B was significantly higher in comparison to that in Gp A (P < 0.05). Elemental zinc when administered to pregnant women in a dose of 20-45 mg/day, causes improvement in Hb level, without leading to hypocupremia.

Administration, Oral↗

Zinc levels in maternal and cord blood and in amniotic fluid--a possible marker for foetal malformation.

Zinc levels were estimated from the maternal and cord blood drawn at delivery and in the amniotic fluid drawn before delivery in 9 pregnancies resulting in congenitally abnormal foetuses and 21 pregnancies resulting in normal healthy babies. Zinc levels were significantly lower (P < 0.01) in maternal and cord blood serum in congenitally malformed babies as compared to healthy normal controls. Amniotic fluid zinc levels were significantly higher (P < 0.01) in pregnancies with malformed babies. The use of zinc levels as marker for foetal malformation has been suggested.

Amniotic Fluid↗

A study of the effect of oral zinc supplementation during pregnancy on pregnancy outcome.

Women in different trimesters of pregnancy (Group B; n = 106) were administered 200 mg zinc sulphate (elemental Zn 45 mg) orally/day from the day of reporting till delivery. Untreated group of 62 served as control. Levels of zinc in maternal serum, umbilical cord blood serum, and urine were estimated. Pregnancy outcome was assessed in terms of incidence of prematurity, IUGR, birth weight; apgar score and gestational age. Serum zinc levels in Gp. A declined significantly from 113.00 +/- 2.80 ug/dl in I trimester to 83.78 +/- 2.20 ug/dl in III (P < 0.001). Following zinc supplementation (Gp. B) serum zinc levels increased significantly from 109.70 + 3.23 micrograms/dl to 205.40 +/- 4.47 micrograms/dl (P < 0.001). Urinary excretion of zinc in Gp. A declined significantly with increase in the period of gestation. However in Gp. B, elimination of Zn increased significantly in proportion with the serum levels (P < 0.001) cord blood serum zinc level was normal irrespective of maternal serum Zn levels. Following oral Zn supplementation, levels increased significantly from below 127.0 micrograms/dl to above 158.0 micrograms/dl in Gp. B (P < 0.001). Maternal serum and cord blood serum zinc ratios were fairly constant in Gp. A as well as in Gp. B. Birth weight of babies born with Zn supplementation was significantly higher than control and was related to duration of oral zinc supplementation (P < 0.001). Gestational age of babies in Gp. B was significantly higher than respective controls when Zn supplementation was given for more than 3 months (P < 0.01), and was related to duration of zinc therapy (P < 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Administration, Oral↗

Praziquantel therapy in neurocysticercosis.

Neurocysticercosis is being recognised more often now, because of advances in radio-imaging. No treatment was available for this disease till about a decade back. Praziquantel has provided new hope. From India, there are very few published reports on experience with this drug. Nine cases of neurocysticercosis are being presented, where praziquantel therapy has been tried. Five patients with tumour syndrome and one patient with a meningoencephalitic syndrome have shown a favourable response. In 3 patients with epilepsy syndrome, it is difficult to assess the role of this drug in their management. The relevant data have been presented and analysed.

Adolescent↗

Monitoring the adverse profile of atenolol--a collaborative study.

Atenolol, a cardio selective beta-adrenergic blocker, frequently prescribed in various cardiac ailments, has not been thoroughly investigated for its adverse reaction profile in Indian patient. The present ADR monitoring study which was open, prospective and collaborative was therefore planned. A total of 440 patients with various heart disease were enrolled after a strict inclusion and exclusion criteria from Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi and J.N. Medical College, Aligarh. fifteen patients dropped out leaving 435 for final analysis. Cold extremities occurred in 1.18% headache and dizziness in 1.41% breathlessness in 0.94% oedema in 0.70% and bradycardia in 0.47%. Adverse drug reaction in our study were less than those reported from Western countries. Better patient selection, optimal dose could have reduced the frequency of ADR in the present study. Racial factor and season might be operating to bring down ADR to atenolol in Indian patients.

Atenolol↗

Adverse reactions to propranolol, a non-selective beta-adrenergic blocking agent in hypertensive patients--a collaborative study.

Propranolol, a nonselective beta-adrenergic blocking agent, although prescribed frequently, has not been monitored for its adverse reactions in Indian population. A collaborative ADR monitoring study was planned in 2661 hypertensive patients. Exclusion criteria were associated circulatory insufficiency, heart block, left ventricular failure, diabetic mellitus and airway obstruction. The incidence of ADR was 2.1%, which is lower than reported incidence of 8.7 to 43.7 percent in other studies. This could be attributed to improper selection of patients, differences in methodology of monitoring, or to racial variation. In the present study ADR of fatigue (1.1%), dizziness (0.4%) and headache (0.2%) constituted the bulk. Additional reaction of pain in chest (0.2%), heart block (0.1%), hypoglycemia (0.1%), loss of libido (0.1%) and shock (0.03%), were also observed.

Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems↗

Serum level of iron and transferrin in normal and anaemic pregnant women.

Serum levels of iron and transferrin, and percent saturation of total iron binding capacity (TIBC) and latent iron binding capacity were estimated in 89 women in their I, II and IIIrd trimester of pregnancy. Associated infective, metabolic or degenerative diseases were excluded after clinical examination. The women were divided into three groups of normal, mildly anaemic and severely anaemic. In the normal group serum iron levels were within normal range irrespective of period of gestation, whereas in the anaemic groups, these were lower. Serum transferrin levels were significantly low in II and III trimester of pregnancy of anaemic women. Percent saturation of TIBC was even lower than normal in Ist trimester of pregnancy in normal pregnancy (27.12%). However in mild anaemic there was significant fall and in severe anaemia, it was very low, leaving a vast latent iron binding capacity. The decrease of % saturation of TIBC even in normal pregnant women is indicative of inherent poor stores, which may be due to defective diet.

Adolescent↗

Adverse reactions to gentamycin in patients with ear, nose or throat infections.

Eighty four patients requiring treatment with Gentamycin were selected from Otorhinolaryngology outpatient and those admitted to the hospital. Patients suffering from hepatic or renal disorders, pregnant women and children were excluded from the study. Seventy three were administered gentamycin 40 mg BD intramuscularly for 7-10 days and in 11 the drug was applied topically as ear drops for 6-12 weeks. Adverse reactions were observed in 9 (13.3%) and 11 (100%) patients given the drug parenterally and topically respectively. In parenteral group incidence was higher in females as compared to males and profile included nausea and vomiting, headache, cough, tinnitis, albuminuria, diminition of hearing and vertigo. Whereas diminition of hearing acuity was observed in all those who had topical application as evidenced by pure tone audiometry.

Administration, Topical↗

Antifilarial activity of Centratherum anthelminticum seed extracts on Setaria cervi.

Effect of aqueous and alcoholic extract of C. anthelminticum was studied on the spontaneous movements of the whole worm and nerve-muscle preparation of S. cervi. Ethylacetate, acetone and methanol extract showed similar effect, of causing inhibition of spontaneous motility of the nerve-muscle preparation of S. cervi characterized by decreased amplitude and frequency of contractions. The inhibitory effect on the motility was reversible. Further, the extracts did not involve the blockade of cholinergic receptors as evidenced by the presence of unaltered stimulant response of acetylcholine in the presence of drug in bathing fluid.

Animals↗

A possible role of caesium radiations in the control of propagation of hookworm.

Faeces charcoal mixtures containing eggs of sheep hookworm, Haemonchus contortus were exposed to caesium radiations (23 r to 1656 r) from 1st to 7th day of incubation. Each plate was exposed only once. A dose related inhibition of transformation of eggs to infective larvae was observed. The maximum effect was observed on 2nd day of incubation. The radiation has maximum effect on the 1st stage larvae followed by 2nd stage. The 3rd stage or ineffective larvae are relatively resistant to the effect of radiation.

Animals↗

Effect of simultaneous isoniazid administration on pharmacokinetic parameters of pyrazinamide.

Pyrazinamide (PZN) was administered to 10 patients of pulmonary tuberculosis (for 7 consecutive days) each day after an overnight fast. On 8th day serum levels and urinary elimination were measured at 2,4,6 and 8 hours. Simultaneous administration of isoniazid to same patients significantly decreased the peak serum concentration (Cmax). Although, time to peak serum concentration (Tmax) remained unaffected, serum half life (t1/2) prolonged, the elimination rate constant (Kel) and area under serum concentration time curve (AUC) decreased and apparent volume of distribution (Vd) and plasma clearance (Clp) of PZN increased significantly. However, the cumulative per cent dose of PZN excreted in urine was not changed significantly. Although, serum levels of PZN were decreased at 2, 4, 6, and 8 hours, PZN levels remained above minimum effective concentration thereby not affecting the therapeutic status of PZN administered in combination with isoniazid, if PZN is administered in moderate doses.

Adult↗

Alteration in the levels of pyrazinamide in pleural fluid following simultaneous administration of prednisoline in patients of tubercular pleural effusion.

20 Patients of tuberculous pleural effusion were administered a combination of pyrazinamide (30 mg/kg) + isoniazid (300 mg) orally for 7 consecutive days and pyrazinamide was estimated by spectrophotometric method in serum and pleural fluid. Prednisolone was added to the above regimen for next 7 consecutive days and pyrazinamide was again estimated. The level of pyrazinamide in pleural fluid was 23.4 +/- 1.2 (micrograms/ml). Following addition of prednisolone the level increased (27.6 +/- 1.3) significantly (P less than 0.001). The serum pyrazinamide level was not influenced by simultaneous administration of prednisolone. The pleural fluid/serum pyrazinamide ratio was increased from 0.465 to 0.542 by the addition of prednisolone to therapeutic regimen.

Adolescent↗