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Biomedical subjects

K Goswami

Publications and source records attributed to K Goswami.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Lymphatic filariasis: possible pathophysiological nexus with oxidative stress.

Wuchereria bancrofti-mediated lymphatic filariasis is widely prevalent. Diversity in immune response presumably may lead to myriad clinical presentations, such as overt chronic filariasis, occult filariasis with atypical systemic manifestation and asymptomatic microfilariae carrier state. Anticipated oxidative stress during inflammatory response to infective conditions might complicate the immune response and thus might alter the disease outcome. The present study was carried out to assess the status of oxidative stress in different clinical presentations of bancroftian filariasis. Twenty-five microfilariae carriers and 30 cases each of chronic filariasis and occult filariasis were compared to 30 endemic normal individuals. Serum malondialdehyde level and superoxide dismutase enzyme activity were measured by spectrophotometric methods and levels of filarial antigen were measured by ELISA. In the filarial cases, the levels of these parameters were assayed again after treatment with diethylcarbamazine citrate (DEC). Results showed significant (P<0.05) association of oxidative stress with chronic and occult filariasis but not with microfilarial carriers. DEC therapy in both clinical cases and carriers resulted in a significant reduction of oxidative stress associated with decreased antigen level (P<0.01). These findings suggest the possible involvement of oxidative stress in filarial disease pathology.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Immunoprophylactic evaluation of a 37-kDa Brugia malayi recombinant antigen in lymphatic filariasis.

The Brugia malayi filarial antigens recognised preferentially by sera from an endemic normal population are considered to be potential vaccine candidates. By immunoscreening the cDNA library of the infective L3 stage of B. malayi with pooled endemic normal sera, a cDNA clone Bm-SL3 was identified. Analysis of sera from different patient groups with the rBm-SL3 protein showed it to be highly reactive with endemic normal sera compared to its reactivity with microfilaraemic and non-endemic normal sera. The immunoprotective efficacy of the rBm-SL3 antigen against B. malayi filarial infection was evaluated in susceptible host jirds (gerbils) (Meriones unguiculatus). Jirds immunised with the rBm-SL3 antigen showed 68% cytotoxicity against microfilariae and 67-69% cytotoxicity against infective larvae in in-vitro antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity assays and in-situ micropore chamber methods. Analysis of IgG subclasses against Bm-SL3 revealed a significant increase in IgG1 and IgG2 antibodies in endemic normal sera compared with other groups. Lymphocyte proliferation to Bm-SL3 was significantly higher in the endemic normal group compared with that in clinical and microfilarial carriers (p < 0.001). Significantly enhanced levels of IFN-gamma in the culture supernatant of peripheral blood mononuclear cells of endemic normal sera after stimulation with Bm-SL3 suggest that the cellular response in this group may have a Th1 bias.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Anti-inflammatory effect of Ruta graveolens L. in murine macrophage cells.

Ruta graveolens L. (Rutaceae) is used for several therapeutic purposes worldwide. The present study is designed to investigate the effect of plant extract of Ruta graveolens on murine macrophage cells (J-774) challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). LPS induces inflammatory response by stimulating the production of nitric oxide and other mediators. Significant inhibition (p=0.01 to p<0.002) of the LPS-induced nitric oxide production was observed in cells treated with plant extract in a concentration dependent manner. The inhibition observed for the extract was significantly higher than that observed for rutin, a flavonoid constituent of the plant. At 40 microM rutin, a comparable concentration of this flavonoid in the highest concentration (500 microg/ml) of plant extract was used in this study; a 20% inhibition (p=0.058) was observed. Inhibition in inducible nitric oxide synthase (inos) gene expression in the cells treated with the plant extract suggests an inhibition at the transcription level. Interestingly, a concomitant decrease in transcription of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) gene has also been observed in cells treated with the plant extract and this inhibition is significantly higher than that observed with the highest concentration of rutin (80 microM) used in the study. As an inflammatory response, upregulation of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and COX-2 enzymes leads to production of pro-inflammatory mediators, namely nitric oxide and prostaglandins, respectively. Hence, the significant inhibitory effects on both of these inflammatory mediators unravel a novel anti-inflammatory action of this plant.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Hepatorenal dysfunctions in lead pollution.

Environmental and occupational lead pollution is a common problem in both developing and industrialised countries. Both hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity are known to occur in persons with exposure to heavy metals. We studied both liver function and renal function and blood lead concentraton in random population sample of 372 men (age range, 24 to 55 years). In all the subjects we measured both liver and renal function tests and both blood lead and urinary concentration of lead. Raised blood and urinary lead concentrations were associated with moderate changes in liver function and abnormal renal function, reflected in decrease of albumin and increased levels of liver enzymes and raised urea and creatinine concentrations, and with a reduction in creatinine clearance rate as compared to apparently normal subjects. These findings emphasis the importance of measurement of blood lead concentrations in adults in the genereal population to combat the effects of lead toxicity before the clinical signs predominate.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

The effects of sex, parity and maternal age on birth weights in a specialist hospital setting in Nigeria.

This study looked at the combined effects of maternal age, fetal sex and parity in a specialist hospital setting and compared it with already published figures obtained from public health-care data in Nigeria. The results show a relationship exists with bivariate analysis between these variables and birth weight, but with multivariate analysis the relationship proves to be spurious. Socio-economic status and maternal health were felt to be the most important considerations within the specialist hospital setting, as patients who attend are more likely to be of high socio-economic status and therefore on a higher income and better educated. This has a beneficial impact on maternal health and a positive outcome on birth weight.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Community based trials and informed consent in rural north India.

Disease control has increasingly shifted towards large scale, disease specific, public health interventions. The emerging problems of HIV, hepatitis, malaria, typhoid, tuberculosis, childhood pneumonia, and meningitis have made community based trials of interventions a cost effective long term investment for the health of a population. The authors conducted this study to explore the complexities involved in obtaining informed consent to participation in rural north India, and how people there make decisions related to participation in clinical research.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗
PubMed2003

Normal lipid metabolism, familial hyperlipidaemia, lipid intervention and their benefits.

Some recent developments in lipoprotein metabolism, familial hyperlipidaemias and lipid lowering therapies with reference to coronary artery disease (CAD) are reviewed. LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) level and particle subclass are important determinants of the extent of cholesterol delivery to the peripheral tissues and thereby of atherogenesis and CAD. LDL modifications (eg, oxidation, adduct formation, desialylation, glycation, etc) enhance the above process. HDL particles bring cholesterol from peripheral tissues to liver (reverse cholesterol transport, RCT). ApoA1, LCAT enzyme, ABCA1 and cholesterol ester transfer protein are involved in RCT. Paraoxonase of HDL prevents oxidation of other lipoproteins and probably hinders atherogenesis. Lp(a) particles are like LDL except the presence of apo(a) that inhibits fibrinolysis and are epidemiologicaly linked to the development of CAD. Indians have high Lp(a), in comparison to whites. Familial hyperlipidaemias are due to altered metabolism of lipoproteins affecting plasma lipid profile. Majority of such patients are prone to atherosclerosis and CAD. LDL-C is the primary target of lipid lowering therapy. Statins inhibit HMG-CoA reductase and are mainly used alone or with other drugs for lowering blood lipids. 'National Cholesterol Education Program' now recommends a stringent LDL-C control ( < 100 mg/dl) for CAD and CAD risk equivalents. Therapeutic lifestyle changes and drug therapy are the main modalities to reduce blood lipids, aiming at total reduction of short-and long-term coronary risk for all (primary prevention), and of coronary mortality and morbidity in patients with CAD (secondary prevention).

Coronary Disease↗
PubMed2001

Uropathogenic Escherichia coli causing urinary tract infections.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: The information on the characteristics of Escherichia coli causing urinary tract infections is limited. We have characterised the urovirulence factors of Esch. coli isolated from symptomatic patients of urinary tract infections (UTI) in order to determine their pathogenic potential and the antibiotic sensitivity profile. METHODS: Semi-quantitative urine culture was done on 370 symptomatic patients suffering from urinary tract infections. Phenotypic characterization of the urovirulence factors of Esch. coli was undertaken and the antibiotic susceptibility was determined. RESULTS: Esch. coli was responsible for 45.5 per cent of infections. Resistance to amoxycillin, cotrimoxazole, nalidixic acid, norfloxacin and ciprofloxacin among Esch. coli isolates ranged from 70-95 per cent. Serotype O101 was found to be the commonest serotype (7/26). The virulence factors associated with uropathogenic Esch. coli were haemolysin production (5/30), presence of mannose resistant P-fimbriae (5/30), presence of mannose sensitive type 1 fimbriae (6/30) and the presence of mannose resistant F-fimbriae (2/30). Siderophores production was seen in all the isolates causing UTI. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: Esch. coli was found to be the commonest cause of UTI in our study population. Antibiotic resistance was high among the strains circulating which emphasises the need for judicious use of antibiotics. Certain virulence factors like haemolysin production and presence of fimbriae in the Esch. coli may be associated with the urovirulence.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1999

A study of dental caries in school children from rural Haryana.

The prevalence of dental caries among rural school children (688 boys and 331 girls) in the age group of 12-16 years in Haryana was found to be 39.4%. It was 37.9% in boys and 42.6% in girls. The difference between males and females was statistically not significant. A significant increase in prevalence of dental caries with age was observed (i.e. 33.1% in 12-year-old children to 45.8% in 14-year-old children). The mean DMFT per child was found to be 1.03 and DMFT per affected child was 2.6. The mean of D, M and F was found to be 1.0, 0.03 and 0.0 respectively.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of the balloon-anulus ratio on the intermediate and follow-up results of pulmonary balloon valvuloplasty.

Pulmonary balloon valvuloplasty (PBV) is an effective method to treat congenital valvular pulmonic stenosis, but the ideal balloon-anulus ratio (BAR) for this procedure remains unclear. We studied 71 procedures where BARs of 1.0-1.5 were used, since it has been shown that a ratio of < 1.0 is less effective and that of > 1.5 may produce more complications. A curvilinear relation was found between BAR and the fractional fall in haemodynamic parameters reflecting stenosis severity, both immediately after dilatation and at follow-up. Best results were observed with a BAR of 1.25, with progressive worsening on either side of this ratio. The relationship remained significant in multiple regression analysis involving age, sex and baseline haemodynamic variables. The data show that a BAR of 1.25 is probably the ideal ratio for PBV.

Adolescent↗