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Biomedical subjects

M Balaji

Publications and source records attributed to M Balaji.

11 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Development and evaluation of a rapid IgM capture ELISA (JEV-Chex) for the diagnosis of Japanese encephalitis.

BACKGROUND: The IgM capture ELISA has been the most widely used diagnostic method for Japanese encephalitis. However, the lack of availability of validated commercial kits as well as the short shelf life of the kit reagents has limited the use of this technique to very few centres in Asia. OBJECTIVES: Development and evaluation of a rapid IgM capture ELISA (JEV Chex) in comparison to the conventional IgM capture ELISA. Produce key reagents such as cell culture derived JEV antigen and biotinylated monoclonal antibody which are stable at room temperature. STUDY DESIGN: The conventional IgM capture ELISA was modified to reduce the total assay time and two key reagents used in the assay JEV antigen and biotinylated anti-JEV monoclonal antibodies were rendered stable at room temperature using a special procedure. A multi-centric evaluation of this rapid ELISA was carried out using well characterized stored CSF and serum samples. Long term stability of the key reagents was also assessed over a period of 6 months. RESULTS: The rapid IgM capture ELISA developed by us showed complete concordance with the results obtained using the conventional ELISA at all the three centres where it was evaluated. In addition, the stability studies carried out with the inactivated cell culture antigen and the biotinylated monoclonal antibodies stored at room temperature for a period of 180 days revealed that both these reagents yielded consistent optical density values in the ELISA. CONCLUSIONS: The rapid ELISA format of the IgM capture ELISA (JEV-Chex) developed by us as well as the stability of reagents achieved by us in this study is what renders this rapid IgM capture ELISA very robust and user friendly since reagents can be stored at 4 degrees C by peripheral labs.

Aedes↗
PubMed2003

Autoantibodies to GAD65 and IA-2 antibodies are increased, but not tissue transglutaminase (TTG-Ab) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients from South India.

The frequency of autoantibody-positve T2DM patients identified as LADA was shown to be high in T2DM patients from Eastern India. In this study, we measured autoantibodies to GAD65, IA-2, and TTG in T2DM patients from Southern India. Our results show that either GAD65 or IA-2 was present in 30% of T2DM patients (n = 155) and in 3% of controls for GAD65 and 1% of controls for IA-2 (n = 105). TTG-Ab was not increased in T2DM patients compared to controls. Our results suggest that LADA is more frequent in Southern Indians than in European Caucasians, but not as high as in Eastern Indians.

Autoantibodies↗
PubMed2001

Gill lesions in the perch, Anabas testudineus, exposed to monocrotophos.

Histopathological effects of sublethal doses of monocrotophos on the gills have been studied by exposing the fish for a period ranging from ten to twenty days. The extent of damage to gills was dependent on the dose and duration of exposure. Histopathological changes in the gills observed were characterized primarily by hemorrhage in the primary and secondary gill lemellae. Degeneration and necrosis of epithelial cells were very prominent. Distortion of the secondary lamellae was very prominent, beginning with disruption of epithelial cells from pillar cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Subtypes of codeine cough syrup abusers.

This paper highlights the abuse potential of the codeine containing cough syrups, which may take two forms. One, experimental abuse in school or college students which later persists in a dependent pattern. Two, pre-existing opioid abusers, as a substitute which starts after the school or college years. The short term treatment outcome is better in the former group in that they are able to maintain abstinence for a relatively longer period.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Abuse of codeine-containing cough syrups: a report from India.

AIM: To study the socio-demographic and clinical profile of patients seeking treatment for abuse of codeine-containing cough syrups (CCS). DESIGN: Observational; case series. SETTING: An addiction clinic in North India. PARTICIPANTS: Forty-six consecutive treatment-seeking patients of DSM-III-R-diagnosed dependence on CCS, from January 1994 to June 1995. MEASUREMENTS: Semi-structured interview schedule for patients and their family covering socio-demographic and clinical variables. FINDINGS: All patients were male. Many were young (mean age 27 years), with completed school education (85%) and from urban backgrounds (80%). The mean age of starting CCS use was 23 years. Initiated commonly through friends (89%) and often for curiosity (63%), 89% of the patients progressed to daily use of CCS in less than 6 months (54% in less than a month), and in quantities much higher than prescribed limits. Opioid-like withdrawal was reported by 92%. Concurrent use of other substances, psychiatric co-morbidity and HIV-related risk behaviour were present in 72%, 24% and 45%, respectively. Most of the patients reported a 'stimulant' effect of CCS ('alert', 96%; 'more active', 94%). CONCLUSIONS: The combination of an opioid and a sympathomimetic agent in the CCS may cause a special, distinct euphoretic effect. This effect, along with the low price, easy availability and 'pure' preparation of CCS, may be responsible for the rapidly rising popularity of the CCS as drugs of abuse in India.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Analysis of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in anterior subcapsular and mixed cataractous lenses.

The study was undertaken to determine the different concentrations of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) in anterior subcapsular and mixed cataractous lenses. In both types of cataractous lenses an increased concentration of G-6-PD was observed in 41-50 year age groups and a lower concentration of G-6-PD was noted in 61 year and above age groups. Cataractous lenses of females have a higher content of G-6-PD than males. In anterior subcapsular cataractous lenses, a lower concentration of G-6-PD was noted than in mixed lenses.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Cytogenetic effect of malathion in in vitro culture of human peripheral blood.

Chromosomal aberrations, sister-chromatid exchanges and mitotic indices were observed in human peripheral leukocytes, treated with four different concentrations of malathion (0.02, 0.2, 2 and 20 micrograms/ml), an organophosphate pesticide, added to the culture medium at 0, 24 and 48 h after culture initiation. These cultures showed a dose-dependent increase in the frequency of chromosomal aberration as well as sister-chromatid exchanges. There was a significant decrease in mitotic index at all concentrations.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

HIV screening & risk behaviour in psychoactive substance users.

Patients admitted to the Drug De-addiction and Treatment Centre, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh, were screened for HIV antibodies. Out of 116 patients, 45 (39%) were injecting drug users (IDUs), 29 (25%) were other drug users and 42 (36%) were primary users of alcohol. One IDU was HIV seropositive (2.2% of the IDUs). Analysis of HIV-related risk behaviour showed that the IDUs were at high risk, because of needle sharing as also because of having multiple sex partners. The potential for HIV infection in these persons practising high-risk behaviour calls for timely preventive measures.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Copper levels in human mixed, nuclear brunescence, and posterior subcapsular cataract.

The study was undertaken to determine the copper content in different human cataractous lenses. The level of copper increased with increasing age in nuclear brunescence and mixed cataractous lens and a low amount of copper was observed in the posterior subcapsular cataractous lens with increasing age. Cataractous lenses of females have greater amounts of copper compared with males.

Adult↗