Diagnostic accuracy for skin cancer: comparison of general practitioner with dermatologist and dermatopathologist.
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Dermatology↗
Biomedical subjects
N Goyal
Publications and source records attributed to N Goyal.
Bilateral variant contributions in the formation of median nerve.
Bilateral variations in the formation of median nerve (Mn) and the recurrent course of its communications with musculocutaneous nerve (MCn) are very rare. These bilateral anomalies were observed during a routine dissection of the upper limbs of an adult male cadaver in the Department of Anatomy, PGIMER, Chandigarh. On both the sides, Mn was formed by the union of three roots. There was an additional lateral root on both sides. On the right side it was a contribution from the lateral cord and on the left it arose from the anterior division of the middle trunk. On the left side the lateral cord was formed distal than usual in relation to the second part of the axillary artery. On the right side a communicating branch arising from the additional lateral root followed a recurrent course and divided into two to unite separately with medial root of median, while on the left side a single communicating branch from an additional lateral root united with the medial root of median. Recurrent course of the communicating branch between lateral root of median and medial root of median has not been reported earlier. On the right side the MCn after piercing the coracobrachialis gave another communicating branch, which joined the Mn at the level of insertion of deltoid.
Adult↗
Osteoma mimicking a partly calcified meningioma.
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Adult↗
In vitro cultivation and characterization of axenic amastigotes of Leishmania.
The establishment of axenic cultures of the amastigote stage of Leishmania is important to understand the mechanisms regulating the differentiation, survival and pathogenicity of the parasite with a view to develop and identify molecular and chemotherapeutic targets. Recent developments in axenic culture and the characterization of amastigotes of different species of Leishmania are discussed.
Animals↗
Retinal ischemia and embolism. Etiologies and outcomes based on a prospective study.
OBJECTIVES: To identify the most likely mechanisms of retinal ischemia and embolism in a hospital-referred population, and to determine the frequency of recurrent vascular events during the 3-month period following initial presentation. METHODS: Consecutive patients presenting to 2 tertiary medical centers and their outpatient clinics were prospectively enrolled over a 22-month period. Eligible patients presented with histories of transient or permanent monocular visual loss, or had evidence of asymptomatic retinal embolism on routine ophthalmological examination. They underwent a rapid and standardized evaluation that included imaging studies as well as blood tests, and follow-up was obtained at 1 and 3 months. RESULTS: Seventy-seven patients were enrolled. Enrollment diagnoses consisted of amaurosis fugax (n = 32), asymptomatic retinal embolism (n = 34), and central or branch retinal artery occlusion (n = 11). Eight different presumed etiologies of retinal artery distribution embolism or hypoperfusion were identified. Extracranial internal carotid artery occlusion or more than 50% stenosis was observed in 17/77 (22.1%) cases, making it the largest etiologic subgroup. Uncommon but treatable conditions were identified in 8/77 (10.4%) patients, and an etiologic diagnosis could not be made in 35/77 (45.5%) patients. Recurrent events occurred in, respectively, 14/77 (18.2%) and 6/73 (8.2%) patients at the 1- and 3-month follow-ups. They included 2 infarcts and 2 deaths; ischemic events of the retina were more common than those involving the brain. CONCLUSION: Severe stenosis of the extracranial internal carotid artery is the most common identified condition associated with retinal ischemia and embolism, but a variety of other, potentially treatable, conditions can be diagnosed if appropriate and specific evaluations are conducted. The frequency of recurrent vascular ischemic events is highest during the 1st month of follow-up and decreases during the 2nd and 3rd months. Recurrences range from relatively innocuous episodes of amaurosis fugax to vascular death.
Adult↗
Identification of amastigote-specific antigens of Leishmania donovani using kala-azar patient sera.
Antigenic characterization of the soluble fraction of axenic amastigotes of Leishmania donovani ( strain Dd8, causative agent of Indian kala-azar) and their comparison with promastigotes is reported. The axenic amastigotes were assessed for their immunological status employing anti-A2 monoclonal antibody which is extremely specific for L. donovani amastigotes. SDS-PAGE of 35[S] methionine labeled proteins of the two parasite stages exhibited few stage specific and some conserved antigens in both the stages. An increased synthesis of heat shock proteins was observed in axenic amastigotes. Western blot experiments employing sera of kala azar positive patients identified immunodominent antigens of 116,83,26 and 12 kDa in axenic amastigotes which were not present in promastigotes. These amastigote stage specific antigens may have immense potential in immunodiagnosis and prophylaxis of kala-azar.
Animals↗
Characterization of intracellular metabolites of axenic amastigotes of Leishmania donovani by 1H NMR spectroscopy.
The intracellular metabolites of long-term in vitro cultured axenic amastigotes of Leishmania donovani (strain Dd8) were determined and compared with those of promastigotes and intracellular amastigotes, employing proton NMR spectroscopy. The presence of two new metabolites, i.e. betaine and beta-hydroxybutyrate were reported. Betaine was detected in all the three stages being highest in the promastigotes while beta-hydroxybutyrate could be detected only in promastigotes and axenic amastigotes. Among other metabolites, succinate and valine were found in higher quantities in intracellular amastigotes and axenic amastigotes than in promastigotes. Acetoacetate was present only in axenic and intracellular amastigotes. The comparative metabolite profile of different parasite forms reveals that axenic amastigotes seem to represent an intermediate stage between promastigotes and intracellular amastigotes in spite of their strong resemblance to intracellular amastigotes in morphology, infectivity, biochemical studies and even in the manifestation of amastigote specific A2 protein.
3-Hydroxybutyric Acid↗
Leishmania: overexpression and comparative structural analysis of the stage-regulated meta 1 gene.
The meta 1 gene of Leishmania major is upregulated in metacyclic promastigotes and encodes an 11.5-kDa protein with no significant similarities to other proteins in the existing databases. In this paper, we characterize the homologous meta 1 genes in L. amazonensis and L. donovani. Proteins encoded by this gene in all three species present a high degree of identity. The meta 1 gene cannot be replaced by gene targeting in L. major, suggesting an essential role for the protein, at least in promastigotes. Overexpression of the meta 1 protein in L. amazonensis generates parasites that are more virulent than wild-type organisms in vivo.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
Effect of low voltage on electrical properties of eye lens.
In the present study, the Cole-cole plot of lens tissue has been drawn using AC impedance system (EG and G PARC Model 318) in the frequency range 10 mHz to 10 Hz at low voltage stress. The impedus locus between real part (Z') and imaginary part (Z") of complex impedance of lens was examined. Results showed that the extracellular resistance (Re), distribution factor (alpha) and depressed angle (theta) were significantly varied at experimental low voltages. An attempt has been made to explain the electrical data of voltage-tissue interaction on the basis of solid state biophysics.
Animals↗
Impedance of goat eye lens at different DC voltages.
A computer assisted AC impedance system is used to measure the DC voltage-current (V-I) characteristics and AC impedance of a goat eye lens using a two-probe Ag-AgCl electrode system. The measurement of the V-I characteristics shows that when a DC voltage from 0 mV to 30 mV is applied, the resultant current decreases from an initial value of 0.58 microA to 0.006 microA. However, when the voltage is increases beyond 30 mV, the current increases and reaches a value of 0.9 microA at 100 mV. The data on the frequency response (0.01-10 Hz) of the impedance of lens tissue show an inverse relationship with frequency. The effect of various DC voltages, namely 0, 30, 50, 100 and 200 mV, on the impedance of the eye lens is also investigated over a frequency range of 0.01-10 Hz. The measurement results for both V-I characteristics and AC impedance further suggest the presence of a 30 mV voltage compartment in the goat eye lens.
Animals↗
Protective effect of Picroliv from Picrorhiza kurroa against Leishmania donovani infections in Mesocricetus auratus.
The prevalent drugs for treatment of kala azar viz. sodium stibogluconate (SSG) and pentamidine cause severe toxic side effects and acute immunosuppression in the treated individuals. Picroliv, a standardized mixture of iridoid glycosides, prepared from the alcoholic extract of the root and rhizome of Picrorhiza kurroa has shown strong hepatoprotective activity against several models of hepatotoxicity. Therefore, the present study was undertaken with an objective to study the effects of Picroliv (12.5 mg/kg x 7 days oral) alone and in combination with SSG on parasitemia, lipid peroxidation and hepatic marker enzymes of golden hamsters during Leishmania donovani infection. The results indicated a marked hepatoprotective effect of Picroliv in terms of biochemical markers, and a significant antileishmanial activity implying that it can be utilized as an adjunct to chemotherapy or in combination therapy of kala azar along with sodium stibogluconate, thus enhancing the efficacy of antileishmanials.
Administration, Oral↗
Do certain countries produce only positive results? A systematic review of controlled trials.
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether clinical trials originating in certain countries always have positive results. DATA SOURCES: Abstracts of trials from Medline (January 1966-June 1995). STUDY SELECTION: Two separate studies were conducted. The first included trials in which the clinical outcome of a group of subjects receiving acupuncture was compared to that of a group receiving placebo, no treatment, or a nonacupuncture intervention. In the second study, randomized or controlled trials of interventions other than acupuncture that were published in China, Japan, Russia/USSR, or Taiwan were compared to those published in England. DATA EXTRACTION: Blinded reviewers determined inclusion and outcome and separately classified each trial by country of origin. DATA SYNTHESIS: In the study of acupuncture trials, 252 of 1085 abstracts met the inclusion criteria. Research conducted in certain countries was uniformly favorable to acupuncture; all trials originating in China, Japan, Hong Kong, and Taiwan were positive, as were 10 out of 11 of those published in Russia/USSR. In studies that examined interventions other than acupuncture, 405 of 1100 abstracts met the inclusion criteria. Of trials published in England, 75% gave the test treatment as superior to control. The results for China, Japan, Russia/USSR, and Taiwan were 99%, 89%, 97%, and 95%, respectively. No trial published in China or Russia/USSR found a test treatment to be ineffective. CONCLUSIONS: Some countries publish unusually high proportions of positive results. Publication bias is a possible explanation. Researchers undertaking systematic reviews should consider carefully how to manage data from these countries.
Humans↗
Impedance of a goat eye lens.
The complex electrical impedance of a goat eye lens is studied in the frequency range 10 mHz-10 Hz at room temperature, using a computer-controlled AC impedance system. AC impedance software (model 368, version 2.2) is employed to determine the total impedance and capacitance of the eye lens at various frequencies. A Cole-Cole plot of the eye lens material is drawn between the real component of impedance Z' and the imaginary component Z" for each excitation frequency that shows a perfect arc of a-semicircle, with its centre lying below the abscissa at an angle of 35 degrees. The half-angle phi between R(0) and R infinity is found to be 55 degrees, which mathematically demonstrates the selective permeability of the eye lens. Using graphical analysis of the Cole-Cole plot, characteristic frequency fc and distribution factor alpha are observed to be 1 Hz and 0.77, respectively. At characteristic frequency, capacitance and total impedance are found to be 1.14 microF and 9.08 k omega. The effect of electrode polarisation on capacitance is corrected, based on Fricke's power function. The observed electrical parameters are then used to explain the multiple current path through various tissue compartments. Further, an attempt is made to explain the results on the basis of a possible dipolar model.
Animals↗
Effect of sodium stibogluconate on hepatic mixed function oxidase system and marker enzymes of golden hamsters during Leishmania donovani infection.
During L. donovani infection in golden hamsters, tremendous hepatic damage was observed as apparent from increased activities of glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, glutamate pyruvate transaminase, succinate dehydrogenase, glucose-6-phosphatase and acid ribonuclease. The levels of cytochrome P-450 and related monooxygenases, viz. aniline hydroxylase and aminopyrine-N-demethylase registered significant decrease in infected animals. Sodium stibogluconate, a standard antileishmanial drug, though caused the removal of parasites from infected tissues, but did not help in the recovery of deranged hepatic markers. The results explain the higher mortality of stibanate treated infected animals as compared to untreated animals infected with L. donovani.
Animals↗
Atomization mechanism and determination of Ag, Be, Cd, Li, Na, Sn and Zn in uranium-plutonium matrices by ETA-AAS.
The atomization processes involved in the Electrothermal Atomization-Atomic Absorption Spectrometric (ETA-AAS) determination of Ag, Be, Cd, Li, Na, Sn and Zn in the presence of an uranium-plutonium matrix containing 25% Pu have been investigated. The significant fall in the absorbance signal for Ag, Cd, Na and Zn in an uranium matrix and its restoration in the presence of plutonium is probably correlated with the change in the partial pressure of oxygen released from the matrix at/below the signal appearance temperature (T(app)). In case of Li and Sn, the signal remains unaffected irrespective of the U-Pu matrix which might be due to a high T(app) for these analytes. Regarding Be, the steep suppression of the signal in the presence of the plutonium matrix compared to an uranium matrix can be ascribed to the formation of stable Pu-Be compounds (PuBe(13)). Based on these studies, analytical procedures have been developed for the direct determination of nanogram amounts of these analytes in an U-Pu matrix with an average precision of 9% RSD.
Journal Article↗
Relative resistance of promastigotes of a virulent and an avirulent strain of Leishmania donovani to hydrogen peroxide.
Sensitivity of promastigotes of Leishmania donovani (Dd-8, virulent: UR-6 avirulent strain) to hydrogen peroxide has been studied in vitro conditions. There was a dose-dependent toxic effect of H2O2 on both strains. The promastigotes of Dd-8 strain, however, were more resistant compared to UR-6 strain. The cell response was not affected by the forms of H2O2 stress, for instance, single-dose exposure with reagent H2O2 or equivalent amount generated over a period of 1 h. Dd-8 promastigotes removed H2O2 from medium at a higher rate (6.43 nmol/min/ 3 x 10(7) cell/ml) compared to UR-6 promastigotes (3.17 nmol/min/3 x 10(7) cells/ml). Hydrogen peroxide metabolism by Dd-8 cells was significantly inhibited by aminotriazole, azide, and thiol reagents, while that of UR-6 cells was sensitive only to thiol reagents. The results are consistent with the negligible activity of glutathione peroxidase and nondetectable catalase in UR-6 promastigotes; both enzyme activities were present in Dd-8 promastigotes. These findings suggest that the ability of the parasite to resist H2O2 toxicity may have a potential role in its virulence.
Animals↗
Membrane characterization of amastigote-like forms of Leishmania donovani.
During in vitro transformation, Leishmania donovani promastigotes converted into amastigote-like forms and underwent several changes in membrane parameters. They exhibited significantly increased microviscosity comparable to true amastigotes. Activities of several functionally important membrane bound enzymes were also altered, thereby indicating a change in their orientation. Peanut agglutinin was found to be specific for agglutination of stationary phase promastigotes whereas wheat-germ agglutinin was specific for the amastigote-like forms as well as for pure amastigotes, implying the presence of specific glycoconjugates on the parasite surface.
Animals↗
Irreversibility line and the hierarchy of weak links in Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+ Delta.
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Journal Article↗