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Biomedical subjects

N P Rao

Publications and source records attributed to N P Rao.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Identification of discrete chromosomal deletion by binary recursive partitioning of microarray differential expression data.

DNA copy number abnormalities (CNA) are characteristic of tumours, and are also found in association with congenital anomalies and mental retardation. The ultimate impact of copy number abnormalities is manifested by the altered expression of the encoded genes. We previously developed a statistical method for the detection of simple chromosomal amplification using microarray expression data. In this study, we significantly advanced those analytical techniques to allow detection of localised chromosomal deletions based on differential gene expression data. Using three cell lines with known chromosomal deletions as model system, mRNA expression in those cells was compared with that observed in diploid cell lines of matched tissue origin. Results show that genes from deleted chromosomal regions are substantially over-represented (p<0.000001 by chi2) among genes identified as underexpressed in deletion cell lines relative to normal matching cells. Using a likelihood based statistical model, we were able to identify the breakpoint of the chromosomal deletion and match with the karyotype data in each cell line. In one such cell line, our analyses refined a previously identified 10p chromosomal deletion region. The deletion region was mapped to between 10p14 and 10p12, which was further confirmed by subtelomeric fluorescence in situ hybridisation. These data show that microarray differential expression data can be used to detect and map the boundaries of submicroscopic chromosomal deletions.

Cell Line↗
PubMed2002

Interferon-alpha induces dendritic cell differentiation of CML mononuclear cells in vitro and in vivo.

The ability of interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) to induce dendritic cell (DC) differentiation in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) was evaluated. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from CML patients cultured with IFN-alpha and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) developed a dendritic morphology. Fluorescence in situ hybridization demonstrated that the DCs harbored the bcr/abl translocation. The DCs prepared with IFN-alpha/GM-CSF expressed significantly higher levels of class I and II HLA than those grown in interleukin-4 (IL-4) and GM-CSF. The DCs prepared from newly diagnosed CML patients using IFN-alpha/GM-CSF expressed immunoregulatory proteins at levels comparable to normal DCs. In contrast, DCs cultured from CML patients who did not achieve a cytogenetic response to IFN-alpha expressed significantly lower levels of class I HLA, CD40, CD54, CD80 and CD86 than normal DCs. The expression of CD86 by CML DCs was enhanced when they were cultured with IFN-alpha/IL-4/GM-CSF, or when IFN-alpha/GM-CSF-treated cells were induced to mature by CD40 ligand. The DCs from IFN-alpha failures were less stimulatory than normal DCs in the allogeneic mixed leukocyte reaction. CML patients who had a cytogenetic response to IFN-alpha initially had low numbers of bone marrow DCs that increased significantly with treatment, while nonresponders had more prevalent DCs at baseline that showed no consistent change with treatment. Therefore, IFN-alpha can induce DC differentiation from CML progenitor cells both in vitro and in vivo. The therapeutic activity of IFN-alpha in CML may be due to its ability to stimulate the generation of DCs that can present CML-specific antigens. Resistance to IFN-alpha may result when DC differentiation becomes impaired.

Antigen Presentation↗
PubMed1994

Body mass index: a measure of the nutritional status in Indian populations.

Anthropometric data available through National Nutrition Monitoring Bureau surveys/studies conducted by the National Institute for Nutrition were analysed to study body mass index (BMI:kg/m2) profiles of adults and relate them to various parameters such as the nutritional status of preschool children, socio-economic status, low birth weight and mortality. The results show that nearly one-half (49%) of adult Indian rural population is suffering from some grade of chronic energy deficiency (CED). The adults' household BMI and child's nutritional status are associated. Mean BMI values were lower in landless agricultural occupational groups and in low per capita income group households compared with cultivators, artisan and higher income groups. Mean birth weights showed definite differences between BMI classes (2500 g in grade III CED and 2800 g in the normal BMI group). The odds ratio for low birth weight (LBW) was found to be three times more in severe CED groups compared to normal BMI groups of mothers. The influence of BMI on the incidence of LBW was evident despite the confounding factors of parity and maternal age. The frequency distribution of BMI values of adults who had been malnourished at the age of 5 years was distinctly different from that of the well-nourished group. The mean BMI of the group who were malnourished as children was 16, while those who had been well nourished was now 21 on average. Data from affluent and well-grown Indians suggests that a cut-off point of 18 rather than 18.5 would be more appropriate to distinguish the nutritionally normal groups from the energy deficient group (CED).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Nutritional status of tribal preschool children in three ecological zones of Madhya Pradesh.

A health and nutrition survey was conducted on tribals in three ecological zones of Madhya Pradesh namely Jhabua (West Zone), Bastar (South Zone) and Sarguja (East Zone) taking into consideration the relative contribution of agriculture, forest and a combination of both to the economy, respectively. The consumption of both foods and nutrients appear to be worse among preschool children of Jhabua compared to Bastar and Sarguja. Clinically overt forms of Protein Energy Malnutrition and other vitamin deficiency signs were strikingly low. However, 4% of children in Sarguja exhibited signs of goitre. Both by extent and severity of malnutrition, the children of Jhabua appear to be worse followed by Bastar and Sarguja.

Anthropometry↗
PubMed1993

Nutritional anthropometry--validity of cut-off points.

The present communication seeks to describe an alternate approach of arriving at cut-off levels using ratio of percentiles for (i) differentiating normal children from the undernourished ones, and (ii) identifying the severely undernourished group of children in the community on the basis of body weight and height. It also examines validity of the cut-off levels presently used of weight for age (Gomez and Indian Academy of Paediatrics classification) and height for age parameters. 1. The cut-off levels are independent of the reference standard and, as such, the same cut-off levels could be used irrespective of the standards. 2. It is desirable to have separate cut-off levels for preschool and school age groups. The use of common cut-off points for both the age groups seems to result in loss of sensitivity of the order of over 5 per cent. 3. The use of the 90 per cent cut-off level in the Gomez classification misclassifies some of the normals as undernourished, thereby tending to overestimate the problem of undernutrition in communities. 4. The body weight groups based on the suggested cut-off points do bear a relationship to the prevalence of signs of PEM--the greater the weight deficit, the higher the prevalence of signs of PEM in preschool children.

Anthropometry↗
PubMed1991

Nutrition, health and psychosocial profile of institutionalized children.

A study was undertaken to assess the health, nutrition and psychosocial profile of Institutionalized children in four States--Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and West Bengal. A sample of 3,822 children from 70 institutions in 6-18 years age group formed the subjects of the study. It was observed that the destitute children were mainly taken care of in three types of institutions, viz, Voluntary, Government Aided and Government run institutions. Calorie deficiency and deficiency of Vitamins and minerals characterized the diets of these children. In general, there was no deficit of protein in their diets. Growth wise, these children were retarded both in height and weight compared to standards. However, they fared better in comparison to their age and sex counterparts in the rural and urban poor. Psychosocial profile of these children indicated that the prevailing environment in the institutions is less conducive for intellectual stimulation but not so for the development of skills of self-help, locomotion, socialization and imagery.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Anemia and physical fitness of school children of rural Hyderabad.

Physical fitness status of 119 school children was assessed by administering a simple field level 'running test' without any sophisticated equipment. Moderately anemic children had taken significantly longer time (6.25 min) to complete the 'running test' distance of 1.6 Km. Children with normal hemoglobin (Hb) values and those with higher level normal Hb values took shorter times (7.42 and 7.06 min) to complete the test distance. Deficits of weight for age, height for age and weight for height did not exert independent influence on the 'running time'. Anemic children in the sub-groups of each category of nutritional anthropometric indicator, performed poorly. Anemia proved to be a handicap either in the presence or absence of anthropometric deficits. Mild and moderate anemia imposed handicaps on physical endurance and fitness of school children irrespective of other nutritional deficits.

Anemia↗
PubMed1989

Indian preschool children--a profile of stunting and wasting.

Anthropometric data collected on 18,938 preschool children (1-5 years) by the National Nutrition Monitoring Bureau (NNMB) in 10 states of the country were analysed for assessing growth status in terms of 'stunting' and 'wasting'. The results showed that the prevalence of stunting, reflective of chronic malnutrition, is of higher magnitude compared to wasting (considered to be an outcome of current acute malnutrition), as well as wasting and stunting. The stunting increased with increasing age of children. The data also suggested that over the period, the prevalence of stunting declined from 58 per cent in 1974 to 45 per cent in 1980. A corresponding increase in normals from 35 to 50 per cent has also been noticed during the same period.

Anthropometry↗
PubMed1989

Nutritional profile of preschool children of armed forces families around Hyderabad.

Three hundred and fifty three preschool children (1 to 5 years) belonging to armed forces families of non-officers (who often come from rural background) stationed at Military Station, Golconda, Hyderabad were studied for their clinical examination and anthropometric status. Diet survey by oral questionnaire was also carried out on a sub-sample of 48 children. The heights and weights of children from families of armed forces were far superior to those of rural Indian preschool children, but they were marginally shorter and lighter than those of well-to-do Hyderabad children. About 92% of the children had weights above 80% of Harvard median. The practical implication of these findings is that the children of rural families, with the usual socioeconomic constraints, when provided with steady income and comprehensive health care can be expected to achieve a growth status which is almost comparable to that of well-to-do children.

Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena↗
PubMed1984

Impact of massive doses of vitamin A on incidence of nutritional blindness.

In a longitudinal study designed to assess the impact of a massive-dose vitamin A programme on the incidence of keratomalacia, 50 000 preschool children in 450 slum areas in Hyderabad city (India) were given 200 000 IU of vitamin A once every 6 months. During the study period, the incidence of keratomalacia in areas covered by the programme decreased by about 80%, while in control areas the reduction was of the order of 20%. To test whether large doses of vitamin A supplements prevented keratomalacia, a case-control analysis was done, with patients with severe protein-energy malnutrition being used as controls. The high odds ratio clearly indicated that keratomalacia was more likely to occur in children not receiving supplements.

Blindness↗
PubMed1975

A simple method to evaluate the massive dose vitamin A prophylaxis program in preschool children.

A massive dose vitamin A prophylaxis program is currently in operation in several States of India. Evaluation of this program on a large scale has so far been difficult due to lack of baseline data on the prevalence of vitamin A deficiency in children. In this study, a simple evaluation method which makes use of the linear relationship that exists between age on one hand and prevalence of ocular signs of vitamin A deficiency (Bitot's spots) on the other is described. Regression coefficients between age and prevalence of vitamin A deficiency of areas not covered by the program (control areas) were found to be significantly different both from zero and from regression coefficients of regularly covered areas (experimental areas). Also, all regression lines of control areas were found to be above the regression zone of experimental areas. These differences between the experimental and control areas which were significant, indicate the impact of the program in areas where the program is in operation. The regression coefficient calculated for one area where the program was discontinued after some time was found to be significantly different from zero, also it was different from the regression zone of the experimental areas. However, the regression coefficient of the discontinued area was found to be significantly different from the experimental areas only at 10% level, indicating a lesser degree of efficiency of the program in this area as compared to regularly fed areas. It is, therefore, suggested that evaluation of the massive dose prophylaxis program be done against the null hypothesis beta = 0.0065--the regression coefficient achievable under field conditions.

Child↗