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P Basu

Publications and source records attributed to P Basu.

31 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Utility of carbohydrate-deficient transferrin as a marker of relapse in alcoholic patients.

Carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT) has been proposed as a marker of alcoholism. However, its role in monitoring alcoholic patients for relapse has not been extensively studied. We therefore performed sequential serum CDT measurements using a microcolumn/radioimmunoassay method (Kabi Pharmacia, Piscataway, NJ) in 86 male alcoholics participating in a hepatitis vaccination program who were monitored for relapse using self-report and collateral history (when available). The maximum serum CDT was significantly higher in patients who relapsed (n = 38) (33.1 +/- 3.1 mg/liter), as compared with abstinent subjects with collateral verification (n = 39) (18.8 +/- 1.3, p < 0.001) and abstinent patients without collateral verification (n = 9) (17.4 +/- 1.3, p < 0.01). Using the manufacturer's currently recommended threshold of 20 mg/liter for males, serum CDT was elevated in 29 of 38 patients who relapsed (sensitivity 76.3%). In 16 (42.1%) of the relapsed patients, a serum CDT above this threshold preceded the patient's self-report by at least 28 days. However, serum CDT exceeded 20 mg/liter in 10 of 48 patients who remained sober (specificity 79.2%); three of these patients had clinical and/or pathological evidence of cirrhosis. Using a threshold of 25 mg/liter, 21 of 38 patients who relapsed had an elevated serum CDT (sensitivity 55.3%); 12 (31.6%) of these patients had elevated serum CDT before self-report. Only 4 of 48 subjects who remained sober had serum CDT levels that exceeded 25 mg/liter (specificity 91.7%); three of these patients had clinical and/or pathological evidence of cirrhosis. In conclusion, serial serum CDT testing detects relapses before self-report in male subjects. Values between 20-25 mg/liter suggest relapse, but call for collateral verification, whereas CDT values above 25 mg/liter are usually diagnostic of relapse in the absence of cirrhosis.

Alcoholism↗
PubMed1993

Food safety and inspection service update on food safety of animals derived from biotechnology experiments.

Recent progress in the field of biotechnology and the production of transgenic livestock has raised a question regarding the need for the regulation of these animals. There is also the need to regulate nontransgenic animals resulting from transgenic animal research. It is anticipated that several governmental agencies will be involved in regulatory issues pertaining to these animals. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) will ultimately be responsible for ensuring that transgenic animals intended for human consumption are wholesome, unadulterated, and properly labeled. The FSIS has implemented a program for the regulation of slaughtering nontransgenic animals resulting from transgenic animal experiments. However, the FSIS has not yet approved any transgenic livestock for slaughter. Scientists from the FSIS, in conjunction with other government agencies, are currently developing guidelines for the slaughter of transgenic animals.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

Effect of bile acid perfusion on colonic motor function in patients with the irritable colon syndrome.

A study was performed to determine the effect of bile acid perfusion on motility in the sigmoid colon of patients with the irritable colon syndrome compared with normal subjects. Deoxycholic acid (15 mM) statistically significantly increased motility in normal subjects (control 25.0 +/- 6.4%, perfusion 71.4 +/- 7.2%, P < 0.05) but neither chenodeoxycholic acid nor cholic acid had any apparent effect. In patients with the irritable colon syndrome, however, deoxycholic acid at 5 mM concentration (control 29.8 +/- 4.2%, during perfusion 57.4 +/- 6.5%, P < 0.05) as well as at 15 mM concentration (control 19.4 +/- 5.7+, perfusion 57.8 +/- 9.6%, P < 0.05) statistically significantly increased rectosigmoid motility. Patients with the irritable colon syndrome had a high resting 0.033-0.066 Hz (2-4 c/m) electrical activity, whereas in normal subjects 0.1-0.15 Hz (6-9 c/m) activity was greater. However, there was no statistically significant alteration in either electrical rhythm during the period of bile acid perfusion. In conclusion, additional evidence is presented to suggest that deoxycholic acid is the only bile acid likely to be implicated in the motor disorder of the irritable colon syndrome.

Bile Acids and Salts↗
PubMed1978

Is there a myoelectrical abnormality in the irritable colon syndrome?

Although recent work has suggested that an abnormality of the 0.05 Hz (3 c/m) slow wave electrical activity exists in the distal colon of patients with the irritable colon syndrome, it is not established whether this is related to altered bowel habit alone, or whether it is specific to the irritable colon syndrome. We have therefore studied 10 patients referred with this disorder and compared their colonic myoelectrical pattern with 10 patients suffering from assorted disorders with similar symptoms--for example, chronic pancreatitis, diverticular disease, ulcerative colitis, etc. Transit time, stool weights, percentage motility, and slow wave electrical activity were measured in each patient. The two groups were well matched for age and patients with similar symptoms in the two groups had similar values for transit time and percentage motility. There was a statistically significant increase in the 3 c/m electrical activity in patients with the irritable colon syndrome unrelated to the degree of diarrhoea or constipation. It would appear, therefore, that the abnormally high incidence of 3 c/m electrical activity in the colon is specific to the irritable colon syndrome and not merely a feature of altered bowel habit.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Is interferon-alpha and retinoic acid combination along with radiation superior to chemo-radiation in the treatment of advanced carcinoma of cervix?

Locally advanced cervical cancers comprise a large majority of the gynecologic cancers in India and other developing countries. Concurrent chemo-radiation has improved the survival of high risk stage I and stage II cervical cancers. There is no evidence that the same survival benefit has been achieved with chemo-radiation in stage III and stage IV disease. Interferon-alpha and Retinoic acid have synergistic anti-proliferative activity. In combination with radiation, they substantially enhance the sensitivity of the squamous carcinoma cells to radiation. Based on these observations from the in vitro studies, a few clinical trials have evaluated the combination of interferon-alpha and Retinoic acid, concomitant with radiation, to treat cervical cancers. The results from these early trials were encouraging and the combination had minimal toxicities. However, till date, no phase III randomized controlled trial has been done to evaluate this therapeutic modality.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗