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Biomedical subjects

P Joshi

Publications and source records attributed to P Joshi.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Identification of a 66 kDa Haemonchus contortus excretory/secretory antigen that inhibits host monocytes.

A 66 kDa adult Haemonchus contortus excretory/secretory (E/S) antigen was identified in Western blot by reaction with sera from the infected goats. The protein was purified from the adult worm extract and E/S products by anion exchange and ConA-Sepharose chromatography. The purified protein inhibited monocyte function in vitro as judged by decreased production of hydrogen peroxide and nitric oxide in the culture medium. The protein also caused proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The absence of protein in the free living L3 larvae suggests that the expression of this protein coincides with the adaptation to the parasitic life. A correlation of antibody titre and worm burden was observed in the infected goats with higher antibody levels in high worm burdened animals. Anti-protein antibody caused loss of adult worm motility in vitro resulting in the death of the parasite. The fact that the protein is recognized by the host together with in vitro killing of adult parasites by antibodies makes this protein a promising candidate for vaccination trial.

Abomasum↗
PubMed2006

Raman scattering from high-frequency phonons in supported n-graphene layer films.

Results of room-temperature Raman scattering studies of ultrathin graphitic films supported on Si (100)/SiO2 substrates are reported. The results are significantly different from those known for graphite. Spectra were collected using 514.5 nm radiation on films containing from n = 1 to 20 graphene layers, as determined by atomic force microscopy. Both the first- and second-order Raman spectra show unique signatures of the number of layers in the film. The nGL film analogue of the Raman G-band in graphite exhibits a Lorentzian line shape whose center frequency shifts linearly relative to graphite as approximately 1/n (for n = 1 omegaG approximately 1587 cm-1). Three weak bands, identified with disorder-induced first-order scattering, are observed at approximately 1350, 1450, and 1500 cm-1. The approximately 1500 cm-1 band is weak but relatively sharp and exhibits an interesting n-dependence. In general, the intensity of these D-bands decreases dramatically with increasing n. Three second-order bands are also observed (approximately 2450, approximately 2700, and 3248 cm-1). They are analogues to those observed in graphite. However, the approximately 2700 cm-1 band exhibits an interesting and dramatic change of shape with n. Interestingly, for n < 5 this second-order band is more intense than the G-band.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2006

Risk factors for unintentional injuries due to falls in children aged 0-6 years: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To identify risk factors for unintentional injuries due to falls in children aged 0-6 years. DESIGN: A systematic review of the literature. METHODS: Electronic databases from 1966 to March 2005 were comprehensively searched to identify empirical research that evaluated risk factors for unintentional injuries due to falls in children aged 0-6 years and included a comparison group. RESULTS: 14 studies met the inclusion criteria. Studies varied by the type of fall injury that was considered (ie, bunk bed, stairway, playground or infant walker) and with respect to the quality of evidence. In general, major risk factors for the incidence or severity of injuries due to falls in children included age of the child, sex, height of the fall, type of surface, mechanism (dropped, stairway or using a walker), setting (day care v home care) and socioeconomic status. CONCLUSION: Despite a high burden, few controlled studies have examined the risk and protective factors for injuries due to falls in children aged 0-6 years. The only study to examine falls from a population health perspective suggests that age, sex and poverty are independent risk factors for injuries due to falls in children.

Accidental Falls↗
PubMed2005

Evidence for nontermination of rotational bands in 74Kr.

Three rotational bands in 74Kr were studied up to (in one case one transition short of) the maximum spin I(max) of their respective single-particle configurations. Their lifetimes have been determined using the Doppler-shift attenuation method. The deduced transition quadrupole moments reveal a modest decrease, but far from a complete loss of collectivity at the maximum spin I(max). This feature, together with the results of mean field calculations, indicates that the observed bands do not terminate at I = I(max).

Journal Article↗
PubMed2004

Detection of toxoplasmosis in experimentally infected goats by PCR.

PCR was used to diagnose toxoplasmosis in two pairs of Barbari goats infected by oral administration of doses of either 10(4) or 10(5) oocysts of Toxoplasma gondii. Blood and lymph node aspirates were collected from the infected goats and control goat at intervals, and tissues were also collected from a fetus that was aborted and a doe that died during the trial. Both processed and unprocessed samples were used for the PCR, using primers directed to the multicopy B1 gene. None of the blood samples was positive, but a specific signal was obtained from the lymph node aspirates after partial DNA extraction. Direct PCR of the lung, muscle and mesenteric lymph node of the doe and lung tissue of the aborted fetus yielded the target fragment. The simplified PCR protocols, including partial DNA extraction and direct assay of lung tissue, were effective for the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis.

Aborted Fetus↗
PubMed2003

Interferon-gamma levels in nasopharyngeal secretions of infants with respiratory syncytial virus and other respiratory viral infections.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection, one of the most common causes of hospitalization of children in developed countries, has been implicated as a cause of asthma. We aimed to characterize the cytokine profile in nasopharyngeal aspirates (NPAs) taken from infants during upper respiratory tract infection to investigate whether RSV induced a unique immune response as compared with other viruses. Additionally, we sought to determine whether this profile was influenced by the infants' atopic status. A prospective birth cohort of babies at high risk of atopy was recruited. Ratios of a T-helper 1 (Th1) cytokine, interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) and a T-helper 2 (Th2)-like cytokine, interleukin-10 (IL-10), in NPAs were determined during episodes of respiratory tract infections in the first year. The viral aetiology of the respiratory tract infections was determined using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), culture and immunofluorescence. Atopic status was ascertained at 1 year of age using skin prick tests. Participants were recruited antenatally and subsequently followed in the community. Sixty babies with one or both parents atopic were enrolled into the study. IFN-gamma : IL-10 ratios in NPAs during upper respiratory tract infections and their correlation with viral aetiology and atopic status were the main outcome measures. The mean IFN-gamma : IL-10 ratio was significantly lower (due to lower IFN-gamma) during RSV infections than during infections with other viruses (P = 0.035). The cytokine ratio, however, did not differ between infants with or without wheeze during URTIs (P = 0.44), or between infants who were atopic or non-atopic (P = 0.49). This study suggests that RSV is associated with lower IFN-gamma production in young babies, regardless of their atopic status, compared to upper respiratory tract infections where either another virus is detected or where no viral identification is made.

Follow-Up Studies↗
PubMed2003

Recurrent autumnal psychosis.

Acute confusional states in the older patient often have a remediable cause. Every effort should be made to ascertain the cause so that appropriate treatment can be given and future episodes prevented. A patient is described who presented with recurrent episodes of acute psychosis after ingestion of Atropa belladonna (deadly nightshade).

Aged↗
PubMed2001

In vitro screening of Indian medicinal plants for antiplasmodial activity.

Plants traditionally used in India to treat fever or malaria were examined in vitro for antiplasmodial properties against Plasmodium falciparum. Of 80 analysed ethanol extracts, from 47 species, significant effects were found for 31 of the extracts. These represent 23 different species from 20 families. Of the active species 20 were tested against P. falciparum for the first time. The following five species seems to be of special interest for further antimalarial studies, Casearia elliptica, Holarrhena pubescens, Pongamia pinnata, Soymida febrifuga, and Plumbago zeylanica.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Induction of apoptosis in AK-5 tumor cells by a serum factor from tumor rejecting animals: cytochrome c release independent of Bcl-2 and caspases.

The ability to selectively induce apoptosis in tumor cells is the prime goal in cancer immunotherapy and aims at identifying potential molecular targets, regulating this process. Here we show that the sera from the animals which had spontaneously rejected the AK-5 tumor (a rat histiocytoma) had an effective and potent ability to counteract and kill tumor cells by inducing apoptosis, with a high degree of specificity. Apoptosis induced by the serum factor involved the activation of caspases and cytochrome c release to the cytosol. A reduction in mitochondrial transmembrane potential (Delta psi(m)) occurred considerably later than cytochrome c translocation. The anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 and the pancaspase inhibitor zVAD-fmk did not prevent cytochrome c release, but completely blocked the reduction in Delta psi(m), DNA fragmentation and apoptosis. Cyclosporin A (CsA), an inhibitor of the mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) pore had no effect on cytochrome c release and apoptosis mediated by serum factor in AK-5 cells, suggesting that apoptosis was independent of MPT. Taken together these results suggest that the serum factor in conjunction with the immune cells may be participating in the efficient rejection of the tumor in syngeneic hosts and Delta psi(m) disruption but not cytochrome c release, is a critical and decisive event to trigger apoptotic cell death induced by the serum factor in AK-5 tumor cells.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Cyclic thioether peptide mimetics as VCAM-VLA-4 antagonists.

Selective substitution of a sulfur atom by carbon in a highly potent 13-membered cyclic disulfide was accomplished by intramolecular displacement of a bromide. The potency of the resulting thioethers in the VCAM/VLA-4 assay was dependent on ring size and the position of the sulfur atom.

Integrin alpha4beta1↗
PubMed1999

Variation in in-patient stroke management in ten centres in different countries: the INCLEN multicentre stroke collaboration.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Large within-country variations have been described in stroke management and there have been a few studies of between-country variation (in the USA and the UK). We designed a study to examine stroke management across a wide range of countries representing different stages of economic development. Large variations would suggest the need to explore methods of increasing the uptake of evidence-based stroke practice. METHODS: Members of the International Clinical Epidemiology Network (INCLEN) from 14 centres in ten countries agreed to review the records of the last 50 patients admitted to hospital with a clinical diagnosis of stroke. Information on demographic variables, the clinical diagnosis of stroke type, investigations performed and treatments given and the discharge destination of the patient were recorded and sent to the coordinating centre in Australia for analysis. RESULTS: There were statistically significant between-centre differences in the proportions of patients cared for by a neurologist, staying in hospital for at least ten days and having CT or MRI scans. Significant between-centre differences were also seen for treatment, for example, the use of aspirin in non-haemorrhagic stroke varied from 11 to 79%. The variation (for all interventions studied) was no longer statistically significant when examined within strata according to availability of facilities. CONCLUSIONS: The large variation between centres in the management of stroke is largely 'explained' by the availability of resources, even for interventions that do not depend on resource availability. It will be important to develop management guidelines that reflect evidence-based practice of relevance across a range of economic settings.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1999

Variation in stated management of acute myocardial infarction in five countries.

We examined the variation in stated practice in the management of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) among doctors in Australia, Brazil, Chile, India and Thailand. Hospitals were identified as primary, secondary or tertiary by investigators from around their own region. All doctors within each hospital who would be expected to treat patients with AMI were asked to indicate which investigations and treatments they would offer to a patient with an AMI who develops angina on Day 3 after admission. The numbers of hospitals ranged from 5 to 26 per country, and doctor response rates varied from 70 to 100%. Within-country variation was large, and statistically significant variations were seen between countries in the use of most interventions. The large variation both between and within a range of countries across the economic spectrum suggests a widespread need for agreement about what constitutes appropriate management after AMI.

Australia↗
PubMed1999

The lateral tongue flap: a salvage option for reconstruction of buccal recurrences.

BACKGROUND: Surgery in an irradiated, previously operated field is fraught with danger. Though microvascular tissue transfers are being gone, they may not be feasible in all circumstances. METHODS: A lateral tongue flap was executed in 11 cases of intraoral buccal recurrence. The aims of this study were to evaluate the procedure, the function of the remaining tongue and the speed of rehabilitation with respect to preoperative functional status. RESULTS: Out of 11 such reconstructions in a period of 12 months, only 1 flap had tip necrosis while a haematoma developed in 2 cases. Swallowing, speech, and tongue protrusion were not significantly hampered by the procedure. Patients were rehabilitated very quickly (within 2 weeks), to preoperative functional status. CONCLUSIONS: The Lateral Tongue Flap is a simple, robust vascular transfer and an effective salvage reconstructive option in a post-excisional defect caused by a recurrent intraoral cancer.

Aged↗