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Biomedical subjects

P Sarkar

Publications and source records attributed to P Sarkar.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Maternal anxiety at amniocentesis and plasma cortisol.

OBJECTIVES: To assess whether anticipation of amniocentesis is linked with maternal anxiety, and whether this anxiety is associated with increased maternal plasma cortisol. METHODS: Two hundred and fifty-four women awaiting a morning amniocentesis for karyotyping (gestation range 15-37 weeks, median 17 weeks) completed Spielberger state and trait anxiety inventory (STAI) questionnaires, and provided blood samples immediately before the procedure for cortisol assay. Six hundred and five women at mean gestation of 20 weeks, attending the same hospital for routine ultrasound but not for amniocentesis, also completed Spielberger STAI questionnaires and served as a comparison group for the anxiety ratings. RESULTS: Mean state and trait anxiety scores (+/- SD) in the comparison group of 605 women at mean gestation of 20 weeks were 36.1 +/- 10.2 (range 20-70) and 35.6 +/- 8.9 (range 20-73), respectively. The mean state anxiety score (+/-SD) of 49.8 +/- 14.0 (range 20-77) of the amniocentesis group was considerably higher than the comparison group (p < 0.001), although the mean trait anxiety score in the amniocentesis group was similar at 36.4 +/- 8.6 (range 21-60). The state, but not trait, anxiety correlated with plasma cortisol (r = 0.176, p = 0.005). Maternal cortisol in the amniocentesis group increased with gestational age (r = 0.310, p < 0.001), whereas state anxiety scores showed no significant change with increase in gestational age (r = - 0.042, ns). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that maternal state anxiety was positively correlated with plasma cortisol independent of gestation and time of collection. CONCLUSION: Women awaiting amniocentesis experience a high state anxiety associated with modestly increased plasma cortisol.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Hepatopulmonory syndrome--an uncommon and severe complication of certain liver diseases.

Hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) is charaterised by arterial hypoxaemia found mainly in association with chronic liver disease (most commonly cirrhosis of liver) but also rarely with acute liver diseases like fulminant hepatic failure or Budd-Chiari syndrome. The purpose of this article is to present an uncommon but grave complication mostly associated with cirrhosis of liver and to differentiate this entry from cyanotic heart diseases or certain lung conditions. Investigations include history and physical examination, certain biochemical tests, upper gastro-intestinal (GI) endoscopy, abdominal ultrasonography, liver biopsy and venacavography in appropriate cases. Finally, the suspected cases underwent arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis and contrast enhanced echocardiography (CEE) for confirmation of the diagnosis of HPS. Of the 123 cases of cirrhosis of liver, three cases of HPS (2.4%) were found-all of them being males. Also one male patient with inferior vena cava (IVC) obstruction amongst other causes presenting with HPS was encountered. As of now, no medical treatment has been proved to be useful and liver transplant remains the only hope for this disorder.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Documentation of immune profile of microglia through cell surface marker study in glioma model primed by a novel cell surface glycopeptide T11TS/SLFA-3.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM: The sheep erythrocyte membrane glycoprotein T11TS/SLFA-3 can form a ligand-receptor complex with CD2 present on immunocyte and exert stimuli for activation and proliferation. Regression of brain tumor with the application of T11TS indicates the probable role of microglia, the chief immunomodulatory cell within the brain compartment. In the present study microglial activation and immunophenotypic modulation were assessed in T11TS treated brain tumor-bearing animal models. Rat glioma models induced by chemical carcinogen ENU were treated with three consecutive doses of T11TS. Microglial cells from brain were isolated and assessed through E-rosette formation, SEM and FACS for CD2, MHC class II, CD25, and CD4. The preliminary indication of presence of CD2 on microglia through E-rosette formation was confirmed by SEM and FACS. MHC class II and CD2 single and double positive subpopulations exist, and their expression is also modulated in different doses of T11TS. A general trend of highest receptor saturation and microglial activation, measured through the activation marker CD25 and CD4 expression, was observed in 2nd dose of T11TS administration, which was then dampened via a complex immune feedback mechanism in the 3rd dose.

Alkylating Agents↗
PubMed2004

A comparative analysis of immunorestoration and recovery with conventional and immunotherapeutic protocols in canine generalized demodicosis: a newer insight of immunotherapeutic efficacy of T11TS.

Demodex canis is a natural inhabiting mite of canine skin. Immunological disorder or genetic disorder induces the Demodex population to proliferate vigorously resulting in generalized demodicosis with consequent chronic immunosuppression. Signs of generalized demodicosis include alopecia, crysting, erythema, secondary pyoderma etc. Amitraz, an acaricide, is used conventionally for the treatment of generalized demodicosis. In many instances, the disease relapses due to the residual immunosuppression. The need of an immunorestorative therapy has been urged in generalized demodicosis. Two immunorestorative drugs, namely, Immuplus, a herbal drug, and T11TS, a sheep erythrocyte surface glycoprotein, has been used in two separate groups of dogs having generalized demodicosis and receiving Amitraz treatment. It was observed that though Amitraz treated group responded to the therapy showing increased E-rosettes and nonspecific cytotoxic efficacy of T-lymphocytes and decrease in phagocytic potential of macrophages, the groups treated with the immunotherapeutics like Immuplus and T11TS, responded better. However, the group treated with T11TS showed best recovery. These results emphasize the need for an immunorestorative therapy in generalized demodicosis and provide data in favor of T11TS as a better immunomodulator in comparison to Immuplus.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

A study of bone mineral density in diabetes mellitus in eastern India.

To measure bone mineral density in diabetic patients at the time of clinical diagnosis of diabetes mellitus and to find out correlation, if any, with microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus and glycosylated haemoglobin, a study was conducted at Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata among 138 cases of diabetes and 212 controls. All patients were screened for ophthalmoscopy, routine blood and urine examinations. Bone ultrasound attenuation study of the calcaneus was performed in all cases. The bone ultrasound attenuation result was compared to a mean normal population result and expressed as Z score and T score. The age of diabetic patients varied from 11 years to 70 years. Of 138 diabetics, 32 (23.18%) had type 1 diabetes and rest type 2 diabetes. Forty-two diabetic patients had retinopathy, 42 nephropathy and 48 had neuropathy. Glycosylated haemoglobin was above 7% in 124 patients. The broadband ultrasound attenuation of type 1 diabetics ranged from 38 to 95 dB/MHz and in type 2 it was 35 to 104 dB/MHz. There was no statistically significant correlation between neuropathy, nephropathy, retinopathy and bone mineral density status. It was also found no correlation between glycosylated haemoglobin values and ultrasound attenuation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Coronary artery bypass grafting in dextrocardia with situs inversus totalis.

Dextrocardia with situs inversus totalis is a rare congenital abnormality of development involving a left-handed malrotation of the visceral organs. The incidence of coronary artery disease in this condition is probably similar to that in the general population. We report herein the case of a 62-year-old man with dextrocardia and situs inversus totalis who underwent myocardial revascularization by the use of right internal mammary artery and radial artery.

Coronary Angiography↗
PubMed2003

Leptospirosis and Weil's disease in eastern India.

Leptospirosis is characterised by a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations varying from inapparent infection to fulminant fatal disease. Severe leptospirosis characterised by profound jaundice is referred to as Weil's disease. In the present study 20 patients of leptospirosis, of which 7 belonged to Weil's disease, were diagnosed based on the demonstration of IgM antileptospira antibody and supported by clinical correlation and appropriate biochemical markers. Overall, the male and female ratio was 17:3 and the same ratio for the Weil's disease was 6:1. The most common presentation involved fever, malaise and myalgia. Conjunctival congestion was found in 75% of the cases and jaundice was encountered in 90% of the cases. The prognosis of all these patients, including that of Weil's disease was excellent. Early recognition and initiation of antibiotic therapy were found to be important.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Overexpression of Smad2 reveals its concerted action with Smad4 in regulating TGF-beta-mediated epidermal homeostasis.

Members of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) superfamily are critical regulators for epithelial growth and can alter the differentiation of keratinocytes. Transduction of TGF-beta signaling depends on the phosphorylation and activation of Smad proteins by heteromeric complexes of ligand-specific type I and II receptors. To understand the function of TGF-beta and activin-specific Smad, we generated transgenic mice that overexpress Smad2 in epidermis under the control of keratin 14 promoter. Overexpression of Smad2 increases endogenous Smad4 and TGF-beta 1 expression while heterozygous loss of Smad2 reduces their expression levels, suggesting a concerted action of Smad2 and -4 in regulating TGF-beta signaling during skin development. These transgenic mice have delayed hair growth, underdeveloped ears, and shorter tails. In their skin, there is severe thickening of the epidermis with disorganized epidermal architecture, indistinguishable basement membrane, and dermal fibrosis. These abnormal phenotypes are due to increased proliferation of the basal epidermal cells and abnormalities in the program of keratinocyte differentiation. The ectodermally derived enamel structure is also abnormal. Collectively, our study presents the first in vivo evidence that, by providing an auto-feedback in TGF-beta signaling, Smad2 plays a pivotal role in regulating TGF-beta-mediated epidermal homeostasis.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Inhibition of apoptosis by primary isolates of herpes simplex virus.

HSV-1 inhibits apoptosis of the infected cell, presumably to increase viral yield. Weaker anti-apoptotic activity was previously reported in laboratory-adapted HSV-2, but not in two low-passage clinical HSV-2 isolates, suggesting that the anti-apoptotic effect might result from adaptation to laboratory growth. We therefore assembled a large panel of clinical strains of HSV-1 and HSV-2. Clinical and laboratory strains of HSV-1 strongly inhibited apoptosis of Jurkat cells, as determined by morphologic change or caspase activation, while clinical HSV-2 strains showed no inhibitory activity in Jurkat cells. These findings suggest fundamental differences between HSV-1 and HSV-2 in their manipulation of host cell apoptosis.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Middle cerebral artery Doppler in severe intrauterine growth restriction.

OBJECTIVE: To examine longitudinal changes in middle cerebral artery blood flow assessed by Doppler in severely growth restricted fetuses. METHODS: Eighteen structurally normal singleton pregnancies complicated by suspected intrauterine growth restriction were monitored by serial measurement of the pulsatility index of the middle cerebral artery over 7 to 72 days. Outcome measures included indication for delivery, umbilical venous pH and admission to and length of stay in neonatal intensive care. RESULTS: Thirteen fetuses demonstrated severe intrauterine growth restriction based on subsequent birth weights being below the 2.5th centile, two had intrauterine growth restriction (birth weights between the 2.5th and 5th centiles), and three had birth weights between the 5th and 50th centiles. The middle cerebral artery pulsatility index showed rapid and sharp changes between examinations in those severely growth restricted fetuses which required delivery before 34 weeks. This pattern was not obvious in severely growth restricted fetuses delivered after 34 weeks, or in those less severely growth restricted, regardless of the gestation at delivery. Changes in middle cerebral artery pulsatility index contributed to the decision to deliver in three cases. The middle cerebral artery pulsatility index demonstrated greater variation in those fetuses with cord pHs of less than 7.25. The length of stay in neonatal intensive care decreased with increasing gestational age and birth weight. CONCLUSIONS: The difference in the pattern of change in middle cerebral artery pulsatility index in intrauterine growth restricted fetuses may be a reflection of maturity in addition to the degree of fetal compromise. The decision to deliver was multifactorial. The middle cerebral artery pulsatility index only influenced the decision to deliver when changes in other parameters were evident.

Amniotic Fluid↗
PubMed2000

Altered solution structure of alcoholic medium of potentized Nux vomica underlies its antialcoholic effect.

Nux vomica 30c, 200c and 1000c were administered orally to three batches of albino mice for three days. Six hours after the last dose on the third day the mice were injected i.p. with ethanol 4g/kg body wt. They lost their righting reflex and lay motionless apparently sleeping due to alcohol. Mice treated with three potencies of Nux vomica regained their righting reflex more quickly than the corresponding untreated controls. Each of the three batches of mice was tested twice for ethanol sedation, once with a potency of Nux vomica and another time with a placebo control. The time interval between drug treatment and control was 10 days. NMR spectra of Nux 30, Nux 200, Nux 1000, alcohol 30, alcohol 30 (unagitated) and 90% alcohol showed significant difference from each other with respect to the spin-lattice relaxation time (T1) of the deuterium nuclei. This gives a measurable physical basis of the effective high potencies of Nux vomica.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1999

Screen-printed amperometric biosensors for the rapid measurement of L- and D-amino acids.

Screen-printed three-electrode amperometric sensors incorporating L- and/or D-amino acid oxidase for the general purpose measurement of L- or D-amino acids is described. The working electrode incorporates rhodinized carbon, to facilitate hydrogen peroxide oxidation at a decreased operating potential, and immobilized enzyme. The devices responded to all 20 common L-amino acids and all of the D-amino acids examined, the exceptions being L- and D-proline. Linear response profiles were observed for L-leucine, L-glycine and L-phenylalanine with limits of detection of 0.47, 0.15 and 0.20 mM respectively. The devices were reproducible and exhibited stability over a 56 d test period. The biosensor compares favourably with a standard photometric amino acid test and was used to monitor milk ageing effects. The assay is cheap, simple to perform and rapid, requiring only buffer-electrolyte and a small sample volume.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1999

Acute lung injury after massive household endotoxin exposure.

Household exposures may result in a variety of respiratory illnesses. Most of these inhalation injuries are benign and self-limited. However, an acute injury that results in exacerbation of asthma or chronic fibrosing processes may be life-threatening. We report the case of a patient who suffered a massive household dust exposure when the bag of his upright vacuum cleaner exploded. Inhalation of the dust resulted in respiratory distress characterized by non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema. We believe this is the first report of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) as a result of endotoxin exposure from the inhalation of household dust.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Late clotted haemothorax after blunt chest trauma.

A clotted haemothorax can develop any time after blunt chest trauma. Two cases are described in which late clotted haemothoraces developed which were treated by limited thoracotomy and evacuation of clots. Late clotted haemothorax may occur even in the absence of any abnormal initial clinical findings. Early detection and treatment is important to avoid the complications of fibrothorax and empyema with permanent pulmonary dysfunction. After blunt chest trauma patients should be advised to return to the accident and emergency department for assessment on development of any new chest symptom. Under these circumstances a chest x ray is mandatory to exclude a haemothorax.

Accidental Falls↗