PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

R N Mishra

Publications and source records attributed to R N Mishra.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Directional genome walking using PCR.

We describe here a PCR-based "directional genome walking" protocol. The basic procedure for the amplification consists of two rounds of PCR. A primary PCR was performed, on the genomic DNA using a biotinylated primer specific to a known sequence in the genome along with four universal walker primers that were designed with partial degeneracy. The biotinylated primary PCR products were immobilized on streptavidin-linked paramagnetic beads. This step removed all nonspecific amplification products, and the purified template was used for the second PCR using a nested primer and the walker primer-2 to increase specificity. This technique is potentially useful for cloning promoter regions and has been successfully used to isolate 5'-flanking genomic regions of many cDNA clones previously isolated by us.

Base Sequence↗

Implementation of revised strategy of filaria control-baseline clinico-parasitological survey.

A clinico-epidemiological study of filariasis was carried out in Varanasi District in October and November, 1997 to generate baseline data for assessing the impact of Mass Drug Administration (MDA) in the district. Disease rate was found to be 6.6% (9.9% in males and 3.0% in females) and microfilaria rate was 5.3% (5.2% in males and 5.5% in females). Mean microfilaria density was found to be 9.86 per 20 Cu.mm blood. Genital manifestations (77.5%) outnumbered all other forms of clinical manifestations. Vector infectivity rate was found to be 0.93%.

Adolescent↗

Alterations in histones of the liver and oviduct of Japanese quail during aging.

Age-related changes occur in histones of the liver and oviduct of the female quail. In the liver an extra histone band, named HCX, between H2A and H4, is observed that increases with age. In the oviduct, a large complex of histones is seen which is tissue-specific. This complex declines with increasing age. The changes in the histones of the oviduct of adult and old birds in response to estradiol and progesterone are age-related. In the adult, the histone-complex increases after administration of either one of the hormones. In old birds, however, it is seen only after progesterone administration. Thus, the alterations in histones in the birds are not only tissue- and age-related, but also vary in response to steroid hormones.

Aging↗

Comparative outcome of low birth weight babies.

One hundred and fifty six babies with birth weight between 1500-2000 g and 103 full term-appropriate for gestational age (FT-AGA) babies delivered at University Hospital, District Hospital and village homes were included for a comparative study of mortality, morbidity and growth pattern. The low birth weight (LBW) babies from the three centres had similar birth weight and gestational age. Neonatal mortality rates for the LBW babies were similar at the three centres. The main cause of death were infections and aspiration with rates again being similar. Diarrhea and respiratory tract infections were common causes of morbidity. The mortality rates for the LBW babies were significantly higher as compared to FT-AGA babies irrespective of the place of delivery. The incidence of morbidities like diarrhea and respiratory infections were also higher in LBW babies. However, the differences were statistically significant mostly in the preterm group. The weight gain of all LBW babies was similar up to 3 months of age. The findings of an identical outcome for the LBW babies at village level to those managed at hospitals is an encouraging trend to increasing domiciliary care for LBW babies.

Fetal Growth Retardation↗

Development of Leishmania donovani in Phlebotomus argentipes & Ph. papatasi fed on kala-azar patients in Bihar.

A total of 258 laboratory bred Ph. argentipes was fed on untreated parasitologically confirmed kala-azar patients. Successful development of parasites was noted in 0.54 per cent Ph. argentipes fed during the day and 5.33 per cent fed during the night. However, none of the 245 laboratory bred Ph. papatasi fed on the same patients, was found positive for successful development of L. donovani in the foregut.

Animals↗

On a probability distribution to study the open birth interval and its application.

"A probability distribution for describing the variation in the length of open birth interval regardless of parity has been derived assuming that fecundability varies from female to female and the births are of two types, one which results [in] infant death and the other [which does] not. To get the estimates of the parameters, expressions for the first two moments have been derived. The model has been applied to the data taken from the survey 'Rural Development and Population Growth--A Sample Survey 1978,' conducted under the auspices of the Demographic Research Centre, Banaras Hindu University [India]."

Asia↗

Screening for obesity in affluent females: body mass index and its comparison with skin fold thickness.

In the present study 625 females above 15 years of age residing in affluent localities of Varanasi city were selected by multi-stage stratified random sampling technique. Body Mass Index (BMI) and Skin-Fold Thickness (SFT) were compared as indices of obesity. Prevalence of obesity by BMI and SFT was 30.24 and 49.12 respectively. SFT gave significantly higher prevalence rate of obesity as compared to BMI. It is possible that western population based SFT cut-off points may not be truly applicable to Indian study. The sensitivity, specificity and predictive value of 'sum of SFT at four sites' were calculated at different cut-off points, and it was observed, that values > or = 90 mm is the best cut-off point instead of 80 mm, for detecting obesity in the Indian context.

Adolescent↗

Estimating true burden of disease detected by screening tests of varying validity.

Timely and accurate information on disease load is essential for planning health programs. Unfortunately, complexity, cost and need of skilled personnel limit the use of screening tools of high validity in developing countries. The disease load estimated with tools of low validity differs considerably from true disease load, particularly for diseases of extreme levels of prevalence/incidence. A tool of 70% sensitivity and specificity may yield a prevalence/incidence rate of 34% (CI: 32.23-35.67%) for a disease whose true rate is only 10.0% (CI: 8.94-11.06%). We proposed a procedure to derive the true estimate in such cases, based on the concepts of sensitivity and specificity of a diagnostic/screening test. It is applied on two sets of real data--one pertaining to incidence rate of low birth weight (LBW) and the other to prevalence rate of obesity--where multiple screening tests of varying validity were used to estimate the magnitude. Different screening tests yielded widely varying incidence/prevalence rates of LBW/obesity. The prevalence/incidence rates derived by using the proposed estimation procedure are similar and close to the true estimate obtained by screening tests considered as gold standard. Further, sample size determined on the basis of the results of a tool of low validity may be either larger or smaller than the required sample size. Estimation of true disease load enables determination of correct sample size, thus improving the precision of the estimate and, in some instances, reducing the cost of investigation.

Cost of Illness↗

Impact of modified leprosy elimination campaign in a MDT pilot project district of India.

A study was carried out based upon the data available from National Leprosy Eradication Program of Purulia district in West Bengal. The result showed that the disease was in a declining trend up to the year 1998 and was inclining during the year 1998-1999 due to more case detection through MLEC-I, then followed by declining trend during the year 2000 as it was observed by MLEC-II. Single skin lesion rate was higher, MB rate was same and reduced deformity rate indicates early detection of cases due to better awareness of the community about the disease.

Adolescent↗