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Biomedical subjects

Rajeev Thakur

Publications and source records attributed to Rajeev Thakur.

5 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

A technically simple method for staining of acid-fast bacilli in cytology smears: an evaluation.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of modifications in the Ziehl-Neelsen staining procedure on predictive accuracy for acid fast bacilli in comparison to the conventional technique. Simplicity of procedure and reagent economy were the factors taken into consideration. DESIGN: Comparative evaluation between thick and thin air-dried smears stained conventionally and thick ethanol-fixed smears stained by the modified technique was done. RESULTS: Positive predictive accuracy of all the three smears, that is, thick air-dried, thin air-dried and thick ethanol-fixed, was 100%. Negative predictive accuracy for thick air-dried, thin air-dried and thick ethanol-fixed smears was 36.36%, 32.33% and 34.78%, respectively. Overall predictive accuracy was 66.67% for thick air-dried, 61.90% for thin air-dried and 64.29% for thick ethanol-fixed. These differences were found to be statistically insignificant. CONCLUSION: The modified method offers an accuracy comparable to the conventional technique, is simpler and with improved reagent economy. It is of special importance to diagnostic facilities in rural set-ups.

Air↗
PubMed2005

Mitochondrial encephalomyopathies: advances in understanding.

Mitochondrial encephalomyopathies encompass a group of disorders that have impaired oxidative metabolism in skeletal muscles and central nervous system. As the field of mitochondrial medicine takes shape and physicians in all specialties become increasingly aware of respiratory chain or oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) related disorders, their prevalence remains largely unknown. The unique features of the mitochondrial genome and the dual control over this important cellular apparatus makes the clinical presentation variable and diagnosis difficult. There is a confounding variation in phenotype and genotype, and the natural history of the disorders in individual patients is not accurately predictable. Only recently have things begun to fall into place and some phenotypes defined. Diagnosis requires a complex battery of clinical studies coupled with diagnostic findings on muscle biopsy (abnormal structure, histochemistry, or enzyme studies) or DNA testing. However, a reasonably confident diagnosis can be made by viewing the clinical presentation in the light of family history and some basic, routinely available laboratory investigations. This review tries to give a brief account of mitochondrial structure, function and genetics, and clinical presentation, evaluation, and treatment in suspected cases of mitochondrial encephalomyopathies.

DNA, Mitochondrial↗
PubMed2003

Neuropathology of schizophrenia--a review.

Despite clinical evidence of brain dysfunction in schizophrenia, little progress was made for most of the last century in determining its organic parameters. Neuropathology, over the past few decades, has made a substantial contribution to the understanding of cellular and molecular mechanisms of schizophrenia. During the last 10-15 years the concept of schizophrenia as a 'functional' psychosis has changed to the current paradigm of schizophrenia as a neurodevelopmental disorder. Much still has to be unravelled and learnt. This review gives a brief account of the relevant neuroanatomy, viral hypotheses of schizophrenia etiology, pathologic findings reported, concept of neurodevelopmental model and avenues for the future.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Human prion diseases.

Prion diseases is another name for a group of 'transmissible spongiform encephalopathies'. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, the first prion disease described in humans, occurs in sporadic, familial or iatrogenic form. Other transmissible spongiform encephalopathies in humans such as familial Creutzfeldt-]akob disease, Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker disease and fatal familial Insomnia have been shown to be associated with specific prion protein gene mutations. In 1996, a new variant of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease was reported in the United Kingdom among young patients with unusual clinical features and unique neuropathological findings. This new form could be due to transmission to humans of the agent causing bovine spongiform encephalopathy. While examination of brain tissue is the key to making a diagnosis, it is not always possible antemortem. Immunological tests such as ELISA or western blot assays along with tests for 1 4-3-3 protein in the cerebrospinal fluid remain the main tools of diagnosis. Conventional disinfection and sterilization practices are Ineffective for these agents. The unusual properties of prions pose a challenge for treatment, surveillance and control of these diseases.

Animals↗