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Biomedical subjects

S Basu

Publications and source records attributed to S Basu.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2005

Correlation between symptoms and radiological findings in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis: an evaluation study using the Sinonasal Assessment Questionnaire and Lund-Mackay grading system.

Computerised tomography (CT) scans are routinely performed prior to endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) in order to confirm the diagnosis, assess the response to medical treatment and provide important landmarks for surgery. However, the correlation between the findings of CT scans and the patient's symptoms remains ambiguous. The objective was to assess the correlation between preoperative symptom scores using the validated Sino-Nasal Assessment Questionnaire and CT scores in patients undergoing ESS. Twenty-two patients who attended otolaryngology clinics with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) were prospectively enrolled in the study. All of these patients completed Sinonasal Questionnaires (SNAQ) before they had ESS. Their CT scans were scored blindly by the surgeon and a radiologist following Lund-Mackay grading. Patients with high preoperative SNAQ scores had high or low CT scores. The same applied for patients with low preoperative SNAQ scores. There was no statistically significant correlation between SNAQ and Lund-Mackay scores (P = 0.5). However, there was a very strong correlation (P < 0.001) between the scoring of scans by the surgeon and the radiologist, while there was a moderate degree of discrepancy in the grading of anterior ethmoid sinuses and osteo-meatal complexes. Morbidity of patients with CRS cannot be predicted from the magnitude of changes in their CT scans. Significant inter-rater variability exists in the grading of pathological changes in anterior ethmoid sinus and osteo-meatal complex as recorded in CT scans.

Chronic Disease↗
PubMed2005

The theaflavin fraction is responsible for the facilitatory effect of black tea at the skeletal myoneural junction.

The effect of various fractions of black tea [(Camellia Sinensis) (L) O. Kuntze (Theaceae)] on the function of mammalian skeletomotor apparatus was studied. The theaflavin fraction (Tfs) produced a concentration- dependent facilitation of indirect twitch responses of the rat phrenic nerve diaphragm preparation and the facilitation was dependent on the amount of calcium present in the bathing fluid. Nifedipine reduced the facilitatory effect of Tfs as a function of its concentration. Tfs failed to produce facilitation when the twitch height was reduced to about 50% of the control value in presence of magnesium chloride. Tfs completely antagonized the submaximal paralytic effect of d- tubocurarine and decamethonium bromide. Tfs did not have any effect on direct twitch responses or on acetylcholine (Ach) and potassium chloride (KCl) induced contractures of denervated diaphragm. The results revealed that the site of action of Tfs is on the contractile mechanism of the voluntary muscle and point to a critical role of calcium in the mechanism of action of Tfs. N omega-nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester (L-NAME), a nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor, antagonized both the facilitatory and inhibitory effects on indirect twitch responses of rat diaphragm induced by L-arginine and Tfs when the phrenic nerve was stimulated at 5 Hz and 50 Hz respectively. The thearubigin (Trs) fraction of black tea and the aqueous part which is completely devoid of Tfs, did not potentiate the twitch responses. The findings suggest that Tfs have a potentiating effect on the contractile mechanism of skeletal muscle and that calcium and nitric oxide may modulate this action of Tfs.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Separation of (134)Cs and (152)Eu using inorganic ion exchangers, zirconium vanadate and ceric vanadate.

Two inorganic ion exchangers, zirconium vanadate and ceric vanadate were synthesized and applied to confine and separate (152)Eu and (134)Cs from a synthetic mixture. The percentages of adsorption of the two radionuclides were studied for the two ion exchangers at varying pH conditions. At pH 3, zirconium vanadate adsorbs both Eu and Cs and a column chromatographic separation was achieved using 0.1M EDTA as the eluant. The ceric vanadate ion exchanger showed an increased trend in adsorption for both the radionuclides with increase of pH value from 1 to 6. At pH 1, a column chromatographic separation of these radionuclides from a mixture was achieved, because at this pH only (134)Cs was adsorbed to ceric vanadate bed in the column.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2005

Cyclooxygenase-mediated prostaglandin F2alpha is decreased in an elderly population treated with low-dose aspirin.

Low-dose aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) is used as prophylaxis against cardiovascular diseases. The effect of aspirin on inflammation and oxidative stress, processes known to be involved in cardiovascular diseases, are not fully known. The cyclooxygenase(COX)-mediated inflammatory indicator prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) (15-keto-dihydro-PGF2alpha), cytokine-mediated inflammatory indicators (interleukin-6, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, serum amyloid A protein), and oxidative stress indicators (8-iso-PGF2alpha, tocopherols) were quantified in men with daily 75 mg of aspirin (n=175) and control men (n=464), all of age 77, in a cross-sectional study. Men treated with aspirin had decreased levels of urinary 15-keto-dihydro-PGF2alpha than controls (P<0.01), independent of possible cardiovascular risk factors. Aspirin-treated men had increased levels of alpha-tocopherol than controls (P<0.05). This is the first study to indicate that low-dose aspirin treatment is associated with decreased levels of PGF2alpha. This observation suggests a possible COX-mediated anti-inflammatory effect of low-dose aspirin, which should be further confirmed by intervention studies.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Increased serum cystatin C is associated with increased mortality in elderly men.

Renal dysfunction measured by serum creatinine is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Plasma cystatin C has been shown in several studies to be superior to plasma creatinine for the estimation of glomerular filtration rate (GFR). The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between cystatin C and mortality in elderly men. Serum cystatin C was analyzed by nephelometry in a group of 77-year-old men (n=792) and correlated cystatin C levels with mortality during a follow-up period of 1-4 years. The cystatin C values were significantly correlated with overall mortality (p=0.013). Mortality was three times higher in the highest cystatin C quintile in relation to the lowest quintile.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Isolation of Cryptococcus gattii and Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii from the flowers and bark of Eucalyptus trees in India.

The association of Cryptococcus gattii with Eucalyptus trees has been well established. Here we report the isolation of both C. gattii and Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii from the flowers and bark of Eucalyptus trees in India. We investigated a total of 233 samples of Eucalyptus trees: 120 flowers, 81 fragments of bark, and 32 leaves. C. gattii was isolated from two samples of flowers of Eucalyptus terreticornis. C. neoformans var. grubii was recovered twice from the bark of Eucalyptus camaldulensis, initially from one of three samples, and again 2 months later, from one of four samples collected beneath the canopy of the tree. The primary isolation medium was Nigerseed agar, and brown colonies were presumptively identified as C. gattii or C. neoformans. The species identification was confirmed by morphological and biochemical characteristics. Using the Crypto-Check kit (Iatron, Tokyo, Japan), the first two isolates were identified as serotype B (C. gattii) and the other two were serotype A (C. neoformans var. grubii). PCR analysis of the isolates of C. neoformans var. grubii revealed that they possessed the MATalpha mating type allele. Molecular typing by amplified fragment length polymorphism markers indicated that both isolates of C. neoformans var. grubii possessed the same genotype. This study demonstrates that C. neoformans var. grubii, as well as C. gattii, may be associated with Eucalyptus trees.

Cryptococcus neoformans↗
PubMed2005

Enhanced protein kinase B/Akt signalling in pituitary tumours.

Pituitary tumours have previously been shown to harbour several abnormalities that cause deregulation of the cell cycle, particularly down-regulation of expression of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27. However, it has been unclear whether these are the primary initiating events, or are secondary to other more proximate alterations in signalling pathways. In other cellular systems the Akt signalling pathway has been associated with downstream modulation of cell-cycle control. The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that Akt signalling is enhanced in pituitary tumours, and to see if changes in Akt expression are related to previous findings on low expression levels of the nuclear cell-cycle inhibitor p27 in pituitary tumours. We examined normal and adenomatous human pituitary tissue for mRNA and protein expression of Akt1, Akt2 and p27, and the activation of Akt, as well the phosphatase involved in the inactivation of Akt, phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN). In pituitary adenomas Akt1 and Akt2 mRNA were found to be over-expressed compared with normal pituitary, while PTEN transcripts showed similar levels between the two tissue types. Immunohistochemical expression of phospho-Akt was found to be higher in the tumours than normal pituitaries, while the protein expression of nuclear p27 and PTEN was lower in the adenomas. However, the expression of p27 and Akt were not directly correlated. PTEN sequencing revealed no mutation in the coding region of the gene in pituitary adenomas, and thus we did not locate a cause for the increased phosphorylation of Akt. In summary, we have shown over-expression and activation of the Akt pathway in pituitary tumours, and we speculate that cell-cycle changes observed in such tumours are secondary to these more proximate alterations. Since Akt is a major downstream signalling molecule of growth factor-liganded tyrosine kinase receptors, our data are most compatible with an abnormality at this level as the primary driver of pituitary tumorigenesis.

Cell Cycle Proteins↗
PubMed2005

Acute myopia induced by topiramate: report of a case and review of the literature.

Topiramate, a new anticonvulsant, is also used for the prophylaxis of migraine and cluster headache. A serious but not often discussed side effect of the drug is the development of acute myopia and acute angle-closure glaucoma in the early stage of therapy that subsides rapidly with prompt discontinuation. One such case is reported here and the relevant literature in this regard is also reviewed.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2005

Quality control of culture media in a microbiology laboratory.

The nature of reporting of a microbiology laboratory depends upon the quality of the culture media used. Quality of media directly affects the observations and inferences drawn from the cultural characteristics of microorganisms. Checking of different parameters of media such as growth supporting characteristics, physical characteristics, gel strength and batch contamination can help to assess their quality. There are different methods to check all these parameters systematically. The meticulous performance of quality control of culture media can assure precision in reporting.

Culture Media↗
PubMed2005

An unusual case of a compound depressed skull fracture after an assault with a stiletto heel.

Compound depressed skull fractures occur commonly from assault with various sharp and blunt objects. The use of a stiletto heeled shoe as an offensive weapon has not been reported before as a cause of such an injury. However unusual the history of assault, a clear picture of the mechanism of the injury is vital. Patients with scalp lacerations following a direct blow to the head must be evaluated thoroughly. Early investigation and treatment are necessary to reduce the risk of complications, as illustrated by this case.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Primary neurological manifestations of lung cancer--a retrospective analysis of 8 patients.

Neurological manifestations are reported in 5 to 10% of cases of lung cancer. We present a series of 216 consecutive patients of lung cancer of which 8 patients presented first with neurological manifestations without overt respiratory symptoms. The present study aimed to identify the number of patients of lung cancer presenting with primary neurological symptoms, the nature of the presentations, and the outcome of these patients among 216 patients who presented over a 2 year period in the Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Kolkata. Out of 8 patients, 3 patients presented with seizures, 3 patients with hemiparesis and 2 patients with paraparesis. Thus, 3.7% (8/216) of patients in our series presented with a neurological manifestation. We concluded that primary neurological manifestations are rare in lung cancer. The lungs should be the first site of evaluation in a case of a cerebral metastasis with an unknown primary.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

In situ chromosomal localization of rDNA sites in "Safed Musli" Chlorophytum ker-gawl and their physical measurement by fiber FISH.

Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH) technique has been applied on somatic chromosomes and extended DNA fibers in the medicinally important species of Chlorophytum to elucidate physical localization and measurement of the rDNA sites using two rRNA multigene families homologous to 45S and 5S rDNA. The two species of Chlorophytum, namely C. borivillianum and C. comosum, both with 2n = 28, reveal diversity for copy number and localization of rDNA sites. C. borivillianum is comprised of five 45S-rDNA sites:one each in the secondary constriction region of chromosomes 7, 8, 9; one in the subtelomeric region of the short arm of chromosome 2 and the telomeric region of the short arm of chromosome 12; and one 5S-rDNA site in the subtelomeric region of the long arm of chromosome 1. In C. comosum, there are three 45S-rDNA sites (one each in the short arm of chromosomes 12, 13, and 14) and two 5S-rDNA sites (in the secondary constriction regions of chromosomes 2 and 13). Fiber FISH analysis conducted on extended DNA fibers revealed variation in the size of continuous tandem strings for the two r-DNA families. Taking the standard value of native B DNA equivalent to 3.27 kb for 1 mum, it was estimated that the physical size of continuous DNA strings is of the order of approximately 90 kb, 180 kb, and 300 kb for 45S-rDNA and of the order of 60 kb, 150 kb for 5S-rDNA in C. comosum, grossly in correspondence to their respective physical sizes at metaphase.

Asparagaceae↗
PubMed2004

Comparing and contrasting undergraduate competence in musculoskeletal medicine with cardiovascular medicine and neurology.

OBJECTIVES: With an increasing prevalence of musculoskeletal conditions within the UK, specialty bodies are concerned that graduating medical students may lack appropriate knowledge in this system. We investigated the knowledge base of final year Sheffield medical students in the musculoskeletal system, compared with other major body systems. METHODS: A computer-based assessment was designed covering core topics that a pre-registration house officer should know about in musculoskeletal medicine, cardiology and neurology, using a predesigned testing format. The test was blueprinted against internal and external guidelines. It comprised 24 extended matching questions, each with three stems. A sample of 74 volunteer students from the final year (year 5) of the medical course at the University of Sheffield took part in the assessment. RESULTS: Overall scores of students on the test ranged from a baseline of 45% to a maximum of 85%. Test reliability was 0.75 (Cronbach's alpha). On stratifying the overall percentages into marks for individual systems, it was found that there were no significant differences between scores in musculoskeletal medicine, cardiovascular medicine or neurology. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the disparity of teaching between musculoskeletal medicine and other major organ systems within Sheffield's integrated medical curriculum, the knowledge base of medical students in the basic and clinical musculoskeletal sciences appears to be similar to that for cardiovascular medicine and neurology by the time of graduation. Nevertheless, several important issues must be addressed before these findings can be generalized.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Removal of ionic dyes from water by solvent extraction using reverse micelles.

Several methods (e.g., UV/H2O2 oxidation, adsorption, flocculation-precipitation) are normally employed to remove dye from water. A new technique based on liquid/liquid extraction using reverse micelles is proposed whereby recovery of solvent and reuse of dye is possible. Experiments were conducted by mixing a known quantity of dye in aqueous phase and solvent-containing surfactants in a simple mixer. The separation of solvent phase, containing encapsulated dye in reverse micelles, from aqueous phase due to gravity results in separation of dye from water. The removal of different ionic dyes (e.g., eosin yellow, methylene blue, malachite green, methyl orange, orange G) from aqueous phase in the presence of different cationic and anionic surfactants [e.g., sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate, sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate, hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide, and cetyl pyridinium chloride] in different solvents (e.g., amyl alcohol, benzyl alcohol, methyl benzoate, and isooctane) were studied by conducting experiments. The percentage removal of dye from aqueous phase increases with the decrease in dye concentration or with the increase in surfactants concentration. Furthermore, the percentage COD removal of dye is increased with the increase in surfactant concentration. The nature of solvent has minimal effect on percentage removal of dye. The ratio of solventto aqueous phase volume required for the removal of dye decreases with the increase in surfactant concentration. It is possible to back-extract dye into aqueous phase and recover solvent by using counterionic surfactants. The separation of aqueous phase from the aqueous-phase solvent dispersion is faster for amyl alcohol as compared to benzyl alcohol and methyl benzoate. A theoretical model based on ion-exchange reaction between surfactants and dye is used to analyze the experimental data.

Coloring Agents↗
PubMed2004

Separation of 90Y from 90Sr using zirconium vanadate as the ion exchanger.

The sorption and desorption behaviour of several radionuclides, including 241Am, 152,154Eu, 233U, 137Cs, 90Sr and 90Y was studied under varying acidities using zirconium vanadate as ion exchanger. The sorption follows the order: Cs > Eu > Am >Y > U, while Sr was not taken up by the ion exchanger. A radiochemical separation scheme for the 90Y daughter from its 90Sr parent using zirconium vanadate ion exchanger has been developed. The exchanger was synthesized and characterized in our laboratory.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2004

Incorporation of thiosemicarbazide in Amberlite IRC-50 for separation of astatine from alpha-irradiated bismuth oxide.

A chelating resin was synthesized by incorporating thiosemicarbazide into Amberlite IRC-50, a weakly acidic polymer. Astatine radionuclides produced by alpha-irradiating bismuth oxide were separated using the newly synthesized chelating resin. The resin showed high selectivity for astatine. The adsorbed astatine was recovered using 0.1M EDTA at pH approximately 10.

Astatine↗