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Biomedical subjects

S Joseph

Publications and source records attributed to S Joseph.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Characterization of avian strains of Pasteurella multocida by restriction endonuclease and amplified fragment length polymorphism.

Avian strains of Pasteurella multocida were typed by employing restriction endonuclease analysis (REA) and single enzyme-amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) to evaluate their applicability for epidemiological studies of fowl cholera outbreaks. A total of 72 strains isolated from different avian species (chicken, duck, turkey, quail and goose) belonging to various geographical regions of India were characterized. REA using two different enzymes HhaI and HpaII produced 9 and 18 clusters respectively, whereas Single enzyme-AFLP recognized 32 patterns out of 72 strains typed. The study indicated that REA using HpaII is a simple and resource efficient method, however, further typing with more stringent and rapid method like Single enzyme-AFLP, could drastically enhance investigation in epidemiological studies of fowl cholera outbreaks.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Detection of Pasteurella multocida in experimentally infected embryonated chicken eggs by PCR assay.

Applicability of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay to detect Pasteurella multocida in experimentally infected embryonated chicken egg was assessed in the present study. PCR assay rapidly and specifically detected the genome of P. multocida in amniotic fluid, allantoic fluid and homogenates of infected embryo and its membranes. The sensitivity of detection was as low as 20 bacterial cells/ml of allantoic or amniotic fluids. Detection of P. multocida in dead embryos by PCR was possible up to 6 and 30 days or more following storage of dead embryos at 37 degrees C, and at 4 degrees C as well as at -20 degrees C, respectively. The study revealed that PCR assays could be employed directly for detection and confirmation of P. multocida infection in experimentally infected chicken embryos.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Falls in elderly.

Falls are a major health problem among the elderly and an estimated 6% of falls by elderly result in fractures. Early identification of fall risk is likely to result in earlier implementation of intervention and to minimise development of secondary problems such as reduced confidence and activity levels. A comprehensive falls risk factor assessment should be performed for older people who present for medical attention after a fall, those who had more than one fall in the preceding year or those who have abnormalities of gait or balance. Falls are as a result of extrinsic risk factors, intrinsic risk factor or a combination of both. Syncope is defined as a transient, self limited loss of consciousness usually leading to a fall. Syncope and falls are often considered two separate entities with different aetiologies. Disorders affecting balance in the elderly are cerebral, cerebellar, spinal cord disorders; dementia; arrhythmias; postural hypotension; cerebrovascular disease; musculoskeletal/orthopaedic disorders; intervertebral disc disorders; psychological factors; visual impairment. Effective interventions include: (1) Health promotion and falls prevention. (2) Single interventions. (3) Medication review. (4) Exercise. (5) Home modifications. (6) To improve safety in the home. (7) To improve safety outside the home. Effective preventive strategies require better understanding of the causes of and risk factors for falling among elderly.

Accidental Falls↗
PubMed2004

Comparative bioavailability of a novel timed release and powder-filled glucosamine sulfate formulation--a multi-dose, randomized, crossover study.

OBJECTIVE: The absorption of 2 different formulations of glucosamine sulfate were studied in a randomized, multi-dose, two-way, crossover study. MATERIALS AND METHOD: In this study, a novel timed release pellet-filled hard gelatin shell capsule (TimeOsamine) was compared with a powder-filled hard gelatin shell capsule. The timed release capsule was used in a double dose with an interval of 12 h whereas the powder-filled hard gelatin capsule was used in a triple dose schedule with an interval of 8 h after 10 h pre-dose fasting. Twelve healthy male subjects were administered a 1,000 mg (2 x 500 mg) dose of timed release glucosamine sulfate (TimeOsamine) or a 1,500 mg (3 x 500 mg) dose of the powder-filled glucosamine sulfate formulation. The concentration of glucosamine was measured over the next 24 h. Pharmacokinetics properties including area under the curve (AUC), maximum concentration in plasma (C(max)), time to maximum plasma concentration (t(max)) were measured. RESULTS: The C(max) of the powder-filled and timed release formulation (TimeOsamine) was 543.12 ng/ml and 520.98 ng/ml, respectively. The t(max) of TimeOsamine was delayed by 4.13 h, whereas the powder-filled preparation was 1.00 h. The AUC0-24 of the 2 doses of TimeOsamine (2 x 500 mg = 1,000 mg) and the 3 doses of the powder-filled formulation (3 x 500 mg = 1,500 mg) was 6,263.32 ng x h/ml and 6,499.55 ng x h/ml, respectively. CONCLUSION: After reduction in the dose by 33%, the AUC0-24 of TimeOsamine is 96.37% with respect to the powder-filled formulation AUC0-24, which is comparable.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Antimutagenicity of herbal detoxification formula Smoke Shield against environmental mutagens.

Smoke Shield is a formulation designed to reduce smoke related mutagenicity and toxicity in the population. Smoke Shield contains a dual extract of turmeric (Curcuma longa) obtained by supercritical CO2 gas extraction and post-supercritical hydroethanolic extraction together with extracts of green tea and other spices, whose presence synergistically increases the activity of turmeric. In the present study we have shown its antimutagenic activity to various environmental mutagens in vitro and in vivo. Smoke Shield was found to produce significant inhibition of mutagenicity to Salmonella typhimurium induced by sodium azide and 4-nitro-0-phenylenediamine (NPD) at a concentration of 2 mg/plate while inhibition to N-methyl-N-nitro N'nitrosoguanidine was less significant. Inhibition was also found to depend upon the strain which was used. Smoke Shield was found to be more effective against mutagens needing metabolic activation such as 2-Acetamidofluorene (2-AAF) and benzo[a]pyrene. Smoke Shield was also found to significantly inhibit the mutagenicity induced by tobacco extract to Salmonella typhimurium TA102. Smoke Shield was also found to inhibit the urinary mutagenicity of rats treated with the benzo[a]pyrene and tobacco extract. Moreover, Smoke Shield administration was found to inhibit the urinary mutagenicity in smokers. These results indicate that Smoke Shield could inhibit mutagenic response in vitro and in vivo produced by several kinds of mutagens present in our atmosphere.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Assessment of risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus in a Caribbean population with high diabetes-related morbidity.

Diabetes mellitus is a major cause of morbidity in Trinidad and Tobago. Screening programmes are not incorporated in the health sector and the population at risk remains unaware of the benefits of screening. We investigated the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes mellitus in office workers with one risk factor. Participants were randomly selected from the urban corporate sector in Port of Spain. Fasting capillary blood glucose and the American Diabetes Association (ADA) questionnaire for major diabetes risk factors were used to assess risk. Student pharmacists approached 482 persons, of whom 317 consented to participate (66% response rate). There were 101 (32%) men and 216 (68%) women, 37 (39%) were of African ancestry and 28% each were of East Indian and mixed ancestry. Family history was positive in 54%. Thirty per cent (95) of the volunteers were at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes mellitus (41 men; 54 women). Based on the ADA questionnaire, 82% (78) of volunteers were at high risk for developing Type 2 diabetes mellitus. The ADA risk test and Impaired Fasting Glucose were both positive in 13 (14%) volunteers. In subjects at risk, Body Mass Index (BMI) was > 25 kg/m2 in 74% (78) and the waist/hip ratio was 0.85. Approximately 30% of office staff was at risk of developing diabetes mellitus. The ADA questionnaire is a useful non-invasive measure which pharmacists can use to assess risk for Type 2 diabetes mellitus. The glucometer can be used for risk assessment providing that it is associated with a quality assurance programme and that diagnosis is confirmed with laboratory testing.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Understanding discrimination by the ribosome: stability testing and groove measurement of codon-anticodon pairs.

The ribosome must discriminate between correct and incorrect tRNAs with sufficient speed and accuracy to sustain an adequate rate of cell growth. Here, we report the results of explicit solvent molecular dynamics simulations, which address the mechanism of discrimination by the ribosome. The universally conserved 16S rRNA base A1493 and the kink in mRNA between A and P sites amplify differences in stability between cognate and near-cognate codon-anticodon pairs. Destabilization by the mRNA kink also provides a geometric explanation for the higher error rates observed for mismatches in the first codon position relative to mismatches in the second codon position. For more stable near-cognates, the repositioning of the universally conserved bases A1492 and G530 results in increased solvent exposure and an uncompensated loss of hydrogen bonds, preventing correct codon-anticodon-ribosome interactions from forming.

Anticodon↗
PubMed2003

Impact of European Society of Cardiology/American College of Cardiology guidelines on diagnostic classification of patients with suspected acute coronary syndromes.

BACKGROUND: Assessment of the relative diagnostic accuracy of investigation strategies for patients with suspected acute coronary syndromes (ACS). METHODS: A prospective observational study followed two groups of patients over a 3-month period in a UK district general hospital. Group one: all admissions with suspected ACS (n = 576); group two: non-cardiac in-patients who were suspected of developing ACS (n = 87). Both were investigated by full clinical history, examination and serial electrocardiographs (ECGs). Conventional World Health Organization (WHO) criteria for myocardial damage were compared with diagnosis based on cardiac troponin T (cTnT). Clinical discharge diagnosis based on conventional WHO criteria was compared with the review diagnosis based on measurement of cTnT. RESULTS: Diagnosis based on WHO criteria missed 58 patients (8.7%) admitted with suspected ACS who had high risk unstable angina. Thirty-three patients (5% of all admissions) who were diagnosed as non-Q wave acute myocardial infarction (AMI) were found to have normal troponin values and to have been incorrectly classified as AMI. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnostic strategies based on WHO criteria are inaccurate. The measurement of cTnT in all patients with suspected ACS would have increased the number of those with a diagnosis of AMI by 58 (8.7%), while avoiding inaccurate diagnosis in 33 (5%), therefore producing an absolute increase of 25/663 (3.8%) but a relative increase of 58/138 (42%). In patients with a primary diagnosis of suspected ACS, the overall increase in patients with a diagnosis of AMI will be 55 (9.5%), a relative increase of 55/118 (46.6%) but an absolute increase of 36/576 (6.3%).

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2003

Derivation of a salinity target for the Lower Murray Darling Valley.

The NSW Government commissioned catchment management boards (CMBs) to set the direction and process for catchment scale natural resource management. In the Lower Murray Darling, Rivers are highly regulated and water resources shared between three states. The Catchment Board only has jurisdiction over the northern bank of the Murray but salt and water enter the river from many locations upstream and along the area boundary. River salt and flow modelling has continually been improved to reflect and contribute to an increased understanding of salinity processes. The MDBC Salt Load study correlates 10 years of actual measured data with its modelled outputs, and estimates river salinities for 2020, 2050 and 2100. Routing models such as SALTFLO and MURKEY generate percentile salinity levels at different nodes in the River Murray downstream of the Lower Darling confluence. National, Murray-Darling Basin and NSW salinity management policy and legislative requirements were considered, MDBC model output was used to ensure the interim targets are achievable, auditable, and appropriate to the catchment. The method for an end-of-valley river based target for salinity is described. A target of less than 463 microS/cm for Lock 6, a point in the lower reaches of the Murray River is recommended for year 2010. Catchment management targets that express the main river salinity risk in five hydrologically distinct management zones are also recommended. Salinity management changes are needed in each zone to meet the end-of-valley target.

Environment↗
PubMed2002

Prevalence of overweight in urban Indian adolescent school children.

The prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) is increasing in urban India. Overweight in adolescence is a marker of overweight in adult age, and it shows an association with the above diseases. There have been meagre data from India on the prevalence of childhood obesity. The objective of the study was to quantify the prevalence of overweight and its risk factors in adolescent children in urban India. School students in the age group of 13-18 years (n = 4700, M:F 2382:2318) were studied. Body mass index (BMI) was measured. Data on physical activity, food habits, occupation of parents and their economic status, birth weight of the children and age at menarche in girls were obtained by questionnaire. Age-adjusted prevalence of overweight was 17.8% for boys and 15.8% for girls. It increased with age and was higher in lower tertiles of physical activity and in higher socio-economic group. Birth weight and current BMI were positively associated. The study highlighted the high prevalence of overweight in adolescent children in urban India. Life style factors influenced BMI in adolescent age.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Epilepsia partialis continua--a clinical and electroencephalography study.

Epilepsia partialis continua (EPC) is a rare type of localization-related motor epilepsy. Clinical spectrum, electroencephalography (EEG) characteristics and various prognostic factors in EPC were studied in 20 patients. Patients who fulfilled the criteria for EPC between the years 1985 and 1999 were included in this retrospective and prospective study. The mean age was 18 years (range 5 months-70 years). Eleven patients (55%) had Type 1 EPC and in the remaining nine (45%) patients there were features of Type 2 EPC. Among children Rasmussen's encephalitis and viral encephalitis were the commonest cause for EPC. Encephalitis and vascular aetiology were frequently observed in adults. Tuberculous meningitis and tuberculomas occurred evenly in both the groups. The cause was unknown in two cases. Focal EEG abnormalities commonly consisted of discrete spikes, sharp waves (or) slow wave activity and periodic lateralized epileptiform discharges. The mean duration of follow up was 9.6 months with a range between 1 month and 4 years. Cognitive decline, motor deficits and pharmacoresistance to drugs were significantly seen among children with Type 2 EPC. Patients with Type 1 EPC had mild impairment of functional status with good response to treatment. The long-term prognosis depends upon the underlying cause.

Aged↗
PubMed2002

Ovarian function in the Nile hippopotamus and the effects of Depo-Provera administration.

The preliminary results of an investigation into the reproductive endocrinology of the hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) and the effects of the progestin Depo-Provera on ovarian function are presented. Faecal progestagen analysis indicated that hippos have an oestrous cycle of 29.2 +/- 0.9 days and faecal progestagen concentrations of 323.6 +/- 31.4 ng g(-1) during the luteal phase. Concentrations were higher (765.9 +/- 162.4 ng g(-1); P < 0.05) during pregnancy than during the luteal phase and remained high until parturition. A lactational anoestrus was usually, but not always, observed during nursing. The onset of puberty was observed in three animals and started at 2.5-3.5 years of age. After Depo-Provera treatment, increases in faecal progestagens indicative of ovulation were observed and were not significantly different from luteal concentrations observed before treatment (236.3 +/- 24.4 versus 340.1 +/- 47.9 ng g(-1), respectively); however, the duration of the luteal phase was shorter (P < 0.05) than before treatment (11.3 +/- 1.0 versus 18.9 +/- 1.0 days, respectively). Females returned to normal cyclicity at day 100.7 +/- 15.3 (range 70-116 days) after administration and one female conceived on day 100 after administration.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed2002

'Wine Glass' appearance: a unique MRI observation in a case of primary lateral sclerosis.

Magnetic resonance images (MRI) in a patient with primary lateral sclerosis is described. T2WI, MRI of brain showed characteristic hyperintensities of the corticospinal tracts bilaterally, extending from the internal capsule to the brain stem - producing a 'wine glass' appearance on coronal sections, which has not been described so far to the best of our knowledge. Differential diagnosis of this interesting 'wine glass' appearance on MRI along with a review of the MR-signal abnormalities in motor neuron disease is discussed.

Brain↗
PubMed2001

Multiple pathways governing Cdx1 expression during murine development.

Cdx1 encodes a mammalian homeobox gene involved in vertebral patterning. Retinoic acid (RA) is likewise implicated in vertebral patterning. We have previously shown that Cdx1 is a direct retinoid target gene, suggesting that Cdx1 may convey some of the effects of retinoid signaling. However, RA appears to be essential for only early stages of Cdx1 expression, and therefore other factors must be involved in maintaining later stages of expression. Based on function and pattern of expression, Wnt family members, in particular Wnt3a, are candidates for regulation of expression of Cdx1. Consistent with this, we confirm prior results which demonstrated that Cdx1 can be directly regulated by Wnt signaling, and identify functional LEF/TCF response motifs essential for this response. We also find that Cdx1 expression is markedly attenuated in a stage- and tissue-specific fashion in the Wnt3a hypomorph vestigial tail, and present data demonstrating that Wnt3a and RA synergize strongly to activate Cdx1. Finally, we show that Cdx1 positively regulates its own expression. These data prompt a model whereby retinoid and Wnt signaling function directly and synergistically to initiate Cdx1 expression in the caudal embryo. Expression is then maintained, at least in part, by an autoregulatory mechanism at later stages.

Animals↗