PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

S K Gupta

Publications and source records attributed to S K Gupta.

At least 433 records · Page 24Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Fat and oil inhibit phosphine release from aluminium phosphide--its clinical implication.

Poisoning by suicidal or accidental ingestion of aluminium phosphide (AlP) is a frequent medical emergency seen all over the world. AlP, a grain fumigant and rodenticide, on exposure to moisture, liberates highly toxic gas, phosphine. The rapidly inhibits mitochondrial respiration and has cytotoxic action. No specific antidote is known against it till date and prognosis depends much on dose and time lag between AlP ingestion and the stomach wash in the hospital (critical period). Physicochemical properties of AlP and nonmiscibility of fat and water promoted us to study the effect of different fats and oils as possible antidotes to inhibit phosphine liberation. In vitro experiments revealed that vegetable oils and liquid paraffin were much more effective than butter and ghee in inhibiting release of phosphine from AlP. These findings may have significant clinical implication.

Aluminum Compounds↗
PubMed1994

Serum IgE levels and its clinical correlation with varying patterns of bronchial asthma and nasal allergy.

In a study of 847 cases of bronchial asthma and nasal allergy frequent association with raised serum IgE was noticed. Degree of atopy (as judged by skin allergy tests), age, sex and duration of disease tended to influence IgE levels in asthmatics. Both extrinsic and intrinsic varieties of asthma showed similar raised serum IgE levels. In subjects with nasal allergy alone, the values were considerably lower but still much higher than found in control patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Serum magnesium levels in idiopathic epilepsy.

Fifty cases of idiopathic epilepsy and 25 age and sex matched normal healthy controls were studied. There was a significant fall in serum magnesium levels in idiopathic epilepsy on day one and 4 of the seizures (P < 0.01) as compared to controls, and was not decreased significantly on day 7 of the seizures (P < 0.05). The fall was maximum in status epilepticus and severe epilepsy than in mild and moderate epilepsy. Serum magnesium took less time to come back to normal in mild and moderate epilepsy than in other types. This shows that serum magnesium does have a prognostic significance. Lesser the fall in the magnesium levels, less frequent were the convulsions and vice versa. It is concluded that serum magnesium continues to be a sensitive early diagnostic index of idiopathic epilepsy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Critically ill Guillain Barre' syndrome.

Among the 153 patients fulfilling NINDS criteria for Guillain Barre' Syndrome (GBS) seen over 5.5 yrs, there were 47 (M:F 38.9) critically ill patients (age range 4 to 60 years). Antecedent event was recorded in 25 patients and the peak deficit was attained over a mean period of 9.5 days. Besides severe motor paralysis other salient features were: bulbar paralysis--42, sensory symptoms or signs--21, dysautonomia 31 and requirement for ventilatory assistance 45. CSF protein was raised in 63% cases. All the 17 patients who underwent electromyography had abnormalities of nerve conduction paramentes. Mean stay on the ventilator was 29.6 days and was not influenced by corticosteroid. Complications were frequent: pulmonary and urinary tract infection, dysautonomia, electrolyte disturbances, haemetmesis, bleeding from tracheostomy site and hepatic and renal failure. Mortality in steroids treated group (13/27) and the conservatively managed group (5/20) did not differ significantly. No discriminant factor emerged between survivors and non-survivors. Age and sex of the patients, presence of antecedent event, onset to peak interval and CSF protein level did not predict the need for ventilatory assistance, although these patients at admission had more frequent weakness of facial, bulbar, trunk, neck and proximal muscles of upper limbs and autonomic disturbances. Course of GBS remains unpredictable at the onset of the disease, warrants close supervision and meticulous supportive care and remains a therapeutic challenge.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Reversal of clinical and dental fluorosis.

A large number of Indians are forced to consume fluoride contaminated water. Toxic effects of chronic fluoride ingestion are hitherto considered irreversible. In this study 20 children were selected from an area consuming water containing 4.5 ppm of fluoride (Group A) and a second sample of 20 children from another area consuming water containing 8.5 ppm of fluoride (Group B). All the children were in an age group of 3 to 12 years and weighed 12 to 25 kg. Both samples were graded for clinical, radiological and dental fluorosis. All grades of manifestations were observed. These children were given ascorbic acid (500 mg), calcium (250 mg) and vitamin D3 (800 IU) daily. Follow up revealed reversal of clinical and dental fluorosis after 44 days. Improvement in the Group B sample was slower than Group A. Dosage of ascorbic acid was increased to 750 mg per day, keeping the dosages of other drugs unchanged to Group B children. After 15 days of the revised therapy a marked improvement was noticed in clinical and dental fluorosis in this sample also.

Ascorbic Acid↗
PubMed1994

Comparative efficacy of diclofenac and flurbiprofen for maintenance of pupillary dilatation during cataract surgery.

A double-blind, prospective, randomized clinical study was undertaken to evaluate the relative efficacy of flurbiprofen 0.03% and diclofenac 0.1% eye drops, in combination with routinely used mydriatics, in maintaining pupillary dilatation during extracapsular cataract surgery with intraocular lens implantation. The effectiveness of administering systemic flurbiprofen along with the topical drugs in enhancing maintenance of pupillary dilatation also was assessed. Pupillary diameter, as measured at various surgical stages, was significantly greater in the patients receiving diclofenac or flurbiprofen eye drops as compared with those in a control group who did not (P < .001). While the maintenance of pupillary dilatation was consistently better with diclofenac than with flurbiprofen, the difference was not statistically significant. Furthermore, though maintenance of pupillary dilatation was better in cases in which systemic flurbiprofen was added to the preoperative drug regime, again, the difference was not significant.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1993

Trophic actions of ciliary neurotrophic factor on murine embryonic carcinoma cells.

Recombinant rat CNTF (ciliary neurotrophic factor) at picomolar concentration prevents the death of P19 murine embryonic carcinoma cells that usually follows upon withdrawal of serum from the culture medium. For prolonged survival of P19 cells in serum-free medium, insulin must also be present. In the presence or absence of serum, CNTF stimulates the differentiation of P19 cells, inducing the formation of neurites and synthesis of neurofilament. The results of radioautographic studies with radioiodinated CNTF indicate the presence of high-affinity binding sites on P19 cells. Equilibration of P19 cells with [125I]CNTF followed by incubation with cross-linking reagents reveals evidence for at least two putative receptors of approximately 78 and approximately 167 kDa.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

PCR cloning and sequence of two cDNAs encoding the alpha and beta subunits of rabbit casein kinase-II.

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of total RNA from vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) was used to clone and sequence full-length cDNAs encoding the alpha and beta subunits of rabbits casein kinase-II (CK-II). A strong homology and evolutionary conservation was found in both the nucleotide (nt) and deduced amino acid sequences of CK-II from various species, with up to 100% identity among vertebrate homologues and 88% and 64% identity on the nt level with Drosophila melanogaster and yeast, respectively, compared with rabbit CK-II. The cloning and expression of rabbit CK-II will allow us to generate antibody and cDNA probes to investigate the role of CK-II in VSMC growth, migration, and phenotypic transformation during the pathogenesis of vascular disease.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1993

Fine-needle aspiration cytology diagnosis of non-Hodgkin lymphoma of thyroid: a report of four cases.

Four cases of non-Hodgkin lymphoma of thyroid, diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology during a period of 3 1/2 yr constituted 0.2% of 1,716 thyroid FNAs and 3.4% of 118 thyroid neoplasms. The age of the patients ranged from 42 to 78 yr with an average of 63 yr and all were females. Three cases had thyroid swellings, and one case had cervical lymphadenopathy and fullness in the thyroid region. The lymphomas were categorized as mixed small and large cell lymphomas, large cell lymphoma, small noncleaved lymphoma (non-Burkitt-type), and plasmacytoid lymphoma. Histopathology as well as immunohistochemistry confirmed the cytodiagnosis of lymphoma in the first and fourth cases. In the second case where possibility of anaplastic carcinoma could not be ruled out altogether at initial cytologic examination, the histopathology report was undifferentiated carcinoma but immunohistochemically it was proved to be a B-cell neoplasm.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Steady-state pharmacokinetics and dose relationship of nicotine delivered from Nicoderm (Nicotine Transdermal System).

An open-label, randomized, crossover study determined nicotine pharmacokinetics at steady state of a new Nicotine Transdermal System in 24 healthy adult male smokers. Three doses were each administered for 5 days: 7, 14 and 21 mg nicotine per day. Plasma nicotine concentrations reached steady state by the third day and were sustained throughout the 24-hour application periods. Mean steady-state nicotine and cotinine area under the curve (AUC0-24), maximum plasma concentration (Cmax), minimum plasma concentration (Cmin), average plasma concentration (Cavg), and total urinary cotinine were proportional to the dose of nicotine released in vitro from Nicotine Transdermal System. Time to reach peak concentration (tmax), half-life (t1/2), relative degree of fluctuation (DF) in steady-state plasma nicotine and cotinine concentrations, and renal cotinine clearance were similar for all three dosages, indicating linear pharmacokinetics and no change in nicotine metabolism with increasing dose. Findings from a second study also reflect the linear dose relationship for this Nicotine Transdermal System within the 7 to 21 mg/day dosage range. Bioequivalence based on the confidence interval test was demonstrated for a single application of Nicotine Transdermal System 21 mg/day and the same total dosage achieved by combined administration of Nicotine Transdermal System 7 mg/day plus Nicotine Transdermal System 14 mg/day, although there were small statistical differences. This Nicotine Transdermal System has a well-defined pharmacokinetic profile, with sustained plasma nicotine concentrations, and nicotine pharmacokinetics that are independent of the dose of this Nicotine Transdermal System.

Administration, Cutaneous↗
PubMed1993

Single- and multiple-dose pharmacokinetics of Nicoderm (Nicotine Transdermal System).

The pharmacokinetics and tolerability of single and multiple applications of Nicotine Transdermal Systems (NTS), designed to deliver 14 mg of nicotine per 24 hours, were investigated in 20 healthy adult male smokers. After a single application, mean Cmax and tmax for plasma nicotine were 12.2 ng/mL and 4.4 hours, respectively. Plasma nicotine concentrations rose rapidly and then remained steady between 12 and 24 hours after application. The apparent nicotine half-life (t1/2) after system removal was 3.2 hours. Steady state was attained by the second day of multiple application, and mean steady-state nicotine Cavg was 25% higher on day 5 compared with the first NTS application. Steady-state plasma cotinine was reached by the fourth day of multiple application and, as with nicotine, Cavg and Cmax increased, tmax decreased, and t1/2 did not change compared with single application. The mean ratios of cotinine-to-nicotine area under the curve (AUC) values for single and multiple NTS applications were 14.0 and 15.8, respectively. The pharmacokinetics of nicotine and cotinine were linear between single and multiple NTS applications. The nicotine transdermal systems were generally well tolerated.

Administration, Cutaneous↗
PubMed1993

Induction of myelin genes during peripheral nerve remyelination requires a continuous signal from the ingrowing axon.

The effect of a permanent transection on myelin gene expression in a regenerating sciatic nerve and in an adult sciatic nerve was compared to establish the degree of axonal control exerted upon Schwann cells in each population. First, the adult sciatic nerve was crushed, and the distal segment allowed to regenerate. At 12 days post-crush, the sciatic nerve was transected distal to the site of crush to disrupt the Schwann cell-axonal contacts that had reformed. Messenger RNA (mRNA) levels coding for five myelin proteins were assayed in the distal segment of the crush-transected nerve after 9 days and were compared to corresponding levels in the distal segments of sciatic nerves at 21 days post-crush and 21 days post-transection using Northern blot and slot-blot analysis. Levels of mRNAs found in the distal segment of the transected and crush-transected nerve suggested that Schwann cells in the regenerating nerve and in the mature adult nerve are equally responsive to axonal influences. The crush-transected model allowed the genes that were studied to be classified according to their response to Schwann cell-axonal contact. The levels of mRNAs were 1) down-regulated to basal levels (P0 and MBP mRNAs), 2) down-regulated to undetectable levels (myelin-associated glycoprotein mRNAs), 3) upregulated (mRNAs encoding 2'3'-cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase and beta-actin), or 4) not stringently controlled by the removal of Schwann cell-axonal contact (proteolipid protein mRNAs). This novel experimental model has thus provided evidence that the expression of some of the important myelin genes during peripheral nerve regeneration is dependent on continuous signals from the ingrowing axons.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Serum and tissue trace elements in colorectal cancer.

Serum copper, zinc, and Cu/Zn ratio were measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometry in 30 patients with colorectal cancer and compared with 30 healthy control subjects. In the patients with colorectal cancer, the tissue copper and zinc levels were also measured in paired histologically normal and malignant colorectal tissue samples obtained at surgery. The mean serum copper levels were higher in patients with colorectal cancer (165.99 vs. 98.84 micrograms/dl) (P < 0.001). The mean serum zinc levels were lowered only in advanced (Dukes stages C and D) colorectal cancer compared to controls (89.94 vs. 115.08 mu/dl) (P < 0.001). However, the Cu/Zn ratio progressively increased with the advancing stage of malignancy (1.86 vs. 0.86) (P < 0.001). The cancerous colorectal tissue showed a higher concentration of both copper (2.78 vs. 1.79 micrograms/g) (P < 0.001) and zinc (27.16 vs. 18.98 micrograms/g) (P < 0.01) compared to non-cancerous colorectal tissue. The exact mechanism responsible for the alterations in trace element levels in patients with colorectal cancer is largely unclear and requires further evaluation. However, the serum copper level and the Cu/Zn ratio are of value in estimating the extent of the carcinoma as well as in determining the prognosis of these patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Radiological spectrum of endemic fluorosis: relationship with calcium intake.

Skeletal fluorosis continues to be endemic in many parts of India. Osteosclerosis and interosseous membrane calcification have long been regarded as hallmarks of this disease. Our study showed in addition a wide variety of radiological patterns: coarse trabecular pattern, axial osteosclerosis with distal osteopenia and diffuse osteopenia. Subjects with osteopenic changes had a significantly lower dietary intake of calcium than those groups having normal radiological findings, predominant osteosclerosis or coarse trabecular pattern (p < 0.001, p < 0.01, and p < 0.01 respectively). This suggests the role of calcium intake in determining the skeletal changes in endemic fluorosis.

Adolescent↗