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Biomedical subjects

S Kesavan

Publications and source records attributed to S Kesavan.

13 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

A survey of physiotherapy and occupational therapy provision in UK nursing homes.

BACKGROUND: Nursing homes in the UK are increasingly regarded as potential rehabilitation facilities for disabled older people. OBJECTIVE: To determine the current physiotherapy and occupational therapy provision to UK nursing homes. SAMPLE: Four hundred private nursing homes in England, Scotland and Wales were selected by stratified proportional random sampling and surveyed by postal questionnaire. RESULTS: The response rate for the effective sample was 346/355 (97%). Only 10% of residents were in current receipt of physiotherapy, mostly through private physiotherapists employed by the nursing homes. Occupational therapy was being provided to only 3.3% of residents. CONCLUSION: Older people in nursing homes in the UK currently receive little physiotherapy and occupational therapy input and are particularly isolated from National Health Service (NHS) services.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Identification of a vibrational frequency corresponding to H-atom translocation in hypericin.

Using time-resolved infrared spectroscopy, ab initio quantum mechanical calculations and synthetic organic chemistry a region in the infrared spectrum of triplet hypericin has been found between 1400 and 1500 cm-1 corresponding to the translocation of the hydrogen atom between the enol and the keto oxygens, O...H...O. This result is discussed in the context of the photophysics of hypericin and of eventual measurements to observe directly the excited-state H-atom transfer.

Anthracenes↗
PubMed2001

Tumor cell toxicity of hypericin and related analogs.

A series of hypericin analogs were found to differ in their cytotoxic activity induced by ambient light levels. These analogs vary in their ability to partition into cells, to generate singlet oxygen as well as in other photophysical properties. The data suggest that the biological activity of hypericin is due to a combination of factors whose roles may vary under different circumstances.

Anthracenes↗
PubMed2000

The effects of lipid extraction on the immunomodulatory activity of Malassezia species in vitro.

Malassezia spp. are believed to be the causative agents of pityriasis versicolor and are strongly implicated in seborrhoeic dermatitis. The yeast also forms part of the normal human cutaneous microflora. We have previously shown that when Malassezia yeast cells are incubated with human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), they are capable of reducing the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines produced. In order to test the hypothesis that this immunoevasive phenomenon may be related to the unusually high level of lipid in the Malassezia yeast cell wall, we have compared the immunomodulatory capacity of normal and lipid-depleted yeast cells. Stationary phase yeast cells of Malassezia sympodialis, M. globosa and M. restricta were treated with chloroform/methanol to extract the surface lipids. The lipid-depleted and non-depleted yeast cells were then co-cultured with human PBMCs from three different human donors at a ratio of 20 yeasts per leukocyte for 24 h. The levels of interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha were then determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results demonstrated that extraction of lipid reversed the yeast cell capacity to reduce the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The levels of IL-1beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha produced in response to lipid-extracted Malassezia of all three species were either no different from or significantly greater (P < 0.05; ANOVA) than the constitutive control levels. These results suggest that the lipid microfibrillar layer of Malassezia may prevent the yeast cells from inducing inflammation and provide an explanation for the normal commensal status of the organism on human skin. The hypothesis that the lipid layer is absent or altered in seborrhoeic dermatitis may provide an explanation for the inflammatory nature of this dermatosis.

Cells, Cultured↗
PubMed2000

Meningioma with rhabdoid transformation.

A 29-year-old man was operated on for an intracranial tumour with the gross features of a meningioma. Histology showed features of a rhabdoid tumour. The tumour recurred in 1997, 17 months after the first operation, and was re-excised and showed identical histology. Meningiomas with rhabdoid change are very rare. The clinicopathologic features are presented and the differential diagnoses discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

An unusual tumour metastasis to the cervix.

INTRODUCTION: The vast majority of tumours in the cervix are either primary carcinomas or direct extension of primary tumours from nearby sites such as the endometrium, myometrium, rectum and bladder. Patients usually present with abnormal bleeding, pain and dyspareunia. A smaller number of patients are asymptomatic and their tumours can be diagnosed early by PAP smears. CLINICAL PICTURE: We present an unusual case of an elderly lady with breast cancer that had metastasized to the cervix 4 years after primary treatment of the breast malignancy. Although the appearance of the cervix was "normal looking", it was firm and indurated on palpation. PATHOLOGY: A definite diagnosis of metastatic infiltration could only be made by colposcopic biopsy. Early PAP smears had shown some abnormal cells suggestive of metastatic lobular carcinoma but were not conclusive of metastasis from breast carcinoma. Subsequent bone scans and CT scans of the abdomen revealed metastatic lesions in the skull, spine, left femoral shaft and liver.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗
PubMed1998

Now wash your hands? A survey of hospital handwashing facilities.

We studied the adequacy of handwashing facilities on elderly-care wards in seven UK hospitals. We found 10.9% of sinks were inaccessible, 12% of sinks did not have any cleansing agent, 93.2% of ward sinks and 79% of treatment room sinks had no antiseptic agent. We conclude that in our survey, handwashing facilities were inadequate and have suggested a standard checklist for hospital sinks.

Geriatrics↗
PubMed1998

The effects of Malassezia on pro-inflammatory cytokine production by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells in vitro.

Malassezia spp., the causative agents of pityriasis versicolor, are members of the normal human cutaneous microflora. Utilizing a combination of both enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and bioassay, we have investigated the ability of both formalin-preserved and viable Malassezia (serovars A, B and C) to modulate pro-inflammatory cytokine (IL-6, IL-1beta and TNF-alpha) release by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNC) in vitro, over a 48-h co-incubation period. The results demonstrated that formalin-preserved Malassezia (serovars A, B and C) at mid-exponential phase were generally able to induce a pro-inflammatory cytokine response at a yeast cell to PBMNC ratio of 1:1. In addition, the results consistently demonstrated that at a yeast cell to PBMNC ratio of 20:1, formalin-preserved Malassezia, irrespective of serovar, growth phase or PBMNC donor, were capable of significantly (P<0.05) decreasing the release of both immunochemical IL-6 and IL-1beta plus bioactive IL-1beta and TNF-alpha below that of unstimulated culture medium control values. This was apparent following 24- and 48-h co-incubation times, where maximal cytokine production was detected after 24 h. Similar results were obtained for the effect of viable Malassezia on pro-inflammatory cytokine release by PBMNC. Our results suggest that a possible inhibitory component, present perhaps within the cell wall of Malassezia, was responsible for this depressive effect on pro-inflammatory cytokine production.

Biological Assay↗