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Biomedical subjects

S Ray

Publications and source records attributed to S Ray.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Functional connectivity of the prefrontal cortex in Huntington's disease.

BACKGROUND: Huntington's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that results in deterioration and atrophy of various brain regions. AIM: To assess the functional connectivity between prefrontal brain regions in patients with Huntington's disease, compared with normal controls, using functional magnetic resonance imaging. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 20 patients with Huntington's disease and 17 matched controls performed a Simon task that is known to activate lateral prefrontal and anterior cingulate cortical regions. The functional connectivity was hypothesised to be impaired in patients with Huntington's disease between prefrontal regions of interest, selected from both hemispheres, in the anterior cingulate and dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex. RESULTS: Controls showed a dynamic increase in interhemispheric functional connectivity during task performance, compared with the baseline state; patients with Huntington's disease, however, showed no such increase in prefrontal connectivity. Overall, patients with Huntington's disease showed significantly impaired functional connectivity between anterior cingulate and lateral prefrontal regions in both hemispheres compared with controls. Furthermore, poor task performance was predicted by reduced connectivity in patients with Huntington's disease between the left anterior cingulate and prefrontal regions. CONCLUSIONS: This finding represents a loss of synchrony in activity between prefrontal regions in patients with Huntington's disease when engaged in the task, which predicted poor task performance. Results show that functional interactions between critical prefrontal regions, necessary for cognitive performance, are compromised in Huntington's disease. It is speculated whether significantly greater levels of activation in patients with Huntington's disease (compared with controls) observed in several brain regions partially compensate for the otherwise compromised interactions between cortical regions.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Removal of Cr3+ by electrocoagulation with multiple electrodes: bipolar and monopolar configurations.

Removal of Cr(3+) from aqueous solutions by electrocoagulation (EC) with multiple electrodes was studied with both bipolar and monopolar configurations. The influence of chloride ions, pH, initial Cr(3+) concentration and cell current on removal performance was investigated in a batch stirred cell. It was noted that, the enhancement of solubility of Cr(OH)(3) and co-precipitated [Cr, Fe](OH)(3) in presence of chloride ions results in reduction of removal efficiency. Removal of Cr(3+) improved at higher pH due to combined effect of precipitation, co-precipitation as solid solution like species, adsorption, cathodic reduction and sweep coagulation. The maximum Cr(3+) removal per unit charge loading was found to be increasing with increase in initial Cr(3+) concentration. The cell current efficiency was less than that predicted from Faraday's law of electrolysis for both configurations. The operating cost was estimated from the power cost and cost of electrode material. The former was 40% and the later was 43% higher for bipolar configuration compared to monopolar configuration for achieving final chromium discharge limit of 2.0mg/l.

Chlorides↗
PubMed2006

Using the UK primary care Quality and Outcomes Framework to audit health care equity: preliminary data on diabetes management.

BACKGROUND: The incentivization of UK primary care through the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) has released an unprecedented supply of data that in theory could aid health equity audit and reduce health inequalities. The current system allows for 'exception reporting' whereby patients can be excluded from calculation of payment for reasons such as failure to attend review. We speculated that such exclusions could be linked to socioeconomic deprivation. METHODS: We assessed 'exception reporting' rates for 15 diabetes indicators using 2004/05 QOF data for 49 general practitioner (GP) practices in Brighton and Hove and related it to a deprivation ranking for each practice. RESULTS: The standardized diabetes prevalence was 26% higher (P < 0.001) in the highest compared to the lowest quintile of deprivation. Correlations between 'exception reporting' and deprivation were seen for 10 of the 15 diabetes indicators (r = 0.20-0.41, P < 0.05). Practices with a more deprived patient population were more likely to report 'exceptions' for QOF indicators, although there was no such relationship with the achievement of QOF targets. CONCLUSIONS: Strategies to reduce health inequalities need to take into account that high levels of exception reporting, particularly in practices with deprived populations, may be disguising unmet need in those populations.

Appointments and Schedules↗
PubMed2006

Novel substituted naphthalen-1-yl-methanone derivatives as anti-hyperglycemic agents.

A series of aminoalkoxy phenyl-substituted naphthalene-1-yl-methanone was synthesized and tested for its anti-hyperglycemic activity in SLM and STZ-S rat models. Some compounds (3b, 4c and 4h) of the series were showing significant anti-hyperglycemic activity in male Sprague-Dawley rats in sucrose-loaded model (SLM) as well as in streptozotocin-induced model (STZ-S). Active compounds were also evaluated for relative binding affinity against glucagon receptor.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Influence of endogenous glutathione level on X-ray induced cell cycle delay in human lymphocytes.

Here, induction of chromosomal aberration after X-irradiation and the pattern of cell cycle kinetics have been investigated in human lymphocytes, after exogenous addition of reduced glutathione or by depleting levels of reduced glutathione endogenously. Involvement of cell cycle regulator proteins such as p53 and p21 has been investigated to elucidate their role in induction of delay in cell cycle progression after irradiation.

Cell Cycle↗
PubMed2006

Identification of Leishmania donovani antigens stimulating cellular immune responses in exposed immune individuals.

Human visceral leishmaniasis (VL), also known as kala azar (KA) in India, is a systemic progressive disease caused by Leishmania donovani. In VL, Th1 responses correlate with recovery from and resistance to disease and resolution of infection results in lifelong immunity against the disease. However, recent data suggest an important role for interleukin (IL)-10 in maintaining the resistant state. We evaluated whole cell extract (WE) and 11 antigenic fractions [F1-F11, molecular weight (MW) range of 139-24.2 kDa] from L. donovani (2001 strain, a fresh field isolate from Bihar), for their ability to induce in vitro T cell proliferation and production of interferon (IFN)-gamma, interleukin (IL)-12, IL-10 and IL-4 by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of exposed immune individuals (14 patients with history of VL, 10 household endemic contacts) and 20 non-endemic healthy controls. Twenty-one of 24 exposed individuals and no healthy controls showed proliferative response to WE. Whole-extract activated IFN-gamma, IL-12, IL-10 levels were higher in the exposed group than in controls; IL-4 was not detectable in any of the samples. Among 21 responders to WE, frequent proliferative responses were seen to fractions F1-F4 (MW > 64.2 kDa) and none to fractions F5-F11; fractions F1-F11 stimulated comparable levels of IFN-gamma and IL-12 while IL-10 levels were higher in response to F5-F11 compared to F1-F4. These data demonstrate the presence of immunostimulatory antigens in the high MW fractions of whole L. donovani antigen. However, these fractions do not stimulate a Th1 response and produce variable amounts of IFN-gamma and the regulatory cytokine, IL-10. Hence, these high MW immunostimulatory fractions need to be evaluated in greater depth for their possible role as protective antigens.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Increasing resistance to ciprofloxacin and other antibiotics in Neisseria gonorrhoeae from East Java and Papua, Indonesia, in 2004 - implications for treatment.

We examined gonococci isolated in 2004, in East Java and Papua, Indonesia, to review the suitability of ciprofloxacin-based and other treatment regimens. Gonococci from the two provinces were tested in Sydney for susceptibility to penicillin, tetracycline, spectinomycin, ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, azithromycin and rifampicin. Of 163 gonococcal isolates from East Java (91) and Papua (72), 120 (74%) of gonococci, 62 (68%) and 58 (80%) from East Java and Papua, respectively, were penicillinase-producing gonococci and 162 displayed high-level tetracycline resistance. Eighty-seven isolates (53%) were ciprofloxacin resistant, 44 (48%) from East Java and 43 (60%) from Papua. All isolates were sensitive to cefixime/ceftriaxone, spectinomycin and azithromycin. Minimum inhibitory concentrations of gentamicin were in the range 0.05-8 mg/L. Sixty-nine gonococci (42%) showed combined resistance, to penicillin, tetracycline and quinolones. Quinolone resistance has now reached unacceptable levels, and their use for the treatment of gonorrhoea in Indonesia should be reconsidered.

Anti-Infective Agents↗
PubMed2006

Cranial neuropathy and bone involvement in primary systemic amyloidosis.

Bone involvement in primary systemic amyloidosis is rare. Intracranial involvement in primary amyloidosis has not been reported so far. We report two cases of bone involvement in primary amyloidosis. The first patient also had combined deficiencies of factor IX and XII, while the second patient had associated intracranial involvement and XIIth cranial nerve palsy. Both these cases are unique in that, destructive bone lesions with intracranial involvement and combined factor deficiencies have not been reported in primary amyloidosis previously.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Mitral repair best practice: proposed standards.

OBJECTIVES: To define best practice standards for mitral valve repair surgery. DESIGN: Development of standards for process and outcome by consensus. SETTING: Multidisciplinary panel of surgeons, anaesthetists, and cardiologists with interests and expertise in caring for patients with severe mitral regurgitation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Standards for best practice were defined including the full spectrum of multidisciplinary aspects of care. RESULTS: 19 criteria for best practice were defined including recommendations on surgical training, intraoperative transoesophageal echocardiography, surgery for atrial fibrillation, audit, and cardiology and imaging issues. CONCLUSIONS: Standards for best practice in mitral valve repair were defined by multidisciplinary consensus. This study gives centres undertaking mitral valve repair an opportunity to benchmark their care against agreed standards that are challenging but achievable. Working towards these standards should act as a stimulus towards improvements in care.

Atrial Fibrillation↗
PubMed2005

Ocular angiostrongyliasis in a child--first case report from India.

A rare case report of Angiostrongylus cantonensis (rat lung worm) from the eye is presented here. This worm generally causes eosinophilic meningo-encephalitis and accidentally infects humans by ingestion of uncooked snails, slugs, frogs etc. The child was presented to us with diminished vision in left eye. Slit lamp examination showed an actively motile worm in the anterior chamber. Surgical extraction of the worm was performed and it was identified as A. cantonensis. This is the first case of ocular A. cantonensis infection from India with no signs or symptoms of meningitis. After surgery, the visual acuity of the patient returned to normal.

Angiostrongylus cantonensis↗
PubMed2005

Electrocoagulation of methylene blue and eosin yellowish using mild steel electrodes.

The paper presents the study of electrocoagulation (EC) of aqueous dye solutions of two different industrial dyes in a batch stirred cell. Experiments were carried out with 200 mg/l individual concentration of methylene blue (MB) and eosin yellowish (EY) in presence of NaCl as electrolyte. Effect of operating time and current density on the decolorization of dye solutions, reduction of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and variation in conductivity, pH during treatment has been studied. Small difference between color diminution and COD reduction has been found with the progress of treatment. First-order rate equation for dye removal has been developed from the experimental results. Sludge formation during EC and problems associated with this solid waste generation and disposal has been assessed. Energy consumption in KWh/m(3) with reduction of COD (kg) during treatment has been reported. Electric power consumption of 1.5 KWh reduces 0.21 and 0.11 kg COD from 0.24 and 0.14 kg of initial COD for MB and EY, respectively, starting from 200 mg/l dye concentration.

Electrocoagulation↗
PubMed2005

Interaction of radiation- and bleomycin-induced lesions and influence of glutathione level on the interaction.

Radiation-induced exchange aberrations are thought to arise as a consequence of misrejoining of free ends of DNA double strand breaks (dsbs). In quiescent mammalian cells this process of misrejoining is prevalently taken up by the non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) process. In order to investigate the role of glutathione (GSH) in DNA dsb rejoining, the interaction of the lesions induced by bleomycin (Blem) and by radiation was studied since the lesions caused by both have similar and apparent rapid rates of repair. Endogenous GSH was depleted by buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) and chromosome aberrations (CAs) of human lymphocytes were scored from first cycle metaphases. Gamma radiation was administered 2 h after Blem treatment in combined studies. In the case of BSO, the treatment was given 3 h before Blem treatment. The BSO-treated samples showed higher sensitivity to radiation than BSO-untreated ones. Combined treatment of Blem and radiation induced higher frequency of CAs, in particular the exchange aberrations and interstitial deletions. However, such increased frequency of exchange aberrations was reduced drastically and the frequency of terminal deletions was increased significantly when combined treatment was given to BSO-pretreated cells. The consistent level of Ku70 protein in all the treated samples, with undetectable level of Rad51 in the G0-lymphocytes indicates the involvement of NHEJ pathway in misrejoining of DNA dsbs. It may be hypothesized that reduction in the frequency of exchange aberrations as induced by Blem + radiation combined treatment in BSO-treated samples could be because of reduced NHEJ pathway.

Antigens, Nuclear↗
PubMed2005

A rare complication of pneumonectomy: diagnosis made by a literature search.

This case describes platypnoea-orthodeoxia syndrome in a patient 2 months after a right pneumonectomy for adenocarcinoma of the lung. The patient complained of platypnoea (breathlessness in the upright position) and was noted to have orthodeoxia (arterial desaturation on standing) on clinical examination. This was due to anatomical changes after the pneumonectomy that resulted in direct blood flow from the inferior vena cava through a previously unrecognised atrial septal defect into the left atrium. The closure of this right to left shunt with an Amplatzer occluder produced immediate and striking symptomatic relief in the patient. The authors had no previous experience of this very rare complication of pneumonectomy. The diagnosis was made after a literature search using PubMed/Medline, underlining the direct clinical benefit provided by these databases.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2005

Amide derivatives of 9,11-seco-estra-1,3,5(10)-trien-11-oic acid as modified orally active estrogen agonists with moderate antagonistic activity.

Synthesis of amide derivatives of 9,11-seco-estra-1,3,5(10)-trien-11-oic acid containing alkyl and aromatic amine residues has been carried out with an aim to prepare orally active estrogen antagonists. Modification of the estradiol molecule in the form of C-seco-amide derivatives has led to their high oral absorption. Compounds 7 an n-propyl amide, 8 an n-butyl amide, and 16 a p-anisidyl amide of C-seco-estrane showed significant estrogen antagonistic activity (>20%), while, the majority of compounds possessed high estrogen agonistic activity on oral administration at 10mg/kg dose in rats.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2005

Sensitization of prostate carcinoma cells to Apo2L/TRAIL by a Bcl-2 family protein inhibitor.

Overexpression of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins may play an important role in the aggressive behavior of prostate cancer cells and their resistance to therapy. The Bcl-2 homology 3 domain (BH3) is a uniquely important functional element within the pro-apoptotic class of the Bcl-2-related proteins, mediating their ability to dimerize with other Bcl-2-related proteins and promote apoptosis. The BH3 inhibitors (BH3Is) function by disrupting the interactions mediated by the BH3 domain between pro- and anti-apoptotic members of the Bcl-2 family and liberating more Bax/Bak to induce mitochondrial membrane permeabilization. LNCaP-derived C4-2 human prostate cancer cells are quite resistant to non-tagged, human recombinant soluble Apo2 ligand [Apo2L, also Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand, TRAIL], a tumor specific drug that is now in clinical trials. However, when Apo2L/TRAIL was combined with the Bcl-xL inhibitor, BH3I-2', it induced apoptosis synergistically through activation of Caspase-8 and the proapoptotic Bcl-2 family member Bid, resulting in the activation of effector Caspase-3 and proteolytic cleavage of Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, events that were blocked by the pan-caspase inhibitor zVAD-fmk. Our data indicate that, in combination with the BH3 mimetic, BH3I-2', Apo2L/TRAIL synergistically induces apoptosis in C4-2 human prostate cancer cells through both the extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic pathways.

Apoptosis↗
PubMed2005

First trimester threatened miscarriage treatment with human chorionic gonadotrophins: a randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether administration of exogenous human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) treatment improve the pregnancy outcome in first trimester threatened miscarriages. DESIGN: A prospective, double blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial. SETTING: The Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit, Royal Bolton Hospital, Bolton, United Kingdom. POPULATION: One hundred and eighty-three women with vaginal bleeding and a viable fetus seen on ultrasound scan (USS) in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. METHODS: The patients were randomised to receive either hCG or placebo treatment until 14 weeks of gestation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary objective of the trial was to determine the miscarriage rate in the hCG arm compared from the placebo arm. RESULTS: Of the 183 cases, 87 were randomised to treatment with hCG while 96 were randomised to receive a placebo. Forty-seven (25%) did not comply with the study protocol. The mean [SD] gestational age at presentation was 7 [1.33] weeks. The mean [SD] age of women in study was 27 [5] years in the placebo and 28 [5] in the hCG group. The mean body mass index (kg/m(2)) was 25 [5] in the study. The number of patients actively bleeding per vaginum at presentation was 85 (93%) in placebo group and 79 (96%) in the hCG group. The median number of hCG or placebo injections for both groups was 7. Ten women (11%) in the placebo group proceeded to have a complete miscarriage, as did 10 women (12%) in the hCG group, relative risk (RR) [95% confidence interval (CI)] of 1.1 (0.63-1.6). CONCLUSION: Our study showed no evidence of a difference in the outcome of threatened miscarriages when treated with hCG in the first trimester, this may be because our study sample size was small and follow up was suboptimal. A large, randomised, multicentre trial is still needed to establish the usefulness of hCG treatment in cases of threatened miscarriage.

Abortion, Threatened↗