Biomedical subjects

Seema Joshi

Publications and source records attributed to Seema Joshi.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Cognitive impairment.

As populations continue to age, the prevalence of dementia is expected to increase. AD is by far the most common cause of dementia. The clinical course of dementia represents the challenges that this disease presents. There are no truly effective therapies for treating dementia, and the cost effectiveness of ChEIs has been challenged; however, there has been an explosion of information about AD. Evidence-based practice parameters for diagnosis and management of dementia have been developed. There has been an increased interest in the possible prodromal states of dementia, such as MCI. The concept of MCI has risen in prominence in recent years; it is speculated that initiation of therapies early in the course of disease may be needed for them to be effective. Considering the enormous burdens that AD places on individuals and society, disease-modifying treatments for AD are needed desperately. There are promising avenues for the development of potentially disease-modifying therapies for this devastating disease.

Aged↗

PubMed2005

Elder abuse and neglect in long-term care.

Patient and caregiver education and other interventions targeted toward risk factors or types of abuse or neglect play an invaluable role in preventing elder abuse and mistreatment.

Age Factors↗

PubMed2005

Hydroxyl radical formation resulting from the interaction of nickel complexes of L-histidine, glutathione or L-cysteine and hydrogen peroxide.

L-histidine, L-cysteine, reduced glutathione (GSH) and other bioligands, which are ubiquitously present in biological systems, are recognized as antioxidants. Studies have shown that nickel (II) complexed with these ligands catalyzes the disproportionation of H2O2, leading to the generation of hydroxyl radicals (OH radical). However, none of the studies could provide information regarding effective concentrations at which these ligands act either as pro-oxidant or antioxidant. Therefore, the observed paradoxical behaviour of biological antioxidants in nickel-induced oxidative response was evaluated. Benzoic acid (BA) is hydroxylated by OH radical to form highly fluorescent dihydroxy benzoate (OH-BA). We used this model to study the effect of nickel complexes of L-histidine, GSH or L-cysteine on the hydroxylation of BA. The concentration-dependent effect of L-histidine, GSH and L-cysteine, or nickel on the hydroxylation of BA was studied. The hydroxylation of BA was significantly enhanced up to 1:0.5 molar ratio (Ni:hist or GSH). However, beyond 1:0.5 molar ratios, histidine/GSH inhibited the hydroxylation and complete inhibition was observed at 1:1 molar ratios. Sorbitol and caffeic acid, considered as scavengers of hydroxyl radicals, inhibited nickel-induced hydroxylation of BA. The present study demonstrates paradoxical behaviour of these bioligands. They act as pro-oxidant at lower ligand ratios and as antioxidant at higher ligand ratios. The redox properties of nickel complexes with histidine, GSH or cysteine reported here may be crucial for the toxicity of nickel.

Antioxidants↗

PubMed2004

Clinically relevant levels of depressive symptoms in community-dwelling middle-aged African Americans.

OBJECTIVES: To identify the prevalence of and potentially modifiable risk factors for clinically relevant levels of depressive symptoms in a population-based sample of community-dwelling African Americans and the prevalence of treatment by prescription and alternative medications. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey, 2000-01. SETTING: Community-based. PARTICIPANTS: Nine hundred ninety-eight noninstitutionalized African Americans in St. Louis, Missouri, born between 1936 and 1950. MEASUREMENTS: Depressive symptoms were measured using the 11-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale (CES-D). Clinically relevant levels of depressive symptoms were defined as nine or more (equivalent to >/=16 on the 20-item CES-D). A comprehensive set of risk factors was considered that included three demographic variables, eight socioeconomic-access measures, four environmental factors, seven measures of functional status, 15 biomedical markers, one service utilization indicator, and three psychosocial measures. All analyses were weighted to the represented population. Treatment with an antidepressant was determined by examining subjects' medications compiled in their homes. RESULTS: Two hundred ten subjects (21.1%) had clinically relevant levels of depressive symptoms. Several multivariate logistic regression approaches were used for model building, which identified a consistent set of nine predictive factors: female sex (odds ratio adjusted (AOR) for all factors in the final model=1.52; 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.01-2.27), lower objective income (AOR=1.62, 95% CI=1.08-2.43), perceived income inadequacy (AOR=2.33, 95% CI=1.49-3.65), lower assessment of home environment (AOR=1.07 per scale point, 95% CI=1.01-1.12), limitations in visual acuity (AOR=1.12 per scale point, 95% CI=1.04-1.21), being severely underweight (AOR=2.52, 95% CI=1.02-6.20), being obese (AOR=1.72, 95% CI=1.16-2.54), being hospitalized in the previous year (AOR=2.25, 95% CI=1.45-3.49), and lower social support (AOR=1.20 per scale point, 95% CI=1.16-1.26). Of these, social support was the most important (adjusted standardized odds ratio =2.41). Forty-one (19.5%) of the subjects with clinically relevant levels of depressive symptoms were taking prescription antidepressants. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of clinically relevant levels of depressive symptoms in middle-aged African Americans was greater than that for the general U.S. population. Community-based health programs that screen for depression and refer individuals to clinical care sites with appropriately designed systems of care for depression management should be developed. For optimal effect, these programs should concentrate their efforts in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas and address socioeconomic factors such as income inadequacy and social support in addition to the biomedical risk factors. Given the pervasive adverse effects of depression, such interventions have the potential for significantly enhancing the health of African Americans in their later years and reducing current health disparities.

Black or African American↗

PubMed2004

Scavenging action of zinc and green tea polyphenol on cisplatin and nickel induced nitric oxide generation and lipid peroxidation in rats.

OBJECTIVE: Toxic metal ions have been implicated in the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO). Metallothionines (MT) and plant flavonoids have been reported in the intervention against oxidative damage. We investigated the effect of zinc induced MT and green tea polyphenol (GTP) in reducing the oxidative responses induced by nickel and platinum. METHODS: Zinc (10 mg/kg b. wt, sc) was administered to rats twice at a gap of 24 hrs and GTP (10 mg/100 mL in drinking water) was fed ad libitum for 8 days. Nickel chloride (150 umol/kgb.wt, ip) and cisplatin (50 mumol/kg b.wt, sc) was administered to rats 24 h after Zn or GTP pre-treatment. Animals of all the groups were sacrificed 16 hrs after treatment and biochemical markers for toxicity were monitored. RESULTS: Zinc or GTP pre-treatment caused significant protection against nickel or cisplatin enhanced mortality in rats, and reduction in lipid peroxidation and NO. CONCLUSION: It is proposed that inhibition of ROS and NO by GTP and zinc may prove useful as a selective pharmacological agent in the amelioration of metal toxicity.

Animals↗