PubMed HealthSearch

Biomedical subjects

U Sharma

Publications and source records attributed to U Sharma.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 enhances intracellular growth of Mycobacterium avium in human macrophages.

Disseminated Mycobacterium avium infections are common in patients with AIDS and result in a reduced life expectancy. Human monocytes/macrophages are important target cells for both human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and M. avium. We have studied the interaction in vitro of M. avium and HIV type 1 (HIV-1) in human macrophages. Human monocytes isolated from the peripheral blood of healthy individuals were infected with HIV-1, M. avium, or both. The intracellular growth of M. avium and the replication of HIV-1 were monitored for up to 5 weeks. Intracellular mycobacterial growth was seen in all M. avium infected cell cultures and was paralleled by increased production of interleukin 1 alpha and beta. Preinfection of the macrophages with HIV-1 reduced the interleukin 1 production and accelerated the intracellular growth of M. avium. These findings may explain in part the impaired control of mycobacterial infections seen with patients with AIDS.

Cells, Cultured

Electrophysiological and histopathological changes in peripheral nerves of postnatally undernourished and rehabilitated young rhesus monkeys.

Nerve condition velocity of ulnar and tibial nerves and qualitative histology of ulnar nerve were studied in young rhesus monkeys. Motor nerve condition velocity of both the nerves and amplitude of sensory response of ulnar nerve were significantly decreased in even moderate protein calorie malnourished (PCM) group of monkeys. Increased paranodal gap, segmental demyelination, thin myelinated fibres and prominent Schmidt Lanterman Clefts were also observed in PCM group. There was complete recovery in motor nerve conduction velocity in the nerves of both limbs while partial in amplitude of sensory response in proximal segment of ulnar nerve on nutritional rehabilitation of 10-12 weeks.

Animals

Precipitation test--a rapid method for diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis.

Precipitation test (modified Lavinson's test) was conducted in 125 cases of meningitis. Of these, 50 cases (proved cases of tuberculous meningitis) who served as positive controls showed positive response for the precipitation test in 96% and in 25 cases of negative control group (cases of meningitis other than TBM), it showed only 4% positivity. The remaining 50 cases of TBM where the cytological and biochemical findings were not in correlation with clinical diagnosis of TBM, showed 92% positivity for early diagnosis of TBM.

Benzenesulfonates

Radiation treatment of osteoclastoma.

JC:------------ABSTRACT------------------------- P4 Osteoclastoma seen between 1965 and 1984 is presented. All patients received megavoltage therapy using Telecobalt. Tumour dose of 45 Gy to 55.3 Gy in 15 to 18 fractions had been delivered. All patients had quantitation of pre-treatment tumour volume and post-treatment response using a radiographic grid. CT scan measurements have complimented the grid quantitation in recent years. Follow through visits from 5 to 24 years post-treatment (mean follow up 9.2 years) have shown optimum tumor regression, bone recalcification and restitution of joint functions amongst these patients. No case of bone sarcoma has been detected. Our observations lead us to support megavoltage radiation therapy as the treatment of choice for accessible and inaccessible osteoclastoma.

Adolescent

Upper and lower limb standards in newborn.

One thousand live born babies of various gestational ages were studied. Using standard techniques, various limbs anthropometric measurements were taken with a non-stretchable measuring tape. Normal values and S.D. for each gestational week were calculated and their relation with gestational age statistically analysed. All these measurements correlated with gestational age. Foot length correlated best with gestational age amongst all the measurements (r = 0.9399).

Anthropometry

Ratio of mid arm circumference to head circumference as a predictor of small for gestational age babies.

Birth weight (BW), mid-arm circumference (MAC), head circumference (HC) and MAC/HC ratio were evaluated in 845 term babies within 48 h of birth. MAC/HC ratio of less than 0.28 had a statistically significant sensitivity, specificity and predictive value (p less than 0.001) for identifying term small for gestational age babies. This ratio provides a simple, accurate and cheap way of screening SGA babies. This method may be employed for identification of SGA babies even by paramedical workers at community level. As with any other field index appropriate supervision and standardisation are essential for its usefulness.

Anthropometry

Blood pressure studies in Jaipur children.

A total of 1500 apparently healthy children between 1-12 years of age were examined. Blood pressure (BP) readings were taken and standard deviation and percentiles worked out for different sexes and age groups. Prevalence of hypertension was found to be 2.86% in males and 2.97% in females in 5-12 years of age group. Obesity was prevalent in 24% of the hypertensive cases. A higher value of serum cholesterol as compared to controls was also seen in the hypertensive group.

Blood Pressure

Optimum radiation technique for retinoblastoma in conserved eyes.

The study evaluated 121 consecutive unoperated cases of retinoblastoma in children. They received radiation as the primary treatment for their ocular disease. The stage grouping was done according to Reese classification. Ninety four children had their disease evaluated by CT scan. All except one had imaged lesions in both eyes. In addition, twenty six had thickened optic nerves and twenty one showed chiasmal infiltration. Radiation field selection was based on clinical and CT imaged disease. A tumor dose of 4500c Gy in 16 to 19 fractions over 18 to 24 days was delivered by cobalt teletherapy. The target volume encompassed ora serrata anteriorly and optic chiasma posteriorly in all cases. Tumor response and patient survival was correlated with the initial stage and radiation factors utilised amongst them. Encouraging results were obtained using three field radiation technique with an open anterior field and a TDF between 75 and 90.

Child

Acridine orange stain--a rapid method for diagnosis of neonatal septicemia.

The present study included 150 newborns; 100 clinically septic and 50 clinically aseptic who served as control. Out of 100 clinically septic newborns, blood culture was positive in 33 (33%), serum CRP was positive in 64 (64%) and acridine orange stained buffy coat smear was positive in 76 (76%). Serum CRP was found to be the most specific (specificity 96%) and acridine orange stained buffy coat smear examination the most sensitive (sensitivity 94.3%) test for diagnosis of neonatal septicemia.

Acridine Orange

Thigh circumference at birth as the best predictor of low birth weight babies.

The present study was undertaken to find out the best simple anthropometric parameter for identifying low birth weight babies (LBW). A total of 1000 newborn babies were subjected to anthropometry within 48 hours of life. Birth weight was significantly correlated (p less than 0.001) with thigh circumference (TC), mid-arm circumference (MAC), chest circumference (CC), length (L) and head circumference (HC). However, the correlation was maximum for TC (r = 0.9201). All anthropometric indicators had a statistically significant sensitivity, specificity and predictive value (p less than 0.001) for identifying less than or equal to 2500 g birth weight babies. However, thigh circumference of less than or equal to 14.5 cm and less than or equal to 13.5 cm had the best sensitivity, specificity and predictive value for identifying babies with birth weight of less than or equal to 2500 g and less than or equal to 2000 g, respectively. TC at birth is a cheap, simple, quick and reliable indicator for predicting LBW babies. It may be used whenever weighing at birth is not feasible.

Anthropometry