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Biomedical subjects

V K Gupta

Publications and source records attributed to V K Gupta.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2007

Metoclopramide aborts cough-induced headache and ameliorates cough--a pilot study.

Metoclopramide (MTCL) can abort attacks of migraine headache. I report swift resolution of cough-induced headache as well as suppression of cough in six male patients following parenteral administration of MTCL. A similar unexpected rapid antitussive action of MTCL was also observed in 12 of 14 other patients (13 male and 1 female) with severe paroxysmal cough without headache. Use of MTCL primarily for analgesia is reviewed, and the pharmacological basis for its antinociceptive action is proposed. As a nonopiate agent with potential to stimulate endogenous opiate-mediated mechanisms, MTCL appears to have additional valuable roles in clinical practice. This is the first report of an antitussive action of MTCL. Further controlled studies are required to confirm the therapeutic role of MTCL in cough-induced headache as well as its potential antitussive and general analgesic actions.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Induction of immune response in mice with a DNA vaccine encoding outer membrane protein (omp31) of Brucella melitensis 16M.

Brucellosis causes serious economic losses to goat farmers by way of reproductive losses in the form of abortions and stillbirths. Nucleic acid vaccines provide an exciting approach for antigen presentation to the immune system. In this study, we evaluated the ability of DNA vaccine encoding the omp31 protein of Brucella melitensis 16M to induce cellular and humoral immune responses in mice. We constructed eukaryotic expression vectors called pTargeTomp31, encoding outer membrane protein (omp31) of B. melitensis 16M. pTargeTomp31 was injected intramuscularly three times, at 3-week intervals in groups of mice 6 weeks of age. pTargeTomp31 induced good antibody response in ELISA . pTargeTomp31 elicited a T-cell-proliferative response and also induced a strong gamma interferon production upon restimulation with either the omp31 antigen or B. melitensis 16M extract. We also demonstrate that animals immunized with this plasmid elicited a strong and long-lived memory immune response. Furthermore, pTargeTomp31 elicited a typical T-helper 1-dominated immune response in mice, as determined by immunoglobulin G isotype analysis. This vaccine also provided the moderate degree of protection to the mice. This study for the first time focuses on DNA immunization of a gene from B. melitensis. These results may lead to the development of a DNA-based vaccine for the control of brucellosis in goats.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Preparative high-performance liquid chromatographic separation of naphthodianthrones from St. John's Wort.

St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum), a perennial flowering plant, has been used medicinally for thousands of years and has most recently been identified as an effective treatment for mild to moderate depression and neuralgic disorders. This work presents a procedure for the isolation of naphthodianthrones from St. John's Wort by an accelerated extraction and separation of marker compounds by preparative high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with photodiode array detection. The accelerated extraction method minimizes the extraction time and increases the yield, and the marker compounds obtained by preparative HPLC are of 98% purity. The compounds are characterized by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (electrospray ionization) and NMR spectra.

Anthracenes↗
PubMed2006

Effects of feeding Fusarium verticillioides (formerly Fusarium moniliforme) culture material containing known levels of fumonisin B1 in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica).

One hundred fifty 1-d-old quail chicks (Coturnix coturnix japonica) were divided into 2 groups. The 2 groups were designated as controls (CX) and fumonisin-fed birds (FX) with each containing 50 and 100 chicks, respectively. The birds in group CX were maintained on quail mash alone, whereas the birds in group FX were maintained on diets supplemented with 300 ppm of fumonisin B1 from Fusarium verticillioides (formerly Fusarium moniliforme) culture material from 1 d. Quail chicks in both groups were examined daily for clinical signs and mortality. Five randomly selected quail from each group were individually weighed on 0, 7, 14, 21, and 28 d post-feeding (DPF). After weighing, blood was collected from these birds at 7, 14, 21, and 28 DPF for hematological studies and at 14, 21, and 28 DPF for biochemical studies. Fumonisin B1-fed birds (FX) had ruffled feathers, reduced feed and water intake, poor body growth, and greenish mucus diarrhea with 59% mortality. Nearly 30% of the fumonisin B1-fed birds showed nervous signs during the 4-wk experimental period. From 7 DPF onward, BW in group FX were significantly lower than those in group CX. Fumonisin feeding significantly increased hemoglobin, packed cell volume, total erythrocyte count, and total leukocyte count. There was also a significant increase in aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase in the fumonisin-fed group. Fumonisins significantly increased concentrations of total serum protein and albumin on 14 and 21 DPF, serum calcium and cholesterol levels from 14 DPF onward, and creatinine from 21 DPF onward. This study revealed that the addition of F. verticillioides culture material supplying a level of 300 ppm of FB1/kg of diet is highly toxic to quail chicks, resulting in heavy mortality, decreased growth rate, and significant alterations in hemato-biochemical parameters.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Elevated levels of mannan-binding lectin [corrected] (MBL) and eosinophilia in patients of bronchial asthma with allergic rhinitis and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis associate with a novel intronic polymorphism in MBL.

Mannan-binding lectin (MBL), an important component of innate immunity, binds to a range of foreign antigens and initiates the lectin complement pathway. Earlier studies have reported high plasma MBL levels in allergic patients in comparison to healthy controls. In view of varied plasma MBL levels being determined by genetic polymorphisms in its collagen region, we investigated the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the collagen region of human MBL with respiratory allergic diseases. The study groups comprised patients of bronchial asthma with allergic rhinitis (n = 49) and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (APBA) (n = 11) and unrelated age-matched healthy controls of Indian origin (n = 84). A novel intronic SNP, G1011A of MBL, showed a significant association with both the patient groups in comparison to the controls (P < 0.01). Patients homozygous for the 1011A allele showed significantly higher plasma MBL levels and activity than those homozygous for the 1011G allele (P < 0.05). The 1011A allele also showed a significant correlation with high peripheral blood eosinophilia (P < 0.05) and low forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1)) (P < 0.05) of the patients. We conclude that the 1011A allele of MBL may contribute to elevated plasma MBL levels and activity and to increased severity of the disease markers in patients of bronchial asthma with allergic rhinitis and ABPA.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Metoclopramide for migraine-associated hiccup.

Persistent hiccup can be a distressing disorder. I present a case of migraine-attack-associated sustained hiccup. Metoclopramide can swiftly control both hiccup and migraine headache. Vasopressin release probably underlies migraine-aborting action of metoclopramide while restoration of oesophageal smooth muscle function involves competitive dopaminergic antagonism and a prominent cholinergic agonist activity. Episodic prolonged hiccup associated with nausea is an unusual presenting feature of migraine.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Biosorption of copper(II) from aqueous solutions by Spirogyra species.

Batch studies were conducted to investigate the kinetics and isotherms of Cu(II) biosorption on the biomass of green alga Spirogyra species. It is observed that the biosorption capacity of the biomass strongly depends on pH and algal dose. The maximum biosorption capacity of 133.3 mg Cu(II)/g of dry weight of biomass was observed at an optimum pH of 5 in 120 min with an algal dose of 20 g/L. Desorption studies were conducted with 133.3 mg/g of Cu(II) loaded biomass using different desorption agents including HCl, EDTA, H2SO4, NaCl, and H2O. The maximum desorption of 95.3% was obtained with HCl in 15 min. The results indicate that with the advantages of high metal biosorption capacity and satisfactory recovery of Cu(II), Spirogyra can be used as an efficient and economic biosorbent material for the removal and recovery of toxic heavy metals from polluted water.

Adsorption↗
PubMed2005

Adsorption of As(III) from aqueous solutions by iron oxide-coated sand.

Arsenic is a toxic element and may be found in natural waters as well as in industrial waters. Leaching of arsenic from industrial wastewater into groundwater may cause significant contamination, which requires proper treatment before its use as drinking water. The present study describes removal of arsenic(III) on iron oxide-coated sand in batch studies conducted as a function of pH, time, initial arsenic concentration, and adsorbent dosage. The results were compared with those for uncoated sand. The adsorption data fitted well in the Langmuir model at different initial concentration of As(III) at 20 g/l fixed adsorbent dose. Maximum adsorption of As(III) for coated sand is found to be much higher (28.57 microg/g) than that for uncoated sand (5.63 microg/g) at pH 7.5 in 2 h. The maximum As(III) removal efficiency achieved is 99% for coated sand at an adsorbent dose of 20 g/l with initial As(III) concentration of 100 microg/l in batch studies. Column studies have also been carried out with 400 microg/l arsenic (pH 7.5) by varying the contact time, filtration rate, and bed depth. Results of column studies demonstrated that at a filtration rate of 4 ml/min the maximum removal of As(III) observed was 94% for coated sand in a contact time of 2 h. The results observed in batch and column studies indicate that iron oxide-coated sand is a suitable adsorbent for reducing As(III) concentration to the limit (50 microg/l) recommended by Indian Standards for Drinking Water.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2005

Adsorption treatment and recovery of the hazardous dye, Brilliant Blue FCF, over bottom ash and de-oiled soya.

Two waste materials-bottom ash, a power plant waste, and de-oiled soya, an agricultural waste-are meticulously and successfully used as adsorbent for the removal and recovery of a hazardous triphenylmethane dye, Brilliant Blue FCF. Both the materials were characterized by chemical analysis, IR, DTA, SEM and XRD studies. Their physical characteristics like surface area, porosity, density and loss on ignition were also determined. The adsorption of the dye over both materials was achieved under different pH, adsorbate concentration, sieve size, adsorbent dosage, contact time and temperature, etc. conditions. For both the systems Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherm models were applied and, based on these models, useful thermodynamic parameters were calculated. For both the adsorbents, the kinetic measurements indicate that the adsorption process follows first order kinetics and film diffusion and particle diffusion mechanisms are operative at lower and higher concentrations, respectively, in each case. By percolating the dye solution through fixed-bed columns the bulk removal of the Brilliant Blue FCF was carried out and necessary parameters were determined to find out the percentage saturation of both the columns. Recovery of Brilliant Blue FCF was made by eluting dilute NaOH of pH 11 through each column.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2005

The burden of cholera in the slums of Kolkata, India: data from a prospective, community based study.

AIMS: To conduct a prospective, community based study in an impoverished urban site in Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) in order to measure the burden of cholera, describe its epidemiology, and search for potential risk factors that could be addressed by public health strategies. METHODS: The study population was enumerated at the beginning and end of the study period. Surveillance through five field outposts and two referral hospitals for acute, watery, non-bloody diarrhoea was conducted from 1 May 2003 to 30 April 2004. Data and a stool sample for culture of Vibrio cholerae were collected from each patient. Treatment was provided in accordance with national guidelines. RESULTS: From 62 329 individuals under surveillance, 3284 diarrhoea episodes were detected, of which 3276 (99%) had a stool sample collected and 126 (4%) were culture confirmed cholera. Nineteen (15%) were children less than 2 years of age, 29 (23%) had severe dehydration, and 48 (38%) were hospitalised. Risk factors for cholera included a household member with cholera during the period of surveillance, young age, and lower educational level. CONCLUSIONS: There was a substantial burden of cholera in Kolkata with risk factors not easily amenable to intervention. Young children bear the brunt not only of diarrhoeal diseases in general, but of cholera as well. Mass vaccination could be a potentially useful tool to prevent and control seasonal cholera in this community.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Adsorption and desorption studies of a water soluble dye, Quinoline Yellow, using waste materials.

Bottom ash, a power plant waste, and de-oiled soya, an agricultural waste material, were employed for the removal and recovery of Quinoline Yellow, a water-soluble dye. Characterization of adsorbent materials was made by their infrared and differential thermal analysis curves. Along with batch adsorption studies, which involve effect of pH, adsorbate concentration, sieve size, adsorbent dosage, contact time, temperature, etc., kinetic studies and column operations were also made to remove the dye from wastewater. On the basis of kinetic studies, specific rate constants involved in the processes were calculated and first-order adsorption kinetics was observed in both the cases. The paper also incorporates Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherm models, which are used to calculate thermodynamic parameters and also to suggest a plausible mechanism of the ongoing adsorption processes. Fixed bed columns were prepared for both the adsorbents and bulk removal of the dye was achieved by eluting aqueous solution of the dye and saturation factor for both columns were evaluated. Dilute NaOH solution was then percolated through the exhausted columns to recover the adsorbed dye.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2005

Association of the PIM3 allele of the alpha-1-antitrypsin gene with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

OBJECTIVE: The study investigated the association of genetic polymorphism of the alpha1AT gene with COPD. DESIGN AND METHODS: The mutations and polymorphism of alpha1AT gene were investigated by DNA sequence analysis using polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The frequency of the PIM3 allele in COPD patients was found to be significantly higher than the controls (P < 0.0001). Five SNPs, including a novel SNP (24_25insA), were observed near the junction of exon-intron I. The occurrence of these SNPs didn't show any association with COPD. However, the PIM3 allele of the alpha1AT gene was found to be associated with COPD. CONCLUSION: The PIM3 allele of the alpha1AT gene is found to have an association with the pathogenesis of COPD in the Indian population.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Separation of 9-methoxycamptothecin and camptothecin from Nothapodytes foetida by semipreparative HPLC.

The present work describes the isolation of camptothecin and 9-methoxycamptothecin from the aerial parts of Nothapodytes foetida by semipreparative high-performance liquid chromatography because the separation of compounds by conventional procedures is tedious and cumbersome. The purity of the isolates is determined by physicochemical data and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Camptothecin↗