Biomedical subjects

Vishal Gupta

Publications and source records attributed to Vishal Gupta.

21 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed2002

Evidence for autonomic dysregulation in the irritable bowel syndrome.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal disorder characterized by chronic abdominal pain and visceral hypersensitivity. In this study, resting blood pressure and heart rate were recorded in 20 IBS patients and 23 controls. We assessed pain intensity and unpleasantness to visceral and cutaneous stimuli using rectal distension and immersion of the foot in hot water. Mean resting heart rate was higher in IBS patients compared to controls. IBS patients rated pain intensity and unpleasantness to visceral and cutaneous stimuli significantly higher than controls. In IBS patients, blood pressure was significantly inversely associated with visceral pain and only weakly and positively associated with cutaneous pain; there were no relationships in controls. Sex and anxiety did not explain these relationships. In conclusion, we found evidence suggestive of central autonomic dysregulation in IBS patients.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Proapoptotic protein PACT is expressed at high levels in colonic epithelial cells in mice.

The protein activator of RNA-activated protein kinase (PKR) is a proapoptotic protein called PACT. PKR is an interferon (IFN)-induced serine-threonine protein kinase that plays a central role in IFN's antiviral and antiproliferative activities. PKR activation in cells leads to phosphorylation of the alpha-subunit of the eukaryotic protein synthesis initiation factor (eIF)2alpha, inhibition of protein synthesis, and apoptosis. In the absence of viral infections, PKR is activated by its activator PACT, especially in response to diverse stress signals. Overexpression of PACT in cells causes enhanced sensitivity to stress-induced apoptosis. We examined PACT expression in different mouse tissues and evaluated its possible role in regulating apoptosis. PACT is expressed at high levels in colonic epithelial cells, especially as they exit the cell cycle and enter an apoptotic program. PACT expression also coincides with the presence of active PKR and phosphorylated eIF2alpha. These results suggest a possible role of PACT-mediated PKR activation in the regulation of epithelial cell apoptosis in mouse colon. In addition, transient overexpression of PACT in a nontransformed intestinal epithelial cell line leads to induction of apoptosis, further supporting PACT's role in inducing apoptosis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2000

Traumatic globe luxation with optic nerve transection.

Luxation of the globe is a rare event that results from severe trauma to the orbit, often causing orbital rim and wall fractures. Though associated globe rupture often necessitates enucleation, repositioning of the globe can be attempted in these cases if the globe is intact. We report a case of globe luxation and optic nerve transection with its surgical management. A 17-year-old male presented with anterior luxation of the right globe and optic nerve transection following blunt trauma to the orbit. Computerized tomography revealed an anteriorly subluxated globe with complete transection of the optic nerve and multiple fractures of the orbital walls. The orbit was explored and the globe repositioned in the orbit with reattachment of the muscles. Postoperatively, the globe was in normal position with moderate motility and excellent overall cosmesis. Though the visual prognosis in these cases is usually extremely poor and depends on the extent and duration of injury, preservation of the globe not only helps the patient recover psychologically from the trauma but also allows better cosmesis.

Journal Article↗