Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

A Garg

Publications and source records attributed to A Garg.

At least 253 records · Page 14Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Half-ring external fixation in the management of tibial plafond fractures.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the management of tibial plafond fractures with a half-ring external fixator using half pins. DESIGN: Prospective. SETTING: University teaching hospital. PATIENTS: Twenty-four patients with AO Type A or C tibial plafond fractures. OUTCOME MEASURES: Outcome was assessed by using standard criteria of time to union, incidence of infection and malunion, and incidence of pin-tract sepsis. Functional return was assessed by measuring hindfoot function. A scoring system, incorporating clinical and radiological results, was used to rate the results. RESULTS: When using closed or minimally open reduction techniques and interfragmentary screw fixation for the articular component of the fractures, the results of using a half-ring external fixator with half-pins were comparable with those of using small wire fixators. There was a 4.2 percent incidence of infection, and 75 percent of the patients had good or excellent results. CONCLUSIONS: A half-ring external fixator using half-pins produces results that are comparable to those obtained with small wire external fixation. However, the technique is easier and safer.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Pediatric acute leukemia presenting as bilateral renal enlargement. Report of a case with fine needle aspiration cytologic features suggestive of megakaryocytic differentiation.

BACKGROUND: Fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytologic diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia involving the kidney has rarely been reported, but acute leukemia with cytologic features suggestive of megakaryocytic differentiation has not been described before. CASE: An 8-month-old male presented with an abdominal swelling, bilateral cervical and inguinal lymphadenopathy and enlarged left epididymis. Ultrasonography of the abdomen revealed a space-occupying lesion in the liver and bilateral enlargement of the kidneys. FNA smears from the right kidney and right submandibular lymph node showed numerous blast cells. Since rare blast cells were positive for myeloperoxidase, a cytodiagnosis of involvement by acute myeloid leukemia (AML) was made. However, following the hematologic diagnosis of acute megakaryoblastic leukemia (M7) from peripheral blood and bone marrow smear examination, FNA smears were reviewed. There were cytoplasmic blebs or protrusions in the blast cells and cytologic features suggestive of their differentiation toward micro-megakaryocytes and megakaryocytes. There was also evidence of shedding of platelets, including numerous giant platelets. The reviewed FNA cytodiagnosis was suggestive of AML (M7). CONCLUSION: Extramedullary involvement by acute megakaryoblastic leukemia (M7) can be suspected based on cytomorphologic features in FNA smears.

Biopsy, Needle↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Biological activity assessment of a novel contraceptive antimicrobial agent.

Microbicides are a new category of compounds being developed as a prophylactic approach for the prevention of transmission of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). These are primarily being developed as women-controlled methods, with the target of designing new compounds or formulations that can be used without the knowledge of a male partner. Microbicide screening can be initially based on their hyaluronidase-inhibiting (HI) activity, as this enzyme plays a major role in the sperm and microbe penetration into the substrate. Derivatives of hesperidin, a citrus flavonoid glycoside, have been reported in the literature for their HI effects. Hesperidin was thereby sulphonated under strictly controlled conditions and the active fraction isolated and characterized, based on its HI activity. This derivative was screened for antimicrobial and enzyme-inhibitory activities, specifically for the reproductive tract. Sulphonated hesperidin (SH) was found to completely inhibit the sperm enzymes hyaluronidase, giving an indication toward its contraceptive effects. It was also been found to inhibit various sexually transmitted pathogens, including Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoea, HIV, and Herpes Simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). Its safety assessment was based on its noninterference in sperm motility and its penetration through the cervical mucus, and no effect on the growth of lactobacilli, the normal vaginal flora. It was also found to be nontoxic to the HIV substrate cells (MT2 cells). The study concludes that sulphonated hesperidin can be developed as a potential microbicide for a dual prophylaxis of contraception and transmission of STDs and AIDS.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Nutrient and food intake in obese women on a low-fat or low-calorie diet.

The low-fat group consumed significantly fewer calories from fat and more calories from carbohydrate at both 6 and 12 months than the low-calorie group, but their fat intake was still about twice their goal at both 6 months (39 gm per day) and 12 months (46 gm per day). The low-calorie group achieved their fat goal of 30% of calorie intake, but they consumed from 300 to 700 kcal more than their calorie goal. Caloric intake, physical activity, palatability, satiety, quality of life, and weight loss were not significantly different by treatment. Two studies, which gave patients hypocaloric diets of varying fat and carbohydrate content (fat calories 10% to 45%) for from 10 to 12 weeks, found no effect of diet composition on weight loss. In addition, one study, which gave patients a low-fat, energy-unrestricted diet (fat calories 19%), reported a weight loss of 10.1 lb at 16 to 20 weeks and 5.7 lb at 9 to 12 months, which is similar to that seen in the low-fat group in the this study. Most of the decrease in fat intake (90%) in the low-fat group resulted from a reduction in intake of fat from fat and oils; meat, fish, and poultry; dairy products; and sweets. The dietary changes in the low-fat group are consistent with those found in one study, which prescribed a 15% fat calorie diet to women with breast cancer. Intake of vitamin C increased in the low-fat group and decreased in the low-calorie group. This difference was significant and was caused by an increased intake of fruits and vegetables in the low-fat group and a decreased consumption of fruits in the low-calorie group. Calcium intake decreased significantly more in the low-calorie group because of a decreased intake of dairy foods.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Significance of free radicals in chronic tonsillitis.

The present study was carried on adolescents suffering from chronic tonsillitis. Blood (pre and post tonsillectomy) as well as tonsil samples were evaluated for -MDA, SOD and Catalase. Our results showed a decrease in level of MDA and increase in SOD and Catalase levels post tonsillectomy. Presence of MDA and SOD in tonsillar tissue reinforce involvement of oxidative stress in pathophysiology of chronic tonsillitis.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Antiphospholipid antibody positive young stroke: an analysis of 12 cases.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To study clinico-investigative profile of 12 young (<45 years) patients with stroke who tested positive for anti phospholipid antibodies (APLA). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The diagnostic, clinical, laboratory and radiologic features in 12 APLA positive young patients who presented with stroke were studied. The APLA analysis included estimation of anticardiolipin (aCL) antibodies and lupus anticoagulant (LA). Other relevant tests included anti-nuclear antibody, human immunodeficiency virus, Venereal Diseases Research Laboratory, platelet count, echocardiography and carotid Doppler. APLA positive strokes were those cases where either the immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) were raised or LA was positive, and other known causes were excluded. RESULTS: Levels of IgG (aCL) was raised in 11 cases (mild 7, moderate 1, high 3), IgM was elevated in all the 12 cases (moderate 2, high 10). Of the two LA positive cases both were IgM positive but in one IgG was negative. Five patients showed small multiple bilateral cerebral infarcts on computerised tomography (CT) scan. 5 patients had history of recurrent strokes. Hemiparesis was more frequent than hemiplegia. None presented with dense hemiplegia. All patients recovered to normal functional capacity and did not have recurrence on drugs. CONCLUSION: A preliminary study on APLA positive young strokes showed certain clinical and radiological features, mild to moderate stroke, pre-treatment recurrences, multiple smaller infarcts on CT, which could be clustered in a subgroup of stroke in young. Incidentally these patients showed a good prognosis in terms of long term outcome.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Epidemiology of low-back pain in industry.

Low-back pain and back injuries are of such a complex nature that any one criterion cannot be applied by itself to give a valid assessment of the risk associated with manual materials-handling jobs. There is no question that low-back pain is an extremely significant cause of disability and has a major socioeconomic impact, but many different personal and job factors are associated with the incidence and prevalence of these complaints. There is a need for ongoing systematic investigations of the multiple risk factors that may be causally related to low-back pain and may possibly be amendable to preventive interventions. Knowledge of workplace and individual risk factors is far from complete. Prospective studies are needed so that factors contributing to the development of low-back pain can be separated from factors resulting from low-back pain. It is difficult to relate low-back pain to the workplace because it occurs quite often in workers employed in sedentary occupations. However, incidence, severity, and disability are all related to the physical demands of the job. In this regard, jobs involving lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling, carrying, and holding; body movements such as frequent bending, twisting, and sudden movements; and working in bent-over postures appear to have a significant potential for producing low-back pain. A combination of lifting, bending, and twisting appears to be most hazardous. It is concluded that lifting heavy loads contributes to increased frequency and severity rates for low-back pain. This is true regardless of whether the lifting is performed over a short period or throughout the day and whether it is performed a few times per day of repetitively. If, however, such lifting is performed repetitively, the medical hazard extends beyond low-back problems to other musculoskeletal strain and sprain injuries and to fatigue-related injuries, particularly for weaker workers. In this latter regard, gender, age, anthropometry, and previous history of back pain are known to modify these risks for populations of workers. The inherent variability between workers and within any worker over time precludes the use of such factors to assign risk to any particular individual.

Female↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Occupational biomechanics and low-back pain.

The basic principles of biomechanics are introduced and explained as they relate to the field of ergonomics, especially regarding the lumbar spine. The discussion is organized into the following sections: biomechanics--an overview, spinal structures and loading, biomechanical basis for low-back pain, compressive strength of the lumbar spinal column, biomechanical models, intra-abdominal pressure, lifting technique, and practical applications. The conclusion lists nine guidelines for understanding the internal stresses placed on the lower back by lifting and thereby for avoiding low-back injuries in the workplace.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Prevention strategies and the low back in industry.

Several different approaches have been tried in industry to prevent low-back injuries. The scientific literature shows that only job-specific strength testing and ergonomic job design are partially effective in preventing low-back injuries. Job-specific strength testing is supported as a means of identifying high-risk workers who need to perform manual materials handling. However, this approach should be carefully validated for its effectiveness before it is used as a form of selection procedure. At present, ergonomic job design offers the most potential for preventing disabling low-back injuries and other musculoskeletal injuries. Quantitative and objective methods (such as NIOSH guidelines, biomechanical models, energy expenditure, and strength data) are available to analyze a given job and to determine the relative risk of an injury.

Ergonomics↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Confusing brand names: nightmare of medical profession.

OBJECTIVE: India has more than 20,000 registered pharmaceutical manufacturers. Consequently, there is a flood of brand names to choose from. We conducted this study to analyse and sort out the multitudinous brand names thronging the Indian market, and identified those that could create a possible confusion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Recent issues of drug formularies like Indian Drug Review, Drug Index, and Monthly Index of Medical Specialities-India were checked and all the brand names given were included. Some other brand names that are available with the pharmacists but are not included in these indexes were also included in the study for analysis. OBSERVATIONS: Potentially confusing brand names were sorted out and categorised according to the severity of damage they can cause if misinterpreted by the pharmacist or the patient. Subgroups were made according to the brand name, the generic name, and the manufacturers of the drug. CONCLUSION: Several brand names are strikingly identical, similar looking (orthographic), or similar sounding (phonological). Preventing this possible confusion is not the work of any one person involved. We describe the role of prescribing doctors, dispensing pharmacists, consumer patients, and the manufacturing companies to prevent "wrong prescribing" due to similarities in brand names.

Drug Industry↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Comparison of exercise and dipyridamole equilibrium blood pool scintigraphy (EBPS) in angina pectoris.

Twelve patients with exertional angina underwent exercise treadmill testing, exercise equilibrium blood pool scintigraphy (Ex EBPS). Dipyridamole equilibrium blood pool scintigraphy (Dip EBPS) and coronary angiography by the Judkin's technique. Dipyridamole was infused through a venous cannula placed in the antecubital vein, in a dose of 0.56 mg/kg over four minutes. Four patients had single vessel disease, three double vessel disease, four triple vessel disease, and one had normal coronary arteries. Exercise equilibrium blood pool scintigraphy was found to have a sensitivity of 81%, and a positive predictive value for significant coronary artery disease of 100%. Dipyridamole EBPS had a sensitivity of 72% with a positive predictive value of 100%. The occurrence of regional wall motion abnormalities, following dipyridamole infusion, occurs up to fifteen minutes after exercise, and, therefore, serial acquisition for up to 20 minutes after the infusion is recommended. In patients with angina, who are unable to exercise because of orthopaedic disabilities or peripheral vascular disease, dipyridamole stress blood pool scintigraphy is a feasible alternative.

Adult↗