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Biomedical subjects

A K Aggarwal

Publications and source records attributed to A K Aggarwal.

82 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1983

Computer modelling studies of the covalent interactions between DNA and the enantiomers of anti-7,8-diol,9,10-epoxy-benzo[a]pyrene.

The molecular structures of adducts between the + and - enantiomers of 7,8-diol 9,10-epoxy benzo[a]pyrene and a double-stranded model for DNA, have been examined by empirical energy calculations. Low-energy structures were only obtained for A form, and not B form DNA. Both + and - adducts are of approximately equal energy. Some structural differences in the orientation of the BP chromophore in the two adducts were found.

7,8-Dihydro-7,8-dihydroxybenzo(a)pyrene 9,10-oxide↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of continuing training on knowledge and practices of traditional birth attendants about maternal and newborn care.

Seventy nine traditional birth attendants (TBAs) of Raipur Rani community development block, Haryana were interviewed to assess the effectiveness of continuing training in changing their knowledge and practices regarding maternal and newborn care. Seventy three percent of them reported participation in continuing training sessions. However, analysis of attendance register showed that only 35.4% had attended more than 50% sessions in year 1993. Most (83.5%) of the TBAs gave advice to pregnant women for increased food intake, 47% advised tetanus toxoid, 16.5% for more rest, and 31.6% for iron tablets. Many of them were aware of maternal complications i.e. anaemia (64.6%), oedema (26.6%), bleeding per veginum (39.2%), abnormal presentation (77.2%) and high fever (48.1%). Risks to newborn like low birth weight, fever, cough/rapid breathing and hypothermia were known to 20.2%, 31.6%, 17.7% and 1.3% of the TBAs respectively. Knowledge regarding causes of low birth weight baby like 'weak' mother, less diet in pregnancy, short birth interval and preterm delivery were reported by 69.6%, 63.3%, 12.6% and 3.8% respectively. About two fifth of TBAs advised referral to hospital in case of prolonged labour and 88.6% for very low birth weight babies. Disposable Dai Kit and weighing machine were available with 32% and 73% TBAs. Significantly higher proportion of TBAs participating in continuing training advised tetanus toxoid vaccination, appropriate feeding practices of the newborn, hospital referral in case of prolonged labour and were less inclined to advise injection to speed up labour. Therefore, efforts should be made to increase the attendance of TBAs in continuing training sessions so as to sustain modern maternal and newborn care practices acquired after initial training.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A serological study of human toxocariasis in north India.

BACKGROUND: Human toxocariasis owing to lodgement of the larvae of Toxocara canis in different organs can result in serious clinical syndromes such as visceral larva migrans or ocular larva migrans. Detection of an antibody response to Toxocara canis excretory-secretory (TES) antigen in serum samples is sensitive and specific for diagnosis and epidemiological surveys. To assess the extent of this problem in northern India, we tested the antibody response to the TES antigen by ELISA technique in subjects residing in a rural area near Chandigarh and in patients attending Nehru hospital, Chandigarh and clinically suspected to have toxocariasis. METHODS: Serum samples were collected from 94 randomly selected subjects, residents of Kheri village, Ambala district, Haryana; 30 patients clinically suspected to have toxocariasis attending Nehru hospital, Chandigarh; 25 control patients and 15 normal healthy individuals. These were subjected to ELISA technique for detection of an antibody response to TES antigen usinga commercial kit (LMD Laboratories Inc. Ca. USA). All the samples were tested in duplicate and positive samples were tested by a different kit (Melotec Biotechnology, Spain). RESULTS: Of the 94 subjects residing in Kheri village and 30 clinically suspected toxocariasis patients, 6 (6.4%) and 7 (23.3%), respectively, were seropositive for anti-Toxocara antibody response. A history of pica and/or contact with puppies could not be obtained from all the subjects/patients, hence the exact mode of transmission could not be ascertained. However, 3 (3.2%), 2 (2.13%) and 1 (1.06%) seropositive subjects in Kheri village were in the age groups of 1-10, 11-20 and 21-30 years, respectively, while 4 (13.33%) and 3 (10%) seropositive patients who attended Nehru hospital, Chandigarh were in the age groups of 1-10 and 21-30 years, respectively. None of the control patients/healthy individuals were seropositive. CONCLUSION: A positive antibody response to TES antigen in 6.4% subjects residing in a rural area near Chandigarh and in 23.3% of patients clinically suspected to have toxocariasis indicates that human toxocariasis may be endemic in certain regions of northern India. A detailed epidemiological study is needed to determine the extent of this problem.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Awareness of AIDS among school children in Haryana.

The study is aimed to assess the existing level of knowledge of school children of 9th and 10th classes about Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Three high schools in an urban area and three in the villages of a district of North India were included in the study. A pretested closed-ended questionnaire was administered to 336 students available. Overall level of knowledge about AIDS was found to be high. However, there were significant differences in knowledge among rural-urban and male-female students. There were some misconceptions in knowledge regarding transmission, prognosis and prevention. Books and media were the most common sources of information. Most of the students wanted to learn more about AIDS. Since overall knowledge levels were high we conclude that AIDS education should concentrate on clarifying areas of misconceptions.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗