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Biomedical subjects

A Kumar

Publications and source records attributed to A Kumar.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

Antibodies to T- and L-isoforms of the cytoskeletal protein, fimbrin, in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

The cytoskeleton is a complex network of proteins that maintain cell shape, mobility, and organelle function. Its components can be divided into three distinct classes: microfilaments, microtubules, and intermediate filaments. Fimbrins are microfilament proteins, a family of cytoplasmic phosphoproteins. Expression of the L-fimbrin isoform is restricted to replicating blood cells and expression of the T-fimbrin isoform to replicating cells of solid tissues. Sera from normals and from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), juvenile arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren's syndrome, osteoarthritis, vasculitis, scleroderma, and mixed connective tissue disease were tested for the presence of antibodies to T- and L-fimbrin by ELISA, using purified recombinant fimbrin. The mean OD of sera from SLE patients was significantly higher than in normals (T-fimbrin, P less than 0.0001; L-fimbrin, P less than 0.001). 48 of 98 SLE sera had antibodies to T-fimbrin; 32 had antibodies to L-fimbrin; 20 had antibodies to both; 28 had only anti-T, and 12 had only anti-L-fimbrin. The mean OD for sera of the other rheumatic diseases was not significantly different from normals. The presence of either L- or T-fimbrin antibody was associated with pleuropericarditis (P = 0.015), photosensitivity (P = 0.011), and anti-Sm antibody (P = 0.010). Central nervous system SLE was associated with the presence of the L-fimbrin antibody alone (P = 0.016). There was a strong association between DR7 (but not other MHC alleles) and anti-L-fimbrin antibodies in SLE patients (chi square = 18; P less than 0.00002). No MHC association was observed with anti-T-fimbrin antibodies.

Autoantibodies↗
PubMed1992

Modification of radiosensitivity by the so-called tissue recovery stimulator. I. Radiosensitizing effects of solcoseryl.

The effect of solcoseryl on the growth, radiosensitization and ability of V79 cells to recover from X-ray-induced damage has been observed. Solcoseryl at 0.8 mg/ml was the optimal concentration for the stimulation of cell growth. Increased sensitivity to X-irradiation was found in the shoulder region of V79 cells treated before and after irradiation with solcoseryl (0.8 mg/ml). The Dq and extrapolation number (n) decreased. Solcoseryl treatment apparently does not reduce split dose recovery or inhibit the repair of potentially lethal damage. Flow cytofluorometry studies of the cell cycle distribution and mitotic index show that solcoseryl inhibits the expression of radiation-induced cell arrest in the G2 phase of the cell cycle. Although this action increases radiation sensitization, additional mechanisms probably exist.

Actihaemyl↗
PubMed1992

Binocular infrared oculography.

A new system of infrared oculography has been developed which provides binocular recordings and allows simultaneous measurement of horizontal and vertical eye movements. The sensitivity of the system is 1 minute of arc, and it has a horizontal range of +/- 30 degrees and a vertical range of +/- 20 degrees. Using this system for routine clinical evaluations, it was possible to record divergent spontaneous nystagmus and divergent thermally induced nystagmus. Rotatory nystagmus can also be recorded. The binocular infrared oculographic system (BIRO) satisfies nearly all the requirements of an ideal recording system.

Brain Ischemia↗
PubMed1992

A simple radioassay for detection of antithyroglobulin autoantibodies.

Radioassay technique for detection of anti-thyroglobulin autoantibodies (ATA) in serum samples using protein-A rich Staphylococcus aureus as an immune complex separating agent was comparable (r = 0.99; n = 42; P < 0.001) to that evaluated with anti-human gammaglobulin (AHGG). The inter- and intra-assay coefficient of variations were lower (7.4 and 2.2% respectively) using Staph. aureus as compared to that observed with AHGG (10.4 and 4.7% respectively). A highly significant correlation was observed (r = 0.53; n = 71; P < 0.001) between per cent bound radiolabel thyroglobulin in radioassay and log reciprocal titre of ATA by haemagglutination method. Radioassay scored more number of positive sera as compared to haemagglutination method for normal controls (6 vs 1; n = 46) and patients of thyroid diseases (151 vs 70; n = 238). Due to the relatively poor stability of tracer on storage larger inter-assay coefficient of variations were observed with the radiolabelled preparations older than 10-12 days. The radioassay method evaluated is sensitive, reproducible and useful in detecting presence of anti-thyroglobulin autoantibodies.

Autoantibodies↗
PubMed1992

An immunoradiometric assay for measurement of serum thyroglobulin.

A two-site immunoradiometric assay (IRMA) for estimation of serum thyroglobulin (tg) is optimized using partially purified rabbit anti-tg antibodies (ammonium sulphate precipitated) as a solid phase antibody and affinity purified 125I labeled anti-tg antibodies as a tracer. The IRMA correlated well (r = 0.93, n = 200, P < 0.001) with conventional radioimmunoassay (RIA). The inter- and intra-assay coefficient of variation were comparable for both methods. The IRMA method gave a superior sensitivity and working range (2 ng/ml, 3-1000 ng/ml) as compared to that of RIA method (6 ng/ml, 9-500 ng/ml). Using IRMA the total incubation time was curtailed to 4 h as compared to 90 h required for conventional RIA. The shelf-life of tracer antibody used in IRMA was much longer (3 months) as compared to tracer tg (3-4 wk) used in RIA. The optimized IRMA for quantitation of serum tg has superior assay characteristics as compared to RIA.

Humans↗
PubMed1992

An assessment of preoxygenation techniques using the pulse oximeter.

The effect of preoxygenation with varying inspired oxygen concentration on the arterial oxygen saturation during induction of anaesthesia and intubation was studied using the pulse oximeter. Sixty-five healthy, young adults, (American Society of Anaesthesiologists Class I) undergoing elective surgery were randomly divided into three groups. Group I patients were not preoxygenated. Groups II and III patients were preoxygenated with 50% oxygen and nitrous oxide and 100% oxygen respectively for one minute. All were then induced with thiopentone, paralysed with suxamethonium and orally intubated. During intubation, severe arterial desaturation occurred in those patients who were not preoxygenated (lowest saturation was 81.7 +/- 7.8% occurring 87 +/- 24.5 seconds after suxamethonium injection). This was significantly lower than the other two groups (p < 0.001). No patient had clinical signs of hypoxaemia. Patients who were preoxygenated with either 50% oxygen and nitrous oxide or 100% oxygen showed similar and clinically insignificant desaturation during this period. One minute after intubation and manual ventilation with 100% oxygen, the saturations of all patients returned to preinduction levels.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Efficacy of diethylcarbamazine medicated salt in interrupting Brugia malayi transmission in hill tribe settlements in Kerala State.

A filariasis survey carried out about eight years after achieving zero microfilaria (mf) rates following administration of diethylcarbamazine (DEC) medicated salt in the Kani hill tribe settlements in Quilon and Thiruvananthapuram districts of Kerala State revealed that there was no reappearance of Brugia malayi infection in the experimental areas. Mf rates were maintained at zero level in the experimental villages, while in the control villages, 2.9 per cent mf positives were observed. Mansonia (Mansonioides) uniformis dissected did not reveal filarial infection. It is concluded that DEC medicated salt regime in the experimental areas of Kani hill tribe settlements has been successful in effectively interrupting B. malayi transmission. Pilot studies in other B. malayi endemic areas of India using DEC medicated salt regime with the objective of eliminating B. malayi transmission are advocated, since the parasite has a restricted distribution in India and is already showing a declining trend.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Methotrexate: clinical and immunological effects in refractory rheumatoid arthritis.

Thirty five patients with refractory rheumatoid arthritis were given 7.5 mg of methotrexate (Mtx) every week. Eleven patients had to discontinue treatment either because of adverse effects or unresponsiveness. Twenty four patients showed clinical response and significant improvement in ESR and they continued Mtx for a mean of 25.24 months. Seven patients achieved clinical remission as defined by ARA criteria. Immunological parameeters including IgG, IgM, IgA, lymphocyte subsets (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+ and B), C3 and C4 however, did not show any change during this treatment in any of the groups upto 6 months. There was a significant fall in the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), c-reactive protein (CRP) and rheumatoid factor (RF) levels in responders only.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1992

Dapsone in cutaneous lesions of SLE: an open study.

This short report describes a possible beneficial effect of dapsone in the treatment of chronic unresponsive muco-cutaneous lesions of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) without any serious side effects.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Wegener's granulomatosis in northern India.

Till recently, Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) was considered a rare disease in India. Over the last 5 years we studied 13 proven cases of WG. This paper describes the details of the disease as seen in these patients, and response to corticosteroid and cyclophosphamide therapy, and compares these observations with a Western and an Indian study.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Primary structures of alcohol and aldehyde dehydrogenase genes of Entamoeba histolytica.

Ethanol is the major metabolic product of glucose fermentation by the protozoan parasite E. histolytica under the anaerobic conditions found in the lumen of the colon. With the goal of finding new targets for anti-amebic drugs, the E. histolytica NADP(+)-dependent alcohol dehydrogenase gene (EhADH1; EC 1.1.1.2) and an aldehyde dehydrogenase gene (EhALDH1; EC 1.3.2) were cloned. The EhADH1 alcohol dehydrogenase gene encoded -39 kDa protein with 62 and 60% amino acid identities, respectively, with NADP(+)-dependent alcohol dehydrogenases of anaerobic bacteria Thermoanaerobium brockii and Clostridia beijerinckii. In contrast, EhADH1 showed a 15% amino acid identity with the closest human alcohol dehydrogenase. An EhADH1-glutathione-S-transferase fusion protein showed the expected NADP(+)-dependent alcohol dehydrogenase and NADPH-dependent acetaldehyde reductase activities. The enzymatic activities of the EhADH1 fusion protein were inhibited by pyrazole and 4-methyl pyrazole. The E. histolytica aldehyde dehydrogenase EhALDH1 gene encoded a 60 kDa protein, which showed a 36% amino acid identity over a 451 amino acid overlap with the human stomach aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH3).

Alcohol Oxidoreductases↗
PubMed1992

Status of lymphatic filariasis in some select slum clusters of Delhi.

Filaria surveys conducted in some select slum clusters namely Hari Nagar, Yamuna pusht near Vijaya Ghat along the Ring Road and Timarpur in Delhi during 1989, 1991 and 1992 respectively, covering a population of approximately 5000 slum dwellers revealed the presence of bancroftian microfilaria (mf) carriers and disease cases. The mf and disease rates (per cent) in these three slum areas were in the order of 6.3, 2.2, 3.7 and 1.4, 0.5 and 0.1 respectively. The mf density varied from 3.1 to 12.3 per 20 cumm. blood. High ten man hour densities of Culex quinquefasciatus (581) in Yamuna pusht followed by (355) in Timarpur were recorded during entomological investigations. Hari Nagar accounted for least ten man hour density of Cx. quinquefasciatus (160), because collection was made during winter months (November-December). The dissection of Cx. quinquefasciatus did not reveal any human filarial infection except in Yamuna pusht where out of 139 only one Cx. quinquefasciatus was found infective.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Hepatitis C virus infection in chronic liver disease in Bombay.

To find out the prevalence of antibody of hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) in patients with chronic liver disease in Bombay, sera from 126 patients (93 men, 33 women; aged 9-70 years, mean 39.7) with chronic liver disease (cirrhosis 103, cirrhosis with hepatocellular carcinoma 3, chronic active hepatitis 20) were tested for HBsAg and anti-HCV antibody. HBsAg positive sera were tested for anti-delta antibody and IgM anti-HBc. All the tests were carried out by ELISA. Of 126 patients, 51 (40.5%) were HBsAg positive, 49 (38.8%) alcoholic and 21 (16.6%) anti-HCV positive. The prevalence of anti-HCV in HBsAg positive, alcoholic and cryptogenic (HBV negative and no alcohol) liver disease patients was 13.7%, 14.7% and 20.5% respectively. Of 21 anti-HCV antibody positive patients, 8 (38%) had received blood transfusions previously. HCV is present in 15-20% of patients with chronic liver disease in Bombay.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Ultrasonography-directed native renal biopsy: comparison of an automated biopsy device with a needle system.

The authors compared the performance of an automated biopsy device with a large-bore cutting needle system in ultrasonography-guided native renal biopsy. They retrospectively analysed 52 biopsy specimens from 50 adults with diffuse renal parenchymal disease. Twenty-six consecutive biopsy samples had been obtained manually with a 14-gauge needle (Tru-Cut, Travenol Laboratories, Deerfield, Ill.); a second set of 26 samples had been obtained with a biopsy gun (Bard Biopty, Radiplast, Uppsala, Sweden) fitted with a 14-gauge needle of similar design. The systems were compared in terms of the specimens obtained (the adequacy and the quality of tissue, the number of intact glomeruli and the presence of artifacts) and the incidence of biopsy-related complications. Biopsy specimens obtained with the biopsy gun were judged qualitatively as well as quantitatively superior; they contained an average of 17.6 intact glomeruli, whereas only 11.5 intact glomeruli were retrieved with the needle system. Although the incidence of minor complications was lower after biopsy with the automated gun than after use of the needle system (8% and 15% respectively), two major complications were observed after gun biopsy and none after needle biopsy. The results reported here indicate that for native renal biopsy the Biopty gun delivers a higher-quality tissue core with a lower frequency of minor complications, but not of major complications, than the Tru-Cut needle system.

Adult↗