The peak and the trough levels of serum gentamicin were determined in 50 cases of neonates and infants by microbiological assay method. The peak levels in the neonates and the infants were 5.98 +/- 0.48 and 4.63 +/- 0.31 mcg/ml respectively. The trough levels in the corresponding group were 1.06 +/- 0.19 and 0.94 +/- 0.23 mcg/ml. The mean values of the peak and trough levels of the antibiotic were 5.57 and 1.02 mcg/ml respectively. It was observed that there was a significant lower peak concentration in the infants than in the neonates. A significantly higher peak concentration of gentamicin was observed in babies aged under 7 days than in those above 7 days. The route of administration (between I/M and I/V) did not seem to have any effect on the peak and trough levels of the antibiotics.

Gentamicins↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Living non-related kidney transplantation in Bombay.

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Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Detection of 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo [4,5-b]-pyridine (PhIP)-DNA adducts in human pancreatic tissues.

Recent epidemiological investigations have observed an association between the consumption of grilled or barbecued meat and an increased risk of pancreatic cancer, suggesting that dietary exposure to heterocyclic aromatic amines (HCA) may contribute to the development of this disease. 2-Amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo [4,5-b]-pyridine (PhIP) is the most abundant HCA found in well-done and grilled meats. To determine whether HCA-induced DNA damage is present in the human pancreas, immunohistochemistry and computer-assisted image analysis were used to measure PhIP-DNA adducts in 54 normal pancreatic tissues (N) from persons without pancreatic cancer and in 38 normal adjacent pancreatic tissues (A) and in 39 cancer tissues (T) from 68 patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma. PhIP-DNA adducts were detected in 53 N, 34 A and 39 T samples. Mean values (+/-SD) of the absorbency for PhIP staining were 0.22+/-0.04, 0.24+/-0.04, and 0.24+/-0.03 for N, A, and T samples, respectively (p=0.004). Using the median absorbency (0.21) of the samples from normal controls as the cut-off, 71% of A and 77% of T tissues, compared with 48% of N tissues, were distributed in the higher range (p=0.009). The odds ratio of pancreatic cancer was 3.4 (95% confidence interval 1.5-7.5, p=0.002) for individuals with a higher level of PhIP-DNA adducts. This is the first report of the detection of PhIP-DNA adducts in human pancreatic tissue samples obtained from patients with unknown exposure to HCA. Although limited by the small sample size, these preliminary results suggest that PhIP exposure may contribute to human pancreatic cancer development.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Electron donation to photosystem II by diphenylcarbazide is inhibited both by the endogenous manganese complex and by exogenous manganese ions.

Diphenylcarbazide (DPC) is an efficient electron donor to the inactive oxygen-evolving complex of photosystem II (PSII). We investigated the role of manganese on the rate of electron donation from DPC to PSII in both Mn-depleted (Tris washed) and Mn-retaining (NaCl washed) PSII preparations. The rate of electron donation from DPC to PSII was significantly higher in Mn-depleted than in Mn-retaining preparations, indicating a negative role of native Mn complex on DPC electron donation. The apparent Km values for DPC were found to be 0.11 and 0.17 mM for Mn-depleted and Mn-retaining PSII preparations, respectively. This difference in the Km values also indicates an antagonistic effect of endogenous Mn cluster on electron donation from DPC, which was markedly inhibited by exogenous Mn2+. However, the magnitude of inhibition was greater in Mn-depleted than in Mn-retaining PSII preparations. This indicates a higher accessibility to DPC to PSII in the absence of native Mn complex. Our results suggest (i) that Mn, either endogenous or added, acts as an accessibility barrier for DPC to donate electrons to PSII and (ii) that the native Mn complex not only functions as an accumulator of oxidizing equivalents but may also protect PSII from exogenous reductants.

Diphenylcarbazide↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Expansion of hepatic and hematopoietic stem cells utilizing mouse embryonic liver explants.

Ex vivo embryonic liver explant culture is a novel and attractive approach to obtain abundant hepatic and hematopoietic stem cells. Gene therapy of autologous hepatic and hematopoietic stem cells represents an alternative therapeutic approach to liver transplantation for genetic and metabolic disorders. In this study we characterize the growth and differentiation of hepatic stem cells utilizing embryonic liver cultures. Day 9.5 liver buds are microdissected and cultured under specific conditions. Modulation of growth conditions by addition of hepatocyte growth factor, Flt-3 ligand, and stem cell factor leads to enrichment of hepatic progenitor cells in embryonic liver explants. Under these conditions, we also demonstrate the role of a novel marker PRAJA-1 to identify hepatic stem cells and transitional hepatocytes. Utilization of dexamethasone enhanced pseudolobule formation with increased hepatocytic and biliary differentiation. Transforming growth factor-beta leads to enrichment of biliary cells in the culture. Gut formation is enhanced in the presence of interleukin-3 and blood formation by increasing the mesodermal tissue in these cultures. We also show increased retroviral-mediated expression of the green fluorescent protein expression in the expanded hepatic and hematopoietic stem cells under different culture conditions. Thus, the embryonic liver explant culture is an attractive source for hepatic progenitors and is a possible step towards generating nontumorigenic immortalized hepatocytes with possible transplantation applications.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Primary pulmonary hypertension.

Primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH) is a condition characterized by sustained elevation of pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) without demonstrable cause. The most common symptom at presentation is dyspnea. Other complaints include fatigue, chest pain, syncope, leg edema, and palpitations. Right heart catheterization is diagnostic, showing a mean PAP >25 mmHg at rest and >30 mmHg during exercise, with a normal pulmonary capillary wedge pressure. In the National Institutes of Health-PPH registry, the median survival period was 2.8 years. Treatment is aimed at lowering PAP, increasing cardiac output, and decreasing in situ thrombosis. Vasodilators have been used with some success in the treatment of PPH. They include prostacyclin, calcium-channel blockers, nitric oxide and adenosine. Anticoagulation has also been advised for the prevention of deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and in situ thromboses of the lungs. New drug treatments under investigation include L-arginine, plasma endothelin-I, and bosentan. Use of oxygen, digoxin, and diuretics for symptomatic relief have also been recommended. Patients with severe PPH refractory to medical management should be considered for surgery.

Female↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Rational prescription of medicines--a study of indoor patients at a tertiary care hospital.

BACKGROUND: A study was conducted at Ayub Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad, a tertiary hospital, to know whether drugs are prescribed rationally keeping in mind indications, interactions, contraindications, proper dosage and economy of the patient. METHODS: The study was a descriptive case study. Records of 200 patients admitted in various units of the hospital were analysed by a panel of pharmacologists and conclusions drawn. RESULTS: It was found that only 52% of patients receive prescriptions that were rationale in all aspects. Where as in rest of the patients the rationale could be challenged. CONCLUSION: This study stresses the need for more concentrated and dedicated effort towards prescription of medicines.

Clinical Competence↗