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Biomedical subjects

A Samanta

Publications and source records attributed to A Samanta.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

A clinical audit of thallium-technetium subtraction parathyroid scans.

Eighty six consecutive thallium-technetium subtraction parathyroid scans performed over a three year period for hypercalcaemia have been evaluated. Twelve had chronic renal failure, 11 had hypercalcaemia due to non-hyperparathyroid causes and in 10 the imaging study was technically inadequate. The remaining 53 technically adequate studies performed for hypercalcaemia clinically thought to be possibly due to hyperparathyroidism have been analysed. Of 20 (38%) positive scans, 13 came to surgery (10 correctly localized parathyroid adenomas, 2 with multiple gland hyperplasia, and 1 papillary carcinoma of the thyroid). Of 33 (62%) negative scans, 9 had surgical exploration on the basis of strong clinical grounds and all had parathyroid adenomas. Multiple biochemical parameters have been assessed in relation to a positive outcome on scan. The adjusted calcium-phosphate product and the ratio of the adjusted calcium-phosphate product to creatinine (Ca x P/Cr) were both significantly lower in the scan positive group (P less than 0.01). The scan positive group had a significantly higher mean level of PTH (P less than 0.001) and lower mean level of phosphate (P less than 0.001). The present experience shows that parathyroid imaging is useful in localizing parathyroid adenomas in 50% of cases (10 out of 19). This figure is at the lower end of the range of previously published results. It is less effective in demonstrating multiple gland hyperplasia. The decision as to whether to undertake surgical exploration when the scan is negative has been based successfully on clinical judgement. We feel that an analysis of this nature is important, as it gives insights into the practical relevance of parathyroid imaging in the context of routine clinical work.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1989

Glucose tolerance during pregnancy in Asian women.

The present study was aimed at examining differences in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) between two ethnic populations (immigrant Asians and indigenous White Caucasians) residing in Leicester, U.K. The study was divided into two parts: to determine the prevalence of GDM and to determine the level at which glycaemia may impose a risk to the mother and the foetus. Of a total of 12,005 pregnancies (4561 Asian and 7444 White Caucasian), over a 3-year period, 314 (6.8%) Asian and 504 (6.7%) White Caucasian were given a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) at 28-32 weeks for indications of 'large for date' pregnancies, hydramnios, glycosuria, a history of previous abortions, stillbirths, congenital abnormalities or glucose intolerance, and family history of diabetes. Abnormal glucose tolerance (AGT) was taken as a 2-h venous plasma glucose greater than or equal to 7.8 mmol/l which reverted to normal when formally tested during the puerperium (WHO criteria, 1985). AGT was found in 1.38% Asian and 0.87% White Caucasian pregnancies (P less than 0.01). This was further divided into impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) (2-h value 7.8-11.1 mmol/l) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) (2-h value greater than or equal to 11.1 mmol/l). IGT was found in 1.2% Asian and 0.84% White Caucasian pregnancies (P less than 0.01), and GDM in 0.18% and 0.02% respectively (P less than 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1989

The effects of high dose inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate on glucose and lipid profiles in normal and diet controlled diabetic subjects.

We determined the effect of high doses of inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate (2000 micrograms day-1 for two weeks) on the glucose tolerance test, insulin levels, fasting cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations in fourteen normal and ten elderly diet controlled diabetic patients, in a single blind, placebo controlled trial. No significant disturbance of glucose or lipid metabolism was found in either group. This study suggests that at this high dose, BDP does not exhibit significant disturbance of glucose and lipid metabolism after two weeks use.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed1989

Diabetes mellitus as a risk factor for acute myocardial infarction in Asians and Europeans.

Ischaemic heart disease is commoner among immigrants from the Indian subcontinent than among Europeans in the United Kingdom. The excess cannot be accounted for by differences in smoking, blood pressure, or lipid concentrations. There is, however, an increased prevalence of diabetes mellitus in the Asian population. Separate estimates of the relative risk of acute myocardial infarction associated with diabetes from parallel case-control studies were made to compare the importance of diabetes as a risk factor in the two ethnic groups. For Asians the relative risk was 3.3 (95% confidence interval 1.9 to 5.8) and for Europeans 1.3 (1.0 to 1.7). Calculations of population attributable risk indicated that clinical diabetes mellitus accounts for 21% of the incidence of myocardial infarction in Asians but only 3% of the incidence in Europeans. Diabetes mellitus is of sufficient quantitative importance as a risk factor to account for the whole of the observed excess of deaths from ischaemic heart disease among Asians in the United Kingdom.

Asia↗
PubMed1989

Free radical scavenging by myocardial fatty acid binding protein.

Recent investigations have indicated the presence of a fatty acid binding protein (FABP) in mammalian heart. This protein binds free fatty acids and their esters with high affinity, however, its physiological role remains unknown. Since FABP constitutes a significant amount of cystolic protein, it is likely that it would be a target for free radical attack. To test this hypothesis, FABP was examined for scavenging against free radicals such as the superoxide anion (O2-), hydroxyl radical (OH.) and hypochlorite radical (OCl.) which may be present in an ischemic reperfused heart. Our results suggest that FABP scavenges O2-, OH. and OCl. as indicated by the FABP inhibition of O2- -dependent reduction of cytochrome c, OH.-dependent hydroxybenzoic acid formation and OCl.-mediated chemiluminescence response. FABP was found to be a more potent scavenger of these free radicals compared to bovine serum albumin. Furthermore, FABP was more effective in scavenging OH. than O2-, and inhibited OH. mediated lipid peroxidation process. These results indicate that FABP can scavenge free radicals which may be present in an ischemic/reperfused heart and, thus, may play a significant physiological role in the heart during ischemia and reperfusion.

Albumins↗
PubMed1989

Campylobacter pylori colonization factor shows specificity for lactosylceramide sulfate and GM3 ganglioside.

The specificity of Campylobacter pylori cell surface lectin, a presumptive colonization factor, was investigated using various sulfated and sialic acid containing glycolipids. C. pylori cells, cultured from human antral mucosal biopsies, were incubated with intact and modified glycolipid preparations and examined for agglutination inhibition of human erythrocytes. Titration data revealed that the inhibitory activity was highest with lactosylceramide sulfate and GM3 ganglioside, while galactosylceramide sulfate GM1, GD1a and GD1b gangliosides were less effective. A strong inhibitory activity towards C. pylori hemagglutin was also observed with an antiulcer agent, sucralfate. The inhibitory effect of both types of glycolipids was abolished by the removal of sialic acid and sulfate ester groups, thus indicating that sulfated and sialic acid containing glycolipids with terminal lactosyl moieties serve as mucosal receptors for colonization of gastric epithelium by C. pylori.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Separation of fatty acid binding protein by high-performance mixed-mode chromatography.

Fatty acid binding protein (FABP) (14 kDa), can regulate the levels of tissue free fatty acids by binding them with high affinity. Since free fatty acids are known to accumulate in the ischemic myocardium, it is likely that FABP has a significant role in regulating their concentration in ischemic heart. FABP has recently been purified from other proteins, but the method requires several hours and special techniques. In this report, we describe a rapid high-performance liquid chromatographic method for separating and isolating the FABP from myocardial tissue biopsies. About 25-50 micrograms of rat heart cytosol was incubated with 2 nmol of the potassium salt of [9,10-3H]oleate (25,000 cpm) for 10 min at 37 degrees C. This was then injected onto a Bio-Rad (Richmond, CA, U.S.A.) TSK-125 column. The sample was run using a low-salt isocratic mobile phase containing 10 mM potassium phosphate buffer (pH 7) and 1 mM dithiothreitol, and at a flow-rate of 0.8 ml/min. The heart cytosol, when incubated with isotopic oleate, was resolved into two radioactive peaks, one eluting in the area of serum albumin (retention time 9.6 min) and the other corresponding to a retention time of 12.9 min. The sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic profile of the later peak revealed a major protein band of ca. 14 kDa. Rat heart FABP purified by gel filtration and ion-exchange chromatography coeluted with the second radioactive peak.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Insulin and C-peptide in ascitic fluid and plasma and their relative responses to glucagon in patients with cirrhosis.

Insulin (IRI) and C-peptide dynamics were studied after iv glucagon in 5 nondiabetic patients with ascites due to cirrhosis of the liver. Plasma and ascitic fluid samples for glucose, IRI and C-peptide determinations were obtained before and 6, 10, 15, 20 and 30 min after glucagon injection. Ascitic fluid volumes, estimated by dilution of ip injected PAH, were 6.2 to 20.5 L. The mean fasting plasma glucose [88 +/- 6.7 mg/dl (SE)] and C-peptide (1.40 +/- 0.42 ng/ml) levels were normal; mean plasma insulin was increased (17.4 +/- 3.0 microU/ml). After glucagon injection, there was a subnormal rise in plasma glucose (PG) compared to 5 mild diabetic patients without liver disease (8.4 +/- 3.5 vs 76 +/- 7.4 mg/dl). The plasma C-peptide rise was less than that of plasma IRI (54% vs 192%). The mean basal ascitic fluid concentration of glucose was 86 +/- 9.4 mg/dl, IRI 13.2 +/- 2.9 microU/ml and C-peptide 3.09 +/- 0.49 ng/ml. Total calculated basal ascitic fluid contents of glucose was 5.2-23.3 g, IRI 47, 120-290,000 microU and C-peptide 15,750-66,420 ng. These were 3-10 times the quantity of these substances circulating in the plasma volume. After glucagon injection, there was no significant increase in ascitic fluid glucose or IRI, but there was a 43% increase in C-peptide concentration at 10 min. In ascitic fluid, the molar concentration of IRI was lower and C-peptide higher than plasma, resulting in a C-peptide: IRI molar ratio of 11.31, markedly higher than the published normal plasma ratio of 4.63.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Haemangioma of the maxilla.

Haemangioma involving the paranasal air sinuses is rare. It presents with severe epistaxis or bleeding due to dental extraction and may mimic malignancy. A case of haemangioma of the maxilla is presented and the diagnostic and operative difficulties together with a review of literature are discussed. Bucy and Capp (1930) described primary haemangioma of bone with special reference to X-ray diagnosis. Wyke (1949) was of the opinion that haemangiomas accounted for only 10 per cent of primary benign neoplasms of skull bones. Batsakis (1979) commented that haemangioma of bone accounted for seven per cent of all osseous neoplasms and that from a review of literature he had found no more than 40 such cases. Dahlin (1967) in a review of 3,947 cases of bone tumours, found 47 cases of osseous haemangioma out of which only three involved the upper jaw. Smith (1959) reported that only 10 cases of haemangioma of the maxilla had been published by 1959 and further isolated cases have been described by Sawhney et al. (1973), Pandhi et al. (1977) and Ahad and Chisti (1977).

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Relapsing polychondritis: an unusual cause of PUO in an Asian lady.

A case of pyrexia of unknown origin (PUO) in a 54-year-old Asian lady is described. She subsequently developed ocular and aural inflammation suggestive of relapsing polychondritis (RP) with immediate clinical improvement following steroid therapy. PUO is an unusual presenting feature of RP. The literature is reviewed and the clinical features of RP are discussed.

Female↗
PubMed1988

Large granular lymphocytosis associated with rheumatoid arthritis.

A 74 year old woman with rheumatoid arthritis, hepatosplenomegaly, neutropenia, and peripheral blood lymphocytosis is described. The lymphocytes had a large granular morphology and expressed a CD3+ CD8+ Leu7+ surface antigen phenotype. They did not have natural killer cell function. Southern analysis of the lymphocyte DNA using two restriction enzymes showed a rearranged pattern for the T cell receptor beta chain gene, indicating a monoclonal lymphoproliferation. Large granular lymphocytosis is a rare and heterogeneous phenomenon, which has become more clearly characterised through the application of molecular biology techniques. Most cases appear to be forms of T cell leukaemia with a chronic benign course. The association between rheumatoid arthritis and large granular lymphocytosis is emphasised.

Aged↗
PubMed1988

Synovial fluid and plasma kinetics of repeat dose sustained action tiaprofenic acid in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Tiaprofenic acid is a potent non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug which, in conventional tablet form, has been shown to be rapidly absorbed and eliminated from the plasma, while synovial fluid concentrations remain constant for at least 8 hours. Recently, a sustained action formulation of tiaprofenic acid has been developed to provide the patient with the convenience of a once daily dosage. The purpose of this study was to measure plasma and synovial fluid concentrations over a 24-hour period following repeated administration of the sustained action formulation, and thus determine the pharmacokinetic profile. Eight patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis were included in this open study (of whom 3 were subsequently excluded from the analysis). All were hospital outpatients requiring aspiration of the knee joint. The patients received sustained action tiaprofenic acid in a dosage of 600 mg once daily for a period of 7 days. Plasma and synovial fluid samples were taken on the final treatment day at 0, 4, 8, 12, and 18 hours following administration of the last treatment dose. Areas under the concentration-time curves, maximum plasma and synovial fluid concentrations, times to maximum concentration, and apparent elimination half-lives are presented and the findings compared and discussed. The drug was found to be retained in both the plasma and synovial fluid over a 24-hour period. Synovial fluid concentrations exceeded plasma concentrations at 24 hours in 4 of the 5 patients who were analysed, while in the fifth patient the levels were very similar.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗
PubMed1987

Comparative prevalence of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in Asian and white Caucasian adults.

The prevalence of diabetes mellitus in adults was determined within a specific area of Leicester City, containing 20,053 Asians and 18,068 White Caucasian over the age of 16 years in the 1981 census. Subjects who had ever had classical symptoms with a random venous plasma glucose greater than or equal to 11.1 mmol/l were taken as diabetic. Exact numbers were ascertained from an analysis of diabetic clinic records and specialist health visitor records. The latter have formed an important part of community care for diabetics in Leicester for the last 30 years, and patients are referred by hospital consultants and nursing staff, and by general practitioners. Diabetes was ascertained in 967 Asians and 1194 White Caucasians. Age-adjusted relative risk of diabetes (95% confidence interval) increased in Asians over 45 years of age and was 1.6 (1.3-1.8) and 2.7 (2.5-3.2) for those aged 45-64 years and over 65 years, respectively. Relative risk of NIDDM was significantly higher (approximately x 2) in Asians in all age-groups. Our study shows that in Asians the prevalence of diabetes rises above 45 years of age and that NIDDM occurs more frequently in adult Asians. The causes and long-term effects of this require further analysis.

Adolescent↗