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Biomedical subjects

B Shah

Publications and source records attributed to B Shah.

85 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Knowledge, attitude and practice of immunization in an urban educated population.

A KAP evaluation of urban educated parents revealed suboptimal, superficial transfer of immunization knowledge. Poorer dose-related knowledge as compared to vaccine awareness contributed to partial immunization. Non-availability of vaccine contributed to 18.7% unprotected children, and therefore all logistics must be overcome to remedy service default. The unacceptable level of knowledge found in final year nursing and medical students, points out the need to restructure immunization related teaching in our hospitals. Incorporation of immunization based knowledge in high school curriculum is also recommended. It is important that areas of relevant information and education must be delineated time to time with increasing vaccination coverage.

Educational Status↗

The effects of diabetes mellitus on the material properties of human metatarsal bones.

While some investigations have focused on the effect of diabetes on the material properties of connective tissue in both the human and animal model, no study to date has investigated the effects of the disease process on human metatarsal bones. This investigation compared the material properties of human metatarsal bones from young diabetic donors (51.3 +/- 8 years) and older nondiabetic donors (72.3 +/- 10 years). The results demonstrated no significant differences between the two groups. This would seem to suggest that the effects of aging are comparable to the effects of diabetes on the structural integrity of human metatarsal bones.

Adult↗

Comparison of N-linked oligosaccharides of recombinant human tissue kallikrein produced by Chinese hamster ovary cells on microcarrier beads and in serum-free suspension culture.

Glycosylation heterogeneity in recombinant human tissue kallikrein (r-HuTK) produced by Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells from microcarrier culture and from a serum-free suspension cell recycle process has been compared. Significant differences in the degree of sialylation were observed in glycoform distribution and oligosaccharide heterogeneity. High-performance liquid chromatography with a pellicular anion-exchange column under low pH eluant conditions was used to characterize the number and types of N-linked complex type oligosaccharides present. The oligosaccharides were released by N-glycanase and, after reduction, were resolved into a number of peaks containing one, two, three, and four sialic acids with an additional subfractionation based on the nature of the antennary structure. The microcarrier process resulted in a reduced amount of sialylated oligosaccharide species as compared to the suspension cell process. Removal of sialic acid followed by chromatography of the asialooligosaccharides under high pH anion-exchange conditions indicated that the same antennary structures were present but in slightly different relative amounts. The oligosaccharide profiles are indicative of a highly complex array of microheterogeneity present, encompassing mono-, di-, tri-, and tetrasialylated complex type oligosaccharides.

Animals↗

Variations in prevalence of hypotension, hypertension, and vasopressor use in NICUs.

OBJECTIVE: Very low birth weight infants are vulnerable to hypotension and its associated complications. Vasopressors are used to raise blood pressure (BP), but indications for use are uncertain. Our objectives were (1) to study variations in BP stability among NICUs, (2) to investigate inter-NICU differences in vasopressor use, and (3) to address the association between intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and abnormal BPs. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 1288 infants with birth weight <1500 g were admitted to six NICUs in Massachusetts and Rhode Island over 21 months. The lowest and highest mean BPs were collected within the first 12 hours. Also recorded were the use of vasopressors within the first 24 hours and the occurrence of IVH. Logistic regressions were used to model outcomes, controlling for gestational age and illness severity using the Score for Neonatal Acute Physiology. RESULTS: Two of the six NICUs had significantly higher percentages of infants with at least one hypotensive BP, with prevalences of 24% to 45%. Percentages of infants treated with vasopressors ranged from 4% to 39%. This range of vasopressor use could not be explained by inter-NICU differences in birth weight, illness severity, or rates of hypotension. We found a borderline association between severe IVH and hypotension (odds ratio 1.6, p=0.055), but not between severe IVH and hypertension. CONCLUSION: Wide differences exist in the prevalence of hypotension, hypertension, and vasopressor use among NICUs. We also found an association between hypotension and IVH, but not between hypertension and IVH.

Cerebral Hemorrhage↗

Buccal cellulitis.

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Cellulitis↗

Imaging findings in a giant hepatic artery aneurysm.

A rare case of relatively asymptomatic giant hepatic artery aneurysm of atherosclerotic aetiology is presented. The importance of imaging findings in the diagnosis of this condition and the differential diagnosis including the pertinent literature on the topic is discussed.

Adult↗

Prevalence and risk factors for bronchial asthma in Indian adults: a multicentre study.

BACKGROUND: There is limited information on field epidemiology of bronchial asthma in Indian adults. OBJECTIVES: To estimate prevalence of bronchial asthma in different regions of India and to define risk factors influencing disease prevalence. METHODS: A field study was conducted at Chandigarh, Delhi, Kanpur and Bangalore through a two stage stratified (urban/ rural) sampling and uniform methodology using a previously validated questionnaire. Asthma was diagnosed if the respondent answered affirmatively both to (a) whistling sound from chest, or chest tightness, or breathlessness in morning, and (b) having suffered from asthma, or having an attack of asthma in the past 12 months, or using bronchodilators. Besides demographic data, information on smoking habits, domestic cooking fuel used, atopic symptoms, and family history suggestive of asthma was also collected. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression modelling was performed to calculate odds ratio of various potential risk factors. RESULTS: Data from 73605 respondents (37682 men, 35923 women) were analysed. One or more respiratory symptoms were present in 4.3-10.5% subjects. Asthma was diagnosed in 2.28%, 1.69%, 2.05 and 3.47% respondents respectively at Chandigarh, Delhi, Kanpur and Bangalore, with overall prevalence of 2.38%. Female sex, advancing age, usual residence in urban area, lower socio-economic status, history suggestive of atopy, history of asthma in a first degree relative, and all forms of tobacco smoking were associated with significantly higher odds of having asthma. CONCLUSION: Prevalence estimates of asthma in adults in this study, although lower than several previously reported figures, point to a high overall national burden of disease.

Adolescent↗

A multicentric study on epidemiology of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and its relationship with tobacco smoking and environmental tobacco smoke exposure.

INTRODUCTION: Population prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and its relationship with tobacco smoking, environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure and other variables were studied in adult subjects of 35 years and above at four different centres in India. Question-items for the diagnosis of COPD were included in the questionnaire used for the field study on asthma epidemiology. METHODS: Field surveys were conducted in both the urban and the rural populations at Bangalore, Chandigarh, Delhi and Kanpur with the help of a structured and validated questionnaire for diagnosis of asthma and COPD. Separate sets of questions were used for the diagnoses of the two diseases. A two-stage stratified sample design was employed where a village or an urban locality formed the first stage unit and a household formed the second stage unit. A uniform methodology was used at all the four centres and the analyses were done at the central coordinating centre--Chandigarh. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, defined by chronic bronchitis (CB) criteria, was diagnosed from the presence of cough and expectoration on most of the days for at least three months in a year for two consecutive years or more. RESULTS: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was diagnosed in 4.1% of 35295 subjects, with a male to female ratio of 1.56:1 and a smoker to nonsmoker ratio of 2.65: 1. Prevalence among bidi and cigarette smokers was 8.2% and 5.9%, respectively. Odds ratio (OR) for COPD was higher for men, elderly individuals, lower socio-economic status and urban (or mixed) residence. Environmental tobacco smoke exposure among nonsmokers had an OR of 1.4(95% CI 1.21-1.61). Combined exposure to both ETS and solid fuel combustion had higher OR than for ETS exposure alone. CONCLUSIONS: Population prevalence of COPD is very high in India with some centre to centre differences. Smoking of both bidis and cigarettes, and ETS exposure among nonsmokers, were two important risk factors at all centres. It is important to employ uniform methodology for assessment of national burden and disease-surveillance programme.

Adult↗

Household environmental tobacco smoke exposure, respiratory symptoms and asthma in non-smoker adults: a multicentric population study from India.

BACKGROUND: Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is a risk factor for childhood asthma. Its association with asthma in adults is less clear. METHODS: In a multicentric population study on asthma prevalence in adults, specific enquiries were made into childhood and adulthood exposure to household ETS, and its relationship with asthma diagnosis were analysed. RESULTS: From a total of 73605 respondents, 62109 were studied after excluding current or past smokers. Overall observed prevalence of asthma was 2.0% (men 1.5%,women 2.5%, p < 0.001). Of all asthma patients, history of ETS exposure was available in 48.6 percent. Prevalence of asthma in the ETS exposed subjects was higher compared to non-exposed individuals (2.2% vs 1.9%, p < 0.05). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed a higher risk of having asthma in persons who were exposed to ETS compared to those not exposed (odds ratio [OR] 1.22, 95% CI 1.08-1.38) after adjusting for age, gender, usual residence, exposure to biomass fuels and atopy. Stratification of ETS exposure revealed that exposure during childhood and both during childhood and adulthood were significantly associated with asthma prevalence. Exposure only in adulthood was not a significant risk factor (OR 1.13, 95% CI 0.95-1.33). Persons reporting combined environmental tobacco smoke exposure from parents during childhood and spouse during adulthood had highest risk of having asthma (OR 1.69, 95% CI 1.38-2.07). Environmental tobacco smoke exposure was also significantly associated with prevalence of respiratory symptoms such as wheezing, cough and breathlessness. CONCLUSIONS: Environmental tobacco smoke exposure during childhood is an important risk factor for asthma and respiratory symptoms in non-smoking adults.

Adolescent↗

Tobacco smoking in India: prevalence, quit-rates and respiratory morbidity.

BACKGROUND: Population prevalence of tobacco smoking especially with reference to detailed habits such as the amount smoked, the smoking forms, quit-rates and relationship with demographic variables were studied at four different centres in India along with the study on epidemiology of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. METHODS: The study population included adults of over 15 years of age selected with two-stage stratified random sample design. A specifically designed questionnaire was used for the study. RESULTS: There were 11496 (15.6%) ever smokers in the study sample of 73605 subjects. Among 37682 males, 10756 (28.5%) were ever smokers and among 35923 females, 740 (2.1%) were ever smokers. Bidi was the commonest form of smoking, more so in the rural areas. The mean number of cigarettes/bidis smoked per day was 14 (+/- 11.5) and the mean age of starting smoking was 20.5 (+/- 20.0) years. Increasing age, low socio-economic status and rural residence were important factors associated with smoking. Vigorous anti-tobacco measures under the tobacco control programmes yielded only a quit-rate of 10 percent. Nearly 14% of ever smokers had some respiratory symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: A substantial proportion of population in India has current or past smoking habit with higher prevalence among males than females. The quit-rates have been low in spite of the various anti-tobacco measures. There is a significant respiratory morbidity associated with smoking.

Adolescent↗

Dyslipidemia in patients with chronic renal failure and in renal transplant patients.

Indian studies on lipid profile abnormalities in chronic renal failure (CRF) have varied from no abnormalities at all to significant abnormality (hypertriglyceridemia and reduced HDL) as described in the Western literature. Moreover, there is no Indian study on the effect of renal transplantation on the abnormal lipid profile of CRF. The aim of our study was to determine the lipid profile of CRF patients on conservative treatment, end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on maintenance hemodialysis (HD) treatment and renal transplant patients. We also looked at the effect of fish oil rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (Max-EPA) on hypertriglyceridemia of CRF. The study included 4 groups; Gp I: control subjects (n = 9, age = 30 +/- 5 yrs), Gp II: CRF patients on conservative treatment (n = 9, age = 49 +/- 17 yrs), Gp III: ESRD patients on HD for at least 3 months (n = 19, age = 53 +/- 9 yrs), Gp IV: 3 months post-renal transplant patients (n = 9, age 31 +/- 11 yrs). The lipids and lipoproteins analysed include total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides, Apo A1 and Apo B. It was observed that in Gp II patients triglycerides were significantly elevated (p < .05) and Apo A1/Apo B significantly abnormally lower (p < .001) compared to Gp I. In Gp IV patients, there was no significant difference in lipid profile compared to Gp I. With the use of Max-EPA in 5 patients with hypertriglyceridemia, there was a significant improvement in hypertriglyceridemia (p < .05). Our study suggests: 1) significant hypertriglyceridemia does develop in a majority of CRF patients. The abnormality probably improves with dialysis treatment and renal transplantation. 2) A lower Apo A1/Apo B ratio in CRF patients may account for higher risk of atherosclerosis. 3) Fish oil rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids improves hypertriglyceridemia of CRF.

Adult↗