Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

G Singh

Publications and source records attributed to G Singh.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed2003

Detection of early squamous metaplasia in bladder biopsies of spinal cord injury patients by immunostaining for cytokeratin 14.

STUDY DESIGN: A prospective, immunohistochemical study of bladder biopsies taken from spinal cord injury (SCI) patients. OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether cytokeratin 14 immunostaining may be useful to detect early squamous metaplasia in bladder biopsies from patients with SCI. SETTING: Southport, United Kingdom. METHODS: Biopsy of bladder mucosa was taken from adults with SCI, while they underwent an elective therapeutic procedure in the urinary tract. A total of, 54 biopsies, which showed transitional epithelium only with no evidence of squamous metaplasia on routine H&E staining, formed the study group. In all, 22 biopsies, which showed squamous metaplasia on routine H&E staining, acted as controls. All biopsies were benign with no evidence of dysplasia or malignancy. Immunohistochemical staining for cytokeratin 14 was performed on all biopsies in a single batch, using a standard avidin-biotin complex method. RESULTS: All control biopsies showed positive immunostaining for cytokeratin 14 in basal and parabasal cells in areas of squamous metaplasia. Of the 54 biopsies, which showed only transitional epithelium on H&E staining, immunohistochemistry for cytokeratin 14 showed no staining in 47 biopsies. The remaining seven biopsies showed positive immunostaining for cytokeratin 14 in the epithelium, in individual cells or clusters of basal cells, revealing unexpected early squamous metaplasia in these biopsies. CONCLUSION: Immunostaining for cytokeratin 14 identifies an early phenotypic switch from transitional to squamous epithelium in bladder mucosa. Cytokeratin 14 staining is sufficiently sensitive to identify early squamous metaplasia, which is not yet evident on examination of routine H&E stained sections. This early identification may be of use in alerting physicians to change bladder management regimens to prevent predisposition to recurrent urinary infection and progression of squamous metaplasia. A cost/benefit analysis should be performed to assess the feasibility of routine cytokeratin 14 immunostaining of bladder biopsies from SCI patients.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Flawed trial of micturition in cervical spinal cord injury patients: guidelines for trial of voiding in men with tetraplegia.

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study. OBJECTIVES: (1) To raise awareness of flawed trial of micturition (TOM) in male spinal cord injury (SCI) patients; and (2) to present guidelines for trial of voiding in male SCI patients. SETTING: Regional Spinal Injuries Centre, Southport, UK. METHODS: Trial of micturition in male SCI patients refers to discarding indwelling catheters and establishing them on balanced voiding with penile sheath drainage. We describe seven SCI patients, whose trial of micturition was flawed. RESULTS: Two patients (C-6 and C-4 tetraplegia respectively) developed severe autonomic dysreflexia (headache, sweating, and increase in blood pressure) 2-3 h after removal of urethral catheter. A C-4 tetraplegic developed severe urinary infection after TOM. Four patients with tetraplegia started retaining increasing amounts of urine and developed urinary infections/autonomic dysreflexia/hydronephrosis 1-21 months after they were established on sheath drainage after TOM. CONCLUSION: During TOM, patients with cervical SCI could develop autonomic dysreflexia, urinary infection, or hold progressively increasing volumes of residual urine. TOM should be guided by videourodynamics. SCI patients need alpha-blockers, and anticholinergics if voiding pressures are >40-50 cm H(2)O. If high urethral resistances are found, sphincterotomy and/or bladder neck incision will help the patients to void by triggering. SCI patients, who had undergone successful TOM, require meticulous follow-up including urodynamics. Intermittent catheterisation without adequate medications based on cystometrogram may be hazardous, and may result in upper tract damage. Facilities for supplementary catheterisation (three to four times a day) should be available in the community if a patient is unable to maintain complete, low-pressure, emptying of bladder.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Intracellular expression of Mycobacterium tuberculosis-specific 10-kDa antigen down-regulates macrophage B7.1 expression and nitric oxide release.

To explore the role of the 10-kDa Mycobacterium tuberculosis-specific secreted antigen (MTSA-10 or CFP-10) in modulation of macrophage function, J774 macrophages were transfected stably with DNA encoding MTSA-10. Compared to normal or mock-transfected controls, MTSA-10-expressing macrophages had markedly lower levels of co-stimulatory molecule B7.1 on their surface, while the expression of B7.2 and ICAM-1 was not affected. MTSA-transfected cells also produced significantly less microbicidal free radical nitric oxide (NO) upon stimulation with interferon (IFN)-gamma, lipopolysaccharide or M. tuberculosis cell lysate. Western blot analysis revealed the absence of tyrosine-phosphorylated protein slightly larger than 112 kDa in MTSA-transfected macrophages. Moreover, the treatment of control J774 cells with protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein completely mimicked the effects of transfection with MTSA-10, selectively down-regulating NO and B7.1, but not B7.2 or ICAM-1 expression. The observed MTSA-10-mediated block of B7.1 expression and NO release might contribute to the suppression of antimycobacterial response in tuberculosis.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Mineral toxicity and physiological functions in tree seedlings irrigated with effluents of varying chemistry in sandy soil of dry region.

Effluents namely canal water as control (T1); municipal effluent (T2); textile effluent (T3); steel effluent (T4); textile + municipal effluent in 1:1 ratio (T5); steel + municipal effluent in 1:2 ratio (T6); steel + municipal + textile in 1:2:2 ratio (T7); and steel + textile in 1:2 ratio (T8) were added to the seedlings of Acacia nilotica and Eucalyptus camaldulensis. The aim was to monitor the toxic effect of the accumulated mineral ions on the physiological functions and ultimately to utilize these effluents in tree plantation. Foliage mineral concentration, leaf water potential (LWP), rate of photosynthesis (Pn), rate of transpiration (T) and stomatal conductance (g) were recorded. Mineral accumulation increased in the seedlings of T2 treatment. However, the accumulation of Mn, Fe, Cu and Zn was the highest (p<0.001) in the seedlings of T4, T6, T7, and T8 treatments affecting N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and Na concentration. The seedlings of T3 treatment had less Mg, Mn, Fe, Cu, and Zn and medium N, Ca, and P concentration, which were negatively correlated with Na concentration in foliage and the amount added through effluent irrigation. Concentration of N, K, Ca, Mg, and Na was higher in the foliage of A. nilotica whereas P, Mn, Fe, Cu, and Zn were high in E. camaldulensis. Early two months data showed reduction (p<0.01) in Pn (87%), T (81%), g (67%), and LWP as a result of metal stresses (toxicity) in T6, T7, and T8 seedlings. E. camaldulensis maintained high LWP and Pn and low T and g compared to A. nilotica. High LWP in the seedlings of T2 was associated (p<0.05) high Pn, T, and g. However, these physiological parameters lowered in the seedlings of T3 and T5. Seedlings of T1, T2, and T5 maintained high LWP, Pn, T, and g throughout the experimental period. These parameters however, decreased (p<0.01) in the seedlings of T3 treatment subsequently through Na induced deficiency of Mg, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu, and Zn. The enhanced physiological functions in T5 treatment were probably the result of ameliorative effect of municipal effluent through increased mineral status. The study suggests that excess accumulation of Na, Mn, Fe, Cu, and Zn leads to metal toxicity that adversely affects physiology of the tree seedlings. Mixing of effluents and/or removal of excess would ameliorate these toxic effects and could be the better management practices for their use in tree irrigation.

Acacia↗
PubMed2003

Closed chamber thermometry and humidity measurements in normal and dry eye patients: a pilot study.

PURPOSE: To verify the diagnostic value of closed chamber thermometry and humidity measurement in normal and dry eye patients. METHODS: In 20 patients (40 eyes) with dry eye and 20 normal sex- and age-matched controls (40 eyes), aged from 11 to 61 years (mean 37.52 yrs, standard deviation, (SD) 14.81) temperature was measured by infrared thermometry and humidity measured in a closed chamber 15 mm from the cornea. The temperature reading in degrees C and humidity in % (RH) were noted on closing and then opening the eye for five seconds. RESULTS: The temperature rose significantly, by 0.11 degrees C +/- 0.02, between the closed and open eye positions (p < 0.000) in normal eyes, but there was no change in dry eyes. The humidity in normal eyes in the closed position was 49.50 +/- 4.67% and 50.03 +/- 4.65% in the open position (p < 0.00001). Humidity in the closed and open positions in dry eyes was 52.77 +/- 7.13% and 53.59 +/- 6.75% (p < 0.00000). The difference between closed and open dry eyes was 1.25 +/- 0.40%, compared to 0.54 +/- 0.20% in normal controls (p < 0.005). No relationship was found with age or sex. CONCLUSIONS: Thermometry and humidity measurements in a dry eye patient had a 100% diagnostic value. The reading of no change in thermometry and more than 1% change in humidity were highly diagnostic of dry eyes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

A hypoxic response induced in MatLyLu cells by cobalt chloride results in an enhanced angiogenic response by the chick chorioallantoic membrane.

Hypoxia is an important regulator of hypoxia inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression. Using Dunning rat prostate tumour cells (MatLyLu) we examined the induction of HIF-1alpha and VEGF by hypoxia and if the induction of these proteins would lead to angiogenesis in the chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM). MatLyLu cells were exposed to 1% O2, in 5.25% CO2 and 94.75% N2, or treated with 100 mM CoCl2 to simulate hypoxia. Conditioned medium was analyzed using Western blots for HIF-1alpha or VEGF. VEGF levels were quantified using ELISA. Hypoxia significantly increased both HIF-1alpha and VEGF protein production. MatLyLu cells (1x10(6) viable cells in 50 microl of medium) grown under normoxic conditions induced in angiogenesis in the CAM, evaluated by the formation of a spoke wheel, and in cross sections by the number of blood vessels, following 5-day culture. This response was significantly increased using CoCl2-treated cells. Culture medium alone with or without CoCl2 was not angiogenic. These results provide direct evidence for the role of hypoxia in the induction of HIF-1alpha and VEGF which act as key angiogenic signals.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Concomitant Gilbert's syndrome and thalassemia trait.

A 23 years old male presented with fluctuating jaundice since age of five years. He was diagnosed to have thalassemia trait along with Gilbert's syndrome. He had disproportionately higher bilirubin concentration for either disorder alone. The importance of the concomitance of these disorders is highlighted.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Evaluation of trend in semen analysis for 11 years in subjects attending a fertility clinic in India.

AIM: The data on semen analysis of subjects attending the Fertility Clinic at NIHFW (National Institute of Health and Family Welfare) Munirka, New Delhi for the last 11 years were analyzed to verify the claims and speculations on declining sperm counts in men. METHODS: Approximately 10 % of the records every year starting from 1990 to 2000 (numbering 1176 in total) were randomly selected for analysis. Subjects with azoospermia or severe oligozoospermia were excluded from analysis. RESULTS: The average age of the men attending the infertility clinic was 31.2 years. The average semen volume and sperm count were found to be (2.6+/-0.1) mL and (60.6+/-0.9)X10(6)/mL, respectively. No significant decline in sperm counts was observed in any year during the entire study period. Only 1.8 % of the total number of sperm counts in the random sampling were less then 20 X10(6)/mL. On the basis of WHO criteria on motility, the total percentage of non-progressive and non-motile sperm in the ejaculate was higher (63 %) as compared to the combined categories of slow and rapid linear progressive. CONCLUSION: The present study has confirmed similar findings from other different countries that declining sperm counts in humans is not a global phenomenon.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Courses of substance use and schizophrenia in the dual-diagnosis patients: is there a relationship?

BACKGROUND: Interrelationship of schizophrenia and substance use is complex and multifactorial. Examining the influence of various psychoactive substances on course of patients with pure dual-diagnosis schizophrenia may help to solve this riddle. AIM: To examine the relationship of the courses of substance use and schizophrenic symptomatology in substance abusing "dual-diagnosis" patients with schizophrenia. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Outpatient Deaddiction and Treatment Center of a tertiary care hospital with a retrospective design. METHODS AND MATERIAL: Twenty-two substance abusing dual-diagnosis patients with schizophrenia were investigated regarding the course of substance use (abuse/dependence, use, non-use) and that of schizophrenia (psychotic, non-psychotic, in remission). A graphical representation of course of schizophrenia and substance abuse was made and their relationship studied by superimposition of respective graphs. STATISTICS: The Friedman two-way analysis of variance of ranks was applied to see the relationship between time spent by patients while on and off various substances. RESULTS: In five cases, the onset of schizophrenia preceded the onset of substance use. In seven out of 22 subjects, the schizophrenic exacerbation was clearly preceded by increase in substance abuse in the preceding two-twelve months. In none of the subjects decrease in substance use led to a decrease or increase in schizophrenic symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Although substance use disorder preceded the onset of schizophrenic illness in the majority, and increase in substance abuse preceded schizophrenic exacerbation in one-third of dual-diagnosis patients, overall there was no evidence that the course of substance use was associated with that of schizophrenia after both disorders were diagnosed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Botulinum toxin in the treatment of dystonias--a hospital based study.

BACKGROUND: Dystonia is a neurological disorder usually of idiopathic etiology with a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations. The advent of botulinum toxin has revolutionized the treatment of focal dystonias. This study was a prospective long term study to see the efficacy of botulinum toxin in the treatment of dystonias. MATERIAL AND METHODS: There were a total of 215 injection sessions of botulinum toxin during a period of 4 years and 8 months. Patients were evaluated in detail and their severity of dystonias was graded on objective scales. Botulinum toxin injection were administered depending on the type and severity of dystonias. The response to treatment was gauged in terms of latency, and the degree and duration of improvement. The dosages were repeated as and when required, with minimal interval of 3 months. RESULTS: We had a total number of 215 injection sessions, with maximum patient sessions with blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm (59 and 61, respectively). The lowest dosages of botulinum toxin were required for writer's cramps and blepharospasm (92.5 +/- 5.3; and 122 +/- 5.1) while highest dosages were required for generalized and cervical dystonias (512 +/- 10.5; and 452.5 +/- 8.5). The best response in terms of different parameters assessed was seen with blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm while it was lowest for the generalized dystonia group. We did not observe any declining responsiveness to botulinum toxin with repeated injections. The side effects were minimal and self-limiting. CONCLUSION: Botulinum toxin injection is an effective and safe modality for the treatment of disabling dystonias. Cost is one of the major hinderances to its widespread use.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Akathisia--diagnostic dilemma and behavioral treatment.

Akathisia, an involuntary movement disorder resulting from exposure to antipsychotics, is characterized by subjective restlessness and a strong desire to move about. The diagnosis is often complicated by the overlapping symptoms of pseudoakathisia, chronic akathisia and tardive dyskinesia. This report deals with a patient with schizophrenia who developed akathisia after exposure to antipsychotics. Later, she developed movements that were more like pseudoakathisia and tardive dyskinesia rather than acute akathisia. On failure of anti-akathisia medication, she was treated with a behavioral regime to which her akathisia responded. This behavioral regime used the technique of distraction as a primary tool. This case report highlights the diagnostic difficulties in akathisia and the application of behavioral treatment for akathisia that is non-responsive to anti-akathisia medication.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Studies on essential oils: part 10; antibacterial activity of volatile oils of some spices.

The essential oils extracted from the seeds of seven spices, Anethum graveolens, Carum capticum, Coriandrum sativum, Cuminum cyminum, Foeniculum vulgare, Pimpinella anisum and Seseli indicum have been studied for antibacterial activity against eight pathogenic bacteria, causing infections in the human body. It has been found that the oil of C. capticum is very effective against all tested bacteria. The oil of C. cyminum and A. graveolens also gave similar results. These oils are equally or more effective when compared with standard antibiotics, at a very low concentration.

Anethum graveolens↗