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G V Rao

Publications and source records attributed to G V Rao.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Lack of significant association of an insertion/deletion polymorphism in the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene with tropical calcific pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND: The genetic basis of tropical calcific pancreatitis (TCP) is different and is explained by mutations in the pancreatic secretory trypsin inhibitor (SPINK1) gene. However, mutated SPINK1 does not account for the disease in all the patients, neither does it explain the phenotypic heterogeneity between TCP and fibro-calculous pancreatic diabetes (FCPD). Recent studies suggest a crucial role for pancreatic renin-angiotensin system during chronic hypoxia in acute pancreatitis and for angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors in reducing pancreatic fibrosis in experimental models. We investigated the association of ACE gene insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism in TCP patients using a case-control approach. Since SPINK1 mutations are proposed a modifier role, we also investigated its interaction with the ACE gene variant. METHODS: We analyzed the I/D polymorphism in the ACE gene (g.11417_11704del287) in 171 subjects comprising 91 TCP and 80 FCPD patients and compared the allelic and genotypic frequency in them with 99 healthy ethnically matched control subjects. RESULTS: We found 46% and 21% of TCP patients, 56% and 19.6% of FCPD patients and 54.5% and 19.2% of the healthy controls carrying the I/D and D/D genotypes respectively (P>0.05). No significant difference in the clinical picture was observed between patients with and without the del allele at the ACE in/del polymorphism in both categories. No association was observed with the presence or absence of N34S SPINK1 mutation in these patients. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the ACE insertion/deletion variant does not show any significant association with the pathogenesis, fibrosis and progression of tropical calcific pancreatitis and the fibro-calculous pancreatic diabetes.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Association of cathepsin B gene polymorphisms with tropical calcific pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Tropical calcific pancreatitis (TCP) is a type of chronic pancreatitis unique to countries in the tropics. Mutations in pancreatic secretory trypsin inhibitor (SPINK1) rather than cationic trypsinogen (PRSS1) explain the disease in only 50% of TCP patients. As cathepsin B (CTSB) is known to activate cationic trypsinogen, we attempted to understand the role of CTSB mutations in TCP. Evidence of epistatic interaction was investigated with the previously associated N34S SPINK1 allele, a variant considered to be a modifier rather than a true susceptibility allele. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We sequenced the coding region of CTSB gene in 51 TCP patients and 25 controls and further genotyped 89 patients and 130 controls from the same cohort for Leu26Val, C595T, T663C, and Ser53Gly polymorphisms. The positive findings observed in the earlier cohort were re-examined in an ethnically matched replication cohort comprising 166 patients and 175 controls. Appropriate statistical analyses were performed and Bonferroni correction for multiple testing was applied. RESULTS: We found a statistically significant association of the Val26 allele at Leu26Val polymorphism with an odds ratio (OR) of 2.15 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.60-2.90 (p = 0.009)), after Bonferroni correction (corrected p value = 0.025). This significant association of Leu26Val with TCP was replicated in another cohort (OR 2.10 (95% CI 1.56-2.84); p = 0.013). Val26 allele also showed significantly higher frequency in N34S positive and N34S negative patients than in controls (p = 0.019 and 0.013, respectively). We also found significant differences in the mutant allele frequencies at Ser53Gly and C595T single nucleotide polymorphisms between N34S positive patients and controls (p = 0.008 and 0.001, respectively). Although haplotype analysis did not complement the results of allelic association, it did uncover a unique haplotype protective for TCP (p = 0.0035). CONCLUSION: Our study suggests for the first time that CTSB polymorphisms are associated with TCP. As PRSS1 mutations are absent in TCP and the N34S SPINK1 mutation is proposed to play a modifier role, these variants may be critical as a trigger for cationic trypsinogen activation.

Calcinosis↗
PubMed2005

Purification and properties of a novel extra-cellular thermotolerant metallolipase of Bacillus coagulans MTCC-6375 isolate.

A novel extra-cellular lipase from Bacillus coagulans MTCC-6375 was purified 76.4-fold by DEAE anion exchange and Octyl Sepharose chromatography. The purified enzyme was found to be electrophoretically pure by denaturing gel electrophoresis and possessed a molecular mass of approximately 103 kDa. The lipase was optimally active at 45 degrees C and retained approximately 50% of its original activity after 20 min of incubation at 55 degrees C. The enzyme was optimally active at pH 8.5. Mg2+, Cu2+, Ca2+, Hg2+, Al3+, and Fe3+ at 1mM enhanced hydrolytic activity of the lipase. Interestingly, Hg2+ ions resulted in a maximal increase in lipase activity but Zn2+ and Co2+ ions showed an antagonistic effect on this enzyme. EDTA at 150 mM concentration inhibited the activity of lipase but Hg2+ or Al3+ (10mM) restored most of the activity of EDTA-quenched lipase. Phenyl methyl sulfonyl fluoride (PMSF, 15 mM) decreased 98% of original activity of lipase. The lipase was more specific to p-nitrophenyl esters of 8 (pNPC) and 16 (pNPP) carbon chain length esters. The lipase had a Vmax and Km of 0.44 mmol mg(-1)min(-1) and 28 mM for hydrolysis of pNPP, and 0.7 mmol mg(-1)min(-1) and 32 mM for hydrolysis of pNPC, respectively.

Bacillus↗
PubMed2005

Button battery ingestion.

Button batteries represent a special category of pediatric ingested foreign body because of the possibility of serious complications particularly if impacted in the esophagus. We report a case of a 3-year-old girl with severe mid esophageal burns due to a lodged battery. More awareness is required amongst physicians to avert such dangers and ensure prompt removal.

Burns, Chemical↗
PubMed2005

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts complicated by portal hypertension or by intervening vessels.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Portal hypertension often coexists with pancreatic pseudocysts and is potentially dangerous if a collateral vessel is in the vicinity of the needle puncture pathway. Hitherto, there have been no reports of pseudocyst drainage in this setting. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients who underwent endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided pancreatic pseudocyst drainage complicated by intervening vessels were assessed for success and outcomes. An Olympus mechanical linear-array video echo endoscope GF-UM 140D was used for the drainage procedure in all patients. Either a "hot" diathermy technique was employed or a "cold" technique using direct aspiration with a 19-G needle, followed by deployment of a nasocystic catheter. RESULTS: Eight patients with a symptomatic pseudocyst and intervening vessels underwent drainage that was guided (n = 6) or assisted (n = 2) by EUS. All were found to have successful resolution of the cyst at follow-up 6 weeks later, while segmental portal hypertension had disappeared in one patient. There were no major complications. One patient had transient hemorrhagic drainage that resolved by itself. CONCLUSIONS: Pseudocysts complicated by portal hypertension or by intervening vessels can be safely drained under EUS guidance, even in the absence of color Doppler imaging.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Effect of surfactant gels on dough rheological characteristics and quality of bread.

Sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate (SSL), diacetyl tartaric acid esters of monoglyceride (DATEM), glycerol monostearate (GMS), and distilled glycerol monostearate (DGMS) surfactant gels were made with water and varying shortening contents. The effect of these gels on dough rheological characteristics and quality of bread was investigated. Overall, the surfactant gels improved the farinograph and extensograph characteristics of wheat flour, but the improvement reduced to some extent with the presence of shortening in the gels. Alveograph data indicated that dough properties improved with the addition of surfactant gels. Shortening in gels showed varying influence on the dough alveograph properties of wheat flour. The results indicated that the surfactant gels changed the rapid visco analyzer characteristics of wheat flour, and the presence of shortening in gels further altered the characteristics. All surfactant gels improved the volume, specific volume, texture, and overall quality scores of bread, but the improvement varied for different surfactants. By increasing the addition of shortening in gels, though the quality characteristics further improved, the response to surfactants reduced by increasing shortening content.

Bread↗
PubMed2004

Wireless capsule endoscopy: experience in a tropical country.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Capsule endoscopy is fast becoming the procedure of choice for small bowel imaging, especially to investigate the cause of unexplained gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. We report our experience with capsule endoscopy in 24 cases with various indications. METHODS: In patients with unexplained GI bleeding or chronic anemia, the cause could be established in nine of 12 cases (75%), which included angioectasiae, leiomyomata and parasitic infestation. RESULTS: The yield of capsule endoscopy was highest in patients presenting with chronic diarrhea and suspicion of small bowel mucosal disease, where Crohn's disease and tuberculosis could be diagnosed. However, in patients with unexplained abdominal pain, capsule endoscopy was found to be least useful because 5/7 patients in the study were normal, emphasizing the importance of case selection. Overall, capsule endoscopy yielded a positive diagnosis in 16 of the 24 cases (66.6%). CONCLUSIONS: The experience of capsule endoscopy in a tropical clinical setting is no different from elsewhere, although certain conditions like worm infestation are more likely to be detected in this environment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Absence of PRSS1 mutations and association of SPINK1 trypsin inhibitor mutations in hereditary and non-hereditary chronic pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Mutations in the cationic trypsinogen (protease, serine, 1 (trypsin 1); PRSS1) gene are causally associated with recurrent acute and chronic pancreatitis. We investigated whether mutations in the PRSS1 gene are associated with hereditary and non-hereditary pancreatitis. As a modifier role has been proposed for trypsin inhibitor (serine protease inhibitor, Kazal type I; SPINK1) mutations, the role of SPINK1 mutations in these patients was also analysed. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The coding regions of PRSS1 and SPINK1 genes were sequenced in 290 controls and 198 patients, of whom 120 were diagnosed as idiopathic (ICP), 41 as alcoholic (ACP), and 37 as hereditary pancreatitis (HP). Twenty four unaffected relatives of HP probands were also analysed and genotype-phenotype correlations and statistical analyses were performed. RESULTS: No mutations in the PRSS1 gene were detected in any of the patients, including HP patients, while the N34S mutation was observed in the SPINK1 gene in the majority of HP patients (73%). Similarly, 26.8% of ACP (11 of 41) and 32.5% (39 of 120) of ICP patients also had SPINK1 mutations. The N34S mutation was observed in both homozygous and heterozygous conditions. In comparison, only 2.76% of the control population had the N34S allele (p<0.001). The P55S mutation was observed in one ICP and one ACP patient, and in three normal individuals. Genotype-phenotype correlations did not suggest any significant difference in the age of onset, severity of disease, or pancreatic endocrine insufficiency in patients with or without mutated SPINK1 and irrespective of the allelic status of N34S SPINK1. CONCLUSIONS: Irrespective of the aetiology, mutations in the PRSS1 gene are not associated with chronic pancreatitis, including HP. In contrast, the N34S mutation in the SPINK1 gene shows a significant correlation in these patients. A comparable phenotype in terms of age of onset, diabetes mellitus, and other phenotypic features in patients with or without SPINK1 mutations and N34S homozygotes and heterozygotes suggests that there may still be involvement of other genetic or environmental factors.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Timed activity studies for assessing the energy expenditure of women from an urban slum in south India.

Time-disposition studies are necessary for computing energy requirements of populations. This study captures the rich information on the timed activity pattern of adult women from poor households engaged in home-based work. We studied 34 women beedimakers (cigarette makers), 21 tailors, and 34 homemakers. Data were collected by direct observation of the women's activities on a typical day. Time spent on related activities was pooled and classified as sleep, household work, child care, occupational work, and residual work. These were further categorized on the basis of our published work on the energy cost of women's activities and the World Health Organization (WHO) classification of occupational activities as sedentary, moderate, and heavy. Most of the household activities could be classified as moderate to heavy (> 2.2 times basal metabolic rate [BMR]). Childcare activities were distributed on a scale from sedentary to heavy, whereas occupational activities, such as beedimaking and tailoring, were sedentary (< 2.2 BMR). Homemakers spent significantly more time on moderate to heavy work (p < .05) than beedimakers and tailors. Women working for income spent only four to six hours on occupational work, which was possible because they reduced the time spent on heavy work (i.e., housework), and reduced the time on personal care. Still, more than 80% of women could not put in eight hours of paid work. Thus, women in the home-based sector constantly negotiate among time spent on heavy household work, child care, and occupational work in order to continue in the labor market.

Adult↗