Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

I Gupta

Publications and source records attributed to I Gupta.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Nitrites and L-citrulline levels in copper intrauterine device users.

The mechanism of copper in limiting intrauterine infections in intrauterine device (Cu IUD) users is poorly understood. Copper ions may enhance the release of reactive oxygen radicals, which in turn decrease the release of reactive nitrogen intermediates (RNI). RNI are known to have bactericidal effect. The present study compares the levels of RNI prior to Cu-T insertion and at different post-insertion intervals up to 12 weeks. The decrease in RNI was evident by one week and continued until 12 weeks. Therefore, the bactericidal effect of copper in IUD is via reactive oxygen intermediates. The superoxide anion inactivates this active intermediate nitric oxide. Therefore, excess of superoxide radical will markedly shorten the half-life of nitric oxide but will not prevent its conversion to nitrites and nitrates.

Citrulline↗
PubMed1997

Effects of Boswellia serrata gum resin in patients with ulcerative colitis.

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the colon where leukotrienes are suggested to play an important role for keeping inflammation active. Boswellic acids, the biologically active ingredients of the gum resin of Boswellia serrata (Sallai guggal), have been shown to be specific, nonredox and noncompetitive inhibitors of 5-lipoxygenase, the key enzyme of leukotriene biosynthesis. In patients suffering from ulcerative colitis grade II and III the effect of Boswellia serrata gum resin preparation (350 mg thrice daily for 6 weeks) on stool properties, histolopathology and scan microscopy of rectal biopsies, blood parameters including Hb, serum iron, calcium, phosphorus, proteins, total leukocytes and eosinophils was studied. Patients receiving sulfasalazine (1 g thrice daily) served as controls. All parameters tested improved after treatment with Boswellia serrata gum resin, the results being similar compared to controls: 82% out of treated patients went into remission; in case of sulfasalazine remission rate was 75%.

Abdominal Pain↗
PubMed1997

Immunohistochemical analysis of human embryos and fetuses: an insight into the mechanism of subversion of antigenic differentiation in neoplasia.

OBJECTIVES: Immunohistochemical identification of intermediate filaments and other cell identity markers is of immense value in diagnostic tumor pathology. However, the literature contains many examples of inappropriate expression of markers by various tumors or coexpression of two or more markers supposedly specific for different cell types. The present study investigated this subversion of antigen differentiation in tumors by using developing tissues as a model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-five human embryos and fetuses of 4 to 24 weeks' gestation were studied. An indirect immunoperoxidase method was applied to formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections using a panel of 13 commonly used cell identity markers including intermediate filaments. RESULTS: During early development, vimentin was found to be coexpressed with cytokeratin in surface ectoderm, developing notochord, renal tubule epithelium, and intestinal mucosa. It coexpressed with glial fibrillary acidic protein in developing neuroglial tissue, with S100 in cartilage, and with skeletal muscle markers in myotubules. Hence, vimentin represents immaturity of tissues and is coexpressed with specific cell markers to be eventually replaced by the latter. Transbarrier expression of cytokeratin in smooth muscle was also noted. CONCLUSION: The aberrant expression of antigens in neoplastic tissues, as reported in the literature, simulates the varying expression of antigens in immature tissues during development. Hence, it is proposed that the phenomenon of antigenic subversion in neoplasia is related to the process of maturation and differentiation.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1996

Midodrine efficacy and pharmacokinetics in a patient with recurrent intradialytic hypotension.

Recurrent intradialytic hypotension, a complication of hemodialysis, is a consequence of an inadequate compensatory response or a paradoxic response to ultrafiltration-induced volume reduction. We report the use of midodrine, an alpha agonist, in an 18-year-old man with Bardet-Biedl syndrome and recurrent intradialytic hypotension. The clinical features of the intradialytic hypotensive spells are consistent with a paradoxic withdrawal of sympathetic activity, although an underlying abnormality in autonomic dysfunction cannot be excluded. Midodrine significantly increased the intradialytic blood pressure and decreased the intradialytic hypotensive episodes requiring intervention. The pharmacokinetic characteristics of the prodrug midodrine and the active metabolite de-glymidodrine in this patient with end-stage renal disease approximate those reported for patients with normal renal function. However, the prolonged terminal half-life for the active metabolite, de-glymidodrine, warrants careful administration in patients with renal failure.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

A normative study of child development using a culture-appropriate test battery in rural Haryana, India.

A culture-appropriate and simple test battery consisting of 67 test items was developed and field tested in Haryana, India, in 1987-89. Trained field workers administered the tests to 3731 preschool children in 47 randomly selected villages of a district, irrespective of their physical/mental status. Centile age values were constructed for various developmental milestones included in the cultural-appropriate test battery. The locally relevant, simple, and low cost developmental tests and reference values will be used for early detection of developmental disabilities at primary care level.

Child↗
PubMed1994

Hepatitis-B vaccination in pregnancy: safety and immunogenic response in mothers and antibody transfer to neonates.

Hepatitis B infection during pregnancy causes increased, maternal morbidity and perinatal mortality. No specific therapy is available, hence neonatal immunoprophylaxis is recommended by WHO. However, the advantages of maternal immunization are manifold. Therefore, 15 pregnant HBsAg negative women were studied after 3 dozes of hepatitis B specific vaccine. No untoward effects of vaccine were observed and a good immunogenic response with very high antibody titres 178 IU/l and 184 IU/l at delivery and 3 months post delivery respectively were noted. Passive transfer of antibodies to the neonates was 100% at birth but these levels declined rapidly. Hence hepatitis B specific vaccine is safe and immunogenic in pregnant women and protects their babies in the immediate neonatal period.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Copper levels & reactive oxygen species in uterine flushings in copper intrauterine contraceptive device users.

Copper levels were estimated in the uterine flushings in 15 copper 'T' 200 device acceptors. There was a statistically significant difference in the preinsertion and one week post insertion values (P < 0.001). This also corresponded to a high level of generation of reactive oxygen species. The levels of reactive oxygen species were similar to preinsertion values at 4 and 12 wk. The copper values declined over the 3 months but were still higher at 12 wk as compared to preinsertion levels and this difference was statistically significant. Hence addition of copper to the intrauterine device besides enhancing the contraceptive efficacy, perhaps also plays an important role in microbicidal activity and helps in overcoming the infection introduced at the time of insertion.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Active oxygen species in copper intrauterine device users.

The mechanism of copper intrauterine device (Cu IUD) in limiting intrauterine infections is poorly understood. Copper ions may enhance the release of reactive oxygen species which are deleterious to the microbes. The present study compares the oxidative responses of adherent cell population of uterus prior to Cu-T insertion and at different post-insertion intervals. Increase in reactive oxygen intermediates was evident at 1 week post-insertion. However, the release of active oxygen species decreased thereafter. Further, these responses were only a local phenomenon as the peripheral blood monocytes failed to produce appreciable change following Cu-T insertion. Results suggest the protective role of active oxygen species in Cu IUD users which lasts for a brief period. The withering of respiratory burst activity later on may possibly prevent endometrial damage.

Female↗
PubMed1993

Study of T-lymphocyte subpopulation in HBsAg-positive pregnant women.

Pregnancy can alter the immunologic status, especially it can suppress the cell-mediated immunity. The super-imposition of viral infection on the pregnant state leading to further immunosuppression was the subject of this study. 1109 pregnant women were enrolled and screened for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carrier status; 25 HBsAg carriers were identified by reverse passive haemagglutination assay (RPHA) and their T-lymphocyte subsets were determined using monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs). It was observed that there was a significant fall in the total T-cells (CD3+) and T-helper cells (CD4+) in the pregnant HBsAg carriers accompanied by a rise in the T-suppressor cell (CD8+) population as compared to HBsAg-negative pregnant controls. These data demonstrate a weakening of immune status in pregnancy associated with HBsAg carrier state.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Prescription drug use in lactating mothers: an experience at a referral hospital and in a community in India.

The aim of the study was to investigate the extent of prescription drugs administered for common disorders during the post partum period. This is a prospective survey of disorders and drug use in 1) immediate postpartum mothers (n = 200) admitted to the maternity wards, 2) in post-natal hospital follow-up clinic (n = 200) and in 3) the rural home based community (n = 100). A pretested questionnaire was filled in by medical officers after interviewing the mothers. The mean age of the mothers was 25 years and a literacy rate of 50% above the 10th grade. Over 80% of the women were multigravida in the entire sample; 45% underwent Caesarean Section in a hospital; 97.6% had a normal delivery in the community. In the hospital settings 4.1% infants had jaundice and 1% had congenital anomalies. In the community setting, diarrhoea and pneumonia was seen in 2.6% of the infants. Apart from the use of nutritional supplements, such as iron, calcium, multivitamins etc., most commonly prescribed drugs were analgesics (in 70% of patients in the hospital settings, 56% of the patients in the postnatal clinic and 37.6% patients in the community), and antibiotics (90% of the patients in the hospital settings, 86% of the patients in the postnatal clinic and 13% of the community based patients). Antihypertensives agents (2.5% of the patients), digoxin (1.5% of the patients), bronchodilators (1% of the patients) and sedatives (3.5% of the patients) were prescribed to admitted patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Calcium transport and Ca(++)-ATPase activity in spermatozoal plasma membrane vesicles of nifedipine-administered guinea pigs.

Spermatozoal plasma membrane vesicles isolated from distal portion of the epididymis and vas deferens were found to contain Ca(++)-activated ATPase and calcium transport activities. Nifedipine was administered at two different doses (1.0 and 2.5 mg/kg b.w./day) and the effect was observed for both short- (4 week) and long-term (12 week) period. The cellular ionic calcium content and Ca(++)-ATPase activity were observed to be enhanced in the drug-treated animals. The recovery studies carried out after 4 and 6 weeks of withdrawal of the drug treatment exhibited partial to complete restoration of observed changes. The stimulatory rather than inhibitory effect of Nifedipine, a specific calcium channel blocker, on calcium uptake may suggest that voltage-sensitive calcium channels may be lacking in guinea pig spermatozoa. The stimulatory effect of the drug is speculated to be either by inhibition of Na(+)-Ca++ antiporter or G-protein activated agonistic effect or probably due to altered physicochemical properties of the drug-treated sperm plasma membranes.

5'-Nucleotidase↗
PubMed1992

Microbiological studies in mid-trimester abortion with Emcredil versus normal saline.

In 40 mid-trimester abortion seekers, in whom abortion was induced by extra-amniotic normal saline or Emcredil, microbiological studies were carried out before induction and at 24 hours. It was observed that there was no difference in the isolation of organisms from vagina and cervix of these subjects between 0 hours and 24 hours. Thus, this study shows that leaving the catheter in the extra-amniotic space until it is expelled spontaneously does not increase the risk of ascending infection. At the same time, leaving the catheter in-situ until it is expelled spontaneously reduces the induction-abortion interval appreciably.

Abortion, Induced↗
PubMed1992

Use of hepatitis B vaccine alone or in combination with hepatitis B immunoglobulin for immunoprophylaxis of perinatal hepatitis B infection.

The efficacy of hepatitis B vaccine alone or in combination with immunoglobulin in neonates born to HBsAG positive mothers was investigated. Twenty-four infants were given three doses (at 0, 1, 2 months) of the vaccine alone, while 27 infants were given hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) and three doses of the vaccine. Fifty-eight infants born to HBsAg positive mothers who did not agree for vaccination or could not come for follow-up constituted the control group. The overall seroprotection rates (anti-HBS levels > or = 10 IU/l) were almost similar in both the groups at 6 months (81 and 76 per cent, respectively). However, the seroprotection rates in babies born to HBeAg positive mothers were better with combination of HBIG and vaccine (71 v. 57 per cent, respectively). It was also observed that seroprotection rates in babies born to anti-HBe positive mothers were even better (100 and 90 per cent in vaccine alone and combination group, respectively). No chronic carrier was detected in babies born to anti-HBe positive mothers.

Carrier State↗
PubMed1992

Vertical transmission of hepatitis B in north India.

A total of 2337 mother-baby paired sera were screened for the presence of hepatitis B surface antigen. Fifty eight mothers (2.48 per cent) were positive for HBsAg. Six babies (10.3 per cent) were positive for HBsAg at birth. The risk of the babies acquiring the infection during the first year of life varied with the serological status of the mothers. In HBeAg positive mothers the babies were at the greatest risk, with 11/15 (73.3 per cent) babies acquiring the infection by twelve months. If the mothers were only HBsAg positive the risk was lower (17.3 per cent), and if the mother was anti-HBe positive also then the baby had the least chance of becoming infected (9 per cent).

Carrier State↗
PubMed1992

Hepatitis B vaccine alone or in combination with anti-HBs immunoglobulin in the perinatal prophylaxis of babies born to HBsAg carrier mothers.

The efficacy of hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine alone (group I) or in combination with hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) (group II) for prevention of perinatal transmission of the virus was assessed in 21 and 24 neonates, respectively. 58 infants who could not be vaccinated constituted the control group. It was observed that in the unvaccinated group approximately 70% of the infants became infected. In both the vaccinated groups, the seroconversion and seroprotection rates (anti-HBs > or = 10 IU/1) were almost similar at 6 months of follow up, but, at 12 months, infants given HBIG and vaccine showed better seroprotection rate (85%) than those given vaccine alone (58.8%). Immune response to the vaccine was also better in both the groups if the mothers were anti-HBe positive. Despite immunization, 14.2% and 25% infants in group I and II, respectively, became chronic carriers if their mothers were HBeAG positive.

Carrier State↗
PubMed1992

Mycobacterium haemophilum osteomyelitis in an AIDS patient.

Mycobacterium haemophilum is a fastidious species that has been isolated from skin and subcutaneous nodules. The authors describe a case of Mycobacterium haemophilum osteomyelitis and skin infection in an AIDS patient and successful treatment with minocycline.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1992

Epidemiology of rheumatic and congenital heart diseases in school children.

A stratified random sample of 10,263 school-going children in the age group of 6-16 years from government and private schools were screened for the prevalence of rheumatic fever, rheumatic heart diseases and congenital heart diseases. Fourteen children were found to have rheumatic heart disease with valvular lesions either single or in combination eg, pure mitral stenosis (6 cases), mitral regurgitation (4 cases), combined mitral stenosis and mitral regurgitation (3 cases) and aortic and mitral regurgitation (one case). Eight children had congenital heart diseases in the form of ventricular septal defect (3 cases), atrial septal defect (2 cases), patent ductus arteriosus (2 cases) and congenital bicuspid aortic valve (one case) while none had active rheumatic fever.

Adolescent↗