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Biomedical subjects

I Singh

Publications and source records attributed to I Singh.

At least 487 records · Page 27Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Endothelin as a therapeutic target in the treatment of cardiovascular disease.

Endothelins, a family of peptides derived from the vascular endothelium and smooth muscle cells possess vasoconstrictor and mitogenic properties. By acting predominantly in a paracrine fashion, these peptides activate specific receptors and have protean effects in normal and diseased organ systems. The wide distribution of these receptors in various tissues mediate the multiplicity of physiologic actions attributed to endothelins. Much of our understanding about endothelins has come from the development of an array of receptor-specific and mixed receptor antagonists. Based on the promising results from animal studies, active research and drug development programs are under way to investigate the clinical potential of endothelin antagonism for treatment of cardiovascular disease.

Animals↗
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Infraorbital crease and atopic dermatitis.

The usefulness of a prominent infraorbital skin crease as a marker of atopic dermatitis (AD) was examined in 500 consecutive school children 3 to 11 years of age. Infraorbital crease was recorded by two trained observers according to a strict protocol, and AD was determined by an independent dermatologist who was blinded to the study design. A prominent infraorbital crease was present in only 4 of 20 (20%) children with AD, compared with 171 of 480 (35.6%) children who did not have AD (p > .05). While infraorbital crease may be of some use in diagnosing individual cases of AD in a hospital setting, it appears to be less useful in population-based studies because of its poor validity and repeatability.

Child↗
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Effects of passive smoking on outcome in pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Adverse health effects of exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) among non-smokers have been studied occasionally in developing countries. AIMS: To study the effects of exposure to ETS on outcome in pregnancy SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A cross-sectional study at a secondary level teaching hospital Material and Methods: Consecutive 576 non-smoking women delivering a singleton live baby were studied. A pre-designed structured questionnaire was used to record the details of exposure to ETS at home. The maternal and foetal variables were compared among those who were exposed to ETS vis-à-vis not exposed. Unpaired Student t-test was used for the comparison of continuous variables and Fisher's Exact test was used for categorical variables. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed after including all variables found to have significant differences on univariate analysis. RESULTS: Of the 576 women studied 141 (24%) were exposed to ETS. In the mothers exposed to ETS, there was a significantly higher incidence of pre-term birth (24.1% vs. 16.1%; P = 0.027) and small-for-gestation babies (31.9% vs.17.2%; p<0.001) as compared to unexposed mothers. The mean birth weight of the babies born to the mothers exposed to ETS was 138 g less than that of babies in the unexposed group (2632 -/+577 g vs. 2770 -/+562 g respectively, p = 0.014). The multiple logistic regression analyses showed that ETS exposure during pregnancy was significantly associated with a higher risk of small-for-gestation babies (OR 2.10; 95% CI: 1.27-3.48). CONCLUSION: Exposure to ETS during pregnancy is associated with higher risk of having a small-for-gestation baby.

Adult↗
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A study on plasma selenium level among pregnant women at Rohtak, Haryana.

Selenium is an important trace element for human health. Selenium levels in mothers may have significant effects on fetal and neonatal nutrition. In a cross-sectional study undertaken in Rohtak, Haryana, plasma selenium level in mothers was investigated at the time of delivery. The mean plasma selenium level in full term mothers (n=82) was 70.63 +/- 1.62 ppb and in preterm mothers (n = 58), it was 63.28 +/- 2.31 ppb. The difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). These levels were, however, below the reported normal level of 75-120 ppb in adults. Rura/urban stay, parity, maternal age, socio-economic and literacy status etc. did not influence the selenium level of mothers in either of the groups.

Adult↗
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Nasal dermoid with intracranial extension.

Nasal dermoids are rare congenital anomalies, which usually present in early childhood as a midline nasal mass that requires surgical management. It is important to rule out any intracranial extension before subjecting the patient to surgery. We describe a case of nasal dermoid with intracranial extension. The embryology of the formation of the nasal dermoid, cyst and sinus, with the role of CT scan and MRI in diagnosing intracranial extension, and its management are discussed.

Child, Preschool↗
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Emphysematous pyelonephritis: a consequence of adenocarcinoma of urinary bladder in a nondiabetic patient.

Emphysematous pyelonephritis (EP) is a life threatening condition of acute necrotising renal parenchymal infection that encompasses a much wider spectrum of complicated urinary tract infections such as renal abscesses, emphysematous pyelitis, pyelonephritis, acute renal papillary necrosis, and sepsis. We report an unusual case of adenocarcinoma bladder in a middle aged nondiabetic patient, presenting with EP. Emphysematous pyelonephritis was the initial symptom in this case with an underlying carcinoma of the bladder. The role of imaging is prime in management of such cases, if an early diagnosis is to be made and a potentially devastating outcome is to be avoided. The literature regarding EP has been reviewed and discussed. The goals of managing EP should be (1) early institution of parenteral antibiotics and a (2) a staged nephrectomy (preceded by a temporary percutaneous drainage particularly with antibiotic resistant septicemia) so as to maximize survival rather than proceeding directly to emergency nephrectomy.

Adenocarcinoma↗
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Effect of adenotonsillitis on peak exploratory flow rate in children.

Peak Exploratory Flow Rate (PEFR) is a simple, economical, reproducible, non-invasive test, which can be quickly performed with ease. PEFR was assessed in 36 children with adenotonsillar enlargement with mean age 10.75 years and equal number of age and sex matched normal children who acted as controls. PEFR was found to be 250. 61 +/- 66.92 lt/min in controls and 216.85 +/- 59.76 lt/min in children with adenotonsillar enlargement signifying impairment of PEFR in children in the second group.

Case-Control Studies↗
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Clinical supervision of nursing students: a survey in Nepal.

Students, teachers, hospital staff and doctors alike indicate a dissatisfaction with clinical and field experience for student nurses. Students often feel lost, insecure and sometimes misused in both hospital and community settings. Teachers are reluctant to become involved on the wards because of lack of confidence in their own skills and potential conflicts with staff. Hospital staff feel that because teachers are incompetent, the teachers relinquish the practical demonstrations to the more experienced ward nurses. Doctors bemoan new graduates who have never been guided to properly execute procedures. How can this fear and resentment of clinical experiences by both students and teachers be alleviated? How adequate is the supervision provided by nursing teachers? These were the questions raised by nursing educators in Nepal. They sought the answers by first conducting a survey of teachers' and students' perceptions of clinical supervision and then using the findings to alert teachers to the problems.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
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Bilateral asymmetry in conduction velocity in the efferent fibres of the median nerve andits relationship to handedness.

The conduction velocity in the efferent fibres of the median nerve has been compared in the right and left forelimbs of 38 human subjects. Six independent estimates were made for each limb. Estimates on the right and left limb of a subject were made at the same sitting. Conduction velocity was faster on the right side in the majority of right handed subjects; and on the left side in the majority of left handed subjects. The mean conduction velocity was greater on the right side in right handed subjects (P less than 0.02).

Adolescent↗
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Nasal mucus clearance in chronic smokers.

Smokers were observed to have grossly prolonged nasal mucus clearance. It was also inferred that the persons smoking bidi/unfiltered cigarettes had significant depression of ciliary activity. The clearance was prolonged as the number of cigarettes smoked and the duration of smoking increased. It was greater among those who gave a history of nasal exhalation of inhaled smoke. Nasal mucociliary clearance measurement is easy to measure and can be a useful index in evaluating the effect of smoking on the ciliary activity of the mucosa of the respiratory tract.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Season of birth in Down's syndrome.

Previous studies have found a summer peak in the birth of individuals with Down's syndrome but have not tended to examine them into adulthood. The aims of this study were to look for evidence of a seasonal effect in birth and to uncover any differences in adulthood between those born in different seasons. The casenotes of all adults with Down's syndrome from the catchment area of a hospital for people with learning disability were examined. A summer peak in births was confirmed. Only 6% of births took place during January and February compared with the 17% expected (P = 0.019); birth during these 2 months was associated with female sex (P = 0.047). There was a trend for those born in December to March not to develop epilepsy (P = 0.053).

Adult↗
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Bacterial pneumonias--evaluation of various sputum culture methods.

With an objective of improving diagnostic value of sputum in bacterial pneumonias, 50 uncomplicated 'community' acquired cases were studied using Gram staining of sputum along with bedside inoculation with/without dilution of the specimen. Gram staining of sputum samples collected before treatment revealed pneumococcal infection in 46% cases. The results were however inconclusive on samples sent by routine procedure involving logistic delay. Cultural analysis of sputum processed by three different techniques showed that bedside inoculation of sputum after dilution to be the most efficient technique yielding Streptococcus pneumoniae in 34% cases, Gram positive cocci in lesser number (20%), Gram negative rods (GNR) in 18% cases. Sputum samples processed bedside without dilution yielded a lower number of pneumococci and other Gram positive cocci (24% & 16% cases respectively). Routine processing of sputum, involving logistic delay yielded a high number of Gram negative rods (62%), indicating their overgrowth. Thus bedside inoculation of sputum after dilution coupled with direct Gram staining serves as a simple and yet valuable laboratory aid in the diagnosis of uncomplicated 'community' acquired bacterial pneumonias.

Bacterial Infections↗