Pediatric endocrinology in India: present and future.
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to M Desai.
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Ribosomal RNA gene restriction patterns (ribopatterns) of 72 strains representing Campylobacter jejuni (subspecies jejuni and doylei), C. coli, C. upsaliensis and C. lari including the urealytic (UPTC) biovar were determined using four common restriction endonucleases (HaeIII, HindIII, PstI and PvuII). The relative effectiveness of these enzymes for general molecular typing of the thermotolerant campylobacters was assessed. Ribotypes (HaeIII) were defined on the basis of computer-assisted numerical analysis. For C. jejuni, C. coli and C. lari, the HaeIII ribopatterns provided a high level of typability and discrimination, with patterns that were reproducible and easy to code for numerical analysis. There was evidence of diversity within three of the HaeIII types, and PstI ribopatterns proved the most reliable for detecting such differences. C. upsaliensis also could be ribotyped with HaeIII, but HindIII, PvuII and PstI were less satisfactory for this species. For such campylobacters, the HindIII ribopatterns generally were complex and difficult to compare, and the PvuII profiles provided the least discrimination. We conclude that the choice of restriction endonuclease is of critical importance when applying ribotyping to different species of Campylobacter. HaeIII ribopatterns were the most effective means of typing strains of different thermotolerant species of campylobacters and, when combined with PstI ribopatterns, offered a highly discriminatory basis for molecular typing.
The well-demonstrated "fetal programming" paradigm is based on the observation that environmental changes can reset the developmental path and thus, gene expression during intrauterine development. As appetite-regulatory neural pathways develop in utero, we sought to determine the ontogenic expression of putative orexigenic and anorexigenic feeding-regulatory peptides in the fetal rat brain and placenta during the last third of gestation. Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 12) at D14, D16 and D18 were sacrificed and fetal whole brain and placenta removed and examined for mRNA levels of orexigenic (neuropeptide Y (NPY), agouti-related peptide (AgRP)) and anorexigenic (cocaine and amphetamine regulated transcript (CART), pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC)) peptides and leptin receptor (OB-Rb) using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reactions (RT-PCR). For adult comparisons, the hypothalamus, cortex and cerebellum from male rats were also examined for feeding peptides. In the fetal brain and placenta, mRNA levels of AgRP decreased 10-fold from D14 to D16 and was undetectable at D18. Appetite inhibitory factors OB-Rb and CART mRNA levels increased from D14 to D18 in the brain and placenta. NPY and POMC expression remained unchanged from D14 to D18. The pattern of expression of feeding regulatory peptides in the fetal brain most closely resembled the expression profile of the adult cerebral cortex. The continued maturation of feeding regulatory mechanisms in late gestation indicates the potential for in utero programming of ingestive behavior.
The study was conducted in a Chinese population with occupational or environmental exposures to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). A total of 106 subjects were recruited from coke-oven workers (workers), residents in a metropolitan area (residents) and suburban gardeners (gardeners). All subjects were monitored twice for their personal exposures to PAHs. The biological samples were collected for measurements of 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) and cotinine in urine. The geometric means of personal exposure levels of pyrene, benz(a)anthracene (BaA) and benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) in workers were 1.470, 0.978 and 0.805 microg m-3, respectively. The corresponding levels in residents were 0.050, 0.034 and 0.025 microg m-3; and those in gardeners were 0.011, 0.020 and 0.008 microg m-3, respectively. The conjugate of 1-OHP with glucuronide (1-OHP-G) is the predominant form of pyrene metabolite in urine and it showed strong associations with exposures not only to pyrene, but also to BaA, BaP and total PAHs. Most importantly, a significant difference in 1-OHP-G was even detected between the subgroups with exposures to BaP at < 0.010 and > 0.010 but < 0.020 microg m-3, suggesting that 1-OHP-G is a good marker that can be used for the risk assessment of BaP exposure at levels currently encountered in ambient air. Furthermore, multiple regression analyses of 1-OHP-G on PAHs exposure indicated that cigarette smoke was a major confounding factor and should be considered and adjusted for while using 1-OHP to estimate PAHs exposure.
During the past decade, morbidity and mortality have been shown to be decreased by early excision and grafting in treatment of moderate and large burns. Because of the lack of data on the efficacy of such treatment in scald burns, a retrospective study was done of children under age 4 who were admitted to a burn unit within three days of scald injury. Four groups were examined according to day of first surgical procedure: (1) sooner than five days; (2) 6-10 days; (3) 11-20 days; and (4) later than 20 days. The four groups (similar in age, weight, and percent of TBSA burn) were also analyzed for differences in percent of excised area, blood loss, and length of hospital stay. The amount of excised area in group 1 was significantly larger than in groups 2 and 3, and group 1 also had a significantly greater blood loss. Only in group 4 was the length of stay significantly increased. If excision could be delayed until after day 5, the area excised and the blood loss might be decreased without prolonging hospital stay.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the most common cause of corneal ulcers in the southern United States as well as being the most virulent corneal pathogen; corneal perforations can follow. The emergence of multiple resistant Pseudomonas organisms in burn units may lead to an increased incidence of this tragic complication.
Recent studies suggest that lung lesions occurring in inhalation injury result from actions of oxygen-free radicals released from polymorphonuclear leukocytes marginating in the pulmonary microcirculation and tracheobronchial region. Peroxide and hydroxyl ions have been implicated as mediators in the increased microvascular permeability and pulmonary edema noted after inhalation injury. In this study we evaluated the use of an O2-free radical scavenger, dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), and heparin in the treatment of smoke inhalation. Ewes (N = 26) that had been surgically prepared five days earlier were insufflated with smoke from burning cotton. There were four groups: controls (n = 7), DMSO (n = 6), heparin (n = 6), and DMSO plus heparin (n = 7). All animals were given ventilatory support to maintain their PO2 above 60 mmHg and their PCO2 below 45 mmHg. There was a significant difference in survival rates between groups. By 72 hours all seven of the control group were dead. All animals in the DMSO plus heparin group survived, four of the DMSO group died, and two of the heparin group died. Lung lymph flow was not as high in the DMSO plus heparin group as in the heparin-only group. DMSO was proved effective in reducing the lung injury associated with smoke inhalation.
To evaluate the long-term sequelae of early surgical management compared with conservative therapy, a retrospective review from January 1976 to December 1984 was undertaken. Through inspection of burn diagrams, 395 patients were identified with burns involving the foot. From 1976 through 1980, 109 patients were managed in a conservative fashion with topical antimicrobial therapy and delayed debridement and grafting; 36 of these patients with severe burns were managed with skeletal suspension. Between 1981 and 1984, 136 patients were treated with earlier surgical debridement and grafting; during this period, skeletal suspension was rarely used. No statistical difference was found in mortality, amputations, incidence of open wounds, development of contractures, or number of patients requiring reconstructive procedures between conservative and early excision therapy except in those children treated with skeletal suspension. Thus in burns involving the feet in children, early excision and grafting does not alter the resultant morbidity compared with conservative burn management.
Massive burn injury alters both the physical appearance and the functional ability of the child. The changed body necessitates concomitant alteration of the internal self-image, including feelings about the internal self or self-esteem. Six children of primary school age are being followed up in a prospective, longitudinal study to track their adaptation to burn disfigurement. Results of the first 5 1/2 years reveal that, initially, all children displayed pervasive developmental regression, accompanied by phobias, nightmares, and various other symptoms. Two years later, one half of the children had returned to the average range of development attainment. By the fifth year, five of the six children had returned to an average level of progressive personality development. The sixth child was progressing well considering cognitive and emotional deficits before the burn injury. A primary factor influencing adaptation appeared to be the role of the parent or parents in facilitating the acquisition of a positive self-image and in launching and maintaining active mastery in their children.
Pathophysiologic changes associated with inhalation injury make mechanical ventilation in children a challenge. Decreased lung compliance and increased airway resistance after inhalation injury may lead to elevated airway pressures and barotrauma. Previous studies have shown significant decreases in the incidence of pneumonia and death in adult patients with inhalation injury treated with high-frequency percussive ventilation (HFPV) as compared with conventional mechanical ventilation (CMV). No studies to date have compared lung compliance, airway resistance, or work of breathing in children being treated with HFPV versus CMV. The purpose of this study was to evaluate lung compliance, airway resistance, and work of breathing in pediatric patients with inhalation injury who required mechanical ventilation. Ten children with bronchoscopically identified inhalation injury requiring mechanical ventilation were studied. Five children received CMV and five children received HFPV. All patients were treated according to our standard inhalation injury protocol. Based on our data and patient population, children receiving ventilation with the HFPV have a significant decrease in the work of breathing as compared with CMV.
A convergent postburn psychopharmacologic treatment for children for acute stress disorder (ASD) symptoms has not been established. Both the application of what has been learned through treatment of similar symptoms experienced by adults with posttraumatic stress disorder and the examination of safe treatment options for children led to the clinical decision to use imipramine for 25 pediatric patients with acute burns. The treatment histories of these patients were retrospectively reviewed to see if further exploration into the efficacy of imipramine was warranted. Eighty percent of the children experienced remission of hyperarousal symptoms (eg, trouble staying asleep, trouble falling asleep) and intrusive reexperiencing symptoms (eg, nightmares). Twelve percent of the children experienced a decrease in the frequency or intensity of ASD symptoms. Eight percent had no relief of ASD symptoms. Initial findings suggest that imipramine assists children who have postburn ASD symptoms by decreasing the hyperarousal and intrusive reexperiencing symptoms of ASD.
Advances in medical management have dramatically decreased the mortality of children with massive burn injuries, which raises many questions about the expected quality of life for these young survivors. In this article, we address this issue by examining the functional and psychological adaptation of 41 young survivors with 88% mean total body surface area (TBSA) burns and 85% mean third degree TBSA burns. Patient scores were compared with normative data on standardized psychological measures of adjustment and on performance of age appropriate activities of daily living (ADL) skills. Thirty-three of the 41 patients (80%) were independent in basic ADL skills. Eighty-six percent of the patients who were aged 10 years and older were independent in advanced ADL skills. Patients with amputated fingers were significantly more dependent in ADL skills than those without amputations (P < .05). Mean psychosocial adjustment scores were within normal limits and were not significantly related to functional independence in ADL skills.
BACKGROUND: Pleomorphic lipoma is an unusual pseudosarcomatous condition with characteristic morphology. Despite its pleomorphic appearance, it follows a benign course and does not recur or metastasize if completely excised. CASE: A 66-year-old man presented with swelling in the back of the neck of approximately six months' duration. The focally cellular aspirate revealed round to oval, hyperchromatic cells, rare multinucleated cells and fragments of mature adipose tissue. On initial evaluation, the smear pattern suggested a malignant neoplasm. However, upon review of the cytologic material along with histology, the characteristic pattern, including floret cells, was recognized. CONCLUSION: The rarity of pleomorphic lipoma and the atypical cellular features of the aspirate can cause difficulty in diagnosing this entity. Awareness of this rare but not-uncommon entity, along with clinical correlation, is crucial in arriving at the correct diagnosis.
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It is often difficult if not impossible to include a pediatric patient in the planning of burn reconstruction. To give the patient greater input into his or her reconstructive plan, we developed a survey tool to evaluate the different reconstructive goals of the patient, the parent, and the physician. Each patient, parent, and physician were requested to complete a separate goal form. Each form consisted of a simple line drawing of a child that shows both anterior and posterior views. The patient, the parent, and the physician were each asked to circle the desired reconstruction site or sites. The responses were collated and compared by sex, age, size of burn, and evaluator (patient, parent, or physician). Patients indicated fewer and different desired reconstruction sites than the physicians or the parents. Before reconstruction is planned, the patient should be consulted. The desires of the parents and the physician may differ significantly from those of the patient.