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Biomedical subjects

M Kumar

Publications and source records attributed to M Kumar.

At least 307 records · Page 17Linked to original sources
PubMed1982

Concentration of triglyceride and cholesterol in lipoprotein fractions in maternal and cord blood samples.

Blood samples from 100 normal mothers at delivery and from umbilical cord blood were analysed for total cholesterol, triglyceride and cholesterol in high density lipoprotein. Cholesterol in very low density lipoprotein and low density lipoprotein were calculated by formula. Electrophoresis in agarose gel was performed on serum. There was no significant difference in the values in cord blood of girls and boys. There was no significant correlation between maternal and cord blood values. Pre-beta band was present in all cord blood samples. The electrophoretic mobility of pre-beta in cord blood is the same as that in adult blood. Faster mobility of alpha is observed in 26% of the cord blood samples.

Cholesterol↗
PubMed1982

Stimulation of endogenous catecholamine release by theophylline: a proposed additional mechanism of action for theophylline effects.

Therapeutic response to theophylline in asthma is generally attributed to its effect in increasing intracellular 3',5' cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) by competitive inhibition of cAMP phosphodiesterase. However, because of discrepancies between therapeutic serum theophylline concentration achieved clinically and those required for in vitro phosphodiesterase inhibition, we explored the possibility that theophylline may act through adrenomedullary secretion of catecholamines. Five healthy, nonasthmatic male and female adults were studied with a double-blind, randomized, crossover protocol. Theophylline (5 mg/kg) and placebo were administered in a capsule dosage form. Plasma catecholamines epinephrine (E), norepinephrine (NE), and dopamine (DA) were measured by a radioenzymatic assay at baseline and after administration of theophylline at 1, 2, and 3 hr. Significant differences between theophylline- and placebo-treated groups (p less than 0.05) were seen at 3 hr for mean percentage increase over baseline with E (120% +/- 25.3%) and NE (48.02% +/- 17.94%) after theophylline therapy (mean peak level 7.2 +/- 0.48 micrograms/ml). Epinephrine plasma concentration was significantly greater (p less than 0.001) at 3 hr compared with baseline (105 +/- 16 vs 56 +/- 18 pg/ml), while NE (448 +/- 52 vs 320 +/- 36 pg/ml) did not attain significance (p = 0.136). A significant correlation (p less than 0.05) was found between the percentage increase over basal for E (r = 0.58) and NE (r = 0.66) and serum theophylline levels. DA was not significantly increased at any time period. Thus theophylline in clinically relevant concentration appears to stimulate adrenomedullary secretion of catecholamine. Whether this is an important mechanism of action in asthma or explains some side effects of theophylline remains to be determined.

Adrenal Medulla↗
PubMed1982

Response to the central and peripheral airways to cigarette smoking in human and rats.

The effects of tobacco smoke on the central nd peripheral airways were assessed in humans and rats by direct and indirect methods. In both species tobacco smoke affected the central and peripheral airways. In humans there were apparent decreases in the 1-second forced expiratory volume, peak expiratory flow rate and significant increases in closing volume and closing capacity (P less than 0.001). In rats significant changes were seen in specific airway resistance from the 6th week of exposure onwards. Similarly, airway luminal diameter decreased markedly in tobacco-exposed animals to subthreshold concentrations of acetylcholine (10(-8) M). This decrease was also exposure time dependent. The increased responsiveness of the respiratory system has been attributed to inter alia: (1) increased vagal activity; (2) increased mucus production leading to decreased airway lumen; (3) mucosal swelling due to changed ionic constellation; (4) disturbance of the lungs' defense mechanism; (5) imbalance in and easy accessibility to the adrenoceptors.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Cytokinetically based induction chemotherapy and splenectomy for childhood acute nonlymphocytic leukemia.

A four-drug regimen, based on cell kinetic principles, induced complete remissions in 68 of 95 children (72%) with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL). Patients entered remission after 2-5 weekly cycles of vincristine-daunorubicin (day 1) followed by sequential cytosine arabinoside and 6-azauridine (days 4-7). With continuation therapy of monthly vincristine-doxorubicin-cyclophosphamide, weekly cytosine arabinoside, and daily 6-mercaptopurine, the median duration of complete remission was 10 mo and the median survival time 21 mo. Portal triaditis, evident in 11 of 23 patients with liver biopsies, was associated with long remissions. A larger spleen size (greater than 5 cm) and a higher myeloblast labeling index (greater than 10%) at diagnosis were clearly related to shorter durations of remission. Splenectomy within 1 mo of remission had no statistically significant effect on the frequency of relapse or length of remission. Patients without central nervous system (CNS) leukemia at diagnosis, all treated prophylactically with intrathecal methotrexate, had a low frequency of initial CNS relapse (3/56, 5%). The 2-yr disease-free survival rate is 29% (20 of 68 patients attaining complete remission). fifteen patients have completed 2.5 yr of therapy, and each remains in continuous complete remission, off treatment, for 1+ -36+ mo. This induction chemotherapy was as effective as more intensive regimens, with the advantage of less toxicity and shorter periods of hospitalization.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1982

Changes in blood cellular components, serum protein concentrations and serum enzyme activities in buffaloes infested with Fasciola gigantica.

Of 510 adult buffaloes examined, 88 (17.3 per cent) were found to be suffering from Fasciola gigantica infestation. There was a reduction in the haemoglobin, packed cell volume and red blood cell count in the fasciola affected buffaloes and an increase in their white blood cell count. There was no significant change in mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin or mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration in the fasciola affected buffaloes. There was also a decrease in total serum protein and albumin concentrations and in the albumin globulin ratio and significant increase in alpha globulin and gamma globulin concentrations and in the activity of the serum enzymes aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, serum alkaline phosphatase and ornithine carbamoyl transferase.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

Kala-azar hits again.

Six hundred and ninety-two cases of kala-azar were studied, all confirmed cases. Vaishali, Muzaffarpur, Samsatipur and Sitamarhi were the most affected districts of Bihar. Fever, weight loss, hepatosplenomegaly, anaemia, leucopenia and monocytes were the most commonly found features, whereas pigmentation of skin was found in only 4.48% of cases. Lymphadenopathy and voracious appetite were conspicious by their absence. Study of the incubation period of the disease showed that it may be as short as 24 h. Bone marrow study revealed hypoplastic marrow with increase in the cells of the monocytic series. Serum electrophoresis revealed reduction in albumin and rise in globulin, leading to decrease in A : G ratio. Tuberculin test was negative in the majority of the patients.

Adolescent↗