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Biomedical subjects

M Mehta

Publications and source records attributed to M Mehta.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
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Acute iron poisoning.

Accidental iron ingestion is not uncommon in children and has become a leading cause of unintentional pharmaceutical ingestion fatality. Difficulty in obtaining urgent serum iron levels in majority of hospitals in India, lack of objective indices for starting and stopping the chelation therapy and the cost of chelation therapy, all pose a significant challenge for a clinician in managing an acutely intoxicated patient. This review emphasizes the need for early recognition and correct intervention of a child with acute iron overdose to avoid undue morbidity and mortality.

Acute Disease↗
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Coping and adaptation in acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

The coping and adaptation of 39 children (6-12 years) to Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia was studied during the first remission with a projective technique--Children's Apperception Test (CAT-S). Seventy seven percent of the children gave adequate responses. Among these, disease awareness was present in 96%, expectation of a favourable outcome was held by 70%, though 61% evidenced emotional distress. Children's psychiatric morbidity was found to be associated with non-response to CAT-S, to anxiety related themes, and negatively with ability to maintain an expectation of a positive outcome.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
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Neuropsychological abnormalities following CNS prophylaxis in children with acute lymphatic leukemia.

The pattern and prevalence of neuropsychological abnormalities in children receiving combination CNS prophylaxis (2000 rads cranial irradiation and intrathecal methotrexate) during therapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) were studied. Thirty five children (25 boys) in the age group 5-15 years (mean 9.3) with no evidence of CNS leukemia were included and 20 age matched normal siblings served as controls. Neuropsychological parameters of general intelligence (Malin's modification of WISC test); attention and concentration (colour cancellation test); memory (modified PGI memory test) and visuomotor perception (Bender Gestalt test) were evaluated at least 6 months after CNS prophylaxis. Six (17.1%) patients had mean intelligence quotients (IQ) less than 85, while all controls had IQ > 85 (p < 0.05). The mean IQ of the patient population (93.4 +/- 11.9) was significantly lower than the control group (107 +/- 8.4) (p < 0.001). Scores on the colour cancellation test were lower in the patients as compared to controls (148.7 +/- 27.7 versus 184.9 +/- 23.9; p < 0.01). The mean memory quotient in the patient population was also lower than in controls (74.5 +/- 12 versus 93.6 +/- 9.2; p < 0.001). Scores on the Bender-Gestalt test did not show a significant difference. The presence of significant neuropsychological abnormalities in patients of ALL indicates the need for modification of the schedule of CNS prophylaxis. A comprehensive psychometric evaluation at regular intervals is essential for longterm rehabilitation.

Adolescent↗
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Coping and adaptation in parents of children suffering from acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

The coping and adaptation of 30 parents of children suffering from A.L.L. (during first remission), was studied with the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT--Indian modification). Emotional distress was evident in the stories of 83%, only 37% maintained an expectation of a positive outcome. Parents' psychiatric morbidity was found to be associated with the gender of the parent, employment status, and on the TAT--with the expectation of an unfavourable outcome, feelings of lack of self efficacy and emotional distress. Particularly depression. A significant association between the presence of psychiatric disturbance in the children and the parents was also found.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
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Student learning.

This paper reviews important practical aspects of student learning. Some student learn by memorizing important parts of the text by dividing the content into bits and pieces. In this approach, the surface approach, they may not be able to derive full meaning of the content. The other method used by the students is deep approach, wherein a student tries to understand the meaning of the materials. In medical education, it is important for the student to relate contents of study material to other ideas, and to map-put subject areas. In the present context, a medical student also needs to become an autonomous learner, for which a student needs to develop certain skills. Teachers have a significant role in providing opportunities to the students to learn actively and meaningfully. Learning outcome is related to characteristics of the student, the teachers, the institution, the learning styles and processing of the learned subject.

Humans↗
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Psychiatric disorders among parents of children suffering from acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

The aim of the study was to assess the frequency and likely associations of psychiatric disorders in parents of children suffering from acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). One parent each of 30 consecutive ALL patients who achieved their first remission were interviewed and rated on the Comprehensive Psychopathological Rating Scale. Ratings were also made on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and the State Trait Anxiety Inventory. Fifty percent (n = 15) of the parents had psychiatric disorders, namely neurotic depression (n = 11, 36.7%) and adjustment disorder with depressed mood (n = 4, 13.3%). These disorders were of mild to moderate severity and were perceived to be highly treatable. Psychiatric morbidity was associated with women and unemployment. A score of 14 on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale provided a reliable cutoff for selection of subjects for referral.

Adult↗
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Psychiatric morbidity in children suffering from acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

The study aimed at assessing the frequency of psychiatric disorders in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Thirty consecutive subjects in the age range of 6-12 years were interviewed with the help of a symptom checklist soon after they had achieved their first remission. The children were also administered the Children's Depression Rating Scale and the State Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children. One-third (n = 10) of the subjects received a diagnosis according to the International Classification of Diseases, 9th ed. Ninety percent (n = 9) had emotional disorders. All the disorders were mild to moderate in intensity and were perceived to be easily treatable.

Anxiety↗
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Mechanical back pain and the facet joint syndrome.

Mechanical back pain is a common disability often associated with the facet joint syndrome. Treatment is based on early, adequate pain relief with simple techniques of regional analgesia. In a few cases this is not enough and more sophisticated methods, such as radiofrequency denervation, cryo-analgesia and possibly intrathecal midazolam, are necessary. However, the main thrust of our approach is to treat the underlying structural disorder with strengthening of the back muscles and correction of postural abnormalities responsible for the mechanical back pain. Our report is based on an analysis of 83 patients who failed to respond to long periods of rest, suitable analgesic and allied drugs and other non-invasive measures. There had been no overriding indication for major surgery. A large number of these patients have been improved by our methods, but further work is in progress to extend the proportion of satisfactory results.

Analgesia↗
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Pharmacokinetic evaluation of drug interactions with anti-human immunodeficiency virus drugs. V. Effect of soluble CD4 on 2',3'-dideoxycytidine kinetics in monkeys.

This study was conducted to determine if soluble CD4 (ST4) altered the pharmacokinetics of 2',3'-dideoxycytidine (ddC) in nonhuman primates. Each of six monkeys received 5 mg/kg of ddC iv in the absence and presence of two different iv regimens of ST4. The ST4 regimens produced steady-state plasma concentrations of 10.3 micrograms/ml (N = 3) and 22.2 micrograms/ml (N = 3) for 30 min following ddC administration. Pharmacokinetic parameters for ddC and ST4 were calculated based on plasma and urine concentrations of ddC and plasma concentrations of ST4. Following combined ddC and ST4 administration, in both the low- and high-dose ST4 groups, plasma concentration-time profile of ddC were similar for each monkey, and no statistical differences were observed in the pharmacokinetic parameters compared with those obtained when ddC was given alone. Complete urinary excretion data for ddC was obtained in 3 of the 6 animals studied. At the low ST4 dose, one animal had a reduced renal clearance of ddC, whereas at the high ST4 dose two animals recorded an increased renal clearance of ddC. ST4 plasma concentrations were comparable to in vitro concentrations of antiviral activity, with pharmacokinetic parameters similar to those reported previously. The kinetic information provides a basis for rational dosage design for combination chemotherapeutic regimens of ddC and ST4 in human immunodeficiency virus infection.

Animals↗
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Bellyboard device reduces small bowel displacement.

The ability to cure several pelvic malignancies is hampered by the inability to deliver doses greater than 45 to 50 Gy, beyond which radiation enteritis becomes dose-limiting. The design and fabrication of a device that allows exclusion of small bowel from the pelvis during radiation therapy are described in this study. A prospective dose-volume analysis conducted on 30 patients reveals a 66 percent reduction in the volume of small bowel within the radiation portals.

Equipment Design↗