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Biomedical subjects

M Sharma

Publications and source records attributed to M Sharma.

At least 361 records · Page 20Linked to original sources
PubMed1986

An outbreak of typhoid fever in Chandigarh, North India.

An outbreak of typhoid fever occurred among 54 hospital nurses after a picnic. The salient features were fever (100%), nausea and vomiting (46%), loose motions and abdominal pain (13%), and palpable splenomegaly (63%). None of the patients had any major complications. Blood cultures for Salmonella typhi were positive in 81%, blood Widal was positive (1:320 or more) in 43% and suggestive (1:160) in 25% of the blood culture positive patients. A comparable number of patients were administered chloramphenicol or co-trimoxazole and no differences in response were observed. Bacteriological examination of samples of water from the likely sources revealed it to be unfit for human consumption due to gross faecal contamination.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Synthesis, modification with N-acetoxy-2-acetylaminofluorene and physicochemical studies of DNA model compound d(TACGTA).

The deoxyhexanucleotide d(TACGTA) was synthesized by a modified phosphotriester method. The modified procedure made rapid synthesis of deoxyoligonucleotide possible in gram quantity. N-Acetoxy-2-acetylaminofluorene (AAAF) modified d(TACGTA). Thin layer chromatography and UV analysis of the acid treated AAF modified hexanucleotide showed that the covalent modification with AAF took place exclusively at C(8) of guanine in d(TACGTA). d(TACGTA) and AAF modified d(TACGTA) were purified by preparative high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The pure products were characterized by 1H and 31P-NMR. The circular dichroism (CD) spectrum of d(TACGTA) was consistent with DNA in the B form even in the presence of 4 M NaCl whereas the modified hexamer had nearly inverted spectrum in the absence of any added salt. Both NMR and CD analyses indicated profound alteration of conformation of d(TACGTA) upon covalent modification with AAF. The stabilization of the Z-like conformation in the modified hexamer under physiological conditions of salt and temperature suggests biological relevance.

2-Acetylaminofluorene↗
PubMed1985

Effect of renal failure on laudanosine excretion in man.

Patients with renal failure and undergoing a cadaver renal transplant were found to have plasma concentrations of laudanosine, following the administration of a single bolus dose of atracurium 0.5 mg kg-1, higher than those found in patients without renal failure. Since laudanosine is a known central nervous system stimulant in a variety of animal species, its actions should be investigated further in man, and particularly in patients with renal failure.

Atracurium↗
PubMed1985

A nonimmunomodulatory effect of chronic cadmium exposure on lymphocyte transformation response in rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta).

The immunomodulatory effects of cadmium, an environmental pollutant, were assessed in male rhesus monkeys orally exposed to 5 mg cadmium/kg body weight for a period of 4 months. A lymphocyte transformation test was carried out in peripheral blood lymphocytes using different concentrations of phytohemagglutinin (PHA), concanavalin A (Con A) and pokeweed mitogen (PWM). Cadmium exposure of monkeys resulted in a statistically nonsignificant increase in [3H]thymidine incorporation in PHA- and Con-A-stimulated lymphocytes. However, there was a nonsignificant decrease in [3H]thymidine incorporation in PWM-stimulated lymphocytes. These results suggest that cadmium may not have immunosuppressive effects in primates which are phylogenetically close to man.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

A comparative study of conventional vs rapid speed of blood transfusion in cases of chronic severe anemia.

Pulmonary capillary 'wedge' pressure (PCWP) was studied in 20 cases of chronic severe anemia before and after transfusing one unit of blood. They were divided into 2 groups of 10 age and sex matched cases. Blood was transfused at a speed of 2 ml/min in group A and 5 ml/min in group B. Pretransfusion PCWP was normal in all the cases. Following blood transfusion (BT) 'wedge' pressure increased significantly (p less than 0.001) in both the groups being 17.2% and 29.2% in group A and B respectively. The difference in the rise of PCWP between the two groups was not statistically significant (p greater than 0.05). All the cases tolerated BT very well. It is therefore, concluded that transfusion of one unit of blood at a speed of 5 ml/min is nearly as safe as when it is transfused at a rate of 2 ml/min (conventional speed) so far as the cardiopulmonary haemodynamics are concerned.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Depressive disorders in the developing world.

In order to find out whether the finding of different prevalence rates for depression in rural and urban areas of India is supported by a difference in symptomatology as well, 30 rural and 42 urban hospitalized MDP-Depressed patients were compared on Hamilton Depression Scale and Schedule for Standardized Assessment of Patients with Depressive Disorders. Symptoms of guilt, loss of concentration and memory were significantly more in urban patients whereas gastrointestinal somatic symptoms were significantly higher in rural subjects. The difference is probably due to urban subjects being more sophisticated, expressive and familiar with mental disorders as compared to rural patients who being more familiar with somatic illnesses tend to somatize their psychic distress.

Bipolar Disorder↗
PubMed1985

Effect of neonatal undernutrition on rat brain gangliosides.

Effects of age and neonatal undernutrition were studied on total and fractions of gangliosides (GT1, GD1b, GD1a and GM1) in rat brain. GT1, GD1b + GD1a and GM1 are being presented here as polysialo-, disialo-, and monosialo-gangliosides. Undernutrition was induced by feeding mothers a low protein diet during lactation. The concentration of gangliosides increased to its maximum level by the age of 3 weeks and then decreased to its adult value by the age of 8 weeks. Polysialo gangliosides (GT1) comprised the maximum amount of gangliosides at birth (40%) and decreased to an adult value by 3 weeks of age. Disialo ganglioside GD1b increased to its maximum by 2 weeks and then leveled off. Disialo ganglioside GD1a and GM1 showed a decrease by 2 weeks and then reached to its adult value by 4 weeks. Neonatal undernutrition results in a decreased body and brain weight at all ages studied (7, 14 and 21 days) as well as total ganglioside concentration by 36%, 15% and 55% respectively at 7, 14 and 21 days. Polysialo gangliosides (GT1) constitute the major fraction of gangliosides at 21 days in undernourished rats as compared to controls, whereas mono- and di-sialo gangliosides remained decreased at all three ages compared to controls. This indicates the possibility of an underlying metabolic defect in undernourished animals.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Markers in psychoses: studies from India.

Genetic considerations are important in studying the pathogenesis of the psychoses. There are few reports from India, however, which have pursued a "biological marker" approach to functional illness of this type. A review of such few studies as do exist is presented to add to contemporary knowledge in the area. Recommendations are also made for evolving newer research strategies.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed1984

The dynamics of tetanus epidemiology and control in rural Uttar Pradesh studied through computer simulation.

An epidemiological model is constructed for tetanus. The assumptions as well as the steps involved in the construction of the model, are detailed. The impact of alternate immunisation strategies to control tetanus in rural Uttar Pradesh, is studied using this model. The quantification of the expected decline in incidence and mortality over 30 years, for different control strategies, provides the health planner with valuable information. It is seen that the incidence of tetanus neonatorum and tetanus in adults, as well as deaths due to tetanus, progressively decreases as the level of coverage is increased. The most marked reduction is seen over the initial period of intervention. Mass immunisation of the total population, or of just the females in the reproductive age group, leads to temporary decline in the endemic level. Such models are useful for planning in the health sector in India since, they can be constructed with the limited information available.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Anti-inflammatory activity of amino acyl benzoates.

Nineteen new piperazino or morpholino amino acyl benzoates were synthesized and screened against carrageenin induced oedema in albino rats. Several compounds of the series showed potent anti-inflammatory activity. Compound 10 was found to be the most potent. This compound was further evaluated in detail and compared with phenylbutazone for its relative anti-inflammatory potency and ulcerogenic liability. The compound, in addition, was compared with acetyl salicylic acid for its analgesic activity. This compound showed potent ant-inflammatory activity with minimal ulcerogenic liability.

Aminobenzoates↗
PubMed1984

Multiple benign strictures of the oesophagus in the paediatric age-group--modified technique of antegrade dilatation.

Accidental ingestion of strong acids and alkalines still remains the commonest cause of benign strictures of the oesophagus in our country, particularly in children from the poor socio-economic strata, who are left alone to fend for themselves. Once the stricture is well-formed, repeated antegrade dilatations are required in order to dilate the lumen gradually. The procedure is done with the utmost care and gentleness in order to avoid rupture of the cicatricial wall of the oesophagus. The present series consisting of 10 cases of multiple, benign, mostly permeable, strictures of the oesophagus were successfully managed with Jackson's antegrade dilatation technique. During one of the dilatation sessions we observed that instead of pushing the bougie gently, it seemed to be sucked down entirely on its own, a few millimeters at a time (described in case 3) and traversed the entire stricture. This procedure appears safer for the patient and has now become routine with us. There was no mortality in our series. In all, a total of 168 dilatations have been done. The average lumen achieved in all our cases was 6 mm (Jackson's bougie No. 18) which was well maintained in all our cases on a permanent basis.

Child↗
PubMed1984

Determinants of the community living arrangements of older unmarried women.

Data from the nationally representative 1976 Survey of Income and Education provide the opportunity to examine the joint effects of age, marital status, personal income, and the need for functional assistance on living arrangements of older unmarried white women. A particular interest in this research is testing the hypothesis that the effects of income and functional health are interactive. This hypothesis implies that the effect of functional disability on living arrangements is contingent on level of personal income. Log-linear model analyses indicate that, although the main effects of all independent variables except marital status are significant, none of the interaction effects are significant. Odds calculated under the best-fitting model show that an unimpaired older woman has seven times the chance of living alone as one who requires frequent assistance, whereas those in the lowest income group have only a quarter of the likelihood of living alone as someone in the highest income group.

Aged↗