Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M Verma

Publications and source records attributed to M Verma.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources
PubMed1975

Substituted thiazolidones: selective inhibition of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-dependent oxidations and evaluation of their CNS activity.

Eight 2-arylimino-3-(3-N-morpholinopropyl) thiazolid-4-ones were synthesized from the corresponding 1-aryl-3-(3-N-morpholinopropyl) thiocarbamides, characterized, and tested for their effects on the cellular respiratory activity of rat brain homogenates. All substituted 4-thiazolidones selectively inhibited nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD)-dependent oxidations of pyruvate, citrate, DL-isocitrate, alpha-ketoglutarate, malate, beta-hydroxybutyrate, L-glutamate, and NADH, while the NAD-independent oxidation of succinate remained unaltered. All thiazolidones possessed some degree of anticonvulsant activity against pentylenetetrazol-induced convulsions, and the protection afforded by these compounds at a dose of 100 mg/kg ranged from 30 to 80%. The low toxicity possessed by most of these thiazolidones was reflected by their approximate LD-50 values from 300 mg/kg to greater than 1000 mg/kg. In the present study, the anticonvulsant activity possessed by these substituted 4-thiazolidones was unrelated to their ability to inhibit selectively the NAD-dependent oxidations by rat brain homogenates. These thiazolidones exhibited depression of the CNS activity which, in some cases, was associated with the increase in respiration. All thiazolidones potentiated pentobarbital (sodium) sleeping time in mice when administered in a dose of 100 mg/kg.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Perinatal mortality at a tertiary care hospital in Punjab.

The present report is a comparative analysis of perinatal mortality rate (PNMR) over two different periods of seven years each viz. 1982-1988 and 1989-1995. Data of all the perinatal deaths in babies born at Christian Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana from January 1989 to December 1995 was collected. The cause of death was ascertained by a detailed history, clinical examination and whenever possible, by autopsy and analysed by modified Wigglesworth's classification. The PNMR during both the study periods was exactly the same i.e. 74/1000. There was a significant decline in the early neonatal mortality rate from 32/1000 to 25/1000. This was mainly due to improved survival of preterms as there were better life support measures available in the latter part of study period. In contrast, the still birth rate increased significantly from 42/1000 to 49/1000, thus neutralizing the fall of neonatal mortality. There was no change in the pattern of causes of death. Macerated still births occurring mainly in growth retarded babies and asphyxia remained the major causes of death. Mere provision of health services is not going to decrease PNMR. There is a need to educate 'the ultimate' consumers i.e. the women, for better utilization of these services. There is also an urgent need to sensitize and involve the medical practitioners imparting obstetrical services for solving these issues.

Hospital Mortality↗
PubMedDate not supplied

G6PD deficiency in neonates: a prospective study.

One thousand consecutively born babies were screened for G6PD deficiency and observed for seven days for development of jaundice. Frequency of the deficiency was 3.9%, being 5% in males and 2.8% in females. Religion did not have any bearing on the frequency. Parental screening in cases of babies deficient in G6PD enzyme revealed deficiency of the enzyme in majority of the mothers. Hyperbilirubinemia developed in 48.7% of babies having G6PD deficiency : It is recommended that any neonate presenting with jaundice must be screened for G6PD deficiency not only to define the etiology of hyperbilirubinemia but also to prevent future hemolytic episodes.

Female↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Congenital malformations--a retrospective study of 10,000 cases.

The frequency of congenital malformations in a retrospective study done on 10,000 consecutive births from January 1983 to March 1989 was 3.6%. The predominant system involved was CNS. Major malformations constituted 79.7% of the total. Malformations were seen 4 times more often among still births. The common malformations in still births were also of CNS. The frequency of malformations was similar in both the sexes, though genitourinary anomalies were commoner among male, while anencephaly in female babies. A statistically significant increase in the frequency of congenital malformations was observed with decreasing gestation and birth weight. There was a significant correlation between maternal factors, like previous abortions, drug intake and fever during 1st trimester, diabetes mellitus, pre-eclamptic toxemia, antepartum hemorrhage and congenital malformations in the baby.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Poisoning in children: Indian scenario.

The retrospective data on childhood poisoning from eight regional hospitals in India has been reviewed. The demographic features and types of poisonings encountered have been compared. The analysis of the data indicated that pediatric poisonings constituted 0.23-3.3% of the total poisoning. The mortality ranged from 0.64-11.6% with highest being from Shimla. Accidental poisoning was common involving 50-90% of children below 5 years of age and males outnumbered the females. Suicidal poisoning was seen after 13 years of age and was due to drugs and household chemicals. One of the hospitals in Delhi recorded a very high incidence (66.6%) of drug poisoning in children. The drugs consumed belonged to phenothiazines, antiepileptics and antipyretics. Iron poisoning was seen in younger children. Kerosene was one of the causes of accidental poisoning at all hospitals except Shimla and rural Maharashtra were probably wood charcoal is widely used. Pesticide poisoning was more prevalent in Punjab and West Bengal whereas plant poisoning was very common in Shimla. Significant number of snake envenomation has been recorded from rural Maharashtra. Other less common accidental poisonings in children included alcohol, corrosives, heavy metals, rodenticides, detergents and disinfectants. Thus various regions in the country showed some variation in types and frequency of childhood poisoning which could be attributed to different geographical and socio-economic background.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Perinatal mortality in Ludhiana, Punjab--a seven year hospital study.

Perinatal deaths occurring over a seven year period were studied in a teaching hospital in Punjab. Causes of death were analysed as per Wigglesworth's classification. We have further modified this by correlating different gestations and weight groups with causes of death. The perinatal mortality rate (PNMR) in the present study was 74/1000 and showed a downward trend secondary to a statistically significant fall of early neonatal mortality. There was a decline in PNMR among babies of 1500-2000 g. birth weight and 33-36 weeks gestation. Asphyxia and macerated still births were found to be the two main causes of death. Macerated still births were seen more commonly among babies of lower weight at all gestations. The PNMR of babies born to booked mothers was 22/1000 as compared to 152/1000 among unbooked mothers. It was concluded that to bring down the PNMR, economic development alone is not enough. Provision of adequate antenatal care to all mothers, health education and timely referral of high risk mothers is very essential.

Asphyxia Neonatorum↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Figure connection test: a universal test for assessment of mental state.

The number connection test (NCT), which assesses the extent of organic brain damage, has been used extensively to evaluate mental state in portasystemic encephalopathy, but has certain inherent limitations. It cannot be performed by illiterates and those unfamiliar with Roman alphanumeric notations. We, therefore, devised a figure connection test (FCT) based on the subject's identification of figures rather than alphabets or numerals. Four variations each of FCT-A (A1-A4) and FCT-B (B1-B4) employing different motifs were developed and compared with four variations each of NCT-A (A1-A4) and NCT-B (B1-B4) in groups of healthy volunteers with differing educational status. These volunteer groups were as follows: postgraduates 64; graduates 66; subgraduates 75; and illiterates 45. Significant differences in mean scores of various tests were observed between these normal groups. Control values of the tests for these groups have been standardized and can serve as nomograms. The effect of educational attainments on performance of FCT and other psychometric tests was analysed and trail-making tests were validated for serial use. The FCT was then prospectively validated on 70 patients (classified for comparison with controls according to educational status as follows: postgraduates 7; graduates 21; subgraduates 32; and illiterates 10) with cirrhosis of liver without over encephalopathy, to detect subclinical hepatic encephalopathy. NCT-A was abnormal in 31.7%, NCT-B in 38.3%, FCT-A in 42.9% and FCT-B in 28.6% of patients. Taken together these tests diagnosed subclinical hepatic encephalopathy in 34 (48.5%) patients. We conclude that FCT is as useful as NCT in detecting psychomotor performance defects in cirrhotic patients without overt encephalopathy.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

First-dose and steady-state pharmacokinetics of valproic acid in children with seizures.

The serum concentration-time curve of valproic acid was followed in 25 children after single oral doses of the drug and at steady-state. Total body clearance (CL), half-life (t 1/2), and apparent volume of distribution (Vd) were calculated from the terminal portion of the curve and from the area under the serum concentration-time curve (AUC). The CL and Vd were significantly greater at steady-state (0.42 +/- 0.20 ml/min/kg and 0.231 +/- 0.067 L/kg, respectively) than after a single dose (0.32 +/- 0.13 ml/min/kg and 0.191 +/- 0.055 L/kg, respectively). This difference was most pronounced in patients with valproic acid dosage increases in excess of 20% and no change in their concurrent anticonvulsant therapy between the single-dose and steady-state study periods. The t 1/2 was not significantly different between the 2 study periods. There was a significant correlation between age and both CL and Vd after single doses and at steady-state. The t 1/2 did not appear to be age related. These results suggest that the adequacy of the dosage regimen must be determined during maintenance therapy rather than extrapolated from data obtained after a single dose. Re-evaluation of therapy as the child grows older may also be necessary in view of the age-related differences in valproic acid pharmacokinetics which this study has demonstrated.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Cytotoxicity of TNT and its metabolites.

The production and storage of explosives has resulted in the environmental accumulation of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT). The biotransformation products of the nitroaromatic compound TNT and metabolites in mammalian cells in culture and their cytotoxicity are studied. We report after our analysis by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) that the most prevalent biotransformation product of TNT in the NG108 neuroblastoma cells is primarily monoamino-dinitrotoluene (2Am-DNT). It causes toxic effects based on trypan blue exclusion and LDH-release colorimetric assays.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Myoepithelioma. A case report.

A rare case of oral myoepithelioma is reported. The tumour was composed of plasmacytoid type of myoepithelial cells. These plasmacytoid cells or hyaline cells exhibited a diffuse positivity for pancytokeratin, S-100 and vimentin in their cytoplasm. Studies have to be performed in order to find out whether the myoepithelial cells M.E. of plasmacytoid type are true M.E. cells of not.

Adult↗