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O P Sharma

Publications and source records attributed to O P Sharma.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Clinical spectrum of chronic renal failure in the elderly: a hospital based study from eastern India.

The aim of this study was to describe the clinical spectrum of chronic renal failure (CRF) in the elderly. The diagnosis of CRF was made using standard clinical criteria. The elderly was defined as person with over 60 years of age. In total, 200 elderly patients with CRF were evaluated between July 2002 and February 2004. Their age (male: 146; female: 54) ranged between 60 and 90 (mean 64.31+/-4.18) years. Diabetic nephropathy was the most common (46%) cause of CRF. Hypertensive nephrosclerosis, chronic interstitial nephritis and obstructive uropathy were responsible for CRF in 18%, 14% and 13% of patients, respectively. We observed chronic glomerulonephritis in 7% of elderly CRF. Urinary tract infection (55.5%), hypovolemia (22.2%), accelerated hypertension (11.1%) and sepsis (11.1%) were responsible for acute exacerbation of renal failure in 36 (18%) patients. Associated co-morbid conditions were noted in 93 (46.5%) patients. They included; coronary artery disease 46 (49.46%), cerebrovascular disease 20 (21.50%), osteoarthritis 13 (13.97%), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 6 (6.45%), dilated cardiomyopathy 5 (5.37%), and malignancy in 3 (3.22%) patients. Acute dialytic support was required in 164 (82%) cases and remaining 36 (18%) patients received conservative management. Mortality was noted in 25 (12.5%) cases. The coronary artery disease (48%), acute pulmonary edema (20%) and hyperkalemia (12%) were the main causes of death. Subsequent evaluation revealed that 102 (51%) patients had ESRD of which only 3 (2.94%) patients could afford CAPD. A total of 11 (10.7%) patients underwent chronic maintenance hemodialysis for 3-4 months and then discontinue dialysis mainly because of financial constraints. Remaining 88 (86.27 %) patients with ESRD were discharged from hospital after symptomatic improvement with acute dialysis. Thus, diabetic nephropathy related to type-2 diabetes was the commonest cause of CRF in our elderly patients. Chronic renal failure in elderly was associated with a number of co-morbid conditions, which contributed significantly to morbidity and mortality. Acute on chronic renal failure with severe uremic complications were an important cause of hospitalization. The financial constraint was the major limiting factor for the management of elderly ESRD patients.

Aged↗

Shushaku Endo (1923-1996): his tuberculosis and his writings.

Shushaku Endo, one of the finest 20th century Japanese novelists, is not as well known in the West as some of his contemporary Japanese writers including, Yukio Mishima, Yasunari Kawabata, Kobo Abe, and Kenzaburo Oe. Mishima deals with turmoil of adolescence laced with surrealistic historical romance; Abe conjures strange, evocative images in the Kafkaesque tradition; Kawabata writes about loneliness and desolation; and Oe creates imaginary themes of life and myth that entwine and portray human predicaments. Kawabata and Oe both received Nobel Prizes in Literature. Endo's writing is different. He confronts problems pertaining to faith, morality, and individual responsibility. In his early years Endo struggled as a loner, an outsider, and a misfit. This pattern continued to a large extent into his adult life, most of which was consumed with fighting his life threatening tuberculosis. The agonies of his illness intensified his talent for exploring the complexity of human relationships.

History, 20th Century↗

Microscopic pulmonary embolisation of an indwelling central venous catheter with granulomatous inflammatory response.

Indwelling catheters can disintegrate into tiny fragments and embolise. Once the fragments are detected radiographically, they can be removed using vascular intervention techniques. Rarely, indwelling catheters dwindle into inextricable pieces that embolise into minute pulmonary vessels and lymphatics, causing granulomatous changes microscopically. The present study reports a 54-yr-old female who had received several indwelling central lines during several abdominal surgeries over a 5-yr period. The patient developed a noncaseating granulomatous skin lesion followed by exertional dyspnoea a few months later. Chest radiographs and computed tomography showed diffuse interstitial infiltrates. Open lung biopsy showed two types of granulomas: 1) peri-lymphangitic and peri-bronchiolar non-necrotising granulomas consistent with sarcoidosis; and 2) distinct foreign body granulomas. In some of the foreign body granulomas, confocal Raman spectroscopy identified the presence of bisphenol-A-polycarbonate, a polymer commonly used in biomedical devices. The patient improved following treatment with prednisone followed by methotrexate. The present case illustrates an interesting combination of two causes of granulomatous disease, the importance of examining all biopsy specimens from sarcoidosis patients for foreign particles and the rare occurrence of microscopic embolisation of catheter fragments to the lung with foreign-body giant cell reaction to them.

Catheterization, Central Venous↗

Heavy metals accumulation in soils irrigated by municipal and industrial effluent.

Four soil profiles have been exposed in municipal, industrial effluents and municipal wastes mixed with industrial wastes (mixed effluent) and tube well irrigated areas of Indore district of Madhya Pradesh. Soil samples were collected horizon wise and analyzed for pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic carbon, CaCO3, clay content, cation exchange capacity (CEC), exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) and heavy metals content viz. Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Cd, Cr, Co and Pb. Results showed all the heavy metals content decreased with increase in depth of soil profile. Municipal wastes / untreated sewage affected soil of Bhangarh village depicted highest content of heavy metals. The order of percentage availability of different heavy metals irrespective of the sources of irrigation is Pb>Co>Cr>Cd. However, continuous application of sewage indicated higher accumulation of heavy metals although the rate of accumulation was faster in case of industrial effluent within 2 years of irrigation. Organic carbon content had significant positive correlation with heavy metals except Cu and Zn, and negative correlation with pH and CaCO3. ESP had a negative correlation with all the metals. Zn, Mn, Cd and Co indicated significant negative correlation with the CEC of the soil. Inter-metallic correlation indicates a significant positive correlation in between Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn, Co, and Pb and among themselves.

Agriculture↗

Exposure to the fern Onychium contiguum causes increase in lipid peroxidation and alters antioxidant status in urinary bladder.

The status of lipid peroxidation, glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glutathione-S-transferase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbic acid, and alpha-tocopherol was studied in the urinary bladder of guinea pigs exposed to the carcinogenic fern Onychium contiguum. There was significant increase in the preformed lipid peroxides in the urinary bladders from fern exposed animals. The amount of lipid peroxides produced on incubation of urinary bladder homogenates with or without catalyst was significantly higher in the fern exposed animals. The concentrations of glutathione and alpha-tocopherol and the activities of glutathione reductase and catalase were elevated in the urinary bladders of the animals exposed to the fern. No effect was observed on the concentration of ascorbic acid and the activities of glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase, and superoxide dismutase. It is summarized that the fern toxins increased oxidative stress in the urinary bladder and antioxidant status was altered. However, the altered antioxidant status did not provide protection from the toxin induced injury. Histopathology of the urinary bladder in the fern exposed animals revealed oedema, haemorrhages, and congestion. This is the first study to show increase in lipid peroxidation along with altered antioxidant status in the urinary bladder of fern exposed animals.

Animals↗

Hepatotoxicity and cholestasis in rats induced by the sesquiterpene, 9-oxo-10,11-dehydroageraphorone, isolated from Eupatorium adenophorum.

Eupatorium adenophorum leaves cause hepatotoxicity and cholestasis in rats. The hepatotoxicant has been characterized as 9-oxo-10,11-dehydroageraphorone (ODA), a cadinene sesquiterpene. Oral administration of ODA, mixed in feed to rats, caused jaundice in 24 h. The liver of the intoxicated animals had focal areas of hepatocellular necrosis, proliferation, and dilation of bile ducts with degenerative changes in the lining epithelium. There was marked increase in the conjugated form of plasma bilirubin and in the activities of the enzymes glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, glutamate pyruvate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase, glutamate dehydrogenase, and 5'-nucleotidase. The histopathological lesions in liver and biochemical profile of marker enzymes show that ODA induced hepatotoxicity and cholestasis in rats. This is the first report on the toxicity of a cadinene sesquiterpene in rats.

Animals↗

Further reduction in stroke after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting: a 10-year experience.

BACKGROUND: Perioperative stroke is a devastating complication after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The reported incidence of neurologic complications after conventional CABG is 3% to 7%. With improved monitoring and surgical techniques, we have been able to achieve a drastic reduction in the stroke rate in our institution. This study evaluates the incidence of neurologic sequelae in patients who underwent off-pump CABG. METHODS: Over a 10-year period from January 1990 to September 2000, off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) operation was performed on 2,800 patients of the 18,037 patients undergoing CABG during that time frame at the Escorts Heart Institute and Research Centre. Initially, OPCAB was performed selectively in the high-risk group of patients (atheromatous aorta, renal impairment, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, octogenarians, etc). Lately we performed multivessel OPCABs electively in about 60% to 65% of the patients undergoing CABG. Results. Mean age of the patients was 58.0 +/- 9.91 years (range 27 to 85 years) and mean number of grafts was 2.9 per patient. Neurologic complications (stroke/transient ischemic attack) occurred in 0.14% of patients. Overall hospital mortality in OPCAB patients was 2.14%, whereas mortality from neurologic complications was 0.07%. Predicted mortality (National Society of Thoracic Surgeons Cardiac Surgery Database Risk Model for CABG) for the entire patient group was 3.86% (p < 0.001). Conclusions. Although current techniques of monitoring and surgical procedures have significantly reduced the risk of stroke from CABG, our data strongly support OPCAB as a technique to further reduce stroke after CABG, especially in the high-risk group of patients.

Adult↗

Hepatotoxicity in rat induced by partially purified toxins from Eupatorium adenophorum (Ageratina adenophora).

A group of rats were administered a methanolic extract of Eupatorium adenophorum (Ageratina adenophora) oven-dried (60 degrees C) leaf powder and a partially purified fraction from the methanolic extract. Administration of the methanolic extract and the partially purified fraction elicited a significant increase in total and conjugated bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, 5'-nucleotidase and transaminases. Histopathology of the livers from these animals revealed dilated bile ducts and proliferative changes. Hepatocytes around the bile ducts showed necrotic changes. Biochemical and histopathological changes resembled those observed in response to administration of whole leaf powder. The hepatotoxin present in E. adenophorum leaves can be extracted with methanol and partially purified further using the procedure described.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

A preliminary study on the carcinogenicity of the common fern Onychium contiguum.

Onychium contiguum (Family Cryptogrammaceae) is a common terrestrial fern in the Himalayas and in many other parts of the world. It is also present on the pastures in areas where grazing animals suffer from bovine urinary bladder cancer. This fern is occasionally grazed by animals and in some areas it is present as a contaminant in grasses stored for winter feeding. Certain species of the genus Onychium are used in folk medicine. Long-term exposure of experimental animals to O. contiguum appeared to cause tumours of the ileum. urinary bladder and mammary glands.

Animals↗

Spectrum of renal diseases in the elderly: single center experience from a developing country.

From November 1998 to March 2000, two hundred patients over the age of 60 years (Elderly) with clinical renal disease were studied. 144 patients were between ages of 60-69 years, 46 between 70-79 years and 10 were above 80 years. The elderly patients (Male 165; Female 35) with renal disease constituted 11% (200/1816) of the total nephrology consultation during the study period. The clinical presentation included chronic renal failure (42.5%); acute renal failure (28%); nephrotic syndrome (14.5%); acute glomerulonephritis (7.5%); renal vascular disease (5%) and renal cystic disease (2.5%). Diabetic nephropathy, obstructive uropathy and hypertensive nephrosclerosis were the major causes of CRF, accounting for 80% of total CRF in the elderly. Chronic glomerulonephritis and chronic pyelonephritis (CPN) were less common and etiology of CRF was uncertain in 5.9% of cases. However, diabetic nephropathy was the commonest (49.4%) cause of chronic renal failure. We did not see a single case of ischemic nephropathy causing CRF in the present study. Prerenal ARF, obstructive uropathy and sepsis were contributing factors for ARF in 82% of the cases. Volume depletion due to gastrointestinal fluid loss and urinary tract obstruction on account of enlarged prostate were the leading causes of ARF in 20 (35.7%) and 8 (14.3%) cases respectively. Sepsis with or without multiorgan failure was the major (46.7%) cause of mortality in patients with ARF and overall mortality was 26.8%. The commonest (31%) cause of nephrotic syndrome was the idiopathic membranous nephropathy. Diabetic nephropathy related to type-2 diabetes mellitus was the second most common (24.1%) cause of nephrotic syndrome. Diffuse endocapillary proliferative GN of post infectious etiology was the commonest (73.3%) type of acute GN in our elderly patients. Renal cystic diseases were noted in 5 (ADPKD 3; Simple cyst-2) patients. Thus, overall spectrum of renal disease in our elderly patients is similar to that of developed nations except in two ways: (i) Endocapillary proliferative GN of post infectious origin was the commonest type of acute GN and (ii) Rarity or absence of ischemic nephropathy and atherosclerotic renal artery occlusive disease.

Aged↗

Biochemical alterations in the blood plasma of rats associated with hepatotoxicity induced by Eupatorium adenophorum.

Eupatorium adenophorum (Crofton weed), a native of Central America. has appeared as a major weed in several areas in different parts of the world. Horses that eat this plant are poisoned on prolonged exposure. Toxicity due to consumption of this plant by other grazing animals is not clear. Administration of freeze-dried leaf powder to mice results in hepatotoxicity. Earlier attempts to produce toxicity in rats using the leaves of this plant were not successful. In the present study, administration of oven-dried E. adenophorum leaves collected at the flowering stage elicited hepatotoxicity in rats. The affected animals had a marked increase in the concentration of plasma bilirubin and in the activities of 5'-nucleotidase, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase. There were no significant differences in plasma creatinine, urea or total protein values in the affected animals compared to controls. The livers of the affected animals had focal areas of necrosis throughout the parenchyma and hepatocytes showed megalocytosis. The bile ducts were dilated and the epithelium showed degenerative to necrotic changes. The alterations in bilirubin, enzymes and histopathological changes imply cholestasis and liver injury.

5'-Nucleotidase↗

Unusual systemic disorders associated with interstitial lung disease.

Interstitial lung disease often starts as a reaction to a causative insult or antigen, such as an inhaled environmental organic or inorganic dust and autoimmune mediated injury. When no underlying cause can be found, the inflammatory change in the gas exchanging parts of the lungs and associated fibrosis is called idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (cryptogenic fibrosing alveolitis). The common causes of pulmonary fibrosis can be classified as granulomatosus, nongranulomatous, neoplastic, and iatrogenic. There are other multisystem disorders not included in this classification that are associated with interstitial lung disease. Amyloidosis, Behcet disease, Kikuchi disease, and Whipple disease are such multiorgan disorders that involve the lungs.

Amyloidosis↗

Respiratory muscle strength, lung function, and dyspnea in patients with sarcoidosis.

BACKGROUND: Sarcoidosis is a systemic granulomatous disorder that is estimated to involve the skeletal muscles in up to 50% of patients. There is little information on the relationship among respiratory muscle strength, lung volumes, and the degree of dyspnea in patients with sarcoidosis. DESIGN AND PATIENTS: Lung function and maximal respiratory muscle force generation were measured in 36 patients with sarcoidosis (24 patients with pulmonary parenchymal infiltration) and 25 control subjects free of cardiorespiratory disease. Dyspnea in the sarcoidosis patients was quantitated by a score based on an activity tolerance assessment scale (ranging from rest to climbing hills or stairs). SETTING: Outpatient clinics of two teaching hospitals. RESULTS: Mean FVC, maximal voluntary ventilation, total lung capacity (TLC), functional residual capacity, residual volume (RV), and diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) were all at least 16% less than corresponding control values (in all cases, p < 0.001), while maximal inspiratory mouth pressure (PImax) and maximal expiratory mouth pressure (PEmax) were 37% and 39% less, respectively, than control values (both at p < 0.0001). PImax and PEmax declined with increasing dyspnea in a more graded, steady manner than did spirometric and DLCO values. For all measurements, however, the lowest mean values were found in patients with the most severe level of dyspnea. Strong inverse relationships were observed between PEmax and PImax with dyspnea level (p < 0.0001 and p < 0.01, respectively). Both PImax and PEmax correlated best with absolute values of FVC, while only PEmax correlated with RV (absolute and percent predicted) and percent predicted values of TLC. CONCLUSIONS: Maximal respiratory pressures correlate more closely with dyspnea level than lung volumes and DLCO. Since dyspnea is the most common presentation in early to moderately advanced sarcoidosis, respiratory pressures may be a more reliable index of functional work capacity and reflection of activities of daily living than standard tests of lung function.

Adult↗