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Biomedical subjects

P Kumar

Publications and source records attributed to P Kumar.

At least 559 records · Page 31Linked to original sources

Hemodynamic effects of pressure support ventilation in cardiac surgery patients.

Hemodynamic consequences of pressure support ventilation (PSV) were compared with intermittent mandatory ventilation (IMV) in 20 patients following aortocoronary bypass. On the morning following surgery, all patients were weaned by IMV to a rate of eight breaths per minute, tidal volume of 12 ml/kg and inspired oxygen concentration of 40 per cent. With patients awake and able to breath spontaneously, PSV was begun at 20 cm of water. In patients with static lung compliance, less than 0.06 l/cm H2O, 30 cm H2O of PSV was used. Subsequently, all patients were weaned to PSV 10 cm of water, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) at 5 cm water and extubated. Hemodynamic data including oxygen transport were obtained at each level of PSV and at IMV prior to weaning. Analysis using ANOVA showed comparable hemodynamic and oxygen transport parameters for PSV of 30 cm H2O in comparison with IMV. PSV at levels of 20 and 10 cm H2O produced statistically significant increases in heart rate, mean arterial pressure, central venous pressure, and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure. Cardiac output was stable, and these increases were not clinically significant. In awake patients following cardiac surgery, PSV up to 30 cm H2O can be safely applied without hemodynamic embarrassment in patients with good left ventricular ejection fractions.

Blood Gas Analysis↗

Allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and contact lens intolerance.

To investigate whether underlying rhinoconjunctivitis contributes to contact lens intolerance, we surveyed 885 contact lens wearers by questionnaire. Allergic rhinoconjunctivitis was defined as the presence of nasal symptoms and positive skin tests for inhalant allergens (definite allergy group). Subjects with nasal symptoms and positive family history of atopy or seasonality of symptoms were grouped under presumptive allergy. Absolute intolerance (AI) was defined as abandoning lenses and wearing glasses. Partial intolerance (PI) was defined as changing lenses or cleaning solutions to alleviate eye discomfort. Seventy-six percent of those with allergy exhibited AI or PI as compared to 60% of those with no allergy. Furthermore, the frequency of seasonal exacerbation of eye symptoms when using contact lenses was significantly higher in subjects with allergy compared to those without allergy (spring, 49% vs. 19%, P less than .0001; summer, 35% vs. 20%, P less than .001; fall, 27% vs. 12%, P less than .0001). We conclude that underlying allergic rhinoconjunctivitis may contribute to contact lens intolerance.

Adult↗

A comparative study of biochemical changes induced by inhalation of aerosols of o-Chloroacetophenone & Dibenz (b,f)-1,4-oxazepine in rats.

The biochemical changes in blood samples of rats at different intervals after O-Chloroacetophenone (CN) and Dibenz (b,f)-1,4 oxazepine (CR) were studied. After a single subacute (1/10 LC50) exposure, both the compounds induced hyperglycaemia which was abolished within 24 h. The level of plasma urea was unaltered. CR exposed animals did not show any significant changes in plasma GOT, acid and alkaline phosphatase activities at different intervals. However, in CN exposed animals, a significant elevation of the activities of GOT, GPT, acid and alkaline phosphatase was observed at different intervals. All the parameters became normal within seven days after the exposure. Inhalation of CN aerosols can thus lead to tissue damaging effects in rats.

Aerosols↗

5'-deoxy-5'-methylthioadenosine phosphorylase--V. Acycloadenosine derivatives as inhibitors of the enzyme.

Various adenosine acyclonucleoside derivatives were tested as inhibitors of 5'-deoxy-5'-methylthioadenosine (MeSAdo) phosphorylase, an enzyme involved in the salvage of adenine and methionine from MeSAdo. The 2-halogenated derivatives of acyloadenosine [9-(2-hydroxyethoxy-methyl)adenine], including the chloro-, bromo- and iodo-congeners, all inhibited murine Sarcoma 180 (S180) MeSAdo phosphorylase, with Ki values in the range of 10(-6) to 10(-5) M. Halogenated derivatives of 9-(1,3-dihydroxy-2-propoxymethyl)adenine, which more closely resemble the natural substrate, were substantially more potent inhibitors of the enzyme, with Ki values in the range of 2-7 x 10(-7) M. 5'-Methylthio and 5'-halogenated analogs of 2'-deoxy-1',2'-seco-adenosine were weak inhibitors, with Ki values of 10(-4) M or greater. 9-[(1-Hydroxy-3-iodo-2-proxy)methyl]adenine. (HIPA), the derivative with the lowest Ki values among these analogs, was a competitive inhibitor of S180 MeSAdo phosphorylase. In preliminary studies, HIPA inhibited MeSAdo phosphorylase in intact HL-60 human promyelocytic leukemia cells, as it limited the incorporation of [8-14C]MeSAdo into cellular adenine nucleotide pools. In addition, 9-(phosphonoalkyl)adenines, representing potential multisubstrate inhibitors of MeSADo phosphorylase, were synthesized. Of these the heptyl derivative was the most potent inhibitor, with a Ki of 1.5 x 10(-5) M at low (3.5 mM) phosphate concentrations. The inhibitory effects of these analogs could be ablated at high phosphate concentrations (50 mM), suggesting that they interact with the phosphate binding site on the enzyme. Some of these novel MeSAdo phosphorylase inhibitors may have a role in cancer chemotherapy as potentiators of agents that block purine de novo synthesis, e.g. antifolates and 6-methylmercaptopurine ribonucleoside.

Adenine↗

N-myc gene is amplified in alveolar rhabdomyosarcomas (RMS) but not in embryonal RMS.

DNA from 13 (6 alveolar and 7 embryonal) childhood rhabdomyosarcomas (RMS) was examined to determine the incidence and prognostic relevance of N- and c-myc genes. Southern analysis showed 5- to 20-fold amplification of N-myc gene in 4 of 6 alveolar but in none of 7 embryonal RMS (p less than 0.04; Fisher's exact test). The number of children who died with multiple- and single-copy N-myc gene was 4/4 and 5/9 respectively (p greater than 0.05; Chi-squared test). There was no statistically significant correlation between N-myc amplification and age, gender, site, stage or survival time. There was no amplification or gross rearrangement of c-myc in any of the 13 RMS.

Blotting, Southern↗

A spectrophotometric method for the estimation of polymer-supported sulfhydryl groups.

A sensitive and simple method is described for the quantitative determination of free sulfhydryl (-SH) groups on polymer supports. The method includes the reaction of 4,4'-dimethoxytrityloxy-S-(2-thio-5-nitropyridyl)-2-mercapto ethane (DTNPME) with polymer-supported sulfhydryl groups. After removal of excess reagent through washing, a weighed quantity of the polymer support is treated with perchloric acid to release the 4,4'-dimethoxytrityl cation from the polymer support into the solution. The dimethoxytrityl cation (lambda max = 498 nm, epsilon 498 = 70,000/M) is then quantified spectrophotometrically. A comparative study of the reagent DTNPME with 2,2'-dithiobis(5-nitropyridine) is also described.

Chromatography, Affinity↗

Partial characterization of a high affinity [Ca2+ + Mg2+]-dependent adenosinetriphosphatase from bovine retina.

Examination of retinal tissue homogenates indicated the presence of a [Ca2+ + Mg2+]-dependent adenosinetriphosphatase activity that exhibited high affinity for Ca2+ (K0.5 = 0.17 microM) and moderately high affinity for Mg2+ and ATP (K0.5 = 12.5 microM and Km = 22.8 microM, respectively). Maximum ATP hydrolysis occurred at pH 7.4. Under conditions of optimal substrate, cation and hydrogen ion concentrations, specific activity ranged from 15 to 18 nmol phosphate released min-1 mg-1 protein. Although the retinal [Ca2+ + Mg2+] adenosinetriphosphatase hydrolyzes both ATP and dATP, other nucleotides (CTP, GTP, ITP and UTP) were not hydrolyzed to any great extent. The monovalent cations, Li+, K+ and Na+, had no effect upon hydrolysis of ATP; whereas Cs+ and NH4+ ions were moderately (approximately 30%) inhibitory. All divalent cations tested were stimulatory. With the exception of rotenone which inhibited ATP hydrolysis approximately 25%; retinal adenosinetriphosphatase activity was insensitive to mitochondrial inhibitors (NaN3, KCN, ruthenium red and oligomycin). Adenosinetriphosphatase activity was observed to be very sensitive to low concentrations (I50 approximately 2 microM) of vanadate; whereas, lanthanum administration resulted in no inhibition. Removal of calmodulin (80%) resulted in reducing adenosinetriphosphatase activity 60% but addition of exogenous calmodulin back to calmodulin deficient membranes did not restore activity to starting levels. Calmodulin antagonists trifluoperazine and calmidazolium reduced significantly Ca2+ stimulated, Mg2+ dependent ATP hydrolysis. We conclude that the [Ca2+ + Mg2+]-dependent adenosinetriphosphatase of bovine retina is a non-mitochondrial protein exhibiting very high affinity for Ca2+ and appears to require calmodulin for maximum activity. Because of its high affinity for Ca2+, this protein may play an important role in reducing intracellular Ca2+ to nanomolar levels.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Mutilating meat mincer injuries of the hand.

A total of 25 cases of acute injuries caused by a meat mincer are presented. Of these, 20 were children. The pattern of injury and the extent of damage to individual digits of the hand are defined. Due to the mutilating nature of the injury, attempts at replantation or revascularization failed in all but two of the ischaemic digits. Emphasis must be placed on the safety and prevention of these dreadful accidents.

Accidents, Home↗

Four years' experience of limb replantation in Saudi Arabia: a clinical review.

This is a review of 70 patients with traumatic limb and digit amputations treated at King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh in Saudi Arabia from April 1984 to April 1988. Out of 70 cases 34 were not suitable for replantation. In the remaining 36 patients replantation or revascularization was attempted on 46 units. The data are discussed and compared with other published series. Our net survival rate was 67.4 per cent. The survival rate improved from 62.8 per cent in the first 2 years to 81.8 per cent in the subsequent 2 years. The average hospital stay (34 days) was much longer than that reported from developed countries. The increased emergency workload due to a high incidence of referral of unsuitable cases and the longer hospital stay should be taken into account while establishing a replant service in a developing country. Eighteen cases were followed up for more than 1 year; of these, 61 per cent had good (grade I or grade II) functional recovery. The survival rate and functional recovery improved with increased experience and this is a strong argument in favour of centralizing the replant services.

Accidents↗

Monosomy X and gonadal dysgenesis in a buffalo heifer (Bubalus bubalis).

Investigations on a 3-yr-old river buffalo heifer presenting anestrus revealed a chromosome make-up of 2n=49 in the lymphocyte cultures, compared with the 2n=50 characteristic of riverine buffalo. The missing chromosome was identified as one of the Xs by karyotypic analysis, and monosomy X was confirmed by C and G-banding techniques. Both ovaries of the heifer were underdeveloped, although the other components of the internal genitalia were normal. The phenotypic and karyotypic features confirmed this to be a case of ovarian dysgenesis with 49,XO karyotype similar to that of the Turner's syndrome in man and other mammals.

Journal Article↗

Development of an artificial articular cartilage.

We have attempted to develop an artificial articular cartilage on the basis of a new viewpoint of joint biomechanics in which lubrication and load-bearing mechanisms of natural and artificial joints are compared. We investigated poly(vinyl alcohol)-hydrogel (PVA-H) which has been recognized as a rubber-like gel and have improved the mechanical properties of this gel through a new synthetic process. In this article we report the biocompatibility and various mechanical properties of the new, improved PVA-H from the aspect of its usefulness as artificial articular cartilage. As regards the lubrication, we measured the change of thickness and fluid pressure of the gap formed between a glass plate and the specimen under loading and found that the PVA-H had a thicker fluid film under higher pressure than polyethylene (PE). The momentary stress transmitted through the specimen revealed that PVA-H had a lower peak stress and a longer duration of sustained stress than PE, suggesting a better damping effect. The wear factor of PVA-H was approximately five times as large as that of PE. Histological findings of the articular cartilage and synovial membranes around the PVA-H implanted for 8-52 weeks showed neither inflammatory nor degenerative changes. The PVA-H artificial articular cartilage could be attached to the underlying bone using an osteochondral composite material. Although there remain still some problems to solve, PVA-H seems to be a very interesting and promising material which meets the requirements of artificial articular cartilage.

Animals↗