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Biomedical subjects

P Verma

Publications and source records attributed to P Verma.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Topical lignocaine for vaginismus: a case report.

Vaginismus is a sexual dysfunction in which spasm of vaginal musculature precludes penetrative intercourse. In many cases associated pain or fear of pain may contribute to the maintenance of vaginismus. We report a case of primary vaginismus with associated pain that benefited from topical application of lignocaine gel along with systematic desensitization resulting in successful consummation, and suggest that it may be a useful adjunct during finger dilatation in the treatment of vaginismus, specifically in patients who have associated pain or areas of hyperesthesia in the introitus.

Adult↗

Mapping QTLs for popping ability in a popcorn x flint corn cross.

Popping expansion volume (PEV) in popcorn (Zea mays L.) is a distinct heritable character and defined as the ratio of the volume after popping to the volume before popping. PEV is quantitatively inherited and 3-4 genes/quantitative trait loci (QTLs) have been implicated. In the present study, we have dissected the quantitative PEV into two component traits, viz., flake volume (FV) and percent unpopped kernels (UPK), and mapped QTLs using SSR markers for all three traits with 194 F3 families derived from a popcorn (A-1-6) x flint corn (V273) cross. Heritability (broad sense) estimates for PEV, FV and UPK based on F3 mean bases were 0.72, 0.54 and 0.68, respectively. The QTL analyses for the three traits based on combined environment data were performed by composite interval mapping using QTL cartographer. Four QTLs were identified for PEV on chromosomes 1, 3, 8 and 10, which together explained 62% of the phenotypic variance (sigma2p). Four QTLs were found on chromosomes 1, 5, 9 and 10 for FV (explaining 44% of sigma2p) and five QTLs for UPK on chromosomes 1, 3, 4, 5 and 9 (explaining 57% of sigma2p). The relative efficiency estimates of marker-based selection in comparison to phenotypic selection for PEV (1.10), FV (1.22) and UPK (1.11) indicated that marker-based selection could be relatively more efficient. The QTL on chromosome 1S for PEV was found to be most significant, where QTLs for hard endosperm starch concentration had been detected earlier.

Alleles↗

Decolorization of synthetic textile dyes by lignin peroxidase of Phanerochaete chrysosporium.

Neem hull waste (containing a high amount of lignin and other phenolic compounds) was used for lignin peroxidase production by Phanerochaete chrysosporum under solid-state fermentation conditions. Maximum decolorization achieved by partially purified lignin peroxidase was 80% for Porocion Brilliant Blue HGR, 83 for Ranocid Fast Blue, 70 for Acid Red 119 and 61 for Navidol Fast Black MSRL. The effects of different concentrations of veratryl alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, enzyme and dye on the efficiency of decolorization have been investigated. Maximum decolorization efficiency was observed at 0.2 and 0.4 mmol/L hydrogen peroxide, 2.5 mmol/L veratryl alcohol and pH 5.0 after a 1-h reaction, using 50 ppm of dyes and 9.96 mkat/L of enzyme.

Azadirachta↗

Fenvalerate-induced macromolecular changes in the catfish, Clarias batrachus.

The effects of sublethal concentration of fenvalerate on DNA, RNA, RNA/DNA ratio and protein contents were estimated in gill and kidney tissues of an air breathing fish, Clarias batrachus. Fenvalerate reduced the DNA content in gill, whereas it did not produce any significant effect on DNA in kidney. This tissue-specific change in DNA content may be due to differential effects of fenvalerate or its metabolite(s) on synthesis and/degradation of DNA in gill and kidney cells of the fish. RNA and protein contents declined substantially in both the tissues in response to fenvalerate treatment. However, RNA/DNA ratio remains unchanged. It indicates that decrease in protein content in response to fenvalerate treatment might have been brought about by reduce rate of translation of messenger (mRNA) without a decrease in concentration of ribosomes.

Animals↗

Post harvest physiconutritional changes in Kagzi limes (Citrus aurantifolia Swingle) treated with selected oil emulsions and diphenyl.

Influence of oil emulsions and diphenyl on post-harvest physiconutritional changes in Kagzi limes (Citrus aurantifolia) was studied. During twelve days of storage, physiological loss in weight (PLW) and rotting were at a minimum in fruits treated with Neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) oil plus diphenyl; juice content was at a maximum in mustard oil + diphenyl treated fruits. With the advancement of storage period, total soluble solids were increased while ascorbic acid and acidity of fruits decreased. Mustard oil plus diphenyl supported maximum ascorbic acid (25.60 mg/100 ml juice) and minimum total soluble solids (9.03%).

Biphenyl Compounds↗

Laboratory diagnosis of anaerobic pleuropulmonary infections.

Anaerobic organisms play a major role in pleuropulmonary infections. Clinical manifestations range from simple aspiration to acute, severe, necrotizing pneumonias to chronic infections, such as lung abscess and empyema. Implicated pathogens are usually of endogenous origin. Laboratory diagnosis of anaerobic pleuropulmonary infections is based on recovering the etiological agent from clinical specimens. Appropriate specimens include pleuml fluid, transtracheal aspirates, transthoracic aspirates and fiberoptic bronchoscopic aspirates. Collection and transport of uncontaminated specimens is crucial to the recovery of the causative agents. Evaluation of a Gram's stain of clinical material provides a guide to initial therapy. Pigmented and non-pigmented Prevotella species, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Peptostreptococcus species, and Bacteriodes species are the most commonly recovered anaerobes in pleuropulmonary infections. Successful treatment of anaerobic pleuropulmonary infections requires a combination of antibiotic therapy and surgical interventions. Routine susceptibility testing of recovered isolates is rarely warranted.

Bacteria, Anaerobic↗

Insulin-Like growth factor I (IGF-I) and cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate regulate IGF-binding protein-3 gene expression by transcriptional and posttranscriptional mechanisms in mammary epithelial cells.

Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) is a potent mitogen for both normal and transformed mammary epithelial cells (MEC), and IGF-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) potentiates IGF-I action in these cells. The synthesis of IGFBP-3 is stimulated by both IGF-I and agents that increase intracellular cAMP (e.g. forskolin) in the bovine MEC line MAC-T. In addition, the combination of IGF-I and cAMP increases IGFBP-3 messenger RNA to a greater extent than does either treatment alone. The molecular mechanisms responsible for this regulation are not known and therefore represent the focus of this study. The half-life of IGFBP-3 messenger RNA in untreated MAC-T cells was determined to be 11 h. Exposure to IGF-I or forskolin increased the half-life to 27 and 101 h, respectively. Nuclear run-on assays indicated that IGFBP-3 transcription rates were increased 3.5 +/- 0.83-fold (n = 4) in cells treated with a combination of IGF-I and forskolin. To further study this regulation, 1.1 kb of the 5'-flanking region of the IGFBP-3 promoter were fused to a promoterless reporter plasmid encoding luciferase. Transient transfection assays indicated that both IGF-I and forskolin alone produced small, but significant, increases in IGFBP-3 promoter activity of 1.57 +/- 0.12 and 1.59 +/- 0.08-fold (P < 0.01), respectively (mean +/- SE; n = 7). However, the combination of IGF-I and forskolin increased IGFBP-3 promoter activity 2.25 +/- 0.14-fold above control values (P < 0.01), suggesting that these factors activate discrete signaling pathways that act in concert to stimulate IGFBP-3 gene transcription. Deletion analysis indicated that promoter fragments containing as little as 267 bp upstream of the TATA box retained responsiveness to IGF-I and forskolin. This region contains a 200-bp sequence that is approximately 80% homologous between the murine and bovine promoters. It contains several conserved AP-2 and Sp1 consensus binding sequences that may be important for the effects of IGF-I and forskolin on IGFBP-3 promoter activity. In summary, these data indicate that IGF-I and cAMP, working through separate signaling pathways, activate both transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms to stimulate IGFBP-3 synthesis in MEC.

Animals↗

Ochrobactrum anthropi meningitis in pediatric pericardial allograft transplant recipients.

An epidemiologic investigation was done after 3 patients contracted Ochrobactrum anthropi meningitis at one hospital in October 1994. Neurosurgical patients with pericardial tissue implants were at greater risk of infection than other neurosurgical patients (3/14 vs. 0/566; P<.001). Cultures of implants removed from 2 case-patients, an implant at implantation, a nonimplanted pericardial tissue, and an unwrapped but unopened bottle of Hank's balanced salt solution (HBSS) grew O. anthropi. Patient and tissue isolates had identical genotypes; the isolate from the HBSS bottle had a unique genotype. Culture samples from an unopened HBSS bottle and from pericardial tissue grew Pseudomonas stutzeri of the same genotype; however, no P. stutzeri infections were detected. The investigation documented intrinsic P. stutzeri contamination of HBSS. O. anthropi contamination of tissues occurred during processing, possibly due to extrinsic contamination of HBSS. Active surveillance is needed to detect infection in patients receiving transplanted tissues, and rigorous infection control practice are necessary during tissue harvesting and processing to ensure sterility.

Alcaligenes↗

Treatment of acquired autoimmune myasthenia gravis: a topic review.

We propose a new approach to staging the disease based on clinical and immunological response to treatment. We oppose clinical remission to immunological remission and define total clinical remission as the goal of therapy. We describe the use, side effects and indications of established therapies. Acetylcholine esterase inhibitors are only a symptomatic treatment as is plasma exchange. Usefulness and limits of thymectomy, corticosteroids and immunosuppressants are described here. Their goal is to reduce the auto-immune process. Long-term hazards from these medications are described and methods to reduce their potential risks are suggested. We suggest the number of patients having life threatening complications while undergoing aggressive immunosuppression can be reduced by a systematic approach to follow-up. In the second part of this review article, adapting management to specific situations is emphasized in refractory disease, respiratory failure, neonatal and juvenile forms of the disease. The special situation of seronegative myasthenia is discussed.

Autoimmune Diseases↗

Outbreak of cholera in Berasia block of Bhopal District in Madhya Pradesh.

Bhopal district, Madhya Pradesh has been considered to be free of cholera. In an outbreak of gastro-enteritis in Berasia block of Bhopal district, Cholera vibrio Inaba and Ogawa were isolated from 17.64 per cent of stool samples collected. Extreme insanitary conditions, large aggregation of uncontrolled population and probably consumption of infected ice candies were responsible for the outbreak of cholera.

Adolescent↗

Effect of L-thyroxine on serum angiotensin converting enzyme activity in sheep.

The effect of L-thyroxine on serum angiotensin converting enzyme activity using a sheep model was examined. Following two weeks of L-thyroxine treatment, the activity of serum angiotensin converting enzyme was increased from 6.92 U/ml to 8.65 U/ml (s.e.m. = 0.40, n = 13, P less than 0.01). Discontinuation of L-thyroxine treatment resulted in lowering the activity of serum angiotensin converting enzyme within three weeks to values close to those observed during the control period. It was concluded that L-thyroxine modulates serum angiotensin converting enzyme activity. The sheep is an appropriate animal model for the study of the factors that control serum angiotensin converting enzyme activity.

Animals↗