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Biomedical subjects

R Devi

Publications and source records attributed to R Devi.

15 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Extract from Clerodendron colebrookianum Walp protects rat heart against oxidative stress induced by ischemic-reperfusion injury (IRI).

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have pathogenic effects on ischemic-reperfusion injury of heart. Hence, it is important to identify natural antioxidative agents to mitigate such effects. Recently, it has been reported that Clerodendron colebrookianum (CC) leaf extract has antioxidant and hypolipidemic effects in experimental animals. The aim of this study was to examine whether acute treatment with CC extract offers protection against ischemic-reperfusion injury (IRI) and IRI-induced changes in endogenous antioxidant enzyme activities of rat heart. Isolated rat hearts were perfused using the Langendorff's technique, and 20 min of global ischemia was followed by 40 min of reperfusion. Lipid peroxidation after the ischemic-reperfusion episode was significantly reduced in the CC extract-treated heart compared to the control group and suppressed the leakage of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) during reperfusion. Moreover, CC extract diminished the depletion of myocardial antioxidant enzymes (SOD, Catalase, GSH and GPx) after ischemia-reperfusion. Furthermore, IRI-induced cellular damage was significantly less in CC extract treated myocytes. These results indicate that CC leaf extract protects against oxidative stress and cellular injury associated with ischemic-reperfusion injury of rat heart and suggests that the protective effects of CC extract depend on its antioxidant properties.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Cytomegalovirus infection in immunocompetent patients.

Symptoms associated with cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in immunocompetent patients are not well documented. From December 1998 through June 2001, serum samples obtained from 7630 patients in Cambridge and Chelmsford, United Kingdom, were tested for CMV immunoglobulin M. CMV immunoglobulin G avidity was used to confirm CMV infection. A total of 124 patients (106 patients treated by general practitioners [GPs] and 18 hospitalized patients) with CMV infection were identified. The most frequent symptoms were malaise (67%), fever (46%), and sweats (46%), and the most frequent finding was abnormal liver function test results (69%). Twelve percent of patients had a relapsing illness, and many had symptoms that lasted for up to 32 weeks (mean duration of symptoms, 7.8 weeks). GPs reported that there was a significant benefit in making the diagnosis of CMV infection; it provided reassurance and avoided the need for further investigations. We have identified symptoms associated with CMV infection in immunocompetent patients who present to GPs or who are admitted to the hospital.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Effectiveness of syndromic approach in management of reproductive tract infections in women.

Syndromic approach was used to identify reproductive tract infections (RTI) by a trained public health nurse among 130 ever-married women aged 15-45 years selected by a systematic random sampling method in a resettlement colony, Chandigarh. A lady medical officer in the dispensary examined and treated 48 (37%) referred symptomatic women as per syndromic approach guidelines. They were suffering from vaginitis (52.1%), cervicitis (20.8%), pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) (14.6%), urinary tract infections and PID (4.2%) and 4 did not have any clinical abnormality. Poor menstrual hygiene was observed among 72.7% women with RTI. Follow-up done after one month showed effectiveness in terms of symptomatic relied in 72.7% while 9.1% discontinued treatment and 4.5% did not comply with the medications. Training of nurses, health workers, dais, anganwadi workers regarding RTI identification and referral using syndromic approach and promotion of menstrual hygiene, genital hygiene and health care seeking behaviour would help in reducing the burden of RTI in the community.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Awareness and health seeking behaviour of rural adolescent school girls on menstrual and reproductive health problems.

A study was conducted on 130 girl students aged 13-17 years in Haryana to assess their awareness and health seeking behaviour regarding menstrual and reproductive health. Mean age at menarche of the girls was 13.6 +/- 0.83 years. Awareness about the process of menstruation was poor. Commonest reported menstrual problem was dysmenorrhoea (40.7%) followed by irregular menses (2.3%) of which only 5.3% consulted a doctor and 22.4% took over the counter medications from the chemist shops. Knowledge about normal duration of pregnancy and need for extra food during pregnancy was poor. Most of the girls knew about importance, duration of child spacing and need for three medical examinations during pregnancy. Major sources of information were television (73.1%), radio (37.1%) and parents (36.1%). Girls preferred to consult parents (49.2%) and doctors (44.6%) for help at times of having reproductive health problems. This study highlights the need for educating school girls about adolescent health, pregnancy and reproductive health problems through schools and parents by the health professionals.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Breast self examination for early detection of breast cancer.

Breast cancer is the commonest form of cancer in women in Western countries and second most common in women of developing countries like India. In the absence of an exact aetiological agent for breast cancer, the most appropriate way of controlling it is by early detection and treatment. Of the various methods of screening for breast cancer, mammography is the method of choice but its use is limited due to high cost and unavailability. Considering this, breast self examination (BSE) is an ideal method which can be done by every woman at her leisure time with little training. Medical and paramedical professionals can act as trend setters in promoting BSE for control of breast cancer in the community.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Expression and localization of prolactin messenger ribonucleic acid in the human immune system.

Pituitary PRL is involved in immunoregulation. Also, a PRL-like molecule is secreted by peripheral blood mononuclear cells. In this study, we examined tissues of the human immune system to evaluate if the PRL gene is expressed and to determine the location and type of cells involved in its synthesis. To evaluate the expression of PRL messenger RNA (mRNA) in normal and abnormal human lymphoid tissues, we used RT-PCR to generate a specific 276-bp product from normal human thymus, spleen, tonsil, lymph node, and lymphoid tumors. Restriction enzyme digestion confirmed that this PCR product was expressed PRL. Furthermore, we developed a specific and sensitive nonisotopic in situ hybridization technique for PRL mRNA, and cells containing PRL mRNA were found in each tissue of the human immune system. Also, PRL mRNA was widely distributed throughout neoplastic tissue from a thymoma and lymphomas where mitogenic and anti-apoptotic properties of PRL could be involved in tumor progression. PRL mRNA was localized in lymphocytes, epithelial cells, and vascular endothelial cells. The presence of PRL mRNA in vascular endothelium cells suggests other roles for PRL in these tissues in addition to immunomodulation. In conclusion, the presence of PRL mRNA in human lymphoid tissue implies that locally synthesized PRL may play a critical role in immunocompetence by providing an important regulatory signal to the microenvironment of human lymphoid organs.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1996

Localization of growth hormone messenger ribonucleic acid in the human immune system--a Clinical Research Center study.

GH is an immunomodulatory factor that can be synthesized and secreted by mononuclear leukocytes. To determine if GH can be produced by the human immune system, we assessed the presence of GH messenger RNA (mRNA) in both normal and abnormal human lymphoid tissues by RT-PCR and nonisotopic in situ mRNA hybridization. The predicted PCR product of 16lbp from human thymus, spleen, tonsil, lymph node, thymoma, and T and B cell lymphomas was similar to the product amplified from the human pituitary. Restriction enzyme digestion confirmed that complementary DNA generated using GH primers originated from GH mRNA. Furthermore, we performed in situ hybridization to localize the GH mRNA-positive cells. A hybridization signal for GH mRNA was found in all tissues examined. The distribution patterns of GH in normal lymphoid tissues suggested that GH can be produced by lymphocytes, as well as endothelial cells and other cell types. Also, GH mRNA-positive cells were distributed diffusely throughout T and B cell lymphomas and a thymoma. Our results demonstrate GH gene expression in normal and neoplastic human lymphoid tissues including nonlymphoid cells. This finding supports the hypothesis that the human immune system is an extrapituitary site of GH gene expression that may serve as an autocrine/paracrine factor in immunomodulation.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1992

A study on IQ.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Influence of maternal literacy on the nutritional status of preschool children.

The impact of maternal literacy status on the nutritional status of pre-school children in Parbhani was studied. Results revealed that the children of literate mothers had better anthropometric measurements than children of illiterate mothers. Nutrient deficiency signs especially of protein energy malnutrition were more predominant among the children of illiterate mothers. Food consumption pattern was better in children with literate mothers as compared to children of illiterate mothers. The consumption of milk and milk products, fruits, sugar and jaggery was significantly greater in children with literate mothers.

Anthropometry↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effectiveness of training on the knowledge of vitamin A deficiency among Anganwadi workers in a rural area of north India.

Training of 95 Anganwadi workers (AWW) were done in two groups in a rural block of Haryana State, India to impart knowledge on vitamin A deficiency (VAD) through lecture, demonstration, discussion. In group A consisting of 56 AWW townom coloured film slide was shown while in group B consisting of 39 AWW no film slide was shown. During pre-test 90.5% participants had medium score with an overall mean (+/- SD) score of 14.1 (+/- 3.0). Post-test conducted after 6 months showed a significant increase in knowledge of AWW regarding VAD with a mean score of 20.3 (+/- 4.51), (P < 0.01). Mean score of group A [22.5 (+/- 4.04)] was significantly higher than mean score of group B [17.4 (+/- 3.5); P < 0.05]. This study reveals the need for in-service training of AWW using appropriate teaching methods incorporating audio-visual aids like film slide show for control of VAD.

Blindness↗