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Biomedical subjects

R Kumar

Publications and source records attributed to R Kumar.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

Fibrous lesions of bones.

A large variety of benign and malignant fibrous lesions occur in the skeleton. Many fibrous bone lesions have characteristic features on plain radiographs and are easy to diagnose; others may pose significant difficulty. Most often, an osteolytic defect is seen associated with a fibrous lesion in the affected bone, although a mixed and sclerotic fibrous bone lesion is not unusual. Many benign fibrous bone lesions are asymptomatic; others become clinically apparent because of associated pathologic fracture or deformity of the involved bone. Malignant fibrous lesions tend to be aggressive, with focal bone destruction and adjacent soft-tissue involvement. The authors describe many fibrous bone lesions with their salient clinical and radiographic features.

Bone Diseases

Primary Ewing sarcoma of rib.

Ewing sarcoma is a relatively common, highly malignant bone tumor that typically occurs in adolescents and young adults aged 10-25 years. Our archives contain 328 cases of histologically proved and radiologically correlated Ewing sarcoma collected in consultation over 40 years. From this series, we identified 34 lesions (10%) arising in ribs. Radiographically, the affected rib was predominantly lytic in most (82%) cases, but mixed lytic-sclerotic (9%) and even predominantly sclerotic (9%) patterns were also encountered. The affected rib was "expanded" in 35% of cases, although the contour change was usually mild. Abnormalities of the affected ipsilateral hemithorax varied from subtle, isolated rib involvement to solitary rib involvement accompanied by complete opacification of the hemithorax. We describe the spectrum of radiologic findings of primary Ewing sarcoma of rib, augmented where appropriate by accompanying pathologic material.

Adolescent

Physiology and biochemistry of vitamin D-dependent calcium binding proteins.

The vitamin D-dependent calcium binding proteins (calbindins) are members of the troponin-C superfamily of proteins that occur in a number of calcium-transporting tissues such as the intestine, the distal tubule of the kidney, and the placenta. They are also present in other tissues such as the brain, peripheral nervous system, pancreas, parathyroid gland, and bone. In some tissues, such as the adult brain, the proteins occur in the absence of the vitamin. The proteins bind calcium in "EF" hand structures and are "calcium-sensitive" in that they undergo a conformational change on binding calcium. They appear to enhance transcellular calcium transport and are frequently present in tissues that contain the plasma membrane calcium pump.

Amino Acid Sequence

Altered maternal thyroid function: fetal and neonatal myocardial metabolism.

The influence of the maternal thyroid status on the fetal and neonatal myocardial protein, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism was studied in rats. The neonates born of hypothyroid mothers could not survive beyond 8 days after birth. The offsprings born of hypothyroid mothers showed growth retardation, decreased level of heart mitochondrial protein, reduced myocardial free fatty acid (FFA) oxidation at birth and afterwards, low glucose oxidation by the heart at later fetal stages, and afterwards, despite low heart glycogen reserve, glucose oxidation was high. The offsprings born of hyperthyroid mothers showed stimulation in overall growth, increased myocardial FFA oxidation and increased 14C-glucose incorporation into glycogen as well as increased myocardial glucose oxidation during fetal stages. Results indicate that maternal thyroid hormones play an important role in the metabolic control of fetuses and neonates.

Animals

Persistently elevated parathyroid hormone secretion and action in young women after four weeks of ingesting high phosphorus, low calcium diets.

In an earlier 8-day study, we showed increased immunoreactive PTH (iPTH) levels in young adults fed high phosphorus (P), low calcium (Ca) diets assembled from common grocery foods, a dietary pattern characteristic of teens and young adults. Because animals fed high P, low Ca diets developed secondary hyperparathyroidism and, ultimately, osteopenia, perhaps the typical teen diet may reduce peak bone mass and contribute to osteoporotic fracture later in life. To determine if the elevation in iPTH levels and action persists with chronic intake of this typical diet, we studied the 24-h mineral and hormone responses of 15 young women (18-25 yr of age) to either high P, low Ca or control diets. Each subject served as her own control, first consuming a basal diet (800 mg Ca, 900 mg P) for 28 days; 10 women were then switched to the high P, low Ca test diet (400 mg Ca, 1700 mg P) for 28 days, while the remaining 5 women in the control group continued eating the basal diet. On days 28 and 56, all subjects were studied as inpatients for 24 h, with blood drawn every 4 h and collection of fasting and 24-h urine. Serum iPTH (midregion) and serum intact PTH (2-site immunoradiometric assay) increased significantly [maximal increases of 26% (P less than 0.002) and 36% (P less than 0.004), respectively] after 4 weeks of consuming the test diet, and there was no change in the control group. In contrast to our 8-day study, plasma levels of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D did not change in either group. Our findings suggest that this common dietary pattern in young adult women causes persistent alterations in calcium-regulating hormones that could be unfavorable to achieving maximal positive bone balance.

Adult

Vitamin D metabolism and mechanisms of calcium transport.

Vitamin D3 undergoes sequential hydroxylations in the liver and kidney to form 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, the biologically active form of the vitamin. 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 is metabolized by several processes in various target tissues that decrease the biological activity of the sterol. In addition, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 is excreted in the bile as polar metabolites, such as glucuronides and, possibly sulfates and neutral polar steroids. These compounds undergo an enterohepatic recirculation in both man and experimental animals. 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 increases the absorption of calcium in the intestine and the reabsorption of calcium in the kidney. It induces the synthesis of several proteins, the most notable of which is calcium binding protein that is thought to play a role in the absorption of calcium. The vitamin D-dependent calcium binding proteins and the calcium-magnesium ATPase calcium pump are co-localized in several tissues that play a role in the absorption of calcium.

Animals

Parosteal osteogenic sarcoma arising in cranial bones: clinical and radiologic features in eight patients.

Parosteal osteogenic sarcoma is a distinct surface bone tumor with a better prognosis than conventional osteogenic sarcoma. We studied eight histologically proved cases of cranial parosteal osteogenic sarcoma. The tumors were identical in histologic appearance to parosteal osteosarcoma arising in long bones. Clinically, the tumor presented as a hard, painless, nodular scalp mass. The prevalence in women outnumbered that in men by 3:1, with most cases occurring between the second and third decades of life. Plain radiographs showed a rounded, sessile bone growth of variable size arising from the outer table of the skull. The tumor was heavily ossified centrally with variable margins and, at times, with radiating bony spicules at the periphery. No satellite bone nodules were noted in adjacent soft tissues. In three cases a fine radiolucent cleft was demonstrated between the tumor and the underlying outer table on the tangential radiographs or CT. After en bloc resection of the tumor, follow-ups for 20 years in one patient and 1 year in two patients showed no recurrence. Parosteal osteosarcoma of the skull is a rare low-grade tumor that usually arises from the outer table of the skull and has distinctive radiologic features that should distinguish it from other exophytic cranial bone neoplasms.

Adolescent

Comparative study of out-reach immunization strategies in rural area.

Efficiency of out-reach immunization strategies operationalised in a rural area of district Ambala (Haryana) was evaluated. Till year 1984-85 immunization delivery was 'sporadic'. Annual cluster immunization campaigns were conducted during 1985-86 and 1986-87. This comprised of delivery of oral polio vaccine (OPV) and/or measles once in a year to all eligible children, other vaccine continued to be delivered by health workers during routine beats. Regular immunization sessions were undertaken in 1987-88 and 1988-89. All the vaccines were delivered on 4 fixed days (one day per week) of each month, covering village at least once a month. Significant increase in immunization coverage was observed after cluster campaigns. OPV increased from 46.5 to 73.6%, DPT from 49.1 to 75.5%, BCG from 48.7 to 72.2%, measles from 8.6 to 45.8% and tetanus toxoid (TT) for pregnant women (PW) from 41.8 to 65.3%. Under regular programme the coverage levels were maintained at OPV 79.4%, DPT 78.2%, BCG 70.6%, measles 48% and TT (PW) 76.2%. Regular out-reach immunization strategy was found to be better than cluster campaigns as it was 'regular' and high coverage level could be maintained.

Child, Preschool

Activation of H-ras oncogenes in preneoplastic mouse mammary tissues.

The mammary hyperplastic outgrowth (HOG) line C4, resulted from serial transplantation of a hyperplastic alveolar nodule which arose in a dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) treated mouse. The immortalized C4 outgrowth line, on transplantation into syngeneic mice, develops as preneoplastic, hyperplastic outgrowths and subsequently into malignant carcinomas after a long latent period (greater than 6 months). Treatment of mice carrying C4 HOG transplants with DMBA resulted in a reduced latent period for tumor development (less than 3 months) and an increased tumor incidence. DNA's from C4 HOGs and mammary carcinomas of untreated as well as DMBA-treated mice were analyzed for the presence of oncogenes by the NIH3T3 focus forming assay. Transforming H-ras genes were detected in two of 6 preneoplastic HOGs and 10 of 12 carcinomas from DMBA-treated mice. DNAs from neither the HOGs nor the tumors from untreated mice were positive in this assay. The H-ras locus was then directly examined in the 61st codon by in vitro amplification of each of the tissue DNAs using PCR. The location of the activating mutation was determined by hybridization of amplified DNA to mixed sequence oligonucleotide probes. The specific nature of the mutation was defined by RFLPs using XbaI, TaqI and Sau96I restriction enzymes. Six of the H-ras oncogenes in DMBA-promoted tumors were activated by commonly observed A to T transversions at the 61st codon, while five (including an additional tumor with H-ras oncogene revealed by PCR analysis) contained novel A to G transitions. The H-ras oncogene in one DMBA-treated HOG sample was activated by A to T while the second contained an A to G mutations, representative of both modes of mutational activation involved in this model of mammary tumorigenesis. In summary, DMBA-induced point mutated H-ras oncogenes appear to potentiate the progression of hyperplastic outgrowths (HOG) to mammary carcinomas.

9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene

Rapid diagnosis of Japanese encephalitis by immunofluorescent examination of cerebrospinal fluid.

An indirect immunofluorescent technique for rapid diagnosis of patients of Japanese encephalitis (JE) was developed by demonstrating the viral antigen in CSF cells. The CSF samples of 31 consecutive patients admitted with acute viral encephalitis during 1987 were studied. In 15 patients the diagnosis of JE virus infection was made on the same day. Classical techniques for virus detection and antibody serology were also conducted in these patients. The indirect immunofluorescence for JE virus antigen detection in CSF cells proved to be a rapid and simple procedure for making a quick diagnosis of infection.

Acute Disease

Effects of low perfusate Ca2+ concentration on newborn myocardial function after ischemia.

A greater dependence on transsarcolemmal Ca2+ flux and immaturity of Ca2+ sequestration capacity may potentiate Ca2(+)-mediated reperfusion injury in the newborn myocardium. The effect of serum ionized Ca2+ concentration on left ventricular systolic and diastolic function after ischemia was studied in 5-7-day-old piglets undergoing a 90-minute period of cold-blood cardioplegic arrest. In the control group, Ca2+ was maintained at 1.2 mM (Group A [n = 6]). The cardioplegic solution and bypass perfusate were modified to achieve a low Ca2+ concentration, 0.25 mM, in Group B (n = 6). Left ventricular pressure-volume loops were acquired by using high-fidelity pressure-sensor-tipped and volume-conductance catheters. Ventricular function was assessed from the slope of end-systolic (Ees) and end-diastolic (k) pressure-volume relations during transient caval occlusion. Both groups showed a significant reduction in Ees after ischemia (p less than 0.05). Intergroup comparison of Ees after ischemia demonstrated a better recovery of the systolic function in the low Ca2+ group, 64 +/- 7% versus 49 +/- 6% in the normal Ca2+ group (p = 0.05). There was a significant increase in chamber stiffness index in group A (k, 0.48 +/- 0.06 to 0.65 +/- 0.05 ml-1, p less than 0.01) versus no significant change in group B. This study shows 1) the feasibility of acquiring continuous pressure-volume data in neonatal hearts by using a conductance catheter system, and 2) better preservation of systolic function and diastolic compliance in normal newborn myocardium by low Ca2+ concentration in the peri-ischemic period.

Animals

Clinical features & prognostic indicators of Japanese encephalitis in children in Lucknow (India).

This communication reports the clinical features of 92 children with Japanese encephalitis diagnosed on the basis of viral isolation from brain or cerebrospinal fluid and/or a 4-fold or higher rise in antibody titre in paired sera by haemagglutination inhibition (HI) test, followed by detection of specific IgM HI antibody. More than a third of the patients (38%) were from urban areas. A high incidence of fever (94.5%), coma (100%) and convulsions (84.7%) was seen. Focal neurological deficit was found in 29.3 per cent of patients and pleocytosis in the cerebrospinal fluid in 32.3 per cent. An extrapyramidal syndrome developed in 21.3 per cent patients during the convalescent stage. Thirty four (36.9%) patients died while in hospital. Mortality was significantly related to a short prodromal stage, deep coma, abnormalities in tone and breathing and decerebrate posturing. Japanese encephalitis represents a severe disease in children with a high early mortality.

Child

Renal osteodystrophy.

Renal osteodystrophy is a complex disorder which can be divided into five distinct bone histologic subtypes: mild bone disease, hyperparathyroid bone disease, mixed bone disease, osteomalacia, and low-turnover bone disease. Hyperparathyroidism develops in renal failure due to two principal abnormalities: 1,25(OH)2D3 deficiency and hyperphosphatemia. Treatment of these problems is important in order to prevent hyperparathyroidism. Most cases of osteomalacia, mixed bone disease, and low-turnover bone disease are influenced by aluminum status and parathyroid hormone. Aluminum-associated bone disease can be treated with termination of aluminum exposure and/or deferoxamine therapy. Numerous diagnostic pitfalls exist in the evaluation of renal osteodystrophy, and the bone biopsy is extremely important to avoid these problems and plan proper therapy.

Bone Diseases

An overview of postpartum psychiatric disorders.

The purpose of this review is to highlight reasons why increased attention should be paid to the prevention and treatment of psychiatric disorders at childbirth. The two main psychiatric disorders that are associated with childbirth--postnatal depression and postpartum psychosis--are reviewed, together with a discussion of the maternity blues. An overview of each condition is presented, identifying incidence rates, clinical manifestations, and appropriate treatment approaches. Recommendations are made for coordination and development of services as a means to achieve prevention and treatment of postpartum psychiatric disorders.

Female