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Biomedical subjects

R M Rao

Publications and source records attributed to R M Rao.

26 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Relative role of genes and environment on BP: twin studies in Madras, India.

This study was conducted to test the feasibility of the twin research model in a developing country with diverse cultures and to understand the relative influence of genetic and environmental factors on BP variation among South Indians. This was a cross-sectional twin study of volunteers using a two-by-two factorial design for the analysis of quantitative traits. The factors were twin type (monozygotic and dizygotic) and sex (male and female). The study was conducted in Madras. Twenty-four pairs of twins were contacted for participation in the project. Of the 24 pairs we contacted, 91% (20) actually participated in our study. Among 20 sets we studied, 10 (50%) are males and 10 (50%) are females with an average age of 23 years. The mean SBP of this volunteer twin population was 115.18 +/- 1.27 mmHg and DBP was 68.53 +/- 1.41 mmHg. Analysis of dietary habits (vegetarian/nonvegetarian) showed that BP was greater (118.26 +/- 2.29/71.88 +/- 2.34 mmHg) in vegetarian twins than nonvegetarians (112.28 +/- 1.42/66.2 +/- 1.90 mmHg). Also a positive correlation between urinary excretion of calcium and BP was observed. The present study demonstrates that epidemiological research in a developing country like India is feasible and economical, using the twin research methodology. As observed in other populations, the major source of BP variation in the population appears to be predominantly under genetic control.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Nutritional quality of meals served by selected foodservices.

A review of the nutritional quality of foods served by selected types of foodservices reveals the lack of information in this area. The foodservice industry is growing rapidly with new technological innovations and management practices. However, little effort has been made toward the nutrient quality of foods served by important foodservice operations. Foodservice operations are discussed from the institutional and commercial point of view. Under the institutional type, foodservices in nursing homes, hospitals, schools, colleges, and universities are discussed. Fast foodservices are primarily focused under commercial type of foodservices. Other discussions are based on nutrient contents of foods prepared in quantities. Lack of data pertaining to nutrient content of foods served by foodservice operations is evident.

Child↗
PubMed1980

Carcinogen-DNA interaction: differential effects of distamycin-a and spermine on the formation of 7-methylguanine in DNA by N-methyl-N-nitrosourea, methylmethanesulfonate, and dimethylsulfate.

Experiments were designed to determine whether DNA conformation and sequence play any role in its methylation by N-methyl-N-nitrosourea, methylmethanesulfonate, and dimethylsulfate, agents that are known to methylate DNA by different mechanisms but yield 7-methylguanine as the major product. The approach taken was to bind ligands to DNA that interact with it stereospecifically and to study their effect on the formation of 7-methylguanine by the three methylating agents. The results indicate that both distamycin A and spermine shielded the formation of 7-methylguanine in vitro in rat liver DNA by N-methyl-N-nitrosourea but not by methylmethanesulfonate or dimethylsulfate; they did not, however, protect 2-deoxyguanylic acid against methylation by N-methyl-N-nitrosourea. Based on the mechanism by which the methylating agents and the ligands react with DNA, these results are interpreted to suggest that 1) guanines methylatable at the N-7 position by N-methyl-N-nitrosourea are located at, or close to, the binding sites of the ligands, probably the A-T-rich regions, and those methylatable by methylmethanesulfonate and dimethylsulfate are distal to these regions, and/or 2) the conformation DNA assumes in the presence of distamycin A or spermine permits methylation by methylmethanesulfonate and dimethylsulfate but not by N-methyl-N-nitrosourea. The study implicates DNA structure and/or its sequences in carcinogen-DNA interaction.

Animals↗