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Biomedical subjects

R Varghese

Publications and source records attributed to R Varghese.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Putative role of serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and IGF binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) levels in the development of prostate cancer in Arab men.

INTRODUCTION: The incidence of clinical prostate cancer in the Arab population is among the lowest in the world. High serum IGF-1 level has been implicated as a possible risk factor for the development of prostate cancer in Caucasians. The purpose of this study was to determine serum IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 levels in healthy Arab men and in Arab men with newly diagnosed benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer, and to compare these values with values reported in Caucasians. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Subjects were recruited in two groups: (a) indigenous, healthy Arab men aged 15-90 y (n = 383); (b) Arab men with newly diagnosed prostate cancer (n = 30) or BPH (n = 40). Blood was obtained from fasting patients and volunteers, between 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon. The serum concentrations of IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 were determined using Immunoradiometric assay (IRMA) kits. RESULTS: As in Caucasians, serum IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 levels declined with age in Arab men. The mean +/- s.d. of serum IGF-1 levels in healthy Arab men in the age group 15-20, 51-60, 61-70 y were lower (376.2 +/- 153.2, 134.9 +/- 105.7 and 89.6 +/- 48.4 ng/ml, respectively), compared to values reported for similarly aged Caucasians. Arab men with newly diagnosed prostate cancer had significantly higher serum IGF-1 level (P < 0.01) and lower IGFBP-3 levels (P < 0.01) compared to age-matched Arabs without the disease. CONCLUSIONS: Arab men have lower serum IGF-1 levels compared to Caucasians and this may be an important factor in the explanation of the low incidence of prostate cancer in the Arab population.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

'Metachronous' adenocarcinoma of the small intestine.

Adenocarcinoma of the small intestine accounts for less than 1% of primary gastrointestinal malignancies (1). Small intestine contains 75% of the length of the gastrointestinal tract with 90% of the surface mucosal area, and yet carcinoma is rare. Symptoms of small bowel adenocarcinoma are vague and non-specific, and this region is relatively inaccessible which together contributes to their late diagnosis and poor prognosis. The authors report a case of two primary adenocarcinomas of the small intestine in the same patient.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2005

Morphological responses of the rabbit testis to ischemic/reperfusion injury due to torsion.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the morphological effects of free radical injury on spermatogenic cells in both testes of the rabbit experimental model of testicular torsion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The left testes of 8 peripubertal NZW rabbits (3-6 months) were subjected to 0, 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, and 180 min of ischemia by applying a clamp to the spermatic cord, followed by reperfusion. Another set of 8 rabbits was subjected to 60 min of ischemia and administered antioxidants (acetylsalicylic acid, ascorbic acid, allopurinol, quercetin, superoxide dismutase) before reperfusion. Both testes of 4 animals per group were harvested at 24 h and the remaining 4 at 3 months. Johnsen scores for spermatogenic activity and other changes were assessed histologically and these were compared with testicular malondialdehyde (MDA), a measure of free radical damage, assayed on testicular homogenates using the thiobarbiturate method. RESULTS: In the 24-hour reperfusion group, apoptotic bodies and giant cells were more prominent in the seminiferous tubules of the left testes compared to the right, and were maximal after 90 min. In the 3-month reperfusion group, giant cells were absent, and apoptotic bodies were reduced in both testes. Testicular MDA showed an increase only in the left testes in the 24-hour reperfusion group, while the 3-month group showed increased MDA levels in both testes, but more on the left. The Johnsen score fell only to 8.0 in the left testes in the 24-hour reperfusion group, but dropped to 2.3 in the 3-month reperfusion group. Only in the 3-month reperfusion group, did antioxidant-treated animals show a fall in Johnsen scores in the left testes, regardless of the type of antioxidant. CONCLUSION: These findings confirm a role for reactive oxygen species (ROS) in damage to spermatogenic cells in both the ipsilateral and contralateral testes following torsion, with longer term effects in the torted testis. Currently available antioxidants do not provide any significant long-term protection against morphological damage to the testis by ROS generated in testicular torsion.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

De Vega's tricuspid annuloplasty for Ebstein's anomaly.

A case of Ebstein's anomaly as demonstrated by echocardiography and electrophysiological studies is discussed. In view of deterioration in tricuspid regurgitation and right ventricular dysfunction, successful surgical repair employing De Vega's tricuspid annuloplasty along with plication of the atrialised portion of the right ventricle is described. Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography following the procedure revealed satisfactory repair and a significant decrease in tricuspid regurgitation. This simple technique appears to be effective in patients having anterior leaflet sufficiently large area and motion. Adequate long-term follow-up in a large series of patients is essential to confirm that it is also beneficial and durable.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

A network-informed approach to investigating a tuberculosis outbreak: implications for enhancing contact investigations.

BACKGROUND: To elucidate networks of Mycobacterium tuberculosis transmission, it may be appropriate to characterize the types of relationships among tuberculosis (TB) cases and their contacts (with and without latent TB infection) in addition to relying on traditional efforts to distinguish 'close' from 'casual' contacts. SETTING: A TB outbreak in a US low incidence state. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether social network analysis can provide insights into transmission settings that might otherwise go unrecognized by routine practices. DESIGN: All adult outbreak-associated cases (n = 19) and a convenience sample of their contacts with and without latent TB infection (LTBI) (n = 26) were re-interviewed in 2001 using a structured questionnaire. Network analysis software was used to create diagrams illustrating important persons within the outbreak network, as well as types of activities TB cases engaged in with their contacts. RESULTS: Drug use and drug sharing were more commonly reported among cases and their infected contacts than among contacts without LTBI. TB cases central to the outbreak network used crack cocaine, uncovering the need to focus control efforts on specific sites and persons involved in illicit drug use. CONCLUSION: Outbreaks occur even in areas with low TB incidence, frequently among groups whose drug use or other illegal activities complicate control efforts. TB programs should consider the use of network analysis as a supplement to routine contact investigations to identify unrecognized patterns of M. tuberculosis transmission.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

A new repair for anomalous left coronary artery.

We report a new technique of left coronary artery implantation to the aorta with interposition of a tube created from the great arterial wall for anomalous left coronary artery from pulmonary artery. This technique was used in 3 patients, of which 2 patients survived. It achieves two coronary artery repair and avoids problems related to extensive mobilization of coronary artery for translocation. It is easily reproducible.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗
PubMed2000

Dynamic regulation of mouse ovarian stanniocalcin expression during gestation and lactation.

Stanniocalcin is a glycoprotein hormone that appears to play a paracine/autocrine role in several mammalian tissues. Recently studies have shown that stanniocalcin is highly expressed in the ovaries of mice and humans and we have investigated its expression in the mouse ovary during several physiological states to identify potential functional relationships. During postnatal development the pattern of stanniocalcin (STC) gene expression begins to become thecal-restricted as early as day 5 and achieves the adult pattern of expression by two weeks of age. During postnatal development the primary sites of STC protein localization are the theca and oocytes and after maturation it is also strongly concentrated in the corpora lutea. Over the estrous cycle the pattern of both STC gene expression and protein localization do not show dramatic changes though STC immunoreactivity (STCir) staining appears to be greatest during metestrus I. In the superovulation model, however, we observed a significant increase in STC messenger RNA (mRNA) levels after treatment with hCG implying regulation by LH. During gestation the expression of ovarian STC increases 15-fold and is localized to the theca-interstitial cells with lower expression also being found in the corpora lutea. STC also becomes detectable in the serum for the first time suggesting an endocrine role for STC during gestation. Interestingly, the presence of a nursing litter appears to up-regulate STC gene expression in lactating mice suggesting a role for ovarian STC in lactation. Also striking is the intense STCir staining found in oocytes as they are devoid of STC mRNA, thus implying a role for STC in oocyte maturation. Stanniocalcin, to our knowledge, is unique because no other secreted proteins produced by the ovarian thecal-interstitial compartment are significantly induced during mouse pregnancy. In summary, our data provide evidence for the active regulation of STC expression in the ovary during gestation and lactation and therefore implies that STC is a new regulator of the gestational and nursing state.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Molecular cloning and characterization of stanniocalcin-related protein.

Stanniocalcin (STC) is a glycoprotein hormone first discovered in fish and recently identified in humans and mice. In this report we have described the cloning of an STC-like cDNA, designated here as STC related protein (STCrP). Human STCrP (hSTCrP) cDNAs were isolated as expressed sequence tags (ESTs) and predicted a polypeptide of 302 amino acids, with 58%, homology to human STC (hSTC). Ten of the eleven 1/2 cysteine residues that in STC allow for dimerization of monomeric subunits were conserved in hSTCrP. By Northern analysis, three hSTCrP mRNAs were detected and were most abundant in pancreas, spleen and kidney as well as a variety of different transformed cell lines. The high degree of sequence homology suggests that STC and STCrP may have been derived from a common ancestral gene.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1998

Comparative analysis of mammalian stanniocalcin genes.

The recent discovery of mammalian stanniocalcin (STC) prompted an investigation of its gene structure and expression pattern to study its function and regulation. We show that both the human and mouse genes are composed of four exons spanning about 13 kb, with 85% nucleotide sequence identity in coding regions. Remarkably high sequence conservation between species also exists in the approximately 3-kb 3'-untranslated region. Comparative analysis of the 5'-untranslated region and flanking DNA from the rat and human STC genes showed long stretches of CAG trinucleotide repeats and an additional (CA)25 dinucleotide repeat unique to the rat promoter. An analysis of STC expression in the mouse showed that ovary contained the highest level of messenger RNA, with lower, but detectable, levels in most tissues. In situ hybridization revealed strong, specific hybridization over the thecal-interstitial cells of the ovarian stroma, whereas immunohistochemical analysis indicated that STC was present not only in the stroma, but also in the corpora lutea and oocyte of the developing follicle. Consequently, STC may act as a signaling molecule between the thecal-interstitial cell compartment and the corpus luteum and oocyte, thereby regulating the activity of these structures in some way. These findings suggest that in addition to its role in mineral metabolism, STC has acquired an important function in reproduction during its evolution to mammals.

5' Untranslated Regions↗
PubMed1997

Circulating antioxidants in ulcerative colitis and their relationship to disease severity and activity.

Oxygen free radicals produced by neutrophils are important in the pathogenesis of mucosal damage in ulcerative colitis. Vitamin A, vitamin E and cysteine in the plasma can scavenge free radicals. In the present study, plasma levels of vitamin A, vitamin E, cysteine, cystine and protein-bound cysteine were measured in active ulcerative colitis before and immediately after treatment of the active disease, and correlated with disease severity, extent and activity. Plasma vitamin A and cysteine were significantly reduced in active ulcerative colitis compared with controls. Levels of vitamin E, cystine and protein-bound cysteine were not significantly altered in active ulcerative colitis. Vitamin A and cysteine concentrations returned to normal levels (P < 0.05) within 2 weeks of treating active colitis. There were significant negative correlations between clinical severity and the plasma concentrations of vitamin A and cysteine. Plasma cysteine levels also correlated inversely to disease extent. Depletion of the circulating antioxidants, vitamin A and cysteine, in active ulcerative colitis is likely to be important in the pathophysiology of the disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Oculocutaneous malignancies in xeroderma pigmentosum.

Xeroderma pigmentosum is a rare autosomal recessive genodermatosis characterized by markedly increased sensitivity to sunlight, and the early development of skin tumours. Four cases of XP with malignancy have been described with a brief review of the literature. The cases have been documented with a view to study the evolution of the disease process and the development of malignancy during the follow up period.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Carcinomatous meningitis: clinical manifestations and management.

Carcinomatous meningitis (CM) is a cause of significant morbidity and mortality in patients with cancer. During the past 15 years, diffuse leptomeningeal metastases of extracranial malignant tumors have been increasingly reported [Wasserstrom et al. 1982, Theodore and Gendelman 1981, Little et al. 1974, Olson et al. 1974, Yaphey et al. 1978, Sorensen et al. 1984], CM is increasing in frequency because of improved survival of patients with systemic anti neoplastic therapies and increased awareness of this problem among physicians. In this review, we will be discussing the epidemiology, etiology, pathology, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis and management of carcinomatous meningitis, as well as the status of recent basic and clinical investigations.

Carcinoma↗
PubMed1994

Children's emotional associations with colors.

In this study children's emotional associations with colors were investigated. Sixty children (30 girls, 30 boys), equally divided into groups of 5-year-olds and 6 1/2-year-olds, were asked their favorite color and were then shown nine different colors, one at a time and in a random order. For each color, children were asked, "How does (the color) make you feel?" All children were able to verbally express an emotional response to each color, and 69% of children's emotional responses were positive (e.g., happiness, excitement). Responses also demonstrated distinct color-emotion associations. Children had positive reactions to bright colors (e.g., pink, blue, red) and negative emotions for dark colors (e.g., brown, black, gray). Children's emotional reactions to bright colors became increasingly positive with age, and girls in particular showed a preference for brighter colors and a dislike for darker colors. Boys were more likely than girls were to have positive emotional associations with dark colors. Potential sources for children's color-emotion concepts, such as gender-related and idiosyncratic experiences, are discussed.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1994

Positive response to oral divalproex sodium (Depakote) in patients with spasticity and pain.

Divalproex sodium (DVS; Depakote) is a commonly used antiepileptic agent that increases the levels of gamma aminobutyric acid. Spasticity from different causes may be due to a deficiency of inhibitory transmitters like gamma aminobutyric acid or an excess of excitatory neurotransmitters. Spasticity also may be accompanied by pain. The authors administered DVS orally for pain and spasticity in three patients with a history of spinal cord injury and one patient with a history of head injury. Three patients had marked improvement in spasticity and pain. One patient, who had some symptomatic improvement in spasticity, could not tolerate DVS because of gastric irritation. In contrast to the side effects of sedation and increased motor weakness associated with antispasticity drugs commonly used, no such side effects were detected with DVS. It is suggested that a possible enhancement by DVS of gamma aminobutyric acid-ergic postsynaptic inhibition of motor reflex arc in the spinal cord may represent a new nonsedating, management approach for spasticity as a result of traumatic spinal cord and head injuries.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Neuroimaging studies of cerebral "visceral larva migrans" syndrome.

"Visceral larva migrans" syndrome is a zoonotic disease caused by the migration or presence in human tissue of nematode larva from lower-order animals. This syndrome includes generalized illness, eosinophilia, and symptoms arising from larval invasions of different organs including the liver, lungs, eyes, and central nervous system. There has been only one case report of the computed tomographic (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) appearances of cerebral toxocaral disease. Described here is a patient with cerebral toxocaral disease with a high eosinophil count and toxocaral titer in the serum and abnormal CT and MRI findings who had spontaneous recovery of the clinical symptoms.

Brain Diseases↗
PubMed1981

Psychological growth and the impact of stress in middle age.

Cycles of stress and anxiety in middle age may have a developmental etiology, and may be a necessary part of the developmental process in this phase of life. Middle age often is punctuated by recurrent episodes of stress which do not appear to have a basis in any specific event. These cycles of stress instead are a function of psychological development in mid-life, with stress resulting from the need to integrate newly differentiated aspects of experience which cannot be integrated with an existing cognitive system of beliefs and values. Reintegration of the cognitive structure to accommodate these new elements reduces the stress, leaving the adult changed with respect to certain beliefs about self or world. These reintegrations are facilitated by an internal locus of control and an articulate self-other differentiation, both of which are important for a positive response to stress in middle age.

Adaptation, Psychological↗