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Biomedical subjects

S Agarwal

Publications and source records attributed to S Agarwal.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

Liquid nitrogen cryotherapy of common warts: cryo-spray vs. cotton wool bud.

BACKGROUND: Viral warts represent a large workload for dermatology departments. Cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen is the most widely used method of treatment by dermatologists and is increasingly used by general practitioners in the U.K. Existing data relating to the response to cryotherapy are virtually all derived from the use of a cotton wool bud as the applicator. There is an increasing trend to use the cryo-spray to freeze warts and it has been assumed that this is equally effective. In view of the workload involved it is important to test this assumption. OBJECTIVES: This prospective study was undertaken to compare these two methods of liquid nitrogen cryotherapy with regards to cure rate after 3 months of treatment. METHODS: Patients referred to two hospital dermatology departments with hand or foot warts were allocated to have liquid nitrogen applied with either a cryo-spray or with a cotton wool bud. Using either technique, liquid nitrogen was applied until ice-ball formation had spread from the centre to include a margin of 2 mm around each wart. Treatment was done fortnightly for up to 3 months. Plantar warts were pared and treated with a double freeze-thaw cycle. The endpoint of the study was complete clearance of all warts. RESULTS: Three hundred and sixty-three patients were enrolled, mean age 21 years (range 3-75), 188 male and 175 female. The mean duration of the warts was 98 weeks (median 78, range 2-936). The number of warts on the hands and feet varied from one to 80 (mean 5). The treatment groups were comparable with regards to baseline demographics. Two hundred and seven patients were evaluable. Cure rates at 3 months were 47% in the cotton wool bud group and 44% in the cryo-spray group (P = 0.8). Warts that had been present for 6 months or less (n = 31) had a greater chance of clearance (84%) compared with warts that had been present for more than 6 months (39%, n = 176) (P < 0.0005). CONCLUSIONS: Cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen for hand and foot warts in our study was equally effective when applied with a cotton wool bud or by means of a spray.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Out patient waiting time for common skin conditions - do general practitioners and dermatologists have the same priorities? A questionnaire-based survey.

We present the results of a questionnaire-based survey amongst the general practitioners and consultant dermatologists regarding maximum acceptable waiting times for a range of skin conditions. Statistically significant differences were found in the relative prioritization between the general practitioners and the consultants for a selection of the diagnoses. This has implications for planning and implementation of future services in general and developing waiting list prioritization scoring systems in particular.

Ambulatory Care↗
PubMed2001

Altered lipid profile, leptin, insulin, and anthropometry in offspring of South Asian immigrants in the United States.

South Asians who immigrate to the United States have a propensity toward insulin resistance, central obesity, and elevated total cholesterol:high-density lipoprotein (HDL) ratio. To evaluate whether these alterations are apparent at a younger age, we studied 32 offspring of South Asian immigrants and compared them with 29 of European descent between 18 to 30 years of age. American-born South Asian males had significantly higher total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (TC:LDL) ratios, triglycerides, and fasting insulin levels (13.9 +/- 7.1 and 10.0 +/- 5.5 microU/mL, P <.01) than their European counterparts. The South Asian females only had increased plasma insulin levels (15.3 +/- 8.8 and 10.0 +/- 5.1 microU/mL, P =.05). The entire South Asian group had higher truncal skinfold thickness (40.1 +/- 18.1 and 30.3 +/- 12.6 mm, P = <.05) and lower insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP)-1 levels (46.8 +/- 33.4 and 56.0 +/- 33.4 microg/L, P =.05). Plasma leptin levels were also significantly higher in both males (4.3 +/- 2.5 v 2.8 +/- 1.3 ng/mL, P =.0001) and females (20.5 +/- 10.3 v 10.3 +/- 6.3 ng/mL, P =.002) South Asian subjects. A significant correlation between plasma leptin and insulin, triglycerides, TC, and body mass index (BMI) was seen in the South Asian males. South Asians born in the United States show evidence for an altered metabolic profile in young adulthood. The relative contributions of inheritance and nutritional practices early in life to this alteration remain unclear.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Revision total hip arthroplasty using impaction bone grafting with cemented nonpolished stems and charnley cups.

This article reports the results of 181 cemented revision total hip arthroplasties in which impacted morcellized allograft and cement was used for reconstitution of acetabular and femoral bone deficiencies. There were 173 acetabular and 79 femoral reconstructions. The mean follow-up was 4.0 years. The overall survival rate was 97.2%. Evidence of revascularization of the impacted allograft was shown in 29 of 30 (97%) randomly selected bone scintigraphies. Radiographic evidence of allograft incorporation was observed in 128 of 173 (74%) acetabula and 48 of 73 (61%) femora. Stem subsidence occurred in all types of femoral bone deficiencies and was not time dependent (P =.17). The acetabular components showed significant migration with increased bone deficiency (P =.0003). Impaction bone grafting has shown promising results in revision total hip arthroplasty but is not recommended in type 3 acetabular defects.

Acetabulum↗
PubMed2001

Management of soft-tissue problems in leg trauma in conjunction with application of the Ilizarov fixator assembly.

Forty-five patients presenting with high-energy open grade III tibial diaphyseal fractures were treated with the Ilizarov technique. Of these patients, 28 required plastic surgical intervention for achieving wound closure. Most of the injuries were complicated by initial neglect and inadequate primary soft-tissue coverage resulting in osteitis, sequestration, and segmental diaphyseal tibial defects, often in combination with skin-envelope deficits of various types in and around the fracture perimeter. The unique soft-tissue problems encountered while using the Ilizarov fixator have not been focused on in previous reports on the management of segmental bone defects. Four basic local flap procedures: the transposition flap, rotation flap, adipofascial turnover flap, and Z-plasty are useful and versatile for managing most types and grades of soft-tissue defects associated with a segmental bone loss with the Ilizarov technique.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Low magnitude of tensile strain inhibits IL-1beta-dependent induction of pro-inflammatory cytokines and induces synthesis of IL-10 in human periodontal ligament cells in vitro.

Applied mechanical loading induces inflammation in the periodontal ligament (PDL). However, the mechanisms involved in bone deposition at tension sites in an inflammatory environment are not clear. Here, in an in vitro model system, we show that equibiaxial tensile strain of low magnitude (TENS) provokes potent anti-inflammatory signals in PDL cells. TENS inhibits IL-1beta-induced synthesis of IL-1beta, IL-6, and IL-8 by inhibiting their mRNA expression, and thus significantly suppresses the amplification of IL-1beta-induced inflammatory responses in PDL cells. Additionally, as an anti-inflammatory signal, TENS induces IL-10 synthesis in the presence and absence of IL-1beta. These observations are the first to demonstrate that TENS antagonizes IL-1beta actions on PDL cells by (i) inhibiting IL-1beta-induced transcriptional regulation of proinflammatory cytokines, and (ii) inducing synthesis of IL-10, which may post-transcriptionally suppress the synthesis of pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Tuned aperture computed tomography to evaluate osseous healing.

Quantification of osseous healing is a challenging task, requiring expensive advanced imaging modalities. To improve diagnostic osseous imaging, we undertook this prospective study to explore the potential of Tuned Aperture Computed Tomography. Eighty defects in 20 rabbit mandibles, randomly carrying an osteoblast suspension or a polymer matrix or a combination thereof or no treatment, were imaged at 3, 6, 9, and 12 weeks post-surgery. TACT slices, iteratively restored TACT, and conventional digital radiographs were evaluated. Mean-gray-value distribution within regions of interest was correlated with histomorphometric data. Lesions treated with osteoblast/polymer-matrix delivery systems demonstrated the highest mean gray-value, while the diagnostic efficacy of TACT-IR was significantly better than that of other imaging modalities (p < 0.001). Thus, TACT is an accurate imaging modality for non-destructive quantification of osseous dynamics.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed2001

Effect of amifostine on toxicities associated with salvage combination chemotherapy.

PURPOSE: To determine the effect of amifostine on the safety and efficacy of chemotherapy in heavily pretreated patients and to study the side effects of amifostine delivered to patients receiving chemotherapy at a dose of 740 mg/m2. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-two patients of histologically proven (recurrent) malignancy who had previously received > or = 6 cycles of chemotherapy and developed grade II or grade III toxicities during treatment with salvage chemotherapy were eligible. These patients were given Injection Amifostine 740 mg/m2 as a 15 min. i.v. infusion 30 min. prior to combination chemotherapy. RESULTS: A total of 85 cycles were administered with amifostine and 46 cycles without amifostine. The side effects during amifostine infusion were hypotension (9.6% cycles), vomiting (20% cycles), somnolence (33% cycles), sneezing (8% cycles), and flushing (19% cycles). The chemotherapy toxicities were reduced from 47.7% to 30.6% for grade II and from 28% to 9.4% for grade III in case of gastrointestinal toxicity. Similarly there was improvement in the mean hemoglobin level from 8.2 gm% to 10.01 gm%, mean total leucocyte count from 2,280/mm3 to 3,600/mm3. CONCLUSION: Amifostine has an excellent safety profile and is well tolerated by the patients. Pretreatment with Amifostine resulted in fewer treatment related delays and dose reduction resulting in better tolerance to salvage chemotherapy.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

CASE tools and UML: state of the ART.

With increasing need for automated tools to assist complex systems development, software design methods are becoming popular. This article analyzes the state of art in computer-aided software engineering (CASE) tools and unified modeling language (UML), focusing on their evolution, merits, and industry usage. It identifies managerial issues for the tools' adoption and recommends an action plan to select and implement them. While CASE and UML offer inherent advantages like cheaper, shorter, and efficient development cycles, they suffer from poor user satisfaction. The critical success factors for their implementation include, among others, management and staff commitment, proper corporate infrastructure, and user training.

Computer-Aided Design↗
PubMed2000

Tomato lycopene and its role in human health and chronic diseases.

Lycopene is a carotenoid that is present in tomatoes, processed tomato products and other fruits. It is one of the most potent antioxidants among dietary carotenoids. Dietary intake of tomatoes and tomato products containing lycopene has been shown to be associated with a decreased risk of chronic diseases, such as cancer and cardiovascular disease. Serum and tissue lycopene levels have been found to be inversely related to the incidence of several types of cancer, including breast cancer and prostate cancer. Although the antioxidant properties of lycopene are thought to be primarily responsible for its beneficial effects, evidence is accumulating to suggest that other mechanisms may also be involved. In this article we outline the possible mechanisms of action of lycopene and review the current understanding of its role in human health and disease prevention.

Anticarcinogenic Agents↗
PubMed2000

Zip3 provides a link between recombination enzymes and synaptonemal complex proteins.

In budding yeast, absence of the meiosis-specific Zip3 protein (also known as Cst9) causes synaptonemal complex formation to be delayed and incomplete. The Zip3 protein colocalizes with Zip2 at discrete foci on meiotic chromosomes, corresponding to the sites where synapsis initiates. Observations suggest that Zip3 promotes synapsis by recruiting the Zip2 protein to chromosomes and/or stabilizing the association of Zip2 with chromosomes. Zip3 interacts with a number of gene products involved in meiotic recombination, including proteins that act at both early (Mre11, Rad51, and Rad57) and late (Msh4 and Msh5) steps in the exchange process. We speculate that Zip3 is a component of recombination nodules and serves to link the initiation of synapsis to meiotic recombination.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗
PubMed2000

Cyclic tensile strain acts as an antagonist of IL-1 beta actions in chondrocytes.

Inflammatory cytokines play a major role in cartilage destruction in diseases such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Because physical therapies such as continuous passive motion yield beneficial effects on inflamed joints, we examined the intracellular mechanisms of mechanical strain-mediated actions in chondrocytes. By simulating the effects of continuous passive motion with cyclic tensile strain (CTS) on chondrocytes in vitro, we show that CTS is a potent antagonist of IL-1 beta actions and acts as both an anti-inflammatory and a reparative signal. Low magnitude CTS suppresses IL-1 beta-induced mRNA expression of multiple proteins involved in catabolic responses, such as inducible NO synthase, cyclo-oxygenase II, and collagenase. CTS also counteracts cartilage degradation by augmenting mRNA expression for tissue inhibitor of metalloproteases and collagen type II that are inhibited by IL-1 beta. Additionally, CTS augments the reparative process via hyperinduction of aggrecan mRNA expression and abrogation of IL-1 beta-induced suppression of proteoglycan synthesis. Nonetheless, the presence of an inflammatory signal is a prerequisite for the observed CTS actions, as exposure of chondrocytes to CTS alone has little effect on these parameters. Functional analysis suggests that CTS-mediated anti-inflammatory actions are not mediated by IL-1R down-regulation. Moreover, as an effective antagonist of IL-1 beta, the actions of CTS may involve disruption/regulation of signal transduction cascade of IL-1 beta upstream of mRNA transcription. These observations are the first to show that CTS directly acts as an anti-inflammatory signal on chondrocytes and provide a molecular basis for its actions.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Use of bidirectional blots in differential display analysis.

We have used bidirectional transfer methods in concert with SMART total cDNA complex probes to sequentially screen differential display arrays. In this report we show the utility of this methodology in examining a manganese superoxide dismutase cDNA fragment which we detected while evaluating the effects of the proinflammatory cytokines IL1-beta, TNF-alpha, and IL6 on human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) gene expression. By using parallel hybridization of the bidirectional blots with SMART total cDNA (32)P probes derived from untreated or cytokine-treated HUVECs, differential expression between cell treatments can be clearly evaluated. Subsequent screening using this bidirectional blot method results in detection of modulated cDNA clones. Northern and total cDNA blot hybridization with the cDNA clonal fragment confirmed both modulated expression and the efficacy of this screening method. These procedures allow one to use bidirectional blots to evaluate band modulation on agarose gels which are initially run to evaluate the reamplification of display fragments or to confirm cloned cDNA fragments. Thus, bidirectional blot analysis using SMART total cDNA probes allows direct evaluation of differential display bands from the initial reamplification through plasmid insert cloning, increasing the investigator's ability to eliminate false-positive bands during each step of analysis.

Blotting, Northern↗
PubMed2000

Induction of leukemia cell differentiation and apoptosis by recombinant P48, a modulin derived from Mycoplasma fermentans.

P48 is a 48-kDa monocytic differentiation/activation factor which was originally identified in the conditioned medium of the Reh and other leukemia cell lines and has recently been shown to be a Mycoplasma fermentans gene product. Previously, conditioned medium P48 has been shown to induce differentiation of HL-60 (human promyelocytic leukemia) cells. Recently our laboratory isolated cDNA clones for P48 from Reh cells and genomic clones from Mycoplasma fermentans and expressed the recombinant protein as a maltose binding protein (MBP) fusion protein in E. coli. In this report we present the initial characterization of this recombinant P48 fusion protein (rP48-MBP). We show that rP48-MBP induces differentiation of HL-60, U937 (human histiocytic lymphoma), and M1 (mouse myeloid leukemia) cell lines. Interestingly, rP48-MBP also induces apoptosis of U937 and HL-60 cells as assessed by terminal transferase (TUNEL) assays. This is the first report of induction of apoptosis by a Mycoplasma gene product. P48 is a Mycoplasma-derived immunomodulatory molecule which has differentiation and apoptosis-inducing activities and may be important in the pathophysiology of Mycoplasma infections. The recombinant protein may be useful in studying the mechanisms of differentiation, cytokine production, and apoptosis in malignant and nonmalignant hematopoietic cells.

Animals↗