Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

S Basu

Publications and source records attributed to S Basu.

At least 559 records · Page 31Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Heart rate variability in dilated cardiomyopathy.

Chronic heart failure is associated with excessive neurohormonal activation. Analysis of heart rate variability is considered a valid technique for assessment of the autonomic balance of the heart. Twenty symptomatic patients of dilated cardiomyopathy in NYHA class II-IV symptomatic status and as many normal controls were subjected to 24 hours Holter monitoring to assess the heart rate variability with both time domain and frequency domain analysis. Age of the patients ranged from 12 to 67 years (mean +/- SD 38.6 +/- 7 years), the male-female ratio was 4:1. The left ventricular ejection fraction of the patients was between 18-42 percent (mean +/- SD 30.2 +/- 9%) and all received diuretics, digoxin and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. Heart rate variability parameters measured included mean heart rate with standard deviation, hourly heart rate with SD and the mean of all normal RR intervals from the 24-hour recording. Time domain measures calculated were SD of all normal RR intervals, SD of 5 minute mean RR intervals and root mean square of difference of successive RR intervals. Using spectral plots, frequency domain subsets of low frequency and high frequency were analysed and expressed in normalised units. Total power was also measured. In the dilated cardiomyopathy patients, mean 24-hour heart rate in beats per minute was significantly higher in comparison to controls (82 +/- 13 vs 72 +/- 8; p < 0.001) whereas mean hourly heart rate with standard deviation (msec) was significantly lower (97 +/- 41 vs 232 +/- 25; p < 0.001), SD of all normal RR intervals (msec) was 85.5 +/- 26.3 vs 139.4 +/- 16.9 in controls (p < 0.001), SD of 5 minute mean RR intervals (msec) was also significantly less in patients in comparison to controls (75.8 +/- 39.6 vs 130.8 +/- 20.3; p < 0.001). However, although root mean square of difference of successive RR intervals (msec) was reduced in patients (30.1 +/- 9.3 vs 37.3 +/- 11.7; p < 0.05), the difference was non-significant. Low frequency power (0.05-0.15 Hz) (normalised units) was reduced in the dilated cardiomyopathy group (0.0721 +/- 0.003 vs 0.136 +/- 0.047 in the control group; p < 0.001). High frequency power (0.35-0.50 Hz) (normalised units) (0.08 +/- 0.05 in patients vs 0.09 +/- 0.02 in controls; p > 0.1) and total power frequency (0.02-0.50 Hz) (normalised units) (0.34 +/- 0.05 in patients vs 0.35 +/- 0.12 in controls; p > 0.1) was non-significantly different in the two groups. Regression analysis showed a significant decrease in SD of all normal RR intervals, SD of 5 minute mean RR intervals, low frequency, high frequency, total power and a non-significant decrease in root mean square of difference of successive RR intervals with a decrease in ejection fraction percent whereas there was a significant decrease in SD of all normal RR intervals, SD of 5 minute mean RR intervals, low frequency and total power and a less significant decrease in root mean square of difference of successive RR intervals and high frequency power with an increase in NYHA class. At 6 months duration, 6 patients were lost to follow-up, 3 patients were readmitted (2 for congestive cardiac failure, one of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia). One patient who was NYHA class IV at baseline was readmitted for congestive cardiac failure and showed much lower heart rate variability parameters compared to the average of the patients. We conclude that in symptomatic dilated cardiomyopathy patients, heart rate variability parameters are significantly reduced in comparison to control subjects.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Coccidioidomycosis presenting as liver abscess.

A 26-year-old man presented with pain in the right upper abdomen. Ultrasonography revealed a large solitary right lobe liver abscess, which was treated by aspiration and antiamebic treatment. The patient continued to be symptomatic with the abscess increasing in size. Repeat aspiration revealed a pure growth of coccidioidomycosis, which was confirmed on culture. He was treated with amphotericin-B; the abscess resolved completely and the patient has remained asymptomatic at one-year follow up.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Internal herniation of wandering spleen--a rare cause of recurrent abdominal pain.

A rare case of wandering spleen herniating through a defect in transverse mesocolon, which was managed electively by splenopexy using polyglycolic acid mesh is reported. An enlarged wandering spleen is at constant risk of trauma, torsion and infarction. Internal herniation seems to increase the above risks. Early recognition and elective splenopexy should be the treatment of choice.

Abdominal Pain↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Role of human blood monocytes in up-regulation of lymphokine (interleukin-2)-activated killer cell activity with cisplatin and FK-565.

The role of cisplatin (CP) and FK-565 in monocyte-mediated up-regulation of lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cell induction by interleukin-2 (IL-2) was examined. Treatment of peripheral-blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) with CP or FK-565 in the presence of IL-2 resulted in a significant increase in LAK activity against NK-resistant Raji cells, as assessed by the 4-hour 51Cr release assay, depending on the dose of CP, FK-565 and IL-2. Up-regulation of IL-2-induced LAK activity by CP/FK-565 was significantly higher in whole PBMC as compared to PBMC depleted of monocytes. Addition of different numbers of monocytes to cultures of lymphocytes plus IL-2 along with CP or FK-565 resulted in a significant up-regulation of LAK activity depending on the number of monocytes added. Pretreatment of monocytes for 2 h with CP or FK-565 before addition of lymphocytes plus IL-2 resulted in significant up-regulation of LAK activity as compared to untreated monocytes. Culture supernatant of CP- or FK-565-treated monocytes also significantly up-regulated IL-2-induced LAK activity of lymphocytes. The results of the present investigation suggest that up-regulation of LAK activity by CP and FK-565 in human PBMC is monocyte-mediated. Further, our data demonstrate that tumor necrosis factor and IL-1 play an important role in the up-regulation of LAK activity by monocytes that have been pretreated with FK-565 or CP. These results indicate that CP and FK-565 may be useful in modulating the immune response during treatment of neoplasia with IL-2 and LAK therapies.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Unusual haematological alterations in rheumatoid arthritis.

Three cases of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), presenting with refractory anaemia, thrombocytopenia and peripheral lymphocytosis respectively, were observed. In all the cases haematological manifestations were unrelated to disease activity or drug toxicity. These patients were detected to have pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) (normocytic normochromic anaemia, reticulocytopenia and absence of erythroid precursors in the bone marrow), immune thrombocytopenia (IT) (absence of splenomegaly and presence of increased megakaryocytes in the bone marrow) and multiple myeloma (MM) (lytic lesions on skull, paraproteinaemia and bone marrow plasmacytosis) respectively. PRCA and IT responded to glucocorticoids. Association with these three haematological alterations has rarely been reported. Our report highlights the need to regularly monitor blood counts in patients with RA.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Transfusion-transmitted infections: existing and emerging pathogens.

In general, the risk of transfusion-transmitted infections has been greatly reduced today. However, blood-borne bacterial and parasitic infections and emerging infections transmitted through transfusion are an area of increasing concern. Implementation of stringent donor eligibility criteria, improved donor screening and more sophisticated as well as sensitive methods of antibody, antigen and viral genome detection, have virtually eliminated transfusion transmitted infection in developed countries. In developing countries like India, the risk of transfusion-transmitted infections is still considerable. A comprehensive MEDLINE search and review of relevant transfusion medicine literature were carried out and the data extracted and studied with particular reference to emerging pathogens transmitted through blood transfusion and posing a huge threat.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Squamous cell carcinoma of esophagus masquerading as solitary thyroid nodule.

Secondary neoplasm of the thyroid mimicking a primary thyroid lesion is a rare finding, especially in an individual without a past history of malignancy. A case of squamous cell carcinoma metastatic to the thyroid (presenting as a solitary thyroid nodule), who had an unsuspected primary in the esophagus is described. Usually, multiple areas of the gland are involved in the secondary involvement of the thyroid. The clinical presentation of an apparently asymptomatic mass with neck lymphadenopathy, normal thyroid functions, and a cold nodule on 99mTcO4- thyroid scan can often lead to a misdiagnosis as primary thyroid neoplasm. The present case underscores the fact that due importance to the subtle signs and symptoms and a high degree of suspicion, whenever the histology is unusual for a thyroid primary, is needed and the workup should include ruling out other primary malignancies.

Biopsy, Needle↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Cervical cytology screening in Calcutta and adjoining areas with special reference to carcinoma of the uterine cervix.

A total of 1232 female subjects including 100 prostitutes from Calcutta and adjoining areas in the age group of 21-70 years were screened for cervical pathology according to the method of Papanicolaou. Of 1232 examined, 815 were found to have smears with normal cellular cytology (66.15%). The others were grouped into dysplasia (18.4%) and inflammatory (15.4%) according to the cytomorphological characteristics of the exfoliated cells. The findings though revealed more cases of cervical dysplasia in women with early marriage, early childbirth, high parity and multiple sexual partners, it failed to support the smegma theory of cervical carcinoma. This study also showed a number of inflammatory cervical smears in women coming from low socio-economic group.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Maternal recognition of pregnancy--a review of the literature.

A review of the literature concerning the endocrinological changes around early pregnancy in the domestic animals is presented. During this period the presence of the blastocyst must be recognized by the mother ("Maternal Recognition of Pregnancy") leading to a rescue and maintenance of the corpus luteum function. Several hormones are involved in these processes and the initial hormonal changes are dependent on a viable blastocyst. The key event is its control of the prostaglandin synthetizing system.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Limitations in the use of CO2 as a method for studying the J-reflex.

In order to study the J-reflex, monosynaptic reflexes were recorded from L7 or S1 ventral root after stimulation of the posterior biceps, and semi-tendinosus nerve (PBST) from the lower limb in cats anaesthetized with Pentobarbitone sodium. Intratracheal CO2 (60 ml, 100%) depressed the monosynaptic reflexes, and the depression was comparable to the effects of right atrial phenyl diguanide injection. Bilateral vagotomy did not abolish the response showing that the afferent pathway of this depression does not travel via the vagus nerve. Thus it is concluded that CO2 cannot be used to study the J-reflex.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effects and site of action of a single-breath of 100% CO2 on the monosynaptic reflexes in cats.

A single breath of 100% CO2 produces depression of the monosynaptic reflexes, recorded from L7 or S1 ventral root, after stimulation of the Posterior Biceps and Semitendinosus nerve (PBST) in anaesthetised cats. As the depression could not be attributed to the J-reflex(1), the possible site of action of the CO2 induced depression of monosynaptic reflexes was worked out. PBST nerve threshold did not change after CO2 introduction and the depression persisted in paralysed cats under controlled ventilation, thus eliminating the possibility of movement effect of the spinal cord due to tachypnoea. Spinal cord sections at the level of L1 and C1 abolished the depression, whereas the depression persisted in the decerebrate preparation. Thus it is concluded that a single-breath of 100% CO2 depresses the monosynaptic reflexes at the supraspinal level. Blood gas tensions (PO2 and pCO2) measured before and after CO2 introduction showed a shortlasting increase in pCO2 and not much significant change in pO2 compared to the long lasting depression of monosynaptic reflexes.

Action Potentials↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The ocular effects of prostaglandins and the therapeutic potential of a new PGF2 alpha analog, PhXA41 (latanoprost), for glaucoma management.

In the early days of prostaglandin (PG) research, the infusion of large PG doses into rabbit eyes already traumatized by cannulation, led to the conclusion that PGs have a profound ocular hypertensive effect that is associated with a breakdown of the blood-aqueous barrier. In contrast, repeated topical application of PGs to nontraumatized eyes of several species other than rabbits has later been shown to yield a maintained ocular hypotensive effect, without barrier breakdown. Due to its excellent pharmacokinetic properties, the isopropyl ester form of PGF2 alpha (PGF2 alpha-IE) is a much more potent ocular hypotensive agent and appeared to be better suited for the management of glaucoma, than PGF2 alpha itself or any currently used glaucoma drug. However, even this prodrug caused clinically unacceptable foreign-body sensation and conjunctival hyperemia, which could be reduced, or eliminated, only by some modifications of the omega chain of PGF2 alpha-IE. One such analog, PhXA41, maintained highly significant IOP reduction in glaucoma patients even with once-daily application at the remarkably low concentration of 0.006%. Because PhXA41 reaches intraocular tissues and the systemic circulation in its de-esterified free-acid form, which is a good substrate for the PG transport system, it retains the most important pharmacokinetic advantages of topically applied PGF2 alpha-IE. However, its greatly reduced side effects give PhXA41 a clear therapeutic advantage over PGF2 alpha-IE, making it an effective new drug candidate for the long-term medical management of glaucoma.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Morphologic and arteriographic changes in the pulmonary vasculature in children with congenital heart disease.

This study was undertaken to determine the morphologic changes occurring in the pulmonary vasculature in congenital heart disease. Autopsy was performed in twenty cases of congenital heart disease ranging in age from newborn (full term) to 14 years. Postmortem arteriography was performed in most of them followed by histomorphometry. It was found that medial hypertrophy of the muscular pulmonary arteries was the most consistent change and the smallest muscular arteries were the most severely affected. The lesions were focal and randomly distributed. Hence, morphologic observations on open lung biopsies may not be accurate.

Adolescent↗