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Biomedical subjects

S C Bhatia

Publications and source records attributed to S C Bhatia.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Midbrain adrenergic mechanisms modulating flight behaviour induced by hypothalamic stimulation.

The present study was carried out in ten cats of either sex. Flight response was obtained by electrical stimulation of dorsomedial regions of preoptic area (A13-14.5, L3.5 V-3.5 to -3.7) and lateral hypothalamic regions (A12.5, L2.5-3.5, V-3.7). It consisted of a goal directed attempt to get out of the cage with a vigorous leaping to foot. Norepinephrine when microinjected in 10 micrograms doses into pretectal area of midbrain (A3.5, 3.0, V+1.0 to +1.5 mm) significantly lowered the mean current strength from 640uA to 420uA; clonidine, an alpha-2 agonist in 5 micrograms dose when microinjected into the same locus also significantly lowered the mean current strength to the same level. On the other hand yohimbine, an alpha-2 blocker in 5 micrograms dose when microinjected in to the same locus significantly increased the mean current strength from 640 to 970 uA. These results indicate that hypothalamically induced flight response is mediated via the alpha-2 adrenoceptive mechanism operating at the midbrain level. Control microinjection of normal saline and propylene glycol in similar volumes failed to produce any changes in current strength.

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists↗
PubMed1992

Merging the departments of psychiatry of a private and state university: the Nebraska experience.

Medical colleges throughout the nation are being pressured to decrease the costs of medical education. In some of our smaller cities, the duplication of faculty expertise and costly technological resources at distinct but neighboring campuses has led to training costs far beyond what can be comfortably supported by either the institutions or their students. While the trend toward collaboration or mergers between identical medical departments on adjacent campuses is gaining ground, the methods required to achieve success in these ventures remain relatively uncharted. This paper provides an overview of the creation of successful merger between the departments of Psychiatry of Creighton University School of Medicine and the University of Nebraska College of Medicine. The development of the merger from conception to completion, along with the lessons learned along the way, are offered in the hope that other medical departments may benefit.

Academic Medical Centers↗
PubMed1991

Platelet alpha-2 adrenoreceptor activity pre-treatment and post-treatment in major depressive disorder with melancholia.

Changes in alpha-2 adrenoreceptor density and affinity during antidepressant treatment were studied using 3H-yohimbine binding to human platelet membranes. Baseline measurements were conducted in 21 patients diagnosed as having major depressive disorder with melancholia, and an equal number of age and sex matched normal controls. No differences were observed in receptor density or binding between pre-treatment subject groups and normal matched controls. Subjects participated for 6 weeks in a trial of placebo, adinazolam, or amitriptyline. Alpha-2 adrenoreceptor binding was not significantly changed from baseline following antidepressant treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Comparative bioavailability of slow release diclofenac (Voveran SR) with enteric coated tablet and internationally used Voltaren Retard.

The objective of the study was to compare the enteric coated diclofenac sodium (Voveran), the slow release formulation developed in India (Voveran SR) and the internationally marketed formulation Voltaren Retard. Ten healthy volunteers were administered 100 mg each of the three formulations in a three-way crossover fashion. Blood samples were collected over 24 hours following administration of the drug; plasma levels of unchanged drug were determined by gas chromatography. Pharmacokinetic parameters for the three formulations were compared. The extent of the drug available from the three formulations was the same as the mean AUC values were not significantly different. Cmax and MRT values for the two slow release formulations were comparable but were significantly different from the values obtained with the enteric coated formulation. Tmax values for the two slow release formulations were similar while the enteric coated tablet had faster time to peak. Voveran SR is comparable to Voltaren Retard and has the distinct advantage of a slow release formulation in that its Cmax is much lower and levels are maintained over 12 hours and detectable upto 24 hours. This slow release formulation will offer clinical advantages of better compliance, relief of early morning symptoms and better tolerability over long term usage.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Midbrain cholinergic mechanisms in elicitation of hypothalamic aggressive responses in cats.

1. Electrodes were implanted stereotaxically in the central gray, and the anterolateral regions of the hypothalamus, in chronically prepared cats. 2. The affective attack behaviour elicited on electrical stimulation of the hypothalamic and the midbrain regions was recorded in the caged animals. 3. Bilateral microinfusions of atropine sulphate were given in the central gray and the effect on the midbrain and the hypothalamic responses studied. 4. Cholinergic blockade by atropine sulphate raised the threshold of many of the components of attack behaviour obtained on stimulation of the central gray, and from the anterior hypothalamic regions. 5. Muscarinic receptors may be playing an important role in the central gray regions for the modulation of the aggressive responses from the hypothalamus.

Aggression↗
PubMed1988

Antifilarial activity of CGP 20,376 in chimpanzees (Pan t. troglodytes) naturally infected with Dipetalonema vanhoofi.

CGP 20,376, a benzthiazole and new antifilarial agent, was investigated at CIRMF in eight wild born chimpanzees naturally infected with Dipetalonema vanhoofi. Single oral doses (3.75, 7.5, 11 and 15 mg/kg) were administered. Drug levels during the first hour after administration were assessed in seven chimpanzees at 10 minute intervals in the blood. Levels of unchanged drug (CGP 20,376) were higher than those of its metabolite (CGP 20,308). However, there was considerable variation between individuals, although the results for each animal were consistent. Because of investigational limitations a complete drug profile could not be established. Unsheathed microfilariae of D. vanhoofi were monitored during the first hour following drug administration in seven chimpanzees. In five the microfilaraemia dropped to low counts within 10 minutes and remained below the initial values for the next 50 minutes while in two other chimpanzees it showed a more irregular reduction. Periodic microfilarial counts over the next 20 months, at roughly 30 day intervals, showed that three chimpanzees, treated with 7.5, 11 and 15 mg/kg respectively, remained free of circulating microfilariae from Day 1 to Day 600, the chimpanzee treated with 3.75 mg/kg remained microfilaremic and, in three chimpanzees low numbers of microfilariae reappeared within one year, whereas in the remaining ape they reappeared after one year. No major clinical adverse effects were observed, but liver function tests showed mild reversible changes at the 11 and 15 mg/kg doses. CGP 20,376 was therefore microfilaricidal, except for the lowest dose, and it was possibly macrofilaricidal in those chimpanzees which remained free of microfilariae for 600 days. Clinically CGP 20,376 was well tolerated.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1987

High risk suicide factors across cultures.

High risk suicide factors both in India and in the United States are examined. In India these are: humiliation, reputational and economic loss, poverty, examination failure, relationship disappointments, disputes with spouse and inlaws, property disputes, loss of loved one, and chronic medical illnesses. In the United States major depressions, schizophrenia, alcoholism, recent loss(es), retirement, limited social support system, age over 45 and high risk low rescue situations are significant. Most of high risk suicide factors in India apparently are related to interpersonal and socioeconomic causes, whereas in the United States these relate to individual and psychiatric causes. These interesting differences are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Pharmacokinetics of primaquine in patients with P. vivax malaria.

The pharmacokinetics of primaquine (PQ) and its major carboxylic acid metabolite (PQC) have been studied in seven Indian patients with P. vivax malaria following PQ 15 mg/day p.o. for 14 days. After a single oral dose on Day 1, a mean peak blood concentration of 50.7 ng/ml PQ was attained after 2.3 h, which declined monoexponentially with a half-life of 5.6 h. The mean total body clearance was 37.6 l/h and the volume of distribution was 292 l. The mean renal excretion (0-24 h) of the drug was only 0.54% of the dose and renal clearance was 0.189 l/h. Following chronic administration, none of the pharmacokinetic parameters was affected, and a steady state blood concentration of 2.5-4.2 ng/ml PQ was attained. After the first dose of PQ, PQC had a mean area under the blood concentration - time curve 11-fold higher than that of the parent drug. In contrast to the rapid distribution and elimination of PQ, the metabolite showed a longer mean residence time and accumulation in the body. The mean Cmax and AUC of the metabolite on Day 14 were 48 and 40% higher than the corresponding Day 1 values. The metabolite could not be detected in urine at any time in any patient. PQ and its metabolite did not show any accumulation in blood cells.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Psychotropic medication and nonfatal cafe coronary.

Obstructive asphyxia, also known as cafe coronary, has been linked to both medicated and nonmedicated psychiatric patients. An 18-month prospective audit of choking patients was conducted in a psychiatric hospital. Based upon all medications received in the 5 days preceding the event, mean daily chlorpromazine and atropine equivalent dosages were also calculated for age, sex, and diagnosis matched controls based upon all medications received during their entire hospital stay. Paired t-tests showed no significant differences between choking patients and their matched controls except that greater mean daily chlorpromazine equivalents were present in the severe choking subgroup. Computation of log odds of choking risk increases with interaction of increased mean doses of each drug type and age, and also with interaction of increased chlorpromazine equivalents and increased atropine equivalents. Patients receiving high dosages of drug(s) with antidopaminergic or anticholinergic activity are at greater risk of choking and should be monitored closely.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1986

Suicide risk: evaluation and management.

Inadequate assessment of the suicidal patient can have tragic consequences. Reliance should be placed on a comprehensive evaluation, including social profile, mental and physical status, suicidal ideation, intent and behavior, and current social support systems. Heightened awareness, combined with a knowledge about risk factors for suicide and intervention techniques, will help prevent these tragedies.

Crisis Intervention↗
PubMed1985

Molindone and hepatotoxicity.

An adolescent male with chronic schizophrenic disorder, paranoid type, was treated with molindone. He developed hepatotoxicity in the early treatment phase as evidenced by flu-like symptoms and laboratory abnormalities of liver functions. These symptoms and his hepatic functions improved on discontinuing molindone. Similar liver function trends were seen on reintroduction and subsequent withdrawal of the drug. Hepatic hypersensitivity has not been reported previously with the use of this drug. It is suggested that clinicians should be aware of this association and should assess hepatic functions in patients who develop a prodromal flu-like syndrome with this drug, especially in the early treatment phase.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Electron-capture gas chromatographic assays of 5-nitroimidazole class of antimicrobials in blood.

Sensitive and selective electron-capture gas chromatographic methods for the determination of N-1-substituted 5-nitroimidazole class of antiprotozoals from blood are described. Metronidazole, secnidazole and ornidazole having a hydroxyl function in the N-1 substitution, were converted to their respective trimethylsilyl derivatives before chromatography on an OV-11 column. Tinidazole and satranidazole, devoid of the hydroxy group but containing a sulphur atom in the molecule, were chromatographed as such on the same stationary phase. Blood levels as low as 50 ng/ml for all the 5-nitroimidazoles have been measured with good precision. The methods can be readily utilized for pharmacokinetic studies.

Antitrichomonal Agents↗