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Biomedical subjects

S Chopra

Publications and source records attributed to S Chopra.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Propolis protects against doxorubicin-induced myocardiopathy in rats.

Propolis (bee glue) is one of the major hive products of bees and is rich in flavonoids, which are known for antioxidant activities. Doxorubicin-induced myocardiopathy is the consequence of oxidative stress through the mediation of free radicals. The effect of intraperitoneal administration of propolis (50 and 100 mg/kg) was studied on cardiomyopathy produced by doxorubicin (10 mg/kg, i.v.) in rats. Serum creatine phosphokinase (CK), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), blood and tissue glutathione (GSH), and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in heart were estimated to assess the status of heart muscle. An elevation of the levels of CK, AST, GSH, and TBARS was observed following doxorubicin treatment. Parallel experiments with a pretreatment of propolis significantly reduced the levels of these parameters . Biochemical observations were supplemented by histopathological examination of heart sections. The protective effect of propolis was compared with that of rutin, a known cardioprotective flavonoid. The study demonstrates the cardioprotective effect of propolis in doxorubicin-induced experimental cardiotoxicity.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Cytokine production during in vitro hemodialysis with new and formaldehyde- or renalin-reprocessed cellulose dialyzers.

Critics of reuse have suggested that patients treated with reprocessed dialyzers are exposed to pyrogen trapped from the water or solutions used during the reprocessing cycle, thereby triggering the synthesis and release of proinflammatory cytokines, resulting in cachexia. To test this hypothesis, the production of interleukin (IL)-1 alpha by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) during in vitro dialysis with new or reprocessed cellulose dialyzers was compared. An in vitro closed-loop dialysis circuit was created with standard hemodialysis blood lines and either new cellulose dialyzers or dialyzers reprocessed 10 times with either formaldehyde/bleach (formaldehyde) or peracetic acid/hydrogen peroxide mixture (Renalin). The circuit was rinsed with 2 L or more of pyrogen-free normal saline before the start of in vitro dialysis until the blood compartment tested negative for residual formaldehyde/Renalin. Heparinized whole blood from healthy volunteers was circulated for 3 h in the blood compartment at 100 mL/min at 37 degrees C. The dialysate compartment was sealed. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were harvested from the blood compartment before and at the end of 3 h of in vitro dialysis. Total IL-1 alpha synthesis (cell associated plus secreted) by unstimulated and endotoxin-stimulated PBMC was measured by a specific, non-cross-reactive radioimmunoassay. After 3 h of in vitro dialysis, IL-1 alpha production (in picograms per 2.5 million PBMC) by unstimulated PBMC increased from 354 +/- 63 at baseline to 454 +/- 57 with new dialyzers (P = 0.25), from 453 +/- 101 to 450 +/- 67 with formaldehyde-reprocessed dialyzers (P = 0.98), and from 360 +/- 61 to 538 +/- 144 with Renalin-reprocessed dialyzers (P = 0.23). IL-1 alpha production by endotoxin-stimulated PBMC increased from 5,214 +/- 996 to 9,237 +/- 929 with new dialyzers (P < = 0.001), from 6,395 +/- 955 to 9,636 +/- 1,058 with formaldehyde-reprocessed dialyzers (P = 0.006), and from 7,561 +/- 1,000 to 10,092 +/- 2,470 with Renalin-reprocessed dialyzers (P = 0.32). However, there were no significant differences among groups with respect to IL-1 alpha production by unstimulated or endotoxin-stimulated PBMC either before or after 3 h of in vitro dialysis. These data argue against the suggestion that exposure to reprocessed dialyzers results in enhanced synthesis of proinflammatory cytokines. In fact, reprocessed dialyzers probably induce less cytokine production than do new cellulose dialyzers.

Cellulose↗
PubMed1995

[Epidemiology of malignant pleural mesothelioma in the Nantes-Saint Nazaire region. Course in 1956-1992].

The aim of this study was to estimate the evolution of the incidence of mesothelioma in the Loire-Atlantique department since 1956 and to register all the cases diagnosed between 1985 and 1992 and to complete the data of earlier studies carried out between 1956 and 1984. The cases were indexed from the files of the pathology department and also from demographic and occupational data concerning the patients which had been gathered retrospectively from an inquiry of patients attached either to private physicians or to a hospital service. From 1956 to 1984 there were 125 cases (119 men, 6 women) who had been diagnosed; 92 cases were registered between 1985 and 1992 (79 men and 13 women). An increase in the annual number of cases was significant. The incidence during the period 1985-1992 was 10.9 per million inhabitants (men 19.4, women 3) against 8.7 (men 17.2, women 0.8) for the period 1975 to 1984 and 2.6 (men 5.2, women 0.2) for the period 1956-1974. The mean age of the subjects at the time of diagnosis rose during the period studied (59.2 +/- 9.4 between 1956-1974 to 63.1 +/- 11.9 between 1975-1984 and 67.0 +/- 9.7 between 1985-1992). Occupational exposure to asbestos was certain or probable in 85 per cent of cases with a median duration of exposure of 25 years (range 2 months to 48 years) with a median interval between the first exposure to diagnosis of 44 years (range 10-70 years). The industrial sector most often implicated was naval construction (127 cases).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Age Factors↗
PubMed1995

Prevalence and nonspecificity of microvesicular fatty change in the liver.

Hepatic microvesicular fat (MVF) has been associated with clinical syndromes of liver failure (such as acute fatty liver of pregnancy and Reye's syndrome). We performed this pilot study to investigate the specificity and potential risk factors of MVF. Sections of the liver from 17 adult autopsies were snap-frozen, and Oil Red O (ORO)-stained sections were obtained. The presence of MVF in the ORO stains was analyzed in a semiquantitative manner: 3+ = > 90% liver parenchyma with MVF; 2+ = 25-90%; 1+ = 1-24%. H&E-stained liver sections were reviewed independently to determine the presence and extent of inflammation, fibrosis, and necrosis. Autopsy reports were reviewed for the gross findings; medical records were reviewed for demographic data, medical history, and, in particular, medication usage. The study consisted of 10 males and 7 females (15 white, 2 black), with a median age of 76 years (range: 50-88). MVF was identified in 16 patients (94%); it was infrequent (1+, 2+) in the majority, but 4 patients (24%) had 3+ MVF. MVF was not associated with the age or sex of the patients, liver weight, postmortem interval to examination, or other histologic features in the liver. None of the patients, including those with 3+ MVF, had a history of liver disease. All 4 patients with extensive MVF were using salicylates, as opposed to 2 of 5 with 2+ MVF and 1 of 8 with 0 to 1+ MVF (P = 0.015). In this autopsy study, the prevalence of MVF was high, with 24% of patients having extensive MVF.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aged↗
PubMed1994

Collagenous colitis and lymphocytic colitis.

Collagenous and lymphocytic colitis are newly recognized causes of chronic watery diarrhea that typically affect middle-aged patients. Although endoscopic studies are normal, inflammatory changes and (in the case of collagenous colitis) collagen deposition occur histologically in the colonic mucosa. The pathogenesis of these disorders remains a mystery, but the possible causes are intriguing. Patients may experience spontaneous remissions and relapses, but treatment with sulfasalazine or prednisone is usually effective for patients with distressing symptoms.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Study of microflora in well-nourished and mal-nourished children in relation to dental caries.

Forty-five children in the age group of 2-12 years comprising 20 well-nourished (W.N.), 20 malnourished (M.N.) (both groups having DMFS of > or = 5) and 5 caries free well nourished children (control group) were studied to find out the oral microflora in these groups S. mutans was present in 55%, 20% and 0% in W.N., M.N., and control groups while S. Salivarius was isolated in 45%, 80% and 40% in the three groups respectively. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of Lactobacillus and C. albicans in the three groups. The correlation between means DMFS and the prevalence of S. mutans in W.N. and M.N. groups was highly significant (P < 0.001). Nutritional status including different grades of malnutrition had no significant bearing on the prevalence of micro-organisms isolated. The caries prevalence was higher in the W.N. group (P) while the gingival index was higher in M.N. group.

Bacteria↗
PubMed1993

Antibiotic inhibition of pectolytic and cellulolytic enzyme activity in two Fusarium species.

Among all antibiotics tested, amoxycillin (500 ppm) completely inhibited the polygalacturonase and pectinmethylgalacturonase enzyme activity in F. oxysporum; none of the antibiotics did so in F. moniliforme. No antibiotic completely inhibited the cellulase activity in both test organisms, however, amoxycillin was better than other antibiotics in inhibiting the cellulase activity in both the organisms.

Amoxicillin↗
PubMed1993

Medical slang and its functions.

Medical slang is analyzed in the developmental perspective of the physician's career. More than 300 terms gathered by ethnographic methods are classified by social categories: (1) the setting--various types of hospitals and facilities, (2) the players--care-givers and care-receivers, (3) the social processes--patient admission, diagnosis, treatment and discharge, and (4) death and dying. Slang usage generally begins during the third year of medical school when students rotate among clinical services and peaks during the internship year. Male and female clinicians are similar in slang usage. Five psychosocial functions of medical slang are discussed.

Adult↗