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S Garg

Publications and source records attributed to S Garg.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Fibrinolytic therapy in young women with acute myocardial infarction.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Previous studies found that women with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) receive less aggressive therapy compared with men. We sought to determine the percentage of young women (</=50 years) with an AMI eligible for fibrinolytic therapy who received it and explore factors resulting in the ineligibility of women for fibrinolytic therapy. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted for women 50 years of age or younger who were discharged from a tertiary cardiac care hospital with a diagnosis of AMI during the period 1990 to 1995. Women were included if they met the World Health Organization criteria for AMI. RESULTS: There were 126 women meeting inclusion criteria with 54 (43%) receiving fibrinolytic therapy. Sufficient information to determine eligibility for fibrinolytic therapy was available for 118 (94%) of the women. Forty-one (91%) of the 45 women who met eligibility criteria received fibrinolytic therapy. Of the 73 women who were ineligible for fibrinolytic therapy, 52 (71%) had a nondiagnostic ECG, 28 (38%) presented 12 hours after symptom onset, and 19 (26%) had an absolute or relative contraindication to fibrinolytic therapy. Of the women not meeting eligibility requirements, 15% nonetheless received fibrinolytic therapy. CONCLUSION: In this study, most young women with AMI who were eligible for fibrinolytic therapy received it. Nondiagnostic ECG and late presentation to the emergency department (>12 hours after symptom onset) were the most common reasons for ineligibility.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Staging of prostate cancer using 3-dimensional transrectal ultrasound images: a pilot study.

PURPOSE: We used conventional transrectal ultrasound images for 3-dimensional (D) reconstruction of the prostate, and determined its value in staging clinically localized prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 36 patients with newly diagnosed clinically localized prostate cancer were studied. All patients underwent conventional transrectal ultrasonography with 3-D reconstruction. Images were examined and analyzed blindly, and findings were compared to histopathological staging following radical prostatectomy. RESULTS: Pathological staging of specimens revealed 15 sites of extracapsular extension in 10 patients, of whom 8 had positive margins and 2 had seminal vesicle invasion. The 3-D imaging identified 12 sites of extracapsular extension in 9 patients with 80% sensitivity, 96% specificity and 90% positive predictive value. Of the 2 patients with seminal vesicle invasion 1 was identified correctly on 3-D images. Overall staging accuracy of 3-D imaging was 94%. CONCLUSIONS: The 3-D reconstruction of conventional transrectal ultrasonography imaging is superior to 2-D imaging for staging localized prostate cancer. However, this advantage relies entirely on the visibility of prostate cancer lesions on conventional ultrasonography. Further studies are warranted to evaluate this technology for the management of prostate cancer.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Blunted thrombopoietin response to interferon alfa-induced thrombocytopenia during treatment for hepatitis C.

Thrombocytopenia is common in advanced-stage liver disease and is partly caused by inadequate thrombopoietin (TPO) production in the failing liver. Treatment of chronic hepatitis C with interferon alfa (IFN-) often induces thrombocytopenia, sometimes even leading to discontinuation of treatment. TPO regulation in response to IFN--induced thrombocytopenia was studied in patients with chronic hepatitis C with and without cirrhosis (Child A). An in vitro culture system with HepG2 cells was used to demonstrate any direct effects of IFN- on TPO mRNA expression, TPO synthesis, or TPO secretion from liver cells. Thrombocyte count was lower (U test: P < .05) in patients with hepatitis C cirrhosis compared with patients with chronic hepatitis C without cirrhosis before IFN therapy, and decreased in both patient groups (Wilcoxon matched-pairs test: P < . 05) on IFN therapy, the median decrease in both groups being comparable (noncirrhotic patients, 35%; cirrhotic patients, 32%; U test: P = .57). TPO levels rose in noncirrhotic patients (Wilcoxon matched-pairs test: P < .05), but not in patients with cirrhosis (noncirrhotic patients' median increase: 43% vs. cirrhotic patients' median decrease: 5%; U test: P < .001). Even in patients without cirrhosis, the increase in TPO levels was relatively small for the decrease in platelet count. No effect of IFN- could be demonstrated on TPO mRNA expression in vitro, but TPO secretion from liver cells was significantly reduced. Lower platelet counts but similar TPO levels in patients with chronic hepatitis C and cirrhosis compared with noncirrhotic patients and a moderate increase in TPO levels in noncirrhotic patients with a missing increase in cirrhotic patients during IFN--induced thrombocytopenia provide further evidence for an impairment of TPO production in patients with cirrhosis and during IFN therapy. Recombinant human TPO could be of value in patients developing severe thrombocytopenia under IFN- therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Immunocontraceptive activity guided fractionation and characterization of active constituents of neem (Azadirachta indica) seed extracts.

A novel approach for immunocontraception by intervention of local cell mediated immunity in the reproductive system by using single intrauterine application of neem oil has been described earlier. The reversible block in fertility was reported to last for 107-180 days in female Wistar rats (Upadhyay et al., 1990. Antifertility effects of neem oil by single intrauterine administration: A novel method of contraception. Proceedings Of The Royal Society Of London B 242, 175-180) and 7-11 months in monkeys (Upadhyay et al., 1994. Long term contraceptive effects of intrauterine neem treatment (IUNT) in bonnet monkeys: An alternative to intrauterine contraceptive devices. Contraception 49, 161-167). The present study, describes the identification and characterization of the biologically active fraction from neem seeds (Azadirachta indica A. Juss. Family Meliaceae), responsible for the above activity in adult female Wistar rats. Initial studies with the mechanically extracted oil and solvent extracts of neem seeds have revealed that the antifertility activity was present in constituents of low to intermediate polarity. A hexane extract of neem seeds was reported to be biologically active (Garg et al., 1994. Comparison of extraction procedures on the immunocontraceptive activity of neem seed extracts. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 22, 87-92). Subsequently, hexane extract was sequentially fractionated through the last active fraction using various separation techniques and tested for antifertility activity at each step. Preparative HPLC was used for isolating individual components of the active fraction in quantities, sufficient for characterization. An analytical HPLC method was developed for standardization of the fraction. The active fraction was identified to be a mixture of six components, which comprises of saturated, mono and di-unsaturated free fatty acids and their methyl esters. Dose response study was performed with the last active fractions. The antifertility activity with the active fraction was reversible in nature and it was completely active until 5% concentration. There was no systemic toxic effect following the administration of the active fraction. This study, for the first time, proposes an active fraction from neem seeds, responsible for long term and reversible blocking of fertility after a single intrauterine administration with high efficacy.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Inhibition of the growth and development of asexual and sexual stages of drug-sensitive and resistant strains of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum by Neem (Azadirachta indica) fractions.

Neem (Azadirachta indica) has been shown to possess anti-malarial activity. In this study we systematically evaluated extracts of neem seeds and purified fractions further enriched in polar or non-polar constituents for their effect on in vitro growth and development of asexual and sexual stages of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Use of synchronized stages of parasites suggested trophozoites/schizonts as the susceptible target stages to various neem extracts. In addition, all the maturation stages of gametocytes were also killed by various neem fractions tested. The anti-plasmodial effect of neem components was also observed on parasites previously shown to be resistant to other anti-malarial drugs, i.e. chloroquine and pyrimethamine suggesting a different mode of action. Neem seed fractions are thus active not only against the parasite stages that cause the clinical infection but also against the stages responsible for continued malaria transmission.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

A, B & H isoantigens in cervical lesions.

Expression of A, B and H isoantigens in cervical mucosa was demonstrated by specific red cell adherence test in 92 cervical lesions (40 chronic cervicitis, 12 dysplasia and 40 carcinoma cervix). Eighty percent cases of chronic cervicitis showed a moderate reaction. On the contrary, in carcinoma cervix, 75% cases were found to be SRCA negative. In dysplasia, the intensity of red blood cell adherence was found to be directly related to the degree of cellular differentiation. Study of A, B and H isoantigens might help in deciding the prognosis of dysplasia and/or early detection of malignancy.

ABO Blood-Group System↗
PubMed1997

Emergence of a unique O3:K6 clone of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in Calcutta, India, and isolation of strains from the same clonal group from Southeast Asian travelers arriving in Japan.

Active surveillance of Vibrio parahaemolyticus infection among hospitalized patients in Calcutta, India, was initiated in January 1994. The incidence of cases of V. parahaemolyticus infection suddenly increased in February 1996 and has remained high since then. One hundred thirty-four strains of V. parahaemolyticus isolated from January 1994 to August 1996 were examined for serovar, the presence of the thermostable direct hemolysin gene (tdh) and tdh-related hemolysin genes (trh1 and trh2), production of urease, and antibiogram. Strains of the O3:K6 serovar appeared for the first time in February 1996. The O3:K6 serovar strains accounted for 50 to 80% of the strains isolated during the high-incidence period (February to August 1996). All of the serovar O3:K6 strains carried the tdh gene but not the trh genes and did not produce urease. All of the isolates except two were sensitive to all of the antibiotics tested. These and the results of analysis by an arbitrarily primed PCR method indicated that the O3:K6 serovar strains belong to a unique clone. When the O3:K6 serovar strains, isolated from travelers arriving in Japan from Southeast Asian countries, were compared by the arbitrarily primed PCR method, the strains isolated between 1982 and 1993 were distinct from Calcutta O3:K6 while the strains isolated in 1995 and 1996 were indistinguishable from the Calcutta O3:K6 strains. The results suggest that this unique O3:K6 clone may have become prevalent not only in Calcutta but also in Southeast Asian countries very recently. Not only the O3:K6 strains but also the non-O3:K6, tdh-bearing strains isolated in 1996 produced thermostable direct hemolysin at high levels, and thus the level of hemolysin produced does not appear to have influenced the high incidence of serovar O3:K6 strains.

Asia, Southeastern↗
PubMed1996

Status of chest X-ray in diagnosing right ventricular infarction.

Right ventricular enlargement on left anterior oblique view at 60 degrees had low sensitivity (58.8%) but very high specificity (100 %) for diagnosing right ventricular infarction. Right ventricular and right atrial enlargement on other views had very low sensitivity (16.7-26.7%) but high specificity (80-90%). Thus chest X-ray in left anterior oblique view at 60% is useful in detecting right ventricular infarction when clinical examination and electrocardiogram are inconclusive.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Jugular venous pressure and pulse wave form in the diagnosis of right ventricular infarction.

Jugular venous pressure (measured clinically) and pulse wave form (recorded at 100 mm/s) were analysed in 44 cases of first acute myocardial infarction and 10 age-matched controls. Patients were divided into different groups according to site of infarction decided by detailed 2-D echocardiography. Raised jugular venous pressure had high specificity (96.8%) but low sensitivity (39%) in diagnosing right ventricular infarction. Positive Kussmaul's sign had equal specificity but lower sensitivity (26.1%). Rapid 'y' descent had high specificity (100%) but low sensitivity (17.3%) in diagnosing right ventricular infarction. Jugular venous pressure and pulse wave form are significantly affected by the magnitude of damage to interventricular septum and left ventricular free wall.

Echocardiography↗
PubMed1996

Effect of volatiles from neem and other natural products on gonotrophic cycle and oviposition of Anopheles stephensi and An. culicifacies (Diptera: Culicidae).

The gonotrophic cycle of female Anopheles was impaired by exposure to volatiles of neem, (Azadirachta indica), reetha, (Sapindus mukorossi), and garlic, (Allium sativum), but not to castor seeds and cotton seed oil. A brief exposure to contact or volatile extracts from neem suppressed rather than inhibited oviposition. Complete inhibition of oviposition was observed by exposure of mosquitoes to neem oil and 1 fraction containing volatile components. Vitellogenesis was impaired irreversably by long-term exposure to neem odor and some extracts. The effect of volatiles on oviposition seems to be regulated by absorption through the cuticle, although passage through the spiracles could not be excluded.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Treatment of facial rhytides with a high-energy pulsed carbon dioxide laser.

Facial rhytides are a common problem that often presents for treatment. Because of the tendency for rhytides to involve delicate tissue areas, traditional treatment modalities have been limited by complications of scarring or pigmentary alterations. With the advent of the new-generation high-energy pulsed carbon dioxide lasers, skin requiring resurfacing can now be treated successfully with minimal risk and side effects. This study included 259 patients with facial rhytides (104 perioral, 83 periorbital, 53 glabellar, and 17 forehead). Each patient received treatment with a high-energy pulsed CO2 laser system, and individual responses were evaluated independently by two blinded assessors at 1, 4, 8, 12, and 24 weeks postoperatively. While clinical response rates were uniformly excellent, they varied in different locations. On average, there was a 90 percent improvement in all areas under study. The periorbital regions responded best, an average 93 percent improvement being seen. The facial rhytides with the lowest response rates (86.8 percent) were those which were most severe and those caused by excessive muscle movement (i.e., frown lines at the glabella). No incidences of scarring were noted, but erythema persisting 1 to 3 months (mean 2.2 months) following laser irradiation was typical. Transient postinflammatory hyperpigmentation of 3 months' average duration was seen in 30 percent of patients and was not limited to those individuals with darker skin tones. The high-energy pulsed carbon dioxide laser is a safe and effective treatment for facial rhytides. Treatment can be delivered in an outpatient setting without the need for general anesthesia, and preliminary evidence suggests long-lasting results.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

Temporal shifts in traits of Vibrio cholerae strains isolated from hospitalized patients in Calcutta: a 3-year (1993 to 1995) analysis.

This study presents results of a surveillance on cholera conducted with hospitalized patients admitted to the Infectious Diseases Hospital, Calcutta, India, from January 1993 to December 1995. The O139 serogroup of Vibrio cholerae dominated in 1993 but was replaced by O1 as the dominant serogroup in 1994 and 1995. The isolation rate of V. cholerae non-O1 non-O139 did not exceed 4.9% throughout the study period, while the isolation rate of the O139 serogroup in 1994 and 1995 was below 9%. No temporal clustering of any non-O1 non-O139 serogroup was observed. With the exception of 1 strain, none of the 64 strains belonging to the non-O1 non-O139 serogroup hybridized with ctx, zot, and ace gene probes, while 97.3 and 97.7% of the O139 and O1 strains, respectively, hybridized with all the three probes. Multiplex PCR studies revealed that all the O1 strains belonged to the EIT or biotype. There was a progressive increase in the cytotoxic response on CHO and HeLa cells evoked by culture supernatants of strains of V. cholerae non-O1 non-O139 isolated during 1994 and 1995 compared with the response evoked by those isolated in 1993. Dramatic shifts in patterns of resistance to antibiotics between strains of V. cholerae belonging to different serogroups and within strains of a serogroup isolated during different time periods were observed. There was a discernible increase in the incidence of multidrug-resistant strains of V. cholerae O1 isolated in 1994 and 1995 compared with that in 1993. On the basis of the results of this study, we predict the possibility of newer variants of V. cholerae emerging in the future.

Drug Resistance, Multiple↗
PubMed1996

Comparative analysis of factors promoting optimal production of cholera toxin by Vibrio cholerae O1 (classical & E1Tor biotypes) & O139.

Various culture media [AKI, Brain heart infusion broth (BHI), Casamino acid-yeast extract broth (CAYE), Casamino acid-yeast extract broth supplemented with 90 micrograms/ml of lincomycin (CAYE-L), Tryptic soy broth (TSB) and Yeast extract peptone (YEP)], cultural conditions (stationary and shaking) and incubation temperatures (30 degrees C and 37 degrees C) were evaluated to determine optimal conditions for production of cholera toxin (CT) by different biotypes (classical and E1Tor) and serogroups (O1 and O139) of V. cholerae. It was found that V. cholerae O1 E1Tor grown in CAYE-L and incubated at 30 degrees C with constant shaking was optimal for production of CT, while for the classical biotype and for the O139 serogroup, CT was maximally produced when grown in YEP and incubated at 30 degrees C in a shaker. Temperature appeared to be a prominent factor affecting the production of CT by the O1 E1Tor biotype when the media used were AKI, CAYE-L and YEP and also for the classical biotype when the media used were the AKI, BHI, CAYE and YEP. In the case of the O1 E1Tor biotype, CAYE-L was the best medium for CT production whereas for the classical biotype, CAYE-L was a poor medium as far as CT production was concerned. Irrespective of the media used, 30 degrees C shake culture condition seemed to be more favourable for supporting CT production except in CAYE medium for the O1 E1Tor biotype where incubation at 37 degrees C in a shaker was as good as incubation at 30 degrees C.

Cholera Toxin↗
PubMed1996

Electron microscopic studies on Vibrio cholerae O139.

We conducted studies to investigate the surface architecture of V. cholerae O139 using electron microscopy and compared it with O1 and other serogroups of V. cholerae. The bacterium is comma-shaped and has a single polar flagellum and morphologically resembles the classical and E1Tor biotypes of V. cholerae O1. High power electron microscopy showed a few pili, 5 to 7 nm in diameter, and 2 to 3 in number per bacterium. The presence of a capsule on electron microscopy of ultrathin sections of V. cholerae O139 treated with polycationic ferritin clearly distinguished the O139 serogroup from the O1 serogroup which are not encapsulated. Immunoelectron microscopy further revealed that an anti-O139 monoclonal antibody of the IgG2a isotype bound specifically only to an O139 strain but not to any other serogroup of V. cholerae indicating that O139 has unique epitopes not found in other serogroups of V. cholerae.

Bacterial Capsules↗
PubMed1995

Distribution and virulence of Vibrio cholerae belonging to serogroups other than O1 and O139: a nationwide survey.

The distribution and virulence of Vibrio cholerae serogroups other than O1 and O139 in India before, during and after the advent of O139 serogroup was investigated. A total of 68 strains belonging to 31 different 'O' serogroups were identified during the study period. With the exception of O53, there was no spatial or temporal clustering of any particular non-O1 non-O139 serogroup at any given place. Two of the 68 strains examined produced cholera toxin (CT) which could only be partially absorbed with anti-CT immunoglobulin G. Tissue culture assay revealed that some of the non-O1 non-O139 strains produced factors which evoked either a cell rounding or cell elongation response depending upon the medium used. This study indicates that serogroups other than O1 and O139 should also be continuously monitored.

Animals↗