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Biomedical subjects

S Gopalan

Publications and source records attributed to S Gopalan.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Product availability for pediatric parenteral nutrition.

Availability of parenteral nutrition (PN) products for use in pediatric patients is an important factor for popularity of PN in developing countries like India. The overall cost of PN supplementation in the adult patient works out to be approximately Rs. 2000 per day. It should be more cost effective in a child, working out to Rs. 750 per day on an average. However, it is not so because smaller bags of 100 ml capacity designed for pediatric use are not so readily available. The article provides detailed information regarding presently available PN products in Indian markets. All-in-one PN bags of 100 ml capacity (containing amino acids, lipids and dextrose), designed for use in adult patients, would not be cost effective for use in children. Opinions regarding PN mixing are divided and most of the practitioners in the developed countries do not favour mixing because higher concentrations of lipids and dextrose in the solution can cause metabolic derangements in the patients. In view of the problems related to availability of PN products, mixing PN solution may be ideal for India, if calorie content of the infusate is kept at a level just enough to sustain life but not high enough to cause metabolic disturbances.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

hrp gene-dependent induction of hin1: a plant gene activated rapidly by both harpins and the avrPto gene-mediated signal.

Two classes of bacterial genes are involved in the elicitation of the plant hypersensitive response (HR) in resistant plants: hrp genes and avr genes. hrp genes have been shown to be involved in the production and secretion of a new class of bacterial virulence/avirulence proteins, including harpin of Erwinia amylovora and harpinPss of Pseudomonas syringae. The ability of avr genes in the elicitation of the HR/resistance is dependent on functional hrp genes. The relationships between harpins and avr gene products are not known. This study investigates the plant genes induced by harpins and the effect of avr genes on the expression of such plant genes. A tobacco gene highly induced by harpins was isolated by a subtractive hybridization method. Induction of hin1 by P.s. pv. syringae 61 (Pss61) was found to be dependent on functional bacterial hrp genes. P. fluorescens (a saprophyte) or hrp mutants defective in the Hrp secretion pathway did not induce hin1 significantly. A hin 1-related gene in tomato cv. Rio Grande-PtoR was found to be rapidly induced by P. s. pv. tomato T1 (a virulent bacterium on Rio Grande-PtoR) containing the avrPto gene, which mediates the elictation of the HR/resistance in a Pto plant resistance gene-dependent manner. The induction of hin1 by bacteria correlates with production of harpins in planta. The putative open reading frame of hin1 encodes a novel protein of 221 amino acids. The data suggest that harpins and the avrPto-mediated signal induce a common plant gene in the elicitation of the HR.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

Expression of the Pseudomonas syringae avirulence protein AvrB in plant cells alleviates its dependence on the hypersensitive response and pathogenicity (Hrp) secretion system in eliciting genotype-specific hypersensitive cell death.

The nonpathogenic bacteria Pseudomonas fluorescens and Escherichia coli can elicit a genotype-specific hypersensitive response (HR) in plants if they express both the HR and pathogenesis (Hrp) protein secretion system and the HrpZ harpin from P. syringae pv syringae 61 and a P. syringae avirulence (avr) gene whose presence is recognized by a corresponding disease resistance gene in the plant. We have found that the recognition event appears to require transfer of the Avr protein into the plant cell. Elicitation of a genotype-specific HR was observed with avrB+ P. fluorescens in soybean and Arabidopsis plants carrying resistance genes RPG1 and RPM1, respectively, and with avrPto+ E. coll in tomato plants carrying resistance gene PTO, but only if the Hrp secretion system, HrpZ, and the appropriate Avr proteins were produced in the same bacterial cell. The failure of avrB hyperexpression and exogenous AvrB or HrpZ to alleviate these requirements in soybean and Arabidopsis suggests that the site of AvrB action is not in the bacterial cell or plant apoplast. An Arabidopsis rps3 (rpm1) glabrous1 mutant was transformed with constructs expressing avrB and was crossed with an Arabidopsis ecotype Columbia (RPM1 GLABROUS1) plant. F1 seedlings (identified by their kanamycin-resistant, pubescent phenotype) exhibited extensive necrosis on cotyledon leaves 10 days postgermination. Ecotype Columbia and rps3-1 leaves biolistically cobombarded with plasmids expressing the beta-glucuronidase (GUS) gene and avrB failed to produce GUS activity (indicative of cell death) only when RPM1 and avrB were present in the leaf. Thus, both stable and transient expression of avrB in Arabidopsis resulted in RPM1-dependent necrosis, and the only demonstrable site of action for AvrB was inside plant cells.

Arabidopsis↗
PubMed1996

Fetal growth and perinatal outcome of pregnancies continuing after threatened abortion.

The present study was conducted with the aim to find out the effect of threatened abortion in the current pregnancy on the subsequent perinatal outcome and follow the growth pattern of the fetuses of such complicated pregnancies. The study group consisted of 55 women with threatened abortion and 55 women with normal pregnancies formed the control group. Most of the patients presented at 6-12 weeks' gestation. The fetal growth was monitored by both clinical as well as ultrasound (USG) parameters. The mean growth rates were almost identical throughout gestation. The mean values of each parameter of the study group were found lying with 95% confidence limit values of their control group. The apparent increased incidence of low lying placenta in early pregnancy probably contributed to threatened abortion. There was no significant difference in preterm delivery, low birth-weight and overall perinatal outcome.

Abortion, Threatened↗
PubMed1996

TATA-binding protein is limiting for both TATA-containing and TATA-lacking RNA polymerase III promoters in Drosophila cells.

We have investigated the role of the TATA-binding protein (TBP) in modulating RNA polymerase (Pol) III gene activity. Epitope-tagged TBP (e-TBP) was both transiently and stably transfected in Drosophila Schneider S-2 cells to increase the total cellular level of TBP. Analysis of the transcripts synthesized from cotransfected tRNA and U6 RNA genes revealed that both types of RNA Pol III promoters were substantially stimulated by an increase in e-TBP in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, a TBP-dependent increase in the levels of endogenous tRNA transcripts was produced in the stable line induced to express the e-TBP. We further determined whether the ability of increased TBP to induce RNA Pol III gene expression was due to a direct effect of increased TBP complexes on RNA Pol III gene promoters or an indirect consequence of enhanced expression of RNA Pol II genes. A TBP expression plasmid (e-TBP332), containing a mutation within the highly conserved carboxy-terminal domain, was both transiently and stably transfected into S-2 cells. e-TBP332 augmented the transcription from two RNA Pol II gene promoters indistinguishably from that observed when e-TBP was expressed. In contrast, e-TBP332 was completely defective in its ability to stimulate either the tRNA or U6 RNA gene promoters. In addition, increasing levels of a truncated TBP protein containing only the carboxy-terminal region failed to induce either the tRNA or U6 RNA gene promoter, whereas it retained its ability to stimulate an RNA Pol II promoter. Thus, the TBP-dependent increase in RNA Pol II gene activity is not sufficient for enhanced RNA Pol III gene transcription; rather, a direct effect on RNA Pol III promoters is required. Furthermore, these results provide the first direct evidence that the amino-terminal region of TBP is important for the formation or function of TBP-containing complexes utilized by TATA-less and TATA-containing RNA Pol III promoters. Together, these studies demonstrate that TBP is limiting for the expression of both classes of RNA Pol III promoters in Drosophila cells and implicate an important role for TBP in regulating RNA Pol III gene expression.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Hyperuricemia and pregnancy induced hypertension--reappraisal.

Serum uric acid estimation was done in forty primigravidae with pregnancy induced hypertension and twenty normotensive primigravida in the third trimester of pregnancy, at delivery and six weeks postpartum. The mean serum uric acid levels in normotensive women in the antenatal period and at delivery were 4.65 +/- 0.33 and 4.88 +/- 0.23 mg% and in mild PIH were 5.42 +/- 0.55, 6.14 +/- 0.76 mg%, respectively. Level of serum uric acid in mild PIH was significantly higher than normotensive women (P). In severe PIH, the mean serum uric acid levels were 6.65 +/- 0.60, 8.24 +/- 1.09 mg% in antepartum and at delivery respectively which was significantly more than control group and mild PIH group women (P). However, no differences was observed, in the serum uric levels between these groups during the postpartum period. Serum uric acid level of 5.5 mg or more was observed to be an indicator of PIH. Levels of serum uric acid did show a high positive correlation with the severity of PIH in relation to hypertension and proteinuria. Hyper uricemia (more than 5.5 mg% is associated with increased perinatal morbidity and mortality.

Female↗
PubMed1995

Oxytocin induction of labor: a comparison of 20- and 60-min dose increment levels.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the efficacy and complications of oxytocin dose increments at 20- and 60-min intervals for induction of labor in women with low parity. METHODS: One hundred women of low parity requiring induction of labor were randomly allocated to 20- and 60-min oxytocin dose increments, 50 patients in each group. The basal oxytocin dose was 1 milliunit/min and doubling of the oxytocin dose was done at intervals of 20 and 60 min. RESULTS: The group with 60-min increments had a decreased incidence of uterine hyperstimulation, cesarean section and operative vaginal delivery. The induction-delivery interval was similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: The oxytocin infusion regimen with increments at 60-min intervals is safer than and equally effective as 20-min incremental intervals.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Safety of intrauterine administration of purified neem seed oil (Praneem Vilci) in women & effect of its co-administration with the heterospecies dimer birth control vaccine on antibody response to human chorionic gonadotropin.

Praneem Vilci (PV), purified neem oil was reported to exercise a reversible antifertility effect after a single intrauterine instillation in rodents and primates without any adverse effects. After toxicology, drug regulatory and ethical clearances, a phase I clinical trial was conducted on PV. Eighteen healthy tubectomised women were enrolled to evaluate the safety of a single intrauterine instillation of PV and to determine the effect of its co-administration on anti-hCG response to the heterospecies dimer (HSD) hCG vaccine. Eight women received PV alone and ten women were given the HSD-hCG vaccine in addition. Base-line and post-treatment haematological and biochemical profiles were determined as also the mid-luteal serum progesterone. Endometrial biopsies were examined to assess ovulatory status and the effect of intrauterine treatment with PV on the endometrium. Anti-hCG antibody titres were estimated in women who were concurrently immunized with the HSD vaccine. No untoward reaction was observed in any woman. Menstrual pattern and ovulatory status remained unaltered. Endometrial biopsy after PV instillation in one woman showed non-specific endometritis but she remained asymptomatic. Mild eosinophilia was seen in two women and this reverted to normal on its own. All women receiving PV and the HSD vaccine generated antibodies against hCG. Our data show that intrauterine administration of PV is safe and does not prevent the antibody response to HSD-hCG vaccine.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Preterm breech delivery in a developing country.

OBJECTIVES: To determine if cesarean section offers any advantage over vaginal delivery for a preterm breech fetus in a developing country. METHODS: A retrospective analysis from hospital records was done at a tertiary care center in North India. Two hundred and twenty-four preterm breech deliveries (28-36 completed weeks) between January 1988 and December 1991 from a total of 13,149 deliveries at the hospital during this period formed the study group. Fetal death and lethal congenital malformations diagnosed antepartum were excluded. Intrapartum and neonatal morbidity and mortality in vaginal versus cesarean deliveries were the main outcome measures. RESULTS: Although the combined intrapartum and neonatal mortality was significantly higher for vaginal delivery (35.9% vs. 17.7%), there was no significant difference when the data was correlated with birthweight or gestational age. The neonatal morbidity was also similar in both these groups. In women with a poor obstetric history, the neonatal survival was better in the cesarean group (93% vs. 43%; P = 0.0004). CONCLUSION: Even with optimum neonatal care facilities, cesarean section does not offer any advantage over vaginal delivery for a preterm breech fetus in a developing country. The present study does not advocate the routine use of cesarean section for this group of fetuses. However, it is the preferred route of delivery for women with a poor obstetric history.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Hyperuricaemia and perinatal outcome in pregnancy induced hypertension.

The effect of hyperuricaemia on perinatal outcome was evaluated in 40 primigravidae with pregnancy induced hypertension and 20 normotensive women in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy. Serum uric acid level was a better indicator than blood pressure as an index of foetal prognosis. Even severe hypertension without hyperuricaemia was associated with better prognosis for the foetus. Conversely when hypertension was mild and hyperuricaemia was severe, the prognosis for the foetus was poor. A rise in serum uric acid level > or = 5.5 mg% is associated with increased perinatal morbidity and mortality. Women in pregnancy induced hypertension group with serum uric acid level > or = 5.5 mg% had a higher incidence of intra-uterine growth retardation, low birthweight, and stillbirth making perinatal mortality rate of 200/1000 total births. The results of this study indicate that serum uric acid level > or = 5.5 mg% can reflect the perinatal outcome.

Female↗
PubMed1993

Nifedipine attenuates the hypertensive response to tracheal intubation in pregnancy-induced hypertension.

Thirty women with pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) scheduled for Caesarean section under general anaesthesia were studied to evaluate the efficacy of sublingual nifedipine in attenuating the pressor response to laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation. The patients were randomly given either the contents of a nifedipine capsule 10 mg or placebo sublingually 20 min before induction of anaesthesia. Blood pressure and heart rate were recorded at various time intervals. There was a decrease in mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) after pretreatment with nifedipine (P < 0.01). The increase in MAP during laryngoscopy and intubation was higher in the control group compared with nifedipine pretreatment group (P < 0.01). During laryngoscopy and intubation, MAP decreased by 3 mmHg in the nifedipine pretreatment group, while there was an increase of 14 mmHg in the control group. Heart rate increased in both the groups during the laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation (P < 0.01) but the increase was higher in the nifedipine group than in the control group (P < 0.05). Neonatal Apgar scores in both the groups were comparable. These results suggest that sublingual nifedipine is effective in attenuating the hypertensive response to laryngoscopy and intubation but not the tachycardiac response in parturients with PIH.

Administration, Sublingual↗
PubMed1993

Mode of delivery in deep transverse arrest.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the trends in the mode of delivery in deep transverse arrest (DTA) over two decades and their impact on maternal morbidity and neonatal outcome. METHODS: Obstetric and neonatal records of women with DTA who delivered at Nehru Hospital, PGIMER, Chandigarh in the years 1970, 1980 and 1990 were analyzed. RESULTS: Although Kielland's forceps was used very frequently in 1970 (44.4%) it had disappeared by 1990 because of increased morbidity associated with it. Instead, use of vacuum extractor and cesarean section has increased over the years. Manual rotation forceps extraction was the most commonly used vaginal method of delivery over two decades (49.5%). Perinatal outcome was better with manual rotation forceps extraction or vacuum extraction as compared to Kielland's forceps. Cesarean section was associated with a high incidence of birth asphyxia (30%). CONCLUSIONS: Manual rotation forceps extraction and vacuum extraction are safe methods of delivery in DTA. Cesarean section as an alternative does not improve the perinatal outcome.

Cesarean Section↗