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Biomedical subjects

S K Garg

Publications and source records attributed to S K Garg.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Lack of pharmacokinetic interaction between grapefruit juice and phenytoin in healthy male volunteers and epileptic patients.

The present study was undertaken to determine the effects of grapefruit juice (GFJ) on the oral bioavailability of phenytoin (DPH). Ten healthy male volunteers received a single dose of 300 mg of DPH orally with 300 ml of water or fresh GFJ in a randomized crossover fashion. In both instances, blood sampling was done at 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, 9, 12, 24, 48, 72, 96 and 120 h. The study was also carried out in 10 epileptic patients with uncontrolled seizures even after 3 to 4 weeks regular therapy of DPH (100 mg three times a day). Blood samples were drawn at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8 h after DPH with 300 ml of water or fresh GFJ. No significant difference was observed in any of the pharmacokinetic parameters like Cmax, Cmin, Tmax, t1/2a, t1/2e and AUC of DPH after GFJ administration as compared to control values in healthy volunteers and epileptic patients. It is concluded that GFJ does not affect the oral bioavailability of DPH.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Investigation of an epidemic of Reye's syndrome in northern region of India.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the extent, epidemiological and clinical features of an epidemic of non-inflammatory encephalopathy in northern region of India. DESIGN: Surveillance of referred cases having unconsciousness after a short bout of fever during October and November 1997. Case control study in 7 most affected villages. METHODS: Active case finding was done to assess the extent and severity of the epidemic by interviewing health professionals and by reviewing mortality records in 10 districts of Haryana, Punjab and Chandigarh. A house to house survey was conducted in seven most affected villages. A case was defined as any child of less than 15 years of age, who had prodromal fever followed by vomiting and unconsciousness with subsequent recovery or death. Two age and sex matched controls who had fever without unconsciousness were taken for each case, one from nearby house and another staying furthest from the affected house. These groups were compared for various epidemiologic factors, clinical features and treatment pattern. Residual medicines used by affected patients were tested for presence of salicylate. Local village practitioners were interviewed for their knowledge and attitude towards use of aspirin in a febrile child. RESULTS: Information regarding 129 affected children (M: F=1 : 1) could be obtained. Age ranged between 1 to 12 years (mean 5.8 years). Most were from rural or semi-suburban areas. Attack rate was 5.4/1000 and case fatality rate was 72%. Multiple sibs were affected in 9.3%. History of fever was reported by 83%, vomiting preceding unconsciousness by 83% and abnormal behavior by 65%. Abnormal posturing was reported in 55%. Seventeen (61%) of 28 samples had IgM antibodies in serum/CSF against measles. Twelve (36%) of 33 serum samples tested positive for Varicella zoster virus. None gave history of aspirin intake and 10 samples of residual drugs did not contain salicylate. However, 6 out of 19 blood samples taken from affected patients contained salicylate. Environmental factors were in favor of Japanese encephalitis (JE) but brain biopsy and serology disproved it. Based on earlier report of JE from this area, the cases in present epidemic were being reported as JE before this study was undertaken. Intensive fogging with malathion was being undertaken as antimosquito measure, specially around the affected houses. Local village practitioners (n = 37) were unaware of contraindications of aspirin in a febrile child. CONCLUSION: Measles and varicella zoster emerged as the probable etiologies for the viral prodrome precipitating these cases of Reye's syndrome. Aspirin might have a contributory role. Malathion is another putative cofactor.

Case-Control Studies↗
PubMed1999

Induction of nitric oxide in bovine peripheral blood mononuclear cells by bovine herpesvirus 1.

Bovine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and monocytes were stimulated with bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV-1), LPS and concanavalin A (Con A) to produce L-arginine-dependent nitric oxide (NO) in vitro. NO was detected as early as 12 hrs and up to 72 hrs post stimulation (p.s.). The NO from lipopolysacharide (LPS)-stimulated PBMCs and monocytes was found to exhibit antiviral effect against BHV-1. The anti-BHV-1 effect was inhibited with N(omega)-methyl L-arginine indicating involvement of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) in NO production.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Reproductive tract infections among rural women in Meerut.

The present study was done among 500 women of reproductive age group. Study revealed overall prevalence rate of RTI of 44.8%. Excessive vaginal discharge was the most common presenting symptom (42.0%). Inspite of such an high prevalence of reproductive tract infections, only 22.8% of the women sought treatment for their problem. The study suggests to improve the awareness about RTI and its treatment facility among women and also recommends to develop a strategy to train and reorient the health personnel.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Dose-finding study with nimodipine: a selective central nervous system calcium channel blocker on aminophylline induced seizure models in rats.

Nimodipine, a dihydropyridine derivative central nervous system (CNS) selective calcium channel blocker was studied at four different dosage schedules in five different models of seizures in rats. At a dose of 5 mg/kg, i.p. with pretreatment time of 15 min, nimodipine significantly antagonized aminophylline (175 and 200 mg/kg, i.p.), electroshock (150 mA for 0.2 s), pentylenetetrazole (60 and 75 mg/kg, i.p.), aminophylline (100 mg/kg i.p.) + electroshock (66mA for 0.2 s), and aminophylline (100 mg/kg, i.p.) + pentylenetetrazole (40 mg/kg, i.p.) induced seizures in rats. No hemodynamic alteration was observed with this dose of nimodipine. However, 2 mg/kg, i.p. (pretreatment time of 15 min and 30 min) and 5 mg/kg, i.p. (pretreatment time of 30 min) doses of nimodipine failed to demonstrate any significant anticonvulsant effect. The study highlighted the critical role of calcium ion flux into the neurons for the genesis of seizure activity to aminophylline, electroshock, and pentylenetetrazole in rats. Furthermore, the critical dose requirement for nimodipine could be explained on the basis of its short half-life and shorter duration of protection against seizures. Therefore, nimodipine may be tried clinically as an anticonvulsant in patients who are on aminophylline because of bronchial asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, when such patients have concomitant epilepsy or other seizure prone neurological deficits or are scheduled to undergo electroshock therapy.

Aminophylline↗
PubMed1998

Use of insulin lispro in the outpatient management of ketonuria.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of the use of insulin lispro with the use of regular insulin in managing children with diabetes in outpatient settings. DESIGN: In this prospective study, telephone records of 75 children treated for ketonuria were analyzed. Outcome was based on the number of successful home treatment episodes (hospitalization not required), the amount of insulin the patients needed, and the time to resolution of ketonuria. RESULTS: Doses of supplemental insulin used to treat patients with both moderate and large urine ketone values were similar (P>.05) in the insulin lispro and regular insulin groups. Likewise, the time to resolution of moderate or large ketonuria was not statistically different (P>.05) between the 2 groups. No hospitalizations were required for any of the patients for whom management via telephone was attempted. CONCLUSION: These data indicate that insulin lispro is an effective option for the outpatient management of ketonuria.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Thymopentin and splenopentin as immunomodulators. Current status.

Splenopentin (SP-5, Arg-Lys-Glu-Val-Tyr) and thymopentin (TP-5, Arg-Lys-Asp-Val-Tyr) are synthetic immunomodulating peptides corresponding to the region 32-34 of a splenic product called splenin (SP) and the thymic hormone thymopoietin (TP), respectively. TP was originally isolated as a 5-kDa (49-amino acids) protein from bovine thymus while studying effects of the thymic extracts on neuromuscular transmission and was subsequently observed to affect T cell differentiation and function. TP I and II are two closely related polypeptides isolated from bovine thymus. A radioimmunoassay for TP revealed a crossreaction with a product found in spleen and lymph node. This product, named splenin, differs from TP only in position 34, aspartic acid for bovine TP and glutamic acid for bovine splenin and it was called TP III as well. Synthetic pentapeptides (TP-5) and (SP-5), reproduce the biological activities of TP and SP, respectively. It is now evident that various forms of TPs were created by proteolytic cleavage of larger proteins during isolation. cDNA clones have been isolated for three alternatively spliced mRNAs that encodes three distinct human T cell TPs. The immunomodulatory properties of TP, SP, TP-5, SP-5 and some of their synthetic analogs reported in the literature have been briefly reviewed.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed1998

Effect of grapefruit juice on carbamazepine bioavailability in patients with epilepsy.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of grapefruit juice on the bioavailability of carbamazepine in patients with epilepsy. METHODS: This was a randomized crossover study consisting of 2 phases. Ten patients with epilepsy who had received therapy with 200 mg carbamazepine 3 times a day for the previous 3 to 4 weeks participated. They were given either grapefruit juice or 300 mL water at 8 am along with 200 mg carbamazepine. Each treatment was separated by 2 days; subjects continued to receive carbamazepine therapy during the 2-day period. On both occasions, blood samples were collected at different time intervals between 0 to 8 hours. Carbamazepine levels were estimated by reversed-phase HPLC technique. RESULTS: Compared with water, grapefruit significantly increased the steady peak concentration (6.55 versus 9.20 microgram/mL), trough concentration (4.51 versus 6.28 microgram/mL), and area under the plasma concentration-time curve (43.99 versus 61.95 micrograms.h/mL) of carbamazepine. No significant effect was found in the time to reach peak plasma concentration. CONCLUSION: Grapefruit juice increases the bioavailability of carbamazepine by inhibiting CYP3A4 enzymes in gut wall and in the liver.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Efficacy of flumethrin pour-on against Damalinia caprae of goats (Capra hircus).

Goats naturally infested with Damalinia caprae lice were used to evaluate the efficacy of flumethrin pour-on. The maximum load of lice infestation was detected in the neck region. The LC50 value of flumethrin pour-on against D. caprae was found to be 119.35 ppm and the 95% confidence limits were calculated to be 104.10 and 136.85 ppm. Flumethrin at the rate of 1 mg/kg body weight by pour-on application along the mid-dorsal line was found to be 100% effective in treating lice-infested goats compared with the control goats. The residual action of flumethrin was found to be at least 42 days during which period no apparent signs of any local or general adverse effects were observed. Based on these studies, it is suggested that flumethrin pour-on may be successfully used for both the prophylaxis and treatment of D. caprae infestation in goats and it is necessary to repeat the treatment after 42 days. The method of application is highly advantageous as it can be conveniently applied, even in animals with thick hair coat and during the winter months.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Effect of butylated hydroxyanisole on catalase activity and malondialdehyde content in aging Zaprionus paravittiger (diptera).

Catalase activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) content were measured in whole body and mitochondrial homogenates of the banana fruit fly, Zaprionus paravittiger, fed on control and butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA, 10 mM) mixed diets. Catalase activity increased during the reproductive period and decreased thereafter with age. However, the MDA content increased with advancing age in both sexes. In general, females exhibited higher catalase activity and lower MDA content as compared to their male counterparts. BHA feeding increased catalase activity significantly during all age intervals in both sexes. Mitochondrial fractions had lower catalase activity and lower MDA content than whole body homogenates. However, the pattern of changes was similar in both homogenates with age as well as on antioxidant feeding. These results suggest that BHA strengthens the defense mechanism of the insects by increasing catalase activity and reducing MDA content which may be responsible for increased longevity of insects.

Aging↗
PubMed1998

Slicing the pie. Correlating HbA--values with average blood glucose values in a pie chart form.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to define the correlation between HbA1c values and the percentage of home blood glucose (HBG) measurements within given ranges in a pie chart in three age-groups of subjects with type 1 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: HbA1c values were compared with HBG measurements in subjects who did at least three blood glucose tests per day over 30 days in three age groups: 5-11, 12-16, and 17-35 years. The blood glucose values were arbitrarily divided into three groups, defined as the percentage of HBG measurements within, above, and below target range. Each range was then compared with the corresponding HbA1c value. Longitudinal data were also collected for 279 of the subjects after a mean of 139 days. RESULTS: A strong correlation (P = 0.001) was found between HbA1c values and the average blood glucose, and also with the percentage of HBG measurements within, above, and below target range in each of the three age-groups (P < 0.001). Analyses of longitudinal data showed a strong correlation of the changes in HbA1c values to the changes in blood glucose values. CONCLUSIONS: These data showed that a pie-shaped graph of the HBG data can be useful as a clinical parameter in helping patients and families attain desired HbA1c values.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Bovine herpesvirus type 1 glycoprotein C expression in MDBK cells and its reactivity in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Glycoprotein C (gC) of bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BHV-1) is a major viral glycoprotein expressed at high level on the surface of infected cells and on the virion envelope. This glycoprotein is also a major target of immune response at both humoral and cellular levels. The plasmid pRSV-gC having complete coding gene for BHV-1 gC was transfected into MDBK cells and the expression of gC in these cells was detected by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS-PAGE) and immunoblot analysis. Transcription of the gC gene was confirmed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) of total RNA isolated from transfected cells. MDBK cells expressing BHV-1 gC were used as antigen in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) of antibodies against BHV-1 in field sera. The results were found comparable (92.44%) with those obtained with BHV-1 purified antigen.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Effect of Septilin--a herbal preparation on pharmacokinetics of carbamazepine in rabbits.

The study was carried out in rabbits, to see the effects of Septilin, a herbal preparation on the single and multiple dose kinetics of carbamazepine. Single dose treatment of Septilin significantly decreased t 1/2a. t 1/2e. AUCo-alpha of carbamazepine. Steady state Cmax and AUC0-24 of carbamazepine were also reduced significantly in comparison to those of control rabbits after 7 days co-administration of Septilin. We conclude that Septilin decrease/hinder the absorption process of carbamazepine through an unknown mechanism.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Antimicrobial prescribing pattern in an Indian tertiary hospital.

550 prescriptions of the indoor patients receiving antimicrobial drugs in the Departments of Internal Medicine, Surgery, Urology and Paediatrics were analysed for drug utilization studies. The prescribing frequency of one antimicrobial per prescription was maximum in Surgery and Urology (52.52%) and Internal Medicine (50.51%) whereas prescribing frequency of two antimicrobials was maximum in Paediatrics (59.9%). In all the departments, quinolones, aminoglycosides, cephalosporins and penicillins were frequently prescribed among which amikacin, ciprofloxacin, cefotaxime and cloxacillin were most preferred drugs, with a general tendency of prescribing newer antimicrobials. In majority of cases selection of antimicrobials was not based on microbiological confirmation. It is suggested that the use of newer and expensive antimicrobials should be kept reserved only for serious and life threatening situations.

Anti-Infective Agents↗
PubMed1998

Approach for primary mitral valve surgery: right anterolateral thoracotomy or median sternotomy.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS OF THE STUDY: Although both right anterolateral thoracotomy and median sternotomy have been used for mitral valve surgery (repair/replacement), the latter approach is considered standard for primary mitral valve surgery. We hypothesized that primary mitral valve surgery, if performed through a right anterolateral thoracotomy, would not only be better accepted cosmetically by patients, but also make redo surgery through a median sternotomy easy and trouble free from re-entry bleeding. METHODS: A right anterolateral thoracotomy was used for primary mitral valve surgeries in 52 patients (group A; 22 males, 30 females) of mean age 30.3 +/- 09.14 years (range: 14 to 50 years). Equal numbers of cases operated on during the same period by via median sternotomy were selected retrospectively from hospital records to serve as controls (group B). Groups were matched with respect to age, body weight, body surface area, sex, cardiac rhythm, functional status, type of mitral valve pathology and associated lesions. RESULTS: Operative mortality was similar in both groups, but fewer postoperative complications occurred in group A. Total hospital stay, intensive care unit stay, postoperative bleeding, inotrope requirement and ventilatory support postoperatively was significantly less in group A. CONCLUSIONS: Right anterolateral thoracotomy provides excellent exposure of the mitral valve, even with a small left atrium, and offers a better cosmetic lateral scar which is less prone to keloid formation. In addition, right anterolateral thoracotomy is as safe as median sternotomy for primary mitral valve repair/replacement, and should be used as an initial approach to mitral valve surgery, while median sternotomy be kept for repeat mitral valve or other open-heart surgery required later in life.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Comparative behaviour of yeast strains for ethanolic fermentation of culled apple juice.

The culled apple juice contained (% w/v): nitrogen, 0.036; total sugars, 11.6 and was of pH 3.9. Saccharomyces cerevisiae NCIM 3284, Pichia kluyeri and Candida krusei produced more ethanol from culled apple juice at its optimum initial pH 4.5, whereas S. cerevisiae NCIM 3316 did so at pH 5.0. An increase in sugar concentration of apple juice from natural 11.6% to 20% exhibited enhanced ethanol production and improved fermentation efficiency of both the S. cerevisiae strains, whereas P. kluyveri and C. krusei produced high ethanol at 11.6% and 16.0% sugar levels, respectively. Urea was stimulatory for ethanol production as well as fermentation efficiency of the yeast strains under study.

Beverages↗