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Biomedical subjects

S Kumari

Publications and source records attributed to S Kumari.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

Safety and efficacy of moxonidine in mild to moderate hypertension.

AIMS: Moxonidine, a new imidazoline II receptor agonist was evaluated in patients with essential hypertension. METHODOLOGY: After an informed consent, 16 patients with essential hypertension were recruited. After a wash out period, the patients received increasing doses of Moxonidine (maximum dose 0.6 mg) for four weeks to control the blood pressure. RESULTS: The mean reduction in blood pressure (systolic/diastolic) was 17.6/14.5 mm Hg in supine position and 18.2/12.6 mm Hg in standing position. The significant side effect was observed only in one patient. CONCLUSIONS: Moxonidine thus appears to be safe and effective antihypertensive drug in patients with essential hypertension.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Chikungunya infection--an emerging disease in Malaysia.

Many countries neighboring Malaysia have reported human infections by chikungunya virus, a mosquito-borne togavirus belonging to the genus Alphavirus. However, although there is serological evidence of its presence in Malaysia, chikungunya virus has not been known to be associated with clinical illness in the country. An outbreak of chikungunya virus occurred in Klang, Malaysia, between December 1998 and February 1999. The majority of the cases were in adults and the clinical presentation was similar to classical chikungunya infections. Malaysia is heavily dependent on migrant workers from countries where chikungunya is endemic. It is speculated that the virus has been re-introduced into the country through the movement of these workers.

Alphavirus Infections↗
PubMed2000

A follow-up study of balloon angioplasty and de-novo stenting in Takayasu arteritis.

Percutaneous balloon angioplasty (PTBA) is a universally accepted mode of therapy for stenotic coronary and peripheral arterial lesions. To establish the role of PTBA and stent placement in patients with Takayasu's arteritis (TA), these procedures were performed in 20 patients with TA. All patients received steroids, aspirin and ticlodipine (for stent placement) prior to procedure. Angioplasty was carried in patients with symptomatic stenotic vessel of more than 70% of normal diameter or a peak systolic gradient of more than 50 mm across stenotic aortic lesion. Stenting was performed for ostial lesion, long segment lesion or incomplete relief of stenosis and dissection following angioplasty. Carotid angioplasty and stenting was performed in five patients, aortic angioplasty in nine patients, aortic angioplasty and stenting in four patients, renal angioplasty in three patients, renal angioplasty and stenting in two patients and subclavian angioplasty in two patients, subclavian, angioplasty and stenting in three patients and coronary angioplasty and stent placement in one patient. The procedure was successful in all but one patient. On following up, two patients with carotid stent placement had restenosis. A saccular aneurysm developed at the lower end of stent in one patient with aortic stent placement. The PTBA with or without stent placement is a safe and effective method for relief of stenotic lesion in patients with TA.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Intellectual psycho-educational and functional status of low birth weight survivors beyond 5 years of age.

To determine the intellectual, psycho-educational and functional status of low birth weight (LBW) survivors (birth weight < or = 2000 gms) beyond 5 years of age and to compare their status with normal birth weight counterparts. This was cross-sectional study. On hospital based cohort on longitudinal follow-up at the High Risk and Well Baby Clinics of a teaching hospital. The demographic data of these children was recorded. A detailed physical examination was performed. The tests of cognition included the Stanford Binet and the Raven's Progressive Matrices. Academic achievement was evaluated by the Wide range achievement test-Revised (WRAT-R). Assessment of visuo motor integration was done by the Bender Gestalt Test. The proportion of children having soft neurological signs was determined. Vineland Social Maturity Scale was performed on all children. Fifty-nine LBW children and fifty-seven matched control children participated in the study. 27 of LBW children were examined at a mean age of 7.0 +/- 1.1 years (group I) and 32 were examined at a mean age of 10.6 +/- 1.2 years (group II). The LBW children as a group performed in the normal range on the tests of cognition and academic achievement, but were significantly disadvantaged (p < 0.005) as compared to controls. A higher percentage of LBW children had low scores on the Bender Gestalt. Test as compared to controls but the difference was not significant. A significantly higher proportion of LBW children of both the groups showed the presence of soft neurological signs as compared to controls. The social quotient as assessed by the vineland Social Maturity Scale was significantly lower in the LBW children as compared to controls. Thus, though the LBW children were performing in the normal range on various measures, comparison with the control group showed that they were clearly disadvantaged on nearly every measure tested, emphasizing the need for early detection and referral for special education.

Child↗
PubMed2000

Regulation of acetyl coenzyme A synthetase in Escherichia coli.

Cells of Escherichia coli growing on sugars that result in catabolite repression or amino acids that feed into glycolysis undergo a metabolic switch associated with the production and utilization of acetate. As they divide exponentially, these cells excrete acetate via the phosphotransacetylase-acetate kinase pathway. As they begin the transition to stationary phase, they instead resorb acetate, activate it to acetyl coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA) by means of the enzyme acetyl-CoA synthetase (Acs) and utilize it to generate energy and biosynthetic components via the tricarboxylic acid cycle and the glyoxylate shunt, respectively. Here, we present evidence that this switch occurs primarily through the induction of acs and that the timing and magnitude of this induction depend, in part, on the direct action of the carbon regulator cyclic AMP receptor protein (CRP) and the oxygen regulator FNR. It also depends, probably indirectly, upon the glyoxylate shunt repressor IclR, its activator FadR, and many enzymes involved in acetate metabolism. On the basis of these results, we propose that cells induce acs, and thus their ability to assimilate acetate, in response to rising cyclic AMP levels, falling oxygen partial pressure, and the flux of carbon through acetate-associated pathways.

Acetate-CoA Ligase↗
PubMed2000

sigma(70) is the principal sigma factor responsible for transcription of acs, which encodes acetyl coenzyme A synthetase in Escherichia coli.

Cells of Escherichia coli undergo a metabolic switch associated with the production and utilization of acetate. During exponential growth on tryptone broth, these cells excrete acetate via the phosphotransacetylase-acetate kinase (Pta-AckA) pathway. As they begin the transition to stationary phase, they instead resorb acetate, activate it to acetyl coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA) by means of the enzyme acetyl-CoA synthetase (Acs) and utilize it to generate energy and biosynthetic components via the tricarboxylic acid cycle and the glyoxylate shunt, respectively. This metabolic switch depends upon the induction of Acs. As part of our effort to dissect the mechanism(s) underlying induction and to identify the signal(s) that triggers that induction, we sought the sigma factor most responsible for acs expression. Using isogenic strains that carry a temperature sensitivity allele of the gene that encodes sigma(70) and either a wild-type or null allele of the gene that encodes sigma(S), we determined by immunoblotting, reverse transcriptase PCR, and acs::lacZ transcriptional fusion analyses that sigma(70) is the sigma factor primarily responsible for the acs transcription that cells induce during mid-exponential phase. In contrast, sigma(S) partially inhibits that transcription as cells enter stationary phase.

Acetate-CoA Ligase↗
PubMed2000

Primary nodal neuroendocrine (Merkel cell) tumor in a patient with HIV infection.

Lymphadenopathy in the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can be of diverse etiology, ranging from infection to cancer. A neoplasm of epithelial origin manifested as inguinal lymphadenopathy without a primary lesion is rare. We report a case of Merkel cell tumor confined only to a lymph node in a patient with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). We believe this is the first report of primary nodal Merkel cell tumor in a patient with HIV. Because Merkel cell tumor is a rare skin neoplasm with features suggestive of high malignant potential, it is important to distinguish a primary nodal Merkel cell tumor from malignant metastatic processes on the one hand and relatively benign causes of adenopathy on the other.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed2000

Response to hepatitis B vaccination in high risk population.

Hepatitis B vaccine is well established as very efficacious, but immune response to the vaccine is highly individual specific. A study involving fifty vaccinees was undertaken at the Hepatitis Laboratory, National Institute of Communicable Disease, Delhi. One ml (20 microgram) of Engerix B vaccine (recombinant yeast derived vaccine) was administered in the standard three dose schedule (0, 1 and 6 months). The sero-conversion of the vaccinees was 24%, 66%, 76% and 78% at 1 month, 6 months, 7 months, and 12 months respectively. There was no seroconversion in 22% of the vaccinees. Sero-conversion was assessed using Macro ELISA test (Ausab, Abbott Labs) for Anti HBs reactivity.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Cryptococcal prostatitis in a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Cryptococcosis is a systemic mycosis usually affecting patients of immunodeficiency i.e. transplants recipients, patients on chemotherapy for neoplastic diseases and in those suffering from human immunodeficiency virus infection. We report a 52-year old male suffering from chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) on chemotherapy who presented with fever and features of prostatism. Cryptococcus neoformans infection (CN) was diagnosed on aspiration of a prostatic nodule. Subsequent investigations revealed a disseminated involvement by cryptococcus. The case represents an unusual presentation of disseminated cryptococcosis.

Antifungal Agents↗
PubMed2000

Tropical pyomyositis: experience of a tertiary care hospital in north-west India.

OBJECTIVE: Tropical pyomyositis (TP), a disease of varied aetiology, has been reported frequently from Africa and Latin America. However there are only a few reports from India. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between January 1992 to June 1999, 26 patients with TP were admitted to Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research Chandigarh, a tertiary care centre in north-west India and formed the study material. RESULTS: The disease was more common in young adults with male to female ratio being 5:2. In majority, presenting features were muscle pains (100%) and fever (81%). The diagnosis was confirmed by aspirating pus from the involved muscle. The pus grew organisms in 41.7% patients and methicillin sensitive Staphylococcus aureus was the commonest causative organism. Blood cultures were positive in 14.3% of cases. The common complications were bronchopneumonia (23.1%), empyema (19.2%) and venous thrombosis (15.4%). In three patients, the disease occurred in association with tuberculosis of dorsal-lumbar spine. The overall mortality was low (7.7%). CONCLUSIONS: TP is not an uncommon disease in India. Though the presenting features were similar to earlier studies, complications varied and mortality was low. An early recognition and aggressive treatment helps in decreasing morbidity and mortality.

Abscess↗
PubMed1999

Prevalence and determinants of hypertension in an un-industrialised rural population of North India.

Recent studies have indicated a rising prevalence of hypertension in rural and urban areas of India. A population-based survey was carried out during 1994-1995 in seven rural and non-industrialised villages around RaipurRani block in the state of Haryana, India, to determine the prevalence of hypertension and its associated risk factors. A total of 2559 individuals (86% of the eligible population) in the 16 to 70-year age group were interviewed using a pre-tested structured questionnaire to find out the lifestyle characteristics. Three blood pressure (BP) readings were recorded with a random zero sphygmomanometer at three different times. One hundred and fourteen individuals (4.5%) were found to be hypertensive according to JNC V criteria (BP of > or = 140/90 mm Hg). Mean systolic and diastolic BPs were 116.9 and 71.7 mmHg in males and 119.1 and 72.7 mm Hg in female subjects respectively (P < 0.001). Females had significantly higher prevalence of hypertension than males (5.8% vs 3.0%, P < 0.05). Mean age of hypertensives (50.3 +/- 13.5 years) was higher than normotensives (34.9 +/- 14.5 years, P < 0.001). The prevalence of various risk factors among hypertensives as compared to normotensives were alcohol consumption (43.2% vs 23.1%, only among males, P < 0.001), higher economic status (P < 0.001) and smoking (43% vs 41.5%, P > 0.05). In addition hypertensives had higher mean weight (53.8 kg vs 48.4 kg, P < 0.001) and higher body mass index (21.5 vs 18.9 kg/m2, P < 0.001). Analysis showed that advancing age, sedentary lifestyle, higher alcohol consumption and higher body mass index are the risk factors for hypertension in the rural un-industrialised population of India.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Pheochromocytoma associated with pregnancy: case report and review of the literature.

UNLABELLED: We report on a young woman with pheochromocytoma associated with pregnancy and review 41 other cases reported in the literature from 1988 to 1997. This review reveals that the overall maternal mortality was 4 percent and the fetal loss 11 percent; antenatal diagnosis of pheochromocytoma reduced maternal mortality to 2 percent; however, fetal loss was 14 percent. Diagnosis of pheochromocytoma was made antepartum in 83 percent of the cases. Although pheochromocytoma associated with pregnancy is rare, a high index of clinical suspicion must be kept and all those at risk must be investigated to achieve an early diagnosis and improved outcome. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, alpha-adrenergic blockade is essential and beta-blockade may be required. Magnetic resonance imaging and computerized tomography scan may be used to localize the tumor during the antenatal period. In early pregnancy, i.e., before 24 weeks, both tumor resection and medical treatment are associated with good fetal outcome; in later pregnancy, elective cesarean delivery followed by tumor resection results in favorable maternal and fetal outcome. TARGET AUDIENCE: Obstetricians & Gynecologists, Family Physicians. LEARNING OBJECTIVES: After completion of this article, the reader will be able to understand the clinical manifestations of a pheochromocytoma during pregnancy, how to make the diagnosis of a pheochromocytoma during pregnancy, and to know the medical and surgical management of a pheochromocytoma during pregnancy.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗
PubMed1999

Status of lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes in hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the activities of key antioxidant enzymes [superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase] and the level of malonyl dialdehyde (MDA) in neonates with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) and controls. DESIGN: Prospective cross sectional study. SETTING: Tertiary care level II neonatal unit of teaching hospital. METHODS: Fifteen term new borns with HIE were registered for the study whereas normal term appropriate for gestational age babies were enrolled as controls. Clinical features were recorded. Activities of SOD, GPx, catalase and the content of MDA were estimated at 24 hours of age. The results obtained were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: Activities of SOD and Catalase and the level of MDA were significantly higher in cases as compared to the controls. There was however no significant alternation in the activity of GPx levels in both the groups. CONCLUSION: The increased activities of antioxidant enzymes are unable to counteract the excessively generated oxidants in vivo, as is evident from the increased MDA levels. Hence, oxygen free radicals may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of HIE.

Case-Control Studies↗