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Biomedical subjects

S P Sharma

Publications and source records attributed to S P Sharma.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Management of anorectal malformations in Varanasi, India: a long-term review of single and three stage procedures.

To compare the results of the staged procedure (Group A) with the primary single stage posterior sagittal anorectoplasty (PSARP) procedure (Group B) for high and intermediate anorectal anomalies. Four hundred ninety cases of primary single stage procedure done over a period of seven years (1996-2003) were compared with 458 out of 763 cases of staged procedure (Historical control) that underwent all three stages done from 1989 to 1996. Two hundred cases that had been in regular follow up in Group A and 254 cases in Group B who had attained three years of age were evaluated for continence by Kelly's method. The approximate cost of treatment was also calculated. Continence was good in 90 cases (45%), fair in 66 cases (33%) and poor in 44 cases (22%) in Group A while it was good in 204 cases (80% ), fair in 38 cases (15%) and poor in 12 cases (5%) in Group B. In Group A, the mortality was high as only 40% cases completed all the three stages of operation. The mortality was 4.5% in Group B. Primary PSARP is recommended as the better treatment option for intermediate and high-anorectal anomalies with superior results in terms of morbidity, mortality, continence and cost.

Anal Canal↗
PubMed2005

Qualitative and quantitative analysis of seized street drug samples and identification of source.

In this paper we describe the identification of constituents of the illicit drugs seized from different regions of eastern India by GC-MS. The constituents were identified to be heroin, acetyl morphine, morphine and acetyl codeine. Quantitative estimation of the constituents were made by GC-MS and HPTLC. In view of non-availability of the authentic samples of drugs of different origin, nothing positive can be said about the origin of illicit drug samples. The possibility of isotopic substitution, an important method for identification of source, was examined from the comparison of the intensity of different (ion) peaks 369 (heroin, m/z=369), 370, 371 and 372 using selective ion monitoring mode. No isotopic substitution in the constituents was observed. Attempts were made to identify the source of the illicit samples from heroin/acetylcodeine ratios in the way described in the literature.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2003

Isolation of Toxoplasma gondii from goats with history of reproductive disorders and the prevalence of Toxoplasma and chlamydial antibodies.

The prevalence of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii and Chlamydia psittaci was assessed in goats with a history of abortion, stillbirth and neonatal mortality. Antibodies were detected in 540 (30%) and 57 (3.2%) goats out of 1799 tested by indirect haemagglutination and complement fixation tests, respectively. Toxoplasma gondii was isolated for the first time in Botswana from 22 out of 81 sets (27.2%) of foetal tissues, maternal and foetal cotyledons and uterine tissues of goats which had previously aborted or given birth to stillborn or weak kids that died within two days of birth. These results implicate T. gondii and C. psittaci, but especially the former, to be associated with caprine reproductive problems and require appropriate control measures.

Abortion, Veterinary↗
PubMed2002

Dark neurons in the ageing cerebellum: their mode of formation and effect of Maharishi Amrit Kalash.

Dark neurons are considered a manifestation of neuronal injury and although they cover various grades of damage their mode of formation is not yet clear. Age-dependent alterations in a dark purkinje neuronal population of guinea pigs (10 months and 32 months old) and rats (3 months, 6 months, 12 months, 15 months and 28 months) were studied. Light microscopical and electron microscopical observations revealed a significant increase (P < 0.05) in the number of dark purkinje neurons with age in both the guinea pigs and rats. Extraction of lipids from the cerebellum sections before processing for histochemical reaction resulted in a reduction of the dark neuronal population. In an other set of experiments, significant age-dependent increase in the cathepsin-D activity and lipid peroxidation was documented in the guinea pig cerebellum. Treatment of guinea pigs with Maharishi Amrit Kalash (MAK) (500 mg/kg body wt/day, for two months) significantly inhibited (P < 0.05) the activity of cathepsin-D and lipid peroxidation, and decreased the number of dark neurons. These findings suggest that the number of dark neurons increases with age and MAK prevents the conversion of light to dark purkinje neurons due to its inhibitory effects on cathepsin-D activity and antioxidant properties. We suggest that the conformational changes in the normal protein structure due to higher proteolytic activity and peroxidation of lipid in the aging cerebellum endangers a redundant capability for various staining agents and the Osimic acid molecules to react with proteins, lipids and other molecules, leading to an intensified cyto- and karyoplasms electron density.

Aging↗
PubMed2002

Pig bite of prolapsed rectum in a child.

A case of pig bite to the prolapsed rectum in a 2(1/2) year old boy is reported because of its rarity and successful management in spite of delayed presentation.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2001

Effect of Maharishi Amrit Kalash on age dependent variations in mitochondrial antioxidant enzymes, lipid peroxidation and mitochondrial population in different regions of the central nervous system of guinea-pigs.

Age related changes in the mitochondria of different regions of the CNS of two age groups of guinea-pigs (10 months and 32 months) were studied. The activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione reductase (GRd) decreased significantly (p <0.05) with age in the mitochondrial fractions of cerebral cortex, hypothalamus, cerebellum and spinal cord. A significant (p <0.05) age related decrease in mitochondrial numerical density was observed in all regions studied. Electron microscopic observations revealed various degenerative changes in the mitochondria with age. Treatment of the animals with the Ayurvedic herbal mixture "Maharishi Amrit Kalash" (MAK), 500 mg/kg body wt. daily for 2 months, significantly induced the activity of antioxidant enzymes, and also reversed the pathological changes to a considerable extent. MAK increased the activity of GPx significantly only in the 32 month-old animals. This shows the specificity of the action of MAK.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

The resurgence of trypanosomosis in Botswana.

No sleeping sickness or nagana cases have been reported in Botswana since 1985. In view of several confirmed clinical cases of nagana and reports of heavy bovine mortality, a parasitological survey was conducted to determine the prevalence of trypanosome infection in cattle in Maun and Shakawe areas of Ngamiland district. Wet blood films, buffy coat and Giemsa-stained thick and thin blood smears were used to detect trypanosomes in animals. Overall,trypanosome infection rate was 15.98%, with 5.94% and 27.29% in Maun and Shakawe respectively. The urgent need to combat trypanosomosis in Ngamiland, particularly in the Shakawe area, is highlighted, and a 3-phase integrated tsetse control strategy for this disease problem is discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Effect of Maharishi Amrit Kalash an ayurvedic herbal mixture on lipid peroxidation and neuronal lipofuscin accumulation in ageing guinea pig brain.

The effects of ayurvedic herbal mixture Maharishi Amrit Kalash(MAK) were studied on brain lipid peroxidation, oxygen consumption, and lipofuscin accumulation in 10 months and 32 months old guinea pigs. Brain regions studied were cerebral cortex, hypothalamus, cerebellum and spinal cord. Parameters assessed were lipid peroxidation, oxygen consumption, and lipofuscin accumulation. The endogenous lipid peroxide was found to be increased significantly (P < 0.05) in the 32-month-old animals. Neuronal lipofuscin accumulation in the neurons of cerebral motor cortex, cerebellum and cervical spinal cord was increased (P < 0.05) in the older animals. Oxygen consumption was found to be decreased significantly(P < 0.05) in the 32-month old guinea pigs. Treatment with MAK at a dose of 500 mg/kg body weight daily for two months reduced the lipid peroxidation and lipofuscin pigment accumulation significantly in brain regions and it also helped in restoring the normal oxygen consumption in the older animals. This indicates antioxidant properties of MAK.

Aging↗
PubMed2001

Age-dependent variations in mitochondrial and cytosolic antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxidation in different regions of central nervous system of guinea pigs.

The age-related changes in the activities of antioxidant enzymes of mitochondrial and cytosolic fractions were measured in different regions of the central nervous system (CNS) in 10 and 32 months old guinea pigs. In old animals, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were reduced (p < 0.05) in all the regions of CNS studied but catalase (CAT) declined significantly only in the cerebral cortex, hypothalamus and cerebellum. Glutathione reductase (GRd) activity declined in cerebral cortex and hypothalamus in the cytosolic fractions and only in cerebellum in the mitochondrial fraction. It is concluded that age-related decline in the activities of antioxidant enzymes is both region and enzyme specific. The endogenous lipid peroxide was found to be significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the 32 month old animals whereas, lipid peroxidation after incubating the tissue homogenate in air was found to be lower (p < 0.05). The in vitro mitochondrial lipid peroxidation decreased with age. The results indicate that accumulation of lipid peroxides takes place with ageing but the susceptibility of lipid peroxidation decreases in the older animals.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2001

Maharishi Amrit Kalash, an ayurvedic medicinal preparation, enhances cholinergic enzymes in aged guinea pig brain.

The effect of orally fed Maharishi Amrit Kalash was examined on the activities of cholinergic enzymes in the guinea pig brain. The activity of the cholinergic enzymes viz. choline-acetyltransferase and acetylcholinesterase enzymes was found to be reduced significantly (P<0.05) in the various regions of CNS of the aged guinea pigs. Oral administration of MAK(500 mg/kg body weight daily) for 2 months significantly increased (P<0.05) the activity of choline acetyltransferase and acetylcholinesterase in the older animals. The present study indicates that this food supplement can be helpful in alleviating the cholinergic deficits in the old age.

Acetylcholinesterase↗
PubMed2000

Hydatid disease in children may have an atypical presentation.

Although there is voluminous literature describing various aspects of hydatid disease in children, little attention has been paid to the small group of patients whose symptoms result in atypical presentation. This article addresses this problem, describing the features in ten children aged from 2 to 12 years. The sites of involvement were within a choledochal cyst (1). the pelvic cavity (1), the spleen (1), and transverse mesocolon. Albendazole was efficacious in the treatment of one recurrent case, as well as in preventing recurrence.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Bovine borreliosis in Botswana.

Clinical Borrelia theileri infection was reported for the first time in cattle from Botswana concurrent with Babesia bovis and Theileria mutans infections. Two animals, an ox and a cow of the Tswana breed demonstrated clinical signs of fever, haemoglobinuria, inappetance, diarrhoea, pallor of mucous membranes, enlarged superficial lymph nodes and rough hair coats. Examination of the blood smears from the affected animals revealed numerous B. theileri, and very few B. bovis and T. mutans organisms. Oxytetracycline was administered parenterally to all the animals in the herd. The ox, being extremely weak and recumbent for the previous 4-5 days, succumbed to death the day after the examination. The clearance of spirochaetes from the blood circulation and recovery of the cow three days after treatment with oxytetracycline suggest an involvement of B. theileri in producing clinical disease.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Aspiration vs nonaspiration technique of cytodiagnosis--a critical evaluation in 160 cases.

The two sampling techniques were studied in 160 randomly selected cases of superficial swellings in various sites of the body. They were sampled by fine needle aspiration (FNA) and by non-aspiration (NA) (a needle without application of aspiration pressure). Cell samples were cytologically assessed and critically evaluated using five objective parameters. Contamination with blood was more in lymphnode, thyroid and liver lesions in aspiration smears than NA smears and values were statistically significant. Similarly when compared for the degree of cellular trauma and cellular degeneration statistically significant better results were obtained by nonaspiration technique for lymphnode lesions. Regarding amount of cellular material obtained by FNA, statistical significant better results were found for breast lesions only. Statistically significant better maintenance of architecture was observed only for thyroid lesions by NA technique. Better average scores were observed by NA technique for lymphnode and thyroid only. Categorizing all the smears obtained by FNA & NA on the basis of their scores according to predetermined criteria, greater number of diagnostically adequate specimens were obtained by FNA than by NA but the number of diagnostically superior specimens obtained by NA technique was found to be more than that by FNA. The difference was found to be statistically significant. However the number of inadequate smears was also more by NA technique than by FNA technique.

Biopsy, Needle↗
PubMed1999

Maharishi Amrit Kalash rejuvenates ageing central nervous system's antioxidant defence system: an in vivo study.

The oxygen-free radical involvement in various deteriorative processes and in ageing is unquestionably established. In the present study age-related changes in antioxidant enzyme activity in the different regions of CNS of 10-month and 32-month-old guinea pigs were studied. Maharishi Amrit Kalash has shown promise in inhibiting the in vitro and in vivo lipid peroxidation. Therefore in the present study the effect of MAK on the activity of antioxidant enzymes was checked. Our results indicate that the activity of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase, was found to be reduced (P < 0.05) in all the regions of CNS studied, The activities of catalase declined significantly only in the cerebral cortex, hypothalamus and the cerebellum. Whereas glutathione reductase activity declined in the cerebral cortex and hypothalamus. It is concluded that the age-related decline in the activities of antioxidant enzymes is region-specific as well as enzyme-specific. The endogenous lipid peroxide was found to be increased significantly (P < 0.05) in the 32-month-old animals. Whereas the lipid peroxidation after incubating the tissue homogenate in the air was found to be decreased (P < 0.05) in the older animals. The results indicate that the accumulation of lipid peroxides take place with age but the susceptibility of lipid peroxidation decreases in the older animals. The treatment of MAK 500 mg kg-1 body wt. for 2 months could augment the activities of antioxidant enzymes (P < 0.05). The effect of MAK was more pronounced in older than younger animals. It is concluded that the MAK can be used in compensating the decline in the activities of antioxidant enzymes in CNS and thereby it reduces the risks of lipid peroxidation.

Aging↗
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↗
PubMed1997

Markers for transfusion-transmissible infections in north Indian voluntary and replacement blood donors: prevalence and trends 1989-1996.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Twenty five to 30% of multiple-transfusion recipients in India show evidence of infection with both HBV and non-A non-B hepatitis or HCV. To be licensed, blood banks must screen each donor unit for HBsAg, antibodies to HIV-1 and -2, and VDRL. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1989 and 1996, 132,093 voluntary and replacement donors at this centre were screened for the above markers, using commercially available kits. Some 19,531 donors were screened for HCV antibodies in 1995 and 1996 with an in-house EIA, using a synthetic peptide from core, NS3 and NS4 region proteins of all major HCV strains. RESULTS: Data were tabulated annually. The proportion of voluntary donors increased from 15 to 32% during the eight years. HBsAg rates remained below 2.5%, antibodies to HIV increased from 0.04% to 0.55%, and VDRL reactivity increased from 0.23 to 0.52% between 1989 and 1995. Prevalence of all three infections showed a small but significant drop in 1996, and all three were significantly less frequent in voluntary donors. HCV antibodies were detected in 1.49% of donors tested. Donors with multiple infections were uncommon. CONCLUSIONS: A change to voluntary blood transfusion service and addition of anti-HBc, anti-HCV, and possibly HIV antigen to the mandatory list for screening donor blood would reduce posttransfusion infections. Indigenous production of these assays would mitigate the financial burden, as has been the experience with the in-house HCV assay.

Biomarkers↗
PubMed1997

Increased longevity of kinetin-fed Zaprionus fruitflies is accompanied by their reduced fecundity and enhanced catalase activity.

Kinetin, a cytokinin plant growth hormone, retards senescence in plants, delays aging in human cells in culture, slows down development of insects and prolongs their lifespan. We have now observed that the increased longevity of Kn-fed Zaprionus fruitflies was accompanied by an increase in the specific activity of catalase during developmental stages and in adult insects. In addition, the egg laying capacity of Kn-fed fruitflies was reduced drastically as compared with those kept on a normal diet. These results support the view that improved maintenance of the soma and prolongation of its life is achieved at the cost of decreased reproductive activity.

Aging↗