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Biomedical subjects

S Rao

Publications and source records attributed to S Rao.

At least 253 records · Page 14Linked to original sources

Reversing the flow: agricultural development and changing migration patterns in rural Maharashtra.

"In this paper we investigate the impact of rapid change from subsistence to irrigated farming [in Maharashtra, India,] and human dynamic responses to these changes from a longitudinal perspective (1975 to 1987). The study focuses on a single village, providing an in-depth and extensive analysis of both in and out-migration, characteristics of migrants, motivations for migration, experience at destination, and links with home areas, both social and economic.... The importance of migration, not only to the study village, but also to other rural areas from which in-migrants came, is also assessed." (SUMMARY IN FRE AND SPA)

Acculturation↗

Acute idiopathic axonal neuropathy (AIAN): a clinical and electrophysiological observation.

Twenty patients (M:F 15:5) with electrophysiological evidence of predominant axonal lesion and fulfilling clinical criteria for Guillain Barré Syndrome were observed during a period of 6 years (1985-1990). Their mean age was 27.5 years (range 5-55). Seven patients had antecedent febrile illness. Peak motor deficit was reached at a mean period of 6.5 days (range 2-21 days). All the patients had distal muscle weakness out of proportion to proximal muscle weakness. Facial paresis (13 patients), bulbar palsy (2), respiratory failure (1), sensory deficits (7) and dysautonomia (1) were other salient features. CSF analysis revealed albumino-cytological dissociation in 12 patients. One patient died and in the remaining patients the recovery was delayed and incomplete. Presence of predominant distal muscle wasting and weakness, low amplitude CMAP or inexcitable nerves, absence of conduction block or significant temporal dispersion, normal or only slightly reduced conduction velocity and evidence of poor recovery suggest that the primary pathology in these patients may be axonal degeneration. These cases may represent a distinct entity and need to be differentiated from the more commonly observed acute idiopathic demyelinating neuropathy.

Acute Disease↗

Comparison of computerized tomography parameters of the thoracolumbar spine in normal control subjects and spinal cord injured patients.

The cross-sectional area and the sagittal and transverse diameters of the spinal canal at the thoracolumbar junction were measured using high resolution thin-section computerized tomography images in 15 control subjects and 28 patients with traumatic injury to the spinal cord at the thoracolumbar junction. No significant difference between the control and study groups was found with regard to any of the three measures taken. With the exception of the sagittal canal diameter for the first lumbar vertebra, all the mean values were higher for the spinal cord injured group. The ratio of the sagittal to transverse diameter was larger for the control group; however, this difference also was not significant. These findings suggest no significant differences in the dimensions and shape of the canal at the thoracolumbar region between the spinal cord injured and control groups. In contrast to the cervical spinal canal, there appears to be no correlation between the spinal cord injury and the dimensions of the thoracolumbar spinal canal.

Adult↗

Computerised tomography in Tolosa-Hunt syndrome.

Twelve patients who satisfied the clinical criteria of Tolosa-Hunt syndrome (THS), underwent axial computerised tomography (CT) scan of the head. Two patients had abnormalities detected in the cavernous sinus on the affected side which supported the clinical diagnosis. This coupled with steroid responsiveness and long-term asymptomatic follow-up firmly established the diagnosis of THS. We discuss the computerised tomographic findings seen in THS and the relevance of using accurate imaging techniques as the first line of investigation in these cases.

Adult↗

Engraftment of normal murine marrow into nonmyeloablated host mice.

When 200 x 10(6) male BALB/c cells are given by tail vein injection to female nonmyeloablated hosts in one injection, a relatively low engraftment percentage is seen, but when the same total number of cells is given over five injections (separated by 24 hours), the observed engraftment is much higher. A further increase in engraftment appears to occur when the same number of cells is given in 10 injections separated by at least 24 hours. These data suggest that somewhere between 5 and 10% of marrow niches are available at intervals of 24 or more hours and that the keys to high levels of engraftment are the cell cycle status of the engrafting stem cell and the schedule of engraftment.

Animals↗

Absolute lymphocytopenia as a diagnostic aid in bronchogenic carcinoma.

Total lymphocyte count and lymphocyte percentage were calculated in a group of 26 patients of Bronchogenic carcinoma and compared with the values in 22 cases of pulmonary tuberculosis. Patients of Bronchogenic carcinoma had a significant lymphocytopenia as compared to patients of tuberculosis. It is inferred that this peripheral lymphocytopenia can be used as a possible diagnostic pointer in patients of Bronchogenic carcinoma.

Carcinoma, Bronchogenic↗

Critically ill Guillain Barre' syndrome.

Among the 153 patients fulfilling NINDS criteria for Guillain Barre' Syndrome (GBS) seen over 5.5 yrs, there were 47 (M:F 38.9) critically ill patients (age range 4 to 60 years). Antecedent event was recorded in 25 patients and the peak deficit was attained over a mean period of 9.5 days. Besides severe motor paralysis other salient features were: bulbar paralysis--42, sensory symptoms or signs--21, dysautonomia 31 and requirement for ventilatory assistance 45. CSF protein was raised in 63% cases. All the 17 patients who underwent electromyography had abnormalities of nerve conduction paramentes. Mean stay on the ventilator was 29.6 days and was not influenced by corticosteroid. Complications were frequent: pulmonary and urinary tract infection, dysautonomia, electrolyte disturbances, haemetmesis, bleeding from tracheostomy site and hepatic and renal failure. Mortality in steroids treated group (13/27) and the conservatively managed group (5/20) did not differ significantly. No discriminant factor emerged between survivors and non-survivors. Age and sex of the patients, presence of antecedent event, onset to peak interval and CSF protein level did not predict the need for ventilatory assistance, although these patients at admission had more frequent weakness of facial, bulbar, trunk, neck and proximal muscles of upper limbs and autonomic disturbances. Course of GBS remains unpredictable at the onset of the disease, warrants close supervision and meticulous supportive care and remains a therapeutic challenge.

Adolescent↗

Effect of rifampicin on theophylline pharmacokinetics in human beings.

Theophylline pharmacokinetics before and after rifampicin administration was studied in 10 healthy volunteers. It was seen that Rifampicin significantly increased the volume of distribution of theophylline by 23.41% (p < 0.01) and its metabolic clearance by 47.65% (P < 0.05). This has got clinical significance in the treatment of patients of pulmonary tuberculosis with chronic obstructive airways disease where both the drugs may have to be given concurrently.

Adult↗

In vitro and in vivo studies of stromal niches.

Lymphohematopoiesis occurs in the densely packed environment of the intramedullary spaces. Primitive lymphohematopoietic stem cells exist in close apposition to a variety of supportive cells including both hemopoietic and nonhemopoietic lineages. Using an in vitro long-term Dexter liquid culture system, we have established that a variety of cytokines are produced constitutively by such stromal cells in culture. These cytokines include Steel factor, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and colony-stimulating factor (CSF-1). Granulocyte-CSF and granulocyte-macrophage-CSF mRNA can be detected after refeeding of cultures, although in quiescent cultures message for these factors is difficult to detect. Interleukin-3, IL-4, and IL-5 are not detectable by standard Northern blot analysis or bioassay of condition media. However, IL-3--detectable by reverse-transcriptase PCR and biologic activity--was confirmed by growth of factor-dependent cells on stromal cells with IL-3 antibody blocking of such growth. Stem cells resident on such stromal cells are mirrored by the high proliferative potential colony-forming cell assay and are responsive to a relatively large number of cytokines, with Steel factor being of central importance, appearing to be a critical component of various synergistic combinations. Steel factor allows reduced levels of other factors in such combinations and works early in a temporal sequence. Hematopoietic stem cells can engraft in normal nonmyeloablated hosts. Using a male/female BALB/c transplantation model, we have shown high rates of engraftment into normal animals, out after marrow infusion to 25 months, after marrow infusion and that post-5-fluorouracil bone marrow is quite deficient in such engraftment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty in mirror-image dextrocardia and rheumatic mitral stenosis.

A 28-year-old woman with mirror-image dextrocardia and severe rheumatic mitral stenosis underwent successful percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty (PBMV). Standard technique was altered to include transseptal catheterization via the left femoral vein and inter-atrial septal puncture with the transseptal needle rotated to a 7 o'clock position. The predilatation transmitral gradient (mean) of 16 mmHg decreased to 5 mmHg following PBMV. The valve area improved from 1.0 cm2 to 2.6 cm2. There were no complications. This case illustrates that transseptal catheterization can be accomplished safely in patients with unusual cardiac anatomy and mitral valvuloplasty can be performed in patients with mirror-image dextrocardia and rheumatic mitral stenosis.

Adult↗