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Biomedical subjects

S Saxena

Publications and source records attributed to S Saxena.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

The impact of screening a heterogeneous donor population for alanine aminotransferase and hepatitis B core antibody. Experience at a large southern California hospital.

To reduce the transmission of non-A, non-B (NANB) hepatitis, the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) has recommended that donors be screened for elevated levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and for the presence of antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc). In this survey of 5,336 donors, the authors report the impact of using both of these surrogate tests on a heterogeneous donor population that was composed of white, black, Hispanic, and Asian donors. Hispanic and male donors had relatively high ALT levels, and black and Asian donors had a higher prevalence of anti-HBc than their respective counterparts. The overall impact of using both surrogate tests resulted in a discard rate of 12.1% with a disproportionately high percentage of Hispanic and male donors excluded because of ALT testing and black and Asian donors because of anti-HBc testing. It appears that surrogate testing has a much greater impact on blood collection facilities that rely considerably on Hispanic, Asian, black, or male donors than those that largely draw white or female donors.

Black or African American↗
PubMed1990

The risk of bacterial growth in units of blood that have warmed to more than 10 degrees C.

Most transfusion services discard unopened units of blood that have been returned to the blood bank more than 30 minutes after the issuance or have attained a temperature of more than 10 degrees C. The objective of this study was to learn the prevalence of bacterial growth, if any, in the units of blood that were exposed twice, for six hours each time, to room temperature during their refrigerated storage. All of the 396 units cultured were negative except one red cell unit that grew a Bacillus species, probably B. subtilis. Further studies suggested that the growth of B. subtilis was due to laboratory contamination. The authors concluded that more work is needed to study the bacterial growth and the effect on red cell enzymes in the units of blood that are exposed to room temperature for varying periods or are returned to the blood bank after 30 minutes of issuance. If no adverse effect is noted, the policy of not reissuing such units may need revision so that more units could be salvaged.

Bacteria↗
PubMed1990

Can storage of thawed cryoprecipitate be extended to more than six hours?

Fresh-frozen plasma (FFP) and cryoprecipitate both contain Factors I and VIII, however thawed FFP may be stored at 1-6 degrees C for 24 hours, but thawed cryoprecipitate may only be stored at 1-6 degrees C for six hours when used for Factor VIII content. To determine whether it would be safe and effective to extend the storage period of thawed cryoprecipitate from 6 to 24 hours, Factor VIII (and fibrinogen) levels were measured in 25 units of cryoprecipitates immediately on thawing and at 6 hours and 24 hours thereafter. The Factor VIII activity level decreased to 86% of the original activity level within 6 hours, but the drop between 6 and 24 hours was relatively small. Eighty percent of the original activity was still present at 24 hours after thawing. The fibrinogen level decreased to 87% of the original level within 6 hours but remained stable between 6 and 24 hours. Additional testing showed that fibrinogen levels remained stable between 6 and 74 hours. These data suggested that the storage of thawed cryoprecipitate might be extended to 24 hours when this blood product is used for Factor VIII content and to 74 hours when it is used for fibrinogen content. Furthermore, the lack of prohibition on the use of cryoprecipitate that has been thawed for more than six hours and stored at 4 degrees C for its fibrinogen content seems reasonable.

Blood Preservation↗
PubMed1990

Ethanol has direct inhibitory effects on steroidogenesis in human granulosa cells: specific inhibition of LH action.

We have evaluated the direct effects of ethanol (EtOH) on the production of progesterone (P) and estradiol-17 beta (E2) by cultured human granulosa cells obtained during in vitro fertilization procedures. On day 3 of culture, cells were divided into control and ethanol (20 mM) groups and stimulated by hFSH (50 ng/ml), hLH (0-50 ng/ml), FSH+LH, 8 Br-cAMP (0.25 mM) and androstenedione (10(-7) M). Experiments were terminated on days 7 and 9 and DNA, P, and E2 were measured. Ethanol inhibited P and E2 secretion stimulated by LH; however, there was no significant effect of ethanol on P and E2 production in the control group or when the cells were stimulated by FSH or cAMP. EtOH also had no effect on androstenedione stimulated E2 production. There was no significant difference in the DNA contents of the human granulosa cells in the ethanol group as compared with the control group. These results are the first demonstration of a direct effect of ethanol on cultured granulosa-lutein cells and suggest that ethanol may inhibit action of LH on the corpus luteum. A direct selective toxic effect of EtOH on the ovary may be responsible for some of the reproductive abnormalities observed in alcoholic women.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Thin basement membranes in minimally abnormal glomeruli.

The light microscopic, immunofluorescence, and electron microscopic appearances of renal biopsy specimens were reviewed and correlated with the clinical and laboratory findings in 61 patients in whom the findings were initially considered to be either normal or to show only minor non-specific abnormalities. In all cases this reassessment included quantitative measurement of glomerular basement membrane thickness by an orthogonal intercept technique. On the basis of the indication for biopsy, patients were classified into three groups: those with haematuria (group I, n = 41); those with a minor degree of proteinuria (group II, n = 16); and those without any urinary abnormality but in whom possible renal disease as a result of systemic disease was suspected (group III, n = 6). About half of the patients with haematuria had significantly thinner glomerular basement membranes than those in the other two groups, irrespective of the variable selected for assessment, and in three this was confirmed in follow up biopsy specimens. Follow up for up to eight years showed that in patients either with or without thin basement membranes haematuria commonly persisted, but the long term outlook in all three groups was otherwise good and no patient developed impaired renal function.

Anthropometry↗
PubMed1990

Heterogeneity of common hematologic parameters among racial, ethnic, and gender subgroups.

This study was performed to determine whether hematologic indexes might show heterogeneity among different subgroups of the population and, if differences were found, to develop reference ranges for each subgroup. Complete blood cell counts and leukocyte differential cell counts were compared in healthy white (n = 663), black (n = 697), Latin-American (n = 535), and Asian (n = 247) adults. Women had significantly lower red blood cell counts, hemoglobin levels, and hematocrits than men. In addition, women in at least three racial/ethnic groups, had higher platelet, white blood cell, and granulocyte counts and lower monocyte counts than men. Among blacks and Latin Americans, women had lower mean corpuscular volumes, mean corpuscular hemoglobin levels, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentrations than men. The following racial/ethnic differences were found: higher red blood cell distribution widths and lymphocyte and monocyte counts, and lower hemoglobin levels, hematocrits, mean corpuscular hemoglobin levels, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentrations, and white blood cell, granulocyte, and band counts among blacks; higher white blood cell, granulocyte, and band counts among Latin Americans; and higher red blood cell and lower lymphocyte and monocyte counts among Asians than one or more of the other three groups. We concluded that the complete blood cell counts and leukocyte differential cell counts exhibit marked heterogeneity and that reference ranges that reflect the proper racial, ethnic, and sex group should be developed for these parameters.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Pharmacodynamics of benzyl chloride in rats.

In today's world of high industrialization, toxicity and pollution have become common terms of references. Both laymen and experts are becoming increasingly concerned about various health hazards created by occupational and industrial wastes dumped in and around public places. Benzyl chloride (BCl) was one of the chemicals dumped by Hooker Chemicals in Love Canal, N.Y. Benzyl chloride (BCl) is extensively used in industry in the manufacture of dyes, perfumes, resins, and synthetic tannins. It has been found at various dump sites and industrial wastes, which has led to potential hazards to health. This study was conducted to investigate the pharmacodynamics of BCl in rats. Rats were given 14C-BCl in corn oil by gavage. The peak plasma level was reached at 30 min and began to decline. BCl elimination pattern follows a two compartment model. The distribution half-life (alpha-phase) was 1.3 hr while the half-life of elimination (beta-phase) was 58.53 hr. Distribution studies after 48 hr of BCl administration revealed that the concentration of radioisotopes was highest in the stomach, gastric content, ileum, and duodenum followed by liver, adrenal, bone marrow, whole blood, pancreas, lung, esophagus, skin, kidney, heart, thymus, fat, testes, spleen, brain, and carcass. Approximately 76% of the initial dose was excreted by kidney during the 72 hr studies. About 7% was detected in expired air as 14CO2, while less than 1.3% was present as 14C-BCl or 14C-BCl metabolites in expired air during 72 hr. Metabolism studies revealed that S-benzyl-N-acetyl cysteine, benzyl alcohol, and benzaldehyde were the metabolites present in the urine.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Pure mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis. A clinicomorphologic analysis and its possible role in morphologic transition of minimal change lesion.

Renal biopsies from 45 children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome were analysed. A clinicopathologic correlation has been attempted in 19 children with mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis. Mesangial hypercellularity is found to have a direct correlation with the clinical presentation, response to therapy and final outcome. The presence of diffuse mesangial IgM or IgM with C3 is of no significance and lacks specificity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Lithium in pregnancy and still birth: a case report.

Although initially considered safe for the foetus, lithium has been shown to have teratogenic effects if used during the first trimester of pregnancy. Its use is also associated with a higher than expected frequency of still births and perinatal deaths. Our patient, in whom lithium prophylaxis was considered essential for clinical and social reasons, continued to take lithium without medical supervision throughout her pregnancy and had a still birth. We suggest avoiding the use of lithium at least during the first trimester of pregnancy.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

A review of donor alanine aminotransferase testing. Implications for the blood donor and practitioner.

To reduce the incidence of post-transfusion non-A, non-B hepatitis, the American Association of Blood Banks has required that serum alanine aminotransferase activity be used to screen blood donors. Consequently, approximately 2% to 3% of all blood donations will be discarded owing to an elevated alanine aminotransferase level. In addition, approximately 0.7% of blood donors will be notified of an abnormal alanine aminotransferase result. While some of these donors may have viral hepatitis, factors such as the donor's age, gender, body weight, ethnic background, alcohol intake, diet, and exercise must also be considered when interpreting an elevated alanine aminotransferase level. Donors with significant or persistently elevated alanine aminotransferase levels should have their conditions evaluated so that treatable diseases can be recognized and/or treated.

Alanine Transaminase↗
PubMed1989

Upper and lower limb standards in newborn.

One thousand live born babies of various gestational ages were studied. Using standard techniques, various limbs anthropometric measurements were taken with a non-stretchable measuring tape. Normal values and S.D. for each gestational week were calculated and their relation with gestational age statistically analysed. All these measurements correlated with gestational age. Foot length correlated best with gestational age amongst all the measurements (r = 0.9399).

Anthropometry↗
PubMed1989

Ratio of mid arm circumference to head circumference as a predictor of small for gestational age babies.

Birth weight (BW), mid-arm circumference (MAC), head circumference (HC) and MAC/HC ratio were evaluated in 845 term babies within 48 h of birth. MAC/HC ratio of less than 0.28 had a statistically significant sensitivity, specificity and predictive value (p less than 0.001) for identifying term small for gestational age babies. This ratio provides a simple, accurate and cheap way of screening SGA babies. This method may be employed for identification of SGA babies even by paramedical workers at community level. As with any other field index appropriate supervision and standardisation are essential for its usefulness.

Anthropometry↗
PubMed1989

Blood pressure studies in Jaipur children.

A total of 1500 apparently healthy children between 1-12 years of age were examined. Blood pressure (BP) readings were taken and standard deviation and percentiles worked out for different sexes and age groups. Prevalence of hypertension was found to be 2.86% in males and 2.97% in females in 5-12 years of age group. Obesity was prevalent in 24% of the hypertensive cases. A higher value of serum cholesterol as compared to controls was also seen in the hypertensive group.

Blood Pressure↗