Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

S Shashidhar

Publications and source records attributed to S Shashidhar.

12 recordsLinked to original sources

Respiratory functions in Kalaripayattu practitioners.

Kalaripayattu, an ancient traditional martial art form of Kerala, is considered as the basis for all martial arts viz. Karate, Kungfu, etc. physiological studies are more concentrated on Karate, Kungfu and other martial arts due to their global acceptance. Considering the limited knowledge available regarding the physiological profiles of Kalaripayattu practitioners, the present study was taken up for filling the lacunae in the field. Lung function tests were carried out in ten Kalari practitioners. Residual volume was measured by indirect method. Higher lung volumes and flow rates were achieved in Kalari practitioners compared to age and height-matched controls. Better mechanical factors and lower airway resistance influenced during Kalari practice might have benefited in improving hung volumes and flow rates.

Adult↗

Studies on protein and taurine in normal, senile and diabetic cataractous human lenses.

An attempt has been made to explore the possible role of Taurine in cataractogenesis. Normal lenses were obtained from eye bank donors and cataractous lenses from patients who had undergone surgery for cataract extraction. Lenses were weighed and homogenised. Extraction, isolation and estimation of protein and taurine were carried out. It has been found that the lens wet weight increased progressively with the stage of maturation of cataract, i.e., from mature to hypermature which was significant and also with increase in age. Diabetic cataract group also showed an increase similar to that of senile cataract. Taurine and total protein decreases with different stages of maturation of cataract but not with age. It may be suggested that in the process of development of human senile cataract, there is (a) alteration in the structural integrity and permeability of lens membrane to protein and amino acids including taurine, (b) changes in the lens function including possible inhibition of proteins and amino acids (taurine) synthesis and transport across the cell membrane.

Adult↗

Changes in glutathione, glutathione-linked enzymes and hexose monophosphate shunt enzymes in senile cataract.

Changes in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD), glutathione reductase (GSH-R), reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PO), transketolase (TK) and transaldolase (TA) were studied in lens and red blood cells (RBCs) to understand the possible biochemical mechanisms responsible for the development of senile cataract. The activity of G-6-PD was increased in lens, though not so in erythrocytes during cataractogenesis. A marked decrease was observed in GSH level and GSH-R activity in the lens and RBCs of the cataractous group. The activity of GSH-PO was remarkably high in lens but not in the erythrocytes during the maturity of cataract. The activity of TK decreased gradually in both the lens and erythrocytes. The activity of TA decreased in erythrocytes but increased in the lens with maturation of cataract.

Adult↗

Antioxidant enzymes and peroxidation in galactogenic cataract.

The antioxidant enzymes like catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were studied in erythrocytes and lens at various stages of cataractogenesis in albino rats. The rate of peroxidation was measured by assessing the malondiadehyde (MDA) in lens and plasma. The insoluble and soluble protein fractions were measured in lens to study the protein crosslinkings in relation to the above said parameters. Cataract was induced in albino rats by feeding it with 30% galactose as part of the normal diet (w/w) for 30 days. The results show a decrease of SOD and catalase with concomitant increase of MDA and insoluble protein with the advancement of cataract.

Animals↗

Pulmonary functions in workers of fertiliser and chemical industry.

The present study was undertaken to assess the pulmonary functions in fertiliser and chemical industry workers of Kerala. Pulmonary function test was performed with Vitalograph Compact-II spirometer. Exposure to different chemicals, noxious gases and particulate matter of fertiliser and chemical industry was injurious to the normal pulmonary function. Significant decline in lung volumes, viz. FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC% (P < 0.01) and flow rates, viz. FEF25-75%, FEF0.2-1.2, FEF25%, FEF50%, FEF75% (P < 0.01) among non-smokers and smokers than that of normal controls was observed. The findings of this study also suggest that with increased duration of exposure to industrial pollutants, lung volumes and flow rates were significantly reduced in workers.

Chemical Industry↗

Lipid peroxidation and diabetic retinopathy.

The high level of glucose in blood for a long duration is the main cause of the development of retinopathy. So yearly screening of patients newly diagnosed with NIDDM diabetes is recommended because rare cases of treatable diabetic retinopathy have occurred early in one course of NIDDM diabetes. Hyperglycaemia leads to non-enzymatic glycosylation of proteins and HbA1C was found increased. Antioxidants such as GSH and SOD level is found decreased in retinopathy conditions due to the higher lipid peroxidation, which is evident from high MDA and DC values. So it can be clearly stated that increase in the free radical by hyperglycaemia, lipid peroxidation and advanced glycosylation endproducts along with decreased antioxidants are the causative agents for the development of retinopathy.

Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2↗

Lung volumes in swimmers performing different styles of swimming.

The alteration of lung volumes in swimmers performing different strokes was the theme of the present study. The study was carried out due to lack of knowledge regarding the lung volumes of different strokers. As the energy expenditure, O2 consumption rate, body movements, viz. arm and leg movements differ with each stroke, the lung function status and mechanics of breathing in swimmers has to cope up with the stroke techniques. Lung volumes, viz. VC, FVC, FEV1 and RVind decrease from resting condition to after swimming performance in freestyle swimmers and butterfly stroke swimmers. The primary reason for the decline in lung volumes after exercise bout, found out from several reports is that it may be due to the fatigue of respiratory muscle. When lung volumes of different swimming strokers were compared with age and height matched controls a higher lung volume were observed in swimmers performing different strokes. Higher breath holding ability of swimmers may facilitate the increase in the strength of respiratory musculature. This may have lead to higher lung volumes in swimmers. From the results of different strokers of swimmers, it is clear that lung volumes differ with respect to the stroke technique employed by the swimmer. Here the age and height, training duration of the swimmers performing different strokes were almost matched, so it is more or less clear that lung volumes are influenced by different swarming strokes. The results of the study can be utilised for the selection trials of swimmers. The study outlines the need for research work in swimmers to be more specific with regard to strokes than generalizing swimmers of different strokes as a category together.

Adult↗

Spirometric impairments in undernourished children.

The present study elucidates the effect of undernutrition on pulmonary functions in children. The study was carried out in healthy normals, wasted, wasted and stunted children. Spirometry was performed with Vitalograph Compact-II spirometer. Wasted, wasted and stunted children showed lower lung volumes, forced mid expiratory flow time and inspiratory flow rates than healthy normals. Wasted and stunted children had lower VC, FVC and FIF50% than wasted children. The reduction in lung volumes and flow rates in wasted children may be due to ventilatory muscle wasting. But in wasted and stunted children along with muscular wasting diminished skeletal growth is also a reason for lower lung functions. No airflow limitation was observed in undernourished children.

Case-Control Studies↗

Pulmonary function studies in rowers.

The present study attempts to investigate the pulmonary functions of snake boat rowers before and after rowing. This is made on 12 healthy traditional snake boat rowers ranging from age 16-23 years of Kavanattinkara boat race, Kottayam, Kerala, India. The pulmonary function tests were carried out with vitallograph compact-II spirometer. The results show a decrease in pulmonary functions "lung volumes" and "flow rates" after rowing in comparison to basal condition.

Adolescent↗

Prediction equation for lung functions in South Indian children.

Lung functions including VC, IVC, FVC, FEV0.5, FEV1, PEF, FEF0.2-1.2, FEF25-75%, FEF75-85%, PIF, FMFT, MVV(IND), peak expiratory flow at 25%, 50% and 75% of FVC, peak inspiratory flow at 75%, 50%, 25% and the ratio between different lung volumes were measured with Vitallograph Compact-II spirometer on 109 South Indian school boys in the age group of five to sixteen years. The results show an increase in "lung volumes" and "flow rates" with increase in age, height and weight. FMFT and MVV(IND) also increase with increase in anthropometric measurements. All the lung functions except FEF75-85% and the ratio between different lung volumes show significant positive correlation with age, height and weight. Regression equations were derived for predicting normal lung functions for healthy South Indian boys. Lung volumes and flow rates were lower than North Indian and foreign boys. The decrease in lung functions in South Indian boys were due to their sea level dwelling, dietary habits and comparatively lower anthropometric measurements.

Adolescent↗

Respiratory function during warm-up exercise in athletes.

The theme of the present study is to stress the importance of duration of warm-up exercise on respiratory functions in athletes. Significant improvements in athletic performance was achieved due to warm-up exercise owing to increase in blood flow, muscle and core temperature. The optimum intensity and duration are required to bring about the desired warm-up. A close examination on respiratory functions and its relationship with exercise has not been studied extensively. The present investigation is to explore the various respiratory functions in relation to the intensity and duration in preadolescent athletes before and after warm-up exercise. The results show a significant increase in vital capacity after 25 min and a significant reduction in FEV0.5, FEF75% and FEF25-75% after 45 min of warm-up exercise. The results suggest that a warm-up exercise of short duration (25 min) and mild intensity was beneficial than long duration (45 min) and intense exercise. Although the performance of athletes was not directly measured during exercise, these data demonstrate the benefit of warm-up.

Adolescent↗