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Biomedical subjects

V Das

Publications and source records attributed to V Das.

16 recordsLinked to original sources

Hyponatremia, hypernatremia: a physiological approach.

Natremia belongs to the toolbox of the practicing intensivist. It is an indicator of the hydration status, which is an item that must be continuously monitored in critically ill patients. Hyponatremia is not rare (1% to 2% of hospitalised patients), and hypernatremia is about 10 times less frequent while hypernatremia always indicates hypertonicity, hyponatremia is not equivalent to hypotonicity. Diagnosis depends on the history, clinical examination and basic biochemical data. It should be kept in mind that obtaining urine samples is as important as plasma samples in this respect. The first step consists in confirming that hyponatremia is hypotonic. The second step is to assess the renal response to hypotonicity. Hypotonic hyponatremia will be considered in association with hypovolemia, euvolemia or hypervolemia. The constitution of a hyperosmolar state requires an inadequate water intake The main goal of the treatment is not to normalize numbers (they must always be checked first), but to treat symptoms. Tolerance must always be appreciated. The mathematical formulas proposed are of interest for a better understanding, but should not be followed strictly.

Humans↗

The use of contact lenses to treat visually symptomatic congenital nystagmus.

It has been suggested that contact lens wear improves the visual function of patients with visual loss from congenital nystagmus. In this study, four patients with congenital nystagmus had two evaluations separated by at least one week (one with spectacles, one with contact lenses) including visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, oscillopsia scale, quality of life questionnaire (NEI VFQ-25), and eye movement recording with an infrared tracking system. All patients subjectively preferred contact lenses to spectacles. Their contrast sensitivity and VFQ-25 scores were improved with contact lenses compared with spectacles alone. Several parameters of nystagmus showed no change in two patients, worsening in one patient and improvement in one patient. This suggests that much of the clinical improvement observed in our patients may result from a better optical correction of their refractive error with contact lenses than with spectacles, rather than from a true damping effect of the nystagmus by contact lenses.

Adolescent↗

Effect of immunization with lipid associated polysaccharide antigen and anti CD-2 antibodies on class II MHC expression and cellular immune response in BALB/C mice infected with Leishmania donovani.

In a bid to characterize the antigens and immunization mechanisms which may be used to produce a protective response against L. donovani, role of lipid associated polysaccharide (LPS) antigen and whole antigen was evaluated. BALB/C mice were immunized with whole or LPS antigen in combination with one of three putative adjuvents (anti CD-2 antibody/FIA/0.85% Saline). LPS antigen emulsified in anti CD-2 antibody was found to induce significant antibodies in mice on day 28 against challenge with lethal dose of L. donovani. Immunoprophylactic properties of LPS and whole antigen was investigated on day 40 through cytokine elicitation (IL-2), MIF) in culture supernatants of spleen cells, but before that MHC-II expressed on macrophage was studied. The LPS antigen in combination with anti CD-2 antibody was found to be most immuno-reactive inducing higher MHC-II expression on macrophages which was associated with substantial rise in the level of MIF and IL-2. It coincided with decline in antibody titre in 100% mice immunized with LPS antigen while Leishmania injected as whole antigen failed to induce specific macrophage and T-cell response with all the above formulations. We surmise from our data that lipid associated polysaccharide antigen linked to anti CD-2 antibody has potential for eliciting protective immunity against Leishmania.

Animals↗

Audiological abnormalities in the Klippel-Feil syndrome.

Klippel-Feil syndrome (KFS) is defined as a short neck with decreased movement and low posterior hairline. Radiologically, there is a failure of cervical segmentation. Deafness is a well known associated feature and may be of sensorineural, conductive, or mixed type. The audiological assessment of 44 patients with KFS is reported. Thirty five were found to have abnormalities on audiological testing. The presence of other features in these patients, reviews of data from other reports, and the need for further study are discussed.

Adolescent↗

HLA sharing, anti-paternal cytotoxic antibodies and MLR blocking factors in women with recurrent spontaneous abortion.

OBJECTIVE: To study the prevalence of HLA sharing between spouses and its correlation with presence of antipaternal cytotoxic antibody (APCA) and mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) blocking factors in recurrent spontaneous aborters (RSA). DESIGN: Study was carried out at Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGI), Lucknow, from 1988-1992. Hundred couples with 3 or more consecutive recurrent spontaneous abortions and equal number of age, parity and ethinically matched normal controls were selected for studying HLA, APCA and MLR blocking factors. Meta-analysis was performed using standard formula and significance was tested by Chi-square analysis. RESULTS: Significant HLA sharing was observed in couples with RSA at A and DR loci compared to normal controls (p < 0.001). Twenty-seven point eight percent of couples with RSA were positive for APCA compared to 49% of controls (p < 0.01). MLR blocking factors were detected in 26% couples with RSA compared to 78% in controls (p < 0.001). An inverse correlation between HLA sharing and APCA and MLR positivity was demonstrated. CONCLUSION: The study supports that greater HLA sharing between spouses, associated with lack of an appropriate immune response to them could be responsible for RSA.

Abortion, Habitual↗

Evaluation of a video tracking device for measurement of horizontal and vertical eye rotations during locomotion.

We have evaluated a video-based method for measuring binocular horizontal and vertical eye movements of human subjects by comparing it with the magnetic search coil technique. This video tracking system (VTS) uses multiple infrared light sources and small video cameras to simultaneously measure the positions of reflected corneal images and the center of the pupil. The system has a linear range of approximately +/- 40 degrees horizontally and +/- 30 degrees vertically, a sampling rate of 120 Hz (180 Hz with the head fixed), and system noise with standard deviation of < 0.04 degree. The binocular eye-tracking system is light-weight (190 g), being mounted on goggles that, with the eyes in primary position, permit a field of view of 60 degrees horizontally and vertically. The VTS is insensitive to translations of the tracker relative to the eyes. By placing the video preprocessing unit on a cart, eye movements may be recorded while subjects walk through distances up to 100 feet. In comparison with the magnetic search coil technique, the VTS generally provides reliable measurements of horizontal and vertical eye position; eye velocity is noisier than corresponding coil signals, but superior to electro-oculography.

Electrooculography↗

Outcome of pregnancy in women with recurrent spontaneous abortion following immunotherapy with allogeneic lymphocytes.

The efficacy of immunotherapy in the prevention of habitual abortion remains controversial. It has been suggested that the benefits are predominantly due to psychological factors. We have evaluated the success of pregnancy outcome following immunotherapy with allogeneic lymphocytes, in relation to the subsequent development of anti-paternal cytotoxic antibodies (APCA). It was observed that in women who developed an APCA titre of > or = 1:16, live births occurred in 16 out of 21 cases (76%), while only two out of seven (28%) women who failed to achieve an APCA titre of > or = 1:16 had successful pregnancies (P < 0.05). In eight women who had an APCA titre of 1:16 on initial screening, and were, therefore, excluded from the trial, successful pregnancy outcome was noted in 62.5% of cases. Although these results are based on a small sample and on an open, non-randomized trial, they show that the efficacy of immunotherapy is related to immune response to allogeneic lymphocytes, and is not simply a placebo effect. Measurement of APCA titre could serve as a marker for immunopotentiation.

Abortion, Habitual↗

Behavior development in normal neonates.

The behavior of normal neonates was studied on day 3, 10 and 30 of life with the help of Brazelton's Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (NBAS). The behavior items were clustered and each cluster was scored. The cluster scores increased on subsequent observations in both term and preterm neonates, the increase usually being significant. The corresponding cluster scores were significantly higher in term babies than preterms. Preterms with questionable delay in development at 3 months of age had significantly lower 30th day scores in 3 of the 7 clusters.

Child Behavior↗

Prevalence & spectrum of congenital malformations in a prospective study at a teaching hospital.

A prospective survey for congenital malformations at birth, at a teaching hospital, over a period of two and half years on 9405 consecutive single births has shown that prevalence of major congenital malformations in live births was 1.6 per cent and in still births 16.4 per cent. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of congenital malformations between Hindus (2.0%) and Muslims (2.7%) but amongst Muslims with consanguinity the prevalence of congenital malformation was 4.6 per cent compared to 2.3 per cent in non-consanguineous Muslim spouses (P less than 0.05). Open neural tube defect was the single most common anomaly (31.7% of all malformations) occurring at a rate of 4.7 per 1000 single births, with equal prevalence of anencephaly and meningomyelocoele. Case control study showed that history of concomitant medical illness, drug intake during the first trimester, threatened abortion, hydramnios and pre-eclamptic toxaemia in the current pregnancy were significantly associated with the occurrence of congenital malformations.

Congenital Abnormalities↗

Trace elements in the endometrium of infertile women.

Some essential trace elements were estimated in endometrium of regularly menstruating fertile women and in women with infertility due to cervical factors. The distribution of the trace elements zinc, copper, iron, selenium and manganese at any particular phase of cycle remains more or less semilier between control (i.e. fertile) and infertile (primary and secondary) subjects.

Adult↗

Deglycyrrhizinated liquorice in aphthous ulcers.

Twenty patients with aphthous ulcers were advised deglycyrrhizinated liquorice (DGL) mouth wash and were followed for two weeks. Fifteen patients experienced 50-75% improvement within one day followed by complete healing of the ulcers by third day.

Glycyrrhiza↗