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Biomedical subjects

V K Sharma

Publications and source records attributed to V K Sharma.

At least 451 records · Page 25Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Study of congenital duodenal obstruction.

A study of 23 neonates with congenital duodenal obstruction is reported. Their mean gestational age was 38 weeks and mean weight was 2.2 kg. Main clinical features observed were vomiting (100%), which was bilious in 74%, and epigastric fullness with visible peristalsis (74%). Plain X-ray abdomen confirmed the diagnosis in 78%. Associated congenital malformations were seen in 39% of cases. Eleven babies had an intrinsic defect, 11 had extrinsic defect and one baby had combination of intrinsic and extrinsic defect. Malrotations along with band was seen in 39% of cases. Reported mortality was 39%.

Amniotic Band Syndrome↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Fulminant hepatitis in Kala-azar.

One hundred and fifty cases of Kala-azar were studied for evidence of hepatic involvement. The hepatic function was mildly affected in 25 cases and 3 cases had fulminate hepatitis. Most of the cases were cured after anti-Kala-azar therapy except 2 cases, who died of hepatic failure. This study suggests that fulminant hepatitis may be the outcome of Kala-azar, itself.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of restricted feeding cycle on the locomotor activity rhythm in the mouse Mus booduga.

The effect of restricted feeding (RF) cycles on the circadian locomotor activity rhythm was studied in the nocturnal field mouse Mus booduga. Mice were presented with a 2-h meal schedule every 24 h in continuous darkness (DD), in continuous light (LL), and in a light-dark (LD) cycle. Additionally, in DD, two groups of mice were subjected to RF cycles of periodicities 22 (T22) and 26 h (T26), respectively, in order to assess the limits of entrainment. The T22 and T26 RF cycles failed to produce any entrainment of the locomotor activity rhythm, whereas some of the animals that had a free-running period (tau) close to 24 h showed stable entrainment or "relative coordination" to daily (T24) RF cycle. In LD, the locomotor activity rhythm phase advanced under the influence of the daily RF cycle when the food presentation preceded the light to dark (L to D) transition by 5-6 h. However, when the timing of food presented in the RF cycle coincided with the L to D transition, locomotor activity rhythm dissociated into two components. Some of the mice whose locomotor activity rhythm disappeared in LL showed prominent meal-AA. These results suggest that RF modifies the expression of the light-entrainable pacemaker (LEP) directly and also that in the absence of the expression of the LEP, RF can induce meal-AA.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Sporotrichosis in Himachal Pradesh (north India).

Sporotrichosis is being increasingly reported from a particular area of Himachal Pradesh, a state in north-west India. A skin-test survey was conducted using sporotrichin and peptido-rhamnomannan antigen among the population in the villages where 2 or more cases of sporotrichosis had been reported and results were compared with those for villages of the same where no case of sporotrichosis had been reported. The study was helped by local doctors, leaders and patients who were cured of sporotrichosis. The delayed-hypersensitivity positivity rates were significantly higher in case villages (range 22.9-40.0%) compared to control area (range 6.5-7.6%). Analysis by age showed that positivity rate increased with increase in age for both sexes. Analysis by occupation showed higher skin-test positivity in populations engaged in horticulture, nursery work, gardening, woodwork (43.2%) and farming (33.9%). The case villages have lower temperature and higher rainfall than the control villages. During the 1-year study period (1996-97), 25 cases of sporotrichosis were diagnosed: 16 cases were referred by doctors from the local area and 9 were from cases suspected during the skin-test survey. This study identifies Kangra district and adjoining areas in Himachal Pradesh as an endemic region for sporotrichosis and highlights the need for evaluation of geo-climatically similar areas.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Treatment of widespread alopecia areata in young patients with monthly oral corticosteroid pulse.

Sixteen patients up to 18 years of age with widespread alopecia areata (AA) were recruited for the study. They included 10 patients with extensive AA (> or = 40% loss of scalp hair and or more than 10 patches scattered over the scalp and body) and 3 each with alopecia totalis and circumscribed alopecia areata. Patients were divided into two groups. In group A, aged 12 to 18 years, patients received 300 mg of prednisolone in a monthly oral pulse; in group B, aged 3 to 11 years, patients received betamethasone sodium phosphate as soluble tablets or syrup equivalent to prednisolone 5 mg/kg body weight every month. The pulsed doses of corticosteroid were continued for a minimum of three doses or until cosmetically acceptable hair growth was obtained. All patients but one 5-year-old girl received a minimum of three doses. Excellent hair growth was obtained in 9 (60%) of 15 patients evaluated at 6 months. Four patients out of 13 (>12 month follow-up), including two each in group A and B, developed a localized relapse during mean follow-up of 16.4 and 33.7 months in group A and B, respectively. Side effects of pulsed corticosteroid were minimal and were recorded in two patients (transient giddiness and headache, epigastric burning in one each). We recommend pulsed doses of prednisolone as one of the modalities in the treatment of widespread AA in young patients, including children.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Vectors for RNAi technology in poplar.

The potential of double-stranded RNA interference (RNAi) technology was studied for down-regulation of gene expression in poplar. A set of vectors was constructed generating RNAs capable of duplex formation of sequences specific for the beta-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene system. These gene cassettes are driven by the CaMV-35S promoter. To address the question of gene silencing, we tested the functionality of these vectors, both in transient assays by transforming protoplasts with the RNAi constructs, and in stably transformed GUSexpressing poplar plants. Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of those GUS-expressing plants with a GUS-specific RNAi construct showed a strong down-regulation of the reporter gene. From these results we conclude that RNAi is also functional in poplar.

Base Sequence↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Comparison of extraction techniques for extraction of bioactive molecules from Hypericum perforatum L. plant.

Three methods commonly used for the extraction of bioactive molecules from natural plant material are compared. Dried Hypericum perforatum L. plant material is subjected to Soxhlet extraction, extraction by ultrasonication, and accelerated solvent extraction. The percentage of two bioactive compounds, hyperforin and hypericin, in the extracts is used as a parameter for comparison of the extraction procedure.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Comprehensive evaluation of complement components in the course of type I (Lepra) and type II (ENL) reactions.

Complement components C1q and C4 of classic pathway; C3d, a breakdown product of C3, and factor B of alternate pathway: and C3, a component both of classic and alternate pathways, were studied in 35 patients, comprising 18 type I (Lepra) and 17 type II (ENL) reactions. There was a significant decrease in C3 and factor B with a concomitant rise of C3d during ENL. These changes indicate their preeminent role in immunogenesis of type II (ENL) reaction. The changes in the classic pathway components, on the other hand, were insignificant, apparently suggesting its limited involvement in ENL. Furthermore, reversion of factor B and C3d after subsidence of reaction is intriguing and may indicate that they are not substantially affected even with contemporary treatment. Complement components, of both classic and alternate pathways, showed no significant alterations either during type I (Lepra) reaction or after its amelioration.

Complement Activating Enzymes↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A clinical study of childhood alopecia areata in Chandigarh, India.

All new cases of alopecia areata (AA) were studied during the years 1983-1993. Eight hundred forty-one cases were recorded, including 201 (23.9%) children less than 16 years of age. The female:male ratio was 1.4:1 (117 girls, 84 boys) for childhood AA. Alopecia was severe, that is, total, universal, or extensive, in 34 (16.9%) children. Onset occurred in 77 (38.3%) children between ages 6 and 10 years, in 67 (33.3%) before 5 years of age, and in 57 (28.4%) between 11 and 16 years. Onset before 5 years of age was more often associated with severe alopecia than onset at ages 11 to 16 years (p < 0.01). Onset before 2 years of age was commonly associated with severe alopecia, seen in 6 (55.5%) of 11 children. Twenty-five (12.4%) children had one or more family members with AA. Definite evidence of atopy was obtained in 35 (17.5%) children. Association of atopy with severe alopecia was not statistically significant at initial presentation (16% vs 23.5% for circumscribed and severe alopecia, respectively; p > 0.05). Nail changes were found in 60 (30%) children and were more frequent in severe alopecia (53%) than in circumscribed alopecia (25.2%, p < 0.001). Associated vitiligo was found in seven (3.5%) children, and one child was hypothyroid. Childhood AA in Chandigarh, India, is remarkably similar to that seen in Western countries, except that an association of atopy with younger age at onset and severe alopecia was not confirmed.

Adolescent↗