Browsing by Author "K. Pai"

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A simple and inexpensive "cell dissociation sieve-tissue grinder" apparatus
(2001) K. Pai; S. Sundar
A simple and inexpensive cell dissociation sieve-tissue grinder apparatus consisting essentially of stainless steel sieve (the one popularly used for sieving tea leaves) and a glass syringe plunger acting as pestle, is described for making single cell suspension.
Effect of cisplatin, rIFN-Y, LPS and MDP on release of H2O2, O-2 and lysozyme from human monocytes in vitro
(1991) K. Pai; A. Sodhi
[No abstract available]
Kala-azar epidemic in Varanasi district, India
(1999) R. Kumar; P. Kumar; R.K. Chowdhary; K. Pai; C.P. Mishra; K. Kumar; H.P. Pandey; V.P. Singh; S. Sundar
Reports at the Sir Sunder Lal Hospital, Banaras Hindu University, of a large number of kala-azar cases from one particular village in Varanasi district, Uttar Pradesh, led us to carry out an epidemiological study of the situation using standard techniques. The overall prevalence and case fatality of the disease were 12.9% and 10.5%, respectively. A history of fever and hepatosplenomegaly was noted for all the cases. The case definition was the presence of parasites in bone marrow or splenic aspirate smears. The disease was more prevalent among adults, but occurred also among children. However, there was no clear linear relationship between the prevalence of the disease and age group. Kala-azar occurred among males and females, and its prevalence did not correlate significantly with income. Since the disease vector continues to be present in the study area, the health authorities should take strong steps to control the disease.; The epidemiological characteristics of the kala-azar outbreak in Pandit Ka Purva, India, were investigated using standard techniques. A door-to-door survey of 518 persons in Pandit Ka Purva was carried out in November and December 1995, using a predesigned and pretested proforma. Independent variables such as age, sex, and literacy were considered in the survey. Results showed that the overall prevalence and case fatality of the disease were 12.9% and 10.5%, respectively, with a history of fever and hepatosplenomegaly noted for all cases. Culture and Giemsa staining confirmed indications of parasites in the bone marrow or splenic aspirate smears. The disease was more prevalent among adults, but it occurred also among children. However, there was no clear linear relationship between the prevalence of the disease and age group. Kala-azar was more prevalent among males, and its occurrence did not correlate significantly with income. In view of the outbreak of kala-azar in Pandit Ka Purva, it is essential for health authorities to take immediate measures to control the epidemic and prevent its spread to neighboring villages. This will necessitate the development of shorter treatment courses, the improvement of diagnostic methods, and close cooperation between universities, public health agencies, and the government.
Reactive oxygen intermediates, nitrite and IFN-γ in Indian visceral leishmaniasis
(2001) R. Kumar; K. Pai; S. Sundar
Reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI), nitrite and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) production were investigated at different times during treatment in 10 patients with visceral leishmaniasis (VL). Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), superoxide (O2-) and IFN-γ production by cultured monocytes from patients with active VL were significantly lower compared with the healthy controls. In contrast, nitrite levels in the supernatants from monocyte cultures of VL patients were comparable to healthy controls and increased significantly during antileishmanial therapy. On day 20 of treatment, a significant increase in the release of H2O2, O2- and IFN-γ was observed. However, at follow-up, 4 months after the end of treatment, the production of H2O2, O2-, IFN-γ and nitrite had declined significantly. Thus, the impairment in hydrogen peroxide and superoxide production suggests that down-regulation of these mediators may be involved in the reduced killing of parasites by monocytes of active VL patients. Furthermore, the monocytes regained respiratory burst activity as the antileishmanial therapy progressed, suggesting that an immune-based mechanism is involved in successful drug therapy.
Sero-epidemiological study of kala-azar in a village of Varanasi district, India
(2006) R. Kumar; K. Pai; P. Kumar; H.P. Pandey; S. Sundar
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate five kala-azar serological tests for field use. METHOD: Serological survey in Pandit Ka Purva village in Varanasi district, India, using Sia water test, aldehyde test, direct agglutination test (DAT), micro-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and dot-ELISA. RESULTS: The total population of the village was 518, 67 of whom showed typical clinical and parasitological features of kala-azar, including seven who died. The age distribution of kala-azar cases showed significant differences, being highest among the 45-54-year age group. The disease was more prevalent among males. Serum samples were collected from 498 persons (96% of total population) including 67 kala-azar cases and 40 disease controls (malaria, TB, leprosy, typhoid). Ten 10 serum samples from healthy controls living in endemic area were also collected. The test sensitivities were: Sia water test, 85.0%; aldehyde test, 62.7%; DAT, 94.0%; micro-ELISA, 91.0% and dot-ELISA, 97.0%. The test specificities were: Sia water test 92.5%, aldehyde test, 93.2%, DAT, 96.7; micro-ELISA, 97.6% and dot-ELISA, 98.4%. CONCLUSION: The dot-ELISA is highly sensitive and specific, cheap, and easy to interpret with the naked eye, making it a powerful screening test for the surveillance and diagnosis of Indian kala-azar at field level. © 2006 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
Studies on the intracellular Ca2+, protein kinase activity, and ATP contents of cisplatin- and rIFN-Y-treated non-adherent mononuclear cells
(1992) K. Pai; A. Sodhi
The in vitro effect of cisplatin or rIFN-Y on the intracellular free calcium, protein kinase activity and ATP content of non-adherent mononuclear cells (nMNC) from human peripheral blood was assessed. We observed that treatment of nMNC with cisplatin enhanced the [Ca2+](i), ATP level, and protein kinase activity; whereas rIFN-Y-treated nMNC showed significant rises in ATP level and protein kinase activity only. We also observed that cisplatin-treated nMNC showed an instantaneous rise in [Ca2+](i) when NK-sensitive K562 cells were added to the effector cells.
Studies on the release of interleukin-1 (IL-1), tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and lysozyme from human non-adherent mononuclear cells (nMNC) in vitro after treatment with cisplatin and other biological response modifiers
(SAP - Slovak Academic Press, spol. s.r.o., 1992) A. Sodhi; K. Pai
The supernatants collected from cisplatin, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), muramyl dipeptide (MDP) or recombinant interferon gamma (rIFN-γ) treated non-adherent mononuclear cells (with NK cell activity) enhanced thymocyte proliferation by a submitogenic concentration of concanavalin A as compared to untreated nMNC. Supernatants colllected from cisplatin or rIFN-γ treated nMNC also demonstrated enhanced cytotoxicity against actinomycin-D treated L929 cells, suggesting that cisplatin or rIFN-γ treated nMNC release tumor necrosis factor (TNE) into the culture supernatant. On the other hand, supernatant collected from untreated nMNC showed little TNF activity. Treatment of nMNC with cisplatin, LPS, MDP or rIFN-γ resulted in enhanced release of lysozyme into the culture medium as compared to untreated nMNC.