Browsing by Author "R. Shankar"

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2′, 3′-cyclic neucleotide 3′-phosphodiesterase activity in developing rat brain
(1998) Ritu Singh; R. Shankar
[No abstract available]
Anti-ulcerogenic effect of banana powder (Musa sapientum var. paradisiaca) and its effect on mucosal resistance
(1986) R.K. Goel; Saroj Gupta; R. Shankar; A.K. Sanyal
Orally administered banana pulp powder (Musa sapientum var. paradisiaca) was shown to have significant anti-ulcerogenic activity in rats subjected to aspirin, indomethacin, phenylbutazone, prednisolone and cysteamine and in guinea-pigs subjected to histamine. Banana powder not only increased mucosal thickness but also significantly increased [3H]thymidine incorporation into mucosal DNA. Relative to untreated control sections, histological studies showed that banana treatment increased staining by alcian blue in the apical cells with staining noted in the deeper layers of the mucosal glands. Banana-treated and control sections were also stained for DNA by the Feulgen reaction. The banana-treated sections showed a greater aggregation and intensity of pink spots when compared to controls. The present study suggests that banana powder treatment not only strengthens mucosal resistance against ulcerogens but also promotes healing by inducing cellular proliferation. © 1986.
Effect of birth asphyxia on serum calcium levels in neonates
(Springer India, 1995) Deepak Jajoo; Ashok Kumar; R. Shankar; V. Bhargava
Serum calcium and phosphorus levels were measured at birth, 6 hours, 24 hours, and on 5th day of life in 35 neonates with birth asphyxia (one-minute Apgar score of 6 or less), and in 37 neonates without asphyxia (one-minute Apgar score of 7 or more). Infants were divided into three groups: FT-AGA (n=30, asphyxia=15), FT-IUGR (n=20, asphyxia=10) and PT-AGA (n=22, asphyxia=10). Asphyxiated infants-FT-AGA as well as FT-IUGR-had significantly lower serum calcium levels than control infants during each of the time period studied. In PT-AGA infants with asphyxia, the serum calcium was significantly low only on 5th day of life. Lack of calcium intake, and hyperphosphatemia were identified as possible risk factors for low serum calcium in asphyxiated infants. No change in serum calcium levels was found in bicarbonatetreated asphyxiated infants in comparison to those who did not receive sodium bicarbonate. In view of the high incidence of low serum calcium in asphyxiated infants, serial monitoring of serum calcium levels is recommended in these infants. © 1995 Dr. K C Chaudhuri Foundation.
Effect of chronic nicotinic administration on the intestinal mucosal alkaline phosphatase in rats
(1975) R. Shankar
[No abstract available]
Effect of early maternal deprivation on brain 5-HT & pentobarbitone sleeping time in suckling rats
(1985) A. Chakrabarti; R. Shankar; A.K. Sanyal
[No abstract available]
Effect of haloperidol on phospholipid biosynthesis in rat brain
(1996) S.P. Singh; R. Shankar
Haloperidol, a butyrophenone used in the treatment of various psychoses has been clinically used and studied extensively. At the molecular level it is known to preferentially block D2 type of dopamine receptors but its other effects are unknown. We studied the effect of this drug on phospholipid biosynthesis in vitro by following incorporation of 32P into individual classes of phospholipids. It was observed that haloperidol inhibits the biosynthesis of almost all major phospholipids including phosphatidyl inositol at fairly low concentrations. It cannot be concluded from the present experiment which step the inhibition may be taking place but acyl transfer reaction is likely to be involved because the drug effects almost all the phospholipids. It is suggested that long-term use of the drug can effect the organization of synaptic membrane.
Effect of reserpine on cationic contents of rat brain
(1974) R. Shankar; O.P. Mishra
PREPARATIONS of the plant Rauwolfia serpentina have been used in India for centuries as a calming drug. Reserpine is the principal alkaloid of this plant and its effect on the central nervous system (CNS) has been studied extensively. The most important biochemical effect of reserpine on the CNS found in vivo is the release of noradrenaline, 5-hydroxytryptamine and dopamine from the amine storage sites in brain so that they are more susceptible to degradation by monoamine oxidase1. In synaptosomal preparations, reserpine has been shown to inhibit the uptake of noradrenaline and 5-hydroxytryptamine 2. Prolonged reserpine treatment depletes these amines from the brain1. Amine depletion is thought to be due to changes in the permeability of neuronal membranes3. © 1974 Nature Publishing Group.
Effects of ouabain on cerebral metabolism during anoxia
(1973) R. Shankar
Ouabain at low concentration such as 10 μM greatly enhances the rate of anaerobic glycolysis in adult rat as well as guinea pig cerebral cortex slices incubated in a calcium free Locke bicarbonate medium. The enhancing effect of ouabain on the rate of anaerobic glycolysis is significantly reduced in the presence of Ca2+. Ouabain has no effect on the anaerobic glycolysis of 2 days old rat brain or acetone powder extracts of adult brain or on the aerobic glycolysis of cerebral cortex slices. During anoxia, the Na+ and K+ contents of the cerebral cortex slices are unaffected by ouabain. However, an increase in the ATP contents of incubated cerebral cortex slices is observed. It is concluded that the enhancement of the rate of anaerobic glycolysis of cerebral cortex slices by ouabain is presumably due to a rise in the cell ATP concentration as a result of inhibition of Na+, K+ ATPase which exerts a rate limiting effect on the sugar phosphorylation. The diminished effect of ouabain on the rate of anaerobic anerobic glycolysis, in the presence of Ca2+, may be due to change in the accessibility of Na+, K+ ATPase to ouabain.
Erythrocytic enzymes and amino acids related to glutamic acid metabolism in childhood hypoproteinemic states
(1981) K.N. Agarwal; B.D. Bhatia; R.K. Batta; P.N. Singla; R. Shankar
[No abstract available]
Eu3+-activated CaGa2O4 wide band gap (WBG) material for solar blind UV conversion: Fluorescence and photo-conductivity performance
(Royal Society of Chemistry, 2014) M. Rai; S.K. Singh; K. Mishra; R. Shankar; R.K. Srivastava; S.B. Rai
Herein, we have probed a wide band gap material, CaGa2O4 co-doped with Eu3+/Na+, which is fairly transparent (≥95%) in the visible region and efficiently absorbs solar blind UV radiation. Importantly, the absorbed UV energy can be realized both in terms of fluorescence and photoconductivity as well. X-ray diffraction studies confirmed that CaGa2O4 exhibits two orthorhombic polymorphs: CaO·Ga2O3 I (major) and CaO·Ga2O3II (minor). Vibrational spectroscopy provided the first quantitative insight into the phonon frequency of the material. Upon UV illumination the host itself gives UV-blue and red emissions due to band to band and trap level transitions, respectively. (no additional dopant or activator ion were present). A substantial overlap between the emission spectrum of the host and the excitation spectrum of Eu3+; decrease in emission intensity and decay time (8.82 μs from 9.2 μs) of the host emission, after Eu3+ doping; and evolution of a short rise-time (∼10 μs) in decay curve of Eu3+ revealed that the host efficiently transfers its energy to the Eu3+ ions. Co-doping of Na+ further enhances the emission intensity (∼7 times), decay time and rise-time of the Eu3+ emission. Likewise the intrinsic behavior of Ga2O3 this material also shows significant transient photoconductivity under UV illumination, photocurrent is of the order of μA, but with slow time constant ∼40 min. Thus, the excellent optical properties prove to be superior for photoconductivity for UV-to-visible converter applications. Such WBG optical materials can be coupled to silicon-based commercial detectors for their wide use in areas ranging from invisible flame sensing to UV astronomy. This journal is © the Partner Organisations 2014.
Fasciolopsiasis: Endemic focus of a neglected parasitic disease in Bihar
(Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications, 2015) A. Achra; P. Prakash; R. Shankar
Purpose: To describe a newly discovered, previously unreported endemic focus of fasciolopsiasis in the Phulwaria village, under tehsil Sugauli, East Champaran, Bihar. Materials and Methods: A study was conducted at village Phulwaria, following diagnosis of fasciolopsiasis in three children from the village. A total of 120 individuals, including all the children and adults who gave history of recent passage of red fleshy masses in their stool, were included in the study. The cases of fasciolopsiasis were treated with Praziquantel 25 mg/kg, three doses a day. Risk factors for the transmission of the parasite in the village were also studied. Results: Questionnaire revealed majority of the population suffering from abdominal discomfort and passage of red fleshy masses in stool. These fleshy masses were identified as Fasciolopsis buski. One hundred and eighteen individuals were presumably considered as cases of the parasitic infection. After treatment with Praziquantel, all of them passed the parasite in their stool for the next 2-3 days. On investigating, it was observed that all the conditions required for effective continuation of the life cycle of the parasite were present in this village. Conclusion: This study draws attention to a new endemic focus of fasciolopsiasis in Bihar, with a very high prevalence due to poverty, the lack of awareness about the parasite in villagers as well as ignorance among local medical practitioners. There is an urgent need for mass campaign around the region for its effective control. © 2015, Medknow Publications. All rights reserved.
Fate of [1- and 6-14C]glucose in incubated rat cerebral cortex slices of developing rats during undernutrition
(1980) B.K. Bhattacharya; R. Shankar
[No abstract available]
Fetal growth in maternal anaemia
(Oxford University Press, 1997) P.N. Singla; M. Tyagi; Ashok Kumar; D. Dash; R. Shankar
The effect of maternal iron deficiency anemia on fetal growth was studied in 54 anaemic (haemoglobin < 11.0 g/dl) mothers. Twenty-two mothers served as controls (haemoglobin ≤ 11.0 g/dl). All the women had singleton live births at term gestation. The maternal iron status was assessed by serum ferritin estimation. The birth weight, head circumference, chest circumference, mid-arm circumference, and crown heel length were significantly low in infants born to women with moderate haemoglobin 6.1 ± 8.5 g/dl) and severe anaemia (haemoglobin ≤ 6.0 g/dl), in comparison to infants born to non-anaemic women. Similarly, birth weight, mid-arm circumference, and crown-heel length were significantly low in infants of women with depleted iron stores (serum ferritin < 10 μg/l) than in infants of women with serum ferritin levels of 20 μg/l or more. A indices of fetal growth showed linear relationships with maternal haemoglobin, as well as with serum ferritin. The growth retarding effect of maternal anaemia was more on fetal birth weight and mid-arm circumference than on other anthropometric indices of the newborn.
Fetal iron status in maternal anemia
(Blackwell Publishing Ltd, 1996) P.N. Singla; M. Tyagi; R. Shankar; D. Dash; A. Kumar
Hemoglobin, serum iron, transferrin saturation and ferritin were measured on paired maternal and cord blood samples in 54 anemic (hemoglobin < 110 g/L) and 22 non-anemic (hemoglobin ≤ 110 g/L) pregnant women at term gestation. The levels of hemoglobin, serum iron, transferrin saturation and ferritin were significantly low in the cord blood of anemic women, suggesting that iron supply to the fetus was reduced in maternal anemia. The linear relationships of these parameters with both maternal hemoglobin and maternal serum ferritin indicated that the fetus extracted iron in amounts proportional to the levels available in the mother. Infants of mothers with moderate and severe anemia had significantly lower cord serum ferritin levels and hence poor iron stores at birth. It is concluded that iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy adversely affects the iron endowment of the infant at birth.
Glutathione and ascorbic acid contents in developing rat brain during undernutrition
(1981) P. Bhargava; R. Shankar
[No abstract available]
Glycine transport in isolated cerebral tissue during malnourishment and its response to neurotropic drugs
(1975) O.P. Mishra; R. Shankar
[No abstract available]
Glycine transport in reserpinized rat brain in vitro
(1976) O.P. Mishra; R. Shankar
[No abstract available]
HIGH DENSITY LIPOPROTEINS, PREMATURE ATHEROSCLEROSIS, AND RENAL FAILURE
(1980) B.K. Kishore; P.K. Srivastava; R. Shankar
[No abstract available]
Lipid peroxidation in developing rat brain during undernutrition
(1984) S. Chakrabarti; R. Shankar
The effect of undernutrition has been studied in relation to lipid peroxidation, both in vitro and in vivo, in the brain of developing rats. Lipid peroxidation in brain homogenates as well as in the mitochondrial fraction of brain was significantly higher in undernourished groups than in controls. This difference was maximal at the 12th postnatal day. Following rehabilitation for two weeks, this increased lipid peroxidation in brains of undernourished rats could no longer be observed. Determination of malonaldehyde levels in vivo did not show an appreciable difference between control and undernourished animals. © 1984.
Management of visceral leishmaniasis in rural primary health care services in Bihar, India
(2010) E. Hasker; S.P. Singh; P. Malaviya; R.P. Singh; R. Shankar; M. Boelaert; S. Sundar
Objective In 2005 a visceral leishmaniasis (VL) elimination initiative was launched on the Indian subcontinent, with early diagnosis based on a rapid diagnostic test and treatment with the oral drug miltefosine as its main strategy. Several recent studies have signaled underreporting of VL cases in the region. Information on treatment outcomes is scanty. Our aim was to document VL case management by the primary health care services in India. Methods We took a random sample of all VL patients registered in rural primary health care (PHC) facilities of Muzaffarpur district, Bihar, India during 2008. Patients were traced at home for an interview and their records were reviewed. We recorded patient and doctor delay, treatment regimens, treatment outcomes and costs incurred by patients. Results We could review records of all 150 patients sampled and interview 139 patients or their guardian. Most patients (81%) had first presented to unqualified practitioners; median delay before reaching the appropriate primary healthcare facility was 40 days (IQR 31-59 days). Existing networks of village health workers were under-used. 48% of VL patients were treated with antimonials; 40% of those needed a second treatment course. Median direct expenditure by patients was 4000 rupees per episode (IQR 2695-5563 rupees), equivalent to almost 2 months of household income. Conclusion In 2008 still critical flaws remained in VL case management in the primary health care services in Bihar: obsolete use of antimonials with high failure rates and long patient delay. To meet the target of the VL elimination, more active case detection strategies are needed, and village health worker networks could be more involved. Costs to patients remain an obstacle to early case finding. © 2010 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.