Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University

About: Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University is a education organization based out in Varanasi, India. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Visceral leishmaniasis. The organization has 3622 authors who have published 4579 publications receiving 84718 citations.

Etiological Profile of Short Stature

Abstract: Objective : To study the frequency of various causes of short stature and their etiological contribution in a referral endocrinology and metabolism clinic at a tertiary care hospital.Methods : 352 children with growth retardation attending endocrine clinic between Feb 1999 to Mar 2001 were investigated for etiology of short stature. Agrawal’s growth chart was used for percentiles and height velocity. Various relevant radiological, biochemical and hormonal investigations were performed.Results : Normal variant short stature was the most common cause of short stature followed by endocrine causes.Conclusion : In males most common cause of short stature was constitutional growth delay, while in females most common cause of short stature was familial short stature.

Hypolipidaemic Activity in Rats of Bergenin, the Major Constituent of Flueggea microcarpa

Abstract: Oral administration of bergenin, isolated from the leaves of Flueggea microcarpa, to hyperlipidaemic rats for 14 days significantly decreased serum total lipid without much change in serum cholesterol and triglycerides. However, after 21 days of administration, the serum cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein (LDL)- and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL)-cholesterol levels were significantly reduced while the serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol level was elevated. Bergenin-treated animals also showed a significant decrease in atherogenic index

Purification and Characterization of a Highly Stable Cysteine Protease from the Latex of Ervatamia coronaria

Abstract: A highly stable cysteine protease was purified to homogeneity from the latex of Ervatamia coronaria by a simple purification procedure involving ammonium sulfate precipitation and ion-exchange chromatography. The molecular mass was estimated to be approximately 25,000 Da by SDS-PAGE and gel filtration. The extinction coefficient (e280 nm 1%) of the enzyme was 24.6. The enzyme hydrolyzed denatured natural substrates like casein, hemoglobin, azoalbumin, and azocasein with a high specific activity but showed low specific activity towards synthetic substrates. The pH and temperature optima were 7.5-8.0 and 50°C respectively. The activity of the enzyme was strongly inhibited by thiol-specific inhibitors like leupeptin, iodoacetamide, PCMB, NEM, and mercuric chloride. The striking property of this enzyme was its stability over a wide pH range (2-12) and other extreme conditions of temperature, denaturants, and organic solvents. The N-terminal sequence showed marked similarity to known cysteine proteases.

Desmoid tumors: experience of 32 cases and review of the literature.

Abstract: Background: Desmoids are infiltrative, locally destructive, soft tissue tumors. Although they do not metastasize, the incidence of local recurrence is quite high. Aim : Present study aimed at reporting the 10-year experience of 32 desmoid cases and reviewing some facts with symptoms, investigation, and treatment of the disease. Materials and Methods : Thirty two cases of desmoid tumors were reviewed over a 10-year span. Surgical resection and adjuvant radiotherapy were the treatments of choice whenever histological margins were positive . Results : Multiparous women in reproductive age were the most commonly afflicted. The commonest site of presentation was the abdominal wall. Ninety one percent (20/22) were infraumbilical. The tumors were found in the rectus sheath in 14 patients (64%) and were laterally situated in 8 patients (36%). Local infiltration was found in six patients and the urinary bladder was most commonly involved (3/6). Locally recurrent desmoids were seen in eight patients (25%). Conclusions : In our experience, 25% of the desmoid tumors (8/32) were recurrent and postoperative radiotherapy did not seem to influence the local recurrence rate. The most important predictor for recurrence was tumors of >5 cm.