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.

Predictive markers of response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer.

Abstract: Several randomized prospective studies on breast cancer patients have proved the safety of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. These trials have also demonstrated that tumor down staging does indeed improve the eligibility for breast conservative surgery without increasing local recurrence rates with possibly an improved survival. However, complete pathologic remissions are noted in only 3–30% of patients. About 20% of patients do not benefit from different chemotherapy regimens currently in use and are thus subjected to toxic drugs. This often leads to progression of disease and thereby the surgeon may lose a window of opportunity to obtain durable locoregional control of disease. Identification of predictive markers associated with pathologic complete response can help to distinguish patients with high or low probability of a response to treatment so that an individualized treatment plan can be implemented. It could also streamline the development of new alternative regimens for those who are unlikely to benefit from existing drugs. It is expected that a combination of markers will be more informative than a single one. So far, several factors have been studied as predictors for response to cytotoxic treatment, viz., tumor size, hormone (estrogen and progesterone) receptor status, tumor type and differentiation, HER2/cerB-2, tumor proliferation Ki-67, apoptosis related genes p53 , bcl-2 and BAX ; certain subgroups of breast cancer, and the latest in this category is gene expression profiling. However, in terms of prediction of drug responsiveness, data reported are still very limited. This review aims to discuss the current relevant literature on the subject.

Predictors of mortality in very low birth weight neonates in India.

Abstract: Introduction : Very low birth weight (VLBW) neonates constitute approximately 4–7 percent of all live births and their mortality is very high The objective of the present study was to determine the predictors of mortality in VLBW neonates Methods : A retrospective cohort of VLBW neonates admitted over three years was studied Exclusion criteria were: (1) neonates weighing less than 500 g and with gestational age less than 26 weeks; (2) presence of lethal congenital malformations; and (3) death in the delivery room or within 12 hours of life The outcome measure was in-hospital death Medical records were reviewed and data was analysed Univariate analysis and logistic regression analysis were done to determine the predictors of mortality Results: A total of 260 cases were enrolled, of which a total of 96 (369 percent) babies died The survival rate was found to increase with the increase in birth weight and gestational age Univariate analysis showed maternal per vaginal bleeding, failure to administer steroid antenatally, Apgar score less than or equal to 5 at one minute, apnoea, gestational age, neonatal septicaemia and shock are the factors directly responsible for neonatal mortality Logistic regression equation showed maternal bleed (1326), apnoea (3159), birth weight (0037), gestational age (0063), hypothermia (1132) and shock (349) predicted 65 percent of mortality in VLBW babies Conclusion : Common antenatal and perinatal predictors of mortality in VLBW infants in India include maternal bleed, failure to administer antenatal steroids, low Apgar score, apnoea, extreme prematurity, neonatal septicaemia and shock

Anatomical variations of the splenic artery and its clinical implications.

Abstract: The variations in orgin, course, and terminal branching pattern of the splenic artery were studied in 320 cadavers. The artery originated from the coeliac trunk in the majority of cadavers (90.6%), followed by abdominal aorta (8.1%), and other sights (1.3%). A suprapancreatic course of the artery was commonly observed (74.1%) followed by enteropancreatic (18.5%), intrapancreatic (4.6%), and retropancreatic (2.8%) courses. In two cases (0.63%) the proximal part of the splenic artery made a loop that was embedded in the substance of the pancreas, which is an interesting and rare finding. In five cases (1.5%) the proximal part of the artery divided into two or more branches that had suprapancreatic and enteropancreatic courses. The splenic artery divided into terminal branches in 311 (97%) cadavers. In nine (2.8%) cadavers it passed through the hilum of spleen without dividing. Two terminal branches were the most common (63.1%) followed by four (18.8%), six (9.7%), and more than six (5.6%) branches. The present study clearly indicates that there is variation in origin, course, and terminal distribution pattern of the splenic artery. The knowledge of these variations are of significant importance during surgical and radiological procedure of upper abdominal region to avoid any catastrophic complications.

An oral formulation of amphotericin B attached to functionalized carbon nanotubes is an effective treatment for experimental visceral Leishmaniasis

Abstract: Amphotericin B (AmB), is a highly effective antileishmanial agent used as first-line treatment in different formulations in visceral leishmaniasis endemic areas of Bihar, India. However, parenteral infusion, prolonged hospitalization, and toxicity are major hurdles. Our previous work demonstrated the efficacy and stability of functionalized carbon nanotubes as a delivery mechanism for AmB. In this study, using the hamster model, we have shown that this novel formulation of AmB can be administered orally, resulting in 99% inhibition of parasite growth following a 5-day course at 15 mg/kg body weight.