Displaying publications 21 - 40 of 78 in total

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  1. Sharma M, Chan HK, Lavilla CA, Uy MM, Froemming GRA, Okechukwu PN
    Fundam Clin Pharmacol, 2023 Aug;37(4):769-778.
    PMID: 36905079 DOI: 10.1111/fcp.12892
    Streptozotocin (STZ) is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that is toxic to the insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreatic islets. STZ is currently used clinically for the treatment of metastatic islet cell carcinoma of the pancreas and the induction of diabetes mellitus (DM) in rodents. So far, there has been no previous research to show that STZ injection in rodents causes insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The purpose of this study was to determine if rats (Sprague-Dawley) developed type 2 diabetes mellitus (insulin resistance) after 72 h of intraperitoneal administration of 50 mg/kg STZ. Rats with fasting blood glucose levels above 11.0 mM, 72 h post-STZ induction, were used. The body weight and plasma glucose levels were measured every week throughout the 60-day treatment period. The plasma, liver, kidney, pancreas, and smooth muscle cells were harvested for antioxidant, biochemical analysis, histology, and gene expression studies. The results revealed that STZ was able to destroy the pancreatic insulin-producing beta cell, as evidenced by an increase in plasma glucose level, insulin resistance, and oxidative stress. Biochemical investigation indicates that STZ can generate diabetes complications through hepatocellular damage, elevated HbA1c, kidney damage, hyperlipidemia, cardiovascular damage, and impairment of the insulin-signaling pathway.
  2. Satija S, Mehta M, Sharma M, Prasher P, Gupta G, Chellappan DK, et al.
    Future Med Chem, 2020 09;12(18):1607-1609.
    PMID: 32589055 DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2020-0149
  3. Prasher P, Sharma M, Chellappan DK, Gupta G, Jha NK, Singh SK, et al.
    Future Med Chem, 2021 07;13(13):1087-1090.
    PMID: 33947226 DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2021-0013
  4. Prasher P, Sharma M, R Wich P, Jha NK, Singh SK, Chellappan DK, et al.
    Future Med Chem, 2021 12;13(23):2027-2031.
    PMID: 34596425 DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2021-0218
  5. Sharma M, Teerawattananon Y, Dabak SV, Isaranuwatchai W, Pearce F, Pilasant S, et al.
    Health Res Policy Syst, 2021 Feb 11;19(1):19.
    PMID: 33573676 DOI: 10.1186/s12961-020-00647-0
    BACKGROUND: Progress towards achieving Universal Health Coverage and institutionalizing healthcare priority setting through health technology assessment (HTA) in the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) region varies considerably across countries because of differences in healthcare expenditure, political support, access to health information and technology infrastructure. To explore the status and capacity of HTA in the region, the ASEAN Secretariat requested for member countries to be surveyed to identify existing gaps and to propose solutions to help countries develop and streamline their priority-setting processes for improved healthcare decision-making.

    METHODS: A mixed survey questionnaire with open- and closed-ended questions relating to HTA governance, HTA infrastructure, supply and demand of HTA and global HTA networking opportunities in each country was administered electronically to representatives of HTA nodal agencies of all ASEAN members. In-person meetings or email correspondence were used to clarify or validate any unclear responses. Results were collated and presented quantitatively.

    RESULTS: Responses from eight out of ten member countries were analysed. The results illustrate that countries in the ASEAN region are at different stages of HTA institutionalization. While Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand have well-established processes and methods for priority setting through HTA, other countries, such as Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, the Philippines and Vietnam, have begun to develop HTA systems in their countries by establishing nodal agencies or conducting ad-hoc activities.

    DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The study provides a general overview of the HTA landscape in ASEAN countries. Systematic efforts to mitigate the gaps between the demand and supply of HTA in each country are required while ensuring adequate participation from stakeholders so that decisions for resource allocation are made in a fair, legitimate and transparent manner and are relevant to each local context.

  6. Choudhury A, Jindal A, Maiwall R, Sharma MK, Sharma BC, Pamecha V, et al.
    Hepatol Int, 2017 Sep;11(5):461-471.
    PMID: 28856540 DOI: 10.1007/s12072-017-9816-z
    BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is a progressive disease associated with rapid clinical worsening and high mortality. Early prediction of mortality and intervention can improve patient outcomes. We aimed to develop a dynamic prognostic model and compare it with the existing models.

    METHODS: A total of 1402 ACLF patients, enrolled in the APASL-ACLF Research Consortium (AARC) with 90-day follow-up, were analyzed. An ACLF score was developed in a derivation cohort (n = 480) and was validated (n = 922).

    RESULTS: The overall survival of ACLF patients at 28 days was 51.7%, with a median of 26.3 days. Five baseline variables, total bilirubin, creatinine, serum lactate, INR and hepatic encephalopathy, were found to be independent predictors of mortality, with AUROC in derivation and validation cohorts being 0.80 and 0.78, respectively. AARC-ACLF score (range 5-15) was found to be superior to MELD and CLIF SOFA scores in predicting mortality with an AUROC of 0.80. The point scores were categorized into grades of liver failure (Gr I: 5-7; II: 8-10; and III: 11-15 points) with 28-day cumulative mortalities of 12.7, 44.5 and 85.9%, respectively. The mortality risk could be dynamically calculated as, with each unit increase in AARC-ACLF score above 10, the risk increased by 20%. A score of ≥11 at baseline or persisting in the first week was often seen among nonsurvivors (p = 0.001).

    CONCLUSIONS: The AARC-ACLF score is easy to use, dynamic and reliable, and superior to the existing prediction models. It can reliably predict the need for interventions, such as liver transplant, within the first week.

  7. Quar TK, Ching TY, Newall P, Sharma M
    Int J Audiol, 2013 May;52(5):322-32.
    PMID: 23570290 DOI: 10.3109/14992027.2012.755740
    The study aims to compare the performance of hearing aids fitted according to the NAL-NL1 and DSL v5 prescriptive procedure for children.
  8. Rumpf HJ, Achab S, Billieux J, Bowden-Jones H, Carragher N, Demetrovics Z, et al.
    J Behav Addict, 2018 09 01;7(3):556-561.
    PMID: 30010410 DOI: 10.1556/2006.7.2018.59
    The proposed introduction of gaming disorder (GD) in the 11th revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) has led to a lively debate over the past year. Besides the broad support for the decision in the academic press, a recent publication by van Rooij et al. (2018) repeated the criticism raised against the inclusion of GD in ICD-11 by Aarseth et al. (2017). We argue that this group of researchers fails to recognize the clinical and public health considerations, which support the WHO perspective. It is important to recognize a range of biases that may influence this debate; in particular, the gaming industry may wish to diminish its responsibility by claiming that GD is not a public health problem, a position which maybe supported by arguments from scholars based in media psychology, computer games research, communication science, and related disciplines. However, just as with any other disease or disorder in the ICD-11, the decision whether or not to include GD is based on clinical evidence and public health needs. Therefore, we reiterate our conclusion that including GD reflects the essence of the ICD and will facilitate treatment and prevention for those who need it.
  9. Saunders JB, Hao W, Long J, King DL, Mann K, Fauth-Bühler M, et al.
    J Behav Addict, 2017 Sep 01;6(3):271-279.
    PMID: 28816494 DOI: 10.1556/2006.6.2017.039
    Online gaming has greatly increased in popularity in recent years, and with this has come a multiplicity of problems due to excessive involvement in gaming. Gaming disorder, both online and offline, has been defined for the first time in the draft of 11th revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11). National surveys have shown prevalence rates of gaming disorder/addiction of 10%-15% among young people in several Asian countries and of 1%-10% in their counterparts in some Western countries. Several diseases related to excessive gaming are now recognized, and clinics are being established to respond to individual, family, and community concerns, but many cases remain hidden. Gaming disorder shares many features with addictions due to psychoactive substances and with gambling disorder, and functional neuroimaging shows that similar areas of the brain are activated. Governments and health agencies worldwide are seeking for the effects of online gaming to be addressed, and for preventive approaches to be developed. Central to this effort is a need to delineate the nature of the problem, which is the purpose of the definitions in the draft of ICD-11.
  10. Shetty SS, Sharma M, Kabekkodu SP, Kumar NA, Satyamoorthy K, Radhakrishnan R
    J Carcinog, 2021;20:9.
    PMID: 34526855 DOI: 10.4103/jcar.JCar_24_20
    Fibrosis is a pathological state characterized by excessive deposition of the extracellular matrix components leading to impaired tissue function in the affected organ. It results in scarring of the affected tissue akin to an over-healing wound as a consequence of chronic inflammation and repair in response to injury. Persistent trauma of susceptible oral mucosa due to habitual chewing of betel quid resulting in zealous healing of the mucosal tissue is one plausible explanation for the onset of oral submucous fibrosis (OSF). The irreversibility and resistance of collagen to degradation and its high potential to undergo malignant change are a major reason for morbidity in OSF. Hence, early diagnosis and timely treatment are crucial to prevent the progression of OSF to malignancy. This review focuses on the mechanistic insight into the role of collagen cross-links in advancing fibrosis and possible therapeutic targets that bring about a reversal of fibrosis. These options may be beneficial if attempted as a specific therapeutic modality in OSF as is in organ fibrosis. The upregulation of lysyl oxidase and lysyl hydroxylase has been shown to exhibit the higher levels of the hydroxylysine aldehyde-derived cross-links in fibrosis and tumor stroma promoting the tumor cell survival, resistance, and invasion. The in silico analysis highlights the potential drugs that may target the genes regulating collagen crosslinking.
  11. Schaefer N, Rotermund C, Blumrich EM, Lourenco MV, Joshi P, Hegemann RU, et al.
    J Neurochem, 2017 Jun 20.
    PMID: 28632905 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.14107
    One of the most intriguing features of the brain is its ability to be malleable, allowing it to adapt continually to changes in the environment. Specific neuronal activity patterns drive long-lasting increases or decreases in the strength of synaptic connections, referred to as long-term potentiation and long-term depression, respectively. Such phenomena have been described in a variety of model organisms, which are used to study molecular, structural, and functional aspects of synaptic plasticity. This review originated from the first International Society for Neurochemistry (ISN) and Journal of Neurochemistry (JNC) Flagship School held in Alpbach, Austria (Sep 2016), and will use its curriculum and discussions as a framework to review some of the current knowledge in the field of synaptic plasticity. First, we describe the role of plasticity during development and the persistent changes of neural circuitry occurring when sensory input is altered during critical developmental stages. We then outline the signaling cascades resulting in the synthesis of new plasticity-related proteins, which ultimately enable sustained changes in synaptic strength. Going beyond the traditional understanding of synaptic plasticity conceptualized by long-term potentiation and long-term depression, we discuss system-wide modifications and recently unveiled homeostatic mechanisms, such as synaptic scaling. Finally, we describe the neural circuits and synaptic plasticity mechanisms driving associative memory and motor learning. Evidence summarized in this review provides a current view of synaptic plasticity in its various forms, offers new insights into the underlying mechanisms and behavioral relevance, and provides directions for future research in the field of synaptic plasticity. Read the Editorial Highlight for this article on doi: 10.1111/jnc.14102.
  12. Ching TY, Quar TK, Johnson EE, Newall P, Sharma M
    J Am Acad Audiol, 2015 Mar;26(3):260-74.
    PMID: 25751694 DOI: 10.3766/jaaa.26.3.6
    BACKGROUND: An important goal of providing amplification to children with hearing loss is to ensure that hearing aids are adjusted to match targets of prescriptive procedures as closely as possible. The Desired Sensation Level (DSL) v5 and the National Acoustic Laboratories' prescription for nonlinear hearing aids, version 1 (NAL-NL1) procedures are widely used in fitting hearing aids to children. Little is known about hearing aid fitting outcomes for children with severe or profound hearing loss.

    PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the prescribed and measured gain of hearing aids fit according to the NAL-NL1 and the DSL v5 procedure for children with moderately severe to profound hearing loss; and to examine the impact of choice of prescription on predicted speech intelligibility and loudness.

    RESEARCH DESIGN: Participants were fit with Phonak Naida V SP hearing aids according to the NAL-NL1 and DSL v5 procedures. The Speech Intelligibility Index (SII) and estimated loudness were calculated using published models.

    STUDY SAMPLE: The sample consisted of 16 children (30 ears) aged between 7 and 17 yr old.

    DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: The measured hearing aid gains were compared with the prescribed gains at 50 (low), 65 (medium), and 80 dB SPL (high) input levels. The goodness of fit-to-targets was quantified by calculating the average root-mean-square (RMS) error of the measured gain compared with prescriptive gain targets for 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz. The significance of difference between prescriptions for hearing aid gains, SII, and loudness was examined by performing analyses of variance. Correlation analyses were used to examine the relationship between measures.

    RESULTS: The DSL v5 prescribed significantly higher overall gain than the NAL-NL1 procedure for the same audiograms. For low and medium input levels, the hearing aids of all children fit with NAL-NL1 were within 5 dB RMS of prescribed targets, but 33% (10 ears) deviated from the DSL v5 targets by more than 5 dB RMS on average. For high input level, the hearing aid fittings of 60% and 43% of ears deviated by more than 5 dB RMS from targets of NAL-NL1 and DSL v5, respectively. Greater deviations from targets were associated with more severe hearing loss. On average, the SII was higher for DSL v5 than for NAL-NL1 at low input level. No significant difference in SII was found between prescriptions at medium or high input level, despite greater loudness for DSL v5 than for NAL-NL1.

    CONCLUSIONS: Although targets between 0.25 and 2 kHz were well matched for both prescriptions in commercial hearing aids, gain targets at 4 kHz were matched for NAL-NL1 only. Although the two prescriptions differ markedly in estimated loudness, they resulted in comparable predicted speech intelligibility for medium and high input levels.

  13. Maaroufi A, Vince A, Himatt SM, Mohamed R, Fung J, Opare-Sem O, et al.
    J Viral Hepat, 2017 10;24 Suppl 2:8-24.
    PMID: 29105285 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.12762
    Due to the introduction of newer, more efficacious treatment options, there is a pressing need for policy makers and public health officials to develop or adapt national hepatitis C virus (HCV) control strategies to the changing epidemiological landscape. To do so, detailed, country-specific data are needed to characterize the burden of chronic HCV infection. In this study of 17 countries, a literature review of published and unpublished data on HCV prevalence, viraemia, genotype, age and gender distribution, liver transplants and diagnosis and treatment rates was conducted, and inputs were validated by expert consensus in each country. Viraemic prevalence in this study ranged from 0.2% in Hong Kong to 2.4% in Taiwan, while the largest viraemic populations were in Nigeria (2 597 000 cases) and Taiwan (569 000 cases). Diagnosis, treatment and liver transplant rates varied widely across the countries included in this analysis, as did the availability of reliable data. Addressing data gaps will be critical for the development of future strategies to manage and minimize the disease burden of hepatitis C.
  14. Chan HLY, Chen CJ, Omede O, Al Qamish J, Al Naamani K, Bane A, et al.
    J Viral Hepat, 2017 10;24 Suppl 2:25-43.
    PMID: 29105283 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.12760
    Factors influencing the morbidity and mortality associated with viremic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection change over time and place, making it difficult to compare reported estimates. Models were developed for 17 countries (Bahrain, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Colombia, Croatia, Dominican Republic, Ethiopia, Ghana, Hong Kong, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Morocco, Nigeria, Qatar and Taiwan) to quantify and characterize the viremic population as well as forecast the changes in the infected population and the corresponding disease burden from 2015 to 2030. Model inputs were agreed upon through expert consensus, and a standardized methodology was followed to allow for comparison across countries. The viremic prevalence is expected to remain constant or decline in all but four countries (Ethiopia, Ghana, Jordan and Oman); however, HCV-related morbidity and mortality will increase in all countries except Qatar and Taiwan. In Qatar, the high-treatment rate will contribute to a reduction in total cases and HCV-related morbidity by 2030. In the remaining countries, however, the current treatment paradigm will be insufficient to achieve large reductions in HCV-related morbidity and mortality.
  15. Chen DS, Hamoudi W, Mustapha B, Layden J, Nersesov A, Reic T, et al.
    J Viral Hepat, 2017 10;24 Suppl 2:44-63.
    PMID: 29105286 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.12759
    The hepatitis C virus (HCV) epidemic was forecasted through 2030 for 17 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East, and interventions for achieving the Global Health Sector Strategy on viral hepatitis targets-"WHO Targets" (65% reduction in HCV-related deaths, 90% reduction in new infections and 90% of infections diagnosed by 2030) were considered. Scaling up treatment and diagnosis rates over time would be required to achieve these targets in all but one country, even with the introduction of high SVR therapies. The scenarios developed to achieve the WHO Targets in all countries studied assumed the implementation of national policies to prevent new infections and to diagnose current infections through screening.
  16. Syed NH, Zunaina E, Wan-Nazatul Shima S, Sharma M, Shatriah I
    Korean J Ophthalmol, 2022 Oct;36(5):452-462.
    PMID: 35989077 DOI: 10.3341/kjo.2022.0010
    MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are the small noncoding RNA molecules which regulate target gene expression posttranscriptionally. They are known to regulate key cellular processes like inflammation, cell differentiation, cell proliferation, and cell apoptosis across various ocular diseases. Due to their easier access, recent focus has been laid on the investigation of miRNA expression and their involvement in several conjunctival diseases. The aim of this narrative review is to provide understanding of the miRNAs and describe the current role of miRNAs as the mediators of the various conjunctival diseases. A literature search was made using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases for studies involving miRNAs in the conjunctival pathological conditions. Original articles in the last 10 years involving both human and animal models were included. Literature search retrieved 27 studies matching our criteria. Pertaining to the numerous literatures, there is a strong correlation between miRNA and the various pathological conditions that occur in the conjunctiva. miRNAs are involved in various physiological processes such as cell differentiation, proliferation, apoptosis, development, and inflammation by regulating various signaling pathways, genes, proteins, and mediators. Pterygium was the most studied conjunctival disease for miRNA involvement, whereas miRNA research in allergic conjunctivitis is still in its early stages. Our review provides deep insights into the various miRNAs playing an important role in the various conjunctival diseases. miRNAs do have the potential to serve as noninvasive biomarkers with diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic implications. However, multitudinous studies are required to validate miRNAs as the reliable biomarkers in conjunctival pathologies and its targeted therapy.
  17. Goel S, Arora J, Mehta V, Sharma M, Suri RK, Rath G, et al.
    Clin Ter, 2015;166(3):114-7.
    PMID: 26152618 DOI: 10.7417/CT.2015.1840
    The knowledge of variant anatomy of medial compartment of thigh is extremely important in surgical procedures requiring obturator nerve block. The nerve block is also recommended for providing additional analgesia following major knee surgeries and for relieving painful adductor muscle spasm. The interfascial injection technique is commonly followed in ultrasound guided obturator nerve block. For this procedure it is imperative to identify the adductor muscles on sonography to inject the anesthetic solution in the intermuscular fascial planes. The presence of an additional muscle can prove useful in myocutaneous flap surgeries for reconstruction especially of perineum. We hereby report a case of such an anomalous supernumerary adductor muscle present between adductor brevis and proximal part of adductor magnus, in an adult Indian male cadaver, recorded during routine dissection in Department of Anatomy, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital. The muscle was innervated by the posterior division of obturator nerve. The morphology, embryological basis and clinical aspects are also discussed.
  18. Hansdak R, Arora J, Sharma M, Mehta V, Suri RK, Das S
    Clin Ter, 2015;166(2):65-7.
    PMID: 25945432 DOI: 10.7417/CT.2015.1817
    Variations in the arterial pattern of upper limb are of colossal importance to the surgeons as they are liable to iatrogenic injuries. During routine dissection for undergraduate medical students, an anomaly of brachial artery was discovered. The brachial artery terminated at higher level into ulnar and radial artery. The common interosseus artery took origin arising from radial artery. The ulnar artery did not give any branches in the forearm. Both radial and ulnar artery displayed a superficial course in the forearm. The anatomical knowledge of these variations may be of great help for the clinicians in planning and conducting flap harvesting during reconstructive surgeries and in arteriography.
  19. Mehta M, Prasher P, Sharma M, Shastri MD, Khurana N, Vyas M, et al.
    Med Hypotheses, 2020 Nov;144:110254.
    PMID: 33254559 DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2020.110254
    The highly contagious coronavirus, which had already affected more than 2 million people in 210 countries, triggered a colossal economic crisis consequently resulting from measures adopted by various goverments to limit transmission. This has placed the lives of many people infected worldwide at great risk. Currently there are no established or validated treatments for COVID-19, that is approved worldwide. Nanocarriers may offer a wide range of applications that could be developed into risk-free approaches for successful therapeutic strategies that may lead to immunisation against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‑CoV‑2) which is the primary causative organism that had led to the current COVID-19 pandemic. We address existing as well as emerging therapeutic and prophylactic approaches that may enable us to effectively combat this pandemic, and also may help to identify the key areas where nano-scientists can step in.
  20. Mukherjee S, Sharma M, Devgan A, Jatana SK
    Med J Armed Forces India, 2018 Jul;74(3):235-240.
    PMID: 30093766 DOI: 10.1016/j.mjafi.2017.07.003
    BACKGROUND: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in cyanotic congenital heart disease (CCHD) and its association with cyanotic spells has been documented in literature. However, Indian data especially in the pediatric age group is scarce. This study was conducted to find out the prevalence of IDA in this population.

    METHODS: An observational study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital. Children with CCHD in the age group of birth-12 years were included in the study. Hematological parameters of these patients were determined and compared. An assessment of the incidence of cyanotic spells in the iron-deficient and iron non-deficient children was also done. Data analysis was done using Fischer's exact test.

    RESULTS: The prevalence of IDA was 47.06% in the study population. The study also showed that hemoglobin and hematocrit levels were paradoxically higher in the iron-deficient group as compared to the non-deficient, though the iron studies revealed the iron deficiency. The incidence of cyanotic spells was higher in the iron-deficient group. The mean corpuscular volume (MCV), red cell distribution width (RDW), serum ferritin, serum iron, total iron binding capacity (TIBC), and transferrin saturation (TS) values were the parameters, which were found to be statistically significant to differentiate the study groups.

    CONCLUSION: The prevalence of IDA in children with CCHD was found to be high. Iron-deficient group had an increased frequency of cyanotic spells as compared to the non-deficient group, which was statistically significant.

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