Browsing by Author "Sharma, Sarita"
Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
Results Per Page
Sort Options
Item Characterization of low molecular weight antimicrobial peptide from human female reproductive tract.(2011-11) Sharma, Sarita; Sethi, Sunil; Prasad, Rajendra; Samanta, Palash; Rajwanshi, Arvind; Malhotra, Sarla; Sharma, MeeraBackground & objectives: The mechanisms that protect female upper genital tract from ascending infection by microbes present in vagina are only partially understood. It is expected that epithelial cells in mucosal surfaces and their secretions directly interfere with microbial colonization and invasion. This study was aimed to demonstrate the expression of 2 kDa antimicrobial peptide which was identified and purified from female genital tract tissues using chromatographic techniques. Methods: Low molecular weight proteins were isolated from human female reproductive tract tissues obtained from premenopausal women. Antimicrobial activity of these LMW proteins was assessed against different reproductive tract pathogens viz., Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Group B streptococcus, Gardnerella vaginalis, Escherechia coli and Candida albicans. The expression of these peptides were also documented in reproductive tract tissues with the help of hyperimmune sera raised against the rabbits. The purified peptide was characterized by N-terminal sequencing. Results: Immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence studies demonstrated that 2 kDa peptide was expressed in the stratified squamous epithelial cells of the ectocervix while it was absent in columnar epithelial cells of upper genital tract. Upregulation of the expression of this peptide was observed in patients of chronic non-specific cervicitis and acute on chronic cervicitis. This purified antimicrobial peptide also showed broad spectrum antimicrobial activity against different reproductive tract pathogens. Interpretation & conclusions: Considering the emerging bacterial resistance against conventional antibiotics, isolation and understanding of the expression of antimicrobial peptides from female reproductive tissue extracts may provide some leads towards the development of strategies for the treatment of reproductive tract infections.Item Leptospirosis in northern India: a clinical and serological study.(2003-12-30) Sethi, Sunil; Sood, Archana; Pooja,; Sharma, Sarita; Sengupta, Caesar; Sharma, MeeraA total of 400 serum samples collected from patients, clinically suspected of leptospirosis, were evaluated for antibodies by LEPTO dipstick and microscopic agglutination test (MAT). Twenty of these patients (5%) had serological evidence of leptospirosis. Leptospira interrogans serovars Autumnalis and Icterohaemorrhagiae, Canicola and Javanica were serogroups recorded serologically. Fever and jaundice were the most common clinical presentations. Male preponderance was seen in the leptospirosis cases. Outdoor activities, agricultural activities, contact with animals were significantly associated with seropositivity for Leptospira. This study highlights that leptospirosis is a significant health problem in northern India, though grossly under reported due to the absence of routine laboratory diagnostic facilities for this disease.Item An overview of corona virus disease 19 - COVID 19(Medip Academy, 2020-07) Sharma, Sarita; Rathod, Pragati; Ukey, UjwalaA remerging infectious disease that has caught the entire world unaware. Coronavirus is an enveloped virus having non- segmented positive-sense RNA genome and belongs to the family Coronaviridae. Important modes of transmission are direct contact and respiratory droplets. Though the virus survives on environmental surfaces for varied period of time, it gets easily inactivated by chemical disinfectants .The major clinical features in uncomplicated cases include fever (88%), dry cough (67%), myalgia (14.9%) or fatigue (38%). In the absence of an effective treatment and vaccine, preventive measures like physical distancing, hand hygiene, following respiratory etiquettes & wearing mask assume great importance. Vigourous surveillance, contact tracing and containment can go a long way in controlling the spread of Covid 19.Item Relationship between gender of existing children and desire for additional children by Nepalese women(Nakhon Pathom : Institute for Population and Social Research, Mahidol University,, 1998-04-19T12:37:23Z) Sharma, Sarita; Mahidol University. Institute for Population and Social Research