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Biomedical subjects

S C Das

Publications and source records attributed to S C Das.

64 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Evaluation of botanicals as repellents against mosquitoes.

Repellent properties of three plant extracts--essential oil (steam distillate) of Zanthoxylum limonella (fruits), Citrus aurantifolia (leaf) and petroleum ether extract of Z. limonella (fruits) were evaluated as repellent against Aedes (S.) albopictus mosquitoes in mustard (Dhara) and coconut (Parachute) oil base under laboratory conditions. Three concentrations--10, 20 and 30% of the repellents were evaluated. Repellents in mustard oil afforded longer protection time against the bites of Aedes (S.) albopictus mosquitoes than those in coconut oil. At 30% concentration, 296-304 min protection time was achieved by the test repellents in mustard oil base while repellents in coconut oil exhibited 223.5-245 min protection time at the same concentration. Oil of Z. limonella gave the highest protection time against the bites of Aedes (S.) albopictus mosquitoes at all the concentrations than other herbal repellents tested both in mustard and coconut oil.

Aedes↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Epidemiological and entomological aspects of malaria in forest-fringed villages of Sonitpur district, Assam.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Detailed epidemiological and entomological studies were undertaken in forest-fringed villages and a Tea Estate in Sonitpur, Assam to assess the malaria situation. METHODS: Door-to-door active surveillance was carried out to collect blood samples. Thick and thin blood smears stained with Giemsa were used for malaria parasite detection. Mosquito collections were made using CDC miniature light-traps and hand catch methods from dusk-to-dawn. RESULTS: 48% SPR, 49.1 Pf% was recorded from the study villages. Children between 10 and 14 years were most sufferers. Per trap night density of mosquitoes in human dwellings was 204.3 and in cattlesheds--908.7, An. minimus accounted for 20.7% of total malaria vectors. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: The results showed high malaria risk in the study villages. High vector density with high parity rate, poor socio-economic conditions, lack of awareness, poor sanitation and congenial atmosphere for mosquito proliferation are aggravating the malaria situation more complex in the study area.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A study on transplacental transfer of thyroid hormones in pregnant Nigerian women of Jos-Plateau State.

Knowledge of transplacental passage of thyroid hormones in pregnant women is very scanty. Seventy paired 'maternal-cord' blood samples were obtained at term (40 week) deliveries from the Nigerian women from Jos Plateau and its environment, and the level of serum T4, T3, TSH, TBG and TBK (thyroxine binding capacity) were determined by 'ELISA' technique (Boehringer). The serum level of FT41 (free thyroxine index) was determined subsequently by dividing the serum values of T4 with those of TBK. The results obtained were compared with those derived from a similar group assessed among white Americans, as well as with an age-matched non pregnant control group selected from Jos metropolis. Results show that the level of thyroid activity in the present group of 'mothers and neonates' assessed were lower compared to the level seen in the corresponding American group. Correlation studies carried out in this work indicated that the maternal and corresponding neonates have significant degree of positive correlations between the serum levels of T4 (r > .9; p < .005); FT4I (r > .88; p < .005); TBK (r > .8; p < .005); TBG (r > .89; p < .005) and TSH (r > .87; p .005), while T3 did not show any correlation. It is concluded, that during pregnancy there is probably significant transplacental passage of iodine (I) from the mother to the growing foetus, in an attempt to build the necessary foetal Iodine pool, and TRH (thyrotrophin releasing hormone) probably acts as mediator between the foetal and maternal 'hypothalamus--pituitary--thyroid' axis, which are, otherwise independent of each other.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The role of ions in goitre prevalence in two local government areas of Plateau State, Nigeria.

This study tried to show the contributory role of ions (cations and anions) to great contrast in the goitre prevalence between Bassa and Jos Local Government Areas, both of Plateau State, Nigeria. In pursuance of this, the concentration of cations (Ca++, Fe++, K+, Mg++, Na+, & Zn++) and anions (C1-, F, I-, & NO-3) in soil and drinking water in the two LGAs were determined and their results compared and correlated with the goitre prevalence of these areas. It was observed that both Bassa and Jos LGAs have very low but similar amounts of iodide ions in their soils. Besides, Bassa LGA contained more ions in both soil and drinking water than Jos LGA. In conclusion, the results appear to suggest that the higher ion contents of both soil and drinking water in Bassa LGA exacerbated the coexisting low iodide condition of the LGA, thus resulting in the higher goitre prevalence found in the LGA.

Electrolytes↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Iodine deficiency disorders in pre-adolescent and adolescent children in Nigeria, West Africa.

An epidemiological study of iodine deficiency disorders covering 4230 pre-adolescent and adolescent school children, together with biochemical analysis of 741 urinary samples, 26 potable drinking water samples and 56 blood samples was conducted in the Plateau State of Nigeria, West Africa. Results indicate that about 2/3 of the region is goitre endemic due principally to iodine deficiency (ID) prevailing in the region as reflected by a low drinking water iodine (DWI) concentrations throughout most of the areas surveyed as well as by a reduced urinary iodide excretions (UIE) seen among the subjects. Urinary thiocyanate (SCN) level in contrast, was found to be significantly higher (P < .01) in the children from these areas as compared to that in Jos (the State capital), raising a possibility of its association with the increased GP seen for the region. Thyroid profile investigation carried out on the 56 goitrous school children from the iodine deficient Bassa region of the state shows two distinct groups. The major group (41 children) exhibited a low-normal to above normal serum T4, FT41 and T4/TBG levels in association with high-normal to above normal serum T3 and a mildly elevated serum TSH activity, suggesting that the group might be in a state of 'compensated euthyroidism'--due as a result of glandular metabolic adaptation to the prevailing ID. The other minor group (15 children) was in 'euthyroid hyperthyroxinaemia' based on a marked rise in serum T4, T3 TBG levels, while serum FT41, T4/TBG ratio and TSH levels were within mid normal range. Discovery of 9 cretins (0.21%) further signifies the magnitude of the problem in the region. It is concluded that a significant proportion of the children living in these areas may likely to suffer from partial thyroid insufficiency with its attendant consequences.

Adolescent↗