Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to S K Das.
An accident occurs during the manufacture of cobalt sulphide unit due to liberation of hydrogen sulphide. Problems associated with the hydrogen sulphide and the recommended preventive measures have been discussed.
Twelve isolates of Echinococcus granulosus, collected from domestic animals, including cattle, buffalo and sheep were analysed for DNA nucleotide sequence variation within mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (coxI), NADH dehydrogenase subunit I (nadI) and internal transcribed spacer gene I (ITS1). After analysis of sequence information this was found that the fragment size of ITS1 of buffalo isolate was more in comparison to cattle and sheep isolates. Based on the nadI genotype this was found that Indian cattle, buffalo and sheep isolates could be grouped into E. granulosus sensu stricto. Based on coxI genotype two sheep isolates and one buffalo isolate were homologous to G2 genotype. Rests of the isolates were microvariants of G2 genotype. Presence of G2 genotype in buffalo is the first report of this genotype from this host.
The influence of bioturbation caused by common carp fry in 5 L jars (5 L each) in the laboratory and in 150 L outdoor vats in increasing the fertilizer value of phosphate rock was evaluated. Soluble reactive phosphate (SRP) was determined to quantify the effects of bioturbation, fish excrements and soil. The level of SRP was always lowest in the control series. Introduction of common carp fry resulted in a net increase of 0.09-0.10 mg L(-1) of SRP attributable to the effect of fish excrement. Bioturbation caused by common carp resulted in a 64.8-90% influx of phosphate from bottom soil in the presence of phosphate rock but only about 6.3-7.2% in the absence of phosphate rock. The bioturbation that occurred in these treatments resulted in a significant release of phosphorous into the overlying water from the apatite source. The results confirm the benefits of the application of environmentally friendly phosphate rock in fish farming ponds at low cost.
Wilson disease (WD) produces typical lesions in the brain, which can aid in diagnosis and therapy. The authors present a drug-resistant WD case with atypical cerebral lesions with marked involvement of white matter as visualized on MRI scans. The diagnosis was confirmed by identification of mutations in the ATP7B gene. The case demonstrates an uncommon pathology-related cerebral copper accumulation and emphasizes the importance of genetic screening in the diagnosis of WD.
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Fish community structure and water chemistry of two tropical rivers of West Bengal, an eastern province of India, were studied for two annual cycles (January 2003-December 2004) and a higher degree of pollution was found in one river (the Churni) than in the other river (the Jalangi). This was reflected in the water quality as well as in fish community structure of the rivers. We observed that 63.6% of fish species appeared to have been eliminated from the polluted Churni river since 1983 in 20 years. For the protection of fish biodiversity and enhancement of fish production, a rational management program should be implemented for the Churni river.
This paper deals with the incident of the excessive use of chlorine and leakage of unused chlorine from an industrial chlorination cistern and the lesson learned.
A polyherbal vaginal pessary (Praneem) has been formulated that has antimicrobial properties against genital pathogens in addition to spermicidal action. Thus, it has dual potential as a barrier method for contraception and for providing protection against some sexually transmitted infections. The present study reports the findings of a multicentre trial that was conducted to evaluate the safety of this product. Trials were carried out in 23 women in three centres in India: the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh; Safdarjang Hospital, New Delhi; and Kamla Nehru Memorial Hospital, Allahabad. Thorough clinical and pelvic examinations were carried out as well as cervical cytology, blood biochemistry and haematology before and after use of the polyherbal pessary intravaginally once daily for 7 consecutive days. No toxicity was observed on clinical examination or by laboratory investigations. Daily intravaginal use of this pessary for 7 days had no adverse effects on cervical cytology or on metabolic and organ functions.
Adsorption of cadmium (II) from aqueous solution by low-cost biosorbents was investigated. Husk of Lathyrus sativus (HLS) was found to be the most efficient in this respect and removed approximately 95% of the metal. The influence of pH, temperature, contact time and metal ion concentration on the adsorption process by HLS was studied. Hydrogen ion concentration of the solution greatly influenced the process with an optimum at pH 5.0-6.0, whereas temperature had no significant effect. The process was very fast and more than 90% of the total adsorption took place within the first 5 min and was found to follow pseudo-second order rate kinetics. The adsorption data can better be explained by Langmuir isotherm model and the calculated maximum adsorption capacity was 35 mg/g of HLS at pH 5.0 and 30 degrees C. Scanning electron micrographs showed that cadmium was present as micro precipitate on the surface of the adsorbent. Cadmium replaced calcium of the biomass as revealed from the EDX analysis indicating that the adsorption proceeds through ion exchange mechanism. Cadmium could be desorbed from the loaded biomass by lowering pH approximately 1.0 with mineral acid.
INTRODUCTION: Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) is a condition characterized by atherosclerotic occlusive disease of the lower extremities, low functional capacity and low exercise tolerance. Less empirical data are available concerning the cardiovascular response to maximum exercise tests in patients with PVD. The purpose of this study was to examine cardiovascular variables in patients with peripheral vascular disease. METHODS: Fifty patients (67 +/- 9 years) completed an incremental exercise test (2 min stages, 3.2 km h(-1), with increases of 2% every 2 min) to maximum claudication pain. Maximal oxygen consumption (VO2) was assessed on a breath-by-breath basis by online expiratory gas analysis (CardiO2, Medical Graphics Co.). Blood pressure was recorded at peak exercise. Following a 30-min rest period, patients exercised at the highest level attained during the first test and cardiac output (QT) was measured using the exponential non-invasive rebreathing method. Cardiac power output peak (CPOpeak) in Watts (W), was then computed. RESULTS: Mean +/- SD values were; 13.85 +/- 4.14 ml kg min(-1); maximal walk time 357 +/- 227 s; peak mean arterial pressure 127 +/- 15 mmHg; 9.8 +/- 2.39 (l min(-1)); CPO 2.86 +/- 0.87 W. CONCLUSION: Patients with peripheral vascular disease demonstrate attenuated levels of cardiovascular capacity. This group of patients should be given exercise therapy in order to improve cardiovascular status and ambulatory function.
OBJECTIVES: Dystonia is a common movement disorder. The purpose of this study is to examine the relative distribution of the primary dystonia subtypes and identify mutation (s) in the DYT1 gene in Indian patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Primary dystonia patients (n = 178) and controls (n = 63), lacking any symptoms of the disease, were recruited for the study from eastern India. The nucleotide variants in the DYT1 gene were identified by carrying out polymerase chain reaction, single stranded conformation polymorphism, and DNA sequencing. RESULTS: Unlike other reports, pain and/or tremor was more common in our sporadic patients than in familial cases. Three reported and two novel changes were identified in this gene. The homozygous genotype (G,G) for a missense variant (c.646G > C; Asp216His) was significantly over-represented in the patients compared with controls (P < 0.05). However, the commonly reported 3 bp deletion (904-906delGAG) was not detected. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the DYT1 gene might have a limited role in causation of dystonia in the Indian population.
Culture filtrate proteins (CFPs) of M. bovis were produced by culturing the organism for a period of 3 weeks. These CFPs elicited a good delayed hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction in cattle and guinea pig. However, CFPs showed least cross-reactivity when tested in guinea pigs sensitized with M. bovis BCG and M. phlei. CFPs were found to be well recognized by T-cells of single intradermal test (SIDT) positive cattle and were also sero-reactive. Lymphocyte transformation assay revealed the culture filtrate antigens as major T-cell antigens. CFPs induced a good interferon gamma release as compared to conventional antigen, PPD, thereby highlighting their diagnostic capabilities.
UNLABELLED: The subjective sense of well being is central to the concept of quality of life (QoL) and a good QoL should be the ultimate goal to any therapeutic measure. In Parkinson's disease (PD), several rating scale are in vogue to measure the QoL, namely PDQ-39, PDQ-8, SF-36, Likert scale etc. Parkinson's Impact Scale (PIMS) has been used in this study to assess the QoL which includes 10 items. METHODOLOGY: Thirty two patients of Parkinson's disease satisfying the UK Parkinson's disease brain bank diagnostic criteria, ranging from HY stage I to IV have been recruited. UPDRS was also administered to them. Statistical analysis was performed using Spearman rank correlation and multivariate stepwise regression analysis using SPSS for windows. RESULT: Seventy two percents were male, all getting levodopa, 72% got anticholinergics. Monthly income varied from Rs.800 (US dollars 17.10) to Rs.15,000 (US dollars 320) pm. Eighty eight percent belonged to HY II-III. UPDRS score ranged from 3-85 (40.4 +/- 18.6). PIMS total score ranged from 1-22 (10.4 +/- 6.1). DISCUSSION AND CONSLUSION: The QoL deteriorates with H-Y staging, the UPDRS score, not with advancing age as seen in other studies. It is also significantly influenced by duration of the disease and financial security. Surprisingly, the family and community relations were not significantly affected with advancing disease, perhaps due the close family and social tie up among Indians. So, measurement of QoL should be made an essential part to the routine assessment of PD patients to get a complete scenario of the problem. PIMS can serve as a comprehensive tool for the same suitable for use in the OPD.
BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Large scale epidemiological studies on neurological disorders are very few in India. We therefore planned to conduct a cross-sectional population-based epidemiological study on a stratified randomly selected sample from the city of Kolkata to study the prevalence of major neurological disorders such as epilepsy, stroke, dementia and Parkinsonism. METHODS: The method of case ascertainment was two- stage house-to-house survey; the first stage was undertaken by a field team consisting of four field workers and a neuropsychologist. Screening questionnaire based on National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) protocol was used. In the second stage a neurologist examined all the screened positive cases. RESULTS: A total of 52,377 subjects participated in the study. The crude prevalence rates (per 100,000 population) of major neurological disorders with 95 per cent confidence intervals (95% CI) and age adjusted rates (AAR) based on US 2000 population were 557.5 (95% CI 496.17-624.40 and AAR - 516.77) in epilepsy, 486.85 (95% CI 377.0 to 551.11 and AAR-765.68) in stroke, 87.82 (95% CI 64.02-117.50 and AAR-168.4) in dementia and 45.82 (95% CI 29.64-67.63 and AAR-71.64) in Parkinsonism. The weighted prevalence rates (per 100,000) of the whole population based on re-screening of 10 per cent of negative samples were 763.89 (95% CI 690.55- 842.57) in epilepsy, 624.32 (95% CI 555.64-699.24) in stroke and 139.37 (95% CI 108.71-176.06) in dementia. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: A high rate of stroke and overall lower prevalence of Parkinsonism and dementia was recorded as compared to western studies. High prevalence rate of stroke emphasizes the need to study incidence, morbidity and mortality profile of stroke including its socio-economic impact and also case-control analysis to determine the underlying risk factors.
Wilson disease (WD) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by defects in the copper-transporting P-type ATPase gene (ATP7B) resulting in the accumulation of copper in the liver and the brain. We identified prevalent mutations in the ATP7B of Indian WD patients and attempted to correlate those with the disease phenotype. Patients from 62 unrelated families and their first-degree relatives comprising 200 individuals were enrolled in this study. Three dinucleotide repeat markers flanking WD locus and a few intragenic SNPs were used to determine the genotypes and construct haplotypes of the patients. Seven recurring haplotypes accounting for 58% of the total mutant chromosomes were identified, and four underlying defects in the ATP7B representing 37% of WD chromosomes were detected. In addition, five other rare mutations were characterized. Thus a total of nine mutations including five novel changes were identified in the ATP7B of WD patients. Interestingly, homozygotes for different mutations that would be expected to produce similar defective proteins showed significant disparity in terms of organ involvement and severity of the disease. We also observed WD patients with neurological symptoms with little or no manifestation of hepatic pathogenesis. In one WD family, the proband and a sib had remarkably different phenotypes despite sharing the same pair of mutant chromosomes. These findings suggest a potential role for yet unidentified modifying loci for the observed phenotypic heterogeneity among the WD patients.
The present study was carried out to explore the feasibility of using buffalo fetal skin fibroblasts as donor nuclei and to find out the developmental competence of embryos following transfer of these nuclei to in vitro matured enucleated buffalo oocytes. Skin cells were isolated from 1 to 2-month-old fetuses obtained from slaughterhouse, by enzymatic digestion (0.5% w/v trypsin +0.05% w/v collagenase in Dulbecco's PBS) for 15-20 min. The cells were washed 4 times with Dulbecco's PBS and then once with RPMI-1640+10% FBS by centrifugation at 600 x g. The cells were then cultured in the same medium in a CO2 incubator (5% CO2 in air) at 38.5 degrees C for 2-3 days. Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) collected from slaughterhouse buffalo ovaries were subjected to IVM in the IVM medium (TCM-199 + 5 microg/ml FSH-P + 10 microg/ml LH+10% FBS) for 20-22 h in a CO2 incubator (5% CO2 in air) at 38.5 degrees C. Oocytes were denuded with 0.1% trypsin followed by repeated pipetting and then enucleated by aspirating the first polar body with 10-15% of nearby cytoplasm with a micromanipulator. Two different types of donor cells (growing cells and those arrested with cytochalasin-B) were used for reconstruction of oocytes. The reconstructs were electro fused and incubated in the activation medium (TCM-199 + 8 microg/ml cytochalasin-B+10% FBS) for 4 h. These were then cultured in IVC medium (TCM-199+10% FBS) in a CO2 incubator (5% CO2 in air) at 38.5 degrees C for 48 h. The cleaved embryos were then co-cultured with buffalo oviduct cells in embryo development media (EDM). Out of 119 denuded matured oocytes which were enucleated and reconstructed with growing cells, 78 (65.5%) were electro fused, activated and cultured, out of which 4 (5.1%) reconstructs cleaved and developed to 2-cell stage, 3 (3.8%) reached to 4-cell stage and 3 (3.8%) reached to 8-cell stage. In the synchronized group, out of 62 denuded matured oocytes which were reconstructed with cytochalasin-B blocked cells, 40 (65%) were electrofused, activated and cultured, out of which 4 (10%) developed to 2-cell stage, 3 (7.50%) to 4-cell stage, 2 (5.0%) to early morula stage and 1 (2.50%) to blastocysts stage. These results suggest that buffalo fetal skin fibroblasts could be used as donor nuclei for the production of buffalo embryos after nuclear transfer to enucleated in vitro matured buffalo oocytes.
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The aim of the study was to determine the correlation between MRI measured tumour volume and parametrial invasion on histology in the evaluation of carcinoma of the cervix showing full thickness stromal invasion (FTSI). Original MR images of 159 surgical cases of carcinoma of the cervix retrieved from the MR image bank of the department were analysed retrospectively. Tumour volume from the maximum tumour diameters in each case was computed using the standard formula for an ellipse and correlated with parametrial invasion on histology. Of 105 cases showing FTSI on axial T(2) weighted MRI, tumour volume between the two groups of cases, with parametrial invasion (n=27) and without parametrial invasion (n=78), shows a statistically significant difference (p=0.006). Best accuracy of 60.95%, sensitivity 59.26% and specificity 61.54% was found for tumour volume of 36.39 cm(3). The study concludes that MRI measured tumour volume is associated with low accuracy in the evaluation of parametrial invasion in carcinoma of cervix showing FTSI in axial T(2) weighted MR images and may not help as an additional diagnostic criterion to predict parametrial invasion pre-operatively.