Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

S K Saha

Publications and source records attributed to S K Saha.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Hernioplasty: a new approach against the recurrence.

In the repair of inguinal hernia, the primary objective is to stop the recurrence of hernia, but it seems this expectation has not been met even with the Lichtenstein mesh repair. Therefore, a totally recurrence-free result cannot be reached until a rational technique is developed. In the new approach, the repair of the inguinal hernia was carried out routinely by a combination of a tension-free mesh implantation along with the on-lay nylon darn. The outcome of this new approach in 125 consecutive patients was found to be very satisfactory, with no evidence of recurrent inguinal hernia apart from a superficial wound infection developed in one patient and both wound infection and wound haematoma in another patient. A recurrence-free inguinal hernia is not a myth in this combined approach, which provides a complementary benefit to each other and a total satisfaction to the patient. It is also cost-effective in the long run.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Effect of hexane extract of spirulina in the removal of arsenic from isolated liver tissues of rat.

The present study was conducted to investigate whether the active compound(s) of spirulina is present in its -- alcohol extract, hexane extract, DCM extract or in their residues. In phase I the accumulation of arsenic in isolated liver tissues of rat at different incubation period (15, 30, 45 minutes) was seen. In phase II arsenic-loaded liver tissues were incubated in presence and absence of alcohol extract, alcohol extraction residues, hexane extract, hexane extraction residues, DCM extract and DCM extraction residues of spirulina respectively. The percentage removal of arsenic from liver tissues by different extracts and residues of spirulina was estimated by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. In phase III arsenic-loaded liver tissues were incubated in presence and absence of different concentration of hexane extract of spirulina and the percentage removal of arsenic from liver tissues was estimated. This study showed that the accumulation of arsenic in isolated liver tissue was time dependent and highest accumulation found was 0.69 microg/g tissues after 45 minutes incubation, which was highly significant. The percentage removal of arsenic from arsenic loaded liver tissues by alcohol extract, alcohol extraction residues, hexane extract, hexane extraction residues, DCM extract, DCM extraction residues were 33.8%,4.4%,83.0%,10.2%,7.3% and 2.9%, respectively. The percentage removal of arsenic by hexane extract at the concentration of 1, 10, 100 microg were 13.2%, 29.4% and 89.7%, respectively. Among the different extracts and residues of spirulina the hexane extract causes highly significant (p<0.001) removal. In conclusion the present study suggests that the active compound(s) of spirulina is present mostly in its hexane extract.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Single-capillary Teorell oscillator--studies with nonelectrolytes.

It has been demonstrated that if in a Teorell oscillator, the membrane is replaced by a single capillary, the system behaves much better and becomes easily reproducible. It has also been demonstrated that oscillatory behavior in a Teorell-type setup is not limited to electrolytes; even nonelectrolytes can show oscillations. The only requirement seems to be that the nonelectrolyte should be capable of generating an electrical double layer in the capillary. This is the first report of a Teorell oscillator with a single capillary. Also, oscillations with nonelectrolytes in a Teorell-type setup have not been reported before.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2004

Natural radioactivity and radiation exposure in the high background area at Chhatrapur beach placer deposit of Orissa, India.

A high natural background radiation area is reported for the Chhatrapur beach placer deposit of Orissa state, on the southeastern coast of India, due to the presence of radiogenic heavy minerals. The average activity concentrations of radioactive elements 232Th, 238U and 40K were measured by gamma-ray spectrometry using a HPGe detector, and found to be 2500 +/-1850, 230 +/- 140 and 120 +/- 35 Bq kg-1, respectively, for the bulk sand samples. The absorbed gamma dose rates in air due to the naturally occurring radionuclides varied from 375 to 5000 nGy h-1, with an average value of 1625 +/- 1200 nGy h-1. The external annual effective dose rate of the region ranged from 0.46 to 6.12 mSv y-1, with an average value of 1625 +/- 1200 mSv y-1. The absorbed gamma dose rate levels of Chhatrapur beach area were similar to the monazite sand-bearing high background radiation areas of southern and southwestern coastal tracts of India and other similar areas of the world. The major contributors to the enhanced level of radiation are monazite and zircon sands.

Environmental Exposure↗
PubMed2004

Use of RAPD-PCR for genetic analysis of Nicobari fowl of Andamans.

1. The present study was conducted to estimate genetic relatedness among Nicobari fowls (Brown, Black and White) and an exotic bird (White Leghorn) using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) polymorphism. 2. A total of 25 decamer primers were screened among all the breeds of which 24 primers amplified the genomic DNA, generating 2000 to 200 bp bands. Ten primers generated reproducible and distinct RAPD profiles and were used for further analysis. 3. A total of 94 bands were amplified and 30 polymorphic bands (32%) were produced. The number of polymorphic loci ranged from 1 to 5 with an average of 3.0. 4. Among the native breeds Brown Nicobari showed higher genetic similarity (0.85) than Black Nicobari (0.80) and White Nicobari fowl (0.82). 5. Brown Nicobari showed high genetic similarity with Black Nicobari (0.87 +/- 0.029); least similarity was between White Nicobari and White Leghorn (0.77 +/- 0.028). 6. The RAPD profile of all Nicobari fowls on amplification with the primers PBG5 and PBA12 showed specific bands of molecular size 1050 and 785 bp, respectively. 7. The native breeds showed the least genetic distance with each other while White Leghorn appeared to be most distant from the native breeds.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Impact of topical oils on the skin barrier: possible implications for neonatal health in developing countries.

UNLABELLED: Topical therapy to enhance skin barrier function may be a simple, low-cost, effective strategy to improve outcome of preterm infants with a developmentally compromised epidermal barrier, as lipid constituents of topical products may act as a mechanical barrier and augment synthesis of barrier lipids. Natural oils are applied topically as part of a traditional oil massage to neonates in many developing countries. We sought to identify inexpensive, safe, vegetable oils available in developing countries that improved epidermal barrier function. The impact of oils on mouse epidermal barrier function (rate of transepidermal water loss over time following acute barrier disruption by tape-stripping) and ultrastructure was determined. A single application of sunflower seed oil significantly accelerated skin barrier recovery within 1 h; the effect was sustained 5 h after application. In contrast, the other vegetable oils tested (mustard, olive and soybean oils) all significantly delayed recovery of barrier function compared with control- or Aquaphor-treated skin. Twice-daily applications of mustard oil for 7 d resulted in sustained delay of barrier recovery. Moreover, adverse ultrastructural changes were seen under transmission electron microscopy in keratin intermediate filament, mitochondrial, nuclear, and nuclear envelope structure following a single application of mustard oil. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that topical application of linoleate-enriched oil such as sunflower seed oil might enhance skin barrier function and improve outcome in neonates with compromised barrier function. Mustard oil, used routinely in newborn care throughout South Asia, has toxic effects on the epidermal barrier that warrant further investigation.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed2001

Magic nucleus 132Sn and its one-neutron-hole neighbor 131Sn.

Prompt and delayed gamma-ray cascades in doubly magic 132Sn and its neighbor 131Sn have been studied at Gammasphere using a 248Cm fission source. Isotopic assignments of unknown gamma rays were based on coincidences with known transitions in A = 112-116 Pd fission partners. The yrast level spectra of both tin nuclei are interpreted using empirical nucleon-nucleon interactions from the 132Sn and 208Pb regions. Results include identification of the (nuf(7/2)h(-1)(11/2))9(+) aligned state in 132Sn and of extensive (nuf(7/2)h(-2)(11/2)), (nuf(7/2)d(-1)(3/2)h(-1)(11/2)) and (nuh(-1)(11/2)x3(-)) multiplets in 131Sn. The previously reported beta(-) decay of an unusual 131In high-spin isomer to levels in 131Sn is also elucidated.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2001

Nuclear polarization of hydrogen molecules from recombination of polarized atoms.

The nuclear polarization of H(2) molecules formed by recombination of polarized H atoms on a Cu surface was measured as a function of external magnetic field and of temperature of the surface. The proton polarization of the molecules was determined by scattering of a longitudinally polarized 203-MeV proton beam in the Indiana University Cyclotron Facility storage ring. The nuclear polarization of the molecules, relative to the polarization of the atoms before recombination, increased from near zero in a weak magnetic field to 0.42 +/- 0.02 in a 0.66 T field. A simple model of the relaxation accounts quantitatively for the observations.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2001

The effect of divorce on infant mortality in a remote area of Bangladesh.

The process of divorce is usually lengthy and hazardous, and can start quarrels that can lead to the abuse of women and their children. This study examines the effects of divorce on neonatal and postneonatal mortality of babies born before and after divorce in Teknaf, a remote area of Bangladesh. The longitudinal demographic surveillance system (DSS) followed 1,762 Muslim marriages in 1982-83 for 5 years to record divorce, deaths of spouse, emigration and births. It recorded 2,696 live births during the follow-up period, and their survival status during infancy. Logistic regression models were used to estimate the effect of divorce on neonatal and postneonatal mortality, controlling for maternal age at birth, parity, sex of the child and household economic status. The odds of neonatal and postneonatal deaths among babies born after divorce or less than 12 months before mothers were divorced were more than double the odds of those born to mothers of intact marriages. The odds of postneonatal deaths were two times higher among babies born more than 12 months before divorce happens than their peers. The high mortality of infants born before and after mothers were divorced may reflect how abusive marriage and divorce increase the vulnerability of women and children in rural Bangladesh. Divorce and abuse of women are difficult and intractable social and health problems that must be addressed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Typhoid fever in Bangladesh: implications for vaccination policy.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the age-specific distribution of typhoid fever including the degree of Salmonella typhi bacteremia among patients evaluated at a large private diagnostic center in Bangladesh, a highly endemic area. METHODS: We conducted a prospective-, passive- and laboratory-based study to identify patients with S. typhi bacteremia. Subjects (n = 4,650) from whom blood cultures were obtained during 16-month period were enrolled from private clinics and hospitals throughout Dhaka. Isolation and quantification of S. typhi from blood cultures were performed by the lysis direct plating/ centrifugation method. RESULTS: Bacterial pathogens were recovered from blood of 538 of 4,650 patients (11.6%) evaluated. S. typhi was the single most common pathogen recovered, comprising nearly three-fourths of isolates (72.7%; 391 of 538). Isolation rate of S. typhi was highest in monsoon and summer seasons and lowest in winter months. The majority (54.5%; 213 of 391) of S. typhi isolates were from children who were younger than 5 years, and 27% (105 of 391) were from children in the first 2 years of life. The isolation rate was highest (17.4%, 68 of 486) in the second year of life. The number of bacteria in blood on the basis of colony-forming units per ml of blood by age group was inversely related to age. CONCLUSIONS: Detection of S. typhi bacteremia in young children in Dhaka, Bangladesh, was considerably higher than previously appreciated, with a peak detection rate in children < or =2 years of age, indicating the need to reassess the age-specific burden of typhoid fever in the community on a regional basis. Contrary to current recommendations this study suggests that development of new vaccines should target infants and young children.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Rapid identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi isolated from blood: implications for therapy.

The turnaround time (TAT) for Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi identification and reporting of the antibiotic susceptibility profile was determined for 391 cases of typhoid fever, using the lysis direct plating or lysis centrifugation method of blood culture along with rapid antimicrobial susceptibility testing. The TAT was more rapid (TAT for 90% of the patients [TAT(90)] = 30 h; TAT(100) </= 67 h) than was possible with conventional methodologies and was equivalent to that reported previously using more advanced, costly technologies that are largely unavailable in developing countries. Antibiotic susceptibility profiles, determined by the rapid antimicrobial susceptibility testing method, of randomly selected 60 S. enterica serovar Typhi isolates were identical to those determined by overnight conventional testing. Preliminary assessment of the impact of the reduced TAT on physician practices revealed that initial empirical therapy was prescribed at the time of presentation in most cases (87 of 108 [81%]) despite awareness that the final report would be available on the following day. Patients treated empirically with first-line antibiotics and shown subsequently to be infected with a multidrug-resistant strain benefited most (8 cases), since therapy was changed appropriately on the following day. In an additional 21 cases, therapy with an appropriate antibiotic was initiated after culture results were available. Thus, in approximately one-fourth (29 of 108 [27%]) of the cases, a change in management to an agent active for treatment of the isolate was made after receipt of the test results. However, in no case was therapy changed from a second-line to a first-line agent, even if the isolate was reported on the day after presentation to be sensitive to first-line therapy (33 cases). Ways in which to utilize rapid-TAT result reporting in order to positively influence physicians' prescribing in Bangladesh are the subject of ongoing research.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Adaptive modification of membrane phospholipid fatty acid composition and metabolic thermosuppression of brown adipose tissue in heat-acclimated rats.

Thermogenesis, especially facultative thermogenesis by brown adipose tissue (BAT), is less important in high ambient temperature and the heat-acclimated animals show a lower metabolic rate. Adaptive changes in the metabolic activity of BAT are generally found to be associated with a modification of membrane phospholipid fatty acid composition. However, the effect of heat acclimation on membrane phospholipid fatty acid composition is as yet unknown. In this study, we examined the thermogenic activity and phospholipid fatty acid composition of interscapular BAT from heat-acclimated rats (control: 25+/-1 degrees C, 50% relative humidity and heat acclimation: 32+/-0.5 degrees C, 50% relative humidity). Basal thermogenesis and the total thermogenic capacity after noradrenaline stimulation, as estimated by in vitro oxygen consumption of BAT (measured polarographically using about 1-mm(3) tissue blocks), were smaller in the heat-acclimated group than in the control group. There was no difference in the tissue content of phospholipids between the groups when expressed per microgram of DNA. The phospholipid fatty acid composition was analyzed by a capillary gas chromatograph. The state of phospholipid unsaturation, as estimated by the number of double bonds per fatty acid molecule, was similar between the groups. The saturated fatty acid level was higher in the heat-acclimated group. Among the unsaturated fatty acids, heat acclimation decreased docosahexaenoic acid and oleic acid levels, and increased the arachidonic acid level. The tissue level of docosahexaenoic acid correlated with the basal oxygen consumption of BAT (r=0.6, P<0.01) and noradrenalinestimulated maximum values of oxygen consumption (r=0.5, P<0.05). Our results show that heat acclimation modifies the BAT phospholipid fatty acids, especially the n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid, which is possibly involved in the metabolic thermosuppression.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed2000

Ligating the cystic duct in laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND: In laparoscopic cholecystectomy, bile leak from the cystic duct stump is a recognised postoperative complication. This could be due to dislodgement of the metal clips. Migration of the clip is an added problem. METHODS: Since 1995, 70 patients were included in the study of intracorporeal cystic duct ligation in laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Construction of a ligature is a single handed procedure using a free end of the thread. It is quite different from the other two methods described in the literature. RESULTS: There was not a single case of postoperative morbidity in these patients, but in a retrospective study, postoperative biliary dyspepsia with fatty food was evident in a few patients among those cases in which the liga-clips were applied to the cystic duct. CONCLUSION: The cystic duct ligation with absorbable thread should be a gold standard in laparoscopic cholecystectomy. It reduces the risk of postoperative morbidity.

Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic↗
PubMed2000

Cation exchange separation of trace amounts of 203Hg and 181Hf.

A radiochemical method of separation of 203Hg from 181Hf is described. The method involves separation by Dowex 50W- X 8, 100-200 mesh, cation exchange resin using 1 M hydrochloric acid as the eluant. The chemical yield for the separation of mercury is > 85% and the decontamination factor is > 10(4). The 181Hf can be eluted from the column by 4 M HCl.

Adsorption↗
PubMed2000

Typhoid fever, ciprofloxacin and growth in young children.

Typhoid fever remains a significant public health problem in Southern Asia, particularly with the emergence of multi-resistant strains of Salmonella typhi in the late 1980s. Use of ciprofloxacin in children, although discouraged, is increasing and we aimed to assess whether its use affects growth or the prevalence of joint symptomology. Children under 6 years of age diagnosed as typhoid fever on the basis of a positive Widal test were recruited in the outpatient department of a paediatric teaching hospital after treatment had been initiated. During 6 months follow-up, prevalences of arthritis/arthralgia and ponderal, linear and knemometric growth were recorded. Seventy-five children were recruited (mean age 32 months, mean weight-for-height Z-score--1.3, mean height-for-age Z-score 1.4) and 29 (39%) of them received ciprofloxacin. No significant adverse effects on ponderal, linear or knemometric growth, or on the incidence of arthritis/arthralgia were found to be associated with the use of ciprofloxacin. Knemometric and ponderal catch-up growth was demonstrable 30 days after diagnosis but linear growth was still declining 3 months after diagnosis with catch-up growth demonstrable only after 6 months. We conclude that ciprofloxacin is commonly used in typhoid fever and has no adverse effects on growth or joint symptomology.

Anti-Infective Agents↗
PubMed2000

Nitric oxide and thermogenic function of brown adipose tissue in rats.

To clarify the effects of cold acclimation and immobilization stress adaptation of rats on nitric oxide (NO) activity in interscapular brown adipose tissue (BAT), we incubated neatly diced (1-mm(3) blocks) BAT in a metabolic chamber for respiration, measured oxygen consumption using a Clark electrode, and estimated NO release in the buffer medium by measuring nitrite plus nitrate (NO(x)) using the Griess method (diazotization reaction). The production of NO(x) in the buffer medium confirmed that BAT releases NO, as there is no other source of NO(x) in the system. The NO activity was observed in the basal condition and increased with noradrenaline stimulation, showing a correlation with oxygen consumption in the warm (25 degrees C)-acclimated control rats. Cold acclimation (5 degrees C, 5 weeks) or immobilization stress adaptation (3 h daily, 25 degrees C, 5 weeks) caused enhanced NO activity in the basal condition in comparison with the control. We suggest that NO is involved in enhancement of the thermogenic functions of BAT in rats.

Acclimatization↗
PubMed1999

The location of active site opening and closing events in the prehydride transfer phase of the oxidative deamination reaction catalyzed by bovine liver glutamate dehydrogenase using a novel pH jump approach.

A pH jump approach has been developed and used to locate the opening and closing events occurring in the time course of the beef liver glutamate dehydrogenase catalyzed reaction. A comparison of the pH jump results, the resolved component time courses, and the 340 nm fluorescence signal suggests the existence and location on the reaction time course of a previously unreported prehydride transfer complex.

Animals↗