Biomedical subjects

S Sen

Publications and source records attributed to S Sen.

562 records · Page 32Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

Iodine deficiency disorders among school children of Dakshin Dinajpur District, West Bengal.

Iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) are major public health problems in India, including West Bengal. Existing programme to control IDD needs to be continuously monitored through recommended methods and indicators. Thus we undertook the study to assess the prevalence of goiter, status of urinary iodine excretion (UIE) level and to estimate iodine content of salts at the household level in Dakshin Dinajpur district, West Bengal. We conducted a community-based, cross-sectional study in 2004; among 2250 school children, aged 8-10 years. The '30 cluster' sampling methodology and indicators for assessment of IDD, as recommended by the joint WHO/UNICEF/ICCIDD consultation, were used for the study. Goitre was assessed by standard palpation technique, UIE was analyzed by wet digestion method and salt samples were tested by spot iodine testing kit. Of the 2250 children, 419 (18.6%) had goitre (95% CI = 17.0 - 20.2%). Total goitre rate (TGR) was not significantly different in respect of gender, age and religion. Visible goitre rate was 2.5%. Median urinary iodine excretion level was 16 mcg/dL (normal: > or = 10 mcg/dl.) and 16.5% children had value less than 5 mcg/dL. Only 67.4% of the salt samples tested had adequate iodine content of > or = 15 ppm, with significant difference between Hindus and Muslims (chi2 = 12.68, d.f. = 1, p < 0.01). TGR of 18.6% indicate the district is still endemic for IDD, but median urinary iodine within normal range reflects no current iodine deficiency. The district is in the transition phase from iodine-deficient to iodine-sufficient. Measures are to be sustained for successful transition towards elimination.

Child↗

PubMedDate not supplied

CGS 13945: a new orally active angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor in normal volunteers.

The new converting enzyme inhibitor CGS 13945 was evaluated in 14 male volunteers. The study consisted of two parts. First, the capacity of a single oral dose (10, 20, 50, 100, 250, or 500 mg) to inhibit the pressor response to exogenous angiotensin I was tested, with blood pressure and heart rate monitored continuously through an intra-arterial catheter. The 250-mg and particularly the 500-mg dose markedly reduced the pressor response to angiotensin I within 1/2 h and for a period exceeding 4 h. There was a close correlation between the pressor response to angiotensin I and plasma converting enzyme activity. In a second part, plasma renin and converting enzyme activity, angiotensin I and II, and plasma aldosterone were measured serially before and up to 48 h after oral administration of either 250 or 500 mg of CGS 13945 to six volunteers each. As expected, plasma renin activity and angiotensin I levels rose, while plasma converting enzyme activity and angiotensin II and aldosterone levels fell within 1/2 h. Twenty-four hours following administration of 500 mg CGS 13945, plasma converting enzyme had not quite returned to base line. No side effects were observed. CGS 13945 seems less potent than previously studied converting enzyme inhibitors, but equally effective and relatively long acting.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Rearrangement of chromosome band 11q13 in HeLa cells.

Previous somatic cell genetic and molecular genetic studies have localized the Hela cell tumor suppressor gene to the long arm of chromosome 11. To determine if loss of heterozygosity has occurred for the inactivation of the tumor suppressor gene, we investigated the molecular status of chromosome 11 in the HeLa cells. The restriction fragment length polymorphic (RFLP) analysis of four different HeLa sublines showed retention of heterozygosity for the long and short arm specific probes in three of the sublines. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) studies using whole chromosome painting probes identified 11 material in a marker chromosome in addition to the two normal appearing 11's in these three cell lines. The fourth cell line contained only two 11's. This cell line had lost the 11 material from the marker chromosome. Both molecular and karyotypic analyses indicated q13 as the common site of rearrangement in the derivation of these marker chromosomes. We therefore conclude that 11q13 rearrangement could contribute to the abnormal growth behaviour of HeLa cells in vivo and/or in vitro.

Alleles↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Management of foreign bodies of the upper gastrointestinal tract.

The use of flexible endoscopes had made removal of foreign bodies in the upper gastrointestinal tract easier and safer. We describe our experience of 49 cases of foreign bodies of the upper gastrointestinal tract. Majority (67%) of the patients were children and only 4 patients (8%) were above 45 years of age. The most common foreign bodies encountered were coins (25), fruit stones (4) and dentures (3). In 29 patients foreign bodies were lodged in the oesophagus and in 15 cases in the stomach. Forty one patients were considered for endoscopic removal of the foreign bodies and 40 could be managed successfully. There were no procedure related complications. We conclude that endoscopic removal of the foreign bodies of the upper gastrointestinal tract is a safe and effective technique.

Adolescent↗