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Sujon H, Biswas TK, Chowdhury A, Chowdhury ME. Medical Waste Management: An Assessment of District-Level Public Health Facilities in Bangladesh. Cureus 2022; 14:e24830. [PMID: 35693375 PMCID: PMC9173732 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.24830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Due to the huge patient load and different types of services, public health facilities produce a bulk of medical waste (MW) in Bangladesh. Improper disposal of MW increases the risk of infection among healthcare service personnel, patients, and attendants. To ensure quality services, this study aimed to assess the practices of MW management and quantify those to find out the shortcomings in the specific steps of waste management. Methodology As part of a larger interventional study, a facility assessment was conducted from February to April 2016 at a District Hospital (DH) and a Mother and Child Welfare Centre (MCWC) in one district. Non-participatory observation of MW management was done using a checklist that was developed following the Guideline for Medical Waste Management of Bangladesh. Scoring was applied for various activities of MW management performed in the study facilities. Results The overall scores for bin management, segregation, and collection of waste were 64.5%, 58.1%, and 62.0% in DH and 53.1%, 41.5%, and 48.0% in MCWC, respectively. The performance of operation theater in MCWC was the lowest among different corners (16.7% to 36.0%). Reusable waste was segregated poorly (32% in DH and 0% in MCWC), and almost none was shredded (4% in DH and 0% in MCWC). Waste was transported from in-house to out-house temporary storage area in an open bin without any trolley or specific route. The storage area was accessible to unauthorized persons, for example, a waste picker in DH. While DH segregated 84% of its infectious waste at the source, it eventually got mixed up with other waste in the storage area and delivered to the municipality to be dumped. MCWC could segregate only 40% of its infectious waste at the source and disposed of them using the pit method. Both the facilities disposed of sharp MW by open-air burning and liquid waste through sewerage without any treatment. Conclusions The performance of MW management was poor in both study facilities. Advocacy to the healthcare personnel and refresher training along with supportive supervision and monitoring may improve the situation. Moreover, a larger study is needed to find out the reasons behind such poor MW management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hasnat Sujon
- Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Dhaka, BGD
- Health System and Population Studies Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh, Dhaka, BGD
| | - Taposh Kumar Biswas
- Health System and Population Studies Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh, Dhaka, BGD
| | - Aklima Chowdhury
- Health System and Population Studies Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh, Dhaka, BGD
| | - Mahbub Elahi Chowdhury
- Health System and Population Studies Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh, Dhaka, BGD
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Dutta GK, Sarker BK, Ahmed HU, Bhattacharyya DS, Rahman MM, Majumder R, Biswas TK. Mental healthcare-seeking behavior during the perinatal period among women in rural Bangladesh. BMC Health Serv Res 2022; 22:310. [PMID: 35255914 PMCID: PMC8900444 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-07678-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Mental health conditions are of rising concern due to their increased contribution to the global burden of disease. Mental health issues are inextricably linked with other socio-cultural and health dimensions, especially in the rural areas in developing countries. The complex relationship between mental health issues and socio-cultural settings may largely toll upon healthcare-seeking behavior. So, it urges to document the current status of mental healthcare-seeking behavior during the perinatal period among rural women in Bangladesh to develop a context-specific intervention in the future. METHODS This study was carried out in one sub-district in Bangladesh from April 2017 to June 2018. We conducted 21 In-depth Interviews (IDIs) and seven Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with different groups of purposively selected participants. After collecting the recorded interview and making the verbatim transcription, the data were coded through Atlasti 5.7.a. Data were analyzed thematically to interpret the findings. RESULTS Two-thirds of the total respondents did not seek mental healthcare during the perinatal period at the community level. They also did not know about the mental health service provider or the facility to get set these services. Only one respondent out of twenty-one sought maternal mental healthcare from a gynecologist from a private hospital. Socio-cultural factors such as social stigma, traditional beliefs and practices, social and religious taboos, and social capital negatively influence healthcare-seeking behaviors. Besides, the community-level service providers were not found to be adequately trained and did not have proper guidelines regarding its management. CONCLUSION The findings provide evidence that there is an urgent need to increase the awareness for service users and formulate a guideline for the community-level service provider to manage maternal mental problems during the perinatal period of women in rural Bangladesh.
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Affiliation(s)
- Goutam Kumar Dutta
- icddr,b, 68 Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Sarani, Mohakhali, Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh.
| | | | | | | | - Md Musfikur Rahman
- icddr,b, 68 Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Sarani, Mohakhali, Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Ratna Majumder
- Maternal and Child Health Training Institute, 1205, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Taposh Kumar Biswas
- icddr,b, 68 Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Sarani, Mohakhali, Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh
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Biswas TK, Begum AA, Akther S, Rahman MH, Perry HB, Jones HE, Chowdhury ME. A newly developed tool for measuring the availability of human resources for emergency obstetric and newborn care services: prospective analytic study in two district-level public facilities in Bangladesh. BMC Health Serv Res 2018; 18:688. [PMID: 30180827 PMCID: PMC6124004 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-018-3511-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2016] [Accepted: 08/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In Bangladesh, while the infrastructure of public health facilities to provide maternal and newborn care services is adequate, services are not always available due to insufficient staffing. A human resource availability index for health facilities is needed for monitoring and advocacy. This study aimed to develop indices for measuring the availability of different types of human resources to provide round-the-clock emergency obstetric and newborn care (EmONC) service at district-level public facilities. METHODS As part of a larger intervention study, 30 days of prospective observation of providers was done at a district hospital (DH) and a mother and child welfare centre (MCWC) in one district of Bangladesh using checklists. A scoring system was developed to create an index to quantify the availability of providers for maternal and newborn care. RESULTS Based on the newly developed index, medical doctors in the emergency department of the DH were 100% available, but ranged from 27 to 41% availability in the obstetrics/gynecology (ob/gyn) and pediatric wards. In MCWC, the corresponding indices ranged from 32 to 36%. In the DH, the availability of nurses in the ob/gyn ward (96%) was relatively better than in the pediatric ward (65%) but that in operation theatre was only 31%. In the MCWC, the index for the presence of a paramedic or nursing aid was 82% in the ob/gyn ward and 63% in the operation theatre. However, the availability scores of facility support staff for maintenance and security were generally high (over 90%) in both facilities. CONCLUSIONS Our newly developed index on availability of providers demonstrated huge gaps in availability of providers in evening and night shifts in most of the disciplines in the study facilities. This provider availability index is easy to create and can be used as a meaningful tool to quantify gaps in human resources by type in various types of district-level health facilities. Further studies are needed for adaptation of this tool in different types of health facilities and to assess its implication as an advocacy tool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taposh Kumar Biswas
- Health Systems and Population Studies Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), 68 Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Sarani, Mohakhali, Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Anjuman Ara Begum
- Health Systems and Population Studies Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), 68 Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Sarani, Mohakhali, Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Shamima Akther
- Health Systems and Population Studies Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), 68 Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Sarani, Mohakhali, Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh
| | - M Hafizur Rahman
- Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Henry B Perry
- Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Heidi E Jones
- CUNY Graduate School of Public Health & Health Policy, New York, USA
| | - Mahbub Elahi Chowdhury
- Health Systems and Population Studies Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), 68 Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Sarani, Mohakhali, Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh.
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Biswas TK, Shenoi AS. A Case of Charcot–Marie–Tooth Disease with Marfanoid Features. MGM Journal of Medical Sciences 2018. [DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-10036-1204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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Krishnan G, Paul V, Biswas TK, Chouhan VS, Das PJ, Sejian V. Adaptation strategies of yak to seasonally driven environmental temperatures in its natural habitat. Int J Biometeorol 2018; 62:1497-1506. [PMID: 29728761 DOI: 10.1007/s00484-018-1549-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2017] [Revised: 04/09/2018] [Accepted: 04/16/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The gradual increase of ambient temperature (TA) at high altitude can cause heat stress as an effect of climate change and may shift the traditional habitat of yak to further higher altitude. Therefore, an attempt has been made in this study to evaluate the thermo-adaptability of yaks to different seasons at high altitude. The adaptive capabilities of yaks were assessed based on different heat tolerance tests in relation to changes in rectal temperature (RT; °F), respiration rate (RR; breaths/min), pulse rate (PR; beats/min), and plasma heat shock protein (HSP) profile. The experiment was conducted in 24 yaks, divided into three groups based on age as calf (n = 8), adult (n = 8), and lactating cow (n = 8). Thermal adaptability was determined by temperature humidity index (THI), dairy search index (DSI), and Benezra's thermal comfort index (BTCI) along with HSP70 profile. The THI was higher (P < 0.01) in summer than winter which increased from lowest (40.87) to highest (61.03) in summer by 20 points, where yaks were under heat load beyond THI 52. The RT (100.09 ± 0.18 °F), RR (21.76 ± 0.18), and PR (59.78 ± 0.32) increased by 23-35%, and this was correlated to the higher values of DSI exceeding 1 in calves (1.35 ± 0.03), lactating cows (1.29 ± 0.04), and adults (1.23 ± 0.32) during summer in comparison to winter (0.98 ± 0.02). The BTCI also showed values greater (P < 0.01) than 2 in calves (3.47 ± 0.27), lactating cows (3.23 ± 0.28), and adults (2.98 ± 0.29) which reflected 49-75% increase in rectal temperature and respiration rate during summer. Further, heat stress was substantiated by threefold higher (P < 0.01) level of plasma HSP70 in calves (189.61 ± 3.90 pg/ml) followed by lactating cows (168.62 ± 3.03 pg/ml) and adults (155.33 ± 2.30 pg/ml) against the winter average of 87.92 ± 3.19 pg/ml. Present results revealed that yaks were experiencing heat stress in summer at an altitude of 3000 m above sea level and calves were more prone to heat stress followed by lactating cows and adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Krishnan
- ICAR-National Research Centre on Yak, Dirang, Arunachal Pradesh, India.
- Animal Physiology Division, ICAR-National Institute of Animal Nutrition & Physiology, Adugodi, Bangalore, 560030, India.
| | - V Paul
- ICAR-National Research Centre on Yak, Dirang, Arunachal Pradesh, India
| | - T K Biswas
- ICAR-National Research Centre on Yak, Dirang, Arunachal Pradesh, India
| | - V S Chouhan
- ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, India
| | - P J Das
- ICAR-National Research Centre on Pig, Guwahati, India
| | - V Sejian
- Animal Physiology Division, ICAR-National Institute of Animal Nutrition & Physiology, Adugodi, Bangalore, 560030, India
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Singh K, Brodish P, Chowdhury ME, Biswas TK, Kim ET, Godwin C, Moran A. Postnatal care for newborns in Bangladesh: The importance of health-related factors and location. J Glob Health 2018; 7:020507. [PMID: 29423184 PMCID: PMC5785870 DOI: 10.7189/jogh.07.020507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Bangladesh achieved Millennium Development Goal 4, a two thirds reduction in under-five mortality from 1990 to 2015. However neonatal mortality remains high, and neonatal deaths now account for 62% of under-five deaths in Bangladesh. The objective of this paper is to understand which newborns in Bangladesh are receiving postnatal care (PNC), a set of interventions with the potential to reduce neonatal mortality. Methods Using data from the Bangladesh Maternal Mortality Survey (BMMS) 2010 we conducted logistic regression analysis to understand what socio-economic and health-related factors were associated with early postnatal care (PNC) by day 2 and PNC by day 7. Key variables studied were maternal complications (during pregnancy, delivery or after delivery) and contact with the health care system (receipt of any antenatal care, place of delivery and type of delivery attendant). Using data from the BMMS 2010 and an Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care (EmONC) 2012 needs assessment, we also presented descriptive maps of PNC coverage overlaid with neonatal mortality rates. Results There were several significant findings from the regression analysis. Newborns of mothers having a skilled delivery were significantly more likely to receive PNC (Day 7: OR = 2.16, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.81, 2.58; Day 2: OR = 2.11, 95% 95% CI 1.76). Newborns of mothers who reported a complication were also significantly more likely to receive PNC with odds ratios varying between 1.3 and 1.6 for complications at the different points along the continuum of care. Urban residence and greater wealth were also significantly associated with PNC. The maps provided visual images of wide variation in PNC coverage and indicated that districts with the highest PNC coverage, did not necessarily have the lowest neonatal mortality rates. Conclusion Newborns of mothers who had a skilled delivery or who experienced a complication were more likely to receive PNC than newborns of mothers with a home delivery or who did not report a complication. Given that the majority of women in Bangladesh have a home delivery, strategies are needed to reach their newborns with PNC. Greater focus is also needed to reach poor women in rural areas. Engaging community health workers to conduct home PNC visits may be an interim strategy as Bangladesh strives to increase skilled delivery coverage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kavita Singh
- MEASURE Evaluation/Carolina Population Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.,Department of Maternal and Child Health, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Paul Brodish
- MEASURE Evaluation/Carolina Population Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Mahbub Elahi Chowdhury
- International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Taposh Kumar Biswas
- International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Eunsoo Timothy Kim
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Christine Godwin
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Allisyn Moran
- Global Health Fellows Program II, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Washington, D.C., USA, and Abuja, Nigeria
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Roy L, Biswas TK, Chowdhury ME. Emergency obstetric and newborn care signal functions in public and private facilities in Bangladesh. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0187238. [PMID: 29091965 PMCID: PMC5665531 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0187238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2017] [Accepted: 09/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Signal functions for emergency obstetric and newborn care (EmONC) are the major interventions for averting maternal and neonatal mortalities. Readiness of the facilities is essential to provide all the basic and comprehensive signal functions for EmONC to ensure emergency services from the designated facilities. The study assessed population coverage and availability of EmONC services in public and private facilities in Bangladesh. Methods An assessment was conducted in all the public and private facilities providing obstetric care in to in-patients 24 districts. Data were collected on the performance of signal functions for EmONC from the study facilities in the last three months prior to the date of assessment. Trained data-collectors interviewed the facility managers and key service providers, along with review of records, using contextualized tools. Population coverage of signal functions was assessed by estimating the number of facilities providing the signal functions for EmONC compared to the United Nations requirements. Availability was assessed in terms of the proportion of facilities providing the services by type of facilities and by district. Results Caesarean section (CS) delivery and blood transfusion (BT) services (the two major components of comprehensive EmONC) were respectively available in 6.4 (0.9 public and 5.5 private) and 5.6 (1.3 public and 4.3 private) facilities per 500,000 population. The signal functions for basic EmONC, except two (parental anticonvulsants and assisted vaginal delivery), were available in a minimum of 5 facilities (public and private sectors combined) per 500,000 population. A major inter-district variation in the availability of signal functions was observed in each public- and private-sector facility. Among the various types of facilities, only the public medical college hospitals had all the signal functions. The situation was poor in other public facilities at the district and sub-district levels as well as in private facilities. Conclusions In the public sector, CS delivery and BT services were available in the minimum required number of facilities. However, to ensure basic EmONC services, participation of the private sector is necessary. Public-private partnership should be promoted for nationwide coverage of signal functions for EmONC in Bangladesh.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lumbini Roy
- Health Systems and Population Studies Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Taposh Kumar Biswas
- Maternal and Child Health Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Mahbub Elahi Chowdhury
- Health Systems and Population Studies Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka, Bangladesh
- * E-mail:
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Parkunan T, Das AK, Banerjee D, Mohanty N, Paul A, Nanda PK, Biswas TK, Naskar S, Bag S, Sarkar M, Mohan NH, Das BC. Changes in expression of monocarboxylate transporters, heat shock proteins and meat quality of Large White Yorkshire and Ghungroo pigs during hot summer period. Asian-Australas J Anim Sci 2016; 30:246-253. [PMID: 27221251 PMCID: PMC5205613 DOI: 10.5713/ajas.16.0020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2016] [Revised: 03/22/2016] [Accepted: 05/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Present study explores the effect of hot summer period on the glycolytic rate of early post-mortem meat quality of Ghungroo and Large White Yorkshire (LWY) pig and comparative adaptability to high temperature between above breeds by shifting the expression of stress related genes like mono-carboxylate transporters (MCTs) and heat shock proteins (HSPs). METHODS Healthy pigs of two different breeds, viz., LYW and Ghungroo (20 from each) were maintained during hot summer period (May to June) with a mean temperature of about 38°C. The pigs were slaughtered and meat samples from the longissimus dorsi (LD) muscles were analyzed for pH, glycogen and lactate content and mRNA expression. Following 24 h of chilling, LD muscle was also taken from the carcasses to evaluate protein solubility and different meat quality measurements. RESULTS LWY exhibited significantly (p<0.01) higher plasma cortisol and lactate dehydrogenase concentration than Ghungroo indicating their higher sensitivity to high temperature. LD muscle from LWY pigs revealed lower initial and ultimate pH values and higher drip loss compared to Ghungroo, indicating a faster rate of pH fall. LD muscle of Ghungroo had significantly lower lactate content at 45 min postmortem indicating normal postmortem glycolysis and much slower glycolytic rate at early postmortem. LD muscle of LWY showed rapid postmortem glycolysis, higher drip loss and higher degrees of protein denaturation. Ghungroo exhibited slightly better water holding capacity, lower cooking loss and higher protein solubility. All HSPs (HSP27, HSP70, and HSP90) and MCTs (MCT1, MCT2, and MCT4) in the LD muscle of pigs inclined to increase more in Ghungroo than LWY when exposed to high temperature. CONCLUSION Effect of high temperature on the variation of HSPs and MCTs may play a crucial role in thermal tolerance and adaptation to different climatic conditions, pH regulation, muscle acidification, drip loss, protein denaturation and also in postmortem meat quality development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thulasiraman Parkunan
- Department of Veterinary Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Kolkata 700 037, India
| | - Arun K Das
- Eastern Regional Station, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Kolkata-700037, India
| | - Dipak Banerjee
- Department of Veterinary Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Kolkata 700 037, India
| | - Niharika Mohanty
- Eastern Regional Station, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Kolkata-700037, India
| | - Avishek Paul
- Physiology & Climatology Division, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly, UP 243 122, India
| | - P K Nanda
- Eastern Regional Station, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Kolkata-700037, India
| | - T K Biswas
- Eastern Regional Station, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Kolkata-700037, India
| | - Syamal Naskar
- Eastern Regional Station, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Kolkata-700037, India
| | - Sadhan Bag
- Physiology & Climatology Division, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly, UP 243 122, India
| | - Mihir Sarkar
- Physiology & Climatology Division, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly, UP 243 122, India
| | - Narayana H Mohan
- National Research Centre on Pig, Rani Road, Guwahati, Assam 781131, India
| | - Bikash Chandra Das
- Eastern Regional Station, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Kolkata-700037, India
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Thakkar M, Biswas TK, Desle HB. Hypokalemic periodic paralysis, facial dysmorphism and ventricular arrhythmia (clinical triad of Andersen-Tawil syndrome). J Assoc Physicians India 2012; 60:56-58. [PMID: 23767205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Andersen-Tawil Syndrome (ATS) is a rare potassium channel disorder, characterized by episodic weakness, ventricular arrhythmias and dysmorphic features (short stature, scoliosis, clinodactyly, hypertelorism, small or prominent low set ears, micrognathia and broad forehead). We report a case of hypokalemic periodic paralysis with dysmorphic facial features and ventricular arrhythmia resembling Andersen-Tawil syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitesh Thakkar
- MGM Medical College and Hospital, Kamothe, Sector 18, Navi Mumbai
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Bandyopadhyay S, Sasmal D, Biswas TK, Samanta I, Ghosh MK. Serological evidence of antibodies against Chlamydophila abortus in free-ranging yak (Poephagus grunniens) in Arunachal Pradesh, India. REV SCI TECH OIE 2010; 28:1051-5. [PMID: 20462163 DOI: 10.20506/rst.28.3.1948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Serum samples were randomly collected from 172 free-ranging yak (Poephagus grunniens, presently Bos grunniens) from six different yak tracts of Arunachal Pradesh, India, and subjected to enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to detect the presence of specific antibodies against Chlamydophila abortus. The overall prevalence of this disease in yak was 35%. The prevalence of Cp. abortus-specific antibodies was significantly higher in yak cows (41%) than among bulls (25%). The highest prevalence (39%: 95% confidence interval [Cl] = 27, 55) was found in yak between one and three years of age, while the lowest prevalence (20%: 95% CI = 10, 41) was reported in yak below one year of age.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Bandyopadhyay
- National Research Centre on Yak, Dirang, 790 101, Arunachal Pradesh, India.
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Bandyopadhyay S, Chakraborty D, Sarkar T, Pal B, Sasmal D, Biswas TK, Ghosh MK, Sarkar M. A serological survey of antibodies against bovine herpesvirus-1 in yak (Poephagus grunniens) in Arunachal Pradesh in India. REV SCI TECH OIE 2010; 28:1045-50. [PMID: 20462162 DOI: 10.20506/rst.28.3.1949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Serum samples were collected from 254 yak (Poephagus grunniens, presently Bos grunniens) in different yak tracts of India. These samples were then screened by virus neutralisation test (VNT) and avidin-biotin enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (AB-ELISA) to study the seroprevalence of antibodies against bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BHV-1). The overall seroprevalence in yak was found to be 41% (105) by VNT and AB-ELISA. The sex of the animal, whether it was on a farm or free-ranging and the location of the different yak tracts did not seem to have any effect on seroprevalence. However, seroprevalence was found to increase with the age of the animals, being highest in yak older than three years of age (49%). Yak generally share feeding, watering and grazing areas with other domestic and wild animals and this common ecological niche is thought to be a possible avenue of infection. This is the first time that the seroprevalence of antibodies against BHV-1 has been studied in yak in India.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Bandyopadhyay
- National Research Centre on Yak, Dirang, 790101, Arunachal Pradesh, India.
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Biswas TK, Pandit S, Mondal S, Biswas SK, Jana U, Ghosh T, Tripathi PC, Debnath PK, Auddy RG, Auddy B. Clinical evaluation of spermatogenic activity of processed Shilajit in oligospermia. Andrologia 2010; 42:48-56. [PMID: 20078516 DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0272.2009.00956.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The safety and spermatogenic activity of processed Shilajit (PS) were evaluated in oligospermic patients. Initially, 60 infertile male patients were assessed and those having total sperm counts below 20 million ml(-1) semen were considered oligospermic and enrolled in the study (n = 35). PS capsule (100 mg) was administered twice daily after major meals for 90 days. Total semenogram and serum testosterone, luteinising hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone were estimated before and at the end of the treatment. Malondialdehyde (MDA), a marker for oxidative stress, content of semen and biochemical parameters for safety were also evaluated. Twenty-eight patients who completed the treatment showed significant (P < 0.001) improvement in spermia (+37.6%), total sperm count (+61.4%), motility (12.4-17.4% after different time intervals), normal sperm count (+18.9%) with concomitant decrease in pus and epithelial cell count compared with baseline value. Significant decrease of semen MDA content (-18.7%) was observed. Moreover, serum testosterone (+23.5%; P < 0.001) and FSH (+9.4%; P < 0.05) levels significantly increased. HPLC chromatogram revealed inclusion of PS constituents in semen. Unaltered hepatic and renal profiles of patients indicated that PS was safe at the given dose. The present findings provide further evidence of the spermatogenic nature of Shilajit, as attributed in Ayurvedic medicine, particularly when administered as PS.
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Affiliation(s)
- T K Biswas
- J. B. Roy State Ayurvedic Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata, India.
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Affiliation(s)
- T K Biswas
- Department of Pharmacology, B.C. Roy Post Graduate Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, 244 B, Acharya J. C. Bose Road, Calcutta 700020, India
| | - S Bandyopadhyay
- Department of Pharmacology, B.C. Roy Post Graduate Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, 244 B, Acharya J. C. Bose Road, Calcutta 700020, India
| | - Biswapati Mukherjee
- Department of Pharmacology, B.C. Roy Post Graduate Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, 244 B, Acharya J. C. Bose Road, Calcutta 700020, India
| | - Bhaswar Mukherjee
- Department of Physiology, Surendra Nath College, 24/2 M. G. Road, Calcutta 700009, India
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Biswas TK, Auddy B, Bhattacharya NP, Bhattacharya S, Mukherjee B. Wound healing activity of human placental extracts in rats. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2001; 22:1113-6. [PMID: 11749810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM To study wound healing activity of the human placental extract (HPE) in rats. METHODS Full thickness wounds were inflicted on depilated dorsum of Charles foster rats with 8 mm Acu-punch biopsy. The HPE was applied both at topical and im routes (2.5 mL/kg). Effects were compared on the basis of physical criteria, biochemical criteria, and histopathological study with respect to untreated control, vehicle control (1.5 % benzyl alcohol), and framycetin topical treated groups. RESULTS Significant lowering of wound size (P<0.05), wound index (P<0.05), and number of days required for complete healing (P<0.01); significant gain in tensile strength (P<0.01); appreciable increase of tissue DNA, total protein, and collagenesis were observed in HPE treated group. CONCLUSION Human placental extract systematically helps collagenesis leading to potent healing of wounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- T K Biswas
- SN Pradhan Centre for Neurosciences, Dr BC Roy Postgraduate Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Calcutta 700020, India
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Biswas TK, Getz GS. The single amino acid changes in the yeast mitochondrial S4 ribosomal protein cause temperature-sensitive defect in the accumulation of mitochondrial 15S rRNA. Biochemistry 1999; 38:13042-54. [PMID: 10529174 DOI: 10.1021/bi990058u] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Four different mutant alleles of a nuclear gene (MNA6), which lose mt 15S rRNA at nonpermissive temperature (36 degrees C), were previously generated by EMS mutagenesis of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. To understand the biochemical basis for the loss of 15S rRNA in these mutants, the wild-type and mutant alleles of the MNA6 gene were isolated and characterized. The DNA sequencing of the cloned MNA6 gene revealed that it has an open reading frame specifying a 486 amino acid polypeptide, which appears to be a yeast mt homologue of the S4 r-protein family. The large size of this yeast S4 homologue is due to a nonhomologous long C-terminal extension. The MNA6 gene also appeared to be identical to the previously isolated yeast NAM9 gene. The in vitro expression under coupled transcription-translation reaction conditions followed by mt import demonstrated that MNA6 indeed encodes a approximately 56 kDa protein targeted to the mitochondria. We have also demonstrated by Western blot analysis using anti-Mna6p antibody that Mna6p is associated with the small subunit of mitoribosomes. The sequence analysis of the four mutant mna6 alleles revealed that Leu(109) --> Phe, Arg(111) --> Lys, Pro(424) --> Leu, or Pro(438) --> Leu amino acid substitution in Mna6p causes temperature-dependent loss of the 15S rRNA. These mutations do not affect the mitochondrial import or accumulation of Mna6p. Rather the evidence points to an inability of mutant Mna6p to be assembled into the mitoribosomes of cells grown at 36 degrees C.
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Affiliation(s)
- T K Biswas
- Department of Pathology, University of Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA.
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Abstract
The highly conserved nonanucleotide (5'-TATAAGTAA[+2]) promoter sequence dictates initiation of gene-specific transcription by the mitochondrial (mt) RNA polymerase in yeast mitochondria. However, transcriptional efficiency of the nonanucleotide promoter in different mt genes varies severalfold. To explore the regulatory role of the promoter-proximal template sequence in mt transcription, different deletion, nucleotide (nt) substitution, and tandem promoter constructs were analyzed under in vitro transcription reaction conditions. It has been found that the conserved nonanucleotide promoter plus more than 9 nt of nonconserved sequence 3' to the promoter were absolutely essential for mt gene-specific transcription. In addition, approximately 300 nt of nonspecific DNA sequence 5' to the promoter was also important for efficient transcription. Interestingly, introduction of consecutive T residues in the early transcribed sequence of the template strongly inhibited mt transcription at low nt concentrations (i.e., 5 microM UTP). In contrast, neither other nt clusters nor a bacterial terminator-like sequences at that location inhibited mt transcription. Under the nonproductive reaction conditions, the full-length transcript from the mt polyT template was drastically reduced with the formation of several short abortive oligoribonucleotides. These results suggest that the transcriptional efficacy of the yeast mt promoter is influenced by sequence 3' to the promoter.
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Affiliation(s)
- T K Biswas
- Department of Pathology, University of Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA.
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Pandit S, Biswas TK, Debnath PK, Saha AV, Chowdhury U, Shaw BP, Sen S, Mukherjee B. Chemical and pharmacological evaluation of different ayurvedic preparations of iron. J Ethnopharmacol 1999; 65:149-156. [PMID: 10465655 DOI: 10.1016/s0378-8741(99)00003-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Ayurvedic preparations of metallic iron commonly categorised as different 'putas' of 'Louha Bhasma' was chemically analysed and pharmacologically investigated in iron deficiency anemia. Atomic absorption spectral (AAS) study of different putas of Louha Bhasma revealed the presence of various proportions of important metals along with varied concentration of iron in it. The effect of a representative puta viz. 50 puta of Louha Bhasma in the management of agar gel diet and phlebotomy induced iron deficiency anemia in animal model was found to be statistically highly significant (P < 0.001) in comparison to the control and standard drug Fefol treated groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Pandit
- Department of Kayachikitsa, Inst. of Post-graduate Ayurvedic Education & Research, Calcutta, India
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Abstract
Prior work has demonstrated that a conserved nonanucleotide [5'-TATAAGTAA(+2)] promoter sequence is used by the mitochondrial [mt]1 RNA polymerase in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. However, the highly AT-rich yeast mt genome carries many other promoter-like sequences, but only a fraction of them are involved in gene-specific transcription. To examine the sequence variability of this nonanucleotide promoter motif, single or multiple nt substitutions were introduced into the canonical promoter sequence. The transcriptional activity of these altered promoter sequences was examined under the in-vitro reaction conditions. The results presented here determined that several variant promoter sequences (i. e. TAAAAGTAA, TATAAGAAA, TATAAGTAG, TATAAGAAG, TATAAGAGA, TATAAGGGA, TATAAGTGG, TAAAAGTAG) were efficiently used by the mtRNA polymerase. However, a single (i.e. AATAAGTAA, TTTAAGTAA, TATTAGTAA, TATAACTAA, TATAAGGAA, TATAAGTAT) or multiple (TATAGGAAA, TAAAAGGAA, TATAGGGAA, TAAAGGAAA, TAAAGGGAA) nt substitution(s) in other locations drastically reduced mt promoter function. Interestingly, some of these poorly or partially active promoter variants (i.e. TATAAGGAA, TATAAGTAT, TATAAGTCA) became fully functional in the presence of sequence-specific dinucleotide primer. Since dinucleotide primer bypasses the first phosphodiester bond formation in transcription, it is suggested that the -1T-->G, +1A-->C and +2A-->T mutations affect mt transcription at the level of initiation rather than polymerase binding.
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Affiliation(s)
- T K Biswas
- Department of Pathology, University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Avenue, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
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Abstract
The 3' flanking nucleotide(s) of the octanucleotide promoter sequence regulates transcriptional efficiency of some mitochondrial genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. To understand this regulation the in vitro transcriptional activity of various synthetic mitochondrial promoters carrying different 3' flanking sequences was examined. The results presented here demonstrate that consecutive thymidine residues, but no other polynucleotides or secondary structure, in the promoter-proximal non-transcribed DNA strand inhibited mitochondrial transcription. The location and the number of T residues in the cluster as well as the concentration of UTP in the transcription reaction are the important factors determining this transcriptional inhibition. For example, a pair of thymidine nucleotides at positions +2 and +3 is sufficient for inactivation of mitochondrial transcription, whereas more than three consecutive thymidine nucleotides beyond these positions are required for inhibition of mitochondrial transcription. However, a cluster of six to 12 thymidine residues beyond position +11, a point where mtRNA polymerase has been shown to form a stable transcription complex, did not interfere with mitochondrial transcription. Interestingly, at low UTP concentration the mtRNA polymerase generates a large quantity of aborted initiation products on a template carrying promoter-proximal poly(T) sequence probably due to the inability of the polymerase to clear this promoter. On the other hand at high UTP concentration the same mtRNA polymerase on the same mitochondrial promoter produces a higher level of productive initiation complex. These observations suggest that the mechanism of poly(T) inhibition of mitochondrial transcription is a UTP-limited transcriptional attenuation at the promoter site, which might occur under specific physiological conditions (i.e. glucose repression-derepression, switching of aerobic-anaerobic conditions).
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Affiliation(s)
- T K Biswas
- Department of Pathology, University of Chicago, IL 60637, USA
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Abstract
The mitochondrial RNase P RNA gene in yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is transcribed from a variant mitochondrial promoter (SP). The sequence of this SP promoter [TATAAGAAG (+2)] differs from the conserved mitochondrial promoter sequence [TATAAGTAA (+2)] by-1T-->A and +2A-->G nucleotide substitutions. To determine the effect of these nucleotide alterations in mitochondrial promoter function, an in vitro transcription analysis was carried out. In the presence of high concentrations of rNTPs (i.e., 125 microM), transcription initiation on the wild-type or variant promoter occurred at the conventional 3' adenine nucleotide. However, at low rNTP concentrations (i.e., 5 microM) and in the presence of a complementary dinucleotide primer corresponding to positions -1 + 1, the mitochondrial RNA polymerase started transcription one nucleotide upstream of the conventional start site. Surprisingly, in the presence of some noncomplementary dinucleotides (i.e., GpA or CpA), which do not have perfect Watson-Crick base pairing with the initiator sequence, transcriptional initiation also occurred with the SP promoter but not with the conserved promoter sequence. This finding is the first example of utilization of noncomplementary dinucleotide primer by an RNA polymerase. Further analysis of mitochondrial promoter function by site-directed mutagenesis determined that the guanine nucleotide at position +2 is mainly responsible for this unusual function of the SP promoter.
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Affiliation(s)
- T K Biswas
- Department of Pathology, University of Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA.
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Abstract
Ribonuclease P (RNase P) is a common tRNA processing enzyme that removes the 5' leader sequence of precursor tRNAs. This activity is identified in yeast mitochondria as a separate enzyme from the nuclear RNase P. Like other RNase P enzymes, the mitochondrial (mt) RNase P is also a ribonucleoprotein composed of both RNA and protein subunits. The RNA subunit is encoded by a mt gene and the protein subunit is supplied by a nuclear gene. Earlier studies described one active promoter (FP1) located 5' to the mt tRNA(fMet)-RNase P RNA-tRNA(Pro) gene cluster, so that the mitochondrially encoded RNA subunit was thought to be co-transcribed with two of its substrate tRNAs. However, the results of in vitro transcription and primer extension experiments presented here demonstrate that the mt RNase P RNA subunit-encoding gene (RPM1) is transcribed from a new promoter (SP)which is located between the tRNA(fMet) and RPM1 genes. The sequence [5'-TATAAGAA(+1)] of the new promoter varies from the conserved promoter sequence [5'-TATAAGTA(+1)], but is one of the sequences that is active in the in vitro transcription assay to determine the consensus promoter sequence [5'-T A T/a A A/g/c G T/a/c N(+1)]. This result demonstrates that a naturally occurring variant promoter is used by RPM1. Identification of the novel SP promoter suggests that the synthesis of the mt RNase P RNA subunit might be uncoupled from the expression of upstream tRNA(fMet) gene, and that RPM1 might be independently transcribed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
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Affiliation(s)
- T K Biswas
- Department of Pathology, University of Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
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Abstract
Acid phosphatase I (AP-I) is the major isoform of Vigna acid phosphatase. It is constitutively expressed in seed cotyledons during germination. AP-I was separated from other isoforms and purified to homogeneity by three simple purification steps; (NH4)2SO4 precipitation, and phosphocellulose and DEAE-cellulose column chromatography. The activity of AP-I was not affected by 1 mM Mg2+, Mn2+, Ca2+, Co2+ or Pb2+, but severely inhibited by 1 mM Cu2+, Fe3+, Hg2+, Mo6+ or Zn2+. AP-I has both phosphatase and pyrophosphatase activities, and is highly stable even at 50 degrees.
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Affiliation(s)
- T K Biswas
- Department of Pathology, University of Chicago, IL 60637, USA
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Das K, Gangopadhyay PK, Roy T, Biswas TK. Self induced photosensitive epilepsy. J Assoc Physicians India 1995; 43:723. [PMID: 8773018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- K Das
- Dept. of Neuro Medicine, Bangur Institute of Neurology, Calcutta
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Biswas TK, Sengupta P, Green R, Hakim P, Biswas B, Sen S. Properties of mitochondrial DNA polymerase in mitochondrial DNA synthesis in yeast. Acta Biochim Pol 1995. [DOI: 10.18388/abp.1995_4590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Mitochondrial DNA polymerase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, purified 3500 fold, was separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis into three polypeptides. The major 150 kDa polypeptide was probably the catalytic subunit of the mitochondrial (mt) DNA polymerase and the other two polypeptides could be either proteolytic cleavage products of the polymerase, other subunits of the enzyme or protein contaminants. The mtDNA polymerase preferred an A+T-rich DNA template and did not require any RNA primer for DNA synthesis, at least under in vitro reaction conditions. It showed higher processivity on a double-stranded linear DNA template than on a single-stranded circular DNA template, and was capable of synthesizing at least about 1200 nucleotide primer-extended products without any major pause on a double-stranded DNA template.
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Banerjee K, Banerjee R, Biswas TK. Cervical spine in psoriasis. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol 1995; 61:214-215. [PMID: 20952958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
X-rays of the cervical spines from patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis were compared with similar films from a control population. Apophyseal narrowing, sclerosis, and calcification of anterior ligamants were found more commonly in patients than in controls.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Banerjee
- Asansol Mines Board of Health, Asansol - 713304, India
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Dutta AK, Phadke MA, Bagade AC, Joshi V, Gazder A, Biswas TK, Gill HH, Jagota SC. A randomised multicentre study to compare the safety and efficacy of albendazole and metronidazole in the treatment of giardiasis in children. Indian J Pediatr 1994; 61:689-93. [PMID: 7721374 DOI: 10.1007/bf02751980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
A randomised control multicentre study to compare the safety and efficacy of albendazole and metronidazole in the treatment of giardiasis in children is reported. One hundred and fifty children of either sex (age range: 2-10 years) were randomised to receive either a single dose of 400 mg of albendazole suspension, or 22.5 mg/kg/day of metronidazole in 3 divided doses for 5 consecutive days. At the end of therapy, majority of children in both treatment groups were symptom free. Two days after completion of therapy, 97% of children in both treatment groups were giardia free in the stools. Side effects were noted in 3 children in the albendazole group, and in 20 children in the metronidazole group. We conclude that albendazole suspension is as effective as metronidazole in the treatment of giardial infection in children. It is safe and has fewer side effects as compared to metronidazole.
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Affiliation(s)
- A K Dutta
- Kalawati Saran Children's Hospital, New Delhi
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Navaratnam S, Biswas TK, Russo K. Continuing Medical Education for recovery nurses, anaesthetic nurses and technicians. Why are they neglected? Anaesth Intensive Care 1994; 22:288. [PMID: 8085627 DOI: 10.1177/0310057x9402200308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- S Navaratnam
- Department of Anaesthesia, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, N.S.W
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Affiliation(s)
- T K Biswas
- Department of Anaesthesia, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, N.S.W
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Abstract
The mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) polymerase was isolated from a protease-deficient yeast strain (PY2), and purified about 3000 fold by a column chromatography on phosphocellulose, heparin-agarose, and single-stranded DNA cellulose. The purified polymerase was characterized with respect to optimal nucleotide concentrations, template-primer specificity and sensitivity to some inhibitors. These results were compared with the nuclear DNA polymerase I activity. Both polymerases showed similar requirement of deoxynucleotide concentrations (Km < 1 microM), and highest activity with poly(dA-dT) template. However, the mtDNA polymerase was more sensitive to ddTTP, EtBr and Mn2+ inhibition in comparison to the nuclear DNA polymerase I. The mtDNA polymerase did not need ATP as an energy source for in vitro DNA synthesis. This mtDNA polymerase preparation also showed 3'-->5' exonuclease activity.
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Mukherjee N, Das G, Mondal S, Dey SC, Biswas TK, Kar M. Wilson's disease with neurologic manifestation. J Indian Med Assoc 1993; 91:106. [PMID: 8409480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- N Mukherjee
- Department of Medicine, Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital
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Biswas TK, Smith JA. Laparoscopic total fundoplication: anaesthesia and complications. Anaesth Intensive Care 1993; 21:127-8. [PMID: 8447591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
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Abstract
The transcriptional commitment of mitochondrial RNA (mtRNA) polymerase and the conditions required for the formation of a stable ternary complex have been determined by in vitro transcription study. Four different transcription complexes were made in vitro by incubating purified mtRNA polymerase, cloned synthetic mitochondrial promoters and selective ribonucleotides. The responses of these complexes to heparin, an inhibitor of unbound mtRNA polymerase, have been examined to determine their involvement in transcription. This study leads to the following observations. (1) Under normal reaction conditions, 40 nM-heparin completely inhibited mitochondrial transcription. (2) A preinitiation mitochondrial DNA-RNA polymerase complex (complex 0) showed partial resistance to heparin (approximately 25% resistant to 40 nm-heparin) when heparin and ribonucleoside triphosphates (rNTPs) were added together to the preformed complex. This complex was rapidly inactivated when preincubated with heparin before the addition of rNTPs. (3) The early initiation (complexes 2 and 4) containing DNA template, RNA polymerase and a short RNA product showed more resistance (approx. 40 to 50%) to 40 nM-heparin but destabilized upon further incubation with heparin before addition of the rest of the rNTPs. (4) After generation of ten or more phosphodiester bonds (complex 11), the early transcription complex is converted into a stable initiation complex, leading to the polymerase consignment to elongation. On the basis of stability and heparin sensitivity, three initial steps of mitochondrial transcription have been defined: polymerase-promoter interaction, initiation, and the transition from initiation to elongation. The formation of preinitiation complex is the rate-limiting step t 1/2 approx. 50 s), whereas the initiation and elongation reactions are very fast processes (t 1/2 greater than 5 s) in mitochondrial transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
- T K Biswas
- Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201
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Mukherjee N, Chatterjee D, Biswas TK, Sarkar M. Study of foetal antigen in haematological malignancy. J Assoc Physicians India 1992; 40:384-7. [PMID: 1452563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Forty patients with different varieties of leukaemia and lymphoma were studied before and after therapy. Red cells and lymphocytes from each patient were tested for foetal antigen by lectin-agglutination test. The antigen was detectable on red cells in all untreated cases, the highest titre being found in chronic myeloid leukaemia. The titre showed significant reduction after treatment in all cases. We conclude that foetal antigen on red cells is a useful diagnostic aid in haematological malignancy and is a good indicator of the outcome of therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Mukherjee
- Department of Medicine, Calcutta National Medical College
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Abstract
Postoperative hospital admissions from a hospital-based Day Surgery Unit were reviewed during the period 1984 to 1990. There were 18,321 procedures performed in different specialties. Of these, 225 patients required hospital admissions--a rate of 1.2%. Highest admission rate was found in gynaecological surgery (100 out of 225). Laparoscopic procedures accounted for 64 admissions, of which 13 were due to visceral perforations. Urological surgery resulted in 35 admissions (4.5% of the urological caseload). Perhaps this reflects the patient age group and preexisting medical conditions. Interestingly, there were 13 admissions for social reasons. Many of these admissions were due to either multiple procedures or surgery more extensive than planned. Even with the higher rate of admissions, hospital-based centres probably provide a better quality care for those who require major surgery or develop some complications in the perioperative period.
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Affiliation(s)
- T K Biswas
- Day Surgery Unit, Campbelltown Hospital, New South Wales, Australia
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Biswas TK. In vitro transcription analysis of the region of Saccharomyces cerevisiae mitochondrial DNA containing the tRNA(fMet) gene. Nucleic Acids Res 1991; 19:5937-42. [PMID: 1945880 PMCID: PMC329050 DOI: 10.1093/nar/19.21.5937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Prior work has indicated that an octanucleotide [5'TATAAGTA(+1)3'] sequence is used as a promoter in yeast mitochondria. Two such sequences (FP1 and FP2) are present upstream of the tRNA(fMet)-RNAse P RNA -tRNA(Pro) gene cluster but only the FP1 promoter but not the FP2 appears to be active in vivo and in vitro. The results presented in this paper suggest that the downstream ATTAATT sequence close to the initiation site of FP2 causes premature termination of transcription and effectively inhibits transcription from the FP2 octanucleotide sequence. Thus the different levels of RNA synthesis from these tRNA(fMet) promoters might be determined by variable transcriptional initiation and elongation blockage events. Since FP1 is found to be the only active promoter in this gene cluster, these three genes are thought to be transcribed together from the FP1 promoter. In this study, a new promoter (SP) between the tRNA(fMet) and RNase P RNA genes has been identified which may participate in RNase P RNA gene expression. The sequence of the new promoter does not match perfectly to the mitochondrial conserved promoter sequence but does match to the consensus promoter sequence.
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Affiliation(s)
- T K Biswas
- Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201
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Mukherjee N, Shaw G, Ponda S, Ukil R, Chakrabarty B, Biswas TK, Lahiri S. Study of ascitic fluid in relation to systemic and portal venous blood in hepatic cirrhosis. J Indian Med Assoc 1991; 89:203-5. [PMID: 1940416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Twenty uncomplicated cases of cirrhosis of liver, proved by liver biopsy, and free from other systemic diseases were studied. Glucose (pre- and postprandial) and electrolytes (Na+, K+, Cl-) values were compared to those of systemic and portal venous blood. Chloride level in ascitic fluid was found to be significantly high in cirrhosis, as compared to portal and systemic venous blood. Sodium and glucose levels were similar in ascitic fluid and portal venous blood except in two cases complicated with tuberculous peritonitis, where pre- and postprandial glucose levels were considerably low. In 55% cases, there was impaired glucose tolerance, as measured by pre- and postprandial glucose levels in systemic venous blood.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Mukherjee
- Department of Medicine, Calcutta National Medical College
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Pal S, Mukherjee N, Gupta N, Biswas TK, Dutta SK. Study of serum myoglobin and serum electrolytes in acute uncomplicated myocardial infarction. J Assoc Physicians India 1991; 39:184-5. [PMID: 1885483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Forty patients with uncomplicated acute myocardial infarction were studied within 6-18 hours after the infarction. Serum myoglobin was elevated in all the cases and was markedly high in cases studied 18 hours after the acute infarction, though the level did not show any relation with the severity of the attack. Myoglobin level showed no correlation with SGOT level, which did not rise appreciably within 6 hours. Serum sodium and potassium levels did not show any change, even in the most severe cases. Serum myoglobin estimation is thus a good diagnostic test in the early hours of acute myocardial infarction.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Pal
- Department of Medicine, Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital
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Mukherjee N, Biswas TK, Mitra S, Gupta N, Sarkar M. Immunoclinical correlation in diabetes mellitus. A preliminary report on the lectin-agglutination test. J Assoc Physicians India 1991; 39:172-4. [PMID: 1885479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Twenty cases with insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) were studied and compared with a control group with non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) and another group of nondiabetic healthy persons. Lymphocytes of each group were tested for agglutination with three sets of lectins: concavalin A (ConA), soyabean agglutinin (SBA) and peanut agglutinin (PNA). SBA test, being highly positive in IDDM and persistently negative in NIDDM, is the most significant of the three tests for differentiating between the two types of diabetes mellitus.
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Abstract
Mitochondrial promoters in Saccharomyces cerevisiae contain an identical octanucleotide [sequence: see text] sequence present just upstream of the initiation site (at the left end of the arrow). Studies have shown that the transcription rates of mitochondrial genes vary from 7- to 15-fold. The nucleotide at position +2 regulates the efficiency of mitochondrial promoters but does not affect the specificity of initiation. The data presented herein demonstrate that the variable transcription rates of mitochondrial genes are due to different levels of transcriptional initiation. The rate of first phosphodiester bond formation between a purine and a pyrimidine on a weak promoter is much lower than that of purine-purine on a strong promoter. A dinucleotide corresponding to positions +1 and +2 acts in vitro as a primer, bypassing the first phosphodiester bond formation at the initiation site. When these dinucleotides were used to prime transcription, the activities of the strong and weak promoters were found to be identical. In heparin-challenge experiments, there is no significant effect of dinucleotide on heparin-resistant DNA-RNA polymerase complex formation. These results indicate that the low level of transcription from the weak mitochondrial promoter is due to the slow rate of formation of the first phosphodiester bond.
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Affiliation(s)
- T K Biswas
- Department of Biochemistry, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201
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Biswas TK, Getz GS. Regulation of transcriptional initiation in yeast mitochondria. J Biol Chem 1990; 265:19053-9. [PMID: 2229061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
We have investigated in vitro transcriptional initiation by purified yeast mitochondrial RNA polymerase using a variety of previously described promoter variants and dinucleotides corresponding to the first two transcript nucleotides. Regardless of the actual nucleotides that occupy the first two transcript positions, the rate of initiation increases with increasing concentrations of the first two ribonucleoside triphosphates up to 125 microM whereas elongation is carried out optimally with less than 10 microM. Under normal in vitro transcription conditions, mitochondrial RNA polymerase only employs the in vitro start site (+1 position), again without regard to the nucleotide at the position. Even with initiator dinucleotide monophosphates as primers, the polymerase is only capable of initiating transcription at this position and one other, i.e. 1 base upstream (-1). Dinucleotides enhance transcription from partially active variant promoters (mutations around the initiation sites -3, -1, +1, +2), suggesting that these mutations reduce transcription by their effects on initiation. In contrast, inactive promoters (-7C, -6G, -4A, and -2A) are not active in the presence of initiating dinucleotide. We suggest that dinucleotides may function in one of three ways: (i) bypassing the energy barrier in forming the first internucleotide bond; (ii) stabilizing the initiation complex; or (iii) accelerating promoter clearance.
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Affiliation(s)
- T K Biswas
- Department of Biochemistry, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201
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Biswas TK, Das AK, Shaw GC, Mukherjee N, Chakraborty M. Studies on outbreak of viral hepatitis at Calcutta with special reference to serological investigations. J Indian Med Assoc 1990; 88:257-9. [PMID: 2126796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Sixty cases of acute viral hepatitis were studied from clinical, biochemical and in particular serological point of view. Majority of the patients had significant pre-icteric and icteric phase with moderate elevations of bilirubin, SGOT and SGPT and marginal elevations of serum alkaline phosphatase. Cholestatic features were observed only in 6.7% of cases. All subjects improved and there was no death in this series. Serological marker studies revealed hepatitis A in 8 (13.3%) cases and hepatitis B in 3 (5.0%) cases. Rest 49 cases were possibly due to non-A, non-B hepatitis. As there was no evidence of parenteral transmission, it was concluded that this epidemic was water borne from contaminated municipal water supply.
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Affiliation(s)
- T K Biswas
- Department of Medicine, Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital
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Biswas TK, Das AK, Pandey GC, Roy DN. Eaton-Lambert syndrome: an early and initial presentation in a case of bronchogenic carcinoma. J Indian Med Assoc 1990; 88:88, 90. [PMID: 2262692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- T K Biswas
- Department of Medicine, Calcutta National Medical College
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Biswas TK, Das AK, Ghosh A, Acharyya S, Sharma SK. Abdominal aortic aneurysm with Leriche syndrome. J Assoc Physicians India 1989; 37:724-6. [PMID: 2698883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
An interesting and unusual case of abdominal aortic aneurysm with Leriche syndrome that presented with multiple vasculopathies and peptic ulcer is being reported.
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Mukherji N, Pal S, Sen R, Mukherji P, Biswas TK, Dey SC. Systemic lupus erythematosus in a young male. J Indian Med Assoc 1989; 87:218-9. [PMID: 2621374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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Abstract
Seventy-seven patients presenting for outpatient cystoscopy participated in a trial to assess postoperative recovery when either alfentanil, halothane, or enflurane were used in combination with nitrous oxide/oxygen anaesthesia. Anaesthesia was uneventful in all cases. Apnoea occurred once with alfentanil, but naloxone was not required. Vomiting occurred once with alfentanil and once with enflurane. Anti-emetics were not required. Blood pressure and pulse rate variations from preoperative levels occurred with similar frequency in all groups. Times to open eyes, show left thumb, and give correct date of birth were significantly less with alfentanil than with the other agents tested. Trieger testing failed to demonstrate an advantage of alfentanil, although two patients in each of the halothane and enflurane groups were insufficiently recovered to complete the tests. As tested, alfentanil represents a useful alternative to halothane or enflurane as postoperative recovery of mental function is significantly more rapid than with the inhalational agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- T K Biswas
- Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Campbelltown Hospital, New South Wales, Australia
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Biswas TK, Das AK, Bhowmick R, Mukherjee N, Shaw G, Biswas AD, Gupta N, Chakraborty M. Aetiological spectrum of viral hepatitis in hospitalised adult patients in Calcutta. J Assoc Physicians India 1988; 36:631-3. [PMID: 3248987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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Das AK, Biswas TK, Dutta SK. Pyogenic meningitis with special reference to lactic dehydrogenase in CSF. J Indian Med Assoc 1988; 86:215-7. [PMID: 3230323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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Biswas TK, Getz GS. Promoter-promoter interactions influencing transcription of the yeast mitochondrial gene, Oli 1, coding for ATPase subunit 9. Cis and trans effects. J Biol Chem 1988. [DOI: 10.1016/s0021-9258(18)68863-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
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Roy DN, Mitra S, Biswas TK, Dasbiswas A, Das D, Chatterjee B, Dutta SK. Bence-Jones myeloma. J Indian Med Assoc 1988; 86:70-2. [PMID: 3397569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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Biswas TK, Ticho B, Getz GS. In vitro characterization of the yeast mitochondrial promoter using single-base substitution mutants. J Biol Chem 1987; 262:13690-6. [PMID: 3308881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
A short DNA sequence, 5'ATATAAGTA(+1)3', extending from -8 to +1 nucleotides has been shown to function as a promoter in the yeast mitochondrial genome. A complete set of single site mutations of this nonanucleotide promoter sequence has been constructed, cloned, and used to promote specific in vitro transcription using a highly purified mitochondrial RNA polymerase. Each deviation from the natural promoter sequence results in a reduction or abolition of specific transcription depending on the nucleotide substituent. The nucleotide at -8 is not considered as a component of the promoter. Any nucleotide at position +1 is compatible with correct transcriptional initiation. The consensus sequence that exists in vivo is the strongest promoter since only down mutations are seen among the substitutions. The mutant analyses indicate that a very short octanucleotide sequence comprised of 5'TAT/aAA/g/cGT/a/cN(+1)3' is the minimal sequence necessary to direct accurate initiation by mitochondrial RNA polymerase.
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Affiliation(s)
- T K Biswas
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Illinois 60637
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