Dietary supplies of iodine & thiocyanate in the aetiology of endemic goitre in Imphal East district of Manipur, north east India.

Background & objectives: The present investigation was undertaken to study the iodine nutritional status of school children of Imphal east district in Manipur where endemic goitre persists during post-salt iodization phase along with the investigation of the factors responsible for the occurrence of goitre endemicity. Methods: A total of 1,286 children (6-12 yr) were clinically examined for goitre from study areas of Imphal east district. A total of 160 urine samples were collected and analyzed to measure urinary iodine and thiocyanate levels. Iodine content was measured in 140 salt samples and 16 drinking water samples. Results: Overall goitre prevalence was about 30 per cent (grade 1-24.7%; grade 2-5.3%) and median urinary iodine level was 17.25 μg/dl. The mean urinary thiocyanate level was 1.073 + 0.39 mg/dl. Iodine/thiocyanate ratio (μg/mg) was in the ranges from 15.65 to 22.34. The mean iodine content in drinking water samples was 2.92 + 1.75 μg/l and 97.8 per cent of edible salts had iodine level above 15 ppm at the consumption point. Interpretation & conclusion: Our findings showed that in spite of no biochemical iodine deficiency, iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) is a serious public health problem in Imphal east district of Manipur. The consumption pattern of certain plant foods containing thiocyanate (or its precursors) was relatively high that interfere with thyroid hormone synthesis resulting in the excretion of more iodine. Thus, the existing dietary supplies of thiocyanate in relation to iodine may be a possible aetiological factor for the persistence of endemic goitre in the study region during post salt iodization period.

Dietary supplies of iodine & thiocyanate in the aetiology of endemic goitre in Imphal East district of Manipur, north east India.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: The present investigation was undertaken to study the iodine nutritional status of school children of Imphal east district in Manipur where endemic goitre persists during post-salt iodization phase along with the investigation of the factors responsible for the occurrence of goitre endemicity. METHODS: A total of 1,286 children (6-12 yr) were clinically examined for goitre from study areas of Imphal east district. A total of 160 urine samples were collected and analyzed to measure urinary iodine and thiocyanate levels. Iodine content was measured in 140 salt samples and 16 drinking water samples. RESULTS: Overall goitre prevalence was about 30 per cent (grade 1-24.7%; grade 2-5.3%) and median urinary iodine level was 17.25 microg/dl. The mean urinary thiocyanate level was 1.073 +/- 0.39 mg/dl. Iodine/thiocyanate ratio (microg/mg) was in the ranges from 15.65 to 22.34. The mean iodine content in drinking water samples was 2.92 +/- 1.75 microg/l and 97.8 per cent of edible salts had iodine level above 15 ppm at the consumption point. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: Our findings showed that in spite of no biochemical iodine deficiency, iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) is a serious public health problem in Imphal east district of Manipur. The consumption pattern of certain plant foods containing thiocyanate (or its precursors) was relatively high that interfere with thyroid hormone synthesis resulting in the excretion of more iodine. Thus, the existing dietary supplies of thiocyanate in relation to iodine may be a possible aetiological factor for the persistence of endemic goitre in the study region during post salt iodization period.

Bioactive molecules from amphibian skin: their biological activities with reference to therapeutic potentials for possible drug development.

The amphibian skin contains various bioactive molecules (peptides, proteins, steroids, alkaloids, opiods) that possess potent therapeutic activities like antibacterial, antifungal, antiprotozoal, antidiabetic, antineoplastic, analgesic and sleep inducing properties. Research on amphibian skin derived biomolecules can provide potential clue towards newer drug development to combat various pathophysiological conditions. An overview on the bioactive molecules of various amphibian skins has been discussed.

Molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis in amebiasis.

Though both Entamoeba histolytica and E. dispar colonize the human gut, only the former is capable of invading tissues and causing disease. Although the biology of the parasite and the mechanism of pathogenesis have been intensively studied, there is a lack of consensus about the molecules of E. histolytica that actively participate in pathogenesis. This article reviews some key molecules involved. Ga1NAc-inhibitable adhesin is a membrane-associated glycoprotein nature, consisting of heavy and light subunits; each of these is encoded by multiple genes. The heavy subunit is useful in differentiating E. histolytica from E. dispar. Three structurally similar isoforms of amebapore, A, B and C, have been identified in E. histolytica but C is absent in E. dispar. Proteolytic enzymes such as collagenase and cysteine proteinases and cytolytic enzymes like phospholipase A are important. Collagenase activity is mainly accumulated in electron-dense granules. Cysteine proteinase is encoded by six genes, of which EhCP5 is exclusively present in E. histolytica.

Diarrhoeal diseases amongst children under five. A study in rural Alwar.

A house to house survey was done in three villages of district Alwar covering 875 children under five years age. Two week incidence of diarrhoea morbidity was 2.27 episodes/child/year taking into consideration the seasonal correction factor. The incidence decreased with increase of age. Incidence was found significantly more in children of illiterate mother (p < 0.05). Children of poor socio-economic conditions as determined by occupational status (labourers) suffered significantly more often from diarrhoea as compared to children of higher socio-economic status (agriculturist and others). Fifty per cent episodes of diarrhoea were treated with antibiotics, and only one child was given ORS. It is a matter of concern. About 3.7 per cent mothers washed their hands before preparing meals while, 1.6 per cent washed their hands after toilet. Only 2 per cent mothers had the knowledge of preparing the home made salt sugar solution. An intensive health education campaign is therefore, necessary for health professionals as well as mothers.

Interaction and in vivo growth inhibition of Ehrlich ascites tumor cells by jacalin.

Jacalin has been found to agglutinate Ehrlich ascites cells. The agglutination was inhibited by a-glycosides of D-Gal and ß -D-Gal(1 → 3)-D-GalNAc suggesting that the lectin-ascites interaction was carbohydrate-specific. There was 21·8% inhibition of tumour (ascites) cell growth in vivo in mice administered 50μg of jacalin by injection for 6 days following intraperitoneal injection of ascites cells. Administration of 100, 150 and 200 μg jacalin resulted in 40·2, 57·5 and 83% inhibition respectively. The in vivo inhibition of tumour cells growth by jacalin was due to its preferential binding with D-Gal-a -( 1→6) present as terminal residues in the glycoprotein on tumour cell surface.