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Biomedical subjects

M G Karmarkar

Publications and source records attributed to M G Karmarkar.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1973

Prevention of endemic goitre with iodized salt.

The paper describes a study, carried out over 16 years, of the use of iodized salt for the control of endemic goitre in a valley of the Himalayan foothills. From 1956, salt was fortified with either potassium iodide or potassium iodate to provide an estimated daily intake of 200 mug per head. There was a progressive and significant decline in goitre prevalence, together with a return of the pattern of iodine metabolism to within normal limits. It is concluded that endemic goitre can be successfully controlled by iodization of domestic salt.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Biochemical characterization of ketosis-resistant young diabetics of northern India. In vivo effects of i.v. glucose, s.c. epinephrine and i.v. glucagon and in vitro effects of anti-insulin serum on adipose tissue lipolysis.

Epinephrine (10 micrograms/kg body weight) s.c., glucagon (1 microgram/kg body weight) i.v. and glucose (0.5 g/kg body weight) i.v. were injected in groups of ketosis-prone young diabetics, ketosis-resistant young diabetics, maturity-onset diabetics, young and mature controls, each group comprising 8 subjects. Samples were drawn at timed intervals and analyzed for glucose, FFA, acetone, citrate and plasma free insulin. FFA and glycerol release by the adipose tissue in vitro was studied in 6 of each of the following groups: young diabetics and young controls in the presence of norepinephrine, anti-insulin serum or both. Failure of the adipose tissue of ketosis-resistant young diabetics to respond to lipolytic and ketogenic hormones has been suggested by others as the basis for the clinically observed resistance to ketoacidosis. The present data do not confirm any failure of the liver or adipose tissue to respond to glucagon, epinephrine or norepinephrine in these diabetics. The ketosis-resistant young diabetics have some endogenous insulin secretory capacity still preserved as evident from their basal and post-glucose free insulin levels and effects of anti-insulin serum on in vitro lipolysis by their adipose tissues. The available endogenous insulin though adequate in preventing excessive lipolysis and ketogenesis, appears insufficient to check hyperglycemia.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Spontaneous hypoparathyroidism: clinical, biochemical and radiological features.

The clinical, biochemical and radiological features of spontaneously occurring hypoparathyroidism in 13 patients (mean age 9 years, range 4 months to 20 years) are highlighted. Nine patients presented with a history of generalised seizures and 2 were in acute hypocalcemic crisis at the time of admission. Ocular involvement (corneal opacities, cataract) was present in 3 patients and vitiligo in 1 patient. The serum calcium level was low (mean 5.46 mg/dl, range 5.0-7.2) and serum phosphorus level was high (mean 8.49 mg/dl, range 6-14 mg/dl) in all the patients. Six patients had elevated serum alkaline phosphatase (greater than 20 KAU). Radiological examination revealed osteopenia in 3 patients. Nine patients underwent a head CT scan; 5 had evidence of basal ganglia calcification. The findings of elevated serum alkaline phosphatase and osteopenia are at variance with existing literature and may possibly reflect pre-existing vitamin D deficiency.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Using government schools to monitor iodine content of salt at household level in Delhi.

The Government had banned the sale of un-iodized salt in Delhi in 1989 as a step towards elimination of iodine deficiency disorders. The present study was done to detect the presence of iodine in salt samples every month from households of the students of government middle schools in Delhi using spot testing kits. One section each, from the classes six to eight of the thirty selected middle schools was chosen randomly. The children were asked to bring salt from their homes on a prefixed day. The salt samples were examined for the presence of iodine by a spot testing kit. This was repeated every month during the study (August '94 to February '95) among the same students in each school. A total of 16,596 salt samples were collected. Of this 12,736 (76.7%) tested positive for iodine and the rest (23.3%) of the salt samples did not contain iodine. The proportion of children who brought the salt samples varied between 53% to 72% in different months. As the study progressed, the trend showed more samples being tested positive for iodine. The differences in districts were not significant. Un-iodized salt thus still continues to be available in the households of the government school children of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. The use of rapid testing kits in schools is a practical and feasible way to enhance the monitoring activities of the government.

Community Medicine↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Knowledge beliefs and practices regarding iodine deficiency disorders among the tribals in Car Nicobar.

It is estimated that 1,570 million people are at risk of iodine deficiency. Because of the wide spectrum of disorders that IDD includes, and lack of any obvious association between iodine deficiency and its health effects, IDD is not perceived as a major public health problem. For any disease to be effectively controlled, awareness at all levels from community to policy makers is necessary. This study was conducted to assess knowledge, beliefs and practices regarding iodine deficiency Disorders in Car Nicobar districts of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The population is predominantly tribals involved in coconut plantations. All the village heads of the sixteen villages and parents of 10% of the school children examined for goiter were interviewed. Initial focus group discussions were conducted as no prior knowledge about local names for goitre or other related IDD information was available. The interview schedule was designed in English which was then translated into Hindi and Nicobarese and back translated into Hindi and English. A total of 114 persons were interviewed 60 males, 54 females. The local name for goiter was "Rulo" and 44% felt that it only affected females. No one had correct knowledge of the cause of goiter. About half of the respondents believed that these swellings caused problems. Sixty three (55.3%) of respondents believed that there was treatment, of which 33 said there was medical treatment, 18 respondents said traditional treatment by "LAM-EEN" and 12 felt that both therapies are required. Majority (85%) brought salt samples from the Government canteen. They did not now whether this salt was iodised. Salt was not washed before use and storage practice was satisfactory. The awareness about IDD needs reinforcement. At present the community is a passive participant in the I.D.D. Control Programme.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of chronic morphine administration on glucose tolerance and insulin binding to isolated rat adipocytes.

Morphine addiction was induced in six male Wistar rats. Improved glucose tolerance (peak value less by 28%, p<0.01) was observed in chronically morphinized rats as compared to the control rats, injected with saline. An increase in the maximal specific binding of 125I-labeled insulin to unit membrane area of adipocytes was observed in the experimental group (p < 0.01). The changes in insulin receptor number could be responsible for the improved glucose tolerance observed during morphine addiction.

Adipocytes↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Interpretation of indicators of iodine deficiency disorders: recent experiences.

Considerable progress has been made in the implementation of the universal salt iodization programmes in countries affected by iodine deficiency disorders (IDD). WHO/UNICEF/ICCIDD have jointly recommended outcome and process indicators to track the progress of IDD elimination programmes. Of the several indicators recommended in developing countries, goitre grading and urinary iodine are the most feasible to use as outcome indicators while iodine content of salt is the best as a process indicator. The WHO/UNICEF/ICCIDD recommendations provide separate cut-off points for these indicators to assess the severity of IDD. Recently, a nation-wide survey in Bhutan and another in New Delhi provided evidence that suggests that it is essential to view the results of all these indicators in totality rather than in isolation to make a proper assessment of the progress of the IDD elimination programmes. In view of these findings, we recommend (i) changing the goitre grading to only two grades from the current three, (ii) presenting urinary iodine values as median, cut-off points as well as the frequency distribution, and (iii) viewing the results of process and outcome indicators in totality to assess the severity of IDD.

Goiter↗