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Biomedical subjects

M N Hasan

Publications and source records attributed to M N Hasan.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

Pyrococcus furiosus ferredoxin is a functional dimer.

Pyrococcus furiosus ferredoxin is subject to a monomer/dimer equilibrium as a function of ionic strength. At physiological ionic strength, approximately 0.35 M NaCl, the protein is very predominantly homodimer. The monomeric form exhibits impaired electron transfer on glassy carbon; it also has a decreased S=3/2 over S=1/2 ratio as shown by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. Even following sterilization at 121 degrees C the dimer is stable in denaturing gel electrophoresis.

Chromatography, Gel↗

Dietary management during pregnancy, lactation and common childhood illnesses in rural Bangladesh.

Data were collected on nutritional aspects of women in general and during special time frames such as pregnancy, lactation and common childhood illnesses (diarrhea, acute respiratory infections and measles) from rural areas in Bangladesh. A distinctive gender bias was evident regarding decision making and food allocation within the household. Inadequate feeding practices were observed during diarrhea with 22.2% of the mothers discontinuing breast-feeding. Breast-feeding and nutritional support were comparatively better during ARI and measles. When the children were ill, 97% of the mothers administered a special diet with a variety of food preferences, which were perceived to improve the symptoms of the respective illness. Maternal education influenced both the occurrence of diarrhea and the nutritional management of diarrhea and measles significantly. Therefore, community health education should focus on the importance of breast-feeding and continued nutritional support during illnesses. In order for this health education to be effective, traditional beliefs noted in this study have to be incorporated.

Adult↗

Efficacy of iodine water purification tablets against Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts.

The ability to control water-borne diseases is critical for soldiers, hikers, and others who may need to drink directly from an outdoor source. Water-borne protozoan parasites that are specifically of concern are Giardia and Cryptosporidium because of their resistance to halogen disinfection. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of iodine tablets against Giardia and Cryptosporidium under general- and worst-case water conditions that might be found in the field. Giardia cysts and Cryptosporidium oocysts were exposed to iodine according to manufacturer's instructions (two tablets/L = 13-18 mg/L for 20 minutes). This dose inactivated 3-log10 of Giardia in general-case water and pH 9. In worst-case water, however, only about 35% of cysts were inactivated at pH 5. Fifty minutes were required to achieve a 3-log10 reduction at pH 5. Cryptosporidium oocysts were more difficult to inactivate. Only 10% were inactivated after a 20-minute exposure to iodine according to manufacturer's instructions; even after 240 minutes of exposure to iodine only 66-81% oocysts were inactivated. These data strongly suggest that iodine disinfection is not effective in inactivating Cryptosporidium oocysts in water. Because this organism is common in all surface waters, it is recommended that another method of treatment be used before ingestion.

Animals↗

Computer-assisted studies of molecular structure and carcinogenic activity.

Both quantitative and qualitative studies of the structure-activity relationships (SAR) of carcinogenic compounds are discussed. Using the ADAPT software system, examples are given of (1) predicting the gas and liquid chromatographic retention behavior of polycyclic aromatic compounds, (2) predicting the carcinogenicity of N-nitrosamines, and (3) predicting the mutagenic behavior of pesticides and other compounds in short-term test systems. It is concluded that the complexity and lack of understanding of the carcinogenic response should not prevent scientists from searching for useful empirical relationships between molecular structure and carcinogenicity. Computer generated molecular descriptors and statistical and pattern recognition techniques can be useful tools in this research.

Animals↗