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Biomedical subjects

Surinder Singh

Publications and source records attributed to Surinder Singh.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Uranium, radium and radon measurements in the environs of Nurpur area, Himachal Himalayas, India.

LR-115 plastic track detectors have been used for the measurement of radon exhalation rate and radium concentration in soil and rock samples from Nurpur and its adjoining areas of Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh, India. Uranium concentration is also determined in these samples using fission track technique. The work is undertaken to explore the possibility of uranium prospection and health risk assessments due to uranium and radium in the study area. A positive correlation has been observed between uranium and radon exhalation rate in soil and rocks.

India↗
PubMed2006

Trace level determination of u, zn, cd, pb and cu in drinking water samples.

The concentration of uranium has been assessed in drinking water samples collected from different locations in Bathinda district, Punjab, India. The water samples are taken from hand pumps and tube wells. Uranium is determined using fission track technique. Uranium concentration in the water samples varies from 2.23+/- 0.05 to 87.05+/- 0.29 microg/L. These values are compared with safe limit values recommended for drinking water. The uranium concentration in almost all drinking water samples is found to be more than the safe limit. Analysis of some heavy metals viz. Zn, Cd, Pb and Cu in water is made. The concentration of sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, chlorine and total hardness along with the pH value and conductivity of the water samples are measured. Some of the samples show stunningly high values of these parameters.

Cadmium↗
PubMed2006

Analysis of uranium in drinking water samples using laser induced fluorimetry.

Uranium concentration in drinking water samples collected from some areas of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh has been measured using a laser induced fluorimetry technique. The sources of water comprise hand pumps and tube wells. Uranium concentration in the water samples from Punjab varies from 1.39 +/- 0.16 to 98.25 +/- 2.06 ppb with a mean value of 19.84 +/- 0.87 ppb. The uranium concentration in most of the drinking water samples from Punjab exceeds the safe limit recommended by the World Health Organization. However, the uranium concentration in water samples from Himachal Pradesh is well within the recommended levels. The annual effective dose equivalent associated with drinking water due to uranium concentration is estimated from its annual intake using dosimetric information based on ICRP Report 72. The resulting value of the annual effective dose from drinking water sources is in the range of 0.13 to 81.59 muSv. The annual effective dose received by the population due to the consumption of drinking water from these areas is well within the recommended limit. In order to check the accuracy of the technique a few water samples were also analyzed using a fission track registration technique. A good agreement has been observed between the uranium values determined by these techniques.

Body Burden↗
PubMed2005

Lipid microparticles for mucosal immunization against hepatitis B.

Parenteral administration of vaccines often does not lead to optimal or long lasting protection against disease causing organisms particularly those that are inhaled, ingested or sexually transmitted. For optimal mucosal protection induction of immune response via mucosal routes is therefore highly desirable. Double emulsion-solvent evaporation (w/o/w) method best suited for water-soluble bioactives was selected for the preparation of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loaded lipid microparticles. Intranasal route was considered for mucosal administration and hence to prepare the delivery system biocompatible and least irritable, soyalecithin (phospholipid) was taken instead of polymer because phosphatidylcholine is the major component of endogenous lung surfactant. The studies performed in present work included antigen characterization, development of lipid microparticles, stability studies of the prepared lipid microparticle formulations, percent mucoadhesion, ex vivo cellular uptake studies and in vivo studies. The general order obtained from in vivo studies for mucosal immune response (IgA) followed the sequence: LMST-HBsAg (IN)>LM-HBsAg (IN)>alum-HBsAg (IN)>LMST-HBsAg (IM)>alum-HBsAg (IM)>or=LM-HBsAg (IM)>plain HBsAg (IN)>plain HBsAg (IM).

Administration, Intranasal↗
PubMed2005

Radioprotection by plant products: present status and future prospects.

The development of radioprotective agents has been the subject of intense research in view of their potential for use within a radiation environment, such as space exploration, radiotherapy and even nuclear war. However, no ideal, safe synthetic radioprotectors are available to date, so the search for alternative sources, including plants, has been on going for several decades. In Ayurveda, the traditional Indian system of medicine, several plants have been used to treat free radical-mediated ailments and, therefore, it is logical to expect that such plants may also render some protection against radiation damage. A systematic screening approach can provide leads to identifying potential new candidate drugs from plant sources, for mitigation of radiation injury. This article reviews some of the most promising plants, and their bioactive principles, that are widely used in traditional systems of medicine, and which have rendered significant radioprotection in both in vitro and in vivo model systems. Plants and their constituents with pharmacological activities that may be relevant to amelioration of radiation-mediated damage, including antiemetic, antiinflammatory, antioxidant, cell proliferative, wound healing and haemopoietic stimulatories are also discussed.

Humans↗
PubMed2005

Uranium, radium and radon exhalation studies in geological samples belonging to some areas of punjab, using track etching technique.

With a view to prospect the uranium, radium and radon concentration and related health risk assessments in areas of Muktsar and Ferozepur districts in Punjab, the fission track registration technique has been used for the analysis of water and soil samples. Uranium content in water ranged from 5.47 to 10.19 microg/l(-1) and 6.28 to 11.74 microg/l(-1) for Muktsar and Ferozepur respectively. Uranium content in soil samples of Muktsar and Ferozepur ranged from 1.14 to 1.90 mg/kg(-1) and 1.26 to 2.44 mg/kg(-1) respectively. Radium concentration in these soil samples has been found to vary from 3.97 to 15.94 bq/kg(-1) and 7.24 to 24.14 bq/kg(-1) for Muktsar and Ferozepur respectively. The radon exhalation values were calculated in terms of area (E(A)) and mass (E(M)). The values of E(M) ranged from 4.9 to 20.6 (mbqkg(-1) hr(-1)) for Muktsar and 9.4 to 31.3 (mbqkg(-1)hr(-1)) for Ferozepur and values of E(A) ranged from 173 to 728 (mbqm(-2)hr(-1)) for Muktsar and 330 to 1102 (mbqm(-2)hr(-1)) for Ferozepur district. These values in general are low and not significant from health hazard point of view. The values of uranium concentration in water samples of these areas are lower than those reported for soil and water samples of Himachal Pradesh. These values are also lower than those reported by Singh et al. for the rocks belonging to uranium and copper mines of Bihar.

Geological Phenomena↗
PubMed2005

Study of seasonal variations for radon pollution in the environment of Muktsar and Ferozepur districts of Punjab using LR-115 plastic track detectors.

Indoor Radon measures have been carried out in the dwellings of Muktsar and Ferozepur districts of punjab using LR-115 plastic track detectors. Indoor Radon values ranged from 95 to 226 bq m(-3) and 75 to 233 bq m(-3) for winter season and 61 to 129 bq m(-3) and 79 to 138 bq m(-3) for summer season for Muktsar and Ferozepur districts respectively. These values are within the safe limits recommended by International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP).

Air Pollution, Indoor↗
PubMed2004

Environmental radon studies using solid state nuclear track detectors.

The results of radon activity recorded in 70 dwellings of Nurpur area, Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh, India are reported. LR-115 Type 2 films in the bare mode were exposed for four seasons of three months each covering a period of one year for the measurement of indoor radon levels. The calibration constant of 0.020 tracks cm(-2) d(-1) per Bq m(-3) has been used to express radon activity in Bq m(-3). The annual average indoor radon concentrations in 17 different villages of the area are found to vary from 168+/-46 to 429+/-71. Most of the indoor radon values lie in the range of action levels (200-600 Bq m(-3)) recommended by International Commission on Radiological Protection.

Air Pollution, Indoor↗
PubMed2004

Fatal connection: death caused by direct connection of oxygen tubing into a tracheal tube connector.

During cardiopulmonary resuscitation, oxygen extension tubing was mistakenly connected into the tracheal tube connector. As a result, the patient recovering from hypovolemic cardiac arrest died because of pulmonary barotrauma. Similar cases have been reported. We suggest that a worldwide equipment performance standard be developed to prevent future occurrences and describe an example of connectors that would prevent such misconnections.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Radioprotective potential of an herbal extract of Tinospora cordifolia.

A preparation of Tinospora cordifolia (RTc) administered i.p. (200 mg/kg b.w.) to strain "A" male mice 1 h before whole body gamma-irradiation was evaluated for its radioprotective efficacy in terms of whole body survival, spleen colony forming units (CFU), hematological parameters, cell cycle progression, and micronuclei induction. Preirradiation treatment with RTc rendered 76.3% survival (30 days), compared to 100% mortality in irradiated control and prevented radiation induced weight loss. On 10th postirradiation day, the endogenous CFU counts in spleen were decreased with increasing radiation doses 12.0 (5 Gy), 2.16 (7.5 Gy) and 0.33 (10 Gy) but pre-irradiation administration of 200 mg/kg b.w. of RTc increased CFU counts to 31.16, 21.83 and 3.00 respectively. Pre-irradiation RTc treatment could restore total lymphocyte counts (TLC) by the 15th day to normal. It also increased the S-phase cell population that was reduced following 2 Gy irradiation in a time dependent manner. 2 Gy irradiation-induced micronuclei were also decreased by a pre-irradiation administration of RTc from 2.9 to 0.52%. Because the radioprotective manifestation of RTc observed in several systems in experimental animals can be exploited for human applications.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Diurnal and monthly variation of indoor radon and thoron progeny concentrations at a hillside place of northern India.

The natural radioactivity levels all over the world can create health problems due to the inhalation of radioactive aerosols. Radon and thoron progeny content of indoor air have major contribution to natural radiation dose. In the present study, simultaneous indoor measurements of radon and thoron progeny concentrations have been carried out over a period of four months at a low activity hilly area of northern Punjab, India to see their diurnal and monthly variations. The method used for this purpose is based on the defined solid angle absolute beta counting of radioactive aerosols sampled on a filter. The average values of equilibrium equivalent radon and thoron concentrations were 5.20 Bq m(-3) and 0.235 Bq m(-3), respectively, over the period August to November 2003. Both, EECRn and EECTh show a negative correlation with temperature.

Aerosols↗
PubMed2003

Analysis of uranium and its correlation with some physico-chemical properties of drinking water samples from Amritsar, Punjab.

Fission track technique has been used for uranium estimation in drinking water samples collected from some areas of Amritsar District, Punjab, India. The uranium concentration in water samples is found to vary from 3.19 to 45.59 microg l(-1). Some of the physico-chemical properties such as pH, conductance and hardness and the content of calcium, magnesium, total dissolved solids (TDS), sodium, potassium, chloride, nitrate and heavy metals viz. zinc, cadmium, lead and copper have been determined in water samples. An attempt has been made to correlate uranium concentration with these water quality parameters. A positive correlation of conductance, nitrate, chloride, sodium, potassium, magnesium, TDS, calcium and hardness with uranium concentration has been observed. However, no correlation has been observed between the concentration of uranium and the heavy metals analysed.

Chemical Phenomena↗
PubMed2003

Welfare rights advice in primary care: prevalence, processes and specialist provision.

BACKGROUND: Despite persistent poverty-related health inequalities, few sustained responses have been developed in primary care. Welfare rights provision has been proposed as one potential pathway to addressing health inequalities. OBJECTIVES: This study was set up to address the prevalence of welfare rights issues in general practice, and the practitioner response to unmet need. METHODS: A postal questionnaire was sent to practitioners in GP surgeries of an inner city health authority with high levels of deprivation. By means of a 'most recent case audit', data on welfare advice needs were collected. Practices with in-house welfare rights provision were compared with those surgeries with no such provision. RESULTS: Questionnaires were returned by 153 practitioners, describing their most recent case with a welfare rights need (mean 10.41 days ago). Of the respondents, 70.6% felt that there was a mental health element to this consultation, 49.8% of problems were described as urgent, and 65.8% of patients requested information or guidance. Those practitioners with specialist advisers in the surgery (n = 81) were significantly more likely to find referring patients to advisers easy, that quality of advice for patients was good, that welfare providers enhanced their ability to practice effectively and that such provision improves the health and well-being of patients. In those surgeries without provision (n = 72), patients were more likely to approach their practitioner for advice. GPs were more likely than nurses and other practising staff to see a case with welfare rights needs. Practitioners were more likely to raise the welfare issues if they had specialist advice in the surgery. CONCLUSIONS: A large amount of practitioner consultation time is spent on welfare rights-related issues. Although practitioners are skilled in detecting need, and their practice is enhanced by specialist support, expansion is needed to provide the advice which cannot be met by clinical consultation.

Counseling↗
PubMed2003

Custom knock-outs with hairpin RNA-mediated gene silencing.

Hairpin (hpRNA)-mediated gene silencing exploits a cellular mechanism that recognizes double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) and subjects it and its corresponding mRNA to a sequence-specific degradation. This phenomenon is known as posttranscriptional gene silencing (PTGS) in plants and RNA interference (RNAi) in animals. dsRNA, when introduced into plant cells through hpRNA constructs, results in severe reduction of the target mRNA-the silencing effect being stably inherited over many generations. While hpRNA constructs can be made using conventional plasmids, use of generic vectors such as pHANNIBAL makes it more convenient to silence a number of genes simultaneously. Vectors, such as pHELLSGATE, that are based on the Gateway(R) technology are suitable for high-throughput gene silencing. The specificity of dsRNA silencing, it's ability to simultaneously silence multiple genes combined with the availability of high-throughput silencing vectors enables the researcher to generate custom knockout plants.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed2002

Radon level in dwellings and its correlation with uranium and radium content in some areas of Himachal Pradesh, India.

LR- 115 plastic track detectors have been used to measure indoor radon level in some dwellings of Una district, Himachal Pradesh, India. The annual average radon concentration in dwellings in most of the villages falls in the range of the action level recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection. The radon values in some of the dwellings exceed the action level and may be unsafe from the health hazard point of view. The indoor radon values are in general higher in winter than in summer. Uranium, radium and radon exhalation studies have also been carried out in soil samples collected from these areas. A good correlation is obtained between uranium concentration in the soil and indoor radon in dwellings. The soil radon exhalation rate also correlates with the uranium concentration in soil.

Air Pollution, Indoor↗
PubMed2002

Evaluation of welfare rights advice in primary care: the general practice perspective.

Income maximisation may reduce enduring poverty-related health inequalities. Specialist welfare rights advice in primary care has been proposed and, in some areas, implemented, but evaluation data from the general practice perspective is needed. The present study aimed to evaluate the impact on general practice of specialist welfare rights advice, comparing practices with and without in-house provision of welfare advice using a cross-sectional postal questionnaire. This study was conducted in general practice surgeries in an inner-London health authority with high indicators of deprivation. Questionnaires were sent to practice managers. Comparative data (according to whether specialist advice was currently offered) addressed processes of identifying and meeting welfare needs and outcomes in terms of efficiency of provision. Seventy-nine surgeries participated. Those with welfare rights advisers (n = 42) were significantly more likely to report that current provision was adequate, that it was easier for staff to access advice on their patients' behalf (and by patients themselves) and that the process of advice provision ran smoothly. Lack of funding and space were the principal reasons for not having in-house advice. Surgeries wish provision to be expanded within practices. Welfare rights advice in surgeries improves ability to meet welfare needs via specialist advisers. Referral processes are simplified, enabling general practitioners to ensure that relevant advice is provided without the need for welfare knowledge themselves. General practices welcome the expansion of provision, with the proviso that adequate resources are identified. The current lack of basic information in surgeries must be addressed (e.g. information on local providers, printed information detailing range and eligibility criteria of welfare benefits).

Cross-Sectional Studies↗