S. K. Singh

Bio: S. K. Singh is an academic researcher from University of Delhi. The author has contributed to research in topics: Medicine & Crop yield. The author has an hindex of 27, co-authored 942 publications receiving 4150 citations.

Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in muscle tissue of fishes from selected aquaculture ponds in east Kolkata wetlands

Abstract: Heavy metals i.e. Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), Manganese (Mn), Iron (Fe), Cadmium (Cd), Nickel (Ni), Mercury (Hg) and Arsenic (As) were analyzed in 35 samples of the fish muscle, from East Kolkata Wetlands (EKW). The concentration of heavy metals was in order of, Fe > Zn > Cu > Mn > Ni > As > Hg > Cd. The essential metals, such as iron, zinc, copper and manganese were in higher concentrations and, the non-essential and toxic metals such as cadmium, nickel, mercury and arsenic were generally low. The bioaccumulation pattern of metals in different species of fishes was as: Hypophthalmichthys molitrix > Oreochromis nilotica > Labeo rohita > O. mossambica > Channa marulius > Catla catla > Punctius ticto. The Pearson’s moment correlation coefficients among heavy metal were investigated and presented. This study revealed that fishes from the East Kolkata Wetland (EKW) may not be harmful to consumers since; levels of heavy metals were below the permissible limits issued by FAO/WHO. However, intensive study on fishes is a need to determine the bioaccumulation of heavy metals and other toxic pollutants i.e. pesticides, PCBs, PAHs, and dioxins in this area.

Inflammatory markers in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Abstract: Background Autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are the consequence of a persistent imbalance between pro- and anti-inflammatory immune mechanisms, leading to chronic inflammation. The objective of this study was to determine whether the high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and cytokines are elevated in RA patients and to investigate the relationship between these markers and disease activity in RA, measured by disease activity score 28 (DAS28). Methods We studied 110 RA patients according to American College of Rheumatology revised criteria for RA, and 55 controls matched by age and sex. Serum levels of hs-CRP and cytokines interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10 and tumour necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) were estimated and correlated with the DAS28. Serum hs-CRP was assayed immunoturbidimetrically and cytokines were analysed by commercially available ELISA kit. Results We found that RA patients had significantly higher levels of serum hs-CRP (p < 0.001), IL-6 (p < 0.001), TNF-a (p < 0.001), and IL-10 (p < 0.01) as compared to healthy controls. hs-CRP, IL-6 and TNF-a correlated positively (p < 0.001) and IL-10 correlated negatively (p < 0.01) with DAS28. Conclusions These results demonstrate that RA patients have high levels of inflammatory markers, and these levels are correlated with the DAS28. These findings suggest a possible role of these markers in the pathogenesis of RA. Moreover, these biomarkers can be used as markers of disease activity in the diagnosis and treatment of RA.

Vitamin D deficiency.

Abstract: admission. This proportion could already be greater in some parts of the country and may increase if referrals of cases of self-poisoning increase faster than the facilities for their assessment and management. The provision of social work and psychiatric expertise in casualty departments may be one means of preventing unnecessary medical admissions without risk to the patients. Dr Blake's and Dr Bramble's figures do not demonstrate, however, that any advantage would attach to medical teams taking over assessment from psychiatrists except that, by implication, assessments would be completed sooner by staff working on the ward full time. What the figures actually suggest is that if assessment of overdoses were left to house doctors there would be an increase in admissions to psychiatric units (by 19°U), outpatients (by 5O°'), and referrals to social services (by 140o). So for house doctors to assess overdoses would provide no economy for the psychiatric or social services. The study does not tell us what the consequences would have been for the six patients who the psychiatrists would have admitted but to whom the house doctors would have offered outpatient appointments. E J SALTER

Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis.

Abstract: Cause, conseguenze e strategie di mitigazione Proponiamo il primo di una serie di articoli in cui affronteremo l’attuale problema dei mutamenti climatici. Presentiamo il documento redatto, votato e pubblicato dall’Ipcc - Comitato intergovernativo sui cambiamenti climatici - che illustra la sintesi delle ricerche svolte su questo tema rilevante.

American Society for Testing and Materials

Abstract: The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) is an independent organization devoted to the development of standards.