Biospark - Jan 2022

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BIOSPARK January 2022

Digitally Published by

Department of Physiology Krishnagar Government College

First published in digital format by: Department of Physiology Krishnagar Government College Krishnagar, Nadia, India – 741101 02 February 2022 © All rights reserved, for non – commercial, restricted circulation only

Editorial Board Dr. Maitrayee Banerjee Mukherjee, Assistant Professor and Head Dr. Achintya Mohan Goswami, Assistant Professor Dr. Kaushik Sarkar, Assistant Professor Dr. Krishnendu Sarkar, Assistant Professor Ratnodip Saha, Student, Semester V Cover Design Idea - Dip Das Chowdhury, Semester V Illustration - Swarnali Biswas, Semester V Magazine Committee (Students) Ratnodip Saha, Semester V Dip Das Chowdhury, Semester V Swarnali Biswas, Semester V Arghya Biswas, Semester V

Editorial From the Desk of Head, Department of Physiology, Krishnagar Government College Our Institution, Krishnagar Government College is a 176 year old leading heritage foundation affiliated to University of Kalyani. This prestigious Institution always focussed to become a knowledge centre in teaching ,research and successfully provided many distinguished personalities and leaders in diverse fields.

At Department of Physiology, Krishnagar Government College we have been striving tirelessly to inculcate knowledge and value based education within our students. Many notable alumni of this department

were able to establish

themselves in the field of scientific research in our country and also abroad.

During the Covid 19 pandemic the teaching fraternity as well as the students are facing tremendous obstacle in online platform in comparison to classroom based courses. The Faculties arranged a number of national and international webinars, regular student webinars ,interactive sessions during the pandemic which helped our students to be vibrant and stress free. It is our endeavour to assist our students to take up the academic as well as social challenges and make them courageous to stand for truth and honesty.

This e-magazine Biospark showcases the exquisite talents of the potent minds and willing hearts of our beloved students. It narrates the exemplary achievement of our students in both curricular and co-curricular fields. I am extremely proud and happy to be part of this. At last I also express my deepest gratitude to the members of Editorial Board and Magazine Committee who have continually contributed in their individual ways to shape the magazine.

Contents Covid-19 and Our Immunity Debjit Sarkar, Semester I ‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥ 01

Blood Cancer vs Leukemia Nilanjana Rakshit, Semester III ‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥04

Dysmenorrhoea - Pathophysiology and Management Sandipan Roy Chowdhury (Ex-student) ‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥ 07

Ulcerative Colitis : A chronic idiopathic inflammatory disease Swarnali Biswas, Semester V ‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥ 12

Dream, a summary Ratnodip Saha, Semester V ‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥ 17

An overview of Ovarian cancer Bijaya Pramanik (Ex-student) ‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥22

A Review On Tea Tree Oil Snehankana Mitra, Semester V ‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥30

যক্ষা -নিঃশব্দে ঘটে চলা একটি অতিমারি Kaushik Kanti Das, Semester III ‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥ 33

ছোটোগল্প - "ভুলো মন" Dip Das Chowdhury, Semester V ‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥39

কবিতা- "বৃ ষ্টিমু খর দিনে" Piyali Das, Semester III ‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥40

Human Genome Project Camellia Paul (Ex-student) ‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥ 41

Irritable Bowel Syndrome Snehankana Mitra, Semester V ‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥48

Sir Augustus D. Waller - The man who recorded the first ECG Soumi Biswas, Semester III ‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥53

Gold Nanoparticles and Cancer Therapy Ratnodip Saha, Semester V ‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥ 57

Why Zinc supplements are popular during this Pandemic?

Keya Kundu, Semester V ‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥ 63

What is Peptic Ulcer?

Pallabi Kundu, Semester V ‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥68

Facts in number Dip Das Chowdhury & Ratnodip Saha, Semester V ‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥72

Painting Swarnali Biswas, Semester V ‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥ 76

Painting Sudipta Biswas, Semester III ‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥ 77

Department of Physiology in Pictures .....................................................................................................78

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Biospark // Jan 2022

Covid-19 and Our Immunity Debjit Sarkar, Semester I

C

ovid-19, a name which is very familiar to us at present, has captured the whole world with it's high transmissibility. The origin centre of the disease

is China. Almost >3000000 deaths occurred due to this pandemic. Here we are going to discuss the primary understanding of the immunology of COVID 19 with a primary focus on adaptive immunity.

Our body has two immune systems - Innate immunity and Adaptive immunity. Adaptive immunity is based on memory principle of immune cells. The

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Biospark // Jan 2022 adaptive immune system contains CD4+ T cell, it functions as helper and effector, CD8+ T cell, it kills infected cell and B cell which produces antibodies to fight against the antigens.

When any pathogenic foreign objects such as virus, bacteria, fungi enters in our body, the innate immune system of our body tries to protect our body and also alarms the adaptive immunity system. It provides Primary response which is a slow process and the intensity of this response is very low due to selection of virus specific B and T cells from the large pool of B and T cell.

Primary response restricts the progress of viral replication within infected cell, creates antiviral state in local tissue environment and promotes the adaptive immune response.

In the case of secondary immune response the cells contain the memory and differentiates quickly to fight against the specific pathogen that's why the process is fast The SARS CoV2, virus responsible for COVID-19 disease, has a special ability to evade the innate immune system without alarming it, and the virus can replicate in the body independently. If the primary immune system response gets delayed for a long time the virus spreads to the upper respiratory tract and lungs.

As the age grows, the T and B cell pool of cell gets smaller and then the body has to struggle more to find viral specific antibody secreting B cells, thus hampering the neutralizing ability of antibody responses which are generally T cell dependent.

In case of acute COVID 19, CD8+T cell exhibits high level of molecule associated with potent cyto-toxic functions such as IFN gama, granzyme B, perforin.

From extensive research scientists have reached a point that SARS Cov 2 can be controlled by a combination of CD4+T cell and CD8+T cells without neutralizing

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Biospark // Jan 2022 antibody. Neutralizing antibodies are functional and valuable, which are associated with protective immunity against infection with SARS CoV 2.

The vaccines are prepared based on memory retaining ability of T and B cell.

Vaccines are classified into three categories based on the material which is inserted in our body.

1) m RNA vaccine- In this case genetic material of the virus is introduced in our body and specific proteins for destroying the genetic material are synthesized in our body which are replaced by T and B cell afterwards.

2) Protien subunit Vaccine- Harmless proteins isolated from the virus are introduced in our body.

3)

Vector

mediated

vaccine- Viral vector (modified version of a different virus other than COVID-19) is introduced in our body.

Specific type of T and B cells are

synthesized

vaccination

via

these

techniques

to

prevent the infection of COVID19.

FINAL WORDS: Precaution is

also

vaccination.

important

beside

Vaccination

of

Photo by Anna Shvets from Pexels

COVID 19 is ongoing. Every person should be vaccinated. There are other variants (like the Omicron variant) of COVID-19. We should be prepared for it.

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Biospark // Jan 2022

Blood Cancer vs Leukemia Nilanjana Rakshit, Semester III

T

he rate of new cases of leukemia was 14.3 per 100,000 men and women per year. The death rate was 6.1 per 100,000 men and women per year. (based on

deaths that occurred in 2015-19. Source: NIH) Cancer is a disease in which abnormal cells divide uncontrollably and destroy body tissue. Most common types of cancers are breast cancer, prostate cancer, skin cancer, lung cancer, leukemia.

Blood cancer or Leukemia is cancer tissues

of

blood-forming

including

bone

marrow. Doctors categorize leukemia based on which type of blood cell is involvedlymphocytes or myeloid cells and whether the illness is developing very quickly (acute disease) or slowly over time(chronic disease). There are 4 main types of leukemia: Acute myeloid Leukemia (AML), Chronic myeloid Leukemia (CML), Acute lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL). Scientists don't understand the exact causes of Leukemia but there are

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Biospark // Jan 2022 several risk factors that have been identified, such as exposure, previous cancer treatment, HIV, tobacco, certain hair

dyes

etc.

In

general,

Leukemia is thought to occur when some blood cells acquire changes (mutation) in their genetic material or DNA. A cell's DNA contains the instructions that tell a cell what to do.

Normally, the DNA tells the cell to grow at a set rate and to die at a set time. In Leukemia, the mutations tell the blood cells to continue growing and dividing.

When this happens, blood cell production becomes out of control. Over time, these abnormal cells can crowd out healthy blood cells in the bone marrow, leading to fewer healthy white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets causing the signs and symptoms of Leukemia. Many patients with slow growing types of Leukemia don't have symptoms. Rapidly growing types of Leukemia may cause symptoms that include fatigue, weight loss, loss of appetite,easy bleeding or bruising. People may experience pain in the bones or joint, fever, frequent infections, mouth ulcer, red spots on skin, weakness, nose bleeding.

Common treatments used to fight Leukemia include: Chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy etc. There was a time when cancer was incurable, but over the years, the scenario has changed. Now there are treatments available that guarantee up to 90 per cent survival chances.

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Biospark // Jan 2022 Here are some ways to combat cancer by changing your diet.

1. Eat generous amounts of vegetables and moderate amounts of fruits and try including vegetables, salads, beans and cereals in your diet.

2. Consume omega-3 fatty acids either through foods or supplements. These have anti-cancer properties.

3. Eat yogurt as it contains good bacteria that produces metabolites which is known to prevent cancer in the gut and also helps in better metabolization of fats, which could help lower the risk of cancer.

4. Try cancer fighting foods like ginger, garlic, onion, turmeric and coriander.

5. Stay hydrated.

6. Wash your veggies and fruits by using vinegar and salt. This is useful in removing wax and bacteria, especially from ‘over-glossy’ products such as apples which are usually wax coated these days.

So, Cancer may start the fight, but we will finish it.

Image by Hatice EROL from Pixabay

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Biospark // Jan 2022

Dysmenorrhoea - Pathophysiology and Management Sandipan Roy Chowdhury (Ex-student)

M

enstruation occurs when the uterus sheds its lining once a month. Mild pain, discomfort, and cramps during menstruation is normal. Excessive

pain which prevents one to walk or do something freely is not normal and needs to be discussed. In a country like India, where menstruation is considered a taboo

this topic(s) are not discussed openly and the individual lacks proper diagnosis and treatment.

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Biospark // Jan 2022 TYPES AND DEFINITION Dysmenorrhea medical

term

is

for

the

painful

menstrual periods and needs to be discussed so that it can be diagnosed at the earliest without

any

Dysmenorrhea

problem. can

be

classified under two subtypes, i.e., primary and secondary.

Image by silviarita from Pixabay

The former refers to recurrent pain while the latter results from reproductive system disorders, both of which can be treated.

Primary Dysmenorrhea is the name for common menstrual cramps that come back over and over again and are not due to any underlying conditions. Pain usually starts one or two days before the bleeding starts. The pain usually ranges from mild to severe in lower abdomen, back or thighs. The pain usually lasts from 12 hours to 72 hours accompanied by other symptoms like nausea, vomiting, fatigue and even diarrhoea. This may become less painful as the individual gets older and after pregnancy.

Pain from secondary dysmenorrhea usually begins earlier at the menstrual cycle and lasts longer than normal menstrual cramps. The individual generally do not have fatigue, vomiting or nausea. Secondary dysmenorrhea is generally due to problems in reproductive organs or infections.

CAUSES Menstrual cramps happen when a chemical called prostaglandin makes the uterus tighten up(contraction). The uterine muscle contracts throughout the

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Biospark // Jan 2022 menstrual cycle. During menstruation uterus contracts too strongly, it can press against nearby blood vessels cutting off blood supply to nearby muscle tissues.

Pain is felt when a part of muscle briefly losses supply of oxygen.

Conditions that can cause secondary dysmenorrhea menstrual cramps are: • Endometriosis: It is a condition in which the tissue lining of uterus called endometrium is found outside the uterus. As these tissue bleed during period it can cause swelling and pain.

• Adenomyosis: It is a condition where the lining of uterus grows into the muscle of uterus. The condition causes overgrowth of uterus along with abnormal bleeding and pain.

• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID): It is an infection caused by bacteria that starts in the uterus and spread to other reproductive organs. PID can cause pain in stomach or pain during sex.

• Fibroids (benign tumours): These are tumor growth inside and outside or in the walls of uterus.

• Cervical stenosis: Narrowing of the lower part of the uterus , caused by scarring, as well as lack of estrogen after menopause.

NUTRIONAL INTERVENTION Barnard et al. found in a study that a low-fat, vegan diet has been shown to reduce dysmenorrhea symptoms. In a placebo -controlled crossover trial, a lowfat, vegan diet was shown to increase serum concentrations of sex hormone binding globulin and reduce dysmenorrhea symptoms. Prior to the diet change, volunteers reported an average of 3.9days of pain in each cycle, which fell to 2.7days on a low-fat, vegan diet. In addition, the severity of pain was significantly

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Biospark // Jan 2022 reduced. Another systematic review of studies on diet and dysmenorrhea concluded from observational and clinical trials that a higher dietary ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids and supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids are protective against dysmenorrhea by reducing pro-inflammatory prostaglandin formation. Researchers speculate that under- and overweight status lead to menstrual irregularities, which, in turn, increase the risk of dysmenorrhea.

RISK FACTORS There are certain things that put one at a higher risk of menstrual cramps.

Smoking, family history of menstrual cramps, irregular or heavy menstrual bleeding, overweight / underweight or an early onset of puberty puts an individual at higher risk of menstual cramps.

TREATMENT If one have severe and unusual menstrual cramps she should contact a doctor as soon as possible. The healthcare provider may do a pelvic exam or may take small amount of vaginal fluid for tests.

Changes in lifestyle and diet that may help are: • Avoid tobacco and alcohol.

• Avoid caffeine.

• Massage lower back and abdomen.

• Stress management • Yoga and exercise • Maintenance of proper weight • Placing a heat pad on lower back or abdomen to relieve pain • Acupuncture and Acupressure

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Biospark // Jan 2022

CONCLUSION One suffering from menstrual cramps should discuss about it and seek medical advice. Menstruation is normal, one may experience cramps but she should not hide it and remain silent. There are ways to make periods less painful.

If one suffered earlier from cramps in the family she should discuss how she managed to relieve the pain and share her lifestyle and diet. If there are cases of dysmenorrhea among family and friends, it must be discussed without any hesitation for proper management. Healthy lifestyle should be promoted and proper stress management should be done as it showed significant lower pain severity. Menstrual hygiene should also be taken care of as many get infected due to poor hygiene.

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Biospark // Jan 2022

Ulcerative Colitis : A chronic idiopathic inflammatory disease Swarnali Biswas, Semester V

U

lcerative colitis (UC) is a long-term condition that results in inflammation and ulcers of the colon and rectum. The primary symptoms of active

disease are abdominal pain and diarrhoea mixed with blood. Weight loss, fever, and anaemia may also occur. Often, symptoms come on slowly and can range from mild to severe. Symptoms typically occur intermittently with periods of no symptoms between flares.Complications may include abnormal dilation of the colon (mega colon), inflammation of the eye, joints, or liver, and colon cancer.

Picture by Swarnali Biswas, Semester V

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Biospark // Jan 2022 Symptoms Ulcerative colitis symptoms can vary, depending on the severity of inflammation and where it occurs. Signs and symptoms may include: • Diarrhoea, often with blood or pus • Abdominal pain and cramping • Rectal pain • Rectal bleeding — passing small amount of blood with stool • Urgency to defecate • Inability to defecate despite urgency • Weight loss • Fatigue • Fever • In children, failure to grow Most people with ulcerative colitis have mild to moderate symptoms. The course of ulcerative colitis may vary, with some people having long periods of remission.

Types Doctors often classify ulcerative colitis according to its location. Types of ulcerative colitis include: • Ulcerative proctitis. Inflammation is confined to the area closest to the anus (rectum), and rectal bleeding may be the only sign of the disease. 

Proctosigmoiditis. Inflammation involves the rectum and sigmoid colon — the lower end of the colon. Signs and symptoms include bloody diarrhoea, abdominal cramps and pain, and an inability to move the bowels in spite of the urge to do so (tenesmus).

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Biospark // Jan 2022 

Left-sided colitis. Inflammation extends from the rectum up through the sigmoid and descending colon. Signs and symptoms include bloody diarrhoea, abdominal cramping and pain on the left side, and urgency to defecate.



Pan colitis. This type often affects the entire colon and causes bouts of bloody diarrhoea that may be severe, abdominal cramps and pain, fatigue, and significant weight loss.

Causes The exact cause of ulcerative colitis remains unknown. Previously, diet and

stress were suspected, but now doctors know that these factors may aggravate but don't cause ulcerative colitis.

One possible cause is an immune system malfunction. When our immune system tries to fight off an invading virus or bacterium, an abnormal immune response causes the immune system to attack the cells in the digestive tract, too.

Heredity also seems to play a role in that ulcerative colitis is more common in people who have family members with the disease. However, most people with ulcerative colitis don't have this family history.

Risk factors Ulcerative colitis affects about the same number of women and men. Risk factors may include: 

Age. Ulcerative colitis usually begins before the age of 30. But it can occur at any age, and some people may not develop the disease until after age 60.



Race or ethnicity. Although whites have the highest risk of the disease, it can occur in any race. If we're of Ashkenazi Jewish descent, our risk is even higher.

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Biospark // Jan 2022 

Family history. We are at higher risk if we have a close relative, such as a parent, sibling or child, with the disease.

Complications Possible complications of ulcerative colitis include:



Severe bleeding



A hole in the colon (perforated colon)



Severe dehydration



Bone loss (osteoporosis)



Inflammation of skin, joints and eyes



An increased risk of colon cancer



A rapidly swelling colon (toxic mega colon)



Increased risk of blood clots in veins and arteries Ulcerative Colitis and Large Intestine Physiology An increased amount of colonic sulphate-reducing bacteria has been

observed in some people with ulcerative colitis, resulting in higher concentrations of the toxic gas hydrogen sulphide. Human colonic mucosa is maintained by the colonic epithelial barrier and immune cells in the lamina propria.N-butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid, gets oxidized through the beta oxidation pathway into carbon dioxide and ketone bodies. It has been shown that N-butyrate helps supply nutrients to this epithelial barrier. Studies have proposed that hydrogen sulphide plays a role in impairing this beta-oxidation pathway by interrupting the short chain acetyl-CoA dehydrogenase, an enzyme within the pathway. Furthermore, it has been suggested that the protective benefit of smoking in ulcerative colitis is due to the hydrogen cyanide from cigarette smoke reacting with hydrogen sulfide to produce the non-toxic isothiocyanate, thereby inhibiting sulphides from interrupting the pathway. An unrelated study suggested

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Biospark // Jan 2022 that the sulphur contained in red meats and alcohol may lead to an increased risk of relapse for people in remission. To dissect the molecular basis of UC, it is necessary to have thorough knowledge of the cellular populations that constitute the large intestine. The mucosa of the colon is lined by a single-layered columnar epithelium with a thin brush border that is essential for maintaining gut homeostasis and functions as a physical and biochemical barrier and a coordinating centre for immune defence and crosstalk between bacteria and immune cells.

Histological Changes in the Colon in Ulcerative Colitis The typical histologic findings of ulcerative colitis include expansion of chronic inflammation in the mucosa and, in active cases, the presence of acute inflammation. In mildly active cases, there is an acute cryptitis that progresses to crypt abscesses in moderately active cases. In severe cases, mucosal ulcers develop as a result of the ongoing acute inflammatory process. Areas of relatively preserved mucosa between ulcerated areas may have a polypoid appearance grossly and are referred to as "pseudo polyps." In cases of many years’ duration, dysplasia of the large bowel mucosa may develop and signifies an increased risk for the development of colorectal adenocarcinoma.

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Biospark // Jan 2022

Dream, a summary Ratnodip Saha, Semester V

A

P. J. Abdul Kalam said, “Dreams are not those which comes while we are sleeping,

but dreams are those when you don't sleep before fulfilling them.” But in

psychology, along with physiology or other branches of science, the science of dreaming is really, really complex. Let’s discuss about the psychology of dreaming and some phenomena linked with it.

What is dream?

Dreams are some sort of movies, directed by our brain during the time of sleep, in our subconscious mind. Our brain steals stories from our real life and our untold thoughts to create these weird movies, which has both strange and familiar plots How dreams happen?

Before discussing about dream, you have to learn the relation

Picture by Swarnali Biswas, Semester V

between sleep and dream. So, why we dream during sleeping? Don’t think about daydreaming! So let’s move to the topic.

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Biospark // Jan 2022 Sleep is the natural periodic state of rest for mind and body with closed eyes characterized by partial

or complete loss of

consciousness. Loss of

consciousness leads to decreased response to external stimuli and decreased body movements. Sleep occurs due to the activity of some sleep-inducing centres in brain. Stimulation of the centres induces sleep. Now maybe you have heard about sleep cycle. When you sleep, our brain goes through a repeating natural cycles of activity. A full sleep cycle takes about 90 to 110 minutes. More or less we go through 6 sleep cycles every night (NREM>REM>NREM>REM…so on). Each cycle has four stages, which are divided in two stages:  Non-REM sleep: This phase comes first, after when you fall asleep. This contains first three stages of the sleep cycle. You are in deep sleep in the third NREM stage.  REM sleep: After the NREM phase comes the REM period (or Rapid Eye Movement). During this phase, the eyes move rapidly in various directions.

Various sleep studies show, in this phase our brainwaves are almost as active as when we are awake. But our body becomes more relaxed and immobilized. (see Sleep paralysis) In this REM period most of the dreams occur. This stage also plays an important role in memory consolidation (by strengthening the neural connections that form our memory) According to some researches, the brainstem generates REM sleep and the forebrain generates dreams. So, logically dream is a part of our daily sleep cycle.

But why they occur? What are the purposes? It’s not clear yet. Dreams get food more from your imagination than your real perceptions (in forebrain). But why dreams are so weird sometimes?

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Biospark // Jan 2022 Chemistry of Dream Brain uses a lot of energy and is highly active when we sleep means that when we are dreaming, thousands of neural connections and signals are firing, activating areas of brain that release hormones and neurotransmitters, which help in the formation of dream. Levels of neurotransmitters are at their peak during alert wakefulness and REM. Acetylcholine is vastly linked with learning and memory. It's high levels during REM shows information is being processed and consolidated, which is an indication that Ach plays an important role in dreaming. Cholinergic fibres are most active during REM sleep. It is possible that cholinergic activity is essential for generating the contents of dreams.

In other hand, when the brain has high levels of ‘fight and flight’ or stress hormones such as adrenaline, noradrenaline, dopamine and serotonin vivid dreams and nightmares are more likely to occur.

An important neurotransmitter for remembering dreams, norepinephrine, exists at very low levels during dreaming, as does electrical activity in areas key to long-term memory, such as the prefrontal cortex.

What is Lucid dream?

This is a very interesting phenomenon. Lucid dream is when you are aware that you are dreaming. You can perceive or control your thoughts during such dream. You ever experienced this? About 55 percent of people have experienced one or more lucid dreams in their lifetime. Though, frequent lucid dreaming is rare. Only 23 percent of people have lucid dreams at least once a month.

Why we experience Hypnic jerks?

Hypnic jerks or sleep starts are quick involuntary benign myoclonic jerks (like, hiccups). These jerks can be felt just before falling asleep. I think you have experienced this one, at least once in your life. It’s like you have just fallen asleep,

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Biospark // Jan 2022 you started seeing a dream like riding a horse and suddenly fell from up. Now, your muscles are relaxed, but your brain has not gone completely inactive yet. So, your brain thinks your accident as a real one, and commands your body to prevent it. Brain makes your body to act exactly like when you fall over the ground, such as stretching your hands etc. But as your muscles are relaxed, you just feel a quick jerk, mainly in your limbs. So, it’s a kind of protective reflex.

Is Sleep paralysis a supernatural phenomenon?

Now let’s talk about sleep paralysis. To me this is most interesting thing in the sleep psychology. Though it’s not completely linked with dreaming, this is like a frightful nightmare in real. In Bengali culture this is known as ‘Bobay dhora’. In such case, people wake up in the middle of their sleep and are fully aware of their surroundings, but they can’t move. In simple words they are paralyzed in that moment. It occurs when a person passes between stages of wakefulness and sleep.

Here comes the REM again! During REM your brain is very active. A lot of things are passing through your mind during REM, some of them can be recollected as dreams. So, to prevent you from acting like the superhero in your dream and hurting your siblings or parents, our brain keeps our body paralyzed. And if that transition between REM sleep and waking is somehow disrupted, you are consciously waking up, but the protective paralysis of REM period of the ongoing sleep cycle has not yet ended. Then you feel like some sort of demon is abducting you. But actually aside from horror, they are harmless. Factors like stress, narcolepsy (neurological disorder that can affect the brain’s control of sleep and wakefulness) induces the occurrence of sleep paralysis. So, the final word is such hallucination is a natural phenomenon, not caused by any demon or supernatural powers.

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Biospark // Jan 2022 Why we have terrible nightmares?

Like all other dreams, nightmares are also experienced during REM. Nightmares are nothing but adding some evil characters to your nighttime movie by your wicked brain. All your bad thoughts, fears can get a role in your dream sometimes. Nightmares can be induced by many factors, including: stress, anxiety, trauma (in high frequency in PTSD), medications, scary movies or stories etc. High consumptions of alcohol may also give rise to nightmares. As an example, nowadays we all have started experiencing

strange nightmares

frequently due to the excess stress for ongoing pandemic.

So, we can say, the type of our dream depends on:  How we are living our life?  What we are perceiving throughout the day?  What is lying deep inside our brain?  What health condition we are experiencing?  What we are eating? and many other factors.

Apart from these complex theories, dreams have various faces. Sometimes it takes us to a fairyland full of chocolates and sometimes to the last moment of your semester exam, where you have not finished your paper yet!

Reference 1. Essentials of Medical Physiology (6th edition, 2012)-K Sembulingum, Prema Sembulingum 2. www.medicalnewstoday.com 3. www.scientificamerican.com 4. www.pubmed.gov

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Biospark // Jan 2022

An overview of Ovarian cancer Bijaya Pramanik (Ex-student)

T

he American Cancer Society(ACS) estimated in 2019 that, 22,530 people may have been diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer and around 13,980 people are

likely to die from this condition.

In 2020, the COVID-19 Pandemic dominated the global consciousness and research efforts. Every year, there

are

295,000

new

diagnoses of ovarian cancer, and

more

than

184,000

deaths globally.

The ovary is found in the

female

conceptive

framework that delivers an ovum. At the point when delivered, the ovum moves down the fallopian tube into the uterus, where it might get fertilized by Sperm. There is an ovary in each side of the body. The Ovaries likewise discharge chemicals that assume a part in the monthly cycle and reproduction. The ovary advances through numerous stages starting in the prebirth period through menopause.

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Biospark // Jan 2022 Ovarian malignancy is quite possibly the most widely recognized gynaecologic disease that has the most elevated mortality rate. It starts in the female organs that produce eggs (Ovums). Ovarian malignancy regularly goes undetected until it has spread inside the pelvis and stomach.

Types There are three main types of Ovarian Tumorso

Epithelial Tumors- It is the most common type of Ovarian Cancer that arises from the simple cuboidal surface epithelium of the Ovary and record for 75% of single Ovarian Tumor and 90% - 95% of ovarian malignancies. Ovarian epithelial tumors are classified into the following histological subtypes. Serous, Mucinous, Endometrioid, Clear Cell, Brenner, Transitional Cell, Small Cell, Mixed Mesodermal and Undifferentiated.

o

Germ Cell Tumors- It develops from reproductive cells (Germ Cells) of the Ovaries. Most of these tumors are not Cancers. Germ Cell tumors make up under 2% of every single ovarian malignancy, as indicated by the ACS, and they have a high endurance rate, with nine out of ten patients enduring five years after finding. There’s a possibility that the primary care physicians fix this type of mallignancy. Furthermore, most ladies who get these tumors can have children after they’re treated. Some of the most common subtypes of Germ Cell Ovarian Tumors are Teratomas, Dysgerminoma, Endodermal Sinus Tumor and Choriocarcinoma Tumors.

o

Stromal Tumors- Ovarian Stromal Tumors are an uncommon class of tumors that create from connective tissue cells that hold the ovary together and

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Biospark // Jan 2022 those that produce the female chemicals, Estrogen and Progesterone. The most well-known sorts are granulose-theca tumors and Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors.

Causes Ovarian malignancy occurs when cells of the body around the ovaries isolate and duplicate in an uncontrolled manner. Why ovarian malignant growth happens isn’t clear, yet specialists have recognized some danger factors that are

Family History: Women with a mother, sister or grandmother who has had Ovarian Cancer have a higher risk of developing the disease. For as long as long term, Ovarian malignant growth was principally described as transformations in the bosom and ovarian powerlessness hereditary qualities BRCA-1 and BRCA-2, with a lot more modest commitment from the changes in the DNA jumble fix hereditary qualities and TP5 causing LI-Fraumeni disorder.



Age: Similarly as with most tumors, the danger of creating ovarian malignancy increments as a lady gets old. Ladies beyond 50 years have a higher risk, and most instances of ovarian malignant growth happens in ladies who have effectively gone through the menopause. The greater part of the instances of ovarian malignancy analyzed are ladies more than 65 years.



Breast Cancer: Individuals with a background marked by breast malignant growth appear to have a higher possibility of ovarian disease. This might be because of changes in the BRCA quality. Therefore, a few group with a breast malignancy who test positive for this quality transformation may select to have an oophorectomy, or medical procedure to eliminate the ovaries, as preventive treatment.

Page 24

Biospark // Jan 2022 

Reproductive History: Having had at least one full term pregnancies is related with a lower hazard of ovarian disease. The more pregnancies a lady has, the lower the danger is by all accounts. Breastfeeding may likewise bring down the danger. Notwithstanding, having kids further down the road (after age 35) or never having kids are related with a higher danger. People who use some types of fertility treatment may have a higher chance of developing borderline cells, but not all studies confirm this.



Hormone Therapy: Going through chemical substitution treatment (HRT) after menopause seems to expand the danger of ovarian malignant growth.

The more drawn out an individual uses HRT, the higher the danger.

Notwithstanding, the danger seems to fall after treatment stops.



HPV: Researches have been discovering relations between the Human Papilloma virus (HPV) and different malignant growths, including tonsil disease and cervical malignancy. In 2013, the creators of a meta-examination detailed tracking down a high pace of HPV among individuals with ovarian malignancy. In any case, they couldn’t affirm that HPV causes it, and they called for additional exploration.



Other Factors: Different components that may expand the danger of certain kinds of ovarian disease include having undeniable degrees of androgens (or male chemicals), dietary components or the utilization of baby powder.

Notwithstanding, scientists have not yet demonstrated a connection between these components and ovarian malignancy.

Stages:  Stage 1: At the point when an individual has Stage 1 Ovarian Disease, it implies that the malignant growth has been found in one or the two ovaries.

15% of ladies with ovarian disease are determined to have Stage 1.

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Biospark // Jan 2022  Stage 1A- The malignancy is restricted, or limited, to one ovary.  Stage 1B- The malignancy is in the two ovaries.  Stage 1C- Malignancy is additionally found outwardly surface of one or the two ovaries; or the container of the ovary has burst or malignant growth cells are found in the liquid of the peritoneal hole; or in lining of the peritoneum.  Stage 2: Stage 2 ovarian malignancy implies that the disease is found in one or the two ovaries and has spread into different spaces of the pelvis.  Stage 2A- Cancer has spread to the uterus as well as fallopian tubes (the long slim cylinders through which eggs pass from the ovaries to the uterus).  Stage 2B- Cancer has spread to other tissues inside the pelvis.  Stage 2C- Cancer is found inside one or both ovaries and has spread to the uterus and fallopian tubes, or to other tissues within the pelvis.  Stage 3: Stage 3 ovarian malignancy implies that the disease is found in one or the two ovaries and has spread externally from the pelvis to different parts of the mid region and additionally close to the lymph hubs.  Stage 3A- The tumor is found in the pelvis only. The cancer cells have spread to the tissues that lines the abdominal wall, the small intestine.  Stage 3B- Cancer has spread to the peritoneum and it is 2cm or smaller.  Stage3C- Cancer has spread to the peritoneum and it is larger than 2cm.

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Biospark // Jan 2022

Symptoms The early side effects of ovarian disease are barely noticed since they’re like any other normal ailments. The early indications include abdominal bloating, pressure and pain, abnormal fullness after eating, difficulty in eating and an increase in urination

Page 27

Biospark // Jan 2022 Ovarian Cancer can also cause other symptoms, such as fatigue, indigestion, heartburn, constipation, deep pain, menstrual irregularities, painful intercourse and dermatomyositis Diagnosis In the event that normal screening or indications propose that an individual may have ovarian disease, a specialist is required to examine the matter. They may likewise suggest• Blood Tests: These tests will check for undeniable levels of a marker called CA125. CA 125 Blood test estimates the measure of a protein called CA-125 (malignant growth antigen 125) in the blood. CA-125 levels are high in ladies with ovarian malignancy. Since high CA-125 levels can be an indication of different conditions other than ovarian malignant growth, this test is frequently done on ladies previously determined to have ovarian malignancy.

A CA-125 blood test might be utilized as a screening therapy for ovarian malignancy. In the event that CA-125 levels go down, it as a rule implies that the treatment is working. A high CA-125 levels after completed therapy might mean that the malignant growth has returned.

• Imaging Test: Example incorporates a transvaginal ultrasound, a MRI examine, or a CT. Treatment • Surgery: For early phase malignancy that hasn’t spread past one ovary, medical procedure may include eliminating the effected ovary and its fallopian tube. This procedure may save the child bearing ability. In the event that malignancy is spread to both the ovaries, and there are no indications of extra disease, the specialist may remove both ovaries and fallopian tubes. In the event that the malignancy has progressed, chemotherapy may be

Page 28

Biospark // Jan 2022 required followed by a medical procedure to remove however much of the disease as could be expected.

• Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is a medication therapy that utilizes synthesis to kill quickly developing cells in the body, including disease cells.

Chemotherapy is regularly utilized after a medical procedure to kill any malignant growth cells that may remain. It can likewise be utilized before a medical procedure.

• Supportive Care: Palliative consideration is a specific clinical consideration that spotlights on giving alleviation from torment and different manifestations of a genuine disease.

Recent Research: A 2015 article took a gander at intraperitoneal chemotherapy. This investigation tracked down that the individuals who got IP treatment had a middle endurance pace of 61.8 months. This was an improvement when contrasted with 51.4 months for the individuals who got standard chemotherapy.

In 2018, the FDA fast-tracked a protein therapy called AVBS6-500 for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. This aims to prevent tumor growth and cancer spread by blocking a key molecular pathway.

In May 2020, clinical trial results Trusted Source were published for a potential new antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) to treat platinum resistant ovarian cancer.

Reerences: 1. McMullen, M., Karakasis, K., Rottapel, R. et al. Advances in ovarian cancer, from biology to treatment. Nat Cancer 2, 6–8 (2021).

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Biospark // Jan 2022

A Review On Tea Tree Oil Snehankana Mitra, Semester V

T

ea tree oil (melaleuca oil), is an essential oil. It has a fresh camphoraceous odor and the colour ranges from pale yellow to clear and colourless. It is

derived from the leaves of the tea tree, Melaleuca alternifolia mostly found in southeast Queensland and the northeast coast of New South Wales in Australia.

USES AND IMPORTANT FACTS It is used as a traditional medicine, typically as a tropical medication in low concentrations for the treatment of skin conditions, but it has little evidence of efficacy.

Tea tree oil is claimed as useful for treating dandruff, acne, lice, herpes, insect bites, scabies and fungal or bacterial skin infections.

Picture of Melaleuca alternifolia plant

However, there is not enough evidence to support any of these claims due to the limited amount of research conducted on this topic.

Tea tree oil is neither a patented product nor an approved drug, although it is approved as a complementary medicine for aromatherapy in Australia. It is poisonous if consumed orally, and unsafe for children.

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Biospark // Jan 2022 Composition and Characteristics The oil comprises many constituent chemicals and its composition changes if it is exposed to air and gets oxidized.

Tea tree oil is defined by the International Standard ISO 4730 (Oil of Melaleuca, terpinen-4-ol type) contains terpinen-4-ol, γ-terpinene, and αterpinene for about 70% to 90% of whole oil, while p-cymene, terpinolene, αterpineol and α-pinene collectively account for about 15%. Tea tree oil products contain various phytochemicals among which terpinen-4-ol is the major component.

Terpinen-4-ol

γ-terpinene

p-cymene

TOXICITY Tea tree oil is highly toxic when ingested. It may cause drowsiness, confusion, hallucinations, coma, unsteadiness, weakness, vomiting, diarrhoea, nausea, blood cell abnormalities, and severe rashes. Tea tree oil should not be used in or around the mouth.

Application of tea tree oil to the skin can cause allergic reactions. Adverse effects include skin irritation, allergic contact dermatitis, systemic contact dermatitis, linear Immunoglobulin A disease, erythma multiforme and systemic hypersensitivity reactions. Allergic reactions may be due to the various oxidation products that are formed due to exposure of the oil to light and air, hence oxidized tea tree oil should not be used.

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Biospark // Jan 2022 Tea tree oil poses a risk for causing abnormal breast enlargement in men, and pre-pubertal children. A study of 2018 by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences found four of the constituent chemicals (eucalyptol, 4-terpineole, dipentene and alpha-terpineol) are endocrine disruptors.

Death or transient signs of toxicity (lasting two to three days), such as lethargy, weakness, incoordination and muscle tremors have been reported after external application of the oil at high doses in dogs and cats.

RESEARCHES Tea tree oil is under investigation to see whether it helps in controlling Demodex mites and Rosacea. As of 2018 no clinical trials had been conducted.

Melaleuca alternifolia

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Biospark // Jan 2022

যক্ষা -নিঃশব্দে ঘটে চলা একটি অতিমারি Kaushik Kanti Das, Semester III

ক

রোণা অতিমারিতে ঘটে চলা আর এক মহামারী হলো টিউবারকিউলোসিস বা টিবি, যে রোগ কে বাংলায় আমরা যক্ষা বলি। মহামারী আকার ধারণ করে নেওয়া এই রোগের বয়স খু ব কম

নয়। যু গের পর যু গ ধরে চলা এই মারণ ব্যাকটেরিয়া ঘটিত রোগে কত প্রাণ পরলোকগমন করেছে। শুধু মাত্র ভারতবর্ষ নয় বিশ্বের প্রায় প্রতিটি দেশে এই মারণ রোগ সেই যু গেও দাপিয়ে বেড়িয়েছে এখনো তার মারণ ফলা বিঁধে চলেছে। করোনা ভাইরাসের মত তৎকালীন সময়ে এই রোগেরও কোন বাছবিচার ছিলনা। গ্রামের পর গ্রাম যেমন উজাড় হয়েছে তেমনি সম্ভ্রান্ত রাজা-

মহারাজা

থেকে

শুরু

করে

কবি,সাহিত্যিক ,জনৈক ব্যবসায়ী ব্যক্তি সকলের ওপরই এই রোগ থাবা বসিয়েছে। টিউবারকিউলোসিস বা টিবি রোগ Mycobacterium

tuberculosis

নামক

ব্যাকটেরিয়া ঘটিত একটি অত্যন্ত ছোঁয়াচে রোগ। আক্রান্ত ব্যক্তির উপসর্গের মধ্যে দীর্ঘদিন ধরে অত্যন্ত কাশি, জ্বর, ক্লান্তিবোধ, কাশির সাথে রক্ত পড়া, হঠাৎ করে ওজন কমে যাওয়া ইত্যাদি দেখা যায়। সাধারণত আক্রান্ত ব্যক্তির ফুসফুস কেই এই ব্যাকটেরিয়া আক্রমণ করে, কিন্তু বহু ক্ষেত্রে মস্তিষ্ক ও কিডনিতেও প্রভাব পরে। সংক্রামিত ব্যক্তির সাথে দীর্ঘদিন যাবৎ

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Biospark // Jan 2022 বসবাস, অস্বাস্থ্যকর পরিবেশে দীর্ঘদিন যাবৎ বসবাস ইত্যদির ফলে এবং এইচআইভি সংক্রামিত ব্যক্তি, শারীরিকভাবে দুর্বল ব্যক্তিরাও মূ লত আক্রান্ত হন। Latent TB আক্রান্ত ব্যক্তিদের সাধারণত কোন উপসর্গ দেখা যায় না, স্বল্পসময় এর চিকিৎসার মাধ্যমে এদের নিরাময় সম্ভব। কিন্তু অনেক ক্ষেত্রে এমন টিবি রোগীদের দেখা যায় যাদের ক্ষেত্রে সাধারণ টিবির ওষু ধের কার্যকারিতা পরিলক্ষিত হয় না, এই ধরনের টিবিকে Drug ressistant TB বলে। Latent TB আক্রান্ত ব্যক্তিদের ঠিকমতো পরীক্ষা করা না হলে বা নির্দিষ্ট course অনুয়ায়ী ওষু ধ গ্রহণ না করলে তারা Drug ressistant TB আক্রান্ত হতে পারে। এই Drug ressistant TB মূ লত দুই প্রকার• MULTIDRUG RESISTANT TB (MDR-TB) • EXCLUSIVELY DRUG RESISTANT TB (XDR-TB) HIV আক্রান্ত বা শারীরিকভাবে দুর্বল ব্যক্তিরা মূ লত এই দুই টিবি আক্রান্ত হয়।‌‍ MDRTB আক্রান্ত রোগীদের উপর Isoniazid, Rifampin ইত্যাদি ওষু ধের কার্যকারিতা প্রকাশ পায় না। XDR-TB

আরও

তীব্র;

Isoniazid,

Rifampin ওষু ধ

ছাড়াও

অত্যন্ত

গুরুত্বপূর্ণ

Fluoroquinolone ওষু ধের প্রভাব এই রোগাক্রান্ত ব্যাক্তিদের উপর পড়ে না। অনেক ক্ষেত্রে Amikacin, Kanamycin, Capreomycin প্রভৃতি জীবনদায়ী ঔষধ এরও প্রভাব পড়েনা। কোন ব্যক্তি টিবি আক্রান্ত কিনা তা পরীক্ষা করা হয় বিশ্বস্বাস্থ্য সংস্থা অনুমোদিত গাইডলাইন অনুযায়ী। ভারতবর্ষে সাধারণত তিনটি পরীক্ষার মাধ্যমে নির্ধারণ করা হয় ব্যক্তিটি টিবি আক্রান্ত কিনা। যথা• Seputum smear microscopy.

• Chest x-ray.

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Biospark // Jan 2022 • CB- NAAT Test CB-

এরমধ্যে

NAAT

Test টি দ্বারা ব্যক্তিটি Drug ressistant TB আক্রান্ত কিনা সেটি নির্ধারণ করা হয়। অষ্টাদশ ও

ঊনবিংশ শতাব্দীতে

আক্রান্ত

বহু

চিকিৎসায়

ব্যক্তি

মারা

টিবি বিনা

গিয়েছিলেন।

একবিংশ শতাব্দীতে চিকিৎসা বিজ্ঞান অনেক উন্নত, প্রযু ক্তিগত এবং জীবনদায়ী। টিবি মু ক্ত ভারতবর্ষ গড়ে তোলার লক্ষ্যে জন্মের পর শিশুদের BCG ভ্যাকসিন দেওয়া হয়। যদিও এর কার্যকারিতা ৮০% , এবং সর্বনিম্ন ১৫ বছরের থেকে সর্বোচ্চ ৬০ বছর অবধি এর কার্যকারিতা বিদ্যমান। ২০১৭ সালের আগে অবধি টিবি আক্রান্ত ব্যক্তিদের নিরাময়ের জন্য Streptomycin দেওয়া হত, কিন্তু এই ওষু ধের পার্শ্ব প্রতিক্রিয়ায় বেশ কিছু রোগীর মৃ ত্যু ঘটে । ফলস্বরুপ বিশ্বস্বাস্থ্য সংস্থা, ইন্ডিয়ান কাউন্সিল অফ মেডিকেল রিসার্চ এবং সেন্টারস ফর ডিসিজ কন্ট্রোল এন্ড প্রিভেনশন এর যৌথ উদ্যোগে নতুন গাইডলাইন প্রকাশ করা হয় । ২০১৮ সালের ডিসেম্বর

মাসে

টিবি

আক্রান্ত ব্যক্তিদের প্রথম ছয় সপ্তাহ Isoniazid, Rifampicin, Pyrazinamide

এবং

Ethambutol দেওয়া হয়। পরবর্তী ১৬ সপ্তাহ Isoniazid, Rifampicin, Ethambutol চিকিৎসকের

অভিজ্ঞ অনুমোদনে

Page 35

Biospark // Jan 2022 এবং রোগীর বাড়ির কোন সদস্য বাকোন স্বেচ্ছাসেবী পর্যবেক্ষকের সামনে দেওয়া হয়। এই প্রক্রিয়াটি DOTS রূপে পরিগণিত হয়, DOTS অর্থাৎ Directly Observed Therapy, Short Time.

MDR-TB ও XDR-TB আক্রান্ত ব্যক্তিদের নিরাময়ের জন্য আসাম, তামিলনাড়ু, মহারাষ্ট্র ,গুজরাট রাজ্যে বেশ কিছু ওষু ধের ট্রায়াল করা হয়। বেশ কিছু ওষু ধ ব্যবহারের সাফল্য লাভের পর MDR-TB ও XDR-TB আক্রান্ত ব্যক্তিদের Bedaquiline এবং Delamanid ওষু ধ দেওয়া হয়। ওষু ধগুলি অত্যন্ত দামী, দাম প্রায় ২৫০০০ টাকা থেকে ১২৫০০০ হাজার টাকা অবধি। Latent -TB আক্রান্ত রোগীদের নিরাময় হতে যেখানে সময় লাগে সর্বোচ্চ ৬ মাস, MDR-TB বা XDR-TB আক্রান্ত রোগীদের নিরাময় হতে সময় লাগে প্রায় ১৪ থেকে ২৪ মাস এবং এই প্রক্রিয়া Latent -TB আক্রান্ত রোগীদের নিরাময় প্রক্রিয়া সাপেক্ষে কয়েকগুণ ব্যয়বহুল। করোনা অতিমারিতে আমরা বেশ কিছু শব্দের সঙ্গে পরিচিত হয়েছি। তার মধ্যে একটি শব্দ হলো ঢেউ; প্রথম ঢেউ, দ্বিতীয় ঢেউ, তৃতীয় ঢেউ। পরিসংখ্যান লক্ষ্য করলে বোঝা টিউবারকিউলোসিস

যায়, বা

টিবি রোগটির ঢেউ প্রায় প্রতিবারই আসে। স্বাস্থ্য বিশেষজ্ঞ ও বৈজ্ঞানিকদের মতে ১৮৪০ থেকে ১৯৪০ সময়কালে এই টিবি রোগ চরম আকার ধারণ করে। এতটাই এটির তিব্রতা ছিল যে বিশ্বের প্রতি সাত জনে একজন ব্যক্তি এই রোগে আক্রান্ত হয়ে মারা যান; নিশ্চিহ্ন হয়ে যায় গ্রামের পর গ্রাম। পরিসংখ্যান বিচার করলে দেখা যায় ২০১৯ সালে শুধু মাত্র ভারতবর্ষে টিবি আক্রান্ত হয়েছিল প্রায় ২৪ লক্ষ মানুষ,যার মধ্যে মারা গিয়েছিলেন প্রায় ৮০০০০ জন।

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Biospark // Jan 2022 বিশ্বস্বাস্থ্য সংস্থার মতে ভারত, পাকিস্তান, ইন্দোনেশিয়া, চীন, সাউথ আফ্রিকা, ইথিওপিয়া ইত্যাদি দেশে টিবি আক্রান্তের হার সবচেয়ে বেশি।বিশ্বে প্রতিবছর প্রায় ১.৭ বিলিয়ন মানুষ টিবি আক্রান্ত হন এবং প্রায় ১.৫ মিলিয়ন মানুষের মৃ ত্যু ঘটে। করোনা অতিমারিতে এই টিবি আক্রান্তের সংখ্যায় প্রায় ২৪ শতাংশ ঘাটতি দেখা যায়। কারণ মূ লত সঠিক পরীক্ষা করে আক্রান্তদের হদিস না পাওয়া। ভারত সরকার টিবিমু ক্ত ভারতবর্ষ গড়ে তোলার লক্ষ্যে বেশ কিছু পদক্ষেপ গ্রহণ করেছে। ১৯৬২

সালে

টিবি

প্রতিরোধে

Revised

National

Tuberculosis

control

pregramme(RNTCP) গড়ে তোলা হয়। এই RNTCP ভারত সরকার টিবিমু ক্ত ভারত বর্ষ গড়ে তোলার লক্ষ্যে বেশ কিছু পদক্ষেপ গ্রহণ করেছে। ১৯৬২ সালে টিবি প্রতিরোধে Revised National Tuberculosis control pregramme(RNTCP) গড়ে তোলা হয়। এই RNTCP মূ লত একটি বিশেষ পদ্ধতি অনুযায়ী কাজ করে,“Detect-Treat-preventBuild” (DTPB)।ভারত সরকার লক্ষ্যমাত্রা নিয়েছে ২০২৫ সালের মধ্যে

টিবিমু ক্ত

ভারতবর্ষ

গড়ে

তোলার।এটি ছাড়াও RNTCP এই প্রক্রিয়া সহজতর করার উদ্দেশ্যে এবং কেন্দ্রীয় সরকারের তত্ত্বাবধানে আওতায় NIKSHAY প্রকল্পের স্থাপন করেছে। এটি সরকারি, বেসরকারি হাসপাতাল, নার্সিংহোম, সমস্ত স্বাস্থ্যকেন্দ্রের টিবি রোগিদের অর্থনৈতিকভাবে সাহায্য ও উন্নত স্বাস্থ্য পরিকাঠামো গঠনের উদ্দেশ্যে গড়ে তোলা হয়েছে। এছাড়াও Nikshya Poshak Yozana এই প্রকল্পের আওতায় চিকিৎসা চলাকালীন প্রতিটি রোগীকে অর্থনৈতিক ভাবে সাহায্য করার জন্য মাসে ৫০০ টাকা করে দেওয়া হয়।

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Biospark // Jan 2022 ২৪ শে মার্চ বিশ্ব টিবি দিবস হিসাবে পরিগণিত হয়। এবছর টিবি দিবসের থিম ছিল “The Clock is Ticking”। প্রতিটি দেশের সরকার সহ সমস্ত সাধারণ মানুষকে এই রোগ সম্পর্কে অবহিত হতে হবে। সুস্থ জীবন যাপন, স্বাস্থ্যকর পরিবেশে বাস, উন্নত চিকিৎসা পরিকাঠামোর মাধ্যমে এই রোগকে আমাদের হারাতেই হবে; নতুবা অদূর ভবিষ্যতে এই টিবি রোগটিই করোনা থেকে আরও ভয়ঙ্কর অতিমারি হিসেবে ফিরে আসবে এবং গোটা পৃ থিবীকে পুনরায় স্তব্ধ করে দেবে।

Page 38

Biospark // Jan 2022

ছোটোগল্প - " ভু লো মন " Dip Das Chowdhury, Semester V

'দুষ্টু অনী ' বলে পাড়ার সবাই ওকে চেনে। অনীক নতু ন স্কুলে ভর্তি হয়েছে , চতু র্থ থেকে পঞ্চম শ্রেণীতে পা দিয়েছে। পুরোনো দু-একজন বন্ধু ছাড়া কাউকেই ও তেমন ভালো চেনে না । নিজেই এখন সাইকেল নিয়ে স্কুলে, টিউশনে যায়। পড়াশোনা ওর বিশেষ পছন্দের নয়। তবে ক্রিকেটকে ও খু ব ভালোবাসে, সারাদিন খেলা নিয়ে কাটাতে বললে- সময় জ্ঞান, খাওয়ার কথা ওর মনেই থাকে না। আবার এখনকার বেশিরভাগ ছোটোদের মতোই হাতে যদি বাবার স্মার্ট ফোন পাই , তবে ঢু কে যায় তার মধ্যে। ভুলেই যায় প্রতিদিনের রুটিনমাফিক কাজগুলো। তবে ঐদিন যে কাজটা ও করেছে, পরে ও নিজেই

ছবি - স্বর্ণালী বিশ্বাস, পঞ্চম সেমিস্টার

খানিকক্ষণ হেসেছিল। সম্ভবত সেদিন বু ধবার ছিল, বিকাশ স্যারের কাছে পড়া। ঘড়িতে সকাল সাতটার ঘন্টা বাজলো। শীতের সকাল তো , তাই সকলের মতো অনীকের ও ঘু ম থেকে উঠতে খু ব কষ্ট হয়। তার ওপরে আবার সাইকেল চালিয়ে টিউশন যেতে একদমই মন চাই না । কিন্তু, যেতে তো হবেই। স্যারের বাড়ি যাওয়ার রাস্তায় ও আপন মনে সাইকেল চালাতে থাকে। দেরি করে ঘু ম ভাঙায়, ও পৌঁছালোও একটু দেরি করে । স্যারের বাড়ির সদর দরজা খু লতেই কানে এল - ' সবাই আগের দিনের পড়ানো অংশটু কু পড়ে নাও, তারপর আজকের পড়া পড়াবো । ' স্যারের বাড়ির বারান্দায় দাঁড়িয়ে অনীক কি যেন খুঁ জছে! এদিক-ওদিক দেখছে। পড়ার ঘরের ভেতর থেকে কে যেন বলল - ' স্যার অনীক এসেছে। ' ও ঘরে ঢু কছে না দেখে, স্যার নিজেই বেরিয়ে এলেন বাইরে- ' কি হয়েছে অনীক ? ' অনীকের মাথা নিচু , খানিকক্ষণ চু প থেকে কাঁপা কণ্ঠস্বরে বলল- ' স্যার , বইয়ের ব্যাগ আনতেই ভুলে গেছি । ' স্যার ও বাকিরা সবাই একসাথে হেসে উঠলো।

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Biospark // Jan 2022

কবিতা- "বৃষ্টিমুখর দিনে" Piyali Das, Semester III ছোটবেলার হারিয়ে যাওয়া বৃষ্টিমুখর সারাটা দিন ,

মনে পড়ে যায়

ছিল কতই না রঙিন ।

বৃষ্টি হলেই থাকতো তখন

সারাটা দিন মজার ছুটি ,

বৃষ্টির জলে নৌকা ভাসানো

ছিল সে এক আলাদা অনুভূ তি ।

বন্ধু রা সবাই মিলে

বৃষ্টিতে ভিজতাম একসাথে ,

মায়ের কোনো নিষেধ না শুনে

ছোটাছুটি করতাম রাস্তাতে।

এখন সেই সব দিন যেনো কোথায় গেছে হারিয়ে ,

বৃষ্টিতে ভেজার আনন্দ

হয় না আর সীমা ছাড়িয়ে।

আজও বৃষ্টিমুখর দিনে মন হয় আনমনা ,

কিন্তু ছোটবেলা যেনো

আর ফিরে আসেনা।

Page 40

ছবি - স্বর্ণালী বিশ্বাস, পঞ্চম সেমিস্টার .

Biospark // Jan 2022

Human Genome Project Camellia Paul (Ex-student)

T

he Human Genome project (HGP) was a 13-year long(1990-2003) publiclyfunded international research program/collaboration which was aimed at

successfully identifying, storing the DNA sequence of the entire euchromatic human genome thus rendering available the sequences of almost all the genetic

content of the chromosomes of the human organism to the public.

The

human

genome

is

the

complete

collection

of

genetic

information(genes) i.e. the nucleic acid sequences for humans encoded as DNA within the 23 base pairs in cell nuclei which includes the coding, non-coding and regulatory elements. A few decades prior to the initiation of the HGP, Watson and

Page 41

Biospark // Jan 2022 Crick postulated the molecular structure of DNA so scientists were pretty much convinced that the mysteries of structure, function and role of genes in diseases needs to be unfolded which is when this project came into light.

HISTORY The idea of sequencing the human genome was first proposed in the USA committee appointed by the US national research council. Preceding the HGP,the base sequences of numerous human genes had been determined through contributions made by many individual scientists. However, the vast majority of the human genome remained unexplored, and researchers, having acknowledged the necessity and importance of having at hand the basic information of the human genomic sequences.

Thus, in spite of the various controversies over the merits, demerits and risks of the HGP was initiated in October 1990 under the leadership of American geneticist Francis Collins, with support from the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The effort was soon joined by scientists from France,Germany,Japan,China and the UK. Moreover, a series of technical advances in the sequencing process itself enabled rapid progress of the project.

In 1998 a private-sector venture, Celera Genomics, headed by American organic chemist and previous NIH researcher J. Craig Venter, started to rival and potentially undermine the publicly supported HGP. But later on, due unknown reasons they joined hands as a result of which the completion of the rough draft was announced in June 2000. The rough draft sequence was refined and reanalyzed for the next 3 years and in April 2003 HGP was deemed to be complete.

Coincidentally, 2003 marked the 50th year of publication of double helix structure of DNA by Watson and Crick.

Page 42

Biospark // Jan 2022

HGP was conducted in two phases were undertaken based on previous knowledge of physical map of the human genome.The first one being the shotgun phase which divided human chromosomes into DNA segments of an appropriate size, which were then further subdivided into smaller, overlapping DNA fragments that were sequenced.Next, the second phase of the project, called the finishing phase, involved filling in gaps and resolving DNA sequences in ambiguous areas not obtained during the shotgun phase.

PRINCIPLES AND OBJECTIVES OF HGP “The human genome project was initiated in 1990 in order to sequence the whole genetic content of the human genome and other species to know genes and their functions.”

The project's first 5-year plan,intended to guide research in FYs 1990-1995, was modified in 1993 because of surprising advancement, and the second plan laid out objectives through FYs 1998. The third and last arrangement [Science, 23 October 1998] was created during a progression of DOE and NIH workshops.

Somewhere in the range of 18 nations have taken an interest in the overall exertion, with huge commitments from the Sanger Center in the United Kingdom and examination focuses in Germany, France, and Japan.

The initial principles of HGP include:  First, it welcomed collaborators from all over the world ,to build up a comprehensive exertion at understanding our shared molecular heritage, and to benefit from diverse approaches. The group of publicly funded researchers that eventually assembled was known as International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium (IHGSC).  Second, this project necessitated that all human genome sequence information be freely and publicly available within 24 hours of its assembly

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Biospark // Jan 2022 which ensured unrestricted access for scientists and scholars.It provided the means for rapid and novel discoveries by researchers of all types. At any given time, approximately 200 labs in the United States were funded by either the National Institutes of Health or the U.S. Department of Energy to support these efforts. In addition, more than 18 different countries from across the globe had contributed to the HGP. Apart from the principles, some objectives were framed that were meant be realized with the end of the 13 year long project. These are Building genetic and physical maps of the human and mouse genomes, and  Sequencing the smalleryeast and worm genomes as a test run for sequencing the larger, more complex human genome (IHGSC, 2001).  To determine the sequence and number of all base pairs(3 million)in the human genome  To identify all the genes present in human DNA  To identify the various genes that causes genetic disorders OUTCOMES OF HGP The completion of project was a breakthrough indeed as it led the scientists to know more about genes. They include:  The finished sequence produced by the Human Genome Project covers about 99 percent of the human genome's gene-containing regions, and it has been sequenced to an accuracy of 99.99 percent.  255,000-30,000 protein coding genes(length of a gene is 3000 base pairs)are present in human genome which are almost 2 times larger than other

Page 44

Biospark // Jan 2022 eukaryotes such as worms and flies which is a direct indication of the complexity of human genome with more alternating splicing generating more protein products.  The tools created through HGP pointed out that several other organisms might have abundant similar or “homologous” genes having similar functions as the human genome.The cytogenetic analysis also revealed that the ‘Gene rich’ regions stain lighter while ‘Gene poor’ regions stain darker by G bands.  The genome of us has 1.4 million SNPs and contains 97% repetitive junk DNA. Surprisingly only 2-3% portion of genome encodes proteins.  The human genome contains 3.2 bbp, which means 6.4 bases which are approximately 3164.7mb. and the largest gene is the dystrophin having 2.4Mb in size.

The information obtained from the project is useful as long as it proves itself valuable ensures the most rapid application of research results for the benefit of humanity. Biomedical technology and research are particular beneficiaries of the HGP. APPLICATIONS OF HGP IN VARIOUS FIELDS:  The preliminary goal of DNA mapping and sequencing is to find out the

location of disease causing genes to diagnose inherited, non-inherited, chromosomal illnesses. The outcomes of HGP has proven beneficial for diseases such as cystic fibrosis, hemophilia, thalassemia, sickle cell anemia, Huntington’s disease and diabetes-like disorders can be diagnosed  Gene therapies, gene transfer techniques and genetic engineering tools

through under preclinical trials can possibly

cure genetic disorders by

removing, altering or replacing the faulty gene or portion of a gene.

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Biospark // Jan 2022  Since,the human genome project was primarily established to accurately

diagnose and treat genetic diseases know the predisposition of disease in order to improve the drug delivery system so the public availability of information through various databases to a wide range of physicians, geneticists, scientists proved beneficial. This, in turn, has enabled more objective and accurate diagnoses, in some cases even before the onset of overt clinical symptoms.  HGP has enabled the detailed study the risk of toxic exposure to individuals

and how it impacts the genetics of individuals. And to study the evolution through germ-line gene therapy and migration of races and species.  It also has opened up new avenues for identification and classification of

organisms by DNA sequencing. Association and linkage studies have identified additional genetic influences that modify the development or outcome for both rare and common diseases.  The concept of personalized medicine i.e.—the possibility that information

on a patient's whole genome arrangement will enable medical services suppliers to convey the most fitting and compelling consideration for that patient.  The HGP influences fields past biomedical science in manners that are both

tangible and significant. For instance, human genomic grouping data, dissected through a framework called CODI has been a boon for DNA sampling in the field of forensics. Undoubtedly, prodded by high rates of recidivism (the inclination of a formerly indicted criminal to return to prior criminal behaviour despite punishment or imprisonment) some government official has recognized the need to store DNA samples of convicted criminals to trace their future crimes.

Page 46

Biospark // Jan 2022 CONCLUSION The Human Genome Project (HGP) was met with doubt by various people, including scientists and non-researchers. One conspicuous inquiry was whether the colossal cost of the endeavor would counterbalance the reasonable benefits.

Today, be that as it may, the staggering accomplishment of the Human Genome Project is promptly obvious. Not exclusively did the consummation of this task led to an advanced era of medicine but also brought about many significant changes in technological development.

Page 47

Biospark // Jan 2022

Irritable Bowel Syndrome Snehankana Mitra, Semester V

I

rritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorder which doctors now call as disorders of gut-brain interaction. IBS is one of the

most common chronic GI disorders. Every year more than 1 million cases of IBS are registered in India. It is related to problems with how brain and gut work together.

These problems can cause gut to be more sensitive and change the pattern of muscle contraction in bowel.  If gut becomes more sensitive, it may feel more abdominal pain and bloating.  Changes in the pattern of muscle contraction in bowel leads to diarrhoea, constipation or both.

Different Types of IBS There are three types of IBS based on different patterns of changes in bowel movements or abnormal bowel movements. It is important for the doctors to know about the type as some medicines work only for some particular types of IBS

Page 48

Biospark // Jan 2022 or make other types worse. Doctor might diagnose IBS even if bowel movement pattern does not fit one particular type.

Many people with IBS have normal bowel movements on some days and abnormal bowel movements on other days.

IBS with constipation (IBS-C) Patients on days with IBS-C have at least one abnormal bowel movement where more than a quarter of stool is hard or lumpy and less than a quarter of stool is loose or watery.

IBS with diarrhoea (IBS-D) Patients on days with IBS-D have at least one abnormal bowel movement where more than a quarter of stool is loose or watery and less than a quarter of stool is hard or lumpy.

IBS with mixed bowel habits (IBS-M) Patients on days with IBS-M have at least one abnormal bowel movement where more than a quarter of stool is hard or lumpy or more than a quarter of the stool is loose or watery.

Who is more likely to develop IBS?  Women are up to two times more likely than men to develop IBS.  People younger than age 50 are more likely to develop IBS than people older than age 50.

Factors that can increase chance of having IBS are: 

Having a family member with IBS



A history of stressful or difficult life events, such as abuse in childhood



Having a severe infection in digestive tract.

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Biospark // Jan 2022 What causes IBS? Doctors aren’t sure about the exact cause of IBS. Experts think that a combination of problems may lead to IBS. Different factors may cause IBS in different people.

Functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorders such as IBS are problems with brain-gut interaction. Experts think that problems with brain-gut interaction may affect working of body and cause IBS symptoms. For example, in some people with IBS, food may move too slowly or too quickly through the digestive tract, causing changes in bowel movements. Some people with IBS may feel pain when a normal amount of gas or stool is in the gut. Experts think that following problems may play a role in causing IBS : 

Stressful or difficult early life events, such as physical or sexual abuse



Certain mental disorders, such as depression , anxiety

and somatic

symptom disorder 

Bacterial infections in digestive tract



Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth ( an increase in the number or a change in the type of bacteria in small intestine)



Food intolerances or sensitivities, in which certain foods cause digestive symptoms



Research suggests that genes may make some people more likely to develop IBS. Treatment for Irritable Bowel Syndrome IBS is a chronic disorder. It can be controlled but the condition cannot be

cured.

Doctors may treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) by recommending changes in diet and other lifestyle changes, medicines, probiotics, and mental health therapies.

Page 50

Biospark // Jan 2022 Changes in eating patterns may help to treat the symptoms. Doctor may recommend trying one of the following changes: Eat more fibres, avoid gluten and follow a special eating plan called the low FODMAP diet Research suggests that other lifestyle changes may help IBS symptoms, such as 

Increasing physical activity



Reducing stressful life situations as much as possible



Getting enough sleep Medicines Doctors

generally

prescribe

medicine for IBS depending on symptoms.

To treat IBS with diarrhoea doctors may recommend Loperamide, (antibiotic)

rifaximin

eluxadoline

and

alosetron (which is prescribed only to women

with special warnings and

precautions) To treat IBS with constipation doctors may recommend Fibre

supplements(when

increasing

fibres

in

your

diet

doesn’t

help) ,laxatives ,lubiprostone, linaclotide and plecanatide Other medicines may help treat pain in abdomen are Antispasmodics , antidepressants (such as low doses of tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) and coated peppermint oil capsules

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Biospark // Jan 2022 Probiotics Doctor may also recommend probiotics. Probiotics are live microorganisms most often bacteria, that are similar to microorganisms normally present in digestive tract. Researchers are still studying the use of probiotics to treat IBS. Mental health therapies Doctor may recommend mental health therapies to help improve

IBS

symptoms. Therapies used to treat IBS include 

cognitive behavioural therapy (which focuses on helping in change of thought and behaviour patterns to improve IBS symptoms)



gut-directed hypnotherapy (in which a therapist uses hypnosis—a trancelike state in which patient is relaxed or focused to help in improving IBS symptoms



relaxation training (which can help to relax muscles or reduce stress) References: [1] Chey WD, Kurlander J, Eswaran S. Irritable bowel syndrome: a clinical

review. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2015 [2] Lacy BE, Mearin F, Chang L, et al. Bowel disorders. Gastroenterology. 2016 [3]M Astegiano, R Pellicano, C Sguazzini, M Berrutti, D Simondi, S Reggiani, M Rizzetto. Clinical approach to irritable bowel syndrome.PUBMED2008 [4]F Cremonini, N J Talley Diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in the irritable bowel syndrome .PUBMED 2004 [5] Nicholas J TalleY . New and emerging treatments for irritable bowel syndrome and functional dyspepsia. PUBMED 2002 [6]M J Farthing Irritable bowel syndrome: new pharmaceutical approaches to treatment. PUBMED 1999

Page 52

Biospark // Jan 2022

Sir Augustus D. Waller - The man who recorded the first ECG Soumi Biswas, Semester III

T

he term Physiology, not just define the subject, but also define those scientists who glorify our subject by

their experiments on HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY. Among those scientists, SIR AUGUSTUS D. WALLER has great contribution on our subject, he was the scientist who recorded the first ever Electrocardiogram (ECG) SIR AUGUSTUS D. WALLER, was born in 18 July, 1856 in Paris, France. His father worked in Paris and he was educated there until his father’s death in 1870, when he moved to Scotland with his mother. He became MD in 1881 from Aberdeen University. In 1883, he became a lecturer in Physiology at the School of Medicine for Women, London. Then he became a lecturer in Physiology at St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington in 1884. In 1885 he married one of his students, Alice Palmer, the daughter of Sir George Palmer. Physiology dominated Waller’s life. He had a home laboratory. At home his wife Alice Palmer and his five children and dog Jimmie was also participated in his experiments. His main medical

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Biospark // Jan 2022 attribution was he recorded the first human electrocardiogram in 1887. He used a Lippman capillary electrometer to record the first human electrocardiogram.

Surface electrodes to the front and back of the chest, as this was described by the paper of 1887. This produced two distorted deflections- ventricular depolarization and repolarization. He attached all things to a toy train. Then he was able to record the heart’s activity in real time. He used saline

Lippman capillary electrometer

jars, where end parts were immersed. A ray of light was interrupted by the mercury column of the electrometer was able to make photographic record on the plates mounted on slowly moving toy train wagon as this was mentioned on the paper of 1888. At 1888, he proved that contraction of heart was not a simultaneous process but showed initiation at the apex and termination at the base. In 1889 he added “The contraction of the ventricles is not simultaneous throughout the mass, but traverses it as a wave (at the present stage the direction

of

contraction

is

immaterial). Inequalities of potential, at different parts of the mass, are consequently

established

at

the

ECG distribution of inequalities of potential, Waller,1889

beginning and at the end of each systole. Or, to reverse the order of the statement, the inequalities in question are proof of the passage of a wave of excitation. The distribution of these inequalities of potential is represented diagrammatically:”

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Biospark // Jan 2022 In 1892, Waller became the Fellow of the Royal Society. He became the Professor of Physiology at the Physiological Laboratory of the University of London housed in the Imperial Institute in 1903. He became the consulting physician at the National Hospital for Diseases of the heart. In 1915 at St. Mary Waller remembered his pioneer work. He said “I studied the hearts of all sorts of animals… and one fine day after leading off from the exposed heart of a decapitated cat to study the cardiogram by aid of a Lippman electrometer, it occurred to me that it ought to be possible to use the limbs as electrodes and thus lead off from the heart to the electrometer without exposing the, i.e. from the intact and normal organ. Obviously man was the most convenient animal to use so I dipped my right hand and left foot into a couple of basins of salt solution, which were connected with the two poles of the electrometer and at once had the pleasure of seeing the mercury column pulsate with the pulsation of the heart…

This first demonstration was made in St. Mary’s laboratory in May 1887 and demonstrated there to many physiologists and among others, to my friend Professor Einthoven of Leiden… During the summer of that year, I made a complete survey of all sorts of leads from the hands and feet and mouth!”

He wrote many books on Human Physiology, some of them are ‘An Introduction to Physiology ’, ‘ Exercises in Practical Physiology ’, ‘Physiology; the Servant of Medicine. Chloroform in the Laboratory and in the Hospital’, ‘Lectures on Physiology : First Series on Animal Electricity’ etc.

Augustus most often demonstrated the ECG with the example of his dog , standing in the saline jar. For this purpose he had to face the parliamentary questions about taking care of his dog, but he assured them that his dog Jimmy was not harmed during his experiment.

Although Augustus was renowned for his very well demonstration on physiology for his students. Sir Augustus D. Waller died on 11 March 1922 after two strokes. In 1924 Willem Einthoven who invented the first practical

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Biospark // Jan 2022 electrocardiograph was awarded the Nobel Prize. But Sir Augustus D. Waller was died in 1922, that’s why he was unable to take the joint Nobel Prize along with Einthoven.

Sir Augustus was not sure about the future effectiveness of his work on the electrocardiogram. But Sir Einthoven followed his work and able to make the first practical electrocardiograph. After the death of Sir Waller, Sir Thomas Lewis (Cope, 1973) wrote about Sir Waller, “ His early work on electrophysiology was extensive, thorough and is well known. He was the first to obtain a human electrocardiogram; this has been the main, though by no means his sole contribution to the science of experimental machines. The discovery long preceded the introduction of the string galvanometer and was the more remarkable in that it was accomplished in the eighties “ .

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Biospark // Jan 2022

Gold Nanoparticles and Cancer Therapy Ratnodip Saha, Semester V

C

ancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. In the last two decades, the development of nanotechnology has facilitated our ability to

design new nanoparticles for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Gold nanoparticles are emerging as promising agents for cancer therapy and are being investigated as drug carriers, photothermal agents, contrast agents

and

radiosensitizers.

Gold nanoparticles are being used as contrast agents for cancer

imaging,

including

optical imaging, photoacoustic imaging,

and

X-ray–based

imaging. We also reviewed their credit: sciencedirect.com

applications as delivery carriers for

small

molecule

drugs,

therapeutic genes, vaccines, and adjuvants and as therapeutic agents by themselves in cancer treatment, including photothermal therapy, photodynamic therapy, and radiation therapy.

Nanoparticles, according to the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standard definition, are particles with lengths that range from 1 to 100 nm in two or three dimensions. The most studied nanoparticles are carbon

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Biospark // Jan 2022 nanotubes, gold nanoparticles (GNPs) and cadmium selenide quantum dots. This review focuses on GNPs as promising novel agents for cancer therapy.

Gold Nanoparticles in Cancer Treatment 1. Gold nanoparticles in drug delivery: a) Small molecule drug delivery: Gold nanoparticles have been explored as drug carriers due to the following advantages: (1) the large surface area provides high loading capacity for drug loading and improves the hydrophilicity and stability of drugs; (2) the ability to modify surface with targeting ligands to enhance the tumor selective accumulation compared to free drugs; (3) the passive targeting ability to tumor site due to their leaky neovessels, which is called enhanced permeability and retention(EPR) effect; and (4) the controlled release of loaded drugs in response to internal or external stimulus.

The enhanced tumor accumulation of gold nanoparticles can be utilized for drug delivery to increase therapeutic potent and reduce side effects.

Some gold nanoparticles are designed to behave dramatically to various internal stimuli in the microenvironment of tumors. b) Gene delivery: Gene therapy attempts to treat cancer by altering the dysregulated gene expression of tumor cells. The successful regulation of gene expression requires compaction of DNA/RNA, rapid cellular uptake and endosomal escape, protection from degradation in blood stream and cytoplasm, and effective delivery of DNA/RNA to the nucleus. Therefore, carriers for efficient and safe DNA/RNA delivery are critical for the development of gene therapy.

Gold nanoparticles provide a potent platform for therapeutic gene delivery.

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Biospark // Jan 2022 c) Adjuvant and vaccine delivery: There are several ways to enhance the innate power of immune system to fight cancer. Using cancer vaccine is one of the most extensively studied approaches to boost the immune system’s response.

Gold nanoparticles are promising for delivery of cancer vaccine, because they preferentially accumulate within tissues and cells of the immune system, and have a large surface area for vaccine loading. Lin et al. conjugated large quantities of self-assembled tumor-associated peptides on the surface of gold nanoparticles as a cancer vaccine platform. The socalled gold nanovaccines were able to effectively deliver antigens to dendritic cells (DCs) and stimulated cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) better than free peptides, Since the tumor cells can secrete immunosuppressive cytokines and/or attract immune suppressive cells to evade the attack from immune system, co-delivery of adjuvants with vaccine has been explored to elicit a stronger CTL response to existing tumors.

2. Photothermal therapy: Photothermal therapy (PTT) is a central application of gold nanoparticles in cancer treatment. Gold nanoparticles absorb incident photons and convert them to heat to destroy cancer cells. Due to their unique optical properties as a result of LSPR, gold nanoparticles absorb light with extremely high efficiency (cross section at ~10 9 M−1 cm−1), which ensures effective PTT at relatively low radiation energy. The abnormal vascular structure of tumor is inefficient in dissipating heat, thus the tumors are more sensitive to hyperthermia than healthy tissues. When irradiated by light, the heat generated by gold nanoparticles causes biomolecule denaturation and cellular membrane disruption and kills tumor cells.

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Biospark // Jan 2022 Progress in nanomedical research offers the potential to specifically target metal nanoparticles to tumor cells. When an energy source such as a laser producing non-ionising electromagnetic radiation is applied, conversion to heat energy occurs in metal nanoparticles owing to electron excitation and relaxation. Furthermore, lasers can be specifically tuned to the SPR frequency of nanoparticles, which varies with the size, shape and composition of the nanoparticle. Most research has used gold nanoshells, particles with 100-nm silica cores and a 15-nm gold coating, which shifts the resonance peak to the near infrared region (650–950 nm) where blood and tissue are maximally transmissive.

3. Gold nanoparticles as contrast agents: The properties of GNPs, including small size, biocompatibility, high atomic number (high-Z) and the ability to bind targeting agents, mean that they have potential as contrast agents. Contrast materials such as iodine improve the definition of heavily vascularised tumors by increasing photoelectric photon absorption, increasing the accuracy of tumor diagnosis and staging and aiding volume and definition in radiotherapy planning.

While GNPs have the potential to improve contrast with structural imaging modalities, including CT and MRI, it is possible that functionalized GNPs could be useful in the field of molecular imaging to give in vivo information on the metabolic activity of cancer and the expression of molecular markers.

In clinical use, positron emission tomography (PET) is the most used functional imaging modality and its benefits over standard imaging have been well demonstrated.

4. Photon-based radiation therapy: Radiation therapy (RT) is a major component of the modern therapeutic modalities of cancer. Photon-based radiation therapy uses high-energy

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Biospark // Jan 2022 gamma rays, typically 8–18 MeV for deep tumors, to control the growth of tumor by causing DNA damage via direct ionization or through production of free radicals and secondary electrons.

When gamma rays excite core electrons near the atomic nucleus of elements, low energy electrons may be released by a so-called Auger de-excitation process. Gold nanoparticles have high atomic numbers and are more likely to generate Auger electrons when compared to light elements of biological tissues. The Auger electrons are effective in breaking DNA and only damage cells in a short distance less than the size of a single cell. This short-range therapeutic effect makes gold nanoparticles potent to selectively sensitize tumor cells to photon-based radiation therapy.

5. Ion-based radiation therapy: Ion-based radiation therapy is another type of RT. Instead of utilizing highenergy gamma rays, ion-based radiation therapy uses ion beams as the radiation source, such as the ions of hydrogen (protons), helium, carbon, or oxygen.

Summary GNPs have many properties that are attractive for use in cancer therapy.

They are small and can penetrate widely throughout the body, preferentially accumulating at tumor sites owing to the EPR effect. Importantly, they can bind many proteins and drugs and can be actively targeted to cancer cells overexpressing cell surface receptors.

Although gold nanoparticles offer an attractive platform for new novel modalities for cancer imaging and treatment, it is very important to carefully and precisely study their toxicity in potential applications for humans. Although the gold is relatively inert for biotissues, these nanoparticles tend to remain in the

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Biospark // Jan 2022 body, especially in the liver and spleen for a long time. Thus, the long-term toxicity of nanoparticles is an issue for their use in humans. Since the reported biodistribution and toxicity vary greatly with the size, shape, and coating of gold nanoparticles, it seems that the safety of gold nanoparticles is dependent on many factors, and so, this needs to be examined for every single synthetic formula and application.

One unique property of gold nanoparticles is their LSPR effect, which enables a variety of imaging and treatment modalities, such as light scattering imaging, photothermal therapy, photodynamic therapy, and so on. However, the penetration depth of light in bio tissues is no more than several centimeters and cannot reach most tumors in the human body. Combining other imaging and therapeutic modalities may provide a strategy to overcome this limitation.

References 1. Applications of Gold Nanoparticles in Cancer Imaging and Treatment by Shouju Wang and Guangming Lu (doi: 10.5772/intechopen.70901) 2. Gold nanoparticles as novel agents for cancer therapy by British Journal of Radiology (doi: 10.1259/bjr/59448833) 3. Gold nanoparticles in cancer therapy from Nature journal (doi: 10.1038/aps.2011.82) 4. Progress in research on gold nanoparticles in cancer management by Peng, Jingwen MD; Liang, Xiaoqiu PhD (doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000015311) 5. Gold Nanoparticles for Photothermal Cancer Therapy by Jeremy B. Vines, Jee-Hyun Yoon, Na-Eun Ryu, Dong-Jin Lim and Hansoo Park (doi: 10.3389/fchem.2019.00167)

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Biospark // Jan 2022

Why Zinc supplements are popular during this Pandemic?

Keya Kundu, Semester V

A

ssociation of zinc deficiency with severe Covid outcomes in patients has probably labelled zinc as the second most important nutrient after Vitamin

D that can fight against the novel coronavirus. Across the globe, zinc has also been recognised as one of the indispensable

components

in

standard Covid treatment plan.

Zinc is an essential element for the human body responsible for catalytic activity of more than 100 enzymes, adequate functioning of the immune system, synthesis of genetic materials,

and

maintaining

cell

integration.

Being an essential nutrient, zinc cannot be produced or stored in the body and needs to be supplemented through diet. An adult Indian needs 10-15 mg/day zinc to meet the recommended dietary allowance.

Oysters are the best-known sources of zinc. Other food sources include sea foods like crab, lobster, animal sources like red meat, poultry, and plant sources such as beans, nuts, whole grains and fortified breakfast cereals.

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Biospark // Jan 2022 Zinc and immune system Evidence suggests that Covid-19 is more common in people with compromised immunity. A strong immunity is a collective outcome of many factors, diet being one of them.

Antioxidant nutrient zinc affects multiple aspects of the immune system.

Zinc is needed for normal development and function of cells mediating innate immunity, neutrophils, and Natural Killer cells.

Macrophages, which are responsible for engulfing foreign pathogens by a process called phagocytosis, are also affected by zinc deficiency. Zinc deficiency leads to the growth and function of T and B lymphocytes. Zinc also functions as a potential antioxidant to prevent free radical-induced injury during inflammatory processes.

Connection with chloroquine Interestingly, chloroquine — which some people suggested as a treatment option early on in the pandemic – increases the cells uptake of zinc, which may underlie some of its positive effects.

A 2020 study showed that when doctors treated patients with zinc and hydroxychloroquine, they discharged more patients, and fewer people died from COVID-19.

What does zinc do in our body?

Zinc has many uses in the body. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) notes that zinc plays a role in immune function, wound healing, protein synthesis, dna synthesis, cell division, supporting growth and development during pregnancy, childhood, and adolescence, promoting a sense of taste and smell, aiding recovery from the common cold, treating diarrhea, slowing the progression of age-related macular degeneration (amd), an eye disease that gradually causes vision loss.

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Biospark // Jan 2022 Foods high in zinc The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommend the following daily intake of zinc: 

Males aged 14 and older: 11 milligrams (mg)



Females aged 14 and older: 9 mg



Pregnant women: 11 mg



Women who are lactating: 12 mg Examples of foods high in zinc: Name of foods

Quantity

Oysters, 3 ounces(oz)

74 mg

Beef patty, 3 oz

5.3 mg

Alaska king crab, 3 oz

6.5 mg

Fortified breakfast cereal, ¾ cup serving

3.8 mg

Cooked lobster, 3 oz

3.4 mg

Baked beans, ½ cup serving

2.9 mg

Dark meat chicken, 3 oz

2.4 mg

Other zinc sources like low fat yogurt, pumpkin

These all contain

seeds, milk, chickpeas, instant oatmeal, almonds

around 1–2 mg of

and Cheddar cheese

zinc per serving.

Zinc sources for vegans and vegetarians Nutritional yeast is a good source of zinc for vegans and vegetarians.

Examples of vegan and vegetarian friendly foods that are high in zinc include beans, nutritional yeast, nuts, oats, seeds and wheat germ Example of some zinc supplements are Zinc gluconate, Zinc picolinate, Zinc chelate.

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Biospark // Jan 2022 If a person chooses to supplement their diet with zinc, they may wish to avoid taking it at the same time as supplements of calcium, copper, folic acid, iron, and magnesium. This is because these nutrients can affect how the body absorbs zinc.

Is too much Zinc is good for you?

Health supplements are really good. But something too much can never be helpful. It is also same in case of health supplements. Normally, a healthy individual can reach his/her nutritional need by intaking good foods but in many pathological condition our body can not sufficiently absorb the vital nutrients from foods. Then health supplements are the things we need most. But when you are healthy and still taking health supplement your body finds the taken health supplement as excess. So, rather than helping you, health supplements become a burden on your physiology.

In the same way taking too much zinc can also create problems. A person who has too much zinc in their diet may experience nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, headaches, zinc toxicity, which may result in low copper levels, lowered immunity Mucormycosis and zinc Over use of zinc supplements driving black fungus or mucormycosis epidemic within this pandemic. The mucormycosis or black fungus crisis in India is not to be driven by the improper use of steroids among diabetic Covid patients, but also by the over use of medicines ranging from antibiotics to zinc supplements.

Covid pandemic > for increasing immunity > we use Zinc supplements > excess use of this supplements > increase the chance of fungal infections like Mucormycosis.

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Biospark // Jan 2022 Summary Zn possess several antiviral effects which are realized through the generating both innate and acquired (humoral) immune responses, facilitation of the normal functioning of innate immune system, stabilization of cell membrane inhibiting the entry of the virus, and inhibition of viral replication through interference with the viral genome transcription, protein translation, polyprotein processing, viral attachment, and uncoating. Multiple antiviral effects of Zn have been demonstrated in a variety of viral species, including several nidoviruses, for which SARS-CoV-2 belongs. It suggests that Zn supplementation may be of benefit for prophylaxis and treatment of COVID-19. Considering current absence of effective therapies for this disease, its high contagiosity, frequent life-threating course, and tremendous negative impact on the affected individuals and healthcare systems worldwide, the presented hypothesis requires urgent testing in humans.

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What is Peptic Ulcer?

Pallabi Kundu, Semester V

P

eptic ulcer refers to excavation of mucosa of duodenum or pyloric part of stomach caused by the digestive action of gastric juice particularly

Hydrochloric Acid . basis

of

The its

pathophysiology lies in the imbalance

between

the

degree of protection by the gastro duodenal mucosal barrier

and the amount

and rate of gastric juice secretion .

The causes of peptic ulcers : Common • H. pylori infection • NSAIDs • Medications Rare • Zollinger-Ellison syndrome • Malignancy (gastric/lung cancer, lymphomas) • Stress (Acute illness, burns, head injury)

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Biospark // Jan 2022 • Viral infection • Vascular insufficiency • Radiation therapy • Crohn disease • Chemotherapy 1. Hypersecretion of hydrochloric acid which may be due to smoking , alcohol addiction , high consumption of chilly containing foods , stressful lifestyle and also in disease condition such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (gastrin secreting tumour of pancreas) and frequent ingestion of non-steroidal anty inflammatory analgesic drugs containing salicylic acid, etc.

2. Infection by

Helicobacter pylori.

This bacterium disrupts the gastro-

duodenal mucosal barrier and increases secretion of gastric juice . It penetrates through the barrier . It releases ammonium which increases HCL secretion from gastric mucosa and it is also responsible for liquefaction of gastro duodenum mucosa.

Clinical features of peptic ulcer Clinical features of peptic ulcer include • Burning • Nausea • Haematemesis • Weight loss Epidemiology Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is a global problem with a lifetime risk of development ranging from 5% to 10%. Overall, there is a decrease in the incidence of PUD worldwide due to improved hygienic and sanitary conditions combined

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Biospark // Jan 2022 with effective treatment. Peptic ulcers are more common in men than in the women.

Treatment The type of treatment usually depends on what caused the peptic ulcer.

Treatment will focus on either lowering stomach acid levels so that the ulcer can heal, or eradicating the H. pylori infection. https://www.myupchar.com/en, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

• Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) - PPIs reduce the amount of acid the stomach produces. They are prescribed for patients who test negative for H. pylori infection. Treatment usually lasts 1-2 months, but if the ulcer is severe, treatment may last longer.

• H. pylori infection treatment - Patients infected with H. pylori will usually need PPIs and antibiotics. This treatment is effective in most patients, and the ulcer will start to disappear within days. When treatment is over, the individual will have to be tested again to make sure the H. pylori has gone. If necessary, they will undergo another course of different antibiotics.

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - If the ulcer comes from NSAIDs, the patient will have to stop taking them. Alternatives include acetaminophen. If the person cannot stop taking NSAIDs, the doctor may minimize the dosage and review the patient’s need for them later. Another medication may be prescribed for long term, alongside the NSAID.

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Biospark // Jan 2022 Complications Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) if not diagnosed and treated promptly can lead to serious complications. Following complications can occur in PUD:  Upper gastrointestinal bleeding  Gastric outlet obstruction  Perforation  Penetration  Gastric cancer Deterrence and Patient Education Patients with peptic ulcer disease should be counseled about potentially injurious agents like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), aspirin, alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine. Obesity has a strong association with peptic ulcer disease, and patients should be asked to lose weight. Stress reduction counseling can be helpful in some cases.

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Facts in number

Dip Das Chowdhury & Ratnodip Saha, Semester V

 World population change: o 2020- 7,794,798,739 o 2019- 7,713,468,100 o 2018- 7,631,091,040 o 2017- 7,547,858,925 [Ref: www.worldometers.info]  Gender ratio in world in 2020: o 101.69 males per 100 females [Ref: www.worldometers.info] COVID-19:  Vaccination: (till 22nd December, 2021) Doses given (India)- 139 Cr Fully vaccinated (India)- 55.7 Cr Percentage of population fully vaccinated (India)- 40.4% Doses given (World)- 881 Cr o Percentage of population fully vaccinated (World)- 48.3% [Ref: www.worldometers.info] o o o o

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Social issues  Hunger index: * In the 2020 , Global Hunger Index, India ranks 94th out of the 107 countries with sufficient data to calculate 2020 GHI scores. With a score of 27.2, India has a level of hunger that is serious. ** 2020 report, 189.2 million people are undernourished in India. By this measure 14% of the population is undernourished in India.

Every day too many men and women across the globe struggle to feed their children a nutritious meal. In a world where we produce enough food to feed everyone, 821 million people - one in nine – still go to bed on an empty stomach each night. Even more – one in three – suffer from some form of malnutrition.

[Reference – WIKIPEDIA, GHI (Global Hunger Index), FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) and www.foodaidfoundation.org ]  Poverty: India is a developing nation. Although its economy is growing, poverty is still a major challenge. It has around 84 million people living in extreme poverty which makes up ~6% of its total population as of May 2021.

[Reference - WIKIPEDIA]  Malnutrition: The 2021 edition of the UNICEF-WHO-World Bank Group Joint Malnutrition estimates shows more than one in five – 149.2 million children under 5 –were stunted in 2020, and 45.4 million suffered from wasting (Wasting is defined as low weight-forheight. It often indicates recent and severe weight loss).  Tobacco consumption: Nearly 267 million adults (15 years and above) in India (29% of all adults) are users of tobacco, according to the Global Adult Tobacco Survey India, 2016-17.

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Biospark // Jan 2022 The most prevalent form of tobacco use in India is smokeless tobacco and commonly used products are khaini, gutkha, betel quid with tobacco and zarda. [ Reference : WHO ] Diseases & Deaths:  Cancer: In 2020 , 13.9 lakh cases of cancer in India , and that this number is likely to rise to 15.7 lakh by 2025.

[Reference: The National Cancer Registry Programme Report 2020, released by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) ]  Diabetes: India has an estimated 77 million people with diabetes, which makes it the second most affected in the world, after China. One in six people (17%) in the world with diabetes is from India. The number is projected to grow by 2045 to become 134 million. [ Reference : International Diabetes Federation. ]  HIV: There were approximately 37.6 million people across the globe with HIV in 2020.

Of these, 35.9 million were adults and 1.7 million were children (less than 15 years old ). [ Reference : UNAIDS (United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS )]  Malaria: The estimated number of malaria deaths stood at 409, 000 in 2019. Children aged under 5 years are the most vulnerable group affected by malaria . They accounted for 67% (in 274000) of all malaria deaths worldwide.

India has 15 million cases of malaria with 19,500–20,000 deaths annually.

[Reference: World Health Organization]

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Biospark // Jan 2022  Thalassemia: About 1.5% of the global population (80–90 million people) are β-thalassemia carriers, with about 60,000 symptomatic individuals born annually.

[Reference :NCBI (National Center for Biotechnology Information)]  Anaemia: Anaemia is widespread in India--58.6% of children, 53.2% of non-pregnant women and 50.4% of pregnant women were found to be anaemic in 2016, [as per the NFHS].

With the targets of POSHAN Abhiyaan and the National Nutrition Strategy set by NITI Aayog, the AMB ( Anaemia Mukt Bharat ), strategy has been designed to reduce the prevalence of anaemia by 3 percentage points per year among children, adolescents, and women in the reproductive age group (15–49 years), between the year 2018 and 2022. [ Reference : NFHS (National Family Health Survey), Google] We’ve tried to gather some data about various important matters. Though it is just a tip of an iceberg! Thank you.

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Biospark // Jan 2022 Painting by

Swarnali Biswas, Semester V

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Biospark // Jan 2022 Painting by

Sudipta Biswas, Semester III

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Biospark // Jan 2022

Department of Physiology in Pictures

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