Activated carbon from sugarcane bagasse ash for melanoidins recovery

This work investigates the value added utilization of two sugar-distillery wastes: (i) melanoidins, which are complex Maillard reaction products in molasses distillery wastewater, and (ii) unburnt carbon in sugarcane bagasse ash. Activated unburnt carbon (AUC), prepared by deashing and steam activation, had properties comparable to commercial activated carbon (CAC). Both carbons are suitable for melanoidins adsorption followed by desorption using 25% pyridine solution. For AUC, the equilibrium adsorption data is well described by Langmuir isotherm up to 35 °C while Freundlich model fits better at higher temperature. Adsorption using CAC followed Freundlich isotherm at all temperatures. Both carbons followed pseudo second order kinetics and displayed endothermic physisorption. Recovery of melanoidins from AUC (78%) was close to that observed with CAC (80%).

The promise of discovering population-specific disease-associated genes in South Asia

The more than 1.5 billion people who live in South Asia are correctly viewed not as a single large population but as many small endogamous groups. We assembled genome-wide data from over 2,800 individuals from over 260 distinct South Asian groups. We identified 81 unique groups, 14 of which had estimated census sizes of more than 1 million, that descend from founder events more extreme than those in Ashkenazi Jews and Finns, both of which have high rates of recessive disease due to founder events. We identified multiple examples of recessive diseases in South Asia that are the result of such founder events. This study highlights an underappreciated opportunity for decreasing disease burden among South Asians through discovery of and testing for recessive disease-associated genes.

Substituted N-Phenyl-5-(2-(phenylamino)thiazol-4-yl)isoxazole-3-carboxamides Are Valuable Antitubercular Candidates that Evade Innate Efflux Machinery

Tuberculosis remains one of the deadliest infectious diseases in the world, and the increased number of multidrug-resistant and extremely drug-resistant strains is a significant reason for concern. This makes the discovery of novel antitubercular agents a cogent priority. We have previously addressed this need by reporting a series of substituted 2-aminothiazoles capable to inhibit the growth of actively replicating, nonreplicating persistent, and resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains. Clues from the structure-activity relationships lining up the antitubercular activity were exploited for the rational design of improved analogues. Two compounds, namely N-phenyl-5-(2-(p-tolylamino)thiazol-4-yl)isoxazole-3-carboxamide 7a and N-(pyridin-2-yl)-5-(2-(p-tolylamino)thiazol-4-yl)isoxazole-3-carboxamide 8a, were found to show high inhibitory activity toward susceptible M. tuberculosis strains, with an MIC₉₀ of 0.125-0.25 μg/mL (0.33-0.66 μM) and 0.06-0.125 μg/mL (0.16-0.32 μM), respectively. Moreover, they maintained good activity also toward resistant strains, and they were selective over other bacterial species and eukaryotic cells, metabolically stable, and apparently not susceptible to the action of efflux pumps.

A portable magneto-optical trap with prospects for atom interferometry in civil engineering

The high precision and scalable technology offered by atom interferometry has the opportunity to profoundly affect gravity surveys, enabling the detection of features of either smaller size or greater depth. While such systems are already starting to enter into the commercial market, significant reductions are required in order to reach the size, weight and power of conventional devices. In this article, the potential for atom interferometry based gravimetry is assessed, suggesting that the key opportunity resides within the development of gravity gradiometry sensors to enable drastic improvements in measurement time. To push forward in realizing more compact systems, techniques have been pursued to realize a highly portable magneto-optical trap system, which represents the core package of an atom interferometry system. This can create clouds of 10⁷ atoms within a system package of 20 l and 10 kg, consuming 80 W of power.This article is part of the themed issue 'Quantum technology for the 21st century'.

LdtMav2, a nonclassical transpeptidase and susceptibility of Mycobacterium avium to carbapenems

Aim:

Mycobacterium avium infections, especially in immune-compromised individuals, present a significant challenge as therapeutic options are limited. In this study, we investigated if M. avium genome encodes nonclassical transpeptidases and if newer carbapenems are effective against this mycobacteria.

Materials & methods:

Biochemical and microbiological approaches were used to identify and characterize a nonclassical transpeptidase, namely L,D-transpeptidase, in M. avium.

Results & conclusion:

We describe the biochemical and physiological attributes of a L,D-transpeptidase in M. avium, Ldt_Mav2. Suggestive of a constitutive requirement, levels of Ldt_Mav2, a L,D-transpeptidase in M. avium, remain constant during exponential and stationary phases of growth. Among β-lactam antibacterials, only a subset of carbapenems inhibit Ldt_Mav2 and tebipenem, a new oral carbapenem, inhibits growth of M. avium.

Combinations of avibactam and carbapenems exhibit enhanced potencies against drug-resistant Mycobacterium abscessus

AIM

The objective of this study was to assess if avibactam, a new β-lactamase inhibitor, can restore the potency of carbapenems, a sub-class of β-lactams, against Mycobacterium abscessus clinical isolates.

MATERIALS & METHODS

28 M. abscessus clinical isolates that are resistant to multiple drugs currently used to treat its infection were included. MIC of carbapenems alone and in combination with avibactam against these strains were determined.

RESULTS

Tebipenem, an oral carbapenem, and ertapenem and panipenem exhibited the greatest shift in MIC when supplemented with avibactam.

CONCLUSION

Avibactam restores MICs of tebipenem, ertapenem and panipenem against M. abscessus to therapeutically achievable concentrations and raises the possibility of usefulness of these carbapenems to treat drug-resistant M. abscessus infections.

Microglia-derived HIV Nef+ exosome impairment of the blood-brain barrier is treatable by nanomedicine-based delivery of Nef peptides

The negative factor (Nef) of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is an accessory protein that is thought to be integral to HIV-associated immune- and neuroimmune pathogenesis. Here, we show that nef-transfected microglia-released Nef+ exosome (exNef) disrupts the apical blood-brain barrier (BBB) and that only nef-transfected microglia release Nef in exosomes. nef-gfp-transduced neurons and astrocytes release exosomes but did not release exNef in the extracellular space. Apical administration of exNef derived from nef-transfected 293T cells reduced transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) and increased permeability of the BBB. Microglia-derived exNef applied to either the apical/basal BBB significantly reduced expression of the tight junction protein, ZO-1, suggesting a mechanism of exNef-mediated neuropathogenesis. Microglia exposed to exNef release elevated levels of Toll-like receptor-induced cytokines and chemokines IL-12, IL-8, IL-6, RANTES, and IL-17A. Magnetic nanoparticle delivery of Nef peptides containing the Nef myrisolation site across an in vitro BBB ultimately reduced nef-transfected microglia release of Nef exosomes and prevented the loss of BBB integrity and permeability as measured by TEER and dextran-FITC transport studies, respectively. Overall, we show that exNef is released from nef-gfp-transfected microglia; exNef disrupts integrity and permeability, and tight junctions of the BBB, and induces microglial cytokine/chemokine secretion. These exNef-mediated effects were significantly restricted by Nef peptides. Taken together, this study provides preliminary evidence of the role of exNef in HIV neuroimmune pathogenesis and the feasibility of a nanomedicine-based therapeutics targeting exNef to treat HIV-associated neuropathogenesis.

Dentigerous Cysts of Maxillofacial Region– Clinical, Radiographic and Biochemical Analysis

Background Dentigerous cyst is the second most common type of odontogenic cysts that encloses the crown of an unerupted tooth by expansion of its follicle due to the collection of cystic fluid. In view of the capability of these lesions attaining a marked size if not diagnosed early and treated properly, the present study was done based on the clinical and radiographic presentation of the dentigerous cyst in addition to the analysis of the cystic contents.Objective The present study reported 14 cases of dentigerous cysts (DC) with their incidence and relative distribution of the maxillofacial region along with the clinical and radiographic features and biochemical analysis of cystic fluid.Method The study was conducted at Sri Govind Tricentenary Dental College, Hospital and Research Institute, Gurgaon, Haryana for a period of one year and six months. A detailed case history and thorough clinical examination was done for the patients who were provisionally found to have odontogenic cysts. Necessary radiographs, aspiration of the cystic fluid and incisional biopsy were performed to the 14 patients who were provisionally diagnosed with dentigerous cysts (DC) after obtaining the informed consent and the cystic fluid was subjected to biochemical analysis.Results Majority of the affected patients with DC were in their second decade and showed more predilection for mandible with a male predominance. The area of predilection was third molar region in the mandible and it is the canine region in maxilla. All the cases were associated with impacted teeth and majority showed expansion of the buccal/labial cortical plate. The various biochemical variables (total protein content, albumin, globulin and albumin: globulin ratio) were also assessed in the present study.Conclusion The awareness of protean features of DC evident through this study is essential for the general as well as specialty practitioners for the accurate diagnosis and proper treatment planning of these non cancerous but potentially destructive lesions and also opens new avenues for further research.Kathmandu University Medical Journal Vol.13(1) 2015; 8-11

Association of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the causation of Eales' disease: an institutional experience

BACKGROUND

Eales' disease is an idiopathic retinal vasculitis characterized by retinal inflammation, ischemia, and neo-vascularisation. It frequently causes massive vitreous haemorrhage and retinal detachment leading to blindness. Although the exact etiology is unknown, this condition is considered to be a consequence of hypersensitivity reaction to tubercular protein due to previous Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) infection. This study is aimed at the detection of association of M. tuberculosis in patients with Eales' disease.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A prospective case-control study was undertaken in 65 clinically diagnosed cases of Eales' disease. Patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy, neo-vascular proliferation, macular oedema, premacular fibrosis and tractional retinal detachment were taken as controls. M. tuberculosis DNA was detected (MPT64 gene by polymerase chain reaction, PCR) in patients with Eales' disease. Clinical symptoms along with tuberculin skin test (TST) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were used as gold standard for comparing results of PCR.

RESULT

PCR positivity was found in 12 (38.7%) patients with Eales' disease. The PCR positivity was significantly associated with the patients with high TST reading and high ESR values.

CONCLUSION

Patients with a high TST reading and ESR value and a positive PCR in vitreous samples have a high likelihood of having M. tuberculosis as an etiology.

Green biotechnology, nanotechnology and bio-fortification: perspectives on novel environment-friendly crop improvement strategies

Food insecurity and malnutrition are prominent issues for this century. As the world's population continues to increase, ensuring that the earth has enough food that is nutritious too will be a difficult task. Today one billion people of the world are undernourished and more than a third are malnourished. Moreover, the looming threat of climate change is exasperating the situation even further. At the same time, the total acreage of arable land that could support agricultural use is already near its limits, and may even decrease over the next few years due to salination and desertification patterns resulting from climate change. Clearly, changing the way we think about crop production must take place on multiple levels. New varieties of crops must be developed which can produce higher crop yields with less water and fewer agricultural inputs. Besides this, the crops themselves must have improved nutritional qualities or become biofortified in order to reduce the chances of 'hidden hunger' resulting from malnourishment. It is difficult to envision the optimum way to increase crop production using a single uniform strategy. Instead, a variety of approaches must be employed and tailored for any particular agricultural setting. New high-impact technologies such as green biotechnology, biofortification, and nanotechnology offer opportunities for boosting agricultural productivity and enhancing food quality and nutritional value with eco-friendly manner. These agricultural technologies currently under development will renovate our world to one that can comfortably address the new directions, our planet will take as a result of climate change.

Effect of thyroid on lipid profile and renal function: an observational study from tertiary care centre of tribal region of bastar

Background:

Thyroid hormone is a key substance in normal homeostasis, having variable influence on cell metabolism on different organs. Very little is known about the prevalence of thyroid disorders from our region.

Aim:

This study was conducted with the aim of finding prevalence of thyroid disorder and relation of thyroid hormone with renal function and cholesterol metabolism.

Subjects and Methods:

A total of 96 ambulatory patients were taken for study. Serum samples were collected and evaluated for triiodothyronine, thyroxine, thyroid-stimulating hormone, urea, creatinine, total cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL), very low density lipoprotein and high density lipoprotein (HDL). Analysis of variance and t-test were used to find a significant difference among the groups.

Results:

Prevalance of thyroid disorder among suspected patients was 64/96 (66%), of which 36/64 (56.3%) were hypothyroid and 28/64 (43.8%) were hyperthyroid. No relation was found with renal function, but cholesterol was found high (>250 mg/dl) among hypothyroid patients and significant increase in TG, LDL levels and significant decrease was in HDL.

Conclusion:

Thyroid disorder is high among subjects with hypercholesterolemia. This underscores the need to evaluate for thyroid disorder in hypercholesterolemic patients and vice-versa.

Seasonal trends in organochlorine pesticide residues in raw bovine milk from rural areas of Haryana, India

Seasonal trends in organochlorine pesticides residues namely, 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) isomers, 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis (p-chlorophenyl) ethane (DDT) and its metabolites and endosulfan stereo isomers were investigated in raw bovine milk samples from rural areas of Ambala, Gurgaon and Hisar districts of the state of Haryana for winter, summer, and post-monsoon seasons. Highest concentration of HCH and DDT was found in 43 % and 53 % milk samples, respectively in post-monsoon season whereas highest values of endosulfan was reported in 36 % samples during winter season. During the study period only 2 % milk samples exceeded the maximum residue limit recommended by WHO for ΣHCH, 1 % samples each for α-HCH and γ-HCH, 9 % samples for β-HCH as recommended by PFAA and 30 % samples for ΣDDT as prescribed by FAO. No statistical difference in the mean concentration of ∑HCH and ∑Endosulfan could be observed in any of the three districts. However, ∑DDT concentration showed marked difference [F(2, 25) = 12.42, p = 0.00018)] among the three districts.

Apolipoprotein A1 as a potential biomarker in the ascitic fluid for the differentiation of advanced ovarian cancers

CONTEXT

Primary ovarian cancer and ovarian metastasis from non-ovarian cancers in advanced stage are closely mimicking conditions whose therapeutics and prognosis are different.

OBJECTIVE

To identify biomarkers that can differentiate the two variants of advanced ovarian cancers.

METHODS

Gel-based proteomics and antibody-based assays were used to study the differentially expressed proteins in the ascitic fluid of fourteen patients with advanced ovarian cancers.

RESULTS

Programmed Cell Death 1-Ligand 2, apolipoprotein A1, apolipoprotein A4 and anti-human fas antibody are differentially expressed proteins.

CONCLUSIONS

Apolipoprotein A1 with a 61.8 ng/ml cut-off is a potential biomarker with the best differentiating statistical parameters.

Management of children with severe acute malnutrition: experience of Nutrition Rehabilitation Centers in Uttar Pradesh, India

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effectiveness of facility-based care for children with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) in Nutrition Rehabilitation Centers (NRC).

DESIGN

Review of data.

SETTING

12 NRCs in Uttar Pradesh, India.

PARTICIPANTS

Children admitted to NRCs (Jan 1, 2010 - Dec 31, 2011).

INTERVENTION

Detection and treatment of SAM with locally-adapted protocols.

OUTCOMES

Survival, default, discharge, and recovery rates.

RESULTS

54.6% of the total 1,229 children admitted were boys, 81.6% were in the age group 6-23 months old, 86% belonged to scheduled tribes, scheduled castes, or other backward castes, and 42% had edema or medical complications. Of the 1,181 program exits, 14 (1.2%) children died, 657 (47.2%) children defaulted, and 610 (51.7%) children were discharged The average (SD) weight gain was 12.1 (7.3)g/kg body weight/day and the average (SD) length of stay was 13.2 (5.6) days. 206 (46.8%) children were discharged after recovery (weight gain >15%) while 324 (53.2%) were discharged, non-recovered (weight gain <15%).

CONCLUSIONS

NRCs provide life-saving care for children with SAM; however, the protocols and therapeutic foods currently used need to be improved to ensure the full recovery of all children admitted.

Oral and salivary changes among renal patients undergoing hemodialysis: A cross-sectional study

We wanted to assess oral and salivary changes in end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) and to understand the correlation of such changes with renal insufficiency. The cross-sectional study was performed among 100 ESRD patients undergoing HD. Among these, 25 patients were randomly selected to assess the salivary changes and compared with 25 apparently healthy individuals who formed the control group. Total duration of the study was 15 months. Oral malodor, dry mouth, taste change, increased caries incidence, calculus formation, and gingival bleeding were the common oral manifestations. The flow rates of both unstimulated as well as stimulated whole saliva were decreased in the study group. The pH and buffer capacity of unstimulated whole saliva was increased in the study group, but stimulated whole saliva did not show any difference. ESRD patients undergoing HD require special considerations during dental treatment because of the various conditions inherent to the disease, their multiple oral manifestations and the treatment side-effects.

Organochlorine pesticide residues in human blood samples collected from Haryana, India and the changing pattern

Blood samples were collected during August 1992 and August 2002 from various hospitals of Haryana state and analyzed for the presence of HCH and DDT residues and the change in concentration of pesticide residues was calculated in terms of % reduction. The study revealed that the mean residue levels of total HCH in human blood samples have declined by 87.6% while those of total DDT have decreased by 98.9% during a gap of 10 years. The obtained results reveal that during 1992 p,p'-DDT was the major component with the mean value of 6.125 mg/L followed by p,p'-DDE, γ-HCH, α-HCH and β-HCH while in 2002, β-HCH and p,p'-DDE were comparable with mean value of 0.053 and 0.052 mg/L, respectively followed by p,p'-DDT, α-HCH and p,p'-DDD.

Proteomics of the ascitic fluid for the differentiation of advanced ovarian cancer

e15510

Background: Ovarian cancers are classified as primary, if it arises in the ovary and secondary or metastatic, if the origin is from other parts of the body. The clinical manifestations of these cancers in the advanced stage are very similar making it difficult to distinguish clinically, hiostopathologically and radiologicaly. The therapeutics and management of the primary and secondary malignancies are completely different. While, the advanced primary malignancies are treated by cytoreduction followed by chemotherapy, the metastatic tumors are treated mainly with palliative chemotherapy. The prognosis is better for primary than secondary ovarian cancer making their diagnosis very crucial for patient care. Methods: 1D and 2D-gel based proteomic approaches were used to study the differentially expressed proteins in the ascitic fluid of patients (10 primary and 4 secondary) with advanced ovarian cancer. The relative ratios of the protein expression were estimated by densitometric analysis. The bands/spots with more than three fold difference were subjected to in-gel trypsin digestion and identified by mass spectrometric analysis. The differential expression of one of the proteins was further validated by western blot experiments and ELISA. Results: Programmed Cell Death 1-Ligand 2 and apolipoprotein A1 were seen to be up regulated in the advanced primary ovarian cancer while apolipoprotein A4, and chain L, humanized version of the anti-human fas antibody Hfe7a were seen to be up regulated in the metastatic variant. Validation for the expression of apolipoprotein A1 shows that a 61.8ng/ml cut off is ideal to differentiate the primary and secondary advanced ovarian cancers. The assay has 100% sensitivity, 75% specificity, positive predictive value of 90.9%, negative predictive value of 100%, accuracy of 92.85% and a pre-test odds positive of 2.5. Conclusions: Proteomics of ascitic fluid is useful for the differentiation of advanced ovarian cancers. There are proteins which are differentially expressed in the ascitic fluid of patients with primary and secondary ovarian cancer. Apolipoprotein A1 is a potential biomarker that can be used to differentiate the closely mimicking clinical scenarios of advanced ovarian cancer.

Diagnostic potential of 16 kDa (HspX, α-crystalline) antigen for serodiagnosis of tuberculosis

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES

Tuberculosis (TB) is a public health problem worldwide. Rapid and accurate diagnosis of tuberculosis is crucial to facilitate early treatment of infectious cases and to reduce its spread. The present study was aimed to evaluation of 16 kDa antigen as a serodiagnostic tool in pulmonary and extra-pulmonary tuberculosis patients in an effort to improve diagnostic algorithm for tuberculosis.

METHODS

In this study, 200 serum samples were collected from smear positive and culture confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis patients, 30 tubercular pleural effusions and 21 tubercular meningitis (TBM) patients. Serum samples from 36 healthy, age matched controls (hospital staff), along with 60 patients with non-tubercular respiratory diseases were also collected and evaluated. Humoral response (both IgG and IgA) was looked for 16 kDa antigen using indirect ELISA.

RESULTS

Sensitivity of detection in various categories of pulmonary TB patients ranged between 73.8 and 81.2 per cent. While in the extra-pulmonary TB samples the sensitivity was 42.8 per cent (TBM) and 63.3 per cent (tubercular pleural effusion). The test specificity in both the groups was high (94.7%). All of the non-disease controls were negative. Among non-tubercular disease controls, five patients gave a positive humoral response against 16 kDa.

INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS

Serodiagnostic tests for TB have always had drawbacks of suboptimal sensitivity and specificity. The antigen used in this study gave encouraging results in pulmonary TB only, while in extra-pulmonary TB (tubercular meningitis and tubercular pleural effusion), this has shown a limited role in terms of sensitivity. Further work is required to validate its role in serodiagnosis of TB especially extra-pulmonary TB.

Organochlorine pesticide residues in drinking water in the rural areas of Haryana, India

Drinking water samples collected from rural areas of three districts of Haryana during pre-monsoon and post-monsoon periods were analysed for the presence of organochlorine pesticide residues. The main source of drinking water in rural areas, i.e. groundwater in Ambala and Gurgaon districts and surface water supply in Hisar district, was found to be contaminated with isomers of HCH and endosulfan and metabolites of DDT, whereas dieldrin remained below detection limits. During the study period, the mean values observed for total HCH, DDT and endosulfan were 87.6, 848.2, and 27.4 ng/L and 99.8, 275.3 and 164.2 ng/L, respectively, for Ambala and Gurgaon districts. In the case of Hisar district, the values were 78.5, 115.9, and 53.0 ng/L, respectively. During the study period, 37% of the samples exceeded the total pesticide level of 500 ng/L indicated in the EECD directive for drinking water. Seasonal variations of pesticide residues were also observed during the study period.

Harmonized Medical Device Regulation: Need, Challenges, and Risks of not Harmonizing the Regulation in Asia

Medical device sector is one of the most complex and challenging business segments of the healthcare industry with close collaboration between science and engineering. Despite the fact that Asia has 60% of the world population providing large market potential, Asian healthcare expenditure constitutes only 15% of the global healthcare expenditure. The accelerated ageing population and increasing prevalence of chronic disease are the key drivers that contribute toward the increase in the total healthcare expenditure on medical devices in the region. Several policies clearly showed the eagerness of the government to provide better healthcare infrastructure with better medical devices and facilities. The fundamental objective of the regulatory harmonization is to improve the efficiency of national economies and their ability to adopt to change and remain competitive. After the era of liberalization and globalization, the desires of developing economies is to ensure safety and performance of the product brought to their markets and for this harmonized regulation is an important tool for strengthening the same. If we talk about the industry need, then this approach will eliminate redundant requirements that do not contribute to safety and effectiveness. In addition, Asia is diverse in many respects and with it come the various challenges to harmonizing the regulation which includes diversity in culture, politics, economy, historical issues, etc. If, by any reason, the regulation of medical devices is not harmonized and consequently, the harmonized regulation is not adopted, then it leads to serious concerns like delayed or absent access to innovative technology, continued rise in the cost of medical therapies, etc. So this issue is written to attract all stakeholders to move toward the concept of harmonization, keeping in mind their need, challenges, and risks of not harmonizing the regulation as well.

Effect of cyanobacterial exopolysaccharides on salt stress alleviation and seed germination

Effectof exopolysaccharides (EPS) produced by a consortium of cyanobacteria on germination of three crops wheat, maize and rice was studied at different salt concentrations. Production of EPS was found to be stimulated by salts, which in turn had a significant Na+ removal capability from aqueous solution. Seed germination, vigor index and mobilization efficiency in all the three crops remarkably improved when cyanobacterial EPS was applied. While germination improved significantly by 13 to 30%, mobilization efficiency increased marginally by 1.03 to 1.1 times and vigor index increased by 1.15 to 2.4 times in these crops in response to EPS under non-saline conditions. Salinity had an inhibitory effect on seed germination of all the species showing 18 to 54% reduction. However, in the presence of EPS, the salt induced inhibition diminished to 13 to 18%. Inhibitory effect of salt on chlorophyll concentration, vigor index and mobilization efficiency of the seedlings was much less in these crops in the presence of EPS, indicating the latter's role in salt stress alleviation.

Pesticide pollution of River Ghaggar in Haryana, India

Ghaggar, one of the major rivers of northern India originating in outer Himalayas and flowing through the state of Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan, is put to multiple uses. Along its course of 464 km, it receives discharge from various cities and runoff from agricultural lands. Punjab and Haryana are two predominantly agricultural states of India using substantial amounts of agrochemicals, yet there are no reports available in literature on the level of pesticides in the stretch of river Ghaggar through Punjab and Haryana. This is the first report on pesticide pollution of the river Ghaggar in Haryana. Water samples along the 230-km stretch of the river in Haryana were analyzed for the presence of organochlorine insecticide residues. While aldrin and dieldrin were below detection limits, both hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) were traceable in all the water samples. High concentration of beta-HCH among SigmaHCH indicates old pollution source whereas predominance of p,p'-DDT among SigmaDDT reflects its recent use in the catchment area of the river. The concentrations of HCH and DDT in all the samples were above the permissible limits prescribed by the European Commission Directive for drinking purposes.

Heavy metal contamination of river Yamuna, Haryana, India: Assessment by Metal Enrichment Factor of the Sediments

Concentration of Heavy Metals (Cd, Cr, Fe, Ni) in water, plants and sediments of river Yamuna flowing in Haryana through Delhi are reported here selecting 14 stations covering the upstream and downstream sites of major industrial complexes of the State. Some important characteristics of river water and sediments (pH, EC, Cl(-), SO(3)(2-), and PO(4)(3-) in water and sediments, COD of water and organic matter content of sediments) were also analysed and inter-relationships of all these parameters with heavy metal concentration in different compartments were examined. The sediments of the river show significant enrichment with Cd and Ni indicating inputs from industrial sources. Concentrations of Cr are moderate and show high enrichment values only at a few sites. Enrichment factor for Fe is found to be <1, showing insignificant effect of anthropogenic flux. Concentrations of these metals in river water are generally high exceeding the standard maximum permissible limits prescribed for drinking water, particularly in the downstream sites. The aquatic plants show maximum accumulation of Fe. The other heavy metals Cd, Cr and Ni, though less in concentration, show some accumulation in the plants growing in contaminated sites. Interrelationships of metal concentration with important characteristics of water and sediment have been analysed. Analysis of heavy metals in water, sediments and littoral flora in the stretch of river Yamuna is first study of itself and interrelationship of metal concentration and other important characteristics make the study significant and interesting in analysing the pollution load at different points of the river body.

Suitability assessment of groundwater for drinking, irrigation and industrial use in some North Indian villages

The study comprised suitability assessment of groundwater for drinking, irrigation, and industrial use. A total of 34 groundwater samples were collected from Rewari town and its perimeter from the land chiefly used for agriculture. Physico-chemical characterization of the samples revealed that groundwater from most of the sources was not fit for drinking owing to a high concentration of calcium, magnesium, hardness and fluoride. Suitability for irrigation, too, was low since most of the sources had high value of sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), residual sodium carbonate (RSC), soluble sodium percentage (SSP) and magnesium hazard which can render salinity and alkali hazard to soils on long term use in irrigation. No source of water was found to be suitable for industrial application since it had high concentration of calcium carbonate which can precipitate very easily. It was observed that sodium, sulphate, and chloride were the chief ions present in water and based on the abundance of ions and their correlation type, most of the groundwater samples are of sodium sulphate and/or sodium chloride type. The high concentration of the chemical constituents is attributed to the lithologic composition of the area. It was observed that the water of deep meteoric percolation type was of sodium sulphate type and the shallow of sodium chloride type.

Pesticide residues in river Yamuna and its canals in Haryana and Delhi, India

Yamuna, a prominent river of India covers an extensive area of 345,843 km(2) from Yamunotri glacier through six Indian states. Residues of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) namely, isomers of HCH and endosulfan, DDT and its metabolites, aldrin, dieldrin, were analysed in water of river Yamuna along its 346 km stretch passing through Haryana-Delhi-Haryana and the canals originating from it. beta-HCH, p.p'-DDT, p.p'-DDE and p.p'-DDD had maximum traceability in test samples (95-100%) followed by gamma-HCH, alpha-HCH and o.p'-DDD (60-84%) and o.p'-DDT, delta-HCH and o.p'-DDE (7-30%) while aldrin, dieldrin, alpha and beta endosulfan remained below detection limits (BDL). The concentration of SigmaHCH and SigmaDDT at different sites of the river ranged between 12.76-593.49 ng/l (with a mean of 310.25 ng/l) and 66.17-722.94 ng/l (with a mean of 387.9 ng/l), respectively. In canals the values were found between 12.38-571.98 ng/l and 109.12-1572.22 ng/l for SigmaHCH and SigmaDDT, respectively. Water of Gurgaon canal and Western Yamuna canal contained maximum and minimum concentration, respectively both of SigmaHCH and SigmaDDT residues. Sources of these pesticides and suggested measures to check pesticide pollution of this major Indian river, keeping in view its vital link with life, are discussed in this paper.

A study of the association between children's access to drinking water in primary schools and their fluid intake: can water be 'cool' in school?

BACKGROUND

Water is essential for health. The 'Water is Cool in School' campaign promoted improved drinking water access in UK schools. Implementation has been patchy, and impact has not been studied. The aim of this study is to determine whether fluid intake and frequency of toilet visits are associated with children's access to drinking water in the classroom.

METHODS

A total of 145 schoolchildren in Year 2 (aged 6-7 years) and 153 in Year 5 (aged 9-10 years) classes were studied in six Southampton schools. Total fluid intake and toilet visits were recorded during one school day. Schools were recruited according to drinking policy: 'prohibited access' = water prohibited in classroom; 'limited access' = water allowed in classroom but not on the desk; and 'free access' = water bottle encouraged on the desk. Data were analysed on an intention-to-treat basis.

RESULTS

In total, 120 children in prohibited access, 91 in limited access and 87 in free access settings were recruited. Total fluid intake was significantly higher in Year 2 free access schools (geometric mean 293, range 104-953 mL) compared with prohibited access schools (geometric mean 189, range 0-735 mL, P=0.046), in Year 5 free access schools (geometric mean 489, range 88-1200 mL) compared with prohibited access schools (geometric mean 206, range 0-953 mL, P=0.001), and in free access versus limited access schools (geometric mean 219, range 0-812 mL, P=0.003). A total of 81% and 80% of children in prohibited and limited access schools, respectively, consumed below the minimum recommended amount of total fluid at school, compared with 46.5% in the free access schools. In total, 34.6% of children did not use the toilets at all during the school day. There was no trend observed between water access and frequency of toilet visits (median of 1 trip for each group, P=0.605).

CONCLUSION

Most children have an inadequate fluid intake in school. Free access to drinking water in class is associated with improved total fluid intake. Primary schools should promote water drinking in class.

Pesticide residues in bovine milk from a predominantly agricultural state of Haryana, India

One hundred forty seven samples of bovine milk were collected from 14 districts of Haryana, India during December 1998-February 1999 and analysed for the presence of organochlorine pesticide (OCPs) residues. summation operator HCH, summation operator DDT, summation operator endosulfan and aldrin were detected in 100%, 97%, 43% and 12% samples and with mean values of 0.0292, 0.0367, 0.0022 and 0.0036 microg/ml, respectively. Eight percent samples exceeded the maximum residue limit (MRL) of 0.10 mg/kg as recommended by WHO for summation operator HCH, 4% samples of 0.05 mg/kg for alpha-HCH, 5% samples of 0.01 mg/kg for gamma-HCH, 26% samples of 0.02 mg/kg for beta-HCH as recommended by PFAA and 24% samples of 0.05 mg/kg as recommended by FAO for summation operator DDT. Concentrations of beta-HCH and p,p'-DDE were more as compared to other isomers and metabolites of HCH and DDT.

Cardiovascular risk factors in tobacco-chewers: a controlled study

BACKGROUND

Influence of habitual tobacco chewing on cardiovascular risk has not been well studied. To determine prevalence of major cardiovascular risk factors in subjects who habitually chew tobacco we performed a controlled study.

METHODS

A population based case-control study was performed in Bikaner in North-western India where the prevalence of tobacco-chewing is high. Successive 200 subjects who agreed to participate in the evaluation and had a history of isolated tobacco-chewing (range 10-60 years) were enrolled (Group III). The prevalence of major coronary risk factors- obesity, truncal obesity, hypertension, fasting hyperglycemia, and lipid levels were estimated using current guidelines. Electrocardiogram was also performed in all subjects. Chest radiography and treadmill stress test was done in subjects when indicated by symptoms. 200 age- and gender-matched controls who did not use tobacco in any form (Group I) and 200 subjects who had history of smoking bidis or cigarettes for more than 10 years (range 10-55 years) (Group II) were also evaluated.

RESULTS

The body-mass index and obesity were lowest in smoker group. Tobacco chewers had a significantly higher (p<0.001) systolic blood pressure (BP), diastolic BP, resting heart rate, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides as compared to controls and was similar to smoker group. There was a significantly greater (p<0.01) prevalence of hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, radiographic cardiomegaly and positive stress test in Group III as compared to controls. Prevalence of these risk factors was similar among Group II and Group III subjects. HDL cholesterol levels were the lowest in tobacco-chewing group (44.3+/-8.1 mg/dl) as compared to the Group I (48.4+/-7.8) and Group II (47.4+/-7.5) (p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

There is a significantly greater prevalence of multiple cardiovascular risk factors obesity, resting tachycardia, hypertension, high total and LDL cholesterol, and low HDL cholesterol, and electrocardiographic changes in tobacco users, chewing or smoking, as compared-to tobacco non-users. Chewing tobacco is associated with similar cardiovascular risk as smoking.

Impact of long and short term irrigation of a sodic soil with distillery effluent in combination with bioamendments

The study reports the effects of irrigation of a sodic soil with post methanation effluent (PME) of a distillery. Impact of long term effluent irrigation in the field (10 years) and short term effluent irrigation using different doses of PME in the laboratory (30 days) was studied in combination with three bioamendments i.e. farmyard manure, brassica residues and rice husk. Impact on various soil properties like EC, pH, total organic carbon (TOC), total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), available phosphorus, exchangeable K, Na, Ca, Cl, microbial population and soil enzyme activities were studied. Long term application of PME proved useful in significantly increasing TOC, TKN, K, P and soil enzymatic activities in the soil but tended to build up harmful concentration of Na, that could be chelated by bioamendments. In short terms studies, application of 50% PME along with bioamendments proved to be the most useful in improving the properties of sodic soil and also favoured successful germination and improved seedling growth of pearl millet.

Groundwater quality assessment in different land-use areas of Faridabad and Rohtak cities of Haryana using deviation index

Physico-chemical parameters were analysed to evaluate the groundwater quality of the two important cities of Haryana, Faridabad and Rohtak, and the pollution status of groundwater was compared using deviation index (DI). Groundwater of both the cities had high alkalinity, hardness, total dissolved solids (TDS) and electrical conductivity. The groundwater of Faridabad showed low fluoride concentration whereas in 74% of groundwater samples of Rohtak the fluoride levels were high. Land use and waste disposal practices were found to have an important effect on groundwater pollution.

Heavy metal pollution in various canals originating from river Yamuna in Haryana

Heavy metal pollution due to Fe, Ni, Pb, Cd, Co and Zn in the water of major canals originating from the river Yamuna in Haryana was studied. All these metals except Zn were found to be present in the Western Yamuna Canal (WYC) exceeding the maximum permissible limits. In the Sunder branch (SB), the heavy metal concentration was relatively more. Concentrations of the metals were, however, relatively less in the highly eutrophicated waters of Agra canal and Gurgaon canal as compared to that in WYC but Fe concentration were much higher. Except Zn and Ni the metal concentrations exceeded the standard permissible limits in these canals also.

Ultrastructural and immunologic characteristics of mouse x cattle xenogeneic hybridomas originating from bovine leukemia virus-infected cattle

Nine percent of xenogeneic hybridomas originating from a bovine leukemia virus (BLV)-infected cow secreted monoclonal IgM antibodies with multispecific reactivity. Similar reactivity was evident in some antibodies with an unusually long (> 50 amino acids) third complementarity-determining region of the heavy chain. Electron microscopy of hybridomas demonstrated the presence of c-type virus particles consistent with polymerase chain reaction detection of BLV env gene. Some hybridomas contained dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum and cisternae filled with moderately electron-dense granular substance compatible with plasma cells at presecretory stage. The number of chromosomes in xenogeneic hybridomas corresponded to the sum total of mouse and bovine chromosomes. None of the hybridomas showed polyploidy. The immunochemical and genetic analysis of stable bovine immunoglobulin-secreting xenogeneic hybridomas confirms that BLV infection causes polyclonal B cell activation regardless of antigen specificity. Presence of c-type particles in hybridomas suggests that T cell-derived cytokines are not required for sustained BLV expression.

Novel insight into antibody diversification from cattle

The bovine preimmune repertoire develops in the absence of maternal antibodies due to the placental barrier formed by syndesmochorial type of placenta. The limited germline sequence diversity, both at the heavy and light chain loci, imposes constraints on generation of combinatorial diversity in cattle. The cattle, thus, must employ other strategies for antibody diversification. Analysis of VDJ rearrangements in adult cattle have led identification of generation of large IgM antibody molecules that may have an exceptionally long CDR3H region (up to 61 amino acids). The IgM antibodies with an exceptionally long CDR3H are indeed functional as some of these recognize structurally dissimilar antigens. The antibody diversification in cattle involves generation of an exceptionally long CDR3H in addition to point somatic mutations.

Water quality index and suitability assessment of urban ground water of Hisar and Panipat in Haryana

Ground water quality in two well-developed cities of Haryana, viz. Hisar and Panipat was assessed for drinking purpose based on water quality parameters like pH, EC, turbidity, TDS, alkalinity, total hardness, calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), potassium (K), chloride (Cl), nitrate (NO3), phosphate (PO4), sulphate (SO4) and fluoride (F) with respect to different land-use areas viz. residential, industrial, commercial and agricultural. Water quality index based on 9 parameters showed that at Panipat, underground water in all the land-use zones was fit for consumption (WQI < 50), whereas at Hisar, water in agricultural areas was good in quality, but that in other areas varied in magnitude of pollution (WQI > 50 to 100).

Incorporation of long CDR3s into V domains: implications for the structural evolution of the antibody-combining site

Available data suggest that 'primitive' antibody-combining sites often include longer than average HCDR3s. Long HCDR3 sequences have been reported in diverse vertebrates, including humans, cattle, camels and sharks. These long HCDR3 segments contain unusual sequence features such as stretches of Gly or Pro residues and multiple Cys residues. We examined how longer than average HCDR3s were accommodated in the V domains of human, murine and camel antibodies with known three-dimensional structures. The main conclusions were that (1) HCDR3s longer than 12 residues should protrude outward from the V domains; (2) descending HCDR3 polypeptides may utilize VL (including LCDR3) constituents as a platform, supporting the protruding segments; (3) intra- and inter-HCDR disulfides are frequently formed to rigidify the structure of HCDR3 or the combining site, and (4) V and C domains were possibly more similar in primordial antibodies than they are in their present day counterparts.

Extensive CDR3H length heterogeneity exists in bovine foetal VDJ rearrangements

Analysis of seven variable-diversity-joining (VDJ) gene rearrangements in B splenocytes from a 125-day-old bovine foetus revealed an extensive heavy-chain complementarity-determining region 3 (CDR3H) length variation (9-56 codons). Indeed, the global CDR3H size spectratyping of foetal VDJ rearrangements substantiated such an extensive heterogeneity and was comparable with that noted in peripheral B lymphocytes of adult cattle. These observations are in contrast to species such as humans with extensive germline combinatorial capability where shorter CDR3H length is noted early during B-cell development. Exceptionally long CDR3H (as in adult cattle) was noted in two foetal VDJ rearrangements encoded by a single germline VH gene. Further, two VH genes (gl.110.20 and BF2B5) were preferentially expressed in the foetal VDJ rearrangements. The DH gene-encoded CDR3H region of foetal VDJ rearrangements is remarkable for repetitive GGT (glycine) and TAT (tyrosine) codons that favour the recruitment of somatic hypermutations. It appears that closely related germline DH genes, preferentially used in the hydrophilic reading frame, encode varying CDR3H lengths early during B-cell ontogeny in cattle. A comparison of germline and expressed VH genes, especially in the CDR1 and CDR2, confirms that somatic hypermutations contribute to immunoglobulin (Ig)M antibody diversification in cattle. The biased nucleotide base use and high occurrence of 'hot-spot' triplet (AGPy; AG pyrimidine base) in the CDRs predisposes to somatic hypermutations. Overall, these observations suggest that extensive CDR3H length heterogeneity, including the generation of exceptionally long CDR3H (up to 56 amino acids), and somatic hypermutations contribute to IgM antibody diversification in cattle. The extensive CDR3H length heterogeneity early during the B-cell development may compensate for constraints imposed on antibody diversification owing to the limited germline sequence diversity of genetic elements in cattle.

[Reconstruction of the chain of the auditory ossicles after radical operation on the middle ear]

As restoration of hearing in patients after radical surgery on the middle ear for otitis media purulenta chronica remains topical, we tried to increase the efficacy of ossiculoplasty in such patients by staged reconstruction of the middle ear. A total of 102 patients were examined and operated on. A modified classification of osseous chain defects was used to evaluate the degree of damage to the osseous system. The following policy was employed for reconstruction of the middle ear: in patients with large trepanation cavities (more than 5 ml) mastoidoplasty was carried out as the first stage using a musculo-periosteal flap with an anterior or inferior pedicle; at the second stage, myringoplasty was performed using a two-layer graft followed by ossiculoplasty with autotransplants (fingernail plate, auricular or tragal cartilage, cortical layer bone). Long-term follow-up of the patients showed that good and satisfactory hearing levels were obtained in 79.4% of the patients. The air-bone gap was closed by 10 dB or more in the speech frequency range in 80.4% of the patients. Staged reconstruction of the middle ear using autotransplant materials significantly decreased the number of postoperative complications (perforation of the plastic flap, cicatrical displacement of the prosthesis and graft rejection).

Heavy metal pollution of river Yamuna in the industrially developing state of Haryana

Heavy metal concentrations viz. Fe, Ni, Pb, Cd, Co, Zn in the river Yamuna flowing along the state of Haryana through Delhi have been reported selecting 16 stations covering the upstream and downstream stations for major industrial complexes of the state. While Fe, Ni and Co concentrations exceeded the maximum permissible limits prescribed for drinking all along the river, the Cd concentrations crossed the acceptable standards in Delhi downstream. The Pb concentrations declined in the eutrophicated Delhi downstream while Zn concentrations remained within desirable limits throughout. Peak concentrations were recorded in Delhi downstream for Fe and at Sonepat-Gohana downstream for Ni, Co & Zn, which matched with the type of industrial inputs viz. Iron-works and the electroplating, galvanizing & cycle industries, respectively. The status of heavy metal pollution of the river has been discussed with respect to possible impacts on human health and aquatic life.