Intercropping for management of insect pests of castor, Ricinus communis, in the semi-arid tropics of India

Intercropping is one of the important cultural practices in pest management and is based on the principle of reducing insect pests by increasing the diversity of an ecosystem. On-farm experiments were conducted in villages of semi-arid tropical (SAT) India to identify the appropriate combination of castor (Ricinus communis L.) (Malpighiales: Euphorbiaceae) and intercropping in relation to pest incidence. The diversity created by introducing cluster bean, cowpea, black gram, or groundnut as intercrops in castor (1:2 ratio proportions) resulted in reduction of incidence of insect pests, namely semilooper (Achaea janata L.), leaf hopper (Empoasca flavescens Fabricius), and shoot and capsule borer (Conogethes punctiferalis Guenee). A buildup of natural enemies (Microplitis, coccinellids, and spiders) of the major pests of castor was also observed in these intercropping systems and resulted in the reduction of insect pests. Further, these systems were more efficient agronomically and economically, and were thus more profitable than a castor monocrop.

Impact of elevated CO₂ on tobacco caterpillar, Spodoptera litura on peanut, Arachis hypogea

If the carbon dioxide (CO(2)) concentration in the atmosphere changes in the future, as predicted, it could influence crops and insect pests. The growth and development of the tobacco caterpillar, Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) (Noctuidae: Lepidoptera), reared on peanut (Arachis hypogea L.) foliage grown under elevated CO(2) (550 ppm and 700 ppm) concentrations in open top chambers at Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture, Hyderabad, India, were examined in this study. Significantly lower leaf nitrogen, higher carbon, higher relative proportion of carbon to nitrogen and higher polyphenols content expressed in terms of tannic acid equivalents were observed in the peanut foliage grown under elevated CO(2) levels. Substantial influence of elevated CO(2) on S. litura was noticed, such as longer larval duration, higher larval weights, and increased consumption of peanut foliage by S. litura larvae under elevated CO(2) compared with ambient CO(2). Relative consumption rate was significantly higher for S. litura larva fed plants grown at 550 and 700 ppm than for larvae fed plants grown at ambient condition. Decreased efficiency of conversion of ingested food, decreased efficiency of conversion of digested food, and decreased relative growth rate of larvae was observed under elevated CO(2). The present results indicate that elevated CO(2) levels altered the quality of the peanut foliage, resulting in higher consumption, lower digestive efficiency, slower growth, and longer time to pupation (one day more than ambient).

Differentiation of isomeric 2-aryldimethyltetrahydro-5-quinolinones by electron ionization and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

A series of isomeric 2-aryl-6,6-dimethyltetrahydro-5-quinolinones (set I) and 2-aryl-7,7-dimethyltetrahydro-5-quinolinones (set II) were studied under positive ion electron ionization (EI) and electrospray ionization (ESI) techniques. Under EI conditions, the molecular ions were found to be less stable in set I isomers, and they resulted in abundant fragment ions, i.e., [M-CH(3)](+), [M-CO](+.), [M-HCO](+), [M-(CH(3),CO)](+), and [M-(CH(3),CH(2)O)](+), when compared with set II isomers. In addition, the set I isomers showed specific fragment ions corresponding to [M-OH](+) and [M-OCH(3)](+). The retro-Diels-Alder (RDA) product ion was always higher in set II isomers. The ESI mass spectra produced [M + H](+) ions, and their decomposition showed favorable loss of CH(3) radical, CH(4) and C(2)H(6) molecules in set I isomers. The set II isomers, however, showed predominant RDA product ions, and specific loss of H(2)O. The selectivity in EI and ESI was attributed to the instability of set I isomers by the presence of a gem-dimethyl group at the α-position, and it was supported by the data from model compounds without a gem-dimethyl group. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations successfully corroborated the fragmentation pathways for diagnostic ions. This study revealed the effect of a gem-dimethyl group located at the α-position to the carbonyl having aromatic/unsaturated carbon on the other side of the carbonyl group.

RP-HPLC Method for the Determination of Losartan Potassium and Ramipril in Combined Dosage Form

A simple, specific and accurate reverse phase liquid chromatographic method was developed for the simultaneous determination of losartan potassium and ramipril in table dosage forms. A hypersil ODS C18, 4.6×250 mm, 5 μm column in isocratic mode, with mobile phase acetonitrile:methanol:10 mM tetra butyl ammonium hydrogen sulphate in water in the ratio of 30:30:40% v/v/v was used. The flow rate was 1.0 ml/min and effluent was monitored at 210 nm. The retention times of losartan potassium and ramipril were 4.7 and 3.3 min, respectively. The linearity range for losartan potassium and ramipril were in the range of 0.04-100 μg/ml and 0.2-300 μg/ml, respectively. The proposed method was also validated and successfully applied to the estimation of losartan potassium and ramipril in combined tablet formulations.

Eutrophication induced changes in benthic community structure of a flow-restricted tropical estuary (Cochin backwaters), India

The influence of anthropogenic loading on the distribution of soft bottom benthic organisms of a tropical estuary (Cochin backwaters) was examined. The industrial activities were found to be high in the northern and central part of the estuary, where dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN > 210 μM) and phosphorus (DIP > 6.5 μM) have caused high abundance of chlorophyll a (up to 73 mg m(-3)) and accumulation of organic carbon in sediments (up to 5%). Principal component analysis distinguished three zones in the estuary. The central zone (Z1) was characterized by organic enrichment, low species diversity, and increased number of pollution tolerant species. Long-term deterioration of the estuary is indicated by an increase in the nutrients and chlorophyll a levels by sixfold during the last few decades. Flow restrictions in the lower estuary have lead to a fourfold increase in sediment organic carbon over the period of three decades. The reduced benthic diversity followed by an invasion of opportunistic polychaetes (Capitella capitata), are indicative of a stress in the estuary.

Structural, electronic and magnetic properties of Sn0.95Ni0.05O2 nanorods

With a view to investigate the structural, electronic and magnetic properties of Ni (5%) doped SnO(2) diluted magnetic semiconductor nanorods prepared by a PEG-6000 assisted wet chemical route, a systematic investigation has been carried out. The micro structural properties were investigated by Rietveld refinement of XRD data, AFM, TEM, EDS, SAED, FTIR, Raman scattering and XPS measurements. These studies revealed that Sn0.95Ni0.05O2 nanorods have a polycrystalline single phase tetragonal rutile structure without any detectable impurity phases and the aspect ratios of the nanorods are in the range 2.85-10.2. The deconvoluted XPS core level Ni 2p spectral studies determined the oxidation state of Ni as +2. The nanosize effects and local defects are found to influence the local electronic structure of materials. From M-H, M-T, magnetic force microscopy (MFM) and ESR studies, all the samples are found to exhibit clear room temperature ferromagnetism without any metallic clusters. The magnetization behaviour is found to depend on the overlap of percolated bound magnetic polarons and their interactions with dopant induced defects. The magnetic exchange interactions are found to depend on the aggregation behaviour of nanorods, exchange media, the surface diffusion behaviour of randomly distributed Ni ions and the modification of electronic structure.

Two-Dimensional Optimization of a Stent for an Aneurysm

This work attempts to optimize stents that are implanted at the neck of coronary or cerebral aneurysms to effect a flow diversion. A two-dimensional version of the stent, which is a series of struts and gaps placed at the neck, is considered as the first step. Optimization is carried out based on the principles of exploration of design space using reductions in velocity and vorticity in the aneurysm dome as the objective functions. Latin hypercube sampling first develops 30–60 samples of a strut-gap arrangement. Flow past an aneurysm with each of these samples is computed using the commercial software FLUENT and the objective functions evaluated. This is followed by a Kriging procedure that identifies the nondominated solutions to the system, which are the optimized candidates. Three different cases of stents with rectangular or circular struts are considered. It is found that placing struts in the proximal region of the neck gives the best flow diversion.

Ultrasonographic evaluation of inflammatory swellings of buccal space

OBJECTIVES

The main objective of the study was a) to differentiate cellulitis and abscess in buccal space region, b) to study the ultrasonographic anatomy of cheek region and c) to investigate the use of ultrasound in the diagnosis of inflammatory swellings of cheek region.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study consisted of 25 patients with unilateral buccal space inflammatory swellings of odontogenic origin. The contra lateral side was used as control. Toshiba ultrasonographic device with a linear array transducer (5-8 MHz) was used. The areas of interest were scanned under both transverse and longitudinal sections and were interpreted by a single observer. The clinical diagnosis of cellulitis or abscess was confirmed by the absence or presence of pus respectively both sonographically and by aspiration. Also various anatomical structures present in buccal space were studied.

RESULTS

Clinically 23 (92%) were diagnosed as buccal space abscess and 2 (8%) were cellulitis. Ultrasonographically and therapeutically 24 (96%) were buccal space abscess and 1 (4%) was cellulits. The sensitivity of clinical criteria over ultrasonographic diagnosis was 96% with a specificity of 100%. Also the cheek thickness in males and females varied from 8.2 to 17.1 mm with a mean of 11.6 mm+/-2.1 (SD) and 8.2 mm to 14.2 mm with a mean of 11+/-1.8 (SD). The subcutaneous tissue appeared moderately echogenic, buccinator--highly echogenic, deep adipose tissue--less echogenic and parotid duct was appreciated as a thin hyperechogenic band crossing the buccinator muscle. Buccal space, masticator space and parotid space were appreciated.

CONCLUSION

This study supports the ultrasonographic method of imaging of orofacial inflammatory swellings with high sensitivity and specificity. This imaging modality can also help in aspiration of pus in different spaces. We have described the ultrasonographic anatomy of the above mentioned spaces which can help a beginner in this field.

Optimization of subcritical fluid extraction of bioactive compounds using Hansen solubility parameters

Process engineering operations in food and nutraceutical industries pertaining to the design of extraction of value-added products from biomass using pressurized liquids involve a careful selection of the solvent and optimal temperature conditions to achieve maximum yield. Complex molecular structure and limited physical property data in the literature of biological solutes extracted from biomass compounds have necessitated the process modeling of such operations. In this study, we have applied the Hansen 3-dimensional solubility parameter concept to optimize the extraction of molecularly complex solutes using subcritical fluid solvents. Hansen solubility spheres characterized by the relative energy differences (RED) have been used to characterize and quantify the solute-subcritical solvent interactions as a function of temperature. The solvent power of subcritical water and compressed hydroethanolic mixtures above their boiling points has been characterized using the above-mentioned method. The use of group contribution methods in collaboration with computerized algorithms to plot the Hansen spheres provides a quantitative prediction tool for optimizing the design of extraction conditions. The method can be used to estimate conditions for solute-solvent miscibility, an optimum temperature range for conducting extractions under pressurized conditions, and approximate extraction conditions of solutes from natural matrices.

Hyper IgE syndrome with umbilical hernia

Hyper IgE Syndrome (HIES) is a rare multi system genetic immunodeficiency disorder, with immunological and non-immunological features. Immunolgical features are 1) Recurrent cutaneous abscesses, 2) Atopic dermatitis like lesions, 3) Sino pulmonary infections, 4) Elevated serum IgE levels and 5) Abnormal neutrophil chemotaxis. Non immunological features include cranio facial and skeletal abnormalities. We are reporting a girl with classical features of HIES with umbilical hernia with her younger brother suffering from right sided inguinal hernia, as both herniae are hitherto unreported in patients with HIES.

Studies on Design Optimization of Coronary Stents

The stent design itself seems to be one of the factors responsible for restenosis. As a remedy, the present work attempts to perform a design optimization of coronary stents from a hemodynamic point of view. For the purpose, we have applied the principles of modern exploration of design space restricting ourselves to two-dimensional considerations. Width, thickness, and spacing of the struts of the stent formed the design variables. The objectives chosen for optimization were the vorticity generated, length of recirculation zone, and the reattachment distance in between the struts. Both semicircular and rectangular cross sections of stents were included. Starting with the range of design variables, sample stent cases were generated using Latin hypercube sampling. Objective functions were calculated for each of these by computing the two-dimensional flow using software FLUENT under the assumption of a steady, Newtonian flow considering a model stent with three struts. This was followed by Kriging to construct a response surface, which gives the relationship between the objectives and the design variables. The procedure gave nondominated fronts, which consist of optimized designs. Stents with minimum vorticity, with minimum recirculation distance, and the ones with maximum reattachment length in between struts were generated. The procedure is capable of producing the optimum set of design variables to achieve the prescribed objectives.

Dominant psychiatric manifestations in Wilson's disease: A diagnostic and therapeutic challenge!

INTRODUCTION

Recognition of psychiatric manifestations of Wilson's disease (WD) has diagnostic and therapeutic implications.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the clinical features and psychopathology of patients with WD who had initial or predominant psychiatric manifestations.

PATIENT AND METHODS

Records of 15 patients with WD (M:F: 11:4), from a large cohort of 350 patients, with predominant psychiatric manifestations at onset were reviewed. Their initial diagnosis, demographic profile, family history, pre-morbid personality, clinical manifestations, treatment and outcome were recorded.

RESULTS

Their mean age at diagnosis was 19.8+/-5.8 years. Six patients were born to consanguineous parentage and two patients each had family history of WD and past history of psychiatric illness. Diagnosis of WD was suspected by detection of KF rings (all), observing sensitivity to neuroleptics (n=2), history of jaundice (n=2) and family history suggestive of WD (n=9). Psychiatric manifestations could be classified as affective disorder spectrum (n=11) and schizophreniform-illness (n=3). While the psychiatric symptoms improved in five patients with de-coppering therapy, seven patients needed symptomatic treatment as well. Three of the four patients who responded to de-coppering therapy were sensitive to neuroleptics. Long-term follow up of 10 patients revealed variable recovery.

CONCLUSIONS

Young patient with psychiatric manifestations with clues like history of jaundice, family history of neuropsychiatric manifestations and sensitivity to neuroleptics should be evaluated for WD to avoid delay in diagnosis and associated morbidity.

SIGNIFICANT OUTCOMES

The study reemphasizes the importance of behavioral manifestations in Wilson disease in terms of diagnosis and management difficulties.

LIMITATIONS

Retrospective nature of the study.