Groundwater Quality Assessment in Korba Coalfield Region, India: An Integrated Approach of GIS and Heavy Metal Pollution Index (HPI) Model

The goal of this study was to examine the water quality for drinking and domestic purposes in the Korba coalfield region of Chhattisgarh, India. The Korba Coalfield region has seen the collection of fifteen groundwater samples from different places. The content of eight metals was determined using ICP-MS instruments: aluminum (Al), barium (Ba), cadmium (Cd), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mn), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), and zinc (Zn). Spatial distribution maps were produced using GIS software to make it simple to understand the groundwater’s quality. The groundwater samples were collected during the pre-monsoon season and the amount of Al, Ba, Cd, Fe, Mn, Pb, Ni, and Zn exceeded the ideal drinking water standards in a few sites. The elevated metal concentrations in the study region’s groundwater could be hazardous to the quality of water. The HPI value based on mean concentration was calculated to be 21.64, which is significantly lower than the reference pollutant index score of 100. The HPI calculation revealed that 73.33% of groundwater samples had low HPI values, 6.67% had medium HPI values, and the remaining 20% had high HPI values. The correlation between heavy metals and HPI was calculated; HPI is positively correlated with Fe (r > 0.9471), Pb (r > 0.9666), and Zn (r > 0.9634), indicating that these elements contribute significantly more to heavy metal concentration in the various samples examined than the other selected elements. The box plot seems to be a graphical representation of the outcomes of the different parameter concentrations which show the mean, maximum, and minimum metal values. The cluster analysis was performed and it was classified into two clusters. Cluster-1 comprises 14 members (93.33%) of the water samples examined and is distinguished by relatively low Ba (<700 μg.L-1), pH, TDS, Al, Fe, Cd, Mn, Pb, and Zn concentrations. Cluster-II is made up of 1 member (6.67%), which is primarily made up of groundwater samples (GW-10) taken in the KCF region, India. High values of HPI are found in the eastern portion of Chhattisgarh’s KCF region, reflecting the spatial distribution of metals. Heavy metal leaching from open-pit mining and transit routes was observed to have contaminated groundwater in the eastern section of the research region.

Effectiveness of problem-solving exercises in radiology education for undergraduates

Background

The teaching of radiology to undergraduates in India is largely didactic. We incorporated innovative methods including problem-solving exercises in teaching to assess the impact on the outcome with respect to knowledge and interpretive skills in radiology.

Methods

We enrolled all students of the 2014-15 MBBS batch. The topics in radiology were divided in two parts. The first part was taught by innovative methods including problemsolving exercises and integrated teaching. The second part was taught by the conventional lecture method. Validated item banks were used to assess the increase in knowledge and interpretive skills developed by these modalities to compare their effectiveness.

Results

Students showed an improvement in knowledge and interpretive skills scores irrespective of whether they we were taught by the innovative or conventional teaching method. However, the gain in scores were higher and statistically significant for interpretive skills when taught by the innovative teaching method.

Conclusions

Innovative teaching methods that involve integrated teaching and use of problem-solving exercises and picture-archiving communicating system are beneficial for promoting interpretive and problem-solving skills of undergraduates in learning radiology.

PERCUTANEOUS BALLOON COMPRESSION OF GASSERIAN GANGLION FOR THE TREATMENT OF TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA: AN EXPERIENCE FROM INDIA

Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is characterized by unilateral, lancinating, paroxysmal pain in the dermatomal distribution area of trigeminal nerve. Percutaneous balloon compression (PBC) of Gasserian ganglion is an effective, comparatively cheaper and simple therapeutic modality for treatment of TN. Compression secondary to PBC selectively injures the large myelinated A-alfa (afferent) fibers that mediate light touch and does not affect A-delta and C-fibres, which carry pain sensation. Balloon compression reduces the sensory neuronal input, thus turning off the trigger to the neuropathic trigeminal pain. In this current case series, we are sharing our experience with PBC of Gasserian Ganglion for the treatment of idiopathic TN in our patients at an academic university-based medical institution in India. During the period of August 2012 to October 2013, a total of twelve PBCs of Gasserian Ganglion were performed in eleven patients suffering from idiopathic TN. There were nine female patients and two male patients with the age range of 35-70 years (median age: 54 years). In all patients cannulation of foramen ovale was done successfully in the first attempt. In eight out of eleven (72.7%) patients ideal 'Pear-shaped' balloon visualization could be achieved. In the remaining three patients (27.3%), inflated balloon was 'Bullet-shaped'. In one patient final placement of Fogarty balloon was not satisfactory and it ruptured during inflation. This case was deferred for one week when it was completed successfully with 'Pear-shaped' balloon inflation. During the follow up period of 1-13 months, there have been no recurrences of TN. Eight out of eleven patients (72.7%) are completely off medicines (carbamazepine and baclofen) and other two patients are stable on very low doses of carbamazepine. All patients have reported marked improvement in quality of life. This case series shows that percutaneous balloon compression is a useful minimally invasive intervention for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia.

Study of fungi on dung of different habitats

Dung samples of four animals viz., rabbit. rat, fowl and pigeon both in captivity and wild conditions were collected aseptically in sterilized bottles from different places at Gorakhpur (U. P.). These were then transfer red to Petri dish moist chambers and incubated Tor 50 days. The observations were madę on the 3rd, 5th, lOth, 15tth, 20th, 30th, 40th and 50th day of incubation. The number of fungi on dung of different animals was larger in wild condition than in captivity. Some species were common to both the conditions; a few were recorded from more animals dungs in captivity but from less animals in wild conditions and there were some confined either to the captivity or to the wild condition on Iv. In addition to these. there were still others which were found on one animal dung in captivity and on more animals dungs in wild condition. With a few exceptions in dung samples from captivity, feces of all the animals in both the conditions exhibited a similar pattern of the succession of fungi.

Successional studied of fungi on mammalian dung

Dung samples of nine animals were collected from different places at Gorakhpur (U.P.) and incubated for 50 days. A total of 79 fungal species comprising <i>Phycomycetes</i> (22), <i>Ascomycetes</i> (23), Basidiomycetes</i> (6). <i>Deuteromycetes</i> (21), <i>Mycelia sterilla</i> (4) and <i>Myxomycetes</i>(3) were isolated from the dung these animals. Among difTcrcnt species isolated, some were found in dung of several animals while others were restricted only to the dung of a particular animal dung. During the succession, the fruitbodies of <i>Phycomycetes</i> appeared first, closely followed by <i>Deuteromycetes, Ascomycetes</i> and <i>Basidlomycetes. Mycelia sterilia</i> and <i>Myxomycetes</i>, appeared carly as well as late but persisted for a much longer time.

An analysis of the succession of fungi on dung

Four animals were kept in cages and were fed their different diets. The fungi tested for the cellulolytic activity and dry weight of mycelial production showed variable nature.

A study of fungi on droppings of certain birds

Droppings of fowl, owl, parrot, pigeon and sparrow were asepticaly collected in sterilized bottles from different places at Gorakhpur, 54 fungi were isolated. The number of fungi was more in the pigeon showing considerable decrease in the fowl and the sparrow. In the parrot and the owl, however. the fungi were egual in number. The number of <i>Phycomycetes</i> was almost the same on droppings of all birds, from parrot only one species could be isolated. A larger number of <i>Ascomyteces</i> was recorded from fowl, less from pigeon and owl and the least (two each) on sparrow and parrot droppings. The <i>Basidiomycetes<i>, represented by two species only, were recorded on owl and pigeon droppings. Pigeon droppings yielded the largest number of <i>Deuteromycetes</i>. They were egual in numbers on owl and parrot while on fowl and sparrow their number was comparatively less. <i>Mycelia sterilia</i>, though poor in their numbers, were recorded on all the bird droppings excepting owl.

Comparative anti-ulcerogenic study of pantoprazole formulation with and without sodium bicarbonate buffer on pyloric ligated rat

Objective:

To compare the anti-ulcer activity of buffered pantoprazole tablet against plain pantoprazole in pyloric ligated rats.

Materials and Methods:

In vivo pyloric ligated ulcerogenesis model was used to assess the effect of buffered pantoprazole on the volume of the gastric content, pH, total and free acidity, and ulcerogenic lesion. Pantoprazole level in gastric content and concurrently in stomach tissue was assessed by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) analysis.

Results:

Buffered tablet effectively increases the pH of the gastric content above 4 up to 6 h (P<0.001) protecting pantoprazole from acid degradation resulting in high concentration in the gastric content and stomach tissue.

Conclusions:

This study substantiates better, faster and prolonged bioavailability of pantoprazole-buffered tablet compared to plain pantoprazole.

Post tsunami changes in soil properties of Andaman Islands, India

A post tsunami study was conducted to assess the changes in soil properties in the Andaman Island, in India. The present study reported tsunami led conversion of acid soils to saline acid soils and acid sodic soils to acid saline sodic soils in the areas South Andaman inundated during tsunami and permanently receded later and in the low-lying area submerged during high tides. Upon intense leaching acid saline soils and acid saline sodic may further develop typical characteristics of acidic soils and acidic sodic soil, respectively. The soil at Guptapara inundated almost due to tsunami with minimal pyrite oxidation has potential to develop into highly acidic soils upon drainage. The tsunami by and large has modified some depositional layer affecting the salt accumulation to a greater extent and iron to a lesser extent and least to sodicity.

Benign fibrous histiocytoma of the sacrum--diagnostic difficulties facing this rare bone tumor

Benign fibrous histiocytoma of bone is rare, and this is the first report of the tumor arising from the sacrum. The descriptive histopathological picture makes the diagnosis more difficult as it resembles many benign and malignant myxoid tumors. In this case report, the diagnostic difficulties involved and a review of the literature in order to describe the optimal management of this condition, have been presented. The clinical presentation of this 18-year-old girl was that of low back ache, radiating along the right posterior leg, of 1 month's duration. On the straight leg raising test, right-sided sciatic nerve compression was detected. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a large tumor involving and destroying sacral segments S3-S4, homogeneous in intensity and extending into the vertebral canal and the presacral space. There was no enhancement with gadolinium contrast. Core needle biopsy revealed fibrous histiocytoma. Excision through a posterior midline incision was performed taking care to preserve the S1-S2 sacral segments and also the sacral nerves. Additional cauterization with phenol was performed. Postoperatively, the patient had significant improvement in pain with no major residual neurological deficit.

Suppression of maize root diseases caused by Macrophomina phaseolina, Fusarium moniliforme and Fusarium graminearum by plant growth promoting rhizobacteria

A plant growth-promoting isolate of a fluorescent Pseudomonas sp. EM85 and two bacilli isolates MR-11(2) and MRF, isolated from maize rhizosphere, were found strongly antagonistic to Fusarium moniliforme, Fusarium graminearum and Macrophomina phaseolina, causal agents of foot rots and wilting, collar rots/stalk rots and root rots and wilting, and charcoal rots of maize, respectively. Pseudomonas sp. EM85 produced antifungal antibiotics (Afa+), siderophore (Sid+), HCN (HCN+) and fluorescent pigments (Flu+) besides exhibiting plant growth promoting traits like nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization, and production of organic acids and IAA. While MR-11(2) produced siderophore (Sid+), antibiotics (Afa+) and antifungal volatiles (Afv+), MRF exhibited the production of antifungal antibiotics (Afa+) and siderophores (Sid+). Bacillus spp. MRF was also found to produce organic acids and IAA, solubilized tri-calcium phosphate and fixed nitrogen from the atmosphere. All three isolates suppressed the diseases caused by Fusarium moniliforme, Fusarium graminearum and Macrophomina phaseolina in vitro. A Tn5:: lacZ induced isogenic mutant of the fluorescent Pseudomonas EM85, M23, along with the two bacilli were evaluated for in situ disease suppression of maize. Results indicated that combined application of the two bacilli significantly (P = 0.05) reduced the Macrophomina-induced charcoal rots of maize by 56.04%. Treatments with the MRF isolate of Bacillus spp. and Tn5:: lacZ mutant (M23) of fluorescent Pseudomonas sp. EM85 significantly reduced collar rots, root and foot rots, and wilting of maize caused by Fusarium moniliforme and F. graminearum (P = 0.05) compared to all other treatments. All these isolates were found very efficient in colonizing the rhizotic zones of maize after inoculation. Evaluation of the population dynamics of the fluorescent Pseudomonas sp. EM85 using the Tn5:: lacZ marker and of the Bacillus spp. MRF and MR-11(2) using an antibiotic resistance marker revealed that all the three isolates could proliferate successfully in the rhizosphere, rhizoplane and endorhizosphere of maize, both at 30 and 60 days after seeding. Four antifungal compounds from fluorescent Pseudomonas sp. EM85, one from Bacillus sp. MR-11(2) and three from Bacillus sp. MRF were isolated, purified and tested in vitro and in thin layer chromatography bioassays. All these compounds inhibited R. solani, M. phaseolina, F. moniliforme, F. graminearum and F. solani strongly. Results indicated that antifungal antibiotics and/or fluorescent pigment of fluorescent Pseudomonas sp. EM85, and antifungal antibiotics of the bacilli along with the successful colonization of all the isolates might be involved in the biological suppression of the maize root diseases.

Antifungal characteristics of a fluorescent Pseudomonas strain involved in the biological control of Rhizoctonia solani

A plant growth-promoting isolate of a fluorescent Pseudomonas spp. EM85 was found strongly antagonistic to Rhizoctonia solani, a causal agent of damping-off of cotton. The isolate produced HCN (HCN+), siderophore (Sid+), fluorescent pigments (Flu+) and antifungal antibiotics (Afa+). Tn5::lacZ mutagenesis of isolate EM85 resulted in the production of a series of mutants with altered production of HCN, siderophore, fluorescent pigments and antifungal antibiotics. Characterisation of these mutants revealed that the fluorescent pigment produced in PDA and the siderophore produced in CAS agar were not the same. Afa- and Flu- mutants had a smaller inhibition zone when grown with Rhizoctonia solani than the EM85 wild type. Sid- and HCN mutants failed to inhibit the pathogen in vitro. In a pot experiment, mutants deficient in HCN and siderophore production could suppress the damping-off disease by 52%. However, mutants deficient in fluorescent pigments and antifungal antibiotics failed to reduce the disease severity. Treatments with mutants that produced enhanced amounts of fluorescent pigments and antibiotics compared with EM85 wild type, exhibited an increase in biocontrol efficiency. Monitoring of the mutants in the rhizosphere using the lacZ marker showed identical proliferation of mutants and wild type. Purified antifungal compounds (fluorescent pigment and antibiotic) also inhibited the fungus appreciably in a TLC bioassay. Thus, the results indicate that fluorescent pigment and antifungal antibiotic of the fluorescent Pseudomonas spp. EM85 might be involved in the biological suppression of Rhizoctonia-induced damping-off of cotton.

Hitherto unreported medicinal uss of plants of lucknow district

The medicinal uses of thirteen plants from Lucknow District are reported in this paper.