Antidiabetic potency and molecular insights of natural products bearing indole moiety: A systematic bioinformatics investigation targeting AKT1

Diabetic mellitus (DM) is a chronic disorder, and type 2 DM (T2DM) is the most prevalent among all categories (nearly 90%) across the globe every year. With the availability of potential drugs, the prevalence rate has remained uncontrollable, while natural resources showed a promising potency, and exploring such potential candidates at the preclinical stage is essential. An extensive literature search selected 89 marine and plant-derived indole derivatives with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, lipid-lowering, etc., activities. However, as we know, drugs have not been able to convert from 'lead' to 'mainstream' due to inadequate drug-ability profiles, as our systematic investigation proved and selected herdmanine_A (HERD_A) and penerpene_D (PENE_D) as the most potential antidiabetic candidates from the library of indole derivatives. Based on our previous network pharmacology study, we selected three new target enzymes: Acetyl-CoA carboxylase 2 (ACACB; PDB ID: 3JRX), cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4; PDB ID: 3G33), and alpha serine/threonine-protein kinase 1 (AKT1; PDB ID: 3O96) to assess the antidiabetic potency of selected indole derivatives through binding energy or docking score. To conduct molecular docking studies with these enzymes, we used the PyRx-AutoDock platform. Furthermore, molecular dynamic simulation at 100 ns, physicochemical analysis, pharmacokinetics, toxicity assessment, and drug-likeness evaluation suggested that HERD_A and penerpene PENE_D were the most potent inhibitors against AKT1 compared to koenimbine (most potential based on the recorded IC50 value) and murrayakonine_A (most potential based on the docking score). In summary, HERD_A and/or PENE_D have the potential to be used as alternative therapeutic agent for the treatment of diabetes after some pharmacological investigation.

Generation of map on natural environmental background absorbed dose rate in India

A systematic mapping of natural absorbed dose rate was carried out to assess the existing exposure situation in India. The mammoth nationwide survey covered the entire terrestrial region of the country comprising of 45127 sampling grids (grid size 36 km²) with more than 100,000 data points. The data was processed using Geographic Information System. This study is based on established national and international approaches to provide linkage with conventional geochemical mapping of soil. Majority (93%) of the absorbed dose rate data was collected using handheld radiation survey meters and remaining were measured using environmental Thermo Luminescent Dosimeters. The mean absorbed dose rate of the entire country including several mineralized regions, was found to be 96 ± 21 nGy/h. The median, Geometric Mean and Geometric Standard Deviation values of absorbed dose rate were 94, 94 and 1.2 nGy/h, respectively. Among the High Background Radiation Areas of the country, absorbed dose rate varied from 700 to 9562 nGy/h in Karunagappally area of Kollam district, Kerala. The absorbed dose rate in the present nationwide study is comparable with the global database.

Investigation of unified impact of Ti adatom and N doping on hydrogen gas adsorption capabilities of defected graphene sheets

In this work, we studied the hydrogen adsorption capabilities of functionalized graphene sheets containing a variety of defects (D-G) via molecular dynamics (MD) simulations that govern the mechanisms involved in hydrogen adsorption. Specifically, the graphene sheets containing monovacancy (MV), Stone-Wales (SW), and multiple double vacancy (DV) defects were functionalized with Ti and N atoms to enhance their hydrogen adsorption capacity. We measured the adsorption capacities of the N-/D-G sheets with varying concentrations of Ti adatoms at 300 K and 77 K temperatures and various pressures. Our study revealed that the increasing concentration of Ti adatoms on the D-G sheets led to a significant improvement in the hydrogen adsorption capacity of the graphene sheets. The DV(III)-G sheets showed the maximum adsorption capacity at 300 K because the DV(III)-G sheets had a small number of large-sized pores that bind hydrogen with high binding energy. Thus, hydrogen remained adsorbed even at higher temperatures (300 K). The N doping on the D-G sheets initially reduced their hydrogen adsorption capabilities; however, the N-D-G sheets enhanced their hydrogen adsorption capacity with the increasing concentrations of Ti adatoms. Compared to all other defect types, the Ti-N-DV(III)-G sheet with a Ti concentration of 10.5% showed a hydrogen uptake of 5.5 wt% at 300 K and 100 bar pressure. Thus, the N doping and Ti implantations improved the hydrogen storage capabilities of the graphene sheets, and these findings helped design solid-state hydrogen storage systems operating at ambient conditions and moderate pressure ranges.

Process-based diagnostics of extreme pollution trail using numerical modelling during fatal second COVID-19 wave in the Indian capital

The world's worst outbreak, the second COVID-19 wave, not only unleashed unprecedented devastation of human life, but also made an impact of lockdown in the Indian capital, New Delhi, in particulate matter (PM: PM_2.5 and PM₁₀) virtually ineffective during April to May 2021. The air quality remained not only unabated but also was marred by some unusual extreme pollution events. SAFAR-framework model simulations with different sensitivity experiments were conducted using the newly developed lockdown emission inventory to understand various processes responsible for these anomalies in PM. Model results well captured the magnitude and variations of the observed PM before and after the lockdown but significantly underestimated their levels in the initial period of lockdown followed by the first high pollution event when the mortality counts were at their peak (∼400 deaths/day). It is believed that an unaccounted emission source was playing a leading role after balancing off the impact of curtailed lockdown emissions. The model suggests that the unprecedented surge in PM₁₀ (690 μg/m³) on May 23, 2021, though Delhi was still under lockdown, was associated with large-scale dust transport originating from the north west part of India combined with the thunderstorm. The rainfall and local dust lifting played decisive roles in other unusual events. Obtained results and the proposed interpretation are likely to enhance our understanding and envisaged to help policymakers to frame suitable strategies in such kinds of emergencies in the future.

Impact of barge movement on phytoplankton diversity in a river: A Bayesian risk estimation framework

The adverse effect of barge movement on the river's aquatic ecosystem is of global concern. The phytoplankton community, a bioindicator, is possibly the foremost victim of the barge movement. This study hypothesized phytoplankton diversity loss induced by barge movement in a large river. This article presents a novel risk assessment framework to evaluate the hypothesis-with a goal to uncoupling phytoplankton diversity loss due to barge movement over a spatiotemporal scale. For this purpose, a study was conducted in the Bhagirathi-Hooghly stretch of Inland National Waterway 1 of India. This study has proposed a new index of diversity loss and its inferential framework based on full Bayesian Generalized Linear Mixed Model. The results have diagnosed significant barge-induced impact on the phytoplankton diversity and identified ten most impacted species. The proposed framework has successfully disentangled barge-induced phytoplankton diversity loss from the biological process and predicted a substantive overall risk of phytoplankton loss of 31.44%. Besides, it has uncoupled spatiotemporal differential estimates, suggesting a risk of diversity loss in order of 'During vs After' (38.0%) > 'Before vs After' (30.7%) > 'Before vs During' (24%) barge movement in temporal scale and increasing diversity loss along downstream. Finally, the instant study has highlighted the utility of these results to facilitate better water framework directive for inland waterways.

Anomalous behaviour of ozone under COVID-19 and explicit diagnosis of O3-NOx-VOCs mechanism

Air pollution is linked to higher rates of human mortality especially those infected with COVID 19. Ozone is a harmful pollutant and is responsible for many health issues. However, some reports suggest that ozone is a strong disinfectant, and can kill the viruses. We hereby, report on the vulnerability of ozone due to COVID-19 lockdown whose levels flutter from surging to saturation in a highly polluted Indian capital, due to significant decline in anthropogenic emissions of ozone precursors. Average observed levels stabilized at 30 ppb, 12 ppb, 740 ppb, and 900 ppb for ozone (O₃), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), carbon monoxide (CO) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) respectively during lockdown period from 27^th March to 10^th April 2020. The NO₂, CO and VOC declined by 50 %, 37 %, 38 % respectively during the lockdown period of 2020 as compared to similar period in 2019. The anomalous response of ozone during the lockdown is explained by resolving the poorly known complex O₃-NO_x-VOCs mechanism with the help of data from air monitoring stations in Delhi, India. The data obtained from this study advances the fundamental understanding of ozone chemistry that may lead to improved ozone parameterization in chemical transport models and better planning of ozone risk management strategies for any global mega cities.

Synthesis, characterization and bioactivity of thio-acetamide modified ZnO nanoparticles embedded in zinc acetate matrix

ZnO nanoparticles embedded in zinc acetate matrix were synthesized by chemical route. The effect of thio-acetamide concentration during its synthesis was probed by structural, morphological, optical and bioactivity studies. XRD characterization indicated the formation of dominant phase of zinc acetate along with the low intensity peak of wurtzite ZnO. Morphological transition from bulky-like feature to flower-like feature via flake-like feature, is evidenced with increasing thio-acetamide molar concentrations. The optical band gap of samples decreased from ∼3.29 to 3.24 eV whereas the emitted color shifted from near green to blue region with increasing of molar concentration of thio-acetamide from 0 to 30% in the sample. The nanoparticles exhibited antimicrobial activity against seven (7) common human pathogenic bacteria including drug resistant varieties K. pneumonaie and S. aureus. The nanoparticles formed pores in the biological model membranes made from egg-phosphatidyl choline. Our study reveals that the thio-acetamide modified ZnO nanoparticles embedded in zinc acetate matrix could be used as potential drug lead to fight drug resistance against K. pneumoniae and S. aureus.

COVID-19 and environmental -weather markers: Unfolding baseline levels and veracity of linkages in tropical India

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is rapidly spreading across the globe due to its contagion nature. We hereby report the baseline permanent levels of two most toxic air pollutants in top ranked mega cities of India. This could be made possible for the first time due to the unprecedented COVID-19 lockdown emission scenario. The study also unfolds the association of COVID-19 with different environmental and weather markers. Although there are numerous confounding factors for the pandemic, we find a strong association of COVID-19 mortality with baseline PM_2.5 levels (80% correlation) to which the population is chronically exposed and may be considered as one of the critical factors. The COVID-19 morbidity is found to be moderately anti-correlated with maximum temperature during the pandemic period (-56%). Findings although preliminary but provide a first line of information for epidemiologists and may be useful for the development of effective health risk management policies.

Distribution and characterization of microplastics in beach sand from three different Indian coastal environments

The occurrence of microplastic particles were evaluated on beaches along the Indian coast from three different locations Girgaon Mumbai (Arabian sea coast), Tuticorin, and Dhanushkodi (Bay of Bengal coast). Density separation method was adopted for isolation of microplastics from sand. Isolated microplastics were characterized using three different analytical techniques e.g. fluorescence microscopy (after staining with Nile Red), FTIR and SEM-EDS techniques. Microplastic concentrations in beach sands were from 45 ± 12 # MP kg^-1 to 220 ± 50 # MP kg^-1 of dry sand. The order of abundance of plastic type was polyethylene (43%) > polyethylene terephthalate (17.3%) ≈ polystyrene (17%) > polypropylene (12.3%) > Others (11%) > polyvinylchloride (1.33%), and very similar profile was observed for all monitored locations. SEM images show microplastics surfaces with characteristic cracks, suggests their polymer aging, mechanical and oxidative weathering, which was found highest for the microplastics collected from Mumbai.

Experimental and Theoretical Determination of Henry's Law Constant for Polychlorinated Biphenyls: Its Dependence on Solubility and Degree of Chlorination

The fate of a pollutant in the environment depends on its interaction with the surroundings. Henry's law constant (HLC) is one of the important properties useful for assessment of environmental risk and estimation of mass transfer of the pollutant between water and air. Estimation of HLC is relatively a difficult task for many of the organic pollutants due to their very low aqueous solubility. People have attempted the measurement of HLC for persistent organic pollutants, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), but due to the difficulty in estimation, there is a variation of approximately 2-3 orders of magnitude in reported values of HLC for PCBs in the literature. A study was performed for estimation of HLC for PCBs using the static method with a modification that eliminates any disturbance in equilibrium due to sampling and also avoids removal or addition of material in or out of the system unlike the conventional methods. The results were consistent with the literature values. The experimental values of HLC ranged from 0.004 to 0.08 for different congeners. All of the experimental values were in agreement with the literature values. The experimental data was further used for deriving a correlation equation for theoretical estimation of the HLC from aqueous solubility and chlorination number. The equation gave a very good estimation of HLC values for all the PCBs congeners except single- and double-chlorinated congeners. The theoretically predicted values were also found to be in close agreement with the reported HLC values.

Rate of sediment accumulation and historic metal contamination in a tidewater glacier fjord, Svalbard

The sedimentation rates in Arctic fjords are influenced by the changes in the glacial inputs. The recent studies have indicated the retreat of glaciers due to climate change and subsequent increase in melt water outflow with high content of debris. The debris may contain natural and anthropogenically originated contaminants. The present study analysed the sedimentation rate in inner Kongsfjorden, Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard using ²¹⁰Pb/²¹⁰Po dating technique. The sedimentation rate ranged between 0.22 and 0.37 cm/year during the last 112 years. The average sedimentation rate obtained was 0.28 cm/y. The rate has been increased during the last 20 years and it might be due to the increased influx of glacial melt water containing debris. Metals and other elements showed an increasing trend towards the surface and observed high deposition rate since 1970s, indicating influence of industrial emissions and it can be a potential threat to Arctic biota.

Effects of GnRH, a progesterone-releasing device, and energy balance on an oestrus synchronisation program in anoestrous dairy cows

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this research was to study the roles of the day 0 energy balance and gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and progesterone levels on dominant follicle (DF) and corpus luteum (CL) development during the first 7 days of a gonadotrophin-prostaglandin-gonadotrophin (GPG) + progesterone (P4) program in anoestrous dairy cows.

METHODS

Cows (n = 81) were allocated to one of the three treatments: (1) GPG + P4 (days 0 and 9, 100 µg GnRH; day 0-7, intravaginal P4 device; day 7, 500 µg PGF_2α ); (2) GPG (as for treatment 1 but excluding the P4 device) and (3) prostaglandin + GnRH + P4 (as for treatment 1, but excluding day 0 GnRH). DF and CL size, plasma concentrations of insulin, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) were measured on days 0 and 7.

RESULTS

The proportion of cows with a CL on day 7 was significantly different between groups (GPG: 78%, GPG+P4: 69%, PGF_2α + GnRH + P4: 42%, P = 0.02). The CL volume on day 7 was significantly associated with treatment, treatment by time postpartum and plasma concentrations of insulin, IGF-I and NEFA.

CONCLUSION

In cows without a CL present on day 0 of an oestrus synchronisation program, removal of the day 0 GnRH treatment led to reduced CL development; however, no effect of adding progesterone was found. In contrast, in cows with a CL present on day 0 inclusion of a progesterone device led to a higher CL volume, but removal of the first GnRH injection had no effect. Response to the treatment was affected by plasma concentrations of insulin, IGF-I and NEFA.

Surface ozone characterization at Larsemann Hills and Maitri, Antarctica

Data are analyzed in terms of daily average ozone, its diurnal variation and its relation with meteorological parameters like dry bulb temperature (T), wet bulb temperature (T_w), atmospheric pressure and wind speed based on measurement of these parameters at two Indian Antarctic stations (Larsemann Hills, and Maitri) during 28th Indian Scientific Expedition of Antarctica (ISEA) organized during Antarctic summer of the year 2008-09. The work has been carried out to investigate summer time ozone level and its day-to-day and diurnal variability at these coastal locations and to highlight possible mechanism of ozone production and destruction. The result of the analysis indicates that daily average ozone concentration at Larsemann Hills varied from ~13 and ~20ppb with overall average value of ~16ppb and at Maitri, it varied from ~16 and ~21ppb with overall average value of ~18ppb. Photochemistry is found to partially contribute occasionally to the surface layer ozone at both the stations. Lower concentration of ozone at Maitri during beginning of the observational days may be due to destruction of ozone through activated halogens, whereas higher ozone on latter days may be due to photochemistry and advective transport from east to south-east areas. Ozone concentration during blizzard episodes at both the stations is reduced due to slow photochemical production of ozone, its photochemical removal and removal through deposition of ozone molecules on precipitation particles. Diurnal variation of ozone at Larsemann Hills and Maitri has been found to be absent.

Determination of Traces of Pb, Cu and Cd in Seawater around Thane Creek by Anodic Stripping Voltammetry Method

Trace metals (Pb, Cu and Cd) in seawater samples were pre-concentrated for the simultaneous quantitative determination using solvent extraction procedure in the presence of ammonium pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (APDC) as complexing agent and methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) as organic phase and acid exchange back - extraction followed by its determination by Differential Pulse Anodic Stripping Voltammetry (DPASV). Concentrations of Pb, Cu and Cd vary from 3.0 to 9.44 ng/mL, 12.7 to 28.6 ng/mL and 0.31 to 1.21 ng/mL respectively in seawater samples collected from different locations across Thane Creek area, Mumbai, India. Pb, Cu, Cd concentration were observed to be higher in the eastern side of the Thane Creek as it is covered by various industries.

Public-private mix for tuberculosis care and control in Myanmar: a strategy to scale up?

Setting: The public-private mix (PPM) tuberculosis (TB) project implemented by the Myanmar Medical Association (MMA) in 105 townships in Myanmar. Objectives: 1) To assess the contribution of the MMA-PPM-TB project to total TB patient notification in the project townships; 2) to evaluate the outcomes of patients treated at the MMA-PPM clinics; and 3) to identify factors associated with unfavourable treatment outcomes, from January to December 2013. Design: A retrospective cohort study. Results: The MMA-PPM-TB project contributed 7501 (12%) of 60 905 TB patient notifications to the National Tuberculosis Programme (NTP) in 105 study townships. Of 2975 TB patients diagnosed and treated at private MMA-PPM clinics, 92% had a favourable outcome (32% cured, 60% completed treatment) and 8% had an unfavourable outcome (2.9% died, 2.5% lost to follow-up, 1.9% failure, 0.6% transfer out). Patient characteristics significantly associated with an unfavourable treatment outcome were age ⩾65 years (adjusted risk ratio [aRR] 5.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.20-7.68), retreatment (aRR 2.44, 95%CI 1.79-3.33) and female sex (aRR 1.44, 95%CI 1.14-1.82). Conclusion: This study supports the continuation and expansion of the MMA-PPM-TB model and/or similar PPM approaches in Myanmar that engage all health providers in the ambitious goals of achieving universal health coverage in this country in transition and ending its TB epidemic by 2035.

Distribution of PAHs in different compartment of creek ecosystem: Ecotoxicological concern and human health risk

We report levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in sediment, seawater, fish and crab samples from Thane creek, India. Concentrations of sixteen USEPA PAH in sediments varies from 874 to 1925ngg^-1, dry weight (dw) in winter, between 219-495ngg^-1 in summer. In seawater Σ₁₆ PAHs concentration during winter was recorded 706±193ngL^-1, and during summer 337±79ngL^-1. Total concentrations of PAHs in consumable portion of lizard fish, bombay duck and crab were found 156.8±18 and 122±24.5ngg^-1, 117.4±17.65ngg^-1 and 95.8±16.2ngg^-1, 348±94.5 and 95.62±31.9ngg^-1 wet weight (ww) in summer and winter respectively. PAHs concentration were compared with sediments quality guidelines viz. ERL-ERM, TEL-PEL indexes for finding ecotoxicological risk on marine organism. The ILCR values were above public screening criteria for carcinogens.

Polonium in size fractionated mainstream cigarette smoke, predicted deposition and associated internal radiation dose

In this study, size fractionated mass and 210Po activity concentrations in mainstream cigarette smoke (MCS) were monitored for three popular cigarette brands. Size segregated collection of MCS was carried out using a cascade type impactor, while mass and 210Po activity concentration were analyzed gravimetrically and alpha spectrometry (following the radiochemical separation) respectively. Multiple-Path Particle Dosimetry (MPPD V2.11) model is used for prediction of deposition fraction calculations for the MCS deposition in different compartment of human respiratory tract. The activity concentration of 210Po is founds 10.56 ± 2.46 mBq per cigarette for the tested cigarette brands. 210Po size distribution indicates most of this associates with fine fraction (Dp < 2.23 μm) of cigarette smoke. The committed annual effective dose to smokers (smoking on an average 20 cigarette a day), considering the 210Po and 210Pb concentrations (assuming it is in secular equilibrium with 210Po) in MCS, was estimated between 0.22 and 0.40 mSv, with mean value of 0.30 mSv for tested cigarette brands. Considering the risk factor of fatal cancer due to radiation exposure of lung (exposure time of 30 years); the average collective estimated fatal cancer risk is estimated as 1.5 × 10-4 due to 210Po and 210Pb exposure to smokers.

Distribution and estrogenic potential of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in estuarine sediments from Mumbai, India

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are responsible for inappropriate development and they alter the hormonal and homeostatic systems of organism. Phthalates (PAEs), bisphenol A (BPA) and other EDCs were monitored in surface sediments at different stations across Thane Creek, India. Analysis of PAEs was carried out using GC-MS technique, while BPA and other EDCs were analyzing on UPLC-PDA instrument. Di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) had the highest concentration among all fourteen analyzed phthalates ranges between 0.13 and 0.4 mg kg(-1); and was detectable in all sediment samples. Strong correlation (r = 0.95, p < 0.01) was observed between total organic carbon (TOC, %) and total PAEs. BPA was also detected in all samples; average BPA concentration varies from 16.3 to 35.79 μg kg(-1) with mean value 25.15 μg kg(-1) dry weight of sediment. Synthetic EDCs such as 4-para-nonylphenol (NP) and 4-tert-octylphenol (OP) were also analyzed; and their average concentrations were founds to be 356.5 and 176 μg kg(-1), respectively. Estrone (E1), 17β-estradiol (E2), and 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) were the main contributors to the overall estradiol equivalent concentration (EEQs) in sediment, their average total percentage contributions is more than 90 %.

Leaching Behavior of Selected Trace and Toxic Metals in Coal Fly Ash Samples Collected from Two Thermal Power Plants, India

Studies on leaching behavior of metals associated with coal fly ash (FA) are of great concern because of possible contamination of the aquatic environment. In the present study, leaching behavior of metals (As, Se, Cr, Pb, V, Zn, etc.) in two different FA samples (FA1 and FA2) was investigated at various pH (2-12), temperatures of leachate solution and using TCLP. At pH 2, the highest leaching was observed for Fe (21.6 and 32.8 µg/g), whereas at pH 12, Arsenic was found to have the highest leaching (1.5 and 2.4 µg/g) in FA1 and FA2. Leachate solution temperature showed a positive effect on the metal's leachability. In TCLP, most of the metal's leachability was observed to be higher than that of batch leaching tests. The present study suggests that, leaching of As and Se from FA samples can moderately affect ground/surface water quality at the study locations.

Dotting the Three I's for collaborative TB-HIV activities: evaluation of a pilot programme in Kathmandu, Nepal

Setting: The three government tertiary care hospitals providing care for people living with the human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV) in Kathmandu, Nepal. Objectives: To assess 1) the screening cascades for intensified case finding for tuberculosis (TB), 2) isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT), including demographic and clinical factors associated with treatment interruption, and 3) TB infection control (IC) in the health facilities. Design: A cross-sectional study of new PLHIV enrolled from January 2012 to December 2014. Results: Among 572 registered PLHIV, 91% were on antiretroviral therapy. Of those registered, 561 (98%) were screened for TB and 73 (13%) were diagnosed with TB (17 [25%] sputum smear-positive, 17 [25%] smear-negative and 35 [51%] extra-pulmonary). Among the 488 (87%) PLHIV without active TB, 157 (32%) were initiated on IPT, of whom 136 (87%) completed treatment and 17 (11%) interrupted treatment. Those who experienced adverse events were 12 times more likely to interrupt IPT. TB IC showed gaps in personal control measures and supporting structures and policies. Conclusion: The implementation of the Three I's for collaborative TB-HIV activities in pilot sites in Nepal was successful and should be scaled up.

Screening for diabetes among presumptive tuberculosis patients at a tertiary care centre in Pondicherry, India

SETTING

Designated microscopy centre (DMC) attached to a tertiary care centre in Pondicherry, India.

OBJECTIVES

To determine 1) the proportion of diabetes mellitus (DM), 2) the additional yield of newly diagnosed DM cases, and 3) the number needed to screen (NNS) to find a new case of DM among presumed TB patients.

DESIGN

An institution-based cross-sectional study was carried out among 650 presumed TB patients attending the DMC. Capillary blood glucose was measured using fasting blood sugar and/or oral glucose tolerance test, and evaluated according to the World Health Organization criteria.

RESULTS

Of 570 presumed TB patients evaluated for DM, 121 (21.2%) were found to be diabetic. Of these, 69 were previously known to have DM, while 52 were newly diagnosed. The additional yield of diabetes was 43%. The NNS to detect a new case of DM was 11; among those aged >40 years, the NNS was 9.3, and among smear-positive TB patients it was 4.6.

CONCLUSION

One fifth of the presumed TB patients had diabetes, and nearly half of these patients were newly diagnosed. Opportunity screening of presumed TB patients for DM in routine care will help in early detection of diabetes and pre-diabetes.

Primary Peritoneal Papillary Serous Cystadenocarcinoma - A Rare Malignancy

Primary peritoneal papillary serous carcinoma is a rare primary malignancy diffusively involving the peritoneum of abdomen and pelvis. Epithelial ovarian cancers and primary peritoneal cancers arise from the common germinal epithelium which develops from the coelomic epithelium. Due to a common embryonic origin of the ovary and the peritoneum, carcinoma of the ovary and primary peritoneal carcinoma have much histological similarity. However the incidence of Primary peritoneal serous carcinoma is considerably lower than that of epithelial ovarian cancer and is mostly seen in elderly women. Early stages of this disease may be asymptomatic; symptoms of the advance stages of the disease include abdominal distention, abdominal lump, non-specific abdominal pain, vomiting and dyspnoea all as a result of massive ascites. Patients diagnosed with primary peritoneal papillary serous carcinoma are treated using the same staging, surgical and chemotherapeutic approach as epithelial ovarian cancer because of the similarities in biological behavior.

Longitudinal extensive transverse myelitis due to tuberculosis: a report of four cases

Tuberculosis of the central nervous system (CNS) accounts for approximately 1% of all cases of tuberculosis and half of these involve the spine. Intramedullary involvement is rare in tuberculosis and usually present in the form of radiculomyelitis, transverse myelitis, intraspinal granulomas, or thrombosis of anterior spinal artery. Transverse myelitis typically extends two or less spinal segments, whereas longitudinal extensive transverse myelitis (LETM) extends three or more spinal segments in length and may occasionally span all the segments of the spinal cord. LETM is most frequently associated with neuromyelitis optica (NMO). Moreover, associations between NMO and active pulmonary tuberculosis have been suggested by a number of case reports and case series. We present here four cases of spinal tuberculosis that presented with LETM and none of them had a clinical profile fulfilling the diagnostic criteria for NMO.

Modelling safety of gantry crane operations using Petri nets

Being a powerful tool in modelling industrial and service operations, Petri net (PN) has been extremely used in different domains, but its application in safety study is limited. In this study, we model the gantry crane operations used for industrial activities using generalized stochastic PNs. The complete cycle of operations of the gantry crane is split into three parts namely inspection and loading, movement of load, and unloading of load. PN models are developed for all three parts and the whole system as well. The developed PN models have captured the safety issues through reachability tree. The hazardous states are identified and how they ultimately lead to some unwanted accidents is demonstrated. The possibility of falling of load and failure of hook, sling, attachment and hoist rope are identified. Possible suggestions based on the study are presented for redesign of the system. For example, mechanical stoppage of operations in case of loosely connected load, and warning system for use of wrong buttons is tested using modified models.

Follow-up examinations: are multidrug-resistant tuberculosis patients in Uttar Pradesh, India, on track?

SETTING

All multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) patients who had completed 6 months of treatment under the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) in Uttar Pradesh, the largest state in northern India.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the proportion of MDR-TB patients with regular follow-up examinations, and underlying provider and patient perspectives of follow-up services.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was undertaken involving record reviews of 64 eligible MDR-TB patients registered during April-June 2013 in 11 districts of the state. Patients and programme personnel from the selected districts were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire.

RESULTS

A total of 34 (53.1%) patients underwent follow-up sputum culture at month 3, 43 (67.2%) at month 4, 36 (56.3%) at month 5 and 37 (57.8%) at month 6. Themes associated with irregular follow-up that emerged from the interviews were multiple visits, long travel distances, shortages of equipment at the facility and lack of knowledge among patients regarding the follow-up schedule.

CONCLUSION

The majority of the MDR-TB patients had irregular follow-up visits. Provider-related factors outweigh patient-related factors on the poor follow-up examinations. The programme should focus on the decentralisation of follow-up services and ensure logistics and patient-centred counselling to improve the regularisation of follow up.

Microbial colonisation of orthopaedic tourniquets: a potential risk for surgical site infection

Pneumatic tourniquets have been used in orthopaedic surgery to get avascular fields. Sixteen such tourniquets were analysed for microbial colonisation. Samples were taken from two inner and two outer areas of each tourniquet and cultured on sheep blood agar. Eight of these were wiped with Savlon and the rest with Sterillium solution. Post-treatment samples from the same sites were again cultured. After incubation, colonies from each site were identified and counted. It was observed that the tourniquets were colonised with coagulase-negative staphylococci, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus, diphtheroids, Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, enterococci, enterobacteria, and Candida. On treating with Savlon and Sterillium, there was 92.18% and 95.70% reduction in the colony count, respectively.

Enrichment and particle size dependence of polonium and other naturally occurring radionuclides in coal ash

Coal fired thermal power contributes 70% of power in India. Coal fired power generation results in huge amounts of fly ash and bottom ash of varying properties. Coal, which contains the naturally occurring radionuclides, on burning results in enrichment of these radionuclides in the ashes. In the present study, coal, bottom ash and fly ash samples collected from six coal-fired power plants in India were measured for (210)Po using alpha spectrometry and for natural U, (226)Ra, (232)Th and (40)K by an HPGe γ-ray spectrometer. (210)Po in fly ash ranged from 25.7 to 70 Bq/kg with a mean value of 40.5 Bq/kg. The range and mean activities of (238)U, (226)Ra, (232)Th, (40)K in fly ash were 38.5-101 (78.1), 60-105.7 (79), 20-125 (61.7) and 43.6-200 (100) Bq/kg respectively. Fly ash and bottom ash contains two to five times more natural radionuclides than feed coal. The results were compared with the available data from earlier studies in other countries. The effect of particle size on enrichment factor of the nuclides in fly ash was studied. (210)Po showed the largest size dependence with its concentration favoring the smaller particle size while (232)Th showed least size dependence. (238)U and (226)Ra showed behavior intermediate to that of (210)Po and (232)Th. Also the correlation between sulfur content of the feed coal and activity of (210)Po was investigated. Increased sulfur content in feed coal enhanced enrichment of (210)Po in ash.

Conception rates to fixed-time artificial insemination of two oestrus synchronisation programmes in dairy heifers

AIM

To evaluate the conception rate to fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) of two oestrus synchronisation programmes in dairy heifers on eight farms over 2 years.

METHODS

The study was conducted in 2008 and 2010 on eight farms near Palmerston North, New Zealand. Nulliparous Friesian and Friesian×Jersey heifers (13-15 months of age) were randomly allocated to one of two oestrus synchronisation programmes. Group 1 (GPG+P4; n=330), received gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) I/M on Day 0, a progesterone (P4)-releasing intravaginal device from Days 0-7, prostaglandin F2α (PGF) I/M on Day 7 and a second dose of GnRH at the time of FTAI on Day 9. The second group (P4+PGF; n=343) received a P4-releasing intravaginal device from Days 0-7, PGF on Day 6 and FTAI on Day 9. Pregnancy was diagnosed from Days 42-52 by transrectal ultrasonography.

RESULTS

The overall conception rate was 52.4% and 54.8% for the GPG+P4 and P4+PGF groups, respectively. The odds of conception for the two treatments were not different (OR=0.90; 95% CI=0.67-1.23), nor was there any difference between groups in different years (p=0.58). Farm affected conception rate (p=0.002), but there was no interaction with treatment (p=0.92) .

CONCLUSIONS

This study has shown that an alternative synchronisation programme can produce similar results in terms of conception rate to the GPG+P4 treatment, currently commonly used in heifers. More research is required to establish whether other modifications to the GPG+P4 programme can produce similar results at lower costs, and to identify and quantify farm factors which affect the economic benefit of heifer synchronisation.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

This study indicated that synchronising heifers with P4 and PGF resulted in conception rates equivalent to those resulting from a GPG+P4 treatment, but with reduced drug costs. However, because heifers in the GPG+P4 group received the second GnRH injection at the time of AI, they needed only three yardings as opposed to the four required for the heifers treated with P4 and PGF. Thus, the choice of programme for an individual farm will depend on that farm's circumstances, in particular the cost of yarding the heifers.

Preparation and characterization of chloroquine loaded microspheres for prophylactic use

Malaria is one of the major public health problems in the developing countries. Numbers of drugs are available for the treatment of malaria but chloroquine diphosphate still remains a drug of choice. The aim of this study is to develop and characterize a suitable drug delivery system of antimalarial drug for prophylactic use. A depot system for controlled release of antimalarial drug was prepared. Drug loaded heat cross-linked gelatin microspheres were prepared by single emulsion thermal gelation technique. These were characterized by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), percentage yield (63.20% to 86.13%), drug content (22.95% to 28.02%), encapsulation efficiency (41.46% to 68.26%), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and in vitro studies. Sizes of the microspheres as observed by optical microscopy were in the range of 44.06 ± 6.98 μm to 54.70 ± 8.19 μm, DSC pattern showed the absence of drug and polymer interaction. The gelatin microspheres were below 60 μm and spherical in shape as evidenced by the SEM photographs. Encapsulated chloroquine diphosphate was released slowly for 24 ± 1 hrs. The study indicated optimum drug release behavior (84.5% ± 0.96) in 25 hrs.

Depth profile of major and trace elements in estuarine core sediment using the EDXRF technique

Distribution and enrichment of elements in sediment are influenced by their texture, mineralogical composition, and physical transport. The vertical concentration profiles of sixteen elements in core sediment samples, namely Na, Mg, Al, K, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Br, Sr, and Pb were measured using the energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) technique. To check the anthropogenic input various indices (enrichment factor, contamination factor, index of geoaccumulation and pollution load index) were calculated and compared.

Evaluating population exposure to environmental pollutants during Deepavali fireworks displays using air quality measurements of the SAFAR network

Indian government has implemented a state of art project "System of Air quality Forecasting And Research (SAFAR)" for assessing the air-quality scenario in Delhi during "Commonwealth Games-2010" which is operational in Delhi. Using a high resolution data of the SAFAR network, we estimate the excess numbers of cases for total, cardiovascular and respiratory mortalities and hospital admissions with the air-quality response to population attributable-risks due to emissions from fireworks displays (Deepavali-2010). The ratios of numbers of excess cases for fireworks displays (Deepavali) to those of non-Deepavali period (CWG-2010) vary from 1.75 to 3.5 for PM(2.5) and from 3 to 8 for PM(10) at monitoring stations in study area except in an airport. These ratios approach to 1 for PM(2.5) or PM(10) in airport area which can be attributed to restrictions on fireworks displays and eventually a very low population exposure. The numbers of excess cases for PM(2.5) and PM(10) during extreme emissions by fireworks displays are about 2-fold to those of non-Deepavali period. The SAFAR is recognized by the Global Urban Research Meteorology and Environment of the World Meteorological Organization and thus results would likely to provide episodic limits for developing countries in common line with the air-quality standards set for developed world for pollutant levels due to emissions from the fireworks displays when population of country celebrates traditional festivals collectively.

Colobronchial fistula: a rare cause of chronic cough

We report a colobronchial fistula in a middle-aged woman. She had been having cough with expectoration of sputum with a faeculent odour since the age of 7 years. Imaging revealed a fistulous connection between the hepatic flexure and the right bronchial tree, which was successfully repaired surgically.

Augmented expression of glia maturation factor in Alzheimer's disease

We have previously demonstrated that glia maturation factor (GMF), a brain-specific protein, isolated, sequenced, and cloned in our laboratory, is a prominent mediator of inflammation in the CNS leading to the death of neurons. In the present study, we demonstrate, for the first time, a significant upregulation of the GMF protein in various regions of Alzheimer's disease (AD) brains compared with age-matched non-demented (ND) control brains. We analyzed AD and ND brain samples by quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using a combination of highly specific monoclonal and polyclonal anti-GMF antibodies developed and characterized in our laboratory. For the comparison between ND controls and AD cases, we examined brain tissue from 12 ad cases (ages ranging from 78-92 years) and eight age-matched ND controls (ages ranging from 76-88 years). We observed a significant increase in GMF concentration in entorhinal cortex, parietal cortex, frontal cortex, occipital cortex, perirhinal cortex, and temporal cortex of AD patients. Our results clearly demonstrate that the GMF protein levels are significantly higher in all AD-affected brain regions than in ND controls. The immunohistochemistry analysis revealed co-localization of GMF with amyloid plaques (AP) and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) in AD brains. Our results imply that under conditions of neurodegeneration the expression of GMF is significantly upregulated.

Degradation of Alpha-, Beta-, and Gamma-Hexachlorocyclohexane by a Soil Bacterium under Aerobic Conditions

A Pseudomonas sp., isolated from sugarcane rhizosphere soil, readily metabolized not only alpha and gamma isomers of hexachlorocyclohexane, but also the thermodynamically more stable beta isomer, under aerobic conditions. Bacterial degradation of the three isomers led to the accumulation of a transitory metabolite and eventual release of covalently linked chlorine as chloride in stoichiometric amounts.

Vertical distribution of polychlorinated biphenyl congeners in sediment core from Thane Creek area of Mumbai, India

In recent years there has been a growing concern all over the globe about the marine pollution due to persistent organic pollutants. Sediments, which is an important component of marine environment can serve as sorbent or concentrator for various persistent organic pollutants including Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs). Transport and fate of PCB congeners in sediment depends on their physicochemical characteristics. In this study, the depth profile of accumulated PCBs in Thane Creek sediments of Mumbai, India, was studied. The sediment core samples were collected using a gravity corer, processed and analysed for different PCB congeners. Analysis of PCBs in the sediment samples were carried out using gas chromatography system equipped with electron capture detector. The study on vertical distribution of PCBs in sediment could reflect the geochemical history including changes due to anthropogenic releases into the system. The surface segment shows the downward trend for these compounds, indicating slow phase out of PCBs after ban. The concentration and composition of different homologues varies at different depth. An attempt has also been made to find out the various sources of PCBs which could have contributed to these compounds by performing factor analysis over the observed concentrations of the PCB compounds in the core sediment.

Loss of nonphosphorylated neurofilament immunoreactivity in temporal cortical areas in Alzheimer's disease

The distribution of immunoreactive neurons with nonphosphorylated neurofilament protein (SMI32) was studied in temporal cortical areas in normal subjects and in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). SMI32 immunopositive neurons were localized mainly in cortical layers II, III, V and VI, and were medium to large-sized pyramidal neurons. Patients with AD had prominent degeneration of SMI32 positive neurons in layers III and V of Brodmann areas 38, 36, 35 and 20; in layers II and IV of the entorhinal cortex (Brodmann area 28); and hippocampal neurons. Neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) were stained with Thioflavin-S and with an antibody (AT8) against hyperphosphorylated tau. The NFT distribution was compared to that of the neuronal cytoskeletal marker SMI32 in these temporal cortical regions. The results showed that the loss of SMI32 immunoreactivity in temporal cortical regions of AD brain is paralleled by an increase in NFTs and AT8 immunoreactivity in neurons. The SMI32 immunoreactivity was drastically reduced in the cortical layers where tangle-bearing neurons are localized. A strong SMI32 immunoreactivity was observed in numerous neurons containing NFTs by double-immunolabeling with SMI32 and AT8. However, few neurons were labeled by AT8 and SMI32. These results suggest that the development of NFTs in some neurons results from some alteration in SMI32 expression, but does not account for all, particularly, early NFT-related changes. Also, there is a clear correlation of NFTs with selective population of pyramidal neurons in the temporal cortical areas and these pyramidal cells are specifically prone to formation of paired helical filaments. Furthermore, these pyramidal neurons might represent a significant portion of the neurons of origin of long corticocortical connection, and consequently contribute to the destruction of memory-related input to the hippocampal formation.

Modular and laminar pathology of Brodmann's area 37 in Alzheimer's disease

Previous studies suggested a relationship between severity of symptoms and the degree of neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) clustering in different areas of the cortex in Alzheimer's disease (AD). The posterior inferior temporal cortex or Brodmann's area (BA 37) is involved in object naming and recognition memory. But the cellular architecture and connectivity and the NFT pathology of this cortex in AD received inadequate attention. In this report, we describe the laminar distribution and topography of NFT pathology of BA 37 in brains of AD patients by using Thionin staining for Nissl substance, Thioflavin-S staining for NFTs, and phosphorylated tau (AT8) immunohistochemistry. NFTs mostly occurred in cortical layers II, III, V and VI in the area 37 of AD brain. Moreover, NFTs appeared like a patch or in cluster pattern along the cortical layers III and V and within the columns of pyramidal cell layers. The abnormal, intensely labeled AT8 immunoreactive cells were clustered mainly in layers III and V. Based on previously published clinical correlations between cognitive abnormalities in AD and the patterns of laminar distributed NFT cluster pathology in other areas of the brain, we conclude that a similar NFT pathology that severely affected BA 37, may indicate disruption of some forms of naming and object recognition-related circuits in human AD.

Distribution and fate of persistent organochlorine pesticides in coastal marine environment of Mumbai

Multi-compartment monitoring of residue levels of OCPs in coastal marine environment of Mumbai has been studied. The concentration of total HCHs in seawater varied from 0.16 to 15.92 ng/L and concentrations of total DDT varied from 3.01 to 33.21 ng/L. The total HCH concentration in the sediment samples was in the range of 3.8 to 16.2 ng/g. Gamma-HCH contributed almost 55% to the total HCH. In sediment samples the DDT has higher mean concentration in comparison to its metabolite DDE and DDD. The concentration of total HCHs in different marine species varied from 0.87 to 33.73 ng/g and concentrations of total DDT varied from 0.38 to 34.1 ng/g. The variation in the beta-HCH in different compartments is not significant and this could be due to the high persistence and metabolically inactive nature of this isomer. The alpha-HCH is found to be more dominant in fish samples whereas the gamma-HCH is major contributor in the sediment samples.

Exchange of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons across the air-water interface at the creek adjoining Mumbai harbour, India

Concentration levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been determined in air and water in order to estimate the magnitude and direction of gas flux across the air-water interface at the creek adjoining the Mumbai harbour, India. The range of total PAHs was found to be 4.1-30.4 ng/m3 in air and 84.3-377.5 ng/l in seawater, respectively. The lower molecular weight PAHs revealed positive values of the fluxes indicating the tendency for transfer of these contaminants from water to air. In contrast, fluxes of less volatile compounds like benzo(k)fluoranthene and benzo(a)pyrene were always from the atmosphere into the surface water of the creek at all locations and sampling periods. While the fugacity ratio ranged from 0.12 to 6.97, it was found greater than 1 for the lower molecular weight PAHs and less than 1 for higher molecular weight PAHs. The present study suggests the active transfer of lower molecular weight dissolved PAHs into the atmosphere due to volatilization and deposition of higher molecular weight gas-phase PAHs into the surface water.

Precipitation scavenging of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Mumbai, India

The concurrent rain and air sampling was conducted for thirteen rain events between the last week of May and end of June 2001. Concentration of total PAHs varied from 84.25 to 777.49 ng/l whereas that in air was in the range of 4.05 to 34.42 ng/m(3). In rainwater the lower molecular weight PAHs (e.g. Phenanthrene, Fluoranthene and Pyrene) were found to be more prominent than the higher molecular weight compounds. The gas phase scavenging ratio (Wg) was found to increase with the molecular weight of the compound. The particle phase scavenging ratio (Wp) values for the more volatile PAHs were generally much higher than those for less volatile PAHs. The higher MW PAHs have Wg values equal to or larger than their Wp values.