Migration estimation in India : a monsoon migration model

Rural-Urban and Rural-Rural migration has become one of the most common phenomena of population demographic changes. Several factors which contribute towards the improvement of the livelihood and opportunities to the migrated labourers have been studied. More than 69 per cent of the 1.21 billion people live in rural India (2011 Census) and agriculture is their main source of income. Agriculture contributes to 18 per cent to the GDP of India. Due to lack of adequate public irrigation facilities, most of these farmers are dependent heavily on monsoon as the main source of water for agriculture. Since a large percentage of these farmers are into subsistence farming, they lack the capital required to set up their own irrigation facilities. When the monsoon fails, or when there is excess rain, there is loss of crop and hence rural-to-urban migration results

Probing the massive star forming environment - a multiwavelength investigation of the filamentary IRDC G333.73+0.37

We present a multiwavelength study of the filamentary infrared dark cloud (IRDC) G333.73+0.37. The region contains two distinct mid-infrared sources S1 and S2 connected by dark lanes of gas and dust. Cold dust emission from the IRDC is detected at seven wavelength bands and we have identified 10 high density clumps in the region. The physical properties of the clumps such as temperature: 14.3-22.3 K and mass: 87-1530 M_sun are determined by fitting a modified blackbody to the spectral energy distribution of each clump between 160 micron and 1.2 mm. The total mass of the IRDC is estimated to be $~4700 M_sun. The molecular line emission towards S1 reveals signatures of protostellar activity. Low frequency radio emission at 1300 and 610 MHz is detected towards S1 (shell-like) and S2 (compact morphology), confirming the presence of newly formed massive stars in the IRDC. Photometric analysis of near and mid-infrared point sources unveil the young stellar object population associated with the cloud. Fragmentation analysis indicates that the filament is supercritical. We observe a velocity gradient along the filament, that is likely to be associated with accretion flows within the filament rather than rotation. Based on various age estimates obtained for objects in different evolutionary stages, we attempt to set a limit to the current age of this cloud.Comment: 26 pages, 20 figures, accepted by Ap

Effect of nicotine exposure during pregnancy on birth weight among beedi rolling women

Background: Exposure to nicotine can lead to increased morbidity and mortality among fetus and mothers. The objective was to study the effect of nicotine exposure on the birth weight of the babies.Methods: During the study period of one year, it was possible to recruit the total 144 subjects. 36 were women who were exposed to nicotine as they were bidi rollers. The exposure was confirmed by history. 36 women delivered during the study period and these newborns were included in the present study. Control group were 36 pregnant women who were not exposed to nicotine. They were asked about the exposure history, like anyone in their family is smoking inside the house any time and their occupation. Among these all (36) delivered during the study period and their newborns were included in the present study.Results: Both the groups were comparable in terms of age, hemoglobin, body mass index, gestational age. The mean birth weight of babies in the control group (whose mothers were not exposed) was 3.01kg with a standard deviation of 0.56 compared to mean birth weight of babies in the study group (whose mothers were not exposed) of 2.73kg with a standard deviation of 0.40. This difference in the mean birth weight of babies in the study group and the control group was found to be statistically significant (p<0.05). The mean serum cotinine value in study group mothers and babies was very high compared to zero value in mothers and babies of control group and statistically significant (p<0.05).Conclusions: Maternal nicotine exposure through beedi rolling is associated with reduced birth weight

Comparison of serum iron, TIBC, transferrin saturation and serum ferritin in anemia of chronic renal diseases

Background: In patients with CKD and diabetes combined, anemia may be relative or absolute. If the serum ferritin is more than or equal to 100ng/ml associated with reduced iron saturation, then it is defined as functional iron deficiency anemia. This type of anemia is very common in patients with CKD. To compare serum iron, TIBC, transferrin saturation and serum ferritin in anemia of chronic renal diseases with healthy controls.Methods: A hospital based comparative study was carried out among 30 known cases of chronic kidney disease with anemia. They were compared with 20 age and sex matched healthy control who were free from chronic kidney disease and anemia. The parameters like serum iron, TIBC, transferrin saturation and serum ferritin were compared between the two groups. Student’s t test and a two tailed p value were calculated and if the p value was less than 0.05, it was taken as statistically significant.Results: It was seen that the mean hemoglobin value was significantly less among CKD patients compared to healthy controls (p<0.05). Serum iron was also significantly less among CKD patients compared to healthy controls (p<0.05). TIBC as significantly high among CKD patients compared to healthy controls (p<0.05). This is because of low hemoglobin and low serum iron in CKD patients but again the transferrin saturation was significantly low among CKD patients compared to healthy controls (p<0.05).Conclusions: Anemia prevalence was very high in CKD patients. Hemoglobin, serum iron and transferrin saturation were significantly low and TIBC was significantly high

The Study of the Influence of Formulation and Process Variables on the properties of Simvastatin-Phospholipid Complex

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to examine the influence of the formulation and process variables on the entrapment efficiency of simvastatin-phospholipid complex (SPC), prepared with a goal of improving the solubility and permeability of simvastatin. Method: The SPC was prepared using a solvent evaporation method. The influence of formulation and process variables on simvastatin entrapment was assessed using a central composite design. An additional SPC was prepared using the optimized variables from the developed quadratic model. This formulation was characterized for its physical-chemical properties. The functional attributes of the optimized SPC formulation were analyzed by apparent aqueous solubility analysis, in-vitro dissolution studies, dissolution efficiency analysis, and ex-vivo permeability studies. Results: The factors studied were found to significantly influence on the entrapment efficiency. The developed model was validated using the optimized levels of formulation and process variables. The physical-chemical characterization confirmed a formation of the complex. The optimized SPC demonstrated over 25-fold higher aqueous solubility of simvastatin, compared to that of pure simvastatin. The optimized SPC exhibited a significantly higher rate and extent of simvastatin dissolution (\u3e98%), compared to that of pure simvastatin (∼16%). The calculated dissolution efficiency was also found to be significantly higher for the SPC (∼54 %), compared to that of pure simvastatin (∼8%). Finally, the optimized SPC exhibited a significantly higher simvastatin permeability (\u3e78%), compared to that of pure simvastatin (∼11%). Implications: The present study shows that simvastatin-phospholipid complex can be a promising strategy for improving the delivery of simvastatin, and similar drugs with low aqueous solubility

Effect of prostaglandin on reproduction in relation to pituitary gonadal axis in the fish, Cyprinus carpio (L.)

Prostaglandins are a class of fatty acids which are “traditionally” associated with a variety of autocrine and paracrine functions in the vertebrate body. In many fishes, however, F prostaglandins also function as a hormone that stimulates sexual behavior. In the present study, F prostaglandin was used to assess the efficacy on reproductive behavior and spawning in relation to pituitary gonadal axis in the fish, Cyprinus carpio by administering different doses. Early maturity was observed in fish leading to courtship and spawning. The histological study of olfactory lobe, pituitary gland and gonads showed that the prostaglandin is also functioning as potent olfactory stimulants with sex pheromonal activity of the fish. F prostaglandin was metabolized and released into the water where it functions as a sex pheromone, stimulating male and female sexual behavior resulting into spawning. It was concluded that F prostaglandin acts as an inducer for successful breeding in the fish, C. carpio

An open randomized study to compare effect of metformin versus acarbose monotherapy on glycemic control and lipid profile in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus patients

Background: Type 2 DM is one global health problem and a main cause of morbidity and mortality. It is epidemic in many industrialized and developing areas and is considered to be one of the most challenging health problems of the 21st century. Metformin and acarbose both are used as monotherapy and in combination with other anti-diabetes drugs for treatment of type 2 DM. There are very sparse evidences regarding comparative efficacy and safety of metformin versus acarbose, especially in Asian region. In addition to glycemic control, improvement in lipid profile, weight loss and post-prandial sugar level are important therapeutic objectives for better management of type 2 DM patients.Methods: In this study, 60 newly diagnosed type 2 DM were randomly assigned (1:1) to oral acarbose (titrated doses upto 300 mg daily) or oral metformin (titrated doses up to 2500 mg daily) monotherapy and were followed-up for 12 weeks for effects on glycaemic control [serum HbA1C, fasting blood sugar and post prandial sugar and serum LDL, HDL, triglycerides and total cholesterol.Results: Reduction in FBS, HbA1C and body weight was found significantly greater with metformin while acarbose yielded greater improvement in PPS, total cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Both metformin and acarbose yielded significant improvement in FBS, PPS, HbA1C, lipid profile and body weight after 12 weeks of therapy and yielded similar improvement in LDL and HDL levels.Conclusions: Acarbose can be considered as an alternative initial therapy in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes patients, particularly those with isolated post-prandial hyperglycemia and those who are intolerant to metformin therapy.