Post-traumatic stress disorder in children and adolescents one year after a super-cyclone in Orissa, India: exploring cross-cultural validity and vulnerability factors

BACKGROUND: It has been asserted that psychological responses to disasters in children and adolescents vary widely across cultures, but this has rarely been investigated. The objectives of the study were to clinically evaluate the construct of traumatic stress symptoms and disorder in children and adolescents after a super-cyclone in Orissa, India; to find out the prevalence at one year; compare the effect in high and low exposure areas and study the factors associated with it. METHODS: Clinical examination of children and adolescents (n = 447) was done, supplemented by a symptoms checklist based on International Classification of Mental and Behavioural Disorders, Diagnostic Criteria for Research and a semi-structured questionnaire for disaster related experiences. RESULTS: A majority of children had post-traumatic symptoms. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was present in 30.6% (95% confidence interval: 26.4 to 34.9), and an additional 13.6% had sub-syndromal PTSD. Parents or teachers reported mental health concerns in 7.2% subjects, who were a minor proportion (12.8%) of subjects with any syndromal diagnosis (n = 196). Significantly more (43.7%) children in high exposure areas had PTSD than that (11.2%) in low exposure areas (p < 0.001). Depression was significantly associated with PTSD. Binary logistic regression analysis indicated that high exposure, lower educational level and middle socioeconomic status significantly predicted the outcome of PTSD. Extreme fear and perceived threat to life during the disaster, death in family, damage to home, or staying in shelters were not significantly associated with PTSD. CONCLUSION: Following natural disaster PTSD is a valid clinical construct in children and adolescents in Indian set up; and though highly prevalent it may be missed without clinical screening. Its manifestation and associated factors resembled those in other cultures

Antimicrobial activity of sesquiterpene lactones isolated from traditional medicinal plant, Costus speciosus (Koen ex.Retz.) Sm

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Costus speciosus </it>(Koen ex.Retz.) Sm (Costaceae) is an Indian ornamental plant which has long been used medicinally in traditional systems of medicine. The plant has been found to possess diverse pharmacological activities. Rhizomes are used to treat pneumonia, rheumatism, dropsy, urinary diseases, jaundice, skin diseases and leaves are used<b/>to treat mental disorders.</p> <p>Method</p> <p>Antibacterial and antifungal activities were tested using Disc diffusion method and Minimum Inhibitory <b>Concentration </b>(MIC). Column chromatography was used to isolate compounds from hexane extract. X-ray crystallography technique and GC-MS analysis were used to identify the compounds</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Antibacterial and antifungal activities were observed in hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts. Hexane extract of <it>C.speciosus </it>showed good activity against tested fungi also. Two sesquiterpenoid compounds were isolated (costunolide and eremanthin) from the hexane extract. Both the compounds did not inhibit the growth of tested bacteria. But, both the compounds inhibited the tested fungi. The compound costunolide showed significant antifungal activity. The MIC values of costunolide were; 62.5 μg/ml against <it>Trichophyton mentagrophytes</it>, 62. μg/ml against <it>T. simii</it>, 31.25 μg/ml against <it>T. rubrum </it>296, 62.5 μg/ml against <it>T. rubrum </it>57, 125 μg/ml against <it>Epidermophyton floccosum</it>, 250 μg/ml against <it>Scopulariopsis </it>sp, 250 μg/ml against <it>Aspergillus niger</it>, 125 μg/ml against <it>Curvulari lunata</it>, 250 μg/ml against <it>Magnaporthe grisea</it>.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Hexane extract showed promising antibacterial and antifungal activity. The isolated compound costunolide showed good antifungal activity.</p

Laser surface processing of Cr coated 9Cr-1Mo ferritic steel for improved corrosion/oxidation resistance

The high temperature oxidation and aqueous corrosion behaviour of 9Cr-1Mo steel, coated with Cr, followed by laser irradiation have been investigated. Chromium powder was deposited by two different techniques, i.e., plasma spraying and direct powder feeding method. For the laser treatment, a 3 kW Continuous Wave (CW) CO2 laser with line focus mode was used. Detailed characterisation of the coated and laser alloyed samples was carried out using optical microscope, XRD and SEM/EDAX. The oxidation tests were carried out at 800 degrees C in air and anodic polarisation tests in 1N H2SO4 solution. Laser alloyed specimens showed improved oxidation resistance compared to as-coated and un-coated specimens. The critical current density, the passive current density and the range of passivity were determined for the laser alloyed specimens and compared with that of the bare specimen and plasma coated specimens

Recent trends in coatings for high temperature applications

Many components operating at high temperatures need additional protection to resist the aggressive environment This is usually provided by coatings which impart excellent corrosion resistance by forming a protective alumina, chromia or silica scales. The requirement of coating varies from one application to the other, depending upon the environment, whether it is oxidising, sulphidizing or in the presence of salt deposits. The coatings at high temperatures. must have low reaction rates with the environment, and also remain adherent and form protective oxides at the temperature of operation. Most of these coatings are divided into three main categories, conventional coatings, modified coatings and advanced coatings. Conventional coatings such as aluminide, silicides very commonly fail in aggressive environments. Advanced coatings are by vacuum plasma method, HVOF, laser surface alloying, plasma powder welding and ion beam assisted coatings. Laser surface alloying is being considered as the most versatile technique which can be used to make high performance surface alloys. This helps in saving huge cost of costly materials, which are un-necessarily used in bulk alloying as well as the processing does not interfere with the bulk properties

Not Available

Not AvailableImmunobiochemical status of sheep exposed to periods of experimental protein deficit and realimentation was studied in 12 sheep (15 mo) randomly distributed into 2 equal groups and fed individually 2 different concentrate supplements along with wheat straw to provide 100% (normal protein, NP) or 50% (low protein, LP) of CP requirements. The study was comprised of 3 periods; during period 1 (0 to 13 wk) and 2 (14 to 26 wk) animals in the 2 groups were fed NP and LP diets, respectively; during period 3 (27 to 44 wk), animals in the LP group were switched over to NP diet to allow realimentation, whereas animals in the NP group remained on the same NP diet. Blood was collected from all groups at end of each period, and serum glucose, total protein, albumin (sAlb), globulin (sGlb), urea (sU), creatinine (sCr), cholesterol, triiodothyronine, and thyroxine concentrations were determined. During the same periods, the cell-mediated immune (CMI) response was measured by a delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) assay and in vitro nitrite production by lymphocytes. At the end of periods 2 and 3, humoral immune response (HIR) was measured by sensitizing the sheep with Brucella abortus S99 antigen and measuring antibody titers on 0, 7, 14, 21, and 28 d postinoculation by ELISA. Feed intake decreased with prolonged protein deficit and showed recovery during period 3. Blood chemistry revealed reduced sAlb concentration in the LP group resulting in narrow sAlb:sGlb ratio, increased sCr concentrations (P = 0.008) accompanying a decreased (P = 0.004) sU:sCr ratio, and decreased glucose concentrations (P = 0.05). Other variables did not change significantly between the NP and LP groups. The DTH response at the end of period 1 and 2 showed marked (P = 0.008) effect of protein restriction on CMI. Nitrite production, basal and after lipopolysaccharide stimulation, was greater (P = 0.04) in the NP group. The HIR was less (P = 0.04) in the LP group during period 3. Realimentation of protein in the LP group during period 3 showed recovery in CMI and HIR. In conclusion, protein deprivation induced a decline in CMI and HIR in sheep accompanying alterations in related metabolic profile. However, a marked recovery was observed after realimentation.Not Availabl

High temperature oxidation behaviour of laser alloyed ferritic steels

The high temperature oxidation behaviour of low alloy ferritic steels, viz., 2.25Cr-1Mo steel and 9Cr-1Mo steel, coated with Cr, followed by laser irradiation have been investigated. Chromium powder was deposited by two different techniques i.e. plasma spraying, and direct powder feeding method. For the laser treatment, a 3 kW continuous wave (CW) CO2 laser with line focus mode was used. Detailed characterization of the coated and laser alloyed samples was carried out using optical microscope, and SEM/EDAX. The oxidation tests were carried out at 700 degrees C and 800 degrees C in air. Laser alloyed 2.25Cr-1Mo and 9Cr-1Mo steels showed improved oxidation resistance compared to as-coated and un-coated specimens

Teleconnections in recent time and prediction of Indian summer monsoon rainfall

The prediction of Indian Summer Monsoon Rainfall (ISMR) is vital for Indian economic policy and a challenge for meteorologists. It needs various predictors among which El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is the most important. It has been established by various researchers that ENSO and ISMR relationship is weakening in recent years. It has been also argued that changes in ENSO-ISMR relationship may be due to decadal fluctuations, or it may be the indicative of longer-term trends related to anthropogenic-induced climate changes. In the present communication, an attempt is made to discuss the variability and predictability of ISMR in recent years. It is found that three different indices associated with different regions in the tropics and extra-tropics at different levels of the atmosphere-Asian land mass index represented by geopotential height at upper troposphere (AI), Caribbean-North Atlantic index represented by geopotential height at middle troposphere (A2) and tropical Pacific index at surface level (A3) - have different mechanisms to interact mutually and separately with ISMR in different periods. In recent years ISMR shows weak association with A1 and A3 while strong association with A2. Thus, if these three indices could be combined objectively, they can give rise to the predictability of ISMR. This objective combination is achieved here using Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and a model is developed to predict ISMR. This model has predicted reasonably well during the whole period of consideration (1958-2000) with a correlation coefficient of 0.92 in last 11 years (1990-2000) whereas most of the models fail to predict the variability in recent time

Effect of feeding traditionally prepared fermented milk <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">dahi</i> (curd) as a probiotics on nutritional status, hindgut health and haematology in dogs<span style="color:black;mso-bidi-font-style:italic"> </span>

35-39According to Indian system of traditional medicine (Ayurveda), <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">dahi is beneficial in promotion of health and vitality due to its antibacterial action against pathogenic microbes and improvement in nutrient digestibility. Hence, in the present study traditionally prepared Indian fermented milk dahi<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic">/curd was evaluated as a probiotics <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic">for its health benefits in canine model. Eight Labrador dogs were divided in completely randomized design (CRD) in two groups, one control (CON, without supplement) and other treatment group (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">dahi, supplemented with measured amount (100 ml) of dahi/curd having ~106-7 cfu of Lactobacillus sp /ml). Nutrient digestibility and hindgut health was assessed after 6 weeks and haematology was done after 7 weeks of experimental feeding. There was a slight (P&gt;0.05) increase in dry matter (DM, P=0.055), organic matter (OM, P=0.073), crude fibre (CF, P=0.104) digestibility while that of calcium improved significantly (P&lt;0.05) due to feeding of dahi. Significant reduction in feacal pH (P&lt;0.001) and ammonia (P&lt;0.01), whereas lactate (P&lt;0.001) and total short chain fatty acids (SCFAs, P&lt;0.05) were increased in dahi fed group. The health positive microbial count (lactobacilli and bifidobacteria) were significantly (P&lt;0.05) increased with decrease in health negative coliforms (P&lt;0.01) in dahi fed animals. Total erythrocyte count (TEC) was increased (P&lt;0.01) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) decreased (P&lt;0.01) in dahi compared to CON. In conclusion, traditionally prepared <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">dahi/curd can be used as a probiotics with beneficial effect on digestibility of some nutrients, hindgut health characteristics, intestinal microbial balance and haematolgy. </span

Not Available

Not AvailableThe present paper synthesizes the salient findings of the 16 papers included in this special issue on food-feed crops. While summarizing the approaches and outcomes of the research papers, the synthesis also discusses related issues, which are of importance in delineating the future research agenda on this important topic. Cereal crop residues (CCRs) constitute the single most important fodder resource providing more than 40% of the available dry matter for feeding of ruminants. However, the inherent low nutritive value typical to most CCRs is a handicap in the effective utilization of this vast feed resource. The synthesis paper besides providing an update on the progress in food-feed crop research, suggests future approaches to exploit the variability in fodder quality traits for improving livestock productivity. It also highlights the need for the plant and animal scientists to work in tandem to achieve this goal. It also stresses the need for greater integration, focus, coordination of efforts to improve the utilization of food– feed cropsNot Availabl