Unseen, unheard, unnamed: The matchless and unsung heroes of the textile art and craft of Rajasthan

Rajasthan is known for its exquisite handicrafts, especially the textiles. In spite of having the most vibrant and glorious traditions, this sector has been grossly unorganized due to the poor socio-economic status of the artisans. The educational background of the artisans also is not satisfactory; hence, they lack public relations skills. They are totally dependent on big traders and middlemen for marketing purposes. Moreover, in this era of labels and designers, the artisans, however skilled or endowed they may be, have to work under some renowned brand or name to have a regular livelihood. However, not all artisans are lucky to be in the right place at the right time. These artisans work according to the design directions given to them including the decision of fabric, the formation/placement of motifs, color palette, the overall design or look of the fabric or the garment in accordance with the latest trends, styling, and forecast. They lack experience with the latest technology, and its advancement, too, due to the lack of economic and financial stability. As a result, in spite of their hard work, they find themselves in a difficult position in the present competitive environment. These artisans, therefore, remain largely unheard and unseen. They work in the background, and most of the time the limelight is on the professional “designers.” The present paper discusses some popular and exquisite traditional handicraft and textile art of Rajasthan such as gotta patti, lehriya, block printing, blue pottery, etc

IN VITRO EVALUATION OF ANTIFUNGAL POTENTIAL AND ELECTRON MICROSCOPIC STUDIES OF BACILLUS AMYLOLIQUEFACIENS AGAINST ASPERGILLUS SPECIES

Objective: Bacteria are able to synthesize a wide range of metabolites with fungicidal properties. The present study focused on the in vitro evaluation of antifungal potential of amyloliquefaciens DSM-1067 against Aspergillus spp. and its electron microscopic studies. Methods: An invitro evaluation of antifungal activity of bacterial secreted and cellular proteins was determined by microbroth dilution, disc diffusion and spore germination inhibition assays (SGIA). The cytotoxicity of these bacterial proteins was determined by hemolytic assay, and the effect of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens DSM 1067 lysate proteins on Aspergillus fumigatus was visualized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).Results: Bacillus amyloliquefaciens DSM-1067 lysates showed the highest activity by inhibiting the growth of A. fumigatus, A. flavus completely at a concentration of 31.25 µg/ml. In vitro toxicity experiments resulted that the lysate of B. amyloliquefaciens DSM-1067was non-toxic against human erythrocytes even at high concentrations. These findings thus emphasize its usefulness in the development of new antifungal therapies. SEM analysis demonstrated the in vitro inhibition of A. fumigatus growth by B. amyloliquefaciens DSM-1067cytosolic proteins leading to wrinkled hyphae, irregular branching patterns. It also showed disruption of conidiophores development. These cytological effects of B. amyloliquefaciens DSM-1067on the hyphal growth of A. fumigatus can explain its potent anti-Aspergillus activity.Conclusion: The present investigation revealed that B. amyloliquefaciens DSM-1067 lysate protein can act as a potential candidate for exploration in the development of effective and non-toxic treatments against Aspergillus induced diseases. Its effect on the development of conidiophores and hyphal growth are studied in the present study. Â

Celiac disease and pregnancy in Indian scenario

Celiac disease is a chronic lifelong inflammatory condition of gastrointestinal tract specifically the small intestine. We report a case of pregnancy outcome in a patient with celiac disease (gluten sensitive enteropathy) diagnosed during the investigations of recurrent abortions and intermittent diarrhoea since childhood.  A 32 years old patient who had four abortions and loss of a premature baby was diagnosed as celiac disease during investigations of recurrent abortions and diarrhoea since childhood. After stabilisation of disease she conceived spontaneously. Patient had regular follow up in some private institute. She was referred to our hospital as a case of IUGR with color Doppler changes with breech presentation with sluggish fetal movements at 37 weeks and emergency caesarean section was performed. A male fetus with 2.25 kg AS 7, 9 at birth was delivered. The cause of her recurrent pregnancy losses and previous preterm birth was celiac disease. Celiac disease (CD) is an immune-mediated enteropathy caused by a permanent sensitivity to gluten in genetically susceptible individual. It may also lead to serious maternal and fetal complications because of systemic effects of disease however a successful pregnancy outcome is possible when pre-gestational diagnosis is made and proper management of disease during pregnancy is achieved

Impact of vitamin A supplementation in anaemia during pregnancy: a randomized double blind controlled clinical trial

Background: To study the impact of Vitamin A supplementation in anaemia during Pregnancy and thus improving maternal and fetal outcome a Randomized double blind controlled clinical trial was conducted in Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, L.L.R.M. Medical college Meerut involving 250 pregnant women in late pregnancy 18-28 weeks with haemoglobin levels <11 g% (7-11 g%)..Methods: The study subjects were divided into two groups: Group A (n=125): Received daily supplement containing Iron (60 mg elemental iron) + Folate (500 mcg) + Vitamin A 20,000 IU weekly for a minimum of 12 weeks. Group B (n=125): Received daily supplement containing iron (60 mg elemental iron) + Folate (500 mcg) for a minimum of 12 weeks.Results: Maximum patients were uneducated belonging to low socioeconomic status. The mean haemoglobin values in Group A and Group B increased from 9.674±1.05 and 9.53±1.04 to 12.2±0.89 and 10.82±1.06 respectively after supplementation. Similarily Serum Ferritin levels increased from 15.96±2.94 and 15.70±2.83 to 78.40±17.82 and 58.64±11.93. Mean corpuscular volume, packed cell volume and red blood cell counts also increased significantly. Maximum haemoglobin levels were achieved with both vitamin A and iron supplementation. The proportion of women who became non anaemic was 97.17% in Group A vs 68.69% in Group B.Conclusions: Vitamin A supplementation improves anaemia and also dramatically improves iron stores in anaemic pregnant women

Comparative study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of oral Mifepristone versus intracervical Dinoprostone gel for induction of labour and their effects on fetomaternal outcome

Background: Mifepristone and Dinoprostone are used in inducing labour in pregnancy by acting as cervical ripening drugs. A randomized case control study to evaluate the efficacy, safety and fetomaternal outcome of induction of labour with oral Mifepristone and intracervical Dinoprostone gel was done.Methods: About 300 patients were included after taking informed consent. 150 patients were placed in each group A and B. In group A patients received 200 mg oral Mifepristone tablet and in group B 0.5 mg Dinoprostone gel was given intracervically and 2nd dose was repeated after 6 hours later if adequate uterine contractions were not achieved. A detailed analysis was carried out in both groups regarding efficacy and safety of drugs in terms of necessity of augmentation of labour with oxytocin, induction to delivery interval, fetal outcome in terms of NICU admission.Results: 59.33% cases in Mifepristone group and 72% case in Dinoprostone group required augmentation with oxytocin. Mean induction delivery interval in Mifepristone group in primigravida was 17.998±1.128 hrs and mean induction delievery interval in multigravida was 11.648±1.112 hours. 88% cases in mifipristone group and 80% cases in Dinoprostone group delivered vaginally. NICU admission was 1.33% in Mifepristone group and 2.66% in PGE2 gel group.Conclusions: Mifepristone when compared with intracervical Dinoprostone gel, acts as a better cervical ripening agent and requires lesser need for Oxytocin augmentation. Though, mean induction delivery interval was more with Mifepistone, the incidence of successful vaginal delivery was higher as compared to Dinoprostone

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravenous bolus versus intravenous infusion of iron sucrose in pregnant women with severe iron deficiency anemia

Background: Objective of present study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravenous bolus iron sucrose for iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy during second and third trimester women presenting at S.N. medical college, Agra.Methods: It was a prospective controlled trial and study was carried out in Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, S.N. medical college, Agra in the year 2014-2016. 100Pregnant women with proved iron deficiency anemia having hemoglobin between 4-9gm/dl was included in this study. Total Iron deficit was calculated by standard formula. Target haemoglobin was 11gm/dl. Iron sucrose was administered by intravenous bolus and intravenous infusion techniques. Hemoglobin was repeated at 2 weeks, 4 weeks and 8 weeks after the last dose of intravenous iron sucroseResults: In Group A (bolus group n=50) 22 women had gestational age >24-28weeks and 20 women gestational age >18-24 weeks, with Mean gestational age of 24.36±3.78 weeks. In Group B (infusion group n=50) most of the patients 24 (48%) had gestational age >24-28 weeks, 18 (36%) had gestational age >18-24 weeks, with Mean gestational age of 24.94±3.51 weeks. Target hemoglobin was achieved in group A in all 50 (100%) cases and in group B in 49 (98%) cases. There were no allergic reactions.Conclusions: This study showed a significant improvement in the hemoglobin of the patients after receiving intravenous bolus and intravenous infusion of iron sucrose. Patients achieved the target hemoglobin of 11gm/dl. Both therapies are safe, effective and faster acting for the treatment of iron deficiency anaemia during pregnancy. The bolus push technique is more convenient to women and care provider, less time consuming as well as cost effective

Penicillum oxalicum spg1: A novel entomopathogenic fungus isolated from mummified Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) of cotton

Whitefly has assumed the status of a serious pest of cotton in north India in recent past due to its severe attack on cotton crop. The productivity of cotton crop has fallen substantially from 574 kg ha-1 of lint in the year 2014 -15 to 197 kg ha-1 in the year 2015-16 in Punjab. During extensive epidemiological surveillance of whitefly on cotton crop in the month of September 2016, mummified whiteflies with fungus were noticed on both abaxial and adaxial surfaces of leaves of the infested cotton plant at village, Mandi Khurd, Mansa District of Punjab, India and at Punjab Agricultural University, Regional Research Station, Bathinda, India. The fungus was isolated and purified from the mummified white fly and characterized at molecular level by sequencing 633 bp D2 region of Large Subunit (LSU) rRNA gene and identified as Penicillium oxalicum spg1. The gene sequence has been submitted to NCBI, USA with accession no. KY214238. The microscopic studies (stereo- and scanning electron) of the cotton leaves with mummified whitefly further strengthen the entomopathogenic potential of P. oxalicum spg1. There are few reports of entomopathogenic potential of P. oxalicum spg1 against other insects and pests. To our knowledge, this is the first report of isolation and identification of P. oxalicum spg1 from mummified white fly. It’s potential as a biocontrol agent against white fly can be exploited in a promising way with nominal interference with biological equilibrium

Antimycotic activity of biogenically synthesised metal and metal oxide nanoparticles against plant pathogenic fungus Fusarium moniliforme (F. fujikuroi)

263-270Consistent and injudicious application of antifungal agents to control fungal pathogens on crops results in off-target ill-effects on livestock and human health besides issues, such as disruption of ecological balance. In this context, development of novel specific antifungal agents such as metal or metal oxide nanoparticles without side effects becomes a necessity. Here, we attempted green synthesis of three different metal and metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) (Ag, ZnO and FeO) by incubating metal salts with Trichoderma harzianum hyphal or mycelial extract (HE). The AgNPs were also generated using hyphal filtrate (HF). The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by microscopy and spectroscopy techniques and evaluated by poisoned food technique/agar well diffusion technique under in vitro conditions on Czapek dox agar against plant pathogenic fungus Fusarium moniliforme. The tested NPs exhibited varied efficacy for curbing the growth of F. moniliforme. A NP concentration dependent increase in percent growth inhibition was recorded for the above mentioned three types of NPs. Moreover, the antimycotic efficacy of the microbial synthesized Ag NPs also varied for the T. harzianum cell free filtrate and hyphal extract formulations. Maximum percent hyphal growth inhibition (58.83%) was recorded for T. harzianum HE Ag NPs at 800 ppm followed by FeO NPs at 400 ppm (40.38%)