Epiphreatic caves in Niah karst tower (NW Borneo): occurrence, morphology and hydrogeochemistry

Epiphreatic caves develop close to the water table at the boundary between vadose and phreatic karst zones. The recognition of their former existence and position in uplifted limestone regions can inform on phases of uplift, base level lowering and rate of vertical deepening of the karst. Hence, epiphreatic caves and the karst processes that form them are of specific interest. Although the large and spectacular caves of Niah have been subject of much research and interest, the existence of small epiphreatic caves at the foot of the karst towers has not previously been documented in this region of NW Borneo. The study documents and reports an epiphreatic cave passage at water table elevation in the Painted Cave karst tower where several large caves are also known. The semi-flooded passage is over 480 m long and traverses the tower from east to west, intersecting other much larger vadose caves. The epiphreatic flow path is characterized by a number of sinking streams and resurgences as well as several sharp bends in the passage indicating joint control. As an initial attempt this study was undertaken to correlate the water chemistry along the cave path to understand the geomorphological controls. A preliminary campaign of water sampling was carried out with samples collected at ten locations along the path of the cave stream and analyzed for pH, EC, TDS, DO, Eh, major ions, nutrients and trace metals. The results show that dissolution of host rock and leaching of organic matter are the dominant controlling factors for the geochemistry of surface water along the cave stream passage. During dry conditions the water was under-saturated for carbonate minerals but not aggressive suggesting that most dissolution and erosion occurs during flood conditions. This is supported by the morphology of the passages and features of the rock wall both inside the caves and at the foot of the karst tower. Key words: Karst, Niah cave, Epiphreatic, Hydrogeochemistry, water table.Jame epifreatične cone v kraškem stolpu Niah (severozahodni Borneo): pojavnost, morfologija in hidrogeokemija Epifratične jame nastajajo na meji med vadozno in freatično cono. Prepoznavanje epifreatičnih elementov v bloku dvignjenega masiva nam omogoča razbrati faze dvigovanja masiva oz. spuščanja erozijske baze, zato so epifreatične jame in procesi še posebno zanimivi. Čeprav so o jamah stolpa Niah opravili številne študije, nobena od teh ne obravnava epifreatičnih jam ob vznožju kraškega stolpa. Ta študija obravnava epifreatične rove na ravni vodne gladine v stolpu Painted Cave v severozahodnem Borneu, kjer sicer poznamo več velikih jam. Delno potopljen rov je dolg več kot 480 m in preči stolp od vzhoda proti zahodu ter pri tem seka še več drugih, veliko večjih vadoznih jam. Epifreatični tok je povezan z več ponikalnicami in izviri, zanj so značilne nagle spremembe smeri, ki sledi vodilnim razpokam. Namen študije je povezati kemijo vode vzdolž toka in aktivne geomorfološke dejavnike. Vzorčenje in analize vode na desetih lokacijah so dali podatke o pH, električni prevodnosti, skupni raztopljeni snovi (TDS), raztopljenem kisiku, Eh ter o koncentraciji glavnih ionov, hranil in kovin v sledeh. Rezultati so pokazali, da sta raztapljanje matične kamnine in izpiranje organskih snovi prevladujoča dejavnika geokemije vode v kanalu. V sušnem obdobju je voda rahlo nenasičena na kalcit, a je agresivnost majhna, kar kaže na to, da glavna faza razvoja poteka v poplavnih obdobjih. To potrjujejo tudi morfologija rova in jamske skalne oblike v jami in ob vznožju kraškega stolpa.Ključne besede: kras, jama Niah, epifreatična cona, hidrogeokemija, vodna površina.

Chronic spontaneous urticaria in adult patients : evaluating the effect of loratadine on weight and metabolic syndrome

Antihistamine is standard chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) therapy. Weight gain is a side effect of concern as prolonged high dose therapy is common. We investigated the effects of 12-weeks loratadine therapy on weight, appetite and parameters of metabolic syndrome (MetS). A cohort study was performed involving CSU patients aged ≥18 years. Patients with diseases or on drugs affecting weight or appetite were excluded. CSU was treated according to standard management. Weight, height, waist circumference (WC), body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure (BP), Urticaria Activity Score 7 (UAS7), Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), hunger and satiety questionnaire, fasting blood sugar (FBS) and fasting lipid profile (FLP) were obtained at baseline, week 6 and week 12. Loratadine cumulative dose were determined. Thirteen (33.33 %) males and 26 (66.67 %) females aged 33.00 (12.00) years participated. Median weight was 62.55 (18.30) kg, BMI 24.60 (6.80) kg/m2, 13(33.33%) patients had normal weight, 12 (30.77%) overweight, 11 (28.21%) obese and 3 (7.69%) underweight. Significant weight gain was observed at week 6, 67.56 ± 16.14 kg vs 68.16 ± 16.95 kg, p < 0.05 and 67.56 ± 16.14 kg vs 64.73 ± 14.60 kg, p = 0.04 at week 12. Changes in BMI, WC, BP, FBS and FLP were insignificant. Three patients developed MetS. Hunger and satiety scores were unaffected. Loratadine induced weight gain despite no effects on appetite. Weight should be monitored in patients on long term loratadine therapy

The drill and practice application in teaching science for lower secondary students

Teaching and learning science at school determine the academic achievement of lower secondary school students. In this study, the lower secondary students are referred to Form One. This study examines the effectiveness of using drill and practicing (DP) method on the performance and understanding of students in Science subjects on the topic “Cell As a Unit Of Life”. Most of Form 1 student could not analyse any practical activities to clarify the learning objectives and its’ concept. Without knowing the concept, the students memorized the science facts rather than applying meaningful learning. This weakness causes the students to fail to answer examinations questions and affect their performance.Drill and practicing methods was carried out to examine the students' performance and understanding on the topic.A total of 66 students of the Form One comprises of boy and girl students were selected using purposive random sampling. The sample was categorized as moderate student based on the UPSR (Ujian Penilaian Sekolah Rendah) results. Two-group experimental design is used in this study. The form of this study was chosen because it enable the researchers to collect information from two group The students were divided into experimental group (using drill and practice method) and the control group (using conventional method). The quantitative data collected through pretest, posttest and questionnaire were analysed using SPSS and presented as descriptive and inferential statistics.The analysis shows that the experimental group score a mean of 25.41 (SD = 7.04) (M = 25.41, SE = 0.704) while the control group reported a mean of 22.14 (SD=11), (M = 22.14, SE = 0.420).The experimental group also show better understanding on the cell unit (M = 16, SD = 5.66) compare to control group (M = 8, SD = 4.95). The finding indicate that the students who used the DP method in learning Cell unit shows higher performance achievement and understanding compare to the group who use conventional way of learning.Choosing or applying appropriate teaching methods in teaching process in order to achieve educational excellence shows that drilling and training method is effective in teaching and learning among the lower secondary student

A Retrospective Study of Cochlear Re-Implantations - Experience from a Large Centre in India

Objective: Cochlear re-implantation (CRI) is becoming increasingly common throughout the world. However, studies regarding CRI incidence and etiology are lacking from developing countries like ours. The aim of this study was to present the Indian experience with CRI based on our experience. Objectives were to determine the incidence and the indications of CRI and the cumulative survival rate (CSR) of cochlear implantation (CI).Methods: Our study was a retrospective one, conducted at a tertiary care centre in southern India. 1,500 consecutive cochlear implanted ears from 1997 to 2016 were studied. All patients who underwent CRI during this period were included in the study.Results: There were a total of 53 ears (31 male and 22 female ears) who underwent CRI. This gives an incidence of 3.53%. The most common indication of CRI was device failure in 39 ears contributing to 73.6% of the total CRI. The overall CSR of CI in pediatric population was 96.5% over a 20-year period.Conclusion:The CRI incidence and etiology at our centre appears to reflect the findings of the literature. Cochlear implant centres across the world should report the CSR of devices used at their respective centres so that it can be made an important criterion in choice of implant

Outcomes of Cochlear Implantation in Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder and the Role of Cortical Auditory Evoked Potentials in Benefit Evaluation

Objective: To compare the outcomes of cochlear implantation (CI) in children with auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (ANSD) and age-matched controls with profound sensorineural hearing loss, using categories of auditory performance (CAP), speech intelligibility rate (SIR), meaningful auditory integration scale (MAIS), and meaningful use of speech scale (MUSS), and to determine the role of Cortical Auditory Evoked Potentials (CAEP) in benefit evaluation after CI.Methods: Ten patients (8 males and two females) with ANSD who underwent CI were included in the study. Auditory and speech scores were compared between baseline and after 12 months of habilitation in children with ANSD. Post CI speech scores in children with ANSD were compared with the control group (age-matched children with profound sensorineural hearing loss) at 12 months of habilitation. P1 latency of CAEP has a good correlation with auditory and speech scores in children with ANSD in the study group.Results: Significant benefits were seen in children with ANSD who underwent CI compared to the baseline CAP and SIR scores and one year after habilitation. There is no statistically significant difference in outcomes between the two groups with CI (ANSD and profound sensorineural hearing loss) (p-value: CAP=1.00, SIR=0.84, MAIS=0.33, MUSS=0.08). Speech perception in noise test (SPIN) scores in children with ANSD were 63% and 80% with 0 dB signal noise ratio (SNR) and +10dB SNR, respectively. P1 wave of CAEP has a good correlation with the subjective outcomes.Conclusion: CI in children with ANSD has showed benefits comparable to children with profound sensorineural hearing loss. CAEP is a useful tool in objectively assessing cortical maturity in children with ANSD following CI

Measles transmission following the tsunami in a population with a high one-dose vaccination coverage, Tamil Nadu, India 2004–2005

BACKGROUND: On 26 December 2004, a tsunami struck the coast of the state of Tamil Nadu, India, where one-dose measles coverage exceeded 95%. On 29 December, supplemental measles immunization activities targeted children 6 to 60 months of age in affected villages. On 30 December, Cuddalore, a tsunami-affected district in Tamil Nadu reported a cluster of measles cases. We investigated this cluster to estimate the magnitude of the problem and to propose recommendations for control. METHODS: We received notification of WHO-defined measles cases through stimulated passive surveillance. We collected information regarding date of onset, age, sex, vaccination status and residence. We collected samples for IgM antibodies and genotype studies. We modeled the accumulation of susceptible individuals over the time on the basis of vaccination coverage, vaccine efficacy and birth rate. RESULTS: We identified 101 measles cases and detected IgM antibodies against measles virus in eight of 11 sera. Cases were reported from tsunami-affected (n = 71) and unaffected villages (n = 30) with attack rates of 1.3 and 1.7 per 1000, respectively. 42% of cases in tsunami-affected villages had an onset date within 14 days of the tsunami. The median ages of case-patients in tsunami-affected and un-affected areas were 54 months and 60 months respectively (p = 0.471). 36% of cases from tsunami-affected areas were above 60 months of age. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that the sequences of virus belonged to genotype D8 that circulated in Tamil Nadu. CONCLUSION: Measles virus circulated in Cuddalore district following the tsunami, although there was no association between the two events. Transmission despite high one-dose vaccination coverage pointed to the limitations of this vaccination strategy. A second opportunity for measles immunization may help reducing measles mortality and morbidity in such areas. Children from 6 month to 14 years of age must be targeted for supplemental immunization during complex emergencies

Expressing OsiSAP8, a Zinc-Finger Associated Protein Gene, Mitigates Stress Dynamics in Existing Elite Rice Varieties of the 'Green Revolution'

Key message: Overexpression of OsiSAP8 driven by Port Ubi2.3 from Porteresia coarctata imparts drought and salinity stress tolerance in transgenic rice. Stress associated proteins (SAPs) possess the zinc-finger domains that are wildly evolving functional and conserved regions/factors in plants to combat abiotic stresses. In this study, the promoter region of OsiSAP8, an intron-less, multiple stress inducible gene, was compared in silico with a strong constitutive promoter, Port Ubi2.3. This resulted in developing rice, resistant to drought and salinity expressing OsiSAP8 promoted by Port Ubi2.3. (Porteresia coarctata), through Agrobacterium-mediated transformation in the popular rice varieties, IR36 and IR64. Southern blot hybridization confirmed the integration of OsiSAP8, and the T0 transgenic lines of IR36 and IR64 were evaluated for their drought and salinity tolerance. The IR36-T1 progenies showed an enhanced tolerance to water withhold stress compared to wild type and IR64-T1 progenies. Physiological parameters, such as the panicle weight, number of panicles, leaf wilting, and TBARS assay, showed the transgenic IR36 to be superior. The transgenic lines performed better with higher 80-95% relative leaf water content when subjected to drought for 14 days. Gene expression analysis of OsiSAP8 in IR36 T1 showed a 1.5-fold upregulation under mannitol stress. However, IR64 T1 showed a two-fold upregulation in NaCl stress. An enhanced drought and salinity stress tolerance in the transgenic IR36 cultivar through overexpression of OsiSAP8 was observed as it had a native copy of OsiSAP8. This is perhaps the first study using a novel ubiquitin promoter (Port Ubi2.3) to generate drought and salinity stress-tolerant transgenic rice. Thus, we report the overexpression of a rice gene (OsiSAP8) by a rice promoter (Port Ubi2.3) in rice (IR36) to resist drought and salinity

An Improved Method for High Quality Metagenomics DNA Extraction from Human and Environmental Samples

To explore the natural microbial community of any ecosystems by high-resolution molecular approaches including next generation sequencing, it is extremely important to develop a sensitive and reproducible DNA extraction method that facilitate isolation of microbial DNA of sufficient purity and quantity from culturable and uncultured microbial species living in that environment. Proper lysis of heterogeneous community microbial cells without damaging their genomes is a major challenge. In this study, we have developed an improved method for extraction of community DNA from different environmental and human origin samples. We introduced a combination of physical, chemical and mechanical lysis methods for proper lysis of microbial inhabitants. The community microbial DNA was precipitated by using salt and organic solvent. Both the quality and quantity of isolated DNA was compared with the existing methodologies and the supremacy of our method was confirmed. Maximum recovery of genomic DNA in the absence of substantial amount of impurities made the method convenient for nucleic acid extraction. The nucleic acids obtained using this method are suitable for different downstream applications. This improved method has been named as the THSTI method to depict the Institute where the method was developed