Chromosome Studies and Karyotype Analysis of some Triploid Banana (Musa Species) Cultivars of AAA Genomic Group

Bananas are the highly evolved, oldest fruits known to mankind. The Cavendish group cultivars are popular commercial varieties. AAA genomic group cultivars are said to have evolved from the wild AA Musa acuminata species by natural hybridization and polyploidization and these vigorous triploids were selected by man for cultivation. Basic cytological studies on banana are comparatively few due to the plant's complex nature. In this report, karyo-morphological studies on five AAA Cavendish group cultivars i.e. Robusta, Dwarf Cavendish, Grand Naine, Gros Michel and Red banana are reported. All the five cultivars had similar karyotype, except cv. Robusta. Total chromosome length was highest in Red banana and lowest in cv. Gros Michel

Drive to overpower plastics: Star Polymers

The venture, “Star Polymers” is actively involved in raising the awareness of rational use and treatment of non-biodegradable waste. The journey to overpower plastics by star polymers begins from an existing plastic moulding facility owned by the owner’s (Mr. CK Babu) father; which during the course of time expanded to a socially committed organisation making good profits through plastic recycling. Taking the idea of recycling household plastics from a government workshop, coupling with his social commitment, the entrepreneur started the venture. At present, the polymer company perform moulding of the waste plastic, collected from the six nearby villages into products like electrical fittings and small household accessories. Such recycled material may be used for anything other than for storing food. The metal coated plastic, often found used as sachets for snacks and other food stuffs are unfit for recycling so that it is used for road asphalting, which gives the roads better durability. At present, the organisation is able to process 15 tonnes of waste plastics a month

A comparitive study to evaluate the efficacy of selected Yoga techniques in Perimenopausal Women

Background: Menarche and menopause are the two major components of women’s reproductive life. Perimenopause is a transition stage from reproductive phase to non reproductive phase, which begins several years before the actual menopause. It demands priority in the Indian scenario due to increase in life expectancy and growing population of menopausal women. During this phase there is imbalance in the hormonal levels which causes both physical and emotional symptoms. Yoga, a potential alternative to hormone therapy, is currently being assessed for its therapeutic value in decreasing stress and other symptoms associated with Perimenopause. Hence this study was undertaken to see the effect of selected yoga techniques in reducing the physical and psychological symptoms in Perimenopause women. Materials & Methods: It was an Open Randomized Comparitive Clinical Trial of 2 groups was adopted with pre-test and post-test design. 25 subjects in each group were selected using the inclusion and diagnostic criteria with selected Yogasanas and Pranayama and selected Pranayama respectively. The subjects were taught with selected Yoga techniques for a week and given printed protocol. They were asked to continue the therapy for 60 days. The criteria assessed were irregular menstruation, hot flushes, night sweats, palpitation, fatigue, weakness, depression, insomnia, irritability, mood swing and anxiety on 0th, 30th, 60th and 90th day. Results: Selected Yogasanas and Pranayama has given statistically significant results in reducing all the physiological and psychological symptoms in Perimenopausal women whereas Selected Pranayama showed statistical significance in symptoms like Hot Flushes, Night Sweats, Palpitation, Fatigue, weakness, Insomnia and Irritability and showed no statistical significance in Irregular Menstruation, Depression and Anxiety. Conclusion: The symptoms were reduced statistically in Selected Yogasanas and Pranayama when compared to Selected Pranayama Group. Thus, Perimenopause condition will be effectively managed with Selected Yogasanas and Pranayama

Superkritična fluidna ekstrakcija lovastatina dobivenog fermentacijom na čvrstoj podlozi od pšeničnih mekinja

The objective of the present work is to extract lovastatin with minimum impurity by using supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2). A strain of Aspergillus terreus UV 1617 was used to produce lovastatin by solid-state fermentation (SSF) on wheat bran as a solid substrate. Extraction of lovastatin and its hydroxy acid form was initially carried out using organic solvents. Among the different screened solvents, acetonitrile was found to be the most efficient. SC-CO2 was used for extraction of lovastatin from the dry fermented matter. The effect of supercritical extraction parameters such as the amount of an in situ pretreatment solvent, temperature, pressure, flow rate and contact time were investigated. The maximum recovery of lovastatin was obtained with 5 mL of methanol as an in situ pretreatment solvent for 1.5 g of solid matrix, flow rate of the supercritical solvent 2 L/min, temperature 50 °C, and contact time 155 min at a pressure 300 bar. The lovastatin extract obtained after optimizing the conditions of supercritical fluid extraction was found to have 5-fold more HPLC purity than the organic solvent extract.Svrha je ovoga rada bila izdvojiti lovastatin što veće čistoće pomoću superkritičnog ugljikova dioksida (SC-CO2). Lovastatin je proizveden fermentacijom na čvrstoj podlozi od pšeničnih mekinja s pomoću soja Aspergillus terreus UV 1617. Organskim otapalima ekstrahirani su lovastatin i njegov kiselinski oblik, pa je utvrđeno da je najučinkovitija ekstrakcija acetonitrilom. Da bi se izdvojio lovastatin iz fermentirane suhe tvari, upotrijebljen je superkritični ugljikov dioksid, pri čemu je ispitan utjecaj količine otapala upotrijebljenog za predobradu in situ, temperature, tlaka, brzine protoka superkritičnog otapala i vremena kontakta. Maksimalna količina lovastatina izdvojena je nakon predobrade 1,5 g čvrste podloge in situ s 1,5 mL metanola i 155 minuta ekstrakcije pri brzini protoka superkritičnog otapala od 2 L/min, temperaturi od 50 ºC i tlaku od 300 bara. Optimiranjem uvjeta superkritične fluidne ekstrakcije postignuta je, u usporedbi s klasičnim postupkom ekstrakcije otapalom, peterostruko veća HPLC čistoća lovastatina

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A randomized trial of an Asthma Internet Self-management Intervention (RAISIN): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

<b>Background</b><p></p> The financial costs associated with asthma care continue to increase while care remains suboptimal. Promoting optimal self-management, including the use of asthma action plans, along with regular health professional review has been shown to be an effective strategy and is recommended in asthma guidelines internationally. Despite evidence of benefit, guided self-management remains underused, however the potential for online resources to promote self-management behaviors is gaining increasing recognition. The aim of this paper is to describe the protocol for a pilot evaluation of a website 'Living well with asthma' which has been developed with the aim of promoting self-management behaviors shown to improve outcomes.<p></p> <b>Methods</b><p></p> The study is a parallel randomized controlled trial, where adults with asthma are randomly assigned to either access to the website for 12 weeks, or usual asthma care for 12 weeks (followed by access to the website if desired). Individuals are included if they are over 16-years-old, have a diagnosis of asthma with an Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ) score of greater than, or equal to 1, and have access to the internet. Primary outcomes for this evaluation include recruitment and retention rates, changes at 12 weeks from baseline for both ACQ and Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ) scores, and quantitative data describing website usage (number of times logged on, length of time logged on, number of times individual pages looked at, and for how long). Secondary outcomes include clinical outcomes (medication use, health services use, lung function) and patient reported outcomes (including adherence, patient activation measures, and health status).<p></p> <b>Discussion</b><p></p> Piloting of complex interventions is considered best practice and will maximise the potential of any future large-scale randomized controlled trial to successfully recruit and be able to report on necessary outcomes. Here we will provide results across a range of outcomes which will provide estimates of efficacy to inform the design of a future full-scale randomized controlled trial of the 'Living well with asthma' website

भारत के शक्तिकुलंगरा और नीण्डकरा तटों की किशोर मात्स्यिकी पर आनाय का प्रभाव

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Study of physical, social and cognitive functioning of children with congenital adrenal hyperplasia

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: To study the physical, social and cognitive functioning of children with congenital adrenal hyperplasia. METHODOLOGY: All clinically and biochemically confirmed cases of CAH on treatment were included in the study based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Totally 55 cases were enrolled. Detailed history is obtained from patient’s records. Clinical examination done and anthropometric measurements were plotted on standard charts. Investigations like 17OHP levels and x-ray for bone age were done for all. Vineland social adaptive behavior scale and CBCL were used for determination of social functioning. Cognitive assessment was done using different scales appropriately used for different age groups. RESULTS: About 62% were salt wasters and 38% were simple virilisers. 86% of these kids were born of consanguineous marriage. 16% had statistically significant family history when analysed comparing the two types of disease. 20% of these kids had altered growth pattern with 9% of them with short stature and 11% of them with their height >+3 z scores. Steroid dose and Height showed poor negative correlation with p value of 0.007. 20% of our kids were obese. None were hypertensive. But 22% of them were in the prehypertensive state. 4% of them had advanced bone age. 40% of kids had moderately low social adaptive skills. 20% of our population were aggressive. 15% of them had ADHD. 53% of them had only borderline IQ levels. CONCLUSION: CAH is a disease which not only affects growth but also may reduce the cognitive functioning in children. It also increases the risk for psychiatric disorders. Hence it is necessary do psychological and cognitive assessment in CAH children