Size of Passive Solar Greenhouse Determine Growth and Yield of Cauliflower and Cabbage During Winter in High Mountain Ladakh Region, India

The length and span of passive solar greenhouse are important factors that determine greenhousemicroclimate. However, there are no established length and span recommendations for guiding construction of passive solar greenhouse in high altitude regions, especially above 3000 m asl. Majority of the farmers in trans- Himalayan regions have preference for low-cost small size (<10 m length) passive solar greenhouses. We studied two different sized greenhouses and found that a large greenhouse (27.4 m length, 8.2 m width) was better than a small greenhouse (9.8 m length, 5.5 m width) for growing cauliflower and cabbage in winter. The large greenhouse remained 1.5±0.3 to 7.4±2.1 °C warmer during daytime, and 0.6±0.1 to 1.5±0.8 °C warmer at night. All the recorded plant growth parameters were higher in the large greenhouse. The mean marketable weight of cauliflower cv. Shantha was 599±35 g in the large greenhouse as against 537±42 g in the small greenhouse. Similarly, the marketable weight of cabbage cv. Golden Acre in the large greenhouse was significantly higher (619±53 g) than the small greenhouse (523±121 g). Therefore, large passive solar greenhouses are recommended for farmers in high altitude trans-Himalayan Ladakh regions

Jejunal microvilli atrophy and reduced nutrient transport in rats with advanced liver cirrhosis: improvement by Insulin-like Growth Factor I

BACKGROUND: Previous results have shown that in rats with non-ascitic cirrhosis there is an altered transport of sugars and amino acids associated with elongated microvilli. These alterations returned to normal with the administration of Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I (IGF-I). The aims of this study were to explore the evolution of these alterations and analyse the effect of IGF-I in rats with advanced cirrhosis and ascites. Thus, jejunal structure and nutrient transport (D-galactose, L-leucine, L-proline, L-glutamic acid and L-cystine) were studied in rats with ascitic cirrhosis. METHODS: Advanced cirrhosis was induced by CCl(4 )inhalation and Phenobarbital administration for 30 weeks. Cirrhotic animals were divided into two groups which received IGF-I or saline during two weeks. Control group was studied in parallel. Jejunal microvilli were studied by electron microscopy. Nutrient transport was assessed in brush border membrane vesicles using (14)C or (35)S-labelled subtracts in the three experimental groups. RESULTS: Intestinal active Na(+)-dependent transport was significantly reduced in untreated cirrhotic rats. Kinetic studies showed a decreased V(max )and a reduced affinity for sugar and four amino acids transporters (expressed as an increased K(t)) in the brush border membrane vesicles from untreated cirrhotic rats as compared with controls. Both parameters were normalised in the IGF-I-treated cirrhotic group. Electron microscopy showed elongation and fusion of microvilli with degenerative membrane lesions and/or notable atrophy. CONCLUSIONS: The initial microvilli elongation reported in non ascitic cirrhosis develops into atrophy in rats with advanced cirrhosis and nutrient transports (monosaccharides and amino acids) are progressively reduced. Both morphological and functional alterations improved significantly with low doses of IGF-I

Raw edible plants of cold desert Ladakh

182-184The paper describes 31 plants species belonging to 15 families, used as raw edibles by the tribal communities of Ladakh region. Various plant parts, viz. bulbs, roots, leaves, leaf-stalks, fruits and seeds used in different ways such as edibles fruits, Chutnies, edibles in salads and used for flavouring food products are discribed. In far-flung areas where, there is no communication available, the tribal communities are still dependant on wild resources for fulfilling their daily needs

<i style="">Podophyllum </i>L.: An endergered and anticancerous medicinal plant–An overview

234-241Podophyllum hexandrum Royle syn P. emodi Wall. ex Hook.f. &amp; Thoms. is an endangered and valuable medicinal plant, distributed in the Himalayan zone at an altitudes ranging from 2000 to 4000 m above MSL. It is an herbaceous and rhizomatous perennial plant also found in few pockets of Indian cold desert (Ladakh and Lahaul-Spiti). Its rhizomes and roots contain about 8% of podophylloresin from which several lignans were isolated. Amongst the most important being podophyllotoxin (4% on a dry weight basis) which has cytotoxic and antitumour properties, and also used in the treatment of certain forms of cancer. In past few years, the frequency of this species in nature has declined considerably because of unscientific exploitation to meet the everincreasing demand of pharmaceutical sector. Podophyllum hexandrum has an increasing demand in national and international market because of more than double amount of podophyllotoxin content found in it, than P. peltatum (American Podophyllum). This article briefly reviews the botanical, medicinal, phytochemical, pharmacological, conservation, market and trade related aspects of the plant. An attempt has also been made to compile and document information on other aspect of Podophyllum hexandrum, other species of such as P. peltatum, P. sikkimenmsis and also highlight the need for its research and development

The REP-b (removal of endometrial pathologies-basket) in-office hysteroscopy

The aim of this study was to assess the safety, effectiveness and advantages of a new surgical technique for the extraction of endometrial polyps after in-office hysteroscopic polipectomy. Between November 2009 and September 2013, 140 pre- and post-menopausal women with a sonographic diagnosis of endometrial polyps underwent polypectomy in-office hysteroscopy, followed by lesion removal using classical surgical instruments or the new REP-b technique. A total of 70 women underwent endometrial polyp removal using the new surgical technique REP-b (GROUP A), and 70 women received endometrial polyp removal using classical surgical instruments (GROUP B). The extraction time Tr, calculated as the time from the introduction of the basket into the operative hysteroscopic sheath to the complete removal of the previously sectioned polyp, in GROUP A (REP-b technique) was significantly lower compared with GROUP B (control group). The median Tr for GROUP A was 29.50 s versus the median Tr for GROUP B of 54.00 s (P&lt;0.01). The use of the REP-b technique improves the outcome of the operation and reduces the extraction time for the removal of endocavitary uterine lesions