A Statistical Study on Awareness and Attitude of Students of Assam, India towards HIV/AIDS

HIV/AIDS has become a serious problem in India with one of the highest rates of spread in the world. Program managers and policy makers have often recommended that School / College can act at the centre point for disseminating information and education on HIV/AIDS. This paper seeks to examine the existence of a relationship between various socio-economic, demographic factors and the level of awareness as well as the attitude and behavior of college students of Assam about HIV/AIDS. Total of 1650 students from 35 different colleges cutting across 15 different districts of the state of Assam were interviewed. Key Words: HIV/AIDS, Awareness, attitude, logistic regression, odds ratio

Bioremediation of crude oil contaminated tea plantation soil using two Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains AS 03 and NA 108

Crude oil contamination of soil is a major concern for tea industry in Assam, India. Crude oil is a persistent organic contaminant which alters soil physical and biochemical characteristics and makes tea plants more susceptible against crude oil contamination. Therefore, two native bacterial strains designated as AS 03 and NA 108 having crude oil degradation ability was isolated from crude oil contaminated soil. Isolates were evaluated for reduction of crude oil phytotoxicity and soil bioremediation. Biochemical and 16s ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) analysis confirmed that the bacterial strains belong to Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Under in vitro evaluation, it was found that both the strain could tolerate crude oil up to 40% (v/v). However, structural changes including morphology, difference in number of colonies were found in the presence of hydrocarbon in both AS 03 and NA 108. Also, an improvement in growth of bacterized tea plants was observed compared to non-bacterized plants grown in crude oil contaminated soil. The cumulative increment in height was 5 to 42%, compared to non-bacterized plants and with significantly higher root and shoot dry biomass accumulation. Soil treatment with both AS 03 and NA 108 improved soil quality including organic carbon, conductivity, pH and degradation of total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) of the contaminated soil. These findings suggest that the tested bacteria can be exploited for bioremediation of crude oil contaminated soil in the geographical region of Assam.Keywords: Pseudomonas, tea plant, total petroleum hydrocarbon, crude oilAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(19), pp. 2600-261

Nitrite contents in various masticatories prevailing in the state of Assam – a pilot study

Background: The habit of using masticatories is quite common among the population of the state Assam. There are numerous types of masticatories available throughout the state, most of which include areca nut in different forms, accompanied with beetle leaves and tobacco leaves and other associated substances added for flavor. Aim: To determine the level of nitrite present in different types of masticatories prevailing in the state.  Materials & Methods: The classical Griess method was used for the estimation of nitrite in different types of these masticatories prevailing in the state Assam (n=35) using the basic diazotization principle and spectrophotometric determination. Statistical Analysis used: The results obtained were analyzed statistically by using SPSS V.16 software. Results: The result of the study indicate the amount of nitrite in different types of these masticatories, among which highest levels of nitrite was found in raw areca nut with beetle leaves without lime. The presence of lime decreases the amount of nitrite (p<0.05) whereas, the presence of beetle leaves and unprocessed areca nut increases the amount of nitrite (p<0.05) in the masticatories used by the people of the state. Conclusion: From the study conducted, it can be concluded that the presence of lime reduces the amount of nitrite in the masticatories, whereas the presence of beetle leaves and unprocessed areca nut contribute higher amount of nitrite in the masticatorie

The epidemiological and neurological risk factors of Japanese encephalitis virus in the population of Assam, Northeast India

Japanese encephalitis is one of the world's most common public health issues, particularly it is prevalent in the north-eastern Indian states of Assam. This study aimed to find out the risk factors linked to clinical and epidemiological characteristics. A total of 245 cases were found as PCR-positive in Assam. The most common clinical symptoms were fever (87%), seizure (65%), altered sensorium (60%), cold with shivering (74%), vomiting (68%), throat irritation (31%), cough (67%), chest pain (10%), joint pain (18%), mouth ulcer (18%), diarrhea (29%), pain in the abdomen (42.9%), runny nose (64%), redness in eyes (78%), jaundice (25%), and blood in the sputum (25%).   Further, the neurological symptoms included vision problems (66.5%), hearing difficulties (55 %), neck stiffness (62%), limb numbness (65%), dizziness (77%), headaches (75.5%), speaking difficulties (63%), hydrophobia (47%), and abnormal behavior (66%). The epidemiological risk factors included contact with pigs (57%), bats (21%), cattle (32%), and rates (66%). In addition, 24.5% of patients observed the death of animals/birds. The protection measure included window screening, sleeping under a mosquito net, and use of insect repellent while sleeping in open compounds (29%) and floods (63%) are considered important risk factors. JE-positive cases include daily habits like working in agriculture fields (28%), in standing water (16%), swimming in nearby lakes (24%), traveling outside their village (40%), and wearing shirts while working in the field (20%), storing water in open containers in or outside the house (62%). These were the epidemiological factors that affected the abundance of the potential mosquito vectors of the JE infection

Isolation of biosurfactant-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa RS29 from oil-contaminated soil and evaluation of different nitrogen sources in biosurfactant production

Abstract An efficient biosurfactant-producing native Pseudomonas aeruginosa RS29 has been isolated from crude oil contaminated soil. Isolation was followed by optimization of different factors to achieve maximum production of biosurfactant in terms of surface tension reduction (STR) and emulsification index (E24). The isolated strain produced highest biosurfactant in the presence of glycerol after 48 h of incubation at 37.5°C, with pH range of 7-8 and at salinity <0.8% (w/v). The extent of STR and the E24 of medium with different nitrogen sources were investigated and found to be maximal for sodium nitrate (26.3 mN/m, E24=80%) and potassium nitrate (26.4 mN/m, E24=79%). The production of biomass by the designated strain was found to be maximal in ammonium-nitrate-containing medium as compared to the other nitrogen sources. A kinetic study revealed that biosurfactant production is positively correlated with growth of P. aeruginosa, and highest STR was achieved (27.0 mN/m) after 44 h of growth. The biosurfactant was produced as a primary metabolite and 6 g/L crude biosurfactant was extracted by chloroform:methanol (2:1). The critical micelle concentration of the biosurfactant was 90 mg/L. The absorption bands of the FTIR spectra confirmed the rhamnolipid nature of the biosurfactant. The biosurfactant was thermostable (up to 121°C for 15 min) and could withstand a wide range of pH (2-10) and NaCl concentration (2%-10% w/v). The extracted biosurfactant had good foaming and emulsifying activities and was of satisfactory quality in terms of stability (temperature, pH and salinity) and foaming activity

Iodine catalyzed three-component synthesis of β-amino-β-keto-esters and their antimicrobial activity

1505-1512A series of β-amino-β-keto-esters have been prepared in moderate to good yields by a three-component Mannich reaction of aldehydes, benzyl carbamate and β-keto esters in the presence of iodine catalyst under solvent-free condition. All compounds have been tested for antibacterial and antifungal activities. Antagonistic activity of these compounds have been tested <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">in vitro against three gram positive bacteria (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermitidis), two gram negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae) and two pathogenic fungi (Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis) using agar-cup diffusion method. The bioassay result of these compounds in present investigation indicates promising antimicrobial activity against both the bacterial and fungal pathogens. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the potent compounds range between 125 to 3000 µg/mL. </span

Demographic profile of Cervical Cancer development: a hospital based study

Introduction: The present study is an attempt to detect Human papilloma virus infection along with its genotype in cancer cervix and its relation with demographic profile. Methods: Cervical cancer cases were enrolled in between Jan’ 2010 to Dec’ 2012. One sample was collected from non cancerous area of cervix for DNA extraction and two samples were collected from cancerous area of cervix from same patient, one for DNA extraction and other one for histopathological examination to confirm our clinical diagnosis. Extracted DNA was then checked for presence of HPV DNA by PCR amplification method using MY09/11 primer. HPV genotyping was done by using specific primer for HPV16 &amp; HPV18. The cases were compared with their corresponding socio demographic profile. Results: The study showed 88.88% cases found to be HPV positive in cancerous area compared to 7.4% number in non cancerous area. Out of which 95.83% cases to be HPV 16 and only 4.16% were to be HPV 18 in cervical cancer cases. There were other significant risk factor association of cervical cancer with early marriage in 70.36% and high parity 87% of cases. Conclusion: The human papilloma virus type 16 &amp; 18 are the major contributing factor along with other risk factors like early marriage, illiteracy and high parity for cervical cancer in our region

Iodine status, thyroid disorder and feto-maternal outcome among the tribal pregnant women of Eastern Himalayas

Introduction: Iodine deficiency and thyroid disorder during pregnancy have adverse effects on fetal and neonatal outcomes. Objective: To assess iodine status and thyroid functioning during pregnancy and to evaluate the feto-maternal outcome. Methods: Urinary iodine content (UIC) is determined by arsenic cerium catalytic spectrophotometry method and thyroid hormone analysis was carried out by chemiluminescence assay. Fetal and neonatal outcomes were obtained from hospital records. Results: Among the considered tribal pregnant women 56.75% had insufficient urinary iodine and 24.5% had a thyroid disorder. Thyroid disorder was more common in pregnant women with urinary iodine concentration (UIC) 150 μg/L (56.75% vs 41.5%). Pregnant women with UIC150 μg/L. The fetal outcome with UIC <99 μg/L had a higher incidence of low birth weight (9.09%) and preterm births (1.9%). Stillbirths were distributed equally among different UIC groups. The neonatal outcomes with UIC <99 μg/L between 150-249 μg/L had a higher incidence of respiratory distress (5.23%). Hypothermia was equally distributed among different UIC groups. Subclinical hypothyroid had a high prevalence of anemia (62.96%), preeclampsia (3.7%), and GDM (6.17%) respectively than the euthyroid group. The fetal outcome with low birth weight (LBW) (9.87%), stillbirths (3.7%), and preterm birth (8.64%) was more common in the subclinical hypothyroid than in the euthyroid group. Among the neonatal outcomes respiratory distress (6.17%) and hypothermia (4.93%) were more common in subclinical hypothyroid than euthyroid pregnant women. Conclusion: Insufficient maternal iodine and thyroid disorders during pregnancy were associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes

Epidemiology of cervical cancer development- a hospital based study

Introduction: The present study is an attempt to detect Human papilloma virus infection and immunomodulation status in the development of carcinoma cervix. Methods: Cervical cancer cases were enrolled in between Jan’ 2010 to Dec’ 2012. Cervical tissue biopsies from the both the cancerous region as well as the non cancerous control area of the cervix, and whole blood (3ml) were collected from all the study subjects. The tissue samples were collected either in PBS or RNA later solution in vials and stored in -80°C or liquid nitrogen till further use. Whole blood (2ml) was also collected from age matched voluntary female community controls (n=50), the plasma was separated, and stored at -20°C for cytokine analysis. Extracted DNA was then checked for presence of HPV DNA by PCR amplification method using MY09/11 primer. Th1 (IL-12) and Th2 (IL-10) were analysed both at protein as well as cervical tissue level. Results: The study showed 83.33% cases found to be HPV positive in cancerous area as well as in non cancerous area. There were other significant risk factor association of cervical cancer with early marriage in 70.36% and high parity 87% of cases. There is alteration of Th1 and Th2 ratio indicating immunomodulation plays an important role in the development of cervical cancer. Conclusion: The human papilloma virus infections are the major contributing factor as well as immunomodulation plays a major role in the development of cervical cancer in our region