Grasslands of Arid Kachchh, India: Present Status and Management Strategies for Higher Productivity

The hot arid region covers an area of 31.70 million hectares in India, covering seven states that include Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra. The arid region in Gujarat is distributed in eight districts namely, Kachchh (100% of the district area), Jamnagar (80%), Surenderanagar (29%), Junagadh (20%), Banaskantha (18%), Mehsana (7%), Ahmadabad (6%) and Rajkot (6%). Gujarat accounts for 19.6% of the total arid zone in the country of which Kachchh district alone accounts for more than 70% arid area of the state (Shamsudheen et al., 2009). Under the conditions of low and erratic precipitation, high evapotranspiration and poor soil physical and fertility conditions, grasses and trees form the major vegetation that make natural rangelands and hence grasslands form one of the major ecosystem types in Kachchh. There are two major unique grassland ecosystems in Kachchh, namely Banni and Naliya. Banni, once referred as Asia`s finest grasslands cover an area of 2,617.72 km2 constituting 51.56% grassland area in Kachchh whereas Naliya grassland is covered in 654 km2 (12.89%) (GEER GUIDE, 2011). Banni alone constitute 45% of the permanent pasture and 10% of the grazing land available in Gujarat state (Patel, 2013). However these grasslands are under degraded condition due to biotic and abiotic factors including climatic factors, overgrazing, invasion of Prosopis juliflora, construction of dams and salinity ingress (Dayal et al., 2009b). To revive the grasslands introduction of native and potential alternate grasses are needed along with scientific management practices (Dayal et al., 2009a). The objective of this paper is to highlight the current status of research findings on measures to improve grassland productivity of rangelands in Kachahh region

Alterations of thyroid function in overweight and obese children: An update

Background: Children with simple overweight and obesity may have alterations in the function of various endocrine organs. Abnormal function of the thyroid gland is seen in about one-fifth of children with obesity. The underlying mechanisms of obesity-associated thyroid dysfunction are still unclear, and hence, the specific treatment with levothyroxine (LT4) is controversial. This review discusses the causes of thyroid dysfunction and its management in pediatric obesity. Methods of Evidence Acquisition: The literature search for this narrative review was performed using international databases including PubMed/Medline, EMBASE, SCOPUS, and Google Scholar and relevant information was extracted from articles on thyroid dysfunction in obesity with an emphasis on the most recent studies. Results: The most common thyroid function abnormality in children with obesity is an isolated increase in thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) followed by minor changes in the ratios of triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). Several mechanisms have been proposed for the thyroid dysfunction in obesity, but none explains it fully, and hence, the clinical implications remain unclassified, and the specific treatment with levothyroxine is controversial. There are a few studies in children with obesity-related thyroid dysfunction and the effect of normalization of thyroid function on weight. However, there are limited data on the effect of normalization of thyroid function by either weight loss or levothyroxine (LT4) treatment on the various metabolic consequences closely associated with thyroid dysfunction in obesity. Conclusions: Further research is needed to elucidate the exact mechanisms of thyroid dysfunction in childhood obesity. In addition, larger studies are required to understand the beneficial effects of specific LT4 treatment on weight and on the other thyroid related metabolic derangements in childhood obesity, especially in view of the recent findings of induction of browning of white adipose tissue by thyroid hormones. Until new research establishes its benefits, specific LT4 treatment of thyroid dysfunction in childhood obesity should be avoided

High Sucrose Low Magnesium Diet Modulates the Expression of PI3K and ERK2 in Different Tissues of Weanling Rats

Abstract Activation of the insulin receptor initiates signaling through both the phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase and the mitogen-activated protein kinase [MAPK, also referred to as extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK1/2)] pathways. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of feeding high sucrose low magnesium diet to weanling rats on the insulin signal transduction pathways. To accomplish this, a nongenetic type 2 diabetic rat model was developed in the laboratory by feeding high sucrose+ Low Mg (HSLM) diet to weanling rats and the expression of the downstream effectors of insulin signaling pathway was studied. The Expression of ERK2 and PI3 Kinase was assessed in adipose tissue, skeletal muscle and liver of control and experimental diet fed rats. The results obtained clearly indicated a decrease in the expression of ERK2 and PI3 Kinase in all the three tissues from HSLM diet fed rats when compared to control rats, thereby confirming that Sucrose+ Low Mg feeding ultimately leads to insulin resistance via a decrease in the expression of the downstream effectors of the insulin signaling pathway

Growth and yield of grasses and regumes as influenced by the strip-intercropping system under arid conditions of Kachchh

A field experiment involving four grasses (Cenchrus setigerus, Cenchrus ciliaris, Dicanthium annulatum and Sporobolus marginatr,rs) and two legumes (Ctitoria ternatia and Stysanthes hamata) with total 14 treatment combinations (6 sole and g grass-legume stnpintercropping) was undertaken at ICAR-central Aidzone Research lnstitute, Regional Research Station, Kukma, Bhuj, Gujarat' India in randomized complete block design with three replications, during khctrif season of 2015/2016. The observations on plant height, number of tiller or branch per plant' leaf-stem ratio, fresh herbage and dry matter yield and land equivalent ratio were recorded' Results of the experiment revealed that among grass species the Dicanthium anulatum recorded higher plant height (132 cm) and the number of tiller per plant (92.5) inthe combination of Sylosanthes hamata and Clitoria ternatia, respectively. However, Cenchrus ciliaris in association with Clitoria ternatia was found superior with respect to the leaf-stem ratio (1.23). Between two legumes, Clitoria ternatia in the combination of Dicanthium anulatumhad higher plant height (95 cm). Whereas Sylosctnthes hamata in the combination of Dicanthium anulatum recorded higher number of branch per plant (54.5) and the leaf-stem ratio (1.24), respectively. Across the strip-intercropping systems, Dicanthium anulatumbased intercropping systems yielded higher fresh herbage yield, dry matter yield and land equivalent ratio. Dicanthium anulatum + Clitoria ternatia followed by Dicanthium annulatum + sylosanthes hamata had higher fresh herbage (9389 kg ha-1) and dry matter yield (5051 kg har) and the land equivalent rario (1.4g). Results of the experiments indicated that Dicanthium annulatumbased stnp-intercropping systems were the most suitable for the arid conditions of Kachchh as they yielded higher fresh herbage, dry matter yields and land equivalent ratio, respectively

Wild Halophyte Plants as Potential Fodder Resource under Extreme Saline Environment of Kachchh, Gujarat, India

Rann of Kachchh in North West India is a unique saline marshy desert. It is described as a desolate area of unrelieved, sun-baked saline clay desert, shimmering with the images of a perpetual mirage (Mountfort et al., 1991) and is regarded as the largest salt desert in the world. In the Indian part it stretches in 7505.22 sq. km known as Great Rann and 4,953 sq. km known as Little Rann. The Ranns turns into marshy land by inundated water from runoff during monsoonal rainfall and water driven by forces of winds and tides from Arabian Sea making the area unapproachable especially during June to September and in reminder of months the area remain as a hyper saline desert. Even at these extreme saline conditions certain halophytic plants come up from the native seed bank/ roots once the water gets evaporated as these plants possess some mechanisms to survive salinity even higher than that of sea water (Goswami et al., 2014). Some of these plants are grazed by livestock of the area. Due to uncontrolled grazing by ever increasing livestock population and increasing demand for fuel wood, in these deserts the natural diversity of these halophytes are at stake (Arndt et al., 2004). Information on the diversity of halophytes in the hyper saline desert in relation to varying degree of salinization is not available. Therefore the present study was undertaken to study the distribution of halophyte grasses and non-grasses in Great Rann of Kachchh and their usefulness as fodder resource

Analysis of Livelihood Structure of Pastoralists in Banni Grassland in Kachchh District of Gujarat in India

Banni grassland in Kachchh district of Gujarat in India is situated at 69024’ E longitude to 23042’ N latitude axis and spread in about 3847 sq km area. Banni region is a vast salt affected plain and experiences arid climate with average rainfall of 317mm received by southwest monsoon spread between June to September with high coefficient of Variation of 65%. Banni grassland is home to migratory pastoralists, generally called maldharies, for more than 500 years. Banni area comprises of 48 hamlets/villages organized into 19 Panchayats with a population of approximately 40,000 people. Maldharies are landless and depend upon village commons (Gauchars) for their livestock rearing. Banni buffaloes, kankrej cows, sheep, goat and camel are the domesticated animals. Breeding of kankrej bullocks and banni buffaloes for draught and milch purpose respectively was the traditional occupation and main source of income for maldharies. They breed and sell these animals to farmers in Gujarat and other parts of the country. Since late 1970s there has been a gradual shift in livestock population formerly dominated by kankrej cows to one now dominated by banni buffaloes. Change in vegetation pattern, especially invasion of Prosopis juliflora is attributed as one of the main reasons by farmers for this occupational shift. Feeding on P. juliflora pods over a period of time leads to dislocation and weakening of jaws in cows leading to their death. Mechanization of agriculture in Kachchh and other parts of Gujarat has led to reduction in use of bullocks for draught purpose. Consequently the demand for kankrej bullocks has also reduced drastically. On the other hand, banni buffaloes are tolerant to ill effects of feeding on P. juliflora. Hence, number of banni buffaloes has increased drastically since 1980s when compared to kankrej cows. Improved road connectivity of villages in banni area to Bhuj city and other towns and establishment of milk collection centers in the region has also played a vital role in growth and development of banni buffalo based dairy enterprise. These internal and external factors have led to change in occupational structure in banni region. Hence, documentation of changes in occupational structure and the driving factors behind such change is important. This research paper has the objective of analyzing the combination of various livelihood options available for pastoralist households of banni region

Fall in Vitamin D Levels during Hospitalization in Children

Plasma levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] were measured by competitive Electrochemiluminescence Immunoassay (ECLIA) in 92 children (67 boys, 25 girls) aged 3 months to 12 years at admission to hospital (timepoint 1, T1) and at discharge (timepoint 2, T2). There was a significant fall in the mean 25(OH)D from T1 (71.87 ± 27.25 nmol/L) to T2 (49.03 ± 22.25 nmol/L) (mean change = 22.84 nmol/L, P value = 0.0004). Proportion of patients having VDD (levels <50 nmol/L) at admission (25%, 23/92) increased significantly at the time of discharge (51.09%, 47/92) (P=0.0004). There was a trend towards longer duration of hospital stay, requirement of ventilation and inotropes, development of healthcare-associated infection, and mortality in vitamin D deficient as compared to nondeficient patients though the difference was statistically insignificant. In conclusion, vitamin D levels fall significantly and should be monitored during hospital stay in children. Large clinical studies are needed to prospectively evaluate the effect of vitamin D supplementation in vitamin D deficient hospitalized children on various disease outcome parameters

Pediatric papillary thyroid carcinoma successfully managed with a multimodal approach

Malignant tumours of the thyroid gland are rare in children. The tumours tend to be advanced at the time of presentation, but the overall survival is still better as compared to adults. The use of radioiodine ablation or treatment for the post-thyroidectomy gland remnants or recurrences improves patient survival. The reports of a multimodal approach that involves surgery as the primary treatment along with radioiodine ablation (RIA) are rare in the pediatric age group. We describe here a child with metastatic papillary thyroid carcinoma treated with a multimodal approach