Status of soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 in knee osteoarthritis among type 2-diabetic postmenopausal women

Background: Knee osteoarthritis is the most common form of joint disorder and a leading cause of pain and functional disability among elderly female population.  Type 2-diabetes is frequently reported comorbidity in elderly female patients with knee osteoarthritis. VCAM-1 is emerging as a strong and independent predictor for severe osteoarthritis. VCAM-1 is an inducible cell surface sialo glycoprotein and mediates heterotypic cellular aggregation. Therefore, the aim of this study is to assess the role of soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 at the onset of knee osteoarthritis among type 2 diabetic postmenopausal women.Methods: The present study includes 100 type 2-diabetic female subjects of age above 50 years as cases and 100 normal healthy female age matched individuals as controls. Osteoarthritis of knee was ascertained using the American college of rheumatology classification criteria. Serum soluble VCAM-1 concentration was measured by ELISA method in all 200 subjects. Biochemical parameters-Fasting blood sugar and lipid profile were measured using Mind ray BS-400 and HbA1c was measured by turbidimetric immunoassay method. Statistical analysis was made by student independent sample t-test. Correlation was determined by using spearman’s rank correlation coefficient.Results: Serum level of soluble VCAM-1 was found statistically highly significant (p<0.001) in type 2 diabetic postmenopausal women having early stage of knee osteoarthritis as compared to control healthy subjects. The mean levels of fasting blood sugar, HbA1c, total cholesterol, TG, LDL-C and VLDL-C were also found significantly increased while HDL-C was found significantly decreased in cases as compared to controls.Conclusions: The increased level of soluble VCAM-1 in type 2 diabetic subjects shows active inflammation or cartilage damage. Therefore, it can be used as an early biomarker for osteoarthritis among type 2 diabetic postmenopausal women

Mariculture of mussels in India

Worldwide, bivalves are recognised as a source of inexpensive protein of high nutritional value. In India bivalve resources are still exploited at a subsis tence level. The growth performance, natural abundance, adaptability to new environment, simple and inexpensive culture techniques have made mussel a candidate species for culture operations. The bivalve mussels of the genus Perna are ex tensively cultured in Thailand, Philippines and New Zealand

Alumina Supported Co–K–Mo Based Catalytic Material for Diesel Soot Oxidation

Alumina supported Co–K–Mo based mixed metal oxide type catalytic materials have been prepared by co-impregnation. These catalysts show excellent activity for carbon as well as diesel soot oxidation, which could be due to the redox properties of Mo and Co as well as to a synergistic effect of molybdenum, cobalt, and K contents. The catalyst containing 5 wt% molybdenum shows a lowering of carbon oxidation by about 190 °C under loose contact conditions as compared to the non-catalyzed reaction, as well as to bare alumina. Characterization studies suggest a composite nature of these materials, while thermal stability investigations confirm the stable nature. The selected catalyst has been studied by XPS, however, it is difficult to conclude which are the important factors contributing to the catalytic activity. It appears to be a synergistic effect of Co, K, and Mo components as these catalysts show much improved activity as compared to the individual components in supported and unsupported forms

Metal exchanged zeolites for catalytic decomposition of N2O

Ru + Ag/US-Y and Ru + Co/US-Y based catalysts have been studied for their catalytic activity towards N2O decomposition, a reaction of current environmental importance. Ruthenium-cobalt based catalyst shows higher catalytic activity than the ruthenium-silver-based catalyst. Almost 90% conversion ofN2O is achieved over Ru + Co/US-Y at 583 Kwith amaximumof 0.134 mmol of N2O decomposed per gramof the catalyst per unit time. These catalytic materials have been characterized for their structure, composition, morphology etc. using XRD, SEM, EDX, ICP, BET techniques. The synergistic effect of transition metals as well as chemical properties of US-Y are responsible for the excellent catalytic activity for N2O decomposition reaction. The redox capacity of Co may also be responsible for the relatively better activity of Ru + Co based catalyst as compared to that of Ru + Ag based catalyst. These catalysts are thermally stable and can be used for the direct decomposition ofN2Oemissions even under high concentration

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Not AvailableThe objectives of sowing operation are to put the seed along with fertilizer in rows at desired depth and seed to seed spacing, cover the seeds with soil and provide proper compaction over the seed. The machinery such as seed cum fertilizer drill with attachment of furrow irrigated raised bed (FIRB), broad bed furrow (BBF) and ridge & furrow systems are used to sow the seeds on raised beds in a pulverized soil so as to allow easy emergence of seed with proper moisture availability and better drainage during excess rainfall events. Several researchers have studied the effect of seed cum fertilizer drill with attachment of Furrow Irrigated Raised Bed (FIRB), Broad Bed Furrow (BBF) and Ridge & Furrow systems on water sensitive crop soybean. The present paper reviewed such studies to conclude the better sowing method on the growth and yield of soybean crop in vertisols of India.Not Availabl