Impact of BCG vaccination on tuberculin surveys to estimate the annual risk of tuberculosis infection in south India

Background & objectives: Annual risk of tuberculosis infection (ARTI) computed from prevalence of infection measures the extent of tuberculosis transmission in the community and it is used to monitor the tuberculosis control programme. This is usually derived from tuberculin surveys among children not vaccinated with BCG. This study explores whether the estimated ARTI among BCG vaccinated children is comparable to that of unvaccinated children. Methods: Three tuberculin surveys were undertaken among children aged <10 yr as part of assessing the impact of DOTS implemented in Tiruvallur district, south India. The prevalence of infection was estimated using the anti-mode method among vaccinated and unvaccinated children. The ARTI was computed separately and compared in all the three surveys. Results: The prevalence of infection among unvaccinated and vaccinated children in the first survey were 7.8 per cent (95% CI: 7.1-8.6) and 7.9 per cent (95% CI: 7.1-8.8) respectively (ARTI was estimated to be 1.6 per cent in both groups) and the difference was not statistically significant. The corresponding figures for children test read in the second and third surveys were 6.9 per cent (95% CI: 6.2-7.6) and 6.8 per cent (6.0-7.5) and; 6.0 per cent (5.2-6.7) and 6.0 per cent (5.5-6.5) respectively. The computed ARTI was respectively 1.4 and 1.2 per cent among unvaccinated children in the second and third surveys; and 1.4 and 1.2 per cent among vaccinated children in the second and third rounds. Interpretation & conclusion: There was no difference in the infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis among vaccinated and unvaccinated children. BCG vaccinated children may thus be included for estimation of infection to assess the extent of transmission in the community as well as for monitoring purpose

Assessment of prevalence and risk factors of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia in tertiary care hospital

Background: Pre-eclampsia and eclampsia are two conditions in which high blood pressure essentially complicates pregnancy by causing oedema and/or albuminuria. The present study was undertaken among pregnant women to determine the prevalence of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia as well as to assess the association between risk factors and pre-eclampsia, risk factors and eclampsia and to determine the complications of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia. Method: A prospective observational study was conducted over a period of six months at obstetrics inpatient department of Basaveshwara Medical college and hospital, Chitradurga. Results: Total of 583 pregnant women who visited the inpatient department were enrolled, out of which study showed that the prevalence of pre-eclampsia was 91 (15.67%) and eclampsia was 54 (9.26%). A statistically varied significance level of p=0.00001 to 0.05 for risk factors such as age, primigravida, birth interval, pre-existing disease, placental abnormalities, multiple pregnancy, past history, proteinuria were found to be associated with pre-eclampsia and eclampsia. The complications such as pre-term birth, neonatal death HELLP syndrome (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets), Foetal growth restriction were found. Out of which pre-term birth was the most observed complication in both pre-eclampsia and eclampsia. Conclusions: Considering the significant association between the risk factors and pre-eclampsia, eclampsia from the study we conclude that early diagnosis is essential. Lack of antenatal care, limited access to medical facility and lack of resources have influenced in late diagnosis in our set up. As evidenced by study proper awareness should be provided to the pregnant women

Standardisation of agro-techniques for flower quality parameters in ornamental sunflower (Helianthus annus L.)

An experiment was carried out on standardisation of agro-techniques for flower quality parameters in ornamental sunflower during 2012-13 at GKVK, campus, College of Horticulture, University of Horticultural Sciences, Bagalkot. In three way interaction effect longest stalk length (36.33) was in the treatment combination of mulching i.e M1 (with mulch) with a spacing of S1 (60 cm x 40 cm) at the fertilizer rate F1 (40:60:40 NPK kg ha-1). Stalk girth was maximum with mulching treatment of M1 (with mulch) at a spacing of S1 (60 cm x 40 cm) with the fertilizer rate of F3 (80:90:80 NPK kg ha-1) and without mulch at the spacing of S1 (60 cm x 40 cm) with fertilizer rate of F3 (80:90:80 NPK kg ha- 1) recording 0.49 and 0.46 cm respectively. Mulching i.e M1 (with mulch) at spacing S1 (60 cm x 40 cm) with fertilizer rate if F3 (80:90:80 NPK kg ha-1) produced plants with largest flower head diameter (13.24 cm). The treatment combinations of M1 (with mulch) + S1 (60 cm x 40 cm) + F3 (80:90:80 NPK kg ha-1) 4.65 cm recorded broadest flower disc diameter. Considering the results ornamental sunflower can be grown best without mulching, at a spacing of 60 x 30 cm or 60 x 40 cm with optimum to higher fertilizer dose to give best flower quality in ornamental sunflower

Evaluation of ornamental sunflower for value addition

An experiment was conducted at College of Horticulture, GKVK, campus, Bengaluru, UHS, Bagalkot during 2012-13 to study the suitability of ornamental sunflower for dry flower production. Highest flower weight loss was with corn meal and silica gel (90.75 and 88.45 per cent). Silica gel followed by borax powder took least number of days for drying of flower heads (9.40 and 12.60 days respectively). Colour retention in dried ornamental sunflower was highest with control treatment and silica gel with a score of 4.63 and 4.44. Flower appearance was best with silica gel (4.44) which was at par with control with a score of 3.81. Best texture score of (4.31) was highest with silica gel followed by control (shade), corn meal and alum powder which recorded 3.63, 3.31 and 3.25 respectively. Best flower shape after drying period as with silica gel (4.38).The results reveal silica gel and corn meal as best drying agents in ornamental sunflower

The electron electric dipole moment enhancement factors of Rubidium and Caesium atoms

The enhancement factors of the electric dipole moment (EDM) of the ground states of two paramagnetic atoms; rubidium (Rb) and caesium (Cs) which are sensitive to the electron EDM are computed using the relativistic coupled-cluster theory and our results are compared with the available calculations and measurements. The possibility of improving the limit for the electron EDM using the results of our present work is pointed out.Comment: AISAMP7 Conference paper, Accepted in Journal of Physics: Conference Series: 200

Relativistic calculations of the lifetimes and hyperfine structure constants in 67^{67}Zn+^{+}

This work presents accurate {\it ab initio} determination of the magnetic dipole (M1) and electric quadrupole (E2) hyperfine structure constants for the ground and a few low-lying excited states in $^{67}$Zn$^{+}$, which is one of the interesting systems in fundamental physics. The coupled-cluster (CC) theory within the relativistic framework has been used here in this calculations. Long standing demands for a relativistic and highly correlated calculations like CC can be able to resolve the disagreements among the lifetime estimations reported previously for a few low-lying states of Zn$^{+}$. The role of different electron correlation effects in the determination of these quantities are discussed and their contributions are presented.Comment: 9 pages, 1 figure. submitted to J. Phys. B Fast Trac

Signal-to-noise measurements utilizing a novel dual-energy multimedia detector

Dual-energy measurements are presented utilizing a novel slot-scan digital radiographic imaging detector, operating on gaseous solid state ionization principles. The novel multimedia detector has two basic functional components: a noble gas-filled detector volume operating on gas microstrip principles, and a solid state detector volume. The purpose of this study is to investigate the potential use of this multimedia detector for enhanced dual-energy imaging. The experimental results indicate that the multimedia detector exhibits a large subtracted signal-to-noise ratio. Although the intrinsic merit of this device is being explored for medical imaging, potential applications of the multimedia detector technology in other industrial areas, such as aerospace imaging, aviation security, and surveillance, are also very promising

Exploring Biorthonormal Transformations of Pair-Correlation Functions in Atomic Structure Variational Calculations

Multiconfiguration expansions frequently target valence correlation and correlation between valence electrons and the outermost core electrons. Correlation within the core is often neglected. A large orbital basis is needed to saturate both the valence and core-valence correlation effects. This in turn leads to huge numbers of CSFs, many of which are unimportant. To avoid the problems inherent to the use of a single common orthonormal orbital basis for all correlation effects in the MCHF method, we propose to optimize independent MCHF pair-correlation functions (PCFs), bringing their own orthonormal one-electron basis. Each PCF is generated by allowing single- and double- excitations from a multireference (MR) function. This computational scheme has the advantage of using targeted and optimally localized orbital sets for each PCF. These pair-correlation functions are coupled together and with each component of the MR space through a low dimension generalized eigenvalue problem. Nonorthogonal orbital sets being involved, the interaction and overlap matrices are built using biorthonormal transformation of the coupled basis sets followed by a counter-transformation of the PCF expansions. Applied to the ground state of beryllium, the new method gives total energies that are lower than the ones from traditional CAS-MCHF calculations using large orbital active sets. It is fair to say that we now have the possibility to account for, in a balanced way, correlation deep down in the atomic core in variational calculations

Alterations of renal phenotype and gene expression profiles due to protein overload in NOD-related mouse strains

BACKGROUND: Despite multiple causes, Chronic Kidney Disease is commonly associated with proteinuria. A previous study on Non Obese Diabetic mice (NOD), which spontaneously develop type 1 diabetes, described histological and gene expression changes incurred by diabetes in the kidney. Because proteinuria is coincident to diabetes, the effects of proteinuria are difficult to distinguish from those of other factors such as hyperglycemia. Proteinuria can nevertheless be induced in mice by peritoneal injection of Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA). To gain more information on the specific effects of proteinuria, this study addresses renal changes in diabetes resistant NOD-related mouse strains (NON and NOD.B10) that were made to develop proteinuria by BSA overload. METHODS: Proteinuria was induced by protein overload on NON and NOD.B10 mouse strains and histology and microarray technology were used to follow the kidney response. The effects of proteinuria were assessed and subsequently compared to changes that were observed in a prior study on NOD diabetic nephropathy. RESULTS: Overload treatment significantly modified the renal phenotype and out of 5760 clones screened, 21 and 7 kidney transcripts were respectively altered in the NON and NOD.B10. Upregulated transcripts encoded signal transduction genes, as well as markers for inflammation (Calmodulin kinase beta). Down-regulated transcripts included FKBP52 which was also down-regulated in diabetic NOD kidney. Comparison of transcripts altered by proteinuria to those altered by diabetes identified mannosidase 2 alpha 1 as being more specifically induced by proteinuria. CONCLUSION: By simulating a component of diabetes, and looking at the global response on mice resistant to the disease, by virtue of a small genetic difference, we were able to identify key factors in disease progression. This suggests the power of this approach in unraveling multifactorial disease processes

Regulation of endothelial cell plasticity by TGF-β

Recent evidence has demonstrated that endothelial cells can have a remarkable plasticity. By a process called Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition (EndMT) endothelial cells convert to a more mesenchymal cell type that can give rise to cells such as fibroblasts, but also bone cells. EndMT is essential during embryonic development and tissue regeneration. Interestingly, it also plays a role in pathological conditions like fibrosis of organs such as the heart and kidney. In addition, EndMT contributes to the generation of cancer associated fibroblasts that are known to influence the tumor-microenvironment favorable for the tumor cells. EndMT is a form of the more widely known and studied Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT). Like EMT, EndMT can be induced by transforming growth factor (TGF)-β. Indeed many studies have pointed to the important role of TGF-β receptor/Smad signaling and downstream targets, such as Snail transcriptional repressor in EndMT. By selective targeting of TGF-β receptor signaling pathological EndMT may be inhibited for the therapeutic benefit of patients with cancer and fibrosis