Indoor Dust Mites and Fungal Spores: A Major Cause of Asthma and Allergic Rhinitis in the Subjects of Punjab (India)

The present study aims to identify the major allergens (dust mites and fungal spores) that are responsible for allergic rhinitis and asthma in the population of Punjab. Proper history taking followed by skin tests and fungal culture in specific cases are helpful in the diagnosis of allergic manifestations and their treatment. The present survey was carried out to evaluate the sensitivity to dust mites and mold concentrations in the homes of 300 subjects. The home environments of the subjects were evaluated on the basis of questionnaire and by determining the presence of mites and fungi in the dust samples. Based on complete medical history, only 165 subjects of the 300 subjects were selected who were diagnosed with allergic rhinitis and asthma. intradermal skin tests were performed on 165 patients. The patients were divided into 4 groups based on clinical findings 1) Control 2) Allergic rhinitis 3) Asthma 4) Allergic rhinitis and Asthma

Arctic sea-ice proxies: Comparisons between biogeochemical and micropalaeontological reconstructions in a sediment archive from Arctic Canada

Boxcore 99LSSL-001 from the southwest Canadian Arctic Archipelago (68.095°N, 114.186°W), studied by multiproxy approaches (sea-ice diatom biomarker IP25, phytoplankton-based biomarker brassicasterol, biogenic silica, total organic carbon, dinoflagellate cysts = dinocysts, diatoms) and their applications (sea-ice index PBIP25, modern analogue technique (MAT) transfer functions), provides a chronologically constrained (210Pb, 137Cs, two 14C dates) palaeoenvironmental archive spanning AD 1625–1999 with which to compare and evaluate proxies frequently used in sea-ice reconstructions. Whereas diatoms are rare, PBIP25, biogenic silica and qualitative dinocyst approaches show good agreement, suggesting that palaeo sea-ice histories based on biomarker and microfossil techniques are robust in this region. These combined approaches show fluctuating long open water to marginal ice zone conditions (AD 1625–1740), followed by high-amplitude oscillations between long open water and extended spring/summer sea ice (AD 1740–1870). Greater ice cover (AD 1870–1970) precedes recent reductions in seasonal sea ice (AD 1970–1999). Dinocyst-based MAT, however, produces a low-amplitude signal lacking the nuances of other proxies, with most probable sea-ice reconstructions poorly correlating with biomarker-based histories. Explanations for this disagreement may include limited spatial coverage in the modern dinocyst distribution database for MAT and the broad environmental tolerances of polar dinocysts. Overall, PBIP25 provides the most detailed palaeo sea-ice signal, although its use in a shallow polar archipelago downcore setting poses methodological challenges. This proxy comparison demonstrates the limitations of palaeo sea-ice reconstructions and emphasizes the need for calibration studies tying modern microfossil and biogeochemical proxies to directly measured oceanographic parameters, as a springboard for robust quantitative palaeo studies. </jats:p

Process evaluation and quality optimization of apple snack

The decline of formal lunchtime eating is creating a new market segments and strong growth in the snack food market. Busy modern life with lunch at desks and night in front of computers is for snack food consumption. The unhealthy snacks are composed of sugars and fats and considered as "junk" increasing body weight whereas if these unhealthy snacks are supplemented or enriched with well-balanced nutrients, we can have healthy life with enhanced health benefits and consumer satisfaction. Such enrichments can be accomplished by naturally supplementing these foods with proteins, fiber and antioxidants. My thesis research aims to enhance the value of apple fruit snacks by adding soy protein, orange fiber and grape juice concentrate.The two methods were employed for preparing the fruit snack - direct sheet drying and extrusion-drying. Experimental procedure includes drying (fruit leather) and extrusion process (apple extrudates) of apple fruit to obtain apple fruit snack. This was further enhanced with (0-10%) fibre, (0-10%) antioxidant and (0-20%) protein. These three were varied within the range using a CCRD design and the balance was supplemented by applesauce to make it 100%. Nutritional assessment of snack bars was based on the total antioxidant, protein, water activity, Hunter L∗ a∗ b∗ colour, hardness, phenolic composition and sensory quality. The water activity values (<0.75) suggested that the resultant snack bars would possess a good shelf life.Le déclin actuel du dîner formel est en train de créer des nouveaux secteurs de marché autant qu'une forte croissance dans le marché des collations. La vie modern occupée, avec ses dîners devant le bureau et ses nuits devant l'ordinateur, est devenue propice à la consommation des collations. Ces collations malsaines contiennent des sucres et du gras et sont considérées comme de la « malbouffe ». En revanche, si ces mêmes aliments étaient supplémentés ou enrichis avec des éléments nutritifs bien équilibrés, nous pourrions jouir d'une vie saine avec plus de bénéfices pour la santé et une meilleure satisfaction du consommateur. De tels enrichissements peuvent être obtenus en enrichissant ces aliments naturellement avec des protéines, de la fibre et des antioxydants. Ma recherche de thèse vise à améliorer la valeur des barres aux fruits aux pommes en y ajoutant des protéines de soya, de la fibre d'orange et du concentré de jus de raisin.Le processus expérimental inclut le séchage (pour produire une pâte de fruits) et l'extrusion du fruit pour obtenir une barre aux fruits aux pommes. Le produit est ensuite enrichi avec de la fibre (0 à 10 %), des antioxydants (0 à 10 %) et des protéines (0 à 20 %). L'analyse nutritionnelle des barres aux fruits est basée sur la teneur totale en antioxydants, en protéines et en humidité, autant que sur la couleur (Hunter L*a*b*), la dureté, la composition phénolique et la qualité sensorielle. L'activité de l'eau suggère que les barres aux fruits produites ainsi seront munies d'une durée de conservation adéquate. Les résultats de l'analyse spectrophotométrique donnèrent des résultats comparables et fortement corrélés (p < 0,05). Les barres aux fruits enrichies avec des éléments nutritifs peuvent donc être des aliments fonctionnels qui offrent une bonne source de protéines, d'antioxydants et de polyphénols

ISSN: 2250-0138(Online) A STUDY ON THE OCCURRENCE, PREVALENCE AND SPECIES COMPOSITION OF MITE FAUNA IN HUMAN DWELLINGS OF PATIALA CITY, PUNJAB (INDIA)

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TO EVALUATE THE EFFICACY OF DIAGNOSTIC TESTS FOR CANINE SARCOPTIC MANGE IN DOGS

Canine sarcoptic mange is caused by mite Sarcoptes scabiei var. canis. It is an important veterinary disease engendering significant morbidity and mortality in wild, domestic, and farmed animals. During present study, 45 stray dogs suspected for sarcoptic mange along with 10 pet dogs as control were selected to evaluate the efficacy of diagnostic tests used for diagnosing sarcoptic mange. All subjects were subjected to three different diagnostic tests: Pinnal-pedal reflex test, Potassium hydroxide slide test and Potassium hydroxide centrifugation test. 86.67 % of stray dogs and 20 % of pet dogs responded to Pinnal pedal reflex test, 71.1 % of stray dogs and 10 % of pet dogs responded to Potassium hydroxide slide test and 88.89 % of stray dogs and 10 % of pet dogs responded to Potassium hydroxide centrifugation test. The efficacy of Potassium hydroxide centrifugation test was maximum followed by Pinnal pedal reflex test and Potassium hydroxide slide test. Nutrition and hygiene are the major factors for interacting sarcoptic mange