Determination of Lead and Cadmium in Sugar and Cement Industry Effluents of North Karnataka

The  aim of this study is to assess the extent of lead and cadmium contamination in effluent released from sugar and Cement Industries in north Karnataka. Physicochemical analysis of effluent reveals that the concentration of lead (0.05mg/l)and cadmium(0.01mg/l) is greater than the permissible limit. The effluent as well as contaminated water is extensively used for the irrigation and drinking purposes in the surrounding areas. Several studies of heavy metal constituents in molasses and other sugars have been conducted

Status of Pesticide Residue in Grapes of Bijapur (Karnataka)

AbstractGrapes grown in Bijapur district (Karnataka) were analysed for pesticide residue content employing multiresidue analysis by gas liquid chromatography equipped with ECD and NPD detectors. All the fruit samples showed the presence of one or the other group of pesticides. Out of 8 samples analyzed only two samples showed pesticide residue content below the European MRL.  The detected pesticides are Chlorothalonil, Chloropyriphos, Monocrotophos, Triazophos, Cypermethrin, Lamda Cyhalothrin, Matalaxyl, Flusilazole, Hexaconazole, Myclobutanil, Penconazole, Propiconazole, Triadimenol, Difenoconazole,  Carbendazim,  Azoxystrobin. On the bases of these studies it is suggested that pesticide residue monitoring should be extended to the grape grown for the supply in domestic market similar to the export quality, which may serve as basis for the future policy in chemical use. Keywords: Grape, Gas Liquid chromatography (GLC), Maximum Residue Limit (MRL), Pesticide

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Not AvailableCereals provide more than half of global human caloric intake. Though cereals are nutritious, their nutritional density, especially of micronutrients, is far below recommended level in the products we consume. Due to this, over three billion individuals are malnourished globally. About 45 micronutrients (required in μg to mg quantity) including some mineral elements, vitamins, essential amino acids and fatty acids are vital to human body. In addition, antinutrients in food staples, reduced accumulation by plants and low bioavailability of minerals contribute further to micronutrient deficiencies. Vitamin-A, iron and iodine deficiency disorders are the most common. Hence, there is a need to evolve viable strategies of micronutrient enrichment in dietary staples. Of the three major strategies viz., dietary diversification, supplementation and food fortification, agronomic and/or genetic fortification is the cost effective and sustainable way to address the problem of malnutrition. Considering the severity of malnutrition, the HarvestPlus initiated genetic biofortification program of staple food crops focusing on most limiting nutrients viz., iron, zinc, and vitamin A. Most of the HarvestPlus biofortified varieties are bred through conventional breeding. However, MAS and transgenics are also used to biofortify crops in the research programmes other than the HarvestPlus. More than 150 biofortified varieties of 10 crops have been released in 30 countries. More than 20 million people are consuming biofortified crops such as vitamin-A maize, iron pearl millet, zinc rice, zinc wheat, etc. Continuous efforts are needed still to biofortify staples and to encourage adoption further by farmers and consumers. With our present technological competence, multibiofortified staples can be developed by gene stacking. Much work on biofortification is still needed through collaborative and multi-sectoral approaches along with the strong policy support. In future, in addition to deployment of conventionally bred biofortified varieties, transgenic biofortified varieties may be approved and deployed.Not Availabl

Should patients be on antithrombotic medication for their first arteriovenous fistulae?

PURPOSE: Evidence on the effect of antithrombotic medication on reducing early and late fistula failure is inconclusive. Antithrombotic use carries risks in patients with end-stage renal failure and could increase the risk of needling complications as a result of bleeding. The objectives of this study are to determine the effect of antithrombotic agents on early and late fistula failure and on the risk of interrupted start of cannulation of the fistula. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of two prospectively maintained databases of access operations and dialysis sessions of 671 patients who had their first fistula between 2004 and 2011. Early failure was defined as failure to reach six consecutive dialysis sessions at any time with two needles on the index form of access. Fistula survival was defined as the time from when the fistula was first used to fistula abandonment. RESULTS: Primary failure was similar between patients on antiplatelet (18.8%), anticoagulants (18.4%) or no antithrombotic medication (18.8%; p = 0.998). Antithrombotic medication did not have an effect on AVF survival (p = 0.86). Antithrombotic medication did not increase complicated cannulation rates, defined as the percentage of patients failing to achieve six uninterrupted dialysis sessions from the start (p = 0.929). CONCLUSIONS: Antithrombotic medication had no significant effect on primary failure rate, long-term fistula survival or initial complicated cannulation rates in our study. This suggests that patients already on antithrombotic medication can continue taking them without increasing the risk of interrupted dialysis