Mineralization changes substituted type B carbonate of PO43− ion in the bone minerals of an archaeological sample studied using fourier self deconvolution technique

277-282The aim of this study was to describe the compositional changes in the archaeological specimen using FTIR. Fourier deconvolution was applied in the carbonate (500-650 cm−1), phosphate (900-1200 cm−1), and in the amide region (1700-1600 cm−1). The deconvolution of the spectra in the phosphate region 1200-900 cm−1 reveals six components 960 cm−1, 1010 cm−1, 1020 cm−1, 1030 cm−1, 1110 cm−1 and 1120 cm−1. The bone mineral such as CO32−, PO43− particle, collagen, and organic materials were studied in detail from the infrared spectra. The computed parameters such as collagen development, mineralization index, C/P proportion, crystalline index, and maturing of bone help us in characterizing the bone samples. The Low estimation of C/P proportion resulted in changes in Type B carbonate (PO43−) substitution. The absence of phosphate band ~1100 cm−1 and formation of β sheet structure were observed in the samples studied. Increased level of mineralization resulted in the increased in the crystalline nature of the bone samples. The study indicates the utilization of FTIR using self deconvolution technique which helps in understanding the compositional changes in the archaeological sample

Hairy root induction from hypocotyl segments of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Hairy roots were induced from hypocotyl explants excised from seven day old aseptically grown seedlings of groundnut using Agrobacterium rhizogenes 15834. The percentage of hairy root induction and number of hairy roots per ex-plant varied with infection period. The suitable co-cultivation period was 48 h. The hairy roots were fast growing, thin, slender and sometimes having branches which varied in their morphological nature. The cefotaxime concentration of 250 mgL-1 was found to be most suitable for hairy root induction in groundnut

Combining ability analysis and gene action of grain quality traits in rice (Oryza sativa L.) using line × tester analysis

In rice, twelve lines were crossed with five testers in a line × tester mating design and the resultant 60 hybrids along with their parents were evaluated for their combining ability effects for 15 grain quality traits. The results revealed that the ratio of GCA: SCA variances computed for all the fifteen grain quality traits showed the predominance of non-additive gene action. Among the lines, ADT (R) 47 showed significant desirable gca effects at 1% probability level (p = 0.01) for 11 grain quality traits viz., hulling percentage, milling percentage, head rice recovery percentage, kernel breadth, kernel breadth after cooking, breadth wise expansion ratio, gelatinization temperature, amylose content, gel consistency, water uptake and volume expansion ratio. Among the testers, Pusa 1460 showed significant desirable gca effects at 1% probability level (p = 0.01) for 10 grain quality traits viz., kernel length, kernel breadth, kernel length/breadth ratio, kernel length after cooking, kernel breadth after cooking, linear elongation ratio, gelatinization temperature, amylose content, water uptake and volume expansion ratio and hence they were adjudged as the best combiners for the improvement of the respective traits. Among the hybrids, the hybrids CO 47/Imp., Samba Mahsuri, ADT (R) 47/IRBB 21 and ADT (R) 46/IRBB 21 were identified as best hybrids for exploitation of grain quality traits since they revealed significant sca effects at 1% probability level (p = 0.01) for eight, eight and five grain quality traits, respectively

Crumpled sheet like graphene based WO3-Fe2O3 nanocomposites for enhanced charge transfer and solar photocatalysts for environmental remediation

The combination of two or more metal oxides onto graphene sheets with even distribution is projected to enhanced charge transfer properties in photocatalytic applications. We report, tungsten oxide (WO3) with iron oxide (Fe2O3) nanoparticles grown on graphene sheets via a facile economical one pot hydrothermal method and consequently characterized by standard analytical techniques. Synthesized Fe2O3 with WO3 nanoparticles were well ornamented on surface of the graphene sheets which have a significant charge transfer properties. The resulting hybrid WO3-Fe2O3-rGO (WFG) nanocomposites showed enhanced photocatalytic, heavy metal removal and antibacterial activities. The superior photocatalytic removal efficiencies were observed for the removal of rhodamine B (∼94%) and methylene blue dyes (∼98%) under solar light irradiation. The antibacterial activity of WFG nanocomposites were performed against Escherichia coli (E.coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S.aureus) as models for Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. The outcome of the results have an intellectual effect on the use of WFG nanocomposites to address the upcoming energy and environment issues

Prospective analysis of favorable prognostic factors in carcinoma breast

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The cancer of breast with its uncertain cause has captured the attention of physicians throughout the ages. It is one of the most common carcinoma occurring in females and it is a devastating illness both physically and mentally. In India, Breast cancer is second most common, malignancy among women next to Ca cervix. According to the National Cancer Registry, Bangalore has the highest age adjusted incidence rate in India (36.6). Chennai ranks third (32.6). GLOBOCAN (WHO) reports that India has the highest number of breast cancer deaths in the world (70218) followed by China (47984) and USA (43909). AIM OF THE STUDY: The purpose of the study is to identify the prognostic factors in primary carcinoma breast and emphasize the need of awareness and public education regarding carcinoma breast and its early detection The utility of prognostic factors lies not only in their ability to prognosticate the outcome of the disease but also in detecting early disease, monitoring of disease course, screening for recurrent disease. METHODOLOGY: Study Design and Sampling: This is a prospective analytical study of 95 Cases of Cancer Breast diagnosed and treated at KAPV Government Medical College and Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Government Hospital, Tiruchirapalli over a period of 2 years from May 2012 to August 2014. At presentation a detailed history was taken and clinical examination done. Diagnosis was confirmed histologically and investigations like Blood Biochemistry, chest X-ray, ultrasound abdomen were also done to stage the disease. In patients presenting with locally advanced breast disease or metastatic disease investigations like CT abdomen, CT chest, mammogram of opposite breast, pleural fluid and ascitic fluid cytology were done. The modality of treatment was decided based on stage of disease at presentation and operability. Most of the patients with early breast cancer I II A, II B, III A underwent modified radical mastectomy. Inoperable stage IIIA, IIIB, IIIC were treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by Modified radical mastectomy. Patients with Metastatic disease received palliative chemotherapy and radiotherapy. All cases were followed up at monthly interval with clinical examination, blood count and biochemistry, ultrasound abdomen, chest X ray, Mammography was done at 3 monthly interval during the follow up period. Data obtained were recorded in a specific proforma and analysed in systematic way. Inclusion Criteria: All histologically proven cases of cancer breast were included in the study. Immunohistochemical studies of ER, PR receptors were done in 20 patients. Exclusion Criteria: patients who where operated and referred for further management from outside hospital were excluded from the study. RESULTS: 1. The commonest age of presentation was 40 – 50 years of age. 2. About 47.36 were premenopausal and 46.31 were postmenopausal 5.26% were Nullipara. 3. Commonest mode of presentation was painless lump in 46.31%. 4. Most of the patients presented with stage III disease 62.09%. 5. Lymphnode positivity during presentation was about 69.46%. 6. Invasive ductal carcinoma was the commonest pathological variety in our stage. Histological grade I was found in 56.84%. 7. Most of our patients presented with tumor size more than 5 cm (67.36%). 8. Modified Radical mastectomy was done in 90 patients. Toilet mastectomy was done in 5 patients presenting with ulceration/fungating lesions. 9. Resected margins were found to be positive in 5 patients all of them were given radiotherapy. Three of them developed locoregional recurrence 2 developed metastasis. One in lung, one in brain. 10. Lymphnode examination for metastatic deposits in pathological specimen showed positivity in 49 patients. More than 6 nodes were positive for metastatic deposits in 13 patients. Of which 4 developed locoregional recurrence and one developed liver, lung metastasis. One patient with supraclavicular node developed spine metastasis. All patients were treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. 11. Histologic grade 1 found in 44.21 of patients, grade 3 found in 10.52% of our patients (10 Pts) of which 3 locoregional recurrence had. 2 developed lung secondaries during the follow up period. 12. Patients who developed lung metastasis had Tumor size more than 8cm during presentation and 1 of them had histological grade III invasive ductal carcinoma. Supraclavicular node was involved in one patient. 13. One patient with brain metastasis had Tumor size of 6 cm during presentation, she had more than 6 nodes positive for deposits in pathological resection specimen. 14. One patient who developed both spine and liver metastasis presentedwith tumor involving all quadrants. 15. In the hormone receptor study done in 20 cases. (10 cases in premenopausal age group and 10 cases in postmenopausal age group), estrogenreceptor positivity was seen in 65% (13cases), negativity for both receptors in 35% (7 cases) with increase in positivity in older age group (50-59 years). 1. ER+, PR- tumours (5/10 cases) are more prevalent in postmenopausal age group constituting 50%. 2. Special histological variants like papillary carcinoma, lobular carcinoma are positive for ER and PR.Medullary and Metaplastic variants are negative for both receptors. In our study, ER /PR negative found in 7 patients. Among them one patient with ER/PR –ve medullary carcinoma developed local recurrence, and one patient with ER/PR –ve metaplasic carcinoma developed lung metstasis. 16. Nottingham Prognostic index was found to have direct correlation with prognosis in our study. In 32 of our patients with NPI more than 5.4, 5 had local recurrence, 3 had lung metastasis, 2 developed spine metastasis and one developed brain metastasis during follow up. CONCLUSION: The prognostic markers in carcinoma breast which needs to be routinely assessed are axillary lymphnode status, tumour size, histologic grade, estrogen and progesterone receptor status, post operative findings like positive margins as they are needed in planning of adjuvant treatment

Influence of Nickel Coating on Flexural and Dynamic Behaviour of Aluminium

AbstractElectroless deposition is an autocatalytic chemical technique to deposit a layer of metal on a thin work piece in the presence of a reducing agent. In this work the changing structure of nickel deposits on aluminum and its alloys at the early stage of electroless nickel deposition using sodium hypophosphite ion as a reducing agent has been studied. The influences of nickel coating on flexural and dynamic behaviour of aluminium are investigated using experimental and numerical methods. Three-point bending tests are performed on coated & uncoated aluminium. The natural frequency of coated specimen and uncoated specimen has been studied. The nickel coating increases the natural frequency in aluminium. Experimental results are compared with finite element Analysis

Development of a Reference Set of Sorghum (\u3cem\u3eSorghum\u3c/em\u3e spp.) for Cyanogenic Potential (HCN-p) and Evaluating Their Fodder Yield Traits

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) the fifth most important cereal crop of the world is also valued for its fodder and stover. In India, fodder sorghum is grown in 2.6 mha mainly in western UP, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan and Delhi and fulfils over two-third of the fodder demand. Sorghum has four desirable qualities viz., high dry matter yield, light, water and nitrogen use efficiency. Sorghum stover is valued over all other sources of fodder. Thus, sorghum is used as fodder to the domestic animals for its better performance. The projected demand for fodder in India in 2020 is expected to be 855 MT of green fodder, 526 MT of dry matter and 56 MT of concentrate feed (Dikshit and Birthal, 2010). In this perspective it is important to develop genotypes of high fodder yield and nutritive value. Cases of cyanide poisoning in animals feeding on sorghum forage have been reported in many parts of the country. HCN is absorbed into the blood stream very quickly and inhibits theanimal’s ability to deliver oxygen to tissue for cellular respiration. According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, the minimum lethal blood concentration level for HCN is approximately 3.0 μg/ml or less. It is highly desirable that the toxicity of cyanogenic plants to livestock be reduced. This is achievable by selective breeding, screeningof germplasm for low-HCN-p, mutagenesis and genetic engineering. With this background, the present investigation was contemplated among sorghum germplasm accessions to develop a reference set for cyanogenic potential (HCN-p). These accessions were also evaluated for fodder yield traits and entries with low HCN-p and high biomass were identified

GREEN SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF SILVER NANOPARTICLES FROM WITHANIA SOMNIFERA (L.) DUNAL

The metal nanoparticle synthesis is highly explored the field of nanotechnology. The biological methods seem to be more effective because of slowreduction rate and polydispersity of the final products. The main aim of this study is too the rapid and simplistic synthesis of silver nanoparticlesby Withania somnifera Linn. at room temperature. The exposure of reaction mixtures containing silver nitrate and dried leaf powder of W. somniferaresulted in reduction of metal ions within 5 minutes. The extracellular synthesized silver nanoparticles were characterized by ultraviolet-visible,infrared (IR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction studies, zeta potential, Fourier transform IR, and scanning electron microscopy. The antibacterial andantifungal studies showed significant activity as compared to their respective standards. From the results, W. somnifera sliver nanoparticle has attainedthe maximum antimicrobial against clinical pathogens and also seen very good stability of nanoparticle throughput processing. As we concluded, thistype of naturally synthesized sliver nanoparticle could be a better green revolution in medicinal chemistry.Keywords: Antimicrobial activity, Silver nanoparticles, Withania somnifera

Improving knowledge of street food vendors through an educational intervention in Kandy district, Sri Lanka

Background: Street food sector plays an important role in urban areas of many developing countries in catering to the needs of the urban population. Contamination of ready to eat food and beverages sold by street food vendors rendering them unacceptable for human consumption has become a global problem. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of providing a health educational programme in improving knowledge related to food safety on street food vendors.Methods: Study used a quasi-experimental pre-test, post-test design. Evaluation instruments consisted of a questionnaire and a checklist. A total number of 427 street food vendors were included. A visual educational intervention was developed to provide training to all vendors in the intervention area. The study areas covered were method of food contamination, personal hygiene, safe food handling of potentially hazardous street vended food and time temperature control.Results: The results of the pre intervention survey showed that the baseline knowledge was poor. Vendors had unfavorable views particularly towards available facilities and support services. It was revealed that over 50% of the study population had received information on safe food handling though public health inspectors. Post intervention showed knowledge had improved significantly in the intervention group in all subject areas, when compared to control group (p<0.001).Conclusions: Health education intervention was effective in improving knowledge of the street food vendors in safe food handling practices and food borne disease prevention