Awareness and Use of Library Resources and Services among the Social Science Researchers: A Case Study

Libraries play a vital role in the promotion of education, training, research and other development programmes by providing wider and deeper access to information for social science researchers. Social science researchers are the end users of information, and hence, various resources have been devised to facilitate social science research outputs. The present study focuses on the level of awareness regarding library resources and facilities, frequency of use, the purpose of using the library services and facilities among the social science researchers of ISEC library, Bangalore. The study reveals that, the majority of the respondents are aware of library collections, such as Books (100%), National Journals (95.97%) and international journals (86.22%) etc., and with regard to library services, 89.12% of the respondents are aware of photocopy services provided by the library 85.55% of the respondents are aware of different reference services available in the library, while opining that these services are important for their research. The regression results show that in respect of researcher category, accessing index journals and thesis/dissertations is statistically significant. The findings of the study also show that the major purpose of using the library services and facilities on the part of researchers is to search for the most relevant information required for their research

Midostaurin inhibits hormone-refractory prostate cancer PC-3 cells by modulating nPKCs and AP-1 transcription factors and their target genes involved in cell cycle

Background: The development of prostate cancer from a clinically localized, hormone-naive state to a hormonerefractory phenotype involves a complex interplay of protein kinase C (PKC) and activator protein-1 (AP-1). Therefore, the present study aimed to uncover the roles of PKC and AP-1 through midostaurin-mediated regulation�a multi-target protein kinase inhibitor. Methods: Androgen Receptor-negative, hormone-refractory prostate cancer cells (PC-3) were used as an in-vitro model system. The effect of midostaurin on cell viability was assessed by an MTT assay. Expression studies on PKC-α, PKC-d, different AP-1 transcription factors, and AP-1 regulating genes were analyzed by semiquantitative RT-PCR, and protein levels of Bcl-2 were evaluated by western blotting. Results: Midostaurin decreased the viability of hormone-refractory PC-3 cells. Furthermore, midostaurin significantly induced the transcripts of apoptotic-mediated PKC-d, tumor suppressor p53, cell cycle inhibitor p21cip1/waf1, death receptor TNF-α, pro-apoptotic Bax, and Caspase-8, and eventually inhibited the expression of pro-survival PKC-ε, pro-oncogene c-Jun, c-Fos, Fra-1, positive growth regulator cyclin D1, and anti-apoptotic Bcl-2. In addition, midostaurin also decreased the protein expression of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2. Conclusion: The present study provided evidence that midostaurin suppresses tumor growth and induces apoptosis in hormone-refractory PC-3 cells via modulation of PKC-d and PKC-ε expression, and regulation of PMA-altered c-Jun, c-Fos, and Fra-1 AP-1 transcription factors and their target genes involved in cell cycle regulation (cyclin D1, p53, p21, Bcl-2, and TNF-α). Thus, pharmacological targeting of PKC and AP-1 factors may have therapeutic potential against hormone-refractory prostate cancer. © 2017, Higher Education Press and Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature

An approach to obtain specific polyclonal antisera to Xanthomonas campestris pv. cyamopsidis and its potential application in indexing of infected seeds of guar

Clusterbean seed health testing is warranted since the pathogen (Xanthomonas campestris pv. cyamopsidis (Xccy)) is seed-borne and seed-transmitted. A polyclonal antibody was developed in rabbit via subcutaneous and intramuscular injections and characterized for sensitivity, specificity and its applicability to ELISA which: (i) was sensitive in detecting as few as 102 cells ml−1 at a titre of 1:4000; (ii) was specific, since it reacted only with Xccy and not with other xanthomonads; (iii) reacted both with Xccy cells and culture filtrate, indicating that the antigenic determinant is a secretory component; (iv) was applicable and reliable in seed health testing since it reacted only with infected seeds and plant materials and not with healthy seeds and (v) a purified fraction of antibody was virulent-specific since heat-denatured and avirulent isolates were not detected. The ELISA thus developed is highly reproducible and therefore suitable for the evaluation of the potential disease status of seeds and plant health, which is appropriate for routine seed health testing

Loungu (Carpenter worm): Indigenous Delicious Insects with Immense Dietary Potential in Nagaland state, India

Carpenter worms of genus Cossus (Lepidoptera: Cossidae) are common wood-boring insects that can cause significant damage to several economically important plant species across the globe. Nevertheless, these worms are a popular delicacy among the indigenous population of Nagaland state of India since age old days. The carpenter worms (locally known as ‘Loungu’) are culturally significant during the Te-l Khukhu festival of Southern Angami region, annually held during July. The direct larval consumption is also cited for medicinal value. Rearing of carpenter worm is gaining popularity in hill tracts of Nagaland, because of its potential as a viable source of income for the rural population. The present study aimed to determine the eventual nutritional value of the larva by approximating its nutritional potential for the first time. Proximate analysis presents a significantly higher value of crude fat (37%), crude protein (48%), crude fibre (12.90%) and an appreciable calorific value. Close correlation between increased polyphenol value with its higher antioxidant capacity and pigment content is strongly evident. Nevertheless, the larva also provides appreciable quantities of dietary minerals reflected in terms of higher zinc and iron content. Analysis of thin layer chromatography undertaken in the study interestingly identified some of the essential amino acids, viz., methionine, lysine, leucine, histidine, threonine etc. This is the first report pioneering other detail studies to establish the significant value of carpenter worm larvae as an exotic dietary supplement among the indigenous Naga population, thereby providing more impetus for its promotion and commercialization

Compare Outcomes Of Single Stage Vs Two Stage Urethroplasty For Panurethral Strictures Including Pre-Operative And Post-Operative Course

Aim: The aim of the present study was to compare outcomes of single stage vs two stage urethroplasty for panurethral strictures including pre-operative and post-operative course. Methods: The Observational study was conducted at Dr. D.Y. Patil Medical College and Research Centre, Pimpri for the period of 2 years. The study was conducted in 40 patients randomly dividing into two groups, 20 patients underwent single stage urethroplasty and 20 underwent two staged urethroplasty with or without buccal mucosal graft urethroplasty based on size of urethral plate. Results: In the present study, majority of the patients belonged to 41-50 years age group followed by 31-40 years age group and it was found that age groups were not statistically significant. Majority of the patients had Balanitis xerotica obliterans (LS) etiology followed by Post instrumentation/catheter and the results were not statistically significant. Majority of the patients had 13-15 cms length of stricture. In the present study, 12 and 16 were narrow external uretheral meatus in single and two stage respectively. In the two stage, Johanson’s urethroplasty procedure was done and in single stage, Kulkarni’s full length dorsal onlay BMG urethroplasty procedure was done. In single and two stage, Urethrocutaneous Fistula and Epididymo-orchitis complications were noted. In single stage, success was noted in 16 patients and in two stage, success was noted in 17 patients. Conclusion: The single stage repair in patients with LS had good results with less re-stricture rates. The use of BMG as a substitution in single stage repair had re-stricture rates compared to flaps substitution. The two-stage repair should be limited to complex urethral strictures, failed urethroplasty and obliterated urethral stricture urethral caliber is less than 6F

Primary Carcinoma of the Fallopian Tube: A Review of a Single Institution Experience of 8 Cases

Aims and Objectives. To evaluate the clinicopathologic features, response to cytoreductive surgery and adjuvant platinum-based chemotherapy with or without paclitaxel. Materials and Methods. A retrospective observational study of 8 women with a histopathologic diagnosis of primary fallopian tube carcinoma (PFTC) from January 2000 to February 2013. Results. 4/8 (50%) of the women were in the early stage and an intraoperative frozen section was 100% effective in identifying fallopian tube carcinoma and then a staging laparotomy was performed. All 4/8 cases in the early stage had received and responded to single agent carboplatin and all are alive without clinical, radiological, or biochemical evidence of recurrence at the end of 2 years and the longest survivor has completed 13 years. Primary optimal cytoreductive surgery was achievable in 3/4 (75%) in advanced disease. All showed response to adjuvant paclitaxel and carboplatin (T+C), but all had succumbed to the disease following recurrence with mean progression-free survival of 19 months (range 15–21 months) and mean overall survival of 27 months (range 22–36 months). Conclusion. The pivotal role played by a frozen section in diagnosing PFTC which is rare needs to be reemphasized, therefore justifying a primary staging laparotomy in an early stage. Prolonged survival observed in this group following an optimum tailored adjuvant single agent carboplatin is worth noting

Bhoochetana: Building Resilience and Livelihoods through Integrated Watershed Management. Resilient Dryland Systems Report No. 62.

Rainfed areas are hotspots of poverty and malnutrition, and are prone to severe land degradation of natural resources. Globally, 80% of agriculture is rainfed providing 62% of the world’s staple food. With increasing population over the years, per capita availability and quality of land and water resources have declined substantially resulting to water scarcity. Agriculture is the major consumer of water, accounting for 70-80% of water withdrawal. With the impacts of climate change, existing water and land scarcity will be aggravated further. Producing food for the ever growing population to achieve food and nutrition security, and improving rural livelihoods are challenges to be met today as well as in the near future. Agriculture is the major contributor in the growth of the state of Karnataka, India and is still the mainstay for a large number of population in the state economy. However, trends are showing that the agriculture and allied sectors’ contribution to Karnataka’s GDP was around 43% in 1980-1981 that came down to 26% in 2001-2002, which further came down to 16.8% in 2007-2008, remaining stagnant in 2009-2010. This declining contribution of agriculture in the state GDP was a big concern for the state government

Protocol for process evaluation of a randomised controlled trial of family-led rehabilitation post stroke (ATTEND) in India

Introduction We are undertaking a randomised controlled trial (fAmily led rehabiliTaTion aftEr stroke in INDia, ATTEND) evaluating training a family carer to enable maximal rehabilitation of patients with stroke-related disability; as a potentially affordable, culturally acceptable and effective intervention for use in India. A process evaluation is needed to understand how and why this complex intervention may be effective, and to capture important barriers and facilitators to its implementation. We describe the protocol for our process evaluation to encourage the development of in-process evaluation methodology and transparency in reporting. Methods and analysis The realist and RE-AIM (Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation and Maintenance) frameworks informed the design. Mixed methods include semistructured interviews with health providers, patients and their carers, analysis of quantitative process data describing fidelity and dose of intervention, observations of trial set up and implementation, and the analysis of the cost data from the patients and their families perspective and programme budgets. These qualitative and quantitative data will be analysed iteratively prior to knowing the quantitative outcomes of the trial, and then triangulated with the results from the primary outcome evaluation. Ethics and dissemination The process evaluation has received ethical approval for all sites in India. In low-income and middle-income countries, the available human capital can form an approach to reducing the evidence practice gap, compared with the high cost alternatives available in established market economies. This process evaluation will provide insights into how such a programme can be implemented in practice and brought to scale. Through local stakeholder engagement and dissemination of findings globally we hope to build on patient-centred, cost-effective and sustainable models of stroke rehabilitation. Trial registration number CTRI/2013/04/003557

Managing soil fertility constraints in market-led shift to high value agriculture for benefiting smallholders in the semi-arid tropics

Low productivity and cultivation of low value crops in the Indian semi-arid tropics (SAT) is the main cause for poor farm-based livelihoods. Poverty leading to low risktaking ability of farmers and production related constraints like widespread multi-nutrient deficiencies are major stumbling blocks for shifting to high value agriculture. Realizing the need to support povertyentrapped smallholders to connect to markets, the government of Karnataka state in India supported market-led shift to high value agriculture through a consortium of technical institutions and convergence of agricultural schemes. New widespread deficiencies of secondary and micronutrients like sulfur (52% farms), zinc (55%) and boron (62%) along with earlier known deficiencies of nitrogen (52%) and phosphorus (41%) were identified as main constraints for realizing productivity potential and a threat for sustainability. Policy supported initiative during 2011/12 showed more economic returns with diversified high value crops and strengthened 0.23 million smallholders. On-farm evaluations of soil test-based nutrient balancing to tomato, okra, brinjal, chilies, onion, cabbage and beans increased productivity by 5 to 58% over the farmers’ practice of adding macronutrients only. Small additional cost (` 770 to 1520 per ha) of balanced nutrition significantly increased additional benefits (` 5300 to 74,000 per ha) with fairly high cost-benefit ratio (1:4 to 1:82). Substantial returns enhanced risk-taking ability of smallholders to manage productivity constraints in future by themselves. Results showed that initial little investments in science and market-led social assistance programs should be a way forward for mainstreaming poverty-entrapped smallholders in other parts of SAT