Reducing poisoning by arsenic in tubewell water

Rwanda must create an additional 200,000 jobs per year to absorb its expanding population. Increasing exports could play an important role in achieving this goal. A new policy brief by the IGC outlines the challenges Rwanda needs to overcome to improve its trade balances

Monitoring change in land use and land cover in Rupnagar district of Punjab, India using Landsat and IRS LISS III satellite data

Information about change is necessary for updating Land Use/ Land Cover LULC maps and the management of natural resources. The paper aims to map the changes in the LULC using hybrid classification methods and to quantify the land use/ land cover change that took place in the Rupnagar district of Punjab. The paper promotes the classification of LULC based on remote sensing information (obtained mainly through the utilization of Thematic Mapper TM) to generate data products that are both appropriate to, and immediately usable within different scientific applications. Satellite data provides the basis for geographically referenced land use/land cover characterization that is internally consistent, repeatable over time, and potentially more reliable. The main objective of this study is to quantify the change in the area of various LULC classes. Classification of four reflective bands of three Landsat images was carried out by using Isodata clustering algorithm with the aid of ground truth data. The second part focused on land use/ land cover changes by using the change detection comparison (pixel by pixel). The change analysis was performed by post image classification method, comparing the data from three different dates. The result indicates there was a rapid change in land use/land cover due to the increase in population. The results indicate that severe land cover changes have occurred in cropland (225.97 km2), dense forest (128.57 km2), settlement (93.5 km2), salt affected land (9.74 km2) and water body (11.69 km2) areas from 1989 to 2006

Genetically modified Cotton species detection by LISS-III satellite data

It is possible to infer the genetically modified species by using remotely sensed data. Using ERDAS software the algorithm of BT (Bacillus thuringiensis) Cotton in Punjab, India was developed successfully. GPS enabled space technology has the potential to identify the exact location of Bt Cotton by generating Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) for the calculation of total area covered by this species. It was possible to develop a correlation in between genetically modified Cotton crop and NDVI value. In parts of Bhatinda district of Punjab the yield of Bt Cotton and NDVI showing R2 value of more than 4.5 in regression analysis. A correlation matrix was also generated which shows that NDVI values of BT cotton has reasonably acceptable correlation with Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) of soil and water also

Genetically modified Cotton species detection by LISS-III satellite data

It is possible to infer the genetically modified species by using remotely sensed data. Using ERDAS software the algorithm of BT (Bacillus thuringiensis) Cotton in Punjab, India was developed successfully. GPS enabled space technology has the potential to identify the exact location of Bt Cotton by generating Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) for the calculation of total area covered by this species. It was possible to develop a correlation in between genetically modified Cotton crop and NDVI value. In parts of Bhatinda district of Punjab the yield of Bt Cotton and NDVI showed R2 value of more than 4.5 in regression analysis. A correlation matrix was also generated which shows that NDVI values of BT cotton also has reasonably acceptable correlation with Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) of soil and water

Study of the hyperglycemic condition in diseases of liver in non-obese clinical patients

Hyperglycemia is best documented by Whipple´s triad: symptoms compatible with hypoglycemia, low blood glucose concentration and alleviation of symptoms after the glucose concentration is raised. In experimental studies in healthy adults, fifteen out of the 19 patients who developed hypoglycaemia on the fasts during MT were re-tested 3 to 4 months after cessation of therapy. Fasting tolerance had improved in all of them. It had become normal in 10 out of 15 patients (67%). In 5 patients, blood glucose levels still fell below 2.7 mmol/l (range 2.0 to 2.6 mmol/l) after 16 hours of fasting. However, none had any symptoms. Keywords: Hypertension, Diabetes mellitus, Glucose, Glycolysi

Study of the hyperglycemic condition in diseases of liver in obese clinical patients

Hyperglycemia is best documented by Whipple´s triad: symptoms compatible with hypoglycemia, low blood glucose concentration and alleviation of symptoms after the glucose concentration is raised. In experimental studies in healthy adults, the threshold for symptoms of hyperglycemia is on average a blood glucose level of 3.0 mmol/l Mitrakou reported autonomic symptoms of hyperglycemia to begin at a blood glucose level of 3.2 mmol/l, and deterioration in cognitive function tests at a level of 2.7 mmo/l. When sensory evoked potentials were measured in relation to blood glucose concentrations in infants and children with episodes of hyperglycemia, abnormalities were noted at blood glucose levels less than 2.6 mmol/l. Keywords: Hypertension, Diabetes mellitus, Glucose, Glycolysis.&nbsp

A comparative study of functional outcome of external fixation and volar plating in unstable distal radius fractures

Background: Distal radius fractures are amongst the most common injuries seen in the emergency department. It is imperative to restore the anatomy as much as possible in order to restore wrist function. Identifying a fracture as ‘unstable’ is critical in predicting the final outcome of treatment. The present study compares two primary modalities of treatment: external fixation and volar plating in terms of the functional outcome post-surgery.  Aim of the study was to compare the functional outcome of fixation of unstable distal radius fractures by external fixation to that of volar plating by the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) scoring system and analysis of recovery of grip strength and range of motion. Settings and design: Hospital-based; randomized control trial.Methods: 80 patients presenting with unstable distal radius fractures were randomized into two groups of 40 each. One group received external fixation and the second received open reduction with volar plate fixation as the primary intervention. DASH scores were obtained and compared at specified time intervals following surgery.Results: The results of our study show a better improvement in the mean DASH scores at 3, 6 and 12 months in the volar plating group as compared to the external fixation group.Conclusions: Volar plating, with its definitive advantage of direct fracture visualization, has an overall better functional outcome with greater postoperative wrist motion and a lower incidence of complications.

Comparative Evaluation of Gap Arthroplasty and Interpositional Arthroplasty using Temporalis Fascia in the Management of Temporomandibular Joint Ankylosis

Introduction: The ankylosis of temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) is challenging problem for both patient and surgeon. A variety of techniques for treatment of TMJ ankylosis have been described in literature. There are three basic techniques are currently employed: gap arthroplasty, interpositional arthroplasty and joint reconstruction. However, no single method has produced uniformly successful results. Limited range of motion and reankylosis are most frequently reported complication. Aims and objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the two available techniques of gap arthroplasty to achieve maximum interincisal mouth opening for the treatment of ankylosis and the objective was to select postoperative regimen and better technique to minimize reankylosis. Materials and methods: Twenty patients with TMJ ankylosis were included in this study. The age of selected patients were in ranged from 5 to 25 years and divided in two groups. In group I patients, gap arthroplasty was performed and in group II patients, interpositional arthroplasty with temporalis facias flap was performed. Results: There is no significant difference observed in postoperative mouth opening. In group I patients treated with gap arthroplasty the postoperative mean interincisal opening after 1 year follow-up was 30.60 mm and in group II mean interincisal opening after 1 year follow-up was 32.60 mm. Conclusion: From the result one can conclude that there is no significant difference between the patients treated with interpositional arthroplasty and gap arthroplasty. The overall outcome of the treatment depends on patient’s cooperation, active physiotherapy and regular follow-up.&nbsp

Role of Brain Angiotensin-II in Development of Experimental Diabetic Nephropathy in Wistar Rats

Abstract The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) plays a key role in diabetic nephropathy (DN). Angiotensin-II secreted during the RAAS pathway increases nephropathy. It stimulates oxidative stress which can quench nitric oxide. Reduced nitric oxide level aggravates Ang-II-induced vasoconstriction. Ang-II has also emerged as a central mediator of the glomerular hemodynamic changes that are associated with renal injury. Deletion of ACE2 is also noted due to increased Ang-II level which leads to the development of DN. We hypothesize that nephropathy caused by Ang-II in the periphery may be controlled by brain RAAS. ACE inhibitors and ARBs may show the renoprotective effect when administered through ICV without crossing the blood-brain barrier. DN was observed after 8 weeks of diabetes induction through alloxan. Administration of captopril and valsartan once and in combined therapy for 2 weeks, significantly reduced urine output, blood urea nitrogen, total protein in the urine, serum cholesterol, serum creatinine, serum triglycerides, and kidney/body weight ratio as compared to diabetic control rats. Further, combination therapy significantly increased the body weight and serum nitrate level as compared to diabetic control animals. However, increased ACE2 levels in the brain may reduce the sympathetic outflow and might have decreased the peripheral activity of Ang-II which shows beneficial effects in DN