Study of serum lipid profile and magnesium in preeclampsia

Background: A comparative study of serum lipid profile and magnesium levels in normal pregnancy versus preeclampsia (PE).Methods: A prospective study done for 2 years (October 2014 to October 2016) in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Narayana medical college and hospital, a tertiary care centre, Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, India. A sample size of 200 pregnant women, recruited and divided into group A and B. group A being women with PE and group B is normal pregnant women.A10ml of venous blood was collected in the fasting state and serum collected from clotted blood to measure lipid profile, magnesium, Apo lipoprotein A-I and Apo lipoprotein B 100.Serum Lipid profile  measured by enzymatic method using commercially available kit Human (GmbH Germany) using humastar 600 chemistry analyzer (Human GmbH Germany). Serum magnesium measured by dye binding method using commercially available kit Human (GmbH Germany) using Humastar 600 chemistry analyzer (Human GmbH Germany). Serum ApoA-I and ApoB were measured by immune-turbidometry using commercial kits from Spinreact Spain. Urine albumin done by dipstick method.Results: Serum total cholesterol (TC), Triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), Apo lipoprotein B 100 (Apo B100) were high and serum Magnesium, high density lipoprotein (HDL) and Apo lipoprotein A1(Apo A1) were low in the study group (group A) compared to controls (group B).Conclusions: Abnormal lipid profile (low HDL and increased TG concentration) and serum hypomagnesaemia may be contributing etiologies of preeclampsia, having good predictive value as a screening procedure for PE in high risk pregnant population

Knowledge Attitude and Preparedness among Different Health Professionals Towards Potential Bioterrorism Attacks

INTRODUCTION: The threat of bioterrorism, long ignored and denied, has heightened over the past few years. Bioterrorism is the malpractice of microbial agents and their products in-order to create terror or slay humans or animals.AIM: To assess the knowledge, attitude and preparedness regarding bioterrorism among dental, medical and nursing group of colleges in and around Visakhapatnam, India.MATERIALS AND METHOD: A descriptive cross-sectional study with structured self-administered questionnaire with 14 validated questions was done among 1,412 health care providers which includes medical and dental interns, postgraduates, nursing third and final year students and faculty that includes both the practitioners and academicians from 6 medical, 2 dental and 3 nursing colleges in and around Visakhapatnam, India. The data was analysed using, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) test and Tukey’s post hoc test.RESULTS: On overall comparison among the three group of colleges, the knowledge, attitude and preparedness concerning bioterrorism is higher in medical colleges, followed by dental colleges and nursing colleges respectively that are statistically significant.CONCLUSION: Most of the study population are willing to help the government during the outbreak of bioterrorism but lack of knowledge is hindering them. Hence the curriculum of medical, dental and nursing colleges must be reformed and training courses are to be planned for better knowledge, preparedness and attitude of doctors as well as nurses

Microbial status of different carbon sequestering systems in the semi-arid tropics

Microorganisms perform a key role in nutrient cycling for sustaining the productivity of soils. Microbial status was studied in soil samples from nine long-term experiments at different locations, with different carbon sequestering systems in the semi-arid tropics of India, Microbial population counts were analyzed using spread plate method and were in turn compared with different parameters such as soil treatments, soil type, soil microbial biomass C, soil organic C (SOC), soil respiration rainfall and soil pH. The counts were high in the soil with different treatments. The counts were also high in treatments where a combination of organic and inorganic fertilizers was applied. Vertisols (28 x lO4 CFU g-1 soil) recorded four times more counts of microbial populations than Alfisols (7 x 1Q4 CFU g-1 soil). In few locations, significant correlation was observed with the values of soil microbial biomass C, SOC, soil respiration and microbial populations

Vermicomposting: Recycling wastes into valuable manure for sustained crop intensification in the semi-arid tropics

Producing more food sustainably from the limited and scarce land and water resources to feed ever-growing population of 9 billion people in the world by 2050 is a challenge for the human kind in the 21st century. Neither the quantity of available water or land has increased since 1950, but the availability of water and land per head has declined significantly due to increase in global human population. For example in India per capita arable land availability has decreased from 0.39 ha in 1951 to 0.14 ha in 2001 due to increased population from 361 million in 1951 to 1.02 billion in 2001 which is expected to rise to 1.39 billion by 2025 and 1.64 billion by 2050 with associated decrease in per capita arable land availability 0.1 ha in 2025 and 0.08 ha by 2050. Distribution of land varies differently in different countries and regions in the world and also the current population as well as anticipated growth which is expected to grow rapidly in developing countries

Microbial Status of Different Carbon Sequestering Systems in the Semi-Arid Tropics: Global Theme on Agroecosystems Report no. 25

Microorganisms perform a key role in nutrient cycling for sustaining the productivity of soils. Microbial status was studied in soil samples from nine long-term experiments at different locations, with different carbon sequestering systems in the semi-arid tropics of India, Microbial population counts were analyzed using spread plate method and were in turn compared with different parameters such as soil treatments, soil type, soil microbial biomass C, soil organic C (SOC), soil respiration rainfall and soil pH. The counts were high in the soil with different treatments. The counts were also high in treatments where a combination of organic and inorganic fertilizers was applied. Vertisols (28 x lO4 CFU g-1 soil) recorded four times more counts of microbial populations than Alfisols (7 x 1Q4 CFU g-1 soil). In few locations, significant correlation was observed with the values of soil microbial biomass C, SOC, soil respiration and microbial populations

Quantification of Nutrients Recycled by Tank Silt and its Impact on Soil and Crop - A Pilot Study in Warangal District of Andhra Pradesh

Tanks were an integral part of rural life in India traditionally. However, with decreasing collective action by the community inappropriate soil and water management practices adopted by the farmers, encroachments of tanks and waterway by the individuals resulted in neglect of the tanks in villages. Good practices such as desilting and application of silt to agricultural fields were abandoned. Continued mining by crops and reduced application of organic manures have resulted in deficiency of several nutrients particularly that of micronutrients. ICRISAT in association with Modern Architects of Rural India (MARI), an NGO conducted a pilot project and quantified major and micro-nutrients present in the tank silt and also its impact on soil health and crop yields. The depth of silt in 12 tanks de-silted ranged from 1.2 m to 3.0 m. The pH of the tank silt ranged from 6.5 to 8.5, while the organic carbon content was found to be low (0.5% to 0.8%). The available N content of tank silt ranged from 328 mg kg-1 to 748 mg kg-1, available P 5 to 35 mg kg-1 and K 271 to 522 mg kg-1 silt. Similarly, available S ranged from 12 mg kg-1 to 30 mg kg-1 zinc from1.2 mg kg-1 to 5.6 mg kg-1 and boron 0.4 to 0.8 mg kg-1 silt. Microbial population was found to be low and it could be due to excessive use of pesticides for cash crops like cotton and chilli grown in the catchment area. Textural analysis indicated 70 to 80% clay, while the silt ranged from 15 to 25%. Addition of tank silt at 50, 100, 150 and 375 tractor loads per hectare improved the available water content by 0.002, 0.007, 0.012 and 0.032 g g-1 of soil, respectively in the plough layer and enhanced the tolerance of rain-fed crops to moisture stress by three to five days. The farmers could recover the investment made on transport of the silt through increased net profit in cotton and chilli compared to turmeric and maize. Further, the saving on pesticides alone was to the tune of Rs. 2500 ha-1 in cotton and chilli crops, which has indirect beneficial impact on the ecosystem. De-silting was found to be an economically viable activity both in terms of farmers’ and project’s perspective to create more storage capacity as well as to return the silt back to the fields. De-silting activity needs greater support from the government and non-governmental agencies for achieving multiple outputs like employment generation for landless, rejuvenating of the tanks and for enhanced productivity of dryland crops

Synthesis of a New Series of Quinolinoxymethylcoumarins as Potent Anticancer Agents

4-Bromomethylcoumarins (1a-f) were reacted with 8-hydroxyquinoline to yield quinolinoxymethylcoumarins (2a-f). The structure of all the synthesized compounds were confirmed by spectral studies and screened for their anticancer activities against Dalton’s Ascitic lymphoma (DAL) and Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma (EAC) cell lines.  Out of these, compound (2b) (R = 6-OMe) was found to be the most potent cytotoxic compound against DAL and EAC cell lines.           

Microbial properties of soils as affected by cropping and nutrient management practices in several long-term manurial experiments in the semi-arid tropics of India

Microorganisms play a critical role in nutrient transformation, soil health and for sustaining the productivity of soils. Effects of long-term cropping, fertilization, manuring and their integration on microbial community were studied in soil samples from five long-term fertilizer experiments under various rainfed production systems in the semi-arid tropics (SAT) of India. Microbial population counts were analyzed by dilution plating and were in turn compared with different parameters such as soil treatments, soil type, soil microbial biomass C, soil organic C, rainfall and soil pH. The counts were high in treatments where combinations of organic and inorganic fertilizers were applied compared to control. Vertisols showed larger organic carbon levels than Alfisols. Fungal population was higher in acidic soils and in treatments under continuous inorganic fertilization treatments whereas a high number of bacteria were found in integrated use of organic and inorganic fertilizers. At most of the locations soil organic C and microbial biomass C showed significant positive ( p � 0.05) correlation with microbial populations. Thus, results suggest that even under arid and semi-arid tropical conditions, regular addition of nutrients in an integrated manner could improve soil organic carbon and microbial population counts. For each production system, better carbon sequestration management practices were identifie

CYLD Inhibits Melanoma Growth and Progression through Suppression of the JNK/AP-1 and β1-Integrin Signaling Pathways

The molecular mechanisms mediating cylindromatosis (CYLD) tumor suppressor function appear to be manifold. Here, we demonstrate that, in contrast to the increased levels of phosphorylated c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (pJNK), CYLD was decreased in a majority of the melanoma cell lines and tissues examined. Exogenous expression of CYLD but not its catalytically deficient mutant markedly inhibited melanoma cell proliferation and migration in vitro and subcutaneous tumor growth in vivo. In addition, the melanoma cells expressing exogenous CYLD were unable to form pulmonary tumor nodules following tail-vein injection. At the molecular level, CYLD decreased β1-integrin and inhibited pJNK induction by tumor necrosis factor-α or cell attachment to collagen IV. Moreover, CYLD induced an array of other molecular changes associated with modulation of the “malignant” phenotype, including a decreased expression of cyclin D1, N-cadherin, and nuclear Bcl3, and an increased expression of p53 and E-cadherin. Most interestingly, coexpression of the constitutively active MKK7 or c-Jun mutants with CYLD prevented the above molecular changes, and fully restored melanoma growth and metastatic potential in vivo. Our findings demonstrate that the JNK/activator protein 1 signaling pathway underlies the melanoma growth and metastasis that are associated with CYLD loss of function. Thus, restoration of CYLD and inhibition of JNK and β1-integrin function represent potential therapeutic strategies for treatment of malignant melanoma

Harnessing the Potential of Jatropha and Pongamia Plantations for Improving Livelihoods and Rehabilitating Degraded Lands

Current increase in demand of knowledge for alternative sources to fossil fuel has triggered lot of interest in use of non-edible oils as green knowledge source in de;eloped and developing countries. ICRISAT is adopting pro-poor bio-fuel strategy to benefit vulnerable sections of the society through development of degraded common property resources and individual lands which are not suitable for food production by adopting consortium approach. Research and development options for harnessing the potential of Jatropha and Pongamia are undertaken to increase productivity of Jatropha and Pongamia plantations. Large vmiability in the accessions of Jatropha and Pongamia was observed for total oil content varying from 27.4% to 40.6% in case of Jatropha and from 21 to 41 % in case of Pongamia. These accessions are evaluated for different agronomic characters along with yield potential under rain-fed conditions at ICRISAT, Patancheru, India. Application of nitrogen and phosphorus at different levels .indicated that during the 4'h year harvest index (pod to seed ratio) varied from 53-56% with different fertilizer treatment. The plant yield of Jatropha within an accession with 3x2 spacing varied upto 1.4 to 1.6 kg ha per plant (2.3 to 2.7 t ho" under rainfed conditions).Water use efficiency of three years old Jatropha plantations indicated that evapo-transpiration demand under no moisture stress for Jatropha varied from 1150-1350 mm per yem. Under the semi-arid tropical conditions Jatropha is able to use water relatively 40-57% of nonstress situation. Intercropping with Jatropha and Pongamia plantations is feasible and even during 4'h year in pruned Jatropha plantations with yield of different crops varying from 0.29 t ho" in case of green gram to 1.5 t ha" for sorghum. Intercrops like sorghum, pearimillet, pigeon pea, soybean, mung bean, chickpea, sunflower, safflower with Jatropha and pearl millet and pigeon pea with Pongamia could be successfully grown. An additional income of Rs.5,000 to Rs.16,OOO per ha can be obtained on low-quality (but reasonably able to support crop growth) soil.Nutrient budgeting approach can -be used successfully to work aut nutrients requirement needed to achieve targeted yields in crop like Jatropha_ Fallen leaves quantity and nutrient content of Jatropha varied with plant age and fertility treatment and contained 9500 mg N kg" which is lowest amongst different plant parts such as shoots and seeds as well as deoiled seed cake_ One year plantation returned 16 kg N ha,l and three-year plantation returned 21 kg N ha" through fallen leaves_ The fallen leaves also added 1 000 kg ha" organic C to soil in addition to carbon fixed in seeds which will replace fossil fuel C De-oiled seed cake after extracting necessary oil can be used as plant nutrient source on the farmers' fields, Benefits of oil seed cake application in terms of increased yields of maize, cotton and other crops were higher than N applied through mineral fertilizer source