Genetic relationship among Hyacinth bean (Lablab purpureus) genotypes cultivars from different races based on quantitative traits and random amplified polymorphic DNA marker

Genetic improvement of the thirty Hyacinth bean cultivars from different races were evaluated using RAPD markers which is essential to enhance the crop for economically and agriculturally important traits. RAPD markers were efficient in separating cultivars according to different races. Twenty sixdecamer primers could generate a total number of 148 bands out which 70.27% (104) were polymorphic. The number of amplification products produced by each primer varied from 4 to 9 with an average of5.69 bands per primer. The size of amplified fragments ranged from 250 to 3000 bp. RAPD based dendrogram showed similarity ranged from 0.38 to 0.96. Genetic distances were concluded using Sorenson Dices similarity coefficient. The genetic relationship obtained with these markers wasdissimilar to that provided by morpho-agronomical trait. Genetically distinct cultivars were identified that could be potentially important source of germplasm for further crop improvement programme in the country

Comparative assessment of air pollution tolerance index (APTI) in the industrial (Rourkela) and non industrial area (Aizawl) of India: An ecomanagement approach

Science for phyto-technologies has got immense application in air pollution science. The present study focuses on the determination of air pollution tolerance indices (APTI) from six common road side plant species growing along industrial (Rourkela) and non industrial area (Aizawl), India. The APTI was determined by synthesizing the four different physiological and biochemical parameters, that is, leaf relative water content (RWC), ascorbic acid content (AA), total leaf chlorophyll (TCh) and pH of leaf extract. The plant species selected for the study were Ficus bengalensis, Mangifera indica, Bougainvillea spectabilis, Psidium guajava, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis and Lantana camara. Reduction in total chlorophyll content and pH was found in the leaf samples of all selected plants collected from Industrial site (Rourkela) when compared with samples from non industrial site (Aizawl) whereas APTI, ascorbic acid and RWC were found to be higher in the plant samples of Industrial site (Rourkela) as compared to non industrial site (Aizawl). On the basis of APTI, F. bengalensis was found to be tolerant (8.64) in industrial site (Rourkela) and M. indica (7.95) in non industrial site (Aizawl). Plant species such as M. indica and B. spectabilis, showing minimum difference in their APTI values may be considered as tolerant for both (industrial and non industrial) sites.Key words: Air pollution tolerance indices (APTI), biochemical parameters, Ficus bengalensis, roadside plants

Short communicationPost-TURP obliterative urethral stricture: Unusual treatment and favourable result

Urethral stricture is a well-known complication after TURP. Most cases present with recurrence of lower urinary tract symptoms. In rare incidences, complete obliteration of the urethra is diagnosed. Management of such cases is challenging and usually associated with a poor outcome. We report a case of post-TURP obliterative urethral stricture that was managed successfully by Holmium laser core-through urethrotomy. On discharge, the patient was continent and voided well.Keywords: Urethral stricture; TURP; Holmium laserAfrican Journal of Urology (2013) 19, 18–2

Consumption of rice, acceptability and sensory qualities of fortified rice amongst consumers of social safety net rice in Nepal

INTRODUCTION: Micronutrient deficiencies are prevalent in Nepal where starchy foods constitute a large proportion of diets and consumption of micronutrient-rich foods is inadequate. We conducted a study to determine whether rice would be an appropriate vehicle for micronutrient fortification in Nepal. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In Bajura in remote rural Nepal, we conducted a household survey to characterize rice intakes in 195 households, and a double-blinded acceptability test with 177 social safety net rice consumers ≥18 years of age. Of these, 168 tasted fortified and unfortified rice to assess whether respondents could differentiate between fortified and non-fortified rice and their sensory properties. Rice was fortified by blending hot extruded kernels containing 6 micronutrients together with non-fortified rice at a 1:99 ratio. We used binomial tests to assess whether participants could correctly differentiate fortified rice, from non-fortified rice and paired t-tests to compare scores for sensory qualities of cooked fortified and non-fortified rice. We used multiple regression to test associations between per capita consumption and age, gender, wealth and food security. RESULTS: Per capita consumption of rice (median 216g/day, IQR 144.0, 288.0) did not vary by wealth but was +52.08g, (95% CI 10.43, 93.72) higher amongst moderately to severely food insecure households compared with food secure / mildly food insecure. Most respondents could not differentiate fortified rice from non-fortified rice: 37.5% identified uncooked fortified rice and 39.3% cooked rice, which was not different from the 33% expected by chance (p = 0.22 and p = 0.09 respectively). The sensory qualities of fortified rice were acceptable (scoring 3.9 out of 5) and did not differ from non-fortified rice (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: A rice fortification programme implemented through the Nepal Food Corporation's social safety nets has potential because purchase and consumption of rice is high and fortified rice is acceptable among consumers in remote food insecure areas of Nepal

Current biochemical treatments of mitochondrial respiratory chain disorders

Introduction: The clinical heterogeneity and unpredictable clinical course of mitochondrial respiratory chain (MRC) disorders have hindered the development of effective therapeutic strategies for the treatment of these diseases. Treatment generally involves supportive therapy aimed at enhancing mitochondrial function as well as ameliorating increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation which is associated with MRC dysfunction. The purpose of this review is to focus on current biochemical strategies together with those that are being developed to the treatment of MRC disorders. Areas covered: This review focusses on the biochemical strategies that have been developed to augment MRC function (increase electron transport and substrate availability in the MRC), scavenge ROS (antioxidant therapies) and modify mitochondrial biogenesis will be covered. The authors have comprehensively reviewed the literature to provide up to date information on these subjects. Expert opinion: A consensus needs to be reached on the treatment of MRC disorders, and rather than the use of generic ‘antioxidant cocktails’ case-specific therapeutic strategies should be considered for the treatment patients. The inclusion of pharmacotherapies that target MRC function, cellular antioxidant status and mitochondrial biogenesis in the treatment regime of patients may be appropriate to ameliorate the defects in these parameters that contribute to disease pathophysiology

Mortality from external causes in Africa and Asia: evidence from INDEPTH Health and Demographic Surveillance System Sites.

BACKGROUND: Mortality from external causes, of all kinds, is an important component of overall mortality on a global basis. However, these deaths, like others in Africa and Asia, are often not counted or documented on an individual basis. Overviews of the state of external cause mortality in Africa and Asia are therefore based on uncertain information. The INDEPTH Network maintains longitudinal surveillance, including cause of death, at population sites across Africa and Asia, which offers important opportunities to document external cause mortality at the population level across a range of settings. OBJECTIVE: To describe patterns of mortality from external causes at INDEPTH Network sites across Africa and Asia, according to the WHO 2012 verbal autopsy (VA) cause categories. DESIGN: All deaths at INDEPTH sites are routinely registered and followed up with VA interviews. For this study, VA archives were transformed into the WHO 2012 VA standard format and processed using the InterVA-4 model to assign cause of death. Routine surveillance data also provide person-time denominators for mortality rates. RESULTS: A total of 5,884 deaths due to external causes were documented over 11,828,253 person-years. Approximately one-quarter of those deaths were to children younger than 15 years. Causes of death were dominated by childhood drowning in Bangladesh, and by transport-related deaths and intentional injuries elsewhere. Detailed mortality rates are presented by cause of death, age group, and sex. CONCLUSIONS: The patterns of external cause mortality found here generally corresponded with expectations and other sources of information, but they fill some important gaps in population-based mortality data. They provide an important source of information to inform potentially preventive intervention designs

Serum electrolytes levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a common metabolic disease worldwide. Electrolyte played significant roles in the normal functioning of the body, and deregulation is indicative of different types of disease and electrolyte disturbances are often reported in type 2 DM (T2DM). AIM: The aim of the study was to estimate the levels of serum electrolytes in outpatients with T2DM and correlate serum electrolytes with random blood sugar (RBS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with T2DM visiting the outpatient Departments of Medicine, between April 2016 and March 2017 were included. Of 148 diagnosed T2DM cases, 74 were had RBS level >300mg/dL (group-1) and 74 had RBS level ≤300mg/dL (group-2). Serum sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), chloride (Cl-) levels were measured by using the Roche 9180 electrolyte analyzer. RESULTS: In this study, there was a significant decrease in serum Na+ levels in group 1 (131.83±4.36 mmol/L) compared to group 2 (134.15±4.90 mmol/L).The serum levels of K+ was found to be increased in group 1 (4.51±0.61 mmol/L) in comparison with group 2 (4.26±0.52 mmol/L). In group-1, an inverse relationship was present between serum Na+ (r=-0.342) and Cl- (r=-0.538) with RBS which was statistically significant. In group-2, a significant correlation was present between serum K+ and RBS (r=0.356, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The study showed lower levels of Na+ and higher K+ levels in group-1 compared to group-2 subjects. This study showed that the distribution of serum Na+ and K+ levels is dependent on plasma glucose levels in patients with DM and also suggests that monitoring the electrolyte levels in hyperglycemia is pertinent in the management of diabetes

Adult non-communicable disease mortality in Africa and Asia: evidence from INDEPTH Health and Demographic Surveillance System sites.

BACKGROUND: Mortality from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is a major global issue, as other categories of mortality have diminished and life expectancy has increased. The World Health Organization's Member States have called for a 25% reduction in premature NCD mortality by 2025, which can only be achieved by substantial reductions in risk factors and improvements in the management of chronic conditions. A high burden of NCD mortality among much older people, who have survived other hazards, is inevitable. The INDEPTH Network collects detailed individual data within defined Health and Demographic Surveillance sites. By registering deaths and carrying out verbal autopsies to determine cause of death across many such sites, using standardised methods, the Network seeks to generate population-based mortality statistics that are not otherwise available. OBJECTIVE: To describe patterns of adult NCD mortality from INDEPTH Network sites across Africa and Asia, according to the WHO 2012 verbal autopsy (VA) cause categories, with separate consideration of premature (15-64 years) and older (65+ years) NCD mortality. DESIGN: All adult deaths at INDEPTH sites are routinely registered and followed up with VA interviews. For this study, VA archives were transformed into the WHO 2012 VA standard format and processed using the InterVA-4 model to assign cause of death. Routine surveillance data also provide person-time denominators for mortality rates. RESULTS: A total of 80,726 adult (over 15 years) deaths were documented over 7,423,497 person-years of observation. NCDs were attributed as the cause for 35.6% of these deaths. Slightly less than half of adult NCD deaths occurred in the 15-64 age group. Detailed results are presented by age and sex for leading causes of NCD mortality. Per-site rates of NCD mortality were significantly correlated with rates of HIV/AIDS-related mortality. CONCLUSIONS: These findings present important evidence on the distribution of NCD mortality across a wide range of African and Asian settings. This comes against a background of global concern about the burden of NCD mortality, especially among adults aged under 70, and provides an important baseline for future work

A knowledge-driven GIS modeling technique for groundwater potential mapping at the Upper Langat Basin, Malaysia.

The aim of this paper is to use a knowledge-driven expert-based geographical information system (GIS) model coupling with remote-sensing-derived parameters for groundwater potential mapping in an area of the Upper Langat Basin, Malaysia. In this study, nine groundwater storage controlling parameters that affect groundwater occurrences are derived from remotely sensed imagery, available maps, and associated databases. Those parameters are: lithology, slope, lineament, land use, soil, rainfall, drainage density, elevation, and geomorphology. Then the parameter layers were integrated and modeled using a knowledge-driven GIS of weighted linear combination. The weightage and score for each parameter and their classes are based on the Malaysian groundwater expert opinion survey. The predicted groundwater potential map was classified into four distinct zones based on the classification scheme designed by Department of Minerals and Geoscience Malaysia (JMG). The results showed that about 17% of the study area falls under low-potential zone, with 66% on moderate-potential zone, 15% with high-potential zone, and only 0.45% falls under very-high-potential zone. The results obtained in this study were validated with the groundwater borehole wells data compiled by the JMG and showed 76% of prediction accuracy. In addition statistical analysis indicated that hard rock dominant of the study area is controlled by secondary porosity such as distance from lineament and density of lineament. There are high correlations between area percentage of predicted groundwater potential zones and groundwater well yield. Results obtained from this study can be useful for future planning of groundwater exploration, planning and development by related agencies in Malaysia which provide a rapid method and reduce cost as well as less time consuming. The results may be also transferable to other areas of similar hydrological characteristics