Visceral Leishmaniasis in Muzaffarpur District, Bihar, India from 1990 to 2008

BACKGROUND: Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) is a vector-borne disease transmitted by Phlebotomus argentipes. To understand the VL seasonality, annual and monthly variations of VL incidence and its relationship to meteorological variables, the numbers of VL cases reported in Muzaffarpur district, Bihar, India from 1990 to 2008 were studied. METHODS: Annual VL incidence per 10,000 and the total number of annual VL cases reported at block Community Health Centres (CHC), Public Hospitals or Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO) and the number of VL cases per month from 2000 to 2008 as well as the monthly average of cases for 2000-08, 2000-04 and 2005-08 periods along with the monthly averages of temperature, rainfall and relative humidity were plotted. VL Standardised Incidence Ratios per block were computed for the periods of 1990-1993, 1994-1998, 1999-2004 and 2005-2008 and month wise from 2002 to 2008. A negative binomial regression model was used to evaluate the association between meteorological variables and the number of VL cases per month from 2000 to 2008. RESULTS: A total of 68,358 VL cases were reported in Muzaffarpur district from 1990 to 2008, ranging from 1,2481 in 1992 to 1,161 in 2001. The blocks with the highest number of cases shifted from East (1990-98) to West (1999-2008). Monthly averages of cases ranged from 149 to 309, highest peak in March-April and another one in July. Monthly VL incidence was associated positively to rainfall and negatively to relative humidity and the numbers of VL cases in the previous month. INTERPRETATION: The number of cases reported to the public health sector allowed the describing of the spatial distribution and temporal variations in the Muzaffarpur from 1990 to 2008. However, to assess the actual VL burden, as well as the efficacy of the control measures applied in the district, reporting from private practices and NGOs should be encouraged

A STUDY ON PATTERN OF ALCOHOL USE USING AUDIT AMONG THE COLLEGE STUDENTS IN A MEDICAL COLLEGE OF NORTH INDIA

ABSTRACT Background: Alcohol and other substance use by medical students poses risks to them and can also have serious consequences on their effectiveness and fitness to practise as tomorrow's doctors. The aim of the study was to find out the prevalence of alcohol use among the undergraduates of Rohilkhand Medical College, Bareilly and the factors affecting its use

New arylated benzo[h]quinolines induce anti-cancer activity by oxidative stress-mediated DNA damage

© 2016 The Author(s).The anti-cancer activity of the benzo[h]quinolines was evaluated on cultured human skin cancer (G361), lung cancer (H460), breast cancer (MCF7) and colon cancer (HCT116) cell lines. The inhibitory effect of these compounds on the cell growth was determined by the MTT assay. The compounds 3e, 3f, 3h and 3j showed potential cytotoxicity against these human cancer cell lines. Effect of active compounds on DNA oxidation and expression of apoptosis related gene was studied. We also developed a quantitative method to measure the activity of cyclin-dependent kinases-2 (CDK2) by western blotting in the presence of active compound. In addition, molecular docking revealed that benzo[h]quinolines can correctly dock into the hydrophobic pocket of the targets receptor protein aromatase and CDK2, while their bioavailability/drug-likeness was predicted to be acceptable but requires future optimization. These findings reveal that benzo[h]quinolines act as anti-cancer agents by inducing oxidative stress-mediated DNA damage

Regulation and functional role of the Runt-related transcription factor-2 in pancreatic cancer

Recent evidence suggests that Runt-related transcription factors play a role in different human tumours. In the present study, the localisation of the Runt-related transcription factor-2 (Runx2), its transcriptional activity, as well as its regulation of expression was analysed in human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Quantitative real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry were used for Runx2 expression and localisation analysis. Runt-related transcription factor-2 expression was silenced using specific siRNA oligonucleotides in pancreatic cancer cells (Panc-1) and immortalised pancreatic stellate cells (IPSCs). Overexpression of Runx2 was achieved using a full-length expression vector. TGF-β1, BMP2, and other cytokines were assessed for their potential to regulate Runx2 expression. There was a 6.1-fold increase in median Runx2 mRNA levels in PDAC tissues compared to normal pancreatic tissues (P<0.0001). Runt-related transcription factor-2 was localised in pancreatic cancer cells, tubular complexes, and PanIN lesions of PDAC tissues as well as in tumour-associated fibroblasts/stellate cells. Coculture of IPSCs and Panc-1 cells, as well as treatment with TGF-β1 and BMP2, led to increased Runx2 expression in Panc-1 cells. Runt-related transcription factor-2 overexpression was associated with decreased MMP1 release as well as decreased growth and invasion of Panc-1 cells. These effects were reversed by Runx2 silencing. In conclusion, Runx2 is overexpressed in PDAC, where it is regulated by certain cytokines such as TGF-β1 and BMP2 in an auto- and paracrine manner. In addition, Runx2 has the potential to regulate the transcription of extracellular matrix modulators such as SPARC and MMP1, thereby influencing the tumour microenvironment

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Not AvailableTHE ARTICLE ADVOCATES THE CULTIVATION OF BROWN SARSON VAR BSH- 1 WHICH GIVES HIGHER PRODUCTION POTENTIAL AND PROFITABILITY IN THE SHIWALIKS IN COMPARISON TO OTHER OILSEED CROPS.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableA FIELD STUDY WAS CONDUCTED FOR SIX YEARS ( 1981-1986) ON SANDY LOAM SOIL ON INTERCROPPING HEDGEROWS OF LEUCAENA LEUCOCEPHALA WITH THREE FIELD CROPS VIZ, MAIZE, BLACKGRAM, AND CLUSTERBEAN. MEAN MAXIMUM NET RETURNS WERE OBTAINED FROM INTERCROPS OF LEUCAENA AND CLUSTER BEAN ( RS 3540 /ha/annum) WHICH WERE SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER THAN THE RETURNS FROM PURE CROP OF LEUCAENA AT WIDE SPACING BUT SIMILAR TO THE RETURNS FROM PURE CROPS OF CLUSTERBEAN . LEUCAENA WTH MAIZE ( RS 3273 / HA/ ANNUM) AND BENGAL GRAM ( RS 3125 /HA/ ANNUM) GAVE SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER NET RETURNS OVER PURE CROPS OF LEUCAENA AT WIDE SPACING , MAIZE AND BLACK GRAM.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableVARIOUS METHODS OF ARRESTING RAINWATER IN THE HILLS EITHER IN SITU THROUGH IMPROVED TECHNIQUES OR THROUGH ARTIFICIAL RESERVOIRS TO STOP DOWN STREAM DAMAGE TO AGRICULTURAL FIELDS AND ALSO TO USE IT FOR PRODUCTIVE USE AS THE PRE- REQUISITE CHANGE IN THE FARMING SYSTEM HAVE BEEN DISCUSSED. LAND- LEVELLING , SAFE DISPOSAL OF RUNOFF FROM AGRICULTURAL FIELDS, COLLECTING THE SAME IN DUGOUT FARM PONDS FOR SUPPLEMENTAL IRRIGATION AS A DEFINITE MEASURE AGAINST BOTH DROUGHT AND MINIMISATION OF FLOOD HAZARDS ARE THE IMPORTANT COMPONENTS OF THE NEW FARMING SYSTEM. WITH LAND LEVELLING , ADOPTION OF CULTURAL PRACTICES FOR MOISTURE CONSERVATION AND IMPROVED AGRONOMIC PRACTICES, IT HAS BEEN POSSIBLE TO RAISE THE MAIZE YIELD FROM 9 TO 30 q/ha , GRAM YIELD FROM 6 TO 18 q/ha , TARAMIRA YIELD FROM 3 TO 8.5 q/ha UNDER RAINFED CONDITION. THE WHEAT YIELD INCREASED FROM 10 TO 43 q/ha WITH TWO IRRIGATIONS.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableEFFECT OF THREE TREATMENTS VIZ NO IRRIGATION , ONE IRRIGATION AT PRE- SOWING AND TWO IRRIGATIONS ONE EACH AT PRE- SOWING + FLOWERING STAGE WERE STUDIED ON TARAMIRA ( ERUCA SATIVA MILL) FROM 1978 -79 TO 1980-81 IN SHIWALIK FOOTHILL REGION. TWO IRRIGATIONS ( PRE- SOWING + FLOWERING) RECORDED SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER GRAIN AND STRAW YIELD AND NET RETURNS IN TWO YEARS OUT OF YEARS OF STUDY.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableA 3 - YEAR FIELD STUDY TO FIND OUT THE EFFECT OF IRRIGATION AND MULCH ON CONSUMPTIVE USE OF WATER, WATER USE EFFICIENCY AND YIELD OF CHICKPEA ( CICER ARIETINUM L) INDICATED THAT PRE- SOWING IRRIGATION INCREASED THE GRAIN YIELD SIGNIFICANTLY DURING 1985-86 AS WELL AS THE MEAN GRAIN YIELD AS COMPARED TO CONTROL. HIGHER MONETARY RETURNS WERE ALSO OBTAINED WITH PRE- SOWING IRRIGATION COMPARED TO CONTROL. SIMILARLY , SEASONAL WATER USE, WATER USE EFFICIENCY AND STRAW YIELD WERE ALSO HIGHER IN THIS TREATMENT. YIELD ATTRIBUTING CHARACTERS REMAIN UNAFFECTED DUE TO PRE- SOWING IRRIGATION. APPLICATION OF GRASS MULCH @ 6t/ha RESULTED IN SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER GRAIN AND STRAW YIELD OVER THE OTHER MULCH TREATMENTS. VALUES OF WATER USE EFFICIENCY , NET RETURNS AND YIELD ATTRIBUTING CHARACTERS WERE ALSO HIGHER WITH APPLICATION OF GRASS MULCH @ 6t/ha . INCREASING QUANTITIES OF GRASS MULCH REDUCED THE SEASONAL CONSUMPTIVE USE OF WATER WHICH WAS MAXIMUM (248mm) UNDER CONTROL AND MINIMUM ( 230 mm) UNDER GRASS MULCH.Not Availabl