ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF PALMAROSA CULTIVATION IN INDIA

ABSTRACT Cymbopogon martinii, commonly known as palmarosa, is an essential oil-bearing crop cultivated by the farmers for production of oil used in perfumery, cosmetics and flavour industries. The study on the economics of palmarosa cultivation has shown that the major portion of operational cost was shared by human labour, distillation charges and preparation of nursery. Total variable cost was found to be 47926 per hectare per year. The gross returns were found to be 124000 per hectare e per year. The net returns over variable cost were 76074 per hectare. The benefit-cost ratio was found to be 2.59 indicating a higher profit to the farmers. The independent variables like human labour, planting material and distillation charges were positive indicating significant impact on the returns from the crop. There is need for effective market intelligence system to ensure remunerative price of the produce to the farmers

Positive relationships between association strength and phenotypic similarity characterize the assembly of mixed-species bird flocks worldwide

Competition theory predicts that local communities should consist of species that are more dissimilar than expected by chance. We find a strikingly different pattern in a multicontinent data set (55 presence-absence matrices from 24 locations) on the composition of mixed-species bird flocks, which are important sub-units of local bird communities the world over. By using null models and randomization tests followed by meta-analysis, we find the association strengths of species in flocks to be strongly related to similarity in body size and foraging behavior and higher for congeneric compared with noncongeneric species pairs. Given the local spatial scales of our individual analyses, differences in the habitat preferences of species are unlikely to have caused these association patterns; the patterns observed are most likely the outcome of species interactions. Extending group-living and social-information-use theory to a heterospecific context, we discuss potential behavioral mechanisms that lead to positive interactions among similar species in flocks, as well as ways in which competition costs are reduced. Our findings highlight the need to consider positive interactions along with competition when seeking to explain community assembly

A study to correlate the pathological and radiological features of spinal lesions

Background: Tumors within the cord are referred to as intramedullary and account for 10-15% of spinal tumors. Intramedullary tumors consist mainly of astrocytomas and ependymomas making up to 70% of intramedullary tumors. Other lesions include hemangioblastoma, paraganglioma and cystic lesions. Objective: To study and correlate the pathological and radiological features of spinal lesions Methods: The study included all the specimens of spinal cord lesions received at Upgraded Department of Pathology, Osmania General Hospital over a period of three years from June 2010 to May 2013. Relevant clinical data and imaging details were also reviewed. Results: Cervical region include 8 cases [16%] with [2 non neoplastic and 6 neoplastic], Thoracic region constitute 28 cases [54%] with [8 non neoplastic and 20 neoplastic], Lumbosacral region constitute 29 cases [30%] with [18 non neoplastic and 11 neoplastic]. Most common symptom was Motor weakness followed by Pain, Sensory disturbance and Bladder dysfunction. Among spinal cord tumors common were Schwannomas [32%] followed by Neurofibromas [22%], Ependymomas [11%], Meningiomas [11%], Astrocytomas [8%], and Teratomas [5%]. Conclusion: Meningomyeloceles were common non neoplastic lesions and most were found in lumbosacral region, extradurally whereas schwannomas were common neoplastic lesions and most seen intradural extramedullary in thoracic region with both having slight female predominance. Ependymomas and astrocytomas were common intramedullary tumors whereas schwannomas, neurofibromas and meningiomas were common intradural extramedullary tumors

A study of Bcl-2 and p-53 immunostaining expressions in colonic carcinomas

Background: Colorectal cancer burden has been steadily rising in women. It was the fourth most common cancer in 1975 and has reached the second position by 1990, with about 49% increase in the number of cases globally over a period of 15 yrs. From 1999–2008, the rate of people dying from colorectal cancer has varied, depending on their race and ethnicity. Objective: To study Bcl-2 and p-53 immunostaining expressions in colonic carcinomas. Methods: The present study is both a retrospective and a prospective study. The study is based on histomorphological evaluation of 30 resected specimen of Colorectal Carcinomas received at the department of Pathology, Osmania General Hospital in a 2 year period from June 2009 to May 2011. The most representative block for all 30 cases was then selected for immune histochemical analysis of p-53 protein and Bcl-2 Oncoprotein for p-53 immunostaining, we used the DO-7 monoclonal antibody (dilution 1:30; DAKO), and, for Bcl-2, the monoclonal antibody 124 was used (dilution 1:80; DAKO). Results: Positive staining for p-53 protein was detected in 56.67% ( 17/30 ) of colorectal adenocarcinomas. There is statistically no significant association observed between p53 expression and Dukes' stage, TNM stage or Histological grade (p value > 0.05). Similarly no association was found between expression of p-53 and other patient variables, such as age, sex, location of tumor, & tumor differentiation. In the present study statistically there is no significant association between Bcl-2 & p-53 either individually or combined together with any of the parameters (like age, sex, tumor location, Dukes' stage, Histological grade & TNM stage). Conclusion: Though not statistically significant, to comment as the optimism expressed by certain investigators due to the low number of cases taken up for the present study, a large study group is needed to comment on the prognostic significance of the Bcl-2 & p-53 immuno profile individually and in a combined variation to predict the clinical outcome

datafiles_Sridhar_et_al_2012

datafiles_Sridhar_et_al_201