Prevalence of Causative Organisms in Corneal Ulcers Seen at Sekuru Kaguvi Eye Unit, Harare, Zimbabwe

A CAJM article on optical organisms causing corneal ulcers prevalent in Zimbabwe.Objective: To investigate the prevalence of organisms causing corneal ulcers, determine frequency of ocular risk factors and assess the value of Gram stain in initial identification of pathogens. Design: A descriptive cross sectional study. Setting: Sekuru Kaguvi Eye Unit at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals in Harare, Zimbabwe. Materials and Methods: We enrolled 43 patients with corneal ulcers for the study, Demographic data was obtained, measurement of visual acuity was done by Snellen’s chart and a Topcon Slit Lamp was used to determine the characteristics of ulcers for all the patients. Corneal scrapings were obtained and examined by microscopy and culture methods to determine etiologic organisms. Positivity rates between Gram stain and culture methods were compared. Main Outcome Measures: Prevalence of different bacterial isolates in corneal ulcers, risk factors to infection and laboratory methods used for detection. Results:. Gram-positive cocci were the most prevalent organisms found (54%) followed by E. coli (18%). Pseudomonas, Klebsiella and Narcodia constituted about 9% each. Trauma, use of traditional eye medicine and previous viral disease were the common risk factors. Conclusion: Bacteria were the only organisms identified and Gram-positive cocci were the most common isolates. Gram stain of corneal smears was not reliable in initial recognition of offending pathogens

Effect of Silver Ions on Ethylene Metabolism of Mustard Grown Under Irrigated and Non- irrigated Conditions

A field experiment was conducted during the winter season of 2004-2005 at the Experimental farm of Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India on mustard (Brassica juncea L. Czen and Coss, cultivar Alankar) under irrigated and non -irrigated  conditions to evaluate the application of 0  and 200 µl/L  ethrel (E200) or 1 mM silver thiosulphate (S) at flowering stage along with a basal  uniform application of 80 kg N ha-1 on leaf area, plant dry mass, net photosynthetic rate and seed yield. Silver thoisulphate, which inhibits the physiological action of ethylene was used in the experiment with ethrel. Ethrel is a source of ethylene and its effects are manifested through physiological action of ethylene. Ethrel 200 µl/L (E200) treatment enhanced leaf area, net photosynthetic rate, plant dry mass and seed yield by 10.6, 9.1, 7.7 and 11.6% over S treatment. So silver thiosulphate (S) reduces the physiological action of ethrel (source of ethylene) in this study. This clearly indicates that silver ions used in this experiment in the form of silver thiosulphate inhibits the action of ethylene metabolism in mustard

Kashmir identity; A political study

The whole discussion revolves around Kashmir identity which leads to conclusion that underlying all political upsurges in Kashmir, there lies a distinct conception of Kashmir identity. Kashmiryat as the identity is commonly known is a manifestation of cultural-linguistic bonds strengthened by a common heritage. Its geographical compactness has made it possible to maintain the uniqueness of Kashmir region which gets reflected in varied socio-cultural dimensions of day-to-day life of Kashmiri community. The thesis is divided into four chapters

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Not AvailableThe objective of current study was to investigate the effect of induced transportation stress in goats and to seek a novel approach to minimize the transportation and seasonal effect on the physiology of goats by supplementing them with Vitamin C and Jaggery before transportation. Fifty goats were selected and divided into five groups with ten animals in each group. Group 1 served as negative control and was neither supplemented nor transported, while as goats in groups 2 to group 5 were transported for 10 hours on the day of transportation. Group 2 goats were not supplemented; group 3 goats were supplemented with Vitamin C @180 mg/kg body weight/day; group 4 goats were supplemented with jaggery @200g/day/animal; group 5 was supplemented with both vitamin C and jaggery for 5 days before transportation. Effect of transportation stress varied significantly among groups in terms of haematological, biochemical, hormonal, mineral and blood gas parameters. Transportation up to 10 hours induced stress in goats during hot dry season as represented by changes in different physiological parameters and body weight shrinkages. Supplementation of Vitamin C and Jaggery aided in reducing transportation stress individually, with variable effects on stress response parameters and there combination synergistically proved promising in alleviating transportation stress in goats.Not Availabl