Preparation of glucosamine hydrochloride from the chitin of Penaeus monodon

The present work gives some information on use of shrimp wastes of processing industries of Bangladesh in preparation of valuable chitin products such as glucosamine hydrochloride

Efectos inducidos por el hábitat sobre mutaciones y perfil de ácidos grasos en carpas mrigala que habitan en el fondo del río Chenab

Fish from the river Chenab were analyzed for DNA damage by the Comet and Micronucleus assays. The fatty acid profile was determined by gas chromatography using a Flame Ionization Detector. Atomic absorption spectrophotometry showed significant (p < 0.05) levels of contamination due to Cd, Hg, Cu, Mn, Zn, Pb, Cr, Sn and phenols in the fish habitat. The Comet assay revealed significant (p < 0.05) DNA damage in Cirrhinus mrigala of 37.29±2.51%, 34.96±2.53% and 38.80±2.42% in the comet tail, in the tail moment of 23.48±3.90, 19.78±4.26 and 14.30±1.82, in the olive moment of 16.22±2.04, 13.83±1.96 10.99±0.90, respectively, from three experimental sites. The micronucleus assay showed a high frequency of single micronucleus induction of 44.80±3.73, double induction of 06.20±0.97 and nuclear abnormalities of 09.60±1.72, as calculated in a thousand cells. C8:0, C12:0, C20:0, C16:1(n-7), C16:1(n-9), C20:1(n-9), C18:2(n-6), C18:4(n-3), C20:5(n-3), C22:4(n-6) fatty acids were found missing in the fish with a higher intensity of DNA damage but were found in optimal amounts both in farmed and wild fish from non polluted habitats. A highly significant (p < 0.01) correlation was also found in saturated, unsaturated fatty acids and DNA damage and habitat. The present study revealed that the habitat of even lower intensity pollutions not only induce DNA damage but also confiscate essential fatty acids of the omega series and reduce the amount of unsaturated fatty acids for which fish is preferred over other animals.Los daños en el ADN de los peces del río Chenab se analizaron mediante la técnica del “ensayo del cometa” y el ensayo de micronúcleos. El perfil de ácidos grasos se determinó mediante cromatografía de gases con detector de ionización de llama. La espectrofotometría de absorción atómica mostró diferencias significativas (p < 0.05) de los niveles de contaminación por Cd, Hg, Cu, Mn, Zn, Pb, Cr, Sn y fenoles en el hábitat de los peces. El ensayo del cometa mostró daños significativos (p < 0,05) en el ADN de las carpas mrigala de tres sitios experimentales: 37,29±2,51%, 34,96±2,53 y 38,80±2,42% del ADN en la cola del cometa, momento de la cola con 23,48±3,90, 19,78±4,26 y 14,30±1,82% y cola media con 16,22±2,04, 13,83±1,96 10,99±0,90. Los ensayos de micronúcleos mostraron una alta frecuencia de inducción de micronúcleos como única 44,80±3,73, 06,20±0,97 y doble anomalías nucleares 09,60±1,72 calculados en miles de células. C8:0, C12:0, C20:0, C16:1(n-7), C16:1 (n-9), C20:1(n-9), C18:2(n-6), C18:4(n-3), C20:5(n-3) y C22:4(n-6) se mostraron como ácidos grasos que faltan en el pescado que tiene una mayor intensidad de daño en el ADN, aunque se encuentran en cantidades óptimas, tanto en los peces de piscifactoría como en los salvajes donde no hay hábitats contaminados. Se encontró una correlación altamente significativa (p < 0,01) también en ácidos saturados, ácidos grasos insaturados, daño del ADN y hábitat. El presente estudio reveló que la intensidad de la contaminación del hábitat aún en la más baja no sólo induce daño en el ADN, sino también en la composición de los ácidos grasos de la serie omega y de los ácidos grasos insaturados, para los que se prefiere ingerir pescado a otros animales

Genetic diversity at the FMR1 locus in the Indonesian population

We report an analysis of allelic diversity at short tandem repeat polymorphisms within the fragile XA locus in 1069 male volunteers from twelve Indonesian sub-populations. An odd numbered allele of DXS548 was found at high frequency in all Indonesian populations. Greater allelic diversity was identified at the loci under study than has been previously reported for an Asian population. These differences distinguish the Indonesian population from all previously reported Asian, European and African populations. A high frequency of small premutation alleles, 4/120 (3.3%, 95% CI 0.9–8.3%), was identified in the Moluccan population of Hiri Island

Oblique propagation of arbitrary amplitude electron acoustic solitary waves in magnetized kappa-distributed plasmas

The linear and nonlinear properties of large amplitude electron-acoustic waves are investigated in a magnetized plasma comprising two distinct electron populations (hot and cold) and immobile ions. The hot electrons are assumed to be in a non-Maxwellian state, characterized by an excess of superthermal particles, here modelled by a kappa-type long-tailed distribution function. Waves are assumed to propagate obliquely to the ambient magnetic field. Two types of electrostatic modes are shown to exist in the linear regime, and their properties are briefly analyzed. A nonlinear pseudopotential type analysis reveals the existence of large amplitude electrostatic solitary waves and allows for an investigation of their propagation characteristics and existence domain, in terms of the soliton speed (Mach number). The effects of the key plasma configuration parameters, namely, the superthermality index and the cold electron density, on the soliton characteristics and existence domain, are studied. The role of obliqueness and magnetic field are discussed.Comment: Submitted to Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusio

Livelihood after relocation-evidences of Guchchagram project in Bangladesh

Due to climate change and its consequences to islands and coastal countries, the relocation of the people living in those vulnerable places has received a lot of attention from policy makers as well as academicians. There have been similar kinds of programs running in Bangladesh since the country’s independence in 1971, and people who are landless or victimized due to river bank erosion, cyclones, or floods have been relocated under the umbrella program called ‘Guchchagram’, i.e., cluster villages. Different ruling parties had used different names for the project due to the financial nature of the project, but none of them have significantly differed from the overall goals and objectives of relocated settlements and the betterment of the landless and extreme event victims. Particularly, this study asks how and to what extent the livelihood of relocated households has changed, and what the potentials and constraints of the relocated settlements are. Based on an empirical study at four Guchchagrams of Gopalganj Sadar Upazila, the study shows that there is a significant improvement in the livelihood conditions of the migrated people, but the locational disadvantages and access to agricultural production, the local employment market, and some of the targeted objectives of the project have not achieved. To some extent, the rehabilitated families have similar risks as they had before; however, available agricultural lands and proper allocation can reduce such livelihood risks

An Empirical Analysis of the Impact of Climate-related Disasters on the Regional Economy

The ongoing climate change has impacted the lives and livelihoods of people. A climate-related disaster acts as an exogenous shock to the economy that can have lingering effects over a larger region even if all the locations are not directly affected. Climate-related disasters do not follow the administrative boundaries. So, often we see that a particular disaster event leaves its marks on a region that straddles multiple administrative boundaries. The effect of any disaster depends on the type, frequency, extent, and intensity of the disaster as well as on the adaptation of people. Moreover, households and firms can change locations to overcome the losses. The mobility of workers and firms across locations propagates the shock to other places that are not directly affected by the disaster. Therefore, the inter-connectivity of local economies is an important channel to dissipate the disaster impact to a larger region and thus an important aspect of disaster impact on the local labor market. This study focuses on two different aspects of climate-related disasters and their impact on regional well-being. First, the effects of different types of disasters on the local labor market are investigated and the results show that the conventional demand-supply analysis can be used to explain the underlying causes for the labor market outcome. The recent literature on climate-related disasters has focused on mainly one type of disaster at a given point in time or during a specific period. The focus has been primarily on the big disasters due to the catastrophic effect on the local and national economies. However, considering the variations in the methods, variables, study periods, locations, and disaster types, it is difficult to compare the findings to draw a conclusion on the underlying factors that cause the outcome. Also, many a time the disaster is treated as an event that has affected only one state or one region without considering the outcome of the neighboring locations. Therefore, using the Spatial Durbin Error Model (SDEM) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA), it is shown that the standard labor demand and supply analysis has the potential to explain the heterogeneity in labor market impacts of different types of climate-related disasters. Next, the quantitative spatial economics framework is adopted to investigate the effect of hurricanes on the spatial equilibrium distribution of economic activities in eight southern states in the U.S. The recurring damages from climate-related disasters redefine the spatial equilibrium by altering the productivity and amenity and inducing spatial sorting of households and firms within the region. To understand the impact of a climate-related disaster, it is, therefore, important to consider the sorting process and spatial linkage within a spatial equilibrium framework. It is found that the past exposure to hurricanes is associated with positive productivity shock, suggesting hurricanes as a force of constructive destruction in the long run. Moreover, it is also found that frequent hurricane exposure is considered as an adverse amenity, driving people away and pushing up the wage compensation. The adverse amenity effect of hurricanes is dominant over the positive productivity shock, leading to a 0.3 percent reduction in social welfare in the region. However, the equilibrium impact of hurricanes differs across locations depending on the frequent exposure to hurricanes and the size of the county economy. The two chapters take two different approaches to understand the impact of climate-related disasters on the regional economy. The empirical study starts with a partial equilibrium model to understand the effect of labor demand and supply shift on the labor market outcome considering the neighboring spillover and temporal effect. This study covering multiple climate-related disasters is a national-scale labor market impact assessment that allows drawing a comparison between outcomes of different types of disasters. Later, the spatial sorting of households and firms is considered that is an expected behavior to reduce the risks of expected damage over a long period. So, the quantitative spatial economics framework is used that assesses the hurricane impact from a general equilibrium perspective. Literature shows that disasters can have a positive impact on any specific location or industry during the restructuring and rehabilitation phase post-disaster. However, despite the positive effects of disasters on employment in specific cases, the overall well-being of the region may have a detrimental impact. Therefore, the generalization of results from the assessment of a specific industry or location can be misleading. The results from the essays show that the regional outcome along with the location-specific evaluation are equally important and therefore, both should be considered for the disaster management and economic resiliency by the local and national government

Profile of Hypospadias Cases in Central Java, Indonesia

Background: Hypospadia is believed to be a multifactorial disease. The risk factors that may induce the formation of hypospadias are environmental factors, endocrine disruptors, and genetic factors. The aim of this study was to describe the profile of hypospadias patients who visited the Center for Biomedical Research (CEBIOR), Faculty of Medicine, Diponegoro University, Semarang, Indonesia.Methods: This study is an observational study, using patients' medical record in CEBIOR from 2010 to 2012. The hypospadias cases were classified into syndromic, isolated and severe hypospadias based on their phenotype. The history of pregnancy, birth characteristics, and family history of the patients were described.Results: There were 120 cases of hypospadias, consisted of 48.33% severe hypospadias, 41.67% mild isolated hypospadias and 10% syndromic hypospadias. There were 38.33% hypospadias cases whose mothers were being exposed to repellant USAge and 39.17% cases whose fathers were smoking. Forty (33.33%) probands' mothers were aged above 35 years old when they gave birth to their affected son.Conclusion: Majority of hypospadias cases were severe and mild isolated. Environtmental factors including maternal age more than 35 years old, use of repellant, and smoking fathers were found in this study

Analisis Prevalensi Dan Faktor Risiko Pasien Dengan Isolated Hypospadias Di Laboratorium Cebior

Background: Hypospadias is a common congenital anomaly characterized by the location of orificium urethra external between perineum and its normal position at the tip of the glans. It occurs in 17 per 10.000 male births. The risk factors of hypospadias are still unclear, so hypospadias is still difficult to prevent.Aims: To analyze prevalence and risk factors isolated hypospadias in patients referred to the Center for Biomedical Research (CEBIOR).Methods: Two hundred and forty nine patients were registered during the period January 2005-April 2015. Prevalence and risk factors were analyzed descriptively using secondary data and risk factors were also analyzed with Chi-Square test.Results: The declining number of patients with isolated hypospadias in CEBIOR was found because of the movement process of laboratory and alteration system of assurance. All of patients with isolated hypospadias had male karyotype 46, XY (100%). Based on the anatomic position of orificium urethra external, most of isolated hypospadias cases were penile hypospadias (60.69%). An increased risk of severe isolated hypospadias was found in mother aged older than 35 years old (PR: 1.976, 95% CI: 1.048-3.726). Parity, low birth weight, smoking father, pesticide exposure, mosquito repellant incense exposure, hormonal contraceptive use, and taking certain medication were not associated with increased severity of isolated hypospadias (p&gt;0.05).Conclusions: The number of patients with isolated hypospadias in CEBIOR was decreased recently. The advanced maternal age was the risk factor of severe isolated hypospadias

Multidisciplinary Management of Disorders of Sex Development in Indonesia, a Prototype in Developing Country

Background : Disorder of sex development (DSD) patients require comprehensive management to improve quality of life. A standardized management protocol for patients in Indonesia is not yet available resulting in patients infrequently received a proper diagnosis. This study reported a multidisciplinary management DSD in Indonesia based on minimal diagnostic facilities and expertise in developing country.Objectives : The purpose of the study is to review the management of DSD patients in Indonesia relates to providing appropriate gender assignment and to improving patients quality of life.Methodology : We analyzed the records of DSD patient admitted to the division of Human Genetics Center for Biomedical Research (CEBIOR) Faculty of Medicine Diponegoro University, Semarang, Indonesia from May 2004 - December 2015. Data were collected and analyzed for physical examination, family pedigree karyotyping, hormonal assays and psychosocial. Other examination such as ultrasonography, Xray and Cytoscopy were also recorded for selected cases. Bimonthly, Sexual Adjustment Team (SAT) meeting was recorded.Results : From the total 617 DSD cases we found 426 cases (69,04 %) with 46, XY DSD, 117 cases (18,96%) with 46,XX DSD and 74 cases (12%) with sex chromosome DSD. Most of the patients in the group of 46, XY DSD are Unknown Male Undervirilization (UMU) with 256 cases (60.09%). As the majority cases of 46, XX DSD was Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia with 81 cases (69.23%). The remaining cases were Androgen Action Disorder (AAD) with 140 cases (32.86%), 46, XY DSD Gonadal Dysgenesis with 30 cases (7.04%), Androgen Excess Disorders with 3 cases (2.56%), Defect of Mullerian Development with 19 cases (16,24%), 3 cases (2.56%) of Androgen Excess and 3 cases (2.56%) of 46, XX Gonadal Dysgenesis.Conclusion : Comprehensive management for DSD Patients help patient in diagnosis, gender assignment and support patient to improve quality of life. This multidisciplinary of DSD team is the only team in Indonesia that can be used as a model for other center in Indonesia as well as other developing countries with minimal diagnostic facilities