Is fibromyalgia the most common diagnosis amongst female out-patients?

Background: The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) among women coming to outpatient department.Methods: A total of 68,625 female patients were evaluated out of which 47,901 were in the inclusion criteria. The screening protocol included interview items that have been defined as components of FMS using the 1990 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) classification criteria. Data was entered in mx excel sheet and results were analyzed. The socio-demographic data was expressed in proportions.Results: Out of 47,901 female patients, about 40.7% of the patients were diagnosed to have fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). Out of which the major group of patients belong to married, unskilled women aged between 40-60 years of age. Conclusions: Fibromyalgia syndrome is the commonest diagnosis among the female patients coming to orthopedic outpatient department

Effect of Aspergillus flavus on groundnut seed quality and its management

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is an important oil seed crop in India. It contains oil to an extent of 48 - 51 %. The major problem associated with groundnut is aflatoxin contamination. It is mainly caused by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. Groundnut being an oil seed, it contains lesser amount of carbohydrates than cereals but more amount of oil and protein and they break down into simple sugars and amino acids which is essential for germinating seed as an energy source. Several management strategies were adopted to minimize the aflatoxin problem viz., development of resistant varieties, use of biocontrol agents and cultural practices. Keeping this in view, the present findings pertaining to the present investigations were carried out on detection of seed mycoflora, mode of entry of A. flavus into groundnut seed, effect of A. flavus on seed and oil quality and evaluation of bioagents and fungicides in the management of A. flavus of groundnut under glasshouse conditions. A total of seventy two groundnut (72) pod samples comprising farmer samples (36) and market samples (36) from major groundnut growing districts of Telangana state during 2015 - 2016. The seed samples were analysed for seed health by agar plate method as per ISTA (1996). Significant differences in occurrence of total number fungal colonies due to location and source of seed samples were observed. Irrespective of the districts, total per cent occurrence of seed mycoflora was found high in farmer samples (92.4 %) over market samples (45.3 %). Out of four districts, samples of Mahabubnagar district (47.1 % & 26.2 %) followed by Warangal district (43.5 % & 24.6 %) recorded more total number of fungal colonies in farmer and market samples. Irrespective of the samples, occurrence of six fungal flora viz., A. flavus, A. niger, Fusarium sp. Alternaria sp. Macrophomina sp. Penicillium sp. were observed. Among them, A. flavus (43.2 %), A. niger (26.7 %) were found predominant in both farmer and market samples. External seed colonization due to A. flavus in groundnut resistant cv. J 11 and susceptible cv. JL 24 were observed at different days of incubation period indicated that resistant groundnut cv. J 11 inoculated with A. flavus colonized the seeds with severity score of 1, 2, 3, 4 and susceptible cv. JL 24 inoculated with A. flavus colonized the seeds with disease severity score of 2, 3, 4, 4 at 3, 5, 7 and 9 days after incubation period. The mode of entry of pathogen into groundnut seed was studied by Scanning Electron Microscopy. Groundnut seeds of resistant and susceptible cultivars inoculated with A. flavus toxigenic strain, the penetration and establishment of the fungi in case of J 11 was slow compared to JL 24. The present investigation reveals that A. flavus is seed borne in nature and contaminated seeds were important source of inoculum for seed infection and spread of the fungus from one seed to another during storage. The per cent reduction in oil content was high in susceptible groundnut cv. JL 24 (18.3%) as compared to resistant groundnut cv. J 11 (9 %). While the reduction in oil content was less in the untreated seeds of groundnut cv. JL 24 and groundnut cv. J 11 ( 13.7% and 6%). Overall the per cent reduction in the protein content was found high in susceptible groundnut cv. JL 24 (16.3 %) as compared to resistant groundnut cv. J 11 (6.5 %). While the reduction in protein content was less in the untreated seeds of groundnut cvs. JL 24 and J 11 (14.2 % & 5.1 %). The per cent reduction in the unsaturated fatty acids like linoleic and oleic acids were high in susceptible groundnut cv. JL 24 (17.5 % and 16.6 %) as compared to resistant groundnut cv. J 11 (15 % and 14 %). Whereas in the untreated seeds, the per cent reduction in linoleic and oleic acids were found low (11.3 % and 6 %) in cv. J 11 and 13.3 % and 8.2 % in cv. JL 24, respectively. The increase levels of saturated fatty acids viz., palmitic and stearic acids were high in susceptible cv. JL 24 (4.5 % & 4.5 %) as compared to resistant cv. J 11 (3.9 % & 2.93 %). Where as in untreated seeds, the increased levels in palmitic and stearic acids were found low (2.5 & 2 %) in cv. J 11 and 2.9 % and 1.94 % in groundnut cv. JL 24 respectively. The aflatoxin content at 1 to 56 days after incubation increased in groundnut cv. J 11 (2.15 μg/kg - 2861.3 μg/kg) & 63.4 μg/kg - 4077.1 μg/kg in cv. JL 24, respectively. In the untreated seeds there was low level aflatoxin content of 2.15 μg/kg - 14.7 μg/kg in cv. J 11 and 2.15 μg/kg - 21.1 μg/kg in cv. JL 24 were recorded. The efficacy of seed treatments against seed borne A. flavus were evaluated under glasshouse conditions. Groundnut seeds treated with T. harzianum was significantly superior in recording higher seed germination (96 %), plant height (4.75, 12.9 and 14.1 cm) and yield (4.60 g) followed by T. viride (91 %, 4.10, 11.5 and 13.5 cm, 4.20 g) which was on par with P. fluorescens (88.2 %, 3.40, 10.2 and 10.8 cm 4.10 g). The remaining seed treatments were also found effective in improving seed germination, plant height and yield in seeds treated with carbendazim (81 %, 2.77, 8.02 and 9.21 cm, 3.65 g), mancozeb (73.5 %, 2.72, 6.92 and 8.43 cm, 3.37 g) over untreated (65 %, 2.67, 6.62 and 7.37 cm, 29.2) and pathogen treated seeds (54.5 %, 2.57, 5.65, 6.41 cm, 2.55 g) at 15, 30, 45 DAS. Aflatoxins were detected in pathogen treated seeds (1.38 μg/kg) and untreated seeds (0.69 μg/kg) which is below permissible level. While aflatoxin was not observed in the seed treated with T. harzianum, T. viride and P. fluorescens

MULTI-ELEMENTAL ANALYSIS OF EXTRACT FROM PONGAMIAPINNATA

Heavy metals are found to be an important micronutrient for plants, humans, and animals provided the level is within the limit hence it is necessaryto determine its concentration. The extract from the seeds of Pongamia pinnata was derived by acid digestion using H2SO4. The extract was furtherclarified and filtered using standard filter papers. The clarified extract was diluted and the diluted extract was analyzed for the presence of heavymetals such as Zn, Mn, Mg, Fe, and K using atomic absorption spectrometry. The analysis revealed that the concentrations of certain metals were inacceptable levels and concentrations of certain other metals were in unacceptable levels which will have considerable impact on the engine's life andthe environment when the extract from it is used for biodiesel production.Keywords: Pongamia pinnata, Heavy metals, Atomic absorption spectrometry, Impacts, Engine, Environment

DNA Computing Using Cryptographic and Steganographic Strategies

Information protection and secrecy are major concerns, especially regarding the internet’s rapid growth and widespread usage. Unauthorized database access is becoming more common and is being combated using a variety of encrypted communication methods, such as encryption and data hiding. DNA cryptography and steganography are used as carriers by utilizing the bio-molecular computing properties that have become more common in recent years. This study examines recently published DNA steganography algorithms, which use DNA to encrypt confidential data transmitted through an insecure communication channel. Several DNA-based steganography strategies will be addressed, with a focus on the algorithm’s advantages and drawbacks. Probability cracking, blindness, double layer of security, and other considerations are used to compare steganography algorithms. This research would help and create more effective and accurate DNA steganography strategies in the future

Outlook for tuberculosis elimination in California: An individual-based stochastic model.

RationaleAs part of the End TB Strategy, the World Health Organization calls for low-tuberculosis (TB) incidence settings to achieve pre-elimination (<10 cases per million) and elimination (<1 case per million) by 2035 and 2050, respectively. These targets require testing and treatment for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI).ObjectivesTo estimate the ability and costs of testing and treatment for LTBI to reach pre-elimination and elimination targets in California.MethodsWe created an individual-based epidemic model of TB, calibrated to historical cases. We evaluated the effects of increased testing (QuantiFERON-TB Gold) and treatment (three months of isoniazid and rifapentine). We analyzed four test and treat targeting strategies: (1) individuals with medical risk factors (MRF), (2) non-USB, (3) both non-USB and MRF, and (4) all Californians. For each strategy, we estimated the effects of increasing test and treat by a factor of 2, 4, or 10 from the base case. We estimated the number of TB cases occurring and prevented, and net and incremental costs from 2017 to 2065 in 2015 U.S. dollars. Efficacy, costs, adverse events, and treatment dropout were estimated from published data. We estimated the cost per case averted and per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained.Measurements and main resultsIn the base case, 106,000 TB cases are predicted to 2065. Pre-elimination was achieved by 2065 in three scenarios: a 10-fold increase in the non-USB and persons with MRF (by 2052), and 4- or 10-fold increase in all Californians (by 2058 and 2035, respectively). TB elimination was not achieved by any intervention scenario. The most aggressive strategy, 10-fold in all Californians, achieved a case rate of 8 (95% UI 4-16) per million by 2050. Of scenarios that reached pre-elimination, the incremental net cost was $20 billion (non-USB and MRF) to$48 billion. These had an incremental cost per QALY of $657,000 to$3.1 million. A more efficient but somewhat less effective single-lifetime test strategy reached as low as $80,000 per QALY.ConclusionsSubstantial gains can be made in TB control in coming years by scaling-up current testing and treatment in non-USB and those with medical risks

Mycoflora Associated with Groundnut Seeds Collected from Selected Groundnut Growing Districts of Telangana State, India

Groundnut is an important food legume in several developing and developed countries. In India, Telangana state is one of the major groundnut growing states. A survey was conducted to collect a total of 72 groundnut pod samples at the time of harvesting from farmers and local markets in four districts, namely; Karimnagar, Warangal, Nizamabad, Mahabubnagar during 2015-16. These samples studied for detection of seed mycoflora by Agar plate method as recommended by ISTA. The major mycoflora associated with seeds belongs to five fungal genera such as Aspergillus, Fusarium, Alternaria, Macrophomina, Penicillium and total incidence was ranged from 0.67 % - 47.11 %. Samples collected from farmers were highly infected with different mycoflora compared to the samples collected from market. A. niger was predominant (47.11 %) while, the least was Penicillium (0.44 %). Out of four districts surveyed, the total incidence of mycoflora was high in Mahabubnagar and low in Nizamabad. The fungal species A. niger was found associated with all the collected samples of four districts at maximum incidence when compared to other fungal species. Current results imply the urgent need for application of management measures against different seed borne fungi to maintain the quality of groundnut

Assessment of Anthelmintic Activity of Ethanolic Extract of Musa sapientum Stem: An In-Vitro Approach

Many medicinal plants claimed to possess anthelmintic activity. Musa sapientum belonging to the Musaceae family is a highly valued plant, distributed in many countries of the tropical and sub tropical. Its common names includes banana. Some standard drugs such as piperazine citrate, albendazole, mebendazole, thiabendazole possess some side effects such as nausea, vomiting, stomach and abdominal pain, headache, dizziness, and temporary hair loss etc. But the herbal drug shows fewer side effects. Musa sapientum L. (Musaceae) are mainly grown in the tropical and subtropical countries and are widely used for its nutritional values all over the world. Preliminary phytochemical investigation includes the presence of alkaloids, carbohydrates, glycosides, flavonoids, steroids and tannins. Indian adult earthworms (Pheretima posthuma) were used to study anthelmintic activity. The activity was checked in ethanolic extract with three different concentrations (100, 200, 300mg/ml) and compared with the standard drug Albendazole (10mg/ml) and control as distilled water. The result was expressed in the terms of paralysis time and death time of worms. Ethanolic extract of Musa sapientum stem shows anthelmintic activity in dose dependent manner and maximum efficacy is seen at 300mg/ml concentration. Hence it was concluded that ethanolic extract of Musa sapientum stem have anthelmintic property. Keywords: Musa sapientum, earthworms, anthelmintic activity, albendazole, paralysis, Pheretima posthuma