Sugars of pearl millet [Pennisetum americanum (L.) Leeke] grains

The sugars in the grains of nine pearl millet cultivars were fractionated through a Biogel column. Five different sugars‘(stachyose, raffinose, sucrose, glucose, and fructose) were identified. Sucrose was predominant in all the cultivars. Raffinose content was high as compared to other cereals, and maltose was absen

Structural change in the fishing pattern - a natural resource study in Tamil Nadu

Indian marine fishery sector has transformed from a subsistence traditional avocation to that of an industry through State support and technological innovations leading to increased fish landings. However, there is a fear that these developments have led to depletion of certain fishery resources. In this context, an attempt was made to study the structural changes in the mode and pattern of fishing in Tamil Nadu State and to ascertain whether the current level of exploitation is sustainable

Economics of different Marine Fishing Crafts in Tamil Nadu

The marine fisheries sector of India has grown from the subsistance level to that of an industry mainly through the introduction of mechanised crafts and the subsequent developments in the craft technologies. Though the overall landings have increased, a low catch per unit effort and the increased cost of fishing have left some units to run on loss. Thus it is imperative to study the economic performance of various fishing units to help in judicial allocation of resources and to suggest suitable policy prescriptions. Hence, the economics of major fishing units was studied in Ramanathapurarn District of Tamil Nadu

Efficacy of low dose magnesium sulphate regime and Pritchard’s regime in controlling of eclamptic convulsion and prevention of recurrence

Background: Eclampsia is defined as the onset of convulsions or coma during pregnancy or in post-partum period in a patient who has signs and symptoms of pre-eclampsia. It is life threatening emergency that continues to be a major cause of serious maternal morbidity and mortality also along with high perinatal mortality and morbidity. The present study undertaken to determine the efficacy of low dose magnesium sulphate regime and Pritchard’s regime in controlling eclamptic convulsion and prevention of recurrence of convulsion.Methods: Out of total 60 patients enrolled in the study; 30 were given low dose magnesium sulphate regime and remaining 30 with Pritchard’s regime. Selection of patients was done with simple random sampling. Relevant history was obtained from the patient, if conscious, or from the relatives. Through clinical examination was done and blood samples were collected for investigations after securing IV line.Results: There was insignificant difference regarding type of eclampsia in both groups. Recurrence of convulsion in Pritchard’s regime group was 6.67% and in Low dose regime group found to be 10% but this was statistically insignificant. Total dose of magnesium sulphate required in Low dose regime group was less than that required for Pritchard’s regime.Conclusions: Low dose magnesium sulphate Regime proved equally effective as that of Pritchard’s regime in control of convulsion in spite of less amount of drug and comparatively low serum magnesium levels and hence there is hardly any fear of intoxicator

Equity and economic implications of mechanised fishing on traditional fishery - a study in Tamil Nadu

Fishermen community is considered as a backward section of the Indian Society. The fishery development progrmmes focused on increasing the catch and in improving the socio economic status of the fishermen. The introduction of mechanised crafts has led to increased catch but this move was perceived to have adversely affected the wellbeing of the traditional fishermen as this crafts, competed with the traditional crafts in the conventional zone

Amylase Activity and Sprout Damage in Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench)

Sorghum grain samples from several genotypes affected by wet and humid weather during maturation were studied. Amylase activity in the rain-affected grains ranged from 6.1 to 18.0 units per gram, whereas values below 6.7 were observed for dry-season harvests. Enzyme activity in the range of 8.2-12.6 units per gram was associated with incipient damage, while values above 12.6 were associated with visible symptoms of sprouting. Laboratory-sprouted samples (30 hr) of 15 cultivars showed an average enzyme activity of 22.8 units per gram and poor rolling, gel, and roti quality characters. Increased amylase activity was associated with decreased food quality characteristics. Studies on composites of normal and sprouted grain samples showed th at 20% sprouted grains in the composite resulted in significant changes in the food-quality properties

A non-surgical approach for male germ cell mediated gene transmission through transgenesis

Microinjection of foreign DNA in male pronucleus by in-vitro embryo manipulation is difficult but remains the method of choice for generating transgenic animals. Other procedures, including retroviral and embryonic stem cell mediated transgenesis are equally complicated and have limitations. Although our previously reported technique of testicular transgenesis circumvented several limitations, it involved many steps, including surgery and hemicastration, which carried risk of infection and impotency. We improved this technique further, into a two step non-surgical electroporation procedure, for making transgenic mice. In this approach, transgene was delivered inside both testes by injection and modified parameters of electroporation were used for in-vivo gene integration in germ cells. Using variety of constructs, germ cell integration of the gene and its transmission in progeny was confirmed by PCR, slot blot and immunohistochemical analysis. This improved technique is efficient, requires substantially less time and can be easily adopted by various biomedical researchers

Attitudes toward and Uptake of H1N1 Vaccine among Health Care Workers during the 2009 H1N1 Pandemic

BACKGROUND: Though recommended by many and mandated by some, influenza vaccination rates among health care workers, even in pandemics, remain below optimal levels. The objective of this study was to assess vaccination uptake, attitudes, and distinguishing characteristics (including doctor-nurse differences) of health care workers who did and did not receive the pandemic H1N1 influenza vaccine in late 2009. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: In early 2010 we mailed a self-administered survey to 800 physicians and 800 nurses currently licensed and practicing in Minnesota. 1,073 individuals responded (cooperation rate: 69%). 85% and 62% of Minnesota physicians and nurses, respectively, reported being vaccinated. Accurately estimating the risk of vaccine side effects (OR 2.0; 95% CI 1.5-2.7), agreeing with a professional obligation to be vaccinated (OR 10.1; 95% CI 7.1-14.2), an ethical obligation to follow public health authorities' recommendations (OR 9.9; 95% CI 6.6-14.9), and laws mandating pandemic vaccination (OR 3.1; 95% CI 2.3-4.1) were all independently associated with receiving the H1N1 influenza vaccine. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: While a majority of health care workers in one midwestern state reported receiving the pandemic H1N1 vaccine, physicians and nurses differed significantly in vaccination uptake. Several key attitudes and perceptions may influence health care workers' decisions regarding vaccination. These data inform how states might optimally enlist health care workers' support in achieving vaccination goals during a pandemic

Broad-Spectrum Antiviral Therapeutics

Currently there are relatively few antiviral therapeutics, and most which do exist are highly pathogen-specific or have other disadvantages. We have developed a new broad-spectrum antiviral approach, dubbed Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) Activated Caspase Oligomerizer (DRACO) that selectively induces apoptosis in cells containing viral dsRNA, rapidly killing infected cells without harming uninfected cells. We have created DRACOs and shown that they are nontoxic in 11 mammalian cell types and effective against 15 different viruses, including dengue flavivirus, Amapari and Tacaribe arenaviruses, Guama bunyavirus, and H1N1 influenza. We have also demonstrated that DRACOs can rescue mice challenged with H1N1 influenza. DRACOs have the potential to be effective therapeutics or prophylactics for numerous clinical and priority viruses, due to the broad-spectrum sensitivity of the dsRNA detection domain, the potent activity of the apoptosis induction domain, and the novel direct linkage between the two which viruses have never encountered.National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (U.S.) (grant AI057159)New England Regional Center of Excellence for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious DiseasesUnited States. Dept. of Defense (Director of Defense Research & Engineering)United States. Defense Threat Reduction AgencyUnited States. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agenc