Web Application for News Portal

News Portal provides access to all online Information about the Environment and each information source gets its dedicated area on the page for displaying information. Ne ws portal is to provide specific information, selected from newswire sit es on the Internet and also by video clips automatically extracted from TV broadcasts and as per the needs of users . The idea to made this project is to develop such web sites which will be very User friendly. This web site is working for peoples who want to share something interesting, knowledgeable, healthy, and entertainment. The traditional media rooms all around the world are fast adapting to the new age technologies. This marks the beginnin g of news portals by media houses across the globe and such new media channels give them the opportunity to reach the viewers in a shorter span of time than their print media counterparts

Comparative Performance of Some Improved Poultry Crossbreds Under Konkan Region of India

ABSTRACT The experiment was conducted at Poultry Farm, College of Agriculture, Dr. B. S. Konkan Krishi Vidhyapeeth to assess the comparative performance of some improved poultry crossbred during laying period. The trial was carried out on five different types of improved poultry crossbred namely, -Giriraja x Delham Red (T1), Delham Red x White Leghorn (T2), Giriraja x Asselkala (T3), Delham Red x Giriraja (T4), Asselkala x Giriraja (T5) and two purebred groups like Delham Red and Vanraja. About 147 experimental birds were replicated three times and each replication consisted of seven birds in seven treatments in a Completely Randomized design. The feed consumption during early laying period and peak laying period differed significantly (P<0.05) between the groups. The average egg production was significantly (P<0.05) different in the treatments during early and peak laying period. The gross returns from the eggs of purebreds was significantly higher (P<0.05) than the crossbreds. It can therefore be concluded that, feed consumption is lower in purebreds than crossbreds. The average egg production is more in purebreds as compared to crossbreds up to peak laying period. Considering the minimum feed consumption and feed cost with maximum egg production and gross returns were observed in purebreds vis-a-vis crossbreds

NMR identification of a conserved Drp1 cardiolipin-binding motif essential for stress-induced mitochondrial fission

Mitochondria form tubular networks that undergo coordinated cycles of fission and fusion. Emerging evidence suggests that a direct yet unresolved interaction of the mechanoenzymatic GTPase dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) with mitochondrial outer membrane-localized cardiolipin (CL), externalized under stress conditions including mitophagy, catalyzes essential mitochondrial hyperfragmentation. Here, using a comprehensive set of structural, biophysical, and cell biological tools, we have uncovered a CL-binding motif (CBM) conserved between the Drp1 variable domain (VD) and the unrelated ADP/ATP carrier (AAC/ANT) that intercalates into the membrane core to effect specific CL interactions. CBM mutations that weaken VD-CL interactions manifestly impair Drp1-dependent fission under stress conditions and induce "donut" mitochondria formation. Importantly, VD membrane insertion and GTP-dependent conformational rearrangements mediate only transient CL nonbilayer topological forays and high local membrane constriction, indicating that Drp1-CL interactions alone are insufficient for fission. Our studies establish the structural and mechanistic bases of Drp1-CL interactions in stress-induced mitochondrial fission

Epidemiological and cohort study finds no association between COVID-19 and Guillain-Barré syndrome

Reports of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) have emerged during the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This epidemiological and cohort study sought to investigate any causative association between COVID-19 infection and GBS. The epidemiology of GBS cases reported to the UK National Immunoglobulin Database was studied from 2016 to 2019 and compared to cases reported during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were stratified by hospital trust and region, with numbers of reported cases per month. UK population data for COVID-19 infection were collated from UK public health bodies. In parallel, but separately, members of the British Peripheral Nerve Society prospectively reported incident cases of GBS during the pandemic at their hospitals to a central register. The clinical features, investigation findings and outcomes of COVID-19 (definite or probable) and non-COVID-19 associated GBS cases in this cohort were compared. The incidence of GBS treated in UK hospitals from 2016 to 2019 was 1.65–1.88 per 100 000 individuals per year. GBS incidence fell between March and May 2020 compared to the same months of 2016–19. GBS and COVID-19 incidences during the pandemic also varied between regions and did not correlate with one another (r = 0.06, 95% confidence interval: −0.56 to 0.63, P = 0.86). In the independent cohort study, 47 GBS cases were reported (COVID-19 status: 13 definite, 12 probable, 22 non-COVID-19). There were no significant differences in the pattern of weakness, time to nadir, neurophysiology, CSF findings or outcome between these groups. Intubation was more frequent in the COVID-19 affected cohort (7/13, 54% versus 5/22, 23% in COVID-19-negative) attributed to COVID-19 pulmonary involvement. Although it is not possible to entirely rule out the possibility of a link, this study finds no epidemiological or phenotypic clues of SARS-CoV-2 being causative of GBS. GBS incidence has fallen during the pandemic, which may be the influence of lockdown measures reducing transmission of GBS inducing pathogens such as Campylobacter jejuni and respiratory viruses

AI is a viable alternative to high throughput screening: a 318-target study

: High throughput screening (HTS) is routinely used to identify bioactive small molecules. This requires physical compounds, which limits coverage of accessible chemical space. Computational approaches combined with vast on-demand chemical libraries can access far greater chemical space, provided that the predictive accuracy is sufficient to identify useful molecules. Through the largest and most diverse virtual HTS campaign reported to date, comprising 318 individual projects, we demonstrate that our AtomNet® convolutional neural network successfully finds novel hits across every major therapeutic area and protein class. We address historical limitations of computational screening by demonstrating success for target proteins without known binders, high-quality X-ray crystal structures, or manual cherry-picking of compounds. We show that the molecules selected by the AtomNet® model are novel drug-like scaffolds rather than minor modifications to known bioactive compounds. Our empirical results suggest that computational methods can substantially replace HTS as the first step of small-molecule drug discovery

Participation of Village Health Nutrition and Sanitation Committees (VHNSC) on Social determinants of health (SDH) in a District in Maharashtra.

Background: Community participation is one of the core principles of Primary Health Care. VHNSC is example of community participation and is formed to take collective actions on health issues and its social determinants of health (SDH). It is envisaged as being central to local level community action to support decentralized health planning. Work on actual participation of VHSNC on SDH is almost negligible. Therefore, the present research study was conducted to find out the participation of VHNSC on SDH. Aim: To assess the involvement of VHNSC on SDH. Methods and Material: Knowledge on SDH and health actions of VHNSCs were studied using a questionnaire which was pretested and suitably modified. The study was conducted in all the 83 VHNSCs under 4 PHCs namely Waiphad, Anji, Kharangana Gode and Talegaon were choosen as per feasibility. Results: Members of all VHNSCs had knowledge about access to safe drinking water, sanitation and nutrition as SDH. Members from 6 (7.2%) VHNSCs could not relate literacy with health. Most had to be probed regarding knowledge about addiction to tobacco and alcohol; social deprivation and availability of emergency transport. Conclusions: VHNSC are moving in the right direction however they require continuous support, hand holding and monitoring from government and other NGOs

Assessment of functioning of village health nutrition and sanitation committees in a District in Maharashtra

Background: Community participation is one of the core principles of primary healthcare. The village health nutrition and sanitation committee (VHNSC), one of the elements in implementation of the National Health Mission (NHM), is an example of community participation. There are not many studies conducted to assess the actual participation of VHNSC in health-care delivery at the village level. Objective: The objective of the study is to develop a VHNSC Maturity Index (VMI) and pilot it to assess the institutional maturity of VHNSC. Materials and Methods: This community-based, cross-sectional study was conducted in 83 villages under four Primary Health Centres (PHCs) of the Wardha Community Development block. VMI was developed, Through several discussion sessions with VHNSC members and staff of the DCM; observations of VHND; attending VHNSC monthly meetings; the VMI was finalized after piloting it in all the four PHC areas. Results: All the 83 VHNSCs were constituted as per norms led down under NHM. Forty-eight (57.8%) VHNSCs had developed an annual Village Health Action Plan, 72 (86.7%) VHNSCs had ≥4 meetings held in the past 6 months, and ≥70% attendance in the past 6 months was observed in 40 (48.2%) VHNSCs. A majority of 82 (98.8%) VHNSCs helped in organizing the village health and nutrition day, 59 (71.1%) VHNSCs monitored the implementation of national health programs. The entire untied fund received in the previous year was utilized by 68 (81.9%) VHNSCs. Conclusion: The study shows that VMI can be used for continuous monitoring and assessment tool for VHNSC to evaluate and plan different health activities

Childhood actinic keratosis in an albino transforming into squamous cell carcinoma

Actinic keratosis is a scaly, cutaneous lesion that is often seen in elderly patients. It is almost never seen in children and young adults. It develops on areas such as the face, ears and dorsa of the hands with chronic sun exposure. Actinic keratosis is a premalignant lesion, since histological changes in the epidermis may progress to squamous cell carcinoma if left untreated. There are roughly 70,000 people with albinism in India. These patients are prone to develop actinic keratosis which may undergo spontaneous remission or develop into invasive squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma.We present an unusual case of a 35 year old albino who developed actinic keratosis at the age 15 years which progressed to squamous cell carcinoma

Comparative Growth Performance of Deccani Lambs Under Various Rearing Systems in Agro-ecological Conditions of Konkan

ABSTRACT The experiment was carried out during winter season (Dec-March) to study comparative growth performance of Deccani lambs under different rearing systems. Twelve Deccani lambs of 3 months age were randomly allocated into three groups of four lambs each viz., T 1 (Grazing), T 2 (Semistallfed), T 3 (Stallfed). T 1 lambs were maintained on 6-7 hrs grazing (100%) with supplementation of concentrate mixture at night as maintenance ration. Both T 2 and T 3 lambs were reared on green roughages of green maize (Zea mays) and Shivan (Gmelina arborea) tree leaves with concentrate mixtures for maintenance. The dry matter intake, average daily gain in body weight, body length, body height, chest girth and total greasy fleece yield was significantly higher (P< 0.01) in stallfed system than grazing and semistallfed systems. The higher intake of dry matter in T 3 (Stallfed) lambs was observed than the lambs reared under the other two systems. Considering superior growth performance of Deccani lambs under stallfed system,present study concludes that , the sustainable lamb production could be promoted in stallfed (Intensive) system in Konkan region of Central India

An evaluation of analgesic activity of leaf and stem bark extracts of ficus religiosa in wistar rats

Introduction: Pain is an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential damage. Non- steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs) & Opioids are wide analgesics, but because of adverse effects, their use is limited. Ficus Religiosa is a traditional medicinal plant, its various parts have been used in treating some conditions. Aims & Objective: To evaluate the analgesic activity of methanolic extract of leaves and stem bark of Ficus Religiosa at different doses. Materials & Methodology: This study was conducted in the Department of Pharmacology. Two doses of methanolic extract of leaves (100 & 200 mg/kg) and stem bark (125 & 250 mg/kg) of ficus religiosa were used. Wistar rats were used to evaluate analgesic activity and it was evaluated by using analgesiometer by tail flick method. Phytochemical screening of both the extracts were also done. Results: Both the extracts at their respective doses showed significant analgesic activity as compared with the control group, whereas it was not comparable with the standard drug ibuprofen (40 mg/kg p.o). Conclusion: Therefore, we conclude that both the extracts of ficus religiosa were showing analgesic activity. But this analgesic activity is not comparable with the standard drug Ibuprofen