Valorisation of phyto-biochars as slow release micronutrients and sulphur carrier for agriculture

Slow release micronutrients and sulphur sources are required for higher use efficiency of fertilizers in agriculture. The present investigation was undertaken to examine the salt soluble, desorbed and specifically sorbed fractions of micronutrients and sulphur in nutrient enriched phyto-biochars incubated at 15, 25 and 35°C for 48 h after pyrolysis of Lantana sp., Pinus sp. needles and wheat straw at 300 and 450 °C. The highest salt soluble fractions of Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn and B were recorded with pine needle biochar pyrolyzed at 300 °C, whereas that of S with lantana biochar pyrolyzed at 300 °C. The highest desorbed contents of Zn, Cu and Mn were with pine needle biochar (300 °C) and that of B and S with wheat straw biochar (450 °C) and lantana biochar (300 °C), respectively. An increase in incubation temperature from 15 to 25 °C increased the salt soluble contents of Zn and specifically sorbed contents of Fe and B but decreased salt soluble contents of Fe and B and desorbed amount of S significantly. Further, increase in incubation temperature from 25 to 35 °C significantly decreased the salt soluble contents of all nutrients except Mn and desorbed amount of S but increased specifically sorbed amount of Fe, B and S. Considering the salt soluble and desorbed contents of nutrients in enriched phyto-biochars, especially pine needle biochar pyrolyzed at 300 °C and treated with marginal or deficient nutrients for 2 d at 15-25 °C appeared to be suitable as a slow release fertilizer.

Reducing options of ammonia volatilization and improving nitrogen use efficiency via organic and inorganic amendments in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Background

This study investigates the effect of organic and inorganic supplements on the reduction of ammonia (NH3) volatilization, improvement in nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), and wheat yield.

Methods

A field experiment was conducted following a randomized block design with 10 treatments i.e., T1-without nitrogen (control), T2-recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN), T3-(N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide) (NBPT @ 0.5% w/w of RDN), T4-hydroquinone (HQ @ 0.3% w/w of RDN), T5-calcium carbide (CaC2 @ 1% w/w of RDN), T6-vesicular arbuscular mycorrhiza (VAM @ 10 kg ha-1), T7-(azotobacter @ 50 g kg-1 seeds), T8-(garlic powder @ 0.8% w/w of RDN), T9-(linseed oil @ 0.06% w/w of RDN), T10-(pongamia oil @ 0.06% w/w of RDN).

Results

The highest NH3 volatilization losses were observed in T2 at about 20.4 kg ha-1 per season. Significant reduction in NH3 volatilization losses were observed in T3 by 40%, T4 by 27%, and T8 by 17% when compared to the control treatment. Soil urease activity was found to be decreased in plots receiving amendments, T3, T4, and T5. The highest grain yield was observed in the T7 treated plot with 5.09 t ha-1, and straw yield of 9.44 t ha-1 in T4.

Conclusion

The shifting towards organic amendments is a feasible option to reduce NH3 volatilization from wheat cultivation and improves NUE.

Sorption-desorption of some transition metals, boron and sulphur in a multi-ionic system onto phyto-biochars prepared at two pyrolysis temperatures

The sorption-desorption of transition metals, B and S onto phyto-biochars prepared from lantana, pine needles and wheat straw by pyrolysis at 300 °C and 450 °C were studied using the batch method. Their sorption-desorption onto phyto-biochars conformed to Freundlich isotherms. Phyto-biochars pyrolyzed at 450 °C had higher sorption capacity for transition metals (Zn, Cu, Fe, and Mn) but lower sorption capacity for S as compared to those pyrolyzed at 300 °C. The desorption capacity of phyto-biochars pyrolyzed at 450 °C for transition metals, B and S was also higher than that of phyto-biochars pyrolyzed at 300 °C except for S in pine needle biochar. Percent desorption of all transition metals, B and S was lower for phyto-biochars pyrolyzed at 450 °C compared to those pyrolyzed at 300 °C; however, an opposite trend was noted for Mn and S in the case of pine needle and wheat biochars, respectively. Simple correlation analysis of Freundlich model constants, desorption index and percent desorption values of transition metals, B and S with the properties of phyto-biochars and changes in Fourier transform infra-red spectra after sorption revealed that several conjunctive mechanisms such as cation exchange, complexation and co-precipitation for the sorption of transition metals, H-bonding/ligand exchange for B and H-bonding/cation bridging for S were operative in phyto-biochars. Phyto-biochars produced from plant biomass wastes by pyrolysis at 300 °C, which have been enriched with Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn, B and S may serve as a potential slow-release nutrient carrier in agriculture.

Genome-wide association studies reveal putative QTLs for physiological traits under contrasting phosphorous conditions in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

A Genome-wide association (GWAS) study was conducted for phosphorous (P)-use responsive physiological traits in bread wheat at the seedling stage under contrasting P regimes. A panel of 158 diverse advanced breeding lines and released varieties, and a set of 10,800 filtered single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers were used to study marker-trait associations over the eight shoot traits. Principle component analysis separated the two environments (P regimes) because of the differential response of the traits indicating the essentiality of the separate breeding programmes for each environment. Significant variations for genotypic, environmental, and genotype × environment (GEI) effects were observed for all the traits in the combined analysis of variance with moderately high broad sense heritability traits (0.50–0.73). With the different algorithms of association mapping viz., BLINK, FarmCPU, and MLM, 38 unique QTLs under non-limiting P (NLP) and 45 QTLs for limiting P (LP) conditions for various shoot traits were identified. Some of these QTLs were captured by all three algorithms. Interestingly, a Q.iari.dt.sdw.1 on chromosome 1D was found to explain the significant variations in three important physiological traits under non-limiting phosphorus (NLP) conditions. We identified the putative candidate genes for QTLs namely Q.iari.dt.chl.1, Q.iari.dt.sdw.16, Q.iari.dt.sdw.9 and Q.iari.dt.tpc.1 which are potentially involved in the mechanism regulating phosphorus use efficiency through improved P absorption due to improved root architectural traits and better mobilization such as sulfotransferase involved in postembryonic root development, WALLS ARE THIN1 (WAT1), a plant-specific protein that facilitates auxin export; lectin receptor-like kinase essentially involved in plant development, stress response during germination and lateral root development and F-box component of the SKP-Cullin-F box E3 ubiquitin ligase complex and strigolactone signal perception. Expression profiling of putative genes located in identified genomic regions against the wheat expression atlas revealed their significance based on the expression of these genes for stress response and growth development processes in wheat. Our results thus provide an important insight into understanding the genetic basis for improving PUE under phosphorus stress conditions and can shape the future breeding programme by developing and integrating molecular markers for these difficult-to-score important traits.

Metal doped nitrogenous hydroxyapatite nanohybrids slowly release nitrogen to crops and mitigate ammonia volatilization: An impact assessment

To supply adequate food, the ongoing and unrestrained administration of nitrogen fertilizer to agricultural fields is polluting the climate and living organisms. On the other hand, the agriculture sector urgently needs a technological upgrade to effectively confront hunger and poverty. Here, we report a rapid synthesis of zinc and magnesium-doped hydroxyapatite-urea nanohybrids for slow release and delivery of nitrogen to wheat and rice crops. Nanohybrids slowly release nitrogen for up to six weeks compared to the burst release of nitrogen from urea, and their use substantially reduces, by at least 3.8 times, ammonia emissions into the environment compared with that of urea fertilizer. A half‑nitrogen dose applied as multi-nutrient complexed nanohybrids maintained crop growth, yield, and nutritional compositions in wheat and subsequent rice crops. Nanohybrids enhanced the wheat crop yield and nitrogen uptake by 22.13% and 58.30%, respectively. The synthesized nitrogen nanohybrids remained in the soil for two continuous crop cycles, reduced ammonia volatilization, and achieved nitrogen delivery to the crops. Additionally, soil dehydrogenase activity (534.55% above control) and urease activities (81.82% above control) suggest that nanohybrids exhibited no adverse impact on soil microorganisms. Our comprehensive study demonstrates the advantages of 'doping' as a method for tailoring hydroxyapatite nanoparticles properties for extended agricultural and environmental applications. The use of nanohybrids substantially reduced greenhouse gas emissions and enabled the reduction, by half, of nitrogen inputs into the agricultural fields. This study, therefore, reports a novel nano-enabled platform of engineered hydroxyapatite-urea nanohybrids as a nitrogen fertilizer for efficient nitrogen delivery that results in improved crop growth while minimizing environmental pollution.

Snapping Sartorius tendon due to a medial knee ganglion: an unusual cause of medial knee pain

Snapping of knee could be due to plethora of causes. We describe a case of snapping of Sartorius over a medial knee ganglion that was treated successfully by ultrasound guided aspiration with complete resolution of symptoms.

Appraisal of probabilistic levels of toxic metals and health risk in cultivated and marketed vegetables in urban and peri-urban areas of Delhi, India

A total of six vegetables (S. tuberosum, D. carota, S. lycopersicum, A. esculentus, S. oleracea and B. juncea) were analysed for five heavy metals (As, Cd, Cr, Hg, and Pb) to evaluate the contamination load in vegetables collected from five cultivated and two market sites (n = 504) at Delhi, India. The irrigation water samples and soil samples (n = 180) were only collected from cultivated sites. The results showed that the concentration of heavy metals in soil and water samples were well below the permissible level except for Cd 0.001-0.013 µg g^-1. Similarly, the concentration of Cd (>0.20 µg g^-1) was detected higher in all investigated vegetables except for tomato. The evaluation index value was highest for spinach and lowest for tomato. The transfer factor values and metal pollution index was maximum in spinach and okra. Principal component analysis (PCA), Tukey's HSD (Honestly Significant Difference) test, and one-way and two-way ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) were also applied to statistically analyse the results.

Protein for Human Consumption From Oilseed Cakes: A Review

Oilseed cakes left after the oil extraction for different purposes are chiefly used as cattle feed, compost amendment, or plant conditioner. These oilseed cakes are rich in protein, nitrogenous compounds, and minerals. Beside its conventional usage, studies have been conducted to utilize these protein rich resources for human consumption. Considering the exponentially increasing human population and escalating food prices, these protein rich sources can be a novel food commodity and used to extract protein. The quality and functional properties of extracted oilseed cake proteins not only supplement the existing protein sources for the human consumption but also solve the problem of oilseed cakes disposal along with the additional income to the oilseed crop producers and processers. Production of proteins for human consumption from oil seed cakes may also reduce the carbon and water footprints while producing animal protein. The present review will focused on analyzing the oilseed cake as a protein source, characterization, extraction techniques, and utilization in food products.

Conservation agricultural practices for minimizing ammonia volatilization and maximizing wheat productivity

A large amount of ammonia volatilization from the agricultural system causes environmental problems and increases production costs. Conservation agriculture has emerged as an alternate and sustainable crop production system. Therefore, in the present study, ammonia losses from different agricultural practices were evaluated for the wheat crop under different tillage practices. The results of the present study showed that the cumulative emission of ammonia flux from the wheat field varied from 6.23 to 24.00 kg ha^-1 (P ≤ 0.05) in conservation tillage (CA) and 7.03 to 26.58 kg ha^-1 (P ≤ 0.05) in conventional tillage (CT) among different treatments. Application of basal 80% nitrogen resulted in the highest ammonia flux in conventional and conservation tillage practices. The ammonia volatilization followed the following trend: urea super granules with band placement > neem-coated urea with band placement > neem-coated urea with broadcast before irrigation > neem-coated urea with broadcast after irrigation > slow-release N fertilizer (urea stabilized with DCD and N(n-butyl)thiophosphoric triamide) with band placement. The conservation agricultural practices involving conservation tillage appear to be a sustainable approach for minimizing ammonia volatilization and improving wheat productivity.

Effect of ZnO Nanoparticles on Growth and Biochemical Responses of Wheat and Maize

Zinc is an essential element that is also renowned for widespread contamination and toxicity at high concentrations. The present study was carried out to analyze the responses induced by lower, as well as higher, doses of zinc (0-200 mg/L), in the form of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) in wheat and maize, for a period of 21 days. Accumulation of zinc increases with increasing Zn doses in both wheat and maize, with higher doses being in wheat (121 mg/kg in root and 66 mg/kg in shoot) than in maize (95 mg/kg in root and 48 mg/kg in shoot). The activity of alpha-amylase showed increase, while that of dehydrogenase decline, in response to ZnO NPs. The length and biomass of plants and photosynthetic pigments increased slightly upon ZnO NPs supply. Malondialdehyde content showed a progressive increase in root and shoot of both plants. However, in response, antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, guaiacol peroxidase, and catalase) showed increase up to lower concentrations (100 mg/L) of ZnO NPs but decline variably at higher levels (150-200 mg/L) in wheat and maize. The results suggest that lower supply of ZnO NPs (100 mg/L) could be stimulatory to the growth of plants and can be recommended as a Zn fertilizer source for crop production.

Circular economy fertilization: Phycoremediated algal biomass as biofertilizers for sustainable crop production

There is an urgent need to meet the demand of water and nutrients by their reuse and recycling to gratify sustainable food production system and resource conservation. Chlorella minutissima was found to be very effective in the removal of electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids, phosphorous (P), potassium (K), ammonium, nitrate, biological oxygen demand (BOD₅) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) of sewage wastewater. We tested the effects of phycoremediated algal biomass addition to soil in field plots of baby corn and spinach, on plant growth, yield and soil chemical properties. The application of 100% nitrogen (N) fertilizer by algal biomass lead to higher economic yield of spinach and baby corn than recommended dose of mineral fertilizers. The available N and P content in experimental plots applied with algae biomass as biofertilizers were significantly higher than other treatments. The soil enzymes, such as urease, nitrate reductase, and dehydrogenase were analysed during the cropping season of baby corn and spinach. The soil supplied with 100% N by algae biomass (C. minutissima) significantly (P < 0.05) increased the dehydrogenase activity in spinach grown soil. While the nitrate reductase activity in soil supplied with algal manure was maximum (0.13 mg NO₂-N produced g^-1 soil 24 h^-1) and significantly higher than other treatments in baby corn grown soil. This study revealed that phycoremediation coupled with biofertilizers production from algae biomass is a recycling and resource conservation exercise to reduce eutrophication, recycling of wastewater, recycling of plant nutrients and improvement of the soil quality in circular economy fertilization.

357 Improving Surgical Consent – A Quality Improvement Project to Enhance the Consenting Process

Introduction

RCS guidelines on consent, recently updated, encourage a dialogue where all risks material to that patient are discussed and are clear. An audit was performed to assess whether practice at Oxford Hospitals is compliant with these guidelines – that all patients for elective surgery are consented prior to admission.

Method

Thirty-two undergoing elective Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS), Tonsillectomy and Septoplasty were interviewed in May-June 2019. Baseline data were presented at a local educational meeting, along with education on the recent changes to the RCS guidelines. Repeat audit took place in August-September 2020.

Results

All 32 patients were consented as per RCS guidelines and understood the reason for their surgery, but only 31% could explain the risks, and 56% could explain alternative options. Twenty (63%) consent forms were easily legible on randomised heuristic assessment. After education and change in department practice, understanding of the operation was much improved (80-100%). One outcome was to create pre-filled consent forms for common ENT operations.

Conclusions

Whilst RCS policy on completing consent prior to admission is being achieved, patient interviews suggest a lack of understanding of the operation. Standardised consent forms have the potential to enhance this understanding, as well as saving time.

Hazardous heavy metals contamination of vegetables and food chain: Role of sustainable remediation approaches - A review

This review emphasizes the role of toxic metal remediation approaches due to their broad sustainability and applicability. The rapid developmental processes can incorporate a large quantity of hazardous and unseen heavy metals in all the segments of the environment, including soil, water, air and plants. The released hazardous heavy metals (HHMs) entered into the food chain and biomagnified into living beings via food and vegetable consumption and originate potentially health-threatening effects. The physical and chemical remediation approaches are restricted and localized and, mainly applied to wastewater and soils and not the plant. The nanotechnological, biotechnological and genetical approaches required to more rectification and sustainability. A cellular, molecular and nano-level understanding of the pathways and reactions are responsible for potentially toxic metals (TMs) accumulation. These approaches can enable the development of crop varieties with highly reduced concentrations of TMs in their consumable foods and vegetables. As a critical analysis by authors observed that nanoparticles could provide very high adaptability for both in-situ and ex-situ remediation of hazardous heavy metals (HHMs) in the environment. These methods could be used for the improvement of the inbuilt genetic potential and phytoremediation ability of plants by developing transgenic. These biological processes involve the transfer of gene of interest, which plays a role in hazardous metal uptake, transport, stabilization, inactivation and accumulation to increased host tolerance. This review identified that use of nanoremediation and combined biotechnological and, transgenic could help to enhance phytoremediation efficiency in a sustainable way.

Intrasynovial spindle cell lipoma of the deep flexor of the middle finger causing intermittent carpal tunnel syndrome-case report and review of the literature

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) represents the most common entrapment neuropathy of the upper extremity. Intermittent CTS has been reported in the surgical literature and usually, related to masses associated to flexor tendons. We describe a patient with an intrasynovial lipoma involving the deep flexor of the middle finger causing intermittent CTS and snapping on flexion-extension.

Zinc supplementation imparts tolerance to arsenite stress in Hydrilla verticillata (L.f.) Royle

The present study was aimed to analyze the effects of external Zn supply on arsenic (As) toxicity in Hydrilla verticillata (L.f.) Royle. The plants were exposed to arsenite (AsIII; 10 μM) with or without 50 and 100 μM Zn. The level of As accumulation (μg g^-1 dw) after 2 and 4 days was not significantly affected by Zn supply. The plants showed a significant stimulation of the thiol metabolism (nonprotein thiols, cysteine, glutathione-S-transferase activity) upon As(III) exposure in the presence of Zn as compared to As(III) alone treatment. Besides, they did not experience significant toxicity, measured in terms of hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde accumulation, which are the indicators of oxidative stress. The minus Zn plants suffered from oxidative stress probably due to insufficient increase in thiols to counteract the stress. Stress amelioration by Zn supply was also evident from antioxidant enzyme activities, which came close to control levels with increasing Zn supply as compared to the increase observed in As(III) alone treatment. Variable Zn supply also modulated the level of photosynthetic pigments and restored them to control levels. In conclusion, an improved supply of Zn to plants was found to augment their ability to withstand As toxicity through enhanced thiol metabolism.

Posterior Fossa Hypervascular Tumour Embolisation

Hemangioblastomas are histologically benign tumours that comprise 7–12% of all posterior fossa lesions. Treatment of these lesions is often complicated by the significant vascularity of the tumour and the difficult surgical resection in the sensitive neural tissue. In such situations, preoperative embolisation facilitates surgery by not only decreasing the intraoperative blood loss, but also by decreasing the total operative time and allowing a near complete resection of the tumour. Though infrequent, fatal complications can occur during preoperative embolisation procedures. We report two such cases in which the tumour bled during the procedure. In both cases, this was effectively managed by arterial pedicle occlusion with NBCA (N-Butyl Cyano acrylate). The early detection, immediate control and the possible causes of this complication is presented.

Environmental applications of chitosan and its derivatives

Chitosan originates from the seafood processing industry and is one of the most abundant of bio-waste materials. Chitosan is a by-product of the alkaline deacetylation process of chitin. Chemically, chitosan is a polysaccharide that is soluble in acidic solution and precipitates at higher pHs. It has great potential for certain environmental applications, such as remediation of organic and inorganic contaminants, including toxic metals and dyes in soil, sediment and water, and development of contaminant sensors. Traditionally, seafood waste has been the primary source of chitin. More recently, alternative sources have emerged such as fungal mycelium, mushroom and krill wastes, and these new sources of chitin and chitosan may overcome seasonal supply limitations that have existed. The production of chitosan from the above-mentioned waste streams not only reduces waste volume, but alleviates pressure on landfills to which the waste would otherwise go. Chitosan production involves four major steps, viz., deproteination, demineralization, bleaching and deacetylation. These four processes require excessive usage of strong alkali at different stages, and drives chitosan's production cost up, potentially making the application of high-grade chitosan for commercial remediation untenable. Alternate chitosan processing techniques, such as microbial or enzymatic processes, may become more cost-effective due to lower energy consumption and waste generation. Chitosan has proved to be versatile for so many environmental applications, because it possesses certain key functional groups, including - OH and -NH2 . However, the efficacy of chitosan is diminished at low pH because of its increased solubility and instability. These deficiencies can be overcome by modifying chitosan's structure via crosslinking. Such modification not only enhances the structural stability of chitosan under low pH conditions, but also improves its physicochemical characteristics, such as porosity, hydraulic conductivity, permeability, surface area and sorption capacity. Crosslinked chitosan is an excellent sorbent for trace metals especially because of the high flexibility of its structural stability. Sorption of trace metals by chitosan is selective and independent of the size and hardness of metal ions, or the physical form of chitosan (e.g., film, powder and solution). Both -OH and -NH2 groups in chitosan provide vital binding sites for complexing metal cations. At low pH, -NH3 + groups attract and coagulate negatively charged contaminants such as metal oxyanions, humic acids and dye molecules. Grafting certain functional molecules into the chitin structure improves sorption capacity and selectivity for remediating specific metal ions. For example, introducing sulfur and nitrogen donor ligands to chitosan alters the sorption preference for metals. Low molecular weight chitosan derivatives have been used to remediate metal contaminated soil and sediments. They have also been applied in permeable reactive barriers to remediate metals in soil and groundwater. Both chitosan and modified chitosan have been used to phytoremediate metals; however, the mechanisms by which they assist in mobilizing metals are not yet well understood. In addition, microbes have been used in combination with chitosan to remediate metals (e.g., Cu and Zn) in contaminated soils. Chitosan has also been used to remediate organic contaminants, such as oil-based wastewater, dyes, tannins, humic acids, phenols, bisphenoi-A, p-benzoquinone, organo-phosphorus insecticides, among others. Chitosan has also been utilized to develop optical and electrochemical sensors for in-situ detection of trace contaminants. In sensor technology, naturally-derived chitosan is used primarily as an immobilizing agent that results from its enzyme compatibility, and stabilizing effect on nanoparticles. Contaminant-sensing agents, such as enzymes, microbes and nanoparticles, have been homogeneously immobilized in chitosan gels by using coagulating (e.g., alginate, phosphate) or crosslinking agents (e.g., GA, ECH). Such immobilization maintains the stability of sensing elements in the chitosan gel phase, and prevents inactivation and loss of the sensing agent. In this review, we have shown that chitosan, an efficient by-product of a waste biomaterial, has great potential for many environmental applications. With certain limitations, chitosan and its derivatives can be used for remediating contaminated soil and wastewater. Notwithstanding, further research is needed to enhance the physicochemical properties of chitosan and mitigate its deficiencies.

Awareness and knowledge of cervical cancer and its prevention among the nursing staff of a tertiary health institute in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India

BACKGROUND

Carcinoma of the cervix is the second most common cancer in women worldwide, while it is the commonest cancer among Indian women. Awareness regarding cervical cancer and its prevention is quite low amongst Indian women. The Pap test is a simple and cost effective technique for early diagnosis of cervical cancer. It is necessary to make nursing staff aware of cervical cancer, so that they can impart knowledge regarding cervical cancer and its prevention to the general public.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

(1) To assess the knowledge level regarding symptoms, risk factors, prevention and screening of cervical carcinoma among nursing staff. (2) To find out the behaviour of respondents regarding prevention and screening of cervical carcinoma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A cross-sectional interview-based survey regarding knowledge levels about cervical carcinoma was conducted among the nursing staff from one of the tertiary health institutes of Ahmedabad, India. A structured questionnaire with multiple choices was used for data collection. Provision for open-ended responses was also made in the questionnaire. Department-wise stratification was carried out, and thereafter 15% of the total nursing staff from all departments were selected randomly so as to include a total of 100 nurses in the current study. Data entry was done in Microsoft Excel. SPSS statistical software was used to generate statistical parameters like proportion, mean, standard deviation, etc. The Z test was used as a test of significance, and a P value of <0.05 was considered as the level of significance.

Survival of phosphate-solubilizing bacteria against DNA damaging agents

Phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSBs) were isolated from different plant rhizosphere soils of various agroecological regions of India. These isolates showed synthesis of pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ), production of gluconic acid, and release of phosphorus from insoluble tricalcium phosphate. The bacterial isolates synthesizing PQQ also showed higher tolerance to ultraviolet C radiation and mitomycin C as compared to Escherichia coli but were less tolerant than Deinococcus radiodurans. Unlike E. coli, PSB isolates showed higher tolerance to DNA damage when grown in the absence of inorganic phosphate. Higher tolerance to ultraviolet C radiation and oxidative stress in these PSBs grown under PQQ synthesis inducible conditions, namely phosphate starvation, might suggest the possible additional role of this redox cofactor in the survival of these isolates under extreme abiotic stress conditions.

Effects of co-exposure of benzene, toluene and xylene to Drosophila melanogaster: alteration in hsp70, hsp60, hsp83, hsp26, ROS generation and oxidative stress markers

Benzene, toluene and xylene are monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbon compounds, used both as individual compound and as mixtures, in industry as well as household. Previous studies involving exposures to these compounds, individually, have shown that benzene was more toxic compared to toluene or xylene. Here, we tested a working hypothesis that toluene and/or xylene in a mixture containing benzene affect benzene induced toxicity in a non-target organism, Drosophila melanogaster. We exposed D. melanogaster larvae transgenic for hsp70, hsp83 or hsp26 and wild type (Oregon R strain) larvae to 25.0-100.0mM benzene, 25.0-100.0mM toluene and 25.0-100mM xylene, individually or in mixtures. Subsequently, we examined the expression of stress genes (encoding heat shock proteins, hsps), generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), induction of anti-oxidant stress markers and emergence of flies under treatment as well as control conditions. We observed that all these endpoints were significantly altered in all the treatment groups compared to their respective controls. However, the magnitude of toxicity of a benzene-toluene (BT) or benzene-xylene (BX) or benzene-toluene-xylene (BTX) mixture was significantly lower in the organism than that of individual chemical. Our results also show the modulation of toluene toxicity by xylene. Present study suggests antagonistic effect of xylene and toluene on benzene toxicity and additive/synergistic effect of xylene on toluene induced toxicity. Thus, expression of stress genes may be used as an assay for detection of early cellular toxicity. Further, our study supports the use of Drosophila as an alternative animal model for first tier screening of adverse effects of chemical mixtures.

Poly I:C induced microglial activation impairs motor activity in adult rats

Polyinosinic:polycytidic acid (poly I:C) is a synthetic double stranded RNA, which mimics with viral genome and mediates immune activation response similar to double stranded RNA virus infection into the brain. Microglial cells are the immune competent cells of the central nervous system having Toll like receptors-3 on their surface. Upon establishing that poly I:C infusion into the brain causes microgliosis by creating a viral infection model, the present study was designed to evaluate the effects of microglial activation following poly I:C infusion on motor activity. We infused 100 microl of 1% solution of Poly I:C in TBE buffer directly into the lateral ventricle and TBE buffer as vehicle to controls. A significantly higher microglial cell count as compared to control on 2, 3 and 7 days post infusion was recorded. Motor activity and microglial cell count was assessed in both controls and poly I:C infused rats on 1, 2, 3, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days post infusion. A significant decrease in motor activity and motor coordination occurred with respect to control. The results clearly demonstrate that microglial activation has a direct relevance with decreased motor activity. Findings could also have their importance in understanding the role of microglial cells on behavioral aspects in viral diseases.

Internal iliac artery ligation for arresting postpartum haemorrhage

OBJECTIVE

To study the role of internal iliac artery ligation (IIAL) in arresting and preventing postpartum haemorrhage (PPH).

DESIGN

Retrospective chart review of women undergoing therapeutic IIAL for PPH or prophylactic IIAL for risk of PPH.

SETTING

Tertiary care hospital in Pune, India.

SAMPLE

Women admitted to King Edward Memorial (KEM) Hospital, Pune, India, who underwent IIAL to control or prevent PPH.

METHODS

Bilateral IIAL was performed in all women.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Need for re-laparotomy or hysterectomy to control haemorrhage, complications of the procedure.

RESULTS

Out of 110 women who underwent IIAL, 88 had therapeutic IIAL for PPH from atony (36), genital tract injury (23), placenta praevia (21), placental abruption (4), uterine inversion (3) or coagulopathy (1). Hysterectomy was performed after IIAL failed to arrest haemorrhage in 33 (39.3%) of 84 women (excluding 4 with vaginal lacerations). Hysterectomy was more likely with uterine rupture (79%) than with nontraumatic PPH (up to 27%). Failure to control haemorrhage by IIAL was evident immediately, and bleeding arrested by IIAL did not recur to require later laparotomy in any woman. Out of 22 women at high risk for PPH undergoing prophylactic IIAL at caesarean section, none had subsequent haemorrhage. One woman had an iliac vein injury that was repaired with no further morbidity. There were no ischaemic complications either during inpatient stay or up to 6 weeks.

CONCLUSIONS

IIAL is useful in the treatment and prevention of PPH from any cause. Early resort to IIAL effectively prevents hysterectomy in women with atonic PPH. In traumatic PPH, IIAL facilitates hysterectomy or repair as indicated and prevents reactionary haemorrhage.

Heparin or local thrombolysis in the management of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis?

SUMMARY

Patients with acute cerebral venous sinus thrombosis treated with Heparin or in situ thrombolysis in our department were evaluated in an attempt to rationalize treatment with heparin or thrombolysis. 279 patients with angiographically proven acute cerebral venous sinus thrombosis were included in the study. Patients were classified into mild and severe clinical grade. The study was divided into three phases. Phase I included 27 patients treated with systemic heparin. Phase II included 72 patients, 30 in severe grade and 42 in mild. 26 were thrombolysed with 14 in severe and 12 in mild grade. Phase III included 180 patients treated according to a defined protocol. 133 were in mild grade and 47 in severe. 67 patients were thrombolysed. In the thrombolysed group 27 patients were in mild grade and 40 in severe. 113 patients were treated with systemic heparin. Following acute management all were anticoagulated for six months. The baseline characteristics were found to be same in all three phases. On comparison of outcome in Phase III with Phase 1 the likelihood ratio was found to be statistically significant in favor of Phase III (p<0.0001). The likelihood ratio was found to be statistically significant in mild and severe clinical grade in favor of thrombolysis in Phase III (p 0.039 in mild and p 0.00001 in Severe clinical grade). This ratio was insignificant (p=0.716) for intracranial bleed; however, local puncture site bleeding was found to be significant in the thrombolysed group (0.00005).

Inferior petrosal sinus sampling in the diagnostic evaluation of Cushing's syndrome: K.E.M. experience

INTRODUCTION

An overlap in the clinical and biochemical features of the more common pituitary Cushing's disease and the rare ectopic ACTH secreting tumors often leads to a diagnostic dilemma. High quality computed imaging modalities have a poor sensitivity and do not always help in localising the tumor. Inferior petrosal sinus sampling (IPSS) with measurement of ACTH levels localizes the source of excess ACTH secretion and aids in the differential diagnosis of ACTH dependant Cushing's syndrome.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To analyze the efficacy of inferior petrosal sinus sampling in the basal state and its role in the diagnostic evaluation in patients of Cushing's syndrome.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Forty four patients of proven Cushing's syndrome underwent HDDS and pituitary imaging followed by IPSS (unstimulated). The data was analysed in 39 patients with definite histopathological diagnosis which included 34 patients with Cushing's disease, four with ectopic Cushing's syndrome and one with adrenal carcinoma. A centre:periphery ratio of plasma ACTH levels of > or =2 was considered diagnostic of Cushing's disease.

RESULTS

Cannulation rate was 100%. No neurological complications were encountered. IPSS could correctly localize the lesion in 23 of 34 patients of Cushing's disease (sensitivity: 67.6%). All patients of ectopic Cushing's syndrome and adrenal carcinoma had a ratio of <2 (specificity: 100%). IPSS helped in localization of the lesion and improved the diagnostic yield from 26.7% to 73.5%.

CONCLUSIONS

IPSS helps in localization in patients of Cushing's syndrome with a diagnostic dilemma and should be carried out only in centers with suitable expertise.

Pharmacokinetic study of 11-Keto beta-Boswellic acid

INTRODUCTION

Boswellia serrata has been used in traditional medicine for treatment of inflammatory diseases since antiquity. However human kinetic studies are lacking for this. Hence to better elucidate its effects in humans and determine its optimal dosing, this study was planned.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Twelve healthy adult men volunteers were given capsule Wok Vel containing 333 mg of Boswellia Serrata Extract, orally, after a seven days washout period. Venous blood samples were drawn through indwelling canula from each volunteer prior to drug administration and at 30, 60, 120, 150, 180, 210, 240, 300, 360, 480, 600, 720, 840 minutes after drug administration. Plasma obtained after centrifuge was analyzed to measure concentration of 11-Keto beta-Boswellic Acid (KBA) by HPLC. Various kinetic parameters were then calculated from the plasma concentrations.

RESULTS

The results are expressed as mean +/- Standard Error of Mean. The peak plasma levels (2.72 x 10(-3) +/- 0.18 micromoles/ml) of BSE were reached at 4.5 +/- 0.55 h. The concentration declined with a mean elimination half life of 5.97 +/- 0.95 h. The apparent volume of distribution averaged 142.87 +/- 22.78 L and the plasma clearance was 296.10 +/- 24.09 ml/min. The AUC(0-infinity) was 27.33 x 10(-3) +/- 1.99 micromoles/ml h.

CONCLUSION

Elimination half life of nearly six hours suggests that the drug needs to be given orally at the interval of six hours. The plasma concentration will attain the steady state after approximately 30 hours. BSE is a safe drug and well tolerated on oral administration. No adverse effects were seen with this drug when administered as single dose in 333 mg.

Digestive enzymes in the gut and salivary gland of the larvae of Chilo auricilius Ddgn

Amylase, alpha- and beta-glucosidase, alpha- and beta-galactosidase, beta-fructosidase, trypsin, aminotripeptidase, leucine-aminopeptidase, prolinase, prolidase glycyl-L-leucine dipeptidase and glygylglycine dipeptidase are present in the 3rd instar larvae of Chilo auricilius.