Transport Cost And Marketing Of Banana In Chikkamagaluru District

The present study mainly focused on the growing of banana is the prominent activity in the region of Malnad purely from the Karnataka state. This district shows the crucial role for transport and marketing channels. Hence, for this reason the current study analysed the role of these channels in our study area

Cleistanthus collinus poisoning: experience at a medical intensive care unit in a tertiary care hospital in south India.

Background & objectives: Ingestion of Cleistanthus collinus causes hypokalemia and cardiac arrhythmias leading to mortality in most cases. We undertook this retrospective study to evaluate the clinical presentation and predictors of outcome in critically ill patients admitted with C. collinus poisoning. Methods: The case records of 56 patients admitted to the medical intensive care unit (MICU) of a tertiary care teaching hospital in south India (2000-2014) with C. collinus poisoning were retrospectively analysed. Results: The mean age of patients was 36.7±13.3 yr; there were 30 males. Salient clinical manifestations included hypokalemia (58%), neutrophilic leucocytosis (48.2%), acute kidney injury (AKI) (42.9%), acute respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation (AcRFMv) (32.1%), shock (21.4%); cardiac arrhythmias and neuromuscular weakness (19.6% each); 21 patients (37.5%) had adverse outcome. Longer time-lapsed from consumption to reaching emergency room [median (interquartile range)] (hours) [49 (22-97) vs. 28 (7-56), P=0.038]; higher acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHE II) score at presentation [14 (8.25-14.75) vs. 2 (0-6) P<0.001]; and presence of the following [odds ratio (95% confidence intervals)] at initial presentation: shock [37.40 (4.29-325.98), P=0.001]; AcRFMv [26.67 (5.86-121.39), P<0.001]; elevated alanine aminotransferase [5.71 (1.30-25.03), P=0.021]; metabolic acidosis [5.48 (1.68-17.89), P=0.005]; acute kidney injury (AKI) [5 (1.55-16.06), P=0.007]; hyponatremia [4.67 (1.25-17.44), P=0.022]; and neutrophilic leucocytosis [3.80 (1.02-14.21), P=0.047] predicted death. A significant (P<0.001) increasing trend in mortality was observed with increasing International Program on Chemical Safety Poisoning Severity Score (IPCS-CSS) grade. Interpretation & conclusions: C. collinus is a lethal poison associated with high mortality for which there is no specific antidote. Careful search and meticulous monitoring of the predictors of death and initiating appropriate corrective measures can be life saving.

An Invitro Study Of Determination Of Anti-Bacterial, Antioxidant, Anti- Inflammatory Potential Of Piper Betel Essential Oil.

Abstract: Background: Piper betel Linn is considered to possess important medicinal values. Leaves are considered more valuable part and was used in past for preventing halitosis. Essential oil obtained from leaves have been tried for antibacterial potential against various oral bacteria such as Streptococcous mutans, Actinomyces species and has demonstrated effective role in suppressing plaque formation. In addition essential oil obtained from leaves also exhibits anticancer properties because of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential. However available literature falls short in evaluating antibacterial potential of Piper betel essential oil against common periodontal pathogens- Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia. Present invitro study was conducted to evaluate antibacterial potential of Piper betel essential oil against previously mentioned periodontal pathogens by determination of minimum inhibitory concentrations (M.I.C).Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory potential was also determined for the same. Methodology: Antibacterial potential was determined using Disc diffusion test and Broth Microdilution method. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential was determined by measurement of superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity using riboflavin-NBT assay and detection of MMP-2 and MMP-9 by gelatin zymography method respectively. Results: Piper betel essential oil is an effective antibacterial activity against the tested periodontal pathogens along with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential. Conclusion: Piper betel essential oil possesses effective antibacterial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential and could be used effectively in formulation of oral health care product.

Biophysicochemical Evaluation and Micropropagation Studies on Neem for Biodiesel Production.

In this experiment the seed oils of 30 Neem (Azadirachta indica. A. juss) biotypes were screened and evaluated for their physio-chemical parameters for oil content, biodiesel yield, density, viscosity, iodine value , free fatty acid, saponification value, flash point and fire point which were estimated for selection of the elite neem biotype. The best shoot regeneration (60%-80%) was observed in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with naphthalene acetic acid NAA (0.2-0.4 mg/L) and benzyl amino purine BAP (0.2-0.4 mg/L). Root induction (80%) was successfully obtained in MS medium supplemented with IBA (0.05 mg/L) and IAA (0.05 mg/L). Acclimatization and hardening was quite successful with survival rate of 60%.

Chemical Analysis of Seed and Oil of Jatropha Curcus L’ A Biofuel Plant Cultivated in Hyderabad Karnataka Region, North Karnataka.

Jatropha curcas L. is a multipurpose shrub with a variety of applications and enormous economic potentials for its seed oil, which can be converted into biodiesel- an alternative to petro-diesel. It aims to overcome energy crisis problem and also to reduce environmental changes. The fact that the oil of J. curcas cannot be used for nutritional purposes without detoxification makes its use as an energy source for fuel production very attractive. Oil content of Jatropha curcus L was subjected to various physicochemical parameters. The chemical parameters include determination of free fatty acids, peroxide value, Iodine value, saponification value, various physiological analysis of Jatropha curcus L plant was also carried out in order to estimate the presence of total content of chlorophyll. By considering all the above parameters the present study reveals that the Jatropha curcus L l plant is good for production of better quality of biodiesel.

Gross left ventricular voltage with preexcitation in isolated left ventricular non-compaction.

A 30 years man presented with symptoms of heart failure with prior history of pulmonary tuberculosis, on routine investigation he was found to have gross left ventricular voltage on the electrocardiogram and evidence of ventricular pre-excitation. His echocardiogram confirmed the diagnosis of left ventricular non-compaction. The aetiopathogenesis, clinical features, diagnostic criteria and review of literature of this rare entity is discussed here.

Seroepidemiology of hepatitis A infection in India: changing pattern.

OBJECTIVE: Recent changes in the epidemiology of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection and the availability of effective vaccines have renewed interest in this infection. We determined the age-related prevalence of anti-HAV antibodies in India and looked for differences by known risk factors for HAV infection. METHODS: In this prospective study, serum samples obtained from 1612 subjects aged 1 to 60 at six centers in five cities (Calcutta, Cochin, Indore, Jaipur and Patna) during the period February to August 1998 were tested for anti-HAV antibodies. Demographic and socio-economic information was obtained by questionnaire. RESULTS: The overall seroprevalence rate was 65.9%, varying from 26.2% to 85.3% in various cities; there was no difference between males and females. Seropositivity increased with age from 52.2% in the 1-5 year age group to 80.8% in those aged 16 years or more. Seroprevalence rates were significantly lower in those aged 1-5 years compared with other age groups (p<0.0001). There was no difference in seroprevalence between those with monthly family income <Rs 5000 and >Rs 5001. Multivariate analysis showed that anti-HAV seroprevalence varied significantly by source of water supply, being highest when the supply was municipal. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate an epidemiological pattern of intermediate endemicity. This finding has public health implications as it indicates that a significant proportion of the Indian adolescent and adult population is at risk of HAV infection.

In vitro strategies for selection of eye-spot resistant sugarcane lines using toxins of Helminthosporium sacchari.

In vitro strategies were applied for the selection of eye-spot resistant variants from susceptible sugarcane cultivar Co 419 Different selective units (callus and leaf) of the susceptible cultivar were subjected to sub-lethal to lethal doses of toxins (culture filtrate and partially purified toxin) of H. sacchari, with the objective of improving the efficacy of in vitro selection protocols. All the selective units gave more or less similar response with culture filtrate, but a distinct response was observed when leaf was subjected to partially purified toxin treatment. The response was characterised by the degree of resistance exhibited by the regenerated seedlings.

Prevalence of anti-delta antibodies in central India.

A total of 238 sera samples from cases of hepatitis, renal failure, thalassaemia, healthy health care workers (HCWs) & asymptomatic HBsAG carriers coming from central India from July 1992 to June 1998, were screened for anti-delta antibodies. Among 238 subjects, 206 were reactive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) while 32 were HBsAg non-reactive. The prevalence of anti-delta antibodies was low (1.9%) among 54 patients of acute viral hepatitis (AVH) while it was higher (5.7%) among 52 patients of chronic liver disease (CLD). The anti-delta antibodies positivity among 34 patients with hepatic failure was around 15% and all of them were FHF patients. Among multitransfused subjects such as chronic renal failure (CRF) the prevalence of anti-delta antibodies was low (2.3%). None of the apparently healthy HBsAg reactive HCWs and asymptomatic HBV carriers were reactive for anti-delta antibodies. Similarly anti-delta antibodies could not be detected in HBsAg negative viral hepatitis patients. There is a wide variation in the prevalence of anti-delta antibodies in different parts of India. However, overall prevalence of anti-delta antibodies appears to be lower in the Indian population in comparision to western countries.

Aetiology and prognostic factors in hepatic failure in central India.

The present study was undertaken to establish the aetiology and prognostic factors of liver failure in central India. Of the 122 cases of hepatic failure 95 (78%), 19 (15.5%) and 8 (6.5%) were labelled as fulminant hepatic failure (FHF), chronic hepatic failure (CHF) and subacute hepatic failure (SAHF) respectively. Hepatitis E virus (HEV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) were aetiological agents amongst 41% (n = 39) and 37% (n = 35) patients with FHF respectively. Mixed infection among such cases even though observed was infrequent and 15% (n = 14) of FHF did not have any serological markers. They were presumed to be due to non A-E viral infection. Thirty-one (33%) of the FHF patients were pregnant and 29 (94%) of them were due to HEV. Amongst patients with SAHF and CHF, HBV and HCV were important aetiological agents. The static prognostic risk factors noted in the present study are age above 40 years, presence of identifiable viral aetiology (A to E), alcoholic status in males and pregnancy particularly in the third trimester or postpartum state. Among the dynamic factors, bilirubin level above 20 mg/dl and prothrombin time over 20 seconds appeared to be the risk factors.

Clinical and enzyme studies in Gaucher disease.

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical and biochemical spectrum of Gaucher disease. DESIGN: Assay of beta glucosidase enzyme in leucocytes in patients with splenomegaly, and in chorionic villi for prenatal diagnosis. SETTING: Hospital-based. SUBJECTS: Of 13 cases of Gaucher disease, aged 1-6 years, 9 were identified at Delhi and 4 at Bombay. RESULTS: The enzyme beta-glucosidase was 0.65 nmol/h/mg of protein or less in all the cases in Delhi, and 2.5 nmol/h/mg of protein or less in Bombay. All cases except one belonged to type 1 (hepatosplenomegaly), while one case was of type 2 (neuronopathic). Prenatal diagnosis was carried out in one family and the fetus was found to be affected. CONCLUSION: In children with hepatosplenomegaly and increased acid phosphatase, assay of beta-glucosidase enzyme confirms the diagnosis of Gaucher disease. Diagnosis of the disease is important because enzyme replacement therapy is available and prenatal diagnosis is possible.

Prevalence of anti-HCV antibodies in central India.

The study group screened for anti-HCV comprised 789 subjects of hepatitis, renal failure, thalassaemia and healthy voluntary blood donors coming from Central India during July 1992 to November 1995. The prevalence of HCV was low (4.85%) among 103 patients of acute viral hepatitis (AVH) while it was higher (25.64%) among 117 patients of chronic liver disease (CLD) with the highest rate of 31.57 percent in 57 patients of cirrhosis. The anti-HCV positivity among 101 patients with hepatic failure was around 10 percent. High risk groups such as chronic renal failure (CRF) patients mainly on haemodialysis and thalassaemics receiving multiple blood transfusions showed the prevalence of anti-HCV in 41.9 and 25.45 percent respectively. Only 1.78 percent of the 280 voluntary blood donors showed positivity for anti-HCV. Comparison of the data on HCV in the present study with data from other parts of India showed a wide variation in the different centers. The higher prevalence of HCV among CRF patients and thalassaemics indicates the need for screening of the blood units for anti-HCV before transfusion to these high risk patients.

Mucolipidoses--II: A report of three cases.

Mucolipidoses II is a rare lysosomal storage disorder with autosomal recessive inheritance. There cases with typical clinical features in early infancy like coarse facial features, severe psychomotor retardation and joint contractures are being reported. All the cases had no mucopolysacchariduria. These cases had normal values of lysosomal enzymes in leucocytes but markedly increased values in serum thus confirming mucolipidoses II. Despite the fact that there is no specific treatment, genetic counselling and prenatal diagnosis is indicated.

Storage disorders presenting like mucopolysaccharidosis.

The term dysostosis multiplex is specifically applied to the group of radiological features collectively found in a number of specific metabolic disorders including the mucopolysaccharidoses, mucolipidosis, mannosidosis, fucosidosis and several other rarer conditions. We report eight cases of mannosidosis, fucosidosis and mucolipidosis with special emphasis on the differentiation from the more common mucopolysaccharidoses.