Development of non-stress baseline of crop water stress index for wheat in humid sub-tropical climate in India

Aim: A study was conducted to develop a new approach of non-stress baseline and evaluate different approach of determining non stress baseline for Crop Water Stress Index (CWSI).Methodology: To observe maximum and minimum canopy temperature, two plots with three replications were maintained at fully stress (no irrigation) and no stress (fully irrigated) conditions, respectively. Portable weather station with data logger was installed at the middle of field to record continuous data at half an hour interval. Gypsum block soil moisture sensor were buried at 20 cm interval up to 100 cm and connected with data logger. Infrared radiometer was used to measure canopy temperature. Results: The evaluation was based on five statistical indicators; correlation coefficient (R2), root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE), mean bias error (MBE) and Wilmot index of agreement (d). It was found that new regression base line performed better than other existing approaches. The calculated value of RMSE, MAE, MBE, d and R2 were 0.65, 0.51, 0.02, 0.79 and 0.83, respectively, for new baseline approach. Interpretation: The newly developed multiple regression equation (incorporating three weather parameters (Rn, VPD and u) and two crop growth parameters (h and CC)) helped to reduce error in the calculation of non-stress baseline for wheat crop in humid subtropical climate

Antistress activity of P-GABA in experimental animals.

A new gamma-aminobutyric acid derivative N-phthloyl GABA (P-GABA) was found to possess anticonvulsant, antiepileptic, antiulcer and antinociceptive activities. Effect of cold restrain stress (CRS) and its modulation by P-GABA were evaluated on some biochemical and biophysical parameters in rats. CRS induced elevations in blood sugar level were unaffected by P-GABA treatment. CRS also caused an increase of Na+K+ ATPase activities, and decrease of lipid peroxidation in RBC membrane. CRS also induced (a) membrane protein clusterization, (b) increased membrane fluidity and (c) reduced thickness. CRS induced RBC membrane dynamics were reversed by P-GABA in a differential manner. However, these parameters in synaptosomal membrane were unaffected by P-GABA.

Plasma level of antioxidant nutrients (retinol and alphatocopherol) in cases with different grades of cervical carcinoma.

A study was conducted on 23 patients on various grades of cervical cancer, selected purposely from Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Vitamin A and E level of this histologically proved cases showed mean serum level of vitamin A was 0.41 +/- 0.19 and that vitamin E was 4.21 +/- 2.15, and these low level was constant in all Histopathological grading of cervical cancer. Contraceptive user and smoker had very low level of vitamin A and E. Majority (51%) of the cases, were from lower middle class and 49% were from lower class, seventy seven percent were illiterate, 97% were married before 18 years, 57% had more than 6 children, 71% did not use contraceptive. The availability of vitamin A rich food were within reach of lower income group, than the food source of vitamin E which are usually of animal origin. It is concluded that in cervical cancer had low level of antioxidant vitamins A and E. Further study is indicated for understanding detail antioxidant nutrients role in aetiopathology of cervical cancer in Bangladesh.