ABSTRACT
Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease of unknown cause that affects the joints principally. The disease affects between 0.5% and 1% of the adult population worldwide. Two to three times as many women as men suffer from the disease. Osteocalcin (OC) is a small protein of 49 amino acids long. OC is the most abundant non-collagenous protein in bone. OC originates from osteoblasts and is deposited into bones or released into circulation, where it correlates with histological measures of bone formation. Bone alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is a glycoprotein that is found on the surface of osteoblasts. This enzyme reflects the biosynthetic activity of these bone-forming cells. The presence of OC and ALP in the circulation may, therefore, provide a specific chemical index of osteoblastic activity. Objectives: This study was undertaken to estimate the values of serum OC and ALP among patients with RA and healthy control groups and to compare and find out any changes in levels of serum OC and ALP between the study and control groups. Materials and Methods: It was a case–control study done on 76 RA patients and 76 age- and sex-matched healthy individuals. Serum OC and serum ALP values were evaluated among all 76 cases and 76 controls. Serum OC was measured using immunoenzymatric assay and ALP was measured by colorimetric method. Statistical analysis was performed and results were tabulated and analyzed. Results: Mean ± standard deviation of serum OC level is significantly higher (P < 0.001) among cases (18.50 ± 8.72 ng/ml) than controls (9.98 ± 7.68 ng/ml). Similarly, the values of ALP are higher (P < 0.001) among cases (216.22 ± 59.96 IU/L) than controls (164.17 ± 50.70 IU/L). A significantly positive correlation was found between serum OC and serum ALP levels. Patient with the highest mean value of serum OC also has the highest values of ALP. The values of serum ALP and OC levels increase significantly in both early and late stages when compared with control values. Conclusions: A significant difference between the values of serum OC and ALP among cases and controls was seen in the study. Levels of both these parameters are elevated in subjects with RA compared to controls. Furthermore, the levels of serum OC correlated with the levels of serum ALP. This study demonstrates that increased bone formation is associated with RA together with bone resorption.
ABSTRACT
Aim: The aim of the present study was to understand the physico-chemical changes during vermicomposting of terrestrial weeds, Mikania micrantha and leaf litters of Acacia auriculiformis and Bambusa polymorpha mixed with cowdung.Methodology: Vermicomposting was done in 2.5 l earthen pot, each having 300 g waste materials [cowdung alone (300g) and different litter wastes mixed with cowdung in 7:3 ratio]. Based on our pilot study using cowdung and plant wastes in different ratios, it was observed that earthworm thrived well and acted better in 7:3 (plant wastes: cowdung) compared to other ratios. Each pot was inoculated with 30 adult earthworms, Perionyx excavatus [cumulative weight (g) 9.99±0.09] after 21 days of pre-composting of wastes. Samples from vermicomposting pots were collected on 0, 15, 30 and 45th day for physico-chemical analysis of wastes. Results: Vermicomposting brought about changes in pH values near to neutral at the end of the experiment in all the treatments. Significant increase (p<0.05) in the electrical conductivity, total nitrogen (%), available phosphorus (mg 100g-1), available potassium (mg 100g-1) and a significant decrease (p<0.05) in total organic carbon (%) and C:N ratios from initial feed mixtures to final product in all the vermicomposting treatments were observed. The maximum rise in electrical conductivity, nitrogen, available phosphorus, and available potassium were recorded in the vermicompost obtained from Mikania-cowdung-mixtures. Interpretation: Vermicompost derived from Mikania-cowdung mixtures may be considered as suitable organic resource. Addition of carbonaceous materials such as leaf litters, sawdust, straw etc. with Mikania-cowdung mixtures is recommended for vermicomposting to increase the C:N ratio of vermicompost for slow release of nutrients.
ABSTRACT
Normally we think that the aim of Marxism is social change. But the aim of Marxism is not only that, their aim is to form a developed society. So, in this paper I made an attempt to discuss how Marxism wants to give a developed form to the society through the dialectical method. According to Karl Marx exploitation in society is due to the private property. Because the property owners always try to exploit the labour class for getting more and more amount of money from their property. So Marx tries to abolish the private property from the society. He argues that the abolition of private property means in essence the social ownership of the principal means of production. And production by machines must be taken away from the owners but the technique has to be used for the benefit of the whole society. The aim of Marxism is man's all-round development. Marx thinks that this all-round development will not come automatically. It has to be achieved through the dialectical struggle of man himself. This dialectical struggle is not mere blind helpless protest. It is to fight for establishing the socialist society. Thus Marx brings in to existence the real socialist movement for establishment of an unexploited developed society.