Effect of Biochar on the Abundance of Soil Bacteria.

A pot experiment was conducted to study the effect of biochar on the abundance of soil bacteria and compare it with the source biomass. Seven different treatments and a control were used in the experimental set-up. Three different types of biomass were selected and three types of biochar were produced from them. Both the materials were applied to the soil at a rate of 5t/ha. All treatments were incubated for 30, 60 and 90 days. Cultural, microscopic and biochemical tests were carried out to identify the bacterial isolates in soils treated with biochar and its source biomass. Bacterial isolates identified in soil and in some of the biomasses before treatments were applied include Bacillus badius, Bacillus krulwichiae, Bacillus siralis, Bacillus sylvestris, Bacillus flexus, Aneurinibacillus aneurinilyticus and Bacillus thuringiensis while after incubation periods, seven new isolates were identified. This was true for the biomass treated soils where additional one to two isolates reappeared. Conversely, in the biochar treated soils, most of the isolates disappeared except Bacillus badius that survived in all soils till 90 days. Because of its tolerant nature, it was further investigated for cellulase enzyme activity. Interestingly, the isolate did not show any such activity. Conclusively, biochar application may exert negative effect on the distribution and proliferation of soil bacteria with possible effect on soil quality and crop production.

Evaluation of Efficacy and Tolerability of Perindopril 8 mg in Bangladeshi Hypertensive Patients: Results from an Open-label, Observational, Multi-center Study (CONTROL).

Background: The CONTROL (COversyl in Newly diagnosed stage-II & unconTROlled hypertensive patients triaL) was performed with an objective to evaluate the blood pressure (BP) lowering efficacy and tolerability of Perindopril 8mg in newly diagnosed stage II patients and uncontrolled hypertensive patients among Bangladeshi population. Methods: This was an open-label, observational, multi-center study conducted in consultation centers for out-patients located in different cities of Bangladesh. Adults, aged above 18 years with newly diagnosed stage-II hypertension or uncontrolled hypertension, were recruited. Patients were treated with Perindopril 4mg daily for first 1 week, afterwards uptitrated to Perindopril 8 mg daily and continued treatment for 12 weeks. Patients were followed-up at week-1, week-4, week-8 and week-12. Results: In total, 245 patients were enrolled. Among them, 88 were newly diagnosed stage-II (Group- I) and 157 were uncontrolled (Group-II) hypertensive patients. Male and female distribution was 57% and 43% respectively. Mean age of patients was 54.5 ±11.7 years. After 12 weeks treatment, there was a significant reduction in BP from baseline (p<0.001) in overall population as well as in Group I and in Group II. In overall population, the mean BP reduction was -31/-15 mmHg (from 163.7/96.8 mmHg to 132.4/81.7 mmHg. In Group I, the reduction was -33/-16 mmHg (from 166.5/98.2 mmHg to 133.4/82.0 mmHg) and in Group II, -30/-14 mmHg (from 159.3/ 95.6 mmHg to 129.1/81.6 mmHg). 10 patients (4.1%) had to discontinue the treatment due to adverse effects. Dry cough (2%) and hypotension (1.2%) were the main cause of discontinuation. Perindopril 8mg was well tolerated as indicated by the high proportion of physicians (81%) reporting ‘good’ to ‘excellent’ tolerability at week 12. Conclusion: This study suggests that Perindopril 8mg is effective and safe in the treatment of hypertension in Bangladeshi patients.