Seasonal variation in photosynthetic rates and satellite-based GPP estimation over mangrove forest.

In view of increasing anthropogenic influences and global changes, quantification of carbon assimilation through photosynthesis has gained tremendous significance. Precise estimation of Gross Primary Productivity (GPP) is essential for several ecosystem models and is typically done using coarser scale satellite data. The mangrove ecosystem, which offers significant protection to the coastal environment, is one of the critical habitats from a global change point of view. Light use efficiency (LUE) was measured using diurnal in situ photosynthetic rate observations for 13 dominant mangrove species for 3 seasons at each of the three mangrove dominant test-sites situated along the east and west coast of India. Variations in photosynthetic rates among these species were studied for 3 seasons that indicated varying responses of mangrove ecosystem at each site. Among all species, Rhizophora mucronata and Sonneratia apetala indicated higher values at two of the test-sites. IRS Resourcesat-2 LISS-IV datasets were used for the estimation of GPP. Mean GPP for all the sites varied from 1.2 to 7.7 g C m-2 day-1 with maximum value of 14.4 g C m-2 day-1. Mean values of GPP varied across the sites, based on its maximum LUE values and available photosynthetically active radiation (PAR). The results provide GPP values at much better spatial resolution for a threatened habitat like mangroves that typically survive in a narrow habitat along the coasts.

Pluripotent stem cells - a review of the current status in neural regeneration.

Pharmacological or neurosurgical therapies currently in practice to treat the damage in various neurodegenerative disorders are not efficient in preventing progression or cure of these progressive neurodegenerative processes. Recently, a new approach, cell therapy using stem cell, is being evaluated. However, the use of this therapy in the treatment of these neurological diseases is highly restricted, mainly owing to several technical difficulties and limitations. The strategy of isolation and characterization of neural stem cells from various sources will probably provide a major impetus and open up an interesting, novel therapeutic modality for several neurodegenerative disorders. The high regenerative potential of damaged neural tissues suggests that various embryonic/adult sources serve as a proxy for neural stem cells for cell-based therapy.

Neural stem cells & supporting cells--the new therapeutic tools for the treatment of spinal cord injury.

Stem cells play important role in the development and in the maintenance of specific tissues. They have been identified in majority of the organs like liver, blood, skin and intestine. Role of stem cells in regenerative medicine have been implicated in many chronic diseases. Stem cell research is a new opportunity to those patients whose organs are damaged or diseased. The discovery of stem cells in central and peripheral nervous system is relatively recent. Spinal cord injury is one of the major neurological disaster affecting mostly young lives. Stem cell transplantation in spinal cord injury patients have shown encouraging results. Different sources of stem cells are being exploited for spinal cord injury as well as other neurological disorders.

Decompressive craniectomy with clot evacuation in large hemispheric hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage.

INTRODUCTION: Decompressive hemicraniectomy in large hemispheric infarctions has been reported to lower mortality and improve the unfavorable outcomes. Hematoma volume is a powerful predictor of 30-day mortality in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Hematoma volume adds to intracranial volume and may lead to life-threatening elevation of intracranial pressure. METHODS: Records of 12 consecutive patients with hypertensive ICH treated with decompressive hemicraniectomy were reviewed. The data collected included Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score at admission and before surgery, ICH volume, ICH score, and a clinical grading scale for ICH that accurately risk-stratifies patients regarding 30-day mortality. Outcome was assessed as immediate mortality and modified Rankin Score (mRS) at the last follow-up. RESULTS: Of the 12 patients with decompressive hemicraniectomy, 11 (92%) survived to discharge; of those 11, 6 (54.5%) had good functional outcome, defined as a mRS of 0 to 3 (mean follow-up: 17.13 months; range: 2-39 months). The mean age was 49.8 years (range: 19-76 years). Three of the 7 patients with pupillary abnormalities made a good recovery; of the 11 patients with intraventricular extensions (IVEs), 7 made a good recovery. The clinical finding (which was present in all 3 patients with mRS equal to 5 and which was not present in patients with mRS less than 5) was abnormal occulocephalic reflex. Of the 10 patients with an ICH score of 3, 9 (90%) survived to discharge, 4 (44%) had good functional outcome (mRS: 1-3). Hematoma volume was 60 cm3 or greater in eight patients, four (50%) of whom had good functional outcome (mRS: 0-3). CONCLUSION: Decompressive hemicraniectomy with hematoma evacuation is life-saving and improves unfavorable outcomes in a select group of young patients with large right hemispherical ICH.