ABSTRACT
The species Elaeocarpus sphaericus (Rudraksha) is a religious, medicinally important threatened tree of India. An efficient micropropagation protocol has been developed from nodal explants of this plant species collected from north-east India for large scale production of planting material at favourable sites within the country. Best shoot initiation occurred in MS medium supplemented with 2.2µM BA+2.2µM Kn in combination. Addition of Casein Hydrolysate (CH) (100mg/L) increased the shoot number. Microshoots excised and subcultured in 2.0µM BA further enhanced growth and multiplication. The shoot cultures were maintained in this concentration for 2years with subculturing at 6weeks interval. MS medium containing 5.0µM NAA was most effective for rooting. Successfully acclimatized plants (80%) showed normal growth under suitable habitat conditions.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: A blood transfusion is a life-saving procedure in many instances. An adequate supply of safe blood is ensured by exercising donor deferral criteria and screening for Transfusion Transmitted Infections (TTI). The aim of this paper is to study the profile of blood donors and reasons for donor deferral in coastal South India. METHOD: The study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Mangalore. All those who donated between 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2008 were included in the study. Data was collected using a pre-tested semi-structured proforma and analysed using SPSS version 11.5. RESULTS: Most of the donors were under the age of 25 (42.92%). Donors were predominantly male (95.20%). In terms of occupation, most subjects were students (28.01%) followed by businessmen (18.61%). Slightly more than three-quarters of the donors (77.20%) were replacement donors. The main reasons for deferral were consumption of medication in the past 72 hours (15.15%), hypertension (13.18%), a low haemoglobin level (12.34%) and alcohol intake in the past 72 hours (12.20%). Among the TTIs identified, most samples were positive for Hepatitis B surface Antigen - HBsAg (0.87%) or tested positive for Anti-Hepatitis C (HCV antibodies (0.36%). CONCLUSION: From the study it was concluded that the majority of the donor population was young and educated. The reason for donation was mainly replacement rather than voluntary. This issue needs to be addressed by exercising proactive measures to increase the number of voluntary, nonremunerated, low-risk donors.
ABSTRACT
We studied the effects of oral contraceptive pills (OCP) supplied by the Govt of India in its Family Welfare Campaign, on serum lipid levels of women. The OCP, containing 30 micrograms ethinyl estradiol and 1 mg of norethisterone acetate were administered to the women for six months continuously and serum lipid levels were estimated after three and six months of the treatment. There were no significant changes in serum cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), serum triglycerides and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL). In a simultaneous study we also measured serum lipid levels at 3 and 6 months after withdrawal of the pills in women who had been receiving OCP containing 50 micrograms of ethinyl estradiol and 0.5 mg of one of the progesterones for the past 1 1/2 to 2 years continuously. Only serum LDL level fell significantly (P less than 0.01) on 3 months withdrawal period. It is concluded that 6 months of usage of the OCP marketed by the Govt. of India does not affect the serum lipid profile.
PIP: Studies on the use of oral contraceptives in the West have shown that they induce changes in total serum cholesterol, triglycerides, high density lipoproteins, low density lipoproteins, and very low density lipoproteins -- changes which are implicated in the development of atherosclerosis. In India, however, women consume low fats, low cholesterol and fewer calories; they drink less alcohol and rarely smoke; and they engage in more physical activities. 2 groups of Indian women were tested for lipid metabolism alterations during and after use of oral contraceptives supplied by the Indian government. 1 group of 23 women, aged 20-30, received low dose oral contraceptives containing 30 ug ethinyl estradiol and 1 mg of norethisterone acetate, and their serum lipid levels were tested after 3 and 6 months of use. A 2nd group of 12 multiparas, aged 25-35, who had been taking oral contraceptives for 1 1/2 to 2 years (either 50 um ethinyl estradiol and .5 mg norgestrel, called Ovular or Primovlar-50, or 30 ug ethinyl estradiol and .5 mg ethynodiol diacetate, called Ovular-50) were examined for serum lipid levels 3 and 6 months after withdrawal from the pills. In the 1st group no significant change was observed in any lipid fraction after 3 or 6 months of oral contraceptive use. In the 2nd group low density lipoprotein levels were significantly lower 3 and 6 months after withdrawal, in comparison with the basal values of the 1st group. It is concluded that low dose oral contraceptives supplied by the Indian government have no significant effect on serum lipids after 6 months of use.
