Maturity indices as an index to evaluate the quality of sulphur enriched municipal solid waste compost using variable byproduct of sulphur.

The aim of this study was to assess the maturity indicators of municipal solid waste compost (MSWC) enrichment with different byproduct of (sugar and fertilizer industry) sulphur (S). The concentration of total S (TS), water-soluble S (WSS), HCl extractable S and available S were significantly different in composts prepared through different byproduct of S with MSW. WSS varied from 4.6 to 5.9% of TS after 120 days of the composting period, whereas, available S varied from 14.5 - 8.6% of TS. S enriched MSW compost had lower C/N, C/S ratio and higher nitrification index as well as lower phyto-toxicity, demonstrating that composts are properly matured and stabilised. Highest compost quality index (0.97) was recorded with S1 compost. Arylsulphatase activity significantly increased with compost maturity. Results stated that all S enriched products maintained a superior amount of plant nutrients and quality indices, indicating that S enriched compost could be a possible substitute for expensive fertilizers.

Confirmation of Induced Tolerance to Alternaria Blight Disease in Indian Mustard (Brassica juncea L.).

Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.) is an important edible oilseed crop in India. Low productivity is the major concern which is adversely affected by biotic stresses. Alternaria blight (Alternaria brassicae) is one among major diseases that has no resistant cultivar until now. Keeping in view, an experiment was conducted for isolation of Alternaria blight-tolerant mutants in Indian mustard using gamma radiation and EMS mutagens during four consecutive years in Rabi (winter season). Furthermore, the morphologically and economically superior mutants of Brassica juncea were screened artificially at cotyledonary and adult stage against Alternaria blight. Tolerance to Alternaria blight is observed in DRMR-M-163 (11.7%), DRMR-M-158 (13.1%), DRMR-M-174 (13.8%) and DRMR-M-177 (18.6%) with minimum conidia in infected cotyledons. Mutant DRMR-M-178 (19.8%) had the highest radical scavenging activity, while DRMR-M-162 (104.9 mg/g AAE), DRMR-M-169 (96.9) and DRMR-M-161 (96.9) had higher antioxidant capacity that appears to act as defence to pathogen. DRMR-M-168 (8.4%), DRMR-M-173 (8.3), DRMR-M-171 (7.9), DRMR-M-165 (7.4), DRMR-M-175 (7.2) and DRMR-M-172 (6.9) had higher phenol content which may be responsive for resistance, although DRMR-M-161 (192.7 mg/g), DRMR-M-163 (187.7 mg/g), DRMR-M-164 (132.7 mg/g), DRMR-M-167 (149.3 mg/g), DRMR-M-173 (196.0 mg/g) and DRMR-M-178 (192.7 mg/g) mutants are found to contain low levels of total soluble sugar compared with susceptible Rohini (379.3). Based on biochemical parameter's similarity, mutants are grouped in 4 major clusters. Cluster 4 contained significantly different mutant DRMR-M-172. Relative expression of mitogen-activated protein kinase 3 (MAPK3) gene was found highest in DRMR-M-177, DRMR-M-174, DRMR-M-175, DRMR-M-178, DRMR-M-170, DRMR-M-176, DRMR-M-172 and DRMR-M-173 which resulted the better response to AB stress. Based on biochemical analysis, realtime PCR and cluster analysis, DRMR-M-172 mutant appears more tolerant to Alternaria. DRMR-M-178, DRMR-M-167 and DRMR-M-177 mutants seem tolerant and could be utilized for further breeding programme.

Enhancement of Neuromuscular Activity by Natural Specimens and Cultured Mycelia of Cordyceps sinensis in Mice.

The present study was aimed to evaluate the effect of natural specimen and laboratory cultured mycelia of Cordyceps sinensis on neuromuscular activity in mice. The powder of natural specimen and laboratory cultured Cordyceps sinensis was orally administered at the dose rate of 100, 300 and 500 mg/kg for 30 days. Natural specimen and in vitro propagated Cordyceps sinensis showed significant (P<0.05) enhancement in neuromuscular endurance and antidepressant activity at 300 and 500 mg/kg as compared to the control group. However, the fungus did not proved to be as effective as fluoxetine in exhibiting antidepressant action. Muscular endurance was determined on a Rota rod apparatus while antidepressant (mood elevating) activity was measured on a photoactometer in Swiss albino mice. The effects produced by both natural specimens and laboratory cultured Cordyceps sinensis were comparable and showed almost equal potency.

Abdominal pain in a young girl.

A 14-year-old girl was admitted to our hospital with peri-umbilical pain associated with obstipation and vomiting. Plain erect X-rays of the abdomen revealed multiple air fluid levels. A supine X-ray is shown in this figure.

Sociodemographic characteristics of HIV infection in northern India.

134 patients testing positive for HIV antibody during the period 1986-1993 were included in the present study. An in-depth analysis of the subjects revealed that the adult males seemed to have the highest propensity for HIV infection in this part of the country. Marital status had no bearing on incidence and route of seropositivity. This was not so in females. Extramarital heterosexual contact was the mode of HIV acquisition in adults in contrast to blood transfusion in children. Clinically, most of these patients were still asymptomatic. At presentation, oral Candidiasis was common. Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) was the leading cause of death.

PIP: Data are analyzed from 134 HIV positive individuals who were referred to the National AIDS Control Organization of the Indian Government for clinical management during June 1986-June 1993. The center was a major referral center for northern India. HIV was determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Retesting was conducted. The population was grouped as under and over 13 years of age. Laboratory testing was performed in order to determine the absolute lymphocyte count (ALC), the absolute and percentage of CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocyte counts and CD4/CD8 ratios, immunoglobulins, and delayed-type cutaneous hypersensitivity (DTH). Findings indicated an increase in HIV positive cases over time and a greater number of adults who were HIV positive. The mean age was 27.2 years for males and 22.2 years for females. The youngest age was 1.5 years. 116 HIV positive people were Indians, and most lived in metropolitan areas of northern India. 25 were children. 25 lived in neighboring villages of Haryana, Punjab, and around Delhi. Marital status appeared to be unrelated to HIV status. 51 men were single and 46 were married and seropositive due to sexual contacts. 4 women were single and 8 were married. Of the 4 single women, 2 were sexually very active with multiple partners. 6 of the 8 married females acquired HIV infection through their spouses. The other 2 received HIV infected blood transfusions. 39.5% of men and 75% of women acquired HIV infections from heterosexual contacts. 29% of transmission was due to contaminated blood and blood products. The HIV infected male population comprised mainly businessmen and defense personnel. HIV infected persons came mainly from the Bombay-Pune area. 66.6% of persons infected from contaminated blood were from Delhi. Asymptomatic PGL and ARC screenings were the common reason for referral to the center. 13 of the 134 have already died. The most common cause of death was Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. The most common opportunistic infection was candidiasis.

Surveillance of STD patients for AIDS using World Health Organisation criteria.

PIP: The World Health Organization (WHO) criteria for HIV clinical disease were tested among individuals with high-risk behavior in northern India. A questionnaire, based upon history and physical examination alone, standardized by the WHO to include both major and minor signs necessary for the clinical diagnosis of AIDS in adults was applied to 165 consecutive patients attending the STD clinic of Dr. R.M.L. Hospital, New Delhi. All patients were screened for the presence of STDs by the dermatologist in charge of the clinic, with patients fulfilling two major and at least two minor WHO criteria eventually classified as having clinical AIDS based upon the WHO case definition. Each of those patients was subjected to serological confirmation of the clinical suspicion using ELISA and Western blot commercial tests. Of the 165 patients screened, a definite diagnosis of STD was possible in 85. These patients were 20-45 years old (mean age, 30.59 years). All were male and chancroid was the most common STD in the cohort. Of the 85, only one satisfied the WHO clinical criteria for AIDS. Serological investigations, ELISA, and Western blot confirmed the subject's HIV-seropositive status. These results indicate that in northern India, clinical HIV disease remains rare even among individuals with high-risk behavior. The low prevalence of clinical HIV disease in that part of the country makes it difficult to assess the specificity and sensitivity of the WHO clinical criteria for AIDS.^ieng

Hypocalcemia-induced reversible hemodynamic dysfunction.

A series of three cases of 'hypocalcemic dysfunction' that reflects a range of clinical profiles from a purely calcium responsive peripheral collapse to paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea and orthopnea is reported. The underlying diversity of clinical presentation is noteworthy, as is its prompt response to calcium therapy.

Effect of aerosolised verapamil and nifedipine in bronchial asthma.

Twenty patients of bronchial asthma were given 5 mg of either nifedipine or verapamil as aerosol therapy in a randomized fashion. Both drugs showed a statistically significant improvement in FVC, PEFR at zero hours lasting through 90-120 minutes. Changes in respiratory rate, pulse rate, blood pressure were insignificant with verapamil while appreciable tachycardia and transient fall in BP occurred with nifedipine therapy.

Hepatic involvement in tuberculosis.

Seventy one cases of pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis (confirmed by clinical, sputum examination, Skiagram, lymph node or other organ biopsy) and 13 cases of PUO suspected to be tubercular in origin were included in the study. Besides, thorough clinical workup, LFTs and liver biopsy were also done in all cases. LFT alterations were seen in only 5 (7%) cases of tuberculosis while in PUO group, 3 (23%) cases showed deranged LFT. In all, alteration in SGOT/SGPT was most frequent observation. In Liver biopsy, histopathological changes were seen in 63 percent (45 out of 71) of cases of tuberculosis and in 46.16 percent cases of PUO. In tubercular cases, various abnormalities observed were caseating granulomas: 18.30 percent, nonspecific inflammatory infiltration: 25.32 percent, focal Kupffer cell hyperplasia: 11.2 percent and fatty changes: 8.45 percent. Four of the PUO cases, showing Kupffer cell hyperplasia and non-specific inflammatory infiltration responded to antituberculous therapy. Thus it is surmised that though the caseating granuloma is the hallmark of tuberculosis, but nonspecific inflammatory hepatitis and retothelial tubercle nodules may be the forerunner in the evolution of granuloma.

Changing profile of enteric fever--in summer-91.

The clinical presentation, complications and sensitivity pattern was studied in 30 cases of enteric fever. Fever was the main presenting feature in all. Other associated predominant presenting feature were vomiting in 15 (50%), Loose motion 9 (30%), Cough 6 (20%), headache 4 (13.33%) and altered sensorium in 2 (6.66%). The various complications observed during hospital stay were myocarditis 5 (6.16%), Paralytic ileus 2 (6.66%), Pneumonia 1 (3.33%) and Joint effusion in 2 (6.66%) cases respectively. In laboratory parameters-mild elevation of blood urea and SGOT/SGPT were detected in 1st week, which returned to normal in 2-3 weeks time. In vitro sensitivity of organism isolated (24 cases) were as follow--Chloramphenicol 7 (29.16%), Ampicillin 8 (33.33%), Gentamicin 22 (91.66%), Amikacin 24 (100%), Cefotaxime 22 (91.66%), Ciprofloxacin 24 (100%), and Ofloxacin 24 (100%). Clinical response to Ofloxacin and Ciprofloxacin was 100%, and fever subsided in 3-5 days.

Congenital hemihypertrophy: report of four cases.

Congenital hemihypertrophy is a rare condition. We came across four such cases within a period of six months. These cases are presented here and their unusual features highlighted.

Sero-epidemiology of measles--a three years prospective study in a rural population of Rajasthan.

A community based prospective study on measles was undertaken during 1986 to 1988 in Ramgarh village of Alwar district (Rajasthan) to elucidate epidemiological features of measles. The initial population of the village was 5258 with 2018 children (0-14 years) which rose to total population of 5923 with 2200 children in 1988. During the entire period of study, all the children (0-14 years) were covered regularly through monthly domicilliary visits by trained paramedical personnel under direct supervision of Medical Officers. A total of 208 measles cases were detected which gave an overall incidence rate of 31.5 per 1000 children (0-14 years) per year. Incidence rate was highest in children of 2-5 years of age group and lowest (4.6 per 1000) in 10-14 years of age group. The maximum number (86.5 per cent) of cases occurred during the first six months of year. The Kolmogrov-Smirnov statistical method validated the seasonal character of the disease (Vn = 5.36, p less than 0.01). A significant (P less than 0.005) rise in seropositivity with increase in age was observed in children (6-36 months) who had no previous history of measles and measles immunization during their life time. A higher rate of sero-conversion was observed in children vaccinated after 10-months of age than those before. No significant relationship of seroconversion following vaccination could be seen with age of vaccination (p greater than 0.50), sex and nutritional status (p greater than 0.10).

Dapsone syndrome--a case report.

A 31-year-old male patient with lepromatous leprosy developed fever, malaise, nausea, anorexia, lymphadenopathy, hepatitis, exfoliative dermatitis and ainhum like lesions while on multidrug therapy comprised of dapsone, clofazimine and rifampicin. The provocation tests confirmed the dapsone to be cause of this event.