Longitudinal assessment of extreme climate events in Kinnaur district, Himachal Pradesh, north-western Himalaya, India.

It is vital to keep an eye on changes in climatic extremes because they set the stage for current and potential future climate, which usually have a reasonable adverse impact on ecosystems and society. The present study examines the variability and trends in precipitation and temperature across seasons in the Kinnaur district, offering valuable insights into the complex dynamics of the Himalayan climate. Using Climatic Research Unit gridded Time Series (CRU TS) datasets from 1951 to 2021, the study analyzes the data to produce 28 climate indices based on India Meteorological Department (IMD) convention indices and Expert Team on Climate Change Detection and Indices (ETCCDI). Although there may be considerable variation in climate indices in terms of absolute values within different products, there is consensus in both long-term trends and inter-annual variability. Analysis shows that even within a small area, there is variability in the magnitude and direction of historic temperature trends. Initially, the data were subjected to rigorous quality control procedures, which involved identifying anomalies. Statistical analysis like trend analysis, employing Mann-Kendall test and Sen's slope estimator, reveal significant (p < 0.05) increase in consecutive dry days (CDD) at 0.03 days/year and decrease in consecutive wet days (CWD) at 0.02 days/year. Notably, the frequency of heavy precipitation occurrences showed an increasing trend. Changes in precipitation in the Western Himalaya are driven by a complex interplay of orographic effects, monsoonal dynamics, atmospheric circulation patterns, climate change, and localized factors such as topography, atmospheric circulation patterns, moisture sources, land-sea temperature contrasts, and anthropogenic influences. Moreover, in case of temperature indices, there is significant increasing trend observed. Temperature indices indicate a significant annual increase in warm nights (TN90p) at 0.06%/year and warm days (TX90p) at 0.11%/year. Extreme temperature events have been trending upward, with monthly daily maximum temperature (TXx) increasing by 1.5 °C yearly. This study enhances our comprehension of the global warming phenomenon and underscores the importance of acknowledging alterations in the water cycle and their repercussions on hydrologic resources, agriculture, and livelihoods in the cold desert of the northwestern Indian Himalaya.

Bacillus clausii UBBC-07 reduces severity of diarrhoea in children under 5 years of age: a double blind placebo controlled study.

Acute diarrhoea is one of the leading causes of mortality in infants and young children. Evidence suggests that probiotics can reduce diarrhoea duration. As the effects of probiotics are strain specific, the effect of Bacillus clausii UBBC-07, a safe probiotic strain in the treatment of acute diarrhoea in children was studied. The double blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, parallel group multicentric study was conducted at two outpatient facility sites in Lucknow, India. Children aged six months to five years suffering from acute diarrhoea, were randomly assigned to receive either probiotic (B. clausii UBBC-07) spore suspension or placebo suspension twice daily apart from oral rehydration solution (ORS). The duration of treatment was for five days with a follow -up until the 10th day. Outcomes evaluated were duration and frequency of diarrhoea, consistency of stool, fever and vomiting. The duration of diarrhoea was significantly shorter (P<0.05) in patients who received B. clausii suspension (75.66±13.23 h) than in placebo treated group (81.6±15.43 h). The average daily number of stools (frequency) was 8.67±3.42 at baseline in treatment group receiving B. clausii and 8.53±3.19 in placebo group. By day 4, there was a significant reduction (P<0.01) in frequency of stools in probiotic treated group (3.46±0.66) as compared to placebo group (4.57±1.59). Improvement in stool consistency was also observed in the probiotic treated group as compared to the placebo group. There was no effect on vomiting and duration of fever. B. clausii UBBC-07 significantly decreased the duration and frequency of diarrhoea as compared to placebo indicating effectiveness of strain in the treatment of acute diarrhoea in children and could be a safe alternative to antibiotics.

Role of trace elements in senile cataract.

The contents of copper, zinc and protein were determined in cortex and nucleus sections of cortical and nuclear cataracts. The results show that copper and zinc content increased in both types of cataracts, although more in the cortex than nucleus sections of the cataractous lenses.

Effects of cyproterone acetate on reproductive functions in normal human males.

PIP: The effects of cyproterone acetate (CA) on reproductive functions in normal human males were studied. 6 volunteers received 5 or 10 mg CA over a 20-week period. The treatment caused a gradual decrease in the number of spermatozoa and their motility, and an increase in the percentage of nonmotile, abnormal, and immature sperms. There was also a marked inhibition of sperm transport of motile sperm through cervical mucus, as determined by Kremer's test. Semen levels of acid phosphatase, sialic acid, and glycerylphosphorylcholine progressively decreased, though semen levels of fructose were not markedly altered. There were no marked changes in levels of SGOT, SGPT, serum alkaline phosphatase, blood urea, and hematocrit values. The possible mode of action of CA and its potential as a male contraceptive agent are discussed.^ieng