Studies on the breeding potential and entomological indices of dengue vector Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus in the district Ghaziabad of Uttar Pradesh, India.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: The female Aedes mosquito is a vector of many arboviruses-borne diseases. The evidence and information regarding their breeding habitats are vital for implementing appropriate control policies. METHODS: An entomological survey was done at three sites in Ghaziabad district of Uttar Pradesh, India viz. Indirapuram, Vasundhara, and Vaishali to generate the first boundary line information of breeding sites of Aedes aegypti larvae for the early prevention and control interventions for dengue management. RESULTS: A total of 2994 containers were checked in 1169 households at the time of the survey for breeding sites of Aedes mosquito during the pre-monsoon, monsoon, and post-monsoon period, out of which 667 containers were found positive in 518 positive households. The total HI, CI, and BI were 44.31, 22.27, and 57.05 respectively. The maximum and minimum breeding indices were found during monsoon and pre-monsoon respectively. The most preferred containers for Aedes breeding were cement tanks for lotus plants in nurseries, drums, and small and large size pots for storage of water and ornamental plants mostly in 8 plant nurseries. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: Breeding of Aedes was found in nurseries and desert coolers which were the primary breeding containers found during the survey. The containers found positive during surveys were emptied or destroyed with the help of the local community and the breeding status of nurseries was informed to the health authorities of Ghaziabad to take necessary action against the breeding sites of the Aedes mosquitoes.

Tinospora cordifolia modulates the seminal parameters, leakage of intracellular enzymes and seminal antioxidants in equilibrated and cryopreserved semen of Sahiwal bulls.

The present study was undertaken to assess the effects of stem extract of Tinospora cordifolia (Giloy or Guduchi) in the semen extender on seminal parameters, leakage of intracellular enzymes and antioxidants in semen of Sahiwal bull. A total of 48 ejaculates from four bulls were selected for the study. Spermatozoa of 25 × 106 were incubated in 100, 300 and 500 µg of stem extract of Guduchi as Gr II, III and IV, respectively, and pre-freeze and post-thaw semen samples were analysed for seminal parameters [motility, viability, total sperm abnormality (TSA), plasma membrane integrity (PMI) and acrosomal integrity (AcI)], intracellular enzymes [aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)] and seminal antioxidants [superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase] in comparison with an untreated control group (Gr I). The results revealed that stem extract-treated semen had significantly (p < .05) higher motility, viability, PMI, AcI, SOD and catalase and had significantly (p < .05) lower TSA, AST and LDH compared to those in untreated control group at pre-freeze and post-thaw stages. Semen treated with 100 µg stem extract/25 × 106 spermatozoa had significantly (p < .05) higher motility, viability, PMI, AcI, SOD and catalase and had significantly (p < .05) lower TSA, AST and LDH compared to those in control, 300- and 500-µg-treated groups at pre-freeze and post-thaw stages. Further, these seminal parameters and antioxidants were showing decreasing trend and TSA and leakage of intracellular enzymes were showing increasing trend from Gr II to Gr IV at pre-freeze and post-thaw stages. Thus, 100 µg/25 × 106 spermatozoa were optimum or suitable dose for cryopreservation of Sahiwal bull semen. The study concluded that T. cordifolia stem extract 100 µg/25 × 106 spermatozoa in the semen extender can be effectively utilized to reduce the oxidative stress and improve the pre-freeze and post-thaw seminal parameters in Sahiwal bull. However, further studies on effects of different concentrations of stem extract on in vitro or in vivo fertility trials are to be conducted to assess the impact of the stem extract supplementation in the semen extender on field pregnancy outcomes in bovine species.

Expression of Kisspeptin and its receptor in the hypothalamus of cyclic and acyclic buffalo (Bubalus bubalis).

Kisspeptin (Kiss1), neurokinin-B (NKB) and dynorphin (Dyn) neurons regulate the surge and pulsatile centres of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) in the hypothalamus and are modulated by the ovarian steroids. Accordingly, we studied the temporospatial expression of Kiss1, its receptor and other genes that regulate GnRH in the preoptic area (POA) and arcuate (ARC) regions of hypothalamus at different phases of bubaline estrous cycle. Brain of buffalo (n = 32) was collected immediately after exsanguination and categorized into early luteal (EL), mid luteal (ML), follicular (FL) stages and acyclic (n = 8/group). Total RNA was extracted from the POA and ARC of each stage and real time PCR amplification of Kiss1, Kiss1r, NKB, NKB receptor (NKBR), Dyn, Dyn receptor (OPRK1), GnRH1, ERα, PR, LEPR and GHSR was done using GAPDH as endogenous control and acyclic stage as calibrator group. Further, immunolocalization of Kiss1 and Kiss1r was done on the hypothalamus. In the POA, significant up-regulation of Kiss1 and NKB with a concomitant down-regulation of Dyn transcripts was recorded at FL stage. There was, however, down-regulation of Kiss1 and Kiss1r during the EL perhaps due to the loss of estradiol as a consequence of ovulation. On the other hand, in the ARC, there was a significant up-regulation of Kiss1 and Dyn at FL and ML, while NKB transcript was consistently down-regulated at any stage of estrous cycle. In the POA, expression of ERα was not modulated; however, PR was down-regulated in the EL. In the ARC, the ERα expression was significantly up-regulated in the EL, whereas, PR was moderately expressed irrespective of the stage of estrous cycle. The immunolocalization study revealed the presence of Kiss1 and Kiss1r in the POA and ARC in the cyclic buffalo with relative abundance at FL. The transcriptional profile of the genes suggests that there is estrous cycle stage specific expression of Kiss1, Kiss1r and other GnRH regulating genes in the POA and ARC regions of hypothalamus in the buffalo. Up-regulation of Kiss1r in the POA during ML and ARC during EL indicates the involvement of kisspeptinergic system in the regulation of low LH pulse frequencies during the early and mid luteal phases in the cyclic buffalo.

Flow and thermal characteristics of high Reynolds number (2800-17,000) dye cell: simulation and experiment.

This paper presents computational and experimental studies on wavelength/frequency fluctuation characteristics of a high pulse repetition rate (18 kHz) dye laser pumped by a frequency-doubled Nd:YAG laser (532 nm). The temperature gradient in the dye solution is found to be responsible for wavelength fluctuations of the dye laser at low flow rates (2800

Determination of atmospheric heavy metals using two lichen species in Katni and Rewa cities, India.

A biomonitoring study was conducted to assess the levels of atmospheric heavy metal pollution in Katni and Rewa cities of Madhya Pradesh, state in central India. The Pyxine cocoes and Phaeophyscia hispidula, two epiphytic foliose lichen were used as bioindicators in the present study and seven metals (As, Al, Cd, Cr, Fe, Zn, Pb) were analyzed in naturally growing thallus. The concentrations of these metals was observed to be in higher range as maximum values of Al, Cd, Cr and Zn were reported from the lichen samples from Rewa city which was 561.8 +/- 2.4, 6.8 +/- 0.8, 35.2 +/- 1.4, 214.6 +/- 2.0 microg g(-1) dry weight respectively. Whereas As, Fe and Pb were reported maximum in the lichen samples collected from Katni city areas with 33.4 +/- 0.05, 689.4 +/- 2.6, 13.3 +/- 0.5 microg g(-1) dry weight respectively. However the accumulation of Cd and Pb from both the cities are more or less similar in concentration. The selectivity sequence of metals were Fe>Al>Zn>As>Cr>Pb>Cd in Katni city, and Al>Fe>Zn>Cr>As>Pb>Cd in Rewa city. The findings of this study indicates that extent of heavy metal pollution in the atmosphere of the two cities which may lead to adverse health affects.

Adsorptive removal of heavy metals from aqueous solution by treated sawdust (Acacia arabica).

The removal of Cr(VI), Pb(II), Hg(II) and Cu(II), by treated sawdust has been found to be concentration, pH, contact time, adsorbent dose and temperature dependent. The adsorption parameters were determined using both Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. Adsorption capacity for treated sawdust, i.e. Cr(VI) (111.61 mg/g), Pb(II) (52.38 mg/g), Hg(II) (20.62 mg/g), and Cu(II) (5.64 mg/g), respectively. Surface complexation and ion exchange are the major removal mechanisms involved. The adsorption isotherm studies clearly indicated that the adsorptive behaviour of metal ions on treated sawdust satisfies not only the Langmuir assumptions but also the Freundlich assumptions. The applicability of Lagergren kinetic model has also been investigated. The adsorption follows first-order kinetics. Thermodynamic constant (k(ad)), standard free energy (DeltaG degrees ), enthalpy (DeltaH degrees ) and entropy (DeltaS degrees ) were calculated for predicting the nature of adsorption. The percentage adsorption increases with pH to attain a maximum at pH 6 and thereafter it decreases with further increase in pH. The results indicate the potential application of this method for effluent treatment in industries and also provide strong evidence to support the adsorption mechanism proposed.

A pilot scale evaluation for adsorptive removal of lead (II) using treated granular activated carbon.

Wastewaters discharged from the defence serviceable industries pose a serious environmental hazard due to their heavy metal load. The present study focused on optimizing the operational variables viz, hydraulic loading rate, bed height and feed concentration through bench scale study and using that for assessing the efficiency of pilot scale system with sulphur loaded carbon (AC-S) as the adsorbent in the removal of Pb (II). Static mode adsorption studies were also carried out for Pb (II) removal using treated (AC-S) and untreated carbon (AC). AC-S shows about 35 percent increase in maximum adsorption capacity over that on AC. The maximum adsorption capacity in the column mode for Pb (II) at the optimized conditions: bed height of 0.4 m, hydraulic loading rate of 7.5 m3h(-1)m(-2) and the feed concentration of 6 mg l(-1) for achieving 50% breakthrough concentration was found to be 2.89 mg g(-1). Adsorption mechanism involved during Pb (1) in the column has also been explored. Bohart-Adams model was used for modeling the bench scale data and predicting the adsorption behavior at pilot scale level.

Removal of heavy metal ions from aqueous solutions using carbon aerogel as an adsorbent.

The removal of Cd(II), Pb(II), Hg(II), Cu(II), Ni(II), Mn(II) and Zn(II) by carbon aerogel has been found to be concentration, pH, contact time, adsorbent dose and temperature dependent. The adsorption parameters were determined using both Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. Surface complexation and ion exchange are the major removal mechanisms involved. The adsorption isotherm studies clearly indicated that the adsorptive behaviour of metal ions on carbon aerogel satisfies not only the Langmuir assumptions but also the Freundlich assumptions, i.e. multilayer formation on the surface of the adsorbent with an exponential distribution of site energy. The applicability of the Lagergren kinetic model has also been investigated. Thermodynamic constant (K(ad)), standard free energy (DeltaG(0)), enthalpy (DeltaH(0)) and entropy (DeltaS(0)) were calculated for predicting the nature of adsorption. The results indicate the potential application of this method for effluent treatment in industries and also provide strong evidence to support the adsorption mechanism proposed.

Antenatal ultrasonic diagnosis of Meckel Gruber syndrome (a case report with review of literature).

Meckel Gruber syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disorder with major characteristic features consisting of occipital encephalocele, polydactyly and polycystic kidneys along with other associated malformation. Antenatal ultrasonic examination can establish the correct diagnosis by identifying at least two of the major features described. The antenatal ultrasonic findings and pathology of this uncommon entity are discussed.

Ewing's sarcoma of metacarpal. A case report and review of literature.

The radiological features of a rare case of Ewing's sarcoma of right fourth metacarpal in a twenty-five years young male are described. An up date review of literature is also presented.

Ultrasonic detection of Budd Chiari syndrome in hepatoma.

A case of Budd Chiari syndrome in a 50 years female due to hepatoma is reported, which was worked up ultrasonically. A brief review of literature is also presented.