RESUMO
Worldwide, there is an urgent need to develop energy-cum-carbon smart and cost-effective rice production systems for farmer's adoption. Data were collected from 280 farmer's fields representing the South Asia rice production system. Out of these 75 fields following transplanted rice (TPR), 55 fields of wet direct seeded rice (WDSR), 60 fields of drill sown direct seeded rice in line (DSR L), 60 fields of traditional direct seeded rice (DSR) and 30 fields of DSR + beushning (DSR + B). Results show that grain and straw yields in the TPR were 6056 and 7752 kg ha-1, respectively; however, they were neither profitable, energy efficient, or eco-friendly. At the same time, the grain and straw yields in DSR L were recorded by 5832 and 7757 kg ha-1, respectively. It was profitable with the highest net returns (1111.5 US$ ha-1), energy use efficiency (12.77), energy productivity (0.41 kg MJ-1), energy profitability (11.77 US$ MJ-1), energy output efficiency (1314.3 MJ day-1) environment friendly in terms of carbon efficiency 7.20, carbon sustainability index (6.20) and had most diminutive carbon footprint (0.14 kg CO2 eq kg-1 grain) with a comparable carbon credit. DSR L is productive, economically viable, energy efficient, and environmentally safer among rice production systems.
RESUMO
Effect of pyridoxine (Vitamin-B(6)) supplementation on calciuria and oxaluria levels of 20 normal healthy persons and 17 urinary stone patients has been studied. Mean 24 hr urinary calcium and oxalate levels of controls (healthy persons) and stone patients were estimated in presupplementation period and at every 20 days interval during supplementation. Stone patients were divided into two groups viz., mild hyperoxaluriacs and moderate hyperoxaluriacs, based on their pre-supplementation (base line) oxaluria levels. 60 days of pyridoxine supplementation, at the rate of 10 mg/day, resulted in a significant decrease (p<0.01 for mild hyperoxaluriacs and p<0.001 for moderate hyperoxaluriacs) in mean 24 hr urinary oxalate levels of urinary stone patients. The corresponding decrement in mean oxaluria level of controls was, however, only mild. The decrease of mean calciuria level of controls as well as stone patients, upon pyridoxine supplementation, were also found to be only mild and not significant. Utility of pyridoxine therapy in oxalate urolithiasis has been discussed in the light of results.
RESUMO
An experimental study was undertaken to observe effects of fluoride ingestion on lung tissue. The study was conducted on 15 albino rabbits of either sex and experimental fluorosis was induced by daily oral administration of sodium fluoride (NaF) solution. Rabbits were divided into three groups according to the quantity of fluoride ingestion: Group A: rabbits fed with 10 mg/kg/day NaF, Group B: 20 mg/kg/day NaF; and Group C: controls. After six months, the rabbits were sacrificed and their lung tissue was submitted for histopathological examination and fluoride content estimation. On gross examination, pale areas on the surface and dark brown congested areas on cut-section of lungs were seen in rabbits of groups A and B. Histopathological changes of alveolar haemorrhage, congestion, edema fluid, necrosis of alveolar epithelium, distortion of alveolar architecture and desquamation of epithelium of respiratory tract with damage to tracheal cartilage were observed in these groups. These changes were more marked in group B rabbits. Fluoride content of lung tissue homogenate was significantly higher in groups A and B (mean 1.206 ppm and 1.978 ppm respectively) as compared to control (0.1585 ppm). It was concluded that prolonged fluoride ingestion damages pulmonary tissues of rabbits. To the best of our knowledge, effect of chronic fluoride ingestion on lungs has not been reported in the literature, therefore, we had undertaken this study to analyse the effect of chronic fluoride ingestion on lungs.