Evaluation of feed utilization, immune response and disease resistance in striped catfish, Pangasianodon hypophthalmus (Sauvage 1878) fed with a novel Aeromonas hydrophila biofilm vaccine.

Striped catfish, Pangasianodon hypophthalmus was immunized with Biofilm (BF) and Free cell (FC) of Aeromonas hydrophila vaccine at 1010 CFU g-1 for 20 days and monitored for growth parameters, immune responses and disease resistance up to 60 day post vaccination (dpv). Pangasius catfish in the BF vaccinated group had considerably higher growth and feed utilization than the FC vaccinated and unvaccinated groups (p < 0.05). Biofilm vaccinated group showed a significant increase (p < 0.05) in the mean weight gain (46.91 ± 0.59) than the FC (35.94 ± 0.21) and unvaccinated group (34.92 ± 0.35). The vaccinated fishes were challenged with A. hydrophila at 107 CFU/ml. Significant higher relative percentage survival (RPS) was recorded with BF (84.21 ± 1.49%) compared to that with FC (33.33 ± 1.21%). Polyclonal antibody-based ELISA was used to quantify the antibody titre. BF vaccinated group showed significantly higher antibody titer compared to other treatments (p < 0.05). Moreover, higher haematological parameters recorded in the present study were differentially stimulated by the oral administration of A. hydrophila biofilm vaccine. The mean total protein, albumin, and globulin levels of the BF vaccine groups were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than the mean total protein, albumin, and globulin contents of the unvaccinated group. Furthermore, biochemical stress parameters (SGPT, SGOT) in the vaccinated groups showed an incremental trend in the early days of the experimental period. However, the values were significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the biofilm group on 20 dpv onwards indicating improved health condition. Vaccinated BF fishes showed gut associated lymphoid tissues (GALT) within the laminar propria of mid gut. But in FC group fishes showed less aggregation of lymphoid cells. The unvaccinated control fish had no lymphoid cell aggregation in their intestines. The findings of the current research suggested that biofilm vaccine has the capability to be one of the potential oral vaccines in striped catfish against A. hydrophila infection.

Restoring soil carbon in marginal land of Indian Himalayas: Impact of crop intensification and conservation tillage.

Soil carbon (C) loss is the prime sign of land degradation, and C pools have a great impact on soil quality and climate change mitigation. Hence, a field experiment was conducted for three consecutive years to assess the impact of crop intensification and conservation tillage practices on changes in the C pool at different soil depths of marginal land of the Indian Himalayas. The experiment consisted of two intensified cropping systems viz., CS1-Summer maize (Zea mays L.) -rainy season maize-lentil (Lens esculenta L.) and CS2-Summer maize-rainy season maize-mustard (Brassica juncea (L.) Czern) and five tillage practices viz., No-till (NT); NT + live mulch of cowpea (NT + LMC); reduced tillage (RT); RT + LMC and conventional tillage (CT). Results revealed that CS2 produced significantly higher biomass, C retention efficiency (9.85%), and sequestrated greater C (0.42 Mg ha-1 yr-1) in the soil system than CS1. Of the various tillage practices, RT + LMC registered higher biomass and recycled greater biomass and C than those under other tillage practices. However, the highest soil organic carbon (SOC) content (7.03 g kg-1) and pool (9.62 Mg ha-1) in 0-10 cm depth were observed under NT + LMC. The non-labile C pool size under NT in 0-10 cm and 10-20 cm depths was significantly greater than those under CT. The NT + LMC sequestrated significantly higher SOC (0.57 Mg ha-1 yr-1) than other tillage practices. Thus, the study indicated that the adoption of an intensified maize-based system under RT + LMC or NT + LMC would increase SOC storage and C sequestration in marginal lands of the Indian Himalayas.

Supplementation of nano-selenium in fish diet: Impact on selenium assimilation and immune-regulated selenoproteome expression in monosex Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus).

Selenium (Se), a fundamental element of nutrigenomic science in fish nutrition, was used to investigate its impact on selenoproteome expression and Se regulation in tilapia. Different concentrations (T1 - 0, T2 - 0.5, T3 - 1.0 and T4 - 2.0 mg/kg of feed) of dietary nano-Se were incorporated in the diets of monosex Nile tilapia. A total of 180 tilapia fingerlings with initial weight (15.73 ± 0.05 g) were stocked in 150 L capacity FRP tanks categorized into four diet groups with triplicate each for a feeding trial of 90 days. At the end of first, second and third months of the feeding trial, gill, liver, kidney and muscle tissues were harvested to evaluate the effect on the kinetics of Se bioaccumulation and assimilation as well as immune-regulated selenoprotein transcripts (GPx2, SelJ, SelL, SelK, SelS, SelW and Sepp1a) and their synthesis factors (SPS1 and Scly). The findings depicted that significantly (p < 0.05) higher weight gain was found in the diet supplemented with 1.0 mg/kg of nano-Se. The theory of second-order polynomial regression supported the same. The liver showed significantly (p < 0.05) higher Se accumulation and concentration factor among the harvested tissues in a different timeline. All the selected immune-regulated selenoproteins and synthesis factors in different fish tissues showed significantly (p < 0.05) up-regulation in the diet supplemented with 1.0 mg/kg of nano-Se for the second month. Therefore, the present findings suggested that the supplementation of nano-Se could be more effective for improved growth, better selenium regulation and expression of immune-regulated selenoproteins in the fish model.

Impact of land configuration and organic nutrient management on productivity, quality and soil properties under baby corn in Eastern Himalayas.

Appropriate land configuration and assured nutrient supply are prerequisites for quality organic baby corn (Zea mays L.) production in high rainfall areas of the delicate Eastern Himalayan Region of India. A long term (5-year) study was conducted during 2012-2016 on a sandy loam soil in the mid attitude of Sikkim, Eastern Himalayan Region of India to evaluate the productivity, produce quality, the profitability of baby corn, and soil properties under different land configurations comprising flatbed, ridge and furrow, and broad bed and furrow, and organic nutrient management practices comprising un-amended control, farmyard manure 12 t ha-1, vermicompost 4 t ha-1 and farmyard manure 6 t ha-1 + vermicompost 2 t ha-1. The baby corn sown on broad bed and furrow had the tallest plant (149.25 cm), maximum dry matter (64.33 g plant-1), highest leaf area index (3.5), maximum cob length (8.10 cm), cob girth (6.13 cm) and cob weight (8.14 g) leading to significantly higher fresh baby corn yield (1.89 t ha-1), and net returns (US$ 906.1 ha-1) than those of other treatments. Mineral composition (phosphorus, potassium, iron, and zinc), protein, and ascorbic acid content were also the highest in baby corn grown under the broad bed and furrow system. The soil of broad bed and furrow had a higher pH, organic carbon content, organic carbon pools, microbial biomass carbon, and enzymatic activities (dehydrogenase, fluorescein diacetate, and acid phosphatase) compared to soils of other land configurations. A combined application of farmyard manure (6 t ha-1) + vermicompost (2 t ha-1) improved the crop growth and produced 117.8% higher fresh baby corn and 99.7% higher fodder yield over control (0.9 t fresh corn and 13.02 t fodder yield ha-1), respectively. This treatment also registered significantly higher gross return (US$ 1746.9 ha-1), net return (US$ 935.8 ha-1), and benefit-cost ratio (2.15) than other nutrient management practices. Fresh cob quality in terms of protein (22.91%) and ascorbic acid content (101.6 mg 100 g-1) was observed to be significantly superior under combined application of farmyard manure (6 t ha-1) + vermicompost (2 t ha-1) than those of other nutrient management systems. However, fresh baby corn cobs produced with vermicompost 4 t ha-1 had the highest concentration of phosphorus, potassium, iron, and zinc. Application of farmyard manure 12 t ha-1 registered the maximum increment in soil organic carbon content (1.52%), its pool (40.6 t ha-1) and carbon sequestration rate (0.74 t ha-1 year-1) followed by integrated application of farmyard manure (6 t ha-1) and vermicompost (2 t ha-1). The maximum soil microbial biomass carbon and enzymatic activities [dehydrogenase (22.1 µg TPF g-1 soil h-1) and fluorescein diacetate (67.1 µg FDA g-1 soil h-1)] were noted with the combined use of farmyard manure (6 t ha-1) + vermicompost (2 t ha-1). Thus, the study suggests that the broad bed and furrow land configuration along with the combined application of farmyard manure + vermicompost could be an economically feasible practice for quality organic baby corn production and soil health improvement in the Eastern Himalaya and other similar eco-regions elsewhere.

Anti-Cryptococcal activity of a furanone derivative-antibiofilm and opsonophagocytic potential.

Cryptococcus neoformans, an encapsulated fungal pathogen is evolving as a major threat to immune-compromised patients and rarely to healthy individuals also. The cell wall bound capsular polysaccharide, melanin pigment and biofilm formation are major virulence factors that are known to contribute to cryptococcal meningitis. In the present study, a furanone derivative, (E)-5-benzylidenedihydrofuran-2(3H)-one (compound-6) was evaluated against biofilm of seven different strains of C. neoformans in melanized and non-melanized condition. In addition, the efficacy of compound-6 in activation of TLR-2, opsonophagocytosis, and modulation of cytokine expression during phagocytosis were studied. During the biofilm study, we found that moderate capsule size favored biofilm formation. Interestingly, the minimum biofilm eradication concentration (MBEC0.5) of melanized biofilm was found to be achieved at 1- to 1.7-fold higher MBEC0.5 of non-melanized cells. The maximum eradication of 77% and 69% of non-melanized and melanized biofilm were observed. The capsule size was reduced to half of its size with marked changes in morphology. Furthermore, expression of TLR2, iNOS and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-12, and IFN-γ were also facilitated by compound-6. The correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between phagocytosis and the expression of TLR-2, iNOS, IL-6, IL-12. Collectively, the significant effect of compound-6, anti-melanization activity, antibiofilmand effective immunomodulant could be an interesting dual strategy drug agonist against cryptococcal meningitis.

Analysis of fatty acid methyl esters and oxidative stability of seed purpose watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) genotypes for edible oil.

World's vegetable oil demand is increasing day by day and oil seed supply is limited to a dozen oil seed crops on commercial scale. Efforts were made to explore the potential of water melon a traditionally grown native crop of Indian arid zone having oil content over 30% and seed yield potential of 500-600 kg per hectare under rainfed conditions. An analysis was carried out to explore the suitability of watermelon [Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.)] oil for human consumption on the basis of fatty acid (FA) composition in selected genotypes. Total oil content ranged between 10.0 and 31.0%. Eleven FA were identified in seed oil. Linoleic, stearic, palmitic and oleic acid were found as major FA while myristic, heptadecanoic, arachidic, 9-hexadecenoic and 14-eicosenoic acid was present in traces. Linoleic acid single polyunsaturated FA contributor found in the range of 43.95% (WM-44) to 55.29% (WM-18). Saturated FA content ranged between 32.24 and 37.61%. Significant genetic variation was observed for mono-unsaturated FA. Metabolic capacity to inter-conversion of FA and nutritive value of watermelon oil was described on the basis of ratio of FA group. Total phenolics, antioxidant activity, peroxide value and oxidizability were also estimated along with oxidative stability of oil. Multivariate analysis showed that, oil content has positive correlation with linoleic acid. The Euclidean based UPGMA clustering revealed that genotypes WM-18 is most suitable for trait specific breeding program for high linoleic acid (n-6), desaturation ratio and oleic desaturation ratio with higher oil content and lowest palmitic acid.

Effect of cryogenic grinding on volatile and fatty oil constituents of cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) genotypes.

Effect of cryogenic grinding on recovery of volatile oil, fatty oil percentage and their constituents in two cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) genotypes have been analyzed. Cryogenic grinding not only retains the volatiles but enhanced the recovery by 33.9 % in GC 4 and 43.5 % in RZ 209. A significant increase (29.9 %) over normal grinding in oil percentage was also observed in genotype RZ 209. This increase was, however, less (15.4 %) in genotype GC 4. Nineteen major compounds were identified in the essential oil of both genotypes. The two grinding techniques had significant effects on dependent variables, viz., volatile oil and monoterpenes. Cuminaldehyde was the main constituent in both genotypes, content of which increased from 48.2 to 56.1 % in GC 4 on cryo grinding. Content of terpines were found to decrease in cryo ground samples of GC 4 and either decrease or no change was found in RZ 209. Organoleptic test showed more pleasant aroma in cryo ground seeds of both the genotypes. Significant increase was also reported in fatty oil yield due to cryogenic grinding. Fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) analysis showed oleic acid as major FAME content of which increased from 88.1 to 94.9 % in RZ 209 and from 88.2 to 90.1 % in GC 4 on cryogenic grinding. Other prominent FAME were palmitic, palmitoleic and stearic acid. Results indicated commercial potential of cryogenic grinding technology for cumin in general and spices in particular for better retention of flavour and quality in spices.

Acute kidney injury in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is an important cause of hospitalization and morbidity in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients. However, the data on AKI in such patients is limited. The aim of the present study was to analyze the incidence, causes and outcome of AKI in HIV-positive patients from our antiretroviral therapy centre. All HIV-positive patients were evaluated for evidence of clinical AKI. AKI was noted in 138/3540 (3.9%) patients. Of 138 AKI patients, 96 (69.6%) had acquired immuno deficiency syndrome and 42 (30.4%) were HIV seropositive. Majority of AKI patients belonged to AKI network (AKIN) Stage II (42%) or III (48.5%) at presentation. Prerenal, intrinsic and postrenal AKI were noted in 53.6%, 44.2% and 2.2% of cases, respectively. Hypovolemia (44.2%) and sepsis (14.5%) contributed to AKI in vast majority of cases. AKI was multifactorial (volume depletion, sepsis and drugs) in 39% of patients. Acute tubular necrosis (ATN) was the most common intrinsic lesion. Acute interstitial nephritis and diffuse endocapillary proliferative glomerulonephritis were noted in five and two cases, respectively. In-hospital mortality was 24.64%. Lower CD4 count, decreased serum albumin level and Stage 4 WHO disease were associated with higher mortality. At 3 months or more follow-up complete recovery of renal function, chronic kidney disease Stage 3-5 and progression to end stage renal disease were noted in 58.69%, 14.5% and 2.2% of cases, respectively. Thus, prerenal factors and ischemic ATN were the most common cause of AKI in HIV-infected patients. Recovery of renal function was seen in 59% of cases, but AKI had high in-hospital mortality.

Efficacy of Liposomal Monensin on the Enhancement of the Antitumour Activity of Liposomal Ricin in Human Epidermoid Carcinoma (KB) Cells.

The monensin, known to enhance the cytotoxicity of ricin and ricin-based immunotoxins is a very hydrophobic molecule and this limits its administration in optimum doses under in vivo conditions. In order to realise its full potential, monensin was intercalated into various liposomal formulations and its ability to potentiate the cytotoxicity of ricin liposomes in human epidermoid carcinoma (KB) cells was studied. It was observed that ricin cytotoxicity enhancing ability of monensin liposome depends on the surface charge as well as density and chain length of distearoyl phosphatidylethanolamine-methoxy polyethylene glycol present on the surface of liposomal monensin. Maximum potentiation on the cytotoxicity of liposomal ricin was observed by monensin entrapped in neutral liposome (106.5 fold) followed by negatively charged (94.2 fold) and positively charged liposome (90 fold). Studies on the effect of variation of density and chain length of distearoyl phosphatidylethanolamine-methoxy polyethylene glycol showed that neutral monensin liposomes having 2.5 mol% distearoyl phosphatidylethanolamine-methoxy polyethylene glycol with chain length of 2000 exhibits maximum potentiation (117.6 fold) on the cytotoxicity of ricin liposomes when the cellular uptake of monensin liposome was maximum (42.0%) and the zeta potential value on the surface of liposomes was -0.645. The present study has clearly shown that liposomal monensin is very effective in enhancing the cytotoxicity of liposomal ricin in human cancer cells and liposome can be used as in vivo deliver vehicle for monensin to potentiate the cytotoxicity of liposomal ricin to eliminate cancer cells.

Hospital-acquired acute kidney injury in medical, surgical, and intensive care unit: A comparative study.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication in hospitalized patients. There are few comparative studies on hospital-acquired AKI (HAAKI) in medical, surgical, and ICU patients. This study was conducted to compare the epidemiological characteristics, clinical profiles, and outcomes of HAAKI among these three units. All adult patients (>18 years) of either gender who developed AKI based on RIFLE criteria (using serum creatinine), 48 h after hospitalization were included in the study. Patients of acute on chronic renal failure and AKI in pregnancy were excluded. Incidence of HAAKI in medical, surgical, and ICU wards were 0.54%, 0.72%, and 2.2% respectively (P < 0.0001). There was no difference in age distribution among the groups, but onset of HAAKI was earliest in the medical ward (P = 0.001). RIFLE-R was the most common AKI in medical (39.2%) and ICU (50%) wards but in the surgical ward, it was RIFLE-F that was most common (52.6%). Acute tubular necrosis was more common in ICU (P = 0.043). Most common etiology of HAAKI in medical unit was drug induced (39.2%), whereas in surgical and ICU, it was sepsis (34% and 35.2% respectively). Mortality in ICU, surgical and medical units were 73.5%, 43.42%, and 37.2%, respectively (P = 0.003). Length of hospital stay in surgical, ICU and medical units were different (P = 0.007). This study highlights that the characters of HAAKI are different in some aspects among different hospital settings.

Descriptive epidemiology of rotavirus infection in a community in North India.

In India, rotavirus infections cause the death of 98621 children each year. In urban neighbourhoods in Delhi, children were followed up for 1 year to estimate the incidence of rotavirus gastroenteritis and common genotypes. Infants aged f1 week were enrolled in cohort 1 and infants aged 12 months (up to +14 days) in cohort 2. Fourteen percent (30/210) gastroenteritis episodes were positive for rotavirus. Incidence rates of rotavirus gastroenteritis episodes in the first and second year were 0.18 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.10­0.27] and 0.14 (95% CI 0.07­0.21) episodes/child-year, respectively. The incidence rate of severe rotavirus gastroenteritis in the first year of life was 0.05 (95% CI 0.01­0.10) episodes/child-year. There were no cases in the second year. The common genotypes detected were G1P[8] (27%) and G9P[4] (23%). That severe rotavirus gastroenteritis is common in the first year of life is relevant for planning efficacy trials.

Causes of death in renal transplant recipients with functioning allograft.

The survival of transplant recipients is significantly lower than age-matched controls in the general population. The aim of this study was to analyze the trends in mortality of renal allograft recipients at our centre. We retrospectively analyzed data from all patients who were transplanted between October 1988 and June 2010 and were followed at our center. Patients were considered to have death with graft function (DWGF) if death was not preceded by return to dialysis or re-transplantation. The study included 98 renal allograft recipients (male : female - 7.99 : 1). The mean recipient and donor ages were 35.06 ± 11.84 (range: 15-69) and 41.17 ± 10.44 (range: 22-60) years, respectively. Basic kidney diseases were CGN (chronic glomerulonephritis) (60.20%), CIN (chronic interstitial nephritis) (15.31%), DN (diabetic nephropathy) (8.16%), ADPKD (autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease) (2.04%) and others (14.29%). They were followed up for a mean 79.91 ± 60.05 patient-months. Mortality occurred in 25 (25.51%) patients (male : female - 4 : 1). Causes of death were sepsis/infection (36%), coronary artery disease (28%), CVA (8%), failed graft (4%), and rest unknown (24%). DWGF was 88% of total death and contributed to 78.57% of total graft loss. Overall patient survival at 1, 5, 10, and 15 years were 90.8%, 80.2%, 65.6%, and 59.1%, respectively (Kaplan-Meier analysis). Those who died exhibited significant differences in recipient's age (median 40 years vs 31 years, P=0.007), pretransplantation hypertension (HTN) (100% vs 65.75%, P<0.001), post-transplant infection (76% vs 42.47%, P=0.005), coronary artery disease (28% vs 1.37%, P<0.001), and serum creatinine at last follow up (median 2.3mg/dL vs 1.56mg/dL, P=0.003). Cardiovascular disease, in addition to infection, is an important cause of death during the first 15 years following renal transplantation even in nondiabetic recipients. Death with functioning graft is of concern.

Urinary MCP-1 as diagnostic and prognostic marker in patients with lupus nephritis flare.

AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aimed to assess correlation of urinary monocytic chemoattractant protein-1 (UMCP-1) with severity of lupus nephritis and its role as predictor of outcome. METHOD: Twenty patients with lupus nephritis flare were included in the study. Ten patients in each group of stable systemic lupus erythematosus and non-renal flare were taken as controls. Biopsy was done to define lupus nephritis stage. UMCP-1 levels were measured in all patients at the time of entry and at four and eight weeks of follow-up. RESULTS: Mild, moderate and severe lupus nephritis flare was noted in one, five and 15 patients, respectively. UMCP-1 levels were high in patients with severe lupus nephritis flare (2.74 ± 0.95 ng/mg creatinine) as compared to patients with moderate (1.43 ± 0.46 ng/mg creatinine) and mild lupus nephritis flare (0.76 ± 0.57 ng/mg creatinine) (P = 0.0093). Baseline mean UMCP-1 levels in lupus nephritis flare, non-renal flare and stable SLE patients were 2.32 ± 1.06, 0.171 ± 0.03 and 0.213 ± 0.026 ng/mg creatinine, respectively. The difference among the three groups was very significant (P < 0.001). Also, mean UMCP-1 levels correlated significantly with severity of lupus nephritis class (P = 0.0358). During follow-up, 15 patients achieved complete or partial remission, and in these patients mean UMCP-1 levels had significant decline at eight weeks (P < 0.0001). However, mean UMCP-1 levels in the remaining five non-responders did not show significant changes at four and eight weeks (P = 0.4858). CONCLUSION: Mean UMCP-1 levels were significantly higher in the lupus nephritis flare group as compared to non-renal flare and stable patients. Baseline mean UMCP-1 levels significantly correlated with both lupus nephritis class and severity of lupus nephritis flare, hence UMCP-1 could be used as a non-invasive marker for the judgement of lupus flare and lupus nephritis class.

Effect of drying temperature and slice size on quality of dried okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench).

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L) Moench) is an important vegetable crop of India. Dried okra pods have wide use in snacks and are in great demand for domestic as well as export market. Hence, effect of four slice sizes (1, 2, 3 and 4 cm) and four drying temperatures (50, 60, 70 and 80 °C) on quality of hot air dried okra were studied. Okra pods were dried in the form of slices cut across the length at different temperatures. Quality assessment of okra was done on the basis of protein, ascorbic acid and fibre content. Okra slice sizes and drying temperatures affected all the quality parameters significantly (p < 0.05). Maximum retention of protein, ascorbic acid and fibre content were found in 2 cm long slices dried at 60 °C temperature.

The impact of VKORC1-1639 G>A polymorphism on the maintenance dose of oral anticoagulants for thromboembolic prophylaxis in North India: A pilot study.

BACKGROUND: The dose requirements for oral anticoagulants in thromboembolic events are influenced by promoter polymorphism in the VKORC1 gene. However, limited data are available on the influence of the polymorphism in various Indian populations. The present study aimed at determining the relationship between the VKORC1-1639 G>A genotypes and maintenance doses of oral anticoagulants for therapeutically stable INR values in patients taking Acitrom after valve replacement surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty patients from the northern Indian region were genotyped for VKORC1-1639 G>A by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism. Means of the weight-normalized daily Acitrom dose were calculated for every patient. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The VKORC1 1639G>A minor allele frequency in the study population (n = 50) was found to be 22%. The patients with a wild type genotype required the maximum drug dose as suggested for full functionality of the enzyme. Heterozygous patients were found to have an intermediate drug dose and the patients with a variant homozygous genotype had the minimum maintenance drug dose requirement. These findings are in concurrence with the effect of the promoter polymorphism on vitamin K epoxide reductase activity.1639G>A minor allele frequency in the study population (n = 50) was found to be 22%. The patients with a wild type genotype required the maximum drug dose as suggested for full functionality of the enzyme. Heterozygous patients were found to have an intermediate drug dose and the patients with a variant homozygous genotype had the minimum maintenance drug dose requirement. These findings are in concurrence with the effect of the promoter polymorphism on vitamin K epoxide reductase activity. CONCLUSION: The VKORC1-1639 G>A status can be indicative of establishing the therapeutic dose of oral anticoagulants in Indian patients.

Effect of pretreatment and drying methods on quality of value-added dried aonla (Emblica officinalis Gaertn) shreds.

Value added dried Indian gooseberry (aonla) shreds were prepared using aonla fruits of cv. 'NA-7'. Two blanching methods (hot water and potassium metabisulphite (KMS) at 0.1%) and two drying methods (solar and hot air oven drying) were tried for the production of aonla shreds. Common salt, black salt and ginger juice were mixed for enhancing sensory quality of the product. The best product was obtained with KMS blanching and drying in solar dryer with added common salt at 3%. The most acceptable product had ascorbic acid content 298.3 mg/100 g, tannin 2.4%, acidity 2.6%, reducing sugar 3.0%, non-reducing sugar 21.0% and total sugar 24.0%. The recovery was 8.0-8.5%.

Effect of feeding Lagerstroemia speciosa and conventional fodder based rations on nutrient utilization, ruminal metabolites and body weight gain in mithun (Bos frontalis).

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of feeding green fodder, rice straw and concentrate-based total mixed rations (TMR) on dry matter (DM) intake (DMI), nutrient utilization, rumen fermentation patterns and body weight (BW) gain (BWG) in mithun (Bos frontalis) calves. In a randomized block design, male mithun calves (n = 18, 8-10 months of age, 121 +/- 2 kg BW) were randomly divided into three experimental equal groups (six animals in each group) and fed isonitrogenous TMRs ad libitum for 120 days. The TMR(1) contained 30% Napier grass and 30% rice straw, TMR(2) contained 60% rice straw and TMR(3) contained 30% tree leaves (Lagerstroemia speciosa) and 30% rice straw (DM basis). All the TMRs contained 40% concentrate mixture (DM basis). The results indicated that the BWG, DMI and feed conversion efficiency were significantly (p < 0.01) increased with the inclusion of green fodder in TMRs. The apparent digestibility of DM, crude protein, ether extract, crude fibre and nitrogen free extract were also improved significantly (p < 0.01) with the inclusion of green fodder in TMRs. The higher concentration of total nitrogen and total volatile fatty acid in rumen liquor, but low ruminal pH were evident in animals fed green fodder supplemented TMRs. An increased (p < 0.01) molar proportion of acetic acid was evident in animals fed rice straw-based TMR. In contrast, the molar proportion of propionic and butyric acids were significantly (p < 0.01) higher in animals fed green fodder supplemented TMRs. On the basis of higher DMI and higher daily BWG, it is concluded that Napier grass and L. speciosa tree leaves may be incorporated upto 30% (DM basis) in TMR of growing mithuns for feeding in complete confinement system.

Sex differences in cardiac catheterization: the role of physician gender.

CONTEXT: Many studies indicate that women are less likely than men to undergo cardiac procedures after an acute myocardial infarction (AMI), raising concerns of sexual bias in clinical care. However, no data exist regarding the relationship between patient sex, physician sex, and use of cardiac procedures. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether sex differences in cardiac catheterization after AMI were greater when patients were treated by male attending physicians compared with female attending physicians. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS: Analysis of data from the Cooperative Cardiovascular Project, a retrospective medical record review. A total of 104 >231 Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries who were hospitalized in US acute care hospitals for an AMI between January 1994 and February 1995. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Use of cardiac catheterization within 60 days of admission, compared between the 4 groups of patient sex-physician sex combinations. RESULTS: Women underwent fewer cardiac catheterizations than men when treated by either male physicians (38.6% vs 50.8%; P =.001) or female physicians (34.8% vs 45.8%; P =.001). Sex differences in procedure use were not greater when a patient and physician were of different sexes (P for interaction =.85). After potential confounders in multivariable analysis were accounted for, women were less likely to undergo cardiac catheterization (risk ratio, 0.90 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.88-0.92]), regardless of the treating physician's sex. Patients treated by male physicians were more likely to undergo cardiac catheterization (risk ratio, 1.06 [95%CI, 1.02-1.10]) than those treated by female physicians, regardless of patient sex. CONCLUSIONS: Women who have had an AMI undergo a cardiac catheterization less often than men, whether treated by a male or female physician. These results suggest that factors other than sexual bias by male physicians toward women account for sex differences in cardiac procedure use.

Blood transfusion in elderly patients with acute myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Anemia may have adverse effects in patients with coronary artery disease. However, the benefit of blood transfusion in elderly patients with acute myocardial infarction and various degrees of anemia is uncertain. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of data on 78,974 Medicare beneficiaries 65 years old or older who were hospitalized with acute myocardial infarction. Patients were categorized according to the hematocrit on admission (5.0 to 24.0 percent, 24.1 to 27.0 percent, 27.1 to 30.0 percent, 30.1 to 33.0 percent, 33.1 to 36.0 percent, 36.1 to 39.0 percent, or 39.1 to 48.0 percent), and data were evaluated to determine whether there was an association between the use of transfusion and 30-day mortality. RESULTS: Patients with lower hematocrit values on admission had higher 30-day mortality rates. Blood transfusion was associated with a reduction in 30-day mortality among patients whose hematocrit on admission fell into the categories ranging from 5.0 to 24.0 percent (adjusted odds ratio, 0.22; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.11 to 0.45) to 30.1 to 33.0 percent (adjusted odds ratio, 0.69; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.53 to 0.89). It was not associated with a reduction in 30-day mortality among those whose hematocrit values fell in the higher ranges. In one of seven subgroup analyses (among patients who survived at least two days), transfusion was not associated with a reduction in mortality for patients with hematocrit values of 30.1 percent or higher. CONCLUSIONS: Blood transfusion is associated with a lower short-term mortality rate among elderly patients with acute myocardial infarction if the hematocrit on admission is 30.0 percent or lower and may be effective in patients with a hematocrit as high as 33.0 percent on admission.