Effect of Calotropis procera (madar) and amprolium supplementation on parasitological parameters of broilers during mixed Eimeria species infection.

AIM: An experiment was conducted on day old 168 broiler chicks to study the effect of 0.4% as well as 0.2% Calotropis procera (madar) leaf powder and 0.0125% amprolium supplementation on parasitological parameters of broilers during mixed Eimeria species infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Chicks were randomly divided into seven groups (I-VII) each with two replicates of 12 chicks. On 15th day of experiment, broilers of Group II, IV, VI, and VII were infected with 50,000 sporulated oocysts of mixed Eimeria species. To evaluate the anticoccidial effect of different feed supplements percent fecal score, percent survival, percent weight gain, performance index (PI), average oocyst production, and percent reduction in oocyst production were calculated. RESULTS: It was observed that amprolium supplementation had maximum anticoccidial effect as it gave the best efficacy in terms of all parameters, whereas supplementation of 0.4% madar leaf powder showed nonsignificant difference with amprolium for some parameters such as percent survival, percent weight gain, and PI. CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that madar (C. procera) leaf powder and amprolium had comparable activity against coccidiosis. Hence, madar leaf powder may be used for the prevention and control of mixed Eimeria spp. infection prevalent in field conditions.

Hydrochemical analysis to evaluate the seawater ingress in a small coral island of India.

The sustainable development of the limited groundwater resources in the tropical island requires a thorough understanding of detail hydrogeological regime including the hydrochemical behavior of groundwater. Detail analysis of chemical data of groundwater helps in assessing the different groundwater zone affected by formation as well as sea water. Groundwater and saline water interaction is better understood using groundwater major ion chemistry over an island aquifer. Multivariate methods to analyze the geochemical data are used to understand geochemical evolution of groundwater. The methods are successfully used to group the data to evaluate influence of various environs in the study area. Various classification methods such as piper, correlation method, and salinity hazard measurements are also employed to critical study of geochemical characteristics of groundwater to identify vulnerable parts of the aquifer. These approaches have been used to successfully evaluate the aquifer zones of a tiny island off the west coast of India. The most part of island is found to be safe for drinking, however some parts of island are identified that are affected by sea water ingress and dissolution of formation minerals. The analysis has successfully leaded to identification of that part of aquifer on the island which needs immediate attention for restoration and avoids further deterioration.

Application of drastic model and GIS: for assessing vulnerability in hard rock granitic aquifer.

Geographic information system (GIS) has become one of the leading tools in the field of hydrogeological science that helps in assessing, monitoring, and conserving groundwater resources. Groundwater is a finite resource, which is being overexploited due to increase in demand over the years leading to decrease in its potentiality. In the present study, DRASTIC model has been used to prepare groundwater vulnerable zone in hard rock aquifer of granitic terrain. The main objective is to determine susceptible zone for groundwater pollution by integrating hydrogeological layers in GIS environment. The layers such as depth of aquifer, recharge, aquifer yield, soil type, topography, vadose zone, and transmissivity are incorporated in the DRASTIC model. The final output of the map shows that around 60% of the area falls under low to no risk of pollution zone. The high risk of pollution zones are mostly present towards the margin of southeastern periphery. The lower part of the basin as well as small area on northern side falls under moderate risk of pollution zone. For the assessment of groundwater pollution zone, 24 groundwater samples have been collected from different vulnerable zones. The chemical analysis of sample shows that the southeastern margin of basin has relatively high concentration of nitrate as compared to other parts of the basin. It is present in high pollution zone as well as moderate pollution zone. The present model can be used for assessment and management of groundwater.

Assessment of seawater impact using major hydrochemical ions: a case study from Sadras, Tamilnadu, India.

The impact of seawater intrusion was investigated using major hydrogeochemical ions to evaluate the origin of salinity in Sadras watershed located between Buckingham Canal and Bay of Bengal in the southeastern coast of India. From empirical data collected twice during pre- and post-monsoon seasons, it was found that groundwater was slightly acidic to mildly alkaline, and more than 44% of groundwater samples had EC > 3,000 µS/cm in both the seasons. Results of principle component analysis (PCA) showed that Na( + ), Cl( - ), Mg(2 + ), and SO[Formula: see text] concentrations had the highest loading factor and the samples affected by saline/seawater were separated from the cluster. Hydrochemical processes that accompany the saline/seawater were identified using ionic changes. It was observed during sampling periods that the mixing due to saline/seawater intrusion varied from 4.82-7.86%. Negative values of ionic change (e (change)) for Na( + ) and K( + ) decreased with the increasing fraction of seawater. Furthermore, salinity, sodium adsorption ratio, percentage of sodium Na (%), and exchangeable sodium percentage in well samples showed that groundwater was unsuitable for irrigation purposes.

Trace element concentration in groundwater of Pesarlanka Island, Krishna Delta, India.

There is a growing concern over the potential accumulation of trace element concentration in groundwater of coastal aquifer owing seawater encroachment in the last several decades. A total of 29 groundwater samples collected from Pesarlanka Island, Krishna delta, Andhra Pradesh, India were analyzed for 13 trace elements (B, V, Mn, Fe, Ni, Co, Cu, Zn, As, Sr, Cd, Ba, and Pb) using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The results reveal that B, Fe, Ni, As, Sr, and Pb vary from 11.22 to 710.2, 1.25 to 684.6, 0.02 to 37.33, 27.8 to 282.3, 164.1 to 7,009, and 1.97 to 164.4 microg/l, respectively. Ba, Cd, Co, Cu, Ni, V, and Zn are almost within permissible limits for drinking water, but As, Fe, Mn, Pb, B, and Sr are above the permissible limit. The toxic element Pb is 1.64 times more than the maximum permissible limits of drinking water. The minimum value of As is also 2.78 times more, whereas the maximum is 28.2 times the permissible limit. The spatial distributions of alkaline earths (Sr, Ba), transition metals (V, Co, Ni, Fe), metallic elements (Cu, Pb), and (As) were found in considerable variation in the entire Island. Good cross-correlations were found between As, B, Co, and Sr with total dissolved solids and among other trace elements such as B, As, Co, and Sr. The variability observed within the groundwater samples is closely connected to the sea spray input; hence, it is primarily a consequence of geographical and meteorological factors, such as distance from the ocean and time of year. The trace element levels, in particular those of heavy metals, are very low, suggesting an origin from natural sources rather than from anthropogenic contamination. A few trace elements (Sr and B) are found as sensitive parameters responding to changes in fresh to saline groundwater environment. The highly elevated trace elements in this area which may be attributed to marine sediments or death and decay of plants are presented in this paper.

Evaluation of groundwater resources in a tiny Andrott Island, Union Territory of Lakshadweep, India.

Lakshadweep is a group of 36 coral islands scattered in the Arabian Sea off the western coast of India. On such small tiny islands, groundwater is the only source of fresh water for the islanders. Due to the growing population on these islands, demand for fresh water is also increasing and on the other side the peculiar hydrologic, geologic and geomorphic features restrict the availability of groundwater. Therefore, a proper understanding of the groundwater condition is important in order to meet this increasing demand and also to formulate future development and management strategies. Detailed hydrogeological, geophysical and hydrochemical studies have been carried out to identify potential fresh groundwater resources and quantify vulnerable parts of Andrott Island, Union Territory of Lakshadweep. Systematic collection and analysis of hydrological, geophysical and hydrochemical data reveal that fresh groundwater is only available between 2.5 to 5.0 m depths and provide an early sign of deterioration in groundwater quality in the peripheral parts of eastern and western coasts of this island. It suggests immediate measures for arresting the deterioration in groundwater quality as well as augmentation for restoration of aquifer in some parts of the island.

Impact assessment of chromite mining on groundwater through simulation modeling study in Sukinda chromite mining area, Orissa, India.

The pre-Cambrian chromites ore deposits in Sukinda valley, Jajpur District, Orissa, India, are well known for chromite ore deposits. The exploitation of the ore is carried out through open cast mining method since the last few decades. In the process, the overburden and ore dumps are stored on ground surface, where leaching of chromite and other toxic element takes place particularly during monsoon seasons. This leachate may cause threat to groundwater in the vicinity. An integrated approach has been adopted to evaluate possibility of pollution due to mine seepage and leachate migration on groundwater regime. The approach involves geophysical, hydrogeological, hydro-chemical and aquifer modeling studies. The investigation has the significance as many habitats surround the mining area facing groundwater problems.

Impact of the earthquake and tsunami of December 26, 2004, on the groundwater regime at Neill Island (south Andaman).

The aquifer and groundwater regime has been affected by the earthquake and tsunami of December 26, 2004, particularly on the islands and coastal regions of India. The groundwater regime on many islands of Andaman and Nicobar islands, which is the only source of fresh water on the islands, has been found to be deteriorated. Detailed hydrogeological studies have been carried out at one of the tiny islands of Andaman, namely Neill Island, and results have been compared with prior observations. It has been found that the shell limestone aquifer at a few places has developed cracks due to the earthquake and these openings have allowed quick movement of seawater into the aquifer resulting into deterioration of groundwater quality. In the places where the aquifer is at sea level, the tsunami waves have caused seawater ingress. Most parts of the island which have hard mudstone as a base and where the aquifer lies much above sea level, did not show any change in groundwater regime.

Geomorphological and geophysical approach for locating favorable groundwater zones in granitic terrain, Andhra Pradesh, India.

The increasing demand for fresh water has necessitated the exploration for new sources of groundwater, particularly in hard rock terrain, where groundwater is a vital source of fresh water. A fast, cost effective and economical way of exploration is to study and analyze remote sensing data. Interpreted remote sensing data was used to select sites for carrying out surface geophysical investigations. Various geomorphologic units were demarcated and the lineaments were identified by interpretation of remote sensing satellite images. The potential for occurrence of groundwater in the watershed areas was classified as very good, good, moderate and poor by interpreting the images. Sub-surface geophysical investigations, namely vertical electrical soundings, were carried out to delineate potential water-bearing zones. Integrated studies of interpretation of geomorphologic and geophysical data were used to prepare a groundwater potential map. The studies reveal that the groundwater potential of shallow aquifers is due to geomorphologic features and the potential of deeper aquifers is determined by lineaments such as faults and joints.

Topical amiloride ointment accelerates healing of mechanical skin ulcers in albino rabbits and patients.

The present investigation was undertaken to explore the ulcer-healing property of 1% amiloride ointment on mechanically produced skin ulcers in albino rabbits and at donor site of patients requiring split skin graft. Four skin ulcers measuring 2 X 2 cm(2) (two on either side of the midline) were made 2 cm apart on the pre-shaved back of each anesthetized rabbit up to the depth of subcutaneous tissue. Ulcers on one side of the midline were treated with sterile soft paraffin and served as control, whereas those on the other side were treated with amiloride ointment. Each ulcer was observed for its size, slough formation, and any sign of irritation on alternate days, until healing was complete. Healing of ulcers was significantly (p<0.001) accelerated with amiloride ointment in terms of days required for complete healing, ulcer size, and area under the size-time curve. In each patient, the anterior thigh was used as donor site. Grafts were harvested from midline using Watson's modification of Humby's knife. Each site was divided into proximal and distal halves and was covered with either soft paraffin tulle serving as control or 1% amiloride tulle as test site and then dressed conventionally. Healing was evaluated visually on 10th postoperative day. Healing was significantly accelerated by amiloride tulle in terms of days required for complete healing (p<0.01), better quality of skin regenerated, leading to ease of removal of dressing with less of patient's discomfort, and hence more acceptability (p<0.01). No irritation or suppression of immunity was noticeable. Thus, topical amiloride may prove to be an inexpensive and better ulcer-healing agent with no apparent side effect. Inhibition of urokinase-type plasminogen activator and modulation of field strengths by amiloride seem to be responsible for this effect.

A comparative of the effect of tamoxifen on serum lipid and lipoprotein profile in premenopausal & postmenopausal women with breast carcinoma & associated risk of vascular complication.

To examine the effect of tamoxifen on serum lipid and lipoprotein profile of premenopausal and postmenopausal patients of breast carcinoma (with and without vascular disease) we performed a short term evaluation of serum lipid and lipoprotein profile of 38 pre and 42 post menopausal subjects of breast carcinoma (with and without vascular disease) at baseline and during 3 and 6 months of tamoxifen therapy. The lipid & Lp profile of premenopausal patients of Breast carcinoma without vascular disease showed no significant variation after 3 and 6 months of tamoxifen treatment than the corresponding baseline values, but in premenopausal subjects of breast cancer with vascular disease and post menopausal subjects of breast carcinoma (both with and without vascular disease), Serum TC, Apo-B and Lp (a) were significantly decreased and serum HDL and Apo A-I were elevated significantly, However serum TG remain unaltered in premenopausal patients of breast carcinoma with vascular disease but found to be elevated significantly in postmenopausal subjects of breast cancer, both, with and without vascular disease, after 3 and 6 months of tamoxifen treatment, than the corresponding baseline values. Also, the comparison of the results of the present study for pre and postmenopausal patients of breast cancer revealed that the administration of tamoxifen, as adjuvant therapy for breast cancer, is beneficial for postmenopausal patients of breast carcinoma with vascular disease as the drug minimises the risk of vascular disease by bringing significant improvement in serum lipid and Lp profiles of the patients but does not have any significant beneficial effect on familial hyperlipidemic patients of breast cancer.

Signal amplification by substrate recycling on polyaniline/lactate oxidase/lactate dehydrogenase bienzyme electrodes.

The bienzyme electrodes were fabricated by coimmobilization of lactate oxidase (LOD) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) onto electrochemically prepared polyaniline (PANI) films. These PANI/LOD/LDH bienzyme electrodes were shown to provide signal amplification by substrate recycling, making it possible to detect L-lactate at lower concentrations (0.1-1 mM). The PANI/LOD/LDH bienzyme electrodes were found to be stable for about 21 d at 4-10 degrees C.

Immobilization of lactate dehydrogenase on tetraethylorthosilicate-derived sol-gel films for application to lactate biosensor.

Tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS)-derived sol-gel films were utilized for the immobilization of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) by physical adsorption and sol-gel/LDH/sol-gel sandwich configuration. An attempt was made to ascertain the optimum pH and temperature for the immobilized LDH. It was shown that TEOS-derived sol-gel films containing physically adsorbed LDH exhibited linearity from 0.5 to 4 mM, whereas those containing LDH in sandwich configuration showed linearity from 0.5 to 3 mM L-lactate. These sol-gel films, immobilized with LDH, were found to be stable for about 4 weeks at 4-10 degrees C.

A study of the effect of tamoxifen on serum lipoprotein profiles in premenopausal and postmenopausal women with breast carcinoma and associated risk of cardiovascular disease.

To examine the effect of tamoxifen on serum lipoprotein profiles of premenopausal and postmenopausal patients of breast carcinoma (without and with cardiovascular disease) we performed a short term evaluation of serum lipoprotein profiles of 38 pre and 42 post menopausal subjects of breast carcinoma (without and with cardiovascular disease) at baseline and after 3 and 6 months of tamoxifen therapy. The serum lipoprotein profiles of premenopausal patients of breast carcinoma, both without and with cardiovascular disease, showed no significant variation, after 3 and 6 months of tamoxifen treatment than the corresponding baseline values of premenopausal subjects. However, in postmenopausal subjects of breast carcinoma (both without and with cardiovascular disease), serum TC, Apo-B, and Lp (a) were significantly decreased and serum TG, HDL and Apo A1 were significantly elevated, after 3 and 6 months of tamoxifen treatment, than the corresponding baseline values of postmenopausal subjects. Also, the comparison of the results of the present study for pre and postmenopausal patients of breast cancer revealed that the administration of tamoxifen, as an adjuvant therapy for breast cancer, is estrogenic and beneficial for postmenopausal patients of breast carcinoma (both without and with the risk of cardiovascular disease) as the drug minimises the risk of cardivascular disease by bringing significant improvement in serum lipoprotein profiles of the patients. But the drug fails to bring any significant beneficial effect on serum lipoproteins of hyperiipoproteinemic patients of breast cancer.

Serum apolipoproteins in the patients of myocardial infarction in different age groups.

The level of serum cholesterol (Ch), serum-high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc), serum-low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc), serum very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDLc), Triglyceride (Tg), Apolipoprotein A-1, B and ratio of Apolipoprotein A1/B were observed in 151 survivors of myocardial infarction in different age groups. A significant increase was found in the level of triglyceride, LDLc, apolipoprotein-B and a significant decrease in apolipoprotein-A1 and the ratio of apolipoprotein A1/B. No significant alteration was found in serum cholesterol, HDLc except in the age group of 31-40 years and 41-50 years and VLDLc. Thus, serum Apo A-1 and Apo-B may be considerably better markers for coronary artery disease than traditional lipid parameters.

Chlamydial and gonococcal serology in women with tubal infertility.

Sera from 81 infertile women with tubal pathology and 40 controls were tested for the presence of antibodies against Chlamydia trachomatis & Neisserria gonorrhoeae. Indirect immunoperoxidase test (Ipazyme kit) & Enzyme linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA kit) were used for detection of chlamydial & gonococcal antibodies respectively. Antibodies to Ch. trachomatis were found in 74.07% of the infertile women and 5% in control group. Only a very low prevalence (4.93%) of antibodies to N. gonorrhoeae was found is infertile women as compared to nil in control group. Antibodies detection is a sensitive, specific and noninvasive test for diagnosing infertility.

Lipids in biliary lithogenesis.

Serum and biliary lipoproteins, total cholesterol (Tc) and triglycerides (TG) were measured in patients with gallstones and in those without gallstones. Serum and biliary LDLc, TG and Tc were significantly higher (P < 0.001) in cases having gall stones than those without stones while HDLc were low (P < 0.001) in those with stones. No difference was found in very low density lipoproteins (VLDLc) in the two groups. Present data showed that there is a statistically significant correlation of serum and biliary lipoproteins specifically LDLc and HDLc (r = +.67 and r = +.56). This report shows that serum HDLc (67.42%) and LDLc (70.28%) play a more critical role in comparison to total cholesterol (59.43%) and triglyceride (57.15%) levels in the formation of gallstone.

A study of peripheral T-Lymphocytes in alopecia areata.

Estimation of peripheral T-lymphocytes (active and total) was carried out in 100 cases of alopecia areata as per method described by Boyam (1977) and West et al (1978). Clinically patients were divided in two groups, alopecia areata circumscribed (group I) and severe alopecia areata (group II). Thirty healthy subjects served as controls. Decrease in percentage of both active and total E-RFC was observed in 70% cases. The decrease was more significant in group II.

A study of immunoglobulins and complements (C3 & C4) in alopecia areata.

Estimation of serum Immunoglobulins (IgG, IgM and IgA) and complements (C3 and C4) was carried out in 100 cases of alopecia areata as per method described by Mancini (1965).[1] Clinically patients were divided in two groups, alopecia areata circumscribed (group I) and severe alopecia areata (group II). Significant decrease in levels of one or more Immunoglobulins were observed in most of the patients. However, Serum complements (C3 and C4) were within range of normal control values.

Observation of lipid profile and lipoproteins in viral hepatitis and hepatic coma.

Lipid profile and lipoprotein levels were estimated in 35 patients of viral hepatitis, 15 patients of viral hepatitis with coma and in age and sex match 35 healthy controls. The values were compared in different groups. Levels of triglycerides were significantly raised (145.00 +/- 30.70 mg/dl) in viral hepatitis as compared to viral hepatitis with coma (111.40 +/- 16.80 mg/dl) which were similar to controls (110.8 +/- 20.6 mg/dl). Patients who recovered had higher levels of triglycerides (136.0 +/- 30.8 mg/dl) as compared to those who expired (110 +/- 15.72 mg/dl). Total serum cholesterol remained statistically unaltered in both groups. HDLc was significantly decreased in both groups, viral hepatitis (2.23 +/- 6.7 mg/dl) and viral hepatitis with coma (16.52 +/- 2.27 mg/dl) in comparison to controls (62.21 +/- 18.04 mg/dl). The levels were much lower in patients with coma than without coma. Furthermore the values were still lower in patients who expired (15.82 +/- 2.27 mg/dl) than in patients who recovered (24.13 +/- 7 mg/dl). The levels of LDLc were significantly raised in both groups, as compared with each other and in relation to mortality. VLDLc levels were significantly decreased in patients of viral hepatitis (22.13 +/- 5.8 mg/dl) as well as on viral hepatitis with coma (21.89 +/- 4.3 mg/dl). However, no significant difference was observed when compared with each other and in relation to mortality. Thus it may be concluded that isolated low value of HDLc in viral hepatitis may be used as a prognostic indicator.