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Acid phosphatases belong to the group of enzymes, phosphomonoesterases, which play a major role in the mineralization of soil organic P. Substrate concentration of enzyme is one of the factors that affect the enzyme kinetics. To study the role of substrate concentration on soil enzyme activity in alfisols, twenty-five surface soil samples were collected and assayed for the activity of soil acid phosphatase. The acid phosphatase activity as expressed in terms of µg of 4-nitrophenol released g-1 soil h-1 in these soils varied from 16.9 to 268.4 with a mean value of 58.8 in surface soils. Among them, ten soil samples were selected to study enzyme kinetics with thirteen substrate concentrations under laboratory incubation studies with three replications. Soil acid phosphatase increased with an increase in substrate concentration up to 20mM and almost reached a plateau at a substrate concentration of more than 15mM. The enzyme activity remained almost constant in all the ten alfisols with further increase in substrate concentration, minimal change in enzyme activity was observed. Characteristics of enzyme activities like maximum enzyme reaction velocity (Vmax) and Michaelis constant (Km) were determined using the Michaelis-Menten equation similar to those determined in a homogenous system. The maximum reaction velocity of soil acid phosphatase for soils under study were calculated (µg of 4-nitrophenol g-1 soil h-1) and varied from 30.0 to 434.8 and the soils S6, S8, S9 and S10 recorded higher values using Line weaver-Burk plot. The values compared well with Hanes-Wolf transformation 25.5 to 364.7 and the soils S6, S8, S7 and S9 recorded higher values. Under Eadie - Hofstee transformation the values varied from 27.7 to 390.3 and higher values were recorded by S6, S8, S9 and S10. Michaelis constant (Km) of the soil acid phosphatase was calculated using Line weaver-Burk transformation plot, varied from 4.9 to 9.6 mM and the higher values were recorded by S6, S8, S1 and S10. The values compared well with those obtained from Hanes-Wolf 2.6 to 6.8 and soils S6, S8, S4 and S7 recorded higher values. In Eadie-Hofstee plots the values ranged from 3.7 to 7.8 and higher values were found in the soils S6, S8, S10 and S4. It was concluded that the linear transformation of Line-weaver Burk values was superior for estimating Km and Vmax values of enzymes in soil. However significant differences were noticed when Km and Vmax were calculated from the linear transformation of Michaelis plot. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solid tumours around the foot are rare and include soft tissue sarcomas, skin and bone malignancies. Extended soft tissue defects due to oncological resection result in the loss of shock-absorbing and friction resistant tissue, which leads to altered walking patterns and pain. Replacement of plantar tissue requires soft tissue resistant to weight, pressure and shear stress. The other important desired goal of foot reconstruction is short wound healing time in order to allow adjuvant therapy at stipulated time. This is a retrospective study from March 2016 to October 2019. A total of twenty-one (n = 21) patients were operated for foot malignancies during this period in our institute and the resulting defects were reconstructed using various methods. Different reconstructive surgeries were performed depending on tumour size, location and general health status of patients. The length of hospitalization and the presence of local postoperative complications were assessed. Functional outcomes were measured in terms of MSTS score. Average age of the series is 53.1 years. Sixty-six percent of the patients (n = 14) presented with tumour at the weight bearing areas and 33% patients (n = 7) at the non-weight bearing areas of the foot. Fifty-seven percent of patients (n = 12) presented with malignant melanoma of foot, squamous cell carcinoma was seen in 33% (n = 7) patients and 4% patients (n = 1 each) presented as osteosarcoma and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour respectively. The mean MSTS score in patients with weight bearing areas (location) is statistically significant (p = 0.031). There is a significant correlation between the surgical complications and follow up MSTS score (p = 0.046) which signifies that flap related complications result in lower MSTS score. The mean MSTS score was 22.71/30. Complications were observed in three cases which included partial flap necrosis, graft loss and foot stiffness. Simple skin grafts to local flaps maybe a viable option in a limited resource setting based on the location of defect. Free tissue transfer is the ideal choice in case of weight bearing areas to achieve acceptable outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, an attempt was made to investigate the effects of gender, ethnicity and residence on blood pressure and biochemical variables in a pooled sample of Reddy and Madiga caste populations of Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh using two way multivariate analyses of variance. Significant effects of gender, ethnicity and residence was observed on the blood pressure and biochemical variables. In caste groups, differential and different percent of contribution of gender and residence to the blood pressure and biochemical parameters was observed. Discriminant function analyses revealed that blood pressure and lipoproteins variables were able to classify the participants by residence and ethnicity in pooled sample and by residence in both caste groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inguinal lymph nodal dissection is notoriously associated with high morbidity. Various risk factors and technical modifications have been described in the past to overcome complications like lymphedema, wound breakdown, and infection which adversely affect the postoperative outcome and quality of life of the patient. This is a retrospective observational study from 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2019 of patients who underwent inguinal/ilio-inguinal block dissection for malignancy. Lymphedema was the most frequent morbidity seen (24%). The mean hospital stay of patients following surgery was 9.7 days (range 4 to 28 days). The inguinal drain was removed on a mean of 17.7 days (range 4 to 21 days), while mean iliac drain removal time was 11.7 days (range 4 to 21 days). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was conducted to determine the uptake and accumulation of heavy metals in different parts of vegetable crop spinach and also reduction in heavy metals in the soil due to microbial inoculation. The polybag experiment was conducted following complete randomized block design with 12 treatments and three replications in polluted soil with supply of freshwater, unpolluted soil with supply of freshwater, unpolluted soil with supply of polluted water. The heavy metal concentration of soil, shoot and leaves revels that the nickel and cobalt were more in soil in the treatments T10 (Soil + FYM + VAM + Pseudomonas) and T2 (SF Soil + FYM + VAM + Pseudomonas). In the shoot, the nickel accumulated more in the treatment T9 (Soil + FYM), cobalt accumulated more in the treatment T8 (SF Soil + RDF + FYM + VAM + Pseudomonas) and cadmium accumulated more in the in treatment T12 (Soil + RDF + FYM + VAM + Pseudomonas). The heavy metal accumulation in the leaves showed that nickel accumulated more in the treatment T12, cobalt accumulated more in the treatment T9 (Soil + FYM) and cadmium accumulated more in the treatment T8 (Soil + RDF + FYM + VAM + Pseudomonas). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exploring the relationship among inorganic potassium fractions, yield and soil properties were important to know the best extractant for available K for cauliflower in the light textured soils of Rangareddy district. Surface soils in bulk were collected from thirty locations of Rangareddy district and pot culture experiment was carried out. Inorganic K fractions were analysed to evaluate the relative efficiency of extractants in determining the available K. Here, we have investigated the relationships among the soil properties, between soil properties and K uptake, between soil properties and yield, between K fractions and K uptake, between K fractions and yield. Organic carbon (r = 0.65**), available nitrogen (r = 0.60**) exhibited a significant positive correlation with NH4OAc (1N) extractable K. Available potassium extracted by NH4OAc showed a significant positive correlation with NaBPh4 (0.2 M) extractable K (r = 0.93**), 1M HNO3 (r = 0.55**) and also with citric acid extractable K (r = 0.67**). Among all the extractants 1N NH4OAc extractable K showed higher positive correlation with curd yield (r = 0.975**). It had a significant positive correlation with NaBPh4 (0.2 M) extractable K (r = 0.926**) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this present studied poly bag experiment was conducted following complete randomized block design with 12 treatments and three replications. Polluted Soil with supply of fresh water, Unpolluted soil with supply of fresh water, Unpolluted soil with supply of polluted water. The results of pot culture were reveals that the Influence of microbial cultures on biological quality and microbial population of polluted soil and spinach yield at 30 and 60 DAS was estimated. Significantly highest bacterial population was recorded in treatments T12 (124.21 ×107 CFU g-1 soil) at 30 DAS and treatment T8 (88.68 ×107 CFU g-1 soil) at 60 DAS. The highest molds population was observed in treatment T3 (17.91, 11.32 ×103 CFU g-1 soil) at 30 and 60 DAS respectively. The treatment T6 showed significantly highest rhizobial population at 30 and 60 DAS (29.23, 20.71 ×103CFU g-1 soil) respectively. The VAM population was highest in the treatment T7 (24.13 ×10 g-1 soil) at 30 DAS and T12 (9.0) at 60 DAS. The highest leaf fresh weight was recorded in T8 (41.63 g plant-1) at 30 DAS and (70.03 g plant-1) at 60 DAS and the lowest fresh weight was recorded in T3, T9 at 30, 60 DAS respectively. The highest leaf dry weight was recorded in T8 (6.62 g plant-1), (4.17 g plant-1) at 30 and 60 DAS respectively and the lowest values were found in T3 at 30 and 60 DAS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies on cumulative and residual effects of Integrated Nutrient Management of khraif rice on soil fertility status of rabi green gram was conducted at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Anakapalle during rabi 2009 and 2010. Results revealed that irrespective of the treatments, the organic carbon content observed under cumulative effects were higher than their corresponding residual treatments and the contents were higher in second year than first year. All the treatments meant for cumulative effects recorded higher available nutrient status than their corresponding residual treatments. The increase in mean available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium contents after harvest of greengram due to cumulative effects was 5.6 & 5.18, 14.36 & 16, 4.14 & 4.3 % during 2009 and 2010, respectively. In case of inicronutrients, the percent increase during 2009 and 2010 in cumulative effects over residual effects was, 5.1 & 11.54 (Zn), 2.6 & 5.45 (Fe), 9.5 and 10.1 (Cu)and2 & 3.53 % (Mn), respectively. Among cumulative and residual effects, cumulative effects performed better and between two years build up was more in second year than first year. Among different treatments, the treatment which received 75 % recommended dose of chemical fertilizers + vegetable market waste @ 2 .5 1 ha-1 to kharif rice and 50 % chemical fertilizers to rabi greengram) recorded significantly higher available macro and micronutrient status and it was on par with 50 % chemical fertilizers+ vegetable market waste vermicompost @ 2.5 t ha-1 to kharif rice and 50 % recommended dose of chemical fertilizers to rabi greengram) and 75 % chemical fertilizers+weed vermicompost @ 2 t ha-1 to khraif rice and 50 % chemical fertilizers to rabi greengram). The treatment with 100 % chemical fertilizers to kharif rice and 50 % chemical fertilizers to rabi greengram recorded significantly lower available nutrient status, which was significantly lower than the integrated nutrient treatments, but was superior to absolute control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cumulative and residual effects of integrated nutrient management of kharif rice on soil enzyme activities i.e urease, phosphatase, dehydrogenase and cellulase at different growth stages of rabi greengram were tested in an Inceptisol in North Coastal Zone of Andhra Pradesh during rabi 2009 and 2010. Results revealed that all the cumulative treatments showed higher soil enzyme activities at different stages of greengram than their corresponding residual treatments in both the years. Urease, phosphatase, dehydrogenase and cellulase activities at different growth stages of the greengram gradually increased over the age of the crop and attained higher activity at flowering and gradually decreased at harvest. All the enzyme activities except cellulase were significantly higher in the plots which received 75 % RDFN + vegetable market waste vermicompost @ 2.5 t ha-1, during preceding rice crop. It was closely followed by 75 % RDFN + weed vermicompost @ 2.5 t ha-1 and 100 % Prathista organic manures. Whereas higher cellulase activity was recorded in paddy straw vermicompost treated plots. The over all effect of chemical fertilizers was found to be lower than integrated use of different vermicomposts with respect to enzyme activity during both the years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Integrated use of organic manures and inorganic fertilizers were evaluated for soil health, crop response and economic feasibility of their use in maize-spinach cropping system. Among the different combinations application of 75% RDF + 25% through vermicompost recorded significantly highest grain and stover yield (52.38, 60.77 q ha-1). The spinach crop was grown during summer responded favourably to the residual and cumulative treatments and the highest fresh leaf yield (14.68 and 12.371 ha-1)) was recorded in cumulative and residual treatments. The soil phosphates enzyme activity at different growth stages of maize and at final harvest of spinach revealed that there was increase in enzyme activities upto active growth stages of crops and later showed a decrease. Significantly highest acid and alkaline phosphatase 37.93 and 68.43, 49.30 and 89.64 and 26.87 and 71.27 ig of PNP g-1) soil h-1) activity was found in treatment T 4)(100% VC) at vegetative, tasseling and at harvesting stage of maizeThe cumulative and residual effects of spinach revealed that the phosphatase activity was higher in cumulative treatments than residual treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A field experiment was conducted during kharif 2010. The N (24.76, 46.97, 103.76 kg ha-1), P (2.86, 6.18, 17.40 kg ha-1) and K (13.80, 31.20, 61.82 kg ha-1) uptakes by tomato crop at vegetative, flowering and harvest stages respectively, were highest in 75% RDN through fertilizers + 25% RDN through Vermicompost. The fruit yield (84.97 q ha-1) of tomato was highest in 75% RDN through fertilizers + 25% RDN through Vermicompost. The highest available nitrogen of 284.3 and 269.5 kg ha-1 were found at vegetative stage and flowering in 75% RDN through fertilizers + 25% RDN through Vermicompost. The highest available P2O5 (48.3, 43.4 and 42.4 kg h-1) and K2O (358.6, 350.7 and 332.9 kg ha-1) were recorded in 50% RDN through Vermicompost + 50% RDN through Poultry manure at vegetative, flowering and harvest stage of the crop, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A field experiment was conducted on a sandy loam soil during rabi season of 2009-10 with a view to study the effect of levels of nitrogen (0, 60, 120 and 180 kg N ha-1) and potassium (0, 60, 120 and 180 kg K2O ha-1) on potato tuber yield and soil available nutrient status. The tuber yield of potato was significantly increased with nitrogen, potassium and their interactions. The highest tuber yield (223.9 q ha-1) was recorded by combined application of nitrogen @ 180 kg ha-1 + potassium @ 180 kg ha-1 (N3K3) which was on par with nitrogen @ 180 kg ha-1 + potassium @ 120 kg ha-1 (N3K2). The total uptake of N and K by potato at harvest was highest with N3K3 combination and the per cent increase being 139.4 and 142.8, respectively over N0K0. With regard to soil available nutrient status, N3K3 recorded highest available N and K2O contents in soil at all the stages of crop growth, the per cent increase being 72.2 (30 DAS), 114.6 (60 DAS) and 122.3 (at harvest) compared to that of at control (N0K0). Similarly the available potassium increased by 40.3 (30 DAS), 31.5 (60 DAS) and 41.4 (at harvest) per cent when compared against control (N0K0). From the results it was evident that higher levels of N and K had met the requirement of potato crop at different growth stages, which was reflected in terms of yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and Objectives: To know the prevalence of Candidal colonization, and to isolate and know the Candidal species prevalent in the oral cavity from the oral rinse samples collected from the individuals attending to the Voluntary Counseling and Confidential Testing Center (VCCTC) and the antiretro-viral therapy (ART) Center at Government General Hospital, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, South India. Materials and Methods: The study group consisted of 50 HIV negative asymptomatic individuals (Group I); 50 HIV positive individuals (people living with HIV AIDS [PLWHA's]), who are naïve to antiretro-viral therapy (direct walk-in clients of VCCTC) (Group II); and 50 HIV positive individuals with CD4+ count less than 250 and who are started on highly active anti retroviral therapy (HAART) (Group III). Routine mycological tests for the isolation of pure cultures of Candida and also the speciation procedures were done. Results: In the study group, 53 (Group I=11; Group II=23; Group III=19) were culture positive. The prevalence of Candida was comparatively high in the age range between 41-50 years in Group II; 51-60 years, in Group III. A male predominance was observed in the Group I (M:F=16:6) and Group III (M:F=20:18), with a slight female predominance in the Group II (F:M=24:22). The overall culture positivity was 35.3%. Candida albicans was the highest prevalent species (47.17% of the isolates). A comparison of the culture positivity with the CD4 counts of the study subjects was statistically highly significant. A pair wise comparison of the culture positivity with that of the colony forming units/mL from the subjects showed a high significance between Group I and Group II, and between Group I and Group III. Conclusion: Candidal infections in immuno compromised patients are often severe, rapidly progressive, and difficult to treat and such patients have a definitive risk of developing oral candidiasis wherein, even the members of the normal oral flora may become pathogenic. Candida albicans is the common isolate. Nonalbicans species are also emerging as opportunistic pathogens. In view of this changing pattern, it is strongly recommended that species identification can help in much better treatment strategies, and thus, gain a good control over the disease. The findings of this study would be helpful in any further studies which, if done prospectively on a larger cohort, can be confirmatory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A field experiment was conducted in a fine loamy mixed hyperthermic Typic Haplustept soil during rabi, 2004-05 to study the effect of fly ash and FYM on physico-chemical properties and available nutrient status. The test crop was rice var. Tella Hamsa. The grain and straw yield of rice was significantly increased with fly ash, FYM and their interactions. The highest grain (5.84 t ha-1) and straw yield (7.87 t ha-1) were recorded by combined application of fly ash @ 10 t ha-1 and FYM @ 10 t ha-1 which was on par with fly ash @ 15 t ha-1 along with FYM @10 t ha-1. Among the different combinations, application of fly ash @ 15 t ha-1 + FYM @ 10 t ha-1 (FA15 FYM10) recorded the highest available N (224.6 kg ha-1), P (24.6 kg ha-1), K (366.7 kg ha-1), S (8.80 mg kg-1), Fe (10.62 mg kg-1) and Zn (0.95 mg kg-1) contents after harvest of rice crop, which were on par with FA10 FYM10. The available Mn content was highest in FA10 FYM10 (6.69 mg kg-1). The available Cu content was not significantly influenced by fly ash levels; however, it was significantly higher in FYM treated plots. Application FA10 FYM10 has resulted in the build up of available nutrients (N-5.8 %), (P-64.5 %), (K - 103.3 %), (S - 2.8 %), (Fe - 22.2 %), (Mn - 23.3%), (Cu - 156.9 %) in post harvest soils except Zn (-10.5%) when compared to their initial status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To establish the efficacy of ultrasound (US) of the abdomen as a diagnostic test in Typhoid. To determine the ultrasound diagnostic criteria in cases of Typhoid.Methods: The Widal test is the most commonly used method of detecting Typhoid fever, but does not provide results until a week after onset of fever due to the need for enough antibodies to develop to render a positive result. Abdominal Ultrasound was performed within three days of the onset of fever in 80 cases suspected to be having Typhoid fever. Subsequent follow-up scans were performed at five days, ten days and fifteen days. Subsequently, all 80 cases were found to be Widal positive and Salmonella culture was positive in 32 cases. We present our findings in 26 patients in the age group between 4 to 20 years in whom both Widal test and Salmonella culture was subsequently positive.Results: The US findings were as follows: splenomegaly (n-26, 100%); Bowel wall thickening (n-22, 85%); mesenteric lymphadenopathy(n-20,77%); hepatomegaly with normal parenchymal echotexture (n-8, 31%); thickened gall bladder (n-16, 62%); biliary sludge (n-6, 23%); positive US Murphy's sign (n-7, 27%); pericholecystic edema with increased vascularity (n-6, 23%); mucosal ulceration in the wall of the gall bladder (n-1, 3.8%).Conclusion: In endemic areas like India, ultrasound findings of hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, ileal and cecal thickening, mesenteric lymphadenopathy and thick-walled gallbladder are diagnostic features of typhoid. Ultrasound can be a non-invasive, economical and a reasonably sensitive tool for diagnosing typhoid when serology is equivocal and cultures are negative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To study the ultrasound (US) findings and clinical significance of transient small bowel intussusceptions (TSBI) in adults and children. Methods: Clinical records and US findings of 108 consecutive patients of intestinal intussusception diagnosed on US between August 1995 and August 2004 were reviewed. In all cases, the length, diameter, wall thickness and color Doppler study of the bowel segment involved in intussusception were evaluated. Subsequent follow-up scans were performed at 30 min, 3 days and 2 weeks. Patients were clinically followed up for 6 months. Results: Forty-one patients were diagnosed as TSBI. Thirty-six intussusceptions were incidentally detected during US performed for some unrelated disease or vague abdominal symptom. Five patients presented with signs of obstruction at the time of the initial US diagnosis; however, the intussusceptions resolved without any treatment and were not detected on follow-up scans. Sixty-seven symptomatic patients required surgical intervention. Conclusion: Incidentally detected, small bowel intussusceptions without an identifiable pathological lead point, with a normal wall thickness, a length of less than 3.5 cm, normal nondilated proximal bowel and normal vascularity on color Doppler reduce spontaneously and are of no clinical significance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article addresses the issue of performance evaluation of closed Fabrication/Assembly (F/A) systems, regulated by a "conwip" coordination scheme. Computing an exact solution for systems with exponential processing times becomes innactable due to an explosion in the state space. The authors of this study developed an efficient algorithm to approximate the throughput and mean queue lengths. Next, they relaxed the assumption of exponential processing times, by extending their approach to evaluate systems with general processing time distributions. They allowed for processing times that are either less or more variable than the exponential. The resulting algorithm is simple to implement and yields reasonably accurate estimates for throughput and mean queue lengths. The algorithms developed in this study can be used as aggregate dynamic models for the initial stages of system design. The researchers' approach enables rapid generation of performance curves which are useful in supporting management decisions.

The article presents information on the approximate queueing network models for closed fabrication/assembly systems. part I: single level systems. Discrete parts manufacturing systems, in which products are processed as discrete entities, are typical in the automotive, aerospace, and other metalworking industries, as well as in electrical and electronic industries. The operations involved in these manufacturing systems can be broadly classified in two categories: fabrication and assembly. Fabrication is traditionally characterized by metalworking operations- turning, drilling, milling, bending, shearing, and extrusion. Assembly, on the other hand, is defined as the fitting together of fabricated parts into subassemblies, assemblies, or the final product. It is typically characterized by joining processes such as welding and brazing and fastening processes involving screws, bolts, glue, and other fasteners, input stations. The service rate of the assembly station was fixed, and the service rates and the number of kanbans at the input stations were chosen to obtain a "balanced" system (the assembly station is equally likely to be paced by either of the input stations). The largest relative error in the throughput estimates is about 7.5%. The largest relative error is about 16%, for a station whose utilization is over 96%.