Search

Purpose: To compare the outcome of corneal collagen crosslinking (CXL) in conjunction with antimicrobial agents (AMA) to antimicrobial agents alone in the treatment of infectious keratitis. Design: Prospective comparative clinical trial in a tertiary hospital in India. Participants: 40 patients with infectious keratitis randomised into two groups of 20 patients each- Group 1 and 2. Methods: Group 1 patients underwent CXL in addition to antimicrobial therapy. The patients in Group 2 received only antimicrobial therapy. The slit-lamp characteristics of the corneal ulceration, visual acuity, time taken for healing, and complications were documented in each group. The t-test was used for statistical analysis. P values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: The mean time taken for healing in Group 1 was 44.5±11.2 days and in Group 2 was 27.65±7.79 days. Analysis of various parameters revealed that patients undergoing CXL showed slower healing duration (p=0.00). Conclusions: Use of CXL in conjunction with AMA lowers the risk of complications, but also slows the rate of healing of ulcers.

Purpose: To analyse demographic data, clinical presentation, intervention and management of Post COVID 19 Rhino- orbito-cerebral- mucormycosis (ROCM) thus improving the knowledge about the disease to provide timely and optimal care for favorable outcome. Method: A retrospective interventional study was conducted on 254 patients admitted in Mucor ward over a duration of 2 months (1st May 2021- 30th June 2021). Demographic data, detailed history, clinical parameters, diagnostic procedures, management and outcome were noted. Factors affecting outcome and mortality were analysed. Results: Mean age of presentation was 50.14 ±13.38 years with male preponderance (64.56%). 55.91% patients presented with ROCM symptoms within 14 days of onset of COVID -19 symptoms. 86% patients were diabetics, 76% had history of corticosteroid use and 27.55% received oxygen therapy. 40 % patients presented with orbital edema as primary symptom. Imaging revealed 28.34% patients had disease limited to the paranasal sinuses (PNS), 56.69% had orbit and PNS involvement and 12.99% had PNS, orbit and CNS involvement. All the patients were treated with Liposomal Amphotericin B and sinus debridement. Eighteen eyes underwent (7.08%) exenteration and 82 patients received Transcutaneous retrobulbar Amphotericin-B. At the time of discharge the final outcome of being alive and having stable disease was found to be significant in stage 2 patients with involvement of PNS and orbit. Conclusion: Awareness of red flag symptoms and signs, high index of clinical suspicion, prompt diagnosis, and early initiation of treatment with Amphotericin B, aggressive surgical debridement of the PNS, and orbital exenteration, where indicated, are essential for successful outcome.

Materials play a key role in our day to day life and have shaped the industrial revolution to a great extent. Right selection of material for meeting a particular objective is the key to success in today’s world where the cost as well as sustainability of any equipment or a system have assumed greater significance than ever before. In automotive industry, materials have a definitive role as far as the mobility and safety is concerned. Materials that can absorb the required energy or impact can be manufactured through different manufacturing as well as metallurgical processes which involves appropriate heat treatment and bringing correct chemical compositions etc. However, they can also be formed by simpler methods such as combining certain materials together in the form of layered combinations to form light weight composites. Analyzing the response of different materials during incidents such as high-speed impact or transmission of shock waves as a result of earthquakes, tsunami or manmade disasters like explosion, is of great importance. Those materials which can respond in a desirable manner to meet a particular requirement during the most undesirable conditions such as high energy impacts can be termed as high energy absorbing materials and they play a crucial role in designing important structures, frames, protective vehicles and equipments, sacrificial components and claddings etc. These materials and structures need to be tested for their strength and design against adverse loading conditions. In this paper, different materials like steel, aluminum and aluminum-rubber combination are analyzed to understand their response during high pressure loading incidences. Judicious and scientific application of these materials can ensure a much better protection to different structures of importance, buildings as well as in defence, aerospace and automotive related applications. There are different methods of analyzing the strength and capabilities of materials or their combinations such as experimental, lab and simulation method. Out of these, the simulation (numerical analysis) method is one of the most appropriate methods which give very accurate results as compared to other methods. Here, Ansys- Autodyn simulation is used to draw the analysis of the materials and their combinations under high pressure shock loadings, resulting due to explosion or blast, and the total energy, pressure, displacement and velocity parameters are studied and compared.

Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L) is one of the most important staple fibrous crops cultivated in India and globally. Its production and quality are greatly hampered by cotton leaf curl disease (CLCuD) caused by cotton leaf curl virus (CLCuV). Therefore, the aim of present study was to investigate biochemical resistance responses in different cotton varieties against CLCuV. Four commercial cotton varieties with susceptible (HS 6 and RCH-134 BG-II) and resistant (HS 1236 and Bunty) response were used to analyse the role of primary (sugar, protein and chlorophyll) and secondary (gossypol, phenol and tannin) biochemical compounds produced by the plants against infection of CLCuV. The resistant cultivars with increased activity of protein, phenol and tannin exhibited as biochemical barriers against CLCuV infection imparting the resistance in cotton cultivars. Whereas, other biochemical compounds including chlorophyll, sugar and gossypol did not show significant role in resistance against CLCuV. Nevertheless, these compounds virtually associated with basic physiological and metabolic mechanisms of cotton plants. Among the primary biochemical compounds, only protein activity proposed as first line of defence in cotton against CLCuV. The secondary level of defence line in resistance exhibited the activity of secondary biochemical compounds phenol and tannins which exhibited significant increase in their level while imparting resistance against CLCuV in cotton.

Background: Dry eye disease (DED) is a multifactorial disease of the tear film which leads to ocular discomfort, visual disturbances and damage to ocular surface. The objective of treatment of DED has now shifted from managemnt of ocular symptoms and patient relief to attainment of normal physiological composition of the tear film. Aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of chloroquine phosphate 0.03% (CQP) eye drops with sodium carboxymethyl cellulose 1% (CMC) eye drops in the management of DED. Methods: A single blind, prospective and comparative study including 100 patients of dry eyes was planned. The patients were randomly divided into two groups, each comprising of 50 patients. Group-1 patients were given CMC 1% eye drops 4 times a day for 12 weeks and Group-2 patients were given CQP 0.03% eye drops as the treatment modality 2 times a day for 12 weeks. The efficacy of both the drugs was compared and evaluated statistically. Results: The study showed that both CQP and CMC eye drops are effective in treating DED, although faster onset of action was observed with CQP on ocular surface staining tests and Schirmer’s test. Also, it was noted that patients with severe DED showed least improvement in both the groups suggesting that mono-drug therapy is least effective in treatment of severe DED and multi drug therapy should be used early in treatment of severe DED. Keywords: Carboxymethylcellulose, Chloroquine phosphate, Dry eye disease.

Purpose: To evaluate the donated cornea and find out the pattern & factors influencing the utilization of corneal tissue. Study design: Retrospective, non-comparative observational study. Material and Methods: Data of 1273 donor eyes collected from all over the Haryana under Hospital Cornea Retrieval Programme (HRCP) and those collected from voluntary donors at their residence from April 2011 to March 2020 were analyzed including the cause of death, gender, age, place of tissue procurement, Death to Enucleation time, grades of tissue and various utilization parameters. Results: A total number of 1273 of eyes were procured out of which 774 (60.8%) were fit for corneal transplantation while 499 (39.19%) were not fit. Conclusion: Utility of the donor cornea depends upon various factors like age, death enucleation time, cause of death, maintenance of cold chain and technique of tissue procurement.

Introduction: In the working age population, Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) is the most common cause of visual loss. Purpose: The present study is aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of intravitreal injection of Ranibizumab (IVR) versus intravitreal Dexamethasone implant (IVD) in patients with DME in a tertiary care centre upto 4 months. Methods: This is a comparative, prospective, randomized study that was done on 140 patients with macular edema confirmed on optical coherence tomography (OCT). IVD group received Ozurdex® (Allergan, Inc, Ireland) while the IVR group received Lucentis® (Novartis, Basel, Switzerland); the groups were followed up at day-1 and weeks 4, 8, 12, 16. Patients were divided into Group A, in which patients were given 3 doses (monthly) of IVR 0.3 mg in 0.05 ml (n=70). Group B patients were given a single dose of IVD implant 0.7 mg (n=70). Results: The mean number of injections given was 1 Ozurdex® per patient vs. 3 Lucentis® per patient. The maximum reduction in central macular thickness (CMT) with IVD was 167.8 μm and 138.8μm in the 2nd and 3rd months, respectively, with IVR. The mean best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in the 4th month was 0.34 logMAR and 0.33 logMAR, in IVD and IVR groups, respectively, with consistent improvement. Patients with 0-5 letters, 6-10 letters and 10-15 letters, and >15 letters visibility in IVD group were 9.5, 20.6, 4.8, 6.4%, and 20.4, 18.8, 20.3 20.3% in IVR groups, respectively. The maximum intraocular pressure (IOP) rise with IVD was found to be 16 mmHg in 2 patients (3.17%). IOP rise >10 mmHg was observed in 14/63 patients (22.22%); the majority of patients indicated a high rise at 2nd month with all returning to baseline by 4th month. No reports of infectious endophthalmitis or new cataracts were detected in either of the treated groups. Conclusion: Both intravitreal Ranibizumab injection and Dexamethasone implants were found to be safe and effective in lowering CMT and improving BCVA at the 4-month follow up in patients with DME. Since there was no recurrence of CMT in the Dexamethasone implant group, we suggest that early administration before the 4th month may indicate superior efficacy over the ranibizumab injection. Further randomized trials in a large sample size with a longer period follow- up would be performed to justify the obtained results in the present study.

The study was conducted in north zone of Haryana (India) state to find out the economic analysis of cucumber cultivation under polyhouse and open field condition. The primary data was collected by personal interview of the selected respondents with the help of well-designed and pre tested schedule. Simple statistical tools like average and percentage were used to calculate the economics of the crop. In the present study, it was found that the cost of cultivation of cucumber per acre under polyhouse was Rs. 283684.40 while in case of open field condition it was Rs. 98003.39. In case of production and net returns, it was higher per acre in polyhouse; 245.47 quintal and Rs. 97138.68, respectively. Present study concluded that yield and income of farmers can be increased with help of polyhouse technology in case of cucumber cultivation.

Ocular trauma secondary to Road Traffic Accidents (RTA) is the most common cause of monocular visual disability and their incidence is on a rise in developing countries like India. RTA leading to globe avulsion though rare can be a challenging situation when encountered. Here we report a case of a 40 years old man who presented after a high impact road traffic accident with globe avulsion and multiple fractures of head and orbit. Keeping in mind the health burden associated with RTA, there is an ardent need for strict traffic rules and public education in developing countries. How to cite this article:Chuahan RS, Goel A. Traumatic Avulsion of Globe: A Rare Incidence of Ocular Trauma. Int J Preven Curat Comm Med 2019; 5(4): 16-17. DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/2454.325X.201924

The high-density silicone oil (Densiron), a mixture of F6H8 with silicone oil, has been used in the management of retinal detachment (RD) complicated by the presence of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) with varying rate of anatomical success and visual outcomes. We conducted a prospective interventional case series of 22 eyes in 22 children less than 18 years diagnosed with complicated retinal detachment complicated by the presence of PVR in inferior quadrant. The mean age of the patients was 8.45 ± 3.36 years. There were 14 male and 8 female children. Five patients presented with total RD, 5 had subtotal RD and remaining 10 with inferior retinal detachment. There were 8 children with PVR C1, 13 with PVR C2, 3 with PVR C3. All patient’s had macula off RD at presentation. The anatomical success in the form of attached retina was achieved in 21 (95.45%) eyes. Standard three-port pars plana vitrectomy without scleral buckling under general anesthesia was surgical technique employed in all cases. Densiron can be an important tamponade agent in pediatric retinal detachment complicated by PVR with increased success rate of retinal re-attachment.

In the present investigation, a series of substituted hydroxytriazenes containing trifluoromethyl group were synthesized via diazocoupling reaction with phenylhydroxylamine. The structure of synthesized hydroxytriazenes has been assigned on the basis of elemental analysis, IR, 1H NMR and mass spectroscopy data. The lipid lowering effect of synthesized compounds was evaluated on triton-induced hyperlipidemia model in adult male Charles Foster rats. Administration of 400 mg/kg body wt. dose of triton WR 1339 causes elevation in total cholesterol, phospholipid, and triglyceride levels and inhibits post-heparin lipolytic activity, which was reversed by hydroxytriazenes. Adose of 100 mg/kg body wt. also inhibits free radical generation of superoxide anions and hydroxyl radicals and lipid oxidation.

Aim: The present study was aimed to investigate the immunological competence of endosulfan insecticide after limited oral administration in White Leghorn layer chickens. Materials and Methods: A total of 20 White Leghorn birds were given endosulfan in drinking water at 30 ppm/bird/day (no observable effect level dose) for a period of 3-months. Immune competence status of layer birds and chicks hatched from endosulfan offered birds were estimated at 15-day interval in layer birds and at monthly interval in chicks using immunological, biochemical parameters, and teratological estimates. Results: There was a significant decrease in levels of total leukocytes count, absolute lymphocyte count, absolute heterophil count, total serum protein, serum albumin, serum globulin, and serum gamma globulin in the birds fed with endosulfan as compared to control. Similarly, immune competence tests such as lymphocyte stimulation test, oxidative burst assay, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay tests indicated lower immunity in birds treated with endosulfan as compared to control. Subsequently, chicks produced from endosulfan-treated birds were also examined for immune competence, but no significant difference was observed between chicks of both the groups. Conclusion: The exposure to endosulfan in limited oral dosage was able to exhibit hemo-biochemical and other changes that could be correlated with changes in the immunological profile of layer chickens suggesting cautious usage of endosulfan insecticide in poultry sheds.

Aim: The present study was aimed to investigate the immunological competence of chlorpyrifos (CPF) insecticide after oral administration in layer chickens. Materials and Methods: A total of 20 White Leghorn birds were given CPF in drinking water at 0.3 ppm/bird/day (no observable effect level dose) for a period of 3-month. Immune competence status of layer birds and chicks hatched from CPF-treated birds were estimated at 15 days interval in layer birds and monthly interval in chicks using immunological and biochemical parameters. Results: There was a significant decrease in values of total leukocytes count, absolute lymphocyte count, absolute heterophil count, total serum protein, serum albumin, serum globulin, and serum gamma globulin in the birds treated with CPF as compared to control. Similarly, immune competence tests such as lymphocyte stimulation test, oxidative burst assay, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay tests indicated lower immunity in birds treated with CPF as compared to control. Subsequently, chicks produced from CPF-treated birds were also examined for immune competence, but no significant difference was observed between chicks of both the groups. Conclusion: The exposure to CPF produced hemo-biochemical and other changes that could be correlated with changes in the immunological profile of layer chickens suggesting total stoppage of using CPF in poultry sheds.

Background: Corneal diseases are one of the major causes of blindness and visual impairment in developing countries. Penetrating keratoplasty is a surgical procedure where a damaged or diseased cornea is replaced by donor corneal tissue. Aim was to determine the indications of penetrating keratoplasty (PK) in a tertiary health care centre of North India.Methods: A retrospective analysis of the records of 288 patients, who underwent penetrating keratoplasty (PK) from January 2016 to December 2018 at Regional Institute of Ophthalmology, PGIMS Rohtak were included in this study. All patients who underwent PK during this time period were included in our study except those who underwent regrafting.Results: A total of 288 patients who underwent penetrating keratoplasty (PK) surgery were included in our study. Out of 288, 184 (63.88%) were males and 104 (36.11%) were females. In our study, 162 (56.25%) patients underwent optical PK, 76 (26.38%) had tectonic PK and 50 (17.36%) underwent therapeutic PK. Most common indication for optical PK was bullous keratopathy followed by corneal opacity. Most common reason for tectonic PK was found to be corneal perforation while for therapeutic PK was sloughing corneal ulcer followed by recalcitrant fungal keratitis.Conclusions: Though bullous keratopathy (BK) was the most common indication for penetrating keratoplasty in North India, but in our study 27% patients had tectonic PK and 17% patients underwent therapeutic PK which is significantly higher than documented data from South India and developed countries. It can be because of low literacy level, lack of awareness and late presentation to ophthalmologist in North India.

Herein, we report synthesis, characterization, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activities of hydroxytriazenes derived from sulpha drugs, namely sulphanilamide, sulphadiazine, sulphapyridine and sulphamethazine. Before biological screening of the compounds, theoretical prediction using PASS was done which indicates probable activities ranging from Pa (probable activity) values 65–98% for anti-inflammatory activity. As per the predication, experimental validation of some of the predicted activities particularly anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant was done. Anti-diabetic activities have been screened using two methods namely α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition method and IC50 values were ranging from 66 to 260 and 148 to 401 µg/mL, while for standard drug acarbose the values were 12 µg/mL and 70 µg/mL, respectively. Docking studies have also been done for antidiabetic target pancreatic alpha amylase. The molecular docking studies in α-amylase enzyme reveal that the middle phenyl ring of all the compounds mainly occupies in the small hydrophobic pocket formed by the Ala198, Trp58, Leu162, Leu165 and Ile235 residues and sulphonamide moiety establish H-bond interaction by two water molecules. Further, anti-inflammatory activity has been evaluated using carrageenan induced paw-edema method and results indicate excellent anti-inflammatory activity by hydroxytriazenes (71 to 97%) and standard drug diclofenac 94% after 4 h of treatment. Moreover, antioxidant effect of the compounds was tested using DPPH and ABTS methods. All the compounds displayed good results (24–488 µg/mL) against ABTS radical and many compounds are more active than ascorbic acid (69 µg/mL) while all other compounds showed moderate activity against DPPH radical (292–774 µg/mL) and ascorbic acid (29 µg/mL). Thus, the studies reveal potential of sulfa drug based hydroxytriazenes as candidates for antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities which have been experimentally validated.

The enhancement of immunity of fish through application of natural immunostimulants would help in minimizing the risk of occurrence of diseases in aquaculture. The present study was designed to evaluate the growth promoting and immunostimulatory effect of Guduchi, Tinospora cordifolia (Thunb.) Miers ex Hook F. leaf powder in fingerlings of Amur carp (Cyprinus carpio haeYnatopterus Martens). The fingerlings were divided into four treatment groups, Ti, T2, T₃ and T₄. Experimental diets were prepared by mixing rice bran, deoiled mustard cake, soybean meal and vitamin mineral mixture. The leaf powder of T. cordifolia was incorporated into diets D₂, D₃, and D₄ @ 0.25%, 0.5% and 0.75%, respectively. In control diet D₁, leaf powder of T. cordifolia was not incorporated. T₁ group fishes were fed with D, diet, T2 with D₂, T₃ with D₃ and T₄ with D₄ @ 5% body weight per day for 90 days. Fingerlings fed with diet D₄ achieved significantly improved Specific Growth Rate (1), Feed Conversion Ratio (2.76), and Gross Conversion Efficiency (0.361) as compared .to the control and all other treatments (P0.05). Hematological and biochemical parameters, total leuckocyte count (53.849x103/[L), total erythrocyte count (3.50x106/iL), hemoglobin concentration (17.17%), total serum protein, albumin and globulin (12.35, 1.56 and 10.78 g/dL) in D₄ diet fed fishes showed increase as compared to the control and all other treatments (P0.05). The above research revealed that Tinospora cordifolia leaf powder has significant growth promoting and immunostimulatory potential in Amur carp raising.

In India, the ratoon cane productivity at national level stands at 58 t/ha against 85 t/ha for plant cane. Ratooning is a practice of growing full crop of sugarcane from sprouts of underground stubble buds left in the field after harvest of the plant (main) crop. In sugarcane farming, ratooning saves the cost of seedbed preparation, seed material and planting operations. Ratoons help in extending the crushing period of sugar mills as they mature earlier than the plant crop. However, most often, ratoon crop yields are lower than the plant crop. The major cause of low ratoon cane productivity in north-west Indian subtropics is the prevalence of severe winter conditions coinciding with harvesting of early-maturing high sugar varieties which inhibit the sprouting of subterranean stubble buds. Unsprouted stubble buds cause gaps in subsequent sugarcane (Saccharum sp Hybrid) ratoon crop resulting in lower initial plant stand and poor crop yield. Several agro-techniques viz., trash mulching, polyethylene mulching and intercropping have been applied to enhance the bud sprouting in winter-initiated ratoon, but all the efforts could not produce the desired results. To address these constraints, a field experiment was conducted during 2009–2010 and 2010–2011 for three consecutive seasons at the Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research, Lucknow, India, to assess the effect of cultural package practices and organic and/or inorganic sources of additions on yield and quality of winter-initiated ratoon in Indian subtropics. Results thus showed that application of sulphitation press mud cake (SPMC) at 20 t/ha or SPMC at 10 t/ha + 25 kg zinc sulphate improved the bud sprouting and significantly produced maximum number of shoots. Significant increase in the number of millable canes was noticed with the application of SPMC at 20 t/ha (103.1 thousand/ha) and SPMC 10 t/ha + 25 kg ZnSO4 (102.1 thousand/ha). Maximum cane yield (71 t/ha) was also recorded with the application of SPMC at 20 t/ha followed by SPMC at 10 t/ha + 25 kg ZnSO4 (69.3 t/ha). Thus, it clearly suggests that productivity of winter-initiated ratoon can be enhanced through the application of SPMC at 20 t/ha or SPMC 10 t/ha + 25 kg ZnSO4/ha since these applications at the time of ratoon initiation enhanced the ratoon cane yield by 16.34 and 14.29 %, respectively, than that of conventional package of practices for ratoon initiation in subtropical climatic conditions of India. Juice quality of ratoon cane was remained unchanged.

This paper deals with the solubilization behavior of the tailings produced by the floatation of a complex low grade phosphate ore. The composition of the tailings was essentially dolomite (52.04%) with minor amounts of phosphate, iron and aluminium oxides (10.4 and 0.5% respectively). The presence of these products created uncontrolled land pollution and severely affected groundwater. An initiative has been taken up for utilization of this waste to generate an eco-friendly product. First step towards this panorama is incorporation of suitable microorganisms for the biodegradation of this effluent. Sulphur oxidizing bacteria Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans produces sulphuric acid which neutralizes the dolomitic tailings and convert it into plant available forms. The solubilization activity was tested in sulphur medium with 5, 10, 15 and 20% concentration of tailings. The solubilization is graded on the basis of pH, Electrical conductivity (EC), soluble calcium and magnesium and soluble phosphate. The results from ex-situ experiments showed that the treatment with 15% tailings ended with highest solubilization. The values of pH, EC, soluble calcium and magnesium and soluble phosphate for this treatment were 4.92, 31.6 dS/m, 10.8 mL EDTA and 17.24 µg/mL respectively. Also, the results proved that sulphur oxidizing bacteria Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans is capable of solubilizing dolomitic tailings from the Jhamarkotra mines. Finally, an important factor taken into account was solubilization of residual phosphate along with dolomite in the tailings. This combined action affects the solubilization behaviour of the residue, which was also showed successfully with the assayed laboratory studies.

In the present paper an attempt has been made to study the comparative economics of tomato cultivation under poly house and open field conditions in Karnal district, Haryana. Production and marketing constraints under poly house cultivation have also been identified. The primary data for the agriculture year 2013-14 were collected by personal interviews of the selected farmers with the help of a specially designed schedule. Simple statistical tool like Averages and percentages were used to compare, contrast and interpret the results properly. The overall findings of the study reveal that the cost of cultivation of tomato under poly houses was higher by Rs. 206816.90/acre as com-pared to open field conditions. At the same time, the net returns under poly houses were higher by Rs. 51097.54/acre. Farmers realized 53.71 % higher yield of tomato under poly house as compared to open field conditions. The gross return, returns over variable cost and net return were also higher by 106.94 %, 160.70 % and 48.70 %, respectively in case of poly house as compared to open field conditions. The results of the study also revealed that the tomato cultivation under poly houses has significantly contributed to the yield.

A field experiment was conducted during 2007–2010 at Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research, Lucknow to assess the magnitude of changes in soil physical, chemical and biological properties and crop yield with integration of FYM (organic) and inorganic fertilizer in sugarcane (plant-ratoon) system. Eight treatments of various inorganic and organic proportions were applied at the time of sugarcane planting and ratoon initiation in subsequent years. Application of 100 % N through organic showed lowest bulk density (1.30 Mg m−3) and highest infiltration rate (4.8 mm h−1). Soil organic carbon, nitrogen use efficiency and soil respiration rate improved with increasing proportion of organic with inorganic fertilizer. The higher soil microbial biomass carbon was analyzed at grand growth phase (August) of sugarcane crop as compared to tillering and maturity. Soil microbial biomass nitrogen increased with advancement in crop growth stages and the highest values were observed at maturity stage. Sugarcane yield increased with integration of organic and inorganic fertilizer and it showed long term sustainability in sugarcane based system.

The Quaternary sediments of the Aramda Reef Member of the Chaya Formation exposed in the Mojap coast near Mithapur, Gujarat are characterized by well-developed coralline algal build-ups. These algal build-ups are exceptionally rich in coralline algae and corals. In the present paper, thirteen species belonging to eight genera of coralline algae are described. Out of these, seven species (Titanoderma nataliae, Lithophyllum nitorum, Lithophyllum quadratum, Spongites sp. Brandano et al., 2005, Sporolithon lvovicum, Mesophyllum fructiferum and Lithothamnion praefruticulosum) are the new records for India. Four species (Titanoderma pustulatum, Sporolithon intermedium, Mesophyllum commune and Phymatolithon sp.) are first time recorded from the study area. Among the major framework builders of coralline algae of the Aramda Reef Member are Lithophyllum, Titanoderma, Sporolithon, Mesophyllum and Lithothamnion. Two associations of the coralline algal assemblages can be distinguished: one indicating shallow water, high-energy conditions is developed in the upper part, while the other suggesting deposition in low-energy conditions is characteristic of the lower part of the succession. These algal associations, together with their growth-forms (encrusting, warty to fruticose, layered) come from stratigraphically separate beds. They indicate that the temperature, depth and hydrodynamic energy conditions also fluctuated during deposition of the Aramda Reef Member. It is concluded that the lower Hapalidiaceae-Sporolithaceae association dominated during warmer interval, whereas the upper lithophylloids association flourished in relatively low-temperature conditions. The associated corals indicate that minimum winter sea surface temperature remained above 18°–20° C.

p-Chlorophenylazo-bis-acetoxime has been used for spectrophotometric determination of nickel (II) at 375 nm and a pH of 7.3-8.1. Beer‘s law is obeyed in the range of (1.0-6.0) × 10 -5 M. The molar absorptivity and Sandell’s sensitivity values are 5,389 L mol-1 cm-1 and 10.89 ng cm-2 respectively. Value of log â is determined by two different method i.e. Harvey and Manning’s method and Purohit’s method and the values of it are 9.36 and 9.37 respectively. Hydroxytriazenes have been used as analytical reagents for a number of transition metals. Similar compounds arylazobis-acetoximes developed by Bamberger and subsequently used by Sogani and Bhattacharaya as spectrophotometric reagents for determination of various transition metals such as cobalt, iron and copper. In the present paper p-chlorophenylazo-bis-acetoxime (p-CPABA) has besen used for spectrophotometric determination of nickel (II).

A field experiment was conducted with the objectives to relate the changes in the physical properties, soil organic carbon (SOC), nutrient availability, and uptake and output input ratios for sustaining sugarcane ratoon growth and yield in an Udic ustochrept. Eight combinations of trash and farmyard manure (FYM) with and without Trichoderma viride and Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus were applied in two sugarcane ratoon (first and second ratoon in succession) crops. Application of Trichoderma-enriched trash showed the lowest bulk density (1.36 Mg m−3) and the greatest infiltration rate (4.5 mm h−1). Greater rate of increase in SOC was observed under inoculation of Trichoderma with FYM compared to trash mulch. The output/input ratios were greater in plots having trash-based treatments compared to FYM and inorganic fertilizers. Bioagent-inoculated FYM produced greater mean sugar yield (8.89 t ha−1) compared to bioagent-inoculated trash (7.97 t ha−1).

The immune system is evolved to protect organisms from a variety of pathogens which include bacteria, virus, fungi or parasites. It involves a complex interaction of both the components of adaptive immune system, that is, humoral and cellular immunity along with the innate immune system. An excellent property of adaptive immune response is to differentiate self from non-self or altered-self. When this ability fails the immune-mediated diseases occurs causing harm to the own tissues of host called Autoimmunity or Autoimmune diseases. The autoimmunity is characterized by the presence of auto reactive cells like T-lymphocytes and/or cellular products like autoantibodies against the organism's own antigens called autoantigens. There are different mechanisms involved in this process of autoimmunity like genetic or acquired defects in immune tolerance, altered immune regulatory pathways, molecular mimicry to pathogens and impaired cell death or apoptotic process. The objective of present review is to provide an overview of selected autoimmune diseases of various animals including poultry with special reference to the mechanism of autoimmunity.

The morphology of films prepared by melt-blending polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) withand without nanoclay was investigated after exposure to outdoor solar radiations for 45 days utilising manytechniques. The Raman spectra revealed decreased intensity for all the characteristic Raman bands for PP andPE. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed formation of hydroxyl/hydroperoxy and carbonylgroups in the exposed samples. The weathered films after 45 days of solar exposure became brittle as indicatedby loss in physical properties and the stress-strain curves. The clay-containing films showed higher strengthloss after solar exposure. The fractured ends of the exposed films showed flat, smooth, and sharp surfaces,indicative of brittle fracture, compared to the unexposed sample.Defence Science Journal, 2008, 58(6), pp.778-784, DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.14429/dsj.58.1707

An analysis has been presented using the Roy-Roy equation of state (EOS), which represents an extended and modified version of the Murnaghan EOS. It is found that the value of [Formula: see text] for various types of solids remain between 5/3 and 2. The Roy-Roy EOS has been found to become applicable for the core of the Earth, predicting the values of the pressure and bulk modulus in the range of seismological data. Modifications suggested recently to remove the shortcomings of the Murnaghan equation have been discussed. The maximum values of [Formula: see text] obtained from the Roy-Roy EOS for different inorganic solids and organic solids are also discussed.