Variation in phenotypic characteristics of ASD Costa Rica hybrids of oil palm in India

• Indian Journal of Horticulture, 67(2), 2010

• Murugesan P., Gopakumar S.

• Directorate of Oil Palm Research, Regional Station, Palode, Pacha, 695 562, Thiruvananthapuram.

• Abstract: Eighteen Costa Rican (C65711, C11067, C11239, C11225, C11143, C11146, C65635, C11044, C11076, C11053, C65893, C11142, C65758, C11169, C11163, C11189, C11092 and C11075) and two Palode (65D × 111P and 120D × 111P) hybrids of representative palms were evaluated for phenotypic characteristics by nut component analysis. No Dura contamination is reported in any of the hybrids. The analysis revealed that the variation was high for shell weight (57.7%) followed by kernel weight (40.3%) and nut weight (39.8%). Mean highest kernel weight was recorded in C65711 of ASD Costa Rica and single dry kernel weight showed a range from 0.48 (C11075) to 1.35 g (C65711) while single nut ranged from 1.57 g (C65635) to 3.97 g (Palode). The individual palm analysis indicated that the hybrids of ASD Costa Rica namely, C11146, C 65635, C11044, C65758, C11092 and C11075 had very thin shell and palm number 112 (C65711) and 78 (C11189) had high kernel weight. The present investigation revealed a good potential for improving palm kernel utilizing promising hybrids of ASD Costa Rica by hybridization or introgression to generate desirable segregates that posses large kernels.

Epidemiology of Brucellosis in Occupationally Exposed Human Beings

• Indian Journal of Animal Research, 44(3) 2010

• Kumar Arvind,  Kumar Ajith, Sadish S., Latha C., Kumar K., Kumar A.

• Division of Veterinary Public Health College of Veterinary and Animal Science, Pookot, - 673 576, India

• Abstract: A serological survey was undertaken to assess the extent of brucellosis in human beings of Lakhidi district in Kerala. A total of 365 serum samples were examined for the presence of Brucella agglutins. The sera were screened by Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) and Standard Tube Agglutination Test (STAT) and the samples, which showed a positive reaction, either by RBPT or STAT or both, were subjected to Heat Inactivation Test (HIT) and 2-Mercaptoethanol Test (MET).The human sera revealed 2.74% seroprevalence for brucellosis by RBPT and 1.74% by STAT. Only three out of ten showed an agglutination titre positive for brucellosis in HIT whereas one out of ten were positive in MET. Seroprevalence of brucellosis was recorded only among farmers (2.78%). Females recorded a relatively higher (3.45%) seroprevalence than males (2.33%). Human reactors positive for brucellosis were aged above 40 years. None of the sera collected from patients joint pain and veterinary or paraveterinary staff were positive for the disease. Of the serological tests, RBPT detected the highest number of samples as positive for brucellosis followed by STAT, HIT and MET. It was also observed that, of the RBPT and STAT positive cases, HIT recorded more positivity than MET.

Metal Tolerance and Biosorption Potential of Bacillus pumilus

• Poll Res 29(2): 351-357 (2010)

• Aji M. Thomson and G. Muraleedhara Kurup
  

• E Mail: gmuraleedhara_kurup@rediffmail.com

• Abstract: Contamination of environment with toxic heavy metals is a significant problem. Conventional techniques applied to remove heavy metals from polluted water are ineffective for dilute or low concentration metal ions. For this reason, the examination of effective and innovative method becomes an important need. Biosorption process, using microbial biomass as a biosorbent has gained great attention. After a preliminary screening the most suitable bacteria for an application, which is resistant to copper, zinc and iron was isolated from the metal contaminated soil. Metal tolerance in terms of growth rate and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was investigated. The adsorption isotherms obtained experimentally obeyed the Freundlich Langmuir adsorption isotherm model. Maximum adsorption levels according to the Langmuir adsorption models were 2.94mg/gm for copper, 1.07 mg/gm for zinc and 1.34mg/gm for iron. Biosorption was found to be higher at lower metal concentration as compared to higher concentration. The main parameters influencing biosorption namely pH and contact time had been examined. The adsorption kinetic experiments indicated that a contact period of 30 minutes was sufficient to attain equilibrium. The optimum pH for Bacillus pumilus was between pH 4 and 5for iron, and between 5 and 7 for Copper. The bacteria was able to remove 75%of copper, 76% of iron and 70% zinc out of the solution under optimum conditions. The results suggested that Bacillus pumilus may find promising application for removal of copper, zinc and iron ions from contaminated aqueous systems.

Assessment of Water quality characteristics of soda water

• Poll Res 29 (2): 289-294 (2010)

• Mahadevan Komath and P.S. Harikumar , CWRDM, Kozhikode

• Abstract: The present paper deals with the study of water quality of branded and locally available soda water. The soda water samples collected from different places of Calicut city were subjected to physical, chemical and bacteriological analysis. The parameters analyzed were pH, electrical conductivity, color, turbidity, hardness, chlorides, iron, sulphate, calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, phosphate-p, fluoride, total coliforms, feacal coliform and E. coli. The samples were also subjected to heavy metal analysis. 66% of branded soda samples and 50% of locally available soda water meet the carbonated water specifications recommended by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). Lehar, the branded soda water recorded a high total dissolved solids of 560mg/L and chloride value of 388 mg/L. Rich well showed high value of 0.2830 mg/L and 0.1350 mg/L with regard to copper and lead respectively.

Antioxidative Response of Oreochromis mossambicus (peters) to WAF of Bombay high crude oil.

• Poll Res 29 (2): 235-240 (2010)

• Jehosheba P. Mathews and Babu Philip

Dept. of Biochemistry, S.N.M. College, Maliankara, Kerala

• Abstract: Oreochromis mossambicus (peters) a fresh water toleost was exposed to 1.5 ppm, 3.0 ppm and 5.0 ppm concentrations of water-accommodated fractions (WAF) of Bombay high crude oil for 21 days and different parameters like Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAST), Glutathione peroxidase (GPX), Glutathione reductase (GR), Hydroperoxides and Malondialdehyde (MDA) were estimated in liver, gill, heart, muscle and blood. A significant dose-dependent change was observed in liver, gill, heart and muscle tissues.

Catfish Clarias is vanishing from the waters of Kerala

Current Science 99(6), 2010,pp 713

V. V. BINOY
Department of Zoology,
MES KEVEEYAM College,
Valanchery 676 552, India
e-mail: vvbinoy@gmail.com

The air-breathing freshwater fish Clarias is represented by three species in the aquatic ecosystems of Kerala: Clariasbatrachus Hamilton (the walking catfish), Clarias dayi Hora (Malabar catfish) and Clarias dussumieri Valenciennes (Valenciennes clariid). Compared to C.dayi, which inhabits the waters of the Wyanad hills, C. dussumieri and C.batrachus are common in water bodies ranging from shallow channels to large ponds and rivers. Moreover, C. batrachusis a major species in the paddy-field
fishery of Kerala. However, the populations of these species are declining sharply in Kerala and Clarias has became rare now.

Electrophoretic Variations in Seed Protein Profile of Green Pea (Pisum Sativum L.) and Soybean [Glycine Max (L.) MERR.] Seeds Seedlings During Early S

Legume Research - An International Journal 33 (3)., 2010
K.Beena Anto, Jayaram K.M.**
Department of Botany, St. Joseph's College, lrinjalakuda -680 121, India.
**Division of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, University of Calicut, Malappuram Dt., Kerala-673 635, India.
*Email beenajose40@yahoo.in
Abstract
The effect of high temperature treatment on seeds/seedlings of pea and soybean was investigated by analyzing qualitative protein profiles of heat-stressed and control seed/seedlings samples by performing Sodium Oodecyl Sulphate Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (SOS-PAGE). A comparative study of SDS-PAGE protein profiles of both the legume grains showed different response towards heat-stress. The high temperaturetreatment up to 70°C for 10 continuous days induced some changes on the metabolism of the seed tissues producing some new bands of proteins-probably heat shock proteins in pea where as in soybean the same stress promoted the disintegration of proteins and as a result, certain characteristic bands of proteins in the gel of control samples were disappeared from the high temperature-treated seed samples. SOS-PAGE derived seed protein profile is species specific and this analysis is very helpful to elucidate the response of seeds towards heatstress and the production of heat shock proteins by seed tissues. The response towards the heat-stress varied in pea and soybean because pea seeds are protein and starch rich but soybean seeds are protein and lipid rich type.

Epidemiology of Brucellosis in Occupationally Exposed Human Beings

Indian Journal of Animal Research, 44(3), 2010.
Kumar Arvind, Kumar Ajith,Sadish S., LathaC., Kumar K.,Kumar A.
Division of Veterinary Public Health College of Veterinary and Animal Science, Pookot, - 673 576, India
Abstract
A serological survey was undertaken to assess the extent of brucellosis in human beings of Lakhidi district in Kerala. A total of 365 serum samples were examined for the presence of Brucella agglutins. The sera were screened by Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) and Standard Tube Agglutination Test (STAT) and the samples, which showed a positive reaction, either by RBPT or STAT or both, were subjected to Heat Inactivation Test (HIT) and 2-Mercaptoethanol Test (MET).The human sera revealed 2.74% seroprevalence for brucellosis by RBPT and 1.74% by STAT. Only three out of ten showed an agglutination titre positive for brucellosis in HIT whereas one out of ten were positive in MET. Seroprevalence of brucellosis was recorded only among farmers (2.78%). Females recorded a relatively higher (3.45%) seroprevalence than males (2.33%). Human reactors positive for brucellosis were aged above 40 years. None of the sera collected from patients joint pain and veterinary or paraveterinary staff were positive for the disease. Of the serological tests, RBPT detected the highest number of samples as positive for brucellosis followed by STAT, HIT and MET. It was also observed that, of the RBPT and STAT positive cases, HIT recorded more positivity than MET.

Evaluation of Antidiabetic Efficacy of Coccinia Indica in Rats

Indian Journal of Animal Research 44(3),2010.
Jose Eliza,Usha P.T.A
College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy-680 651, India
Abstract
The present study was aimed to assess the hypoglycaemic, hypolipidemic and antioxidant activities of a common herb, Coccinia indica. The study was conducted in Sprague-Dawley strain of albino rats and the chemical, alloxan was used for the experimental induction of diabetes. Thirty two adult albino rats were divided into four groups of eight each. Group I served as normal control and group II was made as diabetic control. Group III and IV were made diabetic and administered orally with 200 mg/kg of ethanolic extract of C. indica leaves and 0.25 mg/kg of glibenclamide, respectively, for 45 days. There was a significant (p<0.05) reduction in blood glucose, serum cholesterol, triglyceride and lipid peroxides levels and elevation of reduced glutathione and liver glycogen in C. indica treated group when compared with the diabetic control. The results showed that the ethanolic extract of C. indica leaves possessed significant hypoglycaemic, hypolipidemic and antioxidant effects. The ethanolic extract of C. indica leaves was screened for the active ingredients and also for acute oral toxicity and sub acute toxicity. No toxic effects were revealed from the toxicity studies. The results indicate the safety and efficacy of indica in diabetes mellitus.

Herbs and herbal constituents active against snake bite

• Gomes, Antony, Das Rinku, Sarkhel, Sumana Mishra, Roshnara Mukherjee, Sanghamitra Bhattacharya, Shamik Gomes, Aparna
• Indian Journal of Experimental Biology Vol.48 (09), September 2010.
• Abstract:Snake bite, a major socio-medical problem of south east asian countries is still depending on the usage of antisera as the one and only source of treatment, which has its own limitations. In India, mostly in rural areas, health centres are inadequate and the snake bite victims mostly depend on traditional healers and herbal antidotes, as an alternative treatment. The present review has been focussed on the varied folk and traditional herbs and their antisnake venom compounds, which might be a stepping stone in establishing the future therapy against snake bite treatment and management.
  

Genetic characterization of dengue virus serotypes causing concurrent infection in an outbreak in Ernakulam, Kerala, South India

• Indian Journal of Experimental Biology, 48(8), PP 849-857. August 2010

• Anoop, M, Issac, Aneesh, Mathew, Thomas Philip, Sairu Kareem, Nabeel Abdul, Unnikrishnan, R Sreekumar, E
  

• Abstract:Dengue fever, a mosquito-borne viral infection, causes significant morbidity and has become endemic in the Indian subcontinent. Virus strains currently circulating in many parts of the country are not well studied at the molecular level. In the present study, genetic characterization of virus strains from a dengue outbreak that occurred in and around a tertiary care hospital in Ernakulam, Kerala in the year 2008 has been reported. By reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), 37 out of 75 (49.3%) clinically suspected cases were positive for dengue viral RNA. Among these, 21 (56.8%) samples showed concurrent infection with multiple serotypes of the virus. Majority of the combined infections were caused by dengue serotype 2 and 3. Co-infections with type 1 and 2 in two patients, and type 1, 2 and 3 in one patient were also observed. The core-pre-Membrane (CprM) junction nucleotide sequencing and phylogenetic analysis revealed that the type 1 strains were related to the viral strains reported from Delhi-2001 and Gwalior-2002 dengue outbreaks, while the type 2 strains were related to the strains from Gwalior-2001 epidemic. Sequences of type 3 strains did not show clear relation to any of the previous Indian isolates, and in the phylogenetic analysis, they formed a distinct lineage within the Indian type 3 strains. This study indicates hyperendemicity of dengue in the region with the presence of multiple serotypes and high rates of co-infection, and local genomic evolution of the viral strains involved in this outbreak.

Effect of Aloe vera gel extract on antioxidant enzymes and azoxymethane-induced oxidative stress in rats

• Indian Journal of Experimental Biology, 48(8), PP 837-842. August 2010

• Anilakumar, K R, Sudarshanakrishna, K R, Chandramohan, G, Ilaiyaraja, N, Khanum, Farhath Bawa, A S
  

• Abstract:The present work was undertaken with a view to study the effect of oral feeding of 2% Aloe vera gel extract (AGE) for 30 days on azoxymethane (AOM)-induced oxidative stress in rats. It was observed that AOM administration resulted in a significant increase in malondialdehyde and conjugated dienes, with reduction in hepatic glutathione (GSH), vitamin A and uric acid contents. AOM-induced reduction in hepatic GSH and uric acid was brought back to normal by AGE. There was a significant raise in hepatic catalase, superoxide dismutase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) activities as a result of feeding of the extract. Ingestion of the extract effected reduction in AOM-induced colonic GSH-peroxidase, G-6- PD and glutathione S-transferase and femur bone marrow micronuclei formation. Hence, it is suggested that Aloe vera gel extract possess the ability to reduce AOM- induced oxidative stress and toxicity in liver.

Copenhagen and the ‘BASIC’ countries: some basic differences between the Indian and Chinese emissions

• CURRENT SCIENCE, VOL. 99, NO. 4, 439-443, AUGUST 2010

• James Jacob

• Rubber Research Institute of India, Rubber Board, Kottayam 686 009, India.

• E-mail: james@rubberboard.org.in

• Abstract: The Copenhagen Accord was cobbled together in hasty closed-doors consultations in the final hours of the failing climate meet by a select group of 26 countries. The Accord did not even get the imprimatur of the UNFCCC. Copenhagen failed to deliver a comprehensive and legally binding emissions reduction treaty.Copenhagen succeeded in ‘institutionalizing’ the new entity of the BASIC group of countries, butfundamental differences exist in their emissions patterns, particularly between India and China.China is far ahead of India in total gross domestic product (GDP), annual rate of growth in GDP,carbon intensity of economy, aggregate and per capita emissions, rate of growth in emissions andthe contribution its emissions make towards the current rate of build-up of CO2 in the atmosphere.The climate burden of the Chinese economic growth on the rest of the world is disproportionatelylarge compared to that of India. The climate interlocutors en route Mexico 2010 (CoP 16) shouldnot ignore these ‘inconvenient truths’ about the Chinese emissions and economy and they shouldstop equating India with China when it comes to likely emissions capping, sooner or later. Exerting pressure on India to limit its emissions could be seen only as a covert political strategy to constrain its economic growth rather than gaining any substantial emissions reduction globally and it is convenient for the developed countries to put India together with China in the BASIC group for exerting such pressure. India should seriously reconsider its strategy of aligning with China on the emissions issue.
  

A comparative account of floral diversity in midland and coastal sacred groves of north Malabar.

Asian Jr. of Microbiol. Biotech. Env. Sc. 12 (2),2010: 427-428.

Deepamol P.C. And K.M. Khaleel

Dept. of P.G. Studies & Research in Botany, sir Syed College, Taliparamba, Kannur (Dist.) Kerala, India.

Abstract: Sacred groves represent patches of forests protected by assigning them as abode of Gods and Goddesses. Many of the sacred groves have great species diversity and contained rare and endangered flora that are found else where. Sacred groves are minibiosphere reserve. We visited certain sacred groves in midland and coastal region of North Malabar. Among them Pungottu Kavu, (midland sacred grove) and Edayile Kadu (Coastal sacred grove)are very important. The present paper highlights a comparative account of floral diversity in midland and coastal sacred groves of North Malabar. For the taxonomic study we frequently field visited and with the help of authentic books and experts in the fields all the plants are identified. In Pungottu Kavu, the dominant family is the Myristicaceae. Important flora found at here are Myristica malabarica, Hopea parviflora, Holigaena aenottiana, Knema attinuata etc. It is a Myristica swamp. Rare and endemic taxa and botanically interesting giant specimens were recorded in this area. In Edayile Kadu, we found a dominant association of Diospyros perigrina, Holigarna arnottiana and Hopea parviflora. Presence of canebreaks is another peculiarity. Sacred groves deliver a number of ecosystem services. Conservation of biodiversity and maintenance of the ecosystem is very important for the existence of human race. So we must protect sacred groves.

Interacting Effect of Frankia and Azotobacter on the growth and yield of Casuarina Plants.

Asian Jr. of Microbiol. Biotech. Env. Sc. Vol12 (2), 2010,343-346.
Razia S. Ebrahim, Susan Panicker and D. Clarson
Department of Biochemistry, School of Medical Education, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, Kerala, India

Abstract: Two species of Casurina plants were inoculated with Frankia a root nodule inducing actinomycete and acetobactor, a non symbiotic soil bacteria in both single and dual treatments. The results indicated that in Casuarina equisetifolia inoculation with Frankia alone enhanced growth and yield whereas in Casuarina junghuhniana combined inoculation proved successful.

Photosynthetic efficiency of transgenic tobacco plants (Nicotiana tabacum L.) over-expressing mtlD gene under drought and paraquat stress

Indian Journal of Plant Physiology15 (2),2010
AlamBadre 1, Jacob James1,Earl Hugh J.2,3

1Plant Physiology Division, Rubber Research Institute of India, Kottayam-686 009, India.
2Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Plant Sciences Building, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602-7272, USA.
3Department of Plant Agriculture, University of Guelph, Guelph, Canada.
E Mail: badrealam@gmail.com

• Abstract:The objective of this study was to examine the performance of genetically transformed tobacco plants over-expressing mannitol 1-phosphate dehydrogenase (mtlD) in maintaining better photosynthetic activity than the untransformed wild plants during water deficit stress and in combination with paraquat stress. Inhibitions in the rates of net CO2 assimilation (PN) and the non-cyclic photosynthetic electron transport across photosystem II (ETR) due to water deficit stress were much smaller in the mtlD transformed plants (22% and 9%, respectively) than in the untransformed wild ones (55% and 52%, respectively). These differences were even more marked when the plants experiencing water deficit stress were treated with paraquat, which blocks the photosynthetic electron transfer chain and diverts the excitation energy into producing reactive oxygen species (ROS). The minimal inhibitions in the photochemical activity (9–10%) of mtlD transformed plants resulting from the environmental stresses agree with their expected efficient use of photosynthetic electrons. Results of the present study thus suggest that mtlD transformed tobacco plants tolerated the stress better than the untransformed wild plants which is noteworthy for further attention.
  

Tomato leaf curl Kerala virus (ToLCKeV) AC3 protein forms a higher order oligomer and enhances ATPase activity of replication initiator protein (Rep/A

Virology Journal 2010, 7:128, Published: 14 June 2010

Kalyan K Pasumarthy , Nirupam R Choudhury and Sunil K Mukherjee
International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi -110067, India

Abstract

Background: Geminiviruses are emerging plant viruses that infect a wide variety of vegetable crops, ornamental plants and cereal crops. They undergo recombination during co-infections by different species of geminiviruses and give rise to more virulent species. Antiviral strategies targeting a broad range of viruses necessitate a detailed understanding of the basic biology of the viruses. ToLCKeV, a virus prevalent in the tomato crop of Kerala state of India and a member of genus Begomovirus has been used as a model system in this study.
Results:AC3 is a geminiviral protein conserved across all the begomoviral species and is postulated to enhance viral DNA replication. In this work we have successfully expressed and purified the AC3 fusion proteins from E. coli. We demonstrated the higher order oligomerization of AC3 using sucrose gradient ultra-centrifugation and gel-filtration experiments. In addition we also established that ToLCKeV AC3 protein interacted with cognate AC1 protein and enhanced the AC1-mediated ATPase activity in vitro.
Conclusions: Highly hydrophobic viral protein AC3 can be purified as a fusion protein with either MBP or GST. The purification method of AC3 protein improves scope for the biochemical characterization of the viral protein. The enhancement of AC1-mediated ATPase activity might lead to increased viral DNA replication.

Macroinvertebrate diversity of Veli and Kadinamkulam lakes, South Kerala, India

Journal of Environmental Biology, 31, 543-547, July 2010.

Latha C. and V. Salom Gnana Thanga
Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Kerala, Kariavattom, Thiruvananthapuram - 695 581, India.
E Mail: salomshekin@rediffmail.com


Abstract: The diversity and distribution pattern of benthic macroinvertebrates in two backwaters viz., Veli and Kadinamkulam of Kerala were assessed using diversity indices. The samples were collected once in three months for a period of two years from six sampling sites (K1, K2, K3, V1, V2 and V3) and community variations were analyzed. Overall, 24 families were identified represented by mollusca, annelida and arthropoda (crustaceans and insects). Among this, dominant taxon was Mytilidae of molluscan family and site-wise dominance was maximum in sites V1 and V2. Richness and abundance were highest in site V2 and lowest in site K2. Diversity index ranged from 0.27 (K2) to 2.33 (V1). The diversity and distribution patterns of certain species were clearly related to water quality as evident from the present study.

Cellulose-based anion exchanger with tertiary amine functionality for the extraction of arsenic(V) from aqueous media.

J. Environ Manage. 2010 Jul 9. [Epub ahead of print]

Anirudhan T.S. And Jalajamony S.
Department of Chemistry, University of Kerala, Kariavattom, Trivandrum 695 581, India.

ABSTRACT: A novel cellulose-based anion exchanger (Cell-AE) with tertiary amine functionality was synthesized by graft polymerization reaction of cellulose and glycidyl methacrylate using N,N'-methylene-bis-acrylamide as a crosslinker and benzoyl peroxide as an initiator, followed by dimethylamine (amination) and acid (HCl) treatment. The chemical modification was confirmed by infrared spectroscopy and CHN analysis. The anion exchanger was used in batch processes to study AS(V) adsorption in solutions. The operating variables studied were pH, contact time, initial As(V) concentration, sorbent mass, and ionic strength. The process was affected by solution pH with an optimum adsorption occurring at pH 6.0. Adsorption equilibrium was achieved within 1 h. Increasing ionic strength of solution negatively affected the arsenic uptake. The adsorption process performed more than 99.0% of As(V) removal from an initial concentration of 25.0 mg/L. The process of adsorption followed pseudo-second-order kinetics. The adsorption equilibrium isotherm data were analyzed using the Langmuir, Freundlich, Redlich-Peterson and Langmuir-Freundlich equations. The Langmuir-Freundlich isotherm described the adsorption data over the concentration range 25-400 mg/L. The adsorption mechanism appears to be a ligand-exchange process. A simulated groundwater sample was treated with Cell-AE to demonstrate its efficiency in removing As(V). The adsorbed As(V) ions were desorbed effectively by a 0.1 M NaOH solution.

PMID: 20621411 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Distribution of Organophosphorus Pesticides in the Bed Sediments of a Backwater System Located in an Agricultural Watershed: Influence of Seasonal Int

Arch. Environ. Contam Toxicol. 2010 Jul 14. [Epub ahead of print]

Babu V Unnikrishnan P Anu G and Nair SM
Department of Research and Development, Hindustan Insecticides Ltd, Cochin, India.

ABSTRACT:This article focuses on the temporal and spatial distribution of three organophosphorous pesticides-malathion, methyl parathion, and chlorpyrifos-in the sedimentary environment of a backwater ecosystem, Kuttanad backwaters, situated in Kerala, India. Based on salinity distribution, geographic characteristics, and human activities prevailing in the area, the study area was divided into three zones: zone 1 with riverine characteristics, zone 2 with freshwater characteristics during and after the monsoon season and estuarine characteristics during the premonsoon season, and zone 3 with estuarine characteristics. The organophosphorus pesticides in the study area showed the order of enrichment as chlorpyrifos >malathion >methyl parathion. While studying the variations in pesticide concentrations seasonally, higher concentrations were observed during the premonsoon monsoon season, with the concentrations being lower than the detectable level. Sediment characteristics, such as pH, texture, organic carbon, moisture content, etc., had reflective effect on the degradation rates of pesticides. The runoff water from the paddy fields made a larger contribution of pesticide pollution to the study area.

PMID: 20628738 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Water quality status and primary productivity of Valanthakad backwater in Kerala

Indian Journal of Marine Sciences, Vol 39 (1) March 2010, pp 105-113.

S. Meera and Bijoy Nandan
School of Marine Sciences, Cochin University of Science & Technology, Cochin 682 016, India
E Mail: meeras.marine@gmail.com

Abstract: The water quality and primary productivity of Valanthakad backwater (90 55' 10. 24” N latitude and 760 20' 01. 23” E longitude) was monitored from June to November 2007. Significant spatial and temporal variations in temperature, transparency, salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen, sulphides, carbon dioxide, alkalinity, biochemical oxygen demand, phosphate-phosphorus, nitrate-nitrogen, nitrite-nitrogen as well as primary productivity could be observed from the study. Transparency was low (53.75 cm to 159 cm) during the active monsoon months when the intensity of solar radiation was minimum, which together with the run off from the land resulted in turbid waters in the study sites. The salinity in both the stations was low (0.10 % to 4.69%) except in August and November 2007. the presence of total sulphide (0.08 mg/l to 1.84mg/l) and higher CO2 (3mg/l to 17 mg/l) could be due to hospital discharges and decaying slaughter house wastes in Station 1 and also from the mangrove vegetation from Station 2. Nitrate-nitrogen and phosphate-phosphorus depicted higher values and pronounced variations in the monsoon season. Maximum net primary production was seen in November (0.87 gC/m3/day) and was reported nil in September. The chlorophyll pigments showed higher values in July, August and November with a negative correlation with phosphate-phosphorus and nitrite-nitrogen. The study indicated that the water quality and productivity of Valanthakad backwater is impacted and is the first report from the region.

What drives the increased phytoplankton biomass in the Arabian Sea?

Current Science, Vol.99, No 1, 10 July 2010, p 101.

S. Prasanna Kumar (1), Raj P. Roshin (1,2), Jayu Narvekar (1), P.K. Dinesh Kumar (1,3) and E. Vivekanandan (1,4)

(1). National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula, Goa 403 004, India
(2). Present Address : Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research, University of Bergen, Norway
(3). Regional Centre for National Institute of Oceanography, Kochi 682 018, India
(4). Centre Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Kochi 682 018, India

E-mail: prasanna@nio.org

Abstract: The seasonal variability of phytoplankton biomass in the Arabian Sea, though a well researched topic, its inter-annual variability is less explored and understood. Analysis of the satellite-derived chlorophyll pigment concentration in the Arabian Sea during 1997-2007 showed a weak increasing trend. Contrary to the earlier hypothesis, our analysis showed that this increased phytoplankton biomass was not driven by the strengthening winds during summer monsoon. In fact, the basin-averaged chlorophyll concentrations during monsoon tend to decline, whereas those in September- October and during the winter monsoon showed an increasing trend. Based on the analysis of wind and aerosol optical thickness data, we attribute the increased phytoplankton biomass during September-October to dust induced iron fertilization when there is sufficient buildup of nitrate in the upper ocean. During winter, the enhanced evaporative cooling under the strengthening winds led to the increased convective mixing. Subsequent supply of subsurface nutrients to the euphotic zone coupled with the increased dust delivery support was observed increase in phytoplankton biomass during winter.

Adsorption Characteristics of Cadmium(II) onto FunctionalizedPoly(hydroxyethylmethacrylate)-Grafted Coconut Coir Pith.

Bull Environ Contam Toxicol. 2010 May 7. [Epub ahead of print]

Anirudhan TS, Divya L, Rijith S.

Department of Chemistry, University of Kerala, Kariavattom, Trivandrum, Kerala, 695 581, India

tsani@rediffmail.com.

Abstract:This study explored the feasibility of utilizing a novel adsorbent, poly(hydroxyethylmethacrylate)-grafted coconut coir pith with carboxyl functionality (PGCP-COOH) for the removal of cadmium(II) from water and wastewater. Maximum removal of 99.9% was observed for an initial concentration of 25 mg/L at pH 6.0 and adsorbent dose of 2.0 g/L. The first-order reversible kinetic model and Langmuir isotherm model were resulted in high correlation coefficients and described well the adsorption of Cd(II) onto PGCP-COOH. The complete removal of 22.4 mg/L Cd(II) from fertilizer industry wastewater was achieved by 2.0 g/L PGCP-COOH. The reusability of the PGCP-COOH for several cycles was demonstrated using 0.1 M HCl solution.

PMID: 20449725 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Short-duration cassava genotypes for crop diversification in the humid tropics: growth dynamics, biomass, yield and quality.

J Sci Food Agric. 2010 Jan 30;90(2):188-98.

Suja G. John K.S, Sreekumar J. and Srinivas T.

Central Tuber Crops Research Institute, Sreekariyam, Thiruvananthapuram 695 017, Kerala, India.

BACKGROUND: Short-duration (6-7 months) cassava provides opportunities to smallholder farmers for effective utilisation of resources such as land, moisture and nutrients as well as diversification of enterprise and income. The variation in biomass production and partitioning, seasonal course of growth indices, yield, quality and nutrient uptake of ten short-duration/early-bulking genotypes of cassava and their impact on nutrient contents in soil in a lowland situation akin to rice fallow were examined in this study.

RESULTS: Triploid 2-18 gave the highest yield (38.34 t ha(-1)), followed by triploid 4-2, Sree Vijaya, Sree Jaya and Vellayani Hraswa, which were on a par (30-32 t ha(-1)). Vellayani Hraswa, Sree Vijaya and triploid 4-2 had significantly higher tuberous root dry matter content (370-380 mg g(-1)) and fairly higher starch content (270-280 mg g(-1)). All genotypes except triploid 4-2, triploid 2-18 and H-165 had low cyanogen content (29.2-43.8 microg g(-1)), well within the tolerable limit. Tuberous root dry matter and total dry matter production, crop growth rate, tuberous root bulking rate and harvest index at the last phase, number of tuberous roots, mean weight of tuberous roots and nutrient uptake showed significant positive correlations with tuberous root yield. Principal component analysis also showed a similar trend.

CONCLUSION: The diploids Sree Vijaya, Sree Jaya, Vellayani Hraswa and Kalpaka are ideal for cultivation in rice fallow for food use owing to their high yield, good cooking quality and low cyanogen content. The triploids are better suited for industrial use owing to their high tuberous root dry biomass production. Copyright (c) 2009 Society of Chemical Industry.

PMID: 20355030 [PubMed - in process]

Survival of enteric bacteria and coliphage MS2 in pure human urine

J Appl Microbiol. 2009 Nov;107(5):1651-7.

Chandran A, Pradhan S K and Heinonen-Tanski H.

School of Environmental Sciences, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala, India.

Abstract

AIMS: The survival of Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, Enterococcus faecalis and coliphage MS2 was studied in stored, fresh and diluted (1 : 1) human urine at 15 and 30 degrees C.

METHODS AND RESULTS: Survival rate was studied by the plate count method. All the organisms showed rapid inactivation in stored urine, but they survived better in diluted and fresh urine. The high pH level and temperature were the major factors found to influence the survival of the micro-organisms with the survival rate being higher at 15 degrees C than at 30 degrees C.

CONCLUSIONS: The destruction of all micro-organisms in stored urine required <1 week at 30 degrees C. Thus, the storage of urine is a useful way to reduce the risk of contamination while using urine as a fertilizer.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The urine fertilization is aimed for the developing countries and the high temperatures in these countries may hasten the destruction of micro-organisms in urine. On the contrary, a higher survival rate of these organisms in fresh and diluted urine is a public health concern because the dilution of urine with water is likely to happen during flushing.

PMID: 19457041 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Short-term incorporation of organic manures and biofertilizers influences biochemical and microbial characteristics of soils under an annual crop

Short-term incorporation of organic manures and biofertilizers influences biochemical and microbial characteristics of soils under an annual crop [Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.)]

Bioresour Technol. 2010 Jun;101(12):4697-702.

Dinesh R , Srinivasan V, Hamza S, Manjusha A.

Division of Crop Production and Post Harvest Technology, Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR), P.O.

rdinesh2005@gmail.com

Abstract:The study was conducted to determine whether short-term incorporation of organic manures and biofertilizers influence biochemical and microbial variables reflecting soil quality. For the study, soils were collected from a field experiment conducted on turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) involving organic nutrient management (ONM), chemical nutrient management (CNM) and integrated nutrient management (INM). The findings revealed that application of organic manures and biofertilizers (ONM and INM) positively influenced microbial biomass C, N mineralization, soil respiration and enzymes activities. Contrarily, greater metabolic quotient levels in CNM indicated a stressed soil microbial community. Principal component analysis indicated the strong relationship between microbial activity and the availability of labile and easily mineralizable organic matter. The findings imply that even short-term incorporation of organic manures and biofertilizers promoted soil microbial and enzyme activities and these parameters are sensitive enough to detect changes in soil quality due to short-term incorporation of biological fertilizers.

PMID: 20163953 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Telomere length in human adults and high level natural background radiation

PLoS One. 2009 Dec 23;4(12):e8440.
Das B, Saini D, Seshadri M.

Radiation Biology and Health Sciences Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai, India. birajalaxmi@yahoo.co.in

BACKGROUND: Telomere length is considered as a biomarker of aging, stress, cancer. It has been associated with many chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes. Although, telomere shortening due to ionizing radiation has been reported in vitro, no in vivo data is available on natural background radiation and its effect on telomere length. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: The present investigation is an attempt to determine the telomere length among human adults residing in high level natural radiation areas (HLNRA) and the adjacent normal level radiation areas (NLNRA) of Kerala coast in Southwest India. Genomic DNA was isolated from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 310 individuals (HLNRA: N = 233 and NLNRA: N = 77). Telomere length was determined using real time q-PCR. Both telomere (T) and single copy gene (S) specific primers were used to calculate the relative T/S and expressed as the relative telomere length. The telomere length was determined to be 1.22+/-0.15, 1.12+/-0.15, 1.08+/-0.08, 1.12+/-0.11, respectively, among the four dose groups (5.00 mGy per year), which did not show any dose response. The results suggested that the high level natural chronic radiation did not have significant effect on telomere length among young adult population living in HLNRA, which is indicative of better repair of telomeric ends. No significant difference in telomere length was observed between male and female individuals. In the present investigation, although the determination of telomere length was studied among the adults with an age group between 18 to 40 years (mean maternal age: 26.10+/-4.49), a negative correlation was observed with respect to age. However, inter-individual variation was (0.81-1.68) was clearly observed. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: In this preliminary investigation, we conclude that elevated level of natural background radiation has no significant effect on telomere length among the adult population residing in HLNRAs of Kerala coast. To our knowledge, this is the first report from HLNRAs of the world where telomere length was determined on human adults. However, more samples from each background dose group and samples from older population need to be studied to derive firm conclusions.

PMCID: PMC2793520

A cross cultural review of the ethical issues in dementia care in Kerala, India and The Netherlands

Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2009 Apr;24(4):329-34.

Sowmini CV, De Vries R.

HRRC/ICMR, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Medical College, Trivandrum, Kerala, India. sowminicv@gmail.com

BACKGROUND: The paper explores the diverse ethical issues in the care of persons with dementia, in the Netherlands and Kerala, India. These cross-cultural data are used to suggest newer ways for addressing the ethical issues in a mutually enhancing manner. METHODS: A thorough review of the literature focusing on ethical aspects of the care for persons with dementia. RESULTS: The medical paradigm is dominant in the Netherlands and awareness of dementia as an organic brain disease is low in Kerala. Institutionalized care is more common in the Netherlands and home-based care is the norm in Kerala. Institutional care is costly, whereas home-based care is stressful for caregivers. The advanced directive plays an influential role in the Netherlands, but this mechanism is yet to evolve in Kerala. The legal and social setting of the Netherlands has a strong influence on physician decision-making concerning end of life issues. In Kerala, discussion of these matters is nearly unknown. CONCLUSION: Limited awareness of dementia in Kerala should be addressed in public forums, which can then be used to garner governmental support. The predominantly institutional model of care-giving in the Netherlands and home-based care-giving in Kerala, each have their strengths; policy makers in both societies can usefully apply the values and merits inherent in both models. A culturally appropriate implementation of the advanced directive will have beneficial medical, social, and economic impacts in Kerala. The remarkable disparity between the Netherlands and Kerala in dealing with end-of-life issues will allow more philosophically and socially informed ways of addressing the ethical questions that arise in those situations. (c) 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID: 18814200 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Quantum chemical DFT study of 4-azatricyclo [5.2.2.0(2,6)] undecane-3,5,8-trione

Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc. 2010 Feb 23. [Epub ahead of print]

Panicker CY, Varghese HT, Pillai KM, Mary YS, Raju K, Manojkumar TK, Bielenica A, Van Alsenoy C.

Department of Physics, TKM College of Arts and Science, Kollam, Kerala 691005, India.

Fourier-transform-Raman and infrared spectrum of 4-azatricyclo [5.2.2.0(2,6)] undecane-3,5,8-trione were recorded and analyzed. The vibrational wavenumbers were examined theoretically using the Gaussian03 set of quantum chemistry codes, and the normal modes were assigned by potential energy distribution (PED) calculations. The first hyperpolarizability, predicted infrared intensities and Raman activities are reported. The calculated first hyperpolarizability is comparable with reported values of similar structures which makes this compound an attractive object for future studies of nonlinear optics. Optimized geometrical parameters of the compound are in agreement with similar reported structures. The red shift of the NH stretching wavenumber in the infrared spectrum from the computational wavenumber indicates the weakening of NH bond. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

PMID: 20226726 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Rickettsial infections Indian perspective

Indian Pediatr. 2010 Feb 7;47(2):157-64.

Rathi N, Rathi A.

Correspondence to Dr Narendra Rathi, Rathi Childrens Hospital and Maternity Home, Civil Lines, Akola 444 001, MS, India. drnbrathi@hotmail.com.

Context: Underdiagnosed and misdiagnosed rickettsial infections are important public health problems. They also lead to extensive investigations in children with fever of undetermined origin contributing to financial burden on families. The present review addresses the epidemiology, clinical features, diagnosis and management issues of these infections, primarily for a practicing clinician. Evidence acquisition: We did a PubMed, Medline and Cochrane library search for literature available in last 40 years. Results: Rickettsial infections are re-emerging and are prevalent throughout the world. In India, they are reported from Maharashtra, Tamil nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttaranchal, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Assam and West Bengal. In view of low index of suspicion, nonspecific signs and symptoms, and absence of widely available sensitive and specific diagnosic test, these infections are notoriously difficult to diagnose. Failure of timely diagnosis leads to significant morbidity and mortality. With timely diagnosis, treatment is easy, affordable and often successful with dramatic response to antimicrobials. As antimicrobials effective for rickettsial disease are usually not included in empirical therapy of nonspecific febrile illnesses, treatment of rickettsial disease is not provided unless they are suspected. Knowledge of geographical distribution, evidence of exposure to vector, clinical features like fever, rash, eschar, headache and myalgia alongwith high index of suspicion are crucial factors for early diagnosis.

PMID: 20228429 [PubMed - in process]

Coronary artery dilatation in Incomplete Kawasaki disease

Indian Pediatr. 2009 Jul;46(7):607-9.

Vijayan AP, Dinesh KB, Nath KR.

Department of Pediatrics, Malabar Institute of Medical Sciences, Calicut 673 016, Kerala, India. drvijayan.ap@gmail.com

We conducted this study to compare the incidence of coronary artery dilatation in children with Incomplete and Classical Kawasaki disease, diagnosed as per AHA criteria. Subjects were included on a retrospective review of records (2002-2007); those with a discharge diagnosis of Kawasaki disease were enrolled. A total of 29 patients were identified (3.1 per 1000 pediatric admissions), out of which 22 were boys (median age: 4.8 years; range: 4 months-11 years). Seventeen (58.6%) had Classical KD and twelve (41.4%) children had Incomplete KD. All children received IVIG and underwent echocardiography. Coronary involvement was more in Incomplete KD (11/12 = 91.6%) as compared to Classical KD (7/17= 41.1%). The sensitivity, specificity and predictive value of AHA criteria to detect coronary artery dilatation was 39%, 9%, and 41%, respectively. We conclude that children presenting with Incomplete Kawasaki disease are at a higher risk of coronary artery abnormalities.

PMID: 19638661 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Physico-chemical studies of River Pumba and distribution of prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii

J Environ Biol. 2009 Sep;30(5):709-12.

John E.

Department of Zoology, Kongunadu Arts and Science College, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore-641 029, India. elizabethmoji@gmail.com

Physico-chemical factors of river Pumba, Kerala has been analyzed to understand its relationship with the distribution of Giant river prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii in the water body. Water samples were taken from two sites on the basis of presence and absence of juveniles. Analysis of temperature, pH, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, dissolved carbon dioxide and salinity of the water samples revealed that except salinity all the other parameters were identical in both the regions. Salinity was high i.e., 5-8 per thousand in lower Kuttanad region, where juveniles were seen. In upper Kuttanad region, where only adults were located, the salinity was of freshwater pattern i.e., 2.1-2.9 per thousand. The gut content analysis of M. rosenbergii in both the regions showed similar food pattern. The study reveals the significance of a water body with high saline region for breeding purpose and low saline region i.e., freshwater pattern for adult prawns in the life cycle of M. rosenbergii.

PMID: 20136053 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Population dynamics of the rubber plantation litter beetle Luprops tristis, in relation to annual cycle of foliage phenology of its host, the para rubber tree, Hevea brasiliensis

J Insect Sci. 2009;9:1-10.

Sabu TK, Vinod KV.

Litter Entomology Research Unit, Post Graduate and Research Department of Zoology, St Joseph's College, Devagiri, Calicut, Kerala, India. sabukthomas@gmail.com

The population dynamics of the rubber plantation litter beetle, Luprops tristis Fabricius 1801 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) was assessed in relation to the phenology of leaf shedding and defoliation pattern of para rubber trees, Hevea brasiliensis Müll. Arg (Malpighiales: Euphorbiaceae), during a two year study period. The abundance of adults, larvae and pupae per 1m(2) of litter sample was recorded. Post dormancy beetles appeared in leaf litter following annual leaf shedding, whereas larvae, pupae and teneral adults were present after leaf flush. No stages were recorded from plantations following the summer rains until the annual litter fall in the next season. Parental adults peaked at the time of leaf sprouting and tender leaf fall. Larvae and teneral adults peaked at the time of premature fall of green leaves and flowers. Teneral adults of six age classes were recorded and all entered dormancy irrespective of the feeding time available to each age class. Females outnumbered males in the parent generation, while the sex ratio of new generation adults was not biased towards either sex. The phenological stages of rubber trees included leaf fall in late December and early January, leaf sprouting and new leaf production in January and flowering in February. All feeding stages of L. tristis peaked in abundance when premature leaves are most abundant in the leaf litter. Prediction of the timing of appearance of various developmental stages of L. tristis in plantations, invasion into buildings and intensity of population build up in rubber belts is possible by tracking the phenology of leaf fall in rubber plantations, time of return of post dormancy adults and the onset of summer rainfall. Perfect synchrony was recorded between the field return of parental adults with annual leaf shedding, the oviposition phase of parental adults with tender leaf fall at the time of leaf sprouting, and larval and teneral adult stages with premature fall of leaves. Premature leaf availability is suggested as contributing to the reproductive efficiency of parental adults, the survival of early developmental stages and of new generation adults during dormancy.

PMID: 20050775 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Molecular dynamics simulation studies and in vitro site directed mutagenesis of avian beta-defensin Apl_AvBD2

BMC Bioinformatics. 2010 Jan 18;11 Suppl 1:S7.

Soman SS, Sivakumar KC, Sreekumar E.

Molecular Virology Laboratory, Department of Molecular Microbiology, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thycaud PO, Thiruvananthapuram-695014, Kerala, India. soja.saghar@gmail.com

BACKGROUND: Defensins comprise a group of antimicrobial peptides, widely recognized as important elements of the innate immune system in both animals and plants. Cationicity, rather than the secondary structure, is believed to be the major factor defining the antimicrobial activity of defensins. To test this hypothesis and to improve the activity of the newly identified avian beta-defensin Apl_AvBD2 by enhancing the cationicity, we performed in silico site directed mutagenesis, keeping the predicted secondary structure intact. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation studies were done to predict the activity. Mutant proteins were made by in vitro site directed mutagenesis and recombinant protein expression, and tested for antimicrobial activity to confirm the results obtained in MD simulation analysis. RESULTS: MD simulation revealed subtle, but critical, structural variations between the wild type Apl_AvBD2 and the more cationic in silico mutants, which were not detected in the initial structural prediction by homology modelling. The C-terminal cationic 'claw' region, important in antimicrobial activity, which was intact in the wild type, showed changes in shape and orientation in all the mutant peptides. Mutant peptides also showed increased solvent accessible surface area and more number of hydrogen bonds with the surrounding water molecules. In functional studies, the Escherichia coli expressed, purified recombinant mutant proteins showed total loss of antimicrobial activity compared to the wild type protein. CONCLUSION: The study revealed that cationicity alone is not the determining factor in the microbicidal activity of antimicrobial peptides. Factors affecting the molecular dynamics such as hydrophobicity, electrostatic interactions and the potential for oligomerization may also play fundamental roles. It points to the usefulness of MD simulation studies in successful engineering of antimicrobial peptides for improved activity and other desirable functions.

PMID: 20122244 [PubMed - in process]

Thioredoxin-1 Gene Therapy Enhances Angiogenic Signaling and Reduces Ventricular Remodeling in Infarcted Myocardium of Diabetic Rats

Circulation. 2010 Mar 1. [Epub ahead of print]

Samuel SM, Thirunavukkarasu M, Penumathsa SV, Koneru S, Zhan L, Maulik G, Sudhakaran PR, Maulik N.

Molecular Cardiology and Angiogenesis Laboratory, Department of Surgery, UCONN Health Center, Farmington, Conn; Department of Biochemistry, University of Kerala, Trivandrum, Kerala, India; and Department of Cancer Biology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass.

BACKGROUND: -The present study evaluated the reversal of diabetes-mediated impairment of angiogenesis in a myocardial infarction model of type 1 diabetic rats by intramyocardial administration of an adenoviral vector encoding thioredoxin-1 (Ad.Trx1). Various studies have linked diabetes-mediated impairment of angiogenesis to dysfunctional antioxidant systems in which thioredoxin-1 plays a central role. Methods and Results-Ad.Trx1 was administered intramyocardially in nondiabetic and diabetic rats immediately after myocardial infarction. Ad.LacZ was similarly administered to the respective control groups. The hearts were excised for molecular and immunohistochemical analysis at predetermined time points. Myocardial function was measured by echocardiography 30 days after the intervention. The Ad.Trx1-administered group exhibited reduced fibrosis, oxidative stress, and cardiomyocyte and endothelial cell apoptosis compared with the diabetic myocardial infarction group, along with increased capillary and arteriolar density. Western blot and immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated myocardial overexpression of thioredoxin-1, heme oxygenase-1, vascular endothelial growth factor, and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase-beta, as well as decreased phosphorylated JNK and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase-alpha, in the Ad.Trx1-treated diabetic group. Conversely, we observed a significant reduction in the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in nondiabetic and diabetic animals treated with tin protoporphyrin (SnPP, a heme oxygenase-1 enzyme inhibitor), even after Ad.Trx1 therapy. Echocardiographic analysis after 4 weeks of myocardial infarction revealed significant improvement in myocardial functional parameters such as ejection fraction, fractional shortening, and E/A ratio in the Ad.Trx1-administered group compared with the diabetic myocardial infarction group. Conclusions-This study demonstrates for the first time that impairment of angiogenesis and myocardial dysfunction can be regulated by Ad.Trx1 gene therapy in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats subjected to infarction.

PMID: 20194885 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Polycrystalline coating of hydroxyapatite on TiAl6V4 implant material grown at lower substrate temperatures by hydrothermal annealing after pulsed laser deposition

Proc Inst Mech Eng H. 2009 Nov;223(8):1049-57.

Saju KK, Reshmi R, Jayadas NH, James J, Jayaraj MK.

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kalamassery, Kochi, Kerala 682025, India. kksaju@cusat.ac.in

Hydroxyapatite (HA) is a bioactive ceramic material that mimics the mineral composition of natural bone. This material does not possess acceptable mechanical properties for use as a bulk biomaterial; however, it does demonstrate significant potential for use as a coating on metallic orthopaedic and dental prostheses. Pulsed laser deposition (PLD) of thin films of HA on TiAl6V4 have shown crystalline coatings to be obtained at temperatures of the order of 350-500 degrees C. This condition of high substrate temperature promoted the oxidation of the substrate surface prior to the growth of the HA layer and the oxidation layer degraded the adhesion of the coating to the substrate. In this study, thin films of HA were deposited on TiAl6V4 alloy at a lower temperature of 200 degrees C by PLD and crystallized by a hydrothermal treatment at 100 degrees C. The film was subjected to mechanical as well as cell viability tests in vitro. The thickness, roughness, crystallanity, composition ratio, adhesive strength, and cell adhesion of the film suggest the application of this technique for producing bioactive implants.

PMID: 20092101 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Green synthesis of gold nanoparticles using Cinnamomum zeylanicum leaf broth

Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc. 2009 Oct 15;74(3):735-9. Epub 2009 Aug 12.

Smitha SL, Philip D, Gopchandran KG.

Department of Optoelectronics, University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram 695581, Kerala, India.

Development of biologically inspired experimental processes for the synthesis of nanoparticles is an important branch of nanotechnology. The synthesis of gold nanoparticles using Cinnamomum zeylanicum leaf broth as the reducing agent is reported. The morphology of the particles formed consists of a mixture of gold nanoprisms and spheres with fcc (111) structure of gold. At lower concentrations of the extract, formation of prism shaped Au particles dominates, while at higher concentrations almost spherical particles alone are observed. Good crystallinity of the nanoparticles with fcc phase is evident from XRD patterns, clear lattice fringes in the high resolution TEM image and bright circular rings in the SAED pattern. Au nanoparticles grown are observed to be photoluminescent and the intensity of photoemission is found to increase with increase in leaf broth concentration. The ability to modulate the shape of nanoparticles as observed in this study for gold nanoparticles opens up the exciting possibility of developing further synthetic routes employing ecofriendly sources.

PMID: 19744880 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

In vitro study on the influence of methyl parathion on soil bacterial activity

J Environ Biol. 2009 May;30(3):417-9.

Bindhya R, Sunny SA, Thanga VS.

Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Kerala, Kariavattom Campus, Thiruvananathapuram, India.

A study was conducted to find out the effect of different concentrations of Methyl parathion, an organophosphorus pesticide on soil bacterial population, soil respiratory activity and dehydrogenase activity, under laboratory conditions for a definite time period. The higher concentration (100 ppm) of Methyl parathion application, considerably reduced bacterial count, CO2 evolution and enzyme activity in soil but the microbial activities seemed to recover several weeks following pesticide application.

PMID: 20120470 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Rabies encephalitis

Indian Pediatr. 2007 Sep;44(9):702-4.

Mohite A, Prasad V, Rajam L, Madhusudana SN.

Department of Pediatrics, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Center, Kochi, Kerala, India.

A 12-year-old boy presented with fever and sore throat of 6 days duration followed by vomiting and altered sensorium. He had received 4 doses of antirabies vaccine following a dog bite 4 weeks back. Rabies immunoglobulin was not given. History of hydrophobia and aerophobia were strikingly absent. The possibilities of rabies encephalitis and vaccine induced acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) were considered. MRI brain showed exclusive grey matter changes characteristic of rabies. The diagnosis was further confirmed by serological tests.

PMID: 17921563 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Solid-Phase Peptide Synthesis of Endothelin Receptor Antagonists on Novel Flexible, Styrene-Acryloyloxyhydroxypropyl Methacrylate-Tripropyleneglycol Diacrylate [SAT] Resin

J Comb Chem. 2010 Feb 22. [Epub ahead of print]

Siyad MA, Nair AS, Kumar GS.

Chemical Biology, Molecular Medicine Division, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Poojappura, Thiruvananthapuram-695 014, Kerala, India.

Novel cross-linked polymeric support by the copolymerization of styrene and 3-(acryloyloxy)-2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate with Tri(propyleneglycol) diacryalte (SAT) for solid-phase peptide synthesis is presented here. The synthesis of SAT is based on the cross-linking of 3-(acryloyloxy)-2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate with styrene by free-radical suspension polymerization, consisting of an ester and a secondary hydroxyl group. An additional cross-linker tri(propyleneglycol) diacryalte provides a hydrophilic environment throughout the resin, which will enhance the physicochemical properties of the resin toward organic synthesis. The resins were synthesized in various cross-linking densities to check the swelling property, mechanical stability, and functional loading capacity. The resin was characterized by the IR, (13)C NMR, and SEM techniques. The extent of swelling properties of the polymer of different cross-linking densities were studied and compared with Merrifield resin and TentaGel. To demonstrate the efficiency of SAT support was proved by synthesizing the challenging peptide sequence of acyl carrier protein (ACP) and compared with commercially available Merrifield resin. It was further tested by synthesizing endothelial receptor antagonist peptides using SAT resin and compared with commercially available TentaGel resin. The standard Fmoc strategy was adopted for peptide synthesis and was characterized by MALDI-TOF MS and analyzed the purity of peptides by HPLC.

PMID: 20175557 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Self-assembled cylindrical and vesicular molecular templates for polyaniline nanofibers and nanotapes

J Phys Chem B. 2009 Aug 27;113(34):11614-24.

Anilkumar P, Jayakannan M.

Chemical Sciences and Technology Division, National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram-695019, Kerala, India.

We report a soft template approach based on a custom-designed novel surfactant-cum-dopant for size and shape tuning of polyaniline nanomaterials such as nanofibers and nanotapes via emulsion and dispersion polymerization routes. A new amphiphilic 4-(3-dodecyl-8-enylphenyloxy) butane sulfonic acid was synthesized by ring-opening of butanesultone with renewable resource cardanol. The new amphiphilic dopant forms spherical micelles in water and its critical micelle concentration was determined by dye encapsulation and surface tension methods. In the emulsion route, the amphiphilic dopant complexed with aniline to produce cylindrical micellar aggregates that template exclusively for polyaniline nanofibers. The dispersion of aniline+dopant in water/toluene solvent mixture produces vesicles that selectively template for polyaniline nanotapes. The mechanism of the polyaniline nanomaterials formation was investigated by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM). DLS of the polymerization templates in water proved the presence of micrometer range aggregates, and TEM images confirmed the shape of the cylindrical and vesicular templates. The polyaniline nanomaterials were found soluble in water and polar organic solvents for structural characterization and composition analysis by 1H NMR spectroscopy. Absorbance spectra of the nanomaterials showed free carrier tail above 900 nm in the near IR region for the delocalization of electrons in the polaron band corresponding to expanded conformation of polyaniline chains. Wide angle X-ray diffraction showed two new peaks at low angle region with d-spacing of 26.5 and 13.6 A corresponding to lamellar ordering of polyaniline chains followed by interdigitations of the amphiphilic dopant in the nanomaterials.

PMID: 19642663 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Risk factor profile for chronic non-communicable diseases: Results of a community-based study in Kerala, India

Indian J Med Res. 2010 Jan;131:53-63.

Thankappan KR, Shah B, Mathur P, Sarma PS, Srinivas G, Mini GK, Daivadanam M, Soman B, Vasan RS.

Achutha Menon Centre for Health Science Studies,Thiruvananthapuram.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Kerala State is a harbinger of what will happen in future to the rest of India in chronic non-communicable diseases (NCD). We assessed: (i) the burden of NCD risk factors; (ii) estimated the relations of behavioural risk factors to socio-demographic correlates, anthropometric risk factors with behavioural risk factors; (iii) evaluated if socio-demographic, behavioural and anthropometric risk factors predicted biochemical risk factors; and (iv) estimated awareness, treatment and adequacy of control of hypertension and diabetes, in Kerala state. METHODS: A total of 7449 individuals (51% women) stratified by age group, sex and place of residence were selected and information on behavioural risk factors; tobacco use, diet, physical activity, alcohol use, measured anthropometry, blood pressure was collected. Fasting blood samples were analysed for blood glucose, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides in a sample subset.Using multiple logistic regression models the associations between socio-demographic and anthropometric variables with biochemical risk factors were estimated. RESULTS: The burden of NCD risk factors was high in our sample. Prevalence of behavioural and each of the biochemical risk factors increased with age, adjusting for other factors including sex and the place of residence. The odds ratios relating anthropometric variables to biochemical variables were modest, suggesting that anthropometric variables may not be useful surrogates for biochemical risk factors for population screening purposes. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS: In this large study of community-based sample in Kerala, high burden of NCD risk factors was observed, comparable to that in the United States. These data may serve to propel multisectoral efforts to lower the community burden of NCD risk factors in India in general, and in Kerala, in particular.

PMID: 20167974 [PubMed - in process]

Clinical profile and etiology of diabetes mellitus with onset at less than 6 months of age

Kaohsiung J Med Sci. 2009 Dec;25(12):656-62.

Valamparampil JJ, Chirakkarot S, Savida P, Omana S.

Department of Pediatrics, Institute of Child Health, Government Medical College, Kottayam, Kerala, India.

The aim of this study was to determine the clinical profile and etiology of diabetes mellitus (DM) with onset at < 6 months of age. All children aged < 6 months diagnosed with DM at a tertiary referral center between 2005 and 2008 were included in the study. Three cases of DM with onset at < 6 months of age were identified. All patients were female and of the same ethnic origin, with nonconsanguineous parents. Intrauterine growth retardation was noted in all three patients, and diabetic ketoacidosis and hypertriglyceridemia in two of the three. Blood samples from all three patients and their parents were analyzed for mutations in the KCNJ11 gene (inwardly-rectifying potassium channel, subfamily J, member 11 gene; OMIM 600937). A heterozygous de novo mutation in the KCNJ11 gene was detected in one patient, which confirmed the diagnosis of permanent neonatal DM. Neither C-peptide secretion nor circulating islet cell antibodies were detected in any patient during diagnosis, but C-peptide elevation was detected in the patient with permanent neonatal DM after treatment with sulfonylurea. One infant had clinical and immunological evidence of congenital cytomegalovirus infection while the diabetes in another case was postulated to be syndromic. DM within the first 6 months of life is a rare condition with various etiologies. The high prevalence of Kir6.2 mutations in neonatal diabetes means that all children < 6 months of age diagnosed with diabetes should be tested for Kir6.2 mutations at diagnosis.

PMID: 19951851 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Analyzing sociodemographic factors amongst blood donors

J Emerg Trauma Shock. 2010 Jan;3(1):21-5.

Shenga N, Thankappan K, Kartha C, Pal R.

IIDD Cell, Government of Sikkim, Sikkim, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India.

INTRODUCTION: Blood transfusion is a fundamental and requisite part of any National Health Service for optimum management of emergency conditions like severe trauma shock and resuscitation with the optimum stock of its different components. The objective of the present study was to analyze the factors of knowledge of prospective blood donors that may influence their perception and awareness about blood donation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This population-based cross-sectional study was conducted at Gangtok in the state of Sikkim, India, on 300 subjects of the adult population selected by two-stage cluster sampling. The main outcome variables were the socioeconomic and demographic variables of knowledge of blood donation. By interview technique, using the pre-tested structured close-ended questionnaire, the principal investigator collected the data. RESULTS: In our study population, 46% of the study population was found to have a high knowledge score. The knowledge about blood donation was found to be statistically significant with the occupational status and the education levels, both in the bivariate and in the multivariate analyses. Knowledge about blood donation was not significantly related to age, sex, marital status, religion, community status and per capita monthly family income. CONCLUSION: The study suggested that the perceptions toward voluntary blood donation could be influenced to a large extent by sociodemographic variables of knowledge among the general population.

PMID: 20165717 [PubMed - in process]

Employment outcome and satisfaction after anterior temporal lobectomy for refractory epilepsy: a developing country's perspective

Epilepsy Behav. 2009 Nov;16(3):495-500. Epub 2009 Sep 26.

George L, Iyer RS, James R, Sankara Sarma P, Radhakrishnan K.

R. Madhavan Nair Center for Comprehensive Epilepsy Care, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Trivandrum, Kerala, India.

We examined employment outcome and its determinants in 172 south Indian patients who had undergone anterior temporal lobectomy (ATL) for medically refractory epilepsy. Despite seizure-free outcome in the majority, a significant change in post-ATL employment status occurred only in those involved in skilled jobs. Although factors such as younger age at surgery, shorter duration of epilepsy, longer post-ATL follow-up duration, and lower income were associated with favorable employment outcome in univariate analysis, only shorter duration of epilepsy was independently predictive in the multivariate model. A majority of homemakers appreciated marked improvement in their own day-to-day activities. Our patients did not express their desire to work as a principal aim of epilepsy surgery. To enhance occupational attainment, patients require, before epilepsy surgery, occupational assessment to identify their individual abilities and limitations and counseling in formulating realistic goals. After surgery, they require continued support in vocational training and job seeking.

PMID: 19783220 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Marine mycoflora in backwater ecosystem of Kerala, India

J Environ Biol. 2009 Sep;30(5):647-9.

Nambiar GR, Raveendran K.

Department of Post Graduate Studies and Research in Botany, Sir Syed College, Taliparamba, Kerala-670 142, India. grn_149@rediffmail.com

Back water system of Kerala is well known for its fertility. Fungi play a vital role in detritus decomposition, nutrient cycling and energy flow in marine food web including backwater ecosystem. Present investigation on the diversity of marine fungi from two back waters of Kerala resulted in the isolation of 20 marine fungi. These include 11 Ascomycetes, 1 Basidiomycete and 8 Mitosporic fungi. In terms of percent frequency of occurrence the most common species obtained were Aniptodera chesapeakensis, Verruculina enalia, Savoryella lignicola and Clavatospora bulbosa. Ascochyta sp. was represented by only a single isolate.

PMID: 20136041 [PubMed - in process]

Water quality assessment of open wells in and around Chavara industrial area, Quilon, Kerala

J Environ Biol. 2009 Sep;30(5):701-4.

Shaji C, Nimi H, Bindu L.

Department of Botany, Sree Narayana College, Quilon, Kerala-691 001, India. shajchellappan@gmail.com

Water quality of four open wells representing four localities around the Kerala Minerals and Metals Ltd industrial area, Chavara, Quilon district was studied fora period of six months from December, 2006 to May 2007 to assess the suitability of the well waters for domestic purposes. The well waters exhibited high BOD (average values from 12.87-15.96 mg l(-1)), COD (666.67-796.67 mg l(-1)), TDS (500-1466.67mg l(-1)), total hardness (110-835 mg l(-1)), nitrate (1.12-4.97 mg l(-1)), calcium (30.59-271.22 mg l(-1)), phosphate (0.19-0.48 mg l(-1)) and free CO2 (49.13-102.47 mg l(-1)) and low dissolved oxygen (2.63-3.13 mg l(-1)). Heavy metal analysis revealed that the third and fourth wells are free from heavy metal pollution. Coliform test showed bacterial contamination in all the wells. The values of BOD, COD, TDS and phosphate exceeded the maximum permissible limits and the dissolved oxygen was much lower than the desirable limit in all the well waters. Hence all the four well waters are found unsuitable for domestic purposes as it is confirmed by water quality index. The use of waters of open wells in and around the industrial area may cause health hazards to nearby inhabitants.

PMID: 20136051 [PubMed - in process]

Does intravenous rtPA benefit patients in the absence of CT angiographically visible intracranial occlusion?

Neurol India. 2009 November-December;57(6):739-743

Sylaja PN, Dzialowski I, Puetz V, Eliasziw M, Hill MD, Krol A, O'Reilly C, Demchuk AM.

Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Calgary Stroke Program, Calgary, Alberta; Ananthapuri Hospitals and Research Institute, Kerala, India

Background : In patients with acute stroke receiving intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), we postulated that the presence of intracranial occlusion on CT angiography (CTA) modifies the benefit of thrombolysis. Materials and Methods : Using a retrospective cohort design, we identified patients with acute ischemic stroke in our CTA database between May 2002 and August 2007. All the patients had a CTA within 12 h of onset, a premorbid modified Rankin scale (mRS) #1, and a baseline National Institute of Health Stroke Scale score(NIHSS)f $6. The primary outcome was early effectiveness of tPA defined as an NIHSS score of #2 at 24 h or a 4-point NIHSS improvement at 24 h. Secondary outcome included mRS #1 at 90 days. The relationship between intracranial occlusion on CTA and benefit of tPA was assessed using a test for interaction. Results : A total of 287 patients met the criteria [occlusion present N =168; (98 with tPA; 70 without tPA) and occlusion absent N = 119; (52 with tPA; 67 without tPA)]. Those with intracranial occlusion were likely to have more severe strokes (NIHSS $15; P < 0.001) and abnormal brain imaging (ASPECTS #7; P < 0.001). For outcome of 4-point NIHSS score improvement at 24 h, benefit from tPA was observed only among patients with a visible occlusion (absolute difference in favor of tPA: 20.4% vs. 0.7%; P = 0.06). Conclusion : In patients with acute ischemic stroke, thrombolysis produced a better early clinical response among patients with intracranial occlusion, which needs to be confirmed in stroke thrombolysis trials.

PMID: 20139502 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Zinc status in chronic pancreatitis and its relationship with exocrine and endocrine insufficiency

JOP. 2009 Nov 5;10(6):651-6.

Girish BN, Rajesh G, Vaidyanathan K, Balakrishnan V.

Department of Gastroenterology, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences. Cochin 682 041, Kerala, India.

CONTEXT: A major role of the pancreas in zinc homeostasis has been suggested. OBJECTIVE: To assess erythrocyte zinc status in chronic pancreatitis and to correlate it with pancreatic exocrine and endocrine insufficiency. PATIENTS: One hundred and one patients with chronic pancreatitis (34 alcoholic chronic pancreatitis, 67 tropical chronic pancreatitis) were prospectively studied. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Disease characteristics and imaging features were recorded. Erythrocyte zinc was estimated by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Exocrine insufficiency was assessed using polyclonal antibody ELISA for pancreatic stool elastase1. Endocrine insufficiency was assessed by serum glucose levels and insulin requirement. RESULTS: Erythrocyte zinc was significantly lower in chronic pancreatitis patients than in the controls (26.5+/-9.5 microg/g Hb vs. 38.0+/-6.6 microg/g Hb; P<0.001), and in tropical chronic pancreatitis than in alcoholic chronic pancreatitis (25.0+/-10.4 microg/g Hb vs. 29.6+/-6.5 microg/g Hb, P=0.001). In chronic pancreatitis patients who had exocrine insufficiency, erythrocyte zinc positively correlated with stool elastase1 (r=0.587, P<0.001). Erythrocyte zinc levels were significantly lower in diabetic patients as compared to non-diabetics (P=0.036). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates zinc deficiency in chronic pancreatitis patients, and that zinc deficiency correlates with exocrine and endocrine insufficiency. Further studies may clarify the possible benefits of zinc supplementation in chronic pancreatitis.

PMID: 19890187 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

In vitro cytocompatibility evaluation of a thermoresponsive NIPAAm-MMA copolymeric surface using L929 cells

J Mater Sci Mater Med. 2010 Jan 22. [Epub ahead of print]

Varghese VM, Raj V, Sreenivasan K, Kumary TV.

Tissue Culture Laboratory, Division of Implant Biology, Biomedical Technology Wing, Sree Chithra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Trivandrum, Kerala, India.

Scaffold free tissue constructs are preferred in tissue engineering as they overcome all the problems associated with scaffolds. Stimuli responsive polymers enable generation of scaffold free multilayered tissue constructs which would in turn reduce the use of biomaterials in vivo. In this study, we investigated cytocompatibility and thermoresponsiveness of a copolymer of N-Isopropylacrylamide and Methyl Methacrylate. Thermoresponsive surfaces were prepared by coating tissue culture polystyrene with the copolymer solution in isopropanol. Mammalian fibroblast cells (L929 cells) readily adhered on the copolymer. The viability and cellular activity was ensured through Neutral red staining, MTT assay, Tritiated thymidine uptake assay and Immunofluorescent staining for cytoskeletal organisation. Incubation under lower critical solution temperature of copolymer resulted in intact detachment of cells. To conclude, in-house synthesized cytocompatible smart culture substrate intended for tissue engineering was developed using a cost effective and simple technique. Moreover, presence of methyl methacrylate in the copolymer reduced the lower critical solution temperature facilitating extended in vitro manipulation time. As the copolymer is insoluble in water, the copolymer could be polymerised without additional crosslinkers.

PMID: 20094902 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Dynamics of growth and weight transitions in a pediatric cohort from India

Nutr J. 2009 Nov 23;8:55

Raj M, Sundaram KR, Paul M, Sudhakar A, Kumar RK.

Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Kochi, Kerala, India. drmanuraj@gmail.com

BACKGROUND: There is paucity of information regarding time trends of weight status in children from rapidly developing economies like India. The aim of the study was to analyse the dynamics of growth and weight transitions in a cohort of school children from India. METHODS: A population of 25 228 children was selected using stratified random sampling method from schools in a contiguous area in Ernakulam District, Kerala, India. Weight and height were measured at two time points, one in 2003-04 and another in 2005-06. The paired data of 12 129 children aged 5-16 years were analysed for the study. RESULTS: The mean interval between the two surveys was 2.02 +/- 0.32 years. The percentage of underweight, normal weight, overweight and obese children in the year 2003-04 were 38.4%, 56.6%, 3.7%, and 1.3% respectively. The corresponding figures in year 2005-06 were 29.9%, 63.6%, 4.8% and 1.7% respectively. Among the underweight children, 34.8% migrated to normal weight status and 0.1% migrated to overweight status. Conversion of underweight to normal weight predominated in urban area and girls. Among the normal weight children, 8.6% migrated to underweight, 4.1% migrated to overweight and 0.4% migrated to obesity. Conversion of normal weight to overweight status predominated in urban area, private schools and boys. Conversion of normal weight to underweight predominated in rural area, government schools and boys. Among the overweight children, 26.7% migrated to normal weight status, 16.4% became obese and 56.9% retained their overweight status. Of the obese children, 6.2% improved to normal weight status, 25.3% improved to overweight status and 68.5% remained as obese in 2005-06. There was significant difference in trends between socio demographic subgroups regarding conversion of underweight status to normal weight as well as normal weight status to overweight. CONCLUSION: The study population is experiencing rapid growth and nutritional transitions characterised by a decline in the underweight population coupled with an escalation of the overweight population. The heterogeneous nature of this transition appears to be due to differences in socio demographic factors.

PMCID: PMC2784800
PMID: 19930643 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Effect of 980-nm diode laser and 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser on the intervertebral disc--in vitro and in vivo studies

Photomed Laser Surg. 2009 Aug;27(4):547-52.

Jayasree RS, Gupta AK, Bodhey NK, Mohanty M.

Department of Imaging Sciences & Interventional Radiology, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences & Technology, Trivandrum, Kerala, India. jayashreemenon@gmail.com

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to histologically evaluate the thermal changes in bovine intervertebral discs caused by 980-nm diode and 1064-nm Nd:YAG lasers. Further aims were to standardize the technique for in vivo animal research and to study its efficacy for clinical practice. BACKGROUND: When conservative methods fail, surgery has so far been the only measure for severe back pain due to disc prolapse and herniation. Recently, the minimally invasive technique of laser disc decompression has become more popular because it has advantages over open surgery in properly selected cases. METHODS: In vitro studies were done with Nd:YAG and diode lasers (1064 and 980 nm, respectively) on bovine intervertebral discs using a bare fiber tip or a focusing lens attached to a fiber tip. These studies were followed by in vivo studies in a canine model using a Nd:YAG laser with a bare fiber tip. Autopsies were done immediately and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 mo after ablation and the histopathology of excised discs was evaluated. RESULTS: Depending upon the depth of ablation and the intensity of charring and carbonization, a standardized energy density and pulse duration were identified. CONCLUSION: Nd:YAG laser with initial delivery of 40-W laser power and a reduced power of 10-15 W thereafter, delivering a total energy density of 1500-2000 J/cm(2) using a bare fiber tip, is recommended for clinical applications.

PMID: 19694506 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Learning from each other: cross-cultural insights on palliative care in Indian and Australian regions

Int J Palliat Nurs. 2009 Oct 23;15(10):499-509.

McGrath P, Holewa H, Koilparampil T, Koshy C, George S.

This article presents the findings of a cross-cultural research project that explored similarities and differences between palliative care service provision in Kerala, India and South-East Queensland, Australia, to inform a process of mutual learning for service development. Three major points of difference that can inform this process of mutual learning were identified: 1) an understanding of the significance of honesty in information-giving to the patient, 2) recognition of the importance of palliative care specialists providing education to mainstream health professionals, and 3) appreciation of the need for palliative care to be cognizant of the socio-economic impact of dying-especially for families experiencing poverty-by embracing strategies for financial and material support. The findings highlight the effectiveness of a cross-cultural collaboration between health professionals and researchers in South-East Queensland, Australia and Kerala, India.

PMID: 20081722 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Single Polymer Photosensitizer for Tb(3+) and Eu(3+) Ions: An Approach for White Light Emission Based on Carboxylic-Functionalized Poly(m-phenylenevin

J Phys Chem B. 2009 Sep 25. [Epub ahead of print]

Single Polymer Photosensitizer for Tb(3+) and Eu(3+) Ions: An Approach for White Light Emission Based on Carboxylic-Functionalized Poly(m-phenylenevinylene)s.

Balamurugan A, Reddy ML, Jayakannan M.
Chemical Sciences and Technology Division, National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology, Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), Thiruvananthapuram-695019, Kerala, India, and Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), NCL Innovation Park, Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pune 411008, India.

Here, we have demonstrated a facile molecular approach to generate white light emission by combining carboxylic functionalized poly(m-phenylenevinylene)s polymeric architectures with lanthanide beta-diketonate complexes. The new class of carboxylic functional conjugated polymeric materials was custom-designed from phenyl propanoic and acetic acids and structurally characterized by NMR, FT-IR, and MALDI-TOF spectroscopic techniques. The designed conjugated polymers were employed for the synthesis of lanthanide complexes in the presence of acetyl acetone (acac) as coligand and investigated their photophysical properties. For comparison, carboxylic-anchored oligo-phenylenevinylene (OPV) was also designed, characterized, and utilized for the synthesis of lanthanide complexes in the presence of acetyl acetone as coligand. Investigations revealed that carboxylic functionalized polymeric material with Eu(3+)-beta-diketonate complex exhibits unique magenta emission when excited at 310 nm. On the other hand, carboxylic functionalized polymeric material with Tb(3+)-beta-diketonate complex shows bright sky-blue emission. Interestingly, when Eu(3+) and Tb(3+) were incorporated into polymer backbone in equimolar ratio along with acetyl acetone as coligand, exhibited a white emission with CIE 1976 color coordinates x = 0.28, y = 0.34. The intrinsic quantum yield and lifetime of Ln(3+) complexes have been evaluated. The singlet and triplet energy levels of the antenna chromophore ligands have been calculated and the probable energy transfer mechanisms in Ln(3+) complexes have also been discussed. The effect of polymer structure and spacer effect on the photosensitizing of Tb(3+) and Eu(3+) ions was also investigated.

PMID: 19780548 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Early growth and markers of cardiovascular risk in Keralan children in the Integrated Child Development Scheme

Public Health Nutr. 2009 Sep 22:1-7. [Epub ahead of print]

Early growth and markers of cardiovascular risk in Keralan children in the Integrated Child Development Scheme.

Brown N, Sasidharan CK, Fisher D.
Salisbury District Hospital, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP2 8BJ, UK.

OBJECTIVE: Low birth weight is associated with increased lifelong morbidity. Kerala has a renowned, low-cost, maternal-child health system in which is couched universal access to the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS), central to which is community-based maternal-infant nutritional supplementation. We assessed whether children in this environment showed enhanced birth weight and postnatal growth and whether the evolution of early markers of CVD was attenuated in comparison to contemporaries from other states. DESIGN: A part retrospective, part prospective cohort study in which children (n 286) born in 1998-2000 in Calicut were identified from Anganwadi records. They were traced at 6 years and underwent full anthropometry and blood pressure measurements at 6 and 8 years. RESULTS: Mean birth weight (2.86 (sd 0.40) kg) was greater than in Indian contemporaries but consistently <-1sd below the National Center for Health Statistics reference median throughout childhood. Birth weight significantly predicted body mass (BMI) at 8 years. Lower birth weight was strongly predictive of a higher waist:hip ratio (WHR) indicative of adverse central (coelomic) fat distribution (P < 0.01). Faster weight gain in infancy was weakly predictive of a lower WHR (P = 0.59), but faster late childhood growth at 6-8 years was non-significantly predictive of adverse WHR. CONCLUSIONS: At 8 years of age, children in Calicut participating in the ICDS have greater birth weight and relative attenuation of the evolution of early CVD markers compared with children in apparently comparable states. The relative contributions of the ICDS and other factors inherent to Kerala cannot be inferred from the present study.

PMID: 19772693 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Effect of 980-nm diode laser and 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser on the intervertebral disc--in vitro and in vivo studies

Photomed Laser Surg. 2009 Aug;27(4):547-52.

Effect of 980-nm diode laser and 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser on the intervertebral disc--in vitro and in vivo studies.

Jayasree RS, Gupta AK, Bodhey NK, Mohanty M.
Department of Imaging Sciences & Interventional Radiology, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences & Technology, Trivandrum, Kerala, India. jayashreemenon@gmail.com

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to histologically evaluate the thermal changes in bovine intervertebral discs caused by 980-nm diode and 1064-nm Nd:YAG lasers. Further aims were to standardize the technique for in vivo animal research and to study its efficacy for clinical practice. BACKGROUND: When conservative methods fail, surgery has so far been the only measure for severe back pain due to disc prolapse and herniation. Recently, the minimally invasive technique of laser disc decompression has become more popular because it has advantages over open surgery in properly selected cases. METHODS: In vitro studies were done with Nd:YAG and diode lasers (1064 and 980 nm, respectively) on bovine intervertebral discs using a bare fiber tip or a focusing lens attached to a fiber tip. These studies were followed by in vivo studies in a canine model using a Nd:YAG laser with a bare fiber tip. Autopsies were done immediately and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 mo after ablation and the histopathology of excised discs was evaluated. RESULTS: Depending upon the depth of ablation and the intensity of charring and carbonization, a standardized energy density and pulse duration were identified. CONCLUSION: Nd:YAG laser with initial delivery of 40-W laser power and a reduced power of 10-15 W thereafter, delivering a total energy density of 1500-2000 J/cm(2) using a bare fiber tip, is recommended for clinical applications.

PMID: 19694506 [PubMed - in process]

Could a strong alkali deproteinization replace the standard lysis step in alkaline single cell gel electrophoresis (comet) assay (pH>13)

Mutat Res. 2009 Jun 26. [Epub ahead of print]

Could a strong alkali deproteinization replace the standard lysis step in alkaline single cell gel electrophoresis (comet) assay (pH>13)?

Kumar PR, Cheriyan VD, Seshadri M. 
Low Level Radiation Research Laboratory, Radiation Biology and Health Science Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre

The alkaline version of single cell gel electrophoresis (Comet) assay is widely used for evaluating DNA damage at the individual cell level. The standard alkaline method of the comet assay involves deproteinization of cells embedded in agarose gel using a high salt-detergent lysis buffer, followed by denaturation of DNA and electrophoresis using a strong alkali at pH>13 [Exp. Cell. Res. 175 (1988) 184-191]. However, a recent report showed that a strong alkali treatment results in simultaneous deproteinization of cells and denaturation of genomic DNA [Mutat. Res. 607 (2006) 205-214]. This study was carried out to test whether the strong alkali deproteinization of cells could replace the high salt-detergent lysis step used in the standard method of the alkaline comet assay. Peripheral blood lymphocytes from 3 healthy individuals were irradiated with gamma rays at doses varying between 0 and 10 Gy. Following irradiation, the comet assay was performed according to the standard alkaline method (pH>13) and a modified method. In the modified method, agarose embedded cells were treated with a strong alkali (0.3M NaOH, 0.02M Trizma and 1mM EDTA, pH>13) for 20minutes to allow deproteinization of cells and denaturation of DNA. This was followed by electrophoresis using the same alkali solution to obtain comets. DNA damage expressed in terms of comet tail length, percentage of DNA in comet tail and tail moment obtained by the standard alkaline method and the modified method were compared. In both methods, DNA damage showed a good correlation with the dose of gamma ray. The results indicate a satisfactory sensitivity of the modified method in detecting radiation-induced DNA damage in human peripheral blood lymphocytes.

PMID: 19563911 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

What determines nutritional recovery in malnourished children after correction of congenital heart defects

Pediatrics. 2009 Aug;124(2):e294-9. Epub 2009 Jul 5.

What determines nutritional recovery in malnourished children after correction of congenital heart defects?

Vaidyanathan B, Radhakrishnan R, Sarala DA, Sundaram KR, Kumar RK.
Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Center, Kochi, Kerala, India. baluvaidyanathan@gmail.com

BACKGROUND: Malnutrition is common in children with congenital heart disease (CHD), especially in developing countries. OBJECTIVE: To examine the impact of corrective intervention on the nutritional status of children with CHD and identify factors associated with suboptimal recovery. METHODS: Consecutive patients with CHD in a tertiary center in South India were evaluated for nutritional status before and 2 years after corrective intervention. Anthropometry was performed at presentation and every 6 months for 2 years, and z scores were compared. Malnutrition was defined as a weight-for-age, height-for-age, and weight/height z score <-2. Determinants of malnutrition were entered into a multivariate logistic regression analysis model. RESULTS: Of 476 patients undergoing corrective intervention (surgical: 344; catheter-based: 132) z scores of less than -2 for weight for age, height for age, and weight/height were recorded in 59%, 26.3%, and 55.9% of patients, respectively, at presentation. On follow-up (425 patients [92.5% of survivors; 20.63 +/- 13.1 months of age]), z scores for weight for age and weight/height improved significantly from the baseline (weight: -1.42 +/- 1.03 vs -2.19 +/- 1.16; P < .001; weight/height: -1.15 +/- 1.25 vs -2.09 +/- 1.3; P < .001). Height-for-age z scores were not significantly different. Malnutrition persisted in 116 (27.3%) patients on follow-up and was associated with a birth weight of

Clinical profile of Chikungunya in infants

Indian J Pediatr. 2009 Feb;76(2):151-5. Epub 2009 Mar 28.

Clinical profile of Chikungunya in infants.

Valamparampil JJ, Chirakkarot S, Letha S, Jayakumar C, Gopinathan KM.
Department of Pediatrics, Institute of Child Health, Government Medical College, Kerala, India.

OBJECTIVE: To define the clinical manifestations of Chikungunya infection in infants. METHODS: The inclusion criteria was fever (defined as axillary temperature > 99.6 degrees F) with any one of the following features; seizure, loose stools, peripheral cyanosis, skin manifestations or pedal edema in children less than one year. Details of disease from onset of illness till admission were noted and a thorough clinical examination was done at the time of admission. Daily follow-up was performed and the serial order of appearance of clinical features was noted till complete recovery. The sera collected from patients after the 7th day of onset of fever was analyzed for specific chikungunya antibody by IgM antibody capture enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: Fifty six (56) infants were laboratory confirmed for chikungunya, consisting of 34 (60.71%) males and 22 (39.29%) females. 4 (7.14%) infants were less than 1 month of age, 39 (69.64%) 2-6 months old and 13 (23.21%) 7-12 months old. Fever was invariably present, but associated constitutional symptoms in infants consisted of lethargy or irritability and excessive cry. The most characteristic feature of the infection in infants was acrocyanosis and symmetrical superficial vesicobullous lesions were noted in most infants. Erythematous asymmetrical macules and patches were observed which later progressed to morbiliform rashes. The face and oral cavity was spared in all observed patients. CONCLUSION: An entirely different spectrum of disease is seen in infants with chikungunya as compared to older children who need to be carefully observed for. The morbidity and mortality of the disease may be avoided by the rational use of drugs and close monitoring of all infants.

PMID: 19330303 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Clinical profile of Chikungunya in infants

Indian J Pediatr. 2009 Feb;76(2):151-5. Epub 2009 Mar 28.

Clinical profile of Chikungunya in infants.

Valamparampil JJ, Chirakkarot S, Letha S, Jayakumar C, Gopinathan KM.
Department of Pediatrics, Institute of Child Health, Government Medical College, Kerala, India.

OBJECTIVE: To define the clinical manifestations of Chikungunya infection in infants. METHODS: The inclusion criteria was fever (defined as axillary temperature > 99.6 degrees F) with any one of the following features; seizure, loose stools, peripheral cyanosis, skin manifestations or pedal edema in children less than one year. Details of disease from onset of illness till admission were noted and a thorough clinical examination was done at the time of admission. Daily follow-up was performed and the serial order of appearance of clinical features was noted till complete recovery. The sera collected from patients after the 7th day of onset of fever was analyzed for specific chikungunya antibody by IgM antibody capture enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: Fifty six (56) infants were laboratory confirmed for chikungunya, consisting of 34 (60.71%) males and 22 (39.29%) females. 4 (7.14%) infants were less than 1 month of age, 39 (69.64%) 2-6 months old and 13 (23.21%) 7-12 months old. Fever was invariably present, but associated constitutional symptoms in infants consisted of lethargy or irritability and excessive cry. The most characteristic feature of the infection in infants was acrocyanosis and symmetrical superficial vesicobullous lesions were noted in most infants. Erythematous asymmetrical macules and patches were observed which later progressed to morbiliform rashes. The face and oral cavity was spared in all observed patients. CONCLUSION: An entirely different spectrum of disease is seen in infants with chikungunya as compared to older children who need to be carefully observed for. The morbidity and mortality of the disease may be avoided by the rational use of drugs and close monitoring of all infants.

PMID: 19330303 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]