Agra Region Research Articles

DNA FINGERPRINTING OF MYCOBACTERIUM TUBERCULOSIS ISOLATES FROM AGRA REGION BY IS 6110 PROBE

DNA fingerprinting using IS 6110 probe has been used all over the world quite successfully to characterize M. tuberculosis strains. The present study has been carried out to study the polymorphism among isolates of M.tuberculosis from Agra region from patients attending the clinics at SN Medical College and TBDTC, Agra. Sputa were collected in sterilized containers and brought to CJIL, Agra. Samples were processed and cultured on Lowenstein Jensen (LJ) slants. M. tuberculosis isolates were identified by standard biochemical tests. DNA from these isolates were purified by a physicochemical procedure, restricted with Pvu II enzyme and hybridized with PCR amplified and DIG labeled 245 bp IS 6110 probe. With a view to study IS 6110 polymorphism, M. tuberculosis isolates obtained from different geographical areas of Agra region were analyzed. Among the 60 isolates taken in study, 5 had no copy of IS 6110, 8 had 1-4 copies and 47 had multiple copies of IS 6110. DNA fingerprinting using this probe was found to be quite discriminating for typing of most of the strains (80%) which had multiple copies. RFLP profiles did not correlate with geographical areas, contacts or the resistance pattern of the strains. While this data shows the potential of IS 6110 based RFLP for strain characterization of M.tuberculosis in Agra, to understand the molecular epidemiology of tuberculosis in this region, a larger number of isolates from defined geographical areas need to be studied.

Acid deposition and critical load analysis in Agra, India

The deposition of sulphur (161.1 eq. ha −1 per year), nitrogen(49.9 eq. ha −1 per year), and ammonium (176.8 eq. ha −1 per year) from the atmosphere were calculated for both wet and dry deposition in Agra region of India. Seven sampling sites located at Bichpuri, Bah, Fatehabad, Shamsabad, Nunhai, Dayalbagh, and St. John’s College were used. The values for critical load of sulphur and nitrogen for soil with respect to Hibiscus ( Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) and Black siris ( Albizzia odoratissima) were calculated. The methodology employed involved the steady state mass balance (SSMB) method. The values of actual acidity were compared with the RAINS-Asia model. On comparing the acidity, it was found that the values computed by RAINS-Asia model are higher for this area.

A Long Term Study on Chemical Composition of Rainwater at Dayalbagh, a Suburban Site of Semiarid Region

Rainwater samples were collected for the monsoon period of 1988 and 1991–1996 at Dayalbagh (Agra), a suburban site situated in semiaridregion. The mean pH was 7.01 ±1.03 well above 5.6, which is the reference pH. Concentration of Ca2+ was observed to be highest followed by Mg2+, NH4+,SO42−, Cl−,NO3−, Na+, F− and K+. The ratios of SO42− + NO3− andCa2+ + Mg2+ (TA/TC) have been considered as indicatorfor acidity. In the Agra region ratio of TA/TC is quite below 1.0 indicating alkaline nature of rainwater. The lowest value of 0.24 was observed in 1991 likely due to the lowest rain depth of the decade. The highest value of 0.54 was observed in 1996, a year with a large rain depth and increase in line (vehicular traffic) and area sources (population growth). Good correlation between Ca2+ and NO3−,Ca2+ and SO42− andSO42− and NO3−,indicates that wind carried dust and soil play a significant role in neutralization of precipitation acidity.

Deriving critical loads for the Agra region in India

A steady state mass balance (SMB) method was used to calculate the critical load of S and N for soil. The present load of sulphur (160.6 Eq ha−1 year−1), nitrogen (49.6 Eq ha−1 year−1) and ammonium (172.4 Eq ha−1 year−1) were calculated from wet and dry depositions collected from the Agra region. The values of the critical load of S and N for soil with respect to Cenchrus ciliaris (Anjan grass) were 309.2 and 381.8 Eq ha−1 year−1, respectively. The present loads are lower than the critical loads in this region. The critical loads calculated by the SMB method from the experimental data are in agreement with the results obtained from the RAINS-Asia model for this region.

Movement of Relative Value of Output of Agricultural Crops in the Agra Region (c. 1600-1900)

Movement of Relative Value of Output of Agricultural Crops in the Agra Region (c. 1600-1900)

Potential hazards of nitrate and fluoride in underground waters

Underground waters of the semi-arid tract of Agra region (India) were examined for their nitrate and fluoride concentration along with other chemical constituents. The results indicated that 40 and 49% of the waters contained injurious concentrations of nitrate and fluoride respectively for drinking water. Only 28.4% of the waters were useful for some crops because of excessively high nitrate concentrations ( > 100 mg l −1 ) and 23.1% were harmful for common crops with respect to fluoride concentration ( > 10 mg l −1 ). Generally, high salinity waters had a high nitrate and fluoride content.

Atmospheric contamination of archaeological monuments in the Agra region (India)

An analysis of water-soluble samples collected from marble and sandstone of monuments for different ions have been done. The combustion, manufacturing and other polluting operations existing within Agra area have been investigated. The measurements of flue gases amounting to 3.63 × 10 9 S.C.F. indicate atmospheric contamination and deterioration of archaeological monuments of Agra. It has been found that the principal sources of air contamination are the 325 iron foundries and 3 railway shunting yards located within 0.3 to 3.0 Km. of the main monuments. The topographical and micrometeorological conditions of the city have tended to favour and aggravate the concentration of effluents in the surrounding air of the monuments. The annual average existing level of SO 2 ranges from 16 to 20 micrograms/m 3. The seasonal distribution of SO 2 and suspended particulate matter in the air at Taj Mahal, Red Fort and Sikandra have been discussed and illustrated. It has been observed that there is substantial sulphur dioxide contamination existing at Agra. The maximum concentration of SO 4 2− and NO 3 − amounting 0.46 and 0.38 respectively by weight percentage found existing at Red Fort cause efflorescences of sandstone.

An epidemiological study of hysteria.

SummaryIn a comprehensive epidemiological study conducted by a census survey in a population of 29,468 individuals in the Agra region of Uttar Pradesh, northern India, 261 cases of conversion symptoms in the form of hysterical fits were detected constituting a prevalence rate of 8.9 per thousand (Dube, 1970). The study population consisted of residents in urban, semi-rural and rural areas. The prevalence rate was significantly higher in urban than in rural areas. Females constituted 96.1% of all cases of hysteria. The highest incidence rate was in the age group 15–24 years. The role of caste, marital status and educational level, found to be associated with the occurrence of symptoms, has been discussed.

An epidemiological study of schizophrenia.

This report is based on the findings of an epidemiological study of 29,468 rural, semi-rural and urban inhabitants of the Agra region of Uttar Pradesh. The survey was made in order to find out the prevalence of severe mental disorders and associated conditions in an Indian community. The sampling was purposive and areas selected were contiguous. Census methods were used. All inhabitants were investigated by a team consisting of a psychologist, a statistician, social workers and psychiatrists. After reconnaissance and initial contact by home visits, suspected cases were detected by a searching inquiry and the information so obtained was carefully documented. These cases were subjected to psychiatric examination and abnormal ones identified. Consultation with another psychiatrist was necessary to make a final diagnosis.The lifetime prevalence rate of schizophrenia was 2·2 per thousand, about the same frequency as found in other parts of the world. The maximum number of cases occurred in males between the ages of 15 and 24 and in females between the ages of 35 and 44. Single people, that is, never married, widowed, divorced or separated suffered significantly much more from the disease than bachelors and married people. A significant relationship was found between schizophrenia and castes in Vaish and Brahmin males as compared with others. The highest rate of schizophrenia was found among people in unremunerative status. Intoxicants were used more by schizophrenics than by normal people. Caste group indulgents had their own preferences in drug use, cannabis indulgence being highest among Brahmins. No association of schizophrenia with residence, educational status or sex was found.