Eastern Part Of India Research Articles

Prevalence of constitutional macrothrombocytopenia in the immigrants of Northern and Eastern states of India.

Thrombocytopenia is generally alarming to both clinicians and patients as the consequence can be disastrous. However, some of the conditions associated with thrombocytopenia can be innocuous. Unless this is recognized, detection of thrombocytopenia results in series of further investigations and management plan by clinicians. Hematological investigation in an apparently healthy/asymptomatic individual can throw up many surprises. One of them is thrombocytopenia and giant platelets on peripheral smear examination. Asymptomatic constitutional macrothrombocytopenia (also called as Harris platelet syndrome) is increasingly recognized in north and eastern parts of India. However, this condition is nearly unknown in southern part of our country. With Increased immigrants to south India from northern and eastern states, it becomes imperative for both clinicians and lab physicians to be aware of the magnitude of the condition and interpret appropriately. This can avoid unnecessary anxiety and investigations. Blood samples from 300 north and northeastern immigrants (Cases) and equal number of healthy subjects from south India (Controls) were examined for hematological parameters. Peripheral smears were examined for the presence of giant platelets. Results: Constitutional macrothrombocytopenia was seen in 4.3% of the cases and in 0.66% of the controls. The difference was statistically significant with a Fischer exact P value of 0.0067. The prevalence of macrothrombocytopenia on subjective assessment of peripheral smear was 6.7% in the cases and 1% in the control group. The prevalence of Harris platelet syndrome was found to be 4.3% in the immigrants from north and northeastern states.

Screening of genotypes against viral diseases and assessment of yield loss due to yellow vein mosaic virus in okra grown in the eastern part of India

Yellow vein mosaic virus (YVMV) and enation leaf curl virus (ELCV) are major viral diseases of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus [L.] Moench) in the tropics threatening its commercial cultivation. The study aims to screen okra genotypes against viral diseases and to study inter-relationships between YVMV disease severity and whitefly population with leaf morphological parameters and to assess the extent of marketable yield loss due to YVMV infection. Out of 565 genotypes screened, only BCO-1 was found to be resistant against YVMV disease, while two genotypes IC111551 and IC433616 were found moderately susceptible against ELCV disease up to 60 days after sowing. Negatively significant correlations were recorded between adaxial and abaxial pubescence density and the number of whitefly adults throughout the growth stages of plant. Similar trend of correlations were also observed between leaf morphological parameters and YVMV disease severity. The marketable yield loss of YVMV ranged from 17.09 to 96.49%. The resistance of BCO-1 to YVMV and ELCV is based on antixenotic property of the genotype, and could be utilized in future dual disease resistant breeding programme.

A Forearm Gossypiboma which Mimicked a Deep Seated Abscess: A Case Report from a Tertiary Care Institute in Eastern Part of India

A Forearm Gossypiboma which Mimicked a Deep Seated Abscess: A Case Report from a Tertiary Care Institute in Eastern Part of India

Role of LRRK2 variant p.Gly2019Ser in patients with Parkinsonism.

Background & objectives:Parkinsonian disorder, including Parkinson's disease (PD), is an aetiologically complex neurodegenerative disorder. Mutations in leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) gene have been implicated in an autosomal dominant form of PD with variable penetrance. The identification of a common LRRK2 variant (p.Gly2019Ser) in dementia with Lewy bodies indicated its potential role in Parkinsonian disorder. The current study was aimed to identify the p.Gly2019Ser variant in Indian patients with Parkinsonian disorder.Methods:The patient group consisting of 412 classical PD patients, 107 PD patients with cognitive impairment, 107 patients with Parkinson plus syndrome and 200 unrelated controls were recruited from eastern part of India. The allele representing p.Gly2019Ser variant was screened by polymerase chain reaction followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis.Results:The p.Gly2019Ser variant was identified in an East Indian young-onset female PD patient in a heterozygous state having several motor and autonomic problems without disturbed cognition. Her younger brother, sister and elder son harbouring the same mutation were asymptomatic carriers for the variant. However, the influence of DNM3 on decreased disease onset in this family was not clear.Interpretation & conclusions:Identification of the p.Gly2019Ser variant in only one patient among a large number of Indian patients (n=626) with Parkinsonian disorder in our study suggests a limited role of the LRRK2 variant towards disease pathogenesis.

Characterization and Bio-Typing of Multidrug Resistance Plasmids From Uropathogenic Escherichia coli Isolated From Clinical Setting.

Urinary tract infection is primarily caused by Escherichia coli. Multidrug resistance and their rapid dissemination in this pathogenic microbe complicate therapeutic strategies and threaten public health. Conjugation systems responsible for interbacterial transmission of antibiotic resistance are plasmid-encoded and can be classified as the P, F, and I types. Specific pili types and pili associated proteins were related to the transfer among this gram-negative organism and were thought to depend on contacts created by these structures at the time of DNA transport. In this study, conjugation system types of the plasmids that harbor multidrug resistant genes (aac-1b-cr, oqxAB, qnrB, qnrS, blaTEM, blaOXA) amongst 19 E. coli uropathogenic isolates were characterized under ciprofloxacin/ceftazidime selection individually by pili and pili associated gene types. Investigations indicated incidence of single plasmid of multiple replicon type amongst the transconjugants. blaTEM, blaCTX–M, blaOXA, aac-1b-cr, oqxAB, qnrB, qnrS genes in varied combination were observed to be successfully co-transmitted against ceftazidme/ciprofloxacin selection. Seven primer pair sets were selected that encodes pili and pili associated genes (traF, trwJ, traE, trhE, traG, pilM, pilx4) by nucleotide database search tools using annotated plasmids of different incompatibility types to assign the conjugation system type of the transmissible resistant plasmids by PCR. traF was predominant irrespective of drug selection that indicated F-type conjugation system was responsible for transmission of resistant plasmids which results in the rapid dissemination of antibiotic resistance in the isolates screened. Therefore this is a first report of its kind that investigated pili and pili associated genes to bio-type multidrug resistant plasmids and their transmission in clinical settings amongst uropathogenic E. coli circulated in the eastern part of India.

Effects of Ramadan intermittent fasting and pattern of nutrients intake on BMI and MUAC of a population consisting of Indian Muslims

ABSTRACT ‘Ramadan’ is observed by the Muslims around the world, out of their religious belief, as a period when they fast all day and break fasting only after sun set. The Ramadan fasting, which can be viewed as alternate fasting owing to the nature of food intake during this time, stretches for 28 days. The food intake prior to sun rise is known as ‘sahour’ and that after sunset is called ‘iftar’. In view of intermittent fasting, the present work aims to study the food intake pattern among children, adults and elderly persons before and after Ramadan in the eastern part of India to evaluate the effect of Ramadan fasting on body weight and BMI, if any. Anthropometric measurements, body weight, height, BMI, Mid Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) and Nutritional Survey were done before and after Ramadan fasting. All three age groups showed increase in body weight and BMI after one month of Ramadan fasting compared to the values of pre Ramadan control. Excess intake of fat, sugar and energy along with a sedentary work routine are the main factors identified as contributors toward such increase. The study also points out socio-economic status as an important determinant.

Rapid urbanization and associated impacts on land surface temperature changes over Bhubaneswar Urban District, India.

Urban settlements are the socio-economic drivers of human community. However, rapid urban expansion during recent times has a profound effect on regional as well as global rise in temperatures. Remote sensing is a powerful tool to monitor and quantify the expansion of urban built-up area and assess its effects on regional heating. Landsat-derived Land Use Land Cover (LULC) maps have shown a very rapid urbanization in Bhubaneswar, a tier-2 city and the capital of Odisha in the eastern part of India, almost doubling over the last 15 years. Our study on the effects of urbanization reveals that during the period of 2003-2017, the built-up area in the urban district of Bhubaneswar has increased by about 77% at the cost of natural vegetative cover and agricultural/fallow land. This affects the behavior of several climate variables over the urban centers with a clear distinction in these variables observed between the urban and surrounding rural settlements. Land surface temperature (LST) derived from the thermal bands of Landsat satellites at a spatial resolution of 30 m is used for the analysis over the area of interest. The Bhubaneswar airport (urban reference) has shown an increase in mean summer LST by 8% over the study period of 15 years, and 9.84% in LST in the last 5 years from 2013 to 2017 alone. From the present study, it is inferred that it is essential to adopt a sustainable approach for any urban growth to restrain its effect on urban temperature rise.

Safed Detergent Powder: Regional Brand with Rural Focus

Safechem Industries was the leading manufacturer of detergents and allied products in Eastern India under the brand name of ‘SAFED’. Safed had local factories to service the eastern market at a lower cost than other organized players and this also enabled it to compete with the unorganized sector, especially in the rural markets. The case presents a situation in which the General Manager for Marketing & Strategy at Safechem Industries had to formulate the marketing and growth strategy for the future. The company is based mainly in rural parts of Eastern India. The case describes the detergent industry in India with a special focus on rural markets. It also elaborates on the strengths and weaknesses of Safechem with respect to the detergents market and the strategies adopted by it. The General Manager is expected to choose an appropriate marketing and strategic option to help the company achieve its growth plan.

Prograde polyphase regional metamorphism of pelitic rocks, NW of Jamshedpur, eastern India: constraints from textural relationship, pseudosection modelling and geothermobarometry

AbstractThe study area belongs to the Singhbhum metamorphic belt of Jharkhand, situated in the eastern part of India. The spatial distribution of the index minerals in the pelitic schists of the area shows Barrovian type of metamorphism. Three isograds, viz. garnet, staurolite and sillimanite, have been delineated and the textural study of the schists has revealed a time relation between crystallization and deformation. Series of folds with shifting values of plunges in the supracrustal rocks having axial-planar schistosity to the folds have been widely cited. Development of these folds could be attributed to the second phase of deformation. In total, two phases of deformation, D1 and D2, in association with two phases of metamorphism, M1 and M2, have been lined up in the study area. Chemographic plots of reactant and product assemblages corresponding to various metamorphic reactions suggest that the pattern of metamorphic zones mapped in space is in coherence with the temporal-sequential change during prograde metamorphism. The prograde P–T evolution of the study area has been obtained using conventional geothermobarometry, internally consistent winTWQ program and Perple_X software in the MnNCKFMASHTO model system. Our observations suggest that the progressive metamorphism in the area is not related to granitic intrusion or migmatization but that it was possibly the ascending plume that resulted in the M1 phase of metamorphism followed by D1 deformation. The second and prime metamorphic phase, M2, with its possible heat source generated by crustal overloading, was preceded by D1 and it lasted until late- to post-D2 deformation.

Geochemical fractionation and risk assessment of trace elements in sediments from tide-dominated Hooghly (Ganges) River Estuary, India

The geochemical fractionation and potential mobilization of cadmium, chromium, copper, nickel and lead were studied in surficial sediments (top 0–10 cm; <63 μm grain-size) of the Hooghly (Ganges) River Estuary, eastern part of India, using a sequential extraction procedure. The risk assessment was evaluated at three specific levels; i.e., enrichment level (enrichment factor, geo-accumulation index), the availability level (elements bound to different fractions, risk assessment code, Individual and Global contamination factors) and biological toxicity level (Potential ecological risk index; sediment quality guidelines). Different geochemical phases indicated heterogeneities in TE distribution patterns as follows: (i) Cd was dominant in the exchangeable phase and significant proportion of Pb was bounded to the reducible fractions; (ii) the potential mobile fraction (ΣF1 − F3) in the sediments was higher for Cd and Pb (>46%), reflecting their adverse impact on benthic organisms as they are weakly bound to the sediment and can migrate to water; (iii) a minor fraction of Cu (<10%) was found in the oxidizable fraction suggesting less environmental risk to the aquatic biota and (iv) the dominance of the Ni, Cr and Cu in the residual fraction supports the assumption of their geogenic origin. Both Cd and Cu posed medium to high ecological risk values based on risk assessment code (RAC). Global Contamination Factor (GCF) values allowed to identify the “pollution hotspots” in the study area.

Diurnal carbon dynamics in a mangrove-dominated tropical estuary (Sundarbans, India)

Based on a 24h of time-series study, we report the effects of a tidal cycle on carbon biogeochemistry of a mangrove dominated tropical estuary (the Sundarbans) located in the eastern part of India. Salinity, dissolved oxygen, and pH showed clear tidal variability with relatively higher values during high tide than low tide. Dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) concentrations varied over a narrow range (1.92–2.19 mM) with relatively higher values during low tide; reverse trend, however, was noticed for δ13CDIC with significant variability (– 4.28 to – 2.21‰). During low tide, along with estuarine mixing, preliminary evidences for influences of biogeochemical (such as organic carbon mineralization, sulfate reduction, and denitrification) and hydrological processes (porewater exchange) were found on DIC dynamics. The δ13CDIC - DIC relationship suggested respiration of marine plankton to be one of the possible sources for DIC. Dissolved organic carbon showed tidal influence during high tide with a signal of porewater mediated addition during low tide. Both particulate organic carbon and particulate nitrogen concentrations reached the maximum during low tide with stable isotopic compositions showing predominantly marine signature along with the possibility of biogeochemical modifications within the estuary. Marine water contribution together with organic carbon mineralization and possible porewater influx resulted in ~214 μatm higher pCO2 and 1.13 times higher FCO2 during low tide than high tide. On diurnal basis, the estuary released ~1348 mg CO2 per m2 of surface area to the regional atmosphere.

Staple Food Purchase in Small Cities in India: A Managerial Implication

Purpose – This study investigates the effects of socio economic characteristics on store format preferences and perceptions about organized retail store attributes for the purchase of staple food in small cities in India. Design/methodology/approach – This study used a mixed-method approach. A survey was developed based on the results of a focus group discussion and six in-depth interviews. Multinomial logit was used to ascertain consumer preferences for store format, and an ordered probit was used to analyse differences in perceptions about organised retail store attributes across consumer segments. Findings – Education and income were found to be important determinants of consumer preference for a particular store format. Product availability, price satisfaction given the quality of the products, sales promotions, and selected convenience factors were found to contribute significantly to the growth of organised retail stores and overall satisfaction of consumers. Research limitations – This study concerned only staple food items and urban consumers in the eastern part of India. Practical implications – Funded by foreign direct investment, major retailers in the food and grocery sector compete for shares of the more than trillion-dollar grocery market in India. The findings can be used by these firms for targeted marketing, operational strategies, and building competitive advantage. Originality/value – This study reveals that preferences for store format and store attributes vary across the segments. The findings give insights for managerial planning, attracting and retaining changing consumers, who still have traditional needs for quality of life.

Dengue infections and circulating serotypes in Mizoram-north eastern part of India, from 2016 to 2018

Dengue infections and circulating serotypes in Mizoram-north eastern part of India, from 2016 to 2018

Tale Untold: Lived Experiences of Female Sex Workers

Kolkata, located in the eastern part of India, is considered to have the largest concentration of sex-workers, residing either in multi-storey brothels or working as flying sex-workers. There is large number of studies on sex-workers, but they mostly concentrate on their reasons to enter into sex-work, HIV vulnerability, and its prevention programs and so on. A scarce literature is found on emotional upheaval and social marginalization faced by a sex-worker, especially when she is the victim of sex-trafficking. Thus, this study not only aims to portray the lived experiences of hurt, anguish, violence and coercion faced by the sex-workers but also how they have been able to retrieve the moments of strength and recast their experiences using the path of forgiveness.

Stability of grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) genotypes in different agroclimatic zone in eastern part of India with special reference to West Bengal

A total of twenty-five grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) genotypes of released varieties, advanced lines, mutants and local collections were explored in this study. These genotypes were cultivated for two succeeding years in three different locations namely red lateritic zone (Shekhampur), gangetic alluvial zone (Kalyani) and saline zone of Sundarban region of west Bengal (Kakdwip) to evaluate the performance on the basis of yield and quality traits. The stability of the genotypes was established by AMMI and Biplot analysis. It was found that the neurotoxin content of grass pea, β-L-oxalyl-2,3diaminopropionic acid (β-ODAP), did not show any difference under various environmental conditions and the gangetic alluvial zone was proved to be the ideal test location for grass pea genotypes. The BK-37-2 advanced line was found to be the most stable genotype in respect of yield under all the tested environments and can be used in future breeding programmes.

Neoproterozoic granitic activity in syn‐collisional setting: Insight from petrology, geochemistry, and zircon–monazite geochronology of S‐type granites of the Chotanagpur Granite Gneissic Complex, eastern India

The evidence of a long‐lived Grenvillian orogeny around 1.0 Ga is preserved in the eastern part of India in the form of large‐scale syn‐collisional granitic activity and high‐grade metamorphism in the Chotanagpur Granite Gneissic Complex (CGGC). Geochemically, granitoid rocks of CGGC were classified as ferroan, per‐aluminous, and calc‐alkalic to alkali‐calcic S‐type granites which were generated from the anatexis of meta‐sedimentary protolith (khondalite) in a volcanic‐arc to syn‐collisional setting. Relatively high crystallization temperatures (800–850°C for garnetiferous granite gneiss, 770–830°C for megacrystic granite gneiss, and 639–725°C for pink granite) of these rocks were calculated by geothermometric calculations. The REE modelling testified that 40–45% partial melting of the khondalite in H2O undersaturated condition at around 5‐kbar pressure might have given rise to the parent magma of the garnetiferous granite gneiss (GGG). LA‐ICPMS zircon (U–Pb) dating yielded the crystallization ages of the megacrystic granite gneiss (MGG) and pink granite (PG) as ~1.0 Ga, and EPMA monazite (U–Th–total Pb) dating suggested that the GGG was metamorphosed during 1.0 Ga. The 1.0–0.90 Ga age of high‐grade metamorphism and anatexis in the CGGC may be correlated with that in the Rayner Complex–Eastern Ghats Belt in the Indo‐Antarctic sector, which is considered as the result of Indo‐Antarctic collision during the assembly of Rodinia.

Socio-demographic Characteristics and Use of Pap Smear for Cervical Cancer Screening Among Women of Eastern Part of India

Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in India with high incidence and mortality rates. The aim of the study was to examine the association of risk with cervical cancer by Pap smear screening approach. This study design is based on retrospective data collection from case files of Cancer Detection Centre (CDC) who attended during the period of January 1995 to September 2016. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, cross-tabulation and Pearson’s chi-square test. The study included 1195 women of whom 31.4% were aged 26–35 years; 91.2% Hindus; 80.3% housewives; 64.8% school educated; 85.8% married; 97.9% non-vegetarian; and 53.9% small family size. The above parameters were highly significant with the clinical diagnosis of cervical lesions by Pap test (p < 0.05). Addictions like betel leaf and smoking/chewing tobacco have shown significant correlation with cytological test (p < 0.05). Gynaecologic history including menarche, menstrual type, menopause, parity, abortion and mode of delivery had strong correlation with Pap test (p < 0.05). The chief complaints, clinical examination of cervix, clinical diagnosis and size of uterus had strong correlation with cytological findings (p = 0.001). The findings of the present study indicate that demographic characteristics, addictions, gynaecological and obstetric history and medical characteristics are strongly associated with increased risk of cervical cancer in Indian women. Furthermore, Pap smear is an effective screening method in low-cost infrastructure and for early detection.

Tribal Development in the North Eastern Part of India: Reality and Constrains

Tribal Development in the North Eastern Part of India: Reality and Constrains

Factors determining institutional delivery in eastern part of India.

Objective:Institutional delivery (ID) plays a vital role for determining the outcome of pregnancy and ensuring care to mother and newborn. The present study aims to find out the correlates of ID from the eastern part of India.Materials and Methods:Data from National Family Health Survey 4 were analyzed for three states – Bihar, West Bengal, and Jharkhand, keeping district as a unit of analysis. Correlation and regression were used for finding out the determinants of ID.Results:Overall, 67.8% of deliveries were conducted in hospitals. All the three states were able to improve performance on related health parameters like antenatal care. After adjusting for other variables, on multiple linear regression, female literacy was significantly related to ID.Conclusions:Social parameters need to be focused for encouraging ID.

Karyomorphological studies in three species of the genus Phlogacanthus Nees occurring in Assam

The genus Phlogacanthus Nees belonging to the family Acanthaceae is an important ethnomedicinal genus of North Eastern part of India. The present study was undertaken to study the karyomorphology in the genus Phlogacanthus Nees comprising of three species of this taxon from Assam viz., Phlogacanthus thrysiflorus Nees, Phlogacanthus curviflorus (Wall.) Nees and Phlogacanthus jenkinsii C.B. Clarke. The amitotic preparations were done following the standard procedure for preparing of chromosomes. Cytotaxonomical features and karyomorphology were studied karyotype and counting of P. curviflorus and P. jenkinsii have been done.