Garhwal Region Of India Research Articles

Transfusion transmissible malaria: seroprevalence of malaria parasitemia in blood donors in Garhwal region of Uttarakhand, India

Background and Objectives: Malaria was the first ever reported case of transfusion transmitted infection (TTI). Transfusion transmissible malaria (TTM) can result in febrile transfusion reaction in the recipient. TTM can be fatal if the blood transfu- sion recipient is from vulnerable population i.e. pregnant women or young children. Therefore, the present study was done to estimate the seroprevalence of malaria parasitemia among blood donors in Garhwal region. Materials and Methods: Study subjects were healthy blood donors who had passed the screening criteria for blood do- nation. Donors with a history of malaria were temporarily deferred for 3 months following full recovery. Screening of the donated blood units for malaria parasite was done using immunochromatography based rapid diagnostic test. Thin smear examination was performed for malaria parasite species identification. Results: A total of 1984 blood donations were screened for TTI. The seroprevalence of HBV, HCV HIV and syphilis was 0.3% (n=6), 0.25% (n=5), 0% (n=0) and 0% (n=0) respectively. The seroprevalence of malaria parasite was 0.05% (n=1). Plasmodium vivax was identified upon thin smear examination. The donor reactive for malaria parasite was a replacement donor and gave no recent history of fever or any past history of malaria. Conclusion: Meticulous donor screening combined with rapid diagnostic tests for malaria parasite is the most practical strategy to prevent TTM in Garhwal region of India.

Identification of Bioactive Phytoconstituents, Nutritional Composition and Antioxidant Activity of Calyptocarpus vialis.

This study is focused to highlight the phytochemical, nutrient content and in vitro antioxidant capacity of the wildly growing plant Calyptocarpus vialis (CV) of the Asteraceae family collected from the Garhwal region of India. Phytochemical and nutritional analysis of CV is done by qualitative and quantitative methods. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis confirmed the presence of phenols, alkanes, aliphatic primary amines, carboxylic acids, nitrile, aromatics and alcohols. Gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) revealed the presence of terpenoids, plant sterols and phenols such as phytol (14.9%), stigmasterol (10.02%), viridiflorol (4.19%), squalene (2.54%) and various other phytochemicals. The plant's study reveals the existence of numerous nutritious elements, including proteins, vitamins, carbohydrates and amino acids. It also revealed the presence of the huge amount of phenolic content ⁓13.49g in a 100-g dried CV plant sample. The antioxidant potential of methanolic extract of CV was estimated using DPPH (2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) free radical scavenging assay, phosphomolybdate assay and reducing power assay. The highest percentage of antioxidant activity determined from three assays is 74 to 87% for 1mg of dry extract. It is observed that the CV extract act as a good antioxidant when compared to other plants of the Asteraceae family even at very low concentration of the sample. Hence, CV found in the foothills of Himalayas can be further explored as a source of potent bioactive compounds and natural and economical antioxidant for biomedical and immunity-boosting applications.

The metamorphism and exhumation of the Himalayan metamorphic core, eastern Garhwal region, India

Geothermobarometric together with micro‐ and macro‐structural data indicate ductile flow in the metamorphic core of the Himalaya in the Garhwal region of India. Peak metamorphic pressure and temperature increase dramatically across the Main Central Thrust (MCT) from ∼5 kbar and ∼550°C in the Lesser Himalayan Crystalline Sequence (LHCS) to ∼14 kbar and ∼850°C at ∼3 km above the MCT in the Greater Himalayan Sequence (GHS). Pressures within the GHS then decrease upsection to ∼8 kbar while temperatures remain nearly constant at ∼850°C up to the structurally overlying South Tibetan Detachment (STD). The GHS exhibits sheath fold geometries are indicative of high degrees of ductile flow. Overprinting ductile structures are two populations of extensional conjugate fractures and normal faults oriented both parallel and perpendicular to the orogen. These fractures crosscut major tectonic boundaries in the region such as the MCT and STD, and are found throughout the LHCS, GHS, and Tethyan Sedimentary Sequence (TSS). The thermobarometric and metamorphic observations are consistent with a form of channel flow. However, channel flow does not account for exhumational structures that formed above the brittle‐ductile transition. To explain all of the features seen in the metamorphic core of the Garhwal region of the Himalaya, both the theories of channel flow and critical taper must be taken into account. Channel flow can explain the exhumation of the GHS from the middle crust to the brittle‐ductile transition. The most recent extensional deformation is consistent with a supercritical wedge.

Depositional provenance of the Himalayan metamorphic core of Garhwal region, India: Constrained by U–Pb and Hf isotopes in zircons

U–Pb and Hf isotopes in zircon from the highly metamorphosed core of the Himalaya in the Garhwal region of India indicate that the ortho- and paragneiss units of the Greater Himalayan Sequence (oGHS and pGHS, respectively) are geochemical distinct from the older Lesser Himalayan Crystalline Sequence (LHCS). Zircon grains from Paleoproterozoic metasediment of the LHCS yield U–Pb crystallization ages from 1614±14Ma to 2679±14Ma with a single distinct peak in the age spectra at 1870Ma. εHf values from zircon in the LHCS range from 1 to −8. In contrast, zircon grains from the Neoproterozoic pGHS yield U–Pb crystallization ages from 481±10Ma to 2560±8Ma with a single distinct peak at 860Ma. εHf values from these zircons range from 13 to −21. The oGHS yields zircon grains with U–Pb crystallization ages from 416±2Ma to 2740±2Ma with a single distinct peak at 472Ma. These grains often exhibit older inherited cores ranging from ~800Ma to ~2740Ma with Ordovician rims (416Ma to 510Ma). The εHf values of zircon grains in the oGHS have two distinct modes: the ~860Ma inherited zircon cores have a similar range to the ~860Ma zircons from the pGHS (13 to −21), whereas the ~480Ma rims range from −7 to −11.The detrital zircon U–Pb age spectra from the pGHS in the Garhwal region differs significantly from the U–Pb age spectra in other parts of the range (Nepal and Bhutan). These differences indicate wide lateral variations in provenance for the various source regions of the pGHS.Comparisons of the U–Pb and Hf data from the Garhwal region with potential ~1800Ma source regions show overlap with metasediments of the Aravalli shield of India. In the pGHS the most juvenile εHf values overlap with those of the northern Arabian Nubian Shield in Israel. However, these rocks show little crustal contamination at ~800Ma, whereas the pGHS has significant crustal contamination at ~860Ma. The Ordovician oGHS has εHf values that match the average εHf values of the paragneiss implying that it was sourced from the paragneiss. Although the nature of this Ordovician igneous event is still poorly understood, it is clear that the Hf isotopes can provide further insight into the petrogenesis of the magmatic rocks associated with it.

Stochastic ground-motion simulation of two Himalayan earthquakes: seismic hazard assessment perspective

The earthquakes in Uttarkashi (October 20, 1991, M w 6.8) and Chamoli (March 8, 1999, M w 6.4) are among the recent well-documented earthquakes that occurred in the Garhwal region of India and that caused extensive damage as well as loss of life. Using strong-motion data of these two earthquakes, we estimate their source, path, and site parameters. The quality factor (Q β ) as a function of frequency is derived as Q β (f) = 140f 1.018. The site amplification functions are evaluated using the horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio technique. The ground motions of the Uttarkashi and Chamoli earthquakes are simulated using the stochastic method of Boore (Bull Seismol Soc Am 73:1865–1894, 1983). The estimated source, path, and site parameters are used as input for the simulation. The simulated time histories are generated for a few stations and compared with the observed data. The simulated response spectra at 5% damping are in fair agreement with the observed response spectra for most of the stations over a wide range of frequencies. Residual trends closely match the observed and simulated response spectra. The synthetic data are in rough agreement with the ground-motion attenuation equation available for the Himalayas (Sharma, Bull Seismol Soc Am 98:1063–1069, 1998).

Tree species composition and diversity along an altitudinal gradient in moist tropical montane valley slopes of the Garhwal Himalaya, India

The study was conducted along an altitudinal gradient (1500 to 2850 m above sea level) in moist tropical montane valley slopes of the Mandal-Chopta area in the Garhwal region of India. Twelve forest types according to the altitude, slope aspect, and species compositions were selected for the study. The aims of the study were to describe and examine the structure and composition of the tree vegetation along an altitudinal gradient, and to compare the results of the present study with the other forests of Uttarakhand Himalaya growing at similar altitudinal range. High values of stem density and species diversity were recorded in mixed broad-leaved forest types growing between 1600 and 2400 m a.s.l., whereas forest types growing at higher altitudes (>2400 m a.s.l.) had low species richness and stem density. Tree density (tree ha−1) showed positive relationship with species richness and Shannon–Wiener diversity index. Forest types growing at higher altitude (>2400 m a.s.l.) showed geometric dominance-diversity curves. The values of stem density and total basal area in most of the forest types were higher than the earlier reported values from other parts of the Uttarakhand Himalaya.

Depositional provenance of the Greater Himalayan Sequence, Garhwal Himalaya, India: Implications for tectonic setting

The Greater Himalayan Sequence in the Garhwal Region of India is a 14–20 km thick succession of various pelitic and psammitic metasediments which contain individual units that are traceable for at least 250 km along the strike of the Himalayan range in northwestern India. Bulk rock geochemical analyses show a chemical index of alteration (CIA) values of 57–93 with an average of 67, average (La/Yb) N = 18.6, average (La/Sm) N = 3.7, Cr/Th range between 0.2 and 214.5, and Th/Sc range between 0.2 and 10.3. The various geochemical tectonic indicators reveal a signature akin to an active continental margin. A low degree of weathering and high concentrations of incompatible/compatible element ratios respectively point to a proximal and primarily a silicic source region. The occurrence of three-phase halite bearing primary fluid inclusions in the quartz grains of metasediments indicate their provenance from a magmatic terrain. Potential source regions of the Greater Himalayan Sequence are the East African Orogeny, the East Antarctic Orogeny, and/or the Bhimpedian Orogeny of Northern India. Fluid inclusions in the Greater Himalayan Sequence (three-phase halite bearing inclusions, moderately high temperature bi-aqueous inclusions, and carbonic-aqueous inclusions) estimate maximum salinity at ∼33 wt.% NaCl. This occurrence of fluid inclusions is also consistent with a magmatic terrain.

Composition variation in essential oils of Artemisia nilagirica and Artemisia capillaris, growing in India

The present study was aimed to find out the chemical constituents of essential oils of Artemisia nilagirica (Clarke) Pamp. and Artemisia capillaris Thunb. of Asteraceae family, growing in Garhwal region of India. The essential oils were obtained by hydro-distillation and subjected to detailed GC-MS analysis in order to determine the variation in their volatile constituents. While comparing the common constituents in both of the species, the remarkable variation was observed and it was 6.03, 3.251, 2.093, 33.73, 7.573, 15.041 and 8.00% for trans-caryophyllene, DL-limonene, ?-pinene, ?-thujone, ?-myrcene, ?-ocimene and ?-thujone, respectively.

Mosquito Species Associated Within Some Western Himalayas Phytogeographic Zones in the Garhwal Region of India

Thirty four species of mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) were collected across three phytogeographic zones; tropical (300 to 1000 m), sub tropical (1000 to 2000 m) and temperate (2000 to 3000 m) in the Garhwal region of India. They included 5 genera: Aedes, Anopheles, Armigeres, Culex and Uranotaenia. Of these, the immature forms of 23 species were recovered from different breeding habitats. The larval habitats were seepage pools, river beds, rice fields, tanks, forest pools, ditches, streams, rock holes, tree holes, intradomestic containers and shallow pits. Three groups and two separate individual species were associated, based on breeding habitat similarity by means of cluster analysis. The characters taken into consideration for classification were natural/artificial, temporary/permanent, shady/lighted, vegetation, movement and turbidity. Breeding habitats such as streams and rock holes were the richest habitats shared by 18 mosquito species followed by seepage pools harboring 16 species of mosquitoes. The lowest species diversity (6 species) was recorded from shallow pits. Generally, all the collected species were found in natural habitats in quiet/stagnant conditions at a depth of 0.1–0.5 m. Generally, the maximum number of species preferred partially shady and temporary water habitats. Moderate vegetation and clear water habitats also had a diversity of mosquito species. Culex mimeticus Noe and Anopheles maculatus Theobald had the highest association coefficient (0.941) followed by Anopheles stephensi Liston and Anopheles vagus Donitz (0.884). The highest negative association (-0.30) was found between the species of Culex vishnui Theobald and Culex brevipalpis (Giles). There were a few species of mosquitoes for which only immatures were collected. Phytogeographically, the zones of lower elevation shared higher species abundance than the higher elevation.

Essential Oil from Nepeta govaniana Benth. Study of its Major Terpenes

Essential oil from steam distilled whole plants of Nepeta govaniana Benth. gathered in the flowering stage from the Garhwal region of India was examined. The three main components were isolated and identified as pregeijerene (38.4%), (+)-isoiridomyrmecin (16.5%) and 4aα,7α,7aα-nepetalacetone (13.9%). The structure of (+)-isoiridomyrmecin was established by X-ray crystallography. Another 13 compounds (24.5%) were identified by GC/MS.

Trust, learning, and vaccination: a case study of a North Indian village

For US $17 a child can be immunized against six major illnesses. Even at this price, a country such as India would have to spend half its health budget on providing vaccinations. Given the wide variation in immunization costs it may be possible to decrease this cost to more sustainable levels, but to do so we need to arrive at a more thorough understanding of factors affecting household demand for vaccination. Using data on vaccination and pre-natal care collected by the authors in the Garhwal region of India, we explore one aspect of the demand for vaccination in some detail. We show that informational constraints play an important role in the household decision to seek vaccination, and moreover, that learning about the efficacy of vaccinations only through empirical observation may be hard even in environments with variation in vaccination and the high incidence of vaccine-preventable diseases. We argue that when learning about vaccination is inefficient, households use concurrent interventions with easily observable outcomes to evaluate the veracity of a provider's claim regarding preventive care. Hence, the success of immunization programs becomes crucially linked to the success of parallel programs by the same provider.

Fission-track and [formula omitted] evidence for episodic denudation of the Gangotri granites in the Garhwal Higher Himalaya, India

In order to document quantitatively the cooling and denudation history of the Higher Himalayan granites bordering the Tethyan sedimentary zone, fission-track (FT) apatite and 40Ar39Ar mica ages have been determined on the Gangotri leucogranites and biotite granites in the Garhwal region of India. Gangotri is the source area of the Ganges River and lies in the midst of the highest Himalayan peaks in India. A total of 15 apatite ages from a vertical profile (2580–4370 m) on the Gangotri granites yields FT ages in the range of 1.5 ± 0.6 to 2.4 ± 0.5 Ma, indicating that the rock column with a relief of ∼1800 m cooled through 130 ± 10°C within only ∼1 million years during the Late Pliocene. An average denudation rate of ∼2 mm/yr is estimated for the past 2.4 million years. From the Gangotri granites, we also report a muscovite 40Ar39Ar age of 17.9 ± 0.1 Ma and a biotite age of 18.0 ± 0.1 Ma. These reflect cooling of the rocks through 300–350°C, probably related to an Early Miocene pulse of denudation caused by a basement-cover detachment (the Martoli Normal Fault) above the leucogranites. Time-temperature pathways indicate that the cooling of the rocks in the Late Pliocene-Quaternary was five to six times the magnitude of cooling between 18 and 2 Ma, indicating a distinct pulse of rapid denudation in the Late Pliocene-Quaternary. We interpret these young apatite ages and fast denudation as a geomorphic response (increased erosion and cooling) of the rocks to a major pulse of tectonic uplift in the Higher Himalaya shortly before 2.4 Ma. The effect of climatic cooling on this denudation is considered secondary to the role of tectonic forcing, and indeed produced a positive feedback to the primary cause. Although our study is confined to the Garhwal region, it is probable that other granitic bodies of the Higher Himalaya bordering the Tethyan sedimentary rocks, and forming the loftiest summits in the Himalaya, have also experienced episodic denudation — one major pulse in the Early Miocene, which was mainly tectonic denudation, and another in the Late Pliocene-Quaternary, which was mainly erosional. The latter is well recorded by apatite FT data, and is consistent with the hypothesis that rapid uplift and denudation of the Himalayan rocks may have influenced the initiation of the ice ages in the northern hemisphere.