Kamrup District Research Articles

Assessment of Dynamic Groundwater Reserve of Kamarup District Lower Assam, India

Despite sufficient rainfall, a large portion of the northeast region of India suffers from water scarcity especially during dry seasons when groundwater acts as a significant source of water supply. Consequently, a proper assessment of groundwater condition at a district/block level is very much essential to adopt sustainable water management practices. Additionally, climate change and crossborder water disputes generate new challenges in the water management of Northeast India. In this study, an attempt has been made to present groundwater scenario of Kamarup district in lower Assam as a case study representing North-East India. For this purpose, we used the available temporal groundwater-level data derived from observation wells at five sites namely Agyathuri, Azara, Bamunigaon, Khara and Rangia located in the Kamrup district (lower Assam) of north-east India. The dynamic groundwater reserve (DGWR) has been estimated for the period from 1996 to 2006 using groundwater level data from these five sites along with monthly rainfall data and published pumping test data. This will help to analyze the groundwater dynamics of the study area. In order to cross check the obtained results, we used terrestrial water storage changes (TWS) derived from GRACE (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment) satellite data. TWS is a satellite-based monthly mean liquid water equivalent thickness with one degree spatial and monthly temporal resolution available from 2002. Terrestrial water storage includes the soil moisture, surface water equivalent and groundwater anomaly based on satellite observations of earth gravity field from the (GRACE). In the present study, TWS data was analyzed for over a period of 5 years from 2002 to 2006. The results of the study indicate that the maximum groundwater fluctuation was in the range of 0.84 to 3.48 m and minimum between -5.07 to -1.47m. Over the entire study area, we observed a decrease in dynamic groundwater reserves. From the trend analysis, it is obvious that there is an increasing trend of groundwater level at Khara, Rangia and Bumungiaon site and a decreasing trend at Agyathuri and Azara site. Further, the DGWR results showed that two sites (Agyathuri and Azara) were continuously subjected to stress from 1999 onwards. We observed that the DGWR and TWS are showing a comparable negative trend in the dynamic groundwater storage capacity for the study period. In the year 2004 the recorded TWS and estimated average_DGWR are relatively high during the study period. Thus, the results of this study provide a clear picture of spatial and temporal variations of dynamic groundwater resources in the study area, based on which important recommendations can Research Article IJACEAR– An Open Access Journal (ISSN 2348-5124) International Journal of Advanced Civil Engineering and Architecture Research 90 be made for managing the scarce groundwater resources of the study area in a sustainable manner to address future challenges.

SIR Model based Study on Chicken Pox Outbreak in Kamrup(M) District of Assam, India

SIR Model based Study on Chicken Pox Outbreak in Kamrup(M) District of Assam, India

Community-Based Cancer Screening Program: The DESH (Detect Early Save Her, Him) Initiative of Piramal Swasthya

Background and context: Two-thirds of global cancer deaths are from less developed countries. Late stage presentation and inability to access care are observed to be higher in lower and middle-income countries resulting in avoidable deaths and disability. Kamrup district in Assam has the fourth highest incidence of cancers in India. Detect Early Save Her, Him (DESH) initiative by Piramal Swasthya in Kamrup district focuses on reducing late-stage diagnosis and mortality. Aim: To reduce the proportion of late-stage diagnosis and mortality from breast, cervical and oral cancers through a community based screening and referral program. Strategy: 1. Community level interventions to increase awareness, improve knowledge, alter attitudes and motivate and mobilize people to undergo screening. 2. Evidence based highly sensitive screening and referral through mobile cancer screening unit. 3. Partnering with a regional cancer care institute (Dr. B. Borooah Cancer Institute - BBCI) to ensure end to end care to the patients. Program: DESH initiative in partnership with BBCI was launched in November 2017. The Mobile Cancer Screening Unit (MCSU) is fully equipped with state-of-the-art cancer screening facilities including a mammography unit. It is staffed by trained medical doctor, two nurses, a radiographer, two community mobilization officers, a counselor, a driver and a helper. Apart from the driver and the helper, the entire staff is women. In consultation with community networks, a schedule is prepared to conduct awareness programs at the community level. Subsequently, the MCSU visits the village and the staff screen the adult population over the age of 30 years for the presence of oral, breast and cervical cancer. A vehicle ferries those who are screened positive, to BBCI for diagnostic tests. The program is also supported by a helpline, which provides tele-counseling for suspected cases of cancer. Outcomes: A total of 1750 beneficiaries have been screened for oral, breast and cervical cancers through 43 screening clinics in 18 villages of Kamrup district from November 2017 through March 2018. Of them, 57% were females. 57 beneficiaries (3.25%) were screen-positive. Majority were positive for oral cancers (n=50) followed by breast and cervical cancers. Out of the 15 beneficiaries who visited BBCI, 3 were confirmed to have oral cancer. What was learned: Rural community of Kamrup district has been very receptive of the screening program with 1750 people screened in a short duration of time. Many screen-positive patients have not yet to visited the hospital for diagnostic tests, due to their financial difficulties. With financial support from the government through a special scheme, the number of screen-positive patients reaching the hospital for diagnostic tests is expected to increase substantially. DESH initiative aims to screen 15,000 individuals in the next 12 months and the results will provide better insights about the scalability and impact of the program.

A study on the level of adjustment of the secondary school students of kamrup District with special Reference to Mirza, Assam

A study on the level of adjustment of the secondary school students of kamrup District with special Reference to Mirza, Assam

Sedimentary Structures and Lithofacies Found in a Channel Bar of Brahmaputra River in Panikhaiti, Kamrup District, Assam

Sedimentary Structures and Lithofacies Found in a Channel Bar of Brahmaputra River in Panikhaiti, Kamrup District, Assam

Comparative performance of Vanaraja, Srinidhi and Desi chicken under traditional system among tribal community of Assam

A study was conducted covering a total of one hundred chicken farmers in tribal dominated Boko Block of Kamrup district in Assam to assess different productive and reproductive traits of Desi, Vanaraja and Srinidhi birds under field condition. Information was obtained on mean body weight at various ages, age at first egg, annual egg production, fertility and hatchability and mortality rate. Body weight, egg production and egg weight were significantly (P£0.05) higher in Vanaraja and Srinidhi birds compared to Desi chicken. The age at first egg was significantly (P£0.05) higher in Desi chicken while compared with Vanaraja and Srinidhi under traditional system of management. However no significant (P£0.05) difference was found between Vanaraja and Srinidhi in their body weight and egg production at various ages. Higher mortality percent in Vanaraja (12.23±1.62) and Srinidhi (11.34±1.23) were recorded during 0 to 5 week. No significant (P£0.05) differences were found among all three groups of birds in fertility and hatchability.

Community outreach: An indicator for assessment of prevalence of amblyopia.

Purpose:To study the prevalence, determine the magnitude, and cause of amblyopia among the children aged 6 months to 16 years in Kamrup district, Assam, India.Methods:Among a total of 39,651 children between 6 months and 16 years of age, door-to-door screening was conducted by trained workers. For children above 5 years of age who failed to read the 6/9 line, camps were conducted in the nearby schools. Children below 5 years of age were directly referred to the tertiary eye care institute. After visual acuity assessment at the institute, cycloplegic refraction and complete ophthalmic examination were done to rule out other causes of diminution of vision. Axial length measurement and corneal topography were performed in children with high refractive errors.Results:Of the total 39,651 children screened, 469 were diagnosed to have amblyopia at the camp and 223 were diagnosed at the institute. The prevalence of amblyopia was 1.75%. Amblyopia was more common among the males (52.50%) as compared to females. Maximum number of patients were found in the age group of 11–16 (63.58%). Refractive amblyopia was found to be the most common cause of amblyopia (45.29%). In children below 5 years, deprivation amblyopia and strabismic amblyopia were more common.Conclusion:Awareness of amblyopia among the parents is essential for early detection and treatment of the disease, which will, in turn, reduce the burden of childhood visual impairment.

Factors affecting adoption of beekeeping and associated technologies in Kamrup (rural) district, Assam state, India

Apiculture is a way of life and management of caring of bees in a scientific way Beekeepers should not only think that the only product in beekeeping is honey whereas products like pollen propolis wax royal jelly and venom the queen the beehives and the apicultural materials are other products that constitute it To improve the fabrication and productivity of beekeeping it is important to adopt improved beekeeping technologies In this present study separate open pre structured questionnaire survey for both beekeepers and non beekeepers were used To assess the socio demographic characteristics types of hives average production per hive colonization rate hive baiting inspection cleaning and protection and constraints faced in beekeeping location and form in which hive products are marketed factors affecting adoption of the beekeeping beekeeping equipment availability in different sources and major pests and predator It was observed that majority of the beekeepers lacked of working with capital So they do not produce the best quality honey product either they sell it directly or in comb form Due to the attack of pest predator and diseases and other internal and external constraints the productivity of hives is not significant compared to their potential in the study region

Mosquito abundance and pig seropositivity as a correlate of Japanese encephalitis in human population in Assam, India.

Assam is the most vulnerable state for Japanese encephalitis (JE) in India. The situation warrants characterization of epidemiological patterns of JE in vectors, pigs and human population. This investigation was aimed to determine the relative abundance of mosquito species and seroprevalence of JE in pigs in order to draw an epidemiological association with reported human JE cases in Assam. Pig sera and mosquitoes from selected farms in Sivasagar and Kamrup districts of Assam were collected fortnightly for one year during June 2015-May 2016. Pig sera were tested for JE antibodies by haemagglutination and virus neurtralization tests. Mosquito species were identified microscopically following the taxonomic keys. The results were analyzed with data on confirmed human JE cases in the selected districts. Culex gelidus (26.07%) and Cx. tritaeniorhynchus (24.07%) were the most abundant species in collected mosquitoes (n = 997). A total of 22.99% of pigs (n = 335) were JEV seropositive and 45.65% of human acute encephalitis syndrome cases (n = 230) were positive for JE virus (JEV) infection. Relative mosquito abundance, pig positivity and human cases were highest during monsoon (June-September) and least during winter (December-February). Rise in mosquito population was observed during pre-monsoon season (March-May) and concurrently higher number of human cases and pig seropositivity were recorded. A good correlation was observed between mosquito number and JEV positivity in pigs/human, and between pigs and human cases (p < 0.05). Human population in Sivasagar was at higher risk for JE infection (OR: 6.46, p < 0.0001) than in Kamrup rural district. This study indicates that a seasonal correlation exists between mosquito abundance and JEV seroconversion in pigs with concurrent human JEV outbreaks under field conditions in Sivasagar and Kamrup rural districts of Assam and that monitoring mosquito abundance/density and pig JEV seropositivity may help in predicting JEV outbreak in human population in the region.

Parent Child Interaction and Parental Attitudes on Child Development Print Advertisements

Advertising plays a vital role in the Indian society. It is observed carefully that the needs and desires of people have been influenced and manipulated directly or indirectly by the advertisements. Advertising is one of the Chief sources of child development. It influence on how children think, socialize and become self aware. In a developing country like India, which is still struggling with a large section of poor and uneducated the child development advertisements provide an opportunity to the parents to avail information for their child's growth and development. Hence, this study is undertaken extensively on the Government sponsored print advertisements that emphasized on childhood care and development focusing on health and education particularly in the greater Guwahati area of Kamrup District of Assam. The proposed study makes an endeavor to the parents in making healthy decisions about their child through parent child interaction. Based on the aims and objectives of the study and review of related literature, exploratory method of research are adopted which involves the following methods of data collection: (a) survey (For an in-depth study, a survey would be conducted among randomly selected parents located within the greater Guwahati area of Assam) (b) in-depth interviews of the heads of the concerned departments (c) personal observation (d) secondary quantitative and qualitative data available in related literatures. This study would be confined to children of age 6–12 years. Various statistical tools like frequency, percentage, pie diagram etc. are used for analysis of survey data collected through questionnaires. The data is based on the responses to the questionnaire by the parents.

Prevalence of Protein Energy Malnutrition (PEM) and its Association with Eruption of Primary Teeth

Protein energy malnutrition (PEM) is one of the most common undernutrition conditions leading to high mortality and morbidity rate among children influencing greatly the skeletal and dental development as well. The aim of the study was to find out the prevalence of PEM among preschool children and its association with eruption of primary teeth. The study was conducted among 500 pre-school children attending Anganwadi centres of Kamrup District (Assam), adopting cross-sectional descriptive survey design. The samples were selected by using purposive sampling technique. The height and weight of the samples were measured and values obtained were compared with WHO guidelines. Eruption of primary teeth was evaluated by oral examination. It was revealed that the overall prevalence of PEM was 37 percent, whereas stunted and wasted subjects were of 67.03 percent and 23.78 percent, respectively and 9.19 percent subjects manifested as both wasted and stunted. Among 54.97 percent subjects with PEM, eruption of primary teeth was not completed.

Study on quality assessment of child health care services in a district of Assam

Introduction: Children less than five years of age is a critical indicator of the well being of children. In order to reduce infant as well as under-five mortalityrate of children, Govt of India has initiated different health programmesas well as recommended Indian Public Health Standards for health care facilities to provide quality health care. Objective: To assess the quality of child health care services at health care facilitiesat primary and secondary level. Methodology: A cross-sectional study hadbeen conducted at CHCs, PHCs andS/Cs in Kamrup district of Assam. The data had been collected by quality assessment checklists and exit interview with the clients availing the child health services at the health care facilities. Results: The quality of child health care services was assessed by using a system approach-inputs, process and outputs.Therewereonly 66.66% availability of Obstetrics & gynaecologyspecialist and paediatrician. Physician were available in 33.33% of CHCs.The availability of trained personals was found to be inadequate in all the CHCs and PHCs. Most ofthe equipments and supplies were available in all the health care facilities. The child health care activities in areas of immunization and cold chain maintenance was found to be satisfactory. Conclusion: The quality of child health care services was found to be average at primary and secondary level.

Impact of piggery training on the income level and profit of pig farmers-A case study in Kamrup district of Assam (India)

Present study was conducted to understand the impact of piggery training on the production, income, profit and knowledge level of pig farmers. Sample for the study consisted of 110 farmers distributed across six different villages who obtained training on Improved and scientific methods of pig farming from the Krishi Vigyan Kendra Kamrup in Kamrup district of Assam. Study revealed that training of pig farmers increased their gross return by 65.71 per cent and annual profit by 72.95 per cent and benefit-cost ratio by 10.02 per cent in pig farming. Knowledge level of pig farmers on improved methods of pig farming also increased by 25.87 per cent after obtaining the training from Krishi Vigyan Kendra.

DEVELOPING A CONCEPTUAL MODEL TO SUSTAIN HANDLOOM SILK INDUSTRY AT SUALKUCHI, ASSAM, INDIA

Silk industry in Assam, India is centered at Saulkuchi, Kamrup district. Silk is the protein fiber produced by silkworm for spinning the cocoon. Assam produces three indigenous varieties of silk - Muga, Pat and Eri. The objective of our study is to prescribe a conceptual model using the concepts of distributed economics and sustainability to preserve the unique culture of the area which is diminishing due to lack of the product’s demand. The contextual inquiry was carried out for various stakeholders of Assam silk industry at Saulkuchi - cocoon cultivator, weaver and shopkeeper with an objective to understand the channel of material from raw material to the final product, to understand how they use different tools to perform their tasks and to understand their networking among various stakeholders involved in silk handloom sector. Their responses were analyzed and the stakeholder’s goals, needs and frustrations were identified using AEIOU and empathy mapping. The major frustration of the stakeholders was the decrease in the demand for their products due to the growth of power loom and not able to reach the elite target population. The prescriptions for a village tourism and an e-commerce platform for selling silk handloom fabrics to targeted buyers was built on the concepts of distributed economics and three pillars of sustainability - environment, economic and social. Keywords: Silk, Assam, Distributed Economics, Sustainability, Tourism, E-commerce, Small-scale production units

Quality assessment of maternal and child health care services at Primary health care level in Kamrup District of Assam.

Background: According to WHO estimates, India contributes about 24 lakhs to 108 lakhs global child deaths and accounts for 25% of the 529,000 global maternal deaths (Reduction of maternal mortality: A joint WHO/ UNFPA/ World Bank Statement: Geneva; 1999). Objective: To assess the quality of maternal and child health care services at primary health care level. Materials and method: The study was conducted in 5 PHCs and 10 S/Cs randomly selected in Kamrup district of Assam. The data was collected from records, interviews of the health personnel and the clients availing the MCH services and lastly by observation method. Results: The quality of MCH services was assessed by using a system approach inputs, process and outputs. Conclusions: The quality of MCH services was found to be average at the primary care level.

English

English

Abstract 2056: MYC and HIF-2alpha mediates resistance to Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) antagonism in oral squamous carcinoma cells

Abstract Background: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a devastating disease. Recent findings suggest that the EGFR antagonist including erlotinib may induce tumor regression alone or in combination with chemo/radiation. Our preliminary clinical study conducted at KaviKrishna laboratory indicates that many poor patients are taking the highly expensive drug Erlotinib, and or equivalent EGFR antagonists. However, oral cancer lesions are often hypoxic, and the hypoxia-induced cellular mechanisms might contribute to drug resistance. Here, we investigated, whether resistance to EGFR antagonists may involve MYC and HIF-2alpha, two transcription factors upregulated during hypoxia by using established oral cancer cell lines. We have also obtained primary oral cancer cells from patients living in the Kamrup district of Assam, where KaviKrishna laboratory is located. We intend to evaluate the drug sensitivity of these oral cancer cells towards EGFR antagonists. Method: We used SSC-25 and SCC-9 cell lines, as well patient derived primary oral cancer cells (n=5) for the study. Immunomagnetic sorting was performed to obtain ABCG2+ population. The self-renewal was studied using in vitro clonogenic and in vivo serial transplantation assay in NOD/SCID mice. Results: First, we identified a rare ABCG2+ expressing, highly tumorigenic cell population in SSC-25, and SCC-9 having cancer stem cell (CSC) like characteristics. Second, we found that the ABCG2+ cells exhibited sensitivity to PD158780 (10 uM; 62% inhibition within 48 hours), and AG1478 (10 uM; 56% inhibition within 48 hours), two small molecular inhibitors of EGFR tyrosine kinase. These small molecular inhibitors significantly inhibited the clonogenic capacity of the ABCG2+ cells. Next, we found that ABCG2+ cells also showed sensitivity to Erlotinib in the in vitro clonogenic assay. Third, the ABCG2+ cells, when exposed to hypoxia (&amp;lt;0.1% O2, 24 hours), exhibited enhanced expression and transcriptional activity of MYC, and HIF-2alpha. The post-hypoxia ABCG2+ cells exhibited complete resistance to PD158780, AG1478 and Erlotinib treatment, which could be reversed by siRNA silencing of MYC and or HIF-2alpha. ChIP assay revealed that HIF-2alpha directly binds to MYC in ABCG2+ cells. We found similar results in ABCG2+ cells obtained from primary oral cancer samples (n=4). Importantly, ABCG2+ cells directly isolated from patients exhibited hypoxic phenotype, including the high expression of HIF-1alpha, and HIF-2alpha, as well as resistance to erlotinib. Furthermore, erlotinib enhanced the stemness of ABCG2+ cells by activation of the MYC/HIF-2alpha self-renewal pathway (1). Conclusion: These data indicate that MYC and HIF-2alpha co-operate to mediate intrinsic resistance of oral squamous cancer cells to EGFR antagonist in the hypoxia microenvironment. (1). Bhuyan et al. Cancer Research, volume 76 (14), abstract 935; 2016 Note: This abstract was not presented at the meeting. Citation Format: Sukanya Gayan, Reza Bayat-Mokhtari, Bidisha Pal, Anupam Sarma, Joyeeta Talkudar, Sorra Sandhya, Rashmi Bhuyan, Seema Bhuyan, Jaishree Garhyan, Debabrat Baishya, Amal Kataki, Rakesh Bhatnagar, Herman Yeger, Bikul Das. MYC and HIF-2alpha mediates resistance to Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) antagonism in oral squamous carcinoma cells [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 2056. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-2056

Abstract 2681: Oral micro biome enhances stemness in oral cancer cells by activating Toll like receptor signaling

Abstract Background: The resistance and progression of cancers after chemotherapy to invasive and metastatic stages accounts for the overwhelming majority of cancer deaths. Recent studies suggest, microbiomes can induce a cascade of host events to either support or inhibit tumor growth. Specially, in oral cancer, chemotherapy treatment may alter the oral microbial flora, which may favor or inhibit tumor growth. Hence, it is importantl to develop novel experimental approaches to study the role of oral microbial flora in oral cancer stemness (self-renewal and undifferntiated state of cancer stem cells). Importantly, patients in developing area, including Assam, where KaviKrishna laboratory is located, may have distinct oral microbial flora that could favor oral cancer growth. Hence, it is important to include patients from developing countries for such studies. Our previous research showed that chemotherapy ehances stemenss in many cancer cell types, including oral squamous cell carcinoma cell line SSC-25. The stemness switch is characterized by enhanced expression of stemness associated genes including Nanog, Lin28A/B, Oct-4, MYC, HIF-2alpha and inflammation associated genes including Toll like receptor (TLR) 2/4. Here we investigated the role of oral microbiomes in the TLR mediated stemness switch of oral cancer cells. Methods: SCC-25 oral cancer cell line was treated with bacterial product lipopoly saccharide (LPS), and the stemness switch evaluated by isolation of ABCG2+ cells and expression of stemness associated genes by these cells. Capacity of interaction of tumor stromal cells with mesenchymal stem cells was also evaluated. Additionally, we obtained sputum from oral cancer subjects undergoing chemotherapy. The patients were from the Kamrup district of Assam, where KaviKrishna laboratory is located. The sputum was processed and then added to the culture medium of SCC-25 cells. These post-sputum treated SCC-25 cells were subjected to phenotypic stemness switch analysis. Results: We found, LPS and sputum treatment led to the enhanced stemness of ABCG2+ cells, including the high expression of TLR2/4, MYC, Nanog, Sox-2, and HIF-2alpha. Importantly, sputum derived from oral cancer subjects under remission showed inhibitory activity on ABCG2+ cell self-renewal. In contrast, sputum obtained from oral cancer subjects with relapse showed enhanced stemness of ABCG2+ cells, and also increased tumorigenic potential. The post-sputum treated ABCG2+ cells exhibited high expression of TLR2/4 and associated increase of HIF-2alpha and MYC transcriptional activity. The sputum treated with broad spectrum antibiotic ciprofloxacin did not enhance the stemness and TLR2/4 signaling of SCC-25 cells. Conclusion: These results indicate that oral microbiomes may differentially influence the stemness of oral cancer cells. We also conclude that live bacteria present in the sputum may be required to enhance stemness in a TLR2/4 dependent manner. Note: This abstract was not presented at the meeting. Citation Format: Joyeeta Talukdar, Rashmi Bhuyan, Bidisha Pal, Sorra Sandhya, Hong Li, Seema Bhuyan, Sukanya Garhyan, Debabrat Baishya, Anupam Sarma, Jyotirmoy Phukan, Amal Kataki, Bikul Das. Oral micro biome enhances stemness in oral cancer cells by activating Toll like receptor signaling [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 2681. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-2681

Ethnomycological studies of some wild edible and medicinal mushrooms in kamrup district of assam, india

Ethnomycological studies of some wild edible and medicinal mushrooms in kamrup district of assam, india

Patient and health system delays among tuberculosis patients attending DOTS centres of Kamrup (metro) district, Assam

Background: Among the North eastern states, Assam has the highest burden of tuberculosis. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment is essential for effective control of tuberculosis.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among new smear positive tuberculosis cases above 15 years in Kamrup (Metrolpolitan) district of Assam from August 2015 to July 2016.Results: The mean patient delay was 34.2 days and the mean health system delay was 30.34 days. Female gender and patients who made first contact with non-formal health care providers were significantly associated with patient delay while illiteracy and age more than 35 years had significant association with health system delay.Conclusions: Median patient delay was found to be more than median health system delay. As patient delay was significantly associated with non-formal health care providers, the study proposes integration of non-formal health care providers with RNTCP which can reduce the patient delay.