Abstract Background Exposure of humans and animals to heavy metals is increasing day-by-day; thus, lead even today remains of significant public health concern. According to CDC, blood lead reference value (BLRV) ranges from 3.5 µg/dl to 5 μg/dl in adults. Recently, almost 2.6% decline in male fertility per year has been reported but the cause is not well established. Lead (Pb2+) affects the size of testis, semen quality, and secretory functions of prostate. But the molecular mechanism(s) of lead toxicity in sperm cells is not clear. Thus, present study was undertaken to evaluate the adverse effects of lead acetate at environmentally relevant exposure levels (0.5, 5, 10 and 20 ppm) on functional and molecular dynamics of spermatozoa of bucks following in vitro exposure for 15 min and 3 h. Results Lead significantly decreased motility, viable count, and motion kinematic patterns of spermatozoa like curvilinear velocity, straight-line velocity, average path velocity, beat cross frequency and maximum amplitude of head lateral displacement even at 5 ppm concentration. Pb2+ modulated intracellular cAMP and Ca2+ levels in sperm cells through L-type calcium channels and induced spontaneous or premature acrosome reaction (AR) by increasing tyrosine phosphorylation of sperm proteins and downregulated mitochondrial transmembrane potential. Lead significantly increased DNA damage and apoptosis as well. Electron microscopy studies revealed Pb2+ -induced deleterious effects on plasma membrane of head and acrosome including collapsed cristae in mitochondria. Conclusions Pb2+ not only mimics Ca2+ but also affects cellular targets involved in generation of cAMP, mitochondrial transmembrane potential, and ionic exchange. Lead seems to interact with Ca2+ channels because of charge similarity and probably enters the sperm cell through these channels and results in hyperpolarization. Our findings also indicate lead-induced TP and intracellular Ca2+ release in spermatozoa which in turn may be responsible for premature acrosome exocytosis which is essential feature of capacitation for fertilization. Thus, lead seems to reduce the fertilizing capacity of spermatozoa even at 0.5 ppm concentrations.

Abstract Background: Though hemodynamically stable, etomidate is known for its myoclonus side effect following induction. The main aim of this study is an effective attempt to decrease the incidence of myoclonus with a priming agent. Methods: A prospective, double-blind study was carried out on 50 adults posted for elective surgery. After premedication, priming was done with etomidate 0.03 mg.kg-1 (Group E) and propofol 0.2 mg.kg-1 (Group P), i.e., 1/10th of induction dose. After 60 seconds of priming, patients were induced with etomidate by titrating dose over 60 seconds until loss of verbal command and eyelash reflex. The grading of myoclonus, induction dosage, and hemodynamics for 10 minutes post induction were recorded. Results: In the study, only 4 cases had myoclonus. Grade 1 myoclonus was encountered in three cases of etomidate group, while only one case in the propofol group had grade 2 myoclonus which was not statistically significant (p-value: 0.12). There was a significant reduction in the etomidate induction dosage in both groups. Conclusion: Priming with etomidate and propofol is equally effective in reducing myoclonus with the added benefit of hemodynamic stability and reduction of an induction dose of etomidate (> 50%).

RESUMO A estimativa de fluxo descarga é um componente essencial do planejamento e da tomada de decisões. Está altamente correlacionado com muitas atividades de desenvolvimento envolvendo recursos hídricos. O estudo do transporte de sedimentos nos rios nos ajudará a desenvolver políticas e planos de conservação do solo, controle de enchentes, irrigação, navegação e problemas de biodiversidade aquática. Usando modelos baseados em dados, como Redes Neurais Artificiais (ANNs), a modelagem de vazão e do transporte de sedimentos é frequentemente adotada devido à sua aplicabilidade e capacidade de resolução de problemas. Este estudo utilizou três algoritmos de treinamento como Gradiente Conjugado Escalonado (SCG), Regularização Bayesiana (BR) e Levenberg-Marquardt (LM) para simular o fluxo de vazão e a concentração de sedimentos suspensos (SSC). Depois de otimizar o melhor algoritmo de treinamento baseado nos parâmetros de eficiência do modelo, o modelo LM-ANN foi utilizado para prever o fluxo vazão por dois anos e a modelagem de sedimentos suspensos foi validada com a ajuda de dados observados. O resultado mostrou que os resultados simulados acompanharam o fluxo de vazão, bem como o SSC com a precisão desejada com base nos parâmetros de eficiência do modelo, como coeficiente de determinação (R2), Nash Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE), Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) e Root Mean Square Deviation (RMSD). Os resultados do estudo revelam que no fluxo de córregos a concentração de sedimentos suspensos é significativamente afetada pelo material de rocha base, geleiras cobertas por detritos e gelo carregado de detritos não consolidados. O transporte dos sedimentos é alto na bacia de Alaknanda em comparação com as outras bacias e os estudos anteriores. Isso pode acontecer devido às severas atividades antropogênicas na bacia circundante.

ABSTRACT The estimation of stream discharge is an essential component of planning and decision-making. It is highly correlated with many development activities involving water resources. The study of transportation of sediments in the rivers will help us to develop policies and plans for soil conservation, flood control, irrigation, navigation, and aquatic biodiversity problems. Using data-driven models such as Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs), modeling of streamflow and sediment transport is frequently adopted due to their applicability and problem-solving ability. This study has used three training algorithms such as Scaled Conjugate Gradient (SCG), Bayesian Regularization (BR), and Levenberg-Marquardt (LM) to simulate the streamflow and Suspended Sediments Concentration (SSC). After optimizing the best training algorithm based on the model efficiency parameters, L-M based-ANN model has been used to predict streamflow for two years and the modeling of suspended sediments was validated with the help of observed data. The result shows that the simulated results tracked the streamflow as well as SSC with the desired accuracy based on the model efficiency parameters such as coefficient of Determination (R2), Nash Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE), Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), and Root Mean Square Deviation (RMSD). The study's outcomes reveal that in the streamflow the concentration of suspended sediments is significantly affected by the base rock material, glaciers covered by debris, and moraine-laden ice. The transportation of the sediments is high in the Alaknanda basin as compared to the other basins and the previous studies. This might happen due to the severe anthropogenic activities in the surrounding basin.

RESUMO Racional: Embora o álcool seja a causa mais comum de pancreatite crônica em todo o mundo, a forma idiopática é prevalente na Índia. A história natural e a progressão da doença são diferentes entre esses dois grupos. Há escassez de dados comparando o resultado cirúrgico e a qualidade de vida entre eles. Objetivo: Avaliar as características clínicas, o resultado cirúrgico e a qualidade de vida entre esses dois grupos de pacientes. Método: Todos os pacientes com pancreatite crônica operados foram revisados retrospectivamente. Resultados: Do total de 98 pacientes, 42 eram alcoolistas. O número de homens e a idade média no momento da operação foi significativamente maior nos alcoolistas. Tabagismo, taxa de internação pré-operatória e prevalência de complicações locais como massa inflamatória da cabeça do pâncreas, estenose biliar e hipertensão portal do lado esquerdo foram distintamente mais comuns no grupo de alcoolistas e o procedimento de Frey foi exigido mais comumente neste grupo. A média de internação pós-operatória e a taxa geral de complicações pós-operatórias foram comparáveis entre os dois grupos. Ao longo de acompanhamento médio de 18 meses houve melhora significativa na qualidade de vida e pontuação de dor em ambos os grupos. A melhora no escore de funcionamento físico foi significativamente maior no grupo de alcoolistas, mas a necessidade de medicamentos analgésicos foi significativamente maior nos alcoolistas. No entanto, a perda de apetite foi mais percebida pelo grupo não alcoólico. Conclusão: A pancreatite crônica alcoólica se apresenta com mais complicações locais associadas à pancreatite crônica. O procedimento de Frey é operação segura e bem aceita neste grupo. Embora exigissem mais necessidade de analgésicos no acompanhamento em curto prazo, outros aspectos da qualidade de vida são semelhantes ao grupo não alcoólico.

ABSTRACT Background: Although alcohol is the most common cause for chronic pancreatitis worldwide, idiopathic type is prevalent in India. Natural history and disease progression are different between these two groups. There is paucity of data comparing surgical outcome and quality of life in these patients. Aim: To evaluate clinical features, surgical outcome and quality of life between these two groups of patients. Method: All patients with chronic pancreatitis who underwent surgery were prospectively reviewed. Results: From 98 patients, 42 were alcoholic. Number of male and the mean age at the time of operation was significantly more in alcoholic patients. Smoking, preoperative hospital admission rate and the prevalence of local complications like inflammatory pancreatic head mass, biliary stricture and left sided portal hypertension were distinctly more common in alcoholic group. Frey procedure was required more commonly in alcoholic group. Mean postoperative hospital stay and overall postoperative complication rate were comparable between the two groups. Over a median follow up of 18 months there was significant improvement in quality of life and pain score in both the groups. Improvement of physical functioning score at follow-up was significantly more in alcoholic group but the requirement for analgesic medications were significantly more in alcoholic group. However, appetite loss was more perceived by non-alcoholic group. Conclusion: Alcoholic chronic pancreatitis presents with more local complications associated with chronic pancreatitis. Frey procedure is a safe and well accepted surgery in this group. Though they required more analgesic requirement in short term follow up, other aspects of quality of life are similar to non-alcoholic group.

Abstract: The paper describes the application of the code mixed index in Indian social media texts and comparing the complexity to identify language at word level using BLSTM neural model. In Natural Language Processing one of the imperative and relatively less mature areas is a transliteration. During transliteration, issues like language identification, script specification, missing sounds arise in code mixed data. Social media platforms are now widely used by people to express their opinion or interest. The language used by the users in social media nowadays is Code-mixed text, i.e., mixing of two or more languages. In code-mixed data, one language will be written using another language script. So to process such code-mixed text, identification of language used in each word is important for language processing. The major contribution of the work is to propose a technique for identifying the language of Hindi-English code-mixed data used in three social media platforms namely, Facebook, Twitter, and WhatsApp. We propose a deep learning framework based on cBoW and Skip gram model for language identification in code mixed data. Popular word embedding features were used for the representation of each word. Many researches have been recently done in the field of language identification, but word level language identification in the transliterated environment is a current research issue in code mixed data. We have implemented a deep learning model based on BLSTM that predicts the origin of the word from language perspective in the sequence based on the specific words that have come before it in the sequence. The multichannel neural networks combining CNN and BLSTM for word level language identification of code-mixed data where English and Hindi roman transliteration has been used. Combining this with a cBoW and Skip gram for evaluation. The proposed system BLSTM context capture module gives better accuracy for word embedding model as compared to character embedding evaluated on our two testing sets. The problem is modeled collectively with the deep-learning design. We tend to gift an in-depth empirical analysis of the proposed methodology against standard approaches for language identification.

ABSTRACT The spatial analysis of the wet spell probability over the Indian region has been carried out using daily gridded (0.5º × 0.5º) rainfall data of 1971-2005 during the summer monsoon period, i.e. June-September. A threshold was applied to the weekly cumulative rainfall to convert the rainfall data into wet spell information. A Markov chain model was employed to estimate the initial and conditional probabilities of the wet spell for each grid and the spatio-temporal distribution of the wet spells probabilities was analyzed. The probability maps were able to capture the summer monsoon scenario over the Indian region, representing the onset, progression and withdrawal of monsoon rainfall. Higher wet spell probability was observed over the west coast and northeastern parts of India, i.e., the initial probability was maximum over these regions. However, lower probability values were observed in West Rajasthan, Gujarat and southern India. A threshold of 80% of the maximum initial probability was used to standardize the spatially-variable probability information, and a week with more than the threshold values was considered as a probable wet week. The duration of the longest probable wet spell was highest along the west coast and in northeastern India, whereas it was lowest in western and southern India. The start and duration of the longest spell of the probable wet week can be used for rainfed-agricultural planning, i.e., the start of sowing/planting, selection of crops and varieties based on their length of growing period, optimum harvesting period to avoid wet spell, etc.

RESUMEN Se realizó un análisis espacial de la probabilidad de ocurrencia de periodos húmedos en la región india utilizando datos reticulares (0.5º × 0.5º) de precipitación de 1971 a 2005 durante el periodo del monzón de verano, i.e., junio-septiembre. Se aplicó un umbral a la precipitación semanal acumulada para convertir los datos de precipitación en información sobre periodos húmedos. Se aplicó una cadena de Markov para estimar las probabilidades iniciales y condicionales de ocurrencia del periodo húmedo para cada retícula; asimismo, se analizó la distribución espaciotemporal de las probabilidades de ocurrencia de periodos húmedos. Los mapas de probabilidad lograron capturar de manera adecuada el escenario del monzón de verano en la región India, representando el inicio, la progresión y la retirada de la lluvia del monzón. Se observó una mayor probabilidad de periodos húmedos en la costa oeste y el noreste de la India, es decir, había un máximo de probabilidad inicial en estas regiones. Por su parte, las probabilidades más bajas se observaron al oeste de Rajasthan, en Gujarat y en el sur del país. Se utilizó un umbral de 80% de la máxima probabilidad inicial para estandarizar la información probabilística espacialmente variable, y se consideró como posible semana húmeda aquella con valores mayores al umbral. La duración del periodo húmedo probable más largo registró valores máximos a lo largo de la costa oeste y el noreste de la India, en tanto que valores mínimos se observaron en el oeste y sur de la India. El inicio y duración del periodo más largo de la probable semana húmeda puede utilizarse para la planeación de la agricultura de temporal, es decir, el inicio de la siembra, la selección de cultivos y variedades con base en la duración de su periodo de crecimiento, el periodo óptimo de cosecha para evitas los periodos húmedos, etc.

Detection of abnormally elevated levels of molecules in patients with oral cancer may be useful in early diagnosis. These markers can be included in current Histopathology grading and in TNM staging systems of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) to make it more efficient. Several pro-angiogenic molecules have been assessed for the same reason. Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a vasoactive peptide associated with the development and spread of many solid tumors, including Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC), but its utility in OSCC has not been confirmed. Objective This study aims to evaluate the role of the serum big ET-1 as a biomarker of OSCC, by correlating it with the clinical staging and the histopathological grading. Material and Methods Serum levels of big ET-1 measured by the sandwich Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) in 40 OSCC cases were compared with the levels from the control group using independent t-test. Clinical stages and histopathological grades of OSCC cases were compared in relation to their mean levels of serum big ET-1, one using the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) test and the other the independent t-test, respectively. The significance of the mean difference between the groups was evaluated by Tukey’s multiple comparison test. All statistical analyses were performed on GraphPad statistical software version 5.0. Results By comparing the mean of the big ET-1 concentrations of cases and controls, the independent t-test revealed significant higher big ET-1 concentration of OSCC cases when compared to controls (p<0.0001). Tukey’s multiple comparison test also revealed statistically significant difference among all OSCC stages in relation to the mean levels of serum big ET-1. However, the mean of the big ET-1 concentrations of cases of grade I and of grade II did not differ statistically (p=0.729). Conclusion Serum big ET-1 levels may be useful as a diagnostic tool in OSCC and as an adjunct to OSCC staging. However, its use as a prognostic marker warrants larger prospective studies.

An in-depth study was carried out in Rajapur, an arsenic-affected village in West Bengal, India, to determine the degree of groundwater contamination with arsenic and the impact of this contamination on residents. The flow injection hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry (FI-HG-AAS) method was used to measure arsenic concentrations in water and biological samples. Dermatologists recorded the dermatological features of arsenicosis. Out of a total of 336 hand-pumped tube-wells in Rajapur, 91% (307/336) contained arsenic at concentrations > 10 µg/l, and 63% (213/336) contained arsenic at > 50 µg/l. The type of arsenic in groundwater, the variation in concentrations of arsenic as the depth of tube-wells changed, and the iron concentration in the wells were also measured. Altogether 825 of 3500 residents were examined for skin lesions; of these, 149 had lesions caused by exposure to arsenic. Of the 420 biological samples collected and analysed, 92.6% (389) contained arsenic at concentrations that were above normal. Thus many villagers might be subclinically affected. Although five arsenic-filtering devices had been installed in Rajapur, it appears that villagers are still exposed to raised concentrations of arsenic in their drinking-water. Detailed village-level studies of arsenic-affected areas in West Bengal are required in order to understand the magnitude of contamination and its effects on people. Villagers are ill-informed about the dangers of drinking arsenic-contaminated water. The contamination could be brought under control by increasing community awareness of the dangers and implementing proper watershed management techniques that involve local people.

En Rajapur, una aldea de Bengala Occidental (India) afectada por el arsénico, se llevó a cabo un estudio exhaustivo a fin de determinar el grado de contaminación de las aguas subterráneas por arsénico y los efectos de esa contaminación en los residentes. Se utilizó la técnica de espectrometría de absorción atómica, método híbrido de inyección en flujo (FI-HG-AAS), para medir las concentraciones de arsénico en el agua y en muestras biológicas. Los signos cutáneos de arsenicosis fueron determinados por dermatólogos. Del total de 336 pozos entubados con bomba manual existentes en Rajapur, el 91% (307/336) contenían arsénico a concentraciones superiores a 10 µg/l, y el 63% (213/336) contenían más de 50 µg/l. Se midieron también el tipo de arsénico en las aguas subterráneas, la variación de las concentraciones de arsénico en función de la profundidad de los pozos y la concentración de hierro en los pozos. Se examinó la pìel de 825 de 3500 residentes; de ellos, 149 tenían lesiones causadas por la exposición al arsénico. De las 420 muestras biológicas recogidas y analizadas, el 92,6% (389) contenían arsénico a concentraciones mayores de lo normal. Así pues, muchos lugareños podrían estar afectados de forma asintomática. Aunque se habían instalado en Rajapur cinco dispositivos de filtro del arsénico, parece que los lugareños siguen expuestos a concentraciones elevadas en el agua de bebida. Es necesario emprender estudios detallados a nivel de aldea en las zonas de Bengala Occidental afectadas por el arsénico para poder determinar la magnitud de la contaminación y de sus efectos en las personas. Los lugareños están mal informados acerca de los peligros que entraña el consumo de agua contaminada por arsénico. La contaminación podría controlarse sensibilizando a la comunidad sobre los peligros y aplicando técnicas adecuadas de ordenación de cuencas hidrográficas que involucren a la población local.

A Rajapur, village touché par la pollution à l'arsenic du Bengale occidental, Inde, on a réalisé une étude en profondeur pour déterminer le degré de contamination des eaux souterraines par l'arsenic et l'impact de cette contamination sur les habitants. On a utilisé la spectrométrie d'absorption atomique couplée à un générateur d'hydrure (FI-HG-AAS) pour mesurer les concentrations d'arsenic dans l'eau et les échantillons biologiques. Des dermatologues ont relevé les caractéristiques dermatologiques de l'arsenicose. Parmi les 336 puits tubulaires équipés de pompes manuelles de Rajapur, 91 % (307/336) contenaient de l'arsenic à des concentrations > 10 µg/l et 63 % (213/336) renfermaient plus de 50 µg/l d'arsenic. On a également déterminé le type d'arsenic présent dans les eaux souterraines, la variation des concentrations d'arsenic en fonction de la profondeur des puits tubulaires et la concentration de fer dans ces puits. On a examiné au total 825 des 3500 habitants à la recherche de lésions cutanées : 149 d'entre eux présentaient des lésions provoquées par l'exposition à l'arsenic. Parmi les 420 échantillons biologiques recueillis et analysés, 92,6 % (389) contenaient de l'arsenic à des concentrations supérieures à la normale. Ainsi, de nombreux villageois pourraient être affectés à un niveau subclinique. Bien que cinq dispositifs de filtrage de l'arsenic aient été installés à Rajapur, il s'avère que les villageois sont encore exposés à des concentrations élevées d'arsenic dans l'eau de boisson. Des études détaillées à l'échelle du village des zones touchées par l'arsenic du Bengale occidental sont nécessaires pour avoir une idée de l'ampleur de la contamination et de ses effets sur les personnes. Les villageois sont mal informés des dangers liés à la consommation d'eau contaminée par l'arsenic. Il serait possible de maîtriser cette contamination en sensibilisant les communautés à ces dangers et en mettant en œuvre des techniques de gestion des bassins hydrologiques appropriées, impliquant la population locale.