Showing papers by "Jawaharlal Nehru University published in 2000"

Increased nutritive value of transgenic potato by expressing a nonallergenic seed albumin gene from Amaranthus hypochondriacus

Abstract: Improvement of nutritive value of crop plants, in particular the amino acid composition, has been a major long-term goal of plant breeding programs. Toward this end, we reported earlier the cloning of the seed albumin gene AmA1 from Amaranthus hypochondriacus. The AmA1 protein is nonallergenic in nature and is rich in all essential amino acids, and the composition corresponds well with the World Health Organization standards for optimal human nutrition. In an attempt to improve the nutritional value of potato, the AmA1 coding sequence was successfully introduced and expressed in tuber-specific and constitutive manner. There was a striking increase in the growth and production of tubers in transgenic populations and also of the total protein content with an increase in most essential amino acids. The expressed protein was localized in the cytoplasm as well as in the vacuole of transgenic tubers. Thus we have been able to use a seed albumin gene with a well-balanced amino acid composition as a donor protein to develop a transgenic crop plant. The results document, in addition to successful nutritional improvement of potato tubers, the feasibility of genetically modifying other crop plants with novel seed protein composition.

In Vitro Resistance of Staphylococcus aureus to Thrombin-Induced Platelet Microbicidal Protein Is Associated with Alterations in Cytoplasmic Membrane Fluidity

Abstract: Platelet microbicidal proteins (PMPs) are small, cationic peptides which possess potent microbicidal activities against common bloodstream pathogens, such as Staphylococcus aureus. We previously showed that S. aureus strains exhibiting resistance to thrombin-induced PMP (tPMP-1) in vitro have an enhanced capacity to cause human and experimental endocarditis (T. Wu, M. R. Yeaman, and A. S. Bayer, Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 38:729‐732, 1994; A. S. Bayer et al., Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 42:3169‐3172, 1998; V. K. Dhawan et al., Infect. Immun. 65:3293‐3299, 1997). However, the mechanisms mediating tPMP-1 resistance in S. aureus are not fully delineated. The S. aureus cell membrane appears to be a principal target for the action of tPMP-1. To gain insight into the basis of tPMP-1 resistance, we compared several parameters of membrane structure and function in three tPMP-1-resistant (tPMP-1 r ) strains and their genetically related, tPMP-1susceptible (tPMP-1 s ) counterpart strains. The tPMP-1 r strains were derived by three distinct methods: transposon mutagenesis, serial passage in the presence of tPMP-1 in vitro, or carriage of a naturally occurring multiresistance plasmid (pSK1). All tPMP-1 r strains were found to possess elevated levels of longer-chain, unsaturated membrane lipids, in comparison to their tPMP-1 s counterparts. This was reflected in corresponding differences in cell membrane fluidity in the strain pairs, with tPMP-1 r strains exhibiting significantly higher degrees of fluidity as assessed by fluorescence polarization. These data provide further support for the concept that specific alterations in the cytoplasmic membrane of S. aureus strains are associated with tPMP-1 resistance in vitro.

Globalization, Humanitarianism and the Erosion of Refugee Protection

Abstract: While humanitarianism has always had a presence in international politics it has never had the salience it possesses today. This may be attributed to the fact that humanitarianism is the ideology of hegemonic states in the era of globalization marked by the end of the Cold War and a growing North-South divide. The paper explores at first the relationship between globalization and humanitarianism as it manifests itself in the world of international law and politics and emphasizes that the Northern commitment to humanitarianism coexists with a range of practices which violate its essence. It then goes on to show how the new humanitarianism is causing the erosion of the fundamental principles of refugee protection and is transforming the character of UNHCR. The paper concludes with some recommendations on how to move from new humanitarianism to just humanitarianism.

Analysis and resolution of protected area-people conflicts in Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, India.

Abstract: Conflicts between local people and protected area managers are a common problem in developing countries, but in many cases there has been little attempt to comprehensively characterize the underlying problems. Resource uses, management practices, economy and people's perceptions of problems and likely solutions were analysed in two villages near and two villages away from the core zone of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve in the Indian Himalaya. Agriculture, although practised on less than 1% of the area, was the primary occupation of local people. Six annual crops of a total of 22 and all four horticultural crops on private farms were damaged by wildlife, but Reserve management provided compensation only for livestock killing by wildlife and compensation amounted to only 4–10% of the total assessed monetary value of killed livestock. A variety of wild plant products were used locally but 27 were marketed by more than 50% of surveyed families; income from wild products was substantially lower than that from crops and livestock. A sociocultural change from a subsistence to a market economy, together with changes in traditional land/resource rights and institutions, has led to a number of changes in land-use and management practices. The livestock population has declined, agricultural area has remained the same and people have started cultivating medicinal species in the last 20 years. These changes seem complementary to the goal of conservation. However, changes such as abandonment of some traditional food crops and stress on cash crops lacking fodder value, requiring substantial manure inputs derived from forest litter and livestock excreta, and causing severe soil erosion, seem to counter the goal of environmental conservation. Some government-managed Reserve Forest sites were similar to the Community Forests in terms of species richness, basal area and soil physico-chemical properties. Two Reserve Forest sites showed basal areas of 160.5–191.5 m2/ha, exceeding the highest values reported so far from the region. The formal institutional framework of resource management seems to be not as effective as the traditional informal system. The Reserve Management Plan lays more emphasis on legal protection than on the sustainable livelihood of local communities and has led to conflicts between local people and reserve managers. Plantation of fodder and medicinal species in degraded forest lands, suppression of economic exploitation of local people in the market, enhancement of local knowledge of the economic potential of biodiversity, incentives for cultivation of crops with comparative advantages and lesser risks of damage by wildlife, and rejuvenation of the traditional involvement of the whole village community in decison-making, could be the options for resolving conflicts between people and protected areas in this case.

Modulatory influence of Adhatoda vesica (Justicia adhatoda) leaf extract on the enzymes of xenobiotic metabolism, antioxidant status and lipid peroxidation in mice.

Abstract: The effect of two different doses (50 and 100 mg/kg body wt/day for 14 days) of 80% ethanolic extract of the leaves of Adhatoda vesica were examined on drug metabolizing phase I and phase II enzymes, antioxidant enzymes, glutathione content, lactate dehydrogenase and lipid peroxidation in the liver of 8 weeks old Swiss albino mice The modulatory effect of the extract was also examined on extra-hepatic organs viz lung, kidney and forestomach for the activities of glutathione S-transferase, DT-diaphorase, superoxide dismutase and catalase Significant increase in the activities of acid soluble sulfhydryl (-SH) content, cytochrome P450, NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase, cytochrome b5, NADH-cytochrome b5 reductase, glutathione S-transferase (GST), DT-diaphorase (DTD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione reductase (GR) were observed in the liver at both dose levels of treatments Adhatoda vesica acted as bifunctional inducer since it induced both phase I and phase II enzyme systems Both the treated groups showed significant decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA) formation in liver, suggesting its role in protection against prooxidant induced membrane damage The cytosolic protein was significantly inhibited at both the dose levels of treatment indicating the possibility of its involvement in the inhibition of protein synthesis BHA has significantly induced the activities of GR and GSH in the present study The extract was effective in inducing GST and DTD in lung and forestomach, and SOD and CAT in kidney Thus, besides liver, other organs viz, lung, kidney and forestomach were also stimulated by Adhatoda, to increase the potential of the machinery associated with the detoxification of xenobiotic compounds But, liver and lung showed a more consistent induction Since the study of induction of the phase I and phase II enzymes is considered to be a reliable marker for evaluating the chemopreventive efficacy of a particular compound, these findings are suggestive of the possible chemopreventive role played by Adhatoda leaf extract

Hydrochemistry and Quality Assessment of Groundwater in Naini Industrial Area, Allahabad District, Uttar Pradesh

Abstract: The chemical characteristics of groundwater in and around the industrial area of Naini district, Allahabad have been studied to evaluate the suitability of water for irrigation and domestic uses. Sixty five water samples representing the shallow and deep groundwater of the area were collected and analysed for pH, EC, TDS, HCO 3 , CO 3 , SO 4 , Cl, Ca, Mg, Na and K. It is observed that the quality of the groundwater is suitable for domestic use with some exception. The observed high quantity of heavy metals at some sites requires immediate attention and detailed study. The calculated values of SAR, RSC and sodium percentage indicate the good to permissible quality of water. However, the high sodium percentage and RSC values at certain sites restrict its suitability for agricultural purposes.

Plant productivity determinants beyond minerals, water and light: Piriformospora indica - a revolutionary plant growth promoting fungus.

Abstract: Biotic factors, along with the more obvious abiotic factors, determine and greatly influence the producti vity and health of the plants. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, AMF, the root-interacting predominant microbiota play an indispensable role in upgrading plant growth vigour and survival. However, the nonavailability of the axenic culture is a great bottleneck for the fundamental studies and their biotechnological applications. Piriformospora indica is a newly described axenically cultivable phytopromotional endosymbiont, which mimics the capabilities of AMF. The fungus having a broad host spectrum shows pronounced growth-promotional effects. It mobilizes the insoluble phosphates and translocates the phosphorus to the host in an energy-dependent process. As a biological hardening agent of micropropagat ed plants, it renders more than ninety per cent survival rate for laboratory to field transferred plantlets. The succes sful isolation of regenerative protoplasts of P. indica opens up important possibility of improving symbiosis by transgenic manipulation of fungal component in a symbiosis-specific manner. The immobilization of the fungus stabilizes the infective capacity of the fungus and promises its use as a viable inoculum for biotec hnological applications and long-distance transportation. The axenic cultivability of P. indica on economically viable synthetic media makes it suitable for mass scale inoculum production for application in agro -forestry and horticulture. In sum up, solar energy, water and soil nutrients are undoubtedly essential for plant productivity but the interaction with useful and friendly microbes also exert a tremendous impact. IT is a general belief that plants, because they are aut otrophs, can carry out all the functions of life with the availability of the so -called abiotic factors such as solar energy, moisture and mineral nutrients. However, what is not generally realized is that the plants, as all living o rganisms, also interact with the biotic factors, and their underground root system is under the direct influence of a diverse group of micro-organisms 1 . The mycorrhizal fungi and PGPRs (plant growth promoting rhizobacteria) being mutualistic symbionts, control, in many ways, the plant health 2 . More than 90% of the terrestrial plants (angi osperms, gymnosperms, pteridophytes, bryophytes and some algae) are colonized by mycorrhizal fungi. Arbusc ular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), which belong to the order Glomales (Zygomycota), are an integral part of the living plant system in a great majority of terrestrial plants. They penetrate into the root cortex of the host and differentiate into special intracel lular structures called arbuscules. These fungi play a pivotal role in plant health, especially in stressed soils which are not normally fertilized and are dependent on rain -fed irrigation 3

Distribution of rare earth elements and heavy metals in the surficial sediments of the Himalayan river system

Abstract: Rare earth elements (REEs) are considered as useful tracers of various surface geological processes in the river system. REEs and heavy metals (V, Pb, Cr, Co, Ag, Zn, Cd, Ni) were analyzed from the suspended sediments of Ganges and surficial sediments of Yamuna, Brahmaputra, Jamuna, Padma and Meghna, using VG Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometer. Physical weathering process seems to be a major controlling factor for the distribution of REE and trace metals in the sediments of the Himalayan rivers. Weathering of the surface crustal area in the drainage basin shows significant variations due to changes in lithology and influence of tributaries. The distribution of REE shows an almost uniform pattern due to factors such as river transportation processes and high level of terrigenous mixing in the bed sediments. The results show that finer grain size and high content of clay mineral (illite) in these sediments are possible traps for the accumulation of metals. Anthropogenic activities seem to have very little influence in controlling the elemental distribution in the Himalayan rivers.

Growth and ecological impacts of traditional agroforestry tree species in Central Himalaya, India

Abstract: A number of multipurpose tree species are conserved as scattered trees in settled farms on terraced slopes by the traditional farmers in Central Himalaya, India. Knowledge on growth rates and ecological impacts of these tree species is limited. Ten locally valued multipurpose tree species, viz., Albizzia lebbek, Alnus nepalensis, Boehmeria rugulosa, Celtis australis, Dalbergia sissoo, Ficus glomerata, Grewia optiva, Prunus cerasoides, Pyrus pashia and Sapium sebiferum, were established as mixed plantations at a degraded community forest land site and an abandoned agricultural land site in a village at 1200 m altitude in District Chamoli, India. At the abandoned agricultural land site, annual food crops were grown, along with planted trees, providing supplemental irrigation and organic manure following traditional farming practices. Survival, height, stem circumference, crown depth and width, number of branches, above-ground biomass and soil physico-chemical characteristics were monitored up to five years of plantation growth. Above-ground tree biomass accumulation at the abandoned agricultural land site was 3.9 t ha−1 yr−1 compared with 1.1 t ha−1 yr−1at the degraded forest land site. B. rugulosa, C. australis, F. glomerata, G. optiva, P. cerasoides and S. sebiferum showed more prominent differences in growth at the two sites compared with A. lebbek, A. nepalensis, D. sissoo and P. pashia. A. nepalensis and D. sissoo showed best growth performance at both the sites. A significant improvement in soil physico-chemical characteristics was observed after five years at both of the sites. Carbon sequestration in soil was higher than that in bole biomass.

Calcium Signaling: Linking Environmental Signals to Cellular Functions

Abstract: Topics discussed in this review include Ca in signal-response coupling and the specificity of Ca 2+ signals. It is concluded that Ca is the most important signalling molecule in plants. The source of Ca and the type of cell responding to a particular signal confers specificity at the primary level. At other levels, specificity is achieved by the strength of the Ca signal and the specific patterns of Ca change. Another level of control is achieved by changes in activity of various other proteins and factors that become activated or modulated by changes in Ca levels. Ca-dependent kinases and phosphatases belong to this category and are main components of signal response coupling. Changes in the level of other factors in concert with Ca also activate a specific set of proteins, and this could also be involved in contribution to the specificity of signalling. Ca directly affecting the expression of certain genes gives another level of control on specificity. Other components in the regulation of Ca signalling are also discussed.

The inducible N-acetylglucosamine catabolic pathway gene cluster in Candida albicans: discrete N-acetylglucosamine-inducible factors interact at the promoter of NAG1.

Abstract: The catabolic pathway of N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) in Candida albicans is an important facet of its pathogenicity. One of the pathway genes, encoding glucosamine-6-phosphate deaminase (NAG1) is transcriptionally regulated by GlcNAc. Sequence analysis of a 4-kb genomic clone containing NAG1 indicates that this gene is part of a cluster containing two other genes of the GlcNAc catabolic pathway, i.e., DAC1, GlcNAc-6-phosphate deacetylase, and HXK1, hexokinase. All three genes are temporally and coordinately induced by GlcNAc suggesting a common regulatory mechanism for these genes. The NAG1 promoter is up-regulated when induced by GlcNAc in C. albicans but not in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In vivo analysis of the deletion constructs delineated the minimal promoter to -130 bp and mapped two regions at -200 and -400 bp upstream of +1 (ATG) responsible for GlcNAc induction. Gel mobility-shift assays and "footprinting" (DNase protection method) analyses revealed two regions, 5'-GGAGCAAAAAAATGT 3' (-164 to -150, box A) and 5'-ACGGTGAGTTG 3' (-291 to -281, box B), that are recognized and bound by at least two inducible activator proteins directing the regulation of gene expression.

Effects of free radicals on cytosolic creatine kinase activities and protection by antioxidant enzymes and sulfhydryl compounds.

Abstract: The main purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of free radicals and experimental diabetes on cytosolic creatine kinase activity in rat heart, muscle and brain. Hydrogen peroxide decreased creatine kinase activity in a dose dependent manner which was reversed by catalase. Xanthine/xanthine oxidase, which produces superoxide anion, lowered the creatine kinase activity in the same manner whose effect was protected by superoxide dismutase. N-acetylcysteine and dithiothreitol also significantly ameliorated the effect of Xanthine/xanthine oxidase and hydrogen peroxide. Experimental diabetes of twenty-one days (induced by alloxan), also caused a similar decrease in the activity of creatine kinase. This led us to the conclusion that the decrease in creatine kinase activity during diabetes could be due to the production of reactive oxygen species. The free radical effect could be on the sulfhydryl groups of the enzyme at the active sites, since addition of sulfhydryl groups like N-acetylcysteine and dithiothreitol showed a significant reversal effect.

Intermittency transitions to strange nonchaotic attractors in a quasiperiodically driven duffing oscillator

Abstract: Different mechanisms for the creation of strange nonchaotic attractors (SNAs) are studied in a two-frequency parametrically driven Duffing oscillator We focus on intermittency transitions in particular, and show that SNAs in this system are created through quasiperiodic saddle-node bifurcations (type-I intermittency) as well as through a quasiperiodic subharmonic bifurcation (type-III intermittency) The intermittent attractors are characterized via a number of Lyapunov measures including the behavior of the largest nontrivial Lyapunov exponent and its variance, as well as through distributions of finite-time Lyapunov exponents These attractors are ubiquitous in quasiperiodically driven systems; the regions of occurrence of various SNAs are identified in a phase diagram of the Duffing system

Realizing the Right to Development

Abstract: The Right to Development as established in the 1986 UN Declaration on the Right to Development has now been recognized, through an international consensus arrived at in Vienna in 1993, as a universal and inalienable right and an integral part of fundamental human rights. That has not, of course, settled all the controversy regarding the nature and the content of the Right to Development, but the inter-governmental debate has shifted more to the methods of implementation of that Right. This article reviews the nature and contents of the Right to Development by virtue of which every individual is entitled to a process of economic, social, cultural and political development in which all human and fundamental freedoms can be realized. It spells out a programme for implementation of the Right, step by step, through national efforts supported by international co-operation. While the states are primarily responsible for realizing this Right for their citizens, the international community has the obligation of enabling the states to do so. A mechanism is proposed through international compacts to design, promote and monitor the process of implementation.

Promoting ecotourism in the buffer zone areas of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve: An option to resolve people—policy conflict

Abstract: The fascination for mountains, breathtaking natural beauty, rich cultural diversity, socioeconomic traditions, history and lifestyles attract mountaineers, trekkers, naturalists ascetics, explorers and cultural tourists from all over the world to the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve (NDBR) and adjoining areas. Expedition/mountaineering and tourism, as a livelihood option for the people living in the buffer zone areas of NDBR, was important, next to animal husbandry and agriculture. Until 1960, Bhotiya people in the buffer zone of NDBR and adjoining areas had a good trade relationship with Tibet. Closure of Indo-Tibetan trade due to the Indo-China war of 1962, followed by imposition of conservation policies due to creation of Nanda Devi National Park in 1982 and Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve in 1988, caused all consumptive uses and expedition/ mountaineering to be banned in the core zone, which has not only affected the local economy to a large extent but also created conflict between local people and reserve a...

Diversity and distribution of endemic and exotic earthworms in natural and regenerating ecosystems in the central Himalayas, India.

Abstract: A comparative analysis of earthworm communities was carried out in the central Himalayas to understand the impact of deforestation and degradation of natural forest sites. Earthworm communities were studied in the climax forest, sub climax mixed forest, regenerating open grassland and 6 and 40 year-old pine forest sites with varying degree of disturbances at monthly intervals over a period of 1 year. Eight species belonging to four families were recorded from these sites, Lumbricidae ( Bimostus parvus , Octolasion tyrtaeum ), Octochaetidae ( Octochaetona beatrix ), Megascolecidae ( Amynthas corticis , Eutyphoeus festivus , E. nanianus , E. waltonii ) and Moniligastridae ( Drawida sp.). The loss of natural climax vegetation led to the loss of endemic E. nanianus , endemic E. festivus and E. waltoni and three exotic species A. corticis , B. parvus and O. beatrix sp. and Drawida sp. appeared in the regenerating sites. Due to the process of deforestation and degradation a general decline in the density of the endemic species and the dominance by exotics were observed. The maximum number of species were recorded in 40 year-old pine forest. The present study emphasised the fact that in the central Himalayas the functional guild (endogees–anecics) change under different vegetation type; organic matter characteristics could be an important factor for this. Biological invasion was also observed in the climax forest due to the presence of exotic O. tyrtaeum . Except for A. corticis all other species had significantly higher density during the rainy season. A. corticis had maximum winter population in both 6 and 40 year-old pine forest. Population size of earthworms were significantly correlated with soil moisture, temperature and organic matter. Fire in the subclimax mixed forest caused significant decline in the population density of earthworm species. The accidental fire in the subclimax forest affected population recovery differently for different species. Thus O. tyrtaeum and E. nanianus improved significantly after 60 and 120 days after the fire.

Effect of ultraviolet-B radiation on intact cells of the cyanobacterium Spirulina platensis: characterization of the alterations in the thylakoid membranes.

Abstract: Intact trichomes of Spirulina platensis are exposed to ultraviolet- B (UV-B) radiation (270-320 nm; 1.9 mW m(-2)) for 9 h. This UV-B exposure results in alterations in the pigment-protein complexes and in the fluorescence emission profile of the chlorophyll-protein complexes of the thylakoids as compared with thylakoids isolated from control dark-adapted Spirulina cells. The UV-B exposure causes a significant decrease in photosystem II activity, but no loss in photosystem I activity. Although there is no change in the photosystem I activity in thylakoids from UV-B-exposed cells, the chlorophyll a emission at room temperature and at 77 K indicates alterations associated with photosystem I. Additionally, the results clearly demonstrate that the photosystem II core antennae of chlorophyll proteins CP47 and CP43 are affected by UV-B exposure, as revealed by Western blot analysis. Furthermore, a prominent 94 kDa protein band appears in the sodium dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) profile of UV-B-exposed cell thylakoids, which is absent from the control thylakoids. This 94 kDa protein appears not to be newly induced by UV-B exposure, but could possibly have originated from the UV-B-induced cross-linking of the thylakoid proteins. The exposure of isolated Spirulina thylakoids to the same intensity of UV-B radiation for 1-3 h induces losses in the CP47 and CP43 levels, but does not induce the appearance of the 94 kDa protein band in SDS-PAGE. These results clearly demonstrate that prolonged exposure of Spirulina cells to moderate levels of UV-B affects the chlorophyll a-protein complexes and alters the fluorescence emission spectral profile of the pigment-protein complexes of the thylakoid membranes. Thus, it is clear that chlorophyll a antennae of Spirulina platensis are significantly altered by UV-B radiation.

Experimental Study of the Dynamics of Water and the Phase behavior of the Supercooled Aqueous Solutions of Propylene Glycol, Glycerol, Poly(ethylene glycol)s, and Poly(vinylpyrrolidone).

Abstract: The dielectric behavior of the supercooled aqueous solutions of propylene gylcol, glycerol, poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP), and poly(ethylene glycol)s of different molecular weights has been examined at different concentrations in the frequency range of 106−10-3 Hz. Differential scanning calorimetric measurements have also been carried out on the samples. The shape of the relaxation spectra and the temperature dependence of the relaxation rates have been critically examined. In addition to the structural relaxation process that is responsible for the glass transition event at the calorimetric Tg (the so-called α process in dielectric measurements), another relaxation of considerable magnitude is found to break away from the main relaxation on the water-rich side, which continues to the sub-Tg region. The sub-Tg process dominates the dielectric measurements in higher PEGs, and the α process is seen as a weak process. The measurements reveal that the aqueous solution at lower temperature is a single-phase sys...

Health care systems in transition III. India, Part I. The Indian experience

Abstract: Indian society is distinguished by marked cultural pluralism and a relatively young population that in 1999 has grown to one billion. Its regional and economic diversity and complex social structure and extremes of poverty and wealth make planning a challenging task. Developing economic self-reliance tackling poverty and building a strong welfare state were major commitments of the newly independent India. After 1949 a conscious effort was made to invest in education and health services. Constitutionally health services were the responsibility of the provincial states. The role of central government was to define policies provide a national strategic framework financial resources and specified services such as services for people crossing international borders and medical education. In the 26 States and two Union Territories districts were the operative units wherein the population of about 1.3-1.5 million was served by a network of Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and sub-centres organized as a pyramid with the district hospital at the apex. Health sector planning had two major thrusts: the first to build an infrastructure to provide basic medical care maternal and child health (MCH) services health information education and referral services; and the second to develop specific national health programmes to control communicable diseases provide family planning services (FPSs) and control severe forms of nutritional deficiencies. To carry out these tasks a support system had been developed which included education and training research health information and monitoring drug and equipment production etc. (excerpt)

Dissolved fluoride in the Lower Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna River system in the Bengal Basin, Bangladesh

Abstract: The dissolved fluoride (F−) in the Lower Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna (GBM) river system, Bengal basin, Bangladesh, was studied during 1991–1993 to determine its distribution and source in the basin, and its annual flux to the Bay of Bengal. The concentration of dissolved F− varied between 2 and 11 μmol l−1 with statistically significant variations both spatially and temporally in the basin. Such variations are attributable to the geology of the individual subbasins (Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna), dilution by rainwater during monsoon and groundwater contribution to the river systems during dry season. Correlation coefficients among F− and major cations and anions suggest diverse inorganic processes responsible for regulating the concentration of F− in these river systems. However, fluorite seems to be one of the major sources of dissolved F−. The concentration of F− in the Lower GBM river system is low compared to the rivers draining Deccan Plateau and arid regions of the subcontinent, for example, Yamuna and its tributaries. However, it is within the range of most of the other Peninsular and Himalayan rivers. The GBM system contributes about 115×103 tonnes year−1 of dissolved F− into the Bay of Bengal, and thus accounts for about 3% of the global F− flux to the oceans annually.