S. P. S. Kushwaha

Serum copper in Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia in the elderly and it’s prevalence is rapidly rising. Oxidative stress plays important role in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease. Metals like copper, iron derived through diet can act as pro-oxidant under oxidative stress. In the present study, serum copper levels were evaluated in 50 patients with Alzheimer’s disease, 24 patients with Vascular Dementia and 30 controls. All the groups were also investigated for serum ceruloplsmin levels. The mean copper levels in Alzheimer’s disease and Vascular Dementia were significantly raised compared to controls. An attempt has been made to study the relationship of serum copper with ceruloplasmin. Our study found weak correlation between copper and ceruloplasmin levels in Alzheimer’s disease and Vascular Dementia.

Interfacing remote sensing and GIS methods for sustainable rural development

Remote sensing and Geographical Information System (GIS) are two important tools in developmental planning. This study demonstrates their application in sustainable rural development planning especially for people at the grass root level, the farmers, in the Bahal-Singhani area of Bhiwani district, Haryana, in north-western India. A holistic approach was adopted considering the production and the conservation functions of the ecosystem. Remotely sensed data were utilized to assess the natural resources of the area. A thorough analysis of climatic, socio-economic and natural resources conditions was made. A set of rules was formulated and all the information was integrated to prepare realistic action plans. These action plans have found wide acceptance due to their practicability and soundness.

Role of vitamin B 12 , folate, and thyroid stimulating hormone in dementia: A hospital-based study in north Indian population

Background: Vitamin B12 and folate represent modifiable risk factors for dementia. They may increase the risk of Alzheimer′s dementia (AD) and vascular dementia (VaD) as their deficiency can increase the homocysteine level due to slowed methylation reaction. Homocysteine has a neurotoxic effect that could lead to neurologic disturbances. Hence, it is important to explore the status of serum B12 and folate in AD and VaD to evolve the treatment strategies for the same. Objectives: A retrospective study was conducted to assess the levels of vitamin B12, folate, and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in serum and the relationship of these factors, including age and sex to cognitive decline in VaD, AD, and dementia due to other causes (DOC). Materials and Methods: Serum vitamin B12, folate, TSH, and total cholesterol were studied in 32 AD patients (mean age: 65 years), 12 VaD patients (mean age: 61 years), 83 DOC (mean age: 65 years), and 127 control subjects (mean age: 49 years). Results: In AD, VaD, and DOC, the levels of vitamin B12 and folate were significantly lower (P < 0.002; 0.026; 0.002 for vitamin B12 and P < 0.000 in all the 3 groups for folate) as compared with the controls. Similarly, TSH levels were significantly lower in AD and DOC (P < 0.008; 0.038) as compared with the controls. Conclusion: Vitamin B12 and folate were significantly low in both AD and VaD patients. Hence, B vitamin supplementation should be considered as possible targets for the therapeutic intervention in dementia.

A cross-sectional study on thyroid status in North Indian elderly outpatients with dementia

Background: Several population based studies have demonstrated an association between hypo-or hyperthyroidism and dementia in last two decades. As a consequence, thyroid stimulating hormone has become part of the screening laboratory test for dementia. Aim: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association between thyroid function and Alzheimers disease (AD) and vascular dementia (VaD) and to determine the risk of AD and VaD in clinically euthyroid patients. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional hospital based study was carried out in subjects diagnosed with AD/VaD and were assessed for thyroid status as routine screening test. Results: Free T3, free T4 and TSH were studied in 114 AD patients (mean age: 65 years), 35 VaD patients (mean age: 62 years) and 105 control subjects (mean age: 62 years). In AD group, TSH levels were significantly lower than controls (P = 0.00) and for each unit increase in TSH level, the odds of having dementia decreased by 37.1%. No such relation was seen in VaD. Conclusion: The results suggest a consistent association of subclinical hyperthyroidism and AD.

Evaluation of remote-sensing-based models of gross primary productivity over Indian sal forest using flux tower and MODIS satellite data

ABSTRACT Forest plays a significant role in regulating the carbon budget and mitigating climate change in long term. However, lack of spatially explicit and accurate information on carbon exchange components from diverse forest ecosystem types in India limits carbon budgeting on a regional scale. Remote-sensing-driven ecosystem models are well-established tools for estimating gross primary productivity (GPP) over large areas but they are seldom found erroneous if implemented without proper calibration of biome-specific parameters. The present study evaluates the combined use of eddy covariance (EC) data and satellite-derived variables for estimating GPP over large areas. Four remote-sensing-driven models, (i) temperature–greenness (TG) model, (ii) greenness–radiation (GR) model, (iii) light use efficiency (LUE) model, and (iv) remote-sensing-based LUE (LUERS) model, were parameterized with EC measurements and compared with 8-day Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) GPP products for a moist Shorea robusta forest in northern part of India. EC observed 8-day average GPP varied from 5.38 to 12.42 g C m−2 day−1. Among the four tested models, TG model had the highest root mean square error (RMSE) of 1.28 g C m−2 day−1, while GR and LUERS models had moderate RMSE of 0.99 g C m−2 day−1 and 0.98 g C m−2 day−1, respectively. The closest GPP estimate was given by LUE model with RMSE of 0.93 g C m−2 day−1. The RMSE for all four models were four times lower than that of MODIS GPP. Lower maximum LUE (and uncertainty in the environmental scalar used in MODIS GPP algorithm could have contributed to higher RMSE. More accurate modelling of GPP can help in better understanding of forest ecological functions with the changing climate.