Impact of Watershed Development Projects on Seasonal Livestock Migration — A Study on Shivalik Foothill Villages in Haryana

Seasonal migration of pastoral nomads, which constitutes a major proportion of human population in the Shivalik foothill villages in the Haryana state, is being practised since long in the region. To a large extent, these movements are associated with the absence of water resources development in the water-scarce regions. The present paper has examined the impact of watershed development programmes on seasonal livestock migration and has investigated the determinants of likelihood of such types of migration. The results have revealed that though the watershed development projects have helped in improving the productivity of agricultural land, the same gains are still to be realized on common lands because small and landless families entirely depend on common lands for livestock rearing. Evidence has shown that market access defines the degree of livestock exploitation and there is enormous scope for improving the effectiveness through focused interventionsAgricultural and Food Policy,

Economic Viability of Rainwater Harvesting by Renovating Village Ponds in Small Agricultural Watershed of Johranpur (HP)

The study has evaluated the benefits and financial structure of the project in the village Johranpur, district Solan (Himachal Pradesh) where a project under the NATP on ‘Rainwater Management on Micro Watershed basis’ was undertaken in the year 2000. It has also studied the extent of employment generated by the project and has assessed the changes in the land-use pattern in the project area. The results have revealed that technology of diverting run-off from agricultural fields to renovated ponds and its recycling to the same area with peoples’ participation and other technological interventions could produce remarkable results and have tripled the net agricultural income. The project was implemented at an initial cost of 9.21 lakhs and farmers incurred additional annual cost on inputs ranging from Rs 4963 to Rs 6346 per hectare due to supplemental irrigation, increased cropping intensity and higher input-use. The benefit cost ratio has been found as 1.71 using a discount value of 10 per cent for the project-life of 10 years. The project has also helped in generating additional employment opportunities on casual as well as regular basis.Agricultural and Food Policy,

Gastric Glomus Tumor on EUS-FNA-Based Cytology; Clinicopathologic and Immuno-Histochemical Features of Four Cases Including a Case with Associated MIR143HG-NOTCH2 Fusion Gene

Introduction: Gastric glomus tumor (GT) is a rare submucosal tumor for which preoperative diagnosis can be challenging. We report cytomorphological and immunohistochemical (IHC) features of four gastric GT cases diagnosed by endoscopic ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) cytology. Materials and Methods: Files were searched to identify GT diagnosed on EUS-FNA between 2018 and 2021; four cases were found, three with rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE). Results: A total of 4 cases (3:1 M:F) were included (mean age: 60 years). Three GTs were located in gastric antrum and one in gastric body. Size ranged from 2-2.5 cm (Table 1). Three patients presented with epigastric discomfort, and one had chest wall discomfort and recent history of lung adenocarcinoma. ROSE were performed on 3 cases, all indeterminate. The smears were moderate to highly cellular and showed loose clusters or fragment of small to medium sized bland tumor cells (Table 2). The cells had centrally located round to oval nuclei with inconspicuous nucleoli and moderate amount of eosinophilic to clear cytoplasm (Figure 1). Tumor cells with pale and dark stained nuclei were evenly distributed (Figure 1). Cell blocks revealed branching small vessels surrounded by small-medium cells with round-oval nuclei, inconspicuous nucleoli, and abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm (Figure 1). Neoplastic cells were positive for SMA, synaptophysin and negative for C-KIT, AE1/AE3 and S-100. CD34 was variably positive. Ki-67 was \u3c 2%. For one case, the Fusion Panel - Solid Tumor (50 genes) revealed MIR143HG-NOTCH2 fusion gene (Figure 1, 2). One tumor was resected and consistent with benign GT, three were followed up clinically. Conclusions: ROSE and cell blocks revealed cohesive bland round-oval tumor cells in GTs. The differential diagnosis on ROSE include neuroendocrine tumors and epithelioid spindle cell neoplasms. IHC and molecular studies can be helpful to assist in rendering an accurate preoperative diagnosis (Table 2)

Role of Watershed Management in Bridging Demand – Supply Gap of Fodder for Enhancing Livestock Production in Shivaliks, Haryana

Watershed programme is an important intervention in dryland areas to improve livestock productivity through increased feed and fodder supply. The present study has focused on the impact of watershed interventions on crop-livestock linkages with particular emphasis on how the interventions have affected the quantity of stovers/straws as livestock feeding materials in bridging the demand-supply gap. The study has been carried out in three typical Shivalik foothill watersheds (two treated and one untreated) in the Panchkula district of Haryana state. The impact of watershed development programme has been estimated by adopting both with and without approach and before and after approach. The untreated watershed has derived 65 per cent of its total income from animal husbandry. On the contrary, this sector has contributed 42 per cent and 20 per cent in two treated watersheds. The availability of supplemental irrigation enabled the villagers to step up cropping intensity. The number of goats has reduced considerably in both treated watersheds and the number of stall-fed buffaloes has increased. Adult cattle units per household and per hectatre of cultivated area have been found to be highest in the untreated watershed. Green and dry fodder availability, both from cultivated lands and forest area, has increased as a result of implementation of watershed programme. Although the gap between requirement and availability has narrowed down in both the treated watersheds, significant gains could be realized in Sambhalwa watershed due to sufficient water availability to all the households. Bunga watershed has also shown effectiveness of watershed development programme in reducing demand –supply gap of fodder. This gap, however, widened after reaching the saturation point of watershed programme, i.e. after 22 years of its implementation.Fodder, Demand-supply gap, Watershed management, Livestock production, Shivaliks, Agricultural and Food Policy, Q01, Q15, Q25, Q28,

The Canary in the Coal Mine

Case: The patient is a 32-year-old Asian male with PMH of ERSD secondary to minimal change disease (diagnosed at age 26) presented for acute onset shortness of breath, lower extremity edema, and abdominal distension. He underwent CTPE which showed large left pleural effusion, moderate pericardial effusion and as well as ascites. Transthoracic ECHO showed moderate to large pericardial effusion with evidence of tamponade physiology. The patient underwent emergent pericardiocentesis and placement of a pericardial drain. The pericardial fluid was bloody in appearance, fluid studies showed RBC 2047709, cytology negative malignancy and culture showing no growth. The patient also underwent left-sided thoracentesis with the removal of 1L bloody fluid with the placement of a left-sided pleural drain. Pleural fluid studies showed RBC 30803, cytology negative for malignancy and culture showing no growth. Furthermore, paracentesis was done with the removal of 800cc peritoneal fluid with bloody appearance. Fluid studies showed RBC 112577 and cytology negative for malignancy, negative cultures. Hemoglobin was around 8, platelets 102, CRP 18 and sed rate 53. ANA 1:640 speckled pattern, low C3 and C4, negative ANCA, RF, CCP, RNP, Smith ds DNA, SSA, SSB, C3 low and C4 normal (both initially low). He met 4/11 SLICC criteria for SLE including serositis, +ANA, anemia/thrombocytopenia and low complements, history of MCD. He was started on methylprednisolone resulting in the improvement of anemia/thrombocytopenia. Then transitioned to oral prednisone with a taper and was also started on plaquenil and imuran. Impact/Discussion: To date, the association of SLE with MCD has been described only in isolated case reports. Initially, the etiology of the patient’s MCD was unclear. He had no history of lupus nephritis and no known causes for secondary FSGS, but failed to recover renal function and ultimately progressed to ESRD. His dramatic presentation suggests that MCD was a harbinger of SLE—the metaphorical canary in the coal mine. In the context of his past medical history and his particular demographic, initial clinical suspicion for SLE was low. This case contributes to the body of literature supporting early consideration of SLE as a potential etiology for MCD and acute pericarditis. Conclusion: SLE is an autoimmune disorder with a wide spectrum of manifestations. Acute pericarditis is an important and potentially a life threatening complication of the disease. According to the most recent EULAR/ACR 2019 SLE criteria, acute pericarditis scores 6 points. A total of 10 points is required to diagnose SLE, thus recognizing SLE as a potential underlying cause in a newly diagnosed acute pericarditis or cardiac tamponade is crucial to initiate treatment and improve outcomes. A relevant association may exist between SLE and MCD.https://scholarlycommons.henryford.com/merf2020caserpt/1019/thumbnail.jp

Post-adoption behaviour of farmers towards soil and water conservation technologies of watershed management in India

AbstractThe Indian Institute of Soil and Water Conservation (IISWC) and its Research Centres have developed many successful model watershed projects in India in the past and implemented many Soil and Water Conservation (SWC) technologies for sustainable watershed management. While many evaluation studies were conducted on these projects in the past, there has been no assessment of the post-adoption status of the SWC technologies over a longer period. It was imperative to appraise the behaviour of the farmers with regard to the continuance or discontinuance of the technologies adopted, diffusion or infusion that took place and technological gaps that occurred in due course of time in the post watershed programme. Therefore, it was realized that the post-adoption behaviour of beneficiary farmers who have adopted different soil and water conservation technologies for watershed management projects should be studied in detail. The research study was initiated in 2012 as a core project at Vasad as the lead Centre along with IISWC headquarter Dehradun, and Centres Agra, Bellary, Chandigarh, Datia, Kota & Ooty, with the specific objectives of the study to measure the extent of post-adoption behaviour (continued-adoption, discontinuance, technological gap, diffusion and infusion) of farmers towards the adopted SWC technologies of watershed management. In the present study various indices regarding continued adoption, dis-adoption (discontinuance), technological gap, diffusion, infusion regarding soil and water conservation technologies for watershed management were developed for measurement of post-adoption behaviour of farmers. It was revealed that a little less than three-fourth (73%) of SWC technologies continued to be adopted and more than one-fourth (27%) were discontinued by farmers. Out of the total continue adopted SWC technologies by farmers, a little less than one-fifth (19%) of technologies continued to be adopted with a technological gap. More than one-fourth (28%) of SWC technologies were also diffused to other farmers’ fields in nearby villages and on an average 1.2 technologies were also infused into the farmers׳ fields from outside by their own efforts in the watersheds developed by the IISWC and its Centres

Cetuximab and anemia prevention in head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy

BACKGROUND: Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) activation is associated with increased production of interleukin 6 (IL6), which is intensified by radiotherapy (RT) induced inflammatory response. Elevated IL6 levels intensifies RT-induced anemia by upregulating hepcidin causing functional iron deficiency. Cetuximab, an EGFR inhibitor, has been associated with lower rates of anemia for locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). We hypothesized that concomitant cetuximab could prevent RT-induced anemia. METHODS: We queried our institutional head and neck cancers database for non-metastatic HNSCC cases that received RT with concomitant cetuximab or RT-only between 2006 and 2018. Cetuximab was administered for some high-risk cases medically unfit for platinum agents per multidisciplinary team evaluation. We only included patients who had at least one complete blood count in the 4 months preceding and after RT. We compared the prevalence of anemia (defined as hemoglobin (Hb) below 12 g/dL in females and 13 g/dL in males) and mean Hb levels at baseline and after RT. Improvement of anemia/Hb (resolution of baseline anemia and/or an increase of baseline Hb ≥1 g/dL after RT), and overall survival (OS) in relation to anemia/Hb dynamics were also compared. RESULTS: A total of 171 patients were identified equally distributed between cetuximab-plus-RT and RT-only groups. The cetuximab-plus-RT group had more locally-advanced stage, oropharyngeal and high grade tumors (p \u3c 0.001 for all). Baseline anemia/Hb were similar, however anemia after RT conclusion was higher in the cetuximab-plus-RT vs RT-only (63.5% vs. 44.2%; p = 0.017), with a mean Hb of 11.98 g/dL vs. 12.9 g/dL; p = 0.003, for both respectively. This contributed to significantly worse anemia/Hb improvement for cetuximab-plus-RT (18.8% vs. 37.2%; p = 0.007). This effect was maintained after adjusting for other factors in multivariate analysis. The prevalence of iron, vitamin-B12 and folate deficiencies; and chronic kidney disease, was non-different. Baseline anemia was associated with worse OS (p = 0.0052) for the whole study cohort. Nevertheless, improvement of anemia/Hb was only marginally associated with better OS (p = 0.068). CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to previous studies, cetuximab was not associated with lower rates of anemia after RT for nonmetastatic HNSCC patients compared to RT-alone. Dedicated prospective studies are needed to elucidate the effect of cetuximab on RT-induced anemia

Impact of Watershed Development Projects on Seasonal Livestock Migration — A Study on Shivalik Foothill Villages in Haryana

Seasonal migration of pastoral nomads, which constitutes a major proportion of human population in the Shivalik foothill villages in the Haryana state, is being practised since long in the region. To a large extent, these movements are associated with the absence of water resources development in the water-scarce regions. The present paper has examined the impact of watershed development programmes on seasonal livestock migration and has investigated the determinants of likelihood of such types of migration. The results have revealed that though the watershed development projects have helped in improving the productivity of agricultural land, the same gains are still to be realized on common lands because small and landless families entirely depend on common lands for livestock rearing. Evidence has shown that market access defines the degree of livestock exploitation and there is enormous scope for improving the effectiveness through focused intervention

Economic Viability of Rainwater Harvesting by Renovating Village Ponds in Small Agricultural Watershed of Johranpur (HP)

The study has evaluated the benefits and financial structure of the project in the village Johranpur, district Solan (Himachal Pradesh) where a project under the NATP on ‘Rainwater Management on Micro Watershed basis’ was undertaken in the year 2000. It has also studied the extent of employment generated by the project and has assessed the changes in the land-use pattern in the project area. The results have revealed that technology of diverting run-off from agricultural fields to renovated ponds and its recycling to the same area with peoples’ participation and other technological interventions could produce remarkable results and have tripled the net agricultural income. The project was implemented at an initial cost of 9.21 lakhs and farmers incurred additional annual cost on inputs ranging from Rs 4963 to Rs 6346 per hectare due to supplemental irrigation, increased cropping intensity and higher input-use. The benefit cost ratio has been found as 1.71 using a discount value of 10 per cent for the project-life of 10 years. The project has also helped in generating additional employment opportunities on casual as well as regular basis