Identification of novel resistant sources for ascochyta blight (Ascochyta rabiei) in chickpea

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is the second largest pulse crop grown worldwide and ascochyta blight caused by Ascochyta rabiei (Pass.) Labr. is the most devastating disease of the crop in all chickpea growing areas across the continents. The pathogen A. rabiei is highly variable. The resistant sources available are not sufficient and new sources needs to be identified from time to time as resistance breakdown in existing chickpea varieties is very frequent due to fast evolution of new pathotypes of the pathogen. Therefore, this work was undertaken to evaluate the existing chickpea germplasm diversity conserved in Indian National Genebank against the disease under artificial epiphytotic conditions. An artificial standard inoculation procedure was followed for uniform spread of the pathogen. During the last five winter seasons from 2014–15 to 2018–19, a total of 1,970 accessions have been screened against the disease and promising accessions were identified and validated. Screening has resulted in identification of some promising chickpea accessions such as IC275447, IC117744, EC267301, IC248147 and EC220109 which have shown the disease resistance (disease severity score �3) in multiple seasons and locations. Promising accessions can serve as the potential donors in chickpea improvement programs. The frequency of resistant and moderately resistant type accessions was comparatively higher in accessions originated from Southwest Asian countries particularly Iran and Syria than the accessions originated from Indian sub-continent. Further large scale screening of chickpea germplasm originated from Southwest Asia may result in identifying new resistant sources for the disease

Clinical and microbiological profile of infectious corneal ulcers and its seasonal trend in a tertiary care hospital of south west Bihar.

Aim; To identify the microbiological profile and associated risk factors for microbial corneal ulcer in a tertiary care hospital of South West Bihar. Methods; In this prospective study conducted at Narayan Medical College and Hospital, Sasaram, Bihar, India. Total 61 patients with a clinical diagnosis of corneal ulcer were included. After detail history and slit lamp evaluation of corneal ulcer, corneal scraping was performed and subjected to microbiological analysis including Gram stain, potassium hydroxide(KOH) wet mount and bacterial and fungal culture. Results; Among total 61 patients included in our study, male to female ratio is almost equal and the most common affected age group was 41-60 years. Commonest profession affected was agriculture workers in 77% of cases and the commonest risk factor associated was trauma while working in agriculture fields in 44% of cases. The peak in the incidence of corneal ulcer cases were during harvesting of paddy crops in winter months. Forty eight percent of the ulcers were found to be culture positive. Among culture positive patients 79% were fungal and rest 21% were bacterial. Fusarium spp was the most common fungal isolate(48%) followed by Aspergillus spp (26%).Among bacteria S. aureus was the most common organism(66.6%) isolated. Conclusion; :- In our study, we found that that in region of south west Bihar , fungal (specially Fusarium spp) corneal ulcers predominate, as the majority of patients present with a history of antecedent vegetative trauma mainly during harvesting of paddy crops in winter season. Managing infective suppurative corneal ulcers with timely and appropriate antimicrobial therapy will help to prevent the cases of corneal ulcer and it’s sequel. Key words: Corneal ulcer, Microbiological profile, Fusarium, Seasonal tren

Study on the Not-for-Profit Hospital Model in India

The “Not-for-Profit” Hospital Sector has the reputation of providing affordable and accessible healthcare for many years. This sector has done yeoman service over the years with some institutions from even before Independence. Although various institutions have been established for different purposes, this sector provides not only curative healthcare, but also preventive healthcare, and links healthcare with social reform, community engagement, and education. They utilize the resources and grants provided to them by the Government to provide cost effective healthcare to the population without being overly concerned about profits. However, this sector remains largely understudied, with a lack of awareness about its services in the public domain