Safety of maintaining elective and emergency surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic with the introduction of a Protected Elective Surgical Unit (PESU): A cross-specialty evaluation of 30-day outcomes in 9,925 patients undergoing surgery in a University Health Board

Background The COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented health care challenges mandating surgical service reconfiguration. Within our hospital, emergency and elective streams were separated and self-contained Protected Elective Surgical Units were developed to mitigate against infection-related morbidity. Aims of this study were to determine the risk of COVID-19 transmission and mortality and whether the development of Protected Elective Surgical Units can result in significant reduction in risk. Methods A retrospective observational study of consecutive patients from 18 specialties undergoing elective or emergency surgery under general, spinal, or epidural anaesthetic over a 12-month study period was undertaken. Primary outcome measures were 30-day postoperative COVID-19 transmission rate and mortality. Secondary adjusted analyses were performed to ascertain hospital and Protected Elective Surgical Unit transmission rates. Results Between 15 March 2020 and 14 March 2021, 9,925 patients underwent surgery: 6,464 (65.1%) elective, 5,116 (51.5%) female, and median age 57 (39–70). A total of 69.5% of all procedures were performed in Protected Elective Surgical Units. Overall, 30-day postoperative COVID-19 transmission was 2.8% (3.4% emergency vs 1.2% elective P  70, male sex, American Society of Anesthesiologists grade > 2, and emergency surgery were all independently associated with mortality. Conclusion This study has demonstrated that Protected Elective Surgical Units can facilitate high-volume elective surgical services throughout peaks of the COVID-19 pandemic while minimising viral transmission and mortality. However, mortality risk associated with perioperative COVID-19 infection remains high

Exploring the Chickpea Genotypes through Morphological Characterization for Improved Breeding

Morphological characterization is a valuable approach used to examine observable traits in crop plants, enabling the identification, classification, and understanding of genetic variations within diverse genotypes. This supports breeders in selecting desirable traits and improving breeding programs. Thus, the aim of this study is to investigate the morphological characterization of 40 chickpea genotypes, focusing on 20 morphological traits, following the DUS testing guidelines proposed by PPV & FRA, GOI, 2007. The experimental study was carried out utilizing the randomized complete block design (RCBD) at the Seed Breeding Farm, Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, JNKVV, Jabalpur, M. P. Through the examination of these traits, distinct patterns were identified among the chickpea genotypes. Among the 20 traits analyzed, 5 traits exhibited a monomorphic pattern, 8 traits displayed a dimorphic pattern, 6 traits demonstrated a trimorphic pattern, while the remaining 1 trait revealed a polymorphic pattern. These results indicate a substantial degree of genetic variability within the studied chickpea genotypes, emphasizing the diverse nature of these traits that can be harnessed for targeted breeding efforts and highlighting the immense potential for the development of improved chickpea varieties

Genotypic Variation Studies in Biomass Partitioning Patterns during Post-flowering Stages under the Late Sown Conditions of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Germplasm

This study conducted during the 2021-2022 year under field conditions investigates the genotypic variation in biomass partitioning among different chickpea genotypes during post-flowering stages, with a specific emphasis on late sown conditions. The main aim of the study was to elucidate the efficiency of resource allocation toward pod production, measured by the pod harvest index. This research enhances understanding of chickpea performance under delayed sowing conditions by examining genotypic variations in key parameters during critical post-flowering stages, specifically pod filling and seed filling. Biomass partitioning in branches and pods varied considerably during both growth stages, with branches playing a crucial role in pod development during pod filling. The transition from pod filling to seed filling stage resulted in increased biomass partitioning in pods, highlighting their importance as storage organs for seed development. Seed yield exhibited significant variability among genotypes, with some surpassing 2000 kg/ha, while pod harvest index ranged from 35.62% to 70.48%, indicating differences in resource allocation efficiency. Regression analysis showed varying degrees of association between biomass partitioning and pod harvest index, with seed yield and pod harvest index, biomass partitioning in pods exhibiting the highest explanatory power during seed filling. By studying the adaptation of plants towards biphasic and allometric allocation patterns during unfavorable conditions can result in developing the resource use efficient climate resilient varieties. These findings contribute to our understanding of crop productivity under varying environmental conditions and inform strategies for optimizing chickpea yield and resilience

Exploring the Potential of Proximal Remote Sensing in Plant Stress Phenotyping: A Comprehensive Review

The global challenge of feeding the world demands attention due to the projected population increase to 10.9 billion by 2050. Abiotic and biotic stressors, such as heat, drought, diseases, and pests, further compound the difficulties faced in achieving sufficient agricultural output. Early detection of crop stress is vital to mitigate yield loss and find appropriate agrotechnical solutions. However, the complex interactions between abiotic and biotic stressors and their impact on plant growth and yield present challenges in plant phenotyping and breeding. This review discusses recent advances in remote sensing technologies which offer promising solutions to overcome these challenges. Low-cost, reliable sensors and technologies facilitate data collection and interpretation, paving the way for proximal sensing and high-throughput phenotyping platforms. These automated platforms, equipped with imaging devices, enable non-destructive data collection and monitoring of plant properties over time. Optical methods like hyperspectral sensors, RGB imaging, remote sensing, and chlorophyll fluorescence contribute to the early identification of plant stress causes, facilitating the development of control strategies. By providing accurate and timely information on crop stress, these technologies offer essential support in enhancing agricultural productivity and ensuring food security for a growing global population

Soybean Bacterial Endophytes against Anthracnose Disease Collected from Karnataka State: An in-vitro Study

Endophytes trigger various defence mechanisms within their host plants, engaging primary and secondary protective pathways. This investigation primarily aimed to isolate bacterial endophytes from diverse agroecological regions in Karnataka. Subsequently, these endophytes were assessed for their inhibition against Colletotrichum truncatum using the in-vitro streak plate technique. A total of 43 bacteria isolated from soybean plants and key endophytes showing the inhibition against       C. truncatum were in different zones namely, DHW-9(87%), BID-2(85%), BID-13(85%), BID-14(82.50%), DHW-15(80%), BID-15(75%),and BID-16(75%) exhibited notable efficacy against C. truncatum in decreasing order. Among these, the DHW-9 (Stenotrophomonas maltophilia strain P4-32) bacterial endophytes isolated from the North Transition Zone (Dharwad) were highly effective against the pathogen, possibly due to employing many direct and indirect mechanisms. Furthermore, the inhibition potential of the bacterial endophytes varies with and within the place of agroecological zones. In conclusion, it has been observed that the bacterial endophyte DHW-9 inhibited the progression of anthracnose disease caused by C. truncatum in controlled in vitro. Hence, it is imperative to conduct additional experiments, including pot and field studies, to explore its potential to enhance the growth and yield of soybean plants