Field efficacy of some biorationals against the two spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae)

Field trials were conducted to evaluate the acaricidal potential of entomopathogenic fungus, Beauveria bassiana and aqueous extracts of Withania somnifera and Glyccirrhyza glabra against the mobile stages of Tetranychus urticae Koch on cucumber. The treatments responded in a concentration dependent manner. Highest reduction in T. urticae population was achieved with Omite (0.05%) followed by Nimbecidine (5ml/l), B. bassiana (1010 spores ml-1), W. somnifera (7.5%), B. bassiana (108 spores ml-1), G. Glabra (7.5%), G. Glabra (5%), G. Glabra (2.5%), W. somnifera (5%) and W. somnifera (2.5%). Higher yield was recorded in all the treatments as compared to control. In terms of percent increase in yield, Omite caused highest increase (23.65% over control) followed by Nimbecidine, B. bassiana (1010 spores/ ml), W. somnifera (7.5%), B. bassiana (108 spores/ ml), G. Glabra (7.5%), W. somnifera (5%), G. Glabra (5%), G. Glabra (2.5%), and W. somnifera (2.5%) showing 13.97, 11.82, 10.75, 8.67, 8.67, 8.6, 6.76, 6.48 and 6.45 percent increase over control, respectively. These data suggest that the tested biorationals at higher concentrations have the potential to be employed in pest management programs designed for T. urticae control

Field efficacy of some biorationals against the two spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae)

Field trials were conducted to evaluate the acaricidal potential of entomopathogenic fungus, Beauveria bassiana and aqueous extracts of Withania somnifera and Glyccirrhyza glabra against the mobile stages of Tetranychus urticae Koch on cucumber. The treatments responded in a concentration dependent manner. Highest reduction in T. urticae population was achieved with Omite (0.05%) followed by Nimbecidine (5ml/l), B. bassiana (1010 spores ml-1), W. somnifera (7.5%), B. bassiana (108 spores ml-1), G. Glabra (7.5%), G. Glabra (5%), G. Glabra (2.5%), W. somnifera (5%) and W. somnifera (2.5%). Higher yield was recorded in all the treatments as compared to control. In terms of percent increase in yield, Omite caused highest increase (23.65% over control) followed by Nimbecidine, B. bassiana (1010 spores/ ml), W. somnifera (7.5%), B. bassiana (108 spores/ ml), G. Glabra (7.5%), W. somnifera (5%), G. Glabra (5%), G. Glabra (2.5%), and W. somnifera (2.5%) showing 13.97, 11.82, 10.75, 8.67, 8.67, 8.6, 6.76, 6.48 and 6.45 percent increase over control, respectively. These data suggest that the tested biorationals at higher concentrations have the potential to be employed in pest management programs designed for T. urticae control

Damage potential of Tetranychus urticae Koch to cucumber fruit and foliage: Effect of initial infestation density

Field trials were conducted to assess the damage potential of two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae Koch) on cucumber (Cucumis sativus Linnaeus). Young cucumber plants were artificially infested with different densities of T. urticae (5, 10, 15 and 20 mites/ grown up leaf) while uninfested plants acted as control. Post infestation, the plants differed in their support to mite density in accordance with initial infestation density and observation period. Grown up leaves were found to be the most susceptible to mite infestation (5.86 mites/ sq. cm leaf). The number of feeding (chlorotic) patches on cucumber leaves significantly increased from 1.38/sq cm at a pre-count of 5 mites per grown up leaf to 1.71/sq cm leaf at a pre-count of 20 mites as compared to no patch recorded in control. Highly significant negative correlation was recorded between mite population and photosynthetic pigments. Total chlorophyll, chlorophyll-a, chlorophyll-b and carotenoids decreased to a maximum of 40, 43.63, 45.45 and 47.27 percent at the highest infestation density as compared to control. Results revealed differences among various treatments in terms of yield attributes of cucumber. The per cent reductions from 6.15 to 12.42 in number of fruits, 0.59 to 1.56 in fruit length and 0.93 to 3.28 in fruit width at different inoculums of T. urticae were recorded over uninfested plants. The cumulative effect led to the ultimate reduction in average fruit weight in the range of 10.16 to 17.19 per cent in the infested plants

Biochemical responses of cucumber to Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) mediated biotic stress

The effect of two spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae Koch) feeding on leaf level physiological characteristics of cucumber (Cucumis sativus Linnaeus) was investigated. Young cucumber plants were artificially infested with different densities of T. urticae (5, 10, 15 and 20 mites/ grown up leaf) while uninfested plants acted as control. Post infestation, the plants differed in their support to mite density in accordance with initial infestation density and observation period. Highly significant negative correlation of -0.92, -0.93, -0.95 and -0.92 for total chlorophyll, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and carotenoids, respectively, at the highest infestation level) was recorded between mite density and photosynthetic pigments in infested leaves as compared to uninfested ones. There was a significant decrease (P= 0.05) in the level of (a progressive decline from 2.82, 0.36 and 2.17% dry weight in control to the maximum of 2.09, 0.26 and 1.87% dry weight for N, P and K, respectively, at highest infestation level) in the infested leaves in response to mite infestation. Interaction between initial infestation level and observation period also suggested a significant impact of T. urticae infestation on the leaf phytochemicals of cucumber (P= 0.05)

Thyroid peroxidase antibody positivity among euthyroid pregnant women and its association with foeto-maternal outcome

Background: Thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPO-Ab) positivity is associated with increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. The present study was planned to find out the prevalence of TPO-Ab and its association with adverse foeto-maternal outcome in euthyroid pregnant women.Methods: A total of 510 euthyroid pregnant women with <20 weeks gestation were recruited from antenatal clinic. Serum TPO-Ab testing was done and women were divided into 2 groups. The study group comprised of TPO-Ab positive women and control group comprised of age and parity matched TPO-Ab negative women, double in number to that of the study group. Repeat Serum TSH was done at term/delivery and women were followed till delivery for foeto-maternal outcome.Results: The prevalence of TPO-Ab positivity in euthyroid pregnant women was 11.3%. A significant number of women in the study group developed hypothyroidism at term/delivery, 18.61% vs 7.61%, respectively, p=0.02. None of the women in the study or control group developed gestational diabetes or placental abruption, or had babies with NND or RDS. There was one IUD in the study group, rest of the maternal and foetal outcomes studied were not statistically significant between two the groups. The caesarean section rates in both groups was not statistically different, however, there were more caesarean sections done for foetal distress in the study group, p=0.04.Conclusions: Thyroid peroxidase positivity is present in 11.3% of euthyroid women and is associated with an increased risk of developing hypothyroidism during pregnancy. It is not associated with adverse foeto-maternal outcome

Thyroid peroxidase antibody positivity among euthyroid pregnant women and its association with foeto-maternal outcome

Background: Thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPO-Ab) positivity is associated with increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. The present study was planned to find out the prevalence of TPO-Ab and its association with adverse foeto-maternal outcome in euthyroid pregnant women.Methods: A total of 510 euthyroid pregnant women with <20 weeks gestation were recruited from antenatal clinic. Serum TPO-Ab testing was done and women were divided into 2 groups. The study group comprised of TPO-Ab positive women and control group comprised of age and parity matched TPO-Ab negative women, double in number to that of the study group. Repeat Serum TSH was done at term/delivery and women were followed till delivery for foeto-maternal outcome.Results: The prevalence of TPO-Ab positivity in euthyroid pregnant women was 11.3%. A significant number of women in the study group developed hypothyroidism at term/delivery, 18.61% vs 7.61%, respectively, p=0.02. None of the women in the study or control group developed gestational diabetes or placental abruption, or had babies with NND or RDS. There was one IUD in the study group, rest of the maternal and foetal outcomes studied were not statistically significant between two the groups. The caesarean section rates in both groups was not statistically different, however, there were more caesarean sections done for foetal distress in the study group, p=0.04.Conclusions: Thyroid peroxidase positivity is present in 11.3% of euthyroid women and is associated with an increased risk of developing hypothyroidism during pregnancy. It is not associated with adverse foeto-maternal outcome

Impact of Pressure Control Ventilation and Volume Control Ventilation on oxygenation, pulmonary mechanics and haemodynamics during One Lung Ventilation in patients undergoing thoracic surgery: Arandomised controlled crossover study

Backgroud: Anaesthesia for thoracic surgery is nowadays performed with one lung ventilation (OLV) using volume control ventilation (VCV). Mechanical characteristics of pressure control ventilation (PCV) are thought to allow more homogenous distribution and improve oxygenation and reduce airway pressure so decrease chances of airway trauma and acute lung injury (ALI). This study was aimed to evaluate impact of two lung ventilation strategy (PCV/VCV) on oxygenation, pulmonary mechanics and haemodynamics during one lung ventilation in patient undergoing thoracic surgery.Method: After institutional ethical committee clearance this randomised single blind crossover study includes 30 patients of ASA I,II,III for elective thoracic surgery, using OLV and minimum duration of surgery of one hour were included in this study. Divided in two groups A and B using VCV first then PCV and vice versa. Haemodynamic parameters, ABG analysis and respiratory parameters were recorded, data collected and analysed by IBM SPSS statistics version 20.Results: Demographic, haemodynamic and ABG parameters were comparable in both groups higher Ppeak during VCV than PCV (p=0.004). Ppeak during OLV with VCV was significantly higher than during two lung ventilation (TLV) before starting OLV and end of the study (p<0.05). Higher dynamic compliance in OLV – PCV group than OLV – VCV group (p<0.001). Conclusion: PCV s a better ventilation mode than VCV in OLV with respect to reducing the incidence of barotrauma and ALI in patient undergoing elective thoracic surgery. Both modes are equivalent with respect to arterial oxygenation

National guidelines for data quality in surveys: An overview

Good quality health, nutrition and demographic survey data are vital for evidence-based decision-making. Existing literature indicates system specific, data collection and reporting gaps that affect quality of health, nutrition and demographic survey data, thereby affecting its usability and relevance. To mitigate these, the National Data Quality Forum (NDQF), under the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) - National Institute of Medical Statistics (NIMS) developed the National Guidelines for Data Quality in Surveys delineating assurance mechanisms to generate standard quality data in surveys. The present article highlights the principles from the guidelines for informing survey researchers/organizations in generating good quality survey data. It describes the process of development of the national guidelines, principles for each of the survey phases listed in the document and applicability of them to data user for ensuring data quality. The guidelines may be useful to a broad-spectrum of audience such as data producers from government and non-government organizations, policy makers, research institutions, as well as individual researchers, thereby playing a vital role in improving quality of health, nutrition and demographic data ecosystem