Statistical Literacy among Practicing Clinicians from India: A Brief Survey

Objectives: To understand statistical literacy among practicing clinicians as well as to take suggestions on its implementation in medical curriculum. Methods: A web based online survey was conducted among practising clinicians of India. The questionnaire consisted of 30 questions in three parts. Part A included questions on general information (5 questions), Part B included questions on application of statistical concepts (20 questions), and Part C asked for opinions on integration of biostatistics in medical curriculum (5 questions). Part B questions were rated on a 5-point Likert scale in which 1 indicated no confidence and 5 indicated complete confidence. Results: A total of 416 clinicians responded to the questionnaire. Complete confidence in the use of SPSS software was seen in 15.8% whereas 26.7% had no confidence in it. The highest confidence was seen in statistical equations like graphical representation of data (44.7%), and sensitivity and specificity (45.2%) whereas lowest confidence was seen in COX proportional hazard regression (12.9%) and ROC curves (11.7%). Out of 416 clinicians, 136 (32.4%) had done training in statistics at undergraduate level, 128 (30.5%) did self-learning and 152 (37.1%) had received no formal training

Development and standardisation of Laghu Sudarshan Churna – An Ayurvedic polyherbal formulation

106-112Laghu Sudarshan Churna, LSC is an Ayurvedic polyherbal formulation employed for different types of jvaras (fevers). The present study was undertaken to prepare its standardised formulation and to standardise the finished product using quality control procedures mentioned in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API). For this, four batches of the finished products were prepared on a laboratory scale and performed the pharmacognostical parameters (macroscopic, microscopic and powder drug analysis); thin layer chromatography; quantitative physicochemical evaluation including loss on drying, total ash, acid-insoluble ash, alcohol & water soluble extractive values, and pH; & measuring the level of aflatoxins, microbial load, heavy metals and pesticide residues of the finished product. This study is the foremost effort to develop the standardised formulation along with the evaluation parameters for LSC. Thus, obtained results would be beneficial and will act as the reference for the standardisation of LSC

Intravesical migration of intrauterine contraceptive devices with stone formation

Intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUCD) have been associated with the multitude of complications. We present a rare case report of a 30-year-old female in whom the IUCD (Cu-T) migrated into the urinary bladder leading to calculus formation. The migrated IUCD encrusted with stones was successfully retrieved

Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of tomato genotypes for resistance to root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita

Root-knot nematode is a major constraint to tomato cultivation in open and protected structures. Resistance sources need to be continuously identified for combating pathogens affecting the yield. In the present studies, forty-seven genotypes of tomato were evaluated phenotypically along with their genotypic characterization. On the basis of their phenotypic reaction, the genotypes were grouped into four categories viz.: resistant, moderately resistant, susceptible and highly susceptible. Of these genotypes, only five were found to be resistant while forty-two were rated from moderately resistant to highly susceptible. Multiplication of Meloidogyne incognita was greatly reduced (Rf < 1) in resistant genotypes as compared to susceptible genotypes. Root galling index was also very low in resistant genotypes. Using molecular markers, the presence of the Mi-1.2 resistance gene was also confirmed in five resistant genotypes (L-0272, NR-14, L-097, L-0275 and PNR-7). These resistant sources could become a source of germplasm in breeding programs for the development of resistant cultivars.Le nématode à galles est une contrainte majeure à la culture de la tomate dans des structures ouvertes et protégées. Les sources de résistance doivent être identifiées en permanence pour lutter contre les agents pathogènes affectant le rendement. Jusqu’à présent, quarante-sept génotypes de tomate ont été évalués phénotypiquement, de même que leur caractérisation génotypique. Selon leur réaction phénotypique, les génotypes ont été regroupés en quatre catégories : résistant, modérément résistant, sensible et très sensible. Parmi ces génotypes, seuls cinq se sont révélés résistants tandis que quarante-deux ont été classés de modérément résistants à très sensibles. La multiplication de Meloidogyne incognita était fortement réduite (Rf < 1) dans les génotypes résistants par rapport aux génotypes sensibles. L'indice de galles racinaires était également très faible dans les génotypes résistants. À l'aide de marqueurs moléculaires, la présence du gène de résistance Mi-1.2 a également été confirmée dans cinq génotypes résistants (L-0272, NR-14, L-097, L-0275 et PNR-7). Ces sources résistantes pourraient devenir une source de matériel génétique dans les programmes de sélection pour le dévelop-pement de cultivars résistants