Impact of diverse tillage and nitrogen management on growth and yield of conservation agriculture-based wheat (Triticum aestivum)

A study was carried out during the winter (rabi) seasons of 2020–21 and 2021–22 at ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi to assess the effects of diverse tillage and nitrogen management scenarios on growth, development, and yield of a conservation agriculture (CA)-based wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) crop grown in sequence with maize (Zea mays L.). Experiment was conducted in split plot design (SPD) comprised of 3 different tillage practices in main plots [Conventional tillage + residue (CT); Zero tillage + residue (ZT); and Permanent beds + residue (PB)] and 5 nitrogen (N) options in sub plots [Control (zero nitrogen); Recommended dose of N-RDN @150 kg N/ha (50 kg N/ha Basal + 2-equal splits at 37 days after sowing (DAS) and 84 DAS); Green Seeker (GS) based application of N @148 kg N/ha (GS); Urea super granules applied as basal @75 kg N/ha + GS based N application (USG); and Slow release fertilizer as 100% basal application @150 kg N/ha (SRF)] with 3-replications. The findings revealed that in both the seasons, both tillage and nitrogen management approaches significantly affected wheat growth, yield characteristics, and overall yield, whereas the time to anthesis and physiological maturity, and test weight remained unaffected. Within the spectrum of tillage practices, leaf area index (LAI) and yield attributes exhibited the trend PB>ZT>CT. PB recorded the highest grain yield (5159 kg/ha), followed by ZT (4916 kg/ha) and the lowest grain yield was observed with CT (4578 kg/ha). The wheat grain yields were 12.7% and 7.4% higher in PB and ZT, respectively, over to CT. Among nitrogen management options, the grain yield exhibited the pattern USG>N150>SRF>GS>N0. This study emphasizes that adopting conservation agriculture (CA) practices, particularly CA-based permanent beds using urea super granules (USG) for nitrogen management can improve wheat growth and yield

Inconsistency in the reporting of antitubercular drug susceptibility tests in an endemic region

Background: Individualized treatment for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR TB) is associated with improved outcomes. Therapy needs to be tailored to drug susceptibility testing (DST) results. We present our observations on the inconsistency in DST reporting in an endemic region with a high prevalence of MDR TB. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 118 DST reports from 10 different laboratories. Observations: Of 118 patients, only 79 (67%) had DST reports with results to all first-line drugs, a fluoroquinolone (excluding ciprofloxacin), all aminoglycosides, and a polypeptide. Twenty-one (18%) isolates did not have DST reports for all first-line drugs; 4 (3%) did not have DST reports for any second-line drugs; 9 (8%) did not have DST reports for a fluoroquinolone; and 31 (26%) did not have DST reports for all second-line aminoglycosides and polypeptide. Conclusion: Inconsistencies were observed in several of the 118 DST reports. A case is made for sensitization toward standardization and completeness in TB DST reporting in India

Who will teach the teachers: An analysis of the inhaler technique of Indian patients and health care providers in a tertiary health care centre

Introduction: The proper use of inhalers is essential for ensuring proper control of the disease. Various studies have shown high levels of improper use and lack of knowledge of the correct technique among patients with asthma. However, less data are available on how health care workers (HCW′s) use inhalers. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Mumbai. We evaluated the pMDI technique in 141 consecutive adult asthmatics and 100 HCW′s. All patients and HCW′s were graded out of 10 points for following 10 steps. These were derived from Melani et al.′s study on inhaler mishandling. Results: Techniques of 141 patients and 100 HCW′s (55 nurses and 45 doctors) were analyzed. The average technique score among patients ranged from 0 to 10 with a mean of 4.65 ± 2.00. The combined score for health workers ranged from 3 to 9 with a mean of 5.45 ± 1.47. Doctors had a higher score of 6.35 ± 1.33 as opposed to the nurses′ score of 4.70 ± 1.13 (P 0.05). Conclusions: Our study highlights the need for better education of not only patients but also health care providers regarding the appropriate use of inhaler devices in order to achieve optimal control of obstructive airway diseases

Patient characteristics, health seeking and delays among new sputum smear positive TB patients identified through active case finding when compared to passive case finding in India.

BackgroundAxshya SAMVAD is an active tuberculosis (TB) case finding (ACF) strategy under project Axshya (Axshya meaning 'free of TB' and SAMVAD meaning 'conversation') among marginalized and vulnerable populations in 285 districts of India.ObjectivesTo compare patient characteristics, health seeking, delays in diagnosis and treatment initiation among new sputum smear positive TB patients detected through ACF and passive case finding (PCF) under the national TB programme in marginalized and vulnerable populations between March 2016 and February 2017.MethodsThis observational analytic study was conducted in 18 randomly sampled Axshya districts. We enrolled all TB patients detected through ACF and an equal number of randomly selected patients detected through PCF in the same settings. Data on patient characteristics, health seeking and delays were collected through record review and patient interviews (at their residence). Delays included patient level delay (from eligibility for sputum examination to first contact with any health care provider (HCP)), health system level diagnosis delay (from contact with first HCP to TB diagnosis) and treatment initiation delays (from diagnosis to treatment initiation). Total delay was the sum of patient level, health system level diagnosis delay and treatment initiation delays.ResultsWe included 234 ACF-diagnosed and 231 PCF-diagnosed patients. When compared to PCF, ACF patients were relatively older (≥65 years, 14% versus 8%, p = 0.041), had no formal education (57% versus 36%, pConclusionAxshya SAMVAD linked the most impoverished communities to TB care and resulted in reduction of health system level diagnosis delay