Effect of stem gall disease on long-term germplasm preservation and quality seed production of coriander

To know the health status of crops germplasm received from various sources, seed health testing (SHT) is a routine process for long-term conservation of healthy seeds in the National Genebank at ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi. In this process, 1328 accessions of coriander were received in the Plant Quarantine Division for SHT through Germplsm Conservation Division. In the present study, SHT revealed that most of the samples of coriander in which the seeds are deformed suffer from stem gall (seed gall) disease caused by Protomycesmacrosporus. Infection of P. macrosporus greatly affects the size and quality of seeds. As a result, infected seeds become excessively larger (from 6.46x5.01 to 12.76x3.94 mm) as compared to normal seeds and the germination capacity of the seeds is also lost. Deformity in size and measurement of infected seeds compared to healthy seeds indicates susceptibility to stem gall disease. Our observation revealed that the chlamydospores present in the infected seeds survive for a long period (~ 2 years) and if such infected seeds are conserved for long term in the National Genebank, it is possible that along with the seeds, dormant chlamydospores also survive. While on the one hand such diseased seed can prove to be the carrier in spreading the pathogen from one place to another, on the other hand, market demand will be affected which will result in lower prices for the farmers cultivating coriander

Effect of stem gall disease on long-term germplasm preservation and quality seed production of coriander

123-131To know the health status of crops germplasm received from various sources, seed health testing (SHT) is a routine process for long-term conservation of healthy seeds in the National Genebank at ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi. In this process, 1328 accessions of coriander were received in the Plant Quarantine Division for SHT through Germplsm Conservation Division. In the present study, SHT revealed that most of the samples of coriander in which the seeds are deformed suffer from stem gall (seed gall) disease caused by Protomycesmacrosporus. Infection of P. macrosporus greatly affects the size and quality of seeds. As a result, infected seeds become excessively larger (from 6.46x5.01 to 12.76x3.94 mm) as compared to normal seeds and the germination capacity of the seeds is also lost. Deformity in size and measurement of infected seeds compared to healthy seeds indicates susceptibility to stem gall disease. Our observation revealed that the chlamydospores present in the infected seeds survive for a long period (~ 2 years) and if such infected seeds are conserved for long term in the National Genebank, it is possible that along with the seeds, dormant chlamydospores also survive. While on the one hand such diseased seed can prove to be the carrier in spreading the pathogen from one place to another, on the other hand, market demand will be affected which will result in lower prices for the farmers cultivating coriander

Canine Distemper Virus in Tigers (Panthera tigris) and Leopards (P. pardus) in Nepal

From wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) in the Serengeti to tigers (Panthera tigris altaica) in the Russian Far East, canine distemper virus (CDV) has been repeatedly identified as a threat to wild carnivores. Between 2020 and 2022, six Indian leopards (P. pardus fusca) presented to Nepali authorities with fatal neurological disease, consistent with CDV. Here, we report the findings of a serosurvey of wild felids from Nepal. A total of 48 serum samples were tested, comprising 28 Bengal tigers (P. t. tigris) and 20 Indian leopards. Neutralizing antibodies were identified in three tigers and six leopards, equating to seroprevalences of 11% (CI: 2.8–29.3%, n = 28) and 30% (CI: 12.8–54.3%, n = 20), respectively. More than one-third of seropositive animals were symptomatic, and three died within a week of being sampled. The predation of domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) has been posited as a potential route of infection. A comparison of existing diet studies revealed that while leopards in Nepal frequently predate on dogs, tigers do not, potentially supporting this hypothesis. However, further work, including molecular analyses, would be needed to confirm this

From health for all to universal health coverage: Alma Ata is still relevant

Abstract With increasing adoption of universal health coverage (UHC), the health for all agenda is resurgent around the world. However, after a promising start the first time in 1978, the health for all agenda fizzled over the next decade. This commentary discusses the origin of the health for all agenda in the 1970s and the influence of global politico-economic forces in shaping that agenda, its demise and the resurgence in the form of UHC in the twenty-first century. We discuss UHC’s focus on finances and the increasing role of market economy in health care, and the opportunities and risks UHC poses. We conclude by saying that UHC’s greater focus on finances is prudent, but in order to achieve its promise, UHC needs to regulate the market based provision of healthcare, and incorporate more of the people and community centered ethos of its earlier iteration from 40 years ago

Financial Burden and Impoverishment Due to Cardiovascular Medications in Low and Middle Income Countries: An Illustration from India

Background: Health expenditures are a major financial burden for many persons in low and middle-income countries, where individuals often lack health insurance. We estimate the effect of purchasing cardiovascular medicines on poverty in low and middle-income populations using rural and urban India as an example. Methods: We created step-up treatment regimens for prevention of ischemic heart disease for the most common cardiovascular medications in India based on their cost and relative risk reduction. Cost was measured by Government of India mandated ceiling prices in rupees (Rs. 1 = $0·016) for essential medicines plus taxes. We calculated step-wise projected incidence and intensity of impoverishment due to medicine purchase. To do this we measured the resources available to individuals as daily per-capita expenditures from the latest National Sample Survey, subtracted daily medication costs, and compared this to 2014 poverty thresholds recommended by an expert group. Findings: Analysis of cost-effectiveness resulted in five primary prevention drug regimens, created by progressive addition of Aspirin 75 mg, Hydrochlorothiazide 12.5mg, Losartan 25 mg, and Atorvastatin 10 mg or 40mg. Daily cost from steps 1 to 5 increased from Rs. 0·13, Rs. 1.16, Rs. 3.81, Rs. 10.07, to Rs. 28.85. At baseline, 31% of rural and 27% percent of urban Indian population are poor at the designated poverty thresholds. The Rs. 28.85 regimen would be unaffordable to 81% and 58% of rural and urban people. A secondary prevention regimen with aspirin, hydrochlorothiazide, atenolol and atorvastatin could be unaffordable to 81% and 57% rural and urban people respectively. According to our estimates, 17% of the rural 32% of the urban adult population could benefit with these medications, and their out of pocket purchase could impoverish 17 million rural and 10 million urban people in India and increase respective poverty gaps by 2.9%. Conclusion: Medication costs for cardiovascular disease have the potential to cause financial burden to a significant proportion of people in India. These costs increase the likelihood that patients will forego needed treatment and emphasize the need for programs to reduce the costs of medications for cardiovascular patients in India, including by expansion of prescription drug coverage.</p

Financial Burden and Impoverishment Due to Cardiovascular Medications in Low and Middle Income Countries: An Illustration from India

<div><p>Background</p><p>Health expenditures are a major financial burden for many persons in low and middle-income countries, where individuals often lack health insurance. We estimate the effect of purchasing cardiovascular medicines on poverty in low and middle-income populations using rural and urban India as an example.</p><p>Methods</p><p>We created step-up treatment regimens for prevention of ischemic heart disease for the most common cardiovascular medications in India based on their cost and relative risk reduction. Cost was measured by Government of India mandated ceiling prices in rupees (Rs. 1 = $0·016) for essential medicines plus taxes. We calculated step-wise projected incidence and intensity of impoverishment due to medicine purchase. To do this we measured the resources available to individuals as daily per-capita expenditures from the latest National Sample Survey, subtracted daily medication costs, and compared this to 2014 poverty thresholds recommended by an expert group.</p><p>Findings</p><p>Analysis of cost-effectiveness resulted in five primary prevention drug regimens, created by progressive addition of Aspirin 75 mg, Hydrochlorothiazide 12.5mg, Losartan 25 mg, and Atorvastatin 10 mg or 40mg. Daily cost from steps 1 to 5 increased from Rs. 0·13, Rs. 1.16, Rs. 3.81, Rs. 10.07, to Rs. 28.85. At baseline, 31% of rural and 27% percent of urban Indian population are poor at the designated poverty thresholds. The Rs. 28.85 regimen would be unaffordable to 81% and 58% of rural and urban people. A secondary prevention regimen with aspirin, hydrochlorothiazide, atenolol and atorvastatin could be unaffordable to 81% and 57% rural and urban people respectively. According to our estimates, 17% of the rural 32% of the urban adult population could benefit with these medications, and their out of pocket purchase could impoverish 17 million rural and 10 million urban people in India and increase respective poverty gaps by 2.9%.</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>Medication costs for cardiovascular disease have the potential to cause financial burden to a significant proportion of people in India. These costs increase the likelihood that patients will forego needed treatment and emphasize the need for programs to reduce the costs of medications for cardiovascular patients in India, including by expansion of prescription drug coverage.</p></div

Cost-effectiveness of cardiovascular medicines for primary prevention of Ischemic Heart Disease.

<p>Cost-effectiveness of cardiovascular medicines for primary prevention of Ischemic Heart Disease.</p

Per capita expenditure distribution for rural and urban India according to cumulative percentage of the population.

<p>Per capita expenditure distribution for rural and urban India according to cumulative percentage of the population.</p

Cardiovascular disease primary and secondary prevention step-up regimens with their prices.

<p>Cardiovascular disease primary and secondary prevention step-up regimens with their prices.</p

Poverty ratio and poverty gap index for rural and urban India before and after medication purchase, calculated by using aggregate data.

<p>Poverty ratio and poverty gap index for rural and urban India before and after medication purchase, calculated by using aggregate data.</p