TRADITIONAL HERBAL BASED DISEASE TREATMENT IN SOME RURAL AREAS OF BANDIPORA DISTRICT OF JAMMU AND KASHMIR, INDIA

Objective: Plants have been traditionally used for hundreds of years as a source of medicine by indigenous people of different ethnic groups inhabiting various terrains for the control of various ailments afflicting humans and their domestic animals. Today not only the medicinal plants but also their associated traditional knowledge is threatened due to a range of both natural and anthropogenic factors. In this backdrop, urgent ethnobotanical investigations and subsequent conservation measures are required to save these resources from further loss. Present study was designed with the sole purpose of eliciting the firsthand precious wealth of information on the traditional medicinal uses of plants practiced by the people residing in far flung and remote areas of the Bandipora district of Jammu and Kashmir, India.Methods: Frequent field trips and plant collections were made from various far flung and remote areas of the Bandipora district from March 2012 to September 2012. The district is floristically rich with sizable population of tribal communities and forest dwellers. Methods used to document the traditional knowledge included interviews and discussions with local knowledgeable persons, herbal healers called Bhoris†and Tribals (Gujjars and Bakkerwals).Results: A total of 25 different plant species belonging to equal number of genera and 21 different families were found to be used as effective remedies by the local people in their day to day life to cure various human and livestock ailments. Angiosperms comprised the highest number (23 species) followed by one pteridophytic and one gymnospermic species.Conclusion: Traditional uses of medicinal plants against different ailments plays a significant role in meeting the primary health care needs of the local people especially rural communities of the study area. The information on traditional uses of plants could serve a useful source for pharmacologists, phytochemists, botanists and to those interested in the development of alternative therapiesKeywords: Traditional knowledge, ailments, Bhoris, tribals, Bandipora

How software size influence productivity and project duration

To make a perfect project plan, the software size of the order from the customer is the most important factor. The biggest challenge for the project manager is to estimate the project end date in the beginning of the project i.e. in project planning phase with realistic accuracy. Apart from other major inputs to estimate the project end date, expected team capability (productivity) and estimated software size are the major inputs that may influence the project end date. Software size is one of the most significant independent metric available in the planning phase and project manager has to estimate the other metrics based on the initial estimated software size. There is no direct relationship available between software size and project duration or software size and team productivity, however, there are industry data published by Quantitative Software Management and ISBSG that shows how these metrics influence each other. In this paper, using the data published by ISBSG and Quantitative Software Management, we try to statistically establish how productivity and project duration are influenced by software size. We have done linear regression analysis by generating the secondary data based on the data published by ISBSG and Quantitative Software Management. Linear regression equation validated with the actual project data and experimental results suggest that that productivity is significantly dependent on software size, however, project duration does not significantly depend on software size but may also be dependent on other metrics like team size, apart from software size

Generalizations of Rakotch’s Fixed Point Theorem For Soft Sets

In this paper we get some generalizations of Rakotch’s fixed point theorem using the nation of   -distance on soft metric space. Keywords: - Fixed point, completeness,   - Rakotch contraction

Prenanthes violaefolia Decne. (Asteraceae)-a new report from Kashmir Himalaya, India

AbstractObjectiveTo enumerate the diversity of important medicinal plants used traditionally by the local populace in biodiversity rich temperate Himalayan ranges of Bandipora district, Jammu and Kashmir, India.MethodsMethods used to explore the plants with medicinal value and to record associated ethnomedicinal knowledge included semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions and walk-in-the-woods with local knowledgeable persons, traditional practitioners called “Bhoeris” and tribals (Gujjars and Bakkerwals).ResultsDuring plant exploration in this floristically rich Himalayan region, a very interesting and less-known species of the genus Prenanthes L., (Asteraceae) was recorded. On examination, the species was identified as Prenanthes violaefolia Decne., which represents a first report from Kashmir Himalaya, India.ConclusionsPrenanthes violaefolia could serve as an important source of new potent compounds provided that it is subjected to thorough phytochemical and pharmacological investigations

Soil Physico Chemical Properties and Macronutrients Evaluation during Sowing and after Harvesting of Crop at High Altitude Leh Ladakh India

The present study was aimed to investigate the effect of physico-chemical parameters and soil macro-nutrients to know the nutrient uptake status during sowing time (ST) and after the harvesting (AH) of crops of Leh-Ladakh. In this context, total 55 no. of soil samples were collected from the eleven villages. Thereafter, soil texture, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), organic carbon (OC), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) were analyzed as per the standard methods. The results exhibited variation in different studied parameters at ST and AH, are OC (ST- 1.70 ± 0.11; AH-2.31±0.08), N (ST- 171.54±11.40; AH- 212.03±13.18), P (ST- 75.62±8.16; AH- 96.32±11.56), pH (ST- 8.12±0.05; AH- 8.16±0.06), EC (ST- 0.48±0.04; AH- 0.58±17), TDS (ST-309±22.41; AH-189±16.42) and soil texture gradient (Sand: ST-75.16±1.27 & AH-71.75±1.26, Silt: ST- 18.55±1.09 & AH- 20.66±1.02 and clay: ST- 6.33±0.53 & AH- 7.76±0.63). The comparison of physico-chemical parameters, macronutrients, soil texture, and organic carbon at sowing time (ST) and after harvesting (AH) revealed significant difference in some macronutrients, EC, and organic carbon, whereas no changes were observed in soil texture, pH and phosphorus. Hence, this study highlights the need of physico-chemical parameters management during crops sowing for enhancing macronutrients availability to crops in trans-Himalayan high altitude region

Agronomic biofortification of food crops: An emerging opportunity for global food and nutritional security

Fortification of food with mineral micronutrients and micronutrient supplementation occupied the center stage during the two-year-long Corona Pandemic, highlighting the urgent need to focus on micronutrition. Focus has also been intensified on the biofortification (natural assimilation) of mineral micronutrients into food crops using various techniques like agronomic, genetic, or transgenic. Agronomic biofortification is a time-tested method and has been found useful in the fortification of several nutrients in several crops, yet the nutrient use and uptake efficiency of crops has been noted to vary due to different growing conditions like soil type, crop management, fertilizer type, etc. Agronomic biofortification can be an important tool in achieving nutritional security and its importance has recently increased because of climate change related issues, and pandemics such as COVID-19. The introduction of high specialty fertilizers like nano-fertilizers, chelated fertilizers, and water-soluble fertilizers that have high nutrient uptake efficiency and better nutrient translocation to the consumable parts of a crop plant has further improved the effectiveness of agronomic biofortification. Several new agronomic biofortification techniques like nutripriming, foliar application, soilless activation, and mechanized application techniques have further increased the relevance of agronomic biofortification. These new technological advances, along with an increased realization of mineral micronutrient nutrition have reinforced the relevance of agronomic biofortification for global food and nutritional security. The review highlights the advances made in the field of agronomic biofortification via the improved new fertilizer forms, and the emerging techniques that achieve better micronutrient use efficiency of crop plants

Anatomic variations of superficial peroneal nerve: clinical implications of a cadaver study

Superficial peroneal nerve and its branches are frequently at risk for iatrogenic damage. Although different studies on anatomical variations of superficial peroneal nerve are available in the medical literature, such reports are rare from India. Hence the present study was undertaken on Indian population. A total of 60 specimens of inferior extremities from 30 properly embalmed and formalin fixed cadavers were dissected and examined for the location and course of the superficial peroneal nerve including number, level, course and distributions of branches. The superficial peroneal nerve in 28.3% specimens was located in the anterior compartment of the leg. In 8.3% specimens the superficial peroneal nerve branched before piercing between the peroneus longus and extensor digitorum longus muscle whereas in 11.7% specimens it branched after piercing the aforementioned muscles and before piercing the deep fascia. In 41 out of 60 specimens the sensory division of superficial peroneal nerve branched into the medial dorsal cutaneous nerve and intermediate dorsal cutaneous nerve distal to its emergence from the deep fascia and proximal to its relation to the extensor retinaculum. In 20 out of 60 specimens the accessory deep peroneal nerve, an additional branch from the sensory division of superficial peroneal nerve, through its course in the anterior compartment of the leg passed deep to the extensor retinaculum and supplied the ankle and the dorsum of foot. Hopefully the present study will help in minimizing iatrogenic damage to the superficial peroneal nerve and its branches while performing arthroscopy, local anesthetic block, surgical approach to the fibula, open reduction and internal fixation of lateral malleolar fractures, application of external fixators, elevation of a fasciocutaneous or fibular flaps for grafting, surgical decompression of neurovascular structures, or miscellaneous surgery on leg, foot and ankle

Usage of Low-dose Glimepiride (0.5 mg) and Metformin Combination in the Management of Type 2 Diabetes Continuum in Indian Setting

Background: To understand the approach of clinicians about the treatment pattern, dosage, efficacy and safety of the combination of low-dose glimepiride (0.5 mg) and metformin fixed-dose combination (FDC) in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) continuum in Indian settings. Methods: This case-based questionnaire survey included health care professionals (n = 112) across India, who were prescribing glimepiride and metformin FDC. Data were collected from the medical records and analyzed. Results: The data of 1,403 patients with T2DM were included. The mean age was 49.1 years and 68.4% of patients were males. The median duration of T2DM was 36 months. A total of 86.7% of patients received glimepiride and metformin FDC as first-line therapy. The most commonly prescribed (71.5%) dosage of glimepiride and metformin was 0.5 mg/500 mg. The titration of the dose was performed in 231 patients, of which 82.7% required up-titration and 17.3% required down-titration. The mean glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and postprandial plasma glucose (PPG) levels reduced significantly (mean change: 1.2%, 36.5 mg/dL and 50.2 mg/dL,respectively) post-treatment. The hypoglycemic event and weight gain were reported in 7.7% and 9.5% of patients, respectively. Overall physician’s global evaluation of efficacy and tolerability was rated good to excellent in the majority of patients (>85%). Conclusion: Results demonstrate low-dose (0.5 mg) glimepiride and metformin FDC is effective in achieving glycemic control through lowering HbA1c, FPG and PPG levels with acceptable safety outcomes

Host–parasite interaction: an insight into the growth and physiological responses of sandalwood and associated host species

IntroductionSandalwood (Santalum album L.) is categorized as vulnerable in the IUCN Red list and is also an industrially important tree species valued for its heartwood and aromatic oil. Sandalwood is a semi-root parasite tree that relies on its host plants for its water and nutrient requirements. Therefore, there is need to understand the growth and physiological interactions between sandalwood and its hosts.MethodsSandalwood were planted with ten different host species viz., Syzygium cumini, Punica granatum, Phyllanthus emblica, Melia dubia, Leucaena leucocephala, Dalbergia sissoo, Casuarina equisetifolia, Citrus aurantium, Azadirachta indica and Acacia ampliceps to assess the interactive effect on the change in growth and physiology of both sandalwood and host tree species.ResultsThe findings revealed that sandalwood grown with hosts D. sissoo and C. equisetifolia showed higher growth performance, while among hosts, S. cumini, followed by C. aurantium and L. leucocephala, showed better growth and physiobiochemical traits. The stepwise regression analysis and trait modeling indicated that the six traits, namely, plant height, photosynthetic rate, relative water content, water potential, intercellular CO2 concentration, and total soluble protein, contributed greater growth in the sandalwood, while four traits, namely, water potential, osmotic potential, leaf area, and total soluble protein, contributed greater growth in the host species. The traits modeling study predicted greater growth of sandalwood with the hosts D. sissoo and C. equisetifolia, whereas among host species, prediction revealed greater growth of S. cumini and C. aurantium.DiscussionThe study concluded that host–parasite interaction modulated the growth and physiological processes in both sandalwood and hosts and sandalwood plantations can be successfully developed with the hosts D. sissoo and C. equisetifolia

Integration of organics in nutrient management for rice-wheat system improves nitrogen use efficiency via favorable soil biological and electrochemical responses

IntroductionThe contrasting soil management in flooded-transplanted rice (Oryza sativa) and dry-tilled wheat (Triticum aestivum) poses a challenge for improving low nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of the rice-wheat system. Integration of organics in nutrient management can bring in changes favoring efficient N uptake via changes in growing conditions and soil responses.Materials and methodsThis study reported the results of a 15-year-long experiment on integrated nutrient management (INM) systems for rice-wheat cropping. The INM included substituting ~50% of chemical fertilizers via (i) including a legume crop (Vigna radiata) in the sequence and its biomass incorporation (LE), (ii) green manuring with Sesbania aculeata (GM), (iii) farmyard manure application (FYM), (iv) 1/3 wheat stubble in situ retention (WS), and (v) 1/3 rice stubble in situ retention.Results and DiscussionThe INM strategies resulted in improved NUE compared to 100% chemical fertilizers (F). The INM had significantly higher net N mineralization and improved biological activity aligning with the NUE trends. The reductions in redox potential (Eh) and pH during rice season improved NUE under integrated management. Highly reduced conditions favored N mineralization and plant availability in form of NH4+−N resulting in enhanced uptake efficiency, in rice crop. The soil organic carbon (C) significantly increased in INM, and an effect of the active C fractions was evident on the NUE of the wheat crop.ConclusionThe results showed that these INM strategies can immensely benefit the rice-wheat system via improvement in biological health along with electrochemical changes for flooded rice, and labile-C-assisted improvement in soil conditions for wheat