Immunization status of children and its decline with age: A hospital based study of 1000 children at a teaching hospital in western Uttar Pradesh

Background: Despite the ongoing National Immunization Program, the immunization coverage in our country remains unsatisfactory, particularly in U.P.; moreover, a wide disparity is seen in the immunization coverage of children at different ages. Objectives: The present study was conducted to know the immunization status of children, up to the age of 6 years, and particularly to evaluate the same with regard to the age of the child. Methods: The present study was carried out as a cross sectional study, between September, 2012 and May, 2013 at the pediatric OPD of SRMS Institute of Medical Sciences, Bareilly.  A total of 1000 children, aged up to 6 years were included. Immunization status with regard to the doses of BCG, OPV, DPT, DT and measles vaccine given at different time was assessed by interviewing parents and checking immunization cards. An endeavor was also made to know the various factors responsible for incomplete or no immunization through interviewing parents. Results: Over all, number of children with complete, partial and no immunization were 41.4%, 44.8% and 13.8% respectively. An inverse correlation exists between the age of the child and the vaccine acceptability - lesser the age, better is the coverage. Besides, a selective pattern is seen, the OPV-1 being the most preferred and DT booster (5-6 years) as the least preferred vaccine. Conclusions: There is need for improving the immunization coverage, particularly for the older children for reducing the burden of vaccine preventable diseases

A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF ANTIOBESITY PROPERTY OF BARLEY AND OAT FLOUR

The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of flour barley and Oat (Family- Poaceae) on body weight and associated metabolic disorder in over weight human volunteers. The study participants comprised of 48 healthy, over weight (defined as BMI>23/m2) human volunteers divided in two groups, of age group 20-60 years, in a dosage of 150 g, in a form of chapatti once in a day for two months. Anthropometrics, hematological and subjective parameters were carried out in the beginning and also at the end of the trial. The single blind trial was conducted for 2 months. Significant improvement in Body weight, BMI, BMR, Visceral fat, Body fat, Lipid profile, Skin fold thickness was observed in both Barley flour group and Oat flour group, but Barley flour group is found to be more effective than Oat flour group. Barley flour in the form of chapatti to overweight human volunteers shown favorable impact on body weight and a variety of parameter characteristic of the metabolic syndrome

Socio-economic upliftment of farmers through model irrigated village approach in East Champaran (Bihar), India: A case study

In India, the precious freshwater resources are becoming scarcer due to the climate change effect coupled with their inappropriate planning and management at the field level. Development of water resources and sensitization of farming community/irrigators towards effective utilization of these resources is need of the hour and it is one of the most important factors in conservation and preservation water resources for future requirements. This case study has highlighted the direct and indirect benefits derived by implementation of National Innovations on Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) scheme in Nawada, a village of the district East Champaran in Bihar state initiated by Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Piprakothi, East Champaran under Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Bihar. Two groups of farmers of the village was chosen to evaluate the benefits derived from this scheme. Under this scheme, tube-wells were developed to facilitate assured irrigation. This study revealed that the total savings of approximate Rs.10,000 ($140) per hectare to irrigate wheat crop three times in Rabi season was achieved over conventional irrigation system. This scheme has also resulted in other intangible benefits which included a reduction in pollution, an increase in the number of crops- rabi , kharif and zaid  seasons and adequate time to carryout out other farm operations

Bridging conventional and molecular genetics of sorghum insect resistance

Sustainable production of sorghum, Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench, depends on effective control of insect pests as they continue to compete with humans for the sorghum crop. Insect pests are a major constraint in sorghum production, and nearly 150 insect species are serious pests of this crop worldwide and cause more than 9% loss annually. Annual losses due to insect pests in sorghum have been estimated to be $1,089 million in the semiarid tropics (ICRISAT Annual report 1991. International Crop Research Institute for Semi-arid Tropics. Patancheru, Andhra Pradesh, India, 1992), but differing in magnitude on a regional basis. Key insect pests in the USA include the greenbug, Schizaphis graminum (Rondani); sorghum midge, Stenodiplosis sorghicola (Coquillett); and various caterpillars in the Southern areas. For example, damage by greenbug to sorghum is estimated to cost US producers$248 million annually. The major insect pests of sorghum on a global basis are the greenbug, sorghum midge, sorghum shoot fly (Atherigona soccata Rond.), stem borers (Chilo partellus Swin. and Busseola fusca Fuller), and armyworms (Mythimna separata Walk and Spodoptera frugiperda J.E. Smith). Recent advances in sorghum genetics, genomics, and breeding have led to development of some cutting-edge molecular technologies that are complementary to genetic improvement of this crop for insect pest management. Genome sequencing and genome mapping have accelerated the pace of gene discovery in sorghum..