AN EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY OF SOCIAL FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH MATERNAL MORTALITY IN A COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK OF MADHYA PRADESH

Background- India is among those countries which have very high Maternal Mortality Rate (301/100,000 live birth) .In Madhya Pradesh MMR is much higher (379/100,000/live birth). About 78,000 women die each year due to pregnancy related causes. Social factors play important role in maternal morbidity and mortality. Research Question –What is the magnitude of Maternal Mortality and its social determinants in a Community Development Block of District Satna (MP.). Objective– To assess the magnitude of Maternal Mortality and its social determinants. Study Design-Retrospective epidemiological study. Setting and Participants - The subjects included were female deaths of reproductive age group (15-45 years) of a Community Development Block Satna (MP.). Methodology- The data were collected from available health records, by house to house survey and verbal autopsy in study area. Results - A total of 27 maternal deaths were gathered from deferent sources during one year study period, thus giving, MMR of 550/100,000 live birth. Maximum 24 maternal deaths (88.8%) occurred in the age group of 18-30years.Around 55% maternal deaths took place in low socio economic group. Around 44.44% mothers did not take any antenatal care during their pregnancies. Around twelve maternal deaths (44%) were due to direct obstetrical causes and remaining 15 maternal deaths (54%) were due to indirect causes. The reason in 62.96% mothers for non- availing hospital treatment were financial constraints, ignorance, illiteracy, late decision, male dominance in family matters

Evaluation of Potato-Based Crop Sequences for Crop Diversification in Malwa Region of Madhya Pradesh

A study was conducted to evaluate different crop sequences under limited-period irrigation conditions at farmers' fields in four villages of Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh during 2007-08. Six crop sequences, viz., Soybean-Garlic, Soybean-Onion, Soybean-Wheat, Soybean-Potato, Green gram-Radish-Potato and Green gram-Potato-Wheat were compared. Results revealed that crop sequence had remarkable influence on various competition indices. Highest potato equivalent yield (506.25q/ha) was recorded in green-gram- radish-potato crop sequence, followed by soybeangarlic, green-gram-potato-wheat and soybean-potato crop sequences. Land Utilization Index (LUI) was highest in green-gram-potato-wheat crop sequence and minimum in soybean-garlic and soybean-potato (both at 0.64) crop sequences. Green-gram-radish-potato crop sequence attained highest production efficiency (200.89kg/ha per day). Highest cost of input, output and net returns were obtained in greengram-radish-potato crop sequence whereas, Cost: Benefit ratio was maximum under soybean-onion crop sequence, followed by soybean-wheat and green-gram-radishpotato sequence

Phenotypic characterization and susceptibility of gram negative bacteria from surgical site infections in a tertiary care hospital

Background: Gram negative bacteria are the common isolates among the cases of Surgical Site Infections (SSI). Resistant and specially Multi Drug Resistant (MDR) Gram negative isolates are a serious challenge for the treatment to clinicians. Present study was undertaken for phenotypic characterization and susceptibility pattern of Gram negative bacterial isolates from cases of surgical site infections in a tertiary care institute.Methods: This descriptive cross sectional hospital based study was conducted in a tertiary care teaching hospital over a period of one and half year from January 2012 to June 2013. Centers for disease control and prevention (CDC) SSI case definitions were used to label a case as SSI. Only culture proven cases, out of clinically suspected was included in the study for evaluation.Results: During the study period a total of 5949 patients were operated and screened for SSI in the wards under surveillance. Out of which 556 were clinically suspected as a case of SSI. With 408 culture proven cases of SSI the rate of SSI in present study was (6.86%). Rates of SSI were more in dirty (22.54%) and contaminated (13.78%) type of wounds. Among Gram negative bacterial isolates (n=343) from SSI, E. coli (45.18%) was the commonest followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (16.03%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (13.42%). Unpleasant trend in antimicrobial resistance observed during study is a serious concern.Conclusions: The data presented in this study clearly indicate the continuous need of surveillance of SSI. This will clearly help health care personnel in curtailing down the incidences of SSI

Studies on French Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Varieties under Different N, P, K and S Levels for Growth, Yield and Economics

Fifteen combinations of three French bean varieties viz., Arka Komal (V1), Swaran Priya (V2) and Contender (V3) and five fertilizer levels (F1- 20:40:40:20kg/ha NPKS; F2- 40:40:40:20kg/ha NPKS; F3 - 60:60:60:40kg/ha NPKS; F4 - 80:60:60:40kg/ha NPKS, and F5 -100:80:80:50kg/ha NPKS) were tested in factorial Randomized Block Design, with three replications. Among the varieties, Swaran Priya was superior for growth attributes, yield attributes and yield. Among fertilizer levels, F5 (100:80:80:50kg/ha NPKS) resulted in highest growth parameters, yield parameters and yield of pods. Economic evaluation showed that variety Swaran Priya under F5 (100:80:80:50kg/ha NPKS) resulted in maximum gross returns, net returns and cost:benefit ratio for green pod production

EVALUATION HYPOLIPIDEMIC ACTIVITY OF AROGYAVARDHINI AND ZPTER TABLET IN CHOLESTEROL-RICH HIGH FAT DIET (HFD) INDUCED HYPERLIPIDEMIA IN WISTAR RATS

Objective: The present research work aims to evaluate the hypolipidemic activity of arogyavardhini and zpter tablet in high fat diet (HFD) induced hyperlipidemia in wistar rats. Methods: Wistar rats were divided in 5 groups. The normal control group received standard pellet diet. The HFD group received HFD rich in cholesterol. The HFD+Arogyavardhini group received HFD rich in cholesterol along with Arogyavardhini treatment. The HFD+zpter group received HFD rich in cholesterol along with zpter treatment. The standard Control group received HFD rich in cholesterol and treatment with Atorvastatin. Serum Lipid profile estimation and histopathological estimations done at end treatment. Group means were compared with Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey‘s post-hoc analysis (P<0.05). Result: HFD group shows significant (P<0.05) increase in total cholesterol (TC) levels (207.15 mg/dl) and triglyceride (TG) levels (223.83 mg/dl) when compared with standard pellet fed rats (TC=151.05 mg/dl and TG=164.67 mg/dl). Treatment with Arogyavardhini significantly (P<0.05) reduces the increased levels of TC (160.123 mg/dl) and TG (189.5 mg/dl) in hyperlipedimic rats. Treatment with Zpter significantly (P<0.05) reduces the increased levels of TC (163.89 mg/dl) and TG (193.167 mg/dl) in hyperlipedimic rats, which is comparable to standard treatment atorvastatin (TC= 155.81 mg/dl, TG=180.33 mg/dl). Conclusion: The observations in this study suggest that, herbal formulations arogyavardhini and zpter have the potential to overcome hyperlipidemia

Effect of γ-Irradiation on Germination, Growth, Sensitivity and Survivability of Papaya cv. Kesar King

An experiment was laid out in a 4x2 factorial design, with 4 levels of γ-irradiation (0,5,10&15 Krad) and two dates of sowing (15th September and 15th October) on papaya cv. Kesar King. The results indicated that germination percentage, survival percentage and plant growth increased with the increased in γ-irradiation upto 10 Krad. Early sowing of seed (15th September) showed better germination (73%), survival (70%) and plant growth as compared to late sowing (15th October). Interaction between γ-irradiation of 10 Krad and early sowing of seed (15th September) was found superior to all the other treatment combinations to obtain optimum germination percentage, survival percentage and plant growth

Effect of different doses of nitrogen and sulphur on growth, yield and quality of onion (Allium cepa)

A field experiment was conducted during the rabi season of 2009-10 at research farm, College of Horticulture, Mandsaur (Madhya Pradesh) to study the effect of different dose of nitrogen and sulphur on growth, yield and quality of onion. The treatments consisted of three levels of nitrogen, viz. N1 - 80 kg N/ ha, N2 -100 kg N/ha and N3- 120 kg N/ha and four levels of sulphur, viz. S1-15 kg S/ha, S2- 30 kg S/ha, S3- 45 kg S/ha and S4 - 60 kg S/ha. Application of nitrogen and sulphur had significant influence on the growth, yield and quality attributes of onion. Maximum plant height, number of leaves per plant, fresh weight of shoot, fresh weight of bulb, horizontal diameter, vertical diameter, bulb yield, neck diameter, total soluble solid content and pyruvic acid content were recorded with application of nitrogen 120 kg/ha. Similarly application of 60 kg S/ha resulted in highest values of growth, yield and quality attributes of onion. Combined effect of nitrogen and sulphur showed significant effect on fresh weight of shoot, fresh weight of bulb, horizontal diameter, vertical diameter, bulb yield and pyruvic acid content with maximum values under 120 kg N + 60 kg S/ha. Maximum gross income, net income and cost: benefit ratio was also found with 120 kg N + 60 kg S/ha

Cytokinin Interplay with Ethylene, Auxin, and Glucose Signaling Controls Arabidopsis Seedling Root Directional Growth

Optimal root architecture is established by multiple intrinsic (e.g. hormones) and extrinsic (e.g. gravity and touch) signals and is established, in part, by directed root growth. We show that asymmetrical exposure of cytokinin (CK) at the root tip in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) promotes cell elongation that is potentiated by glucose in a hexokinase-influenced, G protein-independent manner. This mode of CK signaling requires the CK receptor, ARABIDOPSIS HISTIDINE KINASE4 and, at a minimum, its cognate type B ARABIDOPSIS RESPONSE REGULATORS ARR1, ARR10, and ARR11 for full responsiveness, while type A response regulators act redundantly to attenuate this CK response. Ethylene signaling through the ethylene receptor ETHYLENE RESISTANT1 and its downstream signaling element ETHYLENE INSENSITIVE2 are required for CK-induced root cell elongation. Negative and positive feedback loops are reinforced by CK regulation of the expression of the genes encoding these elements in both the CK and ethylene signaling pathways. Auxin transport facilitated by PIN-FORMED2 as well as auxin signaling through control of the steady-state level of transcriptional repressors INDOLE-3-ACETIC ACID7 (IAA7), IAA14, and IAA17 via TRANSPORT INHIBITOR RESPONSE1/AUXIN SIGNALING F-BOX PROTEIN are involved in CK-induced root cell elongation. This action lies downstream of ethylene and CK induction. Intrinsic signaling in this response operates independently of the extrinsic signal touch, although actin filament organization, which is important in the touch response, may be important for this response, since latrunculin B can induce similar growth. This root growth response may have adaptive significance, since CK responsiveness is inversely related to root coiling and waving, two root behaviors known to be important for fitness