Performance of papaya variety ‘Surya’ under fertigation and foliar nutrition

Effects of fertigation and foliar nutrition with micronutrients on papaya flowering, yield and fruit quality parameters were studied during the period 2018 – 2020 at Instructional Farm, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. A field experiment consists of 14 treatments replicated thrice was laid out based on randomized block design. A combination of four fertigation doses of 75 %, 100 %, 125 % and 150 % Recommended Dose of Fertilizers (RDF) of N (304.89, 406.52, 508.15 and 609.78 gm urea plant-1 year-1 respectively based on soil test data in 76 fertigation) and K (426.25, 568.33, 710.42 and 852.50 gm muriate of potash plant?¹ year?¹ respectively based on soil test data in 76 fertigation) and three foliar sprays (1.0 % 19:19:19 at bimonthly interval starting from 4 MAP (Month After Planting) to 16 MAP, 0.5% ZnSO4 + 0.3% borax at 4th, 8th, 12th and 16th MAP and water spray at bimonthly interval starting from 4 MAP to 16 MAP) where compared with soil application of recommended dose of NPK (187:170:341 g NPK plant-1 year-1 based on soil test data) (control 1) and 187:170:341 g NPK plant-1 year-1 based on soil test data as organic manures as combination of FYM (Farm Yard Manure), poultry manure and vermicompost in the ratio of 2:1:1 (control 2). Application of 100 % recommended dose of N and K through fertigation at weekly interval from one MAP to 20 MAP and foliar sprays of 0.5 % ZnSO4 and 0.3 % borax at 4th, 8th, 12th and 16th MAP (T5) initiated earliness in flowering (142.67 days) and harvest (275.00 days). However, plants receiving 100 % recommended dose of N and K through fertigation at weekly interval from one MAP to 20 MAP with foliar sprays of 1% 19:19:19 at bimonthly interval starting from 4 MAP to 16 MAP (T4) significantly improved the fruit weight, number of fruits per plant and total yield per plant in papaya variety ‘Surya’ and it was on par with T5. Fruit quality parameters namely TSS (Total Soluble Solids), ascorbic acid and total sugars were found significantly highest in T5 and lowest titratable acidity was also recorded in T5. Hence, treatment T5 which is found superior in initiating early harvest, with higher yield and good quality characters in papaya variety ‘Surya’ can be recommended to farmers

Predictive value of uterine artery: peak systolic velocity on the day of trigger for clinical pregnancy rate in infertile women

Background: The purpose of the study is to evaluate the role of uterine artery blood flow parameter measured by uterine artery two-dimensional (2D) power coloured doppler (PCD) ultrasound in predicting fertility outcomes in women undergoing ART treatment.Methods: It is prospective observational study. Total of 60 patients were included  of receiving infertility treatment in the age group20-40 years. 20 patients were selected for timed intercourse , 20 patients were selected for intrauterine insemination , 20 patients were selected for invitro fertilization. Transvaginalsonography will be done on the day of trigger by BHCG , UA PSV were measured,  and endometrial blood flow will be assessed. Predictivity of pregnancy rate  will be looked after by 3 ways: BHCG values  , UPT, Gestational sac  on USG.Results: In TI/IUI/IVF cycles the Doppler parameter PSV of uterine artery (23.08+/-3.39 vs 20.37-/+5.43) in pregnant vs non-pregnant group did not differ significantly. The mean PSV   of UA shows no significant difference women who were became pregnant during treatment and the women who were not became pregnant.Conclusions: With help of Doppler parameter imaging of women undergoing infertility it was found that UA PSV is non-significant to decide the prediction of pregnancy outcome

Management of Upapluta Yonivyapad (Vulvovaginitis) during Pregnancy - A Case Study

Pregnant women commonly develop increased vaginal discharge, which in many instances is not pathological. Pregnancy is associated with specific anatomical, physiological and immunological changes that can predispose to infection and also alter the response to the disease process. Infections in pregnancy demands prompt adequate and careful management. Vulvovaginitis during pregnancy may be considered under the umbrella of Upapluta Yonivyapad. Pregnant women are more prone to vulvovaginitis which is a great challenge for obstetricians today. In Ayurveda, Upapluta Yonivyapad described by Acharaya Charaka, Sharangadhara and both Vagbhata can be compared to vulvovaginitis during pregnancy. Here Panchawalkala Kwatha Prakshalna followed by Jatyadi Taila Pichu externally and Tab Leukol internally has been used to correct Garbhini Upapluta

Correction of Anovulation one of the major cause of Vandhyatva - A Case Study

Anovulation is the failure to produce a mature ovum by ovary. Anovulatory factor is an important subset in infertility among women accounting about 40% of cases. In such patients ovulation induction is a rescuer. Infertility brings marital disharmony, social rejection which results in anxiety and disappointment. In Ayurveda, Vandhyatva is a Vata Dosha Pradhana Vyadi and Ovulation is under the control of Vata especially Apana Vata. Here Phalaghrita and Pushpadhanwa Rasa has been used to correct the anovulation. In this present article patient’s anovulation treated successfully

Assessing the prevalence of psychotic symptoms in epileptic patients at a tertiary clinic

Background: The International League against Epilepsy (ILAE) defines epilepsy as a brain disorder characterised by an enduring risk to generate seizures with neurobiological, cognitive, psychological and social consequences. Psychotic disorders in epilepsy are a serious psychiatric complication affecting the prognosis, morbidity and mortality of patients. There is a paucity in literature with regard to the prevalence of psychotic symptoms in epileptic patients in low- to middle-income countries. Aim: This study aimed to look at the prevalence of psychotic symptoms in epileptic patients at an outpatient clinic using the prodromal questionnaire 16 (PQ-16). Setting: The study was conducted at the epilepsy clinic at Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital (CMJAH), a tertiary hospital located in Johannesburg, South Africa. Method: The PQ-16 was distributed to patients at the epilepsy clinic at CMJAH. Results: The study consisted of 121 participants. The prevalence of patients found to be at high risk of psychosis (i.e., PQ-16 score 6) was 61.2% (95% lower confidence interval (LCI): 0.53, upper confidence interval (UCI): 0.70). None of the demographic variables showed significant associations in the percentage of patients found to be at high risk. No association was found between any antiepileptic drug and high risk of psychosis. Conclusion: The high prevalence of psychotic like experiences found suggests it is imperative to screen for psychotic disorders in epileptic patients and if required to involve neuropsychiatrists in their management. Contribution: This study highlights the importance of assessing psychotic symptoms in epileptic patients and the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in managing these complex patients

Nonabelian Kinetic Mixing in a Confining Phase

Dark matter from a hidden sector with SU($N$) gauge symmetry can have a nonabelian kinetic mixing portal with the standard model. The dark photon becomes massive in the confining phase without the need for spontaneous symmetry breaking. Depending on the particle content of the dark sector, there can be two or more composite vectors that get kinetic mixing through a heavy mediator particle $X$. This provides a model of composite dark photons giving a portal for direct detection of dark baryons. Avoiding exotic charged relics requires additional couplings allowing $X$ to decay to dark quarks and standard model fields, leading to further portals between the dark matter and the standard model. We comprehensively study the constraints on such models from colliders, rare decays, direct detection, and big bang nucleosynthesis.Comment: 14 pages, 12 figures, comments welcom

Study of polyembryony and development of molecular markers for identification of zygotic and nucellar seedlings in Khasi mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco)

The objective of this work was to evaluate the occurrence of polyembryonic seedlings and other morphological parameters in Khasi mandarin during three harvest years and to identify zygotic (sexual) seedlings from nucellar (asexual) ones grown under in-vitro conditions using molecular markers. Embryos from 27 polyembryonic and 7 monoembryonic seeds of Khasi mandarin were grown in-vitro. DNA from seedlings and mother parent was analyzed using 16 ISSR and 5 RAPD primers, of which 4 ISSR and a set of 3 RAPD primers were effective to identify zygotic or nucellar origin of the seedlings. In-vitro culture enables maximum embryos of each seed to grow, favouring the origin of seedlings to be identified as zygotic. Among 69 tested individuals, 37 zygotic and 32 nucellar seedlings were recognized. In polyembryonic and monoembryonic seeds, 59.6% and 42.8% of the seedlings, respectively, have the sexual origin. Morphological characteristics of seeds and the seedlings generated varied significantly and were not correlated with polyembryony except for the clutch size and the number of branches. Polyembryonic seeds in the cultivar are high, ranging from 50.0%, 55.5% to 83.3% over three harvest years with more clutch size and the possibility of obtaining zygotic plants from them is high. In polyembryonic seeds not all zygotic seedlings were produced by small embryos located at the micropyle. Identification of zygotic seedlings by ISSR and RAPD markers in Khasi mandarin cultivar is efficient and reliable at an early developmental stage

Development and validation of new analytical method for the simultaneous estimation of amitriptyline and perphenazine in bulk and pharmaceutical dosage form by RP-HPLC

A new, simple, precise, accurate and reproducible RP-HPLC method for simultaneous estimation of Amitriptyline and Perphenazine in bulk and pharmaceutical formulations was developed. Separation of Amitriptyline and Perphenazine was successfully achieved on Inertsil ODS (250x4.6mm) 5µm column in an isocratic mode utilizing Methanol: ACN: Water (50:30:20) at a flow rate of 1.0 ml/min and eluents were monitored at 253nm with a retention time of 2.440 and 5.503 minutes for Amitriptyline and Perphenazine respectively. The method was validated and it was found to be linear. The values of the correlation coefficient were found to 0.992 for Amitriptyline and 0.9992 for Perphenazine respectively. The LOD for Perphenazine and Amitriptyline were found to be and 33.8µg/ml and 4.2 µg/ml. The LOQ for Perphenazine and Amitriptyline were found to be 20.88µg/ml and 12.12µg/ml respectively. The percentage recoveries for Amitriptyline and Perphenazine were found to be within the limit indicates that the proposed method is highly accurate. The method was extensively validated according to ICH guidelines

Characterization of eDNA from the Clinical Strain Acinetobacter baumannii AIIMS 7 and Its Role in Biofilm Formation

Release of extracellular DNA (eDNA) was observed during in vitro growth of a clinical strain of Acinetobacter baumannii. Membrane vesicles (MV) of varying diameter (20–200 nm) containing DNA were found to be released by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). An assessment of the characteristics of the eDNA with respect to size, digestion pattern by DNase I/restriction enzymes, and PCR-sequencing, indicates a high similarity with genomic DNA. Role of eDNA in static biofilm formed on polystyrene surface was evaluated by biofilm augmentation assay using eDNA available in different preparations, for example, whole cell lysate, cell-free supernatant, MV suspension, and purified eDNA. Biofilm augmentation was seen up to 224.64%, whereas biofilm inhibition was 59.41% after DNase I treatment: confirming that eDNA facilitates biofilm formation in A. baumannii. This is the first paper elucidating the characteristics and role of eDNA in A. baumannii biofilm, which may provide new insights into its pathogenesis

Implementation and preliminary clinical outcomes of a pharmacist-managed venous thromboembolism clinic for patients treated with rivaroxaban post emergency department discharge

Objective To describe the implementation, work flow, and differences in outcomes between a pharmacist-managed clinic for the outpatient treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE) using rivaroxaban versus care by a primary care provider. Interventions Patients in the studied health system that are diagnosed with low-risk VTE in the emergency department are often discharged without hospital admission. These patients are treated with rivaroxban and follow up either in a pharmacist-managed VTE clinic or with their primary care provider. Pharmacists in the VTE clinic work independently under a collaborative practice agreement. An evaluation of thirty-four patients, seventeen in each treatment arm, was conducted to compare the differences in treatment-related outcomes of rivaroxaban when managed by a pharmacist versus a primary care provider. Results The primary endpoint was a six month composite of anticoagulation treatment-related complications that included a diagnosis of major bleeding, recurrent thromboembolism, or fatality due to either major bleeding or recurrent thromboembolism. Secondary endpoints included number of hospitalizations, adverse events, and medication adherence. There was no difference in the primary endpoint between groups with one occurrence of the composite endpoint in each treatment arm (p=1.000), both of which were recurrent thromboembolic events. Medication adherence assessment was formally performed in 8 patients in the pharmacist group versus 0 patients in the control group. No differences were seen amongst other secondary endpoints. Conclusions The pharmacist-managed clinic is a novel expansion of clinical pharmacy services that treats patients with low-risk VTEs with rivaroxaban in the outpatient setting. The evaluation of outcomes provides support that pharmacist-managed care utilizing standardized protocols under a collaborative practice agreement may be as safe as care by a primary care provider