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

Spectrophotometric investigation on interactions of dye with surfactant in aqueous as well as alcoholic media

The interaction of the methyl orange (MO) dye with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) in propanol, butanol, and water was studied using spectrophotometry method. The NLREG approach was used to compute the distribution constant which is the lower as carbon number increases which resembles that value of distribution constant 0.07161476, 0.00060913, 0.00010865 is of water, 1-propanol, 1-butanol media respectively. The Benesi-Hilderbrand and Hashemi and Sun equations were also used to determine the binding constant (Kb) and Gibbs free energy of binding (ΔG°). As the alkyl chain lengthened, the ΔG° value shifted more negatively in comparison to water. The spontaneous nature of CTAB binding with MO was suggested by the negative value of ΔG°. As the concentration of CTAB in the water & alcoholic media increased, the MO absorption dramatically blue-shifted from 464 nm (water) to 440–450 nm (propanol, butanol). These findings showed that the alkyl chain plays a role in reducing absorbance. The MO absorbance in the water, 1-propanol or 1-butanol media decreased with increasing CTAB concentration (hyperchromic shift)

Antimicrobial resistance in food-borne pathogens at the human-animal interface: Results from a large surveillance study in India

Background: The burden of foodborne diseases and antimicrobial resistance carried by key foodborne pathogens in India is unknown due to a lack of an integrated surveillance system at the human-animal interface. Methods: We present data from the WHO-AGISAR (Advisory Group on Integrated Surveillance of Antimicrobial Resistance), India project. Concurrent human and animal sampling was done across a large area across north India. Community-acquired diarrhea cases (n = 1968) of all age groups were included. Cross-sectional sampling of stool/ intestinal contents (n = 487) and meat samples (n = 419) from food-producing animals was done at farms, retail shops, and slaughterhouses. Pathogens were cultured and identified, and antimicrobial susceptibility was performed. Results: Over 80% of diarrhoeal samples were obtained from moderate to severe diarrhea patients, which yielded EAEC (5%), ETEC (4.84%), EPEC (4.32%), and Campylobacter spp. (2%). A high carriage of EPEC (32.11%) and Campylobacter spp. (24.72%) was noted in food animals, but the prevalence of ETEC (2%) and EAEC (1%) was low. Atypical EPEC (aEPEC, 84.52%, p ≤0.0001) were predominant and caused milder diarrhea. All EPEC from animal/poultry were aEPEC. Overall, a very high level of resistance was observed, and the MDR rate ranged from 29.2% in Campylobacter spp., 53.6% in EPEC, and 59.8% in ETEC. Resistance to piperacillin-tazobactam, cefepime, ceftriaxone, and co-trimoxazole was significantly higher in human strains. In contrast, resistance to ciprofloxacin, aminoglycosides, and tetracycline was higher in animal strains, reflecting the corresponding usage in human and animal sectors. ESBL production was commoner in animal isolates than in humans, indicating high use of third-generation cephalosporins in the animal sector. C. hyointestinalis is an emerging zoonotic pathogen, first time reported from India. Conclusion: In one of the most extensive studies from India, a high burden of key foodborne pathogens with MDR and ESBL phenotypes was found in livestock, poultry, and retail meat

Comparative analysis of virulence determinants, phylogroups, and antibiotic susceptibility patterns of typical versus atypical Enteroaggregative E. coli in India.

Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) is an evolving enteric pathogen that causes acute and chronic diarrhea in developed and industrialized nations in children. EAEC epidemiology and the importance of atypical EAEC (aEAEC) isolation in childhood diarrhea are not well documented in the Indian setting. A comparative analysis was undertaken to evaluate virulence, phylogeny, and antibiotic sensitivity among typical tEAEC versus aEAEC. A total of 171 EAEC isolates were extracted from a broad surveillance sample of diarrheal (N = 1210) and healthy children (N = 550) across North India. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the aggR gene (master regulator gene) was conducted to differentiate tEAEC and aEAEC. For 21 virulence genes, we used multiplex PCR to classify possible virulence factors among these strains. Phylogenetic classes were identified by a multiplex PCR for chuA, yjaA, and a cryptic DNA fragment, TspE4C2. Antibiotic susceptibility was conducted by the disc diffusion method as per CLSI guidelines. EAEC was associated with moderate to severe diarrhea in children. The prevalence of EAEC infection (11.4%) was higher than any other DEC group (p = 0.002). tEAEC occurrence in the diarrheal group was higher than in the control group (p = 0.0001). tEAEC strain harbored more virulence genes than aEAEC. astA, aap, and aggR genes were most frequently found in the EAEC from the diarrheal population. Within tEAEC, this gene combination was present in more than 50% of strains. Also, 75.8% of EAEC strains were multidrug-resistant (MDR). Phylogroup D (43.9%) and B1 (39.4%) were most prevalent in the diarrheal and control group, respectively. Genetic analysis revealed EAEC variability; the comparison of tEAEC and aEAEC allowed us to better understand the EAEC virulence repertoire. Further microbiological and epidemiological research is required to examine the pathogenicity of not only typical but also atypical EAEC