Hilling as a Management Tactic and Tool for Understanding Soybean Gall Midge (\u3ci\u3eResseliella maxima\u3c/i\u3e Gagné)

Soybean gall midge (Resseliella maxima Gagné, SGM) emerged as a new species in the United States Midwest in 2019, causing injury to soybean (Glycine max L.) Infestation of R. maxima starts with females laying eggs in the fissures or cracks that develop at the base of soybean during the V2-V3 growth stage. The emerged larvae feed on the stem internally, leading to wilting and death of the plants. With knowledge gaps in biology and behavior, management strategies for this pest are challenging. Hilling is a cultural practice causing soil to cover the base of stems and is effective in mitigating SGM infestation. A two-year field study was conducted to better understand the timing of hilling as a management practice. Hilling was performed at different timings (V2, V5, and R2) of soybean growth stages. Treatments were arranged as randomized complete block and Latin square designs in 2022 and 2023, respectively. The effectiveness of hilling timing was evaluated by the proportion of infested plants, larval abundance, plant injury, and yield. The results showed that hilling at the V2 and V5 growth stages had reduced infestation and protected yields compared to later hilling at the R2 stage. The second study focused on understanding the temporal impact of unhilling on soybean gall midge abundance, plant injury, and yield components. Hilled plots were unhilled every 15-20 days, starting with the V2 stage and collecting plants. Plots were arranged as randomized complete blocks near Mead, Nebraska, in 2022 and 2023. At the end of the season, plants were collected to evaluate yield components for the number of nodes, pods, seeds, and seed weight. Reductions in yield components at the V2 were found for all except for node count in 2023. Unhilling at R1 impacted seed weight in both years. Both studies are the first to explore the timing of hilling as a management for R. maxima and the temporal impact of fissure exposure on soybean yield components. The results from these studies can provide insights into the potential window for effective management of R. maxima and its temporal impact of infestation on yield components. Advisor: Anthony Justin McMecha

Screening and evaluation of soil fungal isolates for xylanase production

Fungi are well known for their ability to excrete enzyme into the environment for their growth and survival. 32 fungal strains isolated from soil of social forest area of Bhilai Township were screened for xylanase production. Out of the 17 primary positive xylanase strains showing clear zones around growing colony, 03 good producers were identified as Aspergillus niger (AS012), Gliocledium sp (GS005) and Trichoderma viride (TS007). Solid state fermentation conditions were found to support optimally over Liquid state condition and Aspergillus niger (AS012) was appeared as best producer among them. Further studies were carried out on Aspergillus niger to standardize best natural substrate for xylanase production under solid state fermentation condition. Wheat bran supported the best followed by whole oat powder and paddy straw respectively

Relating Emissions of Carbon to Characteristics of Consumption in India

In order to determine how the average Indian’s emissions may be reduced, one needs to understand the consumption basket and the implications of various categories of household consumption (such as cereals or durables) on emissions. With this in mind, this paper looks at consumption choices in India and calculates per capita carbon dioxide emissions of the different categories of consumption during 1987-1988 to 2007-2008. It is seen that both the increase in per person consumption and a change in the product basket have led to an increase in emissions per person. Further, the urban or higher class Indian emits more, not only because he consumes more of everything (compared, respectively, to the rural or lower class Indian), but also because of differences in the composition of consumption. Four products/product groups – fuel for cooking, fuel for lighting, durables and housing – are further explored to identify several problem products

CPDA-1 Stored Blood Induced Effect on Hematological and Biochemical Parameter up to 28 Days

Introduction: When blood is stored outside the body, some hematological and biochemical changes take place resulting in reduced red blood cells survival which is an important drawback when transfused into the circulation of a recipient. Objective: The stability of hematological parameters like RBC count, WBC count, differential count, platelet count, MCV, MCH, MCHC and biochemical parameters like S. Sodium, S. Potassium, S. Chloride and albumin during extended storage at 4°C for up to 28 days was evaluated. Materials and Methods: The present research was conducted in L.N. Medical College and J.K. Hospital, Bhopal, in collaboration with blood bank department of our institute. 450 mL of blood was drawn from 30 healthy volunteer donors into citrate phosphate dextrose adenine (CPDA-1) anticoagulant (63 mL). The blood was kept for 28 days and samples were evaluated on days 1, 7, 14, 21 and 28. Results: Among the hematological parameters, there was a constant decline in WBC and platelet counts from day 0 to 28. RBC count, Hb, MCV, HCT showed increasing values; MCH was almost constant, while MCHC decreased. PDW increased while PCT increased till 4th day and then decreased. Neutrophils, Eosinophils, Monocytes decreased, Basophils remained constant while lymphocytes increased. Among the biochemical parameters, values of S. Sodium decreased, S. Chloride decreased till 3rd day, increased on 4th day and then again decreased on 5th day. S. Potassium and albumin showed increasing values. Conclusion: Extended storage of blood in blood banks leads to changes in biochemical and hematological parameters of stored blood. RBC stored for a period of time at 4°C loses viability. Some may undergo spontaneous hemolysis while in storage; others lose the ability to survive in the recipient’s circulation following transfusion. The structural and biochemical changes that RBCs go through during storage are likely to contribute to adverse transfusion effects

Role of combined wash-in and wash-out threshold criteria on dynamic multislice CECT for solitary pulmonary nodule characterisation: data from Indian tertiary care hospital

Background: To prospectively assess the accuracy of combined wash-in and washout characteristics at dynamic contrast material–enhanced multi– detector row computed tomography (CT in distinguishing benign from malignant solitary pulmonary nodule (SPN).Methods: Institutional review board approval and informed consent were obtained. The study included 30 patients (16 men, 14 women; mean age, 52 years; range, 25-80 years) with SPN. After unenhanced CT (1.25mm collimation) scan, dynamic CT was performed (series of images obtained throughout the nodule, with 0.6mm collimation, at 30, 60, 90, and 120 seconds and 4, 5, 9, 12, and 15 minutes) after intravenous injection of contrast medium (120 mL). The HU value of nodule was noted at each of the scans. Data was analyzed for dynamic enhancement characteristics. FNAC from the nodule was done in all patients. The data were correlated with the cytopathological and follow –up results. The significance of various dynamic enhancement features and different threshold criteria for wash-in and wash-out of contrast medium for differentiation between benign and malignant nodules were derived.Results: There were 16 malignant and 14 benign nodules. When diagnostic criteria for malignancy of both wash-in of 25 HU or greater and washout of 5-34 HU were applied, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for malignancy were 100%, 92.8% and 96.7% respectively.Conclusions: Evaluation of solitary pulmonary nodules by analyzing combined wash-in and washout characteristics at dynamic contrast-enhanced multi– detector row CT showed 96.7% accuracy (p<0.001) for distinguishing benign nodules from malignant nodules

Host immune responses to chlamydial inclusion membrane proteins B and C in Chlamydia trachomatis infected women with or without fertility disorders

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>With an increase in the number of putative inclusion membrane proteins (incs) in chlamydial genomes, there is a need for understanding their contribution in host-pathogen interactions. Thus in this study we determined the host mucosal and peripheral immune responses to incs (IncB and IncC) of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Female patients (n = 296) attending the gynaecology out patient department of Safdarjung hospital, New Delhi were enrolled for the study and were clinically characterized into two groups; CT-positive fertile women (n = 38) and CT-positive women with fertility disorders (n = 29). Uninfected healthy fertile women were enrolled as controls (n = 31). Gene specific PCRs were used for detection of incB and incC genes in endocervical samples of CT-positive patients. ELISA and Western blot assay were used for detection of IgA and IgG antibodies to IncB and IncC in cervical washes and sera. Effect of IncB and IncC stimulation of cervical cells and PBMCs on cellular proliferation and cytotoxity was determined using MTT assay and Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)-cytotoxicity assay respectively. Modulation of cytokines (Interleukin (IL)-1 Beta, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, Interferon-gamma, IL-12, Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha and Granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF)) in cervical cells and PBMCs upon stimulation with IncB and IncC was determined by real-time reverse-transcriptase (RT)-PCR and ELISA. Further, CD4 positive T cells were purified from cervical cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and secreted cytokines (Interferon-gamma and IL-4) were evaluated by ELISPOT and real-time RT-PCR.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Using MTT assay, significantly high proliferative responses (P < 0.05) were observed in inc-stimulated cervical cells and PBMCs from CT-positive fertile women compared to CT-positive women with fertility disorders and controls. Interferon-gamma, IL-12 and GM-CSF were found to be elevated in inc-stimulated cervical cells and PBMCs of CT-positive fertile women compared to CT-positive women with fertility disorders and controls (P < 0.05). In contrast, IL-1 Beta, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6 and IL-10 levels were found to be higher in CT-positive women with fertility disorders compared to CT-positive fertile women and controls (P < 0.05). Interferon-gamma secreting cells and mRNA expression in inc-stimulated cervical and peripheral CD4 positive T cells were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in CT positive fertile women compared to CT-positive women with fertility disorders.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our data overall suggests that CT incs, IncB and IncC modulate host immune responses and may have a role in protection/pathogenesis of genital chlamydial infection in women.</p

Marine Stock Enhancement in India: Current Status and Future Prospects

India is a 12 mega-diversity nation known for its biodiversity richness. The geographic territory of India is an integral part of Central Indian Ocean Region consisting of three distinct marine ecosystem zones such as the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean. India is endowed with an exclusive economic zone of 2.02 million km2, coastline of over 8000 km and a variety of coastal ecosystems. The estimated number of marine fish species known from India constitutes 2443 species distributed in 230 families. According to the IUCN extant (2014), 50 species are threatened (6 of them critically endangered, 7 endangered and 37 vulnerable), while 45 are near-threatened. Marine fish diversity is in ever-increasing danger with depletion of resources. Overdependence on fish has led to overfishing resulting in the dwindling of diversity and abundance of stocks. Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute has initiated marine stock assessment practices in India and its present report in 2016 recorded a total of 709 species which is lower than 730 species recorded in 2015 in the landings showing an alarming situation on the exploited marine fishery resources of India. This situation demands restorative measures such as restocking, stock enhancement and sea ranching

Knowledge and attitude of peripheral health workers regarding Non-Communicable diseases in a Rural area of Rajasthan

Background: Mortality due to Non communicable disease (NCD) has increased from 50% to 60% in India from 2004 to 2014. Increasing mortality due to NCD has compelled Government of India to launch a national program (NPCDCS). This program has involved peripheral health workers hence this study was conducted to assess level of knowledge and attitude of peripheral health workers working in rural area of CHC Naila regarding NCDs. Methods: Present study was conducted at CHC Naila, Rajasthan, during June to Dec 2019. All (38) peripheral health staff working under CHC Naila were assessed and categorised regarding NCD and NPCDCS program. Results: Majority (77%) peripheral health workers had more than ten years of field experience. All have heard about NPCDCS program and type of NCDs covered under it. they were aware of sign &amp; symptoms of common NCDs, however 18.42% of these were not aware of their role of community awareness about risk factors of NCDs and conducting regular screening. Conclusion: Though the level of awareness of health workers regarding type of NCDs, its consequences and risk factors was good however skill development training is needed so that they can screen people effectively and motivate them for healthy life style for optimum result