Effect of inoculation with three different paddy soils suspensions on growth of rice plants

Abstract Inoculation with plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are considered as a solution to the environmental and economic problems of using chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Inoculation with consortia of several bacterial strains is suggested as an alternative to inoculation with single species and mixed species introduced strains. Rice variety BG 250 grown in modified Yoshida rice nutrient solution was inoculated with suspensions of 3 different paddy soils separately with the aim of selecting a soil with effective microbial consortia. Inoculations did not affect any vegetative or reproductive parameter 3 or 14 weeks after transplanting despite the non-competitive conducive environment prevailing in the pots.The major reason could be presence of nutrients particularly nitrogen in sufficient quantities since this suppresses the effect of microbes. Further studies are needed with inoculation under low levels of nitrogen preferably with different rice varieties and different soils for development of biofertilizer with effective PGPR consortia

Perspectives on domestic violence: case study from Karachi, Pakistan.

There is no adequate profile of domestic violence in Pakistan although this issue is frequently highlighted by the media. This case study used qualitative and quantitative methods to explore the nature and forms of domestic violence, circumstances, impact and coping mechanisms amongst selected women victims in Karachi. Violence was a continuum: all the women reported verbal abuse, often escalating into physical, emotional, sexual and economic abuse. The husband was the most common perpetrator. Women suffered in silence due to sociocultural norms, misinterpretation of religious beliefs, subordinate status, economic dependence and lack of legal redress. Besides short-term local measures, public policy informed by correct interpretation of religion can bring about a change in prevailing societal norms

Prevalence of smokers among air-conditioned coaches, Pakistan

Objective: To estimate the proportion of smokers among passengers of air-conditioned (A/C) coaches running between Karachi and Hyderabad. Pakistan.METHOD: A cross-sectional survey was done on passengers and staff members of 20 air-conditioned coaches.Results: Of 847 passengers interviewed, 17.3% were smokers and 11.7% passengers smoked during travel while rest of them remained passive smokers. Out of 147 smokers 91.2% were literate persons. Among staff members 59.3% were smokers. Approximately 56% of smokers among passengers were in the age range of 14-40 years. In 95% of A/C coaches there were no anti-smoking warning signs or written words present.CONCLUSION: In this study majority of smokers were literate, so inter-personal communication and counseling may change the smoking behavior. Ministry of Health should disseminate educational messages regarding hazards of passive smoking among commuters of AC coaches and above all proper implementation of legislation for smoking at public places especially in transport

Critical appraisal of endometriosis management for pain and subfertility

Objective: To critically appraise current best available management of pain and subfertility ascribable to endometriosis.Methods: Medline and specialist computer databases were searched along with reference lists of known reviews and primary articles to identify cited articles not captured by electronic searches. We included all studies pertaining to treatment of pain and subfertility ascribable to endometriosis.Discussion: Medical and surgical management options for pain and subfertility are presented as Evidence-based inquiries for critically appraised topics. Each problem is presented as an answerable question followed by assessment of literature search for level of evidence. This is followed by critical appraisal of results. In the end, take-home answer to individual problem is presented in view of best available evidence.Conclusion: Evidence-based management of endometriosis provides realistic therapeutic goals and expectations for the clinicians and women experiencing pain and subfertility due to this disease. It also promotes efficient and effective use of medical and surgical options when required

Effect of a non-native bio filmed bio fertilizer for rice in the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka

Rice is the staple food crop of Sri Lanka and the eastern province alone contributes to more than 21% of the total production of the country. Excessive amounts of chemical fertilizers are used to obtain a higher yield which has been noted to contribute to deteriorate soil microbial community. This leads to poor quality soil resulting in poor crop growth. Use of microbial biofertilizers for rice has gained momentum as a measure of replenishing the depleted soil microbiome, and to restore the beneficial processes. Amongst microbial biofertilizers, biofilmed biofertilizers (BFBFs) have been found to act as microbial ameliorators in deteriorated soil, contributing to better plant growth and higher yield. A field trial using a BFBF (comprising of non-native microorganisms) and rice variety BG 357 was conducted in 2011 Yala season (May — August) at Sammanthurai Agriculture Research Station to assess the potential of the BFBF for rice in the Eastern province. The use of BFBF increased seed germination by ca. 16% (P<0.005) and heading by 8.34%. However, there was no observable effect on yield although the same BFBF showed significant plant growth promoting effect and yield potential at the field trials conducted at Rice Research and Development Institute, Batalagoda (the location of the strains of the BFBF) in 2010 Yala season. Poor plant growth and no heading in BFBF alone indicate the poor competitive ability of the strains of BFBF which are non-native to the region. A BFBF developed from strains native to the region may be effective. Further research is needed in this regar

The effect of grandmultiparity on pregnancy related complications: The Aga Khan University experience

Background: Grandmultiparity has been associated with complications for both mother and the fetus.Objective: To evaluate if grandmultiparity is a risk factor in the presence of adequate antenatal care.Setting: A tertiary care teaching hospital.Methods: It was a retrospective study conducted in the department of Obstetrics & Gynecology at The Aga Khan University Hospital in Karachi. During this period 9253 women were delivered, out of these 143 booked grandmultiparas (GMP) served as cases. The outcome of these women was compared with 430 non-grandmultiparas (NGMP). Logistic regression model was used to adjust for potential confounders.Results: Grandmultiparas had almost three times increased risk of having postpartum hemorrhage compared to NGMP group. Similarly, there were significantly low five-minute apgars in the GMPs compared to the NGMP group. Although the neonatal intensive care admissions were three times more in the GMPs but this did not reach statistical significance due to small number of cases in both groups.Conclusion: Our study indicates that grandmultiparity is a risk factor for pregnancy in this part of the world, even in the presence of reasonable antenatal care. This may be explained on the basis of the increased age of these women. Finally, we also recommend that an age-matched study needs to be undertaken in order to determine if age is an important determinant for risk factors in grandmultiparas

Endocrinology in the time of covid-19: A rapid evolution of knowledge and care

American singer-writer and visual artist Bob Dylan produced the song "The Times They Are a-Changin" in the 1960s, which became a rallying cry for the civil rights and anti-war movements in that decade [...]

Gestational diabetes in a developing country, experience of screening at the Aga Khan University Medical Centre, Karachi

In order to determine the prevalence of glucose intolerance in pregnancy, 1267 consecutive women attending the antenatal clinic of the Aga Khan University Medical Centre were subjected to a 75 g glucose challenge followed 2 hr later by plasma glucose determination irrespective of gestation on the first antenatal visit. The test was repeated at 28-32 weeks of gestation if the patients had an abnormal initial screen at less than 28 weeks gestation and a normal glucose tolerance test on diagnostic follow-up and for those who had a risk factor for gestational diabetes and a normal initial screen at less than 28 weeks gestation. The glucose challenge test was abnormal (2 hr plasma glucose greater than 140 mg%) in 8.6% of the screened population. Follow-up oral glucose tolerance test on these patients revealed a prevalence of 3.2% of gestational diabetes and 1.9% of impaired glucose tolerance test based on the modified O\u27Sullivan criteria. Improvement in cost effectiveness of screening programmes was adjudged possible by avoiding glucose tolerance tests in patients with 2 hr plasma glucose value of greater than 170 mg% after a 75 g oral glucose challenge for screening

Incretin-Based Therapies Role in COVID-19 Era: Evolving Insights

The current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led the scientific community to breach new frontiers in the understanding of human physiology and disease pathogenesis. It has been hypothesized that the human dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4) enzyme receptor may be a functional target for the spike proteins of severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Since DPP4-inhibitors are currently used for the treatment of patients with type-2 diabetes (T2DM), there is currently high interest in the possibility that these agents, or incretin-based therapies (IBTs) in general, may be of benefit against the new coronavirus infection. Diabetes is associated with increased COVID-19 severity and mortality, and accumulating evidence suggests that IBTs may favorably alter the clinical course of SARS-CoV-2 infection due to their inherent mechanisms of action. Further research into prognostic variables associated with various antidiabetic treatment regimens, and in particular the IBT, in patients with T2DM affected by the COVID-19 pandemic is therefore warranted