Strengthening Pluralistic Agricultural Information Delivery Systems in India

The study on agricultural information flow has revealed that only 40 per cent farm households access information from one or the other source. The popular information sources among farmers have been reported to be fellow progressive farmers and input dealers, followed by mass media. The public extension system has been found to be accessed by only 5.7 per cent households. Only 4.8 per cent of the small farmers have access to public extension workers as compared to 12.4 per cent of large farmers. The sector-wise study on the type of information, sought has revealed that a majority of the farmers have sought information on seed (32-55%) in the cultivation sector; on health care (26-54 %) in animal husbandry; and on management and marketing (8-46 %) in fisheries. Regarding adoption of information by farmers, input dealers and other progressive farmers have depicted greater influence mainly due to easy and convenient access to these sources. The study has suggested promotion of farmers-led extension and strengthening of public extension services to improve coverage and efficiency of agricultural information delivery systems.Agricultural and Food Policy,

The laforin-malin complex negatively regulates glycogen synthesis by modulating cellular glucose uptake via glucose transporters

Lafora disease (LD), an inherited and fatal neurodegenerative disorder, is characterized by increased cellular glycogen content and the formation of abnormally branched glycogen inclusions, called Lafora bodies, in the affected tissues, including neurons. Therefore, laforin phosphatase and malin ubiquitin E3 ligase, the two proteins that are defective in LD, are thought to regulate glycogen synthesis through an unknown mechanism, the defects in which are likely to underlie some of the symptoms of LD. We show here that laforin's subcellular localization is dependent on the cellular glycogen content and that the stability of laforin is determined by the cellular ATP level, the activity of 5′-AMP-activated protein kinase, and the affinity of malin toward laforin. By using cell and animal models, we further show that the laforin-malin complex regulates cellular glucose uptake by modulating the subcellular localization of glucose transporters; loss of malin or laforin resulted in an increased abundance of glucose transporters in the plasma membrane and therefore excessive glucose uptake. Loss of laforin or malin, however, did not affect glycogen catabolism. Thus, the excessive cellular glucose level appears to be the primary trigger for the abnormally higher levels of cellular glycogen seen in LD

Activation of serum/glucocorticoid-induced kinase 1 (SGK1) underlies increased glycogen levels, mTOR activation, and autophagy defects in Lafora disease

Lafora disease (LD), a fatal genetic form of myoclonic epilepsy, is characterized by abnormally high levels of cellular glycogen and its accumulation as Lafora bodies in affected tissues. Therefore the two defective proteins in LD—laforin phosphatase and malin ubiquitin ligase—are believed to be involved in glycogen metabolism. We earlier demonstrated that laforin and malin negatively regulate cellular glucose uptake by preventing plasma membrane targeting of glucose transporters. We show here that loss of laforin results in activation of serum/glucocorticoid-induced kinase 1 (SGK1) in cellular and animals models and that inhibition of SGK1 in laforin-deficient cells reduces the level of plasma membrane-bound glucose transporter, glucose uptake, and the consequent glycogen accumulation. We also provide evidence to suggest that mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) activates SGK1 kinase in laforin-deficient cells. The mTOR activation appears to be a glucose-dependent event, and overexpression of dominant-negative SGK1 suppresses mTOR activation, suggesting the existence of a feedforward loop between SGK1 and mTOR. Our findings indicate that inhibition of SGK1 activity could be an effective therapeutic approach to suppress glycogen accumulation, inhibit mTOR activity, and rescue autophagy defects in LD

An Assessment of Economic Losses due to Avian Flu in Manipur State

The impact of 2007 outbreak of avian flu in the state of Manipur has been reported. The loss due to the disease has been found to be 14 per cent of the total value of livestock outputs in the entire state. More than 3 lakh birds were culled and 24 tonnes of poultry feed was destroyed post-flu. It has been found that the more affected were the producers and the input industry than traders and retailers. In dealing with such eventualities, compensation should be adequate and timely so as to ensure better compliance for effective control and stamping out of the disease. The study has suggested that the compensation rates may be fixed as per the prevailing economic condition of less-developed states like in the North-Eastern region, taking into consideration flock size, family size of farmers, proportion of income from poultry to total family income, level of nutritional security achieved from family poultry and border status of the state.Livestock Production/Industries,

Role of hyperglycemia in the pathogenesis of Na+/K+ disturbance

Background: Electrolytes play an important role in maintaining acid-base balance, blood-clotting, control body fluid, muscle contraction, nerve conduction. The diabetic patients develop frequently a constellation of electrolyte imbalance. Imbalance in electrolyte concentration may affect the course of diabetes and its management. It has been reported that there is an inverse relationship between serum sodium (Na+) and potassium (K+) levels in diabetic patients. The aim of present study was to determine whether such relation is seen in context of Nepal and whether this inverse relation depends upon serum glucose levels in diabetic patients for their glycemic control.Methods: This is a retrospective study performed on records of 135 diabetic patients who were treated at out-patient clinic of Kist Medical College and Teaching Hospital from 15 June 2015-15 July 2015. Fasting blood glucose (FPG) level was analyzed with semiautomatic analyzer- humalyzer 3000 by GOD-POD method and Na+ and K+ levels were analyzed with ion selective electrode- nova electrolyte. The relationship among serum Na+ level, serum K+ levels and Fasting plasma glucose levels were determined by SPSS version 20.Results: Serum Na+ level was insignificantly negatively correlated (r=-0.091, p=0.296) with FPG level while a positive correlation of serum K+ level (r=0.235, p=0.006) was seen with FPG level and an inverse relation between serum Na+ and K+ was found. Age showed insignificant negative correlation with serum Na+ (r= -0.203, p=0.018), insignificant positive correlation with K+ (r=0.067, p=0.443) and insignificant negative correlation with FPG (r= -0.045, p=0.608).Conclusions: Hyperglycemia disrupts the balance of serum Na+ and K+ in uncontrolled diabetes mellitus

Spatial price integration and price transmission among major fish markets in India

The domestic fish marketing system in India deserves to be developed into a strong network of efficiently functioning markets, as more than three-fourths of the country’s total fish production is channellised domestically. With the unleashing of a new global economic order, the efficiency of markets needs to be dealt with utmost importance. The degree of spatial market integration and price transmission between the major coastal markets in India have been reported using monthly retail price data on important marine fish species. It has been observed that degree of integration and rate of price transmission differ according to species. The highest integration has been observed in mackerel, probably because of its affordability to all income classes, resulting in a wide consumer base. Among various markets, a near full transmission of prices has been observed between Kerala and Tamil Nadu markets, except in the case of shrimp. Even though a major landing centre, the price movement in Maharashtra market has been found independent of other markets. The spatial market integration between major shrimp markets in the country has appeared to be the least, possibly because of its greater market share outside the country. The study has suggested to devise strategies to bring about greater integration between these markets so that both fishermen and the fish-consuming community in the country are benefitted.Marketing,

Indian Diabetes Risk Score (IDRS): An effective tool to screen undiagnosed diabetes

Background: Diabetes is an insidious public health problem. India has the second largest number of adults living with diabetes worldwide (77 million). Indian Diabetes Risk Score (IDRS) is a simple, cost-effective and feasible tool for mass screening programme at community level. Aim & Objective: To assess diabetes risk in adults aged 30 years and above and to identify high risk subjects for screening undiagnosed diabetes in an urban population of Meerut. Settings and Design: Community based cross-sectional study. Methods and Material: All adults who were ?30 years of age and non-diabetic were interviewed using pre-designed, pre-tested questionnaire for their socio-demographic profile and lifestyle. Fasting Blood glucose of all study subjects were done to screen undiagnosed diabetics. Statistical analysis used: Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Epi Info TM 7.2.3.1 was used. Pearson’s Chi Square were applied. Results: 33.4% were found to have high diabetes risk. Risk of diabetes increases with age. 7.6% of the study subjects were found to be diabetic and were unaware of their diabetic status. Physical inactivity and increasing waist circumference were found to be significantly associated with risk of diabetes. Diabetes risk was also significantly associated with positive family history. Conclusions: Screening and early identification of high risk individuals would help in early diagnosis and treatment to prevent or to delay the onset of diabetes mellitus and its complications

Myths and misbelieves regarding COVID vaccines in India

Background: - COVID-19 is the most important public health problem of recent time. Many people require hospitalization after infection. COVID vaccination is the most effective way to prevent the disease. Due to extensive negative publicity through social media channels/platforms,significant number of individuals are not coming forward for vaccination. Therefore, study is needed to evaluate adverse effects associated with different vaccines available in India. Objectives: - To assess the adverse effects associated with COVID-19 vaccination and compare the side effect of two most commonly used COVID vaccines in India. Methods:- In the current report, a cross sectional study was conducted among beneficiaries of COVID-19 vaccines at the vaccination center of the LLRM Medical college, India. After institutional ethical clearance and informed consent, patients were asked about the symptoms they experienced after vaccination. A very simple random sampling approach was used to select beneficiaries. Information was collected on predesigned Google form and total 391 patients submitted the responses. Results:- Out of total respondents 77 % individuals reported one or more symptoms. Fever was reported to be most common problem (59.3%) followed by body ache (57.5%). Out of total beneficiaries, 68.3% experienced mild symptoms while 23% remain asymptomatic. Only few subjects reported moderate adverse effects (8.7%).  None of the respondent reported severe and serious adverse effect. Conclusions:- Vaccine associated adverse effects were found less than 3 days and of mild variety in most of the beneficiaries. There was no difference in adverse effect profile of two commonly used vaccines in India. People must come forward for vaccination in mass without fearing of adverse effects of vaccines

Antibiotic Sensitivity in Post Cesarean Surgical Site Infection at a Tertiary Care Centre in Eastern Nepal

Introduction: Post cesarean surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the common complications diagnosed in 2.5%-16% of the cases and is associated with significant increase in maternal morbidity, hospital stay, costs, and psychological stress to the new parents. This study was designed to study the incidence of SSI and the antimicrobial resistance pattern in our hospital. Methods: This was a prospective observational study conducted from July 2015 to December 2015, in which all patients who were admitted with post cesarean SSI or developed SSI during their stay were included.  Wound specimens were collected and susceptibility testing was carried out using disc diffusion technique. Results: The incidence of post cesarean SSI was 6.07% (47/774). Out of the 47 patients who had SSI, 35 (74.75%) had positive swab culture. The most important organism isolated was Staphylococcus aureus (82.85%) out of which 17 (58.62%) were MRSA strain. The resistance of Staphylococcus to penicillin was 84.6% whereas amikacin was found to be highly sensitive (>96%). Among the MRSA strain, resistance to ciprofloxacin, which is the currently used drug for prophylaxis, was 94%. Resistance to penicillins, cephalosporins, and clavulanate was also high. Resistance to vancomycin was also high (53%). Amikacin and chloramphenicol were found to be highly sensitive  (94% and 90% respectively) in the MRSA group. Conclusion: MRSA is the leading cause of post cesarean SSI and is a matter of great concern. Amikacin and chloramphenicol were found to be highly sensitive in this group but unlike other studies, resistance of vancomycin was showing an increasing trend