Comparative study of maternal and fetal outcome between low and normal amniotic fluid index at term

Background: Amniotic fluid index (AFI) is kind of an estimate of the amount of amniotic fluid. It is an index for the fetal well-being. The aim was to study fetal and maternal out come in cases of low AFI and normal AFI.Methods: This was a case control prospective comparative study performed on 200 randomly selected low risk pregnant patients at term (37-40 weeks of gestation) admitted in Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department. 100 patients with AFI <5 cm (cases) and 100 patients with AFI 8-20 cm (control).Results: Increased number of LSCS in cases that is 35 while only 10 in control and almost equal incidences of MSL and FD in both the groups, while in cases 17 women were planned for elective LSCS for various indications in expectation of better fetal outcome.  There was significant low APGAR score in babies of cases, but clinically we refute this. In present study almost double the no. of babies in cases was IUGR or FGR. Significant association between low AFI and congenital anomalies in babies. Most of the anomalies were of urinary tract system.Conclusions: An AFI ≤5 cm detected at term that was at or after 37 completed weeks of gestation in a low risk pregnancy was an indicator of poor perinatal outcome. Oligohydramnios was being detected more frequently now-a-days due to ready availability of ultrasonography these days

A comparative study of efficacy and safety of intramuscular carboprost and intravaginal misoprostol for cervical priming prior to first trimester surgical abortion

Background: MTP Act no 34 of 1971 has been defined as Legal termination of pregnancy before the age of viability of fetus that is 20 weeks of gestation. There is a need to find a medical agent which can help in the process of abortion by speeding it up, with minimal side effects. The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of I.M carboprost and intravaginal Misoprostol and to evaluate the safety profile of I.M carboprost and Intravaginal Misoprostol. To compare the cervical dilatation caused by I.M carboprost and intravaginal Misoprostol and to compare the blood loss and adverse effects of I.M carboprost and Intravaginal Misoprostol.Methods: Prospective randomized experimental study including pregnant women up to 12 weeks of gestation opting for M.T.P. Study conducted on 200 patients selected from patients admitted in MGM Medical College and M.Y. Hospital, Indore and Kalyanmal Hospital, Indore during the period July 2014 to March 2015. They were randomly divided into 2 groups. Group A who received intramuscular injection of 250 mcg of caboprost or Group B,which received 400 mcg of vaginal Misoprostol 4 hours prior to suction evacuation.Results: Intravaginal misoprostol achieves better cervical dilatation compared I.M carboprost which is statistically significant. Misoprostol is associated with higher blood loss as compared to I.M carboprost which is associated with nausea/vomiting & more likelihood of loose stools and abdominal cramps which is proved statistically.Conclusions: Intravaginal misoprostol is associated with higher blood loss as compared to I.M carboprost which is significant but intravaginal misoprostol achieves more cervical dilatation and causes less adverse events than I.M carboprost which is statistically more significant and therefore intravaginal misoprostol is the drug of choice for cervical priming prior to surgical abortion in terms of both efficacy and safety

Effect of three decade long application of chemical fertilizer and amendments on crop yield under maize - wheat cropping system in an acid alfisol

The results on the effect of three decade long term application of chemical fertilizers and amendments on the yield of continuous maize-wheat crop rotation in an acid alfisol at Palampur revealed that continuous omission of essential nutrients in a maize-wheat sequence resulted in an appreciable decline in the grain yield of maize and wheat crops. A remarkable reduction in crop yield was noticed in plots where nitrogen was applied alone. Use of recommended level of N alone through urea had deleterious effect on crop productivity. The continuous exhaustionof native pools of K in 100% NP treated plots appreciably reduced percent grain yield. Application of farmyard manure (FYM) and lime along with NPK fertilizers increased the crop yield. The integrated use of optimal dose of NPK and FYM give better and more sustainable yields

Long-term effect of inorganic fertilizers and amendments on productivity and root dynamics under maize-wheat intensive cropping in an acid Alfisol

Study on the soil nutrient status and crop productivity under continuous use of inorganic fertilizers and amendments in an acid Alfisol after 36 years (1972-73 to 2008-09) was carried out at Palampur, HP. Results showed that application of Recommended Dose of Fertilizer (120:60:40 kg/ha to maize and 120:60:30 kg/ha to wheat) with 10 t farmyard manure/ha applied once a year for 36 years resulted in 786 and 515 per cent increase in maize and wheat yields, respectively over control. Soil acidity rose from 5.8 to 4.58 with the application of fertilizers over 36 years. Conjoint use of FYM with 100 per cent NPK substantially improved the Organic Carbon status by 4.95 g/kg as well as available P, K and S by 154.1, 14.5 and 12.5 kg/ha, respectively in soil over its initial values, thereby indicating significant contribution towards sustaining the soil health. On the other hand, there was a drastic decline in the available N status of soil in all the treatments as compared to the initial value. The various root parameters viz., root mass density (4.08 kg m-3), root volume density (10.84 m3 m-3x10-3), root length density (2.60 m m-3 x 10-4), root surface area (204.12 m2 x 10-4) and root cation exchange capacity (8.37 c mol (p+) kg-1) were found to be highest in the plots with the application of 100% NPK + FYM. Thus, balanced use of fertilizers continuously either alone or in combination with amendments is necessary for sustaining soil fertility and productivity of crops

Potassium Management for Improving Mash Grain Yield in a Field Experiment at Regional Research Station, Gurdaspur

To improve production and quality of pulse crops, balanced use of production inputs is important to sustain soil fertility and to combat nutrient deficiency in particular. To understand the effect of potassium (K) fertilization on yield and yield attributes of mash bean/ black gram in a potassium deficient soil, a study was carried out for two consecutive years at the experimental farm of Punjab Agricultural University, Regional Research Station, Gurdaspur, India. Mash variety ‘Mash 114’ was tested in a randomized complete block design with three replications having different fertilizer treatments of potassium application rates Application of potassium fertilizer significantly increased the grain yield to 1963 kg ha-1 whereas plots without K fertilization maintained an average grain yield of 1204 kg ha-1. Maximum grain and straw yield in black gram was obtained with potassium application at the rate of 50 kg K2O ha-1 followed by 25 kg K2O ha-1. The two treatments were at par with each other however, treatment 50kg K2O ha-1 was significantly superior to treatment 12.5 kg K2O ha-1, NP and control. Inclusion of potassium in fertilization schedule alongwith N and P significantly influenced plant height, number of pods per plant, and 100 seed weight (g) in comparison to NP and control treatment. Quadratic regression equation also explained the progressive increase in seed yield of mash bean with increasing levels of potassium

Assessment of Unmet Need for Contraception among eligible couples in Urban Slums of Raipur city of Chhattisgarh state

Background: India was the first country to launch National Family Planning Program in 1952. Even though various measures have been taken to encourage the usage of contraception but the achievement in this field was not to the extent expected due to various social and cultural factors. Objective: This study was planned to assess the prevalence and its determinants of unmet need for contraception among eligible couples in urban slums of Raipur city. Methodology: A cross sectional community based study was conducted using cluster sampling in urban slums of Raipur city from November 2011 to October 2012. During the study, 711 fecund married women, age group 15-49 years were included and predesigned and pretested proforma was used as a study tool. The obtained data were analyzed using appropriate statistical test. Results: Among all eligible married women 45 % were concentrated in the prime reproductive age 20-29 yrs. Majority of women were not educated. The total unmet need for family planning comes out to 32.9%. Age, Education, literacy, Occupation, Type of Family, No of living children, Birth Order , No of male child, No of female child , Husband literacy were the most significant predictor of unmet need. Conclusion: Percentage of unmet need is higher as compared to national data, so there is urgently need to ensure the same

STUDY OF LABORATORY PRACTICES AT DESIGNATED MICROSCOPIC CENTERS LEVEL UNDER REVISED NATIONAL TUBERCULOSIS CONTROL PROGRAMME IN RAIPUR DISTRICT, CHHATTISGARH

Background- Every year, approximately 18 lakh people develop TB disease and about 4 lakh die of it. India accounts for one-fifth of all new TB cases each year globally and tops the list of 22 high TB burden countries. Lab technician plays a pivotal role in the diagnosis of patients and thus in the success of the programme. There is need to assess the proper implementation of programme at operational level and the grass root level realities of DMC’s. This study was planned to assess the laboratory practices by lab technicians at DMCs level under Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme in Raipur district of Chhattisgarh state. Method- Study was conducted in all 33 Designated Microscopic Centers (DMC’s) of Raipur district from November 2011 to October 2012. During the study, all (36) Lab technicians were included. Result- Majority of the lab technician were male. 94.4% were modular trained. IEC materials at DMC were available at 83.33% of centers. Laboratory stock like sputum containers, slides, staining reagents &amp; disinfected materials were available for more than 1 month at 77.77%, 91.66%, 93.44% &amp; 100% respectively. Correct method of display of contaminated material was observed in 36.11% of centers only. Conclusion- Supportive supervision should be carried out regularly to check for availability of sufficient stock and proper practices related to staining, examination and regarding of result

Quest for biomarkers of positive health: A review

The positive health of a person can be defined as the ability to live long in good health, possibly with no activity limitation. No method is yet available for its objective assessment in individuals, and we propose a framework in this communication that can operationalize this concept. Instead of distal factors, such as diet and lifestyle because these are subjective and difficult to measure, we concentrate on the objectively measurable biomarkers such as immunity level, endorphins, and handgrip strength. The focus is on the major parameters that may protect from diseases and infirmity and can be assessed by noninvasive methods. A combination of such parameters may signify positive health. This may be a novel way to measure positive health at the individual level. In this communication, we briefly review the literature and identify a few major biomarkers that provide a protective shield and could determine the status of positive health at the individual level. This exercise demonstrates that the assessment of the positive health of a person is feasible. A scale based on these and other relevant parameters can be developed later that could quantitatively measure the exact level of positive health. As the exact combination of the parameters that protects from ailments is not fully known yet, a framework such as this may help in identifying the data gaps that require attention in this context. The proposed framework may initiate a discussion on indicators of positive health and characterize the parameters for intervention that could increase a healthy life

Biofortification of Soybean (<i>Glycine max</i> L.) through FeSO₄·7H₂O to Enhance Yield, Iron Nutrition and Economic Outcomes in Sandy Loam Soils of India

The nutritional value of Glycine max L. (soybean) and its yield potential for improving sustainability of agricultural systems has resulted into its increased production. Soybean crop has potential to replace the rice crop in the rice-wheat cropping system. However, the crop has shown high sensitivity towards iron (Fe) deficiency, and thus recorded major yield and nutritional quality losses. Thus, a three-year field experiment was planned to compare the impact of the application rate (0.5% and 1.0%) and number of sprays of FeSO4 on yield, Fe nutrition, and economic outcomes of soybeans. The Fe application posed a beneficial impact on the studied parameters due to an increase in enzymatic activity of Fe-containing enzymes. Among various treatments, maximum increase in grain and straw yield (3064 and 9341 kg ha−1, respectively) was obtained with 0.5% FeSO4 application at 30, 60, and 90 DAS over the control (2397 and 6894 kg ha−1, respectively). Similar results were attained for grain Fe concentration (69.9 mg kg−1) and Fe uptake in grain and straw (214 and 9088 g ha−1, respectively). The results were statistically non-significant, with the treatment in which 0.5% FeSO4 was applied at 30 and 60 DAS. The economic returns of soybean cultivation were also highest with 0.5% FeSO4 application at 30, 60, and 90 DAS with highest benefit; the cost (3.02) followed by treatment in which 0.5% FeSO4 was applied at 30 and 60 DAS. Thus, 0.5% FeSO4 application at 30, 60, and 90 DAS can be recommended for soybeans grown on sandy loam soil followed by 0.5% FeSO4 application at 30and 60 DAS to harness maximum yield, Fe concentration, and profitability