Screening of Chickpea genotypes from different agro-climatic areas against Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. ciceris (race 3) using morphological and molecular marker

Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. ciceris (FOC), an extremely destructive pathogen, infects chickpea plants leading to over 100% losses. Although using chemicals like Carbendazim and Mancozeb control the disease but ruin the soil’s natural flora and fauna. Also, the emergence of new FOC races threatens the current genotypes. Many efforts have been made towards improving chickpea genotypes through breeding and selection, but the situation has not been improved over the last 2 decades. The current research uses pot screening and molecular-based approaches to screen out the resistant chickpea cultivars. In that view, the present research uses 16 chickpea genotypes collected from diverse agro-climatic areas and checked against FOC race-3. After the pot screening and ANOVA (P<0.001), the genotypes were categorized as highly Resistant (C 235, HC 1), resistant (GNG 2477, PHULeG 0517, GNG 2171, HC 7, PHULe G 0127), susceptible (ICCV 10) and highly susceptible (PUSA 547, RSG 931, RSG 888, ICCV 512, CSJ 513, ICCV 6). In Marker-assisted selection (MAS), the DNA of genotypes was subjected to PCR with STMS markers TA-96 and TA-27. The results revealed that the genotypes ICCV 512, C 235, GNG 2171, ICCV 10, HC 7, PHULe G 0127 and HC 1 were resistant. These results are significant for selecting resistant genotypes and can be utilized in the future validation and development of more wilt-resistant chickpea genotypes. Our results based on pot-screening and molecular-based datasets suggested a more reliable identification system for screening of FOC resistance cultivar inhibiting, which can help narrow down the selection

Evaluation of Particulate Matter Pollution in Micro-Environments of Office Buildings—A Case Study of Delhi, India

High level of particulate matter in an office building is one of the prime concerns for occupant’s health and their work performance. The present study focuses on the evaluation of the distribution pattern of airborne particles in three office buildings in Delhi City. The study includes the Assessment of PM10, PM2.5 and PM1 in the different indoor environments, their particle size distribution, I/O ratio, a correlation between pollutants their sources and management practices. The features of buildings I, II, and III are old infrastructure, new modern infrastructure, and an old building with good maintenance. The results indicate that the average concentrations of PM10, PM2.5, and PM1 are found in the range of 55–150 μg m−3, 41–104 μg m−3 and 37–95 μg m−3, respectively in Building I, 33–136 μg m−3, 30–84 μg m−3 and 28–73 μg m−3, respectively in Building II and 216–330 μg m−3, 188–268 μg m−3 and 171–237 μg m−3, respectively in Building III. The maximum proportion of the total mass contributed by PM0.25–1.0 i.e., up to 75%, 86%, and 76% in the meeting room of Building I, II and III, respectively. The proportion of ultrafine particles was found higher in the office area where the movement was minimum and vice versa. The higher I/O indicates the contribution of the presence of indoor sources for ultra-fine and finer particles. Further, possible strategies for indoor air pollution control are also discussed

Investigation of micro-hardness of H11 die steel using composite material electrodes in EDM

Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM), a non-traditional material removal process has been well recognized for itsability for precision machining of electrically conducting hard materials. Repetitive heating and cooling of the workpiecesurface during the machining make the surface hard. During this process, the transfer of material into workpiece surface dueto diffusion of material from the tool electrodes results in the desire surface modifications. This paper investigates the effectof electric discharge machining on H11 die-steel materials with composite material electrodes fabricated by stir casting aswell as powder metallurgy process. Copper (85% by weight) has been used as matrix material with tungsten and carbonnanotubes (10%-5% by weight). The performance of fabricated composite electrodes has also been compared withconventional copper electrode. Microhardness achieved has been found to be best when H11 die-steel surface ismachined with composite electrodes fabricated by powder metallurgy process. Also, the microhardness has been enhancedby 19.57% with optimal input parameters. Results show that optimum microhardness has been observed at high peak currentvalue when surface is machined with copper conventional electrode while pulse on time has been found to the majorcontributor when surface is machined by composite material electrode. XRD analysis indicates the formation of tungsten-carbide, iron-carbide, chromium- nickel and copper on the machined surface of the workpiec

Clinico-pathological study of skin appendageal tumours from northern India

Background: The skin appendageal tumours (ATs) encompass a wide variety of tumours clinically presenting as papules and nodules and with histologically distinct features. Early recognition of skin adnexal tumours is very important aspect as far as patient management and prognosis is concerned. The main of the study was to analyse and ascertain clinico-pathological study of skin appendageal tumours in a tertiary care centre.Methods: Retrospective cohort of patients with confirmed diagnosis of AT during 1st January 2013 to 31st December 2015 formed the study population. Study tools were records of the patients such as information from MRD (Medical Record Department) and records from histopathological section i.e. histopathological requisition forms and clinical case sheets. Cases clinically diagnosed as appendageal tumours, but not histologically, were excluded from the study. Results: Finally a total of 48 cases were included in this study. Mean age of onset was 22.7±6.4 years and the duration of complaints 5.34 ± 4.5 years. Benign follicular, benign eccrine, benign sebaceous and benign apocrine tumours were observed to be 48.89%, 42.22%, 2.22% and 6.67% respectively. Regarding distribution of benign and malignant tumours, among the all types of skin appendageal tumours diagnosed, 93.75% (N=45) were benign and 6.25% (N=3) were malignant. Pilomatricoma (54.54%), eccrine acrospiroma (26.31%) and syringocystadenoma papilliferum (67%) were observed as most commonly distributed histopathological types of diagnosed benign follicular, benign eccrine and benign apocrine tumours. Number of benign skin appendageal tumours was found maximum (n=25) in the age group of 26-50 years in both the sexes whereas malignant skin appendageal tumours were observed only (n=3) in the age group of 51-75 years in both the sexes.Conclusions: Findings of this study can be utilized to suspect type of AT thus helping in diagnosis. Profile, pattern and clinical appearance can serve as vital clue though histological confirmation is mandatory to confirm

Prevalence and risk factors of soil transmitted helminths from rural field practice area of a tertiary care center from northern India

Background: Soil-transmitted helminths (STH) are a major public health problem in our country, affecting the physical growth and cognitive development. STH infections are considered a leading cause of sickness, absenteeism and disability adjusted life years lost. Aim of the study was to assess the prevalence and risk factors of soil transmitted helminths (STH) in Farrukhabad district, India. Methods: A total of 1203 study subjects from 602 eligible households fulfilling the eligibilty criteria. Thus equal number of children and adults were recruited from rural and urban areas. In each household, one child participant of the age 1-15 years and one adult, older than 15 years, and willing to participate, were eligible to participate in this study. All enrolled subjects were provided with a screw- capped plastic container to collect their stool sample. The following day, a field worker visited the subject’s home to collect the container. Saline and iodine wet preparations were examined for the presence of nematode ova. All positive stool samples were re-examined by the McMaster egg counting technique to quantify the number of eggs per gram of stool.Results: Overall prevalence of STH was 14.3% (95% CI 4.4-19.2) among study subjects. Hookworm was the predominant STH identified with a prevalence of 11.3% (95% CI 1.1-17.4), followed by Ascaris lumbricoides with a prevalence of 4.5% (95% CI 0.5-7.6). Prevalence of STH was observed to be 13.2% (95% CI 8.7-17.2) and 7.6% (95% CI 4.4-10.7) in rural and urban areas respectively. Age category, residing in a field-hut, presence of cat at home, presence of untrimmed nails, open air defaecation, habitually eating food that has fallen on the ground, not washing hands with soap and water after defaecation, and consumption of deworming tablet turned out to be independent risk factors for acquiring STH infection in our study.Conclusions: Identification of at-risk groups along with Strategic planning and health education, awareness campaigns along with mass drug administration could reduce the burden of STH significantly.

Gas Under Right Hemidiaphragm: A Rare Presentation of Unruptured Liver Abscess

A perforated liver abscess mimics hollow viscus perforations. It may be accompanied by pneumoperitoneum and peritonitis. A hollow viscus perforation appears to be the most common cause of gas under diaphragm. In about 10% of the cases, it can be due to rare abdominal and extra-abdominal causes. One of the causes could be intra-abdominal infection caused by gas-forming organisms. We are reporting a rare case of pneumoperitoneum resulting from an unruptured liver abscess in an old male with no comorbidity. An unruptured pyogenic right lobe liver abscess in a 70-year-old male was accompanied by X-ray flat plate abdomen features suggestive of free gas under the right hemidiaphragm. Culture of the pus drained from liver abscess grew Klebsiella sensitive to piperacillin and tazobactam, and antibiotic treatment was administered

Are doctor’s hands contributing in spreading nosocomial pathogens? Rapid appraisal from a tertiary care health center of Northern India

Background: Clinical white coats have very long history of being a symbol of hope and healing for medical professionals; however there has been a concern that white coats may play a big role in transmitting infections within and outside hospital settings.Aim of the study was to assess pattern of pathogenic bacteria on the hands of doctors of a tertiary care hospital along with effect of hand wash on reduction of contamination.Methods: The present study was a hospital based, cross sectional type. Eighty-six doctors of all designations (Junior doctors, n=51; and senior doctors, n=35) were included in this study. The swabs were taken at entry in the wards and also at exit from the wards without washing the hands. Then, swabs were taken after hand washing with tap water and subsequently after alcohol swabs. A total of four wards (2 General Medicine and Surgery wards each) included in the study. Isolated microorganisms were identified using Gram’s stain, hemolysis patterns and colony morphology. The data were analyzed using MedCalc statistical software.Results: Staphylococcus aureus was isolated in 24.41% at entry and in 52.33% at exit. Similarly Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumonia were not present on the hands of doctors at entry but isolated in 5.81% and 10.46% of doctors at exit. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumonia were not present on the hands of doctors at entry in both medicine and surgery wards but isolated at exit. Complete removal/reduction of microorganism (100%) was recorded in Escherichia coli and Candida sp after tap water wash. Decrease in count of Pseudomonas aeruginosa up to 80.00% after tap water wash. 88.89 % decrease in microorganism after subsequent alcohol wash was seen in Staphylococcus aureus, Coagulase-negative Staphylococci and Klebsiella pneumonia. Conclusions: It has been observed that simple hand washing (first with water and then with alcohol) is an effective tool to reduce the contamination significantly. Thus, hospital infection control practices including hand washing need to be followed strictly.

Pattern of feto-maternal outcome and complications in pregnancy induced hypertension from a tertiary level health care teaching institution of Tamil Nadu, India

Background: Hypertensive disorder is the second most common medical disorder seen during pregnancy. They along with hemorrhage and infection, contribute greatly to maternal morbidity and mortality. Most deaths in PIH occur due to its complications and not due to hypertension per sec. Thus, maternal mortality and these complications are preventable. The objective of the present study was undertaken to study pattern of feto-maternal outcome and complications in cases of pregnancy induced hypertension with a view to identify them at the earliest.Methods: The current survey was planned and executed by the department of obstetrics and gynaecology of a tertiary care teaching institution of Tamil Nadu during November 2013 to October 2015 using a pre-designed questionnaire among 245 study participants. The study population consisted of pregnant women seeking care for PIH.Results: 59.6% cases of mild PIH, 22% cases of moderate PIH and 18.4% cases of severe PIH. Regarding maternal complications in PIH, in severe cases of PIH there were CCU admissions in 8.9% cases, imminent eclampsia in 31.1% cases and abruptio placentae, CVA, acute renal failure in 2.2% cases. DIC and maternal mortality was seen in 4.4% cases. Regarding foetal complications in PIH, in severe cases of PIH there was birth asphyxia in 31.1% cases. Intra uterine growth retardation was seen in 24.4% cases. The most common reason for NICU admission was preterm with low birth weight.Conclusions: Emphasis should be on early registration and regular ANC visits. Early detection and prompt intervention of complications is vital for ensure a healthy outcome to both mother and baby

Non-Covid causes of acute undifferentiated febrile illness during the Covid pandemic: an etiological analysis from Uttar Pradesh, India

Background and Aims: febrile illnesses are one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in India, which are very common in the monsoon and post-monsoon season in tropical countries. Acute Undifferentiated Febrile Illness (AUFI) is a term usually used to refer to such conditions until diagnosed. This study was conducted to understand the prevalence of mixed infections, and the etiology and seasonal distribution of AUFI cases during the Corona Virus Disease (COVID) pandemic. Materials and Methods: this study was a hospital-based crosssectional study of six months (August 2021 to January 2022). Samples were collected by random sampling method from SN Medical College, Agra, and Mathura District. The diagnosis was made by Rapid Diagnostic Test for Malaria, and ELISA for Dengue, Chikungunya, Leptospira, and Scrub typhus. Results: a total of 9016 non-repetitive serum samples were collected, from males (4657) and females (4359), with a mean age of 42 years. The most common infections were: dengue (26.5%), malaria (0.85%), leptospira (0.54%), scrub typhus (0.32%), and Chikungunya (0.14%). The commonest co-infection was dengue with scrub typhus. Triple infections were also observed. Conclusions: the diversity of clinical presentations and etiological agents with limited diagnostic facilities demonstrates the complexity of AUFI. The knowledge of the local and seasonal distribution of acute febrile illnesses is thus very useful to formulate clinical, diagnostic, and management algorithms for positive outcomes, reducing hospital costs, and burden on healthcare facilities. Further upliftment of health services at the root level is still a long way to go