Search

The data on abundance showed that the incidence of Raoiella indica and Stethorus keralicus was highest on Barhee and lowest on Anand TC variety, while moderate incidence was observed on KCCL-169. The incidence was observed throughout the year 2020--21 and 2021--22. The highest population was recorded in June and it was lowest during December. Among the four directions, maximum population was recorded from south and lowest from east throughout the year. Correlation studies revealed that S. keralicus, maximum temperature, minimum temperature, maximum relative humidity, minimum relative humidity, wind speed and evaporation showed highly significant positive correlation with incidence of R. indica, while, rainfall and rainy days showed non-significant positive correlation. However, bright sunshine hour exhibited non-significant negative correlation with incidence of R. indica. These results clearly showed that natural enemies are density-dependent and have a close association with R. indica population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) has enabled the Government of India to become a strategic purchaser of health care services from private providers. To generate base cost evidence for evidence-based policymaking the Costing of Health Services in India (CHSI) study was commissioned in 2018 for the price setting of health benefit packages. This paper reports the findings of a process evaluation of the cost data collection in the private hospitals. Methods: The process evaluation of health system costing in private hospitals was an exploratory survey with mixed methods (quantitative and qualitative). We used three approaches–an online survey using a semi-structured questionnaire, in-depth interviews, and a review of monitoring data. The process of data collection was assessed in terms of time taken for different aspects, resources used, level and nature of difficulty encountered, challenges and solutions. Results: The mean time taken for data collection in a private hospital was 9.31 (± 1.0) person months including time for obtaining permissions, actual data collection and entry, and addressing queries for data completeness and quality. The longest time was taken to collect data on human resources (30%), while it took the least time for collecting information on building and space (5%). On a scale of 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest) difficulty levels, the data on human resources was the most difficult to collect. This included data on salaries (8), time allocation (5.5) and leaves (5). Discussion: Cost data from private hospitals is crucial for mixed health systems. Developing formal mechanisms of cost accounting data and data sharing as pre-requisites for empanelment under a national insurance scheme can significantly ease the process of cost data collection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: White grubs are highly polyphagous and most destructive soil pests inflicting damage to a groundnut crop that causes economic yield losses in commercial groundnut production in India. In this study, potential of the two entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) viz., Metarhizium anisopliae (Metchnikoff) Sorokin and Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin enriched with organic amendments like neem cake, castor cake, vermicompost and poultry manure was evaluated to manage buildup of white grub population in groundnut crop. Results: Results showed that the plot treated with soil application of vermicompost @ 1 ton/ha + M. anisopliae 1.15 WP (1 × 108 cfu/g) @ 2 kg/ha showed the least amount of plant mortality due to white grub which was at par with castor cake @ 1 ton/ha + M. anisopliae 1.15 WP (1 × 108 cfu/g) @ 2 kg/ha and neem cake @ 1 ton/ha + M. anisopliae 1.15 WP (1 × 108 cfu/g) @ 2 kg/ha which showed only 1.74, 2.00 and 2.24% plant damage, respectively. Plots treated with vermicompost @ 1 ton/ha + M. anisopliae 1.15 WP (1 × 108 cfu/g) @ 2 kg/ha had the fewest (0.19) white grubs per one meter row length. Based on highest pod yield, net realization and net gain, the treatment with soil application of vermicompost @ 1 ton/ha + M. anisopliae 1.15 WP (1 × 108 cfu/g) @ 2 kg/ha was found most effective treatments for the management of white grub in groundnut. Conclusions: Results indicated that M. anisopliae supplemented with various organic amendments, such as vermicompost, castor cake, and neem cake can be commercialized as a healthy alternative to minimize the use of synthetic pesticides in groundnut crops for white grub management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our retrospective cohort study assesses the survival probability and identifies the demographic and clinical predictors of mortality in HIV patients taking antiretroviral therapy using an antiretroviral therapy centre data in Western India. Secondary data on 7532 registered HIV-infected individuals between September 2006 and January 2013 were analysed. The probability of survival at 75 months was 84.9%. Significant indicators of poor chances of survival were greater age, lower occupation class, lower CD4 count, poor functional status; higher stage of disease, lower weight, the presence and type of opportunistic infections, co-trimoxazole therapy and poor adherence to antiretroviral therapy. We thus find that, in addition to pre-ART, antiretroviral therapy clinical status and treatment adherence, socioeconomic status plays an important influence on ultimate survival of HIV patients on antiretroviral therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A literary criticism of the book "The White Tiger" by Arvind Adiga is presented. It focuses on the inequality existing between the social classes in the Indian class system. It talks about the book being a reminiscence of the book "Heart of Darkness" by Joseph Conrad. It tells about Adiga trying aim the discrimination and the inequality suffered by the lower class people in the Indian society.

Background: India shares the largest burden of under-nutrition in world. The aim of this study was to conduct follow-up assessment of under-nourished children attending anganwadi center (AWC). Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study conducted in 50 AWC of Tapi district. Total 529 children aged 1-6 years diagnosed as under-nourished before 1 year were included. Pre-structured questionnaire was used for present day assessment of these children followed by Epi-info mediated analysis. Results: Children of literate mothers had higher weight gain. Ninety percent of children attended anganwadi regularly, however 25% of children dropped out for more than 1 month. In 1 year, growth had faltered in 20% children and was stagnant in 63% of them. Children who were treated for under-nutrition; that completed course at Child Development and Nutrition Center; and whose parents were counseled about the under-nourished status of child had higher weight gain than their counterparts. Conclusions: Parents of under-nourished children must be counseled about the nutritional status of their child. In cases of under-nourished child, referral to higher center must be ensured by health worker. Supplementary feeding as a long-term solution to country's under-nutrition problem should be studied in detail with the alternative solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is endemic in 83 countries and territories, with more than a billion people at risk of infection. In view with the global elimination, mass drug administration (MDA) with single dose of diethylcarbamazine and albendazole tablets was carried out for the eligible population in Bagalkot and Gulbarga districts. Objective: Assess coverage of MDA against LF in Bagalkot and Gulbarga districts. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional coverage evaluation survey, one urban and three rural clusters were selected randomly in each district. The data were collected in a pretested performa, computed and analyzed using SPSS-10 to calculate frequencies and proportions. Results: A total of eight clusters in two districts resulted in a total study population of 1,228 individuals. The overall compliance rate in Bagalkot district was 78.6% and in Gulbarga district it was only 38.8%. The prime reason for noncompliance was fear of side effects and not received tablets. Conclusion: There is an urgent need for more effective drug delivery strategies to improve the compliance in both the districts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: As smoking is a major risk factor in India, the objective of present study was to assess smoking patterns, expenditure and awareness amongst smokers and to examine factors associated with the severity of smoking in Surat city. METHODS: Community-based cross-sectional study was conducted with the use of pre-structured questionnaire tool targeting 281 current smokers in the slums of 20 Urban Health Centers. Smokers were categorized based on pack-years, which means the number of packs smoked per day multiplied by the duration of smoking (mild <5, moderate 5-15, and severe >15), and based on the number of cigarette/bidis smoked per day without the duration component (mild <10, moderate 10-19, and severe ≥20). Factors associated with severity of smoking were examined within two approaches with help of Epi-info mediated analysis. RESULTS: Lower severity of smoking was associated with smaller number of family members who smoke (p<0.001). Groups of mild and moderate-severe smokers were similar with regards to education, socioeconomic class, and awareness regarding hazards of smoking (p>0.05). With the influence of friends (50%), about 60% smokers engage into this habit before the age of 20 years. Though only 20% of current smokers were not aware of the consequences of active smoking, more than 50% did not know about the same for passive smoking. The lowest socioeconomic class spends 44% of their income on tobacco products compared to 7% in the highest class. CONCLUSION: The study provides insights for information, education and counseling (IEC) activi- ties which should take into account health impact of bidi smoking, low awareness of health impact of passive smoking, and higher percentage of total monthly expenditure on tobacco among low-in-come household resulting in crowding out of ex- penditures on other needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People living in semi-arid regions of the developing, tropical world who are reliant on annual crops and/or pastures (for livestock) for food are particularly vulnerable to hunger and periodic famine. A number of species of edible-seeded Australian acacias thrive under adverse conditions; conditions under which annual plants barely survive. These include A. colei, A. coriacea sens. lat. (including A. sericophylla), A. elachantha, A. torulosa, A. tumida and A. victoriae. The seeds of these species are tasty, safe to consume as a moderate component of human diets and nutritious, being high in protein, carbohydrates and fats. In many regions, such as semi-arid tropical west Africa, the seeds ripen at a time of low labour demand when non-irrigated crops are not being cultivated. Being perennial and thus having an established root system, mature acacias can take advantage of rains that would be ineffective for annual crops (e.g. out of season or poorly distributed rains). Acacia seeds are easily harvested and processed into flour using simple, existing local technologies. The flour can be incorporated into local dishes and in 'non traditional' foods such as spaghetti, bread and biscuits. The seed also has great potential as feed for livestock. Being hard-coated, seeds can be stored for many years as a reserve for famine. Acacias can also supply various other products, especially fuelwood, and services such as improvement of soil fertility through fixation of atmospheric nitrogen. This paper reviews current knowledge and trials and the use of edible acacias in Africa and India. Certain Australian species have a vast potential as new food crops, worthy of larger scale promotion, particularly in semi-arid regions of the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Multi-centric hospital-based study was conducted across 11 cities in India. • Both Covishield and Covaxin confer high protection against severe COVID-19. • Both vaccines provide high protection against severe disease by the Delta strain. • Expansion of the two-dose vaccination coverage is key to reducing hospitalizations. India introduced BBV152/Covaxin and AZD1222/Covishield vaccines in January 2021. We estimated the effectiveness of these vaccines against severe COVID-19 among individuals aged ≥45 years. We did a multi-centric, hospital-based, case-control study between May and July 2021. Cases were severe COVID-19 patients, and controls were COVID-19 negative individuals from 11 hospitals. Vaccine effectiveness (VE) was estimated for complete (2 doses ≥ 14 days) and partial (1 dose ≥ 21 days) vaccination; interval between two vaccine doses and vaccination against the Delta variant. We used the random effects logistic regression model to calculate the adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) after adjusting for relevant known confounders. We enrolled 1143 cases and 2541 control patients. The VE of complete vaccination was 85% (95% CI: 79-89%) with AZD1222/Covishield and 71% (95% CI: 57-81%) with BBV152/Covaxin. The VE was highest for 6-8 weeks between two doses of AZD1222/Covishield (94%, 95% CI: 86-97%) and BBV152/Covaxin (93%, 95% CI: 34-99%). The VE estimates were similar against the Delta strain and sub-lineages. BBV152/Covaxin and AZD1222/Covishield were effective against severe COVID-19 among the Indian population during the period of dominance of the highly transmissible Delta variant in the second wave of the pandemic. An escalation of two-dose coverage with COVID-19 vaccines is critical to reduce severe COVID-19 and further mitigate the pandemic in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A qualitative floristic exploration with life form classifications and monitoring of flowering and fruiting phenology has been carried out at a restored site near Puducherry, South India in 2009 and 2010. The species were classified into three categories based on their occurrence status, namely, Naturally Occurring, Naturally Regenerated and Introduced. The present study focuses only on two life forms, the Herbaceous and the Climbing plants. The site selected for eco-restoration originally comprised of an eroded and severely degraded landscape with scattered remnant species. However, active human intervention over a thirty year period included the introduction of appropriate plant species and other physical measures to enhance soil fertility and ground water level, and regenerate and conserve the deteriorating typical Tropical dry evergreen forest (TDEF) vegetation. A large number of naturally ccurring herbaceous, climbing species (172) and a consistent number of naturally regenerated species (44) are now observed as a result of eco-restoration. Lowland herbaceous species have also established themselves as a green cover at ground level. At present, parts of the area have fertile soils and rich floristic composition with the herbaceous life form represented by 165 species encompassed in 105 genera and 37 families, and the climbing plants represented by 68 species belonging to 54 genera and 25 families. 'Genus to family' and 'species to genus' ratios indicate the establishment of diverse vegetation in the study site. Nearly one third of the species have been observed flowering throughout the year and about half of the species were observed fruiting throughout the year. We emphasize that the two fold approach of land and vegetation reclamation has been very effective in helping restore the unique TDEF vegetation at the local level and the same may be extended to help regenerate and conserve the Coromandel Coastal vegetation at the regional scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]