Crop establishment and diversification strategies for intensification of rice-based cropping systems in rice-fallow areas in Odisha.

Context or problem: In the Indian state of Odisha, rice-based system productivity is poor due to: (i) low rice yield in the monsoon (wet) season (2-4 t ha-1 compared to 6-8 t ha-1 in Punjab or Haryana); and (ii) limited cropping during the post-monsoon (dry) season (59% of the wet season rice area is left fallow in the dry season). Objective: Our study identifies strategies for increasing rice-based system productivity through: (i) alternative crop establishment methods in the wet season (Dry-Direct Seeded Rice or DSR, and mechanical puddled transplanted rice or PTR-M) to traditional methods such as broadcasting followed by post-emergence tillage (locally known as beushening) and manual random puddled transplanted rice (PTR-R); (ii) to identify rice-fallow areas suitable for pulse and oilseed cultivation in the dry season; and (iii) to evaluate the performance of short-duration pulses (green gram, Vigna radiata; black gram, Vigna mungo), and oilseeds (Brassica rapa var. toria, Helianthus annuus) in rice-fallow areas in the dry season. Methods: On-farm experiments were conducted between 2017 and 2019 in three districts of Odisha (Bhadrak, Cuttack and Mayurbhanj) to evaluate DSR compared to beushening and PTR-R; and PTR-M compared to PTR-R and manual line puddled transplanted rice (PTR-L) in the wet season. The data from Landsat-8 Operational Land Imager (OLI) and Sentinel-1satellite sensors was used to identify rice-fallow areas, and the daily SMAP (Soil Moisture Active Passive) L-band soil moisture was used for mapping suitable rice-fallow areas for growing pulses and oilseeds. Short duration crops were evaluated in suitable rice-fallow areas. Results: In the wet season, DSR (range -4 to + 53%) had a significant effect on rice yield over beushening. Similarly, PTR-M consistently increased rice yield by 16-26% over PTR-R, and by 5-23% over PTR-L. In the dry season, pulse crops (green gram and black gram) performed well compared to Indian mustard under rainfed cultivation. However, under irrigated conditions, dry-season rice yield was more productive than the rice equivalent yield of green gram, black gram and sunflower. We found that 1.03 M ha (i.e., ∼50%) of total rice-fallow areas of 2.1 M ha were suitable for growing short duration green gram and black gram in the dry season. Conclusions: We conclude that system productivity and cropping intensity can be increased by adoption of DSR and PTR-M in the wet season, and growing of green gram and black gram in the dry season. Implications: Odisha state can potentially produce an additional 0.67 million tonnes pulses if suitable rice-fallow areas are brought under green gram and black gram cultivation in the dry the season.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Short-Term Course of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.

ABSTRACT: There is an understandable concern that obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) may worsen during the COVID-19 pandemic, but there are little empirical data. We report the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the short-term course of OCD. A cohort of patients with a primary diagnosis of OCD (n = 240) who were on regular follow-up at a tertiary care specialty OCD clinic in India were assessed telephonically, about 2 months after the declaration of the pandemic ("pandemic" cohort). Data from the medical records of an independent set of patients with OCD (n = 207) who were followed up during the same period, 1 year prior, was used for comparison (historical controls). The pandemic group and historical controls did not differ in the trajectories of the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale scores (chi-square likelihood ratio test of the group × time interaction = 2.73, p = 0.255) and relapse rate (21% vs. 20%; adjusted odds ratio, 0.81; 95% confidence interval, 0.41-1.59; p = 0.535). Preexisting contamination symptoms and COVID-19-related health anxiety measured by the COVID-Threat Scale did not predict relapse. Only a small proportion of patients (6%) reported COVID-19-themed obsessive-compulsive symptoms. The COVID-19 pandemic, at least in the short run, did not influence the course of illness.

Survey of Musculoskeletal Injuries among Female Bharatanatyam Dancers in the Udupi District of India.

BACKGROUND: Bharatanatyam is an Indian classical dance form that is practiced globally. There is limited information about the prevalence of injuries in Bharatanatyam dancers. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the prevalence of musculoskeletal injuries and specifics of dance training in female Bharatanatyam dancers in the Udupi district of India. METHODS: We developed and tested a survey for Bharatanatyam dancers regarding injury history in the prior year, including location, time loss, cause, and need for medical help. We also obtained demographic and training information. RESULTS: 101 dancers completed the survey. 10.8% of dancers reported musculoskeletal injuries because of participation in dance. They sustained 0.65 injuries/1,000 hours of dancing. The most frequently injured areas were ankle (27.2%) and knee (27.2%) followed by lower back (13.6%) and hip (9%). Despite being injured, 36.4% of the dancers continued to dance. 54.5% of the injured dancers sought the help of a medical professional for their dance-related injuries. The most common surface for dance was concrete followed by other hard surfaces such as marble and tile. CONCLUSION: Female Bharatanatyam dancers are prone to injuries of the lower extremity and back. Most dancers in our study practice the Pandanalluru style on hard surfaces. There is a need to investigate the impact of training factors on the injury occurrence.

A Molecular Docking and Dynamics Approach to Screen Potent Inhibitors Against Fosfomycin Resistant Enzyme in Clinical Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Klebsiella pneumoniae, BA6753 was cultured from a patient in the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory of Christian Medical College. K. pneumoniae, BA6753 has a multidrug resistance plasmid encoding novel FosA variant-7, fosfomycin resistance enzyme. Minimal side effects and a wide range of bactericidal activity of fosfomycin have resulted in its expanded clinical use that prompts the rise of fosfomycin-resistant strains. At present, there are no effective inhibitors available to conflict the FosA-medicated fosfomycin resistance. To develop effective FosA inhibitors, it is crucial to understand the structural and dynamic properties of resistance enzymes. Hence, the present study focuses on the identification of potent inhibitors that can effectively bind to the fosfomycin resistance enzyme, thus predispose the target to inactivate by the second antibiotic. Initially, a series of active compounds were screened against the resistant enzyme, and the binding affinities were confirmed using docking simulation analysis. For efficient activity, the binding affinity of the resistance enzyme ought to be high with the inhibitor than the fosfomycin drug. Consequently, the enzyme-ligand complex which showed higher binding affinity than the fosfomycin was employed for subsequent analysis. The stability of the top scoring enzyme-ligand complex was further validated using molecular dynamics simulation studies. On the whole, we presume that the compound 19583672 demonstrates a higher binding affinity for the resistance enzyme comparing to other compounds and fosfomycin. We believe that further enhancement of the lead compound can serve as a potential inhibitor against resistance enzyme in drug discovery process. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 4088-4094, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

A Molecular Docking and Dynamics Study to Screen Potent Anti-Staphylococcal Compounds Against Ceftaroline Resistant MRSA.

World Health Organization reports that methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is the origin of higher proportion of hospital acquired infections. In order to combat the effect of MRSA infection, an ideal drug should stimulate the allosteric exposure of active site, prompting penicillin binding proteins (PBP2a) to bind with that particular compound. Ceftaroline shows high binding affinity towards PBP2a and also confers resistance against degrading enzymes. Recently, two amino acid alterations in the allosteric site of PBP2a, asparagine (N) to lysine (K) at position 146 and glutamic acid (E) to lysine at position 150 are reported to confer resistance against ceftaroline resulting in the rise of ceftaroline-resistant MRSA strains. The present study focuses on the identification of potential ligands that can effectively bind with allosteric site of PBP2a, that leads to the access of active site and entry of a ß-lactam antibiotic for effective inhibition. The results obtained from our study will be useful for designing effective compounds with potential therapeutic effects against ceftaroline resistant MRSA strains.

Long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on obsessive-compulsive disorder.

There is limited data on the long-term effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). We report on the course of a cohort of individuals with OCD followed-up over a period of one year during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in India. A cohort of 240 individuals registered at a specialty OCD clinic was regularly followed-up using standardized rating tools at three months, six months, and one year into the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in India. These were compared with clinical ratings recorded in a comparable historical cohort of 207 individuals with OCD, followed up during a non-pandemic year. The pandemic and non-pandemic (historical control) cohorts did not differ in illness severity and rate of relapse. It was found that COVID-19-related anxiety declined over time. Among those patients who were treatment responders prior to the pandemic, COVID-19-related anxiety and non-adherence to medication predicted a relapse of symptoms. Contrary to our expectations, the rate of relapse and illness trajectory in the pandemic cohort did not differ from the non-pandemic cohort, suggesting that the pandemic did not impact our largely medication-adherent cohort. Adherence to treatment seemed to have a protective effect during the pandemic.

Non-canonical H-bonds in ß-lactamases: importance of C-H···π interactions.

ß-Lactamase production is the common mechanism of resistance of ß-lactam antibiotics. Knowledge of inter-residue interactions in protein structures increases our understanding of protein structure and stability. We have systematically analysed the contribution of C-H···π interactions to the stability of ß-lactamases. Most of the interactions are long range and most of the interacting residues are evolutionarily conserved. The occurrence of C-H···π interactions in active sites and metal binding sites is very low in ß-lactamases. Hence, C-H···π interactions are important determinants of stability in ß-lactamases and they may not play a significant role in specificity. The results from this study provide valuable insights for understanding the stability patterns of ß-lactamases and their relation to various other environmental preferences.

Influence of C-H...O interactions on the structural stability of ß-lactamases.

ß-Lactamases produced by pathogenic bacteria cleave ß-lactam antibiotics and render them ineffective. Understanding the principles that govern the structural stability of ß-lactamases requires elucidation of the nature of the interactions that are involved in stabilization. In the present study, we systematically analyze the influence of CH...O interactions on determining the specificity and stability of ß-lactamases in relation to environmental preferences. It is interesting to note that all the residues located in the active site of ß-lactamases are involved in CH...O interactions. A significant percentage of CH...O interactions have a higher conservation score and short-range interactions are the predominant type of interactions in ß-lactamases. These results will be useful in understanding the stability patterns of ß-lactamases.

Coverage of Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) Booster Dose (Precautionary) in the Adult Population: An Online Survey.

Background The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic devastated public health worldwide, including India. COVID-19 vaccines and their boosters are life-saving developments that have helped prevent and control the spread of COVID-19. We conducted this study to assess the coverage of the booster dose in an Indian population (the third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in India is referred to as the booster or precautionary dose), record the reasons for not taking the booster dose, and determine the effectiveness of the booster. The levels of adherence to COVID-19 precautionary behavior was also assessed.  Methods We conducted a descriptive, cross-sectional study using convenient sampling via an online survey of 550 respondents older than 18 in the second quarter of 2022. The respondents were distributed among 18 states and union territories in India. The data were analyzed as simple proportions and percentages. Results Of the 550 respondents, 152 (27.6%) received the booster dose, indicating low coverage. A small percentage of respondents (7.2%) reported suffering from COVID-19 following the booster, of whom 91% were medical professionals. The most common reported reason for not taking the vaccine was that the respondents were not yet due for their dose (48.1%). The time between the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and the booster had no impact on infection rates. Men were less likely to adhere to COVID-19 precautionary behavior than women, despite similar vaccination rates. Conclusion The COVID-19 vaccine booster had a low acceptance in our study population, with roughly one-quarter of the population receiving the booster. The booster dose has been influential in the prevention of COVID-19. Most respondents followed behavioral safety measures despite the decline of active cases of COVID-19 in India following the Omicron wave. Our results indicate a need to strengthen public strategies to affect behavioral changes, such as improving India's Behavior Change Communication program to ensure adequate booster dose coverage.

An In Vitro Comparison of the Effect of Wound Irrigating Solution (0.01% Hypochlorous Acid) and 2.5% Sodium Hypochlorite Against Enterococcus Faecalis.

Aim: The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate and compare the antimicrobial activity of normal saline, 2.5% sodium hypochlorite, and 0.01% hypochlorous acid against Enterococcus faecalis. Materials and Methods: Antimicrobial activity was assayed by Kirby-Bauer cup-well agar diffusion method. Three cup-wells were bored in each petriplate and were filled with 50 µl of each of the respective test agents. Culture plates were placed in an incubator at 37°C and after 24 hours, the size of the magnification inhibition zone was quantified with a caliper and recorded in respective tables. The experiment was reiterated ten times for each reagent, and the diameter of the magnification inhibition zones caused by the irrigation solutions was recorded. The antimicrobial activity of the three test solutions was determined. Results: The antibacterial property of the three groups was compared by utilizing ANOVA test. The association was found to be statistically significant (P = 0.000). The antibacterial property between 2.5% NaOCl and 0.01% HOCl was further compared with independent t test. This association was however not statistically significant (P = 0.02).

Socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of patients admitted at the Lunatic Asylum, Bengaluru (now NIMHANS) and treatment outcome in the early 20th century (1903-1911).

OBJECTIVE: Historiography of South Asian mental asylums is generally skewed towards asylums operated by the British. The Lunatic asylum, Bengaluru, later to become NIMHANS, was one of the early asylums and was administered by a princely state (Mysore). This study aims to evaluate socio-demographic and clinical characteristics as well as the treatment outcome of patients admitted to the Lunatic Asylum, Bengaluru in the early 20th century (1903-1911). METHODS: A review of inpatient registers at the Lunatic Asylum, Bengaluru was conducted for the years 1903-1911 and analysed using descriptive statistical methods. RESULTS: There were 620 admissions during this period and three-fourths were men (n = 465, 75.0 %). The mean age of the patients was 32.09 ± 10.29 years at the time of admission. Acute mania (n = 209, 33.7 %), chronic mania (n = 125, 20.2 %) and dementia (n = 65, 10.5 %) were the most frequent diagnoses. At the time of discharge, 35.5 % reported being cured and 12.1 % improved. The overall death rate of patients at the asylum was 27.2 %. Subjects who died had a mean duration of in-patient stay of 11.9 years. The mean age at death was 45.7 years with the comparable life-expectancy of the general population during the period being around 23 years. CONCLUSIONS: In-patients in the Lunatic Asylum, Bengaluru in the pre-antipsychotic era had a good outcome with approximately 50 % being cured or showing improvement and longer life expectancy than the general population.

Comorbidities in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Across the Lifespan: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Comorbidities are seen with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) across the lifespan. Neurodevelopmental comorbidities are common in young children, followed by mood, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive related disorders (OCRDs) in children, adolescents and adults, and neurological and degenerative disorders in the elderly. Understanding comorbidity prevalence and patterns has clinical and research implications. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis on comorbidities in OCD across the lifespan, with the objective to, first, estimate age-wise pattern and prevalence of comorbidities with OCD and, second, to examine associations of demographic (age at assessment, gender distribution) and clinical characteristics (age of onset, illness severity) with comorbidities. Four electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, SCOPUS, and PsycINFO) were searched using predefined search terms for articles published between 1979 and 2020. Eligible studies, across age, reported original findings on comorbidities and had an OCD sample size of ≥100. We excluded studies that did not use standardised diagnostic assessments, or that excluded patients on the basis of comorbidity. We adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The review protocol has been registered on the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews. A comorbidity rate of 69% was found in a pooled sample of more than 15,000 individuals. Mood disorders (major depressive disorder), anxiety disorders (generalised anxiety disorder), neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) and OCRDs were the commonest comorbidities. Anxiety disorders prevailed in children, mood disorders in adults, whereas NDDs were similarly prevalent. Higher comorbidity with any psychiatric illness, NDDs, and severe mental disorders was seen in males, vs. females. Illness severity was inversely associated with rates for panic disorder, tic disorders, OCRDs, obsessive compulsive personality disorder, and anorexia nervosa. This systematic review and meta-analysis provides base rates for comorbidities in OCD across the lifespan. This has implications for comprehensive clinical evaluation and management planning. The high variability in comorbidity rates suggests the need for quality, multi-centric, large studies, using prospective designs. Systematic Review Registration: Unique Identifier: CRD42020215904.

Adherence to iron and folic acid supplementation among antenatal mothers attending a tertiary care center, Puducherry: A mixed-methods study.

BACKGROUND: Iron-deficiency anemia in pregnancy is a major public health problem despite the efforts taken by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for the past five decades. Adherence to iron and folic acid supplementation (IFAS) is the key factor for the prevention and management of nutrition anemia. AIM: The aim of this study was to assess the adherence to its associated factors and to explore the reasons for the non-adherenc among pregnant women attending a tertiary care center. MATERIALS AND METHODS: It is an explanatory mixed-methods design (quantitative cross-sectional analytical design and qualitative descriptive design). STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Results presented as proportion with 95% confidence interval (CI). Chi-square test was done to assess the association of the factors to adherence. Qualitative data were transcribed verbatim, translated to English, and analyzed by manual content analysis. RESULTS: A total of 340 pregnant women were included, and the adherence to IFAS among the antenatal mothers was 63.8 (95% CI [58.61-68.6]). The factors associated with adherence to IFAS (prevalence ratio with 95% CI) were primigravida status [1.22 [1.02-1.45]), nonanemic in the first trimester (1.27 [1.09-1.49]), and absence of side effects (3.16 [1.95-5.12]). Conceptual framework was constructed using the emerging themes: (i) knowledge-related factors, (ii) behavior-related factors, and (iii) facilitating factors. CONCLUSION: About three-fourth of the participants were adherent to IFAS. Compliance is directly influenced by the gravida status, anemic status, and absence of side effects. Based on qualitative results, measures to improve palatability and the quality of IFAS are recommended.

Investigating the Role of Glutamate in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Current Perspectives.

Glutamate is a ubiquitous excitatory neurotransmitter, which is involved in normal physiology, a variety of central nervous system (CNS) functions, including excitotoxicity and neuronal migration. It is implicated in the pathogenesis of various neuropsychiatric disorders including epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's dementia, schizophrenia and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Over the years, a growing body of evidence has helped researchers understand the mechanisms underlying glutamatergic involvement in the pathogenesis of these disorders. In this review, we attempt to elucidate the role of glutamate in OCD, which is a chronic psychiatric condition with significant morbidity. This article provides current perspectives on the role played by glutamate in the pathogenesis, clinical symptoms and treatment response in OCD, a critical analysis of existing and emerging evidence, both clinical and preclinical, followed by a summary and future directions.

Clinical utility of repeated intravenous ketamine treatment for resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Glutamate modulators are used to treat OCD resistant to serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs). Ketamine has shown some promise in treating OCD. Data on the use of ketamine in SRI-resistant OCD is limited, with no studies on the role of multiple ketamine infusions in this disorder. We report our experience of treating SRI- resistant OCD with multiple ketamine infusions. We reviewed the clinical charts of 14 adult inpatients with a diagnosis of SRI-resistant OCD and treated them with repeated ketamine infusions [mean (SD) = 5.4 (2.5)]. There was a significant reduction in the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (YBOCS) total score following intravenous ketamine infusions. One patient showed a dramatic response (a drop in the YBOCS to '0') and two patients showed a partial response (25-35 % reduction in the YBOCS). Eleven patients showed no clinical improvement. Ketamine may, therefore, be somewhat effective in a subset of OCD patients who are resistant to SRIs. Our findings suggest the need to examine the efficacy of ketamine in controlled studies with larger samples. It may be possible to identify predictors of response to ketamine in larger studies.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder comorbid with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Obsessive Compulsive Symptoms (OCS) are known to be highly comorbid with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Comorbid OCD/OCS influences the course of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. There is also some evidence to suggest that a diagnosis of OCD may be associated with elevated risk for later development of psychosis and bipolar disorder. Comorbid OCD/OCS is associated with a greater severity of schizophrenia phenotype and poorer prognosis. In addition, certain atypical antipsychotics, clozapine in particular are known to induce or worsen OCS in schizophrenia. OCD when comorbid with bipolar disorder mostly runs an episodic course with worsening and improvement of OCD/OCS in depressive and in manic/hypomanic phases respectively. There is limited systematic data on the treatment of OCD in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. When OCD presents in the context of schizophrenia, management may include treatment with atypical antipsychotics with limited serotonergic properties, changing the antipsychotic, reduction in the dose of the antipsychotic, addition of cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT), or a specific serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). When OCD is comorbid with bipolar disorder, mood stabilization is the priority. CBT may be preferred over SSRIs to treat OCD/OCS that persist in between the mood episodes because SSRIs may induce a switch or worsen the course of bipolar disorder. SSRIs when indicated have to be used judiciously under the cover of adequate mood stabilization.

A novel segmentation method using multiresolution analysis with 3D visualization for X-ray coronary angiogram images.

Coronary angiography is a widely used tool in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac diseases. The main cause of coronary artery disease is atherosclerosis, which leads to the narrowing of artery lumen, resulting in decreased blood supply to heart muscles. Determination of narrowing of the lumens mainly depends upon the quality of the segmented image; with improved segmentation technique there is better accuracy in identification of blocks. The main purpose of the paper is to develop an automatic, accurate segmentation technique with 3D visualization for the segmented images. 3D visualization provides clearer information regarding the shape and severity of the lesion. The thresholding technique is one of the oldest and simplest techniques used for segmentation. This paper proposes a multithresholding approach using the entropy measure and multiresolution analysis to ensure automatic and accurate segmentation by overcoming some of the problems encountered in other techniques. Also, segmentation performance analysis was conducted for various segmentation methods. This method is tested with different real coronary angiographic images and was found to perform better than the other techniques.

Blastoid Variant of Mantle Cell Lymphoma with Leukemic Presentation - A Rare Case Report.

Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL) is a type of Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and has a wide spectrum of histopathological subtypes of which the blastoid or the blastic variant constitutes 10-15% of all cases. It is difficult to diagnose blastoid variant of MCL on the basis of morphology alone as it mimics lymphoblastic lymphoma and centroblastic large cell lymphoma, hence additional analysis like immunophenotyping and molecular studies aid in its diagnosis. We present a case of 45-year-old male who presented to medicine OPD with chief complaints of fever, fatigability and inguinal swelling. Complete blood count, peripheral smear and bone marrow examination was performed. Peripheral smear showed thrombocytopenia along with 53% abnormal cells. On bone marrow examination 43% abnormal lymphoid cells were seen. This case was diagnosed as blastoid variant of MCL on the basis of routine morphology and immunohistochemistry on bone marrow biopsy and flow cytometric immunophenotyping on peripheral blood.