Climatic and Fruit Productivity Trends in Solan District, Himachal Pradesh, India

The shortened duration of the winter season in the Himalayan region caused by snow melting has a negative impact on fruit crop growth and productivity. The present study focused on examining the impact of climate change on fruit crops in the Solan district of Himachal Pradesh, India, situated in the Himalayan region. The trend analysis of climatic variables (temperature and rainfall) along with the productivity of fruit crops was investigated. The climate data spanning 30 years (1990–2019), including average temperature (maximum, minimum, and diurnal) and annual rainfall used during crop development stages like pre-flowering, flowering, and fruit-setting stages. To evaluate climatic trends, the Standardized Anomaly Index (SAI) and Mann-Kendall Test for quantification were employed. The Multivariate Linear Regression Analysis was performed to establish a correlation between climatic variables and crop productivity. The findings indicated that during the pre-flowering stage, there was a gradual increase in average maximum temperature at a rate of 0.001°C per year, along with a corresponding rise in diurnal temperature at a rate of 0.036°C per year. However, annual rainfall and average minimum temperature exhibited non-significant decreasing trends, with rates of -0.044°C and -0.033 mm, respectively. During the flowering stage, there was a significant increase in minimum temperature at a rate of 0.151°C per year, while diurnal temperature exhibited a significant decrease of -0.158°C per year. Other variables did not exhibit substantial changes during this stage. In the fruit-setting stage, only the minimum temperature demonstrated a significant decrease over the study period. The response to climate change revealed an overall positive trend for all fruit crops, leading to higher productivity. The correlation study indicated that the phenological stages of each crop were more positively influenced by temperature than rainfall, owing to existing climatic variations. The current climatic conditions in the Solan district were found to be favorable and productive for crop development, as all crops showed increased productivity based on the trend analysis. The study highlights climatic trends and their impact on the productivity of fruit crops in the Himalayan region, which is useful for agricultural planning and adaptation strategies in response to changing climatic conditions.

Assessment of water quality in disease burdened industrializing town of mid hills of North India

Background: Anthropogenic activities associated with rapid urbanization and industrialization have deteriorated the water quality across the world. Rampant industrialization and poor water, sanitation and hygiene in an industrializing town of northern India necessitated the assessment of drinking water in the region. Methods: The study of physico-chemical parameter of the water and water quality index of the most commonly used ten drinking water sources in 2017-2018 was undertaken. Grab water samples were collected during monsoon, the rainy season (June, July and August) and post monsoon (September, October and November) during the years 2017 and 2018 by following the standard procedures. Weighted arithmetic index method was used for the water quality index (WQI) analysis. Results: Pooled analysis inferred water pH, temperature, total dissolved solids and carbonated oxygen demand to be within, whereas, electrical conductivity (91.00-431.50 µS/cm), turbidity (1.00-4.30 mg/l), dissolved oxygen (6.53-7.23 mg/l) and biological oxygen demand (6.12-7.62 mg/l), exceeding the Bureau of Indian standards permissible limits. Calcium, nitrate, chlorides and zinc were within limits, magnesium concentrations (9.16-29.35 mg/l) were below whereas lead (0.06-0.62 mg/l), chromium (0.01-0.12 mg/l), cadmium (0.00-0.25 mg/l) and mercury (0.00-0.08 mg/l) were above the standards. WQI was above 50 in all the drinking water sources. Conclusions: Water was of poor quality and unsuitable for drinking purposes, indicating alarming water pollution. WQI of the various drinking water sources of the region deteriorated more in the monsoon season as compared to the post monsoon season.

Patient’s satisfaction with clinical laboratory services in a tertiary health care hospital of Jammu and Kashmir, India

Background: A patient’s satisfaction level is a crucial aspect of quality management in clinical laboratories. Satisfaction is the client’s perception of care received compared with the care expected. Accreditation from an organization such as NABL or NABH is necessary. This study aimed to evaluate patient satisfaction with laboratory services in a tertiary care hospital in Jammu, UT of Jammu and Kashmir, India. Methods: The study conducted a prospective cross-sectional patient satisfaction survey over six months w.e.f. April 2022 to September 2022 at 05 patients/day with monthly data (05×30=150). A total of 900 patients were selected randomly at 150 patients/month (150×6=900). Data was collected using structured questionnaire, entered in Epi Info and analysed with SPSS software. A p value of less than 0.05 was taken as statistically significant. Results: The study found that 76.55% of patients were satisfied, while 11% were mildly dissatisfied and 17.94% were dissatisfied with laboratory services. Patients were dissatisfied with cleanliness of latrines (47%), long waiting times (30%), clear and understandable advisory service during specimen collection (26%), adequacy of waiting area (25%), easy accessibility of laboratory (19%), latrine location (20%), availability of requested service (18%), unfair payment of service (17%), and missing results (12%). Conclusions: The study concluded that despite most patients being satisfied, there were gaps. The study recommends that the concerned departments to improve the identified gaps and meet patients’ needs. Educational status and distance were found to be significantly associated with the overall satisfaction level of clients.

Vulnerability Assessment for Sub Temperate Fruit Crops under Changing Climatic Conditions in North Western Himalayan Region

Climate change and its variability are posing the major challenges influencing the performance of agriculture including annual and perennial horticulture crops. Reduction in production of fruits is likely to be caused by short growing period, which will have negative impact on growth and development particularly due to terminal heat stress and decreased water availability. Hence, crop-based adaptation strategies are needed keeping in view the nature of crop, its sensitivity level and the agro-ecological region. The present investigation was conducted for major sub temperate fruit crops such as apricot, peach and plum in Himachal Pradesh. The investigation was carried out at different altitudinal gradients in fruit growing pockets of Solan district the state. The study was conducted to work out the relationship of weather parameters with phenological stages of major fruit crops and assessment of their vulnerability to climate change under selected altitudinal gradients. The average maximum and minimum temperature showed an increase since last thirty years at all major fruit growing areas, whereas, annual rainfall revealed an erratic trend. The fruit growing areas at 1000-1200 m amsl of Solan district obtained highest score (0.56) and were most vulnerable for stone fruit crops production while those at 1400-1600 m above mean sea level (amsl) were least vulnerable amongst the selected altitudes. To cope with climatic changes farmers have adopted various adaptation and mitigation strategies such as improved water conservation techniques, varietal shifts and crop diversification with other fruits like kiwi, pomegranate and vegetables in the region.

Variation In The Mode Of Origin And Level Of Formation Of Nerve To Medial And Lateral Head Of Gastrocnemius Muscle

Variations of nerve are not only of anatomic and embryological interest but also of clinical importance. Theiradequate knowledge certainly help in increasing surgical precision and decreasing morbidity. In present studyvariations in mode of origin and level of formation of nerve to medial and lateral head of gastrocnemius wasstudied. The material for the present study comprised of 60 lower extremities belonging to 30 adult humancadavers obtained from Department of Anatomy, PIMS, Jalandhar. Neurectomy of nerve to medial gastrocnemiusmuscle is used to reduce volume of the muscle. For facial reconstruction after total parotidectomy, the facialnerve is being reconstructed by using vascularized sural nerve with free lateral gastrocnemius muscle flap

Monitoring diagnosis, retention in care and viral load suppression in children testing HIV polymerase chain reaction-positive in two districts in South Africa

Background. Retention in care is associated with improved virological control and survival among HIV-infected children. However, retention of children in HIV care remains a challenge.Objectives. To describe, using routine laboratory HIV test data, the retention-in-care and virological outcomes of HIV-infected children aged <18 months in two districts in South Africa.Methods. HIV polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-positive results of children from uMkhanyakude and Tshwane districts in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng provinces, respectively, tested between April 2015 and May 2016, were extracted from the National Health Laboratory Service's Corporate Data Warehouse (CDW). HIV-related tests (PCR, viral load (VL), CD4+) were documented longitudinally for each child for ≥13 months after the first positive PCR result by manually searching demographics within the CDW, supplemented by an automated patient-linking algorithm. Test sets were linked if two or more demographics (surname, name, date of birth, folder number) matched exactly. Programmatic indicators assessed included age at first positive PCR test, presumed confirmatory test rates, retention in care, and VL suppression at 6 and 12 months.Results. Ninety-four and 304 children tested HIV PCR-positive in uMkhanyakude and Tshwane, respectively. The median age at diagnosis was 3.6 months (interquartile range (IQR) 1.4 - 7.1) for uMkhanyakude and 2.3 months (IQR 0.1 - 6.7) for Tshwane. In uMkhanyakude, confirmed in utero infections accounted for 18.1% of transmissions (n=17), compared with 29.6% (n=90) in Tshwane. Presumed confirmatory test rates following an initial positive PCR result were 77.7% and 71.7% for uMkhanyakude and Tshwane, respectively. Within 6 months of starting antiretroviral therapy, 43 children (58.9%) were lost to follow-up in uMkhanyakude compared with 160 (73.4%) in Tshwane. Of those retained in care at 6 months with a VL measurement, 15 (60.0%) from uMkhanyakude had a VL <1 000 copies/mL, compared with 24 (48.0%) in Tshwane. For both districts, a third of all HIV PCR-positive children were retained in care at the end of follow-up, with 29 (30.9%) in uMkhanyakude and 99 (32.5%) in Tshwane. Of these, 12 (41.4%) had a VL <1 000 copies/mL in uMkhanyakude compared with 28 (28.3%) in Tshwane.Conclusions. We demonstrate the value of routine laboratory data in monitoring diagnosis, retention and VL suppression in HIV-infected children. This approach is scalable, can be reported near real-time, is relatively inexpensive to implement, and provides a tool for improving paediatric HIV services until clinical databases can assume this role

Near-real-time tracking of gaps in prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV in three districts of KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa

Background. Identifying and addressing gaps in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) is required if South Africa (SA) is to achieve targets for eliminating MTCT (eMTCT). Potential PMTCT gaps that increase MTCT risk include late maternal HIV diagnosis, lack of or delayed antiretroviral therapy (ART) during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and lack of effective prophylaxis for HIV-exposed infants.Objectives. To investigate, in near real time, PMTCT gaps among HIV-infected infants in three districts of KwaZulu-Natal Province, SA.Methods. Between May and September 2016, PMTCT co-ordinators from eThekwini, uMgungundlovu and uMkhanyakude districts received daily email notification of all HIV polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-positive results. Co-ordinators reviewed facility records for each infant to identify gaps in PMTCT care, including maternal age, timing of maternal HIV diagnosis, maternal treatment history and maternal viral load (VL) monitoring. Data were submitted via the mobile phone SMS (text message) service using Rapid Pro technology and analysed in Stata 14.Results. Data on PMTCT gaps were received for 367 (91.8%) of 400 infants with HIV PCR-positive results, within a median time of 12.5 days (interquartile range (IQR) 6 - 23). The median maternal age was 25 years (IQR 22 - 30), with 48 teenage mothers (15 - 19 years). The sample size was too small to determine whether there were significant differences in PMTCT gaps between the 48 teenage mothers and 293 older (20 - 34 years) mothers. Of the mothers, 220 (60.0%) were first diagnosed prior to conception or at their first antenatal care (ANC) visit, and 127 (34.6%) at or after delivery; 137 (37.3%) transmitted HIV to their infants despite receiving >12 weeks of ART. VL results were unavailable for 70.0% of women. Only 41 (17.5%) of women known to be HIV-positive during ANC had confirmed virological suppression. No statistically significant differences in PMTCT gaps were observed between districts, owing to small sample sizes in uMgungundlovu and uMkhanyakude.Conclusions. The findings highlight the need to improve services during ANC, in particular prioritising maternal VL monitoring. We intend to use improved technology to streamline data collection and reporting towards eMTCT

Variations in the origin and number of medial calcaneal nerve.

Variations of nerve are of anatomical, embryological and clinical importance. There adequate knowledge will help in increasing surgical precision and decreasing morbidity. In present study, the variation in the origin and number of medial calcaneal nerve (MCN) was studied. The material for present study comprised of 60 lower extremities belonging to 30 adult human cadavers obtained from department of Anatomy, GMC Amritsar. In the present study, number of MCN is highly variable. 1 MCN innervated 35%, 2 MCN innervated 40%, 3 MCN innervated 15%, 4 MCN innervated 8.3%, 5 MCN innervated 1.67%. There were total 121 medial calcaneal nerves found in the present study. MCN originated from tibial nerve in 57 instances (47.10%), from bifurcation of tibial nerve in 30 (24.79%), from lateral plantar nerve in 32 (26.44%) and from medial plantar nerve in 2 instances (1.65%). Description of variation of origin of medial calcaneal nerve in medial aspect of calcaneus is required to establish an anatomical guide for diagnosis and therapy of some tarsal region diseases including tarsal tunnel syndrome, fixation of fracture with external nailing, medial displacement osteotomy and nerve block in podiatric medicine.

Effects of rotating night shift and exposure of light at night on circadian pattern of salivary cortisol and urinary melatonin levels.

Objectives: The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of rotating night shift and light exposure at night on circadian pattern of salivary cortisol and urinary melatonin levels. Methods: 62 healthy nursing professionals of both genders performing day and night shifts (continuous 9 days night shift with alternate day shifts) were recruited. Each month scheduled to continuous 9 days night shift (12 hours in regular 9 nights, from 20:00 to 08:00); after 9 days night shift they perform remaining duties in day shift and 4 days off. Saliva and Urine samples were collected at around 8 hours interval while they were performing night duties and repeated when they were assigned day duties. Saliva and Urine samples were analyzed by the ELISA method. Results: Significant difference was found in night cortisol among night (4.34 ± 3.37) vs day shift (2.70 ± 2.32), (p<0.001). Alteration in morning cortisol was also found between night (3.73 ± 2.47) vs day shift (5.00 ± 2.73). Night melatonin level was decreased as compared to morning melatonin. Significant deference were observed when compared night melatonin between night (16.71 ± 11.98) vs day shift (22.71 ± 13.25) (p<0.001), morning melatonin between night (20.07 ± 14.13) vs day shifts (28.26 ± 14.14) (p<0.001). The circadian pattern of cortisol and melatonin was altered by rotating night shift particularly at night and in the morning time. Conclusion: The present study concluded that the desynchronization was appeared during night shift and entrainment of circadian rhythm in the day shift.

Transmuscular course of the medial sural cutaneous nerve and its clinical implications.

Variations of nerve are not only of anatomic and embryological interest but also of clinical importance. Their adequate knowledge will help in increasing surgical precision and decreasing morbidity. Anatomical variations in the formation of the sural nerve are common, although the topographical localization of this nerve is constant. In this report, we describe a case of an anomalous course of the medial sural cutaneous nerve which descended through the gastrocnemius via a tunnel formed within the muscle. Such anatomical variation of the sural nerve is clinically important when evaluating sensory axonal loss in distal axonal neuropathies since sural nerve mononeuropathy is less likely to occur.

Steroidal feedback on photoperiodic induction of testicular growth and development in two bird species.

Present study was performed to demonstrate the effect of exogenous administration of testosterone propionate on photoperiodic induction of testicular growth and development in brahminy myna (Sturnus pagodarum) and baya weaver (Ploceus philippinus). Two groups of brahminy myna and baya weaver (n=5 each) were exposed to15L:9D (group-I) and 9L:15D (group-II), and received 30 µg of TP bird-1 for 15 days. Then, the photoperiod was reversed; the one receiving15L was exposed to 9L and vice versa. Observations on body mass and testis volume were taken at the beginning and at 15 days interval. In brahminy myna, a significant change in body mass occurred under 9L:15D, transfer to 15L:9D, but not under 15L:9D group, transfer to 9L:15D. Also, testes were stimulated under 15L:9D transferred to 9L:15D, but not under 9L:15D transferred to 15L:9D. In baya weaver, body mass increased under 15L:9D and 9L:15D for first 15 days and was maintained until the end of the experiment. Testes enlarged gradually in both groups (15L:9D and 9L:15D transfer to vice versa), but it regressed in 15L:9D group, transferred to 9L:15D after 45 days. Taken together it appears that body mass response indicates the photoperiodic effect and gonadal response indicates the hormonal effect. Finally results conclude that the photoperiod and circulating testosterone levels feedback on to hypothalamus regulates reproductive cycle in these birds.

Why youth smoke? An exploratory community-based study from Chandigarh Union Territory of Northern India.

Background: Tobacco use is a serious public health challenge in several regions of the world, including India. Increasingly, steps are being taken at policy level to curb the problem. Aim: This study was done to find out the determinants of tobacco use so that effective intervention programs can be designed and implemented for the prevention and cessation of this growing pandemic. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was done adapting Global Youth Tobacco Survey questionnaire prepared by the Centre for Disease Control, Atlanta, among youth (15-24 years). Patterns of smoking and their determinants were calculated using univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: Prevalence of current smoking among youth was 20.4% (95% confidence interval: 16.9-23.9%). Male sex, smoking peers, cigarette advertisements, and feeling comfortable in social gatherings were significant determinants for smoking after adjusting for all explanatory variables. Conclusion: Strict enforcement of regulations pertaining to cigarette advertisements in any form, enabling environment and community interventions focusing on parents and peers are required for effective control of tobacco problem among youth in India.

Reversal of hepatotoxin-induced pre-fibrogenic events by Emblica officinalis--a histological study.

Efficacy of a herbal product of E. officinalis (fruit) (EO) has been evaluated against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and thioacetamide (TAA) induced changes in rat liver. Chronic treatment of CCl4 and TAA revealed abnormal histopathology indicative of pre-fibrogenic events. EO reversed such alterations with significant regenerative changes suggestive of its preventive role in prefibrogenesis of liver.

Response to complete and skeleton photoperiods in subtropical male house sparrow, Passer domesticus (Linnaeus).

To examine the importance of the inductive light period of a skeleton photoperiod in relation to the endogenous circadian rhythm of photoinducibility mediating photoperiodic induction, P. domesticus were exposed for 28 weeks to a series of skeleton photoperiods, viz. 6L:4D:1L:13D, 6L:6D:1L:11D. 6L:8D:1L:9D and 6L:14D:1L:3D. The inductive effects of 1 hr light pulse at night varied depending on the time of its placement. To compare the inductive effects of complete and its corresponding skeleton photoperiods, birds in the second experiment were subjected for 20 weeks to 12L:12D and 6L:5D:1L:12D given daily or interposed on alternate days with constant darkness (12L:12D/DD and 6L:5D:1L:12D/DD). There was a difference in the rate and magnitude of response between the complete and skeleton photoperiods. It appears that the subtropical house sparrow uses photoperiodic strategy in regulation of its seasonal testicular responses similar to that is reported for its temperate population.

Use of meristem tip culture to eliminate carnation latent virus from carnation plants.

A successful protocol for meristem tip culture to eliminate carnation latent virus from carnation cv. scania has been described . The virus was found to be mechanically transmissible to Chenopodium quinoa, C. amaranticolor, Dianthus barbatus and Saponaria vaccaria. Murashige and Skoog'smedium (MS) supplemented with NAA (1.0 microM) and Kn (20.0 microM) proved best for meristem establishment and microshoots were rooted in MS medium supplemented with IBA (5.0 microM). Meristems measuring 0.1 and-0.2 mm yielded virus free plants and larger meristems were not effective.

Aortoarteritis presenting with hypoparathyroidism.

Clinical manifestations of aortoarteritis (Takayasu's arteritis) are varied, depending on the involved segment of the aorta and its branches. A case of a young Indian woman with aortoarteritis presenting primarily with hypoparathyroidism is reported. Aortogram showed total occlusion of the arch arteries. To the best of our knowledge, the occurrence of hypoparathyroidism in aortoarteritis has not been reported. Possible mechanisms of such an involvement are discussed.

Transcatheter closure of secundum atrial septal defect with atrial septal defect occlusion system (ASDOS): initial experience and short-term follow-up.

Transcatheter closure of secundum atrial septal defect is a well known alternative to surgery. It was attempted in seven patients (age range 7-34 years, mean 20.1 +/- 6.5 years) with the double umbrella nitinol device (ASDOS, Dr. Ing Osypka, Germany). The interatrial septal anatomy and blood flow were examined by transthoracic and multiplane transoesophageal echocardiography. The size of atrial septal defect varied from 1.25-2.4 cm (mean 1.75 +/- 0.3 cm), minimal septal rim 0.5-1.0 cm (mean 0.75 +/- 0.20 cm), and Qp/Qs 1.6-3.2:1 (mean 2.4 +/- 0.6). One patient had an atrial septal defect following surgery for left atrial myxoma. The procedure which involved the use of monorail system for deployment of device under transoesophageal echocardiography guidance, was successful in six (86%) of the seven patients. The size of the implanted device ranged from 30-45 mm. In two patients, the right atrial umbrella had to be oversized in comparison to the left atrial umbrella for stability and adequate occlusion of the defect. The patient in whom the procedure failed had a defect size of 1.7 cm, with minimal septal rim (anterosuperior) of 5 mm; however, the device could be easily retrieved. Immediately after and at follow-up of one year, transoesophageal echocardiography-guided colour flow mapping revealed complete abolition of left-to-right shunt in five (83%) of the six patients. One patient had a small residual flow at the posterior rim of the defect; none had atrioventricular valve regurgitation. Although the procedure is complex, it is safe with the advantage of excellent control on the monorail system for proper positioning, repositioning and, if required, retrieval of the device.