ABSTRACT
Biotic and abiotic factors have an effect on rice production all around the world. Diseases are regarded as major restrictions among the biotic stressors, and rice sheath blight (Rhizoctonia solani Kühn) is one of the most calamitous diseases that significantly damage the crop. Lately, biocontrol of fungal plant pathogens has appeared as an appealing approach. The present investigation was undertaken to evaluate different biocontrol agents like Talaromyces flavus, Chaetomium globosum, Pseudomonas fluorescens and Aspergillus niger against sheath blight disease. Prior to sowing, seeds were bioprimed with each isolate and sown in the nursery. After 21 days, seedlings were transplanted in-vivo and were inoculated with a virulent isolate of Rhizoctonia solani at maximum tillering stage. Observations on biochemical parameters and gene expression studies were carried out at 24, 48, 72, and 96 hpi. Enzymatic activity viz., chitinase, ?-1,3-glucanase, catalase, and PAL was observed maximum in Chaetomium globosum. PR-genes viz., IPT, BrD, HmPr, AMP, AldD, NIC and LisH showed up-regulation at 96 hpi. Chaetomium globosum had the highest yield, maximum number of tillers with least RLH% as compared to other treatments. However, results indicated biocontrol agents are helpful and they induce multitude of defence responses against R. solani in rice.
ABSTRACT
Background: Ageing is an irreversible, unavoidable, universal phenomenon accompanied by gradual reduction in functional capacity of the elderly. The number of elderly populations in India is expected to triple reaching 2 billion. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of cognitive impairment and evalu- ate the association between various socio demographic and behavioural risk factors. Methodology: This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried among 330 senior citizens living in old age homes by using a two-stage multistage sampling method. A standardized pretested structured ques- tionnaire containing Brief Interview for Mental Status (BIMS) scale was used. Data was analysed using SPSS (Version 22). Results: Among 330 study respondents, around 44% had mild -to- moderate cognitive impairment and 36% had severe cognitive impairment. Nearly 74.8% have their habit of regular physical activity. Among the study subjects approximately 4% of them were current smokers, 5.2% had the habit of regular alco- hol consumption previously. Conclusion: Integration of NPHCE and NMHP can be beneficial in early diagnosis of mild cognitive im- pairment during weekly outpatient visits at PHC. Level of attention given towards Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is more when compared to screening for cognitive impairment which is an early precursor for AD.
ABSTRACT
Background: The use of mobile phones especially smart phones have become an integral part of everyone’s life leading to addiction. Most of the studies conducted earlier were focused on youngsters. Hence this study was conducted to find out the prevalence of smart phone addiction in the study area.Methods: Community based cross sectional study carried out in Anakaputhur, Tamil Nadu from November 2018 to January 2019. Sample size of 400 was calculated using the formula 4PQ/L2. The respondents were selected by systematic random sampling. Subjects 18 years and above who are using mobile phones were included in the study. Data was analyzed using SPSS 16 version and presented using descriptive and analytical statistics.Results: Out of 405 participants 191 participants were non smart phone users and 214 were smart phone users. Overall prevalence of smart phone addiction was 27.6%. Male respondents were more addicted than the female (OR-1.94, 95%CI: 1.12-3.77, p=0.01). There was a statistically significant association between subjects <45 years of age and smart phone addiction (OR-2.33, 95% CI: 1.31-4.13, p=0.003) compared to older age group. Likewise respondents who were class III (modified BG Prasad Scale) and above were more addicted compared to subjects below class III (OR-2.29, 95% CI: 1.32-3.98, p=0.002).Conclusions: The prevalence of smart phone addiction is high that has to be addressed seriously. This can be tackled by better life style modification, awareness creation and attitudinal changes
ABSTRACT
Background: Tuberculosis remains a major global health problem with 10.4 million incident cases in 2016. Although Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the causative agent, many environmental factors play a role in disease progression. Several respiratory hazards including smoking and indoor air pollution were suggested to increase the risk of tuberculosis, but only fewer studies has been conducted on the association between ambient air pollution and tuberculosis.Methods: Data on ambient air quality levels (annual mean concentration of particulate matter 2.5 µg/m3) for the year 2016 was collected from the World Health Organization (WHO) data base for 190 countries which comprises of 6 WHO regions. Similarly data on incidence and mortality rate of tuberculosis for the year 2016 was collected for the above countries from the WHO data base. The data were tabulated and statistical analysis was performed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient model to examine the association of annul mean concentration of particulate matter 2.5 with incidence and mortality rates of tuberculosis.Results: Incidence and mortality rates of tuberculosis were found to be increasing with increasing levels of air pollution. It was correlated using scatter plot. Pearson’s correlation coefficient for air pollution level and incidence of tuberculosis was 0.331 (95% CI: 0.435-0.883), (p<0.001), and for tuberculosis mortality was 0.39 (95% CI: 0.525-0.906) (p<0.001).Conclusions: The study suggests there is a significant positive relationship between ambient air pollution level and tuberculosis incidence and mortality rates.
ABSTRACT
Background: Tobacco is the leading global cause of preventable death which kills millions of people and causes huge economic damage every year. Smoking form of tobacco is a major modifiable risk factor for number of chronic non-communicable diseases. In spite of various statutory warnings, smoking still remains a major Public health problem especially in young males. In order to reduce the magnitude and for effective control, the risk factors and distribution should be well known. This study was planned with the objective of assessing the prevalence and determinants of smoking among rural young males of Kancheepuram district, Tamil Nadu, India.Methods: This community based cross sectional study was carried out between March and May 2018 among rural young males aged between 18 to 29 years. Sample size of 431 was calculated by using 4PQ/L2 and the respondents were selected from sampled households using systematic random sampling. Data were collected using a pre-tested, structured questionnaire, which were analyzed using SPSS version 16.0 and presented using descriptive and analytical statistics.Results: Among 422 participants interviewed, the prevalence of smoking was 23%. Factors found to be protective against smoking were employment status and sedentary type of jobs. Factors found to be significantly associated with smoking were individuals with smoking friends and family members, habit of alcoholism, employment and low education status.Conclusions: Since smoking is a preventable cause of morbidity and mortality, efforts should be made to control its use by intensive health education, implementing counsellingfacilities and rigorous enforcement of anti-tobacco legislation