Effect of Macronutrients Combination with Plant Spacing on the Growth and Yield of Black Cumin (Nigella sativa L.)

An experiment was conducted into the Horticulture Farm of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka from October 2019 to March 2020 this study the effect of macronutrients combination and plant spacing on growth and yield of black cumin (Nigella sativa L.). Black cumin variety BARI Kalozira-1 was used as planting material in this study. The experiment consisted of two factors: Factor-A: macro nutrient combinations (4 levels): T1= N0P0K0 kg ha-1 (control), T2= N90P50K40 kg ha-1, T3= N135P75K60 kg ha-1; Factor-B: plant spacing (3 levels): S1= 20 cm × 10 cm, S2= 20 cm × 15 cm and S3= 20 cm × 20 cm. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with factorial with three replications. Data on different growth, yield and yield contributing parameter of black cumin were recorded and significant variation was observed from different treatments. In case of nutrient combinations, the tallest plant (54.86 cm) was observed from T3 (N135P75K60 kg ha-1) treatment. The maximum primary branch plant-1 (8.62) and secondary branch plant-1 (12.18), flower plant-1 (22.20), capsules plant-1 (19.69) and 1000 seed weight (2.99 g) was observed from T2 (N90P50K40 kg ha-1) treatment. The highest seed yield ha-1 (1.18 t) was observed from T2 (N90P50K40 kg ha-1) treatment. In case of plant spacing the tallest plant (48.34 cm) was observed from S1 (20 cm × 10 cm) treatment. The maximum primary branch plant-1 (7.80) and secondary branch plant-1 (11.23) flower plant-1 (20.26), capsules plant-1 (18.81), 1000 seed weight (2.99 g) were observed from S3 (20 cm × 20 cm) treatment. The highest seed yield ha-1 (1.09 t) was recorded from S1 (20 cm × 10 cm) treatment. It can be concluded that, sowing of black cumin providing 90 kg N, 50 kg P and 40 kg K nutrient combination with 20 cm × 10 cm plant spacing was recorded to be more suitable practice for getting higher amount and quality of seed yield of black cumin.

Detection Of Treatment Adherence, Disease Control and Its Predictors in Asthma Patients by Rural Community Level Health Workers

Background: Despite the availability of effective therapy, disease control in Asthma remains suboptimal with high morbidity. Objectives: To assess treatment adherence, asthma control and its influencing fac-tors.Methodology: A prospective, observational study was conducted among 152 adult asthma patients re-porting consecutively to a BPHC for twelve months. Patients were followed up by trained healthcare workers to assess their treatment adherence and disease control using a predesigned, pretested and val-idated questionnaire.Results: Mean age was 49.6 years (SD=+14.0), males reported more cases (73.7%), addiction to tobacco was high (48.7%). 40.8% patients had high treatment adherence. Only 37.5% patients reported good asthma control of which 68.4% showed high adherence. The mean Asthma Control Test (ACT) score was 18.75 ± 4.8 SD. Increasing age (aOR=0.96, 95% CI= 0.93-0.99), tobacco smoking (aOR=2.90, 95% CI=1.20-6.99), dust allergy (aOR= 7.92, CI =3.15-19.91) and low treatment adherence (aOR=5.33, 95% CI=2.22-12.82) were found to be significant predictors of poor disease control.Conclusions: Non adherence to treatment and poor disease control was high among rural asthma pa-tients. Patient education for tobacco cessation and treatment compliance along with periodic monitoring undertaken by trained health workers can be an effective strategy to reduce disease burden in the com-munity.

Factors affecting disclosure of HIV-positive serostatus among people living with HIV/AIDS attending an antiretroviral therapy center of Eastern India

Background: HIV serostatus disclosure plays an important role in reducing the risk of HIV transmission. However, its negative effects may include rejection, assault, separation, divorce, stigma, and discrimination. Objectives: This study was undertaken to find out the proportion of HIV-positive serostatus disclosure to any family member and different factors influencing disclosure among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among all patients aged 18� years with confirmed HIV infection registered at the antiretroviral therapy center of a tertiary care hospital in eastern part of Uttar Pradesh, India, for the duration of 1 year, from July 2017 to June 2018. Results: Most of the respondents were aged 30� years (79.9%), male (63.2%), married (85.4%), rural residents (60.4%), Hindu (96.5%), literate (84%), employed/driver (61.8%), and belonged to lower/lower middle class (62.6%). The rate of disclosure of HIV-positive status to any family member was quite high in this study (238/288 or 82.6%), among which 92.9% (221/238) to the spouse only. The number of sexual partners before disclosure, educational status, and socioeconomic status of the respondents were found to be independent predictors of disclosure of HIV-positive status to any family member (P < 0.05). Conclusions: This study indicates the need of giving more emphasis on creating awareness regarding the importance of HIV serostatus disclosure to any family member, especially to spouse, and encourage all PLWHA in the community to disclose their status. Effective strategies also need to be evolved that will target those not likely to disclose their status to anybody.

Service providing scenario of urban primary health care services delivery project working in selected municipality

Background: The urbanization and urban growth is going through very rapid in Bangladesh. This growth is being fuelled by rising incomes due to rapid expansion of commerce and industry. The rapid and incessant growth of urbanization on Kushtia district is creating continuous pressure on urban health care services. Urban poor people are also a vital factor for promoting urban primary health care services delivery project (UPHCSDP) to provide health care facilities.Methods: A cross sectional survey was carried out among 576 patients in 3 selected urban primary health care centres in Kushtia Municipality with a major concentration of people residing in urban areas. Data were collected using questionnaires regarding type of care or treatment patients demanded and type of care they received from the clinic.Results: Study results showed that total of 46.5% of the subjects demanded maternal and obstetric health services and 8.6% demanded child health diagnosis and care. It was found that a total of 22.0% of the subjects received physical diagnosis from the centres. About 7.1% clients received advice or suggestions and 8.0% received normal delivery service from the centres.Conclusions: The result shows that these clinics provide a lot of health care services to the clients especially on maternal and child health care delivery system. These services are provided to the patient with less or free of cost. Study exhibited that the overall health care services of health care centres are good. The clients come to these centres for the good quality of treatment.

An Unusual Case of Lepromatous Leprosy with Elastolysis and Atrophic Lesions

A 48-year-old lady presented with multiple, asymptomatic papules on upper trunk and upper extremities of 4 years duration. She gave a history of similar lesions/papules which used to heal earlier also, in a couple of weeks/months with atrophy. She had consulted many physicians and dermatologists without any relief. Biopsy from a papule showed dense nodular collection of foamy histiocytes in dermis in close proximity of neurovascular bundle. Special stain revealed absent elastic fibres in areas with infiltration. The case was diagnosed as lepromatous leprosy with elastolysis. Unusual features observed in the patient were predominant involvement of sun-exposed areas and atrophy. These signs and symptoms in the patient probably, mislead clinicians away from the diagnosis of leprosy.

Consistency and percentage agreement of preoperative surface marking of subcutaneous foreign body by colour comet tail artefact with its intra-operative positional findings – A prospective study

Background: Exact surface localization of foreign body is vital prior to its surgical removal. Preoperative localization errors lead to excessive soft tissue exploration, prolonged surgery, increased morbidity and post-surgical complications. Sarkar KN, Mandal SK, Kabiraj P, Mallik R, Gupta DK, Sarkar M. Consistency and percentage agreement of preoperative surface marking of subcutaneous foreign body by colour comet tail artefact with its intra-operative positional findings - A prospective study. IAIM, 2016; 3(6): 32-41. Page 33 Aim: Determination of percentage agreement of preoperative surface marking of subcutaneous foreign body by colour comet tail artefact with its intra-operative positional findings. Materials and methods: Prospective observational study was conducted on 100 patients over duration of eight months from September 2015 to April 2016 at our institution. Preoperative surface marking of foreign body was done using Ultrasound machine PHILIPS HD7 (2.0.1) with 7 MHz linear transducer, Excel mark premium black stamp ink 2oz, Acco smooth steel wire paper clip, Trade mark 45 cm wooden measuring scale and Apsara glass marking pencil. Percentage agreement of preoperative surface marking of subcutaneous foreign body by colour comet tail artefact with its intraoperative positional findings was studied in 100 patients prospectively. All analysis was done by using IBM SSPS statistics 24 and MS Excel. Results: The color tail artifact technique showed percentage agreement of 93.5% for accurate surface marking of vertical line within ≤ 5 mm of actual location and percentage agreement of 92.5% for surface marking of horizontal line within ≤ 5 mm of actual location. Conclusions: Blind surgical procedures of foreign body removal have been replaced by real time ultrasound guided removal under strict sterile conditions in most of the affluent nations. However in developing nations and semi urban places where there is limited and underrated sterilization and disinfection technique, real time ultrasound procedures for foreign body removal remains a challenging option. This study shall suffice to the needs of developing nations and semi urban places with precise preoperative surface localization, advantages of minimal surgical exploration, minimal local tissue injury, reduced patient’s morbidity and no real time ultrasound associated nosocomial infection. The study shall also be helpful with special emphasis to those underserved villages where surgeons still rely on blind foreign body removal procedures, causing massive tissue exploration, increased hospital stay, increased cost of treatment, failure of removal and increased patients morbidity.

Fetal kidney length as a parameter for gestational age determination and its comparative evaluation with other fetal biometric indices

Background: An accurate estimation of foetal gestation age is of utmost clinical significance owing to its vast clinical implications principally in management of high risk pregnancies. Aim: To determine correlation and regression coefficient of foetal kidney length as a parameter for gestational age and to do its comparative evaluation with other foetal biometric indices. Materials and methods: A Prospective observational study was conducted on 200 women aged between 18 to 35 years with normal singleton pregnancies, over a duration of six months from December 2015 to May 2016. Gestational age and fetal kidney length was determined using Ultrasound machine PHILIPS HD7 (2.0.1) with 3- 5 MHz curvilinear transducer. Statistical analysis was done using tests of correlation and simple linear regression. All analysis was done by using IBM SSPS statistics 24and MS excel. Results: Pearson’s correlation coefficient value of 0.99 and regression coefficient or slope 1.0 noted between gestational age and fetal kidney length with a significance P< 0.001. Bardhan J, Ghosh SK, Sarkar KN, Sarkar M. Fetal kidney length as a parameter for gestational age determination and its comparative evaluation with other fetal biometric indices. IAIM, 2016; 3(8): 36-44. Page 37 Conclusions: Fetal kidney length shows a positive correlation with fetal gestational age, with a linear growth rate throughout pregnancy irrespective of underlying medical condition like intrauterine growth retardation. This study shall prove its worth in cases of engaged fetal head, where it is difficult to measure fetal bi parietal diameter and head circumference as well as in cases of intrauterine growth retardation, macrosomia and malformation where abdominal circumference measurement gives false values.

articleEarly diagnosis of neonatal sepsis in primary health care unit.

Aim: The aim of the study is to find out the role of common haematological parameters along with micro-ESR, I/T ratio in diagnosis of neonatal sepsis for initiating early management. Methods: This is a descriptive study consisting of 35 neonates admitted at a sophisticated institute with clinical suspicion of septicaemia along with 40 neonates as the comparison group. The neonatal haematological parameters including total leucocytes count, absolute neutrophil count, immature neutrophil count, I/T ratio, platelet count were measured in all the neonates. Micro-ESR was measured as a bed side test. CRP was also measured using slide agglutination method and the results were compared with turbidimetric method. Blood culture was done as a gold standard test for sepsis. Micro-ESR more than age of the patient in days +3 mm in 1st hour was considered significant for sepsis. I/T ratio more than or equal to 0.2 was considered positive for sepsis. Results: The study revealed that micro-ESR and I/T ratio were significantly higher (p<0.001) in suspected cases of septicaemia as compared to the neonates in the comparison group. Sensitivity and specificity of micro-ESR were 87.09% and 75.0% respectively. Sensitivity and specificity of I/T ratio were 93.54% and 95% respectively. Conclusion: Micro-ESR and I/T ratio can be used effectively as cheap and simple tests to screen for septicaemia in neonate which is possible even in a primary health care centre.

Antiviral drug profile of human influenza A & B viruses circulating in India: 2004-2011.

background & objectives: Recent influenza antiviral resistance studies in South East Asia, Europe and the United States reveal adamantane and neuraminidase inhibitor (NAIs) resistance. This study was undertaken to evaluate antiviral resistance in influenza viruses isolated from various parts of India, during 2004 to 2011. methods: Influenza viruses were analyzed genetically for known resistance markers by M2 and NA gene sequencing. Influenza A/H1N1 (n=206), A/H3N2 (n=371) viruses for amantadine resistance and A/H1N1 (n=206), A/H3N2 (n=272) and type B (n=326) for oseltamivir resistance were sequenced. Pandemic (H1N1) (n= 493) isolates were tested for H274Y mutation by real time reverse transcription (rRT)-PCR. Randomly selected resistant and sensitive influenza A/H1N1 and A/H3N2 viruses were confirmed by phenotypic assay. results: Serine to asparagine (S3IN) mutation was detected in six isolates of 2007-2008.One dual-resistant A/H1N1 was detected for the first time in India with leucine to phenylalanine (L26F) mutation in Mm2 gene and H274Y mutation in NA gene. A/H3N2 viruses showed an increase in resistance to amantadine from 22.5 per cent in 2005 to 100 per cent in 2008 onwards with S3IN mutation. Fifty of the 61 (82%) A/H1N1 viruses tested in 2008-2009 were oseltamivir resistant with H274Y mutation, while all A/H3N2, pandemic A/H1N1 and type B isolates remained sensitive. Genetic results were also confirmed by phenotypic analysis of randomly selected 50 resistant A/H1N1 and 40 sensitive A/H3N2 isolates. Interpretation & conclusions: Emergence of influenza viruses resistant to amantadine and oseltamivir in spite of negligible usage of antivirals emphasizes the need for continuous monitoring of antiviral resistance.

Primary Tubercular ulcer in Glans Penis mimicking neoplastic lesion.

Tuberculosis is a very common disease especially in developing countries but primary tuberculosis of penis is extremely rare. Here we are presenting a case of Primary tuberculosis of glans penis of 82 years male.

Epidemiology and Prospects for Prevention of Rotavirus Disease in India.

Context: With rotavirus vaccines now available globally, it will be useful to assemble the available evidence on the epidemiology and burden of rotavirus gastroenteritis in India, in order to weigh the urgency of introducing a vaccine to help control rotavirus disease. Evidence Acquisition: We reviewed published studies on rotavirus infection and genotype distribution in India, as well as safety and immunogenicity studies of currently available vaccines. PubMed was searched for papers published after 1990, and several authors who are experts in the field recommended papers of known significance. Results: Rotavirus accounts for close to 40% of hospitalizations for diarrhea in India, with more recent studies showing an increased proportion compared with older studies. There is substantial serotype diversity in India, although there is less intra-country variation than previously thought. Two genotypes, G1P[8] and G2P[4], account for roughly 50% of symptomatic infections in non-neonates. Currently licensed vaccines are safe, and although the efficacy appears lower in developing countries, given the extremely high incidence of diarrhea these could still be cost-effective interventions. Conclusions: The epidemiology and burden of rotavirus diarrhea is fairly well characterized in India. Introducing rotavirus vaccine into the UIP, along with adequate surveillance, should be an important part of efforts to reduce diarrhea mortality, the third leading cause of death among Indian children, and achieve the country’s MDG goals.

Foot Length As A Marker of Pubertal Onset.

This observational study was conducted on 973 healthy children between 8 and 16 years to evaluate the relation between changes in foot length and pubertal maturation. The right foot length of study children was recorded and SMR staging was done. The difference in mean foot length was statistically significant between SMR 1 and 2 (P<0.0001). No significant difference in the mean foot lengths was found thereafter. Smoothed standard deviation curves were constructed for foot length as a function of SMR stage using the LMS method. Foot length was found to rise sharply in SMR 2, which coincides with the onset of puberty.

Dose-dependent effect of copper chloride on male reproductive function in immature rats.

BACKGROUND: Copper is essential as a trace element for metabolic processes. Exposure to copper in industries develops toxicity among the workers. Previous findings on adverse effects of copper on male reproductive function in adult albino rats led to investigate the effects of this metal on reproductive function of maturing male rats in the present experiment. METHODOLOGY: To study these effects, immature (30 to 35 days old) Wistar strain albino rats weighing about 50-60 g were treated intraperitoneally with copper chloride at doses of 1000, 2000 and 3000 microg/kg body weight/day for 26 days. RESULT: Significant fall in accessory sex organ weight and inhibition of testicular 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity along with degeneration of testicular growing spermatogenic cells and reduction in serum testosterone, FSH and LH level were observed at the doses of 2000 and 3000microg/kg/day. On the other hand, at the dose of 1000 microg/kg/day significant increase in testicular steroidogenic enzyme activity and stimulation of testicular spermatogenesis along with rise in serum testosterone and LH level were observed, though no significant change was observed in serum FSH level. This suggests that copper has got a dose-dependent effect on testicular steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis and serum testosterone and LH level in maturing male rats.

Protection of adrenocortical activity by dietary casein in ether anaesthetized rats.

Adrenal delta5-3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (delta5-3beta-HSD) activity and serum corticosterone level were significantly higher in rats fed with 5% casein or 4% albumin diets after 1 hr of ether anaesthetic stress as compared to the controls, 5% casein and 20% casein (equivalent to 4% albumin) respectively. Ether anaesthesia to 20% casein fed rats caused no change in adrenal delta5-3beta-HSD activity and serum corticosterone level when compared with controls fed 20% casein diet. The results suggest that high milk protein diet may prevent acute stress effects by protecting adrenocortical activity. The present investigation opens up a new area of management of stress.

Drug use among the urban poor in Kolkata: behaviour and environment correlates of low HIV infection.

BACKGROUND: HIV infection in injecting drug users (IDUs) has worked as a driving force for further spread of the virus in other population groups. Major metropolitan cities such as Mumbai, Kolkota, Chennai and Delhi have seen a diffusion of injecting drug use within the last decade. The prevalence of HIV infection among injectors ranges from 2% to 30%. Identifying effective interventional elements that have kept the prevalence of HIV low for the past 7 years among IDUs of Kolkata is thus of public health importance. METHODS: A purposive sample of opioid/opiate users was studied. Primary and secondary data on drug users, law-enforcement environment, records at drug treatment centres, jail admission data related to the 'Narcotic Drug and Psychotropic Substance Act' and interventions in other risk groups were collected. Laboratory tests for HIV, hepatitis B surface antigen and syphilis were done on consenting IDUs (n=129) and non-IDUs (n=120). For univariate and multivariate analysis, IDUs were taken as cases and non-IDUs as controls. RESULT: Of the IDUs, 2% were positive for HIV. No non-IDU was HIV-positive. Significantly more non-IDUs (10% v. 4%, p=0.05) were positive for syphilis. Sharing injection equipment within the past 6 months was reported by 71% of IDUs; sharing partners were stable and ranged from 1 to 3. More IDUs compared to non-IDUs reported being in touch with intervention programmes. The police has been tolerant to needle-syringe exchange and oral sublingual buprenorphine substitution conducted in Kolkata. Unlike in the early 1990s, non-IDUs did not switch to injecting during non-availability of brown sugar in the latter half of the 1990s and instead sought tratment. The availability of high quality heroin (>20%-50%) was low and the proportion of moderate quality heroin (>10%-20%) went up during these times due to increased police seizures. No intervention exists in jails despite the fact that a large number of drug users spend time in jail. CONCLUSION: Stable and few injection equipment-sharing partners of IDUs, launching of early targeted interventions among IDUs and sex workers in the city, police tolerance to harm reduction activities and preference of non-IDUs for detoxification during heroin draught periods have kept HIV prevalence at a low level among drug users of Kolkata for the past 7 years. immediate launching of interventions for drug users in jails seems necessary. Similar multi-pronged strategies with targeted and environmental intervention could work in other settings as well.

Effect of casein diet on gonadotropin releasing hormone antagonist induced changes in adrenal gonadal functions in male rats.

Adult male rats received daily injections (sc) of gonadotropin releasing hormone antagonist (0.2 mg/kg(-1) x day(-1)) for 21 days when they were sacrificed on day 22, adrenal weight, adrenal A5-3beta (delta 5-3beta) hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (Delta5-3beta-HSD) activity and serum level of corticosterone were increased significantly while testicular 17beta (17beta) hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17beta-HSD) activity and serum level of testosterone and spermatogenesis were decreased in the rats fed on 5% casein diet. GnRH antagonist treated rats fed on 20% casein diet, resulted significant decrease in adrenal weight, serum corticosterone and adrenal A5-3beta-HSD activity while testicular 17beta-HSD activity serum testosterone levels and the weights of sex organs were increased with respect to anti GnRH treated rats fed on 5% casein diet. But the GnRH antagonist treated rats fed on 20% casein diet showed decreased spermatogenesis quantitatively and sperm count appeared similar to anti GnRH treated rats fed on 5% casein diet. These results indicate that high casein diet protects adrenocortical activity and stimulates testosterone synthesis without effecting spermatogenic arrest in GnRH antagonist treated rats. It may be concluded that GnRH antagonist in presence of high milk protein diet may be considered to be a suitable antihormone in the development of an ideal male contraceptive.

Prevention of adrenocortical hyperactivity by dietary casein in rats exposed to forced swimming stress.

Adrenal weight, adrenal hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity and serum corticosterone level were significantly higher in rats fed with 5% casein diet after 7 days of swimming stress (45 min/day) as compared to their controls. All the parameters were similar to their control levels in rats receiving 20% casein diet and exposed to swimming stress. The results suggest that casein can play an important role in preventing adrenocortical hyperactivity in swimming stressed rats.

Effect of ascorbic acid on in vitro synthesis of testosterone in rat testis.

Effect of ascorbic acid on testicular steroid dehydrogenase activity and testosterone concentration, using in vitro preparation of rat testis, was studied. A significant stimulation of enzyme activity and rise in testosterone content were observed.