Application of models of behavior change communication in various stages of healthcare

A resource-limited country like India calls for a deeper focus on preventive health than it is now. So far, behaviour change communication (BCC) has been more or less limited to campaigns and awareness activities. Treating physicians applying BCC interventions in their clinics is particularly rare. This article aims to describe the role of BCC at the primary healthcare level in preventing diseases. The article also attempts to highlight the importance of BCC in helping cure and rehabilitate patients. Evidence-based interventions can be derived from BCC models that help physicians handle their patients better. Health education an already defined domain of health promotion will be the key to achieving the said goal. It promises to be one of the cheap and effective tools in achieving the vision of universal healthcare. It provides room for flexibility and customised care for each patient. After a thorough understanding of various models and theories of BCC, a physician should be able to apply them on a regular basis in their day-to-day interaction with patients in the most scientific manner possible.

Infective keratitis: a concise overview of the clinical characteristics and treatment of keratitis caused by microbial agents

The following document provides an overview of microbial keratitis, a well-known sight-threatening inflammation of the cornea that progresses to the corneal ulcer. Sometimes, such infection is difficult to identify and cure due to the involvement of multiple pathogens implicated in the specific disorders because of similar symptoms and immunological responses. Instead of fungi and protozoa, viruses and bacteria are the most prevalent pathogens that cause microbial keratitis. A virus contains protein-encased genetic material and may infect any living creature, including bacteria and fungi, by replicating inside the host's cell and infecting neighbouring cells. Bacteria are complicated pathogens that may thrive in any media and cause harm to host cells, often through the production of toxins. Fungi are far more difficult; they spread quickly and can cause harm to several organs at the same time if the immune system is compromised. Protozas are found freely in the environment and once invade the cornea, divide quickly and become difficult to identify as well as treat, because of their involvement or in conjunction with polymicrobials. These microbes show common symptoms after invading the cornea although; their common diagnostic procedures show different results to trace out their existence in the tissue. Up to some extent, specific treatment can cure the disease with certain conditions according to a load of microbes, therefore visual status gets hampered, otherwise total loss of the eye takes place due to the endophthalmitis.

Study on Micro-Climate and its Effect on Growth and Yield of Mustard Crop under Prayagraj Conditions

A field experiment was conducted during Rabi season of 2022-2023 on the topic entitled “Study On Micro-Climate And Its Effect On Growth And Yield Of Mustard Crop Under Prayagraj Conditions” at field of collage of forestry in Prayagraj district of utter Pradesh. Keeping in this view experiment was conducted in Factorial RBD with three replications having two factors. The first factor comprised of three DOS (170ct. 3Nov. and 17 Nov.) whereas the second factor consisted of Four Indian mustard Cultivar viz: Jhalak, Kala Sona, Sriram, and Ratna Results showed that both dates and varieties 17 oct and Ratna were superior as compared to rest of treatment max. yield observed. However, the highest growth attributes Like plant height, number of leaves, no of branches yield, and yield attributes like No. of silique (cm) per plant, test weight, seed yield (q/ha) grain yield, dry matter, and length of siliqua was recorded under 17 Oct. growing crop Ratna variety, the Lowest yield and growth recorded under date 17 Nov. growing crop Jhalak followed by 3 Nov. growing Crop Jhalak.

Crop Classification and Crop Acreage Estimation Using Geospatial Technology in the Upper Gangetic Plains of Uttarakhand, India

Timely and accurate crop mapping plays an important role in food security, economic and environmental policies. Crop maps are also utilized for agro-environmental assessments and crop water usage monitoring. As a result, accurate and timely crop classification is essential for agricultural management and monitoring. Because it provides periodic large-scale observations of ground objects, satellite remote sensing has been regarded as an advanced tool to characterize crop types and their distributions on a regional scale. High-resolution, multispectral images of October 13, 2021, December 7, 2021 and March 6, 2022 of sentinel-2 satellite released by the European Space Agency (ESA) have been used for classification. Ground truth points have been collected manually with the android app ‘Mapmarker’ and Google Earth. Further, pre-processing of satellite imageries such as resampling, mosaicking and sub-setting have been done with the Sentinel Application Platform (SNAP) software. Crop classification and acreage estimation was conducted using Maximum Likelihood approach. It is the first time an attempt was made to estimate cropping intensity using geospatial technology in the upper Gangetic plains of Uttarakhand state. Rice and sugarcane areas of 108,884 ha and 11,479 ha, respectively, were estimated from the October 13, 2021 image. Pea crop area was estimated as 6,227 ha from December 7, 2021 image. Using March 6, 2022 image, wheat and mustard crop areas were estimated as 105,334 ha and 2,018 ha, respectively.

Crop Health Monitoring through Remote Sensing: A Review

Agriculture is basis of livelihood for a major portion of world population. It provides food to humans. With the increasing population and climate change there is need to enhance production to fulfil the demand of growing population. Remote sensing technology has potential to predict nutrient requirement by providing various information related to plant and soil in quantitative terms thereby increasing productivity. It plays important role in monitoring crop health, crop growth and development, nutrient management, pest and disease management, water management and weed management. Evaluation of crop canopy provide various information regarding agronomic parameters. The data obtained from remote sensing provides a better alternative for natural management than traditional methods and this kind of management enhances efficiency of various resources by avoiding their overuse. By using this technology, we can improve traditional methods of agriculture and bring out changes in the field of agriculture. This paper reviews remote sensing technology for crop health monitoring, highlighting its importance with new ideas for agriculture.

Comparative Efficacy of Different Herbicidal Combinations on Weed Growth and Yield Attributes of Wheat

Weeds are the main biotic obstacles on wheat production, which can impair wheat productivity by up to 60%, if not handled under critical stages of crop life cycle. Chemical weed control through herbicides has been the most popular and effective method among farmers. The weed management using similar herbicides however has led to herbicide resistance in weeds. This requires the evaluation of newer herbicidal combinations for the control of weeds in wheat. Therefore, an experiment was conducted at Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, JNKVV, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh during the Rabi season of 2016-17 to evaluate the effect of post emergence application of herbicides on the weeds and yield of wheat. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with ten treatments comprising of eight herbicidal combinations along with a hand weeding and a weed check and replicated thrice. Observations on different weed parameters, growth parameters and yield of wheat were recorded. Among the different herbicidal combinations, the post emergence application of halauxifen-methyl ester + florasulam at 10.20 g/ha resulted in greatest suppression of weeds and had highest weed control efficiency (56.73%). It also led to highest growth in wheat which resulted in highest grain yield (5.81 t/ha) and harvest index (44.99%). From this study, it can be concluded that the post emergence application of halauxifen-methyl ester + florasulam at 10.20 g/ha can not only control weeds effectively but also increase the yield of wheat.

Performance of Pinoxaden Herbicide against Complex Weed Flora in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

A field experiment was conducted during rabi season (2020-21) at AICRP on Wheat, College of Agriculture, Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Jabalpur (MP), India, to study the effect of pinoxaden on weeds and the yield of wheat. The field experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with seven treatments and replicated thrice. Treatments included applying different doses of pinoxaden at 40, 45, and 90 g a.i. ha-1, clodinafop propargyl at 90 g a.i. ha-1, sulfosulfuron at 25 g a.i. ha-1 as post-emergence along with hand weeding at 30 DAS and weedy check. The experimental field was dominated by Phalaris minor (15.6%) among monocot weeds, while Medicago denticulata (30.82%), Cichorium intybus (29.94%), Chenopodium album (15.32%), and Anagallis arvensis (8.30%) among the dicot weeds throughout the crop growing period. Among the different herbicidal treatments, pinoxaden at 90 g a.i. ha-1 effectively controlled the monocot and dicot weeds and recorded higher weed control efficiency and the lowest weed index. However, the highest value of growth parameters, yield attributes, and grain yield was recorded with the application of pinoxaden at 45 g a.i. ha-1 among all the herbicidal treatments.

Weed Dynamics of Fodder Maize as Influenced by Different Herbicides

The advancements in fodder maize cultivation practices over the past few years, has paved a change in the makeup of weed associations. This made it necessary to incorporate new, effective herbicides in the struggle against maize's primary weeds. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted at Research Farm, AICRP on Forage Crops, Department of Agronomy, JNKVV, Jabalpur (Madhya Pradesh) during Kharif season 2019 to devise an appropriate combination of herbicides required for the control of the complex weed diversity in fodder maize. The field experiment was laid out in randomized block design (RBD) with ten treatments (eight herbicidal combinations along with hand weeding twice at 20 and 40 DAS and a weedy check) and replicated thrice. Observations were recorded on the weed parameters and fodder yield of maize. Among monocots, the experimental field was infested with Echinochloa colona, Commelina communis and Digitaria sanguinalis. Phyllanthus niruri and Eclipta alba were dominated among dicots. Among all herbicidal treatment, topramezone 35 g/ha plus atrazine 250 g/ha was found to be significantly superior in reducing total weed density (9.49/m2, 11.50/m2) and total weed dry weight (6.43 g/m2, 7.91 g/m2) at 30 and 45 DAS, respectively and recorded the lowest weed index (1.82%). Also, the maximum green fodder yield (472.68 q/ha) was recorded in topramazone 35 g/ha + atrazine 250 g/ha compared to other treatments. Overall, this study indicated that the combination of topramazone 35 g/ha + atrazine 250 g/ha could be an alternative approach to hand weeding and alone herbicides in fodder maize.

Effect of Mesotrione 40% SC on Weed Growth, Yield and Economics of Maize (Zea mays L.)

Newer herbicides are required to reduce the losses cause by the weeds in maize crop. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted during kharif 2019 at Research Farm, AICRP on Forage Crops, Department of Agronomy, Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Jabalpur (Madhya Pradesh) to study the effect of different weed management practices on productivity of Maize (Zea mays L.). The experiment was conducted in randomized block design with eight treatments (six herbicidal treatments with hand weeding twice at 20 and 40 DAS and weedy check) replicated thrice. Observations were recorded for various weed parameters and crop growth parameters. All the weed management treatments significantly reduced the total weed density and total dry weight of weeds as compared to weedy check. Among herbicidal treatments, mesotrione 350 g ha-1 recorded the lowest total weed density and total dry weight of weeds as compared to other herbicides. While highest total weed density and total dry weight were recorded under weedy check treatment. Significantly higher growth parameters and yield attributing traits were recorded with the application of mesotrione 350 g ha-1 which resulted in higher grain and stover yields (2447.22 and 21804.72 kg ha-1) followed by mesotrione 300 g ha-1. Maximum net returns and Benefit: Cost ratio was also obtained with the application of mesotrione 350 g ha-1.

Laparoscopic versus open appendicectomy-a comparative study of clinical outcomes in an institutional centre

Background: Appendicectomy remains to be one of the most common procedures performed by the general surgeon. Laparoscopic appendicectomy is likely to have less postoperative pain, less use of analgesics, early discharge, decreased wound infection, better cosmetics and also diagnostic and early return to routine work. Method: This is a comparative study of 50 cases of appendicitis divided equally into two groups 25 in open and 25 in the laparoscopic which were randomly selected and operated in the department of general surgery at PMCH, Patna. Results: In present study pain score was 2.97±0.7 for open group as compared to 1.56±0.7 in lap group (p<0.05) because of longer incision stretch of muscles and wound infection. Post operative complications like vomiting was lower in laparoscopic group with 12% as compared with 40% in open group (p<0.05) and ileus was lower in lap group with 27±4.6 and for open group 31±5.4 with p<0.05 which were significant. There is significant reduction in incidence of post operative wound infection in lap group 0% as compared to open group 32% (p<0.05). Duration of postoperative hospital stay was significantly low for lap group 2±0.78 as compared to open group 8±0.89. The return to normal activity was low for lap group 14±2.11 days as compared to open group 21.7±3.7days. Duration of surgery for open appendicectomy was 48±19 mins and for lap appendicectomy was 46±15 mins. Conclusions: Overall laparoscopic appendicectomy is better than open appendectomy in selected patients with acute or recurrent appendicitis.

Laparoscopic versus open appendicectomy-a comparative study of clinical outcomes in an institutional centre

Background: Appendicectomy remains to be one of the most common procedures performed by the general surgeon. Laparoscopic appendicectomy is likely to have less postoperative pain, less use of analgesics, early discharge, decreased wound infection, better cosmetics and also diagnostic and early return to routine work. Method: This is a comparative study of 50 cases of appendicitis divided equally into two groups 25 in open and 25 in the laparoscopic which were randomly selected and operated in the department of general surgery at PMCH, Patna. Results: In present study pain score was 2.97±0.7 for open group as compared to 1.56±0.7 in lap group (p<0.05) because of longer incision stretch of muscles and wound infection. Post operative complications like vomiting was lower in laparoscopic group with 12% as compared with 40% in open group (p<0.05) and ileus was lower in lap group with 27±4.6 and for open group 31±5.4 with p<0.05 which were significant. There is significant reduction in incidence of post operative wound infection in lap group 0% as compared to open group 32% (p<0.05). Duration of postoperative hospital stay was significantly low for lap group 2±0.78 as compared to open group 8±0.89. The return to normal activity was low for lap group 14±2.11 days as compared to open group 21.7±3.7days. Duration of surgery for open appendicectomy was 48±19 mins and for lap appendicectomy was 46±15 mins. Conclusions: Overall laparoscopic appendicectomy is better than open appendectomy in selected patients with acute or recurrent appendicitis.

Complete sequencing of an IncX3 plasmid carrying blaNDM-5 allele reveals an early stage in the dissemination of the blaNDM gene.

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to perform molecular characterisation of the blaNDM plasmids and to understand the mechanism of its spread among pathogenic bacteria. Materials and Methods: Seventy-six non-repetitive carbapenem-resistant isolates which were collected during Nov 2011 to April 2013 from four hospitals in Chennai were analyzed for the presence of the blaNDM gene by PCR. Further, the genetic context of the blaNDM gene was analyzed by PCR specifi c to ISAba125 and bleMBL gene. One of the blaNDM plasmid was completely sequenced in the Illumina HiSeq platform. Results: Twenty-three isolates consisting of 8 Escherichia coli, 8 Klebsiella pneumoniae, 3 Klebsiella oxytoca, 3 Acinetobacter baumanii and 1 Pseudomonas aeruginosa were found to carry the blaNDM gene. In 18 isolates the blaNDM gene was associated with a bleMBL gene and the ISAba125 element. The complete sequencing of pNDM-MGR194 revealed an IncX3 replication type plasmid, with a length of 46,253 bp, an average GC content of 47% and 59 putative ORFs. The iteron region contained the blaNDM5 gene and the bleMBL, trpF and dsbC genes downstream and an IS5 inserted within the ISAba125 element upstream. Conclusion: This is the fi rst report where the blaNDM gene insertion in a plasmid is not accompanied by other resistance gene determinants. These observations suggest that the IncX3 plasmid pNDM-MGR194 is an early stage in the dissemination of the blaNDM.

Radiotherapy for benign diseases.

Radiotherapy mainly involves treatment of patients with malignant tumors. Even with recognition of the risks of late skin injury, carcinogenesis, leukemogenesis, and genetic damage from all ionizing radiation; radiation therapy also continues to be accepted treatment for benign diseases. Before initiation, the quality of irradiation, total dose, overall time, underlying organs at risk, and shielding factors should be considered. Children should be treated with ionizing radiation only in very exceptional cases and after weighing the pros and cons of the therapy. Direct irradiation of skin areas overlying organs that are particularly prone to late effects (e.g. thyroid, eye, gonads, bone marrow and breast) should be avoided. Radiation protection techniques should be used in all instances. The depth of penetration of the x-ray beam should be chosen according to the depth of the pathologic process. Choice of beam energy usually depends on the depth of the target volume; every effort is made to spare normal underlying tissue in superficial lesions. There are a number of other benign conditions that can be treated with radiotherapy; we present a brief overview of some of the commonly encountered conditions.

Bone marrow examination in cases of pancytopenia.

This study was carried to identify the causes of pancytopenia and to find out the bone marrow morphology in cases of pancytopenia. It was a cross sectional study conducted over a period of two years in the Department of Pathology, Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital. Bone marrow aspiration smears of patients fulfilling the criteria of pancytopenia were examined. The data obtained were analyzed using measures of central tendency. One hundred and forty eight cases underwent bone marrow aspiration and it constituted 15.74% of total cases. Mean age was 30 years (range, 1-79 years). 42 cases were children (28.37%). Male: female ratio was 1.5:1. The commonest cause was hypoplastic bone marrow seen in 43 cases (29%) followed by megaloblastic anemia in 35 cases (23.64%), and hematological malignancy in 32 cases (21.62%). Erythroid hyperplasia was seen in 29 cases (19.6%) and normal bone marrow was seen in 5 cases (3.38%). There was one case each of Niemann-Pick disease and metastatic neuroblastoma in children and chronic pure red cell aplasia and leishmaniasis in adults. Acute leukemia was the commonest hematological malignancy. In children, commonest finding was hypoplastic bone marrow (38.1%) while in adults megaloblastic anemia (30.18%) was commonest finding followed by hypoplastic anemia (25.47%). In present study bone marrow examination was able to establish diagnosis in 77% of cases. Hypoplastic marrow was the commonest diagnosis, followed by megaloblastic anemia, and hematological malignancies.

Cytological diagnosis of bancroftian filariasis in lesions clinically anticipated as neoplastic.

Filariasis is a common disabling parasitic disease in this region and cytological diagnosis is often not required. Cytology has important role in diagnosis of sub-clinical filariasis. Most cases of cytologically diagnosed filariasis are clinically unanticipated. Microfilaria, ova and fragments of adult worm of Wuchereria bancrofti, in exfoliative as well as aspiration cytology have been reported and are useful in cytological detection of bancroftian filariasis. Microfilaria is frequently detected in association with neoplasm, although the role in tumorogenesis is controversial. The objective of the study was to investigate importance of cytology in diagnosis of filariasis in lesions clinically anticipated to be of neoplastic and to review the cytomorphology of bancroftian filaria and its association with neoplasm. This is a retrospective study carried out in cytology department of Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital. 14 cases of cytological specimen out of 4291 (0.3%) showed microfilaria; 12 cases were from FNAC from different sites and 2 cases were from pleural fluid. 2 cases showed ova in addition to microfilaria and one of them in addition showed fragment of adult worm. Microfilaria in 4 cases of FNAC and one case ofpleural fluid were associated with malignant cells.

A rare case of juvenile fibrosarcoma of eyelid.

Juvenile fibrosarcoma is not an uncommon tumor in children; however, eyelid involvement is extremely rare. Very few cases have been reported in the literature. This is the first case of JFS of the eyelid in Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital and the first diagnosed case in Nepal. Histologically, it is similar to adult fibrosarcoma but it has an excellent prognosis. Surgical excision is the mainstay of treatment; however chemotherapy has been proved effective. Here we present a case of juvenile fibrosarcoma of the eyelid in a four year female child presenting with a rapidly enlarging, painless, left upper eyelid mass. An incisional biopsy, from the eyelid mass, showed typical histopathological features of juvenile fibrosarcoma.

Herpes zoster in a five month old infant subsequent to intrauterine exposure to varicella infection.

Herpes zoster is characterized by painful vesicular eruption in a dermatomal distribution of sensory nerves as a result of reactivation of latent herpes zoster virus in posterior root ganglia. The primary varicella infection is usually acquired in childhood and reactivation usually is seen in elderly. In rare instances herpes zoster can also occur in infancy as a result of reactivation of primary varicella infection acquired in utero or in early infancy. Here, we report a rare case of herpes zoster in a 5 month baby who acquired primary infection in utero from mother who had varicella infection at 6 months of gestation.

Diagnosis of subcutaneous cysticercosis in fine needle aspirates: a study of 10 cases.

The objective of this study is to document the value of Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) in the diagnosis of subcutaneous cysticercosis. Aspirates smears of 10 cases of subcutaneous swellings were studied over a period of 1 year between January 2004 and January 2005. The subcutaneous swellings were presented at different sites like cheek, neck, forearm, arm, chest wall and abdominal wall. In none of these cases was cysticercosis considered as diagnostic possibility. The characteristic cytomorphological features of parasitic tegument, parenchymatous portion, presence of epithelioid cells, giant cells and inflammatory cells in cytological smears help diagnose the cases of subcutaneous cysticercosis. Biopsy confirmation was possible in 5 cases, of which, two cases showed parenchymatous portion of the parasite. FNAC provides safe and rapid tool for diagnosis of subcutaneous cysticercosis. In endemic areas, cysticercosis should be considered one of the differential diagnosis of the subcutaneous swellings.

Intraoperative high field magnetic resonance imaging in neurosurgery: Our initial experience with the brain suite.

We present our initial experience with the high field (1.5T) intra-operative magnetic resonance imaging, the operating room set-up, our initial cases, the difficulties we faced and how this tool affected a change in the surgical strategy intra-operatively and finally our results. 11 patients were operated on from June 1st to August 1st 2006 of which there were astrocytomas (7), pituitary adenoma (1), craniopharyngioma (1) and meningiomas (2) Localization and lesion targeting were accurate, intra-operative imaging helped to assess the resection volumes, enable corrections for brain shift, perform further tumor resection at the same sitting and help preserve eloquent cortical areas. Gliomas formed 63.6% of the tumors operated on and in 71.4% of these, our surgical strategy changed intra-operatively. Meningiomas formed 9.1% of the tumors operated and image guidance enabled a minimally invasive approach, although no change in our surgical plan was required. One pituitary adenoma and a craniopharyngioma were also operated on with good outcome.