Morphological and Biochemical Changes in Moth Bean during Drought Stress

The current investigation on the repercussions of drought stress on the growth parameters of the Moth bean (Vigna aconitifolia) has been carried out in a semi-field condition. Two sets of local moth bean cultivars (RMO-40: fifteen in each) were prepared, and one was subjected to terminal drought stress. The rest was maintained with proper watering as a control set. The treated plants were thoroughly evaluated based on leaf length, root length, and relative leaf water content in comparison with the control ones. The findings of this study reveal a significant impact of drought stress on moth bean's growth and physiological performance. Under drought conditions, treated plants exhibited considerable reductions in leaf length and root length compared to their well-watered counterparts. Additionally, the relative leaf water content declined under drought stress, indicating decreased water uptake and retention within the plants under stress. These outcomes underscore the vulnerability of moth bean to drought stress, emphasizing the urgency of developing efficient water management strategies and drought-resistant varieties to safeguard food security in regions where this legume serves as a staple crop. This research highlights the importance of understanding the adverse effects of drought stress on moth bean's growth parameters for sustainable agriculture and food production.

Identification of Drought Tolerant Desi Cotton Genotypes Based on Drought Tolerance Indices

The present experiment was conducted in two environments viz. irrigated and rainfed, with three replications in randomized block design at Research Area of Cotton Section, Department of Genetics & Plant Breeding, Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar (Haryana) during Kharif 2021-22. Fifty elite desi cotton (Gossypium arboreum L.) genotypes were grown as experimental material. Five plants were randomly selected from each genotype and observations were recorded on eight morphological traits viz. plant height, number of monopods per plant, days to first flower, number of bolls per plant, boll weight, seed cotton yield per plant, number of seeds per boll, ginning out turn and six physiological traits viz. relative water content, photosynthesis rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, total chlorophyll content, proline content. Under both the environments, sufficient amount of variability was present among all the genotypes for all the studied traits. The significant decrease in mean performance of all genotypes was observed for all traits except proline content under rainfed condition. Based on drought tolerance indices viz. YSI (Yield Stability Index) and DSI (Drought Susceptibility Index), per se performance and other yield contributing traits, genotypes viz. P 533, P 551, PAIG 129, DA-3/02 and DA-2/02 were found most drought tolerant among all the test genotypes and these may be used in future cotton breeding programs to develop higher yielding and drought tolerant varieties.

Agronomic Evaluation of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Hybrids for the Agro-climatic Conditions of Prayagraj in Kharif – 2022, India

A field experiment was conducted at Crop Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, SHUATS, Prayagraj (U.P) during Kharif, 2022. The soil of the experimental plot was sandy loam in texture, nearly neutral in soil reaction (pH 7.1), organic carbon (0.75%), available N (269.96 kg/ha), available P (33.10 kg/ha), and available K (336 kg/ha). The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with 10 hybrids each replicated thrice. Results was recorded as higher plant height (112.03 cm), number of tillers (16.34), plant dry weight (50.91 g/plant), crop growth rate at 80-100 DAT (32.14 g/m2/day), tillers/m2 (371.23), panicle length (29.73 cm), filled grains (245.87), grain yield/hill (31.37 g), seed yield (4.97 t/ha), straw yield (9.54 t/ha) were recorded significantly higher in hybrid R-170. However, harvest index (34.41 %) were recorded significantly higher in hybrid R-151. Further, the maximum gross returns (INR 128020/ha) and net returns (INR 78974/ha) and B:C ratio was highest in 1.61 were recorded significantly higher in hybrid R-170.

Clinical characteristics & outcome of SARS-CoV-2 infected neonates presenting to paediatric emergency

Background & objectives: Data on neonatal COVID-19 are limited to the immediate postnatal period, with a primary focus on vertical transmission in inborn infants. This study was aimed to assess the characteristics and outcome of COVID-19 in outborn neonates. Methods: All neonates admitted to the paediatric emergency from August 1 to December 31, 2020, were included in the study. SARS-CoV-2 reverse transcription- (RT)-PCR test was done on oro/nasopharyngeal specimens obtained at admission. The clinical characteristics and outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 positive and negative neonates were compared and the diagnostic accuracy of a selective testing policy was assessed. Results: A total of 1225 neonates were admitted during the study period, of whom SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR was performed in 969. The RT-PCR test was positive in 17 (1.8%). Mean (standard deviation) gestation and birth weight of SARS-CoV-2-infected neonates were 35.5 (3.2) wk and 2274 (695) g, respectively. Most neonates (11/17) with confirmed COVID-19 reported in the first two weeks of life. Respiratory distress (14/17) was the predominant manifestation. Five (5/17, 29.4%) SARS-CoV-2 infected neonates died. Neonates with COVID-19 were at a higher risk for all-cause mortality [odds ratio (OR): 3.1; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.1-8.9, P=0.03]; however, mortality did not differ after adjusting for lethal malformation (OR: 2.4; 95% CI: 0.7-8.7). Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive and negative likelihood ratios (95% CI) of selective testing policy for SARS-CoV-2 infection at admission was 52.9 (28.5-76.1), 83.3 (80.7-85.6), 82.8 (80.3-85.1), 3.17 (1.98-5.07), and 0.56 (0.34-0.93) per cent, respectively. Interpretation & conclusions: SARS-CoV-2 positivity rate among the outborn neonates reporting to the paediatric emergency and tested for COVID-19 was observed to be low. The selective testing policy had poor diagnostic accuracy in distinguishing COVID-19 from non-COVID illness.

Congenital Rubella Syndrome as a possible cause for persistent thrombocytopenia in early infancy: The Forgotten Culprit

Abstract We present a case of a late preterm intrauterine growth-restricted neonate with isolated and persistent severe thrombocytopenia. At birth, the neonate did not have a complete clinical spectrum of congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) but later developed peculiar findings that helped clinch the diagnosis. The neonate also had interstitial pneumonia and died secondary to superimposed acute viral infection leading to acute respiratory distress syndrome. The serology was positive for IgM antibodies against the rubella virus. The constellation of clinical manifestations of congenital rubella in the presence of positive IgM antibody against rubella and consistent histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of CRS.

Screening for Language Delay between 6 Months and 3 Years of Corrected Age in Very Low Birth Weight Children

Objective: To screen for language delay in very low birth weight (VLBW) children between6 months to 3 years using Language Evaluation Scale Trivandrum, 0-3 years. Methods:VLBW inborn neonates at a corrected age of 6 months to 3 years visiting follow-up clinicwere enrolled. Children with hearing loss were excluded. Prevalence and predictors oflanguage delay were ascertained. Results: Of 200 enrolled subjects, out of the 1400VLBW discharged, 64 (32%) had language delay. On multivariate analysis, late onsetsepsis, patent ductus arteriosus and poor socioeconomic status were significant predictorsof language delay. Abnormal neurological examination and suspect development were alsoassociated with language delay. Conclusions: In VLBW children, the frequency oflanguage delay is quite high. These children should be screened for language delay.

Galactomannan Antigen Test for Early Diagnosis of Invasive Aspergillus Infection in Pediatric Febrile Neutropenia

Invasive aspergillosis is a major concern in neutropenic patients.We studied the utility of Galactomannan antigen detection test inserum using ELISA technique for early detection of invasiveaspergillosis. Diagnostic accuracy of Galactomannan index (GMI)test was maximum at a cut-off of > 1.5 with a negative predictivevalue of more than 95%

Antiobesity effect of Safoof Mohazzil, a polyherbal formulation, in cafeteria diet induced obesity in rats.

Obesity is reaching epidemic proportions all over the world yet it lacks adequate treatment. Most of the drugs have failed either due to ineffectiveness or adverse effects. Complementary and alternative system of medicine is being used since ancient times. However, many of them have not been tested for efficacy and safety using modern scientific methods. Therefore, the antiobesity effect of Safoof Mohazzil, a polyherbal formulation, was evaluated in cafeteria diet induced obesity in female Sprague Dawley rats. Animals weighing 100–150 g were divided into four groups (n=8) i.e. standard pellet diet, cafeteria diet control, cafeteria diet + Safoof Mohazzil and standard pellet diet plus Safoof Mohazzil. The formulation was administered orally at a dose of 1 g/kg/day for 14 weeks. At the end of study, cafeteria diet significantly increased body weight, Lee’s index, lipid profile (cholesterol and triglycerides), insulin and leptin levels as compared to standard pellet diet control group. Fourteen week treatment with Safoof Mohazzil significantly prevented the increase in body weight, Lee’s index, lipid profile, insulin and leptin levels as compared to cafeteria diet control group without affecting food and water intake. Safoof Mohazzil had no adverse effect on hepatic transaminases, locomotor activity and motor coordination. The study provides evidence for antiobesity effect of Safoof Mohazzil.

Evaluation of antitussive activity of formulations with herbal extracts in Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) induced cough model in mice.

Cough is the most common symptom of respiratory diseases. When cough becomes serious, opioids are effective, but they have side effects like sedation, constipation, some addiction liability and also compromise the respiratory function. Therefore, there is need to have effective anti-tussive agent which do not have respiratory suppressant activity. The present study was carried out to evaluate anti-tussive activity of combination of herbal drugs as formulations in sulphur dioxide (SO2)-induced cough model in mice. Albino mice of either sex, weighing 25-30 g were divided into eight groups, (n = 6). Group 1 served as normal control, group 2 mice were given distilled water, group 3 was positive control and received codeine sulphate (10 mg/kg, p.o.) and group 4, 5, 6, 7 received coded l formulations 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively at a dose of 0.3 ml/mice, orally, while group VIII was the vehicle control. Thirty minutes later, the mice were exposed to sulphur dioxide again for 45 sec. The mice were then placed in an observation chamber for counting of cough bouts, by two independent observers, for five minutes. All the formulations used showed significant antitussive activity in sulphur dioxide induced cough model. Thus, these formulations can prove to be useful for alleviating cough.