ABSTRACT
Tropical soils are often deeply weathered and vulnerable to degradation having low pH and unfavorable Al/Fe levels, which can constrain crop production. This study aims to examine nitrogen-enriched novel biochar co-composts prepared from rice straw, maize stover, and gram residue in various mixing ratios of the biochar and their feedstock materials for the amelioration of acidic tropical soil. Three pristine biochar and six co-composts were prepared, characterized, and evaluated for improving the chemical and biological quality of the soil against a conventional lime treatment. The pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC), calcium carbonate equivalence (CCE) and nitrogen content of co-composts varied between 7.78-8.86, 25.3-30.5â cmol (p+) kg-1, 25.5-30.5%, and 0.81-1.05%, respectively. The co-compost prepared from gram residue biochar mixed with maize stover at a 1:7 dry-weight ratio showed the highest rise in soil pH and CEC, giving an identical performance with the lime treatment and significantly better effect (p < .05) than the unamended control. Agglomerates of calcite and dolomite in biochar co-composts, and surface functional groups contributed to pH neutralization and increased CEC of the amended soil. The co-composts also significantly (p < .05) increased the dehydrogenase (1.87â µg TPF g-1 soil h-1), ß-glucosidase (90â µg PNP g-1 soil h-1), and leucine amino peptidase (3.22â µmol MUC g-1 soil h-1) enzyme activities in the soil, thereby improving the soil's biological quality. The results of this study are encouraging for small-scale farmers in tropical developing countries to sustainably reutilize crop residues via biochar-based co-composting technology.
ABSTRACT
The prevalence of hypertension in india over the last 30 years is known to have increased rapidly. Hypertension is a chronic disease that needs to be managed within its sociological context as experienced by individuals. This study was conducted to identify the quantitative and qualitative determinants of healthcare-seeking behavior among hypertensive individuals in a rural population of north india. METHODOLOGY: A mixed-method study involving 100 adult hypertensive patients was employed. Data were collected on demographic characteristics, health-seeking behavior, and the reasons for choosing a particular health service using a structured questionnaire and interview guide. Descriptive statistics were used to examine the influence of determinants on health-seeking behavior and utilization of healthcare facilities and expressed as percentages. Qualitative data were thematically analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 100 participants with hypertension between 38 and 76 years of age were included in the study. Out of the total study participants, 66.0% of the respondents were males and 34.0% were females. Participants demonstrated a generalized knowledge of hypertension and showed significant gaps and misconceptions in their understanding of the disease and the need for seeking expert care. There was also a lack of sense of trust in the healthcare system. Various demographic, sociocultural, and economic determinants of healthcare-seeking behavior in these rural patients' services were explored. This evidence can prove helpful in streamlining interventional programs and realigning the existing interventions to prevent and control hypertension in rural settings.
ABSTRACT
Eighty-seven patients underwent endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) for common bile duct (CBD) stones. Out of these, 66 patients had post-cholecystectomy CBD stones and 21 had CBD stones with gall bladder 'in situ'. In post-cholecystectomy group, 15 patients had 'T' Tube 'in situ'. The presenting symptoms in the post-cholecystectomy group were: pain abdomen, jaundice and cholangitis in 51, 20 and 11 patients respectively. The fifteen patients with 'T' tube used to experience pain after clamping of 'T' tube. Those with gall bladder 'in situ' had cholangitis in 12 and jaundice only in 9 patients. CBD clearance was achieved in 80 patients (91.95%). The sphincterotomy cut had to be extended in 19 patients. There was no mortality following sphincterotomy. Nine patients (10.3%) had minor complications such as bleeding (4), cholangitis (3), pancreatitis and impaction of Dormia basket in one patient each. Thus ES is a safe and effective treatment for CBD stones with or without gall bladder/'T' tube 'in situ'.
