Effect of Dietary Supplementation of Organic Minerals on Growth Performance of Broilers

A study was conducted to assess the effects of replacing inorganic ‘zinc’ and ‘manganese’ with different levels of their organic complexes on growth performance and nutrient metabolizability of broilers. Experiment was conducted with 300 broiler chicks randomly divided into six groups, each consisting of 50 broiler chicks. All groups were further subdivided into five replications each containing 10 broiler chicks. The basal ration was formulated as per BIS (2007) specifications to meet energy and protein requirements of birds. In experimental groups, first group was kept as negative control (T1) containing mineral mixture without ‘zinc’ and ‘manganese’ and T2 (positive control containing mineral mixture with inorganic salts of ‘zinc’ and ‘manganese’) while experimental groups T3, T4, T5 and T6 were supplemented with mineral mixture incorporated with organic ‘zinc’ and organic ‘manganese’ @ 50 and 100% in substitution of their inorganic sources. The highest body weight gain (2334.4g) and improved FCR (1.76) in broilers was observed in T6 group which was significantly (P<0.05) better than negative and positive control groups.

Microbiological Profile of Uropathogens and their Antibiotic Susceptibility Pattern in Pediatric Population from A Tertiary Care Hospital in Amritsar, Punjab

Urinary tract infection(UTI) is one of the most commonest bacterial infection encountered in the pediatric age group. Early diagnosis is of utmost importance to preserve renal function and reduce long term complications such as renal scarring. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of UTI in pediatric population, identify the common uropathogens and study the antibiotic susceptibility pattern of bacterial isolates. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was carried out in Department of Microbiology, GMC Amritsar for a period of 6 months from 1 Jan 2021 till 30 June 2021 amongst the pediatric patients (1 month-12 years age group) with clinically suspected UTI including both indoor and outdoor patients. Clean catch midstream urine samples received in the laboratory were processed as per the standard microbiological guidelines. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was done using Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method as per CLSI guidelines. Results: A total of 549 samples were received and processed during study period from which 164(29.87%) were culture positive. Culture positivity was more prevalent in females (61.58%) than males (38.41%). Gram negative organisms were predominant (74.4%) followed by gram positive cocci (22.56%) and Candida (3.05%). Among gram negative organisms Escherichia coli was most predominant followed by Klebsiella spp., Pseudomonas spp., Acinetobacter spp., Proteus spp. and Citrobacter spp. Among gram positive cocci Staphylococcus aureus was most predominant followed by Coagulase negative Staphylococci and Enterococcus spp. Majority of gram negative bacilli were resistant to fluroquinolones, 3rd generation cephalosporins and co-trimoxazole while nitrofurantoin, piperacillin-tazobactam and gentamicin were most sensitive drugs. Among Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin resistance was seen in 17% isolates. High sensitivity was seen to linezolid and vancomycin in gram positive cocci. Conclusion: This study highlights increased prevalence of MDR uropathogens in pediatric population which indicates that antibiotic selection should be based on knowledge of local prevalence of bacterial organisms and their antibiotic sensitivities with rational use of antibiotics.

Agrometeorological Indices, Crop Phenology and Yield of Pigeon pea as Influenced by Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan L.) based Intercropping System

A field investigation was conducted at experimental farm, Department of Agricultural Meteorology, located at college of Agriculture, V.N.M.K.V, Parbhani during kharif season of 2019-20. The experiment was laid out in RBD with three replication, under this study there were nine treatments viz. T1 (Pigeon pea + Sorghum), T2 (Pigeon pea + Maize), T3 (Pigeon pea + Soybean), T4 (Pigeon pea + Sesamum), T5 (Pigeon pea), T6 (Sorghum), T7 (Maize), T8 (Soybean), T9 (Sesamum). In pigeon pea the highest total agrometeorological indices (GDD, HTU and PTU) accumulated by intercropped treatment T1 as compared to sole, by sorghum, maize and sesamum was highest in intercropped treatment i.e. (T1), (T2) and (T4) than in sole whereas, the accumulated agrometeorological indices by soybean was highest in sole treatment i.e. (T8) than intercropped (T3). Significantly higher Pigeon pea equivalent yield was attained with treatment T3 followed by T4, lowest recorded in T1 intercropping system. The highest stalk / stover yield was attained by T2 as compared to sole whereas, lowest was recorded in T8. Treatment T3 performed better than other and this treatment was better in terms of growth and yield attributing characters.

Assessment of Plant Biodiversity at 3 Different Elevation of Protected Forest of Subtropical Pine Forest of Meghalaya

The study and survey which was carried out to identify and assess diversity of plant species of sub tropical pine forest of Meghalaya was conducted during 2020-2021 at three different elevation stands located at 982 m (low-elevation stand), 1485 m (mid-elevation stand) and at 1816 m (high-elevation stand). Pinus kesiya was found to be the most dominant from all the three stand. A total of 34species of trees belonging to 19 families were recorded which consisted a total number of 857 individuals of trees, 14 species of shrubs belonging to 10 families recorded a total number of 866 individuals, and an overall occurrence of 20 species of herbaceous species belonging to 13 families recorded a total number of 670 individuals. Elaeagnus conferta was maximum for IVI in both high and mid elevation stand while Lantana camara showed maximum IVI in the low elevation. The herbaceous species diversity, richness and evenness indices was highest in high elevation and lowest in the low elevation, while herbaceous species of dominance showed a reverse trend. Tree and shrub species of the three elevation stand were quite similar in the mid and low elevation stand. The diversity richness of indigenous forest shows considerable variation in occurrence of species between different altitudes. Most of the species in the study area have medicinal value and socio-economic importance. Therefore, there is a need for necessary action towards sustainability of forest and conservation of species at large.

The Study on Different Ovulation Induction Protocols used for Intrauterine Insemination and their Pregnancy Rate in Infertile Couples

Infertility affects millions of people of reproductive age worldwide and has an impact on their families and communities. Infertility is a disease of male or female reproductive system defined by failure to achieve a pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse. Infertility is treated by different fertility drugs, ovulation induction (OI), intrauterine insemination (IUI) and in-vitro fertilization (IVF). The aim of the study is to find out the significant difference in pregnancy rate with different OI protocols used for IUI. OI is the first line treatment given to infertile women. In OI, medications are given to women for egg development and for release of eggs. OI is monitored by follicular study by ultrasonography. Semen is collected from the male partner and processed with culture media to retrieve high motile sperms, which are injected into the uterus of the female. A prospective randomized study was performed among 1343 IUI cycles. OI is started on Day 2 or Day 3 of the menstrual cycle. OI protocol is grouped according to the fertility drugs used for stimulation. The fertility drugs used for the stimulation are Clomiphene Citrate, Letrozole, Recombinant Gonadotropins, Human menopausal Gonadotropins (HMG), Human chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG). Group A uses Clomiphene citrate and HCG, Group B uses Clome, recombinant Gonadotropins and HCG. Group C uses Clome, Human menopausal Gonadotropin and HCG; Group D uses Letrozole and HCG. Group E uses Letrozole recombinant Gonadotropin and HCG. Group F used Letrozole, Human menopausal Gonadotropin and HCG. Group G used recombinant Gonadotropin and HCG. Group H used Human menopausal Gonadotropin and HCG. Group I uses only HCG. Group J was a natural cycle monitoring without any medication and was used as a control. Pregnancy rates were calculated for different age groups with different protocols. The result shows that Group B had 13% pregnancy, Group C had 9%, Group D had 3%, Group E had 10%, Group G had 11%, Group G had 11%, Group H had 7%, Group I had 4%, and Group J had 8% of pregnancy rate. The statistical analysis shows there is no significant difference with different stimulation protocols used.

Impact of Organic Seed Priming Amendments and Botanicals on Seed Quality Parameters of French Bean (Phaseolous vulgaris L.)

The current experiment was conducted to evaluate the Performance of Organic amendments and botanical treatments on seed quality parameters of French bean under stimulated environmental conditions. An experiment was conducted in 2021 at postgraduate seed testing laboratory, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding Naini Agriculture Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj. The French bean Cultivar Arka Bold seeds were used for priming. Organic treatments are designated as Panchagavya 2%, 4%,6%,8%, Agniasthra 2%,4%,6%,8% and Botanicals treatments are Tulasi leaf extract 5%, Aloevera leaf extract 5%, Vinca rosea leaf extract 5% and also did hydroprming treatment using distilled water respectively. Seeds were soaked in organic, botanicals and in distilled water for duration of 6 hours followed by shade drying. The results were obtained and it was found that all the treatments showed significant effect on quality parameters. The highest was found in panchgavya of all doses followed by tulasi leaf extract found to be best in Germination percentage, Speed of Germination, Root length, Shoot length, Seedling length, Seed vigour index-I, Seed vigour Index-II compared to control or untreated seeds which indicates the effect of organics and botanicals on physiological processes of the seeds. This study revealed that priming with organic amendments and botanicals can be effective in enhancing the seed quality parameters of french bean and they are low cost, effective and nature friendly and toxic free.

Comparative Study of Developed Tomato Soup with Market Soup

Streetfood has popular in Indian market and consumed as convenient to eat with reasonable price but sold open dirt areas that found unhygienic, not free from microbial contamination and having low nutritional quality. The present investigation was carried out to develop vegetable tomato soup and compare with street tomato soups and assess their sensory quality and microbial study. Microbial parameters were used to affect the shelf life of the products. The developed tomato soups were acceptable in comparison to Street tomato soups. Hence, low cost nutritious developed tomato soup can be acceptable with good storage stability.

Evaluation of Surface Water Contamination Using Heavy Metal Pollution Indices in the Mgoua Watershed, Southwestern Cameroon

An integrated pollution assessment index approach was used to assess the application of heavy metal pollution indices in the Ngoua watershed in southwestern (SW) Cameroon. The concentrations of Pb, Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn, Mo, Fe and Al in most of the water samples exceeded the maximum allowable concentration recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). The Heavy Metal Evaluation Index (HEI) shows strong correlations with the Heavy Metal Pollution Index (HPI), Metal Index (MI) and the degree of contamination (Cd), and gives a better assessment of the pollution levels. Selected samples from the 10 sampling stations were classified as high polluted in Cd, MI and HPI in relation to the respective critical values. These values show comparable results to those of the HEI and indicate that about 88% of the samples with above average values were classified as highly contaminated and the remaining samples (12%) with below average values were classified as moderately contaminated. The Enrichment Factor (EF) analysis and the pollution indices reveal that the water quality is mainly controlled by natural and geogenic processes with major anthropogenic input. The current level of heavy metal distribution in the water of the Ngoua catchment is an environmental and health concern and requires special attention.

Neonatal Septicemia and Drug Resistance; 2 Year Prospective Study

Neonatal sepsis is a worldwide problem with the prevalence at 1 to10 per 1000 live birth and one of the indicator for measuring the health status of a nation. According to WHO there are about 5 million neonatal death per year with 98% occurring in developing countries. Antimicrobial resistance is a growing threat worldwide. Blood culture is considered as the gold standard technique for diagnosis of neonatal septicemia. The main objectives includes, to know the various bacteria causing neonatal septicemia and their antibiogram. To detect drug resistance among the isolated bacteria. A Prospective study was done over a period of 2 year. Blood samples for culture were collected aseptically before starting antibiotic therapy and subcultures were performed. The isolates were identified by standard biochemical tests and antibiogram of the isolates were studied. Out of 360 cases 160 were bacteriologically positive, Klebsiella was the most common organism isolated (21%), followed by Staphylococcus aureus (20%) Acinetobacter (15%), Pseudomonas (13%). Maximum sensitivity was seen by Linezolid, Erythromycin for Gram positive organisms and Gram negative organisms were sensitive to Piperacillin/ Tazobactum, Imipenem, Levofloxacin, Meropenem. Knowledge of likely causative organism causing neonatal septicemia can help in instituting prompt and appropriate therapy which in turn reduce morbidity and mortality.

Anti-bacterial Efficacy of WHO Recommended Locally made Alcohol based Hand Rub in a Resource Constraint Environment

Healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) are a major concern and associated with noticeable morbidity and mortality. To combat this, the simple strategy is hand hygiene (HH). In a resource constraint settings one of the important reason for poor hand hygiene compliance is irregular supply of HH products. This study was done to assess the cost effectiveness and acceptability of WHO recommended locally made alcohol based hand rub. The study was carried out in 28 HCPs working in an IMCU. Samples for the assessment of the microbial hand contamination were collected by direct fingerprint of their dominant hand onto the blood agar plates at three different time point. Group A samples collected in random. Group B samples collected immediately after patient physical examination. Group C were group B representatives collected after cleaning their hands with locally made isopropyl alcohol based hand rub. No significant difference in colony count between the groups A and B was observed. On the other hand, there was a statistically significant difference in colony count between the groups B and C (P=0.05). It means that the rubbing of the hands using locally made WHO recommended hand sanitizer enabled to eradicate the bacterial flora remarkably from the hands of HCPs.