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Trypanosoma evansi is a haemoprotozoan that causes a severe disease called as Surra in domestic and wild mammals. The disease is endemic in India and the clinical symptoms of disease can vary depending on the host species but generally include fever, anaemia, weight loss, weakness, neurological signs and decreased production capacity. In this study, the clinical observations of the six buffaloes that showed signs of emaciation, corneal opacity, oedema, and circling behaviour was done. All the suspected animals (n=06) were tested for Trypanosoma by a combination of methods to detect the presence of the parasite by microscopy, Card Agglutination Test for Trypanosomiasis (CATT) and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Only three animals were diagnosed positive by microscopy. All buffaloes were found positive for Trypanosoma infection by CATT and PCR assay. The haematological and biochemical test indicated significant fall in total haemoglobin (Hb), total erythrocyte count (TEC), packed cell volume (PCV), glucose, total protein, and albumin levels. Additionally, there were appreciable elevations in blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), and total bilirubin levels, indicating liver and renal malfunction. One animal succumbed to infection and had acute peritoneal oedema in postmortem observations. The report underlines the significant clinical and biochemical changes linked to evansi infection in buffaloes. The study also highlights the need of early detection and treatment in reducing the negative effects of trypanosomiasis on animal health and production.

A method of generating THz radiation by nonlinear mixing of lasers obliquely incident on a finite slab of overdense plasma is formulated analytically. The incoming laser beam exerted a ponderomotive force on free electrons, which started oscillating at a frequency equal to the frequency difference of two laser beams. This results in a nonlinear current leading to THz radiation generation at the reflection as well as at the transmission side of the plasma slab. We have seen the effect of incident angle on the amplitudes of reflected and transmitted amplitudes of generated THz radiation. It is observed that the thickness of the slab and plasma density are the contributing parameters for the intensity of THz radiation generation.

Abstract In the context of degradation of soil health, environmental pollution, and yield stagnation in the rice–wheat system in the Indo-Gangetic Plains of South Asia, an experiment was established in split plot design to assess the long-term effect of crop residue management on productivity and phosphorus requirement of wheat in rice–wheat system. The experiment comprised of six crop residue management practices as the main treatment factor with three levels (0, 30 and 60 kg P2O5 ha–1) of phosphorus fertilizer as sub-treatments. Significant improvement in soil aggregation, bulk density, and infiltration rate was observed under residue management (retention/incorporation) treatments compared to residue removal or residue burning. Soil organic carbon (SOC), available nutrient content (N, P, and K), microbial count, and enzyme activities were also significantly higher in conservation tillage and residue-treated plots than without residue/burning treatments. The residue derived from both crops when was either retained/incorporated improved the soil organic carbon (0.80%) and resulted in a significant increase in SOC (73.9%) in the topsoil layer as compared to the conventional practice. The mean effect studies revealed that crop residue management practices and phosphorus levels significantly influenced wheat yield attributes and productivity. The higher grain yield of wheat was recorded in two treatments, i.e. the basal application of 60 kg P2O5 ha–1 without residue incorporation and the other with half the P-fertilizer (30 kg P2O5 ha–1) with rice residue only. The grain yield of wheat where the rice and wheat residue were either retained/incorporated without phosphorus application was at par with 30 and 60 kg P2O5ha–1. Phosphorus levels also significantly affected wheat productivity and available P content in the soil. Therefore, results suggested that crop residue retention following the conservation tillage approach improved the yield of wheat cultivated in the rice–wheat cropping system.

BACKGROUND: Rh-DEL type is not detected on routine serology and requires specialized adsorption elution methods which are laborious. Identifying the DEL phenotype in blood donors is important to prevent alloimmunization in transfusion recipients. The present study aimed to determine the frequency of DEL phenotype in RhD-negative North Indian blood donors and correlate the results with Rh Cc/Ee phenotype. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective descriptive cross-sectional study, a total of 205 blood donors with historic blood group RhD-negative were enrolled. All samples were subjected to blood grouping using a fully automated immunohematology analyzer and samples that typed as RhD negative by two different anti-D antisera were tested for Weak D. Weak D-negative samples were subjected to adsorption and elution for DEL phenotype. All samples were also tested for extended Rh phenotype for C/c and E/e antigens. RESULTS: Of the total 11934 donors during the study, 6.2% (n = 743) donors were RhD negative. Of the 205 donors enrolled in the study, two donor samples were serologically weak D positive. None of the remaining 203 donors tested positive for the DEL phenotype. The extended Rh phenotype performed for these donors showed that 6.83% (n = 14) donors were positive for RhC antigen and 1.46% (n = 3) were positive for Rh E antigen. Both weak D-positive donors were also positive for the Rh C antigen. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of DEL phenotype is low in the Indian population and studies with larger sample sizes are required to determine the effectiveness of routine C/E typing as a strategy to identify DEL-positive individuals.

The present study compares the six crop residue management techniques in main plots (since 2008) and three split nitrogen (N) levels, i.e., 75, 100 and 125 kg N/ha in subplots for rice crops for two years, i.e., 2019 and 2020, in sandy loam soil under field conditions. This experiment evaluated the long-term effect on rice productivity, soil organic carbon content and nutrient requirement in rice-wheat cropping system. The results revealed that different crop residue management practices and N levels significantly influenced rice growth, yield and yield attributes and improved nutrient uptake by grain and straw. Maximum grain yields of 20.8% and 17.8% higher over the conventional (no straw) treatment during 2019 and 2020, respectively, were recorded where the rice and wheat residue was retained or incorporated. The rice grain yield without residue responded significantly up to 125 kg N/ha. Whereas, with rice and wheat residue, rice grain yield did not respond to the application of N beyond 75 kg N/ha during both years.

Background: Global longitudinal strain (GLS) imaging is a multifaceted modality that has been utilized in various fields of clinical cardiology in the recent past; however, its implementation for the assessment of ischemia has been limited. Objectives: This study aimed to document the functional changes in GLS secondary to acute myocardial ischemia in patients with chronic chest pain. Methods: In this unblinded, single-center, investigator-initiated, prospective pilot study, the functional changes in GLS at baseline, during, and immediately following coronary percutaneous intervention were monitored in 10 ambulatory patients who underwent elective catheterization. The exclusion criteria included a low ejection fraction, or a history of chemoradiation, myopathy, and congenital heart disease. Results: The average GLS at baseline, during the balloon intervention (BI), and 1–2 min after BI was −15.4 % ± 3.3 %, −10.2 % ± 3.6 %, and −16.1 % ± 4.2 %, respectively. The average GLS decreased significantly by 5.1 % (95 % CI, −7.9 % to −2.3; P = 0.0013) from baseline to BI, increased by 6.3 % (95 % CI, 3.7 % to 8.9 %; P

Introduction: The demand for apheresis platelets has increased in the recent past and the shrinking donor pool has shifted the trend to collection of double-dose or higher yield of platelets. Objective: The present study aimed to determine the effect of double-dose plateletpheresis on the target yield and donor platelet recovery. Methods: The study was conducted on 100 healthy plateletpheresis donors, 50 of whom were in the study group, which underwent double-dose plateletpheresis (DDP), and 50 of whom were in the control group for single-donor plateletpheresis. Pre- and post-procedure samples of donors were subjected to a complete blood count. The DDP product was sampled for platelet yield and then split into two parts. Platelet yield, collection efficiency, collection rate, recruitment factor and donor platelet loss were calculated. Results: The mean platelet yield in the SDP was 4.09 ± 1.15 × 1011 and in the DDP, 5.93 ± 1.04 × 1011. There was a significant correlation between the pre-donation platelet count and platelet yield. The total of platelets processed for the SDP were 5.42 ± 1.08 × 1011 and for the DDP, 7.94 ± 0.77 × 1011. The collection efficiency was 71.93 ± 25.14% in the SDP and 72.94 ± 16.28% in the DDP, while the collection rates were 0.78 × 1011 and 0.94 × 1011 per minute, respectively. The average recruitment factor observed was 0.98 in the SDP, while it was 0.99 in the DDP. The mean platelet loss observed in the SDP was 35.55 ± 8.53% and in the DDP, 37.76 ± 8.65%. Conclusion: The double-dose plateletpheresis supplements the platelet inventory in developing countries where the apheresis donor pool is limited. It is prudent to ensure stringent donor selection criteria for donors donating high-yield platelet products, thus enhancing donor safety and retention.

Context: Periodontal disease is commonly found among pregnant women. Viruses may play a key role in the etiology of periodontal disease through a variety of mechanisms that work alone or in tandem. Many researchers have explored the possible role of herpes viruses in periodontal disease, but extremely limited studies have evaluated the effect of pregnancy on herpes viruses in women with periodontal disease. Aims and Objectives: To study the effect of pregnancy on herpes simplex virus-1, Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), and human cytomegalovirus in women with periodontal disease and to evaluate the presence of herpes viruses within the saliva of pregnant and nonpregnant women with periodontal disease. Settings and Design: The study design involves a cross-sectional analytical study. Materials and Methods: The study consisted of 50 females aged between 18 and 35 years. Group I comprised pregnant women at any gestational age with periodontal disease and Group II comprised nonpregnant women with periodontal disease. The clinical parameters assessed were plaque index, gingival index, bleeding on probing, probing pocket depth, and clinical attachment loss. Nonstimulated whole saliva was utilized for the detection of three herpes viruses by multiplex polymerase chain reaction. Statistical Analysis Used: The categorical variables and research parameters were compared using the Chi-squared test and the Student's t-test. Results: Both groups tested positive for the three herpes viruses, but only a significant increase was observed in EBV in Group I participants on the intergroup comparison. Conclusions: The presence of EBV in the saliva of women with periodontal disease was found to be more likely during pregnancy.

The objective of the study is to evaluate the comparative detection efficacy of primers targeting SpeI-AvaI restriction fragment and small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene of Babesia bigemina by employing conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on 783 animals (296 cattle and 487 buffaloes) of low lying (bet) area of Punjab. The detection rate of SpeI-AvaI and SSU rRNA PCR assays was 3.96% (31/783), and 6.64% (52/783), respectively. Among cattle and buffaloes, prevalence of B. bigemina was higher (P

The objective of the study was to compare the effects of alternative litter treatments on litter quality, growth, carcass traits and welfare of broiler chicks. Day old, commercial broiler chicks (180) having similar body weight range were randomly allocated to two different types of litter treatments, viz. treated litter at the rate of 120°C (T1) and litter treated with sodium bisulfate 25 g/sq. ft. (T2) along with the control group without any litter treatment (T0). Birds of all the treated groups performed better in terms of growth, feed intake and FCR, etc. Cake formation was frequent, highest in T0 followed by T1 and T2 groups which in turn affected the frequency of undesirably poor sanitary outlook of the birds. Significantly lower EPG (E. coli count per gram) count while a numerically lower microbial load of the faecal samples was noted in the T2 than T1 and control. This implied the change in the pH and acidification of litter materials prevented the growth of coccidia and microbial load in the litter, thus making the litter more suitable for bird welfare. It was concluded that chemical litter amendments had a beneficial effect on overall growth performance, carcass characteristics, health and welfare of broiler chicks.

Background and Aim: Parasitic diseases are an important hurdle to the economy for the developing poultry industry due to their deleterious effects resulting into malnutrition, diminished feed conversion ratio, weight loss, decreased egg production, and mortality in young birds. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and associated risk factors of gastrointestinal (GIT) parasites in poultry farms of central plain zone of Punjab. Materials and Methods: A total of 490 pooled droppings and 351 intact intestines of poultry from slaughterhouses from seven districts of central plain zone of Punjab state, India, were collected and analyzed from September 2016 to May 2018 by qualitative and quantitative techniques. Results: An overall prevalence of GIT parasites was 38.36% with significantly (p

Intensive agriculture has led to generation of a vast volume of agri-residue, prompting a reliance on conservation tillage techniques for prudent management. However, to ascertain the long-term impacts of these practices, the interrelation with the carbon fractions and the biological properties of the soil must be identified. Therefore, in a long-term experiment, five different treatments involving the incorporation of paddy straw as mulch or through disc harrow and farmer practice, including the partial burning of rice straw, were evaluated. After the harvesting of the wheat crop, soil samples collected from 3 different depths (0–15, 15–30 and 30–45 cm) were analyzed for various attributes critical to assessing soil health. Crop residue retention in both seasons (T4) improved carbon fractions, soil microflora viable cell counts and enzyme activities. The principal component analysis (PCA) revealed a positive interaction among the organic carbon, bacterial counts and soil enzyme activities. Thus, a positive impact of conservation tillage techniques involving a minimal disturbance was recorded as improvement in the soil properties, build-up of organic carbon, and wheat productivity in rice–wheat cropping systems.

Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at codon 167, 198 and 200 of β-tubulin isotype 1 gene accounts for benzimidazole resistance in Haemonchus contortus. To assess the anthelmintic resistance to benzimidazole group, allele specific polymerase chain reaction (AS-PCR) was employed on 50 adults of local abattoir of Ludhiana and 138 harvested larvae of H. contortus from faecal samples collected from field flocks of 6 districts of western zone of Punjab. The adults were found to be homozygous resistant (rr) showing 100% prevalence of resistant allele (r). AS-PCR on 138 larvae collected from different districts of Punjab showed 49.28% (69) homozygous resistant (rr), 3.62% (5) homozygous susceptible (SS) and 46.37% (64) heterozygous (rS) population. Species was confirmed as H. contortus by PCR-RFLP from the three fragments of size 462 bp, 211 bp and 147 bp. The pioneer study on the molecular diagnosis of benzimidazole resistance in H. contortus showed an overall allele frequency for resistant and susceptible population to be 0.72 (TTC) and 0.28 (TAC), espectively indicating development of high level of resistance in sheep.

The present study was carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of foldscope (portable paper microscope) attached with smartphone as a novel, valuable low cost tool for quick diagnosis of animal parasitic diseases under field condition so as to manage the infection at an early stage. To fulfil the objective of the study, specimens of ectoparasites, helminth parasites, haemoparasites, faecal and skin scrapings from animals/clinical cases were examined by foldscope and pictures were taken. All the parasitic slides were also examined by conventional light microscope for comparison purpose and to validate the results. From the results it was observed that foldscope (with magnification of 140×) can be used as a cheap, effective and reliable diagnostic tool to identify helminth and arthropod parasites with comparable efficacy to that of expensive light microscope. Faecal samples with heavy infection of parasitic eggs/ ova/cysts and Trypanosoma evansi were detectable by foldscope with comparable efficacy with optical microscope. However, low grade gastrointestinal parasitic infections and intracellular haemoparasites were not detected using foldscope. This is the first report on evaluation of diagnostic efficacy of foldoscope to detect economically important parasitic infections of livestock and companion animals in India and its field application. Mobile phone enabled imaging and diagnostics technologies have the potential to bring revolutionary changes in the field of animal disease diagnosis.

The present study was conducted to determine the effects of four acaricides on four different populations of twospotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae, collected from cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) under protected cultivation in 2016 and 2017. The statistical differences were found in susceptibility against treated acaricides and between populations collected from different regions of Punjab. The population with a resistance ratio of more than 60-folds with respect to an acaricide was considered as resistant population. Among all tested acaricides, the highest resistance ratio was reported to fenazaquin (62.52 to 212.55 folds) in population collected from Hoshiarpur, Patiala and Bathinda. Low to moderate level of resistance was reported against spiromesifen (3.76 to 32.10 folds). Propargite (14.64 to 22.17 folds) and fenpyroximate (17.10 to 32.10-folds) showed moderate level of resistance in T. urticae. The collected populations of T. urticae on cucumber under protected cultivation showed moderate to very high level of resistance to spiromesifen, propargite, fenpyroximate and fenazaquin, respectively in Punjab.

Context: Periodontal surgical procedures produce varying degree of stress in all patients. Nitrous oxide-oxygen inhalation sedation is very effective for adult patients with mild-to-moderate anxiety due to dental procedures and needle phobia. Aim: The present study was designed to perform periodontal surgical procedures under nitrous oxide-oxygen inhalation sedation and assess whether this technique actually reduces stress physiologically, in comparison to local anesthesia alone (LA) during lengthy periodontal surgical procedures. Settings and Design: This was a randomized, split-mouth, cross-over study. Materials and Methods: A total of 16 patients were selected for this randomized, split-mouth, cross-over study. One surgical session (SS) was performed under local anesthesia aided by nitrous oxide-oxygen inhalation sedation, and the other SS was performed on the contralateral quadrant under LA. For each session, blood samples to measure and evaluate serum cortisol levels were obtained, and vital parameters including blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and arterial blood oxygen saturation were monitored before, during, and after periodontal surgical procedures. Statistical Analysis Used: Paired t-test and repeated measure ANOVA. Results: The findings of the present study revealed a statistically significant decrease in serum cortisol levels, blood pressure and pulse rate and a statistically significant increase in respiratory rate and arterial blood oxygen saturation during periodontal surgical procedures under nitrous oxide inhalation sedation. Conclusion: Nitrous oxide-oxygen inhalation sedation for periodontal surgical procedures is capable of reducing stress physiologically, in comparison to LA during lengthy periodontal surgical procedures.

Aim: The aim of the present study was to diagnose severe outbreaks of bovine babesiosis in Punjab state, in the year 2015 and to suggest control and preventive measures to animal owners. Materials and Methods: Mortality of animals was recorded in two cattle herd comprising a total of 465 cattle in Sangrur (n=125) and Faridkot (n=340) districts. There was a history of purchase of animals at one farm. 23 blood samples were collected from diseased (n=15) and healthy animals (n=8) for hematological analysis, parasitological, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based diagnosis. Ticks were also collected from animals for identification. Results: Out of 465 cattle at risk, 28 were critically ill and 14 died of disease with morbidity, mortality, and case fatality rate of 6.02%, 3.01%, and 50.00%, respectively. Clinical signs and necropsy findings were suggestive of babesiosis. Ticks collected from both the outbreaks were identified as Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus. Thin blood smears from infected animals (especially with clinical sign of hemoglobinuria) were found positive for Babesia bigemina organisms; however, molecular diagnosis (PCR) further confirmed the disease. Animals were successfully treated with diminazene aceturate, hematinics, and antipyretics. Conclusions: Two fatal outbreaks of babesiosis in cattle were diagnosed with application of conventional parasitological, hematological, and molecular diagnostic techniques. PCR was found to be far more sensitive in detecting the disease, especially in latent infections. Animal owners were advised to follow quarantine measures before mixing new animals in the herd and strategic acaricidal treatments for effective tick control.

We report the first use of swept-source microscope-integrated optical coherence tomography (SS-MIOCT) capable of live four-dimensional (4D) (three-dimensional across time) imaging intraoperatively to directly visualize tube shunt placement and trabeculectomy surgeries in two patients with severe open-angle glaucoma and elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) that was not adequately managed by medical intervention or prior surgery. We performed tube shunt placement and trabeculectomy surgery and used SS-MIOCT to visualize and record surgical steps that benefitted from the enhanced visualization. In the case of tube shunt placement, SS-MIOCT successfully visualized the scleral tunneling, tube shunt positioning in the anterior chamber, and tube shunt suturing. For the trabeculectomy, SS-MIOCT successfully visualized the scleral flap creation, sclerotomy, and iridectomy. Postoperatively, both patients did well, with IOPs decreasing to the target goal. We found the benefit of SS-MIOCT was greatest in surgical steps requiring depth-based assessments. This technology has the potential to improve clinical outcomes.

The furcation area creates situations in which routine periodontal procedures are somewhat limited, and surgical procedures are generally required. The introduction of bioactive agents, such as platelet concentrates, enamel matrix derivatives, bone morphogenic proteins, and matrix macromolecules such as hyaluronic acid has expanded the scope for better outcomes in furcation treatment. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring nonsulfated high molecular weight glycosaminoglycan that forms a critical component of the extracellular matrix and contributes significantly to tissue hydrodynamics, cell migration, and proliferation. Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) is an immune and platelet concentrate containing all the constituents of a blood sample, which are favorable for healing and immunity. The purpose of the present case report was to assess through surgical re-entry, the regenerative capacity of Gengigel™ in conjunction with PRF in a patient with grade II furcation defect. It was observed that the combined approach resulted in significant furcation defect fill on re-evaluation at 6 months.

Aim: Knowledge and oral health behavior of dental students and professionals play an important role in oral health education of patients and community at large. It is therefore important that their own oral health behavior conforms to expectations of the population. Hence, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the oral health knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAPs) among dental students and dental professionals. Materials and Methods: In the present study, KAPs of 560 dental students and professionals (postgraduate [PG] students and dental faculty) was explored. The participants were divided into three groups based on their level of education. Group 1 included undergraduate students and interns, Group 2 included PG students, and Group 3 included teaching faculty. Group 1 was further divided into UG1 (BDS 1 st year), UG2 (BDS 2 nd year), UG3 (BDS 3 rd year), UG4 (BDS 4 th year), and UG5 (Interns). A number of participants in each group were 80. Statistical Analysis: Kruskal-Wallis test was used for intergroup comparison and Mann-Whitney test was used for intragroup comparison. Result: Results showed that as the education level increased from junior students to senior students to teaching faculty, the mean score of positive responses increased in all the components (KAP), and the values are statistically significant (P < 0.005) and this increase in the KAP was not up to the expected level. Conclusion: The finding of the present study indicated the poor oral health behaviors (KAP) among dental students and dental professionals, which should be improved in order to serve as a positive model for their patients, family, and friends.

The present experiment was conducted at University of Pune for biocontrol of soil-borne plant pathogen Sclerotium rolfsii by incorporating arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (Glomus fasciculatum) and conventional system of cultivation with different spacing pattern (15 and 30 cm) in field. Both mycorrhizal inoculation and 30 cm spacing pattern significantly increased growth and yield as compared to control or 15 cm spacing pattern. The pathogenic mycorrhizal groundnut plants in 30 as well as 15 cm spacing pattern showed better growth in terms of plant height, leaf and pod number, fresh and dry weight of whole groundnut plant in comparison to non-mycorrhizal pathogenic ones and the plant growth was better in 30 spacing than 15 cm. The colonization by AM fungi in both spacing pattern was higher in absence of pathogen S. rolfsii. However, pathogen’s presence decreased the mycorrhizal colonization considerably in 30 and 15 cm. The disease severity and incidence were recorded to be lowered when inoculated with mycorrhiza in pathogenic groundnut plants as compared to non-mycorrhizal pathogenic ones in both spacing pattern and incidence and severity was significantly lower in 30 cm as compared to 15 cm. Therefore, it was observed from our results that for management of soil-borne pathogens inoculation of AM fungi and spacing patterns are necessary.

Background: Present investigation is based on the clinicopatho-biochemical alteration related to natural tick borne bovine babesiosis in Punjab state. Methods: Blood samples from jugular vein of 542 bovines (cattle 466 and buffaloes 76) having history of tick in­festation, fever, hemoglobinurea or anemia were collected and tested for Babesia bigemina by blood smear examina­tion and PCR targeting 18S rRNA gene to distinguish clinically and subclinically infected groups. Further the hemato-biochemical parameters were correlated with the status of infection. Results: Overall, of the 542 samples tested 16.42 % were positive by PCR while only 1.66 % by blood smear exami­nation. The trend of molecular prevalence was found to decrease from north-eastern towards western Punjab. Analy­sis of the hematobiochemical alterations showed significant decrease in the levels of RBC, Hb, PCV, and MCV with significant increase in TBIL, MCH and MCHC levels. Conclusion: As the transmission of B. bigemina is transovarian, presence of even few infected Rhipicephalus (Booph­ilus) microplus ticks on a subclinically infection can be the nidus of infection for whole herd, causing severe economic losses, at the same time significantly affecting the physiology of carrier animal.

The fungal pathogen causes serious widespread losses to agricultural crops worldwide. Therefore, economy of countries may worsen especially of developing countries. In addition, harmful chemical pesticides which are being used today for increasing crop production creates very serious health hazardous problems to human beings and ecosystem as a whole. The antagonistic potential of Trichoderma species which has been long known to control various soil-borne fungal pathogens in biological way may be utilized. The faster growth rates with which it competes with fungal pathogen mainly brings upon their antagonistic characteristics. An investigation was carried out in laboratory condition towards biological efficacy of T. viride on potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium for the bio-control of soil-borne plant pathogens Sclerotium rolfsii and Macrophomina phaseolina in in-vitro condition. The dual culture technique was followed in which T. viride showed significant antifungal activities towards both the pathogens. T. viride significantly inhibited the mycelial radial growth of S. rolfsii by 75% and M. phaseolina by 71.42%. The results showed variable mycelial growth rate for all fungal isolates which was determined after 6 days of incubation in which T. viride showed minimum of 4.00 days to completely cover the petri-plates and S. rolfsii showed 4.33 days whereas M. phaseolina showed 6.33 days. Thus, T. viride showed encouraging results regarding their biopesticidal and biofungicidal potential against plant pathogens which may be endorsed to substitute harmful chemical supplements that exists in modern day agricultural practices.

A pot experiment was conducted on peanut Arachis hypogaea L. during 2007 growing season to determine their growth characteristics due to mycorrhizal inoculation and two different levels of soluble phosphorous application. Due to inoculation by AM fungi the growth parameters such as leaf number, shoot length, root length, fresh weight, dry weight, pod number and nodule number were significantly increased but two different level of phosphate also showed growth. However, growth parameters showed variable results when two different level of phosphate was applied along with AM fungi. Without phosphorous the mycorrhizal groundnut showed significant growth but when first low level of phosphorous was applied it showed more significant growth, however most significant result was observed with second high level of phosphorous application to the groundnut plant. Total chlorophyll content and acid and alkaline phosphatase activity was also significantly higher but most significant were observed when first level of phosphorous was applied followed by second level of phosphorous. The percent root colonization by mycorrhizal fungus Glomus fasciculatum was higher due to application of phosphorous but mycorrhizal dependency went on decreasing due to increase in the level of phosphorous. The different level of phosphorous had significant effect on growth and physiological parameters of mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal Arachis plants after 30, 60 and 90 days of growth period. However, the obtained results proved the improvement in plant growth with application of phosphorous. Thus, for increase in production of groundnut in the state of Maharashtra seems to be feasible option for increasing the overall production and yield.

Gmelina arborea Roxb. is medicinally and economically important tree species were selected for study. An experiment was conducted to determine the influence of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus Glomus fasciculatum on salt stress tolerance of tree species Gmelina arborea. Mycorrhizal and nonmycorrhizal seedlings were treated with 100 mM and 200 mM concentration of NaCl. G. fasciculatum treated plant showed increase in fresh and dry weight, greater percentage of mycorrhizal colonization, higher accumulation of proline and chlorophyll content with increasing levels of salinity. G. fasciculatum colonization significantly increased tolerance of salinity, acid phosphatases, and Proline content and also antioxidant enzymes like peroxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutase at all levels of salinity treatments of Gmelina plants in comparison with non-mycorrhizal salinity treated plants. These results demonstrate that AM fungus (G. fasciculatum) is very effective in strengthening the tolerance of Gmelina arborea grown in arid and semi arid areas.

Solanum melongena L. a medicinally and economically important crop plants were grown in polythene bags. The effect of mycorrhizal inoculation (Glomus mosseae) and increasing phosphate levels on the expression of the photosynthetic activity in terms of chlorophyll content. Antioxidant enzymes like peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, root acid and alkaline phosphatase activity of Solanum melongena were evaluated. The experimental design was entirely at CRBD with eight treatments with three levels of phosphate (50,100,150 mg kg-1 of soil). Root colonization ranged from 50.33% to 67.33% . The activity of the studied antioxidant enzymes were found to be increased in arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) Solanum plants. Root phosphatase activity was greater in 100 and 150 mg phosphate level in AM treated than non AM treated Solanum plants. Besides, only AM treated plants of Solanum reflected increase in total chlorophyll content as compared to non AM plants. This work suggests that the mycorrhiza helps Solanum plants to perform better in low and high phosphate level by enhancing antioxidant enzyme activity, acid and alkaline phosphatase activity and total chlorophyll content.

Catharanthus roseus L. (Apocynaceae), a valuable medicinal plant with potential therapeutic value was inoculated with AM fungi Glomus fasciculatum under three different phosphate conditions. Catharanthus roseus plants raised in presence of the AM fungi showed increased growth in terms of (shoot length, root length, leaf number, fresh weight and dry weight). Total chlorophyll content and phosphate content of the shoot was found to be significantly higher in AM inoculated plants as compared to non AM Catharanthus plants. The activities of phosphatase enzymes were found to be increased in AM inoculated plants as compared to non AM plants. Root colonization percent was significantly higher in AM inoculated plants at zero and at all three phosphate levels after 60, 90 and 120 days of AM inoculation, but decreased at third phosphate level after 120 days of AM inoculation. The study suggests that Catharanthus roseus is dependent on the mycorrhizal fungi to a large extent for its growth and survival and also shows the potential of AM fungi Glomus fasciculatum in increasing growth and biomass of Catharanthus roseus L.

Potential of Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi in alleviating adverse salt effects on growth was tested in garlic (Allium sativum L.). Towards this objective we analyzed the AM root colonization and the activities of various antioxidant enzymes like peroxidase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase at 0, 100, 200 and 300 mM salinity levels. The activities of all the antioxidant enzymes studied were found to be increased in AM garlic plants. Antioxidant activity was maximum in 100 and 200 mM NaCl (sodium chloride) in AM and non-AM plants. Proline accumulation was induced by salt levels and it was more in leaves as well as roots of AM plants as compared to non-AM plants, this indicating that mycorrhiza reduced salt injury. Growth parameters of garlic plants like leaf area, plant fresh and dry weight and antioxidant enzyme activities were higher at moderate salinity level. This work suggests that the mycorrhiza helps garlic plants to perform better under moderate salinity level by enhancing the antioxidant activity and proline content as compared to non-AM plants.

Present investigation deals with the beneficial effect of Arbuscular Mycorrhiza (AM) fungal species Glomus fasciculatum on growth performance of Allium sativum under field condition. In AM inoculated garlic plant showed significant increase in plant growth parameters like plant height, total biomass and bulb diameters, bulb weight, and yield. There was 21.10 % increment in yield of Allium bulb as compared to non AM inoculated garlic plant. Percentage of AM colonization occurred at all sampling and the colonization was higher during bulb initiation. Mycorrhiza inoculated garlic plant showed more alliin and allinase enzyme activity as compared to non inoculated garlic plant. The results reveal that mycorrhiza contribute to growth and development of garlic plant under field condition.

This investigation demonstrates the status of bovine anaplasmosis caused by A. marginale in bovines from Submountain and Undulating Zone of Punjab. Out of 184 suspected animals, 25 (19.51%), 47 (31.71%), and 78 (68.75%) were positive by microscopy, indirect ELISA, and PCR assay, respectively. The microscopy showed 29% sensitivity and 99% specificity, while ELISA showed 32% sensitivity and 79% specificity in concordance with PCR assay. Five false negative samples by msp1β PCR were reconfirmed for Anaplasma spp. targeting 16S rRNA gene. The sequence analysis showed the presence for A. marginale specific restriction site, indicating variation in the local strains of the organism resulting in no amplification with msp1β gene primers. Of 82 samples positive by PCR, 57 were negative by ELISA indicating lower efficacy of ELISA to detect early anaplasmosis. The assessment of risk factor with results of PCR technique indicated that cattle (Odds ratio = 2.884), particularly those of age > 1 years (Odds ratio = 2.204) of district Pathankot (Odds ratio = 3.182) of Submountain Zone (Odds ratio = 2.086), were at high risk of anaplasmosis. All three districts of Submountain Zone are at higher risk indicating the impact of biotic and abiotic factors on the incidence of disease.

Face is an integral part of human body by which an individual communicates in the society. Its importance can be highlighted by the fact that a person deprived of face cannot sustain in the living world. In the past few decades, human face has gained attention of several researchers, whether it is related to facial anthropometry, facial disorder, face transplantation or face reconstruction. Several researches have also shown the correlation between neuropsychiatry disorders and human face and also that how face recognition abilities are correlated with these disorders. Currently, several databases exist which contain the facial images of several individuals captured from different sources. The advantage of these databases is that the images in these databases can be used for testing and training purpose. However, in current date no such database exists which would provide not only facial images of individuals; but also the literature concerning the human face, list of several genes controlling human face, list of facial disorders and various tools which work on facial images. Thus, the current research aims at developing a database of human facial disorders using bioinformatics approach. The database will contain information about facial diseases, medications, symptoms, findings, etc. The information will be extracted from several other databases like OMIM, PubChem, Radiopedia, Medline Plus, FDA, etc. and links to them will also be provided. Initially, the diseases specific for human face have been obtained from already created published corpora of literature using text mining approach. Becas tool was used to obtain the specific task. A dataset will be created and stored in the form of database. It will be a database containing cross-referenced index of human facial diseases, medications, symptoms, signs, etc. Thus, a database on human face with complete existing information about human facial disorders will be developed. The novelty of the database lies in the fact that it is the first of its kind. The front end will be developed using HTML (Hyper Text Mark-up Language) and CSS (Cascading Style Sheets). The back end will be developed using PHP (Hypertext Pre-processor). JAVA Script will be used as scripting language and MySQL (Structured Query Language) will be used for database development as it is most widely used RDBMS (Relational Database Management System). XAMPP (X (cross platform), Apache, MySQL, PHP, Perl) open source web application software will be used as the server.

The transfusion-medicine specialists and physicians are often in a difficult situation when the patient has severe worsening anemia and all the blood is mismatched. This situation can arise in patients with red cell autoantibodies or alloantibodies due to previous transfusions. We report two cases of immune hemolysis - one due to warm auto antibodies and the second due to alloimmunization from multiple transfusions.

The article discusses the investment of L2 learners in the English language on Facebook that they portrayed through their Facebook activities. It studied four informants consisted of diploma students in a Malaysian university. The study consisted of 14 weeks of online observation and semi-structured interviews. Data were collected from online observation and semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using thematic analysis and Second Cycle Coding. The findings revealed that there were five Facebook activities that were used by L2 learners to improve their English language proficiency: (a) writing posts and comments in English, (b) reading news feeds in English, (c) participating in interest-based Facebook groups, (d) watching movies in English, and (e) communicating with foreign Facebook friends. The most popular Facebook activities were writing posts and comments in English and reading news feeds in English.

As social network sites have become popular with university students, it is easier to understand how students employ social network sites seamlessly in their academic and personal lives. L2 learners often employ Facebook to improve their English language proficiency by communicating with their native and non-native English speakers. Facebook is considered as collapsed contexts where L2 learners navigate with their numerous multiple audiences at the same time. The study investigated the strategies L2 learners negotiate multiple audiences on Facebook. The study employed a qualitative multiple case study of three L2 learners who were Facebook users. The participants' Facebook accounts were observed for 14 weeks, and they were interviewed using semi-structured interview. The findings of the study suggest that L2 learners use four strategies to navigate their multiple audiences such as participating in closed Facebook group discussions, only commenting on relevant posts, constructing different online identities and choosing the language of the posts and comments depending on the audience. The audience management strategies used by L2 learners are determined by the informants' personal preferences.

This qualitative research investigates the practice of lurking among English as a second language (ESL) learners in a Facebook group discussion. Lurking is a term used to describe the activity of following and observing any online discussions or activities without contributing to the discussions. Lurkers are often accused of being invisible and passive participants. Facebook groups with international members usually uses English as the medium of communication in their group discussions. It is a norm for L2 learners to lurk in the group. These L2 learners often do not have the required English language proficiency and the confidence to participate actively in the group they join. This study explores lurking behaviours of three participants in learning English in informal Facebook contexts. This study uses a qualitative case study. The study involved three L2 learners who were university students and members of a Facebook group. The study involved online observation and semi-structured interviews with these three participants. Their Facebook accounts and a common Facebook group were observed for 14 weeks, and after the online observation, the participants were interviewed. Data collected from online observation and semi-structured interviewed were analysed and managed using Atlas.ti 7. The study reveals five emerging themes such as that lurkers have poor online communication skills, lack of confidence, learning by lurking, lack of a sense of belonging and lurking is the norm of Facebook groups.