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Introduction: Falls are an important health problem among elderly, with various consequences. The objectives of this study were to estimate 1-year incidence of falls, distribution, and severity of fall-related injuries and to determine risk factors for fall risk among the elderly population aged =60 years. Methods: A total of 140 urban community-dwelling participants aged =60 years were studied using an investigator-administered questionnaire. Short physical performance battery, chair stand test, handgrip strength, and anthropometric measurements were done. The Chi-square test was done to compare fallers and nonfallers. Logistic regression was done for independently associated risk factors. Results: One-year incidence of falls was 14.3%; 17.6% among women and 9.1% among men. Sixty percent of participants had multiple falls. Seventy-five percent of the fallers were overweight or obese. Sprain was the most common reported fall-related injury (20%), whereas 45% had no injuries. Depression (60%), osteoporosis (80%), poor activities of daily living (90%), and polypharmacy (35%) were significantly associated with falls. Osteoporosis (odds ratio: 14.89; 95% confidence interval: 1.91-115.95) was independently associated with fall risk. Conclusions: The burden of falls among urban elderly was low. The majority of the population experienced multiple falls. Since chronic diseases including osteoporosis and poor mobility were directly associated with the risk of falls, further longitudinal studies may explore the health-related and socioenvironmental risks further. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bipolaris sorokiniana, a key pathogenic fungus in the wheat leaf blight complex, was the subject of research that resulted in the development of fifty-five polymorphic microsatellite markers. These markers were then used to examine genetic diversity and population structure in Indian geographical regions. The simple sequence repeat (SSR) like trinucleotides, dinucleotides, and tetranucleotides accounted for 43.37% (1256), 23.86% (691), and 16.54% (479) of the 2896 microsatellite repeats, respectively. There were 109 alleles produced by these loci overall, averaging 2.36 alleles per microsatellite marker. The average polymorphism information content value was 0.3451, with values ranging from 0.1319 to 0.5932. The loci's Shannon diversity varied from 0.2712 to 1.2415. These 36 isolates were divided into two main groups using population structure analysis and unweighted neighbour joining. The groupings were not based on where the isolates came from geographically. Only 7% of the overall variation was found to be between populations, according to an analysis of molecular variance. The high amount of gene flow estimate (NM = 3.261 per generation) among populations demonstrated low genetic differentiation in the entire populations (FST = 0.071). The findings indicate that genetic diversity is often minimal. In order to examine the genetic diversity and population structure of the B. sorokiniana populations, the recently produced microsatellite markers will be helpful. This study's findings may serve as a foundation for developing improved management plans for the leaf blight complex and spot blotch of wheat diseases in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bipolaris species are known to be important plant pathogens that commonly cause leaf spot, root rot, and seedling blight in a wide range of hosts worldwide. In 2017, complex symptomatic cases of maydis leaf blight (caused by Bipolaris maydis) and maize leaf spot (caused by Curvularia lunata) have become increasingly significant in the main maize-growing regions of India. A total of 186 samples of maydis leaf blight and 129 maize leaf spot samples were collected, in 2017, from 20 sampling sites in the main maize-growing regions of India to explore the diversity and identity of this pathogenic causal agent. A total of 77 Bipolaris maydis isolates and 74 Curvularia lunata isolates were screened based on morphological and molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis based on ribosomal markers—nuclear ribosomal DNA (rDNA) internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, 28S nuclear ribosomal large subunit rRNA gene (LSU), D1/D2 domain of large-subunit (LSU) ribosomal DNA (rDNA), and protein-coding gene-glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH). Due to a dearth of molecular data from ex-type cultures, the use of few gene regions for species resolution, and overlapping morphological features, species recognition in Bipolaris has proven difficult. The present study used the multi-gene phylogenetic approach for proper identification and diversity of geographically distributed B. maydis and C. lunata isolates in Indian settings and provides useful insight into and explanation of its quantitative findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The objective was to determine odds of frailty syndrome with coexistence of hypertension and depression among oldest-old adults. Methods: We analysed secondary data from 167 community-dwelling hypertensive participants aged 80 years and older from a cross-sectional study of frailty conducted in India. Data included sociodemographic, medical history, physical performance, functional limitations, mobility-disability, cognition, depression, sleep, frailty syndrome and chronic diseases. Odds of frailty syndrome was compared among individuals having only hypertension, and individuals having hypertension and depression. Chi-square test, t-test and logistic regression were performed to determine odds of frailty. Results: Frailty was significantly higher (OR:4.93;95%CI:1.89-12.84) among individuals having hypertension and coexisting depression, compared to individuals having only hypertension. Men (OR:5.07;95%CI:1.02-25.17) and women (OR: 4.58;95%CI:1.36-15.40) with hypertension and depression showed a higher risk of frailty, compared with hypertension alone. Logistic regression models were adjusted for age, sex, cognitive impairment, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cardiovascular diseases, anaemia, diabetes, obesity, physical performance, activities of daily living and 4-meter walking speed. Conclusion: Coexistence of hypertension and depression increased risk of frailty syndrome among men and women above 80 years of age by almost 5 folds. Treating depression in hypertensive older individuals may reduce the risk of frailty among them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives of this cross-sectional study were to determine the prevalence of functional limitations, and sex difference among 140 randomly selected older men (N=55) and women (N= 85) elderly, age varying 60 years and above, living in Hyderabad city, (Telangana State) A Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) as a measurement of physical performance was used as a measure of data collection. Each participant was administered SPPB individually. Functional limitation was classified as a participant with SPPB score < 9. Other measures included, self-reported health status, history of smoking and alcohol, anthropometric measurements, physical functions, and disabilities. The data was analysed keeping in mind age, sex, marital status, education of participants. Chi-square test and t-test were used. Trend analysis was done using logistic regression to determine the pattern of difference in functional limitations in both the sexes. The prevalence of functional limitation was 62.9 per cent. Older women had poorer physical performance measures than older men (OR:2.63; 95%CI: 1.29-5.35). Older women had poorer physical functions than men counterparts. Components of SPPB showing sex differences were poor balance and poor lower limb muscle strength. The pattern of functional limitation with progressing age was different among men and women in the participants of this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

North-East (NE) India, the probable origin of rice has diverse genetic resources. Many rice landraces of NE India were not yet characterized for blast resistance. A set of 232 landraces of NE India, were screened for field resistance at two different hotspots of rice blast, viz., IIRR-UBN, Hyderabad and ICAR-NEH, Manipur in two consecutive seasons. The phenotypic evaluation as well as gene profiling for 12 major blast resistance genes (Pitp, Pi33, Pi54, Pib, Pi20, Pi38, Pita2, Pi1, Piz, Pi9, Pizt, and Pi40) with linked as well as gene-specific markers, identified 84 resistant landraces possessing different gene(s) either in singly or in combinations and also identified seven resistant landraces which do not have the tested genes, indicating the valuable genetic resources for blast resistance. To understand the molecular diversity existing in the population, distance and model based analysis were performed using 120 SSR markers. Results of both analyses are highly correlated by forming two distinct subgroups and the existence of high diversity (24.9% among the subgroups; 75.1% among individuals of each subgroup) was observed. To practically utilize the diversity in the breeding program, a robust core set having an efficiency index of 0.82 which consists of 33 landraces were identified through data of molecular, blast phenotyping, and important agro-morphological traits. The association of eight novel SSR markers for important agronomic traits which includes leaf and neck blast resistance was determined using genome-wide association analysis. The current study focuses on identifying novel resources having field resistance to blast as well as markers which can be explored in rice improvement programs. It also entails the development of a core set which can aid in representing the entire diversity for efficiently harnessing its properties to broaden the gene pool of rice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transient signal abnormality in the splenium of corpus callosum on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is occasionally encountered in clinical practice. It has been reported in various clinical conditions apart from patients with epilepsy. We describe 4 patients with different etiologies presenting with signal changes in the splenium of corpus callosum. They were diagnosed as having progressive myoclonic epilepsy (case 1), localization-related epilepsy (case 2), hemicrania continua (case 3), and postinfectious parkinsonism (case 4). While three patients had complete involvement of the splenium on diffusion-weighted image ("boomerang sign"), the patient having hemicrania continua showed semilunar involvement ("mini-boomerang") on T2-weighted and FLAIR image. All the cases had noncontiguous involvement of the splenium. We herein, discuss these cases with transient splenial involvement and stress that such patients do not need aggressive diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. An attempt has been made to review the literature regarding the pathophysiology, etiology, and outcome of such lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

India has been among the pioneers in adopting an official family planning program to address the issue of high fertility. Since its inception, the program has adopted various strategies to stabilise population at a level consistent with the needs of national development. Punjab too has also been following these strategies to combat the rapid growth of population formulated at the national level. Terminal methods, such as tubectomy, laparascopic tubectomy and vasectomy, in addition to the spacing methods of the intrauterine device, condom and the oral pill were provided through the government clinics. Condoms are men centric but women procure these also from the multipurpose female health workers. Indian women are not likely to accept contraceptives services from men, nor are they likely to be able to travel, even to the next village to obtain contraceptives. A scheme of distributing condoms through the clinics was started in 1958. Condoms were distributed free of cost through the rural clinics irrespective of the income of the couples.

It is now a widely acknowledged fact that, with the advent of globalisation impelled by the tremendous advances in Information technology, English as a language has gained a new currency in India. The realisation that the adequate knowledge of English can open the doors of many possibilities in economic arena has focussed the attention on the art of possibility of teaching-learning processes and practices, and their effective orientations. However a cursory look makes it quite evident that the situation is quite chaotic. Even after attempting (or trying to attempt) to learn the language for about 15 years in schools and colleges, our graduates and post graduates are not equipped enough to write or speak simple correct sentences fin their communication. There seems to be something wrong somewhere. The present paper is my humble attempt to relook at the various methods and practices adopted by the teachers of English at different levels, consciously or unconsciously, and their usefulness in the real situations. I have also tried to find out and suggest the right kind of method to be adopted and right kind of environment to be evolved for a better result. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficacy of five insecticides against caseworm, Nymphula depunctalis Stagnalis was evaluated in farmer's field during kharif 2009 and 2010. Spinosad 45 SC @125ml/ha was found most effective among the other formulations. Spinosad, which is a broad-spectrum organic biopesticide, gave the best cost: benefit ratio among the insecticides used, followed by quinalphos @1000ml/ha. Hence, Spinosad 45 SC @125ml/ha has been recommended for the control of caseworm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• T. asperellum is an effective biocontrol agent against Colletotrichum graminicola. • T. asperellum reduces anthracnose disease in sorghum crops under glass house and field condition. • T. asperellum triggers systemic defenses against Colletotrichum graminicola in sorghum plants. Sorghum anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum graminicola , is a destructive disease, and increasing dependency on chemical fungicides for its control has serious environmental concerns since sorghum is fed to cattle. Thus there is a need to develop effective bio-pesticide for biological control of C. graminicola. Since Trichoderma is a proven biocontrol agent against plant pathogens, exploring the greater diversity that exists in Trichoderma, could be of notable economic significance in terms of disease control. To harness the hidden potential of Trichoderma strains against C. graminicola , a study was undertaken with 20 Trichoderma spp. isolated from 40 rhizospheric soil samples. Dual plate antagonism assay indicated the potential of T3, T4, T6, T15, and T19 isolates of Trichoderma against C. graminicola , with T3 isolate showing maximum (76.47%) mycelial growth inhibition. Molecular characterization based on the sequence analysis of ITS-rRNA and tef - 1α genes identified these isolates as Trichoderma asperellum and Trichoderma harzianum. Under the glasshouse condition, biopriming of seed with Trichoderma spp. had significantly decreased the percent disease index to 32.92% and helped improve plant growth-promoting attributes compared to untreated control. Seed biopriming with T3 isolate exhibited higher antioxidant enzyme activities in terms of superoxide dismutase (36.63%), peroxidase (43.59%), and polyphenol oxidase (40.96%) at 48 h after pathogen inoculation. In most treatments, lignifications were highest in the epidermis, endodermis protophloem, metaphloem, pericycle, and protoxylem of sorghum roots after the 15th-day pathogen inoculation, indicating the strengthening of defense mechanism. To further evaluate, a field experiment was conducted for two consecutive years (Kharif season of 2018 and 2019) to test the best five isolates (T3, T4, T6, T15, and T19) against sorghum anthracnose. Lowest percent disease index of 54.90% and 53.68% and AUDPC value of 740.87 and 751.67 was reported from T. asperellum T3 bioprimed plants in the year 2018 and 2019, respectively, at 75 days after sowing. T. asperellum T3 isolate showed a significant increase in sorghum yield up to 22.22% and 27.29% higher than untreated control during the 2018 and 2019 Kharif season, respectively. This study indicated that T. asperellum T3 could be a potential biocontrol agent for managing the anthracnose of sorghum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]