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Present investigation was undertaken at ICAR-CRIJAF, Barrackpore, West Bengal, India during summer season (Apr-July) of 2020 to identify the jute breeding lines resistant to stem rot which is one of the major problems in jute production. The identified resistant and susceptible jute accessions (RS-6 and OIJ-272, respectively) were crossed to develop a mapping population for the disease. The resultant F2 population comprising 125 plants was screened for resistance to stem rot disease caused by Macrophomina phaseolina following artificial inoculation. The progress of infection was measured as the length of the infected stem portion (i.e., lesion length in cm) after 7, 14 and 21 days of inoculation (time replication). After stem inoculation investigation indicated that in the F2 population of the cross OIJ-272×RS-6, only 14 plants (PL-100, PL-40, PL-99, PL-33, PL-89, PL-119, PL-1, PL-43, PL-118, PL-121, PL-6, PL-11, PL-55 and PL-86) were found moderately resistant (lesion length 2.0-3.0 cm). In contrast, 10 plants (PL-4, PL-31, PL-19, PL-27, PL-3, PL-50, PL-18, PL-26, PL-47, PL-51) were found highly susceptible (lesion length >5.0 cm). The remaining 101 plants exhibited moderate susceptible symptoms. While the parent OIJ-272 exhibited high susceptibility to stem rot with an average lesion length of 5.53 cm, the parent RS-6 exhibited moderate resistant reaction with an average lesion length of 2.30 cm. Because of good resistance under artificial stem inoculation of this fungi, these 14 F2 plants of the cross can be further exploited for a resistance breeding programme against this deadly disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding and evaluating population structure and floristic vegetation characteristics are crucial steps to reveal information about the relationships between distinct species. In order to evaluate the density, frequency, and abundance of the tree of Bichhua Tehsil, district Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh, India, a systematic sampling technique was utilized to gather vegetation data from the natural vegetation. According to the study, there are 27 widely varying tree species belonging to 18 families. The species with the highest Importance Value Index (35.36) was Tectona grandis L.f., followed by Diospyros melanoxylon Roxb. with a score of 23.77. The Shannon Diversity Index (H) comes out to be is 3.244 reflecting the diversity of species in a given community and evenness is 0.98427. Such research would aid in identifying various levels of traditionally valued natural systems and planning for their better management with the ultimate goal of preserving biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: India was one of the countries to institute strict measures for Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) control in the early phase. Since, then, the epidemic growth trajectory was slow before registering an explosion of cases due to local cluster transmissions. Methods: We estimated the growth rate and doubling time of SARS-CoV-2 for India and high burden states using crowdsourced time series data. Further, we also estimated the Basic Reproductive Number (R0) and Time-dependent Reproductive number (Rt) using serial intervals from the data. We compared the R0 estimated from five different methods and R0 from SB was further used in the analysis. We modified standard Susceptible-Infectious-Recovered (SIR) models to SIR/Death (SIRD) model to accommodate deaths using R0 with the sequential Bayesian method for simulation in SIRD models. Results: On average, 2.8 individuals were infected by an index case. The mean serial interval was 3.9 days. The R0 estimated from different methods ranged from 1.43 to 1.85. The mean time to recovery was 14 ± 5.3 days. The daily epidemic growth rate of India was 0.16 [95% CI; 0.14, 0.17] with a doubling time of 4.30 days [95% CI; 3.96, 4.70]. From the SIRD model, it can be deduced that the peak of SARS-CoV-2 in India will be around mid-July to early August 2020 with around 12.5% of the population likely to be infected at the peak time. Conclusion: The pattern of spread of SARS-CoV-2 in India is suggestive of community transmission. There is a need to increase funds for infectious disease research and epidemiologic studies. All the current gains may be reversed if air travel and social mixing resume rapidly. For the time being, these must be resumed only in a phased manner and should be back to normal levels only after we are prepared to deal with the disease with efficient tools like vaccines or medicine. Key Points: Question: What are the estimates of infectious disease parameters of early phase of novel SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in India? Findings: Incidence pattern SARS-CoV-2 shows possible evidence of community transmission. However, the estimated Basic Reproductive Number (R0) is relatively lower than those observed in high burden regions (range 1.43–1.85). Our simulation using susceptible-infectious-recovered/death model shows that peak of SARS-CoV-2 in India is farther than currently projected and is likely to affect around 12.5% of population. Meaning: The lower estimated R0 is indicative of the effectiveness of early social distancing measures and lockdown. Premature relaxation of the current control measures may result in large numbers of cases in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Potato stands first as a non-cereal food crop for global consumption purposes. During the year 2019–20, dry rot disease symptoms were observed on potato tubers of the cultivar 'Kufri Pukhraj' kept in a cold store in the Moga district of Punjab State of India. Initial symptoms were observed as wrinkled and shriveled tubers with necrotic lesions on the tuber skin. The cottony white mycelial growth was also evident on some cracked tubers. During the incubation of these tubers at 25 °C for 7 days, the symptoms were more prominent with intensive whitish mycelial growth throughout the tuber. The pure culture of isolated fungus showed sparsely white colonies, which turned violet after 2 weeks. The oval or club-shaped microconidia were abundantly present on monophialides and multiphialides. The slender or straight macroconidia having 3–5 septa were also observed. The long and short chains of microconidia were observed in the fresh colonies. The molecular identification based on translation elongation factor 1 α (TEF1 α) and internal transcribed spacer region primers revealed the fungus identity as Fusarium proliferatum. The pathogenicity test was also performed to prove the Koch postulates on the initially identified host cultivar. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of dry rot disease caused by Fusarium proliferatum in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite estimated high prevalence of inherited hemoglobin (Hb) disorders among tribal populations in Madhya Pradesh State, India, the burden of disease is unknown, leading to high morbidity and associated mortality. Our aim was to screen tribal populations in designated tribal districts of Madhya Pradesh State for various hemoglobinopathies and to estimate the prevalence and plausible cause of anemia. The present study screened a total of 3992 tribal individuals comprised of students of Tribal schools, ashrams of Dindori, Mandla, and Chhindwara districts of Madhya Pradesh State. Screening of hemoglobinopathies was done using Hb electrophoresis and or high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), α-thalassemia (α-thal) was detected using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The median age of the studied cohort was 15 years (interquartile range 13–16 years). High prevalence (76.7%) of anemia was observed among the studied cohort. The prevalence of sickle cell trait and sickle cell disease varies from 10.7 to 15.6% and 0.4 to 0.8%, respectively. The allele frequency of sickle cell gene was highest in the Pradhan tribe followed by the Panika tribe. Dindori district had the highest prevalence of sickle cell trait. β-Thalassemia (β-thal) trait was observed in only 1.4% of the screened population. α Gene deletions were observed in 84.7% individuals. Significant association of α gene deletion mutations with mean Hb, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), and mean corpuscular Hb (MCH) was observed. The Bharia tribe showed the highest prevalence for α-thal. For comprehensive health care, effective intervention programs are needed to reduce the high prevalence of anemia and hemoglobinopathies among tribes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Masonry constructions are the pervasive building stock in India. However, such constructions suffer widespread damage even at moderate ground shaking due to non-engineered construction. Alternatively, confined masonry shows better promise as a technology that has performed satisfactorily during past earthquakes worldwide. Present article outlines scenario of masonry construction in India, performance of confined masonry in past earthquakes and studies on confined masonry worldwide. The article also encompasses experimental seismic performance of full-scale models of unreinforced masonry (URM), reinforced masonry (RM) and confined masonry (CM) buildings in Indian context under quasi-static reversed cyclic lateral loading in terms of damage pattern, lateral strength, drift and stiffness. The cost analysis of URM, RM, CM and reinforced concrete (RC) residential buildings for a set of 20 samples in seismic Zone IV, keeping uniform input parameters, showed cost reduction in CM buildings when compared to RC buildings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Asymptomatic Leishmania donovani infections outnumber clinical presentations, however the predictors for development of active disease are not well known. We aimed to identify serological, immunological and genetic markers for progression from L. donovani infection to clinical Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL). Methods: We enrolled all residents >2 years of age in 27 VL endemic villages in Bihar (India). Blood samples collected on filter paper on two occasions 6–12 months apart, were tested for antibodies against L. donovani with rK39-ELISA and DAT. Sero converters, (negative for both tests in the first round but positive on either of the two during the second round) and controls (negative on both tests on both occasions) were followed for three years. At the start of follow-up venous blood was collected for the following tests: DAT, rK39- ELISA, Quantiferon assay, SNP/HLA genotyping and L.donovani specific quantitative PCR. Results: Among 1,606 subjects enrolled,17 (8/476 seroconverters and 9/1,130 controls) developed VL (OR 3.1; 95% CI 1.1–8.3). High DAT and rK39 ELISA antibody titers as well as positive qPCR were strongly and significantly associated with progression from seroconversion to VL with odds ratios of 19.1, 30.3 and 20.9 respectively. Most VL cases arose early (median 5 months) during follow-up. Conclusion: We confirmed the strong association between high DAT and/or rK39 titers and progression to disease among asymptomatic subjects and identified qPCR as an additional predictor. Low predictive values do not warrant prophylactic treatment but as most progressed to VL early during follow-up, careful oberservation of these subjects for at least 6 months is indicated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The burden of sub-patent malaria is difficult to recognize in low endemic areas due to limitation of diagnostic tools, and techniques. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR), a molecular based technique, is one of the key methods for detection of low parasite density infections. The study objective was to assess the additional burden of asymptomatic and sub-patent malaria infection among tribal populations inhabiting three endemic villages in Keshkal sub-district, Chhattisgarh, India. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in March–June 2016, during the low transmission season, to measure and compare prevalence of malaria infection using three diagnostics: rapid diagnostic test, microscopy and nested-PCR. Results: Out of 437 individuals enrolled in the study, 103 (23.6%) were malaria positive by PCR and/or microscopy of whom 89.3% were Plasmodium falciparum cases, 77.7% were afebrile and 35.9% had sub-patent infections. Conclusions: A substantial number of asymptomatic and sub-patent malaria infections were identified in the survey. Hence, strategies for identifying and reducing the hidden burden of asymptomatic and sub-patent infections should focus on forest rural tribal areas using more sensitive molecular diagnostic methods to curtail malaria transmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA), female health volunteers working at village level have become an integral component of National Health Mission (NHM) in India in the past two decades. Mitanin (meaning female friend in local dialect), a precursor of ASHA, play an indispensable role in early detection of health related problems and are helping in improving overall community health status in Chhattisgarh state. The current study was carried out to evaluate the feasibility of involving Mitanin in active malaria surveillance work in 80 tribal villages of Chhattisgarh and to explore the challenges and determinants to perform malaria surveillance activities by the Mitanins.Methods: A total of 162 Mitanins were selected and divided into two age and village matched groups. The first group (training plus) of Mitanins were given additional training in malaria surveillance activities in whilst the second (standard) group received routine training. All Mitanins were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. In-depth interviews were also conducted among randomly selected sub groups of Mitanins (five from each group) after the completion of the quantitative survey. Performance of Mitanins was evaluated using pre-defined grading scores (A-E) which included various factors such as educational qualifications and knowledge about malaria, its signs and symptoms and knowledge, attitude and treatment practices.Results: More number of Mitanins in training plus group has showed better performance (≥ B) than those in the standard group of Mitanins (80% vs 43.5%, p = 0.001) after adjusting for socio-demographic factors. Based on the outcome of in-depth interviews, Mitanin's lack of adequate support from supervisors, delayed payment of incentives and lack of appreciation were the major challenges mentioned.Conclusion: Mitanins can play an effective role in active fever surveillance for malaria besides performing other health related tasks at sub-village level after focused education on malaria related activities and proper supervision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leptospirosis has been recognised as an emerging global public health problem. The aim of our study was to explore the epidemiological and clinical pattern of disease occurrence in suspected cases and to search for any existing co-infections. Ours was a retrospective study in patients with acute febrile illness in north India over a period of three years (April 2011 to June 2014). Serological diagnosis of leptospirosis was made using the PanBio IgM ELISA kit. Using modified Faine's criteria, presumptive and possible diagnosis was made in 57% and 34% cases, respectively. Most of the affected population was resident in north and central India. Nineteen patients showed co-infection with other common pathogens prevailing locally. There is a need to increase awareness and understand the local sero-epidemiological pattern of leptospirosis so that timely preventive and curative action may be taken by healthcare authorities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abacavir is currently recommended as a part of first line regimen by National AIDS Control Organization. The objective of this study was to observe the incidence of clinically diagnosed abacavir Hypersensitivity reaction (HSR) among children on abacavir based therapy in the National program. In this observational study, all children started on abacavir were included and HSR reaction was diagnosed clinically as per National guidelines. HLA- B*5701 testing was done in children diagnosed with clinical abacavir HSR. Among 101 children started on abacavir during the study period, 8 [7.9 % (95 % CI 3.5-15.0 %)] children developed clinically diagnosed abacavir HSR. All children with concomitant illness (4/8) were HLA-B*5701 negative. Only 2 (25 %, 2/8) carried HLA-B*5701 allele. Fever with abdominal symptoms as compared to respiratory symptoms were more common in HLA-B*5701 positive cases. Overdiagnosis of clinically diagnosed abacavir HSR is common and could be decreased by treating concomitant illness before starting abacavir. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research work was carried out at ICAR-Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Bhopal during 2011–14. The data were collected using standard procedure and were analyzed by using Fisher's analysis of variance technique of RBD. Initial interest in the use of drip irrigation for row crops like wheat was motivated by its very low water productivity with traditional methods of irrigation. Maximizing water productivity is one of the most important priorities in developing countries like India, where the ground water levels are at alarming stage. Therefore, the aim of this study was to estimate the wheat yield in response to change in drip emitter spacing and compare the water productivity and water saving with conventional irrigated systems. Five irrigation treatments were considered in the present experiment. The treatment details were: T1: Conventional practices, T2: System of wheat intensification, T3: System of wheat intensification with drip emitters spaced at 20 cm, T4: System of wheat intensification with drip emitters spaced at 30 cm and T5: System of wheat intensification with drip emitters spaced at 40 cm. The greatest plantheight, number of tillers per metre square, number of effective tillers, chlorophyll content and root length were recorded under SWI with drip irrigation at 20 cm emitters spacing (T3). Yield and yield contributing parameters were also higher with T3 as compared with conventional practice (T1) viz., number of grains per earhead, average earhead length, average earhead weight, average grain yield, straw yield and harvest index. Among the drip irrigation treatments, however, there was no significant difference of grain yield between T3 and T4 treatments indicating the drippers spaced at 30 cm could be recommended to lower the cost of the drip system in wheat crop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Retail is very fast growing and a big employer in India. Organised retail industry is now expanding its wings toward small towns and villages but facing deficiency of good trained manpower. Training of its manpower is time consuming and additional expanses for it. Our central as well as state governments are now focusing on skill development of person who want to build their career in retail and different streams. In this research paper researcher is focusing on Retail training program. Researcher try to find out the training needs and deficiency in training programs run by government. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The National AIDS Control Organization of India has been providing free second line antiretroviral therapy (ART) since 2008. This observational study reports the survival and virologic suppression of patients on second-line ART under programmatic condition and type of mutations acquired by those failing therapy.Methods: 170 patients initiated on second-line therapy between 2008 and 2012 were followed up till 2013. Viral Load (VL) was repeated at 6 months for all patients and at 12 months for those with VL >400 copies/ml at 6 months. Adequate virological response was defined as plasma HIV-1 VL <400 copies/ml and virological failure was defined as VL >1000 copies/ml. Genotyping was done in 16 patients with virological failure.Results: Out of 170 patients, 110 (64.7 %) were alive and on therapy and 35 (20.5 %) expired. In the first year the occurrence of death was 13.7 /100 person years while between 1 and 5 year it was 3.88 /100 person years. In the first year, duration of immunological failure >12 months, weight <45 kg, WHO clinical stage 3 and 4 and WHO criteria CD4 count less than pretherapy baseline [hazard ratio HR 4.2. 15.8, 11.9 & 4.1 respectively] and beyond first year poor first and second line adherence and first line CD4 count < 200/μL [HR 5.2,15.8, 3.3 respectively] had high risk of death. 119/152 (78.2 %) had adequate virological response and 27/152 (17.7 %) had virological failure. High viral load at baseline and poor second line adherence (Odds Ratio 3.4 & 2.8 respectively) had increased risk of virological failure. Among those genotyped, 50 % had major Protease Inhibitor mutation (M46I commonest) however 87.5 % were still susceptible to darunavir.Conclusions: Second line therapy has shown high early mortality but good virological suppression under programmatic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Studies employing serological, DTH or conventional PCR techniques suggest a vast proportion of Leishmania infected individuals living in regions endemic for Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) remain asymptomatic. This study was designed to assess whether quantitative PCR (qPCR) can be used for detection of asymptomatic or early Leishmania donovani infection and as a predictor of progression to symptomatic disease. Methods: The study included 1469 healthy individuals living in endemic region (EHC) including both serology-positive and -negative subjects. TaqMan based qPCR assay was done on peripheral blood of each subject using kDNA specific primers and probes. Results: A large proportion of EHC 511/1469 (34.78%) showed qPCR positivity and 56 (3.81% of 1469 subjects) had more than 1 calculated parasite genome/ml of blood. However, the number of individuals with parasite load above 5 genomes/ml was only 20 (1.36% of 1469). There was poor agreement between serological testing and qPCR (k = 0.1303), and 42.89% and 31.83% EHC were qPCR positive in seropositive and seronegative groups, respectively. Ten subjects had developed to symptomatic VL after 12 month of their follow up examination, of which eight were initially positive according to qPCR and among these, five had high parasite load. Discussion: Thus, qPCR can help us to detect significant early parasitaemia, thereby assisting us in recognition of potential progressors to clinical disease. This test could facilitate early intervention, decreased morbidity and mortality, and possibly interruption of disease transmission. Author Summary: Anthroponotic VL caused by Leishmania donovani in the Indian subcontinent accounts for 70% of the world burden of VL. Among the estimated 100,000 cases of VL acquired annually in India, 90% occur in the state of Bihar. Leishmania infection can result in either symptomatic or asymptomatic infection. L. donovani infection can also manifest as post-kala azar dermal leishmaniasis, a chronic cutaneous form thought to provide the reservoir for anthroponotic transmission of VL in regions endemic for this parasite species. We hypothesized that, in areas endemic for L. donovani, asymptomatic infections might also play a crucial role in disease transmission. This study describes use of quantitative PCR (qPCR) to determine the infection status in individuals living in an endemic region of India. We hypothesized that parasite load estimation by qPCR of peripheral blood cells among healthy individuals living in the endemic region might reveal the true frequency of infections through direct evidence of parasitemia. We reasoned this test would detect both asymptomatic non-progressors as well as asymptomatic individuals who will progress to fully symptomatic VL. Serologic testing by ELISA or DAT showed poor agreement with molecular detection of parasite DNA by qPCR, suggesting the tests differentiate between infection and immune response. Amongst ten healthy individuals who progressed to VL, only six were serologically positive whereas eight were initially qPCR positive, among whom five had high parasite loads in their blood. Thus, deployment of qPCR technique to estimate the presence and level of parasitemia in healthy individuals from Leishmania endemic regions may contribute to early case detection, thereby reducing morbidity and mortality. Consistent with the goals of the VL control and elimination program, this early intervention approach could help interrupt disease transmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Asymptomatic persons infected with the parasites causing visceral leishmaniasis (VL) usually outnumber clinically apparent cases by a ratio of 4–10 to 1. We assessed the risk of progression from infection to disease as a function of DAT and rK39 serological titers. Methods: We used available data on four cohorts from villages in India and Nepal that are highly endemic for Leishmania donovani. In each cohort two serosurveys had been conducted. Based on results of initial surveys, subjects were classified as seronegative, moderately seropositive or strongly seropositive using both DAT and rK39. Based on the combination of first and second survey results we identified seroconvertors for both markers. Seroconvertors were subdivided in high and low titer convertors. Subjects were followed up for at least one year following the second survey. Incident VL cases were recorded and verified. Results: We assessed a total of 32,529 enrolled subjects, for a total follow-up time of 72,169 person years. Altogether 235 incident VL cases were documented. The probability of progression to disease was strongly associated with initial serostatus and with seroconversion; this was particularly the case for those with high titers and most prominently among seroconvertors. For high titer DAT convertors the hazard ratio reached as high as 97.4 when compared to non-convertors. The strengths of the associations varied between cohorts and between markers but similar trends were observed between the four cohorts and the two markers. Discussion: There is a strongly increased risk of progressing to disease among DAT and/or rK39 seropositives with high titers. The options for prophylactic treatment for this group merit further investigation, as it could be of clinical benefit if it prevents progression to disease. Prophylactic treatment might also have a public health benefit if it can be corroborated that these asymptomatically infected individuals are infectious for sand flies. Author Summary: To study the association between positive serology for VL among asymptomatic persons and progression to disease, we analyzed combined data from two different cohort studies in which over 32,000 subjects were enrolled. All subjects were screened for presence of antibodies to L. donovani with DAT and rK39. After an interval of 6–12 months, a second round of surveys was conducted in which seroconvertors were identified, i.e. persons seronegative at baseline that had become seropositive in the interval between surveys. We subdivided the subjects according to serologic titers scored as negative, moderately positive or strongly positive. During follow-up we observed that the risk of progressing to disease was not very much different between seronegative and moderately seropositive subjects, but strongly increased for high titer seropositive subjects. This pattern was true for the initial serology, and even more pronounced among seroconvertors. Given the strongly increased risk of progression to disease among those with high DAT or rK39 titers, these data raise the question whether prophylactic treatment would be beneficial. The case for prophylactic treatment would be further strengthened if it could be shown that asymptomatically infected individuals are infectious to sand flies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radar cross-section (RCS) is an important study parameter for defence applications specially dealing with airborne weapon system. The RCS parameter guides the detection range for a target and is therefore studied to understand the effectiveness of a weapon system. It is not only important to understand the RCS characteristics of a target but also to look into the diagnostic mode of study where factors contributing to a particular RCS values are studied. This further opens up subject like RCS suppression and stealth. The paper discusses the RCS principle, control, and need of measurements. Classification of RCS in terms of popular usage is explained with detailed theory of RF imaging and inverse synthetic aperture radar (ISAR). The various types of RCS measurement ranges are explained with brief discussion on outdoor RCS measurement range. The RCS calibration plays a critical role in referencing the measurement to absolute values and has been described. The RCS facility at Research Centre Imarat, Hyderabad, is explained with some details of different activities that are carried out including RAM evaluation, scale model testing, and diagnostic imaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the effect of counseling on stress levels of NICU mothers. Methods: Stress levels were assessed using the Parental Stressor Scale: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (PSS:NICU) questionnaire among 100 NICU mothers. After providing counseling including NICU educational support, the questionnaire was re-administered after 48 h. Coding of the responses was done and the data was analyzed using SPSS Ver.16. Results: The mean pre intervention subscale stress score was highest for parental role alteration (4.12) followed by looks and behavior of the baby (4.10) and sights and sounds (2.55). There was significant reduction in the post-counseling stress levels among NICU mothers in all three sub scales of PSS:NICU. Conclusion: Counseling of mothers whose babies are admitted to the NICU with regards to various aspects of the infant`s environment and condition was significantly effective in reducing the stress levels of mothers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to predict actual milk yield on the basis of test day milk yield in Murrah buffalo. The present study was conducted on Murrah buffaloes belonging to private commercial farm at district Rajnandgaon in Chhattisgarh. Data were generated from 47 Murrah buffaloes for 7 months. The prediction equations, their coefficient of determination(R2) values ranged from 64.82 to 90.47 percent. The values of accuracy (R2) increased gradually when more numbers of test day milk yields were taken into consideration. Prediction on the basis of first seven month's test day records is accurate enough and was as effective as based on complete records (R2 = 90.47%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herbs are plants which are used in number of ways including cooking and medicines etc. Diabetes mellitus is a disorder increasing rapidly and the incidences in 2010 were about 285 million people worldwide. Conventionally used drugs possess many side effects and the cost of modem antidiabetic drug is beyond the reach of most people with low income. Because of this, there is a pressing need of alternatives that are effective, cheap, and safe. Plants derived preparations are used as traditional remedies for the treatments of diabetes. Some studies investigated beneficial effect of Ginger (Zingiber officinale) in treatment and prevention of diabetes mellitus. In this review we have discussed the mechanisms through which ginger shows antidiabetic activity and its pharmacokinetics and safety profile is also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors comment on advanced research in India. They say that the growth of research in India has stagnated despite government efforts and that research institutions are attracting less number of good students. They argue that offering incentives for research and professional monitoring are needed to address the situation. They recommend an alternative model of doctoral research based on cumulative intelligence.

Introduction: Asymptomatic persons infected with the parasites causing visceral leishmaniasis (VL) usually outnumber clinically apparent cases by a ratio of 4-10 to 1. We describe patterns of markers of Leishmania donovani infection and clinical VL in relation to age in Bihar, India., Methods: We selected eleven villages highly endemic for Leishmania donovani. During a 1-year interval we conducted two house to house surveys during which we collected blood samples on filter paper from all consenting individuals aged 2 years and above. Samples were tested for anti-leishmania serology by Direct Agglutination Test (DAT) and rK39 ELISA. Data collected during the surveys included information on episodes of clinical VL among study participants., Results: We enrolled 13,163 persons; 6.2% were reactive to DAT and 5.9% to rK39. Agreement between the tests was weak (kappa = 0.30). Among those who were negative on both tests at baseline, 3.6% had converted to sero-positive on either of the two tests one year later. Proportions of sero-positives and sero-converters increased steadily with age. Clinical VL occurred mainly among children and young adults (median age 19 years)., Discussion: Although infection with L. donovani is assumed to be permanent, serological markers revert to negative. Most VL cases occur at younger ages, yet we observed a steady increase with age in the frequency of sero-positivity and sero-conversion. Our findings can be explained by a boosting effect upon repeated exposure to the parasite or by intermittent release of parasites in infected subjects from safe target cells. A certain proportion of sero-negative subjects could have been infected but below the threshold of antibody abundance for our serologic testing.