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Heart failure (HF) has emerged as an important and increasing disease burden in India. We present the 5-year outcomes of patients hospitalized for HF in India. The Trivandrum Heart Failure Registry (THFR) recruited consecutive patients admitted for acute HF among 16 hospitals in Trivandrum, Kerala in 2013. Guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) was defined as the combination of beta-blockers (BB), renin angiotensin system blockers (RAS), and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRA) in patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF, EF < 40%) at discharge. We used Cox proportional hazards models and Kaplan-Meier survival plots for analysis. The MAGGIC risk score variables were included as exposure variables. Among 1205 patients [69% male, mean (SD) age = 61.2 (13.7) years], HFrEF constituted 62% of patients and among them, 25% received GDMT. The 5-year mortality rate was 59% (n = 709 deaths), and median survival was 3.1 years. Sudden cardiac death and pump failure caused 46% and 49% of the deaths, respectively. In the multivariate Cox model, components of GDMT associated with lower 5-year mortality risks were discharge prescription of BB, RAS blocker, and MRA. Older age, lower systolic blood pressure, NYHA class III or IV, and higher serum creatinine were also associated with higher 5-year mortality. Three out of every 5 patients had died during 5-years of follow-up with a median survival of approximately 3 years. Lack of GDMT in patients with HFrEF and frequent readmissions were associated with higher 5-year mortality. Quality improvement programmes with strategies to improve adherence to GDMT and reduction in readmissions may improve HF outcomes in this region. • The THFR is the first heart failure registry in India with 5-year follow-up and low attrition rate. • Median survival time of HF patients in the Trivandrum Heart Failure Registry(THFR) is 3.1 years. • In this relatively younger cohort of HF patients, 3 out of 5 patients had died at 5-years. • Those who received guideline directed medical therapy at discharge from index hospitalization(25%) had better survival. • Interventions aimed at increasing guideline directed medical therapy may improve HF outcomes in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is the oldest and most widely performed bariatric surgery worldwide. There is, however, a scarcity of mid- to long-term data of RYGB, especially from the Indian subcontinent. Materials and Methods: The study was a single-center, retrospective analysis from patients who underwent RYGB between January 2009 and November 2014 from a tertiary care center in India. Percent of total weight loss (%TWL) was taken as the primary outcome of the study. Secondary outcomes included type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) remission, comorbidity resolution, revisional surgeries, and complications related to RYGB at 1 year, at 3 years, and during the long term, following surgery. Postoperative visits took place at 1 and 3 years, while the long-term outcome was at median 8.3 years (range 5.4–11.2 years), with a follow-up of 92.4% (488/528), 80.5% (424/527) and 69.5% (363/522), respectively. Results: Out of 528 patients studied, 56% were females. The mean body mass index (BMI) was 40.6 ± 6.9 kg/m2. The %TWL in the long-term follow-up was 21.8 ± 11.3%. T2DM remission rates at 1 year, at 3 years, and during the long term were 84.5%, 70.0%, and 60.0%, respectively. Preoperative HBA1c (p = 0.002) and insulin usage (p = 0.016) had a significant predictive effect on T2DM remission. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) improved significantly (p < 0.001). Early (< 30 days) and late (> 30 days) complications were observed in 2.3% and 4.3% of the patients, respectively. Conclusion: Weight loss during mid to long-term follow-up was maintained in the majority of the patients after RYGB. However, a small proportion had significant weight regain in the long term. T2DM, GERD, and other comorbidities were well improved after RYGB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is the most commonly performed metabolic surgery worldwide. There are few mid- to long-term studies for LSG, especially from the Indian subcontinent. Objective: The primary outcome of the study was percent total weight loss (%TWL), and secondary outcomes included type 2 diabetes mellitus remission (T2DM) rates, comorbidity resolution rates, revisional surgeries, and complications related to LSG, 3 and 5 years after surgery. Method: The study was a single-center, retrospective analysis from patients who underwent primary as well as revisional LSG between January 2012 and December 2013 from a tertiary care center in India. We included patients who completed a minimum follow-up of 5 years. Details of the patients were collected from outpatient and inpatient case sheet records, during their follow-up. Results: Out of a total of 284 patients, 57% were females. Mean baseline body mass index (BMI) was 44.9 ± 7.9 kg/m2. The diabetic population comprised 14.8% of the total patients. Mean %TWL at 5 years was 26.0 ± 9.9%. T2DM remission at 1, 3, and 5 years were 78.5%, 71.4%, and 66.6%, respectively. Preoperative BMI (p = 0.02), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) (p = 0.04), duration of diabetes in years (p = 0.04), and preoperative insulin usage (p = 0.04) were the preoperative predictors for T2DM remission. Early (< 30 days) and late (> 30 days) complications were seen in 4.5% and 0.7% of the population, respectively. Conclusion: Weight loss after LSG was maintained in the majority of the patients, while a small proportion has significant weight regain at 5 years. T2DM resolution and other comorbidity resolutions were well supported after LSG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A balance sheet of potassium (K) was prepared in a long-term experiment that was started in 1985 on a loamy sand Udic Haplustept at the Potash Research Institute of India, Gurgaon, Haryana, India, involving a sorghum (fodder)–wheat cropping system. During the 20 cycles of sorghum and wheat, as much as 2,404 kg K ha−1was released from the structural form of soil K that contributed 77.3% K to the total K removed by growing sorghum and wheat. However, this K released from the structural form could no longer sustain the growth of sorghum and wheat. Both water-soluble and exchangeable soil K forms contributed 3% K and nonexchangeable K contributed 6.6% K. Groundwater used in irrigation contributed 13.1% K. Potassium fertilizer is needed for the growth of sorghum and wheat on a loamy sand Udic Haplustept as in this long-term experiment and other representative soils both to sustain yield and maintain soil K fertility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As indicated earlier, after 1969, there was a rapid spread of branches of commercial banks in the rural areas. As a result, there was duplication of efforts and scattered lending over wider areas. In order to avoid this, a new policy was adopted in 1988 which is known as the "Service Area Approach". Under this policy, each semi-urban and rural branch of commercial bank is assigned a specific area comprising of a cluster of villages within which it will operate. Thus, the compactness in the area of operation will make it easy for the clientele to approach the bank for credit. It will also help the bank in credit planning and monitoring of the Funds. The banks are supposed to prepare annual credit plans for all the adopted villages. It is concluded that there is no association between the Medium Term and Long Term Credit to agricultural sectors by other agencies and Total Short Term, Medium Term and Long Term Credit provided to agricultural sectors by remaining other banks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The owners and promoters of Color Valley are feeling blue as their much cherished entrepreneurial endeavour is attacked by multi-hued issues. Having chalked out a distinct position for itself in the landscape of the unorganized paint industry through aggressive brand building and marketing, the five year old company, known for its quality product and customer satisfaction, is today at a crossroads of liquidity dilemma. The severe cash crunch needs to be not only contained but reversed through well thought out actions. This is not an exception in such set-ups: it's rather more of a norm. However, decisions of today are going to determine the fate of tomorrow. The purpose of this paper is to present a case of financial (mis)management set in the backdrop of entrepreneurial venture, which will be useful to practising managers, entrepreneurs and students alike. Design/methodology/approach – The researchers use a single case study approach by examining stages in entrepreneur development process, effect of environment, barriers to entrepreneurship and strategic decision making. In addition, secondary data on the Indian paint industry were gathered and analyzed to determine external environment for the business, and the root cause of the problems faced by young entrepreneurs identified. Findings – The case finding encapsulates issues of general management, financial management and marketing and throws a light on entrepreneurial thinking and development. Originality/value – This case study provides a deep understanding of the tough times faced by young entrepreneurs, resulting from the exposure of the multiple issues which offer the opportunities and problems to small-scale entrepreneurs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The repeated application of herbicide can alter its persistence in the environment. In India, wheat fields are exposed to herbicide application at least once in the cropping season. The present study investigated the dissipation behavior of pendimethalin applied annually to a wheat field over four cropping seasons from 2012 to 2016. The dissipation studies were also conducted under laboratory conditions during 2015-2016. Pendimethalin from soil and wheat grain samples was extracted using matrix solid-phase dispersion and quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The average recoveries of pendimethalin from soil and crop produce ranged from 81.3% to 103.1%. The half-life of pendimethalin ranged from 20.9 to 31.3 days and 9.4 to 60.2 days under field and laboratory conditions, respectively. Dissipation of pendimethalin varied significantly over the years under field conditions and was comparatively faster than under laboratory conditions. On the other hand, non-significant variation in the dissipation of pendimethalin in soils under laboratory conditions was observed. The residues of pendimethalin in crop produce at harvest were below the maximum residue limit set by EPA.