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Imbalanced nutrient fertilization adversely affects root growth and alters the nutrient use efficiency of a crop. This study aimed to understand the influence of integrated nutrient management on root characteristics and nitrogen use efficiency in the vegetable-based agroecosystem. The field trial was conducted at the Department of Soil Science and Water Management of Dr. Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry Nauni, Solan (HP) India in 2019 and 2020. There were nine treatments viz. T1- control, T2-100% farmyard manure (FYM; N equivalent basis), T3-100% N, T4-100% NP, T5-100% NK, T6-100% PK, T7-100% NPK, T8-100% NPK + FYM (recommended practice), and T9-150% NPK + FYM on root densities (mass, volume, and length) and N use efficiency of cauliflower and capsicum. The results observed that different treatments exert significant effects on measured as well as derivative parameters. In detail, the application of 150% NPK + FYM recorded significantly higher root-mass density (0.72 and 1.71 g m−3 × 10−3), root-volume density (4.49 and 2.52 m3 m−3 × 10−3), and root-length density (1.21 and 0.81 cm m−3 × 10−4) in cauliflower and capsicum, respectively, which was statistically at par with treatment T9 (100% NPK + FYM). Similarly, this treatment (150% NPK + FYM) resulted in a maximum positive N (774.6 kg ha−1), P (650.4 kg ha−1), and K (334.9 kg ha−1) balance of soil after the complete harvest of two cropping-sequence cycles. However, maximum agronomic N use efficiency (59.9 and 67.9 kg kg−1) and apparent recovery of N (39.3 and 59.7%) were recorded under 100% FYM (N equivalence) in cauliflower and capsicum, respectively, but this treatment produced the negative N balance (−91.7 kg ha−1) and K (−340.3 kg ha−1) in soil, whereas significant improvement in agronomic use efficiency, apparent recovery of applied N, as well as in soil, and the NPK balance was recorded under 100% NPK + FYM over the other treatment. This study recommended an integrated nutrient module that is the application of 100% NPK + FYM to ensure better root growth and positive nutrient balance in the soil.

Antimicrobial drug resistance among bacterial and fungal communities have been created a huge challenge for clinicians in treating infections. Conventional antibiotics get non-functional with time due to the rapid adaptation of microorganisms to the environment. Therefore, exploring alternative antimicrobial drugs/nanomaterials to treat such infections is highly needed. Therefore, an alternative to conventional antibiotics, functional alkoxysilane capped Ag-NPs synthesized from 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane mediated conversion of silver cations in the presence of three different organic reducing agents, i.e., cyclohexanone, 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane and formaldehyde. The antimicrobial potential of synthesized silver nanoparticles was tested against Acinetobacter bauminnii, Candida albicans (mostly causes nosocomial infections) and sporangiospores of Mucorales (Rhizopus arrhizus), which showed a promising result. In addition to low MIC values, these Ag-NPs have shown variable killing dynamics as a function of reducing agents. Further, these functionalized silver nanoparticles were mixed with siloxane polymer to prepare three different siloxane-silver nanofluids. Siloxane-silver nanofluid can be self-assembled when diluted in a desirable volatile solvent on any inanimate surfaces such as medical catheters, surgical clothes and surgical bandages. Finally, the sprays were converted into thin films on sterile plastic strips and examined for their antibacterial activity against drug-resistant bacteria A baumannii. The antibacterial activity of nanofluid thin film has been found as a function of organic reducing reagents that control the morphology of the self-assembled film.

Background: The occurrence of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is a significant complication among patients with cirrhosis, and has been linked to renal impairment. However, there have been no studies specifically focused on this problem. Objective: To determine the incidence and mortality rate of renal impairment after SBP in cirrhotic patients. Methodology: The study was carried out at the Department of Medicine at Liaquat University Hospital, Hyderabad, from January 2022 to July 2022, using a cross-sectional observational analysis. A sample of 291 cirrhotic patients was selected through non-probability consecutive sampling. SBP diagnosis was made when the ascitic fluid polymorphonuclear cell count was equal to or greater than 250 cells/mm³. Data was collected using a pre-structured, interview-based questionnaire containing inquiries about basic sociodemographic details, clinical examinations details, and particulars of laboratory investigation. The data was analyzed using and SPSS v. 26.0. Results: The study found that the incidence of SBP was 23.02%, with 30 episodes (45.52%) of SBP associated with renal impairment (transient in 50.82%, steady in 21.31%, and progressive in 27.87%). The mortality rate associated with progressive renal impairment was 100%, 53.85% with steady renal impairment, and 9.68% with transient renal impairment. The mortality rate in patients with renal impairment was significantly higher than in those without (44.26% vs. 8.06%). Conclusion: This study highlights the common occurrence of renal impairment after SBP among cirrhotic patients, and suggests that it is a poor prognostic factor for this infection. Keywords: Liver cirrhosis, incidence rate, mortality rate, renal impairment, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis.

Background Acute myocardial infarction in individuals who have had a cerebrovascular accident or transient ischemic attack (CVA-TIA) is a medical emergency, which must be examined and treated as soon as possible. Physicians face a significant problem in managing this scenario because early treatment of one ailment would surely postpone treatment of the other. Early detection and treatment will have an impact on the patient's morbidity and mortality in the future, as well as aid in the patient's rehabilitation. Objective: To determine the incidence of myocardial infarction among known patients of Ischaemic stroke. Methodology: This prospective observational study was conducted on 103 patients who presented with stroke at the medicine outpatient department of Liaquat University Hospital (Hyderabad). On the basis of ECG alterations and cardiac biomarkers, Myocardial Infarction was diagnosed among patients who presented with altered sensorium. The diagnosis of stroke/TIA was based on the onset of a localized neurological loss that lasted for at least 24 hours (stroke) or recovering earlier (TIA). A CT/MRI scan of the brain was performed for a definitive diagnosis to identify ischemia/hemorrhage as the cause of ischeamic stroke. Results: According to the age-based distribution, the highest rate of myocardial infarction (8%, 8) was observed in those aged 51-60 years. The male-to-female ratio is 1.86:1. Thirty-two patients had diabetes, among them 75% had only elevated creatine kinase MB (CKMB) with no myocardial infarction (MI), whereas 59 patients had hypertension of which 70% had only elevated CK-MB with no MI. ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) with high CKMB accounted for 14.78% (15) of the cases, but the majority (71%, 73) of the cases had elevated CKMB with no MI, and the rest presented with normal CKMB. Conclusion: The study reported that the incidence of MI among patients of Ischaemic Stroke was found to be higher than that of the general population. This finding highlights the need for increased vigilance and monitoring for MI in this patient population. Keywords: Acute Myocardial Infarction, ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI), CK- MB, Transient Ischemic Attacks, Cerebro-Vascular Accident

For India's forest-dependent communities, Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) are a major source of income and survival. NTFPs collection and their varieties differ season to season. However, little attention has been given on the income variation according to the seasons and various socio-economic factors influencing it. The present study examined the household income of the forest dwelling communities from NTFPs and their relation to the time spent for its collection in three different seasons i.e., summer, winter and rainy. We interviewed randomly selected families of the forest-dependent communities living in the forest fringe areas of Jaldapara National Park (JNP), West Bengal state of India located in the Eastern Himalayas using a semi-structured questionnaire. The average annual household income of the communities was greatly affected by NTFPs obtained during the rainy season. The majority of the households supplemented their total annual household income through NTFPs (1–20% of total family income annually). In the rainy season, the majority of the respondents (75%) spent 1–10 days for NTFPs collection, the time spent significantly influenced their household income. Furthermore, we found that socio-economic variables such as age, education, and family size have an effect on total annual household income from NTFPs. The other variable also influenced the family income is time spent, in terms of number of days expended in NTFP collection during summer and winter seasons. The study affirms the contribution of NTFPs in family income is strongly determined by the period spent in the collection, which also varies with season and socio-economic variables of the inhabitants.

In the modern era of industrial revolution, urbanization, and deforestation of forest land, carbon (C) sequestration through well-known activities called “land use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF)” could establish a win–win situation from a climate change and sustainable development perspective [...]

Background: Dermatophytosis disease was found most common disease worldwide which showed a wide prevalence in tropical country as India and it is a wide importance to know their disease etiology and their clinical presentation. Study objective approaches to determine the clinical variation in Dermatophytosis and the species of fungus isolates which responsible for the infection in this area. Materials and Methods: In our study 1520 specimens were taken from infected skin, hair and nail screened by 10%-20% KOH mount examination and used Sabouraud’s Dextrose Agar (SDA) medium and Sabouraud’s Dextrose Chloramphenicol and Cycloheximide (SCCA) & Dermatophyte Test Medium (DTM) for culture and incubated at 27°C. Further identification done by slide culture method and lactophenol cotton blue mount. Result: Out of 1520 samples taken, 981(64.54%) were found KOH mount positive for fungal elements and 1076 (70.79%) were found culture positive. (21.64%) was found predominantly among other isolated species. Study was found Tinea corporis (50.39%) as common clinically. Conclusion: The study was highlighted with Tinea corporis being the commonest infection type with variable fungal agents and out of other fungal isolates was found a most common isolate in various clinical conditions. Keywords: Dermatophytosis, Trichophyton mentagrophyte, Tinea corporis, Fungal elements, KOH Positive, Lactophenol Cotton Blue, Sabrouraud’s Dextrose Agar.

Poster session 2, September 22, 2022, 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM Introduction Opportunistic fungal infections are on the rise due to a changing healthcare paradigm worldwide. India is the second most populated country in the world and is experiencing an upward trend in fungal lung diseases. Objective Rapid diagnosis of respiratory mold infections by direct microscopy. Material and Methods We retrospectively analyzed the mycology of the received respiratory samples; sputum, BAL, or ETT secretion between January 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022. All the samples were processed as per standard mycological procedures. For each sample, two KOH wet mounts were prepared and examined. Samples were inoculated over SDA and blood agar and incubated at 28°0C and 37°C in BOD. Once there was growth, it was processed as per standard protocol. Results We received a total of 109 respiratory samples from suspected respiratory fungal infections of which early morning sputum samples 84 (77%) were the predominant followed by BAL samples 25 (23%). Most of the enrolled patients were male 73(67%) with a mean age of 48 years. Among 109 samples, 83 (76%) were shown to be fungal elements by KOH wet mount while 26 (24%) were KOH negative. A total of 53 (48.6%) samples were culture-positive Aspergillus flavus30(27%), was found to be the most common species isolated followed by A. fumigatus 16 (14.6%), miscellaneous11(10%), Aspergillus. species 5 (4.5%), and A. terreus 2 (1.8%). Conclusion Considering the findings of KOH mount in our study, we would like to emphasize that this is a very simple, rapid, and cost-effective laboratory method with high diagnostic sensitivity when correlated with clinical findings, radiological findings, and host factors. Further, it has been found to be very dependable for making decisions to start empirical antifungal therapy early by clinicians.

In recent decades, fiber yielding plants are getting more importance due to their eco-friendly nature of material they produce compared to other conventional materials. These plants fibers are majo...

Background: A significant proportion of nosocomial infections is contributed by the Pseudomonas sp. Major changes were observed from time to time in Pseudomonas sp. prevalence and multidrug-resistant (MDR) with enormous morbidity and mortality. The spread of antimicrobial resistance has now become a worldwide issue as a consequence of the haphazard use of antimicrobials. Place and duration: This study was done in the Amaltas Institute of Medical Sciences from February 2019 to December 2019. Materials and Methods: Pseudomonas sp. was isolated from different clinical samples like urine, sputum, pus, fluid, and catheter tip. Identification of Pseudomonas sp. was done by biochemical tests. Antibiotic susceptibility test (AST) was done by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Data Analysis was done by percentage method. Extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBLs) production was detected by the combined disc diffusion test. Results: Sensitivity was seen in colistin and polymyxin B - 100%, meropenem - 86.58% and piperacillin -tazobactam - 82.92%. Resistance was seen in co-trimoxazole- 80.48%, cefixime- 82.92%, cefoperazone/sulbactam-59.75% and ciprofloxacin- 39.02%. The maximum number of MDR strains were isolated from the pus samples (n=18) as compared to other samples. The total number of ESBL producing strains was seen higher in the pus samples (n=15). The number of P. aeruginosa strains (n=57) was seen greater in number than other Pseudomonas sp. Conclusion: The present study is an attempt to regulate the use of antibiotics that are irrelevant and wasteful. It is also a public health concern to take adequate measures, maintain cleanliness and hygiene to reduce the spread of nosocomial infections. Keywords: Antibiotic susceptibility test (AST), Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Multiple drug resistance (MDR), Extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)