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In subtropical regions, April to June represents a temporary moisture stress for mango trees, leading to huge economic loss. Although water is available in the deep root zone, the upper soil surface, which has fibrous roots, is dry, and the tree transpiration rate is high. Moisture stress causes an increased oxidation state, which is detrimental to fruit growth and development. Finding substitutes for moisture stress management is important for sustainable mango production. To manage this moisture stress in mango, we tested if foliar application of 20, 50, 100 and 150 μM melatonin helped to maintain a reduced oxidation state in the cells. Applications were made at three phenological stages of fruit development (marble, egg and mature fruit stages) in 16‐year‐old trees and the same plants for each treatment were followed over three years. Melatonin application indeed improved the fruit yield of mango. Moisture stress decreased yield by 55.94% compared to irrigated trees but only by 7.5% in melatonin treatment. Also, more 'A' grade fruits were harvested in irrigated and melatonin‐treated conditions than in non‐irrigated and non‐treated conditions. Indeed, the total chlorophyll content in the leaves of moisture‐stressed melatonin‐treated trees (12.58 mg.g−1 fresh weight) was well above non‐treated trees (6.77 mg.g−1) and similar to irrigated trees (12.50 mg.g−1). A dose‐dependent increase in the chlorophyll content of melatonin‐treated plants was found. Similarly, the activities of catalase, peroxidase, superoxidase dismutase enzymes in leaves of irrigated and melatonin‐treated trees were lower than in non‐irrigated condition, and superoxide free radial formation was lower in moisture‐stressed melatonin‐treated trees (0.77 nmol H2O2.mg−1 protein) and irrigated trees (0.65) than moisture‐stressed non‐treated trees (4.27). Significant variations was found in antioxidants (total, reduced and oxidized glutathione and ascorbate) content and antioxidant enzymes' activities (i.e., glutathione reductase and ascorbate peroxidase) in irrigated, melatonin‐treated and non‐irrigated conditions. Overall, 150 μM exogenous melatonin applied three times at different fruit development stages may be a sustainable and useful approach to manage transient moisture stress in mango trees thanks to its positive action on the antioxidant system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Byline: Pawan. Singh, Deepak. Tripathi, Sukhvir. Singh, Manindra. Bhushan, Lalit. Kumar, Kothanda. Raman, Soumitra. Barik, Gourav. Kumar, Sushil. Shukla, Munish. Gairola Purpose: To study the impact of different optimization methods [...]

Background: Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is a common and one of the severe complications of diabetes mellitus. It affects almost half the diabetic population and worsens quality of life of the patient. The present study was aimed to determine the prevalence of peripheral neuropathy and associated risk factors. Aims and Objectives: To assess the Prevalence of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN) among Type 2 DM patients and its associated risk factors. Material and Methods: A community based survey was conducted over a period of one and a half year. Cluster sampling technique was used to collect the study sample in urban Etawah. Study participants aged ≥ 30 years residing in urban Etawah with known history of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus of ≥ 5 years were included in the study. Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN) was diagnosed using 10 g monofilament test. Results: A total of 400 DM patients were enrolled in the study. Out of which 28% (n = 112) patients were diagnosed with DPN using Semmes-Weinstein (SW) 10-g monofilament test. Statistically significant association was also noted with Family history of DM, BMI, Systolic and Diastolic blood pressure, Family history of HTN and History of Smoking. Conclusion: The current study found a high prevalence of DPN (28%) and it was found to be significantly associated with advancing age, duration of diabetes and history of smoking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Low birth weight, post-partum haemorrhage still births and maternal deaths are associated with anaemia in pregnancy. If prevalence of anemia will be reduced then there will be improvement in maternal and child health and its outcome. Aim & Objectives: To evaluate the changes in the hematological profile of the study subjects and to determine the impact of intensive health education intervention on anemia status of pregnant women. Methodology: A Community based interventional study was conducted among 200 Pregnant women of selected villages in rural area of Etawah district (100 women in each interventional and non-interventional group) using a selfdeveloped, pre designed, pretested, structured and validated questionnaire. statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) software was used to analyse the data. Result: After health education intervention there is significant increase in the haematological profile of study participants of interventional group (p<0.05) as before intervention values of mean Hb was 10.58±1.79 gm/dl which became 11.72±1.48 gm/dl There were 34 (73.9%) participants in the interventional group that were originally anaemic before the study, but after the intervention, they became non-anaemic. Conclusion: Health education sessions helped the pregnant women to improve their knowledge regarding anemia in pregnancy, as well as improve their ability to select iron rich foods, increase compliance with iron supplementation, and raise their haemoglobin levels [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lung cancer accounts for 19% of all cancer-related fatalities and 17% and 9%, respectively, of all cancers in men and women. The worldwide epidemiology of lung cancer need ongoing monitoring due to its very high disease burden and the regional diversity in trends for population growth, ageing, and smoking behavior. Lung cancer epidemiology in significant industrialized nations like the United States and the European Union has continuously been recorded. When identifying lung tumors for therapy and preventative measures, histology and molecular indicators such genetic alterations are crucial. For instance, changes in the components and delivery methods of cigarettes as well as non-tobacco risk factors may be responsible for extensive temporal increases in the incidence of adenocarcinoma. Overall, there is still much to be learned about the worldwide epidemiology of these factors in connection to lung cancer incidence and death. Rate of occurrence Lung cancer's age-adjusted global incidence rate in 2012 was 13.6/100,000 for women and 34.2/100,000 for men. The incidence rates have changed significantly throughout time. Over time, there was a steady convergence of the incidence rates for both boys and females in the majority of nations (Australia, Canada, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Russia, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States) that were classed as having a high or very high HDI. This was caused by the notable declines in lung cancer rates among men and the persistent rise in lung cancer rates among women, albeit since 2010, the incidence of lung cancer in the US has also started to decline among women. One of the leading factors in the development of the various LC instances is smoking, specifically tobacco smoke. People who smoke frequently are exposed to LC around 20 times more than those who have never smoked. For men, smoking causes 80% of LC, whereas for women, it causes 50% of LC. In nations where tobacco use has a history, smoking is responsible for up to 90% of LC cases. Studies examining the relationship between lung cancer incidence and socioeconomic status have revealed that those with lower educational attainment, poorer incomes, and low occupational positions are generally at a greater risk of developing lung cancer. Information on the use of vitamins as chemotherapy preventive agents in lung cancer has been conflicting. The replication of DNA and the repair of DNA damage depend on the B vitamins. Genome instability is caused by both genetic and epigenetic modifications to DNA. There is continual genetic diversity throughout the genome, which is natural. However, alterations that are functionally or positionally grouped in important parts of the genome are linked to malignancy, such as lung cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this study was to assess the influence of different organic fertilisers - vermicompost, mulching, Azotobacter, phosphate solubilising microbes (PSM) and Trichoderma harzianum added each year to mineral fertilisers containing NPK and to farmyard manure (FYM) on leaf nutrient status, tree growth, fruit yield and quality of guava grown in low fertile soil. The results revealed that vermicompost, bio-fertilisers and organic mulching resulted in yield and fruit quality boosters, as compared to application of NPK and FYM as the only organic fertiliser. Significant differences in plant height, canopy spread and stem girth of guava plants were obtained in combination, where Azotobacter, T. harzianum, PSM and organic mulching were applied. The leaf nutrient contents (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu, Mn and Zn) were within sufficient ranges. Fruit yields and quality were highest in combination, where vermicompost, Azotobacter, T. harzianum, PSM and organic mulching was applied. Fruit quality parameters viz. soluble solid concentration, titratable acidity, total sugars and ascorbic acid showed positive correlation with the available macro- and micronutrients in the soil.