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A comprehensive radio-ecological evaluation of soil samples of Solan and Shimla districts of Himachal Pradesh has been carried out for risk and dose assessment. Twenty-six randomly selected environmental soil samples were analysed for natural radionuclide concentrations (226Ra, 232Th and 40K) using NaI(Tl) scintillator detector. The average concentration of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K was observed as 37, 59 and 430 Bq kg−1, respectively, which exceeded the worldwide average of 33, 45 and 412 Bq kg−1 reported by UNSCEAR (Sources and effects of ionizing radiation. Report to the general assembly with scientific annexes, New York, 2008). Radium equivalent activity (Raeq), hazard indices (Hex, Hin) and radioactivity level indices (Iϒr, Iα, AUI) and Clark value were checked against their threshold limits, and their mean values were safely below the recommended criteria. This confirms the soil applicability for construction purposes. Indoor and outdoor dose rates (Ḋ), age-dependent annual effective doses (AED), organ-specific doses and lifetime attributable cancer risk (both cancer incidence and cancer mortality) were also computed. Strong positive correlation was established between radon/thoron exhalation rate and their parent radionuclides. Multivariate statistical technique was employed to explore spatial distribution of radionuclides and homogeneity between various radiological parameters.

Uranium and other heavy metals are found in the natural water and may enter the human body when ingested by drinking water. Uranium being radioactive may provide radiological risks, whereas chemical toxicity of uranium and other heavy metals may pose a serious threat to human life. The current research has been undertaken for trace level analysis of uranium and other heavy metals (Fe, Zn, Cu, As, Co, Ag, Cd and Pb) in drinking water samples collected from different locations and sources of water from Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh, India. Uranium concentration has been assessed using LED fluorimeter, whereas the concentration of other heavy metals has been estimated utilizing inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS). Uranium concentration in water samples have been found to vary from 0.50 to 90.46 µg L−1 with mean value of 6.51 µg L−1. About 96% samples have uranium concentration lower than the suggested safe limits of 30 µg L−1 by (WHO, Guidelines for drinking-water quality, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland, 2017). The cancer mortality and morbidity risks have also been estimated using the uranium concentration in drinking water samples. The annual ingestion dose (AID) susceptible to distinct age groups due to ingestion of these waters has also been computed and is found above the prescribed dose of 100 μSv y−1 (International Commission on Radiological Protection, ICRP, (1999) Protection of the public in situations of prolonged radiation exposure. Ann ICRP 29(1–2). ICRP Publication 82) in the water sample of Behra for adolescents and adult males as well as for pregnant and lactating females. Lifetime average daily dose (LADD), Hazards Quotient (HQ) and Heavy Metals Pollution Index (HPI) due to the presence of heavy metals in drinking water samples have also been calculated. LADD for uranium, As and Fe have been found above the recommended limits in the drinking water samples of some villages. Average HQ of the study area has been observed below 1 indicate that the water is good for drinking purpose. HPI has also been found below the analytical pollution index of 100 indicate that the water of the area is not polluted.

Agroforestry is a practically feasible, scientifically and ecologically sound system that has emerged as a viable land use system for crop diversification and a way to achieve the target of bringing 33.3% of the total area under forest as against 24.6% of the current area for maintaining ecological balance (Anonymous, 2021). Modification in climatic factors viz. temperature, relative humidity and photosynthetic active radiation (PAR) has been recorded beneath the poplar canopy as compared with open field conditions (Singh et al., 2019; Bhardwaj et al., 2021). [...]the present study was conducted to analyze the microclimate modifications along with the computation of agroclimatic indices for different garden pea varieties cultivated under poplar block plantation. The current investigation was conducted at the main experimental area of the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, during the rabi season 2021-22. For the computation of PAR interception (%), the incoming and outgoing radiations on top of the crop canopy and transmitted radiations at the ground surface below the crop canopy were measured: PAR interception(%) = (ProQuest: ... denotes formula omitted.) Where, IPAR = Incident solar radiation (W m'2), RPAR = Reflected solar radiations (W m-2), and TPAR = Transmitted solar radiation (W m-2) Agroclimatic indices The agroclimatic indices viz., accumulated growing degree days (GDD), accumulated photothermal units (PTU), accumulated heliothermal units (HTU) and heat use efficiency (HUE) were calculated as per the standard formulae (Gill et al., 2014).

An attempt was made to determine the most favourable abiotic factors influencing germination of urediniospores of different pathotypes of Puccinia species. The causal organism of rusts in wheat is Puccinia spp. Five pathotypes of Puccinia striiformis (46S119, 78S84, 110S84, 110S119, 238S119) causal organism of yellow rust and two pathotypes of Puccinia triticina (77-5 and 77-9) causal organism of brown rust in wheat were obtained from Department of Plant Pathology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana. The data related to spore germination on agar slides was analysed and the levels of urediniospores germination at different temperatures (5,10,15 and 20oC) and pH (5,6,7 and 8) for each pathotype was compared using analysis of variance. The most appropriate temperature and pH were later used to conduct an experiment to study effect of different light intensities (500, 750,1000 and 1250 lux) on spore germination of all the pathotypes under study. The data showed that on agar, 15°C was proved as most suitable for urediniospore germination for Puccinia striiformis. Mean per cent spore germination was highest over the temperature range 15°C (43.55%) for Pst pathoypes and dropped significantly at 10°C (37.97%), 20°C (29.66%) and 5°C (21.04%). Mean urediniospore germination for Puccinia triticina was highest at 20°C (43.89%) followed by 15°C (39.44%), 10°C (30.43) and 5°C (27.39% ). Experimental results revealed that per cent spore germination was better under pH 7 followed by 6, 5 and 8 for all the pathotypes considered for study. The highest urediniospore germination was observed for 1250 lux (46.54%) followed by 1000 lux (41.29%), 750 lux (38.42%) and 500 lux (27.60%).

To quantify the effect of meteorological parameters on incidence of Karnal bunt in wheat crop, an investigation was done using 9 to 12 season’s data of Bathinda and Ludhiana stations of Punjab. Maximum temperature during March in range of 25-31oC, minimum temperature of February (8.5-11.0oC), morning and evening relative humidity of March in range of 85-95 and 40-60 per cent respectively, rainfall more than 25 mm with sunshine hours 5.5-9.0 hrs/day during mid February to mid March favour Karnal bunt in wheat crop. Maximum temperature of March showed significant negative correlation with incidence of Karnal bunt whereas minimum temperature of February showed significant positive correlation with disease incidence at both locations. Morning and evening relative humidity showed significant positive correlation with disease incidence. Rain amount and rainy days during mid February to mid March significantly influenced disease incidence. Sunshine hours had negative correlation with disease incidence. Backward multiple linear regression (BMLR) analysis indicated maximum temperature, rainfall and sunshine hours play significant role in Karnal bunt incidence at Ludhiana. However, at Bathinda, maximum temperature, evening time relative humidity, rain amount and rainy days played significant role.

Abstract Background: Obesity and overweight, irrespective of metabolic status, confer an increased risk of adverse consequences including cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The mechanisms underlying altered cardiovascular responses in obese individuals during and after submaximal treadmill exercise are the subjects of great interest to public health. After graded exercise, delayed heart rate recovery (HRR), exaggerated blood pressure (BP) response, and prolongation of QT interval are the powerful predictors of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality that may facilitate timely identification of individuals at risk of CVD and help to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment interventions. Aim: To compare the cardiovascular parameters on submaximal treadmill exercise in obese and nonobese adults. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on 80 subjects, 40 obese (cases) and 40 normal-weight individuals (controls), belonging to the age group of 18-60 years. Each participant was subjected to submaximal treadmill exercise according to the Bruce protocol. Heart rate (HR), systolic BP and diastolic BP (SBP and DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), QT and corrected QT (QTc) intervals, and rate pressure product (RPP) were measured preexercise, immediately after exercise, and during passive recovery at 1 min and 5 min after exercise. The Chi-square test and Mann-Whitney U-test, whichever is appropriate, were employed for the comparison of variables between the two study groups. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Mean HR immediately after exercise, at 1 min and 5 min postexercise was significantly higher in obese when compared to nonobese participants (P = 0.006, P = 0.001, P = 0.001) despite similar resting HR in both the groups (P = 0.874). Mean SBP, DBP, MAP, and RPP were significantly higher in obese in comparison to nonobese subjects in all stages, i.e. before exercise, immediately after exercise, at 1 min and 5 min after exercise. QT and QTc intervals were also found to be significantly greater in obese than nonobese subjects in all stages (P = 0.001 each). Conclusion: Obese subjects had higher resting BP (SBP, DBP, and MAP), QT/QTc interval, RPP, and increased response to submaximal treadmill exercise activity. Delayed HRR after exercise was also noted in obese subjects which indicates that obese populations are at risk of developing CVDs due to alteration in autonomic functions with sympathetic hyperactivity.

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a universally prevalent pathogen and a major cause of liver-related morbidity and mortality worldwide. The evolution of antiviral therapy for HCV has rapidly progressed from interferon (IFN)-based therapies to IFN-free combinations of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). Aims: This study aims to assess the response of DAAs in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients and to study the various factors affecting the response of DAAs in CHC. Settings and Design: This longitudinal observational study spanning over a year was conducted in the Medicine department of a tertiary care teaching hospital. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 400 adult CHC patients, diagnosed by a positive anti-HCV antibody test and a detectable viral load (HCV RNA) by real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), registered for treatment with DAAs. The first 400 patients satisfying the eligibility criteria were enrolled by non-probability consecutive sampling. All the participants were treated as per the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme (NVHCP) guidelines. Repeat HCV viral load was done at or after 12 weeks of completion of anti-viral therapy to ascertain sustained virological response (SVR). Various factors which might predict treatment response were analyzed. Statistical Analysis Used: The continuous variables were expressed as mean and standard deviation, while the categorical variables were summarized as frequencies and percentages. The Student's independent t-test was employed for the comparison of continuous variables. The Chi-square or Fisher's exact test, whichever is appropriate, was employed for the comparison of categorical variables. Multivariate Logistic Regression was used to identify the independent predictors of treatment nonresponse. A P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age of the subjects was 42.3 ± 15.23 years with a male-to-female ratio of 1.96:1. Most of the patients (80.5%) were non-cirrhotic; among 19.5% cirrhotic, 13% were compensated while 6.5% were decompensated cirrhotic. The overall SVR done at or after 12 weeks of completion of treatment was 88.75%. Age, gender distribution, occupation, socioeconomic status, educational status, body mass index, treatment regimen, duration of treatment, and baseline viral load did not alter the treatment response. Among comorbidities, only diabetes mellitus (DM) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) co-infection adversely affected the treatment response (P = 0.009 and P < 0.001, respectively). Intravenous (IV) drug abuse was significantly associated with treatment failure (P < 0.001). The presence of liver cirrhosis (P < 0.001), thrombocytopenia (P < 0.001), elevated transaminases (alanine transaminase: P = 0.021, aspartate transaminase: P < 0.001), and previous treatment experience (P = 0.038) were other significant predictors of treatment failure. Conclusions: DAAs are highly efficacious drugs in the treatment of CHC with a high rate of treatment response. Significant predictors of CHC treatment failure included comorbidities especially DM and HIV co-infection, IV drug abuse, presence of liver cirrhosis, thrombocytopenia, elevated transaminases, and previous treatment experience. However, independent predictors of treatment nonresponse observed in this study were thrombocytopenia, IV drug abuse, and liver cirrhosis.

Wheat crop is attacked by number of diseases some of which cause yield losses and deteriorates quality. Rust pathogens are most important pathogens of wheat which can cause considerable economic losses if uncontrolled. Stripe rust, caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici, is an important wheat disease common in wheat growing areas experiencing cold and humid weather conditions during the crop season. Different meteorological parameters influence occurrence and development of stripe rust in northern India including Punjab. Based on investigations on relationship of stripe rust with weather parameters, weather based prediction model for stripe rust was developed using disease severity and weather data (2007-08 to 2018-19) recorded at Ludhiana. The data of 2009-10 and 2019-20 was used for validation of model. Regression model based on maximum and minimum temperature, morning relative humidity and sunshine hours gave good results. Validation of model indicated that relationship between observed values of disease and predicted values was very close. 

The field experiments were conducted during three kharif seasons 2012, 2013 and 2014 to study the effect of meteorological parameters on brown leaf spot of rice under different transplanting dates, methods and plant population. The experiment was laid out in split-split plot design with two transplanting dates (15th June and 30th June) in main plots, three methods of planting (conventional, SRI and furrow) in sub plots and two plant population (625 and 300 plants per m2) in sub-sub plots with three replications. The brown leaf spot incidence was recorded at weekly interval from the start of its incidence. The incidence of disease (percentage) was higher under conventional planting (58.6 %) followed by SRI (52.3 %) than furrow planting (49.9 %). The disease incidence was 5 per cent higher in high plant population (625 plants m-2) as compared to lower plant population (300 plants m-2) mainly due 4.1 per cent higher relative humidity within canopy. The correlation analysis revealed that minimum temperature and evening relative humidity significantly affected the disease incidence. The regression model developed with 2012 and 2013 data had highly significant R2 values which was validated with 2014 data. 

Groundwater samples have been collected from far-reaching locations in Solan and Shimla districts of Himachal Pradesh, India, and studied for uranium concentration using LED fluorimetry. In this region, uranium in groundwater varies from 0.12 to 19.43 μg L−1. Radiological and chemical toxicity is accounted for different uranium isotopes. The average mortality risk for uranium isotopes 234U, 235U, and 238U are 2.6 × 10−12, 3.5 × 10−10, and 5.9 × 10−8, respectively. Similarly, the mean morbidity risk for 234U, 235U and 238U are 4.1 × 10−12, 5.6 × 10−10 and 9.5 × 10−8, respectively. An attempt has also been made to calculate doses for different age-groups. Highest doses, ranging from 0.30 to 48.23 µSv year−1, are imparted to infants of 7–12 months of age which makes them the most vulnerable group of population. Using Hair Compartmental Model for uranium and mean daily uranium intake of 3.406 μg for 60-year exposure period, organ-specific doses due to uranium radioisotopes, retention in prime organs/tissues and excretion rates via urine, feces and hair pathway are estimated. In this manuscript, the transfer coefficients for kidney, liver, skeleton, GI tract, soft tissues, urinary bladder, and blood are analyzed. Hair compartment model and ICRP’s biokinetic model are compared in terms of uranium load in different organs after 60 years of protracted ingestion. The study on biokinetic behavior of uranium is the first of its kind in the area which is dedicated to environmental and social cause.