Screening Diverse Rice (Oryza sativa L) Genotypes for Manganese Efficiency

Soil manganese (Mn) deficiency limits the growth and crop yield. Growing Mn efficient cultivars i.e. the cultivars with high yield at low Mn supply would represent a long term solution and sustainable approach to crop production. To evaluate Mn efficiency of 38 diverse rice genotypes, field experiment was conducted during kharif seasons using Mn deficient (2.20?mg?kg^?1) soil. Typic Ustrochrepts loamy sand soil, treated with 0?kg Mn?ha^?1 (no Mn, low level) and 20?kg Mn?ha^?1 supplemented with two foliar sprays@ 0.5?% MnSO₄ (high level). The relative grain yield i.e. Mn efficiency index varied from 100 to 84?% and relative grain Mn uptake i.e. Mn efficiency from 80 to 53?% among the genotypes and the cultivar PR116 was having highest Mn efficiency index as well as efficiency. On the basis of grain yield and Mn efficiency, genotypes were classified as efficient and responsive (PR116, 3047, PAU201, 3131, 3125, HKR127, 3106, 3129, 3128, 3100 and 3138), efficient and nonresponsive (PR120, PR113, 3126, 3033, 3132, 3056, 3130, 3036, 3109, 3124, 3101 and 3136), inefficient and responsive (3127, PR115, 3133, 3134 and 3142), and inefficient and nonresponsive (PR114, PR118, 3137, PR111, 3108, PUSA44, 3135, 3139, 3140 and 3141). From a practical point of view, genotypes that produce high grain yield at a low level of Mn and respond well to Mn additions are the most desirable because they are able to express their high yield potential in a wide range of Mn availability.     

Supplying emergency hormonal contraception in the pharmacy: the perspectives of service users

□ Pharmacists have been supplying emergency hormonal contraception via patient group direction in Manchester, Salford and Trafford health action zone since late 1999 □ This paper presents preliminary results of a questionnaire survey of users experiences of obtaining emergency contraception from this source □ Four hundred and thirty out of a total of 5,020 questionnaires distributed by pharmacists were completed □ Ninety‐nine per cent of service users were either very satisfied or satisfied with the manner in which their request for emergency contraception was dealt with □ Ninety‐one per cent of respondents felt either comfortable or very comfortable discussing emergency contraception with the pharmacist     

Vasculitis in Reiter's syndrome

Summary A patient is described with both Reiter's syndrome and cutaneous vasculitis characterised by livedo reticularis. The development of the Reiter's syndrome immediately preceded the onset of vasculitis. It is suggested that Reiter's syndrome is a previously unrecognised potential cause of vasculitis in which infection may initiate the vasculitic reaction.     

Experimental selenium toxicity in guinea pigs: biochemical studies

Biochemical studies were conducted in experimentally induced selenium toxicity in recently weaned guinea pigs. A significant drop in blood glucose level, in comparison to controls, was observed in animals fed selenium-enriched barley (organic form) as well as those fed ordinary barley mixed with sodium selenite (inorganic form). Estimation of total serum proteins also revealed a significant drop in both these groups. SGOT (EC 2.6.1.1) activity was comparatively lower but no significant alteration was noticed in SGPT (EC 2.6.1.2). The erythrocytic glutathione peroxidase activity was significantly increased in inorganic selenosis followed by that in organic one, in comparison to controls. All these alterations were of mild degree in guinea pigs which were given sodium arsenite (10 ppm) along with sodium selenite (30 ppm) in the feed.     

Why do case studies on national health research systems matter?: identifying common challenges in low- and middle-income countries

Since health research has become increasingly acknowledged as an important tool for development, many approaches have been undertaken to understand national health research from a systems perspective. This paper reviews 28 case studies that describe or analyse health research systems in 26 low- and middle-income countries. These case studies were sponsored either by the Council on Health Research for Development or the South-East Asia Regional Office of the World Health Organization. In reviewing these case studies, we identify several common challenges facing national health research systems. These challenges include the lack of coordination in research activities; the inadequate participation of stakeholders in research, policy and implementation processes; the lack of demand for research and the low accessibility of research findings. These obstacles are compounded by some fundamental systems constraints, such as the lack of financial resources, human capacities, infrastructure and data. By identifying from these case studies the common challenges of health research systems as well as approaches to overcome these, this paper highlights the potential for case studies to inform policies and strategies for strengthening health research systems, and presents recommendations for future case studies to increase this potential.