<div>Background: Prostate gland affections are considered as common cause for perineal hernia in intact male dogs. Normal prostate gland is usually less distinct, radiographically; however, when enlarged it alters the anatomical position of rectum and urinary bladder and can be distinguished for its objective assessment. Radiography fails to differentiate the parenchymal abnormalities of prostate however, ultrasonography can. Therefore, this study was aimed to assess the involvement of prostate gland using radiography and ultrasonography in perineal hernia affected dogs.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Thirty-eight intact male dogs, suffering from perineal hernia and presented during the entire year of 2018, were investigated. Both radiographic (subjective and objective) and ultrasonographic modalities were applied to assess the enlargement of prostate gland. The subjective assessment parameters on radiography (n=38) included the lifting/displacement of rectum from normal position and cranial displacement of urinary bladder. The objective parameters (n=29) included the prostate length and depth measured using inbuilt calliper of computerized radiography system and ultrasonography and comparing it with 70% of the pubic brim to sacral promontory distance.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The mean prostatic length was significantly more than the prostate depth on both radiography and ultrasonography. There was a significant positive correlation between the radiographic pubic brim to sacral promontory distance and the prostate length and depth measured on both the diagnostic modalities. The subjective assessment of prostate over emphasized the prostate depth and under estimated the prostate length compared to objective measurements on radiography. There was a significant correlation between the prostate lengths measured on radiography and ultrasonography and the lengths were not significantly different on two diagnostic modalities. Objective analysis on radiography revealed the prostate length and or/depth of 54.72% perineal hernia dogs (15/29) to be more than 70% of pubic brim to sacral promontory distance. In conclusion, the prostate affections may not always be the primary aetiology in dogs suffering from perineal hernia and prior investigation of prostate is recommended as a deciding factor for whether castration should be done a few weeks prior to or simultaneously with the perineal herniorrhaphy. The increased length of the prostate is a better indicator of prostatomegaly than the depth.&nbsp;</div>

<div>Ultrasonographic and Radiographic Assessment of Prostate Gland in Perineal Hernia Dogs</div>

Background: The aim of current study was to assess pre and post-operative vision status through neuro-ophthalmic examination of 24 canine eyes after phacoemulsification with implantation of different acrylic intra ocular lenses.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: The study was conducted on 24 canine eyes. Preoperatively, detailed neuro-ophthalmic tests viz. Menace response, Pupillary light reflex (PLR), Obstacle Course and Moving object (cotton ball) were conducted for assessment of vision due to cataract and to exclude other ocular pathologies. Dogs were divided in four groups with 6 eyes in each group and subjected to phacoemulsification procedure for removal of cataractous lens and implanted with square edge or round edge, hydrophilic or hydrophobic intra ocular lenses (IOL). Post operatively, aforementioned neuro-ophthalmic tests were conducted on 3, 7 and 15 days and scores were given and comparatively analysed for vision acuity.&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 
Result: Preoperatively, neuro-opthalmic tests indicated poor and absent vision in eyes affected with various stages of cataract. Post operatively, the visual outcome in dogs of all treatment groups were assessed from the scores obtained in various neuro-ophthalmic tests. Neuro-ophthalmic evaluation revealed restoration of vision in 50% dogs in group I, II, IV and in 66.66% dogs of group III on day 15 after phacoemulsification and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. It was concluded that neuro-ophthalmic tests are useful and mandatory protocols for pre and post-operative vision assessment in dogs with cataract.&nbsp;

Neuro-ophthalmic Tests for Assessment of Vision Before and After Phacoemulsification in Cataractous Dogs

The determination of different phases of estrous cycle in lab animals is important for reproductive interventions and other experiments related to animal reproduction where rats are used as experimental models. A total 21 Wistar albino (which had completed their pubertal stage (&gt;4 weeks) weighing approximately 100- 200 g were used in this experiment. Visual assessment was done to observe vaginal opening during different phases of the estrous cycle. This was followed by collection of vaginal discharge samples by flushing it with 0.1 ml of distilled water using micropipette. Vaginal cytology was performed in 21 rats thrice daily, along with visual assessment. The average length of estrous cycle in rats was recorded to be 4-5 days with average duration of proestrus, estrus, metestrus and diestrus of 24, 24-36, 12 and 48 hours, respectively. The average length of estrous cycle in rats was 4-5 days with recorded average duration of proestrus, estrus, metestrus and diestrus of 24, 24-36, 12 and 48 hours, respectively. Vaginal cytology can be considered as a better option compared to visual assessment for assessment of reproductive status in rats.

Staging of Estrous Cycle in Rats using Vaginal Cytology and Visual Assessment

Background: Canine demodicosis, a parasitic skin disease, is known to T-cell suppression causing immunosuppression. The use of immunomodulators in the treatment of demodicosis along with a miticidal agent needs to be assessed. 
 
Methods: 12 dogs positive for demodicosis, on the basis of skin scraping examination, were divided into 2 groups of 6 dogs each and were treated with weekly inj. Doramectin @ 0.6 mg/kg body weight s/c alone and in combination with tab. Levamisole @ 2.5 mg/kg body weight weekly. Clinical progress was assessed based on skin scraping and haemato-biochemical examination. Immunomodulation was assessed using ANAE staining technique. 
 
Result: All of the demodectic dogs showed a borderline reduction in Hb, PCV and TEC levels which showed a non-significant yet apparent rise after treatment. Also, there was leucocytosis, accompanied by neutrophilia, eosinophilia and lymphopenia that resolved significantly with treatment. Demodectic dogs had normal ALT and AST levels, normal serum total protein, hypoalbuminemia, hyperglobulinemia and reduced A:G ratio. The ANAE-positive cells (T lymphocytes) were reduced in demodectic dogs on day 0 and increased highly significantly in both groups on day 42. Both groups showed 83.33% recovery and 98.04% reduction in mite count on day 42. Hence, combination of doramectin and levamisole therapy can be used for efficient management of canine demodicosis.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Assessment of the Therapeutic Efficacy of Doramectin with and Without Levamisole in Managing Canine Demodicosis

Background: Assessing the forest suitability of soils is one of the key areas of agroforestry science. Research in this direction makes it possible to characterize areas where tree and shrub vegetation does not grow under natural conditions. The research carried out makes it possible to assess the possibilities of afforestation in the area of interest; they contribute to the perception of landscape diversity in the context of the reclamation efficiency of the created systems of protective forest plantings, their productivity and durability. Identification of soil suitability for forests is closely related to the assessment of soil quality and fertility. The study of forest suitability of soils has a pronounced regional aspect. This article presents materials from cartographic studies of the dry steppe zone of the Volgograd region of the Russian Federation. The study region is characterized by a wide variety of soil cover. Dark chestnut, chestnut soils and light chestnut soils are common in this zone. The processes of erosion, salinizationand deflation make a great contribution to the diversity of soil complexes. 
 
Methods: In this work, the cartographic research method is the main one. Achieving the research goal, creating a cartographic model of the forest vegetation properties of the study area, was carried out in three stages. At the first stage, the contours of the soil map at a scale of 1:400000 were classified into forest suitability groups. During the second stage, based on the functionality of the QGIS software package, new soil contours were created. At the third stage, area characteristics were taken, share parameters were calculated and an analysis of changes in soil cover was carried out in natural and economic areas. The research materials presented in this article were obtained during the implementation of the state task of the research work of the FSC of Agroecology RAS. The research period is from 2021-08 to 2023-11. 
 
Result: The result of the research is the creation of a cartographic model of the forest suitability of soils in the dry steppe zone of the Volgograd region. Based on measuring the areas of soil contours for each of the 17 administrative districts, the ratio of groups of forest suitability of soils was established. The revealed value of the share indicator for the study area as a whole is as follows: soils I, forest suitability groups occupy 10.4% of the territory; II -9.3%; III - 68.3%; IV - 12%. The data obtained are necessary for planning agroforestry work in the study area.

Assessment of Forest Suitability of Soils in the Dry Steppe Zone of the Volgograd Region

<div style="text-align:justify">Background: India is facing high water stress and it is amongst those with the most fragile and uncertain water resource countries in the world. Crop productivity depends on quality of input supply including seeds, fertilizers, pesticides and supported by irrigation facilities. In India, ground water irrigates more than 61% of net cropped area and much of water being used for irrigating rice crop. The disproportionate water uses for crop production results in poor water productivity. The planning of water resources could be achieved by knowing the crop water requirements in different seasons and productivity of water. Hence, study was taken up to assess the water use and productivity of crops under intensively ground water irrigated watershed. 
 
Methods: A study conducted to assess the water use and productivity of different crops grown in Kothakunta sub watershed (having 206 working bore wells with cultivated area of 203.5 ha) in Siddipet district of Telangana, India during kharif and rabi season of 2008 to 2012, data were collected from 147 farmers on rice, maize, cotton, potato, flora beans and tomato crops grown under irrigation. The water applied to crops was measured by fixing water meters at the end of water delivery pipe and recorded the quantity of water applied each time. For rice crop four plots were taken and for other crops two plots were taken for measuring the water. The water use and productivity were assessed by using standard procedure.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The water productivity was found to be higher to vegetables, which ranged between 2.43 kg of potato, 1.57 kg of beans and 1.26 kg of tomato than cereals (0.79 kg for maize and 0.39 kg for rabi rice) per cubic meter of irrigation water consumed. Water productivity in terms of monetary return (₹) per cubic meter of water consumed was higher with beans (₹ 17.20) in contrast to potato (₹ 16.12). Rice equivalent yield (REY) calculated per cubic meter of irrigation water consumption was very similar to economic return (₹ per cubic meter of water).</div>

<div>Assessment of Crop Water Productivity in an Intensively Cultivated Watershed of Peninsular India</div>

Background: Hair cortisol Concentration (HCC) is often used as a measure of chronic stress responses in humans. The use of Radioimmunoassay (RIA) and HCC to assess stress in hospitalized dogs has been poorly reported in the literature in India and Central East Asia. This paper presents a modified protocol for measuring HCC in dog hair samples for stress assessment using RIA.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Estimation of HCC concentrations of healthy (n=20) and hospitalized (n=20) dogs was done using RIA. Hair samples were collected from a dog&rsquo;s nape region and weighed to measure HCC concentration. The study used RIA-enabled dissevered spiking and detectable concentration-based modifications to measure HCC. Five known cortisol concentration standards (viz 19.0 nmol/l, 47.9 nmol/l, 190 nmol/l, 238.66 nmol/l and 713.33 nmol/l) were used, with the first three readily available with a cortisol RIA kit. The samples were spiked with 50 &micro;L of the standard and analysed in a gamma counter to take counts per minute (CPM). The final concentration of HCC was estimated in nmol/l and derived in pg/mg as per standard methods.&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 
Result: Healthy dogs had a mean HCC of 6.24&plusmn;0.84 pg/mg, while hospitalized dogs had 31.65&plusmn;5.87 pg/mg. A significant deviation was observed in both groups. A box and whisker graph showed an HCC range of 0.36 to 13.78 pg/mg for healthy dogs and 8.70 to 65.25 pg/mg for hospitalized dogs. The interquartile range (25th to 75th percentile) was 3.55 to 9.24 pg/mg for healthy dogs and 14.43 to 46.22 for hospitalized dogs. The observed median for healthy dogs was 6.16 pg/mg and 22.62 pg/mg for hospitalized dogs. The study shows higher HCC in hospitalized sick dogs compared to clinically healthy ones, suggesting hair sample collection as a simple stress assessment method and RIA as a promising HCC detection technique.

Studies on the Assessment of Hair Cortisol Concentration in Dogs by Radioimmunoassay (RIA)&nbsp;

Background: The year 2023 was declared as the International Year of Millets by the United Nations and India has worked tirelessly to promote these wonder crops in multiple ways. 
&nbsp; 
Methods: This study has been designed to assess the awareness level about millets among the youth. A survey was conducted in online mode across India to assess awareness related to millets. A questionnaire consisting of the sections related to identification of major millet plants and seeds, their nutrient content, health benefits and consumption was utilized for data collection. 
&nbsp; 
Result: Responses were received from many states and cities. The result showed that most of the respondents were post-graduates in the 26-40 age group. Majority of respondents identified pearl millet plant correctly. In the case of seeds, the respondents mostly identified barnyard millet.&nbsp; A high percentage of respondents viewed millet as a significant source of calcium, fibre, and protein only. Other than finger millet, the other cereal consumed was Barely and about one-seventh of the total respondents were not consuming any millet. It may be concluded that more awareness needs to be created to increase millet production and consumption among the country&rsquo;s youth. 
&nbsp;

A Study to Assess the Awareness Level of Millets among Youth

<div>Background: Children of school going age constitute a highly vulnerable and important group. During their growing period, all the nutrients should be included in their diet. Breakfast provides important nutrients for growing children. Skipping breakfast among school children is erratic. Therefore, the study was undertaken to assess the role of breakfast consumption affecting nutritional adequacy among schoolchildren.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: During the period 2015-2016, total of 200 school children in the age group of 10-12 years studying in government and private schools of North Bengaluru, Karnataka were selected through random sampling techniques. The breakfast consumption pattern was assessed using questionnaire. Dietary intake in terms of food and nutrients was assessed through 24 hours recall method. To measure adequacy of nutrient consumption, the obtained data was compared with recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for specific age group.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Gender wise segregation revealed that 109 were boys (54.5%) and 91 were girls (45.5%). The breakfast skipping was found more in the children of government school compared to private school (73% vs. 37%). When compared with the breakfast consumers, skippers had lower mean intake of all the nutrients studied. Similar results were observed among girls as in boys. The study provided new information on specific meal pattern i.e., breakfast that may be potential determinant of dietary adequacy and dietary quality.</div>

<div>Assessment of Breakfast Consumption on Nutritional Adequacy among School-going Children in India</div>

Background: Understanding genetic variability parameters, correlation analysis and employing multivariate techniques such as principal component analysis and diversity analysis are crucial for designing effective breeding programs and conserving germplasm in pigeonpea. Morphological studies, when combined with multivariate analysis, offer valuable insights into genetic diversity, aiding in the selection of diverse parental lines and identifying promising segregants in hybridization programs. 
 
Methods: The study utilized 155 diverse genotypes of pigeon pea, planted in a randomized complete block design with three replications during the kharif seasons of 2022-23 and 2023-24. Character association analysis, multivariate analysis like PCA and diversity assessment were utilized. 
 
Result: Principal component analysis was employed to assess variability, where the first two principal components explained 35.63% of the total variability, with traits such as DFF, DM, NSB and NPP contributing significantly to variance. Morphological genetic diversity was assessed using Mahalanobis D2 statistics and hierarchical clustering. Morphological diversity assessment grouped the 155 pigeon pea genotypes into 9 clusters, with cluster I being the largest (88 genotypes). Hierarchical clustering identified 6 distinct clusters, with cluster-I housing the highest number of genotypes (43). Interestingly, the study revealed non-consistent connections between morphological diversity assessments and the geographical origin of genotypes. Based on genetic D2 values, genotypes in clusters VI and VII, followed by clusters VI and VIII, were found to be the most genetically distant, suggesting their potential use in hybridization programs to create diverse progenies. Selecting desirable genotypes from different clusters based on their performance could lead to the development of superior recombinants through hybridization.