Correlation and Path Coefficient Analysis in Groundnut (Arachis Hypogaea L.).

Sixty six genotypes of groundnut were used to study the correlation and path analysis for yield and yield contributing characters. Correlation studies revealed that kernel yield was significantly and positively associated with pod yield per plant, number of mature pods per plant, shelling percentage, harvest index, sound mature kernel percentage, specific leaf weight at 60 DAS, protein content and oil content. Path coefficient analysis indicated that pod yield per plant and shelling percentage had high positive direct effect on kernel yield signifying the importance of these traits in the improvement of seed yield.

Principal Component and Cluster Analyses in Pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) MillSp].

Forty nine genotypes of pigeonpea representing the broad spectrum of variation were assessed for twelve characters using principal component analysis and cluster analysis. These genotypes were grouped into 8 clusters by using cluster analysis. Principal component analysis identified five principal components with eigen values more than one which contributed 80.10 per cent of the cumulative variance. The genotypes LRG-41 and SM- 97, MRG-1001, WRG 51-Y, RST-16 and ICP 7035 were selected from the above analysis appeared to be desirable for inclusion in crossing programme aimed for improvement of pigeonpea.

Studies on Selection Indices in Pigeonpea [Cajanus Cajan (L.) Millsp].

Success of any breeding programme depends on the efficiency of selection. Hence, the knowledge of nature of association of various traits among themselves and with seed yield is quite important for devising an effective selection criterion for yield. The present study was carried out to assess the nature and extent of interrelationship among component traits affecting seed yield in pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp). Forty nine genotypes from different states Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharastra were evaluated in a randomized block design with three replications and the data recorded on 12 traits were subjected to statistical analysis. The correlation studies revealed the positive and significant association of seed yield with number of pods per plant, number of secondary branches per plant, number of primary branches per plant and plant height. Path analysis revealed that the number of pods per plant was important in formulating selection criteria for improvement of seed yield in pigeonpea.

Novel substrate (algal protein) for cultivation of Rhodospirillum rubrum.

Rhodospirillum rubrum was grown under light anaerobic conditions with phycocyanin (C-pc) extracted from Spirulina platensis as the sole source of carbon and nitrogen. When grown under these conditions cellular components like lipids, carbohydrates, protein, carotenoids, bacteriochlorophyll were similar to the one grown with malic acid and ammonium chloride. Growth of R. rubrum increased with increase in concentration of C-pc (200 to 1000 mg/l). R. rubrum also utilized C-pc under dark anaerobic condition. With both malic acid and C-pc as carbon sources C-pc was consumed only after exhaustion of malic acid under light anaerobic condition. No aberration of cell morphology was seen under scanning electron microscope (SEM). R. rubrum utilized both phycocyanobilin and phycoprotein individually as well as in combination. When grown with 1000 mg/l of phycoprotein 450 mg/l of biomass was obtained, and with combination of phycocyanobilin (75 mg/l) and phycoprotein (925 mg/l) 610 mg/l of biomass was obtained. Phycocyanobilin alone did not inhibit the growth of R. rubrum. Utilization of C-pc with protease like activity was observed in plate assay. Protease like activity was also observed as zones around the colonies in plates containing sterilized casein, gelatin and filter sterilized bovine serum albumin. No amino acids were detected in the supernatant when analyzed with ninhydrin. Extracellular protease like activity was highest when C-pc was used as substrate (2.8 U/ml). Intracellular protease like activity was not detected in cell free extracts.

Differential role of MAP kinase isoforms in malachite green transformed Syrian hamster embryo fibroblasts in culture.

Malachite green (MG) induces DNA damage and malignant transformation of Syrian hamster embryo (SHE) cells in primary culture. In the present study, we have studied the role of all the three isoforms of mitogen activated protein (MAP) kinases i.e. ERK (extracellular regulated kinase), JNK (JUN- N- terminal kinase) and p38 kinase during transformation of SHE cells by MG. The results showed that transformed cells were associated with a decreased expression of phosphoactive ERK and JNK and increased expression of p38 kinase as evident from the Western blot, immunofluorescence and flow cytometry studies. Also, a persistent nuclear localization of p38 kinase was observed in the transformed cells. The present study indicated that p38 kinase was present at higher levels and seemed to be associated with transformation, which suggested that inhibitors of p38 kinase could serve in general as potential agents for selective cancer therapy.

Oral health status and treatment requirments of confectionery workers in Bangalore city. A comparative study.

The present study was undertaken to assess the oral health status and treatment requirement of cofectionery workers and also to assess the influence of confectionery environment ion their oral health. A total of 502 confectioners were examined and studied under 4 groups, Biscuits gp[107], chocolate gp[160], sweets gp[144] and Bakery gp[91]. Age and sex matched 294 wheat flour workers served as controls. 60.36% of confectioners exhibited caries experience with significantly higher DMFT compared to controls. Among confectioners sweets and chocolate groups had higher caries experience. Increase in caries experience with increase in duration of employment among confectioners were observed. Also confectioners consuming confectionery products more than 6 times/day had significantly higher caries experience than those consuming 0 to 3 and 4 to 6 times/day. Periodontal diseases was significantly higher among confectioners than controls more so in sweets and biscuit groups. Further extensive unmet treatment needs like oral prophylaxis, periodontal therapy, extractions, prosthetic rehabilitations were observed among confectioners.

Oral health status and treatment requirements of hospitalized psychiatric patients in Bangalore city: a comparative study.

The purpose of the present study was to describe the oral health status and treatment requirements and to study the association between dental caries and mental illness in a group of hospitalized psychiatric patients.A total of 326 psychiatric patients were examined and compared with 156 normal persons of comparable age and sex. 75.5% of the psychiatric patients exhibited caries experience with significantly higher DMFT and DMFS compared to the 66% in controls. Stepwise regression analysis demonstrated that DMFT was related to age, type of the ward and duration of mental illness. Periodontal diseases were significantly higher among psychiatric patients than controls. Higher proportion of psychiatric patients were suffering from TMJ disorders. Further, extensive dental treatment requirements were observed among these patients.