“Response of Different Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Varieties to Graded Levels of Nitrogen” - A Critical review.

Wheat is the most important and widely cultivated food crop in the world. In India, Wheat is the second important cereal crop, first being Rice. To improve the production of wheat, as in any other crop, introduction of varieties with a high yield potential is essential. Variety contributes more than 50 percent of the increased production. The next important component for increased production is the nutrient availability. Native fertility level of the tropical soils with special reference to nitrogen is invariably insufficient for touching the peak production mark of a variety and hence, the need for supplementing this nutrient is obvious with most varieties. Selection of suitable genotype is of prime importance as the genetic potential of varieties limits response to nitrogen. Moreover, varieties differ both in yield and nutrient uptake. Hence, it is necessary to find out the correct dose of nitrogen and suitable varieties for maximizing wheat yields in Southern Telangana agro-climatic zone.

Hidden magicians of genome evolution.

Transposable elements (TEs) represent genome’s dynamic component, causing mutations and genetic variations. Transposable elements can invade eukaryotic genomes in a short span; these are silenced by homology-dependent gene silencing and some functional parts of silenced elements are utilized to perform novel cellular functions. However, during the past two decades, major interest has been focused on the positive contribution of these elements in the evolution of genomes. The interaction between mobile DNAs and their host genomes are quite diverse, ranging from modifications of gene structure to alterations in general genome architecture and can be regarded as hidden magicians in shaping evolution of genomes. Some of the prominent examples that impressively demonstrate the beneficial impact of TEs on host biology over evolutionary time include their role in structure and functions of eukaryotic genomes.

Rural Rabies Prevention Project - A ‘One Health’ Experiment in India: An Overview.

Aim: To assess the feasibility of implementing "one health approach" to prevent human rabies and control animal rabies in a rural community. Study Design: Health services research in a rural setting. Place and Duration of Study: A medical college and a veterinary college along with an animal welfare organization delivered a wide array of "integrated services" in three villages' i.e. Kumbalagodu, Thagachikuppe and Gerupalya near Bangalore, India comprising a population of 10,220 persons for a period of two years from December, 2009 to November, 2011. The nearby three villages of Ramohally, Vinayakanagara and Bhimanakuppe with a population of 6,023 persons formed the control group, with no project inputs. Methodology: This consisted of household surveys at the beginning and end of two years ; rabies awareness campaigns; clinical and laboratory surveillance of rabies in dogs; rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) in humans; pre-exposure rabies prophylaxis (PrEP) by intradermal route in school children, pet dog owners and veterinarians ; mass dog vaccination and deworming; and sero-surveillance in both dogs and humans. Results: The ratio of veterinary and medical manpower in study villages was 1: 11 and dog to human ratio was 1: 23.The information, education and communication materials developed and used were domestic outdoor wall writings (11), domestic indoor annual wall calendar (2000), school book labels (1000); game charts (16); wall posters (65); flip chart (15); rabies educational DVD (1). There were 102 local cable television transmissions on rabies prevention. 69 persons received rabies PEP. PrEP was given to 368 school children, pet dog owners and veterinarians. Sixty one human serum samples were analyzed by rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test for rabies antibody detection. Sixteen veterinarians were trained to use direct rapid immunohistochemical test (dRIT) for rabies diagnosis. Six ruminants were confirmed rabid by dRIT. There were no cases of human rabies. The cost of entire project was US $ 85,958. Conclusion: A blend of medical, veterinary and animal welfare services were successfully delivered through a "one health" approach. Based on this success a "conceptual model" was evolved to propagate its replication in other rural communities across India.

Epistatic interactions in idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) is a poorly understood complex disorder, which results in progressive remodeling of the pulmonary artery that ultimately leads to right ventricular failure. A two-hit hypothesis has been implicated in pathogenesis of IPAH, according to which the vascular abnormalities characteristic of PAH are triggered by the accumulation of genetic and/or environmental insults in an already existing genetic background. The multifactor dimensionality reduction (MDR) analysis is a statistical method used to identify gene–gene interaction or epistasis and gene–environment interactions that are associated with a particular disease. The MDR method collapses high-dimensional genetic data into a single dimension, thus permitting interactions to be detected in relatively small sample sizes. AIM: To identify and characterize polymorphisms/genes that increases the susceptibility to IPAH using MDR analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 77 IPAH patients and 100 controls were genotyped for eight polymorphisms of five genes (5HTT, EDN1, NOS3, ALK-1, and PPAR-γ2). MDR method was adopted to determine gene–gene interactions that increase the risk of IPAH. RESULTS: With MDR method, the single-locus model of 5HTT (L/S) polymorphism and the combination of 5HTT(L/S), EDN1(K198N), and NOS3(G894T) polymorphisms in the three-locus model were attributed to be the best models for predicting susceptibility to IPAH, with a P value of 0.05. CONCLUSION: MDR method can be useful in understanding the role of epistatic and gene–environmental interactions in pathogenesis of IPAH.

Turpentine-induced chemical pneumonitis with broncho-pleural fistula.

Turpentine is a volatile hydrocarbon used in polishes, solvents, paints and textile industry. When hydrocarbons are aspirated into the lung, they cause chemical pneumonitis, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and rarely pneumatoceles and pneumothorax. We report a 20-year old boy with turpentine-induced chemical pneumonitis that evolved into a bronchopleural fistula. He was treated with oxygen, steroids and intercostal tube drainage. This is the first reported case of turpentine-associated bronchopleural fistula.

Chromosomal analysis in recurrent spontaneous aborters.

A type of endomitotic chromosome reduplication in the interphase stage of cell cycle was found in lymphocyte cultures of couples with spontaneous abortions. To find out the presence of this anomaly chromosomal analysis was performed in a series of 20 women with repeated spontaneous abortions and their husbands. Demographic data was also collected from them. Out of 40 individuals, a 27 years male whose wife has experienced three spontaneous abortions was found to have Endoreduplication. His wife was normal with 46, XX chromosomal complement.

Demographic and cytogenetic study in recurrent spontaneous aborters.

Chromosomal analysis was performed in a series of 30 women with repeated spontaneous abortions and their husbands. Out of the 30 women, one woman of age 28 years with history of spontaneous abortions was detected to be a chromosomal mosaic 46,XX/47,XXX and with corresponding sex chromatin positive picture C +ve / ++ve. She had normal phenotype and spontaneous abortions that occurred in the second/third months of pregnancy. Her husband was normal and has normal karyotype (46,XY).

Hormonal Studies In Primary Amenorrhea.

Values of serium Tri ido Thyronine (T3), Thyroxine (T4) thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) Follicle stimulating hormones (FSH) are established in 70 primary amenorrhea cases. In chromosomally abnormal cases, the follicle stimulating values are elevated and it is further interesting to note that all these cases have mossaicism 45,X/46,XX. In 4 chromosomally abnormal cases Tri ido thyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) have shown abnormal values. Out of these 4 cases, 2 cases were with 45,X and 2 cases with 45,X/46,XX chromosome complement. All these cases have gonadal dysgenesis, with short stature and underweight.

Cytogenetic Analysis Of Primary Amenorrhea Cases.

Cytogenetic analysis of 70 primary amenorrhea cases revealed normal chromosomal constitution (46, XX-71.43%) in 50 and abnormal karyotype in 20 (28.57%) cases examined. Among the abnormal cases, there were 4 with 45, X (5.71%), 11 (15.71) with 45, X / 46, XX; 1 each with mosaicism of 45, X / 47, XXX and 45, XX/47, XXX and 47, XXX (1.43%) constitution. The remaining 2 cases with 46, XY constitution had testicular feminization syndrome.

Effect of Santhi Kriya on certain psychophysiological parameters: a preliminary study.

Santhi Kriya is a mixture of combined yogic practices of breathing and relaxation. Preliminary attempts were made to determine the effect of Santhi Kriya on certain psychophysiological parameters. Eight healthy male volunteers of the age group 25.9 +/- 3 (SD) years were subjected to Santhi Kriya practice daily for 50 minutes for 30 days. The volunteer's body weight, blood pressure, oral temperature, pulse rate, respiration, ECG and EEG were recorded before and after the practice on the 1st day and subsequently on 10th, 20th and 30th day of their practice. They were also given a perceptual acuity test to know their cognitive level on the 1st day and also at the end of the study i.e., on the 30th day. Results indicate a gradual and significant decrease in the body weight from 1st to 30th day (P less than 0.001) and an increase in alpha activity of the brain (P less than 0.001) during the course of 30 days of Santhi Kriya practice. Increase of alpha activity both in occipital and pre-frontal areas of both the hemispheres of the brain denotes an increase of calmness. This study also revealed that Santhi Kriya practice increases oral temperature by 3 degrees F and decreases respiratory rate significantly (P less than 0.05) on all practice days. Other parameters were not found to be altered significantly. It is concluded that the Santhi Kriya practice for 30 days reduces body weight and increases calmness.

Biogenic amines in human gingiva in healthy and inflamed states.

As inflammatory disturbance are of significance in every aspect of periodontal disease, it was deemed pertinent to conceive on experimental study exploring the existence and relationship of biogenic amines, at least in the inflammatory gingiva. Gingival samples from 50 human individuals representing varying grades of inflammatory involvement have been utilised in the present work. From the results of this study, it could be elucidated that biogenic amines (noradrenaline, dopamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine) should show elevated concentration in inflammatory states of the gingiva. Further, these amines turnover was confirmed by studying monoamine oxidase which is a catalyzing enzyme of noradrenaline and 5-hydroxytryptamine; and 5-hydroxy indole aceticacid is a metabolic end product of 5-hydroxytryptamine. This was of a transitory nature indicating increased levels at the early stages of inflammation followed by a decrease at the peak of the gingival inflammation. It is assumed that biogenic amines helps in regeneration of connective tissue of the oral mucosa during the initial development of inflammation rather than final stages of the process, thereby emphasizing its transitory role in the inflammatory process.

Cholinergic components in human gingiva in healthy and inflamed states.

Acetylcholine (ACh) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) are main components in cholinergic nervous system. ACh is a natural constituent of many parts of the nervous system and its chief role is neurotransmission. It is not entirely unique in function to the cholinergic tissues of the human body. Gingiva is the part of the oral mucosa which contains numerous mast cells. They contain a variety of biologically active substances including neurotransmitters such as 5-hydroxytryptamine, histamine etc. In the dental literature accessible to authors no data were found on ACh and AChE in the different oral structures in health and inflamed conditions. Therefore gingiva samples from 50 human individuals representing varying grades of inflammatory involvement have been utilised in the present study. ACh and AChE were estimated in the gingiva tissues by flurometric and spectrophotometric methods. This study established hithero unknown "norms" for the ACh and AChE contents of the clinically normal gingiva, which are found to be 0.85 +/- 0.06(SE) ug/g and 210 +/- 18(SE) micromoles ACh hydrolysed/hr/gm/wet tissues. Results also revealed that the range of variations of ACh is high and AChE is low in all the inflamed states of gingival tissues.

Effect of capsaicin on skeletal muscle lipoprotein lipase in rats fed high fat diet.

A synthetic analogue of capsaicin (0.2 mg%) fed to female Wistar rats along with a high fat diet for 11 weeks, lowered adipose tissue weight and also liver and serum triglycerides. The compound elevated total post heparin plasma lipase and skeletal muscle lipase activities. The increase in the latter indicates the possible mechanism by which capsaicin enhances serum triglyceride uptake by muscle tissue and in turn lowers triglyceride levels. A single dose of capsaicin even at a much higher level failed to lower serum triglycerides emphasizing the necessity of continuous ingestion of capsaicin for exerting its hypolipidemic effect.

Effect of capsaicin on triglyceride accumulation & secretion in ethanol fed rats.

Rats fed capsaicin (0.15, 1.5 and 15 mg%) containing diets were able to counter by about 30 per cent of the hepatic lipid accumulation caused by a single dose administration of ethanol (6 g/kg body weight). The rate of triglyceride secretion in capsaicin fed animals from liver to plasma was also elevated as judged by Triton WR-1339 induced hypertriglyceridemia. The results suggest a possible mechanism by which capsaicin counters ethanol induced hepatic lipid accumulation in rats.

influence of capsaicin, curcumin and ferulic acid in rats fed high fat diets.

Three compounds capsaicin, curcumin and ferulic acid showing hypolipidemic activity have been tested in adult Wistar rats fed high fat diets. Capsaicin (0·20 mg%) fed to female rats along with a 30% saturated fat diet lowered the rate of weight gain, liver and serum triglycerides. In male rats it lowered only the liver and serum total and very low density and low density lipoprotein triglycerides whether fed continuously for 13 or 8 weeks after interchanging the control and test diets from the 5th week onwards. Capsaicin fed to female rats in 30% mixed fat diet increased the rate of weight gain, lowered liver and serum triglycerides, lowered adipose tissue lipoprotein lipase, elevated the hormone sensitive lipase and serum free fatty acids. Capsaicin in 30% saturated fat diet lowered both the enzyme activities to a much lesser extent. Curcumin and ferulic acid (both at 25 mg%) in 30% saturated fat diet tended to lower the rate of weight gain, liver total lipids and serum triglycerides. It is of significance that a common dietary compound 'capsaicin' in the range of human intake triggers lipid lowering action in rats fed high fat diets.

Alcoholism: newer methods of management.

Chronic alcoholics were selected from hospitals and A.A. Centres and subjected to different methods of treatment namely, psycho therapy, stereotaxic surgery, nonvolitional biofeedback, Yoga and meditation and extremely low frequency Pulsed Magnetic Field. Each group comprised a minimum of 20 subjects. All were males between the ages of 20 and 45 years. Investigations done were clinical, psychological, biochemical, neurochemical and electrophysiological. Improvement was noticed in all the patients, the degree varying with the different methods of treatment. The patients were followed up at least for a period of one year.

Influence of red pepper and capsaicin on body composition and lipogenesis in rats.

Inclusion of red pepper or its active principle 'capsaicin' in the diet led to a lowering of total lipids, particularly triglycerides in the liver. The total body fat was lowered in animals fed red pepper or capsaicin but not in animals fed paprika powder which had negligible capsaicin content. Hyperlipogensis and hypertriglyceridemia caused by fructose feeding were significantly were decreased in capsaicin-fed animals. Activities of the key lipogenic enzymes were reduced as reflected by decreased lipogenesis.