Bio-efficacy of Bacillus subtilis against Damping off Disease in Brinjal

Bacillus sp is one of the biocontrol agents are extensively used in management of fungal diseases of crop plants, exhibiting mycoparasitism against a wide range of plant pathogens. In the present investigation Efficacy of Bacillus subtilis was tested against Pythium aphanidermatum under glass house and field conditions. With regard to the germination and seedling growth parameters, the treatment T2 (liquid formulation of Bacillus subtilis @10 ml/L) recorded the highest germination percentage (92.59%), shoot length (59.3 cm), root length (24.3 cm), vigor index (7740.52) and yield (22.67 mt/ha). This was followed by the treatments T3, T1 and T4 in the decreasing order of merit. In the biometric observations also, 10 ml/L and 20 ml/L concentration of liquid formulation of Bacillus subtilis recorded statistically significant results. Observations on total protein content in brinjal plants treated with different concentrations of Bacillus subtilis revealed that treatment T2 was found best in both field and glass house conditions yielded highest protein as 0.44mg/ml and 0.30mg/ml respectively. The least values of germination, growth parameters, protein content and yield were observed in untreated control.

Prenatal sonographic evaluation and postnatal outcome of renal anomalies.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prognosis of antenatally detected renal anomalies by sonographic evaluation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a follow-up study of all antenatally detected renal anomalies from January 2008 to Dec 2009 referred to fetal medicine clinic. Prenatal evaluation was done and cases were divided into four groups depending upon their prenatal sonographic findings. Post natal follow-up was done up to one year in cases of live babies. Autopsy was carried out in still born fetus after consent. RESULTS: The renal anomaly was detected in 55 cases, which were fully followed. The prognosis was said to be poor for group I cases with gross extra renal anomaly along with the renal anomaly, and for group II in which there was organic renal pathology with loss of renal function suggested by non-visualization of bladder and almost absent liquor. Prognosis was guarded and depended upon the gestational age of presentation in group III, which had obstructive uropathy; prognosis was good in group IV cases, which were mild, unilateral or which presented late. CONCLUSION: Prenatal sonographic evaluation gives reasonably accurate picture of the prognosis and can be very helpful in counseling the parents regarding prognosis and help in deciding the timing and route of delivery.

Coagulation inhibitors and activated protein C resistance in recurrent pregnancy losses in Indian women.

Background: Thrombophilias, both acquired and inherited, have been investigated in the etiopathogenesis of unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss. Aim: To study coagulation inhibitors and activated protein C resistance (APCR) in recurrent pregnancy losses (RPL) occurring in second and third trimesters. Materials and Methods: A total of 30 pregnant women (group A) with two or more recurrent unexplained fetal loses were evaluated for APCR, protein C deficiency, protein S deficiency, antithrombin deficiency, and antiphospholipid antibodies (APLA). Thirty age-matched controls were taken (group B) comprising of pregnant women with at least one live issue. Statistical Analysis: Comparisons between two group frequencies and group means were made using Chi square test and Student's t test, respectively. Results: Protein C and protein S levels were reduced in group A compared with group B and the difference was statistically significant (P=0.005 and P=0.032, respectively). The mean value of antithrombin was slightly reduced in group A compared with group B. APCR was observed in 16.6% cases and 3.3% controls. However, the difference was not statistically significant. APLA was observed in 20% cases and none of the controls. Of these, lupus anticoagulant was positive in 16.6% cases and anticardiolipin antibodies in 10% cases. Combined defects were seen in seven patients. Conclusion: There is a significant risk of RPL in pregnant women with thrombophilias. Therefore, screening for thrombophilias may be justified in pregnant women with unexplained recurrent fetal wastage, especially in second and third trimester.

Possible role of male factors in recurrent pregnancy loss.

Objective : To evaluate various causes possibly contributing towards recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), particularly male factors. Prospective study of 75 couples with history of RPL who were investigated for genetic, anatomic, immunological, infective and systemic causes in both partners. Functional sperm capacity was assessed by the Hypo-osmotic swelling test (HOS), Acrosomal Reaction (AR), Nuclear condensationdecondensation test (NCD) and Seminal Total Leukocyte Count (TLC) along with semen analysis. Twenty male volunteers with recently proven fertility were also included for detailed sperm morphology and sperm functions test as controls. Amongst male partners 3(4%) had varicocele, 23(30.6%) had infection, 1(1.3%) immunological and 1(1.3%) had genetic abnormality. Sperm motility, viability and sperm function tests were significantly lower in the RPL group as compared to the control group (P=0.000). Male factor might be a possible contributing factor towards RPL. Both the partners should be evaluated and treated simultaneously in order to achieve desirable outcome.