In vitro propagation of chia (Salvia hispanica L.) and assessment of genetic fidelity using random amplified polymorphic DNA and intersimple sequence repeat molecular markers

A well-organized micropropagation protocol has been designed for Salvia hispanica L., which bears high nutritional and medicinal value. Seeds of S. hispanica L. were germinated aseptically on half strength MS medium. Nodal explants obtained from in vitro germinated seedling were cultured on MS medium fortified with 6-benzyladenine (BAP) (1–5 mg/l) or Kinetin (Kin) (1–5 mg/l) individually or with α-naphthalene acetic acid (0.1–1 mg/l) and indole3-acetic acid (IAA) (0.1–1 mg/l) for clonal propagation. It was observed that maximum amount of shoots per explant (9.02 ± 2.65) was achieved on culture medium fortified with 3 mg/l BAP which was also optimum for subculturing of the regenerated shoots. Rooting was achieved on medium supplemented with 1 mg/l IBA. The rooted plantlets were acclimatized and transferred to field conditions, with 75% survival rate. Genetic fidelity studies were carried out on regenerated plantlets by 30 random amplified polymorphic DNA and 10 intersimple sequence repeat (ISSR) as molecular markers

Surveillance of Acute Respiratory Infections in Mumbai during 2011-12.

Purpose: Acute respiratory infections (ARIs) are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in individuals aged less than 5 years. ARI often leads to hospitalisation, and it has been indicated that causative viral and bacterial infections go undetermined and results in the occurrence of resistant strains. The objective of the study was to assess the prevalence of various viral and bacterial infections in patients with ARIs. Materials and Methods: Two hundred samples were collected from July 2011 to July 2012 with patients suffering from ARI. Viral and bacterial infections were determined by real time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Results: Infl uenza-like illness (ILI) consisted of 109 patients and ARI consisted of 91 patients. Pandemic infl uenza A H1N1 was the major viral infection with 21 (19.2%) patients in ILI as compared with 16 (17.4%) patients in ARI. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) was found to be 1 (0.9%) in ILI and ARI. Viral co-infections were 16 (14.4%) in ILI and 4 (4.37%) in ARI where pandemic infl uenza A H1N1 and infl uenza type B were major contributors. In bacterial infections, Streptococcus pneumoniae with 11 (10.9%) cases were predominant in both the groups. Bacterial co-infection accounted for only 1 (1.09%) case in both the groups but the most signifi cant fi nding was the viral-bacterial co-infection in which Haemophilus infl uenzae was the major co-infecting bacteria with the infl uenza viruses with 4 (4.36%) cases as compared with Streptotoccus pneumoniae. Conclusion: This data indicate the need to undertake continued surveillance that will help to better defi ne the circulation of respiratory viruses along with the bacterial infections.

Chloroplast ultra structure, photosynthesis and enzyme activities in regenerated plants of Stevia rebaudiana (Bert.) Bertoni as influenced by copper sulphate in the medium.

Stevia rebaudiana (Bert.) Bertoni is an important medicinal plant used as noncaloric commercial sweetener. Plants regenerated with higher levels of copper sulphate in the medium exhibited enhanced activity of peroxidase and polyphenoloxidase (PPO) enzymes. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed increase in size and number of electron dense inclusions in the chloroplasts of plants regenerated at optimised level of copper sulphate (0.5µM) in the medium. There was decrease in chlorogenic acid (CGA) content. Chl-a-fluorescence transient pattern (OJIP) showed that the photosynthesis process was more efficient at 0.5µM CuSO4 in the medium. 

Novel microbial route to synthesize silver nanoparticles using spore crystal mixture of Bacillus thuringiensis.

Metallic nanoparticles are traditionally synthesized by wet chemical techniques, where the chemicals used are often toxic and flammable. In the present study, the spore crystal mixture of Bacillus thuringiensis was used for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles. Nanoparticles were characterized using UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy, XRD and TEM. X-ray diffraction and TEM analysis showed the average particle size of 15 nm and mixed (cubic and hexagonal) structure. This is for the first time that any bacterial spore crystal mixture was used for the synthesis of nanoparticles. Further, these biologically synthesized nanoparticles were found to be highly toxic against different multi drug resistant human pathogenic bacteria.

Ten-year experience with the arterial switch operation.

BACKGROUND: Arterial level repair is considered the most appropriate procedure for transposition of the great arteries. This report describes our experience with the arterial switch operation over the past decade. METHODS AND RESULTS: From January 1991 to January 2001, a total of 299 patients underwent an arterial switch operation for transposition of the great arteries or double-outlet right ventricle. Group I (n=169, 56.5%) comprised patients with transposition of the great arteries in whom the ventricular septum was essentially intact. Group II patients (n=130, 43.5%) had transposition of the great arteries with an additional significant ventricular septal defect or had double-outlet right ventricle with a subpulmonic ventricular septal defect. Of the total, 245 (82%) were males and 54 (18%) were females. In group I, the ages ranged from 2 days to 18 years (median 19 days) and weight ranged from 1.7 to 68 kg (median 2.5 kg). In group II, the ages ranged from 4 days to 4 years (median 90 days) and weight ranged from 2.5 to 17 kg (median 4 kg). Fifteen percent of the patients (25/169) in group I and 30% of the patients (39/130) in group II had features of bacteriologic infection. Arterial switch operation was performed on standard lines. In group I, 141 patients (83.4%) had a primary arterial switch operation while 28 (16.6%) underwent a rapid two-stage repair. Twenty-three patients required concomitant relief of associated anatomic left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. Operative mortality was 8.8% (15/169) in group I and 33% (44/130) in group II with an overall mortality of 19% (59/299). The major causes of operative mortality included pulmonary arterial hypertensive crisis (n=21), sepsis and related complications (n=16), and left ventricular failure (n=8). Coexisting arch anomalies, longer cross-clamp time, late presentation, and preoperative bacteriologic infections were incremental risk factors. Follow-up ranged from 1 to 10 years and was 87% complete. On follow-up, 91% of the patients were asymptomatic and off all medications. There were 3 late deaths and 5 patients required reoperation. CONCLUSIONS: Excellent long-term results are obtained in operative survivors following the arterial switch operation. However. operative mortality remains a concern in our set-up.

Radiofrequency ablation for accessory pathways: success and variants.

INTRODUCTION: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is currently being advocated as the first line of therapy for symptomatic and drug refractory arrhythmias mediated by accessory pathways (APs). However, a large database on RFA for APs from India is still lacking. METHODS: Four hundred thirty-four patients (298 males, (69%)), with APs who underwent RF ablation between January, 1998 and May, 2001 were included. The success and variants were evaluated retrospectively from the data. RESULTS: The mean age was 36 +/- 11 years. There were 314 (73%) patients with WPW syndrome while the other 120 (27%) had concealed APs. Documented tachycardia was noted in 406 (91%) patients. Forty-six (11%) patients had associated structural heart disease (Ebstein's anomaly in 18). The procedure was successful in 414 (97%) of 425 patients in whom it was attempted. Of those unsuccessful, five had epicardial APs, four had multiple APs and two had immediate recurrence of APs. RFA was not attempted in nine parahissian pathways. Additional mechanisms were seen in 48 (11%) patients with WPW syndrome (14 (4.4%) AV nodal reentrant tachycardias, 16 (5%) additional concealed APs and 18 (5.7%) multiple APs). Coronary sinus diverticulum were detected in 23 (7.3%) patients, and Mahaim-like APs were diagnosed in 24 (6\8%) patients. The procedural and fluoroscopy time was 96 +/- 41 and 19 +/- 13 minutes, respectively. There were no deaths; three patients developed pericardial tamponade, which was promptly treated by pericardiocentesis. CONCLUSION: Radiofrequency ablation is a safe and effective treatment for AP mediated tachycardia, especially for younger patients and children in whom life-long drug therapy may not be best option.