Assessment of genetic variability of chilli in Western Himalayan Region

Aim: The present study was conducted with the aim to collect and evaluate the available genetic diversity of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) in order to identify promising accessions for cultivation as well as use in crop improvement. Methodology: A total 78 accessions of chilli were collected from Western himalayan region, i.e., Kashmir valley of India. Collected germplasm was evaluated at one location for fifteen quantitative traits of horticultural importance. Results: With ample diversity in these traits, a high coefficient of variation was found. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed that first five principal components possessed eigen value > 1, cumulatively contributed > 65.2 percent of total variability. All the genotypes were grouped into five clusters showing non parallelism between geographic and genetic diversity. Interpretation: The genotypes grouped in different clusters may be utilized for hybridization programme to produce more heterotic recombinants.

Effect of seed rates on seed germination and seedling growth of Mulberry (Morus sp.)

Mulberry (Morus sp.) is a fast growing, deciduous, woody perennial plant, usually pollinated by wind (anemophily). Morus sp. produces seed which is used to raise seedlings to be used for root grafting, whereas scion of an improved variety is grafted over the rootstock got through seedling raising. Seed rate is an important parameter that decides population of plants per unit area with optimum exposure to sunlight, proper space, aeration, and nutrition. In this study, we tried to find the optimum seed rate in mulberry for raising of quality seedlings under Kashmir climatic conditions. The investigation was carried out at College of Temperate Sericulture, Mirgund, SKUAST- Kashmir, wherein different seed rates were tested for seedling raising in mulberry. Amongst different seed rates tested, treatment T3 wherein 28 seeds were sown per square foot was at par with treatments T1 and T2 having 20 and 24 seeds per sq. foot, respectively. The study indicated that 20-28 seeds per square foot could be successfully adopted for raising of quality seedlings.

Changing Prevalence of Gastric Fundic Gland Polyps: Current Scenario in North India.

Introduction: The prevalence and histopathological type ofgastric polyp vary between populations. In the recent pastaggressive treatment of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and theexcessive use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) have alteredthe prevalence of specific types of gastric polyp. This studywas designed to evaluate the prevalence and histopathologybackground of gastric mucosa in cases with fundic glandpolyps (FGP).Material and Methods: The medical record of patients whounderwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy in 2 centers inNorthern India from 2011-2018 were reviewed.Results: The prevalence of gastric polyps was 5%, of which900 (50%) were fundic gland polyps (FGP). Mean age ofpresentation was 51.42 years, 70% were located in fundus/corpus, 62% had dyspepsia, chronic inactive gastritis (CIG)was present in 60%, 95% were multiple and 27% were morethan 1cm in size.Conclusions: As a result of anti - H. pylori treatment and theexcessive use of PPIs, FGP are most common in Northern India.CIG, H. pylori gastritis and Intestinal metaplasia were seen ingastric histology of the cases. These results are interesting andprovide new perspective to look for pathogenesis of gastricpolyps.

Helicobacter Pylori Sequential Eradication Therapy: Clarithromycin based Therapy Versus Levofloxacin based Therapy. Study from Kashmir Valley

Introduction: Various regimens have been used for H-pylorieradication. Sequential therapy is an alternative to classicaltriple therapy. This study was designed for evaluatingthe efficacy of levofloxacin based sequential therapyvs clarithromycin based sequential therapy in H-pylorieradication.Material and methods: It is a randomized clinical trial. Twohundred H. Pylori infected patients diagnosed by rapid ureasetest (RUT) on UGI endoscopy were randomly divided intotwo groups A and B. Group B Levofloxacin based sequentialregimen and group A clarithromycin based sequential regimen.H-pylori eradication status was evaluated with rapid ureasetest on UGI endoscopy 6 weeks after completion of sequentialtherapy.Results: As per protocol, eradication rates for group B and Awere 86% and 81% respectively. Eradication rate for H-pyloriis greater with levofloxacin based sequential therapy ascompared to that of clarithromycin based sequential therapybut it is not statistically significant p >0.05.Conclusion: Levofloxacin based sequential therapy has highereradication rate than clarithromycin based sequential therapy.Although not statistically significant in our study, levofloxacinbased sequential therapy could be better alternative forthe treatment of H-pylori in areas with high clarithromycinresistance.

Biomechanical Assessment of Stabilization of Simulated Type II Odontoid Fracture with Case Study

STUDY DESIGN: Researchers created a proper type II dens fracture (DF) and quantified a novel current posterior fixation technique with spacers at C1–C2. A clinical case study supplements this biomechanical analysis. PURPOSE: Researchers explored their hypothesis that spacers combined with posterior instrumentation (PI) reduce range of motion significantly, possibly leading to better fusion outcomes. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Literature shows that the atlantoaxial joint is unique in allowing segmental rotary motion, enabling head turning. With no intervertebral discs at these joints, multiple ligaments bind the axis to the skull base and to the atlas; an intact odontoid (dens) enhances stability. The most common traumatic injury at these strong ligaments is a type II odontoid fracture. METHODS: Each of seven specimens (C0–C3) was tested on a custom-built six-degrees-of-freedom spine simulator with constructs of intact state, type II DF, C1–C2 PI, PI with joint capsulotomy (PIJC), PI with spacers (PIS) at C1–C2, and spacers alone (SA). A bending moment of 2.0 Nm (1.5°/sec) was applied in flexion-extension (FE), lateral bending (LB), and axial rotation (AR). One-way analysis of variance with repeated measures was performed. RESULTS: DF increased motion to 320%, 429%, and 120% versus intact (FE, LB, and AR, respectively). PI significantly reduced motion to 41%, 21%, and 8%. PIJC showed negligible changes from PI. PIS reduced motion to 16%, 14%, and 3%. SA decreased motion to 64%, 24%, and 54%. Reduced motion facilitated solid fusion in an 89-year-old female patient within 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: Type II odontoid fractures can lead to acute or chronic instability. Current fixation techniques use C1–C2 PI or an anterior dens screw. Addition of spacers alongside PI led to increased biomechanical rigidity over intact motion and may offer an alternative to established surgical fixation techniques.

Evaluation of Two Novel Integrated Stand-Alone Spacer Designs Compared with Anterior and Anterior-Posterior Single-Level Lumbar Fusion Techniques: An In Vitro Biomechanical Investigation

STUDY DESIGN: In vitro biomechanical investigation. PURPOSE: To compare the biomechanics of integrated three-screw and four-screw anterior interbody spacer devices and traditional techniques for treatment of degenerative disc disease. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Biomechanical literature describes investigations of operative techniques and integrated devices with four dual-stacked, diverging interbody screws; four alternating, converging screws through a polyether-ether-ketone (PEEK) spacer; and four converging screws threaded within the PEEK spacer. Conflicting reports on the stability of stand-alone devices and the influence of device design on biomechanics warrant investigation. METHODS: Fourteen cadaveric lumbar spines were divided randomly into two equal groups (n=7). Each spine was tested intact, after discectomy (injured), and with PEEK interbody spacer alone (S), anterior lumbar plate and spacer (AP+S), bilateral pedicle screws and spacer (BPS+S), circumferential fixation with spacer and anterior lumbar plate supplemented with BPS, and three-screw (SA3s) or four-screw (SA4s) integrated spacers. Constructs were tested in flexion-extension (FE), lateral bending (LB), and axial rotation (AR). Researchers performed one-way analysis of variance and independent t-testing (p≤0.05). RESULTS: Instrumented constructs showed significantly decreased motion compared with intact except the spacer-alone construct in FE and AR (p≤0.05). SA3s showed significantly decreased range of motion (ROM) compared with AP+S in LB (p≤0.05) and comparable ROM in FE and AR. The three-screw design increased stability in FE and LB with no significant differences between integrated spacers or between integrated spacers and BPS+S in all loading modes. CONCLUSIONS: Integrated spacers provided fixation statistically equivalent to traditional techniques. Comparison of three-screw and four-screw integrated anterior lumbar interbody fusion spacers revealed no significant differences, but the longer, larger-diameter interbody spacer with three-screw design increased stabilization in FE and LB; the diverging four-screw design showed marginal improvement during AR.

Profile of non traumatic surgical disorders found in the pilgrims/trekkers travelling to Shri Amarnath Ji cave.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: The "Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra" is an annual congregation in which the devotees trek a difficult route of around 40 km to reach to a cave at a height of approximately 14,000 feet at Pahalgam in the State of Jammu & Kashmir, India. These trekkers are subjected to stress and strain of the long mountainous route and difficult security scenario as a result of which they are prone to develop some surgical disorders. We ascertained the profile of non-traumatic surgical conditions met in these people at the various medical aid centres and the base hospital Pahalgam so that a policy could be framed to prevent these conditions. METHODS: This study was conducted at the Government Base Hospital Pahalgam, Kashmir, between June and August 2006. The patients with non traumatic surgical conditions attending the hospital were included in this study. Necessary investigations were done and patients requiring surgical intervention were operated upon. RESULTS: Of the 1,54,000 devotees who undertook the "yatra", in 2006 the personnel of the Directorate of Health Services, Kashmir, extended medical aid to 40,082 pilgrims. Of these 40,082 pilgrims, 172 were admitted on the surgical side for various non traumatic surgical disorders. The commonest cause for admission was exacerbation of acid peptic diseases. Nine emergency surgical procedures were conducted at the base hospital and the commonest cause for intervention was perforation of a duodenal ulcer. There was no mortality and the patients responded well to conservative ulcer procedures. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: The stress of high altitude trekking and assembly of a large gathering of people during the annual "Amarnath Ji yatra" can pose a number of health related problems especially in the old and infirm people as was observed in the study. Pilgrims who intend taking up the yatra in future should seek medical advice prior to their departure. If a person is diagnosed to have peptic ulcer disease he or she should be put on anti-ulcer therapy to prevent potential complications.

Interaction of mithramycin with chromatin.

Mithramycin (MTR) is an anti-cancer antibiotic that blocks the macromolecular biosynthesis via reversible interaction with DNA template in the presence of bivalent metal ion such as Mg2+. In absence of DNA, mithramycin forms two types of complexes with Mg2+, complex I (with 1:1 stoichiometry in terms of MTR: Mg2+) and complex II (with 1:2 stoichiometry in terms of MTR: Mg2+). In an eukaryotic system, the drug would interact with chromatin, a protein-DNA complex. We have employed the spectroscopic techniques such as absorption and fluorescence to study the interaction of MTR: Mg2+ complexes with rat liver chromatin. In this report, we have shown that the two types of ligands have different binding potentials with the same chromatin. This supports our proposition that complexes I and II, are different molecular species. We have also shown that the histone protein(s) reduce the binding potential and the number of available sites for both ligands.

Prevalence of goitre in school children in Baramulla (Kashmir valley).

1,876 school children were surveyed in Baramulla district of Kashmir for the presence of goitre. There were 964 boys and 912 girls in the age group of 5-15 years. An overall goitre prevalence of 52.08 per cent was found (54.77% in boys and 49.23% in girls). Iodine content was assayed in urine samples of 44 randomly selected subjects. The mean +/- SEM urinary iodine was 41.85 +/- 2.52 micrograms/g of creatinine (Range 6.25-69.41).