Phenotypic stability and homeostasis in Assam rice landraces at varying nitrogen regimes

Aim: The present study was designed to identify stable rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes for nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), yield and its component traits and also to identify component traits associated with yield stability. Methodology: Twenty-one landraces along with five high yielding varieties (HYVs) of rice were evaluated at three nitrogen levels (0, 40 and 60 kg N ha-1) for two years (2014 and 2015). Eberhart and Russel’s (1966) stability analysis were employed to assess the genotype × environment (GE) interaction and the stability of the genotypes across six environments. To study homeostasis, simple correlation analysis among ten different traits was done based on stability parameters. Results: The present study revealed that environments created by graded nitrogen levels were fruitful for inducing environmental variations. The highly significant linear environmental variances were found for all ten traits. Linear GE interaction was significant for all the traits, except harvest index, grain nitrogen and nitrogen harvest index. The stability analysis identified four genotypes viz., Kolabor, Aki Bora, Rongdoi and Luha Sali with average stability whereas Betguti Sali was found to be stable below average. Correlation analysis based on stability parameters revealed the existence of homeostasis. Interpretation: Present study revealed that genotypes namely Kolabor, Aki Bora, Rongdoi and Luha Sali are suitable to grow under both nitrogen limiting and nitrogen non-limiting environments whereas Betguti Sali was suitable for nitrogen non-limiting environments. Correlation analysis, based on stability parameters, revealed that yield stability was due to the plasticity of some other component traits under study.

Role of serum CA 19-9 as a tumor marker in TCC bladder

Background: There is a dearth of reliable blood and urine markers for transitional cell carcinoma of urinary bladder. CA 19-9 is a well-known marker for gastrointestinal malignancies and is being investigated for other malignancies including carcinoma bladder. In this prospective study, we evaluated the role of serum CA 19-9 as a tumor marker and correlated its level with tumor grade and stage.Methods: One hundred and fifteen patients with transitional cell carcinoma of urinary bladder and 69 healthy volunteers, as controls were included in the study. Preoperative blood sample was analysed for level of CA 19-9 using ELISA kit (normal - 0 U/ml to 37U/ml) and were correlated with grade and TNM stage of tumor.Results: The range of the control group is 2-38U/ml (mean: 17.67±9.68U/ml); TCC group is 1-94U/ml (mean: 37.12±31.52U/ml) (p=0.304). When CA 19-9 level >37IU/ml was taken as cut-off for a positive test, sensitivity of detecting T3 disease, T4 disease, MIBC, presence of node and high grade tumour were 80%, 75%, 70.3%, 78% and 57.8% respectively. However, there was a statistically significant increase in levels of CA19-9 in relation to higher grade (<0.001), presence of muscle invasion (<0.001), T stage (<0.001) and N stage (<0.001).Conclusions: Serum CA19-9 is almost invariably raised in patients with high grade and invasive disease. Thus, it has a place as a prognostic marker rather than as a diagnostic tool due to its low sensitivity for TCC bladder.

Ecology of Two Riverine Wetlands of Goalpara District, Assam in Relation to Plankton Productivity.

Ecological investigation of two riverine wetlands of Goalpara district, Assam, India was carried out in relation to planktonic productivity from 2006 to 2008. The physico chemical parameters were found fluctuating with the growth of both phytoplankton and zooplankton. Both the beel was dominated by Chlorophyceae throughout the year amongst which Ulothrix and Spirogyra were found as dominating species. Among the Copepods, Cyclops was over all dominating species and amongst the Cladoceran groups; Daphnia, Bosmina and Moina were found in the wetlands throughout the studied period. Phytoplankton community of Urpod beel constituted 58.82% to 65.52%, while zooplankton community constituted 34.48% to 41.18% of the total plankton hauled throughout the studied period. Chlorophyceae fluctuates between the range of 47% to 58%, Bacillariophyceae 20% to 27% and Myxophyceae fluctuates between the ranges of 20% to 30%. Mean value of GPP in Hasila beel was estimated between the range of 2.88 gC/ m2/day and 4.66 gC/ m2/day, while in Urpod beel it was between 2.75g Cm-2day-1 and 4.27g Cm-2day-1.

Length-weight relationship and condition factor of Aorichthys aor (Hamilton-Buchanan) in Lower Reaches of River Brahmaputra.

The studies were conducted during 2008–2010 to evaluate length-weight relationship and condition factor of Aorichthys aor in lower reaches of River Brahmaputra. 750 nos of fishes having weight of 20g to 1250 g and total length of 10 cm to 55 cm were recorded. The Cube law or Length–weight relationship was calculated as W = 0.00352 L3.246. The coefficient of correlation (r) between observed length & weight and calculated length & weight was 0.96 and 0.93 respectively, which indicated highly significant relationship between length and weight. The exponent (b) value obtained indicating the positive allometric growth pattern. The relative condition factor (Kn) value was found higher in fishes of above 650 g weight groups.

Ichthyofaunal diversity of lower reaches of the Brahmaputra River, Assam.

An investigation was carried out from February 2009 to January 2010 in the core fish landing centres of Goalpara district, Assam to evaluate the present status of ichthyofaunal diversity of the lower reaches of Brahmaputra River. A total of 97 species including exotic species belonging to 56 genera of 26 families were recorded from all the fish landing centres. Among these, according to IUCN status, 5 species are endangered, 21 species vulnerable, 29 species lower risk-near threatened, 7 species lower risk-less concern and other 29 species are not evaluated. The families recorded were Notopteridae, Clupeidae, Engraulidae, Cyprinidae, Psilorhynchidae, Balitoridae, Cobitidae, Bagridae, Siluridae, Schilbeidae, Sisoridae, Clariidae, Heteropneustidae, Chacidae, Mugilidae, Beloniidae, Synbranchidae, Mastacembelidae, Chandidae, Nandidae, Cichlidae, Gobiidae, Anabantidae, Belontidae, Channidae and Tetradontidae. Seasonal variations of the fishes were also noticed remarkably. The taxonomic composition of the fish fauna suggests, Cyprinidae were the most dominant family with 39 representative species (42.8%) followed by Bagridae having 7 species (7.7%). The study reveals that lower reaches of River Brahmaputra is very rich in ichthyofaunal diversity. However, strategies such as controlled harvest, checks on growth of exotic species, controlling water pollution etc. are suggested for conservation of the native and endemic fish species of the region.

In vitro regeneration of Hypericum patulum Thunb.--a medicinal plant.

A protocol was developed for high frequency plant regeneration in H. patulum by shoot-tip culture. H. patulum plants were collected from a wild source growing at high altitude in the eastern Himalayas. Multiple buds were initiated from shoot-tips cultured on Murashige and Skoog's medium supplemented with BAP, kinetin. Addition of thiamin HCI, Ca-pantothenate and biotin enhanced multiple shoot formation. Upon transfer to phytohormone free liquid medium following a brief exposure to auxin, root formation occurred from the micro shoots . Rooted plants were hardened and transferred to soil. Regeneration potentiality was found to be constant throughout the year in long term cultures.

Effect of HD-03--a herbal formulation in galactosamine-induced hepatopathy in rats.

The effect of HD-03 a herbal preparation was studied on galactosamine (400 mg/kg b.wt., i.p.) induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Animals were pre-treated for 14 days with HD-03 and compared against untreated group for SGPT, SGOT, serum bilirubin and liver glycogen. Histopathology of liver lobes was considered to evaluate the extent of hepatic injury induced by galactosamine. These were reversed by HD-03 pre-treatment. HD-03 provided convincing evidence of hepatoprotection against galactosamine induced hapatotoxicity.

Imaging in epilepsy.

Epilepsy is a common problem in the paediatric age group. Imaging plays a vital role in identifying the seizure focus. Cross-sectional imaging modalities like CT and MRI have had a major impact on the management of seizure disorders. MRI, because of its high contrast resolution and multiplanar capability is the ideal imaging modality but its use is restricted due to high cost. Computed tomography is cheaper and is the first, and often, the only modality used, especially in the underprivileged areas of the world. In the tropical countries inflammatory granuloma are a common cause of epilepsy and CT is adequate to detect these lesions. Other causes include congenital abnormalities, neoplastic and vascular causes.

Passive immunization of piglets against enterotoxigenic colibacillosis by vaccinating dams with K88ac pili bearing bacterins.

Day-old-piglets were passively immunized by vaccinating the pregnant sows with K88ac enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) vaccine. High level of ETEC specific antibodies was excreted in colostrum (3733.33 +/- 1152.13) and maintained a detectable level (100.00 +/- 0.00) up to 21 day post partum (DPP). The IgG was the predominant immunoglobulin followed by IgA and IgM. Piglets born of vaccinated dam (group A) and unvaccinated dam (group B) were challenged in 7 day of age. Clinical and faecal scores were significantly (P < 0.01) low in group A than that of group B. Piglets of group A developed mild diarrhoea (33.33%), while all the control piglets developed profuse diarrhoea and 3 of these died before 14 day of challenge infection.