Morphological traits association with fodder and seed yield in Vigna unguiculata (L.).

In cowpea, dual purpose plant types are more preferable for cultivation. Therefore, exotic and indigenous cowpea germplasm lines were evaluated in augmented design to study estimates of the correlation coefficients and path analysis of morphological as well as fodder and grain yield attributes. The present study showed a high impact of direct effects of correlation (0.9714**) and suggested that going for plant types with higher biomass per plant (0.8856**), dry weight per plant (0.4598), stem girth (0.2336) number of secondary branches (0.2788), leaves per plant (0.3251), pods per plant (0.9059) and pod clusters per plant (0.7718) would be effective for improving both fodder and seed yield in cowpea.

Port site metastasis after laparoscopic radical nephrectomy: A single-center experience.

Objective: To assess the incidence and review the probable etiologies of port site recurrence in patients undergoing laparoscopic radical nephrectomy. Materials and Methods: One hundred thirty-six patients undergoing laparoscopic surgeries for renal malignancy, including 133 radical nephrectomies and 3 partial nephrectomies, from December 1999 to December 2008 at our institution were followed up for a median period of 59 months (12-120 months). Of the procedures, 121 were performed by transperitoneal, 5 by retroperitoneal and 10 by combined approach (retroperitoneal renal artery clipping followed by transperitoneal nephrectomy). Formal lymphadenectomy was not performed. Postoperative surveillance after radical nephrectomy included history and physical examination with blood tests 3-6 monthly, chest X-ray yearly and abdominal contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) 1-2 yearly. The development of port site recurrence was diagnosed by physical examination, CECT and pathological findings. Results: Conversion to open surgery was done in 33 patients. Two (1.47% overall) port site recurrences were observed, both after radical nephrectomies done for renal masses with clinical stages T2N0M0 and TIN0M0. The pathological staging in the two were T2N1M0 Fuhrman's Grade III and T3aN1M0 Grade III, respectively. Conclusion: Our results report that laparoscopic approach does not necessarily increase the risk of port site recurrence, provided the cases are carefully chosen, principles of oncologic surgery are followed, and conditions that increase the risk of port site metastasis are avoided.

Histochemical localization of enzymes and lipids in the ovary of a vespertilionid bat, Scotophilus heathi, during the reproductive cycle

O presente estudo descreve as mudanças sazonais na D5 3b hidroxiesteróide desidrogenase (3b-HSD), glicose-6 fosfato desidrogenase (G-6-PD), e lipídios no ovário de um morcego vespertilionidae, Scotophilus heathi. As atividades totais dos lipídios e do 3b-HSD estão restritas às células tecais e intersticiais do ovário. Os lipídios, 3b-HSD e G-6-PD totais, aumentaram significantemente durante a recrudescência, e permaneceram elevados durante a dormência de inverno e o período de acasalamento, quando comparados a outras fases reprodutivas. A alta incidência de atividade de lipídios e enzimas nas células intersticiais durante o período de acasalamento e durante o período de ovulação sugere claramente que estas células estão ativamente envolvidas na esteroidogênese. O declínio da atividade dos lipídios e enzimas durante a dormência de inverno, o qual se correlaciona com os níveis decrescentes da esteroidogênese, podem ser o fator responsável pela longa sobrevivência do folículo de De Graaf no ovário do S. heathi.

Role of garlic (Allium sativum L.) in human and plant diseases.

A resurgence of interest in garlic due to recent revelations of its beneficial effects in the treatment of various human and plant diseases and also due to validation of claims made in traditional systems of medicine has resulted a plethora of publications on different aspects of garlic in recent years. Chemical constituents of garlic and their variations on the methods of isolation have been discussed in the present review. Effect of garlic and its constituents against various human and plant pathogenic and saprophytic microorganisms has also been reviewed.

Effects of hCG and PMSG on responsiveness of ovary during period of delayed ovulation in an Indian vespertilionid bat, Scotophilus heathi.

Both hCG and PMSG treatments given either individually or sequentially between September and early February failed to induce ovulation in S. heathi, though they produced high degree of ovarian stimulation. The treatments induced ovarian enlargement, intense hyperaemia, marked changes in interstitial cells (ICs) and development of several antral follicles and varying degrees of abnormality in oocyte of most of the antral follicles. The percentage of abnormal oocytes in the ovary following hCG or PMSG treatment was dose-dependent.