ABSTRACT
A study was conducted on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in laboratory at Acharya Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Kumarganj, Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, during the 2019–20 for correlation and heritability analysis for seed quality under controlled conditions in wheat. In a wheat crop research, 30 germplasm were tested using three checks each for the parameters of seed weight, seed width, seed length, shoot length, root length, seedling length, seedling dry weight, germination (%), first count, final count, and vigour index-I and vigour index-II. In this study, the germplasm was assessed using parameters and the correlation coefficient. The vigour index-II demonstrated a very significant positive phenotypic connection with root length (0.828), final count (0.564), and first count (0.552), as well as a genotypically significant positive correlation with final count (1.165), root length (0.867), and first count (0.552). The high estimates (>15%) of phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) and genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) were registered in the case of vigour index-I (PCV=17.36%, GCV=17.24%), shoot length (PCV=15.96%, GCV= 15.77%), seed width (PCV= 15.35%, GCV= 15.19%). The moderate estimate (10%) of PCV and GCV were recorded for root length (PCV=12.72%, GCV=12.56%), and seedling length (PCV= 11.46, GCV= 11.30).
ABSTRACT
Background: Recent studies have shown the association of disproportionate body size measurements with noncommunicable diseases like diabetes. This concept is described in Ayurveda (1500 BC), which uses Anguli Parimana (the breadth of one’s own finger as 1 unit) to measure the body proportions. Excessive tallness or shortness (deviation from the reference value of Anguli Parimana) indicated deranged meda dhaatu (mainly adipose tissue). Deranged meda dhatu was associated with Prameha (diabetes). Objectives: To find association of Anguli Parimana with modern parameters of adiposity and diabetes. Materials and Methods: We studied 192 village residents representing the whole population (94 men and 98 women) to measure height, arm span, facial structures and limbs and expressed them in Anguli pariman (ratio of each measure as: Length or height of the body part [cm]/anguli, i.e. average finger breadth [cm]). The Anguli measurements were associated with body mass index, body fat percentage by DEXA, glucose and fasting insulin levels. Results: The volunteers were adults between 20 and 40 years age. Their mean fasting and 2 h plasma glucose concentrations were 91.6 mg% and 102.8 mg%, respectively. Of all, only 6 subjects had impaired glucose tolerance, while 3 were diabetic (WHO 1999). When compared with reference Anguli measurements mentioned by Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita, the participants had smaller height, facial structures, and lower limbs. Those, who had proportionately smaller facial, neck and limb structures, had higher obesity, adiposity, plasma glucose, insulin and insulin resistance (homeostatic model assessment [HOMA]‑R) indicating higher metabolic risk. In contrast, those who had proportionately larger forehead and face had higher beta cell function measured as HOMA‑B indicating lower risk for diabetes (r = 0.20 both P < 0.05 all, adjusted for age and gender). Conclusion: Compared with ancient Indian Anguli reference, our subjects were proportionately smaller in most of the measurements except fingers and upper arm. Relative smallness of body parts was predictive of increased risk of type 2 diabetes.
ABSTRACT
Cubital fossa is the usual site for performing venepuncture in the clinical settings for health screenings and diagnostic purposes. This procedure is simple and uncomplicated but occasionally can lead to bleeding and pain in the form of complex regional pain syndrome. Superficial veins of the upper limb are often used for venepuncture for transfusion purposes and for obtaining blood samples. These veins are also used for cardiac catheterisation and giving intravenous injections. During routine cadaveric dissection, a cubital venous variation was observed in a 45-yr –old, male cadaver. The median cubital vein initiated from cephalic vein passed upwards and laterally superficial to posterior branch of medial cutaneous nerve of forearm. In the middle of its course, it gave off an ascending channel which further divided into medial and lateral tributaries. The medial tributary terminated into the basilic vein, whereas the lateral tributary ascended laterally superficial to a branch of lateral cutaneous nerve of forearm and drained into cephalic vein at the level of elbow joint. Various patterns of superficial cubital veins have been mentioned in literature. Awareness of such anatomical variations is crucial while performing venepuncture in clinical settings as well as for creating arteriovenous fistulas for hemodialysis purpose.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Low vitamin B12 concentration in South Asian Indians is common, but the exact prevalence is not known. AIM: To investigate prevalence and associations of low vitamin B12 concentration and hyperhomocysteinemia in rural and urban Indian men living in and around Pune, Maharashtra. METHOD: We studied 441 middle-aged men (149 rural, 142 slum and 150 urban middle-class residents, mean age 39 y). Data on lifestyle, socio-economic status, nutrition and medical history were obtained. Circulating concentrations of vitamin B12, folate, ferritin, total homocysteine (tHcy), and haematological indices, and cardiovascular risk variables were measured. RESULTS: Median plasma B12 concentration was low (110 pmol/L): Overall, 67% of men had low vitamin B12 concentration (<150 pmol/L) and 58% had hyperhomocysteinemia (>15 micromol/L). Of the urban middle class, 81% had low vitamin B12 concentration and 79% had hyperhomocysteinemia. Low vitamin B12 concentration contributed 28% to the risk of hyperhomocysteinemia (population attributable risk) while low red cell folate contributed 2%. Vegetarians had 4.4 times (95% CI 2.1, 9.4) higher risk of low vitamin B12 concentrations and 3.0 times (95% CI 1.4, 6.5) higher risk of hyperhomocysteinemia compared to those who ate non-vegetarian foods frequently. Urban middle-class residence was an additional independent risk factor of hyperhomocysteinemia (odds ratio 7.6 (95% CI 2.5, 22.6), compared to rural men). Low vitamin B12 concentration was related to lower blood haemoglobin concentration and higher mean corpuscular volume, but macrocytic anemia was rare. CONCLUSION: Low vitamin B12 concentration and hyperhomocysteinemia are common in Indian men, particularly in vegetarians and urban middle class residents. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings in other parts of India.