Differential preference for oviposition — a potential indicator of antixenosis in maize genotypes against Sesamia inferens (Walker)

Host choice for oviposition by insects is an indicator of the antixenotic factors present in a plant. The expression of antixenosis in 20 maize genotypes against Sesamia inferens (Walker) was measured by studying its relative ovipositional preference under multi-choice test and confirmed by no-choice test. The genotype WNZPBTL 6, E9-B and HKI 1040-11-7 expressed significantly high level of antixenosis in terms of less number of eggs (4.33, 4.67 and 5.33) under multi choice test. The genotype E37-A (O) displayed least antixenosis as indicated by the highest number of eggs (112.33) laid on it by the gravid females. The least number of plants (8.33 percent) utilized for egg laying in E9-B and E30 showed the ovipositional aversion of females on these genotypes. In no-choice test, the genotypes E9-B, AEB(Y)C5 55-1 and AEB(Y)C5 34-1 were found least preferable as only single egg mass per plant was deposited on these genotypes. The egg load per plant varied from 13.33 eggs in E9-B to 88.5 eggs in Hyd 05R/2-1. Significantly less number of plants of the genotypes E5-O, E9-B, E30, AEB(Y)C5 55-1 and AEB(Y)C5 34-1 chosen for egg laying indicated their high degree of antixenosis. Relatively less egg load per plant in genotypes E9-B, AEB(Y)C5 55-1, AEB(Y)C5 34-1, HKI 1040-11-7 and PFSR S3 in both the test situations suggest high antixenosis in these genotypes. The results revealed that the genotypes E30, E 60(FC)O and HKI 164-7-4 ER-3 were not preferred for oviposition under multi-choice test while the female offloads some of its eggs on these genotypes in duress under no-choice test. The correlation coefficient of 0.59 between number of eggs per plant in multi-choice and no-choice test confirm the variable ovipositional preference among these germplasm

Cardiovascular Response to Exercise: Static v/s Dynamic.

Background: Limited research has been carried out to compare acute cardiovascular responses to static and dynamic exercise in older adult. So in our study we compared the responses to static and dynamic exercise in older adults to find out and support the inclusion of resistance exercise as a part of fitness program designed for healthy subjects of older age group. Aims & Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the acute cardiovascular responses of healthy older adults to static and dynamic exercise. Methods: In the present study 8 healthy normotensive volunteers, recruited in age group of 40-60 years, performed IHG exercise. Their HR and BP were recorded prior to and after one minute of 40% maximum voluntary contraction of the forearm. Then after a gap of two weeks subjects, performed dynamic exercise using ergo metric cycle. Their HR and BP were recorded prior to and after one minute of completion of exercise. All the recordings were compared before and after both types of exercise. Results: Both types of exercise led to significant rise in SBP, & HR. The rise in DBP was significant in subjects who performed static exercise only. From BP and HR responses, it is clear that acute responses to both exercises are almost similar, supporting the inclusion of static exercise in exercise programs for older adults. Conclusion: This study indicates that the press or response is well regulated in both exercise groups. This supports the inclusion of resistance exercise as part of an overall fitness program designed for healthy older adults.

Fusion of main trunks of median and musculocutaneous nerves (an anatomic variation).

Median nerve (MN) and Musculocutaneous nerve (MCN) around their origin from brachial plexus are known to have many variations. A unilateral variation in the course of MCN in 65 years male cadaver was observed during routine dissections for medical undergraduates. In the present case, MCN was observed to be formed by its normal pattern, as the continuation of lateral cord of brachial plexus. Thereafter instead of piercing coracobrachialis, it fuses for some distance with MN and then separates out to supply all the muscles of anterior compartment of the arm. It then ends as lateral cutaneous nerve of forearm. Such a case of fusion of main trunks of MN and MCN has not been clearly reported in literature. Knowledge of this variation is important owing to its numerous clinical implications.

Assessment of age in foetus: A medicolegal aspect.

A Medicolegal case of embryo/foetus was received from the department of forensic medicine for the assessment of age of the foetus. The report for the assessment of age was prepared on the basis of gross appearance, radiological and histological examinations. On radiological examination of the limb tissue, the age of the foetus /embryo was approximately 3 months. The ossification centres for metatarsal bones were visible which appear at the 10th week of intrauterine life. Also on USG the femur length was found to be 10 mm which also suggests the age to be around 3 months. The smooth junction between the epidermis and dermis suggests age of the embryo/foetus to be less than 3 months because the epidermal ridges and dermal papillae become prominent at the end of 3rd month. From the basal layer of epidermis down growths were seen which were suggestive of growth of hair follicles. Hair follicles become prominent by the 10th week of intra uterine life which again reveals that the age of foetus is around end of 3rd month. From the observations, the age of the foetus was found to be more than 2 and half months but less than 3 months i.e. between 10-12 weeks.

Single versus multiple courses of antenatal betamethasone and neonatal outcome: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: This study compared the beneficial and adverse neonatal effects of a single versus repeated courses of antenatal betamethasone. SETTING: Tertiary care hospital DESIGN: Open labeled, randomized controlled trial. PARTICIPANTS: Pregnant women (26-33 weeks) at risk of preterm delivery, who received one course of antenatal betamethasone and remained undelivered for 7 days.Those with uncertain gestation, major malformations and frank chorioamnionitis were excluded. INTERVENTIONS: Subjects were randomized to receive weekly antenatal betamethasone until 34 weeks or no further betamethasone. OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary: incidence of severe respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). Secondary: incidence of non-severe RDS and other neonatal morbidity; birth weight, length and occipito-frontal circumference (OFC); and, development and growth at 6 mo corrected age. RESULTS: 38 subjects were allocated to each group. Severe RDS was similar in multiple and single course groups (7% vs. 3% respectively, P=0.34), as was incidence of other morbidity. Composite outcome of RDS and or death within 28 days tended to be less in multiple course group (P=0.07). Birth anthropometry was similar in the 2 groups. At 6 mo corrected age (n=44), weight and length were significantly lower in multiple course group (p=0.003 and P=0.007, respectively), whereas OFC was not different (P=0.1). There were no differences vis a vis neurodevelopmental outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: A single course of antenatal betamethasone was as efficacious as multiple courses, with respect to prevention of neonatal morbidity. Multiple antenatal betamethasone courses have long-term adverse effects on infant weight and length growth, but not on OFC and neurodevelopment.