Comparative physiological and histological investigations on resistant and susceptible pomegranate genotypes infected with Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. Punicae

Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. punicae (Xap) is a bacterial pathogen wreaking havoc in pomegranate cultivation. It causes bacterial blight disease dwindling yield and making fruit unfit for consumption. Physiological and histological investigations during host-pathogen interaction are prerequisite to assess the onset of defense mechanism in plants. Therefore, we tried to compare the pomegranate resistant (IC 318734) and highly susceptible (Ruby) genotypes challenged with Xap. The bacterial suspension containing Xap cells of 0.3 OD600 (~106 to 107CFU mL?1) was used for challenge inoculation. Uniformly grown resistant and highly susceptible plants were selected, the surface of leaves was pricked and spray-inoculated with bacterial suspension using native strain IIHR1 (NCBI Gen Bank ID: KT 222897). Simultaneously, the control plants were also sprayed with only distilled water and observed. A total of three replications with five plants per replication were maintained and evaluated under completely randomized design. Physiological investigations were recorded using Portable photosynthesis system (LCpro+, ADC BioScientific limited, UK) for one cycle of disease progression viz., 0, 1, 5, 10, 15 and 20 days after bacterial spray inoculation (DAI). Significant changes in gas exchange parameters were witnessed on pathogen inoculation. Higher reduction in mean percent change of photosynthetic and transpiration rate, instantaneous water use efficiency, internal CO2 content, stomatal conductance and relative water content were noticed in highly susceptible genotype than resistant one. On contrary, an increased percent mean change of intrinsic water use efficiency, carboxylation capacity and lignin was documented in resistant genotype. Relative injury caused due to bacterial infection was found high in highly susceptible genotype than resistant one. Histological investigations in highly susceptible and resistant genotype were studied on 20th day of Xap inoculation using Scanning Electron Microscopy. Highly susceptible genotype exhibited maximum deformed cells, tissues and other visible abnormalities upon Xap inoculation. Thus, this study forms a basis for effective disease management and breeding programmes in pomegranate.

Epidemiological factors affecting acute respiratory infection at Government Medical College and Hospital, Miraj

Background: Acute respiratory infections (ARI) comprising of a group of respiratory diseases of varying etiology and severity is being increasingly recognized as a major public health problem particularly amongst children below five years of age. In all countries ARI is a leading cause of hospitalization and death. Therefore ARIs represent a large challenge in field of communicable diseases. The study was conducted with the objective to assess the socio-demographic, epidemiological and clinical profile of ARI cases.Methods: A descriptive cross sectional, hospital based study was conducted at Government Medical College and Hospital. All children admitted with ARI in the paediatric ward during the study period of one calendar year.Results: Maximum (53.13%) cases of ARI were from the age group <1 year. Males (60.80%) outnumbered the females (M:F ratio was 1.5:1). Month wise and season wise distribution of ARI cases showed that, most of the cases were admitted in the month of December (13.35%), followed by January (12.78%) and November (10.80%).Conclusions: Prevalence of ARI cases as well as severity of the disease was more in participants less than 1 year of age.

Development of KASP marker for cytoplasmic male sterility in Nicotiana tabacum and utilization in trait introgression

Cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) is an important trait for large-scale hybrid seed production which avoids manual emasculation and undesired horizontal spread of pollen.Rearrangements in mitochondrial genome in terms of deletions and insertions are frequent causes leading to CMS. Mitochondrial ATP synthase is a multisubunit molecular machine which is involved in synthesis of ATP. In this study, three mutations in ATPase subunit 6 were identified and their cosegregation with male sterility was established using tobacco male sterile hybrids and Nicotiana suvaolensis. A breeder friendly Kompetitive allele specific polymerase chain reaction (KASP) SNP marker was developed for high throughput and quick genotyping. Introgression of this trait into selected germplasm lines (n = 9) was achieved based on foreground for CMS and background selection for recurrent parent using KASP marker and 50K custom tobacco SNP array, respectively. Analysis of genotyping data from SNP array revealed the presence of 88–99% of recurrent parent genome in BC3F1 plants. The selected BC3F1 plants exhibit CMS and are indistinguishable from the fertile recurrent parent (germplasm) in terms of plant morphology.

Nutritional status assessment among medical students in Gujarat

Background: India is facing nutrition transition. Period of college life is the phase was healthy and unhealthy diet habits takes place. The present study was aimed to study nutritional status among students of a medical college.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among the 254 students of a medical college attached with the civil hospital Gandhinagar over a period of six months. Pre-tested, semi-structured, self-administered questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic information. Anthropometric examination like height, weight, BMI, waist-hip ratio was done according to WHO criteria. Data were analysed with Epi info 7.Results: Among 254 study participants, 159 (62.60%) were female and 99 (33.40%) were males. Obesity according to waist-hip ratio is significantly higher in females as compared to males Physical activities are significantly higher in females as compared to males in present study (p<0.05). Family history of diabetes and hypertension were also significantly higher in females as compared to males.Conclusions: Obesity according to Weight hip ratio was more in females as compared to male. Physical inactivity is also significantly higher in females. As per BMI undernutrition was also prevalent in the study participants.

Estimation of high sensitivity C‑reactive protein in patients with periodontal disease and without coronary artery disease.

Background: HsCRP (Highly sensitive C reactive protein) is a global indicator for future vascular events in adults detected in blood stream 48 hours before the cardiovascular event. Periodontal disease may increase blood levels of inflammatory markers like IL-6, CRP and HsCRP. Hence the aim of the present study is to evaluate the presence of elevated HsCRP levels in chronic periodontitis patients. Material and Methods: 100 patients who reported for cardiac master health check up were enrolled in the study. The periodontal status was assessed using periodontal probing pocket depth and clinical attachment level. The decayed, missing and filled tooth was recorded using DMFT index. The venous samples of these patients were obtained for recording HsCRP levels. Results: Pearson correlation was used to analyze the relationship between HsCRP level and probing pocket depth, clinical attachment loss and DMFT. The correlation value was 0.051, 0.025 and 0.101 respectively, the correlation is statistically significant for probing pocket depth and clinical attachment level (P>0.05). Chi- square test was performed to study the association between gender and HsCRP, Diabetes Mellitus and HsCRP and Hypertension and HsCRP; the results showed that there is no significant association between any of the above mentioned factors and HsCRP level in blood. Conclusions: We found an increased level of HsCRP in patients with chronic periodontitis which revealed the susceptibility of these patients to cardiac diseases like myocardial infarction and stroke. Hence present day focus in the line of management of cardiac patient has changed from the periodontal perspective.

Retinal Oximetry: The Indian Experience in Healthy and Diseased Eyes.

To study the alterations in retinal oxygen saturations in healthy and diseased eyes. Patients presenting to our hospital underwent an additional non-invasive procedure to measure oxygen saturation in their retinal vessels. After dilatation, oximetry was done using the Oxymap T1 retinal oximeter (Oxymap hf, Reykjavik, Iceland). Normal patients and patients with arteriolar and venous occlusions, retinal dystrophies and glaucoma, were evaluated. Arteriolar, venous and arteryvenous saturation difference (AVSD) values were determined for each of the groups. In the normal subjects (n = 98), the average arteriolar saturation was 90.3 ± 6.5, and the venous saturation was 56.9 ± 6.3. The average AVSD was 33.4 ± 5.0. In arterial occlusions (n = 10), we have seen an initial fall in arteriolar (85.8%) and venous (49.7%) saturations in the acute stage in eyes with central retinal artery occlusion with subsequent increase in saturations. In venous occlusions (n = 18), there was an initial increase in all global saturation parameters in the acute stage (arteriolar: 105.8%, venous: 62.7%, AVSD: 43.3%), followed by a gradual decrease in saturations in the chronic stage (arteriolar: 99.8%, venous: 60.1%, AVSD: 39.8%). Eyes with retinitis pigmentosa (n=62) showed higher saturations (104.15%) and higher AVSD (44.15%) compared to macular dystrophies (n = 23) (96.7% and 41.61%) and normal controls (90.6% and 33.3%). Macular dystrophies showed higher global arteriolar values and AVSD but comparable venous values to the control group. In glaucoma (n = 44), we have seen raised arteriolar and AVSD values. Oximetry is sensitive in picking up changes in diseased eyes that are distinct from normal values. In the future, it may prove to be useful in pre-clinical screening studies and in therapeutic decision making.

Comparison of amine fluoride and chlorhexidine mouth rinses in the control of plaque and gingivitis – A randomized controlled clinical trial.

Objectives: The objective of this triple blind randomized controlled clinical trial was to compare the efficacy of a mouth rinse containing amine fluoride (AmF) and chlorhexidine in controlling the supragingival plaque accumulation and gingival inflammation during a 4‑week period in patients with chronic gingivitis. Subjects and Methods: A total of 30 patients were participated in this study. Fifteen patients were prescribed an AmF‑containing mouth rinse and 15 were prescribed a chlorhexidine mouth rinse. Plaque index, gingival index, bleeding index, tooth stain, and tongue stain (TS) were recorded at baseline, 15 days and 1‑month. Patients’ perception of odor, taste and any discomfort were recorded. Results: The comparisons between the groups were done using Mann–Whitney U‑test. The comparison within the group at different time visits were done using Wilcoxon signed rank test. Both the mouth rinses resulted in a significant decrease in plaque index, gingival index, bleeding index. However, AmF mouth rinse resulted in a statistically significant decrease in bleeding index and gingival index compared to chlorhexidine group. There was no significant difference in tooth stain and TS in both the groups. Conclusions: The 4 weeks use of AmF containing mouth rinse is effective in reducing the gingival inflammation and plaque.

Intraoperative localization of vascular malformation of small bowel by selective intra-arterial dye injection

Angiomatous malformation is the most common vascular abnormality, accounting for 30-40% cases of obscure GI bleeding from small bowel. Surgical resection is the treatment of choice in severe or recurrent hemorrhage requiring multiple blood transfusions. However, the diffuse nature of the lesions poses a challenge to localize them accurately preoperatively, for exact resection. We present a case in which we have used selective mesenteric angiography with selective cannulation and exact localization of the lesion by injecting dye such as methylene blue, indigo carmine, and fluorescein, to localize the angiomatous malformation before surgical resection and also to determine the exact resection to be done

Spectral analysis of noise in the neonatal intensive care unit.

OBJECTIVE: To perform spectral analysis of noise generated by equipments and activities in a level III neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and measure the real time sequential hourly noise levels over a 15 day period. METHODS: Noise generated in the NICU by individual equipments and activities were recorded with a digital spectral sound analyzer to perform spectral analysis over 0.5 - 8 KHz. Sequential hourly noise level measurements in all the rooms of the NICU were done for 15 days using a digital sound pressure level meter . Independent sample t test and one way ANOVA were used to examine the statistical significance of the results. The study has a 90 % power to detect at least 4 dB differences from the recommended maximum of 50 dB with 95 % confidence. RESULTS: The mean noise levels in the ventilator room and stable room were 19.99 dB (A) sound pressure level (SPL) and 11.81 dB (A) SPL higher than the maximum recommended of 50 dB (A) respectively ( p < 0.001). The equipments generated 19.11 dB SPL higher than the recommended norms in 1 - 8 KHz spectrum. The activities generated 21.49 dB SPL higher than the recommended norms in 1 - 8 KHz spectrum ( p< 0.001).The ventilator and nebulisers produced excess noise of 8.5 dB SPL at the 0.5 KHz spectrum. CONCLUSION: Noise level in the NICU is unacceptably high .Spectral analysis of equipment and activity noise have shown noise predominantly in the 1 - 8 KHz spectrum. These levels warrant immediate implementation of noise reduction protocols as a standard of care in the NICU.

Selection intensity among Kshatriyas an endogamous population of Andhra Pradesh.

Opportunity for natural selection has been studied among the women of Kshatriya caste population from rural and urban areas of north coastal Andhra Pradesh. The urbanrural difference for different demographic characteristics is not significant. The contribution of fertility component for both Crow's index and Jonston and Kensinger's index is more. The present study is compared with other Andhra populations. The decreased mortality differentials in Kshatriyas suggest that this component was directly affected by the better socio-economic level and reflects on the population's transitional phase.