Combining Ability Analysis for Grain Yield and Yield Attributing Traits in Maize

Combining ability of inbred lines is the ultimate factor determining future usefulness of the lines for hybrid development while, an idea about the nature of gene action controlling the yield and yield contributing characters is important for development of fruitful breeding programme. Owing to this, the present study was carried out to investigate the General Combining Ability (GCA) and Specific Combining Ability (SCA) effect of parental lines and hybrids respectively, and to deduce the type of gene action regulating the grain yield and its components. The 30 single cross hybrids were generated by crossing 6 lines with 5 testers in line x tester mating system and evaluated along with four checks at three locations for the estimation of combining ability effects. Significant differences were observed among the inbred lines, testers, hybrids and parents vs. hybrids for most of the studied traits. The non-additive gene action was predominant for all studied traits except plant height. PFSR 145 found to be good general combiner for traits such days to 50% tasselling, days to 50% silking, days to maturity, plant height and ear height. GP 329 is best general combiner for ear girth, number of kernel per ear, number of kernels per row, 100 kernel weight and grain yield. These parents could be used in future breeding programme for the accumulation of favourable genes and thereby improve maize yield with desirable traits. Hybrid GP 82×GP 83 found to be the best specific combiner for days to 50% tasseling, days to 50% silking, days to maturity, number of kernels per ear and grain yield. The hybrid GP 82×GP 83 can be further tested extensively for the development of potential early maturing hybrids.

Prevalence and Morphological details of Intestine Dwelling Ciliate Nyctotherus spirostreptae from Millipede, Chondromorpha kelaarti.

Nyctotherus spirostreptae, shows it’s diversity in various hosts. A new species which has been first time reported by Lalpotu, from intestine of Periplaneta americana (1976). Later the same species is described by Bhandari (2010) from millipede Trigoniulus corallines. The present species is again re-described in the intestine of Millipede, Chondromorpha kelaarti by present author. It shows similarity to both the previous individuals of the species, only it is slightly larger than Bhandari’s species and smaller than that of Lalpotu (n. sp. 1976). Percentage of prevalence was observed for a period of two years, January 2007 to December 2008, it was 47.24% and 55.16% respectively.

Follow-up assessment of under-nourished children under integrated child development services scheme in tapi district, India

India shares the largest burden of under-nutrition in world. The aim of this study was to conduct follow-up assessment of under-nourished children attending anganwadi center [AWC]. This was a retrospective cohort study conducted in 50 AWC of Tapi district. Total 529 children aged 1-6 years diagnosed as under-nourished before 1 year were included. Pre-structured questionnaire was used for present day assessment of these children followed by Epi-info mediated analysis. Children of literate mothers had higher weight gain. Ninety percent of children attended anganwadi regularly, however 25% of children dropped out for more than 1 month. In 1 year, growth had faltered in 20% children and was stagnant in 63% of them. Children who were treated for under-nutrition; that completed course at Child Development and Nutrition Center; and whose parents were counseled about the under-nourished status of child had higher weight gain than their counterparts. Parents of under-nourished children must be counseled about the nutritional status of their child. In cases of under-nourished child, referral to higher center must be ensured by health worker. Supplementary feeding as a long-term solution to country's under-nutrition problem should be studied in detail with the alternative solutions

Trigeminal trophic syndrome: A rare entity.

Trigeminal trophic syndrome is a rare condition resulting from self-manipulation of the skin after a peripheral or central injury to the trigeminal system. The syndrome consists of a classic triad of anaesthesia, paraesthesia, and a secondary persistent or recurrent facial ulceration. We describe a 60 year-old woman who developed this syndrome as a sequel to the gasserian ganglion block for trigeminal neuralgia. She had also developed melasma within 1 year. A remarkable benefit was achieved by proper patient education and topical antibiotics which led to the healing of all ulcerations within 4 weeks. In the case reported here, the diagnosis of the trigeminal trophic syndrome was made primarily as a result of the physician's experience with the syndrome previously.

Dramatic response of propranolol in hemangioma: Report of two cases.

Hemangiomas are indolent birthmarks of vascular origin, which are known to appear soon after birth, proliferate for 8-18 months, and then slowly regress over the next 5-8 years, leaving behind normal or slightly blemished skin. In rare instances, hemangiomas may encroach upon and endanger vital structures with a mortality of up to 60%. Multiple therapeutic modalities are available for hemangiomas with variable results and associated with side effects. We report two cases of hemangioma, successfully treated with propranolol. Case 1 was a 5-month-old female child who presented with a giant segmental hemangioma since birth. She was unable to open her left eye over the past 7 days. Within 48 hours of administering full dose of oral propranolol (2 mg/kg/day), the lesion decreased considerably, and the patient was able to open her eye. Case 2 was a 1-year-old female child who presented with hemangioma over the danger area of face. Oral propranolol was given for a period of 6 months with monthly follow up. Both the cases showed dramatic response, with more than 80% regression, without any relapse after stopping the treatment.

Multicentric reticulohistiocytosis.

A 50-year-old male presented with fever, joint pain and skin lesions since eight months. Examination showed multiple papules and nodules with periarticular predisposition. Swelling of knees and elbows with flexion deformity of distal interphalangeal joints was present. Investigations revealed anemia and raised ESR. Histopathology was pathognomonic of multicentric reticulohistiocytosis. Patient was treated with bisphosphonates along with systemic steroids and methotrexate to which he responded well.

Disseminated cutaneous rhinosporidiomas in an immunocompetent male.

Rhinosporidiosis is a chronic recurrent infective granulomatous disease of man and animals. It is endemic in India and Sri Lanka. Rhinosporidiosis is a chronic disease commonly involving the nose and nasopharynx. Cutaneous lesions, although rare, can occur due to autoinoculation or due to hematogenous spread. However, disseminated cutaneous lesions presenting as tumor-like swellings are rare. We report here a 48-year-old immunocompetent patient who had disseminated painless cutaneous tumor-like swellings over both the upper limbs, abdomen, left buttock and calf since 10 months, gradually increasing in size. On inquiring, the patient gave history of excisions and electrocauterization of subglottic and nasal polyps. Histopathological examination of these lesions was suggestive of rhinosporidiosis. The general and systemic examinations of the patient did not reveal any abnormality.