Genetic diversity and bottleneck studies in the Marwari horse breed.

Genetic diversity within the Marwari breed of horses was evaluated using 26 different microsatellite pairs with 48 DNA samples from unrelated horses. This molecular characterisation was undertaken to evaluate the problem of genetic bottlenecks also, if any, in this breed. The estimated mean (-/+ s.e.) allelic diversity was 5.9 (-/+ 2.24), with a total of 133 alleles. A high level of genetic variability within this breed was observed in terms of high values of mean (-/+ s.e.) effective number of alleles (3.3 -/+ 1.27), observed heterozygosity (0.5306 -/+ 0.22), expected Levene's heterozygosity (0.6612 -/+ 0.15), expected Nei's heterozygosity (0.6535 -/+ 0.14), and polymorphism information content (0.6120 -/+ 0.03). Low values of Wright's fixation index, F(IS) (0.2433 -/+ 0.05) indicated low levels of inbreeding. This basic study indicated the existence of substantial genetic diversity in the Marwari horse population. No significant genotypic linkage disequilibrium was detected across the population, suggesting no evidence of linkage between loci. A normal 'L' shaped distribution of mode-shift test, non-significant heterozygote excess on the basis of different models, as revealed from Sign, Standardized differences and Wilcoxon sign rank tests as well as non-significant M ratio value suggested that there was no recent bottleneck in the existing Marwari breed population, which is important information for equine breeders. This study also revealed that the Marwari breed can be differentiated from some other exotic breeds of horses on the basis of three microsatellite primers.

A comparative study of effects of cigarette and bidi smoking on respiratory function tests.

The effects of cigarette and bidi smoking on pulmonary function tests have been studied in 90 healthy males from North India Forced vital capacity (FVC), peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV) were determined in 30 nonsmokers (as control group), 30 cigarette smokers and 30 bidi smokers. All the above pulmonary function parameters were found to be lower among smokers as compared to nonsmokers. Moreover, the decrease in the pulmonary function tests was greater in cigarette smokers as compared to bidi smokers.

Examination stress in medical student: a study.

The present study was conducted on 40 male and 10 female students appearing for the 1st MBBS examination. Two readings of pulse rate, blood pressure and electro cardiogram were taken viz 6 months (control) and 10 minutes prior to the examination. A significant increase was seen in the pulse rate and blood pressure readings before the examination as compared to the control readings. However, no significant change was observed in electro cardiographic recordings.

Serum protein profile in normal pregnancy and in relation to parity.

Forty pregnant females of third trimester and their twenty non-pregnant controls were screened for Hb%, PCV and serum protein differentials in relation to parity. Paper electrophoresis method revealed significant rise in mean levels of serum alpha 1, alpha 2 and beta-globulins in pregnant females as compared to non-pregnant controls, which may be due to the rise in pregnancy-associated-proteins. Radial immunodiffusion method revealed rise in mean serum IgM level with increasing parity, whereas a decrease in mean serum IgG level was observed which might be due to the placental membrane-transfer and/or decreased IgG synthesis. Haematological investigations revealed decreased Hb% and PCV which may have been caused both due to increased demand of nutrients as well as by haemodilution, associated with water retention during pregnancy.

Role of vagus in thermal panting.

In dogs anaesthetised with pentobarbitone sodium, raising the body temperature from 37 degrees C to 42 degrees C increased the rate of respiration and pulmonary ventilation but decreased the tidal volume. A similar change though of a lower magnitude, was observed in these parameters after cold blocking the vagi. At 40 degrees C body temperature, however, the vagal block was not effective in reducing the rate. The significance of hyperthermic panting mechanism dominating the Hering-Breuer mechanism at 40 degrees C has been discussed. It has been postulated that the vagi carry temperature dependent afferents that have effect opposite to the Hering-Breuer reflex. At 42 degrees C when respiratory failure usually sets in the temperature regulating function of respiration is the last to be lost.