Assessment of genetic variability of chilli in Western Himalayan Region

Aim: The present study was conducted with the aim to collect and evaluate the available genetic diversity of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) in order to identify promising accessions for cultivation as well as use in crop improvement. Methodology: A total 78 accessions of chilli were collected from Western himalayan region, i.e., Kashmir valley of India. Collected germplasm was evaluated at one location for fifteen quantitative traits of horticultural importance. Results: With ample diversity in these traits, a high coefficient of variation was found. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed that first five principal components possessed eigen value > 1, cumulatively contributed > 65.2 percent of total variability. All the genotypes were grouped into five clusters showing non parallelism between geographic and genetic diversity. Interpretation: The genotypes grouped in different clusters may be utilized for hybridization programme to produce more heterotic recombinants.

The Prevalence and Pattern of Dyslipidemia among Type 2 Diabetic Patients at Rural Based Hospital in Gujarat, India.

Only proper control of diabetes has shown statistically significant difference (p < 0.001) on the prevalence and severity of dyslipidemia, consolidating the fact that the proper treatment and strict control of diabetes is the most important step in the prevention and treatment of complications of diabetes.

Bioinorganic study on [Fe(promethazine)2H2O Cl]2+ complex.

The coordination chemistry of iron (III) is the environment of an antihistaminic drug, promethazine has been explained to include a low spin, six-coordinate complex [Fe(Prometha)2(H2O) Cl] Cl2. Metaldrug interaction in vitro in aqueous KCl phase was studied polarographically at physiological pH and temperature. On the basis of elemental, magnetic, conductometric, IR, UV-visible, NMR spectroscopic analysis it is concluded that in solid phase two promethazine molecules with their N,N donor sites encompass the metal. Mass spectral study on the complex confirms that one of the three chlorides is involved in the coordination. The respective changes in the antihistaminic activity of the drug as a result of complexation has been determined and a possible mechanism is suggested.

Proximal jejunal obstruction due to eosinophilic gastroenteritis.

Eosinophilic enteritis or gastroenteritis is a rare disease characterised by tissue eosinophilia which can affect different layers of bowel wall. It can affect any area of gastrointestinal tract from the esophagus to the rectum, although stomach and small intestine are sites most frequently reported. It is important to recognize this disease early and institute the necessary treatment. An eight year old girl presented with acute intestinal obstruction. Exploration revealed a structure of proximal jejunum. Histopathology demonstrated eosinophilic jejunitis. The case is reported owing to this rarity and relevant literature is reviewed.

Clinical profile and management of post infarction left ventricular pseudoaneurysm.

Three patients with left ventricular pseudoaneurysm are presented. Two patients had inferior and one had an anterolateral wall Q wave myocardial infarction. Echocardiography with Doppler colour imaging provided the diagnosis in one case, whereas the correct diagnosis was possible on left ventriculography in all. Successful surgery using patch closure of the defect in all patients and bypass grafting of the diseased coronary vessels was done in 2 cases. Angiographic follow-up in one case revealed excellent result and during 18 to 30 months of clinical follow-up, all patients are asymptomatic.

Coronary artery reoperations using arterial conduits: immediate and early results.

This study deals with results of coronary artery reoperations in 21 males aged 54.4 +/- 6.6 years. Native vessel coronary disease at first and second operation was nearly the same (2.7 +/- 0.6 vs 2.8 +/- 0.4 vessel, p = NS). Graft attrition and deterioration in left ventricular ejection fraction (55.9 +/- 9.2 initial vs 36 +/- 15 at reoperation, p < 0.001) necessitated reoperation in majority. Recurrence of angina (71%) and left ventricular failure (23.8%) were the clinical indicators for reoperation. Procedure was successful in 20 (95%) and had to be abandoned in 1 due to severe pericardial and sternal adhesions. Arterial grafts were utilised in 90% (18 cases, Group A and B). Total arterial revascularisation (Group A) was done in 9 (45%) using Y graft 6, combination of both mammary arteries 2, and by both mammary and inferior epigastric artery in 1. Group B patients had arterial grafts (bilateral IMA 1, Y graft 1, bilateral IMA + gastroepipolic 1, RIMA 4, and LIMA 2) in addition to a venous graft. Two patients (group C, 10%) had only venous grafts. There was no in hospital mortality or morbidity and at 10 +/- 5.2 months follow up, all are asymptomatic with negative stress test at 3 months followup in 8 cases. We conclude that coronary artery reoperations using arterial conduits can be performed safely with excellent immediate and early results.

Alteration in pulmonary mechanics after coronary artery bypass surgery: comparison using internal mammary artery and saphenous vein grafts.

Pulmonary function tests, arterial blood gas tensions and morbidity were compared in 50 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Thirty patients had bilateral internal mammary grafts (Group 1), 5 patients had only saphenous vein grafts (Group 2) and 15 patients had a single arterial graft in addition to vein grafts (Group 3). Pleural effusion and wound infection were more common in patients with internal mammary artery grafts (p < 0.05). Patients in Group 2 required prolonged ventilation but this could be related to their underlying left ventricular dysfunction. Patients in all the three groups developed a severe restrictive ventilatory defect in the postoperative period and the degree of impairment was maximum in Group 1 patients (p < 0.01). These patients also had evidence of small airway obstruction. Thus an overall decrease in pulmonary function occurs in the postoperative period by 30 to 40% (p < 0.001). The derangement is greater in patients with arterial grafts, as a result of impaired blood supply, increase in pleural drains and additional surgical trauma secondary to mobilization of internal mammary arteries leading to delayed recovery. The awareness of these findings can be of great value in postoperative management of these patients. In addition, these observations should also be kept in mind while planning the choice of grafts in a patient undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Intensive respiratory care service. Organisation, orientation, system and future. Our experience of management of 288 cases.

Between Jan. 1983 and Dec. 1986, 288 patients with acute respiratory failure of varied aetiologies were admitted to tetanus and respiratory care ward. One hundred and twenty patients (41.66%) had primary respiratory diseases, 107 (37.15%) of poisoning, 24 (8.3%) had neuromuscular diseases and 37 (12.48%) had miscellaneous disorders. Ventilatory support was given for more than 6 hours to 118 patients. The overall survival was 61.81% and on ventilator 38.13%. The mortality was high with ARDS (100%), miscellaneous (100%) pneumonia with septicaemia (75%) and COAD (54.28%). Patient with COAD had high mortality with acidosis (pH less than 7.1, P less than 0.01), hypotension (systolic BP less than 90 mm of Hg, p less than 0.05) and oliguria (urine out put less than 400 ml/24 hours, p less than 0.05). Organophosphorus compound was the commonest poison (89.75%) and patients who had moderate to severe hypoxia (pO2 less than 60 mm of Hg), hypotension and an interval of more than 4 hours between the consumption of poison and admission (all P less than 0.05) expired; 68.18% expired within the first 72 hours. All the patients with primary neuromuscular paralysis and bronchial asthma survived. Hospital acquired infections (160 patients), retained secretions (108 patients) and hypotension (64 patients) were the commonest complications seen in the 288 patients. Staphylococcus aureus (32.14%) was the commonest organism isolated. Financial constraints, drug shortages and frequent failure of machines were other major problems in the intensive respiratory care unit.

An in vitro assessment of the genotoxic potential of pan masalas.

An aqueous extract of pan masala was tested for its in vitro effects on Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells by utilizing parameters like sister chromatid exchange (SCE), cellular kinetics and chromosome aberration (CA) assay. The cytogenetic damage brought about by the extract was dose dependent. The increase in SCE values was highly significant (P less than 0.001) for all the three concentrations tested. The treatment delayed the cell cycle progression. Frequencies of chromosome aberrations were elevated for all the concentrations utilized, however, a significant rise was obtained only at the highest concentration of 50 microliters/ml.