Variability in Colletotrichum infecting chilli plants of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India

Aim: The aim of the present study was to understand the basic pathogen dynamics of Colletotrichum species infecting chilli crop in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands for disease management practices. Methodology: Twenty fungal isolates associated with chilli (Capsicum annuum) anthracnose disease from diverse locations of tropical Andaman, India were characterized using polyphasic approaches. Results: Upon morphological studies, out of twenty isolates, fourteen isolates were found chromogenic and eleven showed concentric ring pattern of mycelial growth. Based on conidial morphology, the isolates were grouped into two species (C. capsici and C. gloesporioides). The pathogenicity tests on three chilli varieties revealed difference in the pathogenic potential among the collected isolates. The sequence analysis using internal transcriber spacer (ITS) region revealed the presence of two other species C. siamense and C. plurivorum, in addition to C. gloesporioides and C. capsici. Interpretation: The present study revealed the presence of high level of genetic and pathogenic variability among the Colletotrichum isolates infecting chilli in Andaman Islands.

Kalanchoe pinnata - a Promising Source of Natural Antioxidants.

Aims: Evaluation of natural antioxidant potential of Kalanchoe pinnata leaves attributable towards its therapeutic properties. Study Design: In vitro experiments to validate antioxidant potential in aqueous and lipid phase. Methodology: The aqueous-alcoholic whole leaf extract designated as KPE (K. pinnata extract) was subjected to comprehensive biochemical analysis to reveal its natural strength as an antioxidative agent. In lipid protection ability assay where lipid phase (preemulsion) was prepared using linoleic acid with Fe2+, Fe3+ and Cu2+ as stress-inducers, it’s potential to protect against peroxyl radical induced damage in non aqueous environment was tested. Deoxy-D-ribose degradation assay in presence or absence of chelating agent (EDTA) was tested to reveal non site-specific and site-specific hydroxyl radical (OHº) scavenging potential respectively. Sodium nitroprusside based nitric oxide (NO) quenching activity and nitroblue tetrazolium reduction based superoxide radical scavenging potential were also estimated. Results: Total phenolic content of KPE was 28.4±2 μg mg-1. In lipid protection ability assay it exhibited maximally restricted Fe2+ induced amplification of peroxyl raical (ROOº)at 10 mg mL-1. It elicited a significant (P = .05) inhibition of lipid auto-oxidation by directly scavenging peroxyl radicals. In potassium ferrithiocyanate-based reducing power assay, KPE exhibited significantly higher potency as compared to the standard synthetic antioxidant butylated hydroxy toluene (BHT), in the range of 100-2000 μg mL-1. The ability of KPE to interact at the level of generation of hydroxyl radicals was also tested with deoxy-D-ribose degradation assay that revealed a two-fold higher non site-specific OHº scavenging potential than its site-specific activity. In sodium nitroprusside based NO quenching assay KPE showed >50% quenching activity at 0.5 mg mL-1. Conclusions: KPE is a rich source of anti-oxidative properties and has strong protective potential against oxidative stress in both aqueous and lipid phases. Hydroxyl radical scavenging assay showed KPE’s ability to scavenge free radicals is more due to its reductive potency than its metal-chelation activity attributable towards its exploration in herbal drug discovery research.

Influence of intraperitoneal drainage after cholecystectomy; a prospective ultrasonographic study.

One hundred and fifty patients were prospectively randomised into 3 groups (50 in each group); to receive a passive drain, closed suction drain or no drain after elective cholecystectomy. The drain was removed within 24 hours in 84% of patients and was continued longer only if the amount of drainage was excessive or bilious. On the 3rd post-operative day, an ultrasound examination was performed in all patients for detection of subhepatic/subphrenic collection. Collections were more frequently encountered in the patients without any drain (42%) followed by passive drain (26%) and suction drain group (20%). Chest complications were frequently noted (passive drain; 6% suction drain, 12%, and no drain, 8%), however, occurrence of this complication in various groups was similar (p > 0.1). Two patients (4%) without drain required ultrasound guided aspiration of subhepatic collection. Mean post-operative hospital stay was nearly equal for all the groups (passive drain: 4.22 +/- 1 days, suction drain: 4.26 +/- 1.4 days and no drain: 4.62 +/- 2.3 days). Drainage reduced the incidence of post-cholecystectomy collections and need for invasive intervention for collection related complications. However, the type of drainage (active or passive) did not influence the incidence of collection, frequency of complications and duration of post-operative hospital stay.