Genetic Variability, Heritability and Genetic Advance Studies in Field Pea (Pisum sativum L.) for Yield and its Attributing Traits

An investigation was carried out with 48 genotypes of pea obtained through line x tester mating and were tested using a randomized block experimental design with three replications. The result showed a highly significant difference for all the 14 characters under study. The variability, heritability and genetic advance as percent mean were studied for all the characters. A high genotypic coefficient of variation was observed for the traits number of secondary branches, plant height, number of pods per plant, harvest index, nodules fresh weight and nodules dry weight. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance estimates was recorded for the number of secondary branches, plant height, pod length, number of seeds per pod, number of pods per plant, 100 seed weight, grain yield per plant, harvest index, nodules fresh weight and nodules dry weight indicating the role of additive gene action and selection for these traits could be reliable.

Role of renal doppler ultrasonography in evaluating renal haemodynamics in diabetic patients and its correlation with laboratory parameters (serum HbA1C and serum creatinine)

Background: Due to high prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus in India, Diabetic nephropathy is on the rise. Diabetic Nephropathy is the leading cause of End stage renal disease and the major factor responsible for renal transplantation. Grey scale ultrasound can detect morphologic renal parenchymal changes late in the disease but the functional haemodynamic changes can be detected early on, by the means of doppler indices such as Resistive Index (RI) and Pulsatility Index (PI). Hence, application of renal doppler can aid in the diagnosis of early nephropathic changes to allow early medical intervention, therefore improving disease prognosis. Methods: Renal doppler ultrasonography was performed in 64 diabetic individuals, in the main renal artery and at the interlobar arteries of both kidneys in the upper pole, interpolar region, and lower pole. RI and PI were obtained for each artery and averaged. The correlation between the Mean RI and Mean PI, each with HbA1c and serum creatinine was checked for every patient using relevant statistical tests. Results: Mean RI and PI in study participants were above the normal range. RI and PI both showed a statistically significant positive correlation with serum creatinine, HbA1c as well as the age of the patient and duration of diabetes mellitus (p<0.001). Conclusions: Evaluation of renal doppler indices while correlating them with laboratory parameters can help slow disease progression. The patient can be provided with medical intervention at the early stage on detection of altered renal indices, hence reducing morbidity and mortality and significantly improving disease prognosis and outcome.

Role of renal doppler ultrasonography in evaluating renal haemodynamics in diabetic patients and its correlation with laboratory parameters (serum HbA1C and serum creatinine)

Background: Due to high prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus in India, Diabetic nephropathy is on the rise. Diabetic Nephropathy is the leading cause of End stage renal disease and the major factor responsible for renal transplantation. Grey scale ultrasound can detect morphologic renal parenchymal changes late in the disease but the functional haemodynamic changes can be detected early on, by the means of doppler indices such as Resistive Index (RI) and Pulsatility Index (PI). Hence, application of renal doppler can aid in the diagnosis of early nephropathic changes to allow early medical intervention, therefore improving disease prognosis. Methods: Renal doppler ultrasonography was performed in 64 diabetic individuals, in the main renal artery and at the interlobar arteries of both kidneys in the upper pole, interpolar region, and lower pole. RI and PI were obtained for each artery and averaged. The correlation between the Mean RI and Mean PI, each with HbA1c and serum creatinine was checked for every patient using relevant statistical tests. Results: Mean RI and PI in study participants were above the normal range. RI and PI both showed a statistically significant positive correlation with serum creatinine, HbA1c as well as the age of the patient and duration of diabetes mellitus (p<0.001). Conclusions: Evaluation of renal doppler indices while correlating them with laboratory parameters can help slow disease progression. The patient can be provided with medical intervention at the early stage on detection of altered renal indices, hence reducing morbidity and mortality and significantly improving disease prognosis and outcome.

Role of testicular elastography in the evaluation of male infertility: a comparative cross-sectional study

Background: An estimated 70 million people worldwide are thought to be affected by some severity of infertility. Ultrasound, MRI, and invasive procedures like venography and vasography are the usual investigations taken for the evaluation of infertility. Ultrasound is the preferred initial modality due to its availability and non-invasive nature. In our study, we evaluated the usefulness of advanced ultrasound techniques like Doppler and Elastography and compared the results with biochemical parameters of semen analysis. Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted over a period of one year, on men between the ages of 22 and 45, with normal or abnormal sperm analysis reports, who presented with inability to conceive. The testicular parenchyma resistive index, shear value and shear ratio were recorded. The mean values of the data and their standard deviations were assessed and compared by Student’s t-test. The correlation of semen parameters with RI and shear wave indices was tested by One way ANOVA test, with a p value<0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: Our study found that strain value and strain ratio were significantly elevated in the non-fertile group compared to the fertile group. The resistive index of the intraparenchymal arteries did not show any difference between infertile and fertile men. Conclusions: Hence, we concluded that strain value and strain ratio are important investigative tools in the evaluation of male infertility. However, since our study was conducted on a small sample, larger large-scale studies are useful in establishing a concrete conclusion.

Role of testicular elastography in the evaluation of male infertility: a comparative cross-sectional study

Background: An estimated 70 million people worldwide are thought to be affected by some severity of infertility. Ultrasound, MRI, and invasive procedures like venography and vasography are the usual investigations taken for the evaluation of infertility. Ultrasound is the preferred initial modality due to its availability and non-invasive nature. In our study, we evaluated the usefulness of advanced ultrasound techniques like Doppler and Elastography and compared the results with biochemical parameters of semen analysis. Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted over a period of one year, on men between the ages of 22 and 45, with normal or abnormal sperm analysis reports, who presented with inability to conceive. The testicular parenchyma resistive index, shear value and shear ratio were recorded. The mean values of the data and their standard deviations were assessed and compared by Student’s t-test. The correlation of semen parameters with RI and shear wave indices was tested by One way ANOVA test, with a p value<0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: Our study found that strain value and strain ratio were significantly elevated in the non-fertile group compared to the fertile group. The resistive index of the intraparenchymal arteries did not show any difference between infertile and fertile men. Conclusions: Hence, we concluded that strain value and strain ratio are important investigative tools in the evaluation of male infertility. However, since our study was conducted on a small sample, larger large-scale studies are useful in establishing a concrete conclusion.

Multidisciplinary approach in the long-term management of intrahepatic stones: Indian experience.

BACKGROUND: Intrahepatic stones, though common in East Asia, are uncommon in India. There is paucity of data from India regarding the treatment and long-term outcome of patients with intrahepatic stones. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed medical records of 35 patients with intrahepatic stones who had been treated surgically. Endoscopic biliary drainage had been used in patients who presented with acute cholangitis. Intraoperative stone clearance was confirmed by choledochoscopy and intraoperative cholangiography. Outcome of surgery, frequency and subsequent management of recurrent intrahepatic stones, and factors associated with stone recurrence and cholangitis were analyzed. RESULTS: Twenty-one (60%) patients had bilobar disease. Eight patients underwent hepatectomy and 16 hepatico-jejunostomy with access loop; 12 of these were jejuno-duodenal anastomoses. Postoperative morbidity was observed in 10 patients (29%). Recurrence of stones occurred in 12 patients (34%) and cholangitis in 9 patients (26%). Presence of bilobar disease and associated biliary strictures were associated with recurrent cholangitis (p< 0.05). Two patients (6%) required re-operation for recurrent cholangitis. Complete removal of recurrent stones using conventional endoscope was possible through jejuno-duodenostomy in all 5 cases who had this type of access loop construction. CONCLUSION: Surgical treatment for intrahepatic stones depends on the site of involvement. Construction of a jejuno-duodenal access loop in patients with bilobar disease and intrahepatic strictures is helpful in facilitating postoperative stone clearance. A multidisciplinary approach is beneficial especially when the disease is bilobar and recurrent in type.

Vein of Galen malformations: review.

Vein of Galen malformations are unique congenital malformations of the cerebral vasculature that result in persistence and 'aneurysmal' dilatation of the venous structures. The varied clinical presentations and their distinctive and complex angioarchitecture make it important for the caring physician to understand their embryological and pathophysiological aspects. Management of these lesions--both in the neonatal period and at the time of definitive intervention, is challenging. Considering the rarity of these lesions, there are very few studies that have been able to compare the results of different techniques in the management. Continuing developments in the diagnostic as well as interventional aspects during the last two decades have radically changed the management of these lesions. Antenatal diagnosis and referral to a center with facilities for advanced neonatal cardiac care as well as for interventional neuroradiological therapy can go a long way in improving the prognosis in these children.

Chordoid meningioma: a report of two cases.

Chordoid meningioma is an uncommon histopathological variant of meningioma. We report 2 cases of chordoid meningioma occurring in adult patients.

Re-expansion pulmonary oedema: revisited.

A case of re-expansion pulmonary oedema (RPO) following chest tube insertion for left spontaneous pneumothorax is reported. There were no severe symptoms and routine chest radiograph done four hours after tube thoracostomy showed features of pulmonary oedema in the re-expanded left lung. RPO is an uncommon complication of rapid pleural drainage of air or fluid with potentially serious cardiopulmonary manifestations but appears to run a benign course if there is no prior systemic hypoxaemia and if pneumothorax is drained without suction. Chest radiograph should be done routinely within four hours after chest tube insertion for early detection of RPO.

Brunner's gland adenoma with circumferential duodenal involvement.

Brunner's gland adenoma is a benign tumor of the duodenum. We report a 58-year-old man who presented with abdominal pain, vomiting and weight loss. The patient underwent Whipple resection along with lymph node clearance. The resected tumor, 4 cm long, showed hypertrophied Brunner's glands.

Studies on the toxic effects of streptolysin 'O': effect on the contractility of isolated and intact mammalian and amphibian heart.

The effect of streptolysin O (a streptococcal exotoxin) on the myocardial contractility of isolated and intact mammalian and amphibian heart has been investigated. Streptolysin O caused marked reduction or complete cessation of myocardial contractility of mammalian and amphibian heart both in vivo and in vitro. The effect of submaximal doses of streptolysin O on isolated atria was reversible after repeated washings and the myocardial depressant effect of streptolysin O on isolated atria was reversible after repeated washings and the myocardial depressant effect of streptolysin O was not antagonised by atropine. These observations would suggest that streptolysin O is cardiotoxic and may be involved in the causation of myocardial failure associated with acute rheumatic fever in man.