Genetic diversity analysis of cattle genetic groups of Kerala state using microsatellite data.

Cattle belonging to seven different genetic groups in Kerala state, India were chosen for the study to find out the genetic diversity between the groups, which would aid in their sustainable improvement and conservation of native cattle. They included the native groups namely, Vechur, Kasaragod, Vadakara dwarf and Vilwadri, along with three different grades of crossbred cattle, based on milk production. Genomic DNA was isolated from 20 to 30 unrelated animals of each group and a panel of 25 microsatellite markers as suggested by FAO-ISAG, were amplified by multiplex PCR. The PCR amplicons were genotyped and the allelic data analyzed using suitable Bioinformatics softwares. The present study showed that the observed number of alleles was much more than the expected, in all populations. The mean PIC value obtained for the present study was 0.8912 and increased number of private alleles were observed, especially in Vilwadri and Kasaragod groups. Negative value of FIS (-0.055) indicated that the level of inbreeding was less. The FST value was 0.1442 indicating that the populations showed good genetic differentiation. The results of Structure analysis revealed admixture only in Vadakara population. The results obtained from the present study showed that Vilwadri and Kasaragod cattle showed distinct differences from other groups.

Prenatal diagnosis lowers neonatal cardiac care costs in resource-limited settings.

BACKGROUND: Prenatal diagnosis of critical CHDs and planned peripartum care is an emerging concept in resource-limited settings. OBJECTIVE: To report the impact of prenatal diagnosis and planned peripartum care on costs of neonatal cardiac care in a resource-limited setting. METHODS: Prospective study (October 2019 to October 2020). Consecutive neonates undergoing surgery or catheter-based interventions included. Patients were divided into prenatal (prenatal diagnosis) and post-natal (diagnosis after birth) groups. Costs of cardiac care (total, direct, and indirect) and health expenses to income ratio were compared between study groups; factors impacting costs were analysed. RESULTS: A total of 105 neonates were included, including 33 in prenatal group. Seventy-seven neonates (73.3%) underwent surgical procedures while the rest needed catheter-based interventions. Total costs were 16.2% lower in the prenatal group (p = 0.008). Direct costs were significantly lower in the prenatal group (18%; p = 0.02), especially in neonates undergoing surgery (20.4% lower; p = 0.001). Health expenses to income ratio was also significantly lower in the prenatal group (2.04 (1.03-2.66) versus post-natal:2.58 (1.55-5.63), p = 0.01);, particularly in patients undergoing surgery (prenatal: 1.58 (1.03-2.66) vs. post-natal: 2.99 (1.91-6.02); p = 0.002). Prenatal diagnosis emerged as the only modifiable factor impacting costs on multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Prenatal diagnosis and planned peripartum care of critical CHD is feasible in resource-limited settings and is associated with significantly lower costs of neonatal cardiac care. The dual benefit of improved clinical outcomes and lower costs of cardiac care should encourage policymakers in resource-limited settings towards developing more prenatal cardiac services.

Pregnancy and early post-natal outcomes of fetuses with functionally univentricular heart in a low-and-middle-income country.

BACKGROUND: Care of children with functionally univentricular hearts is resource-intensive. OBJECTIVES: To analyse pregnancy and early post-natal outcomes of fetuses with functionally univentricular hearts in the setting of a low-middle-income country. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted during the period of January 2008-October 2019. Study variables analysed included gestational age at diagnosis, maternal and fetal comorbidities and cardiac diagnosis including morphologic type of single ventricle. Outcomes analysed included pregnancy outcomes, type of post-natal care and survival status on the last follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 504 fetuses were included. Mean maternal age was 27.5 ± 4.8 years and mean gestational age at diagnosis was 25.6 ± 5.7 weeks. Pregnancy outcomes included non-continued pregnancies (54%), live births (42.7%) and loss to follow-up (3.3%). Gestational age at diagnosis was the only factor that impacted pregnancy outcomes (non-continued pregnancies 22.5 ± 3.5 vs. live births 29.7 ± 5.7 weeks; p < 0.001). Of the 215 live births, intention-to-treat was reported in 119 (55.3%) cases; of these 103 (86.6%) underwent cardiac procedures. Seventy-nine patients (36.7%) opted for comfort care. On follow-up (median 10 (1-120) months), 106 patients (21%) were alive. Parental choice of intention-to-.treat or comfort care was the only factor that impacted survival on follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Prenatal diagnosis of functionally univentricular hearts was associated with overall low survival status on follow-up due to parental decisions on not to continue pregnancy or non-intention-to-treat after birth. Early detection of these complex defects by improved prenatal screening can enhance parental options and reduce resource impact in low-and-middle-income countries.

Evaluation of physiodispenser assisted micro-osteoperforation on the rate of tooth movement and associated periodontal tissue status during individual canine retraction in first premolar extraction cases: A split-mouth randomized controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the rate of tooth movement and the periodontal tissue status over a period of 90 days with and without micro-osteoperforation (MOP). METHOD: Thirty-three adults of the 19 to 25 age group undergoing labial fixed orthodontic treatment with bilateral maxillary first premolar extraction, requiring individual canine retraction as a part of the treatment plan, were recruited for this split-mouth randomized clinical trial. While performing micro-implant-assisted canine retraction in the maxillary arch, the experimental side received three MOPs each on the mesial and distal aspects of the canine root. The amount of tooth movement was measured clinically at every 15 days interval for 90 days; the periodontal status was assessed clinically (probing depth, relative attachment level) and tomographically (canine root length, alveolar bone level) at the 1st day and 90th day of retraction. The data were subjected to appropriate statistical analyses. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference in tooth movement on the MOP side was observed in the first 45 days, amounting to 1.5 times more than that of the control side. However, during 45 to 90 days, the difference in the rate of tooth movement between the sides was not statistically significant. Changes in periodontal variables were also insignificant between the sides except for the distal alveolar bone level. CONCLUSION: An increase in the rate of tooth movement can be achieved without any periodontal adverse effects in the first 45 days of the MOP procedure. The effectiveness of the MOP procedure on the rate of tooth movement gradually declined thereafter. TRIAL REGISTRATION: CTRI/2019/07/020403.

Multifarious plant growth promotion by an entomopathogenic fungus Lecanicillium psalliotae.

An entomopathogenic fungus, Lecanicillium psalliotae strain IISR-EPF-02 previously found infectious to cardamom thrips, Sciothrips cardamomi promoted plant growth in cardamom, Elettaria cardamomum. The isolate exhibited direct plant growth promoting traits by production of indole-3-acetic acid and ammonia and by solubilizing inorganic phosphate and zinc. It also showed indirect plant growth promoting traits by producing siderophores and cell wall-degrading enzymes like, α-amylases, cellulases and proteases. In pot culture experiments, application of the fungus at the root zone of cardamom seedlings significantly increased shoot and root length, shoot and root biomass, number of secondary roots and leaves and leaf chlorophyll content compared to untreated plants. This is the first report on the plant growth promoting traits of this fungus. The entomopathogenic and multifarious growth promoting traits of L. psalliotae strain IISR-EPF-02 suggest that it has great potential for exploitation in sustainable agriculture.