Combining ability analysis and gene action of grain quality traits in rice (Oryza sativa L.) using line × tester analysis

In rice, twelve lines were crossed with five testers in a line × tester mating design and the resultant 60 hybrids along with their parents were evaluated for their combining ability effects for 15 grain quality traits. The results revealed that the ratio of GCA: SCA variances computed for all the fifteen grain quality traits showed the predominance of non-additive gene action. Among the lines, ADT (R) 47 showed significant desirable gca effects at 1% probability level (p = 0.01) for 11 grain quality traits viz., hulling percentage, milling percentage, head rice recovery percentage, kernel breadth, kernel breadth after cooking, breadth wise expansion ratio, gelatinization temperature, amylose content, gel consistency, water uptake and volume expansion ratio. Among the testers, Pusa 1460 showed significant desirable gca effects at 1% probability level (p = 0.01) for 10 grain quality traits viz., kernel length, kernel breadth, kernel length/breadth ratio, kernel length after cooking, kernel breadth after cooking, linear elongation ratio, gelatinization temperature, amylose content, water uptake and volume expansion ratio and hence they were adjudged as the best combiners for the improvement of the respective traits. Among the hybrids, the hybrids CO 47/Imp., Samba Mahsuri, ADT (R) 47/IRBB 21 and ADT (R) 46/IRBB 21 were identified as best hybrids for exploitation of grain quality traits since they revealed significant sca effects at 1% probability level (p = 0.01) for eight, eight and five grain quality traits, respectively

Distribution and Attachment of Bryozoans in the Intertidal Region of South Andaman Island

Aiming to collate the distribution and the attachment preference of intertidal bryozoan of Andaman waters, a study was carried out in three intertidal sites (Burmanallah, Kodiyaghat, and Chidiytapu) of southeastern coasts of the Andaman Islands between June and August 2016. The present study is the first exclusive report on bryozoans from the Andaman Islands after a long research gap of nine decades. During our investigation, a total of twelve genera were identified from both calcareous and non-calcareous substratum. Out of the twelve genera, eight genera were new records from the island. The present study showed that the attachment affinity of the Bryozoans is more towards natural substratum particularly on the rocks. The Thalamoporella sp. reported the most abundant species with maximum average colony length of 3.5 cm from the rock substratum

A Study of inside out transobturator tape for the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence.

INTRODUCTION : Stress Urinary incontinence (SUI) is defined as involuntary leakage of urine on effort or exertion, or sneezing or coughing in the absence of bladder contraction. Stress urinary incontinence is extremely bothersome and can lead to significant interference in the quality of life in the female population. Stress urinary incontinence affects up to 40 % of women in the western world and 25% of women in India1. Women have a 4% risk of needing stress incontinence surgery during their lifetime, with nearly one third of surgeries performed due to recurrence. The tension free vaginal tape procedure described by Ulmsten has revolutionized the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence. This procedure had high cure rate when compared to Burch colposuspension. While these tapes have proved their long term efficacy, their insertion via an ascending or descending retropubic approach has been associated with number of intraoperative complications. The transobturator approach was first described by DeLorme in 2001 for placement of midurethral vaginal tape with the objective of avoiding retropubic area. It consists of insertion of the tape through a skin incision in the thigh into the obturator foramen towards the urethra. Cadaveric dissections by various authors have proved this procedure is safer but complications like lower urinary tract injuries, vaginal tears and groin haematoma have been noted. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES : 1) To evaluate the efficacy of inside out transobturator tape in the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence. 2) To determine the influence of inside out transobturator tape on objective and subjective cure rate and quality of life in patients with stress urinary incontinence. 3) To assess the postoperative complications and thus the safety of this procedure. MATERIAL AND METHODS : A total of 25 patients with stress urinary incontinence in Government Stanley Hospital during the period November 2010 to January 2013 were asked to participate in this prospective study. All the women underwent a standardized preoperative evaluation including detailed incontinence history regarding duration and severity of stress urinary incontinence. All the patients underwent pelvic examination, a stress-test in upright position and a short term pad test. Study Design: Prospective study. Inclusion Criteria: 1) Patients in the age group between twenty five to eighty five years. 2) Clinical as well as urodynamic diagnosis of stress urinary incontinence. 3) Positive pad test, stress-test. Exclusion Criteria: 1) Detrusor overactivity or impaired bladder contractility. 2) Post void residual urine 100 ml or greater. 3) Pregnancy. 4) Neurological pathology. 5) Active urinary or vaginal infection. CONCLUSION : The inside out transobturator approach (TVT-O) is an effective and safe technique for the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence. The anatomical and functional mechanism of continence is restored with this minimally invasive approach. The position of the transobturator tape is similar to that of the natural hammock supporting the urethra, respects the orientation of muscle fibres better than the tension free transvaginal tape operation, and the dissection is less extensive, making tape migration less likely to occur. The para-urethral subvaginal dissection is less extensive with the inside-out route and the learning curve of this approach appears to be quicker. There are several proven advantages concerning the feasibility of the inside out transobturator technique compared to the transvaginal tape procedure: the short duration of the operation; the low risk of urethral and bladder lesion, making cystoscopy redundant; the absence of risk of bowel lesion; the low risk of haemorrhage. Initial and long term results appear to suggest a cure rate similar to that of the transvaginal tape procedure and outside in transobturator approach with decreased incidence of complications

Tripe palm: a paraneoplastic manifestation of carcinoma stomach

Usually gastrointestinal malignancies present with low SAAG ascites. But when there is diffuse liver infiltration following malignancy, high SAAG ascites can occur. So liver infiltration can masquerade as cirrhosis. Malignant acanthosis and tripe palm are the paraneoplastic manifestations seen in GI malignancies. We are reporting a case which was initially managed as a  straightforward case of cirrhosis ,but later turned out to be a case with tripe palms, malignant acanthosis and carcinoma stomach as primary with diffuse liver infiltration having high SAAG ascites

Purification and Biochemical Characterisation of Ricin from Castor Seeds

Ricin is a highly toxic plant toxin of Ricinus comtnunis seeds, commonly known as castor seeds. The toxin was extracted and purified using affinity and size exclusion  chromatography. The purity of ricin was evaluated by the sodium dodecylsulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Purified ricin gives a single band under non-reduced condition and two bands under reduced condition. The molecular weight of ricin was 65,0000 approx. The subunit structure of ricin on treatment with p-mercaptoethanol (1 %) at molecular level revealed that the reducing agent converts ricin into two peptides. The molecular weight of these two peptides was estimated to be 34000 and 32000. The western-blot analysis revealed two dots for its two peptides in 29 kDa to 36 kDa regions. The heamagglutination litres for ricin and Ricinus communis agglutinins were 1:8 and 1:256. The purity of purified ricin was further confirmed by the electrophoresis and the western-blot analysis. The Indian variety of castor seeds, known as Ricinus communis used in this study, contains approx. 0.12 per cent ricin