Amaranthus deflexus L. (Amaranthaceae), a new addition to Indian Flora

Few populations of Amaranthus deflexus L. were observed in Kerala region (SE-India), contributing the first record of this species to the national Flora. A morphological (macro and micro) description of the species, as well as ecological data are given. A note on the phenotypic plasticity exhibited by the taxon is also provided

Studies on genetic diversity in poplar (Populus deltoides Bartram ex Marsh.) using morphological and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) marker

30 popular poplar clones were studied to assess genetic divergence using morphological growth parameters and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. Based on Mahalanobis D2 analysis, 15 clusters were formed and clustering pattern indicated presence of substantial genetic diversity among 30 poplar clones. These clones were subjected to RAPD analysis, a total of 374 RAPD loci were detected out of which 20 were monomorphic and 354 were polymorphic. A positive correlation between morphological and RAPD analysis in estimating genetic divergence was found. The present molecular study revealed that genotypes from different geographical region clustered in one group, which signifies occurrence of narrow genetic base in that zone. To promote diversified plantation, a multiculture group comprising of S7 C1, G-7, 421-2, 82-35-4, PIP-123, D-123, A-194 and 22-N was found to make a broad genetic base for commercial plantations.Key words: Poplar, clones, D2 , random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), DNA, diversity

Amaranthus powellii (Amaranthaceae), a new addition for the flora of India and a preliminary list of the Indian Amaranthus species

Three populations of Amaranthus powellii were discovered in Kerala region (SE-India), representing the first record of this species for the national flora. A morphological description based on the Indian plants, as well as ecological data are given. A preliminary list of all the Amaranthus species occurring in India, which was never published during the last 135 years, is also provided

Asystasia dalzelliana var. alba (Acanthaceae), a new variety from southern Western Ghats of Kerala, India

Asystasia dalzelliana var. alba, a new variety of the family Acanthaceae is described and illustrated from the southern Western Ghats of Kerala, India. The new variety differs from the typical variety with respect to color of flowers and lack of black blue bands on the anthers. Critical notes along with conservation status of the new variety are provided

Comprehensive survey on nanobiomaterials for bone tissue engineering applications

One of the most important ideas ever produced by the application of materials science to the medical field is the notion of biomaterials. The nanostructured biomaterials play a crucial role in the development of new treatment strategies including not only the replacement of tissues and organs, but also repair and regeneration. They are designed to interact with damaged or injured tissues to induce regeneration, or as a forest for the production of laboratory tissues, so they must be micro-environmentally sensitive. The existing materials have many limitations, including impaired cell attachment, proliferation, and toxicity. Nanotechnology may open new avenues to bone tissue engineering by forming new assemblies similar in size and shape to the existing hierarchical bone structure. Organic and inorganic nanobiomaterials are increasingly used for bone tissue engineering applications because they may allow to overcome some of the current restrictions entailed by bone regeneration methods. This review covers the applications of different organic and inorganic nanobiomaterials in the field of hard tissue engineering

An E-learning component for agriculture graduates/post graduates

The agricultural education system has undergone several changes in India from past few decades. There are different courses at graduate and postgraduate level for imparting training to the agriculture students to improve agriculture and allied sectors in our country. An e-learning course has been developed, to make the freshly passed agriculture students and agri business field assistants suitable for agri business industries. This study was conducted in Ikisan Limited, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh during 2009 and 2010. To develop the course, surveys were conducted with agriculture students and individuals at managerial level in agri business industries. The gaps that exist between knowledge/skills/attitudes for agriculture students and agri business industries were analyzed. The courses were selected based on gap analysis to assist the students in structuring their career. The content for the courses were obtained from various sources, made into IMS content package using eXe editor and were uploaded in Moodle which is a Learning Management System. The users can access the course online according to their convenience from any place. This module is useful and provides flexibility to working professionals and students who may not attend class room teaching

Effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor and angiotensin receptor blocker initiation on organ support-free days in patients hospitalized with COVID-19

IMPORTANCE Overactivation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) may contribute to poor clinical outcomes in patients with COVID-19. Objective To determine whether angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) initiation improves outcomes in patients hospitalized for COVID-19. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS In an ongoing, adaptive platform randomized clinical trial, 721 critically ill and 58 non–critically ill hospitalized adults were randomized to receive an RAS inhibitor or control between March 16, 2021, and February 25, 2022, at 69 sites in 7 countries (final follow-up on June 1, 2022). INTERVENTIONS Patients were randomized to receive open-label initiation of an ACE inhibitor (n = 257), ARB (n = 248), ARB in combination with DMX-200 (a chemokine receptor-2 inhibitor; n = 10), or no RAS inhibitor (control; n = 264) for up to 10 days. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome was organ support–free days, a composite of hospital survival and days alive without cardiovascular or respiratory organ support through 21 days. The primary analysis was a bayesian cumulative logistic model. Odds ratios (ORs) greater than 1 represent improved outcomes. RESULTS On February 25, 2022, enrollment was discontinued due to safety concerns. Among 679 critically ill patients with available primary outcome data, the median age was 56 years and 239 participants (35.2%) were women. Median (IQR) organ support–free days among critically ill patients was 10 (–1 to 16) in the ACE inhibitor group (n = 231), 8 (–1 to 17) in the ARB group (n = 217), and 12 (0 to 17) in the control group (n = 231) (median adjusted odds ratios of 0.77 [95% bayesian credible interval, 0.58-1.06] for improvement for ACE inhibitor and 0.76 [95% credible interval, 0.56-1.05] for ARB compared with control). The posterior probabilities that ACE inhibitors and ARBs worsened organ support–free days compared with control were 94.9% and 95.4%, respectively. Hospital survival occurred in 166 of 231 critically ill participants (71.9%) in the ACE inhibitor group, 152 of 217 (70.0%) in the ARB group, and 182 of 231 (78.8%) in the control group (posterior probabilities that ACE inhibitor and ARB worsened hospital survival compared with control were 95.3% and 98.1%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this trial, among critically ill adults with COVID-19, initiation of an ACE inhibitor or ARB did not improve, and likely worsened, clinical outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT0273570

Thermodynamic and transport properties of ionized solutes in molten state continuously miscible in organic solvents: A class of systems with interesting features

121-127There exists a class of systems, in which a salt in its molten state exhibits continuous miscibility in a solvent. This situation is different from preparing a solution of salt in its solid state in a solvent, which restricts the solubility of the salt and forms a biphasic system. In the case of continuously miscible systems, a single phase is observed, as the salt is in its molten phase, dissolved in a liquid. Organic salts, in general, have low melting points and thus, can offer easier experimental conditions compared to the inorganic salts. The properties of such systems display some interesting features, such as anomalous viscosity behaviour, ion-pairing and predominant role of short-range interaction forces in determining the behaviour of these systems. Thermodynamic, surface, volumetric and transport behaviour of such systems are described with a view to exposing their peculiar characteristics. An application of Scaled Particle Theory for estimating the surface tension and compressibility of these systems is explored with a reasonable degree of success. It is hoped that the analysis of such systems as described herein, will throw light on the connectivity likely to be present between molten and ordinary liquid phases

Comparative study on elder abuse and neglect among geriatric population in the rural and urban field practice areas of a medical college

Background: Elder abuse is a multidimensional problem of public importance. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 16% of older people were victims of elder abuse. A study conducted by HelpAge India in 2018 showed that Mangaluru ranks the highest in elder abuse (47%). Given the scarce literature, this study sought to determine the prevalence of elder abuse and its associated sociodemographic factors. Material and Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among the senior population in the rural and urban field practice a medical college in Mangaluru for one and a half years. The sample size was 280. Results: Most of the study population was in the age group of fewer than 75 years (75.4%), with 50.4% females, 60% Hindus, 56.4% married, 39.3% illiterate, and 88.9% of them retired. The prevalence of elder abuse was 44.6% (rural = 50.7% and urban = 38.6%). Binary logistic regression showed that elder abuse was statistically significant among the unemployed, extended family members, and staying with children. Conclusions: The study brings to light the sociodemographic factors that play a role in detecting elder abuse. It also shows the importance of awareness of elder mistreatment among older people. These elements must be considered for implementing and enforcing laws and legislation to help curb elder abuse