Superoxide Dismutase: A Stable Biochemical Marker for Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Higher Plants

Superoxide dismutases (SODs) are ubiquitous metalloenzymes that constitute the first line of defense against reactive oxygen species (ROS). It constitutes one of the major enzymatic components of detoxification of superoxide radicals generated in biological system by catalyzing its dismutation to H2O2 and finally to H2O and O2 by catalase and peroxidase. Most plant species contain numerous SOD isoforms differing in their active site metal ions, namely Cu/Zn-SOD, Mn-SOD, and Fe-SOD. Many studies also reported that the tolerance level of plants is positively correlated with SOD activity as well as with the number of SOD isoforms, and established the fact that “More the SOD Activity, More the Stress Tolerance.” Therefore, the SOD isozyme profile of any plant can be used as stable marker for stress tolerance in plant. In this chapter, we have discussed the role of SOD in abiotic stress tolerance, type of SODs, and correlation of its activity and its isoforms with stress tolerance level

COLD ANTIBODY-MEDIATED AUTOIMMUNE HEMOLYTIC ANEMIA IN A PATIENT WITH OVERLAP SYNDROME OF SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS WITH SJOGREN’S SYNDROME

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune disorder commonly seen in females characterized by multisystem inflammation with the production of an array of antibodies. Hematological disturbances are common in SLE specifically autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) which results from the development of autoantibodies directed against antigens on the surface of patient’s own red blood cells. Here, we present a rare case of a 50-year-old female patient presenting with cold antibody-mediated AIHA

Storage effects on flour quality of commonly consumed cereals

The present investigation was conducted to study the effect of storage period on flour quality of wheat, maize and pearl millet. Their flour were stored at 15 °C and 82 % relative humidity RH for one month and changes in fat acidity (FA), activities of peroxidase (POX), lipoxygenase (LOX) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) in control and stored flour along with change in pH of water extract of flour were monitored. Increase in FA (mg KOH/100 g d.m.) and decrease in pH of flour was maximal in pearl millet (287.5 mg KOH/100 g d.m. and 0.4) followed by maize (151 mg KOH/100 g d.m. and 0.23) and wheat (61 mg KOH/100 g d.m. and 0.1) respectively. A decline in activity of POX, LOX and PPO was observed during storage. Pearl millet flour possessed almost double activity of POX (413 Units/g d.m.) in comparison to wheat (198 Units/g d.m.) and 1.3 fold higher than that of maize (153 Units/g d.m.) and even after decrease activity of POX was higher in flour of pearl millet compared to the other two. However, activity of LOX and PPO was found to be comparable in fresh flour of pearl millet, maize and wheat. Since pearl millet has poor shelf life and increase in FA, decrease in pH and activity of POX was found to be very high in pearl millet (poor shelf life) as compared to wheat and maize, therefore, these selected parameters might be used as biochemical markers to determine shelf life of flour

A comparative study between dynamic hip screw and intramedullary nail fixation in trochanteric fractures

Background: The trochanteric fractures are one of the commonest fractures in elderly population. Incidence of these fractures is increasing due to better life expectancy, growing number of population, industrialization and the road traffic accidents. Variety of implants are available but still there is no consensus for single implant.Methods: A prospective randomized control study was conducted on total 60 patients of intertrochanteric fractures which were randomized into 2 groups of 30 each, treated with dynamic hip screw (DHS) and proximal femoral nail (PFN). All the patients were followed up for a maximum of 6 months. Outcomes were reviewed and compared such as mode of injury, complications, functional and radiological outcomes.Results: There was no significant difference between two groups of patients as regards to mean age and sex. The mode of injury by slip and fall was main cause. The most common type of fracture as per AO-orthopaedic trauma association (OTA) classification was 31-A2 (65%) and 31-A3 (5%) being the least common type. Mean surgical time of DHS group and PFN group was 125.17 minutes and 89.93 minutes respectively. Mean blood loss in DHS group and PFN group was 251.67 ml and 158.67 ml respectively. Mean radiological union time of fracture in DHS group and PFN group was 12.3 and 9.5weeks respectively. Mean Harris hip score at six month in DHS group and PFN group was 80.77 and 85.47 respectively.Conclusions: We conclude that though both the implants can achieve comparable union rates but PFN are better than DHS as of better Harris hip score, shorter surgical time and less intra operative blood loss

A rare case of cervical ectopic: potential life-threatening condition managed conservatively with uterine artery embolisation and Methotrexate

A case of cervical pregnancy managed successfully in Medical College, Kolkata by injection Methotrexate and uterine artery embolization. Cervix is a rare implantation site for ectopic pregnancy. Either during surgical management should be carefully considered due to the risk of severe hemorrhage. A 33 years old patient (P2+4 with 1 living issue) with USG diagnosed 6 weeks cervical pregnancy was admitted in Gynaecology and Obstetrics department of Medical College, Kolkata with slight bleeding per vaginum and pain abdomen. USG was repeated along with beta hCG quantification and other routine investigations. Following admission, the bleeding and pain subsided. Patient was counselled regarding the prognosis and management options available. The patient was desirous to preserve her fertility and as the patient was hemodynamically stable with low initial beta hCG of 5200 mIU/ml, we opted for a medical treatment with MTX and uterine artery embolization. Following treatment with 3 doses of weekly Methotrexate (50 mg/m2 each i.m.) and UAE the beta hCG reduced significantly. The patient was discharged with advice of weekly follow up with beta hCG report. Within 2 months of follow-up, ß-hCG level was <10 mIU/mL with TVS showing normal cervical canal and empty uterine cavity

Pregnancy with thalassemia: challenges and outcomes

Background: Thalassemia syndromes are autosomal recessive disorders and the most commonly inherited haemoglobinopathies in the world. HbE β is the most common type of thalassemia in eastern India. The objectives of the study include maternal outcome and complications like anemia, hypertensive disorders, gestational diabetes mellitus and also to study the neonatal outcome in terms of low birth weight, prematurity and other complications.Methods: A prospective longitudinal study carried out over a period of one year from July 2016 to June 2017 in Medical College, Kolkata. Fifty antenatal thalassemic mothers over 20 weeks of gestation during study period were enrolled in after institutional ethical clearance and consent from study subjects. All necessary investigations (complete haemogram, reticulocyte counts, Ultrasounds etc.) were done followed by statistical analysis.Results: Out of total 50 diagnosed thalassemic patients, maximum were HbE Beta Thal i.e. 54.0%. The mean level of iron in these women varied from 95.70±17.16µg/dl to 99.46±18.19µg/dl at the time of delivery and ferritin varied from 185.40±49.26µg/L vs 194.13±48.80µg/L. The mean blood transfusion done was 6.84 Units. Incidence of maternal complications were variable, PIH was found to be 26% whereas it was just 8% for GDM. The mean gestational age at delivery (Mean±SD) was 36.30±2.08 weeks. NICU admission was high (50%).Conclusions: Pregnancy with thalassemia is considered high risk, continuous pre-conceptional, antenatal and postpartum assessment should be done for favorable outcomes

Pregnancy with previous caesarean section: an overview of adverse fetomaternal sequelae

Background: The Caesarean section epidemic is a reason for immediate concern and deserves serious international attention. The purpose of this study was to evaluate adverse maternal and fetal complications associated with pregnancies with history of previous caesarean section.Methods: A cross-sectional, observational study carried out over a period of 1 year from 1st June 2016 to 31st July 2017 in Medical College Kolkata. 200 antenatal patients with previous history of 1 or more caesarean sections were included. In all cases thorough history, complete physical and obstetrical examination, routine and case specific investigations were carried out and patients were followed till delivery and for 7 days thereafter. All adverse maternal and fetal complications were noted.Results: Out of 200 women, 30 candidates were tried for VBAC, of them 20 (66.66%) had successful outcome. Most common antenatal complication was APH (5.5%) due to placenta praevia followed by scar dehiscence. There were 12 cases (6.66%) of PPH and 6 cases (3.33%) of scar dehiscence in the study group. 3 cases required urgent hysterectomy due to placenta accreta. 42 out of 196 babies required management in SNCU immediately or later after birth.Conclusions: Women with a prior cesarean are at increased risk for repeat cesarean section. Vigilance with respect to indication at primary cesarean delivery, proper counselling for trial of labor and proper antepartum and intrapartum monitoring of patients are key to reducing the cesarean section rates and maternal complications

Solution of wave-like equation based on Haar wavelet

Wavelet transform and wavelet analysis are powerful mathematical tools for many problems. Wavelet also can be applied in numerical analysis. In this paper, we apply Haar wavelet method to solve wave-like equation with initial and boundary conditions known. The fundamental idea of Haar wavelet method is to convert the differential equations into a group of algebraic equations, which involves a finite number or variables. The results and graph show that the proposed way is quite reasonable when compared to exact solution

A clinical study of foreign bodies in air passages

Background: Foreign body in the airways is a serious event and fatal if not managed properly in time. Accident resulting from the inhalation of the foreign body continues to take formidable toll of lives every year.Objecti ve: This study was undertaken to find out the incidence of foreign bodies in air passages in this part of the country and types of foreign bodies, to establish the role of radiological investigations, and to find out the effective measures which are valuable in decreasing the post endoscopic complications and morbidity. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted in all suspected cases of foreign body in the air passages attending as well as referred to the Department of Otolaryngology of a Medical College of Rajasthan from January 2014 to December 2015. In each case, a procedure like direct laryngoscopy or bronchoscopy was done depending on the site of the foreign body. Results: Out of 100 cases, 58 were males and 42 were females. 88% of the patients were children below the age of 12 years. The most common foreign body extracted was betel nut in 47% of the cases. Commonest sign observed was decreased air entry in the lung (83%). Commonest radiological finding was obstructive collapse (37%). 48% of the total foreign bodies were present in right bronchus while 32% were lodged in the left bronchus and 3% at the carina. Conclusion: A diagnostic bronchoscopy should always be done in refractory cases of chronic respiratory infection, allergy or pneumonia. A negative radiological examination does not exclude a foreign body

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Not AvailableThe cucurbitaceous family has comprised with diverse economically important cucurbits. It primarily comprised of 118 genera and 825 species which being consumed as food worldwide since the domestication of the plants. In India, cucurbits are being grown throughout regions of the country including hot semi-arid and arid zones. With the advent of genomic breakthrough, a large number of genomic and biotechnological interventions have been developed in cucurbitaceous crops. The plenty of molecular markers are available in cucurbits and these markers were deployed to assess the genetic diversity and mapping of the QTLS/genes of interest. The success in development of genomic tools may happens by genome sequencing of mostly important cucurbitaceous crops such as watermelon, cucumber, muskmelon, bottle gourd, pumpkins. Transgenic and non-transgenic plants were developed in various cucurbitaceous crops by employing of Agrobacterium-mediated transformation and CRISPR/CAS9 approach, respectively. Thus cucurbitaceous crops have been considerably exploited at molecular level and biotechnological interventions were developed for crop improvement. However, a comprehensive report in cucurbitaceous crops regarding genomic and biotechnological developments is not available in public domain. Therefore, in the present review, we have collected the information related to genomics and biotechnology in cucurbits and emphasized on some successful interventions.Not Availabl