Research Notes : India : Induced parthenogenesis in soybean

A field of research currently gaining much interest is the irradiated-pollen-induced ovule transformation in plants. The interest lies mainly in the possibility of modifying the plant genome in a quicker and more economical way. The successful demonstration of such gene transfers have been achieved in Nicotiana (Pandey, 1975; Jinks et al., 1981), Brassica (Banga et al., 1983) and Lycopersicum (Zamir, 1983) for both qualitative and metric traits

Research Notes : India : Potential of an off-season soybean nursery

In India, soybean is generally sown during summer (June-October). However, due to tremendous variability in climatic conditions of the country, there is a scope for growing soybean in more than one season. The efficacy of yield improvement projects could be substantially enhanced by rapid genera-tion turnover

Design and Study of Swirl Injector of Pulse Detonation Engine

Future Indian Air force and Navy Capabilities indicate the need for a supersonic cruise missile. Therefore, there exists a need for a low cost, light-weight, and efficient means of supersonic propulsion. In this paper my main emphasis on Pulse Detonation Engine, in pulse detonation engine humphey cycle is used ,PDE has thermodynamic efficiency greater than 50% as compared to 35% for present day propulsion technology constant-pressure Brayton cycle currently in use in gas turbines/ramjets/scramjets. Pulse Detonation Engines (PDE's) represent an upcoming new approach to propulsion and with the simplicity of its construction; PDE's produce thrust more efficiently than the current engines and produces a higher specific thrust. Since current rocket engines require heavy and expensive pumps; with mechanical simplicity and thermodynamic efficiency PDE's offer a viable alternative to reduce the cost of launching spacecraft

Growth, Biomass and Carbon Sequestration Potential of Different Poplar (Populus deltoides Bartr.) clones in Agroforestry System with Wheat (Triticum aestivum) Varieties in tarai belt of Uttarakhand

For two years, field experiments were carried out at Agro-Forestry Research Center of G.B.P.U.A. & T., Pantnagar, Uttarakhand (29°N Latitude, 79°30’ E longitude and at an altitude of 243.84 msl) during 2013-14 and 2014-15, to study the growth, biomass and carbon sequestration potentials of poplar clones in association with different wheat varieties in a sandy loam soil. The soil of the experimental site contained 1.175% of organic carbon, 259, 20 and 195 kg/ha available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, respectively. The soil was almost neutral in reaction (pH 8.2). The study was laid in split plot with poplar tree clones viz., S7C8, G-48, W-39 and Kranti in main plots and wheat varieties viz., DBW-17, PBW-502, UP-2748 and HD-2967 in sub-plots. Poplar trees were planted at spacing of 7.0m x 3.0m.Poplar clones S7C8 in 2013-14 and Kranti in 2014-15 recorded higher values of diameter at breast height (DBH) and tree height than clones W-39 and G-48. Wheat variety DBW-17 exhibited higher values of poplar growth than varieties PBW-502 and UP-2748. In 2013-14 clone S7C8 recorded the highest values of different components of trees biomass. In 2014-15, clone Kranti produced significantly higher stem, roots and total biomass than clones G-48 and W-39. The total carbon sequestered by the agroforestry system during both the years, was the highest with the clone Kranti (57.14 t/ha in 2013-14 and 65.69 t/ha in 2014-15). In 2014-15, the total carbon sequestered by clone Kranti was significantly higher than other clones. The total carbon sequestered by the agroforestry system was the lowest with the clone G-48.Except carbon stock in wheat plant biomass, wheat varieties did not affect the poplar growth, biomass and carbon stock of the agroforestry system significantly. Wheat variety DBW-17 in 2013-14 and HD-2967 in 2014-15 recorded the highest amount of carbon in plant biomass

A clinical prediction rule to identify patients with tuberculosis at high risk for HIV co-infection

Background & Objective: Many patients presenting with tuberculosis (TB) have underlying human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) co-infection. Routine HIV testing, however, is not a component of the national TB control programme in India. We sought to derive and validate a clinical prediction rule, based on clinical and laboratory parameters, to identify patients at high risk for HIV co-infection among those treated for active TB. Methods: Case records of adult patients with active TB treated between 1997 and 2003 at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences hospital, New Delhi were retrospectively reviewed. The data set was randomly split into a training set and a testing set. First a clinical prediction rule was derived by multivariable logistic regression on the training set and was subsequently validated on the testing set. Results: The study group comprised 1074 patients [training set 711 (66%), HIV co-infected 66 (9%); testing set 363 (34%), HIV co-infected 30 (8%)]. In the training set, male gender [odds ratio (95% CI) 5.31(1.52- 18.61)], axillary lymphadenopathy [9.71 (3.24-29.10)], anaemia [7.56 (2.48-23.05)], hypoalbuminaemia [3.67(1.31-10.26)], and reduced triceps skinfold thickness [2.91(0.95-8.89)] were independently associated with HIV co-infection. In the testing set, presence of any two of these five features was 94 per cent (95% CI 84-100%) sensitive and 54 per cent (49-60%) specific for predicting HIV co-infection; negative predictive value was 99 per cent (98-100%). Area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve was 0.93 (0.86-1.0) in the testing set. Interpretation & Conclusion: A simple clinical prediction rule based on clinical and laboratory parameters could be used to identify a subgroup of patients, among those treated for active TB in a hospital setting, for targeted HIV testing

Propofol induced severe neuroexcitatory symptoms during emergency laparotomy

Propofol is a widely used intravenous agent for general anesthesia and sedation. Propofol is associated with a variety of neuroexcitatory events including: opisthotonus, muscle rigidity, myoclonus, and seizures collectively termed as seizure-like phenomenon (SLP). We report a rare case of propofol   induced severe neuroexcitatory symptoms at the time of induction in a young male presenting for emergency laparotomy. He developed generalized tonic- clonic seizures which resulted in dislodgement of intravenous cannula. Immediately a new intravenous cannula was inserted with difficulty during convulsions and injection thiopentone 200 mg bolus was given. Convulsions subsided within a minute. Patient remained hemodynamically stable and surgery was uneventful. He developed emergence agitation which was treated with injection midazolam. Patient recovered with no neurologic sequelae

Validation of the modified Berlin questionnaire to identify patients at risk for the obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome

Background & Objectives: Awareness regarding obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) among general public as well as practicing physicians is low in India. The present study was undertaken to test the utility of modified Berlin questionnaire for risk categorization of OSA in Indian setting. Methods: The modified Berlin questionnaire was administered in 180 middle aged adults (of 320 screened), of whom, 104 underwent overnight polysomnograhy, in a cross-sectional study at a tertiary care, referral center in north India. Questionnaire addressed the presence of frequency of snoring, wake time sleepiness, fatigue, obesity and hypertension. Subjects with persistent and frequent symptoms in any two of these three domains were considered in high risk category for obstructive sleep apnoea. Overnight polysomnograhy was performed to measure apnoea and hypopnoea index (AHI). Results: Questions about the symptoms demonstrated internal consistency (Cronbach alpha correlations 0.92-0.96). Of the 180 respondents to the screening questions, 80 were in the high risk and the rest were in low risk group. For 104 subjects who underwent polysomnograhy, risk grouping was useful in prediction of AHI. High risk category predicted an AHI > 5 with a sensitivity of 86 per cent, specificity of 95 per cent, positive and negative predictive values of 96 and 82 per cent respectively. These results were comparable to Berlin questionnaire study done in the western population for validation. Interpretation & Conclusion: On the basis of the findings of present study it is concluded that administration of modified Berlin questionnaire prior to a polysomnography study can identify high risk subjects and can thus avoid unnecessary polysomnography studies especially in resource-limited settings. To identify subjects at risk for OSA syndrome in general population, this questionnaire can be applied. However, the findings of the present study need to be confirmed further in a large number of subjects in a community-based setting

Burden, maternal risk factors, and fetal outcomes in twin pregnancies: a retrospective observational study

Background: Twin pregnancies present significant challenges for obstetricians worldwide. Although they account for a relatively small percentage of global births, their occurrence varies across different regions. The increasing utilization of assisted reproduction techniques and the advancing maternal age contribute to the growing incidence of twin pregnancies. As a result, it is essential to understand the implications and risks associated with multiple gestations. The objective was to determine the burden of twin pregnancies, identify maternal risk factors, assess fetal outcomes, and explore potential associations between these factors. Methods: Data were collected from hospital records, including information on maternal age, parity, method of conception, gestational age, pregestational body mass index (BMI), and family history. Maternal and fetal complications, mode of delivery, and high-risk conditions in the fetuses were documented. Statistical analysis was performed using the Fisher-exact test. Results: The study included 78 twin pregnancies. The majority of women (78.2%) fell within the age range of 21-30 years. The majority of women (70.5%) had a normal pregestational BMI. Preterm births occurred in 24.3% of twin pregnancies. Hypertensive disorders (24.0%) and foetal malpresentation (38.0%) were common indications for cesarean section. Fetal complications included intrauterine growth restriction (11.5%), birth weight discordance (25.0%), early neonatal deaths (14.7%), and low APGAR scores (16.0%). Conclusions: Twin pregnancies present challenges due to the increased risks of maternal complications, preterm birth, and adverse fetal outcomes. The study emphasizes the need for careful management and monitoring of twin pregnancies to improve outcomes

Controlled delivery of ropinirole hydrochloride through skin using modulated iontophoresis and microneedles

Abstract The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of modulated current application using iontophoresis-and microneedle-mediated delivery on transdermal permeation of ropinirole hydrochloride. AdminPatch Õ microneedles and microchannels formed by them were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, dye staining and confocal microscopy. In vitro permeation studies were carried out using Franz diffusion cells, and skin extraction was used to quantify drug in underlying skin. Effect of microneedle pore density and ions in donor formulation was studied