Morphological Markers based Assessment of Genetic Diversity in Cultivated Tomato (Solanum Lycopersicon L.) Genotypes

Assessment of genetic diversity in any crop species provides a basis for devising future strategies for crop improvement; conservation and sustainable use. An experiment consisting of 24 genotypes of Tomato was conducted during the year 2016 at the Research Farm and Molecular Biology Laboratory of School of Biotechnology, SKUAST-J, Chatha. The experiment was conducted in Randomised Block Design (RBD) with three replications in 2 rows of 5m length with spacing of 45 x 90 cm. The extent of genetic divergence /relatedness was estimated among 24 genotypes by using 11 traits viz. plant height (cm), number of branches, number of fruits per bunch, total soluble solids, flesh thickness (mm), number of locules, fruit width (cm), fruit length (cm), yield per plant (g), average fruit weight (g), number of fruits per plant. The maximum number of fruits/bunch was recorded in “Utkal Pragyan” (3.66) and the minimum number was recorded in “Swarna Sampada” (2.03). Maximum TSS(%) was recorded in DCT-1 (8.06%) and minimum TSS was recorded in “Dhanshri” (2.83%). Maximum number of fruits and yield/plant was recorded in “DCT-1” (115.33) and “Hisar Lalit” (2507.36g), respectively. The minimum number of fruits and yield/ plant was recorded in “NDT-4” (23.20) and “DCT-1” (861.40g), respectively.Mean data revealed high range for most of studied traits. Hierarchical cluster analysis allowed the assessment of similarity and clarified some of the relationships among tomato genotypes. UPGMA produced a dendrogram with two main clusters with further sub clusters. Of all the studied 24 genotypes Anand tomato and Hisar lalit were found to be most dissimilar based on UPGMA clustering. Hisar lalit was found to be most promising variety among all the genotypes for most of the traits under study, which can be used for further breeding and crop improvement programmes

Need to Adopt a Patient Centered Approach for Obtaining Favourable Results of Non- Pharmacological Interventions among Knee Osteoarthritis Patients in Out Patient Department Settings

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is one of the common causes of disability. Long-term effects of early to moderate KOA can be managed through non-surgical interventions. But due to overcrowding in Orthopaedic OPDs, doctors don’t have enough time for explaining non pharmacological interventions (NPIs) in detail to KOA patients. Hence, desired impact of NPIs is not evident among KOA patients. This study elaborates the degree of patient centered approach adopted during doctor patient interactions in the Orthopedics OPD of a tertiary care hospital of India. The study was conducted in 2012-2015. Eligible KOA patients (N=123) were divided into two groups for the RCT. The patients aged 40-65 years of either gender without significant deformity or co-morbidities needing surgery (e.g. meniscus tears etc) were enrolled. An intervention room was established in Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (PRM) department of the hospital. Doctors of Orthopaedics and PRM departments were requested to send grade 1, 2, 3 KOA patients as per Kellgren Lawrence scale to intervention room after initial work up. A referral system was established for this. Interviews of the diagnosed patients (N=31) suffering from mild and moderate KOA were conducted. Textual analysis was done for qualitative data. Patients are unable to comprehend ‘capsule form’ of advice provided in OPDs. This results in non-adherence. For better outcomes physicians must talk to patients. They need to understand the patient’s underlying concerns, against their cultural background, and life history. Hence, patient centred approach is needed for obtaining the desired impact of NPIs in KOA patients reporting to Orthopaedics OPD in Indian hospitals

Bioadhezivne vaginalete s klotrimazolom: priprava i evaluacija

In this study, a bioadhesive dosage form of clotrimazole was designed using a combination of bioadhesive polymers Carbopol 934P, sodium carboxymethylcellulose and sodium alginate in different ratios. The bioadhesive strength was evaluated by measuring the force required to detach the tablets from porcine vaginal mucosal membrane. The strong interaction between polymer and mucus lining of the tissue helps in increasing the contact time and permits localization of activity. Carbopol 934P showed maximum bioadhesion and required maximum force for detachment; the force required for detachment was directly proportional to its content. The formulations were tested for their swelling behavior using agar gel plate method. The swelling index was a function of the concentration of the hydrophilic polymer and the formulations containing Carbopol 934 P and sodium carboxy methylcellulose were found to swell to a greater extent than those containing carbopol and sodium alginate. In vitro release studies showed that the batch consisting 2: 1 ratio of Carbopol 934P: sodium alginate (batch C3) released clotrimazole over 24 h. The similarity factor showed that the dissolution profiles of fresh and aged tablets was similar, suggesting good stability of vaginal tablets prepared using a combination of Carbopol 934P and sodium alginate.U radu je opisana priprava bioadhezivnih vaginaleta s klotrimazolom, kombinacijom nekoliko bioadhezivnih polimera u različitim omjerima (Carbopol 934P, natrijeva sol karboksimetilceluloze i natrijev alginat). Bioadhesivnost je određena mjerenjem sile koja je potrebna za odvajanje tablete s vaginalne mukozne membrane svinje. Zbog jake interakcije između polimera i mukoze produljilo se vrijeme kontakta pripravka s kožom i lokaliziralo djelovanje lijeka. Maksimum bioadhezije postignut je uz Carbopol 934P, a sila potrebna za odvajanje pripravka bila je proporcionalna njegovom udjelu. Pripravcima je ispitana sposobnost bubrenja koristeći metodu s agarnim pločama. Indeks bubrenja ovisio je o koncentraciji hidrofilnog polimera. Pripravci s karbopolom i karboksimetilcelulozom jače su bubrili od pripravaka s karbopolom i natrijevim alginatom. In vitro ispitivanja pokazala su da se iz pripravaka s omjerom karbopola i natrijevog alginata u omjeru 2 : 1 (pripravak C3) oslobađao klotrimazol tijekom 24 h. Profil oslobađanja bio je sličan iz svježe pripravljenih i starih vaginaleta, što ukazuje na njihovu stabilnost

Epilepsy knowledge, attitudes, and practices among primary healthcare providers in an Indian district

Introduction: Scaling up the involvement of primary care providers in epilepsy management in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) requires an understanding of their epilepsy knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP). / Aim: The aim of the study was to document levels of knowledge about, attitudes towards, and practices regarding epilepsy among different ranks of primary healthcare providers in a North-Western Indian district. / Methods: The survey included government medical officers (MOs), auxiliary nurse midwives (ANMs), and accredited social health activists (ASHAs). They were administered a specially designed KAP questionnaire. Responses were analyzed according to rank. / Results: The survey showed that nearly 10% of ANMs and almost a fifth of ASHAs had never heard about epilepsy. A quarter of MOs and over two-thirds of ANMs and ASHAs had never provided care to someone with epilepsy. There were significant differences in the levels of knowledge between the three groups of workers. / Conclusions: Closing the huge gaps in KAP by educating primary care and community health workers about epilepsy should be a priority before engaging them in the epilepsy care delivery

A home-based, primary-care model for epilepsy care in India: Basis and design

Epilepsia Open published by Wiley Periodicals Inc. on behalf of International League Against Epilepsy. Objectives: A cluster-randomized trial of home-based care using primary-care resources for people with epilepsy has been set up to optimize epilepsy care in resource-limited communities in low- and middle-income countries. The primary aim is to determine whether treatment adherence to antiepileptic drugs is better with home-based care or with routine clinic-based care. The secondary aims are to compare the effects of the two care pathways on seizure control and quality of life. Methods: The home-based intervention comprises epilepsy medication provision, adherence reinforcement, and epilepsy self-management and stigma management guidance provided by an auxiliary nurse-midwife equivalent. The experimental group will be compared to a routine clinic-based care group using a cluster-randomized design in which the unit of analysis is a cluster of 10 people with epilepsy residing in an area cared for by a single accredited government grass-roots health care worker. The primary outcome is treatment adherence as measured by monthly tablet counts supplemented by two self-completed questionnaires. The secondary outcomes include monthly seizure frequency, time to first seizure (in days) after enrollment, proportion of patients experiencing seizure freedom for the duration of the study, and quality of life measured by the “Personal Impact of Epilepsy Scale,” all assessed by an independent study nurse. Results: The screening phase and neurologic evaluations and randomizations have been recently completed and follow-up is underway. Significance: The results of the trial are likely to have substantial bearing on the development of governmental policies and strategies to provide coverage and care for patients with epilepsy in resource-limited countries

A successful pregnancy outcome following embolisation for post modified Manchester Fothergill haemorrhage: an interesting case report

Genital prolapse is one of the most common disorder affecting women of varying age group; though it typically affects older and parous women. Malfunction of the pelvic support is the most common cause of this disorder. Increasing age and excess weight are established risk factors for pelvic organ prolapse.In young nulliparous women conservative surgery is preferred to preserve the fertility of the patient. The approach of surgery can be either vaginal or abdominal depending on the classification of prolapse. We reported a rare case of a 36-year-old P1L0 (IUFD1) A1 with cervical elongation who was apprehensive to have a child. She was managed at our institute and had a successful pregnancy outcome in spite of undergoing embolization for secondary haemorrhage following modified Manchester-Fothergill operation

The STAR Photon Multiplicity Detector

Details concerning the design, fabrication and performance of STAR Photon Multiplicity Detector (PMD) are presented. The PMD will cover the forward region, within the pseudorapidity range 2.3--3.5, behind the forward time projection chamber. It will measure the spatial distribution of photons in order to study collective flow, fluctuation and chiral symmetry restoration.Comment: 15 pages, including 11 figures; to appear in a special NIM volume dedicated to the accelerator and detectors at RHI