Standard Splenic Volume Estimation in North Indian Adult Population: Using 3D Reconstruction of Abdominal CT Scan Images

A prospective study was carried out to establish normative data for splenic dimensions in North Indian population and their correlation with physical standard on abdominal CT of 21 patients aged between 20 and 70 years having no splenic disorders. Splenic volume was measured by two methods—volume and surface rendering technique of Able 3D doctor software and prolate ellipsoid formula. Volumes measured by both the techniques were correlated with their physical standards. Mean splenic volume was 161.57 ± 90.2 cm3 and range 45.7–271.46 cm3. The volume of spleen had linear correlation with body height (r = 0.512, P < .05). Splenic volume (cm3) = 7 × height (cm) − 961 can be used to generate normal standard volume of spleen as a function of body height in North Indian population (with 95% confidence interval). This formula can be used to objectively measure the size of the spleen in adults who have clinically suspected splenomegaly

Field Driven Pairing State Phase Transition in d_x^2-y^2+id_xy-Wave Superconductors

Within the framework of the Ginzburg-Landau theory for $d_{x^2-y^2}+id_{xy}$-wave superconductors, we discuss the pairing state phase transition in the absence of the Zeeman coupling between the Cooper pair orbital angular momentum and the magnetic field. We find that above a temperature $T_{\ast}$, the pairing state in a magnetic field is pure $d_{x^{2}-y^{2}}$-wave. However, below $T_{\ast}$, the pairing state is $d_{x^{2}-y^{2}}+id_{xy}$-wave at low fields, and it becomes pure $d_{x^{2}-y^{2}}$-wave at higher fields. Between these pairing states there exists a field driven phase transition . The transition field increases with decreasing temperature. In the field-temperature phase diagram, the phase transition line is obtained theoretically by a combined use of a variational method and the Virial theorem. The analytical result is found to be in good agreement with numerical simulation results of the Gingzburg-Landau equations. The validity of the variational method is discussed. The difference to the case with the Zeeman coupling is discussed, which may be utilized to the detection of the Zeeman coupling.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures, submitted to PRB Brief Repor

A study of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and the fetal outcome in a tertiary care hospital: a prospective study

Background: Pregnancy induced hypertension is one of the major causes of feto maternal morbidity and mortality in pregnancy. The exact cause of PIH is unknown certain factors are known to increase the risk of PIH such as risk factor includes that young women with first pregnancy.Methods: The objective of this study was to assess the socio-demographic and clinico-pathological profile of the patients with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and its associated fetal outcomes. A prospective study was conducted in department of obstetrics and gynecology Shri B. M. Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, BLDE (Deemed to be University), Vijayapura Karnataka from 15th July to 15th December 2018. All women admitted to labour ward with diagnosis of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy were included in the study after ruling out the exclusion criteria and thorough history, examination and laboratory evaluation were done and followed till delivery.Results: A total of 123 pregnant women with hypertensive disorder of pregnancy were enrolled in the study. Most of the participants were in the age group of 20 to 30 years. The PIH was seen mostly in primigravida, lower socioeconomic status and with lower educational levels. Emergency LSCS is the most common mode of delivery.Conclusions: The hypertensive disorder in pregnancy affects the majorly younger age group. It is most commonly seen in low socio-economic and uneducated population. Hence, there should be provided with proper antenatal care, early detection of hypertensive disorders for better feto-maternal outcome

Inheritance of trichomes and resistance to pod borer (Helicoverpa armigera) and their association in interspecific crosses between cultivated pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) and its wild relative C. scarabaeoides

The legume pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera, is one of the most devastating pests of pigeonpea. High levels of resistance to pod borer have been reported in the wild relative of pigeonpea, Cajanus scarabaeoides. Trichomes (their type, orientation, density and length) and their exudates on pod wall surface play an important role in the ovipositional behavior and host selection process of insect herbivores. They have been widely exploited as an insect defense mechanism in number of crops. In the present investigation, inheritance of resistance to pod borer and different types of trichomes (A, B, C and D) on the pod wall surface in the parents (C. cajan and C. scarabaeoides) and their F1, F2, BC1 (C. cajan × F1), and F3 generations has been studied. Trichomes of the wild parents (high density of the non-glandular trichomes C and D, and glandular trichome B and low density of glandular trichome A) were dominant over the trichome features of C. cajan. A single dominant gene as indicated by the segregation patterns individually will govern each trait in the F2 and backcross generation. Segregation ratio of 3 (resistant): 1 (susceptible) for resistance to pod borer in the F2 generation under field conditions was corroborated with a ratio of 1:1 in the backcross generation, and the ratio of 1 non-segregating (resistant): 2 segregating (3 resistant: 1 susceptible): 1 non-segregating (susceptible) in F3 generation. Similar results were obtained for pod borer resistance under no-choice conditions. Resistance to pod borer and trichomes associated with it (low density of type A trichome and high density of type C) are governed individually by a dominant allele of a single gene in C. scarabaeoides. Following backcrossing, these traits can be transferred from C. scarabaeoides into the cultivated background

Raman Spectroscopic Analysis of Fingernail Clippings Can Help Differentiate between Postmenopausal Women Who Have and Have Not Suffered a Fracture

Raman spectroscopy was applied to nail clippings from 633 postmenopausal British and Irish women, from six clinical sites, of whom 42% had experienced a fragility fracture. The objective was to build a prediction algorithm for fracture using data from four sites (known as the calibration set) and test its performance using data from the other two sites (known as the validation set). Results from the validation set showed that a novel algorithm, combining spectroscopy data with clinical data, provided area under the curve (AUC) of 74% compared to an AUC of 60% from a reduced QFracture score (a clinically accepted risk calculator) and 61% from the dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry T-score, which is in current use for the diagnosis of osteoporosis. Raman spectroscopy should be investigated further as a noninvasive tool for the early detection of enhanced risk of fragility fracture

Humanin: A Novel Central Regulator of Peripheral Insulin Action

Decline in insulin action is a metabolic feature of aging and is involved in the development of age-related diseases including Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). A novel mitochondria-associated peptide, Humanin (HN), has a neuroprotective role against AD-related neurotoxicity. Considering the association between insulin resistance and AD, we investigated if HN influences insulin sensitivity.Using state of the art clamp technology, we examined the role of central and peripheral HN on insulin action. Continuous infusion of HN intra-cerebro-ventricularly significantly improved overall insulin sensitivity. The central effects of HN on insulin action were associated with activation of hypothalamic STAT-3 signaling; effects that were negated by co-inhibition of hypothalamic STAT-3. Peripheral intravenous infusions of novel and potent HN derivatives reproduced the insulin-sensitizing effects of central HN. Inhibition of hypothalamic STAT-3 completely negated the effects of IV HN analog on liver, suggesting that the hepatic actions of HN are centrally mediated. This is consistent with the lack of a direct effect of HN on primary hepatocytes. Furthermore, single treatment with a highly-potent HN analog significantly lowered blood glucose in Zucker diabetic fatty rats. Based upon the link of HN with two age-related diseases, we examined if there were age associated changes in HN levels. Indeed, the amount of detectable HN in hypothalamus, skeletal muscle, and cortex was decreased with age in rodents, and circulating levels of HN were decreased with age in humans and mice.We conclude that the decline in HN with age could play a role in the pathogenesis of age-related diseases including AD and T2DM. HN represents a novel link between T2DM and neurodegeneration and along with its analogues offers a potential therapeutic tool to improve insulin action and treat T2DM

Influence of pod maturity and level of domestication on biochemical components in wild and cultivated pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan)

Variations in the trypsin inhibitors and lectin content in the developing pods of thirty accessions of Cajanus scarabaeoides, a wild relative of pigeonpea, from wide geographical locations and six cultivated genotypes were estimated at juvenile, immature and mature stages of pod development. Genotypes differed at all three stages for these two biochemical components. Total protein and trypsin inhibitor contents were higher in the wild accessions than in the cultivated genotypes. Although lectin content in the juvenile stage of pod development in the wild accessions ICPW 138 and ICPW 98 was highest, it was absent in the mature pods in both the cultivated and the wild genotypes. Very high broad-sense heritability estimates indicated the possibility of involvement of few genes in the inheritance of these biochemical components, which could be easily introgressed into the elite agronomic background

SEED PROPAGATION OF RATH HADUN (Pferocarpus santalinus Linn.) AS EFFECTD BY METHOD OF SOAKING AND SCARIFICATION

Red Sandalwood (Pterocarpus santalinus Linn.) is an evergreen tree species grownunder semi dry climates in well drained lateric soils. The reddish and fragrant heartwoodhas a range of medicinal, pharmaceutical, industrial and timber and economically placedin the same category as tusk and amber. The Red heartwood contains a range ofconstituents including santalin (Santalic Acid), Santaol, Pterocarpin, Homo-Petrocarpinand reported to have anticoagulant, anti inflammatory, anti expectorant, anti pyretic, antibacterial and anti tumor properties. Expensive natural fabric paint produced from thepowdered Red heartwood is used in wood carving of prestigious nature. The naturalhabitat of Red Sandalwood is India which is extensively exploited to the point of nearextinction, thus placing it in the red list of endangered species under IUCN guidelinesThere is only a limited number of Red sandalwood trees in Sri Lanka, which werebrought from India. Therefore, conservation and multiplication of Red sandal wood is oftimely importance. Even though a single tree of Red Sandalwood produces severalthousands of seeds, there is no single seedling under the tree. The local requirement ofRed Sanders is met partly by Indian suppliers while substitutes with similar medicinalproperties (Rath Kehiriya) are also being used.Two separate pot experiments(Complete Randomized Design with three replicates) wereconducted to study the seed germination as affected by method of soaking andscarification. Fully matured brown coloured fresh seeds were used for the experimentsand viability of the seeds used for the experiment was 70 to 72 %. Three differentsoaking methods (i.e. 24 hours dipping in normal water, 24 hour soaking in runningwater, alternatively soaked in running water for 12 hrs. followed by 12 hours of dryingfor 14 days) and again differentiated with scarification and without scarification wereused as treatments. Total germination percentage was counted up to 14 daysResults revealed that Seed germination was significantly higher (P&gt;0.05) in scarifiedseeds (48.8%) when compared to those without scarification (6.1%). With regards to thesoaking method, highest germination percentage (3 1%) was observed in the treatment,12 hrs of alternate soaking and drying in running water for 14 days, which was notsignificantly different from the treatment that seeds were soaked in running water for 24hrs. Therefore it can be concluded that germination of Red Sandalwood seeds could besubstantially enhanced by scarification of the seed coat and seeds soaked in runningwater for 24 hrs. as well as 12 hrs of alternate soaking and drying for 14 days.

Efficiency of three DNA markers in revealing genetic variation among wild Cajanus species

Wild relatives of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.) possess many useful genes that can be utilized for crop improvement, most importantly genes for resistance to Helicoverpa armigera, the legume pod borer. The present study aimed at quantifying diversity in a collection of Cajanus scarabaeoides, Cajanus sericeus, Cajanus reticulatus and C. cajan species selected from a wide geographic range using two PCR-based marker systems, amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and simple sequence repeats (SSRs), and the hybridization-based restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). Polymorphism was higher among the wild accessions than among the cultivated genotypes. Wild and cultivated Cajanus accessions belonging to different species clustered into four distinct major groups largely based on the interspecific differences. C. scarabaeoides accessions derived from same geographical origins formed one group reflecting similar genetic makeup of these accessions. Dendrograms generated using AFLP, RFLP and SSR marker data were comparable with minor clustering differences, which suggests that either method, or a combination of both can be applied to expanded genetic studies in Cajanus. Mantel testing confirmed the congruence between the genetic distances of three markers, indicating that the markers segregated independently, giving similar grouping patterns of all accessions having similar genetic origin