TRANSMISSION AND HOST RANGE DETERMINATION OF DOLICHOS MOSAIC VIRUS OF FIELD BEAN (LABLAB PURPUREUS L.)

A preliminary work on Transmission and Host range determination of DMV was conducted. Dolichos mosaic virus (DMV) disease of field bean caused by a poty virus and it was readily sap transmissible. The percentage of sap transmission varied from 88.00 to 93.08. The symptoms like vein clearing, uneven leaf lamina, mosaic mottling, blistering, puckering of leaves appeared on test plants 8 -10 days after inoculation. The virus was transmissible by the two species of aphid viz., Myzus persicae Sulz. and Aphis craccivora Koch. to a maximum of 72.00 and 33.34 per cent respectively. The Myzus persicae Sulz was more efficient vector. The virus was to be seed transmissible. The level of seed transmission of the virus varied from 5.80 to 12.06 per cent, with an average of 10.30 per cent. The virus produced systemic symptoms on Glycine max L. Phaseolus lunatus L. Phaseolus vulgaris L. and Vigna umbellata. The DMV was transmitted through sap, Aphid and Seed and produced systemic symptoms on above three host plants

Policy of foreign direct investment liberalisation in India: implications for retail sector

This study has analysed the impact of liberalisation of Indian economy and FDI policy on the retail sector since its implementation in the 1990s. It also further analyses sub-categories by investigating its impact on the unorganised retail sector and the flow of FDI in single-brand retail and multi-brand retail sectors. A comprehensive and critical review of the existing evidence on the subject was carried out, and descriptive statistical analysis of data from 1991 to 2013 was performed which leads to conclude that the policy of FDI liberalisation has proved to provide diversification and sustainable development to the Indian economy and specifically retail sector which is considered to be one of the significant pillars of economy. Furthermore, for continuous growth of the economy, it seems vital to encourage more investment in other sectors by liberalising the restrictive policies

Advances in coconut micropropagation: prospects, constraints and way forward

Coconut is widely referred to as the "Tree of Life," holds immense value due to its versatility and significant role in numerous sectors including industry, agriculture, food and health. In recent years, a troubling decline in coconut production has been observed due to factors such as palm senility, pests, diseases and natural calamities which poses serious threats to industries and communities that rely highly on this crop thereby creating a gap between demand and supply. Addressing this gap requires innovative solutions and plant tissue culture techniques offer a promising path forward. Tissue culture techniques such as zygotic embryogenesis (mature embryo culture and sliced embryo culture), organogenesis (axillary bud culture and embryo derived shoot tip culture) and somatic embryogenesis have shown great potential for regenerating coconut plants. Axillary bud culture, offers a reliable alternative for producing elite plants with the added benefit of being free from the risk of somaclonal variation, while somatic embryogenesis, in particular has proven to be highly effective for producing large numbers of high-quality planting materials. However, each technique has its own share of shortcomings. Overcoming these challenges and closing the gap between demand and supply is critical for the mass production of elite coconut seedlings. This review explores the different micropropagation techniques, the hurdles facing coconut tissue culture and the potential for future breakthroughs

Study of changes in non-stress test following antenatal corticosteroid therapy in preterm pregnancy

Background: Preterm birth is the largest unsolved problem in obstetrics and the single most significant cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Preterm labour constitutes 5-10% of pregnancies and is the leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. It is a major public health problem in terms of loss of life, long term disability (cerebral palsy, blindness, deafness, chronic lung disease). The objectives of this study were to determine whether antenatal corticosteroid administration affects the non-stress test. To evaluate the effect of antenatal steroid on foetal movements. To assess the incidence of respiratory distress syndrome and neonatal mortality after antenatal corticosteroid administration.Methods: All antenatal cases between 28-32 weeks of gestation judged to be at risk for preterm delivery attending the outpatient department or admitted in a tertiary care hospital, Tamil Nadu during the study period of 3 years.Results: The present study was undertaken to evaluate the NST for a period of 3 days following antenatal corticosteroid administration and to study the immediate changes in the mother and the foetus. We found out that there was a statistically significant change (p <0.01) in non-stress test when compared with the pre-betamethasone assay.Conclusions: Corticosteroids can cause metabolic alterations in mother, short- and long-term effect in the foetus

Evaluation of F1 Hybrids and their Parents for Growth, Yield and Quality in Cherry Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum Var. cerasiforme)

The present study was carried out to estimate the performance of F1&nbsp;hybrids and their parents for various yield and yield-attributing traits in cherry tomato, at Division of Vegetable Crops, Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR), Bengaluru, during the year 2010-11. Among the seven parents used, three parents, namely, IIHR-2866 (yielding 3.03kg/plant), IIHR-2864 (2.87kg/plant) and IIHR-2865 (2.73kg/plant) were found to be high-yielding. Among the 21 F1 hybrids evaluated, three hybrids, namely, IIHR-2754 x IIHR-2860 (4.27kg/plant), followed by IIHR- 2754 x IIHR-2865 (3.97kg/plant) and IIHR-2864 x IIHR-2865 (3.40kg/plant) recorded higher yield than the Check varieties, whereas, three hybrids, viz, IIHR-2754 x IIHR-2865 (54.38t/ha), succeeded by IIHR-2863 x IIHR-2866 (46.46t/ha) and IIHR-2858 x IIHR-2866 (44.79t/ha), recorded higher estimated yield per hectare than the Check varieties. Hybrid IIHR-2754 x IIHR-2860 was found promising for most of the traits studied. The best performing parents can be used for breeding further while, the hybrids can be exploited commercially

Trends in ectopic pregnancy: a retrospective clinical study of 79 cases

Background: To know the age group, parity, risk factors, clinical features, modalities of treatment employed and their efficacies, morbidity and mortality associated with ectopic pregnancy.Methods: This is a retrospective study conducted in the department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute; Chennai over a period of 3 years from January 2014 to December 2016. A total number of 79 cases of ectopic pregnancies were reported during this period. Data were collected, tabulated and analyzed.Results: 79 cases were diagnosed as ectopic pregnancies during the study period giving an incidence of 3.49%. Incidence of cases was maximum in women between the age group of 26-30 years (40.50%), in multiparous women (72.15%) and also in women of gestational age between 6 to 10 weeks (81.01%).72% of the cases had one or more identifiable risk factors. Ruptured ectopic was observed in 45 (56.96%)cases while unruptured in 31 (39.24%) cases. Tubal abortion was found in 3 (3.74%) cases. 2.53% cases were expectantly managed. 34.17% cases were medically managed. 63.29% cases were managed surgically. Morbidity due to ectopic pregnancy included anaemia, wound infection, SICU admission. No mortality observed.Conclusions: A high index of suspicion is needed in the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy especially in women with high risk factors to arrive at early diagnosis, followed with conservative management, thus reducing the morbidity. We can reduce the incidence of ectopic pregnancy by awareness on safe sexual practices and contraception. The lady’s future fertility can be improved by focusing on prevention, early diagnosis and conservative management of ectopic pregnancy

Isolation, Purification, and Characterization of Fungal Laccase from Pleurotus sp.

Laccases are blue copper oxidases (E.C. 1.10.3.2 benzenediol: oxygen oxidoreductase) that catalyze the one-electron oxidation of phenolics, aromatic amines, and other electron-rich substrates with the concomitant reduction of O2 to H2O. They are currently seen as highly interesting industrial enzymes because of their broad substrate specificity. A positive strain was isolated and characterized as nonspore forming Basidiomycetes Pleurotus sp. Laccase activity was determined using ABTS as substrate. Laccase was purified by ionexchange and gel filtration chromatography. The purified laccase was a monomer showed a molecular mass of 40 ± 1 kDa as estimated by SDS-PAGE and a 72-fold purification with a 22% yield. The optimal pH and temperature were 4.5 and 65°C, respectively. The Km and Vmax values are 250 (mM) and 0.33 (μmol/min), respectively, for ABTS as substrate. Metal ions like CuSO4, BaCl2, MgCl2, FeCl2, ZnCl2 have no effect on purified laccase whereas HgCl2 and MnCl2 moderately decrease enzyme activity. SDS and sodium azide inhibited enzyme activity, whereas Urea, PCMB, DTT, and mercaptoethanol have no effect on enzyme activity. The isolated laccase can be used in development of biosensor for detecting the phenolic compounds from the effluents of paper industries

Clinical and hormonal profile of patients diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome at tertiary care hospital in Tamil Nadu

Background: In recent years due to the changing sedentary life style, irregular periods and infertility has become a major concern. There are many causes for infertility out of which ovulatory disorders contribute to a great extend. The main objective of the study was to assess the clinical and hormonal profile of patients diagnosed with polycystic ovarian disease at tertiary care hospital in Tamil Nadu.Methods: This study was a cross sectional study and was carried out at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at a tertiary care hospital of Tamil Nadu. The study was done for a period of 6 months. For confirming polycystic ovaries, patients were interviewed thoroughly about their menstrual and fertility history. Blood investigations like LH, FSH were done on D2/D3 of menstrual cycle. 125 patients with PCOS were included in this study. The data was analysed with SPSS-IBM (V.22.0) software.Results: The patients having polycystic ovaries were higher in women of 21-30 years of age. BMI was more than 25. Infertility was found that 57%, hirsutism 45%,  oligomenorrhoea 21% and amenorrhea 20%. On day 2, mean serum LH was 5.9±3.6 and serum FSH was 3.9±2.3. This study showed that the proportion of menstrual complaints is reported more in higher age group. Likewise lower income group presented with menstrual complaints. This was found to be statistically significant (P value <0.05).Conclusions: The study showed that patients diagnosed to have PCOS overweight. PCO in obese women had more severe ovulatory dysfunction. Infertility was the most common complaint