ROLE OF FETAL THIGH CIRCUMFERENCE IN ESTIMATION OF BIRTH WEIGHT BY ULTRASOUND

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the accuracy and usefulness of predicting birth weight by measuring fetal thigh circumference by ultrasound. METHODS: In 110 pregnant women, fetuses without structural or chromosomal anomalies were studied prospectively and cross-sectionally. Thigh circumference (TC) was determined at the mid level of the thigh. Biparietal diameter (BPD), Head circumference (HC), Abdominal circumference (AC), and Femur length (FL) were measured using standard techniques. Fetal weights were estimated within a week prior to delivery. Statistical analysis of various ultrasound birth weight formulae in different weight categories was done and compared with each other and also with clinical methods. RESULTS: Estimated fetal birth weight using TC correlated well with actual birth weights in all categories and was superior to clinical and birth weight formulae using BPD, HC, AC and FL measurements. CONCLUSIONS: There was a good correlation between ultrasound measurement and actual postnatal measurements of thigh circumference (r2=0.89, p<0.01). Thigh circumference measurement was simple and there was better accuracy when it was combined along with BPD, HC, AC and FL measurements

Enhanced tolerance of transgenic sorghum expressing <i>mtlD</i> gene to water-deficit stress

63-67Transgenic sorghum (T4) lines with mannitol-1-phosphate dehydrogenase (mtlD) gene derived from Escherichia coli were evaluated for water-deficit stress tolerance in pot culture under greenhouse conditions. Leaf water relations, accumulation of total soluble sugars, membrane stability, antioxidative enzyme activity, yield and yield related parameters were analyzed in the plants subjected to well-watered and water-deficit stress conditions. Water-deficit stress caused a reduction in the soil moisture content resulting in visual symptoms of leaf rolling. Transgenics maintained relatively higher relative water content (RWC) than the untransformed control 15 d after withholding water. The transgenics accumulated more total soluble sugars when compared to untransformed control. Also the transgenics showed lower malondialdehyde (MDA) content and increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. All these traits together contributed to the better performance of mtlD transgenics compared to untransformed control. Further, the percent decrease in total biomass and grain yield under water-deficit stress was lower in transgenics compared to control. Most importantly the root biomass was found to be significantlyhigher in the transgenics when compared to untransformed control. Among the transgenics, L2, L5 and L75 were found to be superior in terms of various physiological traits, such as, RWC, accumulation of total soluble sugars and SOD activity related to drought tolerance compared to control and other mtlD transgenic lines, L3, L4 and L72

Not Available

Not AvailableWater deficit is a key limiting factor for maize (Zea mays L.) productivity. Elucidating the molecular regulatory networks of stress tolerance is crucial for genetic enhancement of drought tolerance. Two genotypes of maize contrasting in their yield response to water deficit were evaluated for tolerance traits of water relations, net CO2 assimilation rate, antioxidative metabolism and grain yield in relation to the expression levels, based on transcription profiling of genes involved in stress signaling, protein processing and energy metabolism to identify functional tolerance mechanisms. In the genotype SNJ201126 upregulation of calcium mediated signaling, plasma membrane and tonoplast intrinsic proteins and the membrane associated transporters contributed to better maintenance of water relations as evident from the higher relative water content and stomatal conductance at seedling and anthesis stages coupled with robust photosynthetic capacity and antioxidative metabolism. Further the protein folding machinery consisting of calnexin/calreticulin (CNX/CRT) cycle was significantly upregulated only in SNJ201126. While the down regulation of genes involved in photosystems and the enzymes of carbon fixation led to the relative susceptibility of genotype HKI161 in terms of reduced net CO2 assimilation rate, biomass and grain yield. Our results provide new insight into intrinsic functional mechanisms related to tolerance in maize.Not Availabl

Not Available

Not AvailableMaize (Zea mays L.) cultivated worldwide, is often exposed to various biotic and abiotic stresses affecting productivity. We evaluated three maize genotypes, SNJ201126, Z10115 and HKI161 for morpho-physiological, biochemical and anti-oxidative enzyme related traits under well watered control and drought stress conditions. Plants were subjected to different intensity of drought stress inside rainout shelter. The genotypes SNJ201126 and Z10115 maintained higher relative water content, chlorophyll, proline and canopy temperature depression and higher activities of antioxidative enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, guiacol peroxidase, and glutathione reductase as compared to HKI161 under stress conditions. All genotypes showed a decreasing trend for these traits with the increasing severity of stresses. Stress recovery was better in SNJ201126 and Z10115 when compared to HKI161. The variation in physiological and enzymatic activities between genotypes was also reflected in their differences in yield and its attributes. The higher drought tolerance and recovery capability of SNJ201126 and Z10115 were associated with more effective maintenance of leaf water status and efficient antioxidative systems to protect themselves from oxidative damage which is critical to withstand and survive the rapidly changing climate.Not Availabl