3,​3-​dichloro-​1,​2-​diphenylcyclopropene (CPICl)​-​mediated synthesis of Nα-​protected amino acid azides and α-​ureidopeptides

Rapid synthesis of acid azides via in situ generation of acid chlorides using CPICl as chlorinating agent from the corresponding Nα -protected amino acids is described. Also the conversion of acid azides into ureidopeptides through the Curtius rearrangement under ultrasonication is delineated. The mildness of the protocol renders the acid-sensitive substrates to afford the corresponding amino acid azides and ureidopeptides in good yields. Diphenylcyclopropenone has also been recovered from the reaction mixture and reused

Crafts and gear used for marine fishing along the Andhra Pradesh coast

Until the middle of nineteen sixties fishing for marine finfishes and shellfishes along the Andhra Pradesh coast used to be carried out employing indigenous non-mechanised crafts. Subsequently trawlers and later mechanised vessels operating gillnets came into use which resulted in the increased fish production. Use of outboard engine on indigenous crafts for reaching fishing grounds is a recent feature of near the coast fishing. The different kinds of non-mechanised and mechanised crafts and gear employed in the region are dealt with in this article

Management of lateral end clavicle fractures-using lateral clavicle locking plate: a prospective study

Background: Lateral end clavicle fractures are one of the common upper limb fractures. They constitute 21–28% of all clavicle fractures. Of these 10–52% is displaced fractures. The management of fractures of lateral end clavicle remains debated and challenging. The objectivbe of this study is to evaluate the functional outcome following surgical treatment of unstable/displaced (Neer type II lateral clavicle fractures, and acromio-clavicular joint dislocations Rockwood grade III to V) lateral end clavicle fractures using lateral clavicle locking plate.Methods: It is a prospective study conducted in the orthopaedics department of GSL Medical College and General Hospital for a period of 3 years (April 2016 to March 2019) among a total of 60 patients.Results: About 23 (38.3%) belonged to 41–50 years age group, followed by 16 (26.7%) to 31–40 years age group and 13 (21.7%) to >51 years age group and 8 (13.3%) to 18–30 years age group. The time from trauma to surgery ranged from 0-15 days with a mean of 5 days and the mean operating time was 41 minutes ranging between 23-70 minutes. Mean duration to union was 13.33±2.126 weeks and the mean Constant Murley score was 88.56. Functional outcome at 6 months follow up was excellent in 8 (13.3%), good in 37 (61.7%), fair in 13 (21.7%) and poor in 2 (3.3%) patients.Conclusions: Although there is no consensus as to a “gold standard” fixation method for unstable distal clavicle fractures, satisfactory outcomes could be obtained using the lateral clavicle locking plate resulting in sufficient stabilization and good functional outcome

Advances in biotechnology and genomics of switchgrass

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) is a C4 perennial warm season grass indigenous to the North American tallgrass prairie. A number of its natural and agronomic traits, including adaptation to a wide geographical distribution, low nutrient requirements and production costs, high water use efficiency, high biomass potential, ease of harvesting, and potential for carbon storage, make it an attractive dedicated biomass crop for biofuel production. We believe that genetic improvements using biotechnology will be important to realize the potential of the biomass and biofuel-related uses of switchgrass. Tissue culture techniques aimed at rapid propagation of switchgrass and genetic transformation protocols have been developed. Rapid progress in genome sequencing and bioinformatics has provided efficient strategies to identify, tag, clone and manipulate many economically-important genes, including those related to higher biomass, saccharification efficiency, and lignin biosynthesis. Application of the best genetic tools should render improved switchgrass that will be more economically and environmentally sustainable as a lignocellulosic bioenergy feedstock

Functional outcome and complications of surgically managed malleolar fractures at ankle

Background: If not treated properly the ankle injuries are a source of disability in the form of pain, instability and early degenerative arthritis of ankle. The aim and objectives of the study were to assess functional outcome of surgically managed malleolar fractures at ankle and to assess the results of complication.Methods: This study was undertaken from January 2012 to August 2015. In-patients who were admitted in Nizams institute of medical sciences Hyderabad, for surgical management of ankle fracture were taken for the present study. 61 patients were admitted during this period. Among them, 4 patients died, 5 patients were lost from follow up due to various reasons and 4 patients were not fulfilling the inclusion/exclusion criteria. The remaining 48 patients were included in the study.Results: Pronation abduction injury was more common, seen in 45% of patients. In terms of functional outcome 62% patients achieved excellent to good results as per subjective criteria. 75% good results as per objective criteria and 83% good results as per radiological criteria. Patients with unimalleolar fractures had the best outcome with mean Olerud Molander ankle score (OMA) Score of 94 With regards to lateral malleolar fracture fixation modality, patients with rush nail fixation had mean OMA Score of 86. With regards to medial malleolar fracture fixation modality, patients with Tension band wiring had mean OMA SCORE of 93. The patients with complications has poorer outcome with mean OMA Score of 76. Conclusions: There was a significant improvement in the functional outcome of the patients as assessed by radiological, subjective and objective parameters compared to preoperative condition

Modulation of Severity of RPGR-associated Retinal Degeneration in Mice due to Mutations in RPGR-interacting Proteins

Purpose: In humans, over 80% of X- linked retinitis pigementosa (XLRP) is caused by mutations in RPGR. RPGR associated disease is clinically heterogeneous, indicating involvement of genes that can influence the associated phenotype. RPGR is known to interact with selected ciliary proteins including CEP290, RPGRIP1, NPHP1, NPHP4 and NPHP5. The purpose of this study is to assess the contribution of these RPGR-interacting proteins on the severity of RPGR-associated retinal degeneration in Rpgrko mice. Methods: Rpgrko female mice were bred with male Cep290rd16/rd16, Nphp1-/-, Nphp4nmf192, Nphp5-/-, Rpgrip1-/-. Males from F1 generation with genotype RpgrKO/Cep290+/rd16, Rpgrko/Nphp1+/-, Rpgrko/Nphp4nmf192/+, Rpgrko/Nphp5+/-, Rpgrko/Rpgrip1+/- were selected for further analysis. Structural and function studies were performed using Histology, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), immunofluorescence staining, and Electroretinopgraphy (ERG). Results: The Rpgrko mice exhibit degeneration of retina and relatively mild decrease in cone and rod function by 6 months of age. Our analysis of double mutant mice revealed that Rpgrko/Cep290+/rd16 exhibit accelerated retinal degeneration as compared to Rpgrko mice. TEM analysis of Rpgrko/Cep290+/rd16 retina showed vesicle accumulation at the base of the outer segments of photoreceptors, which were not detected in the Rpgrko mice. We also detected decreased cone-specific staining of M-opsin. No significant effect on the retina was observed in RpgrKO/Nphp1+/-, RpgrKO/Nphp4nmf192/+, Rpgrko/Nphp5+/-, Rpgrko/Rpgrip1+/- (n=3) mice up to 6 months of age, as compared to Rpgrko. Conclusions: Our studies suggest that mutations in CEP290 can potentially influence the severity of retinal phenotype due to mutations in RPGR. Further studies are in progress to assess the influence of additional RPGR-interacting proteins on RPGR-disease

Crop Physiological Factors Influencing Groundnut Productivity

Groundnut (Atachis hypogaea L.) is one of the important legume crops of both the tropical and temperate regions of the world. About 77% of the worlds total groundnut area is in the semi-arid tropics producing 65% of the total production. Asia produces 10.9 million tonnes, Africa 5.2 million tonnes, North and Centrel America 2.0 million tonnes and South America 0.8 million tonnes

Breeding for Increased Water-use Efficiency in Groundnut

Drought is a major abiotic stress affecting yield and quality of rainfed groundnutworldwide. Yield losses due to drought are highly variable in nature ,c!epending on its timing, intensity, and duration coupled with other location specific environmental factors such as irradiance and temperature (Nageswar

Field Screening for Drought Tolerance in Groundnut

Drought is a major abiotic stress affecting yield and quality of rainfed groundnut worldwide. Yield losses due to drought are highly variable in nature depending on its timing, intensity, and duration, coupled with other locationspecific environmental factors such as irradiance and temperature. The effects of drought on groundnut are manifested in several ways, affecting both quantity and quality of the crop. Water deficits, depending on the timing of occurrence, can cause significant reduction in yield by affecting physiological processes such as nitrogen fixation, photosynthesis, and calcium uptake by developing pods......................

Functional and radiological outcome in surgically managed posterior wall and column fractures of acetabulum

Background: The incidence of acetabular fractures has increased following road traffic accidents. The aim of the study is to evaluate functional and radiological outcome in surgically managed posterior wall and column fractures of acetabulum.Methods: This is a prospective study done at Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad between May 2018 and May 2020. The sample size is 20 patients between the age group 18-60 years who presented to the hospital with closed posterior wall and/or column fractures of acetabulum with or without posterior dislocation of hip joint. Functional outcome is assessed by using the modified Merle D’ Aubigne Postel clinical grading system, radiological outcome by Matta et al and perioperative complication are assessed by retrospectively analyzing medical records and radiographics examination.Results: Functional outcome according to Merle D’ Aubigne and Postel score 16 patients (75%) showed good, 3 patients (20%) showed fair, 1 patient (5%) showed poor outcome. Radiological outcome according to Matta criteria, 16 patients (75%) showed excellent quality of joint reduction, 4 patients (25%) showed good quality of reduction of joint. There was significant correlation between anatomic reduction of the joint surface and functional outcome of the patient in our study (p value <0.05).Conclusions: Accurate joint reduction is of utmost importance in reduction of posterior wall or column fractures of acetabulum as posterior wall is the weight bearing zone. Functional outcome depends on fracture type, associated injuries, selection of patient, time between injury and surgery and postoperative rehabilitation