Association of placental position with the development of hypertension in pregnancy

Background: Hypertensive disorders remain the most common medical complication during pregnancy and contribute greatly to maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Several tests have been proposed to identify the women at risk of developing hypertension. Among the various predictors, the placental location by USG at 18-24 weeks is cost effective, non- invasive and has a good positive predictive value. The present study was undertaken to predict the association of placental location with the development of hypertension in pregnancy.Methods: This was a longitudinal cohort study conducted on 380 uncomplicated primigravid women who attended the obstetric OPD of MGMC&RI over a period of 18 months (March 2017-august 2018). A detailed history was taken, and examination done and B.P. was measured. The placental location was determined by ultrasound at 18-24 weeks and the patients were divided into two groups : group A were women with lateral placenta and group B were women with other placental locations. All women were followed up for signs and symptoms of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and mode of delivery and neonatal outcome were noted.Results: Out of 380 women, 56(14.7%) had lateral placenta and 324(85.3%) had other placental locations. Out of the 57 women who developed hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, 16(28.6%) had lateral placenta and 41(12.7%) had other placental locations. The risk of developing hypertension in pregnancy with lateral placenta was 3.5(odds ratio) with a 95% confidence interval (1.4-8.6). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value when placental laterality is used as a predictive test was 28.1%, 87.6%, 28.6% and 87.4% respectively.Conclusions: The placental laterality as determined by ultrasound at 18-24 weeks is a simple, non-invasive, cost-effective predictive test to predict women at high risk of developing hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and this test has a high specificity and negative predictive value

Pollen morphology in two Urgineoid species of Drimia (Baker) Jessop

Pollen grains of eight accessions of Urginea indica (Roxb) Kunth. and two accessions of Urgineawightii (Wight) Lakshmin. were examined by Light microscopy and Scanning electron microscopy. Detailed pollen morphological characters are given for these accessions. Our investigation revealed several variations in pollen size, exine ornamentation among the accessions of U. indica (Roxb) Kunth. and U. wightii (Wight) Lakshmin. The study confirmed that the exine sculpting provides valuable characters for separating the species of Urginea. Reticulate ornamentation of the exine was observed in the accessions of U. indica complex and perforated exineornamentation in accessions of U. wightii complex. Minor variations with regard to measurements of dimensions in size, shape and ornamentation were also observed in accessions of U. indica and U. wightii . Pollen fertility analysis revealed highest percentage fertility in Sitampoondi accession of U. indica complex and Gulbargha accession of U. wightii complex but in most of the accessions seed setting is not observed in natural conditions. Pollen germination studies revealed highest germination rate in Brew Baker’s and Kwack medium supplemented with 25% sucrose concentration for Urginea pollen

Pollen morphology in two Urgineoid species of Drimia (Baker) Jessop

Pollen grains of eight accessions of Urginea indica (Roxb) Kunth. and two accessions of Urgineawightii (Wight) Lakshmin. were examined by Light microscopy and Scanning electron microscopy. Detailed pollen morphological characters are given for these accessions. Our investigation revealed several variations in pollen size, exine ornamentation among the accessions of U. indica (Roxb) Kunth. and U. wightii (Wight) Lakshmin. The study confirmed that the exine sculpting provides valuable characters for separating the species of Urginea. Reticulate ornamentation of the exine was observed in the accessions of U. indica complex and perforated exineornamentation in accessions of U. wightii complex. Minor variations with regard to measurements of dimensions in size, shape and ornamentation were also observed in accessions of U. indica and U. wightii . Pollen fertility analysis revealed highest percentage fertility in Sitampoondi accession of U. indica complex and Gulbargha accession of U. wightii complex but in most of the accessions seed setting is not observed in natural conditions. Pollen germination studies revealed highest germination rate in Brew Baker’s and Kwack medium supplemented with 25% sucrose concentration for Urginea pollen

Scape anatomical studies in populations of Urginea indica Kunth. Liliaceae

The current study presents investigations on the scape anatomical characteristics of Urginea indica population, a geophyte growing in India, Africa and Mediterranean regions. For scape anatomical studies transverse sections of inflorescence axis were taken and studied for the first time. The twelve different population studied revealed that outer most epidermis of inflorescence is covered by thick cuticle. Cortex is differentiated into 3 regions outer chlorenchyma, middle collenchyma and inner parenchyma. But the shape and number of rows of cells vary in different populations collected from various localities of Karnataka. Vascular bundles are arranged in 3 rows, 2 rows in few populations and number. of vascular bundles vary. Larger bundles varies from 5-8, medium 8-12 and smaller bundles 5 to 21 in number. Xylem elements are uniseriate and biseriate in few. Some populations show Myelin structures and cell inclusions, based on their ecological habitat. The distinctions among cross sections of scapes are evident and our findings offer a comprehensive study using anatomical traits for delimitation and diagnosing populations of U.indica providing a platform for further taxonomic investigations

Raphides in urginea indica kunth. Liliacea

Micromorphological traits play a significant role both in systematic and functional aspects of plant survival in response to environmental stimuli. Plant structural trait such as raphides play a vital role in protecting plants from herbivore attack, cause discomfort by physical and chemical irritation by dermal contact to soft tissue thus acts as defensive mechanism. These morphological characteristics may have evolved as response to other environmental stimuli. The presence of raphides (Calcium oxalate crystals) in the anther endothecium represents a rare character, reported in the present study which is of systematic significance. In the present study raphides are present in vegetative and reproductive parts of Urginea indica. The mild inflammation and irritation caused when the bulb is rubbed on the skin reveals that it takes part both in mechanical and chemical irritation when they come in contact with tender tissue and protect themselves against herbivore attack. Results indicate that raphide bundle size varies considerably within species. These suggest that, Raphides have some potential to be a useful taxonomic tool. Polarized microscope shows variation in the colouration of raphides

Scape anatomical studies in populations of Urginea indica Kunth. Liliaceae

The current study presents investigations on the scape anatomical characteristics of Urginea indica population, a geophyte growing in India, Africa and Mediterranean regions. For scape anatomical studies transverse sections of inflorescence axis were taken and studied for the first time. The twelve different population studied revealed that outer most epidermis of inflorescence is covered by thick cuticle. Cortex is differentiated into 3 regions outer chlorenchyma, middle collenchyma and inner parenchyma. But the shape and number of rows of cells vary in different populations collected from various localities of Karnataka. Vascular bundles are arranged in 3 rows, 2 rows in few populations and number. of vascular bundles vary. Larger bundles varies from 5-8, medium 8-12 and smaller bundles 5 to 21 in number. Xylem elements are uniseriate and biseriate in few. Some populations show Myelin structures and cell inclusions, based on their ecological habitat. The distinctions among cross sections of scapes are evident and our findings offer a comprehensive study using anatomical traits for delimitation and diagnosing populations of U.indica providing a platform for further taxonomic investigations

Efficacy of lysine versus mupirocin in the treatment of non-diabetic foot ulcer: the sessing scale for assessment of pressure ulcer

Background: This present studies intended to evaluate the wound healing ability, efficacy and tolerability of lysine cream (15%) in non- diabetic foot ulcer assessed by way of sessing scale.Methods: A randomized, open-label, interventional study was directed on 20 subjects (participants) non-diabetic ulcers. Participants were grouped into two groups, control (n=10) and case (n=10). The control was treated with standard treatment with mupirocin and the test group was treated with standard treatment alongside lysine cream (15%) twice every day. Wound healing in the participants was assessed by the sessing scales.Results: A total of 20 participants were allotted into two groups. The results expressed as mean±standard deviation values imply the size and depth of the foot ulcer from the first week to the 8th week. Both the groups showed a significant increase the ulcer healing and decrease the pressure of foot ulcer of over a period of 8 weeks. Assessment of the first week showed no significant ulcer healing and its pressure. The overall outcome indicated that the lysine-treated group extensively reduced each of the parameters favouring wound healing than the standard therapy with mupirocin (control group).Conclusions: Results concluded that, lysine cream is better efficacious in the repair of wound and additionally well tolerated compared to mupirocin

Novel peptides of therapeutic promise from Indian conidae

Highly structured small peptides are the major toxic constituents of the venom of cone snails, a family of widely distributed predatory marine molluscs. These animals use the venom for rapid prey immobilization. The peptide components in the venom target a wide variety of membrane-bound ion channels and receptors. Many have been found to be highly selective for a diverse range of mammalian ion channels and receptors associated with pain-signaling pathways. Their small size, structural stability, and target specificity make them attractive pharmacologic agents. A select number of laboratories mainly from the United States, Europe, Australia, Israel, and China have been engaged in intense drug discovery programs based on peptides from a few snail species. Coastal India has an estimated 20-30% of the known cone species; however, few serious studies have been reported so far. We have begun a comprehensive program for the identification and characterization of peptides from cone snails found in Indian Coastal waters. This presentation reviews our progress over the last 2 years. As expected from the evolutionary history of these venom components, our search has yielded novel peptides of therapeutic promise from the new species that we have studied