Efficient micropropagation of Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck from cotyledonary explants suitable for the development of commercial variety

In vitro regeneration of sweet orange (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck Family: Rutaceae) has been performed via direct and indirect organogenesis. For indirect organogenesis, callus was induced and proliferated from leaf explants derived from in vitro grown seedlings on Murashige and Skoog (MS) media containing 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) alone or in combination with benzyl adenine (BA) and α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA). For direct organogenesis, explants were placed on MS media containing BA alone or in combination of NAA and gibberellic acid (GA3). Well-developed microshoots were treated with different concentrations of NAA for rhizogenesis (a two-step procedure). Different responses to these treatments were recorded depending upon the procedure used. It appears that 4.53 μM 2,4-D in combination with 5.37 μM NAA induced 93.33% callus and proliferate 86.67% of callus into 6.93 shoots per explant. Exogenous addition of 4.44 μM BA in combination with 1.54 μM GA3 enhanced shoot multiplication rate significantly (17.73±1.69 shoots/explant) in comparison to control (0.00±0.00 shoots/explant). Microshoots were rooted best (75.00±14.43%) under the treatment 100μM NAA for 48 hrs. and rooted plantlets were transferred to soil, following acclimatization were taken to maturity in the polyhouse.Keywords: Malta, Himalaya, benzyl adenine (BA), callu

Influence of kinetin on in vitro rooting and survival of banj oak (Quercus leucotrichophora L.)

A study concerning the influence of cytokinins on shoot regeneration by using different stem segments derived from in vitro raised seedlings and their subsequent rooting was conducted in banj oak (Quercus leucotrichophora L.). Cytokinins play an important role in shoot regeneration and their multiplication. In the present study, cytokinins particularly kinetin (Kn) influenced in vitro rooting and subsequent survival of these in vitro raised plants in addition to shoot multiplication. It was found that the microshoots raised via kinetin treatment rooted very well (94.44%) without any basal callus formation in comparison to microshoots raised via other cytokinin treatments (that is, BA and 2-iP). In addition to this, these in vitro raised plants showed maximum survival rate (90%) during hardening process. On the basis of available literature this is a unique and significant study regarding the comparative effect of different cytokinins on in vitro propagation study of Q. leucotrichophora by using different stem segments, particularly the influence of kinetin in vitro rooting and survival of in vitro raised plants in addition to shoot multiplication. This significant study could be useful for large scale production of successfully hardened plants so that it would be helpful in conservation of this important Himalayan forest tree species.Keywords: Quercus leucotrichophora, acclimatization, cytokinins, in vitro rootin

Effects of letrozole on patients with symptomatic leiomyoma in the reproductive age women

Background: Uterine leiomyoma is a common indication for hysterectomy in India. An effective medical treatment option may reduce hysterectomy associated morbidity. This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of the Letrozole on patients with symptomatic leiomyoma in the reproductive age women.Methods: Prospective interventional study was conducted on 50 women between 30-45 years of age with menstrual or pressure symptoms on the bowel or urinary system, and having no. Of myoma ≤4 and size of single myoma ≥2 cms in diameter. They received tablet letrozole 5mg/day for 3 month, and effect of the drug on myoma volume and symptomatology were studied. Beside these, effects on uterine volume, ovarian volume, endometrial thickness and side effects of letrozole of any were also studied.Results: Average reduction of myoma volume by 47.68% and uterine volume by 19.58% was seen. Haemoglobin concentration was significantly higher at the end of study. It increased from 9.56g/dl to 10.76g/dl and overall improvement in symptomatology score was observed. Ovarian volume increased significantly from baseline mean volume of 8.18±0.51cm³ to 19.3±0.84cm³ and no significant change in endometrial thickness was observed at the end of 3 month. Sweating, hot flushes, nausea and vomiting were the main adverse effects observed and were self limiting.Conclusions: Letrozole, the aromatase inhibitor resulted in significant volume reduction of the uterus-leiomyoma structure and was effective in controlling the more frequent symptoms of this disorder with fewer side effects

Comparative evaluation of propofol-ketamine and propofol-fentanyl for minor surgical procedures

Background: Aim of the present study was to compare the clinical efficacy of combination of propofol-ketamine and propofol-fentanyl in terms of haemodynamic variables, recovery profile and side effects.Methods: The study enrolling 120 patients of (age 20-50 years) ASA grade I & II were randomly allocated in two groups of sixty each. They were undergoing short surgical procedures lasting up to 20 minutes. Group I received injection ketamine 0.5 mg/kg over 2 minutes followed by injection propofol at rate of 1 ml over 3 seconds till the end point of induction (till loss of consciousness and loss of eye lash reflex). Group II received injection fentanyl 1.5 µg/kg followed by 1 ml propofol till the end point of induction and maintenance of anesthesia. Hemodynamic variables were recorded pre, intra and postoperatively at regular intervals. Recovery and side effects was also assessed. The results were tabulated and analyzed statistically.Results: Patients in both the groups produce minor haemodynamic changes and did not differ significantly. The recovery time was longer in group I as compare to group II. We found no complications of serious type except vomiting and nausea in group II. Discharge criteria were significantly earlier in group I than group II.Conclusions: Both propofol-ketamine and propofol-fentanyl was useful for short surgical procedures but propofol-ketamine group offers more advantage.

A Critical Study of Mahila Samakhyas as a Movement for Feminist Identity in North India

Mahila Samakhya programme was launched in 1988 in pursuance of the goals of the New Education Policy (1986) and the Programme of Action as a concrete programme for the education and empowerment of women in rural areas, particularly of women from socially and economically marginalized groups. Mahila Samakhya programme is working for the empowerment of rural women. This study seeks to to assess the goal ,objectives, roles and responsibilities of Mahila Samakhya program. This study is also highlighting the impact of MS on the status of feminist identity in rural India. The study resulted that MS program is playing a positive role in the development of educational, social, economical and individual status of women of rural India. Mahila Samakhya through its various program strengthened the interest of improving identity and self-confidence and legal awareness among rural women. Women constitute almost half of the population in the world. But the hegemonic masculine ideology made them suffer a lot to get equal opportunities in different parts of the world. Women on the whole are a 'depressed class in term of literacy. Regional imbalances in women's education are a persisting since independence. Superstitions and false beliefs inhibit literacy .Women are seen as a definite target group for the simple reason that all over the world, literacy rate among women are lower than men. If women are equal part of the developmental process, literacy among women must increase. The seven countries of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) had observed 1990 as the 'year of the girl child'. India also gave attention towards the uplift the women status in the society. Many programs in India were started with definite target. Mahila Samakhya programme is one of those programme. Mahila Samakhya programme was launched in 1988 in pursuance of the goals of the New Education Policy (1986) and the Programme of Action as a concrete programme for the education and empowerment of women in rural areas, particularly of women from socially and economically marginalized groups. It seeks to bring about a change in women's perception about themselves and the perception of society in regard to women's "traditional roles. The objectives of the MS scheme are • To enhance the self-image and self-confidence of women • Create an environment where women can seek knowledge and information and empower them to play a positive role in their own development and that of society. • To establish a decentralized and participative mode of management. Abstrac

Anaesthetic management in COVID-19 parturients scheduled for caesarean delivery - a comparison with non-COVID-19 parturients

Background: Data regarding outcomes after anaesthesia in COVID-19 parturients is scanty. There is hardly any information about the length of hospital stay in COVID-19 parturients who undergo caesarean delivery (CD) as compared to non-COVID-19 parturients.Methods: An observational study of COVID-19 parturients undergoing CD was conducted. Age and CD indication matched non COVID-19 parturients were taken as controls. The length of hospital stay along with maternal and neonatal outcomes were studied.Results: A total of 45 COVID-19 parturients and an equal number of non-COVID-19 parturients were studied. The length of hospital stay was significantly longer in COVID-19 parturients as compared to non-COVID-19 parturients (4.3±1.6 days versus 3.3±0.6 days, p=0.02). One COVID-19 parturient developed severe disease and expired. Apart from this case, the maternal and neonatal outcomes were comparable between the two groups. Mild thrombocytopenia was seen in COVID-19 parturients. One neonate had a positive reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on first day of life.Conclusions: COVID-19 parturients who undergo CD have a longer length of hospital stay than non-COVID-19 parturients. Severe disease is likely to be associated with longer length of hospital stay. Intraoperative hypotension, maternal and neonatal outcome is not significantly different between COVID-19 and non COVID-19 although mild thrombocytopenia is seen in COVID-19 parturients. While vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2 may be possible, more data is needed regarding vertical transmission is needed

Histogenesis and Histomorphometric study of Human Fetal Small Intestine

Background: Intestine plays a major role for the normal growth of the fetus during the prenatal period. The process of the embryonic development is not quantified histologically. Therefore the main aim of the study was to measure the thickness of all part of the wall of the small intestine that are mucosa, submucosa and muscularis externa and to look for the appearance of the Brunner’s glands and Peyer’s patches in the submucosa of duodenum and ileum.Methods: The present study was carried out on 30 fetuses of gestational ages ranging from 11-36 weeks. Ten fetuses from each trimester were used in the study. Fetal small intestine were dissected carefully, and were separated as duodenum, jejunum & ileum and fixed in formalin solution. The tissue was processed for histology and then slides were stained with Haematoxylin and Eosin. The microscopic features were noted using light microscope.Results: The thickness of the mucosa, submucosa and the muscularis externa was observed to be increased in first trimester, decreased in the second trimester and again increased in the third trimester, which could be because of the increase cell turnover and the arrangement of the collagen fibers as to support the mucosa and the muscularis externa.Conclusion: Thus, the knowledge of the histogenesis and histomorphometry of the human fetal small intestine is crucial for the adult gastroenterologist to appreciate, because of the potential for these early life events to affect the responsiveness of the intestine to physiological or pathological challenges in later life.

Socio-ecological Vulnerability of Smallholders due to Climate Change in Mountains: Agroforestry as an Adaptation Measure

AbstractThe present study aims to assess the socioecological vulnerability of smallholders through an index of Tehri Garhwal Himalaya. The index provides a realistic approach to recognize the contributions of social and ecological factors for household welfare vulnerability to climate change. The approach puts forward various indices for each component of vulnerability to climate change - exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity including two more indices: one for overall impact under the exposure of climate change and another for overall vulnerability. The five indices were proposed to assess the vulnerability status of with and without agroforestry practicing households in Himalayan region. These indices are based on 35 indicators (8 for exposure; 12 for sensitivity, 15 for adaptive capacity), selected through inductive approaches. A questionnaire for households was designed for the above aim and was administered to 121 heads of households through face-toface interviews with 77 households practicing agroforestry and 44 without agroforestry. The questionnaire dealt the general household information, and indicators of the vulnerability including the issues related to agroforestry. The results highlight slightly higher adaptive capacity of agroforestry practicing households due to specific contribution of agroforestry. The low contribution of agroforestry among smallholders was due to small land holding. The study also results that remoteness, specific issues of smallholders' such as poverty, education and employment are responsible for the present condition. In particular this study clearly shows that poverty is the key driver for vulnerability. All of these issues can be addressed if future programs and policies, include and implement regulations to remedy attributive factors. This paper may be applicable to other mountainous regions providing insights for effective adaptation strategies to climate change

Biomass loss in village ecosystems in Western Himalaya due to wild monkey interactions: A case study

Conservation faces the challenge of reconciling human activities with the simultaneous presence of wildlife in cultivated landscapes. In a study carried out in two villages of Pauri Garhwal, Western Himalaya, an attempt was made to estimate biomass and associated carbon loss due to removal of agroforestry tree species to reduce human-animal interactions. The results revealed that tree removal caused substantial biomass loss (7.370–2.444 t ha−1) and carbon loss (3.444–15.137 t ha−1) in the village of Manjgaon and Mald Bada, respectively. This indicates a need for protection of existing forests and for tree planting through reforestation and afforestation, as a measure to support food stock for monkeys in their natural habitats and to enhance carbon sequestration capacity. The success of these management practices will depend on the potential to minimise human-animal interactions, especially at the fringes of village communities and agricultural landscapes.JMA was supported by Qatar Petroleum