Pathogenic variability in Exserohilum turcicum and identification of resistant sources to turcicum leaf blight of maize (Zea mays L.)

Turcicum leaf blight of maize incited by Exserohilum turcicum (Pass.) Leonard and Suggs is the major limiting factor of maize production in temperate agro-ecologies. Disease management through host plant resistance is the most effective strategy. In the present study among 26 maize genotypes which were initially screened for resistance against E. turcicum under field conditions, 8 genotypes viz., PS 39, CML 451, CML 470, CML 472, VL 1030, VL 1018140, VL1018527 and SMI178-1 were found resistant when screened against twelve isolates of E. turcicum under artificial epiphytotic conditions. Eight genotypes viz., PS45, CML165, CML459, VL1249, VL0536, SMC-5, SMC-3 and KDL 211 were found moderately resistant with disease grade ranged from 2.1-2.5. These maize genotypes possess resistance to turcicum leaf blight can be used successfully in developing high yielding early maturing varieties for high altitude temperate agro-ecologies. The fungus E. turcicum is highly variable in nature. Variability studies on pathogenicity were conducted on twelve isolates of E. turcicum on eleven putative differential maize lines. During the present study a wide pathogenic variation was observed among the twelve isolates of E. turcicum. Cluster analysis on the basis of similarity or dissimilarity in reaction types exhibited by the differential hosts, clustered the isolates into 6 pathogenic groups. The isolates belonged to higher altitudes (Kti 10, Kti11, Kti5) were found to be more aggressive as compared to the isolates of low altitude areas

Cytomictic Anomalous Male Meiosis and 2n Pollen Grain Formation in Mertensia echioides Benth. (Boraginaceae) from Kashmir Himalaya

Presently Mertensia echioides Benth. (Boraginaceae) collected from Kashmir Himalaya, India, is cytologically analyzed for the first time revealing 2n=2x=24 (diploid). Interestingly we found 4.3–6.2% syncytic meiocytes/PMCs with 2n=4x=48 (tetraploid) in addition to normal meiocytes (2n=24) during male meiosis. These comparatively larger PMCs (pollen mother cells) lead to the formation of fertile giant 2n pollen grains. A frequency of 6.4–13.3% PMCs shows transfer of chromatin material at prophase-I and, therefore, results in aneuploid meiocytes. Whole chromatin transfer by the process of cytomixis could also have led to the formation of tetraploid cells. Translocation heterozygosity is also evident in the form of multivalents in 12–17% diploid (2x) meiocytes at diakinesis and metaphase-I and is reported for the first time in this species. The syncytes formed depict open chain hexavalent and quadrivalent formation in the three populations with different frequencies. Moreover chromatin stickiness at metaphase-I is observed in 45% of PMCs in population-1 (P-1). Syncyte or unreduced PMC formation leading to unreduced fertile gametes is here speculated to act as a possible way out for infraspecific polyploidization in the species

Maternal hyperhomocysteinemia and congenital heart defects: A prospective case control study in Indian population

Objective: Very few studies have been conducted in this part of world to identify relation between maternal serum homocysteine levels and congenital heart disease in their offsprings. With this perspective in mind, this study was carried out. Methods: Fifty women were enrolled in this study. Thirty of these had delivered neonates who were diagnosed to have congenital heart diseases. These were treated as cases. Twenty of these women had delivered neonates who did not have any congenital heart diseases and were treated as controls. For estimating the levels of plasma homocysteine, fasting blood samples were taken from the women in both groups. Results: Out of 30 cases, 14 (46.6%) had a tHcy level more than 15 μmol/l and all these women had delivered babies who were found to have congenital heart diseases. Out of controls, only 3 (15%) had a tHcy level more than 15 μmol/l. In babies with ventricular septal defects, the mean maternal plasma tHcy level was 13.30 μmol/l. In babies with Tetralogy of Fallot, the mean maternal plasma tHcy level was 40.07 μmol/l. In babies with Transposition of Great Vessels, the mean maternal plasma tHcy level was 40.93 μmol/l. In babies with Tricuspid atresia, the mean maternal plasma tHcy level was 24.89 μmol/l. Conclusions: Increased levels of maternal serum homocysteine are associated with increased risk of occurrence of congenital heart defects in their offsprings, suggesting that maternal hyperhomocysteinemia is an independent risk factor for congenital heart defects

Dead bone in bladder- sequestrum perforating into urinary bladder leading to hydroureteronephrosis masquerading as bladder calculus

Sequestrum formation is a known complication of osteomyelitis. This is usually a source of chronic non resolving infection and inflammation. We present a rare case of pelvic sequestrum following septic arthritis of hip joint invading into the urinary bladder mimicking a bladder calculus and leading to hydroureteronephrosis

SARS-CoV-2 vaccination modelling for safe surgery to save lives: data from an international prospective cohort study

Background: Preoperative SARS-CoV-2 vaccination could support safer elective surgery. Vaccine numbers are limited so this study aimed to inform their prioritization by modelling. Methods: The primary outcome was the number needed to vaccinate (NNV) to prevent one COVID-19-related death in 1 year. NNVs were based on postoperative SARS-CoV-2 rates and mortality in an international cohort study (surgical patients), and community SARS-CoV-2 incidence and case fatality data (general population). NNV estimates were stratified by age (18-49, 50-69, 70 or more years) and type of surgery. Best- and worst-case scenarios were used to describe uncertainty. Results: NNVs were more favourable in surgical patients than the general population. The most favourable NNVs were in patients aged 70 years or more needing cancer surgery (351; best case 196, worst case 816) or non-cancer surgery (733; best case 407, worst case 1664). Both exceeded the NNV in the general population (1840; best case 1196, worst case 3066). NNVs for surgical patients remained favourable at a range of SARS-CoV-2 incidence rates in sensitivity analysis modelling. Globally, prioritizing preoperative vaccination of patients needing elective surgery ahead of the general population could prevent an additional 58 687 (best case 115 007, worst case 20 177) COVID-19-related deaths in 1 year. Conclusion: As global roll out of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination proceeds, patients needing elective surgery should be prioritized ahead of the general population