RAPD-based genetic relationships in different Bougainvillea cultivars

The present study deals with authenticating existing knowledge about 21 Bougainvillea cultivars comprisingof 9 hybrids and their parents through RAPD analysis. The 19 degenerate primer sets generated 234 bands from which 158(67.5%) were polymorphic. The UPGMA based dendrogram divided 21 cultivars into two major groups with Jaccard’ssimilarity coefficient ranging from 0.51 to 0.942. Group A had three cultivars namely Trinidad, Formosa and Dr. H. B. Singhin which Dr. H.B. Singh was confirmed as a hybrid of other two cultivars. Group B was sub divided into 8 clusters. Theparentages of 7 out of 8 hybirds have been confirmed based on clusters. The study concluded that the RAPD technique issuitable for confirmation of parent-hybrid relationship

Accuracy of frozen section analysis in correlation with surgical pathology diagnosis

Background: Intra-operative consultation by frozen section is a high risk procedure with important consequences. Therefore it is critical to determine efficiency of frozen section performance periodically. This study was performed to determine accuracy of frozen section.Methods: In this prospective study, we compared the results of 100 consecutive cases of frozen section with their final permanent section diagnosis in a teaching hospital of Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Wardha, Maharashtra during July 2012 to June 2014.Results: A total of 100 cases were studied on frozen section while one case was deferred for permanent paraffin section (deferral rate 01%). The overall accuracy of frozen section was 96.96% with false positive and false negative rates of 1.01% and 2.02% respectively. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 97.22%, 96.30%, 98.59% and 92.86% respectively. The turn-around time of 18 minutes was observed in the present study.Conclusions: The accuracy of frozen section diagnosis at our institute can be interpreted as comparable with most international quality control statistics for frozen sections. The overall error rate and deferral rates are within the range previously published studies. The results suggest specific measures should be taken to reduce the number of discrepancies.

Modeling the effect of deforestation caused by human population pressure on wildlife species

The increase in human population has posed several problems for the ecosystem. One of these problems is the decrease in forestry resources, which leads to decline in forest area and thus threaten the survival of wildlife species as the intraspecific competition among the wildlife species increases. Moreover, these wildlife species can also be apprehended easily by poachers and smugglers. This affects the biodiversity across the globe. In this paper, we have proposed and analyzed a nonlinear mathematical model to see the effect of deforestation caused by population and its pressure on wildlife species. The analysis of proposed model reveals that, as the parameters in respect to the increase in population pressure increase, wildlife species decrease. To support analytical findings, we have done numerical simulation

Study of 2D ion chamber array for angular response and QA of dynamic MLC and pretreatment IMRT plans

AbstractAimTo study of 2 Dimensional ion chamber array for angular response and its utility for quality assurance of dynamic multileaf collimator and pretreatment intensity modulated radiotherapy plans.Materials and MethodsThe MLC QA test patterns and IMRT plans were executed on 2D ion chamber array having 1020 vented pixel ionization chambers. The dynamic MLC QA test patterns were chair test, x–wedge, pyramid, open swipe field, garden fence and picket fence. Performance of Dynamic wedges was compared with physical wedges. For IMRT verification, five patients with localized prostate carcinoma were planned using dynamic IMRT technique. Angular response of MatriXX was measured by exposing the system from different gantry angles.ResultsDynamic MLC QA tests such as chair, x-wedge, pyramid, and open swipe field were successfully verified. MatriXX was not able to recognize the bar pattern of picket test and garden fence test. The response of MatriXX gradually decreases from 0° to 180° angles and it was 7.7% less at 180° angle. The dynamic wedge profiles were matching with corresponding physical wedge profiles. For pretreatment IMRT QA, the average dose difference between planned and measured dose was 1.26% with standard deviation of 1.06.ConclusionI'mRT MatriXX can be used for routine dynamic MLC and IMRT pretreatment QA but care should be taken while taking measurements in penumbra region because of its limited spatial resolution

In-vitro screening of cucurbitaceous plants for antidiabetic potential

209-225Natural products traditionally have played an important role in drug discovery and formed the basis of most early medicines. Medicinal plants and drugs derived from them have been explored extensively for their antidiabetic potential. Extensive literature survey revealed that the family cucurbitaceae of higher plants has contributed a lot in traditional system of medicines for developing antidiabetic formulations. The most discussed Momordica charantia and Cucumis sativus are some examples. However, many cucurbitaceous taxa are yet to be explored. The objectives of the present study are to gather data from literature on the antidiabetic potential of cucurbitaceous plants with their traditional usage and in-vitro screening of different extracts and fractions of collected cucurbitaceous plants for their antidiabetic activity in the glucose utilization assay (GUA) on L6 cell line. Based on literature survey, a list of 32 plant species of cucurbitaceae family was prepared, which have been reported for antidiabetic activity or mentioned in ethnomedicinal and traditional system of medicines for antidiabetic potential. A total of 15 crude extract and their 75 fractions were prepared from 9 collected cucurbitaceous plants and their parts and screened against differentiated rat skeletal (L6) muscle cells in glucose uptake assay. Eight extracts/fractions from 4 plants (Cucumis callosus fruit, Luffa echinata fruit, Coccinia indica fruit and Cucurbita species aerial part) were found active in antidiabetic screening. The best antidiabetic activity was found in chloroform fraction of Luffa echinata fruit. After bioactivity guided column fractionation of this active fraction, the fraction M010/S/3/5 showed maximum activity in glucose uptake assay. EC50 was calculated as 0.59 μg/mL showed potent antidiabetic compound. Present study revealed that there is huge potential in cucurbitaceous plants for developing antidiabetic drug

Effect of application of some organic amendments on soil properties, extractable micronutrients and their chemical fractions in a sandy loam soil

In a 120-day incubation study, farmyard manure (FYM), mushroom compost (MC), poultry manure (PM), vermi-compost (VC), biogas slurry (BS) and biochar from Lantana sp.; a common weed (BC) each added at 15 t ha-1 significantly increased soil electrical conductivity and organic C content, however, only VC failed to increase soil organic C content significantly but increased soil pH when compared with the control sample. Among organic amendments, FYM, MC, VC and BS increased DTPA-extractable Zn and Mn in soil significantly when compared with the control sample, while BC was significantly effective in regard to increasing both DTPA-extractable Mn and hot water soluble B when compared with the control sample. Application of FYM and MC significantly increased DTPA-extractable Cu and Fe, respectively when compared with the control sample. Simple correlation and path coefficient analysis were performed to identify key chemical fractions of micronutrients in soil having the direct and indirect effects on availability of micronutrients in organically amended soils. Based on soil extractable concentrations of micronutrients in organically amended soils, FYM appeared to be the best source of Zn, Cu and Mn, while MC could serve as the best source of Fe. Biochar from Lantana sp. may serve as a good source of B

Outcomes of total knee arthroplasty in arthritis using functional knee score

Background: Knee being a major weight bearing joint, arthritis of the knee is a common problem. Over time various conservative measures have been used to alleviate the arthritic pain, but complete pain relief has rarely been achieved. Total Knee Arthroplasty has an established place in the treatment of knee arthritis and is an effective surgical modality that provides immediate pain relief and enhances quality of life. Though most patients were satisfied by the immediate outcome of the surgery, further detailed interrogation revealed concern and inability to perform activities they previously used to do, thus arising the need for an objective method to measure the true outcome.Methods: There are very few established objective scoring methods to evaluate the outcome following a Total Knee Arthroplasty. In our study, we have used the ‘Functional Knee Score’ for the 30 patients with arthritis who underwent TKA using the midvastus approach under tourniquet cover.Results: The majority of the patients were from the age group of 61-70 years which accounts for 36.7% of patients in our study. The mean functional new knee society score preoperatively was 39.90 standard deviation of 3.055 which improved to 80.77 with standard deviation of 6.263 postoperatively, p<0.001.Conclusions: Using knee society functional score, 10 patients had excellent results, 16 had a good result, 4 patients a had fair result

Dyslipidaemia & Framingham risk score: Tools for prediction of cardiovascular diseases as public health problem

Background: According to WHO, CVD is the number one cause of death globally and an estimated 17.5 million people died from CVDs in 2012, representing 31% of all global deaths. Dyslipidaemia with other cardio-metabolic risk factors are one of the major risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. This study was under taken to assess the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors among the urban population aged 18 to 40 years. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was done at UHTC (Multan Nagar) in Meerut district from May 2014 to June 2015. 150 study participants aged 18 to 40 years of both sexes were recruited using simple random sampling. Data was collected using WHO’s STEPS criteria and modified close ended questionnaire. Data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS v19).  Results: Overall prevalence of dyslipidaemia was, low HDL-c 58.7%, hypertriglyceridemia 36%, high TC:HDL-c ratio 24%, hypercholesterolemia 14.7% and high LDL cholesterol 8.0% & Framingham risk score of developing Coronary artery disease was 8.6% risk of 6% & above and 91.4% risk of 5% or less. Conclusion: The prevalence of two cardio-metabolic risk factors was quite high in both males and females and the association between Framingham risk score & dyslipidaemias were also statistically significant. Clearly indicating that those who were having dyslipidaemia in any form were at a higher risk of having coronary artery disease in the future