Effectiveness of evidence based regimen for medical abortion over conventional methods

Background: Medical abortion is a means of medical termination of pregnancy by drugs alone. This can be done upto 63 days using mifepristone and misoprostol tablets. For the conventional method, patient has to come to the hospital 3 times. In our study we reduced the interval between the drugs there by reducing the number of hospital visits. The objectives were to study the reduction of induction abortion interval following administration of evidence based regimen and to compare the proportion of patients developing complications in both the groups.Methods: It was a comparative study conducted at Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Govermnent MedicalCollege Kottayam, Kerala, India from May 2015 to November 2015.Results: The mean induction abortion interval in experimental group was 14.3 hours and in control group, it was 60.4 hours which was found to be statistically significant. Only 3 patients (7%) of experimental group had side effects whereas 12 patients. (17.4%) had side effects in the control group. Major side effects encountered were severe abdominal pain and severe bleeding per vaginum. Evidence based  regimen consist of administration of mifepristone 200mg and vaginal misoprostol 600µg 6 hours later for termination of pregnancy up to 63 days could reduce the induction abortion interval by 46 hours and had less side effects.Conclusions: As it reduces the induction abortion Interval and complications we feel that the evidence based regimen for Medical Termination of Pregnancy is superior to the FDA approved regimen

Initiation of coconut cell suspension culture from shoot meristem derived embryogenic calli: A preliminary study

An attempt was made to establish highly competent embryogenic cell suspension culture in coconut, a species recalcitrant to in vitro culture. Embryogenic calli were initiated from shoot meristem explants of coconut. Y3 medium supplemented with 2.4-D (4.5 μM) and glutamine (34.2 μM) was found to be the best medium to initiate cell suspension. Growth evaluation was done by packed cell volume (PCV) and it was found that maximum growth volume of 9.9% was reached at 200 days of culture initiation. About 52% of viable cells were detected through fluorescent microscopy. Cell aggregation was noticed in Y3 medium supplemented with glutamine (34.2 μM), malt extract (100mg/l), biotin (40.9 μM) and kinetin (9.3 μM), but further progress could not be achieved. It was also observed that embryogenic calli were not of a friable type, but were associated with densely aggregated cells. Because of its hard nature, we were unsuccessful to obtain high quality cell suspension

Polyamine-induced somatic embryogenesis and plantlet regeneration in vitro from plumular explants of dwarf cultivars of coconut (Cocos nucifera)

Regeneration of complete plantlets via organogenesis and somatic embryogenesis was achieved from plumular tissues of two dwarf cultivars of coconut, viz. Chowghat Green Dwarf (CGD) and Malayan Yellow Dwarf (MYD). Significant differences were noticed between varieties for the formation of embryogenic calli. There were also significant differences for interaction between variety and regeneration medium with respect to formation of somatic embryos. Well developed plantlets were acclimatized under green house conditions and then successfully established in the field. The development of an efficient method of cloning coconut using plumular explants (with more rapid development of calli and somatic embryos and greater frequencies of plant regeneration compared with calli from inflorescence or leaf tissues) offers a potential for the development of a long-term in vitro means of conserving significant coconut germplasm by cryopreservation of plumular explants. Mass multiplication of elite palms selected on the basis of resistance to root (wilt) diseases of coconut is possible using plumular explants. Plumule cultures can be used for rapid multiplication of proven coconut hybrids. This study can also form a model for future regeneration studies from adult tissues of coconut

Histological studies of cellular differentiation during somatic embryogenesis of coconut plumule-derived calli

Since coconut is   one of the most recalcitrant species to generate in vitro, it is   necessary to study in detail about the cellular changes that occur during   somatic embryogenesis to enhance our knowledge about this phenomenon. In the   present study, coconut plumular tissues, the shoot meristem including leaf   primordia, were used as explants for in vitro regeneration studies.   Histological studies were carried out in different stages of plumule culture.   No noticeable growth was observed in 15 days old cultures. After 30 days,   meristematic cells could be identified. Abundance of meristematic cells,   foremost to the development of callus structures, was observed after 45 days.   After 75 days, globular friable calli were formed and histological studies   revealed the presence of meristematic centers which eventually formed somatic   embryos. The histological study of matured somatic embryos formed after 120   days of callus initiation showed a clear meristematic zone of parenchyma   cells, surrounded by vascular bundles. Histological studies, carried out for   certain abnormalities like compact calli, abnormal somatic embryoids with   rudimentary shoots and multiplied roots, revealed the presence of intact   cotyledonary leaves which seemed to inhibit the apical meristem development   of somatic embryoids. The presence of vascular bundles in the early stages of   callus formation might lead to the direct formation of meristemoids. These   results could aid future studies leading to enhanced control of the somatic   embryogenic process and greater efficiency of somatic embryo and plantlet   formation in coconut

A comparative study of three different methods of shoot meristem excision for induction of embryogenic calli in coconut

A protocol was standardized to maximize yields of embryogenic calli from shoot meristem culture of coconut. Three different shoot meristem excision methods were tested viz., excision of shoot meristem aseptically from in vitro germinated embryo after 10-12 days, excision of shoot meristem from in vitro germinated embryo subjected to GA3 treatment for five days and excision of shoot meristem from fresh embryo. The primary calli induction after 30 days of culture incubation for the three treatments were 21%, 27%  and 79% respectively.  Further, the primary calli formed from the shoot meristem excised from fresh embryo gave rise to 56% of embryogenic calli. The calli obtained from the shoot meristem which were excised from in vitro germinated embryo formed less percentage of embryogenic calli because of the presence of cotyledonary tissues which inhibited the multiplication of meristematic tissues. In the case of shoot meristem extracted from GA3-treated embryos, the percentage of non-embryogenic calli was more compared to the shoot meristem excised from fresh embryo. It was observed that the addition of GA3 in the initial stages of culture inhibited the formation of embryogenic calli and favored direct shoot development. Currently, the shoot meristem excised from fresh embryo is being employed for scaling up the planting material production from released varieties of coconut

Maintenance of embryogenic potential of calli derived from embryonic shoot of West Coast Tall cv. of coconut (Cocos nucifera L.)

Maintenance of embryogenic potential of calli is important as the totipotency is often lost in a short time in vitro. This caters to the need for year round availability of somatic embryos in a regenerable state. In the present study, 14 media combinations, with either 2,4-D or picloram as auxin source, were tested for maintaining embryogenic calli obtained from embryonic shoot explants of coconut. Irrespective of type and concentration of auxins, callusing was observed in all the media combinations. However, high dose of 2,4-D (above 74.6 μM) in the initial medium resulted in intense browning and lesser percentage of callusing. Embryogenic nature of calli could be maintained to a maximum of 21 weeks in medium supplemented with 2,4-D (74.6 μM) and subsequent culturing into higher concentration of 2,4-D (90.4 μM). Gene expression studies carried out using qRT-PCR revealed that genes such as ECP, GST, LEAFY and WUS were highly expressed in long term embryogenic calli (21 week old) and genes such as SERK, GLP, WRKY and PKL in initial embryogenic calli (21 days old). The study concludes that coconut plumular calli could be maintained for longer periods without compromising on the embryogenic potential of the calli

Birth Weight for Gestational Age Norms for a Large Cohort of Infants Born to HIV-Negative Women in Botswana Compared with Norms for U.S.-Born Black Infants

Background: Standard values for birth weight by gestational age are not available for sub-Saharan Africa, but are needed to evaluate incidence and risk factors for intrauterine growth retardation in settings where HIV, antiretrovirals, and other in utero exposures may impact birth outcomes. Methods: Birth weight data were collected from six hospitals in Botswana. Infants born to HIV-negative women between 26-44 weeks gestation were analyzed to construct birth weight for gestational age charts. These data were compared with published norms for black infants in the United States. Results: During a 29 month period from 2007-2010, birth records were reviewed in real-time from 6 hospitals and clinics in Botswana. Of these, 11,753 live infants born to HIV-negative women were included in the analysis. The median gestational age at birth was 39 weeks (1st quartile 38, 3rd quartile 40 weeks), and the median birth weight was 3100 grams (1st quartile 2800, 3rd quartile 3400 grams). We constructed estimated percentile curves for birth weight by gestational age which demonstrate increasing slope during the third trimester and leveling off beyond 40 weeks. Compared with black infants in the United States, Botswana-born infants had lower median birth weight for gestational age from weeks 37 through 42 (p < .02). Conclusions: We present birth weight for gestational age norms for Botswana, which are lower at term than norms for black infants in the United States. These findings suggest the importance of regional birth weight norms to identify and define risk factors for higher risk births. These data serve as a reference for Botswana, may apply to southern Africa, and may help to identify infants at risk for perinatal complications and inform comparisons among infants exposed to HIV and antiretrovirals in utero

Cryopreservation of coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) zygotic embryos by vitrification

The present study investigates the effect of preculture conditions, vitrification and unloading solutions on survival and regeneration of coconut zygotic embryos after cryopreservation. Among the seven plant vitrification solutions tested, PVS3 was found to be the most effective for regeneration of cryopreserved embryos. The optimal protocol involved preculture of embryos for 3 days on medium with 0.6 M sucrose, PVS3 treatment for 16 h, rapid cooling and rewarming and unloading in 1.2 M sucrose liquid medium for 1.5 h. Under these conditions, 70-80% survival (corresponding to size enlargement and weight gain) was observed with cryopreserved embryos and 20-25% of the plants regenerated (showing normal shoot and root growth) from cryopreserved embryos were established in pots

cryopreservation of arecanut (Areca catechu l.) pollen

BACKGROUND: Cryopreservation opens new avenues in the field of genetic resource conservation, especially in recalcitrant seeded palms such as arecanut for which field genebanks are exposed to pest and disease attacks and natural calamities. It is only through cryopreservation that the safety of the conserved germplasm can be assured at a relatively low cost for extended periods. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this work was to standardize various aspects of arecanut pollen cryopreservation, viz. collection and desiccation of pollen, in vitro germination, viability and fecundity studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pollens of three arecanut genotypes (Sumangala, Hirehalli Dwarf and Hirehalli Dwarf x Sumangala) were collected in December 2013-February 2014. In vitro viability tests were conducted using fresh and desiccated pollen. Desiccated pollen was cryopreserved by direct immersion in liquid nitrogen and cryostored for different durations (24 hours to 2 years). Viability and fertility studies were conducted using cryopreserved pollen. RESULTS: Pollen extraction was achieved from fully opened male flowers by desiccation at room temperature (33-34 degrees C). A medium containing 2.5 g/L sucrose was found to be best for in vitro germination at room temperature. There was no significant difference in germination between desiccated and cryopreserved pollen whereas pollen tube length decreased significantly after cryopreservation. Fertility studies using HD x Sumangala pollen cryostored for various durations (1 month, 1 year and 2 years) showed the setting of 70, 43 and 62%, respectively. Normal nut set was observed using cryopreserved pollen. CONCLUSION: Pollen cryopreservation is a viable option for germplasm conservation and hybridization programmes in arecanut