Search

Background: Science of well-being is getting focused across all walks of life from health care to organizational behavior. Indian psychological principles of Tri-Guna offer a universal theoretical framework to understand the behavioral aspects of emotions and well-being, whereas affective neurosciences have explored neural circuits underlying few universal emotional styles. Both Tri-Guna and emotional styles are dynamic and vulnerable for modifications with training. Hence, establishing a relation between Tri-Guna and emotional style offers a novel insight to explore neural basis of Tri-Guna and its application in health and behavioral sciences. Aims: To establish the correlation between Tri-Guna and emotional styles in healthy adult subjects. Materials and Methods: Healthy adults (n = 121, 18–21 years) of both genders were individually administered with questionnaires to assess Tri-Guna (Vedic personality inventory) and emotional style (emotional style questionnaire). The relationship between Tri Guna (Sattva, Rajas and Tamas) and Six dimensions of emotional styles (attention, self awareness, outlook, resilience, social intuition and sensitivity to context) were assessed using Pearson's correlation coefficient. Results: All the emotional styles showed a positive correlation with Sattva and negative with Rajas and Tamas, except resilience. Resilience showed a negative correlation with Sattva and positive with Rajas and Tamas. Further, between Rajas and Tamas, emotional styles showed a stronger correlation with Tamas. Conclusions: Sattva guna showed an association with emotional styles that favors to develop a positive emotional pattern. Having fairly understood neural circuitry of emotional styles, this first preliminary correlation data will provide a theoretical framework to explore neural circuitry involved in understanding emotional aspects of Tri-Guna.

The present study mainly focuses on the extraction and purification of lecithin from both Gallus gallus and Gallus gallus domesticus. The comparative study shows a great significance in the amount and quality of lecithin extracted from both the sources. The egg lecithin was standardized by Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectroscopy. TLC analysis was done and calculated for both standard and the samples. It was found to be the same for the test sample and standard soya lecithin. FTIR analysis shows the presence of Methyl group, alkane, carbonyl group, alkenes, hydroxyl alkyl ketone. FTIR helps to compare the in- tensity of functional groups in both lecithin isolated from Gallus gallus and Gallus domesticus.

Australian wheat cultivar Axe produced resistant to moderately resistant stripe rust responses under field conditions and was exhibiting seedling response varying from 33C to 3+ under greenhouse conditions. Experiments covering tests at different growth stages (2nd, 3rd and 4th leaf stages) demonstrated the clear expression of resistance at the 4th leaf stage under controlled-environment greenhouse conditions. A recombinant inbred line (RIL) population was developed from the Axe/Nyabing-3 (Nyb) cross. Genetic analysis of Axe/Nyb RIL population in the greenhouse at the 4th leaf stage showed monogenic inheritance of stripe rust resistance. Selective genotyping using the iSelect 90K Infinium SNP genotyping array was performed and the resistance locus was mapped to long arm of chromosome 7A and named Yr75. The Axe/Nyb RIL population was genotyped using a targeted genotype-by-sequencing (tGBS) assay and the resistance-linked SNPs were converted into kompetitive allele specific PCR (KASP) markers. These markers were tested on the entire Axe/Nyb RIL population and markers sunKASP_430 and sunKASP_427 showed close association with Yr75 in Axe/Nyabing-3 RIL population. A high-resolution mapping family of 1032 F2 plants from the Axe/Nyb cross was developed and genotyped with sunKASP_430 and sunKASP_427 and these markers flanked Yr75 at 0.3 cM and 0.4 cM, respectively. These markers covers 1.24Mb of the physical map of Chinese Spring and can be used for future map-based cloning of this gene.

Breeding for leaf rust resistance has been successful worldwide and is underpinned by the discovery and characterisation of genetically diverse sources of resistance. An English scientist, Arthur Watkins, collected pre-Green Revolution wheat genotypes from 33 locations worldwide in the early part of the 20th Century and this collection is now referred to as the 'Watkins Collection'. A common wheat genotype, Aus27352 from Yugoslavia, showed resistance to currently predominating Australian pathotypes of the wheat leaf rust pathogen. We crossed Aus27352 with a leaf rust susceptible wheat selection Avocet S and a recombinant inbred line (RIL) F

Knowledge about the yield gain over the years due to associated changes in the yield component traits is essential for a critical understanding of yield-limiting factors. To estimate genetic gain in grain yield (GY) and component agronomic traits of wheat varieties released between 1900 and 2016 for northwestern plain zone (NWPZ) of India and to identify agronomic and/or genetic basis of the realized gains, two sets of wheat varieties comprising mega varieties and two recently developed varieties were evaluated under timely sown, tilled, and early sown conservation agriculture (CA) conditions for four consecutive years under irrigated conditions. The average annual genetic gain in GY since 1,905 under timely sown irrigated conditions was found to be 0.544% yr−1 over the average of all varieties and 0.822% yr−1 (24.27 kg ha−1 yr−1) over the first released variety, NP4. The realized mean yield increased from 2,950 kg ha−1 of the variety NP4 released in 1,905–5,649 kg ha−1 of HD3086 released in 2014. Regression analysis revealed a linear reduction in height and peduncle length (PL) over the years with a simultaneous and linear increase in biomass at the rate of 43.9 kg ha−1 yr−1 or relatively at 0.368% yr−1 mainly because of delayed heading and increased crop duration. Regression analysis showed no linear trend for tiller number and thousand-grain weight (TGW). Though harvest index (HI) was found to linearly increase relatively at the rate of 0.198% per annum, polynomial regression improved the fitness of data with the indication of no increase in HI since 1982. Interestingly, genetic gain evaluation under early sown CA conditions for 4 years showed similar relative gain (RG) [a relative improvement in varieties across breeding periods (BP)] (0.544% yr−1) but with a higher absolute value (29.28 kg ha−1 yr−1). Major mega varieties like Kalyan Sona, HD2009, PBW 343, HD2967, and HD3086, which occupied a comparatively larger area, were found highly plastic to the improvements in the production environment under timely sown conditions.

Introduction: Video-gaming has become one of the most preferred leisure activities among adolescents, with prevalence rate being as high as 75% in some of the industrialized countries. Video games provide a ‘virtual world’ where the gamer can seek challenges and thrills in a safe way and fulfill his need for adventure and excitement. The popularity of video-games has raised concern over their possible impact on the physical, mental and emotional well being of an individual. Aims and Objectives: The aim of the present study was to assess the impact of video-games on academic performance and sleep duration in medical students. Materials and Methods: The present study was conducted in GIMS, Gadag, after being cleared by the Ethical committee. Fifty healthy male medical students who regularly played video-games acted as subjects, and fifty age and gender matched students were controls. Information related to duration of video-gaming, sleep duration and academic performance was assessed using comprehensive questionnaire. Comparison between the groups was done using students t-test. Correlation between duration of videogaming with academic performance and sleep duration in the subjects was assessed using Pearson’s correlation. Effect size was calculated. Results: In students, who regularly played video games, the academic performance was less and the duration of sleep was more, when compared to the students who didn’t play videogames. The difference was statistically significant (P Conclusion: Video-games have a negative effect on academic performance in medical students, and they also seem to increase the duration and requirement of sleep. Keywords: Video-games, Academic performance, Sleep duration.

Knowledge about the yield gain over the years due to associated changes in the yield component traits is essential for a critical understanding of yield-limiting factors. To estimate genetic gain in grain yield of wheat varieties released between 1900 and 2016 for North-Western Plain Zone of India and to identify agronomic and/or genetic basis of the realized gains, two sets of wheat genotypes with 14 and 10 varieties in each comprising mega varieties and two recently developed genotypes were evaluated, under timely sown tilled and early sown conservation agriculture conditions respectively for 4 consecutive years. The average annual genetic gain in grain yield since 1905 under timely sown condition was found to be 0.544% yr-1 over the average of all varieties and 0.822% yr-1 (24.27 kg ha-1 yr-1) over the first released variety, NP4. The realised mean yield increased from 2950 kg ha-1 of the variety NP 4 released in 1905 to 5649 kg ha-1 of HD 3086 released in 2014. Linear regression analysis revealed a linear reduction in height and peduncle length over the breeding periods with a linear increase in biomass over the years at the rate of 43.9 kg ha-1 yr-1 or relatively at 0.368% yr-1 mainly because of linear increase in days to heading and crop duration. However, it showed no trend for tiller number and thousand kernel weight but an increase of 0.11 grains per spike yr-1 was evident from the study. The absolute and relative gain yr-1 for harvest index (HI) was found to be 0.0007% and 0.198%, however, polynomial regression shows hardly any improvement in HI since 1982. Interestingly, genetic gain evaluation under early sown conservation agriculture conditions for four years shows similar relative gain (0.544%) but higher absolute gain (29.28 ha-1 yr-1). Major mega varieties like Kalyan Sona, HD2009, PBW 343, HD2967 and HD3086, which occupied comparatively larger area proved to be highly plastic and able to respond well to the improvements in the production environment under timely sown conditions.

Purpose There is significant prevalence of overt and subclinical hypothyroidism in pregnant women in rural areas. Maternal hypothyroidism is known to cause congenital hypothyroidism resulting in sensorineural hearing loss. Anti-Thyroperoxidase antibodies are known to cross placental barrier. There is no literature on hearing assessment in infants born to women whose hypothyroidism was corrected during pregnancy. Do these infants suffer hearing loss? Our study addresses this question. Methods 140 infants born to women on treatment for hypothyroidism during pregnancy and 140 infants born to euthyroid women were evaluated for hearing by Brainstem Evoked Response Audiometrry at 1 and 4 months age. Anti-TPO antibodies were estimated at 4 months of age. Results There was no clinical hearing deficit or delay in neurological development in infants born to women undergoing treatment for hypothyroidism during pregnancy. However wave V latency on BERA was slightly prolonged in them compared to infants born to euthyroid women. There was absence of wave V when maternal subclinical hypothyroidism persisted till parturition. However within 6–8months of age the wave V latencies corrected to normal. Anti-TPO antibodies were within normal range at 4months age. Conclusion Maternal hypothyroidism when corrected before parturition does not affect hearing in the infants clinically. The mild delay in wave V on BERA corrects within first year of life. However larger studies to assess hearing in infants born to women having overt hypothyroidism during first trimester of pregnancy may be desirable to assess whether hearing is adversely affected in them.

Endoscopic demonstration of the temporal bone and its related structures is a better tool specially for understanding the complex intricacies of the middle ear. In this study we aim to understand the anatomy of the epitympanum/attic with the aid of Otoendoscopy using transmastoid and transattic approaches. Fifty four adult cadaveric temporal bones were dissected at our centre. Transcanal and transmastoid approaches were performed to visualize the middle ear spaces. We could demonstrate Cog, a ridge of bone that extends inferiorly from the tegmen plate just anterior to the head of malleus, epitympanic diaphragm by exploring the three malleal ligamental folds, Prussak’s space and its boundaries, pathways of ventilation. Better understanding of the ventilation pathways of the middle ear, restoration of adequate air access in the attic help in better healing and prevent recurrences of diseases. Thus having a three dimentional orientation of the attic and its contents aid the surgeon in performing better surgery and thus provide disease free ear.

Wheat is an important source of dietary protein and calories for the majority of the world’s population. It is one of the largest grown cereal in the world occupying over 215 M ha. Wheat production globally is challenged by biotic stresses such as pests and diseases. Of the 50 diseases of wheat that are of economic importance, the three rust diseases are the most ubiquitous causing significant yield losses in the majority of wheat production environments. Under severe epidemics they can lead to food insecurity threats amid the continuous evolution of new races of the pathogens, shifts in population dynamics and their virulence patterns, thereby rendering several effective resistance genes deployed in wheat breeding programs vulnerable. This emphasizes the need to identify, characterize, and deploy effective rust-resistant genes from diverse sources into pre-breeding lines and future wheat varieties. The use of genetic resistance has been marked as eco-friendly and to curb the further evolution of rust pathogens. Deployment of multiple rust resistance genes including major and minor genes in wheat lines could enhance the durability of resistance thereby reducing pathogen evolution. Advances in next-generation sequencing (NGS) platforms and associated bioinformatics tools have revolutionized wheat genomics. The sequence alignment of the wheat genome is the most important landmark which will enable genomics to identify marker-trait associations, candidate genes and enhanced breeding values in genomic selection (GS) studies. High throughput genotyping platforms have demonstrated their role in the estimation of genetic diversity, construction of the high-density genetic maps, dissecting polygenic traits, and better understanding their interactions through GWAS (genome-wide association studies) and QTL mapping, and isolation of R genes. Application of breeder’s friendly KASP assays in the wheat breeding program has expedited the identification and pyramiding of rust resistance alleles/genes in elite lines. The present review covers the evolutionary trends of the rust pathogen and contemporary wheat varieties, and how these research strategies galvanized to control the wheat killer genus Puccinia. It will also highlight the outcome and research impact of cost-effective NGS technologies and cloning of rust resistance genes amid the public availability of common and tetraploid wheat reference genomes.

Background: The tobacco epidemic is one of the biggest public health threats the world has ever faced,killing more than 8 million people a year. In 2002, about 20% of young teens smoked worldwide, half ofthose who begin smoking in adolescent years are projected to go on to smoke for 15 to 20 years. Smokingincreases the risk of developing coronary artery disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) and various malignancies. Smoking is being recognized as the most important causative factor forCOPD. While studies have shown an overall ‘dose response curve” for smoking and lung function, someindividuals develop severe disease within few years of smoking, whereas some individuals show minimalto no clinical symptoms even after many years of smoking. Hence the following cross sectional study wasundertaken to assess the extent of decline in lung function parameters with duration of smoking in youngadults with no apparent clinical features of COPD.Objectives: To assess the impact of duration of smoking on various lung function parameters in young adultmales.Materials and Method: Fifty apparently healthy, young smokers were selected for the study. Pulmonaryfunction test was evaluated by computerized spirometer (UNI-EM SPIROMIN). Correlation betweenduration of smoking and various lung function parameters was analyzed by ANNOVA.Results: All parameters were found to decline with duration of smoking, however the decline in FVC andFEV1 were statistically significant.Conclusion: Duration of smoking is correlated strongly with decline in FVC and FEV1 values.

Background: Pulmonary function tests are widely used as a valuable diagnostic tool in detecting and diagnosing various respiratory disorders like COPD, they also play an important role in monitoring therapy effectiveness and course of the disease. Normative values of pulmonary functions of healthy population are affected by different geographic, ethnic, climatic and demographic factors. The most important determining factors of Vital capacity in an individual are anthropometric factors such as age, sex, height, weight, body mass index (BMI) and body surface area (BSA) Aims and Objectives: The aim of the present study was to find the correlation between Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) and anthropometric measurements like height, weight, body mass index (BMI) and body surface area (BSA) in Indian adult males. Materials and Method: Fifty healthy adult males were randomly selected for the study. Ethical clearance was taken from the Institutional Ethical Committee. The physical factors namely height, weight, body mass index (BMI), and body surface area (BSA) were measured. FVC was recorded by using computerized spirometer. The correlation between the various physical factors and FVC was done using Pearson’s correlation. Results: Height, weight and body surface area showed significant positive correlation with FVC. However height showed the strongest correlation (r = 0.5807), followed by BSA (r = 0.531) and lastly weight (r = 0.422). However the correlation of BMI with FVC was not statistically significant. Conclusion: The present study showed that body height, body surface area and body weight are important determinant of FVC in Indian adult males, with height being the most important determinant.

Background: Obesity is one of today’s most blatantly visible, yet most neglected, public health problems. In 2016, 39% of adults worldwide were overweight. Fueled by economic growth, urbanization, an increasingly sedentary lifestyle, and a nutritional transition to processed foods and high calorie diets over the last 30 years, many countries have witnessed the prevalence of obesity in its citizens double, and even quadruple. Obesity especially visceral obesity causes insulin resistance and is associated with dyslipidemia, impaired glucose metabolism, and hypertension all of which exacerbate atherosclerosis, and are risk factors for developing cardiovascular diseases (CVD). The primary dyslipidemia related to obesity is characterized by increased total cholesterol (TC), decreased high density lipoprotein (HDL) levels and abnormal low density lipoprotein (LDL) composition. Lipoprotein ratios are becoming increasingly popular as a way to predict atherosclerosis and CVD. Aims and Objectives: The present study was undertaken to assess the impact of overweight/obesity on lipid profile parameters and lipoprotein ratios- Castelli’s Risk Index I and II, in young adult females. Materials and Method: The present study was conducted in KIMS, Hubli, the study and its conduct was cleared by the Ethical committee. Sixty apparently healthy young females were selected for the study. Health status and other personal data were obtained via comprehensive questionnaire. The subjects were divided into two groups based on BMI; Healthy (BMI 18.5-24.99) and Overweight (BMI > 25). Lipid profile was evaluated and lipoprotein ratios calculated. Comparison between the two groups was done using students’ t-test. Results: Values for Castelli’s Risk Index I & II were found to be significantly higher in the overweight group compared to the control group. Conclusion: Obesity leads to an unfavorable lipid pattern and raises values of both Castelli’s Risk Index I & II.

Verrucous carcinoma of oral cavity is a highly well differentiated variant of squamous cell carcinoma with a low potential for invasion and metastasis. It is prevalent in the tobacco quid chewing population in our region. In this observational study, we reviewed the medical case records of 58 patients treated for oral verrucous carcinoma staged T2 to T4a. All patients underwent wide excision of tumour which included marginal mandibulectomy in 22 and hemimandibulectomy in 23 patients along with neck dissection saving the accessory nerve and internal jugular vein. 5 patients were found to have bone involvement along the alveolar sockets. 11 patients had other associated premalignant lesions in oral cavity. Only 2 patients had lymph node metastasis without extra nodal spread in submandibular region. With a mean follow up of 6 years and minimum follow up of 1 year, 3 patients had local recurrence. All these 3 patients had bone involvement and 2 of them had lymph node metastasis on histopathological examination. 3 patients who had associated premalignant lesions developed second primary in oral cavity after 3 years. In our experience, verrucous carcinoma has good prognosis when treated by surgery. Bone involvement along alveolar sockets and associated oral premalignant lesions adversely affect the outcome. There was no difference in the outcome between selective and modified radical neck dissection. Therefore selective neck dissection (supraomohyoid) would be adequate in treating these patients. Adjuvant radiotherapy can be reserved for T4a lesions or for positive margins.

Background: Head and neck squamous carcinoma constitutes 30% of malignancies in our region, oral carcinoma being most common among them. Most of these tumours involve lower gingivobuccal sulcus and buccal mucosa. 80% patients present with locally advanced disease. Following resection of these tumours, reconstruction of composite defects is challenging. Though microvascular free flaps are ideal in such cases, it is not always feasible due to malnutrition, peripheral vascular disease, sometimes non–availability of microvascular surgeon and financial constraints. Pectoralis major myocutaneous flap, the workhorse of reconstruction is bulky, non-pliable and cannot be advanced over intact mandible. Forehead flap in complex defects is pliable, versatile, has excellent vascularity and colour matching, easy to harvest and suitable in selected cases and as salvage flap when other flaps fail. The aim of the study was to document outcome of folded forehead flap reconstruction of complex defects following resection of T4 staged oral carcinoma.Methods: This retrospective study in a tertiary rural hospital included 31 patients with oral carcinoma staged T4. The patients underwent folded forehead flap reconstruction for full thickness cheek defects with some extending into oral commissure and lower lip, along with segmental or alveolar resection of mandible or maxilla.Results: 27 patients had uneventful healing, 2 had wound dehiscence and 2 had necrosis of distal part of flap. Patients with externally rotated flap had mild trismus and patients in whom forehead flap was used to reconstruct the oral commissure had oral incompetence.Conclusions: Folded forehead flap is good reconstructive option in complex full thickness defects of cheek and as salvage reconstruction.

Locally advanced oral cancers extending to infratemporal fossa (ITF) are a challenge to head and neck surgeons. These tumors are classified as T4b whenever the masticator space (MS), pterygoid muscles (PM), and pterygoid plates (PP) are involved according to AJCC classification. Until recently, these tumors were considered inoperable and treated only with palliative intent. However, a few studies in the last decade showed that many of these tumors could be resected with a reasonably favorable prognosis by compartment resection of ITF, particularly when the tumor was below sigmoid notch of mandible. A few studies attempted to downstage these tumors by neo-adjuvant chemotherapy before attempting resection. Oral Squamous cell carcinoma has a high prevalence in South India. Majority of these patients are females addicted to tobacco quid chewing and present with locally advanced disease. In this retrospective analysis, we evaluated the outcome of treatment of oral squamous cell carcinoma extending to ITF and staged T4b in 52 patients. All patients underwent Composite resection including compartment resection of ITF followed by adjuvant treatment. 20 patients had received neo-adjuvant chemotherapy. Pectoralis major myocutaneous flap was the mainstay of reconstruction. After mean follow-up of 2 years, 31 patients are alive and disease free. 14 patients had local recurrence in ITF and 2 patients had recurred in cervical nodes. 8 patients died due to disease and 6 are on palliative care. Neo-adjuvant chemotherapy did not benefit the outcome. Close margins of resection, extra nodal spread from lymph nodes and supra notch and involvement of posterior part of ITF were factors which predisposed to recurrence.

Stem rust of wheat, caused by Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici (Pgt), is a threat to global food security due to its ability to cause total crop failures. The Pgt race TTKSK (Ug99) and its derivatives detected in East Africa carry virulence for many resistance genes present in modern cultivars. However, stem rust resistance gene Sr26 remains effective to all races of Pgt worldwide. Sr26 is carried on the Agropyron elongatum (syn. Thinopyrum ponticum) segment 6Ae#1L translocated to chromosome 6AL of wheat. In this study, a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from a cross between the landrace Aus27969 and Avocet S, which carries Sr26, was used to develop co-dominant kompetitive allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (KASP) markers that co-segregate with Sr26. Four KASP markers (sunKASP_216, sunKASP_218, sunKASP_224 and sunKASP_225) were also shown to co-segregate with Sr26 in four additional RIL populations. When tested on Australian cultivars and breeding lines, these markers amplified alleles alternate to that linked with Sr26 in all cultivars known to lack this gene and Sr26-linked alleles in cultivars and genotypes known to carry Sr26. Genotypes WA-1 and WA-1/3*Yitpi carrying the shortest Sr26 translocation segment were positive only for markers sunKASP_224 and sunKASP_225. Our results suggest the four KASP markers are located on the original translocation and sunKASP_224 and sunKASP_225 are located on the shortened version. Therefore, sunKASP_224 and sunKASP_225 can be used for marker-assisted pyramiding of Sr26 with other stem rust resistance genes to achieve durable resistance in wheat.

BACKGROUND: Smoking now is identified as a major cause of respiratory diseases, heart related ailments, cancer and a wide variety of other health problems. It is well known that the acute effects of smoking produce an increase in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, tachycardia, vasoconstriction, increase in carotid artery occlusion, and sometimes instantaneous Myocardial infarction. The present study was undertaken to study the effects of smoking on blood pressure in young apparently healthy individuals. OBJECTIVE: To compare blood pressure values between smokers and non-smokers. METHODOLOGY: The study was conducted in the Department of Physiology, Vijayanagar Institute of Medical Sciences, Bellary, Karnataka. The study included 100 apparently healthy males, 50 smokers and 50 non-smokers, between ages 20-35 years. Demographic data, history of smoking habit (quantity and duration) and detailed medical history were obtained from the subjects. Heart rate and blood pressure were recorded. Results were compared from the two groups using statistical tools. RESULTS: There was statistically significant increase in heart rate, systolic blood pressure as well as diastolic blood pressure in smokers when compared to non- smokers. CONCLUSION: The study shows that systolic as well as diastolic blood pressures were elevated in the absence of any cardiac disease in smokers.

Thyroid abscess is rare due to certain anatomical and physiological characteristics of the thyroid gland. Thyroid abscess can occur due to spread of flora in the upper respiratory tract to perithyroid space and thyroid gland through fistula. We are reporting case of thyroid abscess where the infecting pathogen was E. coli. USG and guided FNAC are simple and first line investigations. However there can be abscess formation following FNAC in immune compromised patients. A 50 years old man presented to us with complaints of fever and swelling over the left anterior aspect of neck of 10 days duration. It was associated with pain during swallowing. Ultrasound is investigation of choice as it does not have ionizing radiation, gives a good exposure of thyroid gland, show heterogeneous echo texture and superimposition of abscess is present. It can also show vascularity and internal haemorrhage. Patient was a case of undetected and uncontrolled diabetes mellitus which might have predisposed him to suppurative thyroiditis. Timely detection and surgical debridement of necrosed tissue and specific antibiotic treatment with management of diabetes helped him recover from this life threatening condition.

In the present investigation four pigeonpea crosses were studied to understand the extent of heterosis over mid-parent (MP) and better-parent (BP) for grain yield and its attributing characters. Maximum positive heterosis over MP was observed for seed yield per plant (132.88 %) and number of pods per plant (114.53 %). Similarly maximum heterosis over BP was observed for number of pods per plant (96.97 %) followed by seed yield per plant (96.11 %). Inbreeding depression for most of the characters was positive indicating that selection could be practiced in latter generations. High heterosis displayed by seed yield per plant may be due to pods per plant, branches per pant and plant height.

Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death globally, accounting to one-third of all global deaths. The first step toward dealing with the epidemic of CVD is to come up with reliable and feasible screening methods, that when applied to the general population, can identify people with high CVD risk. Atherogenic index of plasma (AIP), defined as logarithm of the ratio of plasma concentration of serum triglycerides to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, is a strong marker to predict the risk of atherosclerosis and a novel predictive indicator for CVD. We have undertaken the present study to find the correlation between the commonly used anthropometric measures of obesity and AIP. Aims and Objectives: The objective of the study was to evaluate the extent of correlation between anthropometric measures of obesity and AIP. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on sixty apparently healthy young females. After recording the anthropometric measures of obesity in the subjects, lipid profile was evaluated and AIP was calculated. Correlation between anthropometric measures of obesity and AIP was tested by Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Results: All anthropometric measures of obesity showed a significant correlation with AIP; however, waist circumference (WC) showed the strongest correlation (r = 0.369) followed by waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) (r = 0.298) and lastly body mass index (r = 0.277). Conclusion: Central measures of obesity such as WC and WHR are more accurate in predicting AIP, and hence, they can be used as handy screening tools to assess CVD risk in the general population.

A population consisting of 147 RILs derived from the cross TG 49 x GPBD 4 and their reverse cross consisting 20 RILs respectively (F7 generation) were utilized for the study. Both the populations were subjected to phenotyping for quality traits (oil content and protein content), disease resistance (rust and LLS both at 70 and 80 days after sowing) and three productivity traits (pod yield/plant, 100-seed weight and shelling %) for kharif 2009. In both the segregating populations, the analysis of variance indicated significant variation for all the yield traits and diseases, but the variation was found to be less for quality traits. High genotypic and phenotypic variation was observed for pod yield (kg/plant), shelling per cent, rust and LLS at stage I it indicates the presence of considerable amount of genetic variability for these traits whereas in oil content and protein content there is low GCV and PCV. There was a highly significant and positive correlation between the protein and oil content in GPBD 4 x TG 49 population but negative relation in the TG 49 x GPBD 4 population. Highly significant positive correlation was observed in 100-seed weight and pod yield per plant in both the population indicating that breeding for high yield can be achieved without comprising the large seed size, which is a preferred trait for confectionery groundnut. Several RILs superior to best parent were identified for different traits which could be utilized in future breeding programmes.

Peanut is gaining importance more for its confectionery and nutritive values than for its oil content around the world. Improving confectionery qualities is an added advantage for farming community. Hence, in the present study, multivariate analytical tools were used to identify parents with complementary traits for using them in breeding programme. PCA revealed contribution of pod yield, 100-seed weight, oil content, and O/L ratio towards variance. Pod yield was positively associated with 100-seed weight, oil and protein contents. Oil content had weak association with protein content, oleic acid and O/L ratio. UPGMA clustering revealed grouping of cultivars based on origin and its area recommendation. Cultivars superior for yield (GPBD-4, M-28-2 and JL 24) and confectionery traits (S-230 and Dh-8) were identified. Strong positive relation of yield with confectionery traits indicates possibility of breeding high yielding confectionery grade cultivars. Multivariate analytical tools could be used to identify parents for location specific breeding for improvement of Confectionary traits.