Salt stress is a major abiotic factor that affects the growth and yield of crops. The present study was carried out to assess the salt tolerance among the Arka Samrat, Arka Rakshak, YVU-1, S-22, YVU-2, and PKM-OP tomato germplasms using principal component analysis (PCA). Different salt (NaCl) concentrations like control, 0.04 M, 0.12 M, and 0.20 M were selected in order to classify them into sensitive and tolerant tomato germplasms based on 13 parameters. A significant variation was observed among the selected tomato germplasms towards salinity tolerance at the seedling stage. Shoot length, root length, fresh weight, and dry weight parameters of the seedlings were decreased linearly with an increase in the external NaCl concentration. Salinization of plants has shown to reduce K ? content and increase in the Na ? accumulation, Ca 2? , and Catalase activity. Salt stress also increased electrolyte leakage and reduced relative water content of all germplasms. The maximum parameters were less affected in Arka Rakshak and Arka Samrat compared to the remaining germplasms at higher salt stress. The PCA analysis of 13 morphological and physiological variables indicated that Arka Rakshak and Arka Samrat germplasms were salt-tolerant and PKM-OP was susceptible. Thus PCA analysis results are useful for the identification of resistance and sensitive germplasms at the seedling stage.

BACKGROUND Most populations worldwide, who are used to squatting and sitting cross-legged for their activities of daily living, largely comprise the lower socioeconomic strata, thus making them candidates for exclusion for total knee arthroplasty. Proximal/high tibial osteotomy (HTO) is a preferred strategy for clinically symptomatic osteoarthritis (OA) with genu varum due to painful medial compartment OA which is not amenable to conservative measures. AIM To evaluate the outcomes of medial open-wedge HTO along with autologous bone grafting and buttress plate for the treatment of genu varum due to OA of the knee in a rural population of central India. METHODS A total of 65 knees in 56 patients with a mean age of 58.22 ± 5.63 years with genu varum due to intractable painful knee OA were treated with medial open-wedge HTO along with autologous bone grafting and buttress plate osteosynthesis from June 2015 to May 2018. The mean preoperative radiological angle of genu varum was 13.4°. Clinical outcomes were assessed by the range of movement, knee scores, pain scores, and functional scores. Radiographic studies were performed preoperatively and at regular intervals during the follow-up period. RESULTS All patients reported pain relief immediately after the osteotomy and during the long-term analysis covering between one to three years. The genu varum angle was overcorrected to approximately four degrees in all patients. There was a loss of reduction by approximately three degrees in all patients at around six weeks postoperatively. Preoperative knee movements were restored in all patients. No major perioperative complications were noted during surgery and postoperative follow-up and the clinical scores were significantly improved during the final analysis which revealed good pain relief. CONCLUSION Medial open-wedge HTO is a reliable, safe, practical, physiological, and feasible treatment for populations who are used to increased activity in their occupation and lifestyle and is associated with excellent short-term and long-term results for OA in genu varum knees.

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BACKGROUND Childhood injuries have become a global public health concern. It is estimated that 10-25 % of paediatric injuries are fractures. The definitive treatment of paediatric diaphyseal fractures has always remained controversial and determined by surgical experience and local trends of practice. The aim of this study was to study the outcome of surgically managed diaphyseal fractures in children. METHODS A prospective interventional study was done comprising of 42 fractures in 28 children having displaced diaphyseal fractures of major long bones. Flynn's scoring criteria was used to study the outcome. RESULTS The observations of this study are based on 42 surgically managed diaphyseal fractures in long bones in 28 children. The mean age of patients was 10.85 years. The commonest mode of injury was fall while playing (from level ground) (18 cases, 4.29%). The commonest bones to get fractured were both radius and ulna together (50%), followed by femur (25%), tibia (21.43%) and ulna singly (3.57%). The commonest location of fracture was middle third shaft (25 fractures, 59.52%). Transverse fractures accounted for major proportion of this series. Among the 42 fractures, 39 fractures were treated with titanium elastic nailing and 2 compound fractures were treated with debridement and external fixator application. One 15 year old girl was treated by femur interlock nailing. Among the 25 children who could be followed up, the average follow up period was 22.08 weeks. The mean period of union was 10.69 weeks. Majority of the fractures had excellent outcome (30 fractures, 76.92%), 7 fractures (17.95%) had satisfactory outcome while only 2 fractures (5.13%) had poor outcome. CONCLUSIONS Titanium elastic nailing (TENS) is found to be an effective method of treating closed displaced diaphyseal fractures in children. It is better than plaster cast immobilization due to shorter period required for union, better fracture reduction and stabilization besides prevention of stiffness of adjacent joints and fracture disease. More use of this method is recommended due to these advantages.