Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) is characterized by elevated pulmonary vascular resistance resulting in right-to-left shunting of blood and hypoxemia. PPHN is often secondary to parenchymal lung disease (such as meconium aspiration syndrome, pneumonia or respiratory distress syndrome) or lung hypoplasia (with congenital diaphragmatic hernia or oligohydramnios) but can also be idiopathic. The diagnosis of PPHN is based on clinical evidence of labile hypoxemia often associated with differential cyanosis. The diagnosis is confirmed by the echocardiographic demonstration of – (a) right-to-left or bidirectional shunt at the ductus or foramen ovale and/or, (b) flattening or leftward deviation of the interventricular septum and/or, (c) tricuspid regurgitation, and finally (d) absence of structural heart disease. Management strategies include optimal oxygenation, avoiding respiratory and metabolic acidosis, blood pressure stabilization, sedation and pulmonary vasodilator therapy. Failure of these measures would lead to consideration of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO); however decreased need for this rescue therapy has been documented with advances in medical management. While trends also note improved survival, long-term neurodevelopmental disabilities such as deafness and learning disabilities remain a concern in many infants with severe PPHN.Funded by: 1R01HD072929-0 (SL)

Basmati is a premium quality rice of India which is highly priced in the international market. Pusa Basmati 1, an elite Basmati rice variety is highly susceptible to rice blast caused by Magnaporthe oryzae. Therefore, pyramiding blast resistance genes is essential to effectively combat the blast disease and increase the durability of resistance genes. The blast resistance genes Pi9 and Pita have been earlier demonstrated to be effective in Basmati growing regions of the country. Therefore, in the present study, monogenicnear isogenic lines Pusa 1637-18-7-6-20 and Pusa 1633-3-8-8-16-1 carrying Pi9 and Pita, respectively, were intercrossed to generate pyramided lines through marker assisted foreground, background and phenotypic selection for recurrent parent phenotype. The pyramided lines carrying Pi9+Pita were found to be either at par or superior to the recurrent parent Pusa Basmati 1 for agro-morphological, grain and cooking quality traits. Further, these pyramided lines were also found to show resistance against three virulent pathotypes of M. oryzae namely, Mo-nwi-kash 1, Mo-nwi-lon2 and Mo-ei-ran1, when evaluated under artificial inoculation conditions as well as in the natural epiphytotic conditions of uniform blast nursery at two locations. The developed pyramided lines are the potential sources of blast resistance genes in the Basmati improvement program and can also be released for commercial cultivation after required testing.

Objective . To reduce neonatal intensive care unit admission rate (NAR) and antibiotic utilization rate (AUR) in ≥36 weeks gestational age infants exposed to maternal chorioamnionitis (MC) through the application of early-onset sepsis calculator (EOSCAL). Study Design . This is a single-center cohort study. All infants born ≥36 weeks gestational age and exposed to MC were compared for NAR, AUR, and laboratory evaluation rate (LER) 2 years after and 1 year before the implementation of EOSCAL. Results . There is a significant decrease in NAR ( P < .001), AUR ( P < .04), and LER for blood culture, complete blood count, and C-reactive protein ( P < .001) after implementation of EOSCAL. If infants received antibiotics, it was for significantly less number of doses ( P < .01). There was no increase in the readmission rate. Conclusion . Use of EOSCAL significantly decreases the rate of NAR, AUR, and LER in infants exposed to MC, without affecting readmission rates and late antibiotic use.

In recent past considerable work has been done on mosses of Central India region but a allinclusive literature was lacking. Therefore in present study attempt is made to fill this lacuna. This checklist reports occurrence of 210 valid taxa under 94 genera, and 30 families of mosses from this region. Family Pottiaceae is the most diversified one represented by 34 taxa under 19 genera, while genus Fissidens is the largest genus with 26 taxa distributed in the central Indian bryo-geographical zone. The taxa reported without species epithet, have been excluded here. The accepted names are cited in bold. This compilation of central India mosses is first ever effort in context of the Indian mosses and would be helpful to future workers.

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is included in the family of grasses and is the fourth highly significant crop after maize, wheat and rice. Barley is considered as an important food ingredient because of the presence of vital biochemical constituents viz. β-glucan, starch, amylose, protein etc. Barley is usually classified as hulless or hulled types (absence or presence of hull adhering to grain). Hulless barley needs negligible processing and preserves maximum of the endosperm and germ, which is once in a while lost during the time spent for dehulling. As a result, it is highly suitable for human utilization, as the entire grain can be specifically utilized to form a meal or processed into flour. Interest in the use of hulless barley as a food grain has expanded primarily due to its stated health benefits .The regular intake of hulless barley contributes to maintenance of normal blood cholesterol level, beneficial in preventing certain types of cancer like colon cancer and also provides better glucose and insulin responses. Hulless barley has high β-glucan content which helps in lowering of glycemic index and also causes the stimulation of bowel health. For this reason food industry is anxious about expanding the utilization of these cereals as nourishment fixings and henceforth more research is merited here.