Ghulam Shabbir

Combining Ability Analysis and Gene Action Studies of Different Quantitative Traits in Sunflower by Line x Tester

Four CMS lines and four restorers were crossed in a line x tester fashion to elucidate the information on the combining ability of seed yield, yield components and also to know the nature of gene action involved in inheritance of important quantitative traits. A total of 16 crosses were evaluated for eight different quantitative traits. Line CMS-HA-03 and CMS-HA-54 exhibited maximum GCA effects for most of the characters studied and were found to be the good general combiners. Likewise, tester RHP-73 was the good general combiners for most of the traits under study. Similarly cross combinations viz., CMS-HA-111 × RHP-71 and CMS-HA-03 × RHP- 76 were observed as potential cross having desirable SCA values.The estimates of variance components revealed predominance of non-additive gene action for all characters studied except days tomaturity.

PO2.3 Snap, Crackle & Pop – a Normal Variant of Increased Insertional Activity – May Be Misleading for Electromyographer: Case Series

Background: False positive findings are seen in a high percentage of imaging studies in prolapsed intervertebral discs (PIVD) necessitating electro-diagnosis as a confirmatory test in the diagnosis of radiculopathy induced low back pain. Methods: Aim was validation of paraspinal EMG (pEMG) in electrophysiological evaluation of radiculopathy. Detailed neurological examination was carried out in patients with L5/S1 radiculopathy due to PIVD. Peripheral electroneuromyographic studies and pEMG according to Haig’s technique (Muscle & Nerve 1993) were done; in the latter an increased score denoted increased abnormal EMG activity, and needle positions were classed as specific, medial and intermediate. Results: Twenty patients with a mean age of 40.2+10.1 years were studied. Spontaneous activity was analysed in lumbar paraspinal muscles. Mean symptom duration was 1.23+1.2 years. Nineteen (95%) had neurological deficits such as loss of tendon jerks, radicular sensory loss and muscle weakness. On MR, mean L5 and S1 spinal canal diameters were 10.15+2.0 mm and 10.1+2.2 mm, while mean lateral recess diameters were 3.55+1.5 and 5.15+1.35 mm, respectively. Mean spontaneous EMG scores (at L5/S1 levels in specific EMG position were 1.45+1.7 and 1.15+1.46 respectively. Statistical analysis using Chi-square test showed a highly significant difference in pEMG activity in S1 specific EMG position between subjects with normal and abnormal lateral recesses at the corresponding segment (p = 0.0012). No other statistically significant association was seen. Conclusions: In this study pEMG had a higher sensitivity for abnormalities than either peripheral EMG or imaging studies. The S1 specific pEMG insertion site correlated only for S1 lateral recess MRI abnormalities.

PO5.53 critical illness polyneuropathy and myopathy: experience at a tertiary care center in Pakistan

Background: CIDP is a progressive or relapsing immune mediated disorder often responsive to corticosetereroids, IV immunoglobulin & plasma exchange. Hepatitis C is common cause of death in patient having chronic hepatic disorder & affecting approx. 1 out of 10 20 population of Pakistan. Hepatitis C may be associated with peripheral neuropathies mainly axonal, chronic as well as acute cryoglobulinemia, and association with CIDP is less commonly explained. To date the optimal antiviral treatment of Hepatitis C viral infection is the combination of peg interferon-a with ribavarin. Case report: 44 years old, male with hepatitis C associated CIDP improved with combination of antiviral therapy like interferon-a and Ribavarin. Five weeks after starting therapy he felt 80% improvement in symptoms (muscle power & numbness). Viral eradication was confirmed (HCV PCR negative) after treatment patient became symptoms free. Repeat NCS/EMG turned to be normal except absent bilateral H-reflex (possibly secondary to underlying diabetes mellitus. Conclusions: We described a patient with hepatitis C associated CIDP that markedly improved with the antiviral therapy. The current case report may be an initiative to do more studies in the different canters, particularly in countries where HCV-infection is more common, like in our country Pakistan.