Sudhir K. Yadav

Genotypic variability in physiological, biomass and yield response to drought stress in pigeonpea

Three pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L. Millsp.) genotypes- GT-1, AKP-1 and PRG-158 with varying crop duration, growth habit and flowering pattern were evaluated for variability in their response for drought stress. Drought stress was imposed at initiation of flowering and the observations on biomass and seed yield parameters were recorded at harvest. The magnitude of response of individual component to drought stress was found to be genotype specific. Drought stress significantly decreased photosynthetic rate (PN), transpiration rate (Tr) and relative water content (RWC) in all the genotypes, however the magnitude of reduction differed with genotype. With drought stress, the reduction of PN was highest in GT-1 while reduction in Tr was highest inxa0PRG-158. The genotype AKP-1, accumulated significantly higher concentrations of osmotic solutes especially proline under water deficit stress, this facilitated it to maintain higher relative water content (RWC) and lower malondialdehyde (MDA) content as compared to other genotypes. Drought stress also impacted biomass production and their partitioning to vegetative and reproductive components at harvest. There was significant variability between the genotypes for seed yield under drought stress while it was non-significant under well-watered condition. Drought stress enhanced flower drop and decreased flower to pod conversion resulting in reduced pod number and seed number in PRG-158 and GT-1. The genotype AKP-1 recorded superior performance for seed yield under stress environment due to its ability in maintaining pod and seed number as well as improved test weight (100 seed weight). Under drought stress, significant positive association of seed yield with proline, seed number, pod number and test weight clearly indicating their role in drought tolerance.

Cardiovascular safety of oral antidiabetic therapy in type 2 diabetes mellitus- review article

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). There is twofold increased risk of cardiovascular (CV) mortality among diabetic patients as compared with nondiabetic patients. The glycemic efficacy of anti-diabetic drugs does not necessarily provide cardiovascular safety. Since 2008, US Food and Drug Administration has recommended that new drugs for type 2 DM should undergo clinical trials to demonstrate cardiovascular safety in addition to glycemic benefit. In 2012, European medicine agencies issued a similar recommendation. In this review, we have tried to examine the cardiovascular safety of oral antidiabetic agents in major published trials. Metformin remains the initial drug of choice in type2 DM till date. The sulfonylureas, one of oldest oral anti-diabetic drugs, have adverse cardiovascular events and are gradually being out classed by other second line drugs. The glitazones have been found to have adverse outcome in heart failure. The incretin based drugs have been found to have cardiovascular safety in various trials in recent past and their performances have been reassuring. There is lack of enough cardiovascular outcome data for meglitinides and glucosidase inhibitors. Various current trials have found sodium glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors to have a potential for cardiovascular benefit. Careful selection of drug therapy with special attention for cardiovascular risk is important in selection and optimization of diabetic therapy.

Risk of cardiovascular disease among diabetic patients in rural population of Central India

Background: Incidence and prevalence of diabetes is on surge day by day and increased longevity of diabetic patients put them at higher risk of chronic complications of hyperglycemia. Of these complications, atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are of utmost importance and atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases are the major cause of premature mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes as well. Regional variation of risk factors and sociocultural diversity of Indian population create a significant difference in atherosclerotic risk among the diabetic population across the country. There is a significant gap in the knowledge of CVD epidemiology and associated risk factors among the Indian population especially among the rural population. The objective of this study was to assess cardiovascular risk among diabetic patients of rural central India. Methods: The present cross-sectional study included 160 diabetic patients (78 males and 82 females) aged 35–75 years from the villages of district Etawah of UP, Central India. Sex-specific Framingham general cardiovascular risk prediction equations were used to calculate the 10years risk for cardiovascular disease. The probable risk factors were determined by cross-tabulation of cardiometabolic parameters with the 10-year cardiovascular risk level. Results: Males were found to be at higher risk of developing CVD in the future as compared to females with a discernible accumulation of adverse cardiovascular risk factors among them. 38.75% patients were at high risk, 37.50% at moderate risk and 23.75% at low risk for developing CVD in the next 10 years. Systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, triglyceride and smoking contributed significantly to high degree of cardiovascular risk. Presence of cardiovascular risk factors among diabetic patients at diagnosis accentuates the need of intensive management of cardiovascular complications taking into consideration the traditional dietary pattern of the rural population. Conclusions: Both diabetes and CVD have common genetic and environmental antecedents. Furthermore, insulin resistance preceding long before the diagnosis of diabetes enhances atherogenic risk profile and has been delineated as a potential cause for subsequent increased risk of CVD among diabetic patients. There is need of intensive management of cardiovascular risk factors among diabetic individuals. Therefore, there is a need of a comprehensive study design which includes various factors (biological, sociodemographic and genetic) which directly or indirectly influence the disease incidence especially in a country (India) with diverse ethnic population.