Unlocking the potential of Kodo millet: reviving an indigenous super grain for tomorrow's nutrition

Kodo millet (Paspalum scrobiculatum L.) is an underutilized crop that encompasses nutritional benefits and climate resilience, making it a viable option for future crop development with nutraceutical properties. The cultivation of this crop has ancient roots, where it was revered for its ability to thrive in times of famine and was a vital companion crop to rice. Dishes made with Kodo millet are highly palatable and can be easily integrated into mainstream rice-based dishes. Among all cereals, Kodo millet is distinguished by its gluten-free composition, high phosphorus content, and significant antioxidant potential, which contributes to a diet that may reduce cardiovascular disease risk. Often grown in rainfed zones by marginal farmers, Kodo millet is valued for its grain and fodder. This less demanding crop can tolerate both biotic and abiotic stress, allowing it to thrive in soils with low organic matter and with minimal inputs, making it an ideal dual-purpose crop for rainfed areas. Despite its nutritional and agricultural benefits, Kodo millet's popularity is hindered by challenges such as low yield, market demand, lodging at harvest, and poor dehulling recovery, which necessitate the development of high-yielding varieties through the latest breeding advancements. Systematic investment and concerted breeding efforts are essential to harness the full potential of this nutrient-dense crop. The absence of whole genome sequence for Kodo millet poses a barrier to uncovering novel genetic traits. Consequently, there is an imperative to establish a millet-based value chain that elevates these underutilized crops, shaping smart cropping patterns and enhancing nutritional profiles for sustainable diets. Accordingly, this review highlights the significance of Kodo millet and the impact of breeding to establish it as a smart food choice for the future.

The Role of Far Infrared Therapy in the Unassisted Maturation of Arterio-venous Fistula in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease

Introduction:

The goal of arterio-venous fistula (AVF) creation is to achieve a well-functioning access that can be cannulated repetitively and can provide adequate flow for the dialysis. The objective of this study was to assess the role of far infrared (FIR) therapy in the unassisted maturation of newly created AVF in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Materials and Methods:

In this prospective open labeled randomised control trial, 107 patients were randomized. Participants in the control arm received oral clopidogrel 75 mg once daily for 30 days along with isometric hand exercise, whereas those in the test arm received FIR therapy twice weekly, 40 min session each, for 4 weeks. A biopsy from venous end was taken during fistula surgery. Doppler study of AVF was done at the end of the 4^th and 12^th week to assess AVF. Vascular access guidelines proposed by National Kidney Foundation –Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (NKF- KDOQI) in 2006 were adapted to define the maturation of AVF.

Results:

Out of 107 patients, 51 were randomized to the test arm and 56 to the control arm. During follow-up, the blood flow rate through AVF (Qa) and the diameter of the cephalic vein draining (CVd) the AVF were measured. At the end of 3 months, Qa in Radio-Cephalic Fistula (RCF) was high in the test arm (p–0.003). The AVF failures were 5 (10.2%) and 14 (28%) in the test and control arms, respectively (p: 0.025). However, when adjusted for AVF failure within 6 h of surgery (may be related to surgical technique) this difference in AVF patency was statistically insignificant (p: 0.121). The mean Qa was high in patients with an arterial intimal medial thickness (AIMT) <0.5 mm. The IMT of the anastomosed artery had statistically significant correlation with the primary failure rate of AVF (P < 0.001).

Conclusion:

In patients with CKD, FIR therapy was effective in increasing the AVF blood flow rate at the end of 3 months, though the difference in primary failure rate was statistically insignificant.