Variation of grain quality characters and marker-trait association in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

A set of 24 genotypes were studied for 17 grain quality characters and validated with the reported associated rice microsatellite markers with grain quality characters. Using 23 polymorphic markers distributed across 11 chromosomes marker-trait associations were studied. The percentage of polymorphism information content (PIC) of the markers ranged between 54.0 and 86.7. Eight markers with [80% and seven markers with[70% of PIC were found to be efficient in differentiating the studied grain quality characters. A total of 37 significant marker-trait associations (P B 0.09) were found with R2 ranging from 4.70% to 43.80%. Eight markers a (RM246, RM11, RM241, RM16427, RM421, RM3, RM234 and RM257) showed association with more than one character suggesting their utility for the selection for grain quality characters which can be deployed in the rice crop improvement programme

Management of colon cancer at a tertiary referral center in India - Patterns of presentation, treatment, and survival outcomes

AIM: To define the patterns of disease presentation, treatment strategies, and outcomes for patients with colon cancer at a tertiary referral center in India over 1 year period. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database. All consecutive patients with proven or suspected colonic adenocarcinoma between July 2013 and July 2014 were evaluated in a dedicated analysed multidisciplinary clinic at the Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai. The demography, treatment plan, pathology, stage, and survival data were examined. RESULTS: The median age of presentation was 49 years with 60.1% male patients. In total, 151 cases (57.4%) underwent treatment with curative intent consisting of surgery with adjuvant chemotherapy as indicated. The rest were offered either palliative chemotherapy (36.9%) or best supportive care (5.7%). Approximately, 70% patients had advanced stage disease (Stage III/IV) at presentation and 41.8% presented with metastatic disease with the liver being the most common site of disease dissemination. With a median follow-up of 29 months, the estimated 3-year disease free survival for patients treated with curative intent was 67.1%. The median progression free survival was 12.3 months for patients treated with palliative intent. The estimated 3-year overall survival was 89.7%, 65.5%, and 22.8% for Stage I/II, Stage III, and Stage IV, respectively. CONCLUSION: Indian patients with colon cancer, at a tertiary referral center, tend to present at more advanced stages of the disease as compared to the West. However, curative treatment with surgery and chemotherapy offers similar survival outcomes when compared stage for stage

Histopathological Patterns of Gastric Mucosal Biopsies in Dyspepsia – A Study of 550 Cases

Objective: Dyspepsia is a common condition which is seen in the medical outpatient department. Helicobacter pylori is the causal agent in most of the cases of gastritis and peptic ulceration. This is a retrospective study aimed to study the histological patterns in gastric biopsy from patients with complaints of dyspepsia.Methods: In this study, a total of 550 biopsy samples from patients with a clinical history of dyspepsia which were received at the department of histopathology were analyzed. The biopsy samples were procured in Bouin’s fixative and were paraffin embedded. Sections were taken and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. May-Grunwald-Giemsa stain was used to visualize H. pylori. Alcian blue stain was used to identify intestinal metaplasia.Results: It was observed that 194 (35.2%) cases showed features of chronic gastritis without H. pylori infection. H. pylori was noted in a total of 296 cases (53.8%) among which 256 cases (46.5%) showed features of chronic gastritis, 28 cases (5.09%) showed active gastritis, and 12 cases (2.2%) showed features of chronic gastritis with intestinal metaplasia.Conclusions: Chronic gastritis is a common condition worldwide. Chronic infection with H. pylori accounts for the majority of cases of chronic gastritis.

Changes in the tumor necrosis factor-α level after an ultrasound-guided femoral nerve block in elderly patients with a hip fracture / Alterações no nível de TNF-α após bloqueio do nervo femoral guiado por ultrassom em idosos com fratura de quadril

Abstract Background and objectives: An ultrasound guided femoral nerve block is an established analgesic method in patients with a hip fracture. Elevated cytokine levels correlate with poor patient outcomes after surgery. Hence, the aim of the study was to describe the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α after an ultrasound-guided femoral nerve block in elderly patients having a femoral neck fracture. Methods: A total of 32 patients were allocated into two treatment groups: 16 patients (femoral nerve block group; ultrasound-guided femoral nerve block with up to 20 mL of 0.3 mL.kg−1 of 0.5% bupivacaine and intravenous tramadol) and 16 patients (standard management group; up to 3 mL of 0.9% saline in the femoral sheath and intravenous tramadol). Tumor necrosis factor-α and visual analogue scale scores were evaluated immediately before the femoral nerve block and again at 4, 24, and 48 h after the femoral nerve block. All surgery was performed electively after 48 h of femoral nerve block. Results: The femoral nerve block group had a significantly lower mean tumor necrosis factor-α level at 24 (4.60 vs. 8.14, p < 0.001) and 48 h (5.05 vs. 8.56, p < 0.001) after the femoral nerve block, compared to the standard management group. The femoral nerve block group showed a significantly lower mean visual analogue scale score at 4 (3.63 vs. 7.06, p < 0.001) and 24 h (4.50 vs. 5.75, p < 0.001) after the femoral nerve block, compared to the standard management group. Conclusions: Ultrasound-guided femoral nerve block using 0.3 mL.kg−1 of 0.5% bupivacaine up to a maximum of 20 mL resulted in a significant lower tumor necrosis factor-α level.

Resumo Justificativa e objetivos: O bloqueio do nervo femoral guiado por ultrassom é um método analgésico estabelecido em pacientes com fratura de quadril. Níveis elevados de citocinas estão correlacionados com resultados desfavoráveis para o paciente após a cirurgia. Portanto, o objetivo do estudo foi descrever os níveis do fator de necrose tumoral alfa após bloqueio do nervo femoral guiado por ultrassom em pacientes idosos com fratura do colo de fêmur. Métodos: No total, 32 pacientes foram alocados em dois grupos de tratamento: 16 pacientes (grupo bloqueio do nervo femoral; bloqueio do nervo femoral guiado por ultrassom com até 20 mL de bupivacaína a 0,5% (0,3 mL.kg−1) e tramadol intravenoso) e 16 pacientes (grupo tratamento padrão, até 3 mL de solução salina a 0,9% na bainha femoral e tramadol intravenoso). Os escores do fator de necrose tumoral alfa e da Escala Visual Analógica foram avaliados imediatamente antes do bloqueio do nervo femoral e novamente em 4, 24 e 48 horas pós-bloqueio do nervo femoral. Todas as cirurgias foram realizadas de forma eletiva após 48 horas de bloqueio do nervo femoral. Resultados: O grupo bloqueio do nervo femoral teve um nível médio de fator de necrose tumoral alfa significativamente menor em 24 (4,60 vs. 8,14, p < 0,001) e 48 horas (5,05 vs. 8,56, p < 0,001) pós-bloqueio do nervo femoral, comparado com o grupo tratamento padrão. O grupo bloqueio do nervo femoral apresentou uma média significativamente menor no escore da Escala Visual Analógica em 4 (3,63 vs. 7,06, p < 0,001) e 24 horas (4,50 vs. 5,75, p < 0,001) pós-bloqueio do nervo femoral, em comparação com o grupo tratamento padrão. Conclusões: O bloqueio do nervo femoral guiado por ultrassom utilizando 0,3 mL.kg−1 de bupivacaína a 0,5% até o máximo de 20 mL resultou em um nível significativamente menor de fator de necrose tumoral alfa.

Bilateral symmetrical synovial chondromatosis of shoulder: a case report / Condromatose sinovial simétrica bilateral do ombro: relato de caso

ABSTRACT Synovial chondromatosis is a benign arthropathy rarely seen in diarthrodial joints. Extra-articular bilateral symmetrical synovial chondromatosis of shoulder is the rarest variety. The diagnosis is established with the help of imaging modalities and histopathological examinations. This report describes a case of a 39-year-old woman who presented with symmetrical, progressively increasing swelling over the bilateral shoulder region, of 12-18 months duration, with dull ache and restricted movements of the shoulder joints. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasonography (USG) revealed large bilateral subacromial-subdeltoid bursal swelling with loose floating bodies. Surgical excision of extensive bilateral bursa was performed at four weeks of interval. Histopathological examination revealed synovial chondromatosis on either side. Postoperative recovery occurred without complications.

RESUMO A condromatose sinovial é uma artropatia benigna raramente vista em articulações diartrodiais. A condromatose sinovial simétrica bilateral extra-articular do ombro é a variedade mais rara. O diagnóstico é estabelecido com a ajuda de exames de imagem e histopatológicos. Este relato descreve o caso de uma paciente de 39 anos, com aumento de volume progressivo simétrico sobre a região bilateral do ombro com 12-18 meses de duração com dor entorpecido e limitação dos movimentos das articulações do ombro. A ressonância magnética e a ultrassonografia revelaram um grande aumento de volume da bursa subacromial subdeltoidea bilateral com corpos livres flutuantes. A excisão cirúrgica extensa da bursa bilateral foi feita com quatro semanas de intervalo. O exame histopatológico revelou condromatose sinovial em ambos os lados. A recuperação pós-operatória transcorreu sem complicações.

An information, education and communication module to reduce dietary salt intake and blood pressure among tea garden workers of Assam

Objective High salt diet increases blood pressure. Tea garden workers (TGW) of Assam, India have high (60.8%) prevalence of hypertension (HTN), which may be due to consumption of extra salt (salt as side dish) and salted tea at work place and home. The present study evaluated an information, education and communication (IEC) module to reduce salt intake and blood pressure among TGW. Methods Two tea gardens (usual care and intervention) were selected at random covering a total population of 13,458. The IEC module consisting of poster display, leaflets, health rally, documentary show, individual and group discussion was introduced in the intervention garden targeting study participants, health care providers, key stake holders, school children and teachers. IEC intervention was continued for one year. Participants from usual care and intervention were followed at three monthly intervals and BP and other information were compared after one year. Results A total of 393 study participants (Non intervention: 194; intervention: 199) were included. After one year of follow up, consumption of extra salt was reduced significantly in the intervention participants (66.3 vs. 45.5%, p = 0.000). Intention to treat analysis revealed significant reduction in systolic [−6.4 (−8.6 to −4.2)] and diastolic [−6.9 (−8.1 to −5.7)] blood pressure after one year. Prevalence of HTN was reduced significantly (52.5 vs. 40.0%, p = 0.02) among them. Conclusions Our IEC module created awareness about risk of hypertension associated with high salt intake and could reduce dietary salt intake and BP.

Low cost single-step purification of endoglucanase from Aspergillus fumigatus ABK-9.

Low cost agro-waste was used as adsorption support for single-step purification of endoglucanase from the culture filtrate of A. fumigatus ABK-9. Among various agro-waste substrates, 1% NaOH pretreated rice bran was proved to be the best for adsorbing about 74.8 and 71.1% of endoglucanase at 4 °C and 10 °C respectively. Langmuir type adsorption isotherm at 4 °C showed maximum adsorption of enzyme at pH 5.0, which was in the range of optimum pH of the enzyme. The rice bran column bound enzyme was maximally eluted by a mixture of acetate buffer (0.05 M, pH 5.5) and ethanol (40%, v/v) at a ratio of 3:2 and a flow rate of 1 mL/min. A 5.52-fold purification of the enzyme was achieved from culture supernatant. The specific activity and recovery yield after purification were 294.0 U/mg and 40.15%, respectively, which were comparable with other contemporary protocols. The homogeneity of the enzyme was tested through sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and a single band of 56.3 kDa was observed. Zymogram analysis finally confirmed the occurrence of endoglucanase in the single band.

Potentialities of newly isolated Bacillus subtilis and Lactobacillus sp for curd preparation and a comparative study of its physico-chemical parameters with other marketed curds.

Two Bacillus sp. were isolated from the local fermented milk and identified on the basis 16S rRNA sequence profile as Bacillus subtilis AKL1 and by biochemical process as Lactobacillus acidophilus AKL2. These isolates were used as fresh inoculums for curd preparation individually and in combinations. Different physico-chemical and therapeutic properties of the newly prepared curd were examined and compared with marketed local (sweet and sour) and branded (Mother Dairy and Thackar) curds. The total hydrolyzed peptides, free amino acids, lactic acid were significantly higher, whereas, total solid, ash content, syneresis and free reducing sugar were lower in the curd prepared by a mixture of AKL1 and AKL2 (0.5:0.5, v/v). The antioxidant activity against ABTS+, DPPH•, OH• and Fe3+ were also higher in the newly formulated curd. Polyphenols (85.5µg/g), flavonoids (12.5µg/g) and free aromatic amino acids contents were also higher in AKL1+AKL2. All these components prevent excess protein oxidation that was revealed by SDS-PAGE. The curd also exhibited potent antimicrobial activity against some entero-pathogens like Clostridium perfringens, Escherichia coli, Shigella dysentery, Vibrio cholerae and Staphylococcus aureus. It can be concluded that the combination of these Lactobacillus sp. will be a fruitful inoculum for the preparation of curd having better health promoting effects.

Ultrasound guided aspiration biopsy of peripheral pulmonary lesions.

Forty-six patients with peripheral lung lesions underwent ultrasound-guided percutaneous needle aspiration biopsy. Aspirates were sent for cytological and/or microbiological examination. Confirmative diagnosis was obtained in 40 patients (86.9%). Twenty-eight patients had positive cytology for malignancy and 12 patients with benign lesions had diagnosis made by cytologic and microbiologic examination. None of the lesions could be diagnosed by sputum cytology and fibreoptic bronchoscopy with biopsy or brushings. No complication was observed in any patient. We conclude that ultrasound guided aspiration biopsy is a useful and safe method for the diagnosis of peripheral pulmonary masses. The diagnostic yield far exceeds that which can be obtained by sputum cytology and fibreoptic bronchoscopy with biopsy.