Physiological and morphological traits of Maize hybrids under saline water irrigation

Salinity is one of the common abiotic stresses affecting crop growth and yield considerably. Hence, we conducted a pot culture experiment to evaluate the changes in various physiological and morphological traits of six maize hybrids (CO 6, CO 7, CO 8, CO 10, NK 6240 and 900 M Gold) under saline water irrigation. Saline water having a natural EC of 0.6, 3.2, 4.8, 6.7 and 8.9 dSm-1 was used for irrigating the crops up to 30 days. Nine seedling traits viz., shoot length, root length, shoot dry weight, root dry weight, total dry weight, photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate and chlorophyll content were measured. Based on the better physiological and morphological traits, dry matter productivity (DMP) and gas exchange parameters, the maize hybrids CO 6 and CO 7 have been identified as saline water tolerant up to an ECiw of 4.8 dSm-1. However, CO 8 was observed as salt sensitive as it recorded poor growth and photosynthetic parameters. Results suggest that DMP and gas exchange parameters would be useful traits for identifying salinity tolerance in maize hybrids at seedling stage.

A Five Year Study of Profile of Leprosy Patients attending a Tertiary Care Hospital in Manipur

This retrospective study was conducted to analyze the profile of leprosy patients who attended the OPD of a Tertiary Care Hospital in the state of Manipur, the Indian state with lowest prevalence of the disease. In this study demographic and clinical details of all leprosy patients attending Dermatology OPD for 5 years period from January 2011- December 2015 were analyzed from the departmental records. Of the 59 patients male to female ratio was 1.95:1. Major group of patients (42.4%) belonged to middle age group (20-40 years). Children (< 14 years) constituted 6.5%. 52.5% of the patients presented with mixed cutaneous and neural symptoms. Multibacillary cases clearly outnumbered paucibacillary (91.6%). The most common clinical type was borderline tuberculoid (38.9%) followed by indeterminate and lepromatous leprosy (15.3% each). Pure neuritic (5.1%) was the least common type. 15.3% patients developed type 1 reactions while 6.8% had type 2 reactions. 16.9% patients had grade 1 deformity of hands and feet while 11.9% had grade 2 deformity. Though the state is having low prevalence compared to national level, leprosy eradication programmes should be continued effectively and expanded to improve access in all regions of state.

Giant lipoma of breast: A rare case report

Malignant Lymphoma is uncommon in female genital tract. A rare presentation of Malignant Lymphoma of the vagina has been reported here. A 61 years old woman presented with postmenopausal bleeding of 10 days duration. On examination per vaginum, the patient had firm nodular infiltrative growth involving entire posterior vaginal wall and full thickness of recto-vaginal septum. Bleeding ulcer was seen at the superior part of the growth which is extending up to introitus. Cervix was free. Per rectal examination showed infiltration of anterior rectal wall. There was no lymphadenopathy or hepato-splenomegaly. C.T. Scan of abdomen revealed a large malignant soft tissue tumor involving the walls of vagina and infiltrating the rectum. Histopathology of the tumor revealed Diffuse Histiocytic lymphoma

Prevalence of oral mucosal lesions among chewing tobacco users: A cross‑sectional study.

Context: The increasing use of chewing tobacco (CT) in the last 10–12 years has led to an increased incidence of potentially malignant oral disorders and frank oral malignancies. Aim: To determine the frequency of oral mucosal lesions and to correlate the dose‑response relationship among CT users of Bengaluru North province. Settings and Design: This population‑based cross‑sectional study was conducted among a randomized cluster sample of adults in low‑income group (slums), of Bengaluru North, Karnataka state, India. Materials and Methods: Nine hundred and one subjects, all CT users were surveyed in this cross‑sectional study. A prestructured questionnaire which included information on type and amount of CT used, duration and frequency of use, and location of placement of tobacco in the oral cavity was used for assessment, which was followed by oral examination for the presence of lesions. Statistical Analysis Used: Chi‑square and Fisher’s exact tests were used to assess the statistical significance. Results: Of the 901 subjects with CT habits, 55.8% revealed no clinically detectable oral mucosal changes and 44.1% showed mucosal changes of which 63.8% were males and 36.1% were females. The most common finding was chewers mucositis (59.5%) followed by submucous fibrosis (22.8%), leukoplakia (8%), lichenoid reaction (6.5%), oral cancer (2.7%), and lichen planus (0.5%). Conclusion: This study provides information about different CT habits and associated mucosal lesions among this population.

Incidence of Third Head of Biceps Brachii in South Indian Population

Additional heads of the biceps brachii muscle of arm have the clinical importance, because they mislead the surgeon in arm surgical procedures. Existence of such variation is one of the reasons for neurovascular compression in the arm region. The present study was conducted to find out the incidence of third head of biceps brachii among 80 samples in South Indian population. The third head of biceps brachii was found in right side in one case which was 13.7 cm in length and arising from antero medial wall of lower part of shaft of humerus. Incidence of the study is 1.25% in South Indians. Occurrence of supernumerary third head of biceps is rare in Indian population.

Subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis by utilizing carotid intima-media thickness as a surrogate marker.

Background & objectives: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are more prone for accelerated atherosclerosis and Asian Indians as an ethnic group are predisposed to a high risk of premature atherosclerosis. However, sparse data are available regarding the burden of atherosclerosis among asymptomatic adult patients with RA in south India. We studied the burden of asymptomatic atherosclerosis in adult south Indian patients with RA at Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India, utilizing carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) as a surrogate marker. Methods: Ultrasound examination of the carotids and CIMT measurement (mm) were carried out in 32  patients with RA, 32 age- and gender-matched normal controls, and 32  patients with atherosclerosis and angiographically proven coronary artery disease. The CIMT values in patients with CAD and normal controls were used to derive the appropriate cut-off value of CIMT for defining atherosclerosis that would be applicable for the ethnic population studied. Results: Patients with RA had a higher mean CIMT (mm) compared with normal control subjects (0.598 ± 0.131 vs 0.501 ± 0.081; p = 0.001). Carotid plaque was found more frequently among the cases compared with normal controls [5/32 (15.6%) vs 0/32 (0%), p=0.020]. Using this cut-off value derived by the receiver operator characteristic curve method (≥ 0.57 mm; sensitivity 84.4; specificity 90.6%) and the 75th percentile value among normal controls (≥ 0.55 mm) as surrogate markers, the presence of subclinical atherosclerosis was significantly more among asymptomatic patients with RA compared with normal controls [(59.3 vs 12.5%; p<0.001) and (62.5 vs 25%; Pp<0.001) respectively]. Interpretation & conclusions: Based on the present findings CIMT appears to be a useful surrogate marker for detecting subclinical atherosclerosis in adult Indian patients with RA.

In vitro regeneration of Coelogyne nervosa A.Rich. and Eria pseudoclavicaulis Blatt., threatened orchids of Western Ghats, India.

The seeds of C. nervosa and E. pseudoclavicaulis were germinated asymbiotically on Knudson C (KC) and Schenk and Hildebrandt basal medium (SH). Growth regulators such as 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) individually and in combinations with benzyladenine (BA) and kinetin were used for callus induction from the protocorm like bodies. Coelogyne nervosa showed maximum (90%) callus induction in Knudson C medium supplemented with 2,4-D (2.26 µM) and Eria pseudoclavicaulis showed 60% callus induction in Schenk and Hildebrandt medium supplemented with 2,4-D (2.26 µM). Calli developed a route of production of protocorm-like bodies and eventually developed into plantlets on transfer to growth regulator free half strength basal medium. The well rooted plants were hardened successfully in the potting mixture containing coconut husk, charcoal, and brick pieces in the ratio 2:1:1.

Magnitude of pedestrian head injuries & fatalities in Bangalore, south India: A retrospective study from an apex neurotrauma center.

Background & objectives: Pedestrians contribute to 30-40 per cent of all road traffic injuries in India. However, there is a paucity of literature on pedestrian head injury as compared to two wheeler trauma. The purpose of the present study was to study the pattern of pedestrian injuries and their outcome with a special focus on head injuries. Methods: The study was conducted in two parts in the Trauma Center at National Institute of Mental Health & Neuro Sciences, Bangalore. A retrospective study was conducted at the casualty services of the hospital in which 529 consecutive pedestrians who sustained injury in a road traffic accident were studied from June to September 2009. In the second part, records from the hospital mortuary were retrospectively analyzed from 2007 to 2009. An analysis of 326 patients who died as a pedestrian in road accidents during this period was performed. Results: Patients in both paediatric and elderly age groups constituted 47.6 per cent (252/529) of all casualty admissions. Majority of the pedestrian injuries (41.7%, 221/529) occurred between 1600 - 2100 h; 87.1 per cent of all patients received some primary care before admission. The most common offending vehicle was a two wheeler (49.1%, 260/529). At the time of admission, 55.2 per cent (292/529) patients had sustained a moderate or severe head injury (GCS 3-13), and 40.5 per cent (214/529) had an abnormal CT scan. In addition, 90.4 per cent (478/529) patients had also sustained associated injuries. Major thoracoabdominal trauma was seen in 4 per cent and spine injury in 2.3 per cent of the patients. The mortality rate was 6.6 per cent. In the postmortem group, pedestrian deaths constituted 26.2 per cent of all the postmortems conducted. Two wheelers were the offending vehicle in the majority of the fatal crashes (39.9%). Interpretation & conclusions: Pedestrian injuries form a major part of the workload of a neurotrauma emergency. Majority of them sustained moderate to severe head injury. More attention, infrastructure and strict implementation of rules may help reduce this burden.

To evaluate the involvement of autonomic nervous system during pre and post menstrual phases in young women.

Background: During reproductive life, Women undergo many types of behavioural and hormonal changes, which influence various functions of body. ANS provides physiological adaptive background for these changes. The main aim of this study is to carry out autonomic function tests during various phases of menstrual cycle. Method: Different Methods were used to evaluate sympathetic and Parasympathetic activity. This study was carried out in two different phases of menstrual cycle viz. premenstrual phase (late luteal phase-LL) and post menstrual phase (early follicular phase –EF). Results: The autonomic function tests and heart rate variables were recorded and data was tabulated for Statistical evaluation with student paired “t” test. P 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. The tests for sympathetic activity were compared during pre and post menstrual phases. It was observed that pulse rate, blood pressure and cold pressor test were statistically more significant (p<0.01), while orthostatic variation in arterial blood pressure was statistically significant (p<0.05) in premenstrual phase as compared to post menstrual phase of menstrual cycle. For parasympathetic activity it was observed that heart rate response, expiratory: inspiratory ratio and valsalva ratio were statistically not significant (p>0.05) in both pre and post menstrual phases of menstrual cycle. Conclusion: In this study the responses to various sympathetic tests were significantly altered in premenstrual phase as compare to that of postmenstrual phase, reflecting the significant increase in the sympathetic activity. These changes may be due to gonadal steroids imbalance during post menstrual phase (EF) and premenstrual phase (LL) of menstrual cycle which in turn affects HPA axis and ANS significantly. Significant increased sympathetic activity responses indicate an augmented stress system.

Sodium butyrate modulates pRb phosphorylation and induces cell death in human vestibular schwannomas in vitro.

In the present study, effect of Na-Bu on the pRb phosphorylation was analysed in the primary cultures of 12 VS tumors. Primary cultures of VS tumors were established from the fresh tumor tissues removed surgically and were treated with Na-Bu. Na-Bu treatment for 48 h led to morphological changes and apoptotic cell death in VS tumor cells. Na-Bu treatment decreased level of total pRb and phosphorylated form of pRb and caused specific dephosphorylation at Ser 249/Thr 252 and Ser 567. In the untreated and Na-Bu treated cells (when present), pRb was localised in the nucleus. Moreover, in Na-Bu treated cells the nucleus appeared highly condensed as compared to untreated cells. Results of the present study indicated that Na-Bu treatment modulated pRb phosphorylation status and caused apoptotic cell death in VS tumors.

Does CSF composition predict shunt malfunction in Tuberculous Meningitis.

Background: Hydrocephalus secondary to tuberculous meningitis (TBM) continues to be a challenging condition to treat for neurosurgeons in developing countries. Shunt complications are reportedly more frequent in patients undergoing ventriculo-peritoneal shunt in patients with TBM than in those undergoing shunt surgeries for other causes. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) composition on shunt malfunction. Methods: We compared the CSF composition of 53 patients who had shunt malfunction during a five year period with that of 137 matched controls. Results: Patients who had shunt malfunction had a significantly higher concentration of CSF protein. The CSF cellularity and glucose concentration did not have any significant bearing in predicting shunt malfunction. Patients with CSF protein concentration of more than 200 mg/dL had a four times higher risk of having shunt malfunction than those with a concentration of less than 100 mg/dL. Patients with CSF protein in the 100-200 mg/dL range represent an intermediate zone. Conclusion: To conclude, patients with CSF protein concentration of more than 200 mg/dL have a significantly higher risk of shunt malfunction and hence have to be followed up closely.

An Audit Of Bronchial Asthma Control At A Primary Public Health Care Facility

A study was conducted at Greentown Health Clinic, Ipoh to assess and classify asthma by levels of control based on the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA). The secondary objective was to identify those patients whose control was suboptimal. A total of 102 patients were included in this study based on random sampling between 25th April 2008 and 6th June 2008. Standard Asthma Control Questionnaires were used to classify asthma and levels of control. Baseline Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) measurements and PEFR at audit visits were also recorded. All data were analysed using SPSS version 13. The study showed that only 39.2 % of the patients were classified as having controlled asthma, 34.3 % had asthma that was partly controlled and 26.5 % of the patients had uncontrolled asthma. Among those patients who had inadequate asthma control, more than half of them had nocturnal attacks and exacerbations. These findings demonstrate the need by the attending doctor to improve assessment of the patient’s control of asthma by actively questioning the patients and subsequently improving management to achieve optimal control of asthma.

In vitro production of azadirachtin from cell suspension cultures of Azadirachta indica.

The present study aimed to elucidate the effect of nutritional alteration on biomass content and azadirachtin production in cell suspensions of the elite neem variety crida-8.Variations in total nitrogen availability in the medium in terms of different ratios of nitrate: ammonium showed that the ratio 4:1 revealed a profound effect, leading to a 1.5-fold increase in the total extracellular azadirachtin production (5.59 mg/l) over the standard MS medium.Reduction in sucrose (15 mg/l) in the medium exhibited a reduction in biomass and absence of azadirachtin, whereas total phosphate reduction raised intracellular azadirachtin production (6.98 mg/l). An altered medium with a nitrate: ammonium ratio of 4:1 coupled with complete elimination of phosphate enhanced biomass by 36% (59.36 g/l).

Prognosis in children with head injury: an analysis of 340 patients.

BACKGROUND: The outcome in children with head injury is distinctive because of the different biophysical properties of the child's skull and brain, and their reaction to injury. METHODS: In this retrospective study of three hundred and forty children with head injury, managed from January 1993 to December 1998, at NIMHANS, the factors influencing outcome were analyzed. RESULTS: On admission there were 40 children in GCS 3-5, 55 children in GCS 6-8, 96 in GCS 9-12 and 152 children in GCS 13-15. Eleven patients were under 2 years of age, 53 were between 3-5 years, 140 were between 6-10 years and 156 were between 11-15 years of age. The prognosis in various intracranial pathologies due to head injury was evaluated and outcome assessed at discharge. There were 95 children with EDH and 8.4% had poor outcome (vegetative state or death). There were 85 patients with contusion and poor outcome was noted in 18.8%. One hundred patients had diffuse cerebral oedema on CT scan and outcome was poor in 25% of these patients. The clinical features associated with poor prognosis were, absence of ocular movements (50%), abnormal pupillary size and reaction (49%) and age less than 2 years (27%).

Tuberculous osteitis of clivus.

Tuberculous osteitis of clivus is rare. Its diagnosis is difficult because of the rarity of the site and the non-specific nature of the disease. Management consists of confirmation of diagnosis by biopsy and chemotherapy with anti-tubercular drugs. Meningitis may complicate the clinical course, increase morbidity and mortality.

Pyoderma gangrenosum.

Four patients aged 8, 35, 45 and 50 years (3 males and 1 female) were admitted to SCBMCH, Cuttack, skin and VD Department with multiple, painful, non healing phagadenic ulcers over body and not responding to the conventional therapeutic agents. The female patient was having severe seropositive rheumatoid arthritis. Pus culture was negative in all the cases. All the patients responded well to corticosteroid given systemically, but one male patient was having recurring episodes and ulcers healing hardly. He was given topical oxoferrin (TCDO) topically twice daily along with other supportive therapy. He responded well.

Mycobacterial cervical lymphadenitis in childhood.

A study of 190 children of chronic cervical lymphadenitis showed tuberculous etiology on histopathological examination in 92 (48.4%) and bacteriological evidence of mycobacterial infection (smear and/or culture) in 42 (22.1%). Of these 42, twelve (28.6%) showed histopathological diagnosis of non-specific lymphadenitis. Positive culture for mycobacteria was obtained in 40, of which 30 (75%) were typical M. tuberculosis and 10 (25%) were atypical mycobacteria. The most predominant species of typical mycobacteria was M. scrofulaceum (60%) followed by M. avium intracellulare (40%). There was no remarkable difference in the histopathological pattern of those in which M. tuberculosis was grown and those in which bacterial growth was that of atypical mycobacteria. The diagnosis of chronic cervical lymphadenitis should therefore be taken a step beyond histopathology, up to complete bacteriological examination, especially to confirm the cases of mycobacterial lymphadenitis caused by atypical mycobacteria.

Spinal intramedullary tuberculoma and abscess: a rare cause of paraparesis.

Five cases of spinal intramedullary tuberculomas (IMT) and one case of spinal intramedullary tuberculous abscess (ITA) are presented. Gd enhanced MRI revealed ring enhancing lesion with central hypodensity, suggesting granulomatous pathology. Surgical excision of the intramedullary lesions was carried out in four cases, while two patients received presumptive anti-tuberculous chemotherapy only. Repeat MRI after completion of anti-tuberculous therapy showed total resolution of the lesion. In other cases following surgical excision, the patients improved significantly. The management of these rare lesions is discussed and the literature reviewed.