SNP mapping and phylogenetic analysis of Saudi Arabian horse breeds based on mitochondrial genome sequencing

Arabian horse breeds (Equus caballus L.) are renowned for elegance, endurance and their contribution to Thoroughbreds. In heredity, the mitochondrial (mt) genome is maternally inherited and represents extensive genetic diversity. The mt genomes of Seglawi and Hadban horse breeds of Saudi Arabia were sequenced to decipher the genetic variations in the coding and non-coding regions. We observed that the coding region of mt genome has 11 and 34 amino acid variations in Seglawi and Hadban breeds, respectively. Sequencing analyses of COX1 gene indicated highest variations of which, 5 in Seglawi and 8 in Hadban followed by the NADH5 gene. The mitochondrial genes of respiratory chain showed positive selections with respect to different environments. Our data also highlighted that the Hadban breed had much higher nucleotide changes as compared to Seglawi and together they formed individual branches in phylogenetic tree. However, the tree shows that they were relatively branched to Arabian horse breeds. This study on two Arabian horses shed light on variations among mt genes and their phylogenetic relationship with other horse breeds.

Cartilage Tympanoplasty in Atelectatic and Adhesive Otitis Media: Our Experience in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Introduction: Adhesive otitis media is a type of chronic otitismedia, the development of which is essentially influenced bydisturbed ventilation of the middle ear. Anatomic and someother predisposing factors may play a part in the origin ofthis disease. Study aimed to find the efficacy and outcome ofcartilage tympanoplasty in patients with grade 3 and 4 parastensa retraction. (atelectatic and adhesive otitis media).Material and Methods: This study was conducted in thedepartment of ENT and HNS Govt Medical College Srinagar.A total of 25 patients with grade3 and 4 retraction wereincluded in this study. In all patients otoscopic examination,Pure Tone audiometry (PTA), impedance audiometry andoto-endoscopic examination / EUM (Examination underMicroscope) was done. Proper consent was taken from allpatients included in this study.Results: Cartilage Tympanoplasty is an effective method oftreating grade3 and 4 parastensa retraction in adhesive otitismedia patients. In our study we found less recurrence ofadhesion at 9 months followup with better compliance andimprovement in hearing. Out of 25 patients, 23 (92%) patientshad intact tympanic membrane, better hearing outcome at9 months follow-up. However in 2(8%) patients, amongthem one had displaced cartilage, another had no hearingimprovement at 9 months follow up.Conclusion: Cartilage tympanoplasty is a better surgicaloption for treating atelectatic and adhesive otitis media,with better outcome of hearing, patient compliance and lessfailure rate in terms of recurrence of disease7. Cartilage usedas reconstruction gives good tensile strength and preventsrecurrence of disease in terms of retraction

Correlation between Epidurographic Contrast Flow Patterns and Clinical Effectiveness in Chronic Lumbar Discogenic Radicular Pain Treated with Epidural Steroid Injections Via Different Approaches

BACKGROUND: Epidural steroid injections are an accepted procedure for the conservative management of chronic backache caused by lumbar disc pathology. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the epidurographic findings for the midline, transforaminal and parasagittal approaches in lumbar epidural steroid injections, and correlating them with the clinical improvement. METHODS: Sixty chronic lower back pain patients with unilateral radiculitis from a herniated/degenerated disc were enrolled. After screening the patients according to the exclusion criteria and randomly allocating them to 3 groups of 20 patients, fluoroscopic contrast enhanced epidural steroids were injected via midline (group 1), transforaminal (group 2) and parasagittal interlaminar (group 3) approaches at the level of the pathology. The fluoroscopic patterns of the three groups were studied and correlated with the clinical improvement measured by the VAS over the next 3 months; any incidences of complications were recorded. RESULTS: The transforaminal group presented better results in terms of VAS reduction than the midline and parasagittal approach groups (P < 0.05). The epidurography showed a better ventral spread for both the transforaminal (P < 0.001) and the paramedian approaches (P < 0.05), as compared to the midline approach. The nerve root filling was greater in the transforaminal group (P < 0.001) than in the other two groups. The ventral spread of the contrast agent was associated with improvement in the VAS score and this difference was statistically significant in group 1 (P < 0.05), and highly significant in groups 2 and 3 (P < 0.001). In all the groups, any complications observed were transient and minor. CONCLUSIONS: The midline and paramedian approaches are technically easier and statistically comparable, but clinically less efficacious than the transforaminal approach. The incidence of ventral spread and nerve root delineation show a definite correlation with clinical improvement. However, an longer follow-up period is advisable for a better evaluation of the actual outcom.

Correlation between Epidurographic Contrast Flow Patterns and Clinical Effectiveness in Chronic Lumbar Discogenic Radicular Pain Treated with Epidural Steroid Injections Via Different Approaches

BACKGROUND: Epidural steroid injections are an accepted procedure for the conservative management of chronic backache caused by lumbar disc pathology. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the epidurographic findings for the midline, transforaminal and parasagittal approaches in lumbar epidural steroid injections, and correlating them with the clinical improvement. METHODS: Sixty chronic lower back pain patients with unilateral radiculitis from a herniated/degenerated disc were enrolled. After screening the patients according to the exclusion criteria and randomly allocating them to 3 groups of 20 patients, fluoroscopic contrast enhanced epidural steroids were injected via midline (group 1), transforaminal (group 2) and parasagittal interlaminar (group 3) approaches at the level of the pathology. The fluoroscopic patterns of the three groups were studied and correlated with the clinical improvement measured by the VAS over the next 3 months; any incidences of complications were recorded. RESULTS: The transforaminal group presented better results in terms of VAS reduction than the midline and parasagittal approach groups (P < 0.05). The epidurography showed a better ventral spread for both the transforaminal (P < 0.001) and the paramedian approaches (P < 0.05), as compared to the midline approach. The nerve root filling was greater in the transforaminal group (P < 0.001) than in the other two groups. The ventral spread of the contrast agent was associated with improvement in the VAS score and this difference was statistically significant in group 1 (P < 0.05), and highly significant in groups 2 and 3 (P < 0.001). In all the groups, any complications observed were transient and minor. CONCLUSIONS: The midline and paramedian approaches are technically easier and statistically comparable, but clinically less efficacious than the transforaminal approach. The incidence of ventral spread and nerve root delineation show a definite correlation with clinical improvement. However, an longer follow-up period is advisable for a better evaluation of the actual outcom.