Effect of seed rates on seed germination and seedling growth of Mulberry (Morus sp.)

Mulberry (Morus sp.) is a fast growing, deciduous, woody perennial plant, usually pollinated by wind (anemophily). Morus sp. produces seed which is used to raise seedlings to be used for root grafting, whereas scion of an improved variety is grafted over the rootstock got through seedling raising. Seed rate is an important parameter that decides population of plants per unit area with optimum exposure to sunlight, proper space, aeration, and nutrition. In this study, we tried to find the optimum seed rate in mulberry for raising of quality seedlings under Kashmir climatic conditions. The investigation was carried out at College of Temperate Sericulture, Mirgund, SKUAST- Kashmir, wherein different seed rates were tested for seedling raising in mulberry. Amongst different seed rates tested, treatment T3 wherein 28 seeds were sown per square foot was at par with treatments T1 and T2 having 20 and 24 seeds per sq. foot, respectively. The study indicated that 20-28 seeds per square foot could be successfully adopted for raising of quality seedlings.

Economic Appraisal of Water-Ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir: India

Aims: The aims of the current paper is to provide a comparative analysis of the water ecosystem in the state of Jammu & Kashmir in India and to highlight economic potentiality of the two nerve tributaries; “Dal Lake” and “River Jhelum” to the farmers and other communities of the Kashmiri society. Study Design: The temperate region of Kashmir valley is bestowed with many water bodies in the form of springs, lakes and rivers. Kashmir region is world famous for its lakes viz; “Dal Lake”, “Wulur Lake”, “Mansbal Lake”, “Anchar Lake”, “Nigeen Lake”; springs viz; Kokarnag, Verinag, Achabal and “River Jhelum” etc. “Dal Lake” and “River Jhelum” are known to be the nerve tributaries of the valley and various communities are dependent on these water bodies for their livelihood. Methodology: Contingent valuation method and willingness to pay techniques were used to analyse the data and interpret the results. Results: The results revealed that economic value associated with the selected water bodies was worth millions of US$. Most of the population in the valley depends on these water bodies for their livelihood. In addition, the results reveal that over the years, pollution and encroachment of these water bodies has increased manifold reducing the width, depth and recreational value of these water bodies. Though every stakeholder is willing to pay for the restoration of these water bodies, however, little or no attention is being paid by the local government towards their, management, sustenance and conservation. Conclusion: The study concludes that over the years, due to growth of population in the valley along with the ever increasing influx of floating population in terms of tourist arrivals, the selected water bodies (Dal Lake & River Jhelum) came under heavy stress, culminating into the deterioration of their aesthetic and recreational value besides drastic reduction in their revenue generation for their poor water quality and mismanagement. The restoration of these water bodies, which in addition of providing employment to the stakeholders in huge numbers also generate revenue worth millions of US$, demands devising a pragmatic policy by the government towards their conservation and restoration of their lost glory through efficient management and monitoring system.

Cancer cervix: An uncommon malignancy in Kashmir, India.

OBJECTIVE: To study the distribution of cancers among females with particular emphasis on cancer cervix in Kashmiri population, which is geographically and socio‑culturally distinct from the rest of India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patient records were screened from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2011 at Regional Cancer Centre, Srinagar. Most common cancers among females were recorded and analysis of cancer cervix cases was performed. RESULTS: Female cancers comprised of 40% of total cancers with oesophageal and breast cancer as most common malignancies. Cancer cervix did not figure in top ten cancers and only 45 (0.01%) cases were recorded of the total of 3084 adult female cancers. CONCLUSION: We conclude that due to different socio‑cultural and sexual practices, this cancer is highly uncommon in Kashmir and screening or possibly should be directed specifically at only high risk selective subjects.

Colonic J pouch neo‑rectum versus straight anastomosis for low rectal cancers.

AIM: The development of sphincter saving procedures for low carcinoma rectum has been the consequence of oncological and technological factors. The major disadvantage associated with these procedures is the development of anterior resection syndrome because of the resection of rectal reservoir. Colonic J pouch (CJP) neorectum has been practiced as an antidote to overcome this problem. We are working at a tertiary care center, which is a high volume center for rectal cancers. We thought it worthwhile to assess the efficacy of J Pouch neorectum viz.‑a‑viz. a straight coloanal anastomosis for low rectal cancers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hospital based prospective randomized study (June 2007‑December 2009) low rectal cancers (4‑12 cm from the anal verge). One group (20 patients) subjected to low/ultralow anterior resection with straight anastomosis (SA) and other group (22 patients) to CJP. The two groups were compared on the basis of functional outcome. RESULTS: Anastomotic leak, strictures, frequency of bowel movements, nocturnal bowel movements, use of retarding medication and incontinence to solids, liquids and gases were seen more in SA group. All these findings were statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that CJP has a significant functional advantage over SA and improves the overall quality‑of‑life in patients of low rectal cancers and the advantage persisted over a period of more than 30 months.

Analysis of brain tumors in Kashmir Valley - A 10 year study.

Background: Geographically Kashmir valley is isolated from the rest of the country. It has a different climate with people having different social and dietary habits. Gastric cancer, esophageal, and skin (Kangri) cancer have a higher prevalence but there is little data available on the cancers of brain. Objectives & Methodology: Aim was to study brain tumors prospectively and retrospectively, to analyse brain tumors geographically and to analyse the age and sex ratio of brain tumors in Kashmir valley. In this Retrospective and Prospective study, retrospectively (initial seven years) all patients were analyzed for their clinical symptoms, age, sex, residence, histopathologic characteristics of tumors. Prospectively (later three years) after get-ting the radiological diagnosis pathological diagnosis was arrived by procedures like open, stereotactic, and endoscopic procedures. All patients were then analysed for age, sex, residence, signs and symptoms and histopathological characteristics. Follow up was done for gliomas. Mortality and morbidity was analysed for gliomas in these 3 years. Patients who lost the follow up were considered dead. Out of 1730 patients included in our study, there were 1031 males and 699 females. The most common age group was between 41-50 years. Results: The most common tumor was gliomas followed by meningiomas. Gliomas were most common in men and meningiomas in females. Out of all the histological grades in gliomas, the glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) was the most common, and frontal lobe was the commonest anatomical site involved. The most common symptom in our study was headache followed by vomiting.

Cancer trends in Kashmir; common types, site incidence and demographic profiles: National Cancer Registry 2000-2012.

BACKGROUND: An assessment of cancer incidence in population is required for prevention, early diagnosis, treatment and resource allocation. This will also guide in the formation of facilities for diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and follow‑up for these patients. The demographic trend of cancer will help to identify common types and etiological factors. Efforts at clinical, research and administrative levels are needed to overcome this problem. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Present retro prospective study was conducted in regional cancer center of a tertiary care hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After permission from ethics committee, a retro prospective study of 1 year duration was undertaken to study the profile of cancer patients and to compare it with other cancer registries in India. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Pearson’s Chi‑square test and simple linear regression were used. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version‑16 (University of Bristol information services (www.bristol.ac.uk/is/ learning/resources) was used. RESULTS: The overall incidence of cancer in Kashmir is on the increase and common sites of cancer are esophagus and gastroesophageal (GE) junction, lung, stomach, colorectal, lymphomas, skin, laryngopharynx, acute leukemias, prostate and brain in males.In females common sites are breast, esophagus and GE junction, ovary, colorectal, stomach, lung, gallbladder, lymphomas, acute leukemias and brain. CONCLUSION: Cancers of esophagus, stomach and lungs have a high incidence both in men and women in Kashmir. Future studies on sources and types of environmental pollution and exposures in relation to these cancers may improve our understanding of risk factors held responsible for causation of these malignancies in this region. This will help in the allocation of available resources for prevention and treatment strategies.

Listeria monocytogenes meningoencephalitis in an immunocompetent, previously healthy 20-month old female child.

Invasive listeriosis predominantly affects pregnant women, neonates, elderly and people with a compromised immune function. For more than 80 years since the discovery of Listeria in 1924, only a few reports of invasive listeriosis in humans have emerged from India, with all of them in patients having an underlying predisposition. We, however, report Listeria monocytogenes meningoencephalitis in an immunocompetent, previously healthy, 20-month-old female child with no underlying predisposition. The patient showed poor response to empirical treatment with vancomycin and ceftriaxone but improved dramatically after substitution with ampicillin and amikacin. She had a complete recovery other than left lateral rectus palsy that persisted.

Evaluation of Surgical Outcome after Cataract Surgery with Len Implantation Using air or Elastic to Maintain the Anterior Chamber

Introduction: Findings from specular microscope studies have demonstrated increased endothelial cell loss associated with the use of air for lens implantation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the surgical outcome after cataract surgery with lens implantation using air or viscoelastic to maintain the anterior chamber Design: Retrospective record analysis Subjects: Record cards of patients operated for cataract at Sakubva Eye Unit; Mutare; Zimbabwe in the period January - December 2002 Main outcome measures: Operative complications; post operative keratitis; presenting visual acuity at discharge; two and six weeks postoperatively. Results: Record cards of 315 patients were analysed; 207 (65.7) had lens implantation under air; 108 (34.3) had implantation under viscoelastic. Presenting visual acuity at discharge; two and six weeks postoperatively was better or equal to 6/18 in 36.7; 34.4and 52of patients implanted under air compared to 40.7; 35.6and 38.3of those implanted under viscoelastic. Post operative keratitis was observed in 14of patients implanted under air and 12of those implanted under viscoelastic. Vitreous loss was experienced by 1.9and 5.8of patients implanted under air and viscoelastic respectively.Conclusion: Despite reports of increased endothelial cell loss associated with use of air for lens implantation; this study finds no difference in surgical outcome between patients implanted posterior chamber lens under air or viscoelastic

Missile diaphragmatic injuries: Kashmir experience

Importance of repairing a diaphragmatic tear due to a missile injury cannot be overemphasized.Even a small diaphragmatic rent should be repaired because of morbidity and mortality caused by subsequent herniation and strangulation. Fifty-three cases with diaphragmatic injuries caused by penetrating missiles were studied from January 1997 to January 2007. All the patients were primarily explored either for thoracic or abdominal penetrating trauma; the diaphragmatic injury was an associated incidental intraoperative finding. Thoracotomy was performed in 18 patients, Laprotomy in 33 patients and in two patients combined thorocoabdominal approach was utilised for managing associated visceral injuries. Overall mortality was 37.7%. Mortality was dependent on associated injuries of thoracic and abdominal viscera. Most patients died due to associated injuries and septicaemia. None of the patients had any sequelae of diaphragmatic repair. Immediate repair of diaphragmatic injury is of paramount importance to prevent subsequent complications of herniation and strangulation

Factors influencing outcome of head injury patients at a tertiary care teaching hospital in India

Trauma is the most common cause of morbidity and mortality in people younger than 45 years and head injury is mostly highly weighted predictor of outcome in trauma population, anything than can improve the outcome from severe head injury has the potential of improving the lives of many accident victims. A study regarding factors influencing outcome of traumatic brain injury patients was conducted at a tertiary care hospital of Srinagar [India]. The basic predictors in this study included age, sex, rural/urban, time taken from site of trauma to arrival at hospital, mode of transportation, referral from other hospitals, referral to other hospitals, and Glasgow Coma Scale. Traumatic Brain Injury [TBI] patients [n 547] were taken prospectively by simple random sampling method for a period of one year [2004] for this study. Majority of patients belonged to age group 0 to 10 years [25.5%] and a maximum death [8] were seen in age group 51 to 60 years. Maximum number of patients were males [75.9%] and [71.1%] TBI patients were from rural areas. [26.7%] reached this hospital within a period of one hour. [66%] were shifted through ambulance service. 6.4% expired after treatment. Factors responsible for improved outcome in severe head injury patients are improvement in early recognition, resuscitation and triage, coupled with prompt computed tomography [CT] scanning and aggressive surgical management

Intracorporeal Lithotripsy for Ureteral Calculi Using Swiss Lithoclast : SKIMS Experience

At present the techniques available for performing intracorporeal lithotripsy include electrohydraulic, ultrasonic, laser, and ballistic lithotripsy. We present our experience with a unique technology for performing intracorporeal lithotripsy, namely the Swiss lithoclast, which is a form of ballistic lithotripsy. This simple and inexpensive device uses compressed air to activate a solid probe in a manner similar to that of a jackhammer. We report the use of this lithoclast in 92 patients involving a total of 95 ureteral calculi. The lithoclast successfully fragmented 81 of the 95 calculi, a success rate of 85.26%. There were no major complications directly related to the use of this device. The Swiss lithoclast seems to be a safe, effective and an inexpensive means of performing intracorporeal lithotripsy for ureteral calculi.

Low birth weight and its implication in renal disease.

It has been demonstrated that intrauterine growth retardation, defined as birth weight below the 10th percentile, gives rise to a reduction in nephron number. Oligonephropathy has been suggested to increase the risk for systemic and glomerular hypertension in adult life as well as enhance risk for expression of renal disease after exposure to potentially injurious renal stimuli. Diseases, such as diabetes, that damage the kidney, may enhance this risk. In addition, it has been hypothesized that the same factors affecting kidneys in utero also impact on pancreatic tissue development, thus predisposing infants of low birth weight to an increased risk for the subsequent development of diabetes and diabetic nephropathy, consistent with the so-called "thrifty phenotype" hypothesis. Impact of low birth weight on nondiabetic renal disease has also been shown in some studies. In the current scenario, chronic kidney disease is increasing all over the world and the major two causes are diabetes and hypertension. Once the issues are shifting from management of end-stage renal disease to prevention of chronic kidney disease, prevention of low birth weight is likely to be an issue for the nephrologists in future.

Acute bilateral extradural hematomas.

The occurrence of bilateral extradural hematomas is an uncommon consequence of craniocerebral trauma and its incidence is variable in various studies ranging from 2-25%.1 We studied all cases of head injury brought to our institute over a period of 6 months and found the incidence of bilateral extradural hematomas to be 13.3%.

Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia: role of high resolution computed tomography.

Pneumocystis carinii (PC) is a common opportunistic infection in renal transplant recipients and requires an early diagnosis for its successful treatment. For its definitive diagnosis PC needs to be demonstrated in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid. At times BAL may not be possible or get delayed. In such conditions typical appearances seen on high resolution CT of the chest help in early diagnosis of PC pneumonia (PCP). This easily performed procedure helped in early diagnosis of PCP in two patients.

Paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis associated with bronchogenic carcinoma: a case report.

Paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis is a rare clinical entity, associated most often with the oat cell carcinoma of the lung. Clinically, it presents with affective changes in personality, memory loss, confusional state, hallucinations, and seizures; with dementia being the common feature as the disorder progresses. Response to treatment is disappointingly poor.

Role of pulse oximetry during nonsedated upper gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures.

BACKGROUND: Although upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is generally a safe procedure, it is known to be associated with arterial oxygen desaturation, resulting in rare serious cardio-pulmonary events. OBJECTIVE: To determine the severity of oxygen desaturation during nonsedated upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and study the effect of various variables on oxygen saturation. METHODS: 126 patients underwent nonsedated upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (82 diagnostic, 44 therapeutic). Arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) was monitored using a pulse oximeter. RESULTS: Baseline SaO2 was mean (SD) 97.8 (1.8%). It remained > 95% in 60.2% of patients during the procedure, whereas mild oxygen desaturation (SaO2 90%-94%) occurred in 23.7% and severe oxygen desaturation (SaO2 < 90%) occurred in 15.8% of patients. Six patients (4.7%) required supplemental oxygen administration sometime during the procedure. Desaturation occurred in patients undergoing diagnostic and therapeutic procedures but was severe in the latter group (p < 0.002). Patients aged more than 60 years (p < 0.001), hemoglobin < 10 g/dL (p < 0.001), history of smoking (p < 0.001), and underlying chronic obstructive airway disease (p < 0.001) were significantly related to oxygen desaturation. However, on multivariate analysis, no significant correlation was observed with hemoglobin value. CONCLUSION: Therapeutic intervention during nonsedated upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, old age, smokers and chronic obstructive airways disease are independent risk factors for oxygen desaturation. We recommend continuous monitoring of SaO2 in these high-risk patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.