Ovarian Germ Cell Tumors in North-Western India: A Comprehensive 3-Year Retrospective Study of 145 Cases at a Tertiary Cancer Hospital.

Germ cell tumors encompass a broad spectrum of neoplasms arising from germ cell lineage, demonstrating varying histological profiles and clinical presentations. These tumors encompass a range of benign and malignant entities. While global trends provide insights into their prevalence, specific regional variations, such as those within North-Western India, remain less explored. This study seeks to bridge this knowledge gap by examining the prevalence and characteristics of germ cell tumors within a tertiary cancer hospital. In this retrospective analysis, all cases of germ cell tumors diagnosed over a 3-year period in the specified tertiary cancer hospital were included. Cases with incomplete records or inadequate pathological data were excluded. Data encompassing histological subtypes, patient age distribution, clinical presentations, and histopathological features were collected and analyzed. The study comprised 145 cases of germ cell tumors. Teratomas were the most prevalent subtype, with mature teratomas accounting for the majority. The highest incidence occurred within the 21-30-year age group with a mean age of 24.77 years. Abdominal mass (56%) and abdominal pain (34%) were the prominent clinical presentations. Benign cases constituted the majority 85.5%. Solid tumors (p < 0.00001) and tumors more than 10 cm (p .029028) were found to have a high propensity to be malignant, which was proven to be statistically significant. This study comprehensively explains germ cell tumors' prevalence, clinical features, and histopathological subtypes in a tertiary cancer hospital in North-Western India. The predominance of teratomas, particularly mature ones, aligns with global trends. The age distribution and clinical presentations reflect common patterns. The diverse histopathological appearances underscore the heterogeneous nature of germ cell tumors. This study offers valuable insights for clinical management and further regional research.

Association Between Pre-operative 25-Hydroxy Vitamin D Deficiency and Surgical Site Infection After Oral Cavity Oncology Surgery: a Cross-Sectional Study in a Tertiary Cancer Center in Northwestern India.

Surgical site infections (SSI) following head and neck oncology surgery can lead to significant morbidity and healthcare costs. This cross-sectional study was used to investigate a potential link between pre-operative 25-hydroxy vitamin D deficiency and an increased risk of surgical site infections in patients undergoing oral cavity oncology surgery. This cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary center in northwestern India from May 2022 to May 2023. Patients scheduled to undergo oral cavity oncology surgery during this period were eligible for inclusion. Patients with complete pre-operative 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels and documented post-operative wound infection status were included in the analysis. A total of 85 patients who underwent oral cavity oncology surgery were included in the study. Among them, 30.58% (26 patients) had pre-operative vitamin D deficiency, The overall incidence of surgical site infection (SSI) was 36.47% (31 patients). Among the patients with pre-operative vitamin D deficiency, 23 (88.5%) developed surgical site infections. Finally, pre-operative levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D, pre-operative poor oral hygiene, and low albumin were confirmed as statistically significant independent predictors of SSI. After doing multivariate analysis, vitamin D deficiency was found to be a significant predictor of post-op wound infection [adjusted odds ratio - 0.71 (95% CI 0.61-0.82); p value < 0.001]. This study highlights the significant association between pre-operative 25-hydroxy vitamin D deficiency and an increased risk of surgical site infections in patients. Vitamin D plays a crucial role in modulating the immune response, promoting antimicrobial peptides, and enhancing wound healing. These findings support the importance of assessing and addressing vitamin D deficiency in patients scheduled for oral cavity oncology surgery to potentially reduce the incidence of SSIs.

Management of a Rare Challenging Case of Duodenal Ampullary Lipoma.

Duodenal lipoma is a very rare entity with limited case reports present in literature. But duodenal ampullary lipomas are even more rare in nature. Owing to the recent advances in endoscopy and modern imaging techniques, more cases are being diagnosed and treated. However, challenge lies in performing a less invasive and least morbid procedures to treat them surgically in such complex location of tumour. To study the diagnosis and treatment of duodenal ampullary lipoma in a young male patient and challenges faced during surgical management. A 15-year-old young boy presented to us with complaints of intermittent upper gastrointestinal bleed and jaundice since last 2 months. At admission, his serum haemoglobin was 3 g% for which he was transfused 3 units of packed blood cells for optimization. On further evaluation, CT scan abdomen revealed 71 × 49 mm large heterogeneous mass in D3 segment of duodenum causing duodeno-duodenal intussusception involving D1 and D2 segment along with ampullary region with mass being the lead point. There was compression of CBD with dilatation measuring 11 mm in diameter and mild IHBR dilatation. UGIE revealed narrowing at D1-D2 junction due to polypoidal lesion with overlying smooth mucosa with no active bleeding point identified. His blood parameters were normal except for low haemoglobin (before blood transfusion) and total serum bilirubin of 2.3 mg/dl.He was optimized for surgery and underwent exploratory laparotomy with duodenotomy at D2 with mass excision of 7 × 5 cm sessile polyp with base over ampulla followed by plastic repair of sphincter of Oddi (pancreas preserving procedure). He was started on oral liquids on POD 3 and was discharged on normal diet by POD 7 with an uneventful recovery. Result of histopathological report revealed, on gross cut section, the presence of mass of 7 × 5 × 3 cm size with smooth mucosa and fibrofatty tissue. On microscopic examination, diagnosis of submucosal lipomatous polyp was made. Our case report indicated duodenal ampullary lipoma is extremely rare entity. The symptoms are nonspecific and CT scan abdomen is the first investigation of choice for diagnosis. The treatment depends on the patient's condition as well as the size and position of the tumour. In our case report, the tumour base was exactly at the level of ampulla where we performed complex procedure of local excision of mass with sphincteroplasty avoiding major Whipple procedure for such benign condition. It provided rapid postoperative recovery to the patient.

Intraoral Basal Cell Carcinoma of Soft Palate: A Diagnostic Dilemma and Review of Literature.

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common cancer worldwide. Most of basal cell carcinoma can be detected in the early stages and are generally well controlled with local resection. Despite the high incidence of BCC, intramucosal BCC is a very rare clinical entity. We hereby present a rare case report of pigmented BCC on soft palate and review the literature of this entity.

Maxillary Fibromatosis: A Rare Clinical Report and Its Review of Literature.

Fibromatosis is a rare locally aggressive benign tumour which arises from the musculoaponeurotic structures throughout the body. In the oral and maxillofacial region, It has been described under a variety of synonyms, including 'extra articular desmoids', 'desmoids tumours', 'grade-1 fibrosarcomas','non metastasizing fibrosarcoma'and 'aggressive fibromatosis'. The pecularity of this entity in paranasal sinuses is that it is rare in this location and are locally aggressive with higher rates of recurrence in a relatively restricted area.The purpose of this study is to present a rare case report and reviewing the literature of this entity.

Can Lateral Thoracic Artery Preservation Improve Results in Large PMMC Flaps? - Our Experience of 61 Cases from Northern India.

Introduction: Pectoralis major myo-cutaneous (PMMC) flap continues to be a widely used tool to reconstruct oral cavity defects. But an unreliable and unstable vascular supply can lead to complications like flap loss, Oro-cutaneous fistula and wound dehiscence. Preservation of the lateral thoracic artery (LTA) has been suggested to improve the vascularity of the skin paddle. The present study aspires to compare the complications and flap related outcomes after preserving or sacrificing the LTA while reconstructing oral cavity defects with bi-folded PMMC flap. Materials and Methods: Retrospective analysis of the data of 61 male patients who were reconstructed with bi-folded PMMC flaps between January 2022 and September 2022 was done. 36 patients were reconstructed using a PMMC flap where the LTA was sacrificed, whereas in 25 patients the LTA was preserved. Data was analyzed in terms of patient factors and flap related complications. Results: The overall complication rate including major/minor complications was 44.26% with flap detachment at 22.95% being the commonest complication observed. 13.11% patients developed an Oro-cutaneous fistula and partial and complete flap loss were seen in 9.83% and 4.91% respectively. LTA preservation was significantly associated with only decreased flap detachment rates (p value < 0.05). No significant association was noticed between other flap related complications and LTA preservation. Conclusion: Reconstructing larger defects with a PMMC flap where the LTA is preserved can help improve the vascularity of the flap and decrease various major/minor flap related complications. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12070-023-04123-3.

Submental Artery Island Flaps (SAIF) for Oral Cavity Cancer: Surgical Technique and Tertiary Care Experience.

In oral cancer surgeries, oncological outcomes take precious driverseat. But the copassengers like reconstruction, cosmesis, swallowing and speech outcomes deserve equivalent importance. Submental Artery Island Flaps (SAIF) provide an underutilized and extremely versatile option for reconstruction of defects following early stage oral cavity tumour resections. In this prospective observational analysis, we describe the technique, challenges and outcomes of SAIF at our tertiary care institute. Sixteen patients with Stage I and II oral cavity cancers were enrolled between June 2020 to May 2021. Verrucous carcinomas were five and well differentiated carcinomas were 11 patients. After tumour excision and neck dissections, defects were reconstructed with Pedicled submental flaps. Complications and functional outcomes were analyzed over two years. Nineteen percent were ladies and 81% were gentlemen. Median age was 52 years. Tongue tumours formed majority with 56% cases. Largest skin paddle taken was 36 cm2. Flap survival was 88%. There were variations in venous drainage of flaps which have been depicted in case figures. There was no report of orocutaneous fistula. Grade 3-4 speech satisfaction was achieved by 81.2% patients at 6 months. Swallowing was excellent, grade 4-5 for 100% of patients at 6 months. One patient had distant metastasis at 7 months and died. SRLR (Submental flap Recurrences) and trismus were zero percent at two years. The unexplored field of submental flaps can be used for oral cancer reconstructions in a versatile way. Donor site easy closures, no scars on face, early resumption of daily activities and short hospital stay makes it one of the ideal options in early stage oral cavity defects.

Epidemiological and Histopathological Analysis of Head and Neck Cancers in Northern India- A Retrospective Review.

INTRODUCTION: Head and neck malignancies are responsible for 30% of all cancers in India with a dramatic increase in numbers due to widespread tobacco consumption. This study aims to assess the epidemiological and histopathological spectrum of these tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A large retrospective review of 5469 biopsy-proven patients presenting between 2018 and 2022 with head and neck cancers was done. Tumors were analysed for distribution according to sites of presentations, gender, age and histopathological profiles. RESULTS: With a male-to-female ratio of 4.2:1, men constituted 80.80% of the study population. Mean age of presentation in women was 53.5 years, whereas men presented at an earlier age of 47.2 years. Oral cavity was the commonest site involved (59.7% cases) followed by the oropharynx (23.8% cases). Buccal mucosa was the commonest subsite involved with 1112 cases followed by tongue lesions with 1088 cases. Larynx was responsible for 17.04% of cases. All subsites were more commonly affected in men with the highest Male: Female ratio of 8.29:1 seen in larynx. The lowest ratio of 1.02:1 was seen in lesions of the face and scalp. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) was the most common histopathological diagnosis encountered in 88.97% of cases followed by basal cell carcinoma which was seen in 2.10% lesions. CONCLUSION: Oral cavity lesions constitute the bulk of head and neck cancer presentations in India. The disease is more prevalent in men overall and men present at a younger age in comparison to women. SCC is the most prominent histopathology encountered in our study.

Bipaddle Pectoralis Major Myocutaneous Flap (PMMC) for Complex Composite Oral Cavity Defects: An Experience of a Tertiary Cancer Centre.

Although microvascular free flaps are considered the first choice in head and neck cancer defect reconstruction, their use is limited in developing regions by availability of resources and the expertise .The Bipaddle pectoralis major myocutaneous flap (PMMC flap) is a commonly used flap in head and neck cancer reconstruction, but in literature flap is associated with high incidence of drawbacks including donor site morbidity and added bulk of the flap reducing cosmetics and function. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the Bipaddle PMMC flap reliability, operative technique and outcome in reconstructive head and neck cancer surgery in the era of microvascular free flaps. Its a prospective study in which the records of 50 patients treated with Bippadle PMMC flap reconstruction between January 2022 to July 2022 were systematically collected and reviewed. Data of recipient site, serum albumin, history of adjuvant, recurrence, defect dimension, type of donor site closure, length of hospital stay, postoperative complications and outcomes were analysed. There were 45 males and 5 females with a mean age of 41 years (31-60). Bipaddle PMMC flap reconstruction was done in all patients of advanced squamous cell carcinoma of oral cavity. There were two males with complete necrosis of flap salvaged with latissimus dorsi flap and forehead flap. Minor infections were noted in two female and one male patient, managed conservatively and recovered well with acceptable final outcome. The Bipaddle PMMC flap is reliable for large defects in head and neck reconstructive surgery, particularly when a bulky flap is required to reconstruct composite defects where the lesion is involving the skin. Placing the flap horizontally with inclusion of nipple and areola in most of the patients increased the reach and size of available flap.

Long-Term Complete Response with Single-Agent Capecitabine in Her-2-neu-Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer-A Rare Case Report.

The standard treatment approach for metastatic breast cancer with HR- and Her-2-neu + disease is trastuzumab with systemic therapy. But in patients having severe cardiac dysfunction, trastuzumab is avoided. Various combination regimens are available in that setting, but no study has shown better efficacy of capecitabine monotherapy in this setting. We hereby present a case report of using capecitabine monotherapy in first-line setting, and the patient had complete resolution of lung metastasis from the last 2 years. A 64-year-old postmenopausal lady with a known case of breast carcinoma in the left side diagnosed in the year 2016 with hormone receptor-positive, Her2-negative disease completed chemoradiation and on is aromatase inhibitor from the last 5 years. She complained of breathlessness and fatigue lasting for 1 month in July 2021. On evaluation, chest CT scan revealed multiple bilateral lung metastases along with 3×3 cm right-sided breast lump with no metastasis elsewhere in the body. Core needle biopsy of breast lump and CT-guided left lung nodule biopsy were performed which revealed infiltrating carcinoma with immunohistochemical markers showing tumor cells positive for Her-2-neu with hormone receptor-negative disease. PET-CT scan was done which revealed FDG avidity in bilateral lung fields and right breast lump with no disease elsewhere. Her echocardiography showed ejection fraction of 40% owing to which injection trastuzumab was deferred and the plan to start tablet capecitabine 1000 mg twice BD days 1-14 cycles every 21 days was made. She showed improvement in symptoms with PET-CT scan revealing resolution of lung metastasis from the last 2 years. Trastuzumab in combination with pertuzumab and taxane is the standard of care for metastatic breast carcinoma with hormone receptor-negative and Her2-positive disease. But in patients who are elderly, frail with severe cardiac dysfunction, trastuzumab-based regimen is contraindicated. No study demonstrated efficacy of capecitabine monotherapy in this subset of disease. More prospective studies are required to identify patients who can benefit from capecitabine monotherapy in first-line setting in this subset of disease. Also capecitabine usage has several advantages mainly low cost and availability in oral form, and patients can be followed up on OPD basis.

A Rare Case of Angiosarcoma of Tibia in a Young Age-a Case Report.

Angiosarcoma of bone is very rare entity, accounting for less than 1% of all primary bone sarcomas with associated poor prognosis. We hereby present a case report of angiosarcoma of tibia in a young boy and reviewed its literature and management of the disease. A 21-year young male presented to us with complaints of pain and swelling over left lower leg since last 3 months. On evaluation, MRI lower leg revealed multiloculated lesion of size 32×36×52 mm showing multiple fluid-fluid levels which was hyperintense on T2 images in left distal tibial metaphysis showing endosteal scalloping with cortical destruction along lateral border and abuts the physis. Image-guided biopsy was done. PET CT revealed no evidence of metastasis. Histopathology report revealed tumor involving bone and soft tissue comprising of plump ovoid to epitheloid/spindled cells in nests and focal fascicles with marked nuclear atypia, prominent nucleoli and mitotic figures with vascular pattern with thick walled vessels, many haemosiderophages. Differentials of telangiectatic osteosarcoma/adamantioma was made. On further IHC studies, tumor cells were found positive for SATB2, CD31, ERG while negative for CK, P40, DESMIN, MYOGENIN, TLE-1, S-100. Diagnosis of angiosarcoma of tibia was confirmed. Decision to give neo-adjuvant chemotherapy with doxorubin/Ifosfamide-based regimen was made followed by later with limb salvage surgery. He received 5 cycles of chemotherapy 3 weekly regimen which he tolerated well. Repeat MRI leg showed partial reduction in tumor size but there was presence of pathological fracture seen with some extraosseous component of tumor. Limb salvage surgery was not possible and he underwent below knee amputation. His postoperative recovery was eventful. Final histopathology confirmed diagnosis of angiosarcoma tibia. Case was discussed in multidisciplinary tumor board and he was started on alternate chemotherapy with Injection docetaxel and gemcitabine-based regimen. He had received 3 cycles of this regimen till now and is disease free from last 3 months. Angiosarcoma of bone is a very rare entity; the literature is limited regarding treatment and outcome of patients with this tumor. Most information is currently available from case reports, and treatments are based on guidelines for other types of primary bone sarcomas. We hereby present a case report of angiosarcoma of tibia in a young boy and reviewed its literature, diagnostic dilemmas associated with it and management of the disease after discussing in multidisciplinary board. Role of chemotherapy, surgery, and their sequencing is not well defined. Prospective trials are required to manage this rare entity.

Bacteria-mediated green synthesis of silver nanoparticles and their antifungal potentials against Aspergillus flavus.

The best biocontroller Bacillus subtilis produced silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with a spherical form and a 62 nm size through green synthesis. Using UV-vis spectroscopy, PSA, and zeta potential analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, the properties of synthesized silver nanoparticles were determined. Silver nanoparticles were tested for their antifungicidal efficacy against the most virulent isolate of the Aspergillus flavus fungus, JAM-JKB-BHA-GG20, and among the 10 different treatments, the treatment T6 [PDA + 1 ml of NP (19: 1)] + Pathogen was shown to be extremely significant (82.53%). TG-51 and GG-22 were found to be the most sensitive groundnut varieties after 5 and 10 days of LC-MS QTOF infection when 25 different groundnut varieties were screened using the most toxic Aspergillus flavus isolate JAM- JKB-BHA-GG20, respectively. In this research, the most susceptible groundnut cultivar, designated GG-22, was tested. Because less aflatoxin (1651.15 g.kg-1) was observed, treatment T8 (Seed + Pathogen + 2 ml silver nanoparticles) was determined to be much more effective. The treated samples were examined by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry for the detection of metal ions and the fungicide carbendazim. Ag particles (0.8 g/g-1) and the fungicide carbendazim (0.025 g/g-1) were found during Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry analysis below detectable levels. To protect plants against the invasion of fungal pathogens, environmentally friendly green silver nanoparticle antagonists with antifungal properties were able to prevent the synthesis of mycotoxin by up to 82.53%.

Prevalence of human papillomavirus infection and associated factors among women attending cervical cancer screening in setting of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are circular, nonenveloped small double-stranded DNA viruses that infect stratified epithelium and can cause a number of life-threatening diseases. HPV is the central risk factor for developing cervical cancer and is estimated that approximately 98% of this disease is associated with oncogenic types of HPV. HPV infection leads to an estimated 266,000 cervical cancer deaths annually. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of HPV infection and risk factors associated with cervical lesion among women attending the cervical cancer screening clinic at the Ethiopian Family Guidance Association, Addis Ababa. A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of HPV infection. Data were collected using a questionnaire and samples leftover from cervical screening were taken. The leftover swab was air dried and DNA was extracted and amplified by using a PCR. A total of 247 women were included in the study. The prevalence of HPV was 9.72% among the population studied. Of all participants, 27.13% were positive for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia-1 (CIN1). CIN1 positivity was found in half of HPV positive women. Among HPV positive women, half of them had started sexual intercourse at ages 12-17 years and 41.66% were women who gave birth at ages 12-17 years. The high prevalence of HPV and the CIN1 positive group were ages 36-57 and women with multiple sexual partners. The other groups with the highest CIN1 positive were 22.39% grade (9-12) and 20.9% primary (1-8) and uneducated women. Among HPV positive women, 83.33% had an abortion history and 80% miscarried in the first trimester. Among the CIN1 positives, 53.73% had more than two sexual partners. Among HPV positive women, half of them were users of contraception methods. In conclusion, the highest prevalence of HPV is among women who began sexual intercourse earlier and who gave birth at 12-17 years of age, have an abortion history, with MSP and oral contraceptive methods users. In addition to HPV, early pregnancy and sexual intercourse at 12-17 years of age, abortion, MSP, and oral hormonal contraceptives are factors in cervical cancer. Finally, most women do not have enough knowledge and awareness about cervical cancer and the risk factor.

Predatory synapsid ecomorphology signals growing dynamism of late Palaeozoic terrestrial ecosystems.

Terrestrial ecosystems evolved substantially through the Palaeozoic, especially the Permian, gaining much new complexity, especially among predators. Key among these predators were non-mammalian synapsids. Predator ecomorphology reflect interactions with prey and competitors, which are key controls on carnivore diversity and ecology. Therefore, carnivorous synapsids may offer insight on wider ecological evolution as the first complex, tetrapod-dominated, terrestrial ecosystems formed through the late Palaeozoic. Using morphometric and phylogenetic comparative methods, we chart carnivorous synapsid trophic morphology from the latest Carboniferous to the earliest Triassic (307-251.2 Ma). We find a major morphofunctional shift in synapsid carnivory between the early and middle Permian, via the addition of new feeding modes increasingly specialised for greater biting power or speed that captures the growing antagonism and dynamism of terrestrial tetrapod predator-prey interactions. The further evolution of new hypo- and hypercarnivorous synapsids highlight the nascent intrinsic pressures and complexification of terrestrial ecosystems across the mid-late Permian.

Locomotion and the early Mesozoic success of Archosauromorpha.

The Triassic was a time of ecological upheaval as life recovered from the Permian-Triassic mass extinction. Archosauromorphs were a key component of the recovery, diversifying substantially during the Triassic and encompassing the origins of dinosaurs, pterosaurs and crocodylomorphs. Here, we explore the evolution of locomotion in Archosauromorpha to test whether dinosaurs show any distinctive locomotory features that might explain their success. We implement geometric morphometrics on limb bone shapes and use limb ratios to calculate bipedality and cursoriality metrics. We find that the Avemetatarsalia (dinosaurs, pterosaurs and relatives) exhibit more variable limb form and limb ratios than any other group, indicating a wider range of locomotory modes. The earliest avemetatarsalians were bipedal and cursorial, and their range of form increased through the Triassic with notable diversification shifts following extinction events. This is especially true of dinosaurs, even though these changes cannot be discriminated from a stochastic process. By contrast, the Pseudosuchia (crocodilians and relatives) were more restricted in limb form and locomotor mode with disparity decreasing through time, suggesting more limited locomotor adaptation and vulnerability to extinction. Perhaps the greater locomotor plasticity of dinosaurs gave them a competitive advantage in the changing climates of the Late Triassic.

Whole genome sequencing and annotation of Aspergillus flavus JAM-JKB-B HA-GG20.

Groundnuts are mostly contaminated with the mold Aspergillus flavus which produces a carcinogenic mycotoxin called as aflatoxin. It is very important to understand the genetic factors underlying its pathogenicity, regulation, and biosynthesis of secondary metabolites and animal toxicities, but it still lacks useful information due to certain gaps in the era of modern technology. Therefore, the present study was considered to determine the key genes and metabolites involved in the biosynthesis of aflatoxin by using a molecular approach in a virulent strain of Aspergillus. The whole genome sequence of highly toxic and virulent Aspergillus isolates JAM-JKB-B HA-GG20 revealed 3,73,54,834 bp genome size, 2, 26, 257 number of contigs with N50 value of 49,272 bp, 12,400 genes and 48.1% of GC contained respectively. The genome sequence was compared with other known aflatoxin producing and non-producing genome of Aspergillus spp. and 61 secondary metabolite (SM) gene clusters were annotated with the toxic strain JAM-JKB-BHA-GG20 which showed similarity with other Aspergillus spp. A total number of eight genes (ver-1, AflR, pksA, uvm8, omt1, nor-1, Vha and aflP) were identified related to biosynthesis of aflatoxin and ochratoxin. Also, 69 SSR with forward and reverse primers and 137 di and tri nucleotide motifs were identified in the nucleotide sequence region related to aflatoxin gene pathway. The genes and putative metabolites identified in this study are potentially involved in host invasion and pathogenicity. As such, the genomic information obtained in this study is helpful in understanding aflatoxin gene producing pathway in comparison to other Aspergillus spp. and predicted presence of other secondary metabolites clusters viz. Nrps, T1pks etc. genes associated with a biosynthesis of OTA mycotoxin.

SpeedFlower: a comprehensive speed breeding protocol for indica and japonica rice.

To increase rice yields and feed billions of people, it is essential to enhance genetic gains. However, the development of new varieties is hindered by longer generation times and seasonal constraints. To address these limitations, a speed breeding facility has been established and a robust speed breeding protocol, SpeedFlower is developed that allows growing 4-5 generations of indica and/or japonica rice in a year. Our findings reveal that a high red-to-blue (2R > 1B) spectrum ratio, followed by green, yellow and far-red (FR) light, along with a 24-h long day (LD) photoperiod for the initial 15 days of the vegetative phase, facilitated early flowering. This is further enhanced by 10-h short day (SD) photoperiod in the later stage and day and night temperatures of 32/30 °C, along with 65% humidity facilitated early flowering ranging from 52 to 60 days at high light intensity (800 µmol m-2 s-1). Additionally, the use of prematurely harvested seeds and gibberellic acid treatment reduced the maturity duration by 50%. Further, SpeedFlower was validated on a diverse subset of 198 rice accessions from 3K RGP panel encompassing all 12 distinct groups of Oryza sativa L. classes. Our results confirmed that using SpeedFlower one generation can be achieved within 58-71 days resulting in 5.1-6.3 generations per year across the 12 sub-groups. This breakthrough enables us to enhance genetic gain, which could feed half of the world's population dependent on rice.

Platysmal Myocutaneous Flap for Intra Oral Defects:Is It an Underutilized Option? Our Experience of 10 Cases.

Various methods of reconstruction are available for reconstructing oral cancer defects, but all of them have their inherent drawbacks. The superiorly based platysma myocutaneous flap is a common reconstruction option for intra-oral defects following oral cancer resections. We present our results of using platysmal flaps in reconstructing intraoral defects following oral cavity cancer resection in our 7 patients along with resection of three cases of premalignant conditions of oral cavity. All the patients were males of age ranging from 24 to 42 years and diagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma of oral cavity stage I and II were included in this study.Of 10 patients eight had no postoperative complications. One patient developed partial skin loss of neck donor site, which was managed conservatively. Other patient had complete flap loss which healed with secondary intention. We recommend this flap as incision is always away from the face, the scars are hidden beneath collars and the patients are very comfortable with good cosmetics and functional outcomes.\.

Use of Temporalis Muscle and Temporoparietal Fasciocutaneous Flap (TPPF) for Orbital Exentration Defects: Our Experience of 10 Cases.

Orbital defects represent difficulties in head and neck reconstruction owing to 3-dimensional complexity of the socket with aim to restore form and function. Recommended methods of reconstruction include mucosal and skin grafts free microvascular myofascial or fasciocutaneous flaps. However, most frequently, reconstruction of orbital defects calls for measures somewhere in between. The temporoparietal fascia flap (TPFF) fits well as it provides thin, pliable coverage of defects with dependable blood supply, tolerance for a large degree of rotation and minimal donor site morbidity. We hereby present our experience and results of 10 cases using TPPF and temporalis muscle post orbital exentration defects.Ten patients (7 male and 3 females) age ranging from 25 to 64 years underwent reconstruction of orbital exenteration defects using TPPF and temporalis muscle from June 2019 to June 2020 in our department. The primary disease was squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of orbital structures (anterior compartment) in all 10 patients. All cases were clinically N0 and M0.All patients had successful transfer of TPFF grafts and temporalis muscle transfer without flap compromise. TPPF was used in all 10 patients while Temporalis muscle flap was used to fill orbital socket in our 9 patients. Temporoparietal fascial flap showed viable option for subtle orbital and malar contour defect. All patients had intact dura with residual orbital cavity after resection reconstructed with TPPF and temporalis muscle without any additional flap usage. No frontal paralysis or orbital fistula was seen but local recurrence occurred in one patient in follow up and managed with RT. The TPFF is one of the most reliable and versatile regional flaps in the head and neck for orbital reconstruction.