Transcriptional landscapes of floral meristems in barley.

Organ development in plants predominantly occurs postembryonically through combinatorial activity of meristems; therefore, meristem and organ fate are intimately connected. Inflorescence morphogenesis in grasses (Poaceae) is complex and relies on a specialized floral meristem, called spikelet meristem, that gives rise to all other floral organs and ultimately the grain. The fate of the spikelet determines reproductive success and contributes toward yield-related traits in cereal crops. Here, we examined the transcriptional landscapes of floral meristems in the temperate crop barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) using RNA-seq of laser capture microdissected tissues from immature, developing floral structures. Our unbiased, high-resolution approach revealed fundamental regulatory networks, previously unknown pathways, and key regulators of barley floral fate and will equally be indispensable for comparative transcriptional studies of grass meristems.

Single cannula versus double cannula tracheostomy tubes in major oral and oropharyngeal resections.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the outcomes of two types of tracheostomy tubes used in major head and neck surgery. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted of prospectively collected data. The post-operative safety and adequacy of a single cannula tracheostomy tube was compared to a double cannula tracheostomy tube in patients undergoing tracheostomy during major oral and oropharyngeal resections. RESULTS: Out of 46 patients with the single cannula tube, 7 (15 per cent) experienced significant obstruction warranting immediate tube removal, while another 9 (20 per cent) needed a change of tube or tube re-insertion for continued airway protection. In contrast, out of 50 patients with the double cannula tube, the corresponding numbers were 0 (p = 0.004) and 1 (2 per cent; p = 0.007) respectively. CONCLUSION: Insertion of a double cannula (instead of a single cannula) tracheostomy tube in the course of major oral and oropharyngeal resections offers better airway protection during the post-operative period.

Bilateral Tessier no. 4 facial cleft with left eye anophthalmos: a case report.

Craniofacial clefts are very rare and manifest in a variety of patterns. Tessier classified these clefts in 1973 and numbered them 0 to 14. Tessier No. 4 Facial cleft is a rare variant of craniofacial cleft. Not more than 50 cases are reported in world literature, amongst which only 5 cases are true bilateral in nature. However, combinations of two different variants are not very uncommon. A case of male Indian child aged 4 years with a true bilateral Tessier No. 4 Facial cleft is reported. He also had anophthalmos of the left eye. This is probably the first case in which true bilateral Tessier No. 4 Facial cleft with anophthalmos of one eye is noticed.