Molecular genetics and phenotypic assessment of foxtail millet (Setaria italica (L.) P. Beauv.) landraces revealed remarkable variability of morpho-physiological, yield, and yield-related traits.

Foxtail millet (Setaria italica (L.) P. Beauv.) is highly valued for nutritional traits, stress tolerance and sustainability in resource-poor dryland agriculture. However, the low productivity of this crop in semi-arid regions of Southern India, is further threatened by climate stress. Landraces are valuable genetic resources, regionally adapted in form of novel alleles that are responsible for cope up the adverse conditions used by local farmers. In recent years, there is an erosion of genetic diversity. We have hypothesized that plant genetic resources collected from the semi-arid climatic zone would serve as a source of novel alleles for the development of climate resilience foxtail millet lines with enhanced yield. Keeping in view, there is an urgent need for conservation of genetic resources. To explore the genetic diversity, to identify superior genotypes and novel alleles, we collected a heterogeneous mixture of foxtail millet landraces from farmer fields. In an extensive multi-year study, we developed twenty genetically fixed foxtail millet landraces by single seed descent method. These landraces characterized along with four released cultivars with agro-morphological, physiological, yield and yield-related traits assessed genetic diversity and population structure. The landraces showed significant diversity in all the studied traits. We identified landraces S3G5, Red, Black and S1C1 that showed outstanding grain yield with earlier flowering, and maturity as compared to released cultivars. Diversity analysis using 67 simple sequence repeat microsatellite and other markers detected 127 alleles including 11 rare alleles, averaging 1.89 alleles per locus, expected heterozygosity of 0.26 and an average polymorphism information content of 0.23, collectively indicating a moderate genetic diversity in the landrace populations. Euclidean Ward's clustering, based on the molecular markers, principal coordinate analysis and structure analysis concordantly distinguished the genotypes into two to three sub-populations. A significant phenotypic and genotypic diversity observed in the landraces indicates a diverse gene pool that can be utilized for sustainable foxtail millet crop improvement.

Sequential Optimization Methods for Augmentation of Marine Enzymes Production in Solid-State Fermentation: l-Glutaminase Production a Case Study.

There is an increased l-glutaminase market worldwide due to its relevant industrial applications. Salt tolerance l-glutaminases play a vital role in the increase of flavor of different types of foods like soya sauce and tofu. This chapter is presenting the economically viable l-glutaminases production in solid-state fermentation (SSF) by Aspergillus flavus MTCC 9972 as a case study. The enzyme production was improved following a three step optimization process. Initially mixture design (MD) (augmented simplex lattice design) was employed to optimize the solid substrate mixture. Such solid substrate mixture consisted of 59:41 of wheat bran and Bengal gram husk has given higher amounts of l-glutaminase. Glucose and l-glutamine were screened as a finest additional carbon and nitrogen sources for l-glutaminase production with help of Plackett-Burman Design (PBD). l-Glutamine also acting as a nitrogen source as well as inducer for secretion of l-glutaminase from A. flavus MTCC 9972. In the final step of optimization various environmental and nutritive parameters such as pH, temperature, moisture content, inoculum concentration, glucose, and l-glutamine levels were optimized through the use of hybrid feed forward neural networks (FFNNs) and genetic algorithm (GA). Through sequential optimization methods MD-PBD-FFNN-GA, the l-glutaminase production in SSF could be improved by 2.7-fold (453-1690U/g).

Molecular identification of arsenic-resistant estuarine bacteria and characterization of their ars genotype.

In the present study, 44 arsenic-resistant bacteria were isolated through serial dilutions on agar plate with concentrations ≥0.05 mM of sodium arsenite and ≥10 mM of sodium arsenate from Mandovi and Zuari--estuarine water systems. The ars genotype characterization in 36 bacterial isolates (resistant to 100 mM of sodium arsenate) revealed that only 17 isolates harboured the arsA (ATPase), B (arsenite permease) and C (arsenate reductase) genes on the plasmid DNA. The arsA, B and C genes were individually detected using PCR in 16, 9 and 13 bacterial isolates respectively. Molecular identification of the 17 isolates bearing the ars genotype was carried using 16S rDNA sequencing. A 1300 bp full length arsB gene encoding arsenite efflux pump and a 409 bp fragment of arsC gene coding for arsenate reductase were isolated from the genera Halomonas and Acinetobacter. Phylogenetic analysis of arsB and arsC genes indicated their close genetic relationship with plasmid borne ars genes of E. coli and arsenate reductase of plant origin. The putative arsenate reductase gene isolated from Acinetobacter species complemented arsenate resistance in E. coli WC3110 and JM109 validating its function. This study dealing with isolation of native arsenic-resistant bacteria and characterization of their ars genes might be useful to develop efficient arsenic detoxification strategies for arsenic contaminated aquifers.

Bilateral dorsal perilunate dislocation of wrist.

We present a case of simultaneous dorsal perilunate dislocation of both wrists, without a history of fall on outstretched hands. In contrast, it appeared that the mechanism was reverse. His hands were held in radial deviation with wrists in full palmar flexion. The forearms were in neutral position and elbows in mid-flexion. The wrists were suddenly and forcibly pronated. The radiographs of both wrists showed dorsal perilunate dislocation with avulsion fracture of the tip of ulnar styloid process and avulsion fracture of posterior horn of lunate. Radial translation of the carpal bones was also noted. The mechanism is proposed and discussed.

A set of EEG parameters to predict clinically anaesthetized state in humans for halothane anaesthesia.

UNLABELLED: This article evaluates all the EEG parameters suggested in the literature that undergo changes due to anaesthetic dose, and suggests a set of EEG parameters that act as best signatures of anaesthetic state of a patient. This set of EEG parameters is validated by an artificial neural network. PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to arrive at a set of EEG parameters that 'best' distinguish between awake and anaesthetized states of human patients for halothane anaesthesia. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: A total of 21 EEG parameters were evaluated for 40 patients. Stepwise discriminant analysis (SDA) pruned them to a set of five parameters. They were fed to a 5-3-1 artificial neural network (ANN) for classification into awake and anaesthetized state. To confirm the results, variance analysis was applied to the set of 21 parameters. Five parameters were finalized after validation by the ANN. MAIN OUTCOMES AND RESULTS: The classification accuracy of the ANN with SDA parameters was found to be 96%. With variance analysis parameters, it returned an accuracy of 100%. CONCLUSION: The set of five EEG parameters - approximate entropy, average frequency, Lempel Ziv (LZ) complexity, delta power and beta power forms the best set to distinguish between awake and anaesthetized state of human patients. Variance analysis is a better tool to converge at the optimal set than SDA.

Hydatid disease of scapula and upper third of humerus treated by en bloc excision and fibular bone grafting.

35-year-old male patient presented with gradually increasing painful swelling of the right shoulder, which was incised and drained and wound persisted as a discharging sinus on the anterolateral aspect of the deltoid region with seropurulent discharge. A clinical diagnosis of tuberculosis of the shoulder was made. Plain skiagram of the right shoulder revealed multicystic lesion involving the entire scapula and upper third of the humerus with loss of joint space and pathological fracture at the junction of upper one-third and lower two-thirds of the humerus. A clinico-radiological diagnosis of hydatid disease was made. In view of the extensive involvement of the scapula with stiff shoulder and an active sinus, a two-stage surgical procedure was performed. Stage 1 consisted of en bloc excision of the scapula, upper half of the humerus and lateral end of the clavicle. Stage II surgery, consisting of fibular bone grafting. Tablet albendazole (400 mg, thrice daily) was given as systemic scolicidal agent. This case is reported in view of it's rarity and to highlight the management.

Arterial oxygenation changes in valvular heart disease patients with cardiomegaly in different recumbent positions.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: We studied the effect of different recumbent positions (supine, left and right lateral decubitus), on arterial oxygenation in 42 valvular heart disease patients planned for cardiac surgery. All patients had cardiomegaly (cardiothoracic ratio > or = 0.5) in their chest X-rays. Their left ventricular end-diastolic diameter was also noted from the preoperative echocardiogram. METHODS: Arterial blood gas analysis was performed in supine, left and right lateral positions after keeping the patient in a given position for 15 min. During this period all patients received 35% oxygen supplementation. RESULTS: Arterial oxygen tension and haemoglobin saturation were significantly higher in the right lateral position (PaO2 = 120.6 +/- 29.5 mmHg, SaO2 = 98.1 +/- 1.4%) than in supine (PaO2 = 111.0 +/- 30.6 mmHg, SaO2 = 97.6 +/- 2.2%) and left lateral positions (PaO2 = 109.7 +/- 32.0 mmHg, SaO2 = 97.6 +/- 1.7%; mean +/- SD; P 0.05). The change in PaO2 and SaO2 with change of posture from left to right was significantly related to left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (r = 0.50 and r = 0.63, respectively; Pearson correlation). Repeated measures of analysis of variance with left ventricular end-diastolic diameter as a covariate showed a significant change in arterial PaO2 with posture (P = 0.011). CONCLUSION: Right lateral posture improves arterial oxygenation in the valvular heart disease patient with an enlarged left ventricle. In the preoperative period, these patients may benefit from a right lateral posture when lying in bed.

A prospective study of hospital-acquired infections in burn patients at a tertiary care referral centre in North India.

A prospective study was carried out in a burn unit of a tertiary care referral centre in North India. Patients with 20-70% TBSAB were enrolled. Seventy-one patients developed 59 hospital-acquired infections (HAI); the infection density being 36.2 infections per 1000 patient days. Invasive wound infections were the commonest (33), followed by blood stream infections (22), urinary tract infections (3) and pneumonia (1). Infection contributed to 75% of observed mortality. On logistic regression analysis, infected patients were more likely to die as well as stay longer in the hospital as compared to non-infected patients. Infected patients also had more central venous lines inserted. The mortality was related to percent TBSAB. Thirteen out of 18 patients who had TBSAB more than 60% died as compared to 5 out of 31 with TBSAB less than 40%. Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and beta-hemolytic streptococci (BHS) were the most frequent organisms causing hospital-acquired infection. Except for BHS all other organisms were highly drug resistant. Better compliance with hand washing and barrier nursing techniques, stricter control over disinfection and sterilization practices and usage of broad spectrum antibiotics, and reduction of the environmental contamination with S. aureus are required to reduce the HAI rates.

Phrenic nerve palsy in severe tetanus.

Unilateral or bilateral raised hemidiaphragms were observed on chest X-ray in three patients with severe tetanus. Diaphragmatic movement was absent on ultrasonography and fluoroscopy. Nerve conduction study confirmed phrenic nerve palsy. Bilateral involvement caused delayed weaning from the ventilator, whereas unilateral involvement was asymptomatic. There was complete recovery from phrenic nerve palsy in all patients.

Assessment of intraoperative blood transfusion practice during elective non-cardiac surgery in an Indian tertiary care hospital.

BACKGROUND: We assessed appropriate intraoperative use of whole blood during elective surgery. METHODS: This prospective observational audit by a team of anaesthetists over 3 months in a multi-speciality tertiary care teaching hospital used strict preset criteria to evaluate the use of blood transfusion during elective surgery by anaesthetists. The criteria used to evaluate the rate of appropriate transfusion were haemoglobin less than 8 g x dl(-1), haemoglobin less than 10 g x dl(-1) in patients with medical co-morbidities and blood loss greater than 20% of blood volume when more than 1000 ml. RESULTS: The overall rate of appropriate use of blood was 40.7%; it was inappropriate in 19.2% of cases (haemoglobin >11 g x dl(-1)). The primary trigger was low haemoglobin (measured intraoperatively or derived from blood loss). Patients in whom haemoglobin was measured intraoperatively had a significantly higher appropriate use of blood (P<0.05). There was a reduction in blood use over the 3-month audit period (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Current intraoperative blood use is sub-optimal. Intraoperative haemoglobin estimation is an effective and simple measurement to improve appropriate use of blood. The indication for transfusion should be recorded in the case notes.

Dose response study of caudal neostigmine for postoperative analgesia in paediatric patients undergoing genitourinary surgery.

BACKGROUND: Neostigmine given through the neuraxial route has been found to have analgesic properties. In this clinical trial, we evaluated for the first time the efficacy of a varying dose of caudal neostigmine for postoperative analgesia in children undergoing genitourinary surgery. METHOD: In this double blind prospective study, we studied 120 children ASA physical status I in age group of 2-8 years scheduled for surgical repair of hypospadias under general anaesthesia. Children were randomly allocated to one of the six groups (n = 20 each) and received either no caudal block (group C) or neostigmine (groups I-V) in doses of 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 microgram.kg-1 respectively at the end of the surgery. Postoperatively pain was assessed using an objective pain score for 24 h. Blood pressure, heart rate, SpO2, total amount of analgesic consumed and adverse effects, if any, were also recorded. RESULT: The duration of postoperative analgesia did not differ significantly between group C and I (P > 0.05). There was significant prolongation in the duration of analgesia in rest of the groups (group II-3.52 +/- 1.37 h; group III-6.50 +/- 1.93 h; group IV-10.45 +/- 3.41 h; group V-13.70 +/- 5.52 h) (P < 0.05). A dose dependent increase in the incidence of nausea and vomiting was also observed with highest incidence in group IV and V (group C-15%; group I-20%; group II and III-30%; group IV-45% and group V-60%) (P < 0.05). No significant alteration in vital signs and other adverse effects were noticed. CONCLUSION: Caudal neostigmine in the dose range of 20-50 microgram.kg-1 provides dose dependent analgesia. However, dose exceeding 30 microgram.kg-1 is associated with a higher incidence of nausea and vomiting.

A comparative evaluation of thoracic and lumbar epidural fentanyl for post thoracotomy pain.

Thirty patients undergoing closed mitral valvotomy were prospectively randomised to receive either thoracic or lumbar epidural catheter. General anaesthesia consisted of morphine sulphate 0.15 mg/kg (single dose given before skin incision), thiopentone sodium 4-6 mg/kg, vecuronium and halothane titrated to stable haemodynamics. In the immediate postoperative period, pain was assessed by VAS (visual analogue scale) and VRS (verbal ranking score) and an epidural fentanyl bolus of 1.5 microg/kg was given followed by an infusion of 0.4 microg/kg/hr. Pain was assessed after 30 min and if pain relief was still inadequate, another fentanyl bolus of 1 microg/kg was administered, followed by an increase in infusion rate to 0.6 microg/kg/hr. If two consecutive pain scores were satisfactory (VAS <4, VRS <1) maintenance dose of fentanyl was decreased by 0.2 microg/kg/hr. Thoracic group received significantly less total dose of fentanyl in 24 hrs period (446.7 +/- 101.70 microg) compared with the lumbar group (705.33 +/- 181.03 microg) (p<0.01). The mean infusion rate was also significantly less in the thoracic group as compared with the lumbar group (0.44 +/- 0.08 microg/kg/hr vs 0.61 +/- 11 microg/kg/hr, p<0.001). The side effects were comparable between both the groups and none of the patients had significant respiratory depression. The data suggest that thoracic epidural fentanyl infusion is superior to lumbar infusion for post thoracotomy pain relief because of smaller dose requirement.

The sandwich temporoparietal free fascial flap for tendon gliding.

Microsurgical transfer of the superficial and deep temporal fascia based on the superficial temporal vessels has been documented. This article analyzes the functional recovery when each layer of this facial flap is placed on either side of reconstructed or repaired tendons, to recreate a gliding environment. This fascial flap also provided a thin, pliable vascular cover in selected defects of the extremities. Six patients (four male and two female) with tendon loss and skin scarring of the hand (three dorsum, one palmar, and one distal forearm) and posttraumatic scarring of the ankle with tendoachilles shortening (one patient) underwent this procedure. No flap loss was witnessed. Good overall functional recovery and tendon excursion were observed. Complication of partial graft loss was observed in two patients.

Anesthetic management of patients with Takayasu's arteritis: a case series and review.

UNLABELLED: Takayasu's arteritis is a rare, chronic progressive panendarteritis involving the aorta and its main branches. Anesthesia for patients with Takayasu's arteritis is complicated by their severe uncontrolled hypertension, end-organ dysfunction resulting from hypertension, stenosis of major blood vessels affecting regional circulation, and difficulties encountered in monitoring arterial blood pressure. Takayasu's arteritis is an uncommon disease and previous descriptions of the anesthetic management of patients with this disease have been limited to isolated case reports in the anesthetic literature, mostly in women undergoing cesarean delivery. We present our experience in this series of eight patients for various emergency and elective surgical procedures and review their perioperative problems and management. IMPLICATIONS: This case series describes the anesthetic problems and management of patients with pulseless disease.

Congenital sternal cleft.

A cleft of the sternum is a rare congenital anomaly. We present a case of a sternal cleft in a 7-year-old boy. A split iliac bone graft covered with the sternocostal portion of a pectoralis major flap was used to reconstruct the defect.