Physicochemical and nutritional profiles of wild adlay (Coix lacryma-jobi Linn) accessions by GC, FTIR, and spectrophotometer.

Purpose of current study was to determine physicochemical, triglyceride composition, and functional groups of wild adlay accessions (brown, black, yellow, grey, green, off white, and purple) to find out its scope as cereal crop. Triglycerides, minerals and functional groups were determined through Gas chromatography, spectrophotometer and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrophotometer respectively. Results revealed variation among bulk densities, specific densities, percent empty spaces, and corresponding grain counts per 10 g of sample are useful in distinguishing brown, black, yellow, grey, green, off white, and purple wild adlay accessions. Specific density and grain count per 10 g sample was significantly related. No statistical relationship exists among the pronounced physical characteristics. Brown adlay expressed the highest protein, fat, and fiber contents 15.82%, 4.76% and 2.37% respectively. Protein, fat, ash, and fiber percent contents were found comparable to cultivated adlay. Spectrophotometric analysis revealed macro elements including phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and sodium in the range 0.3% - 2.2% and micro elements boron, iron, copper, zinc, and manganese in the range 1.6 mg/kg - 20.8 mg/kg. Gas chromatography showed polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) constitute the primary fraction (39% ± 7.2) of wild adlay triglycerides. Linoleic and palmitic acids were present as prominent fatty acids, 43.5% ±1.4 and 26.3% ±1.4 respectively. Infra-red frequencies distinguished functional groups in narrow band and fingerprint region of protein in association with out of plane region leading to structural differences among adlay accessions. Comparison of major distinguishing vibrational frequencies among different flours indicated black adlay containing highest functional groups appeared promising for varietal development.

Role of CO2 Laser in the Management of Symptomatic Hypertrophy of Inferior Nasal Turbinates.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of CO2 laser ablation in the management of symptomatic hypertrophied inferior nasal turbinates. This prospective observational study was carried out on 53 patients with symptomatic ITH refractory to medical management in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, SMHS Hospital, Srinagar, J&K from January 2017 to June 2018 after obtaining ethical clearance. The pre and postoperative subjective assessment of the nasal obstruction included nasal obstruction symptom evaluation scale (NOSE) and the visual analogue scale (VAS). Lund and Kennedy endoscopic scoring was used to assess postoperative intranasal crusting and tissue healing. Postoperative pain was evaluated using VAS. All patients underwent CO2 laser spot ablation of hypertrophic inferior turbinates under local anesthesia in an outpatient setting. The patients were followed up at 2 weeks, 1 month and 3 months postoperatively. The VAS score for nasal obstruction improved from preop score of 6.05 (± 2.1) to 3.0 (± 1.01), 2.01 (± 0.90), 1.18 (± 0.40) at 2 weeks, 1 month and 3 months respectively in the postop period and the NOSE score also improved from preop score of 64.90 (± 13.29) to post-operative NOSE score of 18.96 (± 9.53) at 2 weeks, 9.81 (± 7.33) at 1 month and 5.09 (± 4.28) at 3 months. Difference between preoperative and postoperative NOSE and VAS scores was statistically significant (p < 0.05). There was minimal postoperative pain and intranasal crusting. Postoperative tissue healing was also good. CO2 laser turbinoplasty is a safe and effective way of improving nasal flow. It offers more precision, gentleness, control and less intraoperative discomfort. CO2 laser turbinoplasty meets all of the criteria for an ideal method for the treatment of nasal obstruction secondary to inferior turbinate hypertrophy with improvement of quality of life and reducing the risk of medical morbidity.

Muscle Tension Dysphonia: Experience from a Conflict Zone.

We sought to explore the frequency of stress among OPD attending Kashmiri public diagnosed as muscle tension dysphonia (MTD) and determine the subjective consequences of voice therapy in management of muscle tension dysphonia. 72 subjects that attended to ENT and HNS OPD with change of voice were prospectively evaluated and also underwent an extensive otolaryngological examination. Patients identified as MTD were provided a questionnaire which was split into 3 parts: First part dealt with the identification of the subject (age, geography, gender, profession) and also provided evaluation of perceived anxiety using Perceived Stress Scale-10. In the next part the individuals needed to assess their vocal quality based on parameters of GRBAS 4-point score scale before and also after the treatment. In the final component the subjects also needed to answer the VHI-10 (Voice Handicap Index) and also the outcome was compared with those acquired at the assessment before the beginning of the treatment. The mean age of the cohort was 30.31 ± 07.43 (age range, 12-71) and every subject was an indigenous Kashmiri. As expected, vast majority of subjects were females (43 patients). In the pooled information set, women had numerically higher PSS-10 scores than males. For women, the typical stress score was M = 18.6 and for men the average stress score was M = 16.65. In a healthy population, the typical PSS stress score is described to be 13.7 (SD = 6.6) for women and 12.1 (SD = 5.9) for men. At the Wilcoxon test for paired data, we observed a significant difference between the VHI pretreatment (mean = 19.7) and VHI post-treatment, that's at time of the research (mean = 9.73; P = 0.017). The grade (G) was assessed in terms of improvement of the vocal quality as opposed with before treatment and also the individuals demonstrated a high level of satisfaction (mean = 0.65). When looking at roughness (R) as well as breathiness (B), the individuals remember that their speech is seldom rough (mean = 0.62) and also less breathy (median = 0.44). Patients likewise noted improvement in other variables of GRBAS scale. Stress is persistent, pervasive and nearly unavoidable in contemporary life. The decades old perplexing and mind baffling pandemonium hovering around the Kashmiri population has had a tremendous impression on the psychological development of people in this region. A careful conclusion is the fact that emotional stress might play a major role in the upkeep of MTD. MTD has to be approached in a multidisciplinary environment in which closer cooperation between a laryngologist, a speech language pathologist and also a psychologist is likely.

Pediatric Rigid Bronchoscopy for Tracheobronchial Foreign Bodies in Covid Times: Short Personal Experience.

This case series of 5 patients of rigid bronchoscopy done for tracheobronchial foreign bodies is presented to readers to share my experience of doing rigid bronchoscopy during Covid Times from March to July 2020 specifically sharing experience on personal protection with local innovations during the procedure. Indications, intra-procedure modifications and other relevant things are also presented. The observations and experience are purely personal gained during these months and may be subjected to further research and in no way substitute the well established facts.

Pediatric Airway Foreign Bodies and Their Management by Rigid Bronchoscopy: How I Experienced.

Rigid bronchoscopy is the gold standard treatment for pediatric tracheobronchial foreign bodies. This procedure gives jitters to young ENT surgeons. The only aim of this study is to aware young ENT surgeons of different challenges they may face during bronchoscopy and their subsequent management. Clinical and demographic presentations of airway foreign bodies are also presented. This prospective observational study was conducted from Jan 2013 to Jan 2020 on patients with tracheobronchial foreign bodies. Patients were divided in four Groups (A, B, C and D) on the basis of mode of presentation. Rigid bronchoscopies using basic instruments without the use of telescope/telescopic forceps in patients fulfilling the inclusion/exclusion criteria were done by first author under the supervision of senior authors. The challenges and difficulties encountered and their subsequent management were noted. Out of seventy cases, maximum patients (50) were in the age group of 2-6 years. Majority of patients (76.2%) in Group A and B in total reported to hospital within 0-2 days. Majority of patients in Group A and B as a whole were educated as per our criteria while majority in group C were uneducated. Cough was the most common symptom seen in all groups at the time of examination. Decreased air entry abnormal breath sounds on examination were seen in 75%, 73%, and 100% of (patients in) Group A, B and C, respectively while it was normal for Group D. Most common X-ray finding was Hyperinflation followed by normal X-ray in group A and B. Most common Grade of modified Cormack-Lehane on direct laryngoscopy was Grade 1. Most common foreign body was nuts/legumes/pulses. Difficulty in inserting appropriate size rigid bronchoscope through vocal cords, Intraoperative drop in oxygen saturation, breakage of foreign bodies into pieces, stucking of forceps into tracheal mucosa, stucking of foreign body in sub glottis while removing and bleed/edema in old foreign bodies were main problems encountered. Rigid bronchoscopy is a life saving procedure. The sophisticated telescopes/forceps and other gadgets may not be always available. The young ENT surgeon should be well acquainted with basic instruments and their usage. The common difficulties/challenges faced should not cause panic as these challenges can be easily overcomed with simple maneuvers.

Real-Time Stress Assessment Using Sliding Window Based Convolutional Neural Network.

Mental stress has been identified as a significant cause of several bodily disorders, such as depression, hypertension, neural and cardiovascular abnormalities. Conventional stress assessment methods are highly subjective and tedious and tend to lack accuracy. Machine-learning (ML)-based computer-aided diagnosis systems can be used to assess the mental state with reasonable accuracy, but they require offline processing and feature extraction, rendering them unsuitable for real-time applications. This paper presents a real-time mental stress assessment approach based on convolutional neural networks (CNNs). The CNN-based approach afforded real-time mental stress assessment with an accuracy as high as 96%, the sensitivity of 95%, and specificity of 97%. The proposed approach is compared with state-of-the-art ML techniques in terms of accuracy, time utilisation, and quality of features.

RET/PTC Gene Rearrangements in Thyroid Carcinogenesis: Assessment and Clinico-Pathological Correlations.

Rearranged during transfection (RET) is a proto oncogene implicated in thyroid carcinogenesis of papillary type (PTC). The RET proto-oncogene in PTC is constitutively activated by fusion of its tyrosine kinase domain with the 5 ´region of another gene thereby generating chimeric products collectively named RET/PTCs. RET/PTC1 and RET/PTC3 are best characterized among all RET/PTC rearrangements. Kashmir valley has witnessed an alarming increase in thyroid cancer incidence in young women. Therefore, we investigated the occurrence of RET/PTC 1 & 3 rearrangements by semi quantitative and qPCR in thyroid cancer patients (n = 48) of Kashmiri population and interrelated results with various clinicopathological characteristics. We observed that all the RET/PTC rearrangements were confined to PTC cases (10/40). Presence of RET/PTC rearrangement significantly correlated with gender, elevated TSH levels and lymph node metastasis. Overall, our study advocates that RET/PTC3 rearrangement is a frequent event in the carcinogenesis of thyroid gland in Kashmiri population although a study with a larger sample size is needed to get a clear scenario.

Mitigation of stress: new treatment alternatives.

Complaints of stress are common in modern life. Psychological stress is a major cause of lifestyle-related issues, contributing to poor quality of life. Chronic stress impedes brain function, causing impairment of many executive functions, including working memory, decision making and attentional control. The current study sought to describe newly developed stress mitigation techniques, and their influence on autonomic and endocrine functions. The literature search revealed that the most frequently studied technique for stress mitigation was biofeedback (BFB). However, evidence suggests that neurofeedback (NFB) and noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) could potentially provide appropriate approaches. We found that recent studies of BFB methods have typically used measures of heart rate variability, respiration and skin conductance. In contrast, studies of NFB methods have typically utilized neurocomputation techniques employing electroencephalography, functional magnetic resonance imaging and near infrared spectroscopy. NIBS studies have typically utilized transcranial direct current stimulation methods. Mitigation of stress is a challenging but important research target for improving quality of life.

Classification of EEG Signals Based on Pattern Recognition Approach.

Feature extraction is an important step in the process of electroencephalogram (EEG) signal classification. The authors propose a "pattern recognition" approach that discriminates EEG signals recorded during different cognitive conditions. Wavelet based feature extraction such as, multi-resolution decompositions into detailed and approximate coefficients as well as relative wavelet energy were computed. Extracted relative wavelet energy features were normalized to zero mean and unit variance and then optimized using Fisher's discriminant ratio (FDR) and principal component analysis (PCA). A high density EEG dataset validated the proposed method (128-channels) by identifying two classifications: (1) EEG signals recorded during complex cognitive tasks using Raven's Advance Progressive Metric (RAPM) test; (2) EEG signals recorded during a baseline task (eyes open). Classifiers such as, K-nearest neighbors (KNN), Support Vector Machine (SVM), Multi-layer Perceptron (MLP), and Naïve Bayes (NB) were then employed. Outcomes yielded 99.11% accuracy via SVM classifier for coefficient approximations (A5) of low frequencies ranging from 0 to 3.90 Hz. Accuracy rates for detailed coefficients were 98.57 and 98.39% for SVM and KNN, respectively; and for detailed coefficients (D5) deriving from the sub-band range (3.90-7.81 Hz). Accuracy rates for MLP and NB classifiers were comparable at 97.11-89.63% and 91.60-81.07% for A5 and D5 coefficients, respectively. In addition, the proposed approach was also applied on public dataset for classification of two cognitive tasks and achieved comparable classification results, i.e., 93.33% accuracy with KNN. The proposed scheme yielded significantly higher classification performances using machine learning classifiers compared to extant quantitative feature extraction. These results suggest the proposed feature extraction method reliably classifies EEG signals recorded during cognitive tasks with a higher degree of accuracy.

Thyroglossal Duct Cysts: A Clinicosurgical Experience.

Thyroglossal cyst is the most common congenital neck mass and occurs in 7% of the population. They occur due to failure of thyroglossal duct to involute and atrophy thyroglossal duct cysts often occur in pediatric patients. Majority of them are found infrahyoid region. The purpose of the present study is to report our 5 year clinical experience of thyroglossal cysts in terms of clinical features and surgical findings with special emphasis on naked eye extend of patent thyroglossal duct when present. To the best of our knowledge this is first clinical study which has reported the extend of thyroglossal duct on naked eye. This prospective observational study was done in the Postgraduate Department of ENT, Head and Neck surgery of Government medical college, Srinagar for a period of five years from January 2011 to January 2016. Thirty patients of histopathologically confirmed thyroglossal cysts were enrolled in the study. Patients were initially diagnosed on the basis of clinical history, examination and USG findings suggestive of cyst. Clinical data and surgical data in terms of size and location of cyst, presence or absence of thyroglossal duct etc. was analyzed and formulated in tables for patients who had histopathologically confirmed cyst. Mean age was 10 years. Majority (73.3%) were less than 15 years of age. Males were 22 in number (73.3%) while females compromised 26.7% of population. Ninety percent of patients presented with neck swelling. Erythema/redness over swelling was seen in 13.3% of patients. Majority (83.3%) of cysts were subhyoid in location. Thyroglossal ducts were seen to be patent for different lengths and areas. Majority of patients (80%) had tract arising from cyst and disappearing at superior border of hyoid body while three patients (10%) had patent thyroglossal duct from cyst to vallecular mucosa. A complete patent thyroglossal duct was seen in one patient (3.3%) from cyst to base of tongue. Complete Absent tract was seen in two patients (6.7%). Majority (70%) of cysts were having size between 1.6 and 3 cm. Intraoperative 10% of cyst got ruptured. Thyroglossal cysts are most commonly seen in pediatric males. Most of them present with visible midline neck swelling. In few cases cyst can rupture after repeated infections leading to sinus formation. Most of them are subhyoid in location. These cysts are usually of size 1.5-3 cm. Complete patent thyroglossal duct from cyst to tongue musculature is rarely seen while most of the times, a patent duct just disappears at the superior border of body of hyoid. None of our cysts had malignant features.

Tracking of EEG activity using motion estimation to understand brain wiring.

The fundamental step in brain research deals with recording electroencephalogram (EEG) signals and then investigating the recorded signals quantitatively. Topographic EEG (visual spatial representation of EEG signal) is commonly referred to as brain topomaps or brain EEG maps. In this chapter, full search full search block motion estimation algorithm has been employed to track the brain activity in brain topomaps to understand the mechanism of brain wiring. The behavior of EEG topomaps is examined throughout a particular brain activation with respect to time. Motion vectors are used to track the brain activation over the scalp during the activation period. Using motion estimation it is possible to track the path from the starting point of activation to the final point of activation. Thus it is possible to track the path of a signal across various lobes.

Experimental evidence for the effects of the Demand-Control model on the cognitive arousal: An EEG based study.

The Demand-Control (DC) model has been extensively researched to find the imbalance of demand and control that cause work-related stress. Past research has been exclusively dedicated to evaluate the impact of this model on employees' well-being and job environment. However, the impact of high demands (strain hypothesis) and the influence of control (buffer hypothesis) on cognitive arousal have yet to be identified. We aimed to fill this void by measuring the influence of the DC model on the cognitive arousal. Electroencephalogram (EEG) was recorded to extract the cognitive arousal in an experiment that implemented the DC model. The experiment comprised four conditions having combination of varying demand and control. The strain and the buffer hypothesis were separately validated by the cognitive arousal in association with the task performance and subjective feedbacks. Results showed the maximum arousal and the worst performance occurred in high demand and low control condition. Also high control proved to significantly lower arousal and improved performance than in low control condition with high demand.

Diversity of global rice markets and the science required for consumer-targeted rice breeding.

With the ever-increasing global demand for high quality rice in both local production regions and with Western consumers, we have a strong desire to understand better the importance of the different traits that make up the quality of the rice grain and obtain a full picture of rice quality demographics. Rice is by no means a 'one size fits all' crop. Regional preferences are not only striking, they drive the market and hence are of major economic importance in any rice breeding / improvement strategy. In this analysis, we have engaged local experts across the world to perform a full assessment of all the major rice quality trait characteristics and importantly, to determine how these are combined in the most preferred varieties for each of their regions. Physical as well as biochemical characteristics have been monitored and this has resulted in the identification of no less than 18 quality trait combinations. This complexity immediately reveals the extent of the specificity of consumer preference. Nevertheless, further assessment of these combinations at the variety level reveals that several groups still comprise varieties which consumers can readily identify as being different. This emphasises the shortcomings in the current tools we have available to assess rice quality and raises the issue of how we might correct for this in the future. Only with additional tools and research will we be able to define directed strategies for rice breeding which are able to combine important agronomic features with the demands of local consumers for specific quality attributes and hence, design new, improved crop varieties which will be awarded success in the global market.

Quantification of physiological disparities and task performance in stress and control conditions.

In mental stress studies, cerebral activation and autonomic nervous system are important distinctly. This study aims to analyze disparities associated with scalp potential, which may have impact on autonomic activation of heart during mental stress. Ten healthy subjects participated in this study that performed arithmetic tasks in stress and control environment. Task difficulty was calculated from their correct responses. During the experiment, electroencephalogram (EEG) and electrocardiogram (ECG) signals were recorded concurrently. Sympathetic innervation of heart was estimated from heart rate (HR), which is extracted from the ECG. The value of theta Fz/alpha Pz was measured from EEG scalp potential. The results show a significant surge in the value of theta Fz/alpha Pz in stress as compared to baseline (p<0.013) and control (p<0.042). The results also present tachycardia while in stress as compared to baseline (p<0.05). Task difficulty in stress is also considerably higher than control environment (p<0.003).

Association of autonomic nervous system and EEG scalp potential during playing 2D Grand Turismo 5.

Cerebral activation and autonomic nervous system have importance in studies such as mental stress. The aim of this study is to analyze variations in EEG scalp potential which may influence autonomic activation of heart while playing video games. Ten healthy participants were recruited in this study. Electroencephalogram (EEG) and electrocardiogram (ECG) signals were measured simultaneously during playing video game and rest conditions. Sympathetic and parasympathetic innervations of heart were evaluated from heart rate variability (HRV), derived from the ECG. Scalp potential was measured by the EEG. The results showed a significant upsurge in the value theta Fz/alpha Pz (p<0.001) while playing game. The results also showed tachycardia while playing video game as compared to rest condition (p<0.005). Normalized low frequency power and ratio of low frequency/high frequency power were significantly increased while playing video game and normalized high frequency power sank during video games. Results showed synchronized activity of cerebellum and sympathetic and parasympathetic innervation of heart.

Penetrating neck trauma: a case for conservative approach.

BACKGROUND: Selective conservative management of penetrating neck trauma is a commonly adopted procedure to manage patients of such trauma. However, at places where trauma services are inadequate on different counts and a low-intensity military conflict is on, relevance of this approach without compromising the safety and well-being of the patient remains to be evaluated. OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to address the relevance of selective conservative management of penetrating neck trauma in a low-intensity military conflict of Kashmir. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a prospective case study of patients presenting to the ENT Head & Neck Surgery department with penetrating neck trauma for a 2-year period from June 2003 to May 2005. After a careful physical examination in the emergency room, immediate surgical intervention or a careful observation is planned. Relevant investigations in the latter group if indicated by clinical examination determined whether to operate or to continue such approach. The data were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: Forty-six patients fulfilled the criteria to be included in the study. Eight patients (17.4%) underwent immediate surgical intervention, whereas the remaining patients (78.26%) were carefully observed for a minimum of 24 hours. Two patients of the active observation group required delayed exploration because of the close proximity of projectile to vessels. None of the patients in either group died. There was significant difference between the 2 groups in terms of hospital stay, use of diagnostic tests, and complications. CONCLUSIONS: Selective conservative management is a cost-effective approach for penetrating neck trauma even in areas where there is relative paucity of advanced trauma services. These results further reinforce the validity of careful physical examination as a reliable tool to guide further management without necessarily resorting to expensive and at times difficult to do diagnostic tests.

Giant mastoid emissary vein: source of profuse bleeding during mastoid surgery.

The emissary veins are residual connections between intra-cerebral veins and their extra-cranial drainage. Mastoid emissary vein is a rare but definite entity which if not diagnosed preoperatively could be a cause of severe hemorrhage at the time of surgery which may prove to be life threatening. These veins may vary in size from that of a mere thread to that of a wax match or 1/8th-3/8th of an inch. We report one such case of a giant mastoid emissary vein which was opened while operating on mastoid and caused profuse bleeding which could only be controlled by surgical pack.