Ramesh Kumar

Goldenhar syndrome with rare associations

Goldenhar syndrome is a malformation complex involving the structures arising from first and second branchial arches, the first pharyngeal pouch, first branchial cleft and primordia of the temporal bone. Though the syndrome itself is not very rare, the presence of polydactyly and hydrocephalus, which are rare associations, prompted us to report this case.

Spina bifida occulta in functional enuresis

Objective: To study incidence of spina bifida occulta in nocturnal enuresis cases and to compare outcome of enuresis with spina bifida occulta and enuresis without spina bifida occulta.Methods: Patients with enuresis divided into two groups based on X-ray lumbosacral spine. Outcome of these patients were compared on behavioral therapy.Results: Spina bifida occulta was detected in 18 out of total 48 patients. Levels of spina bifida were L5 vertebrae in 3,L5-S1 in 5, S1 in 8 and S1-S2 in 2 patients. Outcome was evaluated in 42 patients who were followed up for more than 6 months. There was no significant difference between both the groups.Conclusion: Spina bifida occulta is a common finding in enuresis. Outcome of patients with spina bifida occulta is not different than the patients without spina bifida occulta.

Assessment of genetic diversity in lettuce ( Lactuca sativa L.) germplasm using RAPD markers

The importance of germplasm characterization is an important link between the conservation and utilization of plant genetic resources in various breeding programmes. In the present study, genetic variability and relationships among 25 Lactuca sativa L. genotypes were tested using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) molecular markers. A total of 45 random decamer oligonucleotide primers were examined to generate RAPD profiles, out of these reproducible patterns were obtained with 22 primers. A total of 87 amplicon were obtained, out of which all were polymorphic and 7 were unique bands. The level of polymorphism across genotypes was 100% as revealed by RAPD. Genetic similarity matrix, based on Jaccard’s coefficients ranged from 13.7 to 84.10% indicating a wide genetic base. Dendrogram was constructed by unweighted pair group method with arithmetic averages method. RAPD technology could be useful for identification of different accessions as well as assessing the genetic similarity among different genotypes of lettuce. The study reveals the limited genetic base and the needs to diversify using new sources from the germplasm.

Effect of protease inhibitors on physiological and biochemical changes influencing keeping quality in gladiolus

An experiment was conducted to evaluate 30 gladiolus varieties for their keeping quality in the field (field life) and also under laboratory conditions during 2011–12. It was found that the varieties Big Time Supreme and Jackson Ville Gold recorded the maximum keeping quality in terms of field-life and vase-life (15.67, 13.67 and 13.67, 12.67 days, respectively). Minimum keeping quality was observed in the varieties Purple Flora (7.33 and 5.67 days) and White Friendship (8.00 and 6.33 days). The variety Big Time Supreme recorded highest floret diameter (10.30 cm) whereas minimum was recorded in Purple Flora (5.75 cm). The maximum vase water uptake was recorded in Jackson Ville Gold (63.00 ml) and Big Time Supreme (59.67 ml), whereas minimum was observed in Purple Flora (30.33 ml) followed by White Friendship (34.00 ml). Water uptake showed positive correlation with the vase-life. In another experiment, five protease inhibitors, viz., 5-sulfosalicylic acid, Nethylemaleimide, aprotinin, leupeptin and E-64 were evaluated their effect on increasing the keeping quality of gladiolus cut spikes. It was found that 5-sulfosalicylic acid resulted in improvement of vase-life irrespective of the variety (12.33 day) over control (9.58 day) followed by N-ethylmaleimide and aprotinin (10.33 day each). The protease activity was found to decrease with the treatment of protease inhibitors and maximum reduction was recorded with the use of 5-sulfosalicylic acid. Similarly, the total soluble protein content was observed maximum in the same treatment.

Diaphragmatic hernia following blunt trauma in a child

SummaryA nine-year old boy successfully treated for an acute diaphragmatic hernia resulting from blunt trauma is presented. The clinical features, diagnosis and management of this rare condition are briefly reviewed.

In vivo comparison of a fixed loop (EndoButton CL) with an adjustable loop (TightRope RT) device for femoral fixation of the graft in ACL reconstruction: A prospective randomized study and a literature review

Introduction: There is a lack of in vivo studies comparing the functional outcome and knee stability after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) using fixed loop (EndoButton (EB) CL) and adjustable loop (TightRope (TR) RT) devices for femoral fixation of soft tissue grafts. Materials and methods: Functional outcomes were assessed in terms of the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) and Lysholm scores, knee stability by anteroposterior laxity and side-to-side difference (SSD) using KT-1000 arthrometer. The evaluation was performed preoperatively and post-operatively at 6 months and 2 years. Results: Both groups were matched in terms of demographic, preoperative, intraoperative and post-operative covariates. EB (n = 52) appeared to have better IKDC and Lysholm scores at 6 months post-operative when compared to TR (n = 50). However, at a final follow-up of 2 years, the results were similar. The anterior tibial translation and SSD were statistically insignificant between the two groups at 6 months and 2 years. Conclusion: ACLR using EB or TR for femoral fixation gives substantially equivalent functional results and knee stability at mid-term follow-up.

Improved protocol for synthesis of N-(3-chloro-4-fluorophenyl)-7-methoxy-6-(3-morpholin-4-ylpropoxy) quinazolin-4-amine (gefitinib)

An improved three-step process for the synthesis of gefitinib from readily available starting material is discussed in this protocol. The protocol is based on the synthesis, isolation, characterization of novel intermediates and their application in the alkylation step for the synthesis of gefitinib. Excellent results were achieved over the conventional synthetic methodologies. Isolation of these intermediates were effective in replacing high boiling solvent with low boiling solvent(s) but also in eliminating base from the reaction. These conditions led to effective elimination of all the prior art reported impurities. This high-yielding process is cost-effective with isolable and stable intermediates. These intermediates were characterized using NMR, mass spectroscopy, DSC and XRPD analyses.

Ultrasound-guided percutaneous catheter drainage of various types of ruptured amebic liver abscess: a report of 117 cases from a highly endemic zone of India

ObjectiveTo determine the efficacy and safety ultrasound-guided percutaneous catheter drainage (US-PCD) in management of various types of ruptured amebic liver abscess including free rupture (FR) with diffuse intraperitoneal fluid collections (DIFC).MethodsThis study analyzed 117 patients with ruptured ALA who underwent US-PCD. The indication for US-PCD was failure to respond to conservative treatment and/or percutaneous needle aspiration.ResultsMajority of patients were locally fermented alcohol abusers (95%), and malnourished (75%). Ninety-eight patients had intraperitoneal rupture including 66 contained rupture (CR) with localized intraperitoneal fluid collection (LIFC) and 32 FR with DIFC. Pleuropulmonary complication was found in 19 patients including 13 pleural and 6 pulmonary. A total of 333 catheters were used to drain 202 abscess cavities and associated fluid collections. US-PCD was technically and clinically successful in all cases. Multiple sessions (median 2; range 2–5) of PCD required with upsizing the catheter (median 14 F; range 14–20 F) and placement of additional catheter in 26 (22%) patients. The patients with FR with DIFC required more number of catheters (pu2009=u20090.01) and had longer hospital stay (pu2009=u20090.01). No major procedure related complication was observed. Six patients developed secondary bacterial infection; two of them presented with cavito-cutaneous fistula at catheter insertion site, and one with cholangitis due to biliary stricture formation necessitating subsequent endoscopic treatment. Post-procedural death occurred from sepsis in a patient with FR.ConclusionUS-PCD is a safe and effective mode of treatment for ruptured ALA including FR with DIFCs. We recommend PCD as a first-line therapy for ruptured ALA.

Influence of packaging material along with wet refrigerated storage conditions on post-harvest life of cut chrysanthemum cv. Reagan White

An experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of different packaging films comprising of LDPE (100 and 200 gauge), polypropylene, polyethylene, micro-perforated polyethylene and cellophane bags on low temperature storage of cut chrysanthemum flowers cv. Reagan White. The results obtained showed that the LDPE was most effective film in enhancing the vase-life and quality under both refrigerated wet storage and normal ambient conditions. The LDPE 100 gauge packed flower stems resulted in enhanced vase-life compared to other treatments by maintaining flower and leaf membrane stability index coupled with lower physiological loss in weight. The percent decline in total soluble sugars and reducing sugar contents in leaf and ray floret tissues was less in LDPE packaged flowers as compared to other treatments and control. The wrapped flowers stems in refrigerated wet storage after 15 days at 4°C were held in vase at ambient conditions. The maximum vase-life (12.67 days) was found with LDPE 100 gauge packaged flower stems. The higher CO2 and lower O2 concentrations were recorded in LDPE packed flower stems, which were attributed to prevention of oxidative stress. There was marked favourable biochemical changes in the cut flower tissue, viz. total soluble sugars, reducing sugar, leaf chlorophyll content, MDA content, and superoxide dismutase activity in vase under ambient conditions.

Effect of polyamine and ethylene inhibitors on post harvest physiology of cut stems in chrysanthemum cv. Reagan White

Experiments were carried out to investigate the effect of different concentration of polyamine (putrescine) and ethylene inhibitors (AOA and 1-MCP) on post-harvest physiology of chrysanthemum cv. Reagan White. The results obtained showed that the most effective treatments in prolonging the vase-life were AOA (5 and 10 mg/l). Both treatments showed vase-life upto 25.67 and 21.33 days, about double than that of control and decreased floret and leaf senescence but also improve the water uptake and membrane stability index. Percentages of leaf senescence were earlier in all treatments as compared to floret senescence. However, both the concentrations of AOA effectively retarded the yellowing of leaf up to 18 days. Percentage decrease in fresh weight was also minimum in AOA treated flower stem as compared to other treatments. There was less reduction in total soluble solids and reducing sugar in AOA treated flower stem than control. Amino-oxyacetic acid and low concentration of 1-MCP lowered the ethylene production, but later was not effective in prolonging the vase-life.