Comparative assessment of ISSR, RAPD, and SCoT markers for genetic diversity in Clerodendrum species of North East India

Clerodendrum belonging to the family of Lamiaceae is used in indigenous systems of medicine to treat various life-threatening diseases. The genus has complex morphological variations which lead to limits in its precise taxonomic classifications. Genetic diversity study could enhance taxonomic authentication and evolutionary relationship among the species of Clerodendrum. In this study, nine species of Clerodendrum collected from different regions of North East India were screened using ISSR, RAPD, and SCoT molecular markers. The markers of ISSR, RAPD, and SCoT generated a total of 79, 126, and 145 amplicons with an average of 6.58, 7.86, and 8.53 amplicon per primer. The polymorphism information contents (PIC) for ISSR, RAPD, and SCoT ranged from 0.28 to 0.37, 0.39 to 0.69, and 0.30 to 0.62 with resolving power (Rp) varying from 5.26 to 11.11, 4.04 to 9.67, and 4.54 to 8.65, respectively. Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic Mean (UPGMA) based clustering methods grouped 94 genotypes into 6 clusters for ISSR and 3 clusters each for RAPD and SCoT markers. Similarly, population structure-based analysis divided 94 genotypes into 6 populations for ISSR and RAPD and 4 populations for SCoT markers. AMOVA analysis revealed that SCoT markers generated maximum genetic variations within and among genotypes, contrary to ISSR and RAPD markers. Results in this study, suggest that the competence of three markers was relatively the same in genotypes fingerprinting, but SCoT was more efficient in the detection of polymorphism for Clerodendrum species. Further, these results could be integrated in the exploration of diverse Clerodendrum species and germplasm utilization.

Phenolic Content, Antioxidant Activity, Antibacterial Activity and Phytochemical Composition of Garcinia lancifolia

Garcinia lancifolia (Clusiaceae) is an unexplored medicinal plant used as stomachic, diuretic and its fruit is used to cure dysentery and diarrhoea. The acidic fruits are used to prepare juice, pickle and curries. The phytochemical analysis of different extracts of G. lancifolia leaf, stem and fruit revealed the presence of tannins, saponins, flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids and cardiac glycosides. The high phenolic content was observed in the methanol extract of leaf followed by methanol extract of stem and dichloromethane extract of leaf. The G. lancifolia fruit juice exhibited high antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Micrococcus luteus, Streptococcus mutans, Bacillus mycoides and Bacillus subtilis. The methanol extract of fruit pulp was also very effective against Gram-positive bacteria when compared with Gram-negative bacteria. The radical scavenging activity of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl was highest in fruit juice followed by methanol extract of leaf and stem. All extracts showed concentration-dependent increase in the antioxidant activity.

Combined posterior flap and anterior suspended flap dacryocystorhinostomy: A modification of external dacryocystorhinostomy

BACKGROUND

External dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) remains a reliable surgical technique for the treatment of obstruction of lacrimal drainage system beyond the common canalicular opening.

AIM

To describe a simple modified double flap external DCR technique.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ninety six consecutive cases of chronic dacryocystitis with or without mucocele were selected irrespective of age and sex. In a modification to routine external DCR, a modified technique was followed, where both anterior and posterior flaps of lacrimal sac and nasal mucosa are created and sutured. Two double armed sutures were used to join the edges of anterior flaps, and elevate them anteriorly to avoid adhesion or apposition with underlying sutured posterior flaps, and to approximate the deep plane of the wound.

RESULTS

At the end of average follow-up period of 13 months, we observed 98.9% objective and 96.8% subjective success rates. The average operation time was 45 minutes. No significant intraoperative or postoperative complications were noticed.

CONCLUSION

We believe that combined posterior flap and anterior suspended flap DCR technique is simple to perform and has the advantage of both double flap DCR and anterior suspension of anterior flaps. The results of the study showed the efficacy of this simple modification.

Stochastic resonance in periodic potentials

The phenomenon of stochastic resonance (SR) is known to occur mostly in bistable systems. However, the question of the occurrence of SR in periodic potential systems has not been resolved conclusively. Our present numerical work shows that the periodic potential system indeed exhibits SR in the high-frequency regime, where the linear-response theory yields maximum frequency-dependent mobility as a function of noise strength. The existence of two (and only two) distinct dynamical states of trajectories in this moderately feebly damped periodically driven noisy periodic potential system plays an important role in the occurrence of SR.

Botulinum toxin for lower lid entropion correction

This prospective clinical study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of botulinum toxin for temporary treatment of senile and congenital lower lid entropion. Seventeen patients with senile entropion and three children with congenital entropion were treated with botulinum toxin injection into the preseptal orbicularis muscle of lower lid. This resulted in transient relieve of the condition, which lasted for a period of 8-26 weeks. This technique is easy and effective for senile entropion as well as certain cases of congenital entropion.

Resection and arthrodesis of the knee joint for giant cell tumours of bone

PURPOSE

To evaluate functional outcomes and complications following resection and arthrodesis of the knee for giant cell tumours (GCTs) of bone, in comparison to treatment by endoprosthetic replacements reported elsewhere.

METHODS

18 men and 14 women aged 18 to 40 (mean, 28) years underwent resection and arthrodesis of the knee for GCTs of bone involving the distal femur (n=17) and proximal tibia (n=15). After wide resection, 2 struts were fashioned from the harvested fibula/ fibulae and inserted into the medullary canal at the resected ends of the tibia and femur. The corresponding ends of the struts were inserted into peg holes made in the unaffected condyles in a divergent fashion. The knee was arthrodesed in 5 to 10 degrees of flexion, with the limb kept 1 cm short. A 95-degree AO condylar bladeplate (10-12 holes) was fixed at the resected ends, with a minimum of 8 cortices purchase. Cancellous bone grafts were placed transversely along the struts and circumferentially over the host-graft junctions. Outcomes and complications were evaluated and compared with those of endoprosthetic arthroplasty reported elsewhere.

RESULTS

Patients were followed up for a mean of 8 (range, 3-12) years. The mean size of the tumours was 10x8x6 cm. All patients achieved arthrodesis and full weight bearing without pain within 6 to 10 (mean, 6) months. No shortening, loss of alignment, loosening, implant breakage ensued. One patient had a deep infection and absorption at the host-graft junction. Another had a stress fracture of the fibular strut after plate removal. Two patients had a transient peroneal nerve palsy. One patient had local recurrence and extensive fungation and underwent amputation. The mean functional score was 26 (87% of the full score), compared to 66 to 85% in endoprosthetic arthroplasty reported elsewhere.

CONCLUSION

Arthrodesis is a viable alternative to customised arthroplasty and provides a long-lasting and cost-effective reconstruction for average patients in developing countries.

Dispersionless motion in a periodically rocked periodic potential

Recently, dispersionless (coherent) motion of (noninteracting) massive Brownian particles, at intermediate time scales, was reported in a sinusoidal potential with a constant tilt. The coherent motion persists for a finite length of time before the motion becomes diffusive. We show that such coherent motion can be obtained repeatedly by applying an external zero-mean square-wave drive of appropriate period and amplitude instead of a constant tilt. Thus, the cumulative duration of coherent motion of particles is prolonged. Moreover, by taking an appropriate combination of periods of the external field, one can postpone the beginning of the coherent motion and can even have coherent motion at a lower value of position dispersion than in the constant tilt case.

Dispersionless motion and ratchet effect in a square-wave-driven inertial periodic potential system

The underdamped Langevin equation of motion of a particle, in a symmetric periodic potential and subjected to a symmetric periodic forcing with mean zero over a period, with nonuniform friction, is solved numerically. The particle is shown to acquire a steady state mean velocity at asymptotically large timescales. At these large timescales the position dispersion grows proportionally with time, t, allowing for calculating the steady state diffusion coefficient D. Interestingly, D shows a peaking behaviour around the same F(0) where the net current peaks. The net (ratchet) current, however, turns out to be largely coherent. At an intermediate timescale, which bridges the small timescale behaviour of dispersion ∼t(2) to the large time one, the system shows periodic oscillation between dispersionless and steeply growing dispersion depending on the amplitude and frequency of the forcing. The contribution of these different dispersion regimes to ratchet current is analysed.

Calcium phosphate ceramics as bone graft substitutes in filling bone tumor defects

BACKGROUND

Synthetic bio-inert materials are currently used as an alternative to autogenous bone graft. Calcium hydroxyapatite (HA) and Beta tri-calcium phosphate (beta-TCP), which belong to the calcium phosphate ceramics group, are biocompatible and osteo-conductive. The purpose of this study is to analyse the use of HA and beta-TCP in their ceramic forms as a bone graft substitute in filling bone voids after curettage of benign bone tumors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-four patients in the age range of 3.5-55 years (mean 14.3 years) having benign bone tumors with bone defects were filled with bone graft substitute following curettage. In 20 patients bone defects were filled with block/granules of HA ceramic and in four with beta-TCP. Fibular strut graft was packed with HA in four patients. The patients were followed up for an average of 18 months (range 12-36 months).

RESULTS

The functional status of the patients at follow-up was evaluated and compared with preoperative functional status. Early incorporation of graft substitutes became evident radiologically between 6 and 10 weeks (Stage I). Complete incorporation (Stage III) was observed in an average of nine months (6-18 months). Clinical healing was observed before radiological healing. The average time taken to return to preoperative function was 14 weeks. There was no recurrence of lesion or growth retardation.

CONCLUSION

Calcium hydroxyapatite and beta-TCP are excellent bone graft substitutes for autogenous bone graft in filling voids after curettage of benign bone tumors.

Titanium elastic nailing in femoral diaphyseal fractures of children in 6-16 years of age

BACKGROUND

Management of femoral diaphyseal fractures in the age group of 6-16 years is controversial. There has been a resurgence worldwide for operative fixation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-two children (18 boys, 4 girls) aged 6-16 years with recent (> 3 days) femoral diaphyseal fractures (20 closed, 2 open) were stabilized with Titanium Elastic Nail (TEN). These fractures were in proximal third (n=3), middle third (n=15) and in the distal third (n=4) 17 patients underwent surgery within seven days of their injury. The results were evaluated using Flynn's scoring criteria. Statistical analysis was done using Fischer's exact test.

RESULTS

All 22 patients were available for evaluation after a mean of 26 months (14-36 months) of followup. Radiological union in all cases were achieved in a mean time of 8.7 weeks. Full weight bearing was possible in a mean time of 8.8 weeks. Mean duration of hospital stay was 9.8 days. The results were excellent in 13 patients (59.0%), successful in six (27.2%) and poor in three patients (13.6%). All patients had early return to school.

CONCLUSION

Intramedullary fixation titanium elastic nailing is an effective treatment of diaphyseal fractures of the femur in properly selected patients of the 6-16 years age group.

Interrogation of the tricuspid annulus by Doppler tissue imaging in patients with chronic pulmonary hypertension: implications for the assessment of right-ventricular systolic and diastolic function

BACKGROUND

Chronic pulmonary hypertension (CPHT) has a great impact on both right-ventricular (RV) systolic and diastolic properties and the assessment of those properties is not always feasible by traditional echocardiographic examination. Doppler tissue imaging (DTI) interrogation of the tricuspid annulus (TA) identifies the pattern of TA motion (TAM) and can help to assess RV function when other methods are not feasible.

AIMS

To determine RV systolic and diastolic function in patients with CPHT using DTI parameters of the TA.

METHODS

Eighty-seven patients with CPHT and 90 normal controls were studied. DTI parameters were measured including early diastolic, late diastolic and systolic velocities and time velocity integrals (TVI) of the TAM at both its lateral and medial aspect.

RESULTS

Early diastolic and systolic velocities, the ratio of early to late diastolic velocities and TVI of TAM at both lateral and medial aspects were significantly decreased in patients with CPHT compared to controls. No significant differences were seen in late diastolic velocities and TVI in both groups. Systolic velocity of the TAM at both its lateral and medial aspects significantly correlated with RV systolic function as measured by fractional RV area change.

CONCLUSIONS

DTI of the TAM can be used to assess RV systolic and diastolic properties in patients with CPHT.