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INTRODUCTION: Post-operative pain following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction remains an important challenge. Steroids are used in various surgical procedures to decrease post-operative nausea, vomiting and pain. However, only a few studies have reported the effect of systemic administration of steroids in controlling post- operative pain after anterior cruciate ligament surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We have conducted a prospective randomised trial with 109 patients divided into two groups to determine if administration of dexamethasone in the perioperative period improves pain in the post-operative period. The patients were divided into two groups: D, treatment (dexamethasone) and P, control placebo (saline). Patients in the D treatment group were given the first dose of 10mg of intravenous dexamethasone intravenously intra- operatively and the second dose on transferring of the patient to the inpatient department. The patients in the placebo P group, were administered normal saline in the perioperative period in a similar manner. RESULTS: Post-operative pain was significantly less in the dexamethasone group at rest and on walking (p

Chili leaf curl is a viral disease that has a negative impact on both the quality and quantity of bell pepper and is transmitted by the vector silverleaf whitefly (Bemesia tabaci). Natural screening alone is insufficient for determining the extent of resistance to specific diseases. As a result, natural and artificial screening has been identified as a more precise method for evaluating germplasm, facilitating the identification of resistant genotypes. To determine resistance to chili leaf curl disease, fifty bell pepper genotypes were subjected to both natural and artificial screening at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, during 2022-23. Two genotypes were found resistant (PAU SM-27, PAU SM-45), seven were moderately resistant (PAU SM-5, PAU SM-16, PAU SM-28, PAU SM-32, PAU SM-43, PAU SM-56 PAU SM-86), eight were susceptible, twenty-five were moderately susceptible, and eight were highly susceptible under natural screening. In contrast, artificial screening identified two moderately resistant (PAU SM-16 and PAU SM-28), twenty-nine susceptible, fourteen moderately susceptible, and five highly susceptible genotypes. Under both natural and artificial screening conditions, the genotypes PAU SM-16 and PAU SM-28 were determined to be moderately resistant. Therefore, these genotypes can be utilized in breeding programs to develop genotypes resistant to chili leaf curl disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study was conducted to screen 63 cherry tomato genotypes, including three checks with the goal of identifying the genotypes with superior yield and better quality at Vegetable Research Farm, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, during 2021-22 and 2022-23. The research concluded that the genotypes varied significantly for all the traits. This variability can be later exploited in the future for trait-specific breeding programs. The genotype PCT-40 demonstrated the highest yield at 2.88 kg. Genotype PCT-13 stood out for bearing the highest number of fruits per plant (215), while PCT-36 exhibited the highest average fruit weight at 20.23 g. PCT-33 displayed the maximum pericarp thickness (5.58 mm). Best best-performing genotypes for fruit diameter and fruit length were PCT-36 (32.91 mm) and PCT-43 (67.77 mm), respectively. In terms of quality traits, noteworthy performances were observed among specific genotypes. PCT-44 emerged as the superior performer for total soluble solids (TSS) with a measurement of 9.7 °Brix. PCT-2 demonstrated excellence in both titrable acidity (1 g/100 mL) and ascorbic acid content (63.82 mg/100 g). PCT-41 showcased the highest lycopene content at 4.59 mg/100 g, while PCT-44 exhibited the highest beta-carotene content at 14.89 mg/100g. Additionally, substantial variations in both fruit color and fruit shape were evident among the genotypes, underscoring the diverse characteristics within the cherry tomato population. Eleven components were found by principal component analysis of genotype characteristics, the first five accounted for 80.81% of the variation. Trait patterns were shown by factor loadings and PCT-40, PCT-13 and PCT-41 genotypes performed well in PC1 and PC2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incidence of bilateral gleno-humeral joint dislocation is rare, is almost always posterior and is usually caused by sports injuries, epileptic seizures, electrical shock, or electroconvulsive therapy. Bilateral fracture-dislocation is even rarer, with a few cases reported in the literature. We report an unusual case with dislocation of the both gleno- humeral joints in opposite direction after a seizure episode, with fracture of greater tuberosity on one side and of the lesser tuberosity on the contralateral side. Although there have been a few reports of bilateral asymmetric fracture dislocations of the shoulder in the past, an injury pattern resembling our case has, to the best of our knowledge, not been described in the literature so far. This report includes a detailed discussion regarding the mechanism of injury in a case of asymmetrical dislocation following a seizure episode. At final follow-up, the patient had healed fractures, painless near normal range of motion with no re- dislocations.

A detailed study was conducted to evaluate 76 diverse genotypes of tomato for yield and fruit quality under high temperature stress in open condition using randomized block design for two years 2020-2021 during summer season. The ANOVA showed the presence of significant variability among the genotypes for all the traits under study. Higher value for phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variation was found in yield, number of fruits, average fruit weight. High heritability and genetic advance were observed for yield, number of fruits, average fruit weight, TSS, and pericarp thickness. Hence, during selection of genotypes for heat tolerance these traits must be given importance to get stable and genetically superior genotypes with higher degree of tolerance to heat stress. On the contrary, lower heritability and genetic advance along with lower phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variation was observed for number of locules, dry matter content, lycopene content, fruit shape index, and titrable acidity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seventy four genotypes of the tomato (14 lines, four testers of ripening mutant and their 56 F1 crosses developed in line × tester mating fashion) were appraised under main (E1) and late (E2) planting season at Department of Vegetable Science, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India. To find out few general and specific combiners, if some, which might be utilized in furthermore breeding programmes to prolong the fruit harvesting span of tomato in the Punjab conditions. The findings hinted in general, the particular parent or hybrid could not be used to assess all examined characters with same efficiency. In main (E1) season line, FL-556 was found best general combiner for average fruit weight, locules number, pericarp thickness, P/E ratio, dry matter and lycopene content; PAU 114 for average fruit weight, lesser locules, pericarp thickness, TSS and dry matter. During late (E2) planting season line, Punjab Ratta found with good GCA values for average fruit weight, lesser locules number, pericarp thickness and TSS content; Roma for average fruit weight, locules number, pericarp thickness and P/E ratio. Similarly tester, alc-IIHR-2050 for pollen viability, minimum days from transplanting to first harvest, harvesting span, average fruit weight, pericarp thickness and P/E ratio in main (E1) season while, for pollen viability, average fruit weight, pericarp thickness and P/E ratio in late (E2) season. The received results furthermore illustrated the best combinations that possessed significant values of SCA which effectively combine to develop a cross with good performance. In main (E1) season from combinations, F1 hybrid SMZ-867 × rin-Rutgers were registered with best specific combiner for pollen viability, average fruit weight, lesser locules number, Pericarp thickness and P/E ratio; PAU 2381 × nor-RM-1 for harvesting span, average fruit weight, pericarp thickness, total fruit yield and lycopene content. Likewise, in late (E2) season cross, SMZ-867 × nor-RM-1 for pollen viability, minimum days from transplanting to first harvest, harvesting span and fruit yield; LT-44 × alc-IIHR-2050 for pollen viability, average fruit weight, lesser locules and pericarp thickness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prenatal diagnosis of craniofacial anomalies has improved family education and preparedness. Isolated cleft palate, however, remains difficult to identify sonographically. The aim of this study was to investigate the rate of incidental cleft palate identified on fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) following the ultrasound detection of non-cleft abnormalities. This was a retrospective study of pregnant women who had fetal MRI performed between 2003 and 2017. To be included, the woman had to have been referred for fetal imaging for a non-cleft indication, with subsequent identification of an isolated cleft palate on MRI. Fetuses with a postnatal diagnosis of Robin sequence were excluded. The study sample included 30 women. Mean gestational age at MRI was 24 weeks 4 days± 38 days. Most referrals (76.7%) were for non-cleft craniofacial anomalies, of which micrognathia was the most common (63.3%). The annual incidence of occult cleft palate diagnosis was 0.4%, and a genetic syndrome was suspected based on imaging findings in 76.7%. Although rare, isolated cleft palate found incidentally on fetal imaging led to concern for a genetic syndrome in a high percentage of cases. This suggests that early referral for fetal MRI may provide critical information when sonographic fetal anomalies have been identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present research investigated the impact of plant growth regulators in mitigating the effects of heat stress in tomato (Solanum lycopersicuwi L.) genotype LST-6 and cultivar Punjab Varkha Bahar-4. In north India, the temperature in the summer season ranges between 25-45 °C and temperature above 28 °C leads to heat stress in plants and negatively affects the reproductive stage of plants. Considering this, we subjected the plants to varying concentrations of GA3 (10, 20, 30 µg/mL) and 4-CPA (15, 45, 75 µg/mL). GA3 application took place three weeks after transplanting, while 4-CPA was administered during the anthesis stage. We recorded observations from both control and treated plants, with a 10-day gap between each spray treatment. The application of plant growth regulators (PGRs) enhanced the plants' ability to withstand high temperatures by improving photosynthetic efficiency, as evidenced by increased chlorophyll and carotenoid levels in the leaves. The level of different biochemical constituents (total protein, starch, total soluble sugars, phenol and proline content) also increased in PGRs treated plants. Application of GA3 and 4-CPA also enhanced the membrane thermostability and reduced lipid peroxidation. The PGRs treated plants exhibited increased plant height, leaf area, pollen viability, fruit set, number of fruits per plant and fruit weight, ultimately improving yield. GA3 and 4-CPA application also increased the total soluble solids, lycopene content and titratable acidity in tomato fruits. Thus, overall improvement was observed with the application of PGRs; however, 75µg /mL 4-CPA was most effective in imparting thermo tolerance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is increasing in India and there is a need to study the prevalence of COPD, particularly in the rural areas, which may be most affected due to their lifestyle. Materials and Methods: First stage: Validation of the questionnaire-105 consecutive patients underwent administration of the structured questionnaire and spirometry was used as a gold standard for the diagnosis of COPD. Second stage: Adults above 40 years (n = 900) in two villages of Mysore district were administered with the validated questionnaire, Knowledge and Attitude questionnaire and Fagerstorm questionnaire, to assess nicotine dependency. Results: The questionnaire was found to have a sensitivity of 62.5% and specificity of 87.6% to diagnose COPD. Of the total 900 adults surveyed (Males: 453, Females: 447), the total prevalence of COPD was 7.1%. Males had a higher prevalence (11.1%) compared to females (4.5%). The prevalence of smoking was very high among men at 71.9% and all the women were nonsmokers. The prevalence of COPD was 14.7% in smokers, 19.3% had mild to moderate nicotine dependency and 12.8% were highly dependent. Of the women exposed to regular biomass fuels, the prevalence of COPD was 3.9%, which increased to 4.8% on addition of regular passive smoking. In smoking, male gender and age were significantly associated with COPD ( P < 0.05). Conclusion: The structured questionnaire is a useful tool for the screening of COPD in field studies. Smoking and biomass fuel exposure are important risk factors for COPD.