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The use of resistant rice cultivars is the most proficient way to overcome rice blast and bacterial blight diseases in rice. Cultivars, however, experience a rapid breakdown in their resistance, predominantly due to the advent of new pathotypes. Therefore, for durable resistance, it is important to combine multiple genes that impart resistance to more than one pathotypes into one genetic background. Foreground selection of BC2F2 plants of two crosses (HPR2143/DHMAS164 and HPR2143/PB1) was done to detect the presence of blast resistance genes i.e. Pita and Pi9 in these plants. Plants homozygous for gene Pita were screened by a pair of gene specific markers YL87/155 (coupling dominant) and YL87/183 (repulsion dominant). Likewise, homozygous positive plants for gene Pi9 were identified using the co-dominant marker Pi9STS-1. For bacterial blight (BLB) resistance genes, BC2F2 plants of two crosses (HPR2143/IRBB54 and HPR2143/PR114) were screened for genes Xa21 and Xa38 using gene-derived markers BLB248 and Oso4g53050-1, respectively. Anther culture of developed F1s was attempted for fixation of genes.

There are various surgical techniques for cochlear implantation, classical one being mastoidectomy and posterior tympanotomy which has some disadvantages and complications like extensive bone work, violation of mastoid air cell system and fear of injury to vital structures like facial nerve. To minimize these problems, various modifications in cochlear implantation surgery has been done which includes introduction of Veria technique which also has certain disadvantages like extensive dissection and prolonged surgical time. In this article we are introducing an innovative technique of cochlear implantation where we have modified the pre-existing Veria technique that has been described in detail in the coming sections. Total 9 cases have been done so far with this modified Veria technique. This technique includes postaural approach with minimal soft tissue and bone work, making the cochlear implantation simple, easily doable, with less operating time, with minimal morbidity, faster healing due to smaller incision and avoiding facial nerve injury.

Identification of the fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. pisi (Fop), the causal organism of wilt disease of pea, is a time consuming and arduous task. Diagnosis of Fop by traditional means requires more than 2 months and involves two steps, identification of species using morphological characters and formae specialis ‘pisi’ using pathogenicity assays. The ambiguous morphological differences between F. solani and F. oxysporum further complicate the diagnosis of F. oxysporum. A polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR–RFLP) based method was developed to detect Fop from India. A PCR–RFLP marker, HPACAPS1380, generated after restriction of 28S rDNA region with enzyme MvaI, detected accurately the Fop among several other fungi with detection sensitivity of 5 fg of Fop genomic DNA. In a mixture of Fop and pea DNA, the sensitivity was 500 pg of Fop DNA in 50 ng of pea DNA. The assay was further refined to detect the Fop from infected tissues and infested soil. The current assay can detect Fop from culture, plant tissues and soil in a considerably shorter period of time compared to traditional methods.

An intraspecific hybrid breeding program involving six crosses, Palam Sumool (PS) × Palam Priya, PS × Pb-89, PS × Azad P-1, PS × Palam Triloki and VRPMR10 × Sugar Giant, Green Pearl × DPP-9411 was initiated in 2006 onwards followed by pedigree selection, resulted in isolation of 45 genotypes with desirable attributes. These progenies along with five recommended varieties were evaluated during 2014-15 to assess degree of divergence. A considerable genetic diversity was observed among genotypes, dispersed in 18 diverse clusters. Of these, 17 were monogenotypic while cluster I had maximum genotypes. Internodal length contributed maximum towards total genetic divergence followed by nodes per plant, protein content and average pod weight. Superior performing genotypes viz., ‘DPP-2011-SP-7’, ‘DPP-2011-SP-17’, and ‘DPP-2011-SP-24’ from cluster I and ‘DPP-2011-SP-6’, ‘DPP-2011-SP-22’ ‘DPPMR-09-1’, ‘DPPMR-09-2’, ‘DPP-2011-SN-5’ and ‘Palam Triloki’ from monogenotypic clusters offer promise for their direct use as varieties and as potential parents in future breeding programmes.

Valeriana jatamansi Jones has been used frequently in traditional medicine as mild sedative, antispasmodic and tranquilizer. Thirteen plant populations collected from different agro-climatic regions of Himachal Pradesh and grown in farm were used in the present study. Roots and rhizomes yielded between 0.60 and 1.66% (v/w) essential oil on dry weight basis. Gas chromatography–mass spectometry (GC–MS) analysis of essential oil led to identify twenty three different volatile components in the essential oil, among which Patchoulol, Calarene, Pogostol, Veridiflorol, Azulene and Seychellene were the major fractions. Based on the PCA analysis, thirteen populations have been differentiated in three distinct Groups. Group-I characterized by high contents of Patchouli alcohol (48.47–65.04 %), Seychellene (2.97–5.29%) and Pogostol (2.1–2.39%), whereas, Group-II had moderate contents of Patchoulol (30.16-38.52%), Veridiflorol (24.41–25.23%). Group-III had high contents of Veridiflorol (29.88–50.29%) alongwith Calare...

Dactylorhiza hatagirea (D. Don) Soo, family Orchidaceae is an endangered medicinal herb inhabiting higher altitudes of western Himalayas. Due to reckless exploitation for its roots, it is of high conservation concern. In the present study fifteen microsatellites were developed and characterized across twenty collections of D. hatagirea. The total numbers of alleles amplified by these microsatellites were 64 with an average of 4.2 alleles per marker. Average observed and expected heterozygosity values for polymorphic loci were 0.623 and 0.631, respectively. Mean polymorphism information content value of the polymorphic markers was 0.532. Of the fourteen polymorphic microsatellites, 7 deviated from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. Microsatellites reported here can be utilized to address questions related to genetic characteristics in this species.

This paper presents our experience with three cases of very unusual impacted foreign bodies in larynx and all without any Classical signs and symptoms of foreign body inhalation. Review of literature reveals that these conditions are rare and reported infrequently. Correct diagnosis and adequate approach is necessary as foreign bodies that do not obstruct the airway and which are stuck in place may be relatively asymptomatic but could be life threatening.

Valeriana jatamansiJones is an important medicinal plant that grows wild in Himachal Pradesh, India. Molecular and biochemical diversity among 13 natural populations from Himachal Pradesh was assessed using RAPD and GC-MS to know the extent of existing variation. A total of seven genetically diverse groups have been identified based on RAPD analysis which corroborated well with the analysis based on chemical constituents. The essential oil yield ranged from 0.6% to 1.66% (v/w). A negative correlation between patchouli alcohol and viridiflorol, the two major valued constituents, limits the scope of their simultaneous improvement. However, other few populations like Chamba-II and Kandi-I were found promising for viridiflorol and patchouli alcohol, respectively. The analysis of chemical constitution of oil of the populations from a specific region revealed predominance of specific constituents indicating possibility of their collection/selection for specific end uses like phytomedicines. The prevalence of genetically diverse groups along with sufficient chemical diversity in a defined region clearly indicates the role of ecology in the maintenance of evolution of this species. Sufficient molecular and biochemical diversity detected among natural populations of this species will form basis for the future improvement.

To demonstrate the importance of proper pre operative assessment of laryngotracheal stenosis especially if it acquired one. It also demonstrates the fact that the available treatment modalities for laryngotracheal obstruction can be easily modified as per the clinical presentation for better post operative results. Here we present a case of tracheal stenosis following percutaneous tracheostomy where there was suprastomal tracheal obstruction which was managed in an interesting way to give good post operative results. The obstruction was due to impaction of the first tracheal ring in the stoma which was fused to the posterior tracheal wall. The obstructing tissue was excised and tracheal lumen was established. New tracheostomy was made lower down and the previous stoma was closed. By proper pre operative evaluation and assessment of the unique pathomechanism of stenosis in this case we could operate the above case by simply excicing the obstructing tissue and establishing a lumen instead of resorting to other demanding operations for stenosis of larynx that often lead to complications.

A subciliary incision may be associated with various complications of the lower eyelid when it is used during a total maxillectomy. The use of the transconjunctival incision instead is an alternative in suitable patients. The records of 17 patients were reviewed in whom a transconjunctival incision was used during total maxillectomy. These included 13 in whom the Weber–Ferguson incision was used, and 4 who had a sublabial incision. There was mild conjunctival oedema in all the cases during the immediate postoperative period but it did not last for more than two days. Four patients had mild to moderate oedema of the lid that resolved within two days. One had mild ectropion with transient epiphora, which was caused by early removal of the medial canthal sutures. We found the approach to be cosmetically acceptable as it avoids a scar in the subciliary region. The transconjunctival incision can be used in place of the subciliary incision for lateral exposure during total maxillectomy. There are few complications associated with the lower lid, and it has good cosmetic results; if it is combined with a sublabial incision in suitable patients, the maxillectomy is virtually scar-free.

The aim of this study is to demonstrate the association of Chikungunya virus and sudden sensorineural hearing loss. In the case report described we had a case which developed sudden unilateral sensorineural hearing loss following chikungunya fever. A 15-year-old female presented to us with the complains of unilateral sudden onset of hearing loss following an episode of fever, arthralgia and rashes 1 month ago. At the time of these symptoms there were many cases of chikungunya fever in the city, three being in her locality. Clinically Chikungunya fever was suspected and a positive serological test further confirmed our diagnosis. The hearing loss could thus be attributed to Chikungunya virus. Viruses have always been implicated in causing sudden sensorineural hearing loss but Chikungunya virus as a cause has not been documented earlier making this case report a unique one.

A histological distinct subset of thyroid carcinoma, which falls between well differentiated and anaplastic carcinoma with respect to cell differentiation and clinical behaviour. It has been categorized as poorly differentiated or insular carcinoma based on its characteristic cell groupings. Insular carcinoma warrants aggressive management with total thyroidectomy followed by radioactive iodine ablation of the residual deposit. We present a case of insular carcinoma, which was diagnosed post operatively based on the histopathological enzyme study.