Estimating fruitfulness of grape-vine buds by forced bursting in summer in the tropics of India

Potential productivity of the grapevine in the climate of northern India can be estimated by forcing the buds to grow on the selected canes which may be pruned in June, soon after the harvest of the crop.Schätzung der Fruchtbarkeit von Rebenknospen durch Austriebsförderung während des Sommers in den Tropen IndiensDer potentielle Ertrag der Rebe im Klima Nordindiens kann geschätzt werden, indem man die Knospen an ausgewählten Tragruten zum Austrieb zwingt; an diesen wird im Juni gleich nach der Traubenlese der Holzschnitt vorgenommen

Effect of foliar sprays of uracil, xanthine and caffeine on the nucleic acid and protein content of leaves and fruiting of Thompson Seedless grapes

Thompson Seedless vines were sprayed with aqueous solutions of uracil, xanthine and caffeine at 50 ppm twice during the growing season: when the shoots were 30-40 cm long and again a week later. Uracil was found to be more effective than caffeine and xanthine in its promoting influence on the synthesis of RNA and fruitfulness. The sugar content of the berries on the treated vines was increased but there was little change in acid content. The time of fruit maturity was not affected.Der Einfluß von Sprühbehandlungen mit Uracil, Xanthin und Coffein auf den Nukleinsäure- und Proteingehalt der Blätter sowie den Fruchtansatz bei  ThompsonSeedless-RebenReben der Sorte Thompson Seedless wurden mit wässrigen Lösungen von Uracil, Xanthin und Coffein (50 ppm) zweimal während der Wachstumsperiode gesprüht, und zwar bei einer Trieblänge von 30-40 cm Länge und eine Woche später.Uracil förderte die DNS- und Proteinsynthese sowie die Fruchtbarkeit in stärkerem Maße als Coffein und Xanthin. Der Zuckergehalt der Beeren war gegenüber der Kontrolle erhöht, der Säuregehalt jedoch nur wenig verändert. Der Zeitpunkt der Fruchtreife wurde nicht beeinflußt

Response of Perlette clusters to gibberellic acid applied at different stages of bloom

Treatment of Perlette clusters with GA at 10, 20 and 40 ppm concentrations applied at various stages of bloom significantly reduced the number of berries/cm length of lateral, the maximum reduction being with 10 ppm applied at 50 % capfall. This was accompanied by a significant increase in percentage of shot berries. Similar thinning response was obtained with 40 ppm GA applied at 75 % capfall stage without any effect on percentage of shot berries. Quality constituents of berries were not significantly affected by GA treatments.Die Reaktion von Perlette-Trauben auf die Anwendung von Gibberellinsäurewährend verschiedener BlühphasenWurden Infloreszenzen der Rebensorte Perlette während verschiedener Blühphasen mit 10, 20 oder 40 ppm GS behandelt, so war die Anzahl der Beeren/cm der Traubenäste signifikant verringert; der stärkste Rückgang erfolgte bei Anwendung von 10 ppm GS, wenn 50°/a der Calyptren abgefallen waren. Hiermit war zugleich eine signifikante Zunahme der „Sehrotbeeren" verbunden. Ein ähnlicher Ausdünnungseffekt wurde mit 40 ppm GS bei 750/o abgefallener Calyptren erzielt, ohne daß dabei jedoch der Anteil der Sehrotbeeren beeinflußt wurde. Die Qualitätskomponenten der Beeren wurden durch GS-Behandlung nicht signifikant beeinflußt

What Is the Risk Posed to the Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Nerve During the Use of the Anterior Portal of Supine Hip Arthroscopy and the Minimally Invasive Anterior Approach for Total Hip Arthroplasty?

PURPOSE: To determine: (1) What is the proximity of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN) to the anterior portal (AP) used in supine hip arthroscopy? (2) What is the proximity of the LCFN to the incision in the minimally invasive anterior approach (MIAA) for total hip arthroplasty? (3) What effect does lateralizing the AP have on the likelihood of nerve injury? (4) What branching patterns are observable in the LFCN? METHODS: Forty-five hemipelves were dissected. The LFCN was identified and its path dissected. The positions of the nerve in relation to the AP and the MIAA incision were measured. RESULTS: The AP intersected with 38% of nerves. In the remainder, the LFCN was located 5.7 ± 4.5 mm from the portal's edge. In addition, 44% of nerves crossed the incision of the MIAA. Of those that did not, the average minimum distance from the incision was 14.4 ± 7.0 mm. We found a significant reduction in risk if the AP is moved medially by 5 mm or laterally by 15 mm (P = .0054 and P = .0002). The LFCN showed considerable variation with 4 branching variants. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that the LFCN is at high risk during supine hip arthroscopy and the MIAA, emphasizing the need for meticulous dissection. We suggest that relocation of the AP 5 mm medially or 15 mm laterally will reduce the risk to the LFCN. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These findings should aid surgeons in minimizing the risk to the LCFN during hip arthroscopy and the minimally invasive anterior approach to the hip

Patella dislocation with vertical axis rotation: the "dorsal fin" patella.

A 44-year-old woman presented following minor trauma to her right knee. While dancing she externally rotated around a planted foot and felt sudden pain in her right knee. She presented with her knee locked in extension with a "dorsal fin" appearance of the soft tissues tented over the patella. This was diagnosed as a rare case of an intraarticular patella dislocation, which was rotated 90 degrees about the vertical axis. Closed reduction in the emergency room was unsuccessful but was achieved in theatre under general anaesthetic with muscle relaxation. Postreduction arthroscopy demonstrated that no osteochondral or soft tissue damage to the knee had been sustained. In patients presenting with a knee locked in extension with tenting of skin over the patella (the "dorsal fin" appearance), intra-articular patella dislocation should be suspected. Attempts to reduce vertical patella dislocations under sedation with excessive force or repeatedly without success should be avoided to prevent unnecessary damage to the patellofemoral joint. In this clinical situation we recommend closed reduction under general anaesthetic followed by immediate knee arthroscopy under the same anaesthetic to ensure that there is no chondral damage to the patella or femoral trochlea and to rule out an osteochondral fracture.Peer Reviewe

Patella dislocation with vertical axis rotation: the "dorsal fin" patella.

A 44-year-old woman presented following minor trauma to her right knee. While dancing she externally rotated around a planted foot and felt sudden pain in her right knee. She presented with her knee locked in extension with a "dorsal fin" appearance of the soft tissues tented over the patella. This was diagnosed as a rare case of an intraarticular patella dislocation, which was rotated 90 degrees about the vertical axis. Closed reduction in the emergency room was unsuccessful but was achieved in theatre under general anaesthetic with muscle relaxation. Postreduction arthroscopy demonstrated that no osteochondral or soft tissue damage to the knee had been sustained. In patients presenting with a knee locked in extension with tenting of skin over the patella (the "dorsal fin" appearance), intra-articular patella dislocation should be suspected. Attempts to reduce vertical patella dislocations under sedation with excessive force or repeatedly without success should be avoided to prevent unnecessary damage to the patellofemoral joint. In this clinical situation we recommend closed reduction under general anaesthetic followed by immediate knee arthroscopy under the same anaesthetic to ensure that there is no chondral damage to the patella or femoral trochlea and to rule out an osteochondral fracture

Transanal endoscopic microsurgery versus endoscopic mucosal resection for large rectal adenomas (TREND-study)

Background: Recent non-randomized studies suggest that extended endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) is equally effective in removing large rectal adenomas as transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM). If equally effective, EMR might be a more cost-effective approach as this strategy does not require expensive equipment, general anesthesia and hospital admission. Furthermore, EMR appears to be associated with fewer complications. The aim of this study is to compare the cost-effectiveness and cost-utility of TEM and EMR for the resection of large rectal adenomas. Methods/design. Multicenter randomized trial among 15 hospitals in the Netherlands. Patients with a rectal adenoma 3 cm, located between 115 cm ab ano, will be randomized to a TEM- or EMR-treatment strategy. For TEM, patients will be treated under general anesthesia, adenomas will be dissected en-bloc by a full-thickness excision, and patients will be admitted to the hospital. For EMR, no or conscious sedation is used, lesions will be resected through the submucosal plane i

The learning curves of a validated virtual reality hip arthroscopy simulator

Abstract: Introduction: Decreases in trainees’ working hours, coupled with evidence of worse outcomes when hip arthroscopies are performed by inexperienced surgeons, mandate an additional means of training. Though virtual reality simulation has been adopted by other surgical specialities, its slow uptake in arthroscopic training is due to a lack of evidence as to its benefits. These benefits can be demonstrated through learning curves associated with simulator training—with practice reflecting increases in validated performance metrics. Methods: Twenty-five medical students with no previous experience of hip arthroscopy completed seven weekly simulated arthroscopies of a healthy virtual hip joint using a 70° arthroscope in the supine position. Twelve targets were visualised within the central compartment, six via the anterior portal, three via the anterolateral portal and three via the posterolateral portal. Task duration, number of collisions (bone and soft-tissue), and distance travelled by arthroscope were measured by the simulator for every session of each student. Results: Learning curves were demonstrated by the students, with improvements in time taken, number of collisions (bone and soft-tissue), collision length and efficiency of movement (all p < 0.01). Improvements in time taken, efficiency of movement and number of collisions with soft-tissue were first seen in session 3 and improvements in all other parameters were seen in session 4. No differences were found after session 5 for time taken and length of soft-tissue collision. No differences in number of collisions (bone and soft-tissue), length of collisions with bone, and efficiency of movement were found after session 6. Conclusions: The results of this study demonstrate learning curves for a hip arthroscopy simulator, with significant improvements seen after three sessions. All performance metrics were found to improved, demonstrating sufficient visuo-haptic consistency within the virtual environment, enabling individuals to develop basic arthroscopic skills

The learning curves of a validated virtual reality hip arthroscopy simulator

Abstract: Introduction: Decreases in trainees’ working hours, coupled with evidence of worse outcomes when hip arthroscopies are performed by inexperienced surgeons, mandate an additional means of training. Though virtual reality simulation has been adopted by other surgical specialities, its slow uptake in arthroscopic training is due to a lack of evidence as to its benefits. These benefits can be demonstrated through learning curves associated with simulator training—with practice reflecting increases in validated performance metrics. Methods: Twenty-five medical students with no previous experience of hip arthroscopy completed seven weekly simulated arthroscopies of a healthy virtual hip joint using a 70° arthroscope in the supine position. Twelve targets were visualised within the central compartment, six via the anterior portal, three via the anterolateral portal and three via the posterolateral portal. Task duration, number of collisions (bone and soft-tissue), and distance travelled by arthroscope were measured by the simulator for every session of each student. Results: Learning curves were demonstrated by the students, with improvements in time taken, number of collisions (bone and soft-tissue), collision length and efficiency of movement (all p < 0.01). Improvements in time taken, efficiency of movement and number of collisions with soft-tissue were first seen in session 3 and improvements in all other parameters were seen in session 4. No differences were found after session 5 for time taken and length of soft-tissue collision. No differences in number of collisions (bone and soft-tissue), length of collisions with bone, and efficiency of movement were found after session 6. Conclusions: The results of this study demonstrate learning curves for a hip arthroscopy simulator, with significant improvements seen after three sessions. All performance metrics were found to improved, demonstrating sufficient visuo-haptic consistency within the virtual environment, enabling individuals to develop basic arthroscopic skills

A new pathway of glucocorticoid action for asthma treatment through the regulation of PTEN expression

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>"Phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10" (PTEN) is mostly considered to be a cancer-related gene, and has been suggested to be a new pathway of pathogenesis of asthma. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the glucocorticoid, dexamethasone, on PTEN regulation.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>OVA-challenged mice were used as an asthma model to investigate the effect of dexamethasone on PTEN regulation. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect expression levels of PTEN protein in lung tissues. The human A549 cell line was used to explore the possible mechanism of action of dexamethasone on human PTEN regulation <it>in vitro</it>. A luciferase reporter construct under the control of PTEN promoter was used to confirm transcriptional regulation in response to dexamethasone.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>PTEN protein was found to be expressed at low levels in lung tissues in asthmatic mice; but the expression was restored after treatment with dexamethasone. In A549 cells, human PTEN was up-regulated by dexamethasone treatment. The promoter-reporter construct confirmed that dexamethasone could regulate human PTEN transcription. Treatment with the histone deacetylase inhibitor, TSA, could increase PTEN expression in A549 cells, while inhibition of histone acetylase (HAT) by anacardic acid attenuated dexamethasone-induced PTEN expression.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Based on the data a new mechanism is proposed where glucocorticoids treat asthma partly through up-regulation of PTEN expression. The <it>in vitro </it>studies also suggest that the PTEN pathway may be involved in human asthma.</p