Role of corticosteroids in Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery - a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: The aim of our study is to systematically review the existing evidence on the role of corticosteroids in patients undergoing functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS).  Methodology: Systematic search of MEDLINE (1950- 2014), EMBASE (1980-2014), metaRegister, Cochrane Library and ISI conference proceedings was carried out.  Results: Eighteen randomised controlled trials with 1309 patients were included. Use of local and/or systemic corticosteroids with FESS was reported in four categories; operative, anaesthesia related, post-operative outcomes and risk of recurrence. Metaanalysis for operative outcomes demonstrated that, mean operative time (MD -10.70 minutes; 95% CI -15.86, -5.55; P <0.0001) and mean estimated blood loss (MD -28.32 mls; 95% CI -40.93, -15.72; P <0.0001) was significantly lower; and surgical field quality (MD -0.81; 95% CI -1.32, -0.30; P = 0.002) was significantly better in corticosteroid group. Meta-analysis showed that post-operative endoscopic scores (SMD -0.39; 95% CI -0.60, -0.17; P = 0.0004) were significantly better in corticosteroid group compared to no corticosteroid group. There was no increase in risk of sinusitis (RR 0.64; 95% CI 0.32, 1.30; P = 0.22) between use of corticosteroids and no corticosteroids; There was no significant difference in recurrence risk of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) in mixed population studies (RR 0.77; 95% CI 0.35, 1.70; P = 0.52) between the two groups but analysis of studies reporting on chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) (RR 0.64;95% CI 0.45,0.91;P=0.01) showed significant difference in favour of the corticosteroid group.  Conclusion: Pre-operative use of local and/or systemic corticosteroids in FESS, results in significantly reduced blood loss, shorter operative time and improved surgical field quality. Studies are limited on the intra-operative use of corticosteroids to reduce postoperative pain. Postoperative corticosteroids improve postoperative endoscopic scores in CRS and recurrence rates in cases of CRSwNP

Surface modification of thermally evaporated CdTe thin films for sensing application of organic compounds

The study involves the growth of bulk cadmium telluride (CdTe) by using vertical directional solidification (VDS) technique. The as grown CdTe compound has been used as a source material to deposit thin films onto glass substrates at room temperature by thermal evaporation technique under high vacuum conditions of 10-5 mbar. The thickness of film has been measured around 310 nm. Characterization of bulk CdTe compound and its thin films have been done by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and photoluminescence (PL) techniques. CdTe thin films have been then used for exposure to vapors of organic compounds such as acetone, formaldehyde, methanol, ethanol, benzene, toluene and chloroform in order to ascertain the use of these films for various sensors. The optical and micro structural properties of CdTe thin films have been studied using PL and AFM techniques so as to evaluate the sensing capabilities of CdTe thin film towards specific compounds which have been used for exposure

Effect of spacings and fertilizers on growth, yield and physical fruit quality of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) cultivars

The effect of spacings and fertilizers on growth, yield and fruit quality (physical) of chilli (Capsicum annuwn) cultivars was studied at Bikaner (Rajasthan, India). The cultivar Local Desi recorded significantly higher plant height, dry weight per plant, weight and volume per fruit. However, cultivar NP 46 prodnced maximum number of fruits per plant, fruit yield per plant and fruit yield per hectare. Application of 100 kg N in combination with 25 kg P and 50 kg K per ha recorded highest fruits per plant. Maximum plant height, fresh weight and dry weight per plant, number of fruits and yield of fruits per plant were recorded in the widest spacing (55 cm x 55 cm); closest spacing (25 cm x 25 cm) produced highest fruit yield per hectare. The quality offruits was affected by spacings. Interaction effect of spacings, fertilizers and cultivars was non significant to affect growth, yield and fruit quality attributes. &nbsp

Effect of spacings and fertilizers on growth, yield and physical fruit quality of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) cultivars

The effect of spacings and fertilizers on growth, yield and fruit quality (physical) of chilli (Capsicum annuwn) cultivars was studied at Bikaner (Rajasthan, India). The cultivar Local Desi recorded significantly higher plant height, dry weight per plant, weight and volume per fruit. However, cultivar NP 46 prodnced maximum number of fruits per plant, fruit yield per plant and fruit yield per hectare. Application of 100 kg N in combination with 25 kg P and 50 kg K per ha recorded highest fruits per plant. Maximum plant height, fresh weight and dry weight per plant, number of fruits and yield of fruits per plant were recorded in the widest spacing (55 cm x 55 cm); closest spacing (25 cm x 25 cm) produced highest fruit yield per hectare. The quality offruits was affected by spacings. Interaction effect of spacings, fertilizers and cultivars was non significant to affect growth, yield and fruit quality attributes. &nbsp

Inheritance in inter-generic crosses between cajanus and atylosia species

Inheritance of six oligogenic traits, namely, leaflet shape, twining nature, pod hairiness, growth habit, seed strophiole and seed colour, were studied in four intergeneric crosses involving two cultivars of C. cajan and three species of Atylosia. The genes responsible for leaflet shape, growth habit and seed colour showed incomplete dominance. For the remaining characters, dominant gene expression was recorded. The F, segregation revealed that lealet shape, pod hairiness and seed colour were governed by a single gene. The twining nature, seed strophiole, and growth habit were governed by two gene

Two new traits - open flower and small leaf in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Information on the inheritance of the open flower and small leaf traits in chickpea is considered. Open flower, a natural mutant identified in a plot of ICC16127, a landrace germplasm originating in Myanmar, is reported for the first time. The small leaf trait (derived from ICC5680) has been reported earlier, and has now been studied by breeders. Segregation analyses of crosses indicated that both useful traits are monogenic recessive. The joint F2 segregation data revealed no linkage between flower colour and flower type, but flower type and leaf size showed some linkage. The open flower trait could contribute to a higher rate of cross pollination and utilization of heterosis. The small leaf trait allows light to penetrate the crop canopy, and could be useful in designing a physiologically efficient plant type in chickpe

Possibility of genetic improvement of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L.)Millsp.) utilizing wild gene sources

Various wild relatives of pigeonpea,Cajanus cajan, namely some species ofAtylosia andRhynchosia, possess desirable characteristics that could be utilized for effecting genetic improvement of this crop. In total 73 cross combinations among two cultivars ofC. cajan and one accession each of eightAtylosia species and one ofRhynchosia were attempted. Twelve hybrids were obtained. Seven of these were analysed for F1 fertility and their utility for agronomic improvement of theC. cajan. Fertility behaviour of the different F1 hybrids varied and indicated that potential of gene transfer between the two genera,Atylosia andCajanus, was as good as within the genusAtylosia. From F2 and F3 families ofC. cajan × A. scarabaeoides andC. cajan × A. albicans, plants were selected with greater physiological efficiency and agronomic superiority. The prospects of transferring pod borer resistance and higher seed protein content from someAtylosia species to pigeonpea are discusse