Classical Mitchell's osteotomy in the management of symptomatic hallux vulgus

Background: Hallux vulgus is common deformity of fore foot frequently resulting in pain at first metatarso phalyngeal joint and cosmetic problems. Hallux vulgus is particularly more common in shoe wearing populations. Ours being a sub Himalayan region with harsh and prolonged winters where shoe wearing is a must this condition is very common. Various surgical procedures have been described for its management. These range from soft tissue procedures to arthodesis of first metatarso phalyngeal joint. Distal first metatarsal osteotomy (Mitchell’s osteotomy) is a time tested procedure in its management.Methods: Forty adult patients (56 feet) with symptomatic hallux vulgus, who did not respond to conservative treatment, were managed with Mitchell’s osteotomy.Results: Results were assessed as per American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society grading. More than ninety percent of our patients were fully satisfied with their pain relief and foot cosmetics while others were satisfied with some reservations. There was no major complication or non-union at osteotomy site. Conclusions: Management of hallux vulgus is conservative to begin with, measures like life style modifications, broad toed shoes, toe spacers and physical therapy are tried first. Surgical intervention is indicated if conservative measures fail to relieve symptoms. More than 130 surgical procedures have been described for hallux vulgus ranging from soft tissue procedures like MacBride’s to arthodesis of first metatarso phalyngeal joint. Distal metatarsal osteotomy was first described by Hawkins in 1945 but was named after Mitchell who published his work in 1958. From our study we conclude that this is a time tested procedure for symptomatic cases of Hallux Vulgus not responding to conservative measures

Primary calcified hydatid of spleen: a case report

Most splenic cysts are parasitic. Hydatid disease, a parasitic disease, isendemic in Kashmir. Splenic involvement alone in hydatid disease is very rare. It may remain asymptomatic or, by causing pressure due to increasing size on adjacent viscera, may become symptomatic. A non specific presentation always makes diagnosis difficult. A case of hydatid spleen in a young boy who presented with abdominal pain is reported. Radiology complemented with serology made the diagnosis. Hydatid disease should beconsidered as a differential diagnosis in every patient with a calcified cystic mass of the spleen in endemic areas.KEY WORDS: Calcified hydatid; Spleen; Splenic cyst; Case repor

Genetic studies for flower yield and component traits in Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat

Study on genetic variability, character association and path analysis was carried out with sixty chrysan-themum genotypes keeping in mind of their applicability in future crop improvement programmes. High phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variation were found for the character such as number of flower per plant, number of branches per plant, number of primary branches, number of secondary branches, plant spread and plant height. High heritability coupled with high expected genetic advance was observed for number of flower per plant, number of secondary branches and branches per plant. In general, genotypic correlation coefficients were found to be higher than the phenotypic correlations for most of the characters. Number of flowers per plant showed highly positive significant correlation at both genotypic and phenotypic level with plant spread (0.977,0.974), number of primary branches (0.952,0,828), number of branches per plant (0.956, 0.950), number of flower per spray (0.932, 0.821) and number of secondary branches (0.770, 0.744). Path analysis revealed that plant spread, number of primary branch-es, number of flower per spray and number of branches per plant had highest positive and direct effects on number of flowers per plant at genotypic and phenotypic levels. Thus, the useful cultivars can be used as parents in hybridization programme to obtain admirable progenie

Climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies for sustainable crop production

Climate change is the main environmental problem facing humanity. Evidences over the past few decades show that significant changes in climate are taking place all over the world as a result of enhanced human activities through deforestation emission of various greenhouse gases and indiscriminate use of fossil fuels. Carbon dioxide (CO2) Methane and Nitrous Oxide are the major greenhouse gases. CO2 enters the atmosphere mostly through burning fossil fuels. Methane emissions also result from livestock and other agricultural practices and Nitrous Oxide is emitted during agricultural and industrial activities. Global atmospheric concentration of CO2 has increased from pre-industrial level of 280 parts per million (ppm) to 408 ppm in Feb 2018. Global projections indicate higher temperature of 1.5 to 4.5°C by the year 2050 as a result of enhanced greenhouse gases. There is medium confidence in that the Indian summer monsoon circulation weakens but this is compensated by increased atmospheric moisture content leading to more rainfall. There is medium confidence in an increase of Indian summer monsoon rainfall and its extremes throughout the 21st century under all RCP (Representative Concentration Pathways) scenarios

Genetic studies for flower yield and component traits in Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat

Study on genetic variability, character association and path analysis was carried out with sixty chrysan-themum genotypes keeping in mind of their applicability in future crop improvement programmes. High phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variation were found for the character such as number of flower per plant, number of branches per plant, number of primary branches, number of secondary branches, plant spread and plant height. High heritability coupled with high expected genetic advance was observed for number of flower per plant, number of secondary branches and branches per plant. In general, genotypic correlation coefficients were found to be higher than the phenotypic correlations for most of the characters. Number of flowers per plant showed highly positive significant correlation at both genotypic and phenotypic level with plant spread (0.977,0.974), number of primary branches (0.952,0,828), number of branches per plant (0.956, 0.950), number of flower per spray (0.932, 0.821) and number of secondary branches (0.770, 0.744). Path analysis revealed that plant spread, number of primary branch-es, number of flower per spray and number of branches per plant had highest positive and direct effects on number of flowers per plant at genotypic and phenotypic levels. Thus, the useful cultivars can be used as parents in hybridization programme to obtain admirable progenie

Strategic plan of Nuru Orphans Centre

Strategic plan for a growing NGO is a challenge that involves forecasting for at least ten years or more, seeing the potentials, the threats, the opportunities. But more importantly, as in the case of 'sinking fund' method, one has to see to it that, if I wanted to see this NGO look different in twenty years to come, the best practice is to take various steps now. Nuru Orphans centre (in owner's house) has been in existence since 2002. Strategically, and gradually, there was a need for separation of the two; domestic and NGO ' s affairs. Not limited to this, but to see to it that after a successful separation, the co-existence and sustainability of the two has to be given great priority. 'The corner stones' necessary for the move included to; 1. Secure two acres of land under the NGO's name 2. improve management structure 3. develop and use simple accounting system 4. initiate small, sustainable projects One important tool in the success is extra commitment and having to involve all partners at all stages, from the community surrounding the proposed centre location and top government officials in the district. At times failures almost loomed high threatening the good foundation, but collaborative work provided encouragement. A major part of this project research was about, but not limited to finding out financial practices by NGOs in Mbeya, which led to developing a simple accounting tool to be used not only by the centre, but also immediately by two more NGOs, not necessarily orphans centre. (Author abstract)Yengi, W. W. R. (2005). Strategic plan of Nuru Orphans Centre. Retrieved from http://academicarchive.snhu.eduMaster of Science (M.S.)School of Community Economic Developmen

Fusing Two Images using DWT and Hybrid PCA Algorithms

Image fusion is of extraordinary significance in safeguard and data from various images of same scene. The consequence of fusion is another image which is more reasonable for human and machine recognition. Pixel level image fusion utilizing wavelets and essential part investigation has been actualized and illustrated. diverse execution measurements with and without reference image are actualized to assess the execution of mage fusion calculations. It has been reasoned that image fusion utilizing wavelets with larger amount of disintegration indicated better execution in a few measurements and in different measurements PCA demonstrated better execution

Hepatitis B virus DNA polymerase gene polymorphism based prediction of genotypes in chronic HBV patients from Western India

Background: Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection is one of the major causes of liver cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma and deaths due to the acute or chronic consequences worldwide. HBV is distributed into various genotypes based on nucleic acid sequence variation.Objectives: To develop a method of HBV genotyping and drug resistance interpretation using partial sequencing of polymerase gene.Methods: This study was performed on 98 HBV infected patients’ serum samples from Western India. A nested PCR protocol was designed for amplification of pol gene from HBV genome and Sanger’s sequencing of the gene fragment. Sequences were aligned with HBV reference sequences for phylogenetic analysis and for characterization of genetic diversity. Drug resistance mutations were screened using HBVSeq program from Stanford University.Results: Distribution of HBV genotypes showed predominance of genotype D, circulating in 76 (77.55%) patients (p < 0.05). Genotypes A and C were less prevalent and were identified in 4 (4.08%) and 18 (18.37%) patients, respectively. Anti-retroviral drug resistance mutations were not detected in any patient.Conclusion: A method for determination of HBV genotypes using pol gene sequencing which simultaneously detects major drug resistance mutations has been established. HBV genetic diversity may play an important role in treatment decision.Keywords: Hepatitis B virus, nested PCR, genotype, sub-genotypes, YMDD mutation