Abstract Introduction Degenerative changes in the otolithic organs have been theorized to be caused by the mechanical obstruction to endolymphatic flow, possibly resulting in endolymphatic hydrops (ELH). Otolin-1 is an otoconial matrix protein that crosses the blood labyrinth barrier and has been found in the serum of healthy and diseased patients. Objective To measure the serum levels of Otolin-1 in Meniere disease (MD) patients and compared them with the healthy individuals. Methods This pilot, cross-sectional study was performed at our tertiary care referral center to compare the serum Otolin-1 levels of healthy individuals with those of MD patients. The blood samples were obtained during patients’ visit to the vertigo clinic following remission of an acute episode. The data was analyzed using the Stata/SE version 12.0 (StataCorp. College Station, TX, USA). Comparison between the serum Otolin-1 levels in the two groups was performed using the unpaired t-test. A p-value of 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results The participants were divided into two groups, with 31 MD patients, and 30 age and gender-matched members of the control group. The serum levels of Otolin-1 in MD patients (247.6, ± 44.2 pg/ml) were not found to be significantly different from those of the control group (236.2, ± 43.5 pg/ml) (p = 0.31). Conclusion The current study reveals that the serum levels of Otolin-1 are not significantly different between the patients with MD in the interictal phase and the control group’s healthy ones.

Resumo Um experimento foi conduzido para estudar a variabilidade genética e o desempenho de nove cultivares exóticas de lilium (Lilium x hybrida) para adequação ao cultivo comercial nas regiões montanhosas do noroeste de Uttarakhand na Estação de Pesquisa e KVK, Lohaghat, GBPUA & T, Pantnagar, Champawat, Uttarakhand, India. Bulbos de nove cultivares híbridos de lilium viz., Acapulco (rosa), Sorbonne (branco), Yelloween (amarelo), Tresor (laranja), Brindisi (rosa), Blackout (vermelho), Pavia (amarelo), Ercolano (branco) e Samur (rosa) foram selecionados como material experimental. Houve diferença significativa nos dias de iniciação das gemas entre as nove cultivares. É evidente, a partir dos dados que demoram dias mínimos para o início da brotação na cultivar Blackout (44 dias), seguido de Tresor (45 dias). O número máximo de flores por planta relatado nas cultivares Acapulco (10,20) seguido por Yelloween (8,20) e Sorbonne (7,80) que está no mesmo nível de Blackout (7,40) e Pavia (7,20). A vida máxima de vaso foi registrada com Acapulco (12,4 dias) seguido por Sorbonne (11,80 dias), que está em paridade com Yelloween (11,8 dias), enquanto a vida mínima de vaso foi registrada com Ercolano (8,40 dias) e Tresor (8,40 dias). O valor médio encontrado foi máximo para o comprimento do caule da flor (87,29) e o valor médio mínimo foi exibido para o número de flores por planta. O valor de herdabilidade foi encontrado máximo para caracteres como dias para a abertura do botão da flor seguido pelo comprimento do caule da flor e dias necessários para o início da brotação.

Abstract An experiment was conducted to study genetic variability and performance of nine exotic lilium cultivars (Lilium x hybrida) for suitability for commercial cultivation in North Western hilly regions of Uttarakhand at Research Station and KVK, Lohaghat, GBPUA&T, Pantnagar, Champawat, Uttarakhand India. Bulbs of nine lilium hybrid cultivars viz., Acapulco (Pink), Sorbonne (White), Yelloween (Yellow), Tresor (Orange), Brindisi (Pink), Blackout (Red), Pavia (Yellow), Ercolano (White) and Samur (Pink) were selected as experimental material. There was significant difference in days taken for bud initiation among nine cultivars. It is evident from data that minimum days take for bud initiation in cultivar Blackout (44 days) followed by Tresor (45 days). The maximum number of flowers per plant reported in cultivars Acapulco (10.20) followed by Yelloween (8.20) and Sorbonne (7.80) which is at par with Blackout (7.40) and Pavia (7.20). Maximum vase life was recorded with Acapulco (12.4 days) followed by Sorbonne (11.80 days) which is at par with Yelloween (11.8 days) while Minimum vase life was recorded with Ercolano (8.40 days) and Tresor ( 8.40 days). Mean value was found maximum for flower stem length (87.29) and minimum mean value was exhibited by number of flowers per plant. Heritability value was found maximum for characters like days to flower bud opening followed by length of flower stalk and days taken to bud initiation.

Abstract Introduction Sigmoid sinus (SS) variations have been classified variously in the literature. These classifications suffer from some form of shortcoming from a clinical point of view for their application. Objective We propose a clinically relevant classification of the SS in relation to the posterior semicircular canal (PSCC) and to the exposure of the presigmoid dural plate. The positioning of the SS was analyzed with reference to the volume of themastoid and to the level of mastoid pneumatization. Methods A total of 94 formalin-preserved human cadaveric temporal bones were microdissected to carry out a complete mastoidectomy. The SS, the presigmoid dural plate, and the PSCCwere exposed, and the position of the former was analyzed in relation to the latter two in order to classify the position of the SS into three grades. Results GradeI hadthebest exposureof the presigmoid dura andof the PSCC,while grade III had the poorest exposure of the presigmoid dura and of the PSCC. Grade I SS was associated with good pneumatization and highermastoid volumescompared with grades II and III. Conclusions The SS exhibits considerable anatomic variability. A favorable positioning of the SS is associated with a large mastoid volume and pneumatization. A careful preoperative study of the imaging may help in understanding the positioning of the SS and the safety of various transmastoid approaches.

ABSTRACT Purpose To study the intraoperative findings in case of early and delayed decompression of facial nerve paralysis and compare their results. Methods Retrospective data analysis of 23 cases of longitudinal temporal bone fracture with House-Brackmann grade V and VI facial nerve paralysis. All cases were thoroughly evaluated and underwent facial nerve decompression through the transmastoid approach. All cases were under regular follow-up till the date of manuscript submission. Results Clinical improvement of the facial nerve function was observed for early vs. delayed facial nerve decompression. In the early decompression group, facial nerve function improved to grade II in eight cases (80%) and grade III in two cases (20%), whereas in the delayed decompression group it improved to grade II in one case (7.70%), grade III in four cases (30.76%), grade IV in seven cases (53.84%), and grade V in one case (7.70%). Conclusions Early decompression of facial nerve provides better results than delayed decompression because it enables early expansion of the nerve.