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The global population growth has led to a higher demand for food production, necessitating improvements in agricultural productivity. However, abiotic and biotic stresses pose significant challenges, reducing crop yields and impacting economic and social welfare. Drought, in particular, severely constrains agriculture, resulting in unproductive soil, reduced farmland, and jeopardized food security. Recently, the role of cyanobacteria from soil biocrusts in rehabilitating degraded land has gained attention due to their ability to enhance soil fertility and prevent erosion. The present study focused on Nostoc calcicola BOT1, an aquatic, diazotrophic cyanobacterial strain collected from an agricultural field at Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India. The aim was to investigate the effects of different dehydration treatments, specifically air drying (AD) and desiccator drying (DD) at various time intervals, on the physicochemical properties of N. calcicola BOT1. The impact of dehydration was assessed by analyzing the photosynthetic efficiency, pigments, biomolecules (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, osmoprotectants), stress biomarkers, and non-enzymatic antioxidants. Furthermore, an analysis of the metabolic profiles of 96-hour DD and control mats was conducted using UHPLC-HRMS. Notably, there was a significant decrease in amino acid levels, while phenolic content, fatty acids, and lipids increased. These changes in metabolic activity during dehydration highlighted the presence of metabolite pools that contribute to the physiological and biochemical adjustments of N. calcicola BOT1, mitigating the impact of dehydration to some extent. Overall, present study demonstrated the accumulation of biochemical and nonenzymatic antioxidants in dehydrated mats, which could be utilized to stabilize unfavorable environmental conditions. Additionally, the strain N. calcicola BOT1 holds promise as a biofertilizer for semi-arid regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective  To analyze clinical, surgical and outcome predictive factors of operated acute subdural hematoma (SDH) cases for prognostication and surgical outcome prediction. Material and Methods  This retrospective study includes 114 patients operated for acute SDH in the Department of Neurosurgery of IMS BHU, Varanasi, India, a tertiary care center, between 1 August 2018 and 1 November 2019. Each patient was evaluated for age, sex, mode of injury, localization of hematoma, clinical presentation, comorbidity, severity of injury, best motor response, CT findings, and Glasgow outcome scale (GOS) at discharge. The outcome was also evaluated by further making a dichotomized group using GOS in death/dependent (1–3) versus independent (4–5). Statistical tests were done using the GraphPad Prism version 8.3.0. Results  The most common age group operated upon in this study was the 40 to 60 years age group (n = 45, 39.48%). Males were 78% with male to female ratio of 3.56:1. The most common clinical presentation was altered sensorium (98.25%). The most common comorbidity was hypertension (n = 32, 28.07%). GCS at admission, severity of injury, pupillary changes, and best motor response (p < 0.0001) were significantly associated with surgical outcome. Conclusion  GCS at admission, severity of injury, pupillary changes, and best motor response were significantly (p < 0.05) associated with surgical outcome. Age and gender of patients were not found to be significantly associated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background  Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt insertion is routinely performed for the treatment of hydrocephalus due to different indications like congenital, infective, tumor, posttraumatic, and normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH). A lot of common and rare complications following this procedure have been reported. Objectives  To analyze the clinical profile, indications, anesthetic, and postoperative complications for VP shunt surgery in our center. Materials and Methods  This prospective clinical review study was conducted in the Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, between October 2018 to January 2020 and included 454 cases of hydrocephalus who underwent VP shunt surgery. The data was compiled and analyzed. Results  A total of 454 patients with male predominance were studied. Pediatric and adolescent patients were 48.9% (222/454). Obstructive hydrocephalus due to tumors was the etiology of 48.7% (221/454) cases. The incidence of overall shunt complications was 9.7% (44/454), of which obstruction and infection was 5.9% (27/454) and 3.1% (14/454), respectively. Factors associated with increased shunt complications include redo and infective etiology and cases having higher protein in perioperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis. Neuronavigation, antibiotic-impregnated shunt and biventricular shunt are associated with lower complications. Conclusion  Obstructive hydrocephalus due to tumors happened to be the most common cause of VP shunt, and shunt obstruction is most common complication, especially in infective and redo cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives  The aim of the study is to determine the magnitude of repercussions of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on neurosurgical specialty and formulate a management approach. Materials and Methods  This combined retrospective and prospective study was done in neurosurgical specialty of IMS–BHU, Varanasi, India, a tertiary care center, between January 1, 2020 and May 31, 2020. Analysis of impact on neurosurgical emergency and electives was done over before pandemic, during lockdown 1 and 2 and during lockdown 3 and 4 timelines. Effects of COVID-19 pandemic on psychology of neurosurgical team (50 members) and on patient party (88) were also evaluated. Virtual learning and webinars as a substitute to residential neurosurgical training were analyzed by a questionnaire given to 13 neurosurgeons of our department. Statistical Analysis  Ordinary one-way ANOVA (analysis of variance) and unpaired t -test were used according to data analyzed. p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. GraphPad Prism software was used for this analysis. Results  On an average 8.22 admissions per day were done in neurosurgical emergency before pandemic. After lockdown these figures reduced to 3.2 admissions per day during lockdown 1 and 2 and to 5.36 admissions per day during lockdown 3 and 4. There was significant reduction in neurotrauma admission rate during lockdown (p < 0.0001) at our center. There was 76% reduction in emergency neurosurgical operated cases during pandemic. There was significant reduction in outpatient department (OPD) attendance per day, OPD admissions per day (p < 0.0001), and total elective surgeries (p < 0.0001) during lockdown. Of 50 neurosurgical team members (neurosurgeons, nursing, and ground staff) interviewed, 90% of them had the fear of contacting the COVID-19 disease, fear of well-being of family and children, and difficulty in transport. Three out of 13 neurosurgeons (23.1%) agreed on change in practice based on what they learned from virtual teaching and webinars and only two of them (15.4%) accepted improvement of skills based on virtual learning. Conclusion  The COVID-19 pandemic is causing a significant impact on health care systems worldwide. For conserving resources elective surgical procedures should be limited. This pandemic has a negative impact on neurosurgical resident training program and psychology of both neurosurgical unit and patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Traumatic cerebellar hematomas are rare in comparison to nontraumatic cerebellar hematomas. Aims: The aim of this study is to evaluate the prognostic factors and outcome determining factors with regard to conservatively managed isolated traumatic cerebellar hematoma. Settings and Design: Retrospective cohort study. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study of 23 patients of conservatively managed isolated posterior fossa hematoma, admitted between August 2018 and May 2020, was conducted in the Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi. Each of the patients was evaluated in terms of age, sex, mode of injury, clinical presentation, comorbidity, the severity of injury, best motor response, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) at admission, computed tomography findings, and Glasgow Outcome Scale at discharge/death. Statistical Analysis: Chi‑square test and unpaired t‑test were used. P < 0.05 was deemed statistically significant. Results: Mean volume of posterior fossa contusion was 8.9 ml. The cerebellar hemispheric (60.9%) location of hematoma was more common. Age at presentation (P = 0.0086), best motor response (P < 0.0001), severity of injury (P = 0.0002), GCS at admission (P < 0.0001), effacement of basal cistern (P < 0.0001), fourth ventricular compression and intraventricular hemorrhage (P = 0.0008), presence of hydrocephalus (P = 0.0142), subarachnoid hemorrhage (P = 0.0008), and volume of posterior fossa contusion (P = 0.0002) were significantly associated with outcome of posterior fossa contusion. Conclusion: Traumatic cerebellar hematoma is rare. Conservatively managed cerebellar hematoma patients must be monitored closely for neurological and radiological status. Patients who show deterioration in neurological or radiological status require surgical intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: The incidence of anterior communicating artery (Acomm) aneurysm is high and it is associated with high risk of rupture. Aims: The aim is to evaluate various factors (size, wall morphology, and fundus direction) associated with intraoperative rupture (IOR) of Acomm aneurysm. Settings and Design: Retrospective cohort study. Subjects and Methods: Our study includes 25 operated patients diagnosed to have ruptured Acomm aneurysm in the Department of Neurosurgery of Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India, between January 2016 and July 2020. Our study included all patients with ruptured Acomm aneurysm who received clipping as method of treatment. Statistical Analysis: Chi‑square test was used for analysis. Values with P < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Statistical tests were done using GraphPad Prism version 8.3.0 software. Results: None of the patients with <4 mm, 6 patients of >4–10 mm, and 2 patients of >10 mm aneurysm size experienced IOR. IOR was seen in 2 patients with smooth wall and 6 in irregular aneurysm wall. All patients with posterior, 1 patient with inferior, 2 patients with anterior, and 1 patient with superior directing aneurysm experienced IOR. Patients with bilaterally clipped A1 experienced no IOR, while in unilaterally clipped aneurysm only 2 patients experienced IOR. Glasgow outcome score was better in patients with no IOR. Conclusion: The factors associated with high risk of IOR are: Aneurysm size >4 mm, multilobulated or irregular aneurysm wall, posteriorly and inferiorly directed aneurysms. Patients in whom Both A1 was temporarily clipped, experienced no IOR and better outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study is aimed to find a critical volume of operated giant or massive extradural hematoma (EDH) that affects outcome significantly and analyze them with respect to their clinical, surgical, and outcome perspective. Methods: This retrospective study includes 253 patients operated for EDH in emergency in the Department of Neurosurgery of IMS BHU, Varanasi, India, a tertiary care center, between August 1, 2018, and November 1, 2019. Giant EDH critical volume was evaluated. Twenty-nine patients with giant EDH with clot volume = 80 ml were further analyzed for clinical, surgical, and outcome predictive factors. Statistical analysis was done using Prism GraphPad ver. 8.0.0. P value was taken at 0.05. Results: Dichotomized group analysis with Glasgow Outcome Score (GOS) 4-5 versus GOS 1-3 for testing clot volume revealed significance difference with P < 0.001. Mean volume of GOS 1-3 came out to be 79.68 ml. Hence, we took clot volume >80 ml for further analysis. The most common age group was 20-40 (55.17%). M2 (31.03%) was the most common best motor response in operated giant EDH cases. Most of them were having severe (79.31%) head injury. Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) at admission (P < 0.0001), pupillary changes (P = 0.0032), and best motor response (P < 0.0001) was significantly (P < 0.05) associated with outcome following surgery for giant EDH. Conclusion: Giant EDH with volume = 80 ml is associated with poorer outcome. GCS at admission, pupillary changes, and best motor response is predictors for surgical outcome of giant EDH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Cerebellopontine angle (CPA) epidermoids are essentially benign tumors, and treatment is complete surgical excision. Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the surgical perspective and outcome analysis of CPA epidermoids. Settings and Design: This was a retrospective cohort study. Subjects and Methods: This study includes a cohort of 15 patients operated for CPA epidermoid in the Department of Neurosurgery of Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India, between August 1, 2016, and January 31, 2020. Each patient was evaluated in terms of demographic profile, clinical presentation, surgical management, and postoperative outcome characteristics. Statistical Analysis Used: Unpaired t-test and Chi-square test were used for analysis. Values with P < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Statistical tests were done using GraphPad Prism version 8.3.0 software. Results: The mean age was 43 years, with the majority of patients being female (56.5%). The most common cranial nerve (CN) involved was CN VIII (67.7%), followed by CN VII (60%). Persisting CN deficit (P = 0.0118) was significantly (P < 0.05) associated with subtotal resection (STR). Gross-total resection was significantly associated (P < 0.05) to CN VII (P = 0.0233) and VIII (P = 0.0157) recovery. Conclusions: The extent of the tumor excision had no effect on the postoperative morbidity and the risk of recurrence. STR can be considered when there is dense adherence to blood vessels, nerves, or the brain stem to prevent the risk of serious neurological deficits. STR is significantly associated with persisting CN deficit postoperatively. During long-term follow-up, resolution or improvement of neurological deficits may be expected in most patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]