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Background: Accurate diagnosis of leprosy is of paramount importance, because delays and misdiagnosis are more common in non-endemic zones. It has a long incubation period, varied clinical presentations, and reaction states which can present in any point of lifetime, becoming more challenging for proper management of this enigmatous disease. Methods: This was conducted as an institution based cross- sectional study over a period of 12 months. 100 patients were selected. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were maintained. Data collected was checked, tabulated, statistically analysed and compared with existing literature. Results: In our study, majority, 49% belonged in age group of 41-60 yrs, only 6% were less than 20 years old. Male: female ratio was 3.34. 62% were from rural areas. Family history of Hansen was present in 5%. 6% had Histoid while 5% had pure neuritic representing least common subtypes. Most common occupations were Housewives (19%), shopkeepers (16%) and office workers (16%). 59% presented with hypoesthesia, 28% with fever. 59% belonged to borderline, 27% belonged to polar spectrum. Trophic ulcers were found in 20%, clawing of digits in 27%. Conclusions: Leprosy is still a pressing problem in our country. A considerable number of children and adolescents get affected indicating high rate of transmission in community. A comprehensive approach includes proper diagnosis, treatment, and identification of reaction patterns, prevention of disability and deformities, and implementation of rehabilitation measures.

Background: Psoriasis is an immune-mediated inflammatory papulo-squamous disorder presenting as chronic plaque, pustular, erythrodermic, nail, scalp, drug induced, inverse, guttate etc. Palmoplantar psoriasis causes significant functional, cosmetic and psychological disability. Apremilast is a relatively newer drug being PDE-4 inhibitor, having negligible adverse effects with minimum blood monitoring. Methods: It is an institution-based, non-randomised, prospective study conducted over a period of 3 months. 42 patients of moderate to severe disease (assessed using PPPASI), refractory to conventional line of therapy (for atleast 3 months) or had contraindications for the same were selected from our Dermatology OPD. Follow up was done monthly for 6 months. Results: 42% of the patients were good responders. 1 patient did not respond and 2 had progression of the disease. There was a decrease in the mean DLQI from a baseline of 25 to less than 15 by the end of 1st month and around 5 by the end of 6th month.60% of patients showed onset of response by the 1st month. 45% of the patients showed adverse effects, mostly being nausea followed by dizziness. Conclusions: From our study and those in the existing literature, it can be inferred that apremilast is a promising drug for palmoplantar as well as other forms of psoriasis, especially in patients with comorbidities or treatment refractory psoriasis.

Charcoal rot disease caused by Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid is one of the most devastating diseases in soybean in India. During 2018, a total of 226 diverse soybean genotypes have been evaluated for charcoal rot resistance under hot-spot conditions. Out of 226 genotypes, a sub set of 151 genotypes were selected based on disease reaction and better agronomic performance. Out of 151 genotypes evaluated during 2019, 43 genotypes were selected based on disease reaction and superior agronomic performance for their further field evaluation and molecular characterization. Disease evaluation during 2018 and 2019 was through Percent Disease Incidence (PDI). During 2020 and 2021, these forty three genotypes, were evaluated for PDI, Area Under Disease Progress Curve (AUDPC), and grain yield. During 2020, genotype JS 20–20 was found to show least PDI (0.42) and AUDPC (9.37), and highest grain yield was recorded in the genotype JS 21 − 05 (515.00 g). During 2021, genotype JS 20–20 observed to exhibit least PDI (0.00) and AUDPC (0.00), and highest grain yield was recorded in JS 20–98 (631.66 g). Across both the years, JS 20–20 was found to show the least PDI (0.21) and AUDPC (4.68), while grain yield was highest in JS 20–98 (571.67 g). Through MGIDI (multi-trait genotype-ideotype distance) analysis, JS 21 − 05 (G19), JS 22 − 01 (G43), JS 20–98 (G28) and JS 20–20 (G21) were identified to be the ideotypes with respect to the traits under consideration. Two unique alleles, Satt588 (100 bp) on linkage group K and Sat_218 (200 bp) on linkage group H, were found to be specific to two resistant genotypes JS 21-71and DS 1318, respectively. Through clustering pattern, it was observed that the genotypes bred at Jabalpur are genetically more closely related.

Soybean is a temperate photosensitive crop but has adapted to sub-tropical and tropical countries of lower latitudes also. Photoperiodic and maturity genes confer latitudinal adaptation in this crop. Genotyping of accessions of higher latitudes have shown the role of photoinsensitivity, conferred by recessive photoperiodic alleles (e1/e2/e3/e4), in adaptation of the crop to high latitudes but information is not available for lower latitudinal countries like India. We genotyped and calculated the photosensitivity of 101 cultivated Indian soybean varieties and found that majority of the varieties (86) were photosensitive and had the dominant alleles at these loci. Four genotypic classes (e1-as/E2/E3/E4, E1/e2/e3/E4, E1/e2/E3/E4 and E1/E2/e3/E4) were observed for varieties with recessive alleles. Photoinsensitive alleles at E1 and E2 loci significantly reduced the days to flower, maturity and photosensitivity percentage. Adaptive role of photoperiodic alleles was inferred from breeder seed requirement of these varieties for 35 years. Although the photosensitive class contributed 81% to the total seed requirement the weighted mean contribution of this class (380 Q/year) was far less than that of photoinsensitive class (648 Q/year). Photoinsensitivity is essential for perpetuation of crop in higher latitudes. Present report highlights the novel role of photoinsensitive alleles in adaptation of soybean to rainfed, short growing and sub-tropical conditions of lower latitudes by conferring earliness.

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], a quantitative short day crop, readily flowers with a little vegetative biomass under short day conditions and poses a challenge for developing high yielding soybean cultivars for tropical and sub-tropical countries. The long juvenility trait helps in gaining biomass under short days by delaying flowering and has helped to establish soybean as a commercially cultivated crop in these countries. A new soybean long juvenile (LJ) germplasm resource AGS 25 was identified by planting germplasm for 2 years under normal (22 June) and shorter (21 July and 21 August) day lengths. Evaluation of AGS 25 along with 252 germplasm accessions in 2 years at eleven locations (19.2610° N to 29.0222° N) could confirm its latitudinal consistency. Inheritance studies conducted under short day winter conditions identified a single recessive allele controlling long juvenility in four F2 populations. The genomic region for this trait was located at chromosome 16 and it explained 30% of the total phenotypic variation. Evaluation of 13 popular varieties and one hundred twenty seven advanced breeding lines (ABLs) (AGS 25 × three conventional juvenile varieties), during short day winter conditions of lower latitudes (19.2644° N), revealed that AGS 25 took maximum days to first flower (R1) (57 days) and attained good plant height (49.6 cm). Evaluation of ABLs identified high yielding segregants with early maturity (up to 90 days). Identified resource opens the possibility for development of early maturing high yielding long juvenile soybean varieties suitable for delayed as well as winter sown conditions.

Introduction: Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) is a chronic diffuse abnormality of the Meibomian glands often found as a result of precipitating factors like dyslipidemia, infections, hypertension, diabetes, etc. This study aims to find the prevalence of various risk factors of Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) which will ultimately help in managing the disease and explaining the prognosis. Materials and methods: A hospital based cross-sectional study. A total of 400 patients with MGD over the age of 30 were examined. Patients with a history of taking lipid altering drugs, pre-existing ocular comorbidities were excluded from the study. Results: Severity of MGD increased with ageing. There was a significant risk of higher grades of MGD in hypertensives, diabetics & post-menopausal women. Higher levels of LDL cholesterol showed significant risk. Conclusion: Blood sugar, blood pressure, blood cholesterol were seen to be the risk factors in the study and thus, should be kept within normal limits to reduce the severity of disease. Alcohol & cigarette consumption should be avoided even if they didn’t show a significant relationship.

Introduction: Scleral buckling (SB) was the principal surgical intervention for patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) until the development of pars plana vitrectomy. The study aims to evaluate the outcome of SB without subretinal fluid (SRF) drainage in RRD. Materials and methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted at a tertiary eye care center. Charts of patients operated with SB without SRF drainage for RRD between January 2014 and December 2015 were evaluated. The main outcome measure was the primary reattachment rate at 1 month after single SB surgery. Other outcome measures were final reattachment rate after further intervention, visual improvement and relation of various parameters with retinal reattachment. Results: One hundred and seventeen patients were included of which 90 (76.9%) were men. Mean age was 26.68±12.6 years (Range 9-60). All eyes were phakic. Only 1 patient had a macula on RD. The primary reattachment rate was 84.6% (n=99). Mean LogMAR (±SD) visual acuity (VA) improved from 1.92(±0.46) to 1.02(±0.42). Extent of RD, number of breaks, and type of break was found to have no association with retinal reattachment. Association between type of PVR and status of retina post buckling was found to be significant (p=0.026) with retinal reattachment seen in 100% in PVR-A and only 60% in PVR-C2. Final reattachment rate was 98.2%. Complications encountered were postoperative diplopia (n=1), suture granuloma (n=1) and buckle infection (n=2). Conclusion: Scleral buckling without SRF drainage, an exclusively extra ocular procedure, is an effective and safe treatment modality for non-complicated RRD.

Introduction: Diabetic papillopathy (DP) is a diagnosis of exclusion in type 1 and type 2 diabetics with transient disc edema. It was initially described in young patients with type1 diabetes mellitus (DM) as a bilateral disease with minimal visual symptoms which resolved spontaneously. Lately, DP has been a focus of controversy because of its wide clinical spectrum. Cases: We describe three variable cases of DP. These are unilateral DP with Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (PDR) with macular edema (ME), unilateral DP with severe Non Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (NPDR) with ischemic maculopathy and a case of bilateral DP with Moderate NPDR with ME. We also discuss viable treatment for the variable presentation. DP has been reported in this case series in moderate NPDR, severe NPDR as well as PDR. Macular involvement in the form of macular edema as well as ischemia has been demonstrated to result in diminution of vision. It shows both unilateral and bilateral presentation. Remarkable visual loss seen, in these cases, call for intervention. Conclusions: DP has a wide spectrum of presentation and its knowledge is eminent to make a complete diagnosis. Individualisation of treatment has to be done for variable presentation and realistic outcomes should be explained to the patients.

Introduction: With the evolution of cataract surgery over the past years and increasing patient demand for spectacle independence, today cataract surgery is moreover a refractive surgery. Surgically induced astigmatism (SIA) hinders post-operative refractive precision by changing the refractive power of cornea. Objectives: To calculate and compare SIA and postoperative spherical equivalent (SE) among eyes undergoing phacoemulsification performed via superior and temporal approach. Methodology: A longitudinal prospective observational study was conducted in a tertiary eye care center. 200 consecutive patients who underwent 2.8mm clear corneal phacoemulsification were allocated in Group A (Superior) and Group B (Temporal) in equal numbers by random lotiery method. Patients with any corneal pathology, glaucoma, retina or macular diseases, with previous history of trauma or ocular surgery were excluded. Preoperative astigmatism, postoperative astigmatism and postoperative SE were calculated at 6weeks follow-up. SIA was calculated using vector analysis software version 2.1 given by Dr Sawhney. Results Eighty patients of group A and 99 patients of Group B were included in the analysis. Preoperative keratometry and astigmatism was comparable between the two groups. Postopera tive astigmatism was significantly lower in temporal incision (0.75± 0.58) group than in superior incision group (1.2±0.71). SIA in-group A was 0.43D and in group B was 0.18D. SE was found to be significantly lower in temporal incision (p

Background Vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC), an allergic disease, has a known association with ectatic disorders of the cornea. Pellucid marginal degeneration (PMD) is a bilateral, asymmetrical, ectatic disorder of the cornea characterized by inferior corneal thinning. We report a case of sensory exotropia due to PMD in association with VKC. Case details A 19-year old boy with a history of VKC presented with exotropia of the right eye of 3 years' duration. His unaided vision in his right eye was 1/60 and in his left eye it was 6/36. On examination, both eyes had high against the rule astigmatism, which was more in the right eye. There was exotropia of 15o (40 prism diopter base in) in the right eye with suppression (Worth four dot test). Corneal examination in both eyes showed inferior band thinning, 2 mm above the inferior limbus, extending from 4 to 8 clock hours, with bulging of the cornea just above the thinning. The clinical features were suggestive of PMD, which was supported by his corneal scans - Atlas, Pentacam, and Optovue. Although he was undergoing treatment for VKC, the onset of PMD and decrease in vision went unnoticed. The asymmetric error which was not corrected during the sensitive period of visual development led to sensory exotropia. Conclusion A child with VKC should undergo regular refraction so as not to miss any ectatic changes occurring in the cornea. A delay in diagnosing corneal ectasia may negate the possibility of collagen cross-linking which prevents progression of ectasia. If visual rehabilitation is delayed beyond the age of visual maturation, it can lead to strabismus, suppression, and loss of binocular function.

Natural allelic variation among the genes governing various agronomic and quality traits of plant provides opportunity to develop desirable plant type in crops. In soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], natural allelic variation is known for many functionally characterized genes conferring superior phenotype for their respective governing trait. Exploring this natural allelic variation in germplasm pool through gene based allele specific multiplex marker genotyping is one way to identify and combine the alleles of multiple traits in desired genetic background. Using known alleles of 15 genes governing 10 different agronomic and quality traits, we have developed two multi-trait allele specific genic marker assays of 22-plex and 7-plex alleles. These two multi-trait allele specific genic marker assays were used to genotype a large set of diverse soybean germplasm accessions, which identified several novel genetic sources of rare alleles conferring superior or desirable phenotype. Selected genetic sources of rare alleles for days to flowering and maturity, hard-seededness, pod shattering and oleic acid content were validated phenotypically. Genotyping and phenotyping in a multi-parent advanced generation intercross population validated the utility of multi-trait allele specific genic marker assays in marker assisted selection of multiple traits from multiple parents. The novel genetic sources identified in this study will help in the selection of parents with multiple desirable traits for hybridization. The multi-trait allele specific genic marker assays developed will speed up selection of multiple traits in routine soybean breeding programmes for cultivar development and improvement.

Introduction Dengue-associated ocular complications are increasing owing to the rising global burden of dengue fever. We intend to highlight a rare and sight-threatening complication of this disease. Case Details A 44-year-old male, with prior history of dengue fever, presented with diminution of vision in both eyes for 10 days. At presentation, his best-corrected visual acuity was 1/60 in the right eye and 6/18 in the left eye. Anterior segment findings were unremarkable. Fundus examination revealed vitritis, perivascular exudates, intraretinal hemorrhages, macular edema, peripapillary retinal whitening and cotton wool spots in both eyes suggestive of vasculitis, with additional retinal whitening affecting the right macula. Fundus fluorescein angiography revealed disc and perivascular leakage limited to posterior pole along with patches of blocked fluorescence. In addition, there was capillary nonperfusion due to occlusion of multiple small arterioles supplying the macula of right eye confirming macular ischemia. Macular edema with subretinal fluid in both eyes was evident on optical coherence tomography. Treatment was attempted with intravenous methylprednisolone which was futile even after three days of administration. Conclusion We report a case of retinal vasculitis with macular infarction attributed to dengue fever. Although uncommon, dengue-associated ocular complications can lead to irreversible visual loss. Therefore, clinicians should keep this disease entity in mind while evaluating febrile patients with visual complaints in dengue endemic regions.

Introduction: Perfluorocarbon (PFCL) is an essential adjunct of retinal detachment surgery. Subfoveal migration of PFCL is a rare and vision threatening complication of its use. Various techniques have been described for its removal. However, no consensual technique of its removal has been established. We present a nova, relatively atraumatic and cost effective way of PFCL removal using a widely available 26G spinal anesthesia needle. Case: An 18 years old myopic patient who had undergone left eye pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for myopic Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detatchment (RRD) in the past presented after 1 month with retained subfoveal PFCL. Its subretinal location was confirmed by Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT). He was taken up for early Silicone Oil Removal (SOR) along with removal of retained subfoveal PFCL under high magnification by using a surgical disposable contact macula lens. A 26G spinal anesthesia needle tip was used to dissect a small separation parallel to the nerve fibers at the temporal edge of tense cystic PFCL bleb. Silicone tipped flute cannula was used to passively aspirate the sub retinal PFCL under fluid with no additional intervention. No barrage LASER was done. Observation: Anatomical restoration of the retina was noted both intraoperatively and post-operatively. SD-OCT showed complete restoration of anatomical layers with no presence of intraretinal cystic cleft both at day 1 and 30 days postoperatively. Conclusion: Safe removal of subfoveal PFCL can be done with 26G spinal anesthesia needle which is atraumatic, inexpensive and readily available. However, long term validity of this process needs to be established in a case series.

Genome comparison between the maize pathogens

Introduction: Pathological myopia is commonly associated with myopic traction maculopathy, which includes foveoschisis, foveal retinal detachment, macular hole (MH) and/or macular detachment (MD). Macular buckling is a rarely practiced extraocular surgical modality these days. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of primary buckling with Morin–Devin T implant for MD with MH and posterior staphyloma. Case description: A 52-year-old female presented with light perception vision in her right eye with posterior staphyloma, localized neurosensory detachment, and MH. She underwent primary macular buckling with Morin–Devin T implant. During the immediate postoperative day the wedge indentation was found misaligned to the fovea. A revision surgery was done after 2 weeks for repositioning of the macular wedge. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography confirmed indentation at the MH with resolution of subretinal fluid and hole closure. Her BCVA was 2/60 at 3 months postoperative and it remained the same even at 6 months of follow-up. Conclusions: Primary macular buckling can be an effective procedure in eyes with MH with detachment and posterior staphyloma with or without associated foveoschisis. Morin–Devin T implant placement is a relatively simple procedure with short surgical time and excellent outcome.

Diabetic papillopathy (DP) is a rare ocular complication of diabetes presenting as acute disc edema. It is characterized by minimal or no visual symptoms and has tendency to resolve spontaneously in most of the patients with no visual sequel. Visual debility, if present, is attributable to diabetic macular edema (DME), advanced diabetic retinopathy or conversion to ischemic optic neuropathy. We report a case of 33 years old female who presented with bilateral papillopathy with best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 6/6 in both eyes. She had associated severe non proliferative diabetic retinopathy but noDME. On follow up, thepatient had good metabolic control and clinical improvement in DP, but she developed sudden diminution of vision in left eye as a result of non ischemic central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) which was characterized by BCVA of 6/36, dilated tortuous veins and DME. No specific cause of non-ischaemicCRVOwas revealed on detailed work up. Structural and functional improvement was seenon monthly intravitrealanti vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) administration.Her BCVA post threeinjectionstood at 6/18. This is to report the possibility of development of CRVO in DP and highlight the need for close follow-up of such patients even in presence of strict diabetic control.

Purpose To report an uncommon case of intraoperative ocular decompression retinopathy (ODR). Case report A 48-year-old man presented with decreased vision and pain in the left eye (LE) for 10 days following trauma with a bamboo stick. He had visual acuity of counting finger close to face in the same eye, along with corneal edema, dilated pupil and posteriorly dislocated lens. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was 42 mm of mercury (Hg). He underwent 23-gauge pars plana vitrectomy with removal of the dislocated lens. Towards the end of otherwise uneventful surgery, blot hemorrhages appeared over the posterior pole and equator. The following day, his vision was counting finger close to face and IOP was 16 mm of Hg. Fundus examination revealed large blotches of hemorrhages at different levels of the retina, later confirmed by optical coherence tomography. Disc hyperfluorescence and blocked fluorescence corresponding to blot hemorrhages were seen on fundus fluorescein angiography. Blood investigations to rule out blood dyscrasias were within normal limits. Conclusion Ocular decompression retinopathy, though not common, has been reported to occur following various types of surgeries, especially if associated with preoperatively raised IOP. The event can also occur intraoperatively and the preoperative control of IOP is of paramount importance in the prevention of ODR.

Introduction: Central corneal thickness (CCT) is a powerful predictor of primary open angle glaucoma. Individualized risk assessment is critical for early diagnosis and management of glaucoma. Objectives: To compare CCT and intraocular pressure in patients of primary openangle glaucoma (POAG) with those of normal population. Materials and methods: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study was performed in Ophthalmology department of B. P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Nepal. Newly diagnosed cases of primary glaucoma (open angle, normal tension) of 18 years and above, without known systemic diseases were included. Results: Out of a total of 291 subjects (582 eyes), 105 subjects (210 eyes) were with primary glaucoma and 186 (382 eyes) were normal subjects. There was no significant difference in CCT between glaucomatous (533.57 μm) and normal (530.06 μm) eyes (p=0.1). Cornea was thinner (518.±18.03 μm) in eyes with severe glaucomatous damage (cup:disc ratio > 0.8) than in moderate glaucomatous damage (cup:disc ratio=0.5-0.8)(p=0.003). There was a statistically significant difference of 22.05 μm in CCT between POAG and NTG (p

Soybean is a quantitative photoperiod sensitive short-day crop. In Asian countries, soybean is grown under rain-fed conditions. However, late planting due to delayed onset of the rainy season results in the reduced biomass leading to considerable yield losses. Long juvenility (LJ) trait in soybean delays flowering and helps in gaining biomass under short days. Our objective of this work was to understand the molecular basis of long juvenility in a genetic resource AGS 25. In this study, we used recombinant inbred lines (RILs) developed from an LJ genotype AGS 25 and conventional juvenile (CJ) genotype JS 93–05 and mapped a major quantitative trait locus (QTL) explaining upto 39.7% of the phenotypic variation. The identified QTL carried two candidate flowering genes FT2a and FT2b, in which genomic DNA sequencing of coding DNA sequence identified the former with a functional SNP variation but the latter was found monomorphic. The identified mutation in FT2a could be associated with LJ and validated in another segregating population (F2 of SL 958 × AGS 25). The novel mutation caused a non-synonymous substitution of conserved glycine with aspartic acid (G169D) and the mechanism of LJ through this mutation is to be further divulged. This identified mis-sense mutation found associated with delayed flowering in two previous reports. The identified new functional SNP created differential HinfI (e9-CAPS) restriction sites and high-resolution melt (HRM) profiles (e9-HRM) for CJ and LJ parents and are associated with delayed flowering in RILs and F2 population (SL 958 × AGS 25).

BackgroundUse of perfluorocarbon liquid (PFCL) has been increasingly growing as an adjuvant in vitreo-retina surgeries. Some commonly encountered complications with its use include subretinal migration, formation of sticky silicone oil or retained PFCL in vitreous cavity and anterior chamber. Scleral rupture during PFCL injection has a rare occurrence. We report an unexpected event of scleral rupture during PFCL injection and discuss the management challenges faced by the surgeon.Case presentationA 66 year indo-aryan male was undergoing pars-plana vitrectomy (PPV) with diagnosis of subtotal rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RD) with Proliferative Vitreo-retonipathy (PVR)-B. After near total vitrectomy PFCL was being injected and then there was sudden poor visualization of fundus with development of bullous RD and globe hypotony. The surgeon was not able to figure out the cause of hypotony and air was switched on in the infusion cannula. This further complicated the situation resulting in migration of air in the anterior chamber, posterior dislocation of intraocular lens complex, 180° inferior retinal dialysis and ballooning of the conjunctiva which gave a clue of probable scleral rupture. Conjunctival peritomy was performed superiorly and scleral defect was noted. Intraocular tissue incarceration and air leak was visible from the wound. This confirmed scleral rupture during PFCL injection. Repositioning of incarcerated retina was not possible and retinectomy was performed followed by repair of scleral rupture with lots of difficulty in a vitrectomised eye.ConclusionPFCL injection, a crucial step of vitreoretina surgery, should be performed slowly with extreme caution maintaining an optimal intraocular pressure to prevent devastating complications like scleral rupture.

Molecular markers play a key role in marker-assisted breeding which is ultimately the new version of conventional breeding. It helps in the development of plants with a new characteristic in a short duration of time which is unknown in the plants. It is also the way for tagging the characteristic present at any location in the whole genome of the species. Various molecular/DNA markers are identified which deals with the sequence changes of the genome. QTL mapping today enhances the knowledge regarding the polygenes controlling important traits of the plants, while association mapping provides the phylogenetic study of the trait. In this regard, molecular marker is greatly used in the study. Here, we summarize the molecular markers for exploring the knowledge about their designs, types, uses, and applications in different aspects of plant breeding. Many markers are described with their procedure involved and new markers, which are extensively used nowadays like dCAPS, CAPS, SNP, etc. Here in this chapter we also cover the protocols to be followed using different types of molecular markers which enhance knowledge about their use.

Photoperiodic genes in soybean affect latitudinal adaptation, plant growth, and overall productivity of the crop. Soybean adapts to large latitudinal zones from 50°N to 40°S, but its individual accessions adapt to a very narrow latitudinal band. For its worldwide production, major considerations are its photoperiodic and growth habit genes. Inheritance of the photoperiodic genes and role of these genes regulate early or late flowering and also regulate early or late maturity of the crop. In this chapter, we have summarized the photoperiodic and growth habit genes and their role in soybean flowering and maturity. We have also discussed their mapping, mechanism, quantitative trait loci (QTL) study, and linked markers. Major photoperiodic genes include E1 gene, E2 gene, E3 gene, E4 gene, E5 gene, E7 gene, E8 gene, and E10 gene, and genes responsible for growth habit, Dt1 and Dt2, interact with each other and are involved in the functions of flowering, maturity, and plant architecture. Specific combinations of these genes have been found to confer adaptation to specific zones of the world. Therefore, such study will be useful in the development of varieties adapted in adverse conditions of photoperiod in different zones of the country. Plant photoperiodic response provides the synchronization of their growth pattern with the seasonal events and, therefore, their better adaptation. At the same time, high photoperiodic sensitivity can retard the dispersal of important agricultural crops. These problems are solved with various breeding strategies.

Introduction: A large number of hormonal, metabolic, immunologic and haematological changes occur in all organ system of female body during pregnancy. Human eye and its function are no exception to these changes.Purpose: To evaluate physiological ocular changes in various trimesters of pregnancy and to compare them amongst the three trimesters.Patients and Methods: A hospital based cross sectional study, using judgmental convenient sampling method, was done in both eyes of 120 pregnant females (40 in each trimester), with known last menstrual period, attending antenatal clinic of BPKIHS, Dharan. Women with known systemic or ocular diseases like conjunctivitis, keratitis, iridocyclitis, glaucoma, refractive error, were excluded. Demographic details of all patients were recorded and detailed ocular examination, including best corrected visual acuity, slit lamp examination, vertical and horizontal keratometry, central corneal thickness and intraocular pressure were performed and recorded. A comparison of these parameters was made amongst three trimesters.Results: Visual acuity of all the subjects was 0 logMAR. Corneal curvature, both vertical and horizontal, significantly increased towards third trimester. Central corneal thickness progressively increased from first to third trimester (p= 0.019 Right eye, 0.016 Left eye). In contrary to this, intraocular pressure significantly decreased during successive stages of pregnancy (P=0.000 both eye).Conclusion: Significant increase in corneal curvature and central corneal thickness along with, decrease in intraocular pressure occur during successive trimesters of pregnancy. All pregnant women should have routine ocular examination; changes noted, if any, should receive attention and period of gestation should be considered prior to making a diagnosis.

Background: A macular hole is a full-thickness defect of retinal tissue involving the anatomic fovea, thereby affecting central visual acuity. Pars plana vitrectomy and gas tamponade is a recognised modality of treatment for macular hole.Larger holes are more likely to remain open after repair and late reopening after an initially closed macular hole is seen in macular holes larger than 400 μm. Aims and Objective: To evaluate the anatomical and functional outcome of pars plana vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane peeling for chronic stage 3 macular hole. Materials and Methods: Records of 15 patients with stage 3 chronic macular holes operated from 1 st January 2013 to 30 th June 2013 and completed 1 year of follow up were retrospectively evaluated and included in the study. Preoperative best distance corrected visual acuity (BCVA), preoperative macular hole size, final BCVA and macular hole status at 1 year follow up were recorded. Macular hole closure and visual improvement was calculated. Correlation of macular hole closure and visual improvement with various macular hole parameter was estimated. Results: Eleven (73.3%) macular holes closed at 1 year follow-up. Mean BCVA improved from 1.2 ± 0.27 to 0.89 ± 0.36 logarithm of minimum angle of resolution at 1 year (p

A 12 year girl presented with left eye (LE) loss of vision for four days. Fundus examination and fluorescence angiography revealed LE central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO). She had multiple rashes all over the body. IgM-Varicella antibody assay corresponded with varicella infection and she was diagnosed with CRAO associated with varicella dermatitis.J Nepal Paediatr Soc 2016;36(1):78-81.

Reversible protein phosphorylation is a crucial regulatory mechanism that controls many biological processes in eukaryotes. In plants, phosphorylation events primarily occur on serine (Ser) and threonine (Thr) residues, while in certain cases, it was also discovered on tyrosine (Tyr) residues. In contrary to plants, extensive reports on Tyr phosphorylation regulating a large numbers of biological processes exist in animals. Despite of such prodigious function in animals, Tyr phosphorylation is a least studied mechanism of protein regulation in plants. Recently, various chemical analytical procedures have strengthened the view that Tyr phosphorylation is equally prevalent in plants as in animals. However, regardless of Tyr phosphorylation events occuring in plants, no evidence could be found for the existence of gene encoding for Tyr phosphorylation i.e. the typical Tyr kinases. Various methodologies have suggested that plant responses to stress signals and developmental processes involved modifications in protein Tyr phosphorylation. Correspondingly, various reports have established the role of PTPs (Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases) in the dephosphorylation and inactivation of mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs) hence, in the regulation of MAPK signaling cascade. Besides this, many dual specificity protein phosphatases (DSPs) are also known to bind starch and regulate starch metabolism through reversible phosphorylation. Here, we are emphasizing the significant progress on protein Tyr phosphatases to understand the role of these enzymes in the regulation of post-translational modification in plant physiology and development.

Background: Pregnant women and their fetuses are known to be at increased risk for influenza-associated morbidity and mortality. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and others have recommended influenza vaccination for all pregnant women at any gestational age, but vaccination rates for pregnant women remain low, near 45%. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed at each of 4 sites during the 2010 to 2011 and 2011 to 2012 influenza seasons to examine the rates of flu vaccination offering and provision. The 4 separate clinics used for this study included 3 sites within a large university academic center and one private community practice. A nurse-driven (licensed vocational nurse or medical assistant staff) protocol for offering the flu vaccine was used at one site the first year of review and then used at 2 sites during the second year of review. We compared the vaccination offering and provision rates when nursedriven or physician-driven protocols were used. Results: With the nurse-driven protocol, the average offering rate was 99.7%, but of those who were offered the vaccine, only 38.2% received it, for a total effective vaccination rate of 38.1% of the patients. With the physician-driven protocol, 54.5% patients were offered the vaccine, and 70.7% of those received it, for an effective total vaccination rate of 38.5%. Conclusion: In this retrospective observational report, a nurse-driven protocol did not improve vaccination rates across varying practice sites. Thus, a simple protocol change to staff alone offering vaccine is unlikely to improve rates of maternal influenza vaccination. Additional studies looking at interventions to increase the number of pregnant women vaccinated against influenza are needed. (J Am Board Fam Med 2014;27:56‐60.)

Introduction: Corneal ulcer is a leading cause of blindness worldwide. Many of these patients don’t respond to conventional treatment with topical agents. Collagen cross-linking (CXL) has been suggested to avoid complications requiring emergency keratoplasty. Subjects and methods: Six eyes with presumed bacterial keratitis not responding to conventional treatment underwent CXL with ultraviolet A rays and transepithelial riboflavin. Patients with Descematocele and perforated ulcers were excluded. Preoperatively and postoperatively slit lamp examination of cornea and visual acuity recording was done. Postoperative outcome included subjective symptoms like relief in pain, photophobia, lacrimation and objective signs like improvement in epithelisation, corneal scarring with vascularisation. Results: Four of the six eyes healed completely with scarring at 2 months follow-up. One of the patients developed Descematocele on 12 days which perforated later. Other patient developed Descematocele on 20 days post CXL. Of the subjective symptoms, pain and epiphora improved in all the patients except one. Photophobia improved only a week after CXL in four out of six patients. Epithelial defect completely healed over time in four out of six cases. All the cases who responded to treatment developed superficial and deep vascularisation of the cornea. Decrease in corneal edema and scarring was noted in four out of the six cases. Conclusion: The collagen cross-linking has a beneficial role as an adjuvant to medical therapy in recalcitrant bacterial keratitis. It helps in relief of pain and healing of ulcer. Larger randomized control trails with longer follow-up are required to come to a definite conclusion. Nepal J Ophthalmol 2016; 8(15): 47-53