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More than half of patients with oral cancer recur even after multimodality treatment and recurrent oral cancers carry a poorer prognosis when compared to other sites of head and neck. The best survival outcome in a recurrent setting is achieved by salvage surgery; however, objective criteria to select an ideal candidate for salvage surgery is difficult to frame, as the outcome depends on various treatment-, tumor-, and patient-related factors. The following is summarizes various tumor- and treatment-related factors that guide our decision-making to optimize oncologic and functional outcomes in surgical salvage for recurrent oral cancers. Short disease-free interval, advanced tumor stage (recurrent and primary), extracapsular spread and positive tumor margins in a recurrent tumor, regional recurrence, and multimodality treatment of primary tumor all portend worse outcomes after surgical salvage. Quality of life after surgical intervention has shown improvement over 1 year with a drastic drop in pain scores. Various trials are underway evaluating the combination of immunotherapy and surgical salvage in recurrent head and neck tumors, including oral cavity, which may widen our indications for salvage surgery with improved survival and preserved organ function.

Findings from family and twin studies support a genetic contribution to the development of sexual orientation in men. However, previous studies have yielded conflicting evidence for linkage to chromosome Xq28. We conducted a genome-wide linkage scan on 409 independent pairs of homosexual brothers (908 analyzed individuals in 384 families), by far the largest study of its kind to date. We identified two regions of linkage: the pericentromeric region on chromosome 8 (maximum two-point LOD = 4.08, maximum multipoint LOD = 2.59), which overlaps with the second strongest region from a previous separate linkage scan of 155 brother pairs; and Xq28 (maximum two-point LOD = 2.99, maximum multipoint LOD = 2.76), which was also implicated in prior research. Results, especially in the context of past studies, support the existence of genes on pericentromeric chromosome 8 and chromosome Xq28 influencing development of male sexual orientation.

Global warming is causing increased temperatures that are affecting crop yield and sustainability. To harness the diversity present in rice germplasm, 1100 rice genotypes from the north-eastern Himalayan region (NEHR) were evaluated for high yield stability and marker-trait associations using SSR markers under ambient and elevated temperature conditions in the CO2-temperature gradient chamber (CTGC). Compared to ambient temperature, most agro-morphological traits showed a decreasing trend under elevated temperature, while PCV, GCV, heritability, and GAM tended to increase with elevated temperature. Pollen fertility percentage ranged from 5.4 to 99.4% at ambient temperature and from 3.4 to 98.6% at elevated temperature. The yield per plant (YPP) was significantly positively associated with traits like plant height (PH), panicle length (PL), number of tillers per plant (NT), number of effective tillers per plant (NET), number of filled grains per panicle (NFGPP), spikelet fertility percentage (SFP), and panicle weight (PW), under ambient and elevated temperature conditions. The polymorphism information content (PIC) values of markers associated with heat tolerance ranged from 0.02 to 0.77, with an average of 0.26. A total of 91 alleles were detected, ranging from 2 (RM570, RM225) to 11 (RM364), with an average of 3.14 alleles per marker. The AMOVA results showed that a significant percentage of variation was attributed to the genotypes within the population (67.50%). Based on the FST value (6.42%), genotypes from Meghalaya and Tripura were significantly differed from those outside the NEHR. Model-based clustering revealed that 86 genotypes had more than 80% genetic purity to their respective ancestry. In comparison, seven genotypes (Sojkyrleh, RCPL 1–123, RCPL 1–136, RCPL 1–74, RCPL 1–188, Sialkathi and Bapnah) had less than 80% genetic purity and were considered admixtures. Two markers, RM234 and RM7364, were found to be significantly associated with yield per plant under elevated temperature conditions using both the general linear model (GLM) and mixed linear model (MLM) approach. Genotypes such as TRC-2016–291, TRC-2007–1, TRC-2016–426, Daya, Badjhania, TRC-2016–624, TRC-2016–33, Nania, TRC-2016–51, Aati Ghal and TRC-2016–153, which exhibited superior performance for yield and component traits were selected as high yielding for the elevated temperature conditions of NEHR.

The gold standard for central arch defects of the mandible is reconstruction with vascularized bone free flap. Free flap repair is always not an option due to lack of resources and in patients who are not healthy enough for lengthy surgery. In these situations, a standardized method of repair is by reconstruction plate and wrapping it with a regional flap like pectoralis major myocutaneous flap (PMMC). However, this method of repair has increased risk of plate exposure, plate fracture, partial or complete flap necrosis, and delayed decannulation, swallowing, adjuvant treatment. Hence, we describe a new technique of incorporating titanium  R econstruction plate i n the S ubstance of PMMC (RISP technique) and address the drawbacks of the conventional method. The aim of the study is (1) to assess the feasibility of a novel method for mandibular reconstruction that incorporates a reconstruction plate within the substance of PMMC and (2) to compare the conventional method of repair of wrapping the reconstruction plate with RISP technique. Our case series of 22 patients who had arch mandibulectomy for cancer of oral cavity serves as the basis for our description of a novel technique of Recon plate in the Substance of PMMC (RISP technique) in 15 cases and comparison with 7 cases of old conventional technique for arch defects. A total of 22 eligible patients were included in the study. Of the 22 patients, 8 were males and 14 were females. Majority of the patients were above 55 years ( n  = 15, 68.1%); median age in RISP technique cohort is 64 years and 57 years in conventional technique. The mean duration of follow-up for the cohort was 27 months (7–47 months). The most common subsite was the buccal mucosa ( n  = 9, 40.9%). Majority of the patients had squamous cell carcinoma as histology except one had osteosarcoma. Plate-related morbidities were more commonly seen with conventional method (6 out of 7 had plate exposure). Flap-related morbidities were similar in both techniques. On multivariate analysis, technique of plating was the only factor predictive of plate-related complications ( p  < 0.001). The average time to starting oral feeds was 15 to 25 days for patients who have undergone plating with new technique as compared to 19–90 days for patients with conventional method. Patients operated with the newer technique had earlier decannulation and shorter duration of hospital stay when compared to conventional method. The average Functional Oral Intake Score was 5 to 6 in RISP technique. Our novel technique of inserting reconstruction plate within the substance of PMMC is a feasible alternative for mandibular arch defects with less complications and better functional outcome.

Background Subsite and tumor stage-related heterogeneity in studies on optical tracer-guided sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) has led to inconsistent results, limiting the applicability and wider adoption of this technique. Methodology This single-center, prospective validation study conducted in January and February 2022, included 29 consecutive patients with early-stage, node-negative SCC of the buccal mucosa undergoing methylene blue-guided SLNB followed by modified radical neck dissection (considered the reference standard) to determine the identification rate and test validity of SLNB, and secondarily, the clinicopathological factors associated with node-positivity using binary logistic regression. Results SLN identification rate with methylene blue was 93.1% with 66 SLNs retrieved in 27 patients, at a median 2 (IQR 2–3) nodes per procedure. Additionally, 644 nodes were grossed in the neck dissection specimens of 29 patients (median yield 24; IQR 17.5–26 per procedure). Overall accuracy of SLNB was 96.3% (95%CI 81.03–99.91%), with sensitivity and negative predictive value of 83.3% (95%CI 35.88–99.58%) and 95.5% (95%CI 77.16–99.88%), respectively. The only factor independently predictive of occult nodal involvement was pathological depth of infiltration (hazard ratio 3.312; 95%CI 1.040–10.546, p  = 0.043) which at 6.5 mm was 100% sensitive and 91.3% specific (area under curve 0.975; 95%CI 0.925–1.000). Conclusion Methylene blue-guided SLNB may be considered a viable alternative to evaluate the neck in early-stage buccal mucosal SCC with acceptable test validity and reliability. [Registered with the Clinical Trials Registry of India (CTRI/2022/01/039523 dated 18th January 2022)].

The COVID-19 pandemic has placed unprecedented pressure on healthcare services. Deprioritisation of nonemergency clinical services and growing concerns of adverse outcomes of COVID-19 in cancer patients is having a deleterious impact across oncologic practice. We report cancer surgery outcomes taking into account the acuity of the COVID-19 situation. A prospectively maintained database of the Department of Surgical Oncology was analysed from 1st May to 30th June, 2020, to evaluate the perioperative outcomes, morbidity and mortality following major surgical procedures. A total of 359, preoperatively, tested negative for COVID-19 underwent surgery. Median age was 52 years with 26.7% ( n  = 96) above the age of 60 years. Sixty-one percent ( n  = 219) patients were American Society of Anaesthesiology grades II–III. As per surgical complexity grading, 36.8% ( n  = 132) cases were lower grades (I–III) and 63.2% ( n  = 227) were complex surgeries (IV–VI). 5.3% ( n  = 19) had ≥ grade III Clavien-Dindo complication, and the postoperative mortality rate was 0.27% ( n  = 1). Major complication rates in patients > 60 years were 9.3% in comparison to 4.1% in < 60 years ( p  = 0·63). The median hospital stay was 1–10 days across subspecialties. Postoperatively, repeat COVID 19 testing in 2 suspected patients were negative. Our study showed that after screening, triaging and prioritisation, asymptomatic cases may undergo cancer surgeries without increased morbidity during COVID-19 pandemic.

Unlike conventional spin methods, electrospinning is capable of yielding fibers with sub-micron range diameters and high specific surface areas. In this study a Bisphenol-A polycarbonate was electrospun using two solvents: Chloroform and a 1:1 mixture of Tetrahydrofuran (THF) and Dimethylformamide (DMF). The morphological features of the electrospun polycarbonate fibers have been studied as a function of the solvent used and also as a function of the processing voltage. The studies were conducted using the SEM, TEM and Scion image analysis program. The results indicate that the morphological features of the fiber such as fiber diameter, diameter-distribution, internal structure and the Bead density variation with voltage are dependent on the solvent used. Electrospun polycarbonate fibers also exhibit a “Raisin like” puckered structure. However, such a feature is independent of the solvent used, and could enhance the functional efficiency of an electrospun material when used in an area-based application. In addition, studies on crazing of bulk polycarbonate and the surface features of electrospun polycarbonate fibers have been conducted. Results indicate that crazing of bulk polycarbonate results in surface damage and features that are also seen on the surface of electrospun polycarbonates.

The productivity and water-use efficiency of traditional rice (Oryza sativa)-based cropping systems in northeastern hill region of India is low and needs to be revisited for improving food security and mitigating the impact of climate change. The adoption of modern agricultural technologies is a necessity for upliftment of agricultural productivity and livelihood of the farming households. Therefore, a modified system of rice intensification (MSRI) was demonstrated in participatory mode during 2010–2012 in 16 farmers’ field of Meghalaya, India, to increase cropping intensity, yield, water productivity (WP) and improve livelihood. The 20-day-old seedlings of improved rice variety ‘Shahsarang-1’ were transplanted at 20 cm × 20 cm spacing with two seedlings hill−1 under MSRI as against 30-days-old seedlings transplanted randomly using 4–5 seedlings hill−1 under farmers’ practice (FP). The average rice productivity under MSRI was enhanced by 39% than that under FP. The employment and net returns were enhanced by 15 and 61% over FP, respectively. Adoption of MSRI also increased water-use efficiency by 12% and WP by 59% compared to FP. The rice crop under MSRI matured 15 days earlier than that under FP. Thus, adoption of MSRI facilitated growing of vegetable pea (Pisum sativum) with average productivity of 4.2 t ha−1 after rice which doubled the cropping intensity and increased farmers’ income. In addition, the available nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium and organic carbon content of soils under rice (MSRI)-pea cropping system were also increased by 7.5, 5.2, 3.4 and 4.3% over antecedent level after 2 years. Hence, MSRI is recommended for enhancing rice productivity, sustaining soil fertility and income of hill farmers in studied ecosystem.

The study aimed at evaluating of an appropriate nutrient management practice for increasing greengram productivity, improving soil health, and thus bringing sustainability to pulse production system in the hilly terrains of North East India. A field experiment was conducted during 2013 and 2014 to evaluate the effect of vermicompost, Rhizobium and lime in different combination with fertilizers on greengram productivity and soil health under terrace land situation of Meghalaya. Treatments comprised of recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF), 50% RDF + Rhizobium, 50% RDF + Rhizobium + lime 4 q ha^sup -1^, 50% RDF + Vermicompost (VC) 2.5 t ha^sup -1^, 50% RDF + lime 4 q ha^sup -1^ and 50 % RDF + VC2.5 t ha^sup -1^ + lime 4 q ha^sup -1^. Nutrient management practices significantly influenced the yield components, yield, soil nutrient status, as well as microbial population in soils. Integrated use of 50% RDF + VC 2.51 ha^sup -1^+ lime 4 q ha^sup -1^ resulted in significantly higher yield of greengram (10 q ha^sup -1^) and improved the soil organic carbon (2.5 %), bacterial and fungal population, pH and available N, P^sub 2^O^sub 5^ and K^sub 2^O compared to recommended dose of fertilizerapplied alone. The results of the study indicated that the integrated use of 50 % RDF with vermicompost 2.5 t ha^sup -1^ and lime 4 q ha^sup -1^ is profitable for enhancing greengram productivity and improving soil health under hilly ecosystem of North East India.

Background: Cancer of the male breast accounts for about 1% of all malignancies in men and 1% of all breast cancers. Poor level of awareness often results in late presentation and delayed diagnosis in our environment. This study was done to analyse the demographic data, management and survival of male breast cancers in Indian subset of patients and compare it with that of western literature. Materials and Methods: A 10 year (2001-2010) retrospective study of all male breast cancers was done. Data regarding the incidence, presentation, histopathology, stage and grade of tumor, management and outcome of patients were analysed. Results: 26 cases of male breast cancer were encountered. This comprised 0.4% of all breast cancers seen in our department during the 10 year period. The ages of patients ranged from 45-75 years with a mean age of 57 years. Family history was present in 4 patients. Clinically, symptoms included self-detected lump in 23 (88.5%) patients, nipple retraction in 12 (46.1%) and pain in 12 (46.1%). All cases were unilateral (16 on right, 10 on left). Disease most commonly involved central quadrant (9 patients). Grade 3 disease was found in 13 patients and Stage 3 disease was most commonly encountered (13 patients). None of our patients received neo adjuvant chemotherapy. 20 (76.9%) patients had modified radical mastectomy and 6 (23.1%) had radical mastectomy. Most of our patients were hormone receptor positive (21 patients). Bilateral orchidectomy, Adjuvant chemotherapy, Adjuvant radiotherapy and Tamoxifen were offered in 3 (11.5%), 16 (61.5%), 17 (65.4%) and 15 (57.7%) patients respectively. Follow up ranged from 1-59 months. Conclusion: Male breast cancer is rare in our centre. Late presentation with advanced disease is a common feature in our environment. Further multiinstitutional, prospective studies are needed for better understanding of management of male breast cancers in Indian subset of patients.