Ear Mass Research Articles

Historical Trends in Sweet Corn Plant Density Tolerance Using Era Hybrids (1930-2010s).

Over the last six decades, steady improvement in plant density tolerance (PDT) has been one of the largest contributors to genetic yield gain in field corn. While recent research indicates that PDT in modern sweet corn hybrids could be exploited to improve yield, historical changes in PDT in sweet corn are unknown. The objectives of this study were to: (a) quantify the extent to which PDT has changed since introduction of hybrid sweet corn and (b) determine the extent to which changes over time in PDT are associated with plant morpho-physiological and ear traits. An era panel was assembled by recreating 15 sugary1 sweet corn hybrids that were widely used at one time in the United States, representing hybrids since the 1930s. Era hybrids were evaluated in field experiments in a randomized complete block design with a split-plot arrangement of treatments, including hybrid as the main factor and density as the split-plot factor. Plant density treatments included “Low” plant density (9,900 plants/ha) free of crowding stress or “High” plant density (79,000 plants/ha) with crowding stress. On average, per-area marketable ear mass (Mt/ha) increased at a rate of 0.8 Mt/ha/decade at High densities, whereas per-plant yield (i.e., kg/plant) remained unchanged over time regardless of the density level. Crate yield, a fresh market metric, improved for modern hybrids. However, processing sweet corn yield metrics like fresh kernel mass and recovery (amount of kernel mass contributing to the fresh ear mass) showed modest or no improvement over time, respectively. Modern sweet corn hybrids tend to have fewer tillers and lower fresh shoot biomass, potentially allowing the use of higher plant density; however, plant architecture alone does not accurately predict PDT of individual hybrids.

Growth and productivity of wheat plants under drought in the critical phase of ontogenesis

Aim. The goal of this work was to study the effect of drought in the critical phase of ontogenesis on the growth and productivity of breed winter wheat plants (Triticum aestivum L.). Methods. Wheat plants of cultivars Darunok Podillya and Podolyanka were grown under optimal nutrition and well-water conditions until the earing-flowering phase, after that the experimental plants were transferred to drought regime for 8 days, after that the optimal water supply was restored to the end of vegetation. During the experiment, the leaf surface area, the mass of internodes and ear were determined. Ripened plants were analyzed according to the structure of the yield. Results. It was established that the effect of drought in the critical phase of ontogenesis the earing-flowering caused to the decreasing in leaf surface area, mass of internodes, ear, mass and number of grains in the ear and plant, weight of 1000 grains. Conclusions. Water deficit in the soil in the critical phase of earing-flowering led to a decrease in the productive of breed winter wheat plants due to the inhibition of growth of ear, decreasing grain number and the mass of ear and grains.
 Keywords: Triticum aestivum L., internode, ear, productivity, drought.

Facial Paresis and Pulsatile Middle Ear Mass.

Head and neck paragangliomas are uncommon pathologies that present with common symptoms such as pulsatile tinnitus and aural pressure. This article highlights an unusual presentation of a patient with facial paresis who was found to have a jugular paraganglioma. Emphasis is placed on how the otologic examination showed a pulsatile middle ear mass that led to the diagnosis. This case illustrates the importance of maintaining a healthy degree of clinical suspicion when encountering common complaints.

Berberine Chloride Dihydrate Enthused Nanovesicles for the Management of Dermatitis Nanovesicles for Dermatitis

Background: Dermatitis is a common inflammatory skin disease that is affecting up to 25% of children and 1%-3% of adults worldwide. The paucity of the exact cure for dermatitis and untoward side effects of topical immunosuppressive steroids, has resulted in a great need for making use of complementary medicine to treat dermatitis. Objective: The present research work involved the development of Berberine chloride dihydrate (BCD) enthused nanovesicles i.e. ethosomes for the management of dermatitis. Method: Ethosomes were prepared by slight modification of cold method using varying concentrations of SPC (1-3%) and ethanol (10-40%) Optimized batch BCD 12 was further added to Carbopol 934P for gel formation. GEL BCD 12 was subjected to “anti-bacterial, dermatitis and skin irritation study. Result: The vesicles were in size range 142.42-398.31 nm while polydispersity index (PDI) ranges from 0.114-1.56 and for zeta potential it was from-18.8 to -39.4. Entrapment efficiency was from 46.05-88.79 %. Confocal laser scanning microscopy showed penetration depth of rhodamine enthused ethosome across rat skin upto 110 µm which was significantly higher than rhodamine solution (10 µm). In the anti-bacterial study, BCD loaded ethosomal gel (EG) showed maximum zone of inhibition of 18.5 mm against E. coli, 14.5 mm against P. aeruginosa and 23.0 mm against S. aureus. In dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) induced mice dermatitis model histopathology study showed marked decrease in amount of inflammatory cell nucleus in mice treated with BCD loaded ethosomal gel followed by 56% and 50 % increase in ear swelling and ear mass respectively in morphology study. Conventional marketed formulation showed nominal decrease in epidermal thickness, 66.67 % increase in ear thickness and 63.64 % increase in ear mass. Further Primary irritation index was less than 0.4 indicating negligible irritation in all the groups. Conclusion: It can be concluded that ethosomal gel is not only an efficient carrier for BCD but also proves its potential for the management of dermatitis.

Variability, Association and Selection of Promising Characters for Breeding Creole Maize

Genetic variability is the main characteristic when seeking to select promising genotypes for plant breeding. Thus, the objective of this work was to investigate the genetic variability in agronomic and morphological characteristics of traditional varieties of maize, in addition to determining the degree of association and the selection of variety and promising characters to be explored in programs of genetic breeding of Creole maize. The experiment was conducted at the Federal University of Acre (UFAC), Rio Branco - Acre, in the 2017/2018 harvest period. A randomized block design was used, with five replications. The treatments were four varieties of Creole maize (V1, V2, V3 and V4) from the Vale do Juruá region and another hybrid cultivar LG 3040 (HI). The morpho-agronomic characteristics were evaluated in the useful area of the plots: days to silking (DS), days to anthesis (DA), plant height (PH) and height ear insertion (HEI), stem diameter (SD), mass of ear (ME), length ear (LE), diameter ear (DE), total grain mass (TGM), mass of 100 grain (M100G), grain moisture (GM) and grain productivity (GP). The data were subjected to analysis of variance and comparison of means. The values of genotypic and phenotypic variance were also estimated, heritability in the broad sense, selection accuracy, phenotypic, genotypic and environmental correlation, in addition to the principal component analysis (PCA). Variations in characteristics were found between the varieties of Creole maize and their interrelations, showing greater influence of ME, PH, TGM, M100G, DE and GP in the expression of the phenotype. Therefore, it is concluded that there is genetic variability in the characteristics evaluated, with emphasis to V4 that showed superior performance allowing direct selection of the characteristics SD, ME, TGM and M100G to be incorporated into an breeding program.

Cultivation of maize in different environments and their effects on agronomic traits

The objective of this work was to show which traits are influenced by the interaction genotype x irrigated environment, to reveal trends of linear associations in each environment and to identify genotypic variation through canonical variable analysis in maize. The experiment was conducted in Campos Borges – RS. The experimental design used was randomized blocks organized in a factorial scheme, being two cultivation environment (dry environment characterized only by the availability of rainwater; irrigated environment where a 15 mm layer of water was applied ten days apart the crop cycle, from seedling emergence to physiological maturity stage) x 13 hybrids of maize, arranged in three replicates. The traits plant height, insertion of ear height, mass of one thousand grains and grains yield are influenced by the genotypes x environments interaction. The irrigated environment presents superiority in relation to dry environment for all the traits studied. In general, the genotype G9 performs better than others. The irrigated environment presents superiority than dry environment, in relation to the traits plant height, insertion of ear height, mass of one thousand grains, grain yield per hectare, ear length, ear diameter, ear mass, grains mass per ear and number of grains per ear row.

Pulsatile tinnitus with a whitish mass in the middle ear

Pulsatile tinnitus with a whitish mass in the middle ear

What's Your Diagnosis? Symptoms: Middle Ear Mass and Unilateral Hearing Loss

What's Your Diagnosis? Symptoms: Middle Ear Mass and Unilateral Hearing Loss

Extensive upper neck vascular lesion presenting as middle ear mass

Extensive upper neck vascular lesion presenting as middle ear mass

An unusual presentation of a hepatic ductal malformation in a Boxer dog

AbstractAn 11‐year‐old male neutered Boxer presented for evaluation of an external ear canal mass, postoperatively diagnosed as a benign inflammatory lesion. Preoperative staging of the ear mass identified a 10‐cm mass affecting the majority of the left lateral hepatic lobe, with inconclusive cytology. A left lateral liver lobectomy was performed. Histopathology revealed the hepatic parenchyma was largely effaced and replaced by a myriad of small calibre tubules lined by well‐differentiated biliary epithelium (cytokeratin19 and cytokeratin7 positive (CK19+, CK7+) supported by abundant fibrosis. Small cords and islands of hepatocytes (hepatocyte paraffin1 positive) (HepPar1+) were entrapped throughout these bile ducts. Analysis of the proliferation index via antigen KI‐67 (Ki67) immunohistochemistry confirmed lack of proliferative activity. Histological and immunohistochemical features were consistent with a ductal plate malformation (DPM). This is the first time a DPM of this size has been described on a computed tomography (CT) scan.

Embryonal Rhabdomyosarcoma of Middle Ear and Temporal Bone: A Rare Case Report

Introduction: Rhabdomyosarcoma accounts for up to 60% of childhood soft tissue sarcoma, occurring mostly in the head and neck region but rarely in the ear and temporal areas. Case Report: A 4-year-old boy came to our hospital due to a purulent discharge, bleeding from his left ear. Also seen mass in the left ear along with facial weakness and diplopia. After histopathologic evaluation, it was diagnosed as embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma. Conclusion: Rhabdomyosarcoma should be kept in mind as a differential diagnosis in all children presenting with otitis media with mastoiditis. Biopsy should be considered who are not responding to medications and those worsening condition.

Concurrent chemoradiation in locally advanced primary middle ear lymphoepithelial carcinoma: an effective treatment modality case report

BackgroundDefinitive treatment of primary middle ear lymphoepithelial carcinoma (LEC) is not well established owing to the rarity of this disease entity. We report a case of locally advanced primary middle ear LEC treated with concurrent chemoradiation, with good oncologic outcomes.Case presentationA 46 year-old female of Cantonese (Southern Chinese) descent presented with a four-month history of left sided hearing loss and non-pulsatile tinnitus, associated with progressive ipsilateral facial weakness. She had a left facial palsy (House-Brackmann 2) which then deteriorated to complete palsy over 2 weeks. Otoscopic examination of the left ear revealed a red-hued mass replacing the tympanic membrane. There was no cervical lymphadenopathy. Fibreoptic nasoendoscopy was unremarkable. Pure tone audiometry revealed profound mixed left hearing loss with type B impedance.Computed tomography of the temporal bone showed an ill-defined left middle ear mass with erosion of the malleus, tegmen tympani and facial canal. Magnetic Resonance Imaging showed an avidly enhancing lesion involving the dura of the left middle cranial fossa, tympanic and labyrinthine portions of the facial nerve. This mass extended into the apex of the left internal acoustic canal and basal turn of the cochlea. Histopathology confirmed EBV-positive primary middle ear LEC. Concurrent chemoradiation comprising 70Gy of intensity-modulated radiation therapy and 3 cycles of concurrent Cisplatin based chemotherapy over a 6 week period was administered. The patient achieved near-complete disease resolution on 3 month post-treatment imaging. Serum EBV DNA titres declined to undetectable levels and the patient is disease-free at 18 months post-diagnosis.Discussion and conclusionConcurrent chemoradiation with curative intent may be a viable treatment option for locally advanced middle ear LEC not amenable to surgical resection due to expected surgical morbidity. It confers good oncologic outcomes that mimic the response in other head and neck EBV-related lymphoepithelial carcinomas.

Chondromyxoid Fibroma of the Temporal Bone: Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract Chondromyxoid fibroma (CMF) is a rare, benign, cartilaginous bone tumor that commonly affects the metaphysis of the lower-extremity long bones in young adults. Involvement of the craniofacial bones, especially the temporal bone, is exceedingly rare. We report a case of a 64-year-old man who presented with a left ear mass, but on subsequent imaging was found to have a more extensive mass centered in the temporal bone. Initial biopsy raised the concern for a low-grade chondrosarcoma. However, following surgical resection, a diagnosis of CMF was rendered. The clinical findings, radiographic features, histology, and differential diagnoses are discussed.

Застосування препарату регоплант у зрошуваних умовах південного степу України на кукурудзі цукровій

The article is devoted to the study of the influence of the growth-regulating drug Regoplant on the productivity and growth processes of sugar corn in the conditions of the Southern Steppe of Ukraine on dark chestnut soils under irrigation. The aim of the work was to formulate current recommendations for agricultural producers on the use of the growth-regulating drug Regoplant, the selection of hybrids and the scheme of sowing sugar corn, based on the results of field experiments. Materials and methods. Studies to study the effect of the Regoplant preparation, the hybrid composition and the schemes of sowing sugar corn on the productivity of the crop were carried out on dark chestnut slightly solonetzic soils in the Kherson region. The experiment was carried out in four repetitions, in full accordance with modern requirements for the implementation of field experiments in agronomy. Regoplant preparation was used at a dose of 50 ml / ha in the phase of 7-8 leaves. The modern hybrids of the MNAGOR selection - Deyneris F1, Champion F1, NBM-2020 F1 were put to the study. Sowing patterns of the culture - 70 × 10 cm, 70 × 20 cm, 45 × 20 cm, 45 × 30 cm. Growth processes were assessed by the height of the plants in the panicle flowering phase, the crop yield was determined by the mass of marketable ears in wrappers collected from the experimental plot manually and weighed on an electronic analytical balance. Statistical processing of research results was performed at 95 % confidence level in the AgroStat software product. Results. All studied factors influenced the growth processes and productivity of sweet corn. The highest height (185.50 cm) of the crop plants was reached in the variant with the Daenerys F1 hybrid, where the treatment with the Regoplant preparation was not performed, with a seeding pattern of 45 × 30 cm, the minimum plant height was recorded in the areas of the NBM-2020 F1 hybrid with a seeding pattern of 70 × 20 cm and treatment with Regoplant preparation - 125.50 cm. The maximum yield was achieved on the variant with the NBM 2020 F1 hybrid with a seeding scheme of 45 × 30 cm and treatment with the growth-regulating preparation Regoplant in the phase of 7-8 leaves of the culture with a dose of 50 ml / ha - 25, 34 t / ha. The lowest crop yield was obtained on the variant with the Champion F1 hybrid with a seeding scheme of 45 × 30 cm and without treatment with Regoplant - 6.72 t / ha. Conclusions. According to the results of the studies, we consider it expedient to recommend for sowing in the South of Ukraine on dark chestnut soils with irrigation a hybrid of sugar maize NBM-2020 F1 according to the scheme 45 × 30 cm and to process the growth-regulating drug Regoplant in the phase of 7-8 leaves of the culture with a dose of 50 ml / ha. This combination of agrotechnical factors ensured the maximum crop yield in the experiment - 25.34 t / ha of marketable ears in wrappers.

IRRIGATED MAIZE CROP: GRAIN YIELD IN TWO SOWING SEASONS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF TERESINA, PIAUÍ

The objective of this work was to evaluate commercial maize hybrids, under conventional sprinkler irrigation, in two sowing seasons (July and August 2017), in the municipality of Teresina, Piauí. A randomized block design was used, with two replications and 39 treatments (commercial maize hybrids). The characteristics evaluated were grain yield, water use efficiency, number of ears and number of grains per area. For the experiment with sowing done in July 2017, the average grain yield was 9.82 Mg ha-1 and the water use efficiency was 1.9 kg m-3, which are, respectively, 4.7 % and 15.8 % higher in relation to the experiment with sowing done in August 2017. Regardless of the sowing season, grain yields over 10.0 Mg ha-1 of three hybrids (LG 6418, CD 3880 PW and 2A 401 PW) stand out. The yield components, number of kernels per ear and grain mass per ear, show high values of correlation (over 0.80) with grain yield.

Isolated Incudostapedial Cholesteatomas: Unique Radiologic and Surgical Features

Congenital cholesteatomas originate from epithelial tissue present within the middle ear in patients with an intact tympanic membrane, no history of otologic surgery, otorrhea, or tympanic membrane perforation. They are diagnosed by a pearl-like lesion on otoscopy and computed tomography (CT) scan showing an expansile soft-tissue mass. We describe a series of patients with no prior otologic history presenting with progressive unilateral conductive hearing loss and normal otoscopy. The CT scans showed ossicular erosion without obvious soft-tissue mass. Surgery confirmed incudostapedial erosion found to be cholesteatoma. In this study, we characterize the clinical course of patients diagnosed with isolated incudostapedial cholesteatoma (IIC) and review possible pathologic mechanisms. Retrospective review of IIC cases treated by the Department of Pediatric Otolaryngology, Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, 2014 to 2020. Data included patient demographics, clinical features, imaging, surgical findings, and audiologic data. Five patients were diagnosed with IIC (3 [60%] female; mean age at presentation 10.7 years [range 5.5-16.0]). All patients presented with postlingual unilateral conductive hearing loss and normal otoscopy without any past otologic history; delay in diagnosis ranged from 4 months to several years. The CT scans showed ossicular chain erosion with an absent long process of the incus and/or stapes superstructure. All patients underwent middle ear exploration, revealing a thin layer of cholesteatoma in the incudostapedial region, confirmed by histopathology. Mean preoperative speech reception threshold was 55 dB and improved to a mean of 31 dB in the 4 patients who underwent ossicular chain reconstruction. Isolated incudostapedial cholesteatoma should be included as a possible etiology in pediatric patients with insidious onset of unilateral conductive hearing loss with normal otoscopy, unremarkable otologic history, and a CT scan showing ossicular abnormality/disruption without notable middle ear mass. These patients should be counseled preoperatively regarding the possibility of cholesteatoma and should undergo middle ear exploration with possible ossiculoplasty.

Middle ear adenoma with facial palsy: A case report and a review of the literature

A 52-year-old man presented to our emergency department with an acute onset of right-sided facial nerve (FN) palsy of House-Brackmann grade V. Electroneurography (ENoG) was conducted with no response at the right FN, as compared with the left FN (0%). We performed a biopsy of the right middle ear mass and histological studies showed the tumor to be neuroendocrine tumors (NET) of the middle ear. We resected the tumor with canal wall down mastoidectomy and reconstructed the posterior meatal wall with soft tissue. Three months after surgery, the FN paralysis had improved with House-Brackmann grade II. We reviewed cases of NET with FN palsy, and nine patients, including our case, have been reported. Our case is the first report of ENoG for the description of FN palsy due to NET. Although the ENoG value was 0%, it was remarkably improved by surgery. The other cases of NET patients with FN palsy also recovered FN function after surgery. These results suggest that it is recommended to perform the total resection of the tumor to improve the FN function.

Agronomic characteristics and management of diseases in maize with chelate-based products containing calcium, copper, manganese, and zinc

The aim of this work was to verify the potential of chelate-based products containing calcium, copper, manganese, and zinc for the management of Pantoea ananatis, Puccinia polysora, Cercospora zeae-maydis, Exserohilum turcicum, Diplodia macrospora, and Pseudomonas avenae in crop maize growth in the summer season, as well as their influence on agronomic characteristics. The treatments included commercial chelate-based products of amino acids with the elements calcium (15%), copper (5%), manganese (15%), and zinc (10%) at doses of 0.5 kg ha-1, 0.3 L ha-1, 0.4 kg ha-1, and 1 L ha-1, respectively; fungicides (20% azoxystrobin and 8% cyproconazole at a dose of 0.3 L ha-1 + 25% propiconazole at a dose of 0.4 L ha-1); and water. The tests were carried out under field conditions for two consecutive years with two simple hybrids. The plant height, stem diameter, number of rows per ear, number of grains per ear row, productivity and mass of one thousand grains, as well as the severity of leaf diseases, were all evaluated, and chemical analysis of the leaves was performed. In the 2016/2017 growth season, for the number of rows per ear and number of grains per row, the fungicide treatment showed the highest values, whereas for the mass of one thousand grains and productivity, the chelate treatments did not differ from the fungicide treatment and were different from the water treatment. In the 2017/2018 growth season, for the mass of one thousand grains and yield, only the fungicide treatment was different from the water treatment. For all the chelates studied for both hybrids, there was no difference in nutrient content before and after foliar application. It can be concluded that calcium, copper, manganese, and zinc products may influence agronomic traits but not the severity of the diseases evaluated in these two hybrids of maize under the edaphoclimatic conditions in which the study was carried out.

Primary Meningioma of the Middle Ear - A Rare Presentation

Abstract Introduction/Objective Meningiomas are the benign intracranial neoplasm, most commonly occurring in the third and sixth decade of life. The most common intracranial locations for meningiomas are parasagittal sinuses and large dural sinuses. Very rarely extracranial meningiomas can also be observed. We present a case of fibrous meningioma presenting as middle ear mass, in which a 13 years old female was presented with drainage from the left ear. Biopsy showed fibromyxomatous tissue. CT scan of the head showed soft tissue filling the middle ear and extending into the mastoid. Methods The mass was resected and sent to pathology, where H&E staining and immunohistochemistry was done for diagnosis. Results The H&E stained section showed a spindle-shaped neoplasm with areas of sheet-like growth interspersed with areas showing tumor cell growth in short fascicles, and some areas of decreased cellularity. Tumor cells have moderate cytoplasm, fine nuclear chromatin and inconspicuous nucleoli. The tumor cells were positive for EMA, PR(nuclear staining) and pan-TRK and negative for D-240, SOX-10, S-100 and desmin. These histological features alone with immunohistochemistry profile were consistent with meningioma WHO grade 1. Conclusion Primary middle ear meningioma although a rare diagnosis, but should be considered while dealing with middle ear pathologies. Histomorphology and immunohistochemistry play an important role in making diagnosis.

Conductive Hearing Loss and Ear Fullness Due to a Pulsatile Mass in the Middle Ear.

Conductive Hearing Loss and Ear Fullness Due to a Pulsatile Mass in the Middle Ear.