Sonographic evaluation of thyroid nodule based on thyroid imaging reporting and data system classification and its correlation with fine needle aspiration cytology findings

Background: Thyroid nodules, common clinical occurrences, often require diagnostic assessment. Ultrasonography (USG) is primary non-invasive method for detection, with advancing technology enhancing detection capabilities. Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) remains standard but poses risks and expenses. American college of radiology-thyroid image reporting and data system (ACR-TIRADS), introduced in 2017, offers a systematic scoring system based on ultrasound features. This study aims to evaluate USG guided by ACR-TIRADS for accurate nodule classification. Methods: A 1.5-year study at department of radio-diagnosis of BSMCH evaluated thyroid nodules using high-resolution USG based on ACR-TIRADS criteria, followed by FNAC for selected cases, comparing results for concordance. Results: Out of 47 thyroid nodules evaluated, 19.1% were malignant and 80% benign. ACR-TIRADS demonstrated sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 66.7%, 87.8%, and 82.9%, respectively. Higher ACR-TIRADS categories correlated with an increased risk of malignancy. Suspicious USG features such as hypo-echogenicity, taller-than-wide shape, lobulated margin, and punctate echogenic foci exhibited significant predictive value for malignancy, with varying levels of sensitivity and specificity. Overall, USG parameters demonstrated notable accuracy in identifying malignant nodules. Conclusions: ACR-TIRADS 2017 reliably predicts thyroid nodule malignancy, reducing unnecessary FNAC procedures, minimizing patient discomfort, and optimizing healthcare resources.

Determinants of malnutrition among the tea garden workers of Darjeeling district in 2021: an ordinal regression analysis

Background: Due to increasing lifestyle changes and poverty, double burden of malnutrition is becoming more and more severe, especially in the underserved areas like tea gardens. Food security is also a major issue not only in underdeveloped countries but also in developing countries like India. The study aims to estimate the prevalence of malnutrition among the tea garden workers and to find out the associated factors with malnutrition among the tea garden workers of Darjeeling district. Methods: 200 people were selected from 10 tea gardens of Darjeeling district by cluster sampling method. They were interviewed using a structured questionnaire to find out the associated factors with malnutrition. Weight and height was measured using standard measuring tools and then BMI was calculated. To find out the determinants of nutritional status, an ordinal regression analysis was done with the help of SPSS software. Results: The prevalence of under nutrition and obesity was 25% and 20.5% respectively. The ordinal regression model showed that the odds of higher BMI was found with increasing age, male gender, being a permanent garden employee and higher educational status. Household food insecurity increased the odds of undernutrition, as individuals from food secure households had significantly higher odds of getting higher BMI. Conclusions: Nutritional status is closely associated with socio-economic and demographical variables and household food security. To ensure the health and nutrition of the tea garden workers, a more comprehensive strategy to addressing socio-demographic issues and household food security is required.

Effect of surfactants on phosphatase level of fresh water fish Labeo rohita.

Alterations in the activity of enzymes Acid phosphatase (E.C.3.1.3.2) and Alkaline phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.1) in organs such as liver, gills and muscle of rohu following its exposure to surfactants viz. CTAB, SDS and Triton X- 100 were analyzed. Different levels of exposure were given depending on the LC50 value of the surfactant used. Also, the influence of age and weight of the organisms was tested simultaneously. The activity of ACP in the tissues of fish exposed to all the three surfactants showed marked enhancement after exposure; the effect being highest in the liver followed by gill and muscle. Activity levels of ALP in different tissues of the fish exposed to the surfactants also showed an increase. Maximum increase was found in the liver followed by muscle, and gill. The increase in the levels of these enzymes indicates a stressful condition of the fish.

Distribution of HIV-1 subtypes in female sex workers of Calcutta, India.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Different routes for the transmission of HIV-1 in India have been reported and the majority of infections occurred through heterosexual route of transmission. In order to understand the dynamics of HIV-1 transmission, a systematic study was undertaken to determine the viral subtypes circulating among the female sex workers in Calcutta, India. METHODS: Peptide enzyme immunoassay (PEIA), heteroduplex mobility assay (HMA) and DNA sequence analysis were used to ascertain the HIV-1 subtypes. RESULTS: V3 serotyping of 52 HIV-1 seropositive samples identified 33 (60%) to be subtype C. A DNA fragment within C2-V3/C2-V5 regions of HIV-1 gp120 was amplified directly from the lymphocyte DNA to avoid any bias in selecting viral variants and used in HMA. Of the 40 samples analyzed, 38 (95%) belonged to subtype C and 2 were found to be non-typable. Further analysis of these 38 samples revealed that 26 (68%) had maximum homology to the C3-Indian reference strain (IND868), 11 (29%) were most homologous to C2-Zambian strain (ZM18) and 1 (3%) showed close resemblance to C1-Malawi strain (MA959). Nucleotide sequence of 11 subsamples encompassing about 325 base pairs was aligned for the Indian and other geographically distinct isolates. On distance and parsimony trees, most of the samples (8/11) clustered together as subtype C. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS: Subtype C was the major circulating HIV-1 strain in this geographical region, although variation within this subtype was also noticed. DNA sequence analysis was found to be the best method in determining the nature of the HIV-1 subtype followed by HMA and peptide enzyme immunoassay. These findings may have important implications for the design of effective vaccines in India and emphasizes the need for constant monitoring of the HIV-1 subtypes in different parts of India.

Eating epilepsy: a study of twenty cases.

Twenty cases of eating epilepsy have been studied over a period of 5 years (1985-1989). Males outnumbered females (4:1). Heavy meal comprising conventional Indian diet (viz, rice, vegetables, etc), was found to be the most important provocating factor (14 out of 20 cases). The attacks occurred at lunch time in most cases (15). Thirteen cases had generalised seizures. Electro-encephalogram showed focal changes in 10 cases, generalised changes in 6 cases, while 4 cases had normal electro-encephalogram. Computerised tomography scan was normal in all the cases (7) when it was done.

Hypertensive primary intraventricular haemorrhage.

A case of hypertensive primary intraventricular haemorrhage is reported. The patient recovered with conservative management. To the best of our knowledge, there has been no previous report of this rare entity in Indian literature.