Mapping of biophysical constraints of soils in semi-arid northern transition zone of India by GIS techniques.

The present study was untaken in order to identify and map soil biophysical constraints by GIS techniques in Singhanhalli-Bogur microwatershed in northern transition zone of Karnataka. Ten biophysical soil parameter including depth, coarse fragment/stoniness, texture, structure, tillage pan, rooting condition, surface crust, organic matter, biological activity and sodicity were assessed and interpreted for soil health. The depth of the soils varied from shallow to deep and structure varied from weak to strong with some mapping units showing slightly developed tillage pans. The texture of soils varied from sandy loam to sandy clay, sandy clay loam and clay while the content of coarse fragments ranged from common to many and abundant. Soils having sandy loam texture showed high content of coarse fragments. No signs of unrestricted root developments were observed as the rooting condition was good. The organic matter content of soils ranged from low to high with presence of few to many termite holes indicating biological activity. Physical soil crusts ranging from slight to severe were observed in some mapping units. The soils were free of high sodium concentrations and hence, classified as non-sodic soils. Overall, soil health status varied from poor to medium with the level of constraints ranging from moderate to severe. Soils with severe constraints showed poor health status while soils with moderate constraints showed medium health status.

Idiopathic mediastinal fibrosis presenting as mediastinal compression syndrome.

Mediastinal compression syndrome is a commonly seen entity. Mediastinal compression, mostly due to a space-occupying lesion, is distinct and different from mediastinitis/mediastinal fibrosis, which could also lead to superior vena cava syndrome. Idiopathic mediastinal fibrosis should also be considered as differential diagnosis of mediastinal structures with various radiological, CT and MRI and histological features if feasible. Medical therapy is disappointing while surgical cure has limitations. This interesting patient presented as mediastinal compression syndrome, which on investigation was postulated as idiopathic mediastinal fibrosis, as a diagnosis on exclusion of other causes, which is rare, hence is being reported.