Versatile Use of Mycobacterium indicus pranii (MIP) Vaccine

Mycobacterium indicus pranii (MIP) earlier known as Mw is a soil-borne, non-pathogenic, saprophytic and rapidly growing strain of mycobacteria. MIP is approved as a vaccine/ immunomodulator for various indications including mycobacterium infections like leprosy in humans. Its administration has resulted in satisfactory clinical improvement, accelerated bacillary clearance, and increased immune responses to Mycobacterium leprae antigens, thereby shortening the full recovery time of the patients. It also shares its antigens with M.tuberculosis. In the last decade, RCTs have been done establishing immunotherapeutic properties of MIP in the treatment of leprosy, tuberculosis, warts and experimently in leishmaniasis. Through its immune inducing and cytotoxic property, it has also proved beneficial for human use especially in treating lung cancer. The beneficial role of it is also being explored in breast, cervical, oral, liver, and bladder cancers. Various studies on MIP have shown that it has immune-modulating properties in humans. The curiosity of the human mind has led to it being tried in Covid treatment trials. The results have shown that administering MIP has lowered inflammatory markers in Covid 19 patients, promising us for it to be a potential treatment option. More RCTs with a larger sample size should be done to establish this. Cytokine storm seen in bacterial sepsis is also decreased with MIP administration. Considering the encouraging results in hastening recovery in various diseases it appears that MIP is perhaps not being exploited to its fullest potential

Efficacy of intraosseous saline injection for pain management during surgical removal of impacted mandibular third molars: a randomized double-blinded clinical trial

Background@#Surgical extraction of impacted mandibular third molars is the most common procedure performed by oral surgeons. The procedure cannot be performed effectively without achieving profound anesthesia. During this procedure, patients may feel pain during surgical bone removal (at the cancellous level) or during splitting and luxation of the tooth, despite administration of routine nerve blocks. Administration of intraosseous (IO) lignocaine injections during third molar surgeries to provide effective anesthesia for pain alleviation has been documented. However, whether the anesthetic effect of lignocaine is the only reason for pain alleviation when administered intraosseously remains unclear. This conundrum motivated us to assess the efficacy of IO normal saline versus lignocaine injections during surgical removal of impacted mandibular third molars. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of IO normal saline as a viable alternative or adjunct to lignocaine for alleviation of intraoperative pain during surgical removal of impacted mandibular third molars. @*Methods@#This randomized, double-blind, interventional study included 160 patients who underwent surgical extraction of impacted mandibular third molars and experienced pain during surgical removal of the buccal bone or sectioning and luxation of the tooth. The participants were divided into two groups: the study group, which included patients who would receive IO saline injections, and the control group, which included patients who would receive IO lignocaine injections. Patients were asked to complete a visual analog pain scale (VAPS) at baseline and after receiving the IO injections. @*Results@#Of the 160 patients included in this study, 80 received IO lignocaine (control group), whereas 80 received IO saline (study group) following randomization. The baseline VAPS score of the patients and controls was 5.71 ± 1.33 and 5.68 ± 1.21, respectively. The difference between the baseline VAPS scores of the two groups was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The difference between the numbers of patients who experienced pain relief following administration of IO lignocaine (n=74) versus saline (n=69) was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The difference between VAPS scores measured after IO injection in both groups was not statistically significant (P >0.05) (1.05 ± 1.20 for the control group vs. 1.72 ± 1.56 for the study group) @*Conclusion@#The study demonstrates that IO injection of normal saline is as effective as lignocaine in alleviating pain during surgical removal of impacted mandibular third molars and can be used as an effective adjunct to conventional lignocaine injection.

VEGETATIVE GRANULOMA : A DIAGNOSIS SELDOM SUSPECTED CLINICALLY

Vegetative granuloma is granulomatous foreign body response to impaction of vegetative or plant material in periapical and sulcus areas of oral cavity, generally secondary to trauma and/or poor oral hygiene. Other names being used in literature for vegetative granuloma are pulse granuloma, chronic mandibular periostitis, hyaline ring granuloma and giant cell hyaline angiopathy. Most cases are seldom suspected clinically and confirmed by microscopic examination only. We present here a case of 42 years old female with peanut sized nodular swelling over left maxilla associated with gradually increasing pain since 3 months. Her oral examination revealed poor oral hygiene. Radiological investigation depicted soft tissue swelling without any bony involvement. Histomorphology showed tissue lined by hypertrophied stratified squamous epithelium having vegetative matter impacted in fibro-collagenous stroma surrounded by prominent giant cell reaction with well-formed granulomas, suggestive of diagnosis of vegetative granuloma. It is important to correctly diagnose this entity as it is an uncommon one and rarely encountered in routine practice. It may clinically mimic as malignancy or tuberculosis at times, hence an accurate diagnosis saves from undue over treatment. Vegetative granuloma is treated by complete excision of lesion and maintenance of oral hygiene to prevent recurrence.

Productivity and profitability assessment of organically grown vegetables embedded in rice based cropping sequences in Sikkim Himalayas, North East India

Aim: The objective of the present study was to identify economically viable, profitable and resource efficient vegetables embedded rice-based cropping sequences under organic management for marginal and small farmers of Sikkim Himalayas, India.Methodology: Three-year fixed plot study was conducted to evaluate seven rice–based cropping sequences viz., rice–fallow (farmers’ practice), rice–fenugreek (leafy vegetable), rice–coriander (leaves), rice–radish, rice–broccoli, rice–potato and rice–vegetable pea were replicated four-times in a completely randomized block design. Results: Among the various rice – based cropping sequences, cultivation of rice–coriander (leaves) recorded higher production (67.3 kg ha-1 day-1), system productivity (24.6 t ha-1), relative economic efficiency (1040%) and net returns (376.1x103). However, rice-broccoli and rice–vegetable pea sequences recorded 8.6 and 4.4% higher B: C ratio, respectively, over the rice–coriander system. With regards to soil health, rice – vegetable pea cropping sequences resulted in maximum improvement in soil organic carbon (SOC) (1.26%), available soil N (415.2 kg ha-1), P (22.8 kg ha-1) and K (411.5 kg ha-1), soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC) (344.7 µg MBC g-1 soil), dehydrogenase activity (DHA) (24.0 µg TPFg-1 soil h-1) and fluorescin di acetate (FDA) (38.8 µg FDAg-1 soil h-1) among the cropping sequences. Interpretation: Induction of vegetables in rice–fallow system under assured irrigation condition of Sikkim Himalayas, India not only enhances the farm productivity and profitability but also sustain the soil health on long term basis. Thus, rice-vegetable pea/coriander/broccoli based production systems under organic management hold great promises for sustaining livelihood of organic growers in Sikkim Himalayas over conventional rice– fallow system.

Diagnostic utility of GATA3 immunohistochemical expression in urothelial carcinoma

Aims: This study aims to explore the utility of GATA binding protein 3, a zinc finger transcription factor, expression in genitourinary carcinoma, especially urothelial carcinoma. Settings and Design: It is a prospective study where 74 consecutive cases of urothelial carcinoma along with 10 cases each of prostatic adenocarcinoma (PC) and conventional clear cell renal cell carcinoma were included between August 2016 and January 2017. Methods and Materials: All the cases were histopathologically evaluated and immunohistochemically stained for GATA binding protein 3. Only nuclear positivity was considered as positive. Immunoreactivity score for GATA expression was calculated based on the staining intensity as well as percentage. Statistical Analysis Used: The statistical analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences Version 15.0 statistical analysis software. P value of <0.05 was considered statistically significance. Results: GATA3 expressions were seen in 77% of the cases of urothelial carcinoma, whereas none of the clear cell renal cell carcinoma and prostatic adenocarcinoma cases was GATA3 positive. GATA3 expression significantly correlated with histological grade and muscle invasion with a weaker or negative expression in high-grade muscle invasive tumor as compared to low-grade and noninvasive neoplasm. Significantly weaker expression of GATA3 was found in cases with severe nuclear pleomorphism, mitosis >10/10 hpf, presence of necrosis, and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. No significant change in the status of GATA3 expression was seen in follow-up cases between initial Transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) and post-recurrence TURBT or radical cystectomy specimens. Conclusions: GATA3 as a sensitive and specific marker for urothelial carcinoma can be effectively used to exclude other genitourinary malignancies, PC, and renal cell carcinoma, at metastatic site. This marker can also be effectively used in predicting the probable grade and invasion in biopsy material with poor morphological characteristics, thereby helping in appropriate management in such cases.

Isolated diastolic hypertension and its risk factors in semi-rural population of South India

Background Isolated diastolic hypertension (IDH) has been actively discussed for the last two decades because of its prevalence in a younger population and its association with cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, the association of IDH is significant in South Asian Countries such as India because relatively younger populations are known to have a higher risk of cardiovascular events. Objective The objective of this study is to find prevalence of IDH and its risk correlates in a semiurban population of South Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Methods Data were collected using the modified World Health Organization - STEPwise approach to Surveillance (WHO STEPS) questionnaire for 16,636 individuals from a group of villages under Thavanampalle Mandal. Collated data were analyzed for prevalence and risk factors of IDH. Results Prevalence of IDH was found to be 4.0% with mean age of 46.0 (±SD 13.6) years and a relatively higher prevalence in men (5.3%) as compared with women (3.2%). The prevalence of IDH peaked in the fifth decade of life (40–49 years of age) and declined thereafter. Among various risk factors that were analyzed for their association with IDH, only age, body weight, and body mass index retained their significance in multivariate binary logistic regression analysis. Conclusion There is a significant prevalence of IDH below 50 years of age in the semiurban population of South India. As IDH in young and middle age is known to be associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events and end organ involvement, it highlights need for study and development of effective IDH management strategies to reduce associated morbidity and mortality.

Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy in unusual venous anatomy - donor and recepient implications

ABSTRACT Objectives Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy is now a commonly performed procedure in most of renal transplantation centers. However, the suitability of laparoscopy for donors with abnormal venous anatomy is still a subject of debate. Materials and methods Between August 2007 and August 2014, 243 laparoscopic donor nephrectomies were performed in our institution. All donors were evaluated with preoperative three-dimensional spiral computed tomography (CT) angiography Thirteen (5.35%) donors had a left renal vein anomaly. A retrospective analysis was performed to collect donor and recipient demographics and perioperative data. Results Four donors had a type I retroaortic vein, seven had type II retroaortic vein and a circumaortic vein was seen in three donors. The mean operative time was 114±11 minutes and mean warm ischemia time was 202±12 seconds. The mean blood loss was 52.7±18.4mL and no donor required blood transfusion. Mean recipient creatinine at the time of discharge was 1.15±0.18mg/dL, and creatinine at six months and one year follow-up was 1.12±0.13mg/dL and 1.2±0.14mg/dL, respectively. There were no significant differences in operative time, blood loss, warm ischemia time, donor hospital stay or recipient creatinine at 6 months follow-up, following laparoscopic donor nephrectomy in patients with or without left renal vein anomalies. Conclusion Preoperative delineation of venous anatomy using CT angiography is as important as arterial anatomy. Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy is safe and feasible in patients with retroaortic or circumaortic renal vein with good recipient outcome.

Comparative Study of Lateral Internal Sphincterotomy and Diltiazem 2% Topical Ointment in the Treatment of Chronic Fissure in Ano: A Prospective Study.

Introduction: Anal fissure was first described by Recamier in 1829. It is a linear ulcer in the anoderm. Anal fissures are most commonly seen in young adults and have a slight female preponderance. Although a relatively minor entity, the morbidity in the general population is very large. Our knowledge of the pathophysiology and management of anal fissure has rapidly progressed over the past 15 years. All methods of treatment aim to reduce the anal sphincter spasm and aid in pain relief and healing of fissure. Aim: The main aim of this study is to compare the efficacy of topical 2% Diltiazem ointment and lateral internal sphincterotomy (LIS) in the management of chronic fissure in ano. Materials and Methods: This is a prospective study of 70 patients with chronic fissure in ano. A number of 35 patients were treated with diltiazem (2%) topical ointment and 35 patients were treated with LIS. The effectiveness of both treatment modalities was assessed on 2, 4, and 6 weeks follow-up. Result: Healing of fissure was complete in 24 (68.7%) patients of topical diltiazem group and 33 (94.28%) patients of LIS group after 6 weeks of treatment. A maximum number of patients (97.14%) achieved symptomatic relief who underwent LIS at 4 weeks follow-up. Patients who underwent LIS had an immediate pain relief when compared to those who were treated with topical diltiazem 2% ointment. Both topical diltiazem 2% ointment and LIS were equally effective in reducing bleeding per rectum in patients with chronic fissure in ano. Conclusion: Time taken for fissure healing in topical diltiazem group is long in comparison to LIS group. Surgical treatment with LIS is the treatment of choice in chronic fissure in ano.

Synthesis, spectral aspects and biological activities of 5-hydroxy-2-nitrobenzaldehydethiosemicarbazone and their Mn(II), Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes.

The ligation behavior of 5-hydroxy-2-nitrobenzaldehydethiosemicarbazone (L) and its Mn(II), Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes has been synthesized and characterized by Elemental analysis, Electronic, FT-IR, Raman, EPR spectral techniques and Cyclic voltammetric study. The ligand (L) belongs to triclinic system with P1 space group. The IR spectral data of ligand indicate the taking part of sulphur and azomethine nitrogen in coordination to the central metal ion. The electronic, FT-IR and EPR spectral studies reveals all the complexes are distorted octahedral geometry. The synthesized ligand and its metal(II) complexes were tested for their antioxidant activity by 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method and antibacterial activity against E.coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Salmonella typhi and Klebsiella pneumonia. The antibacterial and antioxidant activities of the ligand and its metal complexes had shown moderate to good activity, among all the compounds Ni(II) complex had shown more activity.

An audit of cytoreductive surgeries in ovarian cancer from a rural based cancer center.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Ovarian cancers are frequently seen at an advanced stage in our center. This audit was planned to see the morbidity and efficacy of different types of cytoreductive surgeries (radical vs. ultra‑radical) done in such patients. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of all ovarian cancer patients who underwent cytoreductive surgery at our center from January 2009 to August 2013. The case records of these patients were reviewed and the demographic, disease‑related and treatment‑related data were extracted. RESULTS: Fifty‑fivepatients were identified. Ten (18.2%) patients underwent primary cytoreduction while 45 patients had (81.8%) interval cytoreduction. The resections achieved were optimal in 50 patients (90.9%) and suboptimal in five patients (9.1%). The postoperative median blood loss was 400 (350–600) mL. The median time interval for surgery was 4.0 h (3–5 h). The type of resection achieved (optimal vs. suboptimal) was the only factor affecting the progression free survival (PFS) (Hazard ratio = 0.08 95% confidence interval 0.02–0.3). There was no significant difference in postoperative morbidity in patients undergoing the ultra‑radical surgery as compared to those who underwent radical surgery. CONCLUSION: Optimal cytoreduction may improve PFS in advanced ovarian cancer patients and needs to be done even if it mandates an ultra‑radical surgery.

Does the use of induction chemotherapy in oral cavity cancer compromise subsequent loco‑regional treatment delivery: Results from a matched pair analysis.

BACKGROUND: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is being increasingly used in patients with unresectable oral cavity cancers to make them resectable. However, its impact on locoregional treatment delivery in such setting remains poorly studied. AIMS: To evaluate the impact of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on delivery of further locoregional treatment. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Mono institutional retrospective audit of patients with oral cavity squamous cell cancers treated with neoadjuvant triplet chemotherapy in India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy (n = 14) from May 2012 to April 2014 were matched 1:2 to patients undergoing upfront surgery (n = 28) based on age (>60 or 60 and less), gender (male or female) and subsite site (tongue and floor of mouth or buccoalveolar complex). Data regarding factors related to the delivery of locoregional treatment and toxicities were compiled. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Descriptive analysis in the form of median (range) for continuous variables and frequencies for categorical variables. RESULTS: Patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy required more extensive resections and had greater operative time (460 vs. 415 min, P < 0.001). A greater incidence of locoregional wound complications was seen as a consequence (57.1% vs. 14.3%, P, 0.01). However, toxicities during radiotherapy were not substantially different between the two groups and compliance to radiation was also similar. Total package time of 100 days or less, was maintained in 90% of patients in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Delivery of neoadjuvant chemotherapy does not impair the ability to deliver locoregional treatment.

Retrospective audit of clinico‑pathologic features and treatment outcomes in a cohort of elderly non‑Hodgkin’s lymphoma patients in a tertiary cancer center.

INTRODUCTION: There is limited data from India regarding elderly non‑Hodgkin’s lymphomas (NHL) patients. Hence, this audit was planned to study the clinic‑pathological features and treatment outcomes in elderly NHL patients. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of all NHL patients above age of 59 years treated at the author’s institute, between December 2010 and December 2013 was done. Case records were reviewed for baseline details, staging details, prognostic factors, treatment delivered, response, toxicity and efficacy. SPSS version 16 (IBM, Newyork) was used for analysis. Descriptive statistics was performed. Kaplan–Meir survival analysis was done for estimation of progression‑free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Univariate analysis was done for identifying factors affecting PFS and OS. RESULTS: Out of 141 NHL patients, 67 patients were identified subjected to the inclusion criteria. The median age was 68 years (60–92). Majority were B‑cell NHL (86.6%). The commonest subtype in B‑cell was diffuse large B‑cell lymphoma (55.2%). Fifty‑four patients took treatment. The treatment intent was curative in 41 patients (61.2%). Among the patients receiving curative treatment, 16 patients couldn’t receive treatment in accordance with NCCN guidelines due to financial issues. Two years PFS was 55%. Two years PFS for B‑cell NHL and T‑cell NHL were 55% and 50% respectively (P = 0.982). Two years PFS for standard Rx and nonstandard Rx were 62% and 50% respectively, but it didn’t reach statistical significance (P = 0.537). Two years OS for the entire cohort was 84%. CONCLUSION: Standard treatment in accordance with guidelines can be delivered in elderly patients irrespective of age. There is a need for creating financial assistance for patients, so that potentially curative treatments are not denied.

Evaluation of stapled closure following laryngectomy for carcinoma larynx in an Indian tertiary cancer centre.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Stapling devices are used for pharyngeal closure after laryngectomy for the past few decades although it has not gained wide acceptance. This study is aimed at evaluating the role of stapler in pharyngeal closure after laryngectomy. METHODS: Thirty consecutive patients who underwent stapled laryngectomy at our institution from October 2004 to February 2008 were evaluated retrospectively. Linear stapler (Proximate TX 60; Ethicon Inc.) was used for closure of neopharynx. RESULTS: There were 28 males and 2 females with mean age of 54.5 years (54.5 ± 11.2). Nineteen of these patients (63.3%) had salvage laryngectomy and two patients (6.7%) had laryngectomy for a second primary tumor. Twenty‑eight patients had total laryngectomy (TL), whereas two had extended TL. Eight patients had salivary leak (26.7%). Of these, 6 (75%) had prior radiation. All salivary leaks except one were managed conservatively. Follow‑up ranged from 7 to 54 months (median: 21 months). Seven patients (23.3%) developed recurrence, six at the stoma, of which 5 (83.3%) had initial extension of disease to the subglottis. Four‑year disease‑free survival was 54.4%. CONCLUSION: Pharyngeal closure by linear stapler is an efficient and safe method of fashioning the neopharynx after laryngectomy with no added risk of occurrence of pharyngocutaneous fistula in primary and salvage laryngectomies.

Patterns of care in geriatric cancer patients – An audit from a rural based hospital cancer registry in Kerala.

BACKGROUND: There is deficit of data from India on elderly patients with cancer. Comprehensive geriatric assessment may lead to a better decision making capacity in this population. However, routine implementation of such assessment is resource consuming. AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the patterns of care in elderly patients treated at a tertiary rural cancer center in India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients with age 70 or above with solid tumors without any definitive treatment prior to the registration at our center and registered between 01/01/2010 and 31/12/2011 were selected for this study. The baseline demographic pattern and the pattern of care of treatment were analyzed. SPSS version 16 (IBM Inc, Armonk, New York, U.S.) was used for analysis. Descriptive data are provided. RESULTS: A total of 761 patients were evaluable subject to the aforementioned inclusion criteria. The median age of this cohort was 75 years (70‑95 years). The most frequent primary sites of malignancies in 451 males were head neck (32.4%), lung (23.3%) and gastrointestinal (23.3%). In 310 females, the most common sites were head neck (31.6%), gynecological (18.4%) and gastrointestinal (24.5%). 228 (30%) of the patients had localized disease, 376 (49.4%) had loco‑regionally advanced disease and 145 (19.1%) had distant metastases at presentation. 334 (46.32%) of patients were treated with curative intent. On logistic regression analysis the factors that predicted use of curative intent treatment were age <75 years, performance status 0‑1, primary site and clinical extent of disease. CONCLUSION: Routine comprehensive geriatric assessment needs to be implemented in our setting as almost 50% of our geriatric patients undergo curative intent treatment.

Management of Grossly Displaced Paediatric Supracondylar Humeral Fractures with Delayed Presentation by Closed Reduction and Percutaneous Pinning.

Background: Management guidelines are not yet clear for these patients who present late with displaced supracondylar fracture. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the clinical, radiological and functional outcome following closed reduction and percutaneous pinning of widely displaced supracondylar fractures of the humerus presenting 24 hours or more after injury. Patients and Methods: This prospective study was conducted at the Orthopaedic and Trauma Department of Dr Pinnamaneni Siddartha Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Foundation, Chinnoutpalli from January 2010 to July 2011. A total of 44 children were included in this study who had displaced supracondylar fracture of humerus presenting late ie, after 24 hours after injury and within a week. They were treated with closed reduction of the fracture and percutaneous pinning. Follow-up was done up to 12 months. Results: Patients were assessed on the basis of Flynn’s criteria, there were 37 excellent, 6 good results and fair results in 1 case. There were 25 boys and 19 girls. The average age of the patients was 7.5 years (range: 4 to 12 years). Fall on the outstretched hand was the mechanism of injury in 36 patients, and the other 8 patients were pedestrians struck by a motor vehicle. Non-dominant extremity was more commonly involved (30 patients). In 24 patients the fracture was displaced posteromedially (54.54%), in 18 patients posterolaterally (40.90%), and 2 patients had isolated posterior displacement (2.54%). The average delay in presentation was 57.56 hours (range: 1 day to 6 days). The mean time to surgery after presentation was 9.83 hours (range: 4 hours to 13 hours) and the mean time to surgery after trauma was 67.39 hours. Sixteen patients had one or more attempts of reduction by massaging by a quack and in 2 patients it was attempted by a qualified surgeon before they presented to us. 26 patients (59.09) visited a quack prior to presentation to us. There was a direct relation between duration of delayed presentation and the times of manoeuvre. Sixteen patients (36.36%) had neurologic complications at presentation to the emergency room of which three had median nerve palsy (6.81%) where as seven (15.90%) had isolated anterior interosseous nerve palsy and six (13.6%) had radial nerve palsy all patients showed total neurological recovery at 12 weeks follow-up. Six patients (13.63%) had vascular compromise at initial presentation of which five patients had feeble radial pulse and one had absent radial pulse, but capillary filling was adequate in all. The pulse was restored within 24 hours in all patients following reduction. Conclusion: Our preliminary results support our recommendation ie, closed reduction and percutaneous pin fixation as an effective treatment option for grossly displaced supracondylar fractures presenting late but requires good and careful judgment and also technique by the surgeon to avoid complications. Our results also support the chances of spontaneous recovery of peripheral nerve palsy and brachial artery spasm post reduction over a period of time in majority of cases though they present late.

Morphological Characterization and Mass Production of Nematophagous Fungus Nematoctonus Robustus.

The plant parasitic nematodes infect the root tissues of the plant causing root galls that lead to reduced water and mineral uptake in the plant root system. Nematophagous fungus are used as biocontrol for the nematodes. Among those Nematoctonus are one of the species used as bioagent. Nematoctonus species produces an extensive mycelium and capture many nematodes with hour glass shaped adhesive knobs on the hyphae. Nematodes become attached to these adhesive knobs and the cuticle of nematode is penetrated by the infective hyphae. This isolate of Nematoctonus robustus is characterized by hyaline mycelium, dikaryotic in nature containing genetically two different nuclei in each cell, having distinct clamp connection. The fungus has better colonizing ability on natural solid substrates like wheat straw and rice straw. It also show good ability to colonize on different cereal grains and various other waste products like coconut coir and FYM etc. This species is one of the best used for mass production and effective for control of plant parasitic nematodes.

Role of Sclerotia, Plant Debris and Different Hosts on Survival of Rice Sheath Blight Pathogen, Rhizoctonia Solani.

The survival of sclerotia stored under different conditions revealed that when they were kept in laboratory survived fully up to 7 months. However in soil at 5 cm and 10 cm depth, it survived 100 percent up to 8 and 10 months. The pathogen was viable in the sclerotial form for 17 months in the lab conditions however; it survived for 19 months and 20 months when kept at 5 cm and 10 cm depth in soil respectively. The survival of pathogen along with plant debris stored under different conditions revealed that it survived fully up to 3 months under lab conditions. However in soil at 5 cm and 10 cm depth, it survived 100 percent up to 5 and 6 months respectively. The pathogen survived in diseased plant debris for 9 months in lab conditions. However, the pathogen survives in plant debris up to 11 months and 13 months when kept at 5 cm and 10 cm depth of soil respectively. The viability of pathogen in plant debris was lost gradually. This states sclerotia and plant debris served as source of primary inoculum. Out of fourteen plant species belonging to three families tested, the pathogen produced disease symptoms on all the tested plants and stating pathogen has wide host range.

Prospective study of outcomes of surgically treated larynx and hypopharyngeal cancers.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the morbidity and survival of surgically treated locally advanced carcinoma larynx and hypopharynx in a tertiary referral center in South India, a prospective cohort study was carried out. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who had undergone laryngectomy or laryngopharyngectomy from January, 2006 to January, 2011 at our institute were prospectively studied for factors affecting morbidity tumor recurrence and disease free survival (DFS). DFS was calculated for the whole group and for the larynx and hypopharynx cancer subgroups separately, using Kaplan Meir Method and the survival differences of the larynx and hypopharynx groups and between salvage and primary surgical cases were evaluated using the Cox’s regression scale. RESULTS: A total of 154 patients with ages ranging from 23 to 78 (mean 56.3 + standard deviation 9.2) were studied, which included 145 males and 9 females. Pre‑operative tracheostomy and previous radiotherapy were the most significant factors contributing to post‑operative morbidity. Survival difference between the larynx and hypopharynx cancers was statistically significant and the DFS was significantly affected by primary site wound infection, primary site margin and node positivity. CONCLUSION: The results of laryngectomy can be optimized by “proper case selection and morbidity risk assessment”.

Procedures to view aberrations-A travel from protein to gene: Literature review.

The diagnosis of any pathology is fundamentally based on the microscopic structure of cells and tissues and this remains as the standard by which all other diagnostic tests are measured. In this era, the pathologists are relying on the examination of tissue section stained by histochemical means and it is supported by the advanced immunological, biochemical and molecular techniques. This review will provide the information about one of the way that can be followed to unravel the molecular mechanism in spotting the disease process. Technologies used to study the cellular process are same for the normal and the abnormal cell. Experimental strategy briefed here is also applicable for both. The cellular process can be studied either from protein to gene or from gene to protein. Earlier days biochemical analysis (isolation of protein, protein sequencing) was separate and genetic analysis (genomic mapping) was separate. But now with advent of recombinant DNA technology it is possible to have a link between the biochemical and genetic analysis. Intermediary step of development of oligonucleotide synthesis, complementary DNA probe and cloning has revolutionized the research process. Identified gene can be compared with the normal gene by comparative genomics or expressed proteins by expression proteomics.