Integrated nutrient management and formulation of fertilizer prescription equation for recommendation of fertilizers for potato on alluvial soils of eastern India

Aim: To develop economically viable integrated fertilizer prescription equation for recommendation of fertilizers in potato on alluvial soils of Eastern India.Methodology: Soil test crop response (STCR) experiments on potato were conducted in alluvial soils of Eastern India during 2016-17 to assess the relationship between yield and availability of plant nutrients for developing fertilizer prescriptions of desired yield targets. The decision on optimum fertilizer doses for varying yield targets were made on the basis of crop nutrient requirement per quintal of potato production, soil efficiency, fertilizer efficiency, and FYM efficiency computed from field experimental data. The optimum fertilizer doses for different yield targets were validated in farmers’ field for economic and environmental benefits as compared to general recommended doses of fertilizers and farmers’ practice. Results: Targeted yield equation for potato for alluvial soil of Eastern India was developed based on soil test values, nutrient requirement and contribution of NPK from soil and fertilizer sources as well as FYM. The prescription based fertilizer application along with FYM increased tuber yield of potato in farmers’ field. Validity of the yield target for 22 and 24 t ha-1 was tested in farmer’s fields and variation in potato yield obtained from targeted yield was 7.6% to 9.8%. Interpretation: Fertilizer prescription equations and ready reckoner developed for potato will be useful in alluvial soils of Eastern India for large scale recommendations and in regions with similar soil and agro-climatic conditions. By following ready reckoner, a farmer can save 61 kg N, 55 kg P2O5 and 44 kg K2O ha-1 over general recommended dose, approximately equal to Rs. 4800/- per hectare.

Evaluation of trans thoracic invasive diagnostic procedures in 50 adult patients of mediastinal diseases

Introduction: Mediastinum is a “Pandora’s box” with many neoplastic and nonneoplastic lesions. Clinico-radiological pattern of mediastinal diseases depends on the size, location and etiology. Hence, non-invasive approach to these cases sometimes leads to diagnostic dilemma. Aims: A prospective study was performed over a 1-year period with the objective of evaluation of diagnostic yields and risk of trans thoracic ultra sound (TTUS) and computed tomography (CT) guided fine‑needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) and Tru-cut biopsy along with comparison of cost-effectiveness among mediastinal diseases where clinical and non-invasive imaging could not conclude the diagnosis. Materials and Methods: A prospective study of mediastinal diseases of the adult population without having any diagnosis admitted in a tertiary care hospital in Eastern India was performed after clearance of the ethical committee of the institute. Fifty cases of mediastinal diseases were seen during the study period. One patient sometimes had undergone more than one procedure. The choice of a procedure depended upon the location of the lesion, nature of disease and complication and cost effectiveness ofthe procedures. During the calculation of diagnostic yield of procedure, conclusive results and concordant results to more invasive procedures were considered. Results: Among 50 patients diagnostic yield of TTUS guided FNA and Tru-cut biopsy were 60% and 63.6% respectively. Diagnostic yield of Thoracic CT guided FNA and Tru-cut biopsy were 85% and 92.3% respectively. As a whole TTUS guided invasive procedure and Thoracic CT guided invasive procedure had a diagnostic yield of 61.5% and 87.9% respectively. Complication is less in CT guided invasive procedures (9.1%) compared to Transthoracic USG guided invasive procedures (11.5%) and complication is more common in Tru-Cut biopsy (16.7%) than fine needle aspiration (5.7%). Conclusion: Tru-cut biopsy if applicable is much superior to FNAC for a definite diagnosis of the mediastinal diseases. TTUS guided invasive procedures are very much cost-effective and have added advantage of real time guidance and is comparable with CT guided invasive procedures in respect to risk and diagnostic yields.

Loop‑mediated isothermal amplification assay for detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex in infertile women.

Background: Female genital tuberculosis (FGTB) has a profound impact on the reproductive health of patients including infertility. Conventional diagnostic techniques have low sensitivity and specificity as well as long turnaround time. There is a need of developing newer, rapid and practically adaptable technique, especially in low‑income countries. Objective: To standardize and evaluate loop‑mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) technique for diagnosis of FGTB. Methods: A total of 300 endometrial biopsy samples from infertile females were subjected to Ziehl–Neelsen (ZN) staining, Lowenstein–Jensen culture, automated culture (BACTEC mycobacterial growth indicator tube), histopathological examination (HPE), nucleic acid amplification by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and LAMP technique. Composite gold standard (either smear/culture/HPE/PCR positive) was considered for calculation of outcome parameters. Results: The observed sensitivities of ZN smear, culture, HPE, PCR and LAMP were 2.94%, 10.29%, 8.82%, 95.59% and 66.18%, respectively. Overall concordance between PCR and LAMP was 63%, which shows a good agreement. Conclusion: This study is the first to evaluate LAMP in the diagnosis of FGTB and found it to be a rapid and convenient technique, especially in low resource endemic settings.

Epigenetic changes in tumor microenvironment.

The drama of cancer is not the solo performance of the malignant cells. Microenvironment of the tumor has significant contribution in carcinogenesis. Recent evidences show distinct gene promoter methylation in stromal cells of various malignant and pre-malignant tumors. These changes probably create unique tumor microenvironment, which is responsible for initiation, proliferation, invasion, and metastasis of tumor cells. In this mini review the role of epigenetic changes of tumor microenvironment in carcinogenesis has been discussed.

Metastatic tumours of the ovary: a clinico-pathological study.

The ovary is a frequent site of metastasis. However the incidence of metastatic tumours to the ovary is not exactly known. The reported incidence in the literature varies from 2.95 to 27.8%. The gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and the breast have been reported to be the frequent primary sites of the metastatic deposits in the ovary. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of metastatic ovarian tumours and analyse their detailed morphologic features. All the metastatic ovarian neoplasms diagnosed in the Department of Cytology and Gynaecologic Pathology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh from 1996 to 2000 were included in the study. Nineteen metastatic tumours out of a total of 363 ovarian neoplasms (5%) were identified. The patients frequently presented with abdominal distension and mass. The age ranged from 17 to 75 years. The primary site was unknown in ten cases. Uterus was the most common site (4 cases) followed by GIT (3 cases). Six Krukenberg's tumours were identified. In cases simulating the primary ovarian tumours, the following features were helpful to suggest the metastatic deposit in the ovary: bilaterality, no significant ovarian enlargement, vascular emboli, a Krukenberg's morphology, no omental deposits and the absence of transition from benign to malignant epithelium.

Facts about artefacts in diagnostic pathology.

Literal meaning of artefact given by 'Oxford Advanced Learner Dictionary' is 'a thing made by people'. In medical science 'the fact' is not true; but we observe routinely is called artefact. We face various types of artefacts in daily reporting of pathology specimen. Many times artefacts hinder the actual diagnosis. The artefacts i. e. fixation artefact, processing artefact, staining artefact, mounting artefact, air bubbles etc. can cause difficulty in diagnosis and a pathologist should be trained to identify those artefacts.

Fine needle aspiration biopsy of ovarian neoplasm.

Twenty cases of ovarian neoplasm (12 non-coelomic and 8 coelomic and 8 epithelial tumors) have been subjected to fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB). FNAB yielded adequate material in all those cases and it was possible to accurately classify the tumors in 16 cases (80%). In eight cases of non coelomic epithelial neoplasms preoperative cytological diagnosis helped in conservative surgery. Cytological features of different groups of ovarian tumors are to some extent characteristic. FNAB is a relatively safe and reliable diagnostic procedure.

Malariogenic situations amounting to premunition in areas of Ajodhya Hills of District Purulia, West Bengal.

Since a long time, Purulia District in West Bengal has been endemic for malaria. In 1997 and 1998, the district contributed 12.4% (9932 out of 79,811) and 10.0% (13,248 out of 130,288) of malaria cases respectively occurring in West Bengal, resulting 9.45% (7 out of 74) and 5.5% (4 out of 72) of deaths respectively in the state. ABER of the district was 10.4% in 1997 and 8.5% in 1998.

Correlations between apoptotic and proliferative indices in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and carcinoma.

Aims of the present paper was to study cell death by apoptosis and cell proliferation in normal cervical biopsies, cervical intraepithelial neoplasms (CIN) and squamous cell carcinomas of cervix (CaCx). There were each seven cases of normal cervical biopsy, CIN1 and CIN2 along with 10 cases of CIN3 and 14 cases of CaCx. Percentage of apoptotic cells and bodies (i.e. apoptotic index, AI) and mitoses (i.e. mitotic index, MI) and turnover index (TI - AI + MI) were counted in formalin fixed, paraffin embedded, haematoxylin and eosin stained slides. AgNOR stain was done and mean AgNOR dots per cell was also estimated. AI, MI and TI were correlated with histology grade of CIN and invasive carcinoma cervix. Mean AI, MI, TI and AgNOR count increased from lower to higher grades of CIN. AI, MI & TI raised significantly from CIN3 to carcinomas; AI, TI & AgNOR count raised significantly from CIN1 to combined CIM2 & 3; TI & AgNOR count were high in CIN1 to CIN2; AI & TI were significantly raised in normal to CIN1. In conclusion, TI is probably more important for cell kinetic analysis of CIN and carcinoma of cervix because it reflects the frequency of two important events i.e. mitosis and cell death. Sudden increase of AI, MI, TI count from CIN3 to CaCx may indicate the possibility of genetic alteration of cells of CIN3 which induces a frank malignant transformation from CIN3 to CaCx.

DNA flow-cytometry on fine needle aspiration cytology of lymph node: how helpful is it?

The diagnostic value of DNA content analysis by flow cytometry (FCM) has rarely been evaluated in combination with fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC). In this present study, the value of DNA FCM in distinguishing malignant lesions from benign enlarged lymph nodes on FNAC material has been investigated. DNA FCM was done from FNAC materials of 58 cases of lymph node swellings Becton Dickinson's flow cytometer (USA) along with 'Cell Quest' program was used for the analysis of DNA ploidy and S & G2-M phase cells. There were 16 cases of reactive lymphoid hyperplasia, 8 cases of metastatic carcinoma and 34 cases of non Hodgkins lymphoma (NHL). DNA FCM showed 12 aneuploid case and 46 diploid case. All the cases with DNA aneuploidy were malignant. None of the benign cases showed aneuploidy on DNA aneuploidy were malignant. None of the benign cases showed aneuploidy on DNA histogram. Out of the 46 diploid cases, 11 cases showed high S & G2-M Phase cells (> 10%). Nine out of these 11 cases were malignant on FNAC. The sensitivity and specificity of DNA FCM were 50% and 87.5% respectively. None of the low grade NHL was detected by DNA FCM. In conclusion, DNA aneuploidy and high G2-M phase cells (> 10%) are good indicators of malignancy in lymph node aspirate. However DNA FCM is relatively costly and thereby its role as an adjunctive technique needs careful re-evaluation.

Molecular mechanics aided design of antineoplastic agents from ruthenium coordinate complexes.

Through energy minimization using molecular mechanics force field four ruthenium cordinate complexes have been synthesized. Compound I to IV showed antineoplastic activity with varying degree on EAC bearing mice. Mode of action may be through inhibition of antioxidant property of tumor cell as evident from lipid peroxidase activity. Among the complexes Bis pyridine tetrachloro ruthenium exhibits highest order of activity with respect to increase mean survival time, inhibition of tumour volume, total blood count, hemoglobin and lipid peroxidase activity.

Fine needle aspiration biopsy of pancreas.

Percutaneous fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) were performed in 22 cases of pancreatic lesions. FNAB was done with the help of ultrasonographic guidance in 14 cases and intraoperatively in 2 cases. In rest of the cases it was done without any radiological guidance. Diagnosis was confirmed either by histopathology or exploratory laparotomy by follow-up data in rest of the cases. There was no false positive or negative diagnosis. Nuclear crowding, nuclear enlargement and prominent nucleoli were the important cytological criteria for pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Cytology smears of the islet cell tumour show round to oval monomorphic cells with central to eccentric nuclei and fine reddish granulations in cytoplasm. There was no complication following aspiration. Thus FNAB of pancreas is a relatively safe, reliable and quick technique which can be performed under ultrasound guidance.

Cytologic evaluation of nipple discharge in relation to mammary neoplasia.

Spontaneous nipple discharge as a presenting symptom was seen in 80 patients out of 3500 patients referred for cytologic examination of breast during last 5 years. Gross appearance of nipple discharge was bloody (33), serous (29), milky (16) and yellowish (2). Cytology smears showed 5 cases of carcinoma and 14 cases of intraductal papilloma. One out of two cases of male nipple discharge revealed malignant cells. Bloody nipple discharge was more often associated with carcinoma and intraductal papilloma. Hence it underscored the importance of cytologic evaluation of bloody nipple discharge.

Primary squamous cell carcinoma-in-situ of the endometrium--a case report.

A case of primary squamous cell carcinoma in situ of the endometrium is reported here. The in-situ nature of the tumor, with involvement of the surface mucosa and extension into superficial endometrial glands and its incidental association with prolapse uterus are notable features.