Importance of Conventional Radiography in Diagnosis and Management of Giant Cell Tumour at an unusual location.

Giant cell tumour (GCT) or osteoclastoma of the bone is mostly benign but locally aggressive primary tumour of unknown origin occurring at epiphysis. It is a tumour of long bones and rarely seen in bones of hand and foot. The cases are reported in tarsal and carpal bone but involvement of metatarsal bone is very rare. We present a case of twenty years old female patient with GCT of second metatarsal of left foot. The patient underwent aggressive curettage and filling with bone chips and is on regular follow up.

Radiological diagnosis of Cysticercosis of Breast - An unusual presentation.

Breast cysticercosis manifestation is usually uncommon and only a few cases have been reported in the literature. This manifests in the form of signs and symptoms which normally do not point towards the diagnosis. The radiological modalities always narrow down the gap between the complaints and the diagnosis. We present a case with cysticercus cysts in breast parenchyma as well as in both pectoral muscles which was suspected on ultrasonography (USG) and diagnosed on Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). The patient responded to the medical treatment conservatively thus avoiding excisional biopsy. Follow up and repeat MRI has confirmed the cure of the complaints as well as the disease.

Ecological problems of tree species in protected ecosystems of Orissa, India.

The tree layer vegetation of two protected ecosystems i.e. Similipal Biosphere Reserve (SBR) and Bhitarkanika National Park (BNP) of eastern ghat was analysed for structure, composition and diversity. With respect to the tree species composition the two protected ecosystems were differed from each other at the family, genera and species level. About 117 tree species representing 85 genera and 42 families were recorded in SBR. The average number of species per hectare was 32.5. However, a total of 29 tree species representing 22 genera and 16 families were recorded in BNP with an average number of species per hectare of 24.17. Species dominancy of the two protected areas was also different due to their difference in habitat condition. In SBR Shorea robusta was the most dominant species while in BNP Excoecaria agallocha was the most dominant species. Shannon-Wiener species diversity was 3.15 for Similipal and 2.314 for Bhitarkanika indicating that Similipal was highly diverse than Bhitarkanika. In general both the protected ecosystems of Orissa are highly rich in biodiversity and are characteristics of good ecological wealth of eastern ghat. Thus conservation and management practices are essential for the sustainability of their biodiversity.

"Instant" new leprosy case-detection: an experience in Bihar State in India.

The National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP) is based on survey, education and treatment, including coverage of all the registered cases with multi-drug therapy (MDT). The Government of India introduced MDT in all leprosy endemic districts through a vertical set-up, and through mobile leprosy treatment units in low endemic districts. Anti-leprosy work has not been uniform in all the states and needed push-start in some, such as Bihar. There have been spurts of leprosy elimination activities and the entire populations of the regions have not been covered because of various administrative reasons and logistic problems. In Singhbhum district of Bihar, a successful attempt was made to cover the maximum population by campaign approach. The strategy was to involve all the field workers of the leprosy programme in the district, supported by a small group of experienced personnel. The campaign, lasting for 39 working days, resulted in detecting leprosy cases equivalent to 64% of cases detected during the previous one full year. The entire operation helped the local staff to gain experience that would be useful for the future of the NLEP, and also provide an insight into working practices. Similar campaign approach can be used in situations where case-detection activities are feeble and the implementation of MDT is slow. If such campaigns are repeated at appropriate intervals, it will be a great support to achieving the goal of leprosy elimination.

Jaundice in falciparum malaria--some prospective observations.

The present prospective study of slide positive Plasmodium falciparum patients revealed a higher (17%) incidence of jaundice. This is much higher than reported earlier. Serum transaminases were raised by two to three times the normal value. Histologically the most conspicuous finding was reticulo-endothelial cell proliferation in the liver along with mononuclear cell infiltration. Malarial parasites were not found in the biopsy specimens. Mortality was high especially amongst the late presenters. In areas endemic for malaria, awareness of this entity is important. In a patient with fever and jaundice with or without altered sensorium, disproportionate hyperbilirubinaemia but with only mild elevation of liver enzymes could help differentiate these cases from viral hepatitis. The diagnosis can be confirmed by peripheral blood examination, done if required. As the mortality in late presenters is high, early diagnosis in such cases with institution of specific therapy may be life saving.

Non-traumatic coma--profile and prognosis.

Two hundred consecutive patients of non-traumatic coma, were investigated to establish its aetiology. Neurologic profile of these patients included assessment of Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score and evaluation of brainstem reflexes. 102 patients died and only 54 patients could make good recovery. Cerebrovascular diseases (33%), CNS infections (21%), and hepatic encephalopathy (18%) were the frequent causes of non-traumatic coma, with the first two carrying relatively poor prognosis. Poor outcome was also associated with low GCS score and absence of brainstem reflexes specially absent pupillary, oculocephalic and oculovestibular responses and decerebrate posture.

Quantitative immunological status of males of unexplained infertility in eastern U.P.

126 males of unexplained infertility and 75 fertile males were studied during a period of more than 2 years. Statistically significant increase in the levels of serum IgM was observed in cases of males of unexplained infertility. Level and percentage of cases showing semen IgM was more in study group (134.61 +/- 25.5 mg %, 41.26%) than control (24%, 99.3 +/- 8.3%). Semen IgA was found only in study group in 30.15% cases. Though definite correlation between serum and semen immunoglobulin was not observed, semen immunoglobulin was found to be 1-2 fold lower than serum. Results of the present study indicate towards a possible immunological role in cases of unexplained infertility in males.

Mortality events amongst non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus patients in Orissa.

In a study over one year, it was observed that mortality amongst hospitalised patients with non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIBDM) was nearly 20%. Those dying within 24 hr were classified as group A, between one day and one week as B, between one week and one month as C, and those after one month as D. There were 31 patients each in groups A and B, 14 in C, and 4 in D. The mean age at death was 61 years in the first three groups. The prevalence of cerebro-vascular accident as a terminal event was similar i.e. 32.2, 35.5 and 35.7 per cent in groups A, B and C respectively; 48% of patients in group A suffered from ischaemic heart disease. Diabetic ketoacidosis was equally prevalent amongst groups A, B and C. Infection was significantly more common in group B (45.2%) than A (P less than 0.05). Nephropathy was observed in 57% of patients in group C as compared to 22.5% in A (P less than 0.02). Cerebrovascular accident and infection were the major causes of mortality in groups B and C (80.7% and 71.4%), whereas ischaemic heart disease and cerebrovascular accident accounted for 80% of deaths in group A.

Calcium and magnesium induced changes in the relative fluidity of phosphatidylcholine liposomes.

The effect of Ca2+ and Mg2+ on relative fluidity of phosphatidylcholine liposomes was studied by measuring the degree of chlorophyll fluorescence polarization. An increase in the degree of fluorescence polarization was observed on incubation of liposomes with different concentrations of Ca2+ or Mg2+ . The results have been interpreted on the basis of increase in the size of liposomes which could be brought about by calcium or magnesium induced fusion of small unilamellar liposomes to form larger vesicles. Fusion of liposomes has also been confirmed by the experiments on efficiency of energy transfer from chlorophyll b to chlorophyll a, and transmission electron microscopy of liposomes before and after incubation with Ca2+ and Mg2.