Vertical Distribution of TOC, TN and Other Important Soil Attributes and Their Relationship in Alfisol and Entisol of West Bengal

A study to assess the profile distribution of important soil attributes in Alfisols and Entisols of West Bengal was conducted during 2016-17. Purposefully selected random sampling was carried out to collect the soils from different locations of two study sites, viz., Kalinagar (25º27'33.9"N, 88º19'10.2"E) from Malda district and Durganagar (26º09'62.7"N, 89º53'51.7"E) from Cooch Behar district of West Bengal at 0-15, 15-30, 30-45 and 45-60 cm depths. Understanding of vertical distribution of soil fertility indicators like soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN) and other important properties in two different soil and climatic conditions will provide an insight regarding the behaviour of soil with the change in environmental conditions. Soil bulk density (BD), porosity, pH, SOC, TN, C:N ratio and texture were determined using standard laboratory procedures and computations. Obtained results were subjected to statistical analyses. Soils of Kalinagar sites were slightly acidic in nature while soils of Durganagar were neutral in nature. Kalinagar soils were silt clay loam in texture where Durganagar soils classified as loam to sandy loam. Soil BD values increased with depth in both Kalinagar (Alfisol) and Durganagar (Entisol). The porosity percentage progressively decreased with an increase in depth. Soils of Durganagar reported higher soil porosity at all the depths studied. An increase in soil pH with increasing depth was observed in both the sites. The mean total organic carbon (TOC) content recorded maximum in surface soil and its concentration decreased with the depth. Kalinagar soils observed 7.63% higher TOC (17.94 g kg-1) content than Durganagar (16.57 g kg-1) at surface depth (0-15 cm) and its accumulation at the lower depths was also maximum in former soil. Mean TN values were also found to decrease by increasing the depth. The accumulation of total nitrogen at the subsequent depths was relatively higher in Kalinagar than Durganagar. Increase in C:N ratio with increasing depth was noticed in Kalinagar site but the opposite trend was accorded in case of Durganagar. Accumulation of SOC and TN throughout the soil depth was found to be greater in Alfisol (Kalingar) due to higher clay and silt fractions as compared to Entisol (Durganagar). There was a significant positive relation of TOC with clay and silt (r = 0.285, p<0.05, r = 0.314, p<0.01, respectively) and of TN with clay and silt (r = 0.328, p<0.01, r = 0.262, p<0.05, respectively) irrespective of soil orders. Alfisols with high bulk density have a greater capacity to accumulate SOC and TN throughout the soil profile due to higher clay and silt fractions in comparison to Entisols with loose textural properties.

Adding bit of esthetics with science modification of batwing mastopexy for breast conservation in a young patient with giant fibroadenoma breast

A 19-year-old girl presented with a lump in her right breast and with a history of surgery for the similar complaint 3 years back. Ultrasound was suggestive of benign solitary lesion of size 16 cm × 10 cm. Core biopsy was suggestive of phyllodes tumor, and the histopathology report of previous surgery was also suggestive of phyllodes tumor. Wide excision of the tumor and reconstruction was done with batwing mastopexy and with a slight modification of the described technique so that to avoid contralateral reduction mammoplasty in a young unmarried girl. Postoperative histopathology was suggestive of fibroadenoma measuring 15 cm × 8 cm with all margins free of tumor, and it is probably one of the biggest fibroadenomas reported so far. On follow-up, no significant disparity noted between the appearances of both breasts

Advanced Forms of Sulphur Formulations for Improving Use Efficiency in Crop Species

Widespread incidences of sulphur (S) deficiency in agricultural crops and soils have been reported globally. To meet this gap, various new forms of S fertilizers are available in the market, and they are in the process of testing for their validations in varied type of crop species and soils. A current global trend of using these advanced S formulations for plant production has emerged to overcome the challenges of S nutrition in crops. This paper highlights the potential benefits of improved S fertilizers in agriculture as compared to conventional S fertilizers. However, there is also a need for increasing awareness among the growers to recognize the importance of S (fourth primary plant nutrient) and simultaneously exploring the options for elevating the efficiency of S.

Oral dirofilariasis.

Filariasis affecting animals can rarely cause infections in human beings through the accidental bite of potential vectors. The resulting infection in man, known as zoonotic filariasis occur worldwide. Human dirofilariasis, the most common zoonotic filariasis, is caused by the filarial worm belonging to the genus Dirofilaria. Dirofilarial worms, which are recognized as pathogenic in man can cause nodular lesions in the lung, subcutaneous tissue, peritoneal cavity or eyes. Oral dirofilariasis is extremely rare and only a few cases have been documented. We report an interesting case of dirofilariasis due to Dirofilaria repens involving buccal mucosa in a patient who presented with a facial swelling. The clinical features, diagnostic issues and treatment aspects are discussed. This paper stresses the importance of considering dirofilariasis as differential diagnosis for subcutaneous swelling of the face, especially in areas where it is endemic.

The meniscal cyst : Arthroscopic decompression and modified outside-in suture repair of the anterior horn of lateral meniscus.

This article describes a modified suture technique designed for the vertical repair of the ante-rior horn of the meniscus after arthroscopic decompression of a large meniscal cyst. This procedure comprises of three steps: first, the meniscus was pierced vertically using a suture hook and a No. II PDS suture. Second, both ends of the No. II PDS on the femoral and tibial surfaces of the meniscus were pulled to the out-side of the joint capsule using a spinal needle pre-loaded with suture material. Finally, a skin incision was made adjacent to the suture materials, and both ends were tied. We recommend this technique not only for the vertical repair of the anterior horn of the meniscus after decompression of large meniscal cyst, but also to repair a longitudinal tear of the meniscus.

Imaging features in Hirayama disease.

Purpose: To evaluate the MR findings in clinically suspected cases of Hirayama disease. Materials and Methods: The pre and post contrast neutral and flexion position cervical MR images of eight patients of clinically suspected Hirayama disease were evaluated for the following findings: localized lower cervical cord atrophy, asymmetric cord flattening, abnormal cervical curvature, loss of attachment between the posterior dural sac and subjacent lamina, anterior shifting of the posterior wall of the cervical dural canal and enhancing epidural component with flow voids. The distribution of the above features in our patient population was noted and correlated with their clinical presentation and electromyography findings. Observations: Although lower cervical cord atrophy was noted in all eight cases of suspected Hirayama disease, the rest of the findings were variably distributed with asymmetric cord flattening, abnormal cervical curvature, anterior shifting of the posterior wall of the cervical dural canal and enhancing epidural component seen in six out of eight (75%) cases. An additional finding of thoracic extension of the enhancing epidural component was also noted in five out of eight cases. Conclusion: Dynamic post contrast MRI evaluation of cervicothoracic spine is an accurate method for the diagnosis of Hirayama disease.

Focal dermal hypoplasia (Goltz syndrome).

A 7-year-old girl born of non-consanguineous marriage was evaluated for facial dysmorphism. She had multiple skeletal anomalies like hypoplasia of the right mandible, narrow nasal bridge with broad tip and unilateral notching of the right ala nasi, concomitant squint and low set ears. She also had generalized hypopigmented, atrophic linear macules, multiple papillomas, fat herniations, umbilical hernia, hypoplastic nails, cicatricial alopecia, mild mental retardation, 'lobster-claw' hand and osteopathia striata of long bones, pointing to a diagnosis of Goltz syndrome. The unusual features noted were absence of the left first rib and aortic regurgitation.

Subdural haematoma with spontaneous resolution--rare manifestation of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.

Spontaneous intracranial haemorrhage presenting as subdural haematoma is an extremely rare presentation in adults due to idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. There are only five such case reports available in the literature and four had surgical evacuation of haematoma, while only one had spontaneous resolution. We report the case of a middle aged female who presented with bilateral papilloedema and later diagnosed to have subdural haematoma as a complication of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, which had a spontaneous resolution.