Identification of compatible bacterial and fungal isolate and their effectiveness against plant disease.

Forty-three isolates of Trichoderma spp. and forty isolates of bacterial (fluorescent pseudomonads) biocontrol agents were isolated and evaluated for their relative biocontrol potential and thereafter development of mixed formulation of efficient compatible fungal and bacterial bio-agents. Different isolates of either Trichoderma or Pseudomonas exhibited differential antagonistic activity with different species of tested pathogens. Pseudomonas in general, suppressed the growth of Trichoderma under in-vitro conditions however, a few combinations were found compatible. Fungal isolate PBAT-43 (T. harzianum) and bacterial isolate PBAP-27 (P. fluorescens) emerged as most compatible and efficient and therefore were used for development of mixed formulation. Individual and mixed formulations were evaluated for their relative bio-efficacy under glass-house and field conditions. Mixed formulation exhibited increase in seed germination ranges from 25.5 - 72.11 % and disease control 47.68- 76.00 % in different crops as compared to control. Application of compatible mixture of fungal and bacterial bio-control agents possessing various mechanism of pathogen suppression is suggested as a reliable and potential means of disease suppression.

Role of chest CT scan in determining etiology of primary spontaneous pneumothorax.

BACKGROUND: Spontaneous pneumothorax occurs subsequent to a disruption in the continuity of visceral pleura and escape of air into pleural space. It is usually difficult, sometimes impossible to detect evidence of pulmonary pathology by clinical or conventional radiographic methods. Computed tomography provides additional informations not obtainable with conventional diagnostic modalities. METHODS: To determine the role of CT scan in the aetiological diagnosis and subsequent management of patients with primary spontaneous pneumothorax, a perspective study was undertaken. RESULTS: A total of 40 patients with spontaneous pneumothorax with normal skiagram chest after management of pneumothorax, were included in the study. In 75% of these cases, CT revealed underlying lung pathology as a cause for primary spontaneous pneumothorax. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that CT scan is a useful imaging modality in determining the aetiology of primary spontaneous pneumothorax.

Pulmonary chondroid hamartoma with unusual presentation.

Large-sized pulmonary chondroid hamartomas are very uncommon. We report a case of a 40-year-old male patient with a large sized chondroid hamartoma occupying almost the whole of one hemithorax, presenting with superior vena caval obstruction, left vocal cord palsy and adrenal involvement.

Role of computed tomography in patients with hemoptysis and a normal chest skiagram.

Thirty patients of hemoptysis with a normal skiagram chest were evaluated by computed tomography. Majority of the patients were between 21 to 50 years of age. Seventy percent had mild hemoptysis while 30 percent had moderate hemoptysis. Computed tomography provided diagnostic information in 16 patients (53%). The various aetiologies were bronchiectasis (20%), tuberculosis (20%), pneumonia (6.7%), bronchial carcinoid in one case and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis in one case. Computed tomography may play a role in screening patients who present with hemoptysis with normal chest radiographs.

Posterior mediastinal teratomas.

Posterior mediastinal teratomas are rare. We report this entity in a five year old boy. A review of literature of eighteen cases is presented.

An evaluation of myelography with non-ionic water soluble contrast medium-iohexol.

Iohexol myelography was performed in 25 cases of suspected spinal cord compression. Out of these, 24 cases gave optimally informative myelogram, while one case showed quasi-informative myelogram. Myelographic efficacy regarding the level of lesion was correct in all cases. On final evaluation 15 cases were diagnosed as extradural lesions, 9 cases as intradural extramedullary type and one case as diastematomyelia. Only single case which was diagnosed as intramedullary lesion on myelography was, in fact, an extradural lesion. There were only minor side-effects in the form of headache and paraesthesia in the lower limb. It was concluded that iohexol is a safe contrast medium with high efficacy and minimal side-effects for the total examination of spinal canal.

Comparative evaluation of computed tomography and cerebral angiography in the management of subarachnoid haemorrhage.

Plain and contrast enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan of brain and cerebral angiography were done in 20 subjects of subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH), diagnosed on the basis of clinical parameters and proved by cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination. Plain CT scan of brain confirmed the diagnosis of SAH in all the 20 (100%) cases, but was able to demonstrate the cause of SAH in 11(55%) cases only. Contrast CT scan provided additional information in 7 more cases. CT was also able to demonstrate the site and extent of bleeding, evidence of intraventricular bleeding and hydrocephalus. Cerebral angiography done in all the cases, confirmed the diagnosis in 14 (70%) cases diagnosed on CT and was able to give additional information in 4 more cases. It also showed excellent vascular details which were not possible with CT scan. It is concluded that enhanced CT scan should be done first in all the cases of SAH for preliminary scouting and angiography should be done where CT scan gives incomplete information or where surgical management is contemplated. Both the investigations were found to be complementary to each other.

Evaluation of computed tomograms in paediatric head trauma.

Computed tomograms of 107 patients of head trauma in the paediatric age group were evaluated. Generalised brain swelling (44%) and falx sign (44%) were the commonest findings observed in the computed tomograms. The overall mortality was 16.8% of which all except one were those with Glasgow coma scale between 3 and 7.

Role of arthrography in non-traumatic painful wrist.

The arthrographic examination was carried out in 25 patients with non-traumatic painful wrist of more than 6 weeks duration. Plain x-rays were non-contributory in making any diagnosis in 20 cases. Arthrography was performed even when plain x-rays were normal and it revealed the soft tissue abnormalities and early phases of cartilage destruction not visible on routine roentgenograms. The extent of synovial involvement demonstrated on arthrography proved useful when synovectomy was planned. After operation pain and swelling disappeared and functions of the joint improved considerably.

Chemical drug delivery systems: I. Preparation and evaluation of prodrugs of dapsone.

Several prodrugs of dapsone have been prepared and evaluated in vivo for the release of parent drug. The prodrug: 4,4'-dibutyrylaminodiphenyl sulfone gave blood levels above 0.5 micrograms/ml of DDS for about 34 days in rabbits injected intragluteally. The results have been compared with DDS and DADDS.