Acute toxicity bioassay of dimethoate on freshwater airbreathing catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch).

Pesticides are chemicals used for pest control in the agricultural fields. They finally reach the surrounding water bodies through surface runoff affecting the aquatic fauna. Dimethoate is frequently used organophosphate pesticide due to its high effectiveness and rapid breakdown into environmentally safe products. A 96 hr static acute toxicity test was carried out to determine the LC50 value of dimethoate, on the freshwater airbreathing catfish Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch). The fish were exposed to 7 different concentrations of dimethoate (2.50, 2.75, 3.00, 3.25, 3.50, 3.75 and 4.00 mg l-1) for toxicity bioassay. Control (0.00 mg l-1) was also carried out. The data were subjected to Finney’s Probit analysis and processed with Trimmed Spearman-Karber statistical software. The LC50 values for dimethoate for 24, 48, 72 and 96 hr were 3.38, 3.23, 3.08 and 2.98 mg l-1, respectively. At higher concentration of dimethoate (3.25 mg l-1 and above) the fish showed uncoordinated behaviour such as erratic and jerky swimming, attempt to jump out of water, frequent surfacing and gulping of air, decrease in opercular movement and copious secretion of mucus all over the body.

Spindle cell neoplasm of skin: diagnostic dilemma.

Poorly differentiated, spindle cell malignancies, on sun damaged skin frequently pose a diagnostic challenge for pathologists. The vast majority of these neoplasms ultimately are diagnosed as either atypical fibroxanthoma (AFX), spindle cell melanoma (SCM), and very rarely as spindle cell squamous cell carcinoma (SCSCC), leiomyosarcoma or angiosarcoma. Light microscopic clues may suggest one of these neoplasms, but subtle and overlapping characteristics often render precise diagnosis impossible based on morphological features alone. Immunohistochemistry therefore is necessary to firmly and accurately diagnose the majority of spindle cell malignancies on sun damaged skin. Aim of this case report is to highlight the practical approach to such diagnostic dilemmas.

Intra-abdominal cavernous lymphangiomatosis in Siamese twins: a case report.

Lymphangioma is a benign tumor like condition which is a developmental anomaly, involving any site but rarely involves retroperitoneum and abdomen (< 5%). Intraabdominal lymphangiomatosis is an even rarer entity that too occurring in a siamese twins. No such reports have been found in literature, although other congenital anomalies do coexist in Siamese twins and have been reported such as biliary tract and respiratory tract anomalies.