Weather based prediction model for beet armyworm (Spodoptera exigua Hubner) in chickpea

Aim: The study aimed to develop and validate weather based prediction model for beet armyworm (Spodoptera exigua) population in chickpea through adult catches in pheromone traps. Methodology: The data on adult trap catches of S. exigua were recorded daily and weekly means were computed. Log transformed trap catches data were used for correlation with weather parameters of current week, 1-lag, 2-lag and 3-lag weeks. Thereafter, multiple-linear regression analysis was done and a model was developed. The prediction model of S. exigua was validated with the appropriate statistical tools. Results: Peak incidence of S. exigua was recorded during 45th standard meteorological week (SMW) with 15.6 moths per trap per week. Amongst current, 1-lag, 2-lag and 3-lag week weather parameters, the male moth population had significant positive correlation with maximum temperature (Tmax) and minimum temperature (Tmin), and negative correlation with morning relative humidity (RH1) of 2-lag week. The sunshine hours/day (SSH) of current week had a significant negative association with S. exigua male moth catches, while the soil temperature (ST) of 2-lag week had highest positive correlation with trap catches. Regression equation was computed by regressing male moth catches of S. exigua against weather data of weeks with highest correlation coefficient. Interpretation: Often, pest-weather models are developed based on current week weather factors. However, it has been witnessed in this study that weather of preceding weeks (up to 3-lag) may also influence the pest population, and thus it needs to be considered for proper understanding of pest dynamics

Anesthetic management of a child with nephrotic syndrome undergoing open heart surgery: Report of a rare case.

The congenital nephrotic syndrome (NS) in infancy and childhood is an important entity but combination with acyanotic congenital heart disease is uncommon. Anesthesia in such cases is challenging because of associated problems like hypo-protienemia, anti-thrombin III deficiency, edema, hyperlipidemia, coagulopathy, cardiomyopathy, immunodeficiency, increased lung water etc. We describe anesthetic management of a patient with childhood NS and sinus venosus atrial septal defect (ASD) undergoing open heart surgery. We also suggest guidelines for safe conduct of anesthesia and CPB in such patients.

Tobacco use and related factors among pre-university students in a college in Bangalore, India.

Background. Tobacco use imposes a huge burden of disease in India. Most studies on the use of tobacco among students in India have focused on secondary school students with a few studies investigating younger children and university students. We aimed to ascertain tobacco use among preuniversity college students in Bangalore. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 300 students of a purposively selected boys-only, pre-university college in Bangalore. All the students from 4 of 10 randomly selected classes were enrolled in the study. An anonymous self-administered questionnaire was used to collect information on the extent and pattern of tobacco consumption, factors associated with use/non-use of tobacco products, and awareness of the harmful effects of tobacco use. Results. The prevalence of ‘ever use’ of tobacco was 15.7% (95% CI: 11.7–20.3) of which 5.3% (95% CI: 3.1–8.7) were current users of tobacco. The mean (SD) age of initiation of tobacco use was 14.7 (2.05) years; 78.3% of users were aware that tobacco was harmful. The most common reasons by ever users to start using tobacco included peer pressure, having fun/enjoyment, and curiosity. ‘Never users’ abstained from usage because of awareness of the negative health implications of tobacco use, a dislike for tobacco products, and the negative social implications of tobacco use. Conclusion. Interventions need to be designed to reduce the use of tobacco among students. Such interventions should raise awareness on the social and economic implications of the use of tobacco, equip students to overcome peer influence and provide counselling to quit using tobacco.

Micronuclei evaluation of reduction in neoadjuvant chemotherapy related acute toxicity in locally advanced lung cancer: an indian experience.

BACKGROUND: Lung cancer is the most common cancer in the world accounting for 17.6% cancers worldwide. The AAR i n I ndian population varies f r om 0.98-15.55. The aim of t he present study was to analyze areduction in neoadjuvant chemotherapy related acute toxicity in locally advanced lung cancer (stage IIIA and III B) using Wobe Mugos E and its evaluation using micronuclei as a cytogenetic marker. Micronuclei, which are cytoplasmic fragments of DNA, have been used as a biological dosimeter to assess DNA damage. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fourty patients of locally advanced NSCLC were randomized into two study groups between 2001-2003. One group received neoadjuvant chemotherapy using Cisplatin and Etoposide. The other group received neoadjuvant chemotherapy using Cisplatin and Etoposide along with Wobe Mugos E which is a proteolytic enzyme preparation. A study of micronuclei frequency was done pre and post chemotherapy in both groups. RESULTS: Thirty eight patients were available for final evaluation. Anemia was the most common hematological toxicity observed. Nausea and vomiting were the most common non -hematological toxicity seen. Wobe Mugos E was found to reduce the incidence of leucopenia (p = 0.005), nausea (p=0.004), vomiting (p= 0.003), sensory neuropathy (p = 0.032) and treatment related depression (p= 0.005). A reduction in micronuclei was seen in patients in patients on Wobe Mugos E. (p =0.01). CONCLUSION: Neo-adjuvant chemotherapy related acute toxicity is a major problem in patients with advanced lung cancer. A reduction in micronuclei frequency shows Wobe Mugos E to be effective in reducing chemotherapy related acute toxicity.

Prognostic factors influencing the outcome of thalamic glioma.

Retrospective analysis of 27 patients of thalamic glioma including adults and children treated over a period of 7 years from 1991-1997 was done. The study group included 19 males and 8 females; 9 patients were less than 15 years and 18 patients more than 15 years of age at the time of diagnosis. The commonest symptoms were headache and vomiting. 12 patients underwent VP shunt as an initial procedure and 7 underwent total or partial surgical resection. Confirmed histopathological examination was possible in 16 patients; while 12 had low grade astrocytoma, 4 cases had high grade histology. All patients were treated with radiotherapy to a total dose of 50-60 Gy in 25-30 fractions. Median follow up was 9.63 months. The disease free survival in these patients was 28% at 2 years. Prognostic factors which included age, sex, duration of symptoms, surgical procedures, histology and radiotherapy dose were evaluated for significance. A subtotal resection conferred a better prognosis.

Medical disorders associated with endometrial carcinoma.

From January, 1990 to December, 1995, 113 cases of endometrial carcinoma were registered. Of them, 24 patients (20%) had associated medical disorders. A total of 37 medical disorders were found in these 24 patients. The distribution was as follows: diabetes mellitus in 15 patients, hypertension in 13 patients, coronary artery disease in two, asthma in one, RBBB in one and hypothyroidism in five patients. Age of the patients ranged from 48-76 years (Median 62 years). Fifteen patients underwent surgery and rest nine were inoperable due to medical illnesses. Eleven patients received radiotherapy and four received chemotherapy. Of the two failures, one developed metastasis to lung and another to bone. No local recurrence was observed. Median survival was 20 months. Late radiation morbidity was noticed in four patients (36%), all of them were diabetic. CONCLUSION: Hypothyroidism which was unexpectedly found in five patients may also be a risk factor associated with endometrial carcinoma. This finding has never been reported in the literature and it needs to be curiously studied in future series. The risk of late radiation complications is higher in diabetic patients. Overall prognosis of endometrial carcinoma associated with medical illnesses is not very good.

Evaluation of transperineal template implant technique in Indian cervical carcinoma patients.

The prognosis in advanced cervical cancer patients is poor specially in presence of distorted anatomy, gross residual growth etc. In these cases template implant offers good option for treatment. We have carried out the procedure in 19 patients with acceptable level of complication. Preliminary results have been described.

Immunohistochemical characterisation and quantitative evaluation of lymphomononuclear cells in dilated cardiomyopathy-an endomyocardial biopsy study.

Endomyocardial biopsies (EMB) from patients of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and normal hearts were evaluated for infiltration by lymphomononuclear cells. Cryostat sections from cases of DCM were stained with antisera against leucocyte common antigen (LCA), Pan T lymphocytes and macrophages. Paraffin sections from patients of DCM and normal hearts were also stained with a panel of antisera against LCA, and macrophage markers namely, lysozyme, alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT) and alpha-1-antichymotrypsin (ACT). The stained cells were quantitated and expressed as number of cells/mm2. Comparisons were made between the number of lymphomononuclear cells in hematoxylin and eosin stained sections and those stained by various markers. Light microscopic evaluation of paraffin sections of EMB in all cases of DCM showed mild to moderate hypertrophy of the myocardium in 20 and 10 patients respectively. Only mild focal myonecrosis was observed in 14 patients. These foci showed minimal infiltration by lymphomononuclear cells. In normal hearts, occasional small foci of lymphomononuclear cells were seen within the interstitium. The number of LCA positive cells in the frozen section from cases of DCM were more (7.03 +/- 3.15/mm2) than the number of cells in the corresponding paraffin sections (5.26 +/- 1.14/mm2), thus indicating that antigens are possibly better preserved in frozen sections. In normal hearts, the number of cells staining positively with LCA were almost identical (4.81 +/- 1.14/mm2) to those seen in paraffin sections of cases of DCM (5.26 +/- 1.61/mm2).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Primary radiation therapy in the management of glomus tumours.

The records of five patients who received local irradiation for incompletely excised or inoperable glomus tumour were retrospectively reviewed. Age ranged from 25 to 46 years. There were two female and three male patients. Two patients who were solely treated by radiation therapy remain clinically disease free at 30 and 42 months respectively. Of the remaining three patients, where radiotherapy was delivered post operatively, one achieved complete remission and is well and alive at 60 months, whereas the other two patients were lost to follow up at 22 and 26 months respectively after showing an early clinical improvement. We advocate the efficiency of radiation therapy as primary treatment in the management of primary glomus tumour.

Bone metastases in the patients of carcinoma cervix.

Seventeen of 620 patients (2.7%) of cancer cervix were diagnosed to have bone metastasis (BM). In three bone metastasis were seen at initial presentation; remaining 14 developed BM in 3 to 36 months after the diagnosis of cancer cervix. Backache (8), localised pain (8), in thigh/hip/neck paraparesis (1) were main symptoms. The duration of symptoms ranged from 1 to 4 (median 2.5) months. Lumber spine, pelvic bones and long bones were the commonest site of involvement. The lesions were single in 12 and at multiple sites in five patients. Radiologically the lesions were osteolytic in all except three where Tc99m bone scan showed increased uptake of radionuclide. Palliative radiotherapy resulted in significant symptomatic relief.

Primary melanoma of the central nervous system: report of a case and review of the literature.

Primary melanoma of the meninges, a rare CNS tumor, is presented. Criteria for diagnosing a primary CNS melanoma are elucidated. Literature is reviewed in this context. The histogenesis of tumor, problem of occult primary melanoma and the role of CT scan and CSF cytology in early diagnosis have also been highlighted.

Primary lymphoma of the brain--a report of 5 cases and review of the literature.

Five cases of primary lymphoma of the brain are reported and the literature reviewed. The diverse clinical spectrum at presentation and variable response to therapy are few of its unique features. The literature is reviewed briefly and the importance of diagnosis at an early stage and prompt institution of therapy in form of radiation therapy and chemotherapy when indicated is stressed.

Role of radiotherapy in the management of primary carcinoma of the fallopian tube.

Primary fallopian tube carcinoma is a rare neoplasm. It may be postulated that postoperative loco-regional radiotherapy is a valuable adjunctive in the overall management of the tubal carcinoma. However, we can't advocate the efficacy of this approach authentically due to a very small number of cases. A prospective controlled and randomized trial with larger patient number may yield some definite conclusions regarding it's optimal management.

Primary gastric lymphoma: role of computed tomography.

Computed tomography (CT) has been suggested as an alternative to surgery for predicting the stage and resectability of primary gastric lymphoma. It is our policy to perform CT scan on all patients and the decision to explore is based upon CT findings. We reviewed our experience to see if any changes were warranted. 12 patients with primary gastric lymphoma underwent CT scanning. The CT findings were compared with the pathological findings available for 10 patients. CT correctly staged 90 per cent of the patients and it obviated unnecessary exploratory surgery in 42 per cent of the patients. It permitted the planning of non-excisional therapy in 75 per cent of the patients and was useful as an indicator of response to therapy and as a follow up measure.

Skeletal metastases in carcinoma of the uterine cervix--a report of two cases and review of literature.

Occurrence of skeletal metastases in carcinoma of uterine cervix is infrequent. There are only a few cases who present wits osseous involvement at the time of initial diagnosis. Appearance of skeletal metastases in carcinoma uterine cervix is an ominous sign of progression of disease. Screening studies for detection of occult skeletal metastases in asymptomatic patients are not recommended.

Evaluation of electron beam irradiation technique in Indian breast carcinoma patients.

A technique for post-mastectomy irradiation in breast cancer patients is described. The chest wall and internal mammary nodes are irradiated with single, anterior electron beam. The axillary and supraclavicular nodal regions are treated with parallel opposed telecobalt beams. A total of 124 patients have been subjected to this procedure. All, except five, completed the treatment. Desquamation, dry as well as wet, was of universal occurrence in electron irradiated zones. The follow up period is 2-26 months with a median of 12 months. Out of the 106 followed up patients, two developed local recurrence while distant metastases were observed in 13 patients.