RESUMO
One of the significant millets that is widely grown in diverse regions of India and Africa is finger millet. In terms of raw fibre and minerals like calcium and phosphorus, it is more nutrient-dense and even superior to wheat and rice. For a considerable portion of the population and at least one meal a day for families living in producing catchments, it provides a significant source of dietary carbs. Unfortunately, it is referred to as "poor men's food," and because people are unaware of its benefits and limitations, its use is restricted in the areas where it is grown. The white Finger millet cultivar KMR 340, specifically developed for confectionery use, is resistant to blast and blight diseases and is tolerable to stem borer and aphids. The main cause of finger millet's limited use is the lack of processed millet products. By setting up businesses on finger millet with the aid of Self-Help Groups in rural regions, efforts have been made to transform the millet grains into practical forms like Multi-grain Flour and Ragi Malt and provide the products to the consumers. For farm women and SHGs, starting rural businesses using finger millet has proven to be a profitable venture. This has increased demand for finger millet, which is resistant to blast and blight diseases and tolerant of stem borer and aphids, as well as increased employment opportunities and revenue for the group members. This is closely connected to the rise in nutrient-dense food consumption, which is moving society closer to greater health.
RESUMO
Background: Dengue can occur as epidemics in India. Early diagnosis reduces mortality. Differential white cell count can aid in diagnosing and prognosticating Dengue in resource limited areas. Aim and objectives of this study were to assess patterns and utility of Differential counts in Dengue.Methods: A total of 132 serologically positive Dengue cases were analysed over the month of November 2016. Hematology data obtained from analysers and Leishman smears were tabulated and analysed.Results: The study showed lymphocytosis as the predominant pattern (65%) followed by neutropenia (30%), neutrophilia (11%), eosinophilia (5%), monocytosis (5%) and basophilia (4%). Atypical lymphocytosis ? 15% were noted in 65% of the cases with 83% showing Plasmacytoid lymphocytes, 8% apoptotic lymphocytes and 43% showed other atypical lymphocytes. Also, 52% of lymphocytosis and 33% of neutrophilia cases showed severe thrombocytopenia (? 0.5 lakhs per cu mm). Lymphocytosis was noted to be an early event but was established in later stages as seen with serology pattern association, 28% associated with NS1 antigen test (non-structural protein 1) and 42% with antibody pattern. However, neutrophilia with 60% of cases seen in antibody pattern was a late event. Plasmacytoid lymphocytosis was noted uniformly through all serology patterns in contrast with other atypical lymphocytosis which was seen mostly (48%) in antibody pattern. Apoptotic lymphocytosis was also a late event associated mainly with antibody pattern (55%).Conclusions: The Differential white cell count can be a useful supplementary test along with serology in resource limited peripheral areas. It additionally serves to drastically reduce morbidity and mortality.
RESUMO
Chromosomal abnormalities like monosomies and trisomies predispose to various malignancies, hematopoietic or non hematopoietic. Patients with Trisomy 21(Down's syndrome) are prone to acute leukemias during childhood, but congenital leukemia in such children is rare (17%) and should be differentiated from a similar condition -Transient Myeloproliferative Disorder (TMD) which does not necessitate any treatment other than follow up. We report a patient of Down's syndrome with TMD in neonatal period which had spontaneous remission at 3 weeks but later died of acute myeloid leukemia at 6 months. The blasts in our case during the TMD episode were Myeloperoxidase(MPO) positive unlike other cases of TMD reported in literature. To the best of our knowledge we have not come across a case of TMD (MPO positive) later progressing to leukemia in Indian literature. Hence we report this case.