Teratomas of rare sites: a review of ten cases.

Out of 267 cases of teratomas diagnosed in the department of pathology, Christian Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, Punjab from January 1980 to December 1989, 10 cases occurred in rare sites ie, 3 cases of teratoma in retroperitoneal space, 3 in the floor of the mouth, one each in mediastinum, thyroid, urinary bladder and kidney. None of these cases was clinically suspected as teratoma. One of the 3 teratomas of the retroperitoneal space and that of kidney were solid. Lesions of mediastinum and urinary bladder were solid as well as cystic. All these teratomas showed foci of immature elements. All other tumours were cystic and contained mature tissues only. Teratomas of the thyroid and kidney were treated with subtotal thyroidectomy and nephrectomy respectively, rest had surgical resection. One patient of immature retroperitoneal teratoma was lost to follow-up. All the others are alive and well for the period of 1 to 8 years. None had recurrence.

Effectiveness of beta-exotoxin of Bacillus thuringiensis var. thuringiensis on the ability of Meloidogyne sp. from brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) to survive.

Beta-exotoxin produced by Bacillus thuringiensis var. thuringiensis grown in the acid hydrolysates of wheat and rice brans caused 95% and 85% mortality respectively of Meloidogyne sp. as against 72% of ß-exotoxin produced on farm yard manure within 7 days. Acid hydrolysate of wheat or rice bran and solid farm yard manure proved to be the best media for growth of B. thuringiensis var. thuringiensis.