Effect of brewery wastewater obtained from different phases of treatment plant on seed germination of chickpea (Cicer arietinum), maize (Zea mays), and pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan).

Brewing industry releases large quantities of wastewater after product generation. Brewery wastewater contains organic compounds which are biodegradable in nature. These biodegradable wastes can be recycled and reused and hence considered as suitable products for agriculture. But before using wastewater for agriculture, it is better to evaluate the phytotoxic effects of wastewater on crops. Hence, the main objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of brewery effluent on seed germination and growth parameters of selected crop species like chickpea (Cicer arietinum), maize (Zea mays), and pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan). Study comprised seven types of water treatments-tap water as control, diluted UASBR effluent (50% effluent + 50% distilled water): UASBR50, undiluted UASBR effluent: UASBR100, diluted TC effluent (50% effluent + 50% distilled water): ETP50,TC effluent without dilution: ETP100, 10% diluted reverse osmosis (RO10) reject (10% RO reject + 90% distilled water), and 25% diluted reverse osmosis(RO25) reject (25% RO reject + 75% distilled water) with three replications in completely randomized design. Germination test was performed in petri plates for 5 days. Parameters like germination percentage, germination rate index, seedling length, phytotoxicity index, seed vigor index, and biomass were calculated. All parameters decreased with increase in respective effluent concentration. Among all treatments, RO25 showed highest inhibitory effect on all three crops. Even though undiluted effluent of UASBR and ETP effluent showed positive effect on germination, seedling growth of three crops was promoted to the maximum by UASBR50 and ETP50. Hence, from the study, it was concluded that dilution of brewery effluent can be recommended before using it for irrigational purpose.

The predictive role of 24h RAIU with respect to the outcome of low fixed dose radioiodine therapy in patients with diffuse toxic goiter.

UNLABELLED: Radioactive iodine uptake (RAIU) is a test used to differentiate hyperthyroidism from thyroiditis and to calculate the radioiodine dose for treatment of Graves' disease. We aimed to evaluate the predictive role of 24h RAIU with respect to the outcome of radioiodine therapy in patients with diffuse toxic goiter (DTG). METHODS: Case records of patients with DTG treated with radioactive iodine were reviewed retrospectively. Patients were divided into two groups based on 24h RAIU (normal range: 15% - 35% at 24 h): the first group included patients with 24h RAIU values equal to or less than 50%, while the second group included patients with 24h RAIU values of over 50%. Gland size, duration of disease, treatment with antithyroid drugs (ATD) and its duration were the other factors considered. Success of the first dose of 131I was defined as a euthyroid or hypothyroid status at 12 months post-therapy without the need for additional radioiodine or ATD therapy. Data were analyzed with 95% power and 1% type I error (α=0.01). RESULTS: Six hundred thirty-three (633) consecutive patients with DTG were given a fixed-dose (5mCi) of radioiodine between January 1987 and December 2006. One hundred seventy-five patients (175) had an RAIU ≤50% and 458 patients had an RAIU >50%. First-dose success rate in the former group was 81.7% and in the second group 68.6% (p=0.001). The overall first-dose success was 72%. Multivariate analysis confirmed the significant role of 24h RAIU data to predict a successful outcome. CONCLUSION: A 24h RAIU value of ≤50% appears to be associated with a significantly better outcome compared to that of a 24h RAIU value of >50% in patients with DTG given as treatment a fixed dose of 185 MBq radioiodine.

PET-CT in detection of meningeal metastasis in neuroblastoma.

Neoplastic meningitis is being recognized with increasing frequency in patients with cancer: the common causes being adenocarcinomas originating from the lung, stomach, breast, ovary, malignant melanoma, leukemia, lymphoma, Ewings sarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, retinoblastoma and primary CNS malignancies. Meningeal metastases, though rare can be seen in advanced stages of neuroblastoma. Recognition of meningeal metastases is crucial for successful diagnosis and prompt treatment of these patients. Here, we present two patients of neuroblastoma in whom positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) examination resulted in detection of meningeal metastases at diagnosis; thus, emphasizing the need of inclusion of brain imaging in PET-CT protocol in all cases of advanced neuroblastoma.

FDG PET-CT in the management of primary breast lymphoma.

OBJECTIVE: Primary breast lymphoma (PBL) is a rare disease and its management differs from other breast cancers. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the role of FDG PET-CT in the management of PBL. We carried out 16 PET-CT scans and reviewed the literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 16 FDG PET-CT scans were done in 8 female patients with PBL with a median age of 49 years (range: 27-68). Of the 16 PET-CT scans, 1 scan was done for primary diagnosis and staging (1 patient), 2 for staging (2 patients), 7 for evaluation of treatment response (6 patients), and 6 for detecting recurrence (4 patients). PET-CT image interpretation and analysis were performed qualitatively (visually) and semiquantitatively using standardized uptake value (SUV). Absence of uptake in the postchemotherapy follow-up PET-CT scan was considered as a complete response, and a fall of more than 50% of baseline SUV was considered as a significant response. RESULTS: One patient was successfully diagnosed to have PBL and staged using PET-CT. Two patients were correctly staged with the help of FDG PET-CT. Complete response was noted in all 6 patients (3 had a positive baseline scan and showed complete resolution of FDG uptake, the other 3 who did not have baseline PET-CT and lesions were detected on CT, and also showed complete resolution). Of the 4 patients evaluated for recurrence, 1 patient was positive and 3 patients were negative for recurrence in follow-up PET-CT scans done after 18, 22, and 24 months, respectively. CONCLUSION: FDG PET-CT has a definitive role in every step of management (diagnosis, staging, treatment response evaluation, and detection of recurrence) in patients with primary breast lymphoma.