Water quality aspects of some wells, springs and rivers in parts of the Udhampur District (J & K).

Water samples were collected from wells (9 Nos.), springs (11 Nos.) and rivers/streams (6 Nos.) during pre and post monsoon seasons in the months of June and October 1999, respectively. Various physico-chemical parameters and trace elements (viz., Cu, Mn, Zn, Co, Fe, Ni, Cr and Pb) were analysed to evaluate drinking water quality on the basis of BIS and irrigation water quality on the basis of salinity, sodicity, residual sodium carbonate, and concentration of toxic elements. The study showed alkaline nature of surface and ground water. Calcium and magnesium are dominating cations and bicarbonate is major anion in the study area. At some locations the concentration of TDS, Mg, Ca, total hardness, Fe, Mn and Cr exceeded the limits set up for drinking purposes. Water quality evaluation for irrigation purposes on the basis of SAR values indicates excellent category of water.

Isolated tuberculosis of the appendix.

Although appendicular involvement in intestinal tuberculosis has been reported in 1.5-3% cases, the prevalence of isolated tuberculosis of appendix is a comparative rarity. We report a patient with provisional clinical diagnosis of appendicitis, who was found to have tuberculosis of appendix on histopathology, after interval appendicectomy. He had no detectable tubercular focus elsewhere in the body. Post-operatively, he was treated with anti-tubercular regimen with uncomplicated clinical recovery.

Mediastinal cavernous haemangioma.

A 44-year-old man presented with palpable right supraclavicular swelling having no symptoms pertaining to respiratory tract. A routine chest radiograph showed an anterior mediastinal mass. Computerised tomographic scan (CT-scan) of chest showed an enhancing and homogeneous mass in anterior mediastinal space with few tiny calcific specks within the mass. Biopsy of cervical swelling showed cavernous haemangioma with chronic non-specific lymphadenitis. A sternotomy was undertaken and an encapsulated 9x7.5x5 cm, dark purplish mass was seen in anteior mediastinum adherent to pericardium and right pleura. The cut-surface was elastic and soft. Histology confirmed cavernous haemangioma. Post-operative course was uneventful. Mediastinal cavernous haemangioma is extremely rare and surgical excision is the treatment of choice.

Outcome in multi-drug resistant tuberculosis patientswith ambulatory treatment.

Background: Multidrug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is emerging as an increasingly important cause of morbidity and death. The patients continue to spread disease for a prolonged period and may pose a threat to the success of DOTS. Aim: To evaluate response to chemotherapy with second line drugs given on domiciliary basis in cases of MDRTB. Methods: Retrospective case records of 36 proven MDR-TB patients treated from April 1998 to April 2001 were analyzed. The patients were defined as cured when they had continued to be smear and culture negative for more than one year in addition to clinical and radiological improvement. All patients were followed up for relapse for one year. Results: Out of 36 patients, 27 had far advanced lesions and 8 had moderately advanced lesions. All patients had resistance to at least Isoniazid and Rifampicin. Additional resistance was observed to Streptomycin in 19, Pyrazinamide - 8, Ethambutol - 8, Ethionamide - 6, Cycloserine - 5, Thiacetazone - 4, Ciprofloxacin- 3 and PAS in one patient. Average duration of pre-treatment chemotherapy was 14 months. Twenty patients were cases of relapse. Ten patients had concomitant disease (NIDDM - 3, COPD-4, Bronchial asthma-2, IHD-1). Average time for sputum conversion was 5 months. Twenty-three patients had sputum conversion in less than 4 months after revised chemotherapy. Out of 36 patients, 28 patients were declared cured at the end of 24 months of therapy, 7 patients defaulted and one patient died due to massive haemoptysis. Adverse reactions to chemotherapy included photosensitivity to Sparfloxacin-4 patients, ototoxicity to Kanamycin-2 patients and hyperuricemia- one patient. Conclusion: Problem of MDR-TB can be managed to some extent by ambulatory treatment with other logistic supports like drugs, laboratory services and sympathetic motivated staff.

Solitary tracheal plasmacytoma.

Primary tracheal tumours are rare and trachea is an exceedingly rare site of extramedullary plasmacytoma. We report a case of extramedullary plasmacytoma involving trachea and causing symptoms of airway obstruction in a 44-year-old man. Chest radiograph was normal. Flow-volume loop showed characteristic pattern localizing the lesion at thoracic inlet. Computerised tomography and bronchoscopy demonstrated a broad based pedunculated intratracheal mass obstructing 85% of the lumen. Tracheal tumour was excised via low tracheostomy. Histopathology of resected mass revealed extramedullary plasmacytoma. Relevant investigations excluded multiple myeloma. He was managed with radiotherapy with good response and there has been no recurrence after one-year follow-up.

Pleiotropic morphological and abiotic stress resistance phenotypes of the hyper-abscisic acid producing Abo- mutant in the periwinkle Catharanthus roseus.

The pleiotropic properties of a abo abo (Abo-) gamma-ray induced mutant of Catharanthus roseus cv. Nirmal, selected among the M2 generation seeds for ability to germinate at 45 degrees C, are described. The mutant produced seeds possessing tricotyledonous embryos, unlike the typically dicotyledonous embryos present in the wild type Abo+ seeds. In comparison to Abo+ adults, the mutant plants had short stature and lanceolate leaves. The vascular bundles in the leaves and stem were poorly developed. Leaf surfaces were highly trichomatous, epidermal, cortex and mesophyll cells were small sized and a large majority of stomata were closed. Besides high temperature, the mutant was salinity and water-stress tolerant. The abscisic acid (ABA) content in the leaves was about 500-fold higher. The genetic lesion abo responsible for the above pleiotropy was recessive and inherited in Mendelian fashion. The seedlings and adult plants of the mutant accumulated higher proline than Abo+ plants. The phenotypes of abo abo mutants permitted the conclusions that (i) the mutant synthesizes ABA constitutively, (ii) both ABA-dependent and ABA independent pathways for proline and betaine accumulation are functional in the mutant, and (iii) cell division, elongation and differentiation processes in embryo and adult plant stages are affected in the mutant

Effect of temperature and relative humidity on spinning behaviour of silkworm (Bombyx mori.L).

The rate of spinning of silkworm larva (Bombyx mori.L) was slow at 22 degrees C and fast at 38 degrees C. The time taken for completion of cocoon was longest at 98 +/- 2% and least at 40 +/- 2% RH. However, good quality cocoons were spun at 22 degrees C and 65 +/- 5% RH, hence it would be advantageous to maintain this temperature and relative humidity at the time of cocoon spinning in the case of CB race of silkworm.