Mental Health Disorders among Children and Associated Parental Stress: A Cross-Sectional Study in Pediatric OPD of Burdwan Medical College, West Bengal.

Background: Identification of mental health disorders during childhood is crucial for healthy 'adult roles' in the society, so this study aimed to estimate the magnitude of 'any mental health disorder' and to find out its correlates among children attending the pediatric out-patient department (OPD) of a medical college in West Bengal and to estimate parental stress among their parents. Materials and Methods: It was a descriptive cross-sectional study done in the pediatric OPD of Burdwan Medical College, West Bengal, during July-December, 2021. The calculated size of 288 children aged between 4 and 12 years and attending with either of their parents was selected through systematic random sampling. One of their parents (preferably mother) was interviewed using a schedule, containing a pre-validated pediatric symptom checklist and parental stress scale. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Institutional Ethics Committee. Data were analyzed using SPSS-v23. Results: The median age of the children was 7 years (5-8 y.). The majority of them were male (57.6%), lived in urban areas (59.0%), and lived in joint families (57.6%). One-fifth (20.5%) of the children were found to have any mental health disorder (AMHD). Living in an urban area (aOR = 2.5, 95% CI: 1.1-5.7), belonging to a nuclear family (aOR = 3.6, 95% CI: 1.7-8.1), and belonging to a family with social problems (aOR = 7.8, 95% CI: 2.3-27.2) were significant correlates of AMHD. Parental stress [median: 60 (55-63)] was found significantly higher (P < 0.001) among parents of children with AMHD as compared to the parents of others. Conclusion: The magnitude of AMHD was high in this study, indicating toward the necessity of implementing opportunistic screening and appropriate public health action.

Exploring challenges of teenage pregnancy and motherhood from beneficiaries and providers' perspectives: A qualitative study in a rural area of Purba Bardhaman District, West Bengal.

Context: Teenage pregnancy and motherhood are globally important public health concerns. In India, 6.8% women between 15 and 19 years were already mothers or pregnant, whereas in Purba-Bardhaman district of West Bengal it was 21.9% (National-Family-Health-Survey-5). Challenges of teenage pregnancy and motherhood needs to be understood from beneficiaries' and providers' perspectives. Aims: This study aimed at exploring the various challenges faced by teenagers during their pregnancies and motherhood and understanding the barriers of service delivery to them in a block of West Bengal. Settings and Design: A qualitative study with phenomenological approach was conducted between January and June 2021 in Bhatar community development block of Purba-Bardhaman district, West Bengal. Methods and Material: In-depth interview (IDI) of 12 purposively selected teenage mothers and two sessions of Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) among 17 Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs) were conducted. Data was collected by audio recording the IDI and FGD sessions as well as by taking notes. Analysis Used: Inductive thematic analysis was done by using NVIVO software (Release 1.0, QSR International). Results: Throughout teenage pregnancy and motherhood, subjects were found to face various types of medical problems, lack of awareness, and non-supportive family environment. Various social constraints and psychosocial stressors emerged as significant challenges. Communication gaps, behavioural barriers, socio-cultural issues, and administrative issues were major themes emerged as barriers of service delivery. Conclusions: Lack of awareness and medical problems were important challenges faced by the teenage mothers whereas behavioural barriers were the most important service level barriers perceived by the grass root level service providers.

Status of salt iodization, related awareness and practice at the household level in slums of Burdwan Municipality, West Bengal.

BACKGROUND: Monitoring adequacy of salt iodization at consumption level and exploring the reasons for inadequacy, especially in marginalized communities, is crucial to achieve the target coverage of universal salt iodization. AIMS: To assess the iodine content of salt used at household level, related awareness and practice of respondents and their socio demographic correlates. SETTINGS AND DESIGNS: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in the slums of Burdwan Municipality in 2019. METHODS AND MATERIAL: A total of 330 households were selected by cluster sampling. Salt iodine content was estimated at household level semi-quantitatively by Iodine testing kit, following recommended guidelines. One respondent from each household was interviewed to assess their awareness and practice regarding iodized salt. Kruskal Wallis test, Mann Whitney U test and Multivariable logistic regression was used. RESULTS: All 330 households were using iodized salt; 77.6% were consuming adequately iodized and 22.4% were consuming inadequately iodized salts. Only 30.9% of the respondents were aware about the importance of iodized salt, few had correct practice despite inadequate knowledge and none, except one, practiced adding salt at the end of cooking. Awareness and practice were associated with caste and age of the respondents, respectively. Keeping salt container near the oven, adjusting for keeping salt in uncovered container, significantly predicted inadequate level of iodization [AOR 6.17 (95% CI: 2.68-14.26)]. CONCLUSION: Inadequate iodization, lack of awareness regarding iodized salt and faulty storing practices amounting to increased risk of inadequate iodization are still prevalent emphasizing the need, in policy, for health education.

Care-seeking behaviour of suspected snakebite cases admitted in a medical college of West Bengal: A pathway analysis.

BACKGROUND: Snakebite is a time decisive medical emergency requiring contact with health facility at the earliest. Many snakebite victims yet seek care from traditional healers (THs) or village quacks (VQs) before reaching an appropriate facility, which leads to adverse consequences. This study was conducted to assess care-seeking behaviour and pathways followed in reaching appropriate facilities among suspected snakebite cases and to identify associated factors. METHODS: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at a medical college in West Bengal. All suspected snakebite cases admitted during a reference period of two months were studied. Study subjects and/or accompanying persons were interviewed for care-seeking behaviours and pathways followed. RESULTS: Among the 393 study participants, most were ≤30 years of age, men, agricultural workers, of lower middle and lower socioeconomic class and only 69.5% had formal schooling. The commonest place of occurrence was the agricultural field (40.7%), and the commonest biting site was the lower extremity (77.6%). Only half of participants (55.2%) used immediate correct measures at the biting site. Incorrect practices included tourniquet application (29.5%), use of herbal preparation (7.1%), blade shaving at site (2.8%) etc. As first care-seeking points, 15% and 24.9% of cases visited THs and VQs, respectively. Pathway analysis revealed that unfavourable pathway was followed by 39.9% participants. Two unfavourable points were consulted by 3.8% of participants. The care-seeking pathway was significantly associated with religion, caste, education and socioeconomic class. CONCLUSIONS: Findings of this study highlight the urgent need for behaviour change interventions addressing the myths and misconceptions of people regarding snakebite.

Solid pseudo-papillary tumor of the pancreas: Diagnosis by endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration cytology and immunocytochemistry.

Pseudopapillary tumor (SPT) is a rare primary pancreatic neoplasm of uncertain origin and low malignant potential that typically affects young females, mostly in their third decade of life. There are only a few reports on fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology diagnosis of this neoplasm. We report one such case which was diagnosed based on cytomorphologic and immunocytochemical features on endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) guided FNA smears. A 24-year-old woman presented to the gastroenterology clinic with 3-month history of epigastric pain, anorexia, and weight loss (10 kg over same time period). Abdominal CT revealed a large (13X11 cm) heterogeneous cystic lesion occupying most of the pancreatic body. EUS examination confirmed the presence of a large mixed cystic-solid lesion occupying most of the pancreatic body and neck. EUS-guided FNA smears showed tumor cells in sheets with papillary/pseudo-papillary and acinar formation. The tumor cells had abundant clear and vacuolated cytoplasm and round to oval nuclei with bland chromatin. PAS staining revealed positively stained capillary networks at the core of the papillary/pseudo-papillary structures. In addition, there were PAS positive intra-cytoplasmic and extra-cellular globules which were diastase resistant. Immuno-cytochemical staining on direct smears revealed positive reaction for cyclinD1, vimentin, CD56, beta-catenin, CD10 and progesterone receptor. Thus, this is the example of an extremely rare neoplasm which had a typical clinical and imaging setting, and could be conclusively diagnosed because of characteristic cytomorphological and immunocytochemical features.

Fine-Needle Cytological Characteristics of Carcinoma Breast with Medullary or Medullary-like Features Masquerading as Dendritic Reticulum Cell Sarcoma: An Attempt to Explore the Reasons for Erroneous Cytologic Interpretation.

BACKGROUND: Infiltration of tumors by dendritic reticulum cells (DRC) reflects the host immune defense mechanism. We observed three breast carcinomas cases with dense tumor-infiltrating DRC and lymphocytes in fine-needle aspiration (FNA) smears, leading to cytodiagnosis or differential diagnosis of dendritic reticulum cell sarcoma (DRCS). An attempt was made to find out the reason behind such an erroneous interpretation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 2009 and 2014, two cases were diagnosed as DRCS of the female breast by FNA cytology and in one case possibility of DRCS was considered along with medullary breast carcinoma (MBC). We compare and contrast the cytomorphological features of these three cases with those of nine cytologically diagnosed MBC. RESULTS: Cases diagnosed as DRCS or MBC showed singly dispersed tumor cells, nuclear pleomorphism, bare nuclei, prominent nucleoli, and presence of lymphocytes. There was no significant difference between the two groups for discohesive clusters, syncytial clusters, plasma cells, neutrophils, foamy histiocytes, and necrosis. However, there was significant difference for presence of cohesive clusters (0% DRCS and 100% MBC, P = 0.00485), severe degree (+++) of pleomorphism (100% DRCS vs. 11.1% MBC, P = 0.01818), +++ DRC (P = 0.04697), and DRC with ++ to +++ enlarged nuclei (P = 0.03333), and pleomorphic nuclei (P = 0.00833). Two of the three cytologically diagnosed DRCS cases proved to be MBC or MBC-like and one as invasive ductal carcinoma. Six of nine cytologically diagnosed MBC cases with histology proved to be invasive breast carcinomas. CONCLUSION: Criteria for cytodiagnosis MBC need a fresh look. Cases with numerous dendritic cells possibly represent MBC.

Anaplastic large cell lymphoma: Report of two cases with rare patterns (carcinomatous and sarcomatous) in fine needle aspiration cytology and histopathology.

Anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) is a non-Hodgkin lymphoma of T-cell or null-cell lineage with variable cytomorphology. We report two rare ALCL cases with carcinomatous and sarcomatous patterns, respectively, in fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology and histopathology. The first case was a 56-year-old man with enlarged left inguinal lymph node. FNA smears showed a malignant small round cell tumor with nuclear molding. In addition, there were large bi-nucleated and multinucleated cells with wreath-like arrangement of nuclei. ALCL and small cell (neuroendocrine) carcinoma were the possibilities considered. Immunocytochemical studies on FNA smears showed positive reaction for leukocyte common antigen (LCA) and negative results for cytokeratin (CK) and chromogranin. Histopathological examination of the lymph node showed features of ALCL with following immunohistochemical staining results: LCA+, CD30+, CD45RO+, CD20-, CD3+ (weak), and Alk1-. During review of sections, areas resembling a small cell anaplastic carcinoma were observed. The second case was a 24-year-old woman with right cervical lymphadenopathy. FNA smears showed an ALCL with highly atypical large cells including bi-nucleated and donut shaped cells, which were positive for CD30, EMA, and Alk-1 protein, and negative for CD20, CD3, and CK. Histopathological examination corroborated the cytodiagnosis of ALCL, and with positive immunohistochemical staining for CD30, EMA, Alk-1 protein+, BCL6+, and Ki67+ (40% cells) and negative results for CD20, CD10, CD3, CD5, CD15, BCl2, CD79a, and CD68. Sarcomatous components were noticed during review of cytologic and histopathological specimen. Awareness about these unusual cytomorphological patterns in ALCL may be of help in proper diagnosis of this neoplasm.

Hürthle cell metaplasia in chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis: Role of age factor and review of literature on its molecular pathogenesis.

OBJECTIVES: Hürthle cell (HC) metaplasia is an important feature of chronic lymphocytic (Hashimoto) thyroiditis (HT). However, it is rarely observed in juvenile form HT. In a study based on fine needle aspiration cytology, the cytomorphological difference between pediatric HT and its adult form was studied, with special attention on HC metaplasia and its pathogenesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The frequency of following 12 cytomorphological features in 16 pediatric and 104 adult HT cases were compared: follicular cells, lymphoid cells, HCs, plasma cells, lympho-histiocytic aggregates, epithelioid histiocytes, multinucleated giant cells, fire-flare appearance, colloid, intracytoplasmic lumen (ICL) with or without colloid inclusion, paravacuolar granules, and cyst cells. The age decade distribution of HC metaplasia was analyzed. RESULTS: Significant difference was observed between pediatric HT and its adult form in respect of HC metaplasia and ICL with colloid inclusion in HC. HC were present in 7 (43.8%) of pediatric and 94 (90.4%) of adult HT cases (P = 0.00006). 1 (6.3%) pediatric and 35 (33.7%) adult HT cases had ICL with colloid inclusion in HC (P = 0.03698). As compared to first two decades of life, significantly higher number of cases revealed HC metaplasia in every decade from third decade onwards (P = 0.01290-0.00009); however, the difference in respect of ICL with colloid inclusions attained significance during sixth decade only (P = 0.00235). CONCLUSIONS: Hürthlization, which appears to be survival response, is rare in pediatric HT and becomes more pronounced starting from third decade onwards; significant increase in ICL with colloid inclusion is a much more delayed phenomenon.

Human papillomaviruses other than 16, 18 and 45 are the major high risk HPV genotypes amongst women with abnormal cervical smear cytology residing in Kuwait: Implications for future vaccination strategies.

OBJECTIVES: The study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of different high risk HPV (HR-HPV) genotypes amongst women residing in Kuwait with epithelial abnormalities in cervical smears and to detect any difference in the distribution of these genotypes between Kuwaiti and Non-Kuwaiti women or between the cytological diagnosis groups. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thinprep specimens from women with epithelial abnormalities on cervical smears were subjected to Aptima HR-HPV assay and those found to be HR-HPV positive were genotyped using the Aptima HPV genotyping assay into three groups (i) HPV 16, (ii) HPV 18/45 and (iii) others. RESULTS: HR-HPV was found in 229 (30.57%) of the 749 cases with epithelial abnormalities. Of the 116 cases subjected to further genotyping, the non-16, 18, 45 genotype accounted for the most prevalent group accounting for 62.93% of the cases, followed by HR-HPV 16 (31.04%) cases and HPV 18/45 (6.03%) of cases. There was no significant difference between Kuwaiti and non-Kuwaiti women nor was any difference noted between the various cytological diagnosis group. CONCLUSION: Most HR-HPV infections amongst women residing in Kuwait with epithelial abnormalities are due to HPV types other than the 16, 18 and 45. As HPVs 16 and 18 are considered to be the most prevalent HR-HPV genotypes worldwide, causing invasive cancer, the findings of this study is significant from an epidemiological standpoint. It should also be taken into account before undertaking any HPV vaccination program since the available HPV vaccines protect against HR-HPVs 16 and 18 only.

Functional State of Cells During their Life and on their Journey Toward Inactivity and Death: Search for Morphological Evidence in Thyroid Fine Needle Aspiration Smears.

Synthesis and storage of thyroglobulin as well as synthesis of thyroid hormones and their release into the circulation are important functions of thyroid, which were studied in fine needle aspiration (FNA) smears from thyroid lesions. Evidence of thyroglobulin synthesis was demonstrated in neoplastic and nonneoplastic follicular cells, especially in Hürthle cells, in the form of colloid inclusions. Whereas the pinocytic vesicles containing colloid at the luminal end of in nonneoplastic and neoplastic follicular cells indicated engulfment of colloid for synthesis of thyroid hormones (T3 and T4), the marginal vacuoles (MVs) (fire-flare appearance) at the basal aspects of follicular cells suggested their release on way to the interfollicular capillaries. The morphological evidence of secretary activity could also be demonstrated in medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) in the form of azurophilic granules, marginal vacuoles, and intracytoplasmic lumina (ICL) with secretions; the secretory material, likely to be amyloid, present in MTC cells, and their release to the extracellular space was confirmed by positive immunocytochemical staining for calcitonin. It was found that nuclear grooves and related intranuclear cytoplasmic inclusions (INCIs) in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) possibly represent an initial step of a degenerative process leading to formation of inactive cerebriform nuclei. Based on observation regarding formation and release of precursor substances for psammoma bodies (PBs), it was also suggested that PBs may not represent a process of dystrophic calcification over infarcted/dead papillae but suggest an active biological process, which leads to inhibition of growth of neoplastic cells and acts as a barrier against spread of PTC.

Contribution of Immunocytochemistry to the Diagnosis of Usual and Unusual Lymphoma Cases.

Some of the limitations of fine needle aspiration (FNA) in the cytodiagnosis of lymphoma include problems encountered in differentiating reactive hyperplasia from low-grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), lower cytodiagnostic accuracy for NHL with a follicular (nodular) pattern and nodular sclerosis type of classical Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), and overlapping morphological features between T-cell-rich B-cell lymphoma (TCRBCL), anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL), and HL. Immunocytochemistry may be of help in such situations. The B-cell lymphomas such as small lymphocytic lymphoma/CLL, follicular lymphoma (FL), mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), MALT lymphoma, Burkitt lymphoma (BL), and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) have pan-B-cell markers (CD19, CD20, CD22, CD23, and CD79a). The FL (centrocytic), MCL, and MALT lymphoma can be differentiated with the use of a panel consisting of CD5, CD10, and CD23. In addition, FL is BCL2+ and MCL is BCL2+ as well as cyclin D1+. The DLBCL is BCL6+ in 60-90% cases. Besides pan B-cell marker, the immunocytochemical profile of BL includes CD10+, BCl6+, EBV±, and Ki67+ (100% cells). TCRBCL, a rare variant of DLBCL can be immunocytochemically differentiated from anaplastic large cell lymphoma (CD45+, CD30+, CD15‒, T±, B‒, EMA+, ALK1±) and classical HL (CD30+, CD15+, CD45‒, B‒, T‒, EMA‒). Unlike classical HL, the nodular lymphocytic predominant HL has a phenotype that includes LCA+, CD20+, CD79a+, CD15‒, and CD30‒. Whereas the immature neoplastic cells of T-lymphoblastic lymphoma (LBL) are CD3+, CD20‒, and Tdt+, the rarely encountered mature T-CLL/T-PLL are immunophenotypically CD3+, CD4+, CD5+, CD7+, CD8‒, CD20‒, CD23‒, and Tdt‒.

Papillary carcinoma in thyroglossal duct cyst: Diagnosis by fine-needle aspiration cytology and immunocytochemistry.

Carcinoma associated with thyroglossal duct cyst (TDC) is extremely rare and when it occurs it is invariably papillary carcinoma. A 36-year-old man presented with a midline swelling in the upper part of neck, which was a cystic lesion with multiple septae in ultrasonogram, indicating a thyroglossal duct cyst. The CT scan findings also corroborated the ultrasound report. Fine needle aspiration (FNA) smears showed hemosiderin laden cyst macrophages and occasional papillary cluster of neoplastic cells with central psammoma body and rare intranuclear cytoplasmic inclusions. The neoplastic cells revealed positive reaction for thyroglobulin, galectin3, and CD44. FNA cytodiagnosis was thyroglossal duct cyst with cytologic features suggestive of papillary carcinoma. The histopathological diagnosis of the resected lesion, however, was metastatic papillary thyroid carcinoma in lymph node with cystic changes; there was positive reaction for thyroglobulin, galectin3, HBME1, and CK. Following this histopathology report, thyroidectomy was performed, which revealed lymphocytic thyroiditis and no evidence of papillary carcinoma. Review of paraffin sections of upper midline neck mass showed a cavity bound by thick fibrocollageneous wall and lined partly by epithelium consistent with papillary carcinoma. The cyst wall showed dense lymphomononuclear cell infiltration and germinal center formation. There were foci of papillary carcinoma in the cyst wall with frequent nuclear grooves, cerebriform nuclei and intranuclear cytoplasmic inclusions. The reviewed histopathological diagnosis was consistent with papillary carcinoma in thyroglossal duct cyst. Thus, the FNA cytodiagnosis of a rare case of papillary carcinoma in thyroglossal duct cyst, led to review and change in histopathological diagnosis achieving cyto-histopathological correlation.

A case of composite classical and nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma with progression to diffuse large B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma: Diagnostic difficulty in fine-needle aspiration cytology.

A small percentage of nodular lymphocytic predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL) progresses to diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). There have also been rare reports of gray zone lymphoma with features intermediate between classical Hodgkin lymphoma (CHL) and DLBCL. We report a very rare case of composite lymphoma (CHL and NLPHL) progressing to DLBCL, and highlight the diagnostic difficulty faced during its fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology diagnosis. A 65-year-old woman presented with a right axillary swelling which was subjected to FNA cytology. The routine FNA cytology diagnosis was anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) but immunocytochemistry did not support this diagnosis completely. The histopathological diagnosis of the excised lymph node was NLPHL with progression to DLBCL in our hospital but in a hospital abroad where the patient was treated, the reviewed diagnosis was CHL. The patient had a rapid downhill course with development of terminal pleural effusion and died approximately one year from initial diagnosis.The review of the cyto-histologic material along with additional immunocyto/histochemical studies and the clinical course of the disease support the diagnosis of a composite lymphoma (CHL and NLPHL) with progression to DLBCL. It is suggested that all the three lesions were clonally related. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2017;45:262-266. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

A case of Langerhans' cell histiocytosis associated with Hodgkin's lymphoma: Fine-needle aspiration cytologic and histopathological features.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) can be associated with a variety of malignant neoplasms, the most common being malignant lymphoma, especially Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL). In this report, we describe the fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytologic features of a case with concurrent LCH and HL in a lymph node. A 20-year-old man presented with an enlarged left upper cervical lymph node. FNA smears from the swelling revealed numerous CD1a+ and S-100+ Langerhans-type cells (LCs) along with many eosinophils, neutrophils, and lymphocytes; there were also large atypical cells with enlarged nuclei having prominent nucleoli. The cytodiagnosis was LCH and the possibility of association with or trans-differentiation into a lymphoma was suggested. The histopathological diagnosis of the excised left cervical lymph node was classical HL-nodular sclerosis type (CHL-NS) with LCH. The lacunar type Reed-Sternberg (RS) cells were positive for CD30 and CD15, and the LCs were positive for CD1a and S-100 protein. PET/CT imaging demonstrated hypermetabolic lymph nodes in neck, abdomen, thorax and pelvis as well as pulmonary nodules and a splenic mass. The patient received 13 courses of chemotherapy and two years later, the enhanced CT revealed regressive course of the disease.

Fate of cadmium at the soil-solution interface: a thermodynamic study as influenced by varying pH at South 24 Parganas, West Bengal, India.

A study on the sorption kinetics of Cd from soil solution to soils was conducted to assess the persistence of Cd in soil solution as it is related to the leaching, bioavailability, and potential toxicity of Cd. The kinetics of Cd sorption on two non-contaminated alkaline soils from Canning (22° 18' 48.02″ N and 88° 39' 29.0″ E) and Lakshmikantapur (22° 06' 16.61″ N and 88° 19' 08.66″ E) of South 24 Parganas, West Bengal, India, were studied using conventional batch experiment. The variable soil suspension parameters were pH (4.00, 6.00, 8.18, and 9.00), temperatures (308, 318, and 328 K) and Cd concentrations (5-100 mg L(-1)). The average rate coefficient (kavg) and half-life (t1/2) values indicate that the persistence of Cd in soil solution is influenced by both temperature and soil suspension pH. The concentration of Cd in soil solution decreases with increase of temperature; therefore, Cd sorption on the soil-solution interface is an endothermic one. Higher pH decreases the t 1/2 of Cd in soil solution, indicating that higher pH (alkaline) is not a serious concern in Cd toxicity than lower pH (acidic). Based on the energy of activation (Ea) values, Cd sorption in acidic pH (14.76±0.29 to 64.45±4.50 kJ mol(-1)) is a surface control phenomenon and in alkaline pH (9.33±0.09 to 44.60±2.01 kJ mol(-1)) is a diffusion control phenomenon The enthalpy of activation (ΔH∓) values were found to be between 7.28 and 61.73 kJ mol(-1). Additionally, higher positive energy of activation (ΔG∓) values (46.82±2.01 to 94.47±2.36 kJ mol(-1)) suggested that there is an energy barrier for product formation.

Age and sex distribution in malignant and tuberculous serous effusions: A study of 127 patients and review of the literature.

AIM: Tuberculosis and carcinomatosis are the two most frequent causes of pleural effusion and exudative ascites, and both are characterized by lymphocyte-rich effusion. We attempted to discover if there is any significant difference in the age and sex distribution between patients presenting with these two conditions. METHODS: A total of 161 serous effusion samples from 127 patients (89 with pleural effusion and 38 with ascites) having follow-up biopsy and histopathological examination were included in the present study. Three groups - malignancy (47 patients), tuberculosis (47) and non-tuberculous benign lesions (26) as per histopathological diagnoses - were compared in respect to age and sex distribution. RESULTS: A total of 29 (61.7%) patients with malignancy were aged ≥50 years as compared with three (6.4%) tuberculosis patients with serous effusions (P = 0.00000). A similar trend was observed in the ≥60 years age group (18 or 38.3% malignancy vs none with tuberculosis, P = 0.00000). A total of 36 (76.6%) tuberculous effusion patients were aged less than 40 years as opposed to eight (17.0%) patients with malignant effusions (P = 0.00000). There was also s significant difference between tuberculous and non-tuberculous benign lesions in the ≥50 years age group (6.4% vs 69.2%, P = 0.00000), but no significant difference between malignancy and non-tuberculous benign lesions (P = 0.61385). There were 31 female (66.0%) patients with malignancy, which was significantly higher than that of patients with tuberculosis (16, [34%], P = 0.00365) and non-specific inflammation/benign lesions (23.1%, P = 0.00059). However, the difference between tuberculosis and non-tuberculous benign lesions was not significant (P = 0.42756). CONCLUSION: Whereas malignancy in serous effusions is found in older and middle-aged people, tuberculous effusion is a disease of younger people.

Aluminium dynamics from soil to tea plant (Camellia sinensis L.): is it enhanced by municipal solid waste compost application?

Application of municipal solid waste compost (MSWC) in tea (Camellia sinensis L.) cultivation can increase the fertility status of soils and thus enhance the plant growth. The present study attempts at application of MSWC in tea (TV1 and TV23 clones) cultivation to assess the effect of different doses of MSWC on growth and translocation potential of Al on this plant as well as fate of Al in soil, through the calculation of a risk assessment code (RAC). The sequential extraction of Al in MSWC amended soils showed that the fractionation of Al in soil changed after compost application, with an overall increase of the fractions associated to with Fe-Mn oxides, organic and of the residual fraction. The accumulation of Al in different parts ofC. sinensisL., grown on MSWC amended soil effected an overall increased growth of the plant with increasing doses of MSWC. According to RAC, Al falls in medium to high risk, though no adverse effect on plant health was observed. Tea plants were found to adapt well to MSWC amended soils. However, long term field trials are necessary to completely assess the risk of Al accumulation in soils upon MSWC application. Hierarchical cluster analysis was applied aiming to check for the presence of homogenous groups among different treatments. It was found that in both TV1 and TV23, treatments formed two different groups.

Composting of cow dung and crop residues using termite mounds as bulking agent.

The present study reports the suitability of termite mounds as a bulking agent for composting with crop residues and cow dung in pit method. Use of 50 kg termite mound with the crop residues (stover of ground nut: 361.65 kg; soybean: 354.59 kg; potato: 357.67 kg and mustard: 373.19 kg) and cow dung (84.90 kg) formed a good quality compost within 70 days of composting having nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium as 20.19, 3.78 and 32.77 g kg(-1) respectively with a bulk density of 0.85 g cm(-3). Other physico-chemical and germination parameters of the compost were within Indian standard, which had been confirmed by the application of multivariate analysis of variance and multivariate contrast analysis. Principal component analysis was applied in order to gain insight into the characteristic variables. Four composting treatments formed two different groups when hierarchical cluster analysis was applied.