Pesticide residue analysis of soil, water, and grain of IPM basmati rice.

The main aim of the present investigations was to compare the pesticide load in integrated pest management (IPM) with non-IPM crops of rice fields. The harvest samples of Basmati rice grain, soil, and irrigation water, from IPM and non-IPM field trials, at villages in northern India, were analyzed using multi-pesticide residue method. The field experiments were conducted for three consecutive years (2008-2011) for the successful validation of the modules, synthesized for Basmati rice, at these locations. Residues of tricyclazole, propiconazole, hexconazole, lambda cyhalothrin, pretilachlor chlorpyrifos, DDVP, carbendazim, and imidacloprid were analyzed from two locations, Dudhli village of Dehradun, Uttrakhand and Saboli and Aterna village of Sonepat, Haryana. The pesticide residues were observed below detectable limit (BDL) (<0.001-0.05 µg/g) in all 24 samples of rice grains and soil under IPM and non-IPM trials. Residues were below detection level (<0.001-0.05 µg/L) in irrigation water samples (2008-09). Residues of tricyclazole and carbendazim, analyzed from same locations, revealed pesticide residues as BDL (<0.001-0.05 µg/g) in all 40 samples of Basmati rice grains and soil. It was also observed as BDL (<0.001-0.05 µg/L) for 12 water samples (2009-2010). The residues of tricyclazole, propioconazole, chlorpyrifos, hexaconazole, pretilachlor, and λ-cyhalothrin were also found as BDL (<0.001-0.05 µg/g) in 40 samples of Basmati rice grains and soil and 12 water samples (<0.001-0.05 µg/L) (2010-2011).

Survey for cotton mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis (Tinsley) and its natural enemies.

Mealybug was considered to be a minor pest of cotton but it emerged as a major pest in 2006-2007 in North and Central zones. Extensive field surveys conducted in cotton fields during 2007-09 in Haryana, Rajasthan and Punjab in the North zone and Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat in the Central zone indicated that Phenacoccus solenopsis was the only major species of mealybug recorded on cotton in North as well as Central zones except one location in Gujarat where Fenrrisia virgata Cockerrel was also recorded. Infestation of mealybug at most of the places in North and Central zones ranged from mild (10-20%) to high (40-60%) during 2007 and 2008 but reduced to traces in 2009. Extensive field survey indicated that Aenasius bambawalei Hayat (Chalcidodea: Encyrtidae), an indigenous parasitoid, played a key role in reducing the insect pestinfestation. The parasitoid was first recorded in Delhi in July 2008 and by 2009 it was found in most of the cotton growing districts of North and Central zones. Its natural parasitization on P solenopsis could reach more than 90% at many locations. This is the most successful example of biological control of mealybug. Along with this parasitoid, another parasitoid, Promuscidea unfasciativentris Girault (Chalcidodea: Aphelinidae), was also recorded at most of the locations in smaller proportions.

Bleomycin induced flagellate pigmentation.

Bleomycin frequently causes cutaneous toxicity in the form of pigmentary disturbances. We report 2 patients with testicular tumours who developed distinctive "flagellate" pigmentation on trunk and extremities during bleomycin therapy.

Cerebral chromoblastomicosis--a rare case report of cerebral abscess and brief review of literature--a case report.

A rare case of Cerebral Chromomycosis caused by chromogenic fungus Cladosporium trichoides in a 35 year old male with classical presentation of cerebral abscess is being presented. The case report lays emphasis on the histological diagnosis of chromogenic fungus in the wall of the abscess cavity, surgically removed from a well delineated circumscribed lesion in the frontal lobe of the cerebrum. The causative fungus could be detected even in unstained paraffin sections. The diagnosis could be made only after surgical removal and histopathological examination. The mycological culture could not be made as the material was received in formaldehyde fixative. The unique features of the case is its recurrence free uneventful survival five years after surgical excision. This is probably the fifth reported case of cerebral chromomycosis from India and first of its type from arid zone of Rajasthan.

Synchronous oesophageal carcinoma with non Hodgkin's lymphoma, problems with management.

A case of synchronous malignancy of oesophagus with Non Hodgkin's lymphoma is presented and the rarity of such an association is discussed. The inherent difficulties encountered were initial planning of therapy keeping in view of the general condition of the patient. The patient received three cycles (every 21 days) of CHOP regimen for Non Hodgkin's lymphoma and to maintain a static state of oesophageal cancer. The patient showed more than 75 percent response to NHL counterpart, and for carcinoma oesophagus counterpart short course high dose loco-regional radiation therapy was given and the tumor was found to be resectable.

Results of definitive radiotherapy in T1 and T2 glottic carcinoma: Institute of Rotary Cancer Hospital experience.

Early glottic carcinomas (T1 and T2) constitute only 2% of all laryngeal cancers in our data. Seventy patients were seen between 1985 and 1992. All patients were treated by cobalt-60 small field radiotherapy using a beam directed shell. The total dose delivered was 60-65 Gy in 31 patients and 66-70 Gy in 39 patients. The follow-up period ranged from 5 to 126 months, with a mean follow up of 37 months overall and 55 months in the surgical salvage group. Radiation therapy controlled disease in 71% (50 of 70) of patients overall; 75% with T1 and 67% with T2 lesions. Total laryngectomy as salvage surgery was performed in 70% (14 of 20) of patients whose disease recurred. Ultimate control including surgical salvage occurred in 64 (91%) of 70 patients in the present study. The actuarial 5 year survival was 83 and 80% in T1 and T2 tumours, respectively (statistically insignificant). This report supports the policy of definitive irradiation, reserving surgical salvage for radiation failures in early laryngeal cancers.

Disseminated and atypical molluscum contagiosum in an AIDS patient.

A case of disseminated molluscum contagiosum (MC) has been reported in a patient suffering from AIDS. Most of the lesions were erythematous papules and nodules with central unbilication. A few giant lesions and lesions over genitalia were also observed.

Orbital neurofibrosarcoma: a case report.

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours of orbit is rare entity. Only sixteen cases are reported in world literature. Bengin schwannomas of the orbit are found in 1.5 to 18 percent of patients with von Recklinghausen's disease (VRD) and form 1 percent of all orbital tumours1. The incidence of malignant transformation in VRD is varies from 5-15 percent of all the cases1.

Breast metastasis from primary cervical cancer.

Metastasis to the breast from primary cervical cancer is rare. A 52-year-old woman developed breast metastasis 6 months after the diagnosis of primary cervical cancer. The mammography showed discrete well defined nodules without microcalcification. Fine needle aspiration cytology confirmed the diagnosis. Treatment with cis-platinum chemotherapy and local radiotherapy resulted in complete response. The patient continues to be alive and disease-free 18 months since the diagnosis of breast metastasis.

Polioencephalomalacia induced with amprolium in buffalo calves--clinicopathologic findings.

Polioencephalomalacia was induced in eight buffalo calves, 6-12 months old, by drenching amprolium (300 mg/kg body weight per day) for 29-55 days. Four buffalo calves of the same age group were drenched with tap water only and served as control. Blood samples were collected at different intervals during amprolium administration until the onset of clinical signs. Cerebrospinal fluid was also collected prior to amprolium administration and at the onset of clinical signs. A significant progressive decrease in erythrocyte transketolase (TK) activity and an increase in the percent of thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP) effect were observed in amprolium-fed calves during amprolium administration until the onset of clinical signs. There was a significant increase in blood lactate and blood pyruvate concentrations and a significant decrease in lactate/pyruvate ratio at the onset of clinical signs. Serum electrolyte (Na, Ca, P, Mg) concentrations showed no significant changes. However, the serum potassium concentration had decreased significantly at the onset of signs. The cerebrospinal fluid analyses revealed a significant increase in lactate and pyruvate concentrations and lactate/pyruvate ratio in amprolium-fed calves. The electrolytes (Na, K, Ca, P and Mg) of cerebrospinal fluid did not show any change. It is concluded that oral administration of amprolium (300 mg/kg body weight daily) for 4-6 weeks produces biochemical changes characteristic of polioencephalomalacia in buffalo calves.

Case report: giant cell tumour of metacarpals: report of three cases.

Giant cell tumour of the metacarpal bone is rare. We have encountered three cases during the last 30 years. Surgical treatment is difficult in such a critical site and is always associated with functional deformities and poor cosmesis. We have successfully treated two males and one female with lesions of the 1st, 2nd and 4th metacarpal bones using a Theratron-60 telecobalt machine. The radiation dose delivered was 50-55 Gy over 4.5-5 weeks. The three patients all tolerated radiotherapy treatment well, though moderate radiation dermatitis (Grade II-III) was seen. The regression of tumour mass started after about 2 months of radiation therapy and complete regression occurred after several months. The pain subsided immediately. Long follow up of 7-11 years revealed no signs of local recurrence, distant metastasis or radiation induced malignancy. The results of radiation therapy are excellent in terms of functional integrity and cosmesis.

Polioencephalomalacia induced with amprolium in buffalo calves: pathologic changes of the central nervous system.

Eight apparently healthy male buffalo calves of 6 to 12 months of age were drenched with amprolium (300 mg/kg body weight) till the development of clinical signs. Four buffalo calves of the same age group were drenched with tap water only and these served as controls. Amprolium drenched calves were allowed to die after the onset of clinical signs and control calves were euthanised after the death of amprolium fed calves. Tissues were collected for histopathological studies. Formalin fixed brain slices were examined for autofluorescence with the help of ultraviolet light at 365 nm. Gross and histopathological changes were mainly confined to the brain in amprolium fed calves. Gross lesions included congestion and haemorrhages in the meninges. The cerebral gyri were swollen with yellowish discolouration of cerebral cortex. Microscopic changes in the brain were limited to gray matter structures of cerebral and cerebellar cortex, caudal colliculi of mid brain and thalamus. There was shrinkage of neurons, perivascular and pericellular edema, necrosis of neurons, satellitosis, glial nodule and gliosis. Blood vessel walls were thickened due to hypertrophy and hyperplasia of endothelial and adventitial cells. In the cerebellar cortex, there was degeneration of Purkinje cells. The caudal colliculi of mid brain showed bilateral malacia. In the necrotic areas, neuropils were fragmented, edematous and hypercellular due to increased number of microglial cells and there was neocapillary formation. Subcortical gray matter of the thalamus showed necrosis of neurons, gliosis with formation of glial nodule. Formalin-fixed brain slices of amprolium fed calves showed disseminated areas of greenish yellow autofluorescence in the cerebral cortex when viewed under ultraviolet light at 365 nm.

Intracranial metastases from carcinoma cervix and review of literature.

Brain metastases from primary cervical carcinoma are uncommon. Only 41 cases have been reported so far in the English literature. We have seen 2 cases over the last 2 years among 481 patients with cervical cancer. Brain metastases developed 7 and 35 months after the primary diagnosis. One patient with solitary metastasis had no evidence of disease elsewhere and is free of disease after surgery and radiation therapy 7 months after the brain metastasis. Another patient with multiple brain metastases and cervical disease is alive 2 months after palliative radiation therapy.

Effect of intracerebral injection of chlorpromazine and diazepam on acid phosphatase activity in the mouse brain.

Chlorpromazine (CPZ) administration resulted in an increase in acid phosphatase (AcP) activity in the lamina VI of the neocortex, pyramidal cell layer, granular cell layer and hilus of the hippocampal formation. Diazepam (DZ) administration also induced an increase in AcP activity in the lamina VI of the neocortex and in the pyramidal cell layer of the hippocampal formation. The large-sized pyramidal cells of the hippocampal formation indicated a more prominent and continuous reaction in the cell processes during the administration of CPZ and DZ. The possible role of CPZ and DZ has been discussed in relation to the AcP activity in the regions studied.

Comparative distribution of acid phosphatase and simple esterase in the mouse neocortex and hippocampal formation.

The present study deals with the detailed distribution of acid phosphatase (AcP) and simple esterase (SE) in different layers of the neocortex and hippocampal formation of the mouse brain. The neurons, in general, had moderate to intense enzyme activity for AcP and mild to moderate activity for SE. The AcP activity dominated in the neuronal population as compared to the neuropil; the neuropil stained mildly for SE. The large pyramidal cells in the neocortex and cornu ammonis, and the granular cell layer of the gyrus dentatus, demonstrated strong enzyme activity both in AcP and SE preparations. The role of AcP and SE has been discussed in relation to various structures of the neocortex and hippocampal formation.