Long-term application of agronomic management strategies effects on soil organic carbon, energy budgeting, and carbon footprint under rice-wheat cropping system.

In the plains of western North India, traditional rice and wheat cropping systems (RWCS) consume a significant amount of energy and carbon. In order to assess the long-term energy budgets, ecological footprint, and greenhouse gas (GHG) pollutants from RWCS with residual management techniques, field research was conducted which consisted of fourteen treatments that combined various tillage techniques, fertilization methods, and whether or not straw return was present in randomized block design. By altering the formation of aggregates and the distribution of carbon within them, tillage techniques can affect the dynamics of organic carbon in soil and soil microbial activity. The stability of large macro-aggregates (> 2 mm), small macro-aggregates (2.0-2.25 mm), and micro-aggregates in the topsoil were improved by 35.18%, 33.52%, and 25.10%, respectively, over conventional tillage (0-20 cm) using tillage strategies for conservation methods (no-till in conjunction with straw return and organic fertilizers). The subsoil (20-40 cm) displayed the same pattern. In contrast to conventional tilling with no straw returns, macro-aggregates of all sizes and micro-aggregates increased by 24.52%, 28.48%, and 18.12%, respectively, when conservation tillage with organic and chemical fertilizers was used. The straw return (aggregate-associated C) also resulted in a significant increase in aggregate-associated carbon. When zero tillage was paired with straw return, chemical, and organic fertilizers, the topsoil's overall aggregate-associated C across all aggregate proportions increased. Conversely, conventional tillage, in contrast to conservation tillage, included straw return as well as chemical and organic fertilizers and had high aggregate-associated C in the subsurface. This study finds that tillage techniques could change the dynamics of microbial biomass in soils and organic soil carbon by altering the aggregate and distribution of C therein.

Isolated angiomyolipoma of vulva: A case report of an uncommon tumor at an uncommon site.

Extra renal angiomyolipoma is an exceedingly rare entity. This is usually not associated with tuberous sclerosis as it has no human melanoma black 45 immune reactive cells although it shares the terminology with renal angiomyolipoma. The histological features are characterized by admixture of blood vessels, smooth muscles, and mature adipose tissues in variable proportion. Surgical excision is considered curative. We report a case of isolated vulval angiomyolipoma in a 45-year-old female which clinically and radiologically presented as lipoma like lesion. Our case of isolated vulval angiomyolipoma is the first reported case in the literature.

Infiltrating ductal carcinoma breast, metastatic to ipsilateral axillary lymph nodes harbouring primary tuberculous lymphadenitis: a case report.

The coexistence of breast cancer and tuberculosis has been described in over 100 cases; however its coexistence in the axillary lymph node is rare with only a handful cases have been reported in the literature. We report a case of infiltrating ductal carcinoma of the left breast, metastatic to ipsilateral axillary lymph nodes harbouring tuberculous lymphadenitis without primary mammary or pulmonary tuberculosis. The case is presented for its rarity and illustrates that the simultaneous occurrence of tuberculosis and carcinoma can create a dilemma in the diagnosis and treatment, so surgeons and pathologists should keep such a combination on the back of their mind, especially in endemic areas.

The clinical challenges in the management of deep lymphangioma of the foot.

A 12-year-old girl presented with swelling on the lateral aspect of the left foot since early childhood, progressively increasing in size and now causing pain on walking. Pain was relieved with medication only. There was also history of a single episode of blood-tinged discharge from the swelling 3 years prior. There was no history of trauma, diabetes, or hypertension.

Performance evaluation of hematologic scoring system in early diagnosis of neonatal sepsis.

OBJECTIVES: The present study was undertaken to evaluate and highlight the importance of hematological scoring system (HSS) in the early detection of neonatal sepsis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The cross-sectional study enrolled 110 neonates who were clinically suspected of infection (study group) and normal neonates for comparison (controls), during the 1(st) week of life. All peripheral blood smears were analyzed using HSS of Rodwell et al., by pathologists blinded to the infection status of the newborns. HSS assigns a score of 1 for each of seven findings significantly associated with sepsis: Abnormal total leukocyte count, abnormal total polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) count, elevated immature PMN count, elevated immature: Total (I:T) PMN ratio, immature: Mature (I:M) PMN ratio ≥0.3, platelet count ≤150,000/mm(3), and pronounced degenerative or toxic changes in PMNs. Score of ≤2 was interpreted as sepsis unlikely; score 3-4: Sepsis is possible and ≥5 sepsis or infection is very likely. Blood culture was taken as a standard indicator for septicemia. The perinatal history, clinical profile and laboratory data were recorded and correlated in each case. Each hematological parameter was assessed for its individual performance and also with the culture-proven sepsis. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values (NPVs) were calculated for each parameter and for different gestational ages. P value was also calculated for different parameters. RESULTS: Out of the 110 infants, based on clinical findings and laboratory data were classified into three categories: Sepsis (n=42), probable infection (n=22) and normal (n=46). Out of these, 42 (38.2%) newborns had positive blood culture. 63 (57%) neonates were preterm and 47 (43%) term. Male: female ratio was 0.96:1. The P value was significant for the different gestational ages (0.0002) and sex ratio (0.003). Immature polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) count was the most sensitive and I:M PMN ratio, the most specific indicator of sepsis. For sepsis and probable sepsis, I:T PMN count and immature PMN count have highest sensitivity whereas I:T and I:M PMN ratio have highest specificity. HSS has much higher sensitivity and specificity in preterms than in term neonates. Positive predictive value and NPV is also higher in preterm than term for HSS. It was also seen that with increasing scores, the likelihood of sepsis also increased. CONCLUSION: The sensitivities of the various screening parameters were found to be satisfactory in identifying early onset neonatal sepsis. It is a simple and feasible diagnostic tool to guide towards the decision-making for a rationale treatment.

Pulmonary echinococcal cyst with a filamentous fungus co-infection.

Fungal infections are known to colonize the pre-existing lung cavities formed as a result of diseases like tuberculosis, sarcoidosis, bronchiectasis and cavitatary neoplasia, mostly encountered in immunocompromised patients. Pulmonary echinococcal cysts have been reported coexistent with cryptococcosis and other saprophytic mycosis, but the coexistence of aspergillosis and echinococcal cyst is extremely rare and occasionally been reported in English literature. Active invasion and proliferation of the fungi in the laminated ectocyst of the echinococcal cyst is very unusual. We report a case of 60 years old immunocompetent female, presented with cough, chest pain and shortness of breath. The chest X-ray showed a large thick walled cavity in the lower and mid zone of right lung with positive water lily sign. Surgical enucleation of the echinococcal cyst revealed aspergilloma involving the cavity with massive invasion of laminated ectocyst by filamentous fungus, morphologically resembling an Aspergillus species and was further treated with Itraconazole for 3 months. This unique coexistence of active pulmonary echinococcosis and aspergillosis is being reported because of its rarity and clinical importance for its management.

Fungal granuloma in external auditory canal.

Aural masses are most commonly inflammatory in nature, but may also manifest as more severe disease making them an important differential diagnoses. We present the case of a 20-year-old female who presented with a 3-month history of unilateral, foul smelling, occasionally blood stained ear discharge and earache. She was conservatively treated for these 3 months and was subsequently referred to our institute where she was diagnosed with a mass left ear. After thorough evaluation an excision biopsy with histopathological examination was done which proved the mass to be a fungal granuloma. The importance of this case report lies in the statement that in a case presenting with chronic foul smelling ear discharge fungal granuloma should be kept in the differential diagnoses.

Fine needle aspiration cytology of thyroid swellings: how useful and accurate is it?

BACKGROUND: Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is widely considered as the diagnostic technique of choice in the assessment of thyroid lesions. AIMS: The aim of this study is to determine the utility and diagnostic accuracy of FNAC of thyroid lesions performed at our institution and to compare our experience with that of the experts from other regions of the world. SETTING AND DESIGN: The present study is a five-year retrospective study of FNAC of thyroid lesions performed in the Pathology Department of our institute, during the period January 2004 to December 2008. The FNAC findings were correlated with the histopathological diagnosis, wherever available. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The records of 252 patients who had undergone FNAC during the study period were retrieved and information about age, sex, FNAC, and Histopathological diagnoses were extracted and the corresponding original slides were reviewed. The cytological results were classified as inadequate, benign, suspicious, and malignant. The histopathology diagnosis was classified as non-neoplastic (benign) and neoplastic (malignant). RESULTS: A total of 252 FNACs of thyroid lesions were done during the study period. The results of the FNA cytological diagnosis showed that four (1.6%) of the patients had FNAs, which were inadequate for cytological assessment, 228 (90.5%) patients had benign lesions, 17 (6.7%) had lesions that were suspicious for malignancy, and three (1.2%) had malignant neoplasms. The correlation of the FNAC findings with the histopathological diagnosis, showed that our FNAC diagnostic accuracy rate was 96.2%, with a sensitivity of 66%, and specificity of 100%. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study are comparable with the current published data and demonstrate that FNA cytology is a sensitive, specific and accurate initial diagnostic test for the preoperative evaluation of patients with thyroid swellings in our setting as well. The clinicians should be encouraged to embrace this procedure in the initial management of such patients.

Pelvic hydatidosis mimicking a malignant multicystic ovarian tumor.

Echinococcosis is a multisystem disease and has propensity to involve any organ, an unusual anatomical site, and can mimic any disease process. Primary peritoneal echinococcosis is known to occur secondary to hepatic involvement but occasional cases of primary peritoneal hydatid disease including pelvic involvement have also been reported. We report here 1 such case of primary pelvic hydatidosis mimicking a malignant multicystic ovarian tumor where there was no evidence of involvement of the liver or spleen. Our patient, a 27-year-old female, was detected to have a large right cystic adnexal mass on per vaginal examination which was confirmed by ultrasonography. Her biochemical parameters were normal and CA-125 levels, though mildly raised, were below the cut off point. She underwent surgery and on exploratory laparotomy, another cystic mass was found attached to the mesentery of the small gut. The resected cysts were processed histopathologically. On cut sections both large cysts revealed numerous daughter cysts. Microscopic examination of fluid from the cysts revealed free scolices with hooklets and the cyst wall had a typical laminated membrane with inner germinal layer containing degenerated protoplasmic mass. The diagnosis of pelvic hydatid disease was confirmed and patient was managed accordingly. Hydatid disease must be considered while making the differential diagnosis of pelvic cystic masses, especially in endemic areas.

Delayed involution of lactation presenting as a non-resolving breast mass: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Involution of lactation is a physiological process. Rarely, it may be delayed and troublesome for the lactating woman. Though lactation-induced changes in breast are well known, morphological features of delayed involution are not clear. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of a 22-year-old lactating mother who presented with a painful, non-resolving breast mass 5 months after delivery. Clinically, it simulated an inflammatory carcinoma. Histopathology, however, revealed involuting lactational changes. CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge, lactational involution with such a presentation has not been described in the English literature. The case needs to be reported so that this entity can be considered among the differential diagnoses of breast masses in a lactating patient.

Primary endometrial squamous cell carcinoma with extensive squamous metaplasia and dysplasia.

Primary squamous cell carcinoma of endometrium is a rare entity. Only 64 cases have been documented in the literature. We report a case of 60-year-old postmenopausal woman who presented with abdominal distention and blood-stained vaginal discharge for 6-7 months. Clinically, chronic pyometra was considered. Total abdominal hysterectomy was performed and histopathologically, it was diagnosed as a case of primary squamous cell carcinoma of endometrium with extensive squamous metaplasia and dysplasia.