Probing the p-type Chemiresistive Response of NiFe2 O4 Nanoparticles for Potential Utilization as Ethanol Sensor

Detection of gas molecules and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) using efficient, low cost sensors has fetched significant attention in environmental monitoring, safety measures and medical diagnosis. In the present work, nickel ferrite (NFO) nanoparticles are explored as p-type semiconducting metal oxide (SMO) sensor for detection of five different organic vapors namely methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, iso-propanol and acetone which often cause severe damage to human body under prolonged exposure. The sensing studies in presence of the aforementioned five vapors are carried out by varying the sensor operating temperature (225-300 °C) and vapor concentrations (10-1000 ppm). Developed NFO sensor demonstrated best performance in terms of sensing (~10 ppm), response time (<10 s), excellent repeatability and selectivity towards ethanol among all other considered gas species. The repeatability of the sensor response is verified and the underlying reasons for the variation in the response of NFO sensor due to the change of operating temperature, analyte type and concentrations has been discussed. The synthesis of NFO through auto combustion method and study on their formation behaviour, oxygen vacancy evolution, band gap calculation, crystalline nature as well as microstructural features provides here the comprehensive information about the potential application of NFO nanoparticles as gas sensor.

Performance of testers with contrasting provitamin A content to evaluate provitamin A maize for resistance to Aspergillus flavus infection and aflatoxin production

In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), millions of people depend on maize as a primary staple. However, maize consumers in SSA may be exposed to malnutrition due to vitamin A deficiency (VAD) and unsafe aflatoxin levels, which can lead to serious economic and public health problems. Provitamin A (PVA) biofortified maize has been developed to alleviate VAD and may have additional benefits such as reduced aflatoxin contamination. In this study, maize inbred testers with contrasting PVA content in grain were used to identify inbred lines with desirable combining ability for breeding to enhance their level of resistance to aflatoxin. Kernels of 120 PVA hybrids generated by crossing 60 PVA inbreds with varying levels of PVA (5.4 to 51.7 µg/g) and two testers (low and high PVA, 14.4 and 25.0 µg/g, respectively) were inoculated with a highly toxigenic strain of Aspergillus flavus. Aflatoxin had a negative genetic correlation with β-carotene (r = -0.29, p < 0.0001) and PVA (r = -0.23, p < 0.0001), indicating that hybrids with high PVA content accumulated less aflatoxin than those with low to medium PVA. Both general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) effects of lines and testers were significant for aflatoxin accumulation, number of spores, PVA, and other carotenoids, with additive gene actions playing a prominent role in regulating the mode of inheritance (GCA/SCA ratio >0.5). Eight inbreds had combined significant negative GCA effects for aflatoxin accumulation and spore count with significant positive GCA effects for PVA. Five testcrosses had combined significant negative SCA effects for aflatoxin with significant positive SCA effects for PVA. The high PVA tester had significant negative GCA effects for aflatoxin, lutein, β-carotene, and PVA. The study identified lines that can be used as parents to develop superior hybrids with high PVA and reduced aflatoxin accumulation. Overall, the results point out the importance of testers in maize breeding programs to develop materials that can contribute to controlling aflatoxin contamination and reducing VAD.

Aflatoxin biocontrol effectiveness in the real world—Private sector-led efforts to manage aflatoxins in Nigeria through biocontrol-centered strategies

Aflatoxins are toxic compounds produced by several Aspergillus species that contaminate various crops. The impact of aflatoxin on the health of humans and livestock is a concern across the globe. Income, trade, and development sectors are affected as well. There are several technologies to prevent aflatoxin contamination but there are difficulties in having farmers use them. In Nigeria, an aflatoxin biocontrol product containing atoxigenic isolates of A. flavus has been registered with regulatory authorities and is now being produced at scale by the private company Harvestfield Industries Limited (HIL). The current study reports results of biocontrol effectiveness trials in maize conducted by HIL during 2020 in several locations across Nigeria and compared to untreated maize from nearby locations. Also, maize was collected from open markets to assess levels of contamination. All treated maize met tolerance thresholds (i.e., &lt;4 ppb total aflatoxin). In contrast, most maize from untreated fields had a higher risk of aflatoxin contamination, with some areas averaging 38.5 ppb total aflatoxin. Maize from open markets had aflatoxin above tolerance thresholds with even an average of up to 90.3 ppb. Results from the trials were presented in a National Workshop attended by key officers of Government agencies, farmer organizations, the private sector, NGOs, and donors. Overall, we report (i) efforts spearheaded by the private sector to have aflatoxin management strategies used at scale in Nigeria, and (ii) deliberations of key stakeholders to ensure the safety of crops produced in Nigeria for the benefit of farmers, consumers, and industries.

Atoxigenic-based technology for biocontrol of aflatoxin in maize and groundnuts for Tanzania

Application of biocontrol products containing atoxigenic isolates of Aspergillus flavus to reduce aflatoxin content in crops is an effective strategy for managing aflatoxin in several regions throughout the world. We report the development and validation of two aflatoxin biocontrol products, Aflasafe TZ01 and Aflasafe TZ02, for use in maize and groundnut in Tanzania, a country frequently affected by aflatoxin contamination. Each product contains four atoxigenic A. flavus genotypes native and widely distributed in Tanzania. Efficacy tests on maize and groundnut were conducted over two years and in four regions of Tanzania where aflatoxin contamination is prevalent. Application of both products significantly (P<0.05) reduced aflatoxin levels in maize and groundnut in both years and in all districts. No differences were observed in total Aspergillus section Flavi population in treated and untreated fields, revealing that application of the biocontrol products do not alter overall Aspergillus populations in the environment. The results indicate that both products are effective tools for aflatoxin mitigation in groundnut and maize. The products were officially registered in 2018. Currently, there are scale-out and-up efforts of aflatoxin biocontrol products in Tanzania through a private sector company that is making the products available to farmers. Protecting maize and groundnut from aflatoxin contamination in Tanzania can result in health, income, and trade benefits.

A Study to Measure Sexual Dysfunction among Women of Reproductive Age Group with Diabetes Mellitus Attending the Outpatient Department of a Tertiary Care Hospital in Kolkata

Sexual dysfunction in Diabetes is an under-investigated problem, especially in women. The research barriers surrounding the issue of female sexual dysfunction are manifold and difficult to surpass, especially in the context of the Asian Subcontinent, where a multitude of sociocultural factors suppress the expression of distress. Early screening, diagnosis, and counselling can help in managing female sexual dysfunction in Diabetes Mellitus and positively impact the lives of many women. This study was undertaken to find the prevalence of sexual dysfunction among diabetic women of reproductive age group, its relation to BMI, duration of Diabetes and microvascular complications, and to find its sociodemographic associations.

MATERIAL

A descriptive, observational study was carried out over a period of 1 year. 250 purposively sampled women attending the diabetic outpatient department of a tertiary care hospital were enrolled. All were known diabetic, between the ages of 30 and 44 years. A detailed history was obtained with the aid of a case record form which included the FSFI (Female Sexual Function Index), and a demographic questionnaire, after proper explanation in their own local vernacular as per their literacy level. Available medical records were used for finding the duration of diabetes, and associated diabetes related microvascular complications.

OBSERVATION

Prevalence of FSD among the study population was 73.6%. A significant association was found between age and sexual dysfunction (p&lt;0.05). It was found to be more among the Hindus, compared to the Muslims (p&lt;0.05). There was a significant association with BMI (&gt;25kg/m2), increasing duration of Diabetes, and the presence of microvascular complications (p&lt;0.05). In fact, all patients with microvascular complications were experiencing some degree of sexual dysfunction. No association was found with socioeconomic status, literacy, addiction, occupation or type of family.

CONCLUSION

Female sexual health issues in Diabetes are a neglected area, both in the clinic as well as in research, yet sexual health problems in this group may be more common than previously recognised. Low FSFI scores are associated with increasing age, higher BMI and increasing duration of Diabetes. Future studies may identify appropriate ways to probe and explore the related issues for early screening, and help establish the role of newer treatments.

Mismatch repair protein deficiency assessed by immunohistochemistry in sporadic colorectal carcinoma

Context

Globally, colorectal carcinoma (CRC) ranks the third most commonly diagnosed malignant disease, one of the leading causes of cancer deaths.

Aims

To study the spectrum of clinicopathological characteristics of sporadic colorectal carcinoma and to assess mismatch repair gene deficiency by the expression pattern of the proteins assessed by immunohistochemistry.

Setting and Design

Observational study conducted in a tertiary care hospital in West Bengal.

Materials and Methods

Fifty-two surgically resected specimens of CRC received from January 2018 to May 2019 were studied for clinical, morphological, MSI status.

Statistical Analysis Used

IBM SPSS 23.

Results

A total of 50% of the cases belonged to younger and 50% to the older population, with male predominance being 53.8%. The most common histologic type was adenocarcinoma (88.5%). The majority was found to be well-differentiated carcinoma (50%). The majority cases were of the T3 stage accounting to 38.5%. A total of 24 out of 52 cases (46.15%) had an absent expression of at least one mismatch repair (MMR) protein. A significant correlation was found between the young age group and microsatellite instability (MSI) with a P value of 0.001. A significant association was found between MSI and tumor differentiation with P value of 0.018. A significant association was found between MSH6 and histological type with P value of 0.012. A significant association was found between MSI and tumor stage with P value of 0.032.

Conclusions

This study shows a significantly higher number of sporadic colon cancers involving the young age group, and younger cases showed significant association with MSI. This alarming trend needs validation by studies involving larger populations and can be helpful prognostically as well as in formulating chemotherapeutic regimens.

Aflatoxin contamination in Tanzania: quantifying the problem in maize and groundnuts from rural households

Aflatoxins are toxic and carcinogenic secondary metabolites, produced by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus, which contaminate food and feed and threaten human and animal health. To assess the prevalence of aflatoxins in Tanzania, 180 groundnut and 200 maize samples were collected from 9 and 10 districts, respectively. Aflatoxin contamination was quantified using high performance liquid chromatography. Aflatoxins were detected in samples collected from all districts and prevalence ranged from 92 to 100% for groundnuts and 10 to 80% for maize. The mean aflatoxin level for groundnuts was 6.37 μg/kg and the highly contaminated sample had 40.31 μg/kg. For maize, the mean aflatoxin level was 12.47 μg/kg and the highly contaminated sample had 162.40 μg/kg. The estimated average probable daily intake (APDI) of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) from groundnuts consumption was 1.88 ng/kg body weight/day, while for maize, it ranged between 151.98-272.89 ng/kg body weight/day. The APDI for both groundnut and maize exceeded the provisional maximum tolerable daily intake (PMTDI) of AFB1 for adults (1 ng/kg body weight/day), bringing about health concerns for populations in Tanzania. Another alarming finding was that 75% of the farmers who provided samples for analysis were not aware of aflatoxins or the negative health impacts from consuming contaminated products. Results reported in this paper show that aflatoxin contaminated staple crops are widely distributed in Tanzania and that the risk of human exposure is high due to diet preferences. Awareness campaigns are required to inform and protect farmers and consumers.

Aflasafe SN01 is the First Biocontrol Product Approved for Aflatoxin Mitigation in Two Nations, Senegal and The Gambia

Aflatoxin contamination is caused by Aspergillus flavus and closely related fungi. In The Gambia, aflatoxin contamination of groundnut and maize, two staple and economically important crops, is common. Groundnut and maize consumers are chronically exposed to aflatoxins, sometimes at alarming levels, and this has severe consequences on their health and productivity. Aflatoxin contamination also impedes commercialization in local and international premium markets. In neighboring Senegal, an aflatoxin biocontrol product containing four atoxigenic isolates of A. flavus, Aflasafe SN01, has been registered and is approved for commercial use in groundnut and maize. We detected that the four genotypes composing Aflasafe SN01 are also native to The Gambia. The biocontrol product was tested during two years in 129 maize and groundnut fields and compared with corresponding untreated fields cropped by smallholder farmers in The Gambia. Treated crops contained up to 100% less aflatoxins than untreated crops. A large portion of the crops could have been commercialized in premium markets due to the low aflatoxin content (in many cases no detectable aflatoxins), both at harvest and after storage. Substantial aflatoxin reductions were also achieved when commercially produced groundnut received treatment. Here we report for the first time the use and effectiveness of an aflatoxin biocontrol product registered for use in two nations. With the current scale-out and -up efforts of Aflasafe SN01, a large number of farmers, consumers, and traders in The Gambia and Senegal will obtain health, income, and trade benefits.[Formula: see text] Copyright © 2021 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY 4.0 International license.

The Atoxigenic Biocontrol Product Aflasafe SN01 Is a Valuable Tool to Mitigate Aflatoxin Contamination of Both Maize and Groundnut Cultivated in Senegal

Aflatoxin contamination of groundnut and maize infected by Aspergillus section Flavi fungi is common throughout Senegal. The use of biocontrol products containing atoxigenic Aspergillus flavus strains to reduce crop aflatoxin content has been successful in several regions, but no such products are available in Senegal. The biocontrol product Aflasafe SN01 was developed for use in Senegal. The four active ingredients of Aflasafe SN01 are atoxigenic A. flavus genotypes native to Senegal and distinct from active ingredients used in other biocontrol products. Efficacy tests on groundnut and maize in farmers' fields were carried out in Senegal during the course of 5 years. Active ingredients were monitored with vegetative compatibility analyses. Significant (P < 0.05) displacement of aflatoxin producers occurred in all years, districts, and crops. In addition, crops from Aflasafe SN01-treated fields contained significantly (P < 0.05) fewer aflatoxins both at harvest and after storage. Most crops from treated fields contained aflatoxin concentrations permissible in both local and international markets. Results suggest that Aflasafe SN01 is an effective tool for aflatoxin mitigation in groundnut and maize. Large-scale use of Aflasafe SN01 should provide health, trade, and economic benefits for Senegal.[Formula: see text] Copyright © 2020 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY 4.0 International license.

Prevalence and mitigation of aflatoxins in Kenya (1960-to date)

Aflatoxins are highly toxic metabolites of several Aspergillus species widely distributed throughout the environment. These toxins have adverse effects on humans and livestock at a few micrograms per kilogram (μg/kg) concentrations. Strict regulations on the concentrations of aflatoxins allowed in food and feed exist in many nations in the developing world. Loopholes in implementing regulations result in the consumption of dangerous concentrations of aflatoxins. In Kenya, where 'farm-to-mouth' crops become severely contaminated, solutions to the aflatoxins problem are needed. Across the decades, aflatoxins have repeatedly caused loss of human and animal life. A prerequisite to developing viable solutions for managing aflatoxins is understanding the geographical distribution and severity of food and feed contamination, and the impact on lives. This review discusses the scope of the aflatoxins problem and management efforts by various players in Kenya. Economic drivers likely to influence the choice of aflatoxins management options include historical adverse health effects on humans and animals, cost of intervention for mitigation of aflatoxins, knowledge about aflatoxins and their impact, incentives for aflatoxins safe food and intended scope of use of interventions. It also highlights knowledge gaps that can direct future management efforts. These include: sparse documented information on human exposure; few robust tools to accurately measure economic impact in widely unstructured value chains; lack of long-term impact studies on benefits of aflatoxins mitigation; inadequate sampling mechanisms in smallholder farms and grain holding stores/containers; overlooking social learning networks in technology uptake and lack of in-depth studies on an array of aflatoxins control measures followed in households. The review proposes improved linkages between agriculture, nutrition and health sectors to address aflatoxins contamination better. Sustained public awareness at all levels, capacity building and aflatoxins related policies are necessary to support management initiatives.

Utility of cell block to detect malignancy in fluid cytology: Adjunct or necessity?

AIM OF THE STUDY

Cell block (CB) technique when supplemented with conventional smear, provides increased cellularity, preservation of architectural pattern with excellent morphology, and a clear background. We compare the utility of CB technique compared to conventional smear in detection of malignancy in serous effusions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An institution-based observational and analytical study was carried out over 1 year on 50 patients with effusions. The residual amount of centrifuged deposit after preparation of conventional smear was mixed with 10% alcohol-formalin solution, and CBs were prepared. Calretinin and cytokeratin 5 were used for reactive mesothelial cells and Wilms tumor 1, thyroid transcription factor 1, CDX2, and estrogen receptor were used to confirm the adenocarcinoma cells.

RESULTS

Maximum patients belonged to the age group of 61-70 years. Male:female ratio 1:1.17. Most common cause of malignant peritoneal effusion was due to ovarian malignancies in females and adenocarcinoma of stomach in males while, in case of pleural effusion, it was breast carcinoma in females and lung carcinoma in males. Thirteen suspicious cases were subjected to immunohistochemistry (IHC). In 70% cases, CB findings were consistent with the findings of conventional smears. In 20% cases, the conventional smears were suspicious for malignancy, and malignancy was confirmed by CB technique, whereas in 10% cases, both smears and CB were suspicious for malignancy and the original nature of the lesion was confirmed by the IHC. Sensitivity and specificity of CB compared to conventional smear were 88.88% and 86.98%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

CB produced significantly better results (P = 0.0271) while detecting malignant lesions and reducing suspicious results (P = 0.0226).

Study of Clinicopathological Spectrum and Pattern of Expression of Cyclooxygenase‑2 in Urothelial Carcinomas of Bladder

Introduction: Overexpression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2) in urothelial carcinoma of bladder (UCB) had been studied in the past by different workers and the results were contradictory. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the prognostic implication of COX2 expression in primary urothelial carcinomas of the urinary bladder and its correlation with clinical parameters, tumor stage, grade, and recurrence. Materials and methods: A total of 68 cases who underwent surgery for urothelial carcinoma in our medical college from January 2013 to December 2015 were evaluated in our study. Hematoxylin and eosin-stained slides were examined by two faculties applying standard reporting protocol. Tumor staging and grading was performed as per the WHO guidelines. Immunohistochemistry for expression of COX2 was performed to study any correlation of tumor grade with COX2 expression. The distribution of COX2 positivity was studied in tumors stratified according to established bladder cancer prognostic factor, for example, tumor size, grade, invasion, and spread. Results: Out of 68 cases, 42 cases showed COX2 positivity (61%). In low-grade cases of bladder carcinoma, COX2 positivity was 16 out of 24 cases (60%), and in high-grade cases, COX2 positivity was 10 out of 18 cases (64.28%).Conclusion: In the present study, the association of COX2 overexpression with advanced tumor invasion and tumor grade has been substantiated. Hence, COX2 expression can be taken as a prognostic factor along with other usual prognostic factors in patients of UCB.

Prevalence of Aflatoxin Contamination in Maize and Groundnut in Ghana: Population Structure, Distribution, and Toxigenicity of the Causal Agents

Aflatoxin contamination in maize and groundnut is perennial in Ghana with substantial health and economic burden on the population. The present study examined for the first time the prevalence of aflatoxin contamination in maize and groundnut in major producing regions across three agroecological zones (AEZs) in Ghana. Furthermore, the distribution and aflatoxin-producing potential of Aspergillus species associated with both crops were studied. Out of 509 samples (326 of maize and 183 of groundnut), 35% had detectable levels of aflatoxins. Over 15% of maize and 11% of groundnut samples exceeded the aflatoxin threshold limits set by the Ghana Standards Authority of 15 and 20 ppb, respectively. Mycoflora analyses revealed various species and morphotypes within the Aspergillus section Flavi. A total of 5,083 isolates were recovered from both crops. The L morphotype of Aspergillus flavus dominated communities with 93.3% of the population, followed by Aspergillus spp. with S morphotype (6%), A. tamarii (0.4%), and A. parasiticus (0.3%). Within the L morphotype, the proportion of toxigenic members was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than that of atoxigenic members across AEZs. Observed and potential aflatoxin concentrations indicate that on-field aflatoxin management strategies need to be implemented throughout Ghana. The recovered atoxigenic L morphotype fungi are genetic resources that can be employed as biocontrol agents to limit aflatoxin contamination of maize and groundnut in Ghana. Copyright © 2018 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY 4.0 International license .

Aflatoxin awareness and Aflasafe adoption potential of Nigerian smallholder maize farmers: OPEN ACCESS

Aflatoxin is a potent mycotoxin that can cause cancer and death and is associated with stunted growth. Prevalence of aflatoxin is widespread in Africa negatively impacting health and trade. Aflasafe is a biological control product that can be applied to maize or groundnut fields to reduce aflatoxin contamination. This study examines the levels of aflatoxin and Aflasafe awareness and understanding among smallholder maize farmers in Nigeria. In addition, the factors affecting Aflasafe purchase patterns and sustained usage over multiple growing seasons by farmers were evaluated. In-person surveys of 902 Nigerian smallholder farmers were conducted during October and November of 2016. This work contributes to the existing literature by documenting awareness levels of aflatoxin and use of Aflasafe as a control in Nigeria. Results suggest that the level of awareness of aflatoxin was very high in states where Aflasafe was promoted as an intervention for aflatoxin management. In Kaduna state, the region with the longest intervention, there was a consistent increase in the usage of Aflasafe since its introduction in 2010. Furthermore, farmers who purchase Aflasafe bundled (combined) with other inputs were more likely to persist in using the product. Education was found to significantly and positively impact continued usage of Aflasafe. Continued interventions, promotion and general education of the public are recommended for increased awareness, trial, and adoption of Aflasafe in Nigeria.

Aflatoxin contamination of groundnut and maize in Zambia: observed and potential concentrations

AIMS

The aims of the study were to quantify aflatoxins, the potent carcinogens associated with stunting and immune suppression, in maize and groundnut across Zambia's three agroecologies and to determine the vulnerability to aflatoxin increases after purchase.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Aflatoxin concentrations were determined for 334 maize and groundnut samples from 27 districts using lateral-flow immunochromatography. Seventeen per cent of crops from markets contained aflatoxin concentrations above allowable levels in Zambia (10 μg kg-1 ). Proportions of crops unsafe for human consumption differed significantly (P < 0·001) among agroecologies with more contamination (38%) in the warmest (Agroecology I) and the least (8%) in cool, wet Agroecology III. Aflatoxin in groundnut (39 μg kg-1 ) and maize (16 μg kg-1 ) differed (P = 0·032). Poor storage (31°C, 100% RH, 1 week) increased aflatoxin in safe crops by over 1000-fold in both maize and groundnut. The L morphotype of Aspergillus flavus was negatively correlated with postharvest increases in groundnut.

CONCLUSIONS

Aflatoxins are common in Zambia's food staples with proportions of unsafe crops dependent on agroecology. Fungal community structure influences contamination suggesting Zambia would benefit from biocontrol with atoxigenic A. flavus.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Aflatoxin contamination across the three agroecologies of Zambia is detailed and the case for aflatoxin management with atoxigenic biocontrol agents provided. The first method for evaluating the potential for aflatoxin increase after purchase is presented.

Biological control of aflatoxins in Africa: current status and potential challenges in the face of climate change

Aflatoxin contamination of crops is frequent in warm regions across the globe, including large areas in sub-Saharan Africa. Crop contamination with these dangerous toxins transcends health, food security, and trade sectors. It cuts across the value chain, affecting farmers, traders, markets, and finally consumers. Diverse fungi within Aspergillus section Flavi contaminate crops with aflatoxins. Within these Aspergillus communities, several genotypes are not capable of producing aflatoxins (atoxigenic). Carefully selected atoxigenic genotypes in biological control (biocontrol) formulations efficiently reduce aflatoxin contamination of crops when applied prior to flowering in the field. This safe and environmentally friendly, effective technology was pioneered in the US, where well over a million acres of susceptible crops are treated annually. The technology has been improved for use in sub-Saharan Africa, where efforts are under way to develop biocontrol products, under the trade name Aflasafe, for 11 African nations. The number of participating nations is expected to increase. In parallel, state of the art technology has been developed for large-scale inexpensive manufacture of Aflasafe products under the conditions present in many African nations. Results to date indicate that all Aflasafe products, registered and under experimental use, reduce aflatoxin concentrations in treated crops by >80% in comparison to untreated crops in both field and storage conditions. Benefits of aflatoxin biocontrol technologies are discussed along with potential challenges, including climate change, likely to be faced during the scaling-up of Aflasafe products. Lastly, we respond to several apprehensions expressed in the literature about the use of atoxigenic genotypes in biocontrol formulations. These responses relate to the following apprehensions: sorghum as carrier, distribution costs, aflatoxin-conscious markets, efficacy during drought, post-harvest benefits, risk of allergies and/or aspergillosis, influence of Aflasafe on other mycotoxins and on soil microenvironment, dynamics of Aspergillus genotypes, and recombination between atoxigenic and toxigenic genotypes in natural conditions.

Etiological study of lymphadenopathy in HIV-infected patients in a tertiary care hospital

INTRODUCTION

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection has become a global pandemic. Persistent generalized lymphadenopathy (PGL) is very common manifestation of HIV infection. Moreover, different opportunistic infections such as tuberculosis (TB) and malignancies may present with lymphadenopathy. Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection is most common with cluster of differentiation (CD)4+ count ≤50 cells/μL. Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) offers a simple and effective modality for obtaining a representative sample of the material from lymph nodes, permitting cytological evaluation and other investigations.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study is to find out the different etiologies of lymphadenopathy in HIV-infected patients and to establish a possible correlation with CD4+ count.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 100 HIV-infected patients having significant (>1 cm) extrainguinal lymphadenopathy were studied in 1 year at the Department of Pathology by FNAC and the stains used were Leishman-Giemsa, Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN), Papanicoloau, and Gram stains. For tubercular culture, Löwenstein-Jensen (LJ) medium was used. CD4+count was done by flow cytometer.

RESULT

The present study revealed four types of cytomorphological variants in lymphadenopathy cases by FNAC, which include: Reactive hyperplasia and caseation necrosis; caseation necrosis and ill-formed granuloma; well-formed granuloma without any necrosis; and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). The highest acid-fast bacilli (AFB) positivity was among the patients showing caseation necrosis. Tubercular culture in LJ media turned out as a more sensitive method for diagnosis than routine ZN staining. The 2 cases that showed well-formed epithelioid granuloma without any necrosis turned out to be histoplasmosis and cryptococcosis, respectively. In this study, we found 2 cases of NHL. The study also revealed that caseation necrosis and AFB positivity along with opportunistic infections increases with decreased CD4+ count.

Expression of COX-2 and p53 in juvenile polyposis coli and its correlation with adenomatous changes

INTRODUCTION

Gastrointestinal polyps commonly affect the pediatric population. The commoner variety amongst these is the solitary rectal polyp. Juvenile polyposis coli (JPC) is rare, characterized by multiple polyps occurring throughout the gut.

AIM

The role of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) has been implicated in gastrointestinal tumorigenesis. We aimed to look at the clinicopathological spectrum of solitary vs juvenile polyposis and compare their differences in expression of COX-2 and p53.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We studied 38 polyps from eight cases of JPC, collected over the past 10 years along with 40 solitary rectal polyps (SRP).

RESULTS

The size of polyps was significantly more in cases of JPC compared to SRP. Adenomatous change was observed significantly more often in JPC. COX-2 expression was also significantly higher in the JPC group compared to SRPs. All cases of JPC polyps with adenomatous change showed strong COX-2 expression. There was no significant difference in expression of p53 in the JPC and SRP groups.

CONCLUSION

We observed significantly higher COX-2 expression in JPC. Establishment of the role of COX-2 in JPC will help us formulate chemopreventive therapies as an adjunct to its surgical management.

Seasonal and geographical differences in aflatoxin exposures in Senegal

The aim of the study was to determine the geographical and seasonal variations in aflatoxin dietary exposure levels in adults from Senegal. A total of 168 adults (50% male) were recruited from three districts: Nioro du Rip (n=90), located in the Sudan Savannah agro-ecological zone where rainfall is sufficient for groundnut growth; Saint-Louis (n=40) and Mboro (n=38), located in the Sahel zone where groundnuts are produced under irrigated conditions. Diet information and samples were collected at groundnut harvest and post-harvest seasons. Plasma aflatoxin-albumin adducts (AF-alb) and total aflatoxin in household groundnut samples were measured by ELISA and a quantitative thin layer chromatography method, respectively. The blood AF-alb geometric mean was 45.7 pg/mg albumin (range 5.5-588.2 pg/mg). Nioro du Rip had a higher AF-alb level at harvest than Saint-Louis and Mboro (80.0 vs 15.6 and 33.3 pg/mg, P<0.001). Similar trends were observed at post-harvest (P<0.05). Seasonal trends were not consistent across the districts as Nioro du Rip had a higher AF-alb level at harvest than post-harvest (80.0 vs 58.6 pg/mg, P=0.026), whereas Saint-Louis had a higher level at post-harvest than harvest (25.6 vs 15.6 pg/mg, P=0.032). It is clear that aflatoxin exposure is prevalent in adults from Senegal and that season and geographical location are strong determinants of aflatoxin exposure.

Use of Quantitative Traits to Assess Aggressiveness of Phakopsora pachyrhizi Isolates from Nigeria and the United States

Soybean rust, caused by Phakopsora pachyrhizi, is one of the most important foliar diseases of soybean worldwide. The soybean-P. pachyrhizi interaction is often complex due to genetic variability in host and pathogen genotypes. In a compatible reaction, soybean genotypes produce tan-colored lesions, whereas in an incompatible reaction soybean genotypes produce an immune response (complete resistance) or reddish-brown lesions (incomplete resistance). In this study, in total, 116 and 72 isolates of P. pachyrhizi from Nigeria and the United States, respectively, were compared based on six quantitative traits to assess their aggressiveness on two soybean genotypes. All isolates produced reddish-brown lesions on plant introduction (PI) 462312 and tan lesions on TGx 1485-1D. The number of days after inoculation to first appearance of lesions, uredinia, and sporulation, along with the number of lesions and sporulating uredinia per square centimeter of leaf tissue, and the number of uredinia per lesion, were significantly (P < 0.001) different between the two soybean genotypes for all isolates from each country. The number of days to first appearance of lesions, uredinia, and sporulation were greater on PI 462312 than on TGx 1485-1D for all the test isolates. Similarly, the number of lesions and sporulating uredinia per square centimeter, and the number of uredinia per lesion were lower on PI 462312 than on TGx 1485-1D. For both soybean genotypes, the number of sporulating uredinia per square centimeter significantly (P = 0.0001) increased with an increase in the number of lesions per square centimeter. Although the slope of the regression of sporulating uredinia on number of lesions was greater (P < 0.0001) when TGx 1485-1D was inoculated with Nigerian isolates compared with U.S. isolates, slopes of the regression lines did not differ significantly (P > 0.0675) when PI 46312 was inoculated with Nigerian or U.S. isolates. This is the first study that used a large number of isolates from two continents to assess aggressiveness of P. pachyrhizi using multiple traits in soybean genotypes with contrasting types of disease reaction.

Evaluation of the category high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion in The Bethesda System for reporting cervical cytology

Background:

High grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) is a category of The Bethesda System (TBS) for reporting cervical cytology that is in vogue since the introduction of the said system in 1988 and it was not modified in 2001 modification of TBS. The term includes moderate dysplasia (CIN II), severe dysplasia (CIN III) and squamous cell carcinoma in situ. Terms like ASC-US used in TBS are being considered to be not very useful in the prediction about the possible behavior of the pathological status of the cervix. After more than 10 years of use the term HSIL also needs fresh evaluation as in this category two entities of potentially different outcome are clubbed.

Aims:

The aim was to find out whether it is justified to have a term like HSIL which includes different points of the spectrum of intraepithelial pathology of cervix from moderate hyperplasia through carcinoma in situ, all having different significance.

Materials and Methods:

In this study 619 cases of cervical cytology reported by TBS were evaluated by comparing them with biopsy reports of the same lesion for the assessment of the sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value of HSIL as a category of diagnosis in TBS.

Results:

As a category, HSIL had the diagnostic sensitivity of 96.4%, specificity of 87.5%. The positive predictive value was 96.4%.

Conclusion:

HSIL as a diagnostic category shows a very good predictive accuracy, which implies that it provides a very high probability of the accurate diagnosis collectively of all the conditions in the disease spectrum from moderate dysplasia through in situ carcinoma. Hence, HSIL was found to be a very useful diagnostic category in TBS that conveys proper message to the clinician.

Conservative management of Beta-thalassemia major cases in the sub-division level hospital of rural West Bengal, India

Background:

The ideal management of thalassemia involves a multidisciplinary therapeutic team approach and should be preferably done at a comprehensive thalassemia care center with all sorts of specialists and the backup of a well-equipped blood bank. However, in developing country like ours, these facilities are not available in rural set up. So, a situation where conservative therapy with regular blood transfusion is the only choice left to innumerable thalassemic children.

Objective:

To evaluate the existing conservative management protocol of Beta-thalassemia major patients in the setup of a subdivision level Government Hospital of rural West Bengal, India.

Materials and Methods:

The study was performed between December 2009 and December 2011. Beta-thalassemia major patients, registered in blood bank for moderate transfusion regimen, were taken in study. All the patients were screened for Transfusion Transmittable Infections at the time of registration and thereafter periodically every six months. Iron chelation therapy was given simultaneously with transfusion at a dose of 20 to 40 mg/kg/day for six days. The patients were advised to follow up with chelation therapy at home by daily infusion with a goal of maintaining serum ferritin level below 1000 ng/ml. Over this long period of study, the patients were periodically evaluated for complications.

Results:

The average blood requirement (ml/kg/year) in 1-5 years, 6-10 years, and 11-15 years were 110, 150, and 180, respectively. Incidence of Hepatitis C Virus infection in 1-5 years and 6-10 years were 1.75% and 2.08%, respectively. It is well seen that serum ferritin level increase with ascending age as does the blood consumption.

Conclusion:

Conservative management may be the best alternative and at times the only hope for patients in developing country like ours. However, in order to decrease the disease load, steps need to be taken to introduce preventive measures.

Vanishing bone disease (Gorham's disease) - a rare occurrence of unknown etiology

A 20-year-old male patient presented with painful swelling around left elbow joint. Radiographic examination revealed osteolytic lesion with pathological fracture of lower end of humerus and upper radius. Upper end of ulna was completely absent along with bony erosion. Histopathology of the bony tissue revealed hemangioma-like lesion composed of vascular channels lined by benign endothelium replacing bone. The diagnosis of Gorham's massive osteolysis was made. Gorham's disease is a benign self-limiting condition affecting any age, may involve any part of the skeleton and is characterized by replacement of bone by hemangiomatous tissue resulting in formation of lesions exhibiting massive osteolysis, which may be to the extent of disappearance of the affected bone in radiograph. This nonhereditary case was not associated with nephropathy, which is often a coexistent condition. The case is being reported for its rarity.

Conjunctival biopsies and ophthalmic lesions: A histopathologic study in eastern India

BACKGROUND

The conjunctiva is a thin and flexible mucus membrane that provides a protective barrier to the eye. Very few histopathologic studies have been conducted on conjunctival biopsies in eastern India.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

120 conjunctival biopsies from 117 patients (76 males, 41 females) received during 8 years (January 2003-December 2010) were included in this study.

RESULTS

HISTOLOGIC DIAGNOSES WERE: degenerative lesions in 38 cases (31.66%), benign epithelial lesions in 23 cases (19.16%), premalignant and malignant epithelial lesions in 27 cases (22.5%), melanocytic lesions in 10 cases (8.33%), lymphoid in 7 cases (5.83%), and miscellaneous in 15 cases (12.5%).

CONCLUSION

Squamous papilloma was the commonest benign tumor, whereas the commonest malignant tumor was squamous cell carcinoma. Melanocytic lesions were less prevalent compared to other/western studies.

Atypical fibroxanthoma: an unusual skin neoplasm in xeroderma pigmentosum

Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder related to defective deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) repair. Various cutaneous manifestations related to ultraviolet (UV) damage characterize the clinical course. Primary malignant cutaneous neoplasms like squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma have been reported. Atypical fibroxanthoma is a rare dermal neoplasm occurring in UV-damaged skin. We report an unusual case of atypical fibroxanthoma in a 20-year-old male with XP.

Primary pediatric gastrointestinal lymphoma

Background:

Primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is the most common extranodal lymphoma in pediatric age group. Yet, the overall incidence is very low. The rarity of the disease as well as variable clinical presentation prevents early detection when the possibility of cure exists.

Materials and Methods:

We studied six cases of primary GI NHL in pediatric age group with reference to their clinical presentation, anatomic distribution and histopathologic characteristics.

Results:

All were males except one. Intestinal obstruction was the presenting feature in 50%. Half the cases showed ileocaecal involvement, while large bowel was involved in 16%. Histology showed four cases of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), one case of Burkitt lymphoma, and one Burkitt-like lymphoma. Immunohistochemistry for Tdt, CD20, CD3, CD30, bcl2, bcl6 confirmed the morphological diagnosis.

Conclusion:

Pediatric GI lymphoma commonly involves the ileocaecal region and presents with intestinal obstruction. A higher prevalence of DLBCL is found compared to other series. A high proliferative index is useful in differentiating Burkitt-like lymphoma from DLBCL.

Primary pulmonary neoplasms in children: A report of five cases

Primary pulmonary neoplasms are uncommon in children and represent a wide spectrum of pathology from benign to malignant. They are quite different in their histopathologic distribution from that of adults. This study was done to analyze the histopathologic spectrum of primary lung tumors in children. All the resected specimens of lung in children over a period of 5 years were studied and only the cases of primary pulmonary neoplasms were further analyzed. There were two cases of inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor. The patients were boys aged 10 and 12 years, respectively. One case of bronchial carcinoid was diagnosed in a boy of 12 years. There were one case each of pleuropulmonary blastoma (PPB) in a girl of 9 years and pulmonary blastoma (PB) in a girl of 2 years of age. In our study, the two cases of inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor had excellent prognosis. However, the cases of PPB and PB were both associated with poor clinical outcome, whereas the case of bronchial carcinoid has been doing well on follow-up.

First Report of Mango Malformation Disease Caused by Fusarium tupiense in Senegal

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is an economically important export crop for Senegal, producing about 100,000 tons of fruit annually. In April 2009, severe outbreaks of a new disorder occurred in mango orchards in the southeastern part of Casamance. Diseased plants showed abnormal growth of vegetative shoots with short thickened internodes and malformed inflorescence with short leaves interspersed among thickened sterile flowers that aborted early. These symptoms resembled those caused by mango malformation disease (4). To identify the causal agent, floral and vegetative samples from symptomatic mango plants were collected from Kolda district (12°53' N, 14°56' W). Malformed tissues were cut into 4-mm² pieces, surface sterilized with 75% ethanol for 2 min, dried, and plated on the Fusarium isolation medium Peptone PCNB Agar (PPA) (2). Fungal growth with Fusarium morphology were transferred on PPA and further purified on water agar as single spore isolates. Cultures were identified on the basis of spore characters on carnation leaf agar and colony morphology on PDA (2). Two isolates (I₄ and I₁₇) were similar to F. mangiferae/F. sterilihyphosum/F. tupiense complex (3). Macroconidia were slender, slightly falcate, three- to five-septate, 18.5 to 27.7 × 1.1 to 2.3 μm with slightly curved apical cell produced on cream to orange sporodochia. Microconidia were single-celled, oval, 3.7 to 13.6 × 0.75 to 1.1 μm produced on mono- and polyphialides in false heads. Chlamydospores were absent. To confirm the identity, genomic DNA was isolated from pure cultures of I₄ and I₁₇, used for amplification of portion of translation elongation factor (TEF-1α). Amplified products (241 bp) were purified and sequenced in both directions (GenBank Accession Nos. JX272929 and JX272930). A BLASTn search revealed 100% sequence identity with F. tupiense (DQ452860), 99% identity with F. mangiferae (HM135531) and F. sterilihyphosum (DQ452858) from Brazil. Phylogenetic analysis inferred from the Clustalw alignment of TEF-1α sequences clustered I₄ and I₁₇ isolates with F. tupiense (3). To confirm Koch's postulates, 2-year-old healthy mango seedlings var. Keitt and Kent (12 plants each) were inoculated by placing 20 μl conidial suspension (5 × 10⁷ conidia ml^-1) on micro-wounds created in apical and lateral buds. Inoculated buds were covered with filter paper soaked in the same spore suspension (1). Seedlings inoculated similarly with sterile distilled water served as control. Seven months after the inoculation, typical malformation symptoms were observed on vegetative parts on all inoculated plants, but not on control plants. F. tupiense was reisolated from symptomatic shoots of inoculated plants. Based on the morphological characteristics, sequence analysis, and pathogenicity test, the pathogen of mango malformation in Senegal was identified as F. tupiense (3). To our knowledge, this is the first confirmed record in Senegal of mango malformation caused by F. tupiense. This disease is a serious threat to mango production and trade of Senegal. Urgent actions are necessary to stop this emerging epidemic that can spread to other countries in West Africa. References: (1) S. Freeman et al. Phytopathol. 6:456, 1999. (3) J. F. Leslie and B. A. Summerell. The Fusarium Laboratory Manual, Blackwell Publishing, Ames, IA, 2006. (4) C. S. Lima et al. Mycologia. 104: in press (doi: 10.3852/12-052). (2) W. F. O. Marasas et al. Phytopathol. 96:667, 2006.

Fungal and bacterial metabolites in commercial poultry feed from Nigeria

Metabolites of toxigenic fungi and bacteria occur as natural contaminants (e.g. mycotoxins) in feedstuffs making them unsafe to animals. The multi-toxin profiles in 58 commercial poultry feed samples collected from 19 districts in 17 states of Nigeria were determined by LC/ESI-MS/MS with a single extraction step and no clean-up. Sixty-three (56 fungal and seven bacterial) metabolites were detected with concentrations ranging up to 10,200 µg kg⁻¹ in the case of aurofusarin. Fusarium toxins were the most prevalent group of fungal metabolites, whereas valinomycin occurred in more than 50% of the samples. Twelve non-regulatory fungal and seven bacterial metabolites detected and quantified in this study have never been reported previously in naturally contaminated stored grains or finished feed. Among the regulatory toxins in poultry feed, aflatoxin concentrations in 62% of samples were above 20 µg kg⁻¹, demonstrating high prevalence of unsafe levels of aflatoxins in Nigeria. Deoxynivalenol concentrations exceeded 1000 µg kg⁻¹ in 10.3% of samples. Actions are required to reduce the consequences from regulatory mycotoxins and understand the risks of the single or co-occurrence of non-regulatory metabolites for the benefit of the poultry industry.

Hypopituitarism following poisonous viperbite

A 28 years old male had the history of viperbite 3 years back. He has treated in a nearby rural hospital with snake venom antiserum along with other supportive therapy. He responded and discharged from hospital within a week. Three years later he had history of fever, drowsiness which progressed to unconsciousness. On examination he was found to have scanty body hairs, smooth, shiny skin with superficial oral ulcers. Serum hormone estimation confirmed the deficiency of gonadotrophins, thyrotrophin and corticotrophin while growth hormone failed to rise >3ng/ml after insulin intolerance test. MRI brain revealed loss of pituitary mass with positive infundibular sign and filling of sella with cerebrospinal fluid. He was managed with hormone replacement therapy and recovered gradually.

First Report of Leaf Blight of Taro (Colocasia esculenta) Caused by Phytophthora colocasiae in Ghana

Taro (Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott) is an important food crop cultivated for its edible tubers in Ghana. In May 2009, outbreaks of a destructive leaf disease were observed on several taro farms in the Atiwa, East-Akim, Fanteakwa, West-Akim, and New Juaben districts of the Eastern Region of Ghana. Symptoms began on leaves as small, brown, water-soaked lesions that enlarged and coalesced into large lesions with yellow exudate, ultimately leading to the defoliation and death of plants. Symptoms were suggestive of taro leaf blight (TLB) caused by Phytophthora colocasiae Raciborski (3). By August 2010, the disease had spread to other taro-growing regions in Ghana. To identify the pathogen, leaf tissue from lesion margins were excised and plated on carrot agar and V8 selective media for Phytophthora and incubated at 27°C for 5 days (2). Growth from diseased tissue was used for morphological characterization. Sporangia were ovoid, hyaline, papillate, caducous, 30 to 60 × 17 to 28 μm, and pedicels were 3.5 to 10 μm long. Genomic DNA was isolated from pure cultures of two isolates, PCg11-2 from Oseim (6°15'N, 0°27'E) and PCg11-5 from Oyoko (6°8'N, 0°17'W). Ribosomal DNA ITS1, 5.8S and ITS2 were amplified by PCR using the ITS1 and ITS4 primers (4). The resultant 784-bp amplicons were sequenced (GenBank Accession Nos. JN662439 and JN662440). Sequences of both isolates were identical. A BLASTn search of these sequences revealed maximum homology of 99% with the sequence of P. colocasiae strains from blighted taro leaves in Nigeria (GenBank Accession No. HQ602756), Hawaii (GenBank Accession No. GU258997), and several strains in Asia and the South Pacific. On the basis of morphological characteristics and nucleotide homology, the isolates were identified as P. colocasiae. To fulfill Koch's postulates, 30 leaf discs from 3-month-old plants were inoculated with 10 μl of a suspension of 3 × 10⁵ zoospores per ml (2). Leaf discs were incubated in the dark at 27°C on wet foam in plastic trays for 5 days. All inoculated discs developed blight symptoms similar in appearance to those observed on diseased taro in the fields. Control discs remained asymptomatic. P. colocasiae was reisolated from leaf discs and its identity confirmed by morphological characteristics. To our knowledge, this is the first report of TLB and P. colocasiae in Ghana. Occurrence of TLB was recently reported in Nigeria (1). The recent occurrence of TLB in both Nigeria and Ghana threaten the taro-growing regions of West and Central Africa. Disease surveys and a management strategy that includes resistant varieties are urgently needed. References: (1) R. Bandyopadhyay et al. Plant Dis. 95:618, 2011. (2) A. Drenth and B. Sendall. Practical Guide to Detection and Identification of Phytophthora. Version 1.0. CRC for Tropical Plant Protection. Brisbane, Australia, 2001. (3) M. Raciborski. Java Batavia Bull. 19:189, 1900. (4) T. J. White et al. Page 315 in: PCR Protocols: A Guide to Methods and Applications. M. A. Innis et al., eds. Academic Press, San Diego, CA, 1990.

A study on expression pattern of cyclooxygenase-2 in carcinoma of cervix

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of the present study was to determine the differential expression pattern of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in patients of carcinoma of uterine cervix and its correlation with tumor differentiation and lymphovascular invasion.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Seventy (70) cases of cervical carcinoma were included (20 in-situ, 42 invasive squamous cell, and 8 cases of adenocarcinoma). Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue sections were stained by Hematoxylin and Eosin. Immunohistochemistry for COX-2 were performed on these blocks.

RESULTS

A higher expression of COX-2 was seen in invasive squamous cell carcinoma than in in-situ carcinoma (P = 0.002). Five out of eight cases of adenocarcinoma showed strong positivity for COX-2 antibody. Among the histopathological correlates, tumor differentiation did not show a positive correlation (P = 0.717), while lymphovascular invasion was associated with positive staining in majority of the cases (P = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Expression of COX-2 is more in cases of invasive than in in-situ carcinoma. Adenocarcinomas showed a strong expression of COX-2. A positive association of COX-2 expression and the presence of lymphovascular emboli were found in the present study. COX-2 inhibitors need to be studied as a therapeutic adjunct for the treatment of carcinoma cervix.

Neonatal sepsis: Role of a battery of immunohematological tests in early diagnosis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Worldwide, many neonates with sepsis die due to lack of early diagnosis. In this study we attempt to analyze the value of various immunological and hematological parameters, singly and in combination, for the diagnosis of neonatal sepsis, with the aim being to formulate guidelines for the early diagnosis of the condition.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this prospective study, 62 patients having clinical suspicion of neonatal sepsis were evaluated with a battery of investigations. Neonates admitted for other causes and without clinical suspicion of sepsis were selected as controls (n=40). The tests included blood culture, hemoglobin level, total and differential blood count, absolute neutrophil count, ratio of immature to total neutrophil count (I/T ratio), micro-erythrocyte sedimentation rate (m-ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), platelet count, serum IgM level, and plasma fibrinogen level. Patients were divided into proven cases (positive blood culture) and probable cases (negative blood culture).

RESULTS

Positive blood culture was seen in 38 cases (61.3%). Raised m-ESR (>8 mm in the first hour) was seen in 63.2% of proven and 66.7% of probable cases. I/T ratio of ≥0.2 was seen in 63.2% and 58.3% of proven and probable cases, respectively. Morphological changes in neutrophils were detected in 68.4% of proven cases and 91.7% of probable cases. Positive CRP test (≥6 mg/l) was found in 84.2% of proven cases and 100% of probable cases. Raised serum IgM, leucopenia, and neutropenia were seen in a small number of patients (11%-37%). Raised fibrinogen level (>400 mg/l) was seen in patients as well as in controls.

CONCLUSIONS

The four useful tests that we identified were m-ESR, I/T ratio, morphological changes in neutrophils, and CRP; and role of these tests in early diagnosis of neonatal sepis were statistically significant (P<.05). The most sensitive test was CRP (84%) and the most specific test was m-ESR (94%). A combination of three or all of these four tests was highly specific (95%-100%).

Primary cutaneous precursor B-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma with late dissemination

A 20-year-old woman presented with multiple painless nodular swellings on the skin of the extremities and face, without any systemic symptoms. Biopsy with immunohistochemistry revealed a diagnosis of precursor B-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma. There was no extracutaneous site of involvement. The patient denied chemotherapy and was subsequently lost to follow-up. She presented with symptomatic disseminated disease 18 months later and rapidly succumbed to her illness.

Robinson's cytological grading on aspirates of breast carcinoma: Correlation with Bloom Richardson's histological grading

Background:

Cytological grading (CG) on aspirates of breast carcinoma is a useful tool for surgical maneuver and prognosis.

Aims:

An endeavor was made to use CG on aspirates of breast carcinoma using Robinson's grade and to correlate it with Bloom Richardsons’ histopathological grading.

Materials and Methods:

A total of 59 patients of breast carcinoma, aged 28-57 years, were aspirated and the smears were graded using Robinson's criteria. All the cases were correlated with Bloom Richardson's grade on histopathology in mastectomy specimens. Lymphadenopathy in 38 cases was aspirated and stained with Papanicolaou and Romanowsky stain.

Results:

Robinson's CG correlated well with Bloom Richardson's histopathological grading. For grade I and II tumors, there was substantial strength of agreement between cytology and histopathology, while in grade III, the concordance was nearly perfect. Lymph node metastasis was found in 27 of 32 axillary nodes, three of five cervical nodes and the only palpable supraclavicular node. Lymph node metastasis was observed in three with cytological grade II, 28 of grade III and none of grade I. All grade I had stage A, two of grade II had stage B, while all grade III had either stage B or stage C disease.

Conclusions:

Thus, CG of breast carcinoma correlates well with histopathological grading and may well be useful as a prognostic marker.

Experimental studies of the jamming behaviour of triblock copolymer solutions and triblock copolymer-anionic surfactant mixtures

Photon correlation spectroscopy and rheological measurements are performed to investigate the microscopic dynamics and mechanical responses of aqueous solutions of triblock copolymers and aqueous mixtures of triblock copolymers and anionic surfactants. Increasing the concentration of triblock copolymers results in a sharp increase in the magnitude of the complex moduli characterising the samples. This is understood in terms of the changes in the aggregation and packing behaviours of the copolymers and the constraints imposed upon their dynamics due to increased close packing. The addition of suitable quantities of an anionic surfactant to a strongly elastic copolymer solution results in a decrease in the complex moduli of the samples by several decades. It is argued that the shape anisotropy and size polydispersity of the micelles comprising mixtures cause dramatic changes in the packing behaviour, resulting in sample unjamming and the observed decrease in complex moduli. Finally, a phase diagram is constructed in the temperature-surfactant concentration plane to summarise the jamming-unjamming behaviour of aggregates constituting triblock copolymer-anionic surfactant mixtures.

Distinction of phyllodes tumor from fibroadenoma: Cytologists' perspective

BACKGROUND

Fibroadenomas and phyllodes tumors may have similar cytological appearances. However, a detailed study of cytomorphology of stromal elements may be helpful in differentiation.

AIM

To evaluate the cytological features of phyllodes tumor in our study with special reference to features that can help distinguishing it from fibroadenoma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The archival materials of our hospital were searched from January 2006 to January 2009 for histopathologically-diagnosed cases of phyllodes tumor. The cases in which previous cytopathology smears were available were included in the study. The cytomorphology of 10 such cases were compared with 25 cytologically-diagnosed and histopathologically-confirmed cases of fibroadenoma.

RESULTS

The size, cellularity of stromal fragments, and the proportion of spindle cells in the background are important features in such differentiation.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis presenting as hydronephrosis

Primary malignant tumors of the renal pelvis are relatively rare with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) accounting for 0.7% to 7%. We present a case of a 58-year-old male with huge hydronephrosis on the left side where histology of the resected specimen showed features of SCC. There was no evidence of renal calculi or other predisposing factors. The case highlights the rarity of the tumor in the absence of calculi, as well as the importance of a careful study of a gross specimen and histologic sections in every case of hydronephrosis.

First Report of Taro (Colocasia esculenta) Leaf Blight Caused by Phytophthora colocasiae in Nigeria

In November 2009, many farmers in Abia State were alarmed by complete destruction of their taro (Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott.) crop. Symptoms, suggestive of leaf blight caused by Phytophthora colocasiae Raciborski (2), began as small, brown, water-soaked lesions that rapidly enlarged to form large, dark brown, coalescing lesions, sometimes with orange host exudations. White sporulation was evident on the lesion surface under wet conditions. The pathogen caused rapid defoliation and killed plants. The epidemic was widespread in 2010 during the rainy season (April to November) in all taro-growing areas of Nigeria. Diseased leaves were collected from taro in Iwo Village near Ibadan, cut into 4-cm² pieces, washed in several changes of sterile water, and incubated in petri dishes lined with wet filter paper at 22°C. Newly produced sporangia were collected from the incubated leaves and plated on a selective medium (1). Sporangia were hyaline, papillate, and measured 25 to 55 × 15 to 30 μm. Zoospores encysted within 30 min after release; cysts were 9.7 to 19.5 μm in diameter. Sporangia and zoospore formation were induced in water and by chilling, respectively (1). Two leaves each of three 1-month-old taro and three Xanthosoma plants (both unknown clones) and six detached leaves of taro were inoculated with a 1 × 10⁵/ml zoospore suspension of isolates PC01 and PC02. Detached leaves were incubated in moist chambers at 22°C. Plants were covered with polyethylene bags for 12 h after inoculation and maintained in a screenhouse. Water-soaked lesions appeared on detached leaves within 24 h postinoculation and the leaves were completely rotted 48 h later. All inoculated attached leaves of taro, but not Xanthosoma, showed typical leaf blight symptoms including abundant sporangial production. Noninoculated control detached leaves and plants were disease free. Sporangia from detached and attached inoculated leaves, when plated on selective medium, produced typical P. colocasiae colonies. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA was amplified using the ITS1 and ITS4 primers (3). Amplicons (786 bp) were sequenced in both directions and submitted to GenBank (Accession Nos. HQ602756, HQ602757, HQ602758, and HQ602759). A BLASTn search revealed 99% similarity to a P. colocasiae strain of the Pacific Region (Accession No. GU111604), but only 94% similarity to a P. colocasiae strain from India (Accession No. GQ202149). The sequence analysis, morphological characteristics, and pathogenicity test confirmed the taro leaf blight pathogen as P. colocasiae. There are previous reports of occurrence of taro blight-like disease attributed to P. colocasiae in Ethiopia, Equatorial Guinea (1), and more recently in Cameroon, but comprehensive details on pathogen or disease are not available. To our knowledge, this is the first confirmed record in Nigeria of P. colocasiae causing taro blight. This disease poses a serious threat to the production and biodiversity of this important food crop. Urgent interventions are necessary to halt this emerging epidemic in West and Central Africa. References: (1) Phytophthora colocasiae, In: CABI-Crop Protection Compendium. CAB International, Wallingford, UK, 2005. (2) P. S. Tsao. Page 219 in: Phytophthora: Its Biology, Taxonomy, Ecology and Pathology. The American Phytopathological Society. St. Paul, MN, 1983. (3) T. J. White et al. Page 315 in: PCR Protocol: A Guide to Methods and Applications. Academic Press, London. 1990.

Ocular surface disorder in pterygium: role of conjunctival impression cytology

OBJECTIVE

To study ocular surface abnormalities in patients with pterygium, conjunctival impression cytology was explored as a tool for the assessment of the cytological changes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A comparative case control study was undertaken to evaluate the ocular surface disorders in pterygium. Fifty cases of pterygium and 50 age and sex-matched controls were analyzed for the presence of local tear film abnormalities as assessed by the tear film break up time and Schirmer test. The spectrum of changes in cytomorphology was studied in detail using conjunctival imprint cytology.

RESULTS

Tear film break-up time and Schirmer's strip wetting were found to be significantly different in study and control groups. Studying the cytomorphology of the conjunctival imprint smears, reduced cellularity and squamous metaplasia of different grades was observed more frequently in patients compared to controls. On overall grading of cytological changes, statistically significant difference was noted between the study and control groups (P value 0.00172).

CONCLUSION

From the present study we can suggest that aqueous tear film deficiency leading to ocular surface disorder brings about a change at the cytological level, and ocular surface disorders found in pterygium can be interpreted by conjunctival impression cytology.

Identification of Atoxigenic Aspergillus flavus Isolates to Reduce Aflatoxin Contamination of Maize in Kenya

Aspergillus flavus has two morphotypes, the S strain and the L strain, that differ in aflatoxin-producing ability and other characteristics. Fungal communities on maize dominated by the S strain of A. flavus have repeatedly been associated with acute aflatoxin poisonings in Kenya, where management tools to reduce aflatoxin levels in maize are needed urgently. A. flavus isolates (n = 290) originating from maize produced in Kenya and belonging to the L strain morphotype were tested for aflatoxin-producing potential. A total of 96 atoxigenic isolates was identified from four provinces sampled. The 96 atoxigenic isolates were placed into 53 vegetative compatibility groups (VCGs) through complementation of nitrate non-utilizing mutants. Isolates from each of 11 VCGs were obtained from more than one maize sample, isolates from 10 of the VCGs were detected in multiple districts, and isolates of four VCGs were found in multiple provinces. Atoxigenic isolates were tested for potential to reduce aflatoxin concentrations in viable maize kernels that were co-inoculated with highly toxigenic S strain isolates. The 12 most effective isolates reduced aflatoxin levels by >80%. Reductions in aflatoxin levels caused by the most effective Kenyan isolates were comparable with those achieved with a United States isolate (NRRL-21882) used commercially for aflatoxin management. This study identified atoxigenic isolates of A. flavus with potential value for biological control within highly toxic Aspergillus communities associated with maize production in Kenya. These atoxigenic isolates have potential value in mitigating aflatoxin outbreaks in Kenya, and should be evaluated under field conditions.

Dynamics of Soybean Rust Epidemics in Sequential Plantings of Soybean Cultivars in Nigeria

Soybean rust, caused by Phakopsora pachyrhizi, is an important foliar disease of soybean. Disease severity is dependent on several environmental factors, although the precise nature of most of these factors under field conditions is not known. To help understand the environmental factors that affect disease development, soybean rust epidemics were studied in Nigeria by sequentially planting an early-maturing, highly susceptible cultivar, TGx 1485-1D, and a late-maturing, moderately susceptible cultivar, TGx 1448-2E, at 30- to 45-day intervals from August 2004 to September 2006. Within each planting date, disease onset occurred earlier on TGx 1485-1D than on TGx 1448-2E, and rust onset was at least 20 days earlier on soybean planted between August and October than on soybean planted between November and April. The logistic model provided a better description of the temporal increase in rust severity than the Gompertz model. Based on the logistic model, the highest absolute rates of disease increase were observed on soybean planted in September 2006 and October 2004 for TGx 1485-1D and TGx 1448-2E, respectively. Disease severity as measured by the relative area under disease progress curve (RAUDPC) was significantly (P < 0.05) negatively correlated with evaporation (r = -0.73), solar radiation (r = -0.59), and temperature (r = -0.64) but positively correlated with urediniospore concentration (r = 0.58). Planting date and soybean cultivar significantly (P < 0.05) affected disease severity, with severity being higher on soybean crops planted during the wet season than those planted in the dry season. Within the wet season, planting in May and July resulted in a significantly (P < 0.05) lower RAUDPC than planting between August and October. Yields were significantly (P < 0.001) related to RAUDPC during the wet season, whereby an increase in RAUDPC resulted in a linear decrease in yield. This study suggests that selection of planting date could be a useful cultural practice for reducing soybean rust.

Massive scapular metastasis as a presenting feature of carcinoma of the lip

Carcinoma of the lip is a slow-growing locally-advanced disease with low metastatic potential. Distant skeletal metastasis is reported very rarely and the vertebral column is the most common site. A 58-year-old male smoker presented with pain and massive swelling of the left scapula for six months. He also noticed a slowly-growing painful ulcerated lesion on the outer aspect of the right lower lip for last two years. Biopsy from the lip ulcer, as well as cytologic smears from the scapular mass, revealed features of squamous cell carcinoma. Though no neck node was detected, patient was found to have extensive skeletal metastasis on whole body bone scan. It is rare as well as clinically appealing to have such disfiguring symptomatic massive scapular metastasis as the chief presenting feature in carcinoma of the lip.