Thyroid nodules with minimal cystic changes have a low risk of malignancy

Purpose: The goal of this study was to determine the risk of malignancy of thyroid nodules with minimal cystic changes. Methods: A total of consecutive 1,000 thyroid nodules (≥1 cm) with final diagnoses from twoinstitutions were included in this study. The risk of malignancy of thyroid nodules was analyzed according to the internal content, which was categorized as purely solid, minimally cystic (cystic changes ≤10%), and partially cystic (cystic changes >10%). We also assessed the risk of malignancy of nodules with minimal cystic changes depending on echogenicity and presence of any suspicious ultrasonografic (US) features. Results: The overall frequency of purely solid, minimally cystic, and partially cystic noduleswas 730/1,000 (73%), 61/1,000 (6.1%), and 209/1,000 (20.9%), respectively, with risks ofmalignancy of 14.8% (108/730), 3.3% (2/61), and 3.3% (7/209), respectively. The risk ofmalignancy of nodules with minimal cystic changes was significantly lower than that of purelysolid nodules (P=0.013). The risk of malignancy of nodules with minimal cystic changes was also lower than that of purely solid nodules in the group of hypoechoic nodules (P=0.063) and in the group of nodules with suspicious US features (P=0.028), but was not significantly different from that of partially cystic nodules regardless of echogenicity or the presence of suspicious US features (P≥0.652). Conclusion: Thyroid nodules with minimal cystic changes have a low risk of malignancy, similar to that of partially cystic nodules regardless of echogenicity or the presence of suspicious US features. The US lexicon could define solid nodules as nodules with purely solid internal content in order to enhance the accuracy of estimated risks of malignancy

Eggshell powder as calcium source on growth and yield of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

ABSTRACTThe use of eggshells as an alternative source of calcium carbonate for groundnut can reduce the impact on the natural reserves of limestone, a non-renewable natural source. This study aimed to investigate the effects of eggshell powder application on the growth and yield of groundnut. The calcium treatments were lime application (A0) at 500 kg ha−1 and four rates of eggshell powder application including A1 (200 kg ha−1), A2 (300 kg ha−1), A3 (400 kg ha−1), and A4 (500 kg ha−1). Two application times, T1 (applying 5-days before sowing) and T2 (applying 5-days after flowering) were employed. The result showed that eggshell powder could be a useful alternative source to supply Ca for groundnut. Application of eggshell powder before sowing resulted in significantly higher pod yield and total calcium uptake with better growth parameters than after flowering. Increasing eggshell powder application rates also increased soil pH and calcium contents, and plant calcium uptake. The application rate of eggshell powder before sowing at the rate of 300 kg ha−1 produced the highest pod yield and was suggested to be optimum