Type II endometrial cancers: original research on a series

Background: Endometrial carcinoma, which ranks 3rd in India amongst the gynecological malignancies, is of two histological types: I and II. These differ in molecular as well as in clinical and histopathological profiles. Type II is estrogen independent, nonendometrioid, with higher grade histologies, more aggressive and carries an adverse prognosis.Methods: Endometrial carcinomas diagnosed from endometrial biopsies and hysterectomy specimens in the Dept of Gynaec-oncology, AHRCC, Cuttack from November 2009 to January 2015 were included in the study. All specimens were fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin and paraffin embedded for histological examination with hematoxylin and eosin staining. The clinicopathological analysis of the cases of EC was done with an emphasis on morphology.Results: Of a total of 150 cases of EC reported, 20 cases were classified as type II EC (13.33%) as per histology. The age of the patients ranged from 36 to 73 years, with mean age is 61 years. In 11 cases (55%), the myometrial invasion was more than half. the histological type was a clear cell adenocarcinoma in 50% of the cases. All were treated with hysterectomy and chemotherapy.Conclusions: Of the type II EC, serous carcinoma is the most common type. Clinical presentation and prognosis differs in comparison to type I EC, thus the recognition of this type of EC is pivotal

Assessing Efficiency of White Seedless Grape Vineyards for Table Grape Production

Efficiency of two table grape vineyards each of Thompson Seedless and Tas-A-Ganesh located around Nashik, Maharashtra, were assessed over two cropping seasons based on a score-card developed assigning weights and matrices for various attributes of yield and quality, in accordance with their relative contribution going by established facts on a 100 point scale. The objectives of the study were to draw up a benchmark to evaluate the efficiency of table grape vineyards, analyze the reason for low efficiency, and suggest remedial measures. In addition to the yield, bunch and berry characters are important in table grape production. Skilful management of attributes for yield and quality using available technologies determines efficiency of a vineyard. In general, the efficiency of vineyards was better during the 2014-15 cropping season compared to 2013-14, and that of 'Thompson Seedless' vineyards was higher than Tas-AGanesh. In 'Thompson Seedless', efficiency of Vineyard-1 was better than Vineyard-2 as also in Tas-A-Ganesh. Based on their total score, individual vineyards were ranked as Excellent/Very good/Good/Average/ Below average, year wise. Lacunae in management leading to poor scores were identified to serve as a guide to improvement

Effect of Cane Regulation and GA3 Spray on Berry Thinning in 'Thompson Seedless' Grape (Vitis vinifera L.)

A field trial was conducted during 2013-14 and 2014-15 fruiting seasons in growers' vineyards around Nashik, Maharashtra, India to improve efficacy of GA3 sprays in berrythinning. As smaller clusters have fewer berries, cluster compactness derived at by number of berries per unit length (cm) of rachis, and, berry-diameter were considered as a measure of berry-thinning. As GA3 effect in berry-thinning is stage-specific, canes uniformly thick in a vine only were retained to achieve uniformity in flowering, by inducing uniform bud-break. Cane regulation did not result in uniformity in bud-break or flowering. Blanket spray of GA3 thrice @ 20g a.i./ha, each coupled with either removal of non-uniform canes or retention of all the canes could effectively reduce cluster compactness by reducing number of berries per cluster, without increasing total length of the rachis/cluster or berry diameter. Vine yield and quality in terms of total soluble solids and acid content were not affected by the treatments. Considering cluster-compactness, yield and ease of cultural operations, retention of all the canes in a vine, coupled with three blanket sprays each of GA3 @ 20g a.i/ha, on alternate days commencing from initiation of the bloom, is recommended for 'Thompson Seedless'