Qualitative Analysis of Subsurface Water Quality in Challakere Taluk, Karnataka, India

Rural India relies mainly on groundwater for drinking and agriculture. Unsustainable withdrawal of groundwater has led to the spectra of depleting the problem of water scarcity. The available groundwater quality is not only contaminated by hazardous pathogenic germs and anthropogenic substances but also geogenic substances is adversely affect the water supply of many regions. The groundwater of Challakere taluk had many threats such as anthropogenic activities, quality deterioration by agricultural activities and over exploitation and also persistence of continuous drought condition. This paper mainly addresses the physico-chemical concentration of 30 groundwater samples during August 2009 in Challakere taluk, Karnataka (India). The results of all the findings are discussed in details which reflect the present status of the groundwater quality of the study area. Groundwater is extremely important to the future economy and growth of rural India. If the resource is to remain available as high quality water for future generation it is important to protect from possible contamination. Hence it is recommended that suitable water quality management is essential to avoid any further contamination

Intense pulsed light: A promising therapy in treatment of acne vulgaris

Background: Medical treatment of acne vulgaris includes a variety of topical and oral medications. Poor compliance, lack of durable remission, potential side effects are common drawbacks to these treatment. Therefore, there is a growing demand for a fast, safe and side effect free novel therapy. Light-based therapies are an attractive alternative acne therapy because they potentially offer more rapid onset and better patient compliance with a low incidence of adverse events. Aim: To study the efficacy of intense pulsed light in treatment of acne vulgaris. Materials and Methods: Twenty five patients with acne vulgaris were subjected to IPL. Baseline grading of acne was done. IPL was administered every 2weeks for 4 sessions. Grading was done after the end of treatment. Clinical photographs were taken for evaluation. Results: All patients showed a reduction in the number of acne lesions after 4 sessions of IPL. No significant side effects were noted. Patients also noted an improvement in skin texture. Conclusion: IPL showed beneficial effects in the treatment of acne

Pigmented basal cell carcinoma: A rare clinical variant treated with excision and grafting

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is a most common malignant tumour of skin. It develops on sun-exposed skin of lighter skinned individuals. It is a slow growing, locally invasive tumor. It is rare in dark skin because of the inherent photoprotection of melanin and melanosomal dispersion. The frequency of pigmented variant of BCC can reach up to 6% of total BCC in Hispanics. A 62yr old female came with the complaint of hyperpigmented plaque over the right lateral wall of the nose at the osseo-cartilagenous junction since 2yrs with evidence of central ulceration and bleeding. A wide local excision was planned with 5mm margins and covered with a full thickness graft obtained from the right retroauricular area. Post operation photographs taken. BCC is the most common non-melanoma skin cancer in the world. Though, pigmented BCC is the rare variant, it is becoming increasingly common in Asian population. UV radiation is the most important preventable risk factor for BCC. With increasing awareness and advent of newer treatment modalities, better cosmetic outcome with improved survival are expected