Hepatic actinomycosis mimicking an isolated tumor recurrence

Actinomyces species has been described as an opportunistic pathogen, particularly in the oral cavity; however, in rare cases these bacteria can cause actinomycosis which is characterized by formation of abscesses in the mouth, lungs, or gastrointestinal tract

Spectrum of ovarian tumours- a five year study

Background: Ovarian tumor is the seventh most common cause of cancer related deaths in female. The aim of this study is to find the, morphological and clinicopathological correlation, gross, histological pattern, and incidence of age distribution of ovarian tumors.Materials and Methods: This retrospective and prospective study was carried out from January 2011 to December 2015. The diagnosis was confirmed by histopathological examination using hematoxylin and eosin stain. Special stains and immunohistochemistry were carried out whenever needed.Results: Out of total 158 cases, 62.65% were benign, 3.79% were borderline, and 33.55% were malignant. Histologically, surface epithelial tumors were the most common (74.06%) followed by germ cell tumours(15.82%) and sex cord–stromal tumors (10.12%).Benign tumors were mostly seen in age group of 20–40 years, borderline 21–40 years, and malignant 50–80 years.Conclusion: Tumors originating from surface epithelium are the most common and their malignant counterparts are more frequent in the elderly age group.</p

Superior Mesenteric Artery originating from the celiac axis: A rare vascular anomaly

The knowledge of the vascular anatomy of the concerned region is an important prerequisite for planning surgical intervention. The awareness of the existing vascular anomalies enhances the insight regarding that region. We report a patient undergoing preoperative evaluation with CTA finding of Superior Mesenteric Artery (SMA) originating from the celiac artery. This celiac-mesenteric trunk is rare (<1%)

Daksha: On Alert for High Energy Transients

We present Daksha, a proposed high energy transients mission for the study of electromagnetic counterparts of gravitational wave sources, and gamma ray bursts. Daksha will comprise of two satellites in low earth equatorial orbits, on opposite sides of earth. Each satellite will carry three types of detectors to cover the entire sky in an energy range from 1 keV to >1 MeV. Any transients detected on-board will be announced publicly within minutes of discovery. All photon data will be downloaded in ground station passes to obtain source positions, spectra, and light curves. In addition, Daksha will address a wide range of science cases including monitoring X-ray pulsars, studies of magnetars, solar flares, searches for fast radio burst counterparts, routine monitoring of bright persistent high energy sources, terrestrial gamma-ray flashes, and probing primordial black hole abundances through lensing. In this paper, we discuss the technical capabilities of Daksha, while the detailed science case is discussed in a separate paper.Comment: 9 pages, 3 figures, 1 table. Additional information about the mission is available at https://www.dakshasat.in

Science with the Daksha High Energy Transients Mission

We present the science case for the proposed Daksha high energy transients mission. Daksha will comprise of two satellites covering the entire sky from 1~keV to $>1$~MeV. The primary objectives of the mission are to discover and characterize electromagnetic counterparts to gravitational wave source; and to study Gamma Ray Bursts (GRBs). Daksha is a versatile all-sky monitor that can address a wide variety of science cases. With its broadband spectral response, high sensitivity, and continuous all-sky coverage, it will discover fainter and rarer sources than any other existing or proposed mission. Daksha can make key strides in GRB research with polarization studies, prompt soft spectroscopy, and fine time-resolved spectral studies. Daksha will provide continuous monitoring of X-ray pulsars. It will detect magnetar outbursts and high energy counterparts to Fast Radio Bursts. Using Earth occultation to measure source fluxes, the two satellites together will obtain daily flux measurements of bright hard X-ray sources including active galactic nuclei, X-ray binaries, and slow transients like Novae. Correlation studies between the two satellites can be used to probe primordial black holes through lensing. Daksha will have a set of detectors continuously pointing towards the Sun, providing excellent hard X-ray monitoring data. Closer to home, the high sensitivity and time resolution of Daksha can be leveraged for the characterization of Terrestrial Gamma-ray Flashes.Comment: 19 pages, 7 figures. Submitted to ApJ. More details about the mission at https://www.dakshasat.in

Nipah virus: Biology, disease, treatment, control, and prevention

Nipah virus (NiV), an RNA virus, belongs to genus Henipahvirus of family Paramyxoviridiae. First isolated and identified in Malaysia in 1999, NiV affects humans as well as animals such as pigs, cattle, cats, dogs, ponies etc. Fruit bats of genus Pteropus serve as reservoir host for NiV. Bangladesh has experienced almost annual outbreaks while there have been few outbreaks in India, the latest was in Kerala state in 2018. NiV has become an important human pathogen causing acute encephalitis syndrome associated with high mortality. Central nervous and respiratory systems are involved mainly along with multi-organ vasculitis and infection of endothelial cells. In early stages of disease, laboratory diagnosis can be made by isolation as well as real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) from throat swabs, nasal swabs, cerebrospinal fluid, urine and blood. In later stages, serological tests for antibody detection using ELISA are useful. Immuno-histochemistry on tissues collected after autopsy can also be performed. There is no specific treatment available for this infection and supportive therapy along with barrier nursing is mode of treatment. Monoclonal antibodies and vaccines against NiV have been found effective in animals but are yet to be tested in humans. The infection can be prevented in endemic areas by reducing exposure to fruit bats, pigs and date palm sap