Renal involvement in COVID-19: a review report

COVID-19 is recent emerging pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome- Coronavirus). It is seen mainly affecting lungs, but many recent studies have shown involvement of hematological, kidney, gastrointestinal and other systems. In kidneys it mainly affects the tubules and interstitial areas. The main pathology behind involvement of renal system in COVID-19 is due to presence of ACE 2 receptors in proximal tubules. These receptors are same like that found in lungs and they form binding sites for coronavirus and hence causing the disease. Therefore, patients presenting with raised serum urea and creatinine should be checked for potential renal damage caused by virus and their urine samples should also be tested for presence of coronavirus. Effective testing and prompt management will prevent this virus from being transmitted in community

Pattern of neoplastic and non-neoplastic lesions of ovary: a five-year study in a tertiary care centre of rural india

Background: Most common ovarian lesions include benign non-neoplastic lesions including functional cysts and neoplastic lesions. While among cancers of female genital tract, the incidence of ovarian cancer ranks below only carcinoma of cervix and endometrium. The aim of this study was to observe and evaluate the frequency and morphological pattern of different ovarian pathologies encountered in this tertiary care centre of rural India.Methods: This was a retrospective five years observational study (2012-16) and conducted at Department of Pathology of UPUMS, Saifai. The study material included 264 histopathology specimens received in our department.Results: Total 264 cases of ovarian pathologies were studied, in which 147 cases were non-neoplastic while remaining 117 cases were neoplastic. The most common non-neoplastic lesion was follicular cyst (51.7%), followed by corpus luteal cyst (30.61%), endometriosis (15.64%). Among 117 neoplastic cases, 87 cases (74.35%) were benign, 5 cases (4.27%) were borderline tumours and 25 cases (21.36%) were diagnosed malignant. Serous cystadenoma was most common benign tumour with 53 cases (45.29%) followed by 20 cases (17.09%) of dermoid cyst and 12 cases (10.25%) of mucinous cystadenoma. While in malignant tumours, serous adenocarcinoma were most common (4.27%) followed by mucinous adenocarcinoma (2.56%).Conclusions: In our study, non-neoplastic ovarian lesions were more commonly seen than neoplastic lesions. Surface epithelial tumours were most common histologic type in all age groups. While serous adenocarcinoma was most common ovarian malignancy seen. Both non-neoplastic as well as neoplastic lesions of ovary often present with similar clinical and radiological features. So histopathological study is essential to diagnose ovarian tumours.

Spectrum of uterine lesions presenting as abnormal uterine bleeding in a rural north Indian population: a study from tertiary care center

Background: Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) is now a day’s one of the commonest complains of female patients attending gynaecological OPD and clinics. The problem is not limited to a particular age group and frequently affects reproductive age group as well as peri and postmenopausal females. Endometrial biopsy or curettage is a well-known safe and effective diagnostic procedure in evaluation of abnormal uterine bleeding and ruling out medical causes.Methods: The study was undertaken to ascertain cause of AUB in all patients presenting at gynecology OPD with complain of abnormal uterine bleeding during the period of January 2013 to January 2014.  Relevant clinical data was collected in all cases and endometrial biopsy or hystrectomy specimens were taken for histopathological evaluation.Results: Maximum  number  of  AUB cases (34%) were seen in the age  group of  41-50 years of  age and  predominant  histopathological pattern observed was  proliferative endometrium seen in 18% cases. Leimyoma is another important leading cause followed by bleeding in secretory phase and others. Menorhhagia was the most common clinical presentation. Benign conditions and pregnancy related causes occur mostly in the reproductive age group while premalignant and malignant changes occur in premenopausal and postmenopausal age group.Conclusions: A thorough clinical history, etilogical factors, ultrasound findings along with clinical presentation are important along with histopathological examination which plays a key role in early and prompt diagnosis of  abnormal uterine bleeding.

Biofertilizer and biocontrol properties of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia BCM emphasize its potential application for sustainable agriculture

IntroductionMicrobial biofertilizers or biocontrol agents are potential sustainable approaches to overcome the limitations of conventional agricultural practice. However, the limited catalog of microbial candidates for diversified crops creates hurdles in successfully implementing sustainable agriculture for increasing global/local populations. The present study aimed to explore the wheat rhizosphere microbiota for microbial strains with a biofertilizer and biocontrol potential. MethodsUsing a microbial culturing-based approach, 12 unique microbial isolates were identified and screened for biofertilizer/biocontrol potential using genomics and physiological experimentations. Results and discussionMolecular, physiological, and phylogenetic characterization identified Stenotrophomonas maltophilia BCM as a potential microbial candidate for sustainable agriculture. Stenotrophomonas maltophilia BCM was identified as a coccus-shaped gram-negative microbe having optimal growth at 37°C in a partially alkaline environment (pH 8.0) with a proliferation time of ~67 minutes. The stress response physiology of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia BCM indicates its successful survival in dynamic environmental conditions. It significantly increased (P <0.05) the wheat seed germination percentage in the presence of phytopathogens and saline conditions. Genomic characterization decoded the presence of genes involved in plant growth promotion, nutrient assimilation, and antimicrobial activity. Experimental evidence also correlates with genomic insights to explain the potential of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia BCM as a potential biofertilizer and biocontrol agent. With these properties, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia BCM could sustainably promote wheat production to ensure food security for the increasing population, especially in native wheat-consuming areas

The diagnostic value of FNAC in assessment of superficial palpable lymph nodes: a study of 395 cases

Objective: To validate the importance of FNAC in cases of lymphadenopathies by studying the different cytomorphological patterns associated with various lymphadenopathies. Methods: A study was carried out over a period of five years in a tertiary care teaching hospital. FNAC of 395 patients presenting with superficial palpable lymphadenopathy was reviewed, correlated with final histopathological diagnoses, wherever available, and concordance and discordance rates were evaluated. Result: Of the 395 patients with palpable lymphadenopathy, among 277 cases of benign lesions, reactive hyperplasia 121(30.63%) ranked on top, followed by tuberculous lymphadenitis 113(28.60%) and by pyogenic lymphadenitis 43(10.88%). And among the 113 cases of malignant lesions, 90(22.78%) cases of metastatic carcinoma were followed by malignant lymphomas 23(5.82%) cases; including NHL 15(3.80%) and HL 8(2.02%). AFB was confirmed in 78(69.02%) cases by ZN staining of FNAC smears. The nodal site sampled most frequently was cervical group of lymph nodes. Histopathology was available in 45 cases. The cytological and histological concordance was determined in 40 malignant cases. Conclusion: FNAC is a simple technique, easy to perform, quick and cost effective in diagnosis of lymphadenopathies which also serves as an excellent preliminary screening procedure. It obviates the need for unnecessary surgical excision of nodes

A rare case of repeated expulsions of a giant cervical fibroid per vaginum followed by delivery of near term babies in two consecutive pregnancies

Huge cervical fibroid polyp with red degeneration, obstructing birth canal might be a night mare for obstetricians. Most of us will plan for a caesarean section but somehow due to lack medical consultation; a patient in rural setup with a huge cervical fibroid, delivered normal in two consecutive pregnancies. This case is unique because no such case has been reported in literature where normal delivery took place twice in the same patient, with such a huge fibroid with red degeneration, obstructing the birth canal

Estimation and comparison of thrombocyte count by peripheral blood smear method and automated method in women with pregnancy

Background: Thrombocyte is important and very essential component of blood and have significant role in maintenance of hemostasis. Thrombocyte count is an important investigation done in various acquired and congenital coagulable states which include conditions like pregnancy. Thrombocyte count is routinely done by automated hematology analyzer method. The automated hematology analyzer counters are not usually available at all centres especially in peripheral and rural side though thrombocytes can also be assessed from the peripheral blood smears, which can be easily and precisely done at any set up. Aim and objective of this study was to compare the thrombocyte estimation by peripheral blood smear method and automated hematology analyzer in pregnant women.Methods: Thrombocyte estimation was done from samples taken from 120 normal pregnant women between December 2018 to March 2019, where samples were Ethylene Diamine Tetra Acetic acid (EDTA) anticoagulated. Thrombocyte was counted manually using PBS (Leishman stain) and hematology analyzer (Sysmex XN1000 series). Thrombocyte counts were expressed in Mean and standard Deviation. Statistical analysis was done by student’s t test using MS excel and SPSS version 17.Results: Thrombocyte count by PBS have mean value of 2.04 lacs/mm3 with standard deviation of 0.56 lacs/mm3 and by automated method have mean value of 1.89 lacs/mm3 and standard deviation of 0.71 lacs/mm3 with p value 0.010. Thus, there was no statistically significant difference found between two methods.Conclusions: Estimation of thrombocyte count on the basis of manual thrombocyte count is a reliable technique and can be used to validate automated thrombocyte counts. It can also be used in under resourced laboratories, where there are no automated counters of good precision available. In fact, all the tests showing abnormal thrombocyte counts must be reported only after cross examining on PBS

Algal biomass harvesting by graft copolymer of polyacrylamide on guar gum (GGg-PAM): a sustainable method for alternative source of energy

Microalgal cells has been utilized as a rich source of food, feed and fuel. The process of concentrating algal cells from water suspension is called harvesting. This article deals with the algal biomass harvesting by flocculation process using acrylamide grafted guar gum. Acrylamide has been successfully grafted onto the backbone of guar gum by microwave initiated method in which microwave radiation alone (without chemical free radical initiator) is used to initiate the grafting reaction. Simultaneously with the synthesis of graft copolymer, water removal capability of various grades of GGg-PAM have also been studied as a flocculant for algal biomass harvesting through standard jar test procedure for collection of algal biomass. The collected biomass can be hand carried. The collected biomass has been characterized in terms of crude fat content and elemental composition. Calorific value of this collected biomass has also been theoretically calculated

A Comparative and Evaluative Study of Two Cytological Grading Systems in Breast Carcinoma with Histological Grading: An Important Prognostic Factor

Objective. Cytonuclear gradings in the breast carcinoma raise the level of FNA reportage and improves patient management. Our aim was to evaluate and compare two cytological grading methods (Robinson’s and Mouriquand’s) in breast carcinoma and correlate it with Nottingham modification of Scarff-Bloom-Richardson (SBR) histological grading. Materials and Methods. 30 cytologically proven cases of infiltrating ductal carcinoma were graded cytologically and histologically. Cytograding was done by Robinson’s and Mouriquand’s methods (grades I to III) followed by comparison of the two methods. Cytogradings were correlated with SBR grading method. Sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic accuracy, and concordance and discordance rates were evaluated. Results. An overall concordance of 76.66% between cytogradings, of 83.33% between Robinson’s method and SBR, and of 66.66% between Mouriquand’s method and SBR was seen. Robinson’s method correlated best with SBR in all the three nuclear grades. Robinson’s method showed a diagnostic accuracy of 90% with 91.30% sensitivity while Mouriquand’s method had an accuracy of 76.66% with 95.65% sensitivity. The specificity by Mouriquand’s method was quite low (14.28%) as compared to Robinson’s method (85.71%). Conclusion. Comprehensive cytological grading of breast cancer by Robinson’s method seems better because of more objective set of criteria, easy reproducibility, and specificity