Management of the Hepatic Lymph Nodes during Resection of Liver Metastases from Colorectal Cancer: A Systematic Review

Background. Hepatic lymph node involvement is generally considered a contraindication for liver resection performed for colorectal liver metastases. However, some advocate hepatic lymphadenectomy in the presence of macroscopic involvement and others routine lymphadenectomy. The aim of this review is to assess the role of lymphadenectomy in resection of liver metastases from colorectal cancer. Methods. Medline, Embase and Central databases were searched using a formal search strategy. Trials with survival data with a minimum follow-up of 1 year were considered for inclusion. Meta-analysis was performed using Revman. Results. A total of 4230 references were identified. Ten reports of nine studies including 926 patients qualified for the review. The prevalence of nodal metastases after routine lymphadenectomy was 16.3%. The overall 3-year and 5-year survival rates in node-positive patients were 9/151 (11.3%) and 2/137 (1.5%), respectively, compared to 3-year and 5-year survival rates of 424/787 (53.9%) and 246/767 (32.1%) in node-negative patients. The odds ratios for 3-year and 5-year survivals in node positive disease compared to node-negative disease were 0.12 (95% CI 0.06 to 0.24) and 0.08 (95% CI 0.03 to 0.22). There was no randomized controlled trial which assessed the survival benefit of routine or “selective” lymphadenectomy. Conclusion. Currently, there is no evidence of survival benefit for routine or selective lymphadenectomy. Survival rates are low in patients with positive lymph nodes draining the liver irrespective of whether they are detected by routine lymphadenectomy or by macroscopic involvement. Further trials in this patient group are required

On two large specimens of devil ray Manta birostris (Walbaum)landed at Tuticorin

Two female specimens of devil ray locally known as 'Kombu thirukkai' measuring 3020 and 3050 mm in total length and 5670 and 5700 mm in breadth respectively were landed at Tuticorin North fish landing centre on 29.03/93 The approximate weight of the two rays was 1375 and 1425 kg. The specimens were auctioned for Rs.550/- and Rs.600/- respectively at the fish landing centre

Assessing spatial variability of soil and drawing location-specific management zones for coastal saline soils in Ramanathapuram District, Tamil Nadu

The production of crops in saline and alkali-degraded areas is difficult due to the heterogeneous and spatial variation of soil fertility.  First, their spatial variability was analyzed and maps of the spatial distribution were created using Geostatistical techniques.  The fuzzy k-mean clustering analysis was then used to define Management zones in the coastal saline soils of Ramanathapuram district in Tamil Nadu.  One hundred and fifty geo-referenced soil samples  (30 cm depth) were taken and analyzed for pH, electrical conductivity (ECe) in the saturated paste extract (USSL method), organic carbon (OC) (Walkley-Black chromic acid wet oxidation method), calcium carbonate (CaCO3) (Rapid titration method) and available phosphorus and extractable micronutrients (Multinutrients extraction method), revealing significant variation in soil characteristics throughout the coastal saline soils of Ramanathapuram district.  The most significant factors, which together accounted for four principal components and 69% of the overall variability, were pH, electrical conductivity (ECe), calcium Carbonate and available zinc.  According to Geostatistical analysis, the Exponential (pH, OC (organic carbon), P, Fe, Mn and Zn) and Stable (ECe) was the best fit semivariogram ordinary kriging model with weak to moderate spatial dependence.  Fuzzy k-mean clustering was also used to identify zone 1, zone 2 and zone 3.  For every soil property, there was a significant difference between MZ1(zone 1), MZ2(zone 2) and MZ3(zone 3).  These results also showed that cluster analysis gave farmers a chance to use location-specific nutrient management strategies by minimizing variability within the zone. The management zones can decrease agricultural inputs and environmental pollutants while increasing crop productivity.

On the mass stranding of dolphins at Vellapatty near Tuticorin in the Gulf of Mannar.

The mass stranding of dolphins is not a rare phenomenon along the Indian coast. On 28-06-99 a total of 42 no of dolphins stranded at Vellapatty near Tuticorin in the Gulf of Mannar. The dolphins were identified as Sousa chinnensis (Osbeck), the hump-back dolphin (28 Nos) and Stenella longtrostris Gray, the spinner dolphin (9 Nos)