Divide and rule: cytodiagnosis of thyroid lesions using pattern analysis: a study of 233 cases

Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of the thyroid is a simple, accurate, fast, economical and safe method for the diagnosis of thyroid lesions on FNA. The objective of this study was application of pattern analysis in the interpretation of thyroid lesions. Two hundred and thirty three cases of thyroid lesion were reviewed, which had histopathological correlation. Smears were classified based on primary (predominant) and secondary (next dominant) pattern and categorized. The variation between combined and final cytological diagnosis was correlated with the histopathological diagnosis. The sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy for the diagnosis of malignancy were 90.47, 100 and 99.14%. Our study demonstrates the feasibility and applicability of pattern analysis in diagnosing thyroid lesions, which could be easily reproducible.     

Particle engineering of benzoic acid by spherical agglomeration

The influence of process conditions on the properties of benzoic acid spherical agglomerates, are investigated. Agglomerates are produced in a fed-batch agitated tank process. Benzoic acid is dissolved in ethanol and the solution is mixed with the bridging liquid, before being fed into an agitated aqueous solution. A broader investigation has been performed using heptane as the bridging liquid, and in further experiments different bridging liquids are compared. The results show that the bridging liquid has an influence on the product properties, with diethyl ether and ethyl acetate being at the extreme end with no agglomerates formed at all. Using any of the other five solvents (chloroform, toluene, heptane, pentane, or cyclohexane) spherical agglomerates are formed, as long as a sufficient amount of the bridging liquid is used. The results show that the particle size and strength increase with increasing amount of bridging liquid, and with decreasing temperature. At amount of bridging liquid producing optimum particle shape, the largest agglomerates are produced when using either cyclohexane operating at 5 °C, or using toluene in a process at 20 °C. The highest particle fracture stress is obtained using toluene as the bridging liquid regardless of temperature. The particle shape depends on the bridging liquid, and becomes completely spherical when toluene or pentane is used. For four of the solvents the particle morphology improves with decreasing temperature, but for cyclohexane the result is the opposite. By continued agitation beyond the completion of the feeding, particle size and strength gradually increases and also the shape gradually becomes more spherical. High compressibility and low elastic recovery suggest that the particles are favorable for direct tabletting. The results are analyzed and discussed against capillary theory and granulation mechanisms.     

Imaging of liposarcoma: classification, patterns of tumor recurrence, and response to treatment

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to illustrate the subtypes of liposarcoma (LPS) and the significance of the nonlipomatous tumor components using multiple imaging modalities. CONCLUSION: The subtypes of LPS with greater nonlipomatous soft-tissue components on imaging studies tend to show less differentiation and are usually more aggressive both histologically and clinically. Imaging plays an important role in the diagnosis, surveillance, and response assessment of LPS.     

Bacteriological quality of water and water borne diseases in Bangalore: a longitudinal study

In developing countries diarrhea diseases take a big toll which can be prevented by adequate supply of safe drinking water. Thus a longitudinal study was taken up to determine the morbidity due to water borne diseases and bacteriological quality of water. 150 houses in two different areas, one supplied by bore well and other by tap water was selected by modified cluster sampling. Weekly morbidity details collected. Monthly water samples were assessed for bacteriological quality from main supply, household storage and morbidity reported houses. The difference in proportion of potable and non potable water at storage points was statistically significant. The overall incidence rate of target diseases was 3.58%,majority were diaarrhoel diseases with increased incidence in children less than five years.