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One of the extensively used methods for aerosol mass concentration measurement is the optical filter method used in Aethalometer. Due to the aerosol loading and multi scattering effect, there are uncertainties that can lead to underestimation or overestimation of aerosol concentration and measurement of the absorption coefficient. To overcome such uncertainties, a data correction method has been adopted in the present work. During the winter, pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons, Aethalometer underestimated black carbon (BC) concentration by 8 ± 1%, 11 ± 1%, and 10.5 ± 0.2%, due to the higher aerosol deposition. While in the monsoon season, underestimation of 5.5 ± 2% is observed because of the presence of bigger scattering nature aerosol. For 70% of days, found a positive correlation between the compensation parameter (k880) and wavelengths, which indicated the dominance of the smaller aerosol particles. While 30% of days have a negative correlation due to the bigger aerosol particle. In the winter, pre-monsoon and monsoon seasons, the absorption coefficient at 370 nm was 86%, 90%, and 93% higher than that of 880 nm due to the higher biomass burning emissions. The absorption Angstrom exponent (α370-880) was 1.02 for fossil fuel burning and the corresponding k880 was 0.0037. In the winter and post-monsoon seasons, BC emissions from fossil fuel combustion dominated over the BC emitted by biomass burning emissions with α370-880

Introduction There has been a new challenge to the already existing threat of tuberculosis (TB) and that is drug resistance TB (DR-TB). The causal relationships between mental disorders and TB are complicated and relatively unexplored. For this reason a qualitative study was done on DR-TB patients attending R G Kar Medical College. Materials and methods The study population consisted of the patients who are registered for the DR-TB regimen are followed up four times with General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). Those scoring poorly were sent for expert evaluation by psychologist, who counselled them, and followed them up after in-depth interviews. These records of in-depth interview were analysed as qualitative research inputs. Results In our study out of 165 patients, (4.8%) needed interventions. The domains emerging from the study are worried about future and as well as family, disbelief about the diagnosis, embarrassment regarding the diagnosis, fear of death, blaming fate for the disease, stigma, suicidal ideation. Conclusion This study finds out the important domains of psychogical problems among the patients and also advocates a psychologist to remain at DR-TB centres.

Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with sleep-related breathing disorders (SRBDs), including sleep-related hypoxemia (SRH), obstructive sleep apnoea (OSAHS), central sleep apnoea (CSA), respiratory effort-related arousals (RERAs), and sleep-related hypoventilation (SRHv). The different patterns of SRBDs in COPD, their effects and response to treatment is not well studied. Aims and Objectives: To find out the prevalence and pattern of SRBDs in COPD, their association with co-morbidities and complications, and the effect of intervention in such cases. Materials and Methods: Ninety patients having COPD were subjected to history, examination, and tests like spirometry, polysomnography and ABG analysis. Those diagnosed with SRBDs were advised non-invasive ventilation (NIV). All patients with SRBDs were followed-up after 6 months and repeat polysomnography with spirometry was done. Observation: Conclusion: SRBDs in COPD are common, SRH being the predominant disorder. They are more prone to complications, however, there is a significant improvement on intervention with NIV.

A 16-year-old girl presented with swelling and heaviness on the right side of her chest and progressive dyspnoea since 20 days. Radiological examination revealed a mass lesion in the right lower zone with right-sided massive pleural effusion and rib erosion. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry were suggestive of Ewing’s sarcoma. We reported this case because of the uncommon presentation of this rare tumour and its associated pleural effusion. Early diagnosis of this case led to favourable outcomes.

Familial spontaneous pneumothorax is one of the phenotypes of Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome (BHDS), an autosomal dominant condition associated with folliculin (FLCN). We investigated clinical and genetic data of an Indian family having two patients suffering from spontaneous pneumothorax in the absence of skin lesions or renal tumors. HRCT scan of patient's lung revealed paracardiac cysts, and DNA sequencing of all 14 exons of FLCN from patients showed the presence of heterozygous "C allele" deletion in the poly-cytosine (poly-C) tract of exon 11 leading to truncated folliculin. This mutation was also observed in four asymptomatic members of the family. Our results confirmed the presence of deletion mutation in poly-C tract of FLCN in members of BHDS family. This is the first report of genetic insight in a BHDS family from India but in-depth studies with a larger sample set are necessary to understand mechanism of familial pneumothorax.

Introduction: Spirometry measurements are interpreted by comparing with reference values for healthy individuals that have been derived from multiple regression equations from earlier studies. There are only two such studies from Eastern India, both by Chatterjee et al., one each for males and females. These are however single center and approximately two decades old studies. Aims: (1) to formulate a new regression equation for predicting FEV 1 and FVC for eastern India and (2) to compare the results to the previous two studies by Chatterjee et al. Materials and Methods: Healthy nonsmokers were recruited through health camps under the initiative of four large hospitals of Kolkata. Predicted equations were derived for FEV 1 , FVC and FEV 1 /FVC in males and females separately using multiple linear regression, which were then compared with the older equations using Bland-Altman method. Results: The Bland-Altman analyses show that the mean bias for females for FVC was 0.39 L (95% limits of agreement 1.32 to −0.54 L) and for FEV1 was 0.334 L (95% limits of agreement of 1.08 to -0.41 L). For males the mean bias for FEV1 was -0.141 L, (95% limits of agreement 0.88 to -1.16 L) while that for FVC was -0.112 L (95% limits of agreement 0.80 to -1.08 L). Conclusion: New updated regression equations are needed for predicting reference values for spirometry interpretation. The regression equations proposed in this study may be considered appropriate for use in current practice for eastern India until further studies are available.

Although thymoma is a common neoplasm of mediastinum, its association with pure red cell aplasia is very rare. It is also rare to observe the initial remission of anaemia of pure red cell aplasia after thymectomy only.

An 18 years female was admitted with right-sided chest pain, dry cough, and low-grade fever and weight loss for last 1 month. On examination, patient had features of superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome with right-sided pleural effusion. Chest X-ray showed mediastinal widening with nonhomogenous opacity mainly in the periphery of right upper and mid zone with right-sided pleural effusion. Ultrasonography thorax confirmed mild pleural effusion. Pleural fluid analysis showed lymphocytic, exudative, low adenosine deaminase with negative for Pap smear. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) thorax revealed large extensive nodular soft tissue lesion along right mediastinum as well as costal pleura, with enlarged pretracheal lymphadenopathy and SVC obstruction. CT guided Tru-cut biopsy report came as malignant epithelial tumor with polygonal shape, abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm and nuclei with prominent nucleoli suggestive of mesothelioma of epithelioid type. The tumor cell expressed calretinin, WT-1, and immunonegative for thyroid transcription factor-1.

Study of respiratory functions of four groups of women Nonpregnant, early pregnancy, singleton pregnancy at 36 weeks and twin/ polyhydramnios at 36 weeks reveal that inspiratory capacity (IC), tidal volume (TV) and expiratory reserve volume (ERV) in different group pairing have statistically significant difference. This is very important during the assessment of pregnant mother suffering from respiratory or cardiopulmonary disorder. Objectives This study aims to observe the additional demands placed on the maternal respiratory system in cases of advanced normal pregnancy or over distended uterus, like multifetal gestation and polyhydramnios, and whether the average Indian woman is able to cope with these respiratory changes. Methods Around 80 women were divided into four equal groups which included non-pregnant controls, normal early pregnancy (< 20 weeks), normal singleton pregnancy at 36 weeks and multifetal gestation/polyhydramnios, underwent spirometry for static lung volume measurement. The overall comparison was done by using the Kruskal-Wallis test whereas the individual comparison by Mann-Whitney test. Final statistical computing was performed with SPSS statistical package. Results The groups were comparable on the basis of age, height and hemoglobin levels. Comparisons of various groups show statistically significant difference in tidal volume, inspiratory capacity and expiratory reserve volume specially in advance pregnancy with control nonpregnant mothers without significant adverse effect on respiratory system. Conclusions Results of the study indicate that though there are significant respiratory functional changes, healthy women, even having twin/polyhydramnios, can tolerate this well. But this knowledge is very important to assess and to formulate management of pregnant women with respiratory or cardiopulmonary compromise.

Approximately 10% patients of spontaneous pneumothorax have positive family history. Birt–Hogg–Dube syndrome (BHD) is one of the cause of familial pneumothorax. BHD syndrome is associated with hamartomas of skin,renal cancer and spontaneous pneumothorax. However there have been reports of isolated spontaneous pneumothorax and lung cysts in patients of BHD syndrome in the absence of other manifestations. Mutation in Folliculin gene (FLCN) on chromosome 17 has been reported to cause BHD syndrome. A 32 year old non-smoker female presented with left sided spontaneous pneumothorax. Her sister had previously suffered from recurrent pneumothorax (twice). High Resolution CT (HRCT) scan of chest of both the sisters revealed multiple lung cysts. We decided to evaluate these patients of familial pneumothorax and identify any genetic basis for their disease. Genetic sequencing of the FLCN gene was performed in 8 family members. We subsequently screened the family members by HRCT scan of chest for any lung cysts. Physical examination and abdominal CT scan was done to rule out any skin and renal involvement. Genetic sequencing revealed Cytosine deletion mutation in hypermutable region of exon 11 of FLCN gene in the index case, her 3 siblings, her mother and her son. HRCT scan of the patient9s sibling showed lung cysts whereas her son had normal lungs, despite having the mutation.This cytosine deletion caused a frameshift mutation resulting in a truncated folliculin protein. For cystic lung disease with an undetermined etiology or familial pneumothorax, possibility of BHD syndrome should be considered. Pulmonologists should be aware that BHD syndrome can occur as an isolated phenotype with pulmonary involvement.

The reaction [Formula: see text]Al([Formula: see text],3He) at 25 MeV beam energy has been utilized to study the states in even–even nucleus [Formula: see text]Mg. The spectroscopic factors have been extracted for the states of [Formula: see text]Mg up to 7.50[Formula: see text]MeV excitation energy using local, zero-range distorted wave Born approximation. The extracted spectroscopic factors have been compared with the previously reported values. The present results were also compared with the predictions from a theoretical shell model and rotational model.

A 42-year-old male nonsmoker presented with recurrent hemoptysis for 12 years requiring two hospitalizations and 11 units of blood transfusion, with occasional low-grade intermittent fever, and cough with scanty expectoration. Examination of lower respiratory system revealed biphasic and coarse crepitations over the left infrascapular area.

The 6-min walk test (6MWT) is a simple, inexpensive test of functional exercise capacity. The 6MWT distance (6MWD) in healthy adults varies geographically, emphasizing the need for population-specific reference equations. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the influences of the habitual physical activity (HPA) score and other anthropometric and demographic parameters on the variability of the 6MWD among healthy adults and to propose a reference equation.This was a prospective, cross-sectional, observational study. The 6MWT was conducted in a 30-m hospital corridor on 201 healthy volunteers, 125 men and 76 women, aged 20-60 years. The HPA in the previous 6 months was assessed using Baecke's questionnaire. Univariate analysis followed by multiple regression analysis was performed to analyze the significance levels of different probable predictors.The 6MWD was significantly greater in more active than in less active subjects (663.8±55.4m vs. 599.9±67.8m, p0.001). The regression analysis showed that the subject's age in years (p=0.017), gender (p=0.006), height in cm (p=0.004), weight in kg (p0.001), total activity score (TS) (p0.001), and absolute difference in heart rate before and after exercise (p0.001) could explain 48.9% of the variability in the 6MWD in healthy adults.The HPA score is probably the most appropriate variable to include in the reference equation predicting the 6MWD in healthy adults from the Indian subcontinent.

Fission fragment mass distributions have been measured from the decay of the compound nucleus 246 Bk that has been populated via two entrance channels. These entrance channels have a slight difference in their mass asymmetries that puts them on either side of the Businaro Gallone mass asymmetry parameter. Both target nuclei were deformed. Near the Coulomb barrier, at similar excitation energies, the width of the fission fragment mass distribution was found to be drastically different for the 14 N + 232 Th reaction compared to the 11 B + 235 U reaction. The entrance channel mass asymmetry was found to affect the fusion process sharply.

Uterine sarcomas are rare and represent approximately 3.2% of all invasive uterine cancers. The annual incidence rate is less than two per 100,000 women. The median age at which uterine sarcoma diagnosed is 56 years. The most common histologic pattern is leiomyosarcoma (LMS) which originates from the myometrium or myometrial vessels. Uterine LMSs are aggressive tumors with high rates of recurrence. The most common mode of spread is hematogenous, with lymphatic spread being rare. Recurrences of up to 70% are reported in stage I and II disease with the site of recurrence being distal, most commonly the lungs or the upper abdomen. But the intra bronchial spread is extremely rare. Here we are reporting a case of uterine LMS with endobronchial metastasis causing whole lung collapse.

Background Asthma is a serious global health problem. Global prevalence of asthma ranges from 1% to 18% of population in different countries. In India, prevalence of asthma is 3% of the population. Major depressive disorder is the most common mood disorder often found to be higher among people with chronic health conditions like asthma. Presence of depression may lead to increased severity of asthma making it an uncontrolled asthma. Our objective was to see prevalence of depression among asthma patients and effect of asthma control on severity of depression. Methods