Place prioritization for biodiversity conservation using probabilistic surrogate distribution data

We analyse optimal and heuristic place prioritization algorithms for biodiversity conservation area network design which can use probabilistic data on the distribution of surrogates for biodiversity. We show how an Expected Surrogate Set Covering Problem (ESSCP) and a Maximal Expected Surrogate Covering Problem (MESCP) can be linearized for computationally efficient solution. For the ESSCP, we study the performance of two optimization software packages (XPRESS and CPLEX) and five heuristic algorithms based on traditional measures of complementarity and rarity as well as the Shannon and Simpson indices of α‐diversity which are being used in this context for the first time. On small artificial data sets the optimal place prioritization algorithms often produced more economical solutions than the heuristic algorithms, though not always ones guaranteed to be optimal. However, with large data sets, the optimal algorithms often required long computation times and produced no better results than heuristic ones. Thus there is generally little reason to prefer optimal to heuristic algorithms with probabilistic data sets.     

Cytodiagnosis of eumycotic mycetoma: a case report

BACKGROUND: Mycetoma is a late-stage clinical manifestation of a subcutaneous infection produced by bacteria (actinomycetoma) or fungi (eumycetoma). Only a few articles have described the morphologic appearance of this uncommon pathology on cytology. The distinction between eumycetoma and actinomycetoma in fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is as accurate as in histopathology, as demonstrated in the present case. CASE: A 30-year-old man presented with a large swelling on his left foot with a discharging sinus. FNAC of the swelling yielded pus-like material. Initial Papanicolaou and Giemsa stains showed the presence of septate, branching fungal hyphae and black granules against the inflammatory background. The presence of fungus was confirmed by PAS stain. The species was identified as Exophiala jeanselmei on fungal culture. CONCLUSION: Mycotic mycetoma can be accurately diagnosed by FNAC, which is a simple, inexpensive and rapid technique when there is a high index of suspicion. Special stains and culture studies are helpful in confirmation of diagnosis and species identification.     

Role of modified bleach method in staining of acid-fast bacilli in lymph node aspirates

OBJECTIVE: To correlate acid-fast bacilli (AFB) positivity with cytomorphologic patterns of tuberculous lymphadenitis and evaluate bleach concentration method in diagnosing lymph node tuberculosis compared to Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) method. STUDY DESIGN: One hundred cases of tuberculous lymphadenitis diagnosed by fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) were analyzed and classified into 6 cytomorphologic patterns and correlated with bacillary load using routine and modified bleach methods of ZN staining. Smears were graded for AFB positivity. Sensitivity of routine ZN and modified bleach concentration was compared. RESULTS: The classic cytomorphologic pattern of tuberculosis showing epithelioid granulomas, Langerhans giant cells and caseous necrosis was seen in 23% of cases. Routine ZN staining detected AFB in 27% of cases and the modified bleach method in 72%. In 58 cases the modified bleach method had a higher grade of AFB positivity than the routine method. The modified bleach method did not miss any AFB positivity detected on routine ZN staining. CONCLUSION: The modified bleach method demonstrated AFB positivity in 72% of cases. AFB positivity grade was much higher than with routine ZN staining, making bacilli easily visible, with shorter screening time. The modified bleach method is inexpensive, easily performed and more sensitive and safe than routine ZN staining.     

An unusual presentation of filariasis: a case report

BACKGROUND: Filariasis and its consequences are a major health problem in tropical countries, including the Indian subcontinent. Despite its high incidence, it is unusual to find microfilaria in fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) smears. We present a case of subcutaneous firm to cystic swelling, aspiration of which revealed a large number of microfilaria. CASE: A 30-year-old man presented with a chain of intermittent, firm swellings in both arms. FNAC of the swellings revealed a large number of 4 microfilariae with associated giant cell reaction and inflammatory cell-like eosinophils. CONCLUSION: Besides the documented usual mode of presentation of filarial infection, it can present in an atypical manner, so careful examination of aspirates from the subcutaneous swellings, especially in filariasis endemic zones, is very important.     

Cytodiagnosis of granulocytic sarcoma of liver arising in a milieu of myeloid metaplasia: a case report

BACKGROUND: Granulocytic sarcoma is an extramedullary tumor that is composed of granulocytic precursor cells. We report an unusual case of granulocytic sarcoma of the liver that arose in the background of myeloid metaplasia. Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) was instrumental in making the diagnosis in absence of previously known Hematlogic abnormality. CASE: A 65-year-old woman presented with multiple nodules in the liver. USG-guided FNAC was performed on them. The aspirates showed many myeloid blasts, myelocytes, metamyelocytes, erytbroid precursors and lympboglandular bodies. We considered a differential diagnosis of granulocytic sarcoma and myeloid metaplasia. The presence of erytbroid precursors prompted us to consider myeloid metaplasia as a differential diagnorsis of granulocytic sarcoma. Peripberal smear showed a leukoerytbroblastic reaction. The patient died, and necropsy from the liver revealed extensive infiltration by undfferentiated blast cells with areas of myeloid metaplasia showing maturing erytbroid, myeloid and megakaryocytic elements. CONCLUSION: When a dual population of predominant myeloid blasts and normoblarts is encountered, a suspicion of granulocytic sarcoma arising in a background of myeloid metaplasia must be kept. Cells of all 3 lineages may not be always seen in myeloid metaplasia, and 1 cell line may predominate, causing a diagnostic dilemma.