The detection of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia by electrical impedance spectroscopy: The effects of acetic acid and tissue homogeneity

Objective. To evaluate the efficacy of an electrical impedance probe (Epitheliometer) in the diagnosis of high grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) in women referred with cervical smear abnormalities and to assess the effect of acetic acid (AA) and tissue boundaries on the measurements. Methods. A prospective observational study was undertaken in the colposcopy clinic. One hundred and sixty-five women, either with a clinical indication or abnormal cervical cytology, were recruited into the study. A pencil type probe was used to record impedance spectra from 12 points on the cervix before and after the application of 5% AA. Spectra were also recorded from tissue boundaries. Colposcopic examinations, including probe positioning, were video recorded to allow for correlations between histopathological diagnosis of colposcopically directed biopsies, colposcopic impression and the diagnosis based on impedance measurements. Results. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were derived. The areas under the curves (AUCs) to discriminate original squamous from high grade CIN were 0.80 (pre AA) and 0.79 (post AA). Comparison of these curves showed no significant difference, indicating that application of AA does not produce a large change in spectra. The probe Could distinguish tissue boundaries from homogeneous tissue points. Conclusion. The Epitheliometer has the potential to be used as an adjunct to colposcopy in the diagnosis of high grade CIN. It has the advantage of real time results, decreasing the need for diagnostic cervical biopsies, and facilitates a wider use of the 'see and treat' policy without the risk of overtreatment. (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Prevalence and transmission of leaf crinkle disease infecting urdbean in Tamil Nadu

Urdbean leaf crinkle disease (ULCD) caused by an ungrouped virus is a destructive and serious disease of urdbean(Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper). Urdbean is commonly infected by leaf crinkle disease and is distinguished by the symptoms of extreme crinkling, curling, puckering, rugosity of leaves, stunting of plants and malformation of floral organs. An intensive survey was conductedduring the year of2018-2019 in major blackgram growing districts of Tamil Nadu viz., Pudukkottai, Tiruchirappalli,Villupuram, Tenkasiand Coimbatore. The highest disease incidence was recorded in Pudukkottai (24.95%) and lowest incidence was recorded in Coimbatore (17.89%).The transmission of ULCD by seed sprout abrasion and sap inoculation methods was 70.59% and 63.30% respectively. The transmission of ULCD by infected seeds was ranging from 71.89 to 83.62%.</jats:p