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Background: Tuberculosis of the spine is one of the most common spine pathology in developing nations. This study highlights the special considerations that need to be taken into account while tackling the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges posed by this disease. Materials And Methods: A cohort of patients (n=32) diagnosed and treated as TB spine were included in the study. Among 32 patients, 17 (53.1%) were manged conservatively with anti-tubercular therapy (ATT), 15 (46.8%) were manged with surgical intervention + ATT. Patients were followed up with serial ESR, CRP, Liver function test (LFT), plain radiographs at regular intervals of 2months, 3months, 6months, 9months and 12 months. Functional outcome on Japanese orthopaedic association (JOA) scale and pain assessment with Visual analogue score (VAS) were documented at each visit. Assessment of fusion at the operated level was done by Bridwell classication in surgically managed patients. Results: Thoracic spine (n=13) was the most common site of involvement followed by the thoracolumbar (n=4), lumbar (n=10) and lumbosacral (n=5) region. 18 (56.2%) patients had signicant neurological decits (11-motor and 7 -sensory) at presentation. On laboratory work up, the mean CRP and ESR values at presentation were 4.43 ± 5.18 mg/dl and 51.75 ± 25.54 mm/hr respectively. Focal kyphosis was noted in 14 (40.3%) patients with a mean kyphosis of 26.330(+/- 6.70). There was steady improvement in the JOA scores accompanied by a decline in the VAS score at subsequent follow ups. There was no signicant difference between the conservative and surgical group at nal follow up. Conclusion: Early diagnosis of tuberculous affection of spine is challenging and requires high index of suspicion. Timely diagnosis and prompt treatment is necessary to prevent neurological complications and to minimize spinal deformity.

Plastic plays a major role in today’s human life; moreover, it becomes a part of our life, yet it is a most challenging threat for the freshwater ecosystems in the future. The present study identifies, characterizes, and quantifies the microplastics in groundwater samples around Perungudi and Kodungaiyur municipal solid waste dumpsites in South India. To evaluate and assess the microplastic abundance, characteristics (composite, size, colour, shape, and surface morphology), detection methods of plastic particles, and potential risk factors from the absorption of microplastic in groundwater. Further, the microplastic particle classification was performed using LB-340 Zoom Stereo Microscope with LED Illumination, ATR-FTIR fitted with SEM with EDX analyzer. The groundwater samples (n = 20) were found contaminated with microplastic particles in the range of 2–80 items/L with coloured particles, white (38%), black (27%), green (8%), red (18%), blue (6%), and yellow (2%). The polymer type was found to occur in the following order: nylon (70%), pellets (18%), foam (6%), fragments (3%), fibers/PVC (2%), and polythene (1%). In both sampling sites, 90% of microplastics are derived from the buried plastics and waste fragmentation which are predominantly of polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS). Micro and nano plastics abundance in groundwater is of paramount importance as it has a major impact on human health. This study throws light on the characteristics and quantification of the microplastics in groundwater that initiates further research by which microplastics enter into the environment.

In the current scenario, microplastic, as a contaminant, is becoming an ecological threat to the freshwater ecosystem. The present study attempted to determine the quality and quantity of microplastic contaminants in water and soil samples at Veeranam lake in Tamil Nadu, India. It is very important to mention that the Veeranam lake in Tamil Nadu, is a major urban water source of the capital district of Tamil Nadu. Using Van Veen grab-sampling equipment and trawl methods, the study detected the presence of microplastics in 28 sediment samples and 31 water samples from the collected samples. In addition to this, the density separation was performed with zinc chloride solution using the Sediment-Microplastic Isolation (SMI) unit. The quantum of total plastic particle present in surface water were in the range of 13–54 items/km2 with a mean value of 28 items/km2. In the case of sediment samples, the amount of total plastic particle was found in the range of 92–604 items/kg with a mean value of 309 items/kg. The abundance of microplastic particles in water and sediments in various shape, colour, and composition as in the order of nylons > polythene > fibres/PVC > fragments > foam > pellets; dominant colours as white > red > black > green > blue and yellow at the sampling sites. In term of percentage of contaminant distribution, the study found that the collected water and sediment samples deposited with polymer type of plastic particles were nylon (39%), polyethylene (23%), polystyrene (19%), polypropylene (15%), and polyvinyl chloride (4%). The research work is a baseline study for the proposed site of Veeranam lake for microplastics contamination.