Introduction:An unexplained pleural effusion is a difficult diagnostic dilemma that needs further histological study for a definitive etiological diagnosis. Video assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) pleural biopsy is a minimally invasive procedure that could resolve this problem. The study is conducted to determine the efficacy of VATS pleural biopsy in the diagnosis of unexplained pleural effusion. Methods: This  cross-sectional  study  was  to  investigate our experience  of VATS pleural biopsy for unexplained pleural effusion which  was  conducted  at  our center.   All   patients   who   underwent   VATS pleural biopsy for unexplained pleural effusion   during   the   period of January 2019 to December 2019 were included in the study. Epidemiological, clinical, radiological & histopathological data of the patients were collected and analyzed Results: The overall diagnostic yield of VATS pleural biopsy in our study was 95%. Malignancy was the most common histological diagnosis for unexplained pleural effusion followed by tuberculosis. In patients with malignant effusion, metastatic adenocarcinoma was commonly observed finding followed by metastatic squamous cell carcinoma. Minor complications related to the procedure were noticed with no mortality. Conclusion: VATS pleural biopsy has high definitive diagnostic accuracy in the evaluation of unexplained pleural effusions. J Bangladesh Coll Phys Surg 2023; 41: 141-149

Shifting cultivation, popularly known as jhum, is a dominant form of agriculture in the Chattogram Hill Tracts (CHT) of Bangladesh with upland rice being the major component of the system. The region is known for its rice biodiversity, which is under threat. This study was an attempt to explore the extent of rice biodiversity and variation in rice yields observing 81 randomly selected shifting cultivation plots from 26 dispersedly located mountainous villages in four sub-districts of Bandarban, one of three districts of the CHT. A total of 28 landraces of upland rice was grown in shifting cultivation. Highest number of landraces (16) was found in sub-district Thanchi. Three landraces most frequently observed were Gunda, Maemonsing and Sadabinni. Rice grain yield varied between 1.421 t ha-1 and 3.442 t ha-1 across landraces with the highest being recorded for Patobi. Landrace Dilon the lowest yield. Relative performance of landraces Kobrokbinni, Maemonsing, Monthon, Patobi and PD were superior to standard BRRI dhan83 and Gunda in relation to grain yield. Some of these landraces having wider adaptability may be released as varieties.

Introduction: The high recurrence rate of spontaneous pneumothorax secondary to COPD highlightsthe need for the prevention of recurrence with cheap and cost effective method. Chemical pleurodesis with tetracyclinehydrochlorides may be a good option for the prevention of recurrence of pneumothorax and thereby enablessatisfactory patient outcome. Objectives: (i) To compare the recurrence rate of spontaneous pneumothorax treatedwith chemical pleurodesis with tetracycline hydrochloride and tube thoracostomy alone. (ii) To make a standard protocolfor management. Study design: A prospective randomized case control study. Setting: The dept. of thoracic surgeryof the National Institute of Diseases of the Chest and Hospital (NIDCH), Dhaka, Bangladesh. Period: From January2003 to December 2003. Material & Methods: Sixty patients with spontaneous pneumothorax, secondary to COPD.After randomization, 30 patients were treated with tube thoracostomy followed by pleurodesis with tetracyclinehydrochloride and another 30 patients of control group were treated with tube thoracostomy alone. Results: Patientswere followed up upto 6 months and were looked for recurrence. Patients with spontaneous pneumothorax were of4 to 6 decades of life and most of them were th th male. Most patients presented with moderate size of pneumothoraxand required 91-110 hours for lung expansion after tube thoracostomy. Recurrence rate of spontaneous pneumothoraxsecondary to COPD in the tetracycline group was 3.3%, whereas in control group it was 30%. Intrapleural instillationof tetracycline hydrochloride significantly reduces the recurrence of spontaneous pneumothorax secondary to COPD.(P=0.015). Morbidity related to tetracycline was negligible. Moreover, tetracycline is cheap, easily available, non-toxic,well tolerated. Conclusion: It is concluded that recurrence rate of spontaneous pneumothorax secondary to COPDcan be reduced effectively by chemical pleurodesis with tetracycline hydrochloride without any significant morbidityrelated to tetracycline hydrochloride and it is also very cost effective.