Are doctors allowed to cry at work?

This article recounts a poignant interaction between the author and a mother of a child with cerebral palsy. The mother's remarkable strength and optimism in the face of adversity deeply moved the author, leading to a tearful moment which prompted a comforting response from the mother. The ongoing debate regarding whether doctors are allowed to display emotions in their professional lives centers around the challenge of balancing professionalism with the emotional impact of providing healthcare to patients. While doctors are expected to uphold professionalism and make sound decisions in their work environment, simultaneous expression of emotions, empathy, and vulnerabilities becomes inevitable.

A Pilot Study On Identification And Management Of Drug Induced Sexual Dysfunction: A Collaborative Approach By Clinical Pharmacist And Psychiatrist

Objective: To assess the role of clinical pharmacists in the identification and management of drug-induced sexual dysfunction in collaboration with the psychiatrist and also to determine the prevalence and pattern of drug-induced sexual dysfunction, identify nature and extend of drug-induced sexual dysfunction, and assess the pattern of management of drug-induced sexual dysfunction. Methods: This periodic prevalence interventional study was carried out among patients who visited the psychiatric department of a university hospital over three month’s period. Patients were screened for sexual dysfunction using the Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (ASEX) by study pharmacists. Results: Of the 100 patients reviewed, only 50% of subjects met the study criteria. Depression (42%) was the most common clinical diagnosis among the study patients. The overall prevalence of drug-induced sexual dysfunction was 16%. A higher incidence of drug-induced sexual dysfunction was observed in men (62.5%). Decrease libido (40%) was the most prominently observed drug-induced sexual dysfunction in both genders. Antidepressant (50%) was the most common class of drugs implicated in sexual dysfunction. Drug-induced sexual dysfunction was pharmacologically managed with vaginal lubrication (40%), Tadalafil (20%) and Tadalafil+Dapoxetine combination (40%). Conclusion: With this study, provided a vision, further how prospective studies in this arena may be carried out for better understanding drug-induced sexual dysfunction and how a clinical pharmacist can contribute for better health care of patients in the sex clinic by collaborating with medical practitioners.

Study of management strategies in ACTH secreting pituitary microadenoma of Cushing disease

Background: Pituitary Microadenomas can be defined as small lesions less than 1 cm in the pituitary and detected as incidentalomas. Partial development or late development around puberty leads to maldevelopment of secondary sexual characteristics due to pituitary adenomas. Clinically this may manifest as secondary amenorrhoea and may lead to hyperprolactinaemia, galactorrhoea and Amenorrhoea. ACTH secreting micro adenomas of the Pituitary Gland is a clinical entity where the role of surgery is contemplated. This study attempted to explore the management options and strategies for pituitary microadenomas. The aim of the study: To highlight the characteristics of Cushing’s disease and discuss the management strategies including trans-sphenoidal surgery to treat ACTH secreting pituitary microadenomas. Materials and methods: This was a non-randomised prospective observational study involving all adrenal tumors from 2007-2017 in Madras Medical College, Chennai. Two adrenocortical adenomas M.S. Senthil Kumar, Rajan Ganesan, A. Nithyanandham, V. Kannan, T. Suresh Babu, K. Prabhakaran. Study of management strategies in ACTH secreting pituitary microadenoma of Cushing’s disease. IAIM, 2019; 6(3): 253-258. Page 254 with virilising features were ruled out and 8 ACTH secreting Cushing's disease with microadenomas were identified. 3 Patients with ACTH secreting microadenomas of Cushing's disease underwent surgery whereas 3 underwent medical treatment based on which this paper attempted to discuss management strategies for Cushings disease. Results: ACTH levels were measurable with an average of 136.71pg/ml (normal 7.2-63.3 pg/ml) Corticotrophin releasing hormone test was planned to evaluate an exaggerated response of serum cortisol consistent with pituitary disease. It was not carried out and inferior petrosal sampling also was not done. Biochemical evaluation confirmed pituitary dependent Cushing’s disease. MRI revealed a prominent circumscribed lesion suggestive of a Pituitary Micro Adenoma in All 6 Cases. Conclusion: Pituitary micro adenomas are operable and in Cushing’s disease offer an effective cure. The outcome is good with minimal complications, but surgeons must have a thorough knowledge of the surrounding anatomy and potential complications.

Head and neck cancer in geriatric patients: Analysis of the pattern of care given at a tertiary cancer care center.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The percentage of elderly people with head and neck cancers (HNC) is on the rise. This makes HNC in this group of patients an important issue for healthcare providers. The present study was planned to analyze the patterns of care given to the geriatric patients and to identify the factors influencing the decision making process. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data of all the elderly patients (≥65 years) registered in the year 2012, with histologically proven HNC (all sites, stages, histopathological types, except lymphoma, sarcoma and cervical metastasis of unknown origin) receiving treatment (definitive/palliative) were collected. RESULTS: A total of 270 patients were included in this study. The median age was 72 years (range: 65–101), with predominant male population (70%, n = 190). Oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) was the most common cancer (57%, n = 154). Eastern Co‑Operative Oncology Group performance status (PS) of 0–2 was seen in 91% of the patients. Co‑morbidities were present in 139 (51.5%) patients. 50% (n = 134) of the patients received palliative intent treatment, 45% (n = 123) definitive treatment, whereas in 5% (n = 13) the intent was not mentioned. Age, a clinical stage and PS significantly influenced the decision making on the intent of treatment. 208 (77%) patients completed their treatment irrespective of the intent. Age was the only factor influencing treatment completion irrespective of the intent. CONCLUSION: Geriatric HNC patients frequently present with advanced disease, having multiple co‑morbidities. Hence, a multidisciplinary team management of these patients is essential, also taking into account of the social and financial support available to these patients.

Management of Grossly Displaced Paediatric Supracondylar Humeral Fractures with Delayed Presentation by Closed Reduction and Percutaneous Pinning.

Background: Management guidelines are not yet clear for these patients who present late with displaced supracondylar fracture. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the clinical, radiological and functional outcome following closed reduction and percutaneous pinning of widely displaced supracondylar fractures of the humerus presenting 24 hours or more after injury. Patients and Methods: This prospective study was conducted at the Orthopaedic and Trauma Department of Dr Pinnamaneni Siddartha Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Foundation, Chinnoutpalli from January 2010 to July 2011. A total of 44 children were included in this study who had displaced supracondylar fracture of humerus presenting late ie, after 24 hours after injury and within a week. They were treated with closed reduction of the fracture and percutaneous pinning. Follow-up was done up to 12 months. Results: Patients were assessed on the basis of Flynn’s criteria, there were 37 excellent, 6 good results and fair results in 1 case. There were 25 boys and 19 girls. The average age of the patients was 7.5 years (range: 4 to 12 years). Fall on the outstretched hand was the mechanism of injury in 36 patients, and the other 8 patients were pedestrians struck by a motor vehicle. Non-dominant extremity was more commonly involved (30 patients). In 24 patients the fracture was displaced posteromedially (54.54%), in 18 patients posterolaterally (40.90%), and 2 patients had isolated posterior displacement (2.54%). The average delay in presentation was 57.56 hours (range: 1 day to 6 days). The mean time to surgery after presentation was 9.83 hours (range: 4 hours to 13 hours) and the mean time to surgery after trauma was 67.39 hours. Sixteen patients had one or more attempts of reduction by massaging by a quack and in 2 patients it was attempted by a qualified surgeon before they presented to us. 26 patients (59.09) visited a quack prior to presentation to us. There was a direct relation between duration of delayed presentation and the times of manoeuvre. Sixteen patients (36.36%) had neurologic complications at presentation to the emergency room of which three had median nerve palsy (6.81%) where as seven (15.90%) had isolated anterior interosseous nerve palsy and six (13.6%) had radial nerve palsy all patients showed total neurological recovery at 12 weeks follow-up. Six patients (13.63%) had vascular compromise at initial presentation of which five patients had feeble radial pulse and one had absent radial pulse, but capillary filling was adequate in all. The pulse was restored within 24 hours in all patients following reduction. Conclusion: Our preliminary results support our recommendation ie, closed reduction and percutaneous pin fixation as an effective treatment option for grossly displaced supracondylar fractures presenting late but requires good and careful judgment and also technique by the surgeon to avoid complications. Our results also support the chances of spontaneous recovery of peripheral nerve palsy and brachial artery spasm post reduction over a period of time in majority of cases though they present late.

Tolerance and toxicity of neoadjuvant docetaxel, cisplatin and 5 fluorouracil regimen in technically unresectable oral cancer in resource limited rural based tertiary cancer center.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies indicate neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) can result in R0 resection in a substantial proportion of patients with technically unresectable oral cavity cancers. However, data regarding the efficacy and safety of docetaxel, cisplatin and 5 fluorouracil (TPF) NACT in our setting is lacking. The present audit was proposed to evaluate the toxicities encountered during administration of this regimen. It was hypothesized that TPF NACT would be considered feasible for routine administration if an average relative dose intensity (ARDI) of ≥0.90 or more in at least 70% of the patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Technically unresectable oral cancers with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group PS 0-2, with biopsy proven squamous cell carcinoma underwent two cycles of NACT with TPF regimen. Toxicity and response rates were noted following the CTCAE 4.03 and RECIST criteria. Descriptive analysis of completion rates (completing 2 cycles of planned chemotherapy with ARDI of 0.85 or more), reason for delay, toxicity, and response are presented. RESULTS: The NACT was completed by all patients. The number of subjects who completed all planned cycles of chemotherapy are with the ARDI of the delivered chemotherapy been equal to or >0.85 was 11 (91.67%). All toxicity inclusive Grade 3-5 toxicity was seen in 11 patients (91.67%). The response rate of chemotherapy was 83.33%. There were three complete response, seven partial response, and two stable disease seen post NACT in this study. CONCLUSION: Docetaxel, cisplatin and 5 fluorouracil regimen can be routinely administered at our center with the supportive care methods and precautionary methods used in our study.

Spatial Distribution of Aphid, Uroleucon Compositae Theobald on Safflower.

A Field experiment was carried out during 2011-12 rabi to study the spatial distribution of aphid, Uroleucon compositae (Theobald) on safflower. Various indices of dispersion, i.e. variance-mean ratio, dispersion parameter, David and Moore’s index, Charlier coefficient, Index of Lexis and Llyods index of patchiness revealed that safflower aphid followed aggregated distribution throughout the crop growth.

Are tomorrow’s doctors aware of the code of medical ethics.

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the awareness of the ‘ethical code of conduct for medical practitioners’ among medical undergraduate students. Setting: Tertiary care medical college and hospital. Materials and methods: This study covered 172 medical students in a private medical school in Pondicherry, located in southern India.

Photographing patients: an emerging unethical trend.

It is increasingly common to find medical students taking bedside clinical pictures or videos of patients. It is not unusual to find even groups of students doing this, during or after a clinical class. The recent surge in the usage of cell phones with cameras, and the increasing lack of sensitivity to patients’ feelings, are responsible for this behaviour. These photographs are taken either without the patient’s consent or with casual verbal consent without an explanation of its implications.

A comparative study on microwave and routine tissue processing.

Aim and Objective: The present study was aimed at assessing the rapid microwave-assisted tissue processing and staining to determine if it can replace standard formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded processing and staining technique. Materials and Methods: The study group consisted of 15 oral mucosal biopsies. The specimens were fixed in 10% formalin for 24 hours to ensure adequate fixation and their gross features were recorded, photographed, and then the specimens were cut into equal halves to be processed by both conventional and microwave histoprocessing methods and then subsequently stained with H and E by microwave and conventional methods. The stained slides in each group processed by both microwave and routine methods were randomly numbered for a blind study and circulated among six observers. All the observers were asked to grade each parameter into Excellent/Good/Average/Poor in a data sheet comprising a total of six parameters. These gradings were given a numerical value of 4, 3, 2 and 1, respectively. The parameters included in the data sheet were cellular clarity, cytoplasmic details, nuclear details, color intensity, interface of epithelium and connective tissue. Wilcoxon-matched pairs signed rank test (non-parametric) was used to calculate the test of significance (P value). Results: The total processing time involved in microwave was 42 minutes and 270 minutes for the conventional method. H and E staining in microwave took 33 minutes and 40 minutes for conventional method. Conclusions: The individual scores by different observers regarding the various parameters included in the study were statistically insignificant, the overall quality of microwave-processed and microwave-stained slides appeared slightly better than conventionally processed and stained slides.

Shaken baby syndrome.

A 35-day-old male infant with presumed shaken baby syndrome is reported. This first born child to mother educated upto middle school and father tailor by occupation was brought from a remote village 180 kms away from JIPMER. Poor feeding, focal clonic seizures were the initial symptoms. The fundus examination revealed fresh preretinal and vitreous hemorrhages. CT Brain showed right sided subdural hemorrhage with subarachnoid extension and midline shift. He had a normal platelet count and coagulation profile. The sensorium deteriorated and infant expired despite adequate ventilatory support.

Activity test for biological sulfate reduction.

Biofilm reactors with turbulent agitation are often the best choice for sulfate reduction using hydrogen as electron donor for treatment of metal sulfate wastewater. In this paper, a simple activity set-up with self aspiration of gas into liquid is described for determining the sulphidogenic activity of biofilms on polystyrene beads. Sulfate reducing bacteria attached to the beads of size 1-2 mm and 2 mm were found helpful for 0.058 g SO4(2-) reduction per g of dry beads per day and 0.33 g SO4(2-) reduction per g of dry beads respectively. Also it is observed that zinc has no impact on this activity at the concentration of 680 mg/L.

Biologically active principles isolated from Salacia oblonga wall.

From the petroleum ether extract of the root bark of Salacia Oblonga wall, two biologically active fractions have been isolated by column and thin layer chromatography. The methanol eluted fraction of the extract absorbed on a column of silica gel at a concentration of 50 micrograms/ml showed 100 percent cytotoxicity on Ehrlich ascites tumour cells. The chloroform eluted fraction of the pet. ether extract and a fluorescent compound separated from it by TLC demonstrated about 60% and 76% hypoglycemic potency of an equal dose of tolbutamide (250 mg/kg) in albino rats. The results indicate the therapeutic importance of S. Oblonga wall.

Foot pressure measurement in leprosy and footwear design.

Leprosy patients deprived of sensory feedback allow excessive pressures to be applied to feet, thereby cause foot ulcers. Quantitative knowledge of the pressure distribution under leprotic feet is helpful to prevent further damage to foot by designing suitable footwear. This paper describes barographic technique for measurement of pressures under the leprotic feet and the design of special footwear for prevention of foot ulcers.