Iridociliary measurements using the Anterion swept-source optical coherence tomography

Purpose: Anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS?OCT) by a swept source can visualize the ciliary body. The study was performed for analyzing the feasibility of a new swept?source OCT (Anterion) device for measuring iris ciliary sulcus, ciliary body thickness, and iris thickness. Methods: It is a pilot study among 30 normal young participants and hospital employees with their consent. The ciliary body, iris thickness, and ciliary sulcus were measured and compared to the results in the literature. We obtained 28 good?quality results. The main outcome measures were iris thickness (near and away from the pupillary margin), ciliary body thickness, and iridociliary sulcus measurement. Results: The iris thickness 2.5 mm from the pupillary margin was 0.70 ± 0.10 mm in the right eye and 0.68 ± 0.11 in the left eye. Closer to the root, the iris thickness varied from 0.55 ± 0.16 mm (right eye) and 0.57 ± 0.12 (left eye). Ciliary body thickness: Right eye 0.59 ± 0.14mm (28 good images), left eye 0.58 ± 0.13mm; ciliary sulcus (inner angle): right eye 82.65 ± 26.6°, left eye 83.66 ± 30.1°. Conclusion: Anterion OCT is feasible in our setting for various measurements and can provide valuable inputs to ophthalmologists for the treatment of ocular diseases.

Perception of Phase 1 MBBS students on E- Learning and online assessment during Covid-19 at Govt. Medical Colleges, West Bengal, India

Introduction: This study investigated medical students' perception of E-learning and online assessment during Covid- 19 and their suggestion to overcome the problems. A total of 300 1st year medical students of Calcutta NationalMethod: Medical College and Rampurhat Govt. Medical College were surveyed by a pre-validated semi-structured questionnaire that was provided to the 2021-22 batch. Among 242 respondents (169 at CNMC and 73 atResult: RPHGMC)159 were males (mean age 20.14 ±2.22yrs.) and 83 were females (mean age 19.65±.1.1yrs.). 68.8% of students of both the colleges revealed that offline traditional teaching is more preferrable than e-leaning. They reported that e- learning is not much effective in practical physiology teaching. Poor network, Technical glitches and lack of communication with teachers are outlined as major barriers in online teaching. Students did not prefer e-Conclusion: teaching over face-to-face teaching during the lock down situation.

Fasting, Feasting: From a Feminist Perspective

Western feminism is encapsulated in literature and corresponds in written form, which is contradictory to the East, especially in countries like India. Because of its oral tradition and greater illiteracy, the effect of this discourse was limited to the urban community. But the recent scenario is different as rural people are much better informed with the advent of the electronic media. Indian women writers in English have been raring to try their hands at writing over the past few decades and perpetually making efforts to accomplish their mission successfully. They no longer fall behind their male counterparts no matter what the genre is. Their artistic creations are axiomatic and have bagged a prominent place in the spectrum of world literature. Women novelists are now globally recognized for their contribution to the amplification of Indian Writings in English, especially in the genre of fiction which causes the acclivity of feminist literature. The most prominent among them are Shobha Dey, Arundhati Roy, Anita Desai, Kamala Markandeya, Ruth Prawar Jhabvala, Shakuntala Shrinagesh, Bharathi Mukherjee, and Kiran Desai, who defy the deep-seated patriarchy. Among these writers, Anita Desai denies a narrow feminist approach and portrays females' desire for liberty from social and traditional bondages in patriarchy. The present paper explores the despicable status of women in the Indian patriarchy and expounds on the depiction of the psychological plight of her female characters and gender oppression in her novel Fasting, Feasting. As a prominent Indian writer, Desai proposes her outlook and stance on the issues of femininity and elucidates that Indian feminism contradicts the Western one.

Prevalence of risk alleles in the lysyl oxidase-like 1 gene in pseudoexfoliation glaucoma patients in India

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to genotype two previously identified SNPs (rs1048661:R141L, and rs3825942:G153D) in the lysyl oxidase?like 1 (LOXL1) gene and determine their association with pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (XFG) in patients from Pune, India. Methods: All subjects underwent detailed phenotyping, and DNA extraction was performed on blood samples by using standardized techniques. Exon 1 of the LOXL1 gene containing the SNPs (rs3825942:G153D; rs1048661:R141L) were Sanger sequenced, and the results were analyzed using sequence analysis software SeqScape 2.1.1. Results: Data were analyzed from 71 patients with XFG and 81 disease?negative, age?matched controls. There was a strong association between the G allele of rs3825942 and XFG with an odds ratio of 10.2 (CI: 3.92–26.6; P < 0.001). The G allele of rs1048661 also showed an increase in risk relative to the T allele (OR = 1.49; CI: 0.88–2.51; P = 0.13), but this was not significant. Haplotype combination frequencies were estimated for rs1048661 and rs3825942; the GG haplotype was associated with a significant increase in risk (OR = 3.91; CI: 2.27–6.73; P < 0.001). Both the GA and TG haplotypes were associated with decreased XFG risk, although the latter was not significant (GA: OR = 0.08; CI: 0.03–0.21; P < 0.001; TG: OR = 0.67; CI: 0.40–1.13; P = 0.13). Conclusion: The risk G allele in rs3852942 (G153D) is strongly associated with the development of XFG in the Western Indian population. Genetic screening strategies to identify LOXL1 risk alleles in the population can assist in case definition and early diagnosis, targeting precious resources to high?risk patients.

Othello: A Postcolonial Play

In pursuance of Literary Theory and Criticism, texts are drastically heterogeneous. They do not contain any general meaning, but each time a text is read from a different perspective, it reproduces new meanings and contributes to the propagation of new ideas and theories. A deconstructive reading can reveal the irreconcilable possibilities generated by the text, and the reader finds it strenuous to determine any permanent meanings. In this paper, Shakespeare's Othello is read from a different perspective in adherence to postcolonial theory. The Othello bears several references to postcolonial qualities – the Eurocentric ideology of Elizabethan people, who incline to think and express their thoughts in terms of binary oppositions, the notion of postcolonial othering, the position of marginalized, a clash between the Orient and the Occident, the hybridity of culture, identity crisis, and European racial consciousness, etc. Thus, the present paper focuses mainly on Shakespeare's work Othello with a postcolonial approach in the light of Edward Said's Orientalism.

Biocontrol potential of endophytic fungi in tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze) leaves against selected fungal phytopathogens

Aims@#Endophytic fungi are a diverse group of microorganisms that stay asymptomatically in the healthy tissues of the host. Many fungal endophytes are associated with the tea plant (Camellia sinensis) and the pathogens of the tea plant have the potential to grow as endophytes or act as latent pathogens during the initial growth of the plant. The present study aimed at screening tea endophytic fungi with the potential for control of a few critical phytopathogens, Fusarium sp., Lasiodiplodia theobromae, Pestalotiopsis sp. and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum while evaluating the efficiency of growth inhibition of these phytopathogens by the endophytic fungal isolates using in vitro assays.@*Methodology and results@#Five endophytic fungal strains; Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, C. siamense, Daldinia eschscholtzii, Pseudopestalotiopsis chinensis and Phyllosticta capitalensis isolated from leaves of C. sinensis in Sri Lanka were evaluated for growth inhibition against plant pathogens; Fusarium sp., L. theobromae, Pestalotiopsis sp. and S. sclerotiorum using the dual culture assay and volatile compound-mediated inhibition assay. All the fungal endophytes used in this study exhibited antifungal activity against Fusarium sp., Pestalotiopsis sp. and S. sclerotiorum in the dual culture assay on PDA. Daldinia eschscholtzii (67.30%) and C. gloeosporioides (61.54%) showed strong antagonistic activity against S. sclerotiorum, while P. capitalensis (42.30%) demonstrated moderate activity. All the endophytic fungal strains showed moderate antifungal activities against Fusarium sp. The percentage growth inhibitions of Pestalotiopsis sp. by all the endophytic isolates tested were below 25.00%. In the volatile compound-mediated inhibition assay, none of the endophytic isolates showed visible inhibition against the phytopathogens used.@*Conclusion, significance and impact of study@#In this study, the fungal endophytes which showed potential antagonistic activity against the tested phytopathogens can be used to develop commercialized products of fungal biocontrol agents (BCAs) for controlling plant fungal diseases.

Suppression and management of Meloidogyne incognita in soil using Trichoderma harzianum NFCF160 and Trichoderma virens Isf-77

Aims@#Meloidogyne incognita adversely affects numerous crop plants worldwide. Therefore, the modern world has been moving towards biocontrol methods to prevent nematode attacks. This study was aimed to (i) investigate the potential use of Trichoderma harzianum NFCF160 and T. virens Isf-77 in managing M. incognita in soil and (ii) identify trapping mechanisms employed by both Trichoderma strains to suppress M. incognita.@*Methodology and results@#Three weeks old, Basella alba L. plants were subjected to five different treatments. The above and below ground growth parameters and the galling indices of these plants were measured every four weeks for three sampling times. Trapping mechanisms employed by Trichoderma strains were examined following plate assays. Plants treated with T. harzianum NFCF160 and T. virens Isf-77 had significantly higher values for the total number of leaves (34 ± 2.84) and (27 ± 2.61), fresh weight of the shoot (81 ± 9.51 g) and (91 ± 9.70 g), dry weight of the shoot (71 ± 5.24 g) and (62 ± 5.81 g), respectively eight weeks after inoculation of M. incognita. Significantly low galling indices (2 and 2) were recorded in B. alba treated with Trichoderma strains. Both Trichoderma strains exhibited various nematode-trapping mechanisms, such as non-constricting rings and adhesive spores.@*Conclusion, significance and impact of study@#This investigation highlighted the potential of both Trichoderma strains as biocontrol agents to control M. incognita effect in sustainable agriculture.

Pregnancy outcome of external cephalic version in singleton pregnancy with breech presentation at term

Background: Breech delivery is associated with poor perinatal outcomes irrespective of the route of delivery. External cephalic version can be a useful tool in management of breech presentation at term by converting it to a cephalic presentation. A study was conducted to evaluate maternal and neonatal outcome of external cephalic version in singleton pregnancies with breech presentation in third trimester.Methods: A prospective observational study was carried out at a tertiary care hospital over a period of 2 years. This study included a total of 65 uncomplicated cases of breech presentation who fulfilled the inclusion criteria. External cephalic version was carried out after 36 weeks of period of gestation in primigravida and after 37 weeks in multigravida women. These patients were followed up till delivery and data was collected and analysed regarding the mode of delivery, maternal and fetal outcome.Results: External cephalic version was successful in 41 patients with a success rate of 63%. Out of them, vaginal delivery could be achieved in 31 cases (75.6%) and LSCS was done for rest of the 10 cases. The success rate was higher in multigravida ladies compared to primigravida ladies. No major procedure related adverse event was noticed in our study.Conclusions: External cephalic version is a very safe and easy procedure which can reduce the rate of cesarean delivery in singleton pregnancies with breech presentation. The results of this study are in favor of wider practice of this procedure in selected cases.

Eclipta alba L. Derived Phytochemicals against Escherichia coli Causing Diarrhea

Phytochemicals from Eclipta albaL.plant extract are traditionally used to cure Diarrhea. It is caused by Escherichia coli.Molecular docking method applied using “Biovia Discovery Studio”. “High positive values of -CDOCKER energy and -CDOCKER interaction energy” suggested that Pentadecanone can effectively deactivate the alcohol dehydrogenase enzyme (protein database code 4GKV) thereby interrupting the life cycle of the organism

Eclipta alba L. Derived Phytochemicals against Campylobacter Causing Diarrhea

Phytochemicals from Eclipta albaL.plant extract are traditionally used to cure Diarrhea. It is caused by Campylobacter. Molecular docking method applied using “Biovia Discovery Studio”. “High positive values of -CDocker energy and -CDocker interaction energy” suggested that 6, 10, 14-trimethyl-2-pentadecanone can effectively deactivate the Argininedecarboxylase enzyme (protein database code 3N29) thereby interrupting the life cycle of the organism

A comparative analysis of mammography breast imaging reporting and data system score and fine needle aspiration cytology in the evaluation of palpable breast lump

Background: Breast lump is one of the commonest complaints with which patients present in breast clinics. As in most cases breast lump ultimately leads to a diagnosis of breast cancer, it is important for women with a breast lump to receive appropriate evaluation. So initial diagnostic approach such as utilization of rapid, inexpensive, presumptive and safe method is utmost important as such methods not only would benefit both patients and clinicians by prompting proper preoperative diagnosis and management but also further limits unnecessary testing and procedures. Aim and objectives of this study was to analyse the diagnostic accuracy of mammogram according to Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) score and fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in patients presented with benign and malignant breast lumps in authors centre.Methods: During this retrospective study from January 2018 to December 2018, the subjects concerned included all the female patients, who were referred to the department of pathology for FNAC of their breast mass and had radiological reports (mammography) with BI-RADS score according to the latest guidelines. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive and negative predictive values of BI-RADS scores and FNAC in diagnosis of breast diseases was done on the basis of final diagnosis.Results: In this study, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy was 88.57%, 82.46%,75.61%,92.16% and 84.78%, respectively for Mammography (BIRADS) score and 100% for all the parameters on FNAC.Conclusions: According to authors above study findings concluded that FNAC could be considered an ideal initial diagnostic modality in all breast lumps recognized by means of imaging techniques. It is not only considered as safe, cost effective, rapid and presumptive diagnostic method but also further limits unnecessary testing and procedures.

Clinicopathological study of malignant melanoma in a regional cancer center

BACKGROUND: Malignant melanoma is a tumor of melanocytic origin. Although uncommon in India as compared with the west, its prevalence is increasing. OBJECTIVES: To document the pattern of clinicopathological features of malignant melanoma cases attending in a regional cancer center in eastern India. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The present study was a retrospective study of 182 cases diagnosed histopathologically as malignant melanoma during 2011–2016. RESULTS: Out of the total cases, 170 (93.4%) were cutaneous and 12 (6.6%) were noncutaneous melanoma. The most common age group was sixth decade with a male predominance. Conventional melanotic melanomas were 176 (96.70%), and only 6 cases (3.30%) were amelanotic melanoma. Among noncutaneous melanomas, 6 were in anorectum, 2 in conjunctiva, and 1 case each in nasal cavity, palate, gingivo-buccal sulcus, and vagina. The acrallentigenous type was the most common variety, and the mixed epithelioid and spindle cell type was the most common histopathological pattern. Clark's level III was the most common level of invasion. CONCLUSION: The lower extremity is the most common site for melanoma, whereas extracutaneous melanomas are exceedingly rare and aggressive neoplasms. Melanoma can metastasize to regional lymph nodes, however, visceral metastasis to liver can also occur. In the absence of pigment in amelanotic melanoma, immunohistochemical markers such as HMB 45 can be used for definitive diagnosis.

Critical analysis of maternal deaths from sepsis in a tertiary care center and lessons learned

Background: Maternal mortality in India is reported to be 300 to 500 per 100,000 births in the Bulletin of World Health Organisation. It is far away from Millennium development goal 5 where it is required to reduce MMR to 109 per 100, 000 live births. Sepsis in pregnancy continues to be the third leading cause of preventable maternal deaths in India, still accounts for up to 10 to 50% of maternal deaths in our country. Aim: It was to critically analyze all the mothers who died due to sepsis in order to identify factors associated with deaths. Materials and methods: This prospective study was carried out in the labor room, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, King George hospital, Andhra Medical College for a period of twelve months from November 2016 to October 2017. All the mothers who died due to sepsis were included in the study and they were all analyzed modelled on the United Kingdom Confidential Enquiries into maternal deaths. Results: During the study period there were 44 total maternal deaths out of 5863 births giving maternal mortality ratio of 641 per 100,000 maternities. Out of 44 maternal deaths, 14 were due to sepsis making it the leading cause of maternal mortality in our institute. Out of fourteen deaths due to Chuppana Ragasudha, Atluri Phani Madhavi, Pulidindi Sanjana Sharon, Hyma, Sirisha, Syamala, Sravanthi, Sagarika. Critical analysis of maternal deaths from sepsis in a tertiary care center and lessons learned. IAIM, 2017; 4(12): 5-9. Page 6 sepsis nine were due to direct causes and the remaining five were due to indirect causes such as pneumonia, sickle cell disease with malaria, and pancytopenia. The ages of the women who died ranged from 19 to 38 years with a median age of 26 years. All had normal body mass index. Five women who died were tribals, six from rural areas and the remaining three from slums of urban areas. Eight women were primigravid. Eight women died from sepsis in the antenatal period, two deaths were in the first trimester after criminal abortion, three due to pneumonia, one had intrauterine dead fetus infected and the other was due to pancytopenia. Four deaths were due to genital tract sepsis after cesarean section and two were due to genital tract sepsis after normal delivery. These six had risk factors such as anemia, prolonged rupture of membranes etc. Conclusion: In few cases, the outcome was inevitable, but for majority it might have been different had the infection been diagnosed and treated more promptly. There are lessons learned from the deaths of these women to improve the survival of mothers and to achieve millennium development goal 5.

Assessment of Quality of Life in Hypertensive Patients.

Assessing the quality of life of hypertensive patients is an important issue as it’s much worse than healthy individuals. The aim of the study was to assess the quality of life in the hypertensive patients and to evaluate the functional capacity, physical aspects, pain, general health, vitality, social aspects, emotional aspects and mental health of the patient. The Study was conducted in a Tertiary care Hospital, Erode. A total of 300 patients were selected in the study period of 6 months. Short form 36 item (SF-36) health survey questionnaire was used in this study to assess the quality of life in hypertensive patients. In the present study, mental health (Avg. score 25.8) was the component mostly affected in hypertensive patients followed by emotional aspects (Avg. score 33.43) and vitality (Avg. score 36). Social aspects (Avg. score 83.14), physical aspects (Avg. score 75.4) and functional capacities (Avg. score 67.1) appear to be least affected. Pain (Avg. score 49.3) was moderately affected and physical aspect (Avg. score 75.4) was least affected by hypertension. Proper treatment and awareness about hypertension is necessary for the patient’s mental and emotional well being.

Intentional Reimplantation: A Report of Two Cases.

Intentional reimplantation is a procedure in which tooth extraction is performed followed by reinsertion of the extracted tooth into its own socket after performing the desired procedure. In this study, two case reports of intentional reimplantation are described and discussed as a treatment approach for broken instrument and a periapical lesion that is very near to mandibular canal in mandibular first molar. The indications for and limitations of intentional reimplantation as well as recommended literature on the subject is discussed. The present article describes two cases of intentional replantation: (1) Mandibular first molar with continuous pus discharge and (2) mandibular first molar with the fractured instrument.

Non-carious Cervical Lesion: A Review Article.

Non-carious cervical lesions are usually described as “tooth substance loss.” Such process includes attrition, abrasion, erosion, abfraction, localized non-hereditary dentinal hypocalcification, localized non-hereditary dentinal hypoplasia, amelogenesis imperfecta, dentinogenesis imperfecta, and tooth trauma. The non-carious cervical lesion is complex lesions in which there is a loss of enamel, dentin, cementum, bone and keratinized attached gingiva. Furthermore, there is gingival crest disharmony, poor emergence profile, loss of identifiable cemento-enamel junction, Miller’s recession class, and dentin/root sensitivity. The treatment of this non-carious lesion includes restorations such as glass-ionomer cement (GIC), composites, and Resin-modified GIC. We can even restore them with porcelain fused metal crowns or full ceramic crowns.

Presence of Mesiobuccal 2 and Mesiobuccal 3 Canal in Maxillary First Molar: An Illusion.

Successful endodontic treatment involves a proper access cavity preparation, biomechanical principles, and three-dimensional obturation. Thus, the clinician should have a through knowledge of anatomy and morphology of the root canal system. Failure in root canal therapy may be due to inability in locating the canal and its proper debridement. The configuration and a number of root canals in the maxillary first molars have been discussed for more than half a century. Maxillary first molars commonly present with three roots and three canals, with a second mesiobuccal canal (MB2) and (MB3). The current case reports describe the presence of extra canals MB2 and MB3 in a maxillary first molar.

You Can Never Judge the Fate of a Broken Tip in Endodontic Practice.

The fracture of endodontic instruments is a common procedural error created during a root canal therapy. Starting from the hand files and up to the use of rotary systems, the root canal therapy is sometimes associated with the fracture of the instruments inside the root canal. The purpose of this work was to report a clinical case of removal of a fractured endodontic instrument in the root canal of a maxillary premolar, when part of this fragment extended through the apical foramen. In this case, a simple and a feasible chairside technique was used for the retrieval of the separated file tip.

Synchronous adenocarcinoma and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma of the colon

Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue [MALT] tumors are a distinct subtype of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Synchronous appearance of adenocarcinoma and colonic MALT lymphoma in the same patient is quite rare. In the present report, we describe a 68-year-old female who presented with a history of bleeding per rectum. She had no history of fever, loss of weight or drenching night sweats. Rectal examination revealed no abnormality. Colonoscopy showed a large ulceroproliferative mass arising from the hepatic flexure, biopsy of which came out to be adenocarcinoma of colon. A right hemicolectomy was performed and microscopic study revealed the tumor type to be synchronous adenocarcinoma with lymphoma. The final diagnosis of this patient turned out to be a synchronous manifestation of both colonic adenocarcinoma and colonic MALT lymphoma. Although the patient remains asymptomatic two years after surgery, the case highlights the therapeutic dilemma that prevails in the definitive management in such scenarios