Prevention and amelioration of erythrocyte instability observed under deficiency of vitamin B12 alone or combined with micronutrient limitation through dietary supplementation with Chlorella and Spirulina

Micronutrient rich microalgae, Chlorella and Spirulina, could be natural food supplements to overcome the micronutrient deficiency, increasingly recognised as a global health issue. In two independent experiments, the Spirulina and Chlorella were evaluated as prophylactic and ameliorative dietary supplements of vitamin B12. Erythrocyte stability (relative osmotic fragility and haemolysis percentage), haematological parameters, micronutrient deficiency (serum levels of iron, zinc), plasma vitamin B12 and vitamin B12 biomarker (methylmalonic acid) were analysed. The deficient groups receiving Spirulina and Chlorella as prophylactic dietary supplements showed a 1.34 to 1.41 folds increase in serum iron and a 2.13 to 2.19 folds increase in plasma vitamin B12, compared to B12 deficient group. Supplementation of Spirulina to ameliorate vitamin B12 deficiency combined with micronutrient limitation showed an increase of 1.14 folds and 1.2 folds in serum iron and zinc respectively and 1.51 folds in plasma vitamin B12 compared to the deficient group. The relative osmotic fragility of erythrocytes in deficient experimental animals was 17 to 45% higher compared to the control. The osmotic fragility and deformation in the morphology of erythrocytes observed under vitamin B12 deficiency, alone or in combination with micronutrient limitation, were prevented and ameliorated on dietary supplementation with the microalgal biomass.

Navigated intraoperative ultrasonography for brain tumors: a pictorial essay on the technique, its utility, and its benefits in neuro-oncology

Intraoperative imaging has become one of the most important adjuncts in neurosurgery, especially in the surgical treatment of intra-axial tumors. Navigation and intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging have limitations, and intraoperative ultrasonography (IOUS) has emerged as a versatile and multifaceted alternative. With technological advances in ultrasound scanners and newer multifunctional probes, the potential of IOUS is increasingly being utilized in the resection of tumors. The addition of image guidance to IOUS has exponentially increased the power of this technique. Navigated ultrasonography (nUS) can now overcome many of the limitations of conventional standalone two-dimensional ultrasonography. In this pictorial essay, we outline our nUS technique (both two- and three-dimensional) for the resection of intra-axial tumors with illustrated examples highlighting the various steps and corresponding benefits of the technique.

Is treatment with platelet-rich fibrin better than zinc oxide eugenol in cases of established dry socket for controlling pain, reducing inflammation, and improving wound healing?

OBJECTIVES: To appraise the effectiveness of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) in the management of established dry socket in terms of pain, inflammation, and wound healing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred patients with established alveolar osteitis were studied to determine the efficacy of PRF and zinc oxide eugenol (ZOE) for pain control, inflammation reduction, and wound healing. Patients were randomly allocated to Group A (PRF) or Group B (ZOE). Patients were examined on the 1st, 3rd, 7th, and 14th postoperative day and evaluated for pain using visual analogue scale scores, inflammation with a gingival index score, and wound healing through a determination of the number of bony walls exposed. RESULTS: Group A showed better results in terms of pain remission, control of inflammation, and wound healing compared to Group B. Results between groups were statistically significant (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: PRF is a better alternative than ZOE for the effective management of alveolar osteitis.

Comparison of outcomes of free-hand 2-dimensional ultrasound-guided versus navigated 3-dimensional ultrasound-guided biopsy for supratentorial tumours: a single-institution experience with 125 cases

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relative utility and benefits of free-hand 2-dimensional intraoperative ultrasound (FUS) and navigated 3-dimensional intraoperative ultrasound (NUS) as ultrasound-guided biopsy (USGB) techniques for supratentorial lesions. METHODS: All patients who underwent USGB for suspected supratentorial tumours from January 2008 to December 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. The charts and electronic medical records of these patients were studied. Demographic, surgical, and pathological variables were collected and analyzed. The study group consisted of patients who underwent either FUS or NUS for biopsy. RESULTS: A total of 125 patients (112 adults and 13 children) underwent USGB during the study period (89 FUS and 36 NUS). NUS was used more often for deep-seated lesions (58% vs. 18% for FUS, P<0.001). The mean operating time for NUS was longer than for FUS (156 minutes vs. 124 minutes, P=0.001). Representative yield was found in 97.7% of biopsies using FUS and in 100% of biopsies using NUS (diagnostic yield, 93.6% and 91.3%, respectively). The majority of lesions (89%) were high-grade gliomas or lymphomas. Postoperative complications were more common in the NUS group (8.3% vs. 1.2%), but were related to the tumour location (deep). CONCLUSION: Despite the longer operating time and higher rate of postoperative complications, NUS has the benefit of being suitable for biopsies of deep-seated supratentorial lesions, while FUS remains valuable for superficial lesions.

Retraction: Is treatment with platelet-rich fibrin better than zinc oxide eugenol in cases of established dry socket for controlling pain, reducing inflammation, and improving wound healing?

This article has been retracted at the request of the Editorial Board.The Editorial Board consulted with the KAMJE (Korean Association of Medical Journal Editors) about ‘Imalas’ matter of the publication and concluded as following:The Paper A is an article on the study of pain, inflammation and formation of granulation tissue using platelet rich fibrin (PRF) for dry socket treatment after tooth extraction. This study was conducted on 100 patients at Teerthankar Mahaveer Dental College and Research Center, Moradabad, from September 2014 to March 2016. The Paper B is a research based on the same conditions as Paper A. This study was conducted on 100 patients using PRF and 100 patients using zinc oxide eugenol, from August 2014 to December 2017. The study was held at the Kothiwal Dental College and Research Centre (KDCRC), Moradabad. The clinical factors studied in above two articles are the same, and the pain scale in Fig. 3 in Paper A is almost identical to the Fig. 2, Group A in Paper B; and Fig. 5 in Paper A is also same as Fig. 4, Group A in Paper B. Both papers are judged to have the overlapping publication in the similar period and the patient, and it is considered intentional not to cite Paper A in Paper B. Therefore, Paper B is believed to be a significant double publication. For this reason, the Editorial Board decided to retracted this article and sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

Retraction: Is treatment with platelet-rich fibrin better than zinc oxide eugenol in cases of established dry socket for controlling pain, reducing inflammation, and improving wound healing?

This article has been retracted at the request of the Editorial Board.The Editorial Board consulted with the KAMJE (Korean Association of Medical Journal Editors) about ‘Imalas’ matter of the publication and concluded as following:The Paper A is an article on the study of pain, inflammation and formation of granulation tissue using platelet rich fibrin (PRF) for dry socket treatment after tooth extraction. This study was conducted on 100 patients at Teerthankar Mahaveer Dental College and Research Center, Moradabad, from September 2014 to March 2016. The Paper B is a research based on the same conditions as Paper A. This study was conducted on 100 patients using PRF and 100 patients using zinc oxide eugenol, from August 2014 to December 2017. The study was held at the Kothiwal Dental College and Research Centre (KDCRC), Moradabad. The clinical factors studied in above two articles are the same, and the pain scale in Fig. 3 in Paper A is almost identical to the Fig. 2, Group A in Paper B; and Fig. 5 in Paper A is also same as Fig. 4, Group A in Paper B. Both papers are judged to have the overlapping publication in the similar period and the patient, and it is considered intentional not to cite Paper A in Paper B. Therefore, Paper B is believed to be a significant double publication. For this reason, the Editorial Board decided to retracted this article and sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

Is treatment with platelet-rich fibrin better than zinc oxide eugenol in cases of established dry socket for controlling pain, reducing inflammation, and improving wound healing?

OBJECTIVES@#To appraise the effectiveness of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) in the management of established dry socket in terms of pain, inflammation, and wound healing.@*MATERIALS AND METHODS@#Two hundred patients with established alveolar osteitis were studied to determine the efficacy of PRF and zinc oxide eugenol (ZOE) for pain control, inflammation reduction, and wound healing. Patients were randomly allocated to Group A (PRF) or Group B (ZOE). Patients were examined on the 1st, 3rd, 7th, and 14th postoperative day and evaluated for pain using visual analogue scale scores, inflammation with a gingival index score, and wound healing through a determination of the number of bony walls exposed.@*RESULTS@#Group A showed better results in terms of pain remission, control of inflammation, and wound healing compared to Group B. Results between groups were statistically significant (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#PRF is a better alternative than ZOE for the effective management of alveolar osteitis.

Giant pulmonary artery aneurysm in a patient with rheumatic mitral stenosis

Pulmonary artery [PA] aneurysm is a rare condition, frequently associated with pulmonary hypertension. However, the evolution and treatment of this pathology is still not clear. We report a case of a 45-year-old female patient with giant PA aneurysm associated with rheumatic mitral stenosis and severe pulmonary arterial hypertension. The patient had undergone balloon mitral valvotomy around 7 years back; aneurysm was first identified 3 years back during routine follow-up. The PA aneurysm size, however, had remained almost unchanged with associated severe pulmonary regurgitation. Surgical correction was advised but denied by the patient. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of such a large PA aneurysm in association with rheumatic heart disease. Although medical therapy for pulmonary hypertension was started, surgical correction of the aneurysm was advised in order to prevent the future complications