Quality of life in patients treated for COVID-19–associated mucormycosis at a tertiary care hospital

Objectives@#Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)–associated mucormycosis (CAM) has emerged as a formidable infection in patients with COVID-19. The aggressive management ofCAM affects quality of life (QOL); thus, this study was designed to assess the QOL in patients with CAM at a tertiary healthcare institution. @*Methods@#This cross-sectional study of 57 patients with CAM was conducted over 6 monthsusing a semi-structured standard questionnaire (the abbreviated World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire [WHO-BREF]) and a self-rated improvement (SRI) scale ranging from 0 to 9. Cut-off values of ≤52 and < 7 were considered to indicate poor QOL and poor improvement, respectively. The correlations of QOL and SRI scores were evaluated using Spearman rho values. @*Results@#In total, 27 patients (47.4%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 34.9%–60.1%) and 26 patients (45.6%; 95% CI, 33.4%–58.4%) had poor QOL and poor SRI scores, respectively. The overall median (interquartile range) QOL score was 52 (41–63). Headache (adjusted B, −12.3), localized facial puffiness (adjusted B , −16.4), facial discoloration (adjusted B, −23.4), loosening of teeth (adjusted B, −18.7), and facial palsy (adjusted B, −38.5) wer e significantly associated with the QOL score in patients with CAM. @*Conclusion@#Approximately 1 in 2 patients with CAM had poor QOL and poor improvement.Various CAM symptoms were associated with QOL in these patients. Early recognition is the key to optimal treatment, improved outcomes, and improved QOL in patients with CAM.

Schwannoma of the Scrotum: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Schwannomas are benign nerve sheath tumors composed of Schwann cells, which normally produce the insulating myelin sheath covering the peripheral nerves. Common locations include the head, neck, mediastinum, and retroperitoneum. These tumors are usually asymptomatic until they become large and compress the surrounding tissues. Most schwannomas occur during the third and fourth decades of life, with an equal gender distribution. We present the case of a schwannoma that originated in the scrotum.

Physico-chemical standardization of Tukhm-e-qurtum [Carthamus tinctorius Linn]

Carthamus tinctorius, Linn. [Qurtum] of the family Compositae, is an annual plant which grows in tropical and sub-tropical parts of India. The seeds of the taxon are extensively used in Unani system of medicine as anti-inflammatory, antiasthmatic, aphrodisiac, blood purifier, carminative, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, hepatoprotective, lithotryptic, liver tonic, purgative, sex stimulant, spermatogenic and tonic. In view of the medicinal value of this plant as described in Unani literature, the present study has been designed to set the physico-chemical standards of the seeds of Carthamus tinctorius, Linn. evolving some important parameters such as extractive value in different solvents, alcohol and water soluble contents, moisture contents, total ash value, water soluble ash value, acid insoluble ash value, bulk density, pH, chemical reactions, fluorescence analysis and thin layer chromatography. These parameters shall be valuable in quality control and identification of the drug

Dysgerminoma with pregnancy and viable baby: a case report

Dysgerminomas are the most common of primitive germ cell tumors of the ovary, accounting for 1-5% of all ovarian malignancies. The reproductive age group females are most commonly affected, thereby causing problems in conception and if pregnancy occurs, it leads to feto-maternal compromise. It is extremely rare to have a successful natural pregnancy, with viable child birth with a coexisting dysgerminoma, without any assisted reproductive interventions. We hereby report a case of successful spontaneous natural pregnancy in a primi gravida, associated with dysgerminoma, with no feto-maternal compromise

Physico-chemical standardization of seeds of kaknaj [Physalis alkekengi Linn]

Physalis alkekengi Linn. [Kaknaj] of the family Solanaceae, is a diffuse perennial herb about 80 cm [32 inches] in height. The fruits are reddish or orange red in colour, fully covered in a thin sheath of membrane giving it a shape of urinary bladder and contain large number of flattened reniform seeds of light brown colour. The fruits are extensively used in Unani System of Medicine as anaesthetic, anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory, cicatrizant, contraceptive, diuretic, haemostyptic, hepatoprotective, lithotriptic and nephroprotective. In view of the medicinal value of this plant as described in Unani literature, the present study has been designed to set the physico-chemical standards of the fruits of Physalis alkekengi Linn, evolving some important parameters such as extractive value in different solvents, alcohol and water soluble contents, moisture contents, total ash value, water soluble ash value, acid insoluble ash value, bulk density, pH, chemical reactions, fluorescence analysis and thin layer chromatography. These parameters will prove to be instrumental in quality control and identification of the drug

Clinical evaluation of a unani herbal formulation in Zaghtul-Dam Qavi Ibtadai [primary hypertension]

The present study was conducted with a view to provide a better and safe therapy, with little or no side effects in hypertensive patients. The study was designed as an open trial. On the basis of the diuretic, sedative and coolant properties,the extract of fruits of Khar-e-khasak khurd [Tribulus terrestris] and Tukhm-e-kahu [Lactuca scariola] were given to 30 patients in the dose of 500 mg once daily and 1000 mg once daily respectively in gelatin capsules. After 6 weeks of treatment, the pre-treatment and post-treatment values of blood pressure were analyzed grade-wisely and subjected to comparison and analysis statistically to evaluate the efficacy of the treatment. The results obtained were found statistically significant in all the three [mild, moderate, severe] grades of hypertension

Combined modality cytopathologic diagnosis of lung malignancy: a feasible proposition?

Primary carcinoma of lung is a major health problem with a generally grim prognosis. Cytology is reliable and useful method in the diagnosis of bronchogenic carcinoma. However, an orderly approach to diagnosis, using a variety of cytologic diagnostic procedures helps us to separate benign and malignant lesions of lung and allows early diagnosis and cytologic typing of various pulmonary malignant lesions. That provides perspective selection of best therapy for individual patient. We have reached to a conclusion from the present study that multiple types of tissue sampling techniques including bronchial brushing, transbronchial needle aspiration [TBNA], CT-guided transcutaneous needle aspiration [TCNA] and bronchial biopsy should be performed since the diagnostic results improve when combination of techniques are employed

Evaluation of efficacy of barshasha in reducing the oral and tracheo-bronchial secretions during intra-operative period in cases of elective cholecystectomy

Barshasha is a compound Unani formulation commonly used as a tranquillizer and sedative drug by the ancient Unani physicians. In this double blind, randomised controlled trial, Barshasha was used as a sedative, tranquillizer and analgesic in the patients of Cholecystectomy. Apart from the established actions, the Barshasha in this study showed a reducing effect on oral and tracheo-bronchial secretions during operative procedures, thus preventing from the aspiration pneumonia, the most likely and hazardous complication in surgical procedures. In addition to this activity, Barshasha has shown no detrimental alterations in cardiovascular variables

Grading prostatic malignancy on cytologic smears. A feasible proposition

Gleason's tumour grade has been accepted as a benchmark protocol in qualifying prostate cancer on histology. Since cyto-evaluation of suspected prostatic malignancy is being increasingly accepted, we have attempted a correlation between cytologic smear pattern categories and Gleason's grade, accorded on cytologic and histologic material and obtained from the same patient, simultaneously in 60 patients. The cytologic smears were classified as 1 well differentiated, corresponding to combined Gleason score 2-4, II moderately differentiated, Gleason 5-7, and III poorly differentiated, corresponding to Gleason 8-10. An overall concordance of 89% was observed between grading on cytologic and histologic material. The incidence of metastases and progression of clinical stage were also found to be clearly influenced by the cytologically accorded grade