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Abstract Introduction Many patients suffered from rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in India. Diabetes is a known risk factor of COVID-19 infection and mucormycosis. Objective The present study was done to describe the clinical spectrum and histopathological findings of mucormycosis in COVID-19 patients and their outcomes. Methods A cross-sectional study was done over a period of two and half months. The biopsy samples or scrapings from sinonasal or periorbital tissue of 38 patients were analyzed. Hematoxylin & Eosin (H&E stain) slides were evaluated along with Grocott-Gomori methenamine-silver and Periodic acid-Schiff stains to highlight the fungal elements. Results The male to female ratio was 2.5:1, and the mean age of the subjects was 53 years old. A total of 68.4% (n = 26/38) of the patients had diabetes as a comorbidity, 84.2% (n = 32/38) had a history of steroid intake, and 55.3% (n = 21/38) were given supplemental oxygen during their treatment. The common presentations were nasal blockage, discharge, eye pain, headache, and altered mentation. The sites of biopsy were: nasal cavity 76.3% (n = 29/38), periorbital fat/orbit 21.1% (n = 8/38), maxillary sinus 15.8% (n = 6/38) and ethmoid sinus 13.2% (n = 5/38). In 76.3% (n = 29/38) cases, broad, irregular, nonseptate, and right-angle branching hyphae were seen on H&E-stained tissue sections. Conclusion COVID-19 led to various complications in individuals affected by it. Mucormycosis was one such lethal complication. An early diagnosis and prompt treatment is crucial to control the progression of the disease and improve outcomes.
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ABSTRACT Balloon cell melanoma is a rare presentation of malignant melanoma, usually on the skin, with less than 100 cases reported. Mucosal BCM is even rarer, with only one case of anorectal BCM reported in English literature. The diagnosis is based on the histopathologic findings of a tumor composed of large, foamy melanocytes, with or without pigmentation, and confirmed by immunohistochemical studies showing expression for melanocytic markers. The foam cell appearance of the tumor cells and the lack of melanin pigment lead to a diagnostic dilemma, mostly when presented at an unusual location. Herein, we report a case of balloon cell melanoma at the anorectal junction in a 73-year-old male patient complaining of constipation and bleeding per rectum. Surgical resection was performed with no evidence of recurrence after three years of close follow-up. We believe this case will raise awareness among the medical community to consider this tumor a differential diagnosis in rectal masses.
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Background: Adriamycin is a broadspectrum, potent, older chemotherapy drug and antineoplastic agent used in the treatment of several cancers such as solid tumours, leukaemias, and lymphomas, playing a major role in cancer chemotherapy. Long-term use of this drug results in congestive heart failure and to overcome this effect dietary squalene intake reduces the adverse effects of adriamycin-mediated cardiotoxicity and cellular oxidative stress. Methods: The current study aims to investigate the cytoprotective effects of dietary squalene supplementation on adriamycin-induced cardiomyopathy in rats in terms of alterations in Troponin T, homocysteine, diagnostic marker enzymes, and cardiac tissue histology. Results: The findings show that a 1.5 percent dose of dietary squalene supplementation for 21 days reduced adriamycin-induced changes in homocysteine, troponin T, diagnostic marker enzymes, and lesions in cardiac tissues. Conclusion: The outcomes of the study specified squalene's cytoprotective action which stabilizes membranes against adriamycin-induced oxidative membrane degradation, which is primarily responsible for heart cell irreversible necrosis.
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Rhododendron arboreum is an evergreen shrub or small tree with a showy display of bright red flowers. The name ‘RHODODENDRON’ is derived from the Greek word ‘RHODO’ means rose & ‘DENDRON’ means tree. Rhododendron is the national flower of Nepal & is known as (Laligurans) & the state tree of Uttarakhand. It is called ‘Burans, Bras, Buras or Barahke- phool’ in local dialect. It is widely popular for the processed juice of its flowers which have gained market popularity as rhodojuice / sharbat. The plant is found in the Himalayas from Kashmir eastwards to Nagaland. Various parts of the plant exhibited medicinal properties & is used for the treatment of various ailments. The present review is an effort to give the detailed survey of literature on its pharmacognosy, phytochemistry & pharmacological uses of the plant under study.