A study of vitamin C, superoxide dismutase and FEV1/FVC ratio in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive lung disease characterized by incomplete reversible airflow limitation, which is associated with emphysema and chronic inflammation. Oxidative/antioxidant imbalance is one of the mechanisms of the current pathogenesis of COPD ECSOD is an antioxidant protein that scavenges superoxide free radicals from cigarette smoke and protects the lungs from free radical damage and chronic inflammation. Methods: Vitamin C was estimated by acid phosphotungustate on spectrometer at 660nm (Ayekygw 1978) method. SOD was estimated by Marklund S and Marklund G (1974) modified by Nandi and Chatterjee. FEV1/FEV ratio was done by spirometry technique. Results: The present study revealed that there was an increased oxidative stress in patients with COPD, when compared with controls and also decreased level of antioxidant activity in COPD patients, when compared with controls. In our studies significantly decreased sr. superoxide dismutase activity and FEV1/FVC ratio levels were found in subjects with COPD than healthy normal subjects. Conclusions: A significant decline in lung function may be associated with altered antioxidant enzyme activity due to the strong correlation between SOD and lung functions with COPD severity.

Effect of Different Method of Rice Establishment and Weed Management Options on Yield and Economics of Paddy

A field experiment was conducted during rabi 2022 at Zonal Agricultural and Horticultural Research Station, Brahmavara, Udupi, Keladi Shivappa Nayaka University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Shivamogga, on sandy loam soil to study the effect of different method of rice establishment and weed management options on yield and economics of paddy. The experiment was laid out in Factorial Randomized Complete Block Design with broadcasting and drum seeder method of establishment and five treatment combinations, replicated thrice. The study revealed that, the weed free treatment maintained by hand weeding recorded highest growth parameters and rice grain yield. The sequential application of pre-emergence herbicide pendimethalin 38.7 % CS @ 750 g a.i. ha-1 at 0-3 DAS (fb) early post-emergence application of bispyribac sodium 10 % SC @ 25 g a.i ha-1 at 13-15 DAS, recorded lowest total weed density (36.92, 31.73 and 40.45 No. m-2) at 15, 30 and 45 DAS, respectively and lower weed index (7.23%) under drum seeder method of establishment . The yield and yield attributing parameters like number of tillers (291.33 m-2), panicle length (19 cm), filled grains (89.33 panicle-1), grain yield (4221 kg ha-1) and straw yield (5387 kg ha-1) were observed in sequential application of pre-emergence herbicide pendimethalin 38.7 % CS @ 750 g a.i. ha-1 at 0-3 DAS (fb) early post-emergence application of bispyribac sodium 10 % SC @ 25 g a.i ha-1 at 13-15 DAS under the drum seeder method of establishment. The highest net return (? 82586 ha-1) and B:C ratio (2.81) was also recorded in the same treatment.

Outcomes of surgical intervention in primary glaucoma at a tertiary eye care centre

Background: Aim of study was to evaluate the outcomes of surgical intervention in diagnosed primary glaucoma cases. Methods: This is a prospective observational study done on 55 cases for evaluating outcomes of surgical intervention in primary glaucoma, conducted in ophthalmology department at a tertiary eye care hospital in central India over a period of 18 months. Standard trabeculectomy surgery was performed for all cases by a single senior surgeon. Medical parameters that were studied as pre-operative and post-operative comparison of visual acuity, Intraocular pressure (IOP), fundoscopy, gonioscopy, OCT showing retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness, perimetry showing field of vision and post-op complications. Results: This study compares multiple factors in diagnosed primary glaucoma cases to define success of trabeculectomy surgery. Post-operative results showed significant improvement in terms of IOP, visual field index (VFI), UCVA and BCVA, gonioscopy, fundus examination, RNFL thickness on OCT. After taking into consideration all these factors pre and post-operatively, success rate of trabeculectomy evaluated at 6 monthly follow up came out to 87.27%, which includes 52.72% cases showing complete success and 34.54% cases showing qualified success, while remaining 12.72% cases showed failure due to complications like leaking bleb with hypotony, bleb failure, irido-dialysis and persistent angle closure where post-op IOP control was not achieved, leading to failure of filtration. Conclusions: Trabeculectomy is fairly a successful surgical management to achieve IOP control and to halt the progression of glaucomatous optic neuropathy, also to prevent further deterioration of vision and field changes in diagnosed Primary glaucoma in the short to medium term follow-up.

Intraocular and neuro-cysticercosis with diffuse stromal choroiditis

Intraocular cysticercosis with central nervous system involvement is not that rare. We report a male child with a right-sided painful blind eye who had intraocular cysticercosis and granuloma in the left frontal lobe of the brain. There was an incidental finding of chronic inflammation in the choroid of that eye supported by histopathology. Immunohistochemistry for T-cells marker and B-cells marker was variable. The patient was treated with antiparasitic, anti-epileptic medications, and oral steroids subsequently.

Surgically induced astigmatism and refractive outcomes following phacotrabeculectomy

Purpose: To objectively evaluate surgically induced astigmatism (SIA) after phacotrabeculectomy using keratometry and topography and to compare the magnitude of SIA and the refractive outcomes of single-site and twin-site phacotrabeculectomies. Methods: Forty prospective subjects were enrolled in the study and were randomized into single-site and twin-site cohorts. SIA was objectively assessed using keratometry and Orbscan before and at three months after surgery. For both cohorts, the changes in SIA were assessed using power vector analysis compared at the third month after surgery. Results: Each cohort consisted of 20 eyes. The preoperative parameters and postoperative IOP were comparable and similar, respectively, in both the cohorts (P = 0.1). Majority of the patients in both the cohorts had preoperative against-the-rule (ATR) astigmatism. The median change in SIA at the three-month postoperative visit was similar in both the cohorts, with a small increase in ATR astigmatism. Although the SIA change measured by keratometry in the J0 component was similar in both the groups (P = 0.54), that of J45 was significantly different (P = 0.01). However, the median change in SIA was similar in both the groups for both the J0 (P = 0.52) and J45 components (P = 0.94) when measured by Orbscan. The SIA in both the groups measured with keratometry (P = 0.62) and topography (P = 0.52) were clinically and statistically similar. In both the groups, the refraction was similar at 1 month and 3 months. Conclusion: The SIA as measured with keratometry and topography was similar in the single-site and twin-site phacotrabeculectomy cohorts at the end of 3-months. The postoperative refraction was stabilized in 1-month in both the groups.

Idiopathic inflammatory diseases of orbit and ocular adnexa: Histopathological and immunochemical analysis

Purpose: To present histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis of idiopathic inflammatory diseases of orbit and ocular adnexa. Methods: Design- A retrospective laboratory-based study. The study was carried out in an ocular pathology laboratory in a tertiary institute of northeast India where analysis of 93 cases was done in 5 years, during the period from 2011 to 2016. Hematoxylin--eosin and special stains were done for the diagnoses. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) panel was also carried out. For infectious pathology, Grocott's methenamine silver (GMS) stain for fungus, tissue Gram's stain for bacteria's, and acid-fast stains for tubercular bacilli were done. IHC panels were done for CD 20 (B-cells), CD-3 (T-cells), CD-45 (Leukocyte common antigen, LCA), BCL-2, CD-138 (Plasma cells), Kappa, Lambda, IgG-4 in tissue, IgG-4 in serum, etc. IHCs were done using kit methods (standardized) and adequate controls were taken for each sample. Results: 93 cases of nonspecific orbital inflammation were reported out of 1,467 specimens. Orbital pseudotumors (idiopathic orbital inflammatory disease, IOID) were seen in 27 cases (sclerosing variety-6); benign lymphoid hyperplasia in two cases; reactive lymphoid hyperplasia in 10 cases; atypical plasma lymphoproliferative reactive (polyclonal immunophenotypically, IgG4 negative) lesions in four cases; IgG-4 related disease in one case; nonspecific inflammatory reactions (conjunctiva, sclera, and lid) in 49 cases. In all the diagnoses, infections and lymphomas were excluded. Conclusion: Biopsy supported study on nonspecific orbital inflammation was important to know the pattern.

Histological Study of Mammary Lobule on Pregnant, Lactation and Involution Stage in Murrah Buffalo

Present experiment was conducted on sixty Murrah buffalo divided into three groups : pregnant, lactating and involution stage/Dry stage. No distinct lobulation was observed during nonlactating early pregnant stage. The ratio between maximum diameter of lobule in nonlactating mid and late pregnant stage was 4:5. Mammary lobules were oval to polygonal in shape. In lactating stage the approximate ratio between maximum diameter of lobule in colostrum stage and three months of lactation were 2:1. The number of alveoli were maximum during colostrum phase and reduced from colostrum stage to ten months of lactation. Highly significant statistical difference in the diameter of lobules and number of alveoli was noticed during different stages of lactation from colostrum to ten month. The number of alveoli was minimum during nonlactating nonpregnant stage from one to two month

A rare case of hypereosinophilic syndrome presenting with unilateral proptosis and torticollis

Hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) is a spectrum of myeloproliferative disorder, which is characterized by persistent and marked blood eosinophilia and damage to multiple organs due to eosinophilic infiltration. Idiopathic HES is identified after ruling out all other causes of eosinophilia. Poor prognosis is usually associated with cardiac involvement and malignant transformation of blood cells. We report a rare case of HES in an 8-year-old boy who presented with unilateral proptosis and torticollis. The patient responded well to corticosteroid therapy with reduction of proptosis and torticollis and normalization of serum eosinophil count.

Live encysted Thelazia callipaeda presenting as a lump adjacent to the right lacrimal sac in a 42-year-old female: A rare case report

Thelazia callipaeda or the oriental eye worm infects a wide variety of hosts including dogs, cats, foxes, rabbits, and humans through the Drosophila flies. We report here a case of a 42-year-old female who presented with pain, redness, and cystic swelling in the right lacrimal sac area for 8 months. Ocular examination was within normal limits. Excision biopsy of the cyst revealed a live worm. In humans, the worm is usually found in the conjunctival sac, lacrimal canaliculi, or the lacrimal sac leading to a disease which can be subclinical or symptomatic. Thus, we report a rare presentation of thelaziasis, that is, periocular involvement. This case presentation is first of its kind in the Indian literature.

Community outreach: An indicator for assessment of prevalence of amblyopia

Purpose: To study the prevalence, determine the magnitude, and cause of amblyopia among the children aged 6 months to 16 years in Kamrup district, Assam, India. Methods: Among a total of 39,651 children between 6 months and 16 years of age, door-to-door screening was conducted by trained workers. For children above 5 years of age who failed to read the 6/9 line, camps were conducted in the nearby schools. Children below 5 years of age were directly referred to the tertiary eye care institute. After visual acuity assessment at the institute, cycloplegic refraction and complete ophthalmic examination were done to rule out other causes of diminution of vision. Axial length measurement and corneal topography were performed in children with high refractive errors. Results: Of the total 39,651 children screened, 469 were diagnosed to have amblyopia at the camp and 223 were diagnosed at the institute. The prevalence of amblyopia was 1.75%. Amblyopia was more common among the males (52.50%) as compared to females. Maximum number of patients were found in the age group of 11–16 (63.58%). Refractive amblyopia was found to be the most common cause of amblyopia (45.29%). In children below 5 years, deprivation amblyopia and strabismic amblyopia were more common. Conclusion: Awareness of amblyopia among the parents is essential for early detection and treatment of the disease, which will, in turn, reduce the burden of childhood visual impairment.

Retrospective analysis of clinicopathological factors and outcome in breast cancer in young women in a tertiary care hospital in India.

BACKGROUND: The proportion of breast cancer is rising in India. It presents at a younger age in India as compared to the western countries. AIMS: This is a retrospective study of 86 breast cancer patients less than 40 years treated in a single center from June 2006 to June 2011. The aim was to assess the factors that may influence clinical outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were collected from medical records. Variables such as age, stage, surgery, chemotherapy, tumor size, grade, nodal status, perinodal extension, lymphovascular emboli, estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and HER‑2 neu were analyzed in relation to outcome. RESULTS: Out of total 613 breast cancer patients, 91 (14.8%) were younger than 40 years. Five were excluded due to incomplete data; hence, 86 patients were included in this study. Median tumor size was 3 cm and lymph node positivity was 56.9%. Lymphovascular emboli were positive in 48.8% and perinodal extension was positive in 41.8%. Estrogen receptor positivity was 34.8%, progesterone receptor positivity was 45.3%, and triple negativity was 45.3%. The median follow‑up period was 27 months with disease free survival being 73.2% and overall survival being 87.2%. In univariate analysis, the factors significantly associated with survival were stage at presentation, presence of lymphovascular emboli, perinodal extension and grade of the tumor. In multivariate analysis grade of tumor was the only significant factor. CONCLUSIONS: In young women with breast cancer, the factors significantly associated with survival were clinical stage at presentation, the presence of lymphovascular emboli and perinodal extension and grade of tumor.

A review of the taxonomy, ethnobotany, phytochemistry and pharmacology of Basella alba (Basellaceae).

Basella alba L. is an important green leafy vegetables found commonly in the tropical regions of the world. The plant is used as a substitute for true spinach (i. e. Spinacea oleracea L.) and also has great ethnomedicinal importance. Different studies have proved that the plant is rich in vitamin A and vitamin C along with flavonoids, saponins, carotenoids, many amino acids and organic acids. Various in vivo and in vitro studies revealed that the plants is enriched with active substances/principles having medicinal potential. Major biological activities exhibited by Basella alba is androgenic, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiulcer, antiviral, CNS depressant, hepatoprotective and wound healing, properties. Besides these all the plant possess a valuable ethnomedicinal importance and are used to cure digestive disorders, skin diseases, bleeding piles, pimples, urticaria, irritation, anemia, whooping cough, leprosy, aphthae, insomnia, cancer, gonorrhea, burns, headache, ulcers, diarrhea, liver disorders, bilious vomiting, sexual asthenia.

Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation in an adolescent: An unusual presentation with pleural effusion and pneumatocele.

Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM) encompasses a continuum of hamartomatous cystic lung lesions characterised by the presence of abnormal bronchiolar structures of varying sizes or distribution. The CCAM is a disorder of infancy with majority of the cases being diagnosed within the first two years of life. We describe CCAM in a 13-yearold girl complaining of recurrent lower respiratory tract infections since infancy who presented with post-infectious pneumatocele with loculated pleural effusion, and suspected abscess formation and had undergone resection.