A study on correlation of computer vision syndrome and dry eye disease and knowledge regarding its associated factors amongst health professionals

Purpose: To know the magnitude and determinants of dry eye syndrome among health professionals and to study the correlation of computer vision syndrome with dry eye disease. Methods: In total, 501 participants took part in the study, which included history followed by baseline ocular examination, which included visual acuity using Snellen’s chart and anterior segment examination using a slit lamp. Later, a questionnaire was administered to health professionals to be filled out for analysis in the present study. Results: The symptoms reported occasionally were burning (35.5%), itching (34.5%), foreign body sensation 22.6%, and tearing (35.3%). The majority of participants used mobiles and laptops (56.1%) as a display. Also, 53.3% of participants have heard about dry eye syndrome, and the source of information was from friends and doctors in 17% of participants. One hundred twenty?one participants (24.2%) had taken the consultation for ocular symptoms. Eighty?six participants had mild, 29 participants had moderate, and 6 participants had severe dry eye disease, respectively. Conclusion: The pandemic effect, and the drastic shift of educational media from the classroom to the digital platform have increased the use of mobiles, laptops, or other digital pads for learning. This has increased the risk for health professionals.

The Impact of Simulation-Based Teaching Module Involving Virtual Dissection on Anatomy Curriculum Delivery

Background: Knowledge of anatomy, one of the core preclinical subjects, is very important for medical undergraduates to have a thorough understanding of various clinical conditions. The traditional method of learning anatomy involves dissection of human cadavers. Medical education system is entering an era in which the traditional teaching methods are being supplemented by newer technological teaching techniques. Simulation based teaching like virtual dissection table “Anatomage” can enhance the understanding and retaining capacity of the subject. The aim of the study is to determine the perception of virtual dissection, among students and staff and to compare the knowledge acquired through simulation based teaching and traditional teaching method. Material and Method: The study comprised of 150 first-year MBBS students who attended regular theory class on ‘joints of musculoskeletal system’ and answered pre-test. The students were divided into two groups, based on teaching method, one which involved the use of a virtual dissection table, and the other, involving the use of cadaveric dissection. The students were made to attempt the post-test. The students were then assessed based on their responses to the pre- and post-tests. Feedback on the overall utility of the table from both students and staff was taken. Results: The mean post-test scores were significantly higher than the mean pre-test scores, irrespective of the teaching method used. (p<0.001) However, the students who were exposed to the virtual dissection table scored comparatively better in the post-test than those exposed to cadaveric dissection. (p<0.001) 100% of the faculty and 93.3% of the students agreed that three-dimensional visualization improves understanding of anatomical structures. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that though cadaveric dissection and virtual dissection enhance learning, the students tend to perform better with virtual dissection. The incorporation of simulation-based teaching into the Anatomy curriculum is essential to supplement traditional cadaveric dissection and ensure engaging as well as high impact delivery of the curriculum.

A Wonder Drug in the Arsenal against COVID - 19: Medication Evidence from Ivermectin

Ivermectin, an FDA approved broad-spectrum anti-parasitic agent has been recently reported to show an inhibitory activity against SARS-CoV-2 in an in-vitro study. This antiviral response has rendered it as a potential drug to be repurposed for COVID-19. Previously, ivermectin had showed inhibitory activity against RNA viruses in-vitro and DNA viruses in-vitro and in-vivo respectively. Much of its characterization has been related to SARS-CoV wherein viral proteins interacting with IMPα/β1 (Importins) were proposed to enhance the viral infectivity. These documentations serve as a ray of hope for considering ivermectin in treating COVID-19 due to its suggested nuclear transport inhibitory mechanism. Importantly, these recent findings warrant detailed investigations for understanding its benefit in terms of efficacy and safety in COVID-19 patients. This review article throws light on the current consensus in this regard.

Histomorphometric Assessment Of Wharton’s Jelly Area In Normal And Pre-eclamptic Pregnancies And Its Correlation With Placental Weight

Introduction: Fetal capability to grow in utero depends on placental development and function. The goal of thisstudy was to appraise the effects of hypertension on placental weight and Wharton’s jelly area (WJA); andcorrelate them in normal and pre-eclamptic pregnancies.Material and Methods: Eighty placentae along with umbilical cord divided into forty each of normotensive andpre-eclamptic pregnancies were studied. The cross-sectional area of the umbilical cord and vessels area wasmeasured with the help of vernier scale and ocular micrometer respectively. WJA was calculated by deduction ofthe vascular area from the umbilical cord area. Placental weight was recorded by using a weighing machine andcorrelated with the WJA.Results: In the present study, mean placental weight was 445.45 ± 40.31 grams and WJA was 35.28 ± 8.42 mm2 inthe normal group. Whereas, in the pre-eclamptic group, mean placental weight was 408.95 ± 47.15 grams andWJA was 29.04 ± 8.09 mm2. Mean placental weight and WJA was significantly lower in the pre-eclamptic group.A significant positive correlation was found between WJA and placental weight (r = 0.710, p<0.0001) in normalgroup and (r = 0.764, p<0.0001) in pre-eclamptic group.Conclusion: Pre-eclampsia is associated with reducing placental weight and WJA. Low WJA may hamper the fetalgrowth. The current study shows a strong positive correlation between WJA and placental weight. So, the awarenessof this correlation will be helpful in the early observation of placental insufficiencies and provide sufficientinformation to take additional care in such conditions.

A Prospective Study on Assessing the Reliability of Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology in Outcomes of Thyroid Lesions

Background: FNAC has been considered as gold standard technique to diagnose various thyroid gland lesions. As Thyroid gland is superficial in location it is easily approachable for direct physical examination, cytological evaluation & histopathological study. The main objective of FNAC of thyroid is to categorize patients who need surgery for neoplastic disorder from those having functional or inflammatory abnormality requiring a clinical follow up & medical treatment. Aims & Objectives: To study cytomorphological features of thyroid enlargement & palpable lesions of thyroid. To correlate cytomorphological features of thyroid lesions with histopathological features wherever possible. Methods: The present study was conducted in Department of Clinical Pathology, Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital. Around 150 cases of thyroid lesions were enrolled during the period 3 years (March 2014-February 2017). All relevant clinical profile of these cases was taken from case records. Results: In the present study, a total of 150 cases of thyroid swellings were categorized under TBSRTC. Of which maximum cases were seen of benign  etiology i.e.  colloid goitre  more   commonly affecting middle age group i.e. 31-45yrs with female preponderance. As sensitivity & specificity of FNAC was considered, in benign Sensitivity & specificity was reported to be 96% & 100% respectively. Whereas, in malignant lesions both were found to be 100%. Conclusions: The conclusion drawn from this study implicates FNAC as a useful primary investigative modality for evaluation of palpable thyroid lesions. It also helps in distinguishing lesions based on the clinical management required.

Anti-Helminthic Potential of Solvent Extracts of Indigenous Botanicals.

Ethno botanical studies reveal that the indigenous knowledge of a community is a key player in the identification of medicinal plants and such plants have been often tested by generations of indigenous people. In the present investigation, the hydro-alcoholic extracts of leaves of Azadirachta indica (Neem) and Swertia chirayta (Chirayta) were assessed for anti-helminthic potential against helminths (earthworms were used as model) at 10, 50 and 100 mg/ml. No anti-helminthic potential was observed at 10 mg/ml of dose of the hydro-alcoholic extracts of Swertia chirayta. The hydro-alcoholic extracts of both the plants showed significant anti-helminthic activity on selected worms at higher doses. Hydro-alcoholic leaves extracts of Azadirachta indica (Neem) was found to be more active as compared to hydro-alcoholic whole plant extracts of Swertia chirayta (Chirayta) at concentration of 100 mg/ml. It was observed that with the variation in dose, the death time and paralysis time of the worms’ decreases. The results indicated that extracts possessed dose dependent anti-helminthic activity. The results were compared to Piperazine citrate and Albendazole (15 mg/ml). The hydro-alcoholic extracts demonstrated paralysis as well as death of worms in a less time in comparison to the standard drugs. The anti-helminthic activity of the extracts indicates the presence of active principle responsible for anti-helminthic activity.

An unusual ocular presentation of acquired immune deficiency syndrome.

A 50-year-old male who presented with bilateral keratomalacia and on subsequent evaluation was found to be human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive is being reported. A MEDLINE search of the literature did not reveal any report of keratomalacia as the initial presenting feature of HIV/ acquired immune deficiency syndrome.

Solid and papillary epithelial neoplasm of the pancreas--a case report.

Solid and papillary epithelial neoplasm (SPENP) of the pancreas is a rare pancreatic tumour of low malignant potential, that is seen mostly in young females. The aetiology and pathogenesis is unclear but it is considered to be arising from primordial pancreatic cells. We report two cases of SPENP who had palpable abdominal lumps and were diagnosed on histopathology. In the first case, the tumour was unresectable and patient died within one year. In the second case, at laprotomy the patient had perineurial as well as capsular infiltration but after wide resection of the growth, patient has been doing well for the past 6 months. Since SPENP is a low grade malignant neoplasm, it should be treated aggressively with complete resection and metastatectomy. Prognosis after adequate surgery is good. A clinicopathological study and brief review of literature is presented.

Unsuspected metastatic renal cell carcinoma with initial presentation as solitary soft tissue lesion: a case report.

A 42 year old male presented with painless soft tissue mass 8x7x6.5 cm in right scapular region for 2 months. Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) showed a malignant clear cell tumour. Ultrasonography (USG) abdomen revealed a heterogeneous mass m 8.6x7x8.4 at the lower pole of left kidney. USG guided FNAC from left kidney mass showed cytomorphology consistent with RCC.

Gelatinous transformation of bone marrow: a study of 43 cases.

Gelatinous marrow transformation (GMT) is an uncommon and poorly recognized condition characterized by deposition of seromucinous gelatinous material in the bone marrow stroma. Forty-three cases of GMT were studied in a period of 4 years. There was male preponderance. Fourteen cases were in pediatric age group (less than 12 years). Majority of patients had a preceding history of anorexia, malnutrition and chronic debility. All the patients had anemia. Bone marrow biopsy revealed focal or diffuse GMT. Bone marrow aspirate showed metachromatic dense mucoid material with a few entrapped hematopoietic cells on Giemsa staining. The gelatinous material stained with alcian blue at pH 2.5.

Insular carcinoma of thyroid--a case report.

Insular carcinoma of thyroid (ICT) is a rare tumor, which accounts for 4-6% of thyroid malignancies. ICT arising from follicular cells of thyroid shows a characteristic insular growth pattern characterized by solid nests of tumor cells separated by vessels. A 52-year-old female presented with a huge swelling in midline of the neck with retrosternal extension. The patient was euthyroid. Near total thyroidectomy was done. Grossly, the tumour was involving both the lobes and isthmus of thyroid. Microscopic examination revealed features of insular carcinoma. On immunohistochemistry, tumour cells were positive for thyroglobulin and negative for calcitonin.