Ecological attributes of haematozoan parasites are poorly understood. In this study, we report haematozoan prevalence in two species of Indian lizards, Hemidactylus flaviviridis (Family: Gekkonidae) and Calotes versicolor (Family: Agamidae) under three macro-environmental variables: host location, weight and seasonal variations. Hemidactylus flaviviridis (n= 199) and Calotes versicolor (n= 34) were sampled from Bareilly, Chandausi and Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh, India belonging to different weight groups [Group I (0-5 gm), Group II (5-10 gm) and Group III (10-15 gm)] and during various seasons [Summer (May-July), Rainy (August-October), Winter (November-January), Spring (February-April)] of the year. A haemogregarine, Hepatozoon Miller, 1908 was discovered from both host species. Test for identity of the parasites was conducted by feeding infected Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae) on infection-free H. flaviviridis and C. versicolor and blood examinations on 22nd day (H. flaviviridis) and 25th day (C. versicolor) post feeding (pf) revealed similar haematozoan parasites and were identified as Hepatozoon lacertilis Gupta et al., 2011. Infectivity from different locations indicated a prevalence of 5.26% (Bareilly) and 16.36% (Mirzapur) in H. flaviviridis whereas infectivity was comparatively higher (19.23%) in C. versicolor. In different weight groups, Group III indicated highest infectivity in both lizards being 21.42% (C. versicolor) and 17.85% (H. flaviviridis). Parasites showed highest prevalence during spring season (H. flaviviridis : 9.52%; C. versicolor : 25%). Values of significance were determined by chisquare test to compare the prevalence within different variables (host location, weight and season). The study has importance for its contribution to the knowledge on the diversity of reptilian hosts infected by haemogregarines. It is the first record of Hepatozoon infectivity in both lizard species with respect to the three macro-environmental variables.

Albendazole ; therapeutic use ; Animals ; Antiparasitic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Cellulitis ; parasitology ; Eyelid Diseases ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Ivermectin ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myiasis ; complications ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; Wounds and Injuries ; complications

Tuberculosis of the extra-oral region is uncommon and is rarely primary. Extra-oral involvement of the cheek in the absence of tuberculosis elsewhere in the body is rare. To the best of our knowledge, we report here the first case of primary tuberculosis of the cheek in a 31-year-old male presenting as a nodular swelling of the cheek. Previous reported cases of extra-oral involvement of the cheek involved either fistula or sinus of the cheek. Excisional biopsy for tissue diagnosis and bacterial examination with culture should be performed for an early diagnosis as a delay in treatment can lead to devastating consequences.
Tuberculosis ; Cheek

Bioactive natural compounds, isolated from fungal endophytes, play a promising role in the search for novel drugs. They are an inspiring source for researchers due to their enormous structural diversity and complexity. During the present study fungal endophytes were isolated from a well-known medicinal shrub, Berberis aristata DC. and were explored for their antagonistic and antioxidant potential. B. aristata, an important medicinal shrub with remarkable pharmacological properties, is native to Northern Himalayan region. A total of 131 endophytic fungal isolates belonging to eighteen species and nine genera were obtained from three hundred and thirty surface sterilized segments of different tissues of B. aristata. The isolated fungi were classified on the basis of morphological and molecular analysis. Diversity and species richness was found to be higher in leaf tissues as compared to root and stem. Antibacterial activity demonstrated that the crude ethyl acetate extract of 80% isolates exhibited significant results against one or more bacterial pathogens. Ethyl acetate extract of Alternaria macrospora was found to have potential antibacterial activity. Significant antioxidant activity was also found in crude ethyl acetate extracts of Alternaria alternata and Aspergillus flavus. Similarly, antagonistic activity of the fungal endophytes revealed that all antagonists possessed inhibition potential against more than one fungal pathogen. This study is an important step towards tapping endophytic fungal diversity for bioactive metabolites which could be a step forward towards development of novel therapeutic agents.
Alternaria ; Aspergillus flavus ; Berberis* ; Endophytes* ; Fungi

BACKGROUND: In a tertiary care institute of northern India, the emergency department receives an average of 6-7 patients with poly trauma every day. Of these patients, some come directly and many are referred from other hospitals from the region. Various problems are faced in the management of patients with poly trauma. This study aimed to elicit various complaints, suggestions and possible solutions in the management of patients with poly trauma.METHODS: A retrospective cross sectional study was done on 210 patients in the emergency OPD for a period of 2 months. All the records of the patients with poly trauma were studied and the problems during their management were measured against 6 predetermined steps (step I to step VI).RESULTS: In the younger generation, males were predominantly the primary victims of poly trauma injury, and road traffi c accident was the major etiological factor. Injuries involving more than 2 specialties induced many problems during the management of patients with poly trauma. Of 210 patients we studied, 32 patients had problems at various steps and maximum problems in step III , i.e. co-ordination between various specialties in the management of patients with poly trauma.CONCLUSION: A proper poly trauma management team and a well defi ned standard operative procedure are the keys to effective management of patients with poly trauma by minimizing the problems encountered.

BACKGROUND:As per the "Disaster Management Act, 2005" of India, it is mandatory for government hospitals in India to prepare a disaster plan. This study aimed to prepare a disaster manual of a 1900 bed tertiary care hospital, in consultation and involvement of all concerned stakeholders. METHODS:A committee of members from hospital administration, clinical, diagnostic and supportive departments worked on an initial document prepared according to the Act and gave their inputs to frame a final disaster manual. RESULTS:The prepared departmental standard operating procedures involved 116 people (doctors and paramedical staff), and were then synchronized, in 12 committee meetings, to produce the final hospital disaster manual. CONCLUSIONS:The present disaster manual is one of the few comprehensive plans prepared by the stakeholders of a government hospital in India, who themselves form a part of the disaster response team. It also helped in co-ordinated conduction of mock drills.

BACKGROUND: Modified radical mastectomy is associated with appreciable blood loss, while endotracheal intubation leads to elevated hemodynamic responses. The present study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of dexmedetomidine infusion as an anesthetic adjuvant to general anesthesia during modified radical mastectomy with I-Gel. METHODS: Sixty adult consenting female patients, of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status 1 to 2 and aged 4,065 years, were blindly randomized into two groups of 30 patients each. The patients in Group I received intravenous dexmedetomidine at a loading dose of 1 µg/kg over 10 min, followed by maintenance infusion of 0.4 to 0.7 µg/kg/h, while patients in Group II were administered an identical amount of saline infusion until 15 min prior to the end of surgery. The primary end point was bleeding at the surgical field and hemodynamic changes; requirement of isoflurane, intraoperative fentanyl consumption and recovery time were assessed as secondary outcomes. RESULTS: The patients receiving dexmedetomidine infusion showed significantly less bleeding at the surgical field (P < 0.05). A statistically significant reduction was also observed in the percentage of isoflurane required (0.82 ± 0.80%) to maintain the systolic blood pressure between 100 and 110 mmHg in patients receiving dexmedetomidine infusion compared with the Group II (1.50 ± 0.90%). The mean intraoperative fentanyl consumption in patients in the Group I was also significantly lower compared with that of the Group II (38.43 ± 5.40 µg vs. 75.12 ± 4.60 µg). The mean recovery time from anesthesia did not show any clinically significant difference between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Dexmedetomidine infusion can be used safely to decrease the bleeding at the surgical field with smooth recovery from anesthesia.
Adult ; Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, General* ; Blood Pressure ; Dexmedetomidine* ; Female ; Fentanyl ; Hemodynamics ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Intubation, Intratracheal ; Isoflurane ; Mastectomy, Modified Radical* ; Treatment Outcome

STUDY DESIGN: Case series. PURPOSE: To describe paraspinal transposition flap for coverage of sacral soft tissue defects. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Soft tissue defects in the sacral region pose a major challenge to the reconstructive surgeon. Goals of sacral wound reconstruction are to provide a durable skin and soft tissue cover adequate for even large sacral defects; minimize recurrence; and minimize donor site morbidity. Various musculocutaneous and fasciocutanous flaps have been described in the literature. METHODS: The flap was applied in 53 patients with sacral soft tissue defects of diverse etiology. Defects ranged in size from small (6 cmx5 cm) to extensive (21 cmx10 cm). The median age of the patients was 58 years (range, 16-78 years). RESULTS: There was no flap necrosis. Primary closure of donor sites was possible in all the cases. The median follow up of the patients was 33 months (range, 4-84 months). The aesthetic outcomes were acceptable. There has been no recurrence of pressure sores. CONCLUSIONS: The authors conclude that paraspinal transposition flap is suitable for reconstruction of large sacral soft tissue defects with minimum morbidity and excellent long term results.
Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Necrosis ; Pressure Ulcer ; Recurrence ; Sacrococcygeal Region ; Skin ; Tissue Donors ; Wounds and Injuries

AIMTo determine if Yq microdeletion frequency and loci of deletion are similar in two tissues (blood and sperm) of different embryological origin.

METHODSThe present study included 52 infertile oligozoospermic cases. In each case, DNA was isolated from blood and sperms and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) microdeletion analysis was done from genomic DNA isolated from both the tissues. The PCR products were analyzed on a 1.8% agarose gel. PCR amplifications found to be negative were repeated at least three times to confirm the deletion of a given marker.

RESULTSOnly 1 case harbored microdeletion in blood DNA, whereas 4 cases harbored microdeletion in sperm DNA.

CONCLUSIONThe frequency of Yq microdeletions is higher in germ cells as compared to blood. As the majority of infertile couples opt for assisted reproduction procreation techniques (ART), Yq microdeletion screening from germ cells is important to understand the genetic basis of infertility, to provide comprehensive counseling and most adapted therapeutics to the infertile couple.

Chromosomes, Human, Y ; genetics ; DNA ; blood ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Male ; Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid ; Sequence Deletion ; Spermatozoa ; physiology

Radiotherapy plays a major role in the treatment of cervical cancer. A successful radiotherapy program integrates both external beam and brachytherapy components. The principles of radiotherapy are strongly based on the anatomy of the organ and patterns of local and nodal spread. However, in patients with distorted anatomy, several practical issues arise in the delivery of optimal radiotherapy, especially with brachytherapy. Müllerian duct anomalies result in congenital malformations of the female genital tract. Though being very commonly studied for their deleterious effects on fertility and pregnancy, they have not been recognized for their potential to interfere with the delivery of radiotherapy among patients with cervical cancer. Here, we discuss the management of cervical cancer among patients with Müllerian duct anomalies and review the very sparse amount of published literature on this topic.
Brachytherapy ; Diagnostic Imaging ; Female ; Genital Diseases, Female ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Mullerian Ducts ; abnormalities ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Radiography ; Radiosurgery ; Radiotherapy ; methods ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; radiotherapy ; surgery