Therapeutic Effects of Medicinal Mushrooms on Gastric, Breast, and Colorectal Cancer: A Scoping Review.

Cancer is the leading cause of mortality globally. With anticancer medications causing severe adverse effects, understanding the role of alternative and efficacious anticancer treatments with minimal or no side effects can be beneficial. Edible mushrooms have been associated with certain health benefits and exhibit a broad range of pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating activities. The anticancer potential of different mushrooms is now being tested. The goal of this scoping review was to discuss the most recent and available evidence on the therapeutic uses of medicinal mushrooms in cancer treatment, specifically those cancers with some of the highest mortality rates (i.e., gastric, breast, and colorectal cancer). Randomly controlled trials, clinical trials, and retrospective cohort studies (with placebo group) with human subjects published between 2012-2023 were searched using the databases Embase, Ovid MEDLINE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINHAL), and Alt HealthWatch. The initial search yielded 2,202 articles. After removing 853 duplicate citations, 1,349 articles remained and were screened for study eligibility and accessibility, leaving 26 articles. The inclusion and exclusion criteria were then used to assess the remaining 26 full-text articles and nine articles were selected for the final review. The characteristics of the nine studies reported the efficacy of medicinal mushrooms Lentinus edodes (Shiitake), Coriolus versicolor (Turkey Tail), and Agaricus Sylvaticus (Scaly Wood), in treating symptoms, medication side effects, anti-tumor effects, and survival outcomes in gastric, breast, and colorectal cancers. Findings from this review suggest that medicinal mushrooms have the potential to prevent lymph node metastasis, prolong overall survival, decrease chemotherapy-induced side effects (e.g., diarrhea, vomiting), affect the immune system, and help maintain immune function and quality of life in patients with certain cancers. More research is needed with human subjects using RCTs with larger samples to ensure accurate outcomes and ascertain the most efficacious dosages.

Endoscopic Dacryocystorhinostomy: A Study at IPGMER, Kolkata.

Endoscopic sinus surgery has developed a new era in the treatment of chronic dacryocystitis. A prospective study was conducted by taking 67 patients having epiphora. Endo DCR was performed under local anaesthesia. Post operative care was given by means of alkaline nasal douching, lacrimal sac massage and endoscopic examination on 1st, 3rd, 6th week. Success rate was found to be 95.5 % which is comparable to external DCR and with added advantages.

A comparative study of paediatric oral premedication: midazolam, ketamine and low dose combination of midazolam and ketamine.

In a prospective randomised double-blind trial, 90 patients aged 1-7 years (ASA I) undergoing elective surgery less than 90 minutes duration were allocated into three separate groups to compare the safety and effectiveness of oral midazolam, ketamine, and low dose combination of midazolam and ketamine for premedication in paediatric patients. Group M received midazolam 0.5 mg kg(-1), group K received ketamine 6mg kg(-1) and group C received combination of ketamine 2.5 mg kg(-1) and midazolam 0.25 mg kg(-1) orally in 0.2ml kg(-1) of sugar syrup to make it palatable. The sedation score and emotional state on a four -point scale, ease of parental separation, cooperation for venepuncture, ease of mask acceptance and peri-operative cardiorespiratory status were evaluated. Peri-operative incidence of vomiting, nystagmus, emergence phenomenon and postanesthetic recovery time were noted. In the present study it was found that C group was more effective in sedating the children within 10 minutes and 20 minutes, whereas, the combination and midazolam groups are comparable in sedating the children at 30 minutes. Side-effects and recovery time were more in ketamine group. The recovery time was significantly less in group C. In conclusion oral combination of low dose ketamine and midazolam produced quick onset of satisfactory conscious sedation and more rapid recovery without significant side-effects, so that more children could be separated easily from their parents and provides smooth induction than the individual drug.

A study on central corneal thickness and optic disc size in patients with primary open angle glaucoma.

The aim of the study was to evaluate a possible relationship between central corneal thickness (CCT) and optic disc area in patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG). Patients with POAG and age matched control group underwent routine ocular examination along with optic nerve head evaluation by Stratus optical coherence tomography (OCT) and CCT measurement by ultrasound pachymetry. Pearson's coefficient was calculated in both groups to find out correlation between these two parameters. In this series 90 eyes of 45 control subjects and 94 eyes of 47 POAG patients were studied. In the control group 40% were female, 60% male and among the POAG patients 34% female, 66% male. Mean CCT in control subjects was 566.98 micron (SD = 19.36, n = 90) and in POAG patients was 526.61 micron (SD = 29.93, n = 94). There was a significant difference in two groups (p = 0.0002). Disc area in control group had mean of 2.32mm(2) (SD = 0.305, n = 90) and in POAG group 2.982mm(2) (SD = 0.566, n = 94). Statistically significant difference was found among the two groups (p = 0.0). CCT was inversely correlated with optic disc size. In control subjects, r = -0.141, but it was not statistically significant (p = 0.092). In POAG group, r = -0.256 and the correlation was statistically significant (p = 0.0063). CCT was significantly less in POAG patients compared to control subjects. Mean disc area was significantly higher among the POAG group compared to control subjects. CCT was inversely correlated with disc area in both groups, but was statistically significant in POAG patients.

Clinico-epidemiological profile of chronic suppurative otitis media patients attending a tertiary care hospital.

The cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the clinico-epidemiological profile, perceptions and clinical profile of the chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) patients in a tertiary care hospital. A pretested questionnaire was used containing open questions and the patients were assessed clinically. Most patients (31.2%) were from 0-10 years age group and were males (58.8%). Majority of them (96%) lived in "kuccha" houses/slums, 76.8% practised unhygienic ear pricking, 36.8% poured oil in their ears, 70.8% bathed in ponds/rivers, 52.8% had ear discharge for more than 1 year. Among the respondents, 17.2% knew that CSOM was contagious, 24% thought CSOM ran in family, 20% knew CSOM is preventable. There was low threat perception and long time to seek care. Patients mostly presented with earache, deafness and discharge, most had deafness and safe variety of CSOM. More than half had comorbidities. Most of the previous study findings corroborated with the present study. Here was a substantial delay between the onset and treatment seeking due to lack of awareness and low threat perception. Pain and complications were the triggers for care-seeking. Education about the disease, strengthening the frontline workers and good referral system are suggested.

Vision screening programme among school children--evaluation of the outcome in a selected urban locality.

To determine the profile of the visual acuity status, refractive error and other ocular morbidities and to asses the performance at different stages following a vision screening programme in school a retrospective analysis of the data obtained from the programme register for school vision screening programme conducted from April 2003 to March 2006 was done. The data was plotted age and genderwise. Statistical analysis was done to find out disease prevalence with 95% confidence Interval and Z-test was applied for comparison. There were 45,087 students for 239 primary and secondary schools who were examined; 1856 students (4.11%) found having visual acuity .5 or less in either or both eyes. Refractive error was evident in 4.03% students and was the aetiology of compromised vision in 98%. Myopia topped the list with the prevalence of 2.85%; 1733 students (3.84%) were provided with spectacles. Correction of refractive error improved the visual disability in 3.93% of students while amblyopia was found in 0.10%. Average student load per teacher for initial screening was 229. The vision screening programme in school helps to detect refractive error and other causes of compromised vision among large section of children between 5 and 15 years age group. Use of correct spectacles prevents amblyopia considerably. Constraints arising in the programme can be removed by proper planning.