Wideband Tympanmetry Results of Bone Cement Ossiculoplasty.

OBJECTIVE: We aim to investigate hearing sensitivity and wideband tympanometry results in bone cement ossiculoplasty cases in present study. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective study. SETTING: Ossiculoplasty patients were grouped according to the anatomical location of bone cement application by surgery note. Ossiculoplasty and tympanoplasty patients were retrospectively invited to the clinic and evaluated. 30 bone cement ossiculoplasty cases as well as 30 Type I tympanoplasty cases (intact ossicular chain) and 30 healthy controls were included in the study and Wideband Tympanometry was performed. Tympanometric peak pressure, equivalent middle ear volume, static admittance, tympanogram width, resonance frequency, average wideband tympanometry and absorbance measurements were analyzed. RESULTS: A statistically significant improvement was observed in the hearing levels of all ossiculoplasty and type I tympanoplasty patients (p < 0.05). Bone cement ossiculoplasty groups demonstrated the remarkable differences than the type I tympanoplasty and control group in Wideband Tympanometry test parameters. In some parameters, malleus-stapes and manubriostapedioplasty groups demonstrated similarities to Type I tympanoplasty and control groups. CONCLUSION: Bone cement is an effective application for ossiculoplasty. Wideband tympanometry is a promising method for the evaluation of the middle ear dynamics.

Metal concentrations and histopathological changes in goats (Capra hircus) reared near an industrial area of West Bengal, India.

The present investigation was performed to assess the concentrations of four heavy metals-lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), and cobalt (Co)-in goats reared in the vicinity of an industrial area of West Bengal, India, including soil, water, and feedstuffs; tissues of liver, kidney, lung, spleen, and muscle; and milk and faeces. In addition, histopathological changes in liver, lung, kidney, spleen, and muscle samples were examined. Mejia block as an industrial polluted site and Vatar block as a reference site (without any industrial activities and 120 km away from the polluted site) were selected for this study. The results showed that concentrations of these heavy metals in soil, water feedstuffs, all tissues, milk, and faeces were greater (P < 0.05) in the polluted site than the reference site. The largest concentrations of Cd and Pb were found in kidney followed by liver, lung, spleen, and muscle. However, Co and Cu accumulations in the tissues were in following order: liver > kidney > lung > spleen > muscle. Concentrations of heavy metals were greater in older animals than in young ones. Haemoglobin, total protein, packed cell volume, total erythrocyte counts, and total leucocytes counts were significantly (P < 0.01) decreased in blood of goats in the polluted site compared with the reference site. Serum glucose, creatinine, aspartate amino transferase, alanine amino transferase, and alkanline phosphatase were significantly (P < 0.05 to P < 0.01) increased. Histological examination showed several pathological alterations including degeneration, vacuolation, and tubulitis in kidney; congestion, degeneration, periportal necrosis, and focal haemorrhages in liver; and congestion and diffuse haemorrhage in lungs. It was concluded that natural exposure to these environmental heavy metals significantly increases toxic heavy-metal concentrations in several visceral organs resulting in pathological changes in these tissues. Thus, consumption of the meat of goats reared in the polluted site may pose human health hazards.

Oncologic safety of submental island flap reconstruction in clinically node-negative oral cancer patients: a prospective comparative study.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the oncologic safety of submental island flap (SIF) reconstruction in clinically node-negative oral cancer patients. Forty-four clinically node-negative oral cancer patients with tumour size T1-T3 were divided into two groups. The Submental group consisted of 21 patients, who underwent submental island flap reconstruction whereas the control group consisted of 23 patients who underwent reconstruction with other locoregional or free flaps. The locoregional recurrence rate (LRR) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) in these two groups were assessed and compared. The follow-up period in the two groups ranged from six to 28 months, with a median follow-up period of 15 months and 21 months, respectively. Results showed that the LRR in the control and the submental group was 21.7% and 19%, respectively (p = 0.825). Kaplan-Meier curve showed that the difference in recurrence-free survival in the two groups was not statistically significant (p = 0.749). Multivariate and bivariate analyses did not establish any relationship between the predictive parameters and locoregional recurrence. Thus, the Submental island flap is a reliable and versatile locoregional flap for the reconstruction of post-resection defects in oral cancer. It has no predictive influence on locoregional recurrence in clinically node-negative oral cancer patients.

Evidence for a new malaria vector species, species E, within the Anopheles culicifacies complex (Diptera: Culicidae).

Female Anopheles culicifacies Giles from Ramanathapuram district, Tamil Nadu state, India, were examined for oocysts and sporozoites and their larval progeny for mitotic karyotype. Collections were made from Mandapam and Uchipuli on the mainland, and Thangachimadam and Pamban on Rameshwaram Island. Of the 451 An. culicifacies females that were collected and dissected, 24 were found positive for Plasmodia (21 for sporozoites and 3 for oocysts). Both acrocentric and submetacentric Y-chromosome karyotypes were observed among the progeny of females from all villages. All 11 iso-female lines whose parental females were positive for sporozoites or oocysts had progeny with submetacentric Y-chromosomes. Total absence of sporozoite-positives among mothers of acrocentric males was evidence of assortative mating between these 2 sympatric populations (i.e., 2 species). We propose that the nonvector population with acrocentric Y-chromosome sons retain the original designation of species B and that the vector population with the submetacentric Y-chromosome sons be designated as species E, a new species.

Repair of oral mucosal defects with cryopreserved human amniotic membrane grafts: prospective clinical study.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcome of the surgical repair of oral mucosal defects using cryopreserved human amniotic membrane (HAM) as a graft material. Thirty-four patients with precancerous lesions such as leukoplakia, erythroplakia, and verrucous hyperplasia were included. Fresh amniotic membrane was obtained from women undergoing elective caesarean section; the membrane was cleaned, prepared in antibiotic solutions, and preserved at -80°C. Results suggested that HAM promotes healing and epithelialization without specific complications. Thus we conclude that the use of HAM gives promising results in the repair of post-surgical oral mucosal defects.

Diseases of pigeon in and around Kolkata, India.

The present study was undertaken to survey and study the prevalence of different diseases in pigeons in regions in and around Kolkata, India. About 8,000 pigeons from Kolkata region and 2,000 from semi-urban area surrounding Kolkata were selected and 5,000 fecal specimens were collected from apparently unhealthy pigeons. From the present study, it was evident that star gazing, diarrhea and pox were the major infections. Protozona parasites were also revealed which was caused mainly due to coccidian oocysts. In the present study it was found that the pigeons mainly suffered from star gazing condition and helminthic infection revealed majorly the presence of coccidian oocysts followed by Capillarea and Ascaridia spp.

Ultimobranchial gland structure in some species of squamata.

Calotes versicolor has single gland on the left side in neck region, just anterior to heart, while Ptyas mucosus and Bungarus caeruleus have 2 equal-sized glands located in the thyro-thymic region. The gland was spheroidal and measured 0.5 to 1.5 mm in diameter. Size of the gland varied individually in relation to the body size. The gland was composed of cell masses and follicles, and was well vascularized. Histology of the gland showed marked individual variation. Ciliated and goblet cells were present.

Parathyroid and ultimobranchial glands of the sand boa, eryx johnii Daudin.

Eryx johnii and E. conicus possess two pairs of parathyroid glands (PTG) and one pair of ultimobranchial glands (UBG). The PTG is composed of cell cords and follicles, and is well vascularized. The presence of large vesicles with ciliated and glandular epithelium is the most striking feature of the PTG in E. johnii. Accessory PTG tissues are present. The unique feature of equal sized UBGs in Eryx is their location, i.e., bilaterally parallel and rostrally away from the thyrothymic region. The UBG is composed of follicles and cell aggregates, which are interspersed in a vascularized connective tissue stroma; ciliated and goblet cells are frequently present. The UBG of Eryx shows aging variation, but not seasonal changes; seasonal histological variations are observed in the PTG.

Parathyroid gland of the freshwater snake Natrix piscator Schneider.

The structure and function of the parathyroid glands of freshwater snake, Natrix piscator, were studied. N. piscator has two pairs of parathyroid glands which are composed of cell cords of typical endocrine appearance, and follicles are absent. Parathyroidectomy was followed by significant (P less than 0.001) hypocalcemia and hyperphosphatemia throughout the 5th week of experimental period. Following parathyroidectomy, calcium and phosphate concentrations in bone were significantly (P less than 0.05) increased after 5 weeks; however, these values in muscle were not significantly changed. Tetany was also observed in parathyroidectomized snakes. Histological structure and function of the glands do not appear to vary seasonally. Administration of parathyroid gland extract of this ophidian reptile into rats caused significant (P less than 0.05) elevation of serum calcium.

Trial with ParaSight-F in the detection of Plasmodium falciparum infection in Chennai (Tamil Nadu), India.

Efficacy of Plasmodium falciparum histidine-rich protein (HRP-II) based diagnostic test ParaSight-F, was evaluated for diagnosis of P. falciparum malaria at the Malaria Clinic in Malaria Research Centre (Field Station), Chennai, Tamil Nadu. A total of 93 febrile patients were screened in parallel by microscopy and by ParaSight-F. The sensitivity and specificity of the test were 100% for the detection of P. falciparum infection.

Domestic breeding sources and their contribution in Anopheles stephensi breeding in Dindigul, Tamil Nadu.

Longitudinal study taken up for one year in 10 different types of breeding habitats in Dindigul town, Tamil Nadu, revealed that out of 51,785 habitats 225 (0.43%) were found positive for Anopheles stephensi immatures. The overall positivity varied between 0.03 to 1.31% with peak density during July. The observed habitat-wise positivity was overhead tanks 0-7.07%; wells 0-1.69%; under ground tanks 0-2.26%; tappits 0-2.36%; outside tanks (permanent) 0-2.42%; outside tanks (temporary) 0-0.39%; inside tanks (permanent) 0-2.0%; inside tanks (temporary) 0-3.6%; barrels 0-1.32% and others 0-25.0%. In 16.0% habitats An. stephensi was found breeding with An. subpictus, Aedes aegypti, Ae. vittatus and Culex quinquefasciatus in different combinations. Overhead tanks were found to contribute maximum An. Stephensi breeding in this area.

In-vivo and in-vitro sensitivity of Plasmodium falciparum to chloroquine in Chennai (Tamil Nadu), India.

In-vitro and in-vivo susceptibility of Plasmodium falciparum to chloroquine were conducted at Chennai city, India. Eighteen (60%) out of 30 cases showed resistance in in-vitro study. EC50 of resistant and sensitive cases were 0.40 and 0.24 mumol chloroquine/l blood respectively, while EC90 were 2.64 and 0.84 mumol chloroquine/l blood respectively. In-vivo tests identified 24 cases (40%) as resistant (23 RI and 1 RII) and 36 (60%) as sensitive out of 60 cases. Eight isolates which were found resistant with in-vitro tests showed sensitive behaviour to chloroquine treatment assessed by in-vivo studies.

Field evaluation of Bacillus sphaericus, H5a5b and B. thuringiensis var. israelensis, H-14 against the Bancroftian filariasis vector Culex quinquefasciatus, Say in Chennai, India.

Fortnightly application of Bacillus sphaericus (strain B101, serotype H5a5b) and B. thuringiensis var. israelensis (strain 164, serotype H-14) in two different waterways of Chennai @ 1 g/sq m surface area has resulted in significant reduction in both immature and adult densities of Culex quinquefasciatus Say. The use of these biolarvicides as biocontrol agents is suggested in the urban areas to control mosquitoes in general.