Exploratory Study on Micronuclei and Metanuclear Abnormalities in Exfoliated Buccal Cells of COVID-19 Suspected Patients.

Context: SARS-CoV-2 virus causes COVID-19 by infecting nasal and oral cavities primarily by attaching its spike proteins to ACE 2 receptors expressed in epithelial cells. Aim: This study was done to evaluate the micronucleated cell count, metanuclear abnormalities, and genotoxic factor in exfoliated buccal mucosal cell among the COVID-19 suspected patients. Settings and Design: This cross-sectional study was conducted at AIIMS, Mangalagiri, between August and October 2022. Methods: One hundred COVID-19 suspected patients were recruited for this study after obtaining informed and written consent; buccal smear was obtained and stained for papanicolaou test (PAP). The PAP-stained slides were analyzed for micronuclei (MN), pyknotic, karyolytic, and karyorrhexic cell count, respectively. Based on their reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) report, the patients were grouped into COVID-19 positive and negative groups. Statistical Analysis: The genotoxicity factor was calculated using the micronucleated cell count from both the groups using mean and standard deviation. Results: The MN, micronucleated cell, pyknotic, karyolitic, and karyorrhexic cell count in COVID-19 positive patients were 24.12, 15.24, 3.08, 2.88 and 4.40, respectively, than COVID-19 negative patients 5.69, 8.17, 1.08, 1.00 and 2.43, respectively. The genotoxicity factor for SARS-CoV-2 was 2.68 which is a positive genotoxic effect on buccal mucosal cells. Conclusion: SARS-CoV-2 increases the expression of micronucleated cells, pyknotic cells, karyolytic cells, and karyorhexic cells and concludes SARS-CoV-2 is having cytogenotoxic effect on the buccal mucosal cells. This can be used as a reliable marker in identifying the early carcinogenic effects of virus causing COVID-19.

Epidemiology and Risk Factors for Hearing Damage Among Adults Using Headphones via Mobile Applications.

Background Exposure to recreational noise is an emerging public health problem leading to hearing loss. Young people often spend their leisure and relaxation time listening to unsafe levels of music on their personal audio systems. This study aimed to study hearing impairment among young adults due to exposure to various audio gadgets. Methodology This cross-sectional study was conducted among 241 patients and healthcare workers aged 20-40 years. The data collection instrument was a questionnaire including the history and patterns of usage of headphones. A mobile application-based hearing test, a validated Smartphone hearing screening technology, by the World Health Organization (hearWHO) was used to check hearing. Results Of the 241 adult participants (aged 20 to 40 years), 188 (78%) were males and 53 (22%) were females. The mean hearWHO score was 46.02 ± 9.854, ranging from 21 to 85. The mean hearWHO score for headphone usage with a music system of 50.45 ± 12.32 (p = 0.023) and television of 44.13 ± 8.595 (p = 0.015) was statistically significant. The mean hearWHO score for daily headphone users was 45.93 ± 9.67, for users using daily for more than two hours was 46.59 ± 10.34, for those using headphones for leisure was 47.51 ± 7.74, and for usage music/gaming was 48.71 ± 12.57. Subclinical hearing loss was seen in 201 (83.4%) headphone users. A higher proportion of subclinical hearing loss (74.1%) was noted among participants who used headphones for multiple reasons such as leisure, education, service, music, and gaming. Conclusions In this study, a high proportion of headphone users were found to have subclinical hearing loss. This study generated imperative facts for people and emphasize that they look after their hearing. This study introduces the applicability of new technology in an Indian setting where hearing healthcare is facing challenges.

Carotid Body Tumor.

A 17 year old girl presented with a progressively increasing swelling in her neck since 9 months. On examination a2*3 cm, firm, pulsatile swelling was felt in the left anterior triangle. The CT scan of the mass was suggestive of a carotid body tumor and urinary cathecholamines were negative. The mass was excised completely.

A Giant Ear!

A 17 year old female presented with a progressive swelling on the left pinna for 2 years. On examination the left pinna was enlarged and a pulsatile swelling was felt with an audible bruit. A diagnosis of arteriovenous malformation was confirmed by an angiography which revealed primary feeding vessel from the post auricular artery. The vessel was embolized and the mass excised.

Angiokeratoma of Tongue.

A 9 year old male presented with diffuse swelling on his tongue since childhood associated with intermittent bleeding. On examination there was multiple, sessile, firm, pinkish, erythematous, shiny papules on both dorsal and ventral surface of the tongue. Angiokeratomas are vascular malformations of capillaries characterized clinically by asymptomatic, solitary or multiple, keratotic papules or plaques, and histologically by benign vascular ectasia of the papillary dermis. Treatment usually consists of local excision and intralesional injection of steroids.

Juvenile Nasopharyngeal Angiofibroma.

A 9 year old male presented with nasal obstruction and recurrent, unprovoked epistaxis for 1 week. Imaging revealed a highly vascular mass in the nasopharynx. The feeding vessels were subsequently embolized and the mass was removed completely. Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma is a benign but locally invasive tumor accounting for about 0.05% of all head and neck tumors. Patients usually present with nasal obstruction and epistaxis. The tumor can however be extensive on presentation with intra orbital and intra cranial extension. The treatment is surgical removal of the tumor and the approach depends on the size of the tumor by either endoscopic or open approach.