Aspergilloma Coexisting With Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: A Rare Clinical Entity.

Aspergilloma also known as fungal ball or mycetoma, is a saprophytic mycotic infection caused by Aspergillus species which usually colonizes pre-existing cavitary or cystic lesions in the lung. Here, we have a rare case of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) with bilateral bronchiectasis complicated by aspergilloma. Although the existence of aspergilloma is common in pre-existing lung cavities, its coexistence in patients with IPF is a rarity, and the incidence of such cases in the literature remains sparse. Here is an interesting case report of aspergilloma co-existing with IPF. This article comprehensively analyzes the existing literature depicting similar associations and the possible etiology for the development of aspergilloma in patients with IPF.

Microstructural evolution during short heat treatment of constrained groove pressed Cu-5%Zn alloy.

Severe plastic deformation (SPD) is a widely used technique to obtain superior material properties specially mechanical properties. Constrained groove pressing (CGP) is found to be the most attractive SPD technique for the deformation of sheets and plates. However, this technique results in microstructural inhomogeneity during processing. The microstructural inhomogeneity can be alleviated by employing a thermal cycle, which assists in controlled recovery and recrystallisation. The current work focuses on, the microstructure evolution of one pass as-deform CGP sample followed by a short heat-treated (SHT). A correlative imaging technique of transmission Kikuchi diffraction (TKD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed the presence of dislocation cell structure in an as-deformed condition. The short heat treatment resulted in the transformation of the dislocation cell wall to high-angle boundaries, with a further increase in heat-treatment time resulting in grain growth.

A study of salivary opiorphin levels using different anesthetic drugs and techniques - A randomized controlled clinical study.

PURPOSE: This study aimed at assessing the change in salivary opiorphin levels before and after administration of local anesthesia, with the use of three different local anesthetic agents, and different anaesthetic techniques. METHODS: The investigators implemented a randomized controlled clinical study in 144 patients who required tooth extraction after administration of local anaesthesia. A total of 288 samples were collected in sterile containers before and after administration of local anesthetics. The salivary samples were centrifuged and salivary opiorphin levels were estimated using ELISA testing and spectrophotometric analysis. Statistical analysis was done using one way ANOVA and unpaired t test. RESULTS: There was a mean decrease in salivary opiorphin levels after administration of local anesthesia. There was no significant difference in the change in salivary opiorphin levels across different anesthetic techniques and different drug subgroups. CONCLUSION: The present study did not show much association between various local anesthetic agents and techniques and change in salivary opiorphin levels. The role of opiorphin as a biomarker for pain control and its effect on various pain control methods including local anesthesia must be evaluated in detail. Institutional review board number SRMDC/IRB/2014/MDS/No. 405.

Efficacy of Exclusive Lingual Nerve Block versus Conventional Inferior Alveolar Nerve Block in Achieving Lingual Soft-tissue Anesthesia.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this randomized clinical trial was to assess the efficacy of exclusive lingual nerve block (LNB) in achieving selective lingual soft-tissue anesthesia in comparison with conventional inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 200 patients indicated for the extraction of lower premolars were recruited for the study. The samples were allocated by randomization into control and study groups. Lingual soft-tissue anesthesia was achieved by IANB and exclusive LNB in the control and study group, respectively. The primary outcome variable studied was anesthesia of ipsilateral lingual mucoperiosteum, floor of mouth and tongue. The secondary variables assessed were (1) taste sensation immediately following administration of local anesthesia and (2) mouth opening and lingual nerve paresthesia on the first postoperative day. RESULTS: Data analysis for descriptive and inferential statistics was performed using SPSS (IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 22.0, Armonk, NY: IBM Corp. Released 2013) and a P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. In comparison with the control group, the study group (LNB) showed statistically significant anesthesia of the lingual gingiva of incisors, molars, anterior floor of the mouth, and anterior tongue. CONCLUSION: Exclusive LNB is superior to IAN nerve block in achieving selective anesthesia of lingual soft tissues. It is technically simple and associated with minimal complications as compared to IAN block.