Occurrence of new Philometra sp. in mangrove red snapper Lutjanus argentimaculatus from the Karachi coast, Pakistan.

A recent examination of Philometra nematodes from mangrove red snapper Lutjanus argentimaculatus (Forsskal, 1775) from the Karachi coast, Kemari was done in the years 2021-2022. The present study reported three new species of genus Philometra (Costa, 1845) (Nematoda: Philometridae) Philometra kolachii, Philometra lutjani and Philometra kemarii. A total of 140 fish samples were examined, and 76 were infected. The intensity of infected fish was 54.28%. In Pakistan, literature on Philometrid nematodes is limited, therefore, this research would be helpful for the documentation and enhancement of nematods in Pakistan.

Elective Surgical Experience During COVID Pandemic at a Tertiary Cancer Care Centre in India: A Retrospective Analysis.

To analyse and identify possible outcomes of elective cancer surgeries performed at a tertiary cancer centre during COVID19 pandemic. This is a retrospective study including patients that underwent surgery at HCG Manavata cancer centre, Nashik, Maharashtra, India, from 15 March 2020 to 15 June 2020. Among the 458 patients that underwent elective surgeries, 54% were male and 46% were female, with a median age of 50.57 years. The most common sites of cancer distribution were head and neck (24.67%), colorectal (11.57%), gynaecological (11.35%), and breast (10.26%). Of the included patients, 92% were of American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) II with comorbidities such as hypertension, and 64% underwent major surgeries with a mortality rate of 1.52% (n = 7). Average duration of surgery and hospital stay was observed to be 168.43 min and 4.4 days, respectively. Post-operatively, 7 patients were tested COVID positive and their recovery was uneventful. Despite the difficulty that set in because of COVID19 pandemic, it was proven from our study that elective cancer care surgeries can be successfully performed by following all the set guidelines.

Mucocele of the tongue: A case report and review of literature.

Mucoceles are common cystic lesions in the oral cavity. It may occur in different locations in the oral mucosa due to trauma or obstruction of minor salivary gland ducts with the lower lip as the predominant site. However, mucoceles located on the ventral surface of the tongue originating from the anterior lingual salivary glands are extremely rare and often overlooked during screening procedures because of their asymptomatic nature. Here, we report an interesting case of mucocele on the anterior ventral surface of the tongue in an 11-year-old female based on the clinical and histopathological diagnosis. Moreover, mucoceles should be considered as one of the differential diagnoses while evaluating a growth involving the ventral surface of the tongue in young female children.

Comparison of anaesthetic efficacy of ropivacaine (0.75% & 0.5%) with 2% lignocaine with adrenaline (1:200000) in surgical extraction of bilateral mandibular 3rd molars using IANB:a prospective, randomized, single blind study.

AIM: To evaluate and compare the anaesthetic efficacy of 0.75% ropivacaine and 0.5% ropivacaine with 2% lignocaine with 1:200000 Adrenaline (LWA) for surgical extraction of bilateral mandibular 3rd molars using Direct inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Total of 60 outpatients of both sex,age group of 18-40 included in a prospective, randomized, single blind, split mouth clinical study after satisfying inclusion and exclusion criteria. Group I includes 30 patients and 0.75% ropivacaine as test drug, Group II includes 30 patients and 0.5% ropivacaine as test drug. In both group control drug was LWA.Parameters measured were onset of action, duration of action, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, visual analogue scale (VAS), faces pain scale (FPS). RESULT: Onset of action of 0.75%/0.5% ropivacaine (101.84 â€‹± â€‹16.92 â€‹secs/113.03 â€‹± â€‹12.77 â€‹sec) was faster than LWA (Group I-218 â€‹± â€‹21.51 â€‹secs, Group II-196.47 â€‹± â€‹26.27 â€‹secs). Duration of action of 0.75%/0.5% ropivacaine (343.55 â€‹± â€‹16.44 â€‹mins/319.03 â€‹± â€‹19.30 â€‹mins) was longer than 2% Lignocaine with 1:200000 adrenaline (Group I I-173 â€‹± â€‹16.86 â€‹mins, Group II-175.20 â€‹± â€‹18.02 â€‹mins). In Group I - VAS/FPS of 0.75% Ropivacaine (0.97 â€‹± â€‹0.54/1.32 â€‹± â€‹0.65) was significantly lower as compared to LWA (2.90 â€‹± â€‹0.83/3.29 â€‹± â€‹0.69). In group II-VAS/FPS of 0.5% ropivacaine (1.40 â€‹± â€‹0.72/1.47 â€‹± â€‹0.50) was lower as compared to LWA (3.40 â€‹± â€‹0.89/3.30 â€‹± â€‹0.87). Mean systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, heart rate was lower for ropivacaine (0.75%, 0.5%) than LWA except mean heart rate higher for 0.75% ropivacaine at 10 â€‹min after injection. Else mean heart rate lower in other time interval. CONCLUSION: Ropivacaine (0.75%,0.5%) was more efficacious than 2% lignocaine with adrenaline (1:200000) it terms of all measured parameters in study.

Is transcranial magnetic stimulation effective in treatment-resistant combat related posttraumatic stress disorder?

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effectiveness of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in patients with treatment-resistant posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with co-occurring major depression. METHODS: We examined data on 20 male combat related PTSD patients admitted to the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Clinic of Gülhane Military Medical Academy, Ankara, Turkey between January 2011 and December 2012 that received rTMS in addition to medical therapy. We obtained the data by examining the case files and hospital computer records. RESULTS: Decreases in the Impact of Event Scale (IES) hyperarousal scores were statistically significant. However, there were no statistically significant differences between the total IES scores, IES intrusion scores, IES avoidance scores, Beck Depression Inventory, and Beck Anxiety Inventory scores before and after rTMS treatment. CONCLUSION: The efficacy of rTMS on the hyperarousal symptoms indicated that rTMS could be used in the treatment of patients with treatment-resistant PTSD. The role of rTMS in the clinical management of PTSD should be identified in further comprehensive studies.

A new spectrophotometric method for the determination of methyldopa.

A new, simple and low cost spectrophotometric method for the determination of methyldopa in pharmaceutical preparations was developed. The method was based on the coupling of methyldopa with 2,6-dichloroquinone-4-chlorimide (DCQ). The absorbance maximum (λ max) of the resulted colored product was at 400 nm. Different buffers were used to determine the optimal pH for the reaction. About 1% w/v acetate buffer with pH 8.0 gave the optimal pH required for the reaction. Of the different solvents tried, water and ethanol were found to be the most suitable solvents. Beer's law was obeyed in concentration range of 4-20 µg/ml methyldopa. The correlation coefficient was found to be (r = 0.9975). The limit of detection and limit of quantification were 1.1 µg/ml and 3.21 µg/ml, respectively. The reaction ratio between methyldopa and DCQ was studied and found to be 1:3. The work included the study of the possible interference of hydrochlorothiazide found in combination with methyldopa tablets. The method was validated and results obtained for the assay of two different brands of methyldopa tablets were compared with the BP method (colorimetric). The repeatability and reproducibility of the developed method were evaluated and the obtained results quoted. The derivative formed as a result of the reaction of methyldopa with DCQ was isolated and its possible mechanistic pathway was suggested.

Camptodactyly: classification and results of nonoperative treatment.

To assess the relationship between clinical presentation and response to treatment, we reviewed the management of 59 involved proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints in 22 patients with camptodactyly at a mean follow-up of 33 months. This population represented 24 cases of isolated infantile camptodactyly (type I), five cases of adolescent camptodactyly (type II), and 30 cases of syndromic camptodactyly (type III). Treatment response was assessed through passive range of motion measurements. Splinting and close adherence to an occupational therapy program were particularly effective for type I digits. We also recommend this approach for type II and type III camptodactyly, although severe deformities and well-established contractures are more common in these patients. We reserve operative intervention for only those patients who fail nonoperative management.

Fracture of the penis.

Fracture of the penis is not an uncommon urological emergency. Six patients with this injury, treated at the Institute of Urology, General Hospital, Kuala Lumpur, since 1988, were reviewed. Their ages ranged from 21 to 30 years old (mean 25). Four cases were self-inflicted by abnormal bending and 2 cases occurred during sexual intercourse. A sudden "cracking sound", violent pain, rapid flaccidity and deformity of the penis were documented. Duration of injury at presentation ranged from 12 to 90 hours (mean 35 hours). Primary repair of the tunica albuginea with absorbable suture was performed in all cases. The results of surgery was excellent, with restoration of normal function in 4 patients (2 patients defaulted follow-up). We advocate immediate surgical repair for this injury.

Kinetics of bromadiolone, anticoagulant rodenticide, in the Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus).

Rats (Rattus norvegicus) dosed orally with the rodenticide bromadiolone (0.8 and 3 mg/kg) were sacrificed in groups of 4 rats at various times up to 97 hours after administration. Bromadiolone was assayed in plasma, liver and kidney by an HPLC method. The compound disappeared slowly from the organism with a half-life of 25.7 hours for the 0.8 mg/kg dose and 57.5 hours for the 3 mg/kg. Concentrations in liver were rapidly established and were 14- to 46-fold higher than plasma concentrations. 97 hours after 3 mg/kg dose, liver concentrations were about 1.5 micrograms/g. Bromadiolone levels in kidney were slightly higher than those observed in plasma, with a longer half-life.