Outcome of Canal Wall Down Mastoidectomy: A Retrospective Review.

A canal wall down mastoidectomy (CWDM) is an effective technique for eradication of chronic suppurative otitis media (atticoantral disease) or cholesteatomas. A retrospective study was conducted at R.D. Gardi Medical college between 2015 and 2017 to evaluate the outcome of CWDM for patients with atticoantral type of CSOM. All new cases of MRM/RM which fulfilled the selection criteria were reviewed. The main outcome measures were the hearing outcome and status of dry ear postoperatively. 60 patients of CWDM (32 male, 28 female) were included for analysis. All patients in our study were between 7 and 52 years with mean age 28.38 years. The ossicular chain was eroded in all the cases. Improvement in Air-Bone-Gap was seen in 11 (18.33%), no change in 38 (63.33%) and 11 (18.33%) had deteriorated. In post operative outcome study of our 60 patients, 76.66% of the patients had dry healed cavity and non healed cavity was found to be in 23.33% of the patients. On analysis of data and comparison with other studies it was found that there are three important factors which influence hearing results and the outcome of surgery-status of ossicular chain, presence or absence of cholesteatoma, recurrence or residual disease.

Solitary Plasmacytoma of Frontal Bone: A Case Report.

A 42 years old male presenting with complaints of swelling on the left supraorbital region since-5 months. Swelling was gradual in onset and progressive in nature. On examination it was a single swelling 5 × 6 cm, with diffuse margins, skin over the swelling was red and stretched, swelling is firm in consistency, fixed, tender on touch, non pulsatile with diffuse irregular margin. FNAC. Smears are positive for malignancy. Bone marrow examination was normal. Excision of the mass from the left frontal sinus, orbit and supraorbital region under GA and sent for HPR. Definitive treatment of choice is: radiotherary 45-50 Gy/4-5 weeks, chemotherapy and surgery. Prognosis is good with local recurrence (< 10%).

Vitamin D: A Critical Micronutrient for Vascular Health in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: Vitamin D deficiency may be responsible for endothelial dysfunction which in turn affects the onset and progression of vascular disease including coronary artery disease and its risk factor, directly or indirectly through various mechanisms. This study was undertaken to find out association between vitamin D and endothelial dilatation of brachial artery, which may help to suggest possible underlying mechanisms and may be of clinical importance in planning preventive and therapeutic strategies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 50 cases of type 2 diabetes mellitus aged 40-60 years were taken. 50 cases without type 2 diabetes mellitus matched for confounding factors were taken as controls. Venous blood samples were collected for the investigations including vitamin D levels. Then Participants were subjected to ultrasound examination for measurement of flow mediated dilatation (FMD) and endothelial independent dilatation after ingestion of glyceryl tri-nitrate (GTN). Unpaired student T test and correlation coefficient analysis were used to find out association between different variables. RESULTS: The mean values of FMD were 18.85 ± 5.39% and 10.29 ± 4.91% in controls and cases respectively (p<0.001). The dilatation after GTN was observed to be 26.16 ± 4.25% and 18.74 ± 5.72% in controls and cases respectively (p<0.001). The mean levels of vitamin D among controls and cases were 25.41 ± 12.18 and 14.52 ± 8.28 ng/ml respectively. The correlation between endothelial dependent dilatation (FMD), endothelial independent dilatation (after GTN) and vitamin D was found to be more positive in cases (r=0.870, r=0.798) than controls (r=0.079, r=0.158). CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin D deficiency state is higher among cases of type 2 DM. Endothelial dependent dilatation (FMD) was found to be lower among the patients of type 2 DM. The study gives us an insight to identify the diabetics with vitamin D deficiency which may be at higher risk of vascular complications including coronary artery disease.

Histopathological changes associated with E. granulosus echinococcosis in food producing animals in Punjab (India).

Cystic echinococcosis due to Echinococcus granulosus is a serious public health and economic concern in India. The disease is endemic in most of the food producing animals such as cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat and pigs in the country. In this study, tissues comprising of pieces of liver and lungs were collected in 10 % formal buffered saline. The formalin fixed tissues (liver and lungs) from 10 cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat and pigs each were selected and further processed by acetone benzene method for histopathological examinations. The cysts were surrounded by outer fibrous layer over the inner germinal layer and filled with clear hydatid fluid. Echinococcal protoscolices were also noticed in some of the sections. Histologically, slight hemorrhage, leucocyte infiltration and mild hepatocellular degeneration in the liver were noticed. The adjacent hepatic paraenchyma showed atrophy, variable degeneration and infiltration. The parenchyma adjacent to cysts was markedly congested and showed multiple small haemorrhagic areas. In lungs, there was proliferation of fibrous connective tissue and infiltration of mononuclear cells.

Prevalence and morphological characterisation of Cysticercus tenuicollis (Taenia hydatigena cysts) in sheep and goat from north India.

Taenia hydatigena is an adult parasite of dogs with the metacestode (Cysticercus tenuicollis) stage residing in ruminants and pigs. Documentation and surveillance data concerning to the prevalence and risk factors associated with the disease in India is largely lacking. In this experiment, 3,199 carcasses, including 760 sheep and 2,439 goat were examined for the presence of C. tenuicollis (T. hydatigena cysts) on post-mortem inspection at different slaughter houses/shops in northern India. Morphological analysis was also conducted on five samples from each species. Out of 3199 carcasses examined, 135 were found containing cysts of T. hydatigena indicating a prevalence of 4.22 %. Most of the cysts were present in abdominal cavity, except few which were embedded in the liver. The high prevalence of 4.83 was recorded in goats as compared to 2.23 % in sheep. Principal component analysis was applied for statistical analysis. The results of morphological analysis indicated its usefulness as a valid criterion for differentiation of T. hydatigena cysts and that there might be possibility of two different strains infecting sheep and goat.

Study of outcome of tympanoplasties in relation to size and site of tympanic membrane perforation.

There are not many studies on the effect of the site and size of the perforation on the hearing loss. This study is set to investigate the relationship between the size and site of perforation and hearing loss. This study was carried out between September 2011 to September 2013, at a tertiary care centre during which 100 cases of chronic otitis media tubotympanic type having central perforation were selected. All patients underwent, tympanoplasty using temporalis fascia/cartilage graft, underlay technique with or without simple mastoidectomy/modified radical mastoidectomy and followed up for 3 months and evaluated for graft uptake and hearing improvement with respect to size and site of TM perforation. To measure the size of perforation intra-operatively, thin transparency sheet was used, on which a graph paper of 1 × 1 mm(2) size was printed. Significant relationship was observed between size and site of tympanic membrane perforation with hearing loss. Perforations which were involving all four quadrants (AS + AI + PS + PI) are having maximum residual perforations after the surgery. In relation with size, subtotal perforation were having more residual perforations postoperatively, followed by medium sized perforations. An inherent relationship noted between ossicular involvement and hearing loss, maximum average hearing loss was observed in those cases, where all three ossicles (malleus, incus & stapes) were involved, also more hearing loss was noted in posterior perforations.

Treatment of wastewater and restoration of aquatic systems through an eco-technology based constructed treatment wetlands - a successful experience in Central India.

In the last couple of decades constructed wetlands (CWs) have drawn considerable interest in Central India. CWs offer an effective means of integrating wastewater treatment and resource enhancement, often at competitive cost in comparison to conventional wastewater treatments, with additional benefits of Green Urban Landscaping and wildlife habitat. This paper describes treatment performances and the design of some Sub Surface Flow CWs (SSFCW) and Artificial Floating Islands (AFIs) in Central India. Central Indian CWs show significant pollution reduction load for total suspended solids (TSS) (62-82%), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) (40-75%), NH(4)-N (67-78%) and total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) (59-78%). Field scale SSFCWs installed so far in Central India are rectangular, earthen, single/multiple celled having similar depths of 0.60-0.90 m, hydraulic retention capacity 18-221 m(3) with effective size 41.8-1,050 m(2). The major components of CWs incorporate puddled bottom/side walls, sealed with impermeable low-density polyethylene, a bed of locally available river gravel planted with Phragmites karka, and an inlet distribution and outlet collection system. A new variant on CWs are AFIs working under hydroponics. The field scale experimental AFIs installed in-situ in a slowly flowing local river were composed of hollow bamboo, a bed of coconut coir, floating arrangements and Phragmites karka as nutrient stripping plant species. The AFIs polish the aquatic system by reducing 46.6% of TSS, 45-55% of NH(4)-N, 33-45% of NO(3)-N, 45-50% of TKN and 40-50% of BOD. The study established that there is a need for further research and sufficient data to assist the development of CWs by instilling confidence in policymakers, planners and in the public.

Comparative studies of different concretes on the basis of some photon interaction parameters.

Different photon interaction parameters viz. linear attenuation coefficient, mass attenuation coefficient, penetration depth, equivalent atomic number, exposure buildup factor have been computed for seven different concretes (ordinary, hematite-serpentine, ilmenite-limonite, basalt-magnetite, ilmenite, steel-scrap and steel magnetite) in the energy region of 0.015-15.0MeV. The computed parameters were studied as a function of incident photon energy, chemical composition and penetration depth of the selected concretes. It has been observed that among the selected concretes, steel magnetite offers maximum value for linear attenuation coefficient, mass attenuation coefficient, equivalent atomic number and least values in terms of penetration depth equivalent to mean free path and exposure buildup factors. Hence, it is concluded that it offers better shielding among the selected concretes. It is expected that in case of any nuclear accident, the presented buildup factor data may be helpful in estimating the effective dose given to people living in buildings constructed from one of the selected concretes.

Effect of direct dyes effluent on germination/growth of maize and sorghum plants.

The effect of direct dyes effluent used for irrigation of maize and sorghum plants was examined in germination of seeds, shoot length, root length and chlorophyll contents. Studies were also carried out by irrigating these plants with 50% water diluted effluent sample and as such. Here effluent of four different colored direct dyes, i.e. Direct Red 28, Direct Yellow 12, Direct Orange 26 and Direct Blue 1 have been used for irrigation. On comparing the results with water (control), it was found that unexhausted dye and its concentration in the effluent leads to decrease in germination of the seeds, shoot length, root length, chlorophyll contents of the plants up to 44%, 55%, 45% and 48% respectively.

Oxidation of polyaromatic hydrocarbons in systems containing water miscible organic solvents by the lignin peroxidase of Gleophyllum striatum MTCC-1117.

Lignin peroxidase has been purified to homogeneity using a process of concentration by ultrafiltration and anion exchange chromatography on diethylaminoethyl (DEAE) cellulose from the liquid culture filtrate of the brown rot fungi Gleophyllum striatum MTCC-1117. The molecular mass of the purified enzyme is 43 kDa as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) analysis. The K(m) values for the enzyme using veratryl alcohol, hydrogen peroxide and n-propanol were 66 microM, 82 microM and 476 microM, respectively. The pH and temperature optima of the enzyme were 2.8 and 25 degrees C, respectively. The enzyme is completely inhibited by 20% of the water miscible organic solvents acetone dioxane, diethylether, acetonitrile and dimethylformamide. The lignin peroxidase oxidizes polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons pyrene, acenaphthene, anthracene, dibenothiophene and 9-methyl anthracene.

Purification and characterisation of lignin peroxidase from Pycnoporus sanguineus MTCC-137.

Extracellular secretion of lignin peroxidase from Pycnoporus sanguineus MTCC-137 in the liquid culture growth medium amended with lignin containing natural sources has been shown. The maximum secretion of lignin peroxidase has been found in the presence of saw dust. The enzyme has been purified to homogeneity from the culture filtrate of the fungus using ultrafiltration and anion exchange chromatography on DEAE-cellulose. The purified lignin peroxidase gave a single protein band in sodium dodecylsulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis corresponding to the molecular mass 40 kDa. The K(m)(, kcat) and k(cat)/K(m) values of the enzyme using veratryl alcohol and H2O2 as the substrate were 61 microM, 2.13 s(-1), 3.5 x 10(4) M(-1) s(-1) and 71 microM, 2.13 s(-1), 3.0 x 10(4) M(-1) s(-1) respectively at the optimum pH of 2.5. The temperature optimum of the enzyme was 25 degrees C.

Genetic polymorphism of glutathione S transferases M1 and T1 in Indian patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to evaluate whether the association of GSTM1/T1 gene polymorphisms modifies the risk of Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and what is its correlation with other predisposing risk factors like alcohol intake, cigarette smoking and hepatitis B and C infections. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: It was a case-control study, included 254 HCC cases compared with 525 hospital-based age and sex matched cases of chronic liver disease without HCC as controls from Indian population. The GSTM1 and GSTT1 genotypes were detected using conventional multiplex PCR method. RESULTS: In this case-control study, we observed a positive correlation between age, HBV and HCV infection, smoking habit of > 20 packs/year, alcohol consumption of > 100 g/day and risk of liver cancer. We found significantly increased risk associated with GSTM1 null genotype (OR = 3.49; 95% CI = 2.52-4.84) as well as GSTT1 null genotype (OR = 3.12; 95% CI = 2.19-4.45), respectively. However, an increased risk of HCC was observed among heavy drinkers with GSTM1 (OR = 2.01; 95% CI = 1.11-3.66). Further, cigarette smoking showed a non-significant association with GSTT1 (OR = 1.49; CI = 0.69-3.25). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the variants in low penetrance gene such as GSTM1 and GSTT1 are associated with an increased liver cancer risk. Further, an influence of GSTM1/T1 null genotypes may contribute in the etiology of HCC in patients with higher cigarette and alcohol consumption.

Polymorphism of glutathione S-transferase M1 and T1 gene loci in COPD.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a complex combination of signs and symptoms in patients with chronic bronchitis and emphysema, diseases that largely result from cigarette smoking. A little information is available for the underlying molecular mechanisms that are responsible for its occurrence. Polymorphisms in genes of xenobiotics metabolizing enzymes are expected to modulate individual responses to genotoxic carcinogens. Present study was a case-control study of COPD patients and healthy controls. Genetic polymorphisms of GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes in 50 COPD patients and 50 healthy controls were investigated using multiplex polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism techniques to determine whether polymorphisms of these genes are linked to genetic susceptibility to COPD. All subjects were males and smokers. The frequency of GSTM1 homozygous null genotype was 28.0% in COPD cases when compared with controls (32.0%). The difference was not significant showing that risk of COPD was not associated with the GSTM1 null genotypes. The frequencies of homozygous null genotypes of GSTT1 were significantly higher in COPD cases as compared with controls (40% versus 14.0%) suggesting that the theta-glutathione S-transferases null genotype may be associated with the susceptibility to COPD. No significant differences were observed when comparisons were performed according to severity of disease and smoking for GSTM1 and GSTT1. It was also observed that COPD developed in the early age and with a shorter pack-year history in Indian population.

Association of GSTM1 and GSTT1 gene deletions with susceptibility to DNA damage in the pesticide-exposed workers of Punjab.

The main aim of this study was to evaluate genotoxic effects of pesticides in association with glutathione S-transferase (GST) polymorphism. To achieve this aim, DNA damage and the genotypes of the GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes were studied from blood lymphocytes of pesticide-exposed and unexposed (control) agricultural workers of the Punjab region of northwestern India. The blood samples were collected from 40 exposed and 27 unexposed subjects from the Kakrala and Sanour villages of Patiala district. DNA damage was evaluated by using an alkaline comet assay. The analysis of the comets was done through visual scoring and image analysis software (Tritek's CometScore). Damage Index (DI), Damage Frequency (DF) (calculated by visual scoring method), and % DNA in tail (measured by image analysis software) were considered for assessing DNA damage. The DNA extraction from blood cells was done using proteinase K and the phenol-chloroform method, and genotyping of GSTM1 and GSTT1 was done using multiplex PCR. It was found that all the pesticide-exposed subjects showed higher DI, DF, and % DNA in tail in comparison to the controls. The statistical comparison of DNA damage between the exposed group and unexposed group revealed highly significant differences (p < 0.05; Mann-Whitney U-test). In addition, the GSTT1 gene deletion and simultaneous deletions of GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes in increasing DNA damage were observed in the exposed group.

Lignin peroxidases of some indigenous ligninolytic fungi: secretion and enzymatic characteristics.

Secretion and enzymatic characteristics of lignin peroxidases from Gloeophyllum sepiarium MTCC 1170, Cladosporium herbarum MTCC 346, Lenzites betulina MTCC 1183, Daedalea flavida MTCC 145, Hexagonia teruis MTCC 1119 and Coirolopsis floccosa MTCC 1177 ligninolytic fungal strains have been reported. Secretion of lignin peroxidase by these ligninolytic fungal strains have been found to be in the range of 0.86 to 3.0 enzyme unit per ml of the culture medium. The enzymatic characteristics like K(m), pH and temperature optima of all the lignin peroxidases of the above fungal strains have been determined using veratryl alcohol and H(2)O(2) as the variable substrates. The K(m) values using veratryl alcohol as the substrate were found to be 65.0 µM, 58.5 µM, 63.0 µM, 54.5 µM, 54.6 µM and 61.0 µM respectively. The K(m) values using H(2)O(2) as the substrate were found to be 88.0 µM, 86.0 µM, 71.0 µM, 67.0 µM, 80.0 µM and 78.0 µM respectively. The pH optima values for lignin peroxidases of the above ligninolytic fungal strains were found to be 2.5, 2.4, 2.4, 2.25, 2.5 and 2.8 respectively, where as the temperature optima values were 25°C, 24°C, 25°C, 23°C, 24°C and 25°C respectively.

Parasitic zoonoses in India: an overview.

Parasitic zoonotic diseases are prevalent throughout India at varying rates. First reports of zoonotic parasites and new emerging diseases have been recorded in both the human and animal populations in recent decades. The prevalence of zoonotic parasites is likely to be an underestimate, owing to the lack of proper surveillance and the shortage of information about the existence of asymptomatic animal carriers. Emergence of diseases such as human echinococcosis/hydatidosis, neurocysticercosis, cryptosporidiosis and toxoplasmosis in those with acquired immune deficiency syndrome, together with the re-emergence of cutaneous leishmaniosis, poses a serious threat in India and the prevention and control of these parasitic zoonoses, and others, is a great challenge.

Treatment performance of artificial floating reed beds in an experimental mesocosm to improve the water quality of river Kshipra.

The discharge of untreated wastewater in River Kshipra had brought annual average of BOD, TKN and TS levels up to 39 mg/l, 38 mg/l and 781 mg/l respectively in the study area. Treatment performance by Artificial Floating Reed Beds (AFRB) was evaluated for removal efficiency of TS, NH4-N, NO3-N, TKN and BOD from river water, initially, under a pilot scale by an AFRB of size 200 m2 planted with local reed grass, Phragmites karka, in the part of River Kshipra at the confluence with meeting point of a wastewater stream. The system performance was recorded as 43% reduction in TS, 38% reduction in TKN and 39% BOD reduction. The experimental AFRBs were buoyant structure planted with reed grass, each unit had a rectangular size and covered an effective surface area of 2 m2. The experiment with the mesocosms with treatment of River water resulted that AFRB was reducing pollution load by 55-60% of TS, 45-55% of NH4-N, 33-45% of NO3-N, 45-50% of TKN and 40-50% of BOD. AFRB may be recommended as an in-situ, eco-friendly river water treatment structures for small shallow, slow flowing (or slightly stagnant) water bodies.