Remission of invasive thymoma due to chemotherapy. Two patients treated with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and vincristine

Information regarding the effectiveness of chemotherapy in cases of invasive thymoma is limited. Two patients in whom the combination of cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and vincristine produced remission of invasive thymoma are described. The durations of remission were eight and seven months, respectively. In both patients, recurrence was observed at the site of bulky disease, and a secondary complete response continuing for 37 months was achieved in one of them with radiation therapy.     

iCHRCloud: Web & Mobile based Child Health Imprints for Smart Healthcare

Reducing child mortality with quality care is the prime-most concern of all nations. Thus in current IT era, our healthcare industry needs to focus on adapting information technology in healthcare services. Barring few preliminary attempts to digitalize basic hospital administrative and clinical functions, even today in India, child health and vaccination records are still maintained as paper-based records. Also, error in manually plotting the parameters in growth charts results in missed opportunities for early detection of growth disorders in children. To address these concerns, we present India’s first hospital linked, affordable automated vaccination and real-time child’s growth monitoring cloud based application- Integrated Child Health Record cloud (iCHRcloud). This application is based on HL7 protocol enabling integration with hospital’s HIS/EMR system. It provides Java (Enterprise Service Bus and Hibernate) based web portal for doctors and mobile application for parents, enhancing doctor-parent engagement. It leverages highchart to automate chart preparation and provides access of data via Push Notification (GCM and APNS) to parents on iOS and Android mobile platforms. iCHRcloud has also been recognized as one of the best innovative solution in three nationwide challenges, 2016 in India. iCHRcloud offers a seamless, secure (256 bit HTTPS) and sustainable solution to reduce child mortality. Detail analysis on preliminary data of 16,490 child health records highlight the diversified need of various demographic regions. Thus, primary lesson would be to implement better validation strategies to fulfill the customize requisites of entire population. This paper presents first glimpse of data and power of the analytics in policy framework.     

The comparative evaluation of the effects of tongue cleaning on salivary levels of mutans streptococci in children

To cite this article:
Int J Dent Hygiene 10 , 2012; 107–112
DOI: 10.1111/j.1601‐5037.2011.00522.x Rupesh S, Winnier JJ, Nayak UA, Rao AP, Reddy V, Peter J. The comparative evaluation of the effects of tongue cleaning on salivary levels of mutans streptococci in children. Abstract: Objectives: The study compared and evaluated the effects of tongue scraping and tongue brushing on salivary mutans streptococci levels in children. Methods: The investigation was a single‐blind, stratified comparison of three parallel groups of children who performed either tongue scraping or tongue brushing along with tooth brushing or only tooth brushing twice daily under professional supervision for a 21‐day period. A total of three saliva samples were taken from each individual, at baseline, on day 10 and on day 21, and colony counts of mutans streptococci were determined. All data were subjected to statistical analysis using Wilcoxon’s signed‐ranks sum test and Mann–Whitney U‐test. Results and conclusions: The results of the present study show that tongue scraping and tongue brushing demonstrated statistically significant reductions in salivary mutans streptococci counts after 10 days and also after 21 days. It was also noted that tongue scraping and tongue brushing were equally effective in reducing colony counts.     

A comparative study to determine the wettability and castability of different elastomeric impression materials

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the wettability of different hydrophilic and hydrophobic elastomeric impression materials and the gypsum castability. Materials and methods: The wettability was evaluated by determining the contact angles of different elastomeric impression materials. The contact angle was determined by placing a drop of aqueous solution of calcium sulfate dihydrate on the flat surface of impression material and specimens were measured using a profile projector. Gypsum castability was determined by counting the number of voids formed in the die stone cast made from the impressions of a aluminum die. The voids were counted using an diopter magnifying lens. Results: Polyether, different viscosities of polyvinyl siloxane, and condensation silicone impression materials exhibited low contact angle values and least number of voids in the die stone cast when compared with polysulfide impression material. Conclusion: There was significant correlation between the contact angle and voids formed in the die stone casts when fabricating die stone casts from various elastomeric impression material impressions. Clinical significance: Accurate reproduction of prepared tooth or edentulous arch is of clinical importance in the fabrication of a fixed or removable prosthesis. Inaccuracies in the replication processes will ultimately have an adverse effect on the fit and adaptation of final restoration. The interaction is determined in part by hydrophilic and hydrophobic nature of the elastomeric impression material. Inadequate wetting of an impression results in voids in the stone casts. Keywords: Wettability, Contact angle, Elastomeric impression materials, Castability. How to cite this article: Reddy GV, Reddy NS, Itttigi J, Jagadeesh KN. A Comparative Study to Determine the Wettability and Castability of Different Elastomeric Impression Materials. J Contemp Dent Pract 2012;13(3):356-363. Source of support: Nil Conflict of interest: None declared.     

Solitary plaque on the scalp as a primary manifestation of Hodgkin lymphoma: a case report and review of the literature

Cutaneous Hodgkin lymphoma is infrequent and typically occurs after extensive involvement of the lymph nodes. The condition decreased significantly in incidence in the past two decades, likely owing to the new treatment protocols composed of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and stem cell transplantation. Nevertheless, recognition of this uncommon but significant disease manifestation is important from a prognostic and therapeutic perspective. We are sharing a recent case of Hodgkin lymphoma where the primary presentation appeared as a solitary plaque on the left side of the occipital scalp, clinically suspected to represent a ruptured follicular cyst. The patient underwent excisional biopsy. Histological assessment revealed Hodgkin lymphoma affecting the skin. Radiological studies showed no regional lymphadenopathy. However, two enlarged lymph nodes were identified in the mediastinum and were positron emission tomography avid. The patient underwent systemic treatment without further histopathological examination of these two lymph nodes. Not being clear if these enlarged two lymph nodes were related to his cutaneous disease or not, we cannot be sure if the patient was afflicted either by primary cutaneous Hodgkin lymphoma or by secondary cutaneous involvement because of hematogenous spread. In either case, primary or secondary cutaneous Hodgkin disease is an extreme rarity. The literature is critically reviewed.     

马来西亚西部眼化学伤75例回顾分析

目的:探讨化学伤的致伤物质种类、最容易发生化学伤的职业,眼部化学伤的严重性和伤后的并发症和视力预后.方法:通过病例回顾性研究,包括伤者的性别、年龄、种族、职业,探讨化学伤的致伤物质种类,就诊时视力,眼部化学伤的严重性和伤后的并发症和视力预后.结果:在75例患者中,90.3%为男性,84% 在工作年龄范围(21-50岁);29.3% 是工厂工人;52% 碱烧伤:65.4% 为制造厂和建筑工人;57.3% 双眼受累;9.3% 就诊时受伤眼视力＜6/60;72% 为I级;19.5% 患者并发干眼症,角膜血管翳,角膜混浊,并发性白内障,继发性青光眼等;92%的伤眼最后视力是6/18或以上;6.2%伤眼失明.结论:虽然化学伤常常累及双眼,但多数患者伤情不严重,且视力预后较好.及时充分的冲洗可以缓解眼化学伤.适当的紧急处理可以减少长期的并发症和视力损害,但一些严重的化学伤可致盲.     

Vesicular and bullous eruptions in tropical (filarial) eosinophilia

A case of tropical (filarial) eosinophilia (TE) presented with vesicular and bullous eruptions. The patient had skin and mucosal blistering. Histopathological changes were that of bullous pemphigoid. The patient had very high eosinophilia with abnormal vacuoles in the cytoplasm. ELISA test was positive for filarial antibodies. There were no pulmonary signs or symptoms. X-ray chest was normal. The patient responded well to diethylcarbamazine.     

Analytical study of pustular eruptions in neonates

Pustular eruptions are commonly encountered in neonatal practice. Much confusion exists among clinicians because of the similarity in clinical lesions, paucity of relevant literature, and varied nomenclature used for these diseases. This often results in inappropriate diagnoses and therapies, besides subjecting the neonates to invasive and traumatic investigative procedures. We conducted a comprehensive study of pustular eruptions in 100 neonates, using the clinical examination and simple laboratory tests to arrive at a practical diagnostic and therapeutic approach to this problem. Of the 100 neonates with pustular eruptions, 36% were in the early neonatal period (first week of life). A slight male preponderance with a male:female ratio of 1:0.79 was observed. The majority of the families of these infants had poor socioeconomic status (96%) and were living in slums (71%). A study of their educational status revealed that 54% of the mothers were uneducated. Fifty-seven percent of the neonates were born at home. The clinical pattern of diseases among these neonates was that 58% of them had infections [impetigo (23%), intertrigo (14%), scabies (6%), and viral diseases (6%)]. Noninfectious diseases (42%) included miliaria pustulosa, erythema toxicum neonatorum, epidermolysis bullosa, and contact dermatitis. Simple laboratory investigations helpful in establishing the diagnosis were smears processed with Gram (24%) and Giemsa (39%) stains and wet mounts with 10% potassium hydroxide (KOH) solution (27%) for direct microscopic examination. More than half (53%) of the patients required no specific treatment except for counseling and medications to alleviate symptoms, while others with an infectious etiology responded to topical and or systemic antibiotics/antifungals. Pustular eruptions in neonates include both infectious and noninfectious diseases. Simple laboratory tests such as Gram- and Giemsa-stained smears, direct microscopy with 10% KOH wet mounts, bacterial and fungal cultures are helpful in establishing the diagnosis and occasionally skin biopsy is needed. A practical diagnostic and therapeutic approach to this problem is discussed.     

Comparative efficacy of various treatment regimens for androgenetic alopecia in men

Our understanding of the aetiology of androgenetic alopecia (AGA) has substantially increased in recent years. As a result, several treatment modalities have been tried with promising results especially in early stages of AGA. However, as far as has been ascertained, there is no comprehensive study comparing the efficacy of these agents alone and in combination with each other. One hundered male patients with AGA of Hamilton grades II to IV were enrolled in an open, randomized, parallel-group study, designed to evaluate and compare the efficacy of oral finasteride (1 mg per day), topical 2% minoxidil solution and topical 2% ketoconazole shampoo alone and in combination. They were randomized into four groups. Group I (30 patients) was administered oral finasteride, Group II (36 patients) was given a combination of finasteride and topical minoxidil, Group III (24 patients) applied minoxidil alone and Group IV (10 patients) was administered finasteride with topical ketoconazole. Treatment efficacy was assessed on the basis of patient and physician assessment scores and global photographic review during the study period of one year. At the end of one year, hair growth was observed in all the groups with best results recorded with a combination of finasteride and minoxidil (Group II) followed by groups IV, I and III. Subjects receiving finasteride alone or in combination with minoxidil or ketoconazole showed statistically significant improvement (p<0.05) over minoxidil only recipients. No signifcant side-effects related to the drugs were observed. In conclusion, it is inferred that the therapeutic efficacy is enhanced by combining the two drugs acting on different aetiological aspects of AGA.     

Is SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) postviral olfactory dysfunction (PVOD) different from other PVOD?

Background::The SARS-CoV-2 virus continues to spread rapidly across the globe afflicting many with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). As the infection rates r...