Use of Animal-Assisted Therapy in the Rehabilitation of an Assault Victim with a Concurrent Mood Disorder

Multidisciplinary mental health rehabilitation settings often encounter patients with complex comorbid medical and psychiatric issues that require integrative, multifaceted treatment strategies. Although medication and psychotherapy are typical treatment mainstays, a broader variety of therapeutic options are available, including animal-assisted therapy. Here we describe a patient who received animal-assisted therapy as a psychiatric rehabilitation tool to ameliorate his atypical depression following an assault and subsequent head injury. A review of the relevant literature highlights the therapeutic potential of animal-assisted therapy to restore and maintain patient independence and level of functioning, both of which are key treatment goals.     

Non-sinonasal isolated facio-orbital mucormycosis – A case report

Mucormycosis is a rare clinical entity, often affect immunocompromised patients. It is an emergency situation and has poor prognosis. Prompt diagnosis with tissue biopsy, local control of the disease by aggressive surgical debridement and appropriate systemic antifungal treatment improve the prognosis and survival of the patients. Treatment of mucormycosis needs antifungal agents such as Amphotericin B and wide surgical debridement. Early diagnosis and treatment is often needed for survival of the patients. We describe a rare case of mucormycosis affecting facio-orbital area without involving sinon-nasal cavity.     

Two Mosses New to West Himalayan Bryoflora

The Govind Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in Uttarakashi district of Uttarakhand. The area is very rich in biodiversity in general and bryodiversity in particular. During recent investigation on the bryoflora of this area, two species of mosses viz., Cyathophorella burkillii (Dixon) Broth. (Family-Hypopterygiaceae) and Symphyodon erraticus (Mitt.) A. Jaeger. (Family-Symphyodontaceae) have been identified, which are new additions to the bryoflora of western Himalaya. Both the taxa were earlier known from eastern Himalaya only. About 16 taxa of Cyathophorella are known all over the world; in India it is represented by five valid species. Fifteen species of Symphyodon are known worldwide, while in India the genus is represented by seven valid species. A morpho-taxonomic account of above two taxa is provided.     

Antihyperglycemic activity, antihyperlipedemic activity, haematological effects and histopathological analysis of Sapindus mukorossi Gaerten fruits in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

ObjectiveTo investigate the antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic properties of hydroalcoholic extract of fruits of Sapindus mukorossi Gaerten and its beneficial effect on haematological parameters with histopathological analysis in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats.MethodsSapindus mukorossi fruits extract (250 and 500 mg/kg body weight) and standard drug glybenclamide (0.5 mg/kg body weight) were administered to diabetic rats. Effect of extract on hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia and hematological parameters was studied in diabetic rats. Histopathological changes in diabetic rat pancreas were also observed after extract and glybenclamide treatment.ResultsDaily oral administration of Sapindus mukorossi fruits extract (250 and 500 mg/kg body weight) and glybenclamide for 20 days showed beneficial effects on blood glucose level (P<0.01) and lipid level. The extract has a favorable effect on the histopathological changes of the pancreas in streptozotocin induced diabetes.ConclusionThese findings reveal that the hydroalcoholic extract of Sapindus mukorossi fruits extract possesses antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic properties. In addition, the extract can prevent various complications of diabetes and improve some haematological parameters.     

Adenomyomatous polyp of the uterus: Report of an autopsy case and review of the literature

Adenomyomatous polyps of the endometrium are a rare subtype of endometrial polyps. In addition to the usual features of endometrial polyps, they also contain a smooth muscle component. Grossly they appear no different than ordinary endometrial polyps. In the case reported herein, a 23-year-old nulliparous female was killed in a traffic accident. In the course of the medicolegal autopsy, a small pedunculated growth was identified in the fundus of the endometrial cavity. Histologically the mass consisted of endometrial glands intimately mixed with smooth muscle and thick walled blood vessels, consistent with an adenomyomatous polyp. There was no history of tamoxifen use in this individual. To our knowledge this is the first report of post-mortem diagnosis of an adenomyomatous polyp. Furthermore, this is the first report of an individual with this diagnosis younger than the fourth decade. In the medicolegal setting, forensic pathologists are constantly faced with entities that, while they may not have caused death, may serve to educate practitioners about rare lesions. This individual's finding serves as one of those entities. This case reiterates the importance of the autopsy as not only the answer to an individual's death, but as an avenue for the discovery of entities that may have relevance to those who are still living.