A review in enormity of OCT and its enduring understanding of vulnerable plaque in coronary bifurcation lesion

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) has emerged as one of the most promising tools to assist the optimization of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Its ability to provide unique information on the plaque at high risk for rupture, plaque composition, the thickness of the fibrous cap, the presence of macrophage and thrombi has not only assisted simple PCI but also in many complex bifurcation lesions PCI. OCT has helped to provide valuable anatomic information to optimize stent implantation and adapt PCI strategy in individual patients. This review article summarizes the current role of OCT as an imaging technology and prediction of vulnerable plaque, its site and composition at the coronary bifurcation lesions for supporting the clinical decision.     

Management of Total Cancer Pain: A Case of Young Adult

Pain due to cancer is one of the most distressing symptoms experienced by the patients at some or the other time during the course of treatment or disease progression. The multidimensional nature of cancer pain is characterized by various dimensions including physical, social, psychological, and spiritual; which together constitute the term “total pain”. Young cancer patients illustrate their unique psychological and developmental needs. This case report highlights the concept of “total cancer pain” in a young adult and demonstrates his distinctive social, spiritual, and psychological sufferings. The report emphasizes that addressing all these concerns is considerably significant in order to provide optimal pain relief to the patient. In the present scenario, it has been done by a skillful multiprofessional team communicating effectively with both the patient and the carer.     

HIV with Juvenile Dermatomyositis

Dermatomyositis with HIV infection has been very rarely reported. The authors report an 8-y-old boy who presented with skin rashes and edema, muscle weakness and polymicrobial infection along with mild immunosupression. Diagnosis of dermatomyositis was established by raised enzymes, suggestive MRI and muscle biopsy findings. Child responded to systemic steroids and low dose weekly methotrexate.     

Magnetic ion oxidation state dependent magnetoelectric coupling strength in Fe doped BCT ceramics

Polycrystalline samples of Ba_0.96Ca_0.04Ti_0.91Fe_0.09O₃ were prepared using a conventional solid state reaction route with different Fe starting precursors (Fe₂O₃, Fe₃O₄). The Rietveld refined XRD data confirmed the phase purity and tetragonal crystal structure of both the samples. The average grain size measured using SEM was ≈0.40 μm in both the samples. XPS analysis confirmed the presence of only Fe²⁺ and both Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺ in Fe₂O₃ and Fe₃O₄ doped BCT samples. The P_r and M_r values have been measured to be 1.34 μC cm⁻², 2.88 μC cm⁻² and 0.0015 emu g⁻¹ and 0.135 emu g⁻¹ in Fe₂O₃ and Fe₃O₄ doped BCT samples, respectively. The Fe₃O₄ doped samples exhibit much better M-E coupling (≈22%) as compared to Fe₂O₃ (≈7%) doped BCT samples. The results obtained hence suggest that Fe₃O₄ doping in BCT is better suited for multiferroic applications.

Polycrystalline samples of Ba_0.96Ca_0.04Ti_0.91Fe_0.09O₃ were prepared using a conventional solid state reaction route with different Fe starting precursors (Fe₂O₃, Fe₃O₄). A significant difference in the magnetic and ferroelectric properties was observed.