Aspergillus Iris Granuloma: A Case Report with Review of Literature

We report the case of a 25-year-old male patient who presented with complaints of redness, photophobia, and decreased vision in the right eye of a week's duration. Slit-lamp biomicroscopic examination revealed a cream-colored, irregular elevated inferior iris mass, extending on to the anterior lens surface. Differential diagnoses of a fungal granuloma, a medulloepithelioma, and an amelanotic melanoma were considered. An excisional biopsy of the mass was performed through a superior clear corneal incision. Polymerase chain reaction analysis of the aqueous humor showed a positive pan fungal genome. Histopathology of the biopsied mass showed a giant cell granuloma with surrounding numerous branching, septate hyphae. Culture growth revealed Aspergillus fumigatus We report this case because of the rarity of Aspergillus iris granuloma as a primary presentation of endogenous Aspergillosis and review the relevant literature. Absence of a significant systemic history compounded the diagnostic dilemma in our patient. Definitive differentiation of this rare entity from a foreign body, amelanotic melanoma, and other inflammatory conditions such as sarcoidosis and tuberculosis, may be possible only on microbiological and histo-pathological evaluation.     

Comparative assesment of gingival thickness using transgingival probing and ultrasonographic method.

A decided attitude of expectation among many patients has given a new perspective to regenerative and plastic periodonta surgery. With authors emphasizing on the importance of gingival thickness, attempts are being made to obtain necessary information atraumatically and rapidly. Hence in the present study an attempt has been made to compare the two methods of assessing gingival thickness i.e transgingival probing and ultrasonographic method and also assess the gingival thickness in relation to central incisor lateral incisor and canine in Indian population. The gingival thickness was assessed in patients with healthy gingiva by both the methods. It was observed that transgingival probing method significantly over estimated the thickness of gingiva than the ultrasonographic method and the thickness of gingiva varies with morphology of the crown. It was concluded that compared to transgingival probing ultrasonographic method assesses gingiva thickness more accurately, rapidly and atraumatically.     

Ethanol levels in honeybee hemolymph resulting from alcohol ingestion.

Our previous work on a social insect model of ethanol-induced behavior focused on behavioral studies of honeybees (Apis mellifera L.). We now investigate the dependence of honeybee blood ethanol concentration on both the amount of ethanol consumed and time elapsed since ingestion. Blood ethanol level was determined using gas chromatograph using hemolymph taken from harnessed bees. Significantly increased levels of ethanol in honeybee hemolymph were detected within 15 min of feeding bees alcohol. Within 30 min, ethanol concentration increased 2.7 times. The concentration of ethanol ingested also had a significant effect on blood ethanol level. However, postfeeding times greater than 30 min did not significantly increase ethanol concentration in bee hemolymph. This study integrates with our behavioral data on the effect of ethanol on honeybees. Our laboratory and field experiments show a correlation between the time frame for behavioral changes and significant increases of blood ethanol levels shown in this study.     

Pegylated interferon alfa 2b and oral ribavirin in patients with HCV-related cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND: The treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related cirrhosis is difficult due to high frequency of adverse effects. We retrospectively reviewed the case records of patients with HCV cirrhosis to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of pegylated (peg) interferon and ribavirin treatment in these patients. METHODS: Medical records of 28 patients with HCV-related compensated cirrhosis were reviewed. The treatment protocol was a combination therapy of peg interferon alfa-2b (1 microg/Kg/week) plus oral ribavirin (10-12 mg/Kg/day). Primary endpoint was sustained virological response, with additional endpoints of drug tolerance, clinical or biochemical worsening and death. RESULTS: End-of-treatment virlogic response was seen in 24 of 28 patients (85%) and sustained virologic response in 15 of 28 (53%) patients. Biochemical end-of-treatment response and sustained response were seen in 20 and 16 patients (71% and 57%), respectively. Treatment had to be stopped in 3 patients due to decompensation of liver status in two and drug intolerance in one, while dose modification was required in two patients. CONCLUSIONS: Combination therapy with peg interferon plus ribavirin seems effective in patients with liver cirrhosis. High relapse rate, poor biochemical recovery and possibility of decompensation are issues that need to be kept in mind.     

A treadmill test of sprint running

Anaerobic power is characterized by a high degree of specificity regarding both the recruited muscles as well as the recruitment pattern. The popular Wingate Anaerobic Test (WAnT) is a cycling test that does not satisfy the need for a running-specific anaerobic test. We describe such a test, using a novel type of a commercially available treadmill (BRL 1800, Gymrol, France). The ergometer is equipped with a torque motor to neutralize the frictional resistance of the treadmill belt, and a hip-belt harness connected to a horizontal rod. Force applied to the harness is monitored by a strain gauge mounted on the rod, while vertical movement is monitored by a potentiometer at the posterior fixed end of the rod. These, in conjunction with the treadmill belt speed, enable the computation of horizontal and vertical power as well as the combined total output. Power is calculated both as 'peak' power (highest 2.5 s segment) and 'mean' power (20 s duration). Preliminary results of young athletes were generally consistent with the expected age-related changes in anaerobic power. Values obtained on the anaerobic treadmill were always higher than the corresponding WAnT values previously obtained in comparable age groups. The higher values were probably due to the larger muscle mass involved and the shorter peak and mean power durations (2.5 and 20 s versus 5 and 30 s in the WAnT, respectively). This test should enable not only running-specific anaerobic power monitoring but also the characterization of the relationship between the horizontal and vertical components of that power.     

Changes in height of choroidal melanomas after plaque therapy.

Serial ultrasonic measurements of 82 uveal melanomas treated with brachytherapy plaques (cobalt-60 and iodine-125) and followed up for up to 141 months revealed that no two patients had identical patterns of change. The mean absolute change in tumour height after treatment was 1.8 mm at six months, 5.6 mm at 48 months for large tumours, and 0.9 and 1.9 mm for medium sized tumours. Eighty of the 82 patients fell into one of three patterns of response: 57 patients had a decrease in height after treatment (type D), 13 patients had the same height after treatment (type S), and 10 patients had a progressive increase in height (type I). Life table comparison showed no correlation between survival and location of tumour, sex of patient, size of tumour when treated, or laterality. There was a slight correlation between age and survival. Patients older than 60 died more frequently from metastatic melanoma than those under 60 (p = 0.06). Life table analysis showed a significant correlation between tumour regression type and survival. At 48 months the best cumulative probability of survival was in patients with type D (88% alive) compared with those of type I (34% alive, p = 0.0004).