A clinical study of nasopharyngeal masses

Out of 36511 patients attending the ENT OHD of R. G,. Aur Medical Callege & Hospital. Kolkata, in one year 0.08% patients were found tuning naspharyngeal mass. 30 cases of nasopharyngeal mass were studied. The peak incidence of nasopharyngeal mass was in the age group between II to 20 years (40%). The incidence in males (73%) was more than females(27%). The maximum ineldence was found among students (74%). Commonest ntuopharyngeal nuns teas antrochoanal polyp (30%). Next commlon masses were adenoids (23%)Juvenile angwfibroma(20%) and nasophartngeal carcinoma (13%). Nasal obstruction was the main presenting symptom(83%) followed by epistaxis (40%).     

Interaction of estrogen receptor‐α ligand binding domain with nuclear proteins of aging mouse brain

After the interaction of estrogen with the ligand binding domain (LBD) of mouse estrogen receptor‐α (mERα) and hormone‐responsive elements of target genes, many nuclear proteins are recruited to regulate the expression of specific genes. Because it is not known which brain proteins interact with LBD or whether these proteins vary with age and sex, we used pull‐down assay and far Western blotting to detect five nuclear proteins of 160, 140, 87, 60, and 46 kD in the mouse brain. These interacting proteins were identified as PELP1, RIP140, PGC1α, BAF60, and ADA3, respectively. The level of PELP1, RIP140, PGC1α, and BAF60 decreased drastically in old compared with adult male mice, whereas the ADA3 level showed no significant change. PELP1, PGC1α, and BAF60 levels were lower in old male compared with female mice. Thus we report the identification and interaction of five nuclear proteins with mERα‐LBD, indicating their role in estrogen signaling and brain functions during aging. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Longitudinal study of the frequency and duration of breastfeeding in rural Bangladeshi women.

A 27-month longitudinal study of 140 Bangladeshi mothers living in three tea gardens examined the effect of maternal factors (mother's age, number of live births, birth interval, and mother's work status) and sex of the infant on the duration and bout frequency of breastfeeding over 8-hr daytime periods. Prolonged breastfeeding of the infant was observed, but there was a sharp decline in duration of breastfeeding over the first 6 months, followed by a more gradual diminution thereafter. The feeding bouts showed a different pattern, with a more gradual decline over time. Housewives consistently showed a greater duration and bout frequency than women in paid employment as tea-pluckers. Over the first 6 months, primigravid mothers breastfed more frequently, but not thereafter. Older mothers (>35 years of age) breastfed with higher frequency during the first 2 months, but thereafter, the bout frequency decreased with increasing age of the infant. Over the 27-month study, maternal work status was the main factor associated with the duration and frequency of breastfeeding, with significantly higher frequency and duration among housewives. However, in the first 6 months after birth, there was very little difference in frequency or duration of breastfeeding between tea-workers and housewives, indicating that working mothers probably adjusted their time to breastfeed their infants before going, or after coming back, from work.     

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy–a user's perspective

Sixteen patients receiving percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) feeding following a period of nasogastric (NG) feeding were investigated to assess acceptance and identify problems by means of a questionnaire. PEG was considered to be superior to NG feeding in terms of tolerance and cosmetic acceptance by 81% and 88% of participants respectively ( P < 0.001). Pain was an infrequent problem. Interruptions to feeding were consideed to be more common with NG feeding by 50% of participants; 38% considered interruptions equally common with both PEG and NG, and 12% considered interruptions more common with PEG feeding ( P = NS). The time for care was equivalent for both methods. Seventy-five percent considered PEG to have made a valuable contribution to enteral feeding. Leakage was however considered to be more frequent in PEG feeding by 81% of participants (compared to 12% who considered leakage to be more common with NG feeding; P < 0.001) and leakage was more frequent at die junctions in the catheter rather than from the stoma. Thirty-one percent of patients with PEG had needed systemic antibiotics for stomal infections. All patients with both PEG and NG feeding needed professional help. Sixty-two percent needed professional help more frequently with PEG than with NG feeding (compared to 19% who considered that the NG tube needed professional help more frequently; P <0.05). We conclude that leakage and infections are major problems in PEG enteral feeding.     

One stage surgical management of hydatid cyst of lung &; liver—by right thoracotomy &; phrenotomy

Introduction Hydatid cysts of the lung are quite frequent in our country. Some patients have additional cysts in the liver. Though most of the liver cysts remain asymptomatic for long time, but may be symptomatic with increasing size. Surgical removal is the treatment of choice for both lung & liver cysts. Aim of the study was to establish suitability of one stage surgery for pulmonary & hepatic hydatid cysts. Methods From 1996 through 2003 we operated on 216 pulmonary hydatid cysts, out of which 42 patients had hydatid cysts in the right lung as well as in the right lobe of liver. Right thoracotomy was done to remove the lung hydatids followed by phrenotomy to remove the liver cysts. Results Right thoracotomy was done in 42 patients having hydatid cysts of lung & liver. In 36 patients, cysts were removed, bronchial leaks were sutured & residual cavities were obliterated. Out of rest 6 patients, having dense adhesions or destruction of pulmonary parenchyma, 4 had segmentectomy & 2 had lobectomy. Right phrenotomy was then done with radial incision above the palpated liver cysts. Hydatid cyst was removed from liver. Cavity and remaining pericystic liver tissue was inverted with sutures. Water seal chest drain & subdiaphragmatic drain were placed. Post operative albendazole was continued for 3 months in the dose of 10–20 mg/kg with a gap of 2 weeks after each month. Post operative recovery was uneventful in most of the cases. However, air leak continued for almost 3 weeks in 4 patients & 3 months in one patient. There was no death. Conclusion Surgical management of pulmonary and hepatic hydatids with one stage right thoracotomy & phrenotomy is a suitable option. It avoids additional laparotomy and thereby additional cost & hospital stay. Results are quite satisfactory.