Comparison between true and partial hemifacial hypertrophy.

Hemifacial hypertrophy (HFH) is rare and characterized by unilateral enlargement of the head and teeth. Hemifacial hypertrophy is classified as true HFH (THFH) with unilateral enlargement of the viscerocranium, and partial HFH (PHFH) in which not all structures are enlarged. We present a case of THFH and compare and contrast it with a case of PHFH. Hemifacial hypertrophy may cover a wide spectrum of defects or may involve only muscle or bone. Myohyperplasia, reported previously as a separate syndrome, may actually represent a forme fruste of PHFH or THFH. The PHFH patient lead a healthy, normal life without significant psychosocial problems and was reluctant to accept his deformity. Contrastingly, the THFH patient had significant social stigma and compromised health together with major aesthetic morbidity. Treatment planning in THFH is arduous and involves multiple modalities. Therefore, it is imperative to differentiate THFH and PHFH for better understanding and management of the condition.     

Coincidence or reality behind Mucormycosis,diabetes mellitus and Covid-19 association: A systematic review

Mucormycosis is a rare but life-threatening disease with high morbidity and mortality and is difficult to diagnose. Mucormycosis, is a severe but rare fungal infection caused by a group of molds called mucormycetes. Diabetes, use of corticosteroids, metabolic/diabetic acidosis and Covid-19 mediated immunosuppression are reported in more than 70% of cases in mucormycosis patients. Coexisting mucormycosis, Covid-19 along with diabetes mellitus increase the likelihood of mortality. Despite its occurrence since the beginning of the pandemic, there are still unanswered concerns regarding the origin of this fungal infection and mortality rate and/or relation with diabetic patients. In this review, we describe the detailed view of causative pathogens responsible for mucormycosis, diabetes mellitus and Covid-19 association along with the morbidity cases during the latest Covid-19 crisis. In the case of mucormycosis diagnosis, imaging, histopathological confirmation, fungal culture and molecular identification methods should be considered. Once mucormycosis is diagnosed, a combined treating method consisting of antifungals administration like amphotericin B, surgical intervention is needed for the reversal of the underlying condition. Early detection of this potentially life-threatening infection and timely care is needed in lowering mortality rates.     

Aluminium Induced Glutathione is Essential for Developing Resistance Against Fusarium Infection in Wheat

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India Section B: Biological Sciences - Pre-treatment of wheat seedlings with 50 μM concentration of aluminium sulphate (Al) induces...     

Comparison between true and partial hemifacial hypertrophy

Hemifacial hypertrophy (HFH) is rare and characterized by unilateral enlargement of the head and teeth. Hemifacial hypertrophy is classified as true HFH (THFH) with unilateral enlargement of the viscerocranium, and partial HFH (PHFH) in which not all structures are enlarged. We present a case of THFH and compare and contrast it with a case of PHFH. Hemifacial hypertrophy may cover a wide spectrum of defects or may involve only muscle or bone. Myohyperplasia, reported previously as a separate syndrome, may actually represent a forme fruste of PHFH or THFH. The PHFH patient lead a healthy, normal life without significant psychosocial problems and was reluctant to accept his deformity. Contrastingly, the THFH patient had significant social stigma and compromised health together with major aesthetic morbidity. Treatment planning in THFH is arduous and involves multiple modalities. Therefore, it is imperative to differentiate THFH and PHFH for better understanding and management of the condition.     

Rhinocerebral zygomycosis: an increasingly frequent challenge: update and favorable outcomes in two cases

Zygomycosis or mucormycosis is an increasingly frequent life-threatening infection caused by opportunistic fungal organisms of the class Zygomycetes. The pathognomonic feature is the presence of invasive aseptate mycelia that are larger than other filamentous fungi with the hyphae exhibiting right angle and haphazard branching. Usually classified as rhinocerebral, disseminated, and cutaneous types, this classification serves as important predictor of pathogenesis and outcome. These occur mostly in immunosuppressed patients including individuals with diabetes (43% exhibit the rhino-cerebral form) and patients with organ transplants and hematologic malignancies. Without early aggressive treatment, the disease follows a dismal and fatal course. The prognosis has not shown any appreciable change in the past 40 years with a stagnant mortality rate of 44%. We present 2 cases of rhinocerebral zygomycosis (RCZ), in a 58-year-old male and a 63-year-old female; both were poorly controlled diabetic patients with maxillary lesions suggestive of osteomyelitis. The patients were leading a near normal life with minimal discomfort or signs and symptoms of underlying mycosis. Most of the health care professionals treating these patients often overlooked the disease or recommended inadequate therapy. Despite long delays and inadequate initial therapy these patients survived with little outward morbidity. The prognosis for this condition may therefore be considered less dire than previously thought.