Benign Intratesticular Epidermoid Cyst of the Testis: Diagnostic Dilemma

Intratesticular epidermoid cysts of the testis are rare benign lesions, comprising about 1-2% of all the testicular neoplasms. Clinically it may not be differentiated reliably from the most common malignant testicular tumours and poses a diagnostic dilemma. Majority of the testicular tumours are malignant one, hence accurate diagnosis in benign lesions such as epidermoid cyst is always warranted to avoid unnecessary invasive procedures like orchidectomy. Herein, we present a case of benign, intratesticular epidermoid cyst of the testis in a 30 years old male treated by conservative approach with testicular preservation, avoiding unnecessary orchidectomy

Racemose Neurocysticercosis: A Rare Cause of Chronic Meningitis

Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is the most common parasitic disease of the nervous system and is the main cause of acquired epilepsy in developing countries. Clinical manifestations result from inflammatory response to cyst degeneration, mass effect, obstruction of CSF pathway or residual scarring but are related to the numbers, size and location of lesions and the severity of host's immune response. The subarachnoid/cisternal form of NCC and majority of the intraventricular NCC are of racemose type, and differ from more common cysticercus cellulose in that they are larger, appear as multiloculated cysts and lack scolex. Racemose NCC is uncommon in India. We are reporting a patient presenting as chronic meningitis due to racemose NCC

Adult Umbilical Disorders in Surgical Practice – An Experience from Kashmir.

Umbilical disorders form an important part of general surgical practice. The disorders may be congenital or acquired and manifest in both genders and affects all age groups. This article analyses the profile of adult umbilical disorders as seen in a surgical division of a medical college in Kashmir valley over a period of two years

Red Cell Genetic Markers in Malarial Susceptibility and Selective Advantage Hypothesis

Malaria is still a serious public health challenge in many parts of the world including India. Human genetic susceptibility to malaria varies from individual to individual depending upon the genetic constitution and from region to region based on geo-ecological and climatic conditions. In the present study, intravenous 334 random blood samples of unrelated adult individuals belonging to Mongoloid ethnic stock were taken after informed consent from the endemic localities of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Nagaland to find out the relationship between the abnormal hemoglobin and G6PD enzyme deficiency, and susceptibility to malaria. Abnormal hemoglobin E and G6PD enzyme deficiency seem to interact with malarial parasite in such a way that they probably provide decreased susceptibility or inhibitory effect or increased resistance. Genetic alterations in human genome are maintained in the specific population by natural selection to protect the host against the malarial infection. These findings are consistent with those studies which support the notion of selective genetic advantage hypothesis against the malaria infection

Primary Eosinophilic Obliterative Appendicitis

Primary eosinophilic appendicitis is a rare condition of unknown etiology having vague and unexplained symptoms. Histopathological hallmark of this entity is eosinophilic infiltration of the muscularis propria with accompanying edema separating the muscle fibers, and absence of neutrophilic infiltration. Preoperative correct diagnosis of this entity is not possible in view of lack of specific imaging technology. Histopathological examination is the gold standard for the diagnosis. Here, we present an unusual case of Eosinophilic Obliterative appendicitis in a 25 years old male patient

Assessment of Functioning of Village Health and Sanitation Committees (VHSCs) of Indore District

Background: The NRHM framework of implementation mentions provision of Village Health and Sanitation Committee (VHSC) in each revenue village that has to be formed within the overall framework of Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI). Objective: To review the current status of formation, training and functioning of VHSCs in Indore district and mechanism of utilization of united funds in these VHSCs. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out in 32 villages, of four blocks of Indore district. Different stakeholders of VHSCs of these 32 villages were included purposively as study subjects. Data was collected using predesigned, pretested semi structured questionnaires and checklist. Total of 133 interviews of different stakeholders and 32 record reviews were carried out. The quantitative data collected by interviews and record reviews was analyzed by SPSS software and qualitative data was analyzed manually using qualifier. Results: Significant association between knowledge and awareness about any aspect of VHSC and type of stakeholder has been observed. PRI members and Self Help Group (SHG) members have been found to be totally ignorant about many aspects of VHSC. No formal training has ever been imparted to the members of VHSCs regarding functioning of VHSC at village level. None of the functionaries were found to be aware of village health plan. Conclusion: The efficiency and impact of VHSCs have been found to be very limited

Abilità pragmatiche e teoria della mente: relazione in una prospettiva evolutiva

Lo studio indaga il ruolo della ToM nel comprendere atti comunicativi di diversa complessità. Si sono somministrati item della Batteria di Assessment per la Comunicazione e test ToM a 120 bambini (3-8 anni). I dati mostrano trend di difficoltà crescente nel gestire i diversi compiti pragmatici e una correlazione tra ToM e performance pragmatiche; tuttavia, la sola ToM non spiega la varianza dei risultati, meglio spiegata dalla crescente complessità inferenziale sottostante i compiti pragmatici

A Cross-Sectional Study of Hemoglobin Disorders in Pregnant Women Attending Two Urban Hospitals in Eastern Coast of Odisha, India.

Pregnant women are an important segment of the society. They bear the children and provide nourishment to them during the period of gestation of nine months. The health of a mother reflects the health of a child. No such study of prevalence of hemoglobinopathy in pregnant women from India is available. The study objectives were: to find the prevalence (genetic burden) of hemoglobin disorders in pregnant women belonging to urban setting; identify the communities at risk, and to determine the hematological profile of native pregnant women of coastal Odisha. A cross-sectional study of pregnant women visiting for antenatal care at two urban hospitals, Bhubaneswar and Berhampur in Coastal Odisha was investigated. A total of 178 pregnant women attending antenatal care check up at two urban hospitals in coastal Odisha were studied. Appropriate statistical tools were used for analysis of data. High prevalence of 13.5% for hemoglobin disorders was observed in urban pregnant women visiting two major hospitals in coastal Odisha. Mild to moderate anemia was recorded. Reduced values of hematological indices in women afflicted with hemoglobin disorders than the normal controls were noted. Major hemoglobinopathies detected were: β-thalassemia trait (5.6%), sickle cell trait (5.6%), hemoglobin E trait (1.1%), sickle cell-E-disease (0.6%), and hemoglobin H disease (0.6%). Mandatory awareness, comprehensive clinical management, and genetic/marriage counseling are highly essential to ameliorate the sufferings of afflicted pregnant women of coastal Odisha

Problem solving: What are the important questions?

Problem solving research is in need for re-thinking main questions. The purpose of this paper is a stock-taking of some of the identified problems, to discuss potential remedies for them, and to look for future perspectives. I see three areas for discussion: (1) What are the phenomena to be explained? (2) What methods should be used? What methodology is appropriate to the subject? (3) What is the progress in theory since the legendary work from Newell and Simon (1972)? What can we expect from new data sources? How can we relate data to theoretical assumptions

Structure and Dynamics in Implementation of Computations

Without a proper restriction on mappings, virtually any\ud system could be seen as implementing any computation. That\ud would not allow characterization of systems in terms of\ud implemented computations and is not compatible with a\ud computationalist philosophy of mind. Information-based criteria for independence of substates within structured states are proposed as a solution. Objections to the use of requirements for transitions in counterfactual states are addressed, in part using the partial-brain argument as a general counterargument to neural replacement arguments