Analysis of X-knife and surgery in treatment of arteriovenous malformation of brain

Background: The goal of treatment in arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is total obliteration of the AVM, restoration of normal cerebral function, and preservation of life and neurological function. Aim: To analyze the results of X-knife and surgery for AVM of the brain. The endpoints for success or failure were as follows: success was defined as angiographic obliteration and failure as residual lesion, requiring retreatment, or death due to hemorrhage from the AVM. Materials and Methods: From May 2002 to May 2007, 54 patients were enrolled for this study. Grade I AVM was seen in 9%, grade II in 43%, grade III in 26%, grade IV in 9%, and grade V in 13%. Thirty-eight patients were treated by microsurgical resection out of which Grade I was seen in 5 patients, Grade II was seen in 17 patients, Grade III was seen in 9 patients and Grade V was seen in 7 patients. Rest of the sixteen patients were treated by linear accelerator radiosurgery out of which Grade II was seen in 6 patients, Grade III was seen in 5 patients and Grade IV was seen in 5 patients. The follow up was in range of 3-63 months. In follow up, digital subtraction angiography/ magnetic resonance angiography (DSA/MRA) was performed 3 months after surgery and 1 year and 2 years after stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). Results: Among the patients treated with X-knife, 12/16 (75%) had proven angiographic obliteration. Complications were seen in 4/16 (25%) patients. Among the patients treated with microsurgical resection, 23/38 (61%) had proven angiographic obliteration. Complications (both intraoperative and postoperative) were seen in 19/38 (50%) patients. Conclusions: Sixty-one percent of patients were candidates for surgical resection. X-knife is a good modality of treatment for a low-grade AVM situated in eloquent areas of the brain and also for high-grade AVMs, when the surgical risk and morbidity is high

Deepening responses associated with improved progression-free survival with ixazomib versus placebo as posttransplant maintenance in multiple myeloma

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A window into fungal endophytism in Salicornia europaea: deciphering fungal characteristics as plant growth promoting agents

Aim Plant-endophytic associations exist only when equilibrium is maintained between both partners. This study analyses the properties of endophytic fungi inhabiting a halophyte growing in high soil salinity and tests whether these fungi are beneficial or detrimental when non-host plants are inoculated. Method Fungi were isolated from Salicornia europaea collected from two sites differing in salinization history (anthropogenic and naturally saline) and analyzed for plant growth promoting abilities and non-host plant interactions. Results Most isolated fungi belonged to Ascomycota (96%) including dematiaceous fungi and commonly known plant pathogens and saprobes. The strains were metabolically active for siderophores, polyamines and indole-3-acetic acid (mainly Aureobasidium sp.) with very low activity for phosphatases. Many showed proteolytic, lipolytic, chitinolytic, cellulolytic and amylolytic activities but low pectolytic activity. Different activities between similar fungal species found in both sites were particularly seen for Epiccocum sp., Arthrinium sp. and Trichoderma sp. Inoculating the non-host Lolium perenne with selected fungi increased plant growth, mainly in the symbiont (Epichloë)-free variety. Arthrinium gamsii CR1-9 and Stereum gausapatum ISK3-11 were most effective for plant growth promotion. Conclusions This research suggests that host lifestyle and soil characteristics have a strong effect on endophytic fungi, and environmental stress could disturb the plant-fungi relations. In favourable conditions, these fungi may be effective in facilitating crop production in non-cultivable saline lands

Dermoscopic study of scabies in children

Background: Dermoscopy is a technique involving the rapid and magnified observation of the skin. Infection with Sarcoptes scabiei in children usually presents with pruritus. Primary scabetic lesions consist of small, erythematous papules, and burrows. The definitive diagnosis of scabies is by visualizing the mites, eggs, or feces under the microscope. Aims and Objectives: The aim of the study was to compare the diagnosis of scabies in children with naked eye examination and a dermoscope. The objective was to find out if there was a significant difference between the two methods of diagnosis of scabies. Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional study was done. Fifty children aged between 1–15 years with symptoms clinically suspicious of scabies from May 15, 2016 to May 14, 2017 were taken. Thirty were male and 20 were female. After taking history, the lesions were examined clinically and with Dermalite DL4 and photographs were taken. A triangular structure with a furrowing burrow was considered to indicate the presence of a mite. Results: Among 50 children, 37 children had clinical features of scabies: the presence of burrows and scabetic nodules. Among 50, 45 children had dermoscopic features of scabies: the presence of the delta glider sign. The data were analyzed using Z- test using MS Excel 2010. There was a significant difference (P < 0.03) on comparing the number of children diagnosed with scabies with naked eye and dermoscopic examination. Conclusion: A handheld dermoscope can be a useful tool to rapidly and non invasively diagnose scabies with high sensitivity compared to Clinical Examination