Point Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Helminthiaisis in Buffaloes of Jammu, India

The present study was carried out to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminthiasis in buffaloes of Jammu area of Jammu And Kashmir State for the period of one year. For this purpose, 173 faecal samples were collected from different areas (Bisnah, R S Pura, Sidrah, Jammu city and Akhnoor) of subtropical Jammu. Parasitological procedures used for the identification of helminthes were direct and indirect methods. The overall prevalence of helminthiasis was 38.72%. Helminthic infection was recorded throughout the year with seasonal variations

Adaptive radiation therapy for localized mesothelioma with mediastinal metastasis using helical tomotherapy.

The purpose of this study was to compare 2 adaptive radiotherapy strategies with helical tomotherapy. A patient having mesothelioma with mediastinal nodes was treated using helical tomotherapy with pretreatment megavoltage CT (MVCT) imaging. Gross tumor volumes (GTVs) were outlined on every MVCT study. Two alternatives for adapting the treatment were investigated: (1) keeping the prescribed dose to the targets while reducing the dose to the OARs and (2) escalating the target dose while maintaining the original level of healthy tissue sparing. Intensity modulated radiotherapy (step-and-shoot IMRT) and 3D conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) plans for the patient were generated and compared. The primary lesion and nodal mass regressed by 16.2% and 32.5%, respectively. Adapted GTVs and reduced planning target volume (PTV) margins of 4 mm after 22 fractions decrease the planned mean lung dose by 19.4%. For dose escalation, the planned prescribed doses may be increased from 50.0 to 58.7 Gy in PTV(1) and from 60.0 to 70.5 Gy in PTV(2). The step-and-shoot IMRT plan was better in sparing healthy tissue but did not provide target coverage as well as the helical tomotherapy plan. The 3DCRT plan resulted in a prohibitively high planned dose to the spinal cord. MVCT studies provide information both for setup correction and plan adaptation. Improved healthy tissue sparing and/or dose escalation can be achieved by adaptive planning

Short term outcome of radial head arthroplasty in Mason type 3 and 4 fractures

Background: Radial head arthroplasty provides a suitable treatment in Mason type 3 and 4 3 fractures. Arthroplasty produces consistent results with a shorter learning curve than ORIF and prevents the late complications associated with radial head excision.Methods: After seeking approval from local institutional ethical committee 30 patients with Mason type 3 and 4 radial head fractures were admitted from outpatient department (OPD) of SKIMS MC and Hospital Bemina, Srinagar. The study was conducted from February 2019 to June 2020 in department of Orthopaedics SKIMS MC and Hospital Bemina, Srinagar. 30 patients with mean age of 25 years comprising of 9 females and 21 males underwent radial head arthroplasty and were followed up to a minimum of 1 year post-operatively.Results: Outcome was evaluated by assessing elbow functional performance using Mayo elbow performance (MEPI). No revisions were performed during the study. Two patients had implant backout and 6 patients had elbow stiffness.Conclusions: Radial head arthroplasty can be used successfully with most of excellent results for treatment of comminuted radial head fracture (Mason type III and IV radial head fractures). Over all radial head arthroplasty is a demanding option in type 3 and type 4 fractures which are not amenable to reconstruction

Para-tricipital approach for extra articular fractures of the distal humerus: a case series

Extra-articular fractures of the distal humerus are frequently managed surgically as these fractures are often unstable and have associated radial nerve injury. Different surgical approaches can be used to fix this fracture. We operated on a series of 9 patients with extra-articular fractures of the distal humerus utilizing the para-tricipital approach. Clinical outcomes were assessed by Mayo elbow performance score and visual analog scores. Radiological outcomes were assessed by plain radiographs. Time to union was an average of 4.2 months. Mean range of motion achieved at final follow-up was 122.50. Mean Mayo elbow performance score was 92.4. Excellent clinical results can be achieved by utilizing para-tricipital approach in extra-articular fractures of the distal humerus. Besides providing adequate exposure for rigid fracture fixation, this approach prevents the morbidity associated with triceps injury

Clinico-epidemiological profile and treatment outcome of pituitary adenomas: a retrospective study

Background: Aim of this study was to evaluate the clinico-epidemiological profile and treatment outcome of pituitary adenomas. Methods: This was a retrospective study performed in the department of Radiation Oncology, Sher-I-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Soura, Srinagar, India, in which 30 cases diagnosed with pituitary adenoma from January 2016 to December 2021 were studied.  There clinical and epidemiological features, treatment, overall survival and follow-up data was analyzed. Results: Most patients were female in gender 17 (57%), and the incidence rate was higher in female patients than male. Microadenoma was seen in just 4 (13%) patients. Macroadenoma in 12 (40%) and giant tumours in 14 (47%). At three and five years, the overall survival rate was 92% and 83%, respectively. Additionally, patients who got adjuvant radiation had a higher overall survival rate (84% versus 76%, p=.833) than those who did not. Conclusions: Radiotherapy is an effective treatment for pituitary adenomas, able to achieve excellent disease control. Patients with pituitary adenomas should be identified at an early stage so that effective treatment can be implemented. Initial therapy is generally transsphenoidal surgery with irradiation reserved for patients who do not achieve adequate reduction in tumor size after surgery

Pathological Studies on Lung Abscesses in Sheep Slaughtered in Kashmir Valley, India

The present study was conducted in Kashmir valley of India to investigate the prevalence and pathology of lung abscesses in sheep, slaughtered in different organized abattoirs. These abattoirs were visited between January 2010 to February 2011 and a total of 1455 lungs were examined. Out of these 18.9% lungs had abscesses, with higher incidence in young sheep (60%) than in adult ones (40%). Grossly, abscesses were observed in one or more lung lobes and were either single or multiple. In majority of lungs, abscess sizes varied from pea to walnut size, but in some cases large abscesses were also observed. Histopathologically, abscesses were characterized by a central caseo-necrotic core surrounded by pyogenic membrane with infiltration of polymorphonuclear cells and few mononuclear cells and macrophages. Most of the abscesses revealed presence of Gram positive bacterial infection where as chronic abscesses indicated both Gram positive and Gram negative bacterial infection. Fibrous tissue proliferation around the pyogenic membrane of the chronic abscesses was noticed. Disruption and disorientation of elastin fibres was also a prominent feature. Increased concentration of both acid and neutral mucopolysaccharides was observed in and around the lesion. Purulent material of abscesses revealed marked metachromasia. The study revealed that lung abscesses in domestic sheep are highly prevalent in Kashmir valley. Thus, there is a need to introduce appropriate control measures of diseases affecting the lungs to minimize the incidence of lung affections and hence reduce the ensuing economic losses

Studies on the histochemistry of Paramphistomes of sheep and cattle.

Sheep and cattle constitute one of the premier economic group, providing animal protein which is indispensable in regular staple diet of common man in our country, especially in native state of Jammu and Kashmir. The present study, which deals with the histochemistry of Paramphistomes of sheep and cattle, was undertaken from January 2004 to January 2007. Since there has been no detailed study on the histochemistry of helminths particularly Paramphistomes in Kashmir valley, the present study is a step towards bridging the gap. Sheep and cattle like other animals develop diseases due to variety of parasitic infections, resulting in huge economic losses. Fascioliasis and Paramphistomiasis rank high in significance of helminth diseases of sheep and cattle because they cause heavy mortality and morbidity in young cattle and sheep. Various species of Paramphistomes such as Paramphistomum cervi, Paramphistomum microbothrium, Paramphistomum skrajabini, Cotylophoron cotylophorum, Gastrothylax crumenifer and Gigantocotyle explanatum have been incriminated as aetiological agents of Paramphistomiasis. In order to develop various control measures to these helminths we should have a clear understanding of host parasite relationship and a thorough understanding of the host parasite relationship cannot be realized until a careful study is made on the biochemical nature of the parasite and its host. Histochemical study helps us to investigate qualitatively the biochemical pattern of different tissues in cellular architecture. The present work demonstrated the presence of general proteins, glycogen, lipids, cholinesterase, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase and calcium in Cotylophoron cotylophorum collected from cattle in comparison with Paramphistomum cervi collected from sheep.Digital copy of Thesis.University of Kashmir