Biostimulation using an 810nm Diode Laser - A Case Series

A decrease in orthodontic treatment time is not only a demand by the esthetically concerned patient but is also the duty of every orthodontist. With the advent of 810 nm diode laser it could be made possible. This article presents a case series wherein use of 810 nm has been used to biostimulate the tissues and thereby resulting in increased rate of tooth movement appreciated by amount of clinically detected space closure

Thoracoscopic splanchnicectomy as a palliative procedure for pain relief in carcinoma pancreas

Thoracoscopic splanchnicectomy has been used for the management of upper abdominal pain syndromes as an alternative to celiac plexus block for conditions such as chronic pancreatitis or supramesocolic malignant neoplasms, including unresectable pancreatic cancer. This procedure is similar to the percutaneous block with a higher degree of precision and avoids the side effects associated with the local diffusion of neurolytic solutions. Thoracoscopic splanchnicectomy appears to be a better treatment in such cases as the procedure is done under direct vision and less dependent on anatomical variations

Thoracoscopic splanchnicectomy as a palliative procedure for pain relief in carcinoma pancreas

Thoracoscopic splanchnicectomy has been used for the management of upper abdominal pain syndromes as an alternative to celiac plexus block for conditions such as chronic pancreatitis or supramesocolic malignant neoplasms, including unresectable pancreatic cancer. This procedure is similar to the percutaneous block with a higher degree of precision and avoids the side effects associated with the local diffusion of neurolytic solutions. Thoracoscopic splanchnicectomy appears to be a better treatment in such cases as the procedure is done under direct vision and less dependent on anatomical variations

Long-term outcomes of hepatitis C virus infected renal allograft recipients

Background and Aim: This study aims to study the long-term outcomes of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected renal allograft recipients, which is still debatable. Materials and Methods: In this study (study period - January 2003 to December 2013), we studied long-term outcomes of 106 living donor renal allograft recipients - 53 HCV-infected (33 genotype 3 and 20 genotype 1) and 53 age- and gender-matched HCV-noninfected patients. Results: Thirty-nine (73.6%) patients detected HCV positive during dialysis, while 14 (26.4%) before the start of dialysis. Forty (75.5%) patients were positive for both anti-HCV and HCV RNA, while 13 (24.5%) were HCV RNA positive and anti-HCV negative. Twelve and nine patients died among HCV positive and negative groups, respectively. Major cause of death was sepsis in both groups. Hepatic failure contributed to mortality in four HCV-positive patients, two of them also had graft failure. Patient and death noncensored graft survival rates at 1, 5, and 10 years of follow-up in HCV-positive group were 100% and 100%; 79.8% and 70.8%; 58.9% and 37.8%; respectively; and in HCV-negative group were 100% and 100%; 95.9% and 91.8%; 58.9% and 27.4%; respectively. Conclusions: The long-term survival of HCV-positive renal transplant recipients was not inferior to that of HCV-negative recipients

Thoracoscopic practices in India-a survey by Indian chest society

Diagnostic thoracentesis is the initial diagnostic investigation in the workup of an undiagnosed Pleural effusion. However, a significant percentage of pleural effusions remain undiagnosed after this step and after closed pleural biopsy. Medical thoracoscopy (MT) has a high diagnostic yield in these patients. MT is now widely practised in India. This survey endeavours to study the practice of this technique by respiratory physicians in India. An electronic survey called ‘Indian Thoracoscopy survey’ was prepared and conducted under the aegis of Indian Chest Society. In all there were 63 Questions in English prepared and disseminated as a “Google Form” to conduct this survey. The subjects were recruited from the e-mail lists of the three major professional surgeries that serve the interests of the respiratory physicians. The participation in the survey was voluntary and no incentive of any sort was offered to the participants. The survey link was kept open for a 3-month period. There were total 659 respondents, whose mean age was 41.5 years and majority of them were males (n = 564, 85.6%). The largest group of respondents practiced in corporate/private hospitals (n = 315, 47.8%). Only 311 (47.2%) respondents performed MT. Of these, 190 (61.1%) used flex-rigid/semi rigid thoracoscopes. Undiagnosed pleural effusions (N = 194; 62.4%) and recurrent pleural effusions (N = 117; 37.6%) were the most common indications for performing MT. Majority of the thoracoscopists (222, 71.4%) used conscious sedation and a combination of Midazolam and Fentanyl was the most preferred combination (n = 238; 76.5%). Most follow the manufacturer's recommendation for thoracoscope cleaning and disinfection and had safety check lists in place. Our survey captures the practice of MT in India. MT seems to be increasing in popularity with significant numbers of respiratory physicians performing the procedure. Respondents felt that MT was a valuable investigation that was underused and more of them wanted to learn. It is safe to perform MT under conscious sedation and local anaesthesia and a boon to patients who required surgical procedures for evaluation of difficult to diagnose pleural diseases. The setup cost is significant and would not justify installation in all centres. The lack of opportunities for training is something that needs to be looked in to. •Diagnostic thoracentesis is the initial diagnostic investigation in the workup of an undiagnosed Pleural effusion. Medical thoracoscopy (MT) has a high diagnostic yield. This survey endeavor to study the practice of this technique by respiratory physicians in India.•An electronic survey called `Indian Thoracoscopy survey' was prepared and conducted under the aegis of Indian Chest Society. The subjects were recruited from the e-mail lists of the three major RESPIRATORY SOCIETIES. Only 311 respondents performed MT. Of these, 190 used flex-rigid/semi rigid thoracoscopes. Undiagnosed pleural effusions and recurrent pleural effusions were the most common indications for performing MT.•MT seems to be increasing in popularity with significant numbers of respiratory physicians performing the procedure

Mutations in TYR and OCA2 associated with oculocutaneous albinism in Pakistani families

Background: Oculocutaneous albinism (OCA) is a genetically heterogeneous disorder of abnormal melanin synthesis, resulting in decreased or absent pigmentation of eyes, skin and hair. OCA has been classified based on genetic findings into seven subtypes (OCA 1–7). OCA1 is the most common subtype, accounting for 50% of cases worldwide (Hutton and Spritz, 2008; Rooryck et al., 2008), and is caused by mutations in the tyrosinase (TYR) gene. This study describes genetic investigations in 11 families from Pakistan with individuals with OCA. Methods: Whole genome SNP genotyping for autozygosity mapping was undertaken using the Illumina Human CytoSNP-12 array, and exome sequencing performed using the Illumina TruSight One sequencing panel. For individuals putatively linked to the TYR gene, dideoxy sequencing of TYR was performed using primers targeting all five coding exons and intron-exon splice sites to identify mutations in individuals diagnosed with OCA. Dideoxy sequencing was also performed to confirm the presence and cosegregation of TYR and OCA2 variants identified via exome sequencing. Results: We identified new and previously reported variations in TYR and OCA2 genes in 11 OCA families from Pakistan. One novel missense variant in TYR (NM_000372.4: c.240G&gt;C; p.Trp80Cys), and three novel variants in OCA2 (missense variants NM_000275.2: c.2458T&gt;C; p.Ser820Pro and c.1762C&gt;T; p.Arg588Trp, as well as a frameshift variant c.408_409delTT; p.Arg137Ilefs*83), were observed in five OCA families. In addition, four previously identified variants in TYR (c.649C&gt;T; p.Arg217Trp, c.1255G&gt;A; p.Gly419Arg, c.832C&gt;T; p.Arg278Ter, and c.132T&gt;A p.Ser44Arg) and three previously identified variants in OCA2 (c.1045-15T&gt;G, c.2020C&gt;G; p.Leu674Val and c.1327G&gt;A; p.Val443Ile) were identified in eight OCA families. All affected individuals displayed the cardinal features of OCA with white hair, pale skin, nystagmus and decreased vision. Conclusions: Our findings broaden the molecular spectrum associated with TYR and OCA2 mutations in Pakistani families, aiding the development and refinement of genetic diagnostic and counselling services in Pakistan.</p