Congenital Intranasal Glioma

Congenital midline swellings of nose are encountered rarely, and nasal gliomas constitute about 5% of such lesions. Various theories have been suggested to explain the pathogenesis. Imaging preferably by MRI is mandated to study the extent and to rule out intracranial extension. Treatment is complete excision, and the approach depends upon the extent of the lesion and availability of expertise. We present the management of one such case of congenital intranasal glioma without any intracranial extension that presented as a septal polyp

Appendicocecal Fistula – A Rare Complication of Appendicitis

Fistulisation of appendix to other organs or to the exterior through abdominal wall is a rare complication of appendicitis. We present one such rare case of appendicocecal fistula due to appendicitis in a patient initially managed conservatively for appendicular lum

Investigating the Rural and Entrepreneurial Development through Microfinance

Microfinance has been evolving to be a decisive factor in poverty reduction, rural and entrepreneurial development. This research aims to find out the impact of microfinance on rural/socio-economic development and entrepreneurial skill development. Particularly, this study attempts to explore the impact of microfinance on social development, financial empowerment, education, healthcare, economic independence, and entrepreneurial development. Data was collected through questionnaires taken from the beneficiaries of the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) erstwhile Swaran Jayanti Shahri Rozgar Yojana (SJSRY) microfinance scheme in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, India. A purposive sampling method, exploratory factor analysis, and paired sample t-test were used in this study. The findings prove that microfinance facilitates social development, improved financial empowerment, and promotes decision-making relating to education and healthcare among beneficiaries. The finding also indicates that microfinance helps to increase entrepreneurial skill development among the beneficiaries. This study offers an insight how microfinance eliminates poverty and facilitates social development as well as entrepreneurial skills. These findings have essential implications for academics, policymakers, and microfinance institutions

Quantum Field Theory in de Sitter spacetime

In this paper we will analyse quantum field theory on de Sitter spacetime. We will analyse a general scalar and vector field theory on de Sitter spacetime. This is done by first calculating these propagators on four-Sphere and then analytically continuing it to de Sitter spacetime

Dermatological adverse drug reactions with particular reference to Steven-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis

Background: Drug therapy is an inevitable cause of cutaneous adverse reactions. Aims and Objectives: The primary aim was to identify the incidence and magnitude of various dermatological adverse reactions including Steven-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). Moreover, secondary aim was to quantify the risks associated with the use of specific medications. Materials and Methods: A prospective and hospital-based study was conducted in the department of dermatology SMHS hospital on hospitalized cases of cutaneous adverse drug reactions (CADRs). Informed consent was sought and reactions were reported on validated questionnaire based on adverse drug reaction (ADR) monitoring form provided by Central Drug Standard Control organization Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. These dermatological reactions were assessed for the clinical pattern, causative agents, and prognosis. The WHO-Uppsala Monitoring centre system for standardized case was used for causality assessment of all cases identified. Results: A total of 101 hospitalized patients with varied dermatological ADRs were reported during the study period. Cases were found more in females (n=75, 74.25%) than in males (n=26, 25.75%). CADRs that were reported in our study were exanthematous rash, fixed drug eruptions, urticarial rashes, SJS, TEN, urticarial vasculitis, anticonvulsant hypersensitivity syndrome, erythema multiforme, contact dermatitis, exfoliative dermatitis, mucosal hyperpigmentation, and nail pigmentation, respectively. After a meticulous drug history, the drugs implicated in causing the cutaneous reactions were anticonvalscents such as phenytoin, carbamazepine, lamotrigine, and phenobarbitone. Other drugs identified were non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as oxicam, antibiotics such as sulfasalazine, cefixime, cefpodoxime, amoxicillin, fluoroquinolones such as levofloxacin and ciprofloxacin, chemotherapeutic agents such as cyclophosphamide, 5FU, and hydroxurea. Conclusion: The present study concluded that skin is most common target for ADRs. Drug-induced cutaneous reactions can be as simple as a mild rash to rare life-threatening SJS and TEN. Moreover, certain group of patients is at increased risk for developing CADR’s as women are more susceptible than men

Development of novel functional foods using Himalayan honey having enhanced nutraceutical and nutritional potential

This study was carried out to conduct the geographical discrimination of various types of honey, and their utilization in development of novel functional foods where in honey could be substituted in place of white sugar. Honey based apple spread and marmalade products were developed and evaluated for quality analysis. The results showed higher water activity (aw) and moisture content in Plectranthus rugosus (PR) honey based apple spread and marmalade while, TSS was highest (p < 0.05) in Multifloral (MF) honey based apple spread and marmalade. Hydroxymethylfurfural was found to be in the ranged of 6.77–7.05 (mg/kg) for honey based apple spread products and 3.09–3.46 (mg/kg) for honey based apple marmalade products. The lightness (L*) value was significantly highest in MF honey based apple spread and marmalades (p < 0.05). Redness (a*) and yellowness (b*) values were significantly highest in PR honey based apple spreads and marmalades and lowest in Robinia pseudo acacia (RSA) honey based apple spread and marmalades. In general, all MF honey based apple spreads and marmalades has the highest score for overall acceptability in comparison to RSA and PR honey based apple spreads. The values of gel strength (Fe), rupture force (FR), energy of penetration (E) and adhesiveness (A) in the given spread products were in the range of 1.50–1.54 N, 1.70–1.73 N, 17.00–17.05 Ns and −1.11–−1.08 Ns, respectively. The values of gel strength (Fe), rupture force (FR), energy of penetration (E) and adhesiveness (A) in the investigated marmalade products were in the range of 1.65–1.69 N, 2.08–2.13 N, 16.05–16.10 Ns and −1.14–−1.10 Ns, respectively

Non Obstetric Acute Abdomen in Pregnancy – An Experience from Kashmir

Objectives: The objective of this study was to study the profile of pregnant patients who were managed by general surgical unit of a referral hospital in Kashmir valley for non obstetric causes of acute abdomen over a period of seven years. Methods: The study was done retrospectively after acquiring data from databank related to pregnant patients managed for acute abdomen over a period of seven years (from January 2006 to December 2012) in the general surgical department of the medical college of SK Institute of Medical Sciences, Srinagar, Kashmir. Results: 49 non obstetric acute abdomen were managed in pregnant females over a period of seven years. 23 (46.9%) patients reported with a delay of more than 12 hours and 34 (69.4%) cases underwent surgical interventions. Appendicitis was the commonest cause of acute abdomen and Ultrasonography was the only imaging modality utilized. Only 3 cases had preterm labor. Conclusions: Acute abdomen in pregnant females should be assessed with high level of suspicion .Delay in presentation and intervention leads to adverse outcomes

Bernstein-Type Inequalities for the Polar Derivative of a Polynomial

Inequalities of Markov and Bernstein were the starting point of considerable literature in polynomial approximation theory. The problem of obtaining exact new bonds, the improvements and the extensions of some old results for the maximum modulus of P'(z) on the unit disk |z|=1 are still of considerable interest. In view of this fact and many unsettled problems, the analytic theory of polynomials continues to be an active field of research. The aim of this dissertation to present a survey of certain results concerning the estimates for the maximum modulus of the polar derivative of a polynomial on the unit disk with or without restriction on the zeroes of a polynomial

Dosimetric comparative study of conformal radiation techniques in patients with glioblastoma multiforme

Purpose: The purpose of the current study is to determine whether patients diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) who underwent radiotherapy (RT) using intensity-modulated RT (IMRT) technique were benefitting from this highly conformal treatment in terms of doses received by planning target volume (PTV) and organs at risk (OARs) in comparison to three-dimensional conventional RT (3DCRT). Materials and Methods: Twelve patients treated with IMRT for GBM were selected for dosimetric comparison with 3DCRT. The prescribed dose was 60 Gy in 30 fractions and seven non-coplanner beams were used in IMRT to cover 95% of target volume. The irradiated patients of GBM were retrieved and replanned with 3DCRT techniques. Dosimetric comparison was done by performing two plans for the same patient; prescription dose and normal tissue constraints were identical for both plans. The dose–volume histograms of target volumes and OAR, dose conformity, and dose homogeneity with 3DCRT and IMRT planning were compared. Statistical analysis was performed to determine the differences. Results: The mean conformity index was 0.99 ± 0.001 for IMRT and 0.97 ± 0.002 for 3DCRT, P = 0.001. The mean homogeneity index was 1.03 ± 0.02 for IMRT and 1.06 ± 0.009 for 3DCRT, P = 0.003, which is statistically significant. The IMRT technique enables dose reduction of normal tissues including brainstem (Dmean by 33.78 ± 5.34 and Dmax 51.84 ± 4.43), optic chiasm (Dmean by 36.92 ± 1.99 and Dmax 44.61 ± 3.72), left optic nerve (Dmean by 28.97 ± 6.51 and Dmax 46.08 ± 10.58), right optic nerve (Dmean by 31.93 ± 11.68 and Dmax 44.63 ± 13.54), left eye (Dmean by 18.66 ± 8.92 and Dmax 37.43 ± 13.47), right eye (Dmean by 14.40 ± 4.87 and Dmax 40.37 ± 11.37), left lens (by Dmax 5.45 ± 1.85), and right lens (Dmax 5.07 ± 0.63). Conclusion: The IMRT provides a real dosimetric advantage, especially for normal brain tissue, and in terms of target coverage. It allows treatment of tumors while respecting OARs' dose constraints. The IMRT technique shows significant advantage in PTV coverage, dose homogeneity, and conformity. In IMRT, the coverage is better where PTV was overlapping with critical OARs