Pleomorphic adenoma of minor salivary gland in the parapharyngeal space

BACKGROUND: Majority of tumours occurring in minor salivary gland are malignant. Pleomorphic adenoma is of rare occurrence in parapharangeal space. CASE PRESENTATION: A rare case of a minor salivary gland pleomorphic adenoma of the parapharyngeal space is reported. Review of literature, clinical features, pathology, radiological findings and treatment of these tumours are discussed. CONCLUSIONS: Parapharangeal salivary tumours presents as a painless progressive swelling with majority of these being malignant. Pleomorphic adenoma in parapharangeal space is of rare occurrence. Complete surgical excision is the treatment of choice

Efficacy of vaginal dilator use in preventing vaginal stenosis among cervical and endometrial cancer patients underwent radiotherapy

Background: Vaginal dilators (VD) are effective in the prevention of vaginal stenosis in patients undergoing pelvic radiotherapy for gynaecological malignancies. This study was aimed to assess the efficacy of VD use in preventing post radiotherapy vaginal stenosis in cervical and endometrial cancer patients.Methods: A cohort study was designed among patients (20-70 years) with biopsy proven endometrial and cervical carcinoma who underwent pelvic radiotherapy were included. Patients with cervical carcinoma (FIGO stage-IA to IVA), endometrial carcinoma (FIGO stage IB grade III, FIGO stage II), histology of squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma and performance score-ECOG 1 were included in the study. Assessment included clinical history, general examination, pelvic examination at 3 monthly intervals till 1 year. Grading of vaginal stenosis was assessed using LENT SOMA grading system.Results: A total of 42 patients with 20 patients using vaginal dilators and 22 patients who refused to use VD were assigned. It was effective for 60% of VD users compared to 20% of nonusers (p=0.007) at 9 months follow up. While at 12 months follow up, it was effective for 58% of VD users compared to 16.6% of nonusers (p=0.066). Percent adherence was maximum in the 1st and 2ndquarter and declined to 61% by the 4th quarter. The total adherence was 97%.Conclusions: There was 55% vs 22.7% effectiveness to prevent the vaginal stenosis among VD users.  All patients need proper counselling, motivation and support for regular usage of VD which will ultimately help in reducing the incidence of vaginal stenosis

AMLODIPINE BESYLATE LOADED POLYMERIC NANOPARTICLES: PREPARATION AND IN VITRO CHARACTERISATION

Objective: The present investigation aims to formulate the ideal drug formulation using different surfactants and optimize the amlodipine-loaded polymeric nanoparticles. Methods: The present work was to formulate the drug-loaded polymeric nanoparticles to enhance the dissolution rate of a poorly water-soluble drug, amlodipine besylate, using the anti-solvent precipitation method. The Characterisation studies include particle size (nm), Zeta potential (mV), polydispersity index, Drug entrapment efficiency (%), in vitro release drug release, and surface morphological studies like SEM and XRD. Results: The drug-loaded Polymeric nanoparticles of F3 containing PLGA and PVA shows the desired smaller particle size is 198.8±5.25, maximum zeta potential is-24.76±2.54 mv and the stable polydispersity index of 0.957±0.45. The drug entrapment efficiency is 93%, and the controlled dissolution of the ideal formulation pattern is about 94.88±2.45 in 24h. Conclusion: The release pattern observed that PNs significantly improved the dissolution character of amlodipine besylate. PNs have a controlled drug release pattern and can be used as a suitable drug delivery carrier for low solubility and poorly bioavailable drugs like amlodipine to improve its dissolution rate

A STUDY ON THE DISTRIBUTION AND ABUNDANCE OF NORMAL FLORA ON THE HUMAN SKIN AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO THE USE AND NON-USE OF COSMETICS

The long term use of cosmetics modifies the microbial ecology on the skin surface. The present study quantitatively assayed the microbial flora on female respondents (age group of 18-20 yrs) using and not using cosmetics, plus those who use coconut oil alone on the skin surface. The results showed that the higher number of microbial flora is observed on skin surface of respondents using coconut oil (90.4 x 102 cfu/ 5 cm2 skinarea). The microbial count of respondents using and not using cosmetics were 34.4 x102 and 45.6 x102 cfu, respectively, per 5 cm2 area of skin surface. Cosmetics (C1 to C6) were assayed for antibacterial activity where C1, C2, C3, C4 and C6 were resistant to the three species of test bacteria namely Staphylococcus aureus, Coagulase negative Staphylococcus and E. coli. The sample C5 exhibited a low level of antibacterial activity against E. coli with a diameter of zone of growth inhibition of 9 mm. An assay carried out for a period of six months to compare the modifying effect of cosmetics on skin microflora of a respondent whose left hand was applied with a body lotion (C7) and her right hand not applied with any topical applicants. There was reduction in the number of microflora on the left hand with an average count of 13.3 x 102 cfu/ 5 cm2 area on the skin surface, than on the right hand with an average count of 22.6 x 102 cfu/ 5 cm2 area on the skin surface

Biodiversity Assessment Along the Coast of Central Kerala, India in Relation to Ecosystem Services

Conservation of biodiversity has been a matter of global concern since the event of the World Summit in 1992 and the follow up of Rio+20 in 2012. In order to promote conservation efforts and provide a platform for bioevaluation, special areas of interest along the coasts are evaluated according to their capacity to support and harbour biological diversity. Assessment of biodiversity along the coasts of districts of Alapuzha, Ernakulam and Thrissur of central Kerala was undertaken to ascertain the provisional, regulatory, supporting and cultural services provided and to appraise their ecological sensitivity

Hatching of Olive ridley turtle twin hatchlings

A clutch of 126 olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) turtle eggs was laid at Palapetty Beach, Thrissur District, Kerala on 15th January 2016 and relocated by members of the Kanyakumari Turtle NEWS Club to the hatchery at Palapetty. On 02nd March 2016, after 46 days of incubation, 58 hatchlings emerged from the nest unaided in the early morning. The nest was excavated three hours after emergence of the first hatchling, at which time 14 more hatchlings emerged from the exposed eggs including two pairs of twins (Table 1; for example see Figure 1) which emerged from the eggshells on their own. The hatchlings were transported to a holding tank 15min post-hatching. The twin hatchlings were unable to remain afloat and their movement on land was also impaired as they remained connected by the respective yolk sacs. The first pair of twin hatchlings died half an hour after hatching, while the second pair of twins survived for six hours. Four other hatchlings which emerged from the exposed eggs died before being introduced to the holding tank. The surviving hatchlings were released to sea approximately nine to thirteen hours after hatching

Check list of fishes of the Gulf of Mannar ecosystem, Tamil Nadu, India

Gulf of Mannar Ecosystem (GOME) covers an area spread over Rameswaram and Kanyakumari for about 19000 km2 and lies between 78°11’E and 79°15’ E longitude and 8°49’N and 9°15’N latitude. The 21 coral islands form a network of habitats for different kinds of fishes and marine organisms. Fish samples were collected during April 2005 to March 2010 from different centers viz., Vembar, Tharuvaikulam, Vellapatti, Therespuram, Tuticorin, Alangarathattu, Pazhaykayal, Punnakayal, Kayalpattinam, Veerapandiapattinam, Thiruchendur and Manappad of Gulf of Mannar ecosystem. The present check list was the first attempt to produce a systematic list of fishes found in the Gulf of Mannar ecosystem. It includes 476 genera and 1182 species in 144 families and 39 orders, of which 628 species have been recorded in the present study

ജെല്ലി സേഫ് കിറ്റ് : കടൽച്ചൊറി ദംശനത്തിന് പ്രഥമ ശുശ്രൂഷ

ജെല്ലി സേഫ് കിറ്റ് : കടൽച്ചൊറി ദംശനത്തിന് പ്രഥമ ശുശ്രൂ

CATALOGUE-2018 Marine Biodiversity Museum CMFRI Special Publication No. 129

A new Marine Biodiversity Museum was established at Kochi following the shifting of the headquarters of the Institute from Mandapam to Kochi. The Museum was inaugurated by Padma Vibhushan Prof. M.S. Swaminathan on 4th February 2006. The museum now holds around 2300 specimens of various categories such as fishes, echinoderms, molluscs, crustaceans, corals, seaweeds etc. These specimens are of fundamental importance to taxonomic, systematic and biodiversity studies. The first catalogue on Marine Biodiversity Museum comprised of specimens belonging to all the groups was published in 2012. The present catalogue prepared by the Marine Biodiversity Division of the Institute is expected to update the present status of the specimens in the museum as on March 2017. I am happy to bring out this catalogue in the year of Platinum Jubilee celebrations of CMFRI (1947-2017). The help and support extended by the previous Directors of CMFRI and Museum-in-charges are gratefully acknowledged. Majority of the specimens in the Museum represents the collections made by scientists of CMFRI as part of their research activities. The keen interest shown and the sincere effort put in by the scientists of the Institute in building up this Museum as an invaluable gift to those who pursue science need special mention. They have deposited their valuable specimens in the Museum and contributed in one way or the other to bring it to the present status. I congratulate all those who have been involved in the collection, preservation, identification and cataloguing of the specimens in the Marine Biodiversity Museum