A case report on Duchene muscular dystrophy in an Indian family

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is commonest X-linked syndrome muscular dystrophy in the children, present in early childhood and characterized by the proximal muscle weakness and the calf hypertrophy in exaggerated boys. There is generally delay in the motor development and ultimately wheelchair confinement leading to premature death from cardiac or the respiratory complications. For treatment we use various modalities like corticosteroid therapy. We also used intermittent positive pressure ventilation that could help in developments in function, quality of life, ambulation and life expectancy though novel therapies still focus to provide the cure for this disease. Clinically, it is categorized by the progressive muscle wasting ultimately leading to the premature death. Here we presented a case of Duchene muscular dystrophy in a 13 year old boy with clinical presentation

Interaction of Radiofrequency Radiation with Biological Systems

Rapid advancement of radiofrequency (RF)-driven technologies has greatly affected our everyday lives. Increasing evidence led by in-vitro, in-vivo studies, epidemiological and clinical trials indicates that RF interacts considerably well with biological systems in various ways depending on different exposure parameters and properties of biological materials. Besides their innumerable benefits in different sectors of commercial and military fields, they can induce alterations in many physiological functions of the body, which may culminate into adverse human health consequences. The present article explicitly addresses the RF-based technologies and their applications, fundamentals of RF energy interaction with biological systems, exposure parameters, and dosimetry studies along with thermal and non-thermal effects on different vital organs at molecular and cellular levels. Further, this article outlines the limitations of RF-induced biological effect studies, status of risk assessment, safety levels and its future perspectives

Clinical, socio-demographic profile and outcome of neurocysticercosis in children: a hospital based study

Background: Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is perhaps the most common parasitic infection of human nervous system. The objective of this study was to study the spectrum of clinical, socio-demographic profile and treatment outcome of 60 paediatric neurocysticercosis cases over a mean duration of two years from September 2006-August 2008.Methods: Diagnosis was made mainly on the basis of clinical features, ring enhancing lesions on Computed Tomography scan of brain and exclusion of other causes. Patients were treated with Albendazole for 28 days, Prednisolone and anticonvulsant.Results: 10-14 years was the most affected age group with no sex predilection. Seizure was the most common initial presentation (86.66%) followed by headache and vomiting. Generalized tonic clonic seizure was the most common type of seizure. Four patients returned with relapse.Conclusions: Neurocysticercosis is a disease of lower socioeconomic group with poor sanitation and poor hand hygiene. Generalized tonic clonic seizure is the main presentation. Anticysticercal therapy has a good outcome

A study to know the serum total testosterone levels in type II diabetes mellitus male patients from North India

Background: Diabetes mellitus is major public health issue facing the world in present century and the prevalence of type 2 diabetes is increasing explosively.  There are various diabetes related complications, one of which is low testosterone levels in men. This study was designed to estimate the serum testosterone level in male patients of type 2 diabetes mellitus.Methods: The patients of type -2 diabetes mellitus were picked up from out-patient and in-patients section of the hospital at random.Results: Seventy male  patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were enrolled during the study period. The mean age of study population was 56.36±10.26 years (range 36-70), while that of control group patients was found to be 39.80±7.92years. Family history of diabetes was present in 14 (22.2%) patients. The mean HbA1c in study group was 8.83±1.95 %, which was significantly higher as compared to control group with HbA1c 4.82±0.40 %. Among study group, lower serum total testosterone level was observed in 85.7 % cases and normal level in 14.3 % cases. Among control group, lower serum total testosterone level was observed in 6.7 % cases and normal level in 93.3 % cases.Conclusions: The present study highlighted that significant difference in serum total testosterone level has been observed between cases and control groups (X2 =55.7, P=0.0001)

A retrospective study of fungal corneal ulcer from the western part of Uttar Pradesh

Background: Infectious keratitis is a major cause of avoidable blindness worldwide. Fungus is an important aetiological agent of infectious keratitis following corneal trauma with vegetative matter. This infection should be promptly treated to limit the morbidity and dangerous sequelae. The purpose of this study was to detect causative agents from corneal scrapings and to identify the predisposing factors of mycotic keratitis.Methods: Corneal scrapings were taken in full aseptic precautions in total 112 suspected patients for fungal etiology and were subjected to direct examination by 10% KOH mount, gram stain and culture.Results: A total 112 cases of suspected corneal ulcers were subjected to KOH mount to detect fungal elements in corneal scraping and culture to isolate aetiological agents. In our study 29 (25.8%) samples were found positive in KOH mount and fungus was isolated from the all KOH positive samples. Males were more commonly affected and were mostly in the age group of 30-50 years. Fusarium species was the most common fungus isolated followed by Aspergillus species.Conclusion: Mycotic keratitis is a serious problem usually following corneal trauma, it requires rapid detection and identification of fugal agents for treatment to prevent disastrous consequences.

Single layer versus double layer closure of enteric perforation- a comparative study

Background: Small intestine perforation and gastrointestinal haemorrhage are the most common and dreadful complications of enteric fever. There are different operative procedures available for enteric perforation repair. In the present study attempts should be made to find out which operative procedure (either single layer or double layer closure) should be planned in enteric perforation by comparing these, in terms of morbidity, mortality and cost effectiveness.Methods: This study was carried out on 50 patients of either sex. They were divided in two groups Group- A     (conventional double layer repair in 25 patients) and Group- B (single layer interrupted sutures in 25 patients). After analysing the result of this study, it can be concluded that single layer repair for enteric perforation can be constructed in less time and with less complication rate compared with the conventional two layer repair technique, it also recovers the patient early and causing earlier bowel activity than two layer repair.Results: 50 patients were studied in the present study and results were in favour of single layer group as time taken for perforation repair and overall surgical time was less in this group. Moreover, single layer repair also helps early bowel activity and early recovery to the patient than double layer technique.Conclusions: Double layer closure of enteric perforation offers no definitive advantage over single layer repair in terms of faecal fistula formation, operative time, returns of bowel movements and other complications like wound abscess formation, wound dehiscence, respiratory complications etc. Less operative time and other factors in favour of single layer repair makes it the choice of procedure for most of the surgeons

GIST a rare abdominal tumor and our surgical experience

Background: GISTs are rare abdominal tumors, encountered as the most common mesenchymal neoplasms of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract leading to GI bleeding. We report a changing trend of diagnosis and management in Indian patients.Methods: The retrospective data was collected from medical records and 62 cases of GIST from 2003 to 2020 in General surgical unit of BHU. They were divided in three groups. In group A (36) patients only surgery, group B (14) patients surgery than adjuvant chemotherapy and in group C (12) who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy then surgery. Preoperatively, USG and CT scans of the abdomen were the main investigations, others being upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and chest x-ray confirm by histopathological and immunohistochemical evaluation.Results: The mean age at presentation was 42.8 years (range 17-74 years) and mean duration of symptoms was of 5 months (range 10 days-2 years). It was from the stomach, (06) duodenum (14) jejunum, (06) ileum, (1) caecum and (4) from the mesentery and (4) from retroperitoneum. 44 cases had low grade benign tumors and 18 malignancies. In group A, 22 (61%) patients showed recurrence in group B, 06, (42%) patients showed recurrence and group C, 02 (33%) patient showed recurrence.Conclusions: Most of the tumours were benign and surgical resection is the mainstay of treatment. However, the patients in which only surgery was done showed maximum recurrence and patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy then surgery followed adjuvant chemotherapy showed minimum recurrence.