Change in serum interleukin-6 levels in patients after pancreatoduodenectomy for periampullary cancer

This study was undertaken to elucidate the changes in interleukin-6 concentrations in the systemic circulation of 20 patients following pancreatoduodenectomy and whether it had any predictive value for postoperative complications. Blood was drawn on the day before surgery, at fixed intervals immediately after closure of the abdomen, and on day 1, 3, 5 after surgery for the measurement of interleukin-6. Change in the serum interleukin-6 levels was observed before and after pancreatoduodenectomy and between patients with and without complications. There was no mortality, but morbidity occurred in 5 patients. Serum interleukin-6 levels peaked immediately after surgery and gradually declined to preoperative level on postoperative day 5, but it remained persistently higher in a patient who developed postoperative complication. The peak level of interleukin-6 was significantly correlated with body mass index, duration of jaundice, biliary decompression prior to surgery, operation time and hospital stay, but not with operative blood loss. In conclusion, interleukin-6 is an important stress marker for predicting the complications after pancreatoduodenectomy operation. Patient with good body mass index status, short duration of jaundice and without preoperative biliary decompression provides less operative stress, less chance of complications and shorter hospital stay

Analysis of Tweed’s facial triangle in mixed dentition children with class III malocclusion treated by two different appliances

Reverse twin-block (RTB) and reverse pull face mask (RPFM) are two commonly used orthodontic appliances to treat Class III malocclusions in mixed dentition children

Reaction of xylenes with tert.-butylchloride in presence of anhydrous aluminium chloride

371-373Reactions of ortho- and meta-xylenes with tert.-butyl chloride in presence of anhydrous AlCl₃ as catalyst have been studied. Effects of variation of temperature, molar ratio of xylene to tert.-butyl chloride, amount of catalyst and reaction time on the reactions have been investigated

Comparison of Soft Tissue Changes Produced by Two Different Appliances on Mixed Dentition Children

Objective. This study was focused on comparing and analyzing the soft tissue changes induced by Reverse Twin-Block (RTB) and Reverse Pull Face Mask (RPFM) in early and late mixed dentition Malay children having Class III malocclusion. Methods. This cross-sectional study includes a total sample of 95 Malay children of both early (8-9 years) and late (10-11 years) mixed dentition stages. The comparison was between 49 samples treated by RTB and 46 samples treated by RPFM. Both pre- and posttreatment changes were assessed with Holdaway’s analysis using the CASSOS software. In each cephalogram, 71 anatomic landmarks were traced. Descriptive and multiple regression analyses were performed for statistical evaluation. Results. Statistically significant changes were noticed in soft tissue facial angle, subnasale to H-line, skeletal profile convexity, upper lip strain, H-line angle, lower lip to H-line, and inferior sulcus to H-line measurements. Gender disparity was noticed in upper lip strain. Other significant changes were influenced by the type of appliance. However, the mean differences were minute to notice clinically. Age difference did not have any effect on the treatment changes. Conclusions. RPFM revealed treatment outcome with more protruded upper lip than RTB

Coping strategy among the women with metastatic breast cancer attending a palliative care unit of a tertiary care hospital of Bangladesh.

BackgroundBreast cancer is one of the leading cancers among the Bangladeshi women. Coping helps these patients to adjust with this life-changing disease. Each individual has unique and different coping mechanism. But we know a little regarding their coping strategies. This study aims to explore the different coping strategies adopted by the women with metastatic (stage IV) breast cancer attending the palliative care unit and their relationship with the common mental health issues like anxiety and depression.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted among 95 patients with metastatic (stage IV) breast cancer attending the Department of Palliative Medicine, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Bangladesh from April 2021 to September 2021. Data was collected by face-to-face interview using a structured questionnaire adapted from Hospital Depression and Anxiety Scale (HADS), Brief COPE inventory and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance scale. Pearson correlation test was used to find the relationships between various domains of coping strategies and psychological variables. Correlation matrix was done to observe the internal correlation among different coping strategies. Kruskal-Wallis H test was done to find the relationship between different coping strategies and ECOG performance status.ResultThe mean age of the respondents was 48.9 ± 9.9 years. Most of them were married (94.7%), Muslim (92.6%) and homemakers (82.1%). Commonly used coping strategies by the patients were: acceptance (median 10; IQR 10), religion (median 9; IQR 8-10) and instrumental support (median 9; IQR 6-10). Significantly strong positive correlation was found between emotional and instrumental support (R = 0.7; p = 0.01), planning, acceptance and active coping (R = 0.7; p = 0.01); behavioral disengagement, self distraction and denial (R = 0.5; p = 0.01). Significantly fair negative correlation was observed between active coping and depression (R = -0.4, p ConclusionDifferent coping strategies, especially positive coping helps the patients to adapt with their disease over time. All women suffering from breast cancer should be routinely screened and assessed for psychological distress and ensure early intervention and management to promote a better quality of life