Preserving of intercostobrachial nerve relieves breast carcinoma patients from postmastectomy pain syndrome

Background: Post-mastectomy pain syndrome (PMPS) is a complication experienced by majority of the patients who undergo breast surgery for cancer. The etiology of this chronic neuropathic pain syndrome seems to be complex and it is still understood below par. Injury to the intercostobrachial (ICB) nerve is presumed to be the dominant one for developing PMPS. This prospective study was designed to appraise the effect of preservation of intercostobrachial nerve on post-mastectomy pain syndrome and also to determine the most common anatomical variation of the intercostobrachial nerve during surgery.Methods: A total of 100 patients were included in this study and were divided into 2 groups. Group A included patients with ICB nerve preserved and Group B patients with ICB nerve sectioned. The patients were evaluated for pain subjectively on the 2nd day, 1 month and in the 3rd month post-operatively by short form of McGill pain questionnaire and visual analog scale. During surgical dissection, anatomical variation of ICB nerve was ascertained each time.Results: After 3 months, 68.2% of the patients were asymptomatic in Group A (ICB nerve preservation group) and 31.8% in the Group B (nerve section group) (chi-square test was applied and p value was 0.002). We found that type 1 anatomical variation was commonest with 87%.Conclusions: Preservation of ICB nerve might greatly decrease the incidence of PMPS. Hence, the insight of the anatomical variations of this nerve is very crucial for the operating surgeons to preserve them and to prevent PMPS

Clinical profile of dengue fever in a tertiary care centre in North Kerala

Background: Dengue fever is the most common arboviral disease and fifty percent of world population is at risk. Frequent outbreaks are reported from all states of our country and incidence increases every year. This case study is of 305 patients from Academy of Medical Sciences, which is a tertiary care centre and research Institute in North Kerala. The objective of this study was to study the clinical profile of dengue fever.Methods: Study was prospective observational study conducted during the epidemic for a period of one year. All the cases which fulfilled WHO criteria for diagnosis of dengue fever and those who are positive for IGM antibody detected by enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (IgM ELISA) were only included in this study.Results: There is male preponderance, and those above the age of 30 years affected more. All patients had fever. Gastrointestinal manifestation like nausea and vomiting were commonly observed symptoms. Hepatomegaly, rash and conjuctival suffusion were important physical findings, whereas splenomegaly noted only in 8.2% cases. Thrombocytopenia is noticed in 73.96%.Conclusions: The mortality is 2.6%. Hypotension and thrombocytopenia are the two important determinants of mortality. Dengue Shock syndrome and Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever were relatively less when compared to other epidemics from different regions

Delay in diagnosis of breast cancer in a developing country: a single centre observational study in a tertiary care hospital in North Kerala, India

Background: Around the world breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. In India, peak incidence is between 45-50 years of age. Early diagnosis improves survival, hence reducing diagnostic delay in breast cancer will have major social and economic implications besides improving the quality of life. This observational study aims to decipher various factors influencing diagnostic delay so that early treatment can be instituted.Methods: We interviewed 212 consecutive patients who attended the twice weekly breast clinic conducted by Department of general surgery and department of radiotherapy, government medical college, Kozhikode between September 2014 and February 2015. All patients with primary breast cancer were included in the study. Exclusion criteria included recurrence, second primaries, history of partial treatment and incomplete records. Finally, we interviewed 202 patients with the help of a pretested semi-structured questionnaire.Results: In present study, the commonest age group was 40-50 years with 62.4% participants presenting with early breast cancer and 37.6% having advanced breast cancer. Most of present study subjects were educated up to high school and unemployed. Awareness about breast cancer was 74.25% but many were ignorant of its symptomatology. Practice of breast self-examination (BSE) was low at 32.1%. Side and quadrant were statistically significant factor.Conclusions: In present study religion, educational status, marital status, breast cancer awareness, practice of BSE and location of tumor were statistically significant factors influencing delay in diagnosis. There was a general lack of knowledge about the importance of self-examination in breast cancer which needs health education and need for active social propaganda in print and electronic media regarding its importance. In future institution of a screening programme will hasten diagnosis and improve survival of breast cancer patients

The Influence of Incorporating Plastic within Concrete and the Potential Use of Microwave Curing; A Review

In recent decades, researchers have used plastic to replace natural aggregates (NAs), or as filler and fibre within the concrete. This particular paper puts forward a review that gives comprehensive consideration to the properties and drawbacks, of concrete that contains plastic. As such, it may be hypothesised that poor bond capacity and higher air content due to inclusion of plastic aggregate (PA) within concrete are the predominant factors that reduce the properties in terms of mechanics and durability. In that regard, this study has put forward a new method of curing using microwave irradiation for improvement with respect to those factors. So, that there can be further improvement with regard to overall durability with respect to advanced chemical and hydrophobic resistivity and enhanced performance for conventional concrete with respect to bonding and ductility

Fish traps in inland waters of north kerala

Result of the study on traditional traps in the inland waters of three northern districts viz, Kasargod, Kannur and Kozhikode in Kerala state during 2003-2004 is presented. Mainly six types of traps are found in operation. Chempally koode is a rectangular bamboo trap with" D" shape in cross section operated without bait in some rivers of Kannur and Kasargod. Bamboo screen barriers are almost completely replaced with durable HDPE net screen to make handling easy. Thottil vala is a unique aerial trap operated from the dam in Pazhassi reservoir during monsoon to catch big fishes jumping against flowing water.cochin university of science and technologyfishery technology,2008 vol 45(2)pp 137-14