Search

Bacteriocin TSU4 is a novel antimicrobial peptide isolated from Catla catla gut isolate Lactobacillus animalis TSU4. It has been reported for its potential antimicrobial activity against fish pathogens and food spoilage bacteria. In vivo safety evaluation is necessary to determine its immunogenicity, toxicity, and importance in real-life applications. The present study was designed to evaluate the immunogenicity, acute and sub-chronic toxicity of bacteriocin TSU4 in BALB/c mice to ensure its safety in industrial application. Male BALB/c mice were administered intraperitoneally for immunogenicity assessment, by oral gavage with 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg/body weight for acute test and 0.5 mg/kg/day dose of bacteriocin TSU4 for sub-chronic toxicity test. Neither mortality nor any infections were observed during experimental period. There was no major increase in antibody titer during the immunogenicity test, and no mortality was observed during acute or sub-chronic toxicity tests. The LD 50 value of bacteriocin TSU4 was found to be higher than 200 ± 0.45 mg/kg. No significant change in the serum biochemical markers, histopathological analysis and visual observation in spleen sizes was observed. These findings revealed that bacteriocin TSU4 is a non-immunogenic, safe, non-toxic, and could be a potential candidate for industrial applications in food preservation and aquaculture industries.

Nasopharyngeal angiofibroma is a rare, highly vascular locally invasive tumor with a strong tendency to bleed. It usually occurs in young adolescent males. This is a retrospective study of 53 patients with nasopharyngeal angiofibroma. All the cases were treated surgically by different conventional approaches depending upon the extent of the mass. Transpalatal approach was used in 32 cases, lateral rhinotomy in 13 cases and a combination of transpalatine + lateral rhinotomy + caldwel-luc in 8 cases. There is no recurrence in 49 cases till date. However, recurrence was noted in four cases within six months. Three out of four patients with recurrence had to undergo repeat surgery for the removal of angiofibroma within six months while the remaining one was referred to radiotherapy as the mass was invading the cavernous sinus. The various clinical presentation and treatment modalities are discussed.

Background: The aim of study is to evaluate the Endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) with conventional instruments, its results and advantage over external dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR)., Methods: The study group comprised of 127 patients who underwent consecutive endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy. The cases operated by one team were included in the study to make the uniform analysis and its result. There were 48 males and 79 female in this study and male female ratio was 1:1.6. The mean age of the patient was 37 years (range from 16 years to 58 years). There were wide variety of cases like epiphora, lacrimal sac abscess, lacrimal sac fistula, acute dacryocystitis and road vehicular accident. All the patients had undergone non-laser, non-powered conventional instruments surgery under local anesthesia. The lighted probe was not used in any case for sac identification. The free flow of saline through newly created stoma during sac syringing was considered as successful criteria. The stent was used in two cases of road vehicular accident and in remaining 125 cases no stent was used. There were 66 cases of epiphora, 30 cases of lacrimal sac abscess, 26 cases of acute dacryocystitis, 3 cases of lacrimal fistula and 2 case of road traffic accident with multiple fractures. The average follow up period was 17 months (maximum follow up 3 years and minimum 4 months.), Results: The success rate was 96 %., Conclusion: The endoscopic DCR with conventional instruments is safe with very high success rate without any complications. It can be done in acute cases and very much suited for lacrimal sac abscess and lacrimal sac fistula.

Inhalation of foreign body into the tracheobronchial tree is a medical emergency sometimes resulting into sudden death. The current mortality rate due to foreign body inhalation ranges from 0% to 1.8%. Children with or without positive history of aspiration were examined and diagnosis was made on the basis of history, clinical findings, radiological evaluation and strong index of suspicion. A review of 30 cases of suspected foreign body aspiration revealed, children between 6 months were found to be very vulnerable to aspiration. Majority of children were boys. 80% of the patients had positive history of inhalation. Only 50% of the patients presented immediately i.e. within 24 hours after aspiration. Common symptoms were cough and respiratory distress. Decreased air entry was the significant clinical sign (50%). Obstructive emphysema and mediastinal shift were found in the majority of cases (50%). Rigid bronchoscopy under general anaesthesia and patient ventilating using a jet ventilator is a very safe and effective technique.

Background: The aim of study is to compare the external osteotomy vs. internal osteotomy in patients undergoing rhinoplasty., Methods: The study group comprised of 45 patients that had undergone rhinoplasty surgery. The 25 patients had undergone internal / endonasal continuous lateral osteotomy and 20 patients had undergone external / percutaneous perforating digital osteotomy. The internal osteotomy was done high to low to high using 4 mm. curved guarded osteotome. The external osteotomy was done by 2 mm sharp osteotome. The scoring system of Kara and Gokalan was followed for edema and ecchymosis., Conclusion: External osteotomy is an easy approach to carryout and makes fracture with high precision along preset lines. The bone stump is stable. The damage to the nasal mucosa is much less. There is reduced bleeding, reduced edema and reduced ecchymosis around eyes. The cutaneous scar at the entry site of osteotome is invisible.

The case series presents the pattern of association of different co-morbid conditions of Plummer Vinson's Syndrome. The commonest morbidity is web at post cricoid level. The symptoms of dysphagia are more common and there appears to be a female preponderance. The presenting age us usually 5th decade. Although association with post cricoid carcinoma has been reported but only 10% of cases in the present series had carcinoma at the time of presentation. The effect of iron and B-complex supplementation has been clinically appraised and good symptomatic relief has been seen. Maybe this measure can prevent the progression to malignancy. Bouginage was effective in relieving symptoms in all the cases it was tried.