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Background: Oxidative stress parameters have been reported to be significantly higher than controls in diverse disorders of pigmentation but no such data seem to be extant for IGH. Objectives: To verify whether heightened oxidative stress levels are seen in patients with IGH (compared with matched controls) and quantify the same in blood using appropriate biochemical markers. Further, an attempt to determine if there might be any correlation between the amount of oxidative stress and the severity of the disease. Methodology: This prospective case‐control study was conducted in Northern India. Thirty Indian patients (Fitzpatrick skin phototype (SPT) IV‐V) were included. The diagnosis of IGH lesions was confirmed based on characteristic clinical, and dermoscopic characteristics and confirmed on histopathological examination (H & E) of one of the lesions. Results: The oxidative stress enzyme level was significantly higher among the cases compared to controls which were statistically significant (p < 0.05). A positive correlation was also observed between the levels of these markers and number of lesions, but this finding was statistically not significant [p > 0.05]. Assessment of melanin level by Dopa staining method in the IGH lesions revealed irregularly distributed melanin with areas of high and low melanin content and greater accumulation in the basement layer. Conclusion: The results of this probably the first study evaluating oxidative stress in IGH show that the oxidative stress is increased in patients with IGH. Level of oxidative stress seems to be correlated with both age of the patient (more in the elderly) and number of lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To evaluate any association between non‐sustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT) detected by intra‐cardiac device and clinical outcomes in repaired adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) without tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). Background: NSVT portends a higher risk of serious ventricular tachyarrhythmia in TOF. However its clinical significance when incidentally detected by implantable cardiac device is not well elucidated in non‐TOF ACHD cohort. Methods: We performed a single center, retrospective, longitudinal follow‐up study in repaired ACHD (≥18 years) patients without TOF who hosted a pacemaker or automatic implantable cardiac defibrillator (AICD). The cohort was divided based on presence/absence of device detected NSVT. The primary end‐point was a composite of sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT), ventricular fibrillation (VF), or sudden cardiac death (SCD). Results: One hundred fifty eight patients (male 56.3%, median [IQR] age of 35 [28–43] years at last follow‐up] with longitudinal post‐implant follow‐up duration of 8 (5–12) years were included. NSVT was detected in 52 (33%) patients. The primary composite end‐point was more frequent in NSVT group [11.5% vs. 2.8%; p =.04]. Patients with NSVT were (i) older at the time of initial implant (age 25 vs. 18 years, p =.011) and more frequently demonstrated (ii) systemic ventricular dysfunction (44% vs. 26%; p =.015), as well as (iii) history of ventriculotomy (38% vs. 21%; p =.017). Conclusions: In our repaired ACHD cohort, we noted a significant association between device‐detected‐NSVT and the primary composite end‐point of sustained VT/VF or SCD. Systemic ventricular dysfunction and history of ventriculotomy were more frequent in the NSVT group and likely constituted the clinical milieu. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor (DNT) is a rare benign brain tumor predominantly involving children and young adults. Histologically, it corresponds to WHO Grade I tumors; however, it may masquerade aggressive neural tumors such as oligodendroglioma, oligoastrocytoma, pilocytic astrocytoma, and ganglioglioma. The literature on clinical, radiological, and pathological spectrum of DNT is described mostly in the form of case reports, with only a few case series reported till date.Methods: A retrospective review of files with diagnosis of DNT (2016 to 2018) was made in the Department of Pathology, National Institute of Pathology, New Delhi. A total of ten cases were retrieved, and their clinical, radiological, and histopathological features were reviewed and studied. Special stains and immunohistochemistry were done, wherever required.Results: The mean age was 14.8 (±7.9) years, with a male-to-female ratio of 1.5:1. The most common mode of presentation was recurrent, intractable seizures. The most common site of lesion was parietal lobe followed by temporal and frontal lobes of the brain. On histology, mucoid matrix admixed with floating neurons and oligodendrocyte-like cells was a consistent feature; however, the presence of specific glioneuronal elements was observed in only a few cases.Conclusions: DNT is a benign, low-grade, nonrecurrent neuroepithelial neoplasm. It is important to differentiate this rare entity from other mimickers, as it is surgically curable and carries an excellent prognosis without the need for adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The study helps to enrich the clinicopathological aspects of this rare but important entity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

What is known and objective: Oxidative stress and inflammation are known to be high in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, association of change in their levels with treatment response remains unaddressed. The present study evaluated change in blood levels of oxidative stress and inflammatory markers in NSCLC patients, after first course of platinum‐based chemotherapy. Methods: This prospective cohort study enrolled newly diagnosed NSCLC patients receiving either pemetrexed‐carboplatin (group A) or paclitaxel‐carboplatin (group B). Blood levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), C‐reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) were measured at baseline and after first cycle. Response to treatment was noted after 2nd or 4th cycle, as available. Subgroup analysis was done (group B), based on paclitaxel dose/formulation. Results: Of the 85 patients screened, 38 were enrolled with a mean age of 56.7 ± 9.2 years. Baseline levels of oxidative and inflammatory markers were not different between the groups and did not change significantly within the groups. Significant reduction in IL‐6 was seen with three‐weekly paclitaxel‐carboplatin (from median 81.3 [range 8.6, 1006] pg/mL to 51.8 [11.4, 99.5] pg/mL; P =.025). C‐reactive protein levels reduced with weekly nab‐paclitaxel (P =.043). Change in levels did not relate with therapeutic response except for IL‐6 which decreased in patients with partial response (from 102.6 [8.1, 1006] pg/mL to 38.9 [8.4, 99.5] pg/mL; P =.036). What is new and conclusion: Although the levels of oxidative and inflammatory markers varied following chemotherapy, trend indicates that IL‐6 may be a potential marker of treatment response in NSCLC patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Standard, 5-7-Fr diameter pacing leads (PLs) can adversely affect atrioventricular valve (AVV) and venous (superior vena cava [SVC], innominate [INN]) integrities. Although chronic pacing/sensing performances have been reported on the steroid-eluting, lumenless, 4.1-Fr PL (Model 3830, Medtronic Inc., Minneapolis, MN, USA), comparative valve and venous effects are largely unknown. Methods Patients (n = 134) were divided into two PL groups: Group 1 (n = 65, Model 3830) and Group 2 (n = 69, various 5-7 Fr models) and followed up to 9 years postimplant. Patient demographics, clinical findings, valve function, and venous dimensions were reviewed. Statistical significance was defined as P < 0.05. Results Patient implant age (mean 16.4 years vs 17.3 years), presence of congenital heart defect (CHD), and preexisting valve issues were comparable between groups. New or worsening valve insufficiency occurred in 12% of Group 1 patients (mean follow-up 4.3 ± 2.8 years) and 27% of Group 2 patients (mean follow-up 6.2 ± 3.5 years; P < 0.05). Significant SVC or INN narrowing was found in 11 % of Group 1 and 24% of Group 2 patients (P = 0.0004). All Group 1 patients <12 years of age showed normal while 50% of those from Group 2 exhibited stunted SVC or INN growth (P < 0.05). Conclusion The lumenless, 4.1-Fr diameter PL offers improved clinical benefits, better AVV integrity, and venous development compared with larger 5-7-Fr diameter PL and should be considered especially in younger patients with/without CHD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Infertility is a devastating disease which affects its victims at a very basic level the ability to reproduce. This can be divisive to the couples involved, their relatives and friends. The influence of infertility can be immense. There are a lot of medical and social consequences of infertility and the psychological sequelae are one of them. Affected patients and their families suffer from loss of esteem, disappointment and depression. Considering the immense effect of infertility on the life of not only the affected couples but also on their families and relatives the present study was conducted with following objective. Objective: To evaluate the Uterine Biophysical Profile and to assess its role in predicting the conception outcome in spontaneous cycles in patients with unexplained primary infertility. Material &Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, U.P. Rural Institute of Medical Sciences & Research, Saifaion 55 women with unexplained primary infertility after standard diagnostic work up. Ultrasound (TVS) measurement of all patients was performed in their midcycle of spontaneous cycle. The Uterine Biophysical Profile (UBP) i.e. certain sonographic qualities of the uterus were noted during the normal mid-cycle of these patients. These included 7 parameters: Endometrial thickness in greatest AP dimension of 7 mm or greater (full-thickness measurement), a layered ("5 line") appearance to the endometrium, myometrial contractions causing a wave like motion of the endometrium, homogeneous myometrial echogenicity, uterine artery blood flow (as measured by PI, less than 3.0), blood flow within zone 3 using color doppler technique, myometrial blood flow seen on gray-scale examination. The Uterine Scoring System for Reproduction ("USSR") was used to evaluate the total score. Results: Among 55 unexplained primary infertility patients 24 i.e. 43.63% conceived by serial ultrasonographic monitoring of spontaneous menstrual cycle and timed intercourse. According to USSR, with a 'perfect score' of 20, there was 80% conception rate. While 9 /15 patients (i.e 60%) conceived with a score of 17-19. With a score of 14-16, 10/23 patients conceived i.e. 43.37%. Only 8.33% conception rate was seen with a low score of < or = 13. Highest pregnancy rate (60%) was seen with an endometrial thickness of 7-9mm while zone IV endometrial blood flow gave maximum conception rate of 66.66%. Conclusion: UBP can prove to be a simple, reliable, reproducible, rapid and non-invasive tool to predict uterine environment and hence conception outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine whether the utilization of a respiratory therapist (RT) driven mechanical ventilation weaning protocol is associated with improvement in clinical outcomes in subjects with simple versus difficult weaning. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data obtained during a quality improvement project. We collected data on 803 consecutive mechanically ventilated patients admitted to the ICU of an academic tertiary care hospital. We compared an RT-driven weaning protocol to a physician-driven weaning strategy. RESULTS: Of the 803 patients, 651 with simple weaning and 131 with difficult weaning were included in the analysis. In the subjects with simple weaning, 514 (79%) were weaned with the RT-driven protocol. Among the difficult weaning subjects, 101(77.1%) were liberated with the RT-driven protocol. A multivariate analysis, which included Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II, body mass index, and type of primary ICU team under which the subjects were admitted, revealed a significant difference in ventilator-free days at 28-days, which supports the RT-driven protocol over the physician-driven strategy. Specifically, the RT-driven protocol increased ventilator-free days by 20.92% and 68.2% among subjects with simple and difficult weaning, respectively. A multivariate analysis of ICU mortality and extubation failure found no significant difference between the RT-driven protocol and the physician-driven strategy. CONCLUSIONS: The RT-driven weaning protocol increased ventilator-free days among subjects with simple and difficult weaning, with no significant differences in ICU mortality or extubation failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: With conformal radiotherapy techniques, acute and late toxicities can be reduced because of better dose conformity and reduced doses to normal tissue. With Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) further dose escalation is possible and one of the methods is IMRT with simultaneous integrated boost (IMRT-SIB).Aim: To evaluate feasibility, toxicity patterns and loco-regional control rates of IMRT-SIB technique in head and neck cancer patients who are not suitable candidates for concurrent chemoradiation.Study Design: Prospective study of 30 patients treated with IMRT-SIB technique and evaluation of clinical results.Method and Materials: 30 patients received definitive treatment using IMRT-SIB without concurrent chemotherapy. Patients were monitored during and after treatment for toxicity using the Radiation Therapy Oncology group (RTOG) criteria. Analysis of acute and late toxicity and early efficacy is presented.Results: The median treatment duration was 42days (range 41-43days). Overall, maximum acute Grade 3 toxicity of mucositis, skin, pharynx/esophageal toxicity and laryngeal were 56.66%, 30%, 26.67%, and 6.67% respectively at treatment completion. None of the patients had Grade 4 acute toxicity. No haematological toxicity was seen. Overall, grade 2 late toxicities were 7% (subcutaneous toxicity) and 13.3% (Xerostomia). Loco regional control rate at a median follow up of 13months was 86%.Conclusion: IMRT-SIB is a safe and acceptable treatment option for patients of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma unsuitable for definitive chemo-radiotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]