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Background Hair loss is a common problem with multifactorial aetiologies and poor response to treatment making it more tormenting for psychosocial well-being. Diagnosis and treatment of hair disorders is of utmost importance. Trichoscopy serves as an easy office tool that aids in the early diagnosis and monitoring of the disease progression and treatment response. Methods A total of 200 patients presenting with the complaints of hair loss were diagnosed on the basis of history and clinical examination for non-cicatricial alopecia. Dermatoscopic examination was done with dermlite DL4 dermatoscope. The various hair follicle and hair shaft patterns were studied and pictures were taken. The results were tabulated and expressed as percentages. Results Out of 200 patients, 103 were females and 97 were males. The mean age of the presentation in the current study was 36.26 years±13.49 years. The various hair follicle patterns observed were black dots and yellow dots. The hair shaft patterns observed included broken hair, tapering hair, hair thickness heterogeneity, split ends and upright regrowing hair. Conclusion Trichoscopy has a definite role in the diagnosis of hair and scalp disorders. It also aids in evaluation of disease activity, it's severity and guides the clinician for the treatment plan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DO3A-based macrocycles serve as attractive templates from which clinically useful theranostic agents can be obtained after coupling with molecular targeted therapeutic drugs. In this study, we describe the chemical synthesis, relaxation, and cytotoxicity studies of a new DO3A conjugate of chlorambucil ( CHL) as a magnetic resonance imaging ( MRI) theranostic agent. A convenient route of synthesis is reported, which allowed conjugation of the macrocyclic ligand ( DO3A) to the chemotherapeutic drug ( CHL) via tyrosine for the preparation of an attractive chelate-drug ensemble ( DO3A- TR- CHL). The structures of all intermediates and final compound have been determined by 1H, 13C NMR, and MS. The efficacy of DO3A- TR- CHL as a non-ionic magnetic contrast agent was tested by performing relaxometric studies on its gadolinium complex. The complex exhibited relaxivities (7.11 m m−1/s) higher than that of currently used MR contrast agents and showed enhanced contrast in T1-weighted images. MTT assays revealed that both DO3A- TR- CHL and Gd( III)- DO3A- TR- CHL conjugates exhibited dose-dependent toxicity and an enhanced antiproliferative activity against tumor (A549 and HeLa) cell lines compared to that of parent drug ( CHL), thereby demonstrating their potential to be used as a magnetic resonance imaging theranostic for improved molecular imaging and therapy of human cancers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) ankylosis is a situation in which the mandibular condyle is fused to the glenoid fossa by bone or fibrous tissue. The management of TMJ ankylosis has a complicated chore and it is challenging for the maxillofacial surgeon because of technical hitches and high rate of re-ankylosis. Interpositional gap arthroplasty is one of the modalities for its management. A range of inter-positional materials have been used to avert recurrence after gap arthroplasty in TMJ ankylosis. The aim of this series was to evaluate the effectiveness of the temporomyofacial flap in the treatment of TMJ ankylosis as an interpositional gap arthroplasty. A total of 10 cases with unilateral TMJ ankylosis were treated by interpositional gap arthroplasty by pedicled temporalis myofacial flap and evaluated with a follow-up of 6 months to 5 years (Mean 3.3 years) for the functional stability of TMJ. All the patients were successfully treated. There were no signs of recurrence in any patients up to last follow up visit. The result showed that temporalis myofascial flap is a preferable choice for inter-positional gap arthroplasty which proves its versatility as an inter-positional material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Induced hypotension limits intra-operative blood loss to provide better visibility of the surgical field and diminishes the incidence of major complications during functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). We aimed at comparing nitroglycerine, esmolol and dexmedetomidine for inducing controlled hypotension in patients undergoing FESS. Material and Methods: One hundred and fifty American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I or II adult patients undergoing FESS under general anesthesia were randomly allocated to three groups of 50 patients each. Group E received esmolol in a loading and maintenance dose of 1 mg/kg over 1 min and 0.5-1.0 mg/kg/h, respectively. Group D received a loading dose of dexmedetomidine 1 µg/kg over 10 min followed by an infusion 0.5-1.0 µg/kg/h, and group N received nitroglycerine infusion at a dose of 0.5-2 µg/kg/min so as to maintain mean arterial pressure (MAP) between 60 and 70 mmHg in all the groups. The visibility of the surgical field was assessed by surgeon using Fromme and Boezaart scoring system. Hemodynamic variables, total intra-operative fentanyl consumption, emergence time and time to first analgesic request were recorded. Any side-effects were noted. The postoperative sedation was assessed using Ramsay Sedation Score. Result: The desired MAP (60-70 mmHg) could be achieved in all the three study groups albeit with titration of study drugs during intra-operative period. No significant intergroup difference was observed in Fromme's score during the intra-operative period. The mean total dose of fentanyl (µg/kg) used was found to be significantly lower in group D compared to groups E and N (1.2 ± 0.75 vs. 3.6 ± 1.3 and 2.9 ± 1.1 respectively). The mean heart rate was significantly lower in group D compared to groups E and N at all times of measurement (P < 0.05). The MAP was found to be significantly lower in group D compared to groups E and N after infusion of study drugs, after induction, just after intubation and 5 min after intubation (P < 0.05). The Ramsay Sedation Scores were significantly higher in group D (score 3 in 46%) when compared to group E (score 2 in 50%) and group N (score 2 in 54%) (P < 0.001). The emergence time was significantly lower in group E and group N compared to group D. Time to first analgesic request was significantly longer in group D. Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine and esmolol provided better hemodynamic stability and operative field visibility compared to nitroglycerin during FESS. Dexmedetomidine provides an additional benefit of reducing the analgesic requirements and providing postoperative sedation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Postherpetic neuralgia is a type of neuropathic intractable pain which develops as a sequel of acute herpes zoster infection (shingles). Postherpetic neuralgia is a vexing problem. The effective treatment of these patients remains a clinical challenge despite a standard pharmacological approach in combination with anticonvulsants and antidepressants. This constant or intermittent pain may go on for months or years and can lead to depression and even suicidal ideations. Here we will discuss the different treatment modalities in present and future scenario. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]