<h4>Introduction :</h4>
<p>
Cancer is a dreadful disease. It is not just a killer; it represents m...
<h4>Introduction :</h4>
<p>
Cancer is a dreadful disease. It is not just a killer; it represents many human stories involving fear, grief, depression, financial crisis, love, care, deep sorrow, and moments of recovery.
</p>
<p>
Cancer is the first or second leading cause of premature death (ages 30?69 years) in 134 of 183 countries, and ranks third or fourth in an additional 45 countries.<sup>1</sup>
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<p>
Globally in 2020, approximately 1 in 6 deaths was due to cancer, with around 1 crore deaths. This number may rise to 1.5 crore in the next decade. About two-thirds of cancer deaths occur in developing countries.<sup>2</sup>
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<p>
In Bangladesh, approximately 114 people per lakh are suffering from various cancers. There are about 20 lakh cancer patients in the country, with around 53 new cases per lakh population each year. Approximately 2 lakh people are affected annually, and nearly 1 lakh die each year due to cancer. Cancer accounts for about 12% of total deaths, with an estimated 273 deaths per day in Bangladesh. Studies suggest this burden may double in the coming three decades.<sup>3</sup>
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<p>
In the human body, there are about 100 trillion cells. Uncontrolled and uncoordinated proliferation of these cells leads to cancer. There are about 200 different types of cancer affecting humans. One in two people may be affected by cancer during their lifetime, and males are affected approximately twice as often as females. Three out of five people ignore early symptoms of cancer.
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<p>
At least 30 types of cancer affect the head and neck region, collectively known as head and neck cancers.
</p>
<h4>Background :</h4>
<p>
Psoriasis is associated with altered pulmonary function. Methotrexate ma...
<h4>Background :</h4>
<p>
Psoriasis is associated with altered pulmonary function. Methotrexate may affect lung function status in psoriatic patients, while the effect of other antipsoriatic medications on lung function was not evaluated in this study.
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<h4>Objectives :</h4>
<p>
To assess pulmonary function test (PFT) parameters among psoriatic patients receiving methotrexate in relation to duration of treatment.
</p>
<h4>Methods :</h4>
<p>
This cross-sectional study was carried out in the Department of Physiology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Shahbag, Dhaka, from July 2012 to June 2013. A total of 120 subjects were selected, including 30 apparently healthy controls (Group A) and 90 diagnosed male psoriatic patients (study Group B). Controls were selected from the community, and patients were recruited from the inpatient and outpatient departments of Dermatology and Venereology, BSMMU.
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<p>
Based on treatment, study subjects were further divided into three groups, each consisting of 30 male subjects.
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<h4>Results :</h4>
<p>
The mean age (?SE) was 33.5?1.424, 34.5?1.401, 35.27?1.44, and 34.8?1.212 years in groups A, B1, B2, and B3 respectively, with no statistically significant differences among groups. The groups were matched for age.
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<p>
The mean BMI (?SE) was 23.557?0.584, 23.089?0.721, 23.986?0.579, and 23.155?0.595 in groups A, B1, B2, and B3 respectively, with no statistically significant differences among groups.
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<p>
All control subjects (Group A) had normal lung function tests (LFT). In contrast, 19 (63.33%) in B1, 20 (66.67%) in B2, and 29 (96.67%) in B3 had abnormal lung function tests.
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<p>
In Group B1, restrictive disorder was found in 9 (30%) patients. In Group B2, restrictive disorder was found in 10 (33.33%) patients. In Group B3, restrictive disorder was found in 23 (76.67%) patients. No small or large airway obstruction was observed in most subgroups.
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<p>
Among 90 psoriatic patients, 42 (46.67%) were diagnosed with restrictive disorder; 12 had pulmonary symptoms while 30 were asymptomatic.
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<p>
Correlation analysis showed mixed relationships between lung function parameters and duration of therapy. Some parameters (FVC, FEV1) showed statistically significant associations in groups B1 and B3, while most other relationships were not statistically significant.
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<h4>Conclusion :</h4>
<p>
This cross-sectional study indicates that psoriatic patients receiving methotrexate have a higher frequency of abnormal lung function tests compared to controls. Most pulmonary function parameters showed non-significant correlations with treatment duration, although FVC and FEV1 demonstrated statistically significant associations in certain groups.
</p>
<h4>Introduction :</h4>
<p>
Tympanoplasty is a commonly performed surgical procedure aimed at repa...
<h4>Introduction :</h4>
<p>
Tympanoplasty is a commonly performed surgical procedure aimed at repairing perforations of the tympanic membrane, primarily to restore hearing and prevent recurrent infections. Over the years, various modifications to the technique have been introduced to improve outcomes, particularly for patients with central perforations. This study examines the outcomes of a modified tympanoplasty technique in a cohort of 375 patients.
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<h4>Methods :</h4>
<p>
This retrospective case series evaluated the outcomes of a modified tympanoplasty technique in 375 patients (ages 10?60) with central perforations. The study was conducted from January 2010 to July 2016 at the National Institute of ENT, Tejgaon, Dhaka, Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital, Dhaka, and various private hospitals equipped with micro ear surgery facilities.
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<p>
Preoperative and postoperative audiological testing, clinical examinations, and radiological assessments were performed. Data analysis was carried out using SPSS with descriptive statistics to summarize demographics and surgical outcomes.
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<h4>Results :</h4>
<p>
In this study of 375 patients undergoing modified tympanoplasty, the largest group was aged 21?30 years (29.33%). A high success rate of tympanic membrane closure was observed, with 96% achieving closure.
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<p>
Most patients (73.6%) underwent tympanoplasty alone, while 26.4% had additional cortical mastoidectomy. The majority experienced mild hearing improvement (75% with 10 dB gain).
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<p>
Complications included otomycosis (69.7%) and graft failure (15.15%).
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<h4>Conclusion :</h4>
<p>
The inlay technique produces early healing of tympanic membrane perforation and is effective in both adults and children. The modification reduced operative time and provided minimal scarring for all types of perforation in tubotympanic or mucosal-type chronic otitis media, making it suitable as a routine procedure in day-to-day practice.
</p>
<h4>Background :</h4>
<p>
Hoarseness of voice is one of the most common symptoms in otolaryngologi...
<h4>Background :</h4>
<p>
Hoarseness of voice is one of the most common symptoms in otolaryngological practice and indicates diseases ranging from totally benign conditions to sinister pathologies such as malignancy. Thorough history and physical examination along with fibreoptic laryngoscopy and other special investigations may be required to diagnose the cause of hoarseness.
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<h4>Setting :</h4>
<p>
The study was conducted at Pabna Medical College. Patients were collected from the outpatient departments of ENT, Medicine, and Gynaecology & Obstetrics.
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<h4>Methods :</h4>
<p>
This was a cross-sectional study with purposive random sampling, including 112 patients. The duration of the study was 2 years, from January 2020 to December 2021. The targeted study population was female patients with hoarse voice to identify the underlying cause.
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<h4>Results :</h4>
<p>
Among 112 patients, 73 were male and 39 were female. The age range was 4 years to 82 years. Among the female patients, 16 were housewives, 10 were teachers, and 6 were singers.
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<h4>Conclusion :</h4>
<p>
Hoarseness of voice is a symptom with a very diverse etiology. The etiological pattern varies across different geographical locations and centers, so each case should be carefully evaluated for early diagnosis of underlying pathology to ensure prevention and accurate management.
</p>
<h4>Background :</h4>
<p>
Superficial dermatophytosis, commonly known as ringworm, is a fungal inf...
<h4>Background :</h4>
<p>
Superficial dermatophytosis, commonly known as ringworm, is a fungal infection of the skin, hair, or nails caused by dermatophytes, primarily belonging to the genera Trichophyton, Microsporum, and Epidermophyton. Despite being a superficial infection, the rising incidence of treatment failure and recurrence has become a matter of concern in recent years.
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<h4>Method :</h4>
<p>
This prospective observational study was conducted at the Department of Dermatology and Venereology of Pabna Medical College Hospital to investigate epidemiological factors associated with treatment failure and recurrent cases of superficial dermatophytosis. The study spanned from March 2022 to February 2023 and involved 125 participants diagnosed with Tinea corporis, Tinea cruris, Tinea faciei, or Tinea pedis.
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<p>
Factors such as excessive sweating, use of warm water, clothing habits, sharing practices, and topical corticosteroid application were analyzed.
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<h4>Results :</h4>
<p>
The most common age group affected was 21?30 years, with a male preponderance (1.6:1). Excessive sweating, wearing water-soaked garments, and sharing towels were prevalent among participants.
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<p>
After 4 weeks of treatment, 81.6% achieved complete cure, but 52.95% of these cases experienced recurrence within the subsequent 4 weeks.
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<h4>Conclusion :</h4>
<p>
The study emphasizes the importance of linen sharing (especially towels) in the transmission of dermatophytosis and highlights the increased risk associated with a family history of the condition. Additionally, injudicious use of topical steroids emerged as a significant factor contributing to treatment failure and recurrence.
</p>
<h4>Background :</h4>
<p>
Calcium is essential to maintain normal body homeostasis, and breast mil...
<h4>Background :</h4>
<p>
Calcium is essential to maintain normal body homeostasis, and breast milk is an important source of this nutrient in exclusively breast-fed infants. This study aimed to assess serum calcium levels of exclusively breast-fed newborns and infants up to 6 months of age and their mothers to determine any correlation between them.
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<h4>Methods :</h4>
<p>
A total of 50 mother?baby pairs aged 0 to 6 months, exclusively breast-fed, term, and appropriate for gestational age, who attended the vaccination center or outpatient department during the study period, were randomly selected.
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<p>
Among the 50 mothers, 20 took regular calcium supplementation during pregnancy, 20 took calcium irregularly, and the remaining took no calcium. During lactation, 15 mothers had regular calcium intake, 19 had irregular intake, and 16 did not take any calcium after delivery.
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<p>
Total serum calcium and albumin levels of both mothers and babies were measured, and corrected serum calcium levels were calculated.
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<h4>Result :</h4>
<p>
Among the 50 babies, 35 (70%) had normal serum calcium levels, 11 (22%) had mild hypocalcemia, and 4 (8%) had moderate hypocalcemia. Overall, 15 (30%) babies had hypocalcemia.
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<p>
Among the 50 mothers, 42 (84%) had normal calcium levels and 8 (16%) had mild hypocalcemia.
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<p>
Among babies of mothers on regular antenatal calcium (n=20), 13 (65%) had normal serum calcium, 5 (25%) had mild hypocalcemia, and 2 (10%) had moderate hypocalcemia.
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<p>
Among babies whose mothers took calcium irregularly (n=20), the results were similar. Among the remaining 10 babies whose mothers took no calcium supplementation, 9 (90%) maintained normal serum calcium, while 1 (10%) developed mild hypocalcemia.
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<h4>Conclusion :</h4>
<p>
No significant statistical association was detected between maternal calcium supplementation during pregnancy and lactation and serum calcium levels of exclusively breast-fed newborns and infants up to 6 months of age.
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