Otocephaly is a condition characterized by aplasia or hypoplasia of mandible, a small oral fissure and low lying ears at the level of neck usually meeting in the midline. this case report is about a male child with otocephaly,who was unable to survive for long after birth.. The reporting of such cases is important to know the incidence of the anomaly, for further study on the developmental defects or determine the causitive agents/risk factors leading to such conditions and to make strategies to decrease the incidence.
Obesity and hypertension are interdependent chronic conditions that substantially elevate global cardiovascular risk. Rising obesity prevalence has led to a parallel increase in hypertension, driven by complex physiological disturbances that extend beyond excess body weight alone. This review synthesizes current evidence on the mechanisms linking adiposity to blood pressure elevation, emphasizing the roles of sympathetic nervous system overactivity, insulin resistance, renal sodium retention, and adipose-derived hormonal and inflammatory dysregulation. Particular attention is given to visceral adiposity, which exerts adverse vascular, renal, and metabolic effects that accelerate development of hypertension-mediated organ damage, including left ventricular hypertrophy, arterial stiffness, and early renal injury. The manuscript also evaluates therapeutic strategies for obesity-related hypertension. Lifestyle interventions-caloric restriction, structured physical activity, and behavioral therapy-remain the cornerstone of management, producing clinically meaningful reductions in body weight and blood pressure. However, sustained weight loss is difficult for many individuals, necessitating adjunctive approaches. Contemporary pharmacotherapies, particularly glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists such as semaglutide, have demonstrated substantial benefits in both weight reduction and blood pressure control. For patients with severe obesity or inadequate response to medical therapy, metabolic and bariatric procedures offer the most durable outcomes, improving cardiometabolic profiles and reducing antihypertensive medication burden.
Subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis (PHM) is a type of mycosis that occurs by implantation and is caused by melanized fungi. It usually crops up following traumatic inoculation of dematiaceous fungi from soil or vegetation; thus, certain occupational groups such as farmers and gardeners are affected more often. This review highlights the underestimation of the condition, usually impaired by misdiagnosis, emphasizing the need for clinician awareness, keen diagnostic judgement, and efficient laboratory support in order to make an accurate timely diagnosis. Although historically, PHM has been predominantly reported in immunocompetent hosts, there have been increasing reports of PHM in immunocompromised hosts as well, highlighting its emerging significance in these patients. The clinical manifestation of subcutaneous PHM is highly varied, including chronic nodules, cysts, verrucous plaques, or abscesses. Thus, confirmation of PHM cases often requires an interdepartmental approach, including histopathology, fungal culture, and molecular sequencing. Additionally, diagnostic accuracy may be enhanced by newer advanced methods such as matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization–time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and next-generation sequencing. Subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis remains an underrecognized clinical entity due to its diverse clinical presentations and frequent misdiagnosis. Accurate diagnosis relies on a high index of clinical suspicion supported by appropriate laboratory investigations, including conventional and advanced diagnostic modalities. Management typically involves complete surgical excision, often supplemented by systemic antifungal therapy such as itraconazole, voriconazole, or posaconazole, underscoring the importance of early recognition and timely intervention for optimal outcomes.
Background: Oxidative stress is a fundamental mechanism contributing to neuronal degeneration in disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and vascular dementia. Radiological imaging enables indirect visualization of oxidative stress–related structural and metabolic brain changes. Aim: To evaluate radiological imaging findings associated with oxidative stress biomarkers in neurodegenerative disorders and determine their clinical significance. Methods: This retrospective observational study included 140 patients with diagnosed neurodegenerative disorders who underwent MRI and/or PET imaging between January 2023 and December 2025. Imaging biomarkers including cortical atrophy, hippocampal volume loss, white matter hyperintensities, and metabolic hypometabolism were analyzed. Statistical tests included chi-square, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation. Results: Alzheimer’s disease (46.4%) was most common, followed by Parkinson’s disease (32.1%) and vascular dementia (21.4%). Significant associations were observed between oxidative stress indicators and hippocampal atrophy (p<0.001), white matter changes (p=0.002), and cortical hypometabolism (p<0.001). A strong correlation (r=0.71) was found between oxidative stress burden and disease severity. Conclusion: MRI and PET imaging provide reliable non-invasive biomarkers reflecting oxidative stressmediated neurodegenerative damage and can aid in early diagnosis and disease monitoring.
Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy has revolutionized the treatment of hematological malignancies but is associated with significant immune-mediated toxicities, particularly cytokine release syndrome and immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome, driven by an exaggerated inflammatory response involving cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. These processes contribute to endothelial dysfunction and a spectrum of cardiovascular complications, including hypotension, arrhythmias, myocardial dysfunction, and heart failure. The underlying pathophysiology involves complex interactions between immune activation and vascular injury, often progressing rapidly and necessitating early recognition. Contemporary management is shifting from reactive treatment to proactive strategies, emphasizing early risk stratification using clinical parameters, biomarkers, and imaging, alongside timely intervention with cytokine-directed therapies such as IL-6 and IL-1 inhibitors. Integration of cardiology within multidisciplinary care teams is essential for optimizing outcomes through tailored monitoring and management of cardiovascular complications. As chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy expands to broader and higher-risk populations, including those with pre-existing cardiovascular disease, a structured cardio-oncology approach and further prospective research are critical to improving safety and long-term outcomes.
