Background In the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, an increased incidence of ROCM was noted in India among those infected with COVID. We determined risk factors for rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis (ROCM) post Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among those never and ever hospitalized for COVID-19 separately through a multicentric, hospital-based, unmatched case-control study across India. Methods We defined cases and controls as those with and without post-COVID ROCM, respectively. We compared their socio-demographics, co-morbidities, steroid use, glycaemic status, and practices. We calculated crude and adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) through logistic regression. The covariates with a p-value for crude OR of less than 0·20 were considered for the regression model. Results Among hospitalised, we recruited 267 cases and 256 controls and 116 cases and 231 controls among never hospitalised. Risk factors (AOR; 95% CI) for post-COVID ROCM among the hospitalised were age 45–59 years (2·1; 1·4 to 3·1), having diabetes mellitus (4·9; 3·4 to 7·1), elevated plasma glucose (6·4; 2·4 to 17·2), steroid use (3·2; 2 to 5·2) and frequent nasal washing (4·8; 1·4 to 17). Among those never hospitalised, age ≥ 60 years (6·6; 3·3 to 13·3), having diabetes mellitus (6·7; 3·8 to 11·6), elevated plasma glucose (13·7; 2·2 to 84), steroid use (9·8; 5·8 to 16·6), and cloth facemask use (2·6; 1·5 to 4·5) were associated with increased risk of post-COVID ROCM. Conclusions Hyperglycemia, irrespective of having diabetes mellitus and steroid use, was associated with an increased risk of ROCM independent of COVID-19 hospitalisation. Rational steroid usage and glucose monitoring may reduce the risk of post-COVID.

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Background:Pemphigus is an acquired immunobullous disorder in which antibodies are directed against epidermal cadherins. Despite the commercial availability and less cost of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) to detect antidesmoglein 1 (Dsg1) and anti-Dsg3, immunofluorescence is still widely used for confirmation of diagnosis.Aims:(1) To compare the usefulness of indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) and ELISA tests in the diagnosis of pemphigus. (2) To find the clinical correlation between the tests and severity of the disease.Materials and Methods:Sixty-one patients (27 women and 34 men, age distribution from 20 to 75) were clinically diagnosed as pemphigus (pemphigus foliaceus - 11, pemphigus vulgaris - 50) and were recruited for the study. IIF and Dsg ELISA were performed and the findings were compared with each other and with the pemphigus area activity score. Data were entered in SPSS and were analyzed using Kruskal–Wallis test.Results:There was a moderate positive correlation between the cutaneous score and Dsg1 titer, and mucosal score and Dsg3 titer. The titer of IIF showed statistically significant positive correlation with the cutaneous score but not the mucosal score. Dsg ELISA showed higher sensitivity (90.2%) than IIF (75.4%) in the diagnosis of pemphigus.Conclusions:Dsg ELISA is a more sensitive method than IIF and shows more correlation with the disease severity.

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This paper discusses the design of a wafer level package on board for 5GHz data transmission. The design is based on the 2005 node of the International Technology Roadmap on Semiconductors (ITRS) that predicts a clock frequency of SGHz, power of 170W and an operating voltage of 0.9V for high-end microprocessors. The goal of this paper is to demonstrate the ability to support global interconnections on the board at a speed comparable to the clock frequency and supply adequate power to the chip. This requires careful design of the topology of the interconnections, control of the eddy current losses in Silicon, control of the conductor and dielectric losses in the board and design of the transition between the chip and the board. The electrical design process is discussed in detail using a test vehicle, in this paper. The test vehicle consists of Co-planar waveguide (CPW) lines on high resistivity Silicon Substrate connected to CPW lines on low k, low loss board. The transition between the chip and board is completed through solder bumps with 50um diameter and IOOum pitch. Both the Silicon and Board transmission lines have been characterized using TDR measurements. In addition, the inductance of the solder humps have been extracted. Using synthesized models extracted from measurements, the eye diagrams for 5GHz data transmission has been simulated to show the importance of losses for lmm long Silicon lines connected to 5cm long board lines through low inductance solder bumps. In addition, the effect of underfill and curing on signal propagation have been quantified.

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Primary mucosal melanomas arise from melanocytes located in occult sites and can present along the mucosal membranes lining respiratory, gastrointestinal, and urogenital tract. Sinonasal melanomas are extremely rare. Infrequent tumour incidence has limited the insight about their pathogenesis and associated risk factors along with indefinite protocols for staging and treatment of mucosal melanomas. We report here a case of primary melanotic tumour involving the nasal cavity, which was detected at an early stage and operated. We also describe the histological features, imaging studies, and treatment options for this tumour along with a brief literature review. KEYWORDSMucosal Melanoma, Nasal Tumours, Lateral Rhinotomy. Majority of the melanomas are cutaneous in origin. Cutaneous tumours can develop anywhere on the skin, but are more likely to start on the trunk, chest, and back) in males and on the legs in females. 3 Unlike cutaneous melanomas, primary mucosal melanomas arise from melanocytes located in occult sites and can present along the mucosal membranes lining respiratory, gastrointestinal, and urogenital tract. The sinonasal melanomas are extremely rare and accounts for less than 1% of all melanomas. The rarity of the mucosal melanomas have limited the understanding of possible risk factors and the pathogenesis of this disease resulting in inadequacy of precise treatment options. We report here a rare case of melanoma of nasal cavity, which was diagnosed at an early stage and operated and the biopsy of which affirmed to be malignant mucosal melanoma. We also briefly discuss about cases reported in the past along with a literature review. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE:

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