Structural components of all living cells are polymeric, i.e., proteins, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids are essentially polymers. Nature uses polymers for making as well as running of the complicated cell machinery. Living systems respond to environmental conditions to accommodate their structure and functionality to variations in nature through the action of complex sensing mechanisms, actuating and regulating functions, and feedback control systems.[1]

How to cite: Chate GP, Banerjee SS. Smart Polymers for Biomedical Applications. MIMER Med J 2019;3(1):1.

Source of Support: Nil.

Conflict of Interest: None declared.

Introduction: Unskilled agricultural workers are vulnerable to occupational induced health problems. Working in pesticide intensive environment of a polyhouse can lead to various health hazards. There are not many Indian studies regarding health risks and safety practices among floriculture workers and magnitude of the problem in India.

Aims and Objectives: To assess occupational morbidities in polyhouse workers in floriculture industry in rural Maharashtra.

Material and Methods: A cross sectional study was undertaken in 6 floriculture units of Floriculture Park. Sociodemographic, work and health related variables were recorded using a pretested structured questionnaire. Clinical examination and laboratory investigations were done by medical experts.

Results: Overall morbidity was 89.83%, with respiratory problems prevalent in 66.94%, followed by musculoskeletal problems (62.5%). Itching was reported by 42(35.59%) of the study population. Three forth female workers and 23% male workers had pallor.

Conclusion: Alarmingly high prevalence (93%) of occupational morbidities found in our study underlines the need of health education to the workers as well as guidelines for safe occupational practices to the owners of the farms

Key words: Floriculture, respiratory problems, musculoskeletal problems

How to cite: Dandekar A, Raje S, Kadale P. Assessment of occupational health of workers in floriculture industry in rural Maharashtra. MIMER Med J 2019;3(1):2-6.

Source of Support: Nil.

Conflicts of Interest: None declared.

Medical professionals play an important role in modern society. Throughout history, the medical profession has played an important role in transforming the society. Today though, the scenario is different and there is a total breakdown of trust and confidence on both sides between patients and health-care professionals. If health-care professionals desire to be able to correct this perception and ensure that violence against doctors is reduced, there is a need to take urgent and corrective action in this regard. This article looks at some of the measures that can be undertaken to ensure that future health-care practice in India regains its lost recognition and respect.

Key words: Medical professionalism, medical ethics, doctor-patient relationship How to cite: More G, D’Souza DSJ. Redefining medical practice for the next decade. MIMER Med J 2019;3(1):7-10.

Source of Support: Nil.

Conflicts of Interest: None declared.

Background: Viral hepatitis is a group of distinct diseases caused by picornaviruses which leads to the inflammation of liver parenchyma. Hepatitis B virus is transmitted through mucosal or percutaneous contact with infected blood and other body fluids, particularly semen and vaginal fluid. It runs a chronic course and may lead to chronic liver diseases, liver failure, hepatocellular carcinoma, and death. With the increasing number of invasive diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, there is an increasing risk of infection to the auxiliary healthcare workers.

Objectives: The objectives of the study were to assess the level of awareness of hepatitis B infection, its risk factors, and vaccination among the auxiliary healthcare workers, nurses, and interns and to impart the knowledge of hepatitis B and promote the importance of preventive techniques to avoid the infection and its ill effects.

Study Setting: This study was conducted in the Department of Biochemistry, MIMER Medical College and Dr. BSTR Hospital, Talegaon Dabhade, Pune, Maharashtra.

Materials and Methods: The study was conducted among 50 Class III and 130 Class IV workers, 150 nurses, and 100 interns working with our hospital. Participants were provided with a questionnaire of their category and responses were tabulated for data analysis.

Results: It was observed that about 91.42% of nurses, 37.50% of healthcare workers, and all of the interns were aware of hepatitis B infection and its characteristics. More than 80% of them had completed the full course of vaccination against hepatitis B, except for Class III/IV workers. Adequate safety measures were followed by a major share of the nurses and interns. Many of them were aware of the correct biomedical waste management practices, except for a few workers.

Conclusion: Hepatitis B viral infection is a silent deadly disease. There is much less awareness of this disease even among the people who are at a greater risk. Thus, there is a need to enhance the knowledge of safe occupational practices.



Key words: Class III and IV workers, hepatitis B, interns, nurses, vaccine

How to cite: Maria C, Pratinidhi SA. Hepatitis B: Awareness, risk perception, vaccination, and challenges among different health-care providers in a medical college. MIMER Med J 2019;3(1):11-14.

Source of Support: Nil.

Conflicts of Interest: None declared

Nasal glial heterotopia (NGH) is a benign congenital malformation wherein abnormally located mature brain (glial) tissue presents as a mass on the forehead or nasal root area. Rarity of this condition makes clinical level diagnosis a challenge. Differential diagnoses for NGH are dermoid cyst, encephalocoele, hemangioma, allergic nasal polyp, or chronic otitis media. NGH has no direct communication with intracranial cavity, unlike an encephalocoele. However, potential intracranial connection is possible, through cribriform plate or bony deformities. Therefore, pre-operative aspiration and biopsies are contraindicated in childhood swellings in forehead/nasal bridge area. Instead, pre-operative imaging modality investigations are mandatory. It is also important to note the risk for the removal of functional brain tissue and also post-operative meningitis or cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea. A 1-year-old female child presented with a mass on nasal bridge. Overlying skin was unremarkable. Swelling did not increase in size on coughing. Diagnosis: Dermoid cyst/encephalocoele. Computed tomography (CT) scan investigation: CT scan confirmed the diagnosis of nasal encephalocoele > nasal dermoid. The mass was excised. Histopathology (histopathological examination [HPE]): The excised specimen was a single, unencapsulated, ovoid, and soft to firm, yellow-colored tissue bit, measuring 2.5 cm × 2 cm × 1 cm. On cut section, there were no cystic areas/spongy appearance/mucoid bits. Hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections revealed a poorly circumscribed mass, showing a population of cells with ovoid or irregular nuclei and a fibrillary stroma - resembling cerebral and glial tissue. These were arranged in a disorganized fashion and were surrounded by fibrous tissue and few skeletal muscle fibers. All HPE findings point toward the diagnosis of NGH. It is important to consider NGH as a differential, in case of childhood swellings in the forehead and nasal root region. Histopathology remains the gold standard for diagnosis.

Key words: Congenital malformations, histopathology, nasal glial heterotopia

How to cite: Gundawar A, Joshi S. Nasal glial heterotopia in a 1 year old child - A case report: Histopathology is the ultimate gold standard for diagnosis. MIMER Med J 2019;3(1):15-19.

Source of Support: Nil.

Conflict of Interest: None declared.

Primary ovarian melanoma is considered arising from mature cystic teratoma which is extremely rare condition. As best of our knowledge till date only 49 cases has been reported worldwide. Most cases are associated with disseminated diseases and poor prognosis. We present here a case of a 45 yr lady in perimenopausalage group, came with c/o heavy menstrual bleeding since 1 month and irregular menses since 1 year. The cofirm diagnosis was made on the basis immunohistochemistry. Primary ovarian malignant melanoma is a definite entity and is associated with poor prognosis. Differential diagnosis is difficult for pathologist as it has to be differentiated from metastatic disease. The mainstay treatment of this disease is complete surgical debulking, however chemotherapy and immunotherapy has some role but patient outcome is unpredictable.

Key words: Exploratory laparotomy, immunohistochemistry, melanin bleach staining, Malignant Melanoma of ovary, ovarian tumour

How to cite: Ghunage SS, Pawar M, Bagade P. A case of primary malignant melanoma of ovary. MIMER Med J 2019;3(1):20-22.

Source of Support: Nil.

Conflicts of Interest: None declared.