ASPERGILLOSIS

BY DAKSHITA NAITHANI

INTRODUCTION

Pier Antonio Micheli, a priest and scientist, named Aspergillus while documenting moulds in 1729. The mould looked like an aspergillum, which is a type of holy water sprinkler. Physician Georg W. Fresenius described the species fumigatus for the first time in 1863.

 Apergillus spp., found in abundance of nature, can be found in soil, decomposing materials, water sources, and air particle. Aspergillus-related disease is uncommon, although it has a significant death rate. The majority of people are exposed to spores (conidia) during their lives, although illness development occurs mostly in people with compromised immune systems, as well as during construction and yard activities. In patients with leukaemia, asthma, cystic fibrosis, and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients, A.fumigatus is the most frequent invasive mould infection, with death rates exceeding 50 percent in these high-risk populations.

Around the apex, the stipes are grey in colour. They feature a slick finish. Their globule is tiny and columnar. The conidia’s texture is either smooth or spinose.

WHERE IT CAN BE FOUND?

Aspergillus is commonly found in rotting plant matter. After considerable environmental exposure to Aspergillus spores, such as when handling tree-bark chipping, Aspergillosis can develop in healthy hosts.

Aspergillus can be found in soil, compost piles, and damp grain in outdoor settings. Aspergillus may be found within buildings in wet insulation, fireproofing material, beds , behind couches, in damp rooms’ corners, dust, and air conditioning systems. In the Northern Hemisphere, most research studying seasonal changes in fungal exposure show an increase in airborne Aspergillus throughout the cold season.

TYPES OF ASPERGILLOSIS

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is a multifaceted hypersensitivity reaction to inhaled Aspergillus fumigatus. Although it produces lung irritation and allergy symptoms, it does not cause infection. Aspergillus sinusitis is caused by an allergic reaction to the fungus Aspergillus, which produces inflammation in the sinuses and the symptoms of a sinus infection but does not cause an infection. A fungus ball is also known as an Aspergilloma. It forms in the lungs or sinuses but seldom spreads to other regions of the body, as the name implies.

Aspergillosis of the lungs (chronic pulmonary aspergillosis) Aspergilloma, chronic cavitary pulmonary aspergillosis (CCPA), chronic fibrosing pulmonary aspergillosis (CFPA), and Aspergillus nodules are all illnesses classified as chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA). CPA is a lung infection that develops over time.

INVASIVE PULMONARY ASPERGILLOSIS

Inhaled conidia are removed by epithelial cells and alveolar macrophages in normal host lungs. Aspergillus becomes invasive when conidia escape these host defences and develop into branching filaments called hyphae. Alveolar macrophages generate inflammatory mediators, which attract neutrophils, which can destroy the hyphae.

CUTANEOUS SKIN ASPERGILLOS

Aspergillus comes in contact through a breach in the skin (for example, after surgery or a burn wound) and infects persons with weaker immune systems. Cutaneous Aspergillosis can also develop if invasive Aspergillosis moves from another part of the body, such as the lungs, to the skin.

LIFE CYCLE

Aspergillus begins its infectious life cycle by producing conidia (asexual spores) that are easily transported into the atmosphere, ensuring its ubiquity in both habitats. Inhalation of these conidia is the most common way to become infected, followed by conidial deposition in the bronchiole spaces. The phagocytosis and destruction of Aspergillus conidia is largely carried out by macrophages. The danger of infection stems largely from a breakdown in these host defences, as well as fungal characteristics that allow A. fumigatus to survive and flourish in this pulmonary habitat.

SYMPTOMS

The symptoms of Aspergillosis are:

  • Wheezing, chest pain
  • Shortness of breath, stuffiness, runny nose and reduced ability to smell
  • Cough (sometimes blood)
  • Fever (in rare cases), headache, fatigue
  •        Weight loss

•             The length of time that an illness lasts depends on the underlying health concerns, the intensity or location of infection, and the kind of sickness.

•             Allergic forms, may require steroid and antifungal treatment for a few months, possibly longer sometimes.       

•             Invasive pulmonary Aspergillosis may need at least 6 to 12 weeks of antifungal therapy. Severe cases may need therapy for lifetime and monitoring to keep the illness under control. 

•             If the infection spreads from the lungs to other areas of the body, additional symptoms may appear.

•             Red to purple plaques or papules are common symptoms of cutaneous Aspergillosis.

DIAGONOSIS    

Because the symptoms of Aspergillosis might be confused with those of other lung diseases, diagnosing it can be challenging. In order to make a diagnosis, your healthcare practitioner will look at your medical history, risk factors, symptoms, physical examinations, and lab testing.

An Aspergilloma, a fungal tumour, or the symptoms of invasive Aspergillosis and ABPA can be found on a chest X-Ray or a chest CT scan.

•             A sample of your sputum is stained with a dye and examined for the presence of Aspergillus filaments in a respiratory secretion (sputum) test.

•             Tissue and blood testing may be used to confirm the presence of ABPA.

•             To confirm invasive aspergillosis, a biopsy of tissues from your lungs or sinuses is performed, as well as blood testing.

TREATMENT

In addition to early diagnosis, early treatment is critical in managing aspergillosis. Depending on the type of disease, one may have the following treatments:

•             Observation- If you have a single aspergilloma, you may not need treatment; instead, you may be monitored with regular chest X-rays or CT scans. The doctor may prescribe antifungal medication if your disease worsens.

•             Antifungal medicines may be used in combination with corticosteroids to reduce the need of steroids, improve lung function, and prevent existing asthma or cystic fibrosis from deteriorating. Some examples are prednisone (Deltasone), prednisolone (Orapred), and methylprednisolone (Medrol).

•               Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis is treated with antifungal medications. Voriconazole (VFEND) and amphotericin B are two of these drugs (Amphocin, Fungizone).

•             Surgery- as antifungal medicines have a hard time penetrating an aspergilloma, surgery may be required to remove the fungal mass if the aspergilloma causes pulmonary haemorrhage.

Embolization of the Arteries -This technique can be used to temporarily halt aspergilloma-related bleeding.  A radiologist uses a catheter to inject a substance into an artery supplying a lung cavity where an aspergilloma is causing blood loss. The injected substance solidifies, cutting off the area’s blood supply and halting the bleeding. This therapy works for a while, but the bleeding will most likely return.

India Vs England

First Test

England 183 and 303 (Root 109, Curran 32, Bumrah 5-64) drew with India 278 and 52 for 1 (Rahul 26, Broad 1-18)

The promised grandstand finish to the Trent Bridge Test never materialised as it rained all morning and all afternoon in Nottingham to force a draw.

India came into the day slight favourites, needing a further 157 runs with nine wickets in hand on a quick-scoring ground whose pitch seemed to have settled down from the treacherous pit it had been in the first innings.

We will never know which team really lost out because of the rain, but they will both take four World Test Championship points each from the match.

Second Test

Kohli’s men go 1-0 up after hosts fold for 120, chasing 272, in the last hour
India 364 (Rahul 129, Rohit 83, Anderson 5-62) & 298 for 8 dec. (Rahane 61, Shami 56, Wood 3-51) beat England 391 (Root 180, Bairstow 57, Siraj 4-94) & 120 (Root 33, Siraj 4-32, Bumrah 3-33) by 151 runs
Another overseas Test, another flourish from India’s lower order. Jasprit Bumrah’s day began as a batter in a hostile environment; by the end of the day, he and Mohammed Shami had turned the pressure around on England so swiftly and clinically that the hosts, who were in control of the game coming into the last day, folded in the final hour as India went 1-0 up in the series.
India were 154 ahead when the day began, with Rishabh Pant and the bowlers left to contend with the second new ball. For the first half an hour, everything went according to plan for England. Their relentless, disciplined attack at India on Sunday evening had set them up to go all guns blazing.
Pant has foiled a plan or two this year, including on England’s tour of India in February, and he was priority number one. They got him early, when he nicked behind on the forward defensive. India were 167 ahead then, with three wickets in hand.
India had 60 overs to bowl out England and the task was made possible by an all-round effort from the pacers. Mohammad Siraj was the pick of the bowlers with four wickets including the final one. India’s long tail wagged as Mohammad Shami and Jasprit Bumrah shared an unbeaten 89-run stand to take India to 298 for eight before declaration came shortly after lunch.

India’s Mountains and Rivers 🇮🇳

So time to value our natural resources. Today we will know about the Mountains and Rivers of India. Great poets have sung songs in the praise of mountains and rivers of India. They are a boon for us. The rivers and mountains are source of great pride and joy for every Indian. India is blessed with the natural beauty as a whole which makes it different from other countries.

If we look at the map of the country, we find long ranges of mountains in the North. They are the Himalayas .They remain covered with snow throughout the year. They have some of the highest peak of the world. In Central India also we find big mountains. They are the Vindhyanchal and Satpura range. They separate Southern and Northern India. Besides these, Araveli and Nilgiri Hills are slow famous.

Mountains are useful from various points of view. First the high Himalayas are called “The Sentry of India ” they are so high that go enemy could invade India by crossing them. So they are like a natural wall which separates India from Tibet. Sharpa Tenzing an Indian citizen was the first to conquer the highest mountain peak of the world MOUNT EVEREST. He made history and so did Bichendri Pal the first woman to conquer this peak.

Like mountain and their ranges, our rivers are also world famous and well known. In the North, we have the Ganga (Ganges), the Yamuna, the Brahmaputra and their numerous tributaries, the Ganga is regarded as sacred by the Hindus and thus called Ganga Maa. South has famous rivers like Krishna, Kaveri, Narmada. Many of our big cities are situated on the banks of these rivers. Varanasi, Haridwar and Allahabad are important pilgrimage sites.

Rivers and mountains are real wealth of the country. Thanks to them. We are sure to make great progress in the near future. These natural resources should be fully utilised according to the necessary needs and try to save them. Hope you will like reading it.

Thank you!!

Missile Man of India

So I think you must have the name by the title…. Yes you are absolutely right none other than Ur. A.P.J Abdul Kalam. Dr. Avul Pakir Jainul Abideen Abdul Kayam, the missile magician who became the President of India (2002-2007). His name is synonymous with India’s technological development in satellite launch vehicles missile, main battle tank and light combat aircraft.

He was born on 15th October, 1931 in Rameshwaram in Tamil Nadu. He graduated from St. Joseph in Trichy and later specialized in aero – engineering at the Madras Institute of Technology . His only stunt abroad was a four month visit to NASA in the United States. In 1958 , he joined the Defence Research Organization (DRDO) and five years later he joined the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).

Dr. Kalam left the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre in 1982 and joined the Research and Development Establishment Hyderabad as Director. It was here he conceived Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme and laid a solid foundation for indigenous design development of critical technology projects. In 1986 the Guided Missile Board took the decision to take up Missile Technology Control Regime from there on the short range anti tank Nag, surface to air Trishul and Akash 250 km, range Prithvi and Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (IRDM) Agni came into existence.

Over the 15 years the Kalam team has delivered five missile to the nation of gradually improved efficiency and this was primarily due to the kind of leadership and vision that, Kalam provided. The nuclear test conducted on May 11 and 13, 1998 by the joint efforts of DRDO team led by Dr. Abdul Kalam and the atomic energy team had made India the 6th nuclear in the world.

He was awarded the Bharat Ratna, highest civilian award of the country in 1997. He was a man of victory who was at peace with himself. He never changed himself. His simplicity, politeness, humility and thoughtfulness is still remembered and alive among us. On 27 July, 2015 while delivering a lecture at Indian Institute of management, Shillong he was collapsed and then died of sudden cardiac arrest. Dr. Kalam was basically a man of peace.

FRIENDSHIP

Friendship is one of the greatest treasure bestowed on a person by time , it’s one of the significant bond one can ever wish for. A friendship stands on the pillars of trust like other relationship. The bond has to be cultivated for years so that it’s roots become strong and it can stand through every thick and thin of life. Friendship has no age, gender or cast. The most important part of this bond is acceptance, there is no judgement. And it’s them with whom u forget all the worries of your life as you know they will be the one to whom you will go to seek shelter in the rain of pain and difficulties.

Let me dedicate a poem to friendship;

THE THING I AM CURIOUS ABOUT; FRIENDSHIP.

A bestfriend say’s hastag forever!

But who know’s what future beholds,

Today you might be as close as winning a race,

But within a blink the future may change.

Yes! I am curious about my friendship.

I fear, I might lose it in a second:

Friendship is supported by the pillars of trust,

But trust is as delicate as glass.

Friendship is a circle that never ends,

But what if friendship takes 360 degree spin.

The circle can be broken into an arch,

But you can’t lose, only mourn.

The longing can be as painful as knife through heart,

I hope the crescent moon phase never arrives;

The crescent moon is a beautiful sight, but not in friendship.

The friendship circle shines like a moon in the darkest night.

Health Benefits of Custard Apple

” If you truly love

nature, you will find

beauty everywhere “

Custard apple

Custard apple, also known as “sitaphal” in Hindi, is a delicious fruit that is popular for its creamy, sweet flesh. This soft and creamy fruit has a hard rind and is full of nutrients. The fruit contains antioxidants and is high in nutrients like magnesium and potassium, offering a plethora of health benefits. In this post, we have outlined some of the most amazing health benefits of custard apple along with its nutritional value, and an easy recipe to go with. 

Nutrition Value of Custard Apple 

Custard apples are a rich source of nutrients and minerals required by the body. Let’s take a look at the table below to understand the nutritional values of the fruit. 

A fresh, 100-gram custard apple contains:

  • Calories – 94
  • Proteins – 2.1 gms
  • Dietary Fiber – 4.4 gms    
  • Total Fat – 0.0 gms
  • Carbohydrates – 23.6 gms    

With that in mind, let’s discuss the potential health benefits of consuming custard apples. 

Health Benefits of Custard Apple 

There are several advantages to eating custard apples. Various research and studies have proven the potential health benefits of custard apples. Listed below are some of the known health benefits of consuming custard apples. 

1. Better cardiovascular health 

better cardiovascular health

Custard apple is one of the few fruits that contain a well-balanced ratio of potassium and sodium that helps in regulating and controlling blood pressure  fluctuations in the body. The high magnesium content in custard apple relaxes the smooth heart muscles, thus preventing stroke and heart attack. Moreover, fiber and niacin in the fruit help in lowering bad cholesterol while increasing good cholesterol in the body. Most importantly it helps in preventing the absorption of cholesterol in the gut and averts the free radicals from affecting lipid.

2. Helps fight fatigue 

Fatigue can result from a number of factors, including daily lifestyle as well as diseases. A 100-gram serving of custard apple contains 101 kilo calories (Kcal), which is roughly around 5% of the recommended dietary allowance. The fruit will keep you going with your day to day activities without any hassle.

3. Boosts eyesight 

Helps boost eyesight

Custard apple is a rich source of vitamin C and riboflavin, two most essential nutrients that are responsible for keeping the eyes healthy. They also help in fighting free radicals from damaging the cells. As we age, weak eyesight is a common problem. In this day and age where we are glued to the screens of our phone, TV, tablets, and laptops, it is important to take good care of your eyes. The essential nutrients in custard apple prevent your eyes from drying out allowing them to function properly.   

4. Boasts natural anti-cancerous properties 

Custard apples are rich in flavonoids which are helpful in treating numerous types of tumors and cancers. The fruit also contains elements like alkaloids and acetogenin that are known to reduce the risk of renal failure and cancer. The antioxidant properties of custard apple act against cancer-causing cells, without affecting the healthy cells. Bullatacin and asimicin are two antioxidant compounds that have anti-helminths and anti-cancer properties. They help in counteracting the effects of free radicals, thus avoiding cancer. 

5. Lowers the risk of arthritis 

Reduces arthritis

Custard apples are a rich source of magnesium. When consumed, magnesium helps in equalizing the water balance in the body, therefore eradicating acids from the joints. This ultimately helps in reducing the symptoms of arthritis  and rheumatism. According to experts, regular consumption of the fruit also helps in fighting muscle weakness. Custard apples also contain calcium which is essential for bone health. 

6. Custard apple for better brain health 

Custard apples contain B complex vitamins in abundance. B complex vitamins are known for controlling your brain’s GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) neuron chemical levels. This is what influences different emotions, including depression, irritability, tension, and stress. The B complex vitamins help the brain to calm down, especially when you are stressed about something or are depressed. According to experts, it is a great food to have to protect against Parkinson’s disease. 100 gms of custard apple contains 0.6 gms of Vitamin B6 which is 15-20% of the daily recommended value.  

7. Remedy for inflammatory diseases 

Custard apple is a highly recommended fruit for people suffering from inflammatory diseases like gout and rheumatoid arthritis. The antioxidants present in the fruit can help curb pain related to auto-inflammatory diseases and conditions. Not only the fruit, but the leaves of custard apple have also been known to possess anti-inflammatory properties. 

8. Keeps skin youthful and delays aging 

custard apple-skin-health

Eating custard apple has shown to stimulate and increase collagen production in the body. Collagen is a protein that gives the skin its elasticity, plumpness, and smoothness. As we age, collagen production becomes slow. This results in the formation of crease lines on the skin, sagginess of the skin, and wrinkly skin. Consuming custard apple thickens and stimulates the production of collagen, therefore reducing the fine lines and wrinkles. The compounds present in custard apple slow down the breakdown of collagen, improving the elasticity of the skin and keeping the skin hydrated. The presence of antioxidants in the fruit ensures that signs like blemishes and age spots are delayed. Last but not least, it is essential for the regeneration of the skin cells, which keeps the skin look youthful all the time.        

9. Prevents anemia 

Anemia occurs due to a disorder within the body. It leads to the body having less than regular amounts of hemoglobin or red blood cells in the body. The red blood cells use hemoglobin for transporting oxygen all around the body, allowing the body to perform numerous functions. Lower amounts of red blood cells or hemoglobin result in the blood lacking an adequate amount of oxygen. This makes the lungs and the heart work harder to produce more oxygen. Custard apple is known as a haematinic as well as an expectorant, which helps in dealing with conditions like anemia.  

Best Ways to Consume Custard Apple 

While custard apple is better served raw and fresh, it can be used as seasonings or dressings. You can mix the white creamy pulp with other fruits in salads or can use the pulp as a topping for your ice cream.

custard apple ice cream

Custard apples are not only delicious but also boast several health benefits. From lowering the risks of arthritis to fighting cancer-causing cells, preventing inflammation, boosting brain health, and more. Custard apple is among the top foods that can help you lead a healthy life. It is filled with mineral, nutrients, and vitamins in the right amounts that make up for your daily recommended intake. You can have it raw or as dressing for salad and shakes.

” Happiness is

Getting

Custard Apple to eat”

~ Helen

A faithful friend: Dogs

Photo by Dominika Roseclay on Pexels.com

A friend is someone who can take us from a bad day at work to a crazy day at the breaks, so what if you can find this type of friendship in every relationship you have around yourself?

Won’t it be a good day start when you have someone to come home for aside from your parents and spouse of course?

That friend, the same friend you can find in the name of the species we call animal but wait why in that category if we could have one in human only right? You must be thinking about this so don’t worry let me answer this for you.

Right away in the article!

Packed Answers

We might think that as we humans are superior species then we can’t get anything out of those animals but it’s not all true though you might think you know everything about the tail, it’s contrary to the truth and there might be few facts about the faithful friend here I am referring that can leave you in awe with it.

So, here are few facts that can leave you surprised and might be you will be going for the adoption of another one of faithful friends after knowing these.

  • Be aware: Though it may sound gibberish but your dog or any dog can sense the difference in the time. They can even predict with regular practice of the same event that this is going to happen without you telling them about it.
  • They feel: A study has shown that even dogs can tell the difference in your affection meter as you behave with other creatures and they can become jealous of that creatures as well.
  • As smart as “US”: In Russia, even stray dogs are learning to ride subways and they carefully stop at the desired location in search of food as we all do in the search of jobs or any other task.
  • Carrying from the past: when it was not so normal to breed dogs as pet dogs used to stay in wild and from that they have learned this thing we see today in them when they curl up and sleep to protect their internal organs.
  • Sniffing it all: The power or strength of the sniffing over of the dogs are on the other level, according to some studies they can sniff the cancer cells production in our body as they release different types of waste and it can be sniffed by the dog if they are trained enough.
  • Alignment with magnetic field: Don’t be too shocked if you find your dog being picky for pooping as they tend to discrete the waste out of their system by finding the place in perfect alignment with the magnetic field of the earth.
  • Unique Print: Just like us humans they also have something unique other than height weight and appearance to brag about. They have a unique nose print that stays always wet as they can sniff all the scents around them or almost anything they can sniff.

How To Be More Creative And Enhance Your Creativity

Mother Teresa

Photo by Ketut Subiyanto on Pexels.com

Humanity, something that should always be treasured more than anything else in the world prevails when someone actually carries it in their work.

So did the wonder women of needy people, our Mother Teresa, she was the epitome of kindness, this is the story of the woman who was an extraordinary mother of the whole nation who proved that no matter how many obstacles are going to be there on the path she would never deviate and will always abide by the utmost dedication and indomitable courage.

She might be the only one when she started this wave but she comes out to be a much bigger inspiration for many others out there who all are in the path of dedication and peace.

Undying Spirit

The call of God is something that every one of us gets at least once in our whole day still are we able to grasp it clearly without the disturbance of the world’s attachment?

No, most of us don’t even have time to spare for the things which could deliver peace to our soul, to our society, and everyone else around us because we are living in a speedy world after all.

If we talk about the 19’s then the things were different and difficult for everyone out there but women, it would be an understatement that it was tough for them, they were going through much evil practice of the society at that time, and even if times like that couldn’t stop the will of a girl named Agnes Gonxha.

A girl so young and pure devoted her whole life to spread the message of humanity and love too far lands without the attachment yet feeling the pain of every poor and needy out there.

The capacity and ability of one’s soul to dedicate the whole life without even thinking for yourself even for once is a virtue not many of us can ever achieve.

Yet there she left her home and parents to give us the message, No not to leave home but to not stop till you achieve what you think is right and peace bearer for the upliftment of the society.

Born as a Mother

In the young age of Agnes when her father died, she was just 8 years of age and that was the time Agnes’s mother stilled the deep compassion and love for the whole of humanity. She taught her daughter that one need not be wealthy to help others one needs to be considerate and compassionate to help.

When Agnes was young her mother even set an example to teach her daughter how to be a human above every caste, creed, color.

Even when not stable enough her mother invited every destitute to din with them and taught Agnes that you don’t unless they do and that was the point and learning she took which changes Agnes to Mother Teresa, a symbol of peace for humanity, an epitome of boundless love and care for the poor.

Can nutrition affect height.

Can nutrition affect height? Well according to our parents, greatest nutrition does affect height which is why during our childhood they feed us literally entire brands of best nutrition food and supplements which they strongly believe it affect in growing our height in time even though about 60 to 80 percent of the difference in height between individuals is determined by genetic factors which scientifically proved, whereas 20 to 40 percent can be attributed to environmental effects and mainly nutrition. It’s a process passed by generations and decades humans believe and tend to follow the trend. In general, it is studied that boys will reach their maximum height in their late teens, whereas girls reach their maximum heights around their mid-teens. Thus, the adequate nutrition before puberty is crucial for height. Nutrition plays a very important role in growth of your child. Different survey of studies have proved and known that Children without good nutrition may not be as tall as children with adequate nutrition. Nutritionists recommend that children and young people eat a varied, balanced diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables. This will ensure that they get all the vitamins and minerals they need to thrive. While your genes predetermine a possible range of growth, your childhood nutrition establishes just how far along that range you ultimately reach come adulthood. One of the best examples of how nutrition affects children are the second-generation Asian children who were born in the United States. Many of their parents are very short compared to other kids’ parents who were born there. And they grow up to become much taller than their parents. Clearly their genes haven’t changed, but their nutrition has. Reason, in this growing pace of time, technologies growth is massive as well as the human knowledge. Humans tends to not hold having their desire appearance and height blaming the DNA of their parents and bloodline. Hence, it birth a new solution, a new business opportunity for many and a hope for many young minds to achieve their desire and wants. Producing different sorts of nutrition which will affect in growth of our height, isn’t it impossible. No. Pharmaceuticals have improvise various effective nutrition to improve individual’s appearances which satisfied certain age of young children. One can observe there are certain difference and clarified results in growth of height or physical appearance of a child who received proper nutrition during age compare to non-nutrition child. Many physiologist guides the parents prescribing certain nutrition which will aid to growth of height. Hence, it is visibly proved that nutrition does affect height of a person.