Functional outcome of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using bone-patellar tendon-bone graft: a descriptive observational study from Telangana

Background: The knee joint is the most commonly injured of all joints and the anterior cruciate ligament is the most commonly injured ligament. The bone-patellar tendon-bone (BPTB) autograft is the most commonly used autograft for reconstruction. The bone-patellar tendon-bone autograft has been widely accepted as the gold standard for ACL reconstruction with a high success rate. Objectives of the study were to study the functional outcome of ACL reconstruction using BPTB graft.Methods: The present descriptive observational study was carried out at department of orthopedics, Mediciti institute of medical sciences, Hyderabad involving 30 patients of ACL tear by simple random sampling method. Patients were then evaluated by both subjectively and objectively. They were evaluated by using Lysholm and Gilquist knee scoring scale. Data was analyzed by using SPSS 24.0 version IBM USA.Results: Majority of the patients i.e., 13 (43.3%) were from 26-35 years age group with right sided involvement in 60%. The result was found to be good in 16 i.e., 53.3%, excellent in 10 i.e., 33.3% and fair in 4 i.e., 13.3% patients. Prevalence of complications was reported as 23.3% in our study.Conclusions: Our study of ACL repair using BPTP gives good to excellent results within a span of one year

Engineering properties of geopolymer prepared by mild chemical activation of ground granulated blast furnace slag

In this research article engineering properties of solely ground granulated blast furnace (GGBS) slag geopolymers have been investigated at varying proportions of alkali activators. Combination of sodium hydroxide (SH) and sodium meta silicate (SMS) powder has been used as alkali activators. Consistency, setting time and compressive strength have been determined at different concentration of SH and ratio of SMS/SH for GGBS geopolymer. Maximum compressive strength of 87.76 MPa has been achieved at 2 molar concentration of SH and SMS/SH = 2.0 after 28 days of curing at ambient temperature. The consistency of mix attaining maximum compressive strength is 27.5%. The initial and final setting time of 55 and 105 minutes has been observed. The soundness of geopolymer paste is within permissible limits. The micro-structural analysis of GGBS and geopolymer paste has been performed by XRD, FTIR, FESEM and EDAX. The co-existence of calcium silicate hydrate gel and geopolymeric gel may be responsible for achieving high compressive strength at low concentration of activators under ambient temperature curing

Bone’s smart envelope - The periosteum: Unleashing its regenerative potential for periodontal reconstruction

Prime aim of periodontal therapy is to set up a state of periodontal health with pocket elimination and attachment level gain, preferably by periodontal regeneration. Various tools/techniques have been proposed for this purpose. But, the quest still continues. In this context, the periosteum offers an attractive option for periodontal regeneration. The rationale for the use of periosteum lies in its anatomy and its physiologic functions during normalcy. Periosteum contains the desired stem cells and progenitor cells that are capable to produce periodontal tissues. Periosteum has high vasculo-proliferative and neuro-trophic activities. In addition, it is easier for the dentist to harvest the periosteum for clinical use. It can be harvested from adjacent to the surgery site in sufficient amounts. Even though it has many advantages, there is only limited research for exploiting the regenerative potential of periosteum for periodontal regeneration so far. Conversely, in the medical field, the periosteum is extensively used and proved to be promising. Hence, the aim of this paper is to discuss the regenerative potential of periosteum and various available tools and techniques to harness it for periodontal regeneratio

Engineering properties of geopolymer prepared by mild chemical activation of ground granulated blast furnace slag

996-1008In this research article engineering properties of solely ground granulated blast furnace (GGBS) slag geopolymers have been investigated at varying proportions of alkali activators. Combination of sodium hydroxide (SH) and sodium meta silicate (SMS) powder has been used as alkali activators. Consistency, setting time and compressive strength have been determined at different concentration of SH and ratio of SMS/SH for GGBS geopolymer. Maximum compressive strength of 87.76 MPa has been achieved at 2 molar concentration of SH and SMS/SH = 2.0 after 28 days of curing at ambient temperature. The consistency of mix attaining maximum compressive strength is 27.5%. The initial and final setting time of 55 and 105 minutes has been observed. The soundness of geopolymer paste is within permissible limits. The micro-structural analysis of GGBS and geopolymer paste has been performed by XRD, FTIR, FESEM and EDAX. The co-existence of calcium silicate hydrate gel and geopolymeric gel may be responsible for achieving high compressive strength at low concentration of activators under ambient temperature curing

Ground granulated blast furnace slag based Geopolymer Mortar activated with low concentration alkali

Infrastructural development requires large quantity of Ordinary Portland cement. Its manufacturing process emits enormous amount of carbon dioxide, thereby deteriorating the environment. Thus, an alternative binder known as geopolymer, developed using alumino-silicate rich materials like fly ash, silica fume, metakaoline etc., activated by suitable alkalis may serve as a substitute to conventional cement. The present research work focuses on preparation of ground granulated blast furnace slag based geopolymer mortar with ambient temperature curing at 27°C at low concentration of alkali activators. Compressive strength of geopolymer mortar at different concentration of activator and microstructure isstudied. The concentration of alkali activators is optimized by trials in laboratory and maximum compressive strength of 64.29 MPa is achieved

Ground granulated blast furnace slag based Geopolymer Mortar activated with low concentration alkali

350-357Infrastructural development requires large quantity of Ordinary Portland cement. Its manufacturing process emits enormous amount of carbon dioxide, thereby deteriorating the environment. Thus, an alternative binder known as geopolymer, developed using alumino-silicate rich materials like fly ash, silica fume, metakaoline etc., activated by suitable alkalis may serve as a substitute to conventional cement. The present research work focuses on preparation of ground granulated blast furnace slag based geopolymer mortar with ambient temperature curing at 27°C at low concentration of alkali activators. Compressive strength of geopolymer mortar at different concentration of activator and microstructure isstudied. The concentration of alkali activators is optimized by trials in laboratory and maximum compressive strength of 64.29 MPa is achieved

Highly Conserved Homotrimer Cavity Formed by the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Glycoprotein: A Novel Binding Site

An important stage in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) life cycle is the binding of the spike (S) protein to the angiotensin converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) host cell receptor. Therefore, to explore conserved features in spike protein dynamics and to identify potentially novel regions for drugging, we measured spike protein variability derived from 791 viral genomes and studied its properties by molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. The findings indicated that S2 subunit (heptad-repeat 1 (HR1), central helix (CH), and connector domain (CD) domains) showed low variability, low fluctuations in MD, and displayed a trimer cavity. By contrast, the receptor binding domain (RBD) domain, which is typically targeted in drug discovery programs, exhibits more sequence variability and flexibility. Interpretations from MD simulations suggest that the monomer form of spike protein is in constant motion showing transitions between an “up” and “down” state. In addition, the trimer cavity may function as a “bouncing spring” that may facilitate the homotrimer spike protein interactions with the ACE2 receptor. The feasibility of the trimer cavity as a potential drug target was examined by structure based virtual screening. Several hits were identified that have already been validated or suggested to inhibit the SARS-CoV-2 virus in published cell models. In particular, the data suggest an action mechanism for molecules including Chitosan and macrolides such as the mTOR (mammalian target of Rapamycin) pathway inhibitor Rapamycin. These findings identify a novel small molecule binding-site formed by the spike protein oligomer, that might assist in future drug discovery programs aimed at targeting the coronavirus (CoV) family of viruses