Comparative clinical study of laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy and non-descent vaginal hysterectomy

Background: Laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH) is increasingly becoming popular. It's really a technique made to replace abdominal hysterectomy. The need of the hour is the minimal invasive surgery, early discharge from the hospital, early resumption of work, avoidance of disfiguring scar on the abdomen and cost-effectiveness of the procedure which are as important as cure of the disease. The objective of this study is to compare the effectiveness and safety of laparoscopic and vaginal hysterectomies for non-descent uteri (NDVH).Methods: The study was undertaken in the department of obstetrics and gynecology, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi for the period of one year. About 50 women in each group undergoing LAVH and NDVH for benign pelvic conditions were studied preoperatively, intra-operatively and post-operatively in detail for indications, operative time, intraoperative blood loss, duration of stay in hospital.Results: The mean operative time in LAVH was 240.6 minutes and in NDVH 168.3 minutes. Minimum duration of stay was in LAVH 3 days and in NDVH 4 days. Mean duration of stay in both groups was 6.4 days. Maximum duration of stay-15 days in both groups.Conclusions: LAVH is a better approach for a larger uterus whereas NDVH is preferable for a small uterus, not only for shorter operative time and minimal wound, but also for much lower costs

Retrospective study of 53 cases of caesarean myomectomy regarding its safety and feasibility

Background: In recent era, many studies have come up stating the safety and feasibility of caesarean myomectomy. With the advances in surgical techniques, the risk is very minimum. Our primary objective is to evaluate the safety of caesarean myomectomy and to analyse the blood loss according to the size, site of fibroids and with various methods used to prevent blood loss and postoperative morbidity.Methods: Retrospective studies of 53 women were included in our study who underwent caesarean myomectomy in the period of June 2006 to June 2015. Site, Size and number of myomas removed were noted down. Hemoglobin difference between pre and postoperative levels also noted down.Results: There is no significant blood loss difference according to the type, number and methods used to prevent blood loss. But as the size increases, there is significant blood loss difference- P value 0.006.Conclusions: Caesaren myomectomy can be safely undertaken by experienced surgeons. Single or multiple, smaller subserosal and intramural myomas can be safely removed .Though larger fibroids have increased blood loss intraoperative, with the prophylactic measures, we can safely remove them too. Submucosal, cornual myomas have to be dealt with caution

Retrospective study of 53 cases of caesarean myomectomy regarding its safety and feasibility

Background: In recent era, many studies have come up stating the safety and feasibility of caesarean myomectomy. With the advances in surgical techniques, the risk is very minimum. Our primary objective is to evaluate the safety of caesarean myomectomy and to analyse the blood loss according to the size, site of fibroids and with various methods used to prevent blood loss and postoperative morbidity.Methods: Retrospective studies of 53 women were included in our study who underwent caesarean myomectomy in the period of June 2006 to June 2015. Site, Size and number of myomas removed were noted down. Hemoglobin difference between pre and postoperative levels also noted down.Results: There is no significant blood loss difference according to the type, number and methods used to prevent blood loss. But as the size increases, there is significant blood loss difference- P value 0.006.Conclusions: Caesaren myomectomy can be safely undertaken by experienced surgeons. Single or multiple, smaller subserosal and intramural myomas can be safely removed .Though larger fibroids have increased blood loss intraoperative, with the prophylactic measures, we can safely remove them too. Submucosal, cornual myomas have to be dealt with caution

Detection of Y STR markers of male fetal dna in maternal circulation

Background: Circulating fetal cells and cell free DNA in the maternal blood has been shown to help in prenatal diagnosis of genetic disorders without relying on invasive procedures leading to significant risk of pregnancy loss. Aim: The current study was undertaken to detect the male fetal population using Y STR markers DYS 19, DYS 385 and DYS 392 and also to study the extent of persistence of fetal DNA in the mother following delivery. Materials and Methods: Blinded study was conducted on 50 mothers delivering male and female babies. Cellular and cell free DNA was extracted from maternal and fetal cord blood and amplified for Y STR markers by PCR. Results: The amplification sensitivity of Y specific STR, DYS19 was 100% (22/22) in the male fetal DNA samples. The incidence of other STRs, i.e., DYS385 and DYS392 were 91% (20/22) each. Analysis of results revealed that thirteen of the twenty six women had detectable male fetal DNA at the time of delivery. However fetal DNA was not detectable twenty four hours after delivery. Conclusion: Preliminary results show that the separation of fetal cell-free DNA in the maternal circulation is a good low-cost approach for the future development of novel strategies to provide non-invasive techniques for early prenatal diagnosis

Detection of Y STR markers of male fetal dna in maternal circulation

Background: Circulating fetal cells and cell free DNA in the maternal blood has been shown to help in prenatal diagnosis of genetic disorders without relying on invasive procedures leading to significant risk of pregnancy loss. Aim: The current study was undertaken to detect the male fetal population using Y STR markers DYS 19, DYS 385 and DYS 392 and also to study the extent of persistence of fetal DNA in the mother following delivery. Materials and Methods: Blinded study was conducted on 50 mothers delivering male and female babies. Cellular and cell free DNA was extracted from maternal and fetal cord blood and amplified for Y STR markers by PCR. Results: The amplification sensitivity of Y specific STR, DYS19 was 100% (22/22) in the male fetal DNA samples. The incidence of other STRs, i.e., DYS385 and DYS392 were 91% (20/22) each. Analysis of results revealed that thirteen of the twenty six women had detectable male fetal DNA at the time of delivery. However fetal DNA was not detectable twenty four hours after delivery. Conclusion: Preliminary results show that the separation of fetal cell-free DNA in the maternal circulation is a good low-cost approach for the future development of novel strategies to provide non-invasive techniques for early prenatal diagnosis

Advances in cathode nanomaterials for lithium-ion batteries

Energy resources, consumption, and management are among the most important issues of this century. Our dependence on fossil fuels should be changed by eco-friendlier renewable energies. Further, the generated electrical energy should be stored for improving mobile applications, being batteries the most used system for this purpose. Lithium-ion batteries are the most promising battery type and are composed of three main elements: cathode, anode, and separator/electrolyte. The active material of the cathode is primarily responsible for the battery capacity, and for that reason, different cathode materials have been developed and explored for lithium-ion batteries. In the present work, the most relevant cathode materials are presented, their main properties and characteristics described, and their advantage and disadvantage analyzed, allowing to understand to which extent those materials are suitable for specific applications in this field.This work was supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) in the framework of the Strategic Funding UID/FIS/04650/2013 project PTDC/CTM-ENE/5387/2014, project no. PTDC/FISMAC/28157/2017, and grant SFRH/BPD/112547/2015 (C.M.C.). The authors thank the Basque Government Industry Department under the ELKARTEK and HAZITEK Programs for its financial support