Comparison between the Valsalva maneuver and intraoperative traction measurements in pelvic organ prolapse assessment.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the assessment of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) between the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP-Q) system with Valsalva maneuver and intraoperative measurement with mechanical traction. METHODS: A prospective observational study included 100 women with POP attending a tertiary urogynecology clinic in the UK and undergoing vaginal prolapse surgical procedures between October 2011 and October 2014. The women were examined in the clinic using POP-Q with the Valsalva maneuver and in the operating theater under general anesthesia with mechanical traction. The two sets of measurements were compared. RESULTS: All POP-Q measurements obtained with traction demonstrated significantly higher descent as compared with those measured by Valsalva maneuver (mean differences: Aa 0.64 cm; Ap 1.32 cm; Ba 0.96 cm; Bp 1.34 cm; C 3.57 cm; D 3.40 cm; all P<0.001). The perineal body and total vaginal lengths did not differ significantly. CONCLUSION: Measurements of six POP-Q points obtained with traction showed a higher grade of POP than those assessed with Valsalva maneuver. On this basis, surgeons might decide on the extent of surgical procedure after examination under anesthesia; however, preoperative patient counselling would be essential to obtain consent for this approach. The clinical significance of the findings requires further evaluation

Mesenchymal stem cells in regenerative medicine: focus on articular cartilage and intervertebral disc regeneration

K

NOVEL DIGITAL LOCK SYSTEM

In this paper we have proposed a new digital lock model which is primarily designed for low cost intermediate security purpose. Even though there are digital locks available this one is designed keeping the common man in mind. It will be the first digital locking system that would be available at a price less than 700 rupees. The recent increase in burglary levels proves the fact that the lever locking system is no more reliable and effective, but on the other hand the present digital locks are around 3000 rupees making it over priced. So this clearly shows the need for an intermediate effective digital locking system. Our novel digital locking system is aimed exactly to solve the above stated problem. Our model is an outcome of embedded system and can works using an 8051 microcontroller interfaced with a 16*2 lcd to perform logical operations. The input is given by the user using 3*3 matrixes key padded system. The locking system consist of a power lock which is widely used in automobiles, it primarily consist of an dc motor which on rotating moves the lever back and forth depending on the direction of rotation. The interrupt pins are used to clear the buzzer which is connected to port 3 pins which thereby notifies the user immediately in case of theft or burglary

Pelleted bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells are better protected from the deleterious effects of arthroscopic heat shock

Introduction: The impact of arthroscopic temperature on joint tissues is poorly understood and it is not known how mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) respond to the effects of heat generated by the device during the process of arthroscopy assisted experimental cell-based therapy. In the present study, we isolated and phenotypically characterized human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMMSCs) from osteoarthritis (OA) patients, and evaluated the effect of arthroscopic heat on cells in suspension and pellet cultures. Methods: Primary cultures of hBMMSCs were isolated from bone marrow aspirates of OA patients and cultured using DMEM supplemented with 10% FBS and characterized for their stemness. hBMMSCs (1 x 106 cells) cultured as single cell suspensions or cell pellets were exposed to an illuminated arthroscope for 10, 20 or 30 min. This was followed by analysis of cellular proliferation and heat shock related gene expression. Results: hBMMSCs were viable and exhibited population doubling, short spindle morphology, MSC related CD surface markers expression and tri-lineage differentiation into adipocytes, chondrocytes and osteoblasts. Chondrogenic and osteogenic differentiation increased collagen production and alkaline phosphatase activity. Exposure of hBMMSCs to an illuminated arthroscope for 10, 20 or 30 min for 72 h decreased metabolic activity of the cells in suspensions (63.27% at 30 min) and increased metabolic activity in cell pellets (62.86% at 10 min and 68.57% at 20 min). hBMMSCs exposed to 37°C, 45°C and 55°C for 120 seconds demonstrated significant upregulation of BAX, P53, Cyclin A2, Cyclin E1, TNF-α, and HSP70 in cell suspensions compared to cell pellets. Conclusions: hBMMSC cell pellets are better protected from temperature alterations compared to cell suspensions. Transplantation of hBMMSCs as pellets rather than as cell suspensions to the cartilage defect site would therefore support their viability and may aid enhanced cartilage regeneration

Heterostructured Metaloxide Photocatalytic (Copper Oxide and Titanium Oxide) for Degradation and Removal of Water Organic Pollutants

Metal oxides with favourable light absorption properties and charge transport characteristics play wide application as a photocatalyst. Titanium oxide and Copper oxide are the two major earth abundant metal oxides, and this dissertation is aimed to synthesize the heterostructured copper oxide and titanium oxide for the application of water treatment by enhancing their photocatalytic activity. Metal oxides are treated with atmospheric pressure plasma or by altering the structural level in nano size region to enhance the photocatalytic activity. Cupric oxide (CuO) thin film has found widespread application as a low-cost material for photo catalytic applications. High surface wettability is a key factor to achieve enhanced efficiency in these catalytic applications. Here, we report a fast and environment friendly route to fabricate super hydrophilic CuO thin films using a low power (5–10 W) atmospheric pressure plasma jet (APPJ). With APPJ treatment for 5 min, the CuO surface transforms from hydrophobic to super-hydrophilic with increase in catalytic activity. APPJ introduces anisotropy in the crystal structure and creates unique three-dimensional surface morphology with distinct surface chemical and electronic features. The treated films exhibited a higher rate of photo degradation of Methylene Blue and phenol indicating efficient charge separation. An environment friendly alternative to epitaxially grown process of copper oxide nanowires (NWs) on copper substrates using single step atmospheric pressure plasma jet assisted oxidation is used. NWs of average length 300 nm are grown rapidly in 5 minutes along with transforming the surface to superhydrophilic. This method introduces defects in the nanowire structure which is otherwise difficult to achieve due to the highly isotropic nature of nanowire growth. High resolution transmission electron microscopy reveals vacancies and structural defects such as lattice twinning and kinks. Copper oxide NWs have an excellent degradation activity towards organic pollutants Methylene Blue. Two-dimensional (2D) Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) has become one of the most exciting areas of research for adsorbents due to its high surface area and abundant active sites. Mainly, 2D MoS2 show promising removal of textile dye pollutants by adsorption process, but it shows high affinity for anionic type of dyes, that limits its performance in mixed dye pollutants treatment. Herein, we demonstrate an integrated approach to remove mixed dye pollutants (anionic and cationic) concurrently by combining adsorption and photocatalysis process. We synthesize MoS2/TiO2 nanocomposites for different weight percentages 2.5, 5, 10, 20, 30 and 50 wt% of pre-synthesized flower-like MoS2 nanoparticle by a two-step hydrothermal method. We demonstrate a new process of two-stage adsorption / photocatalysis using high wt% of MoS2 (Stage-I) and low wt% of MoS2 (Stage-II) nanocomposites. The proposed two-stage integrated adsorption and photocatalysis process using 50% and 2.5% of MoS2 coated TiO2, respectively showed complete removal of methylene blue dye ~5 times faster than conventional single-stage (adsorption or photocatalysis) water treatment process. Furthermore, the feasibility of the proposed two stage method in mixed dye pollutants removal (anionic and cationic) showed excellent performance even in doubling the dye pollutant concentration. This work brings a deeper insight into understanding the morphology and concentration of 2-D MoS2 in MoS2/TiO2 nanocomposite in tackling mixed dye pollutants and the possibilities of applying in textile dyeing industries wastewater treatment plants