A novel technique of annular ligament reconstruction using extensor carpi radialis longus tendon fascia: a report of 3 cases

Annular ligament is an important stabiliser of radial head. In cases of chronic radial head dislocation, annular ligament reconstruction is warranted to maintain radial head reduction to improve elbow function. We have reported here a novel technique using the fascia overlying extensor carpi radialis longus tendon for annular ligament reconstruction. We reported an average flexion of 130º and full supination in all 3 cases. 2 patients achieved mid pronation and 1 achieved full pronation; comparable with other described techniques. Our novel technique through a single incision has excellent functional outcomes. Additionally, it is simple, cost effective, requires no hardware

Detection of DNA and Poly-L-Lysine using CVD Graphene-channel FET Biosensors

A graphene channel field-effect biosensor is demonstrated for detecting the binding of double-stranded DNA and poly-l-lysine. Sensors consist of CVD graphene transferred using a clean, etchant-free transfer method. The presence of DNA and poly-l-lysine are detected by the conductance change of the graphene transistor. A readily measured shift in the Dirac Voltage (the voltage at which the graphenes resistance peaks) is observed after the graphene channel is exposed to solutions containing DNA or poly-l-lysine. The Dirac voltage shift is attributed to the binding/unbinding of charged molecules on the graphene surface. The polarity of the response changes to positive direction with poly-l-lysine and negative direction with DNA. This response results in detection limits of 8 pM for 48.5 kbp DNA and 11 pM for poly-l-lysine. The biosensors are easy to fabricate, reusable and are promising as sensors of a wide variety of charged biomolecule

Role of ocean initial conditions to diminish dry bias in the seasonal prediction of Indian summer monsoon rainfall: A case study using climate forecast system

Coupled models tend to underestimate Indian summer monsoon (ISM) rainfall over most of the Indian subcontinent. Present study demonstrates that a part of dry bias is arising from the discrepancies in Oceanic Initial Conditions (OICs). Two hindcast experiments are carried out using Climate Forecast System (CFSv2) for summer monsoons of 2012-2014 in which two different OICs are utilized. With respect to first experiment (CTRL), second experiment (AcSAL) differs by two aspects: usage of high-resolution atmospheric forcing and assimilation of only ARGO observed temperature and salinity profiles for OICs. Assessment of OICs indicates that the quality of OICs is enhanced due to assimilation of actual salinity profiles. Analysis reveals that AcSAL experiment showed 10 reduction in the dry bias over the Indian land region during the ISM compared to CTRL. This improvement is consistently apparent in each month and is highest for June. The better representation of upper ocean thermal structure of tropical oceans at initial stage supports realistic upper ocean stability and mixing. Which in fact reduced the dominant cold bias over the ocean, feedback to air-sea interactions and land sea thermal contrast resulting better representation of monsoon circulation and moisture transport. This reduced bias of tropospheric moisture and temperature over the Indian land mass and also produced better tropospheric temperature gradient over land as well as ocean. These feedback processes reduced the dry bias in the ISM rainfall. Study concludes that initializing the coupled models with realistic OICs can reduce the underestimation of ISM rainfall prediction. © 2018. The Authors

Adjuvant drugs in management of osteoarthritis: spotlight on type II collagen

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common musculoskeletal disorder that affects large and small joints and is seen in all ages due to diverse aetiologies. Pain, joint stiffness and limitation of daily activities affects the quality of life of individuals with OA. Conventional analgesics like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs affect pain and inflammatory component but do not target the disease pathogenesis. Damage to the joint cartilage is central to the pathogenesis of OA. Better understanding of the pathogenesis has led to evolution of various adjuvant drugs in management of OA. Among them, undenatured type II collagen induces immune tolerance and thereby provide benefits by reducing the joint damage. Studies assessing efficacy and safety of undenatured type II collagen in OA have shown to reduce clinical symptoms like pain, joint stiffness and improvement in physical activities, and thus improving the quality of life. It is well tolerated and safe for use in OA. This article discusses the pathophysiology of OA with inflammation and beyond, and overviews the various drugs that are used as adjuvants in the management of OA with special focus on the use of type 2 collagen

Evaluation of Ponseti method in correction of congenital talipes equinovarus

Background: Congenital idiopathic clubfoot is a complex foot deformity often requires many months of treatment and frequently resulted in incomplete or defective correction by older methods. Deformity can be corrected with serial manipulation and casting with minimal or no surgery as reported by Ponseti. This study is an attempt to evaluate the effectiveness of Ponseti technique in treatment of idiopathic congenital talipes equino varus.Methods: 30 patients between age group of 01 to 24 weeks with 48 feet having congenital idiopathic clubfoot were treated using Ponseti technique. The guidelines for treatment were followed as per the Ponseti method of serial manipulation and casting at weekly intervals.Results: 43 (89.58%) cases were treated successfully by using Ponseti technique without need of extensive surgery. 42 feet required tenotomy. 38 (79.16%) feet had an excellent outcome, 5 (10.42%) feet had a fair outcome and 05 feet (10.42%) had poor outcome as measured by the Pirani scoring system. 7 (14.58%) patients had cast related complications.Conclusions: The Ponseti method is a safe, effective and reproducible method for correction of idiopathic congenital talipes equinovarus which significantly reduces the rate of extensive corrective surgeries for correction of clubfoot

Evaluation of Salivary Calcium and Phosphorous Concentration Before and After Chewing CPP-ACP Containing Chewing Gum

Svrha: Željelo se procijeniti kolika je koncentraciju kalcija i fosfata u slini prije žvakanja žvakaće gume bez šećera s dodatkom kazein-fosfopeptida i amorfnog kalcijeva fosfata (CPP–ACP-a) pod imenom RecaldentTM te procijeniti količinu i koliko dugo ostaju određene koncentracije kalcija i fosfata u slini nakon žvakanja gume s CPP–ACP-om. Materijali i metode: Provedeno je kliničko nerandomizirano ispitivanje u skupini od 30 nasumce odabranih studenata u dobi između 18 i 25 godina. Od svih je skupljena nestimulirana slina cijeđenjem prije žvakanja gume s CCP–ACP-om i u točno određenim intervalima nakon 20-minutnog žvakanja. U uzorcima se mjerila koncentracija kalcija i fosfata. Podaci su analizirani SPSS ver.17, softverom s postavkama ponovljenog mjerenja ANOVA-om, studentskim parnim t-testom i postotnom razlikom. Rezultati: Srednja vrijednost kalcija u slini znatno se povećala neposredno nakon (Ai) žvakanja žvakaće s CCP–ACP-om, sa srednjom razlikom od 22 posto u usporedbi s osnovnom vrijednošću (B). Povećanje koncentracije kalcija u odnosu na osnovnu vrijednost mjerilo se dva sata nakon žvakanja, kada je opaženo sniženje koncentracije fosfata u slini i do jedan sat nakon žvakanja žvakaće u usporedbi s osnovnom vrijednošću (B). Zaključak: CPP kao ACP-nositelj znatno povećava koncentraciju kalcija u slini i tako olakšava remineralizaciju.Objective: To estimate the salivary concentration of calcium and phosphorous before and after chewing sugar free chewing gum containing Casein phosphopeptide-Amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) namely RecaldentTM and to determine the extent and duration to which the salivary levels of calcium and phosphorus remain retained in saliva after chewing the CPP-ACP containing gum. Materials and Method: A non-randomized clinical trial was conducted among 30 randomly selected students aged 18 – 25 years. Unstimulated saliva was collected by draining method before and at different intervals after chewing CPP-ACP chewing gum for 20 minutes. These samples were tested for calcium and phosphorous concentration. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 17 software using Repeated measure Anova and Students paired t-test and percentage difference. Results: The mean calcium concentration of saliva increased significantly immediately after (Ai) chewing CPP-ACP containing chewing gum with the mean difference of 22% when compared to the baseline (B). A significant increase in the calcium concentration of saliva as compared to the baseline (B) was observed for up to 2 hours after chewing the gum, whereas a decrease in the phosphorus concentration in saliva for up to 1 hour after chewing the gum was observed when compared to baseline (B). Conclusion - CPP as an ACP carrier significantly increases the calcium concentration of the saliva, thereby facilitating remineralization

Salmonella in Indian ready-to-cook poultry: antibiotic resistance and molecular characterization

The availability and popularity of processed, ready-to-cook (RTC) poultry products are increasing in India. Though fresh poultry is known to be contaminated with Salmonella, the prevalence of this foodborne pathogen in RTC poultry products is not reported. Eighty-seven chilled and frozen RTC poultry samples of 4 different brands obtained from supermarkets and departmental stores in Mumbai were analyzed for the presence of Salmonella. The prevalence of Salmonella was higher (51%) in chilled RTC samples as compared to the frozen RTC samples (5%). The frozen RTC samples of one brand were free from Salmonella. S. Typhimurium (75.2%) was the most prevalent serovar, followed by S. Enteritidis (23%) and S. Weltevreden (1.7%). A high percentage (81.4%) of the isolates were found to be resistant to 5 or more antibiotics and class 1 integron, which has been shown to confer multi-drug resistance, was detected in 69.9% of the isolates. Multiple antibiotic resistance index of isolates was high (0.6) indicating the indiscriminate use of antibiotics during poultry farming. High genetic diversity was observed among the Salmonella serovars based on Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis profiles. Results showed the presence of multi-drug resistant Salmonella serovars in processed, chilled RTC poultry products marketed in Mumbai, India

Evaluation of Salivary Calcium and Phosphorous Concentration Before and After Chewing CPP-ACP Containing Chewing Gum

Svrha: Željelo se procijeniti kolika je koncentraciju kalcija i fosfata u slini prije žvakanja žvakaće gume bez šećera s dodatkom kazein-fosfopeptida i amorfnog kalcijeva fosfata (CPP–ACP-a) pod imenom RecaldentTM te procijeniti količinu i koliko dugo ostaju određene koncentracije kalcija i fosfata u slini nakon žvakanja gume s CPP–ACP-om. Materijali i metode: Provedeno je kliničko nerandomizirano ispitivanje u skupini od 30 nasumce odabranih studenata u dobi između 18 i 25 godina. Od svih je skupljena nestimulirana slina cijeđenjem prije žvakanja gume s CCP–ACP-om i u točno određenim intervalima nakon 20-minutnog žvakanja. U uzorcima se mjerila koncentracija kalcija i fosfata. Podaci su analizirani SPSS ver.17, softverom s postavkama ponovljenog mjerenja ANOVA-om, studentskim parnim t-testom i postotnom razlikom. Rezultati: Srednja vrijednost kalcija u slini znatno se povećala neposredno nakon (Ai) žvakanja žvakaće s CCP–ACP-om, sa srednjom razlikom od 22 posto u usporedbi s osnovnom vrijednošću (B). Povećanje koncentracije kalcija u odnosu na osnovnu vrijednost mjerilo se dva sata nakon žvakanja, kada je opaženo sniženje koncentracije fosfata u slini i do jedan sat nakon žvakanja žvakaće u usporedbi s osnovnom vrijednošću (B). Zaključak: CPP kao ACP-nositelj znatno povećava koncentraciju kalcija u slini i tako olakšava remineralizaciju.Objective: To estimate the salivary concentration of calcium and phosphorous before and after chewing sugar free chewing gum containing Casein phosphopeptide-Amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) namely RecaldentTM and to determine the extent and duration to which the salivary levels of calcium and phosphorus remain retained in saliva after chewing the CPP-ACP containing gum. Materials and Method: A non-randomized clinical trial was conducted among 30 randomly selected students aged 18 – 25 years. Unstimulated saliva was collected by draining method before and at different intervals after chewing CPP-ACP chewing gum for 20 minutes. These samples were tested for calcium and phosphorous concentration. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 17 software using Repeated measure Anova and Students paired t-test and percentage difference. Results: The mean calcium concentration of saliva increased significantly immediately after (Ai) chewing CPP-ACP containing chewing gum with the mean difference of 22% when compared to the baseline (B). A significant increase in the calcium concentration of saliva as compared to the baseline (B) was observed for up to 2 hours after chewing the gum, whereas a decrease in the phosphorus concentration in saliva for up to 1 hour after chewing the gum was observed when compared to baseline (B). Conclusion - CPP as an ACP carrier significantly increases the calcium concentration of the saliva, thereby facilitating remineralization

Graphene Channel Field Effect Transistors For Biosensing Applications

Bio-sensing and analysis is an important step in the lab-on-a-chip paradigm. We develop high-throughput, multi-channel, large area graphene channel field effect transistors with enhanced sensitivity for biomolecule detection exploiting the excellent electrical and biocompatible nature of graphene. Till date biosensors using graphene have been too small as they use exfoliated graphene. Large area scaling of graphene biosensors increases sensing area and sensitivity. So we investigate the possibility of CVD graphene being an effective platform for biomolecule detection. In the present thesis, we explain how our device allows larger changes in the electrical output for enhanced sensitivity and how our novel contamination free graphene transfer technique and new approaches to device design and fabrication make our sensor devices successful. We explain underlying mechanisms behind biomolecule detection through graphene functionalization. We also present an array of biosensors, enabling detection of multiple biomolecules simultaneously. Finally, we present possible development roadmaps for our sensors