Synthesis of Nanocrystalline MgO Particles by Combustion Followed by Annealing Method Using Hexamine as a Fuel

In this work, nanocrystalline MgO particles were prepared through combustion method using magnesium nitrate as oxidizer and hexamine as a fuel. The materials obtained by combustion method were subsequently annealed at 800°C for 3 h to improve the crystallinity and phase purity. The obtained MgO nanomaterials were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), infrared (IR) spectroscopy, photoluminescence (PL), near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The cubic crystal structure with lattice parameter, a = 0.4210(4) nm with average crystalline size of 22 nm, is obtained for the nano-MgO particles. The PL emission spectrum of nanocrystalline MgO materials exhibits three emission peaks at 432, 465, and 495 nm which are due to various structural defects. The SEM results expose the fact that the MgO nanomaterials are seemingly porous and highly agglomerated with fine particles. Owing to the higher reflectance of prepared nanocrystalline MgO, it can be used as NIR reflective pigments. The present results prove that the combustion technique using hexamine can produce the materials with high crystallinity. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the synthesis of nanocrystalline MgO materials by combustion method using hexamine as a fuel

A study on antimicrobial sensitivity pattern in Neisseria gonorrhoeae in a tertiary care hospital

Background: Sexually transmitted diseases are prevalent throughout the world. Sexually transmitted diseases (STD) play a major role in the transmission of HIV infection. The risk of acquiring HIV infection in non-ulcerative STD is 3 to 5 times more than that in persons without any sexually transmitted infections. One of the main non-ulcerative STD is gonorrhoea. The relative incidence of gonococcal infections is about 10 to 13% of total sexually transmitted infections in STD clinics. Aims and objectives was to identify gonococcal infection in patients attending the STD clinic and associated sexually transmitted infections and to study the antimicrobial susceptibility of gonococcus and to modify the disease intervention strategies.Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in our institute of venereology, government general hospital and madras medical college, Chennai-03, Tamil Nadu, India. 43 patients with gram stained smear or culture positive for gonococcus who attended the institute from February 2013 to September 2014 were taken into the study. All the details were collected from the case records of the patients. The antibiotic sensitivity testing in N. gonorrhoeae had been done by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Screening for other sexually transmitted diseases had been done and were treated according to the institute guidelines.Results: Specimens from 43 patients (40 male, 3 females) had been collected. 40 specimens were found to be culture positive. Antibiotic sensitivity tests were carried out on those 40 isolates of Neisseria gonorrhoeae obtained in pure culture. 70% of isolates were resistant to penicillin and 30% were less sensitive to it. 52.5% of the isolates were PPNG. 57.5% of isolates were resistant to ciprofloxacin and 42.5% were less sensitive to it. 7.5% were resistant to ceftriaxone, 12.5% were resistant to cefixime and 15% were resistant to spectinomycin. All the isolates were sensitive to Azithromycin. Three male patients had HIV (6.9%), three had syphilis and one had genital wart. One female patient had trichomoniasis.Conclusions: The results of the study indicate that multidrug resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae is prevalent in this region. Associated STDs must be investigated to prevent the transmission of HIV and further complications. The need for establishing a national surveillance programme for antibiotic resistance becomes clear with this study

Comparative Evaluation of Soft Tissue Healing in Dental Implant Site Augmented with PRF and Gelatamp

AIM : To evaluate and compare the soft tissue healing in dental implant site augmented with PRF(Platelet Rich Fibrin) and GELATAMP (colloidal silver impregnated with gelfoam). MATERIALS AND METHODS : The Study was performed in a series of 5 patients (10 implants) aged between 20 – 50 years with bilaterally missing mandibular molars requiring teeth replacement attending the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. After placement of implant the sites were augmented with PRF and GELATAMP and assessment was done to compare the soft tissue healing, pain, swelling on 1st, 3rd, and 7th post operative days. The results were recorded, based on Soft Tissue Healing Index, Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Swelling Assessment by Tape Measurement. The ‘t’ test was used to test the significance between PRF and GELATAMP group. ‘p’ value < 0.05 was taken to denote significant difference. RESULTS : Soft tissue healing assessment and pain score showed high statistical significance (p < 0.005) on GELATAMP side compare to PRF side on 1st, 3rd, and 7th postoperative day. Regarding swelling assessment, There was no statistical significant difference between 2 groups. CONCLUSION : It was concluded that, GELATAMP augmented implant site resulted in effective soft tissue healing, reduced postoperative complications compared to PRF group. Hence GELATAMP could be augmented on a routine basis on dental implant site

Clinico pathological study of adverse cutaneous drug reactions

INTRODUCTION: Adverse cutaneous drug reactions are commonly encountered in modern day clinical practice. They range from benign cutaneous reactions to severe cutaneous adverse drug reactions (SCAR). With a wide range of new drugs entering the market, the possibility of new drug reactions or different presentation of a common drug reaction should be considered. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To assess the epidemiology of adverse cutaneous drug reactions in our set up, the drugs commonly involved, various clinical presentations, and to correlate the clinical, histological and biochemical investigations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted in Department of Dermatology, RGGGH & MMC, Chennai, in patients, during November 2016 to September 2017. Patients who were more than 12 years of age and were willing for follow up were included in the study after getting approval from institutional ethics committee. Study Design: Prospective observational study. Study Population: A total of 36 patients with signs and symptoms of adverse drug reactions, who attended the OPD during the study period. Method: Details regarding the history, duration and course of the disease and co morbidities were collected, complete dermatological and systemic examination was done and the results were tabulated and analysed. OBSERVATIONS AND RESULTS: The incidence of adverse cutaneous drug reactions in our study population was 0.949 per 1000 person years. Mean age at presentation was 39.33± 20.13 years with a male to female ratio of 1.25:1. 69% of patients presented with benign cutaneous reactions and 31% with SCAR. Itching (64%) was the most common symptom. Fixed drug eruption (28%) was the commonest presentation and NSAIDs (33%) were the commonest offending drug. SJS / TEN (19%) was the commonest SCAR and anticonvulsants were the commonest offending drug in SCAR. Absolute eosinophil counts of more than 1000/mm³ were seen in 82% and abnormality in liver parameters in 30.5% of patients with SCAR. Spongiosis, necrotic keratinocytes and basal cell degeneration were the commonest histopathological finding with extensive changes seen in cases of SCAR. CONCLUSION: Adverse drug reactions should be diagnosed and managed early to prevent the morbidity and mortality, especially in cases of SCAR. Elevated eosinophil counts might have a prognostic significance in severe cases and histopathological examination can be helpful when the clinical presentation mimics common dermatological disorders

Seborrhoeic keratosis with autosomal dominant inheritance - a rare case report

Seborrhoeic keratosis is a benign tumour composed of epidermal keratinocytes, displaying varying morphological features, frequently pigmented and more common in the elderly. Various clinical and histopathological variants have been described. A genetically determined predisposition to Seborrhoeic keratosis is largely accepted. We report a case of multiple Seborrhoeic keratoses of childhood onset and transmitted for three generations in her family members as an autosomal dominant trait

Sexually transmitted infections among men who have sex with men: a retrospective study in a tertiary care hospital

Background: Men who have sex with Men (MSM) have a higher prevalence of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STI) than the heterosexual men. In India, NACP recommendations to reduce HIV prevalence among MSM include early detection of HIV and other STI by screening and treatment. We conducted a study of STIs among MSM attending our OPD. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of STIs in MSM attending our OPD.Methods: 1215 MSM among 9008 patients who attended our OPD between June 2015 and May 2016 were included in the study. Detailed history was taken and clinical examination carried out. Urethral discharge and urine samples were tested for Gonococcal infection. Smears from ulcers were tested for Syphilis, Chancroid, Herpes and Donovanosis. Serum samples were tested for HIV and other STIs like Syphilis and Herpes.Results: Among 1215 MSMs, 55 (4.5%) tested positive for VDRL and TPHA and 33 (2.7%) tested positive for HIV. 24 (2%) had urethritis (10 GU and 14 NGU), 15 (1.25%) had Balanophosthitis, 12 (1%) had genital herpes, 9 (0.75%) had genital scabies, 6 (0.5%) had Genital Wart and 2 (0.16%) had Molluscum contagiosum. Prevalence of these STIs were far higher in MSMs than in heterosexual men.Conclusions: This study highlights the higher prevalence of STIs among MSMs and the need for early intervention and treatment in this high-risk population

Periodic perturbation method for controlling chaos for a positive output DC-DC luo converter

Abstract: A simple, non-feedback method of controlling chaos is implemented for a DC-DC converter. The weak periodic perturbation (WPP) is the control technique applied to stabilize an unstable orbit in a current-mode controlled Positive Output Luo (POL) DC-DC converter operating in a chaotic regime. With WPP, the operation of the converter is limited to stable period-1 orbit that exists in the original chaotic attractor. The proposed control strategy is implemented using simulations and the results are verified with hardware setup. The experimental results of the converter with WPP control are presented which shows the effectiveness of the control strategy