High-speed Fabrication of Micro-channels using Line-based Laser Induced Plasma Micromachining (L-LIPMM)

Micro-texturing of surfaces has various applications that often involve texturing over large (macro-scale) areas with high precision and resolution. This demands scalability and speed of texturing while retaining feature sizes on the order of a few ?m. Moreover, micro-channels are a versatile micro-feature that are often used in microfluidic devices and can be arrayed or joined to form patterns and free-form geometries. We present a technique to fabricate micro-channels on surfaces with high-speed and by using a multi-materials process, namely Laser Induced Plasma Micromachining (LIPMM). The process has the potential to machine metals, ceramics, polymers and other transparent, brittle and hard-to-machine materials. The presented technique uses an optical system to modify the laser spot into the shape of a line, to fabricate micro-channels directly without scanning as in the case of a regular circular spot. The process schematics are shown, and micro-machining experiments on polished Aluminum are discussed. Moreover, it is shown that the depth and width of the channels may be varied by changing the process parameters like the pulse energy, pulse frequency and number of exposures

ANTIHYPERGLYCEMIC AND ANTIHYPERLIPIDEMIC ACTIVITY OF JATROPHA GOSSYPIFOLIA METHANOLIC EXTRACT IN STREPTOZOTOCIN-NICOTINAMIDE INDUCED DIABETIC RATS

  Objective: The objective of the present study is to explore the antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic activities of Jatropha gossypifolia methanolic extract (ME) in streptozotocin (STZ)-nicotinamide (NIC) induced diabetic model.Methods: Type II diabetes was induced by a single dose of NIC (110 mg/kg) and STZ (50 mg/kg b.w.) intraperitoneally. The diabetic animals were treated with ME (50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg b.w.) of J. gossypifolia. At the end of experimental period, the effect of the ME on creatinine level, triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and very LDL (VLDL) were analyzed. Liver function parameters such as glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) were analyzed and liver glycogen content was estimated spectrophotometrically. After scarification of animals, the liver was collected and subjected to histopathology analysis. Glycogen content was estimated spectrophotometrically.Results: The ME treated diabetic rats showed a significant increase in HDL level and a decrease in creatinine, TG, TC, and VLDL levels. The treated group showed a significant decrease in liver function parameters such as GOT and GPT levels and significantly increased the liver glycogen content.Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that ME possess antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic activity against STZ - NIC induced diabetic rats

ANTIHYPERGLYCEMIC AND ANTIHYPERLIPIDEMIC ACTIVITY OF JATROPHA GOSSYPIFOLIA METHANOLIC EXTRACT IN STREPTOZOTOCIN-NICOTINAMIDE INDUCED DIABETIC RATS

  Objective: The objective of the present study is to explore the antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic activities of Jatropha gossypifolia methanolic extract (ME) in streptozotocin (STZ)-nicotinamide (NIC) induced diabetic model.Methods: Type II diabetes was induced by a single dose of NIC (110 mg/kg) and STZ (50 mg/kg b.w.) intraperitoneally. The diabetic animals were treated with ME (50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg b.w.) of J. gossypifolia. At the end of experimental period, the effect of the ME on creatinine level, triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and very LDL (VLDL) were analyzed. Liver function parameters such as glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) were analyzed and liver glycogen content was estimated spectrophotometrically. After scarification of animals, the liver was collected and subjected to histopathology analysis. Glycogen content was estimated spectrophotometrically.Results: The ME treated diabetic rats showed a significant increase in HDL level and a decrease in creatinine, TG, TC, and VLDL levels. The treated group showed a significant decrease in liver function parameters such as GOT and GPT levels and significantly increased the liver glycogen content.Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that ME possess antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic activity against STZ - NIC induced diabetic rats

A Rare Case of Recurrent Klebsiella pneumoniae Liver Abscess

Klebsiella pneumoniae liver abscess (KPLA) is an emerging syndrome with the initial cases described in Taiwan in the 1980s. There is high mortality with this condition, and immediate aggressive treatment is necessary. Diabetes mellitus (D.M.) is the single most important risk factor for developing KPLA. Here, we describe a rare case of recurrent cryptogenic Klebsiella pneumoniae pyogenic liver abscess (KPLA) in a young man with poorly controlled type 1 D.M

Unpredictable Nature of Tolvaptan in Treatment of Hypervolemic Hyponatremia: Case Review on Role of Vaptans

Hyponatremia is one of the most commonly encountered electrolyte abnormalities occurring in up to 22% of hospitalized patients. Hyponatremia usually reflects excess water retention relative to sodium rather than sodium deficiency. Volume status and serum osmolality are essential to determine etiology. Treatment depends on several factors, including the cause, overall volume status of the patient, severity of hyponatremic symptoms, and duration of hyponatremia at presentation. Vasopressin antagonists like tolvaptan seem promising for the treatment of euvolemic and hypervolemic hyponatremia in heart failure. Low sodium concentrations cause cerebral edema, but the overly rapid sodium correction can also lead to iatrogenic cerebral osmotic demyelination syndrome. Demyelination may occur days after sodium correction or initial neurologic recovery from hyponatremia. The following case report analyzes the role of vasopressin antagonists in the treatment of hyponatremia and the need for daily dosing of tolvaptan and the monitoring of serum sodium levels to avoid rapid overcorrection which can result in osmotic demyelination syndrome (ODS)

SARS-CoV-2 Reinfection Rate and Estimated Effectiveness of the Inactivated Whole Virion Vaccine BBV152 Against Reinfection Among Health Care Workers in New Delhi, India

A surge of COVID-19 occurred from March to June 2021, in New Delhi, India, linked to the B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant of SARS-CoV-2. COVID-19 vaccines were rolled out for health care workers (HCWs) starting in January 2021. To assess the incidence density of reinfection among a cohort of HCWs and estimate the effectiveness of the inactivated whole virion vaccine BBV152 against reinfection. This was a retrospective cohort study among HCWs working at a tertiary care center in New Delhi, India. Vaccination with 0, 1, or 2 doses of BBV152. The HCWs were categorized as fully vaccinated (with 2 doses and ≥15 days after the second dose), partially vaccinated (with 1 dose or 2 doses with <15 days after the second dose), or unvaccinated. The incidence density of COVID-19 reinfection per 100 person-years was computed, and events from March 3, 2020, to June 18, 2021, were included for analysis. Unadjusted and adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) were estimated using a Cox proportional hazards model. Estimated vaccine effectiveness (1 - adjusted HR) was reported. Among 15 244 HCWs who participated in the study, 4978 (32.7%) were diagnosed with COVID-19. The mean (SD) age was 36.6 (10.3) years, and 55.0% were male. The reinfection incidence density was 7.26 (95% CI: 6.09-8.66) per 100 person-years (124 HCWs [2.5%], total person follow-up period of 1696 person-years as time at risk). Fully vaccinated HCWs had lower risk of reinfection (HR, 0.14 [95% CI, 0.08-0.23]), symptomatic reinfection (HR, 0.13 [95% CI, 0.07-0.24]), and asymptomatic reinfection (HR, 0.16 [95% CI, 0.05-0.53]) compared with unvaccinated HCWs. Accordingly, among the 3 vaccine categories, reinfection was observed in 60 of 472 (12.7%) of unvaccinated (incidence density, 18.05 per 100 person-years; 95% CI, 14.02-23.25), 39 of 356 (11.0%) of partially vaccinated (incidence density 15.62 per 100 person-years; 95% CI, 11.42-21.38), and 17 of 1089 (1.6%) fully vaccinated (incidence density 2.18 per 100 person-years; 95% CI, 1.35-3.51) HCWs. The estimated effectiveness of BBV152 against reinfection was 86% (95% CI, 77%-92%); symptomatic reinfection, 87% (95% CI, 76%-93%); and asymptomatic reinfection, 84% (95% CI, 47%-95%) among fully vaccinated HCWs. Partial vaccination was not associated with reduced risk of reinfection. These findings suggest that BBV152 was associated with protection against both symptomatic and asymptomatic reinfection in HCWs after a complete vaccination schedule, when the predominant circulating variant was B.1.617.2