Functional assessment after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using quadrupled semitendinosus graft

Background: Anterior cruciate ligament is the primary stabilizer of the knee and prevents translation and rotatory forces and it is one of the most prevalent ligament injuries in the knee. Arthroscopic ACL reconstruction is recommended for which different graft options can be Quadrupled Semitendinosus and Gracilis, doubled Peroneus, Quadriceps Tendon, and Bone patellar tendon-bone. As all grafts have their advantages and disadvantages in terms of donor site morbidity, fixation, and failure rate; the ideal ACL reconstruction graft remains a point of contention. So, we did a functional assessment after ACL reconstruction using Quadrupled Semitendinosus graft.Methods: The prospective cohort study included 30 patients under the age of 55 years admitted with ACL deficiency from August 2019 to August 2020 in the orthopedic department of a Sapthagiri hospital, Bangalore who underwent arthroscopic ACL reconstruction. This study aims to evaluate the functional result of arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with only quadrupled semitendinosus tendon graft using the Tegner, Lysholm, and IKDC knee grading systems.Results: Patients were followed up for a minimum period of one year. On evaluation, the maximum Lysholm, IKDC score achieved was 97 and 79 respectively while the minimum score was 86 and 69 respectively. Comparisons of pre-and postoperative improvement scores were statistically significant.Conclusions: Arthroscopic ACL reconstruction with quadrupled semitendinosus graft yields good functional results with minimal postoperative morbidity irrespective of graft diameter

Non-ossifying fibroma of distal tibia: case report

Non-ossifying fibroma is a benign fibrohistiocytic lesion most commonly seen in the metaphyseal region in children. It usually doesn’t present with any symptoms. As the bone grows and undergoes remodeling, the lesion tends to vanish and get substituted with healthy bone. Nonetheless, the lesion can debilitate the affected bone, leading to a potential fracture. Here, we report a case of non-ossifying fibroma in the metaphyseal region of the tibia in a 13-year female. The patient presented with complaints of pain in the left leg for 5 months and underwent radiological investigation showing a well-defined, multi-loculated, expansile, radiolucent, lytic lesion with a thin sclerotic margin in the meta-diaphyseal region of the distal tibia, for which extended bone curettage with bone grafting was performed. The sample was sent for histopathological examination, which showed bony trabeculae with bits of tumor composed of spindle cells with elongated nuclei and scant cytoplasm, arranged in a storiform pattern along with many scattered multinucleate giant cells and foamy histiocytes suggestive of non-ossifying fibroma. Post operatively, non-weight bearing mobilization was advised for 4 weeks. Most non-ossifying fibromas were diagnosed in childhood to late adolescence, found incidentally, and clinically asymptomatic. Most distal tibial non-ossifying fibromas (NOFs) tend to transpire at a specific anatomical site located at the far end of the interosseous membrane. The prognosis for NOFs is typically excellent with a low risk of recurrence

A quest for measuring intra operative blood loss in Maxillofacial surgery

Aim: To find out a simple, standardized method to measure intra-operative blood loss during major oral surgical procedures which alerts the clinicians to manage untoward outcomes in time. Materials & Method: Patients who underwent surgical intervention for various dentofacial deformities, maxillofacial pathologies, maxillofacial trauma under general anesthesia via an intra oral approach from Jan 2014 – Aug 2015 were included in the study. Thirty such patients belonging to the above entities were randomly categorized into 2 groups of 15 each based on the method of measuring the intra op blood loss. In Group A the blood loss was measured by Sahlis method and in Group B, the blood loss was measured by cyanomethemoglobin method. All the procedures were performed via an intra oral approach under general anesthesia. Results: The amount of intra operative blood loss measured through Sahli’s method appeared to be insensitive and not standardized. However, the one measured through Cyanomethemoglobin method was more accurate, standardized and easy to perform. Conclusion: Cyanomethemoglobin method is an accurate, reliable, chair side, inexpensive, easy to perform, standardized technique to measure the intra operative blood loss in the recent times

Effect of Greater Duckweed Spirodela polyrhiza Supplemented Feed on Growth Performance, Digestive Enzymes, Amino and Fatty Acid Profiles, and Expression of Genes Involved in Fatty Acid Biosynthesis of Juvenile Common Carp Cyprinus carpio

The greater duckweed Spirodela polyrhiza (Lemnaceae) is a free-floating freshwater macrophyte. The effect of dietary inclusion of duckweed in the feed of common carp Cyprinus carpio fry was evaluated. The control feed (SP0) contained soybean meal as the primary protein source. In four experimental feeds, greater duckweed was incorporated at levels of 5% (SP5), 10% (SP10), 15% (SP15), and 20% (SP20) replacing soybean meal. Broken-line regression showed that incorporation of greater duckweed at 10 and 13.4% levels were the breakpoint for final weight and specific growth rate (SGR) of fish, respectively. The final weight and SGR of common carp fed diet SP20 were significantly higher compared with those of others. The feed conversion ratio was lowest in SP20 treatment. The inclusion of greater duckweed in the fish feeds showed linear relationships with amylase, trypsin, chymotrypsin, and lipase activities. The content of crude protein was significantly higher in SP10, SP15, and SP20 treatments compared with that of others. Significantly higher crude lipid and ash contents were found in SP20 diet-fed fish compared with other diet-fed fish. The essential amino acids composition was similar in five different diet-fed fish. The greater duckweed supplemented feeds influenced the fatty acid contents of fish. The monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) showed an inverse relationship with the inclusion level of greater duckweed in the feed. The highest MUFA content was found in fish fed SP0 diet. The highest level of linoleic acid was found in SP20 diet fed fish. The n-3 PUFA contents of fish showed an increasing trend with the increasing inclusion of greater duckweed, and a significantly higher level was found in SP20 compared with that of others. A significantly higher expression of fas was found in SP5 and fads2d6 in SP5 and SP10 compared with that of others. The expressions of elovl2 and elovl5 were significantly higher in SP5, SP10, and SP15 diet-fed fish compared with other diet-fed fish. The incorporation of greater duckweed in diets improved the growth performance and nutritional value of common carp

Virtual Learning during COVID-19: Exploring Challenges and Identifying Highly Vulnerable Groups Based on Location

Amid the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in the year 2020, educational platforms have been forced to change and adapt from conventional physical learning to virtual learning. Nearly all higher learning institutions worldwide are forced to follow the new educational setting through virtual platforms. Sabah is one of the poorest states in Malaysia with the poorest infrastructure, with the technology and communication facilities in the state remaining inept. With the changes in virtual platforms in all higher education institutions in Malaysia, higher learning institutions in Sabah are expected to follow the lead, despite the state lagging in its development. This has certainly impacted the overall productivity and performance of students in Sabah. Therefore, this study aims to explore the challenges of the implementation of virtual learning among students in Sabah. More specifically, this study seeks to identify vulnerable groups among students based on their geographical location. To achieve the objective of this study, a survey has been conducted on a total of 1,371 students in both private and public higher learning institutions in Sabah. The sample selection for this study was determined using a purposive sampling technique. Based on Principal Component Analysis (PCA), it was found that there are five challenges in virtual learning faced by students in higher learning institutions in Sabah. These are the unconducive learning environment (var(X) = 20.12%), the deterioration of physical health (var(X) = 13.40%), the decline of mental health (var(X) = 12.10%), the limited educational facilities (var(X) = 10.14%) and social isolation (var(X) = 7.47%). The K-Means Clustering analysis found that there are six student clusters in Sabah (Cluster A, B, C, D, E & F), each of which faces different challenges in participating in virtual learning. Based on the assessment of location, almost half of the total number of districts in Sabah are dominated by students from Cluster A (9 districts) and Cluster B (4 districts). More worryingly, both Cluster A and Cluster B are classified as highly vulnerable groups in relation to the implementation of virtual learning. The results of this study can be used by the local authorities and policymakers in Malaysia to improve the implementation of virtual learning in Sabah so that the education system can be more effective and systematic. Additionally, the improvement and empowerment of the learning environment are crucial to ensuring education is accessible and inclusive for all societies, in line with the fourth of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG-4)

Readiness and Challenges of E-Learning during the COVID-19 Pandemic Era: A Space Analysis in Peninsular Malaysia

During the COVID-19 era, most countries, including Malaysia, have shifted from face-to-face teaching systems to online teaching programs. The aim of this study is to identify the main challenges that higher education students face during e-learning based on their residential location throughout Peninsular Malaysia. This study further examines the readiness of higher education students to apply e-learning. Therefore, a cross-sectional survey approach is used to fulfill the outlined objectives. Accordingly, 761 public (95.3%) and private (4.7%) higher education students residing in Peninsular Malaysia are sampled in this study. The survey was administered online for 37 days, from 21 October 21 to 6 December 2021, using either WhatsApp or Facebook. The raw data is inferentially (Principal Component Analysis, K-Means Clustering, Kruskal Wallis, and spatial analysis) and descriptively (mean, standard deviation & percentage) analyzed. It has been revealed that six clusters of students in Peninsular Malaysia face various challenges while following the e-learning program. Most states in Peninsular Malaysia are dominated by students in Cluster D (Terengganu, Perlis, Penang, Selangor, WP Kuala Lumpur, and WP Putrajaya) and Cluster B categories (Melaka, Johor, Kelantan, and Kedah). Students in the Cluster D category tend to suffer from physical health disorders and social isolation, while students in the Cluster B category face problems with a decreased focus on learning, mental health disorders, and social isolation. The outcomes further indicate that the more challenges students face during e-learning programs, the lower their willingness to continue with the program. The results of this study are significant in addressing the challenges of e-learning, which will help stakeholders address and strengthen student abilities

Search for new particles in events with energetic jets and large missing transverse momentum in proton-proton collisions at root s=13 TeV

A search is presented for new particles produced at the LHC in proton-proton collisions at root s = 13 TeV, using events with energetic jets and large missing transverse momentum. The analysis is based on a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 101 fb(-1), collected in 2017-2018 with the CMS detector. Machine learning techniques are used to define separate categories for events with narrow jets from initial-state radiation and events with large-radius jets consistent with a hadronic decay of a W or Z boson. A statistical combination is made with an earlier search based on a data sample of 36 fb(-1), collected in 2016. No significant excess of events is observed with respect to the standard model background expectation determined from control samples in data. The results are interpreted in terms of limits on the branching fraction of an invisible decay of the Higgs boson, as well as constraints on simplified models of dark matter, on first-generation scalar leptoquarks decaying to quarks and neutrinos, and on models with large extra dimensions. Several of the new limits, specifically for spin-1 dark matter mediators, pseudoscalar mediators, colored mediators, and leptoquarks, are the most restrictive to date.Peer reviewe

Combined searches for the production of supersymmetric top quark partners in proton-proton collisions at root s=13 TeV

A combination of searches for top squark pair production using proton-proton collision data at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV at the CERN LHC, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 137 fb(-1) collected by the CMS experiment, is presented. Signatures with at least 2 jets and large missing transverse momentum are categorized into events with 0, 1, or 2 leptons. New results for regions of parameter space where the kinematical properties of top squark pair production and top quark pair production are very similar are presented. Depending on themodel, the combined result excludes a top squarkmass up to 1325 GeV for amassless neutralino, and a neutralinomass up to 700 GeV for a top squarkmass of 1150 GeV. Top squarks with masses from 145 to 295 GeV, for neutralino masses from 0 to 100 GeV, with a mass difference between the top squark and the neutralino in a window of 30 GeV around the mass of the top quark, are excluded for the first time with CMS data. The results of theses searches are also interpreted in an alternative signal model of dark matter production via a spin-0 mediator in association with a top quark pair. Upper limits are set on the cross section for mediator particle masses of up to 420 GeV

Probing effective field theory operators in the associated production of top quarks with a Z boson in multilepton final states at root s=13 TeV

Peer reviewe

Measurement of the W gamma Production Cross Section in Proton-Proton Collisions at root s=13 TeV and Constraints on Effective Field Theory Coefficients

A fiducial cross section for W gamma production in proton-proton collisions is measured at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV in 137 fb(-1) of data collected using the CMS detector at the LHC. The W -> e nu and mu nu decay modes are used in a maximum-likelihood fit to the lepton-photon invariant mass distribution to extract the combined cross section. The measured cross section is compared with theoretical expectations at next-to-leading order in quantum chromodynamics. In addition, 95% confidence level intervals are reported for anomalous triple-gauge couplings within the framework of effective field theory.Peer reviewe