Treatment and evaluation of talus neck fracture

Background: Talus fractures rank second in frequency of all tarsal bone injuries and talar neck fractures account for approximately 50% of these. The purpose of this study was to evaluate clinical and radiological outcomes with a long follow-up of displaced and operatively treated talar fractures.Methods: The study was a prospective study of ten cases of closed talar neck fracture evaluated and treated at the Department of orthopaedics, Sir.T.Hospital, Bhavnagar from 19 May 2011 to 17 March 2013. Out of ten patients, nine turned up for follow up, one was lost.Results: Reduction was anatomical in five cases (50%), nearly anatomical in 3 cases (30%) and poor in two cases (20%). One patient (10%) developed an early superficial infection and required surgical irrigation and debridement and appropriate antibiotic treatment. Using the AOFAS ankle–hindfoot scale, the average functional score was 74.2 points. There was excellent result in one patient, good result in three cases, fair in six and no poor result fond.Conclusions: Talar neck fractures (Hawkins type 2 and 3) treated with anatomical reduction and near anatomical reduction having satisfactory clinical and functional outcome, where as (Hawkins type 4) having fair to poor  outcome with complication like AVN, arthritis and malunion due to poor initial reduction.Keywords: Talus neck fractures, Avascular necrosis, AOFAS ankle–hindfoot scale, Hawkins type offractur

Young star clusters in interacting galaxies - NGC 1487 and NGC 4038/4039

We estimate the dynamical masses of several young (~10 Myr) massive star clusters in two interacting galaxies, NGC 4038/4039 ("The Antennae") and NGC 1487, under the assumption of virial equilibrium. These are compared with photometric mass estimates from K-band photometry and assuming a standard Kroupa IMF. The clusters were selected to have near-infrared colors dominated by red supergiants, and hence to be old enough to have survived the earliest phases of cluster evolution when the interstellar medium is rapidly swept out from the cluster, supported by the fact that there is no obvious Halpha emission associated with the clusters. All but one of the Antennae clusters have dynamical and photometric mass estimates which are within a factor ~2 of one another, implying both that standard IMFs provide a good approximation to the IMF of these clusters, and that there is no significant extra-virial motion, as would be expected if they were rapidly dispersing. These results suggest that almost all of the Antennae clusters in our sample have survived the gas removal phase as bound or marginally bound objects. Two of the three NGC 1487 clusters studied here have M_dyn estimates which are significantly larger than the photometric mass estimates. At least one of these two clusters, and one in the Antennae, may be actively in the process of dissolving. The process of dissolution contributes a component of non-virial motion to the integrated velocity measurements, resulting in an estimated M_dyn which is too high relative to the amount of measured stellar light. The dissolution candidates in both galaxies are amongst the clusters with the lowest pressures/densities measured in our sample.Comment: 17 pages, 14 Figures, A&A accepte

Effect of rejuvenation pruning on the growth, productivity and disease incidence in declining trees of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) cv. Kandhari Kabuli

Pruning of fruit trees is an important aspect for the improvement of fruit quality and to minimize the pests and disease attack. Pruning was performed in the month of December in seven year old unpruned trees of Punica granatum cv. Knadhdri Kabuli having many interfering branching and a heavy infestation of bacterial blight orchard. The pruning treatments viz., T1: Retention of 15cm fruiting shoot length, T2: Retention of 30cm fruiting shoot length, T3: Retention of 45cm fruiting shoot length, T4: Retention of 60cm fruiting shoot length and T5: control (No heading back and no thinning) plant. The results of the present investigation revealed that among different pruning treatment, the best results in terms of shoot extension (56.34 cm), fruit size (Diameter 9.66 cm and Length 9.65 cm, fruit weight (278.50 g), marketable yield (10.25 kg) and fruit qualities were in fruits from T1 and T2 where retention of 15cm fruiting shoot length respectively and retention of 30cm fruiting shoot length were maintained. However, maximum fruit set (54.73%) was recorded in control, and it decreased with increasing pruning intensity. The pruning treatments also proved beneficial in controlling bacterial blight on fruit (12.86%) and leaf surface (26.60%) to some extent

Unexpected transcellular protein crossover occurs during canonical DNA transfection.

Transfection of DNA has been invaluable for biological sciences, yet the effects upon membrane homeostasis are far from negligible. Here, we demonstrate that Neuro2A cells transfected using Lipofectamine LTX with the fluorescently coupled Botulinum serotype A holoenzyme (EGFP-LcA) cDNA express this SNAP25 protease that can, once translated, escape the transfected host cytosol and become endocytosed into untransfected cells, without its innate binding and translocation domains. Fluorescent readouts revealed moderate transfection rates (30–50%) while immunoblotting revealed a surprisingly total enzymatic cleavage of SNAP25; the transgenic protein acted beyond the confines of its host cell. Using intracellular dyes, no important cytotoxic effects were observed from reagent treatment alone, which excluded the possibility of membrane ruptures, though noticeably, intracellular acidic organelles were redistributed towards the plasma membrane. This drastic, yet frequently unobserved, change in protein permeability and endosomal trafficking following reagent treatment highlights important concerns for all studies using transient transfection

Effect of different orchard management practices on the growth and production of rejuvenated of pomegranates (Punica granatum L.) cv. Kandhari Kabuli

Orchard management practices are the most important cultural tools for successful and sustainable cultivation of any fruit crop including pomegranate. Orchard management systems have an effect on growth, yield and fruit quality through their smoothening effects on the availability of nutrients, conservation of moisture and reduction of weed competition. Orchard management practices treatments viz., five orchard floor management treatments viz., T1: Grass mulch (10 cm thick), T2: Black polythene mulch, T3: Clean basin + Herbicidal treatment (Glyphosate 7ml/ litre), T4: Ridge basin + Grass mulch and T5: Control (No mulching). The results of the experiment, black several that polythene mulch proved to be most effective in increasing plant growth (51.80 cm), yield (13.05 kg/plant) of superior fruits and also in conservation of soil moisture. Grass mulch was better when compared to other orchard floor man-agement practices in terms of growth (47.00 cm) and yield (12.35 kg). The orders of the orchard floor management practices in moisture conservation are: black polythene mulch 13.51 %> grass mulch 12.38 % > ridge basin + grass mulch 9.31% > clean basin + Herbicidal treatment (Glyphosate 7 ml/litre) 9.20 %> control 7.64 %. Orchard floor management treatments did not exert any significant effect in controlling bacterial blight disease on leaf and fruit surface

Treatment of proximal humerus fracture using proximal humerus locking plating

Background: Proximal humerus fractures are the most common upper extremity fractures in older patients. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the functional outcome and complications of proximal humeral locking plate used for healing proximal humerus fractures.Methods: This prospective study was conducted at the department of Orthopaedics, Sir T. Hospital, Bhavnagar, from June 2008 to March 2010, with 20 patients who suffered with complex proximal humerus fractures and underwent surgical treatment with proximal humerus locking plates. Functional outcome was assessed at the final follow up by using Constant Murley score.Results: The mean age of the patients was 52 years. Male: female ratio was 1.5: 2. The most common mode if injury is low velocity trauma i.e. fall while walking or fall in bathroom seen in 13 patients. Average time for clinical union was 60 days, while average time for radiological union is 90 days taken in the study. Postoperative complications were seen in 2 patients. Delayed complications were seen in 10 cases. No patients had shown implant related complications. At the final follow up according to Constant Murley score, 36% patients had shown excellent results, 53% patients had shown good results and poor results were seen in 11% of cases.Conclusion: Our results show that good to excellent outcome can be achieved in treating proximal humerus fractures using locking plates in elderly patients. Early mobilization of the shoulder can be achieved without compromising fracture union

Wear and Friction properties of H-Al-17Si alloy with dry, lubrication and coated (DLC-Star) conditions under HFRR

Dry, lubrication (SAE15W40), and coated (DLC-Star) reciprocating tribological tests on rapid solidified AlSi17Cu3.5-4Mg0.6-0.8 alloy was conducted using a high frequency linear reciprocating rig (HFRR) at ambient temperature. The alloy fabricated with the rheo-stir squeeze casting procedure under T-6 condition. However, at different loading (0-30 N) conditions, wear and friction properties of rapid solidified H-Al-17Si alloy are investigated. It is observed that the lower friction coefficient value obtained for DLC-Star coated H-Al-17Si alloy compared to dry and lubrication conditions. Though, for dry and lubricated sliding, the obtained wear coefficient values are 2.9X10-3 mm3/N.m and 4.0X10-4 mm3/N.m. A lower coefficient of wear value of 5.4X10-5 mm3/N.m was recorded with DLC-star coating under dry conditions. The alloy wear coefficient values first increases with applied load (up to 20 N) and then decreases (20 N to 30 N). EDS, AFM surface roughness profilometer, SEM, and advanced metallurgical microscope (AMM) analysis techniques used for the characterization of surface morphologies. The developments in friction and wear coefficients were fundamentally ascribed to the dispersion and size of primary Si elements and the development of tribo-oxide films on the rapid solidified AlSi17 alloy coated (DLC-Star) surfaces

Study of impact of COVID-19 infection on ectopic pregnancy in a tertiary care center

Background: COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by a recently discovered coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). Most of the people infected with the coronavirus experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring any special treatment. In current study we have studied impact of COVID-19 pandemic on clinical outcome and management of ectopic pregnancy.Methods: Women with confirmed or suspected ectopic pregnancy admitted in emergency for further management and tested via nasopharyngeal (NP) or oropharyngeal swab for SARS-CoV-2 using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) from April 1, 2020 to November 30, 2020 were included in the study.Results: In our study out of 32 case of ectopic pregnancy, 3 patients were COVID-19 positive. Total non COVID-19 patients were 29. Out of 32 ectopic pregnancies only 4 were unruptured ectopic pregnancy and rest 28 had ruptured ectopic pregnancy. Mortality among ectopic pregnancy was noted only in 1 case (3.12%).Conclusions: Timely diagnosis and initiating management at first point of care can reduce the morbidity and mortality due to ectopic pregnancy. Patient’s knowledge attitude and awareness will be achieved through health education. Women with clinical signs and physical symptoms of a ruptured ectopic pregnancy, such as hemodynamic instability or an acute abdomen, should be evaluated and treated urgently. In pandemic situation where some part of hospital facilities devoted to COVID-19 patients, so planned distribution of resources to tackle medical emergency will bear fruitful positive outcome

Movement artefact rejection in impedance pneumography.

Impedance pneumography is a non-invasive and a very convenient technique for monitoring breathing. However, a major drawback of this technique is that it is impossible to monitor breathing due to large artefacts introduced by the body movements. The aim of this project was to develop a technique for reducing these 'movement artefacts'. In the first stage of the project, experimental and theoretical studies were carried out to identify an 'optimum' electrode placement that would maximise the 'sensitivity' of measured thoracic impedance to lung resistivity changes. This maximum sensitivity was obtained when the drive and the receive electrode pairs were placed in two different horizontal planes. This sensitivity was also found to increase with increase in electrode spacing. In the second stage, the optimum electrode placement was used to record thoracic impedance during movements. Movement artefacts occurred only when the electrodes moved from their initial location along with the skin, during movements. Taking into consideration these observations, a strategy was decided for placing 4 electrodes in one plane so that movement artefacts could be reduced by combining the two independent measurements. Further studies showed that movement artefacts could be reduced using a strategic 6- electrode placement in three dimensions. It was also possible to detect obstructive apnoea, as the amplitude of the breathing signal was higher than that due to obstructive apnoea and this difference was statistically significant. In these studies, the main cause of movement artefacts was identified as the movement of electrodes with the skin. A significant reduction in movement artefacts was obtained using the 6-electrode placement. This advantage of the 6-electrode placement proposed in this project, can be of great use in clinical applications such as apnoea monitoring in neonates. Further studies can be carried out to determine an optimum frequency of injected current to achieve reduction in residual movement artefacts