Superconductor Materials-A Revolutionary Value Addition to Space Electronics

An early success in low temperature superconductor technology has led to the development of a number of high temperature superconductor (H TS) materials, which have critical temperature above 77 K. When the temperature of a solid is lowered below critical temperature, the material loses its electrical resistivity. Because resistance is almost zero, superconductors can carry very high current, generating very large homogeneous magnetic fields. Due to these features, it is possible to design electronic devices with extremely thin profile, offering less weight and low manufacturing cost. Such exceptional properties have made HTS materials useful in military and space sectors, wherc airborne systems have already provided with cryogenic infrastructure which can he used for cooling a high temperature superconductor at no extra cost

Multiplex PCR technique could be an alternative approach for early detection of leprosy among close contacts - a pilot study from India

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Implementation of Multi drug Therapy (MDT) regimen has resulted in the decline of the total number of leprosy cases in the world. Though the prevalence rate has been declining, the incidence rate remains more or less constant and high in South East Asian countries particularly in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Srilanka. Leprosy, particularly that of multibacillary type spreads silently before it is clinically detected. An early detection and treatment would help to prevent transmission in the community. Multiplex PCR (M-PCR) technique appears to be promising towards early detection among contacts of leprosy cases.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A total of 234 paucibacillary (PB) and 205 multibacillary (MB) leprosy cases were studied in a community of an endemic area of Bankura district of West Bengal (Eastern India). They were assessed by smear examination for acid-fast bacilli (AFB) and M-PCR technique. These patients were treated with Multidrug Therapy (MDT) as prescribed by WHO following detection. A total of 110 MB and 72 PB contacts were studied by performing M-PCR in their nasal swab samples.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>83.4% of MB patients were observed to be positive by smear examination for AFB and 89.2% by M-PCR. While 22.2% of PB patients were found to be positive by smear examination for AFB, 80.3% of these patients were positive by M-PCR. Among leprosy contacts (using M-PCR), 10.9% were found to be positive among MB contacts and 1.3% among PB contacts. Interestingly, two contacts of M-PCR positive MB cases developed leprosy during the period of two years follow up.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The M-PCR technique appears to be an efficient tool for early detection of leprosy cases in community based contact tracing amongst close associates of PB and MB cases. Early contact tracing using a molecular biology tool can be of great help in curbing the incidence of leprosy further.</p

Assessment of Bundle of Measures Perioperatively to Decrease the Incidence of Surgical Site Wound Infection in Patients Undergoing Abdominal Hysterectomies

Background: Surgical site infections (SSIs) are the second most common reason for unplanned hospital readmissions after hysterectomy and result in increased morbidity and health care costs. The estimated rate of SSI after hysterectomy varies between 1% and 4%. The objective of the study is to investigate if a bundle of perioperative measures (as stated earlier) reduces down the incidence of post-operative surgical site wound infection after abdominal hysterectomy. Materials and Methods: The present prospective study was carried out on total 200 women who were undergo hysterectomy in the operation theater of Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of IPGMER and SSKM Hospital due to gynecological conditions requiring hysterectomy. Four perioperative bundles of measures are considered – 1. chlorhexidine gluconate and Cetrimide solution (Savlon) wash of the operative field 1 h before the operation, 2. administration of single dose antibiotic (Inj. Ceftriaxone 1 g intravenous) 1 h or less before the incision, 3. vaginal wash with povidone-iodine, and 4. sterile dressing is to be maintained and removed postoperatively after 48 h. Result: We found that in case, 94 (94.0%) patients had Ceftriaxone and 6 (6.0%) patients had clindamycin and gentamicin. In control, 96 (96.0%) patients had ceftriaxone and 4 (4.0%) patients had clindamycin and gentamicin. Association of choice of antibiotic versus group was not statistically significant (P = 0.5164). In case, 6 (6.0%) patients had wound gaping. In control, 11 (11.0%) patients had wound gaping. Association of wound gaping versus group was statistically significant (P = 0.048). Conclusion: The present study found that hospital stay was more in control compared to case which was statistically significant. Fever was more in control compared to case which was statistically significant. In this study, local wound discharge was more in control compared to case which was statistically significant. It was found that wound gaping was more in control compared to case which was statistically significant

Diagnostic Yield of Closed Pleural Biopsy Using Cope’s Needle in the Diagnosis of Exudative Pleural Effusion

Introduction: The aetiology of pleural effusion may be difficult to diagnose based on the pleural fluid cytology, biochemical and microbiological study. Pleural biopsy using Cope’s needle may help in such cases where definitive diagnosis can not be achieved with the help of cytology. Aim: To make aetiological diagnosis of undiagnosed exudative cases using Closed Pleural Biopsy (CPB) and to determine the diagnostic yield of CPB taken by Cope’s needle in aetiologically confirmed exudative pleural effusion. Materials and Methods: This prospective observation study was conducted in Department of Pulmonary Medicine at Burdwan Medical College and Hospital, Burdwan, West Bengal, India, from April 2021 to March 2022 among 52 patients. Under local anaesthesia, diagnostic and therapeutic thoracocentesis were done. The pleural fluid was sent for complete biochemical, microbiological analysis, and cytology. Later, pleural biopsy was also done using Cope’s pleural biopsy needle. The variables studied were age, gender, pleural fluid cytology, pleural fluid for acid fast bacilli, Gram stain, and culture and pleural biopsy histopathology. Results: Out of 52 patients, 34 (65.4%) were males and 18 (34.6%) were females. The majority of the patients (41, 78.8%) had a right-sided pleural effusion. The mean value of lymphocytes and polymorphs count was 57.7% and 32.7%, respectively. Histopathology showed granulomatous inflammation compatible with tuberculosis in 18 (34.6%) patients, non-specific inflammation in 17 patients (32.7%), and 5 (9.6%) patients as adenocarcinoma. Squamous cell carcinoma was seen in 4 (7.7%), 2 (3.8%) showed undifferentiated carcinoma, while 6 (11.5%) samples had inadequate tissue for opinion. In 6 (11.5%) cases pleural tissue was inadequate to give any opinion. 5 (9.6%) cases showed adenocarcinomas, 2 (3.8%) cases showed squamous cell carcinoma and 4 (7.7%) cases showed undifferentiated carcinoma. The true positives were 18 and 11 for tuberculous and malignant pleural effusion, respectively. The diagnostic yield of pleural biopsy was found to be 75% in case of tubercular pleural effusion and 78.6% for malignant pleural effusion. Conclusion: This study suggests that tuberculosis and malignancy are the two common aetiologies for exudative pleural effusion. Pleural biopsy plays an additional role in histopathological confirmation of aetiologically diagnosed exudative pleural effusion

A randomized open label comparative study on efficacy of ultrasonography guided vis a vis anatomical landmark guided genicular nerve block in knee osteoarthritis in a tertiary care hospital in Eastern India

Introduction: Osteoarthritis is a widespread health problem throughout the world, with 20%-30% of patients aged over 65 years reported as symptomatic. This painful condition often unmanageable with conservative management. Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of USG guided genicular nerve block and by anatomical landmark guided blind procedure in patients with OA knee.Materials &amp; Methods: A parallel group open level randomized prospective study was conducted on patients suffering osteoarthritis of knee divided into ultrasound guided genicular nerve block (n=44) and anatomical landmark guided blind method (n=45) at a tertiary care hospital and followed up over a period of 12 weeks with assessment of pain, stiffness and function measured by visual analogue scale (VAS) and Western Ontorio and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis (WOMAC) at regular interval.Results: A significant improvement in pain, stiffness and function (p&lt;0.001) observed at 4and 12 weeks of interval in both the study group. Ultra sound guided group showed a better result (p&lt;0.05) when compared to anatomical landmark guided blind group at 4th and 12th weeks interval with lesser complication like bleeding.Conclusion: Genicular nerve block (both Ultrasound guided and anatomical landmark guided blind) are both effective method for pain and stiffness reduction in osteoarthritis of knee with less adverse effects. Long term pain control was significantly greater in ultrasound aided block nerve

A comparison of 3 rheumatoid arthritis disease activity indices in routine clinical practice

Objective: The objective of this study was to appraise the correlation and agreement of RAPID 3 with DAS 28 and CDAI in terms of measuring disease activity/severity and for monitoring response to treatment at 2 and 4 month follow up. Methods: 105 adult literate persons having rheumatoid arthritis according to the 2010 ACR EULAR revised criteria were included. They were evaluated for disease activity by DAS 28, CDAI, and RAPID 3 scores. Response to treatment at 2 month and 4 month follow up was measured by these scores. Achievement of treatment target was defined as conversion from high/moderate disease activity at initial visit to low activity/remission at follow up visit. Result: The mean DAS 28 (0-10), CDAI (0-76) , RAPID 3 (0-30) were 4.73 , 16.72, 10.72 respectively. There was substantial agreement between DAS 28 and RAPID 3 severity categories (kappa = 0.959, P < 0.0001) and also between CDAI and RAPID 3. Conclusion: In a busy clinical setting, our study has shown usefulness of RAPID3 compared to the two most commonly used indices to assess disease activity in RA, both in terms of measuring quantitative disease activity as well as monitoring of treatment response at follow up visits