Cost of Dry Eye Treatment in an Asian Clinic Setting

10.1371/journal.pone.0037711PLoS ONE76

Effects of biofertilizer containing N-fixer, P and K solubilizers and AM fungi on maize growth: A greenhouse trial.

An in vitro study was undertaken to evaluate the compatibility of indigenous plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) with commonly used inorganic and organic sources of fertilizers in tea plantations. The nitrogenous, phosphatic and potash fertilizers used for this study were urea, rock phosphate and muriate of potash, respectively. The organic sources of fertilizers neem cake, composted coir pith and vermicompost were also used. PGPRs such as nitrogen fixer; Azospirillum lipoferum, Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB); Pseudomonas putida, Potassium Solubilizing Bacteria (KSB); Burkholderia cepacia and Pseudomonas putida were used for compatibility study. Results were indicated that PGPRs preferred the coir pith and they proved their higher colony establishment in the formulation except Azospirillum spp. that preferred vermicompost for their establishment. The optimum dose of neem cake powder

Case Reports1. A Late Presentation of Loeys-Dietz Syndrome: Beware of TGFβ Receptor Mutations in Benign Joint Hypermobility

Background: Thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAA) and dissections are not uncommon causes of sudden death in young adults. Loeys-Dietz syndrome (LDS) is a rare, recently described, autosomal dominant, connective tissue disease characterized by aggressive arterial aneurysms, resulting from mutations in the transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) receptor genes TGFBR1 and TGFBR2. Mean age at death is 26.1 years, most often due to aortic dissection. We report an unusually late presentation of LDS, diagnosed following elective surgery in a female with a long history of joint hypermobility. Methods: A 51-year-old Caucasian lady complained of chest pain and headache following a dural leak from spinal anaesthesia for an elective ankle arthroscopy. CT scan and echocardiography demonstrated a dilated aortic root and significant aortic regurgitation. MRA demonstrated aortic tortuosity, an infrarenal aortic aneurysm and aneurysms in the left renal and right internal mammary arteries. She underwent aortic root repair and aortic valve replacement. She had a background of long-standing joint pains secondary to hypermobility, easy bruising, unusual fracture susceptibility and mild bronchiectasis. She had one healthy child age 32, after which she suffered a uterine prolapse. Examination revealed mild Marfanoid features. Uvula, skin and ophthalmological examination was normal. Results: Fibrillin-1 testing for Marfan syndrome (MFS) was negative. Detection of a c.1270G > C (p.Gly424Arg) TGFBR2 mutation confirmed the diagnosis of LDS. Losartan was started for vascular protection. Conclusions: LDS is a severe inherited vasculopathy that usually presents in childhood. It is characterized by aortic root dilatation and ascending aneurysms. There is a higher risk of aortic dissection compared with MFS. Clinical features overlap with MFS and Ehlers Danlos syndrome Type IV, but differentiating dysmorphogenic features include ocular hypertelorism, bifid uvula and cleft palate. Echocardiography and MRA or CT scanning from head to pelvis is recommended to establish the extent of vascular involvement. Management involves early surgical intervention, including early valve-sparing aortic root replacement, genetic counselling and close monitoring in pregnancy. Despite being caused by loss of function mutations in either TGFβ receptor, paradoxical activation of TGFβ signalling is seen, suggesting that TGFβ antagonism may confer disease modifying effects similar to those observed in MFS. TGFβ antagonism can be achieved with angiotensin antagonists, such as Losartan, which is able to delay aortic aneurysm development in preclinical models and in patients with MFS. Our case emphasizes the importance of timely recognition of vasculopathy syndromes in patients with hypermobility and the need for early surgical intervention. It also highlights their heterogeneity and the potential for late presentation. Disclosures: The authors have declared no conflicts of interes

Optimization of Die-Sinking EDM Process Parameters in Machining OF AMMC-Desirability Approach

International audienceMetal Matrix Composites (MMCs) are one of the recent advanced materials having the properties of light weight, high specific strength and high wear resistance which are essential in Aircraft fittings, gears and shafts, missile parts, regulating valve parts, aerospace and defence applications. In the present work, Orthogonal Array L27 Taguchi Experimental design is prepared using Minitab software by considering material parameters: type of the base material (Al5052, Al6082, Al7075), type of reinforcement material (FlyAsh, SiC,Al2O3), percentage of the reinforcement(2. 5, 5%, 10%) and machining parameters current (Ip), pulse on time (Ton), pulse off time (Toff), tool lifting time(TL). AMMC samples are fabricated using stir casting process and experiments have been performed on these samples by using electro discharge machining(EDM) as per Taguchi design of experiments and the responses such as Material removal rate (MRR), surface roughness (SR), and Electrode wear rate (EWR) and cost are measured. The experimental response data of electro discharge machining process is analysed and the optimal combinations of influential parameters are determined using Desirability Function Analysis. Based on these optimum parameters combinations conformation test has been carried out and predicted results have been found to be in good agreement with experimental findingshardness, toughness, and good thermal resistance properties as compared to unreinforced alloys

In-vitro Anti-inflammatory and Anti-arthritic Activity of Leaves of Cleodendron Inerme

ABSTRACT Clerodendron inerme belongs to the family Verbenaceae found in southern region of India, which is used in the treatment of Veneral diseases, Rheumatism, Elephantiasis and Intermittent fever. The qualitative phytochemical screening showed the presence of alkaloid, steroids, phenols, flavanoids, tannins, carbohydrates, fixed oils and volatile oils. The Petroleum ether, Chlorofrom, Ethyl acetate, Ethanol and water fractions of the leaves of Clerodendron inerme were subjected to In vitro Anti-inflammatory activity by HRBC membrane stabilization method in various concentration i.e. 10,50,100,200,400,800,1000µg/ml. All the extracts showed positive response as compared to standard Diclofenac sodium. The Ethyl acetate and Ethanol extracts showed maximum activity. The order of effect of different extracts were represented as follows Ethyl acetate> Ethanol >Water> Chloroform> Petroleum ether. The Petroleum ether, Chlorofrom, Ethyl acetate, Ethanol and water fractions of the leaves of Clerodendron inerme were subjected to invitro anti-arthritic activity by protein denaturation method. All the extracts showed positive response .The effect was represented as follows Ethyl acetate> Chloroform>Ethanol> Water> Petroleum ether

Squamous cell carcinoma tongue in a postrenal transplant patient: A case report and review of literature

The risk of malignancy in renal transplant patient is higher compared to general population. The prolonged immunosuppression received by these patients is considered to be one of the risk factors for the development of malignancies. Majority of the malignancies are epithelial in nature and predominantly are squamous cell carcinoma. The sites where squamous cell carcinoma develops in postrenal transplant patients include skin, lip, cervix, vulva, penis, scrotum, anus, and rarely lung. Very few cases of squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue after renal transplant have been documented in the literature. We present one such case where the patient developed squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue 16 years after renal transplant

Association of amelogenesis imperfecta and Bartter's syndrome

Bartter's syndrome is an autosomal recessive renal tubular disorder characterized by hypokalemia, hypochloremia, metabolic alkalosis, and hyperreninemia with normal blood pressure. Bartter's syndrome is associated with hypercalciuria and nephrocalcinosis. Amelogenesis imperfecta (AI) is a group of hereditary disorders that affect dental enamel. AI could be part of several syndromes. The enamel renal syndrome is the association of AI and nephrocalcinosis. We report two patients of AI with Bartter's syndrome