Current Concept in the Management of Brachial Plexus Birth Palsy

Most infants with brachial plexus birth palsy with signs of recovery in the first 6 weeks of life will improve spontaneously to have a normal function. However, infants who fail to recover in the first 3 months of life carry the risk of long-term disability. Panplexopathy and Horner’s syndrome carry worst prognosis. Plastic neural reconstruction is indicated for the failure of return of function by 3–6 months. There is no consensus about the ideal timing of intervention, and subject is still open to debate. With microsurgical reconstruction, there is improvement in outcome in a high percentage of patients. However, any of these reconstructions is not strong enough to provide a normal function. Limited shoulder abduction and external rotation are the main elements of limitations in residual brachial plexus birth palsy children. Infants with internal contracture can be benefited with Botulinum toxin injection. Internal rotation contracture release and shoulder-rebalancing surgeries for residual brachial plexus birth palsy patients in the form of tendon transfers for congruent glenohumeral joint clearly benefit patients. Patients with noncongruent glenohumeral joint would need a derotational humeral/glenoid anteversion osteotomy. All the mentioned procedures will substantially improve but not normalize the function in children

Management and outcome assessment of pregnancy-related acute kidney injury in Western India: a single centred, prospective, observational study

Background: Pregnancy-related acute kidney injury (PRAKI) remains a large public health problem, with decreasing incidences in developing countries like India. However, some single centred studies from United States and Canada revealed an increasing incidence of PRAKI. This increase could be due to higher rates of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.Methods: To assess the management and outcome of PRAKI. In this prospective, observational study, total 1021 cases of acute renal failure were observed.Results: 96 (9.4%) were of obstetric origin and enrolled as per inclusion criteria. Regarding management of PRAKI, 78 out of 96 (81.25%) required haemodialysis. 67 (69.79%) among them were managed with intermittent haemodialysis (IHD) while 10 (10.41%) who had hypotension at presentation were dialysed with slow, low efficiency dialysis (SLED). Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) was done in 1 (10.4%) patient. Maternal mortality in this PRAKI study was 19 of 96 patients (19.79%). Sepsis accounted for 52.63% of deaths. Foetal death was observed in 58 out of 96 patients (60.41%) comprising of intrauterine death in 55 (55.29%) and abortion in 3 (3.13%) patients. 38 of 96 (39.58%) patients gave birth to live born child out of which 27 were at full term and 11 were preterm.Conclusions: In order to avoid further increase in PRAKI in India, treating obstetrician should remain aware of management and outcome of PRAKI. The better awareness of diagnosis and management protocols will ultimately lead to further reduction in prevalence of PRAKI in our country

Influence of coating developed from oligomer isolated from lac resin on post-harvest quality and shelf life of peaches (Prunuspersica L.)

Large quantities of fresh fruits are produced that never reach the consumers due to heavy post-harvest losses, lack of storage, transportation care and less acceptable quality. These losses are not only concerned in terms of the revenue but it also concern in terms of health and life style of human being. To fulfill consumer demand and to avoid losses due to environmental variability, several methods are being utilized to increase the shelf life of fruits. Fruit coatings are considered as one of the widely used methods. This work investigates the effect of fruit coating developed from oligomer (P-104), isolated from lac resin on the quality of peach (Prunuspersica L.) when stored at room temperature (36-40°C) and at refrigerator temperature (4-8°C) temperature. Fruit quality was evaluated by measuring physiological weight loss, color and textural changes as well as microbiological evaluation at a regular interval of four days. When kept at room temperature, uncoated peaches remained fresh and microbiologically safe for 4 days only while shelf life of coated peaches increased to 12 days. Again the shelf life of coated peaches prolonged to 24 days when stored at refrigerator temperature. These results showed that the combined effect of coating and low storage temperature could improve the shelf life of peaches indicating the potential of this combination for fruits preservation

Atypical carcinoid of the esophagus

Occurrence of carcinoid tumors in the esophagus is exceedingly rare. We present a case of an atypical carcinoid in the mid esophagus in a 56-year-old male, presenting with dysphagia. Esophagectomy was performed followed by postoperative chemotherapy. Histopathological and immunohistochemical studies were carried out. The patient succumbed to liver and lung metastasis, 6 months after the initial diagnosis, highlighting the poor prognosis of the condition

Emerging Technologies in Environmental Bioremediation

This book describes the state-of-the-art and possibilities of emerging technologies in environmental bioremediation, and reviews its various areas together with their related issues and implications. Considering the number of problems that define and concretize the field of environmental microbiology or bioremediation, the role of some bioprocesses and biosystems for environmental protection, control, and health based on the utilization of living organisms are analyzed. The book aims to provide a comprehensive view of advanced emerging technologies with environmental approaches for wastewater treatment, heavy metal removal, pesticide degradation, dye removal, waste management, microbial transformation of environmental contaminants, etc. With advancements in the area of environmental bioremediation, researchers are looking for new opportunities to improve quality standards and the environment. Recent technologies have given an impetus to the possibility of using renewable raw materials as a potential source of energy. Cost-intensive and ecofriendly technologies for producing high-quality products and efficient ways to recycle waste to minimize environmental pollution are the needs of hour. The use of bioremediation technologies through microbial communities is another viable option to remediate environmental pollutants, such as heavy metals, pesticides, and dyes. Since physicochemical technologies employed in the past have many potential drawbacks including their high cost and low sustainability, efficient biotechnological alternatives to overcome increasing environmental pollution are needed. Hence, environment-friendly technologies that can reduce the pollutants causing adverse hazards to humans and the surrounding environment are required. Environmental remediation, pollution prevention, detection, and monitoring are evaluated by considering the achievements, as well as the future prospects, in the development of biotechnology. Various relevant topics have been chosen to illustrate each of the main areas of environmental biotechnology: wastewater treatment, soil treatment, solid waste treatment, and waste gas treatment, dealing with both microbiological and processengineering aspects. The distinct role of emerging technologies in environmental bioremediation in the future is emphasized by considering the opportunities to contribute to new solutions and directions in the remediation of contaminated environments, as well as minimizing future waste release and creating pollution-preventing alternatives. To take advantage of these opportunities, innovative new strategies, which advance the use of molecular biological methods and genetic engineering technologies, are examined. These methods would improve the understanding of existing biological processes in order to increase their efficiency, productivity, and flexibility. Examples of the development and implementation of such strategies are included. Also, the contributions of environmental biotechnology to the progress of a more sustainable society are revealed

Anterior mediastinal masses: A study of 50 cases by fine needle aspiration cytology and core needle biopsy as a diagnostic procedure

Background: Mediastinal tumors are an uncommon abnormalities found in clinical practice. Anterior mediastinum is the common site and tissue diagnoses of anterior mediastinal masses (AMMs) are very important for correct therapeutic decision. Objective: We evaluate the different malignant AMMs in various age groups and the sensitivity of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) and core needle biopsy (CNB). Cytology smears are reviewed with particular emphasis on pitfalls in the cytological diagnosis. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective study of 50 patients who were consulted for AMMs and underwent FNAC and CNB under guidance of ultrasound or computed tomography (CT) scan from 2006 to 2011. Cytology smears and histological sections were evaluated in all patients. Results: Among 50 cases, 36 were male and 14 were female. Most AMMs (52%) were identified in the fifth and sixth decades of life. Metastatic carcinoma and nonHodgkin′s lymphoma are the common AMMs. Adequate tissue material was obtained in 49 of 50 cases by CNB. Of these 49 patients, 35 (71.42%) cases were diagnosed correctly by FNAC, whereas 14 (28.57%) cases were not diagnosed definitely by FNAC. The sensitivity of CNB for AMMs was 97.95%, significantly higher than FNAC (71.42%) ( P 0.05). Diagnostic rate of FNAC was higher for carcinomatous lesions (81.81%) than for noncarcinomatous lesions (62.96%). Conclusion: Ultrasound or CT scan-guided CNB in combination with FNAC are safe, minimally invasive, and cost-effective procedure, which can provide a precise diagnosis in the AMMs, and may obviate the need for invasive surgical approach. FNAC usually suffice for carcinomatous lesions but CNB should be performed whenever the diagnosis of carcinoma is equivocal or noncarcinoma lesions are suspected

The face mask: A tale from protection to pollution and demanding sustainable solution

The usage of face masks in various sectors of healthcare facilities dates back to years ago. However, the utilization of facial coverings experienced a rapid surge as a result of the escalating rate of COVID-19 infections witnessed across the entire globe. This culminated in an unparalleled inundation of disposed facial coverings within the surrounding ecosystem. This transforms the face mask from a potent protectant into a massive emerging solid plastic waste pollutant with long-term adverse effects on the environment and human health. The utilization of facial coverings on a worldwide scale escalated to an immensely significant 129 billion per month at the onset of the pandemic. Nanomaterial-based technologies have been integrated into mask manufacturing chains to increase performance and provide antiviral characteristics. Nanotechnology encompasses multidisciplinary aspects including artificial intelligence, chemistry, biology, material science, physical science, and medicine. Abridgment of this review aims to make discarded face masks into a sustainable solution to many environmental pollution. In addition, it culminates collaborative and well-conducted trials, done for generating sustainable greener solutions for disposed face masks with the intention that usage of face masks in an environment-friendly manner. Given the preceding, the purpose of this review is to discuss the evolution of discarded face masks from sentinel pathogens to emerging environmental pollutants over time, as well as to comprehend the effect of discarded face masks on the biosphere, human health, and the food chain, by developing scientifically validated strategies to treat discarded face masks for a sustainable future