Open tibial fracture with severe soft tissue injury and bone loss managed with ipsilateral fibular transport and its complications: a case report

Massive segmental bone defects of tibia present as a challenging task to manage specially when associated with extensive soft tissue injury. A 30 year old male presented to Paras HMRI hospital, Patna, post road traffic accident with Gustilo Anderson 3B comminuted open tibia shaft fracture and with an external fixator in situ with a grossly inflamed and infected wound. Initially patient was managed with serial wound debridement and skin grafting was done early to obtain adequate soft tissue coverage. The patient then underwent application of Ilizarov external fixator with plan of one level fibular osteotomy for ipsilateral fibular transport. With good outcome of the procedure clinically and radiologically, Ilizarov fixator was removed after time duration of about 1.3 years and limb was immobilized in plaster of Paris (POP) cast which was removed after 8 weeks. Within 1 month of removal of POP cast the patient presented to hospital again with complaints of pain and instability when his leg was run over by his child’s bicycle while playing. Diagnosed as fracture of proximal (transported) fibula he was managed then with locking plates; one of which was used as an internal fixator and the other as external fixator which was outside the body and acted as a support to the operated limb. After about 1 year the external locking plate was removed and patient was able to bear weight on his extremities. Despite various modalities to treat massive tibial gap, fibular transport procedure with Ilizarov external fixator seems to be the most viable option

Nanostructured Materials Research at NML

NML is coordinating the CSIR Network Project on 'Nanostructured Advanced Materials'. Eight other participating CSIR labs are AMPRE, Bhopal; CEERI, Pilani; CGCRI, Kolkata; CMERI, Durgapur; IMMT, Bhubaneswar; NAL, Bangalore; NCL, Pune; NPL, New Delhi.The project has been divided into four modules: (i) Biomaterials and Processes (ii) Ceramics, Composite and Hard coatings (iii) Magnetic Materials and (iv) Structural Materials. The major emphasis on the project has been given on the development of newer process, product and devices

Synthesis of organized inorganic crystal assemblies

Organized crystalline assemblies of cobalt salt and g-iron oxide have been produced by in situ matrixmediated biomimetic route. The process makes use of an organized supramolecular matrix and produces cobalt chloride crystals with characteristic morphology of coccolith of alga and nacreous structure of Pinctada martensii. Crystals of g-iron oxide have been produced with typical morphology of aragonite spherulites in regenerated shell of Pomaceae paludosa

Chronic patellofemoral instability and pain treated effectively by anteromedial tibial tubercle transfer (Fulkerson osteotomy) with or without medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction

Background-Chronic patellar instability (subluxation and dislocation) and pain is a debilitating knee condition that frequently involves young, active patients. Bony malalignment and soft tissue injury (torn or stretched MPFL) is considered as a surgical indication for distal realignment in the form of Anteromedial tibial tubercle transfer(Fulkerson osteotomy) with or without MPFL reconstruction that effectively prevents the patella from tracking laterally and thus unloads the lateral patella while making the patellofemoral joint more congruous , stable and pain free.Materials and method - It is a prospective study of 22 patients of chronic patellar instability and pain. Follow up ranged from 24 to 36(average 30) months. Preoperative assessment included clinical examination, Lysholm, IKDC score and Radiological examination (X-ray, CT scan and MRI). 18 patients with history of dislocation and pain having bony malalignment and torn MPFL were treated with Fulkerson osteotomy and MPFL reconstruction and 4 patients with history of subluxation and pain having bony malalignment only were treated with Fulkerson osteotomy alone. Patients were followed up with the help of X-rays at regular interval and the clinical outcome was measured using scoring system. Results-There was a significant improvement in postoperative assessment with regards to scoring system (Lysholm and IKDC) and knee pain. Union at osteotomy site for all patients was seen. None of the patients had further episode of dislocation or subluxation. Pain at femoral site of MPFL reconstruction in 2 cases persisted for 3 months followed by resolution of their symptoms. One of our patients had profuse swelling at the site of operation postoperatively which was treated with Rest, Ice Pack, Compression and Limb elevation. Out of 22 patients undertaken infection at osteotomy site was seen in 1 patient for which implant removal was done from osteotomy site after union. Conclusion-Anteromedial Tibial tuberosity osteotomy and MPFL reconstruction is a successful procedure to treat patellofemoral pain and instability

Biomimetic synthesis of hybrid nanocomposite scaffolds by freeze-thawing and freeze-drying

The aim of this study is to biomimetically synthesize hydroxyapatite - hydrophilic polymer scaffolds for biomedical applications. This organic-inorganic hybrid has been structurally characterized and reveals a good microstructural control as seen by the SEM analysis and the nanosize of the particulates is confirmed by AFM microscopy. The characterization of such nano-structured composites would allow researchers to design new systems, tailoring properties for different applications. © Indian Academy of Sciences

Comprehensive molecular characterization of gastric adenocarcinoma

Gastric cancer is a leading cause of cancer deaths, but analysis of its molecular and clinical characteristics has been complicated by histological and aetiological heterogeneity. Here we describe a comprehensive molecular evaluation of 295 primary gastric adenocarcinomas as part of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) project. We propose a molecular classification dividing gastric cancer into four subtypes: tumours positive for Epstein–Barr virus, which display recurrent PIK3CA mutations, extreme DNA hypermethylation, and amplification of JAK2, CD274 (also known as PD-L1) and PDCD1LG2 (also knownasPD-L2); microsatellite unstable tumours, which show elevated mutation rates, including mutations of genes encoding targetable oncogenic signalling proteins; genomically stable tumours, which are enriched for the diffuse histological variant and mutations of RHOA or fusions involving RHO-family GTPase-activating proteins; and tumours with chromosomal instability, which show marked aneuploidy and focal amplification of receptor tyrosine kinases. Identification of these subtypes provides a roadmap for patient stratification and trials of targeted therapies

Canagliflozin and Renal Outcomes in Type 2 Diabetes and Nephropathy

BACKGROUND Type 2 diabetes mellitus is the leading cause of kidney failure worldwide, but few effective long-term treatments are available. In cardiovascular trials of inhibitors of sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2), exploratory results have suggested that such drugs may improve renal outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS In this double-blind, randomized trial, we assigned patients with type 2 diabetes and albuminuric chronic kidney disease to receive canagliflozin, an oral SGLT2 inhibitor, at a dose of 100 mg daily or placebo. All the patients had an estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of 30 to 300 to 5000) and were treated with renin–angiotensin system blockade. The primary outcome was a composite of end-stage kidney disease (dialysis, transplantation, or a sustained estimated GFR of <15 ml per minute per 1.73 m 2), a doubling of the serum creatinine level, or death from renal or cardiovascular causes. Prespecified secondary outcomes were tested hierarchically. RESULTS The trial was stopped early after a planned interim analysis on the recommendation of the data and safety monitoring committee. At that time, 4401 patients had undergone randomization, with a median follow-up of 2.62 years. The relative risk of the primary outcome was 30% lower in the canagliflozin group than in the placebo group, with event rates of 43.2 and 61.2 per 1000 patient-years, respectively (hazard ratio, 0.70; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.59 to 0.82; P=0.00001). The relative risk of the renal-specific composite of end-stage kidney disease, a doubling of the creatinine level, or death from renal causes was lower by 34% (hazard ratio, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.53 to 0.81; P<0.001), and the relative risk of end-stage kidney disease was lower by 32% (hazard ratio, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.54 to 0.86; P=0.002). The canagliflozin group also had a lower risk of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke (hazard ratio, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.67 to 0.95; P=0.01) and hospitalization for heart failure (hazard ratio, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.47 to 0.80; P<0.001). There were no significant differences in rates of amputation or fracture. CONCLUSIONS In patients with type 2 diabetes and kidney disease, the risk of kidney failure and cardiovascular events was lower in the canagliflozin group than in the placebo group at a median follow-up of 2.62 years

Canagliflozin and renal outcomes in type 2 diabetes and nephropathy

BACKGROUND Type 2 diabetes mellitus is the leading cause of kidney failure worldwide, but few effective long-term treatments are available. In cardiovascular trials of inhibitors of sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2), exploratory results have suggested that such drugs may improve renal outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS In this double-blind, randomized trial, we assigned patients with type 2 diabetes and albuminuric chronic kidney disease to receive canagliflozin, an oral SGLT2 inhibitor, at a dose of 100 mg daily or placebo. All the patients had an estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of 30 to &lt;90 ml per minute per 1.73 m2 of body-surface area and albuminuria (ratio of albumin [mg] to creatinine [g], &gt;300 to 5000) and were treated with renin–angiotensin system blockade. The primary outcome was a composite of end-stage kidney disease (dialysis, transplantation, or a sustained estimated GFR of &lt;15 ml per minute per 1.73 m2), a doubling of the serum creatinine level, or death from renal or cardiovascular causes. Prespecified secondary outcomes were tested hierarchically. RESULTS The trial was stopped early after a planned interim analysis on the recommendation of the data and safety monitoring committee. At that time, 4401 patients had undergone randomization, with a median follow-up of 2.62 years. The relative risk of the primary outcome was 30% lower in the canagliflozin group than in the placebo group, with event rates of 43.2 and 61.2 per 1000 patient-years, respectively (hazard ratio, 0.70; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.59 to 0.82; P=0.00001). The relative risk of the renal-specific composite of end-stage kidney disease, a doubling of the creatinine level, or death from renal causes was lower by 34% (hazard ratio, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.53 to 0.81; P&lt;0.001), and the relative risk of end-stage kidney disease was lower by 32% (hazard ratio, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.54 to 0.86; P=0.002). The canagliflozin group also had a lower risk of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke (hazard ratio, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.67 to 0.95; P=0.01) and hospitalization for heart failure (hazard ratio, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.47 to 0.80; P&lt;0.001). There were no significant differences in rates of amputation or fracture. CONCLUSIONS In patients with type 2 diabetes and kidney disease, the risk of kidney failure and cardiovascular events was lower in the canagliflozin group than in the placebo group at a median follow-up of 2.62 years