Comparative study of modified Stoppa approach and ilioinguinal approach for pelviacetabular fractures

Background: The present study was done to study advantages and disadvantages of modified Stoppa approach (MSA) and ilioinguinal approach (IIA) for surgery of pelviacetabular fractures involving anterior column, anterior wall, quadrilateral plate with protrusion and complex fractures, pelvic ring fractures with pubic diastasis or sacroiliac joint disruptions which needs to be stabilized anteriorly.Methods: Study was conducted in Department of Orthopaedics, Government Medical College and Hospital, Aurangabad on patients with pelviacetabular fractures during June 2018 to March 2020. In our study of 25 patients, they were divided into group A containing 13 patients operated using MSA and group B containing 12 patients operated using IIA. Follow up period was 12-18 months (mean=15) and 12-16 months (mean=14) for group A and B, respectively. Patients assessed using modified Merle d’Aubigné score and Matta’s score.Results: Mean modified Merle d’Aubigné score was 16 and 14 for group A and B, respectively (p value=0.89). Mean blood loss and operative time were less in MSA. Superficial infection was found in one patient each of group A and B whereas one patient developed deep infection in group B. One patient each of both group had hip pain suggestive of early arthrosis. In group B, two patients developed meralgia paresthetica. One patient developed external iliac artery thrombosis and inguinal hernia in group B. one patient from group A developed incisional hernia.Conclusions: MSA was better and simpler than IIA with due adequate training and practice to achieve direct access for pelviacetabular fracture reduction and also it requires less operative time, less blood loss and better postoperative outcome.

A prospective study of management of tibial plateau fractures by locking compression plate in adults

Background: Tibial plateau fractures are one of the most complex and disabling fractures of the knee. The tibial plateau is important in transmitting load through the knee. These fractures need a meticulous management protocol in order to minimize patient's disability in range of movement, stability and reducing the risk of documented complications. The aim of the present study is to study the outcome of tibial plateau fractures managed with a locked compression plate.Methods: This study was conducted at a tertiary-care medical college and hospital, Aurangabad specializing in post-graduate training, where all patients who underwent surgical treatment between September 2018 and October 2020 were included. Patients were assessed using the knee society score (KSS). These evaluations were done at 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months.Results: In our study we included 55 patients out of which we found union in 98% of patients with 83% of patients showing good flexion at knee joint (>110 degrees). 85% patients achieved union within 6 months. An excellent KSS grade was seen in 38.2% patients with another 43.6% showing good outcome. 4 patients showed infection and 1 showed non-union. A single case of malunion was seen in our study.Conclusions: Locked compression plates in tibial plateau fractures has revolutionized the way these fractures are managed. Anatomic reduction is of utmost importance. Early physiotherapy which plays key role in preventing knee stiffness, use of bone grafts and good fixation are important for successful outcome

Comparative study of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion by anterior cervical plate and stand-alone cervical cage

Background: Anterior cervical discectomy (ACD) was used for management of degenerative cervical disc disorders (DCDD) in previous days. Further research and developments in management of DCDD led to evolution of standard and widely used operative technique as anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) by either anterior cervical plate (ACDF-ACP) with bone grafting or stand-alone cage (ACDF-SAC). There is less data available in literature regarding when and where to use ACDF-ACP and ACDF-SAC.Methods: The study was conducted on 20 patients operated in Government Medical College and Hospital and Pacific Hospital and Research Centre, Aurangabad from June 2018 to March 2020. These patients divided into group A - 10 patients, operated by ACDF-SAC which are further divided as group Aa - 6 patients - operated for single level ACDF-SAC and group Ab - 4 patients - operated for two level ACDF-SAC, group B - 10 patients, operated by ACDF-ACP which are further divided as group Ba - 5 patients - operated for single level ACDF-ACP and group Bb - 5 patients - operated for two level ACDF-ACP. Patients evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively using X-ray cervical spine anteroposterior (AP) and lateral views, MRI cervical spine, visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, Robinson’s criteria and Cobb’s angle.Results: In our study we found, ACDF-SAC has small incision size, less intraoperative time, easy to carry out for surgeons, less intraoperative complications and better clinical outcome as compared to ACDF-ACP. Whereas only radiological results were better in ACDF-ACP than ACDF-SAC.Conclusions: ACDF-SAC is superior to ACDF-ACP for appropriately selected patients and in well experienced hands

Screening of dietary nucleotides from natural sources for therapeutic uses

Abstract Dietary nucleosides and nucleotides perform a range of functions in our body. They play important role in the maintenance of mitochondrial function, differentiation of hematopoietic cells, strengthen the immune system, helps in small intestine growth and development, lipid metabolism etc. External supplementation of dietary nucleotides is a good regimen against mitochondrial dysfunction caused by Nucleosides Reverse Transcriptase Inhibiters (NRTI) drug therapy; it has a long history of use for cancer and viral diseases e.g., NucleomaxX is a dietary nucleotide supplement, and has a potential use in the treatment of mitochondrial toxicity as it contains Mitocnol; a sugarcane extract with a high percentage of nucleotides. Therefore, analysis of these compounds in food materials is very important for improving and assuring food quality as well as to boost Biotech Industrial sector of India; manufacturing a dietary nucleotide supplement. During the present investigation, the extraction protocol for nucleotides from different sources (sugarcane, pulses/lentils, oilseeds, yeast, mushroom and animal milks) was standardized, which is one of the simple, cost effective method for isolation of total nucleotides/nucleosides. The isolated nucleic acid was quantified using double beam UV spectrophotometer. Estimation of RNA was carried out by Orcinol method and DNA by Diphenylamine method, using nucleic acid extract obtained from different food materials. The screening of samples from different sources helped to determine the desirable concentration of nucleic acid in natural sources for dietary nucleotides. Further, investigation is in progress to study influence on animal model, developing therapeutic formulation and scale up criteria

Functional outcome of instrumented and non-instrumented fusion in lumbar canal stenosis

Background: Lumbar canal stenosis (LSS) is a source of significant morbidity and economic burden in the Indian population. Spinal canal compression is the sine qua non of lumbar canal stenosis but whether instrumentation should be done or not is the major dilemma. In this study, we aim to compare the functional outcome of instrumented versus non-instrumented fusions for the treatment of lumbar stenosis along with the post-operative complications and cost-effectiveness of both procedures.Methods: This study was conducted at a tertiary-care medical college and hospital, Aurangabad specializing in post-graduate training, where all patients who underwent surgical treatment between May 2016 and May 2018 were included. Patients were assessed using the modified Oswestry disability index (MODI) and visual analogue scale (VAS). These evaluations were done at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months.Results: We found similar pain relief and stabilization in both the groups in the initial post-operative period, but after 2 years, there was a significant difference (p=0.0001) between the two groups in terms of VAS (back) and MODI score. Complication rate was higher in instrumented patients. Conclusions: Patient selection is the most important thing in the management of lumbar canal stenosis. We believe that, with the flowchart on the management of lumbar canal stenosis, it would help choosing patients better as to who would require instrumented fusion. Non-instrumented fusions might cost less and have fewer complications, but the overall outcome of the patient in the future should be kept in mind

A prospective study to evaluate functional results of PHILOS locking plate system in management of proximal humerus fractures in adults

Background: Various management options are available for management of proximal humerus fractures where PHILOS plating is one of them. But data available in literature on its use and efficacy in management of all types of proximal humerus fractures is still dicey. So, we through our study attempted to grow our knowledge regarding its functional results, complication rates, etc. for use in coming future.Methods: 30 patients with proximal humerus fractures classified on the basis of Neer’s classification were included in study who were operated from 2018 to 2020 at our institute. These patients were operated by PHILOS locking plate system with either delto-pectoral or trans-deltoid approach and they are followed up at regular intervals to assess them clinicoradiologicallly and functionally by Neer’s criteria.Results: In our study we found maximum incidence of these fracture between age group of 40-80 years (66.66%) with male to female ratio of 2:1 with 19 patients having left sided and 11 patients having right sided proximal humerus fracture. Complications were found in 11 patients (36.67%). Functional evaluation was carried out using Neer’s criteria at final follow up which came to excellent results in 3, satisfactory in 18, unsatisfactory in 7 and failure in 2 patients. Average time of fracture union was 12.62 weeks.Conclusions: PHILOS locking plate system serves good purpose in management of fractures of proximal humerus but requires trained faculty to do this operation who has detailed knowledge about shoulder anatomy and mechanism of injury to reduce complications associated with this type of modality

Measurement of Natural Radioactivity, Radon Exhalation Rate and Radiation Hazard Assessment in Indian Cement Samples

AbstractBuilding materials are assumed to be the second source of Radon inside buildings. Due to low level of radon emanation from these materials, long term measurements are needed. Radiation doses from the building materials vary depending upon the natural radionuclides 226Ra, 232Th and their daughter products and 40K present in them. Cement is the main and important component used in the construction of buildings in many countries. These radio nuclides pose exposure risk due to their gamma ray emission and internally due to radon and its progeny that emit alpha particles. In the present study radon exhalation rate and the activity concentration of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K radionuclides in cement samples used in Aligarh region (U.P.), India have been measured by “Sealed Can technique” using LR-115 type II detectors and a low level NaI (Tl) based gamma ray spectrometer, respectively. From the measurements activity concentration of radionuclides 226Ra, 232Th and 40K vary from 9 to 28 Bq kg-1, 21 to 43 Bq kg-1 and 280 to 554 Bq kg-1 with overall average value of 19 Bq kg-1,35 Bq kg-1 and 406.7 Bq kg -1 respectively. Radon equivalent activity (Raeq) and external hazard index (Hex) have been found to vary from 60.8 to 121 Bq kg-1 and 0.16 to 0.30 respectively. The values are lower than the recommended safe values

Screening of Extended Family Members of Thalassemia Major Children as a Thalassemia Preventive Strategy

BACKGROUND: Thalassemia is considered as the most common single gene disorder worldwide. Preventive measures include identification of thalassemia carriers (traits) through screening, genetic counselling and prenatal diagnosis to reduce the incidence. This study aims at estimating the prevalence of carrier status detection among the extended family members of children having thalassemia major so as to use it as a screening prevention strategy with appropriate counselling. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in thalassemia unit of Pediatric Department of a tertiary care teaching hospital over a period of 18 months. Blood samples were collected from 117 extended family members (EFM) of 23 children with thalassemia major to carry out investigations such as Complete Blood Counts (CBC), Naked Eye Single Tube Red Cell Osmotic Fragility Test (NESTROFT), Reticulocyte count, High Performance Liquid Chromatography(HPLC) and serum ferritin. Reports were analysed to find out the prevalence of carriers. RESULTS: Among 117 EFM, 62 (52.9%) were males while 55(47.1%) were females. Mean age distribution in this study was 16.49 years (8.5). Prevalence of thalassemia trait (carrier) was 35%. NESTROFT test was positive in 57(48.7%) participants. The binary logistic regression found only positive NESTROFT test as a predictor (adjusted OR=0.022, P=0.001) of having raised HbA2 (HbA2≥3.5 %). CONCLUSION: Screening of thalassemia carrier by targeting extended family members of thalassemia major children could yield more carrier cases and targeted counselling could help effectively in decreasing the number of children born with thalassemia major. This strategy could be included in future plan of national prevention programme for thalassemia

Interaction of oxygen (O+7) ion beam on polyaniline thin films

High-energy ion beam irradiation of the polymers is a good technique to modify the properties such as electrical conductivity, structural behaviour and mechanial properties. Polyaniline thin films doped with hydrochloric acid (HCl) were prepared by oxidation of ammonium persulphate. The effect of Swift Heavy Ions irradiation on the electrical and structural properties of polyaniline has been measured in this study. Polyaniline films were irradiated by oxygen ions (energy 80 MeV, charge state O+7) with fluence varying from 1 × 1010 to 3 × 1012 ions/cm2. The studies on electrical and structural properties of the irradiated polymers were investigated by measuring V-I using four probe set-up and X-ray diffraction (XRD) using Bruker AXS, X-ray powder diffractometer. V-I measurements shows an increase in the conductivity of the film, XRD pattern of the polymer shows that the crystallinity improved after the irradiation with Swift Heavy Ions (SHI), which could be attributed to cross linking mechanism.Subhash Chandra1*, S Annapoorni2, R G Sonkawade3, P K Kulriya3 Fouran Singh3, D K Avasthi3, J M S Rana1 and R C Ramola1 1Department of Physics, H N B Garhwal University, Badshahi Thaul Campus, Tehri Garhwal-249 199, Uttarakhand, India 2Department of Physics and Astrophysics, University of Delhi, Delhi-110 007, India 3Inter University Accelerator Center, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi-110 067, India E-mail : [email protected] of Physics, H N B Garhwal University, Badshahi Thaul Campus, Tehri Garhwal-249 199, Uttarakhand, India Department of Physics and Astrophysics, University of Delhi, Delhi-110 007, India Inter University Accelerator Center, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi-110 067, Indi

Measurement of radon concentration in ground water using RAD7 and assessment of average annual dose in the environs of NITJ, Punjab, India

508-511The present study represents the set of measurements for radon concentration levels in ground water using electronic radon meter (RAD7) and for assessment of indoor radon the LR-115 Type II plastic track detectors have been used. The measurements have been taken for the environs and ground water of National Institute of Technology, Jalandhar. The radon concentration in drinking water has been found to vary from 2560 to 7750 Bqm-3 with an average value of 5143.33 Bqm-3. The pH value for the ground water under study has also been measured and it varies from 6.96 to 7.0 with an average value of 6.99. No correlation has been observed between pH value and radon concentration values for ground water. The calculated indoor radon concentration values vary from 74 to 190 Bqm-3 with an average values of 124.50 Bqm-3. The calculated values for the absorbed dose are in the range 1.26 - 3.24 mSv.y-1, which is well below the action level.</b