Tailoring of ni: 8ysz cermet via solution-based syntheses

Major challenges of Ni: 8YSZ cermet anode material in solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) application are (i) the reduction of operating temperature,(ii) minimization of Ni concentration and (iii) optimization of porosity, without sacrificing electrical conductivity, thermal expansion compatibility and overall cell performance. Lowering of operating temperature is possible by increasing the density of triple phase boundary (TPB) by developing a suitable microstructure, containing fine grained Ni and 8YSZ. Decreasing grain size of Ni may minimize percolation threshold, and better Ni-Ni connectivity is possible via tailoring the microstructure of Ni: 8YSZ cermet. The porosity of cermet forms by the reduction of NiO to Ni and proper microstructure of NiO: 8YSZ composites may be developed by optimizing the fabrication parameters such as binder concentration, compaction pressure and sintering temperature. Above motivations led to work on tailoring the microstructural parameters such as size and distribution of NiO/Ni particles in NiO/Ni: 8YSZ composites, which strongly depends on the initial size and forms of Ni such as NiO, Ni(OH)2 and Ni. These forms of Ni may evolve during different solution-based syntheses and varying synthesis conditions may develop different size and distribution of NiO in NiO: 8YSZ composites, which may result in different types of microstructure of Ni: 8YSZ cermet

Accuracy of Intraoral Scanner for Recording Completely Edentulous Arches-A Systematic Review.

Scanning edentulous arches during complete denture fabrication is a crucial step; however, the quality of the resulting digital scan is still questionable. The purpose of this study is to systematically review studies (both clinical and in vitro) and determine whether intraoral scanners have clinically acceptable accuracy when recording completely edentulous arches for the fabrication of removable complete dentures. An electronic search in medical databases like PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science (WOS), using a combination of relevant keywords, retrieved 334 articles. After full-text evaluation, twelve articles fulfilled the inclusion criteria for this review (eight clinical studies and four in vitro studies). A quality analysis of the included studies was carried out using the QUADAS-2 tool. The accuracy values varied between different intraoral scanners. Different regions of the edentulous arches showed differences in trueness and precision values in both in vitro and clinical studies. Peripheral borders, the inner seal, and poorly traceable structures like the soft palate showed maximum discrepancies. The accuracy of intraoral scanners in recording clear anatomic landmarks like hard tissues with attached mucosa was comparable to conventional edentulous arch impressions. However, higher discrepancies were recorded when digitizing mobile and poorly traceable structures. Intraoral scanners can be used to digitize denture-bearing areas, but the interpretation of the peripheral border and the soft palate should be carefully carried out

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection in patients with cirrhosis is associated with rapid decompensation and death

Background/Aims: India is hyper-endemic for hepatitis E virus (HEV). HEV infection in cirrhosis may cause high mortality. Prospective study evaluating HEV infection in cirrhotics is scarce. Methods: Consecutive patients with cirrhosis and healthy controls were included. Cirrhotics were categorized to 3 groups, (Group I - rapid decompensation, Group II - chronically decompensated, Group III - cirrhotics without decompensation). Sera from cirrhotics and controls were tested for HEV-RNA (RT-PCR). HEV-RNA positivity among cirrhotics and controls was compared. Natural course and mortality rate between HEV infected and non-infected cirrhotics were assessed during a 12-month follow-up. Results: 107 cirrhotics and 200 controls were included. 30 (28%) cirrhotics and 9 (4.5%) controls had detectable HEV-RNA (p < 0.001). HEV- RNA positivity among Group I (n=42), II (n=32) and III (n=33) cirrhotics was 21 (50%), 6 (19%) and 3 (10%), respectively (p=0.002). 70% (21/30) with HEV infection and 27% (21/77) without it had rapid decompensation (p=0.001). Mortality between HEV infected and non-infected cirrhotics at 4 weeks (43% vs. 22%, p=0.001) and 12 month (70% vs. 30%, p=0.001) was different. Multivariate analysis identified HEV infection, Child-Pugh's score, renal failure, and sepsis as independent factors for mortality. Conclusions: In India, cirrhotics were prone to HEV infection, which was associated with rapid decompensation and death

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Not AvailableFingerling rearing of pengba, Osteobrama belangeri, was conducted at varied densi-ties for 90 days in 12 outdoor concrete tanks (10 m × 5 m × 1 m). The tanks, grouped into four triplicated treatments, were stocked with fry at 20, 30, 40 and 50 fry m-3; and designated as control, T-1, T-2 and T-3 respectively. Tanks were filled up to 90 cm depth. Evaporation loss compensated fortnightly. Fish sampling and monitoring of water quality parameters done at fortnight intervals. Survival varied between 71.5% and 84.0% in treatments. Both survival and total length significantly reduced with increasing densities from control to T-2 (p .05). Similarly, significant reductions in final body weight and specific growth rate were observed with increased densities and these values further reduced in T-3 than T-2 (p < .05). Such results corroborated the inverse relationship between stocking density and growth. Gross biomass yields in two higher densities (T-2 and T-3), despite their lower survivals, were significantly higher than the two lower densities. The numbers of fingerlings harvested were 35, 74 and 112% higher than the control in T-1, T-2 and T-3 respectively. The lowest size obtained even at the highest density (T-3) was of 7.0 ± 1.0 cm and 3.99 ± 0.17 g, which can be considered as ideal grow-out stocking size of pengba. Therefore, the study showed feasibility of stocking up to 50 fry m-3 for rearing from fry to fingerling stage. However, the other lower densities may be used in case of requirement of larger fingerlings.Not Availabl

Congenital chylous ascites presenting with bilateral inguinal hernia and umbilical hernia: A case report: Congenital chylous ascites

Chylous ascites refers to the leakage of lipid rich milky fluid into the peritoneal cavity. This usually occurs following trauma or obstruction of the lymphatic system. Moreover, an existing clear ascitic fluid can turn chylous as a secondary event. Milky appearance on gross appearance along with high fat (triglyceride) content usually suggestive of the diagnosis. We are reporting a 3 months infant with chylous ascites diagnosed during bilateral inguinal herniotomy. The patient presented bilateral scrotal with umbilical swelling for last one month. Examination showed bilateral inguinal hernia, umbilical hernia with mild abdominal distension. Bilateral herniotomy and subsequent ultrasound guided paracentesis revealed milky peritoneal fluid. Biochemical analysis revealed plenty of lymphocytes, &nbsp; high &nbsp;triglyceride &nbsp;content &nbsp;with &nbsp;increased cellularity and no abnormal cells suggestive of chylous ascites. Lymphoscintigraphy revealed leak from retroperitoneal&nbsp; &nbsp;lymphatics.&nbsp; &nbsp;Child &nbsp;&nbsp;improved &nbsp;&nbsp;following dietary modification and octreotide therapy without any surgical intervention. The aim of this case report is to describe the unusual presentation, it’s clinical and biochemical factors and role of conservative treatment of a patient with congenital chylous ascites

A Pragmatic Study of Management of Grade 3 and Grade 4 Haemorrhoids

Introduction: The word ‘Hemorrhoids’ is derived from Greek word Haima (bleed) + Rhoos (flowering), means bleeding. Hemorrhoids consist of vascular cushions that are intimately involved in the maintenance of continence and discrimination between flatus and faeces. Material and Methods: It is a hospital based prospective observational study conducted at Department of Surgery at a Tertiary care teaching hospital over a period of 2 years from September 2018 to August 2020. Minimum 100 consecutive cases of Grade 3 and Grade 4 hemmorhoids were considered. A detailed history taking and a thorough clinical examination, which included digital rectal examination and proctoscopy was carried out after admission. Apart from routine preoperative investigations sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy were carried out if it was indicated. Results: There was a significant difference between the 3 groups in terms of Duration of Surgery (Minutes) (χ2 = 80.776, p = &lt;0.001), with the median Duration of 76 minutes being highest in the Stapler group, next being with harmonic scalpel and then conventional hemorrhoidectomy in our study. There was a significant difference between the various groups in terms of distribution of intra-operative bleeding (χ2 = 175.460, p = &lt;0.001). Participants in the Stapler group had the largest proportion of mild intra-operative bleeding. Participants in the Harmonic group had the largest proportion of moderate intra-operative bleeding. Participants in the Conventional group had the largest proportion of severe intra-operative bleeding. Conclusion: Amongst the three procedures, Stapled hemorrhoidectomy was superior to others as it has shown lower postoperative pain severity, less secondary bleeding, less urinary retention and led to earlier return to work in patients with hemorrhoids, based on telephone interviews over follow-up period

Status of Tuberculosis services in Indian Prisons

Introduction: Prisons are known to be a high risk environment for tuberculosis (TB) due to overcrowding, low levels of nutrition, poor infection control and lack of accessible healthcare services. India has nearly 1400 prisons housing 0.37 million inmates. However, information on, availability of diagnostic and treatment services for TB in the prison settings is limited. This study examined the availability of TB services in prisons of India. Simultaneously, prison inmates were screened for tuberculosis. Method: The study was conducted in 157 prisons across 300 districts between July-December 2013. Information on services available and practices followed for screening, diagnosis and treatment of TB was collected. Additionally, the inmates and prison staff were sensitised on TB using interpersonal communication materials. The inmates were screened for cough ≥2 weeks as a symptom of TB. Those identified as presumptive TB patients (PTBP) were linked with free diagnostic and treatment services. Results: Diagnostic and treatment services for TB were available in 18% and 54% of the prisons respectively. Only half of the prisons screened inmates for TB on entry, while nearly 60% practised periodic screening of inmates. District level prisons (OR, 6.0; 95% CI, 1.6-22.1), prisons with more than 500 inmates (OR, 52; 95% CI, 1.4-19.2), and prisons practising periodic screening of inmates (OR, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.0-7.2) were more likely to diagnose TB cases. 19% of the inmates screened had symptoms of TB (cough ≥2 weeks) and 8% of the PTBP were diagnosed with TB on smear microscopy. Conclusion: The TB screening, diagnostic and treatment services are sub-optimal in prisons in India and need to be strengthened urgently

Cloning, sequencing, and expression of the hepatitis E virus (HEV) nonstructural open reading frame 1 (ORF1)

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) causes enterically transmitted epidemic and sporadic viral hepatitis affecting millions of people in the developing world. Different geographical isolates of HEV show a high degree of homology at the nucleotide and amino acid levels. The ~7.2 kb RNA genome has three open reading frames of which ORF1 is predicted to code for the viral nonstructural polyprotein. The expression, processing and properties of the nonstructural ORF1 polyprotein have not been reported so far. In this study, the complete HEV ORF1 was reconstructed from overlapping fragments amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of total RNA isolated from the bile fluid of a rhesus monkey experimentally infected with HEV isolate from an epidemic. The complete assembled ORF1 was sequenced using HEV specific primers. The ORF1 polyprotein was expressed in E. coli, in a cell free translation system and in HepG2 cells, and was characterized by western blotting and immunoprecipitation using acute phase patient serum as well as polyclonal antibodies raised against defined parts of the ORF1 polyprotein. The nonstructural polyprotein of HEV was expressed as a 186 kDa protein. No processing was observed into discrete units, either in-vitro based on a kinetic analysis, or in HepG2 cells based on immunoprecipitation

Vitamin D Status and its Correlation with Section Carotid Intima-media Thickness amongst Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients: A Hospital-based Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: There is rising concern about vitamin D deficiency around the globe due to its increasing association with multiple medical disorders. Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is an established risk factor for atherosclerotic disorders, and Carotid Artery IntimaMedia Thickness (CIMT) is considered a radiological marker of subclinical atherosclerosis. Aim: To find a correlation between serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25-(OH)-D) levels and CIMT among patients with DM. Materials and Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted, including 100 adult patients with Type 2 DM who were admitted to the Department of Medicine at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, Odisha, India from October 2020 to September 2021. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as serum 25-(OH)-D levels <20 ng/mL, and insufficiency as <30 ng/mL. The demographic profile of patients, family history of Type 2 DM, smoking history, blood pressure, haemogram, blood sugar, serum electrolytes, and lipid profile were studied. CIMT of the bilateral Common Carotid Artery (CCA) was measured by B-mode ultrasonography. CIMT values ≥ 0.8 mm were considered abnormal. Data were analysed using appropriate statistical tests in Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26.0. Results: The present study included 55% males (n=55) and 45% females (n=45). The average age of the patients was 60 ±10 years, ranging from 26-75 years. Vitamin D deficiency was highly prevalent among patients with Type 2 DM (73% deficient, 12.5 ng/mL; 21% insufficient, 24.7 ng/mL). Vitamin D deficiency/ insufficiency was higher among male participants (57.5%, 62%) compared to females (42.4%, 38%). Vitamin D levels were significantly associated with dyslipidemia. Mean CIMT among the vitamin D deficiency versus insufficiency versus normal group were 0.87 versus 0.87 versus 0.7 mm on the right Common Carotid Artery (CCA), and 0.95 versus 0.86 versus 0.75 mm on the left CCA, respectively. Significant negative correlations were observed for HbA1c (r=-0.025), Triglycerides (r=-0.274), right CIMT (r=-0.284), and left CIMT (r=-0.264) with serum 25-(OH)-D levels. Conclusion: The majority of patients with Type 2 DM have concurrent vitamin D deficiency. A significant inverse linear association between serum vitamin D levels and CIMT was observed, indicating the association of vitamin D deficiency with subclinical atherosclerosis. Although unproven in the present study, the role of vitamin D supplementation in the improvement of atherosclerosis remains unclear