Preparation of Selective Ion Exchange Material for Chemical Analysis by Sol-Gel Method

The sol-gel process provides a versatile method to prepare size, shape and charge selective materials for analysis. We report the synthesis and characterization of a new sulphosalicylate doped tetraethoxysilane composite material by sol-gel method. The synthetic conditions such as reactant concentrations and precipitating agents were varied to optimize the ion exchange properties of this material. The material has an ion exchange capacity of 0.64meq/g(dry) for sodium ions, 0.60meq/g(dry) for potassium ions, 1.84meq/g(dry) for magnesium ions, 1.08meq/g(dry) for calcium ions and 1.36meq/g(dry) for strontium ions. Its X-ray diffraction studies suggest that it is crystalline in nature. The material has been characterized by SEM, IR, TGA and DTG so as to identify the various functional groups and ion exchange sites present in this material. Further, various ion exchange studies such as determination of ion exchange capacity, elution behaviour, pH titration, distribution behaviour towards ion exchange and adsorption behaviour towards certain important dyes have been performed on this material. This material shows selectivity for Mg (II) among alkaline earth metal ions and Ni (II) among the transition metal ions in aqueous solutions. This material, therefore, has potential application for removal of these metal ions from aqueous systems. The material shows remarkable adsorption behaviour towards environmentally important representative dyes like malachite green and methylene blue

Convalescent plasma in patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 (RECOVERY): a randomised controlled, open-label, platform trial

SummaryBackground Azithromycin has been proposed as a treatment for COVID-19 on the basis of its immunomodulatoryactions. We aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of azithromycin in patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19.Methods In this randomised, controlled, open-label, adaptive platform trial (Randomised Evaluation of COVID-19Therapy [RECOVERY]), several possible treatments were compared with usual care in patients admitted to hospitalwith COVID-19 in the UK. The trial is underway at 176 hospitals in the UK. Eligible and consenting patients wererandomly allocated to either usual standard of care alone or usual standard of care plus azithromycin 500 mg once perday by mouth or intravenously for 10 days or until discharge (or allocation to one of the other RECOVERY treatmentgroups). Patients were assigned via web-based simple (unstratified) randomisation with allocation concealment andwere twice as likely to be randomly assigned to usual care than to any of the active treatment groups. Participants andlocal study staff were not masked to the allocated treatment, but all others involved in the trial were masked to theoutcome data during the trial. The primary outcome was 28-day all-cause mortality, assessed in the intention-to-treatpopulation. The trial is registered with ISRCTN, 50189673, and ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04381936.Findings Between April 7 and Nov 27, 2020, of 16 442 patients enrolled in the RECOVERY trial, 9433 (57%) wereeligible and 7763 were included in the assessment of azithromycin. The mean age of these study participants was65·3 years (SD 15·7) and approximately a third were women (2944 [38%] of 7763). 2582 patients were randomlyallocated to receive azithromycin and 5181 patients were randomly allocated to usual care alone. Overall,561 (22%) patients allocated to azithromycin and 1162 (22%) patients allocated to usual care died within 28 days(rate ratio 0·97, 95% CI 0·87–1·07; p=0·50). No significant difference was seen in duration of hospital stay (median10 days [IQR 5 to >28] vs 11 days [5 to >28]) or the proportion of patients discharged from hospital alive within 28 days(rate ratio 1·04, 95% CI 0·98–1·10; p=0·19). Among those not on invasive mechanical ventilation at baseline, nosignificant difference was seen in the proportion meeting the composite endpoint of invasive mechanical ventilationor death (risk ratio 0·95, 95% CI 0·87–1·03; p=0·24).Interpretation In patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19, azithromycin did not improve survival or otherprespecified clinical outcomes. Azithromycin use in patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 should be restrictedto patients in whom there is a clear antimicrobial indication

Tuberculosis of tongue: Report of a rare case

Tuberculosis is a common infectious disease that is caused by mycobacteria, primarily Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis most commonly affects the lungs. Tongue tuberculosis is very rarely described in the literature. Tongue tuberculosis can be primary with no evidence of involvement of other organs, especially the lungs, or, more commonly, secondary to pulmonary tuberculosis. The occurrence of tuberculosis of tongue as a primary lesion is quite rare and invariably the condition is associated with pulmonary or laryngeal tuberculosis. In this article, a 58-year-old male reported to us with two months history of a painful ulcerated lesion on his tongue and respiratory symptoms. Chest radiograph showed bilateral infiltrates and multiple cavities in the upper and middle lung fields. Tongue biopsy revealed granuloma, which is typical for tuberculosis, and his sputum smear was positive for acid fast bacilli. The patient was started on a regimen of isoniazide, rifampicine, pyrazinamide and ethambutol. The tongue completely healed within a month. In conclusion, tuberculosis should be taken into consideration in differential diagnosis of chronic ulcerative tongue lesions

Morphotectonic and Morphometric analysis of Vishav Basin left bank Tributary of Jhelum River SW Kashmir Valley India

Morphotectonics interplays between the landscape development and the tectonics. Usually, the development of many geomorphic features has been related solely to exogenic and nontectonic causes but many of them are developed mainly due to the prevailing tectonic forces in the area. In the present study the Vishav basin located in the NW-Himalayas has been selected for the morphotectonic study as Vishav is considered as one of the largest contributors to the Jhelum River. The different geomorphic indices were calculated using satellite data and toposheets. The calculated geomorphic indices were then used in accessing the tectonics of the study area. The parameters like mountain front sinuosity, hypsometry and the sinuosity index provide clues about the ample work of the tectonics in the area. The development of triangular facets in the area is also the indicator of the tectonic work in the area. Lithological variations and/or tectonic uplift have led to the development of knick-points and abruptly high SL index value. Morphotectonic analysis shows that the tectonic uplift, lithology and climate forcing played an interdependent role in the landscape evolution of the Vishav basin. Thus, the results of the present study will provide clues about the tectonic activity and may initiate some thoughts about the futuristic ramifications of the geomorphic activity operating in the Vishav drainage basin

Recurrent Hemorrhoids—Efficacy, Utility and Initial Experience with the Use of Stapled Hemorrhoidopexy in Recurrent Hemorrhoids

Overview Hemorrhoidal disease (HD) is a common surgical disorder. The treatment modalities can be surgical or nonsurgical. Every surgical option has its own indications and limitations. Postsurgical symptomatic recurrence rates are low and vary between different techniques. The ideal way to deal with recurrent HD is not clear. Material and Methods The present prospective case series enrolled a total of 87 patients (54 male/33 female). Thirteen out of 87 patients (15%) had history of previous intervention for HD. A modification of the standard technique was adopted for patients with recurrent HD. A mean follow-up of 22 months was achieved. Results Stapled hemorrhoidectomy (SD) was performed in 13 patients who had history of previous surgical intervention for HD. There were no adverse events related to the technique. Patients with recurrent HD had severe pain scores with SH as compared to patients who underwent SH at the first time. There were no wound related complications. Conclusion Stapled hemorrhoidectomy can be performed easily and offers good results in patients with recurrent HD

Odontogenic myxoma of the maxilla: A report of a rare case and review on histogenetic and diagnostic concepts

Odontogenic myxoma (OM) is a rare and locally invasive benign neoplasm (comprising of 3-6% of all odontogenic tumors) found exclusively in the jaws. OM commonly occurs in the second and third decades, and the mandible is involved more commonly than the maxilla. The lesion often grows without symptoms and presents as a painless swelling. The radiographic features are variable, and the diagnosis is therefore not easy. This article presents a rare case of OM occurring in the maxilla of a 37-year-old female patient with a brief review of the pathogenesis, clinical, radiological, histopathological, ultrastructural and immunohistochemical characteristics of OM

Spatial and meteorological controls of stable water isotope dynamics of precipitation in Kashmir Valley, Western Himalaya, India

In the Himalayas, the lives and livelihoods of millions of people are sustained by water resources primarily depending on the moisture brought by Western Disturbances and Indian Summer Monsoon. In the present study, a network of 12 precipitation stations was established across the Kashmir Valley to understand the spatial and meteorological factors controlling precipitation isotopes. Temperature and relative humidity are dominant meteorological factors, whereas altitude, proximity to forest canopy, land use/land cover, windward and leeward sides of the mountains are the main physical factors influencing precipitation isotopes. The study suggests that the Mediterranean Sea and nearby water bodies along with continental recycling are the dominant sources of moisture from October to May, while the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and continental recycling are the main sources of moisture from June to September. However, some precipitation events from October to May collect moisture from the Arabian Sea and some precipitation events from June to September collect moisture from the Mediterranean Sea. The occasional passage of Western Disturbances in summer merging with the Indian Summer Monsoon yields heavy to very heavy precipitation. The study provides a better understanding of complex spatial and meteorological phenomena controlling precipitation isotopes across the Western Himalayas.</p

To evaluate the analgesic effectiveness of bilateral erector spinae plane block versus thoracic epidural analgesia in open cardiac surgeries approached through midline sternotomy

Abstract Background The efficacy of the erector spinae plane (ESP) block in mitigating postoperative pain has been shown for a range of thoracic and abdominal procedures. However, there is a paucity of literature investigating its impact on postoperative analgesia as well as its influence on weaning and subsequent recovery in comparison to thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) in median sternotomy-based approach for open-cardiac surgeries and hence the study. Methods Irrespective of gender or age, 74 adult patients scheduled to undergo open cardiac surgery were enrolled and randomly allocated into two groups: the Group TEA (thoracic epidural block) and the Group ESP (bilateral Erector Spinae Plane block). The following variables were analysed prospectively and compared among the groups with regard to pain control, as determined by the VAS Scale both at rest (VASR) and during spirometry (VASS), time to extubation, quantity and frequency of rescue analgesia delivered, day of first ambulation, length of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU), and any adverse cardiac events (ACE), respiratory events (ARE), or other events, if pertinent. Results Clinical and demographic variables were similar in both groups. Both groups had overall good pain control, as determined by the VAS scale both at rest (VASR) and with spirometry (VASS) with Group ESP demonstrating superior pain regulation compared to Group TEA during the post-extubation period at 6, 9, and 12 h, respectively (P > 0.05). Although statistically insignificant, the postoperative mean rescue analgesic doses utilised in both groups were comparable, but there was a higher frequency requirement in Group TEA. The hemodynamic and respiratory profiles were comparable, except for a few arrhythmias in Group TEA. With comparable results, early recovery, fast-track extubation, and intensive care unit (ICU) stay were achieved. Conclusions The ESP block has been found to have optimal analgesic effects during open cardiac surgery, resulting in a decreased need for additional analgesic doses and eliminating the possibility of a coagulation emergency. Consequently, it presents itself as a safer alternative to the potentially invasive thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA)

Microwave-Assisted Rapid Green Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles Using Seed Extract of Trachyspermum ammi: ROS Mediated Biofilm Inhibition and Anticancer Activity

Green synthesis of metal nanoparticles using plant extracts as capping and reducing agents for the biomedical applications has received considerable attention. Moreover, emergence and spread of multidrug resistance among bacterial pathogens has become a major health concern and lookout for novel alternative effective drugs has gained momentum. In current study, we synthesized gold nanoparticles using the seed extract of Trachyspermum ammi (TA-AuNPs), assessed its efficacy against drug resistant biofilms of Listeria monocytogenes and Serratia marcescens, and evaluated its anticancer potential against HepG2 cancer cell lines. Microwave-assisted green synthesis of gold nanoparticles was carried out and characterization was done using UV-vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and dynamic light scattering (DLS). Most nanoparticles were observed as spherical and spheroidal with few anisotropies with an average crystalline size of 16.63 nm. Synthesized TA-AuNPs demonstrated significant biofilm inhibitory activity against L. monocytogenes (73%) as well as S. marcescens (81%). Exopolysaccharide (EPS), motility, and CSH, key elements that facilitate the formation and maintenance of biofilm were also inhibited significantly at the tested sub-minimum inhibitory concentrations (sub-MICs). Further, TA-AuNPs effectively obliterated preformed mature biofilms of S. marcescens and L. monocytogenes by 64% and 58%, respectively. Induction of intracellular ROS production in TA-AuNPs treated bacterial cells could be the plausible mechanism for the reduced biofilm formation in test pathogens. Administration of TA-AuNPs resulted in the arrest of cellular proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner. TA-AuNPs decrease the intracellular GSH in HepG2 cancer cell lines, cells become more prone to ROS generation, hence induce apoptosis. Thus, this work proposes a new eco-friendly and rapid approach for fabricating NPs which can be exploited for multifarious biomedical applications