Analyzing the Prospects of Blockchain in Healthcare Industry

Deployment of a secured healthcare information is a major challenge in a web based environment. Ehealth services are subjected to same security threats as other services. The purpose of blockchain is to provide a structure and security to the organization data. Healthcare data deals with confidential information. The medical records can be well organized and empower their propagation in a secured manner through the usage of blockchain technology. The study throws light on providing security of health services through blockchain technology. The authors have analysed the various aspects of role of blockchain in healthcare through an extensive literature review. The application of blockchain in covid-19 has also been analysed and discussed in the study. Further application of blockchain in Indian healthcare has been highlighted in the paper. The study provides suggestions for strengthening the healthcare system by blending machine learning, artificial intelligence, big data, IoT with blockchain

Computed Tomography- and Radiography-Based Morphometric Analysis of the Lateral Mass of the Subaxial Cervical Spine in the Indian Population

Study DesignThis was a double-blinded cross-sectional study, which obtained no financial support for the research.PurposeTo obtain a detailed morphometry of the lateral mass of the subaxial cervical spine.Overview of LiteratureThe literature offers little data on the dimensions of the lateral mass of the subaxial cervical spine.MethodsWe assessed axial, sagittal, and coronal computed tomography (CT) cuts and anteroposterior and lateral X-rays of the lateral mass of the subaxial cervical spine of 104 patients (2,080 lateral masses) who presented to a tertiary care public hospital (King Edward Memorial Hospital, Mumbai) in a metropolitan city in India.ResultsFor a majority of the parameters, males and females significantly differed at all levels (p<0.05). Females consistently required higher (p<0.05) minimum lateral angulation and lateral angulation. While the minimum lateral angulation followed the order of C5<C4<C6<C3, the lateral angulation followed the order of C3<C5<C4<C6. The lateral mass becomes longer and narrower from C3 to C7. In axial cuts, the dimensions increased from C3 to C6. The sagittal cut thickness and diagonal length increased and the sagittal cut height decreased from C3 to C7. The sagittal cut height was consistently lower in the Indian population at all levels, especially at the C7 level, as compared with the Western population, thereby questioning the acceptance of a 3.5-mm lateral mass screw. A good correlation exists between X-ray- and CT-based assessments of the lateral mass.ConclusionsLarger lateral angulation is required for Indian patients, especially females. The screw length can be effectively calculated by analyzing the lateral X-ray. A CT scan should be reserved for specific indications, and a caution must be exercised while inserting C7 lateral mass screws

Synthesis and characterization of Pt/graphene-CNTs electrocatalyst for direct methanol fuel cell

Abstract In the present work we report a facile method for the synthesis of Pt nanoparticles supported reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) nanocomposite by an in-situ chemical reduction. The incorporation of MWCNTs to rGO leads to decrease in agglomeration between rGO sheets due to π -π interactions and higher loading of Pt nanoparticles. In this process, a mixture of exfoliated graphene oxide, CNTs and chloroplatinic acid was treated with a mixture of hydrazine hydrate and ammonium hydroxide at 95° C in an oil bath for 1 h. Pt nanoparticles of 4-6 nm size were homogeneously dispersed on rGO-CNTs nanocomposite as revealed by TEM analysis. Cyclic voltammetry measurements depict an anodic current density of 11.74 mA/cm 2 that could be obtained using Pt/rGO-CNTs catalyst and 6.2 mA/cm 2 using Pt/rGO catalyst during methanol oxidation, indicating that the catalytic activity of Pt/rGO-CNTs catalyst is almost 2 times higher than that of Pt/rGO catalyst. The electrochemical stability of Pt/rGO-CNTs catalyst was also found to be much higher as compared with that of Pt/rGO catalyst. Thus, Pt/rGO-CNTs catalyst has the potential to be used in the preparation of a promising anode material for direct methanol fuel cell

Comparative Evaluation of Dexmedetomidine and Magnesium Sulphate on Propofol Consumption, Haemodynamics and Postoperative Recovery in Spine Surgery: A Prospective, Randomized, Placebo Controlled, Double-blind Study

Purpose: Dexmedetomidine and magnesium sulfate have been used in anesthesia as adjuvant to provide hemodynamic stability and anesthetic agents sparing effect. We compared these effects of dexmedetomidine and magnesium sulfate in spine surgeries. Methods: Ninety patients were randomly assigned to three groups. Group D received dexmedetomidine loading dose 1 µg/kg over a period of 15 minutes and maintenance 0.5 µg/kg/h throughout the surgery. Group M received magnesium sulfate loading dose 50 mg/kg over a period of 15 minutes and maintenance 15 mg/kg/h throughout the surgery. Group C received same volume of normal saline. Heart rate (HR) and blood pressure values were recorded at various intervals. The induction and maintenance doses of anesthetics and recovery parameters were also recorded. Results: Heart rate in group D and group M were significantly decreased (p<0.05) during the whole intraoperative period compared to preoperative values. There was a significant difference in HR values between group C, D and M, during the whole intraoperaive period (p<0.05). Blood pressure values were statistically significantly lower in the group D and group M compared to group C after intubation and all time observations of surgery (p<0.05). Both drugs reduced the anesthetic agent’s requirement during surgery. However, the recovery parameters were statistically significant increase with magnesium sulphate compared to dexmedetomidine and control groups. Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine is more effective than magnesium sulfate for maintaining the hemodynamic stability in spine surgeries. Both these drugs also reduce the requirements of anesthetic agents. Recovery from dexmedetomidine is as rapid as control group compared to magnesium sulfate