Flexor hallucis longus vs. peroneus brevis: the better tendon for augmentation surgery in chronic achilles tendon ruptures

Background: Chronic degenerative Achilles tendon ruptures are increasing in incidence. Calcific tendonitis, poor vascularity, prior steroid injections, and proximal migration of tendon render conservative management ineffective. Flexor hallucis longus (FHL) and peroneus brevis (PB) have shown promising results with tendon augmentation procedures. The study was done to find out which was a better tendon for augmentation among the two.Methods: A total of 27 patients underwent tendon augmentation surgeries using FHL (n=14) and PB (n=13) after randomization at PES Institute of medical sciences and research, Kuppam from March 2014 to December 2018. Both the groups had a standard postoperative regimen and rehabilitative protocol. Functional outcome was assessed using AOFAS, Leppilahti score and ATRS scores.Results: The functional outcome was comparable in both FHL and PB and there was no clear winner in the study.Conclusions: Predictably good results are seen with tendon augmentation procedures for Achilles tendon rupture. Both FHL and PB are equally good in providing good plantar flexion power needed in achilles tendon rupture

ASSESSMENT OF THE CORROSION BEHAVIOR OF SS 304L IN NITRIC-ACID ENVIRONMENTS - AN ALTERNATIVE APPROACH

Stainless steel (SS) 304L is widely used as a construction material in industries requiring corrosion resistance in nitric acid environments. Representative samples from 20 heats of SS 304L products were subjected to a testing procedure consisting of testing as per the rapid screening test (Practice A) and the Huey test (Practice C) of ASTM A 262, Practices for Detecting Susceptibility to Intergranular Attack in Austenitic Stainless Steels. The presensitization heat treatment of 677 degrees C for 1 h and the modified heat treatment of 677 degrees C for 20 min were used for characterizing the microstructures in Practice A, whereas only the former presensitization heat treatment was used for Practice C. The percent duality after the two heat treatments has been correlated with the corrosion rate obtained in Practice C. A chemical composition based parameter, Cr effective = [% Cr - 0.18 (%Ni) - 100 (%C)], was calculated for all the heats and correlated with the percent duality after the two heat treatments as well as the corrosion rate in Practice C. It is observed that the SS 304L heats with Cr effective >14.0 and <50% grain boundary coverage after the modified heat treatment (Practice A) show low corrosion rates in Practice C. This eliminates the need for carrying out the lengthy Practice C of ASTM. Examples of heats of SS 304L are given to show that the modified presensitization heat treatment has better efficiency in screening materials and also exhibited better correlation with the results obtained in the Practice C. Guide rules for selection of SS 304L heats for nitric acid service are also suggested

Evaluation of the anti-microbial activity of various concentration of wheat grass (Triticum aestivum) extract against Gram-positive bacteria: An in vitro study

Introduction: The increases in multidrug-resistant pathogens has become a challenge to the researcher to develop newer natural and active components to combat these problems in future. Hence this study was undertaken to determine the anti-microbial activity of wheat grass (Triticum aestivum) extract against Gram-positive bacteria. Materials and Methods: Experimental design, in vitro study, lab setting. Wheat grass powder (T. aestivum) was obtained from the pharmacy in Belgaum city. Ethanolic extract of wheat grass powder was prepared by cold extract method. The extract was then diluted by inert solvent, dimethyl formaldehyde, to obtain different concentration of extract. The extract, along with the concentrations of range 1-10, was then subjected to microbiological investigation to determine which concentration of the extract will give a wider inhibition zone against Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus spp. Results: Minimum inhibitory concentration by broth dilution method was found to be 5% of extract for S. mutans and 1.25% for Lactobacillus spp. Conclusion: Wheat grass extract demonstrated anti-microbial activity against S. mutans and Lactobacillus spp