Challenges of “Reverse” Aortic Arch Debranching for Repair of the Ascending Aorta by Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair

IntroductionAscending aortic pathology presents a unique challenge for treatment by thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR), because of lack of adequate endograft landing zones. This report describes a unique “reverse” extra-anatomical aortic arch debranching procedure performed to enable TEVAR of the ascending aorta.ReportA 71-year-old male presented with a large ascending aortic pseudoaneurysm secondary to previous arch repair anastomosis. This pathology was treated by TEVAR of the ascending aorta. To create a sufficient landing zone for the endovascular stent graft, a “reverse” extra-anatomical aortic arch debranching procedure was performed. This involved a left subclavian artery to left carotid artery bypass, left to right carotid-to-carotid bypass, ligation of proximal left common carotid artery, and embolization of the innominate artery origin.DiscussionTEVAR of the ascending aorta can be made feasible through a novel debranching procedure that creates sufficient landing zones for the endograft. This surgical approach may prove useful in patients who present with aortic arch pathology and comorbidities that prevent open surgical repair

Molasses growth medium for production of Rhizobium sp. based biofertilizer

Rhizobium forms symbiotic relationship with leguminous crops and is recommended for use in various legumes. Rhizobium sp. fix atmospheric nitrogen and make it available to legumes through formation of root nodules. Rhizobium biofertilizer production is carried out mostly by using semi-synthetic microbiological medium which forms major expense of this activity. Successful commercial production of biofertilizer can be enhanced by use of natural substrates, as molasses, cheese whey, corn steep liquor, for bacterial biomass production. The present work centers around the use of sugarcane molasses as a source of fermentable sugars. It was supplemented with various organic/inorganic nitrogen sources, chemical compounds to increase biomass yield and to increase the shelf life of the product thus prepared. Compliance to Fertilizer Control Order specifications was demonstrated in wet lab analysis

The Reduction of Alkynes over Pd-based Catalyst Materials-A Pathway to Chemical Synthesis

Many reactions, including selective hydrogenation of alkynes, take place on solid surfaces. These reactions are vital in many areas of industry including the manufacture of polymers and fine chemicals such as vitamins, fragrances, and drugs. The choice of a catalyst is a trade-off between activity, selectivity and costs. Palladium-based heterogeneous catalysts are traditionally used for these processes as they provide the activation of hydrogen at room temperatures and offers reasonable selectivity, but these catalysts have a number of practical drawbacks. This review discusses recent research work in the selective hydrogenation of alkynes on palladium-based catalysts, emphasises the mechanism and catalytic materials and important applications including alkyne removal from gas-phase alkene precursors for polymer synthesis and liquid phase selective hydrogenation for the synthesis of fine chemicals. Langmuir-Hinshelwood reaction kinetic models, reaction intermediates, formation of carbonaceous layer, the nature of active sites and the effects of reversible and irreversible adsorbates over Pd surface are discussed as well as the factors affecting catalyst activity and selectivity and how these can be optimised in synthetic protocols for these reactions

Molasses growth medium for production of Rhizobium sp. based biofertilizer

378-383Rhizobium forms symbiotic relationship with leguminous crops and is recommended for use in various legumes. Rhizobium sp. fix atmospheric nitrogen and make it available to legumes through formation of root nodules. Rhizobium biofertilizer production is carried out mostly by using semi-synthetic microbiological medium which forms major expense of this activity. Successful commercial production of biofertilizer can be enhanced by use of natural substrates, as molasses, cheese whey, corn steep liquor, for bacterial biomass production. The present work centers around the use of sugarcane molasses as a source of fermentable sugars. It was supplemented with various organic/inorganic nitrogen sources, chemical compounds to increase biomass yield and to increase the shelf life of the product thus prepared. Compliance to Fertilizer Control Order specifications was demonstrated in wet lab analysis

Fabrication of novel carbon quantum dots modified bismuth oxide (α-Bi2O3/C-dots): Material properties and catalytic applications

The present work reports the facile and the template free sonochemical synthesis of a novel catalyst, α-Bi2O3/C-dots, for the degradation of indigo carmine (IC) dye, its simulated dyebath effluent and levofloxacin under visible light catalysis. The compositional, structural, optical and morphological analysis of α-Bi2O3/C-dots was studied using analytical, spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results confirmed the presence of a monoclinic phase of α-Bi2O3in the nanocomposite and crystallite size of 28.75 nm. Photoluminescence (PL) and UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectra (UV-DRS) studies showed good optical properties and a band gap of 2.49 eV. The synthesized photocatalyst showed superior visible-light driven photocatalytic activity for the degradation of indigo carmine dye (86% dye degradation in 120 min) compared to pure α-Bi2O3(57%). α-Bi2O3/C-dots also exhibited 79% degradation of antibiotic drug levofloxacin within 120 min, under optimized conditions of pH, catalyst dose and initial dye concentration. Scavenger studies revealed that hydroxyl radicals and electrons played predominant roles in the photocatalytic degradation of IC dye. With respect to total organic carbon (TOC) analysis, 68.8% total organic carbon reduction of the IC dye (10 mg/L) was observed under the same experimental conditions. The catalytic efficiency of C-dots in the photocatalytic process is explained by proposing a degradation mechanism

Premature Hair Greying - Magnitude and Associated Factors: A cross-sectional study in a university in Mysuru

Background: Premature hair greying (PHG) refers to the diffuse loss of hair color at an age earlier than that is generally accepted as physiological. Studies have found that it affects self-esteem and social life. Our efforts were to estimate the prevalence among students <25years and understand the associated factors. Design and Methods: A cross-sectional study using a simple random sampling technique was used to survey 358 students at a university in Mysuru. The data were analyzed using SPSS v22. The association and relationship of PHG with attributed risk factors and various socio-clinical factors have been analyzed using Chi-Square Test, Independent sample t-test, and Mann Whitney U-test. A p-value of less than 0.05 has been considered statistically significant. Results: In this study, the prevalence of PHG was 28.2%. We observed that PHG was associated with male gender, obesity, and positive paternal, maternal, and family history of PHG. The relation of PHG with lower dietary iron intake, tobacco smoking amount, and frequency was also found in this study. However, no association between PHG and psychological stress, alcohol consumption, dietary Vitamin B12, and D intake, shampoo, and oil usage frequency was found. Conclusion: We recommend that further studies should be done to check if weight reduction, smoking cessation, and maintenance of dietary iron adequacy can help in preventing PHG

Comparison of the safety and efficacy of caroverine and betahistine in patients of subjective tinnitus

Background: Owing to lack of any established treatment and handicap assessment methods, subjective tinnitus can be a debilitating disorder. This study was carried out to compare the safety and efficacy of caroverine and betahistine in patients of subjective tinnitus.Methods: A total of 60 patients of subjective tinnitus were randomized into two groups and followed-up for 12 weeks using tinnitus handicap inventory (THI) questionnaire. One group received 8 mg betahistine tablet TDS for a month whereas the other group was given supervised intravenous (IV) infusion of 160 mg of caroverine dihydrochloride. Data for the safety were also recorded.Results: Both the drugs showed significant improvement in severity of symptoms at 1 week, 4 weeks and 12 weeks individually as assessed by the THI scores. The response to caroverine was significant up to 4 weeks, but it was not significant at 12 weeks; whereas the response to betahistine was significant up to 12 weeks. A total of 28 adverse drug reactions (ADRs) were reported (53.6% with caroverine, 46.4% with betahistine). 24 ADRs were mild and 4 were moderate in intensity. There was no serious adverse event.Conclusions: Both the drugs are safe and efficacious in reducing the handicap of subjective tinnitus. A single IV infusion of caroverine may suffice for 4-6 weeks, so it may be repeated after 6 weeks to maintain the relief

To study the outcome of previous one cesarean pregnancies in a rural tertiary center of Haryana, India

Background: Rising rates of caesarean section is a matter of great concern and TOLAC is an attractive alternative. Analysing outcome of previous one caesarean pregnancies will provide an insight for reducing the caesarean rates and formulating protocols and policies for TOLAC.Methods: A retrospective study of patients of previous one caesarean pregnancy was done from February 2015 to January 2016 and 3 groups were made, ERCS group, failed TOLAC group and successful TOLAC group. The rates of elective repeat caesarean, failed TOLAC, successful TOLAC, maternal complications, neonatal morbidity and mortality in all three groups were studied.Results: There were 5177 total deliveries with 488 (9.43%) previous one caesarean pregnancies. Out of 488 patients 161 (33%) underwent elective repeat caesarean and 327 (67%) underwent trial of labour. Out of 327 patients 234 (71.56%) had a successful TOLAC and 93 (28.44%) had failed TOLAC. Breech (23%) followed by foetal distress (20%) were the most common indications of previous caesarean. Commonest indication of elective repeat caesarean was short interval (33%) and that of failed TOLAC was foetal distress (38.7%) followed by failed induction (23.6%). There were 4 morbidly adherent placentas (0.82%), 1 scar rupture, 3 scar dehiscence, no maternal mortality and 10 neonatal deaths.Conclusions: Previous one caesarean section is not only a risk factor for repeat caesareans and complications like morbidly adherent placenta, uterine rupture but also a financial burden on health facilities. Encouraging the patients for trial of labour and emphasizing the usage of contraception is the need of the hour