Sustainable reinforcing filler for eco-friendly tires:A step towards understanding the reinforcing potential of hydrothermally treated lignin

The environmental impact of tires, including greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on fossil-based materials, has driven the tire industry toward sustainability and a circular economy. This shift involves using bio-based and recycled materials to develop more sustainable tires to reduce carbon footprints. Lignin, a byproduct of the paper and bio-refinery industries, shows promise as a sustainable reinforcing filler for rubber compounds due to its renewable nature and unique characteristics, such as high carbon content, good antioxidant properties, lightweight, biodegradability, and thermal stability. However, certain limitations exist in the practical application of conventional lignin, primarily stemming from its limited compatibility with non-polar rubber.In the present thesis, the use of a hydrothermal treatment (HTT) technique has been recommended to improve the reinforcing effects of conventional lignin in a styrene-butadiene/butadiene rubber blend (SSBR/BR). Various surface modifiers, including silane, thiol, and epoxide, were investigated to enhance the performance of hydrothermally treated Kraft lignin in the selected non-polar rubber. Among them, silane-based modifiers, especially bis(triethoxypropyl)tetrasulfide (TESPT), exhibited significant potential in improving the reinforcing effect of HTT lignin in SSBR/BR compounds. Besides, it was also found that the interaction mechanism between HTT lignin and sulfur silanes is different from that of silica/silane. It was revealed through model studies that the coupling between HTT lignin and silane does not occur via the ethoxy groups of silane but instead via the thiol group of the silane. Thus, the existing knowledge gap in the modification of HTT lignin is emphasized. In conclusion, the present study highlights the importance of understanding the interactions between HTT lignin, modifier, and functionalized or non-functionalized rubber to fully envisage the potential of HTT lignin as a reinforcing filler

Efficacy of mifepristone in the management of fibroid

Background: Uterine fibroids are the most common benign tumors of the uterus. The incidence has been shown to be as high as 70–80 percent in studies using histologic and sonographic examinations. Majority of fibroids are asymptomatic and when symptomatic, patients present with menstrual disturbances, infertility, lump abdomen or pressure effects. The complications associated are severe anemia, hyaline or red degeneration, urinary retention, hydronephrosis secondary to obstructive uropathy and rarely sarcomatous changes. The treatment depends upon the size, symptoms, location and age of the patient. The aim and objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of Mifepristone in symptomatic improvement and reduction of the size of fibroid.Methods: The study was conducted in Sri Venkateswaraa Medical College Hospital and Research Centre (SVMCH and RC), Puducherry. This is a hospital based longitudinal study conducted in between December 2019 to June 2021 for a period of 18 months. 30 consecutive cases were studied based on inclusion criteria. All patients were treated with mifepristone 50 mg once weekly for 6 months. Analysis was performed by using statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) version 23 software.Results: In this study we observed there was a significant improvement in the hemoglobin (Hb) level, significant reduction in uterine volume, fibroid size and endometrial thickness after 6th month follow-up.Conclusions: Mifepristone was able to significantly improve the patient outcome by reducing the amount of blood flow during menstruation and increasing the Hb levels and significantly reduce the size of myoma

Obstetric outcome of antenatal mother with history of spontaneous abortion attending a tertiary care hospital in Puducherry

Background: The pregnancy time is critical for both the mother’s and the baby’s health. The most common unfavourable pregnancy outcome is spontaneous abortion. Spontaneous pregnancy loss is a surprisingly common event, with roughly 15% of all clinically diagnosed pregnancies ending in pregnancy failure. Couples who suffer from frequent miscarriages may find it difficult to cope physically and emotionally. This study was planned to evaluate the association of preterm delivery, low birth weight, IUGR, recurrence of abortion, still birth, IUD, PROM, or any other adverse outcome in patients with history of previous spontaneous abortions. Objectives were to look for association between previous spontaneous abortion and preterm delivery, low birth weight, IUGR, recurrence of abortion, stillbirth, IUD, PROM and other complications in subsequent pregnancies. Methods: This was a prospective observational study done with 150 samples. The information such as demographic data of the antenatal women, clinical history, past obstetrics history, clinical examination, laboratory investigations and outcome of present pregnancy were collected and evaluated. Results: Maternal complications such as UTI (4.6%), Infection and fever (5.3%), PROM (2.7%), PPH (4%), hyperemesis 4%, PPROM 2.7% were observed. In study population, 60% of the foetus were in cephalic position, 19% in breech presentation and 21% in shoulder presentation.  29% of the women had preterm delivery, 34% were delivered by LSCS and 6% had spontaneous abortions. Low birth weight babies delivered in 25% cases. Foetal distress was observed in 15%, FGR in 9%, still birth in 3% and IUD in 1%. Conclusions: Women with previous spontaneous abortion are associated with a higher incidence of preterm delivery, cesarean section rate, neonatal low birth weight, fetal distress and high possibility of infection. Therefore, patients with previous spontaneous miscarriage represent a high-risk population for obstetric complication and close surveillance during the antenatal period is required

Rickettsia conorii infection with fatal complication

Rickettsial diseases (RD) are a group of endotheliotropic infectious diseases caused by different species of genera Rickettsia. RD are not an uncommon disease and may be misdiagnosed during the evaluation of acute febrile illness due to a lack of reliable serological marker and diagnostic culture methods. Clinical manifestation of RD varies from febrile illness with rashes and myalgia to fatal complications such as shock and respiratory failure. We describe a case of a young male who presented initially with acute febrile illness, followed by shock and respiratory failure, and unfortunately succumbed to death. A post-mortem examination showed histological features of endotheliotropic infection, such as interstitial / perivascular edema in various organs and noncardiogenic pulmonary edema (suggesting increased vascular permeability) and evidence of vasculitis in the lung, liver, and intestines. Molecular studies performed from lung, liver, and kidney tissue confirm the diagnosis of spotted fever group rickettsial disease due to Rickettsia conorii

Horizons in Coupling of Sulfur-Bearing Silanes to Hydrothermally Treated Lignin toward Sustainable Development

The development of hydrothermally treated (HTT) lignin as a promising reinforcing filler for elastomers is challenged by the use of different sulfur-bearing silane coupling agents. Though the application of certain sulfur silane-modified HTT lignin, in particular bis(3-triethoxysilylpropyl)tetrasulfide, improves the in-rubber properties relative to the unmodified and other sulfur silane-modified ones, it results in the formation of distinctive spongelike filler textures within the rubber matrix, as observed by atomic force microscopy. It is of prime importance to understand the reason behind this formation of emerging filler cluster units and the less reinforcing efficiency of other sulfur silane-modified ones. This demanded the elucidation of the coupling reaction of hydrothermally treated lignin and sulfur silane modifiers as it can widen the application window for hydrothermally treated lignin in rubber technology and facilitate the use of these renewable materials. To gain insight into this phenomenon, HTT lignin and their model compounds were subjected to modifications using coupling agents bearing the specific silane functionalities, alkoxy and thiol. By detailed nuclear magnetic resonance investigations, it is shown that the underlying principle of coupling occurs between the thiols of silane and lignin. This systematic study also exemplifies that the ethoxy and/or the silanol groups of silane are unreactive toward the lignin surface and are only capable of self-condensation. In summary, a different coupling phenomenon is observed for hydrothermally treated lignin and sulfur silane, explaining both the cluster formation and the obtained reinforcing properties.</p

Evaluation of p53, HoxD10, and E-Cadherin Status in Breast Cancer and Correlation with Histological Grade and Other Prognostic Factors

Background. Study of tumor molecular characteristics is necessary to understand both the risk of breast cancer recurrence and the response to therapy. Aims. To evaluate p53, HoxD10, and E-cadherin status in breast cancer and to correlate with histological grade and other prognostic factors. Material and Methods. The study was conducted in 60 cases of invasive ductal carcinoma NOS with 20 cases belonging to each grade and evaluation of p53 was done by IHC and that of HoxD10 and E Cadherin status by PCR and correlation was done with histological grade and other prognostic factors. Result. p53 expression was seen in 71.67% (43/60) of the tumors. HoxD10 gene was downregulated in 46.67% (28/60) of the tumors. p53 overexpression and lower HoxD10 mRNA levels showed statistically significant association higher histological grade of the tumor (P<0.05). CDH1 gene mutation was seen in 60% (15/25) of the tumors. No significant association was found between p53 expression, HoxD10 gene, CDH1 gene mutation, and other prognostic factors. Conclusion. p53 over expression and lower HoxD10 mRNA levels were found to be significantly associated with higher grade tumours. This suggests that p53 and HoxD10 gene play an important tumor suppressor role and the loss of which results in breast cancer progression