New Variable Compliance Method for Estimating In-Situ Stress and Leak-Off from DFIT Data

It is shown that using Carter leak-off is an oversimplification that leads to significant errors in the interpretation of DFIT data. Most importantly, this article reveals that previous methods of estimating minimum in-situ stress often lead to significant over or underestimates. Based on our modeling and simulation results, we propose a much more accurate and reliable method to estimate the minimum in-situ stress and fracture pressure dependent leak-off rate

Metformin induced yellow nails: a rare entity

This article reports an interesting and a rare case of metformin induced nail disorder in a middle aged female with type 2 diabetes. The patient had been receiving metformin one 1500mg daily from the last 6 months and noticed her finger nails gradually thickened and turned yellow. On stopping the metformin, the nails gradually normalized. The patient was treated further with glimepiride and insulin glargine. After 3 months of discontinuation of metformin there was a significant improvement in the nails. Clinicians should be aware of metformin induced yellow discolouration of nails, though a curable and reversible condition if diagnosed well in time

Mixing and Homogenization in the Early Solar System: Clues from Sr, Ba, Nd, and Sm Isotopes in Meteorites

High-precision barium isotopic compositions of large samples of an ordinary chondrite and a eucrite are identical to the terrestrial values. In contrast, the carbonaceous chondrites reveal excesses in 135Ba and 137Ba of around +39 and +22 parts per million (ppm), respectively; no anomalies are resolvable in 130,132,138Ba. High-precision Sr isotopic compositions of all meteorites are identical within error. The data are consistent with the carbonaceous chondrites having an excess in the r-process 135,137Ba with respect to Earth, eucrite parent bodies, and ordinary chondrites. The carbonaceous chondrites, however, display no variation in the r- and s-process Sm and Nd isotopes, suggesting that the r-process sources of Ba and the lanthanides were decoupled. The homogeneity of Ba and Sm isotopes in the Earth, eucrite parent body, and ordinary chondrite indicates that the solar nebula that fed planetesimals between ~1 and ~2.4 AU was well mixed with respect to these isotopes. It was heterogeneous beyond ~2.7 AU where carbonaceous chondrite parent bodies formed. These observations also indicate that the best estimate of the Nd isotopic composition of the Earth is obtained from ordinary chondrites and not from carbonaceous chondrites, as is normally assumed. Since the terrestrial upper mantle shows a 142Nd anomaly of +18 ± 8 ppm with respect to the ordinary chondrites, this is further evidence that the upper mantle retains a memory of early Earth differentiation and sequestration of a reservoir with an average Sm/Nd ratio lower than that of chondrites

A Rare Coexistence of Neuroblastoma with Spina Bifida

Coexistence of solid tumors with congenital abnormality is known to occur. Neuroblastoma is the most common solid tumor in childhood which has various associations, but seldom with spina bifida. The authors describe one such case which highlights and enlightens the readers with this rare association

Clinical profile of recent progressive illnesses in patients with mucormycosis: a comprehensive analysis

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic, in its omnipresence, descended an unprecedented blow on the reeling facilities nationwide, which at its stabilising junction posed another threat – mucormycosis. Potentially immunodeficient cases, diabetes and excessive rampancy of steroids propagated this neo-epidemic, currently challenging the fretting mortality rate. Aim of the study was to analyse the clinical profile elaborating the recent illnesses and progression in patients admitted with mucormycosis in a dedicated ‘mucor-care’ centre.Methods: Total 195 admitted patients were evaluated based on their COVID protocol management and oxygen therapy administered with special emphasis on hygiene maintenance in view of mask support, oral care and hospitalisation course with duration and medications provided. Type and duration of glucocorticoids, injectable or oral, dispensed to the patients were duly logged and analysed.Results: Half cases (50%) were found COVID reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) positive with 69% patients suffering from moderate ailment and above. Patients averaged 25-30 days at onset of post-COVID mucormycosis symptomatology with 78% (172) cases having h/o hospitalisation. 90% patients required oxygen therapy in variable magnitudes with meagre 38% receiving ‘remdesivir’ complete course dosages. Despite being prudent, 58% did not maintain adequate sanitation while 72% denied having oxygen humidified. Steroids were pivotal with 84% affirmative prevalence; dexamethasone being commonest, averaging 15 days of therapy, which supplementing immune-compromised modalities, promulgated this epidemic.Conclusions: The deadly trinity of diabetes, rampancy of steroids in a background of COVID-19 caused havoc in recent times. Only astute usage of resources and prudent education can curb this menace in a better way.