Search

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumour in paediatric patients present with a diagnostic dilemma because of its clinical, radiological and histopathological features overlapping with other mesenchymal tumours common in this age. Because of its rarity, the exact features are still unclear. Here, we are reporting clinical, radiological and histopathological appearances of two such cases. In both cases, the exact diagnosis was confirmed only after immunohistochemistry. There is a need for further detailed study to exactly determine the natural course and prognosis of these tumours.

Background: Incisional hernia repair is one of the most common procedures performed in general surgery. Onlay and sublay mesh repair both are well established techniques for the locations of mesh placement, but with various benefits and drawbacks. Despite various studies, the debate continues regarding preferring one technique over the other. We aim to compare the outcome of hernia repair between these two techniques. Materials and Methods: Retrospective analysis was done on patients who underwent open onlay/sublay hernia repair from February 2018 to March 2020 at our institute. 9–28 months of follow-up was done. Primary outcome was recurrence. Secondary outcomes included postoperative complications including surgical site infection, hematoma, seroma, wound dehiscence, peri-operative pain, persistent seroma, readmission after 30 days and chronic pain. Results: A total of 87 patients underwent open ventral hernia repair during the study period. Of which, 41 had onlay and 46 had sublay repair (SR). Recurrence occurred in five patients (12.2%) with onlay repair and two patients in sublay group (4.3%) after a follow-up duration of up to 28 months (P = 0.247). Wound complications were more common in onlay group (46.3%) than the sublay group (19.5%) (P = 0.008). The mean standard deviation intraoperative blood loss (mL) was significantly higher in sublay group (156 [96]) than onlay group (123 [110]) (P < 0.0001). The postoperative drain output and the duration of placement were both greater in the onlay group (P < 0.0001). The median (range) of hospital stay was significantly longer in the onlay group (5[3–10] days) than the sublay group (4[2–6] days) (P < 0.001). Conclusion: SR seems to be the better technique taking into account the overall morbidity, although the need for multi-centric trials with patient-centered outcomes should be highlighted to settle the debate.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is characterized by a pro-inflammatory state associated with organ failure, thrombosis, and death. We investigated a novel inflammatory biomarker, γ fibrinogen (GPF), in 103 hospitalized patients with COVID-19 and 19 healthy controls. We found significant associations between GPF levels and the severity of COVID-19 as judged by blood oxygen saturation (SpO2). The mean level of GPF in the patients with COVID-19 was significantly higher than in controls (69.8 (95 % CI 64.8-74.8) mg/dL compared with 36.9 (95 % CI 31.4-42.4) mg/dL, p  93 %, GPF 62.5 (95 % CI 55.0-70.0) mg/dL, p = 0.01, AUC of 0.68, 95 % CI 0.57-0.78; Youdens index cutpoint 62.9 mg/dL, sensitivity 0.64, specificity 0.63). In contrast, CRP, interleukin-6, ferritin, LDH, D-dimers, and total fibrinogen had weaker associations with COVID-19 disease severity (all ROC curves with lower AUCs). Thus, GPF may be a useful inflammatory marker of COVID-19 respiratory disease severity.

Justicia gendarussa Burm.f, belonging to the family Acanthaceae, is widely used for various ailments traditionally. Antioxidant, anti-arthritic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anticancerous, properties of the plant have been widely reported. The present study analyzed the cardioprotective effect of J. gendarussa on doxorubicin (DOX) induced toxicity in mice. Ethanolic extract of J. gendarussa was administered orally for 7 consecutive days. The alterations in oxido-reduction status, biochemical and histopathological parameters were analyzed in heart tissue. DOX increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activities to 3.4 ± 0.5 and 3.68 ± 1 from their normal values 2.43 ± 0.8 and 2.72 ± 0.88, respectively. The increased activities of both the enzymes were found reduced to 3.12 ± 0.24 and 3.41 ± 0.65 by the treatment of the extract. Similarly, DOX elevated glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity to 44.6 ± 3.71 from the normal level 32.33 ± 3.41. DOX decreased the glutathione (GSH) level to 15.66 ± 2.51 from the normal values 31.66 ± 4.05. Upon treatment, GPx activity and GHS level found restored. The increased lipid peroxidation 2.53 ± 0.25 of DOX was also decreased to 2.0 ± 0.34 by the extract. Histopathology observations substantiate the protective effect of J. gendarussa extract. In conclusion, DOX-induced disturbance of oxido-reduction status and histopathology of heart attenuated closer to the normal indicating the protective effect of J. gendarussa against DOX-induced toxicity in cardiomyocytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Incisional hernia repair is one of the most common procedures performed in general surgery. Onlay and sublay mesh repair both are well established techniques for the locations of mesh placement, but with various benefits and drawbacks. Despite various studies, the debate continues regarding preferring one technique over the other. We aim to compare the outcome of hernia repair between these two techniques. Materials and Methods: Retrospective analysis was done on patients who underwent open onlay/sublay hernia repair from February 2018 to March 2020 at our institute. 9–28 months of follow-up was done. Primary outcome was recurrence. Secondary outcomes included postoperative complications including surgical site infection, hematoma, seroma, wound dehiscence, peri-operative pain, persistent seroma, readmission after 30 days and chronic pain. Results: A total of 87 patients underwent open ventral hernia repair during the study period. Of which, 41 had onlay and 46 had sublay repair (SR). Recurrence occurred in five patients (12.2%) with onlay repair and two patients in sublay group (4.3%) after a follow-up duration of up to 28 months (P = 0.247). Wound complications were more common in onlay group (46.3%) than the sublay group (19.5%) (P = 0.008). The mean standard deviation intraoperative blood loss (mL) was significantly higher in sublay group (156 [96]) than onlay group (123 [110]) (P < 0.0001). The postoperative drain output and the duration of placement were both greater in the onlay group (P < 0.0001). The median (range) of hospital stay was significantly longer in the onlay group (5[3–10] days) than the sublay group (4[2–6] days) (P < 0.001). Conclusion: SR seems to be the better technique taking into account the overall morbidity, although the need for multi-centric trials with patient-centered outcomes should be highlighted to settle the debate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The separation of para -cresol (4-methylphenol) and meta -cresol (3-methylphenol) from their mixture have been an interesting challenge because of their close boiling points, where the boiling point difference of isomers is merely 0.29 °C. Stripping Crystallization is an intensified technique, used for separation of close boiling mixtures. This technique is based on the triple point condition, where the liquid mixture is simultaneously vaporized and crystallized, owing to three-phase equilibrium. In the current work, a detailed experimental study has been carried out to establish the feasibility of stripping crystallization process for separating out para - and meta - cresols from their mixture. Gas Chromatography has been used to determine the purity of the distinct cresols obtained from the experiments. Feasibility revealed the dependence of the process on different operating and design parameters. Hence, additional experiments were done to study the effect of these parameters. Cooling rate, seeding, availability of surface area and application of vacuum are found to be effecting the quality of the separated product. Obtained results are found to be in coherence with the available data reported in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Visceral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are extremely rare with only a few cases described in the literature. We have encountered a mesenteric AVM in a 23-year-old girl. Considering the rarity of this entity and diagnostic dilemma, we herein describe a case of mesenteric AVM along with the review of literature. A 23-year-old female presented with pain and lump in lower abdomen. During her workup to conclude a final diagnosis, Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) was done. Post FNAC patient went into shock and immediately emergency laparotomy was done. The bleeding mass was resected along with involved gut and anastomosis was done. Histopathology suggested AVM. She was doing well at 2 months of follow up. AVM is the rare cause of ischaemic colitis. It can create a diagnostic dilemma with its unusual presentation and its rarity even for both radiologists and surgeons. Usually such malformation reported after trauma or any surgical intervention, but in our case there was no such history of trauma which makes this case more interesting. Invasive investigation is recommended in such condition but needs to be very cautious. As in this index case invasive procedure lead to severe bleeding. Although definitive treatment are embolization and surgery. Invasive procedure should be avoided in case of AVM. If angiography is not available its mandatory to keep operating room ready before any invasive procedure. • Only few cases of visceral arteriovenous malformations are reported in the literature. • Invasive investigation should be avoided in case of AVM. • Because of more lymphatic component sometimes contrast enhancement is not obvious. • The early surgical intervention is wise decision even in case of diagnosis dilemma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study investigates the issue of marine debris and the associated soil, sediment, water quality, and microbial load from the fish landing centres (Junglighat, Chatham, Wandoor, and Guptapara) of South Andaman. The results revealed that significantly (P < 0.05) higher number and weight of marine debris was found in urban landing centres such as Chatham (21.26 ± 1.03 numbers/m2) and Junglighat (268.16 ± 27.00 g/m2), respectively. Plastic debris was found to be the most abundant type of debris, among which plastic bags were dominant. Better soil, sediment, and water quality parameters were observed in rural landing centres such as Wandoor and Guptapara, whereas microbial load was found to be higher in urban landing centres. The study recommends the imperative need to generate awareness on better management practices among the stakeholders to deal with the issue of marine debris and to aim sustainable management of the coastal environment. • The present study highlights the issue of marine debris in the fish landing centres of Andaman archipelago, India. • Significantly higher number and weight of marine debris was found in urban landing centres. • Plastic debris was found to be the most abundant type of debris than other types of debris. • Better soil, sediment, and water quality parameters were observed in rural landing centres. • Science-policy-practice interface has to be strengthened to curb the issue of marine debris. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Simultaneous removal of acidic and basic dye was investigated using falling film photoreactor. • Concentration of dye(s) in multi-dye mixture was quantified using derivative spectroscopy. • Effect of experimental conditions on dye(s) degradation was examined. • Kinetic study, toxicity and dye degradation pathways were analyzed. • Synergistic index, energy consumption and electrical energy order for dyes removal was assessed. In this investigation, performance evaluation of different advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) viz. UV, PS, HPO, PS + HPO, UV + PS, UV + HPO and UV + PS + HPO in falling film photoreactor (FFPR) for degradation of methyl orange (MO) and eosin yellow (EY) dye(s) in mono-dye (MO/EY) and multi-dye (MO + EY) systems were examined. Meanwhile, the derivative spectroscopic method was used to quantify the concentration of dye(s) in multi-dye mixture. Subsequently, the effect of experimental conditions such as the reaction time, dye concentration and oxidant dosage on dye(s) degradation was studied. Furthermore, kinetic study, LCMS and toxicity study were carried out to determine the rate constant, degradation pathway and % inhibition, respectively. From the results, it was found that the UV + PS + HPO system was effective in the removal of both dyes in mono-dye and multi-dye systems. A maximum removal of 100% and 97.9% was noticed for MO and EY dyes in mono-dye system, respectively. Meanwhile, a maximum removal of 88.9% and 100% was seen for MO and EY dyes from MO + EY multi-dye system. On the other hand, the toxicity was found to decline after 240 min and 300 min of UV irradiation during the degradation of EY and MO dyes, respectively. The synergistic index, energy consumption and electrical energy order of UV + PS + HPO system were better for removal of dyes from mono-dye and multi-dye systems when compared with other AOPs. In general, UV + PS + HPO system in FFPR can be efficiently applied for the simultaneous removal of multiple dyes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the association between furosemide exposure and risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).Study Design: This retrospective cohort study included infants (2004-2015) born at 23-29 weeks gestational age and 501-1249 g birth weight. We compared the demographic and clinical characteristics of infants exposed and not exposed to furosemide between postnatal day 7 and 36 weeks postmenstrual age. We examined the association between furosemide exposure and 2 outcomes: BPD and BPD or death. We performed multivariable probit regression models that included demographic and clinical variables in addition to 2 instrumental variables: furosemide exposure by discharge year, and furosemide exposure by site.Results: Of 37 693 included infants, 19 235 (51%) were exposed to furosemide; these infants were more premature and had higher respiratory support. Of 33 760 infants who survived to BPD evaluation, 15 954 (47%) had BPD. An increase in the proportion of furosemide exposure days by 10 percentage points was associated with a decrease in both the incidence of BPD (4.6 percentage points; P = .001), and BPD or death (3.7 percentage points; P = .01).Conclusions: More days of furosemide exposure between postnatal day 7 and 36 weeks was associated with decreased risk of BPD and a combined outcome of BPD or death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]