Confinement-induced self-assembly of a diblock copolymer within a non-uniform cylindrical nanopore.

The self-assembly of a diblock copolymer melt confined within a non-uniform cylindrical nanopore is studied using the self-consistent field theory. The non-uniformity manifests in the form of a converging-diverging cylindrical nanopore. The axial variation in pore diameter presents a range of curvatures within the same confinement pore as opposed to a single curvature in a uniform-diameter cylindrical pore. The introduction of multiple curvatures leads to the formation of novel microstructures not accessible in uniform cylindrical confinement. The well-known equilibrium structures like a single helix, double helices, and concentric lamella under cylindrical confinement transition into new morphologies such as hyperboloidal phases, microstructures containing rings with a bead, rings with spheres, and a squeezed helical phase as the pore diameter varies axially. The converging-diverging geometry of the confining pore renders the helical phases seen in the cylindrical pore less favorable. A phase diagram in the parametric space of the block fraction and the ratio of the smallest and largest pore radii has been constructed to depict the order-order transition of various microstructures. The ratio of radii, a measure of the non-uniformity of the pore, along with the pore length brings out some interesting morphologies. The mechanism of these structural transitions is understood as the interplay between the variation in pore curvature attributed to the non-uniformity, the spontaneous curvature of the block copolymer interface, and the enthalpic interaction between the segregated blocks.

Plant growth promoting potential of urea doped calcium phosphate nanoparticles in finger millet (Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.) under drought stress.

Drought is a leading threat that impinges on plant growth and productivity. Nanotechnology is considered an adequate tool for resolving various environmental issues by offering avant-garde and pragmatic solutions. Using nutrients in the nano-scale including CaP-U NPs is a novel fertilization strategy for crops. The present study was conducted to develop and utilize environment-friendly urea nanoparticles (NPs) based nano-fertilizers as a crop nutrient. The high solubility of urea molecules was controlled by integrating them with a matrix of calcium phosphate nanoparticles (CaP NPs). CaP NPs contain high phosphorous and outstanding biocompatibility. Scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) were used to characterize the fabricated NPs. FE-SEM determined no areas of phase separation in urea and calcium phosphate, indicating the successful formation of an encapsulated nanocomposite between the two nano matrices. TEM examination confirmed a fiber-like structure of CaP-U NPs with 15 to 50 nm diameter and 100 to 200 nm length. The synthesized CaP-U NPs and bulk urea (0.0, 0.1% and 0.5%) were applied by foliar sprays at an interval of 15 days on pre-sowed VL-379 variety of finger millet (Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.), under irrigated and drought conditions. The application of the CaP-U NPs significantly enhanced different plant growth attributes such as shoot length (29.4 & 41%), root length (46.4 & 51%), shoot fresh (33.6 & 55.8%) and dry weight (63 & 59.1%), and root fresh (57 & 61%) and dry weight (78 & 80.7%), improved pigment system (chlorophyll) and activated plant defense enzymes such as proline (35.4%), superoxide dismutase (47.7%), guaiacol peroxidase (30.2%), ascorbate peroxidase (70%) under both irrigated and drought conditions. Superimposition of five treatment combinations on drought suggested that CaP-U NPs at 0.5 followed by 0.1% provided the highest growth indices and defense-related enzymes, which were significantly different. Overall, our findings suggested that synthesized CaP-U NPs treatment of finger millet seeds improved plant growth and enzymatic regulation, particularly more in drought conditions providing insight into the strategy for not only finger millet but probably for other commercial cereals crops which suffer from fluctuating environmental conditions.

To Evaluate the Pre and Post Shunt Sensorineural Hearing Loss in Hydrocephalus Patients.

Hydrocephalus means watery head and defined as disturbance of formation, flow, or absorption of cerebrospinal fluid. The clinical presentation of hydrocephalus includes hearing loss especially sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunting is the most commonly performed procedure in these patients. Pure tone audiogram, impedence and BAEPs, were done for preoperative hearing assessment in 20 hydrocephalus patients. Out of 20 patients, 12 cases (60%) had SNHL while, rest 8 (40%) patients had mixed hearing loss. Post VP shunting hearing improvement was observed in 14 patients (70%) whereas it worsened in 30% of patients. The result is even better if shunt is placed at early age.

LSG vs OAGB-1 Year Follow-up Data-a Randomized Control Trial.

OBJECTIVES: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is one of the most popular bariatric procedure. One anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB) is rapidly emerging as a safe and effective metabolic procedure. This study aims at comparing the 1-year follow-up results of OAGB and LSG in terms of excess weight loss, complications, resolution of comorbidities, and quality of life. METHODS: A prospective randomized study of results between 100 LSG and 101 OAGB patients was done from 2012 to 2015. The results were compared regarding operative outcomes, percentage of excess weight loss, complications, resolution of comorbidities, and quality of life (BAROS score). RESULTS: The mean BMI for the OAGB and LSG group was 44.31 and 43.75 kg/m2, respectively. Percentage of excess weight loss (%EWL) for OAGB vs LSG was 66.87 ± 10.87 vs 63.97 ± 13.24 at 1 year (p > 0.05), respectively. Diabetes remission was 83.63 % in OAGB patients and 76.58 % in LSG patients. Remission of hypertension is 64.15 % in OAGB patients and 66.07 % in LSG patients. Bariatric Analysis Reporting and Outcome System (BAROS) was 3.71 in LSG and 3.96 in OAGB. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, there was no significant difference between LSG and OAGB in outcome at 1 year follow-up in % excess weight loss, remission of HTN, and quality of life. OAGB has marginally better outcome in T2 DM remission. However, a longer follow-up is required to establish a correct comparative result.

A Rare Variant of Diaphragmatic Hernia through the Central Tendon: A Case Report.

Diaphragmatic hernia through the central tendon is a very rare entity. We report on a case that developed to acute intestinal obstruction, secondary to herniation of the small intestine through a small defect in the central tendon of the diaphragm. The patient never had any trauma to his chest or abdomen and had no history suggestive of congenital nature of the diaphragmatic hernia. However, he had coronary artery bypass grafting with saphenous vein used as a graft, done almost 17 years back; hence, we suspect it to be an iatrogenic hernia. A laparoscopic herniorrhaphy of the diaphragmatic defect was carried out after reducing the herniated organ. The postoperative course was uneventful. Iatrogenic diaphragmatic hernias are a very rare entity. We are reporting on a central tendon hernial defect in the diaphragm after coronary artery bypass with saphenous vein as a graft material. There are reported cases with post coronary artery bypass graft diaphragmatic hernia in which the right gastroepiploic artery was taken as the graft material. Late diagnosis of iatrogenic diaphragmatic hernias is frequent. CT scan is helpful for diagnosis. Surgery is the treatment of diaphragmatic hernia at the time of diagnosis, even with asymptomatic patients.

Is resected stomach volume related to weight loss after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy?

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) was initially performed as the first stage of biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch for the treatment of super-obese or high-risk obese patients but is now most commonly performed as a standalone operation. The aim of this prospective study was to investigate outcomes after LSG according to resected stomach volume. METHODS: Between May 2011 and April 2013, LSG was performed in 102 consecutive patients undergoing bariatric surgery. Two patients were excluded, and data from the remaining 100 patients were analyzed in this study. Patients were divided into three groups according to the following resected stomach volume: 700-1,200 mL (group A, n = 21), 1,200-1,700 mL (group B, n = 62), and >1,700 mL (group C, n = 17). Mean values were compared among the groups by analysis of variance. RESULTS: The mean percentage excess body weight loss (%EBWL) at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after surgery was 37.68 ± 10.97, 50.97 ± 13.59, 62.35 ± 11.31, and 67.59 ± 9.02 %, respectively. There were no significant differences in mean %EBWL among the three groups. Resected stomach volume was greater in patients with higher preoperative body mass index and was positively associated with resected stomach weight. CONCLUSIONS: Mean %EBWL after LSG was not significantly different among three groups of patients divided according to resected stomach volume. Resected stomach volume was significantly greater in patients with higher preoperative body mass index.

Comrarative study of infiltration and surface application of bupivacaine in post tonsillectomy pain.

The concept of preamptive analgesia using bupivacaine to minimize post operative pain is a well established fact in surgery today. But the role ol bupivacaine to control post operative pain in tonsillectomy is still viewed with some degree of suspicion. The review of medical literature gives us conflicting views regarding its use. We present a randomised double blind study of 80 cases in which bupivacaine was used in the form of infilteration (preoperatively and packs (postoperatively) to minimize post tonsillectomy pain. The results were statistically analysed using 't' test and bupivacaine was found to be highly effective in minimizing post operative tonsillectomy pain. But the superiority of one method of application over the other could not be established.

Secretory otitis media: A school health survey.

The present study was carried out to find out prevalence of secretory otitis media in 200 school going children between the age group of 5-7 years by impedance audiometry besides clinical evaluation. 100 children were taken from two different schools catering to higher and lower socioeconomic strata of society. The overall prevalence of secretory otitis media came out to be 20.75%. It was 28.5% in lower socioeconomic group and, 13% in the other group. This high prevalence warrants routine screening for secretory otitis media. Further impedance audiometry was found to be very good method of screening secretory otitis media.

Oesophageal candiasis in AIDS.

With the explosion in the number of AIDS patients, many of these are likely to consult to otolaryngologists the head & neck is a rather common site to be affected. Sometimes only oesophageal candidiasis is the presenting feature as in the present case which is being reported show typical radiological appearance. the differential diagnosis and treatment of nesophageal candidiasis is briefly discussed.

Nasal mucociliary clearance in patients with tracheostomy.

Nasal mucociliary clearance (NMC) time was estimated in 30 tracheostomized patients (24 males & 6 females) in the age group of 13-55 years which was 7.04±0.38 minutes: The patients suffering from nose and paranasal sinus disorders; taking drugs like bromhexine; undergoing radiotherapy and smokers were excluded from the study. The nasal mucociliary clearance in 30 age & sex matched healthy controls was 9.16±0.62 minutes. The NMC was found to he significantly lowered in patients with tracheostomy (p<0.01). This decrease in NMC tune was significant in tracheostimized patients of more than 3 weeks duration (p<0.01), whereas, it was not found significantly lowered in patients with tracheostomy of less than 3 weeks duration (p>0.1).

Mucormycosis.

A rare case of mucormycosis in a 58 years old healthy house-wife is reported which occurred without any predisposing factors like immuno-suppresion. Etiology, clinical features and treatment is outlined with the caution that the most effective drug i.e. amphotericin B may have very serious side effects as in this case. The disease is acutely fatal and treatment has potential hazards which may prove fatal. However, if the disease entity is kept in mind, with early diagnosis and treatment, the outcome would be quite favourable.

Oesophageal foreign body in four month old infant.

A 4 month old male infant was brought with only strong suspicion of foreign body ingestion without any symptomatology. X-ray examination revealed foreign body at cricopharyngeus, which was managed successfully emphasizing the fact that a strong suspicion and relevant radiography is the key to early and successful management.