Comparison of hydro-fiber silver dressing and 1% silver sulfadiazine dressing for treatment of pediatric burns.

Burn is a debilitating and devastating emergency with many physical and psychological sequelae. Essential steps in burn wound management include cleansing/wound debridement, application of topical antimicrobial and dressing of affected body areas. Objective of this study is comparison in effectiveness of Hydro-fiber Silver dressing and 1% silver sulfadiazine dressing in management of pediatric burn patients in terms of wound healing. After ethical approval, 264 patients were enrolled and divided into two groups. Patients were managed with hydro-fiber silver dressing in group A and 1% silver sulfadiazine dressing in group B. An experienced pediatric surgeon examined the wounds for re epithelialization and efficacy was labeled after 15 days. Out of 264 enrolled patients 148(56.06%) were males and 116(43.94%) were females. Mean age of patients was 3.73±2.34 years. Type of burn was Scald in 215(81.4%) patients and flame in 49(18.6%). Depth of burn was 2nd degree in 185(70.08%) patients and 3rd degree in 79(29.92%) patients. Mean TBSA was 19.93±9.62%. In group A the efficacy was achieved in 91(68.9%) patients whereas in group B the efficacy was achieved in 73(55.3%) patients (p-value<0.05). Hydro-fiber Silver dressing is significantly more efficacious as compared to 1% silver sulfadiazine dressing for treatment of pediatric burn.

Mathematical modeling of fluid flow and pollutant transport in a homogeneous porous medium in the presence of plate stacks.

This study aims at investigating the numerical analysis of pollutant transport in homogeneous porous media with solid plate stacks. The investigation was performed for solid/impervious objects of the same size placed in homogeneous porous media. The pollutant transport equation (i.e., steady-state and time dependent advection-dispersion) chosen in mathematical modeling. Three cases arise on the basis of dispersion coefficients: (a) when dispersion is uniformly constant, (b) when dispersion depends upon magnitude of the velocity, and (c) when dispersion depends upon magnitude of the velocity and directional dispersivities, all these are discussed in detail. Generally, analytical solution of such problems doesn't exist, so all the work is done numerically. The governing partial differential equation of pollutant concentration is approximated by using finite difference technique. Central, one-sided, backward and forward finite difference formulae of the same order are used to discretize the domain. Simulations of velocity potential and stream function are approximated by Matlab software. Then equipotential lines and streamlines are visualized in the form of contours. Both, velocity potential and stream function are harmonic and satisfy Laplace's equation. Fluid flow lines and pollutant concentration are represented graphically for several parameters involved in the study. It is found that entrance/exit length, shape, hydraulic conductivity, the number and position of impervious objects affect the fluid flow and pollutant transport. However, there is no significant affect of heated objects on pollutant transport. Moreover, advection and dispersion depend upon permeability of porous media and properties of solid matrix. To authenticate the Matlab scheme of finite difference, it is verified that fluid as well as pollutant fluxes (in and out) are equal. Moreover, time-dependent problem converges to steady-state form after very long time. For monitoring or forecasting the build up of contamination concentration, the pollutant transport model is considerable. As this model is affected by different parameters which are discussed above, can helps to overcome the pollutant accumulation. The solid object is main key to lessen the contamination in the underground. If the entrance or leakage point of the domain is blocked by impermeable object or filled the vertical column with material of low hydraulic conductivity it ultimately slows down or even refrains the pollutant particles to pass through. The pollutant concentration is also minimized by injecting the bioremedial agents with the help of treatment columns.

Annular pancreas: Beneath the intestinal obstruction-A case report.

Annular pancreas is an uncommon congenital anomaly which is a rare cause of congenital duodenal obstruction. It is normally identified during the neonatal period, but may also be identified in adolescence or adulthood. This diagnosis is often overlooked in adult patients who present with symptoms suggestive of duodenal obstruction. We present a case of AP detected in a 23-year-old man, with complaints of continuous vomiting and abdominal discomfort over the last 6 months. An upper gastrointestinal study revealed a constricted second part of the duodenum. A computed tomography scan revealed a complete ring of pancreatic tissue around the second part of the duodenum. Diagnostic and therapeutic surgery decompresses the external obstruction. The patient had an early post-operative activation. No specific guidelines and protocols exist about the management of such cases. Given the rarity of this congenital anomaly, presenting with chronic partial duodenal obstruction, and its successful surgical treatment, have prompted us to report the case along with a brief review of literature about the subject.

Application of sewage sludge combined with thiourea improves the growth and yield attributes of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes under arsenic-contaminated soil.

Arsenic (As) contamination is a serious threat to agriculture and human health worldwide. It can adversely affect the growth attributes of food crops. On the other hand, using thiourea (TU) to ameliorate As stress is an economically consistent approach. However, there is a knowledge gap regarding the combined use of TU and Sewage sludge (SS). SS is considered important, unutilized biomass. It can be used as a fertilizer that has high organic matter and nutrients. Therefore, the current study was performed to evaluate TU and SS sole and combined responses under As toxicity on two wheat genotypes (Markaz 19 and Ujala 16). There were four treatments control (As 50 mg kg-1), SS (30 g kg-1)+TU (6.5 mM)+As, TU+As and SS+As applied with four replications. Results revealed that SS+TU performed significantly better over SS, TU and control for improvement in root and shoot fresh and dry weight of wheat varieties Markaz 19 and Ujala 16 under As toxicity. A significant decrease in POD, SOD and APX of Markaz 19 and Ujala 16 also validated the effective functioning of SS+TU over control. The maximum increase of 71 and 77% was noted in phosphorus, where SS+TU was applied over control in Markaz 19 and Ujala 16, respectively. In conclusion, SS+TU is a better approach than the sole application of SS and TU under As contamination for improvement in wheat growth attributes. More investigations are recommended at the field level under different As contamination and agro-climatic zones to declare SS+TU an effective amendment to mitigate As toxicity in wheat.

Advances in immunotherapy for the treatment of spinal cord injury.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a leading cause of morbidity and disability in the world. Over the past few decades, the exact molecular mechanisms describing secondary, persistent injuries, as well as primary and transient injuries, have attracted massive attention to the clinicians and researchers. Recent investigations have distinctly shown the critical roles of innate and adaptive immune responses in regulating sterile neuroinflammation and functional outcomes after SCI. In past years, some promising advances in immunotherapeutic options have efficaciously been identified for the treatment of SCI. In our narrative review, we have mainly focused on the new therapeutic strategies such as the maturation and apoptosis of immune cells by several agents, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) as well as multi-factor combination therapy, which have recently provided novel ideas and prospects for the future treatment of SCI. This article also illustrates the latest progress in clarifying the potential roles of innate and adaptive immune responses in SCI, the progression and specification of prospective immunotherapy and outstanding issues in the area.