Evaluation of Nasal Conditions on Sleep: Integrating Wearable Tech in Surgical Outcomes.

Objective: The primary objective of this study was to explore and identify the impacts of nasal septum deviation and turbinate hypertrophy on respiratory function, sleep quality, and overall well-being. Additionally, the study aimed to establish the therapeutic efficacy of surgical intervention and comprehensively analyse the additional advantages of wearable sleep trackers when combined with established diagnostic techniques. Methods: A prospective cohort of 150 participants (75 with nasal septum deviation and 75 with turbinate hypertrophy) underwent surgical intervention. The NOSE scale, PSQI, SF-36, and wearable sleep tracker data were employed for pre- and post-surgical evaluations. Objective measurements, such as nasal airflow and acoustic rhinometry, were also used. Multivariate regression was utilised to identify potential predictors of post-surgical outcomes. Results: The cohort had a mean age of 41 years with evenly balanced gender distribution. Both conditions showed post-surgical improvements in respiratory function, sleep quality, and quality-of-life. Wearable sleep tracker data provided insights into REM sleep duration and interruptions during sleep. The results indicated significant disturbances in sleep patterns in individuals with nasal septum deviation before undergoing surgery. Duration of the nasal condition was found to be a significant factor in predicting outcomes. Conclusion: Nasal septum deviation and turbinate hypertrophy had a significant impact on sleep patterns, overall well-being, and respiratory function. Surgical interventions provided significant relief, and wearable sleep tracker integration provides deeper insights into sleep disorders. The study highlights the importance of early intervention and the benefit of modern technologies in clinical evaluations. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12070-024-04524-y.

Post-Tracheostomy Steroid Nebulization: A Retrospective Analysis on Postoperative Complications.

The primary objective of this research was to meticulously evaluate the therapeutic potential of steroid nebulization, administered over a 2-week period post-tracheostomy, in attenuating postoperative complications with a concentrated emphasis on tracheal stenosis. The study spanned three years, commencing in 2019 and concluding in 2022, examining a patient cohort of 400 individuals. Utilizing a retrospective cohort methodology, the participants were systematically stratified into two cohorts: those subjected to steroid nebulization (n = 200) and a control group (n = 200). Adverse outcomes were bifurcated into minor complications, which encompass stomal infections and inflammations, and major complications, which include bleeding, tracheoesophageal fistula, and tracheal stenosis. These complications were evaluated at distinct post-operative junctures: 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months. The primary outcome was deduced through a rigorous multivariate logistic regression model, incorporating variables such as age, sex, and the diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Analytical data unveiled that the cohort administered with steroid nebulization manifested a statistically significant diminution in the incidence of complications when juxtaposed with the control group (25 vs. 38%). Predominantly, the incidence of tracheal stenosis was discernibly lower in the steroid nebulization group (10 vs. 22%). The multivariate analytical framework further corroborated the pivotal role of steroid nebulization in substantially reducing the propensity for tracheal stenosis. The therapeutic intervention of steroid nebulization in the aftermath of a tracheostomy procedure presents a commendable avenue in curtailing major complications, with an acute focus on tracheal stenosis. To fortify these preliminary findings, it is quintessential to undertake more exhaustive studies, such as randomized controlled trials, to ascertain the optimal regimen concerning nebulization's timing, dosage, and duration.

Tracheostomy Complications: Insights from a Two-Year, 15-Case Analysis at a Tertiary Care Facility.

The objective of this case series was to analyse the complications that arise from tracheostomy procedures conducted in a tertiary healthcare facility throughout a two-year timeframe. Fifteen occurrences of complications were observed out of the 100 tracheostomies that were studied, suggesting a prevalence rate of 15%. The detected complications included subcutaneous emphysema, misplacement of the tube, infection at the surgical site, and tracheal stenosis, among various others. Considerable indications of complication were identified, encompassing variables such as age and a history of head and neck cancer. The findings of this study highlight the significance of personalized patient care, vigilant monitoring, and proactive measures for individuals receiving tracheostomy. Further investigations are necessary to validate these findings and improve patient safety and outcomes in the realm of tracheostomy surgeries.

An environmental management technology for the processing of American aloe fibers using xylano-pectinolytic enzymes.

The objective of this research was to find out the potential of bioscouring using xylano-pectinolytic enzymes, for degumming of aloe fibers. Bioscouring was optimized with 1 : 20 fiber to buffer ratio, using 10 IU xylanase and 3.2 IU pectinase in 50 mM buffer (pH 8.5), EDTA (3 mM), and Tween 80 (1%), at 50°C temperature with agitation rate of 50 rpm and treatment period of 60 min. Enzymatic treatment of aloe fibers increased brightness and whiteness by 55.67% and 24.88%, respectively and decreased yellowness by 44.11% as compared to alkaline fiber scouring, thereby replacing chemical scouring completely. Additionally, the pretreatment of aloe fibers with enzymes resulted in a 50% less consumption of bleaching chemicals with similar optical properties as obtained by 100% bleaching. This is the first report showing the eco-friendly bioscouring approach of aloe fibers, using enzymes produced concurrently from a bacterial isolate.

Environmental pollution reducing strategy for scouring of undegummed sisal fibers using xylanase and pectinase enzymes.

This study was undertaken to investigate the potential of bioscouring in the processing of undegummed sisal fibers, using xylano-pectinolytic enzymes. Optimum bioscouring was obtained at pH 8.5 and 50 mM buffer molarity, using xylanase (10 IU) and pectinase (8 IU), with a material to liquor proportion of 1:25 (g:ml), EDTA (2 mM) and Tween 80 (0.5%), at 50 °C temperature with agitation rate of 55 rpm and treatment period of 60 min. Enzymatic treatment of sisal fibers enhanced the brightness and whiteness by 11.52 and 6.83%, respectively, and reduced the yellowness by 7.14% in comparison to control. The use of xylanase and pectinase enzymes completely replaced the chemical scouring method for removing non-cellulosic impurities. Thus, enzymatic scouring is energy saving and ecofriendly, since it completely eliminated the use of toxic chemicals used in alkaline scouring. An increase of 23.75% and 11.58% in brightness and whiteness of enzymatically scoured cum bleached fibers, as compared to chemically scoured cum bleached fibers was finally obtained, along with reduction in yellowness by 27.99%. This is the first report demonstrating environmentally sustainable enzymatic approach for scouring of undegummed sisal fibers, using enzymes, simultaneously produced from a bacterial isolate.

Bio-degumming of banana fibers using eco-friendly crude xylano-pectinolytic enzymes.

In this study, the efficacy of xylano-pectinolytic enzymes in scouring of banana fibers has been reported. Maximum efficiency of bioscouring was recorded using xylanase and pectinase doses of 15 and 4.8 IU, respectively (produced by a bacterial isolate) at a material-to-liquor proportion of 1:25 having 8.5 pH, treatment time of 1 h, speed of 50 rpm, temperature 50 °C, 3 mM EDTA and 1% Tween-80, with maximum sugar release, enhanced fiber water absorbing power and the finest optical characteristics. Enzymatic treatment resulted in 13.27% increase in whiteness, 16.14% increase in brightness and 8.63% decrease in yellowness as compared to raw banana fibers. The bioscouring also resulted in 50% reduction in scouring chemicals, in order to achieve the similar optical characteristics as obtained by the chemically treated fibers with 100% scouring and bleaching. It decreased the consumption of environment polluting chemicals and energy. Therefore, this has proven to be an environment safe method for removing the non-cellulosic impurities. This is the first report mentioning the scouring of banana fibers using xylano-pectinolytic enzymes.

Eco-friendly scouring of ramie fibers using crude xylano-pectinolytic enzymes for textile purpose.

This study was carried out to demonstrate the biotechnological potential of xylano-pectinolytic enzymes on scouring of ramie fibers. Optimization of bioscouring process showed a maximum effect of enzymes with 50-mM strength of buffer, pH 8.5, fibers to liquid ratio of 1 : 20 (g:ml). Xylanase and pectinase dosage of 7.5 and 3.0 IU, respectively, was found to be best for removal of xylan and pectin impurities, after treatment time of 1.5 h, at 50 °C temperature and 55 rpm agitation rate. EDTA and Tween 80 at concentration of 1.5 mM and 1.25 %, respectively, were found to be the best for effective removal of impurities, in order to improve hydrophilicity of the fibers. After bioscouring, brightness and whiteness values of bioscoured fibers were increased by 9.72 and 7.10% in comparison with control fibers. After enzymatic scouring, a reduction of 14.45 % in yellowness was also seen in ramie fibers. Enzymatic treatment resulted in 6.97% increased brightness, 10.64% increased whiteness, and 4.11% decreased yellowness as compared with scoured ramie fibers. The results indicated that scouring using xylanase and pectinase enzymes could be a substitute for chemical scouring technique. Enzymatic scouring is, therefore, environmentally sustainable and saves energy, also decreases the consumption of harmful chemicals used in alkaline scouring. This is the first report showing the effect of xylanase and pectinase enzymes, produced by a bacterial isolate, on physico-chemical and various optical properties of ramie fibers.

A sustainable and green process for scouring of cotton fabrics using xylano-pectinolytic synergism: switching from noxious chemicals to eco-friendly catalysts.

The objective of this research was to develop an appropriate, eco-friendly, cost-effective bioscouring methodology for removing natural impurities from cotton fabric. Maximum bioscouring was achieved using 5.0 IU xylanase and 4.0 IU pectinase with material to liquid ratio of 1:15 in a 50 mM buffer (glycine-NaOH buffer, 1.0 mM EDTA and 1% Tween-80, pH 8.5) with a treatment time of 60 min at 50 °C and an agitation speed of 60 rpm. The bioscoured cotton fabrics showed a gain of 1.17% in whiteness, 3.23% in brightness and a reduction of 4.18% in yellowness in comparison to fabric scoured with an alkaline scouring method. Further, after bleaching, the whiteness, brightness and tensile strength of the bioscoured fabrics were increased by 2.18, 2.33 and 11.74% along with a decrease of 4.61% in yellowness of bioscoured plus bleached fabrics in comparison to chemically scoured plus bleached fabrics. From the results, it is clear that bioscouring is more efficient, energy saving and an eco-friendly process and has the potential to replace the environment-damaging scouring process with the xylano-pectinolytic bioscouring process.

A rare case of mucopolysaccharidosis.

Mucopolysaccharidosis are a group of rare metabolic disorders of the lysosomal storage disease family caused by the absence or malfunctioning of lysosomal enzymes responsible for their breakdown. It encompasses disorders in which undegraded or partly degraded glycosaminoglycans accumulate in the lysosomes of many tissues owing to a deficiency of specific lysosomal enzymes. Here we report a case of a 7 years old child displaying the symptoms of Morquio's disease (Mucopolysaccharidosis type IV). Urine screening tests were performed which gave contrasting results.

Ketodex, a combination of dexmedetomidine and ketamine for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in children: a preliminary report.

A combination of dexmedetomidine and ketamine for upper gastrointestinal endoscopies (UGIE) was studied in 46 children aged 2-12 years over a 6-month period. Dexmedetomidine 1 µg/kg and ketamine 2 mg/kg were given as a bolus over 5 min. Heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), oxygen saturation (SpO2), and sedation scores were noted before induction as baseline and then every 5 min until recovery. The duration and ease of the procedure, time to recovery, and adverse effects, if any, were also recorded. UGIE could be performed with ease in 41 of the 46 cases. The HR, MAP, and SpO2 did not change significantly from the baseline. No airway intervention was required in any patient. There was no laryngospasm or shivering in any of the children, and one, four, and 11 children had hiccup, vomiting, and increased salivation, respectively. The Pediatric Anesthesia Emergence Delirium score was <4 in all except for two cases. The results of this case series show that this drug combination not only promises to be clinically effective but also safe for UGIE in children. Further randomized controlled trials with standard sedation protocols will be required to draw definite conclusions.

Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Gene Polymorphism and its Association with Hypertension in South Indian Population.

Hypertension, a well known risk factor for various cardiovascular, peripheral vascular and renal events is an important public health challenge. Renin angiotensin system (RAS) being the most vital pathogenic mechanism of hypertension is mediated by a key component; the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE). The present study was aimed to know the relationship of ACE gene polymorphism and the possible risk of development of hypertension in south Indian population. The study included 101 clinically diagnosed hypertensive patients without any associated disease condition and 81 age and sex matched apparently healthy controls. Genotyping was performed using a polymerase chain reaction, (PCR) amplification of the intron 16 fragment harboring the 287 bp Alu repeat sequence. Three possible genotypes D/D, I/I homozygous and I/D heterozygous were analyzed where the D/D genotypes corresponds to higher ACE levels (D-Deletion, I-Insertion). The PCR products were separated on 2 % agarose gel. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS.15 software program. We found a significance in frequency of D/D genotype in the hypertensive patients compared to the control group (p = 0.0005, odd's ratio = 4.157). This suggested that ACE (D/D) genotypes are more prone for the development of hypertension. This is relatively a pilot study; but nevertheless may assist in identifying the pathophysiological cause of hypertension.