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.

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.