Ultra-low oxygen, liquid sample cell for in situ synchrotron-based small-wide angle scattering (SAXS-WAXS).

Here, we report the design and successful implementation of an ultra-low oxygen sample cell for use on the SAXS-WAXS (small-wide angle x-ray scattering) beamline I22 at DIAMOND. The rigorous exclusion of oxygen is found to require double jacketing with purge gas throughout the entire system, pipework, pumps, and the sample cell itself. This particularly includes a "double-window" arrangement at the sample location to accommodate the very tight geometrical restrictions of the sample position. The in situ cell design also requires the additional complexity of heating the sample/solution and real-time electrochemical measurements. We demonstrate the successful implementation of this arrangement with real-time in situ characterization of an iron foil corrosion evolving under the "sweet-scale environment," very anoxic conditions common, in particular, commercial situations. The formation of iron carbonate, siderite, rather than iron oxide, indicates that our system is oxygen free down very low levels (<35 ppb at 80 °C).

Rol de los cuidados perioperatorios guiados por protocolo para mejorar la recuperación tras la cirugía de cáncer de cabeza y cuello: experiencia institucional / Role of protocol-guided perioperative care to enhance recovery after head and neck neoplasm surgery: An institutional experience

Antecedentes: Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) mejora la recuperación tras la cirugía. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar si ERAS causa una reducción de la estancia hospitalaria y mejora la recuperación funcional global tras la cirugía de cáncer de cabeza y cuello. Métodos Realizamos un estudio prospectivo de control de casos histórico tras la aplicación de ERAS. La base de datos del hospital seleccionó 50 pacientes elegibles confirmados para el grupo control no ERAS, incluyéndose prospectivamente 54 pacientes en el grupo ERAS. El resultado primario fue el tiempo transcurrido hasta la disposición al alta (TRD), siendo los resultados secundarios la duración de la estancia hospitalaria (DEH), la tasa de reingreso de hasta 30 días y la puntuación QoR-15 (Quality of recovery). Los datos fueron comparados mediante pruebas paramétricas y no paramétricas adecuadas. Resultados Los datos demográficos basales de los pacientes fueron comparables entre ambos grupos. Los pacientes del grupo ERAS reflejaron un TRD significativamente más breve, en comparación con el grupo no ERAS: 8 (6-10) frente a 11 (8-16); p=0,002. La DEH fue también significativamente más corta en el grupo ERAS en comparación con el grupo no ERAS (8 [7-11] frente a 12 [9-17]; valor p=0,002). El reingreso en el plazo de 30 días no fue diferente, con una cifra de 6 pacientes en cada grupo. La puntuación QoR-15 fue estadísticamente mejor en el grupo ERAS (94,88±12,50) en comparación con el grupo no ERAS (85,44±12,68; p <0,001). Conclusión La implementación del programa ERAS redujo el TRD y la DEH, mejorando la puntuación QoR-15 sobre el resultado de la recuperación reportado por el paciente en las cirugías de cáncer de cabeza y cuello. (AU)

Background: Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) improve recovery after surgery. This study aimed to determine whether ERAS leads to a decrease in stay in the hospital and improves global and functional recovery after head and neck neoplasms surgery. Methods We performed a prospective case and historical control study after the ERAS application. The hospital database selected 50 confirmed eligible patients in control non-ERAS group. Prospectively 54 patients were included in the ERAS group. The primary outcome was time to readiness for discharge (TRD); secondary outcomes were the length of stay (LOS), readmission rate of up to 30 days and Quality of recovery score QoR-15. Data were compared with appropriate parametric and nonparametric tests. Results Baseline demographic data of patients were comparable between the two groups. Patients in ERAS group had significantly shorter TRD compared to the non-ERAS group 8 (6-10) versus 11 (8-16); P=.002. LOS was also significantly shorter in the ERAS group compared to the non-ERAS group (8 [7-11] versus 12 [9-17]; P=.002). Readmission at 30-days was no different, with six patients in each group. QoR-15 score was statistically better in ERAS group (94.88±12.50) compared to non-ERAS group (85.44±12.68; P<.001). Conclusion Implementing the ERAS programme decreased TRD and LOS and improved patient-reported recovery outcome QoR-15 in head and neck neoplasms surgery. (AU)

Role of protocol-guided perioperative care to enhance recovery after head and neck neoplasm surgery: An institutional experience.

BACKGROUND: Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) improve recovery after surgery. This study aimed to determine whether ERAS leads to a decrease in stay in the hospital and improves global and functional recovery after head and neck neoplasms surgery. METHODS: We performed a prospective case and historical control study after the ERAS application. The hospital database selected 50 confirmed eligible patients in control non-ERAS group. Prospectively 54 patients were included in the ERAS group. The primary outcome was time to readiness for discharge (TRD); secondary outcomes were the length of stay (LOS), readmission rate of up to 30 days and Quality of recovery score QoR-15. Data were compared with appropriate parametric and nonparametric tests. RESULTS: Baseline demographic data of patients were comparable between the two groups. Patients in ERAS group had significantly shorter TRD compared to the non-ERAS group 8 (6-10) vs 11 (8-16); p-value = 0.002. LOS was also significantly shorter in the ERAS group compared to the non-ERAS group [8 (7-11) vs 12 (9-17); p-value = 0.002]. Readmission at 30-days was no different, with six patients in each group. QoR-15 score was statistically better in ERAS group (94.88 ±â€¯12.50) compared to non-ERAS group (85.44 ±â€¯12.68) [p value < 0.001]. CONCLUSION: Implementing the ERAS programme decreased TRD and LOS and improved patient-reported recovery outcome QoR-15 in head and neck neoplasms surgery.

Skull-base temporal encephalocele: Hidden cause of temporal lobe epilepsy.

In the present study patients with previously diagnosed MRI-negative temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) on long-term video electroencephalography (VEEG) monitoring were re-evaluated with high resolution 3T MRI brain to look out for a skull base temporal lobe encephalocoele (TE). A total of 234 VEEGs were analyzed. TLE had been diagnosed in 104 patients based on semiology, ictal, interictal EEG data, and brain positron emission tomography (PET) studies. Of these, 99 patients had temporal lobe abnormality (78 had mesial temporal sclerosis, 8 had tumor, 3 had focal cortical dysplasia, and 10 had mixed pathology). Out of the five 1.5T MRI-negative TLE patients, two patients were diagnosed with TE on subsequent 3T MRI brain scans and one patient underwent electrocorticography-guided tailored resection for complete removal of epileptogenic tissue; with Engels class I seizure freedom at one year follow-up. We propose that TE should be carefully searched for, as a cause of refractory TLE, using high-resolution MRI sequences.

Chemotherapy or chemotherapy followed by consolidation chemoradiation in postoperative (simple cholecystectomy) gall bladder cancer with residual disease, unsuitable for revision surgery? Risk stratification and outcomes.

Background: Revision surgery (RS) is the standard of care for gallbladder cancer (GBC) after simple cholecystectomy (SC). Often these patients are unsuitable for RS due to late referral or unresectable disease. Do such patients benefit with chemotherapy (CT) alone or dual-modality (CT followed by consolidation chemoradiotherapy [CTRT])? In the absence of any guidelines, we reviewed our data with CT or CTRT to inform us regarding adequate therapy. Materials and Methods: Patients of GBC post-SC referred to us (January 2008 to December 2016) were risk-stratified into three categories based on a diagnostic CT scan: No residual disease (NRD), limited volume residual disease (LR1: Residual/recurrent disease in GB bed with or without N1 nodal station involvement), advanced residual disease (LR2: Residual/recurrent disease involving GB bed with N2 nodal station involvement) and treated with CT or CT followed by CTRT. Response to therapy (RECIST), overall survival (OS), and adverse prognostic factors affecting OS were evaluated. Results: Out of 176 patients, 87were nonmetastatic (NRD = 17, LR1 = 33 and LR 2 = 37). 31 received CT, 49 CTRT and 8 defaulted. At a median follow up of 21 months, the median OS with CT versus consolidation CTRT was not reached in NRD (P = 0.57), 19 months versus 27 months in LR1 (P = 0.003) and 14 months versus 18 months in LR 2 (P = 0.29), respectively. On univariate analysis, residual disease burden, type of treatment (CT vs. CTRT), N stage, and response to treatment were found statistically significant. Conclusion: Our data suggest that CT followed by CTRT improves outcomes in patients with limited volume disease.

Ecological and health risk assessment of different land uses along with seasonal variation in toxic metal contamination around Varanasi city situated in Indo-Gangetic Plain.

Metal pollution load in soil environment has been enhanced during last few decades due to increasing industrialization and wide application of metals in all sectors. Due to the persistent and hazardous nature of metals, it can accumulate in the living system and cause severe risks to the ecosystem. The abundance of metals in soils from 5 different land use systems (industrial, industrial highway, brick kiln production area, residential highways and botanical gardens) in the Indo-Gangetic Plain region of India was analysed for three consecutive years (2018-2020) to evaluate the effects of metal load on soil properties and ecosystem health. Soil enzymatic activities, moisture, porosity, total nitrogen, and organic carbon were least at the industrial area of Ramnagar site and highest at Botanical garden area of BHU. Geochemical indices were calculated to compare the background status of metals in the soil where Cd, Cu, Cr, Co, Ni, Mn and Zn were increased in recent times. Contamination, enrichment and potential ecological risk factors with respect to Cu and Cd contents in soil were significantly higher at industrial area of Ramnagar and highway near industrial area. Maximum lifetime non-cancer and cancer health hazards were observed for Cd and Ni, respectively. The study clearly indicates that Cd, Cu and Ni are capable of posing health risk and cause imbalance in ecological functioning of soil due to chronic exposure of the potential toxic metals generated through change in land uses in sub-urban areas of Indo-Gangetic Plain region.

Urban modelling and forecasting of landuse using SLEUTH model.

The present study performs landcover modelling using the SLEUTH model. The urban land use changing factors are calibrated to predict the Land Use Land Cover (LULC) for a densely populated and developing smart city, Prayagraj, India. This research aims to use the SLEUTH model for simulating the future urban growth with the help of historical LULC (1990-2020), road network and elevation data. The influence of road gravity and slope resistant coefficients is very significant in this study's outcome. The built-up area of the region increased from 40.22 km2 (5.10% of total area) in 1990 to 85.89 km2 (10.89%) in 2020. According to prediction results, in the next 20 years, the built-up growth rate would be 1.9% and approximated built-up area would be 118.66 km2 (14.98%) in the year 2040. The quality of the result has been quantified in terms of best fit value of Optimal SLEUTH Metric (OSM) and validated against the existing LULC. The study utilises a spatially explicit urban growth model with 30 m resolution remote sensing data and provides future landuse of Prayagraj city.

A motor learning-based postural intervention with a robotic trunk support trainer to improve functional sitting in spinal cord injury: case report.

STUDY DESIGN: Single-subject-research-design. OBJECTIVES: To improve seated postural control in a participant with spinal cord injury (SCI) with a robotic Trunk-Support-Trainer (TruST). SETTING: Laboratory. METHODS: TruST delivered "assist-as-needed" forces on the participant's torso during a motor learning-and-control-based intervention (TruST-intervention). TruST-assistive forces were progressed and matched to the participant's postural trunk control gains across six intervention sessions. The T-shirt test was used to capture functional improvements while dressing the upper body. Kinematics were used to compute upper body excursions (cm) and velocity (cm2), and sitting workspace area (cm2). Functional trunk dynamometry was used to examine muscle force (Kg). Surface electromyography (sEMG) was applied to measure trunk muscle activity. The Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) was used to monitor physical exertion during TruST-intervention. A two-standard-deviation bandwidth method was adopted for data interpretation. RESULTS: After TruST-intervention, the participant halved the time needed to don and doff a T-shirt, increased muscle force of trunk muscles (mean = 3 kg), acquired a steadier postural sitting control without vision (mean excursion baseline: 76.0 ± 2 SD = 5.25 cm and post-intervention: 44.1 cm; and mean velocity baseline: 3.0 ± 2 SD = 0.2 cm/s and post-intervention: 1.8 cm/s), and expanded his sitting workspace area (mean baseline: 36.7 ± 2 SD = 36.6 cm2 and post-intervention: 419.2 cm2). The participant increased his tolerance to counteract greater TruST-force perturbations in lateral and posterior directions. Furthermore, abdominal muscle activity substantially augmented after completion of TruST-intervention across all perturbation directions. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate a potential effectiveness of TruST-intervention to promote functional sitting in SCI.

ADRENAL HISTOPLASMOSIS: AN EASTERN INDIAN PERSPECTIVE.

Context: The clinical presentation of histoplasmosis is varied. Due to its propensity for adrenal involvement, histoplasmosis is an important differential diagnosis in any patient presenting with adrenal mass, bilateral in particular. Objective: Data on clinical presentation, pattern of adrenal involvement, radiological appearance and long-term follow-up of adrenal histoplasmosis are relatively sparse; hence we looked at it. Design: This record based single-centre retrospective study was conducted in one of the tertiary care hospitals, situated in eastern India catering the Gangetic delta. Subjects and methods: Data on demographic characters, presenting manifestations, biochemical & hormonal parameters and radiological appearance of confirmed adrenal histoplasmosis cases (n=9), admitted between 2015-2019 have been retrieved. The treatment outcome and condition of patients after 1-4 years of follow-up has also been discussed. Results: Four out of the nine (44.4%) patients had predisposing immunocompromised conditions in the form of diabetes and/or chronic alcoholism while rest were immunocompetent. Seven out of nine patients (77.8 %) had signs and symptoms suggestive of adrenal insufficiency, while two (22.2%) presented with only pyrexia of unknown origin. All of them had bilateral adrenal mass, though the radiologically appearances were different. All patients received anti-fungal agents with/without hydrocortisone and/or fludrocortisone. One patient died (11.1%), while majority responded favourably to treatment. Adrenocortical function did not recover completely. Conclusions: The possibility of adrenal histoplasmosis should always be considered in patients presenting with bilateral adrenal mass, irrespective of adrenal morphology. Treatment is effective, but many of them require supplemental hydrocortisone for quite a long period, if not lifelong. Mineralocorticoid deficiency, however, is not permanent.

A novel synergistic device for joint inflammation - efficacy on ankle sprain cases.

Joint inflammation results from soft-tissue injuries and cartilage damage. PRICE is the standard treatment approach for acute soft tissue injuries like ankle sprain. Electrical stimulation, application of orthotic braces, etc. is also effective for this. In a synergistic device all these components are combined and applied simultaneously. This device was developed for joint inflammation and tested for grade I & II acute ankle joint sprain. To test a synergistic - semirigid device, combining PRICE & electrical stimulation for acute ankle sprains of grades I & II for pain, range of motion and swelling is a case series was the objective. Device was developed using novel concept of synergistic applications of PRICE with electrical stimulation. The joint contour of ankle and specific biomechanical bony surface landmarks were considered. Ethical approval was taken from NTCC committee, AIPT. Recordings were taken from eight patients of acute ankle sprain with - in two days of injury, after getting ethical approval. Elevation to the ankle was provided by keeping the part over the pillow and data was recorded with the help of: 1.VAS scale for pain; 2. Measuring tape; 3. Goniometry. t-test was used to find out the significant difference pre and post the application of device. There was a significant reduction in pain (p = 0.006), edema (p = 0.011), dorsi-flexion (p = 0.015), and plantar flexion (p =0.008). The synegistic device has been effective for acute ankle inflammation - grade I & II ankle sprains in 5 sessions; sufficient for the return of function.

Treatment of Infrabony Defects by Open Flap Debridement with or without Diode Laser.

Background Periodontitis is the common oral condition which affects the periodontium of the teeth that leads to destruction of periodontal ligaments and alveolar bone. Open flap debridement is the surgical procedure which provides access and visibility of the site, application of laser as an adjunct has various advantanges. Objective To compare clinical outcomes after open flap debridement with or without diode laser. Method Patients aged 25-45 years diagnosed with infrabony defect ≥ 5 mm visiting Department of Dental Surgery, Bir Hospital. Control group sites were treated with open flap debridement alone, whereas test-groups were treated with Open flap debridement with diode laser. Various parameters like Plaque index, Gingival index, Pocket depth and Clinical attachment level were assessed and compared between groups at baseline, 3 and 6 months. Result The mean plaque and gingival scores improved in both the control and test groups at 3 and 6 months follow up as compared to baseline and was statistically nonsignificant between two groups. Open flap debridement with or without diode laser in the treatment of periodontal intrabony defects did not produce significant reduction in pocket depth and gain in clinical attachment level. Conclusion There was no significant differences in the clinical parameters were seen in the surgical flap debridement of infrabony pocket with and without diode laser. Diode laser can be used safely as an adjunct. However, long-term, multicentric, histologic and microbial studies are required.

Correlation of fetal ventricular size and need for postnatal cerebrospinal fluid diversion surgery in open spina bifida.

OBJECTIVES: Open spina bifida is a common cause of hydrocephalus in the postnatal period. In-utero closure of the fetal spinal defect decreases the need for postnatal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) diversion surgery. Good prenatal predictors of the need for postnatal CSF diversion surgery are currently lacking. In this study, we aimed to assess the association of fetal ventriculomegaly and its progression over the course of pregnancy with the rate of postnatal hydrocephalus requiring intervention. METHODS: In this retrospective study, fetuses with a prenatal diagnosis of open spina bifida were assessed longitudinally. Ventricular diameter, as well as other potential predictors of the need for postnatal CSF diversion surgery, were compared between fetuses undergoing prenatal closure and those undergoing postnatal repair. RESULTS: The diameter of the lateral ventricle increased significantly throughout gestation in both groups, but there was no difference in maximum ventricular diameter at first or last assessment between fetuses undergoing prenatal closure and those undergoing postnatal repair. There was no significant difference in the rate of progression of ventriculomegaly between the two groups, with a mean progression rate of 0.83 ± 0.5 mm/week in the prenatal-repair group and 0.6 ± 0.6 mm/week in the postnatal-repair group (P = 0.098). Fetal repair of open spina bifida was associated with a lower rate of postnatal CSF diversion surgery (P < 0.001). In all subjects, regardless of whether they had prenatal or postnatal surgery, the severity of ventriculomegaly at first and last assessments was associated independently with the need for postnatal CSF diversion surgery (P = 0.005 and P = 0.001, respectively), with a greater need for surgery in fetuses with larger ventricular size, even after controlling for gestational age at assessment. CONCLUSIONS: In fetuses with open spina bifida, fetal ventricular size increases regardless of whether spina bifida closure is performed prenatally or postnatally, but the need for CSF diversion surgery is significantly lower in those undergoing prenatal repair. Ventriculomegaly is associated independently with the need for postnatal CSF diversion in fetuses with open spina bifida, irrespective of timing of closure. © 2021 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Stabilization of metals in sludge-amended soil using red mud and its effects on yield and oil quality of Brassica juncea cultivar Kranti.

Prolonged application of sewage-sludge may cause excessive accumulation of metal(oid)s in soil, leading to phytotoxic effects. Spread of contaminants in soil can probably be hindered by using an effective metal(oid) stabilizer. Pot experiment in open field conditions was conducted for five months to evaluate the metal(oid) (Al, Cu, Zn, Cd and Cr) stabilization potential of red mud (RM) in sludge-amended soil and its effects on growth, yield, oil quality parameters and metal(oid) accumulations in Brassica juncea cultivar Kranti. The test plant was grown at different RM concentrations (0, 5, 10 and 15% w/w) in sludge-amended soil (soil/sludge: 2:1 w/w). As the total and phytoavailable metal(oid) concentrations in sludge were high, its application increased their concentrations in soil compared to the control (no RM and sludge). Increasing RM concentrations in sludge-amended soil effectively stabilized Cd followed by Cr, Cu, Zn and Al, leading to their reduced contents in plants coupled with enhanced growth performance and yield. Maximum plant (root and shoot) biomass (14.9%) and seed yield (40.4%) were found in 10% RM treatment, whereas oil content showed substantial increase with increasing RM treatments in sludge-amended soil. Mustard oil showed low rancidification, high long-chain fatty acids, saturated and polyunsaturated (ω-3 and ω-6) fatty acids within FAO ranges for edible oils under varying RM treatments compared to sludge-amended soil. Furthermore, high oleic and low erucic acid contents in mustard oil indicated a better oil quality under different RM treatments. Metal(oid) contents in seeds under different red mud treatments were within FAO/WHO limits for consumption. Thus, RM applications preferably 5 and 10% (w/w) in sludge-amended soil might be effective in stabilization of metal(oid)s using B. juncea cultivar Kranti coupled with better yield, improved oil quality and metal(oid)s within limits for human consumption.

A customised laryngeal stent for glottic airway reconstruction.

OBJECTIVE: Laryngotracheal reconstructive surgery very often requires placement of laryngeal stents, but most of the available stents either do not conform to the shape of the glottis or are open at the upper end, causing significant tissue reaction and aspiration. LT-Mold is an ideal stent in this respect, but it is not readily available. CASE REPORT: The authors of this study fashioned a laryngeal stent out of a readily available Montgomery T-tube in such a way that it had a closed upper end and was well-conformed to the architecture of the larynx. This stent was used in a case of posterior expansion laryngoplasty, and post-operatively the patient had a patent airway with good voice and no aspiration. CONCLUSION: A customised laryngeal stent is well tolerated and helps to solve complicated cases of posterior glottic stenosis.

Hirsutism and Quality of Life of Women in Tertiary Care Center in Eastern Nepal.

Background Hirsutism is excess terminal hair growth in women at androgen-dependent sites of the body and it has great impact on psychological and social aspects of their lives, thus affecting their quality of life (QoL). Several studies assessing the quality of life in hirsute women could be found in world literature but none in Nepalese literature. So, this study was undertaken for the assessment of the impact of hirsutism on the quality of life in Nepalese women. Objective To assess the effect of hirsutism on quality of life of women in a tertiary center of Eastern Nepal and its association with various socio-demographic and clinical parameters. Method A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted in 49 participants aged 10 to 49 years at the Department of Dermatology, B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences. Clinically diagnosed hirsute females with modified Ferriman-Gallwey (mFG) score > 8, were enrolled and asked to fill Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) questionnaire in the Nepalese version. Result More than 57.2% of the study population was of age 20 to 29 years with a mean of 27.76±8.08 years. The mean Dermatology Life Quality Index score was 7.78±4.95. The moderate effect was seen in the majority of participants (36.7%) with a predominant effect upon aspects of life like daily activities and symptoms and feelings. Participants with higher mF-G score (22.15±3.82) had a very large effect on their quality of life. Younger unmarried women with a school education and having a longer duration of hirsutism were found to have a higher effect upon their quality of life. However, the association was not statistically significant. Conclusion Hirsutism had affected the quality of life moderately with predominant effect upon aspects like daily activities and symptoms and feelings. No significant association was elicited between severity of hirsutism and its effect on quality of life from our study.

Standardization of Berberis aristata DC and Nigella sativa L. Using HPTLC and GCMS and Their Antineoplasia Activity in 7,12-Dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-Induced Mouse Models.

Berberis aristata DC and Nigella sativa L. are officially listed in various Indian Pharmacopoeia and AYUSH official documents. Prescribed for different ailments for proven medicinal activities, they thus became part of polyherbal medications. With reverse pharmacology and scientific validation, more than 30 patents are filed on different formulations of B. aristata and granted. Nigella sativa L. has been broadly studied for its therapeutic potential and wide range of activities against cardiovascular, diabetic, cancer, and life style disorders. Thus, this study is aimed at standardizing B. aristata and N. sativa and their antineoplasia activity in 7, 12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced mouse models. Molecular docking was done using the Schrodinger program Maestro 9.0. Herbal extracts and essential oil (B. aristata and N. sativa) were standardized and quantified using high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) (CAMAG) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS) (Agilent 2010GC System) with validated methods. DMBA was administered orally once a week (1mg/200 µL) to each animal except the normal control. Hematology, histopathology, and immunoassays were performed, and data were analyzed and depicted with GraphPad and SPSS. In molecular docking, thymoquinone showed the highest docking score (9.519, 9.211, and 9.042, respectively) in the active site pockets of IL6 (PDB ID: 4CNI and 5FCU), TNF (PDB ID: 2AZ5), and VEGF (PDB ID: 4KZN). Out of all four target sites, thymoquinone and berberine showed good binding affinity with IL6 (PDB ID: 4CNI) compared to α- and ß-pinenes. HPTLC analysis of the hydroalcoholic extract showed the presence of berberine both qualitatively and quantitatively (5.4% berberine), and thymoquinone detected 0.17% in the N. sativa extract. GCMS for essential oil showed 26 compounds including ±pinene. Leukocytes and erythrocytes of N. sativa and B. aristata were analyzed, and significant improvements were recorded (P < 0.05) and graphically presented. Mean survival time was calculated by the Kaplan Meier method (119 days). Immunoassay analyses were conducted, namely, TNF-α and VEGF, and interpreted and marked.

Predicting Quadruple Semitendinosus Graft Size for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction by Patient Anthropometric Variables: A Cohort Study of 280 Cases.

INTRODUCTION: Pre-operative identification of patients with inadequate hamstring graft for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction is still a subject of interest. The purpose of this study is to correlate dimension of a harvested dimensions graft with patient physical anthropometric variables. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cohort study included 280 patients (male = 226, female = 54) scheduled for primary anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Interrelationships between quadruple semitendinosus (ST) graft and anthropometric parameters (age, sex, height, weight, and BMI) were assessed using Pearson Correlation test and regression analysis. Difference among gender was analysed using Mann Whitney and t test. The observed graft diameter was also compared with the literature using Bland - Altman plot. RESULTS: Mean age of cohort was 29 years (range, 17-50 years), mean height was 1.69m (range, 1.6-1.9m), mean weight was 75 kg (range, 50-116kg) and mean BMI was 26kg/m2 (range 16.65-40.40kg/m2). Mean quadruple length of harvested ST graft was 7cm (7.1±0.6 cm, range, 5.6-8.8cm) and mean diameter was 8mm (8.2±0.8mm, range, 6.5-10mm). Only height and weight were significantly correlated with graft length and diameter in both sex (p value <0.05). Female, compared to male, had significantly smaller (p<0.0001) and thinner graft (p<0.0001). There was a strong agreement between the literature and our observed graft diameter, but with an overestimated graft diameter in 18.5% of the cases. CONCLUSION: Among anthropometric parameter, only height and weight had moderate positive correlation with graft diameter. Males had longer and wider ST graft in contrast to age-matched female group.