Pyrolysis of sal seed to liquid product.

Thermal pyrolysis of sal seed (Shorea Robusta) was carried out in a semi-batch reactor at a temperature range of 400-625°C and at a heating rate of 20°C/min. The FTIR analysis of bio-fuel indicates the presence of functional groups such as alkanes, alkenes, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, and esters. The composition of the liquid product was analyzed using GC-MS and found the presence of hydrocarbons between 6 and 20 carbon atoms in a chain. The physical properties of the obtained liquid were close to that of petroleum fractions. The pyrolysis char can be used as an adsorbent as well as a solid fuel due to its high calorific value.

Balloon dilatation of ureteric strictures.

AIMS: Evaluation of dilatation as a minimally invasive technique for the treatment of ureteric strictures. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We evaluated this technique in 16 patients with ureteric and secondary pelviureteric junction strictures from June 1998. Of these, 7 were men and 9 were women. The age range was from 14 to 40 years. RESULTS: Balloon dilatation was successful in 69% of patients. Strictures secondary to previous surgery had nearly 100% success. Of the 8 cases diagnosed as genitourinary tuberculosis, success rate was 50%. CONCLUSIONS: Factors affecting success of balloon dilatation are: a) age of the stricture b) length of the stricture and c) etiology of the stricture. In a select group of patients with fresh post-operative or post-inflammatory strictures, balloon dilatation may be an attractive alternative to surgery.

Irradiation for intimal hyperplasia: implications for peripheral arterial bypass.

Irradiation has been shown to inhibit postangioplasty intimal hyperplasia ("restenosis") in unbranched tubes. It seems likely that irradiation will similarly be able to inhibit intimal hyperplasia after a surgical anastomosis at a biochemical and cellular level, but whether it will produce a clinically relevant or even clinically detectable difference is unproved. One possibility is that no clinical effect may occur; the search for a "cure" for intimal hyperplasia has been long and, as yet, unsuccessful. On the other hand, if a strong effect without insurmountable logistical problems could be produced, one major cause of bypass graft failure would be preventable. Not only would the incidence of late graft occlusion, need for reoperation, and limb loss be reduced, but, if patency of prosthetics could be sufficiently improved, the initial operation could be made much easier, faster, and perhaps safer.

Martius' labial fat pad interposition and its modification in complex lower urinary fistulae.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the results of Martius' labial fat pad interposition and its modification using skin island in the repair of giant and recurrent vesicovaginal and urethrovaginal fistulae. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifteen patients of urethrovaginal and vesicovaginal fistulae underwent Martius' labial fat pad interposition and its skin island modification during 1996 to 1999. Ten of these were recurrent (66%) and five were giant fistulae (34%) i.e. more than five cms. RESULTS: Results were very gratifying with a successful repair in 14 patients (93%). Two patients had transient, low-grade stress incontinence, which did not need any additional procedure. In one patient, there was failure of repair, which was later successfully repaired using fat pad from opposite labia. CONCLUSION: Martius' fat pad interposition provides vascularity and surface for epithelialisation and also prevents overlapping of vesical/urethral and vaginal suture lines. Martius' repair has good results with low morbidity in the treatment of giant and recurrent urethrovaginal and vesicovaginal fistulae.