Effect of postharvest hydrogen sulphide on lignification and biochemical markers of pointed gourd.

Hydrogen sulphide (H2 S) has emerged as a gasotransmitter molecule that modulates several physiological functions in plants, specially, different biotic and abiotic stresses. Pointed gourd (PG) fruits start losing their soft texture and appealing colour within 2-3 days of harvest, resulting in poor marketability and shelf life. Here, the effect of exogenous H2 S (1 and 2 mm) application on lignification and other biochemical markers linked to ripening, shelf-life and edible quality of PG was assessed during cold (12 °C, 85-90% RH) and ambient (27 ± 2 °C, 55 ± 5% RH) storage. The synergistic effect of H2 S was recorded during simulated storage at ambient conditions. Postharvest H2 S treatment (1 mm) effectively delayed yellowing and chlorophyll loss (four-fold reduction) and maintained the phenolic content and higher antioxidant activity (36%). The H2 S-treated PG fruits had significantly lower lignification and membrane permeability i.e. 15% and 13%, respectively, than control samples. H2 S-treated fruit also maintained higher PAL and lower PPO activity. Therefore, postharvest application of H2 S (2 mm) could be effective in maintaining postharvest quality of PG fruits and extending the marketing period.

Hydrogen sulphide infiltration downregulates oxidative metabolism and extends postharvest life of banana.

Hydrogen sulphide (H2 S) has emerged as a potential regulator of plant defence against different abiotic stresses. As a climacteric fruit, banana undergoes oxidative stresses shortly after harvest, resulting in faster ripening and senescence. This work examines the effects of vacuum infiltrated H2 S on ripening inhibition of banana. Banana fruits were vacuum infiltrated with 1 mm H2 S. Effects on oxidative stress markers, physiological changes, bioactive compounds and antioxidant potentials were examined during storage at 25 °C and 75-80% RH. Results indicate that treated fruits were less affected by oxidative stress, as evident by lower accumulation of ROS (superoxide and peroxide ions), elevated phenols content and antioxidant capacity. The ripening inhibitory effects of H2 S delayed chlorophyll loss and reduced ethylene and CO2 production. H2 S infiltration also reduced MDA accumulation and electrolytic leakage, resulting in longer shelf life. Vacuum infiltration with H2 S had a protective effect on postharvest banana through overcoming the deleterious effect of ROS and strengthening antioxidant potential. Thus, this method could be promising for enhanced preservation of banana during storage.

Design and development of safe gait prosthetic knee joint in India.

CONTEXT: The prosthetic technology in recent years has grown by leap and bounds. The most advanced gadgets like microprocessors are available worldwide at exorbitant costs. Developing countries have issues with terrain, access to services, and cost. The new design of the prosthetic knee joint was planned to develop a cost-effective, sturdy, and easy to fit a universal system. METHODS AND MATERIAL: This exploratory design was undertaken to develop a prototype. The design was further developed and tested for its materialistic properties. Pilot study assessing functions using this joint is also underway. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The novelty of this knee joint is that locking and unlocking are made simple such that it can be done by the transfemoral amputee at will, with ease, on the spot, independent of the terrain he/she is traversing. The awareness of such a prosthetic joint is vital for family physicians.

Functional ambulation with bent knee prostheses for an adult with bilateral 90 degrees knee flexion contractures-A case report.

An adult male who never stood, ambulating on all four due to bilateral severe knee flexion contractures, since his childhood, was 21 years of age, and not deterred by his condition, was pursuing his higher education. He was coaxed by his friends to seek medical opinion and it was decided to give a trial and let the client have a feel of bipedal stance and ambulation. Although there is a paucity of recent evidence on the use of bent knee prosthesis, the trial successfully restored the dignity.

The effect of positional changes on oxygenation in patients with head injury in the intensive care unit.

BACKGROUND: Following head injury, cardiopulmonary functions are impaired and this disturbs the oxygenation transport pathway. Expanding cardiopulmonary physical therapy to encompass the oxygen transport system as a whole has implication for treatment as well as assessment and treatment outcome. Therefore, the aim of the study is to assess the oxygenation level in head injury patients with relation to body positioning in the intensive care unit (ICU). METHODOLOGY: Thirty consecutive patients with head injury with hemodynamically stable were included from the surgical ICU, ages ranging from 15 to 50 years. Noninvasive vital parameters (oxygen saturation [SpO2], pulse rate [PR], respiratory rate [RR], and blood pressure [BP]) were observed and recorded in different body positions at regular intervals of 5 min for 15 min in each position. RESULTS: There was increment in SpO2 value in all positions from 0 min to end of 15 min in supine (98.63 ± 0.36-98.73 ± 0.30), right-side lying (98.77 ± 0.30-98.93 ± 0.20), left-side lying (98.73 ± 0.29-99.03 ± 0.24), and recline sitting (30°-70°) (99.03 ± 0.24-99.50 ± 0.22). However, there was statistically significant increment in recline sitting (30°-70°) compared to other positions (P = 0.036) while other parameters (PR, RR, and BP) were getting stabilized at lower values at end of 15 min in every positions tested. CONCLUSION: We conclude that upright position bring about significant increase in arterial SpO2 compared to any other positions. Other vital parameters were seen to stabilize at lower values at the end of 15 min in every position tested.

An in-vitro SEM comparative study of debridement ability of K-Files and Canal Master.

The aim of this study was to compare in vitro the debridement ability of Canal Master and K-Files using scanning electron microscope. One hundred and twelve freshly extracted human upper central incisor teeth were divided into two groups of 56 each. One group was instrumented using Canal Master and another group was instrumented using K-Files. The teeth were sectioned longitudinally and examined under the SEM. Scanning electron micrographs were qualitatively and statistically analysed for the degree of cleanliness with regard to the presence of debris, smeared layer and patency of dentinal tubules in the apical third of each root canal. In order to determine whether there is a difference between the two instrumentation techniques, a chi-square test of equal proportions was used. This test gave a chi-square value of 24.19 (P < .001). Both the instrumentation techniques were ineffective in completely debriding the canals. However, the results showed that the Canal Master produced cleaner showing lesser debris than that produced by K-Files.

Influence of ultrasound, with and without water spray cooling, on removal of posts cemented with resin or glass ionomer cements: An in-vitro study.

AIMS/OBJECTIVES: To evaluate in vitro the ultrasonic vibration efficacy with and without water spray cooling on the reduction of the amount of force necessary to dislodge the cast posts cemented with resin cement and to compare it with those cemented with GIC Type I luting cement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: SIXTY SAMPLES WERE DIVIDED INTO SIX GROUPS: groups 1, 2, 3, posts cemented with GIC; groups 4, 5, 6, posts cemented with resin; groups 1 and 4 (controls), no ultrasound; groups 2 and 5, ultrasound without water spray; and groups 3 and 6, ultrasound with water spray. Instron testing machine was used to dislodge the posts from the root canals and the data was statistically analyzed. RESULTS: Ultrasound with water spray (group 3) among the GIC groups reduced the traction force necessary to extract posts by 53.33% whereas ultrasound without water spray (group 5) among the resin groups reduced by 59.5% compared to control. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound with water is more effective in removing posts cemented with GIC because of the ultrasonic energy being transferred to the post. Ultasonics without water is more effective in removing posts fixed with resin cement probably by the indirect action of heat production.