Insight towards Nucleation Mechanism and Change in Morphology for Nanostructured Platinum Thin Film Directly Grown on Carbon Substrate via Electrochemical Deposition

Nanocrystalline platinum with different morphologies is synthesized via electrochemical deposition technique. The nucleation mechanism and its structural effect over the electrodeposited Pt on carbon electrodes have been systematically studied. Powder X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and field-emission scanning electron microscopy are employed to study nucleation, oxidation states, and Pt structure growth on a carbon electrode. This study reports significant development of Pt metal nanoparticles with different morphologies such as a sphere, flower, core-flower, and rod-like structure directly fabricated on carbon electrode while tuning the deposition parameters such as current density, time, temperature, pH during the deposition process. The proposed electrochemical route represents a superior fabrication procedure for large-scale electrode fabrication compared to a conventional method for preparing membrane electrode assemblies for fuel cell stacks.     

Optimization of immunohistochemical detection of collagen type II in osteochondral sections by comparing decalcification and antigen retrieval agent combinations

Bone containing tissues such as osteochondral joint are resistant to routine tissue processing, therefore require decalcification. This technique causes removal of mineral salts, but in the process may macerate the organic tissue, hence the need for tissue fixation. Such severe processing demands careful antigen retrieval to necessitate optimal staining. The aim of our study was to compare five different antigen retrieval protocols (heat retrieval and protein digestion) following decalcification of rabbit knee joints using two different techniques (20% formic acid and 10% ethylenediamine-tetra acetic acid: EDTA). Osteochondral sections were compared based on time required for decalcification, ease of sectioning, morphological integrity using HE staining and antigen preservation (Collagen type II) using immunohistochemistry. The two decalcification solutions did not impair the tissue morphology and ease of sectioning. Joints processed with formic acid decalcified four times faster than EDTA. Among the five antigen retrieval approaches, maximal collagen II uptake with minimal nonspecific staining was found with protein digestion (pronase and hyaluronidase) in both formic acid and EDTA sections. For osteo-chondral sections, we recommend using 10% EDTA for decalcification and pronase plus hyaluronidase for antigen retrieval if maintaining tissue morphology is crucial, whereas if time is of the essence, 20% FA with pronase plus hyaluronidase is the faster option while still preserving structural integrity. Clin. Anat. 33:343–349, 2020. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Functional beta-cells derived from umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells for curing rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus

INTRODUCTIONThis study aimed to investigate the therapeutic response to injected human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells (UCBMSCs) among albino rats with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes mellitus.METHODSControl group (GI; n = 25) rats were fed with standard rat diet. Rats with STZ-induced diabetes mellitus without (GII; n = 25) and with (GIII; n = 25) differentiated human UCBMSCs implantation were the test groups. Rats were sacrificed in Week 11 following implantation. Liver biopsies were sectioned and stained in order to highlight both the presence and function of impregnated cells in the liver tissue.RESULTSHaematoxylin and eosin-stained sections in GI and GII rats showed normal liver architecture while GIII rats showed presence of cell clusters inside the liver tissue and around the central veins. Cell clusters with blue cytoplasm were present in sections in GIII rats but absent in GI and GII rats, indicating the presence of injected differentiated human UCBMSCs. The anti-human insulin immunostaining of GIII rats showed clusters of cells within the liver parenchyma and around central veins, indicating that these cells were active and secreting insulin.CONCLUSIONUCBMSCs are proficient in differentiating into insulin-producing cells in vivo under specific conditions and, when transplanted into the liver of albino rats with STZ-induced diabetes mellitus, were able to secrete insulin and partially control the status of diabetes mellitus in rats.     

Coronary endarterectomy on beating heart: Our experience

Introduction Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) associated with Endarterectomy is a high risk procedure. After the first report of coronary endarterectomy by Bailey et al in 1951, the preference for this surgical procedure was decreased due to increased morbidity and mortality In patients with total or subtotal large coronary artery obstructions in which there is no possibility to receive a conduit as graft for myocardial revascularisation, endarterectomy remains the procedure of choice. This study was designed to study early and midterm results of off pump coronary artery endarterectomy. Methods Of 172 Consecutive Off Pump CABG done at our institution from Jan 2003 to July 2005, 22 patients underwent supplementary coronary endarterectomy. 16 patients had chronic stable angina 4 had unstable angina two required emergency CABG with endarterectomy following perioperative infarction. The mean ejection fraction was 29.2±4.3 and all of the patients were in New York Heart Association (NYHA) III or IV. All patients were planned for complete total arterial revascularisation using Left Internal Mammary Artery (LIMA). Right Internal Mammary Artery (RIMA), Radial composite “Y” graft, Two patients operated for periop infarct received vein graft. In 16 patients closed endarterectomy was done in five patients double endarterectomy in single vessel was done to chase the plaque distally, in one patient open left anterior descending (LAD) endarterectomy with vein patch reconstruction was performed. Results There were no deaths. None of the procedures were converted to on pump operation. All endarterectomies and bypasses were performed on Beating Heart, all patients were completely revascularised. Peri operative cardiac enzymes studied showed no significant rise in the Creatinine Phoshpokinase (CPK)-Creatinine Phosphokinase myocardial Band (CPK-MB). The mean postoperative Ejection Fraction (EF) was 36.7%±7.2% which was significantly higher than the Preoperative one (p<.05). At the end of four months to one and half year 22 patients were in NYHA class I to II and all were angina free in canadian cardiovascular society class.f Conclusions Coronary End Arterectomy without cardiopulmonary bypass can be performed in patients who are expected to benefit from complete revascularisation. It can be performed with closed as well as open method. However to achieve complete endarterectomy by closed technique in some patients it is essential to chase the plaque. Early and mid term results are encouraging.     

Musical obsession or pseudohallucination: Electrophysiological standpoint

Reported herein is a case of obsessive–compulsive disorder with persistent and distressing musical obsessions along with other symptoms. Advanced source analysis of electroencephalographic data indicated high spectral power over the bifrontal region. The musical symptoms were resistant to pharmacotherapy but there was some reduction in frequency and duration of musical obsessions with thought-stopping technique.     

Spontaneous gall bladder perforation: a rare entity in infants.

Spontaneous gall bladder perforation in infants is rare. We report a 3-month-old male infant who presented with progressive abdominal distension, low-grade fever, bilateral hydrocele and acholic stools. Ultrasonography showed free fluid in the peritoneal cavity, which was bile-stained on paracentesis. Surgical exploration revealed sterile biliary peritonitis and a gangrenous gall bladder. Partial cholecystectomy with external biliary drainage resulted in satisfactory recovery.     

Insulin resistance Type A and short 5th metacarpals.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Insulin resistance is associated with a number genetic syndromes and a variety of defects of insulin action. METHODS: We describe three members of an extended family spanning two generations with insulin resistance Type A and short 5th metacarpals. The proband had secondary amenorrhoea, male pattern hair distribution, acne, hirsutism, deep voice, acanthosis nigricans, polycystic ovaries, diabetes, features of acromegaly, raised creatine kinase and triglyceride levels and short 5th metacarpals. Her growth hormone, adrenal steroid and testosterone levels were normal. The proband's daughter had severe acne, hirsutism, acanthosis nigricans, polycystic ovaries, raised triglyceride, glucose and testosterone level short metacarpals and normal insulin receptor gene. The proband's son had a muscular build, raised creatine kinase, hypertriglyceridaemia and short 5th metacarpals. His fasting insulin levels were normal but pro-insulin was raised. RESULT/CONCLUSION: There are many familial and genetic syndromes associated with insulin resistance. This family was diagnosed as having insulin resistance Type A. This family does not conform entirely to any of the previously described syndromes and a number of family members have the phenotype of short 5th metacarpals, which appears to be associated with the features of insulin resistance Type A.