Epsilon Aminocaproic Acid to Reduce Blood Loss and Transfusion After Total Hip and Total Knee Arthroplasty

Background

Total hip and knee arthroplasty (THA and TKA) are associated with significant blood loss and some patients require postoperative blood transfusion. While tranexamic acid has been studied extensively among this population, we tested the hypothesis that epsilon aminocaproic acid (EACA) can reduce blood loss and transfusion after joint arthroplasty.

Improved mechanical performances of unidirectional jute fibre composites developed with new fibre architectures

This study presents the mechanical performance enhancements of jute fibre composites, manufactured from two newly developed novel jute fibre unidirectional (UD) preforms, namely, stitching-based and sizing-based examples. To increase the use of jute fibres, which are naturally abundant and inexpensive, and to provide research into the use of mechanically advantageous continuous unidirectional (UD) preforms in composites (which are still limited in use), this study employed polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) sizing and stitching techniques, thus increasing the abilities of jute fibres to withstand higher loads and enabling them to be used for lightweight structural applications. Alkali treatment was used on jute fibres in stitched and sized preforms, and bamboo slices were introduced to the jute preforms to further optimize the mechanical properties. The jute composites exhibited significant mechanical property enhancements, with maximum improvement observed in the case of the PVA-sized alkali-treated specimen, thanks to the excellent compatibility between the sized and alkali-treated jute fibres.

This study detailed two novel processes, the use of stitching and PVA sizing based jute fibre UD preforms, with bamboo slice hybridization for the manufacturing of high-mechanical-performance jute composites, and significant improvement was found.     

Diverse utilization of surfactants in coal-floatation for the sustainable development of clean coal production and environmental safety: a review

The rapidly increasing modern industrial world demands a huge uninterrupted energy supply, where high-quality coal (HQC) is one of the major sources of the required energy. In this regard, a gigantic amount of solid waste including ash and toxic chemicals, such as heavy metals, nitrate and sulphur, gases including NOx and SOx are emitted during the direct incineration process of low-rank coal. About 10 Gt of CO₂ and about one-fifth of total greenhouse gases in the world are emitted each year due to coal combustion in power plants, making it the single largest cause of climate change. The UN proposed that OECD countries stop producing electricity from coal by 2030 and the rest of the world by 2040. Herein, we discuss the development of modern technologies that can convert low-quality coal (LQC) into high-quality coal (HQC) to minimize the impact of fossil fuel burn, climate change, premature death of animals and all other related environmental hazards. Amongst the many established technologies, flotation pre-treatment is the most common and effective method used worldwide due to its lower energy input than other methods. In this review, we attempt to present an up-to-date understanding of the applications and utilities of surfactants in coal floating. We also demonstrate the possible modernization of this surfactant chemistry and its prospects.

The rapidly increasing modern industrial world demands a huge uninterrupted energy supply, where high-quality coal (HQC) is one of the major sources of the required energy.     

Identification and enhancing production of a novel macrolide compound in engineered Streptomyces peucetius

Streptomyces peucetius produces doxorubicin and daunorubicin, which are important anticancer drugs. In this study, we activate peucemycin, a new antibacterial compound, using an OSMAC strategy. In general, bioactive compounds are produced in a higher amount at room temperature; however, in this study, we have demonstrated that a bioactive novel compound was successfully activated at a low temperature (18 °C) in S. peucetius DM07. Through LC-MS/MS, IR spectroscopy, and NMR analysis, we identified the structure of this compound as a γ-pyrone macrolide. This compound was found to be novel, thus named peucemycin. It is an unusual 14-membered macrocyclic γ-pyrone ring with cyclization. Also, peucemycin exhibits potential antibacterial activity and a suppressive effect on the viability of various cancer cell lines.

Activation of peucemycin in S. peucetius DM07 by the OSMAC strategy.     

Role of diagnostic imaging in Rasmussen's encephalitis – A case report from Nepal

Rasmussen''s encephalitis (RE) is a relatively rare chronic inflammatory neurological disease that usually only affects one hemisphere of the brain. It primarily affects children under the age of 10, although it can also affect teens and adults, causing drug-resistant seizures, progressive hemiparesis, and dementia. RE presents as a challenging diagnosis with MRI as the cornerstone of the evaluation and nuclear imaging as a complementary tool. We''d like to present a case of a 12-year-old girl who was diagnosed with RE after an MRI. In this study, we examine the diagnostic criteria, differential diagnoses, and issues that underpin the diagnostic challenge in great detail.     

Effect of feeding grape pomace on selected metabolic parameters associated with high fructose feeding in growing Sprague-Dawley rats

The effect of feeding grape pomace on certain metabolic parameters associated with high fructose (HF) feeding was studied. Forty male growing Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into groups: (1) control; (2) HF; (3) HF with low-level (1.5% of diet) grape pomace (HF+LP), and (4) HF with high-level (5.0% of diet) grape pomace (HF+HP). The HF+LP and HF+HP diets provided 115 and 218 mg of procyanidins/kg, respectively. Compared with the controls, HF-fed animals consumed less and were smaller, whereas animals in the HF+LP and HF+HP groups were in between. A similar trend was observed for abdominal fat and abdominal fat as a percentage of body weight. No change in heart or kidney weight occurred. Liver weight as a percentage of body weight was higher for animals when fructose was included in the diet compared with those on control diet, and inclusion of grape pomace had no effect. Fasting plasma glucose, insulin, and triglyceride levels tended to be higher in animals fed HF diet, and grape pomace reduced their levels to values similar to the control animals. Compared with control animals, HF-fed animals had higher weekly postprandial plasma triglycerides, which were reduced by feeding grape pomace, but no change in plasma cholesterol was observed. Glucose intolerance was observed in animals fed HF diet and was accompanied by a 25% increase in homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) of insulin resistance. Inclusion of grape pomace increased glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. No significant change (P>.1) in HOMA of β-cell function or Quantitative Insulin-Sensitivity Check Index was observed. Overall, HF diet did not produce as strong a response of metabolic syndrome as has been shown in the literature. The inclusion of grape pomace in the diet was effective in modulating some aspects of metabolic parameters associated with metabolic syndrome, and the higher level of grape pomace in the diet produced a slightly better response than the lower level.