Histopathological study of stomatitis nicotina

One hundred and thirteen biopsies of the palate in people accustomed to smoking cigars, most of them with the burning end of the cigar inside the mouth, have been studied.     

Phase controlled one-pot synthesis of heterostructured FePt–Fe3O4 nanocubes with excellent biocompatibility

We demonstrated a simple one-pot synthesis approach for the controlled composition of homogeneous FePt and phase-controlled heterostructured FePt/Fe₃O₄ nanocubes (NCs) utilizing 1,2-hexadecanediol and 1-octadecene as the reducing agents, respectively. When the Fe : Pt precursor ratio was varied from 1 : 1 to 4 : 1 and 1,2-hexadecanediol was utilized as the reducing agent, homogeneous FePt NCs were formed, whereas the heterostructures of FePt/Fe₃O₄ NCs were obtained when utilizing 1-octadecene as the reducing agent at Fe : Pt ratio of 4 : 1. The initial domination of nucleation of Pt-rich species and the subsequent deposition of Fe atoms leads to the formation of homogeneous FePt NCs. Heterostructured FePt/Fe₃O₄ NCs were obtained by the initial FePt seed formation, which was then followed by the heterogeneous growth of Fe₃O₄. The heterostructured FePt/Fe₃O₄ NCs exhibited two phases, i.e., FePt phase with a (111) facet of the fcc and Fe₃O₄ phase with an inverse cubic spinel structure. Moreover, both the FePt and the FePt/Fe₃O₄ NCs demonstrated almost negligible coercivity, which confirmed a typical superparamagnetic behavior. Furthermore, the cell viability tests of the FePt and FePt/Fe₃O₄ NCs demonstrated excellent biocompatibilities. Hence, the NCs could be useful for various biomedical applications, including MRI contrast agents, hyperthermia, and as a label in magnetic biochips.

We demonstrated a simple one-pot synthesis approach for the controlled composition of homogeneous FePt and phase-controlled heterostructured FePt/Fe₃O₄ nanocubes (NCs) utilizing 1,2-hexadecanediol and 1-octadecene as the reducing agents, respectively.     

Effect of maturity and processing on total,insoluble and soluble dietary fiber contents of Indian green leafy vegetables

Vegetables are very important in the diet and provide minerals, vitamins, antioxidants and fiber. A beneficial role of dietary fiber in human nutrition is known but the data on the effect of maturity and processing of Indian vegetables on dietary fiber and its fractions are not available. Hence, the present study was undertaken to generate data on total (TDF), insoluble (IDF) and soluble (SDF) dietary fiber contents of green leafy vegetables (GLV) and to assess the effect of leaf maturity and cooking on these parameters. Sixteen GLV (namely, agathi, alternanthera, amaranth, basella, cabbage, colocasia, coriander, curry leaves, drumstick, fenugreek, hibiscus, mint, portulaca, rumex, spinach and tender tamarind leaves) were analysed for TDF, IDF and SDF by the enzymatic and gravimetric method of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists. Among the GLV analysed, the TDF and IDF contents were the lowest (2.5 g% and 1.6 g%) in basella and were the highest (16.3 g% and 13.4 g%) in curry leaves. The SDF content ranged from 0.7 g% in spinach to 2.9 g% in curry leaves. The SDF as a percentage of the TDF ranged from 11.3% in tender tamarind leaves to 36.0% in basella, but the majority of GLV had around 25% of the TDF as SDF. Significant (P<0.01) variation was observed between inter-species and intra-species in TDF, IDF and SDF contents of all the GLV. As the leaf matured from tender to mature and to coarse stage, the TDF and IDF contents of amaranth, basella, hibiscus, rumex and spinach increased significantly (P<0.05), The SDF content significantly (P<0.05) increased from tender to mature stage in all five GLV, but there was no further increase from mature to coarse stage except in rumex, where a significant (P<0.01) increase (25%) was observed. Processing/cooking of GLV had no significant effect on their TDF, IDF and SDF contents.     

Causes of liver disease and its outcome in HIV-infected individuals

Liver disease in HIV-infected patients has remained unaddressed in India. This study describes the causes of liver disease in HIV-infected patients and short-term outcome in them. Designed as a prospective observational study, it was conducted at Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research between September 2011 and March 2013. All consecutive HIV patients (>13 years) attending the antiretroviral therapy clinic or admitted in the Medicine Department were screened, and patients with liver disease or with either HBsAg or anti-HCV antibody positivity were included in the study. Of the 198 patients screened, 51 (26 %) had either abnormal liver function test or had HBsAg or anti-HCV positivity. The median age of the patients was 40 years and 82 % were males. The median CD4 count was 123 cells/mm³. Eighteen (35 %) of them had alcoholic liver disease. Six patients had probable hepatic involvement due to tuberculosis. Ten patients had antituberculosis drug-induced hepatotoxicity. One patient had acute hepatitis B and seven patients had chronic hepatitis B. The cause could not be established in 10 patients (20 %). After a median period of 8 months of follow up, 23 patients had improved, 19 patients (37 %) had died, and six patients had been lost to follow up. Of the patients who had died, 11 patients (58 %) had tuberculosis, and 6 patients (30 %) had decompensated alcoholic liver disease. In conclusion, liver disease in HIV-infected patients was associated with high mortality. Alcohol abuse, tuberculosis, and antituberculosis drugs were the major causes.     

Implementing an electronic learning management system for an Ophthalmology residency program

Background

Medical educators, residents and administrators have increasing access to a large quantity of electronic resources. This content can augment and improve our teaching methods but can be difficult to consolidate and present. A multitude of electronic learning management systems are available to help organize and serve this content though never with small residency programs as the target userbase. As our residency program in Ophthalmology looked to consolidate our electronic resources and update our education methods, we evaluated and built an electronic learning management platform.

Results

Faculty were interviewed to determine features they would find useful in curriculum management system and then various systems were investigated for features, cost and ease of use.

Conclusions

Our solution has been both cost-effective and successful. Resident satisfaction is high and faculty utilization has been increasing. We present many customizations that increased success. Consideration of the specific needs of a program is paramount to choosing a cost effective solution that will be well received.

     

The Usage of a Conjunctival Flap to Improve Retention of Boston Type 1 Keratoprosthesis in Severe Ocular Surface Disease

Purpose: The Boston keratoprostheses type 1 devices (KPro) are utilized in cases unfavorable to penetrating keratoplasty. The prognosis remains guarded in cases of ocular surface disease due to risk of tissue necrosis. We describe a novel surgical approach using a conjunctival flap with a delayed opening to improve retention.

Methods: In three patients with advanced cicatrizing conjunctivitis, a Type 1 keratoprosthesis was stabilized using a full tarsal conjunctival flap. Three months postoperatively, an opening was created in the flap overlying the optical portion of the device.

Results: All patients had no device related complications over a mean follow-up period of 17.7 months (range 15-21 months) and vision remained excellent at better than 20/200 for all patients.

Conclusions: Utilization of a tarsal flap either primarily as part of a two stage modified technique or secondarily in cases of tissue necrosis and impending device extrusion might maximize retention of the type 1 KPro.