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Background: There has been an increasing trend for the development of natural formulations for plaque control using medicinal plants as an adjunct, which can be a feasible alternative as these are widely available, cost-effective, and have fewer side effects. Aim: The evaluation of the effects of medicinal plant extracts in chronic periodontitis (CP). Materials and Methods: This study was carried out in two phases; first the antibacterial activity of two medicinal plant extracts was tested on periodontal pathogens, thereafter, a clinical assessment was carried out on subjects with CP. Forty-five individuals suffering from CP were randomized into three different groups; Group A: Scaling and root planing (SRP) along with Piper longum rinse, Group B: SRP along with mixture of Tinospora cordifolia and P. longum rinse, Group C: SRP along with chlorhexidine (CHX) (control group). The clinical parameters (gingival index [GI], plaque index, gingival bleeding index [BI], probing pocket depth [PPD], and clinical attachment level [CAL]) were recorded at baseline and months 1 and 3. The intra- and intergroup comparison of clinical parameters for all groups at different time intervals was performed. Results: At the end of the trial, all the three groups showed a statistically significant reduction when compared to baseline for all the clinical parameters. In intergroup comparison, statistically significant reduction in GI, PPD, and CAL for both Group A and Group C was seen at 3 months as compared to Group B. Comparable reduction was seen between Group A and C for all the clinical parameters. Reduction in plaque and gingival BI was seen to be highest in Group A. Conclusion: P. longum can be effectively utilized as an additive to mechanical periodontal treatment in comparison to CHX mouthwash for CP patients.

Byline: Smile. Kajal, Syed. Naeem, Pooja. Gupta, Arvind. Kairo, Anam. Ahmed, Prankur. Verma, Ashish. Saini OBJECTIVES: Sinonasal mucormycosis is a serious fungal infection. Early diagnosis and prompt antifungal therapy along [...]

Unexpected power outages and extreme weather encouraged research on energy-resilient buildings throughout the world. Resilient building research mainly focuses on hot weather rather than cold extremes. This study defines resilience terminologies based on the available literature and discusses the impact of energy efficiency on energy resilience performance in energy-efficient buildings due to abrupt power outages in an extremely cold climate. The assessment involves the case simulation of a multistory apartment located in southern Finland at design outdoor conditions (−26 °C) in IDA-ICE 4.8, a dynamic building simulation software, and its techno-economic assessment to ensure building resilience for up to 7 days of power outages. The assessment shows the efficient building envelope can enhance the time taken by the building to drop the indoor temperature to the threshold by approximately 15%. Additionally, the efficient heating system along with the building envelope can reduce the instantaneous power demand by up to 5.3 times, peak power demand by up to 3.5 times, and on average power consumption by 3.9 times. Similarly, the study finds that the total energy requirement during a blackout can be reduced by 4.1 times. The study concludes that enhanced building resilience is associated with energy-efficient parameters such as an efficient energy system and an efficient building envelope that has low thermal losses and high thermal inertia retention. The batteries contribute the maximum proportion to the overall retrofitting cost, and the proportion can go up to 70% in baseline configurations and 77% in efficient configurations of buildings. The analysis concludes that the required investment varies largely with the technologies involved and the combination of components of these energy systems. The assessment finds that the high investment costs associated with batteries and battery recharging costs are the main bottlenecks to feasible flexibility in market participation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Byline: Tapan. Agrawal, Rajeev. Kumar, Prabhjot. Singh, Ashish. Saini, Amlesh. Seth, Premnath. Dogra Introduction: Apart from the complexity of procedure and surgeon's experience, surgical complication rates depend on case definition [...]

Polyurethane is a promising candidate for the potting of embedded electronics due to its shock absorbing properties. This paper discusses the less known strain hardening and shock mitigation properties of 4,4′-methylenediphenyl diisocyanate based polyurethane under dynamic loading. This study is reported in a strain rate range of 1600–2900 s−1 under compression using a split-Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB). The experimental stress–strain behavior of polyurethane was modeled with Hollomon's equation to analyze its hardening behavior in dynamic environments. Jointly, the incident, reflected, and transmitted strain signals of the SHPB are analyzed in time and frequency domains to understand the shock absorbing properties of polyurethane. Polyurethane was found to absorb more shock for more intense loading. It was observed to mitigate 81% of shock energy with frequencies up to 10 kHz. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zygomatic osteomyelitis is a rare occurrence due to rich collateral blood supply of bone. A man in his 30s presented with complaints of pain over bilateral cheek and pus discharge below the eye on lateral aspect. He was a known case of COVID-19 associated mucormycosis postendoscopic debridement of sinuses 3 months back. Radiology revealed bilateral destruction of zygoma with discharging sinus. Microbiological analysis confirmed aseptate hyphae in pus, and a diagnosis of bilateral fungal zygomatic osteomyelitis made. Under general anaesthesia, sequestrectomy done using bilateral lateral rhinotomy with extended Dieffenbach’s approach (batwing incision). Postsurgery 3000 mg of liposomal amphotericin was administered. There was no enophthalmos or restricted eye movements postoperatively. Follow-up MRI suggested minimal inflammatory enhancement in maxillary sinus. Patient was discharged on oral antifungals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper describes the design, simulation and fabrication of a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) based acceleration threshold switch with an independent angled latching mechanism. The switch is designed to operate in critical applications wherein power cannot be applied. It is a passive device that does not require power for retention of its mechanical state and mechanical memory. The switch consists of a serpentine spring-mass system with an independent angled latching mechanism and multiple contacts. Stoppers were used to limit displacement in the lateral direction and provide a guided path in the line of action to the proof mass. A transient analysis was performed to study non-linear behaviour of the switch. The latching threshold value was determined analytically based on the geometry of the switch. The switch was fabricated on an SOI (silicon-on-insulator) wafer having $25\mu \text{m}$ thick device layer and $400\mu \text{m}$ handle wafer. The switch was given a static mechanical shock of 3500g to observe its behaviour under shock. Contact resistance of the switch was approximately $2\Omega $ in the ON position and more than 100 $\text{M}\Omega $ in OFF position. The theoretical and simulated results were in good agreement with the experimental results. [2020-0268] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The purpose of this review is to present the available literature on the use of nonopioid analgesics such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in postcardiac surgery pediatric patients, mainly to focus on patients <1 year of age, and to provide the foundation for future research. Materials and Methods: Published studies that address the use on nonopioid medications for postoperative sedation and analgesia in infants and children undergoing cardiac surgery were identified from online sources. Studies were reviewed by two authors independently to assess the quality of the data as well as the evidence. Due to limited availability of such studies, the review was then expanded to include use in noncardiac procedures as well as to expanded age groups. All studies that met the primary objective were included. Results/Data Synthesis: Majority of the studies in the population of interest were related to use of ketorolac. Five studies specifically addressed ketorolac use in cardiac patients. In addition, studies were reviewed for nonopioid analgesia in noncardiac patients and included as a part of the available evidence as in the case of acetaminophen use. Newer agents as well as agents with very limited information were also acknowledged. Conclusion: Nonopioid medications appear to show promise for analgesia in infants undergoing cardiac surgery, with ketorolac being the most potent agent as a potential substitute for opioids. These agents demonstrate a reasonable safety profile even in the very young. There continue to be significant gaps in knowledge before their adoption becomes routine. However, gives the awareness regarding short-term and long-term impact of opioid use in this vulnerable population, and studies of such agents are an urgent need. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Byline: Ashish. Saini, Prem. Dogra, Prabhjot. Singh Surgical Technique The objective was to describe our technique of robotic-assisted inguinal lymph node dissection (RAILND) in two patients presented with palpable inguinal [...]

Byline: P. Dogra, Ashish. Saini, Prabhjot. Singh Penile cancer with inguinal lymph node metastasis is a common cancer in India. Open inguinal lymphadenectomy is the gold standard treatment of metastatic [...]

Byline: Rishi. Nayyar, Sabyasachi. Panda, Ashish. Saini, Amlesh. Seth, Shiv. Chaudhary Leiomyosarcoma of inferior vena cava (IVC) involving bilateral renal veins presents a surgical challenge. Herein, we report the successful [...]

Pediatric posterior-circulation aneurysms are uncommon, difficult-to-treat lesions associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Infections and trauma are important risk factors in children. Here, we present a 10-year-old boy with a lower respiratory tract infection, rapidly progressive right-neck swelling, and weakness of the right upper limb. Imaging revealed a partially thrombosed right vertebral-artery pseudoaneurysm with multiple cavitory lung lesions. Subsequent laboratory work-up showed underlying primary immunodeficiency disorder (chronic granulomatous disease). The aneurysm was successfully managed by parent-artery occlusion. The child made a complete recovery without neurological sequelae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]