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The rivers are important channels of materials and energy, which are constantly reeling under the impacts of human influences that often lead to problems in biodiversity conservation and ecosystem functions. The Mahi River in Gujarat is a west-flowing perennial river holding lot of ecological and religious importance. Hence, this study was carried out to document the floristic diversity in selected villages of Vadodara district falling in the riparian zone of the river. Total 328 species of flowering plants belonging to 230 genera and 73 different families was recorded from the study area, dominated by herbaceous plants indicating higher temperatures and lower rainfall gradient in the region. The grass family – Poaceae was dominant in the study region followed by families – Fabaceae, Asteraceae, Convolvulaceae and Euphorbiaceae which predominantly contain annual plants able to survive in diverse ecological conditions. The Jaccard’s similarity cluster analysis of study sites based on similarity in the floristic composition revealed that Nandesari site was distantly related with sites Dodka and Rayka in sub-cluster A1 whereas Kotna site was distantly related to sites Fajalpur (S), Sindhrot and Angadh in sub-cluster B1. The significant presence of weeds in the flora of the study region points out to the waning state of the riparian vegetation, chiefly owing to the burgeoning anthropogenic pressures, especially industrial development. To maintain the ecological profile of this region and help rejuvenate the native biodiversity, it is imperative to conserve the existing biota, strictly check the disturbance factors and enhance the vegetation (principally incorporating native species) with the participation of local stakeholders. Key words: Riparian flora, Mahi River, Conservation REFERENCES Askey-Doran, M., Pettit, N., Robins, L. and McDonald, T. 1999. The role of vegetation in riparian management. 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(2014), Control of amphibious weed ipomoea (Ipomoea carnea) by utilizing it for the extraction of volatile fatty acids as energy precursors. Journal of Advanced Research. 6(1): 73-78. Londe, V. and da Silva J.C. (2014), Characterization of Poaceae (grass) species as indicators of the level of degradation in a stretch of riparian forest in Matutina, Brazil. Acta Botanica Brasilica. 28(1): 102-108. Mabberley, D.J. 2008. Mabberley’s Plant book: A portable dictionary of Plants, their classification and uses. Third edition, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. Maitreya, B.B. 2015a. Cyperaceae of Sabarmati River, Gandhinagar district, Gujarat state, India. Paripex – Indian Journal of Research. 4(5): 345-346. Maitreya, B.B. 2015b. Convolvulaceae Plant Family as Riparian Vegetation at Gandhinagar of Gujarat State, India. Global Journal for Research Analysis. 4(5): 263-265. Menges, E.S. and Waller, D.M. 1983. Plant strategies in relation to elevation and light in floodplain herbs. 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The systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) is a novel parameter and its role in the prognosis of sepsis has never been explored previously.We retrospectively assessed 267 patients with blood-culture confirmed sepsis. Clinical and laboratory data recorded at intensive care unit (ICU) admission were analyzed. Outcomes of interest included in-hospital mortality and length-of-stay (LOS) in the ICU. Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores, SII, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) were calculated. Multivariable regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors of LOS and mortality. Area under receiver operator characteristic (AUROC) curves were used to determine optimum cutoffs, and the incremental effect of SII on the SOFA score was assessed using model discrimination and calibration properties.There were 76 (28.5%) non-survivors. SII, NLR, and PLR were independent predictors of sepsis mortality, with adjusted odds ratios of 1.51 (1.24-1.84), 1.67 (1.30-2.13) and 1.24 (1.11-1.39). SII and SOFA score were independent predictors of LOS. SII had an AUROC of 0.848, and the optimum cutoff was 564 with a sensitivity and specificity of 85.5% and 71.2%. The addition of SII to the model had a significant incremental effect on the predictive ability of SOFA score (Net Reclassification Index = 0.084,The SII is an inexpensive parameter that can be used in addition to clinical sepsis scores to improve the accuracy of patient assessment.

Background: The fracture of lower end radius is the most common fracture of the upper extremity encountered in practice and constitutes 10 to 20% of all the fractures and 75% of all forearm fractures. In spite of various new advances, closed reduction and cast immobilization has been the mainstay of treatment of these fractures, but malunion of fracture and subluxation /dislocation of distal radioulnar joint resulting in poor functional and cosmetic results is the usual outcome. Recently, the volar locked plate osteosynthesis is considered as the “gold standard” in treatment of ‘unstable’ distal radius fractures. The present study proposed to evaluate the role of volar locking plate fixation in the management of intra-articular and extra-articular volar fractures of distal end radius and to evaluate the clinical, functional and radiological outcomes.Aim and Objectives: To study the improvement in clinical, functional and radiological outcomes of volar locked plate fixation in a distal end radius fracture.Materials and Methods: A prospective study was undertaken in a Tertiary Hospital from September 2016 to September 2018, 30 patients (age >20 yrs) with volar fracture of lower end of radius i.e. AO types A 2.3, B 3.1, B 3.2, B 3.3 operated with volar locked plating. The patients were followed up at 2nd, 6th, 12th and 24th postoperative weeks. Radiological & clinical, functional outcomes were assessed by using Stewart score & PRWE (Patient–rated wrist evaluation questionnaire) score respectively. Data collected of these 30 patients were statistically analysed using ANOVA chi – square test.Results: Clinical and Functional outcome by Patient Rated Wrist Evaluation scoring system shows maximum no. of patients come in Good and Excellent grading i.e. 17(56.7%) and 8(26.7%) out of 30 patients, along with this 1(3.3%) Fair and 4(13.3%) Poor result. Radiological outcome by Stewart I scoring system is Maximum no. of cases shows Good and Excellent results i.e. 20(66.7%) and 6(20%) out of 30 patients. With this 1(3.3%) Fair and 3(10%) Poor result.Conclusion: Open reduction and internal fixation with volar locked plating has satisfactory functional and radiological outcome with minimal complications and thus it is an excellent modality to treat volar fractures of distal end radius.

Clavicle fracture is a common traumatic injury around shoulder girdle due to their subcutaneous position. It is caused by either low-energy or high-energy impact. Fractures of the clavicle have been traditionally treated non-operatively. Although many methods of closed reduction have been described, it is recognized that reduction is practically impossible to maintain and a certain amount of deformity and disability is expected in adults. 30 patients with mid-shaft clavicle fracture were systematically randomized (alternate patient) into either operative treatment with plate fixation or non-operative treatment with clavicle brace and sling. All fractures were classified using Robinson’s classification for clavicle fractures and only Type 2A2 and 2B1 were considered for the study. Patients were followed up at 3wks, 6wks, 3rd month & 6th month. Functional outcomes were assessed according to the Constant and Murley Scoring and radiologically. Maximum number (90%) of patients had Robinson’s Type 2B1 fracture. The mean duration of hospital stay for patients in Group A(operative) and Group B(non operative) was 3.67 ± 0.90 days and 1.73 ± 0.46 days respectively. In Group A, the mean duration of trauma to surgery was 3.13 ± 2.64 days. While the mean operative time was 104.87 ± 13.52 minutes. The duration of union was significantly lesser in Group A as compared to Group B according to Chi-Square test (p0.05). Primary open reduction and internal fixation with pre-contoured clavicle plate for displaced, middle third clavicle fractures provide a more rigid fixation and allows early mobilization whereas conservative treatment require longer periods of immobilization till fracture union. Functional outcomes are better with surgical management of middle third clavicle fractures with pre-contoured locking compression plate. The successful use of locking compression plate for middle third fractures of clavicle requires careful assessment of fracture pattern, patient selection, meticulous operative technique, appropriate choice of fixation, judicious internal fixation, careful post-operative monitoring and aggressive early institution rehabilitation. So, there is need to individualize the treatment as per the need and functional demand of the patient to give the optimum outcome.

Introduction: The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is increasing steadily, assuming an epidemic proportion throughout the world. Most of this increased burden will come from developing countries. Studies show an increasing role of inflammation in the pathophysiology of diabetes. Estimation of neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) could be a simple, inexpensive marker to stratify at-risk diabetes patients. This study aimed to estimate the NLR and CRP levels as a measure of systemic inflammation in diabetics compared to healthy controls. We also investigated if NLR was lower in diabetics with good glycemic control. Methods: A cross-sectional comparative study, conducted in a tertiary hospital on 60 patients with T2DM and 69 healthy controls after voluntary informed consent. Anthropometric parameters, fasting plasma glucose, Lipid profile, CBC, CRP, and HbA1c were measured for all participants. Results: The diabetic group showed significantly higher waist circumference(p=0.007) mean TG (p=0.003), VLDL-c (p=0.001), LDL-c (p=0.010), TG/HDL-c (p=0.001), HbA1c (p=0.00001), MPV (p=0.002), NLR (p=0.006), and CRP (p=0.004) values and lower HDL-c values (p=0.039) as compared to the control group. No significant difference was seen in BMI, Waist -Hip ratio, total cholesterol, and total cholesterol/HDL-c values between the two groups. Among the diabetics, only HDL-c (p=0.018) and TG/HDL-c ratio (p=0.049) differed significantly with glycemic control.Conclusion: Diabetics had higher inflammatory markers (NLR, CRP) as compared to controls. Dyslipidemia (high TG, low HDL-c with high TG/HDL-c) and a higher waist circumference were seen in diabetics. Diabetics with fair control of glycemia (HbA1c < 7%) did not demonstrate lower NLR levels indicating that meticulous glycemic control may not ameliorate the chronic inflammation seen in diabetics until dyslipidemia is corrected.Â

Archaeosomes composed of sulfated lactosyl archaeol (SLA) glycolipids from stereoisomerically pure archaeol (1) are vaccine adjuvants that can boost immunogenicity and vaccine efficacy in preclinical models. Herein, we report a new synthesis of 2,3-bis((3,7,11,15-tetramethylhexadecyl)oxy) propan-1-ol (3) by treating (±)-3-benzyloxy-1,2-propanediol with a mesylated phytol derivative through a double nucleophilic substitution reaction, followed by reductive debenzylation. Three SLA archaeosomes from archaeols of different chiral purities were prepared, and the effect of stereochemistry on their adjuvanticity toward ovalbumin was investigated. It was found that all SLA archaeosomes induced strong humoral and cell-mediated antigen-specific immune responses following immunization of C57BL/6NCrl mice, with no significant differences, irrespective of the chiral purities. The responses were comparable or better than those obtained using mimetics of approved adjuvants. The performance of SLA archaeosomes during immunization and their lack of dependence on the stereochemistry of archaeol points toward a promising, safe, scalable, and economically viable vaccine adjuvant system.