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Suspensions consisting of polymer-shelled microspheres are finding increasing use in a diverse range of technologies or applications, e.g. in the medical field, such as diagnostic imaging, drug and gene delivery and tissue engineering. In this work, a solution of water-insoluble polymethylsilsesquioxane was perfused through the outer needle of a co-axial needle arrangement while air was passed simultaneously through the inner needle, with both needles placed in an electric field. The liquid and air flow rates were varied but at 5 µl s-1 for each material stable microbubble formation was achieved at 5.7 kV. The microbubbles were collected in a vial of distilled water and they rapidly converted into polymer-shelled microspheres containing ∼60 wt% liquid. Microscopic examination of the spheres within 300 s of preparation showed a large population of near-spherical polymer-shelled microspheres with a mean size of 6 ± 2 μm diameter near the water surface. After 48 h, the microspheres had collected at the bottom of the vial. The fact that the microspheres absorbed and encapsulated the liquid in which they were collected and the fact that their size is suitable for vascular administration make this a new one-step preparation technology for microspheres used in biomedical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & objectives: The district of Thiruvananthapuram reports the maximum number of cases of dengue in the state of Kerala. To determine the larval diversity, density and breeding site preferences of Aedes mosquitoes, during pre-monsoon and monsoon periods in urban and rural areas of Thiruvananthapuram district. Methods: Based on the daily reports of dengue cases, 70 clusters were identified in Thiruvananthapuram district. A cross-sectional larval survey was done in the domestic and peri-domestic areas of 1750 houses, using the WHO standard techniques. The larval indices were calculated, and the larvae were identified by using taxonomic keys. Urban and rural differences and the variations during pre-monsoon and monsoon seasons were also studied. Results: In the surveyed houses, 15% had mosquito breeding, with 88% having Aedes larvae. The house index, container index and the breteau index were 13.08, 13.28 and 16.57%, respectively. About 86% of the clusters were found positive for Aedes albopictus and 11% for Ae. aegypti. Aedes albopictus was distributed almost equally in rural and urban clusters, whereas the distribution of Ae. aegypti was significantly higher in urban areas (p = 0.03). The most common water holding containers found (outdoor) were of plastic, followed by coconut shells. The breeding preference ratio was highest for tyres. Significantly lesser positivity was found for containers during monsoon period when compared to pre-monsoon period. Conclusion: The geographical distribution of Ae. albopictus is significantly high in peri-domestic areas and, therefore, its epidemiological role in the widespread disease occurrence needs to be studied. The discarded tyres being the most preferred breeding sites, where IEC activities will help in source reduction.

Spinal Tuberculosis ranks as one of the most common extrapulmonary varieties of tuberculosis. The study outlines the Extended Posterior Circumferential Decompression (EPCD) procedure for managing tuberculous spondylitis, a prevalent extrapulmonary form of tuberculosis. EPCD involves 360-degree dural decompression, anterior column debridement, and reconstruction following posterior instrumentation. This technique addresses both the infection and associated complications, particularly beneficial in cases with or without paraplegia. EPCD aims to improve outcomes by effectively tackling the pathology and restoring spinal stability. Purpose - to evaluate the functional and radiological outcome following Extended Posterior Circumferential Decompression in the tuberculosis of dorsal spine. A total of 10 patients were included after fulfilling inclusion criteria between July 2019 to December 2021, all patient underwent Extended Posterior Circumferential Decompression. All patients assessed using Visual analog scale (VAS), Medical Research council (MRC) grading, Frankel grading, Kyphus angle, Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), X-rays preoperative, immediate postoperative period and 9 month follow up. All patients were available for follow up, in this study mean age was 55.7±17.91. Out of 10 patients 60% were female, 40% was male. VAS, MRC grading, Frankel, ESR values, Kyphus angle showed better results in terms of functional and radiological outcome at 9 month follow up compared to preoperative values. The Employed Posterior Costotransversectomy Decortication (EPCD) technique grants ample ingress to both the lateral and anterior domains of the spinal cord, ensuring an equally efficacious decompression. This approach, characterized by its diminished morbidity, steers clear of the entanglements linked with thoracotomy and laparotomy. Moreover, it fosters prompt mobilization, thereby forestalling the adversities entailed by protracted immobility. With its capability for favorable kyphosis correction, adept surgical decompression, and enhanced functional outcomes, it stands as a beacon of surgical finesse.

Background: Minimally invasive surgical (MIS) techniques are increasingly being used in foot and ankle surgery but it is important that they are adopted only once they have been shown to be equivalent or superior to open techniques. We believe that the main advantages of MIS are found in the early postoperative period, but in order to adopt it as a technique longer-term studies are required. The aim of this study was to compare the 2-year outcomes of a third-generation MIS distal chevron osteotomy with a comparable traditional open distal chevron osteotomy for mild-moderate hallux valgus. Our null hypothesis was that the 2 techniques would yield equivalent clinical and radiographic results at 2 years., Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study. Eighty-one consecutive feet (49 MIS and 32 open distal chevron osteotomies) were followed up for a minimum 24 months (range 24-58). All patients were clinically assessed using the Manchester-Oxford Foot Questionnaire. Radiographic measures included hallux valgus angle, the intermetatarsal angle, hallux interphalangeal angle, metatarsal phalangeal joint angle, distal metatarsal articular angle, tibial sesamoid position, shape of the first metatarsal head, and plantar offset. Statistical analysis was done using Student t test or Wilcoxon rank-sum test for continuous data and Pearson chi-square test for categorical data., Results: Clinical and radiologic postoperative scores in all domains were substantially improved in both groups (P < .001), but there was no statistically significant difference in improvement of any domain between open and MIS groups (P > .05). There were no significant differences in complications between the 2 groups ( > .5)., Conclusion: The midterm results of this third-generation technique show that it was a safe procedure with good clinical outcomes and comparable to traditional open techniques for symptomatic mild-moderate hallux valgus., Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective comparative study., (© The Author(s) 2016.)

Submicrometre size spheres prepared from biocompatible polymers are becoming increasingly popular in drug and gene delivery. This paper describes the preparation of polymeric spheres with a mean diameter of 0.4 μm with a polydispersivity index of 8%, using coaxial electrohydrodynamic atomization (CEHDA) microbubbling. An 18 wt.% solution of polymethylsilsesquioxane, a hydrophobic biocompatible polymer, was subjected to CEHDA microbubbling by passing air through the inner needle and polymer solution through the outer needle of a twin needle co-axial device, under the influence of an electric field. A parametric plot of the flow rate of air and the flow rate of polymer solution was constructed and used for systematic process control to reduce the diameter of the microspheres from micrometre size to submicrometre size. CEHDA is an excellent method for obtaining polymer microspheres. By studying the process in detail and mapping it, we can now demonstrate it can also be used to prepare submicrometre sized particles with the ability to control size and polydispersivity., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)