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It is necessary to study the suitable effect of plasma parameters, such as exposure time and applied voltage on the wicking properties of silk fabrics. Wicking property of silk fabric has been improved by using air dielectric barrier discharge plasma treatment. The plasma treatment has been utilized to modify the surface properties of silk fabrics. Untreated and plasma-treated fabrics have been characterized by contact angle Goniometer, wicking test, Wet-out time, scanning electron microscope, Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier Transforms Infrared spectrometer (ATR-FTIR) and dye uptake test. The ATR-FTIR characterization shows that the hydroxyl functional group has been increased after plasma treatment of silk fabric. The experimental results of wicking rate and Wet-out time of the plasma-treated silk fabrics have shown significant improvement in hydrophilic properties that could be confirmed by contact angle measurement which is close to 0°. The tensile strength of untreated and plasma-treated fabrics has been measured to confirm the enhanced surface property. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of atmospheric pressure ammonia dielectric barrier discharge on the surface of polyester fabric has been studied using contact angle goniometer, ATR-FTIR spectroscopy and SEM. It is observed that the surface of plasma treated polyester is more hydrophilic due to incorporation of nitrogenous polar functional groups and shows different conformational composition and crystallinity. The ATR-FTIR results clearly indicate the conversion of trans ethylene glycol residue to gauche one after plasma treatment and thus reduction in crystallinity. Plasma treatment has shown synergetic effect on dye uptake. Natural dyeing of plasma treated polyester with 'Rubia cordifolia' has shown 65% improvement in colour depth in comparison to untreated polyester fabric. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, surface modification of polyester fabric was carried out using dielectric barrier discharge in air at atmospheric pressure. Control and plasma treated fabric were characterized by ATR-FTIR and SEM. The active species present in plasma were identified by optical emission spectroscopy. Physical and chemical modification of polyester by plasma treatment resulted in a new surface which was more hydrophilic due to incorporation of oxygen containing polar functional groups as well as had different conformational composition and crystallinity. The ATR-FTIR results were clear indication of the conversion of trans ethylene glycol residue to gauche one after plasma treatment and thus reduction in crystallinity. In comparison to untreated, we observed nearly 21 % increase in color depth upon dyeing the nonthermal plasma treated polyester with a commercially available natural dye. The improvement in color depth could be correlated as a consequence of the surface modification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented on the case of a Chinese girl suffering from pachydermodactyly (PDD).

Introduction: Ultrasound-guided manipulation and reduction (M&R) of the distal radius fractures (DRF) is believed to improve radiographic indices due to real-time feedback of fracture alignment. The objective of this trial was to compare volar tilt, radial inclination, and radial height on radiographs between Ultrasound guided and conventional (landmark-guided) M&R., Materials and Methods: A total of 79 distal radius extraarticular fractures in adults were randomised to Ultrasound guided and conventional (landmark-guided) M&R. The radiograph parameters described above were compared before and after M&R in both groups., Results: Except for volar tilt (P=0.05 difference in difference), there was no difference in both the groups on radiograph parameters i.e. radial inclination and radial height. We estimated a reduction in the incidence of malreduction by 49% (Risk ratio 0.51) and an absolute risk reduction of 22% through USG-guided reduction. We evaluated a number needed to treat 4 through USG-directed M&R of DRF to prevent one unacceptable reduction. There were 9 (22%) and 18 (46%) (P=0.70) unacceptable reductions in USG-guided and landmark-guided M&R., Conclusion: Adding USG guidance to conventional landmark-based closed reduction methods is not beneficial for the accuracy of fracture reduction in Colle's fracture. However, improved volar tilt in sonographic-directed M&R needs further studies to determine the clinical significance., Competing Interests: The authors declare no potential conflict of interest., (© 2024 Malaysian Orthopaedic Association (MOA). All Rights Reserved.)

Introduction: Despite several techniques for corrective osteotomy in congenital radioulnar synostosis (CRUS) the published literature lacks a guide for radiographic planning and rationale for the site and level of the osteotomy. The primary objective of this study is to report a technique of radiographically controlled corrective osteotomy using the axis of rotation of the forearm in CRUS., Materials and Methods: Children with CRUS underwent corrective osteotomy based on radiographic planning; the extent of rotational correction and functional outcomes were assessed at a mean of 27 months after the operation., Results: Seven forearms in six children of an average of 6.25 years were assessed for correction and functional outcomes. The average pre-operative pronation deformity was 71.5°. The average correction achieved was 64°. At follow-up, there were five excellent and two good functional outcomes. All children could perform daily tasks besides eating with hand and personal hygiene., Conclusion: Radiographic determination of the osteotomy sites by the method described is effective, consistent, and reproducible in achieving optimal functional outcomes in congenital radioulnar synostosis., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (© 2023 Malaysian Orthopaedic Association (MOA). All Rights Reserved.)

Over the last decade, research has intensified worldwide on the use of low-temperature plasmas in medicine and healthcare. Researchers have discovered many methods of applying plasmas to living tissues to deactivate pathogens; to end the flow of blood without damaging healthy tissue; to sanitize wounds and accelerate its healing; and to selectively kill malignant cancer cells. This review paper presents the latest development of advanced and plasma-based technologies used for applications in neurology in particular. Institute for Plasma Research (IPR), an aided institute of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), has also developed various technologies in some of these areas. One of these is an Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Jet (APPJ). This device is being studied to treat skin diseases, for coagulation of blood at faster rates and its interaction with oral, lung, and brain cancer cells. In certain cases, in-vitro studies have yielded encouraging results and limited in-vivo studies have been initiated. Plasma activated water has been produced in the laboratory for microbial disinfection, with potential applications in the health sector. Recently, plasmonic nanoparticle arrays which allow detection of very low concentrations of chemicals is studied in detail to allow early-stage detection of diseases. IPR has also been developing AI-based software called DeepCXR and AIBacilli for automated, high-speed screening and detection of footprints of tuberculosis (TB) in Chest X-ray images and for recognizing single/multiple TB bacilli in sputum smear test images, respectively. Deep Learning systems are increasingly being used around the world for analyzing electroencephalogram (EEG) signals for emotion recognition, mental workload, and seizure detection., Competing Interests: None

Background: Immunophenotyping has added a new dimension to improve the diagnostic accuracy of malignant diseases. The emphasis is on its usefulness in planning and institution of specific therapy besides helping in prognostication., Methods: The study included 83/1385 biopsies of cancer patients over an 18 month period on which immunohistochemical staining (IHC) with monoclonal antibodies were performed. The technique was used to establish the histogenetic origins/expression of the tumours. The study excluded haematolymphoid malignancies., Result: Eighty three cases on whom IHC was performed included poorly differentiated tumours (15), metastatic tumours (16), soft tissue tumours (35), central nervous system tumours (9) and miscellaneous (6). Two cases could not be typed. The clinicopathological correlation in terms of the management and the problems related to its misinterpretation are discussed., Conclusion: Immunophenotyping of tumours in an oncology set up is significant in the 'Final Diagnosis'.

Background: There is a great deal of disparity in the incidence of breast cancer in rural and urban India on one hand and between India and Western population on the other., Methods: We analysed steroid receptor status in cases of breast cancer in a small sample of patients in armed forces. Infiltrating duct carcinomas of breast recorded histologically in mastectomy specimens in last two years were accessioned in the present study with reference to patient and tumour characteristics., Result: In contrast to the higher rates reported in western literature, only 33 % of the tumours expressed estrogen receptors (ER) and progesterone receptors (PR), of which 24% were ER positive and 30% PR positive. Negative steroid receptor status did not correlate with presence or absence of metastatic nodes, however it was predominant amongst the high grade infiltrating duct carcinomas in this study. Necrosis and lymphovascular invasion demonstrated an inverse relationship with the ER/ PR reactivity. 70% of the node positive cases expressed Her -2/ Neu, reflecting a higher immunoreactivity in this subset of patients. Aneusomy for chromosomes 1, 11 and 17 was common in node positive cases., Conclusion: Evaluation of chromosomal aberrations by Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization (FISH) technique correlates well with traditional histological parameters.

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) has developed marked genomic sequence differences over the course of an epidemic because of an error prone reverse transcriptase (RT), which rapidly incorporates mutations resulting in genomic diversity, altered cell tropism, immune escape and variable resistance to antiretroviral drugs. The best preventive strategy for HIV control is development of an efficacious prophylactic vaccine using the most appropriate (antigenically related) subtypes. On the basis of phylogenetic analysis, HIV strains can be separated into major group "M" consisting of genetic subtypes A-K, "N", the new group and "O", the outlier group., Methods: Heteroduplex mobility assay (HMA) is a rapid, economical and reliable technique of subtyping HIV-1. It is based on the principle of determining the genomic relatedness and divergence of the unknown sample with the known reference plasmid HIV-1 subtypes by studying the mobility patterns of the resulting heteroduplexes formed on the polyacrylamide gel., Result: A total of 70 HIV-1 seropositive samples obtained from service personnel, their families and civilians from service hospitals were analyzed and their subtype distribution studied. 66 (94.28%) were HIV-1 subtype C and two (2.85%) subtype B. In two (2.85%) samples, the subtype distribution was homotypic recombinant, one each of subtype C1 & C2 and C2 & C4 respectively., Conclusion: Service personnel and their families represent a divergent population from different regions of India. An analysis of subtypes in these HIV-1 seropositive individuals will help in understanding the geographical distribution and evolution of the virus. Determination of HIV-1 subtypes has significant implications for development of candidate vaccine for India.

Background: Biopsy diagnosis is the gold standard for differentiating benign and malignant prostatic enlargements. This study was aimed at supplementing biopsy diagnosis with immunophenotypic characters of prostatic lesions., Methods: Twenty five cases each of nodular hyperplasia and adenocarcinoma prostate were compared for their morphologic appearances and immunophenotyping, by studying antibodies to prostate specific antigen (PSA), transglutaminase, chromogranin and high molecular weight keratin, proliferating cell nuclear antigen, cell death (apoptosis) and neovascularisation (CD 34)., Results: Markers of differentiation (PSA and transglutaminase) aided recognition of higher-grade tumours. PSA negativity avoided metaplasia being overcalled as carcinoma. Loss of basal cells around malignant prostatic acini as determined by high molecular weight keratin (HMWK), was useful in foci of atypical small acinar proliferation and in prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia. Assessment of proliferation indices identified subsets of tumours, within conventional morphologic Gleason's grades, with a higher growth fraction. Cell death determination and study of tumour vessels did not offer any improvement on morphology., Conclusion: Immunophenotypic assessment helps in refining morphologic diagnosis of prostatic lesions. Differentiation and proliferation markers objectively assess tumour characteristics with their biologic growth potential and are recommended for diagnostic use. They also help in assessement of response to therapy.