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ObjectivesTo examine the effect of weekend admission on short and long-term morbidity and mortality, for patients admitted to intensive care after suffering a cerebrovascular accident (stroke).Design, setting, and participantsA hospital-wide, retrospective cohort study of 3,729 adult stroke patients admitted to the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Centre (BIDMC) intensive care unit (ICU) between 2001 and 2012, using the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care III (MIMIC-III) database.Primary outcome measuresPrimary outcome measures were ICU length-of-stay and mortality, hospital length-of-stay and mortality, proportions of patients discharged home after admission, and 6-month mortality.ResultsOverall, 23% of BIDMC ICU stroke admissions occurred over the weekend. Those admitted over the weekend were likelier to have suffered haemorrhagic stroke than those admitted during the week (60.6% vs 47.9%). Those admitted on the weekend were younger, and likelier to be male and unmarried, with similar ethnic representation. The OASIS severity of illness (32.5 vs. 32) and lowest day-one GCS (12.6 vs. 12.9) were similar between groups. Unadjusted ICU-mortality was significantly higher for patients admitted over the weekend (OR 1.32, CI 1.08-1.61), but when adjusted for type of stroke, became non-significant (OR 1.17, CI 0.95-1.44). In-hospital mortality was significantly higher for patients admitted to ICU over the weekend in both unadjusted (OR 1.45, CI 1.22-1.73) and adjusted (OR 1.31, CI 1.09-1.58) analyses. There was no significant difference in ICU or hospital length of stay. While patients admitted on the weekend appeared less likely to be discharged back to home and more at risk of 6-month mortality compared to weekday admissions, results were non-significant.ConclusionsThe effect of weekend ICU-admission for stroke patients appears to be significant for in-hospital mortality. There were no significant differences in adjusted ICU-mortality, ICU or hospital length-of-stay, or longer-term morbidity and mortality measures.

A biological microelectromechanical system (BioMEMS) device was designed to study complementary mitochondrial parameters important in mitochondrial dysfunction studies. Mitochondrial dysfunction has been linked to many diseases, including diabetes, obesity, heart failure and aging, as these organelles play a critical role in energy generation, cell signaling and apoptosis. The synthesis of ATP is driven by the electrical potential across the inner mitochondrial membrane and by the pH difference due to proton flux across it. We have developed a tool to study the ionic activity of the mitochondria in parallel with dielectric measurements (impedance spectroscopy) to gain a better understanding of the properties of the mitochondrial membrane. This BioMEMS chip includes: 1) electrodes for impedance studies of mitochondria designed as two- and four-probe structures for optimized operation over a wide frequency range and 2) ion-sensitive field effect transistors for proton studies of the electron transport chain and for possible monitoring other ions such as sodium, potassium and calcium. We have used uncouplers to depolarize the mitochondrial membrane and disrupt the ionic balance. Dielectric spectroscopy responded with a corresponding increase in impedance values pointing at changes in mitochondrial membrane potential. An electrical model was used to describe mitochondrial sample's complex impedance frequency dependencies and the contribution of the membrane to overall impedance changes. The results prove that dielectric spectroscopy can be used as a tool for membrane potential studies. It can be concluded that studies of the electrochemical parameters associated with mitochondrial bioenergetics may render significant information on various abnormalities attributable to these organelles.

A plethora of magnetic nanoparticles has been developed and investigated under different alternating magnetic fields (AMF) for the hyperthermic treatment of malignant tissues. Yet, clinical applications of magnetic hyperthermia are sporadic, mostly due to the low energy conversion efficiency of the metallic nanoparticles and the high tissue concentrations required. Here, we study the hyperthermic performance of commercially available formulations of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIOs), with core diameter of 5, 7 and 14 nm, in terms of absolute temperature increase ΔT and specific absorption rate (SAR). These nanoparticles are operated under a broad range of AMF conditions, with frequency f varying between 0.2 and 30 MHz; field strength H ranging from 4 to 10 kA m(-1); and concentration cMNP varying from 0.02 to 3.5 mg ml(-1). At high frequency field (∼30 MHz), non specific heating dominates and ΔT correlates with the electrical conductivity of the medium. At low frequency field (42°C) and thermal ablation (Ttissue >50°C) are derived in terms of cMNP , operating AMF conditions and blood perfusion. The resulting maps can be used to rationally design hyperthermic treatments and identifying the proper route of administration - systemic versus intratumor injection - depending on the magnetic and biodistribution properties of the nanoparticles.

Abstract Biogenic coalbed methane (BCBM) reservoirs aim to produce methane from in situ coal deposits following microbial conversion of coal. Success of BCBM reservoirs requires economic methane production within an acceptable timeframe. The work reported here quantifies the findings of previously published qualitative work, where it was found that bioconversion induces strains in the pore, matrix and bulk scales. Using imaging and dynamic strain monitoring techniques, the bioconversion induced strain is quantified here. To understand the effect of these strains from a reservoir geomechanics perspective, a corresponding poromechanical model is developed. Furthermore, findings of imaging experiments are validated using core-flooding flow experiments. Finally, expected field-scale behavior of the permeability response of a BCBM operation is modeled and analyzed. The results of the study indicated that, for Illinois coals, bioconversion induced strains result in a decrease in fracture porosity, resulting in a detrimental permeability drop in excess of 60% during bioconversion, which festers itself exponentially throughout its producing life. Results indicate that reservoirs with high initial permeability that will support higher Darcian flowrates, would be better suited for coal bioconversion, thereby providing a site-selection criteria for BCBM operations.

We have re-visited the ‘diamondiferous kimberlite’ from the Jamnidih area of Mahasamund, Bastar Craton, Central India. This study presents detailed field observations, petrographic and geochemical studies of Jamnidih rocks in view of the reported occurrence of diamonds from them. Megascopically, the Jamnidih rocks are fine grained, yellowish green colour and fragile in nature and lack any visible phenocrysts or xenocrysts. Petrography reveals that chloritization and sericitization has altered much of the primary mineralogy. Feldspar and pyroxene are the identifiable major phases with imprints of alteration and development of feeble foliations at places. Lack of inequigranular texture (two generations of olivine) and kimberlitic indicator minerals viz. chromium- and pyrope-rich garnets, chrome-bearing diopsides, and magnesian-ilmenites are characteristic of Jamnidih rocks. This aspect is also reflected in the geochemistry of these rocks which is entirely different from that of the well-established kimberlites (Wajrakarur field, Eastern Dharwar Craton, southern India), orangeites (Behradih orangeites, Bastar Craton, central India) and transitional kimberlites (Tokapal kimberlite, Bastar Craton, central India). Geochemically the Jamnidih rocks display silica-saturated, and alumina-rich nature and depletion of Ba, Co, Ni, V, Nb, Hf and other metasomatically mobilised elements. Petrography (lack of inequigranular macrocrystic texture), mineralogy (paucity of kimberlite typomorphic phases) and bulk-rock geochemistry (extreme impoverishment of high field strength elements and presence of negative Eu anomaly in chondrite-normalized plot) testify them to be meta-basalts and exclude their affinities to the bonafide Group I or II or even transitional varieties of kimberlites. In this context, the reported occurrence of microdiamonds in these rocks is clearly anomalous and assumes significance.

Abstract A simplified pulse decay method (PDM) with only a single downstream reservoir is proposed to replicate the in situ conditions for reservoir fluid flow, where the pore pressure at any location declines as production continues. The proposed PDM also allows determining the effective porosity and permeability for the core sample under replicated in situ conditions. A mathematical model is firstly established to closely represent the experimental design and verify the feasibility of the method. The analytical solutions of the model are derived to calculate the effective sample porosity and permeability. A series of experiments are then conducted under triaxial stress condition, and a detailed comparison is also made between the PDMs with a single upstream reservoir and a single downstream reservoir. The experimental results showed that accurate measurements on effective sample porosity and permeability can be achieved by the single downstream reservoir PDM due to its capability of better replicating the in situ fluid flow behavior, which extends the application of the transient technique. It is also found that the pore pressure along the sample changes linearly, and its gradient varies with time, indicating the applicability of the single‐reservoir PDMs in permeability determination. This method also lays a foundation for studying flow behavior when a second fluid phase evolves during pressure decline, which occurs in many reservoirs.

Background and Aim: Reconstruction of interdental papillae (IDP) is among the most difficult periodontal therapy. Papillary recession is multifactorial, and several surgical, nonsurgical, and minimally invasive techniques have been suggested. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical application of injectable hyaluronic acid (HA) gel for the reconstruction of IDP in Nordland and Tarnow's Class I and II papillary recession cases. Materials and Methods: In the present in vivo clinical trial, 7 patients (2 males, 5 females) with 25 defects were selected. A volume of 0.2 ml HA gel was injected at the respective areas and massaged for 2–3 min. Photographs were obtained, and the assessment of the data was performed clinically (CP-GM, interproximal width [IPW]) and by Image analysis software (black triangle height [BTH], black triangle width [BTW]). Comparison of mean values was performed using the analysis of variance, followed by Post hoc Bonferroni test. Value of P ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Application of HA gel for the reconstruction of IDP was successful in 6 months. CP-GM, BTH, IPW, and BTW showed a statistically significant difference from baseline to 3 and 6 months interval (P = 0.01). Post hoc Bonferroni test for CP-GM, BTH, BTW, and IPW revealed a statistically significant difference from baseline to 3 months (P ≤ 0.05) and 6 months (P ≤ 0.05) and a nonsignificant difference at 3–6 months (P ≥ 0.05). Conclusion: Injectable HA gel is a promising minimally invasive therapy for enhancing papillary esthetics.

Context: Major limitations of conventional radiography are overlapping and lack of 3D information. Surgical exposure, though being able to provide accurate information, provides very little time to plan-out the type of periodontal regeneration required during surgery. Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) has emerged as a feasible tool and found to be accurate. Unfortunately, in-vivo studies are still scarce. Aim: Aim of the present study was to assess the efficacy of CBCT in the detection of periodontal bony defects while determining its quantitative precision in the measurement of alveolar bone height as against the open flap debridement (OFD) procedure which is set as the gold standard. Setting and Design: Present study is a cross-sectional study. Materials and Methods: The present study includes patients with Chronic Periodontitis indicated for periodontal surgeries. Bone defects were measured with the help of CBCT and with William's periodontal probe during surgical intervention and compared. Statistical Analysis: Measurements were compared with Student's t-test; unpaired t-test & correlation were tested with Pearson's correlation coefficient test. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean CBCT & surgical value of palatal/lingual & distal sites of anterior teeth showed statistically significant difference (P = 0.001). All the values for posterior teeth were statistically non-significant. Conclusion: Statistically CBCT & clinical measurement with OFD have similar potential of accuracy to access the bony topography but CBCT provides good accessibility to visualize the sites which are difficult to access during surgical interventions like palatal sites & the distal sites of the posterior teeth.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma metastasizes commonly to the lung, brain, skin, and occasionally to the bones such as vertebra and ribs. However, spread to the dorsal vertebra with cord compression is an extremely rare presentation. This case highlights this rare entity which was managed surgically. It enabled in ameliorating patient's distressing pain and restoring quality of life.

Background: Cementless implants were introduced approximately three decades ago in order to address aseptic loosening of cemented hip prostheses with the aim of early mobilisation, better functional result and bone stock preservation. The primary objective of this study is to introduce a new cementless HA coated implant and report its minimum 2 year follow up results. Material & method: This is a prospective, multi-centre, consecutive series, clinical outcomes study with 75 patients. Inclusion criteria for the study were age 21- 85 years, BMI

ABSTRACT Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is characterised by an abnormal histiocytic accumulation in tissues such as the lung, spleen, bone marrow, skin, central nervous system, liver and lymph nodes, causing focal or systemic effects. No specific clinical & radiographic presentation of LCH is described in literature. This poses a diagnostic dilemma for surgeons. The scapula is the site of 3% of bone tumours, while for LCH it is the least common site. In a 10-year-old boy with isolated lesion of the scapula with no other systemic involvement, and no specific finding in MRI or CT scan of scapula, diagnosis was confirmed on biopsy. Division into single and multi-system disease is paramount in treatment, given that it is a single system disease. The patient improved clinically on follow-up of 2 years. The scapula is one of the rarest site of LCH, and because various lesions mimic each other, a biopsy is always required, with immunohistochemistry for CD68 & S-100. This was only a single system disease, so conservative management was performed, and the patent improved clinically.