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This study aimed to estimate radon concentrations in groundwater and surface water to evaluate radon (222Rn) contamination in drinking water within the Amreli region of Saurashtra, Gujarat, India. Water samples from 84 sites, covering about 3000 km2, were analyzed using the RAD7 device from Durridge Instruments. Samples were collected in 250 ml radon-tight bottles. Radon concentrations ranged from 0.1 to 13.6 Bq/L, averaging 4.52 Bq/L. At three sites (P9, P29, P35), radon levels exceeded the USEPA limit of 11.1 Bq/L. P9 and P29 are near the Tulsishyam geothermal area, while P35 is close to the Savarkundla fault. Geothermal fluids in Tulsishyam may facilitate radon migration, and swarm-type earthquakes near Savarkundla could also contribute to radon migration. Concurrently, physicochemical parameters like Potential of Hydrogen (pH) and Total Dissolved Solid (TDS) were measured, with no significant correlation found between radon levels and these parameters. Samples were taken from tube wells with depths ranging from 105 to 750 feet, averaging 359 feet. A strong and significant correlation (0.83) was observed between radon concentration and water depth. Health risks from radon exposure were assessed by estimating annual effective dose rates for different age groups through ingestion and inhalation. In some instances, the annual effective dose rate surpassed the WHO-recommended value of 100 µSv/year. However, in most instances, the presence of radon in the water does not indicate a significant radiological risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cross-linked poly(N-isopropylacrylamide), a typical representative of smart thermo-responsive polymers, usually shows a broad range of lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of 28–60 °C, which needs to be precisely fine-tuned in a narrow range to widen its applications. This work details the preparation of dual responsive (temperature and pH) flexible graft copolymeric hydrogel films through free radical polymerization of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAm) with acrylated epoxidized linseed oil (AELO) derived from linseed oil. The broad LCST of PNIPAm is fine-tuned more precisely to a narrow range of 30–33 °C with an optimized content of AELO. Further, temperature response is clearly demonstrated with the transmittance analysis of swelled gels above and below the LCST, which is also confirmed by dynamic mechanical analysis. Furthermore, different concentrations of curcumin were included in the responsive matrix to impart antioxidant properties and pH-dependent colour-changing abilities. The effect of AELO grafting and inclusion of curcumin on physicochemical properties of copolymeric hydrogel films, namely, swelling, morphology, and tensile strength, is investigated. In vitro cell studies showed that the resultant hydrogel films exhibited desirable biocompatibility with human keratinocyte and fibroblast cell lines. The results presented in this study demonstrate the potential of AELO-co-PNIPAm copolymeric hydrogel films as a viable functional material for medical patches, smart curtains, and other applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Byline: Sushanta. Sahoo, Sivashanmugam. Dhandapani, Mayur. Gharat Endonasal endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery is the standard approach for sellar and suprasellar tumors.[1],[2] Additional dura opening and extra-arachnoidal dissection may be needed to [...]

Background: Gamma Knife Radiosurgery (GKRS) has established a role in treating various benign brain pathologies. The radiosurgery planning necessitates a proper understanding of radiation dose distribution in relation to the target lesion and surrounding eloquent area. The quality of a radiosurgery plan is determined by various planning parameters. Here, we have reviewed various GKRS planning parameters and analyzed their correlation with the morphology of treated brain lesions. Method: A total of 430 treatment plans (71 meningioma, 133 vestibular schwannoma/VS, 150 arteriovenous malformation/AVM, 76 pituitary adenoma/PA treated with GKRS between December 2013 and May 2023) were analyzed for target coverage (TC), conformity index (CI), homogeneity index (HI), and gradient index (GI). Result: The values of CIPaddick and CILomax for PA were lower and differed significantly from meningioma, VS, and AVM. The value of HI for PA was higher and differed significantly when compared with meningioma, VS, and AVM. The values of HI for AVM were also significantly higher than VS and meningioma. The mean GI was 3.02, 2.92, 3.03, and 2.88 for meningioma, VS, AVM, and PA, respectively. The value of GI for meningioma and AVM was significantly higher when compared with the values for VS and PA. The mean TC was 0.94 for meningioma, 0.96 for VS, 0.95 for AVM, and 0.90 for PA. The value TC of PA was lower and differed significantly when compared with VS, AVM, and meningioma. Lesions with a volume of ≤1 cc had poor planning metrics as the spillage of radiation may be higher. Conclusion: The GKRS planning parameters depend on the size, shape, nature, and location of intracranial lesions. Therefore, each treatment plan needs to be evaluated thoroughly and a long-term follow-up is needed to establish their relation with clinical outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Measurements of radon and thoron concentrations were taken at 70 locations in and around Gandhinagar Gujarat, India. The radon concentration varied between 175 and 14,807 Bq/m3, whereas, thoron varied between 28 and 15,033 Bq/m3. Maximum concentration of radon and thoron is observed in northern and eastern part of Gandhinagar due to fly ash content of the soil discharged from the Gandhinagar thermal power station. The annual dose rate due to inhalation varied between 0.0013 and 0.1337 mSv/year, below the ICRP recommendation. High radon concentrations are also observed in dumping areas and geological structures with high seismic risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microsurgical aneurysm clipping under general anesthesia is considered a definitive procedure for the obliteration of unruptured and ruptured aneurysms. Aneurysm clipping can present with postoperative neurological complications, which can be missed under general anesthesia even with intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring. Real-time monitoring with awake patients can help prevent and treat these complications very early. The anesthesiologist has a vital role in awake aneurysm surgery from providing adequate surgical conditions to patient satisfaction and managing intraoperative complications. We report the first-hand experience as a neuroanesthesiology team managing awake craniotomy and aneurysm clipping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Byline: Sushanta. Sahoo, Sunil. Gupta, Pravin. Salunke, Sivashanmugam. Dhandapani, Ashish. Aggarwal, Navneet. Singla, Madhivanan. Karthigeyan, Apinderpreet. Singh, Manjul. Tripathi, Chandrashekhar. Gendle, Raghav. Singla, Rajesh. Chhabra, Sandeep. Mohindra, Manoj. Tewari, Raja. [...]