Indirect orthodontic bonding with drop-shaped hot glue tray: a simple and cost-effective technique

Despite being associated with more accuracy, the indirect bonding procedure is not yet the gold standard, probably because of sensitivity of the numerous variables that must be controlled. The aim of this article was to present a modified, standardized, and low-cost indirect bonding technique that allows this procedure to be performed successfully. The technique covers an initial clinical stage, to obtain the models; a laboratory stage, which involves placement of brackets on the models following the facial axis of the clinical crown and the labial projection of the marginal ridges of the posterior teeth and construction of transfer tray using hot glue; and a second clinical stage, to properly transfer the brackets to patient’s teeth. Hot glue used to build the tray molds the teeth and perfectly adapts to the teeth, having enough stiffness to maintain their anatomy and the position of the brackets, but also presenting adequate flexibility to allow removal of the tray avoiding excessive stress over the brackets. In conclusion, the new simplified indirect bonding technique presented here provides a precise placement of brackets on the models, a cheaper way to transfer them to patient, and an easy removal of transfer tray, being a very simple and cost-effective method.

Recycling Rusty Iron with Natural Zeolite Heulandite to Create a Unique Nanocatalyst for Green Hydrogen Production

Corrosion-induced iron rust causes severe danger, pollution, and economic problems. In this work, nanopowders of Fe2O3 and Fe2O3/zeolite are synthesized for the first time using rusted iron waste and natural zeolite heulandite by chemical precipitation. The chemical composition, nanomorphologies, structural parameters, and optical behaviors are investigated using different techniques. The Fe2O3/zeolite nanocomposite showed smaller sizes and greater light absorption capability in visible light than Fe2O3 nanopowder. The XRD pattern shows crystalline hematite (α-Fe2O3) with a rhombohedral structure. The crystallite sizes for the plane (104) of the Fe2O3 and Fe2O3/zeolite are 64.84 and 56.53 nm, respectively. The Fe2O3 and Fe2O3/zeolite have indirect bandgap values of 1.87 and 1.91 eV and direct bandgap values of 2.04 and 2.07 eV, respectively. Fe2O3 and Fe2O3/zeolite nanophotocatalysts are used for solar photoelectrochemical (PEC) hydrogen production. The Fe2O3/zeolite exhibits a PEC catalytic hydrogen production rate of 154.45 mmol/g.h @ 1 V in 0.9 M KOH solution, which is the highest value yet for Fe2O3-based photocatalysts. The photocurrent density of Fe2O3/zeolite is almost two times that of Fe2O3 catalyst, and the IPCE (incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency) reached ~27.34%@307 nm and 1 V. The electrochemical surface area (ECSA) values for Fe2O3 and Fe2O3/zeolite photocatalysts were 7.414 and 21.236 m2/g, respectively. The rate of hydrogen production for Fe2O3/zeolite was 154.44 mmol h−1/g. This nanophotocatalyst has a very low PEC corrosion rate of 7.6 pm/year; it can retain ~97% of its initial performance. Therefore, the present research can be applied industrially as a cost-effective technique to address two issues at once by producing solar hydrogen fuel and recycling the rusted iron wires.

Opting for Local Region in SHOX2 Promoter as a DNA Methylation Biomarker for Lung Cancer Diagnosis

Epigenetic alterations play a main role in the initiation and progression of lung cancer. CpG methylation in the promoter of the Short Stature Homeobox 2 (SHOX2) gene has been evaluated and validated at different stages of this malignant disease. Several approaches for measuring DNA methylation have been established, including quantitative methylation-specific PCR (qMSP). This is a simple, fast, and cost-effective technique that can be easily applied to clinical practice. In this study, formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue samples were collected from 30 lung cancer patients and 30 patients suffering from non-cancerous pulmonary diseases. The methylation level of SHOX2 was evaluated in two CpG-riched regions by using qMSP and one of them could be conferred as a potential biomarker to lung cancer.

A preliminary investigation to decipher an enigma using time-of-flight sensor

Refractive index (RI) was characterized from the angle formed at the axis and slope of the linear fit of the measured perimeter of the loop of a waveguide vs. computed perimeter of the loop of the waveguide by using time-of-flight (TOF) sensor. The RI of uncladded commercially available waveguide was found to be 1.247 and 1.319 at 940 nm using ToF sensor and ellipsometer, respectively. The novel, simple and cost-effective technique may hold potential to initiate new avenues of research.

Anatomic reconstruction for acromioclavicular joint injuries: a pilot study of a cost-effective new technique

Background: The treatment for acromioclavicular joint injuries (ACJI) ranges from a conservative approach to extensive surgical reconstruction, and the decision on how to manage these injuries depends on the grade of acromioclavicular (AC) joint separation, resources, and skill availability. After a thorough review of the literature, the researchers adopted a simple cost-effective technique of AC joint reconstruction for acute ACJI requiring surgery.Methods: This was a prospective single-center study conducted between April 2017 and April 2018. For patients with acute ACJI more than Rockwood grade 3, the researchers performed open corococlavicular ligament reconstruction using synthetic sutures along with an Endobutton and a figure of 8 button plate. This was followed by AC ligament repair augmenting it with temporary percutaneous AC K-wires. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the Constant Murley shoulder score. Results: Seventeen patients underwent surgery. The immediate postoperative radiograph showed an anatomical reduction of the AC joint dislocation in all patients. During follow-up, one patient developed subluxation but was asymptomatic. The mean follow-up period was 30 months (range, 24–35 months). The mean Constant score at 24 months was 95. No AC joint degeneration was noted in follow-up X-rays. The follow-up X-rays showed significant infra-clavicular calcification in 11 of the 17 patients, which was an evidence of a healed coracoclavicular ligament post-surgeryConclusions: This study presents a simple cost-effective technique with a short learning curve for anatomic reconstruction of acute ACJI. The preliminary results have been very encouraging.

Trichloroacetic Acid/Acetone Precipitation Method to Optimize Canine Synovial Fluid for One and Two-Dimensional Gel Electrophoresis Studies

The challenge associated with the use of synovial fluid for osteoarthritic proteome studies is the optimization step, which involves the depletion of high abundant proteins from the samples. The objective of this study was to develop a cost efficient and effective method to remove albumin from canine synovial fluid for proteome studies. Pooled synovial fluid samples were obtained from clinically healthy dogs (n=5), with no radiographic features of osteoarthritis. The acetone precipitation method and 10% w/v of trichloroacetic acid/acetone were chosen to deplete the albumin from canine synovial fluid and the outcome from the different methods were compared using one dimensional and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis studies. The results showed that the 10% w/v TCA/acetone precipitation method removed highly abundant proteins from synovial fluid for gel electrophoresis studies compared to the acetone precipitation method. The 10% w/v TCA/acetone precipitation method provides an effective method to remove albumin from the synovial fluid using gel electrophoresis, especially two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. The accessibility and cost of TCA and acetone make this method of precipitation a simple and cost-effective technique in preparing a canine synovial fluid for two-dimensional gel electrophoresis analysis.

Two-year outcomes of surgeon-tailored trans obturator tape for female stress urinary incontinence: a randomized, comparative, trial with traditional trans obturator tape

Background Previously, we presented the short-term outcomes of surgeon-tailored mesh in patients with SUI undergoing TOT. In this report, we aim to highlight the two-year outcomes of surgeon tailored mesh in terms of subjective and objective cure rates, as well as late complications. Methods We performed a randomized, open-label comparative trial that recruited women with SUI who were scheduled to undergo TOT. Eligible patients were randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to receive traditional TOT mesh or surgeon-tailored polyethylene mesh. All patients were followed up for two years. Results At the end of the follow-up, there were 13 women in the traditional TOT mesh group and 14 patients in the surgeon-tailored polyethylene mesh group. Concerning the primary outcome of the present study, the cure rate was 100% in the surgeon-tailored polyethylene mesh (n = 14) and 92.9% in the traditional TOT mesh group (p = 0.39). One woman reported improved symptoms in the traditional TOT mesh group. There were no reported failures in both groups. Concerning safety, the incidence of de novo urgency was 0% in the surgeon-tailored polyethylene mesh group, compared to 7.1% in the traditional TOT mesh group (p = 0.34). None of the women in both groups reported mesh erosions, dyspareunia, or need for reoperation. Conclusion Surgeon-tailored mesh for patients undergoing TOT is a cost-effective technique, which has comparable long-term outcomes, in terms of cure rate and complications, to the traditional costly meshes. Larger multicentre studies should confirm our results.

Role of SR vacuum cannula as novel technique for atonic PPH management study at Pannadhay Rajkiya Mahila Chikitsalaya and RNT Medical College, Udaipur

Background: Postpartum hemorrhage is a major obstetrical emergency and one of the important but preventable causes of maternal morbidity and mortality. It is often sudden, frequently unpredictable and catastrophic. In this study SR vacuum cannula will be applied to create negative pressure inside the uterine cavity with a specially designed uterine cannula, which is a simple, safe and cost-effective technique. The aim and objective of the study was to analyse the incidence, effectiveness of suction cannula in management of atonic PPH after failure of medical management over tamponade and the maternal outcome after suction technique.Methods: This observational study was conducted in Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, RNT Medical College and Panna Dhay Rajkiya Mahila Chikitsalaya, Udaipur, Rajasthan. Patients requiring PPH management admitted to the obstetrics ward between August 2019 – December 2020. The Uterine Vacuum Retraction System consists of SR Suction cannula to control PPH after vaginal delivery. SR suction cannula for atonic PPH at caesarean delivery and High vacuum suction machine was used.Results: In majority of the patients bleeding was stopped within three minutes. 60 women (50%) bleeding was stopped within 3 minutes, in 38 women (31.7%) bleeding was stopped between 3-4 minutes and in 22 women (18.3%) bleeding was stopped >4 minutes. In 75 (62.5%) women negative pressure was applied only once, in 20 (16.7%) was applied two times and 25 women (20.8%) negative pressure was applied three times to stop bleeding. Blood collected in bottle after SR Cannula Application ranged from 100-150 ml.Conclusions: Vacuum suction cannulas should be made part and parcel of normal delivery tray to facilitate quick application. This simple and cost-effective technique takes very little time to organize and can stop bleeding within 3 minutes in atonic PPH as shown in this study.

Competitive adsorption of leather dyes by using biochar prepared from MUSA acuminata: a cost-effective technique

Biochar prepared from Musa acuminata stem by slow pyrolysis at 3500C was characterized and analyzed for the adsorption of Congo red and Brilliant blue leather dyes in a known concentration of the solution. The SEM images of the biochar before adsorption of dyes show the porous structure and the surface area of the biochar seen to BB and CR adsorbed onto the surface of BSB-350. The BSB-350 shows the highest adsorption i.e. <90% at pH 3 and the range of pH was between 3-10. Experimental conditions like sorbent dosage and, concentration were optimized and observed in this study. The experimental data follows the Langmuir, Temkin and DR isotherm model which shows the physicochemical conditions. The maximum adsorption capacity estimated for BB was 208.33 mg/g and for CR was 46.33 mg/g. The present study shows that biochar is a cost-effective and environment-friendly adsorbent that will be used for the treatment of tannery effluent.

ROLE OF SONOURETHROGRAM IN EVALUATION OF SHORT SEGMENT ANTERIOR URETHRAL STRICTURE

INTRODUCTION: Retrograde urethrography (RGU) is the standard imaging study for the evaluation of anterior male urethra. Sonourethrography(SUG) offers comparable information with added advantages. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 196 males with anterior urethral stricture studied. RGU/MCU, sonourethrogram and urethroscopy done in all and information regarding urethral stricture was compared keeping urethroscopy as gold standard. Strictures > 4 cm were excluded. Chiou et al classication used to classify urethral stricture on SUG. Bulbar urethra was the most common si RESULTS & DISCUSSION: te for urethral stricture. Sensitivity of sonourethrography for location of stricture was >98%. Strength of agreement between SUG and urethroscopy for location of stricture was very good. Number of the strictures were diagnosed with higher accuracy on urethroscopy than SUG and RGU respectively. Kappa value for number of strictures was suggestive of very good agreement between SUG & urethroscopy. Length of stricture in urethroscopy was better correlating with SUG. Both RGU and SUG were equally sensitive in location and number of stricture while RGU correlated poorly in the bulbar urethra, older studies also showing RGU underestimating the length of stricture in bulbar urethra. Sonourethrography also providing additional information regarding periurethral pathologies. The complications encountered during RGU were contrast intravasation, pain during the procedure, urethral bleeding and UTI after the procedure. During sonourethrography no signicant complication noted. CONCLUSIONS: Sonourethrography is a multiplanar, easily available and cost-effective technique for evaluating anterior urethra without radiation exposure. When compared with RGU, sonourethrography is equally efcacious with added important technical advantages which help surgeons to plan surgical procedure.