An efficient breast cancer classification model using bilateral filtering and fuzzy convolutional neural network

BC (Breast cancer) is the second most common reason for women to die from cancer. Recent workintroduced a model for BC classifications where input breast images were pre-processed using median filters for reducing noises. Weighed KMC (K-Means clustering) is used to segment the ROI (Region of Interest) after the input image has been cleaned of noise. Block-based CDF (Centre Distance Function) and CDTM (Diagonal Texture Matrix)-based texture and shape descriptors are utilized for feature extraction. The collected features are reduced in counts using KPCA (Kernel Principal Component Analysis). The appropriate feature selection is computed using ICSO (Improved Cuckoo Search Optimization). The MRNN ((Modified Recurrent Neural Network)) values are then improved through optimization before being utilized to divide British Columbia into benign and malignant types. However, ICSO has many disadvantages, such as slow search speed and low convergence accuracy and training an MRNN is a completely tough task. To avoid those problems in this work preprocessing is done by bilateral filtering to remove the noise from the input image. Bilateral filter using linear Gaussian for smoothing. Contrast stretching is applied to improve the image quality. ROI segmentation is calculated based on MFCM (modified fuzzy C means) clustering. CDTM-based, CDF-based color histogram and shape description methods are applied for feature extraction. It summarizes two important pieces of information about an object such as the colors present in the image, and the relative proportion of each color in the given image. After the features are extracted, KPCA is used to reduce the size. Feature selection was performed using MCSO (Mutational Chicken Flock Optimization). Finally, BC detection and classification were performed using FCNN (Fuzzy Convolutional Neural Network) and its parameters were optimized using MCSO. The proposed model is evaluated for accuracy, recall, f-measure and accuracy. This work's experimental results achieve high values of accuracy when compared to other existing models.

Solid-state fermentation-based enzyme-assisted extraction of eicosapentaenoic acid-rich oil from Nannochloropsis sp

Enzymatic treatment of microalgal biomass is a promising approach for extraction of microalgal lipid, but high cost of commercially sourcing enzyme is a major drawback in industrial implementation. Present study involves extraction of eicosapentaenoic acid-rich oil from Nannochloropsis sp. biomass using low cost cellulolytic enzymes produced from Trichoderma reesei in a solid-state fermentation bioreactor. Maximum total fatty acid recovery of 369.4 ± 4.6 mg/g dry weight (total fatty acid yield of 77%) was achieved in 12 h from the enzymatically treated microalgal cells, of which the eicosapentaenoic acid content was 11%. Sugar release of 1.70 ± 0.05 g/L was obtained post enzymatic treatment at 50 °C. The enzyme was reused thrice for cell wall disruption without compromising on total fatty acid yield. Additionally, high protein content of 47% in the defatted biomass could be explored as a potential aquafeed, thus enhancing the overall economics and sustainability of the process.

A Study on Algae Bloom Pigment in the Eutrophic Lake Using Bio-Optical Modelling: Hyperspectral Remote Sensing Approach

Inland lake is one of the important sources of freshwater ecosystem and serves as a sentinel to the changing aquatic biodiversity. Chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) is a major biological indicator and essential measure of the eutrophic status of lake water because it is strongly related to algae biomass. In the present research, bio-optical algorithms were developed based on the semi-empirical approach using the spectral wavelengths of 400 to 800 nm from hyperspectral remote sensing measurement and compared with Sentinel-2MSI image for estimation of Chl-a concentration in the lake water. The results show that the bio-optical algorithm can estimate and predict the algae pigment (Chl-a) concentration in the eutrophic lake with good accuracy of R² of 0.8958, root mean squared error of 13.028, and mean absolute percentage error of 8.44%. The developed algorithm will be suitable and potential for monitoring algae spatial dynamics and assessment in an inland lake.

Evaluation of surgical skill using machine learning with optimal wearable sensor locations

Evaluation of surgical skills during minimally invasive surgeries is needed when recruiting new surgeons. Although surgeons’ differentiation by skill level is highly complex, performance in specific clinical tasks such as pegboard transfer and knot tying could be determined using wearable EMG and accelerometer sensors. A wireless wearable platform has made it feasible to collect movement and muscle activation signals for quick skill evaluation during surgical tasks. However, it is challenging since the placement of multiple wireless wearable sensors may interfere with their performance in the assessment. This study utilizes machine learning techniques to identify optimal muscles and features critical for accurate skill evaluation. This study enrolled a total of twenty-six surgeons of different skill levels: novice (n = 11), intermediaries (n = 12), and experts (n = 3). Twelve wireless wearable sensors consisting of surface EMGs and accelerometers were placed bilaterally on bicep brachii, tricep brachii, anterior deltoid, flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU), extensor carpi ulnaris (ECU), and thenar eminence (TE) muscles to assess muscle activations and movement variability profiles. We found features related to movement complexity such as approximate entropy, sample entropy, and multiscale entropy played a critical role in skill level identification. We found that skill level was classified with highest accuracy by i) ECU for Random Forest Classifier (RFC), ii) deltoid for Support Vector Machines (SVM) and iii) biceps for Naïve Bayes Classifier with classification accuracies 61%, 57% and 47%. We found RFC classifier performed best with highest classification accuracy when muscles are combined i) ECU and deltoid (58%), ii) ECU and biceps (53%), and iii) ECU, biceps and deltoid (52%). Our findings suggest that quick surgical skill evaluation is possible using wearables sensors, and features from ECU, deltoid, and biceps muscles contribute an important role in surgical skill evaluation.

Recurrent deep neural learning classification algorithm based high level synthesis in VLSI circuit with runtime adaptability

Electronics industry has attained huge development in last few decades due to the rapid increase in system design applications. With the growth of very large scale integration (VLSI) design, integrated circuits (ICs) are employed in many applications. VLSI design comprises many steps like system-level design, high-level synthesis (HLS), logic design, test generation, and physical design. HLS interprets behavior description and create digital hardware that executes the behavior. But, the power-process-voltage-temperature (PPVT) variation can causee many issues and reduce the performance of VLSI design circuits. In order to address these problems, Recurrent Deep Neural Learning Classification based High Level Synthesis (RDNLC-HLS) Model is designed for better runtime adaptability with minimal time consumption. VLSI circuits are designed with the behavioral input and the output performance is measured at runtime. The behavioral description of the circuit is taken as input. Then, source code compilation process translates high level specification into Intermediate Representation (IR) and converts to control/data flow graph (CDFG). CDFG reveals data and control dependencies between operations. The proposed Recurrent Deep Neural Learning Classification based High Level Synthesis (RDNLC-HLS) Model is designed for providing better runtime adaptability with minimal time consumption. Finally, Register Transfer Level Generation is carried out to yield better runtime adaptability with minimal time. Simulation results on ISCAS’89 Benchmark Dataset, shows that the RDNLC-HLS model increases the FUSA with minimal error rate and CAT.

Sustainable production of EPA-rich oil from microalgae: Towards an algal biorefinery

Utilization of sustainable natural resources such as microalgae has been considered for the production of biofuels, aquaculture feed, high-value bioactives such as omega-3 fatty acids, carotenoids, etc. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is an omega-3 fatty acid present in fish oil, which is of physiological importance to both humans and fishes. Marine microalgae are sustainable sources of lipid rich in EPA and different species have been explored for the production of EPA as a single product. There has been a rising interest in the concept of a multi-product biorefinery, focusing on maximum valorization of the algal biomass. Targeting one or more value-added compounds in a biorefinery scenario can improve the commercial viability of low-value products like triglycerides for biofuel. This approach has been viewed by technologists and experts as a sustainable and economically feasible possibility for the large-scale production of microalgae for its potential applications in biodiesel and jet fuel production, nutraceuticals, animal and aquaculture feeds, etc. In this review paper, we describe the recent developments in the production of high-value EPA-rich oil from microalgae, emphasizing on the upstream and downstream bioprocess techniques, and the advantages of considering an EPA-rich oil based biorefinery.

Physical Activity and Pelvic Girdle Pain in Pregnancy- A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Physical Activity (PA) is an important component of a healthy pregnancy, for both the mother and her child. Sedentary lifestyle during pregnancy may increase development of pregnancy related musculoskeletal discomforts. Studies show that 25% of women experience severe Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP) during pregnancy and 8% are severely disabled due to PGP. Aim: To analyse the association between the PA and PGP during pregnancy. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at antenatal outpatient department, Sri Ramachandra Hospital, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India from November 2019 to March 2020. Total 250 mothers were screened and finally 150 participants were selected. They were asked to fill-up the Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire (PPAQ), Pregnancy Musculoskeletal Dysfunction Scale (PMDS) to assess the PA level and musculoskeletal dysfunction. Mothers who complaints of PGP were clinically diagnosed and were asked to fill the Pelvic Girdle Questionnaire (PGQ). Data was analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0. Results: A total of 26 (17.33%) pregnant women in this study had PGP. The association between the total PA and PGP showed that the risk of PGP decreased as the PA increased which was statistically significant (p=0.03). PGP was also significantly associated with increased body weight (p=0.014). Conclusion: It was found that there was an association between total PA and PGP in pregnancy. Increased PA is associated with reduction in PGP. Hence, moderate PA is recommended during pregnancy

Distribution of 210Po in spice plants cultivated by conventional farming

PURPOSE

To study the distribution of ²¹⁰Po concentrations in various parts of spice plants cultivated by conventional farming in Nilgiris, South India and estimate effective radiation dose received.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Parts of plant such as leaf, fruit, seed, flower bud and rhizome of selected spice plants cultivated at various locations in the study area have been collected for estimation of ²¹⁰Po concentration. Organic materials in known mass of processed samples have been removed by chemical method. ²¹⁰Po concentration in the digested sample has been electrostatically deposited on pre-polished silver disks at constant temperature. ZnS(Ag) detector-based alpha counting system with minimal detectable value 3.2 mBq has been used for estimation of ²¹⁰Po activity concentration.

RESULTS

Leaves of Curcuma longa have registered a high concentration of 45.6 ± 4.5 Bq kg^-1 of ²¹⁰Po and rhizome of Allium sativum has registered a low value of 4.7 ± 0.8 Bq kg^-1. Leaves of spice plants have registered higher concentration of ²¹⁰Po than their fruits, seeds, flower buds or rhizomes. Soil to plant transfer factor of ²¹⁰Po has been found to vary from 0.13 for rhizome of A. sativum to 2.23 corresponding to leaf of C. longa. Concentration of ²¹⁰Po estimated in leaves and mean leaf areas of spice plants has been found to have a correlation coefficient of 0.83, which indicates that absorption of ²¹⁰Po deposited on surface area of leaves is the main source of this isotope in plant parts.

CONCLUSIONS

Consumption of various parts of spice plant does not pose significant radiological risk as effective dose received by the general public as ²¹⁰Po has been found to vary from 6.34 to 46.05 µSv y^-1, less than the value recommended by ICRP.

Perioperative intravenous contrast administration and the incidence of acute kidney injury after major gastrointestinal surgery: prospective, multicentre cohort study

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to determine the impact of preoperative exposure to intravenous contrast for CT and the risk of developing postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients undergoing major gastrointestinal surgery.

METHODS

This prospective, multicentre cohort study included adults undergoing gastrointestinal resection, stoma reversal or liver resection. Both elective and emergency procedures were included. Preoperative exposure to intravenous contrast was defined as exposure to contrast administered for the purposes of CT up to 7 days before surgery. The primary endpoint was the rate of AKI within 7 days. Propensity score-matched models were adjusted for patient, disease and operative variables. In a sensitivity analysis, a propensity score-matched model explored the association between preoperative exposure to contrast and AKI in the first 48 h after surgery.

RESULTS

A total of 5378 patients were included across 173 centres. Overall, 1249 patients (23·2 per cent) received intravenous contrast. The overall rate of AKI within 7 days of surgery was 13·4 per cent (718 of 5378). In the propensity score-matched model, preoperative exposure to contrast was not associated with AKI within 7 days (odds ratio (OR) 0·95, 95 per cent c.i. 0·73 to 1·21; P = 0·669). The sensitivity analysis showed no association between preoperative contrast administration and AKI within 48 h after operation (OR 1·09, 0·84 to 1·41; P = 0·498).

CONCLUSION

There was no association between preoperative intravenous contrast administered for CT up to 7 days before surgery and postoperative AKI. Risk of contrast-induced nephropathy should not be used as a reason to avoid contrast-enhanced CT.

γ-MnS films with 3D microarchitectures: comprehensive study of the synthesis, microstructural, optical and magnetic properties

A simple procedure to synthesize 3D microarchitectures of γ-MnS films at low temperature is described in the present work.

Treatment of Stiff Elbow in Young Patients with Interpositional Arthroplasty for Mobility: Case Series

INTRODUCTION

The elbow is a complex joint involving many articulations and complex biomechanics come into play. Elbow motion is crucial to upper limb movement that loss of 50% of elbow function equals to loss of 80% of upper extremity global function. Restoring movement and stability is challenging to the surgeon while treating a stiff elbow. Unlike other arthroplasties of hip and knee, total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) may not be a primary treatment. Interpositional arthroplasty (IPA) can be considered a viable option in posttraumatic arthritis of elbow in young patients.

CASE REPORT

We report two cases of interpositional arthroplasties done in young patients secondary to posttraumatic event. The first case is 22-year-old female with a history of stiff elbow following a posttraumatic event 3 years back and the second case is 24-year-old male laborer with stiff elbow following trauma more the 10 years back for which he took native treatment. In both the cases through posterior approach to the elbow, we did osteolysis and prepared fascia lata grafts are interpositioned over the recreated articular surfaces. Both the patients in the follow-up have a good range of motion, stability and are satisfied.

CONCLUSION

IPA is a good treatment option in young patients with posttraumatic arthritis. Elbow instability, fascia rupture, thigh pain, and hernia are the problems of IPA. IPA to TEA transition is possible.

Inhalation dose due to radon, thoron, and progenies in dwellings of a hill station

The general public spends a major portion of their time in an indoor environment and hence receives a considerable amount of radiation. Knowledge about indoor radiation is important in order to arrive at the actual effective dose received by residents. The indoor radon, thoron, and progeny concentrations observed in the present study were found to vary with seasons of a given year. The highest and lowest indoor average radon, thoron, and progeny levels were observed during winter and summer seasons, respectively. The concentrations of indoor radon, thoron, and progenies were found to vary with the type of houses. The highest ²²²Rn, ²²⁰Rn, and progeny concentrations were observed in mud houses and the lowest values were recorded in wooden houses. The indoor ²²²Rn concentration correlated well with concentration of its grandparent ²³⁸U in underlying soil with a correlation coefficient of 0.87. The correlation between indoor ²²⁰Rn and ²³²Th in the underlying soil was found to be 0.64. The estimated effective doses received by the general public in the present study due to indoor radon and thoron were 1.49 ± 0.49 and 1.30 ± 0.53 mSv/year, respectively. The annual effective doses due to radon and thoron progenies were estimated as 0.76 ± 0.27 and 0.47 ± 0.23 mSv/year, respectively. The contributions from ²²²Rn, ²²⁰Rn, and corresponding progenies to the annual effective doses received were 37, 32, 19, and 12%, respectively. The general public living in the study area receives an inhalation dose of 4.02 mSv/year due to indoor radon, thoron, and progenies, which were found to be less than the action limit of ICRP 2009.

Management of Large Bone Defects in Diaphyseal Fractures by Induced Membrane Formation by Masquelet's Technique

Introduction:

Management of the large gap in long bone fractures is a challenging problem after compound injuries. A novel technique called as Masquelet’s technique of “induced membrane formation”, is used to bridge a gap of more than 5 cm using bone cement as a spacer in first stage and autologous cancellous bone graft to fill the gap in second stage.

Case presentation:

We present two different and difficult cases with bone defects after open injuries associated with long bone fractures in this paper. First case is a 50-year-old lady with grade IIIa open fracture right distal femur with intra-articular extension and bone loss. She underwent wound debriment, stabilization of the fracture with locking compression plate along with antibiotic cement spacer, which is removed latter and underwent bone grafting. Another is a 15-year-old boy with open grade IIIb fracture tibia and fibula (mid-distal third junction) of right leg, wound debridement and ankle spanning triangular external fixation was applied on same day and after two months, external fixation was removed due to florid infection and plaster of Paris was applied. Instead of the tedious and demanding treatment options like Ilizarov, a new technique described by Masquelet is used here. It uses bone cement as a spacer to fill the cavity to form pseudo-membrane around it and in the second stage autologous cancellous bone graft fills the gap of even more than 5 cm, to achieve union.

Conclusion:

The membrane also secretes vascular and osteo-inductive factors to stimulate bone regeneration and also prevents resorption of the bone graft and achieves early fracture healing avoiding tedious options like bone transport in external fixator. By this two staged technique, union occurred clinically and radiologically in these two cases.

Ferric Iron-Containing Molecularly Imprinted Polymer as an Adsorbent for Cholesterol

Molecular imprinting is an elegant approach to the synthesis of polymers with predetermined recognition properties, the technique of molecular imprinting involving arranging the functional monomers around the print molecules prior to polymerisation. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) show a remarkable ability to bind print molecule from a mixture of entities which are close in structure. One of the serious drawbacks of MIPs is their low adsorption capacity and one approach to improving this relies on the use of chemically modified monomers in the synthesis of the MIPs. This report discusses the synthesis and evaluation of an MIP based on ferric acrylate as an adsorbent for cholesterol.

A study of 1177 odontogenic lesions in a South Kerala population

Context:

A study on odontogenic cysts and tumors.

Aims:

The aim of this study is to determine the frequency of odontogenic cysts and tumors and their distribution according to age, gender, site and histopathologic types of those reported over a period of 1998–2012 in a Tertiary Health Care Center at South Kerala.

Settings and Design:

The archives of Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, were retrospectively analyzed.

Subjects and Methods:

Archival records were reviewed and all the cases of odontogenic cysts and tumors were retrieved from 1998 to 2012.

Statistical Analysis Used:

Descriptive statistical analysis was performed using the computer software, Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) IBM SPSS Software version 16.

Results:

Of 7117 oral biopsies, 4.29% were odontogenic tumors. Ameloblastoma was the most common odontogenic tumor comprising 50.2% of cases, followed by keratocystic odontogenic tumor (24.3%). These tumors showed a male predilection (1.19: 1). Odontogenic tumors occurred in a mean age of 33.7 ± 16.8 years. Mandible was the most common jaw affected (76.07%). Odontogenic cysts constituted 12.25% of all oral biopsies. Radicular cyst comprised 75.11% of odontogenic cysts followed by dentigerous cyst (17.2%).

Conclusions:

This study showed similar as well as contradictory results compared to other studies, probably due to geographical and ethnic variations which is yet to be corroborated.

A Sub-acute Septic Arthritis of the Knee; a Sequelae to Thorn Prick Injury of Patella: A Case Report

INTRODUCTION

Sub-acute septic arthritis of knee following a thorn prick injury to patella is an uncommon condition and seen in active playful children. The child may be afraid to narrate the incident to their parents or examining doctor, so a high index of suspicion is must. The delayed presentation is inevitable. Early synovitis due to the organic biological foreign body may progress to septic arthritis, if untreated may result in knee stiffness or chronic osteomyelitis of patella.

CASE REPORT

We report a case of thorn prick injury to the left patella in an 8-years-old boy who neglected the incident of thorn prick while playing with his peer group 10 days ago and presented with features of sub-acute septic arthritis. He was treated by arthrotomy, double inspection of the patella, removal of foreign body, synovectomy, lavage, antibiotics, and aggressive rehabilitation with an excellent outcome.

CONCLUSION

Sub-acute synovitis in active playful children should raise the suspicion of thorn prick even though no proper history is explained. Organic foreign body from plant materials is radiolucent and easily missed. High suspicion and timely surgical intervention, double inspection during arthrotomy identifies the foreign body. Once removed, with proper antibiotic and physiotherapy protocol followed has an excellent outcome.

Reimplantation of contaminated extruded segment of lateral femoral condyle cleansed with 10% povidine-iodine in complex floating knee injury with excellent outcome: Case report with 2 year follow up

Traumatic extrusion of bone is a rare complication of high energy open fractures, and there are only few studies published in literature on reimplantation of the extruded bone segment. Studies with clear guidelines regarding timing of reimplantation, stabilisation of extruded bone segments, bone disinfection and disinfection techniques are very few. Previous reports describe disinfection using thermal or chemical methods. We present a case scenario of successful reimplantation of an extruded metaphyseal segment of distal femoral condyle following cleaning with copious saline and soaked in 10% povidine-iodine for 20 min in a 21 year old male patient of a complex floating knee injury with excellent outcome based on Karlstrom and Olerud criteria.

Improved electrochromic performance of a radio frequency magnetron sputtered NiO thin film with high optical switching speed

A nickel oxide (NiO) thin film with better reversibility, high optical modulation, and enhanced coloration efficiency with fast switching time was prepared using radio frequency (rf) magnetron sputtering technique.

Impact of the United Kingdom national bowel cancer awareness campaigns 2012 on colorectal cancer services and patient survival

AIM

The UK national bowel cancer awareness campaigns in 2012 were intended to improve survival of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) by raising public awareness and prompting symptomatic individuals to seek medical attention early. The aim of the present study was to compare the number of CRCs diagnosed, tumour stage at diagnosis, survival and number of investigations performed during the campaigns compared with a similar time period in 2011.

METHOD

A retrospective study was carried out of 1439 consecutive referrals through the 2-week wait pathway (2WW) to our colorectal unit during the February and September 2012 campaigns. Patient demographics, number of referrals, investigations performed and newly diagnosed cases of CRC with their respective staging were determined and compared with a group in 2011. Two-year survival was evaluated by Kaplan-Meier statistics.

RESULTS

Referrals through the 2WW increased by 55-60% and endoscopic and the number of radiological investigations performed increased by over 70% during the awareness campaigns. Although new diagnoses of CRC nearly doubled, the increase in the patients referred meant the diagnostic yield remained low at 6%. The bowel cancer awareness campaigns did not alter the tumour stage at presentation, as over 50% of patients were diagnosed with Stage 3 and 4 CRC and there was no significant difference in 2-year survival.

CONCLUSION

The UK bowel cancer awareness campaigns appear to have improved public awareness of CRC and encouraged symptomatic individuals to seek urgent medical attention. The increase in 2WW referrals has not translated into better survival for symptomatic patients, partly due to the proportion presenting with advanced disease.

Synthesis, spectroscopic investigation and computational study of 3-(1-(((methoxycarbonyl)oxy)imino)ethyl)-2H-chromen-2-one

The molecular structure and vibrational modes of 3-acetylcoumarin oxime carbonate (abbreviated as 3-ACOC) have been investigated by FT-IR, FT-Raman, NMR spectra and also by computational methods using HF and B3LYP with 6-311++G(d,p) basis set. The optimized geometric parameters (bond lengths, bond angles and dihedral angles) were in good agreement with the corresponding experimental values of 3-ACOC. The calculated vibrational frequencies of normal modes from DFT method matched well with the experimental values. The complete assignments were made on the basis of the total energy distribution (TED) of the vibrational modes. NMR ((1)H and (13)C) chemical shifts were calculated by GIAO method and the results were compared with the experimental values. The other parameters like dipole moment, polarizability, first order hyperpolarizability, zero-point vibrational energy, E(HOMO), E(LUMO), heat capacity and entropy have also been computed.

Repellent properties of Cardiospermum halicacabum Linn. (Family: Sapindaceae) plant leaf extracts against three important vector mosquitoes

OBJECTIVE

To determine repellent activity of hexane, ethyl acetate, benzene, chloroform and methanol extract of Cardiospermum halicacabum (C. halicacabum) against Culex quinquefasciatus (Cx. quinquefasciatus), Aedes aegypti (Ae. aegypti) and Anopheles stephensi (An. stephensi).

METHODS

Evaluation was carried out in a net cage (45 cm×30 cm×25 cm) containing 100 blood starved female mosquitoes of three mosquito species and were assayed in the laboratory condition by using the protocol of WHO 2005; The plant leaf crude extracts of C. halicacabum was applied at 1.0, 2.5, and 5.0 mg/cm(2) separately in the exposed area of the fore arm. Only ethanol served as control.

RESULTS

In this observation, the plant crude extracts gave protection against mosquito bites without any allergic reaction to the test person, and also, the repellent activity was dependent on the strength of the plant extracts. The tested plant crude extracts had exerted promising repellent against all the three mosquitoes.

CONCLUSIONS

From the results it can be concluded the crude extract of C. halicacabum was potential for controlling Cx. quinquefasciatus, Ae. aegypti and An. stephensi mosquitoes.

A prospective, multi-centric, observational registry to evaluate performance of Excel™ DES in 'real world, all comers' patient population

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to assess the safety and efficacy of a biodegradable polymer-coated Rapamycin-Eluting Stent (Excel) used in conjunction with six-month dual antiplatelet therapy in daily practice.

BACKGROUND

The polymeric material of cardiac stents has been reported to adversely affect the safety profile of the drug-eluting stents and is also suspected to cause serious long-term complications. It has been proposed that the biodegradable polymer coatings may reduce such late-stage adverse effects.

METHODS

This is a prospective, multi-center registry of 654 patients from across 9 cardiology centers in India, who were enrolled and exclusively treated with Excel stents between February 2008 and May 2010. The recommended antiplatelet regimen included clopidogrel and aspirin for 6 months period, followed by lifelong aspirin therapy.

RESULTS

The study population included 46.94% diabetics, 24.31% smokers, 48.93% hypertensives and 14.98% hyperlipidemics. The cumulative rates of major adverse cardiac events were 0.153% at discharge and 1.38% at 12 months. The mean percentage of stenosis was 88.24 ± 9.17% No events occurred between 6 and 12 months.

CONCLUSIONS

This multi-center registry study on "real world, all comers" has, thus, showed that EXCEL™ stent which is PLA-coated biodegradable Rapamycin-Eluting Stent exhibited high efficacy and safety profile in treatment of patients undergoing PCI as evidenced by significantly lower rates of MACE and no case of stent thrombosis. There was no event even after DAPT was discontinued after 6 months.

Phytosocialogical and Ethnomedicinal Studies of Sacred Groves in Konjikuppam Village, Cuddalore District, Tamil Nadu

The konjikuppam village lies on the state highway linking panruti (5 km south) and Neyveli (10 km north). The sacred grove of konjikuppam is also situated on the main read and is proximate to the village. A large bond of about 3 ha. Size lies behind the temple complex and cannel bringing strong water from the neighboring shallow ferralitic terrain runs into it. An extensive floristic survey of carried out in the sacred groves at monthly intervals between December 2011 and October 2012. Specimen flowering plants were collected and identified taxonomically with the help of different floras. Nine plots were established in three different disturbance areas within the sacred groves and it is divided into three site I. Disturbances, II. Moderately disturbance III. Undisturbance. Present study revealed that a total number of 110 plants belonging to 96 genera and 45 families were recorded from three sites (I. Disturbed, II. Moderately Disturbed, III. Undisturbed) of konjikuppam sacred groves Cuddalore district. The present study revealed that more number of species found in undisturbed site III and least number and density in disturbed site I. a total of 24 plants used in herbal preparations. The local health traditions provide immediate and cheaper remedy or relief to the poor and down trodden inhabiting the villages. The devastation of species diversity in the study area there is an urgent need for regeneration of the species for conservation of species and biodiversity.