Pefloxacin in leprosy

Fluoroquinolones, a new class of compounds characterised by broad antimicrobial spectrum including mycobacteria together with limited toxicity, have recently been introduced in the chemotherapy of various human infectious diseases. Pefloxacin, one of the members of this class, was recently demonstrated to be bactericidal against M.leprae in the mouse foot-pad model and clinically beneficial in lepromatous leprosy patients. Clinical response to standard MDT with added pefloxacin in ten previously untreated (both PB and MB) was compared with that in ten similar patients on MDT alone in the present trial. The results of chemotherapy were quantified by a method of clinical scoring. This pilot study showed that addition of pefloxacin led to significant and rapid clinical improvement. There were no side effects attributable to pefloxacin.     

Design of an Ultra-Compact and Highly-Sensitive Temperature Sensor Using Photonic Crystal Based Single Micro-Ring Resonator and Cascaded Micro-Ring Resonator

Silicon - In the present report, a photonic crystal based micro-ring resonator (MRR) structure is proposed which is very compact in size and has very fast response and is employed for temperature...     

Powder Compaction Dies and Compressibility of Various Materials

Powder Metallurgy and Metal Ceramics - Powder compaction is the most crucial process in powder metallurgy since almost all the desired properties of a material, such as a shape, size, density,...     

Polyaniline doped with α, ω‐alkanedisulfonic acids: preparation and characterization

The use of α, ω‐alkanedisulfonic acid, HO₃S(CH₂)_nSO₃H (n = 1, 4, 6 and 12), as a dopant for polyaniline (PANi) was investigated. This series of disulfonic acids with varying chain lengths were synthesized and used in the doping of PANi. The doped polymers showed conductivity in the range 10^?2 to 10^?1 S cm^?1. Thermal studies showed that the doped polymers, depending on the chain length of α,ω‐alkanedisulfonic acid, were stable up to ca 300 °C and the thermal stability decreased with increasing dopant chain length. The thermal stability of α,ω‐alkanedisulfonic acid‐doped PANi was higher than that of alkanesulfonic acid‐doped PANi which typically degrades around 250 °C, suggesting a moderately broader processing window for α,ω‐alkanedisulfonic acid‐doped PANi for blending with other thermoplastics. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Gas Tungsten Arc Surface Alloying of T1-6A1-4V with Carbon

Ti-6A1-4V was surface alloyed with carbon using gas tungsten arc. Microstructural studies on scanning electron microscope showed that in the alloyed layer a cellular/dendritic phase was distributed in the matrix having an acicular structure. Analysis of the alloyed layer showed an average overall increase of 1.45 wt% in the carbon content. X-ray diffraction studies confirmed the presence of TiC in the alloyed zone. Electron probe microanalysis revealed that the cellular/dendritic phase was rich in carbon and had about 15 wt% carbon, whereas the matrix was depleted in carbon. We concluded from the detailed studies that the alloyed zone matrix was supersaturated with carbon in which TiC was distributed. As a result of this surface treatment, the alloyed layer hardness increased from 350 to 640 HV.     

Status of radiation protection in interventional cardiology in four East European countries

Level of staff and patient radiation protection in interventional cardiology in four counties (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro and Serbia) as a part of International Atomic Energy Agency project (RER/9/093) are presented. Patient doses were assessed in terms of air kerma area product (KAP), peak skin dose (PSD) or air kerma at interventional reference point (K(IRP)). Results were available from nine hospitals: 775 patients for KAP, 157 for PSD and 437 for K(IRP). Eight centres reported KAP >100 Gy cm(2) and five centres reported values >200 Gy cm(2). From patients monitored in terms of PSD, 14 (9 %) had PSD >2 Gy and 6 (3 %) patients from those monitored in terms of K(IRP) had value >5 Gy, indicating risk of skin injury. The results indicate need for optimisation and dose monitoring in complex fluoroscopically guided cardiology interventions.     

Skin injuries in interventional procedures

Radiation-induced skin injuries to patients in interventional procedures have been reported since the early 1990s, but the number reported is far less than what might be occurring around the world. There is a gross lack of awareness resulting in patients suffering. A case of severe injury observed in multiple percutaneous coronary interventions for chronic total occlusion is reported in this paper. Further, the paper summarises the existing knowledge on radiation dosimetry in interventional procedures, factors involved in skin injury, guidance on detection, and avoidance and management of injury when it occurs. Information on a recently launched international anonymous reporting system of the International Atomic Energy Agency is also included.     

Inorganic anions induce state changes in spinach thylakoid membranes

The role of cations in excitation energy distribution between the two photosystems of photosynthesis is well established. This paper provides evidence, for the first time, for an important role of anions in the regulation of distribution of absorbed light energy between the two photosystems. Inorganic anions caused redistribution of energy more in favour of photosystem I, as judged from measurements of chlorophyll a fluorescence transients, rates of electron transport in low light and 77 K fluorescence emission spectra: the Fv/Fm ratio was decreased by inorganic anions even in the presence of DCMU, the PS II electron transport was decreased whereas PS I electron transport was increased and the F735 (77 K emission from PS I)/F685 (77 K emission from PS II) ratio was increased. Such changes were observed with inorganic anions having different valencies (Cl- , SO4(2-), PO4(3-)): the higher the valency of the inorganic anion, the more the energy transferred towards PS I. Change in the valency of the inorganic anions thus regulates distribution of absorbed light energy between the two photosystems. However, organic anions like acetate, succinate, and citrate caused no significant changes in the Fv/Fm ratio, and in rates of PS I and PS II electron transport, showing their ineffectiveness in regulating light energy distribution.     

Effect of α-amylase addition on fermentation of idli—A popular south Indian cereal—Legume-based snack food

Idli is a fermented breakfast food widely consumed in Southern India. It is liked by people mainly due to its sensory attributes such as mouthfeel, appearance, taste and aroma. Fermentation time of the batter varies from 14 to 24 h with overnight fermentation being the most frequent time interval. Reduction in the fermentation time of the idli batter is of great commercial significance for large-scale idli production and this can be potentially achieved by addition of enzymes externally. The present study was undertaken to explore the possibility of expediting the idli batter fermentation process by adding an exogenous source of α-amylase enzyme. 5, 15 and 25 U per 100 g batter of amylase were added to the idli batter which was allowed to ferment. Different parameters were monitored and sensory attributes were also studied and compared with that of the control set. The fermentation time was reduced from a conventional 14 h to 8 h and the sensory attributes of the final product were also successfully maintained.     

Parametric sensitivity of fracture behaviour of concrete

The fictitious crack method (FCM) is applied to determine the load-deflection diagrams of notched plain concrete beams under three-point bending using various forms of strain softening in the stress-deformation relationship. The results indicate that there is a need to determine a more realistic relationship.