A Comparison of the Pulmonary Valve, Main Pulmonary Artery, and Branch Pulmonary Artery Measurements by Echocardiography and Computed Tomography Scan

Introduction: Congenital heart diseases (CHD) are one of the most commonly occurring congenital anomalies. Echocardiography is usually the initial investigation for suspected CHD. However, it is operator-dependent and limited by available chest windows. Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) scan provides superior temporal and spatial resolution producing excellent cross-sectional anatomical images. MDCT is specifically helpful for pulmonary artery anomalies if not clearly visible on an echocardiogram.

Objective and methods: The study aims to compare measurements of branch pulmonary arteries, pulmonary valve, and main pulmonary artery obtained from trans-thoracic echocardiography measurements and MDCT. Forty-nine patients younger than 17 years of age underwent MDCT, and an echocardiogram was included in the study. The measurements of the pulmonary valve, main pulmonary artery, and branch pulmonary arteries were measured on MDCT and echocardiogram.

Results: Bland-Altman analysis revealed the mean difference (95% confidence limits) in measurements of diameter between echocardiogram and MDCT for the right pulmonary artery, left pulmonary artery, pulmonary valve, and main pulmonary artery, which were -0.5 (-3.1, 2.2) mm, -0.6 (-3.3, 2.1) mm, 0.7 (-2.5, 3.9) mm, and 1.2 (-6.9, 4.5) mm, respectively.

Conclusion: The analysis revealed acceptable agreement in measurements of the pulmonary valve, main pulmonary artery, and branch pulmonary arteries obtained from MDCT and echocardiogram. The difference was marginally more for the main pulmonary artery compared to the pulmonary valve and branch pulmonary arteries.

COVID-19 Pandemic: Knowledge and Perceptions of the Public and Healthcare Professionals

Background and objective

The recent pandemic due to the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has become a major concern for the people and governments across the world due to its impact on individuals as well as on public health. The infectiousness and the quick spread across the world make it an important event in everyone’s life, often evoking fear. Our study aims at assessing the overall knowledge and perceptions, and identifying the trusted sources of information for both the general public and healthcare personnel.

Materials and methods

This is a questionnaire-based survey taken by a total of 1,246 respondents, out of which 744 belonged to the healthcare personnel and 502 were laypersons/general public. There were two different questionnaires for both groups. The questions were framed using information from the World Health Organization (WHO), UpToDate, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Center for Disease Control (CDC), National Institute of Health (NIH), and New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) website resources. The questions assessed awareness, attitude, and possible practices towards ensuring safety for themselves as well as breaking the chain of transmission. A convenient sampling method was used for data collection. Descriptive statistics [mean(SD), frequency(%)] were used to portray the characteristics of the participants as well as their awareness, sources of information, attitudes, and practices related to SARS-CoV-2.

Results

The majority (94.3%) of the respondents were Indians. About 80% of the healthcare professionals and 82% of the general public were worried about being infected. Various websites such as ICMR, WHO, CDC, etc., were a major source of information for the healthcare professional while the general public relied on television. Almost 98% of healthcare professionals and 97% of the general public, respectively, identified ‘Difficulty in breathing” as the main symptom. More than 90% of the respondents in both groups knew and practiced different precautionary measures. A minority of the respondents (28.9% of healthcare professionals and 26.5% of the general public) knew that there was no known cure yet. Almost all respondents from both the groups agreed on seeking medical help if breathing difficulty is involved and self-quarantine if required.

Conclusion

Most healthcare professionals and the general public that we surveyed were well informed about SARS-CoV-2 and have been taking adequate measures in preventing the spread of the same. There is a high trust of the public in the government. There are common trusted sources of information and these need to be optimally utilized to spread accurate information.

Photocatalytic degradation of reactive black-5 dye using TiO2-impregnated activated carbon

The photocatalytic degradation of reactive black-5 (RB-5) dye was studied using hydrothermally prepared TiO2 impregnated on activated carbon (AC) (20%, 40% TiO2:AC). Photodegradation efficiency of the prepared TiO2:AC catalysts were studied and compared with the commercial TiO2 (P25). These catalysts were characterized by using X-ray diffraction and scanning election microscope techniques. The experimental results showed that the effect of TiO2 impregnation on AC helped to optimize the amount of TiO2 impregnated and the amount of catalyst used for the reaction. The effect of different parameters, such as the initial concentration of dye solution and the catalyst amount, on the rate of photodegradation was also studied. The reduction in the chemical oxygen demand (88%) proves the mineralization of the RB-5 dye along with the colour removal.

Photocatalytic degradation of textile dyes

The photocatalytic degradation of commonly used textile dyes, namely, Reactive Black-5 (RB-5), Red (ME4BL), Golden Yellow (MERL), Blue-222, Methylene Blue, and Malachite Green, has been studied, using TiO2 (P25) as a photocatalyst. All the dye solutions could be decolorized. Kinetics of RB-5 oxidation reaction has been studied and was found to be of first order in dye concentration. Effects of different parameters such as catalyst amount, initial concentration of the dyes, and pH of solution along with biological parameters (TOC and COD) on the rate of degradation were studied. Experimental results showed that photocatalytic degradation of commonly used RB-5 was very effective at the optimum catalyst quantity of 2.5 g/L.