A Comparative Study of Endoscopic Endonasal Dacryocystorhinostomy Using an Inferiorly Based Flap Versus a Posteriorly Based Flap

To evaluate the outcome and complications of Endoscopic endonasal Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) using an inferiorly based mucosal flap as compared to a conventional posteriorly based mucosal flap with flap preservation and no stenting. 36 patients presenting with nasolacrimal duct obstruction were divided into two groups: the first group underwent endoscopic DCR using an inferiorly based mucosal flap, and the other group used a posteriorly based mucosal flap. In both groups, the mucosal flap was preserved, and bone was removed using Kerrison's punch. No stenting was done in any of the cases. The patency of the ostia was determined by syringing, and nasal endoscopy was done to look at the neo-ostium at follow-up visits to determine success and complications in each group. All 18 cases in the inferiorly based flap group had patent ostia with good mucosalization of the neo-ostium at 6-month follow-up. 3 of the 18 cases in the conventional posteriorly based flap group had failure due to granulation tissue formation around the neo-ostium. The use of an inferiorly based mucosal flap is easy to fashion and reposition at the end of the surgery. This technique has a good outcome with patent ostia during the follow-up period of 6 months.

Microwave-assisted synthesis of Limonia acidissima Groff gum stabilized palladium nanoparticles for colorimetric glucose sensing

Herein, we present a novel microwave-assisted method for the synthesis of palladium nanoparticles (PdNPs) supported by Limonia acidissima Groff tree extract gum. The synthesized PdNPs were characterized using various analytical techniques, including FTIR, SEM, TEM, UV-visible, and powder XRD analyses. TEM and XRD analysis confirmed that the synthesized LAG-PdNPs are highly crystalline nature spherical shapes with an average size diameter of 7-9 nm. We employed these gum-capped PdNPs to investigate their peroxidase-like activity for colorimetric detection of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and glucose. The oxidation of 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) by H2O2, catalyzed by PdNPs, produces oxidation products quantified at 652 nm using spectrophotometry. The catalytic activity of PdNPs was optimized with respect to temperature and pH. The developed method exhibited a linear range of detection from 1 to 50 µm, with detection limits of 0.35 µm for H2O2 and 0.60 µm for glucose.

Prevalence of Tonsilloliths in Chronic Rhinosinusitis: A Retrospective CT PNS Study

To determine the prevalence of tonsilloliths in CT PNS (Computed Tomography ParaNasal Sinuses) of patients with and without features of chronic rhinosinusitis. 97 CT PNS of the patients with features of chronic rhinosinusitis were included in the study group, and 124 CT PNS of cases without features of chronic rhinosinusitis were taken as the control group. All 221 CT PNS were then evaluated for the presence of tonsillar calcifications indicative of tonsilloliths and the prevalence of the same in the study and control groups. 97 of the 221 CT PNS evaluated showed features of chronic rhinosinusitis. 60 of these 97 CT PNS showed features of tonsillolith in one or both tonsils. Of these 60 cases, 58 had maxillary sinusitis, and 17 had pansinusitis. Most of the cases had small tonsilloliths (1-3 mm), and only one case had a large tonsillolith (> 6 mm). At the same time, 27 out of the remaining 124 CT PNS without chronic rhinosinusitis showed the presence of tonsilloliths in one or both tonsils. The prevalence of tonsilloliths is significantly higher in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis than in the control group. The presence of tonsilloliths in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis indicates repeated inflammation of the tonsils due to sinusitis. Such chronic inflammation of the mucosa of the pharynx should prompt more aggressive treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis.

Jamun Seed-Derived Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Dots: A Novel Microwave-Assisted Synthesis for Ultra-Bright Fluorescence and Mn7+ Detection

For the synthesis of heteroatom-doped carbon nanostructures, biomass is considered as a promising option. Utilizing the microwave-assisted method, we have demonstrated an easy and straightforward one-pot synthesis of nitrogen-doped luminous carbon dots (NCDs) from jamun seed powder and guanidine hydrochloride. Structural and morphological analyses were performed using various analytical techniques. Under ultraviolet light of 315 nm, NCDs emit a bright blue fluorescence, possess a high quantum yield of 26.90%, exhibit strong water dispersion, and demonstrated excellent stability. The average particle size of the NCDs was found to be 7.5±1.2 nm, with a spherical shape. NCDs exhibit high selectivity and sensitivity in fluorescence quenching when exposed to Mn7+ ions. Over a concentration range of 2-30 µM, the fluorescence response (F0/F) shows a linear relationship with Mn7+ concentration, with a detection limit of 0.81 µM. The probe exhibited negligible interference and proved to be effective in accurately quantifying Mn7+ in spiked real-water samples.

Fat-soluble nutraceuticals and their composition in heat-processed wheat germ and wheat bran

Nutraceuticals availability in heat-processed foods is considered to be the index for healthy food. This study has made an attempt to optimize the temperature to retain nutraceuticals in wheat bran (WB) and wheat germ (WG). Heated WG (130 °C & 140 °C) and WB (140 °C & 150 °C) were analyzed for sensory profiles. Extracted oils were subjected to physicochemical parameter as well as its nutraceuticals. Increased oil yield, color values and reduced free fatty acids were found with varied temperatures. Fat-soluble compounds total tocols, steryl ferulates and carotenoids found in WG (0.316, 0.058 and 0.011%) and WB (0.228, 0.595 and 0.015%) and maximum reductions started in WG (0.183%, 0.034% and 0.004%) at 130 °C. The free radical-scavenging activities of control samples showed high EC50 values than processed samples; however, no differences were observed between two temperatures. Study may clearly spell out that the reduced nutraceuticals observed after subjecting food raw materials to optimum temperature eventually lead to its quality.