Diagnosis of Tuberculosis (TB) is a challenging problem with the currently available conventional methods such as microscopy for Acid Fast Bacilli (AFB) and culture techniques.The diagnosis of Extra pulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) is still more challenging due to the low yield of bacilli in the clinical specimens. Recently, a chip based Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) was introduced in India. This study was conducted for finding out the sensitivity and specificity of TrueNAT RT-PCR for the diagnosis of Pulmonary and EPTB at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Southern India. A total of 145 samples including both Pulmonary (80) and EPTB (65) were examined by Smear microscopy, culture on Lowenstein Jensen (LJ) medium and TruNat RT PCR. All the positive samples were confirmed by conventional PCR technique as well. Out of 80 Pulmonary samples such as sputum, bronchial wash and tracheal aspirate 41(51.25%) samples were positive in RT-PCR, 22 (27.5%) were positive in microscopy and 29 (36.25%) was positive for culture on LJ medium. Among the 65 EPTB samples such as pus, pleural fluid, Cerebro spinal fluid (CSF), ascitic fluid, Tissue, Peritoneal fluid, Pericardial fluid, Urine, synovial fluid, Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) 38 (58.46%) were positive in RT-PCR, 08 (12.30%) were positive in microscopy and 31(47.69%) were positive for culture on Lowenstein Jensen (LJ) medium. The sensitivity and specificity of TrueNat RT-PCR for the diagnosis of Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) is 93.1% and 72.5 % and for EPTB is 96.77 %and 76.4 %, respectively. The newer diagnostic tool has a Turn Around Time (TAT) of less than 2 hours, can detect rifampicin resistance, longer shelf life, cost effective and can work from 2°C to 40°C. It is portable and comes with an inbuilt rechargeable battery which makes it a compatible equipment for any health care setup and out reach programs to detect and treat patients even in remote villages.

Abstract

BACKGROUND A smooth zirconia surface is necessary to protect the opposing natural dentition, to prevent plaque accumulation and to increase the survival rate of restoration by reducing the chances of failure by crack propagation. Surface roughness can be incorporated by routine dental procedures done in labs and clinics to adjust the restoration. It is unclear which surface treatment is most appropriate to achieve clinically acceptable zirconia surface. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of grinding and subsequent various surface treatments on the surface roughness of full contour monolithic zirconia. METHODS In this invitro study 10 zirconia bars of final dimensions 20 x 4 x 2 mm & 40 zirconia bars of final dimensions 20 x 4 x 2.2 mm were milled and sintered. The zirconia bars with final dimensions 20 x 4 x 2mm were glazed and selected as samples for control group (Group C) (n = 10). Forty zirconia bars with dimensions of 20 x 4 x 2.2 mm were grounded using a standard straight cylindrical diamond point (105 – 125 µm) by placing them in a customized grinding apparatus till the dimensions became similar to that of control group i.e. 20 x 4 x 2 mm. After grinding and confirming the dimensions of each full contour monolithic zirconia bar using digital vernier caliper, zirconia bars were randomly allocated into 4 groups with 10 samples in each group (n = 10), namely (Group G: Grinding only, Group G+R: Grinding & Reheating, Group G+G: Grinding & Glazing, Group G+P: Grinding & Polishing) respectively. Surface roughness values were measured using a profilometer. Differences between groups were examined using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) (P ≤ 0.05) and Post hoc Tukey HSD test was done for multiple comparisons of surface roughness in between the groups using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software. RESULTS Group C showed the least surface roughness values. The maximum surface roughness values were seen in Group G. Surface roughness of Group G, Group G + H and Group G + G were statistically significant from Group C and Group G + P. There was no statistically significant difference in surface roughness values between Group C and Group G + P. CONCLUSIONS It can be concluded that polishing after grinding significantly reduced the surface roughness and re-established the surface smoothness of full-contour monolithic zirconia bars. KEY WORDS Surface Roughness, Zirconia, Monolithic, Full Contour, Profilometer

ABSTRACT:With the increasing use of iodinated contrast media for CT Scan and other radiologic procedures, contrast induced nephropathy (CIN) has emerged as an important delayed adverse effect due the intravascular administration of contrast media. OBJECTIVES: To study the incidence of CIN in patients undergoing intravenous contrast enhanced CT (CECT) scans and to assess the safety of iodinated, low osmolar contrast media (LOCM) in such patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a study in 182 patients who received intravenous low osmolar contrast media to assess the risk of CIN in patients undergoing diagnostic CECT. All the patients had a baseline serum creatinine (SeCr) value done prior to the procedure, and were then followed up with a repeat SeCr at 48 to 72hrs, and where necessary, on day 5 to 7 after the procedure. RESULTS: Thirty eight patients (20.9%) showed no change in their baseline SeCr value at 48 hrs. after contrast administration, while 13 patients (7.1%) showed a slight decrease, and 131 patients (72%) showed an increase in SeCr. None of the patients showed a greater than 0.5mg/dL increase in the SeCr, while 3 patients (1.6%) showed a 25% increase in the 48 hrs. SeCr from baseline value. CONCLUSION: The incidence of CIN varied from 0 to 1.6% depending on the definition used. Contrast induced nephropathy is a rare complication of intravenous administration of contrast media. LOCMs can be safely used in the general population who do not have pre-existing renal impairment or other major risk factors.