Cesarean section (CS) delivery is a common procedure, and its incidence is increasing globally. To compare single-layer (SL) with double-layer (DL) uterine closure techniques after cesarean section in terms of ultrasonographic findings and rate of CS complications. PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library were searched for relevant randomized clinical trials (RCTs). Retrieved articles were screened, and relevant studies were included in a meta-analysis. Continuous data were pooled as mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence interval (CI), and dichotomous data were pooled as relative risk (RR) and 95% CI. Analysis was conducted using RevMan software (Version 5.4). Eighteen RCTs were included in our study. Pooled results favored DL uterine closure in terms of residual myometrial thickness (MD = -1.15; 95% CI -1.69, -0.60; P < 0.0001) and dysmenorrhea (RR = 1.36; 95% CI 1.02, 1.81; P = 0.04), while SL closure had shorter operation time than DL closure (MD = -2.25; 95% CI -3.29, -1.21; P < 0.00001). Both techniques had similar results in terms of uterine dehiscence or rupture (RR = 1.88; 95% CI 0.63, 5.62; P = 0.26), healing ratio (MD = -5.00; 95% CI -12.40, 2.39; P = 0.18), maternal infectious morbidity (RR = 0.94; 95% CI 0.66, 1.34; P = 0.72), hospital stay (MD = -0.12; 95% CI -0.30, 0.06; P = 0.18), and readmission rate (RR = 0.95; 95% CI 0.64, 1.40; P = 0.78). Double-layer uterine closure shows more residual myometrial thickness and lower incidence of dysmenorrhea than single-layer uterine closure of cesarean section scar. But single-layer closure has the advantage of the shorter operation time. Both methods have comparable blood loss amount, healing ratio, hospital stay duration, maternal infection risk, readmission rate, and uterine dehiscence or rupture risk.

We report magnetic field tuning of the structure and Whispering Gallery Mode lasing from ferromagnetic nematic liquid crystal micro-droplets. Microlasers were prepared by dispersing a nematic liquid crystal, containing magnetic nanoparticles and fluorescent dye, in a glycerol-lecithin matrix. The droplets exhibit radial director structure, which shows elastic distortion at a very low external magnetic field. The fluorescent dye doped ferromagnetic nematic droplets show Whispering Gallery Mode lasing, which is tunable by the external magnetic field. The tuning of the WGM lasing modes is linear in magnetic field with a wavelength-shift of the order of 1 nm/100 mT. Depending on the lasing geometry, the WGMs are red- or blue-shifted.

We experimentally study the effect of temperature and electric field on the quality (Q) factor and free spectral range (FSR) of whispering-gallery-mode optical resonance of dye-doped nematic liquid crystal microdroplets. Both the Q factor and the FSR are highly sensitive to the temperature and electric field and are tunable. The Q factor decreases, whereas the FSR increases substantially, with increasing temperature and electric field. The variation of the Q factor and FSR is understood based on the change in the effective refractive index and the dynamic size of the microdroplets.

Background Worldwide, inguinal hernia repair is one of the commonest surgeries. The best treatment option to primary hernia has been investigated, but there still remains lack of evidence about the ideal approach. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the outcomes of inguinal hernia repair using transabdominal preperitoneal procedure (TAPP) & Lichtenstein techniques. Materials and methods This was a retrospective cohort study, conducted at Department of General & Minimal Invasive Surgery, SKIMS Medical College, Bemina, Srinagar. For performing the analysis, we used SPSS. Continuous variables were expressed as mean and standard deviation, and the categorical ones were presented as frequencies and percentages. Results A total of 60 patients were included (30 in each group). The mean age of the patients in both groups was around 54 years, and all patients were males. In unilateral cases the operating time was greater in the TAPP group than the Lichtenstein group (p < 0.001); however, in the bilateral cases, the operating time was significantly greater in the Lichtenstein than the TAPP group (p = 0.003). The pain scores, in unilateral cases, were significantly lower in the TAPP group than the Lichtenstein group (p < 0.001). The overall complication rate in the TAPP group was 6.7% while in the Lichtenstein group it was at 23.3%. In unilateral and bilateral cases, the patients significantly returned to work earlier in the TAPP group than those in the Lichtenstein group (p < 0.001). Conclusion TAPP and Lichtenstein techniques are both safe and reliable techniques for inguinal hernia repair. However, TAPP repair showed lesser post-operative pain, earlier discharge from the hospital, earlier return to usual activities, better cosmetic outcomes, and less persisting pain. However, there was no significant difference in the complication rate and TAPP repair was more costly for the patient.

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