Diagnostic accuracy of contrast enhanced computed tomography in detection of colorectal cancer in clinically suspected patients

Objective: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of contrast enhanced computed tomography (CECT) abdomen to detect the colorectal cancer in clinically suspected patients by taking histopathology as gold standard. Methodology: This was a descriptive Cross sectional study, which was carried out at radiology department of Civil Hospital, Karachi, from  January 2015 to  November 2015 and comprised patients referred for CECT of abdomen with clinical suspicious of colorectal carcinoma. The diagnosis of the colorectal cancer was made on the basis of radiological appearance on CT and then compared with histopathological findings. The primary performance of CECT abdomen in terms of sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of colorectal carcinoma was calculated.   Results: Out of the 244 subjects, 154 (63.1%) were males and 90 (36.9%) were females. Mean age of the patients was 46.84±10.88 years. Colorectal carcinoma was labeled in 224 patients on CECT abdomen, out of these among 206 patients; carcinoma was proven on histological findings. Contrasted enhanced computed tomography showed diagnostic accuracy of 89.8% followed by sensitivity 92.0% and specificity 65.0%. Conclusion: Contrast enhanced CT is a non-invasive imaging technique in the diagnosis of colorectal cancer with sensitivity 92.0% and specificity 65.0%

The Swift Surge of Perovskite Photovoltaics

The breakthrough early 1990s dye sensitization of mesoscopic TiO2 films along with a regenerative iodide redox couple led to the explosive growth of dye-sensitized solar cell (DSC) research. The pioneering work of Grätzel and colleagues also made it possible to develop a solid-state DSSC with spiro-oMETAD as the hole conductor and thus replace the liquid electrolyte in the cell. Research efforts of Konenkamp and others further initiated the search for the “extremely thin absorber” (ETA) nanostructured solar cell, using TiO2 as the electron conductor, an inorganic absorber, and a hole conductor. Another major research thrust was by Weller, Kamat, Zaban, Nozik, Hodes, and others, who employed inorganic quantum dots (e.g., CdS and CdSe) as sensitizers. While discussing developments in sensitized solar cells, it is important to note the contributions of early visionaries like Gerischer, Sutin, and Bard, who were first to establish the concepts of sensitization using dye molecules and semiconductor nanostructures

Comparison the Clinical Effect of 2% Chlorhexidine and MTAD as Final Rinse in Controlling Post Operative Pain in Single Visit Root Canal Treatment

Objectives: To compare the mean postoperative pain associated with the use of 2% chlorhexidine or MTAD as final rinse in cases of Symptomatic Apical Periodontitis presenting to the LUMHS operative dentistry department for single visit root canal treatment. Methodology: This single blind randomized controlled trial was conducted at the Department of Conservative Dentistry LUMHS, Jamshoro from February to June 2018. We included 60 patients' teeth with symptomatic apical periodontics. Thirty patients in group A received 2% chlorhexidine solution, while thirty patients in group B received MTAD. Preoperative and postoperative pain levels were assessed using a visual analogue scale. For qualitative variables such as gender, tooth type, and pre and postoperative pain, frequency and percentages were calculated. The chi-square test with a p value of 0.05 was used to compare the two groups. Results: The mean age in both groups were 30 years. Most of the teeth involved in both groups were on the anterior side. Patients in group A had an average age of 30.97±7.29 years. There was no statistically significant difference in the mean pain score between groups at p=0.86 after 7 days, with a score of 0.97 for group A and 0.93 for group B, respectively. Conclusion: Chlorhexidine and MTAD groups have been equally effective in reducing postoperative pain in a single visit as a final rinse

Comparative clinical assessment of working length endo-motor apex locator versus radiographic method in endo-dontic therapy.

Introduction: The technological and therapeutic advancements suggests that, choosing an appropriate endodontic approach is the key parameter to mitigate over radiation exposure and locating precise root canal length.Objective: Current study aims to evaluate the comparative accuracy of working length apex locator versus radiographic apex locator in in endodontic therapy among patients belonging from Sindh, Pakistan.Methodology: Current four-month duration based cross-sectional study focusing endodontic therapeutic techniques was conducted at Bibi Aseefa Dental College Larkana Sindh Pakistan. 124 patients requiring non-surgical root canal therapy were included in the study for working length apex locator and radiographic apex locator techniques. Film positioner were used to assess the morphology and initial working length of tooth by radiographic apex locator technique. Whereas glide path and working length was achieved with #12/02 M3 – Pro Gold File (United Dental) with 00 reading in Endo-Matic apex locator. Further data analysis was achieved with SPSS Version 20 and Microsoft Office 2010 multiple tools.Results: Among 124 patients, 69 (55.6%) were males and 55 (44.4%) were females with mean age of 33.60±12.87 years. We found comparative accuracy of 77 % of working length apex locator in terms of apical limit determination. Whereas, in case of radiographic apex locators 70 % accuracy was recorded.Conclusion: Working length endomotor with built in apex locators provide satisfac-tory control of apical limit of endodontic treatment and better time saving option, however radiographic confirmations remain the confirmatory length measurement tool to identify the dimension of canal and path obtained by endodontic instru-ment.Keywords: EndoMatic, Electronic Apex Locators, Hybrid Endomotors, Radiograph, Working Length

A drug utilization study of analgesics for management of postoperative pain in patients admitted at a tertiary care teaching hospital

Background: Postoperative pain is very common and develops naturally as a warning. After surgery, its development can be predicted and should be prevented and treated. Besides the disagreeable aspects and physiological repercussions of postoperative pain, it delays ambulation and hospital discharge. Despite the drugs and anesthetic techniques available, the prevalence of postoperative pain is still high.Methods: Pain assessment was done by BP cuff inflation method and Numerical rating scales both pre and postoperatively.Results: Complain of postoperative pain is more in female patient. Over all complain of postoperative pain was observed more in 31-45 year age group. Complain of postoperative pain was more at 18 hour time interval. Postoperative pain complains was more in patients undergoing general surgery. Postoperatively out of 310 patients 298 patients were received diclofenac only and 18 patients were received diclofenac + tramadol combination of these 112 and 13 patients complained of post-operative pain respectively.Conclusions: 112 patients from diclofenac only received group and 13 patients from diclofenac + tramadol received group complain of post operative pain. Post-operative pain control at 12 hours is sufficient but high post-operative pain scores at 18 hour of post-operative time interval suggesting needs of additional pain control. Majority of study patients received single analgesic (Diclofenac sodium)

Structural, Optical and Electrochromic Properties of Nanocrystalline TiO

Nanocrystalline TiO2 thin filmswere prepared by spin coating on covered glass substrates with an indium tin oxide (ITO) layer. The structural, electrochromic and optical properties of the films were investigated. The films are crystallized predominantly in the anatase phase with lattice parameters a = b = 0.378 nm and c = 0.958 nm . The crystallite size was found to be of the order of 14 nm. The films showed reversible coloration/bleaching cycles as demonstrated by cyclic voltametry and current–time transients. The transmission of the blue colored films decreased and their absorption edge was less sharp and shifted to higher wavelengths as a result of the intercalation of Li+ ions

Low-Cost Flexible Nano-Sulfide/Carbon Composite Counter Electrode for Quantum-Dot-Sensitized Solar Cell

Cu2S nanocrystal particles were in situ deposited on graphite paper to prepare nano-sulfide/carbon composite counter electrode for CdS/CdSe quantum-dot-sensitized solar cell (QDSC). By optimization of deposition time, photovoltaic conversion efficiency up to 3.08% was obtained. In the meantime, this composite counter electrode was superior to the commonly used Pt, Au and carbon counter electrodes. Electrochemical impedance spectra further confirmed that low charge transfer resistance at counter electrode/electrolyte interface was responsible for this, implied the potential application of this composite counter electrode in high-efficiency QDSC

Locating the Binding Sites of Pb(II) Ion with Human and Bovine Serum Albumins

Lead is a potent environmental toxin that has accumulated above its natural level as a result of human activity. Pb cation shows major affinity towards protein complexation and it has been used as modulator of protein-membrane interactions. We located the binding sites of Pb(II) with human serum (HSA) and bovine serum albumins (BSA) at physiological conditions, using constant protein concentration and various Pb contents. FTIR, UV-visible, CD, fluorescence and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic (XPS) methods were used to analyse Pb binding sites, the binding constant and the effect of metal ion complexation on HSA and BSA stability and conformations. Structural analysis showed that Pb binds strongly to HSA and BSA via hydrophilic contacts with overall binding constants of KPb-HSA = 8.2 (±0.8)×104 M−1 and KPb-BSA = 7.5 (±0.7)×104 M−1. The number of bound Pb cation per protein is 0.7 per HSA and BSA complexes. XPS located the binding sites of Pb cation with protein N and O atoms. Pb complexation alters protein conformation by a major reduction of α-helix from 57% (free HSA) to 48% (metal-complex) and 63% (free BSA) to 52% (metal-complex) inducing a partial protein destabilization