Influence of surface metallic silver deposit and surface fluorination on the photocatalytic activity of rutile TiO2 for the degradation of crystal violet a cationic dye under UV light irradiation

Silver metallization and fluorination on the surface of rutile TiO2 (SRT and FRT) was carried out by photochemical reduction and wet impregnation methods respectively. TiO2, SRT and FRT were characterized by various analytical techniques like PXRD, SEM, EDX, FTIR, PL, UV�vis absorbance and XPS. The photocatalytic degradation of crystal violet (CV) was carried out at three different pH conditions. Acidic pH was found to be more favorable for the degradation, in spite of low adsorption of cationic CV molecules on the catalyst surface. The electrostatic repulsion at this pH drives the CV molecules into the bulk of the solution suggesting the involvement of bulk hydroxyl radicals rather than surface adsorbed hydroxyl radicals. The degradation efficiency can be represented by the following order SRT > FRT > TiO2. The Ti-peroxo (Ti-OO-Ti) complex species formed in presence of H2O2 by the combination of two trapped holes (Ti�Orad) in aqueous medium is predicted to enhance the rate of generation of hydroxyl radicals. The exciton mobility is dependent on the polaron effective mass which is higher for rutile TiO2 accounting for its lower activity. The bulk charge carrier transport which is less in bare rutile TiO2 is enhanced in the surface modified TiO2. Effective trapping of photogenerated excitons/electrons by F-/Ag0 can facilitate their migration and increase the activity by tenfolds. The rate of degradation of CV followed two reaction pathways, slower N-demethylation in basic conditions and rapid aromatic cleavage at the central carbon atom in the acidic pH conditions. © 201

Assessment of Diabetic Foot

Diabetic Foot Complications are the main reason for hospitalization and amputation in people with diabetes. Globally ~435 million people have diabetes, with ~83–148 million of those estimated to develop foot ulcers in their lifetime. It is estimated that 16.8 million YLDs resulted from diabetic foot complications. Once an ulcer has developed, there is an increased risk of wound progression that may lead to amputation (~85% cases). In every 30 seconds, one lower limb amputation in diabetes patients occurs world-wide. The average cost for each amputation is over $70,000. American Podiatric Medical Association says that diabetic foot complications can be prevented by periodical Assessment of foot, which include visual inspection of bare foot; deformities, neurovascular abnormalities of foot and assessment of footwear. Relevant assessment and proactive foot care can reduce the burden of diabetic foot disease which will increase quality of life and reduce health care costs

Delayed diagnosis of plasma cell disorder-related Fanconi syndrome in young adults presenting as osteomalacia: report of two cases with normokalemia and normal haematological parameters at the time of presentation

Adult-onset hypophosphatemic osteomalacia is rare and diagnosis is frequently delayed. Fanconi syndrome (FS) due to monoclonal gammopathy is a well-recognized, but rare cause of hypophosphatemia. The relatively young age of patients and normal routine hematological parameters often results in late recognition of this treatable disease entity. Low phosphorus, elevated alkaline phosphatase, mildly impaired renal function and hypokalemia are often the only abnormalities on routine evaluation. We summarize the clinico-pathological features of two cases who initially presented with fractures and proximal myopathy and were subsequently found to have FS secondary to light chain proximal tubulopathy. Atypical features like absence of hypokalemia at presentation  and elevated Fibroblast Growth Factor 23(FGF 23), a marker of oncogenic osteomalacia were noted. Marked clinical improvement and recovery of renal parameters were evident with phosphate supplements and  chemotherapy for the plasma cell disorder. FS due to monoclonal gammopathy  may present with atypical features  and diagnosis may be  challengin

Streptococcus mutans adhesion on nickel titanium (NiTi) and copper-NiTi archwires: A comparative prospective clinical study

ABSTRACT Objectives: To compare the adhesion of Streptococcus mutans to nickel titanium (NiTi) and copper-NiTi (Cu-NiTi) archwires and to correlate the adhesion to surface characteristics (surface free energy and surface roughness) of these wires. Materials and Methods: A total of 16 patients undergoing orthodontic treatment with preadjusted edgewise appliances were included in the study. 0.016” and 0.016” × 0.022” NiTi and Cu-NiTi archwires in as-received condition and after 4 weeks of intraoral use were studied for S mutans adhesion using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Surface roughness and surface free energy were studied by three-dimensional surface profilometry and dynamic contact angle analysis, respectively. Results: S mutans adhesion was more in Cu-NiTi archwires. These wires exhibited rougher surface and higher surface free energy when compared to NiTi archwires. Conclusions: S mutans adhesion, surface roughness, and surface free energy were greater in Cu-NiTi than NiTi archwires. Surface roughness and surface free energy increased after 4 weeks of intraoral exposure for all of the archwires studied. A predominantly negative correlation was seen between the cycle threshold value of adherent bacteria and surface characteristics. </jats:sec

Permanent Neonatal Diabetes Mellitus Due to an ABCC8 Mutation: A Case Report

Context Neonatal diabetes is a rare disorder with an incidence of about 1 in 100,000 live births. It is defined as diabetes diagnosed in the first 6 months of life and it is vital to differentiate this entity from type 1 diabetes to enable accurate diagnosis, prognosis, genetic counseling and treatment. Case report We describe a case of permanent neonatal diabetes mellitus due to a novel mutation affecting the ABCC8 gene that encodes the SUR1 subunit of potassium ATP channel (KATP). Conclusion This genetic diagnosis has therapeutic implications as patients can switch from insulin therapy to sulphonylurea, as described in this case report.Image: Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences. Cochin, Indi

Correlation between ocular parameters and amplitude of accommodation

Aim: To study the relationship between ocular parameters and amplitude of accommodation (AA) in the peri-presbyopic age group (35-50 years). Materials and Methods: Three hundred and sixteen right eyes of consecutive patients in the age group 35-50 years, who attended our outpatient clinic, were studied. Emmetropes, hypermetropes and myopes with best-corrected visual acuity of 20/20, J1 in both eyes were included. The AA was calculated by measuring the near point of accommodation. The axial length (AL), central anterior chamber depth (CACD) and lens thickness (LT) were also measured. Results: There was moderate correlation (Pearson&#x2032;s correlation coefficient r = 0.56) between AL and AA as well as between CACD and AA (r = 0.53) in myopes in the age group 35-39 years. In the other age groups and the groups taken as a whole, there was no correlation. In hypermetropes and emmetropes, there was no correlation between AA and the above ocular parameters. No significant correlation existed between LT and AA across different age groups and refractive errors. Conclusion: There was no significant correlation between AA and ocular parameters like anterior chamber depth, AL and LT

Amplitude of Accommodation and its Relation to Refractive Errors

<b>Aims:</b> To evaluate the relationship between amplitude of accommodation and refractive errors in the peri-presbyopic age group. <b> Materials and Methods:</b> Three hundred and sixteen right eyes of 316 consecutive patients in the age group 35-50 years who attended our outpatient clinic were studied. Emmetropes, hypermetropes and myopes with best-corrected visual acuity of 6/6 J1 in both eyes were included. The amplitude of accommodation (AA) was calculated by measuring the near point of accommodation (NPA). In patients with more than &#x00B1; 2 diopter sphere correction for distance, the NPA was also measured using appropriate soft contact lenses. <b> Results:<i> </b></i> There was a statistically significant difference in AA between myopes and hypermetropes (<i> P</i> <0.005) and between myopes and emmetropes (<i> P</i> <0.005) in the 35-39 year age group. In the 40- 44 year age group, there was a significant difference in AA between emmetropes and hypermetropes (<i> P</i> <0.0001), emmetropes and myopes (<i> P</i> <0.01) and hypermetropes and myopes (<i> P</i> <0.0001). In patients above 45 years of age there was no significant difference (<i> P</i> &gt;0.5). <i> </i>Conclusion: Our study showed higher amplitude of accommodation among myopes between 35 and 44 years compared to emmetropes and hypermetrope