Ultrasound-driven facile fabrication of Pd doped SnO2 hierarchical superstructures: Structural, growth mechanism, dermatoglyphics, and anti-cancer activity

This research introduces a novel method that leverages Spirulina extract (S.E) as a bio-surfactant in the ultrasound-assisted synthesis (UAS) of Pd3+ (0.25-10 mol%) doped tin oxide (SnO2) self-assembled superstructures. Nanotechnology has witnessed significant advancements in recent years, driven by the exploration of novel synthesis methods and the development of advanced nanomaterials tailored for specific applications. Metal oxide nanoparticles, particularly SnO2, have garnered considerable attention due to their versatile properties and potential applications in various fields, including gas sensing, catalysis, and biomedical engineering. The study explores how varying influential parameters like S.E concentration, sonication time, pH, and sonication power can influence the resulting superstructures' morphology, size, and shape. A theoretical model for forming different hierarchical superstructures (HS) is proposed. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirms the crystalline tetragonal rutile phase of the SnO2:Pd HS. Raman spectroscopy reveals a red shift in the A1g mode, indicating phonon confinement due to various defects in the SnO2 structure. Further characterization using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) provides insights into particle size, surface morphology, elemental composition, and binding energy. The study also demonstrates the application of optimized SnO2:3Pd HS in developing latent fingerprints (LFPs) on different surfaces using a simple powder dusting (PD) method, with the fingerprints (FPs) visualized under normal light. A mathematical model developed in Python-based software is used to analyze various features of the developed FPs, including pore properties such as number, position, inter-spacing, area, and shape. Additionally, an in vitro MTT assay shows concentration-dependent anticancer activity of SnO2:3Pd nanoparticles (NPs) on MCF7 cell lines, highlighting their potential as a promising cancer treatment option. Overall, the study suggests that the optimized HS can serve as multifunctional platforms for biomedical and dermatoglyphics applications, demonstrating the versatility and potential of the synthesized materials.

Peroxide-enhanced endoanal ultrasound in preoperative assessment of complex fistula-in-ano

BACKGROUND

In complex fistula-in-ano, preoperative imaging can help identify secondary tracts and abscesses that can be missed, leading to recurrence. We evaluated hydrogen peroxide-enhanced endoanal ultrasound (PEEUS) in the characterization of fistula compared with standard clinical and operative assessment.

METHODS

Patients with complex fistula-in-ano treated between February 2008 and May 2009 at our institution were prospectively evaluated by PEEUS with recording of the preoperative clinical examination and intraoperative details of the fistula. Of the 135 patients with fistula-in-ano, 68 met the inclusion criteria for complex fistula-in-ano. Correlation of clinical findings and PEEUS to the gold standard intraoperative findings was assessed in characterizing the fistula. The percent agreement between the clinical and PEEUS findings against the gold standard was derived, and the kappa statistic for agreement was determined.

RESULTS

The mean age of the cohort was 42.54 ± 10.86 years. The fistula tracts were curvilinear, high, and transsphincteric in 16 (23.53%), 8 (11.76%), and 42 (61.76%) patients, respectively. Secondary tracts and associated abscess cavities were seen in 28 (33.82%) and 35 (51.47%) patients, respectively. PEEUS correlated better than clinical examination with regard to site (92.65 vs 79.41%; p < 0.001) and course (91.18 vs 77.94%; p < 0.001) of secondary tract and associated abscesses (89.71 vs 80.88%; p = 0.02). There was a trend of better correlation of PEEUS compared to clinical examination in classifying the primary tract as per Park's system (88.24 vs 79.41%; p = 0.06), but it did not reach statistical significance. PEEUS and clinical examination were comparable in correlation of the level of the primary tract (kappa: 0.86 vs 0.78; p = 0.22) and the site of internal opening (kappa: 0.97 vs 0.89; p = 0.22). The operative decision was changed in 13 (19.12%) subjects based on PEEUS findings.

CONCLUSIONS

PEEUS is a feasible and efficient tool in the routine preoperative assessment of complex fistula-in-ano.

Ultrasonographic evaluation of oral submucous fibrosis in habitual areca nut chewers

OBJECTIVES

To characterize the sonographic features of the buccal mucosa in patients with oral submucous fibrosis (OSF).

METHODS

Three groups (controls with areca-related habits, controls without areca-related habits and clinically diagnosed OSF cases), each comprising 30 subjects, were included in the study. After a thorough clinical examination, transcutaneous B-mode ultrasonography was performed with a multifrequency linear transducer (5-10 MHz) for anterior and posterior buccal mucosa bilaterally. Both clinical and ultrasound findings were recorded by three independent observers. One-way analysis of variance and Tukey's honestly significant difference post-hoc tests were used for statistical comparisons between groups and Pearson χ(2) tests to compare the proportions. Kappa statistics was used to determine the interobserver agreement.

RESULTS

The submucosa that appeared hypoechoic in the control groups had significantly increased echogenicity in the case group (hypo- to isoechoic in 46.7% and isoechoic in 53.3%). The differentiation between the submucosa and the muscle layer appeared distinct in the control groups while it was not clear in the case group (indistinct in 50% and completely lost in 50%). The number of sites found positive on the ultrasound was significantly greater than the number of clinically positive sites. There was a very good interobserver consistency in clinical and ultrasound findings.

CONCLUSIONS

Ultrasonography of the buccal mucosa demonstrates increased submucosal echogenicity and reduced echo differentiation between submucosa and muscle layer in OSF cases. Hence, it can be used as a non-invasive imaging modality to assess the disease extent and severity across the entire buccal mucosa to supplement clinical evaluation.

Anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antioxidant activities of Pisonia aculeata: folk medicinal use to scientific approach

CONTEXT

Pisonia aculeata leaves (Nyctagenaceae), a Folk medicinal plant used in the treatment of several inflammation, pain, and oxidative stress associated diseases.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antioxidant potential of crude methanol extract of P. aculeata leaves (MEPA).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of MEPA (250 and 500 mg/kg) were evaluated using writhing, formalin, hot plate, tail flick, carrageenan-induced paw edema test, and membrane stabilizing activity. Free radical scavenging activity, total phenolic and flavonoid contents of MEPA were also determined using standard methods.

RESULTS

Oral administration of MEPA showed significant (p < 0.001) inhibition of paw edema, pronounced at 4 h and 5 h after carrageenan injection, and at 200 µg/mL exerts 77.67 and 38.51% protective effect against hypotonic solution and heat induced hemolysis, respectively. MEPA (250 and 500 mg/kg) produced 35.21 and 79.14% inhibition of acetic acid-induced writhing. Furthermore, MEPA (500 mg/kg) inhibited 49.19% early and 73.14% late phase of formalin-induced hypernociception. In contrast, a lower dose of MEPA did not prevent hot plate induced nociception, while in the tail immersion method, pronounced analgesic activity was observed between 1 and 4 h postdosing. The extract possesses significant in vitro antioxidant activity and a lipid peroxidation inhibition effect. Total phenolic and total flavonoid content in MEPA were 87.99 ± 0.87 mg GAE/g and 58.98 ± 0.01 mg QE/g, respectively.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Our findings confirmed the analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of Pisonia aculeata leaves. Contents of flavonoids and phenolic compounds in extract could be correlated with its observed biological activities.

THE HARTSHILL HORSESHOE: THE TREATMENT OF CHRONIC PAIN PATIENTS WITH DISCOGENIC PAIN IN THE ABSENCE OF NEURAL COMPRESSION A PROSPECTIVE 2½- TO 3-YEAR REVIEW

Interbody fusion is a well-recognized technique to achieve spinal fusion. The advantage of using tricortical blocks as opposed to the dowel technique is that intervertebral disc height can be restored. Both techniques can be performed either by the anterior or posterior approach.

The traditional tricortical block technique has advantages over using dowels as it is a more stable construct and can restore intervertebral disc height. However, autologous bone graft has an unpredictable behavior causing potential problems of disc space collapse, forward displacement of the graft and donor bone graft site morbidity.

The Hartshill horseshoe was developed to overcome these autograft problems. It is an implant that is placed within the periphery of the intervertebral disc space where the vertebral end plate is strongest to resist compression forces. It has holes that allow screw fixation of the implant to bone to provide immediate stability and a central area for bone graft where the vertebral body is most vascular to allow incorporation of such a graft.

Previous reports on the Hartshill horseshoe have used autograft (single tricortical graft). This prospective study reports the clinical and radiological results of 19 patients who underwent this procedure using xenograft 2½ to 3 years postoperative. The radiological results do not show any evidence of loosening of the screws or implant nor evidence of intervertebral disc space subsidence. It was not possible to assess the exact incidence of spinal fusion.

Co-occurrence of emphysematous cystitis and emphysematous myositis in type 2 diabetes

Emphysematous cystitis (EC) and emphysematous myositis (EM) are rare disorders and concurrent occurrence of both in a patient with type 2 diabetes has not been reported previously. We report a patient who presented with pneumaturia and later with pain in thigh and diagnosed of both concurrently.

Pulmonary mucormycosis presenting with recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy

Pulmonary mucormycosis is an uncommon infection and its endobronchial form is rare. Fever, cough, dyspnoea and hemoptysis are the usual presenting symptoms. Hoarseness of voice, a rare manifestation of endobronchial mucormycosis, has been reported earlier but its exact anatomical basis was unclear. We report an instance of polypoid endobronchial mucormycosis and vocal cord paralysis in a patient with type I diabetes and diabetic ketoacidosis.

Amino acid patterns of infants of very low birth weight. I. Characterization and clinical significance of change over time

Plasma amino acid levels were determined in 40 premature, very low birth weight infants. All blood samples were drawn prior to parenteral nutrition and blood transfusions. Levels were taken from 0 to 90 hours after birth at approximately 12-hour intervals. Dextrose 5% or 10% in water was given intravenously, beginning shortly after birth, as the only caloric source. A total of 69 plasma amino acid determinations were used for statistical analysis of 25 amino acids versus time. Plasma amino acid profiles were separated into several time intervals. An analysis of covariance of the means of these intervals demonstrated a statistical difference (p less than or equal to 0.01 or better) for taurine, lysine, alanine, threonine, valine, tryptophan, cystine and free cysteine/cystine. Thus, plasma amino acid levels should be reviewed in relation to the hours after birth of sampling. By 12 hours after birth, a relatively stable pattern was observed for all amino acids except taurine. Taurine levels continued to decline throughout the observation period. No statistically significant correlations were observed between the plasma amino acid levels and gestational age.

Verrucous squamous-cell carcinoma: an unusual tumor of the esophagus

Verrucous squamous-cell carcinoma of the esophagus is a rare tumor which should be considered when a mucosal lesion of the esophagus is encountered.