Chemical vapor deposited graphene-based quasi-solid-state ultrathin and flexible sodium-ion supercapacitor

Flexible electronic devices find wide application in wearable electronics and foldable gadgets. This article reports chemical vapor deposited (CVD) few-layers graphene for a solid-state flexible supercapacitor device. Raman spectroscopy analysis reveals up to five layers in the graphene samples. Polyvinyl alcohol-Na2SO4 hydrogel membrane is used as a gel polymer electrolyte (GPE). 50 nm thick silver (Ag) deposited on polyethylene tere­phthalate (PET) through E-beam deposition served as the flexible current collector for the device. Galvanostatic charge-discharge (GCD) executed on the fabricated device to ana­lyze its electrochemical performance yielded a specific areal capacitance of 15.3 mF cm-2 at 0.05 mA cm-2 current density. The obtained power density of the fabricated device is 0.53 µWh cm-2 at a power density of 25 µW cm-2.

Daunorubicin induced Stevens-Johnson syndrome: A case report

Clinicians should consider the possible association of Daunorubicin with Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), administer it with caution and promptly evaluate all subsequently developing cutaneous reactions with a high index of suspicion for Stevens-Johnson syndrome.

Eosinophilic Granuloma of Mandible: A Diagnostic Challenge

Eosinophilic Granuloma is the mildest and localized form of Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis and is characterized by clonal proliferation of Langerhans cells. It is a rare disease, accounting for less than 1% of all the osseous neoplasms. It has predilection for the axial skeleton and incidence in jaws is just 7.9%. It lacks pathognomonic clinical and radiographic trait and hence is difficult to make a correct diagnosis without histopathological and immunohistochemical examination. This report describes a case of Eosinophilic Granuloma of mandible in 30 years old male who presented with complain of unhealed extraction wound and was clinically diagnosed as chronic suppurative osteomyelitis. The final diagnosis of Eosinophilic Granuloma was made only after histopathological and immunohistochemical evaluations.

Elicitation as a tool to improve the profiles of high-value secondary metabolites and pharmacological properties of Hypericum perforatum

OBJECTIVES

In this review, we aim at updating the available information on the improvement of the Hypericum perforatum L. (Hypericaceae) phytochemical profile and pharmacological properties via elicitation.

KEY FINDINGS

Hypericum perforatum seedlings, shoots, roots, calli and cell suspension cultures were treated with diverse elicitors to induce the formation of secondary metabolites. The extracts of the elicitor-treated plant material containing naphthodianthrones, phloroglucinols, xanthones, flavonoids and other new compounds were quantitatively analysed and tested for their bioactivities. While hypericins were mainly produced in H. perforatum cultures containing dark nodules, namely shoots and seedlings, other classes of compounds such as xanthones, phloroglucinols and flavonoids were formed in all types of cultures. The extracts obtained from elicitor-treated samples generally possessed better bioactivities compared to the extract of control biomass.

SUMMARY

Although elicitation is an excellent tool for the production of valuable secondary metabolites in H. perforatum cell and tissue cultures, its exploitation is still in its infancy mainly due to the lack of reproducibility and difficulties in scaling up biomass production.

A Perspective on Hypericum perforatum Genetic Transformation

Hypericum perforatum (St John's wort) is a reservoir of diverse classes of biologically active and high value secondary metabolites, which captured the interest of both researchers and the pharmaceutical industry alike. Several studies and clinical trials have shown that H. perforatum extracts possess an astounding array of pharmacological properties. These properties include antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, anti-cancer, and antibacterial activities; and are largely attributed to the naphtodianthrones and xanthones found in the genus. Hence, improving their production via genetic manipulation is an important strategy. In spite of the presence of contemporary genome editing tools, genetic improvement of this genus remains challenging without robust transformation methods in place. In the recent past, we found that H. perforatum remains recalcitrant to Agrobacterium tumefaciens mediated transformation partly due to the induction of plant defense responses coming into play. However, H. perforatum transformation is possible via a non-biological method, biolistic bombardment. Some research groups have observed the induction of hairy roots in H. perforatum after Agrobacterium rhizogenes co-cultivation. In this review, we aim at updating the available methods for regeneration and transformation of H. perforatum. In addition, we also propose a brief perspective on certain novel strategies to improve transformation efficiency in order to meet the demands of the pharmaceutical industry via metabolic engineering.

Microsurgical free flaps at Kathmandu Model Hospital

BACKGROUND

Microsurgery is an emerging subspecialty in Nepal. Microsurgery was started at Kathmandu Model Hospital in 2007 with the support from Interplast Australia and New Zealand. This study will be useful for establishing a baseline for future comparisons of outcome variables and for defining the challenges of performing microsurgical free flaps in Nepal.

METHODS

A retrospective cross sectional study was conducted using the clinical records of all the microsurgical free flaps performed at Kathmandu Model Hospital from April 2007 to April 2014.

RESULTS

Fifty-six free flaps were performed. The commonest indication was neoplasm followed by post-burn contracture, infection and trauma. Radial artery forearm flap was the commonest flap followed by fibula, antero-lateral thigh, rectus, tensor facia lata, lattisimus dorsi, deep inferior epigastric artery perforator, and deep circumflex iliac artery flap. Radial artery forearm flaps and anterolateral thigh flaps were mostly used for burn contracture reconstructions. Twelve of the 13 (92%) fibulae were used for mandibular reconstruction for oral cancer and ameloblastoma. Rectus flaps were used mainly for covering defects over tibia. Hospital stay ranged from six to 67 days with an average of fourteen. Fifteen patients (26%) developed complications. The duration of operation ranged from six hours to 10.5 hours with an average of nine hours. The longest follow up was for four years.

CONCLUSIONS

Microsurgery can be started even in very resource-poor center if there is support from advanced centers and if there is commitment of the institution and surgical team.

Occurrence of amino acid mutation (Ala98Val) of HNF1α in association with type II diabetes

BACKGROUND

Maturity onset diabetes of the young type 3 is a monogenic form of diabetes. Gene defects in the Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor -1 alpha (HNF1a) causes MODY3. HNF1a gene located in the chromosome (12q24.2) codes for a transcription factor which helps in signalling of insulin exocytosis in pancreatic Beta cells. A prevalent amino acid polymorphism at codon 98-Ala98Val (exon 1) of the HNF1a was shown to be associated with diabetes in the South Indian population. Since Nepal shares the ancestral origin with India and people have been sharing similar lifestyles for a long period of life it was relevant to check the occurrence of same mutation in diabetic population of Nepal as well. The study was carried out to identify the occurrence of amino acid mutation (Ala98Val) of HNF 1 alpha in association with type 2 diabetes in diabetic population of Kathmandu.

METHODS

DNA samples were randomly collected from 12 non-diabetic and 56 diabetic patients. The DNA samples were amplified using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) was carried out to identify the occurrence of the mutation.

RESULTS

During the study, out of 12 non-diabetic samples, nine were normal while three samples showed heterozygous Ala98Val mutation. Whereas, eight diabetic patients were found to have Ala98Val mutation and rest 48 had normal genotype. The study thus showed 16.17% occurence of Ala98Val mutation among 68 samples.

CONCLUSIONS

The study showed the occurrence of Ala98Val amino acid mutation in diabetic samples that were taken under study.

Prevalence of Dental Caries in 5 – 6 Years and 12 – 13 Years Age Group of School Children of Kathmandu Valley

Introduction: Dental caries is one of the most common conditions affecting the general health of children. The present study was carried out among school children of Kathmandu valley to determine the prevalence of dental caries in two age groups. Methods: The study was conducted from December 2007 to May 2008. The age of the school children of the study was divided into two group: 5 - 6 years and 12 - 13 years. A stratifi ed cluster sampling with proportional allocation was used while grouping the subjects. The dental status examination was done with the help of trained dentists. Decayed, missed and fi lled teeth index and decayed, missed and fi lled surfaces index (dmft for primary dentition and DMFT for permanent dentition) were used as the standard tools for the determination of prevalence. Results: A total of 638 students (325 of age group 12 - 13 years and 313 of age group 5 - 6 years) from 30 different schools of the Kathmandu valley were included in the study. The caries status was found higher in the age group of 5 - 6 years than in the 12 - 13 years and it was found to be statistically signifi cant (p < 0.001). The dmfs and caries percentage of the age group 5 - 6 years and the DMFS and caries percent of the 12 - 13 years was found to be 3.79, 69 % and 1.6, 53.23 % respectively. The dmft/dmfs value was found to be signifi cant according to the districts in the 5 - 6 years age group whereas the DMFS was found statistically signifi cant among the sexes of the 12 - 13 years age group. Conclusions: The caries percentage was found to be above the recommended level of the World Health Organization. However, the DMFS and DMFT values were within the WHO level. Keywords: Children, dental caries, DMF index.

Prevalence of dental caries in 5 - 6 years and 12 - 13 years age group of school children of Kathmandu valley

INTRODUCTION

Dental caries is one of the most common conditions affecting the general health of children. The present study was carried out among school children of Kathmandu valley to determine the prevalence of dental caries in two age groups.

METHODS

The study was conducted from December 2007 to May 2008. The age of the school children of the study was divided into two group: 5 - 6 years and 12 - 13 years. A stratified cluster sampling with proportional allocation was used while grouping the subjects. The dental status examination was done with the help of trained dentists. Decayed, missed and filled teeth index and decayed, missed and filled surfaces index (dmft for primary dentition and DMFT for permanent dentition) were used as the standard tools for the determination of prevalence.

RESULTS

A total of 638 students (325 of age group 12 - 13 years and 313 of age group 5 - 6 years) from 30 different schools of the Kathmandu valley were included in the study. The caries status was found higher in the age group of 5 - 6 years than in the 12 - 13 years and it was found to be statistically significant (p < 0.001). The dmfs and caries percentage of the age group 5 - 6 years and the DMFS and caries percent of the 12 - 13 years was found to be 3.79, 69 % and 1.6, 53.23 % respectively. The dmft/dmfs value was found to be significant according to the districts in the 5 - 6 years age group whereas the DMFS was found statistically significant among the sexes of the 12 - 13 years age group.

CONCLUSION

The caries percentage was found to be above the recommended level of the World Health Organization. However, the DMFS and DMFT values were within the WHO level.

Engineering spin propagation across a hybrid organic/inorganic interface using a polar layer

Spintronics has shown a remarkable and rapid development, for example from the initial discovery of giant magnetoresistance in spin valves to their ubiquity in hard-disk read heads in a relatively short time. However, the ability to fully harness electron spin as another degree of freedom in semiconductor devices has been slower to take off. One future avenue that may expand the spintronic technology base is to take advantage of the flexibility intrinsic to organic semiconductors (OSCs), where it is possible to engineer and control their electronic properties and tailor them to obtain new device concepts. Here we show that we can control the spin polarization of extracted charge carriers from an OSC by the inclusion of a thin interfacial layer of polar material. The electric dipole moment brought about by this layer shifts the OSC highest occupied molecular orbital with respect to the Fermi energy of the ferromagnetic contact. This approach allows us full control of the spin band appropriate for charge-carrier extraction, opening up new spintronic device concepts for future exploitation.

Direct measurement of the electronic spin diffusion length in a fully functional organic spin valve by low-energy muon spin rotation

Electronic devices that use the spin degree of freedom hold unique prospects for future technology. The performance of these 'spintronic' devices relies heavily on the efficient transfer of spin polarization across different layers and interfaces. This complex transfer process depends on individual material properties and also, most importantly, on the structural and electronic properties of the interfaces between the different materials and defects that are common to real devices. Knowledge of these factors is especially important for the relatively new field of organic spintronics, where there is a severe lack of suitable experimental techniques that can yield depth-resolved information about the spin polarization of charge carriers within buried layers of real devices. Here, we present a new depth-resolved technique for measuring the spin polarization of current-injected electrons in an organic spin valve and find the temperature dependence of the measured spin diffusion length is correlated with the device magnetoresistance.

HELLP syndrome--a pregnancy disorder with poor prognosis

HELLP syndrome is a pregnancy-specific disorder defined by hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelet count that is found in parturients, more frequent in older multiparas. It is frequently associated with severe preeclampsia or eclampsia, but can also be diagnosed in the absence of these disorders. The etiology of HELLP syndrome is unknown, and the pathogenesis of this disorder (including the hepatological manifestations) is not fully understood. The most widely accepted hypotheses are: a change in the immune feto-maternal balance, platelet aggregation, endothelial dysfunction, arterial hypertension and an inborn error of the fatty acid oxidative metabolism. Hepatic involvement occurs by intravascular fibrin deposition and hypovolemia. Serum LDH and platelet count are the two most important clinical tools for disease assessment. LDH reflects both the extent of hemolysis and hepatic dysfunction. Maternofetal complications cause a 7.0-70.0% perinatal mortality rate and a 1.0-24.0% maternal mortality rate. The recognition of HELLP syndrome and an aggressive multidisciplinary approach and prompt transfer of these women to obstetric centers with expertise in this field are required for the improvement of materno-fetal prognosis.

Intrinsic mobility limit for anisotropic electron transport in Alq3

Muon spin relaxation has been used to probe the charge carrier motion in the molecular conductor Alq3 (tris[8-hydroxy-quinoline] aluminum). At 290 K, the magnetic field dependence of the muon spin relaxation corresponds to that expected for highly anisotropic intermolecular electron hopping. Intermolecular mobility in the fast hopping direction has been found to be 0.23+/-0.03 cm2 V-1 s(-1) in the absence of an electric- field gradient, increasing to 0.32+/-0.06 cm2 V-1 s(-1) in an electric field gradient of 1 MV m(-1). These intrinsic mobility values provide an estimate of the upper limit for mobility achievable in bulk material.