Search

Abstract The article reports the synthesis of an ordered mesoporous network of heterophase TiO2 monoliths as a visible light-responsive photocatalyst using tri-block copolymers of Pluronic F108, P123 and F127 as structure-directing agents (SDAs) and temperature-controlled calcination (450–650 °C) has been carried out by direct templating-assisted hydrothermal approach. The structural/surface morphology and topographical properties of the photocatalyst are characterized using FE-SEM-EDAX, HR-TEM-SAED, p-XRD, VB-XPS, PLS, TG/DTA, UV-Vis-DRS, BET/BJH and zeta potential analysis. The undoped heterophase mesoporous TiO2 monoliths with in-built lattice/surface defects exhibit visible light photocatalytic properties, successfully dissipating Reactive Brown 10 (RB-10) dye. The influence of physicochemical parameters, such as SDAs, temperature, pH, dye concentration, catalyst dosage, photosensitizers and light intensities, are optimized for maximum photocatalytic performance at a shorter timespan. The F127-assisted mesoporous TiO2 monolith (550 °C) exhibits superior degradation kinetics (15 min) for RB-10 dye solution (20 ppm) at pH 2.0–3.0 using a photocatalyst dosage of 50 mg and 2 mM of KBrO3, irradiated with 150 W/cm2 tungsten lamp. The photocatalysts are fabricated without complicated chemical modifications and display topmost efficiency in quickly decontaminating persistent pollutants. The photoproducts from RB-10 photocatalytic degradation are investigated using HR-MS analysis. The photocatalyst can be reused efficiently for six cycles, even under extreme conditions.

Abstract The second most common type of malignant tumor worldwide is colorectal cancer. Histopathology image analysis offers crucial data for the clinical diagnosis of colorectal cancer. Currently, deep learning techniques are applied to enhance cancer classification and tumor localization in histopathological image analysis. Moreover, traditional deep learning techniques might loss integrated information in the image while evaluating thousands of patches recovered from whole slide images (WSIs). This research proposes a novel colorectal cancer detection network (CCDNet) that combines coordinate attention transformer with atrous convolution. CCDNet first denoises the input histopathological image using a Wiener based Midpoint weighted non-local means filter (WMW-NLM) for guaranteeing precise diagnoses and maintain image features. Also, a novel atrous convolution with coordinate attention transformer (AConvCAT) is introduced, which successfully combines the advantages of two networks to classify colorectal tissue at various scales by capturing local and global information. Further, coordinate attention model is integrated with a Cross-shaped window (CrSWin) transformer for capturing tiny changes in colorectal tissue from multiple angles. The proposed CCDNet achieved accuracy rates of 98.61% and 98.96%, on the colorectal histological image and NCT-CRC-HE-100 K datasets correspondingly. The comparison analysis demonstrates that the suggested framework performed better than the most advanced methods already in use. In hospitals, clinicians can use the proposed CCDNet to verify the diagnosis.

Progressive massive fibrosis (PMF) is a severe form and late-stage chronic pneumoconiosis defined by the clustering of silicotic nodules fused with connective tissue in silicosis and coal macules surrounded by fibrous tissue in coal workers’ pneumoconiosis. High levels of exposure to silica and coal mine dust are important risk factors for the development of PMF. A thorough occupational history and radiological investigation would help in the diagnosis and prevention of this condition, as there is no effective treatment. Hence, primary prevention is important as it has high mortality and morbidity. Newer health strategies, including periodical screening, evaluation, treatment, and awareness, are needed among workers who are exposed to these health hazards.

Abstract Recent years have seen an increase in research on biodiesel, an environmentally benign and renewable fuel alternative for traditional fossil fuels. Biodiesel might become more cost-effective and competitive with diesel if a solid heterogeneous catalyst is used in its production. One way to make biodiesel more affordable and competitive with diesel is to employ a solid heterogeneous catalyst in its manufacturing. Based on X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), the researchers in this study proved their hypothesis that iron oxide core–shell nanoparticles were generated during the green synthesis of iron-based nanoparticles (FeNPs) from Camellia Sinensis leaves. The fabrication of spherical iron nanoparticles was successfully confirmed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). As a heterogeneous catalyst, the synthesised catalyst has shown potential in facilitating the conversion of algae oil into biodiesel. With the optimal parameters (0.5 weight percent catalytic load, 1:6 oil—methanol ratio, 60 °C reaction temperature, and 1 h and 30 min reaction duration), a 93.33% yield was attained. This may be due to its acid–base property, chemical stability, stronger metal support interaction. Furthermore, the catalyst was employed for transesterification reactions five times after regeneration with n-hexane washing followed by calcination at 650 °C for 3 h.

A simple, selective, and straightforward enzyme-free electrochemical sensor has been designed and developed using cobalt hexacyanoferrate metal-organic framework (CoFe-MOF) nanoarray. The prepared CoFe-MOF nanoarray has been successfully grown over a carbon cloth (CC) to form CoFe-MOF/CC as a flexible microelectrode for the detection of catechol. The surface of the activated CC was covered uniformly with CoFe-MOF in the form of nanoarray and exhibited double-shelled cubic morphology. The CoFe-MOF/CC nanoarray microelectrode showed a pair of well-defined redox peaks corresponding to the [Fe(CN)6]4-/3- redox signal. Interestingly, the fabricated nanoarray microelectrode has displayed superior peak current at lower onset potential with high electrochemical response compared to unmodified potassium hexacyanoferrate (K3 [Fe(CN)6]) over CC microelectrode and bare activated CC. Further, the developed CoFe-MOF/CC nanoarray microelectrode for the oxidation of catechol was examined with consecutive injections of catechol. A fast and noticeable improvement in oxidation peak current was observed, thus representing the excellent electrocatalytic oxidation of catechol at the modified nanoarray microelectrode. Besides, CoFe-MOF/CC microelectrode exhibits an excellent linear response over a concentration range from 0.005 to 2.8 mM with low detection limit (LOD) and high sensitivity of 0.002 mM (S/N = 3) and 205.99 μA/mM, respectively. Moreover, the prepared nonenzymatic sensor showed outstanding stability, acceptable reproducibility, and repeatability, along with good interference ability. Catechol in spiked water samples was successfully quantified.

The knowledge of the tracheobronchial tree is fundamental for a bronchoscopist, especially for diagnostic, therapeutic, and surgical options that are under consideration. Among all lobes, the right upper lobe (RUL) has a relatively high incidence of tumor and airspace diseases. Most bronchial anomalies are on the right side. Bifurcation is the most common anatomical variation. Quadrification has a very low prevalence. We report the case of a 54-year-old male who came with complaints of hemoptysis and showed a quadrivial type of bronchial division of RUL during a bronchoscopic examination after which three-dimensional computed tomography bronchography showed a supernumerary lateral or axillary segment bronchus. Awareness of this variant may explain otherwise confusing findings and its clinical implication is important for every pulmonologist.

Abstract Hypothalamic hamartomas (HHs) are composed of abnormally distributed but cytologically normal cellular elements. This disease typically manifests in infancy with gelastic seizures characterized by outbursts of mechanical laughter (mirthless laughter), altered or retained consciousness, refractory to antiepileptic, and later progresses to behavioral and cognitive disturbances and secondary seizure types. A systematic review of the literature on the clinical presentation and management of HHs. A literature search was carried out in electronic databases such as PubMed, COCHRANE, SCOPUS, ScienceDirect, which included the studies reported on 'hypothalamic,' 'hamartoma,' and 'epilepsy,' as well as the outcome with full texts in English. Letters, case reports, reviews, preclinical studies, conference proceedings, protocols, and nonhuman studies were excluded. Duplicates were removed in EndNote X7, and titles and abstracts of all listed articles were scanned. Data analysis of all included studies indicates that smaller lesions result in better outcomes and stereotactic laser ablative procedures have the highest Engel class I outcome percentage. Delalande type II lesions are much more common (n201) followed by type III (n 182), IV (n 71), and I (n 50). Stereotactic laser ablation is safe for large lesions. HHs can be treated safely when they are small. Therefore, early identification and intervention play a major role. This also prevents the seizure progression, leading to morbidity. SLA has fewer complications and increased seizure-free survival compared to other modalities of treatment. Keywords: Brain tumors, hypothalamic hamartoma, interstitial, LASER, Author(s): Ved Prakash Maurya [1]; Gabriel Alexander Quiñones-Ossa [2,3]; Balachandar Deivasigamani [1]; Saikat Das [4]; Roshan F. Sutar [5]; Santosh L. Wakode [6]; Abhishek Shetty [7]; Rakesh Mishra [7]; Amit [...]

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition with high mortality rates due to delayed treatment of patients. The conventional methodology for blood diagnosis takes several hours, which suspends treatment, limits early drug administration, and affects the patient’s recovery. Thus, rapid, accurate, bedside (onsite), economical, and reliable sepsis biomarker reading of the clinical sample is an emergent need for patient lifesaving. Electrochemical label-free biosensors are specific and rapid devices that are able to perform analysis at the patient’s bedside; thus, they are considered an attractive methodology in a clinical setting. To reveal their full diagnostic potential, electrode architecture strategies of fabrication are highly desirable, particularly those able to preserve specific antibody–antigen attraction, restrict non-specific adsorption, and exhibit high sensitivity with a low detection limit for a target biomarker. The aim of this review is to provide state-of-the-art methodologies allowing the fabrication of ultrasensitive and highly selective electrochemical sensors for sepsis biomarkers. This review focuses on different methods of label-free biomarker sensors and discusses their advantages and disadvantages. Then, it highlights effective ways of avoiding false results and the role of molecular labels and functionalization. Recent literature on electrode materials and antibody grafting strategies is discussed, and the most efficient methodology for overcoming the non-specific attraction issues is listed. Finally, we discuss the existing electrode architecture for specific biomarker readers and promising tactics for achieving quick and low detection limits for sepsis biomarkers.

Extended organic polymers such as amorphous Covalent Organic Polymers (COPs) and crystalline Covalent Organic Frameworks (COFs) are emerging functional polymeric materials that have recently been shown promises as luminescent materials for chemosensing applications. A wide variety of luminescence COPs and COFs have been synthesized and successfully used as fluorescence-sensing materials for hazardous environmental pollutants and toxic contaminants. This review exemplifies various COPs and COFs-based fluorescence sensors for selective sensing of Fe(III) ions. The fluorescence sensors are sorted according to their structural features and each section provides a detailed discussion on the synthesis and fluorescence sensing ability of different COPs and COFs towards Fe(III) ions. Also, this review highlights the limitations of the existing organic polymer-based chemosensors and future perspectives on translating COPs and COFs-based fluorescence sensors for the practical detection of Fe(III) ions.

The lack of accuracy in the current prostate specific antigen (PSA) test for prostate cancer (PCa) screening causes around 60-75% of unnecessary prostate biopsies. Therefore, alternative diagnostic methods that have better accuracy and can prevent over-diagnosis of PCa are needed. Researchers have examined various potential biomarkers for PCa, and of those fatty acids (FAs) markers have received special attention due to their role in cancer metabolomics. It has been noted that PCa metabolism prefers FAs over glucose substrates for continued rapid proliferation. Hence, we proposed using a urinary FAs based model as a non-invasive alternative for PCa detection. Urine samples collected from 334 biopsy-designated PCa positive and 232 biopsy-designated PCa negative subjects were analyzed for FAs and lipid related compounds by stir bar sorptive extraction coupled with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (SBSE-GC/MS). The dataset was split into the training (70%) and testing (30%) sets to develop and validate logit models and repeated for 100 runs of random data partitioning. Over the 100 runs, we confirmed the stability of the models and obtained optimal tuning parameters for developing the final FA based model. A PSA model using the values of the patients' PSA test results was constructed with the same cohort for the purpose of comparing the performances of the FA model against PSA test. The FA final model selected 20 FAs and rendered an AUC of 0.71 (95% CI = 0.67-0.75, sensitivity = 0.48, and specificity = 0.83). In comparison, the PSA model performed with an AUC of 0.51 (95% CI = 0.46-0.66, sensitivity = 0.44, and specificity = 0.71). The study supports the potential use of urinary FAs as a stable and non-invasive alternative test for PCa diagnosis.