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Objectives The main purpose of this article is to measure the fractional anisotropy (FA) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of cortex and medulla of renal allograft using 3-Tesla diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in renal transplant patients with normal and graft dysfunction and to assess the correlation between diffusion tensor parameters (ADC and FA) and the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) value. Materials and Methods Fifty renal transplant recipients who received either living or cadaveric renal allografts were included in the study. Blood samples for serum creatinine and eGFR value were taken on the same day prior to the magnetic resonance study and the patients were assigned to three groups (A, B, C) according to allograft function (eGFR levels). The mean ADC and FA values of the cortex/medulla in upper, mid, and lower poles were calculated from the DTI sequence. Statistical analysis was performed using paired sample Student’s t-test and one-way analysis of variance test. Results The mean ADC values of the cortex were higher than the medulla that was statistically significant. However, the mean FA values were significantly higher in the medulla than the cortex. Mean ADCs and FA of the renal cortex and medulla were significantly higher in group A patients with normal renal function than in group B and C with poor renal functions. The corticomedullary difference in the FA values was more in group A. However, this difference was lower in group B and more so in group C. Conclusion ADC and FA values in the renal cortex and medulla exhibit a good correlation with allograft function and were significantly lower in transplants with dysfunction than those with good function. FA values appear to be more sensitive than eGFR and ADC for detection of early pathological changes in the graft dysfunction.

The polyaniline-ZnO/chitosan (PZO/chitosan) nanocomposite synthesized using aniline, ZnCl2and chitosan through precipitation–oxidation method and the synthesized composite was extensively characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectra, UV–vis spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction measurements which indicated that the successful formation of ZO nano-rod present inside the chitosan-polyaniline composite. The adsorption and photocatalytic properties of the prepared samples were evaluated by measuring the decrease in concentration of reactive orange after adsorption in the dark and photocatalytic reaction under UV irradiation, respectively. The influences of initial dye concentration, catalyst amount and pH of the reaction solution on reactive orange decolorization were investigated. It was found that the rate of composite/dye interaction was enhanced with the increased load of composite and retarded with the increase in initial dye concentration and pH. Compared with reactive orange, methylene blue as a target pollutant, the adsorption-photocatalytic activities of the resulting composites under different light sources (dark, sunshade, UV and direct sunlight) were also investigated. Results indicates that the maximum color removal were 96% and 88.5% for reactive orange and methylene blue with the corresponding dye concentration 50 mg L−1, PZO/chitosan amount of 0.3 g L−1and neutral pH in 120 min of sunlight exposure respectively. Based on the results, we conclude that PZO/chitosan nanocomposite having both the advantages of photodegradation–adsorption process in the abatement of various wastewater pollutants. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The properties of ring- and rotor-spun cotton yarns subjected to combined swelling and stretching in presence and absence of aqueous sodium hydroxide (21%w/w) at pre-determined time intervals have been studied. Yarns stretched in the solution exhibit spectacular changes in their properties. The increment in shrinkage values is found to be more in slack swollen rotor-spun yarns as compared to that in ring-spun yarns. Crystallinity values show a decreasing trend with the increase in swelling time. Yarns stretched in solution show, a tremendous increase in packing fraction. Tenacity and elongation values show significant increase with the solution stretch. The values of packing fraction, tenacity and per cent elongation are found to be higher in the case of ring-spun yarns. Scanning electron microscopy proves the swellability and packing of fibres in the yarns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]