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We adopted green synthesis of multifunctional Cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO2 NPs) by low temperature solution combustion route employing Aloe vera (L.) Burm f. leaf gel as a fuel. The synthesized CeO2 NPs were characterized by PXRD, SEM, and TEM. Results showed that size of NPs between 40 and 50 nm and they found highly crystalline. These NPs were tested in vitro for their antimicrobial activity against four bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacter aerogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli) and three fungi (Aspergillus niger, A. clavatus and A. flavus). Results showed toxicity against both the tested bacteria and fungi. Maximum zone of inhibition from bacteria and fungi was obtained from 75 µg/ml CeO2 NPs against E. aerogenes (21.67 ± 1.21) and A. flavus (19.00 ± 1.73) respectively. Current investigation explores the green facile method for synthesis of multifunctional rare earth CeO2 NPs with interesting structural and surface morphological and biological studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the first time green route method was used to synthesize pure and Mg2+ (1-11 mol%) doped Y2O3 nanophosphors by using Aloe vera leaves extract as a fuel. The final product was well characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The PXRD results showed formation of single phase, cubic structure of Y2O3 with crystallite sizes ~ 25 nm and TEM images showed crystallite size of the material and were found to be around ~ 25 nm. In an in vitro test, nanocomposites showed significant antibacterial activity against four different gram negative human pathogenic microorganisms viz., Salmonella typhimurium, Enterobacter aerogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli and maximum zone of inhibition is observed from Y2O3/Mg (1%) nanocomposites which is closely comparable with the standard commercial drug streptomycin. Whereas, the nanoparticles and nanocomposites have showed significant DPPH and H2O2 scavenging activity, higher scavenging activity were registered in Y2O3/Mg (1%) and Y2O3/Mg (5%) respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports an improvement in Pt/n-GaN metal-semiconductor (MS) Schottky diode characteristics by the introduction of a layer of HfO2 (5 nm) between the metal and semiconductor interface. The resulting Pt/HfO2/n-GaN metal-insulator- semiconductor (MIS) Schottky diode showed an increase in rectification ratio from 35.9 to 98.9(@ 2V), increase in barrier height (0.52 eV to 0.63eV) and a reduction in ideality factor (2.1 to 1.3) as compared to the MS Schottky. Epitaxial n-type GaN films of thickness 300nm were grown using plasma assisted molecular beam epitaxy (PAMBE). The crystalline and optical qualities of the films were confirmed using high resolution X-ray diffraction and photoluminescence measurements. Metal-semiconductor (Pt/n-GaN) and metal-insulator-semiconductor (Pt/HfO2/n-GaN) Schottky diodes were fabricated. To gain further understanding of the Pt/HfO2/GaN interface, I-V characterisation was carried out on the MIS Schottky diode over a temperature range of 150 K to 370 K. The barrier height was found to increase (0.3 eV to 0.79 eV) and the ideality factor decreased (3.6 to 1.2) with increase in temperature from 150 K to 370 K. This temperature dependence was attributed to the inhomogeneous nature of the contact and the explanation was validated by fitting the experimental data into a Gaussian distribution of barrier heights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Precocious puberty still remains an elusive diagnosis in the majority of patients. Infrequently, lesions of the central nervous system are associated with sexual precocity. Depending on their location, these cysts may affect many systems, however, there is little information concerning their involvement in endocrinological disorders. We report a case of a sylvian cistern arachnoid cyst presenting with precocious puberty in a 3-year-old girl. The child recovered following a cystoperitoneal shunt. The mass effect of the arachnoid cyst upon the hypothalamus was, at least in part, responsible for the development of precocious puberty. To the best of our knowledge, this is the 1st case of a sylvian cistern arachnoid cyst presenting with precocious puberty. The role of surgical decompression of the cyst is also discussed. © 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The management of odontoid fracture has evolved but controversy persists as to the best method for Type II odontoid fractures with or without atlantoaxial (AA) instability. The anterior odontoid screw fixation can be associated with significant morbidity while delayed odontoid screw fixation has shown to be associated with reasonable good fusion rates. We conducted a retrospective analysis to evaluate the outcome of a trial of conservative management in type II odontoid fractures without atlantoaxial instability (Group A) followed by delayed odontoid screw fixation in cases in which fusion was not achieved by conservative treatment. The outcome of type II odontoid fracture with AA subluxation (Group B) was also analysed where closed reduction on traction could be achieved and in those atlantoaxial subluxations that were irreducible an intraoperative reduction was done. Materials and Methods: A retrospective evaluation of 53 cases of odontoid fractures treated over a 9-year period is being reported. All odontoid fractures without AA instability (n=29) were initially managed conservatively. Three patients who did not achieve union with conservative management were treated with delayed anterior screw fixation. Twenty-four cases of odontoid fractures were associated with AA instability; 17 of them could be reduced with skeletal traction and were managed with posterior fusion and fixation. Of the seven cases that were irreducible, the initial three cases were treated by odontoid excision followed by posterior fusion and fixation; however, in the later four cases, intra operative reduction was achieved by a manipulation procedure, and posterior fusion and fixation was performed. Results: Twenty-six of 29 cases of odontoid fracture without AA instability achieved fracture union with conservative management whereas the remaining three patients achieved union following delayed anterior odontoid screw fixation. 17 out of 24 odontoid fracture with atlantoaxial dislocation could be reduced on traction and these patients underwent posterior fusion and fixation. Optimal or near optimal reduction was achieved by on table manipulation in four cases which were irreducible with skeletal traction. Atlantoaxial stability was achieved in all cases. All cases were noted to be stable on evaluation with x-rays at six months. Conclusions: The initial conservative management and use of odontoid screw fixation only in cases where conservative management for 6-12 weeks has failed to provide fracture union have shown good outcome in type II odontoid fracture without AA instability rates. Intraoperative manipulation and reduction in patients where AA subluxation failed to reduce on skeletal traction followed by posterior fusion obviates the need for transoral odontoid excision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is a rare malignant tumour of the major salivary glands. It accounts for 10-15% of all salivary gland tumours and 1% of all head and neck tumours. Surgical resection followed by radiation is the choice of treatment for ACC. However, late loco-regional recurrence and metastasis is often seen emphasizing the importance of long-term follow-up. We report an unusual case of extradural metastasis of ACC in the dorsal spine. The primary submandibular gland tumour was resected 11 y back. A recurrence had been detected two years prior to the occurrence of spinal metastasis. Surgical decompression was done which was followed by palliative radiotherapy. Patient is symptomatically better, ambulant and on regular follow-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The case of a 7-year-old girl with an intracranial penetrating injury due to a pencil is presented. The difficulties in diagnosis and the need for a high degree of suspicion and for prompt adequate surgical treatment are highlighted. Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]