Direct Electrodeposition of Gold Nanoparticles on Glassy Carbon Electrode for Selective Determination Catechol in the Presence of Hydroquinone.

A simple and reliable voltammetric sensor for simultaneous determination of Catechol (CT) and Hydroquinone (HQ) was developed by electrodepositing the gold nanoparticles on the surface of the Glassy Carbon Electrode (GCE). The cyclic voltammograms in a mixed solution of CT and HQ have shown that the oxidation peaks become well resolved and were separated by 110 mV, although the bare GCE gave a single broad oxidation peak. Moreover, the oxidation peak currents of both CT and HQ were remarkably increased three times in comparison with the bare GCE. This makes gold nanoparticles deposited GCE a suitable candidate for the determination of these isomers. In the presence of 1 mM HQ isomer, the oxidation peak currents of differential pulse voltammograms are proportional to the concentration of CT in the range of 21 µM to 323 µM with limit of detection 3.0 µM (S/N = 3). The proposed sensor has some important advantages such as low cost, ease of preparation, good stability and high reproducibility.

Photocatalytic degradation effect of malachite green and catalytic hydrogenation by UV-illuminated CeO2/CdO multilayered nanoplatelet arrays: Investigation of antifungal and antimicrobial activities.

CeO2/CdO multi-layered nanoplatelet arrays have been synthesized by sol-gel method at two different temperatures using Citrus limonum fruit extract and the effect of particle size on the photocatalytic performance is studied. The particle size and phases was analysed by X-ray diffraction pattern (XRD) which brought out the formation of cubic phase in the synthesized samples. Field Emission Scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) revealed the surface morphology and made up of cumulative form of platelet shaped arrays with an average size of 10nm. The elemental composition and the purity of the nanomaterials were confirmed by Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). CeO2/CdO multilayered binary metal oxide nanoplatelet arrays were formed which was further explored with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), it reveals that the nanocomposites contain CeO and CdO bonds. Determination of the direct and indirect bandgap energy of the nanoplatelet arrays was carried out by UV-Vis-DRS studies. In MG degradation, both the hole (h+) and hydroxyl radical (OH) played a major role than the superoxide radical (O2-). Possible photo degradation mechanisms are proposed and discussed in this article. CeO2/CdO multi-layered nanoplatelet arrays showed antibacterial activity and among the tested ones, it showed better growth inhibition towards P. aeruginosa MTCC73. Thus, this greener synthetic procedure was a highly effective method due to low-cost, highly effective UV light responsive material for environmental safety.

Clinical profile of Chikungunya in infants.

OBJECTIVE: To define the clinical manifestations of Chikungunya infection in infants. METHODS: The inclusion criteria was fever (defined as axillary temperature > 99.6 degrees F) with any one of the following features; seizure, loose stools, peripheral cyanosis, skin manifestations or pedal edema in children less than one year. Details of disease from onset of illness till admission were noted and a thorough clinical examination was done at the time of admission. Daily follow-up was performed and the serial order of appearance of clinical features was noted till complete recovery. The sera collected from patients after the 7th day of onset of fever was analyzed for specific chikungunya antibody by IgM antibody capture enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: Fifty six (56) infants were laboratory confirmed for chikungunya, consisting of 34 (60.71%) males and 22 (39.29%) females. 4 (7.14%) infants were less than 1 month of age, 39 (69.64%) 2-6 months old and 13 (23.21%) 7-12 months old. Fever was invariably present, but associated constitutional symptoms in infants consisted of lethargy or irritability and excessive cry. The most characteristic feature of the infection in infants was acrocyanosis and symmetrical superficial vesicobullous lesions were noted in most infants. Erythematous asymmetrical macules and patches were observed which later progressed to morbiliform rashes. The face and oral cavity was spared in all observed patients. CONCLUSION: An entirely different spectrum of disease is seen in infants with chikungunya as compared to older children who need to be carefully observed for. The morbidity and mortality of the disease may be avoided by the rational use of drugs and close monitoring of all infants.

Caregiver'S burden : a comparison between obsessive compulsive disorder and schizophrenia.

The present study compared burden of care between the key relatives of patients with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and schizophrenia. For this study, consecutive key relatives of patients with either OCD (n=30) or schizophrenia (n=41) were evaluated with 40-item burden assessment schedule (BAS). In comparison with schizophrenia group, caregivers in OCD group had significantly high mean scores for the domains, spouse-related factor and caregiver's strategy of BAS. The degree of burden, evidenced by mean scores, was comparable between groups for other domains of BAS. Spouses and unemployed caregivers in OCD group had significantly elevated mean total burden scores. The present findings suggest that caregiver's burden imposed by OCD is either excess or nearly comparable to that of schizophrenia.

Germinoma of the basal ganglia and thalamus--CT and MRI findings.

A case of germinoma originating in the basal ganglia and thalamus is presented. This tumour most commonly originates during childhood and adolescence, at pineal and suprasellar regions. In the early stages, the diagnosis of germinoma in the basal ganglion and thalamus is difficult because of its rarity and non-specific findings. The computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings though non-diagnostic, are discussed here. A few differential diagnoses had been discussed with radiological abnormality. Open biopsy done in this case proved to be two-cell pattern germinoma. Early detection of the tumour is desirable, since this tumour is highly sensitive to radio and chemotherapy and is potentially curable. Our patient was treated with combined chemotherapy and the response was well and no residual tumour or recurrence was seen on the repeated imaging modality, however his neurological deficits remained unchanged.

Hepatic mesenchymal hamartoma: a case report and radiological findings.

Primary tumours of the liver are uncommon in childhood. Of these, more than two-thirds are malignant. As such, benign hepatic tumours are often not considered in the differential diagnosis of a hepatic mass in childhood. We report a case of hepatic mesenchymal hamartoma, a rare benign tumour, in a 10-month-old infant. This tumour is characterised by an admixture of ductal structures within a copious loose connective tissue stroma. Only approximately 160 cases had been reported in the literature. Awareness of the ultrasound (U/S) and computed tomography (CT) features, although not diagnostic, is helpful in distinguishing it from the more common malignant tumours. A correct preoperative diagnosis is important as surgical excision is often curative.

Undifferentiated carcinoma of the sinuses and cranial basis successfully treated with radiochemotherapy. A case report.

The frustration and disappointment in managing advanced cancers of the nose and paranasal sinuses are well known. We report a case of a successful treatment of such a tumour in a 37-year-old soldier, using a combination of therapy including surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Each mode of treatment is discussed.

Left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) vegetations and spontaneous obliteration of a large ruptured intracranial mycotic aneurysm in a case of infective endocarditis.

A 10-year-old girl with mild aortic regurgitation presented with cerebral infarction. Two-dimensional echocardiography showed vegetations on the septal wall of the left ventricular outflow tract without involvement of the aortic valve itself. After successful antibiotic treatment the patient developed an intra-cranial haemorrhage due to rupture of a large intracranial mycotic aneurysm. Consent for surgical treatment of the mycotic aneurysm was not obtained. Twelve months later repeat angiography showed that the aneurysm had undergone spontaneous obliteration.

The role of computed tomography in the evaluation of retinoblastoma.

To assess the importance of Computed Tomography(CT) in the evaluation of retinoblastoma, we reviewed thirteen cases of retinoblastoma which presented at Hospital University Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia, from August 1986 to June 1991. High resolution computed tomography of the orbits was performed in all patients prior to therapy. Nine patients (69%) had unilateral and four (31%) had bilateral retinoblastoma. The interesting features were the remarkably high incidence in the right eye (89%) as compared to the left eye (11%) in unilateral retinoblastoma, and overall predominance of the male population (male to female ratio was 2:1). Computed tomography detected intraocular calcification in 82% of the tumourous eyes. All patients presented at late stages when tumours were of large size. The presence of calcification was not related to the size of the tumour. CT detected calcification in a suspected retinoblastoma with a high degree of accuracy. Computed tomographic evidence of intraocular calcification in children under 3 years of age is highly suggestive of retinoblastoma.

A case of Dandy Walker cyst with porencephaly.

A 27-year-old gravida two para one mother delivered a term male baby by caesarean section. The baby was referred for enlarged head. This neonate with large head was found to have Porencephalic cyst with dilated Triventricular system. There was a posterior fossa cyst communicating with fourth ventricle. A diagnosis of Dandy Walker Cyst with Porencephaly was made. Ventriculo-Peritoneal shunt was done on the ninth day of life. The baby had an uneventful postoperative period and was subsequently discharged.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma with secondaries at the porta hepatis presenting as obstructive jaundice.

Recent reports have dispelled the previously held concept that head and neck cancer rarely metastases beyond the cervical lymph nodes. Nasopharyngeal cancer has been reported to have a higher incidence of distant metastases compared to other head and neck cancers, the common sites being bone, lung and liver. A case of nasopharyngeal carcinoma presenting as obstructive jaundice because of secondaries at the porta hepatis is presented here.