ABSTRACT
Isolated cutaneous swelling can have varied etiologies. The clinical diagnosis is usually difficult, and a correct diagnosis always requires a pathological examination. Hereby, we report a case of linear keloidal morphea on the neck of an 18-year-old male who presented with an asymptomatic, firm lesion for 6 months. Histopathological examination was consistent with morphea. This case highlights the uncommon form of morphea in an unusual location, which can be misdiagnosed for numerous neoplastic conditions and for which simple histopathological evaluation can clinch the diagnosis.
ABSTRACT
Here, straightforward and environmentally friendly fluorescent nitrogen doped carbon quantum dots (N-CQDs) with a high blue fluorescence emission at 455 nm are used for ultrasensitive Hg2+ ion detection. Folic acid and urea are used as carbon sources in the carbonization process. Two broad absorption bands at around 280 and 370 nm from UV-Vis spectrum and characteristic absorption peaks from infrared spectrum confirms the successful synthesis of the N-CQDs. Energy dispersive X-Ray analysis confirmed the elemental composition of the N-CQDs. Transmission electron microscopy showed the homogeneous globular morphology of the N-CQDs with an average particle size of 65 nm. Zeta potential measurement established the stability and surface charge of N-CQDs. Dynamic light scattering measurement showed the average size of N-CQDs. With the addition of Hg2+ ion to N-CQDs, the blue fluorescence emission is quenched. Moreover, the N-CQDs can be applied to real water sample such as pond water, river water, and tap water. The detection limit is approximately calculated to be 12 nM and linear range is 0-30 parts per billion.
ABSTRACT
The present study attempts to establish a correlation between the macromolecular parameters obtained from small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) analysis of pretreated sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea) fibers with the dielectric and mechanical properties of their composites. Sunn hemp fiber is pretreated chemically by dewaxing and alkalization methods and physically by microwave irradiation. The treatment effect is structurally investigated using a correlation function from SAXS data and correlated with the mechanical as well as electrical properties of composites. The macromolecular parameters are observed to be influenced by pretreatment methods. Macromolecular structural modifications are seen in dewaxed fiber (DSHC), fiber treated with 10% of alkali soaked for 6 h (10K6C), and fiber microwave irradiated with 800 watts for 6 min (800W6M), improving the mechanical as well as electric properties of the reinforced composites.
Subject(s)
Cannabis , Crotalaria , Crotalaria/chemistry , Scattering, Small Angle , X-Ray DiffractionABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is associated with increased health care utilization and higher costs. The Tackling AKI study was a multicenter, pragmatic, stepped-wedge cluster randomized trial that demonstrated a reduced hospital length of stay after implementation of a multifaceted AKI intervention (e-alerts, care bundle, and an education program). We tested whether this would result in cost savings. METHODS: A decision-analytic tree model from the payer perspective (National Health Service in the United Kingdom) was generated on which cost-effectiveness analyses were performed using a probabilistic sensitivity analysis, accounting only for direct medical costs. Clinical data from the Tackling AKI study were used as inputs and economic and utility data derived from relevant published literature. RESULTS: A total of 24,059 AKI episodes occurred during the study period, and in 18,887 admissions the patient was discharged alive. When all AKI stages were considered together, the cost per AKI admission was £5065 in the control arm and £4333 in the intervention arm, representing an incremental cost saving of £732 per admission with the intervention. Similar results were obtained when AKI stages were included as separate variables. Costs per quality-adjusted life year were £61,194 in the control group and £51,161 in the intervention group. At a willingness to pay threshold of £20,000 per quality-adjusted life year, the probability of the intervention being cost-effective compared with standard care was 90%. CONCLUSION: An organizational level approach to improve standards of AKI care reduces the cost of hospital admissions and is cost effective within the National Health Service in the United Kingdom.
