Sunlight-driven photocatalytic degradation of ciprofloxacin and organic dyes by biosynthesized rGO-ZrO2 nanocomposites.

Aquatic ecology has been greatly threatened by the discharge of effluents of textile and antibiotic industries into natural waters. Herein, an efficient and easily recycled reduced graphene oxide/zirconium oxide nanocomposite has been synthesized using banana peel extract (abbreviated as rGO-ZrO2 in this work). The X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electronic microscopy (FESEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy were used to analyze the synthesized material. The as-prepared rGO-ZrO2 nanocomposite was employed as a photocatalyst for the decomposition of rhodamine blue (RhB) and crystal violet (CV) dyes, and ciprofloxacin (CIP) antibiotic by illumination with direct sunlight. The RhB and CV were degraded to maximum extent of around 86 and 90%, respectively, over the rGO-ZrO2 nanocomposite after exposure to direct sunlight for 120 min. On the other hand, the degradation of CIP was approximately 93.1% over the rGO-ZrO2 nanocomposite in 240 min under same experimental conditions. Further studies were performed regarding the role of parameters like pH, catalyst dose, and scavengers, in order to understand the superiority of rGO-ZrO2 nanocomposite in degrading organic pollutants. Moreover, the intermediate products and plausible CIP degradation mechanisms were examined using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Moreover, the catalyst was easily separated from the solution and demonstrated good stability and reusability. The RhB, CV, and CIP removal efficiency were 80%, 83%, and 88%, respectively, after five cycles.

Disease Knowledge and General Self-Efficacy Among Adolescents with Thalassemia Major and Their Parents' Perspective.

Thalassemia major can affect physical, psycho-social and economic life of patients and their parents. The aim of the study was to assess the disease knowledge and general self-efficacy among adolescents with Thalassemia major and their parents' perspective with a view to develop an informational booklet on thalassemia. In a cross-sectional study 50 adolescents along with 48 parents were recruited from the hematology day care centre of a tertiary care facility. Ethical clearance from institute ethics committee, written informed consent from parent and assent from the adolescent were taken. Consecutive participants those who consented were enrolled in the study. Adolescents between the age group of 10-18 years, and their parents completed the self-developed subject data sheet, knowledge questionnaire and standardized general self-efficacy tools. The mean knowledge scores of the adolescent and their parents related to thalassemia were 13.9 ± 2.9 and 13.7 ± 3.6 respectively, while the perceived GSE scores of the adolescent along with the parents' perspective were 30.1 ± 6.1 and 29.3 ± 6.5. Positive correlation between the adolescents' knowledge with GSE (r = 0.464, p = 0.007) was observed. The knowledge of the adolescents and their parents showed significant association with the education (p = 0.001, p = 0.002) residence (p = 0.04 and p = 0.01) and parents' employment (p = 0.04). The knowledge of adolescents with thalassemia and their parents is limited. There is need to counsel the adolescents and their parents about the disease and its management in order to improve the GSE of these adolescents.

Heteroatom-doped graphene as sensing materials: a mini review.

Graphene is one of the astounding recent advancements in current science and one of the most encouraging materials for application in cutting-edge electronic gadgets. Graphene and its derivatives like graphene oxide and reduced graphene oxide have emerged as significant nanomaterials in the area of sensors. Furthermore, doping of graphene and its derivatives with heteroatoms (B, N, P, S, I, Br, Cl and F) alters their electronic and chemical properties which are best suited for the construction of economical sensors of practical utility. This review recapitulates the developments in graphene materials as emerging electrochemical, ultrasensitive explosive, gas, glucose and biological sensors for various molecules with greater sensitivity, selectivity and a low limit of detection. Apart from the most important turn of events, the properties and incipient utilization of the ever evolving family of heteroatom-doped graphene are also discussed. This review article encompasses a wide range of heteroatom-doped graphene materials as sensors for the detection of NH3, NO2, H2O2, heavy metal ions, dopamine, bleomycinsulphate, acetaminophen, caffeic acid, chloramphenicol and trinitrotoluene. In addition, heteroatom-doped graphene materials were also explored for sensitivity and selectivity with respect to interfering analytes present in the system. Finally, the review article concludes with future perspectives for the advancement of heteroatom-doped graphene materials.

Developmental Status of Children Operated for Esophageal Atresia with or without Tracheoesophageal Fistula Along with Maternal Stress, Their Quality of life, and Coping Abilities at AIIMS, New Delhi.

INTRODUCTION: Esophageal atresia with or without tracheoesophageal fistula (EA with or without TEF) is one of the neonatal surgical emergencies requiring surgical intervention in the early neonatal period, influencing the developmental outcome in the operated children. This study was aimed to assess the developmental status of children operated for EA with or without TEF along with maternal stress, their quality of life (QOL), and coping abilities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted on 51 children aged up to 5 years after EA with or without TEF repair and their mothers' in a tertiary care facility. The tools used were, namely, demographic datasheet of child and mother, anthropometry assessment, Developmental Assessment Scale for Indian Infants, and modified Vineland Social Maturity Scale for the developmental evaluation, Child Behavior Checklist (1.5-5 years) caregiver report form, Parental Stress Scale, WHOQOL BREF, and Coping Strategies Checklist. RESULTS: The majority of children had low weight (47.1%) and height (31.4%), for reference age. The overall and social developmental delay was observed in 40.7 and 37.5% of children, respectively, and few children (7.4%) had behavioral problems in the borderline range. Among the mothers, 47% had moderate stress and relatively poor QOL in environmental (60.1 ± 18.9) and psychological (60.8 ± 18.8) domains. The most commonly used coping strategy by the mothers was an emotional outlet (29.4%). CONCLUSION: Developmental delay was present in children operated for EA with or without TEF caused significant stress among mothers, affecting their QOL for which the emotional outlet was the most commonly used coping strategy.