Blue-emitting copper-doped zinc oxide nanocrystals.
We report the first synthesis of Cu doped in the core region of ZnO nanocrystals and fluorescing in the blue region, establishing the novel possibility of using these as fluorescent probes.
Letter↗
Biomedical subjects
S Basu
Publications and source records attributed to S Basu.
Water precautions and ear surgery: evidence and practice in the UK.
BACKGROUND: Patients are traditionally advised to refrain from exposing their ears to water after most otological procedures. However, recent evidence suggests that water does not adversely affect the outcome for children with tympanostomy tubes. The evidence behind the potential harmful effects of water on the outcome of other otological procedures is scarce. OBJECTIVE: The study was done to determine the current practice of otolaryngology consultants in the UK on the advice given to patients regarding swimming, diving and bathing in soapy water after myringotomy and tympanostomy tube insertion, mastoidectomy and myringoplasty. METHOD: Questionnaire based survey mailed to 382 members (consultants only) of the British Association of Otolaryngologists--Head & Neck Surgeons in the UK. RESULTS: A total of 195 responses were received (reply rate 51 per cent). In all, 95.6 per cent of the respondents allowed their patients to swim after insertion of tympanostomy tubes, with 32.9 per cent insisting on the use of earplugs until extrusion of the tympanostomy tubes. However, 61.6 per cent of the respondents restricted diving in these patients. In comparison, the respondents were more conservative with water precautions following myringoplasty and mastoidectomy. More than half the respondents recommended earplugs for bathing after all three operations. CONCLUSION: This study reveals current national practice among UK otolaryngologists. There is no general consensus in post-operative advice following otolaryngological procedures, indicating a need for national guidelines.
Baths↗
Reply to dr Haigis. Re: Errors in self-programming the Hoffer Q formula.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Algorithms↗
Ultraviolet-visible-near infrared and mid-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic studies of intermolecular interaction in cholesteryl oleyl carbonate in mesophases.
Ultraviolet-visible-near infrared (UV-Vis-NIR) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic studies are presented of molecular association between like molecules of cholesteryl oleyl carbonate, each containing suitable pi-donor (steroid ring C=C) and pi-acceptor (C-O single bonds united with a C=O bond to give a carbonate group) moieties. Frequency shifts and intensity enhancements of donor and acceptor oscillators appear to be governed by reduced mass, vibronic coupling constants, and a few other parameters such as relative change in force constants, etc. Donor-acceptor complex formation is characterized not only by the appearance of new bands in the mid-FTIR spectrum but also by the emergence of a new, intense electronic band centered at approximately 3700 cm(-1), the so-called charge-transfer band, in the UV-Vis-NIR spectrum. This band is strong in the smectic-A and solid phases, but progressively diminishes when temperature is raised to realize the upper end of the cholesteric phase and eventually the isotropic phase. Also, a new, small electronic band at approximately 360 nm, only seen in the entire thermal range of the cholesteric phase, is attributed to the Lifshitz-van der Waals interaction between pretransitional smectic-A domains existing in the cholesteric phase. It is argued that mesophases may owe their thermodynamic stability to both Lifshitz-van der Waals and vibronic coupling (or electron-phonon coupling in extended systems such as smectics and solids) interactions.
Journal Article↗
Ectopic meningioma: a case report with a literature review.
Ectopic (extradural) meningiomas that do not originate from either the optic fascicle or the intracranial meninges are exceedingly rare. A patient with an ectopic meningioma in the external auditory canal and mastoid was treated in our unit. The world literature of the last 20 years was reviewed.
Audiometry, Pure-Tone↗
Effects of cis-9,trans-11 CLA in rats at intake levels reported for breast-fed infants.
CLA intake in exclusively breast-fed infants is close to levels found to have physiological effects in animals. However, in the majority of studies mixtures of CLA isomers have been used and the independent effects of the major CLA isomer in human milk, cis-9,trans-11 CLA, at the intake level in exclusively breast-fed infants have hardly been studied. We therefore studied the effects of cis-9,trans-11 CLA on plasma lipids and glucose, immune function, and bone metabolism in growing rats. Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 10/group) were fed either 20 mg/kg/d cis-9,trans-11 CLA and 20 mg/kg/d sunflower oil (CLA20), 40 mg/kg/d cis-9,trans-11 CLA (CLA40), or 40 mg/kg/d sunflower oil (placebo) for 8 wk. No significant differences between groups were found in plasma lipids, glucose, insulin, C-reactive protein, or lipid peroxidation. Liver fat content was lowest in the CLA20 group. In vitro interleukin 2 (IL-2) production increased, and tumor necrosis factor alpha, IL-1beta, prostaglandin E2, and leukotriene B4 production decreased in the CLA20 group. No differences between groups were detected in IL-4, IL-6, or interferon gamma production, plasma osteocalcin, insulin-like growth factor, or urinary deoxypyridinoline crosslinks. Plasma tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b activity was significantly increased in the CLA40 group. The results indicate anti-inflammatory effects and enhanced T-cell function for the CLA20 group. No adverse effects were seen in the CLA20 group, whereas indications of increased bone resorption rate were observed in the CLA40 group.
Animals↗
A survey of follow-up practice of urologists across Britain and Ireland following nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma.
AIM: To determine the follow-up protocol for interval assessment of patients following radical nephrectomy for renal cell cancer and to compare them with the recommendations proposed in the literature. METHODS: Consultant urologists across Britain and Ireland completed a postal questionnaire. One follow-up mailing was used to encourage non-responders. The responses were analysed in the light of the recommendations from European Association of Urology and American guidelines. Also information was collected from the respondents on the choice of follow-up investigations for renal cell cancer and the total duration of follow-up. RESULTS: Of the 480 urologists surveyed 292 (60.8%) responded. Most respondents recommended regular follow-up with chest radiography (CR), ultrasound and computed tomography (CT). For T1 disease CR was requested by 28, 62 and 55%; for T2 disease by 30, 66 and 51%; for T3 disease by 39, 63, and 48% at 3, 6 and 12 months, respectively. For T1 disease US was requested by 5, 23 and 30%; for T2 disease 6, 27 and 30%; for T3 disease 8, 25, and 26% at 3, 6 and 12 months, respectively. For T1 disease an abdominal CT was requested by 2, 17 and 21%; for T2 disease 3.7, 19.5 and 26%; for T3 disease 10, 31, and 33% at 3, 6 and 12 months, respectively. Only one respondent followed the guidelines suggested in the literature. Further follow-up after 12 months for 5 and 10 years was suggested by 58.2 and 21.3% for T1, 53 and 24.73% for T2, and 45.5 and 25.5% for T3, respectively. There is appreciable variation in the frequency of use and timing of imaging. CONCLUSIONS: Most respondents perform follow-up after radical nephrectomy in patients with renal cancer, with considerable variability in their practices. In the current increasingly cost-conscious healthcare industry a scientifically justified follow-up should be considered.
Carcinoma, Renal Cell↗
Papillary thyroid carcinoma with exuberant nodular fasciitis-like stroma: treatment outcome and prognosis.
Papillary thyroid carcinoma with nodular fasciitis-like stroma (PTC-NFS) is one of the extremely rare variants of papillary thyroid carcinoma. To date, the majority of reported cases have been published in the surgical pathology and cytopathology literature, addressing the diagnostic difficulties posed by the condition's extensive, reactive stromal proliferation. Because of the rarity of PTC-NFS among papillary thyroid carcinoma variants, it has been unexplored from a clinical viewpoint. A MEDLINE search on the clinical course, role of radioiodine, treatment outcome and long term follow up of this disease yielded no result.We report the clinicoradiologic and histopathologic profile, together with post-treatment long term follow up, in a 35-year-old woman harbouring this rare entity. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a five-year follow up of this rare variant of PTC following total thyroidectomy and radioiodine treatment. Our follow-up findings reiterate the disease's favourable clinical course when managed in the same manner as a classical, differentiated papillary carcinoma of the thyroid, akin to that predicted by the pathologists, and emphasize the importance of differentiating PTC-NFS as a separate entity from the papillary carcinoma variants with aggressive histology. Given the rarity of this condition, the experience gained from the present case is a useful addition to the current knowledge on disease prognostication and management.A systematic review of the existing literature on PTC-NFS, including the case reported in the present paper, is also carried out, aiming to explore the patient characteristics and clinical behaviour pattern of this rare entity and to make appropriate recommendations on management strategy. The age of presentation ranges from 20 to 82 years, with a mean of 44.5 years. Female preponderance was observed, with a female to male ratio of 3ratio1. No racial predilection was observed. Tumour size varied from 2 to 9 cm along its greatest diameter (mean = 4.3 cm). Metastasis to lymph nodes at presentation occurred in 25 per cent of cases. Metastasis to surrounding structures (e.g. parathyroid and skeletal muscle) was observed in 12.5 per cent. There have been no reports of pulmonary or skeletal metastasis at presentation.
Adult↗
Comparison of IOL power calculations by the IOLMaster vs theoretical calculations.
PURPOSE: This study evaluates the agreement between the calculations performed by IOLMaster and as performed according to the published methods, for three formulas, Holladay I, Hoffer Q, and SRK-T. METHOD: Hypothetical and identical data were used as input variables for calculations by IOLMaster and by a computer program written in visual basic to perform calculations with the three formulas. Results were compared and statistical significance carried out. RESULTS: Significant disagreement was found using Hoffer-Q formula between the results shown by the study program and IOLMaster, while identical results were obtained using Holladay I and SRK-T formulas. For an average eye (AL 23.45 mm and K 45D, ACD constant 6.15, vertex 12 mm), the mean difference in the predicted postoperative (postop) SE between the study-set and IOLMaster dataset was 0.13 D (+/-0.03 D), which is a measure for the systematic error (relative bias). In such eyes, the mean predicted postop ACD in IOLMaster dataset was 0.11 mm (+/-0.04 mm) less than in the study-set, and the data spread of the predicted postop ACD was much higher (+/-0.042 mm) indicating more discrepancy in predicting ACD with IOLMaster. CONCLUSION: When using Hoffer-Q formula, the mean predicted postop SE with IOLMaster was 0.13 D less than the computation in this study, that is, IOLMaster was showing a consistently myopic overestimation, or, a mean undercorrection of necessary intraocular lens power by 0.13 D, or, a residual hyperopic error of 0.13 D. This translates to a consistently more anterior estimation (0.11 mm mean) of predicted postop ACD by IOLMaster, as compared with theoretical analysis.
Algorithms↗
A tapeworm molecule manipulates vitellogenin expression in the beetle Tenebrio molitor.
Metacestodes of Hymenolepis diminuta secrete a molecule that decreases vitellogenin (Vg) synthesis in the beetle host, Tenebrio molitor. The 5608 bp T. molitor Vg cDNA represents a single-copy gene encoding a single open reading frame of 1821 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of 206 kDa. Northern blot analysis revealed detectable levels of transcripts only in adult females. In vivo, Vg mRNA abundance was significantly higher in fat bodies from infected females compared with control females at all but the earliest time point. In vitro, Vg mRNA abundance was significantly increased in fat bodies incubated with live stage I-II parasites. The apparent conflict between increased Vg mRNA abundance and decreased Vg protein in fat bodies from infected females is discussed.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
Stable disease and improved health-related quality of life (HRQoL) following fractionated low dose 131I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) therapy in metastatic paediatric paraganglioma: observation on false "reverse" discordance during pre-therapy work up and its implication for patient selection for high dose targeted therapy.
The incidence of paraganglioma in the paediatric population is exceedingly rare, accounting for < 0.1% of childhood cancers. We report here the response and toxicity profile in a case of malignant paraganglioma which was treated with what is currently perceived as an unconventional and non-standard approach, using three consecutive low doses of 131I-MIBG (a cumulative dose of 11 647.6 MBq). The patient had a stable disease at the end of 42 months follow-up following the first treatment with 131I-MIBG. Excellent symptomatic and hormonal responses were observed. The only adverse effect was mild nausea in the first 24 h after therapy. In addition to the potentially primary end point of radiological and biochemical response measurement, we, in this paper, endeavoured to look for a quality of life evaluation for this form of treatment. Given the rarity of this condition, the experience gained by this therapeutic approach is intriguing from response and toxicity standpoints and may be extrapolated to malignant pheochromocytoma as well. An apparent "reverse discordance" between 131I-MIBG scintigraphy and 99Tc(m)-MDP bone scan encountered during pre-therapy work up is also described with possible explanations. This draws attention to an important clinical issue in selecting patients for high dose targeted therapy.
3-Iodobenzylguanidine↗
Harmonic scalpel tonsillectomy: a prospective study.
The harmonic scalpel has been in use for tonsillectomy for the last 5-6 years in western Europe and North America. Although some studies have found this technique to be superior to other conventional methods, its use is still not very popular. In this single-blinded prospective study, the intraoperative events and postoperative morbidity after the use of harmonic scalpel in tonsillectomy (HST) was evaluated in 180 cases in two hospitals and compared with conventional steel tonsillectomy (CST) and hemostasis secured by bipolar diathermy or ligatures in 100 cases. Both bipolar diathermy and ligatures were used to control the intraoperative bleeding in all cases of CST and some cases (n =9) of HST. The study was done in two hospitals. Patients were randomized irrespectively of their age, sex, past history or indication for surgery. The total number of patients operated on was 180 for HST and 100 for CST. The surgical duration, intraoperative blood loss and postoperative pain were compared between the patients who only had tonsillectomy done in either group (n =120 in HST and n = 70 in CST). The mean operative time in the HST group was not longer than the CST group, but the intraoperative blood loss was significantly less in the HST group. Postoperative pain was present in all patients in the HST group, but to a lesser extent than in the CST group. There was no major postoperative hemorrhage in the HST group that required surgical attention. HST has the advantage over CST when secondary hemorrhage after tonsillectomy is considered. Thus, following the results of the National Prospective Tonsillectomy Audit (NPTA), it may be safe to say that HST is superior to most other conventional methods in reducing secondary hemorrhage. The use of disposable blades in CST certainly reduces the risk of the transmission of Cruetzfield-Jacob disease (CJD).
Adolescent↗
Cost-effective laparoscopic TEP inguinal hernia repair: the Portsmouth technique.
NICE (UK) has not recommended unilateral primary laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair because of its expense. A two-port technique without balloon inflator or routine tacking was developed, which helped reduce costs to just Pounds 35 more than day-case open hernia repair. Over a 6-month period, 40 patients underwent 60 TEP repairs with a 6-month follow up. Zero degree laparoscope (10 mm) and blunt graspers (5 mm) created the pre-peritoneal space, identified landmarks and completed the dissection. Trimmed 15 x 15 cm mesh was placed over each defect. Operating times for unilateral and bilateral hernias for consultants and supervised trainees were 30*, 42.5* and 40*, 55* min (*: Median) respectively. Verbal rating pain scores at 24 and 72 h were 1* (0-3) and 0* (0-2) respectively. Patients returned to activity, driving and work in 5*, 7* and 14* days respectively. Cost of laparoscopic hernia repair was calculated at Pounds 105. A two-port laparoscopic hernia repair can be performed effectively and safely, in reasonable time and at a low cost. These data support the use of this technique in primary unilateral inguinal hernia.
Adult↗
Analysis of conducting-system frequency response data for an interfacial amorphous phase of copper-core oxide-shell nanocomposites.
Complex electrical-conductivity experimental data sets for the interfacial amorphous phase in copper-core-copper-oxide-shell nanostructured composites have been analyzed using two Kohlrausch-related frequency response models recently developed for analysis of the dispersive electrical response of conductive materials. Such analysis has been carried out for both the precursor (herein referred to as the reference) glass as well as the glass in which the core-shell nanostructure was developed after suitable heat treatment. Complex nonlinear-least-squares data fitting at each temperature employed composite Kohlrausch models that included electrode effects. Because of the lack of sufficient high-frequency data, it was necessary to use fixed, rather than free, values of the shape parameter beta1 of the model. On the basis of topological considerations, its values were set at 13 and 23 for the reference glass and the core-shell structured glass, respectively. The activation energies of resistivity for the reference and the treated glasses were found to have values of about 2 and 0.4 eV, respectively, indicating two different mechanisms of electrical conduction. A blocking-electrode measurement on the reference glass indicated the presence of an electronic as well as an ionic component of the electrical conductivity, with the ionic part dominating at the temperatures for which the present analyses were carried out.
Journal Article↗
Active smoking and a history of smoking are associated with enhanced prostaglandin F(2alpha), interleukin-6 and F2-isoprostane formation in elderly men.
The underlying mechanisms by which smoking induces cardiovascular diseases are largely unknown. The effect of smoking status on the cyclooxygenase (COX)-mediated inflammatory indicator prostaglandin F(2alpha) (PGF(2alpha)) has never been studied. Associations of cytokines and antioxidants and smoking status, have shown conflicting results. Urinary 15-keto-dihydro-PGF(2alpha) (a major metabolite of PGF(2alpha)), serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), serum amyloid protein A (SAA), urinary 8-iso-PGF(2alpha) (an F(2)-isoprostane, indicator of oxidative stress), and serum alpha-tocopherol were quantified in a population-based sample (n = 642) of 77-year old men without diabetes. Fifty-five men were current smokers and 391 former smokers. Inflammatory indicators were increased in current smokers (15-keto-dihydro-PGF(2alpha), P < 0.001; IL-6, P = 0.01) than non-smokers. 8-iso-PGF(2alpha) was increased (P < 0.01) and alpha-tocopherol reduced (P < 0.001) in current smokers. Further, former smokers had increased formation of 15-keto-dihydro-PGF(2alpha), IL-6 and 8-iso-PGF(2alpha) compared non-smokers. This is the first study to show that smokers have increased PGF(2alpha) formation, thus enhanced COX-mediated inflammation, in addition to elevated levels of cytokines and isoprostanes. Subclinical COX- and cytokine-mediated inflammation and oxidative stress are ongoing processes not only in active smokers but also in former smokers which may contribute to the accelerated atherosclerosis associated with smoking.
Aged↗
Retrospective evaluation of cardio-pulmonary fibrotic side effects in symptomatic patients from a group of 234 Parkinson's disease patients treated with cabergoline.
BACKGROUND: Cardiac valvulopathy has been recently associated with the use of the ergot dopamine agonist (EDA) pergolide in Parkinson's disease (PD). Cabergoline a widely used, well-tolerated EDA which has also been recently implicated in relation to fibrotic side effects although the evidence base for this is not sound. AIMS: In PD patients on chronic cabergoline therapy, do symptoms suggestive of serosal/cardiac fibrosis imply underlying fibrotic lesions? METHODS: A retrospective data review of 234 PD cases from three UK centres, on chronic cabergoline monotherapy or adjunctive treatment to identify symptoms suggestive of pleuro-pulmonary, cardiac or retroperitoneal fibrosis. These causes were thereafter selectively examined by appropriate specialists with relevant investigations. CONCLUSIONS: Out of 234 cases, 15 were identified with symptoms suggestive of respiratory, cardiac or abdominal systems involvement although subsequent investigations failed to reveal definite association with cabergoline except two cases with probable alveolitis and a possible association with cardiac murmur in one case. In spite of the deficiencies of a retrospective study, the results suggest a low risk of fibrotic side effects with cabergoline, particularly cardiac valvulopathy.
Adult↗
Biomarkers of oxidative stress study II: are oxidation products of lipids, proteins, and DNA markers of CCl4 poisoning?
Oxidation products of lipids, proteins, and DNA in the blood, plasma, and urine of rats were measured as part of a comprehensive, multilaboratory validation study searching for noninvasive biomarkers of oxidative stress. This article is the second report of the nationwide Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress Study using acute CCl4 poisoning as a rodent model for oxidative stress. The time-dependent (2, 7, and 16 h) and dose-dependent (120 and 1200 mg/kg i.p.) effects of CCl4 on concentrations of lipid hydroperoxides, TBARS, malondialdehyde (MDA), isoprostanes, protein carbonyls, methionine sulfoxidation, tyrosine products, 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), leukocyte DNA-MDA adducts, and DNA-strand breaks were investigated to determine whether the oxidative effects of CCl4 would result in increased generation of these oxidation products. Plasma concentrations of MDA and isoprostanes (both measured by GC-MS) and urinary concentrations of isoprostanes (measured with an immunoassay or LC/MS/MS) were increased in both low-dose and high-dose CCl4-treated rats at more than one time point. The other urinary markers (MDA and 8-OHdG) showed significant elevations with treatment under three of the four conditions tested. It is concluded that measurements of MDA and isoprostanes in plasma and urine as well as 8-OHdG in urine are potential candidates for general biomarkers of oxidative stress. All other products were not changed by CCl4 or showed fewer significant effects.
8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine↗
Biomarkers of oxidative stress study III. Effects of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents indomethacin and meclofenamic acid on measurements of oxidative products of lipids in CCl4 poisoning.
Plasma and urinary levels of malondialdehyde-like products (MDA) and isoprostanes were identified as markers of in vivo lipid peroxidation in an animal model of CCl4 poisoning. We sought to determine the extent to which the formation of these oxidation products is influenced by inhibition of the cyclooxygenase enzymes which catalytically generate proinflammatory lipid peroxidation products known as prostaglandins and thromboxane. In the present studies, after induction of oxidant stress in rats with CCl4, lipid peroxidation products measured in plasma and urine demonstrate that isoprostanes and MDA can be partially inhibited by cyclooxygenase inhibitors, albeit to different extents. The lowering of isoprostane and MDA formation, however, may not to due primarily to the diminution of catalytic generation of isoprostanes or MDA by the cyclooxygenases but, rather, may be the result of the suppression of nonenzymatic lipid peroxidation. This is suggested since 8,12-iso-iPF2alpha-VI is also reduced by indomethacin, yet, unlike other isoprostanes and MDA, it is not generated catalytically by the cyclooxygenase. Thus, although the two cyclooxygenase inhibitors we tested have statistically significant effects on the measurements of both isoprostanes and MDA in this study, the results provide evidence that these lipid-degradation products primarily constitute markers of oxidative stress.
Animals↗