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Chitosan and chitosan/hexamethylenetetramine (HMT) macrospheres were prepared respectively by dropping the solution of chitosan and chitosan/HMT (in wt/wt ratios of 1:1 and 1:3) in aq. NaOH solution. Here, HMT served as an additional nitrogen precursor for in situ N-doping with chitosan derived activated carbon (AC). The as-formed macrospheres were impregnated using ZnCl 2 , freeze-dried and carbonized at 500 °C under inert atmosphere to yield ACs of size ranging from 2.5 to 2.8 mm. All the samples were characterized using SEM, EDS, CHNS Analyzer, TGA, FT-IR, Raman, XRD and BET surface area analyzer. All the samples showed mesoporous characteristics. The surface area of the AC without HMT, with 1:1 HMT and 1:3 HMT were 391.502, 259.017 and 111.717 m 2 /g respectively. Similarly, the pore volumes of AC without HMT, with 1:1 HMT and 1:3 HMT were 0.138, 0.095 and 0.075 cc/g respectively. The chitosan/HMT derived AC possessed higher N-content and better thermal stability, however exhibited lower surface properties with increasing HMT content. The CO 2 adsorption capacity of chitosan derived AC was 97.98 mg/g while that of AC with 1:1 HMT and 1:3 HMT were 72.95 mg/g, 55.11 mg/g respectively at 25 °C and 1 bar. Deterioration in adsorption capacity of chitosan/HMT derived AC may be attributed to the physical cross-linking of chitosan polymer chains induced by increase in pH with addition of HMT and also the intermolecular H-bonding interaction between HMT and chitosan, which in turn reduces the surface area of as-formed N-doped ACs progressively.

Metal oxides based graphene nanocomposites were used for ammonia vapour sensing. The self-assembly process was adopted to prepare freestanding flexible pure rGO, CeO 2 -rGO and SnO 2 -rGO composite papers. The structural studies confirmed the formation of rGO composite papers. The ammonia vapor sensing was demonstrated using an impedance analyzer at different humidity levels as well as concentration. The CeO 2 -rGO composite paper achieved a sensitivity of 51.70 ± 1.2%, which was higher than that of pure rGO and SnO 2 -rGO composite paper. Both the surfaces (top and bottom) of the papers are active in efficiently sensing ammonia, which makes the present work unique. The results reveal that metal oxide/rGO papers can be effectively utilized in real time sensor application.

Preparation of nitrogen-doped porous activated carbon materials gained much importance in recent years due to their enhanced CO 2 adsorption properties and CO 2 /N 2 selectivity as against undoped counterparts. In this study, N-doped activated carbon macrospheres were prepared by carbonization of casein-coated chitosan macrospheres obtained by coacervation method, where chitosan serves as a nitrogen containing carbon (C/N) precursor and casein serves as an additional polymeric nitrogen source. Uncoated chitosan macrospheres were also prepared in NaOH solution for comparative studies. SEM–EDS, CHN analysis, BET surface area analysis, Raman, FTIR, XRD and XPS were performed on both samples to compare the textural characteristics of the activated carbons prepared. Thermal analysis using TGA and DTG revealed that coacervated sample possessed improved thermal stability. The CO 2 adsorption studies showed an enhanced adsorption capacity for the activated carbon prepared from chitosan/casein macrospheres (123.57 mg/g) than for the activated carbon from chitosan/NaOH macrospheres (97.98 mg/g) at 25 °C and 1 bar. The activated carbon prepared from chitosan/casein macrospheres exhibited an excellent CO 2 /N 2 selectivity. Furthermore, a steady CO 2 uptake studied up to 5 cycles indicates the material is thermally stable and reusable without deterioration in CO 2 adsorption capacity. Graphical abstract

The efficacy of methotrexate (MTX), a widely used chemotherapeutic drug, is limited by its gastrointestinal toxicity and the mechanism of which is not clear. The present study investigates the possible role of mitochondrial damage in MTX-induced enteritis. Small intestinal injury was induced in Wistar rats by the administration of 7 mg kg−1 body wt. MTX intraperitoneally for 3 consecutive days. MTX administration resulted in severe small intestinal injury and extensive damage to enterocyte mitochondria. Respiratory control ratio, the single most useful and reliable test of mitochondrial function, and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yll)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide reduction, a measure of cell viability were significantly reduced in all the fractions of MTX-treated rat enterocytes. A massive decrease (nearly 70%) in the activities of complexes II and IV was also observed. The results of the present study suggest that MTX-induced damage to enterocyte mitochondria may play a critical role in enteritis. MTX-induced alteration in mitochondrial structure may cause its dysfunction and decreases the activities of the electron chain complexes. MTX-induced mitochondrial damage can result in reduced adenosine triphosphate synthesis, thereby interfering with nutrient absorption and enterocyte renewal. This derangement may contribute to malabsorption of nutrients, diarrhea, and weight loss seen in patients on MTX chemotherapy.

Background Therapeutic options for complex anal fistula (CAF) are limited. Video-assisted anal fistula treatment (VAAFT) allows examination of these anatomically complex fistulae from within. The aim of the present study was to evaluate outcomes of VAAFT for a series of CAF. Methods A retrospective study was conducted on consecutive patients at a single centre with complex anal cryptoglandular and Crohn’s fistulae managed with VAAFT from June 2016 to June 2019. CAF was diagnosed as high intersphincteric/transsphincteric tract, multiple/secondary tracts, horseshoe or anovaginal fistulae. Patients were treated with ‘therapeutic intent’ if the internal opening was closed at the time of ablation and ‘diagnostic/staged/palliative’ VAAFT if there was no ablation/partial treatment/ablation-only, respectively. Symptom improvement was a reduction in reported pain, discharge, or pad use. Results Eighty-four patients (73 cryptoglandular, 11 Crohn’s, M:F 2.5:1, median age 43 [22–77] years), underwent 105 VAAFT procedures. Twenty patients had > 1 VAAFT. Median follow-up was 8 (1–46) months. 40 (48%) had multiple or secondary tracts; an additional 16 (19%) had horseshoe and 3 (4%) anovaginal fistulae . Of the 84 patients, 19 [16/73 (22%) cryptoglandular and 3/11 (27%) Crohn’s fistulae] healed. 34 (40%) unhealed reported improved symptoms; 23 (27%) no improvement; and 6 (7%) were worse. Sixteen (19%) had CAF > 5 years of whom none healed, albeit 50% reported symptom improvement. Five patients (6%) developed faecal incontinence: 2 temporary, 1 to flatus only and 1 to liquid and 1 to solid, all managed conservatively. Conclusions VAAFT is a useful minimally invasive procedure for complex fistula with no other minimally invasive options. Complete healing is rare, and, although symptoms can be improved in a number of cases, there is a small risk of incontinence .

Background: Infertility can have a significant impact on the identity of women. Individual women, who are infertile, experience tragic emotions, as well as those who are sad for great losses, like the death of a loved one. In this case, the woman is experiencing the loss of the ability to procreate. Aim: In the present study, our major concern was to implement the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) Questionnaire on South Indian polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) women to assess the impact of various clinical features of polycystic ovary syndrome on the HRQOL of South Indian women diagnosed. Settings and Design: A total of 126 females in the first phase and 356 females in the second phase between the age group of 18-40 years characterised under the Rotterdam criteria were selected for the study. Materials and Methods: The study was carried out in three different phases which included a one-to-one interview, group discussion and questionnaire session. In our study, we found that all the females who attend the study showed positivity for all the domains developed in the previous study and suggested that further domain can be developed. Statistical Analysis Used: Suitable statistical methods were used with Graph pad PRISM (version 6). Results: Hence, in our study, we developed a further new sixth domain called as 'social impact domain'. Among South Indian PCOS women, we found that infertility and social issue have the most significant impact on HRQOL. Conclusion: The revised questionnaire by including the sixth domain called 'Social issue' is likely to be useful in measuring the quality of health of female having PCOS in regard to South Indian population.

Solar energy is gradually approaching a most important form of renewable energy. Using solar tracker, additional energy can be produced, since the solar plate can maintain a vertical angle to the sunrays. Given the substantial initial expense of setting up the tracking device, there are less expensive alternatives that have been suggested over period. This paper addresses the strategy and development of solar tracking device prototype which has one axis of independence. Here, Light Dependent Resistors (LDRs) are used to sense the sunlight.

We report a case of a solitary liver metastasis from breast cancer in a 65-year-old woman. The patient underwent a mastectomy and axillary lymph node clearance for right breast cancer in 1990. A solitary metastasis was found in the left lobe of the liver by ultrasonography, 20 years after the initial mastectomy. A left lateral segmentectomy was performed in January 2011 and adjuvant hormonal therapy was also initiated. At present, she remains disease free. This case demonstrates the implementation of liver resection to provide an effective treatment for metachronous metastatic breast cancer. We encourage surgeons to offer suitable patients this surgical treatment option, which is shown to provide a survival benefit.

The objective of this project is to control all electronic device in the house, remotely and to automate some parts of the house like pipes, garage using Arduino or raspberry pi. The raspberry pi is a microprocessor which can be used for multiple purposes like getting input signal, based on the signal the output is calculated and sent to the actuators. Here we use raspberry pi board, few dc motors (this motor works on dc using permanent magnet), LED lights and a model of 3d model of the house. The prototype model build using 3d printer and electrical bulb, doors, fan and washing machine are demonstrated. This project will be a real-world model which will have the ability to perform task of operating devices, remotely. This project will help the people to keep an eye on their house when they are not home and help to on or off some of the appliances when they are away from home.