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Nickel–cobalt hydroxide thin films were synthesized using the chemical bath deposition method, and the effect of thermal annealing (373–673 K) on their physicochemical and electrochemical characteristics was explored. The X-ray diffraction study showed a cubic crystalline structure of NiCo 2 O 4 electrode formed above annealing temperature of 573 K. Field emission scanning electron spectroscopy (FE-SEM) study revealed that after annealing, NiCo 2 O 4 electrode showed urchin-like microspheres morphology with superhydrophilic nature. The electrode annealed at 573 K exhibited outstanding electrochemical performance with a specific capacitance of 470 F g −1 at 0.4 A g −1 current density. Over 2000 cycles, electrode demonstrated capacitive retention of 75.55%. Finally, NiCo 2 O 4 and Fe 2 O 3 thin films were used to construct the asymmetric supercapacitor (ASC) device. The ASC device manifested energy density of 40 Wh kg −1 at power density of 1.66 kW kg −1 and 82% retention after 2000 CV cycles. Graphical Abstract

Nickel-cobalt hydroxide thin films were synthesized using the chemical bath deposition method, and the effect of thermal annealing (373-673 K) on their physicochemical and electrochemical characteristics was explored. The X-ray diffraction study showed a cubic crystalline structure of NiCo.sub.2O.sub.4 electrode formed above annealing temperature of 573 K. Field emission scanning electron spectroscopy (FE-SEM) study revealed that after annealing, NiCo.sub.2O.sub.4 electrode showed urchin-like microspheres morphology with superhydrophilic nature. The electrode annealed at 573 K exhibited outstanding electrochemical performance with a specific capacitance of 470 F g.sup.-1 at 0.4 A g.sup.-1 current density. Over 2000 cycles, electrode demonstrated capacitive retention of 75.55%. Finally, NiCo.sub.2O.sub.4 and Fe.sub.2O.sub.3 thin films were used to construct the asymmetric supercapacitor (ASC) device. The ASC device manifested energy density of 40 Wh kg.sup.-1 at power density of 1.66 kW kg.sup.-1 and 82% retention after 2000 CV cycles.

Prostate cancer is a common malignancy in men and the worldwide burden of this disease is rising. Lifestyle modifications such as smoking cessation, exercise, and weight control offer opportunities to reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer. Early detection of prostate cancer by prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening is controversial, but changes in the PSA threshold, frequency of screening, and the use of other biomarkers have the potential to minimise the overdiagnosis associated with PSA screening. Several new biomarkers for individuals with raised PSA concentrations or those diagnosed with prostate cancer are likely to identify individuals who can be spared aggressive treatment. Several pharmacological agents such as 5α-reductase inhibitors and aspirin could prevent development of prostate cancer. In this Review, we discuss the present evidence and research questions regarding prevention, early detection of prostate cancer, and management of men either at high risk of prostate cancer or diagnosed with low-grade prostate cancer.

BackgroundElevated baseline (BL) C-reactive protein (CRP) levels can predict treatment response in patients (pts) with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Tofacitinib is a Janus kinase inhibitor for the treatment of AS.ObjectivesTo evaluate the impact of BL CRP levels on tofacitinib efficacy and safety in pts with AS.MethodsPost hoc analysis of pooled data from placebo (PBO)-controlled, randomised, double-blind trials (NCT01786668, Phase [P]2, 16 weeks; NCT03502616, P3, 48 weeks) in pts with AS on ≥1 dose of tofacitinib or PBO (P3: PBO-treated pts switched to tofacitinib after Week [W]16), by BL CRP: normal (NML) <5 mg/L; elevated (ELV) ≥5 mg/L. Tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily (BID) efficacy was assessed to W12/W16–48 (P3). Endpoints: Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS) 20/40, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) 50, AS-Disease Activity Score-CRP inactive disease (ASDAS-CRP ID), least squares mean change from BL (Δ) in nocturnal pain and Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-F). Safety was assessed to W16 and W48.ResultsOf 372 pts, 30.4/69.6% had NML/ELV BL CRP. Both groups had generally similar BL characteristics; more pts with ELV CRP were male, current smokers and had prior biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug use. At W12, ASAS20 response was greater for tofacitinib vs PBO in both groups (Figure 1); efficacy maintained to W48. At W12, the difference in response from PBO for tofacitinib was numerically greater for ELV vs NML CRP for ASAS20 (44.7% vs 15.9%), ASAS40 (34.6% vs 17.3%), BASDAI50 (33.8% vs 15.3%), ASDAS-CRP ID (9.5% vs 8.2%), Δnocturnal spinal pain (-2.1 vs -1.4) and ΔFACIT-F (5.2 vs 3.5). For tofacitinib, rates of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) and infections to W16 trended numerically higher for tofacitinib vs PBO in pts with NML CRP, but were similar to PBO in pts with ELV CRP (Table 1). There were few serious AEs (SAEs), serious infections (SIs) or herpes zoster (HZ) across groups and no deaths. Limitations: small sample size, differences in BL characteristics.Table 1.Safety outcomes by BL CRP (NML <5 mg/L; ELV ≥5 mg/L)n (%)IRd [95% CI]To W16To W48Tofacitinib 5 mg BIDaPBOAll tofacitinib 5 mg BIDbAll tofacitinibcNML N=58ELV N=127NML N=55ELV N=132NML N=91ELV N=225NML N=129ELV N=291TEAEs39 (67.2)365.4[259.9, 499.6]61 (48.0)222.7[170.4, 286.1]27 (49.1)240.7[158.6, 350.2]64 (48.5)235.4[181.3, 300.6]60 (65.9)188.2[143.7, 242.3]138 (61.3)146.5[123.1, 173.1]80 (62.0)202.5[160.6, 252.0]168 (57.7)155.6[133.0, 181.0]SAEs1 (1.7)5.6[0.1,31.0]2 (1.6)5.1[0.6,18.6]00.0[0.0,21.9]1 (0.8)2.5[0.1,14.0]5 (5.5)7.8[2.5,18.2]3 (1.3)1.8[0.4,5.3]5 (3.9)6.6[2.1,15.4]4 (1.4)2.2[0.6,5.5]All infections23 (39.7)158.0 [100.2, 237.1]28 (22.0)81.5[54.2, 117.8]13 (23.6)87.9 [46.8, 150.2]30 (22.7)83.9[56.6, 119.8]37 (40.7)82.1[57.8, 113.2]74 (32.9)56.7[44.5, 71.2]46 (35.7)84.1[61.6, 112.2]86 (29.6)58.0[46.4, 71.6]SIs1 (1.7)5.6[0.1, 31.0]00.0[0.0, 9.5]00.0[0.0, 21.9]00.0[0.0, 9.2]1 (1.1)1.5[0.0, 8.5]00.0[0.0, 2.2]1 (0.8)1.3[0.0, 7.3]00.0 [0.0, 2.0]HZ00.0[0.0,20.4]00.0[0.0,9.5]00.0[0.0, 21.9]00.0[0.0,9.2]2 (2.2)3.1[0.4,11.1]3 (1.3)1.8[0.4,5.3]3 (2.3)3.9[0.8,11.5]4 (1.4)2.2[0.6,5.5]Dis-continuationdue to AEs1 (1.7)5.6[0.1,31.0]3 (2.4)7.7[1.6,22.6]2 (3.6)11.9[1.4,43.0]2 (1.5)5.0[0.6,18.0]4 (4.4)6.1[1.6,15.7]7 (3.1)4.2[1.7,8.7]4 (3.1)5.2[1.4,13.4]8 (2.7)4.3[1.9,8.5]aTo W12: P2; W16: P3b To W12: P2; W48: P3c P2: tofacitinib 2, 5 or 10 mg BID to W12; P3: 5 mg BID to W48d Pts with events/100 pt-yearsCI, confidence interval; n, number of pts with an event within risk period (on treatment); N, number of pts in safety analysis setConclusionRegardless of BL CRP, at W12, tofacitinib was more efficacious vs PBO; and across endpoints, the differences in response from PBO for tofacitinib were numerically greater in pts with ELV vs NML CRP. Tofacitinib safety rates were consistent with PBO in pts with ELV CRP, but trended higher for tofacitinib vs PBO in pts with NML CRP.AcknowledgementsThis study was sponsored by Pfizer. Medical writing support, under the direction of the authors, was provided by Lavanyaa Manjunatha, PhD, CMC Connect, a division of IPG Health Medical Communications, and was funded by Pfizer, New York, NY, USA, in accordance with Good Publication Practice (GPP 2022) guidelines (Ann Intern Med 2022; 175: 1298-1304).Disclosure of InterestsAtul Deodhar Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, Aurinia, Bristol Myers Squibb, Celgene, Eli Lilly, GSK, Janssen, MoonLake, Novartis, Pfizer Inc and UCB, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Bristol Myers Squibb, Celgene, Eli Lilly, GSK, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer Inc and UCB, Xenofon Baraliakos Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Amgen, Chugai, Eli Lilly, Galapagos, Janssen, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer Inc, Roche, Sandoz and UCB, Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, Chugai, Eli Lilly, Galapagos, Janssen, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer Inc, Roche, Sandoz and UCB, Marina Magrey: None declared, Lianne S. Gensler: None declared, Amit V Thorat Shareholder of: Pfizer Inc, Employee of: Pfizer Inc, Cassandra Kinch Shareholder of: Pfizer Inc, Employee of: Pfizer Inc, Surya Pemmaraju Shareholder of: Pfizer Inc, Employee of: Pfizer Inc, Mary Jane Cadatal Shareholder of: Pfizer Inc, Employee of: Pfizer Inc, Peter Nash Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Bristol Myers Squibb, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer Inc, Galapagos and GSK, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Bristol Myers Squibb, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Pfizer Inc, Galapagos, GSK, Janssen and Novartis.

The socio-economic development of each district is crucial for the overall development of a State which improves the quality of life of people. In this context, this paper examines the level of development of different districts in Kerala with the help of Weighted Mean Development Index (WMDI). The study covered all fourteen districts of the state. The level of development was examined separately for population, health, education, transportation and communication, industries, agriculture, animal husbandry, tourism, banking, crime and overall socio-economic development using district-level data for the year 2019-20 on forty-five socio-economic indicators including ten major sectors. Findings show that the composite indices of overall socio-economic development ranged between 0.21 and 0.70 with the district of Ernakulam ranked first and the least ranked district was Pathanamthitta. Ernakulam and Thiruvananthapuram were the most developed districts whereas, Kasargode, Wayanad and Pathanamthitta were the least developed. The level of development in different districts of the state has shown wide disparities. It would be useful to investigate and evaluate the level of development at a lower level, such as Tehsil or block level, in order to make location-specific recommendations, as most low-developed districts have areas that are better developed than others.

In present study, using simple and inexpensive novel reflux method, Cadmium Oxide (CdO) thin films were successfully deposited on glass substrate. Here to deposit CdO on glass substrate, Cadmium Chloride (CdCl2) was used as a source of Cd+ ions, while ammonia was taken as complexing agent. Structural analysis and surface morphology of prepared CdO thin film was analyzed by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy respectively, Also wettability test was done by using goniometer which showed hydrophilic nature of deposited CdO thin film. Optical properties of CdO thin film was completed by using UV-Visible spectroscopy which revealed that deposited CdO thin film has direct band gap about 2.01 eV. NO2 gas sensing properties like sensitivity, response recovery & response time of prepared CdO sensor was determined by using Keithley gas sensing unit. In present work effect of concentration of NO2 gas on response of CdO sensor was studied and it was cleared that as NO2 gas concentration increases (25 ppm – 100 ppm), the response of CdO sensor was also increases & it becomes maximum i.e. (57 %) for 100 ppm of NO2 with optimized temperature of 200 C. Variation of response and recovery time with NO2 gas concentration was studied and it was concluded that as concentration of NO2 gas increases, response time increases while recovery time decreases.

Disease recurrence (locoregional, distant) exerts a significant clinical impact on the survival of estrogen receptor–positive breast cancer patients. Many of these recurrences occur late, more than 5 years after original diagnosis, and represent a major obstacle to the effective treatment of this disease. Indeed, methods to identify patients at risk of late recurrence and therapeutic strategies designed to avert or treat these recurrences are lacking. Therefore, an international workshop was convened in Toronto, Canada, in February 2018 to review the current understanding of late recurrence and to identify critical issues that require future study. In this article, the major issues surrounding late recurrence are defined and current approaches that may be applicable to this challenge are discussed. Specifically, diagnostic tests with potential utility in late-recurrence prediction are described as well as a variety of patient-related factors that may influence recurrence risk. Clinical and therapeutic approaches are also reviewed, with a focus on patient surveillance and the implementation of extended endocrine therapy in the context of late-recurrence prevention. Understanding and treating late recurrence in estrogen receptor–positive breast cancer is a major unmet clinical need. A concerted effort of basic and clinical research is required to confront late recurrence and improve disease management and patient survival.

Late disease recurrence (more than 5 years after initial diagnosis) represents a clinical challenge in the treatment and management of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer (BC). An international workshop was convened in Toronto, Canada, in February 2018 to review the current understanding of late recurrence and to identify critical issues that require future study. The underlying biological causes of late recurrence are complex, with the processes governing cancer cell dormancy, including immunosurveillance, cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and cellular stemness, being integral to disease progression. These critical processes are described herein as well as their role in influencing risk of recurrence. Moreover, observational and interventional clinical trials are proposed, with a focus on methods to identify patients at risk of recurrence and possible strategies to combat this in patients with estrogen receptor-positive BC. Because the problem of late BC recurrence of great importance, recent advances in disease detection and patient monitoring should be incorporated into novel clinical trials to evaluate approaches to enhance patient management. Indeed, future research on these issues is planned and will offer new options for effective late recurrence treatment and prevention strategies.

We report the solvothermal synthesis of nanostructured ZnO hexagons by hydrothermal method via intermediate zinc adipate. The intermediate zinc adipate was obtained using precursors zinc acetate and adipic acid in aqueous and organic medium. Detailed XRD analysis of the zinc adipate was studied for the first time. Thermal study of intermediate showed the formation of ZnO at 400 °C. XRD study demonstrated the existence of wrutzite ZnO of high degree of crystallinity with crystallite size in the range of 20–25 nm. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) showed distinguished morphology in different medium. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) demonstrated nanostructured ZnO hexagons with average size 25–50 nm. The band gap for aqueous and organic mediated ZnO was found to be 3.24 and 3.26 eV, respectively. The band gap obtained is higher than the bulk ZnO, which implies nanocrystalline nature of the material.

In this study, we report the synthesis of well-aligned nanocrystalline hexagonal zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles by facile solid-state and co-precipitation method. The co-precipitation reactions were performed using aqueous and ethylene glycol (EG) medium using zinc acetate and adipic acid to obtain zinc adipate and further decomposition at 450 °C to confer nanocrystalline ZnO hexagons. XRD shows the hexagonal wurtzite structure of the ZnO. Thermal study reveals complete formation of ZnO at 430 °C in case of solid-state method, whereas in case of co-precipitation method complete formation was observed at 400 °C. Field emission scanning electron microscope shows spherical morphology for ZnO synthesized by solid-state method. The aqueous-mediated ZnO by co-precipitation method shows rod-like morphology. These rods are formed via self assembling of spherical nanoparticles, however, uniformly dispersed spherical crystallites were seen in EG-mediated ZnO. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) investigations clearly show well aligned and highly crystalline transparent and thin hexagonal ZnO. The particle size was measured using TEM and was observed to be 50–60 nm in case of solid-state method and aqueous-mediated co-precipitation method, while 25–50 nm in case of EG-mediated co-precipitation method. UV absorption spectra showed sharp absorption peaks with a blue shift for EG-mediated ZnO, which demonstrate the mono-dispersed lower particle size. The band gap of the ZnO was observed to be 3.4 eV which is higher than the bulk, implies nanocrystalline nature of the ZnO. The photoluminescence studies clearly indicate the strong violet and weak blue emission in ZnO nanoparticles which is quite unique. The process investigated may be useful to synthesize other oxide semiconductors and transition metal oxides.