A novel amperometric catechol biosensor based on α-Fe2O3 nanocrystals-modified carbon paste electrode

In this work, we designed an amperometric catechol biosensor based on α-Fe2O3 nanocrystals (NCs) incorporated carbon-paste electrode. Laccase enzyme is then assembled onto the modified electrode surface to form a nanobiocomposite enhancing the electron transfer reactions at the enzyme’s active metal centers for catechol oxidation. The biosensor gave good sensitivity with a linear detection response in the range of 8–800 μM with limit of detection 4.28 μM. We successfully employed the sensor for real water sample analysis. The results illustrate that the metal oxide NCs have enormous potential in the construction of biosensors for sensitive determination of phenol derivatives

Paraneoplastic hypoglycaemia secondary to IGF-2 secretion from a metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumour

We report the case of a 79-year-old male with previous history of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in remission, who presented acutely to the Accident and Emergency department with recurrent episodes of hypoglycaemia. At the time of presentation, a random glucose was low at 1.4 mmol/l, which upon correction resolved his symptoms. In hindsight, the patient recalled having had similar episodes periodically over the past 2 months to which he did not give much notice. While hospitalized, he continued having episodes of symptomatic hypoglycaemia, requiring treatment with intravenous dextrose and per os steroids. Once stable, he was discharged on oral prednisolone and dietary advice. A computed tomography scan performed during inpatient stay showed multiple deposits in the abdomen. An ultrasound guided biopsy of one of the liver deposits was performed. Immunohistochemistry supported the diagnosis of a gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST) positive for CD34 and CD117. The diagnosis of non-islet cell tumour hypoglycaemia (NICTH) secondary to an IGF2 secreting GIST was confirmed with further biochemical investigations (IGF2=105.9 nmol/l; IGF2:IGF1 ratio 23, Upper Level of Normal (ULN) <10). Targeted cytoreductive treatment with Imatinib mesylate following assessment of the tumour's mutational status was successful in preventing hypoglycaemia over a 21-month follow-up observation period

Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici causal agent of vascular wilt disease of tomato: Biology to diversity– A review

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) is one of the widely grown vegetables worldwide. Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (FOL) is the significant contributory pathogen of tomato vascular wilt. The initial symptoms of the disease appear in the lower leaves gradually, trail by wilting of the plants. It has been reported that FOL penetrates the tomato plant, colonizing and leaving the vascular tissue dark brown, and this discoloration extends to the apex, leading to the plants wilting, collapsing and dying. Therefore, it has been widely accepted that wilting caused by this fungus is the result of a combination of various physiological activities, including the accumulation of fungal mycelia in and around xylem, mycotoxin production, inactivation of host defense, and the production of tyloses; however, wilting symptoms are variable. Therefore, the selection of molecular markers may be a more effective means of screening tomato races. Several studies on the detection of FOL have been carried out and have suggested the potency of the technique for diagnosing FOL. This review focuses on biology and variability of FOL, understanding and presenting a holistic picture of the vascular wilt disease of tomato in relation to disease model, biology, virulence. We conclude that genomic and proteomic approachesare greater tools for identification of informative candidates involved in pathogenicity, which can be considered as one of the approaches in managing the disease

General anaesthetic and airway management practice for obstetric surgery in England: a prospective, multi-centre observational study

There are no current descriptions of general anaesthesia characteristics for obstetric surgery, despite recent changes to patient baseline characteristics and airway management guidelines. This analysis of data from the direct reporting of awareness in maternity patients' (DREAMY) study of accidental awareness during obstetric anaesthesia aimed to describe practice for obstetric general anaesthesia in England and compare with earlier surveys and best-practice recommendations. Consenting patients who received general anaesthesia for obstetric surgery in 72 hospitals from May 2017 to August 2018 were included. Baseline characteristics, airway management, anaesthetic techniques and major complications were collected. Descriptive analysis, binary logistic regression modelling and comparisons with earlier data were conducted. Data were collected from 3117 procedures, including 2554 (81.9%) caesarean deliveries. Thiopental was the induction drug in 1649 (52.9%) patients, compared with propofol in 1419 (45.5%). Suxamethonium was the neuromuscular blocking drug for tracheal intubation in 2631 (86.1%), compared with rocuronium in 367 (11.8%). Difficult tracheal intubation was reported in 1 in 19 (95%CI 1 in 16-22) and failed intubation in 1 in 312 (95%CI 1 in 169-667). Obese patients were over-represented compared with national baselines and associated with difficult, but not failed intubation. There was more evidence of change in practice for induction drugs (increased use of propofol) than neuromuscular blocking drugs (suxamethonium remains the most popular). There was evidence of improvement in practice, with increased monitoring and reversal of neuromuscular blockade (although this remains suboptimal). Despite a high risk of difficult intubation in this population, videolaryngoscopy was rarely used (1.9%)

Dissociation energy for the ground state of AlO from true potential energy curve

The true potential energy curve for the ground state of AlO has been extended up to the observed vibrational levels v = 22 using revised vibrational constants. The dissociation energy for the ground state of AlO has been estimated to be 4.15 ± 0.05 eV by the method of curve fitting. The Lippincott potential function has been used for fitting with the RKRV curve

Structural characterization of Th-doped TiO2 photocatalyst and its extension of response to solar light for photocatalytic oxidation of oryzalin pesticide: A comparative study

The degradation efficiency of Th-doped TiO2/TiO2 photocatalysts were investigated under UV and solar light illumination. The model compound chosen for the study was Oryzalin (OZ). Doping of inner transition metal ion Th was intended to modify the electronic properties of TiO2. The Th-doped TiO2 were synthesized by incorporating 0.02, 0.04, 0.06, and 0.1 atom percentage of Th into the TiO2 lattice by solid-state reaction. The stochiometry of the prepared samples is Ti1-xThx O2, where 'x' is the percentage of Th. The samples were characterized by UV-Visible absorption, UV-Visible -Diffused reflectance spectra, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis (EDX) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD). The pore size and surface area of these samples were studied by Brunauer, Emmett and Teller (BET) adsorption method. It was found that metal ion doping at various percentage compositions enables a large shift in the absorption band of the TiO2 towards visible light region. This is due to the formation of various mid band gaps at 2.84 eV, 2.804 eV, 2.66 eV, and 2.55 eV. The extent of degradation of the pesticide was followed by UV-Visible spectroscopy and GC-MS methods. Based on the spectral analysis, the probable degradation reaction mechanism for OZ is proposed. These results indicate that Th-doped TiO2 with the modified electronic properties is a good catalyst under solar light irradiation. But these particles show marginal variation in rates under UV-illumination. All the photodegradation reactions follow the first order kinetics. © Versita Warsaw and Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2009