Studies on structural, optical nonlinearity and antibacterial activity of Piperazine (bis) p-toluenesulfonate single crystal for optical limiting and biological applications

Piperazine (bis) p-toluenesulfonate (PPTSA), an organic single crystal was synthesized and grown at environmental temperature by slow evaporation process using methanol as the solvent. The grown PPTSA crystal is from the triclinic system and belongs to the space group P1-. Powder X-ray diffraction was performed to ensure lattice parameters. Analysis and confirmation of functional groups and bonds were carried out through FT-IR spectral study. The optical characteristics were investigated using the UV-Vis spectrum such as the optical absorption, cut-off wavelength were calculated. The photoluminescence investigation was conducted to assess the luminous characteristics of grown crystal. The calculated NLO parameters like β, n2, and χ(3) were found to be 0.0495×10-4 (cm/W), 8.705×10-10 (cm2/W), 5.316×10-7 (esu) and Optical Limiting threshold value was found to be 3.074×10-3 (Wcm-2). Antibacterial studies were carried out to investigate the biological significance against selected foodborne germs

Effectiveness of a national quality improvement programme to improve survival after emergency abdominal surgery (EPOCH): a stepped-wedge cluster-randomised trial

Background: Emergency abdominal surgery is associated with poor patient outcomes. We studied the effectiveness of a national quality improvement (QI) programme to implement a care pathway to improve survival for these patients. Methods: We did a stepped-wedge cluster-randomised trial of patients aged 40 years or older undergoing emergency open major abdominal surgery. Eligible UK National Health Service (NHS) hospitals (those that had an emergency general surgical service, a substantial volume of emergency abdominal surgery cases, and contributed data to the National Emergency Laparotomy Audit) were organised into 15 geographical clusters and commenced the QI programme in a random order, based on a computer-generated random sequence, over an 85-week period with one geographical cluster commencing the intervention every 5 weeks from the second to the 16th time period. Patients were masked to the study group, but it was not possible to mask hospital staff or investigators. The primary outcome measure was mortality within 90 days of surgery. Analyses were done on an intention-to-treat basis. This study is registered with the ISRCTN registry, number ISRCTN80682973. Findings: Treatment took place between March 3, 2014, and Oct 19, 2015. 22 754 patients were assessed for elegibility. Of 15 873 eligible patients from 93 NHS hospitals, primary outcome data were analysed for 8482 patients in the usual care group and 7374 in the QI group. Eight patients in the usual care group and nine patients in the QI group were not included in the analysis because of missing primary outcome data. The primary outcome of 90-day mortality occurred in 1210 (16%) patients in the QI group compared with 1393 (16%) patients in the usual care group (HR 1·11, 0·96–1·28). Interpretation: No survival benefit was observed from this QI programme to implement a care pathway for patients undergoing emergency abdominal surgery. Future QI programmes should ensure that teams have both the time and resources needed to improve patient care. Funding: National Institute for Health Research Health Services and Delivery Research Programme

Effectiveness of a national quality improvement programme to improve survival after emergency abdominal surgery (EPOCH): a stepped-wedge cluster-randomised trial

BACKGROUND: Emergency abdominal surgery is associated with poor patient outcomes. We studied the effectiveness of a national quality improvement (QI) programme to implement a care pathway to improve survival for these patients. METHODS: We did a stepped-wedge cluster-randomised trial of patients aged 40 years or older undergoing emergency open major abdominal surgery. Eligible UK National Health Service (NHS) hospitals (those that had an emergency general surgical service, a substantial volume of emergency abdominal surgery cases, and contributed data to the National Emergency Laparotomy Audit) were organised into 15 geographical clusters and commenced the QI programme in a random order, based on a computer-generated random sequence, over an 85-week period with one geographical cluster commencing the intervention every 5 weeks from the second to the 16th time period. Patients were masked to the study group, but it was not possible to mask hospital staff or investigators. The primary outcome measure was mortality within 90 days of surgery. Analyses were done on an intention-to-treat basis. This study is registered with the ISRCTN registry, number ISRCTN80682973. FINDINGS: Treatment took place between March 3, 2014, and Oct 19, 2015. 22 754 patients were assessed for elegibility. Of 15 873 eligible patients from 93 NHS hospitals, primary outcome data were analysed for 8482 patients in the usual care group and 7374 in the QI group. Eight patients in the usual care group and nine patients in the QI group were not included in the analysis because of missing primary outcome data. The primary outcome of 90-day mortality occurred in 1210 (16%) patients in the QI group compared with 1393 (16%) patients in the usual care group (HR 1·11, 0·96-1·28). INTERPRETATION: No survival benefit was observed from this QI programme to implement a care pathway for patients undergoing emergency abdominal surgery. Future QI programmes should ensure that teams have both the time and resources needed to improve patient care. FUNDING: National Institute for Health Research Health Services and Delivery Research Programme

Myths, beliefs, and attitude toward cancer among the family caregivers of cancer patients: A community-based, mixed-method study in rural Tamil Nadu

Background and Aim: Family support is one of the most crucial components of cancer care. The familial beliefs and myths associated with cancer can seriously affect the quality of life and treatment outcome of cancer patients. This study intends to explore the prevailing myths, beliefs, and attitude toward cancer among the family caregivers of cancer patients. Materials and Methods: A community-based, exploratory, mixed-method study was conducted among family caregivers of cancer patients in Cuddalore and Villupuram districts of Tamil Nadu. Content analysis method was used for in-depth interviews. Sociodemographic characteristics and attitude of the study participants were described using proportions. Results: A common myth about causation of cancer was that it was contagious or of infective origin. Disbelief in tobacco's causation of cancer was found among the study participants. Family members' support was viewed as an essential component for cancer patients. Majority of the participants in the quantitative survey showed favorable attitude toward cancer patients. The common misconception about cancer treatment was that surgery/biopsy can spread cancer and herbal products can cure cancer. Conclusion: Even though a majority of the participants showed favorable attitude toward their cancer patients, false beliefs and myths regarding causation and treatment of cancer are prevalent in the community

Comparison of hydroxyethyl starch versus normal saline for epidural volume extension in combined spinal epidural anesthesia for cesarean section

Background: Epidural volume extension (EVE) with saline in the epidural space during a CSE technique can result in cephalad extension of the block and may be accompanied by episodes of hypotension. It also allows CSE to be performed with small initial intrathecal doses of local anesthetic. Objectives: We investigated the difference in block characteristics and hemodynamic profile with CSE-EVE using either saline or colloid in the epidural space. Materials and Methods: This prospective, randomized, controlled study was conducted in 99 parturients, ASA grade I or II, with gestational age 37 weeks or more, undergoing elective cesarean section under CSEA. Women were randomly distributed into three groups: Group NEVE (CSE with no EVE), Group EVE-S (CSE followed by EVE using 5 ml of 0.9% saline), and Group EVE-H (CSE followed by EVE using 5 ml of 6% hydroxyethyl starch (HES) 200/0.5). All the groups received 6 mg of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine with 25 mcg fentanyl intrathecally, while Groups EVE-S and EVE-H also received 5 ml of saline or HES in the epidural space. All blocks were performed using needle through needle CSE technique via midline approach at the L 4-5 interspace with the women in the left lateral position. Block characteristics and hemodynamic parameters were recorded by an independent anesthesiologist. Data were compared with Chi-square, t test, and ANOVA using Epi info 6 with P < 0.05 as significant. Results: The peak sensory level and the time taken to achieve it was significant in Group EVE-S (P = 0.003 temperature, P = 0.007 pinprick, P = 0.000 time) as compared to Group NEVE while Group EVE-H was intermediate as compared to the other two groups. In Group EVE-S, there was a difference in the mean peak sensory levels as assessed by temperature (thoracic T 4.88±1.01 ) and pinprick (T 5.04±1.02 ), whereas it was the same in the other two groups (T 6.10±1.41 in Group NEVE and T 5.44±1.35 in Group EVE-H). The requirement for ketamine supplementation was significantly more in Group NEVE (54.5%) as compared to Group EVE-S (24.2%) and Group EVE-H (27.3%), P = 0.018. The motor block characteristics were comparable in all the three groups (P > 0.05).The lowest attained values of heart rate, systolic, and diastolic blood pressure were significantly less in Group EVE-S versus Group NEVE (P = 0.019, 0.008, and 0.001, respectively), while hemodynamic parameters in Group EVE-H were intermediate. Incidence of hypotension was significantly more in Group EVE-S (n = 20, 60.6%), as compared to Group NEVE (n = 9, 27.3%, P = 0.02) and Group EVE-H (n = 13, 39.4%). Conclusion: We conclude that an intrathecal dose of 6 mg hyperbaric bupivacaine with 25 mcg fentanyl is adequate for cesarean section when used in CSE with the EVE technique, using 0.9% saline or 6% HES. However, EVE with HES provides optimal hemodynamic profile as compared to EVE with saline

Synthesis of fluorescent carbon quantum dots from Manihot esculenta waste peels for nonlinear optical and biological applications

The synthesis of carbon quantum dots using cassava (Manihot esculenta) waste peels by simple hydrothermal method. Carbon quantum dots were studied using PXRD, and HRTEM analysis, signifying an amorphous graphite carbon structure. The carbon quantum dots have two absorption peaks in the UV–vis spectrum, around 272 and 304 nm which lead to the π–π* and n–π* transitions. The produced CQDs exhibit excitation dependent fluorescence characteristics, with a fluorescence quantum yield of 4.664% at an excitation wavelength of 330 nm. The CQDs revealed a white light emitting diode with the Commission Internationale d'Eclairage (CIE) coordinates (0.35, 0.35). The nonlinear optical absorption 0.294×10−4 (cm/W), nonlinear refractive index 1.8138×10−8 (cm2/W), and third-order NLO susceptibility 5.5 × 10−6 (esu) were calculated using Z-Scan analysis. The synthesized CQDs were utilized for their antibacterial activity used S. aureus (23 mm), B. cereus (33 mm), E. coli (43 mm), and P. aeruginosa (30 mm) as harmful microbes. Our results suggest that Manihot esculenta waste peels CQDs have potential for application in NLO devices, optical switching, and pharmaceuticals

Вирощування та характеристика монокристалів саліцилату бензимідазолію для нелінійних оптичних досліджень та антибактеріальної дії

Organic non-linear optical Benzimidazolium salicylate (BISA) single crystals have been harvested from methanol solution by slow evaporation method. The grown crystals belong to the monoclinic crystal system with space group P21/c. Good crystalline nature of grown BISA crystal was confirmed by PXRD. The FTIR spectrum analysis affirms the presence of functional groups in BISA crystal. From the UV‒Vis-Absorption spectrum, the lower cut-off wavelength (356 nm) and its energy band gap and linear refractive index were calculated. Luminescence spectrum was recorded to explore the emission peak at 426 nm. The mechanical strength of BISA crystal was determined by Vickers microhardness tester and mechanical parameters like C11, Hk, Kc, and Bi were calculated for the first time. Dielectric properties of grown crystals were systematically investigated for different temperatures. Further, electronic polarizability (α) were calculated using Penn analysis and Clausius‒Mossotti equation. Z‒scan measurement was taken to explore the third-order NLO properties of BISA crystal. For the first attempt, the BISA crystals were tested against five human pathogenic bacterial, i.e. Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella flexneri, Vibrio cholerae, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Existing results established that Benzimidazolium salicylate crystals might find useful applications in nonlinear optics and antimicrobial field.Органічні нелінійні оптичні моноцитрали саліцилату бензимідазолію (BISA) отримували з розчину метанолу методом повільного випаровування. Вирощені кристали належать до моноклінної кристалічної системи з просторовою групою P21/c. Чітка кристалічна природа вирощеного кристалу BISA підтверджена PXRD. FTIR спектральний аналіз свідчить про наявність функціональних груп у кристалі BISA. Зі спектрів УФ ‒ видимого діапазону поглинання розраховано нижню граничну довжину хвилі (356 нм), ширину забороненої зони та лінійний показник заломлення. Спектр люмінесценції реєстрували при дослідження піку випромінювання при 426 нм. Механічну міцність кристалу BISA визначено за допомогою тестера мікротвердості Віккерса і вперше розраховано такі механічні параметри, як C11, Hk, Kc, and Bi. Діелектричні властивості вирощених кристалів систематично досліджували при різних температурах. Крім того, електронну поляризацію (α) розраховано за допомогою аналізу Пенна та рівняння Клаузіуса ‒ Моссотті. Для вимірювання властивостей третього порядку NLO кристалу BISA застосовано Z ‒ сканування. Вперше кристали BISA тестували на п'ять патогенних для людини бактерій, таких як Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella flexneri, Vibrio cholerae, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Отримані результати показали, що кристали саліцилату бензимідазолію можуть знайти корисне застосування в нелінійній оптиці та антимікробній галузі