Synthesis and length dependent photoluminescence property of zinc oxide nanorods

One-dimensional nanostructure ZnO nanorods (NRs) with controlled lengths and diameters were synthesized by the growth of colloidal nanoparticles and then characterized by XRD, TEM, Raman, PL and UV–Vis. The growth time parameter plays an important role in the formation process of ZnO NRs. The as-prepared nanoparticles has spherical shape with size about 4 nm, and formed single-crystalline NRs of length up to 150 nm and 16–20 nm in diameters. Raman spectra of the as-grown ZnO nanorods revealed the existence of Raman silent modes B1(low) and B1(high) at 273 and 538 cm−1 respectively. Photoluminescence (PL) and UV–visible absorption measurements have been performed at room temperature. The PL spectrum showed that the relative intensity of ultraviolet (UV) and defect bands depend on the length of ZnO nanorods. The peak of photoluminescence of UV band around 395 nm is strongly enhanced when the length of ZnO nanorods is reduced and the humps around 580 nm decreases. Keywords: ZnO nanorods, Raman spectroscopy, UV–Vis spectroscopy, Photoluminescence spectroscop

Selenium supplementation in patients with peripartum cardiomyopathy : a proof-of-concept trial

Background: We studied the efficacy and safety of selenium supplementation in patients who had peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) and selenium deficiency. Methods: We randomly assigned 100 PPCM patients with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) &lt; 45% and selenium deficiency (&lt; 70 mu g/L) to receive either oral Selenium (L-selenomethionine) 200 mu g/day for 3 months or nothing, in addition to recommended therapy, in an open-label randomised trial. The primary outcome was a composite of persistence of heart failure (HF) symptoms, unrecovered LV systolic function (LVEF &lt; 55%) or death from any cause. Results: Over a median of 19 months, the primary outcome occurred in 36 of 46 patients (78.3%) in the selenium group and in 43 of 54 patients (79.6%) in the control group (hazard ratio [HR] 0.69; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.43-1.09; p = 0.113). Persistence of HF symptoms occurred in 18 patients (39.1%) in the selenium group and in 37 patients (68.5%) in the control group (HR 0.53; 95% CI 0.30-0.93; p = 0.006). LVEF &lt; 55% occurred in 33 patients (71.7%) in the selenium group and in 38 patients (70.4%) in the control group (HR 0.91; 95% CI 0.57-1.45; p = 0.944). Death from any cause occurred in 3 patients (6.5%) in the selenium group and in 9 patients (16.7%) in the control group (HR 0.37; 95% CI 0.10-1.37; p = 0.137). Conclusions: In this study, selenium supplementation did not reduce the risk of the primary outcome, but it significantly reduced HF symptoms, and there was a trend towards a reduction of all-cause mortality.Errata: Karaye, K.M., Sa’idu, H., Balarabe, S.A. et al. Correction to: Selenium supplementation in patients with peripartum cardiomyopathy: a proof‑of‑concept trial. BMC Cardiovasc Disord 21, 4 (2021). DOI: 10.1186/s12872-020-01782-w </p

Disparities in clinical features and outcomes of peripartum cardiomyopathy in high versus low prevalent regions in Nigeria

Aims: The prospective, multicentre Peripartum Cardiomyopathy in Nigeria (PEACE) registry originally demonstrated a high prevalence of peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) among patients originating from Kano, North-West Nigeria. In a post hoc analysis, we sought to determine if this phenomenon was characterized by a differential case profile and outcome among PPCM cases originating elsewhere. Methods and results: Overall, 199 (81.6%) of a total 244 PPCM patients were recruited from three sites in Kano, compared with 45 patients (18.4%) from 11 widely dispersed centres across Nigeria. Presence and extent of ventricular myocardial remodelling during follow-up, relative to baseline status, were assessed by echocardiography. During median 17 months follow-up, Kano patients demonstrated significantly better myocardial reverse remodelling than patients from other sites. Overall, 50.6% of patients from Kano versus 28.6% from other regions were asymptomatic (P = 0.029) at study completion, with an accompanying difference in all-cause mortality (17.6% vs. 22.2% respectively, P = 0.523) not reaching statistical significance. Alternatively, 135/191 (84.9%) of Kano patients had selenium deficiency (&lt;70 μg/L), and 46/135 (34.1%) of them received oral selenium supplementation. Critically, those that received selenium supplementation demonstrated better survival (6.5% vs. 21.2%; P = 0.025), but the supplement did not have significant impact on myocardial remodelling. Conclusions: This study has shown important non-racial regional disparities in the clinical features and outcomes of PPCM patients in Nigeria, that might partly be explained by selenium supplementation