Pulsed Laser Deposited Nickel Doped Zinc Oxide Thin Films: Structural and Optical Investigations

Structural and optical studies has been done on Nickel doped Zinc Oxide (NixZn1 – xO, x 0.03, 0.05 and 0.07 by weight) thin films prepared by pulsed laser deposition technique. The films are characterized by X-ray diffraction, Uv-vis spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. We observed a slight red shift in the optical band gap in the NiZnO subsequent to Ni doping. This shift can be assigned due to the sp-d exchange interaction of Ni- d states with s and p-states of ZnO. Also X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies show that Ni has well substituted in + 2 oxidation state by replacing Zn2+. When you are citing the document, use the following link http://essuir.sumdu.edu.ua/handle/123456789/3101

ROLE OF ANTIOXIDANTS AND NUTRITION IN OXIDATIVE STRESS: A REVIEW

Human body is known to experience positive stress that keeps it vigilant and protects it from biological and physical threats. This stress turns negative when a person is confronted with continuous challenges. Also, stress and nutrition have always run in synergism with each other. Nutritional value of a person's diet depends on the overall mixture or balance of food that is eaten over a period of time, as well as on the needs of the individual. The body relies on obtaining its anti-oxidants from food and other supplements. These nutritional requirements of antioxidants are enormously altered in diseased conditions. In view of the immense medicinal importance of antioxidants, an effort has been made in this article to bring together information about the role of nutrition and antioxidants such as carotenoids, vitamins, some important minerals in combating free radical generation and in general, boosting normal immune mechanisms. The present review is an attempt to generate interest in the scientific fraternity of their immense potential in preventing and treating several common diseases. Keywords: Antioxidants, Free radicals, Balanced diet, Nutrition, Oxidative stress, Vitamins

Gender Equality: Perception of Medical Students of SMC, Vijayawada, A P, India

“We recognize that gender equality and women’s empowerment are important for sustainable development and our common future. We reaffirm our commitments to ensure women’s equal rights, access and opportunities for participation and leadership in the economy, society and political decision making.We underscore that women have a vital role to play in achieving sustainable development. We recognize the leadership role of women, and we resolve to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment and to ensure their full and effective participation in sustainable development policies, programmes and decision-making at all levels.

EVALUATION OF PUNICA GRANATUM FRUIT PEELS EXTRACTS FOR ITS FREE RADICAL SCAVENGING AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY

Objective: To evaluate free radical scavenging and anti-inflammatory activity of petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, aqueous, methanol:water and methanol extracts of Punica granatum fruit peels (PGFP) (Family: Lythraceae) by in vitro methods.Methods: The free radical scavenging effect was studied using 1,1â€Diphenylâ€2â€Picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and nitric oxide radical scavenging assay. Antiâ€inflammatory activity was evaluated by HRBC membrane stabilization assay.Results: All the extracts of PGFP exhibited significant free radical scavenging effect. The methanol extract exhibited maximum significant DPPH and nitric oxide radical scavenging activity with IC50 value of 24.43 and 45.56µg/ml and maximum stabilization (86.96%) of HRBC membrane at 80 µg/ml among all the extracts of PGFP.Conclusion: Methanol as an extraction solvent was found to be the best in obtaining the extract of PGFP rich in radical scavenging and anti-inflammatory phytoconsituents.Â

Examining the pathways linking lower socioeconomic status and advanced melanoma

BACKGROUND. Low socioeconomic status (SES) is associated with more advanced melanoma at diagnosis and decreased survival. Exploring the pathways linking lower SES and thicker melanoma will help guide public and professional strategies to reduce deaths. METHODS. The authors surveyed 566 newly diagnosed patients at Stanford University Medical Center, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, and University of Michigan. SES was assessed by education level (high school/general education degree or less [HS], associate/technical school degree, or ≥college graduate). All data was obtained by self‐report among patients within three months of their diagnosis. RESULTS. HS‐educated individuals were significantly more likely than college graduates to believe that melanoma was not very serious (odds ratio [OR], 2.90; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.79‐4.71) and were less likely to know the asymmetry, borders (irregular), color (variegated), and diameter (>6 mm) (ABCD) melanoma rule or the difference between melanoma and ordinary skin growths (OR, 0.34 [95% CI, 0.23‐0.52] and 0.26 [95% CI, 0.16‐0.41] respectively). Physicians were less likely to have ever told HS‐educated versus college‐educated individuals they were at risk for skin cancer (OR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.31‐0.71) or instructed them on how to examine their skin for signs of melanoma (OR, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.25‐0.63). HS‐educated individuals were less likely to have received a physician skin examination within the year before diagnosis (OR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.37‐0.80). CONCLUSIONS. Decreased melanoma risk perception and knowledge among low‐SES individuals and decreased physician communication regarding skin examinations of these individuals may be key components of the consistently observed socioeconomic gradient in mortality. The current findings suggest the need to raise melanoma awareness among lower‐SES patients and to increase physician awareness of socioeconomic disparities in clinical communication and care. Cancer 2012. © 2011 American Cancer Society. The authors examined several potential pathways that may play a role in the previously described socioeconomic disparity in melanoma stage at diagnosis and survival. Less educated melanoma patients have little awareness of the risks of melanoma and less basic knowledge about melanoma detection, and they receive less physician communication about melanoma risk factors and screening and fewer physician skin examinations than more educated patients.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/92359/1/26706_ftp.pd

Influence of hospital policy on partograph use in tertiary care facilities in India: a cross sectional survey

Background: Partograph is an effective, but underutilized tool for monitoring labour. This study examined the influence of hospital policy on the knowledge, attitude, practice and skills of doctors towards partograph plotting.Methods: A cross-sectional survey among doctors posted in labour rooms of tertiary care public teaching hospitals of India was carried out, using self-administered questionnaire to assess knowledge, attitude and practice; and labour case scenarios were provided to assess partograph plotting skills. Chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test were employed to test the significance of association between knowledge, attitude, practice and skills of 150 doctors working in hospitals with (n=3) and without (n=2) policy of routine partograph plotting.Results: The majority of doctors in both groups had correct knowledge about different partograph components. However, doctors working in hospitals with a policy of partograph use, demonstrated significantly better skills using case scenarios for plotting partographs (p<0.01), and a positive attitude towards plotting partograph and its use as a decision support tool (p=0.000) as compared to doctors working in hospitals without a routine partograph plotting policy.Conclusions: Hospital policy of routine partograph plotting may positively influence utilization of partograph in tertiary care public hospitals in India