Progress on Free-Standing Graphene Hybrid: Advantages and Future Scenario

Free-standing graphene (FSG) paper like electrodes has paid attention to the energy storage device application in the past decade. It befits to fabricate flexible devices due to its remarkable mechanical strength and offers high electrical conductivity. In this chapter, we explore the advantages and future prospects of FSG fresh candidate in rechargeable batteries. Herein, we summarized the synthetic strategies used for FSG fabrication and its properties, followed by its application in rechargeable batteries. Extensively, this chapter deals with fabrication of FSG hybrid composite papers for battery applications to understand the overall device performance. Specifically, we discuss the benefits of FSG electrodes over conventional electrode material and its fabrication in battery system. Ultimately, we conclude with the significance of FSG paper in battery application and forthcoming advantage for recycling purposes

Sputum Status of Sputum Positive Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients who have Completed Category I ATT under Dots Treatment

BACKGROUND : DOTS remains the cornerstone in global efforts towards tuberculosis control. In India DOTS based guidelines given by RNTCP remains the standard of care for treatment of tuberculosis. New smear positive patients treated under RNTCP programme have a cure rate of 88% on completing treatment. AIMS & OBJECTIVES : To assess the bacteriological status of patients after one year of completion of primary chemotherapy under new smear positive category in RNTCP. To assess the effectiveness of cure obtained in that regimen and factors associated with increased chance of relapse. METHODS : The study is a prospective study. New smear positive patients who have registered under DOTS programme in the period October 2011 to March 2012 and declared cured are selected in two zones around Stanley medical college. Patients with immunosuppressive illness were excluded from the study. Their current sputum bacteriological status is assessed by sputum smear examination and culture in a spot sputum specimen. Risk factors associated with relapse are also evaluated by means of questionnaire, clinical examination, biochemical test, radiological assessment. Patients who are bacteriologic ally active were started on category II as per RNTCP norms. The sampling method is non probability sampling-convenient sampling. Radiological assessment intended in the protocol was not done during the study. RESULTS : Sputum AFB culture of the 49 patients showed positive culture in three patients. The relapse of pulmonary TB among patients who have completed ATT under RNTCP is 6 % at the end of one year. One out of three patients revealed SH resistance. CONCLUSION : Evaluation of primary resistance prior to treatment may help in avoiding future relapses

Government General Hospital

Abstract Introduction: Various components of metabolic syndrome have an important role in the pathogenesis of both non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and psoriasis, suggesting an association between these diseases. However, at present very few studies have reported on the systematic evaluations of the prevalence of NAFLD in patients with psoriasis disorder. Aim: To investigate the prevalence of NAFLD in patients with psoriasis vulgaris. The study also evaluated the parallel relationship between both of the diseases. Material and methods: Patients over18 years old and with a diagnosis of psoriasis vulgaris at the outpatient unit of Department of Dermatology were considered for enrolment and were followed up by the Department of Hepatology, Madras Medical College. Each and every patient completed a questionnaire, underwent a thorough skin evaluation, and had a right upper quadrant ultrasound and fasting blood workup. Results: Two hundred and fifty patients were enrolled in the study. The participants were predominantly middle aged (mean: 44.74 ±11.989 years), overweight (average body mass index (BMI): 24.772 ±3.611 kg/

Photocathode-assisted redox flow desalination

Desalination techniques, such as reverse osmosis, distillation, capacitive deionization, and battery desalination, require lots of electrical or thermal energy consumption. Herein, we propose a consumption-free electrochemical desalination method based on a light-driven photocathode with a Pt/CdS/Cu2ZnSnS4(CZTS)/Mo architecture. Modification of a CdS layer on CZTS can improve the desalination performance due to the formation of inner p–n junction between CdS and CZTS which enhances the separation of the photoexcited carriers without recombination. This photocathode-assisted electrodialysis desalination plays the dual functions of both energy conversion and ion removal with the blocking of ion exchange membranes. The [Fe(CN)6]3−/4− redox couples are recirculated between the anode and photo-cathode as the electrolyte while the salt streams are fed into the middle compartment. Under light illumination, this architecture produces photo-generated electrons to the redox couples with the conversion of [Fe(CN)6]3− to [Fe(CN)6]4− at the positive chamber, causing cation capture in the presence of an ion-exchange membrane. At the same time, [Fe(CN)6]4− is oxidized at the negative reservoir. The light-driven electrochemical reaction of electrolyte redox couples can result in a continuous desalination process. This work will be significant for consumption-free photoelectrochemical desalination research

Computational Identification of Novel Stage-Specific Biomarkers in Colorectal Cancer Progression

<div><p>It is well-known that the conversion of normal colon epithelium to adenoma and then to carcinoma stems from acquired molecular changes in the genome. The genetic basis of colorectal cancer has been elucidated to a certain extent, and much remains to be known about the identity of specific cancer genes that are associated with the advancement of colorectal cancer from one stage to the next. Here in this study we attempted to identify novel cancer genes that could underlie the stage-specific progression and metastasis of colorectal cancer. We conducted a stage-based meta-analysis of the voluminous tumor genome-sequencing data and mined using multiple approaches for novel genes driving the progression to stage-II, stage-III and stage-IV colorectal cancer. The consensus of these driver genes seeded the construction of stage-specific networks, which were then analyzed for the centrality of genes, clustering of subnetworks, and enrichment of gene-ontology processes. Our study identified three novel driver genes as hubs for stage-II progression: <i>DYNC1H1</i>, <i>GRIN2A</i>, <i>GRM1</i>. Four novel driver genes were identified as hubs for stage-III progression: <i>IGF1R</i>, <i>CPS1</i>, <i>SPTA1</i>, <i>DSP</i>. Three novel driver genes were identified as hubs for stage-IV progression: <i>GSK3B</i>, <i>GGT1</i>, <i>EIF2B5</i>. We also identified several non-driver genes that appeared to underscore the progression of colorectal cancer. Our study yielded potential diagnostic biomarkers for colorectal cancer as well as novel stage-specific drug targets for rational intervention. Our methodology is extendable to the analysis of other types of cancer to fill the gaps in our knowledge.</p></div

GO enrichment analysis of stage-IV network.

<p>GO enrichment analysis of stage-IV network.</p

Staging of colon cancer.

<p>The American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) has staged the colorectal cancer based on the anatomical extent of the disease. Stage I: Tumor that is limited to the mucosal layer (T1) or muscularis propria (T2), without involvement of any lymph node or distant metastatic organs. Stage II: Tumor that penetrates the muscularis propria (T3) or invades nearby organs or structures (T4), without involvement of any lymph node or distant metastatic organs. Stage III: Tumor stages with lymph node metastasis but without distant metastasis. Stage IV: Any tumor stage and lymph node status with distant organ metastasis.</p

Moduland decomposition of stage-III network.

<p>Moduland decomposition of stage-III network.</p

Network of cluster centres of stage-III network.

<p>Clustering was done using Moduland.</p