Predictors and symptomatic burden of uterine fibroids among women in South-Eastern India: a cross-sectional survey analysis

Background: Uterine fibroid is the most common pelvic tumor in women of reproductive age and are asymptomatic in at least 50% of affected women. Various risk factors are associated with development of uterine fibroids during this reproductive age. The present study established various associated risk factors increases the prevalence of uterine fibroid among reproductive age group and clinical symptoms burden of diagnosed case.Methods: A cross sectional study design was used to collect samples for a period of six months in an OPD basis. Purposive sampling technique was used to select the 362 sample of reproductive age group (15-45 years) women in a tertiary care hospital, Southeastern India. Women diagnosed with uterine fibroid by ultrasonography were included as cases. Symptomatic features and associated risk factors of UF were collected through structure interview schedule.Results: Point prevalence of uterine fibroid among women in reproductive age group during the period of six months was 20%. Majority of them were in the age group of 30-39 years. Demographic factor such as overweight and obesity and consume dairy products daily has increased the prevalence of UF, whereas use of oral contraceptive pills and normal BMI had inverse relationship with UF risk. Most of the cases reported of having menstrual disturbances like heavy bleeding, passes blood clots during menstruation, prolonged period, urinary symptoms and pressure symptoms were considered independent predicting factors for the occurrence of uterine fibroid.Conclusions: Uterine fibroid is more prevalent among women of reproductive age causing various bleeding and renal symptoms that can have negative impact on quality of women’s life

Fluorane sensitive supercapacitive microcrystalline MoO3: dual application in energy storage and HF detection

Exploring materials and device paradigms for multifunctional electrochemical applications such as supercapacitors and sensing makes materials more suitable for real-life applications. In this study, microcrystalline MoO3 powder has been synthesized using a simple sol-gel method, and its suitability for energy storage devices and HF sensing performance has been studied. The MoO3 microcrystallites, well-characterized using electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Raman spectroscopy, have been tested for HF sensitivity on a glassy carbon electrode as well as on a carbon cloth electrode. Similarly, a solid-state prototype asymmetric supercapacitor has been demonstrated that displays its charge storage capabilities. The specific capacitance of MoO3 increases linearly with the increase of HF concentration. Additionally, the sensing performance of MoO3 can be seen by monitoring changes in current passing through the electrode in the presence of HF. High stability with good repeatability was displayed. In situ Raman spectroscopy, recorded during the charging and discharging process, has been used to understand the charge storage mechanism. A high sensitivity of 6656 mF mM−1 g−1 with a low limit of detection of 1.2 μM was observed, which makes this material suitable for sensing as well as charge storage

Non-Septicemic Echthyma Gangrenosum

A 35 year male suffering from acid-peptic disease since last 15 years developed multiple, progressive necrotic gangrenous ulcers with pus discharge since one month. He also had cellulites and a big serpiginous necrotic ulcer of left ring finger resembling decubitus ulcer. Smears of pus from both types of ulcers revealed gram-negative bacilli. Culture of pus from both sites showed growth of pseudomonas aeruginosa. Blood culture was negative. Diagnosis of Echthyma gangrenosum (EG) was established histopathologically as gram-negative bacilli invaded the dermal vessels. Complete cure occurred after 3 months of treatment with different antibiotics; 80% of ulcers healed with cefadroxyl therapy

Multiwavelength Color Switching from Polyaniline‐Viologen Bilayer: Inching toward Versatile All‐Organic Flexible Electrochromic Device

Abstract Search for a versatile flexible all‐organic liquid electrolyte‐less solid–state electrochromic device continues. In this quest, a polyaniline‐Viologen‐(PANI‐EV)‐based electrochromic device has been reported and designed based on the complementary redox behavior and easy processibility. Electrochromic electrodes are first individually characterized before the device fabrication, to check their compatibility. The polyaniline electrode is electrodeposited and characterized using scanning electron microscopy and Raman techniques followed by bias dependent absorbance measurements to understand its color switching capabilities. In situ kinematics are performed on the finished solid–state device and electrochromic performance have been measured. An improved electrochromic performance can be observed as evident from <1 s switching time while switching with a color contrast of ≈75% and good cycle life. The device displays switching in visible, as well as IR and NIR regions with an application of bias as low as 1.5 V. In addition to the multiple wavelength switching, a device has also been fabricated on a plastic electrode to demonstrate all‐organic flexible liquid electrolyte less solid–state versatile electrochromic device

Multifunctional electrochromic devices for energy applications

A lot of development in terms of science and technology has taken place to address the increasing energy needs. This demand is expected to increase, especially due to environmental concerns associated with fossil fuels which have led to aggressive research toward energy storage materials and devices. Looking at this emerging trend, devices and materials that can convert, store, and save energy are the need of the hour. Electrochromic devices that assimilate these energy functionalities, along with bias-induced color modulation, are very promising as they not only help in energy conversion and storage but also help in energy saving when used as smart e-curtains for application in buildings and vehicles. The current Focus Review describes the promise of multifunctional electrochromic devices which can convert/generate and store energy through operations similar to batteries and supercapacitors. It also explains how electrochromism can prove to be a breakthrough in energy-related areas along with key challenges.Ministry of Education (MOE)The authors acknowledge financial support from the Indo-German Science & Technology Centre (IGSTC) for SING Grant (IGSTC/SING-2022/40/2021-22/336) and the Science and Engineering Research Board, Government of India (Grant CRG/2019/000371). S.K. acknowledges UGC (ref. 1304-JUNE-2018-513215), Govt. of India, for providing a fellowship. T.G. and C.R. (DST/INSPIRE/03/2019/002160/IF190314) acknowledge IIT Indore and DST, Govt. of India, for providing fellowships. Raman spectroscopy and computation facilities received from the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, under the FIST scheme (Grant SR/FST/PSI-225/2016), is highly acknowledged. J.P. and P.S.L. acknowledge the funding support from AcRF Tier 1 grant RG 64/21 awarded by the Ministry of Education, Singapore