A deeper insight into the evaluation of water-in-oil amicroemulsion templated samarium sulfide nanospheres: exploring its role in pickering emulsion formulation for photocatalytic dye degradation and synthesis of PANI@Sm2S3 nanocomposites.

This study examines the effectiveness of W/O microemulsion-mediated Sm2S3 nanospheres in pickering emulsion-based crystal violet (CV) dye degradation and PANI@Sm2S3 nanocomposite synthesis. The evaluation of nanospheres inside the core of reverse micelles was performed through DLS, TEM and FESEM analyses. The formation of nanospheres involve two phases: a nucleation phase (5-30 min) and growth phase (30-120 min). Through in situ hydrophobization of negatively charged (with a zeta value of -4.47 mV at neutral pH) Sm2S3 nanoparticles (0.1 wt%) with a suitable amount of a cationic CTAB surfactant, a stable O/W pickering emulsion was developed. 0.1 wt% Sm2S3in situ hydrophobized with 2.7 mM CTAB offered a stable pickering emulsion with a diameter of 23 µm after 1 day of storage. This pickering emulsion improves the local concentration of CV by efficiently encapsulating dye molecules inside the core of emulsion droplets. Therefore, dye molecules get numerous opportunities to interact with the Sm2S3 photocatalyst and efficiently degrade. The pickering emulsion stabilised by 0.1 wt% of Sm2S3 nanoparticles in situ hydrophobized with 2.7 mM of CTAB results in almost 100% degradation. Moreover, using only solid Sm2S3 (having wt% of 0.025 or 0.075) as a pickering stabiliser, new PANI@Sm2S3 spherical nanocomposites were synthesised via pickering emulsion polymerization. The formation of PANI@Sm2S3 composites was identified via UV-vis, IR, and 1H-NMR investigations. The analysis of FESEM images showed that the amount of nanoparticles used in the dispersion (for 0.025 wt%, 35 nm and 0.075 wt%, 29 nm) strongly influences the size and shape of the composites.

Concomitant falciparum malaria and Hyperreactive Malarial Splenomegaly in an adolescent boy from eastern India: A tale of rare coincidences.

Hyperreactive malarial splenomegaly (HMS) is one of the important causes of massive splenomegaly in malaria endemic zones. It is thought to represent a dysfunctional immune response to recurrent malarial infection. It is usually reported due to physical symptoms of splenomegaly and hypersplenism and fever is classically absent. Concomitant malaria with HMS is a very rare finding in the Indian context. Here, we report a case of symptomatic falciparum malaria presented with fever, jaundice, massive splenomegaly and pancytopenia. Persistent massive splenomegaly led us to investigate thoroughly and finally diagnosed it as HMS with concomitant falciparum malaria. He received standard antimalarial treatment and 12 months of weekly chloroquine and completely recovered without any relapse or complications.

Ecthyma gangrenosum in the periorbital region in a previously healthy immunocompetent woman without bacteremia.

Ecthyma gangrenosum (EG) is a cutaneous lesion classically associated with potentially fatal Pseudomonas septicemia in immunocompromised patients. Other bacterial and fungal pathogens have also been implicated. Although EG typically occurs in immunocompromised or neutropenic patients, it may occasionally affect a previously healthy person. The cutaneous findings are characteristic with small indurated papulovesicles progressing rapidly to necrotic ulcers with surrounding erythema and a central black Eschar. While lesions can occur at any site, most are commonly found over the buttocks, perineum, limbs, and axillae. We describe a case of EG in periorbital region in a previously healthy woman who responded to appropriate antibiotic treatment for Pseudomonas. It is very important to establish the diagnosis early so that appropriate systemic antibiotic therapy can be initiated to reduce morbidity and potential mortality.