Electronic Structure and Surface Chemistry of BaZrS3 Perovskite Powder and Sputtered Thin Film.

Chalcogenide perovskites exhibit optoelectronic properties that position them as potential materials in the field of photovoltaics. We report a detailed investigation into the electronic structure and chemical properties of polycrystalline BaZrS3 perovskite powder by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, complemented by an analysis of its long- and short-range geometric structures using X-ray diffraction and X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The results obtained for the powdered BaZrS3 are compared to similar measurements on a sputtered polycrystalline BaZrS3 thin film prepared through rapid thermal processing. While bulk characterization confirms the good quality of the powder, depth-profiling achieved by photoelectron spectroscopy utilizing Al Kα (1.487 keV) and Ga Kα (9.25 keV) radiations shows that, regardless of the fabrication method, the oxidation effects extend beyond 10 nm from the sample surface, with zirconium oxides specifically distributing deeper than the oxidized sulfur species. A hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy study on the powder and thin film detects signals with minimal contamination contributions and allows for the determination of the valence band maximum position with respect to the Fermi level. Based on these measurements, we establish a correlation between the experimental valence band spectra and the theoretical density of states derived from density functional theory calculations, thereby discerning the orbital constituents involved. Our analysis provides an improved understanding of the electronic structure of BaZrS3 developed through different synthesis protocols by linking it to material geometry, surface chemistry, and the nature of doping. This methodology can thus be adapted for describing electronic structures of chalcogenide perovskite semiconductors in general, a knowledge that is significant for interface engineering and, consequently, for device integration.

A method for screening salt stress tolerance in Indian mustard (Brassica juncea) (L.) Czern & Coss at seedling stage.

Fifty-nine diverse Brassica juncea (Indian mustard) genotypes were used to find an effective screening method to identify salt tolerance at the germination and seedling stages. Salinity stress limits crop productivity and is difficult to simulate on farms, hindering parental selection for hybridization programmes and the development of tolerant cultivars. To estimate an optimum salt concentration for screening, seeds of 15 genotypes were selected randomly and grown in vitro at 0 mM/L, 75 mM/L, 150 mM/L, 225 mM/L, and 300 mM/L concentrations of NaCl in 2 replications in a complete randomized design. Various morphological parameters, viz., length of seedling, root and shoot length, fresh weight, and dry weight, were observed to determine a single concentration using the Salt Injury Index. Then, this optimum concentration (225 mM/L) was used to assess the salt tolerance of all the 59 genotypes in 4 replications while observing the same morphological parameters. With the help of Mean Membership Function Value evaluation criteria, the genotypes were categorized into 5 grades: 4 highly salt-tolerant (HST), 6 salt-tolerant (ST), 19 moderately salt-tolerant (MST), 21 salt-sensitive (SS), and 9 highly salt-sensitive (HSS). Seedling fresh weight (SFW) at 225 mM/L was found to be an ideal trait, which demonstrates the extent to which B. juncea genotypes respond to saline conditions. This is the first report that establishes a highly efficient and reliable method for evaluating the salinity tolerance of Indian mustard at the seedling stage and will facilitate breeders in the development of salt-tolerant cultivars.

Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura and Ulcerative Colitis - A Potential Link Revisited.

Inflammatory bowel disease is known to be associated with several extraintestinal manifestations including haematological abnormalities. The association between ulcerative colitis and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura is largely anecdotal, described in only two case reports so far. While the existence of association remains a matter of research, what is clear is the need for prompt recognition of this complication and expedient treatment which may be life-saving. Here, we describe a patient with ulcerative colitis who developed thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.

Internal Carotid Artery Fibromuscular Dysplasia in a Child: Incidental Postmortem Finding after Head Injury.

Fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) is a rare, segmental, nonatheromatous, and noninflammatory arterial disease of unknown etiology. It predominantly involves renal artery (60-75%) followed by extracranial part of the internal carotid artery and vertebral arteries (25-30%). The disease typically affects middle-aged women and involves intermediate-sized arteries throughout the body. There are rare case reports of extracranial FMD compounding a trauma case. A patient was brought to trauma center emergency with a history of fall from height. There were one previous episode of seizure and two episodes of vomiting. His Glasgow Coma Scale on admission was E1V1M4. Noncontrast computed tomography of the head showed fracture on the right zygomatic, temporal, and parietal bone, with underlying thin subdural hemorrhage. The patient underwent left frontotemporoparietal decompressive craniectomy and lax duraplasty with bone flap in bone bank. On the 1st postoperative day, he succumbed to his injuries despite timely surgery and necessary interventions. It was only postmortem when FMD was diagnosed in carotid artery by histopathological examination. On microscopy, intimal changes were seen in the form of expansion of subendothelial loose matrix with mesenchymal cells, thickening and hyalinization of the internal elastic lamina, areas of duplication and disruption of internal elastic lamina. Medial wall changes included thickening of the wall, focal loss of the smooth muscle, and replacement with fibrosis (dysplastic change). This case emphasizes the importance of considering this disease in the differential diagnosis of children and young adults with stroke (which subsequently lead to his fall).

Efficacy of Intranasal Dexmedetomidine for Conscious Sedation in Patients Undergoing Surgical Removal of Impacted Third Molar: A Double-Blind Split Mouth Study.

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to evaluate the utility and effectiveness of Intranasal Dexmedetomidine on Sedation status and pain experience of the patients undergoing surgical extraction of impacted third molar. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this double-blind, split mouth study, in 15 patients, evaluations pertaining to classes of third molar impaction was done. Each patient was randomly assigned to receive either intranasal normal saline (placebo group) or intranasal 1.5 µg/kg atomized Dexmedetomidine during the first session. The other regimen was used during the second session. Study was conducted for over a period of 120 min and data for sedation and pain was collected at an interval of 30 min. The collected data was then compared between the two groups within the same patient. Sedation status was assessed by a blinded observer with a modified Observer's Assessment of Alertness/Sedation (OAA/S) 13 scale (Annexure- B). Pain experience was evaluated by Visual Analog Scale (VAS) (Annexure-B). Clinical evaluation for sedation and pain was done by a blinded observer at 30, 60, 90, and 120 min after administration of the intranasal solution. The values were then tabulated, and compared between two visits. RESULTS: The mean values of OAA score of Dexmedetomidine group were significantly higher as compared to Placebo group with a 'p' value of 0.000. And the mean values of Pain score of Dexmedetomidine group were significantly lower as compared to Placebo group with a 'p' value 0.009. CONCLUSION: The results of this study clearly indicated that: Intranasally administered Dexmedetomidine was significantly useful and effective to achieve optimal sedation and analgesia during third molar surgery.

Predictors of postoperative pulmonary complications after liver resection: Results from a tertiary care intensive care unit.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative pulmonary complication (PPC) is a serious complication after liver surgery and is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in the intensive care unit (ICU). Therefore, the early identification of risk factors of PPCs may help to reduce the adverse outcomes. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this retrospective study was to determine the predictors of PPCs in patients undergoing hepatic resection. DESIGN: Retrospective, observational. METHODS: The patients admitted after hepatic resection in the gastrosurgical ICU of our institute between October 2009 and June 2013 was identified. The ICU charts were retrieved from the database to identify patients who developed PPCs. A comparison of risk factors was made between the patients who developed PPC (PPC group) against the patients who did not (no-PPC group). RESULTS: Of 117 patients with hepatic resection, 28 patients developed PPCs. Among these, pneumonia accounted for 12 (42.8%) followed by atelectasis in 8 (28.5%) and pleural effusion in 3 (10.7%). Among the patients developing PPCs, 16 patients were over a 70-year-old (57.1%), 21 patients were smokers (75%) and 8 patients (28.5%) had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The requirement for blood transfusion and duration of mechanical ventilation were greater in the patients developing PPC (2000 ± 340 vs. 1000 ± 210 ml; 10 ± 4.5 vs. 3 ± 1.3 days). CONCLUSION: Old age, chronic smoking, COPD, increased blood product transfusion, increased duration of mechanical ventilation and increased length of ICU stay increased the relative risk of PPC, presence of diabetes and occurrence of surgical complications (leak, dehiscence, etc.) were independent predictive variables for the development of PPC.

Chloroma of perianal region masquerading as perianal abscess.

Chloroma, also called granulocytic sarcoma (GS) or Myeloid Sarcoma, is a rare malignant extra-medullary neoplasm of myeloid precursor cells. It is usually associated with myeloproliferative disorders but its appearance may precede the onset of leukaemia. The presence of a chloroma is certainly a sign of poor prognosis. We report a case of chloroma in a middle aged female without a prior history of leukemia in the perianal skin region with clinical diagnosis of perianal abscess. When there is no concomitant leukaemia, diagnosis of chloroma may be difficult. Differential diagnoses include acute lymphoblastic leukemia, large cell NHL, lymphoblastic lymphoma, Ewing's sarcoma and cutaneous T cell lymphoma.

An unusual presentation of pelvic leiomyomatosis misdiagnosed as disseminated malignancy.

Leiomyomatosis peritonealis disseminata (LPD) is an exceedingly rare, usually benign condition that clinically simulates a disseminated malignancy, occurring predominantly in women of childbearing age. We present a case of LPD in a postmenopausal woman who had undergone hysterectomy 8 years back for fibroids along with simultaneous presence of pelvic metastasis from breast carcinoma.

Correlation of gallstone characteristics with mucosal changes in gall bladder.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Gallstones are known to produce diverse histopathological changes in the gall bladder. Our aim was to correlate various gallstone characteristics (number, size, weight, volume and morphological type) with the type of mucosal response in gall bladder (inflammation, hyperplasia, metaplasia and carcinoma). METHODS: The study was conducted on 330 open cholecystectomy specimens with complete gallstones. The stones were assessed for various parameters i.e. number, size, weight, volume and morphological type. For microscopy, sections were obtained from the fundus, body and neck of the gallbladder. Additional sections were taken from abnormal looking areas. RESULTS: Out of the 330 cases, 194 (59%) had mixed stones, 84 (25%) combined, 30 (9%) pigment and 22 (7%) had cholesterol stones. Number of stones varied from a single calculus in 131 (39.6%) cases, double in 29 (8.8%) and multiple in the remaining 170 (51.6%) cases. Cholecystitis, hyperplasia, metaplasia and carcinoma were more commonly seen with mixed and multiple stones. The average weight of calculi in cholecystitis was 2.551 gm, in hyperplasia 3.619 gm, metaplasia4.549 gm and 17.96 gm in cases with carcinoma. Similarly, average volume of the stone(s) was 2.664 ml in cholecystitis, 3.742 ml in hyperplasia, 4.532 ml in metaplasia and 19.178 ml in carcinoma. The average calculus size (2.147 cm) was found to be maximum in cases with carcinoma, followed by hyperplasia (1.187 cm), metaplasia (1.145 cm) and cholecystitis (1.136 cm). CONCLUSION: As the weight, volume and size of the stone increases the changes in the gall bladder mucosa changes from cholecystitis, hyperplasia, metaplasia, dysplasia, to carcinoma.

Primary hepatic tuberculosis: a rare but fatal clinical entity if undiagnosed.

Hepatic tuberculosis particularly in the absence of military tuberculosis is rare. It can occur as a primary case or due to reactivation of an old tubercular focus. We report case of a 24 year old married female who died of primary hepatic tuberculosis. She had no evidence of tuberculosis elsewhere. Appropriate treatment initiated early can result in marked recovery whereas failure to recognize this entity can prove to be fatal.

Oral cysticercosis-a rare presentation.

Cysticercosis is a condition that occurs when man is infected with larvae of Taenia solium. Oral cysticercosis is a rare event, and it represents difficulty in clinical diagnosis. A case of oral cysticercosis in 11 year old girl is presented which complained of painless swelling for 6 months. A FNAC was performed which revealed bluish pink fibrillary material and interspersed nuclei and fragments of wall of larvae. Patient was treated with antihelminthic.

Isolated tuberculous splenic abscess in an immunocompetent individual.

Tuberculosis (TB) of the spleen is an extremely rare clinical entity particularly among immunocompetent persons. We report a case of isolated tuberculous abscess of spleen in a 13- years- old boy. No primary focus of infection was detected in lungs or any other organ. The patient was treated by splenectomy after a therapeutic failure with standard antituberculous medication.