Microwave-assisted synthesis of GdOF: Eu3+/Tb3+ ultrafine phosphor powders suitable for advanced forensic and security ink applications.

The rare-earth-doped inorganic ultrafine oxyfluoride host matrices in forensic science, especially in latent fingerprint detection and anti-counterfeiting applications, were still unexplored and may replace the existing technology owing to its high sensitivity. Herein, GdOF: Eu3+/Tb3+ ultrafine red and green phosphors were synthesized via a rapid, green microwave-assisted hydrothermal method at 150 °C. The phosphors synthesized by this novel method possess good luminescent intensity for the hypersensitive 5D0→7F2 transition of Eu3+ and 5D4→7F5 transition of Tb3+ ions as compared to the phosphors prepared via other conventional methods such as co-precipitation synthesis, sol-gel synthesis, and microwave-assisted co-precipitation synthesis. Further, an enhancement in the luminescent intensity of the ultrafine phosphor was noticed when the microwave parameters and pH values were tuned. The optimized red and green phosphors having high luminescence intensity, good color purity, and high quantum yields of 89.3%, and 71.2%, respectively, were used for the visualization of latent fingerprints on various substrates. These promising phosphors exhibited excellent visualization regardless of the background interference and limit the risk of duplication and are highly reliable. The security inks developed using these phosphors are highly efficient for anti-counterfeiting applications. These multifunctional properties of investigated phosphors can be explored for security applications.

Influence of gold nanoparticles on the nonlinear optical and photoluminescence properties of Eu2O3 doped alkali borate glasses.

Alkali borate glasses activated with trivalent europium ions and rooted with gold (Au) nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesised through a melt quenching process involving a selective thermochemical reduction and their applicability as photonic materials was assessed in detail. Non-linear optical (NLO) measurements were performed using a Z-scan approach in the wavelength range of 700-1000 nm. The open aperture Z-scan signatures for the Eu3+-containing glasses embedded with and without the Au NPs established a reverse saturable absorption (RSA) at all of the studied wavelengths ascribed to the two-photon absorption (2PA). Surprisingly, the nonlinear optical absorption switched to a saturable absorption (SA) with an increase in the concentration of AuCl3. With the incorporation of the Au NPs, the UV excited photoluminescence (PL) intensity of the Eu3+-doped glasses increased first as a consequence of the local field enhancement by the Au NPs, and subsequently decreased at a higher concentration of AuCl3 due to the reverse energy transfer from the Eu3+ ion to the Au0 NPs. The electronic polarization effect of the host glass enhanced the 5D0→7F4 transition intensity on the incorporation of the gold NPs owing to the gold NP-embedded glasses showing a deep-red emission. The NLO and PL studies suggested that the investigated glasses containing a 0.01 mol% of AuCl3 is practically appropriate for photonic applications.

Association of Dermatoglyphic Peculiarities with Dental Caries in Preschool Children of Lucknow, India.

BACKGROUND: Dermatoglyphics refers to study of the intricate dermal ridge configurations on the skin covering the palmar and plantar surfaces of hand and feet. The basis of considering dermatoglyphic patterns as genetic marker for dental caries is that the epithelium of finger buds as well as enamel has ectodermal origin, and both develop at the same time of intrauterine life. AIM: To assess the relationship between fingerprint patterns and dental caries among preschool children of Lucknow city. STUDY DESIGN: This study was of cross-sectional design. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study group comprised 512 preschool children 2-6 years of age. The prevalence of caries was recorded using "Dentition status and treatment needs" (WHO basic oral health assessment form, 1997). They were divided into three groups as follows: Group I (dmft score = 0-2), group II (dmft score = 3-4) and group III (dmft score ≥5). The handprints of each child were taken using a stamp pad. The fingertip patterns were analyzed according to the classical method and were classified according to the topological method. The frequency of occurrence of type of dermatoglyphic pattern on fingertip of each digit was noted. STATISTICS: Chi-square test was used to test the significant difference in proportions. Means were compared using Student's t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) or F-test. RESULTS: Subjects belonging to groups II and III showed maximum occurrence of whorl pattern on all digits. Group I subjects had maximum occurrence of arch pattern. All the variables had statistically significant value, with a degree of divergence of specific dermatoglyphic patterns among all three groups. CONCLUSION: The dental caries susceptibility of an individual increased with incidence of whorl pattern and it decreased with incidence of arch pattern. How to cite this article: Singh E, Saha S, Jagannath GV, Singh S, Saha S, Garg N. Association of Dermatoglyphic Peculiarities with Dental Caries in Preschool Children of Lucknow, India. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2016;9(1):39-44.

Prevalence and Association of Developmental Defects of Enamel with, Dental- Caries and Nutritional Status in Pre-School Children, Lucknow.

BACKGROUND: Developmental Defects of Enamel in the primary dentition may be associated and predictors of dental caries and nutritional status. The aim of the present study was to assess the Prevalence of Developmental Defects of Enamel and its Association with, Dental-Caries and Nutritional Status in Pre-School Children of Lucknow, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Multistage Sampling was done. A total of 302 pre-school (Rural and Urban) children were examined. Type III examination was conducted with WHO Probe. Developmental Enamel Defects (DED) and Dental Caries were assessed using WHO (1997) Proforma. RESULTS: The prevalence of DED of any type was 39.9% with that of demarcated opacities being the highest, followed by hypoplasia. The most frequently affected teeth were maxillary anterior teeth, while the least affected teeth were mandibular incisors. The mean dmft was 3.5. A positive association between DED and caries was observed. Association between Dental Caries & BMI was non-significant whereas Pearson correlation showed a negative correlation between the two. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of enamel defects and caries was high, as the enamel defects were strongly associated with caries.

Effect of streptozotocin-induced diabetes on oxidative energy metabolism in rat liver mitochondria-A comparative study of early and late effects.

The reports in the literature on effects of diabetes on mitochondrial energy-linked functions are conflicting. Hence we carried out systematic studies to evaluate the effects at the early and the late stages of the disease using STZ-diabetic rat as a model. At the end of one week, after induction of diabetes, respiration rates with glutamate and succinate as the substrates increased; respiration rates with other substrates e.g. ß-hydroxybutyrate, pyruvate + malate and ascorbate + TMPD were not affected despite substantial decrease in the ß-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase activity and cytochrome b and c+c(1) contents. Insulin treatment brought about increase in the cytochrome contents beyond control values. The ATPase activity was generally low in the diabetic animals and was not restored by insulin treatment.At the end of one month, the respiratory activities with all the substrates were generally low. Insulin treatment either restored or stimulated the respiration rates beyond control values. The content of cytochromes was differentially affected in the diabetic animals, but insulin treatment caused significant increase beyond control levels. The pattern for ATPase activity was similar to the early effects.At both the stages i.e. early and late stages of diabetes the mitochondria were tightly coupled. The ADP/O ratios were in normal expected ranges and the respiratory control ratios were comparable with the control groups. Insulin treatment resulted in apparent restoration of respiratory activity. However, the effects on the cytochromes and dehydrogenases activities were differential. Taken together the two observations would suggest that the mitochondria were not re-instated to normality despite apparent restoration of respiratory function.

Treatment of recurrent attacks of supraventricular tachycardia during pregnancy causing complications in both mother and fetus.

Cardiac arrhythmias including supraventricular tachycardia are commonly encountered during pregnancy. The case of a young Indian woman with recurrent attacks of supraventricular tachycardia during pregnancy which was managed with adenosine and verapamil is reported. The possible mechanisms of maternal and fetal complications are discussed.