Electrochemical Detection of a Breast Cancer Biomarker with an Amine-Functionalized Nanocomposite Pt-Fe3O4-MWCNTs-NH2 as a Signal-Amplifying Label.

We report an ultrasensitive sandwich-type electrochemical immunosensor to detect the breast cancer biomarker CA 15-3. Amine-functionalized composite of reduced graphene oxide and Fe3O4 nanoparticles (MRGO-NH2) was used as an electrochemical sensing platform material to modify the electrodes. The nanocomposite comprising Pt and Fe3O4 nanoparticles (NPs) anchored on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (Pt-Fe3O4-MWCNTs-NH2) was utilized as a pseudoenzymatic signal-amplifying label. Compared to reduced graphene oxide, the composite MRGO-NH2 platform material demonstrated a higher electrochemical signal. In the Pt-Fe3O4-MWCNTs-NH2 label, multiwalled carbon nanotubes provided the substratum to anchor abundant catalytic Pt and Fe3O4 NPs. The nanocomposites were thoroughly characterized using transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. An electroanalytical study and prevalidation of the immunosensor was carried out. The immunosensor exhibited exceptional capabilities in detecting CA 15-3, offering a wider linear range of 0.0005-100 U mL-1 and a lower detection limit of 0.00008 U mL-1. Moreover, the designed immunosensor showed good specificity, reproducibility, and acceptable stability. The sensor was successfully applied to analyze samples from breast cancer patients, yielding reliable results.

Self-Assembled Lanthanum Oxide Nanoflakes by Electrodeposition Technique for Resistive Switching Memory and Artificial Synaptic Devices.

In recent years, many metal oxides have been rigorously studied to be employed as solid electrolytes for resistive switching (RS) devices. Among these solid electrolytes, lanthanum oxide (La2 O3 ) is comparatively less explored for RS applications. Given this, the present work focuses on the electrodeposition of La2 O3 switching layers and the investigation of their RS properties for memory and neuromorphic computing applications. Initially, the electrodeposited La2 O3 switching layers are thoroughly characterized by various analytical techniques. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and Mott-Schottky techniques are probed to understand the in situ electrodeposition, RS mechanism, and n-type semiconducting nature of the fabricated La2 O3 switching layers. All the fabricated devices exhibit bipolar RS characteristics with excellent endurance and stable retention. Moreover, the device mimics the various bio-synaptic properties such as potentiation-depression, excitatory post-synaptic currents, and paired-pulse facilitation. It is demonstrated that the fabricated devices are non-ideal memristors based on double-valued charge-flux characteristics. The switching variation of the device is studied using the Weibull distribution technique and modeled and predicted by the time series analysis technique. Based on electrical and EIS results, a possible filamentary-based RS mechanism is suggested. The present results assert that La2 O3 is a promising solid electrolyte for memory and brain-inspired applications.

Micropsalliota pileocystidiata (Agaricaceae), a new species from Maharashtra, India.

A new species of Micropsalliota is described from tropical region of Maharashtra, India. The species is recognized on the basis of morphological details and its phylogenetic placement is determined by using of nrITS and nrLSU sequence data analyses. Micropsalliota pileocystidiata is characterised by its robust basidiomes covered by reddish brown appressed fibrillose squamules, ellipsoid to amygdaliform basidiospores, pyriform pileocystidia and clavate, utriform to broadly utriform or sometimes ellipsoid cheilo- and pleurocystidia.

Rapid synthesis of Bi2O3 nano-needles via 'green route' and evaluation of its anti-fungal activity.

Here, the authors report a rapid, simple, and eco-friendly process for synthesis of Bi2O3 nano-needles. Dioscorea alata tuber extract was used as both reducing and capping agent for the first time. These nanoparticles were characterised by X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscope, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometry, the nano-structured Bi2O3 needles have an average diameter of 158 nm with the lengths in the range of 1-3 µm. CLSI M27-A2 standard was followed for evaluation of anti-fungal activity. Bi2O3 nano-needles show remarkable activity against Candida albicans. It exhibits four time greater activity than bulk Bi2O3 powder and two time greater activity than itraconazole, which makes it a potent anti-fungal drug.

Dental complications of herpes zoster: Two case reports and review of literature.

Herpes zoster (HZ) (shingles) results due to reactivation of varicella-zoster virus. Unusual dental complications like osteonecrosis, exfoliation of teeth, periodontitis, and calcified and devitalized pulps, periapical lesions, and resorption of roots as well as developmental anomalies such as irregular short roots and missing teeth may arise secondary to involvement of 2nd or 3rd division of trigeminal nerve by HZ. Such cases pose both a diagnostic as well as a therapeutic challenge. We report two such rare dental complications of HZ-spontaneous tooth exfoliation and osteonecrosis of the maxilla in a 70-year-old female patient; and multiple periapical pathoses affecting right half of the mandibular teeth in a 45-year-old female patient. Both the patients did not have any associated systemic illness. The aim of this paper was to compare the present cases with all the 46 cases of osteonecrosis and 6 cases of multiple periapical pathoses secondary to trigeminal zoster reported in literature till date The article also throws light that the occurrence of such dental complications of HZ is not entirely dependent on the immune status of the host.

Effectiveness of different tooth brushing techniques on the removal of dental plaque in 6-8 year old children of Gulbarga.

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to evaluate the respective effectiveness of the horizontal scrub, Fones, and modified Bass methods demonstrated on the cast to individual child within the classroom setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 180 healthy children studying in 1(st) and 2(nd) grades in the age range of 6-8 years were randomly selected from various schools of Gulbarga district, Karnataka, India. They were equally divided into three groups. Children in each group were demonstrated only one of the three brushing techniques, viz. horizontal scrub technique to group A, Fones technique to group B, and modified Bass technique to group C, using a cast model. All the children were re-examined and reviewed after 24 h and plaque index was re-assessed to obtain the follow-up data. The results were compared with the baseline data, and statistical analysis was carried out using paired t-test and intergroup comparison was made using analysis of variance (ANOVA) test. RESULTS: Statistically significant (P < 0.001) reduction in plaque score was seen in modified Bass technique followed by horizontal scrub technique and the least efficacy was seen in Fones technique. CONCLUSION: This study showed that modified Bass technique was the most effective brushing technique in children.

Prevalence of oral mucosal lesions in dental patients with tobacco smoking, chewing, and mixed habits: A cross-sectional study in South India.

BACKGROUND: A variety of oral mucosal lesions and conditions are associated with the habit of smoking and chewing tobacco, and many of these carry a potential risk for the development of cancer. There have been no studies that report the prevalence of habits and associated oral changes in the population in Dharwad region, of Karnataka, south India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A hospital-based, cross-sectional study was carried out at SDM Dental College (Dharwad, Karnataka). A total of 2400 subjects (1200 subjects with and 1200 subjects without habits) attending the dental hospital were interviewed and examined by trained professionals to assess any oral mucosal changes. RESULTS: Oral mucosal lesions were found in 322 (26.8%) subjects who had tobacco smoking and chewing habits as compared to 34 (2.8%) subjects without those habits. Oral leukoplakia (8.2%) and oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) (7.1%) were the prevalent oral mucosal lesions found in subjects who had those habits, while the other lesions (1.7%) namely; oral candidiasis, median rhomboid glossitis, recurrent apthous ulcer, frictional keratosis, and oral lichen planus (0.9%) were frequently reported among individuals without those habits. The odds of developing oral lesions in subjects with tobacco habits was nearly 11.92 times that of abstainers (odds ratio, OR = 11.92, 95% confidence intervals, CI = 10.61-14.59%). CONCLUSION: The study showed that the risk of the development of oral lesions associated with tobacco smoking, chewing, or both is quite high. Males who had one or more of these habits showed more frequent oral changes than females. The study reinforces the association of OSF with gutkha and areca nut chewing, and leukoplakia, erythroplakia, and oral cancer with tobacco smoking, chewing, or mixed habits.

Cowden syndrome- Clinico-radiological illustration of a rare case.

Cowden syndrome (CS) or multiple hamartoma syndrome is an infrequent genodermatoses, which is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait resulting from the mutation in the Phosphatase and Tensin homolog gene on the arm 10q and is principally characterized by multiple hamartomas with an increased risk of development of malignancies. Facial and oral signs are remarkable in the form of multiple papules and trichilemmomas on the face. We report one such rare case of CS in a 19-year-old patient who was diagnosed on the basis of her oral mucosal lesions and was further investigated and diagnosed with other hamartomas. The present case report signifies the responsibility of the oral physician in the early diagnosis of this progressive pathological syndrome as it leaves its footmark in the oral cavity in the form of oral mucosal lesions.

Rare association of dens invaginatus with impacted mesiodens - A case report.

Mesiodens is a supernumerary tooth occupying the position in the maxillary anterior region. This additional tooth structure may cause disturbance in eruption or position of the adjacent teeth. About 8-25% of supernumerary teeth in the anterior region erupt spontaneously. Un-erupted supernumerary teeth are incidentally identified on a routine radiographic examination. Dens invaginatus is a rare tooth malformation showing an in-folding of enamel and dentine of affected tooth sometimes extending deep into the pulp cavity and the root portion. We report a case of un-erupted mesiodens causing midline diastema of permanent teeth subsequently corrected following extraction of mesiodens. Dens invaginatus was identified affecting the un-erupted mesiodens. It is rare to find dens invaginatus associated with a supernumerary tooth and only 10 such instances of dens invaginatus affecting supernumerary teeth have been reported in the English literature.