Structure-property relationship in functionalized azobenzene photoswitches and their supramolecular behavior.

Herein, we report the design, synthesis, and supramolecular behavior of 30 structurally diverse photoresponsive azobenzene molecular systems. To establish structure-property relationships, azobenzenes appended with N-picolinyl and/or N-benzyl groups tethered directly through carboxamides or via triazolylmethyl carboxamide linkages were explored. We have evaluated the photoswitching characteristics and thermal stability of the Z isomers through systematic studies. All the targets were also screened for their aggregation behavior and supramolecular aspects. Among all the derivatives, a few carboxamide-based systems formed microcrystals upon aggregation, showing light responsiveness. In contrast, the derivatives tethered via triazolylmethyl carboxamide linkage exhibited hydrogel formation with excellent water-absorbing capacity. All supramolecular aspects of the morphology of the microcrystal and hydrogel states and their stimuli-responsiveness have been studied using spectroscopy and various microscopic techniques.

Nebulized Versus Intravenously Administered Dexmedetomidine for Obtunding Hemodynamic Responses to Laryngoscopy and Tracheal Intubation: A Randomized Double-Blind Comparative Study.

Introduction Intravenous dexmedetomidine is known to cause major adverse effects such as bradycardia, hypotension, cardiac arrhythmias, and heart block when used as premedication for attenuation of the laryngoscopy and intubation response, limiting its routine use. Thus, it is important to study other routes of administration of dexmedetomidine. Objectives To compare the hemodynamic response and sedation score between intravenous and nebulized dexmedetomidine as premedication for the attenuation of the laryngoscopy and intubation response. Materials and methods In this study, 60 patients fulfilling inclusion criteria undergoing surgeries under general anesthesia (ASA Grade I and II) were randomly allocated into two groups of 30 patients each. Group IV received intravenous 1 mcg/kg dexmedetomidine in 100 mL normal saline, and Group IN received nebulization with 1 mcg/kg dexmedetomidine diluted to a total volume of 5 cc of normal saline, 30 minutes prior to the induction of general anesthesia. Sedation scores were calculated using the Ramsay sedation score at 20 minutes after the administration of the drug; patients were induced by the standard protocol, and laryngoscopy was performed. Vitals were recorded before the administration of the drug and after intubation at stipulated time intervals. Results The median heart rate becomes significantly lower at 15 minutes (70 vs. 76.5) and 20 minutes (66 vs. 76) after induction among Group IV as compared to Group IN. The median systolic blood pressure was significantly lower at 20 minutes in Group IV (110 mmHg) than in Group IN (119 mmHg). The median diastolic blood pressure was significantly lower at 10 minutes (76 vs. 79), 15 minutes (70 vs. 77), and 20 minutes (69 vs. 78.5) in Group IV than in Group IN. The median of mean arterial pressure was significantly lower at 15 minutes (84.8 vs. 91.5) and 20 minutes (83 vs. 92) in Group IV than in Group IN. A comparison of vitals after induction shows that the median heart rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and mean arterial pressure were significantly lower statistically among Group IV as compared to Group IN at 0, 1, 3, 5, 10, 15, and 30 minutes after induction (except for systolic blood pressure at 3 minutes). The median sedation score was lower in Group IN (0) than in Group IV (1); this difference is statistically significant. Conclusion The obtundation of hemodynamic responses following laryngoscopy and maintaining hemodynamics intraoperatively is statistically better with nebulized dexmedetomidine compared to intravenous dexmedetomidine.

Role of Mutant Phosphate Solubilizing Microorganism on Growth of Brassica juncea (L.) cv RH 30.

Phosphorus is the second major plant nutrient and the availability of this element to plants is a major challenge due to conversion to insoluble form by chemical reactions with metal cations depending upon the soil pH. Total of sixty eight isolates of phosphate solubilizing bacteria from rhizosphere of mustard grown in different region of Haryana was studied. The isolates were mutagenised by giving treatment of Nitrosoguanidine (50 ug/ml). Three PSB strains (15M, 22M and 25M) and six mutants (15M2, 15M6, 22M28, 22M29, 25M11 and 25M30) were evaluated for their establishment in the rhizosphere, their effect on biomass production in mustard (Brassica juncea). Total bacterial count in rhizosphere increased after 30 and 40 days of sowing while decrease in growth was observed at 60 days of sowing. The phosphate solubilizing bacterial count in the rhizosphere varied from 1 to 24, 2 to 20 and 1 to 11 at 30, 45 and 60 days after sowing. Phosphate uptake also increased upto 11-21% which shows thatmutants had significant effect on increase in plant dry biomass and P-uptake under pot house conditions.

Photochemistry of 2-Iodobenzothiazole and Iodine-Triggered 2-Isocyanophenylthiyl Radical Cyclization in Argon Matrices.

The photochemistry of 2-iodobenzothiazole (IBT) was investigated in an argon matrix at 4 K. Irradiating matrix-isolated IBT at λ = 254 nm led to the formation of 2-isocyanophenylthiyl radical 3 and benzothiirene 4; surprisingly, the 2-dehydrobenzothiazole radical 1 was not detected. A subsequent 365 nm irradiation or annealing of matrix containing 3 and iodine atom (at 30 K) reverted the precursor IBT, indicating an iodine-triggered thiyl radical-based cyclization, which was confirmed by computations using density functional theory. For gaining mechanistic insights, similar investigations were performed using benzothiazole BT as a precursor. Once again, the 254 nm light-induced C-S scission accompanied by H-shift led to 2-isocyanothiophenol 7. A conformational analysis of 2-isocyanothiophenol 7 and its photochemistry was also carried out with the help of IR spectroscopy under cryogenic conditions and computations. Considering the importance of thiyl radicals in biomolecular pathways, the investigations on its photochemical generation and a rare, reversible phenomenon of iodine-mediated cyclization under cryogenic conditions are insightful for fundamental photochemistry and sulfur chemistry.

Ultrasound and computed tomography in the evaluation of mesenteric lesions: A pictorial review.

The mesentery is a broad fan-shaped fold of peritoneum that suspends the loops of small intestine from the posterior abdominal wall. Although primary neoplasms arising in the mesentery are rare, the mesentery is a major avenue for the dissemination of tumours, which can spread through hematogenous, lymphatic, direct or peritoneal seeding. Imaging helps in the diagnosis of these tumours and aids in directing appropriate treatment by assessing their size, extent and relationship with adjacent structures. The aim of this article is to describe the spectrum of imaging findings of the various mesenteric lesions using ultrasound and CT. Contribution: Evaluation of the mesentery is often neglected during routine ultrasound (US) because of inadequate training and unfamiliarity with the common US features encountered with mesenteric disease. CT plays an essential role in the diagnosis of mesenteric disease. Knowledge of imaging characteristics of various mesenteric lesions helps in timely diagnosis and management.

Spin and current transport in the robust half-metallic magnetc-CoFeGe.

Spintronics is an emerging form of electronics based on the electrons' spin degree of freedom for which materials with robust half-metallic ferromagnet character are very attractive. Here we determine the structural stability, electronic, magnetic, and mechanical properties of the half-Heusler (hH) compound CoFeGe, in particular also in its cubic form. The first-principles calculations suggest that the electronic structure is robust with 100% spin polarization at the Fermi level under hydrostatic pressure and uni-axial strain. Both the longitudinal and Hall current polarization are calculated and the longitudinal current polarization (PL) is found to be>99%and extremely robust under uniform pressure and uni-axial strain. The anomalous Hall conductivity and spin Hall conductivity of hH cubic CoFeGe (c-CoFeGe) are found to be∼-100S cm-1and∼39 ℏ/eS cm-1, respectively. Moreover, the Curie temperature of the alloy is calculated to be ∼524 K with a 3µBmagnetic moment. Lastly, the calculated mechanical properties indicate thatc-CoFeGe is ductile and mechanically stable with a bulk modulus of ≈154 GPa. Overall, this analysis reveals that cubic CoFeGe is a robust half-metallic ferromagnet and an interesting material for spintronic applications.

Evaluation of the plantar fascia in patients with diabetes mellitus: the role of sonoelastography.

Purpose: It has been postulated that hyperglycaemic non-enzymatic glycation of proteins with subsequent accumulation of glycosylated end-products in tissues like the plantar fascia (PF) contributes to the development of foot ulcers in diabetics. The present study evaluates the spectrum of sonoelastographic findings in the plantar fascia in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Material and methods: A total of 81 patients and 32 healthy volunteers were included in the study. PF thickness was registered 1 cm distal to the attachment at the calcaneus. Greyscale ultrasonographic examination was followed by strain elastography of the PF based on which PF were qualitatively categorized into 3 grades (hard, intermediate, soft) depending on their predominant colour. Results: Patients were found to have thicker PF than healthy volunteers (p < 0.0001). Grade 2 (intermediate elasticity) PF was the most common type seen in both groups (48.44% of healthy volunteers and 57.25% of patients). However, a greater number of patients (36.64%) had grade 3, i.e. soft PF as compared to healthy volunteers (9.38%). Conclusions: To conclude, there is thickening and softening of the PF in patients with type 2 DM, supporting the hypo-thesis that diabetes-induced changes occur in the tissues of the foot.

Imaging of Mischievous Intra-abdominal Fat Presenting with Abdominal Pain: A Pictorial Review.

Aim: To briefly discuss the imaging features of different types of intra-abdominal fat necrosis. Background: Trauma and ischemic insult may result in intra-abdominal fat necrosis. Fat necrosis may present with acute abdomen, clinically simulating with other etiologies, such as acute diverticulitis and acute appendicitis. Main body: Imaging plays a crucial role in making the exact diagnosis and differentiating it from other pathologies that may require surgical intervention. Computed tomography (CT) is the most commonly used imaging modality. A small fat attenuation lesion with a hyperattenuating rim in contact with the ventral surface of the sigmoid colon indicates epiploic appendagitis while a larger fat-attenuation lesion on the right side of the abdomen in between the colon and anterior abdominal wall indicates omental infarction. Fat stranding at the root of the mesentery with fat ring sign represents inflammatory mesenteric panniculitis while retractile or sclerosing mesenteritis appears as a fibrotic spiculated mass with or without calcification, mimicking mesenteric carcinoid. In patients with acute pancreatitis, the amount of inflamed fat correlates with clinical severity and outcome. Conclusions: Familiarity with the imaging features of different types of intraabdominal fat necrosis helps in establishing an accurate diagnosis, thus avoiding unnecessary intervention. How to cite this article: Patel RK, Mittal S, Singh S. Imaging of Mischievous Intra-abdominal Fat Presenting with Abdominal Pain: A Pictorial Review. Euroasian J Hepato-Gastroenterol 2022;12(1):45-49.

Disconnected Pancreatic Duct Syndrome: A Case Series.

Disconnected pancreatic duct syndrome (DPDS) is a condition where there is a ductal disconnection between viable secreting distal pancreatic tissues and the gastrointestinal tract. It may follow acute or chronic pancreatitis, abdominal trauma, and pancreatic surgery, leading to necrosis or structural disintegration of the pancreatic duct. Aim: The aim of our study is to describe the imaging features of DPDS on ultrasound, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) that helps in diagnosis.We present a case series of DPDS with their imaging features in two settings, one in the patient with acute necrotizing pancreatitis and the other with blunt abdominal trauma. Conclusion: Imaging plays a significant role in preoperative diagnosis. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography provides a comprehensive assessment of pancreatic duct integrity, and it shows its type and site of ductal disruption. It is a simple, effective noninvasive imaging modality in diagnosing pancreatic duct disruption. How to cite this article: Satyam S, Singh S, Sah PK. Disconnected Pancreatic Duct Syndrome: A Case Series. Euroasian J Hepato-Gastroenterol 2022;12(1):60-63.

Cervical extension of pancreatic pseudocyst: An unusual cause of neck stiffness and dysphagia.

Pancreatic pseudocyst is a common complication that can occur following acute or chronic pancreatitis. Commonly, they are peripancreatic in location. Rarely, they can extend to the mediastinum, and further extension to the neck is even rarer. A 55-year-old man who presented with neck stiffness and dysphagia and on imaging, was found to have a cystic lesion in the neck. Aspiration of the lesion revealed raised amylase levels suggestive of a pancreatic pseudocyst.

Multidetector Computed Tomography Angiography Role in Diagnosing Superior Mesenteric Arteriovenous Fistula with Superior Mesenteric Vein Thrombosis: A Case Report.

Introduction: Arteriovenous fistulas (AVF) of the superior mesenteric vasculature are rare vascular abnormalities. It often occurs due to iatrogenic injuries during bowel resection or abdominal traumas. As the patient exhibits a variety of signs and symptoms and can present late, diagnosis may be difficult.Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) is the most common modality for imaging the small bowel, vessels, and mesentery in patients with mesenteric ischemia. Case presentation: We present the case of a 25-year-old man who presented with features of acute intestinal obstruction and was operated on in an emergency. Resection of gangrenous small bowel and bowel adhesiolysis with double barrel ileostomy was performed. During exploratory laparotomy, gangrenous bowels were found, but no cause of mesenteric ischemia could be delineated. Finally, on computed tomography angiography (CTA) superior mesenteric arteriovenous fistula (SMAVF) with superior mesenteric vein (SMV) thrombosis was diagnosed. The patient was advised of aggressive anticoagulant therapy. Conclusion: Computed tomography angiography has become the most reliable diagnostic modality to confirm the diagnosis and guide the best treatment strategy. How to cite this article: Satyam S, Kose S, Singh S, et al. Multidetector Computed Tomography Angiography Role in Diagnosing Superior Mesenteric Arteriovenous Fistula with Superior Mesenteric Vein Thrombosis: A Case Report. Euroasian J Hepato-Gastroenterol 2022;12(2):98-101.

A prospective randomised control trial to compare the perioperative outcomes and ergonomic challenges between triangular versus midline port placement in total extra-peritoneal repair of uncomplicated unilateral inguinal hernia.

BACKGROUND: Routine TEP technique requires three skin incisions for placement of three trocars in the midline. Otherwise, this can be done by three-port triangular technique or two-hand technique. This study reports a randomised trial of perioperative outcomes and ergonomics characteristics of this procedure using two different techniques of port insertion. METHODS: N = 28 patients were randomised into two groups for triangular three-port (TTEP) versus midline three-port TEP (MTEP) hernioplasty after informed written consent in Department of Surgery, King George's Medical University UP between September 2016 and September 2017 after institutional ethical approval. Patient-related outcomes in terms of quality of life (QOL) and ergonomic evaluation of the technique were compared in double-blinded fashion. RESULTS: Postoperative pain score at 24 h post surgery (5.1 ± 0.6; 95% CI 4.9-5.3 vs. 4.8 ± 0.4; 95% CI 4.6-4.9) differed, while hospital stay, time to return to routine work, tolerance to oral feeds and intraoperative complications occurrence (OR 2.1; 95% CI 0.2-24.3) were comparable in both groups. Time to return to office work (5.5 ± 0.5; 95% CI 5.4-5.7 vs. 4.0 ± 0.8; 95% CI 3.7-4.3) and immediate postoperative sensation of mesh and pain score were significantly higher in MTEP compared to TTEP. Ergonomic parameters including visualization of landmark score, spreading of mesh score and total surgeon satisfaction score (TTEP 8.4 ± 0.7; 95% CI 8.1-8.6 vs. MTEP 7.0 ± 0.8; 95% CI 6.7-7.3), mental effort quotient (SMEQ score: TTEP 50.6 ± 12.7; 95% CI 45.9-55.3 vs. MTEP 70.8 ± 12.6: 95% CI 66.1-75.4) and physical effort quotient (LEDQ scores in wrist, hand, arm and shoulders) were also superior in triangular technique of port placement. CONCLUSION: Triangular three-port TEP hernioplasty is ergonomically feasible and enables a surgeon to perform surgery safely using basic principles of laparoscopy.

Phakomatoses: A pictorial review.

Phakomatoses or Neurocutaneous syndromes are a heterogeneous group of disorders and have variable inheritance pattern. Currently, more than 30 entities are included in this group. These disorders primarily affect the central nervous system; however, skin, viscera, and other connective tissues can also be involved with variable clinical presentation. We will describe and illustrate the various radiological findings of the common entities through the iconography of the cases presented to our department.

Sonoelastographic Evaluation of the Achilles Tendon in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Diabetic foot is one of the dreaded complications of diabetes mellitus (DM). Alterations of the Achilles tendon (AT) may contribute to development of foot ulcers in diabetic patients. We evaluated the sonoelastographic abnormalities of the AT in 61 healthy volunteers and 81 patients with type 2 DM. The patients were further divided into those with and without peripheral neuropathy (PN). The AT thickness was measured in the proximal, middle and distal portions. Alterations in echo pattern were noted. The patients were found to have thicker tendons than the healthy volunteers (p < 0.01). Alterations in the echo pattern of the AT were more common in patients compared with healthy volunteers (p < 0.01). The shear wave velocity in the distal one-third of the AT was measured using shear wave elasticity imaging. Mean shear wave velocity values obtained were lower in patients compared with healthy volunteers (p < 0.001). No significant difference was found in the sonoelastographic findings of the AT in patients with and without PN. We conclude that there is softening, thickening and alterations in echo pattern of the AT in the form of hypoechogenicity, loss of fibrillar pattern and calcification at insertion in patients with type 2 DM, and these alterations could occur independent of onset of PN.

First-principles investigations of orthorhombic-cubic phase transition and its effect on thermoelectric properties in cobalt-based ternary alloys.

We screened six cobalt-based 18-VEC systems CoVSi, CoNbSi, CoTaSi (Si-group) and CoVGe, CoNbGe, CoTaGe (Ge-group) by the first-principles approach, with the motivation of stabilizing these orthorhombic phases into the cubic symmetry-favorable for thermoelectrics. Remarkably, it was found that the Ge-group is energetically more favorable in the cubic symmetry than the hitherto orthorhombic phase. We account the cubic ground state of the Si-group to the interplay of internal pressure and covalent interactions. The principle of reducing covalent interactions will provide insight and could be vital in speeding the search of missing cubic half-Heusler alloys. Meanwhile, the calculated transport properties of all the systems on p -type doping, except CoVSi, are more promising than the well-known CoTiSb. We also provide conservative estimates of the figure of merit, exceeding the CoTiSb. Based on our findings, we suggest possible new phases of ternary compounds for thermoelectric applications.

Study on the Effect of Severity of Maternal Iron Deficiency Anemia on Regulators of Angiogenesis in Placenta.

Aims: In this study, we hypothesized that maternal anemia leads to altered expression of angiogenic proteins vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), placental growth factor (PLGF), nitrotyrosine (NT) residues, and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (e-NOS) in the placenta. Hence, we study the expression of the abovementioned proteins in the placentas of mothers with different grades of anemia. Materials and methods: Our study was conducted in 48 pregnant women (36-40 weeks of gestation), who were divided into four groups-normal, mild, moderate, and severe anemia. After delivery, the expression of the angiogenic proteins was studied in their placentas by immunohistochemistry. Results: In our study, 58.3% of the pregnant women were anemic, among which 20.83% had mild anemia, 18.75% had moderate anemia, and 18.75% had severe anemia. Immunohistochemical staining intensity for VEGF, PLGF, NT residues, and e-NOS proteins was observed to be higher in the placentas of anemic women when compared with the non-anemic women. Conclusion: Our study showed that there is an increased expression of angiogenic proteins in the placentas of anemic mothers, which probably is an adaptive response leading to changes in placental vessels.

High resolution ultrasonography of peripheral nerves in diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to assess the usefulness of high-resolution ultrasonography (HRU) in the evaluation of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). METHODS: Thirty-seven adult diabetic patients with clinically diagnosed DPN and 45 healthy adult volunteers were included in the study. HRU of the right medial, ulnar, common peroneal, and posterior tibial nerves was done. The mean cross-sectional area (CSA) of the involved nerves was measured in the two groups at identical positions. The CSA was compared between the two groups, and Student t-test was applied to assess statistical significance. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in the CSA of the median, ulnar, common peroneal, and posterior tibial nerve in DPN patients as compared to healthy volunteers. Sonographic findings were compared with nerve conduction study (NCS) for all the nerves studied except common peroneal nerve (CPN), as the NCS of CPN is not routinely done. DPN was classified as mild or moderate to severe on the basis of latency and velocity assessed by NCS. The mean CSA in all the examined nerves was higher in moderate to severe DPN than the mild DPN, but this was not statistically significant except for ulnar nerve with a P value of < 0.0001. CONCLUSION: HRU demonstrates a morphological change in patients with DPN in the form of an increase in CSAs, which was statistically significant. HRU can objectively complement other diagnostic investigations such as NCS. High resolution ultrasonography of peripheral nerves has the potential to become the investigation of first choice for the evaluation of DPN.