Quick and reagent-free monitoring of edible oil saponification values using a handheld Raman device.

Saponification value, the average molecular weight of fatty acids, is a crucial parameter for detecting adulteration of edible oils. Conventionally, it is determined in a laboratory setup through a time-consuming, laborious titration process using chemical reagents. Herein, the application of Raman spectroscopy for quick SV estimation of oils is demonstrated.

Interfacial Growth of Large Area Single-Crystalline Silver Sheets Through Ambient Microdroplets.

The creation of micrometer-sized sheets of silver at the air-water interface by direct deposition of electrospray-generated silver ions (Ag) on an aqueous dispersion of reduced graphene oxide (RGO), in ambient conditions, is reported. In the process of electrospray deposition (ESD), an electrohydrodynamic flow is created in the aqueous dispersion, and the graphene sheets assemble, forming a thin film at the air-water interface. The deposited Ag coalesce to make single-crystalline Ag sheets on top of this assembled graphene layer.

Spontaneous α-C-H Carboxylation of Ketones by Gaseous CO at the Air-water Interface of Aqueous Microdroplets.

We present a catalyst-free route for the reduction of carbon dioxide integrated with the formation of a carbon-carbon bond at the air/water interface of negatively charged aqueous microdroplets, at ambient temperature. The reactions proceed through carbanion generation at the α-carbon of a ketone followed by nucleophilic addition to CO. Online mass spectrometry reveals that the product is an α-ketoacid.

Substituent-Controlled Photophysical Responses in Dihydropyridine Derivatives and Their Application in the Detection of Volatile Organic Contaminants.

In the ever-expanding realm of organic fluorophores, structurally simple and synthetically straightforward molecules with unique photophysical properties have received special attention. Among these, 1,4-dihydropyridine () is an important scaffold that permits fine-tuning of their photophysical properties through substituents on the periphery. Herein, we describe a series of solid-emissive N-substituted 2,6-dimethyl-4-methylene-1,4-dihydropyridine derivatives appended with electron-withdrawing substituents (dicyanomethylene or 2-dicyanomethylene-3-cyano-2,5-dihydrofuran) at the C-4 position and alkyl or alkylaryl groups on the nitrogen.

Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescent Solvent-free Organic Liquid Hybrids for Tunable Emission Applications.

The synthetic feasibility and excellent luminescence features of organic molecules attracted much attention and were eventually found useful in lighting applications. In this context, a solvent-free organic liquid having attractive thermally activated delayed fluorescence features in bulk along with high processability has prime importance. Herein, we report a series of naphthalene monoimide-based solvent-free organic liquids exhibiting cyan to red thermally activated delayed fluorescence with luminescence quantum yields up to 80% and lifetimes between 10 to 45 μs.

Aggregation of molecules is controlled in microdroplets.

Molecular de-aggregation was observed at the air/water interface of aqueous microdroplets. We probed this phenomenon using dyes such as Rhodamine 6G (R6G), Rhodamine B, acridine orange, and fluorescein, which show aggregation-induced shift in fluorescence. The fluorescence micrographs of microdroplets derived from the aqueous solutions of these dyes show that they are monomeric at the air/water interface, but highly aggregated at the core.

Bio-physical and computational studies on serum albumin / target protein binding of a potential anti-cancer agent.

The successful evolution of an effective drug depends on its pharmacokinetics, efficiency and safety and these in turn depend on the drug-target/drug-carrier protein binding. This work, deals with the interaction of a pyridine derivative, 2-hydroxy-5-(4-methoxyphenyl)-6-phenylpyridine 3-carbonitrile (HDN) with serum albumins at physiological conditions utilizing the steady state and time-resolved fluorescence techniques by probing the emission behavior of Trp in BSA and HSA. In-silico studies revealed a combined static and dynamic quenching mechanism for the interactions.

2D-Molybdenum Disulfide-Derived Ion Source for Mass Spectrometry.

Generation of current or potential at nanostructures using appropriate stimuli is one of the futuristic methods of energy generation. We developed an ambient soft ionization method for mass spectrometry using 2D-MoS, termed streaming ionization, which eliminates the use of traditional energy sources needed for ion formation. The ionic dissociation-induced electrokinetic effect at the liquid-solid interface is the reason for energy generation.

Genomic Instability in Exfoliated Buccal Cells among Cement Warehouse Workers.

Background: Workers in cement warehouses of Kerala are enduring long-standing exposure to cement dust, which is considered genotoxic.

Objective: To evaluate the extent of genotoxicity and cytotoxicity caused due to exposure of cement dust among those working in cement warehouses.

Methods: The study included 82 cement warehouse workers and 82 age-matched individuals with no exposure to cement dust.

Modelling and forecasting Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale scores to achieve remission using time series analysis.

Objectives: Schizophrenia is a chronic mental condition. The objective of this study is to apply time series modelling to Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale scores of outpatients with schizophrenia, observed at regular intervals of time, and hence forecast the number of visits required to reach remission.

Methods: A retrospective data of outpatients diagnosed with chronic paranoid-type schizophrenia were extracted from the records of outpatient department of a tertiary hospital in New Delhi, India.

Photokinetic study on remarkable excimer phosphorescence from heteroleptic cyclometalated platinum(ii) complexes bearing a benzoylated 2-phenylpyridinate ligand.

Novel heteroleptic cyclometalated platinum(ii) complexes consisting of 5'-benzoylated 2-phenylpyridinate (ppy) cyclometalated and acetylacetonate ancillary ligands were synthesized, and their photoluminescence (PL) properties were investigated. The 5'-benzoylated complex without any other substituents exhibited phosphorescence-based monomer emission at 479 nm in dichloromethane (10 μM, rt) with a PL quantum yield of 0.28.

Type 2 pyoverdine from strain BUP2 as - biosensor for the rapid detection of iron and copper ions in contaminated water.

Employing fluorescent quenching mechanism, type 2 pyoverdine (PVD) purified from strain BUP2 (new strain isolated from the rumen of Malabari goat) was used as a simple, convenient and inexpensive tool for the rapid detection of Fe and Cu ions in contaminated drinking water samples. The fluorescence emitted at λ by PVD (in sterile water), mounted on a glass slide was efficiently quenched by the ions of heavy metals like Fe and Cu. The fluorescence quenching effect of PVD was monitored using UV trans-illuminator, and subsequently quantified and confirmed by spectrofluorimetry.

Pseudomonas sp. BUP6, a novel isolate from Malabari goat produces an efficient rhamnolipid type biosurfactant.

This study describes the characteristics of a biosurfactant produced by Pseudomonas sp. BUP6, a rumen bacterium, and optimization of parameters required for its production. Initial screening of five parameters (pH, temperature, agitation, incubation, and substrate concentration) was carried out employing Plackett-Burman design, which reduced the number of parameters to 3 (pH, temperature, and incubation) according to their significance on the yield of biosurfactant.

Effect of the electric field during annealing of organic light emitting diodes for improving its on/off ratio.

If an organic light emitting diode is to be used as part of a matrix addressed array, it should exhibit low reverse leakage current. In this paper we present a method to improve the on/off ratio of such a diode by simultaneous application of heat and electric field post device fabrication. A green OLED with excellent current efficiency was seen to be suffering from a poor on/off ratio of 10(2).

Vesical preservation in patients with late bladder exstrophy referral: histological insights into functional outcome.

Purpose: We evaluated bladder growth after combined bladder and epispadias repair in children 5 years or older, and correlated the histological findings with final surgical outcomes.

Materials And Methods: We prospectively evaluated 8 late bladder exstrophy referrals from a series of 26 patients treated during a 5-year period. Evaluated outcome measures were bladder capacity (expressed as percentage of expected bladder capacity for age), upper tracts status, continence and histological findings (collagen-to-smooth muscle ratio and type III-to-total collagen ratio).

Production, optimization, and partial purification of lipase from Pseudomonas sp. strain BUP6, a novel rumen bacterium characterized from Malabari goat.

This study introduces a novel bacterium-Pseudomonas sp. strain BUP6-isolated from the rumen of the Malabari goat with efficiency for producing lipase. It showed significant production of lipase when grown in a newly designed basal medium, supplemented with vegetable oil.

A mathematical derivation to prove reduced denture retention in v shaped palate.

The impact of oral health on the quality of life of older individuals have significantly increased over the last few decades. Edentulism substantially affect oral and general health and overall quality of life. Complete denture retention is the resistance to displacement of the denture base away from the ridge which is the main source of psychological comfort for the patient.

Candida tropicalis BPU1, a novel isolate from the rumen of the Malabari goat, is a dual producer of biosurfactant and polyhydroxybutyrate.

This unique study reports a new strain (BPU1) of Candida tropicalis isolated from the rumen of the Malabari goat, showing dual production of biosurfactant and polyhydroxybutyrate. C. tropicalis strain BPU1, a facultative anaerobe, was tuned to become an aerobe in specially designed flask, the Benjamin flask.

A Prospective Survey of Patient Drop-outs in a Palliative Care Setting.

Aim: A prospective survey of patient drop-outs was carried out in a palliative care setting to understand the background of patients in the drop-out category. This was to understand the background of patients who drop out and why they drop out.

Materials And Methods: The survey was conducted on 425 patients who had registered in the clinic in 2009 and subsequently persistently dropped out.

Predictive value of symptoms for quality of life in first-episode schizophrenia.

Background: Management of the disease symptomatology impacts the long-term functioning and quality of life (QOL) in psychotic patients.

Aim: The aim of this research was to study the association between psychiatric symptoms (positive, negative and general psychopathology symptoms) and QOL in first-episode schizophrenia patients.

Methods: Fifty-five first-episode drug-naïve schizophrenia outpatients were recruited from a tertiary care hospital in New Delhi, India.

Multicentric osteosarcoma: clinicopathologic and radiographic study of 56 cases.

Multicentric osteosarcoma (M-OGS) is characterized by multicentricity of osseous osteosarcomas, either synchronous or metachronous, without visceral involvement. The study's purpose was to clinicopathologically and radiographically analyze 56 cases of M-OGS (22 synchronous and 34 metachronous). The distal femur was the most common site.

A study of educational underachievement in Indian children with epilepsy.

Background: Epilepsy is a chronic disorder that significantly affects learning and behavior. Children with epilepsy are much more vulnerable for educational problems than with any other chronic illness.

Objectives: The study was conducted to assess the extent of educational problems and factors associated with educational underachievement in Indian children with epilepsy.

Primary schwannoma of the bone: a clinicopathologic and radiologic study of 17 cases.

Primary schwannoma of the bone, defined as arising within the medullary cavity and radiologically mimicking more common primary bone tumors, is rare. We present 17 tumors, 13 conventional schwannomas, and 4 melanotic type. Collectively, they represented <1% of all primary bone tumors seen at Mayo Clinic over a 33-year period.

Benign bone tumors--recent developments.

Benign bone tumors frequently pose a diagnostic challenge for general surgical pathologists. Accurate pathologic diagnosis requires careful clinical and radiological correlation. The most significant recent advances in some benign bone tumors have occurred at the molecular and cytogenetic level.

Metastasizing (malignant) ameloblastoma: review of a unique histopathologic entity and report of Mayo Clinic experience.

Purpose: To provide a comprehensive review of metastasizing (malignant) ameloblastoma, establish a new baseline of valid cases using histologic criteria and minimum documentation, and report 3 cases from the Mayo Clinic files.

Patients And Methods: Ninety-eight original reports of "metastasizing," "malignant," or "atypical" ameloblastoma were reviewed. The following data were gathered for reports that demonstrated well-differentiated ameloblastoma at the metastatic site: gender, ethnicity, age at time of primary tumor diagnosis, histologic pattern of primary tumor, anatomic sites of primary and metastatic tumors, interval from diagnosis of primary to diagnosis of metastasis, number of recurrences preceding metastasis, treatment responses to radiation and/or chemotherapy, presence of hypercalcemia, and length of survival after metastasis.