Correction: Consequences of gamma-ray irradiation on structural and electronic properties of PEDOT:PSS polymer in air and vacuum environments

Correction for ‘Consequences of gamma-ray irradiation on structural and electronic properties of PEDOT:PSS polymer in air and vacuum environments’ by Aswin kumar Anbalagan et al., RSC Adv., 2021, 11, 20752–20759, DOI: 10.1039/D1RA03463D.

The authors regret that incorrect details were given for ref. 18. The correct version of ref. 18 is given here as ref. 1.The Royal Society of Chemistry apologises for these errors and any consequent inconvenience to authors and readers.     

Investigation of electronic properties of chemical vapor deposition grown single layer graphene via doping of thin transparent conductive films

It is a crucial challenge to obtain the desired electronic properties of two-dimensional materials for various ubiquitous applications and improvements in the existing technology. In this article, we have demonstrated the modulation in electronic features of the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) grown single-layer graphene (SLG) via wet doping of poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS). The PEDOT:PSS is well known as conducting polymer and used as transparent conducting electrode in flexible organic electronic devices. The effect of doping on SLG samples were examined by Raman spectroscopy, electrical transport measurement, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM). The Raman peaks position of doped samples provided sought evidence of p-type doping of SLG after the deposition of PEDOT:PSS films. The electrical measurement confirmed the p-type doping of SLG and also revealed enhanced carrier density and mobility of SLG after the deposition of PEDOT:PSS films. AFM micrographs revealed the homogeneous loading of PEDOT:PSS particles over the SLGs. Further, KPFM technique was used to estimate the work function modulation of SLG after PEDOT:PSS film deposition. Our investigation will be useful for understanding the device physics as well as improvement of photovoltaic devices based on PEDOT:PSS coated graphene.

The tuning of charge carrier of graphene is a potential step for the realization of multifunctional use in current electronic/optoelectronic devices.     

Relative Prevalence and Outcome of Fetal Neural Tube Defect in a Developing Country

Objectives

To find out the relative prevalence of fetal neural tube defect (NTD) and its outcome in terms of survival at birth and beyond 2 years of age.

Methods

A 10-year prospective (2008–2018) observational study was performed, which included all prenatally detected fetal NTD. Two-year follow-up was done in cases of pregnancies resulting in live birth, in terms of their survival, physical morbidity and developmental delay.

Results

NTD was seen in 401/648 (62%) cases among the central nervous system malformations. More than half of the cases (54.1%) presented after 20 weeks of gestation, and 42.8% of the mothers were primiparous. Spina bifida was seen in 206 cases, anencephaly in 144, encephalocele in 43, whereas iniencephaly was seen in only eight cases. Associated anomalies were present in 51.2%. Only 19.0% cases were live-born, and merely 11% were alive beyond 2 years of age. Among types of spina bifida, lumbosacral meningomyocele was the most common (41.6%), whereas thoracic was the rarest (8.7%). After 2 years, physical disability was observed in more than half of the cases who survived.

Conclusions

NTD is one of the commonest malformations with high mortality, and the physical and mental sub-normality is high among those who survive.

     

Comparison of magnetic resonance cholangiography and percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography in the evaluation of bile duct strictures after cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC) has been the preferred investigation to delineate the anatomy of the biliary tract in a patient with a bile duct stricture after cholecystectomy. Recently magnetic resonance cholangiography (MRC) has been described to evaluate the obstructed biliary tract. This paper reports a comparison of MRC with PTC in evaluating patients with an iatrogenic bile duct stricture. METHODS: This was a prospective study of 26 patients who had surgery for a bile duct stricture after cholecystectomy. Before operation all patients underwent both MRC and PTC, the results of which were compared with the intraoperative findings. RESULTS: Both PTC and MRC were comparable with regard to image quality, detection of intrahepatic bile duct dilatation, assessment of the level of injury and detection of abnormalities such as intraduct calculi, cholangitic liver abscesses and atrophy of liver lobes. MRC provided additional information in four patients, including detection of associated fluid collections (n = 3) and portal hypertension (n = 1). In eight patients more than one puncture had to be performed during PTC to delineate the complete anatomy. CONCLUSION: MRC is an accurate and non-invasive imaging procedure for preoperative evaluation of patients with a bile duct injury after cholecystectomy, and is capable of providing additional information which may not be available with PTC.     

Effect of Silicon Carbide and Tungsten Carbide on Concrete Composite

Flexural strength of concrete is an important property, especially for pavements. Concrete with higher flexural strength has fewer cracking and durability issues. Researchers use different materials, including fibers, polymers, and admixtures, to increase the flexural strength of concrete. Silicon carbide and tungsten carbide are some of the hardest materials on earth. In this research, the mechanical properties of carbide concrete composites were investigated. The silicon carbide and tungsten carbide at different percentages (1%, 2%, 3%, and 4%) by weight of cement along with hybrid silicon carbide and tungsten carbide (2% and 4%) were used to produce eleven mixes of concrete composites. The mechanical tests, including a compressive strength test and flexural strength test, along with the rapid chloride permeability test (RCPT), were conducted. It was concluded that mechanical properties were enhanced by increasing the percentages of both individual and hybrid carbides. The compressive strength was increased by 17% using 4% tungsten carbide, while flexural strength was increased by 39% at 4% tungsten carbide. The significant effect of carbides on flexural strength was also corroborated by ANOVA analysis. The improvement in flexural strength makes both carbides desirable for use in concrete pavement. Additionally, the permeability, the leading cause of durability issues, was reduced considerably by using tungsten carbide. It was concluded that both carbides provide promising results by enhancing the mechanical properties of concrete and are compatible with concrete to produce composites.     

Evaluation of Hydro-Alcoholic Extract of Eclipta alba for its Multidrug Resistance Reversal Potential: An In Vitro Study

The development of multidrug resistance (MDR) causes problems in the chemotherapy of human cancer. The present study was designed to evaluate and establish the role of Eclipta alba as MDR reversal agent using multidrug resistant hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (DR-HepG2). To develop DR-HepG2, hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HepG2) was transfected with 2-Acetylaminofluorene (AAF) and Aflatoxin B1 (AFB). Cytotoxic effects of the Eclipta alba hydroalcoholic extract (EAE) and standard anti-ancer drug Doxorubicin (DOX) were determined in DR-HepG2 and the parental cells HepG2 using MTT assay. The expression level of MDR1 gene and P-glycoprotein (P-gp) level was analyzed by RT-PCR and western blotting. From the present investigation, it was found that EAE (10 and 20 μg/ml) could significantly inhibit cell proliferation in DR-HepG2 whereas DOX (0.5 μg/ml) could not because of enhancement effect of MDR1/P-gp. This study demonstrated for the first time the antiproliferative activities of EAE in multidrug resistant DR-HepG2 cells. The findings revealed that Eclipta alba components are effective inhibitors of MDR1/P-gp.     

Feasibility of using interpolated contours of targets and organs at risk in intensity‐modulated radiation therapy treatment planning for advanced‐stage nasopharyngeal carcinoma

To assess the dosimetric effect of using interpolated contours in planning intensity‐modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for advanced T‐stage nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The present study focused on T3–T4 tumours where the proximity of targets to neurological organs poses a stringent test on the feasibility of such an approach. Contours of targets and organs were delineated on CT images of 2.5‐mm interval and a reference IMRT plan was generated. An investigative (INV) IMRT plan was then generated with the same planning protocol, but based on interpolated contours that replaced deleted contours on alternate slices. The reference and INV plans were compared. Regarding target coverage, all targets in the INV plans met the acceptance criteria except for the PTV in one case. Regarding organs, the mean dose to 1% volume of the brainstem and spinal cord in the INV plans were kept below their dose limits. No significant differences in the mean doses to others organs were found. Satisfactory target coverage and protection of critical organs to a degree similar to full‐scale contouring could be achieved with use of interpolated contours. The saving in manpower time for contouring is expected to significantly improve the throughput of the IMRT planning process.     

Management of platinum-based chemotherapy-induced acute nausea and vomiting: is there a superior serotonin receptor antagonist?

OBJECTIVE: The last decade has witnessed the great impact of 5-hydroxytryptamine-3 receptor (5-HT(3))antagonists in revolutionizing the management of platinum-based chemotherapy-induced acute nausea and vomiting (CINV). However, despite the availability of a variety of 5-HT(3) antagonists, little data is published to support superiority of one drug over another, leaving the choice of serotonin receptor antagonist largely empirical. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network and American Society of Clinical Oncology guidelines for management of chemotherapy-associated nausea and vomiting cleary endorse the use of serotonin receptor antagonist; however, no single agent is preferred over the rest. METHODS: Data for patients (n=159) receiving platinum-based chemotherapy regimens were retrospectively collected . Patients getting 5-HT(3) antagonists without steriods or those with known history of brain metastasis, gastroparesis, and intestinal obstruction were not eligible for the study. Patient characteristics including age, gender, primary diagnosis, history of heavy alcohol intake, chemotherapy regimen administered , number of cycles, and Eastern Cooperative Group performance status at the start of therapy were noted. Primary outcome was the complete control of platinum-induced acute nausea and vomiting. Secondary outcome measures included control of > or = grade 1 nausea or vomiting, comparison of two doses of dexamethasone, and antiemetic eficacy among various platinum drugs. National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria version 2.0 was used to assess toxicity. RESULTS: A total of 126 patients received 369 cycles of platinum-based therapy. Dolasetron ( n=157), granisetron ( n=81), and ondansetron ( n=131) achieved complete control of vomiting in 89.8, 95.5, and 92.3% (p=0.67) of cycles, respectively. Respectively, complete nausea control was observed in 68.1, 75.3 and, 69.4% (p=0.50). Dexamethasone 20 mg was not superior to 10 mg in complete control of nausea and vomiting ( p= 0.15 and p=0.63, respectively). However, complete nausea control was signinficantly better in the subgroup of patients getting cisplatin-compared with carboplatin-based regimens (78.8% vs. 67.7%, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: No significant difference exists in the antiemetic efficacy of the three 5-HT(3) antagonists studied in controlling CINV when administered in combination with dexamethasone. Choicce of antiemetic regimen should therefore be based on drug cost.