Ultrasonication assisted fabrication of a tungsten sulfide/tungstite heterostructure for ppb-level ammonia detection at room temperature

A heterostructure of WS₂/WO₃·H₂O has been prepared by partial oxidation of WS₂ nanosheets by exposing bulk WS₂ micron powder to ultrasonic waves in a bath sonicator. The as-prepared nanomaterial was used as a sensing film in an interdigitated electrode-based gas detecting device. The device was found to be specific towards ammonia gas among a group oxidizing and reducing gases. In particular, a response of as high as 11.36–254.66% was recorded for ammonia concentrations of 50 ppb to 2 ppm with excellent repeatability and reproducibility at room temperature. The response time and recovery time of the device was found to be a few tens of seconds suggesting its practicability. A plausible mechanism based on different active sites present in the receptor film is proposed and a logical reason behind its specificity towards ammonia gas is also inferred based on the Lewis acidic centers on the nano-surfaces. Overall, this proposed nanomaterial has very high potential for practical use as a room temperature ammonia sensor.

A tungsten sulfide/tungstite heterostructure is prepared via a modified liquid exfoliation technique. A chemiresistive sensor based on this nanomaterial demonstrates excellent sensitivity and selectivity towards ammonia gas even at room temperature.     

Improvement in CD 4 counts in HIV positive patients treated with HAART and antitubercular drugs: an observational study from North India

A decrease in CD4 counts in HIV positive patients with concomitant tuberculosis leads to an increase in the morbidity and mortality. Little data exists about the use of antiretroviral drugs along with antitubercular drugs on the improvement in CD4 counts from this part of country. The records of 119 HIV and TB positive patients were obtained from immunodeficiency clinic of tertiary care centre of North India who were on drug treatment for both the diseases and were analysed for demographic profile and effects on CD4 counts. There was a statistically significant improvement in the CD4 counts of the patients as compared to their baseline values mean (SD) as 120.03 (124.1) at visit one to 270.2 (141.3) at visit two (p < 0.01) and 320.9 (184.3) at visit three (p < 0.05). Six patients died during the period of evaluation. Concomitant use of antitubercular drugs with antiretroviral drugs has resulted in a significant improvement in the CD4 counts which is a marker of delay in disease progression.     

腹腔镜手术治疗全内脏转位合并低位直肠癌1例及文献分析

目的 观察腹腔镜手术治疗全内脏转位合并直肠癌的疗效。 方法 回顾性分析2016年9月安徽医科大学第一附属医院胃肠外科收治的1例低位直肠癌合并全内脏转位并行腹腔镜手术治疗的患者临床资料,同时通过查阅复习相关文献,探讨其疗效及安全性。 结果 患者经检查提示全内脏转位合并直肠癌,行手术治疗,术后随访1年,患者均未出现相关并发症或肿瘤复发。经检索,全球报道的全内脏转位合并直肠癌患者15例,均接受手术治疗:其中6例为开放,7例腹腔镜,2例机器人。报道内容1例为手术录像,2例为护理体会,12例手术报道:其中1例为姑息性手术,14例为根治性手术,术后住院时间3~21 d,15例患者均未发生手术并发症。 结论 内脏转位可根据影像学检查明确诊断,腹腔镜下全内脏转位低位直肠癌手术安全有效,内脏转位一般不需处理,但术前明确诊断可减少其手术风险。     

Native aortic valve tissue systemic embolization complicating bacterial endocarditis

Systemic embolic events are known complications of bacterial endocarditis. Embolization of prosthetic valves has previously been reported in the literature. We report a case of embolization of native aortic valve tissue to the popliteal artery as the presenting event in a patient with subacute bacterial endocarditis. To our knowledge, this rare complication has not been previously reported.